Even though an iOS version of the fantastic Portal series of games are nowhere to be found, this isn't stopping the release of official spin-off apps of sort on to the App Store. This one in particular is home to several interesting nuggets of information that any Portal fan will enjoy. For instance, Valve Software didn't always have a clear vision for Portal 2, which hit earlier this week on the PC, Mac, and HD consoles. At one point early in its creation, Portal 2 was a prequel set in the 1950s. Also, it didn't have portals.

This is according to game journalist Geoff Keighley in his brand new magazine-style app called "The Final Hours Of Portal 2." [$1.99] It's essentially an interactive article � with loads of text, some videos, and even pictures � that tells the story of the creation of Portal 2 and brings to light a lot of cool, previously unknown information.

I should note that Valve doesn't open up a lot to the media, so this is both a pretty rare and privileged kind of story and definitely a cool way to throw your support behind a gifted writer. Beware, the app is home to some minor spoilers. Really though, if you're the kind of person who is contemplating purchasing a supplemental app to read about Portal 2, you've likely already beaten it, so this shouldn't be much of an issue.

…And if you haven't played both Portal and Portal 2 and you own a capable PC, Mac, Xbox 360, or PS3, you really need to fix that.

[via Kotaku]

9 to 5 Mac reports that it has heard from a source that Apple has been providing developers at high-level iOS gaming companies with new prototype iPhone models based on the A5 system-on-chip found in the iPad 2. The developers are said to have been given access to the devices, which look exactly like the iPhone 4 from the outside, to assist them in preparing for advanced graphics and computational performance available with the new chip.

They already have select developers working on versions of their iPhone applications that take full advantage of the next-generation iPhone's speedier and much more powerful hardware. These developers, seemingly from high-level gaming outfits, have been given what is essentially an iPhone 4 but with an A5 processor instead of an A4. The device itself is virtually identical to the iPhone 4, and there is no way anyone can tell it's not an iPhone 4 based on the phone's exterior.

The source is reportedly calling the prototype iPhone an "iPhone 4S" in a nod to the iPhone 3G-to-iPhone 3GS transitioned, but that appears to be an unofficial name. The souped-up iPhone 4 is also said to reside in a company safe when not in active use, an understandable move given Apple's penchant for secrecy.

The report notes that this A5-based iPhone isn't necessarily the next-generation iPhone rumored to be released in September, but may simply be a sort of mid-stage custom upgrade to give prominent developer partners access to hardware performing at nearly the same level as we will see with the fifth-generation iPhone. Apple is of course expected to pack in other new features such as an upgraded camera and presumably a world-mode wireless chip for the next iPhone, but those features are apparently not included on these development units.

Originally posted on our sister site MacRumors!