Hasta La Gadget!

With nearly 350,000 apps and counting, the iPhone‘s maximum capacity of 32GB doesn’t allow you to even scratch the surface of the App Store’s catalog. Throw in an HD movie, some TV episodes, hundreds of tracks and a few thousand photos, and you’ll be chewing through those available bytes in no time. Most manufacturers compensate this limitation by including a microSD slot for additional storage, but not Apple — you’re stuck with that original capacity until you’re ready to upgrade to a new device. Luckily, for those who need more storage now and don’t mind paying for it, AirStash, Seagate’s GoFlex Satellite, and now Kingston’s ultra-slim Wi-Drive allow you to boost gigs without upgrading, or switching to another platform. None of these pocket servers come without compromise, however — you’ll be spending over $100 for even the most basic option, while adding yet another device to your portable mix.

Continue reading Kingston Wi-Drive wireless storage for iOS review (video)

Kingston Wi-Drive wireless storage for iOS review (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You’d better be darn sure AT&T’s data service is solid in your neck of the woods before making the leap, but if you’ve managed to survive this long sans a USB WWAN dongle… well, here’s your chance to grow that much more connected to your inbox. Ma Bell has just issued its latest USB modem, the USBConnect Force 4G. Priced at a downright delicious $0.00 with a two-year contract (or $89.99 straight-up), the Huawei-built stick supports the carrier’s “4G” (read: HSPA+) services and offers a microSD slot for good measure. Interestingly, AT&T’s allowing users to buy this with post-paid and prepaid options, and of course, data roaming’s available in over 200 nations for those insane enough to pay for it. If you’re going post-paid, you’ll get 5GB of data for $50 / month, while prepaid buyers can select 100MB for $15 (day package), 300MB for $30 (weekly package) or 1GB for $50 (month package). It’ll operate with both Mac and PC platforms, and should be on store shelves by July 17th.

Continue reading AT&T launches USBConnect Force 4G USB modem, offers it for zilch on contract

AT&T launches USBConnect Force 4G USB modem, offers it for zilch on contract originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The border runners at Taco Bell have fallen behind the ginger clown and his posse of hamburger-loving friends in terms of connectivity, but the fast food franchise will soon rectify that with the introduction of free WiFi at 5,600 locations over the next four years. In an attempt to keep you connected whilst stuffing your face with Beefy Melt Burritos, Taco Bell has teamed up with Indoor Direct to bring in-store WiFi and a specially branded TV network to the chain. Diners will apparently be encouraged to interact with content running on the network, with enticements to download free music, receive opt-in text messages, and engage in social media campaigns. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to resurrect that pot-stirring little chihuahua.

Continue reading Taco Bell to serve up free WiFi and in-store TV, keep you LOL’ing through Fourthmeal

Taco Bell to serve up free WiFi and in-store TV, keep you LOL’ing through Fourthmeal originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you’d like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with “Insert Coin” as the subject line.

Perhaps the simplest function on any camera, the shutter release is typically triggered using a dedicated button, or — most often in the case of a professional rig — using a wired or wireless remote. The Triggertrap falls into that latter category, completing the circuit necessary to capture an image after receiving commands from a virtually limitless array of sources. After pairing with your DSLR or ILC using a universal connector, you’ll be able to trigger the device to snap a photo using a laser beam (thanks to the built-in photo transistor), sound (a hand clap, for example), or a timer — typically most applicable to time-lapse photography. An auxiliary port will enable you to get even more creative — you could release the shutter using a remote control, pressure trigger, or even a cell phone call, for example.

The Triggertrap is well on its way to a Kickstarter campaign goal of $25,000, but there’s still time to pre-order a DIY kit for $70, or a turn-key version for five bucks more. As always, Kickstarter will issue a refund if the project isn’t funded before the July 31st deadline. Both devices are Arduino based and open source, so you’re free to make modifications as you wish — assuming you don’t mind getting your hands dirty with a bit of programming. Jump past the break for a quick demo video, and keep an eye out for the creator’s Pringles can DIY macro lens, just past the 13 second mark.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Triggertrap open source automatic camera release (video)

Insert Coin: Triggertrap open source automatic camera release (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enabling surfers to play Pac-Man instead of actually initiating the search they showed up to complete? Taking a stroll through an episode of Burn Notice? Throwing internet on a magical Indian bus? All relatively normal things from one Google, Inc., but it seems that Larry Page’s deadpan demeanor is actually covering up quite the character. During the outfit’s recent attempt to outbid the likes of Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, RIM and Sony for a sliver of Nortel’s coveted wireless patent portfolio, Reuters is reporting that Google’s plays were… less than conventional. Reportedly, the company bid $1,902,160,540 and $2,614,972,128, better known by mathematicians as Brun’s constant and Meissel-Mertens constant, respectively. Funnier still, Google decided to offer $3.14159 billion (you know, pi) when the bidding reached $3 billion. One of the unnamed sources summed up the bizarreness quite well:

“Google was bidding with numbers that were not even numbers. It became clear that they were bidding with the distance between the earth and the sun. One was the sum of a famous mathematical constant, and then when it got to $3 billion, they bid pi. Either they were supremely confident or they were bored.”

Or, perhaps they’re just supremely awesome?

Google bids pi for Nortel’s wireless patent stash, brings comedy to places you never thought possible originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 20:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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