Jan 05

ThinkGeek Unveils the JOYSTICK-IT iPad Joystick Controller

Posted in: controller, gaming, ipad, Miscellaneous Tech, Tech Toys, Today's Chili, video games
Likely the result of an April Fool’s joke turned serious, the new JOYSTICK-IT iPad Controller from ThinkGeek addresses a problem that a number of iPad gamers have with their games: that virtual thumbsticks on the iPad screen aren’t that much fun to use. The JOYSTICK-IT controller looks and feels like a real arcade joystick, it just sticks to the iPad’s display right over where the virtual joystick is positioned, and you can play like normal. 
The JOYSTICK-IT isn’t the first iPad controller we’ve seen this week: yesterday TenOne Designs unveiled the Fling controller for iPad at the Consumer Electronics Show with a much different design. Alternatively, the JOYSTICK-IT actually looks and functions like a joystick, and is completely removable and replaceable depending on where the virtual controls in your game of choice are on-screen. 
While you can’t pre-order the JOYSTICK-IT, you can sign up to be notified when the JOYSTICK-IT is up for sale at ThinkGeek’s Web site. The company says it will be available in late January for $24.99 retail price.
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Jan 05

Eton Soulra 2: Solar Powered iPod Dock

Posted in: iPhone, ipod, MP3 Digital Audio, speaker, Today's Chili

soulra.jpg

Here’s the other cool bit of green tech we saw at tonight’s CES Unveiled show in Las Vegas. It’s the Soulra 2, from Eton, a new and improved version of the company’s solar powered iPod dock. Like its predecessor, leaving this thing out in the sun will both give you power for the speakers and charge up your iPod or iPhone.
This version ups the ante, however, with eight speakers and a giant solar panel which will give you eight hours of audio on a five hour solar charge. It’s a bit unwieldy, compared to other speaker docks, but the included strap should help you lug the thing around.

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Jan 04

Joby Ori: Coolest iPad Case Yet?

Posted in: case, ipad, Today's Chili

joby ori pad.jpg

Joby–the company behind those neat little Gorillapod iPhone stands–showed off what may be the coolest iPad case I’ve seen thus far, tonight at CES. The company says the case is “inspired by the Japanese art of the fold,” and the Ori’s wings do fold and fold and then fold some more.

The case can completely cover the iPad, or it can serve as a stand for the tablet, at all manner of different heights. It’s made from lightweight aluminum, which, surprisingly, doesn’t add all that much weight to the device–it only weighs about 17 ounces.

Slick protection ain’t cheap, however–the Ori will run you $79.95

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Jan 04

Joby Releases GorillaMobile Ori and Yogi iPad Stands

Posted in: case, ipad, Today's Chili

GorillaMobile Ori - GorillaMobile Yogi

The iPad stand market is more than cluttered, but Joby, makers of the GorillaPod flexible tripod and the GorillaTorch flexible lamp, is planning to shake it up a little. In advance of CES in Las Vegas, Joby has announced the GorillaMobile Ori and the GorillaMobile Yogi, two new iPad stands designed for two different types of users. Pricing and availability haven’t been announced, but the two cases will be on display at CES this week. 
The GorillaMobile Ori is a combination iPad case and stand, and goes from being a firm folio-style case that you can slide into a bag or tuck under your arm to a stand that the iPad sits on top of as if it’s on display. The Ori is made of an aluminum/polypropylene composite material that’s strong and light. 
The GorillaMobile Yogi features the flexible legs that Joby fans have come to expect in their products, and allows you to clip the stand onto your IPad and then bend the flexible legs to wrap around the back of a car seat, prop up your iPad at just the right angle, or make sure your iPad is stable enough to use on an uneven surface.
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Jan 04

iPad Controller Uses Suction Cup, Looks Funny

Posted in: ipad, Today's Chili

fling_ipad_controller.jpg

It only stands to reason that the company that brought the world the Pogo stylus for the iPhone and iPad would be the same to introduce a game controller for Apple’s popular tablet.

The new Fling controller from Ten One Design sticks to the iPad via suction cup and works with any games for the tablet that utilize a virtual joystick–games like Meteor Blitz, Super Megaworm, and Across Age. You stick your thumb in the middle of the thing and get down to business.

