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Followup: Some mockups of a 4-inch iPhone screen
After reading about the math behind a 4-inch iPhone screen, readers said the comparisons between different screen aspect ratios would be a lot more helpful with additional mockups aside from the 16:9-screened iPhone we put up. After hacking and slashing my way through a photo editor, I've created a gallery of mockups using the existing iPhone 4 handset as a template. You'll see the current iPhone 4 compared against the same handset with a 4-inch screen in several formats, including its current 3:2 aspect ratio, the iPad's 4:3 format, the 16:10 ratio used in the MacBook and MacBook Pro and the 16:9 format from the "doing the math" post. I'm not an expert photo manipulator by any means, and these pictures won't be as pixel-precise as the math was. Still, these pics should give you a better concept of how the iPhone would need to change in order to accommodate a 4-inch screen. Check out the gallery below, where you'll find iPhones in versions ranging from drool-worthy to terrifyingly bad. %Gallery-117076%
iPad 2 mockup teases 128GB storage, exhibits speaker grille we've seen before
Apple itself might not be at CES, but the prospective upgrade of its iPad to version two has accessory manufacturers (or at least manufacturers' imaginations) working overtime. We've just come across our second iPad 2 mockup, this one a lot more comprehensive than the first, which seems to mesh well with some earlier imagery we've seen of the supposed next-gen Apple tablet. Not only that, its rear label reveals an A1337 product code -- one that's also shared by the current iPad WiFi + 3G -- and lists 128GB of onboard storage, two times the current tablet's maximum. We don't know what material it's made out of, but it felt felt the same as the current iPad's aluminum shell. All that said, this is still just a mockup from a no-name accessory maker and we're just as willing to believe it was put together on the basis of some decent rumor research as we are to think that it really is the iPad 2. No harm in browsing some pictures of this 9.4mm-thick device, though eh? %Gallery-113105%
Microsoft sends out Lego Windows Phone 7 mockup to executives
A helpful tipster hit us up with this little photo today: a Windows Phone 7 mockup styled of Lego bricks. The fake phone is apparently being sent out in real invites to real executives for Microsoft's upcoming sure-to-be-swanky Executive Event for Windows Phone 7 in November (not to be confused with the sure-to-be-pretty-great launch in October). Our question: where's the Duplo version for Windows Mobile 6.5? Alternate groan-worthy end zingers: "We suppose that puts a whole new spin on 'bricked,' huh?" "Where's the Technic version for Windows Mobile 6.5?" "Micro$oft? More like Blacktron!"
Game Boy condom concept helps you level up
Just like the iCade, this is one of those "just for fun" ideas that actually seems to make a great deal of commercial sense. Think about it, Nintendo has sold bajillions of handheld consoles in its time, and it keeps churning out sequels that mean even newer followers are familiar with such classics as Donkey Shlong. And Mario's mushroom-related growth spurts? Marketing gold! So why not capitalize on all that brand awareness with this selection of cheerfully colored condom cases? Designed by Ben Marsh and Julia Roach, they aim to "create a desire to purchase the product for aesthetic reasons," and quite frankly, they do succeed. This certainly puts a whole new spin on the idea of power-ups, though.
Holga.D concept is the modernized toy camera of your joyful youth
If your childhood memories contain moments of playing with a cheap point-and-shoot camera that produced odd vignetting, chances are you had a Holga camera -- even if you didn't know it. Designer Saikat Biswas has brightened up our Friday with this concept, a modernized Holga.D digital camera. It's got all the bells and whistles of its muse, and by that we mean it's missing all those bells and whistles of traditional cameras that give the Holga a sense of fun. Expect a previous-gen full frame or 1.5x crop sensor, an aspect ratio changer (3:2 or square -- for romantics, of course), ISO selector, and a snappy E-Ink display. Viewfinder? Flash? All fluff -- but there's an accessory port if you need such superfluous nonsense. Actually, if you want a viewfinder, you can slot in the suggested piece of clear, crosshair-laden plastic... this isn't about accuracy, this is about pleasant surprises! As a bonus for lefties, the top panel can be rotated around to put the shutter button in a more southpaw-friendly position. Requires two AA batteries and a whole lot of imagination. Plenty of awesome, phantasmgorical renders via the source link.
