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PicoPro: A laser projector about the size of an iPhone 6 Plus
Several times in the past, TUAW has done reviews of pico projectors - projectors that are so small that they can be slipped into a pocket on a backpack or in a briefcase. Designed to make presentations on the road less burdensome, pico projectors have always had one Achilles Heel - the visual quality of the image they project. A new projector from Celluon called the PicoPro (US$349) aims to bring high resolution and contrast, long battery life, and noise-free operation to tiny projects. The PicoPro was introduced to the world at CES 2015, and TUAW is one of the first sites to get a hands-on look at the new device. Specifications Dimensions: 6 x 3 x .5 inches (152.4 x 76.2 x 12.7 mm) Weight: 6.7 ounces (189.9 grams) Resolution: 1920 x 720p (16:9 aspect ratio) Interface: HDMI/Miracast/DLNA Battery life: 2 hours for wireless, 3+ hours for cabled Contrast Ratio: 80,000 to 1 Design Design-wise, the PicoPro is a tiny box that's smaller in length and width than an iPhone 6 Plus. It's divided into two "sections", one that contains the actual projector and the other containing the various ports (HDMI, micro-USB for charging, headphone). There's no need to focus the PicoPro, as it uses lasers to project the image and has infinite focus. It focuses as sharply an arms-length away from a wall as it does from 10 feet away. The PicoPro comes with a small carrying pouch, and with iOS devices you'll need to supply your own digital AV adapter to connect to the HDMI cable. Unfortunately, PicoPro doesn't support AirPlay, so all iOS and Mac connections will be through the HDMI cable. For those who are fans of this site who use other mobile platforms, a slightly less expensive version called PicoAir is available for $299 that works only with the wireless Miracast and DLNA interfaces. It's a stylish little device, and one you won't be embarrassed to pull out of your briefcase. Function With any projector, the proof is in the viewing. Just how bright is the image, and is it easily readable? Can the projector be used in a bright room, or does it require near-darkness. How much noise does it make? And does it do a good job of projecting Keynote and PowerPoint presentations? To test the PicoPro, I connected it to an iPhone 6 Plus using the Apple Lightning to HDMI connector and an included HDMI cable. My test documents were a number of Keynote presentations that I use while teaching an iOS class. Holding the PicoPro in my hand and wandering around my home office to find "targets", I was able to clearly see the bright image from the projector on a variety of surfaces. Your best bet will probably still be to project onto a reflective screen in a slightly-darkened room, but I was able to project slides onto a textured ceiling in daylight and clearly read all of the text. Even on a very saturated blue wall with some daylight coming through windows, the text on my slides was very readable. The color reproduction of the PicoPro is incredibly good, and the image is sharp from edge to edge. The fact that you never have to focus is worth the price of admission. I don't know how many times I've watched as a hot projector has slowly gone out of focus. There are some additional positives - it's absolutely cool in operation and creates no sound at all. No more raising your voice to be heard over the scream of a cooling fan! Following is a video of the PicoPro from "Eli the Computer Guy" at CES; note that the flickering is due to filming the projection with a digital camera - in reality, the image shows virtually no flicker unless you're moving it around. Conclusion Up to this point, I haven't been impressed with any of the pico projectors I've seen. However, that has changed with the Celluon PicoPro. The image quality and brightness out of this tiny box is stellar, and to think that it does it all without making a sound or getting hot. There are no expensive bulbs to burn out (those often cost just as much as the PicoPro itself!), and using an iPhone, an adapter, and this projector makes for a featherweight presentation tool. My only negative is that the device doesn't support AirPlay. The non-HDMI, wireless-only version of this project will sell for $299, and it would be awesome if Celluon would support iOS - the choice of enterprises everywhere. We were also unable to get word on a shipping date and retail outlets for the PicoPro. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
iMacompanion: Kickstarted accessory puts a USB 3.0 port at the front of your iMac
It's always a pleasure to see projects graduate from Kickstarter or Indiegogo and actually become available for sale. One project that was intriguing a few months ago, the Wiplabs iMacompanion (US$39.99), is now in the BiteMyApple.co and Amazon.com stores. iMacompanion is a USB 3.0 extension port that matches the sleek design of the iMac and adds that port to the front of your iMac where it's easy to get to. Here's our review. Design The brilliant design of the iMacompanion was what drew me - and a number of backers - to the product on Kickstarter. Rather than clip some sort of USB extension to the front of the iMac like the BlueLounge Jimi ($14.95) where it really doesn't look too much like a part of your computer, the designers at Wiplabs made the iMacompanion match the aluminum base of the iMac where it sits. A completely flat USB 3.0 cable then runs under the iMac base and around to the back of your computer where it plugs in. The result? You have a good looking USB port that looks like it actually belongs on the iMac base and is always available should you need to plug something in - without reaching around to the back of the iMac. It's possible to plug a pair of iMacompanions into the ports on the back of the iMac and to place them side by side on the base. The little device comes with a good sticky material on the bottom so that it stays in place on the base when you plug cables or flash drives into it. I had issues with the Jimi occasionally popping out of its USB port if I didn't hold that clip with my hand while plugging something into it. That doesn't seem to be a problem with iMacompanion. Function Installing iMacompanion is simple enough - just peel off the paper backing on the adhesive pad, then stick the little extension onto the base of the iMac. I put it in the center for aesthetic purposes, but you could put it anywhere you desire as long as it's on the front edge of the base. You'll need to tip your iMac to one side to run the flat cable under the base of the computer, but once you've done that you can get back to a normal posture for your iMac. Unsurprisingly, the iMacompanion works just like any USB port. I find it to be extremely useful for using my iPhone 6 Plus with my iMac through the Duet Display app and TenOne Design Mountie, since I no longer have to fish around the back of the iMac to plug in a USB cable. Conclusion iMacompanion is a well-made and good-looking accessory for any iMac made since 2004. It adds a much-needed front USB port without detracting the overall design concept of the iMac. My only complaint? The price. $40 is a bit much for an accessory of this type, and I hope that Wiplabs can work on bringing the price down soon. Unsolicited personal pitch If you're a fan of crowd-funded projects like iMacompanion, join Backerjack's Ross Rubin and me for a half hour of talk each week about a handful of unique and sometimes useful campaigns on The Backerjack Podcast. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible
Twelve South ParcSlope stand for MacBook provides style and comfort
