UiRemote is like a remote... in your iPhone
Yeah, sure, name any IR-equipped phone in existence and odds good to excellent that you can find a universal remote app for it, but you probably can't think of many for the iPhone, now, can you? They exist, yes, but they tend to carry a home-automation slant since the lack of an infrared port leaves the thing relegated to WiFi duty. Enter UiRemote, an ambitious little project undertaken by a handful of scrappy University of Toronto students that uses a fingertip-sized IR blaster connected to the headphone jack paired with a totally customizable app to get the job done. Novel? Not necessarily, but when you consider that a dedicated remote with these specs would probably run half a grand, it's an interesting way to save money and still end up with the coolest AV controller on the block. The devs are still tweaking both the module and the app, but hopes are high that they'll be available to all interested parties in the next couple months.Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Home Entertainment UiRemote is like a remote... in your iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone, SlingPlayer for Mac HD make debuts
Remember that proof-of-concept you saw way back in June of last year? You know, that one involving SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone? Here at Macworld, Sling Media is doing its darnedest to take the spotlight away from the looming Apple keynote by announcing that said app is almost ready for consumption. It'll be demonstrating a functional version in San Francisco, and it's planning to submit the software to Apple for certification sometime this quarter. In case you couldn't care less, it'll also unveil a prototype SlingPlayer for Mac HD, which will enable Mac-using Slingbox PRO-HD owners to stream high-def material to their Mac. As for the good stuff, pricing has yet to be determined for the SlingPlayer iPhone app, but the SlingPlayer for Mac HD will be made available gratis. Full release is after the break.Continue reading SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone, SlingPlayer for Mac HD make debuts Filed under: Cellphones, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Portable Audio SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone, SlingPlayer for Mac HD make debuts originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Eye-Fi functionality comes to iPhone via new application
 We'd be fibbing just a wee bit if we said that Eye-Fi functionality for the iPhone has always been imminent, but now that it's real, we suppose we aren't too surprised. Announced today at Macworld, the Eye-Fi application will enable iPhone owners (that just so happen to also own an Eye-Fi card) to upload images taken on their handset to their computer and the web. Reportedly, the app will allow users to aggregate all of their photos from both the iPhone and a digital camera into "organized folders on a computer and to one of 25 online photo sharing and social networking websites." The app is also said to support geotagging just like the Eye-Fi Explore, though two crucial bits of info are sorely missing. First off, what happens with folks that don't own an Eye-Fi card? And second, when is this app even coming out?Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras Eye-Fi functionality comes to iPhone via new application originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXVI: iPhone Air jockeys for "best ripoff ever" award
For those with a whiteboard full of Apple rumors, you'll been keenly aware of the fact that the whole iPhone Air terminology has been tossed around before in a joking manner. This, however, is not a joke. In fact, it's a very real KIRF, and it's possibly one of the most awesome we've ever seen. We mean, who'd ever want an iPhone nano when one could have -- wait for it -- the iPhone Air. Aside from clean, beautiful, streamlined edges, those fortunate enough to procure one from China will also find dual SIM card slots, an FM radio, Bluetooth, a multimedia player and a built-in camera. The KIRF game just got stepped up good fashion, and we love it.
[Thanks, David]Filed under: Cellphones Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXVI: iPhone Air jockeys for "best ripoff ever" award originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Serv O'Beer pours when iPhone accelerometer tells it to
Now that the holiday season is officially over (CES notwithstanding), there's officially no better time to get inebriated and wash away the sorrows of not having another government-recognized holiday for like, ever. After you've drug that dead tree out to the roadside and filled a few buckets with tears, why not try constructing your very Serv O'Beer in order to bring just a sliver of that joy back into your heart? Put simply, the project pictured above utilized Construx as the mechanical platform, a servo driving the action and ioBridge controlling the system; a so-called "perfect pour" was executed by linking an iPhone accelerometer to the system and turning it up. Have a look at the demonstration vid just past the break -- dollars to donuts it'll make you smile.
