Gmail for iOS adds option to save photos, becomes a smoother operator

Gmail for iOSGoogle’s Gmail app for iOS has been docked by some potential adopters for feeling like a poor cousin to other native apps. It may be worth revisiting: the 1.3 update has just arrived with a much-requested ability to save common image attachments to an iOS device’s photo collection. Should that not be enough, Google has smoothed out animations and scrolling for iPhone and iPod touch owners. The new version has pushed live for everyone, leaving just a quick download between us and saving our parents’ vacation photos for posterity.

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Gmail for iOS adds option to save photos, becomes a smoother operator originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FreedomPop’s $99 WiMax iPod touch case promises an iPhone without the bills (video)

Freedompop

FreedomPop’s free-“4G”-for-all plans are clearer now that it’s started taking pre-orders on its $99 iPod touch sleeve. The free data allocation has been halved to 500MB, with each additional gigabyte costing $10, with the company offering bulk discounts to heavy users. Marketing VP Tony Miller also told TechCrunch that the iPod sleeve wasn’t a high priority until public clamor forced a shift in its plans, but said that an Android-compliant version of its gear was “on the roadmap.” There’s video after the jump.

Continue reading FreedomPop’s $99 WiMax iPod touch case promises an iPhone without the bills (video)

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FreedomPop’s $99 WiMax iPod touch case promises an iPhone without the bills (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FreedomPop gives iPod touch 4G with free data sleeve

4G iPhone sleeve company FreedomPop has returned with a new model, this time turning the iPod touch into a pseudo-iPhone complete with free mobile broadband access every month. The new Freedom Sleeve for iPod touch, up for pre-order now, clips onto the back of the media player like a speedy data barnacle and gives it a WiFi connection to play with, allowing for streaming music services like Spotify, FaceTime video calls on the move, and voice calls over VoIP services like Skype.

Usually, that would demand a WiFi hotspot of some sort, but the Freedom Sleeve basically creates that itself. Streaming video and music are supported, along with internet access and just about anything else that you could hope to use data for, and in fact you can also share it with other WiFi-enabled gadgets such as tablets and notebooks with hotspot access for up to eight.

As for the “free” part, that’s based on a combination of things. FreedomPop says all buyers will get 500MB of free data each month, on top of which they can earn up to 500MB more by adding friends to the service. If 1GB free isn’t enough, $10 gets you a further gigabyte, and there’s no contract to sign or minimum commitment.

FreedomPop uses Clearwire’s WiMAX network, with coverage in forty markets for around 130m people in total. However, the company is also readying an LTE service, though hasn’t said exactly when it will launch (or, indeed, if the current hardware will support it).

The Freedom Sleeve for iPod touch is up for pre-order now, and is priced at $99. It’s expected to begin shipping in two months.


FreedomPop gives iPod touch 4G with free data sleeve is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Even more Apple prototypes surface

Yesterday brought news of some Apple iPad prototypes kept secret until they were revealed in court documents, and now we’ve got even more pictures of freshly-revealed prototypes to show you, this time of the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Take a look at this first one below, which could be another version of the iPhone 3GS. We don’t really know which generation this iPhone was planned for, but the inclusion of a home button and the lack of a front-facing camera makes us think that this one came along a little later in the iPhone’s life.


Oh, it also has straight edges, which gives it more of a mechanical look. It’s a little bit strange when you’re used to the rounded corners that grace current iPhone models, but once you get used to them, they start to grow on you. This next one, which comes with an N90 designation, appears to be an early concept for the iPhone 4. We’re thinking that most will be happy Apple went with its current design for the iPhone 4, but this one does appear to have some notable qualities – such as the fact that it appears to be smaller than the iPhone 4 we know and love.

These last few all appear to be relatively old (some of them more so than others), as a couple of them lack any kind of face button entirely. The model you see pictured below is one such example, which actual corners and no home button to speak of. It’s just you and that touchscreen, baby!

