JBL On Tour iBT Bluetooth speaker now available for $150, iPad stand included

Have a soft spot for wireless speakers? There were tons of options out there already, but JBL just threw one more into the ring with its On Tour iBT. As we’d expect form the audio gurus, the system boasts wireless audio internals that play nice with both A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth devices. In addition to four JBL Odyssey transducers, the kit packs a built-in microphone for Facetime or hands-free calls, an adjustable iPad stand and a USB connector for charging — when the Katy Perry tune blastin’ device is plugged in itself, of course. Interested? It can be yours now via the source link for $150, but if you’d care to take a closer look before committing, peep the gallery below.

JBL On Tour iBT Bluetooth speaker now available for $150, iPad stand included originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Griffin’s Multidock system charges and syncs up to 30 iPads at once

Don’t you hate it when all of your iPads collectively run out of juice? Well, praise Griffin for announcing its first business centric iOS “accessory” in the shape of the Multidock. It has its own power connection for simultaneous charging of ten iPads, but it can be chain-linked to two other docks for syncing of up to 30 tablets with a single Mac. With each server-esque tower measuring up at 18.6 inches (47.2 cm) tall and priced even higher at $700, this one’s for IT pros and Scrabble aficionados only.

Griffin’s Multidock system charges and syncs up to 30 iPads at once originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung offers Apple a deal to allow Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales in Australia

Could Apple and Samsung’s Australian patent battle be nearing an end? We’re not sure yet, but things are looking slightly rosier, now that Sammy has approached its rival with a proposed compromise. As the Wall Street Journal reports, Samsung offered Apple a deal today that would allow its Galaxy Tab 10.1 to hit the Australian market as early as next week. Justice Annabelle Bennett pointed out that the agreement wouldn’t allow Samsung to receive a final ruling on the dispute, but attorney David Catterns explained that it would at least allow the manufacturer to sell its slate ahead of this year’s holiday shopping rush. Less clear, however, is what Apple would stand to gain from any compromise. The company’s lawyer, Stephen Burley, acknowledged that “[Samsung’s] inconvenience would be diminished and we would be comforted” by an agreement, though the details behind Samsung’s offer remain unclear, and Burley declined to elaborate upon Apple’s stance after today’s hearing. As always, we’ll keep you up to date with the latest.

Samsung offers Apple a deal to allow Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales in Australia originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iLuv unveils WorkStation docks, turns your iPad 2 / Galaxy Tab into a PC, sort of

We’ve seen all shapes and sizes of iPad cases, with varying degrees of utility. But, if you have use for a desktop PC-style dock / keyboard combo, you may want to check out some of the new offerings in iLuv’s WorkStation Series. First up is the iMM737, featuring a wired keyboard with iOS function keys that can be stowed in the dock’s base when you’re not typing away, a tilting / rotating bracket for easy customization and built-in speakers. Next, the iMM517 boasts an adjustable slate holder of its own, a Bluetooth keypad and jAura Sound technology. Need something a wee bit more portable? Perhaps the iCK826 or the iSK912 Professional WorkStation Portfolio cases will suit your workflow. Both offer a wireless set of keys that are detachable, should the need arise. Only looking for a keyboard? That’s an option too with the iBTKB20. You can grab any one of these you’d like for $180 to $50, from top to bottom. You’ll have to wait until November to pick up the iMM737, though — everything else will be hitting stores this month. Check out the gallery below for a look at all the above mentioned add-ons, or peep the full PR after the break.

Continue reading iLuv unveils WorkStation docks, turns your iPad 2 / Galaxy Tab into a PC, sort of

iLuv unveils WorkStation docks, turns your iPad 2 / Galaxy Tab into a PC, sort of originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney Appmates ‘Cars’ toys mean parents may never see their iPads again (video)

If you’re a parent with an iPad, there’s a good chance your tablet already disappears for long stretches, only to come back covered in tiny fingerprints. Today’s Appmates announcement from Disney will likely have plenty of parents seriously considering the purchase of a second tablet for the home. The Cars toys are meant to be driven across the top of an iPad, interacting with a downloadable Cars 2 Appmates app, which lets kids drive around courses, race and complete missions. The app will be offered up as a free download through iTunes, and the cars will run $20 for a two-pack — the different toys unlock different features, according to Disney. The toys will be made available in October through Apple and Disney Stores and various retailers. Press info and a video after the break.

Continue reading Disney Appmates ‘Cars’ toys mean parents may never see their iPads again (video)

Disney Appmates ‘Cars’ toys mean parents may never see their iPads again (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lego Robot iPad Tester Saves You Valuable Finger Energy

This robot is designed to test the iPad 2’s camera app in place of human fingers. Image: Pheromone Labs

There’s no better way to handle a boring, repetitive task than to let a robot do it for you.

Except, of course, if it’s a Lego robot. How much cooler can you get than that? (Answer: Not much.)

