[Update] Rumor: Anonymous LG Executive Claims 4″ Display For Next-Gen iPhone, 7.35″ iPad In Development.

It never fails. A new Apple product is released ushering in the latest generation of Cupertino designed hardware (and software) and not more than a month later (many times sooner) the rumor mill picks back up. Today, the source is an unnamed LG executive who doesn’t waste any time getting to the front of the pack of Apple rumors.

The claim: Apple’s next-gen iPhone will feature a 4″ display.

Sound familiar?

Sony Confirms Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Coming To All (2011) Xperia Phones.

While the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich future is a bit murky from manufacturer to manufacturer, Sony at least has made it easy for us concerning their portfolio. Today the company confirmed that all of their Xperia branded phones (2011 models) will be receiving an Android ICS update. From the horses mouth:

There have been a few questions here on the blog and in our support forums regarding our upgrade plans beyond Gingerbread. We can today confirm that we plan to upgrade the entire 2011 Xperia™ portfolio* to the next version of Android known as Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich. We are working on merging our current Xperia™ experience with the new features in Android 4.0. More detailed information regarding this upgrade, timing and global availability will be communicated in due course here on the blog.

* “2011 Xperia™ Portfolio” refers to the following products: Xperia™ arc and arc S, Xperia™ PLAY, Xperia™ neo and neo V, Xperia™ mini and mini pro, Xperia™ pro, Xperia™ active, Xperia™ ray as well as Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman™

Relieved, Xperia owners?

Leaked Image Shows Us RIM’s (Alleged) First BBX BlackBerry, The BlackBerry London.

Introducing the “BlackBerry London”, the alleged first BlackBerry to run BBX. All we can say is that if this turns out to actually be RIM’s first BBX toting BlackBerry, we’ve found ourselves excited to hear more for the first time in a long time.

According to the Verge who scored the leaked image above, the device makes use of a dual-core 1.5 GHz TI-OMAP processor paired with 1 GB of RAM as well 16 GB of in-board storage, 8-megapixel (rear)/2-megapixel (front) cameras, and of course, the PlayBook OS (renamed “BBX” for phones).

As rumors go these days, take it accordingly (read: with a grain of salt). The image above while well done could prove to be nothing more than grand farse. Of course, the other and much more disappointing outcome could be that this is a concept device, destined to remain deep within RIM R&D for all eternity. Hopefully it is (1) real and (2) going to meet the real world by the rumored June 2012 release date.

What do you think: If RIM were to release a phone that looked like the device pictured above, would it showcase a BlackBerry comeback?

Buzzkill: iTunes Match Subscriptions Already Down/Closed Due To “Overwhelming Demand”.

Looks like Apple underestimated the popularity iTunes Match would have with iTunes users. The latest iTunes 10.5.1 with iTunes Match integration just launched and already subscriptions to iTunes Match are down/closed. If you managed to get in before it all went to hell (or a developer who signed up months back) let us know how it’s going for ya!

[Update] Apple Releases iTunes 10.5.1 With iTunes Match.

Apple may have missed their self-proclaimed October release date for iTunes Match, but we’re not one to hold grudges. Put any feelings of ill will to the wayside and get downloading the latest iTunes 10.5.1 update which includes iTunes Match.

We’re not seeing any mention of iTunes 10.5.1 in via Software Update yet within OS X, though it should begin popping up sometime this afternoon. If you’re in the same boat, simply navigate to http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ and get the party started the good ‘ol fashioned way — manually.

We’ve installed the official version over the recently launched 10.5.1 beta 3 and haven’t noticed anything different yet (for better or worse) save for iTunes Match still being labeled as “beta” in the official 10.5.1 installer.

Let us know how your mileage varies with iTunes Match. The latest beta 3 released just a few days ago wasn’t exactly perfect.

*iTunes Match is currently a U.S.-only feature.

Update

…And iTunes Match subscriptions are already down — iTunes Match subscriptions currently down.

Check Out YouTube’s New Design.

YouTube hasn’t really changed too much design wise since it was launch many years back. But coming soon will be a new design that is by far the best thing that’s happened to YouTube yet. As you can see above, the “new” Google look (read: New Gmail/Google+) continues spreading across Google’s products, and brings a much more organized layout and deeper Google+ integration.

We are really digging the new look and think it looks a lot more polished and modern compared to the sparse, 2002-era design the site currently uses. The new look is currently rolling out slowly to select users. Sadly we don’t have any official dates for when the rollout will be finished or if this is even a legitimate rollout (test phase?). But rest assured as soon as we know, you’ll know.

More pics: New YouTube UI Gallery

Poll: Has iOS 5.0.1 Made Your iPhone Experience Better (Or Worse)?

iOS 5.0.1 was released to the masses on Friday with the biggest fix pertaining to a nasty battery drain issue related to (what many believe to be) location services. After a few days, however, the interwebs are alight with reports stating that the update did little if anything to fix their battery problems. Even worse, a growing number of people are claiming the update made their battery life worse! More trouble — apparently there’s also a new bug introduced by iOS 5.0.1 residing in Contacts.app that sees names and numbers not being correctly paired to one another. This latest bug is on top of previous pre-5.0.1 bugs such as an an audible echo and the aforementioned battery drain. Looks like the iOS team at Apple still has their work cut out for them.

So tell us: How’s your iPhone 3GS/4/4S after the iOS 5.0.1 upgrade? What problems (if any) were you having before the update, and were they fixed or made worse? Drop your thoughts in the comments after the break.