Somewhere, the spirit of Steve Jobs is smiling.

The company he so reluctantly left behind is in better shape than ever. Jobs’ hand-picked successor, Tim Cook, is a well-compensated, self-effacing steady hand on the tiller — exactly as advertised. And every indicator of the company’s health you care to name is doing better than even the most optimistic predictions.

Apple had $97.6 billion in the bank as of the end of its first quarter, it announced Tuesday; that amount has almost certainly crossed the $100 billion mark by now. (The company’s first quarter actually ended on December 31.) It sold 37 million iPhones in the quarter, 7 million more than Wall Street was expecting. Sales of iPads and Macs also beat estimates. In other words, Apple owned Christmas.

And yet, far from crowing, the company sent out one clear message on its earnings call Tuesday evening: we can do better.

Cook was quick to point out that Apple had been struggling with shortages all quarter. Tragic floods in Thailand have led to poor availability for components across its devices. The company has not been able to make as many iPhone 4Ss as it would have liked. And it wasn’t even able to sell the 4S in mainland China, due to a rampage on launch day.

All of which left analysts wondering: what would the quarter have looked like if everything went Apple’s way? And if none of those problems can lay the company low, when will this amazing growth spurt end?

An Abundance of Caution

If anything seems likely to hobble Apple in the future, it’s that Cook’s greatest strength — his caution — is also his weakness.

Jobs may have ruled with an iron fist, and it was he who began storing up Apple’s cash to make a war chest large enough that it could be wielded as a weapon. But he also knew the value of throwing out as many spitballs as possible, in the hopes of finding one that stuck. At Jobs’ memorial service, design guru Jonathan Ive fondly remembered the one phrase Jobs would use above all others: “Hey, Jonny, here’s a dopey idea.”

Those dopey ideas begat the iMac, iPhone and iPad. They also begat the countless tiny improvements which helped each of those devices redefine their category.

But it’s hard to imagine Cook peppering Ive with dopey ideas. So who is throwing out spitballs at Apple now? Is upper management making it okay for the company’s designers and engineers to try new ideas and fail fast? Or is caution the new watchword throughout Apple?

If so, then Apple could find itself being out-innovated by the competition. As one of the analysts on the earnings call pointed out, Android phones already beat the iPhone in a couple of categories: screen size and speed (ie. 4G). Cook responded that Apple didn’t consider itself in a race with Android and was focused on creating the best product it could.

Yet if Android handset makers manage to overcome the battery life issues that plague 4G phones — the Droid Razr Maxx, set to launch Thursday, promises to do just that with an eye-popping 21 hours of battery life — then they have a very real claim to be selling more innovative devices than Apple. If that impression sticks among consumers, even Apple’s giant war chest won’t necessarily help it turn the tide.

It may seem almost too ridiculous to consider that Apple could be knocked off its lofty perch. But rest assured, it will happen sooner or later. All companies die eventually; all rise and fall. Cook is doing his best to push all problems into the far future, and in many ways he’s doing the best job imaginable.

But Apple already has two bars to jump this year: the launches of the iPad 3 and the iPhone 5. Expectations are ridiculously high. To meet them, Cook had better be throwing lots of spitballs behind the scenes — or appointing Jobsian idea-generating leaders who can.

More About: apple, earnings, ipad, iphone

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On average, the iPhone 4S demands twice as much data compared to previous iPhone models, as more consumers access data-sucking features such as its voice-based assistant software Siri, according to a new study.

A study released Friday by U.K.-based telecom network technology firm Arieso found that iPhone 4S users are by far the hungriest data consumers in the iPhone family. Indeed, the iPhone 4S model consumes on average three times as much as the iPhone 3G.

The study, called “Recent Smartphone Trends & the Extreme Data User,” looked at data usage across a variety of smartphones and connected devices. It called out iPhone 4S users as being the most demanding on their devices — but also revealed a trend that each new device is more data hungry than the last.

The iPhone 4 model consumed data more — at a rate of 1.6 times higher — than the iPhone 3G. Meanwhile, the iPad 2 consumes 2.5 times more data than the iPhone 3G.

Thanks to services such as Siri, and the explosive growth of mobile video, more advanced devices are putting pressure on bandwidth and wireless operators to perform at fast speeds.

“The introduction of increasingly sophisticated devices, coupled with growing consumer demand, is creating unrelenting pressure on mobile networks,” said Dr. Michael Flanagan, CTO at Arieso and study author. It’s worth noting, however, that Arieso is in the business of optimizing mobile networks, so these findings certainly work in the company’s favor.

Are you surprised that the iPhone 4S consumes so much more than other models? How do you consume the most data on your mobile device? Let us know in the comments.

More About: iphone, iphone 3g, iphone 4

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That was apparently the message Actor Stephen Baldwin texted to big brother Alec after his in-flight Words with Friends-fueled meltdown, which led to the actor walking away from Twitter and hundreds of thousands of followers.