One of our favorite accessory design shops here at TUAW is Twelve South, and they're our heroes for a couple of reasons. First, they design and manufacture useful and stylish accessories for Apple products only. The second reason? Everything they make is top quality. The latest product to emerge from Charleston, SC is the ParcSlope desktop stand for MacBook (US$49.99). Check out our review, then enter for an opportunity to win a ParcSlope from TUAW and Twelve South. Specifications Dimensions: 2.8" high x 8.3" wide x 9.6" deep (7.1 x 21.1 x 24.3 cm) Weight: 2 pounds (.91 kg) Angle: 18 degrees Design ParcSlope was designed as a hybrid laptop stand instead of the traditional stand that lifts the MacBook off of your desk, requiring you to acquire and use a totally separate keyboard and pointing device. Instead, ParcSlope lifts the back of your MacBook up off of the table, bringing the screen up a bit higher for more comfortable viewing and typing. Made of solid aluminum, ParcSlope works with any MacBook. It doesn't matter if you have a current 11-inch MacBook Air or one of the discontinued 17-inch MacBook Pro monsters, it's going to work for you. As with all other Twelve South accessories, ParcSlope is designed specifically with Apple products in mind. There are some ridges on the top of the unit that allow for screen clearance when the screen is opened on an 11, 13, or 15-inch MacBook (the 17-incher will be off the top of the ParcSlope, so it doesn't need a ridge). There's a silicone lip holding the MacBook in place, and rubber feet on the bottom to keep your desk or table from being scratched. In case you're wondering about the "ParcSlope" name, well - Park Slope is a trendy neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY, and the "Parc" pays respect to Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), where Steve Jobs and other Apple employees had their first look at a graphical user interface for a computer. Function My test of the ParcSlope was done with a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. Setup of the stand is drop-dead simple; you just put it on the table. You're done. Plop the MacBook Pro on top, open the screen, and get to work. There's some cable management built into ParcSlope as well - there's a hole in the back of the aluminum through which you can weave your power cable, USB cables, Thunderbolt cables (this is perfect with a second display, by the way), you name it. The cables are held in place by the stand when disconnected from the MacBook. Since I usually type on a gently angled Apple Wireless Keyboard that's placed flat onto a desktop, I wasn't sure how I was going to like the steeper angle provided by the ParcSlope. As it was, the higher placement of both the MacBook's screen and having my arms and hands a bit higher up actually felt better than typing on a flat MacBook keyboard. Your mileage may vary; you can get a feel for how the ParcSlope holds the MacBook by grabbing something just under 3 inches in height and sticking it under the back edge of the computer. Conclusion As usual, Twelve South has knocked another one out of the park (or should I say "parc"?) with the ParcSlope. It's solid and should last you through the next ten generations of MacBook, and it makes any MacBook a more comfortable and usable member of the Mac family. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway C'mon, you know you want a ParcSlope of your very own. All you have to do to have a chance at winning one is to fill out the form below. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 30, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Twelve South ParcSlope valued at $49.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
RAVPower 15W Solar Charger, Savior battery pack keep your gadgets going
We're in the midst of winter in the Northern Hemisphere right now, but that doesn't mean that you can't start making plans for summer fun in the great outdoors. Today I'm reviewing two products that will keep your gizmos going. The first is designed to let you charge up anywhere, as long as the sun's out: the RAVPower 15W Dual-Port Solar Charger (List price US$99.99, available for $56.99). The second is targeted more for day-to-day use: the RAVPower RP-PB18 Savior External Battery Pack ($99.99, available for $49.99). RAVPower 15W Dual-Port Solar Charger I'm a fan of photovoltaic solar energy, so much so that my house here in sunny Colorado has a 9 kilowatt array on the roof. The RAVPower 15W Dual-Port Solar Charger is a lot smaller, both in size and capacity, but you don't need all that much power to charge your devices. The design is wonderful. You have a 24 ounce fabric folio covered with polyester canvas on the exterior that folds out revealing three separate panels. Located at four locations around the folio are metal-line eyeholes; these are used with carabiners (four are included) to attach the array to your backpack or a tent, or hang it from tree branches. There are two USB ports available, one with a 2A output, the other with a 1A output. Both, of course, send out that current at the USB standard 5 volts. RAVPower uses what they call "iSmart Technology" to match the maximum charging current with the device so that it is charged in the least amount of time. To test the review device, I unfolded the Solar Charger and put it on an outside table next to my iPhone 6 Plus to see how much of a charge it would pick up in just ten minutes. Of course, the charging time is going to depend on a variety of factors - cloud cover, angle of the sun, time of day, and so on. The when I plugged the iPhone 6 Plus into the Solar Charger, it immediately responded with notification that it was charging. I shut the iPhone's display off, waited ten minutes, and then turned the display back on. During that time, it grabbed 4 percent more power, climbing from 89 percent charged to 93 percent charged. It's not a scientific estimate, but based on that information, that the Solar Charger could fully charge an iPhone 6 Plus from 0 to 100 percent in a little over four hours. Remember, this was with late afternoon sun in the winter... so it could be faster under other conditions. Chances are good that you will want to use the Solar Charger with some sort of external battery pack so that you can still use your device during daylight hours, which is why the next portion of this review is about the RAVPower RP-PB18 Savior External Battery Pack. Conclusion The well-built RAVPower 15W Dual-Port Solar Charger has a surprisingly low price point compared to competing portable solar arrays, and is a perfect accessory for camping, hiking, picnics and bicycling. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible RAVPower RP-PB18 Savior External Battery Pack The Savior series external battery pack is a perfect all-in-one travel companion, featuring a wall plug, a 9000 mAh battery, and a built-in Lightning Connector. It comes in black or white, and there's a USB output port as well for charging those older Apple devices or other gadgets that take power from mini or micro USB. Unlike most of these products, RAVPower throws in some nice goodies; a carrying bag to protect the exterior of the battery pack, a USB to micro-USB cable, a micro-USB to mini-USB adapter, and a micro-USB to 30-pin Dock connector adapter. RAVPower received Apple MFi (Made for iPad/iPhone/iPod) certification for the device, so you can rest assured that it will work properly with any of your Apple mobile devices. The Lightning cable provides power to your iPhone or iPad at a maximum current of 2.4A for fast charging, while the USB port has a maximum current of 1 A. The entire package weighs about 8.63 ounces (237 grams) and is compact at 1.1 inch thick x 2.76 inches wide by 4.49 inches tall (28 x 70 x 113 mm). One feature that you won't find on many of RAVPower's competitor's external battery packs is the Grade A+ cell that's inside the pack. It has no charging memory effect, and can be used through up to 1,000 charging cycles. Conclusion With a built-in AC plug, Lightning cable, USB port, a 9,000 mAh long-life battery, a variety of USB plug adapters, and a carrying bag, the RAVPower RP-PB18 Savior is a perfect traveling companion at a very reasonable price (the $50 price tag). Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway TUAW and RAVPower are giving away the RAVPower RP-PB18 Savior External Battery Pack. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 27, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a RAVPower RP-PB18 Savior External Battery Pack valued at $99.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Seidio OBEX Combo rugged case for iPhone 6: Review and giveaway
