News & Features

iOS 5.0.1 Over-the-Air - How'd You Fare?

News & Features

iOS 5.0.1 Over-the-Air – How’d You Fare?

This morning the world was greeted with iOS 5.01, a rather minor update designed to address the less-than-stellar battery life that people are reporting. Personally my iPhone 4S has been pretty good on the juice, but both my dad and sister have had major problems with their phones dropping 20% in as little as an hour. In addition to fixes to improve battery life, iOS 5.0.1 adds additional multitouch gestures to the original iPad (I want these on my iPhone…) and resolves iCloud issues. Us Aussie’s get a special mention, with improvements to Siri to better understand our “foreign” accent. I’ve…

iPhone Battery Life Got You Down? The Cure Just Arrived

News & Features

iPhone Battery Life Got You Down? The Cure Just Arrived

As promised and expected Apple just released its first update for iOS 5.0. This one should fix the battery life woes that have been killing a lot of us. Better still, thanks to the Over the Air Update system that arrived with iOS 5.0 you don’t even have to go to iTunes. Just connect your iPhone to a power source and go to updates in the system preferences.

Andrea's SuperBeam Phones On-Ear Headphones Go "Boom-less"

News & Features

Andrea’s SuperBeam Phones On-Ear Headphones Go “Boom-less”

I’ve used a number of Andrea headphones for voice recognition in the past, and I’ve always been impressed. The company’s SuperBeam Phones are a departure from previous models, and I’m really loving the design choices that went into creating them. They are sleek on-ear headphones that drop the microphone boom, but still offer great voice quality. Here’s what the company has to say about them: SuperBeam headsets deliver Hi-Definition sound. Our unique integrated array microphone system is designed for use with Andrea’s patented beam forming and digital noise reduction audio software, providing “The Freedom of Voice”. SuperBeam also provides a new…

Cdock Turns Your iPhone into a Fab Table or Bedside Clock

News & Features

Cdock Turns Your iPhone into a Fab Table or Bedside Clock

  We’ve all seen docks that allow you to set your iPhone up as a bedside clock, but this one takes the concept to such lengths that it is worth a mention: the Cdock keeps your iPhone 4 or 4S charged while holding it so that you can glance over to get the time instead of fumbling to pick it up from your bedside table. There are different styles available, and when you add the Gorgy Timing Atomic Clock app (or any other favorite iPhone clock app), you’ll have one beautifully functional setup. The only downside that I can see is you…

You Got Me a What??? The Best Gift Idea Since… Gifts

News & Features

You Got Me a What??? The Best Gift Idea Since… Gifts

Remember the prank where you put the ring in a box and then that box into another box and then that box into another box and so on and so on? The person gets a huge box and, when the gift is finally revealed it is something small but awesome? Well this takes that idea and super-charges it. 30 Watt: Prank Packs are “fake gift boxes that appear to contain ridiculous products from clueless companies.” As the company explains, they are the “Perfect way to trick your friends and family during that special holiday. Just fill the box with whatever the…

Republic Wireless $19 Per Month Cell Service Open for Signups

News & Features

Republic Wireless $19 Per Month Cell Service Open for Signups

Every now and then you hear about something – the $100 laptop, the $35 tablet, the $19 smartphone plan – that seem to good to be true. And in some ways they are – there are limitations and compromises and caveats. In terms of the $19 smartphone plan, this week Republic Wireless unveiled their rumored plan – and it is both good and bad. The system is based on controlling the hardware – you need to use one of their special LG Optimus phones – and shifting much of the ‘heavy lifting’ to WiFi. So if you need the latest…

Victoria Secret Model Reveals Brutal Starvation Pre-Runway Diet

News & Features

Victoria Secret Model Reveals Brutal Starvation Pre-Runway Diet

I have repeatedly talked about the unhealthy foods and unreasonable quantities and government subsidization of unhealthy processed foods … but today we got something from the other end of the spectrum. In spite of protestations by ultra-thin actresses and models that they can ‘eat whatever they want’, most reasonable people tend to believe that the truth is uncomfortably close to the parodies on TV shows and movies where the model is asked about eating and claims to have eaten an orange for lunch … then confesses it was a single slice … and was the entirety of her solid sustenance…

Music Diary Notes: Spotify Lands on Windows Phone 7!

Music Diary, News & Features

Music Diary Notes: Spotify Lands on Windows Phone 7!

