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News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apple Donates Thousands of Refurbished iPads to
Teach for America Teachers
Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt reports that Apple has donated
thousands of refurbished first-generation
iPads to teachers in America's poorest schools, with every Teach
for America Corps member - numbering more than 9,000 in 38 states -
offered a free refurbished iPad in August, with registration ending
Aug. 31, and the iPads distributed over the past two weekends.
Elmer-DeWitt notes that Steve Jobs' wife, Laurene Powell, sits on
Teach for America's board of directors.
Link: Apple Finds a Use
for Some of Those First-Generation iPads
Writer Works iPad-Only for One Day
Ars Technica's Jacqui Cheng decided to check out the post-PC world
in earnest, checking out firsthand whether it's now truly possible to
do a full day's worth of work as a journalist using nothing but an
iPad.
She discovered to her surprise that a day on the iPad actually
worked, although she says nothing of extending the experiment into a
second day or beyond, presumably going back to her usual 27" iMac and
11" MacBook Air workhorses. She also used an external wireless keyboard
with via Bluetooth with her iPad.
She says that the biggest challenge was finding a writing app to
suit her and the Ars Technica CMS's tastes, settling on the $4.99
Writing Kit (see below), which boasts Markdown
support and clean HTML exports to the iPad clipboard or email -
features she notes that are hard enough to find in a normal Mac
app.
There were problems, but nothing that put the brakes on her entire
day, and she says that in general everything went better than she had
expected, with the takeaway that while working on a tablet made it more
difficult to constantly monitor everything that happens in a day, the
tradeoff was finding it significantly easier to be productive when
actually writing, noting that she produced slightly more the day she
worked on the iPad than on a normal day, although she did feel as if
she was somewhat disconnected from the world compared to her usual
setup, noting that it requires a different mental process for a typical
computer user, but worked out a bit better than fine if personal
productivity is the operative metric.
Editor's note: Having purchased an iPad 2 three months ago, I've
been experimenting a bit as well, but I haven't come remotely close to
trying a day exclusively on the slab, and while I might be able to
struggle through one, my experiences so far indicate that it would be
an exercise in extreme frustration - the two worst aspects being the
iOS's execrable touch-based cut/copy/paste conventions, and its
incapability of supporting real multitasking with multiple application
windows visible. I detest the half-baked Home Button double-pump that
passes for as close as you get to multitasking on the iPad. I also
strenuously question whether I would be more creatively productive
without the versatility that a laptop with a real desktop OS provides.
cm
Link: Masochist Me? An
Ars Writer's iPad-only Workday
'Subconscious Mode' Could Boost Smartphone Battery
Life More than 50%
The University of Michigan's
College of Engineering says that a new "subconscious mode" for
smartphones and other WiFi-enabled mobile devices could extend battery
life by as much as 54% for users on the busiest networks.
The university's computer science and engineering professor Kang
Shin and doctoral student Xinyu Zhang will present their new power
management approach on Sept. 21 at the ACM International Conference on
Mobile Computing and Networking in Las Vegas. The approach is still in
the proof-of-concept stage and is not yet commercially available.
A University of Michigan press release notes that:
"Even when smartphones are in power-saving modes and
not actively sending or receiving messages, they are still on alert for
incoming information and they're searching for a clear communication
channel. The researchers have found that this kind of energy-taxing
'idle listening' is occurring during a large portion of the time phones
spend in power-saving mode - as much as 80% on busy networks. Their new
approach could make smartphones perform this idle listening more
efficiently. It's called E-MiLi, which stands for Energy-Minimizing
Idle Listening."
Link: Boosting
Smartphone Battery Life
2 Days of iPad Sales Beat Quarterly PlayBook
Sales
The Loop's Jim Dalrymple notes that it took RIM a full quarter to
ship (not necessarily sell) 200,000 PlayBooks, while in its last fiscal
quarter, Apple sold 9.25 million iPads, roughly 102,000 per day, so two
days of sales the iPad beat the PlayBook.