It's so nice to see the flood of new cases for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, especially in the special genre of rugged cases. While some manufacturers are still trying to figure out how they're going to keep the big iPhones dry and protected, Seidio has jumped out with the OBEX Combo for iPhone 6 (US$89.95, on sale for $64.95) and iPhone 6 Plus ($99.95, on sale for $74.95). Specifications Dimensions (iPhone 6): 6.02 x 0.49 x 3.16 inches (152.84 x 12.36 x 80.25 mm) Weight (iPhone 6): 1.9 ounces (53.87 grams) Dimensions (iPhone 6 Plus): 6.80 x 0.50 x 3.59 inches (172.77 x 12.61 x 91.07 mm) Weight (iPhone 6 Plus): 1.9 ounces (53.87 grams) Meets IP68 rating for dust- and water-proofness. Exceeds MIL-STD-810F drop protection standard Design As with most rugged cases, the OBEX Combo (the combo refers to a combination of colors) is built like a tank. That doesn't keep the design from being Touch ID compatible, which is a plus. The case can be submerged in water up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) deep indefinitely, or up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) for 30 minutes. Rubber plugs keep the ports sealed against water and dust. The iPhone's touchscreen is a little bit less sensitive due to a second screen protector that's provided, but it worked well after I got used to pressing just a bit harder on the screen. The case comes with a holster clip for belt mounting, just what you'd want when driving heavy machinery around a construction site or walking around a factory. The case comes in four color combos, hence the name - black and gray, white and gray, ping and gray, and yellow and gray. Functionality As with most of these rugged cases, the case needs to be properly installed in order to maintain waterproofness. You'll want to watch the company's installation video for details: Still, the OBEX Combo was much easier to install than some competing cases I've reviewed. I liked the fact that the belt clip swivels and that the holster locks onto the case. I don't know how many times I've had phones that have just "jumped out of" holsters, so this is a nice design feature. I didn't try dunking the phone in the case, but it seems extremely solid and the rubber stoppers for the headphone and Lightning ports feel very secure. The case also features raised edges that should help protect the screen, and the screen protector itself has a 4H hardness rating. If there's one negative about the OBEX Combo, it's that it did seem a bit "slick" to me. The TPSIV (Thermoplastic Silicone Vulcanizate) rubber strip around the sides of the case is ridged on the corners, but not on the sides where it would provide a more secure grip. Conclusion Seidio has created a rather slim, but very protective case in the OBEX Combo. While it's not inexpensive, the level of protection afforded by this case can keep your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus from a variety of damage if you spend a lot of time outside or in hazardous conditions. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Have an iPhone 6? Want some real protection for that phone? We're giving away a Seidio OBEX Combo in the black/gray color combination. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 26, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Seidio OBEX Combo for iPhone 6 valued at $89.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Cree Connected LED bulbs: Inexpensive, compatible home automation solution
When people decide to get into home automation, they usually start simple with just an iOS app-controlled switch or a controllable LED bulb. But the problem with the LED bulbs is that they can tie a homeowner into a specific home automation ecosystem or require multiple apps to control different devices. Cree is a manufacturer of LED bulbs and has just released the Cree Connected LED Bulb (US$14.97 each) that provides compatibility with numerous existing lighting hubs. The bulbs are designed to replace standard 60W incandescent bulbs, using just 11W of power to provide 815 lumens of brightness. They also have an incredible lifetime: 25,000 hours. But the compatibility factor is what makes this low-cost connected bulb so compelling. At the present time, the Cree Connected Bulb is compatible with Zigbee Light Link certified hubs such as the one for Philips Hue, the WeMo Link Hub, and GE Link. It's also compatible with the $50 Wink Hub and Wink Relay Touchscreen Controller. All of those hubs have their own iOS apps. What does this all mean? You have a plethora of existing iOS apps that can be used to control these bulbs. For example, I have a WeMo Link Hub already, so I can use the WeMo app to control the Cree Connected bulbs. If you're a fan of the Wink-controlled home automation products (Aros Air Conditioner, Egg Minder, Spotter, and more), you can use your existing app to turn lights - singly or in groups - on and off. I tried the Cree Connected Bulbs out with my WeMo Link Hub just to test the compatibility, and unfortunately things were a bit on the shaky side. The WeMo Link Hub connected immediately to one of the bulbs, and I was able to add it to my list of WeMo devices to control. However, two other bulbs - one that was about 10 feet away from the working one and one located in an outside fixture - would not show up when I searched for them and I wasn't able to control them until they were moved much closer to the hub. To set those bulbs up, I finally added them one at a time from a location near that hub, then moved them to their final locations. If you're considering getting into iOS-powered home automation or just planning on replacing your power-hungry incandescant bulbs or environmentally-disastrous CFLs with energy efficient LEDs, the $15 Cree Connected Bulbs and a Wink hub (available for $39.25 on Amazon) are probably your least expensive option. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
MacID: Unlock your Mac with Touch ID
Even though my 27-inch iMac is in my home office and usually not apt to be "played with" by unauthorized personnel other than my cats, I make sure that it auto-locks whenever I'm away from the keyboard for even a few minutes. Of course, that means entering my long and ever-changing password every time I need to get back to work, and I've often wished that the iMac had a Touch ID pad. Well, with the new MacID app (US$3.99), the iMac now has the next best thing - it can be unlocked from my iPhone with just a tap on Touch ID. The app is a cinch to set up. It's a fast download from the App Store, and there's a companion app for Mac that you download for free from developer Kane Cheshire's website. Run the app on your Mac, identify the iOS device you want to use as a "key" for your Mac, then enter your Mac's password twice. That's it. The Mac app runs in background and is loaded automatically when the machine boots up. For the iOS app, it's a simple matter of launching, then selecting the Mac you wish to authorize. Now when your Mac is locked and you wake it with a tap on a the touchpad or keyboard, you receive a notification on your iOS device. You authorize the unlocking of the Mac with a simple swipe and tap on the Touch ID pad. An extra added feature is that if you don't have your iPhone or iPad nearby but do have a Magic Trackpad, you can set up Tap To Unlock, which uses a pre-set pattern of finger taps (like two fingers, one finger, three fingers) to authorize unlocking the Mac. I found MacID to work very well... until it didn't. At one point it didn't seem to be talking to my iPhone, although both the Mac and iOS apps were showing that they were in communications with each other. Well, it's a version 1.0 app, so a bug must have slipped through... A quick shutdown and relaunch of the Mac app made everything groovy again. Unlike the old Knock app (also $3.99), you don't need to knock on your iPhone to unlock your device. But like that app, it's a great way to keep prying eyes away from your Mac and still be able to unlock it very quickly. MacID works with any Mac or iOS device that supports Bluetooth LE, which includes the 2011 and newer MacBook Air, 2012 and newer MacBook Pro, 2012 and newer iMac, 2011 and newer Mac mini, and the 2013 and newer Mac Pro. On the iOS side, MacID supports pretty much any device with Touch ID, and works with a passcode on those devices without Touch ID - supported are the iPhone 4S and newer, iPad mini (any generation), iPad Air (any generation), iPad 4, and iPod touch (5th generation).
