Hasta La Gadget!

Since there aren’t many benchmarking apps for iOS, we totally understand if you resented 3DMark’s Android-only release in April. Good thing Futuremark finally launched an iOS counterpart, giving you a way to test hardware and pit the results directly against those of Windows and Android devices. The tool comes with three benchmarking modes that gauge CPU and GPU performance: the basic Ice Storm test, the more demanding Ice Storm Extreme and a new one called Ice Storm Unlimited, which lets you make chip-to-chip comparisons between phones and tablets. 3DMark will work with hardware running iOS 6.0 or higher (except if it’s a 4th-gen iPod touch), but you’ll need at least 174MB of free space. While this’ll surely make a lot of people happy, it’s not the end of the tool’s foray into new platforms — Futuremark plans to unleash a Windows RT version in the future.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets

Comments

Via: Shacknews

Source: iTunes

Tomorrow, Apple will introduce the world to two new iPhones. One will look almost exactly like the current iPhone, the other will look slightly different. Apple will sell millions of each type. And both will hardly matter at all compared to iOS 7.

Read more…

Apple’s making some huge changes to iOS this year, so what are the chances that the iPhone will undergo a similar transition? Based on what we’ve been hearing, the likelihood is pretty high; Tim Cook, Sir Jony Ive and the rest of the crew may show off not one but two new iPhone models for the very first time. We’re expecting to see both a 5S and a colorful 5C, but we’re still in the dark on when they’ll arrive, how much they cost and where they’ll be available. There’s always potential for a top-secret product nobody was anticipating, too. Regardless of what interests you the most, bookmark this page and return tomorrow at the time listed below as we keep you updated on the play-by-play!

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Apple

Comments

It doesn’t seem like dungeon masters are going to get their hands on the Surfacescape anytime soon, but Brendon Duncan may have an affordable alternative. His 3D Virtual Tabletop app gives you access to digital maps and creature tokens on your mobile device or desktop computer through a browser.

Aside from helping you visualize your adventure, 3D Virtual Tabletop makes it easy to add maps and characters. If you can copy an image, you can import it to the app, although I’m not sure how well its automatic cropping function works. The app will be available on iOS, Android and Kindle devices, as well as through Mac and PC via a web app.

Some of the other neat features of the 3D Virtual Tabletop include saving the setup of the map, status indicators and fog of war. You can try out demo versions of these apps right now. You can use the final version of the app offline, but if you pay $0.99 (USD) a month you’ll have access to its cross-platform feature. That means you and your party members can see and interact on the same map across multiple devices and platforms. Brendan said the app can handle at least 20 simultaneous users on the same virtual tabletop.

Pledge at least $9(USD) on Kickstarter to get a 1 year (or more) subscription to 3D Virtual Tabletop’s online services. When it launches, Brendan will also setup an online market where you can buy more maps and character images. It seems like a convenient alternative to physical maps, especially since its compatible with different devices. But if all of your playmates have access to a PC, you might be better off with Roll20.

Web browsing on the iPad—or any tablet for that matter—is far too frustrating of an experience for what’s really one of the device’s most basic uses. Safari for iOS was designed with an iPhone in mind, so anything larger becomes an awkward mix of sweeping gestures and pointed tapping. Opera’s newly launched iPad-only browser, Coast, wants to fix that.

Read more…