Link: Apple's iPad Beat
RIM's PlayBook Sales in Two Days
RIM May Be Sitting On 800,000 Unsold PlayBooks
Cnet's Roger Cheng says Research In Motion has a backlog of roughly
800,000 PlayBooks, according to a report in The Guardian that cites an
analyst from Fubon Securities saying that RIM's supplier, Quanta
Computer, shipped 1.5 million PlayBooks to RIM in the first half, but
RIM has managed to ship only 700,000 PlayBooks - just 200,000 during
the past quarter - to its retail partners, complicating its plans to
reduce inventory.
Is an HP TouchPad-style fire sale in the offing?
Link: RIM Sitting On
800,000 Unsold PlayBooks - Report
iPad iOS 5 vs. Windows 8 Slate Video
Comparison
WinRumors' Tom Warren has posted a thorough 12 minute video
comparison of iOS 5 running on an iPad
2 with the Windows 8 developer preview running on a Windows tablet,
noting:
"Microsoft has done some impressive work with Windows
8 to make it truly slate friendly. Hardware specifications and
specifics are still being fleshed out but the core software compares
favourably to Apple's iPad iOS 5 software."
Link: iPad
iOS 5 vs. Windows 8 Slate
Kindle Books Now Available at Over 11,000 Local
Libraries
PR: Amazon.com has announced that Kindle and Kindle app
customers can now borrow Kindle books from more than 11,000 local
libraries in the United States. When a customer borrows a Kindle
library book, they'll have all of the unique features they love about
Kindle books, including Whispersync, which automatically synchronizes
their margin notes, highlights and bookmarks, real page numbers,
Facebook and Twitter integration, and more. For more information about
borrowing library books for your Kindle or free Kindle apps, go to
amazon.com/kindle/publiclibraries.
To start checking out Kindle library books, visit your local library's
website.
"Starting today, millions of Kindle customers can borrow Kindle
books from their local libraries," says Jay Marine, Director, Amazon
Kindle. "Libraries are a critical part of our communities and we're
excited to be making Kindle books available at more than 11,000 local
libraries around the country. We're even doing a little extra here -
normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. But
we're fixing this by extending our Whispersync technology to library
books, so your notes, highlights and bookmarks are always backed up and
available the next time you check out the book or if you decide to buy
the book."
Customers will use their local library's website to search for and
select a book to borrow. Once they choose a book, customers can choose
to "Send to Kindle" and will be redirected to Amazon.com to login to
their Amazon.com account and the book will be delivered to the device
they select via WiFi, or can be transferred via USB. Customers can
check out a Kindle book from their local library and start reading on
any generation Kindle device or free Kindle app for Android, iPad, iPod
touch, iPhone, PC, Mac, BlackBerry or Windows Phone, as well as in
their web browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
"This is a welcome day for Kindle users in libraries everywhere and
especially our Kindle users here at The Seattle Public Library," said
Marcellus Turner, city librarian for The Seattle Public Library. "We're
thrilled that Amazon is offering such a new approach to library ebooks
that enhances the reader experience."
When borrowing a Kindle book from their local library, customers can
take advantage of all of the unique features of Kindle books,
including:
- Whispersync technology wirelessly sync your books, notes,
highlights, and last page read across Kindle and free Kindle reading
apps
- Real Page Numbers let you easily reference passages with page
numbers that correspond to actual print editions
- Facebook and Twitter integration makes it easy to share favorite
passages with your social networks
- Popular Highlights show you what our community of millions of
Kindle readers think are the most interesting passages in your
books
- Public Notes allow you to share your notes and see what others are
saying about Kindle books
To start checking out Kindle library books, visit your local
library's website.
Will Ebooks Destroy the Democratizing Effects of
Reading?
"Could Abraham Lincoln have become president of the United States in
a world in which poor children lack access to physical books?" asks
Technology Review's Christopher Mims, noting that Andrew
Carnegie's decision to fund free libraries at the turn of the last
century was inspired by the belief that knowledge and education are
public goods.