designed by many AL13 v3 case for iPhone 6/6 Plus ... and a few more cases for you
Design house designed by many has been around for a few years, with some fascinating products for Apple customers. Early on, the company was one of the first to come up with a protective aluminum bumper for the iPhone, and the AL13 bumper is now in its third iteration. In this review, I'll not only look at the AL13 v3 for iPhone 6 Plus, but several other designed by many cases and protective films. AL13 v3 Aerospace Aluminum iPhone Bumper (US$84.99 for iPhone 6 Plus, $79.99 for iPhone 6) The AL13 seen at the top of this post is wonderful minimalist protection for your iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. It comes in five different finishes: silver, black, champagne, space gray, and green, and is incredibly light - it adds only 0.6 ounces (17 grams) to the weight of the iPhone 6 Plus. Unlike some competing designs, no tools are required to install or remove the AL13. The company has created a two-piece design that features two protruding plastic pieces that lock into corresponding holes on the bottom part. Installation is a very quick snap, while removal takes a little bit of force. The interior of the machines aluminum bumper is lined with polycarbonate so that your iPhone is cushioned and the bumper won't scratch the iPhone's metal. There's a bit of a lip on both the front and back of the bumper to protect your iPhone's screen and back from flat drops onto the ground. That extra bit of height also accommodates designed by many's MPACT GLASS screen protector, which is included with the case. I found the AL13 v3 to be a gorgeous accessory to the iPhone 6 Plus, with the silver aluminum finish perfectly accenting the silver finish of my phone. The power button, mute switch, and volume rocker all use pass-through switches on the case, and their are ample openings on the bottom of the case for the headphone jack, microphone, Lightning connector port, and speaker. To top it off, the AL13 comes in a beautiful aluminum box, so it's a perfect gift for that iPhone 6 or 6 Plus owner you know. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible ThreeD Case for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ($29.99 for iPhone 6 Plus, $24.99 for iPhone 6) The next case from designed by many is the ThreeD Case, which is a bit different from your ordinary run-of-the-mill polycarbonate case. First, it has a very unique 3D triangular pattern on the back side. While that looks good, it also provides an extra grip for those who fumble phones. Moving the case from side to side you can see the extra depth that is added by the pattern, which changes depending on how the light is hitting it. It's quite attractive, and the case comes in white, black, champagne, and space gray finishes to accent your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. Other than the stunning design, the ThreeD Case is somewhat similar to a lot of less expensive polycarbonate cases on the market. However, designed by many did use an "uber premium polycarbonate composite" for this case that is recyclable and RoHS-compliant, and they include an MPACT GLASS tempered glass screen protector. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible BEZEL Case for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ($29.99 for iPhone 6 Plus, $24.99 for iPhone 6) The term "case" is really a misnomer for the BEZEL Case, as it's technically a bumper with no back. Think of the AL13, except without the aluminum on the outside, and you have the BEZEL Case. As with the other cases, designed by many includes one of the excellent MPACT GLASS tempered glass screen protectors with the BEZEL Case to provide extra protection for your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus display. The case comes in black, white, silver, champagne, and space gray, and features pass through buttons for the volume rocker and power switch. There's an opening in the side of the bumper for the mute switch, and the entire bottom of the case is open for unimpeded access. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible SLIM Case for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus ($24.99 for iPhone 6 Plus, $19.99 for iPhone 6) Finally, we come to the least expensive member of the designed by many case/bumper family, the polycarbonate SLIM Case. It's a rather generic polycarb sleeve with no special design features, really. It does come with the MPACT GLASS screen protector, and can be purchased in clear translucent, smoke translucent, black, silver, champagne, space gray and white. While you can get similar cases for quite a bit less from a number of vendors, they probably don't include a tempered glass screen protector. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Thanks to our good friends at designed by many, we're giving away one each of the AL13 v3 (silver), ThreeD Case (champagne), BEZEL Case (white), and SLIM Case (black) cases or bumpers reviewed here. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 23, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Four winners will be selected in a random drawing. One will receive a AL13 v3 aluminum bumper for iPhone 6 Plus valued at $84.99, one will receive a ThreeD Case for iPhone 6 valued at $24.99, one will receive a BEZEL Case for iPhone 6 valued at $24.99, and one will receive a SLIM Case for iPhone 6 valued at $19.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
EVE Evolved: Rebuilding EVE's corporation tools
The MMO genre is defined by the online interactions of thousands of players, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the single-shard sandbox of EVE Online. While it's possible to play EVE solo, it's the players who make most of the game's meaningful content, and it's only in your emergent interactions with other players that I think the game truly comes to life. Some time ago, I wrote about the importance of CCP supporting EVE's power players, the corporation owners, fleet commanders, and event organisers who give the rest of us something fun to do. Now it looks like CCP is starting to deliver that support, with developers currently looking at updating EVE's archaic corp management tools. CCP Punkturis recently asked corporation owners for a list of the most annoying "little things" they'd like to see fixed with the corporation management interface and was instead flooded with requests for big features and complete overhauls. Developers later confirmed on The o7 Show that at least one highly requested big feature is definitely on its way: CEOs will soon be able to switch off friendly-fire between corp members. The threat of corporate infiltrators attacking corp members has been a massive barrier preventing corps from recruiting new players, so its removal is good news for everyone (except spies). So now that corporation management is finally back on the drawing board, what other features do corp owners need? In this edition of EVE Evolved, I look at a few ideas for corporation tools and features that would make EVE a better place for everyone.
UE MEGABOOM is the new authority in Bluetooth portable speakers
Last week I wrote on the announcement of UE MEGABOOM (US$299.99) Bluetooth speaker, the new big brother to the UE BOOM ($199.99) and the UE MINIBOOM ($99.99). I reviewed the UE BOOM last year and was thrilled with its performance as a portable, durable and great sounding wireless speaker. It's the portable Bluetooth speaker I've been recommending to everyone that's been asking. This last week I've had the pleasure of putting UE's MEGABOOM through its paces, especially in comparison to the smaller BOOM. Read on to find out how the MEGABOOM fared. Design and Features In terms of design, the MEGABOOM looks like a super-charged version of the BOOM. All the design cues and details are virtually identical to the BOOM. In my BOOM review, I likened the BOOM's shape to that of an old-school cylindrical pencil case. The MEGABOOM is exactly like that, only the bigger version that holds about a dozen more pencils. It's 8.3 inches tall and has a diameter of 3.3 inches. The MEGABOOM weighs 1.93 Ib or 875g, which is just over 300g heavier than the BOOM. It's still extremely solid, and really easy to pick up and carry around with one hand. Although those 300g are noticeable when carrying the MEGABOOM for extended periods of time in comparison to the BOOM, the extra weight is negligible in day to day use. It's the size in form factor which is the dramatic change here. It's the difference between shoving the BOOM into a small satchel or even a coat pocket and the MEGABOOM requiring a backpack or something of that ilk. Still, I would consider the MEGABOOM a truly portable wireless speaker. From its capacious 20-hour battery life (up from 15 hours for the BOOM) and 100-foot Bluetooth range (up from 50 feet on the BOOM), to the smallest details of the design, the MEGABOOM will perform in just about any environment. For example, like the BOOM, the MEGABOOM's cylindrical shape means that there are no edges or potential hooks for it to grate or snag on. The fact that you can feel your way around the speaker without needing to look at it; the on / off button is indented at the top while the Bluetooth pairing button is raised. The volume-up and volume-down buttons are indented along the rubbery back of the speaker in "+" and "-" symbols. Furthermore, the MEGABOOM is IPX 7 certified, which means it's waterproof in up to 1 meter of water. Awesome! The USB charging port and 3.5mm audio input jack have rubber doors to make the MEGABOOM air tight. You've no need to worry about drops into the bathtub, swimming pool or if you leave it out in the rain, which means you don't need to bother with carry cases or protective covers. It's design that serves both form and functional that means there's no fuss. You just focus on the music. Performance Pairing to the MEGABOOM on my iPhone, iPad and also my Mac over Bluetooth was really easy and straightforward. When you first connect to the speaker, you're prompted to download the easy-to-use MEGABOOM app, which is there for the extras, like EQ settings, software updates and other features. In terms of audio performance, the MEGABOOM builds on everything the BOOM delivers. The 360-degree room filling audio that comes from the cylindrical shape is enlarged and well-rounded. High-end is open, clear and spacious, while the low end is much warmer and fuller than what the littler BOOM offers. The fantastic My Brightest Diamond's track Pressure puts the MEGABOOM to the test. Tight snare with a big kick and fat toms are punchy and detailed, but it's the bass riff that drives while the vocal is clear and smooth, front and center. Wind instruments are the icing, while synths and BVs enhance and fill everything out. It's a brilliant song and the MEGABOOM handles it well. If I was to be picky, It'd be in those booming low frequencies that things can get slightly muddied. Of course, positioning of the MEGABOOM will make a big difference to the sound it produces. The accompanying MEGABOOM app allows for custom EQ settings to adjust to your preferences. Speaking of which, the MEGABOOM app also allows for over-the-air software updates to the MEGABOOM as well as the ability to pair the MEGABOOM with up to 10 other MEGABOOMS. What a party that would be! There's also the alarm clock and and a new feature that lets you turn on or off the MEGABOOM from the app, for those late nights or early mornings where you can't be bothered to get out of bed. Conclusion The MEGABOOM is a real level-up in comparison to the BOOM. For a truly portable speaker, design, portability and overall audio performance are top-notch. Sure, it may be bigger than the BOOM, but the enhanced audio, Bluetooth range and battery life far outweigh the extra bulk. The only downside of significant note is the price. The $299.99 price feels a little on the expensive side. But if your budget can reach for it, the MEGABOOM is the Bluetooth speaker to get. However, If you do need something a little smaller or you can't justify the price tag, the smaller BOOM is still a worthy contender.
