Hasta La Gadget!

The age of lugging around a pricey DSLR kit just to capture casual fisheye, wide-angle and macro photos may be nearing its end — for some of us, at least. Designed by a startup duo in California, the Olloclip was the first project featured in our Insert Coin series, and we were thrilled to learn not only that it was successfully funded, but that the device is ready to ship to both early supporters and new customers just two months later. The accessory brings the functionality of all three lenses to the iPhone 4, and it does so well enough to warrant leaving your pro kit at home on occasion — assuming, of course, that your photographs aren’t responsible for putting food on the table.

While a bargain compared to its professional equivalents, $70 is a lot to spend on any iPhone accessory, so the lens’s price tag may not sit well with some users. Also, design limitations mean you won’t be able to use the lens with other devices, and there’s no way to guarantee compatibility with future iPhones as well. Nonetheless, we had a blast shooting with the Olloclip, and we think you will too. Head past the break to find out why.

Continue reading Olloclip three-in-one lens for iPhone 4 review

Olloclip three-in-one lens for iPhone 4 review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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And with that, yet another punch is thrown. The slugfest that is Apple vs. Samsung is getting uglier by the minute, as each one pushes the other’s buttons in a presumed effort to get paid (or get the other to back down). Just as Apple was being told “no” in a request for a preliminary injunction, it’s hoping for a more satisfactory outcome from its most recent filing. That one’s headed to the US International Trade Commission in Washington, where Apple’s trying to block the import of the Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab, amongst other Samsung products. The ITC only stated “Electronic Digital Media Devices,” but FOSS Patents has found five utility patents and a pair of design patents — those encompass a grand total of six Sammy smartphones and a duo of slates. Analysts are stating that an outright ban on Samsung imports is unlikely (no shock there), and the most likely outcome here is a “settlement and cross-licensing deal.” Mo’ money, mo’ problems, right?

Apple files ITC request to block import of select Samsung devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s knack for filing patent applications has struck again, offering a pair of digital pens that could become a competitive one-up for HTC’s Scribe pen. Both filed apps revealed by the USPTO involve styli for iOS displays, but if you’re imagining a magical item that helps (or hinders) your typing, this is another ball of wax. The first stylus is appropriately called “stylus for touch sensitive devices” and includes a rechargeable battery that could be stored and charged by placing it in a dock embedded directly in the device. Curiously, the stylus is heated for “more consistent interaction between the capacitive-sensors in the computing device and the stylus,” which sounds mighty nice on a cold day. By allowing the user to easily write real notes and draw pictures, this patent turns out to be much more than just a different method of inputting text.

Next up is the “communicating stylus,” a digital pen equipped with accelerometers and wireless transmitters that send position data. This would enable it to be used for an iOS device without any physical contact or other accessories. In theory, you could take the stylus (shown after the break) across the room and still jot down notes or doodle on your iPad, even if it’s out of sight. Finally, “the greatest pointing device in the world” — our fingers — will get a chance to rest.

Continue reading Apple patent apps describe ‘smart’ pens for notetaking and long-distance doodling

Apple patent apps describe ‘smart’ pens for notetaking and long-distance doodling originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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And with that, the tradition continues. Every year or so, it seems that an iPhone prototype of some description manages to find its way onto eBay, and just over a year after the first iPhone 4 prototype made its way into public view, the precious item you see above is now available on a public auction site. To our knowledge, this is the first iPhone 4 prototype to be offered for sale on eBay — at least from someone who actually appears to be legitimate and in possession of the device he / she claims to own — boasting an etched ‘DF1692’ label in the lower right, omitted volume button markers and a mysterious ‘XXGB’ label around back. Unfortunately, we’re told that it can’t be activated through iTunes, and popping in an AT&T SIM did the seller little good. ‘Course, at $810 and rising, we highly doubt such trivial matters will deter collectors from ponying up. Hit the source link to get your bid in — you know, before Apple’s henchmen convince Mr. Donahoe to pull the plug.

Update: As of 12:58am ET on July 4, 2011, this phone now sits at $70,100. Let freedom ring.

Update 2: As of 1:11am ET on July 4, 2011, this phone now sits at over $100,000. We highly doubt the buyer’s coming through on this one.

Update 3: As of 8:44am ET on July 4, 2011, this phone now sits at just over $2,000. The seller has apparently cancelled numerous false bids.

iPhone 4 prototype surfaces on eBay: A+++ condition, would buy again originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 18:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You probably wouldn’t pay $6 for an iPhone app that lets you browse through car models and pump stereo exhaust sounds directly to your drums. But a $6 Aston Martin Experience app that also displays speed and Gs as you film your drive from behind the wheel of a 2011 Rapide? We might be in love. The British automaker’s latest app can do all of the above, and also includes a list of “top roads” — most of which are in Europe. Our friends at Autoblog paired the app with a loaner Rapide (and we thought playing with cell phones was cool), driving up California’s Aston-approved Pacific Coast Highway. The reviewers may have spent more time focusing on the car than the app, but when you’re driving a $200,000, 477 horsepower aluminum beast for the first time, the iPhone easily becomes an afterthought. Aston claims that the Experience can be had with any other car, but if you’re looking to get the experience, be prepared to spend a little more than six bucks.

Aston Martin Experience could be the ultimate iPhone accessory, but you’re gonna want the car originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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