Mims notes that Amazon has announced that it is offering
Kindle-compatible ebooks to public libraries in the U.S., but there's a
larger problem that this development fails to address, to wit, that
most readers' earliest experiences with books would be secondhand,
passed on by family members or purchased used, but the ebook completely
eliminates both the secondary book market and any control that
libraries have over the copies of a text it has purchased, since under
normal circumstances ebooks can't be loaned or resold, nor gifted, nor
discovered on a trip through the shelves of a friend or the local
library. They can't be rebound, and, unlike print on paper volumes,
they will not last for centuries, with some publishers already limiting
the number of times a library can loan out an ebook to 26 -the
flexibility of book ownership to be gone forever.
To say nothing of the 'digital divide' whereby a secondary external
device is required for playback, putting more barriers between readers
and knowledge, for example between the one in five children in the U.S.
who live below the poverty line and those that can afford e-readers and
tablet computers.
The triumph of the copyright bullies after all at the expense of the
common good?
Publisher's note: In addition to being able to read Amazon's ebooks
on the Kindle, Amazon also makes available free apps for reading
Kindle ebooks on Windows PCs, Macs, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Android,
and Windows Phone 7. Since almost everyone has access to one or more of
these devices (and you can often find Windows PCs on the curb come
trash day), there's almost no reason to believe that ebooks are
creating some sort of digital divide.
That said, there's something to be said about real books printed on
paper.... dk
Link: Will Ebooks
Destroy the Democratizing Effects of Reading?
Reed College Students: iPhone Is for Dad's
Generation
TMCnet Contributor Ed Silverstein says that Reed College is considered one of the
nation's most interesting liberal arts colleges, and reports that when
students started to talk about smartphones, Martin Fichter, acting
president of HTC Americas, listened and learned something. Fichter
liked what he heard, since the students reportedly told him that
iPhones are far from cool, typically telling him something like: "My
dad has an iPhone."
Link: Reed College
Students Say iPhone Is for Dad's Generation
Apps & Services
Writing Kit 1.3 for iPad
PR:
Writing Kit is built for Markdown users and comes with a web browser
for researching materials.
Write Markdown-formatted text. Use your favorite TextExpander
snippets. Edit your documents anywhere with Dropbox. Do quick research
to find reference materials. Insert quotes and links into your
documents. Upload images to CloudApp. Export your writings as Markdown
or HTML files. Send them to Evernote, Facebook, Posterous, Tumblr and
Twitter. Or use the generated HTML for your blog post. Your choice.
Use the power of 750+ site-specific search engines to find the
materials you need. Enable Ad blocking and Text-only mode to enjoy a
reading experience without visual clutters. Access your bookmarks on
Delicious, Pinboard, and Zootool. Browse your Instapaper unread items.
Queue interesting links to view them later. Writing Kit is built for
researching and looking up stuff.
Features
- Markdown: Use formatting tools to quickly insert headings,
strong/emphasized text, links, images, code snippets and lists in
Markdown syntax.
Dropbox Sync:
Edit your documents on-the-go, then sync them back to Dropbox. And vice
versa.- CloudApp Integration: Upload images from your library to CloudApp.
Or transfer those on other web pages to your account in a snap.
- Document Outline: Browse the list of headings, images and links in
your document and jump to any of them in no time.
- Font Choices: Choose between Georgia, Helvetica, Times New Roman,
Trebuchet MS, Courier and Marker Felt to write your next great
piece.
- Quick Research: Get instant answers, word definitions, Wikipedia
summaries, and related topics to any terms you wish.
- TextExpander: Use your favorite snippets anywhere in the app: in
the editor or in the built-in web browser.
- Preview: See exactly how your Markdown-formatted document looks
like in a gorgeous theme.
- Import: Bring your plaintext and Markdown-formatted documents in
from other apps and your computer using iTunes File Sharing.
- Export: Copy Markdown or HTML source to clipboard for use in your
blog posts. Or, send it directly to Evernote, Facebook, Posterous,
Tumblr and Twitter.