[Thanks, Hans]Continue reading Serv O'Beer pours when iPhone accelerometer tells it to Filed under: Cellphones, Household Serv O'Beer pours when iPhone accelerometer tells it to originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Red iPhone 3G is real like unicorns and world peace
Apple's corporate font isn't Arial, if you catch our drift.
[Via NowhereElse]Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds Red iPhone 3G is real like unicorns and world peace originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Softbank's iPhone 1seg tuner / battery charger gets unboxed
If you're American, don't even pretend you care about this. 'Cause you don't care about mobile TV at all, and we've got the facts to prove it. For those parked in Japan, though, you have every right to get jazzed. Softbank's 1seg TV tuner / battery charger has finally been loosed on the carrier's home turf, and the lucky cats over at DVICE were able to acquire one and give it a whirl. Setup was said to be a breeze, the 1seg pickup was crystal clear and the device itself was satisfactorily lightweight. As for downsides, the entire app is in Japanese, and even with the extra juice, watching TV on the go zapped the life out in around an hour with brightness maxed. Check the full writeup and unboxing gallery in the read link below.
[Via OhGizmo]Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Video Softbank's iPhone 1seg tuner / battery charger gets unboxed originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
iPhone 3G unlock revised, now with less beta
The iPhone Dev-Team works in mysterious ways, but it also works in quick ways. Granted, the iPhone 3G's initial unlock took way longer than anyone would've liked, but when reports started surfacing that it wasn't working particularly well after the first beta release earlier in the week, they appear to have worked doubletime to get a better version into circulation. The release is now up to v0.9.4 -- still beta -- but if you tried the first cut and struggled, we'd suggest giving the new version a whirl.Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds iPhone 3G unlock revised, now with less beta originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Apple patent reveals 'iPhone gloves' for warmer hands-on experience
A new Apple patent has been found that will assuredly warms the hearts (and hands) of many iPhone users currently enduring a cold winter. Originally filed a day before the iPhone's June 28, 2007 launch, it details a glove with a thin, electrically conductive, "anti-sticky" inner layer that is able to function with a capacitive touchscreen. It also suggests the glove could have apertures on the fingertips for opening and closing the more protective outer layer. Of course, the concept is far from new -- just do a quick Google search for "iPhone gloves" to see a wide variety of choices -- and Apple doesn't really dabble in this sort of iPhone / iPod accessory, but if Phil keeps his hands in his pockets for the first half of the Macworld keynote, we're gonna start to get ideas.
[Via Apple Insider; thanks, Shawn]Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables Apple patent reveals 'iPhone gloves' for warmer hands-on experience originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Mysterious pink iPhone 3G hits eBay, cue onslaught of rumors
Say wha'?! An iPhone in a hue other than black, white, or silver? While a red model has been rumored since before the 3G even launched, we've never thought about a pink one -- let alone one hitting eBay. The text on the back of the device convinces us that this isn't a simple ColorWare job, but there aren't any photos of the back of the packaging either. Our take? Some OEM in Asia whipping up custom colors. But hey, Macworld's just under a week away, so who knows?
Update: Go ahead and put those horses back in the stables folks, folks: Cole commented to point us over to an eBay auction for a rather familiar looking and decidedly aftermarket pink back cover. So, don't go expecting a first-party pink iPhone at Macworld, but if you hurry up and bid now you can have yourself the most fabulous handset at the show.
[Thanks, Gav]Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds Mysterious pink iPhone 3G hits eBay, cue onslaught of rumors originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Ask Engadget: Best current smartphone for under $200?
 It's 2009, folks, so we figured we'd start it off with a bang (and about a gazillion comments in this post). George, a proud member of the USMC, is pondering what to do about a new smartphone, and given that your New Year's resolution was undoubtedly to ditch your dumbphone in favor of a more sophisticated model, you'll probably be interested as well.
