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
Apps & Services
Accessories
Protection
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These price trackers are updated every month.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Multicore Processors to Be in 45% of Smartphones by
2015
PR: Over the next few years, multicore processors are
expected to play an important role in enabling high-performance mobile
computing at low-power consumption, according to "Multi-core Processor
Penetration in Smartphones Will Hit 15 Percent in 2011" from Strategy
Analytics' Handset Component Technologies service. Samsung, Nvidia,
Qualcomm, ST-Ericsson, Texas Instruments, Marvell, Renesas, and
Broadcom are well-positioned to capture market share in the smartphone
multicore applications processor market.
According to this Strategy Analytics report, multicore processors
are becoming a key differentiating factor for handset manufacturers and
silicon vendors from both a marketing and technical perspective.
Additionally, the multicore applications processor market will be
dominated by stand-alone applications processor vendors in the
near-term. Qualcomm and ST-Ericsson will be the only vendors in 2011
offering multicore applications processors with integrated
basebands.
"Strategy Analytics estimates that multicore processor penetration
in smartphones will rise from 15% in 2011 to 45% in 2015. ARM's
Cortex-A9, Cortex-A5, and Cortex-A15 and Intel's x86 architectures will
contribute to the proliferation of multicore processors in
smartphones," noted Stuart Robinson, Director of the Strategy Analytics
Handset Component Technologies service. He added, "We estimate Samsung
will lead the smartphone multicore applications processor market in
2011, followed by Qualcomm, Nvidia, ST-Ericsson, and Texas
Instruments."
"Strategy Analytics analysts believe that multicore processors will
re-ignite the battle between the stand-alone and baseband-integrated
applications processor vendors in 2011," commented, Sravan Kundojjala,
Senior Analyst. "The baseband-integrated multicore applications
processors will account for about one-third of total smartphone
multicore applications processor shipments in 2011, with potential for
higher share in the future. By contrast, the market for single-core
apps processors is now dominated by baseband-integrated products."
Link: Multi-core
Processor Penetration in Smartphones Will Hit 15 Percent in
2011
The Cost of Beating Apple's Pentalobe Screw
Conspiracy? $2.35
The Register's Bill Ray notes that while Apple has been switching
the screws that hold its latest iPhone (and certain MacBooks) shut,
cries of conspiracy are somewhat refuted by the realisation that an
inexpensive screwdriver fixes the problem, with at least a half-dozen
companies popping up to sell suitable screwdrivers for as little as
$2.35 (plus shipping).
Amazon.com carries a pentalobe screwdriver for $6 - more details below.
Link: The Cost of
Beating Apple's Screw 'Conspiracy'? $2.35 (Plus Shipping)
Environmental Health Trust Calls for Warning Labels
on New Cell Phones
PR: Environmental Health Trust (EHT), a nonprofit
organization dedicated to identifying and controlling environmental
health hazards, has called on the US Federal Communications Commission
to stop flip-flopping and acknowledge and publicize the risks of cell
phone radiation to cell phone users. Specifically, the EHT is urging
the FCC to mandate that cell phone manufacturers post safety warnings
about microwave radiation on new cell phones sold within the US and
require new standards based on lowest feasible levels of microwave
radiation.
"In terms of awareness of microwave radiation risks from cell
phones, the US is far behind other countries, including Switzerland,
Israel, France and Germany," says EHT founder Devra Lee Davis, PhD,
MPH.
"These nations require cell phone makers to publicize radiation
rates directly on phones sold to their citizens, provide special
labeling for low radiation phones, and restrict their use by children,
who are more vulnerable to radiation. We are asking that the FCC
oversee the creation of a new standard for cell phones, based on the
ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle for exposure to
diagnostic radiation." Dr. Davis also expressed disappointment that the
FCC had completely reversed its positions on cell phone radiation since
a September 14, 2009 Senate hearing of the Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services, and Education, during which Iowa Senator Tom
Harkin had promised to investigate the matter. At the EHT sponsored
Expert Conference held in parallel with the Senate hearing, experts
spoke of growing laboratory and human studies showing damage from cell
phone radiation.
