Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review, and general Mac
news is in Mac News Review.
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News, Reviews, & Opinion
iPhone/iPod Add-ons
iPhone and iPod Deals
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apple Posts iPhone 1.1.4 Update
Register Hardware's
Tony Smith reports:
"Zibri, the coder behind the latest iPhone jailbreaking and
unlocking app, ZiPhone, has warned handset owners not to upgrade to the
newly released version 1.1.4 firmware until the tool has been fully
tested with the update.
"Apple posted the iPhone OS update last night. So far, all it's said
about the new version is that the code contains a number of 'bug
fixes'. What glitches they repair are not yet known."
Link: Apple
Posts iPhone 1.1.4 Update
iPhone Jailbreak Tools Updated to Open Firmware
1.1.4
Register Hardware's
Tony Smith reports:
"The latest version of iPhone activation, jailbreaking and unlocking
tool, ZiPhone, has been released. The tool promises full access to
Apple's handset in under five minutes.
"The update, which takes ZiPhone to version 2.5 in its command line,
Windows and Mac OS X forms, follows Apple's release earlier this week
of version 1.1.4 of the iPhone firmware."
Link: iPhone
Jailbreak Tools Updated to Open Firmware 1.1.4
How to Make Your iPhone Vibrate First, Ring
Second
jkOnTheRun says:
"It's usually the simple solutions in life that make my day. Case in
point with the following scenario: you want your iPhone to vibrate
first upon receiving a call, and then play a ringtone if you haven't
taken the call in 10 seconds or so. That's pretty common functionality
in many smartphones and even on feature phones, but it's not available
natively on the iPhone.
"The simple why-didn't-I-think-of-that solution?"
Link: How
to Make Your iPhone Vibrate First, Ring Second
AT&T Offering Refurbished iPhones at Knockdown
Prices?
Gadget News 2 U reports:
"The chaps at BGR have received a leaked AT&T memo, which states
the company will be offering refurbished iPhones for the lowly price of
$199 (4 GB) and $249 (8 GB.) The refurbished iPhones will be
made available with new contracts only, and are bound to sell as
quickly as heavily discounted iPhones. Jump for the AT&T memo."
Link:
AT&T Offering Refurbished iPhones at Knockdown Prices?
Abilene Christian University to Give iPhone or iPod
touch to Incoming Freshmen
PR: An Apple iPhone or iPod touch will become a central part
of Abilene Christian University's innovative learning experience this
fall when all freshmen are provided one of these converged media
devices, said Phil Schubert, ACU executive vice president.
At ACU - the first university in the nation to provide these
cutting-edge media devices to its incoming class - freshmen will use
the iPhones or iPod touches to receive homework alerts, answer in-class
surveys and quizzes, get directions to their professors' offices, and
check their meal and account balances - among more than 15 other useful
web applications already developed, said ACU Chief Information Officer
Kevin Roberts.
ACU's innovative plans for this technology have attracted the
attention of Apple executives and leaders at Ivy League universities.
In fact, Roberts returned to Abilene Monday from Cupertino, Calif.,
where he was asked to present ACU's creative vision for converged media
devices at Apple headquarters to executives and to selected leaders
from universities including Harvard, Yale, MIT, Duke, Stanford, Oxford,
Princeton and UCLA, Schubert said.
ACU's vision for technology has been captured in a forward-looking
film called 'Connected,' found online - along with information about
ACU's other groundbreaking mobile learning efforts - at http://www.acu.edu/connected.
"We are not merely providing cutting-edge technology tools to our
incoming students," said Roberts. "We are also providing the web
applications that ensure these tools will become critical to the
students' learning experience. Because 93 percent of ACU students bring
their own computers with them to college, we are choosing to take them
to the next level by providing converged mobile devices."
Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, ACU provost, said, "This is exciting to me,
not only because we're giving students new tools, but because we are
transforming the learning environment. The extensive research that's
been done on campus in the past 10 months has prepared us to launch
with freshmen this fall, and research will be ongoing as we expand the
program in the future."
For a number of years, ACU's faculty and technology staff have
researched strategic opportunities presented by handheld devices in
higher education, said Roberts. However, for the past six months, ACU's
intensive research has focused on more than 30 projects exploring
pioneering mobile learning strategies for enhancing the campus
environment.
The 2008 Horizon Report stated, "As new devices... are released that
make content almost as easy to access and view on a mobile as on a
computer, the demand for mobile content will continue to grow. This is
more than merely an expectation to provide content: this is an
opportunity for higher education to reach its constituents wherever
they may be."
