Mar 11

Instapaper 3 Adds Sharing, Curated Articles and Plain Old Speed

Posted in: ipad, iPhone, Software and Operating Systems, Today's Chili

Instapaper 3 makes a good app better

Instapaper, one of the best apps on any mobile device, has just been updated to v3.0 in time for you to enjoy on your new iPad 2. There are some big new features, but if you want to go right along and continue reading articles you saved earlier, then you can carry on as if nothing had changed.

And if you never used Instapaper, here’s a refresher: You click a bookmarklet whenever you see a web article you’d like to read later. Fire up Instapaper — later — and you’ll find all the articles saved and beautifully formatted for easy reading.

The biggest new feature is social integration (no, don’t groan — developer Marco Arment has got this just right). The button to “star” favorite articles has been replaced by a “Like” button, and your friends can browse and read these articles.

Friends come from the usual places — Facebook, Twitter, your contacts list, Tumblr (Arment was a founder and the developer of Tumblr), and also Pinboard and Evernote. Once you have added friends you can click to browse a list of their liked articles. It actually works really well, and is a lot better than the previous system, where you had to subscribe to another Instapaper user’s email address. In fact, so hidden was this feature that you likely didn’t even know it existed.

Next up are editor’s picks. This section gathers various long-form journalism aggregators: Give Me Something to Read, Longreads, The Browser and Longform.org. Tap one of these and you are taken to the relevant website (using the new, redesigned built-in browser) from where you can pick what you want to read, whether now or later.

There are lots of other less noticeable updates, too. Better image quality for stored pictures, full search of downloaded articles (great for research) and what Marco calls a “smart rotation lock,” which pops up a button to switch on rotation-lock if it thinks you have tipped your iDevice too far by accident. This is fantastic for people who prefer to use the iPad’s toggl-switch for muting, not rotation lock, and is one of those tiny, smart touches with which Marco peppers his software.

It’s a solid upgrade, and free. And if you don’t use Instapaper already, shame on you — it only costs $5.

Instapaper 3.0 is here! [Instapaper Blog]

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Mar 10

Apple doubles down on in-app purchasing security in iOS 4.3, password now required

Posted in: Apple, ios, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, os, security, Today's Chili

As you might recall, a certain game was racking up credit card bills because of its in-app purchases — something which probably resulted in some angry parents (or as the folks in Finland say, “birds”). In Apple’s latest iOS update, a feature has been implemented that requires the user to input their password whenever an in-app purchase is made. Will this new security measure actually prevent those children from purchasing hundreds worth of virtual fruit? A big boon for grown-ups, a big downer for those who no longer have an excuse to explain their Smurfberry obsession.

Apple doubles down on in-app purchasing security in iOS 4.3, password now required originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 01:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceGigaom  | Email this | Comments

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Mar 10

GarageBand and iMovie come to iPad, iPhone gets iMovie refresh

Posted in: app, Apple, apps, AppStore, ipad, Ipad2, iPhone, Mac, Movies, Music, Today's Chili, video

If you occupy the planet Earth, you’re probably aware that last week saw the unveiling of the iPad2. During said reveal, Steve Jobs made a couple of other, perhaps not as monumental, but no doubt notable announcements: specifically that the new slate will offer iMovie and GarageBand. Well, it looks like they’ve decided to let the cats, or apps, as it were, out of the bag a day early. That’s right, Mac movie makers and rock star hopefuls can download them now for $5 a pop — and, this just in, it looks like iMovie for iPhone’s getting a simultaneous upgrade. If you’ve already started rockin’ or docin’, let us know what you think in the comments.

GarageBand and iMovie come to iPad, iPhone gets iMovie refresh originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Loop  |  sourceiMovie, GarageBand  | Email this | Comments

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Mar 10

Case Adds Lens-Shaped Bulge to iPhone 4

Posted in: Accessories and Peripherals, iPhone, Today's Chili

The UN01 case adds a raised circle to your iPhone 4

This is the UN01 case for the iPhone 4, and it’s only function (apart from protection) is to make the phone look like a camera by adding an annoying lens-shaped bulge in the middle.

Actually, that’s not quite true. You can also thread a lanyard, neck strap (included) or or wrist strap through a couple of those fiddly corner holes you find on cheap phones and MP3 players.

The UN01 comes in three parts. The two-part plastic shell slides onto the iPhone from each side, adding 2.5mm (1/10th inch) to each side, increasing the iPhone’s thickness by half again. To keep these two haves in place, a circular locking ring snaps into place and forms the pocket-unfriendly bulge.

And that’s it. Gaps are left for all the controls, and of course the camera and flash, but while you can pretend that you have a proper camera in your hands, you’ll still need to touch the screen to take a snap.

The UN01 is a Kickstarter project, so you can’t get one right away. If you want to pledge, though, the minimum buy-in is $30.

UN01 – iPhone4 Photography Kit [Kickstarter via iPhoneography]

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Mar 10

Lifelapse app promises to turn your iPhone into a life-logger

Posted in: app, ios, iPhone, IphoneApp, Today's Chili
We’ve seen a few dedicated “life-logging” devices that let you record your every waking moment, but why spend a couple of hundred bucks on something when you’re already carrying around a perfectly capable smartphone? That’s the thinking of the folks behind the Lifelapse iPhone app which, like the Vicon Revue we’ve tested, promises to simply record a time-lapse video of your entire day — they’ve even developed a “LifePouch” so you can conveniently wear your iPhone around your neck (no iPad version just yet). Unfortunately, the developers aren’t offering a peek at the app itself just yet, but they are now accepting applications for those that wish to participate in the beta.

