Oceanobservations has graced us all with a concept that we power-users have wanted since the start, multitasking.  Their concept is done using what you would think Apple themselves would use, coverflow.  See the video for the full concept and lets all hope this feature comes to the next major update to the iPhone OS.  The concept creators full explaination of their idea is below:

The number one requested iPhone feature multitasking is tackled in this “What if iPhone had…” concept by Ocean Observations. There are several benefits of multitasking, and we believe it will come to the iPhone sooner or later. 

Our idea is to present the running apps together with the rest of your app icons on the home screen, instead of hiding them behind long pressing some unrelated key.  All running apps have a miniature representation in a cover flow at the bottom of the screen. To make room for this, each home screen page will have one less row of icons and the dock is removed completely. But since the running apps often will equal your favourites, they will still be easily accessible. 

You can tap or swipe any of the cover flow miniatures to move it into focus. Then tap it again to bring it to full screen. Once an app is full screen, double-tapping the home button brings up the cover flow, letting you jump between running apps. This extra feature could be the new default setting for double-tap, which you could still change in the settings. Tapping the home button once minimizes the app into the running apps cover flow. The apps are arranged by the order you launched them, with the most recently launched app to the left. 

A running app is also indicated by a backlighted app icon with a blue text label on the home screen. It’s still possible to bring a running app to full screen by pressing its icon.

To close an app, drag it out of the cover flow and the miniature moves back to the app icon on the home screen. The app icon then changes back to its original state. Depending on the performance of the phone, there could be a maximum number of running apps. In that case, when launching a new app, the least recently used one could be closed automatically.

We take a look at the Shades Cases for the 4th Gen. iPod Nano.  While I would love to be overly positive about them due to their environmental friendliness, it is touch to love a product which makes the click-wheel near unusable.  It could just be me, but I don’t seem to have the same sort of issues with the other touch interfaces on similar cases.

[Shades Cases]

Apple has released an update for iPhone and iPod Touch bringing us to 3.1.2.  The update addresses some of the common issues of 3.1, but no update yet on battery life.  The update contains the following:

This update contains bug fixes and improvements, including the following:

- Resolves sporadic issue that may cause iPhone to not wake from sleep
- Resolves intermittent issue that may interrupt cellular network services until restart
- Fixes bug that could cause occasional crash during video streaming

The update is available now via software update in iTunes

We take a look at the new iPhone & iPod Touch stands from iBend. They have combined with Occupy Baby in the App Store and offer their products together for a very reasonable price.

We are giving away three iBends. If you would like to win, please subscribe, comment on youtube and wait 1 week. After September 10th, 2009 we will draw the winners randomly.

[iBend]

You know those times when you have so much to remember you end up forgetting one or more of those important things you were supposed to do?  If so this free app is for you.  This is the most interesting and best scheduling app we have seen come to the app store yet.  It does some pretty impressive things to help you manage your daily schedule.  Be sure to at least try it out.

[reQall (Memory & Remembering Aid)] Free

Rating: ★★★★★ 

The application itself is very well done, but very simple.  You can choose from three languages and an auto-play feature and that is all to be found in options.  When using the app it provides visuals, sounds and text (if the child is old enough to read) to inform and educate your child all while giving you peace of mind for a few minutes.  Think of it as the toy you may have had as a child where you pull the arm and where ever the dial was would say “A Rooster says…” or whatever other farm animal it happened to land on.

In the future the application will offer more scenarios other than the farm and all for free.   For just .99 it is a wise buy should you trust your child with your precious iPhone.

[Occupy Baby] $.99

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

You watched the movie, you played the game on your NES and you bought the soundtrack, now is the time to relive the classic days of Maverick and Iceman, but as yourself.  The game gives you 10 full, action packed levels while you fly the top of the line F-22 Raptor on your missions.  This game makes all other attempts at Top Gun seem silly.  Top Gun delivers with acti0n, songs such as Danger Zone and the Top Gun Anthem and spot on controls that make this a must have for any iPhone or iPod Touch gamer.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

[Top Gun] $1.99

Cyan brings this classic puzzle solving visual adventure in all of its original cd-rom glory to your iPhone or iPod Touch.  The full experience is here and molded perfectly into your touchscreen.  The visuals remain vivid and beautiful and the controls are spot on.  The game is dated however and we deter slightly for its replayability.  Overall this is an excellent choice for anyone who loves a good problem-solving adventure.  If you have played or remember playing the original on your Mac, PC or a number of consoles it came to, then the value for what you get will leave you with hours of enjoyment.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

[Myst] $5.99

Doodle Jump is a simple yet addictive game that has wasted much of my time and I am sure will do the same for you.  The beauty of the game is in its simplicity with the object being to jump up as high as you can from platform to platform while avoiding objects.  Be sure to pick this one up if you want a simple, addictive game on the go.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

[Doodle Jump] $0.99

Once again Smule has done it with Leaf Trombone.  Another instant classic as Ocarina was/is, this game and/or music simulator brings the trombone to your iPhone or iPod Touch.  Not only can you just play the instrument, but you can choose from a wide array of songs to play, you can judge others online, or play live for others to judge you.  The depth that this App brings to the buyer for just $0.99 is astonishing.  This is another “must buy” for anyone that loved Ocarina or wants a full features music simulator.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

[Leaf Trombone] $0.99