This one seems to be a pretty old prototype of the iPod Touch. Unlike the model pictured above, this prototype does have a home button, but it’s been labeled “menu” instead. It also looks quite a bit smaller than the i-devices we’re accustomed to seeing, which leads us to believe that it could have been a planned version of the iPod mini, only this time with a touchscreen.

Finally, we arrive at the beast you see pictured below. This model is quite thick, so it has to be pretty old. The front is all touchscreen too, so perhaps this is one of Apple’s earliest touch-based models? We don’t know. We do know that it looks pretty bland, though.

And that’s that. It’s been a pretty exciting couple of days for the Apple fanatic, and even if you don’t count yourself among Apple’s biggest fans, it’s cool to look back and see which ideas Apple has played around with in the past. Check out the full-size images in all of their glory in our gallery below!

big boy prototype
buttonless i-prototype
iPhone 4 possible prototype
iPhone prototype octagon
iPod mini touchscreen prototype

[via BuzzFeed]


Even more Apple prototypes surface is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Apple “really excited” to be at Black Hat

We’ve already had a few stories about the 15th annual Black Hat conference in Las Vegas, but now it’s time to tell you about Apple‘s role in the meeting. Apple’s head of software platform security Dallas De Atley was on hand at the conference today to give a speech about mobile security, telling the audience that security has always been an important part of the iOS platform. This speech comes as people become more and more concerned about mobile security and what OS manufacturers are doing to stop the threat of hackers, who are targeting mobile devices more frequently these days.


“We are really excited to be here,” De Atley said. “When we were developing the iPhone we realized there were aspects that make it different from computers. Security is architecture; you have to build it in from the very beginning. It is not something you can sprinkle over your code when it is done.”

De Atley spent most of his presentation talking about what Apple does to make sure iPhones and iPads are secure, covering things like encryption and software keys. Sadly, AFP reports that he didn’t answer any questions from the audience after his presentation was done, instead quickly leaving the conference after he wrapped up. Perhaps Apple wasn’t quite as excited to be there as De Atley wanted us to think?

Security and cyber-attacks have been a hot topic during the Black Hat conference. Yesterday we told you about former FBI agent Shawn Henry, who took the stage at Black Hat to urge the hackers in the audience to help the US government thwart incoming attacks from cyber-terrorists. This was Apple’s first time attending Black Hat, so even though De Atley exited the stage quickly when his presentation was through, it’s at least nice for the company to have had some kind of presence there.


Apple “really excited” to be at Black Hat is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Hasbro Lazer Tag hands-on (video)

Hasbro Lazer Tag handson video

The NERF has been dropped, but Hasbro’s Lazer Tag system is still the same awesome toy we got a taste of in February. The difference is, now they’re retail ready. Individual blasters, complete with iDevice dock, will hit shelves in just over a week, while packages of two are scheduled for October 1st. The companion iOS app is already available through iTunes, but a rep from Hasbro still describes it as being in beta form (an update is on its way that will remove that tag and simplify the initial set-up). The same rep was also nice enough to swing by the Engadget compound and deliver us a pile of blasters to test ourselves, which we immediately took out for a test run in Washington Square Park. Head on past the break for some impressions and a taste of our “Lazer” battle royale.

Continue reading Hasbro Lazer Tag hands-on (video)

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Hasbro Lazer Tag hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TinkerBrick Case Combines iPods with LEGO

As you know, we love LEGO bricks around here. There’s something just so amazing about the billions of different creative things you can do with these little modular components. Now, you can combine your LEGO enthusiasm with your iPod Touch with a single gadget – the TinkerBrick case.

tinkerbrick iphone case

The TinkerBrick is a special LEGO-compatible iPod Touch case, which allows you to integrate your iOS device into your LEGO creations. This isn’t like some of the other LEGO cases I’ve seen which just let you snap a couple of bricks on your phone. This case is specifically made so you can use your iOS gadget as a component of your LEGO builds. For instance, let’s say you want to make a strummable LEGO guitar, where the iPod Touch acts as the frets. Perfect. Simply build your LEGO guitar, snap your iPod Touch into the TinkerBrick, and then attach it to the fretboard. Voila!