Power Search:
Quickly search more than 750+ sites (Flickr, YouTube, Amazon, Ars
Technica, Hacker News, [your favorite site], etc.). Ask questions, do
conversions, find facts, and so on.- Clutter-free Browsing Experience: Make use of the built-in Ad
blocker, Text mode, Readability bookmarklet and shutup.css
integration.
- Bookmarks: Organize your local bookmarks with tags. Browse your
online bookmarks on Delicious, Pinboard, and Zootool. Access your
favorite sites anywhere.
- Zero-click Info: Learn about anything you come across within two
taps. You don't even have to leave the current page.
- Reading Queue: Queue things you find interesting to view later.
It's as simple as that.
- Instapaper: Send links to Instapaper. Access your unread items
right from within the app.
New in Version 1.3
- Added: External keyboard support
- Added: Custom stylesheet for previewing document. Put a
'markdown.css' file into your Writing Kit Documents folder using iTunes
File Sharing to enable this feature
- Added: Tap on a link in Preview now alerts the destination of that
link
- Added: More than 600 !bang command autocompletion, bring the total
number of commands to 1343
- Fixed: Document sent to Tumblr now uses regular post type instead
of quote type
- Removed: 'Sent from Writing Kit' text
System requirements:
- Compatible with iPad
- Requires iOS 4.2 or later.
$4.99
Link:
Writing Kit
Place and Receive Calls Over Your iPad's Data
Connection with Line2 HD
PR: Line2
HD is the ultimate iPad accessory: a phone number - turning your iPad
into a one-stop communications hub.
Place and receive calls and use carrier-grade text messaging over
your iPad's data connections (WiFi or 3G data). Use the built-in
speakerphone, or for privacy connect a headset or Bluetooth device.
A Powerful Communications Hub
- Your very own new local number (or transfer an existing
number)
- Unlimited US/Canada calls
- Unlimited domestic texting in US
- Conference call up to 20 people
- Visual voicemail
- Voicemail by email
- Email support from within the app
Features
Manage All Your
Communications in One Stream: Instead of trying to hunt down a message
across multiple applications (email, text messaging, voicemail), with
Line2 you get a snapshot view of your communications for each contact
on your iPad.- World-Class Quality, Reliability and Support: Line2 isn't a
peer-to-peer service. We run our service out of secure data centers for
better quality and reliability. And we invest in US-based customer
support agents to answer your questions quickly and easily - because
your calls are worth it.
- No Hidden Charges or Extra Fees: Your monthly subscription is
billed to a credit card you provide. You can cancel the monthly plan at
any time.
The Line2 HD App is free, however to use it you'll need to sign up
for a Line2 account, which has a $9.99 monthly fee (free trial account
available), for which you get unlimited calling in Canada and the
United States, unlimited domestic texting in the United States, plus
bells and whistles like support for conference calls with up to 20
people and video voicemail.
System requirements:
- Compatible with iPad
- Requires iOS 3.2.2 or later
Link:
Line2 HD (there is also an iPhone/iPod touch version called
Line2)
Accessories
Etn Corporation Announces Mobius, Rechargeable
Battery Case with Solar Panel for iPhone 4
PR: Etn Corporation, creator
of innovative products empowered by nature, announces the Mobius
rechargeable battery case with solar panel. Designed for the iPhone 4,
the rechargeable battery case features a high-efficiency monocrystal
solar panel that needs only one hour in the sun to provide an
additional 25 minutes of talk time.
"We first previewed the Mobius at 2011 International CES to rave
reviews and we are proud to officially announce the product to the
masses," says Esmail Hozour, CEO of Etn Corporation. "We have perfected
the use of solar power to efficiently charge electronics and Mobius is
a shining example of this innovation."
