Hasta La Gadget!

Here’s one way to get yourself noticed. Japanese developer FreeBit, in looking for a way to show off its Serversman iPhone app, has debuted a prototype ultra-small server rack. Perfect for when you happen to have up to five iPhones / iPod touches lying around and nothing better to do but turn them into overpriced network storage solutions — then again, if you’re rocking five of Apple’s touchscreens, there’s a good chance money isn’t your biggest concern.

[Via DVICE]

Filed under: Cellphones, Storage

iPhone server rack an exercise in network storage indulgence originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone application analytics companies say their tracking tools have turned up a device ID that might represent a next-generation iPod Touch.

Two iPhone app analytics companies — Pinch Media and Medialets — say they’ve spotted a device-ID string labeled “iPod 3,1″ — which they believe to represent a prototype of a new iPod Touch.

The applications being run on the mystery device are larger, more popular titles, according to Pinch. Presumably Apple employees are testing the new iPod Touch with these more well known apps. The device ID began appearing in analytics reports since April, according to Pinch.

It’s reasonable to infer this is a new iPod: We all know Apple is going to keep rolling these babies out. The question is, when? Pinch Media in October spotted an unfamiliar device ID labeled “iPhone 2,1,” which turned out to be the string representing the iPhone 3GS that launched June. If we’re to make a guess based on timing patterns (eight months between initial testing and release), then the next iPod Touch would likely be hitting stores around December.

However, as The Unofficial Apple Weblog has noted, Apple’s iPods typically see a refresh around September for back-to-school season. Also, an iPod would likely take less time to QA test than a phone. So we would place our bets on September, too.

Best tidbit to derive from these sightings is they’re strong evidence that new iPods are coming soon. Even better, if the rumors are true, they’ll have cameras this time around.

See Also:

• Rumor: iPods Nano and Touch to Gain Cameras
• Leaked Case Designs May Predict Future iPod Cameras
• Cameras in iPods. Game Over?

Photo: Jolts/Flickr

The iPod with camera is pretty much a given at this point in Apple’s evolutionary approach to its audio / video players. In fact, we’ve already seen iLounge’s confident rendering of an iPod nano with camera. Now we have the first cases with matching camera cut-outs (like that of the above) for the iPod nano in addition to an iPod touch case with similar cutouts passing through our tips box. This morning TechCrunch is claiming that a “massive number of camera modules” for iPods have been ordered per information provided by a source in Asia. Add it all up and we should see the announcement of a new iPod touch and iPod nano with photo / video recording sometime around September per Apple’s usual pattern.

[Via MacRumors, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Evidence mounts for iPods with cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I scoured the Internet all weekend for deals and this is what I came up with. Okay, maybe not all weekend.

1. It’s all about netbooks lately. I don’t know what they are, either, but they’re getting so much coverage I feel like I need one. Buy.com has the Asus EPC 1000 for $249.99 with free shipping after rebate (you’ll need to pay with PayPal to get the $50 rebate). It comes with a 533-MHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM, a 160GB hard drive, a 10-inch display, Windows XP, and 801.11b/g/n WiFi. It also weighs just 3.2 pounds, making it a cute little ultra-portable notebook that’s great for Web surfing. Hold it, is that what a netbook is?

2. I love anything with “kit” in the title including the Targus Digital SLR Starter Kit, now selling from RadioShack for $14.99. It comes with a camera carrying case, an aluminum tripod, a memory card wallet, and a three-piece digital maintenance set. It’s got everything but the D-SLR, itself.

3. Don’t let your pretty iPod Touch get all scratched up. For cheap you can get an Elan Form iTouch 2G case, in black, from Buy.com. It’s just $5.49 and it comes with free shipping, which is a rarity at this price.

Envious of your Pre toting pals and that Touchstone charging rig? Don’t sweat it — WildCharge is coming through in the clutch to bring similar wireless charging technology to Apple’s own handset. Starting today, iPhone (3G and 3GS included) and iPod touch users can order up a WildCharge Skin along with a WildCharger Pad in order to bring wire-free charging to their smartphone. Just slap the skin on, plug the pad in and toss the handset down on said pad. Just like that, you’ve got fresh energy flowing without having to scour the house for that little AC adapter. The pain? $34.99 for the skin, or $79.99 for the skin and pad.

Filed under: Cellphones

Wireless charging comes to Apple’s iPhone 3GS, thanks to WildCharge originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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