We start off the day with the spotlight focused on deals for the iMac, the iPad 2 and the 3rd-Gen iPod nano. First up is an iMac bundle that includes a Core i3 Dual processor running at 3.2GHz, with a 27-inch screen, 8GB of RAM and three years of AppleCare for just $1,629. Next is a leather case for the iPad 2 which also acts as a built-in stand. Finally, for owners of the 3rd-generation iPod nano is the action jacket clip case from DLO. This case features a clip, armband and more.

Along the way, we look at other hardware, including cases for the iPhone 4 and iPod, as well as sound system and software. As always, details on these and many other items can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump.

Remember back in April, when Steve Jobs replied to the overblown iPhone LocationGate mini-scandal by saying that it was Google who was tracking users, not Apple? As he often is, looks like Steve is right.

Two weeks ago Sunday, my iPhone 3GS slid from my pocket and nuzzled itself amongst the fossilized bubble gum, mottled receipts and other sticky detritus that lays thick between the seats of the 7:20pm MBTA train to Forest Hill on the Orange Line. Doubtless someone is playing with it even now. I didn’t even notice it go, but unlike the last time I lost my iPhone, my initial reaction was not panic or thundering rage, but a serene sense of acceptance: I just don’t need an iPhone anymore. I barely even tried to recover it. This is my new phone, and god help me, I love it.

The iPad has been widely embraced by publishers who think it will stave off the death of print, but the latest forecast is grim: not even the “magical” iPad can save newspapers from the grave.

We went bonkers last week and gave out more free hardware in seven days than we ever have before. To mix things up this week we’re going to be giving out some beautiful software to enhance your Apple experience. Today we’re teaming up with the great people behind StackSocial who have given us three promo codes for their latest Mac Essentials Bundle. With eleven Mac apps worth $333 that we’re giving away for free, this is one of the best software giveaways we’ve ever had. You’ve got to play to win though, so here are the details on what you’ll win and how to qualify for the giveaway:

Just one day after we posted the top ten most common iPhone passcodes, Apple has yanked the app that generated them. According to the developer, though, he was only following Apple’s own rules.

Although Apple scoffed at the financial impact of the settlement, licensing fees of Nokia technologies in the iPhone will end up costing Apple billions.

Want to know what it’s like to work at the Apple Store? How to get hired, what training you’ll receive, how much you’ll be paid, even the choice of words you’ll be forced to use when you let a customer down? A new subscriber only report from the Wall Street Journal has all the juicy details. Here’s the most interesting bits.

After repeatedly being bashed by Apple, here some good news for RIM: mobile advertisers aren’t abandoning the platform, but actually taking a second look with dumb phone advertising rising, says one advertising network Wednesday.

Facebook might be looking to challenge Instagram’s crown as the reigning king of iOS photo sharing apps.

Last night, Apple released Airport Utility 5.5.3, a minor bug release update for both Apple’s AirPort Extreme base stations as well as Time Capsule. More interesting, though, is reference within the update to incoming updates to Apple’s two wireless routers. Are these the iOS-running, A5-equipped Time Capsules we’ve been waiting for?

Evidence within the iOS 5 Beta suggests that Apple’s planning a future iPad with a Retina Display, but before we all get excited and take this as confirmation that the iPad 3 will pack a 2048 x 1536 display, let’s remember that we’ve heard all of this before.

In the last few years a kind of cat and mouse game has evolved between Apple Legal and some of the more daring (and creative) members of the Cult of Apple: tempting fate by selling Steve Jobs collectibles, and risking the wrath of Apple. How long before your Cease & Desist letter arrives?

Here are some of the more popular items created in the past few years.

I take a lot of the things for granted on my iPhone, since I’ve been using one since the original was released back in 2007. Apple released the iPhone, which many call the iPhone 2G, along with an Apple branded Bluetooth headset. That headset didn’t last very long and it was ultimately abandoned by Apple and replaced by third-party alternatives.

Therefore, although Apple abandoned the headset market iOS retained the support that Apple baked into each Bluetooth headset they made. That support allows my iPhone 4 to display the mysterious symbol that a fair number of readers comment about on my posts. So what is it?

Earlier today, Apple’s former VP of Retail Ron Johnson shocked everyone by ending his eleven year career in Cupertino to become CEO of JC Penney, a middle-of-the-road department store chain which sells clothing like this.

At Apple, Johnson famously invented the Apple Store concept, defined by each location’s uniiform low-key community vibe, easily accessible solution stations, troubleshooting Genius Bars and uncluttered and austerely aesthetic layouts. At JC Penney, however, Johnson will largely have to reinvent the 1,100 retail stores he’s already got… and what he’s got sure isn’t pretty. Check out this small sample of JC Penney department stores currently blighting the American landscape.

It seems ages ago when folks were yukking it up with the feminine hygiene tees about the newly-baptized “iPad.” That name now seems so associated with Apple that it’s hard to imagine it with anything else.

What about iCloud? This simple moniker was in the air, as it were, since Apple bought the .com domain from Xcerion who used it for their CloudMe software, (now available over at www.cloud.me).

The website of iCloud Communications (see below) just set its lawyers on Apple for trademark infringement over the name which the Dallas company says it has been using since 2005.

A company got in touch with Cult of Mac after our story about Apple enforcing the ban on iPad giveaways. Their apps were being held in limbo — see email above — during the iTunes approval process due to a contest they were running.

Stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place, they opted to pull the iPad contest. (The giveaway had been a major way, they told us, to get the apps better known.)

When Steve Jobs unveiled Apple’s first retail stores in 2001, pundits said they were a costly mistake and he’d be closing them within a year. A decade later, Apple has reinvented retailing with a chain of 300 shops that make more money per square foot than Tiffany & Co.

Here are some of the best quotes from Jobs and the chief architect of the stores, Ron Johnson, about their retail philosophy, strategy, and execution.

The best camera, as they say, is the one you have with you. The BBC seems to be embracing this fact, and so it’ll be rolling out a special app to its reporters hat will allow them to report on breaking news in the field, right from their iPhone.

Last week I posted here about the lack of mention of iWeb and MobileMe website hosting in any of Apple’s communications about its forthcoming switch to iCloud.

I’d understand it not being mentioned by Steve on stage, but I expected to see at least some sort of help document somewhere. But no, nothing.

A full week has passed since WWDC, and yet we’re still finding little gems inside iOS 5. The latest finding is that the improved Calendar App allows creators of events to invite people to attend, and then see who all is coming once they’ve responded. The new magic is all made possible with iCloud. Here’s how it works:

Over at GigaOm, Alex Layne asked the question: if Apple killed the Finder, would you miss it?

Hell yes. Yes I would.

Is this 3D-capable tablet spotted at the annual Display Taiwan expo a prototype for the iPad 3?

It certainly looks like one: the 9.7-inch form factor and chassis design are a dead giveaway, even though the actual manufacturer of the tablet is hidden by tape.

Apple may be preparing to put the AirPort brand to rest with Lion: they’ve changed references on OS X 10.7 from “AirPort” to “Wi-Fi” universally across the system. But why?

Here is a photo of a new week view in the native iOS 5 calendar app. That app now features a scrolling landscape view of the users calendar, but the view changes depending on whether or not you are using an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.