Green iPhone 4 case: The EcoShield+
September 27th, 2010
Agent 18 says it uses a recycled plastic bottle in every one of its EcoShield cases.
Originally posted at Crave
Posted in 
Time Geeks: Find all! – The Revolutionary Seek and Find Game for iOS
September 27th, 2010
Announcing the release of new game for iOS consumers called Time Geeks: Find all! Time Geeks: Find all 1.0 developed by Ivanovich Games represents retro style seek and find game. While playing you’ll find yourself just like in the 80‘s, the game is based on awesome Pixel Art graphics and promises players a lot of fun.
Time Geeks: Find all is enjoyable game for everyone as it offers users increasing difficulty and at the same time always keeps within reasonable limits.
Consequently, the game is simple and easy to understand in both the main game as well as the mini-games.
Additional plus of the game is it’s the sense of humor. The graphics and the original music are designed by the artist Markus Gmur. The descriptions of the challenges are specially designed to arouse the sympathy of the player.
The pixel art scenes are filled with nods to various TV series – especially “Lost”. We are sure that fans of Lost will find the two scenarios on the island extremely attractive.
Features:
* 6 Game Modes: History, Challenges, Arcade, Relax, Minigames & Editor
* More than 100 challenges to enjoy
* Impressive Pixel Art scenarios
* 7 funny minigames included
* Arcade: catch all Zoorgs hidden on the scenario
* Editor: build your own Pixel Art scenario and share it with your friends in Facebook
* Game Center and OpenFeint to share your records and get achievements
* A lot of fun!!! And some “Lost” and geek jokes
* HD graphics for retina display
Language Support:
* US English and Spanish
Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod or iPad
* iPhone OS 3.0 or later (iOS 4.0 Tested)
* 19 MB Storage
Pricing and Availability:
Time Geeks: Find all! 1.0 is only $0.99 (USD) in the launch week and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Games category.
For more information click here
New Yorker Gets App, Incredibly Surreal Ad
September 27th, 2010
Much like everyone else, the New Yorker has made an iPad app (iTunes link), and they’ve made an incredibly surreal advertisement demonstrating it. Starring Jason Schwartzman, directed by Roman Coppola. Apparently it uses the same platform as Wired, so if you know what you’re getting with that, it’s the same deal. Just with more subtle barbs and understated cartoons.
The video is being kind of non-functional right now, so check it out here.
Apple TV Ships Out
September 27th, 2010
Despite worries of shipping delays, the newest generation of Apple TV has started to ship, as evidenced by emails sent out to those who pre-ordered. The first round of units should be arriving September 28 and 29, meaning you should be getting a nice package from our good friends at Cupertino either tomorrow or the day after.
Over the next few days, expect to see plenty of reviews of the new miniature devices, their hackability, if there is some sort of app compatibility, and all those other sorts of wonderful pieces of news.
If you’ve bought one, we want to hear from you what you think about it. Either sing out in the comments, or in our forums.
iPod Nano Repurposed into Dreamcast VMU
September 27th, 2010
If you’re a gamer of a certain age, you probably have insanely fond memories of the Dreamcast, Sega’s final aentry in the console market. It had some ridiculously good games (Jet Set Radio, Shenmue, Crazy Taxi, Soul Blade), and sadly sold far less than it needed to to survive. One of the nifty features of the console was the Visual Memory Unit, a memory card with little screen which plugged directly into the controller, and could be used for little games on its own.
A Japanese modder has repurposed an old VMU, and given it a new lease on life by hacking an iPod Nano into it. No, it doesn’t function as a VMU anymore, but damn is it cool looking! Makes me want a Dreamcast 2!
[via Hobby Blog, Kotaku]
iPhone Demand In China Insanely High
September 27th, 2010
Supplies of the iPhone 4 in China are said to be decidedly on the short side, as Apple struggles to keep up with demand for the smartphone. The newest version of the iPhone is selling at a considerably faster pace than previous iterations, causing shortages of the device.
