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Apple approving LED light flashlight apps for iPhone 4
It was questionable whether Apple would approve LED flashlight apps. After all, having used the LED as a flashlight recently, I can tell you it will drain the battery faster than not having a big honking LED burning brightly. Using the camera app as your LED flashlight was problematic too, because I set my iPhone to lock after 5 minutes, and had to keep tapping the screen to reset that timer. The App Store is currently flooding with freshly approved LED flashlight apps. Let us know in the comments if you find any gems. But let's face it, the only task these are asked to do is turn on a simple LED. The differentiation is hilarious, at times. I've got a short list below. LED-Flashlight: Free. This is the app I use. So far I haven't had a problem and the app starts quickly, automatically turns the LED on and provides a white screen. The LED turns off if you move to another app. LED Light for iPhone 4 Free: The free version of this app. It has iAds. Seriously? Because what I want to do after crawling through the underground of post-apocalyptic New York is see an ad about insurance. LED Flashlight, only for iPhone 4: Catchy title aside, this one makes some fantastic marketing claims like other apps don't always work, or that they will continue to update and improve the app and that it looks gorgeous. As I said, it can be tough to differentiate yourself in this market. It costs US$.99. Actual LED Flashlight: Hey this one adds a strobe feature! It costs $.99 LED-Torch: You have to double-tap the screen to turn the LED on/off, preventing light disasters. Also $.99 Power LED Flashlight: I haven't the foggiest how this is different than anything else aside from the icon and interface. But it is $.99 LED Strobe: And finally, an app that is just a strobe light. Also $.99, seemingly devoid of any actual flashlight setting... There are easily a dozen more in the store right now, no doubt dozens more to follow. What have we learned from this tiny sampling? Well I wish there were video demos in the store, and you're likely going to have to spend a buck if you want anything more than an app which triggers the LED light -- even then you're not getting that much more.
Light for Life UC3.400 flashlight will last a really, really long time
These are tough, dangerous times, so if you're in the market for a flashlight it's probably true that you want it to be rugged enough to get your money's worth, and to hold up under whatever world-ending abuses you and (and your torch) may encounter. Enter 5.11 Tactical's Light for Life UC3.400 -- a flashlight whose three LEDs take 90 seconds to charge and have 90 minutes of uptime. Even more interesting (especially to thrifty health nuts), the LEDs are apparently rated for "more than 50,000 charge cycles," which is... oh... 130 years, assuming you use it once every single day. Sure, the claim is pretty much unprovable and highly suspicious, but let's just say we know what we're getting our vampire friends for the holidays this year. [Via UberReview]
Richard|Solo 1800: More of everything!
We reported on the Richard|Solo Smart Backup Battery for iPhone a few months ago. Now Richard|Solo has released a much improved version of the Backup Battery that not only provides more power for your iPhone or iPod, but some excellent new features that trash the competition. The Richard|Solo 1800 has 50% more capacity than the original versions, which had 1200 mAh of power. The new model has an 1800 mAh capacity, and is latched firmly onto the iPhone using a specially designed mechanism. There's an optional plastic support brace that reduces the lateral force on the battery connector; wonderful if you want to use the iPhone while charging it with the 1800. Richard|Solo provides a dual-port USB car charger in addition to the AC wall charger, which still features a retractable cord for tangle-free storage in your computer bag or purse. The coolest new features are two built-in lights; a white LED flashlight and a red laser pointer. The Richard|Solo 1800 retails for $69.95. If you own an iPhone or recent iPod, this is the backup battery to buy! It's well designed, feature packed, and reasonably priced. Now I need to get one for my wife! What do you use for backup iPhone power? Leave a comment!
Tri-Solar LED Flashlight: because three panels are better than one
Nah, it's no Mag-Lite, but the Tri-Solar LED Flashlight should handle most minor lighting needs. The unit can operate with one LED on, three LEDs on or all three LEDs flashing (you know, in case you realize the car you just hopped in is now making a beeline for the Bates Motel). Because a single solar panel can only catch so much sunlight, this one has a trifecta of cells that fold out and generate juice for the bulbs. Not too bad for $32, particularly when you realize that it doubles as a weapon.[Thanks, Joe]
LAPD's new LED flashlights now available to the public
Those of you jealous of the LAPD's new blinding yet less weapon-like flashlights don't have to settle for weaker substitutes any longer, as all 130 lumens of Pelican's 7060 model flashlight are now available to the general public. For those not up to speed on the flashlight industry, this particular model weighs in at just 10 ounces, and promises to throw a beam for a full 90 minutes straight without losing intensity. According to Pelican, the LAPD isn't the only police force keen on the flashlight, with 1,500 other police departments already on a waiting list to evaluate the flashlight. Those looking to get the jump on them, however, should now be able to pick up a 7060 at a Pelican distributor near you.
Homeland Security's latest non-lethal weapon: the pukelight
Someone in Homeland Security's R&D department must have a sense of humor, because the agency is hoping to soon deploy an LED flashlight that causes uncontrollable vomiting. The light, which is being developed for DHS at Intelligent Optical Systems, first shines a high-intensity beam to stun the target and then begins flashing a series of pulses that change color and duration -- inducing "psychophysical" effects that that include nausea, vertigo, and vomiting. While the concept isn't that far-fetched -- similar symptoms have been seen in helicopter pilots affected by sunlight strobing through spinning blades -- you've got to wonder how many thousands of dollars have been spent developing a weapon that can be defeated by simply looking away.[Via ABC News]