tinkerbrick guitar

The sky is really the limit. With the TinkerBrick case, you can use your iPod Touch as a screen and input device within LEGO builds, so you can create interactive creatures and gadgets with LEGO accessories.

tinkerbrick colors

The TinkerBrick case is available in red, black, white and yellow versions, but at this point, the TinkerBrick case is available only for the iPod Touch (4th Gen.) I’m hopeful that they’ll release the case for other devices like the iPhone and iPad, as I could see plenty of possibilities for integrating those devices into LEGO builds as well. You can get your hands on a TinkerBrick case over on Amazon now for $32.95(USD).


Apple to present at Black Hat conference for first time, talk about iOS’ padlocks

iPhone 4 rooted with Cydia

Apple is taking a different, more cautious tack when it comes to security these days. That doesn’t make it any less surprising that the company is planning to give a presentation at the Black Hat conference: the company will have someone on stage for the first time and won’t just socialize in the corridors. When he takes to the podium on July 26th, platform security manager Dallas De Atley will go into detail regarding iOS’ security measures in front of an audience used to finding a way around them. The company hasn’t said whether that involves current or future technology; we suspect that Apple may be eager to show what iOS 6 brings to the table, however. If it all goes down like Black Hat general manager Trey Ford says it will, Apple may both open up a bit on security and set more of the agenda this week — instead of letting conference goers set it themselves.

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Apple to present at Black Hat conference for first time, talk about iOS’ padlocks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple reportedly working on new iPod touch and iPod nano designs

Rumors and reports may be flying thick and fast regarding the next iPhone, but the iPod touch and iPod nano could also sees updates this September. Just like the next iPhone, the next iPod touch will reportedly feature a 4-inch screen with new in-cell technology. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the next iPhone would feature in-cell touchscreens, allowing for a thinner device that may also cut costs in the supply chain.

[Image credit: Macotakara]

Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at KGI Securities, says that the iPod touch will see a speed bump, gaining the dual-core A5 processor currently found in the iPhone 4S. Not only that, but a redesign has been tipped, with the iPod touch receiving a new aluminium back reminiscent of the MacBook Pros that will help prevent scratches. Strangely, there will be an additional hole in the case that will be found towards the bottom of the back of the device, although it’s not known what function it will service.

The iPod nano, meanwhile, will also apparently receive a new design. Apple is said to be ditching the current square design in favor of the old rectangle chassis. Kuo believes that the new iPod nano will feature a larger multitouch screen, plus a home button at the bottom of the device, reminiscent of the iPhone. Supplies of the new iPod touch will be constrained, Kuo says, thanks to the use of the new in-cell technology that will be reportedly be used in the next iPhone as well.

[via International Business Times]


Apple reportedly working on new iPod touch and iPod nano designs is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Next-gen iPod touch rumored to feature 4″ display and A5 processor

Earlier today we reported that thanks to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, he reported that come September, there is a good chance that Apple could be launching an all new iPod touch and iPod nano, but what does he mean by that? Well according to the folks at Macotakara, the new iPod touch will feature a similar design to that of the next-gen iPhone, which according to rumors will not only be slimmer, but sport a 4” in-cell display as well. It is also expected to sport a rear-shell similar to the iPad, giving it a buffed finish look as opposed to a shiny finish which is how the current models look like. It is also expected to be powered by the iPhone 4S’ A5 processor. The report is also claiming that there is a hole at the bottom back of the device, although they were unsure as to what its function was. It’s a bit hard to picture what the device could look like based on the information above, so we guess we will have to wait and see if the rumors pan out. So, anyone looking forward to a redesigned iPod touch?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple reportedly planning new iPod touch and nanos for September, Windows 8 user interface ported to iOS via DreamBoard,