Hasta La Gadget!

Exceedingly popular iPhone photo app Instagram is celebrating its big (version) 2.0 with the addition of a number of new features. At the top of the list is Live Filters, which let you view images through effects in real-time, before taking a photo. Filters have been sped up post-picture taking as well, as has the tilt-shift function. The revamped app also introduces the Amaro, Rise, Hudson and Valencia filters and high-res photos at up to 1936 x 1936 on the iPhone 4. The app is getting a new icon and a few smaller tweaks like the ability to turn off borders. That long-awaited Android app is still conspicuously absent, however.

Instagram goes 2.0, gets even more filter-happy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been just over a week since Mophie quietly intro’d updated Juice Packs at IFA, and now — as we’ve reacquainted with our offices — the company’s given us a sneak peek at its Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition. Aside from a special olive drab and orange colorway, the charging case itself is your standard $100 iPhone 4 Juice Pack Plus. So what’s the big deal, you ask? This Pack’s bundled with Mophie’s Outdoor Navigation app (a collaboration with NeoTrecks) positioning itself as an alternative to pricier handheld GPS units. Purchased separately, said app’s slated to sell for $30 along with optional desktop access priced at $20 annually, while you’ll get the software and that first year included out of box with the OE.

The app works using your iPhone’s GPS to provide highly detailed maps and a robust suite of options to get you where you’re going, even if you’re offline for most of the US — sorry, Alaska. We checked out an early build of the software showcasing its three modes for tracking, downloading new maps, and a library you can check back on. The maps feature hand-shaded topography for extra clarity and a unique “grid-mode” for downloading new sections, although it appears you’ll be stuck there while you wait for it to finish. The software also pulls up points of interests and you’ll be able to track your trips, allowing you to then view your statistics or even share the details over the web. Mophie’s expecting to have these available sometime in October with full details forthcoming, but in the meantime, there’s a brief demo on how it’ll help you navigate your local trail past the break.

Continue reading Mophie intros Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition for adventure loving iPhone owners (video)

Mophie intros Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition for adventure loving iPhone owners (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shopping for a new smartphone is an exciting and arduous experience. It holds the promise of something better and the fear of a two-year commitment. For gadget enthusiasts, it also involves pouring over specs and reviews, and fretting over what’s coming out in the near-term. As we publish this buyer’s guide, we face potential upheavals in the mobile space. Samsung’s Galaxy S II lineup will arrive at three major US carriers, the next iPhone perpetually looms in the distance, and a new generation of Windows Phone handsets is close upon us. You might ask, “Why would anyone buy a smartphone today, when something better is coming tomorrow?” Friends, that’s the blessing and curse of the mobile world — there’s always something better coming. You can’t wait forever, though, and if you want to purchase a smartphone today, we’re here to make the process easier and help you make an informed decision.

While our choices are sometimes contentious, they’re backed with experience that you can rely upon. If you’re looking to make a quick decision without much effort, you can rest assured that our selections won’t steer you wrong. Still, we encourage you to educate yourself before you decide on a smartphone that best fits your needs. Our Primed series is an excellent place to start, where you can learn about dual-core processors and mobile displays. As always, you’re encouraged to share your own experience in the comments, and we hope you have fun listing your own favorites, too. Just remember that we have an $80 ceiling for our budget selections. Compared to our previous buyer’s guide, Samsung has begun to lose ground, and while Android maintains dominance, it’s found some unexpected competition. Curious to see how it played out? Read on, as we round up the best smartphones of the day.

Continue reading Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: fall 2011 edition

Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: fall 2011 edition originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If we’re going to spend $599 on a phone for our phone, it needs to offer unparalleled audio quality, absolutely seamless device integration, and a drop-dead gorgeous design. Invoxia, a new entrant to the world of VoIP telephony, claims to have created just that, with its NVX 610. The desktop unit uses an iPhone (or iPod touch or iPad) app as its control interface — the hardware itself includes only touch-sensitive volume, mute, speakerphone, and voicemail keys. With the exception of accessing your iOS device’s address book, however, all of the phone’s hardware is self-contained. Calls are processed using the built-in ARM Cortex-A8 processor, and can be made via Skype or any third-party SIP. You can also take incoming iPhone calls using the handset or speakerphone, but all outgoing calls are processed using VoIP, not your iPhone’s mobile network. We took a peek at the NVX 610 at IFA, and definitely liked what we saw. Jump past the break for our initial impressions, and a (somewhat noisy) intro video from Invoxia CEO Serge Renouard.

Continue reading Invoxia NVX 610 desktop VoIP phone for iPhone and iPad hands-on (video)

Invoxia NVX 610 desktop VoIP phone for iPhone and iPad hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enrolled in the iOS developer program and interested in iTunes Match? Better point that browser towards Apple’s dev portal, as Cupertino’s just flipped the switch for its upcoming music laundering service. There you’ll find iTunes 10.5 beta 6.1 with iTunes Match which’ll let you sign up for a yearly $24.99 fee. Hopping on the bandwagon early has extra rewards too — early birds get three months (on top of their yearly sub) for free. A tipster also provided us with a screencap (after the break) of his iPod touch running the current iOS beta, which now magically has a toggle for the service under the Music section of the Settings app. Taking the plunge? Let us know how you fare in the comments.

[Thanks, Matt]

Continue reading iTunes Match goes live for iOS developers

iTunes Match goes live for iOS developers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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