Virgin could be the next UK mobile phone provider to offer the iPhone 4 reports "Mobile News" (http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/News/506025/virgin_expected_to_sell_iphon...). It would be the sixth UK carrier to offer the latest iPhone.

"We are in ongoing talks with Apple," a Virgin Mobile spokesperson told "Mobile News." "There are no further developments at this point."

T-Mobile and Three are already confirmed as mobile network partners for the new iPhone. The iPhone 4 launches in the UK, US, France, Germany and Japan on Thursday, June 24.

Federal Trade Commission officials are preparing to review allegations that Apple "is trying to trammel rivalry in mobile advertising," people familiar tell "Bloomberg" (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?sid=aqUPm1Bx7jJI&pid=20601087). Regulators were already weighing a probe of Apple’s treatment of Adobe Systems over Flash and the U.S. Justice Department has made preliminary inquiries into Apple’s behavior in the music market.

The heightened scrutiny may prompt the company to give programmers more leeway in how they build applications for Apple products, Andrew Gavil, who teaches antitrust law at Howard University in Washington told "Bloomberg." The inquiries indicate government concern that CEO Steve Jobs may be trying to exert too much control over industries as varied as digital music, software development...

Native Instruments has introduced Session Strings (http://www.native-instruments.com/#/de/products/producer/powered-by-kont...), a virtual string ensemble for Kontakt 4 and the free Kontakt Player. It provides acoustic string sounds for pop, soul, R&B, disco, house and other contemporary music styles.

Session Strings recreates a string ensemble comprising four violins, three violas, two celli and two double basses, captured and produced in one of Germany's most renowned recording studios by sampling expert Thomas Koritke's new sound design house e-instruments. All recordings were taken from exclusive instruments from the 18th and 19th century, played by top musicians from some of the finest European orchestra.

Session Strings' Animator function can be engaged...

Beginning June 15, Best Buy Mobile, the mobile specialty retail unit of Best Buy, launches its pre-sale of iPhone 4 from Apple. Pre-sale orders can be placed at any Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile standalone store nationwide. The iPhone 4 will land in Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores June 24.

“Offering the iPhone 4 to consumers is just the latest example of how Best Buy Mobile has become the place to go for the best smartphones. It’s exciting to have an opportunity to launch this iconic device with this pre-sale,” says Shawn Score, president of Best Buy Mobile. “Adding the iPhone 4 to our stores alongside other great smartphones like the HTC EVO from Sprint and HTC Incredible on Verizon, gives customers a great opportunity to view each side-by-side and get the mobile phone that works best for them.”

Warrantech (http://www.warrantech.com) -- a provider of service contracts and after-market warranties for the appliance, consumer electronics, computer, furniture, home and automotive industries -- announced today that it's rolling out new extended multi-year service plans especially designed to protect iPads, 3D TVs, e-readers and tablet PCs.

In addition to the company’s service contract coverage, Warrantech is also offering Accidental Damage from Handling (ADH) protection on the iPad and other portable electronic products such as e-readers, tablet PCs, MP3 players, cameras, laptop computers, and other small electronic devices. For a fee, consumers are protected from damage caused by unexpected mishaps including unintentional spills, drops, falls and impacts. Screen damage such as a cracked lens resulting from accidental breakage is also covered.

This week's "MUG Event Calendar" is filled with names you know -- or at least should know.

Apple Senior Systems Engineer Dave Marra is on the list twice, once in Pennsylvania and once in Ohio, and his colleague, Systems Engineer Dreux Ste. Marie, will present to a Texas Group. Another individual making two MUG presentations this week is Rob Griffiths of Many Tricks Software, who will present to a group in Oregon, hop on a plane, and present to a California group the very next day.

Jay Gonzales of MacSpeech will introduce one California group to their products while digital artist Burt Monroy will discuss his digital photo-realistic art at another. Other topics up for discussion this week include the WWDC keynote, Steam, running more than one OS on your Mac, iPhoto, Topaz Adjust, GarageBand and more.

"The MUG Event Calendar" can be found at "The MUG Center" (http://www.mugcenter.com), an...