Lifelapse app promises to turn your iPhone into a life-logger originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink AllThingsD  |  sourceThe Lifelapse Experiment  | Email this | Comments

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Mar 10

Apple patent application for ‘Dynamically Generated Ring Tones’ could make magical videos of your friends

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, Today's Chili
Apple Patent

Ever wish life was like a movie, that theme songs went to highlight your every dramatic action? This patent application from Cupertino isn’t quite like that, but it’s close, basically creating dynamic music videos for your friends when they call. It describes a means of stitching together video and audio sequences of the caller and dynamically composting them to create a beautiful little ditty celebrating your BFF — or your mother in law, as it were. Such sequences are to be generated by so-called “seed” songs or videos, content that can either be stored directly on the recipient’s phone or pulled from Genius data stored in the ether. There’s potential here for great stuff, but we already dread a future where data comes from browsing habits and instead of cool tunes and video sequences we’re served jingles and McDonald’s commercials.

Apple patent application for ‘Dynamically Generated Ring Tones’ could make magical videos of your friends originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

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Mar 09

LookTel’s Money Reader iOS app helps the visually impaired count money

Posted in: Apple, ios, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, money, Today's Chili, video
We may not use cash as often as we once did, but there are still times when it comes in handy or is necessary, and that can pose some problems for the visually impaired. They now have one other possible solution courtesy of LookTel, however, which has just released its new Money Reader app for iOS devices. Using a “patented and proprietary object recognition technology,” it’s able to recognize paper bills (from $1 to $100) instantly, and simply speaks the value aloud. What’s more impressive, though, is that you don’t need to hold the bill steady in front of the camera, or even have the whole thing in the frame — even just thumbing through a stack will work. See for yourself in the video after the break, and hit up the App Store to grab it now for $1.99.

Continue reading LookTel’s Money Reader iOS app helps the visually impaired count money

LookTel’s Money Reader iOS app helps the visually impaired count money originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceLookTel, iTunes Preview  | Email this | Comments

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Mar 09

Peel universal remote adapter for iOS now available, $99 buys you expensive Fruit

Posted in: Apple, ios, ipad, ipad 2, Ipad2, iPhone, ipod, ipod touch, IpodTouch, Today's Chili
Peel universal remote adapter for iOS now available, $99 buys you expensive Fruit

You know your product name is clever when not one but two companies go for it. Such is the name “Peel.” This offering we’re talking about is not the sort that turns an iPod into an iPhone, rather it’s the kind that turns an iPhone into a universal remote — though it’ll work with all the other iOS devices too. It’s a combination app and hardware that we’ve been tracking since last year, and now it’s up for order. The iOS app talks to a goofy shaped IR blaster, called the Fruit, which costs $99. The combination turns your mobile device into a Harmony-hunting universal remote, but a smarter one that not only knows how to turn on your TV but also how to tune it to the latest episode of Glee, apparently, since every promo shot seems to feature some bit of gleekery. The app is free now and the Fruit is up for purchase — though it’s currently showing as back ordered. Let’s hope it doesn’t spoil.

Peel universal remote adapter for iOS now available, $99 buys you expensive Fruit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MobileBeat, CrunchGear  |  sourcePeel  | Email this | Comments

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Mar 09

Apple Releases iOS 4.3 for AT&T iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

Posted in: Apple, att, ios, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, Phones, Today's Chili

iOS 4.3 adds a wireless hotspot option for the AT&T iPhone. Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

Apple this morning released a software update for its mobile operating system, introducing a wireless hotspot feature for AT&T iPhones, a faster Safari browser and expanded AirPlay video streaming, among other features.

The Verizon iPhone 4 gets the shaft, as the update is not yet available for the device.

The free update requires plugging iDevice into a computer and clicking the Update button in iTunes. Wired.com recommends syncing your device to back it up, because the update requires restoring the software to factory settings before installing it.

Wired.com previously covered the new features of iOS 4.3. Most significantly, the update includes a faster JavaScript-rendering engine for Safari, meaning JavaScript-heavy websites will work much faster than before. Also, the AT&T iPhone can now be turned into a wireless hotspot that can be shared with up to five devices, similar to the hotspot tool that shipped with the Verizon iPhone.

Other minor changes for the iPad include:

  • Bigger spacebar on the virtual keyboard
  • Resurrection of the physical lock switch for screen orientation
  • A new Events mode when playing slideshows of your photo roll
  • Expanded AirPlay support, so you can now stream video playing in third-party apps or Safari to the Apple TV.
  • Push notifications and parental controls for Ping

And other minor changes for the AT&T iPhone and iPod Touch include:

  • A streamlined Location Services menu to enable or disable geotracking inside apps.
  • Expanded AirPlay support, so you can now stream video playing in third-party apps or Safari to the Apple TV.
  • Push notifications and parental controls for Ping

The Verizon iPhone isn’t missing out on much, as it can already be turned into a wireless hotspot. However, Verizon iPhone owners who have an Apple TV 2 may be annoyed that they’ll have to wait for the expanded AirPlay support.

It’s unclear when the Verizon iPhone will get iOS 4.3. An Apple representative told ArsTechnica that it wouldn’t be happening anytime soon because the product had just launched, but that the OS versions will probably converge in the future.


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Mar 09

iOS 4.3 Is Here—Your Phone Just Got Mo’ Better for Free [Apple]

Posted in: Apple, ios, ipad, iPhone, ipod, Software, Today's Chili, top

The newest little step forward for iOS just dropped—and while it’s nothing dramatic (or unexpected), it adds a nice little pinch of new functionality and performance. Here’s what just got a little better about your iPhone/Pad/Pod: More »

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