Jan 04

OverDrive Media Console app for iOS now features free e-book downloads

Posted in: app, Apple, AppStore, e reader, e-book, education, ios, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, Today's Chili
OverDrive, a digital media company that specializes in digital content distribution, has recently announced an update to its Media Console for iOS. As well as giving you access to audiobooks from something like 13,000 libraries and educational institutions the world o’er, the new app offers — wait for it — free e-book downloads! Free app, free e-books (as long as you have a library card, of course), and access to the world’s great literature: it doesn’t get much better than that, does it? Hit the source link to try it for yourself. We suggest that you start with Under The Volcano — we always thought you looked drank like a young Malcolm Lowry.

OverDrive Media Console app for iOS now features free e-book downloads originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 29

Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now (update: hands-on)

Posted in: breaking news, BreakingNews, hands-on, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, skype, Today's Chili, video

All signs have been pointing to this release for a few days now, but we’ll admit: we expected Skype to wait until CES next week to pull the covers off what could become its crown jewel service over the coming months. Skype’s official iOS client has finally sprouted the ability to make video calls, allowing iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and fourth-generation iPod touch users to share real-time video amongst each other and users of Skype’s Windows, Mac, and Linux clients along with the ASUS Videophone (obviously, 3GS users won’t have the convenience of a front-facing camera, but they’ll still be able to broadcast video from the rear-facing one). Additionally, you’ll be able to receive video from others if you’re using an iPad or a third-generation iPod touch. The service is free and works over both WiFi and 3G — and considering Skype’s existing PC footprint, we’d argue this stands a very real chance of putting the hurt on FaceTime usage. No word on when Skype will be making video-capable clients available for Android or other mobile platforms, but Skype says that there’ll be “plenty more” announcements in Vegas next week, so we wouldn’t be surprised.

Update: So we just gave 3.0 a spin, calling iPhone-to-iPhone (both WiFi), iPhone-to-desktop (both WiFi), and again iPhone-to-iPhone (both 3G). The first two worked great, although the desktop camera produced better quality. As for the worst-case scenario, 3G-to-3G video calling, well… we wouldn’t recommend it unless absolutely necessary. Video after the break, and be sure to note the battery life — after about 10 minutes of use, we dropped from 66 percent to 61.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Gallery: Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available today

Continue reading Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now (update: hands-on)

Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now (update: hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 27

Arduino, iPod touch turns an LCD into a browser-based sketch pad (video)

Posted in: Apple, arduino, hack, ios, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, LCD, remote control, RemoteControl, Today's Chili, video
Of all the Arduino projects we’ve seen ’round here, this is certainly one of them! Using nothing but a Graphics LCD, an Arduino, and a WebSocket server he wrote using Python / Tornado, this young engineer created a system that allows him to connect to the server with his iPod touch (or any browser, we suppose — although he’s apparently only tested this with Chrome on his desktop PC) and draw a design on the web browser. In turn, his movements are recreated on the LCD. Pretty mean feat, if you ask us. If you’d like to marvel at his code — or even try it out for yourself — hit up the source link. If not, be sure to at least check out the thing in action. Video after the break.

Continue reading Arduino, iPod touch turns an LCD into a browser-based sketch pad (video)

Arduino, iPod touch turns an LCD into a browser-based sketch pad (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Make  |  sourceEngineering Etch-A-Sketch  | Email this | Comments

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Dec 27

Samsung to Show Off Galaxy Player at CES 2011

Posted in: ipod touch, Miscellaneous Tech, MP3 Digital Audio, samsung, Today's Chili

Samsung Galaxy Player

A number of people have noticed the uncanny similarities between the Samsung Galaxy S phones and the iPhone and iPod Touch, both in the hardware design and the way Samsung has skinned Android to look a lot like iOS. 
Now, Samsung is taking on the iPod Touch with the Galaxy Player, which the company has announced will be showcased next month at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. 
The Galaxy Player will run Android 2.2, have a 1GHz processor under the hood, and feature an 800×480 pixel resolution LCD display. The player will support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and feature a front and rear-facing camera, just like the iPod Touch. Pricing and availability haven’t been announced, but it’s likely there’ll be more details next week at CES. 
[via SlashGear]
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Dec 24

Apple Remote app updated for AirPlay video streaming

Posted in: Apple, AppStore, ios, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, remote, Today's Chili
Version 2.0 of the app already brought support for the new Apple TV and the iPad, but Apple’s has now just released another more minor update to its Remote app for iOS devices that adds another much-anticipated feature: support for AirPlay video streaming. What’s more, the app now also boasts the ability to access internet radio stations from iTunes on your computer, as well as the ability to control movies and TV shows on your computer that are rented from iTunes — not to mention the usual stability and performance improvements. As always, it’s also completely free — you know where to find it.

