Here is an undocumented feature in iOS 4.1.  With this new update, the iPhone can be placed into field test mode which basically shows you the signal strength without the bars. That way you can test your signal strength anywhere see how the metal band effects the signal.  Here's how: On any iPhone running 4.1 dial *3001#12345#*

Once done, the signal bars will be replaced with a number.  The lower the number (or rather higher the negative) the worst the signal.  When you're done with test mode just click the home button and all is back to normal.  If you want to quickly switch between signal bars and the numerical value just click the signal bars/numbers in the bar.

Now you can prove that the metal strip effects your signal strength!!!  But then you realize it really doesn't matter and go about your business with your iPhone 4.

The day wouldn't be complete if Apple didn't join the foray of firmware updates that have launched today.  iOS 4.1 has hit the Apple servers and is available now for download via iTunes. iOS 4.1 includes fixes to various bugs and adds some features at the same time.

The biggest addition is Game Center.  Game Center adds a central location where game developers can have leaderboards, achievements and will give players the ability to find games to play together.  Games that support Game Center are starting to hit the App store including Ms. PAC-MAN, Cro-Mag Rally, Flight Control, etc.  I am currently installing the update and will have my thoughts on Game Center in the new few days.

For those of you who have jailbroken your iPhone or iPod Touches you may want to wait a few days till the new jailbreak is out.   This official Apple update breaks the jailbreak.

Do you remember that game that we covered the announcement of a long time ago? Probably not, but it was this free-to-play iPod/iTouch/iPad game called Office Heroes. Well, Office Heroes did well enough as a game by gaining over 300,000 users, resulting in Developer Astro Ape Studios releasing two major update, one for push notifications and one for friend codes. As soon as I get myself one of those new-fangled desk jobs, I'm going to get this one running on my iTouch. Check out the press release below for more information .

ENFIELD, N.J. - Sept. 02, 2010

The hardworking developers behind the popular mobile social game, Office Heroes, have cracked the employee suggestion box, going live with two hot updates in one week: push notifications and friend codes. Let the employee appreciation begin! Next up: free pizza and Hawaiian shirt Fridays. Or Vampire Fridays, if that’s your thing.

Since its launch in July 2010, Office Heroes has attracted more than 300,000 users to this free to play iPhone / iPod Touch app. The object of the game is to climb the ranks by completing a variety of timed office tasks (such as making coffee, clearing spam, and checking faxes) in order to amass career points and Paperclips, the in-office currency that helps you build a swanky office -- a necessity for your rise to the top.

“We’ve seen how many people out there love Office Heroes, so we wanted to make everyone’s gaming experience that much more meaningful,” stated Astro Ape co-founder William Fong. “With the update for push notifications and friend codes, everyone and their mother can play this game -- literally!”

With push notifications, players stay further engaged with the game, because players receive an alert on their mobile device upon the completion of each ingame task. It’s a feature that’s especially useful for those lengthy, maximum-career point-earning tasks. And let’s not forget about office friends and allies. Until now, players have utilized their Facebook accounts to add friends and engage socially. But with the friend code update, players can invite friends without using Facebook at all. Simply send your friend a code, and they can visit your office, where you can try to convince them to do your work for you while you take a break and wait for push notifications. Now, that’s what we call upper management.

If you aspire to be an office hero, don’t let your work go undone. That game of Solitaire isn’t going to play itself, so hurry back into that office and start inviting friends and sending faxes. Thanks to push notifications and friend codes, now you’ll be notified every time a task is complete, and have all of your friends along for the ride as you move along your trajectory to virtual CEO.

Bethesda Softworks and Dark Horse Comics have recently released the preview to Fallout: New Vegas - All Roads for the iPad and iPhone.  This graphic novel will only be available in the Fallout: New Vegas Collector's edition.

Written by Chris Avellone, the game’s Senior Designer, All Roads is tightly integrated into the story of New Vegas, even containing clues to in-game missions for the sharp-eyed reader. Artists Jean Diaz (Incorruptible) and Wellinton Alves (Shadowland: Blood on the Streets, Nova) and cover artist Geof Darrow (Hard Boiled, The Matrix, Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot) stunningly interpret the world of New Vegas. 

Featuring twelve full pages of story and Geof Darrow’s intricate cover image, this app is sure to whet your appetite for the graphic novel, and for Fallout: New Vegas itself.

The download is for both iPad and iPhone versions and can be found on iTunes.  Check out our previous below...