After these events, in November 2009, the FCC website included new
advice about how to lower radiation: - "Use an earpiece or headset." -
"Use the cell phone speaker." - "Consider texting rather than talking."
- "Buy a wireless device with lower SAR." - "If possible, keep wireless
devices away from your body when they are on, mainly by not attaching
them to belts or carrying them in pockets." Ellie Marks, EHT's Director
of Government & Public Affairs, said that the FCC, far from coming
clean on the dangers posed by cell phone radiation, has engaged in an
active cover-up in tandem with the cell phone industry. Dr. Davis and
Ms. Marks noted that a range of documents on the hazards of cell phone
radiation are available on the EHT website.
Ellie Marks writes, in her blog, that in September 2009, the CTIA
was scheduled to speak against proposed new legislation in the small
California town of Burlingame affirming the public right to know the
SAR values of phones, this advice to buy lower SAR phones that had been
on the FCC website for more than a decade in some form or other -
disappeared.
In preparing for the Burlingame city council hearing, Ms. Marks had
corresponded with city officials asking how the industry could oppose
posting information on the SAR since the FCC website advised lower SAR
phones would emit less radiation. Dane Snowden, Vice President of the
CTIA and former chief of the Federal Communication Commission's
Consumer Information Bureau overseeing the FCC website, informed the
hearing that the warning that Ms. Marks referred to in her
communication with the city council had been removed less than 24 hours
after she had brought these facts to public attention.
Commenting on this bizarre and sudden change to the FCC website, FCC
Critic Cynthia Franklin, notes: "The 'sanitizing' of the consumer
cautions occurred right about the time it became apparent that San
Francisco's new law (that manufacturers must make public the SAR level
for each phone) was going to pass and possibly ignite a national outcry
in other places."
Environmental Working Group (EWG), a leading consumer watchdog over
cell phone safety issues, has recently written, 'The FCC has
essentially cut and pasted the wireless industry's position into its
revised websites.'" About Environmental Health Trust Environmental
Health Trust (EHT) educates individuals, health professionals and
communities about controllable environmental health risks and policy
changes needed to reduce those risks. Current multimedia projects
include: local and national campaigns to ban smoking and asbestos;
working with international physician and worker safety groups to warn
about the risks of inappropriate use of diagnostic radiation and cell
phones, exploring what factors lie behind puzzlingly high rates of
cancer.
With the public's support, EHT can do more work like to help protect
the world's brains and bodies. You can join the campaign at
ehtrust.org.
Editor's note: EHT is run by Devra Lee Davis, the author of Disconnect: The Truth about Cell Phone
Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect
Your Family, which we mentioned last October.
Link: Environmental Health
Trust
Apps & Services
gyroCam: Camera App Puts an End to Crooked
Photos
PR: Hunter Research and Technology, developer of the award
winning augmented reality app Theodolite, announces the release of
gyroCam on the iTunes App Store. This full-featured camera app has a
killer new feature: it automatically levels photos in real time, while
shooting. With gyroCam, users don't need to worry about crooked aim or
setting up and taking level shots - the app does it for them. gyroCam
brings a true point-and-shoot capability to iOS devices, and makes
photography easier and more fun.
gyroCam uses a combination of
accelerometer and gyro sensors in camera-equipped iOS devices to frame
a level shot from any scene. The app is great for action shots, macro
shots, self portraits, scene compositions, and situations where it's
hard to line up a level image due to complicated terrain, bad position,
poor aim, or lack of time to aim. gyroCam frames a level 4:3 sub-image
from the scene, with perfect alignment every time. In addition to its
unique gyro capabilities, gyroCam is also a full-featured camera app,
offering the following:
- Small, large, burst, and timer shot modes
- Manual tap-to-focus and exposure (iPhone 3GS, 4)
- Focus and exposure activity indicators
- Front camera (iPhone 4, iPod 4) and rear camera
- Flash on/off/auto (iPhone 4)
- 1x, 2x, 4x zoom
- Fast buffered image saves
- HUD on/off options
- Portrait and landscape level reference frames
- Gyro clip, fill, and off modes
gyroCam 1.0.1 sells for for $0.99 on the iTunes App Store, and is
available worldwide. The app works on any camera-equipped iOS device
with iOS 4.2 or later. This includes the iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4, and the
4th-generation iPod touch. More information, including screenshots, is
available on the Hunter Research and Technology website. Media
professionals interested in reviewing gyroCam can request a promotional
code to download the app from iTunes at no cost.
