Google has posted an update for the iPad version of its Search App.

The free App has been updated to include a number of additional features from the Google Search platform as well as a few unique features for the iPad.

Among the features offered by the update is Google Instant. The search tool allows users to see possible results as they type, the time-saving feature has proven popular since it was first introduced for Google online search in September of last year.

Additionally, the update will bring a new iPad navigation system which will sport result preview panels and allow users to view images on a carousel presentation screen which can be navigated through tap gestures.

Google has posted a video demonstration of the new App along with more information on its Mobile blog.

While iPad-optimised applications have existed since Apple first introduced the tablet, the practice seems to be picking up steam as both developers and iOS grow even more sophisticated and familiar with the iPad. We're anxious to see what features can to the iPad version of recently-ported applications such as Minecraft. 

Google has launched a music store and streaming service to rival Apple's iTunes, allowing customers to buy tracks directly from the Android Market.

Google Music lists more than 13 million tracks from labels such as Universal, Sony and EMI, and allows the saving of playlists online and the sharing of tracks with contacts through Google+.

The service also offers exclusive tracks from the Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews Band. Google has promised to court independent artists and smaller labels through the Artist Hub site.

"Google Music helps you spend more time listening to your collection and less time managing it," said a blog post by Andy Rubin, senior vice president of mobile at Google.

"We automatically sync your entire music library, purchases and uploads, across all your devices so you don't have to worry about cables, file transfers or running out of storage space."

Google Music could present the biggest challenge yet to iTunes. Apple has defeated all challengers to date, but Google has a huge brand and the resources to go head to head with the market leader.

It could also wean some people away from the Apple brand and convince them to move to Android.

Google Music is currently available in the US, and will be expanded to other territories soon.

Consumer Reports has issued a recommendation for the Apple iPhone for the first time in two years.

The influential reviews company said in a review of the iPhone 4S that Apple has finally addressed the antenna problems which had throttled reception and prevented Consumer Reports from issuing its 'recommended' status on the handset.

"In special reception tests of the iPhone 4S that duplicated those we did on the iPhone 4, the newer phone did not display the same reception flaw, which involves a loss of signal strength when you touch a spot on the phone's lower left side while you're in an area with a weak signal," the company said.

Consumer Reports also overlooked the reports of battery draining software bugs, and noted the improved camera and Siri voice control system. As a result, the iPhone 4S has received the recommendation which eluded the iPhone 4.

The site did note, however, that the iPhone 4S failed to match up with the top-rated Android handsets from Samsung and Motorola.

While the review will be a nice feather in Apple's cap, it is not likely to have much of an impact on sales. The iPhone 4 racked up record sales despite the snub from Consumer Reports, and thus far the iPhone 4S has set records of its own even without the 'recommended' label.

Apple has admitted that several bugs in the recently launched iOS 5 operating system are to blame for the battery power problems experienced by users of the iPhone 4S and other Apple devices.

Thousands of iPhone 4S buyers reported problems with the smartphone on the Apple web site, complaining that the battery drains extremely quickly even with light use.

Some said that the 4S is unable to last a full day on a single charge when features such as push notifications and Wi-Fi are turned on for any significant period of time.

Apple finally responded to the concerns on Thursday in a brief statement.

"A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices," the firm said.

"We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks."

V3's tests of the iPhone 4S confirmed the battery issues. The phone needs charging more frequently than older models, and using the notifications feature to the maximum 15 minutes wipes the battery within half a day.

Apple has extended its GarageBand music platform into the mobile space with the release of GarageBand for iPhone and iPod Touch.

The iOS port of the home recording tool is available for $5 on the App Store platform, and follows the unveiling of GarageBand for iPad earlier this year. It also rounds out iOS availability for GarageBand.

Users will be able to record sound from an amplifier or mixing console through the handset's input jack or built-in microphone.

Mobile handsets might not be the ideal platform for sound recording, but there are some situations where having GarageBand on your iPhone could come in very handy. Performing musicians are one likely audience, as are podcast producers looking to record on location or at events.

Additionally, the iPhone app provides another option for capturing audio and then transporting it to a desktop or other large workstation.

The launch of the iPhone 4S was one of Apple's most succesful product releases ever, shifting upwards of four million units in its first 72 hours on the market.

The biggest numbers, however, may be yet to come. Apple has opened up pre-orders for the iPhone in nearly two dozen additional countries, kicking off a full-scale international rollout for the handset.

Among the 22 countries are Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Spain and Mexico. The update builds on an initial rollout which included the US, UK, Germany and Japan. If the initial release is any indication, Apple will continue to pad out its already solid sales figures despite a lukewarm reception from critics.

The iPhone 4S has been panned for its lack of design updates and 4G connectivity, but tear-down studies have shown a number of significant hardware updates to the processor and memory level.

Additionally, the handset supports Apple's iOS 5 firmware update and the Siri voice control platform. An early review by V3 noted the improved processor and camera harware.

As the world continues to mourn the passing of Steve Jobs, Silicon Valley is preparing to memorialise the Apple co-founder.

Invitations have reportedly been sent out for a formal memorial service for Jobs to be held at Stanford University. The invitation-only service will likely include Silicon Valley icons and many of Jobs closest friends.

While Apple fans around the world have been offering their condolences to Jobs both at his home in Palo Alto and at Apple Store locations around the world, the event will serve as a formal goodbye for those who knew the man best.

The Stanford Campus seems a fitting place for the memorial as it was at the 2005 Stanford graduation ceremony Jobs delivered his now-iconic commencement address. The speech touched on many of the milestone events in Jobs life, but most notably it addressed the bout with cancer which would eventually claim Jobs life. Speaking on life and death, the Apple founder issued the following passage:

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

Two men who were alleged to have sold a lost prototype of the Apple iPhone 4 to blog site Gizmodo last year have been found guilty of misdemeanour theft.

Brian John Hogon, 22, and Sage Robert Wallower, 28, have been sentenced to one year's probation and 40 hours of community service, according to reports. Additionally, the pair have been ordered to pay Apple $250.

However, San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe has allowed the men to keep the $4,750 they made on the sale, while Gizmodo has not been punished for buying the device.

The device was found by the men after Apple software engineer Gray Powell left it in a German beer garden in Redwood City while out testing it in the field

"They were student technological geeks who did not intend to violate the law," Elizabeth Grossman, an attorney for Wallower, told the Wall Street Journal.

"The court recognised that this event was out of character."

After Gizmodo bought the prototype from the men, the blog posted details of its specifications as well as photos on its web site.

Apple took the case to court, arguing that by publishing details of the phone and its features, sales of its current Apple products would be impacted.

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs intervened personally in trying to retrieve the device.

During the case, the US police had searched blog editor Jason Chen's home for evidence.