"I am currently in the market for a new carrier and phone. I have Verizon now, but I am not all that happy with its service in my area. With the release of all the high end phones nowadays, one could get easily lost in the details. I currently have the LG Voyager; I like the phone, but I feel trapped and can't do much with it unless I pay for every little thing. I would like a mobile with WiFi, camera (with flash if possible), touchscreen, etc. I would like to stay under $200 with a 2-year contract. Any advice would be wonderful."
It's tough, ain't it George? There's the G1, iPhone 3G, Bold, Storm -- the list rolls on. So, let's spark up a sane, intelligent conversation on the pros and cons of each, all while remembering that our ideal handset sadly didn't arrive in time for Christmas. Interested in getting your own inquiry up in here? Send one over to ask at engadget dawt com.Filed under: Ask Engadget, Cellphones Ask Engadget: Best current smartphone for under $200? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Dev-Team teases v2.2-compatible iPhone 3G unlock for the New Year
Ever since the Dev-Team kinda sorta promised that they would have a neatly packaged iPhone 3G unlock ready for release by the year's end, we've all been waiting on pins and needles, counting down the moments until freedom was in hand yet again. Now, a cryptic message on the crew's blog has been followed up with a not-at-all secretive image (shown above), which shows that whatever magic they've got going on will work with the latest (v2.2) iPhone 3G firmware. According to a related writeup at yellowsn0w, we're clearly told that the unlock tool will be made available by midnight PST at the latest, though we're hoping those guys have their AM / PM mixed up -- otherwise, you might be waiting until noontime tomorrow. At any rate, now you've more than a day off and black eyed peas to look forward to tomorrow, right?
[Via MobileCrunch]Filed under: Cellphones Dev-Team teases v2.2-compatible iPhone 3G unlock for the New Year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
DIY external iPhone keyboards get a tad more practical
That 360 Chatpad hack we saw back in November was certainly an impressive enough proof of concept, but if you want to get a bit more typing done with a bit less clutter, you'll no doubt be quite a bit more impressed with this latest mod by the very same Ralf Ackermann. This setup uses a Robotech Bluetooth module that's placed in a modified battery sleeve and connected to an unlocked iPhone (or iPod Touch) which, in turn, communicates with the keyboard using the Bluetooth SPP profile (a VNC server and a few other tricks also come into the picture). Of course, that's still a long ways from an officially supported solution, but if you're looking to give it a go, Ralf is promising to dish out the necessary schematics and source code soon. Filed under: Peripherals DIY external iPhone keyboards get a tad more practical originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
iLuv rolls out iHD171 HD radio with iPhone / iPod dock, iTunes tagging
iLuv has been on quite the roll of late with these radio clocks and whatnot, though we're a touch more excited than usual about the iHD171. For starters, this one tunes into HD Radio stations (you know, given how FM is so 2006), and it also plays nice with dock-connecting iPods and iPhones. You'll find twin alarms for keeping couples happy, a front-panel display, iTunes tagging support, jAura speaker technology, an auxiliary line input (3.5-millimeter jack) and twin 4-watt drivers. If all that's enough for you to exchange $199.99 for, you can do just that next month. Full release is after the jump.Continue reading iLuv rolls out iHD171 HD radio with iPhone / iPod dock, iTunes tagging Filed under: Home Entertainment iLuv rolls out iHD171 HD radio with iPhone / iPod dock, iTunes tagging originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Magnetic / detachable lenses suddenly make cellphone cameras fun
Not that we haven't seen patently absurd lens attachments for mobiles before, but we've yet to come across any that were this universal (and be to honest, this useful). Sure, one could argue that a detachable wide-angle, fisheye or 2x telephoto lens made for a cellphone camera is more likely to do nothing than something, but we prefer to look on the sunny side of things. In other words, it's totally worth $16.99 just to be able to make your subjects pause as you whip out the correct lens for the occasion... which you're photographing on your C905.
