Hasta La Gadget!

Are you one of those old-school types who still watches TV programs on an actual television? Then you probably also own one or fifteen of those cordless channel changer contraptions — you know, the kind that use AA batteries and magic beams of light to command station and volume adjustments. Well, set down the remote, lean back in that oversized plastic-covered velvet sofa, and get ready to toss out your last pair of alkalines. Zero1’s new VooMote Zapper remote module has been making the rounds at IFA, letting you use any iOS device as a universal remote. Sure, the concept itself isn’t new — there have been other iOS-integrated remotes — but the Zapper is small, relatively inexpensive, and interfaces quite nicely with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Your programmed selections are stored on the Zapper itself, so you can easily use it with multiple iOS devices.

The $70 device can be matched with identically colored cases ($20 and up), and also includes rather comprehensive TV Guide functionality, enabling you to see local programming, watch previews of unfamiliar content, and send an infrared signal to your TV to launch a program — during its scheduled airing time, of course. We took a look at the app / itsy bitsy hardware combo, and it seemed to work well, with an easy setup process (codes for nearly every device come preloaded) and fast response time. VooMote reps said the device has a range of 25 feet, which is more than plenty for our tiny apartment configs, but may not suffice in some stadium-style media rooms. At the end of the day, it’s really just a (very) elegant touchscreen universal remote solution, so we’ll leave it at that. Jump past the break to see the Zapper in action.

Continue reading Zero1 VooMote Zapper remote control for iOS hands-on (video)

Zero1 VooMote Zapper remote control for iOS hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 13:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Have you been navigating that cross-country trip via the recently updated TomTom iPhone app while carrying along an iPad on the excursion as well? Soon, you’ll be able to find your way by slate alone, as the company has announced an iPad-optimized version of their GPS app. To make things even better, if you already have the download, you can grab it for your Apple tab for free this Fall. Well played, TomTom… well played.

Continue reading TomTom iOS app update invites iPads to the party, provides directions

TomTom iOS app update invites iPads to the party, provides directions originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re secretly wearing Spandex bicycle shorts underneath your suit for on-the-fly workouts between conference calls, then perhaps Jabra’s new Sport bluetooth headset is for you. Of course it allows you to answer calls, but what’s cooler is the built-in FM radio and A2DP technology for wirelessly connecting to your MP3 player — claiming to be the first headset to handle both. The company also threw in a free download of the Endomondo Sports Tracker for iPhone, Android or BlackBerry — which is kind of like the Nike+ app, tracking runs and giving speed and distance updates. This $99 device will be sold by Sprint, Apple and T-Mobile, and available sometime in September along with a corded version, aptly named the Jabra Sport-Corded, for $69. Get ready to tear away those wool trousers and check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Jabra Sport bluetooth headset lets you work the Thigh Master during concalls

Jabra Sport bluetooth headset lets you work the Thigh Master during concalls originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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My, how time flies. Can it really be 30 years since the original Frogger was released into arcades in 1981? To celebrate the anniversary, Konami has unleashed a new version of the game into the App Store known as Frogger Decades. Along with the familiar highway scenes, you’ll be treated to new environments such as swamps and islands, along with opportunities to solve puzzles along the way. A classic D-pad controller is built-in for those seeking a slice of nostalgia, but you’re also free to hop about using touch input on the screen. The game retails for $2 with versions for the iPhone and iPad, and it supports competitive play via the Open Feint network. We know what we’ll be doing tonight. Care to join us?

Frogger Decades leaps into App Store, still going strong after 30 years of being hit by trucks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Movie tickets are expensive. With prices as high as they are, it almost feels like a luxury to go see a film. A new service, MoviePass, has sought and still seeks to avert the high prices by bringing a subscription service to the big screen. After massive opposition from theaters, MoviePass has a second life […]