The younger Baldwin shared this tidbit with Mashable as he walked the red carpet at the Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol premiere. Baldwin is not in the movie, so we have no idea why he was there. What we do know is that the actor, author and radio show host is a fan of Mashable. He’s also on Twitter (@StephenBaldwin7) where his verified account has almost 12k followers. Though he has only tweeted 336 or so times, Baldwin told us he likes to tweet about “pop-cultural thoughts and spiritual thoughts. I think it’s a great tool to be able to reach a lot of people in an instant.”

Baldwin seems to be something of a technophile and told us he’s an “iPhone Geek” and is on Facebook. His kids are, too. They’re teens now, but he insists they did not get on the huge social network too early.

As for his brother Alec, Baldwin said that he didn’t tell Alec anything when he dropped out of Twitter, but then offered that he may have texted him, “When you getting back on, man?” That’s what we all want to know, too, Stephen. That’s what we all want to know.

You can see the entire exchange in the video.

More About: alec baldwin, Facebook, iphone, Twitter

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Along with this wave of new material comes apps specifically designed to provide holiday entertainment. In the sea of talking Santas and augmented reality apps, new entertainment products spring up faster than jokey novelty stocking stuffers at the sales counter of your local toy store.

Here are 8 apps that corner the market on holiday minutia. Need a way to spread holiday cheer? Turns out, there really is an app for that.

Is there a holiday unitasker you love (or loathe) to unleash on your peers? Let us know in the comments below.

1. Mr. Breen Christmas Counter

" src="http://5.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/8-silly-holiday-apps/MrBreen.jpg" />

This puzzling anomaly of an Android widget features a rather intense-looking fellow in a Santa hat staring out coldly into the void and thinking about how many days left until Christmas.

If that's not enough to get you into the holiday mood, if you tap the face, Jingle Bells will begin playing.

Click here to view this gallery.

More About: android, apps, Christmas, Hannukah, Holidays 2011, iphone

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1. Jetpack Joyride

" src="http://5.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/10-best-iphone-arcade-games/JetpackJoyride.jpg" />

In this fast-paced game, players control their jetpack-clad character through hazardous corridors full of lasers, electric fields and missiles. Along the way, earn coins and tokens toward cosmetic upgrades like new jetpacks, costumes, distance credits or revival ability. Luck is a big factor in this game, but it cuts both ways.

Price: $0.99

Click here to view this gallery.

Although physical arcade games may be a dying breed, their influence lives on in mobile. Plus, many of the games still only cost quarters to play.

Traditional arcade games featured short bursts of gameplay that propelled you toward a high score. That fits mobile play just fine. These 10 mobile arcade games are perfect to play when standing in line or waiting for the bus. Short and sweet!

Check these out, and let us know your favorites in the comments below.

More About: contributor, features, Gaming, iOS, iphone

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1. Twickenham Riverside by Andy Blackwell

" src="http://6.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/spooky-photos/4143781992_f249cd5abc_o.jpg" />

Fancy a slow stroll along the river? We don't either.

Click here to view this gallery.

At this time of year we like to indulge ourselves with as many delicious chills as we can. To this end we’ve been taking a look at some spooky iPhotography.

We have found 10 creepy iPhone photographs that made the hair stand up on the back of our necks.

Take a look through our spooky photo gallery. Let us know in the comments which images send a shiver down your spine.

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We’re guessing that by now, the harsh reality has sunk in: the iPhone 4S is physically more or less identical to its predecessor. If you want to be special, however, there is a way to make your new toy stand out from the rest and shine in many magnificent colors.

ColorWare, the company known for its custom-colored Apple products, has added the iPhone 4S to its roster.

ColorWare‘s interactive website lets you choose a number of solid, glossy or metallic colors for your iPhone’s frame, back, button, SIM card tray – even the earbuds.

It comes with a steep price, however: $1500 for a 16 GB model, $1700 for a 64 GB one, or $250 if you opt to send your own iPhone 4S to ColorWare and let them work their magic with it.

[via Engadget]

More About: apple, colorware, iphone, iPhone 4S

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Now you can complement your collection of Angry Birds games, cases, cookbooks, plush toys and baby clothes with these speaker docks, decked out as your favorite feathered friends — and particularly compatible with iPods, iPhones and iPads.

The Red Bird speaker lets you connect any audio device with an auxiliary cable while propping up that device in its own stand that looks like it’s already taken a couple of direct hits from those avian aggressors.

The helmeted pig can charge up an iPod or iPhone with its protective headgear while playing back its audio with two stereo speakers and a subwoofer, while our favorite Angry Birds character, the powerful and explosive Black Bird, charges up an iPad and plays audio in a similar fashion.

Can’t wait, Angry Birds addicts? All three are set to smash into Apple Stores and gear4.com later this fall.

Get pricing details and a close-up look at the trio here:

Red Angry Bird

Red Bird speaker ($79.99) works with any device with an auxiliary audio output.