The Horizon Report, produced annually as a collaboration between the
New Media Consortium (of which ACU is a member) and the EDUCAUSE
Learning Initiative (ELI), also described the explosion of converged
media technology. "More than a billion new mobile devices are being
manufactured - a new phone for every six people on the planet. In this
market, innovation is unfolding at an unprecedented pace . . . mobiles
are quickly becoming the most affordable portable platform for staying
networked on the go."
Using innovative technology to enhance learning is not new at ACU.
In fact, ACU was one of the first universities to use mobile devices as
a learning tool in its graduate distance education programs. "Expanding
to undergraduate, residential students is a natural progression for
us," Roberts said.
"We enjoy great relationships with many technological leaders such
as Apple, AT&T and Amdocs," Schubert said. "These relationships
help us as we continue to be a university on the leading edge of
technology, a central component of our 21st Century Vision."
ACU's innovative, diverse learning environment attracts about 4,700
students from nearly every state and 60 nations to its beautiful
200-acre Texas campus. Strong academic programs include business,
pre-med, theatre, physics, psychology, education and information
technology.
Link: Abilene Christian
University to Give iPhone or iPod touch to Incoming Freshmen
Woz Has Pent-Up iPhone Frustrations
Wired's Betsy Schiffman
reports:
"After a hot and torrid few months, Steve Wozniak's love affair with
the iPhone is waning.
"'To tell you the truth I was really disappointed when the iPhone
was introduced . . . half the phones in the AT&T store at
the time were 3G phones,' Wozniak said at a press conference, according
to a Sydney Morning Herald report. 'I was shocked because Apple
is bringing the full internet [to mobiles] - full web pages with
pictures and everything - and it's not 3G and I knew that would be a
speed detriment.'
"It's a far cry from his earlier comments. The Apple co-founder
waited in line with everyone else to buy 'a whole bunch' of iPhones,
and recently raved that the iPhone will revolutionize cell phones and
the way we communicate."
Link: Woz Has
Pent-Up iPhone Frustrations
iPhone/iPod Add-ons
Charge your iPhone and iPod touch with Portable
Solar Charger
PR: Introducing the new FreeLoader 8.0, lean, 'green'
portable charging machine - free, continuous power for all the latest
mobile gadgets.
The new FreeLoader 8.0 Portable Solar Charger by Solar Technology is
a smart looking, versatile device that charges a multitude of the
latest mobile gadgets for free using Solar Energy. The FreeLoader 8.0
can charge devices such as; digital cameras, iPods, PDAs, PSPs and
mobile phones, and even supports a direct connection to two of the most
recent mobile gadgets available on the market, the iPhone and the
iTouch.
Designed to sit comfortably alongside the latest fashionable gadgets
with its futuristic looks and design, the Freeloader 8.0 is gadgetry
eye candy. It is also conveniently mobile, boasting a durable casing
for hard-core mobility and the ability to fold into a stylish minimal
device that can easily be slipped into a pocket or handbag.
Extremely reliable and easy to use, the FreeLoader 8.0 Portable
Solar Charger uses the latest in cutting edge solar technology to
convert solar energy into electricity, making power readily available
for a wealth of popular mobile devices. For example, the FreeLoader 8.0
boasts the ability to power an iPod for 18 hours, a mobile phone for 44
hours, a PSP for 2.5 hours and a PDA for 22 hours. And because the
FreeLoader 8.0 can partner with such a wide variety of gadgets it also
eliminates the need to carry country specific adaptors when travelling
abroad, making it the ideal travel partner.
To ensure batteries never run flat, the Freeloader 8.0 can
simultaneously charge its own internal battery which holds its charge
for up to three months and features extra sensitive solar panels which
are more much efficient at absorbing light in cloudy and dim conditions
that the UK in particular is prone to.
The Freeloader 8.0 is available in both Hot Pink and Cool Aluminium
Silver from www.solartechnology.co.uk and popular retail outlets.
At £29.99 everyone can afford an environmentally friendly way
to charge their favourite handheld gadgets and help to offset the
carbon emissions that would otherwise have been created. Because
working towards saving the planet, needn't cost the earth.
The Freeloader 8.0 is supplied with 11 adapters to power the
following:
- Dedicated Connector for iPod, iPod nano, iPhone
- LG - KG800 Chocolate / Shine Series
- Nokia Old 3.5mm jack and compatible phones
- Nokia New 2mm jack and compatible N series phones
- Samsung A288 and compatible Series phones
- Samsung D800 and compatible current Series phones
- Sony Ericsson K750 and compatible Series phones
- 4mm Jack compatible with Sony PSP, Tom Tom, some Digital Cameras,
PDA's and Two Way Radios
- Dedicated Connector for Nintendo DS Lite
- Mini USB compatible with Blackberry, Smart Phones, Motorola Phones,
HTC Phones, Qtek Phones, some Digital Cameras and other devices that
charge via a mini USB port.