Differentiating itself from
solar-charging solutions on the market today, Mobius features a quick
charge time and the ability to store charge until you need it. The
high-efficiency monocrystal solar panel recharges the 1800 mAh
Rechargeable lithium ion battery pack on the back of the case. Only one
hour of solar charging provides an additional 25 minutes of talk time,
20 minutes of Internet use, 35 minutes of video playback and more than
two hours of audio playback. Mobius can also be charged via the
included Micro-USB cable and will sync with iTunes for maximum
convenience. Once the battery has been recharged, the user is in
control as to when the extra battery power is used. Mobius features a
standby switch to turn off direct power transfer to the iPhone 4,
allowing the case to charge and store energy in its own battery only
using the power when you need it.
The durable and ergonomic battery case has both a battery charge and
solar charge indicator, so the user always knows the power status of
the Mobius. Weighing only 3.4 ounces, Mobius also features a USB
connection to charge the battery via computer, as well as the unique
and proprietary snap fit design protects the glass on the back of the
device.
Mobius is available at Amazon.com and retails for $80.
Link: Mobius
(available from Amazon.com
with free shipping)
Aturon GmbH Launches Moonlet iPad Protection
Accessory in US
PR: Marcus Hoeglmeier, principal at Aturon GmbH, has
announced that Moonlet is now available in the U.S. through its sales
and distribution partner Hudson Vandam LLC. Moonlets are a
precision-engineered iPad accessory that enhances the functionality and
longevity of the iPad while providing excellent ergonomic comfort.
Moonlets are designed in Switzerland and made in Germany.
Marcus Hoeglmeier
and Aturon GmbH received the prestigious Focus Open 2011 Silver Award
for Excellence in Product Design.
"We are proud to offer a product that adds to the iPad users
experience, without modifying the look, design and access points," says
Marcus Hoeglmeier, designer and creator of Moonlet. "Moonlets are smart
round balls that protect the iPad, elevating it from any workspace,
preventing scratches and unwanted spills. Its anti-slip material
stabilizes the iPad while typing and providing an enhanced grip
experience, including protection from tumbles and also better gaming
control: It is excellent for gamers and all users - by allowing the
iPad to sit securely and comfortably in the palm of your hand. I felt
the need to create a product that offered multiple levels of
functionality in one product. I designed the product after the
limitations and desires I had experienced with my own iPad. I was not
satisfied with the vast amount of cases and accessories that were
available, which modified the look and feel of my Apple product.
Moonlets are simple and they respect the design of the iPad."
Aturon GmbH currently holds the worldwide patent for Moonlet, and is
in production for the Moonlet iPad 2 version and various other
tablet computers. Located in Switzerland, their main area of expertise
is the processing and application of engineered plastics, high
performance thermoplastics, fluoropolymers, thermoplastic elastomers
and silicones. They manufacture plastic parts: one-and two-component
injection molding, plastic-metal hybrid technology, silicone and
silicone injection molding.
Link: Moonlet
(available from Amazon.com in white
or black
with free shipping)
USRobotics Enters Tablet Accessory Arena with
Keyboards, Stands, and Dock
PR: USRobotics has announced
its officia entry into the tablet accessory product category with the
launch of three new tablet stands and two new wireless Bluetooth
keyboards. Designed for a wide variety of devices, including tablets,
iDevices, smartphones, netbooks and e-readers, the new stands include
the USR5510 Tablet/Netbook Adjustable Stand, USR5511 Slim Tablet Stand,
and the USR 5512 Charging Stand for iPad/iPhone. In addition, the new
USR5500 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard and USR5502 Mini Bluetooth Keyboard
are for tablets as well as any computer system, including home theater
PCs. All five models were developed to help maximize the use of tablet
computers at home and at work and are currently available for
order.
"With the explosion of the compact, more affordable tablet-sized
computers for crossover consumer and business applications, there has
been an increasing need for stands and wireless keyboards to support
those devices and make them more comfortable to use," explains Bruce
Swail, CEO of USRobotics. "USRobotics is entering the tablet accessory
category with a line of stands and wireless Bluetooth keyboards that
help people get the most benefit out of their iPads and other tablets
so they are as effective and productive as possible."
Created for everything from watching videos, reading ebooks or using
a tablet as a computer monitor, the one-piece stands are compact yet
sturdy designs that can be used at home to convert a tablet into a
workstation. With multiple angles, the stands provide easy typing and
clear viewing also making them ideal to watch movies or work while
traveling.