The Fling comes with either Ninja or Ultraviolet designs. It ships with a microfiber carrying case, which also serves as a screen cleaner. The accessory was announced today at CES. It’ll start shipping at the end of the month, but you can pre-order it now for $24.99.

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Jan 04

AirStash is a Flash Drive for iPad and iPhone

Posted in: ipad, iPhone, Today's Chili

AirStash.jpg

Attendees at the Consumer Electronics Show this week will get a first look at the AirStash, a USB flash drive made just for the iPad and iPhone. With the AirStash, iPad and iPhone owners can wirelessly save and store documents from their device to their AirStash instead of emailing files. The drive offers both wireless and USB connections.

The drive delivers two-way connectivity with WebDAV, and works with apps such as Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. It can be used to stream audio or video files wirelessly, and it stores data on an SD card (up to 32GB per card). After a photo browsing and importing app is launched later this month, owners will be able to browse and batch import photos. It’s available for $99.

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Jan 03

iPad 2 Drawings Point to Camera, USB/SD Slot

Posted in: Apple, ipad, Today's Chili

The iPad 2 is coming–we (think we) know that much. Images of cases from third party accessory designers have been popping up a bit over the past couple of weeks, seemingly confirming this all but certain fact. Over the past week, Apple fansite 9to5 Mac managed to get its hands on case mold drawings from an unnamed company described only as “an Asian case supplier.”

The site was asked to “not so nicely” pull the drawings from its site, seeing as how they are someone else’s property–someone who, seemingly, could get into a lot of hot water if the source were traced back. 9to5 Mac complied.

What we do know from the drawing is the iPad 2 (assuming, of course, that these are accurate) will have a tapered back, are a rear camera. There’s also a new port on the device, which is assumed to either be an SD card slot or either a mini- or standard USB port.

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Dec 30

Verizon iPhone Could Appear by Mid-Feb – Report

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, Today's Chili, verizon

Thumbnail image for iphone 4 flat.jpg

Nothing too exciting here–just the latest in a long line of unconfirmed reports that a Verizon iPhone is “coming soon.” According to a new story by Business Week, the long-awaiting handset could be arriving “maybe by Valentine’s Day.”

The phone, according to an unnamed source, will drop after CES in Las Vegas–which, remember, is next week. Oh course, we wouldn’t put it past Apple to flex its industry muscle during the country’s biggest consumer electronics show.

After all, Google took plenty of wind out of CES’s sails last year, with the introduction of the Nexus (though that, of course, proved to be a lot of smoke and not a heck of a lot of fire).

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Dec 30

Gresso Adds Gold and Wood Trim to Your iPad

Posted in: ipad, luxury, Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili

iPad Gresso

The iPad is a pricey enough gadget that you probably want a case for it, no doubt, but if you want to make sure the world knows that not only are you wealthy enough to own an iPad, but you’re wealthy enough to have it coated in African Blackwood and 18 Karat Gold, Gresso can dress one up for you. Covered in beautiful dark wood on the back and the Apple logo replaced with a solid 18 Karat gold version, the iPad Gresso is nothing short of beautiful. 
The mod gives you full access to all ports and buttons on the trim, and is made from solid wood, so no two cases look alike. The iPad Gresso is more of a housing than a case, so don’t expect this thing to be rugged – but after all, if you have the money for this, you can probably replace the thing easily if something happens to it, right? Gresso says you’ll be able to pick one up starting tomorrow via special order.
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Dec 29

iPhone 3Gs $50 at Radio Shack

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, Today's Chili

iPhone 3G

Radio Shack is extending its iPhone sale until Friday December 31st, thanks to a number of store sellouts. The retailer is offering up the 16GB iPhone 4 for $148.99 through the end of the year. The 8GB version of its predecessor, the iPhone 3Gs, is priced at $48.99. Both models are marked down $51 from their suggested retail price.

The company is also offering some sweet deals on refurbished iPhones, with the 16GB and 32GB versions of the iPhone 4 running $124 and $224, respectively. A refurbed 3Gs, meanwhile, will cost you nothing with a new contract (or $24 with a contract upgrade).

Radio Shack is calling the deal its “Lowest Price Ever on iPhone.” Actually finding a store with some in stock may prove a bit tricky, however.

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