- USB female for use with devices that can be charged via USB on your
computer. For example MP3 or MP4 players and some Digital Cameras
Available FreeLoader 8.0 Accessories include:
- Spare Freeloader battery and hub (s)
- Adaptor plug to suit iPod and iPod nano
- Adaptor plug to suit Siemens BenQ mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Nintendo Game boy Advanced / Old style DS
- Adaptor plug to suit Nintendo Game boy Micro
- Adaptor plug to suit Nintendo DS lite (now included with
freeloader)
- Adaptor plug to suit Samsung 2.5mm jack mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Panasonic mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Palm One PDA's and mobile devices
- Adaptor plug to suit Alcatel mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Siemens C55 mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Siemens C25 mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Sanyo mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Motorola 3mm jack mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Sagem mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Micro USB connected mobile phones
- In car power Adaptor
- Mains power Adaptor
- Freeloader Pouch
- Spare Freeloader battery and hub (pink)
- Freeloader Pouch (pink)
- Adaptor plug to suit New Nokia mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Old Sony Ericson mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit Old Motorola mobile phones
- Adaptor plug to suit New Samsung phones
- Freeloader AA & AAA Battery charger
For further information, images or sample requests please
contact:
Solar Technology International designs and produces a range of solar
products that allows you to use the sun for free energy. The solar
panels let you capture the sun's energy and convert it to electrical
current to power a range of appliances. Solar Technology's panels use
Crystalline silicon technology, the latest in solar technology to
harness power which is more efficient than amorphous or thin film
solutions, particularly in lower light conditions found in the UK.
Link: Solar
Technology International
Proporta Reversible Drawstring Bag
PR: Keep all your little bits and bobs (or perhaps even
a whole device) stored safely away in a Proporta Reversible Drawstring
Bag. Allows you to choose between two colours and keeps you
organised.
Key Features
-
Suitable to protect any one of your devices, including iPods, MP3
players, mobile phones, digital cameras and PDAs
- Soft and Lightweight
- Choice of two stylish colours
- Includes free cable tidy
- External dimensions: 150mm (5.91") x 120mm (4.72")
$10.95
Link: Proporta
Reversible Drawstring Bag
GyPSii Launches iPhone Social Networking
Platform
PR: GyPSii, a leading geo-location and social networking
service provider for mobile phones and Internet devices, is now
available on the iPhone - Apple's market-leading high-end mobile
device. The iPhone has shipped more than five million units worldwide
since its launch in 2007.
The new web-based GyPSii iPhone application integrates its multiple
services into a single interface, making it easy for users to enjoy a
wide range of new and exciting location-based features and services,
along with social networking - all using the fluid, intuitive
touchscreen user interface of the iPhone.
GyPSii also confirmed that it would produce a "native" version of
its application using Apple's Software Developer Kit (SDK) which is
scheduled to be launched later this week, providing seamless access for
all Apple users, from the desktop, to the iPhone.
GyPSii CEO, Dan Harple, said he didn't want iPhone users who were
keen social networkers to have to wait any longer for the only social
networking platform specifically designed for location-enabled mobile
phones to be available for their handset.
"We'll work with the SDK as soon as it becomes available," he said,
"and then we will be uniquely offering both web and native versions of
our application for iPhone users."
GyPSii is taking advantage of its extensible product architecture
enabling use of technologies (like Apple's Safari) to make its
advanced, geo-location features possible on the iPhone. In supporting
these advances in web technology, GyPSii delivers an optimal
location-based experience on a mobile device, or on a desktop computer,
or even via a set-top box.
Some of the new GyPSii for iPhone features enabled include:
- Improved UI: The application provides users a desk-top-like web
experience that is easier to activate, navigate and use via Apple's
intuitive touchscreen.
- Expanded People/Places layout: GyPSii users can have easy access to
complete information on their favourite people and places that appear
on the iPhone. Users simply choose their favourite People or Places,
bringing up all relevant information such as proximity, details and
their position on a map, all on one continuous screen. Users can also
access one click dialing to phone People and Places.
- Integrated directions from the mapping interface. Users can
navigate to and from their favourite People and Places.
- Improved location based search: Users can search by proximity using
new easy to use categories for both People and Places.
- Seamless user interface menus which take advantage of the
progressive touch screen interface that comes with the iPhone.
