Skype’s updated app one-ups Apple with mobile video chat!!

blogged by GmyDotCom

Skype has launched a video chat feature for their iPhone app which adds 3G capability, as well as being able to chat with iPhone 3GS users in a limited one way video basis.

Users who have the iPhone 4 or 4th generation iPod Touch can initiate video calls with friends who use the iPhone 3GS, iPad, and 3rd Generation iPod Touch, while 3rd Gen Apple device users can only receive the video chat and while talking audio only. Mac Desktop users can also jump into the fray using the Skype client.

But what’s really challenging to Apple’s Facetime dominance is that Skype can video chat over 3G, not just WiFi only. And according to Red Ferret, the data usage isn’t too bad, chiming in at about 1.3MB per minute.

Frankly, I’m amazed that Apple approved this update, but it may be that they’ll be announcing a “one more thing” update next month that will do the same.

The Skype App update is free can is available right now at the App Store.

Satarii Star has its eye on you!!

blogged by GmyDotCom

Do you use your iPhone often for Facetime? Well, if you’re one of the select few who does so, then you might want to check out what the Satarii Star is capable of doing. This unique device will definitely need your iPhone to remain docked within, where it can swivel around to track your movement. To make things more flexible, it allows you to dock your iPhone in either portrait or landscape mode, literally allowing you to position it where you want it. 

As for the second part of this setup, it comprises of a small tracking device that allows you to clip onto the subject. The tracking device will communicate with the base within a 25 foot radius, where the base can rotate up to 180 degress, aiming at the tracker always. No idea on when it will be released commercially and for how much, since this is still part of an in-development project from a team of California-based designers. 

Wedgi offers hands-free smartphone operation!!

blogged by GmyDotCom

Everyone knows that driving around while yakking on your cell phone without a hands-free kit (be it a speakerphone or a Bluetooth headset) is dangerous, not only to you but to other road users as well. After all, having your concentration taken off the road by an iota could potentially lead to a catastrophe down the road, pun intended. This is why getting a hands-free kit is of utmost importance, but which one do you choose?

Out this week by C & C Designs Technology, LLC, the patent-pending wedgi can be said to be the most versatile smartphone kickstand and dashboard mounting device available on the market at point of publishing. Of course, that is just PR spin, but we will have to test it for ourselves (or wait for our dear readers to be an early adopter) before coming up with our own conclusion.

iKit juices up your iPhone 4 independently!!

blogged by GmyDotCom

The Apple iPhone 4 has certainly been one of the best selling phones of this generation, creating a whole lot of buzz and rumors when it was first announced, not to mention having third party manufacturer accessories getting spotted in the wild. Well, since its launch, the iPhone 4 has steadily made its way into the hands of many, and with it, a fast growing accessory market.

One major gripe from those iPhone 4 owners who use it for just about everything is this – it does not have sufficient battery life to last you through the whole day. Of course, this applies to the above average user, and if you happen to leave your Internet connection to always-on, getting email pushed to you, replying tons of mails and text messages, a portable power pack should be right up your alley.

iKit intends to step in and offer some respite from low battery warnings with their NuCharge case which is compatible with both the AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4. We will take a look at just how it will serve you better in the extended post.

EyeFi Mobile getting cooler and cooler with apps and direct transfer!!

blogged by GmyDotCom

First came wifi capable SD cards. Then they added GPS. Now, Eye-Fi is turning it up to 11 once again with a cool bevy of iPhone & iPad apps, and a direct transfer capability for easy backup.

With the idea of making it easier and easier to share photos people take, EyeFi has created Direct Mode transfer so that your camera can transmit photos directly to a mobile device, beit smartphone or tablet. This makes it far easier to upload to photo sites like Facebook and Flickr. The Apps will also allow for simple one touch integrated sync with online storage sites.

Genius. I know that when I want to share something on Facebook, I tend to go for a my lower res iPhone, rather than shoot with my camera and have to jump through a few hoops to transfer to my PC and upload. This new direct mode transfer will enable me to easily shoot a shot and have it up on Facebook within seconds.

Look for it to appear later this year, with Direct Mode being an upgrade for all Eye-Fi X2 cards.

How to unlock an iPhone with a ring!!

blogged by GmyDotCom

Recently got a Motorola Droid X phone (which I will probably review later on this site), and I found that getting yourself a smartphone with a pure touchscreen interface can lead a user to all kinds of security issues. 

After all, the screen will activate with any touch, and so anyone with a finger can access my e-mail and possibly the important information available there. 

A man named Michael Knuepel has come up with a way to make an iPhone screen accessible with a secret ring. It sounds like something from a spy movie (a bad one) but he’s perfected the proof of concept, as seen in the video after the jump. 

