It’s a great day for those of you currently using Googles new Google+ service and also Apple’s iPhone. Why? Because it’s the day Apple finally approved the Google+ app for the iPhone of course.

This has been a point of some contention among iPhone using Google+ testers and now it looks like Apple has heard their requests and let this one through. Of course, when the Google+ serrvice launched on June 28th there was an app for Android available immediately. Makes sense, right?

Now we’ve got the iOS version. Google+ for iOS is supported on the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 as long as the device is running iOS version 3.1 or later.

Ready to get it? Head on over to the iTunes Store and go nuts!

UPDATE: As of a few minutes ago the app has been updated in the iTunes App Store. So, if you’re not using version 1.0.1.1809 (you can tell by touching the gear at the top left of your screen in the app) then you should uninstall the old version and then download and install the new one. You’re welcome.

Even though some people are already testing out iOS 5 (a bit jealous of our bosses Chris and Matt) others are still using a version of iOS 4 on their iPhone and iPad. To help those people out, Apple has just released iOS 4.3.4 for its iOS devices.

This update will work for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2, iPad and third and fourth-generation iPod touch devices. Not forgetting its Verizon customers, Apple has also released a comparable update for the CDMA iPhone 4 known as iOS 4.2.9.

These updates address the usual bunch of “fixes and improvements” but also features a security update that addresses a vulnerability with PDF files. It also patches the extremely popular jailbreak.me jailbreak solution, so it will no longer function on devices that update. Sorry hackers. You can read more about the update on Apple’s site.

iOS 4.3.4 and iOS 4.2.9 are available immediately via iTunes. Let us know if you have any problems with the update.

It might have taken a bit longer than originally thought but today Apple has finally rolled out its iOS 4.2.1 update for the iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and iPod touch. The biggest changes with this release will come for iPad users, who have been left without a version of iOS 4 for their devices until now.

Once they apply the update iPad users will be able to take advantage of Apple’s multitasking workaround for third-party apps, folders, AirPrint, unified inbox and much more. However, the good news isn’t just for iPad users. iPhone 3G users should also experience much needed performance improvements.

The update is available via iTunes so connect those devices and get updating. If you do, let us know if you have any problems or if things get better.

On a somewhat related note, Apple has made Find My iPhone free for all users. The feature, which allows GPS-enabled iOS devices to be located from via a web interface, had previously been part of Apple’s $100-per-year MobileMe service. Sadly, MobileMe still costs money. Come on Apple, let it go.

Click through o read the full press release from Apple.

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Sometimes a game come out and fans just take to it in droves. Case in point: Rage HD from id Software. After only one day in release, the game shot to the number one spot on the top-grossing chart in Apple’s iTunes Store.

The highly-anticipated, and very coo,l first-person shooter only costs $1.99 and can be played on the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad or current-generation iPod touch. It’s a pretty amazing looking game and really shows how well iOS devices can be used as a gaming platform. A lot of potential there for sure.

Rage HD replaced Angry Birds as the App Store’s top-grossing app in less than a day, and it is already number 2 on the top paid app charts. This success will hopefully spur developers to make more games like this for iOS devices. If so, that’s good for iOS and, of course, good for gamers. After all, you can’t really carry around an XBox 360 console with you everywhere, now can you?

Rage HD is available in Apple’s App Store for $1.99. A standard definition version called RAGE is also available for $0.99.

iPhone users get ready for a brand new operating system for your shiny devices. This week Apple released the GM (Gold Master) of the next version of its OS for iPhones to developers to test and that can only mean one thing: It will hit for the rest of you very soon.

In earlier statements, Apple had promised iOS 4.2 by early November and it looks like they are probably on track. If you have developer access (Like some of us here at The Flickcast) and like being on the “bleeding edge” of iOS releases, head on over to Apple’s Developer Site to get what you need.

Two of the new features expected to be included in this update include Air Print for remote printing via a networked Mac or compatible HP hardware and Air Play which will allow user to hand off video playback to the iOS-based Apple TV. Pretty slick.

If you end up installing this update let us know your results in the comments.