Moju's got mojo: Dynamic photo/video sharing with a twist
My first thought when I heard about Moju (free) was "Oh, great - another photo and video sharing app..." That was before I downloaded and tried it. The idea behind the app is simple - you capture individual photos or short videos in motion, which are then viewed with a twist of your iPhone. But viewing is an understatement - the images truly come to life on your screen as you move the phone. The effect is similar to what you see with lenticular printing - you know, like on those plastic rulers or trading cards where you twist the object back and forth and see animated images. But rather than being gimmicky, I found Moju to be quite enchanting. That feeling isn't universal, however. A few Facebook friends thought the Moju "movies" were too jerky. Then again, they may have been referring to me... To use the app, you can sign up with a new account or with Facebook or Twitter. Once signed in, you pick a user name and password for future use. A few screens show you how to use the app, and then it's time to have fun. While I was talking to Moju co-founder Mok Oh on a Google Hangout this morning, I shot my first Moju by holding down the on-screen shutter button - thereby putting it into burst mode - and spinning around in my office chair. This spinning selfie actually has its own hashtag on Moju (#spinningselfie) so apparently I wasn't the first to try that out! After you've shot the images or "video", moving your iPhone displays the animated image. You can apply filters to the Moju, then share it through Facebook and Twitter along with a caption and location if you desire. Moju users also see your works of art in a feed in the app, while those Facebook and Twitter friends see a still photo they can click to go to the Moju website for viewing. Note that an embed feature for websites is still in beta and we were unable to get it to work, so what you'll see are videos captured from the website. On the website, moving a cursor right and left imitates rocking the iPhone back and forth to play the Moju. Some of the advantages of Moju-tography (is that a word? It is now!) include requiring less bandwidth to upload and share than video and less storage space on the iPhone itself. Oh noted that an upcoming update will bring the ability to take short videos that are stored in Photos on the iPhone and convert them to Mojus. It's a very quick way to shoot very short stop-action animations, too. I took my good friend Domo, mounted my iPhone 6 Plus on a tripod with a Glif, and then took 24 separate images while moving Domo. A "ghosting" option is a default setting in the app, so your last shot is superimposed on what you're about to take a photo of. That really helps in aligning objects for stop action. For my part, I like that Moju lets me see a short "video" on my iPhone with a quick flick of the wrist. I don't have to suffer through a long Vine or Instagram video; I can see it all in seconds, then slow it down if I want more detail. Moju also does a good job of letting you find new people to follow. There's an Explore option under the "hamburger" menu that features a variety of interesting Moju images, and you can also search hashtags if you'd like to see more of a certain type of Moju. If you're bored with Instagram or Vine and want to try something new and fun, give Moju a try. It's free, it's fun, and it's certainly different from the run of the mill ways of sharing images with friends.
Doxie Go Wi-Fi: Computer-free scanning goes wireless
TUAW has been following the story of Doxie, the mobile scanner, since day one. This year's iteration of the little scanner is the US$229 Doxie Go Wi-Fi, bringing more built-in storage, an iOS app, and Wi-Fi to a popular accessory. Check out the review, then enter to win a Doxie Go Wi-Fi courtesy of Apparent Corporation and TUAW. Specifications Dimensions: 10.5 x 1.7 x 2.2 inches (26.7 x 4.35 x 5.6 cm) Weight: 15.3 ounces (433 grams) Wi-Fi: 802.11n Pages scanned per charge: 300 @ 300 dpi Design The first Doxie scanner was kind of an oddball, seemingly designed as a scanner for 10-year-old girls as it had pink hearts all over it. That design was replaced with a much more businesslike plain white and black plastic design later, and the company has stuck with it. There's one button on the device to turn the power on and off, a tiny Wi-Fi pairing button on the back of the Doxie, and an SD card slot on the back as well. On one end you'll find a port to plug an AC adapter cable (included). There's also a mini-USB port for syncing - I thought this was a bizarre design choice, since most of the rest of the industry has already moved to micro-USB. About the power button: I found it way too easy to accidentally turn the Doxie Go Wi-Fi on when picking up the device by one end. A recessed button might make this less likely to happen. Passing through the center of the scanner is a paper slot. You'll be able to scan photos or documents (the primary use case for Doxie) with this slot, one page and one side at a time. Functionality I like Apparent's way of packaging the device. You open the box, and greeting you is a reference card covered with instructions. In the same plastic bag as the Doxie Go Wi-Fi is a calibration card that you need to pass through the device to complete the setup. First-time charging takes a while; I plugged in the Doxie Go Wi-Fi while working and after four hours it was still charging... Once the device is charged, you go through the calibration process. That takes about 15 seconds to accomplish, after which you can go crazy and start scanning everything in sight. Scans can go right into the device's onboard memory, onto an SD card, or imported and saved onto your iOS device, Mac or PC. Doxie can join your home or office Wi-Fi network, although the company says that that functionality is "in beta." When you're away from that network, Doxie creates its own network that you can connect to from your compatible device. In reality, I found the ability to connect Doxie to my office network to be fast and simple. To scan, you put the page face up and to the left side of the scanner. There's a small movable plastic "margin" on the right side that you can use to make sure that the paper is inserted straight. I found that I had some issues with plain copy-type paper being pulled into the scanner slot; thicker paper worked fine every time. Once the scans have been made, it's time to connect to the scanner from the Mac or PC Doxie app and import them. You can do this either by pulling out the SD card (if you've stored scans on one) and placing it into your Mac's reader, connecting to the Doxie via Wi-Fi, or connecting it with a USB - miniUSB cable. The scans were usually pretty good, but if the page is pulled in at even a slight angle, there's usually a black "wedge" at the top of the scan. Of course, that can be cleaned up in the app. The app also allows rotation and cropping of images, as well as colors adjustment and "stapling" files together. There's also a stitch function for "gluing" numerous scans together to form a larger image. This is also the first time that Doxie has had an iOS app. It's a universal app - about my only issue with it is that it works only in portrait mode. The app is free, checks the network for the scanner, and then allows importation of the scanned images. From the app, it's possible to save scans to your photo library or share them with others. For photo scanning, there's a plastic sleeve with a bar code at the top of it. Pop your photo under the sleeve, and it is immediately scanned. Images with a black border or a lot of dark shadows are sometimes scanned incorrectly, but for the most part the sleeve does a really good job of holding the photographs in alignment. In fact, I'd suggest using the sleeve for scanning things like receipts and business cards. Photo scans came out looking pretty good with decent color matching. I did notice that the black sleeve does pick up dust very quickly, so you may find dust spots showing up on your scans if you don't occasionally wipe the sleeve. Conclusion On the positive side, I have to give the Doxie Go Wi-Fi kudos for the iOS app (finally!), the ability to connect to your Mac, PC or iOS device wirelessly though 802.11n Wi-Fi, the small size, and the speed of scanning. One negative is that there are some issues with starting page feeds into the scanner with very thin paper. Probably the biggest issue I have is that the price tag for the Doxie Go Wi-Fi is a bit on the high side. Considering that there are a number of apps such as Scanbot (free with in-app purchases, read TUAW review) and Evernote's new Scannable (free, read TUAW review) that make scanning from a much more portable iPhone or iPad stupidly easy, is there really a need for an actual mobile scanner in this day and age? I'll answer my own question - no, if you're just scanning bills, receipts, and other such documents. Frankly, I've found the apps described in the previous paragraph to work remarkably well. If you have a lot of small photos to scan, the Doxie Flip ($149) is probably a much better choice, and if you have any larger documents to scan - or a large number of them - you'll probably want to get a dedicated scanner or all-in-one with a sheet feeder. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway It's time to go paperless! Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 18, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Doxie Go Wi-Fi scanner valued at $229. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
CARROT Hunger: Better health through insults and bribes
It's that time of year when people are already breaking their New Year's Resolutions to lose weight. Well, it helps if you have someone - or something - yelling at you to watch your calories and get off your keister. For me, the just-released CARROT Hunger (free with in-app bribes and purchases) might be just the iPhone app to keep me on the straight and narrow while trying to watch my calories. CARROT Hunger is part of the stable of apps from developer Grailr LLC that use a snarky artificial intelligence construct named CARROT to give you ... motivation? ... in the form of insults, promises of physical distress, attempted bribes, and more. Think of CARROT as Siri - a Siri that really, really hates you. The fun starts when you first launch the app and it says "Greetings, meatbag" as a way of charming you. A short survey helps you build a profile (yeah, I'm classified as a "senior citizen" thanks to CARROT) so that it can be your official calorie arbiter. Based on your activity level or lack thereof, CARROT assigns you a daily calorie limit so that you can lose weight at a rate of one pound per week. By the way, you can select stone or kilograms as your preferred weight measure if you like. Now comes the fun. You get to start recording your caloric intake item by item. CARROT provides a big button for you to push to enter each food item. You can search a database for a specific type of food (i.e., "pepperoni pizza") or even scan labels to get exact caloric information per serving. Having used - and recently discarded - the Weight Watchers app, I was amazed that the CARROT database included items that Weight Watchers did not. As your day goes along and you stuff your gullet with food, the CARROT screen - initially blue - fills with green "water" as your skeleton avatar begins to gain weight. Get above your daily limit and the screen turns red... For each item that you enter, CARROT tells you how much exercise you're going to have to engage in if you want to burn it off. While all this is happening, you're getting verbally abused by the CARROT AI, and also seeing on-screen ads - this IS a free app, remember? Well, fortunately most of those ads are fun fake ads that are actually worth clicking just to see what hilarity the Grailr programmers came up with. Some are real, and you can make a $3.99 "Ad Crusher" in-app purchase to turn 'em all off. To speed up entry of your gluttonous habits, Grailr also sells a $1.99 "Ruthless Efficiency Collection" that allows multiple entries to be made one after the other and gives you access to a bar showing your recent entries (BTW, some of those recent entries are really funny fakes - like "Blue Bantha Milk" and "Tribble"). My favorite in-app purchase is the $0.99 "Bribe", which is exactly what it sounds like. You can assuage your guilt for going over your daily calorie count by spending a buck, after which CARROT will let you log an item in your food diary, but won't count the calories towards your daily limit. You can also enter activities to reduce the impact of endlessly shoving empty calories into your piehole. Did you know that "sitting quietly" for 15 minutes will burn 22 calories? All in all, this app is exactly what I was looking for - it makes tracking calories fun, while the Weight Watchers Mobile app that I used to use was too much like work. If you're struggling to lose weight, perhaps you'll get the last laugh with CARROT Hunger. Highly recommended for all of us who like our food and beverages too much.