Link: gyroCam
(download
link)
Photoshop Express 1.5 for iOS Has New Camera Workflow
and Full Retina Display Support
PR: Adobe has announced the immediate availability of Adobe
Photoshop Express 1.5 software for iOS devices.
Designed for iOS 4.2, Photoshop Express 1.5 introduces significant
improvements to the photo capture and editing experience,
including:
- New camera workflow: Photoshop Express 1.5 debuts a fast new camera
workflow that enables continuous, rapid photo-taking directly in the
app. Customers can quickly capture and review multiple shots-even those
hard-to-get action shots-and hand them off seamlessly to the Photoshop
Express editor for cropping, adjustments and effects (designed for
iPhone and iPod Touch models with built-in cameras).
- Full Retina display support on iPhone 4 and iPod Touch models:
Photos look smooth and sharp, and the app screen looks crisp and clear,
thanks to full support for Retina display in Photoshop Express
1.5.
Multitasking support: With new support for
multitasking in iOS 4.2, Photoshop Express 1.5 remembers where
customers leave off when they switch to another app and then switch
back to Photoshop Express. That means customers can pay attention to
email, news, games and other activities on their iOS device and then
jump right back into viewing or editing a photo without having to start
over.- Improved photo uploading: One of the benefits of multitasking
support is a better photo uploading experience. Now customers can queue
and continue uploading photos to Photoshop.com or Facebook in the
background while switching between Photoshop Express 1.5 and other
apps.
"Photoshop Express 1.5 is an incredibly useful release for anyone
doing photo capture and editing on iOS devices," says Matt Domenici,
director of product management for mobile imaging at Adobe. "Our
millions of iOS-based users will be delighted by their new ability to
capture the right shots more easily, view beautifully smooth versions
onscreen, and edit them even while switching back and forth with other
apps, picking up right where they left off."
Top editing features:
Basics: Crop, Straighten, Rotate, and Flip- Color: Exposure, Saturation, Tint, Black and White, and
Contrast
- Filters: Sketch, Soft Focus, and Sharpen
- Effects: Vibrant, Pop, Border, Vignette Blur, Warm Vintage,
Rainbow, White Glow, and Soft Black and White
- Borders: Rectangle, Rounded, Oval, Soft Edge, Vignette, Rough Edge,
Halftone, and Film Emulsion
New in Version 1.5
- Requires iOS 4.2
- Adds support for background upload completion and iOS 4
multitasking
- Supports Retina Display for crisp, sharp screen and photos
- Faster, more streamlined photo capture and editing workflow
Photoshop Express 1.5 for iOS is available immediately on the iTunes
Apps store. The new version requires iOS 4.2.
Link: Adobe
(download
link)
SAFECELLapp Helps Michigan and Wisconsin Drivers
Stay Safe and Legal Under New Distracted Driving Laws
PR: SAFECELLapp provides a solution for Michigan drivers
trying to abide by laws banning texting while driving that went into
effect July 1, 2010 and became enforceable January 1, 2011 in Michigan,
and a similar new law that came into effect in Wisconsin on December 1,
2010.
A comprehensive and inexpensive mobile application, SAFECELLapp
helps keep drivers safe and legal by warning users of local no-text and
no-cell rules, alerts drivers entering known school zones, and pays
safe drivers back with cash rewards at their favorite retailers.