Stands
The USR5510 and USR 5511 are
tablet/netbook adjustable stands with open designs that keep devices
cool. Both are compact and foldable, which is great for travel. They
can be used with most tablets, including iPad, Xoom and PlayBook and
allow for viewing in landscape and portrait modes. Because of their
extendable legs, the USR5510 also works with thin laptops up to 15" and
most netbooks. Their handsfree fit enables videos to be watched more
comfortably while the lower angle makes it easier to type emails or
multitask at the office.
Docks
The USR 5512 Charging Stand is
ideal for iDevice users who want to go handsfree and charge at the same
time. Its a small, stable stand with a 30-pin connector for iDevices
including the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and iPod. The stand can be
connected to a computer with an iDevice cable to sync and charge the
battery. At the same time, speakers can be connected to a line-out port
to watch videos and listen to music with better audio quality.
When paired together, the stands and keyboards save time by allowing
users to remotely control a movie or volume with multimedia shortcut
keys or skip the virtual keyboards and type faster on longer
emails.
Keyboards
The USR5500 wireless Bluetooth
keyboard and USR5502 Mini Bluetooth keyboard are the ideal accessories
for home and business users with tablets or computer systems placed in
tight spaces. They support most tablets and also work with all major
systems with Bluetooth support including Playstation 3, Windows,
Macintosh and Linux. Their additional multimedia function keys control
music or videos remotely, pause a video or mute the volume without
leaving a fingerprint on the screen. The full size USR5500 has iDevice
keys for additional functionality like slideshows, swapping between
virtual and Bluetooth keyboards, and the Home key. The pocket size
USR5502 with its rechargeable batteries is ideal for IT server rooms,
students, and professionals on the go and want to pack light.
The new USRobotics USR5510, USR5511
and USR5512 tablet stands are all currently available at retail prices
starting at $19.99. The USR5500 and USR5502 wireless Bluetooth
keyboards are available for order at retail prices starting at $39.99.
The products can be purchased from USRobotics authorized distributors
such as Ingram Micro, Tech Data, D&H, and Synnex and reseller
partners including CDW and Amazon. To learn more, call (877)
710-0884.
For more information, visit the company website or follow USRobotics
on social networking sites, including Linked In, Facebook, and
Twitter.
Link:
USR5500 Bluetooth keyboard
Link:
USR5502 Mini Bluetooth keyboard
Link:
USR5510 Tablet/Netbook Adjustable Stand
Link:
USR5511 Slim Tablet Stand
Link:
USR5512 Charging Stand for iPad/iPhone
iRoom iDock: World's First Motorized In-Wall iPad
Mount Now Available in North America
PR: Bracketron has announced North American availability of
the iRoom iDock, the first powered and motorized in-wall mounting
solution for iPad on the market today.
Available in
portrait and landscape models, the iDock can be flush-mounted to
seamlessly and stylishly integrate the iPad into any room. A patented
motorized docking system opens and closes the iDock to securely store
the iPad, and the dock also includes both power and composite audio
internal connections. The mounts faceplate comes in three sleek colors
including brushed aluminum, piano black and opal white, or can be color
customized so that the bezel perfectly matches your unique interior
design. Compatible with both iPad and iPad 2, iDock Landscape and iDock
Portrait are available now through Bracketron, the official and
exclusive distributor for iRoom iDock in the United States, Canada and
Mexico.
"The iRoom iDock is an elegant solution that fully integrates the
iPad into a rooms design concept," says Mark Mandel, Executive Vice
President of Bracketron. "The iDock is ideal for both residential and
commercial settings, and will turn any room into a truly sophisticated
and connected space."
The iDock
features a unique opening mechanism with an invisible proximity sensor.
