Hasta La Gadget!

Personal thermometers rock. If you visit my parent’s house my dad will happily tell you from the device on his table that the temperature outside is 44.2 degrees. Much more accurate than ‘low 40s’ that the TV people say. I am sure most of us consult our weather app on our phone regularly. And I am fairly sure that many of those times the temperature is not accurate. Phone makers certainly are not going back to the drawing board to add built-in temperature gauges, adding more bulk and cost to add a feature that frankly is not real techie. Yet plenty of occasions – and fanatical people – exist where accurate temperatures are a must.

Robocat, a Danish software studio, previously did a successful ‘outside temperature” app called Thermo. Based on a negative reviewer’s frustration of not being able to get the temp where they were in their house they came up with an idea for Thermodo. This little device easily plugs in to an iOS or Android device and the built in electronic thermometer measures the temperature on the spot. Using Thermo or the upcoming, specially designed Thermodo app your phone will quickly display the temp. When not in use, house the little Thermodo sensor in a secure yet small case which comes on a key ring so you won’t misplace it. Maybe those smartphone makers should reconsider their phone features as interest is high in this device. They quickly vaulted past their fundraising goal on Kickstarter with over 3 weeks to go. You can still get in on an early shipment of Thermodo for just $25 with higher priced options (and more goodies) available too. Why depend on the weather service, which is miles away, to know the temp? Let Thermodo be your guide.
[ Know the Temp Where You Are copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

A patent application has just revealed that Google is going to be implementing rear-touch controls for its future Android smartphones. The patent is similar to a patent filed by Apple in 2006, which it planned on using to implement the rear-touch feature in its future iPads. However, it’s been 7 years since Apple was granted the patent, and yet there are still no iPads with rear-touch controls. Perhaps Apple will begin production on that project now that Google is gunning for it too.

The rear-touch controls will allow users to navigate through various content. They will be able to flip through pages in a magazine or an e-book, navigate through their music selection by skipping or replaying their songs, scroll around through web pages, and more. There are a ton of possibilities that can come with rear-touch controls, and most will be utilized in order to create a much more pleasant one-handed user experience.

While Google has just received its patent, and Apple had the patent since 2006, they’re still way behind Sony. Sony was the first to implement rear-touch controls in its PlayStation Vita device. The device utilizes the rear-touch feature in many games. The touch-pad is used in many games to perform tasks like lobbing grenades, performing silent kills, controlling the camera, selecting multiple targets, navigating through maps, and more.

Google will not be limiting rear-touch controls on just Android smartphones however. It says that it may bring it to its Android tablets and Chromebook as well. Hopefully Google follows through with implementing its rear-touch controls, unlike Apple. We could see the use of rear-touch controls be used in so many ways other than just flipping a page. Developers would probably have a field day with the feature, integrating it within their apps and their games for a much better user experience.

[via Patent Bolt]

Google patents rear-touch controls 6 years after Apple is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The recent law that went into effect in January that states that it is illegal to unlock your phone without the carrier’s permission has definitely ruffled a lot of feathers, and while most carriers are weary of unlocking their own devices, it seems AT&T doesn’t want any part of the negativity that came with the new law, thus the company has clarified that it’s willing to unlock devices if they have the proper information to do so.

AT&T has issued a statement on their Public Policy Blog stating that their policy is to unlock customers’ devices if the customers have met the terms of their service agreements and we have the unlock code.” If AT&T can get the unlock code from the manufacturer, then they are more than willing to unlock a device if the customer “has been active for at least sixty days.”

Customers must also be in good standing with their contract, meaning no unpaid balances, and those who have “fulfilled his or her service agreement commitment.” If all of these conditions are met, AT&T says that they can unlock up to five devices per account per year, which is usually more than enough for most users.

But of course, the kicker here is that your two-year contract (or whatever contract you’re one) has to go through its cycle before you can be less loose with an unlocked phone of course. Either way, it’s nice to see AT&T take some initiative and make an effort to get customers on their good side, rather than to lock down their customers.

[via Android Community]

AT&T willing to unlock devices for customers is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Ever since Apple rolled out the first generation iPhone back in 2007, the world has more or less had to get used to typing on a virtual keyboard where their smartphones are concerned. Not only that, we have also seen the decline of the QWERTY keyboard on such devices that come in a slide-out design, or are part of the physical make up right from the get go. Thing is, typing on a virtual keyboard is not the easiest thing to do especially when you are busy working out of the office and need to get that 20-page report out as soon as possible. Sure, there are other accessories out there that can help you apart from software such as Swype on the Android platform to make life a whole lot easier, and here is another option that you might just want to consider – the NUU MiniKey for iPhone 5.

NUU is one of the more notable mobile accessories manufacturers who want to improve the functionality of mobile devices through their collection of innovative products, and has just unveiled the MiniKey for iPhone 5 recently. The NUU MiniKey for iPhone 5 is actually a slide-out Bluetooth keyboard case which is said to be able to enhance productivity for iPhone power users.

Just in case you were wondering how come the MiniKey for iPhone 5 looks so familiar, that is because this is based on the acclaimed iPhone 4 model, and along the way, it has also adopted similar features including the backlit keyboard which comes in handy when you are working in low light conditions, a full 42-key keypad, a slightly raised frame to ensure that the iPhone 5 screen remains protected from scratches, while special function keys allow one to quickly and easily edit text.

Not only that, it sports a thinner and lighter frame, an on/off switch, ergonomic buttons, quick-charge ability and improved Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity. If you are interested, the NUU MiniKey for iPhone 5 will be available for $59 a pop.

Press Release
[ NUU MiniKey for iPhone 5 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Ever notice that SIM cards keep getting smaller and smaller? You know that they will eventually end up about the size of a pinhead or something ridiculous. The small SIM card does not prove a problem for most of us since it pretty much just lives in the phone. But there are a batch of international travelers out there who do see their card on a regular basis. Whether going from the US to Uzbekistan, Malaysia to Malta, Australia to Argentina or anything in between those of you that travel know the importance of 1) getting a SIM where you are going and 2) keeping track of your SIMs.

Currently receiving backing on Kickstarter is a perfect solution for the iPhone 5-owning world traveler to conquer the SIM card challenge. SIMPLcase™ provides a sleek, protective case with SIM card storage and more. Made of an engineering grade polymer, the case provides low profile but durable protection. When you take off the case however, you notice storage for 3 SIM cards and a SIM card eject tool. How logical is that? No more need to use a paperclip, earing, staple or other random objects to eject the SIM. Now when you travel from India to Italy your SIM awaits in your case. And one other great feature of the SIMPlcase? Get your wallet out when you need to Skype or want to watch a movie. The back contains a credit card sized slot so you use your card to prop up your iPhone. Get in on their Kickstarter campaign now for as little as $12, which will get you a case (estimated in June). And with 23 days to go and over 50% funding it appears that is a reality. Holding on to your iPhone 4/4S? Visit their website to put in a request for one of those cases. And never let yourself get caught off guard when traveling abroad.
[ A Case for a World Traveler copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]