[Via OhGizmo]Filed under: Cellphones Magnetic / detachable lenses suddenly make cellphone cameras fun originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXV: The SMS walkie-talkie roundup
We know, the holiday season is officially kaput, but if you still owe that niece or nephew a gift and you feel like teaching them tech-savvy and brand loyalty, you might want to consider one of these KIRF walkie-talkies / organizers that let you send text messages in addition to voice calls in the same vein as that Slide Click we saw back in the day. Trust us, typing on a small keyboard or numpad is one of the best skills they can have when they grow up -- it's a lot more practical than the Morse code we learned back in our day. The lone exception here is the feature-less RAZR knockoff that does voice-only -- hey, it's only fitting that the one phone here that doesn't knock off a smartphone have less features.
[Thanks, James]
Read - Discovery Exclusive Pink Slide and Text Messengers (Sidekick)
Read - iChat SMS Text Messenger/Chat Talkies (Blackberry)
Read - iText SMS Text Messenger (iPhone)
Read - Discovery Exclusive Flip Phone Walkie-Talkies (RAZR)Filed under: Cellphones Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXV: The SMS walkie-talkie roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
What is the deal with the iPhone nano?
Adding to a small stack of rumors about a supposed iPhone nano, case-maker Vaja today quietly added the category to its website (pictured after the break). Frankly, we're not sure what to think. There are a number of ways in which Apple could produce a cheaper phone or alter its subsidy deals, so the idea of an iPhone that's simply smaller makes very little sense. Yet, here we are showing off the site of a reputable accessory manufacturer with a brand new phone listed -- ostensibly just a teensy version of the iPhone 3G. Of course, this is probably just rumor, speculation, lies, corruption, signs of an unquenchable thirst for power, and a glimpse at the machinations behind one of the greatest conspiracies mankind has ever known. So, we're posing the question to the biggest brains of all: the Engadget reader. Is Apple working on an iPhone nano?
View Poll Continue reading What is the deal with the iPhone nano? Filed under: Cellphones What is the deal with the iPhone nano? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Yes, the iPhone went on sale at Walmart today
From the looks of our tip jar, the iPhone went on sale at Walmart today for $197 / $297, just as we expected. The plan is to attract consumers who don't shop at Best Buy, Apple, or AT&T stores, so basically Wally doesn't care about anyone reading this. We love you too, Wally. No crazy $99 4GB model or iPhone nano in sight, but maybe Phil's gonna blow us all away next week. (We doubt it.)
[Thanks to everyone -- seriously, it was like all of you -- who sent this in]
Read - iPhone on sale at Walmart
Read - Video of the display -- yes, someone actually sent in a video of the displayFiled under: Cellphones Yes, the iPhone went on sale at Walmart today originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
AT&T letting go of 8GB refurb iPhone 3Gs for $99 on contract
Ha, you or someone you love just paid full retail for an iPhone 3G a few days ago, didn't you? We've always heard that the best deals come after Christmas, but people just never learn. All smack talk aside, those who didn't get a new cellie under the tree, but did acquire a Benjamin or so courtesy of cash-stuffed holiday cards, can certainly score a big deal today. AT&T is now offering the 8GB iPhone 3G in refurbished form for just $99 with a two-year agreement, while the 16GB refurb is $199 on contract in either black or white. Call us crazy, but we don't foresee these hanging around in stock for too awfully long.