Since launching the SAFECELLapp three months ago, users nationwide
have logged more than 30,000 trips and are tracking over 9 million
waypoints. Users have driven nearly 800,000 miles safely while using
SAFECELLapp to combat distracted driving.
"Mobile devices have changed every aspect of how we live and
interact with others. But too many of us find it impossible to ignore
our phones when we're behind the wheel," says Scott Taylor, SAFECELLapp
cofounder and chief information officer. "Despite the increased
awareness and implementation of state laws, people are not changing
their driving behavior. We created SAFECELLapp to help take the
decision making out of the equation, allowing people to decide to drive
safely at the beginning of their trip, rather than wrestling with the
urge to answer the phone or check their texts once they're already on
the road," added Taylor.
Michigan drivers who text and drive will be subject to a civil
infraction that carries a first-time fine of $100 and $200 fines for
subsequent violations. In addition, Michigan teens with probationary
licenses whose cell phone usage contributes to a traffic crash or
ticket may not use a cell phone while driving. Wisconsin first time
violators will be fined anywhere from $20-$400, and the fines sharply
increase with every offense. A second offense will cost the driver
between $200 and $800.
SAFECELLapp claims to be the only application that will push current
laws in place for users' locations by using GPS technology and a
proprietary database of federal, state, county, and city cell phone
usage laws. SAFECELLapp features Continuous Visual Advisory capability,
a function that issues real-time alerts to drivers entering locations
with local restrictions on text or cell phone usage.
Cash Rewards for Safe Driving
Unique to distracted driving applications, SAFECELLapp offers
cash-equivalent rewards for safe driving behavior. The application
activates when the device is traveling at speeds in excess of 5 MPH.
Using proprietary, web-based tracking and logging mechanisms,
SAFECELLapp records trip details including the driver's phone, email,
and text usage. These reports, which can be accessed by users, parents,
or companies to monitor driving behavior, are the basis for a
first-of-its-kind gaming feature that awards points for safe driving
that are redeemable for cash rewards at major retailers. Users will
accrue 1 point for every 1 mile driven while adhering to all applicable
wireless laws in their location(s).
Failure to comply with local laws will cost users reward points,
giving individuals, families, and employees yet another motivation to
play it safe while behind the wheel. The rewards program includes more
than 2,000 different products that users can redeem their SAFECELLapp
driving rewards points for including Ecerts, Gift Cards, Charitable
Donations, and Merchandise. Retail partners include Apple, Amazon,
Barnes & Noble, and many more.
"While the reward program with SAFECELLapp will be attractive to
everyone, the hope is that it's a program that finally offers driver's
an incentive to refrain from distracted driving behavior. It keeps you
safe, legal, and pays you back," said Tina Pantoja, SAFECELLapp
cofounder and president.
With an extensive list of standard features, each version of the
application was designed to assist individuals, families, and
corporations in correcting the dangerous behavior that has made
distracted driving a national epidemic.
SAFECELLapp Unique Features
- Pushes laws based on GPS location
- Alerts Drivers Entering School Zones
- Reporting Capabilities
- Gaming/Rewards Functionality
- Cash Equivalent Reward Redemption
- Continuous Visual Advisory (CVA)
- Web-based trip tracking (Trip Tracker)
- National Regulation Repository
- Core Features
- Speed engagement (Android)
- Responds in-transit message (Android)
- Blocks texting (Android)
- Blocks calls (Android)
- GPS Enabled
- Software Enabled
- 911 override
- Voice prompts for cell laws
- Passenger disable function
Supported Cell Phone Models
- Apple iPhone (OS versions 3.0 and higher)
- Android
- Blackberry (spring/summer, 2011)
SAFECELLapp is now available on the Android Market and iTunes App
Store. Activation of the app's features is $11.99 at safecellapp.com
(recurring annual fee).
Future releases of SAFECELLapp include versions for Blackberry
available later this year. For more information and to sign up for
SAFECELLapp visit safecellapp.com.
