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With the iOS 6.x jailbreak slated for release on Monday, those planning to jailbreak should take one step to make sure their devices can always be restored to iOS 6.1 after Apple stops signing the firmware. If you have to restore your iPhone in the future, it pays to have SHSH blobs saved so you can always go back to an earlier, jailbreakable version of iOS.

Apple could always close loopholes with iOS 6.1.1 or later, making it more difficult for the evad3rs to successfully jailbreak. Once Apple stops signing an older version of iOS, you must have your SHSH blobs to restore. There are only a few simple steps and a free software package required to protect yourself from losing the iOS 6.x jailbreak. The extra insurance is worth the time it takes to follow these instructions:

Not everyone enjoys teddy bears and flowers for Valentine's Day... So what do you get that special geeky someone in your life? Here are five great gifts for Apple fans.

iTunes Gift Card

You can't hand someone an app or digital book, but you can hand someone a gift card. An iTunes gift card allows the owner to purchase their favorite music, games, apps or books from the iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store. You can buy $15, $25 or $50 cards directly from the Apple Store, or larger amounts from other retailers like Walmart.

Apple surpassed multi-year leader Samsung to become the top selling mobile phone vendor in the US during the fourth quarter of 2012. Strategy Analytics estimates that Apple sold a whopping 17.7 million mobile phones for a record 34 percent market share. Samsung fell to second place with 16.8 million phones shipped in the same period, adding up to 32 percent of the US market.

According to NPD Group, the iPhone 5 was the top selling smartphone in the US during the last quarter, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S III. The iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and Samsung Galaxy S II were in third, fourth and fifth place respectively. There's nothing like a new product launch right before the holidays to drive sales. The iPhone 5 made up 43 percent of all iPhone sales, and accounted for almost two thirds of all post-paid smartphones above $199.

T-Mobile will finally offer Apple products early in 2013. Millions of iPhone users already count T-Mobile as their wireless carrier, even though an official deal between Apple and the company is fresh off the presses. Details are lacking, however 9to5 Mac reports other carriers are interested in T-Mobile's plans to eliminate subsidies.

It's possible T-Mobile could offer its iPhone purchasers a lower up-front cost along with a monthly installment plan, spreading the total cost of a new device across 20 payments. These individual installments would cost around $15-20 per month and could be billed with the wireless subscription plan.

National Geographic has updated their first-rate World Atlas iOS app to version 3.0.1 and is celebrating the occasion by offering the software for free. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users can grab a copy sans charge for a limited time. The download tops 203 MB so a Wi-Fi connection is required.

The World Atlas application features Retina display compatibility, a redesigned user interface and added features, along with National Geographic's impeccable research and cartography. All maps have been updated for 2013 and can be viewed in antique, classic, road map or satellite modes. Built-in measurement tools can be used to compute distances accurately.