[Thanks, Brenson]Filed under: Cellphones AT&T letting go of 8GB refurb iPhone 3Gs for $99 on contract originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Editorial: All I wanted this year was the best smartphone ever
This year, all I really wanted for the holidays was the perfect smartphone. Not too much to ask for, right? You'd think, but all I ended up with was constant swapping between 3 (or more) devices, hoping to find some balance of features that worked for me. Instead of one "go to" phone, I juggled the iPhone 3G, T-Mobile G1, and BlackBerry Bold for the last few months, desperately wishing I could merge them into one perfect device. I shall now break down my hopes for the upcoming year, with a prayer in my little old heart that manufacturers are listening.Continue reading Editorial: All I wanted this year was the best smartphone ever Filed under: Cellphones Editorial: All I wanted this year was the best smartphone ever originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
E-book barred from App Store due to obscene content
Gee, willickers. More App Store madness. In case you needed even more evidence that the whole approval process in Cupertino was in complete disarray, David Carnoy's "contemporary medical thriller" has been rejected from Apple's App Store twice now. The first time it was returned to sender due to a few bugs in the coding; the second time, it was rejected due to the inclusion of "obscene content." Despite all of this, certain apps like iFart and Pull My Finger are allowed to remain, though it stands to reason that those programs are just as "obscene" as a few dirty words and sexual innuendos. Alexandru Brie, a developer and one of the first publishers of e-books to the App Store, feels that "each of Apple's reviewers can interpret the obscene, pornographic or defamatory content clause in a different way." Clearly, he's right.Filed under: Cellphones E-book barred from App Store due to obscene content originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Snapture Flash adds crappy flash to crappy iPhone camera
The iPhone's camera may be thoroughly eclipsed by several of its competitors, but the insane popularity of Apple's baby means that we've seen tons of accessories aimed at making that 2.1 megapixel sensor somewhat more useful -- like the Snapture Flash here, which tucks a xenon flash with red-eye reduction into a sleeve-type case. Although it's powered by the phone, it's apparently quite low-power -- SnaptureLabs estimates that you'll take 1000 shots before going dry -- and there's some sort of "speaker amplification" built in as well, just in case you're super into enhancing mediocre parts of the iPhone experience. Bad news? You'll have to jailbreak your phone to get the Snapture app working -- hopefully that'll be remedied by the time this thing ships. Check out some sample shots at the read link.
[Via Engadget Spanish]Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras Snapture Flash adds crappy flash to crappy iPhone camera originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
iControlPad gamepad heads to production, warms hearts
Apple's claims that the iPhone is a console might carry a bit more weight if the thing had, you know, some physical inputs. Touchscreens and tilt sensors are great, but without at least a couple of buttons and a D-pad it's kind of a hard sell to your average gamer. Inputs are exactly what the iControlPad case for the iPhone adds, and we've got confirmation that the thing is at long last heading to production. The pic above is the final prototype, set to be colored black upon release -- and we presume those gaping holes will be filled with something other than air, too. No word on an anticipated ship date or price, but -- great as it may be -- without Apple support we don't expect it'll to do much to help the iPhone's gaming cred anyhow.Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Peripherals iControlPad gamepad heads to production, warms hearts originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Student's tech promises 12x the battery life in your iPhone, BlackBerry
 Feeling the hurt of endlessly dying batteries on your BlackBerry (or iPhone, if that's what you're into)? Atif Shamim, a PhD student at Canada's Carleton University might have the medicine for that pain of yours. He's cleverly hacked such devices, removing all the wires that connect the electrical circuits to the antenna, and developed a module for the connection to operate wirelessly. The result, he estimates, is that his modified devices use almost 12 times less power than they normally do -- which of course means longer battery life. A paper about the device has won an award at the European Wireless Technology Conference, and Shamin has filed for a patent in both the US and Canada. There's no indication of when we might start to see tech like this on actual commercial devices, but we're pretty sure plenty of companies are going to want to get a hold of this technology like, yesterday. Filed under: Cellphones Student's tech promises 12x the battery life in your iPhone, BlackBerry originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Orange's iPhone exclusive ruled illegal in France
After 13 months into a five-year exclusivity deal in France, the French competition agency has ruled the Apple and Orange (the mobile subsidiary of France Telecom) cartel illegal. Something that could have a knock-on effect throughout Europe. The agency criticized the Orange/Apple pact for having "grave and immediate" effect on the overall French mobile marketplace and thus, the French consumer, by introducing "a new flavor of rigidity in a sector that already lacks competition." The injunction, while temporary, is enough to allow other French carriers to distribute the iPhone 3G in time for the holidays. Shrug.
