Sunday, September 30, 2012

Nook GlowLight e-reader price drops to $119

Nook GlowLight e-reader price drops to $119 - Just ahead of Amazon shipping out its highly anticipated Kindle Paperwhite, the Nook GlowLight gets a price chop.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Friday, September 28, 2012

How to Make an iBook

How to Make an iBook -

Make an iBook

Not long ago, writers were entirely at the mercy of the picky publishers who stood between an author and his or her potential readership. But thanks to the rise of digital books and open publishing platforms like Apple’s iBookstore, anyone can get their stuff out there and have a shot at finding an audience. And with the added interactivity of the iBooks format, authors can raise their books to a new kind of next-generation reading experience. You’d think that producing such a book would require high-level programming skills, but no--Apple has taken its trademark approach to empowering the masses with easy creation tools to digital bookmaking with iBooks Author (Mac App Store, free) ...

(Via Mac|Life all.)

American Express launches iOS Passbook implementation

American Express launches iOS Passbook implementation - As expected, American Express has launched its Pass service for the Apple iOS 6 Passbook application. The Pass allows card members to get access to the running balance, display recent activity, show spending updates, and contact customer service directly from the application ...

(Via MacNN | The Macintosh News Network.)

Monday, September 24, 2012

Space Shuttle <cite>Endeavour'</cite>s Final Flight as Seen From Space

Space Shuttle Endeavour's Final Flight as Seen From Space - The Space Shuttle Endeavour's final flight last week was likely one of the most photographed plane flights in history. Riding piggyback on a specially adapted Boeing 747, Endeavour's farewell tour took it from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Los Angeles International Airport ...

(Via Wired Top Stories.)

S'mores outdoors no more

S'mores outdoors no more - The Indoor Flameless Marshmallow Roaster brings the classic treat inside to the kitchen counter. An electric heater stands in place of an open fire.

(Via CNET News.com.)

How to free up storage space with Mail in OS X

How to free up storage space with Mail in OS X - If you need to free up space in your e-mail account, there are alternatives to randomly deleting masses of e-mails or meticulously sorting through individual messages.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Apple: No more 25GB freebie for ex-MobileMe users

Apple: No more 25GB freebie for ex-MobileMe users - Those who once used MobileMe are learning that they have to slash their stored files on iCloud to 5GB, or pay for higher levels of storage.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Kicked to the Curb: Kickstarter's Hidden Wasteheap of Killed Projects

Kicked to the Curb: Kickstarter's Hidden Wasteheap of Killed Projects - On Friday, September 14th, the team at Vinted Goods was riding high. Their Kickstarter project for a line of vintage-style leather bags and accessories had doubled its original goal, Details magazine had dubbed them "Another Kickstarter Success", and they were closing in on the deadline. Then, 10 hours before the project was due to succeed, it vanished -- replaced by a page that simply says, "Sorry, this project is no longer available."

(Via Wired Top Stories.)

Data speeds: iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S3 vs. iPhone 4S

Data speeds: iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S3 vs. iPhone 4S - LTE data speeds on the iPhone 5 will slaughter the 3G speeds you got on the iPhone 4S. CNET tests the handsets with the Samsung Galaxy S3 to show you how much better.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Stunning Shots of Space Shuttle <cite>Endeavour</cite>'s Final Flight

Stunning Shots of Space Shuttle Endeavour's Final Flight - Over the last three days, the Space Shuttle Endeavour made its way from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Los Angeles, where it will go on display at the California Science Center. Along the way, the space plane -- bolted to the top of a modified Boeing 747 -- hammed it up, treating cities and NASA centers across the southern United States to low-altitude flybys. Here is a sampling of some of the best images from the journey, from NASA escort jets and fans on the ground.

(Via Wired Top Stories.)

Kindle Fire HD vs. iPad

Kindle Fire HD vs. iPad - How does the new Kindle Fire HD compare with the best tablet on the block?

(Via CNET News.com.)

Friday, September 21, 2012

Space Shuttle <cite>Endeavour</cite> Lands in Los Angeles

Space Shuttle Endeavour Lands in Los Angeles - Early this afternoon, the Space Shuttle Endeavour landed at Los Angeles International Airport, completing one final flight on its way to a permanent display at the California Science Center.

(Via Wired Top Stories.)

Can a Human-Powered Bike Go 100 mph?

Can a Human-Powered Bike Go 100 mph? - The current human-powered bike speed record is at 82 mph abut this record may be challenged by Graeme Obree, who has broken speed records before, and has a bike he believes could reach 100 mph.

(Via Wired Top Stories.)