That’s exactly what Pheromone Labs did when they were tasked with manually testing the iPad 2’s camera app 10,000-15,000 times. They used a Lego Mindstorms kit to build what essentially boils down to an automated poking machine.

It works using a capacitive touch iPad stylus as a giant finger, driven by a set of motors. The finger pokes the iPad’s on-screen photo capture button over and over in what amounts to an infinite loop (so to speak). The robot setup uses a cardboard box placed on a desk with an iPad 2 secured inside, almost like a little photographic robo-cinema.

It’s a win-win situation. Developers get to work on less mundane tasks, while an unemployed robot gets put to work.

Thank goodness Pheromone Labs didn’t decide to just hire a poor intern to do this job.

The Robot (English version) from Pheromone Lab on Vimeo.

TUAW via TechCrunch


Wisconsin library loans iPads for at home e-reading

If you thought hitting up the local library was far too Web 1.0 for your avant-garde lifestyle, you may want to check out the Eau Claire public library in Wisconsin — it’s not only lending books, but also, iPads. Each one of the 44 available tablets will be stuffed to the digital gills with 1,000 books, ten audiobooks and various apps for your reading (or, not reading) pleasure. Although other houses of learning have launched similar programs, this is the first of note to go with Apple slates for its e-reading experiment. If you’re the proud owner of a library card and have less than $10 in fines, you too can get in line for one of the loaners. We wonder, does the old saying “you break it, you buy it” apply here?

Wisconsin library loans iPads for at home e-reading originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TUAW, All Things D  |  sourceECU Public Library (PDF)  | Email this | Comments

IRL: WildBlue satellite internet, international charging, a flashing habit and failing to get work done on an iPad

Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we’re using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

It’s been a whirlwind two weeks of sitting inside concept cars, soaking up details about the PlayStation Vita and getting acquainted with Windows 8, and now that it’s all wound down, we’re getting back to the business of griping about gadgets we already own. This week, Darren dresses down the satellite service we used to hit posts in the wilderness, Tim takes a breather after a year of jet-setting, Joseph carries on his flashing streak and as for Joe, well, let’s just say his honeymoon with the iPad has come to a sudden, unproductive end.

Continue reading IRL: WildBlue satellite internet, international charging, a flashing habit and failing to get work done on an iPad

IRL: WildBlue satellite internet, international charging, a flashing habit and failing to get work done on an iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel’s Next-Gen Chips to Support Super High-Res Displays

Intel’s Ivy Bridge chips include the world’s first mass-produced 22-nanometer transistors. Image: Intel

If you dream of having brilliant, iPhone 4-like displays on your notebooks and tablets, you may see it become a reality sooner than you think.

Intel’s latest chips will provide support for an ultra-high resolution display, according to information seen in a slide presentation about the company’s upcoming “Ivy Bridge” processors during the company’s developer forum last week.

According to the slide, the Ivy Bridge chip will support super-high resolution displays of 4096 x 4096 pixels on a single monitor, as well as processing for 4K QuadHD video.

How pixel-packed is a 4096 x 4096 display? A 1080p screen is 1920 x 1080, so that’s over four times as large. 4K QuadHD — a technology largely ignored while the world has primarily focused on 3-D TVs — packs video into a resolution of 3840 × 2160, slightly below the 4K cinema standard.

First revealed in May, Intel’s Ivy Bridge chip features a unique 3-D transistor which uses a thin silicon ridge in place of the power-conducting strip normally used in 2-D transistors. The change makes the 3-D transistor 30 percent more efficient than planar transistors, with only a 2 to 3 percent price bump. The development is a big step for Intel in its rivalry with chips usingARM architecture, and could allow for portable notebooks to feature a screen similar to Apple’s Retina Display on a larger scale.

Slim, portable devices like the MacBook Air or Asus UX21 Ultrabook often use an integrated graphics chip in order to save on space. Notebooks and high end computers tend to use a separate, more powerful GPU for their processing needs (for example, the 2010 MacBook Pro featured an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GPU).

Intel’s Ivy Bridge technology will be in full production later this year, so we should start seeing it incorporated in products in 2012.

VR-Zone via Macrumors


Taito InvaderCade for iPad brings invasive price tag (video)

Sure, Taito is a veritable grandfather of the arcade world, but ¥15,800 ($209) for a nostalgic iPad Space Invaders box with one lonely einzelkind fire button? Atari also has some standing in this business and its worthy alternative costs just $60, while even the genre-founding iCade now seems a bargain at $100. Anyways, check out the video after the break to see an old Japanese bloke waiting patiently for his refund.

Continue reading Taito InvaderCade for iPad brings invasive price tag (video)

Taito InvaderCade for iPad brings invasive price tag (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TUAW, GameSetWatch, @jonnyram  |  sourceTaito  | Email this | Comments