Unless you’re constantly messing around with your iPhone’s settings, most people don’t dig into the Accessibility features in iOS unless they need to solve a specific problem. That said, there’s actually a few great features hidden in those options that everyone can make use of, even if you don’t need them.
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You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Do you have a lot of iOS devices in your house? Then get Griffin’s new PowerDock 5 so you can round up your permanently distracted loved ones in one place, even for just a few minutes. The family that charges together, looks at their gadgets together.
All five of the PowerDock 5′s USB ports deliver 5V at 2.1A, meaning you can charge five iPads on it if you have to, and using just one power outlet. The backrest lets it accommodate even devices with cases while occupying just a small space. You can order the PowerDock 5 from Griffin’s online store for $100 (USD). You know your business is doing well when no one’s surprised that a single family can have five of your products. For the life of me I can’t think of any other electronics company that has this kind of presence.
[via Electronista]
The incredibly promising metal alloy from Liquidmetal
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For all its tough chemical properties and unusual capacity for intricate molding, Liquidmetal is apparently too uneconomical for anything much bigger than Apple’s SIM ejector tool or, perhaps, the chess pieces rendered above (for illustrative purposes only!). Attempts to use so-called “metallic glass” to mass-produce larger objects, like the bodies of phones or tablets, have been hampered by difficulties in creating large sheets of controllable thickness, because stretching and other traditional techniques just cause the stuff to break. However, a patent recently awarded to Crucible Intellectual Property (the shell company representing the exclusive licensing tie-up between Apple and Liquidmetal Technologies) suggests some progress has been made towards removing this barrier.
Now, we can’t claim dwarven levels of expertise on the subject, but we’re inclined to agree with the interpretation of the folks at Electronista, who spotted that the patent describes a range of factory methods (generally involving lots of melting and conveyor belts) for creating sheets of metallic glass of controllable thickness between 0.1mm and 25mm and in widths of up to three meters. The paperwork explicitly mentions the use of these sheets in making iPhones, iPads, watches or indeed “any electronic device known the art.” In the shorter term, if you happen to really, really want a Liquidmetal chess set, you can register your enthusiasm at the More Coverage link below.
[Rendered image by Cassidy Stevick, Liquidmetal Technologies]
Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Tablets, Wearables, Mobile, Apple
Via: Electronista
Source: USPTO
The new Google Maps for iOS has been launched, including a dedicated iPad version and support for the live traffic reports and new search features that Android users have been enjoying since last week. The updated v2.0 software, a free download from the App Store, means an end to running Google Maps for iPhone in 2x mode on the iPad, with a new UI to make the most of the larger display of the iPad and iPad mini.
That includes spreading the new Explore interface across the display, and giving more room to results cards so that you can compare more at any one time. There are Explore categories for eating, drinking, shopping, entertainment, and places to stay.
Meanwhile, there’s also a new navigation system, which now includes live incident reports on your route. That includes data on road closures, ongoing construction, and accidents, and you can now tap on the section of road causing delays to see details of the problem.
Voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation is supported, as is scheduling information for various public transportation options. Those preferring to go by bike also get voice-guided navigation for “more than 330,000 miles of trails, paths, and bike lanes around the world.”
Zagat reviews and a 5-star rating system for locations are included, and just as in the Android app, Google can now pin brand offers directly to the map itself, so that users can see what’s available nearby.
Although Google isn’t mentioning it directly, we tried the “OK Maps” offline caching Easter Egg that was initially included on the Android version – zoom to the area you want to access offline, then type “OK Maps” into the search box – and it still works. No telling whether Google will include a more easily-accessed option, as it did after Android users complained vocally.
Google Maps for iOS 2.0 arrives with new iPad UI is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
The revamped Google Maps design reached Android last week; now, it’s iOS’ turn. Google Maps 2.0 is gradually rolling out worldwide for Apple’s platform, and it’s bringing the Android version’s discovery and exploration components as well as some new-to-iOS features. Long-anticipated iPad support is the highlight, although there’s also indoor navigation, live traffic updates and incident reports. Maps 2.0 hasn’t hit the US just yet, although it should be available shortly.
Update: It looks like it’s hit the US App Store as of midnight ET or so, check the link below to grab the update yourself. If you’re looking for offline maps, those are available with an Easter Egg like the one first featured in the Android version. Just zoom to the area you’d like to cache, then type “Ok maps” in the search box. [Thanks @carloslarez]
Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Tablets, Mobile, Google
Via: 9to5 Mac
Source: App Store (US), Google Maps (Twitter), Google Maps Blog
It hasn’t been hard to get Exchange support on iOS devices, but there’s some for whom third-party apps and web clients just won’t do. Microsoft has them covered today — it just repackaged the Outlook Web App as a pair of native iOS releases. Both OWA for iPad and OWA for iPhone deliver email, calendar and contacts to Office 365 subscribers with access to Exchange Online. The developer is quick to note that this isn’t a recreation of the Windows Phone environment, and there are a few elements borrowed from Outlook’s web version. Still, we see a few reasons to give OWA a try: the native iOS software sends push notifications, takes voice commands, and supports both passcodes as well as remote wipes. Between the new apps and Office for iPhone, it’s clear that iOS users are now welcome in Microsoft’s world.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: App Store (1), (2)
Ready to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you’ve come to the right place. Our sister site gdgt tracks price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they’ve found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won’t last long.
Today’s hottest deals include a dirt-cheap, dorm-ready 24-inch Samsung HDTV and a low price on an ASUS Nexus 7. It’s also worth noting that the Kindle Fire HD, which we’ve featured before, has hit a new low at $159.99 at Best Buy, where it’s available for in-store purchase only. Want the latest deals delivered to your inbox? Join gdgt and add the gadgets you’re shopping for to your “Want” list. Every time there’s a price cut, you’ll get an email alert!
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
The recent announcement by Barnes & Noble that it would discontinue its Nook tablets marked the exit of what once promised to be a strong rival to Amazon, at least among bibliophiles. Barnes & Noble’s entry into the tablet market took place amidst an annual game of leapfrog with its internet-based rival. Surviving for three iterations, the color Nook devices were products that had a particular focus on media consumption — especially reading — and eschewed open access to apps.
Filed under: Tablets
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