New Opera Mini 7.5 Introduces 'Smart Page'

New Opera Mini 7.5 Introduces 'Smart Page' - Opera has updated its speedy Opera Mini web browser for Android devices. This release adds a new "Smart Page" that gathers up your friends' updates on Twitter and Facebook, along with news from your favorite websites, and displays it all in one place.

(Via Wired Top Stories.)

50 Tips and Tricks for iOS 6

50 Tips and Tricks for iOS 6 -

With iOS 6 -- out today! -- Apple added a lot of useful features to the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. From Passbook, to the new Maps app, to capturing panoramas in the revamped Camera app. Apple has brought a lot of fit and finish to iOS 6, and we'll show you how to get the most out of these new features.

As a reminder, iOS 6 is a free download, compatible with the new iPad and iPad 2, the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 3GS, and the fourth-gen iPod touch. (iPhone 5 and the fifth-gen iPod touch will ship with iOS 6 already installed.) Not every iOS 6 feature works with every device -- we'll get more specific ...

(Via Mac|Life all.)

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Skyping with the police

Skyping with the police - The Redwood City Police Department is experimenting with a new live video chat service that lets residents access a police officer from a computer. Sumi Das brings you behind the scenes of police officer 2.0.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Square perks up, now handles $8B in payments a year

Square perks up, now handles $8B in payments a year - The mobile payments company also says it has raised $200 million more in a new round of funding, led by Citi Ventures and Starbucks.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Twitter Reluctantly Coughs Up Occupy Protester's Data

Twitter Reluctantly Coughs Up Occupy Protester's Data - Twitter on Friday reluctantly complied with a judge's order to divulge the tweets and account information allegedly connected to an Occupy protester. The case was being closely watched as the authorities increasingly monitor and move to access material posted on social networks. The development comes two months after the micro-blogging site reported that, for the first six months of the year, the authorities sought information on Twitter user accounts 679 times.

(Via Wired Top Stories.)

The end of (iPod) nano watches

The end of (iPod) nano watches -

Apple, as it often does, once again last week changed the design of iPod nano, a music player that inspires debates and passions like none other.  We all prefer one iPod nano design over the other. My favorite was the second generation nano, and I still carry it around. However, the sixth generation iPod nano became something of a cult favorite thanks to its square shape. It also inspired a cottage industry of sorts — accessories that turned it into a watch.

It all started when designer Scott Wilson created the Tik-Tok strap that essentially turned the square-shaped iPod nano into a watch. The success of the project also put a spotlight on Kickstarter and its use as a platform for creating gadgets. Nano watches became somewhat of an obsession for many in Silicon Valley. Apple, too, offered up many watch interfaces, which stoked the fires of imagination and a whole slew of products followed. Many even dreamed up scenarios where Apple ushered a new world of wearable computing. The release of the new seventh generation iPod nano now means curtains for the movement.

(Via TheAppleBlog.)

Hands on with the iPod touch and iPod nano

Hands on with the iPod touch and iPod nano -

The iPhone 5 was certainly the big star of Apple's September 12 event (sorry, Dave Grohl...), but the recently neglected iPod touch got a major makeover as well, and the iPod nano got its video-playing mojo back ...

(Via Mac|Life all.)

The Oree keyboard is a wireless wooden wonder

The Oree keyboard is a wireless wooden wonder - Let's face it. Your keyboard isn't attractive, but this one is.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Goodbye, Ping. We Hardly Use Ye

Goodbye, Ping. We Hardly Use Ye -

And just like that, Apple gives Ping its expiration date. The message cropped up in the iTunes 10.7 update that went live today immediately after the iPhone 5 event. Barely two years old, Ping will no longer be available as of September 30 and it is no longer accepting new members.

(Via Mac|Life all.)

iCloud outage strikes discordant tone with professional musician

iCloud outage strikes discordant tone with professional musician - iCloud outage strikes discordant tone with professional musician An unexplained iCloud mail outage hit thousands of users earlier this week; Glenn Fleishman talks with one of many affected, professional musician Roseanne Cash.

(Via Macworld.)

What Apple's new Lightning connector means for you

What Apple's new Lightning connector means for you - What Apple's new Lightning connector means for you Among the new features that debuted with the iPhone 5 and the latest iPods is a new dock connector. Replacing the 30-pin connector that dates to 2003 is a new, smaller version Apple calls the Lightning connector. Here's the rundown on what's new, what's good, and what's not.

(Via Macworld.)

Verizon will allow FaceTime on its network; will others follow?

Verizon will allow FaceTime on its network; will others follow? - Verizon will allow FaceTime on its network; will others follow? Verizon Wireless will let iPhone customers use the FaceTime video chat application over its cellular network, the company said Wednesday. The company joins Sprint in allowing the application.