Unicom is the only carrier in China for the device, and it sounds like it’s as difficult to get the phone there as it was in the United States for the couple of days after launch, which stands in stark contrast to the sedate pace of previous models, which sold sluggishly when first released, but eventually picked up steam.
NavFree Brings Free GPS To iPhones In UK and Ireland, US Soon
September 27th, 2010
If you’re like me, you have essentially no sense of direction, but at the same time are loathe to fork out for an expensive GPS app. After all, this is the iPhone, someone should make a super-cheap version, right? Well, the folks behind NavMii, have produced a free turn-by-turn GPS app, titled NavFree. Right now it’s UK and Republic of Ireland only, but they’re promising that a USA version is in the works. Why is it free? Because it runs off OpenStreetMap, a community gathered mapping system:
HOW CAN YOU OFFER THIS FOR FREE? OpenStreetMap is an open source mapping system that was created by over 250,000+ users and as such the map data is free to use. As the maps are open and rely on users creating and updating them there will be a chance that some of the maps are incorrect or missing all together, especially in more rural areas. The good news is you can add & improve the map yourself by getting involved at OpenStreetMap, using one of the freely available map editors or simply use Navfree’s inbuilt map report tool to send mapping errors!
With your help OpenStreetMap can be the most accurate street map in the world.
I’m betting there are some downsides to this system, at bare minimum the stated requirement of a data connection to search for addresses. Once it arrives on American shores, I’ll be sure to give it a try. Any of our readers from over the pond willing to give this a try, and tell us how good it is?
Daily Deals: $1,099 iMac, Apache: Strike for iPhone, 8GB iPod touch
September 27th, 2010
We start off another week with a mix of bargains. First up is 10 refurbished iMacs from the Apple Store, starting at $1,099 for a 22-inch 3.06GHz desktop. Next is “Apache Strike: Desert Storm” for the iPhone or iPod touch. The game, usually $3, is being offered free. Finally, we check out an 8GB iPod touch for $223.
Along the way, we’ll also take a look at a business card reader for your iPhone, a USB power adapter for your iPhone or iPod, along with other items. As always, details on these and much more can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump.
The Apple Store has stock of 10 factory-refurbished previous- and current-generation Apple Aluminum iMac Desktops in its Special Deals section. They’re up to $850 off. With free shipping, each is at the lowest total price we’ve seen. These come with a 1-year Apple warranty, the same as new Macs. Sales tax is added where applicable. Items are removed from Apple’s site when they sell out. Notables:
Apple MC413LL/A iMac 21.5″ Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06GHz Desktop for $1,099
Apple MB952LL/A iMac 27″ Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06GHz Desktop for$1,269
Apple MC509LL/A iMac 21.5″ Intel Core i3 3.2GHz Desktop for $1,269
Apple G0GE0LL/A iMac 27″ Intel Core 2 Duo 3.33GHz Desktop for $1,439
Apple MC511LL/A iMac 27″ Intel i5 Quad-Core 2.8GHz Desktop for $1,699
browse all refurbished Apple iMacs at the Apple Store.
The iTunes App Store offers downloads of Apache Strike: Desert Storm for iPhone / iPod touch for free. (That’s $3 off and the best deal we’ve seen for this shooting game.)
MacConnection.com offers the new, 4th-generation Apple iPod touch 8GB MP3 Player (pictured), model no. MC540LL/A, for $223. (With free shipping, that’s tied with our mention from three weeks ago and the lowest total price we’ve seen for this recently-released model by a buck.) This current-generation iPod touch features a new high definition Retina Display, 3-axis gyro, iOS 4.1, front- and rear-facing cameras (the latter capable of HD recording), FaceTime, Game Center, and more. Of note, also available for order are the Apple iPod touch 32GB MP3 Player, model no. MC544LL/A, for $288 and the Apple iPod touch 64GB MP3 Player, model no. MC547LL/A, for $383. With free shipping, that’s the lowest total price we’ve seen for either of these models by a buck. However, they’re listed as “On Order” and an estimated ship date is not provided.