Link: SAFECELLapp (download
link)
Agile Messenger HD Multi-Network Instant Messaging
Client for iPad
PR: Agilemobile.com Ltd. announces the release of its
award winning Agile Messenger HD for the Apple iPad, available
immediately as a free download in the iTunes App Store
Agile Messenger HD is a multiprotocol instant messaging client for
mobile devices that provides a seamless connection to the public
instant messaging networks of Live Messenger, AIM, Yahoo! Messenger,
ICQ, GoogleTalk, Facebook IM and any XMPP server. Features include
Agilemobile.com's proprietary multimedia messaging technology that
enables users to send instant picture and voice messages from
the iPad to any other mobile device or PC on the same IM network,
irrespective of the client they are using. Agile Messenger HD for the
iPad utilizes iOS 4.2 multitasking support and push notifications to
provide an always connected experience to the end user. In addition to
instant messaging, Agile Messenger HD also provides full Facebook
support, enabling users to update their status, write on their friend's
walls, post comments, view their news feed and receive instant Facebook
notifications. The company plans on releasing an update to the iPad
version of Agile Messenger in the near future, making it into a
universal app that supports all iOS devices, and adding support for the
popular Skype IM network.
Agile Messenger HD is available as a Lite and a Pro version. The
Lite version is a free download and provides full Facebook
functionality, along with unrestricted access to Facebook IM, and gives
the end-user the option to add additional IM networks with a small
in-app purchase. The Pro version provides unrestricted access to all of
the IM networks for a special introductory price of $2.99.
"We are very pleased with the results of our development
efforts," says Timon Haringa, Technical Director and cofounder of
Agilemobile.com Ltd., "rather than doing a quick port of our existing
iPhone client to get an iPad version published as fast as possible, we
redeveloped our product from the ground up specifically for the iPad
and the additional screen real estate that it offers. The result is a
productivity tool that offers a desktop quality Instant Messaging
solution for today's road warriors, enabling them to be in constant
communication with all of the popular IM networks, regardless of where
they are or what they are doing making Agile Messenger a best in class
solution."
In addition to the Apple iPad, Agile Messenger is already available
for the iPhone and iPod Touch (download
link), Android, BlackBerry, Palm WebOS, Windows Mobile, Symbian and
J2ME devices.
Link: Agile
Mobile (download links for
Agile Messenger HD Lite and
Agile Messenger HD Pro)
iJoysoft iPad Transfer Platinum Released
PR: iJoysoft Studio, a well-known consumer software developer
in California, is proud to announce a new release of iJoysoft iPad
Transfer Platinum. iJoysoft iPad Transfer Platinum is an all-in-one
iPad solutions provider which can backup music, movies, photos, books,
and iPhone ringtones in iPad/iPod/iPhone to PC or iTunes, transfer
files from PC to devices in high-speed, convert CD/DVD/audios/videos to
iPad/iPod/iPhone music/movies, download and convert online videos from
top online video websites like YouTube, create excellent iPhone
ringtones from audios/videos, etc. It supports all iPad/iPod/iPhone
models and all iOS/iTunes versions.
The main features of iPad Transfer Platinum includes:
- Transfer music/movies/photos/books/ringtones between
iPad/iPhone/iPod and PC
- Rip DVD/CD to iPad/iPhone/iPod
- Convert video/audio and copy to iPad/iPhone/iPod
- Log on online video websites in this application, download online
and convert to iPad compatible format, and transfer to the devices at
once
- Make iPhone M4R ringtone files from video and audio files and
transfer to iPhone instantly
- Support multiple iOS devices simultaneously
- Read and export pictures and videos recorded by iPhone
- Transfer books in PDF/EPUB format between iPad and PC
"iPad Transfer Platinum provides iPad user a complete solution to
all ripping, copying, converting and transferring problems! It is a
blend of iPad Transfer/Backup, iPad Video/DVD Converter, YouTube
downloader and iPhone RingTone Maker," said Christina Kong, Marketing
Manager of iJoysoft Studio. "The new upgrade will enhance iJoysoft
competitive advantage in iPad tools. With the elegant interface and
preset profiles, the new iPad Transfer Platinum is undoubtedly the best
multimedia management software for Apple device user."