[Thanks, Tieum and Nick]Filed under: Cellphones Orange's iPhone exclusive ruled illegal in France originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Walmart iPhone on sale the 28th for a lot more than $99
At this point, it's clear that the $99 iPhone 3G rumor was just that: rumor. We have a letter that we believe to be authentic from a source within Walmart that says the iPhone will launch in the house that Sam built at 9am December 28th. At launch, only the 8GB ($197) and 16GB ($297) iPhone 3Gs will be available with a required signature on a 2-year AT&T contract. An internal pilot program kicks off today at 488 stores across the nation. The iPhone 3G and a sack of garden manure all under the same roof... heaven.Filed under: Cellphones Walmart iPhone on sale the 28th for a lot more than $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Crazy AT&T gets $150 refurb'd iPhone 3G in stock, will club a baby seal if you don't buy one
 If Walmart's $197 iPhone 3G had you salivating, wait until you get ahold of this deal: AT&T has refurbished iPhone 3Gs in stock for a mere $150, effectively doubling your rice and ramen budget for the month should you take the plunge. AT&T claims the refurbs were returned within the 30 day trial period, are quality tested, and might be just a little scuffed up. If you're really feeling wild, there's also a 16GB refurb available for $250. Apple and AT&T are being a little shady on the warranty, stating "90 days or more," as opposed to the standard one year, but that's a risk you and your growling stomach are just going to have to take.
[Via Cnet]Filed under: Cellphones Crazy AT&T gets $150 refurb'd iPhone 3G in stock, will club a baby seal if you don't buy one originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
iPhone nano revealed by (another) silicone case mockup?
There's something just a little skeezy about basing predictions for Important New Apple Products upon nasty renders of protective case mockups from China. Still, they've panned out astonishingly nicely before, so we'll just have to suck it up. iDealsChina is reporting that XSKN is not-so-secretly working on a silicone skin for the upcoming "Nano iPhone" (or, more likely, iPhone nano) a shorter, chubbier version of the iPhone 3G. According to iDealsChina sources, the phone will apparently sport EDGE data, but otherwise seems unsurprisingly identical in specs to its forebears, other than the obviously smaller screen. They're also saying Apple plans to sell these at high volumes for low prices at hip spots like Walmart, that the company will (naturally) be unveiling the new handset in January at Macworld, and even go so far as to say that leaked photos of the device should be surfacing in the next couple of days -- we'll be keeping our eyes peeled. Check out another couple of tantalizing case renders after the break.
[Via PMP Today]Continue reading iPhone nano revealed by (another) silicone case mockup? Filed under: Cellphones iPhone nano revealed by (another) silicone case mockup? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Microsoft releases first iPhone application, Seadragon
After some rumblings this past March, Microsoft has now officially joined the iPhone development community with Seadragon Mobile, a free app that lets you "infinite zoom" gigapixel-sized images. Although Seadragon is available as a Silverlight application on the desktop, Microsoft isn't bringing Silverlight to the iPhone, so don't get your hopes up. We're itching to see if the company has any more apps in the pipeline -- we'll wish for an Office editor, but expect a Minesweeper variant.
[Thanks, Mikkel]Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds Microsoft releases first iPhone application, Seadragon originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Apple: "the iPhone is a gaming console"
According to extremely reliable and embarrassingly handsome Engadget sources, at an iPhone event held today, John Geleynse (AKA Director of Technology Evangelism at Apple) made some statements regarding the iPhone platform that should seriously raise a few eyebrows. During an ADC "iPhone Tech Talk" in San Jose, Geleynse apparently waxed excited about the potential for the handheld as a viable threat to the DS (and the PSP by proxy), calling the iPhone a "gaming console" and claiming that "it's not a phone, it's a console experience." Pretty bold talk about a device that has yet to really prove its gaming mettle, but nothing new from the Apple camp as far as we're concerned. Considering these comments alongside those from a recent interview in which Greg Joswiak compared the touch to the DS, it seems clear that the company is making a noticeable effort to push this angle. Adding some fuel to that fire is PR that just went out announcing a series of EA "sneak peek" events at Apple Stores around the US. In their words:
Throughout the month of December Apple Stores in New York, LA, San Francisco and Chicago will host special "EA Games Sneak Peek" events where Electronic Arts will discuss why the iPod touch and iPhone are amazing platforms for mobile gaming...
