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The most popular posts of 2009 show that demand for tethering on the AT&T network is strong despite a lack of official support. The following list focuses heavily on Apple's upgrades to the iPhone operating system and issues encountered by some users with firmware 3.1.

As always, there's heavy interest in jailbreaking every new iPhone OS. Another story that made the top 10 was the delay and subsequent launch of MMS in the US.

Not long after Apple counter-sued Nokia, the stakes of the battle have increased. Nokia is now claiming that Apple has violated its patents in almost all of its consumer electronics products. The US International Trade Commission has received word that Nokia believes Apple's iPhones, iPods and computers are all abusing Nokia's intellectual property rights.

Initially, Nokia claimed that Apple had violated patents including GSM and UMTS communications standards as well as security and encryption standards in its iPhone. Apple countered the lawsuit by saying that Nokia illegally copied 13 of its own patents and named the Nokia E71 as a device that completely mimics the iPhone.

Turns out you can't download that Dalai Lama iPhone app if you live on mainland China. Interested in Rebiya Kadeer, the exiled leader of China's Uighur minority? If you live in China don't look for any apps on your iPhone that mention that person, either.

You won't find them because Apple is likely complying to local laws banning specific political or religious beliefs in the Chinese version of its App Store. The Chinese government is infamous for its "great firewall" and routinely blocks large portions of the Internet with which the governing party disagrees.

Since surpassing the two billionth download mark this September, the App Store has seen an amazing increase in downloads over the holiday season. New iPhone owners are certainly involved, but iPod Touch users have surpassed iPhone downloads for the first time in late December.

With over 100,000 applications to choose from, owners carrying iPod Touch devices downloaded 1,000% more apps on Christmas than they did on the previous three Fridays. Yes, one thousand percent more downloads.

Waterford has been in the news lately as they have redone the crystal on the famous New Year's Eve ball for Times Square in New York. What you may not have heard is that the company has developed an iPhone app called Waterford Clink-Clink.

Believe it or not, the application is more useful than it sounds. Besides displaying a virtual glass of champagne that tilts when your iPhone tilts, the app can be used for sharing contact information and social networking.