You can learn more about iJoysoft mobile device tools by visiting
http://www.dvdvideotools.com/ipad-transfer-platinum.html
It's free to download and try.
Also Available in iTunes 10: iPad Transfer Ultimate for Mac
iJoysoft iPad Transfer Ultimate for Mac is a powerful application
for iPad users which can transfer iPad movies, music and pictures to
Mac/iTunes or the other way around. Apart from that, you can convert
CD/DVD, ISO images, IFO folder, videos and audios to iPad compatible
files.
- All apple portable devices including iPad, iPhone 4, iPod touch 4,
iPod nano 6, iPod shuffle 4 and iTunes 10, iPad Firmware 3.2.2, iOS 4.2
are fully supported.
- iPad to Mac or Mac to iPad Transfer - Copy and transfer movies and
music between iPad and Mac without any limitation.
- Transfer from iPad to iTunes - Transfer iPad media files to iTunes
library.
- Rip DVD to iPad - Rip CD, DVD movies, ISO images and IFO folder to
iPad.
- iPad video/audio converter - When transfer your favorite videos or
audios to iPad, iPad Transfer Ultimate for Mac will automatically
convert them to iPad.
iJoysoft iPad Transfer Ultimate for Mac sells for $59.95
Link:
iPad Transfer Ultimate for Mac
Link:
iPad Transfer Ultimate for Windows
Link:
iPhone Transfer Ultimate for Mac
Link:
iPhone Transfer Ultimate for Windows
Link:
iPod Transfer Ultimate for Mac
Link:
iPod Transfer Ultimate for Windows
Dragon Dictation and Dragon Search Now Available in
Canadian French
PR: Due to popular demand in Canada, Nuance Communications,
Inc., today announced that the Dragon Dictation and Dragon Search
applications for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch now support Canadian
French. Already experiencing great success in Canada supporting US
English, the Dragon apps now provide Canadian French speakers the
ability to create emails, text messages, status updates, and search the
Web simply by using their voice.
Canadian French marks the 10th language supported by the Dragon
Apps, which have been experienced by millions around the world in the
US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland,
Australia, and Japan. Canadian French is available to all users
worldwide as a result of the Dragon Apps' multi-lingual capabilities,
allowing consumers to easily toggle between all supported languages as
they become available.
"The US English versions of the Dragon Apps have already received
enormous praise in Canada. However, we wanted to ensure that even more
Canadians were able to experience the power of mobile voice
technology," said Michael Thompson, senior vice president and general
manager, Nuance Mobile. "This is just the latest release in our mission
to bring the Dragon Apps to more consumers in more places around the
globe, answering the demand for intuitive and innovative voice-enabled
mobile interfaces."
Dragon Dictation for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad gives people the
ability to easily dictate content for emails, text messages and social
media updates, more than five times faster than typing. The latest
version is iOS-4 compatible and features a popup toolbar with app icons
for quickly accessing and speaking content directly into email and text
message apps, Facebook or Twitter status bars, or the clipboard.
Dragon Search for iPhone and iPod touch lets users simply speak any
search query to find any content on the mobile Web. Nuance's innovative
Dragon Search Carousel delivers fast, smarter search results within
seconds across multiple channels all at once, including Google or
Yahoo!, and Wikipedia, iTunes, YouTube, and Twitter.
Link: Dragon
Dictation (download links for
iPhone/iPod touch and
iPad)
Link: Dragon Search
(download
link)
Accessories
Pentalobe Screwdriver for 2nd
Generation iPhone 4
PR: In late 2010, Apple switched the screwhead style on
some fasteners in the iPhone, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, from a
standard Phillips screwdriver to a 5 point star screwdriver known as
"Pentalobe" or "Pentabular," size TS1.
