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Tangent is a new, first-class tool for artistic iPhoneography
Many people enjoy taking pictures of their world with their iPhone. Some of these folks like to take things a step further by turning their photos into works of art. One of the newest tools for the artistic iPhoneographer is Tangent from Ben Guerrette and Pixite. Tangent lets you apply artistic shapes, frames and patterns to your photos. The app includes 39 shapes and frames and 43 different patterns. When you launch Tangent, you are prompted to either pick a photo from your camera roll or snap a new picture with your camera. When you choose to pull a picture from your saved photos, Tangent does a nice job of picking up your default camera roll, the panoramas you have taken and all your photostream lists. The app has a handful of default geometric and pattern effects that you can apply to the photos. The effects have an artistic flair and are highly customizable. You can drag them to place them right where you want them on your photo. You can also rotate each one and use pinch to zoom to adjust their size. When you find an effect that you like, you can customize its look before you apply it to your photo. You can add one effect per photo. If you don't like the default set of geometric patterns that ship with the app, you can buy two expansion packs for US$0.99 each. Each set is included in the app and you can even preview them on your photos before you buy them. These premium effects are marked with "+" so you know which ones are included with the app and which ones cost extra. Those who are more artistic can tap the "Start Fresh" button and create their own effects by selecting the shapes, colors and patterns they want to combine. Tangent has a robust set of controls that really let you get the look that you want for your photo. The performance of Tangent was smooth and the UI was intuitive. The only quirk I found was when I was deciding which artistic shape to apply. I was able to browse through all the default effects easily, but when I clicked "Start Fresh" to check out the option for the homemade shapes, I couldn't get back to the default set of shapes without starting over. It's a minor thing and will likely only bother those people who enjoy trying out multiple options before clicking "Done" to create a finished photo. When you are done with your creation, you have several options to share and save your photo. You can save it directly to your camera roll or send it to another app for further processing. You can share it on your social networks like Twitter, Facebook and, of course, Instagram. Lastly, there is an option to "Retangent" your photo, which sends you back to the editor to tweak your effect for a second, third or fourth time. Tangent is a first-rate tool for creative types who enjoy working with photos. It is available in the iOS App Store for $0.99.
Tangent's Evergreen 17 all-in-one PC barely needs a power plug
Tangent's Evergreen 17 is in the running (heading up the pack, actually) for most hideous desktop of the year, but if beauty truly is found on the inside, maybe it has a fighting chance at being loved after all. This all-in-one PC promises an "industry-leading power efficiency at 24-watts," arrives with a touch-friendly display and packs a fanless 1GHz VIA Eden processor (or fan-cooled 1.5GHz VIA C7), an optional SSD with capacity up to 64GB, up to 2GB of RAM and a gigabit Ethernet port. The unit weighs in at 15.8-pounds and measures 2.25-inches deep, though it'll cost you quite a bit more than other basic desktops at $1,195 (and up). But hey, the warm, fuzzy feeling you'll get from going easy on Mother Earth is totally worth it, right?[Via I4U News]
Tangent intros Quattro Mk 2 tabletop internet radio
Keeping with the Tangent tradition, the Quattro Mk 2 looks an awful lot like most every other tabletop radio the outfit cranks out. Nevertheless, this particular iteration pays no mind to DAB and focuses its attention on providing access to a smorgasbord of internet radio stations. Aside from featuring both integrated WiFi and an Ethernet port, you'll also get WPA2 security support, FM tuning capabilities, a backlit LCD, a headphone jack and a auxiliary port for connecting DAPs / PMPs. Word on the street has the walnut and black models selling now for £179.95 ($362), while the glossy red and white versions demand an extra £20 ($40).[Via Tech Digest]
Tangent's Cinque radio does DAB and more on your tabletop
Looking for something with a hint of style to take up that empty expanse that is your bedside table? Peer no further than Tangent's Cinque, which offers up DAB, FM and AM radio tuning within a compact (and fairly attractive) package. Besides pulling tunes from thin air, this unit also plays nice with CDs and any ole DAP you've got stuffed in your underused gadgets drawer courtesy of the built-in 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack. Furthermore, you can set the alarm to wake you with music, and just in case you're not really feeling the hue shown above, it's also available in walnut, black and red for £239.99 ($478).[Via Tech Digest]
Tangent's Rugged Mini Fanless PC resembles a giant heatsink
While Itronix's latest GoBook should handle your workload whilst on the go, Tangent is hoping that you'll look its direction for a rugged PC in your home or underground bunker. Quite frankly, the company claims that its Rugged Mini Fanless machine is "designed to take a beating," which apparently includes the ability to withstand "shock, dust, vibration, humidity, extreme cold and heat, and even electromagnetic interference." Externally, this thing is certainly on the opposite end of sexy, but it's the inside that counts; packed within is your choice of an Intel Celeron M, Core Solo, or Core Duo processor, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics set, up to 120GB of hard drive space, optional external DVD writer, 802.11a/b/g, FireWire, a pair of PS/2 ports, six USB 2.0 connectors, VGA / DVI outputs, audio in / out, and Ethernet. Furthermore, you'll purportedly find "no moving parts" (aside from that HDD spindle, eh?) as its cooled by a passive convection-based system, and you can snag one right now with Windows XP Pro for $1,195.[Via Gearlog]
