Apple is manipulating NAND flash memory pricing though “questionable” purchasing strategies, according to a new report. Citing multiple unnamed industry officials, The Korea Times reports that Apple is using the leveraging power provided by the popularity of the iPhone and flash-based iPods to order more chips from semiconductor makers than it actually needs. “Apple should certainly be blamed for deteriorating the supply and demand…

We’d love to be able to say that Surge Pro is worthy of its $40 premium over the standard Surge and Surge Sportwrap versions, but we can’t; regrettably, H2O’s more expensive earphones may pack better drivers, but they haven’t been tuned properly here. Though we did find them to deliver crisper sound than the standard Surge, they were actually too sharp, with decidedly less rich bass and the sort of overemphasized treble that…

A new job posting on Apple’s website suggests the company is working to substantially improve and/or rework its Maps application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The listing for a full time iPhone Software Engineer says, “[t]he iPhone has revolutionized the mobile industry and has changed people’s lives and we want to continue to do so. We want to take Maps to the next level, rethink how users use Maps and change the way people…

As SwitchEasy’s entry into the increasingly popular hydrocarbon case genre, Vulcan ($20) is an iPhone 3G/3GS design with a few of the company’s signature advantages. Beyond the price, which is aggressive by hydrocarbon standards, Vulcan includes twin headphone port and Dock Connector port plugs, twin screen protectors, a cleaning cloth and an applicator card — collectively more than you’ll generally find in the packages of competing cases. SwitchEasy…

Apple has posted a new page with links to information on how to build iTunes LP and iTunes Extra files for submission to iTunes. Linked on the new page are templates for creating the files, along with a how-to, best practices documents, a development guide, and information on asset delivery, testing, and TuneKit, Apple’s API for iTunes LP and Extras files. Interestingly, the first line of the TuneKit Programming Guide (PDF Link) references “Cocktail…

Welcome to this week’s gaming edition of iPhone Gems, which we’ll describe as “the week we play catch-up” with a collection of significant new releases that appeared during vacation time this month. Five new titles are featured in Gems this week, including a first-person zombie shooter, a mostly third-person space shooter, an action puzzler, an action platformer, and a classic board game. They’re all noteworthy for one…

The iPhone finally launched in South Korea over the weekend, with strong demand seen by carrier KT. Apple had seen difficulties in getting the iPhone past the country’s telecommunications regulatory body, receiving preliminary approval in September, followed by final approval earlier this month. According to KT, roughly 65,000 people placed orders for the iPhone since it became available for pre-sale on November 22. We’re hoping that this…

Apple has begun field testing a next-generation iPhone model, according to device usage records from an iPhone/iPod touch application. Mac Rumors reports that developer Pandav, who uses PinchMedia to provide analytics for its app iBART, found a device identifying itself as “iPhone3,1” in its usage logs for November. Apple has in the past used the first number to identify a major architecture change between models, with the original…

This week’s Ask iLounge topics: Identifying purchased tracks in iTunes, iPhone 3GS Airplane Mode requirement, Advanced Smart Playlists in iTunes 9, Restoring iTunes from external hard drive, iTunes Store country restrictions, iPod nano 5G speaker compatibility

Apple has officially begun its Black Friday 2009 sale, offering discounts on a number of Apple and third-party items. All fifth-generation iPod nano models are available for $11 off their standard prices, while iPod touch discounts range from $21 on the 8GB model to $41 on the 64GB version. The Apple TV is also available at a $21 discount, and the company’s iMac and MacBook Pro computer lines are also on sale, along with a wide range of first-…