While there's no question the iPhone and touch have made inroads when it comes to gaming, it still isn't clear that there's going to be anything beyond a casual interest for these devices. Then again, if the Wii's success has proven anything, it's that there's plenty of cash in casual if you can make it appealing enough. And you know how Apple feels about appealing products and money.Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds Apple: "the iPhone is a gaming console" originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Apple and AT&T bring back iPhone home activation
 Online shoppers looking to spend the holiday season firmly planted on the couch can add the iPhone 3G back to their lists -- we've just confirmed that Apple and AT&T have quietly brought back in-home activation. Sure, it's been available in limited circumstances before, but now it's here and for real, just like with the first-gen unit. Would-be unlockers looking to score a phone for $199 flat can't start celebrating just yet, though -- you'll still have to provide your billing details and face an ETF if you don't activate within a set period of time. Oh well -- at least it's convenient, right?
[Via Boy Genius Report]Filed under: Cellphones Apple and AT&T bring back iPhone home activation originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
mophie's iPhone 3G Juice Pack unboxed and tested: high marks all around
Curious to know if your Benjamin will be well spent on mophie's iPhone 3G Juice Pack? TestFreaks is out to make sure you have an accurate answer to that, and judging by their report after two solid weeks of usage, the response is an emphatic "yes." Not only was the device sleek enough to not be incredibly cumbersome, but it actually performed as advertised. Reviewers were able to get their iPhone 3G from near-death to fully charged (twice!) on a single mophie charge, leading them to conclude that it "basically doubles the run time of the iPhone 3G" in a worse case scenario. Granted, even they couldn't overlook the particularly large price tag, but if you've been running bone dry with any level of frequency, we suspect the asking price won't matter nearly as much.
[Thanks, Kristofer]Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals mophie's iPhone 3G Juice Pack unboxed and tested: high marks all around originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Walmart iPhone probably happening, probably not for $99
We've been hearing rumors of an iPhone at Walmart for a while now, and the only thing that was even mildly interesting about the unlikely pairing was that there was supposedly going to be a $99 4GB model. Well, now we hear that they'll indeed be selling the phone, but (as the ad above would seem to indicate) it's going to be a $197 8GB model -- about 2 bucks cheaper than you can get them for at an Apple or AT&T store, with no mention of a 4GB version at all. So, you're telling us we're going to be able to get this phone for (almost) exactly the same price as before, but now we can buy it at a store where we can also pick up Slim-Fast in bulk and possibly die in a retail trampling? We'll pass. [Thanks, Mike H., Via PC World] Filed under: Cellphones Walmart iPhone probably happening, probably not for $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXI: iFone 3G is more than phonetically inaccurate
Not even 24 hours after discovering the completely befuddling iFone x1 comes this, something entirely more recognizable, yet just as wrong. The iFone 3G is -- so far as we can tell -- the first mass produced KIRF of the iPhone 3G, and if history has anything to prove, it'll be just the first in a long, long linage. The best part? The whole "3G" thing in the model name is not representative of actual data band support, so the best you'll do on this heap of festering rubbish is EDGE. At the $5 to $10 range, we could definitely see picking one up for kicks and giggles, but at $178? Psssh... no thanks, poser.
