The NYPD Really, Really Wants You to Upgrade to iOS 7

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Which of These Apple Patents Will Ever See the Light of Day?

Which of These Apple Patents Will Ever See the Light of Day?

The patent office publishes oodles of Apple patent applications each week. It also grants a ton of them, allowing Apple to protect its IP against competitors. Whether it actually uses any of that IP in its products is another matter …

FlipSide case for iPhone packs stealthy game controls, plays on solar power (video)

FlipSide case for iPhone packs stealthy game controls, plays on solar power video

The perpetual challenge of developing an iPhone-friendly gamepad (or any phone-oriented gamepad) is the bulk, either for a gargantuan case or else a separate controller. If Justice Frangipane’s team and iDevices have their way, that clunkiness will be a distant memory. Their proposed FlipSide case for iPhones (we see a prototype here) centers on Bluetooth 4.0 gamepad controls that stay clipped to the back when just checking email, but attach to the front for playtime. They’ll save us from hunting down a wall outlet, too; the combination of a sensitive solar cell and a thin film battery from Infinite Power Solutions should keep the case powered up through even indoor lighting. The only real challenge is getting the case produced, as Frangipane is looking for crowdfunding to make the FlipSide a reality. Provided his group makes its donation target, though, there’s the prospect of an Android version — so those who don’t play the iOS way could still reap the rewards if they chip in at the source link.

Continue reading FlipSide case for iPhone packs stealthy game controls, plays on solar power (video)

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Source: Flipside (Kickstarter)

Verizon’s Viewdini appears on iOS: works on any network, hunts video from 11 sources

Verizon's Viewdini appears on iOS: works on any network, hunts video from 11 sources

The Viewdini streaming metasearch service launched a few months ago for Verizon’s 4G LTE-laden Android hardware, and now it’s finally available on iDevices. While the droid app is exclusive to those with a 4G plan on Big Red’s network, anything running iOS 4.3 and up can now make use of Viewdini, independently of carrier ties. As the screenshots above show, you’re also good to go on 3G, although you better watch that data allowance to avoid any nasty surprises. Interestingly, the iOS version currently only digs through the catalogues of 11 content providers compared with 18 on the Android version, but you’re still getting access to various big names like ABC, Crackle, Hulu Plus, Netflix and Verizon’s own video service. More providers should be added to the list soon, and if you’d like to give Viewdini a try, it’s available at the App Store now.

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Verizon’s Viewdini appears on iOS: works on any network, hunts video from 11 sources originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 06:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iShower is ready to get wet: water-resistant Bluetooth speaker now shipping for $100

iShower is ready to get wet waterresistant Bluetooth speaker is now shipping

Move over, Pantene, because you may need to make room for a new addition to showers across the globe. That’s because the iShower, a water-resistant music system for use as you get squeaky clean, is now shipping for $100. Despite its name, the iShower should have no trouble playing the compatibility game, thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity with support for up to five paired devices. What’s more, you won’t need to bust out the tools to install the iShower, as the mounting system’s built-in adhesive lets you pretend to be a handyman without doing any real work — the unit can also be hung over the shower head if you’re wary of sticky residue. The music system runs on three AA batteries and provides up to 15 hours of sudsy listening time, and there’s even a built-in clock, for those unfortunate mornings when you need to cut the rock operas short. To see the system in action, just hop the break for a demonstration of the iShower from the company’s CEO.

Continue reading iShower is ready to get wet: water-resistant Bluetooth speaker now shipping for $100

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iShower is ready to get wet: water-resistant Bluetooth speaker now shipping for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 07:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video)

Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS handson video

Proper home automation systems can cost upwards of $10,000, and while budget alternatives can’t touch the level of integration you’ll enjoy with a behemoth rig, all but the most sophisticated of homeowners can squeak by with a simple timer setup — or the modern equivalent. Belkin’s WeMo duo utilizes two types of plug-in modules paired with an iOS 5+ app, which you’ll use to set macros, control lights and schedule on/off times. A Switch module can turn on and off a lamp, fan, coffee maker, television or heating appliance from a connected iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. You can also set a seemingly unlimited number of detailed schedules for each device, all from the comfort of your WiFi-equipped touchscreen handheld. You can integrate the optional Motion device with a set of macros as well, configuring your lights to turn on once you step through the foyer, or your coffee maker to launch a brew as you walk through your bedroom door.

We wired up a lamp in a New York City apartment to give WeMo a go, and things generally worked as advertised. Setup is fairly straightforward — simply plug in a module, select its corresponding SSID broadcast from iOS then launch the free app to force the device onto your home WiFi network. You’ll need to repeat the process to add each gadget or sensor, but once you do, you’ll be able to config and control any connected gadget from anywhere on the network, or beyond. The system theoretically supports remote access without any additional setup (modules are registered to the app) but we weren’t able to power up the lamp while on 3G during multiple attempts. That detail aside, we’d be happy to welcome WeMo into our home, though the absent Android app throws in a speed bump for sure. You have two options for adding WeMo — there’s a Switch + Motion kit available for $100, which includes a power control and motion sensor, or you can opt for the Switch solo for $50. Then, simply add as many outlet controllers as you wish, at 50 bucks a pop. You can see that first combo in action in our hands-on video after the break.

Continue reading Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video)

Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 15:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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