The AppAdvice Week In Review

The summer continues, but that doesn't mean fall isn't in the air. This week, the biggest rumor in the iOS universe was that Apple would hold their fall event on Sept. 12. Meanwhile, Amazon made a lot of noise by releasing their Instant Video app for iPad. These and other topics were just a few of the stories we covered in the week that was.

Amazon plays in Apple’s court

You have to admit, Amazon is really committed to taking on Apple. This week, the largest online retailer on the planet released their Instant Video app for the iPad. Using it, customers can now stream television shows and movies purchased through the Amazon website. In total, 120,000 videos are now available for viewing on the app. More importantly, Amazon’s Prime customers can now stream thousands of titles for free on their iPad. Joe White, who first reported the news, explained:

Not only does the new, free app allow users to stream thousands of Prime Instant Videos to their iDevice, but users of the application also have the option of saving purchased and rented videos to their iPad for offline viewing.

Meanwhile, for those folks that have a jailbroken iPad and couldn't use Amazon's new app, a quick solution was soon uncovered. As Dom Esposito explained:

In order to fix the error, download xCon from the Cydia Store on your jailbroken iPad. This Cydia tweak should solve the error message you’ve been receiving. Once you’ve installed the tweak, your Instant Video app should be error free. Users have reported receiving this error when attempting to playback video on a jailbroken iPad in the Instant Video app. I’ve confirmed the success of this fix and haven’t had any issues since installing xCon.

Will Apple ever offer streaming video through iTunes? Indeed they should.

Apple Cellular?

We've know for some time that Apple was thinking about getting into the cellular business to take on AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Now, it looks like Cupertino might buy Sprint to do so. This week rumors surfaced that Apple might purchase the nation's third-largest cell provider or at least buy a significant stake in the beleaguered company. We asked our readers what they thought of this possible merger. Not surprisingly, the comments were mixed. For example, YujinNY was quite vocal in his support for a Sprint takeover explaining:

i wish apple would buy sprint, beef their network and then nail all other carriers in the ass for being a bunch of greedy bastards (sic)

UrbanLegend was less impressed, stating:

Apple is playing their own game and who knows when other networks are going to be screwed if they bet on their 'friend'. First they addict people to their devices, buy Sprint and soon AT&T, Verizon are left in the cold. (sic)

New iOS devices to be announced on Sept. 12?

Numerous reports suggest Apple's fall event will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 12. If correct, this will be the day we finally see the next iPhone and possibly the iPad mini, both which are said to already be in production. According to the reports, the iPhone would arrive in U.S. stores on Sept. 21. Should you upgrade your phone come September? We've got the answer. Want to know what the next iPhone could look like? Check out our report, What Does The New iPhone Look Like Compared To The 4S? Also possible in September is a new iPod nano that could make Dick Tracy very proud.