[Thanks, Scott]Filed under: Cellphones Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXI: iFone 3G is more than phonetically inaccurate originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Keepin' it real fake, part CLXX: the highly confused (and confusing) iFone x1
How would you improve the XPERIA X1? If you answered, "remove the keyboard and add a mangled iPhone UI," then the iFone x1 will be right up your alley. Of course, this ain't the first phony X1 we've seen, but it might be our fave. What can we say about this one? It appears to be running Windows CE, it quite possibly supports dual SIM cards, and it has an FM receiver (probably). Does that excite you? In the mood for a good laugh? In either case, be sure to check out the hilarious translation below, and don't forget to peep the video after the break. [Via Pocket Now] Continue reading Keepin' it real fake, part CLXX: the highly confused (and confusing) iFone x1 Filed under: Cellphones Keepin' it real fake, part CLXX: the highly confused (and confusing) iFone x1 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Secret iPhone video-out features hacked, used for video games
Hey, just because using secret undocumented iPhone SDK calls might get you booted from the App Store doesn't mean it's not a good time -- Ars Technica commissioned Freeverse to mod its Moto Chaser game to use the hidden video-out features in iPhone 2.2, and we have to say the results turned out pretty decent. It's not perfect -- it looks like it only works in landscape mode, and rendering to TV resolutions strains the processor and slows framerates down on all but the faster 2G iPod touch -- but it works, and it's a taste of where iPhone app development could go if Apple ever opens up the gates. Or you could just be Google and do whatever you want, we suppose. Video after the break.Continue reading Secret iPhone video-out features hacked, used for video games Filed under: Cellphones Secret iPhone video-out features hacked, used for video games originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
iPhone barf bag mod is air sick
Sure, it's foolish and low-tech as hell. But in the 8-hours you were cooped up on that transatlantic flight, did you ever once think about using the barf bag as an adjustable mount for your media player? No, you just held your iPod touch in your hand, occasionally dozing off until awakened by a jerk of the earbuds from your fallen iPod. Who's the fool now?
[Via Random Good Stuff]Filed under: Misc. Gadgets iPhone barf bag mod is air sick originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Apple, Walmart to do $99 4GB iPhone?
Look, we know you've been holding out for the iPhone to hit Walmart before you pick it up, sandwiched between the fishing gear and row upon row of exercise videos -- and we don't blame you. You'll ride your shopping cart down the wide aisles like a chariot, and when you get home with the phone you'll dial up all your friends and let them know how much cheaper your iPhone was than theirs. What was that? Yeah, the new word on the street is that Walmart is getting a 4GB iPhone 3G for a mere $99, according to Boy Genius Report, and while BGR was previously reporting a November 15th launch date at Walmart, and can't vouch for the accuracy of this new report, Walmart training materials (pictured above) have been seen in the wild, so there's a grain of truth to this madness somewhere. Plus, a $99 iPhone just sounds so Walmart-ey, doesn't it?
[Via Mac Rumors]Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds Apple, Walmart to do $99 4GB iPhone? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Smartphone numbers are in: iPhone sales exceed Windows Mobile sales for first time
Gartner's latest and greatest analysis of the global smartphone industry is in, and there are quite a few interesting nuggets tucked within all those percentages. For starters, the sector still managed to grow 11.5% in Q3 2008 compared to a year prior, but that increase is the smallest since it began tracking. Of course, given the current economic climate, we'd say it's a win to see any number not in the negative. Moving on, we see Nokia maintaining its numero uno status with 42.4% market share, though it did recognize a rare decline in sales of 3% year-on-year; as for RIM, its BlackBerry phone sales increased an amazing 81.7% in Q3. We're also clued in to why Apple was rumored to be hacking its iPhone production some 40% in Q4, as the company has some two million units of inventory built up in the supply channel. Finally, we're told that "for the first time (meaning in this quarter), iPhone sales exceeded sales of Microsoft Windows Mobile devices worldwide and in North America," and beyond that, "open-source initiatives like Android and Symbian Foundation [are set to] challenge Windows Mobile's licensing model in the short-term." Need we really reiterate how badly WinMo 7 is needed?Filed under: Cellphones Smartphone numbers are in: iPhone sales exceed Windows Mobile sales for first time originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Scosche vomits out reviveLITE "cordless" iPhone charger / nightlight combo
Look, we know haphazardly stapling an iPod dock onto nearly any product can cause almost-paralyzing fits of hyperbole amongst marketing personnel, but Scosche's description of its sad little reviveLITE nightlight charger as "cordless" because it plugs directly into the wall might take the cake. Oh, wait -- you know what actually takes the cake? It's priced at a delightfully insulting $40. Yeah, we'll stick with the monster under the bed, guys. At least it respects us.Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals Scosche vomits out reviveLITE "cordless" iPhone charger / nightlight combo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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