Commenting on the launch of GyPSii for iPhone, GyPSii CEO Dan Harple
said, "With the iPhone, Apple created a game-changing handset that
revolutionized the mobile device market. We are doing the same with our
geo-location technologies to connect people and content to places,
events, and social networks in exciting and never-before-seen
ways."
iPhone owners can use GyPSii to create and share experiences;
photos, videos, audio and other content in real-time with friends,
family and other network members, wherever they are in the world. Users
can also search and locate people and places, as well access
directions, maps and information on Points-of-Interest (POIs) - both in
their immediate area and worldwide as well.
"With GyPSii on your iPhone, it becomes your mobile personal digital
life recorder," continued Harple. "You can record and share every
aspect of your life as it happens with your friends, family and your
online community - all via your mobile. GyPSii for iPhone makes social
networking dynamic, mobile, and real-time. We've integrated with the
deep feature set on the iPhone, with the result being an entirely new
way to communicate."
GyPSii for iPhone puts the application within reach of more than
five million iPhone users worldwide, and advances GyPSii's global
strategy to be the market-leading geo-location and social networking
services platform running on the broadest range of high-end and
mass-market consumer mobile devices. This commitment is
device-independent, with the company working to develop new mobile
technologies that are faster, easier to use, and available on more
devices. GyPSii is already available on other market-leading mobile
phones and platforms - including BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows
Mobile-powered devices.
The addition of the iPhone to GyPSii's list of compatible handsets
follows hard on the heels of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
where the combination of Location-based services with mobile
technologies, and the award-winning GyPSii application in particular,
seized widespread industry attention.
"Initiatives like GyPSii may ultimately reach a status comparable
with existing social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace,"
said ABI Research principal analyst Dominique Bonte.
Praising his development team for their achievement leading up to
the launch of GyPSii, CEO Dan Harple said: "Our mission is to enhance
every person's mobile experience; blending their lifestyle and how they
share their lives with each other and their chosen social networks. Our
first iPhone release version brings us one step closer to that goal,
and adds further to our momentum."
GyPSii is now available for iPhone users.
Link: GyPSii
Nike + iPod Experience Coming to a Gym Near
You
PR: Nike and Apple are working with major gym equipment
manufacturers such as Life Fitness, Precor, Star Trac and Technogym to
make their cardio equipment Nike + iPod compatible so health club
members can easily track workouts on cardio equipment like treadmills,
ellipticals, stationary bikes and stair climbers. Nike + iPod users
will simply plug in their iPod nano into the equipment at the start of
their workout to automatically record their progress. Users can then
connect their iPod with their computer to upload the workout to
www.nikeplus.com.
"The Nike + iPod experience revolutionized running. Now we're
revolutionizing the gym cardio experience," said Trevor Edwards, Nike's
Vice President of Global Brand and Category Management. "We're enabling
people who go to the gym an opportunity to set goals, track progress,
and compete in challenges with their friends and with other members of
www.nikeplus.com. It's a groundbreaking tool for people who want to
maximize their workouts."
"The iPod is an essential part of millions of people's workouts and
now users can easily set goals and track their progress with Nike +
iPod," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product
Marketing for iPod. "We're excited to be working with Nike and leading
equipment manufacturers to bring the Nike + iPod experience to the
gym."
At participating gyms, including 24 Hour Fitness nationwide and
Virgin Active Health Clubs internationally, members will soon be able
to use Nike + iPod to track their workout and log their data on
www.nikeplus.com.
- Nike + iPod will allow gym members to track progress, set goals and
make challenges on www.nikeplus.com.
- By using the www.nikeplus.com coaching tools, personal trainers now
have the ability to help clients chart their progress.
- When gym users connect their iPod nano to their computer, their
workout data is sent to www.nikeplus.com through iTunes. This workout
data is converted to "CardioMiles" so that users of cardio equipment
can easily set goals and participate in challenges with runners and
with users of other cardio equipment.
- To date, Nike + iPod runners have logged close to 50 million miles
on www.nikeplus.com , making it the world's largest running club.
Nike is the global leader in running, which is a strong and growing
category for the company. It continues building energy and momentum
worldwide with successful launches of innovative products from Nike +
iPod to the Nike Amp+ watch. Nike + Sport Music has been extremely
popular on the
iTunes Store offering a wide range of playlists perfectly suited
for your favorite sport.
Nike's innovative Nike + iPod running experience combining music,
personal coaching and fitness networking has forever changed the way
people run, creating in its first year, the world's largest online
running destination at www.nikeplus.com . Launched just under two years
ago, in partnership with Apple, Nike+ lets your iPod nano talk to Nike+
enabled running shoes through the wireless Nike + iPod Sport Kit. Data
on time, distance, calories burned and pace is stored on your nano and
is easily downloaded through iTunes to www.nikeplus.com . Nikeplus.com
users not only can track their own data, but also challenge others and
participate in online forums.