Booqpad gains iPad Air 2 compatibility, still has a magnetic personality
Last April, TUAW reviews a very unique iPad Air case - the Booq Booqpad - that melded a magnetically-attached agenda case with a paper notepad. At the time it garnered a 4-star rating thanks to its flexibility and that paper notepad. Today I'm looking at the BooqPad for iPad Air 2 (US$60.00) and we'll see if that changed. Specifications Exterior dimensions: 7 x 9.5 x 0.9 inches (178 x 242 x 24 mm) Weight: 0.88 lbs (0.4 kg) Compatible with: iPad Air 2 only Color: Gray only Comes with removable/replaceable 50-sheet paper notepad Design Like the previous iteration of the Booqpad, the new version consists of a slim folio that, when opened, features a paper notepad on the left side and a magnetically-attached tray for the iPad on the right side. A slender magnetic catch keeps the cover closed while you're in transit. Around the outside of the paper notepad side are slots for business cards, and you can get refills for your notepad in blank, lined, or graph paper formats ($10 for 3 pads). That catch is different from the one on original iPad Air version of the Booqpad, which was rather wide and could actually hold a Pencil by FiftyThree stylus. The case also acts as a stand, with the section of the folio that the polycarbonate iPad tray attaches to folding to accommodate a variety of angles. Should you decide that you'd like to use the iPad Air 2 on its own without the folio, just give it a pull and the tray/iPad combo comes out. Just bring that tray back to the folio and hold it near, and it snaps right back into place. Functionality While I still like the idea of the Booqpad, I'm not sure that I'm quite as enthusiastic about it as I was last year after seeing dozens of other iPad case/stands. It definitely fills a specific niche, but it doesn't have the adjustability of some competing folio-type cases. In addition, Booq used to include a screen protector with each Booqpad. That's no longer the case, which is a little odd - perhaps the company found that nobody was using the screen protectors? Maybe the idea of having a paper notepad alongside your iPad excites you, and if it does, then the Booqpad is just the case for you. Otherwise, it might be worth your while to just grab any old folio type case and slap in a Post-it® 5 x 8 inch notebook pad. Conclusion About a year after the first Booqpad arrived on the scene, we're seeing the new model for iPad Air 2. Booqpad is still unique, but we're wondering if that's because no other manufacturer really thinks a combo paper notepad/iPad case is worthwhile. It's a well-done case; it's just that the idea seems a bit less exciting than it did a year ago. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway OK, if you're just dying for a Booqpad, hold onto your hats because we're giving one away. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 16, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Booq Booqpad for iPad Air 2 valued at $60. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Rumor Roundup: Actually intelligent analysis
Manufacturing Mold for 'iPad Pro' Rear Shell or Dummy Unit Shown in New Photo (MacRumors) Source: Terrible photo Chance it's true: Who knows From the article: "Few details can be discerned from the relatively poor quality photo [...] simple design of the mold suggests this may be an unofficial mold being used create dummy units for manufacturers." So not only is this photo so poor that it's difficult to glean any details from it, it's also not even a photo of the actual mold for the device itself, but something used to generate mockups. Hard-hitting news here. I look forward to seeing next week's MacRumors top story: "Some guy in Palo Alto uploaded bootlegged iPad Pro schematics into his 3D printer. You won't believe what happened next!" AppleInsider's take on the same story is skeptical to the point of snarkiness, which I definitely appreciate. From the article: "Aside from being rectangular and sporting rounded corners, the mold does not bear any hallmarks of an iPad [...] it could simply be a mold for a lunch tray." Amen to that. On Charging the Purported USB-Only MacBook (Daring Fireball) Source: Actually intelligent analysis Chance it's true: Who knows John Gruber has some smart analysis on what the allegedly MagSafe-deprived next-gen MacBook Air might offer for a charging solution. None of the options he offers sound particularly appealing; in fact, all of them seem like they come with so many tradeoffs that any one of these "solutions" if actually implemented would inspire Epic Nerd Rage™ immediately following the device's announcement. "Apple is sacrificing too much in the name of thinness!" the geeks will decry. They'll be right, of course, but Apple's core customers - normal people, in other words (not the so-called "Apple faithful" that the press likes to go on and on [and on and on] about) - will line up in droves to buy them. And now, four different takes on a terribly-sourced rumor. Samsung Supposedly Wins Orders to Produce Apple Watch Components (MacRumors) Source: Digitimes Chance it's true: 3720 to 1 (never tell me the odds) The only trace of incredulity in this report is in the headline. The story itself is straight re-reporting of the most godawful Apple rumor source ever spawned from the blackest pits of inaccuracy and anti-journalism. You wouldn't know it by how seriously MacRumors treats the subject matter, but Digitimes has an accuracy record that can best be described as laughably sad. Fake Apple Watch at CES for $27 as sketchy report says Samsung making innards of real thing (9to5 Mac) Same terrible source, moderately better reporting. From the article: "As ever, the less than reliable source cites only vague 'industry sources' " That's the extent of 9to5 Mac's skepticism on this non-story story. More hilarious than that is their recounting that "analyst estimates of year-one Apple Watch sales range from 10M to 37M units." There's a 27 million unit distance between the bottom and top end of analyst estimates for Apple Watch sales. If you needed any more proof that analysts have absolutely no clue what they're talking about when they talk about Apple, there it is. Samsung, ASE tapped to build Apple Watch's S1 processing module - report (AppleInsider) AppleInsider doesn't offer even the hint of a whiff of skepticism. This is 100 percent straight re-reporting of a "source" that got exactly one correct rumor in 2014. One among countless stupid, poorly-sourced or just outright made-up rumors. Big, ironic thumbs up to AppleInsider. Samsung is reportedly making a secret new chip in the Apple Watch (BGR) This will surprise absolutely no one who's been paying attention, but BGR also reported Digitimes' drivel as though it were engraved on stone tablets carried by Tim Cook himself. What to take away from this: we've apparently reached a trough in the rumor cycle where these rumor blogs think everyone has forgotten what a titanic failure of a source Digitimes is. I can't speak for anyone else, but I certainly never forget. Apple planning Apple Pay expansion into Canada as soon as March (9to5 Mac) Source: "People familiar with the matter" - possible internal Apple leak Chance it's true: 90+ percent Like the UK, Canada is an obvious next step for Apple's international rollout of Apple Pay. Despite a widespread e-payment infrastructure where I live (New Zealand - I can count on one hand the number of times I've paid for something with cash in the past three years), I seriously doubt we'll see Apple Pay make its way here in 2015. Even 2016 seems optimistic. (No, I'm not bitter. Okay, maybe a little bitter.) Recent iPod Shuffle Shortages Due to Supplier Changes, Not Imminent Discontinuation (MacRumors) Source: "People familiar with the matter" Chance it's true: 100 percent There's always a big risk associated with pre-emptively erecting a tombstone over an iPod. Back in the dark days when TUAW used to regularly publish rumors just like everyone else, we struck out on calling the death of both the iPod classic and the shuffle. And that story came from a source we actually trusted (at the time - never again after that). I can't remember the last time I actually saw an iPod shuffle in the wild, and I think mine is at the bottom of a box in the bottom of my closet. But Apple will probably go on selling the thing until it can't source components for it anymore. Apple to release iOS 8 update next week (BGR) Source: "People familiar with the matter" Chance it's true: 75 percent or so For some reason, BGR gets a lot of tips of the variety "iOS update such-and-such will drop on such-and-such date." Unlike so many of their stories about Apple, these ones often turn out to be correct. Apple's rumored 12" MacBook Air may aggressively target mobility with USB 3.1 Type-C (AppleInsider) Source: Actually intelligent analysis Chance it's true: Seems pretty good, actually I'm a big fan of Daniel Eran Dilger's work. It's always well-written, well-researched, and well-thought-out. This piece is no exception. The case he makes for USB 3.1 Type-C in the next MacBook Air is pretty damned convincing. Highly recommended read.