Icon iPhone battery pack combines visual bliss with bona fide utility
Oh, sure -- Mophie's Juice Pack Air may be quite the effective device when it comes to rejuvenating a dead iPhone, but what it sorely lacks is a dash of the atypical. Essential TPE has done the world one better with the introduction of The Icon, or what's better known as the most incredible iPhone battery pack in the history of iPhone battery packs. Put simply, this portable cell plugs directly into the Dock Connector of your 3G or 3GS (iPhone 4 compatibility remains unknown), and an EL indicator lights up to show you how much juice remains in the stick. According to the company, it'll provide an extra three hours of 3G talk time, up to 18 additional hours of audio playback and up to 5.5 hours of bonus web surfing. Currently, it looks as if the company is seeking a worldwide distribution partner, so if you're into distributing awesome wares, well... you know where to get your next fix.
First look: SketchyPad mockup tool for web and app designers
Part of my work involves making mockups of websites for clients, and up until this point the easiest way to do that was just to hand draw some sketches, scan them, send them to the client for rework, etc... Now there's a new iPad app from developer Nick Golovin that promises to make the creation of website and app mockups a lot easier. SketchyPad (US$4.99) is an iPad app using a simple sketchpad metaphor and a lot of stencils to make mockups. It includes many of the design elements that are used in web design and app development. The app includes snap-to bluelines for aligning elements, the stencils can be locked in place with a lock icon, and there are tools for layering buttons and other elements on the page. When you're done with a sketch, it can be exported to your camera roll, emailed, or exported to Balsamiq Mockups for Desktop. %Gallery-93085%
Low-tech testing on a high-tech iPad
Here's a little levity on the eve of the iPad launch chaos tomorrow. We're going through release after release today of all of these iPad apps, and after browsing page after page after page in the App Store, it's sometimes easy to forget just how much work went into each one of these things. The Omni Group has a nice writeup on their blog about how they designed the OmniGraphSketcher app, and while the iPad will be the center of attention tomorrow for its blend of technology and innovation, the Omni app was actually designed in a very low-tech way: with paper. They designed a same-size iPad mockup and cut out a bunch of paper menus and interfaces, and then did their testing with them that way, going with instinct on what goes where and how it all worked out. The iPad is an innovative device, to be sure, but the reason it's so innovative is because you can model it easily with much older technology like paper. Developers don't cut out a paper mouse and keyboard to design their desktop apps, but with the iPad, the interface has to be re-designed completely, and so cutting out colored paper is just as effective as testing out code. Very interesting, and something to keep in mind as we all touch and poke and prod our new devices tomorrow. [via 37Signals]
Windows Phone 7 Series' cutting room floor is an extravaganza of bright colors and chunky fonts
It's hard to argue that Windows Phone 7 Series' Metro UI concept isn't utterly unique in the mobile world, but it was wasn't the only option Microsoft considered -- far from it, in fact. The company has published a bunch a design concepts it churned through on its wild, wacky journey to finalizing Metro as we know it today, and one thing's for certain: they'd clearly planned on simple, square lines, partially-obscured typography, and in-your-face colors pretty much from day one. After careful consideration of everything they've got here, we still think we like the production design best, but that's kind of besides the point -- why, pray tell, couldn't these have just been user-selectable themes?
OO HD wireless projector concept reaches for the stars, almost grabs 'em (video)
David Riesenberg obviously had his head in the clouds when he dreamed up the OO High Definition Wireless Projector, but it's not like we're kvetching about his imagination's ability to go far beyond the limits of most humans. For one thing, the concept 1080p projector looks (and lands) like a stunning orange UFO; for another, the specs are otherwordly. Should the device ever come to market, Reisenberg says it will pack SSD storage, WiFi and internal decoder chips into its svelte, 11-inch round carbon fiber frame, as well as three independently articulated legs for balance and a Li-ion battery for up to three hours of cord-free HD streaming and playback. Did we mention it's got a matching touchscreen remote? And our deepest affection, forever and ever? See what we're drooling over in Riesenberg's subtle video homage to a certain interstellar piano waltz right after the break. [Thanks, David] %Gallery-87841%
Windows Phone 7 Series mockup changes slightly, Zune menu making a comeback? (update: nope!)
So Microsoft's Charlie Kindel posted up a long blog post about Windows Phone 7 Series and app development just now, and we couldn't help but notice the WP7S device mockup he used is noticeably different from the stock press shots we've been seeing and the actual devices we've gotten to play with. That's a totally different hardware trim, for starters, and there's a Zune-like menu on the right-- on the builds we've seen scrolling to the right reveals the app list. And that map on the bottom has been moved up a couple rows from where we've seen it on demo builds -- which is unfortunate because it's so wildly ugly in comparison to the rest of the 7 Series interface. Now, this could actually be an older mockup, not a newer one, so we're not reading too much into this, but it's clear that Microsoft is still making a ton of tweaks to the WP7S interface as time goes on -- hopefully we'll see some final results at MIX. Update: Charlie confirms that this is an older mockup. Sorry, Zune fans.