(Via Macworld.)

How to set up iCloud services in Snow Leopard

How to set up iCloud services in Snow Leopard - While Apple's iCloud services are officially supported only in OS X 10.7 Lion or later, you can get some working in Snow Leopard.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Lightning to 30-pin Adapter, EarPods cost $29 each from Apple

Lightning to 30-pin Adapter, EarPods cost $29 each from Apple - pricing for Apple's new iOS device accessories has been revealed, and the Lightning to 30-pin Adapter will cost $29, a Lightning USB cable is $39, and the new EarPods are sold separately for $29.

(Via AppleInsider.)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Twitter Ordered to Release OWS Protester's Data or Be Fined for Contempt

Twitter Ordered to Release OWS Protester's Data or Be Fined for Contempt - Twitter has lost its appeal against a court order demanding it turn over user data related to an Occupy Wall Street protester.

(Via Wired Top Stories.)

Eight great Gmail tips

Eight great Gmail tips - Eight great Gmail tips When it comes to managing your email, Google’s free Gmail is easily one of the most efficient tools around. Here are eight tips for using some of its best features.

(Via Macworld.)

Amazon shoppers will squeeze through Calif. tax loophole

Amazon shoppers will squeeze through Calif. tax loophole - On Saturday, California residents get to pay tax at checkout on Amazon.com purchases. But hundreds of thousands of items will remain (apparently) tax-free.

(Via CNET News.com.)

American Airlines pilots to use iPads for flight manuals

American Airlines pilots to use iPads for flight manuals - The FAA gives approval for the airline to be the first commercial carrier to toss out its paper-based flight manuals in lieu of iPads -- saving the airline $1.2 million in gas costs.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Kindle for Mac App Store gets performance boost

Kindle for Mac App Store gets performance boost - The app, which is available for free in the Mac App Store, now supports more OS X gestures and "richer formatting."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Amazon backtracks, will offer $15 opt-out for ads on Kindle Fire tablets

Amazon backtracks, will offer $15 opt-out for ads on Kindle Fire tablets - After negative feedback on forced ads, the company reverses course and will allow users to opt-out of "Special Offer" ads -- for a fee.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Friday, September 7, 2012

Pandora Stock Dips After Reports of a Competing Apple Service

Pandora Stock Dips After Reports of a Competing Apple Service - Apple is into negotiations with record labels over licensing deals that point toward a Pandora-style music service, according to The Wall Street Journal. The service would let users create virtual stations built around the sound of a particular artist or song, and the music would be interspersed with occasional iAds.

(Via Wired Top Stories.)

Editing Word documents on an iPad

Editing Word documents on an iPad - Editing Word documents on an iPad Even though there's no iPad version of Word, you can read and edit Word documents on your iPad if you're willing to accept a few compromises. Joe Kissell shows you how.

(Via Macworld.)

Three painless ways to get photos off your iPhone

Three painless ways to get photos off your iPhone - Three painless ways to get photos off your iPhone Stop emailing photos to yourself. Here are three ways to automate photo syncing with your computer.

(Via Macworld.)

Amazon confirms: All new Kindle Fires stuck with ads

Amazon confirms: All new Kindle Fires stuck with ads - All new Kindle Fire tablets have "Special Offers" (ads), and -- unlike past Kindles -- you won't be able to opt out.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Why Apple and Google should be scared of Amazon

Why Apple and Google should be scared of Amazon - He who controls the hardware, controls the platform. He who controls the platform, wins the war.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Blue Microphones Mikey Digital takes iPhone and iPad recording up a notch

Blue Microphones Mikey Digital takes iPhone and iPad recording up a notch -

When it comes to microphones for the iPhone and iPad, I have to admit that I haven't been too impressed with what's been delivered over the past few years. For example, the original iRig Mic from IK Multimedia was quite noisy, although the iRig Mic Cast improved on that somewhat. The original Mikey from Blue Mics was also an improvement, but now the company is shipping the new Mikey Digital (US$99.99) that works with recent iPhones and all iPads to capture stereo sound with clarity.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

How many Kindle Fires did Amazon sell? 5M, maybe

How many Kindle Fires did Amazon sell? 5M, maybe - The retail giant says the Fire captured 22 percent of all tablet sales during its lifetime. Asymco's Horace Dediu puts a hard number to that percentage.

(Via CNET News.com.)

Koubachi's $99 Wi-Fi plant monitor outsmarts the garden gnome

Koubachi's $99 Wi-Fi plant monitor outsmarts the garden gnome - Not exactly plants vs. aliens: Startup Koubachi has begun selling a $99 Wi-Fi device to gauge the state of your vegetation and send you advice over the Internet.

(Via CNET News.com.)