I’m not certain how the ring works. Perhaps there is some sort of chip in there that sends a message to the iPhone that the “key is in the lock” so to speak. It reminds me of the days when messages had to be sealed with wax and a specially molded ring. 

Granted, the ring in the video looks like something that only Green Lantern would wear, but if it could be put on a normal-sized ring, like a wedding ring or class ring, then we have a marketable iPhone accessory with the bonus of some added mobile phone security!

Joby unveils two new iPad Accessories at CES 2011!!

blogged by GmyDotCom

Most of you are familiar with Joby, and they are most famous for their Gorillapod accessories. These are tripods with some very flexible feet for cameras, flashlights, and even the iPhone 4. At CES 2011 Unveiled last night, the company revealed that they have two new iPad related products. 

The first is the Yogi, and it is a case for the iPad with those famous Gorillapod legs (seen on the left). Not only can the user take these two legs and twist them around to mount the iPad in many places, but it makes the iPad so it literally stands on two feet for viewing in portrait and landscape mode, perfect for those who like to watch iPad vids. 

The second iPad product is the Ori, and it doesn’t have the Gorillapod feet. It does allow the iPad to stand up by itself. Not only can it stand it up in portrait or landscape mode like an easel, but the case itself can fold up and around the iPad, giving the user an extra layer of metal protection for their favorite Apple tablet. 

I wasn’t able to get the release dates, but I do have the prices. The Joby Ori will sell for about $79.95 while the Yogi will go for about $49.95.

Apple breaks 1 million app download mark on Mac App Store!!

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Mac App Store in just its first day. This is pretty amazing, considering there are just slightly more than a thousand free and paid apps to choose from, so it goes to show just what kind of strength of depth that Apple has with their customers and loyalists. 

According to Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, “We’re amazed at the incredible response the Mac App Store is getting. Developers have done a great job bringing apps to the store and users are loving how easy and fun the Mac App Store is.” 

Apps in various categories such as Education, Games, Graphics & Design, Lifestyle, Productivity, and Utilities are available, alongside a user ratings and review system to help you make a more informed and educated decision before purchase. 

Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 4 review !!

blogged by GmyDotCom

When Apple iPhone makes it to blockbuster it opens a wide market opportunities for software and accessories to run with millions of its consumer. One popularly known accessory to market for the iPhone is its protective case, apparently, Mophie double up the purpose as an external battery pack for those iPhone owners that needs extra power than Apple can provide from its non-removable batteries. 

Mophie’s new Juice Pack Air for iPhone 4 promises to “virtually” double runtime rooting it juices from a 1500mAh concealed batteries on the case. Does it satisfied its rated specifications and is it worth your money in terms of functionality and design? Let’s see, our comprehensive review is after the cut.

iFlash adds a new dimension to your photos !!

blogged by GmyDotCom

The iPhone 4 itself is a pretty good photo taking device on its own, but what happens when you’re in a low light situation? This isn’t a dedicated digital camera, so it doesn’t have a built-in flash for you to play around with. Fret not, as there is hope in the iFlash, a £19.99 purchase that helps you to illuminate any poorly lit areas and take better photographs. 

This will definitely have people wondering just how do you snap such stunning photos using the iPhone 4, where you can wryly smile at them and flash a smile of iFlash proportions as you share your little secret. Of course, this unique peripheral also doubles up as a flashlight when required, coming in handy during situations such as being in a dark cinema and needing to rummage through your bag for a ticket stub or some other important item. 

It will connect to your iPhone via its charging port, and dangles from the 3.5mm slot when not in use similar to a phone charm. Of course, it will suck up a little bit of battery life in the process but in the quest for better pictures, that shouldn’t be too much to ask for, right?

Ballistic to debut Ballistic LS durable case !!

blogged by GmyDotCom

The word “ballistic” often evokes thoughts of guns and bullets, and with the company Ballistic churning out a range of advanced mobile accessories to date, they have certainly lived up to their name with quality releases so far. 

As for their latest creation, the Ballistic LS, it will be shown off to the world for the first time at CES 2011 which is happening in slightly over a week’s time. You can say that expectations for the Ballistic LS is pretty high since Ballistic’s release of two other award-winning protective case models, the HC (Hard Core) and SG (Shell Gel) in this year did manage to garner massive recognition around the country. 

We will take a closer look at the Ballistic LS in the extended post to see whether it is worth your money or not. 

Clickfree Transformer for iPod/iPhone !! Good Gadget !!

blogged by GmyDotCom

Transferring files, especially music ones, from your iPod or iPhone to a different computer isn’t exactly rocket science, but it isn’t elementary math either. Not to mention that if you ever want to make a backup of important files, the steps involved can get complicated for the newbie. 