Apple Remote app updated for AirPlay video streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Octopus iPhone Charger Has Suction Cups on the Back

Posted in: iPhone, ipod touch, Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili

Octopus Charger

Most iPhone battery packs slide on to your phone, or serve double-duty as a case and a battery pack, but the Octopus Battery Charger takes a different approach: one that’s definitely more interesting, but is debatable if it’s better. 
The Octopus has a 30-pin dock connector on a flexible arm at the bottom of the charger. Plug in the charger to your iPhone or iPod Touch for some extra juice, and while you’re using it, attach the battery pack to the back of your device using the eight suction cups on the back of the battery pack. 
According to the manufacturers, your phone will be get about a half-charge from the Octopus in about 3 hours, less if you opt to use your phone while it’s charging. On the bright side, it’s clear the Octopus is designed for use when you need your phone and your battery is about to die, not as a permanent fixture on the back of your device. One can be yours now for $29.85 retail price.
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Dec 20

Parental supervision shocker! iPad use leads to costly in-app Smurfberry orders

Posted in: Apple, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, Today's Chili
After the Soviet Union collapsed, many of its so-called satellite states had to struggle to find ways to keep afloat — none more so than Smurf Village, that bastion of communal living where everyone looks nearly identical, has the same surname, and works “according to his ability” (and in return lives “according to his needs”). How has Papa Smurf and Co. survived in the post-Soviet geopolitical climate? It seems that Capcom’s Smurfs’ Village game for iOS might be free, but the in-app purchases will cost you dearly. Actually, it’s the in-app purchases that your pre-literate toddlers make that will cost you dearly. And this is a lesson that a lot of parents are finding out, according to a recent AP article, which notes that “warnings may alert parents, but it’s doubtful that they’d deter children who can’t read and don’t understand money.” Sure, Smurfberries may grow freely on magical trees, but a virtual wheelbarrow full of ’em will run you $60.

Parental supervision shocker! iPad use leads to costly in-app Smurfberry orders originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 15

Unreal Engine 3 dev kit adding iOS support tomorrow, Infinity Blade clones coming Friday

Posted in: Apple, developers, Games, gaming, ios, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, Today's Chili

The Unreal Engine 3 already made a quite spectacular debut on iOS with Epic Games’ own Infinity Blade, but the company’s decided it’s time to finally stop teasing and give us the software to really play with it. Tomorrow’s planned update to the UDK will deliver iOS support, meaning that all the fancy tools that helped make Infinity Blade such a blindingly gorgeous game will be at your fingertips should you be feeling creative. Licensing for the Engine is free for testing and non-commercial use, but you’ll have to pay $99 if you want to sell anything you produce with it, to be followed by a 25 percent slice of your earnings beyond $5,000 and, of course, Apple’s 30 percent cut of whatever’s left. That might not sound like the best business plan in the world, but consider that Infinity Blade is estimated to have racked up over $1.5 million in sales already — we’re sure there’ll be enough change left for ice cream even after Epic and Apple have had their share.

Unreal Engine 3 dev kit adding iOS support tomorrow, Infinity Blade clones coming Friday originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TUAW, Joystiq  |  sourceWall Street Journal, @MarkRein (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments

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Dec 15

AirPlay video streaming from iOS devices hacked into Macs (video)

Posted in: airplay, Apple, apple tv, hack, ios, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, jailbreak, Today's Chili, video

Hey Mac home theater users, listen up — your AirPlay wishes have come true. TUAW’s very own Erica Sadun has developed a free (ad supported) 0.01 AirPlayer alpha hack that lets your Mac play host to AirPlay video streamed off of iOS devices. Right, just like an Apple TV and without requiring a Jailbreak. But as long as you’re skirting official support anyway, why not install the free AirVideoEnabler app onto your jailbroken iPod touch, iPad, or iPhone to stream video from even more applications than Apple currently allows. Works for us. Everyone else can check the video after the break.

Continue reading AirPlay video streaming from iOS devices hacked into Macs (video)

AirPlay video streaming from iOS devices hacked into Macs (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 14

iGrill meat thermometer for iPhone is the expensive, unholy marriage of the meat thermometer and iPhone

Posted in: app, Apple, bluetooth, household, ios, ipad, iPhone, ipod, ipod touch, IpodTouch, peripheral, Today's Chili
OK, we didn’t see this one coming: iGrill is a Bluetooth-enabled meat thermometer. That’s right, this bad boy not only displays the temp of whatever you sink the probe into, it also takes that info and transmits it to your iOS device for remote monitoring. Hell, the app itself even features a kitchen timer, alerts for whatever temp you set it to, and more. Because really, you do everything else with your smartphone, so why not use it to free yourself from the tyranny of the kitchen once and for all? Oh, that’s right — because this thing costs $100. See for yourself by hitting up the source link.

iGrill meat thermometer for iPhone is the expensive, unholy marriage of the meat thermometer and iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MobileCrunch  |  sourceiGrill  | Email this | Comments

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