Conceptual 4010-Overdress router covers can't materialize soon enough
C'mon, let's be honest with ourselves here -- we all think our current router is unsightly. Like, truly hideous to look at. In fact, the bulk of us spend the first 20 minutes post-unboxing trying to figure out how to best hide it. Berlin-based designers Johannes Laue and Johannes Schroth have done what should've been done by multi-national corporations years ago, with the 4010-Overdress project delivering an array of delectable wood and metal enclosures that simultaneously make your router / set-top-box beautiful while maintaining all of the core functionality. There's no indication of when (or if) these beauts will ever be produced for public consumption, but seriously, someone at Netgear or D-Link should ping these fellows as soon as possible.
RIM dev webinar hints at BlackBerry OS of the future?
See that Storm-esque device there? You may have noticed that the home screen looks positively nothing like the experience you're used to -- and that's because it's not. Shown off as part of a slide deck in RIM's "Super Apps" webinar for developers last week, the company's official explanation is that this is a pure, off-the-cuff mockup, not indicative of anything they're working on for future devices or releases of BlackBerry OS. To be fair, when you take the shot in context with the bullet points and the fact that this presentation was geared squarely at devs, we can imagine that they really were just using it to get folks' creative juices flowing -- but it makes you wonder, doesn't it? There's enough active and location-aware content here to make even a heavily-widgeted Android home screen drool, so seriously, why not do this in 6.0, RIM?
MoProUSA shows off fully integrated Wiimote pistols, tempts investors (video)
As a Nintendo Wii owner, you've certainly got a smattering of options when it comes time to fire up the light gun, but even Nintendo's Wii Zapper can't hold a candle to this. Moishe Levison of MoProUSA has given us an inside look at what he's been working on for the past few years, and while everything is obviously still in prototype form, we can't help but be impressed. In short, he's looking to create a new range of free gaming pistols, including one that requires no additional Wiimote and Nunchuk to operate. His flagship gun, the Duel Pro, is actually modeled from a replica pistol, and it tucks the guts of a Wii controller and Nunchuk entirely inside of its casing. There's also an analog nub on both sides, enabling gamers to switch from one hand to the other should the action get too intense with the simple press of a toggle switch. Moreover, a color-changing LED is positioned on the rear in order to give instant feedback when an input is recognized, and did we mention that this thing looks stupendously realistic?Another option is the Duel Eagle, which does require a separate Wiimote to be inserted in the top (much like Nyko's Perfect Shot), but places the 'C' and 'Z' buttons within grasping range on the gun's handle. The Duel Agent works similarly, but provides a more compact design for those who like to pack their heat in a more lightweight fashion. In both of these, the motion controls are integrated into the grip. The company actually has no plans to manufacture these on its own, but instead hopes to find an investor or two to buy the utility patent and turn the light gun market upside-down. We asked Moishe if this kind of technology could be applied on weaponry for Sony's PS3 or Microsoft's Xbox 360, and while he did confess that it was feasible, he's keeping his focus firmly fixed on the Wii for now. Feel free to poke around in the prototype gallery below, but don't leave this post without tapping that 'Read More' link and seeing the lineup handled on video. Seriously, you'll score +5 macho points just from watching.%Gallery-86504%
Macworld 2010: iPad mockup hands-on
The other day at Macworld Expo 2010, we did a quick interview with Tim Hickman, CEO of Hard Candy Cases. During that interview, in which they showed off an already-made iPad case, I asked him how they knew what the iPad would be like. He said that they had heavily researched the dimensions, including stats from Apple's site, information from over 300 pictures of the keynote (in which they compared the iPad's dimensions to things like a wristwatch band), and even some not-quite-public plans from an unnamed Chinese manufacturer. With all of that information, they had actually simulated and constructed an "as-close-to-real-as-you-can-get" mockup of the iPad's size and form. Then, on Saturday, the folks from Hard Candy Cases came back by the booth, and their VP of products, David Adam, said he'd actually brought the iPad mockup to the show, and asked if we would like to see and hold it. Considering that there wasn't actually a working iPad at Macworld this year, we of course gladly said yes. You can see what it looks like above, and hit the link below for our impressions of what it's like to finally hold and touch the closest thing to an iPad that money can buy.