Green Helmet Pig

This loathsome pig (sound effects not included) will cost you $99.99, and is compatible with iPhone and iPod for charging and playback.

Black Angry Bird

Of course the Black Angry Bird, also $99.99, is powerful enough to charge up an iPad, and you can park your tablet in its special halfway destructed holder.

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Including atmospheric, gothic platformers and stark, physics-based puzzlers, these five games offer immersive, grown-up gameplay thanks to atmospheric soundtracks, unique artwork and quirky concepts.

Take a look at our hand-picked selection below. Let us know in the comments about any more unusual iPhone games you enjoy playing.

1. Spooky Hoofs

" src="http://9.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/iphone-games/spooky.jpg" />

This gothic running game offers fast side-scrolling action with atmospheric backgrounds and creepy characters.

Cost: $0.99

Spooky Hoofs Gameplay

With two virtual buttons you control a horse and coach as it careers through a series of gloomy, gothic landscapes.

The game keeps you on your toes as you have to avoid obstacles and enemies while trying to collect magic orbs that give your horses special powers.

With one slip-up meaning game over, the moonlit, menacing setting, eerie sound effects and up-tempo music adding a sense of urgency will see you gripped very quickly.

2. Contre Jour

" src="http://5.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/iphone-games/contre.jpg" />

A physics-based puzzler, Contre Jour lets you control a little creature called "Petit" through a weird and wonderful landscape.

Cost: $0.99

Contre Jour Gameplay

Chillingo claims Contre Jour "blurs the lines between games and interactive art." With its orchestrated soundtrack from composer David Ari Leon and shadowy looks it's certainly different, but retains a kind of dark whimsy.

Playing the game is similar to Cut the Rope, but certainly feels fresh enough to justify the $0.99 download.

The character you control — "Petit" — isn't cutesy, but manages to capture your empathy, just as the game captures your attention, especially if you play with headphones, as suggested.

3. DeathFall

With gothic-slash-steampunk graphics, DeathFall offers mesmerizing gravity-led casual gaming.

DeathFall Gameplay

This is an odd little game. Through the iPhone's accelerometer you control a skull on a freefall through a strange world habited by beautifully illustrated objects.

Gameplay is surprisingly hypnotic, although you may find yourself jarred to attention when you hit obstacles.

Easy to get into, but not so easy to master, DeathFall is strangely addictive and deliciously different.

Cost: $1.99

4. DEO

Unusual and surprisingly challenging, physics-based jumping is the crux of peculiar platformer DEO.

Cost: $0.99

DEO Gameplay

With scratchy graphics and a electronic soundtrack, DEO is a stark game with a very simple, but effective, main character.

The aim of the game is to jump to each hill of a rotating level to "capture" it in order to grow your planet.

So, the concept is simple, the tap controls are simple, but playing DEO is not. It's all about timing, and it's deceptively difficult.

5. Grimm

A dark Victorian world forms the backdrop of Grimm in which you control a (possibly possessed) baby carriage with the aim of returning a lost infant to its mother.

Cost: $0.99

Grimm Gameplay

An imaginative, creative iPhone game, Grimm gives you platforming and puzzles.

Grimm may feature a baby, but it's definitely not a baby-ish game. The Victorian world is inhabited with horrible characters who threaten the infant you need to get home via the vintage carriage.

As a platformer, it's a unique take with wonderful artwork, a filmic soundtrack and excellent sound effects.

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Apple is well known for being a tight ship, but apparently one of its board members forgot to batten down the hatches. That would be the most famous member of the board: Nobel laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

Speaking at the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit in South Africa, Gore interjected the following aside into his speech: “Not to mention the new iPhones coming out next month. That was a plug.”

That may not sound like a huge blunder — after all, the fact that the iPhone 5 is going on sale at some point next month currently ranks as one of the world’s worst-kept secrets. But take note: nobody at Apple has officially confirmed it yet. Even the October 4 unveiling, leaked to AllThingsD Wednesday morning, is still just a report. Nary an invite has been seen.

Note also the plural in Gore’s aside. It is possible that he was referring to multiple copies of the iPhone 5, but that seems unlikely — especially as we’ve been hearing rumors for months of a lower-cost, lower-memory version dubbed the iCloud iPhone.

Gore has been an Apple board member for more than eight years, and this is the first time we’ve seen him let slip even the slightest detail on an upcoming product. Given the company’s code of secrecy, such an unwarranted statement in a prepared talk — he wasn’t even being interviewed — counts as a major breach of discipline.

If this were an Apple employee, or even any other board member, we’d fear for his future at 1 Infinite Loop. Gore, of course, is a heavy-hitter at the company who’s done a lot of work on making Apple products more sustainable and reducing his carbon footprint. We’re guessing he gets a pass this time. But Tim Cook, take note: Your ship is not as tight as you might like.

[via TheNextWeb]

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