While the first reaction to this news might be ‘so what?’, it is worth noting because the on-demand services have been slow in arriving on Windows Phone 7, and their offerings have been generally anemic when they DID appear. I am thinking specifically of Slacker, whose initial app was both unreliable and a battery drainer, and also Rdio, who supported the platform but the offering definitely paled compared to their iOS and Android apps. That was then, this is now – Slacker fully supports background playback, Live Tiles, instant resume, and more. And Rdio’s Mango update includes background play and…

Rugged PCD Wrangler Coming to U.S. Cellular

News & Features

Rugged PCD Wrangler Coming to U.S. Cellular

Last week my 15-year old son ran a load of laundry. That would be a great thing … except that he failed to remove his cell phone from his jeans! Another phone on the heap of teenage abuse! So when I heard that US Cellular was releasing the rugged PCD Wrangler later this month, all I could think was … THERE is a phone made for my son! Here is the description: Rugged and tough, the PCD WranglerTM works and plays as hard as you do. The compact clamshell design has been tested to withstand rain, extreme temperatures, high humidity,…

Child's Play Starts 2011 Fundraising Drive

News & Features

Child’s Play Starts 2011 Fundraising Drive

The Child’s Play Charity has raised millions of dollars and collected loads of toys for kids in hospitals all over the world. What started as a small effort by gamers headed by the Penny-Arcade guys has grown to a massive charitable effort with huge reach! Here is a bit of their history: Since 2003, we’ve set up and organized Child’s Play, a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in our network of over 70 hospitals worldwide. Over the years, you as a community have answered the call and come together to raise…

TOM BIHN Introduces the Cadet Briefcase for Apple Laptops and iPad

News & Features

TOM BIHN Introduces the Cadet Briefcase for Apple Laptops and iPad

We love TOM BIHN’s bags and are always happy to see them bring out a new design. Today that design is the Cadet, a bag that is a laptop briefcase designed for Apple laptops including the 15″ MacBook Pro, 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air and the iPad 2. The Cadet is designed to carry your laptop or iPad, a few files or magazines, power supplies, pens, notebooks, and other small accessories. The Cadet is also a checkpoint friendly laptop bag. The Cadet comes in two sizes with one designed for a 15″ or 13″ MacBook and the other sized for…

Jawbone Says, "Time to Get UP!" New UP Health Accessory Now Available for Pre-Order

News & Features

Jawbone Says, “Time to Get UP!” New UP Health Accessory Now Available for Pre-Order

Jawbone, known for their awesome Bluetooth headsets and iPhone accessories, is now shipping their new UP health bracelet accessory. The UP connects with a free iPhone app to track and monitor your movements while challenging you to do more, sleep longer and eat better. The UP combines a neat fashion accessory look with a free iPhone app to push you to live a healthier lifestyle. For example, each UP bracelet has a small vibrating timer that silently tells you to GET UP AND GET MOVING! It looks like the ultimate geek health aid! Here are a few brief snippets of…

Amazon Introduces the Kindle Lending Library

eBooks, News & Features

Amazon Introduces the Kindle Lending Library

Just wanted to get this out to let everyone know of something cool from Amazon overnight – as if Carly’s note about Amazon and Fancy Widget wasn’t cool enough! Bottom line – Amazon has unveiled the ‘lending library’ that was rumored before the Kindle Fire launch. Basically, if you own a Kindle, and are a member of Amazon Prime, you have access to a reasonable size library of works you can borrow one at a time. Here is the description: Today we’re announcing a new benefit for Kindle owners with an Amazon Prime membership: the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. Kindle…

So ... How Do YOU Feel About the New Google Reader (& GMail) Design?

News & Features

So … How Do YOU Feel About the New Google Reader (& GMail) Design?

Over the last couple of days, Google has released updates for Google Reader and GMail. Each has a new UI, and has further integration of Google +, as well as the removal of Buzz. In the case of GMail, it is mostly about a visual overhaul, as noted on the Google Blog here are the main features: – Streamlined conversations – Elastic density – New HD themes – Smarter navigation – Better search In the case of Google Reader the changes are two-fold: the removal of ‘Share’, and a visual overhaul. To say that the reaction to removing ‘Share’ was…

Random Cool Video: If Quake Was Made Today!

News & Features

Random Cool Video: If Quake Was Made Today!