Dear Apple: What we want to see in iPhone 4.0, part 2
While the next iPhone is expected sooner this year than in past years, and the hardware design has most likely long since been finalized, it's clear that plenty of you have your own ideas of how you want the next-generation iPhone to look and work. With that in mind, even though the next iPhone's hardware may be a done deal, let's hope Apple uses your suggestions in a future iPhone (or, if they use these suggestions in the upcoming one -- congrats, you guys are genius-level industrial designers!). Remember, these suggestions and desires don't necessarily align with the ideals of better battery life and 3G call performance... it's a wish list, not an engineering manual, and we do realize that reality can easily get in the way of the perfect design. Just like last time, because there were so many suggestions, I needed to whittle them down. To do that, I tabulated how many times a feature request was made. If more than 40% of you mentioned it, it made it into the letter. A lot of you want to hear the one-off suggestions so I'll add an extra letter onto the series at the end of its run to address those. Remember, this letter deals only with iPhone hardware. If you made suggestions about any of Apple's built-in apps (Mail, Maps, Stocks, Calendar, etc) you'll see those in the next letter.
Video: another Apple tablet fantasy
French site Nowhereelse.fr has published some very cool video of what appears to be a multitouch tablet device. The user is browsing through an electronic version of an Ikea catalog. The device itself is very slim and seems to incorporate a multitude of Apple technologies: cover flow, shake to shuffle, Pure Coolness. Is this the Apple Tablet? Probably not. It's just a beautiful mockup that should give Apple some concern if their tablet isn't as cool as the device shown in the video. Check out the vid and let us know what you think of the device's authenticity in the comments.
Windows Mobile 6.5.1 (or whatever it's called) looking ready for primetime
Even before 6.5 got official, the Windows Mobile community has been toying around with post-RTM leaked builds that really amp up the finger-friendliness -- thing is, no one seems to know what it is, what it's called, when it's coming, who will get it, or how it meshes with the upcoming release of WinMo 7 next year. For now, it's being informally called 6.5.1 -- sounds like a fair name to us -- and new mockups floating around suggest that Microsoft really wants to bridge the gap and make major user experience modifications to 6.5; the pre-7 platform hasn't yet reached the end of the road, apparently. Big buttons at the bottom of the screen look like they should be usable by even the fattest of fingers on a resistive display (and indeed, we've seen various forms of these in leaked builds) and interface elements throughout the OS have been spruced up to finally put the stylus to bed. We'll take it, but we would've been happy to take it in lieu of 6.5, too.
NTT DOCOMO's Touch Wood mockups make naughty puns easy
We're still not entirely sold on the intersection of gadgets and wood. Nevertheless, companies keep pumping out the concepts in response to our greener times. Here's NTT DOCOMO's effort using surplus wood leftover from Pacific culling operations. The Touch Wood prototype was developed in tandem with Sharp and Olympus and is based on the SH-04A slider. A Touch Wood mockup (pictured above) resembling a more feminine bean was also announced. In either case, the Touch Wood body is made of cypress without adding any artificial coloring or paint. And by using Olympus' 3D compression molding technique, they've manage to maintain the kind of durability, and resistance to water, insects, and mildew that you'd expect from, well, a tree. With any luck, these handsets will be on exhibit in October at the ITU Telecom World and CEATEC Japan shows... touch wood. SH-04A prototype pictured after the break.[Thanks, Stop Spamming]
Friday fakes: The best of the bogus
TUAW presents to you the best of the obviously fake device shots we've seen in the last couple of weeks. On occasion they're beautiful renderings that are worth a second glance, other times they're out of focus shots that tipsters swear were taken quickly at a meeting on the Apple campus. In any case, they're a lot of fun. Let's begin with this gem from the French blog Le Journal du Geek. In a post titled "Encore un peu de MacBook Touch?" ("Again a little MacBook Touch?"), we see what looks like a page from an Apple website: This fake is fabulous! It shows the device being about the size of what everyone would like to see, with about a 10" diagonal display. They give it a plausible name instead of the lame "iPad" moniker, the power button is located away from the middle of the device, and the faux photos show it being used with a dock, as a music keyboard in GarageBand, and flipping from landscape to portrait. Very cool, and they even endow the MacBook touch with drool-worthy specs on the website.