Konnet Technology (http://www.konnetonline.com) has announced the US$59.99 ReflexDock Pro, charging dock with audio and video connectivity for the iPod/iPhone and compatible with the new iPhone 4.

With it users can charge, sync, and transmit any audio/video content from their iPhone 3G, 3GS or 4 to their big screen TV -- all without needing to remove the protective case. Designed for those who want to watch downloaded movies, videos, and shows on a larger screen, the ReflexDock Pro allows you to view a mirrored image of your iPod app content on your TV via the AV Out connection cable (included in the package).

The ReflexDock Pro features Advanced Sound Reflection Design, which enhances speaker quality when the iPhone is docked, according to Christine Custodio of Konnet.  The curved panel design also improves mic reception, she adds.

Mobile Edge (http://www.mobileedge.com) has unveiled the EVO Backpacks for computers. They're available for laptops up to 17-inches, such as the super-sized MacBook Pro.
 
The EVO features 16 interior and exterior pockets for travel accessories and personal items. An interior workstation holds memory cards, flash drives, business cards, pens and pencils, plus a there's a media pocket for your iPod or MP3 player.

 Another Mobile Edge exclusive feature is their Cool-Mesh padded back-panel and shoulder straps designed for user comfort over prolonged use, says “We are very excited to add the new EVO Backpack to our growing product assortment,” said G. David Cartwright, president & CEO, Mobile Edge. A ruggedized bottom panel was added to protect the backpack from moisture, dirt and grime and for overall durability. 
 
The EVO also features a zip-open water bottle carrier that...

Booq (http://www.booqbags.com) has released the newest addition to their Taipan line: the US$29.95 Taipan spacesuit XS for the iPad. It sports a 3mm neoprene skin to protect the Apple tablet.

The Taipan spacesuit XS features a non-scratch interior lining that surrounds the entire iPad to keep it scratch free. Booq’s new skin also comes equipped with a cushioned jersey trim that provides a barrier between the screen and zippers.

The Taipan spacesuit XS is covered by booq’s five-year limited warranty. It's available in berry, silver, and black.

Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps announced. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).

Networking Technology (NTI), which specializes in electronic healthcare technology, has rolled out their ePrescribing solution for the iPhone. This free app will allow U.S. licensed prescribers to wirelessly generate prescriptions using high-speed thin client technology.

iVdopia (http://www.ivdopia.com), a video and rich media mobile advertising network, has launched the Future5, the first HTML5 ad-authoring solution available for the iPhone and iPad.

Sulaba has released Agile-Scrum Cheat Sheet 1.0 for the iPhone and iPod touch as well as for Android smart phone platform. The $0.99 features a concise set of  agile project management process flow, scrum methodology,...

Foxconn Technology Group says its customers -- which include Apple and Dell -- will have to pay more after it increased wages in China by nearly two-thirds following several worker sucides, reports the "Associated Press" (http://www.manufacturing.net/News-Foxconn-Wants-Apple-Dell-To-Pay-For-Wa...).

The comments from Taiwan-based Foxconn came at an annual general meeting Tuesday in Hong Kong, where protesters accused the company and Apple of poor corporate ethics. The 30 demonstrators held signs saying, "Workers are not machines. They have self-esteem," outside a hotel function room where shareholders of the group's Hong Kong-listed arm were meeting, notes the "AP."

The company last week announced the second in a series of raises that would increase pay by up to 65...

Apple has announced the Apple Design Awards for 2010, which honor the "best iPhone and iPod apps" (in the past, it honored Mac OS X apps as well). This year’s winners included:

° The Financial Times iPad Edition from "The Financial Times"

° Doodle Jump from Lima Sky;

° Brushes from Steve Sprang:

° TabToolkit from Agile Partners;

° Articles from Sopheistication Software;

° 20 Minute Meals from Zolmo;

° Star Walk for the iPad from Vito Technology;

° Real Racing from Firemint;

° Flight Control HD from Firemint;

° Pinball HD from OOO Gameprom.

The candidates nominated by developers (although Apple reserved the right to pick its own choices). Winners were chosen for design, innovation, performance and technology adoption.