Good thing devices such as the Clickfree Transformer for iPod/iPhone are here to help even the least tech savvy person transfer files from a computer to the iPod or iPhone’s excess storage space in a jiffy, taking the tried and true plug-and-play method. 

There isn’t any software to install or further setup to do, and to make things even more idiot proof, the Clickfree will never overwrite your iPod’s existing content since it will deal only with unused storage space. Expect to pay £39.99 for some peace of mind.

Cordless Wall Charger for iPhone !!!

blogged by GmyDotCom

Own an iPhone, where you originally purchased it to stand out from the rest of the crowd? Well, since everyone and their uncle already own an iPhone these days, how else are you going to differentiate yourself from the rest? 

Enter the $29.99 Cordless Wall Charger for iPhone, where this device offers fast iPhone and iPod charging thanks to its click and pivot mechanism. Being compact, its pivoting feature lets you slide your device into place without having to wrangle with wires or cables, and since you are hooked up to a wall socket, it delivers much more juice than a USB connection over a computer, resulting in a faster charge. 

The Cordless Wall Charger for iPhone will play nice with all three generations of iPhones, the iPod touch, iPod classic and iPod nano. 

Magellan GPS unveils ToughCase !!

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Magellan GPS has just rolled out its latest rugged protective case known as the ToughCase, where it will offer both the iPhone as well as iPod touch full waterproof capabilities – just make sure you have a decent pair of waterproof headphones to go along with it! 

Targeting outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor professionals, this new ToughCase will not be limited in its release to selected regions only, and what makes it all the more special would be the integration of GPS navigation capability, further enhancing the accuracy of location-based and GPS applications for both the iPhone 3G and iPod touch, all the while offering protection as well as providing unmatched accessibility to all iPhone and iPod touch features.

Hands on with the AirCurve Play from Griffin Technology !!

blogged by GmyDotCom

It has been a while since we covered the AirCurve iPhone dock from Griffin Technologies, and I just had a chance to try out the company’s update for the iPhone 4, the AirCurve Play. 

The AirCurve Play works like the Horn Stand. It is a device designed to increase the volume of the iPhone 4, but without any electronics that are found within most iPod/iPhone speaker docks. 

The AirCurve Play states that it can increase the external volume by about 10 decibels. At first I wondered if that was going to make a difference, because the Horn Stand says it increases sound by 13 db. I barely heard the difference in that device.

Griffin Technology and Iceberg Kids team up and make a Woogie !!

blogged by GmyDotCom

So what is a Woogie, you ask? It has nothing to do with Chewbacca. While we are on the subject of seventies science fiction, the Woogie is not some alien that attaches to your face. 

The Woogie is designed to face a problem that many Apple mobile users are facing. For some reason, young children love to play with iPhones and iPods, and these mobile devices often come back to the parents either busted or covered in a membrane of sticky goo. 

The Woogie is a place to put the iPhone/iPod in a huggable shell, so it will reduce the damage by a young child. It is also serves as a speaker. It takes two AAA batteries that are stored in the stuffed animal’s stuffing, and increase the volume tremendously when it is plugged into the headphone jack.

Kensington Car Charger Deluxe for iPhone !!!

blogged by GmyDotCom

The Kensington Car Charger Deluxe for iPhone & iPod is a handy portable charging solution for your iPod or iPhone! It features a standard Apple Dock Connector and plugs into your car's 12V DC cigarette lighter outlet to keep your device fully charged during your commute

MLB Scores with iPhone Baseball Fans !!

blogged by GmyDotCom

Major League Baseball has given the green light for an iPhone application which will allow live streaming of baseball games. Called MLB at bat, the application takes full advantage of the new streaming capability of the iPhone 3.0 software, will cost around $10 and will work on both the iPhone or iPoh Touch

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How to Deposit a Check using an iPhone !!

blogged by GmyDotCom

As a freelance writer, I receive most of the payments for my services online, but every once in a while, I get a check in the mail and have to go to the bank to deposit it. 

It would appear that USAA bank is removing any reason for me to go to the bank with an iPhone app that allows me to deposit my checks virtually. All I need to do is take a picture of the front of my check with the iPhone, then turn the check over and snap the back of it.

Once I hit e-send, the money is in the bank.

Of course, I don’t have an iPhone, and that is the case for many others. Another limitation on this new paperless service is it is currently only available for active-duty military personnel. I guess that just makes sense, doesn’t it? How can someone stationed in Iraq make a run to the bank?

Android to Dominate 39% of Tablet Market by 2012 !!

blogged by GmyDotCom

The end is near, it's 2012, yes, the end is near for Apple's iPad established kingdom on the tablet computer market.

 

According from the analysts of Piper Jaffray, Android has a very strong chance of dethroning the iPad and takes a healthy portion of its share in the tablet market up to 39 percent.