The iTunes App Store offers downloads of ABBYY Business Card Reader for iPhone for $1.99. (That’s $8 off and the best deal we’ve seen for this business card scanner.)
DEAL800.com offers this iPhone / iPod 1000mA USB 2.0 Power Adapter for $3.99 with free shipping. That’s tied with our mention from two weeks ago and the lowest total price we could find for such a charger. Expect this item to take two to three weeks to arrive.
Today only, JustDeals.com offers the refurbished Polaroid DVF-130 VGA Digital Camcorder in Red or Blue for $17.77. With free shipping via coupon code “DEALNEWS1″, that’s $5 under our July mention of a refurbished unit and $19 less than the lowest total price we could find for a new unit. Features include a 2″ LCD display, 480×640 VGA video, 4x digital zoom, SD card slot, integrated USB connector, and more. A 90-day reseller warranty applies.
Office Depot has the Seagate FreeAgent Desk 1.5TB USB 2.0 External Desktop Hard Drive in Silver, model no. ST315005FDA2E1-RK, for $89.99. (With free shipping, that’s $0.06/GB, $5 under our May mention of a refurb, and the lowest total price we could find by $10.) Sales tax is added where applicable. It runs at 7200 rpm and features pre-loaded Windows software, attachable feet, USB 2.0 connectivity, and more. Deal ends October 2.
Buy.com offers the Kenneth Cole Reaction R-Tech 17″ Notebook Messenger Bag for $35.24. With free shipping, that’s tied with our April mention and the lowest total price we could find by $3. This flapover bag features multiple zipper pockets, three padded top accessory pockets within the main pocket, and more.
Today only, CowBoom.com offers the SkullCandy Lowrider DJ-Style Headphones in Red, model no. SC-LOW, for $9.99 plus $5 for shipping. That’s the lowest total price we could find by $13. These headphones feature 40mm drivers, travel pouch, 6.3mm stereo adaptor, folding design, and more.
Today only, MacUpdate.com offers downloads of St. Clair Software’s Default Folder X 4 for Mac for $19.95. That’s $15 off and the lowest price we’ve seen for this software, which modifies Open and Save dialogs. Click here for more information.
New App Keeps Headphone-Users Safe, On Sale
September 27th, 2010
Earlier this month saw the debut of Awareness, an app that should make life considerably safer and less embarrassing for people who (like me) walk around with earphones semi-permanently attached to their ears. And now, it’s on sale.
The app works by enabling a pass-through that lets ambient sound reach the users ears, so that even noise-isolating canalphones won’t make an iPod user completely oblivious to danger when, say, cycling down the street in downtown Manhattan (just remember though, local laws still ban headphones in one or both ears, pass-through or not).
The app also works with an iPod Touch, but only the 3rd-gen, and only when using headphones with an inline microphone. It’s also not compatible with Bluetooth yet.
Normally $5, Awareness is on sale for $3 until Oct 4. Check out the clip below for a look at Awareness in action.
How To Get Rid Of The Ping Drop-Down Menu In iTunes
September 27th, 2010
If you’ve updated iTunes to 10.0.1 in the last day or so, you might have noticed that Ping is pushing itself in your face rather more forcefully than before.
One thing: there’s the Ping sidebar on the right. Another: there’s a new Ping drop-down menu that appears in your music library, alongside any song you have selected.
They’re fine if you use Ping, but if you don’t, you might want to get rid of them. The sidebar is easy to deal with, you can hide it with a click. But the drop-down menu requires a little more tinkering to get rid of.
There’s no official preference for removing it, but there is a hidden one which you can switch on and off with a simple command in Terminal.
Here’s how to do it.
- Quit iTunes, and open Terminal.
- Copy and paste this into a single line: defaults write com.apple.iTunes hide-ping-dropdown -bool TRUE
- Hit return.
- Restart iTunes. The Ping drop-down will be gone.
To bring it back if you change your mind later, repeat the command with FALSE instead of TRUE at the end.