Yesterday, Google announced that its Goggles image search feature is immediately available in the App Store for Apple’s iPhone smartphone. The new feature, which will be bundled into the Google Mobile App, will support iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 devices running iOS 4 or higher.

“Computer vision is a hard problem and Google Goggles is still a Labs product. It works well for things such as landmarks, logos and the covers of books, DVDs and games. However, it doesn’t yet work for some things you might want to try like animals, plants or food,” explains Google. Ok, well, we won’t blame you for that. Maybe it will come in a future update?

This is a pretty darn cool app and makes the iPhone even more useful than it already is. Plus, if you use it correctly, it kinda makes you look really smart. Like you know stuff.

Want to know more? Check out this video from Google after the jump.

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Today, in a press conference taking place at Apple’s HQ in Cupetino, CA CEO Steve Jobs declared to the world that the iPhone 4 has been having some problems. Jokingly calling it “Antenna Gate” Jobs reiterated the company’s commitment to satisfying all customers. Then he went on to explain that antenna signal loss is not unique to the iPhone 4 and is, in fact, common to the entire mobile phone industry.

He then trotted out some specific examples including the Blackberry 9700, the Samsung Omnia and the DROID Eris, all of which seemed to suffer from the same loss of signal when gripped a certain way. Jobs also said that the iPhone 4 underwent extensive testing nd that Apple knew if the phone was held a certain way the signal bars would drop.

Going on Jobs said that regardless of the rumors and apparent widespread antenna issues only .55% of all iPhone 4 users have actually called AppleCare to report problems with their devices. He also cited return rates on the device comparing them to the return rates of the iPhone 3GS, which were 6% according to AT&T. For the iPhone 4 return rates are at 1.7%, a third of the iPhone 3GS.

Jobs also cited AT&T’s dropped call rates per 100 calls indicating that the iPhone 4 drops less than one call more per hundred than the iPhone 3GS. Although, he seemed to attribute that to fewer cases being available, including Apple’s own “Bumper Case,”  for the iPhone 4 than the 3GS.

Finally, Jobs again stated that Apple cares about all customers and he wants all customers to be happy. To ensure that, he said “There is no antenna gate” and outlined Apple’s plan of action to combat this perceived issue:

• iOS 4.0.1 update which fixes the inaccurate signal strenthg reporting on the iPhone 4

• Every iPhone 4 owner will receive a free case from Apple. Log in and choose a case at Apple’s website next week and they will send it to you. Users who already purchased the “Bumper Case” will receive a refund.

• If the customer is still not satisfied, simply return the iPhone 4 for a full refund.

• The Proximity Sensor will be fixed in the next update.

Well there you have it. Apple says the iPhone 4 has an antenna problem, just like most smartphones,  and offers a free case to fix it. Until they design a new iPhone that doesn’t have this kind of issue or, as Jobs said during the conference “rewrite the laws of physics” I guess a free case is going to have to do.

If you’re an iPhone 4 user having the antenna issue, is a free case enough for you or do you want more? Sound off in the comments.

UPDATE: The full video of the presentation is now online at Apple’s website.

Just in time for Apple’s press conference today that will supposedly address the iPhone 4 antenna “issue” comes an update to the latest operating system to grace the iPhone, iOS 4.0. According to the release notes, the software updates the OS to version 4.0.1 and “improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display.”

The update works with iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4. Like with all updates for these types of devices, to install simply sync your iPhone to iTunes and click the Update button. To install, simply sync your iPhone to iTunes and click the Update button.

It’s kinda funny how Apple is passing this off as a simple mathematics error. If so, why have a press conference at all? Unless it’s to reaffirm the problem is simple software and then point on the fix they just issued? Only Steve Jobs knows for sure and he’s not saying — at least until a bit later today.

Apple’s iPhone has been making great strides to prove itself as a legitimate gaming platform. While many of the games for it are casual in nature, others such as Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars have shown the hardcore audience has a place on the platform as well. Activision, seeing this, has capitalized by introducing the Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies series to the iPhone.