When activated, the sensor recognizes when you are nearby and switches
the iDock to the open position allowing you to insert your iPad. After
ten seconds the iPad intake closes again automatically. The proximity
sensor can also be disabled to lock the iPad permanently in place. When
the iPad is inserted into the dock, you have total control of audio and
video equipment or smart home applications on the device. The iDock
also automatically charges the iPad battery when mounted. If you
experience a power outage, the iDock simply opens automatically and
releases the iPad for removal.
The iRoom iDock
is integrated flush with the wall using a special flush-mounted socket.
The iDock is then connected to the power supply and inserted into the
flush-mounted socket. For added security, the iDock's proximity sensor
and automatic opening and closing functions can be disabled if desired.
Additionally, the integrated audio output can be connected to existing
wired sound systems, making it possible for the iPad to be used as an
audio source. You can then select and play songs from the docked iPad
like a modern day jukebox. The iDock landscape model is particularly
suited for viewing movies, presentations and photos on the iPad. The
iDock is also external contact-friendly, which makes interesting new
functions possible such as connecting the dock to a keypad or
fingerprint entry system.
The iDock
features brilliant design, engineering and high quality materials, and
is manufactured to the most stringent European standards. All iRoom
products come with a two-year warranty. The iDock is compatible with
the original iPad and iPad 2. Two conversion sets iPad 1-kit and iPad
2-kit contain easy-to-install rails and adapters that allow users to
mount any version of the iPad in the dock.
Features
- Motorized docking and release (Watch video here)
- Available in Portrait or Landscape models, to suit the primary
in-wall usage
- Docking status notification (iDock Landscape only)
- Automatic opening in the event of power failure or overload
- Quality design made in Austria
- Dimensions (width/height/depth): 220 x 310 x 66.8 mm
- Comes in Piano Black, Opal White or Brushed Aluminum; custom colors
also available
Professional installation recommended.
Founded in 2008, iRoom is an Austria-based company that focuses on
designing, developing, and producing solutions and services for
automated residential homes and offices. In iRoom's Salzburg showroom,
the company demonstrates the latest developments in home automation -
their own developments like the iRoom iDock as well as developments
from partner companies. With an R&D rate of more than 25% in 2010,
iRoom proves to put a strong focus on product development. iRoom's
strengths include the quick time-to-market phase of new product
developments, the creativity of its team, and experience in home
automation and integration. iRoom creates "Intelligente Technik",
designed for everyone.
Link: iRoom
iDock
Belkin Cooks Up Convenient Solutions for the
Kitchen with iPad 2 Accessories
PR: Belkin has unveiled a new lineup of kitchen accessories
for the iPad 2, including stands and mounts specially designed to
protect the tablet from kitchen messes and make cooking more fun and
efficient.
"The iPad and other tablets open up a whole new world in the kitchen
and we are just now beginning to unlock their potential as the next
must-have kitchen gadget," says Jamie Elgie, senior director of product
management for Belkin's mobility division. "We're excited to unveil
products that will make life in the kitchen easier for everyone from
professional chefs and bakers to moms and kitchen novices."
Chef Stand + Stylus
Kitchen-safe and made for use with messy hands, the Chef Stand
+ Stylus allows you to scroll through recipes without getting your iPad
2 dirty. The product features dual angles for easy viewing and a
non-slip rubber base, perfect for combating slippery countertops.
Features:
- Magnetic tip wakes up iPad 2
- Stylus protects from dirty hands and messes
- Hand-washable
- Case-compatible
- Compatible with most tablets
$39.99
Link: Chef Stand +
Stylus (available from Amazon.com
with free shipping)
Fridge Mount
The
Fridge Mount allows you to keep your to-do list up-to-date and grocery
list handy. Maximum-strength 3M Command Strips snap the iPad 2 firmly
in place and attach securely to the fridge without damaging surfaces
when removed. The minimalist design stylishly keeps the iPad 2 safe and
secure.
Features:
- Easy installation - no tools needed
- iPad is easy to slide in and out
- Compatible with 7" to 10" tablets
- Case-compatible
$39.99
Link: Belkin Fridge
Mount (available from Amazon.com
with free shipping)
Kitchen Cabinet Mount
Created to help free up valuable counter space, the Kitchen
Cabinet Mount helps keep your tablet in view and securely suspended on
any cabinet or shelf. It can be easily installed, removed, and
stored.
