Hasta La Gadget!

Some of the most successful products evolve strictly out of making our lives easier. We could survive without it, but in our continuing efforts to save time or hassle the product takes off. Think about it. Who thought bagged lettuce would ever succeed? Or the universal remote control? Well, there’s another product on the horizon that may just will do the same thing.

Currently on Kickstarter is hiku, a grocery list creation and reminder tool. What makes it so different? It involves a separate device – meaning smart phones need not be present to submit an item to the list – and it uses the cloud. hiku is smaller than a computer mouse and can live on the counter or the fridge. Simply designed, it enables users to make notes to themselves about groceries they need in two ways: by scanning the UPC code or making a voice memo. Simple right? Not so fast. hiku then sends your reminders, via the cloud, to your hiku account. You can then access the information via hiku app or any web browser. That means any member of the house can submit requests and know that the shopper will get the message. hiku will be open, for integration with other list programs like Remember the Milk, Astrid Tasks and Evernote. Funding is in progress, and you can support hiku for as little as $2. Assuming funds are raised, launch is anticipated in early 2013.

So if simplify grocery shopping and end the days of running out of your favorite stuff by helping hiku become a reality!

Thanks: FastCoDesign
[ Get the Groceries Right! copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

In theory, Apple’s AirPlay technology is great – effortless mirroring or streaming to media players from an Apple device. But in reality, AirPlay is severely limited by a couple of factors. It’s only compatible with a handful of media players – including the AppleTV – and it needs an Wi-Fi connection to work. Which is why I think the AirBridge is going to be a massive hit.

The AirBridge is primarily made of three things: an adapter that plugs into iOS devices, an app, and a receiver with HDMI, VGA, 3.5mm aux and USB inputs.  With the AirBridge you can do everything you can do with AirPlay compatible devices – stream videos, music and pictures, mirror your screen, play games on a bigger display – but that’s not all. The AirBridge can also stream content from one iOS device to up to 10 iOS devices at once, and allows those with the app to upload and share files with each other straight from and to their iOS devices.

The AirBridge does all of this without the need for an Internet connection. And since it works with any device with an HDMI, VGA or USB port, it’s compatibility far exceeds that of AirPlay. It also has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 3 hours, so you can have a totally wireless setup for a good amount of time, enough for meetings or parties.

Pledge at least $99 (USD) on its Kickstarter fundraiser to be the first to own an AirBridge. It will be available in two models – the high end AirBridge Pro  ($125) does all of the above, while the AirBridge Lite ($99) lacks the VGA and USB ports and won’t be able to stream between iOS devices.

Likewise, the AirBridge app will also come in a free and a $3.99 (USD) version. The $3.99 version has support for more file sharing services and has no size limit on file sharing, while the free version has a 10MB limit but is good enough if you just want to stream media. I really hope it goes into production and I can’t wait to get my hands on an AirBridge.

[via GearCulture]

Diagon Alley’s online storefront—which some call Amazon—is a wonderful place. The Flourish & Blotts section is an excellent way to browse through tomes of all sorts—even muggle books, like J. K. Rowling’s new decidedly adult book, The Casual Vacancy. And it’s real wizardry how you can download books onto your tablet, even if it doesn’t always apparate correctly the first time. And be sure to stop by Ollivanders—they’ve got a new wand out, and I hear it’s pretty great, even if some people are complaining that it’s just the old wand, but a little longer. Whatever it is, if Ollivanders is putting it out, I want it. When shopping online, it’s really easy to get carried away and end up blowing all your sickles and knuts, but if you’re patient, and read Dealzmodo, you can save a lot of money. More »

For those of us on the outside, India’s telecommunications setup can seem a little murky. While the country has 900 million mobile connections, for example, every 2G license issued after January 2008 were cancelled in February. Now, authorities are asking 3G carriers to suspend the practice of allowing customers to switch between different operators as they roam across the country’s 22 wireless regions — with no explanation as to why. Roaming was originally outlawed back in December, but a number of networks appealed — a move which only seems to have postponed the final ruling until today.

Update: Plenty of our commenters have shared their knowledge to help further explain this situation. No network other than BSNL purchased a nationwide 3G license during the auction. The other carriers each bought smaller (and cheaper) access — but teamed up to offer a virtual national-network. They then started to sell services in regions (or “circles”) that they had no license for, causing the Government to try to clamp down on the process by outlawing the agreements.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Indian government tells carriers to end 3G roaming pacts, doesn’t stop to explain why originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earlier today, Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a public apology to users of the company’s new Maps app. A good portion of the letter addressed the different alternatives that users could take advantage of while Apple was busy improving their own maps. The company is now making it even more convenient to download and install a maps app that isn’t Apple’s own.

The iTunes App Store now has a special “featured” section where Apple has gathered up all of its recommended maps apps into one place, which makes it handy for those looking to get away from the company’s own mapping solution. Some of the apps that they recommend are MotionX, Waze, Mapquest, and TeleNav.

In Cook’s letter, he also mentioned using web apps from Nokia and Google. Apple’s website details how to add shortcuts to these web apps to your iPhone’s home screen. It simply involves tapping the “Share” button in Safari, then tapping “Add to Home Screen”, giving the shortcut a name, and hit “Add”.

All of this is certainly a classy move by Apple, and it’s probably one of the few times that Apple is recommending using an alternative to one of its own apps. I’m sure third-party mapping solutions are seeing an increase in usage as we speak. One company’s misfortune is another company’s fortune.

[via MacRumors]

Apple now makes it super easy to use alternative maps is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
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