Archive for the ‘Apple’ Category
As Apple rushes to release the next version of the iPhone, it is anticipated that they will drastically increase the CPU’s processing power. This was further confirmed by John Gruber, a veteran technology writer.
With the current 3G iPhone embracing a nifty 412 MHz CPU, the next generation model should climb to 600 MHz. That along with some architecture tweaks, shall increase the overall performance capabilities quite significantly. (more…)
Ben Reitzes, an analyst with Barclays Capital, believes that Walmart is flirting with the idea to begin selling Apple computer products in their store in the future.
Apparently they are looking to fill the gap that now defunct electronics retailer Circuit City left. Walmart is working on revamping and doing a hefty makeover of their electronics section by expanding their HDTV and Blu-ray selections and expanding their smartphone line up. Walmart is also one of the select stores where you can buy the new Palm Pre in June. (more…)
Sling Media has launched their first SlingPlayer App for the Apple iPhone. For those of you not familiar with Sling Media, they are the creators of SlingBox, “The SlingBox™ allows you to watch and control your favorite TV source from anywhere in the world on your laptop or cell phone. So now you can watch your DVR, digital cable, satellite receiver, or DVD player wherever you see fit. With the Slingbox SOLO, you can watch your favorite TV shows and sporting events from anywhere” (slingmedia.com).
With such a great product which rated “8.1 out of 10″ from CNET.com they have embraced the power of the iPhone and launched their first App called SlingPlayer. (more…)
The new iPod Shuffle really packs a big punch in a small package. It is only half the size of the previous Shuffle, yet it has a quite a few improvements. The biggest deal is the fact that it can now talk. It is called VoiceOver and at the press of a button it can tell you what song is playing, and who it is being played by. It can also say the names of your playlists, so you can easily switch between them without looking.
What if you want the shuffle to speak in another language? No problem, because it can talk in 14 different languages. (more…)
The AquaTune submergible speakers from Focal allow iPod connectivity for all of your underwater music needs. The Nano 4G model works with the latest iPod nano and has a pair of 1-watt speakers. The V2 model (pictured) is compatible with additional iPod models and has a 3-watt x 2 power rating.
Both models use clear, polycarbonate bodies and o-ring seals to prevent leakage and a flexible silicon rubber membrane that enables operation of the Click Wheel. They are submersible up to one meter for half an hour; any longer or deeper, and the seal may be compromised. (more…)
The 20th century has been all about one thing: innovation. Every year we have new technologies and new advancements that further progress our society. 2008 was no different and offered its own assortment of technological innovations and hot gadgets.
Below is a listing of some of the most beneficial, and some of the most popular gadgets and gear to come out of 2008. They serve to improve your home, the economy, or life in general.
- Slingbox SOLO
The Slingbox SOLO is a media unit that allows you to watch your TV from anywhere, either on your laptop or on your cell phone. The SOLO syncs to equipment such as your set top box, DVR, or satellite system and transmits HD-quality signals to wherever you are. You can watch your own TV from work, from China, or from the North Pole. The system costs a mere $179.99.
- Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle, like previous e-book readers makes use of a backlight-free E Ink display to display texts as an alternative to paper books. It only uses power when loading new pages and can last for hundreds of pages between charges. The Kindle’s key feature is a high-speed EVDO antenna that allows fast downloads from Sprint. The Kindle is available for $359.
- Intel Atom Processor
Not only is the Atom super small (47 million transistors on a single 26x26mm chip), but it is super efficient, with a power range from 1 watt to 2.5 watts. What the Atom brings to the market is the possibility to bring computer-level power into smaller formats, further evolving the potential for portable devices.
- Roku Netflix Box
If you have a Netflix account, then with the Roku box you will never have to wait for your movies to come in the mail ever again. The Roku connects to your TV and, through your home network, streams more than 12,000 movies and TV shows for free. The box costs $99, and requires a Netflix subscription.
- Apple iPhone 3G
The iPhone has been a top seller ever since its debut, so it comes as no surprise that it would be one of the hottest gadgets of 2008. It doesn’t handle email as well as the BlackBerry line, and as a phone, it is no better than most others, but it started a revolution. Available for $199.
- Wii Balance Board (and Wii Fit)
Wii Fit is one of those games that seeks to reinvent the video game genre by becoming a more practical family-oriented home utility, rather than a simple game. Combined with the Wii Balance Board, it becomes a full exercise training experience allowing you to do anything from aerobics to hula hooping.
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Custom touch screen manufacturer Troll Touch has recently debuted a new slipcover for Apple’s 24-inch LED Cinema Display that will give it touch screen input functionality. The clear plastic fitting is unnoticeable and does not alter the devices form factor in any way.
The Cinema Display touch screen integration kit comes with a clear slipcover that connects to your system via USB. Touch screen kits are also provided for the iMac and MacBook. (more…)
Earlier this week, Apple made the surprising decision to allow third-party web browsers on the iPhone. Apple’s default browser lacked many of the customization features that are popular with standard web browsers such as Firefox, and it looks like Apple wants to achieve that same level of customization on the iPhone.
The only condition is that all browsers developed for the iPhone must be created with the WebKit engine, which is what was used for Safari. If Mozilla can adapt the engine then we may see Firefox on the iPhone, but that most likely won’t happen anytime soon. (more…)
The US Patent & Trademark Office released an application from Apple last week that was filed in June of 2007 describing their research into a set of gloves that will allow the wearer to operate multi-touch electronic devices.
Described as a cold weather glove, the invention consists of two layers: a thin inner layer, and a heavier outer layer. The glove is intended to be used with touch devices such as the iPhone and iPod Touch, so as to prevent the user from having to remove their gloves in cold weather environments in order to use their device. Interestingly the patent is written to cover a much broader range of devices apart from those mentioned above. (more…)
Apple’s iPhone has proven to be quite a versatile piece of hardware, and earlier this month Apple said, “it’s not a phone, it’s a console experience.” While it makes use of the touch screen and tilt sensors for its gaming applications, without some other form of input (such as a D-pad and additional buttons) it really can’t compete with the other handheld consoles such as the Sony PSP or Nintendo DS.
We’ve been seeing some different prototypes of the iControlPad since summer, but now the iPhone gaming peripheral is heading into production. The unit itself is a case with additional buttons that the iPhone is inserted into, turning it into a handheld gaming console. (more…)