The Silverhill Tools TS1 size screwdriver for iPhone 4 is an
ergonomic screwdriver with spin cap, made from high quality CRV6150
steel, and shipping with a suction cup, the only other item needed to
open your iPhone 4.
The vendor notes that while 100% of these screws are tested on
authentic iPhone 4 screws, due to the extremely small dimensions
involved, they ask that you contact your authorized distributor
regarding any screwdriver that does not fit correctly.
The Silverhill Tools TS1 size screwdriver sells for $5.99 and can be
ordered through Amazon.com.
YOUBIQ Introduces Innovative Way to Capture and
Share Media Using the iPhone 4
PR: Wayland, Massachusetts-based YOUBIQ's Gymbl is an
all-in-one comfortable grip, on-the-go tripod, and tripod adaptor that
can serve as a handheld grip to steadily and securely hold the iPhone 4
in any position or handsfree. Used with the YOUBIQ App, the system
simplifies organizing and sharing high fidelity media.
The latest
generation of smartphones have cameras that rival point-and-shoot
digital cameras, and the migration of digital photography to
smartphones is gaining traction. Enter YOUBIQ - anywhere,
everywhere.
The YOUBIQ Gymbl transforms your iPhone into a "camera with a
smartphone." This flexible accessory is an all-in-one comfortable grip,
on-the-go tripod and tripod adapter, for capturing images with great
fidelity.
At the heart of the Gymbl is a gimbal, a pivoting, panoramic head
that lets the user rotate the iPhone 4 around its optical center. The
Gymbl can be attached in seconds to a stylish, hard-shelled, ergonomic
iPhone 4 case (included), and can serve as a handheld grip to steadily
and securely hold the camera in any position, or as a tripod to enable
handsfree use of the iPhone 4 - at home, in a meeting, for FaceTime,
interacting with apps - anywhere.
YOUBIQ eliminates the need to connect to a computer. The YOUBIQ App
connects to the YOUBIQ Cloud, synchronizing and archiving photos in the
background as they're shot. The App also activates state-of-the-art
services in the YOUBIQ Cloud including sharing and organization, while
preserving the originals. The App registers the date and time,
location, direction, and camera orientation of every image. It attaches
the information to the media file so it can be easily organized on the
iPhone 4 and in the YOUBIQ Cloud.
The App allows users to capture compound images in convenient
project folders using an "augmented reality" helper that makes
capturing panoramas a snap. Source images are automatically archived in
the background to the YOUBIQ Cloud to free up memory and can be copied
to the iPhone's Photo album where they are available for use in other
apps. Tags are used to help organize images and to enable powerful
features in the YOUBIQ Cloud.
The YOUBIQ Cloud is private and secure, enabling users to control
what, where and how media is shared. Default settings allow for
sensitive information, like location and tags, to be removed
automatically before media is shared. With the YOUBIQ Cloud, media can
be accessed and managed from anywhere using a standard web browser so
there's no need to connect to a computer.
"We're excited to bring to market a product that will enhance and
simplify smartphone photography and allow most users to confidently
leave their digital cameras at home," says Gordon Fowler, founder of
YOUBIQ. "We believe this launch represents a new category and we look
forward to leading the way for rich new features and services for the
smartphone market."
The YOUBIQ App ($2.99 with 2 gigabytes of storage on the YOUBIQ
Cloud) is pending approval. Once approved, it will be available for
download from the iTunes Store (search the App Store for YOUBIQ). The
YOUBIQ Cloud offers additional storage in 25 GB increments for
$25/year. The Gymbl Grip and Tripod sells for $69 and a Gymbl Tripod
Adaptor is $49. Both are available for preorder at youbiq.com.
Expected delivery in early February. Broader availability is planned
for spring 2011.
YOUBIQ will showcase and demonstrate the Gymbl Grip and Tripod for
the first time at Macworld 2011 (Booth #1006), January 27th - 29th in
San Francisco.