Features:
- Easy installation-no tools needed
- Easy to remove and store
- Compatible with 7" to 10" tablets
- Case-compatible
$49.99
Link: Kitchen Cabinet
Mount (available from Amazon.com
with free shipping)
Logitech Harmony Link to Enable One-Touch Control
of Home Entertainment System from iPad
PR: With thousands of TV channels and seemingly unlimited
choice of shows and movies, getting to the content you are looking for
is often a challenge as you navigate among programming guides and
juggle multiple remotes to control your home entertainment system. With
this in mind, Logitech has unveiled Logitech Harmony Link, a small
device designed to fit in next to your TV and media electronics and
communicate over WiFi with the free Logitech Harmony Link App for iPad.
After setup, the Logitech Harmony Link and the Logitech Harmony Link
App work together to let iPad users browse a personalized schedule of
their favorite shows, channels and genres to find something good to
watch and with one touch turn on all the right devices and tune to the
right channel.
"Logitech Harmony Link extends our vision of removing barriers
between people and their entertainment by replacing the clutter and
confusion of multiple remotes and different program guides with a
single intuitive touch interface," says Ashish Arora, vice president
and general manager of Logitech's Digital Home Group. "Our research
revealed that many iPad owners are using their iPad on the sofa while
watching TV, many of them seeking ways to find out what shows are on.
We set out to make this experience easier. Using Logitech Harmony Link
and the Harmony Link App, iPad users can browse for what is on
television, and with one touch of "watch now" icon next to the show of
their choice, they can automatically turn on their TV and other
electronics, and tune directly to the show they want to watch."
Logitech Harmony Link delivers more than just a personalized program
guide to iPad users. By leveraging Logitech Harmony technology, it
offers the activity- and device-based control provided by the
award-winning line of Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remotes. Just
select what you want to do, such as "Watch a Movie" or "Listen to
Music," and Harmony Link automatically switches your devices to the
right settings meaning you won't be fumbling with multiple remotes or
manually switching inputs anymore.
Control from Your iPad
The Logitech Harmony Link connects to your existing home wireless
network to receive WiFi signals from the Harmony Link App and turns
them into IR commands that home-entertainment devices can understand.
Harmony Link can control up to eight devices, is compact (about the
size of a hockey puck) and was designed to integrate neatly and
discreetly with your home entertainment system. Harmony Link includes
an IR mini-blaster accessory so you can control entertainment devices
both inside and outside of a closed entertainment cabinet.
And because the Harmony Link App transforms simple swipes and taps
into useful actions, such as volume control and video playback, you can
stay in control of your entertainment without taking your eyes off
whatever you're watching on your big screen.
Harmony Link can even connect with more than one iPad at a time,
letting multiple family members use their own iPad with their own set
of favorite channels rather than fighting over a single remote.
Turn Your Smartphone into a Remote Control
The remote control functionality of Logitech Harmony Link also works
with the iPhone or iPod touch as well as with Android smartphones.
Initially, smartphones will not receive personalized program guides
from the downloadable App; however, Harmony Link will deliver complete
activity-based control over up to eight devices in your entertainment
system. Now you can essentially turn your smartphone into a great
universal remote.
Program Information Provided by Rovi
Logitech has teamed with Rovi Corporation to provide program
information behind its free Harmony Link App. An important element to
entertainment discovery, Rovi data includes show synopses, movie
overviews, and images to give you an in-depth and visually rich
experience as you navigate through entertainment content and connect to
your television guide.
The Logitech Harmony Link is expected to be available in the U.S. in
October for a suggested retail price of $99.99. The Harmony Link App
for iOS tablets and smartphones and the Harmony Link App for Android
smartphones are expected to be available as free downloads in October
from the iTunes App Store and Android Market, respectively.
Link:
Logitech Harmony Link (available from Logitech, and from
Amazon.com
with free shipping)
Presentation & Protection