EyePatch Case covers and cleans your iPhone camera lenses
Most iPhone owners love using the cameras - both front and back - for photography, since they are of surprisingly good quality and resolution. On occasion, though, fingerprints can turn your images into blurry messes. EyePatch Cases (US$19.99 for iPhone 5/5s/6) from Sorrentino Designs come with a unique feature; a lens cap that covers your iPhone cameras when not in use and wipes away smudges with a built-in microfiber cloth. The lens cap, known as the EyePatch Switch, is molded from polycarbonate and is placed over the top of your iPhone. It slides away when you're ready to take a photo, then slides back into place to protect your lenses. There's a small gap in the front iPatch cover that exposes the proximity and light sensors when the EyePatch Switch is in the closed position so that the your iPhone still functions properly. Other than the obvious benefit of keeping your camera lenses from being scratched or smudged, there's also a benefit for those who are concerned about smartphone security. EyePatch Case inventor Michael Sorrentino notes that in an interview with NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams last year, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden claimed that the NSA has the ability to remotely access smartphone cameras. By blocking the cameras, this fear can be vanquished. The EyePatch Case came out of a successful crowdfunding project on HeadFunder, where it raised just enough money to launch. The product now comes in black, white and purple colors, and there are extra EyePatch Switches available in Yellow, Pink, Black and White. The iPhone 6 EyePatch Case is available for pre-order at this time. The case itself is a rather generic silicone stretch case and if it was not for the EyePatch Switch, the case would be totally unremarkable. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Want to win an EyePatch case of your own? We're giving away two - one for the iPhone 5/5s, and another for the iPhone 6. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 13, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected in a random drawing. One will receive an EyePatch Case for iPhone 5/5s valued at $19.99, while the other will receive the iPhone 6 EyePatch Case also valued at $19.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Test driving the ClamCase Pro keyboard case for iPad Air 2 (Updated)
With the arrival of the iPad Air 2 last fall, many case manufacturers went back to the drawing board to produce new products that would accommodate the slightly thinner tablet. One of the favorite keyboard cases for those of us here at TUAW has always been the ClamCase Pro (US$169.00), and that case has recently been updated for the latest member of the iPad family. Specifications Dimensions: 9.74 x 7.30 x 0.74 inches (247.4 x 185.4 x 18.8 mm) Weight: 1.2 lbs (.544 kg) Battery life: 100 hours uninterrupted use time, 6 months standby time, recharges in 120 minutes Previous Reviews ClamCase Pro for iPad (May 14, 2013) ClamCase Pro for iPad Air (August 6, 2014) Design When it comes to iPad keyboard cases that stand up to a lot of abuse, the ClamCase Pro is the hands-down winner. The case features an aluminum body to hold the keyboard and battery, while the iPad Air is securely surrounded with tough polycarbonate. While it may not be the lightest or thinnest keyboard case on the market, the ClamCase Pro is certainly one of the most versatile. The case features a special hinge that lets the iPad be used in landscape orientation just like a laptop similar to other keyboard cases. But the amazing part of this design is in how the iPad can be flipped a full 360° for tablet use. The keyboard has a great feel with good feedback, and there are separate rows for the number keys and iOS function keys. Those keys include a "home" key, Spotlight search, cut, copy and paste, Siri, switch to alternative keyboards, and music and volume controls. There's also a lock key, a full arrow pad, and one special key to tell you how much of a charge is remaining in the ClamCase Pro battery. A single LED is used to provide users with initial Bluetooth pairing status, caps lock, and the battery level. There's an external power switch on the left side of the keyboard to turn the power on and off. Functionality As with previous models of the ClamCase Pro, the iPad Air 2 version pairs quickly with your tablet, requiring no 4-digit code to be entered. As much as I love the classic ClamCase Pro design, there are several things about the case that are beginning to seem dated in comparison with newer keyboard cases. For example, many of the new cases automatically power on and off and don't even have a power switch. That feature is quite useful, as I often found myself closing the ClamCase Pro "cover" -- which turns off the iPad Air 2 -- but forgetting to power down the keyboard. That's not all bad, as the ClamCase Pro does shut off your iPad Air 2 when the lid is down. However, if you're planning on watching a movie in the configuration shown below or you're holding the case in the "flipped" configuration seen above, you should probably use the power switch to turn the keyboard off or you may find you're inadvertently pushing buttons. Update: the ClamCase Pro does shut off the keyboard power automatically when it is in tablet mode. The design of the keyboard case also provides a nice palm rest below the keyboard, which is not only helpful when typing with the iPad Air 2 and ClamCase Pro in your lap, but almost necessary at any time. As light as the iPad Air 2 is, pushing the "screen" back out of the default position or typing on an angled surface can result in the keyboard lifting up. That makes it important for users to keep their palms on the keyboard in those conditions to ensure that the case and iPad don't take a tumble. After using some other keyboard cases for a while, there's one other thing I noticed about the ClamCase Pro -- the space bar is a bit noisy. I've really become accustomed to typing in complete silence on some competing keyboards. This, however, may be specific to the particular test case I was trying. Conclusion All things considered, the ClamCase Pro for iPad Air 2 is probably the most robust keyboard case I've had the pleasure to test. In my opinion, it really protects the iPad better than any other keyboard case on the market. On the negative side, it's still one of the more expensive keyboard cases available, and is also quite heavy in comparison to many competing cases. It's up to the buyer to determine if the protection and flexibility of the design outweigh the premium price and added weight. For anyone who wants to use their iPad to do laptop-type work, there's no better keyboard case to use. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible.
These USB to Lightning charging cables are AWESOME
No, I'm not being overly effusive about a USB to Lightning charging cable; I'm just referring to the brand name for a line of accessories. Awesome Cables used crowdfunding and some design smarts to create charging cables that are a bit different from what you'll get from most other manufacturers. Today we're looking at a pair of these cables, both of which use a braided, non-tangle covering on the exterior. The Mamba Cable (US$30) is Apple MFi-certified, and what you're going to love about this cable is its length - it's 10 feet (3 meters) long! No more sitting next to a wall outlet while charging; you'll be able to hang out at a distance. The Lightning connector and USB plug both have aerospace aluminum shells, and there are good-sized stress relievers on both ends as well. Unlike the stock Apple cables, you're not going to eventually see cracking where the cable meets the connectors, and that's a good thing. The Mamba Cables are expected to ship this month, and you can pre-order them now in either Lightning or micro-USB styles ($20) in black or glow-in-the-dark. The other cable I tested was the 6-foot Braided Awesome Cable 2.0 ($22) in a fun Camo finish (note: the Camo finish was apparently still visible to my cats, who like to play with it). Only the black cables are showing as shipping at this time, but you'll be able to get them in gold, silver and blue finishes soon as well as the Camo pattern. There's usually not a lot to say about charging cables - you plug 'em in and they work. But if you're the type of person who is constantly plugging and unplugging charging cables and has had to replace short, cheap plastic cables frequently, spend a few bucks more and consider getting one of the Awesome Cables. I have to admit, they live up to their name. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
HTC Desire 826 gets an UltraPixel front camera for better selfies
While CES isn't usually the kind of show that HTC would make a big deal out of, the company somehow decided to use this opportunity to throw out a new mid-range flagship device: the Desire 826. While it's positioned as a follow-up to the Desire 820 (which is only four months old, by the way), the new model has clearly taken a design cue from the Desire Eye: You get the same hidden BoomSound front-facing stereo speakers (now with Dolby Audio), the same anti-slip soft sides and the same overall look. But rather than using a 13-megapixel front-facing camera, the Desire 826 touts HTC's famed UltraPixel imager on the front, meaning you can take faster and brighter selfies even in poorly lit environments. Great idea, though we wish HTC had come up with this before someone else did it.
Alcatel OneTouch wants to be the Zara of smartwatches
Alcatel OneTouch wouldn't be the first company to bring us a round smartwatch (well, near-circular, in this case), but with its eyes set on the sub-€100 and sub-$150 price points in Europe and North America, respectively, the company clearly has ambitious plans. Previously known as the "Wave," this device is now simply dubbed the Watch and features a much prettier UI than what we saw back in September. In addition to the aforementioned updates, Alcatel's added two slightly different designs to go alongside the original sporty black-and-red look: a feminine all-white version and a premium all-metallic version. While these two will cost a little more, we understand that they likely won't exceed €150 (about $180), which should still encourage more folks to give them a spin.