Link: YOUBIQ
Grip Tape iPhone Sticker Holds on to Your iPhone
Like Never Before
PR: Hold on to your iPhone like never before with these
super textured rear decals. This sticker is laser cut from sheets of
real skateboard grip tape and sticks right onto the back of your
iPhone 4.
The sticker is completely removable and will not scratch the back of
your phone. Don't let someone else sell you an imitation for $15, or
even $20 - for five bucks this is one of the cheapest ways to make your
iPhone look badass.
Compatible with iPhone bumper cases too.
Free shipping.
$5.00
Link: Grip Tape
iPhone Sticker
Protection
Speck's New 'CandyShell Wrap' Multifunction iPad
Case
PR: Speck announces the newest addition to its
award-winning CandyShell case family, the CandyShell Wrap case for
iPad. The CandyShell Wrap delivers screen protection with the addition
of a removable front cover that also conveniently folds back to serve
as a viewing and typing stand.
"We're amazed and inspired by the many new uses of the
iPad. Our goal was to narrow the function of the CandyShell Wrap case
for iPad to the most useful: viewing and typing"
"We're amazed and inspired by the many new uses of the iPad. Our
goal was to narrow the function of the CandyShell Wrap case for iPad to
the most useful: viewing and typing," says Bryan Hynecek, Director of
Design at Speck. "CandyShell Wrap is the first of our new generation of
functional iPad case designs for mobile devices to hit the market."
At its core, the CandyShell Wrap is everything a Speck
CandyShell is known for a glossy hard shell exterior with a soft
rubberized interior designed to further protect and insulate the iPad
from everyday bumps, drops and scrapes. The CandyShell Wrap iPad case
features a removable flip-close front cover that can be conveniently
folded back to serve as a viewing or typing stand. The sleek outer hard
shell case easily slips into a bag or backpack, while the front cover
adds extra shock-absorbent impact and scratch protection to the touch
screen. The CandyShell Wrap also features a flip-back panel that allows
the iPad to dock without removing the case.
The CandyShell Wrap case for iPad is available in DarkLord Black
(Black/Black) for $59.95 MSRP.
Link: CandyShell Wrap
Multi-Function iPad Case
USB Fever Custom Made PU Leather Pouch Case for
iPhone 4
PR: This stylish leather pouch is designed with comfort and
convenience in mind. Help protect your handheld from dust and scratches
with this Pocket Case. It features a slim, formfitting design that
maintains its shape and a soft microfiber interior that ensures a snug,
secure fit when your handheld is inside.
Just give it a gentle tug and your phone slides out gracefully, just
enough for you to view the screen or pull it out completely. A
magnetised opening flap ensures that your handheld won't
unintentionally come out of the case.
Features:
- Versatile Pocket Case
- Custom made for iPhone 4
- Protects from dust and scratches
- Form fitting design
- Microfibre interior
- Ingenious phone extraction tag
Compatible with iPhone 4
Colors:
Note: This case is not made of genuine leather, it is made of
PU
Leather.
$9.99
Link: PU Leather Pouch
Case for iPhone 4
USB Fever Custom Made PU
Leather Pouch Case with Pull Up Cord for iPhone 4
PR: This stylish leather pouch is designed with comfort and
convenience in mind. Help protect your handheld from dust and scratches
with this Pocket Case. It features a slim, formfitting design that
maintains its shape and a soft microfiber interior that ensures a snug,
secure fit when your handheld is inside.
Just give it a gentle tug and your phone slides out gracefully, just
enough for you to view the screen or pull it out completely. A
magnetised opening flap ensures that your handheld won't
unintentionally come out of the case.
Features:
- Versatile Pocket Case
- Custom made for iPhone 4
- with pull-up cord
- Protects from dust and scratches
- Form fitting design
- Microfibre interior
- Ingenious phone extraction tag
Compatible with iPhone 4
Colors:
Note: This case is not made of genuine leather, it is made of
PU
Leather.
$9.99
Link: PU
Leather Pouch Case With Pull Up Cord for iPhone 4
