gizmos vs gadgets: June 2012

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Element Case Launches Vapor Pro Stealth 2 Case For iPhone 4/4S

Published on iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource | shared via feedly

Earlier this month, Element Case introduced the Vapor Pro ELITE™ for iPhone 4/4S, a limited edition series of bumper cases available in four different models and with three different finishes. Today, they have announced the Vapor Pro Stealth 2 for iPhone 4/4S, a re-designed version of the ever popular and Element Case Vapor Pro Stealth™. The new Element Case Vapor Pro Stealth 2™ sports all black screws, new non-glare black Flux Finish™ and a stealth graphic fade pattern over real aerospace grade carbon fiber.

Just like every special edition Element Case, the Vapor Pro Stealth 2 comes with a complete Transit kit. Below is a full list of product features:

- CNC machined from aircraft grade 6061 Aluminum

- Black Flux anodized matte finish

- Aerospace grade Carbon Fiber Back plate with new Stealth 2 fade graphic.

- Includes transit Kit (Molded EVA protective case, Satin screen protector, Black Speed wrench, black ultra suede ear pad)

- Black CNC machined anodized power button

- Black stainless steel screws

- Made in the USA

You can buy the Vapor Pro Stealth 2 online for US $159.99 @ elementcase.com.

Element Case Launches Vapor Pro Stealth 2 Case For iPhone 4/4S is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

These Solar-Powered, Floating Island Homes Are a Millionaire's Private Paradise

Published on Gizmodo | shared via feedly

Start saving yesterday, because as soon as these Orsos luxury island yacht estates become available in 2013, you're not going to want to wait to sail off on your own private paradise. More »

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Reuters: Asus Exec Confirms Google Will Announce a Tablet Today

Published on Gizmodo | shared via feedly

Reuters: Asus Exec Confirms Google Will Announce a Tablet Today Earlier this week a leak prompted rumours to circulate suggesting that Google's hotly anticipated tablet would be announced today. Now, Reuters is reporting that an unnamed Asustek executive has confirmed that to be the case.

Reuters reports that the tablet will be "priced to compete with Amazon's Kindle Fire device". According to the report, the Asustek executive explained:

"[Google's] targeting Amazon. The Kindle is based on Google's platform but with its own service, so Google has to launch its own service, too."

Monday's leak suggested that Google's new Asus-built device could feature: a 1.3Ghz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, GeForce 12-core GPU, 1GB of RAM, 8GB or 16GB of storage, a 1280 x 800 IPS display and nine hours of battery life.

Whether there's any truth in those specs or the Asustek executive's claims is, of course, up for debate. We don't have many hours to wait until we find out for sure, though, so make sure to check back to learn everything about it live from Google's headquarters. [Reuters]

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Interactive Magic Mirror Controlled via Android

Published on HacknMod.com - You name it. We hack it. | shared via feedly

We've seen some neat interactive mirror projects in the past, and here's one which integrates bluetooth and multiple external devices. It's controlled by IOIO (pronounced yo-yo), an Arduino-type microprocessor. It runs several different apps that can be controlled through an Android phone.

The mirror is actually two-way with an LED matrix behind it. In addition to displaying basic text, the mirror can also stream video, but the resolution is limited due to the constraints of the LED matrix. Find full details of the project to build your own.

Similar Interactivity Projects:

Your milk might expire, but 3G data from Walmart won’t

Published on GigaOMTech | shared via feedly

In a new twist on old pre-paid data plans, Walmart and TruConnect have partnered to offer "Internet on the Go." The service offers pre-paid 3G data in small buckets for use with a Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200. What makes this different from other pre-paid data services? The data capacity you purchase never expires, allowing you to use your 3G hotspot when needed and without having to buy more data simply because a week or a month has gone by.

Internet on the Go uses Sprint's 3G network, so personal hotspot speeds will likely top out around 1.5 Mbps in a Sprint coverage area. That's far slower than HSPA+ and LTE mobile broadband services, which are often 10x faster. But the benefit here isn't meant to be speed. Instead, the service should appeal to people that occasionally need to access the web on a Wi-Fi tablet or laptop. The target audience likely wouldn't get a hotspot due to contracts as their 3G needs are far and few between.

As a result, the data pricing won't be cheaper than what you'd find for a contract plan or even other pre-paid deals. The cost is $10 for 100 MB, $25 for 500 MB or $45 for 1 GB; far more on a per-gigabyte basis than what others charge. The key difference — and potential selling point — is that the data is good forever, provided you fire up that MiFi and use it at least once per year. I look at it this way: It's cheap insurance as a 3G backup plan, even if the MiFi itself costs $119.88.

This isn't the first time TruConnect dabbled with unique mobile broadband products. In September, 2010, the company offered a MiFi specifically for Wi-Fi iPad owners that carried a small monthly fee — even if the device wasn't used — and a metered 3G service. While its products aren't for everyone, there's opportunity for TruConnect's niche style services that offer device owners more flexibility for mobile broadband.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
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Android 4.1 landing on the Galaxy Nexus first

Published on GigaOMTech | shared via feedly

Next week is Google's I/O developer conference, but it appears that news is leaking this week. Anyone purchasing a GSM Galaxy Nexus on the Google Play site will see the following message at the time of checkout: "[S]oon the first phone with Android 4.1, Jell…." Unless Google has renamed the next Android version to Jell-O Juice or something similar, Jelly Bean is surely Android 4.1 and the Nexus will have it first.

This information first appeared in an XDA Developers forum post on Thursday, but was later spotted by Computer World blogger JR Raphael. I've since verified it by placing a Galaxy Nexus in my cart with Google but since I already have one, I canceled the process just prior to payment. Clearly, we won't know what Google has added to Android 4.1 until next week, but Galaxy Nexus owners will be happy to be the first to have the updated software.

News of Android 4.1 hitting the Nexus first is a perfect example of why I generally buy Nexus devices for my Android use. Even though I found the Galaxy S III to be an outstanding phone with better overall performance than my Nexus, I personally prefer the latest and greatest software on my phones and tablets. I'm also partial to the stock interface of Android, which is vastly improved with Android 4.0.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Element Case Launches Vapor Pro Stealth 2 Case For iPhone 4/4S

These Solar-Powered, Floating Island Homes Are a Millionaire's Private Paradise

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Reuters: Asus Exec Confirms Google Will Announce a Tablet Today

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Interactive Magic Mirror Controlled via Android

Similar Interactivity Projects:

Your milk might expire, but 3G data from Walmart won’t

Android 4.1 landing on the Galaxy Nexus first

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