Gameplay:

Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies II is a first person shooter using the touch screen of the iPhone. There is a dual “analog” setup with movement on the left and aim on the right. Players can zoom in by tapping the gun icon for more accurate aiming. Shooting is accomplished by tapping the screen on the aiming “analog” and grenades are tossed by tapping an icon on screen.

The controls work as well as one would expect for an iPhone. They are responsive but nowhere near as accurate as a mouse and keyboard or a control pad with actual analog sticks. Having your aiming analog act as the fire button as well prevents certain FPS standards like turning while strafing around enemies which ends up becoming more of an inaccurate zigzag attempt.

The gameplay starts out slow to let players get accustomed to the controls as a few zombies begin bashing their way past wooden barriers around the doors. Eventually, the number of zombies ramp up as well as the addition of Hellhounds. The first time I was hit with a sneak attack from two rabid Hellhounds that teleported into the room it was almost instant death.

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Don’t be jealous of your friends who ordered a new iPhone 4. Well, maybe just a little. At least you’ll be able to use that fancy OS Apple designed for the new iPhone because they have just released iOS 4 into the wild for all to download and enjoy.

iOS 4 can be installed on your newer iPhone OS devices including the iPhone 3G, the iPhone 3GS, the 2G iPod touch and the 3G iPod touch. With iOS 4, you’ll be able to multitask, use folders to organize your apps, have a unified e-mail inbox, and much more. Sadly, without an actual iPhone 4 you will miss out on some features, like that two-way-video chat thing, but you still get some cool stuff.

As has been pointed out at various outlets, this version of iOS4 is the same 8A293 build seeded to developers with the GM release candidate. So, if you’re a developer, no need to update.

You will also need iTunes 9.2 for your new iOS 4 installation. Also, iPhone 3G users may need to do a full restore, not just an update, to get this release working.

If you do decide to update, let us know your experiences, good and bad, in the comments. For us, one iPhone 3GS updated so far and all is well.

Two things that we’re pretty big fans of around The Flickcast offices: web comics and Apple. A good portion of us are proud iPhone owners, and some of us (mostly those who can’t deal with AT&T) show our Apple pride with other products like the Mac or iPad.

We all know how crazy the ever-changing world of consumer electronics can be, but Apple certainly takes the cake. I couldn’t tell you how many old iPhones or iPods are now sitting on my desk as paperweights due to my need to buy the “next big thing.”

We’re also fans of the humorous web comic The Oatmeal. Their zany, original humor has made us smile at least once, and now they’ve brought it to a whole new level by outlining what it’s like to be an owner of an Apple product.

Check out the web comic after the jump, and we’ll be sure to bring you the latest news about the next cool new Apple product to hit the market.

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Beginning today, retail juggernaut Wal-Mart is slashing the price of Apple’s 16GB 3GS iPhone to just $97 with a standard two-year contract. The new lower price will save consumers just over $100 off the normal $199 price-point.

Apple is widely expected to launch a brand-new iPhone model next month, and this new lower price-point could indicate they are working with retailers to clear out any remaining inventory of the soon-to-be-outdated model. Interestingly, other retailers have not yet followed suit. The 16GB 3GS is still priced for $199 on Apple’s Web site and that of its partners, including electronics retailer Best Buy.

Apple has reportedly sold 8.3 million iPhones during last quarter, more than twice the amount sold during the same period in 2009. A recent furor erupted when an Apple engineer reportedly left Apple’s newest iPhone model in a local bar near the company’s Silicon Valley headquarters. Popular gadget site, Gizmodo managed to acquire the iPhone, running dozens of pictures and performing a full tear-down and review of the upcoming model’s features.

According to Gizmodo’s extensive coverage on the subject, some of the new iPhone features may include a front-facing video chat camera, improved regular back-camera with a larger lens and flash, a micro-SIM instead of standard SIM, an improved display that seems to run at 960×640 resolution,  a secondary mic for noise cancellation, along with numerous other minor refinements and enhancements.

Wal-Mart is selling both white and black 16GB models and they are only available for sale in-store, not online.