Apple now offers last compatible versions of apps for older iOS devices

Apple is set to launch iOS 7 tomorrow, and now the company is showing some extended support for those with older iOS devices. Users with older devices can now easily download a back dated version of an app from the last time it was compatible with their device.

First posted over on Reddit, when you go to download and install a version of an app that is not supported by your current hardware, Apple will now prompt you with a handy pop-up that directs you to the last supported version of said app.

60beat introduces GamePad accessory for iOS gaming

Smartphones may not be as suited for gaming as traditional handhelds from Sony and Nintendo, but that isn't stopping iOS and Android from dominating the mobile games market in terms of revenue. A number of factors have contributed to this phenomenal growth, such as the high adoption rate of new smartphones and tablets, and the super cheap prices for quality titles compared to those for dedicated portable gaming systems.

But for all the convenience of smartphones and tablets, we can hardly say that relying on touch controls is ideal for gaming. With that in mind a company called 60beat has launched the 60beat GamePad, which connects through the headphone jack to enable console-like controls on your iOS devices.

It sports a similar design to Sony’s PlayStation 3 controller and the button configuration is rather similar as well -- there are a couple of analog joysticks, a D-Pad, 10 action buttons and 3 menu buttons. The GamePad draws power from your iDevice, eliminating the hassle of changing dying batteries and making it heavy to hold.

Games have to be programmed to support the new device and so far only 2 titles support it: Bugdom 2 and Aftermath. But the accessory maker says a "full collection" of supported games will be added in February 2012. The 60beat GamePad is priced at $49.99 and is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

iPod touch users report graphical glitches after iOS 4.3 update

Over on Apple Discussions, iPod touch owners are reporting graphical glitches after updating their devices to iOS 4.3, which was released earlier this month. After updating, screens on affected devices seem to flicker and distort, particularly on the lock screen and with the arrival of a push notification.

The issue appears to mainly affect fourth-generation iPod touch devices. Users are reporting different variations of the problem, but they all come down to random distortion with what is being displayed on the screen. Some have uploaded video examples of the problem on YouTube:

During the iOS 4.3 testing phase, none of the three beta releases had this problem; it appears to only be present in the final ''Golden Master'' build. Users experiencing the problem have urged others to report it via the iPod touch feedback page.

Apple has yet to publicly acknowledge the issue. In the meantime, resets and factory restores don't appear to do anything, so users are waiting for a patch from Cupertino. If you have an iPod touch and have upgraded to iOS 4.3, are you affected?