Image courtesy of SodaHead Ask anyone who was playing Doom when it first came out on a gaming computer they bought with their own money, and they will all agree on one thing: shooters have been drastically simplified through the years. The expression ‘dumbed down for console kiddies’ is bandied about, and while it sounds harsh and degrading, the reality is that due to controller limitations and a more casual and social focus of console gaming, traditional PC gamers are often frustrated at how regressive pretty much everything but the graphics are in current generation shooters. Or, as the video…

NaNoWriMo - Get on Board and Write That Novel in 30 Days!

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NaNoWriMo – Get on Board and Write That Novel in 30 Days!

Have you ever wished you could write that novel you’ve had rattling around in your brain for ages? Now is your chance – National Novel Writing Month started yesterday, and they have a great website with loads of resources to help you get started. Better still, there are plenty of tools to help you get started, loads of special deals (including on the awesome Scrivener Mac/PC app), help from other writers and so on. I have joined up (today) and just got started – and plan to do it all on the iPad. I am using iThoughts HD to outline…

Native GMail for iOS Arrives ... But Not Quite Fully Baked

News & Features

Native GMail for iOS Arrives … But Not Quite Fully Baked

If you want to be part of the unofficial beta team for the iOS version of GMail, you can grab it here. Note that it apparently isn’t showing up in iTunes searches, at least from my iPad. Here is the description: Get the official Gmail experience for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. With the Gmail app, you can: ? Receive notification badges for new messages ? Read your mail with threaded conversations ? Organize your mail by archiving, labeling, starring, deleting, and reporting spam ? Keep track of important messages with priority inbox ? Auto-complete contact names as you…

Twelve South PlugBug iPad/iPhone Travel Charger- a Simple but Brilliant Apple Accessory

News & Features

Twelve South PlugBug iPad/iPhone Travel Charger- a Simple but Brilliant Apple Accessory

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ideas. That’s how Twelve South’s new PlugBug strikes me. The accessory lets you use one plug to charge both your Mac and your iPad. “Simple”, “fast” and “clean” are the words that came to mind when I got the announcement a few minutes ago. Deciding to order one for myself was a no-brainer. So what exactly is the PlugBug? Let’s let Twelve South explain. PlugBug… piggybacks onto a MacBook Power Adapter, allowing you to charge a MacBook and an iPad/iPhone simultaneously from one power outlet. The ingenious PlugBug connects to all MacBook Power Adapters. Simply…

Sena's Quality Leather Plus the iPhone 4S' Power Makes for a Winning, Luxurious Combination

News & Features

Sena’s Quality Leather Plus the iPhone 4S’ Power Makes for a Winning, Luxurious Combination

I’ve always been a fan of Sena’s leather cases. They are consistently well-made and come in a nice range of styles that can fit pretty much every need. They have a host of cases for the iPhone 4S that are now available and many look great. As the company shared, Sena is pleased to announce our iPhone 4S Series collection. Created to enhance functional design and protection with modern flair, the collection showcases hand-crafted, stylish accessories for the Apple iPhone 4S. The exquisite craftsmanship is showcased in the company’s beautiful collection including nineteen designs for the iPhone 4S w/ the design…

Twelve South's BassJump 2 Pumps Up the Bass!

News & Features

Twelve South’s BassJump 2 Pumps Up the Bass!

The folks at Twelve South always have a way of surprising us. They make awesome leather cases like the BookBook for iPad or iPhone but they also make an amazing iPad stand called the Compass. (I use mine all the time.) Now they have something even more outside the box- the BassJump 2 speaker. The new BassJump 2 is a portable, USB-powered subwoofer that “turns MacBook Pro or MacBook Air into a travel-friendly sound system”. Powered by a single USB connection, the BassJump 2 uses proprietary software that “blends the sound output of the BassJump subwoofer with the output of…

Redbox Raises Prices by 20%

News & Features

Redbox Raises Prices by 20%

Redbox has raised their prices, but it’s unlikely they’ll receive the ire from customers that Netflix did! First of all, prices are going from $1.00 to a $1.20. It just sounds more exciting to point out that it’s 20%. Second, Redbox is easing the price increase for existing customers with a grace period of $1.00 for the month of November. Sarah and I tried Redbox for the first time last weekend, and it was a smooth experience. We spontaneously decided to see if “Bridesmaids” was available at our local Redbox kiosk; I signed up online, and we tried to rent it…