News Archive for 08/11/12

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Ecosol unveils Powerstick V2 portable USB charger

11/12, 9:00pm

Ecosol Powerstick V2

Ecosol has unveiled an updated version of its portable USB charger, Powerstick V2. The device serves as a charger or external battery for a variety of devices, including mobile phones, iPods, digital cameras, or Bluetooth headsets. The company claims the Powerstick can be charged to 90 percent capacity in 90 minutes or less, by plugging it into any powered USB port. The circuitry goes into a sleep mode after the internal battery has been fully charged, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Optoma to offer Pico projector through Web retailers

11/12, 8:40pm

Pico to be sold online

Optoma has announced that its Pico PK-101 projector will be sold through Amazon and BestBuy.com. The company will also offer the device through the Japanese Apple stores, as reported earlier this week. The projector uses Texas Instruments' Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology to deliver a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 at 480 pixel by 320 pixel resolution. All of the internal components fit into a case that measures two inches by 4.1 inches by 0.7 inches, with a weight of four ounces.

Apple to be 'aggressive' in Black Friday deals?

11/12, 4:25pm

Apple's Black Friday plans

Apple's plans for Black Friday -- the crucial sales day following Thanksgiving -- should see some major deals available to the public, argues analyst Ben Reitzes of Barclays Capital. Reitzes notes that low-cost notebooks will have a significant presence on Black Friday, given plans for $299 PCs at Best Buy, Walmart and Dell.com. He further suggests that due to the looming threat of recession, people will want to trade down to cheaper computers.

Tricky Software announces Armado for iPhone

11/12, 3:35pm

Armado iPhone game

Tricky Software, the developer behind Spore Origins, says it has submitted its next iPhone game, which is currently pending approval in the App Store. Armado is remake of the Mac/PC title of the same name, where players take on the role of Armado the armadillo. Armado is an unsuspecting hero who ends up in the middle of an adventure, taking him from woodlands and snow to volcanic mountains. The engine, artwork and controls have all been overhauled to fit the iPhone's capabilities.

iZATT releases Bumps Braille app for iPhone, Touch

11/12, 3:20pm

iZATT Bumps Braille app

iZATT has released the latest addition to its Signal Series of apps for the iPhone and iPod touch, Bumps. The program works as a teaching aide for learning the Braille system. Users can view all 26 dot patterns on the screen, with or without the corresponding English letters displayed. All of the patterns can be viewed on one screen, or each can be presented full-screen. Users can also enter words to see how they are displayed in Braille.

iPod classic 2.0.1 brings in-ear headphone support

11/12, 3:10pm

iPod classic 2.0.1 update

Mirroring a similar update for the fourth-generation Nano, Apple has issued a v2.0.1 firmware update for the 120GB iPod classic. The change list is in fact similar to that for the Nano, primarily introducing support for Apple's in-ear headphones equipped with a mic and remote. Also corrected is a bug in saving Genius playlists, and an unspecified number of minor problems. The update is presently available only through iTunes, and is incompatible with 80 or 160GB Classics.

iPod nano 1.0.3 update adds compatibility, bug fixes

11/12, 12:30pm

iPod nano 1.0.3 update

Apple has released a significant update for the fourth-generation iPod nano, in the form of new v1.0.3 software. The firmware should allow use of Apple's special in-ear headphones, which feature a remote and mic and should allow some form of audio recording. Apple has also introduced the ability to disable Cover Flow when rotating a player, and turn on Cover Flow manually through the Music menu.

Google optimizes search results for iPhone

11/12, 11:50am

Google iPhone optimization

Google has refined the appearance of its search page when visiting from an iPhone or iPod touch, an announcement reveals. Results are now formatted in a similar manner to other Google services, with a blue navigation bar, and vertically-aligned text or imagery that eliminates the need to scroll horizontally. Where appropriate, results will automatically bring up maps, as well as larger and more obvious direction and phone call buttons. In the case of multiple listings a Show Map link brings up the new view.

iPhone apps: Measures, Tilt Meter, iStop WritersBlock

11/12, 10:45am

PassGen Pro, Sticky Notes

Measures ($1) is a conversion utility with features for converting currency, temperature, weight and more. The app features a one screen interface that features a calculator like numerical input above a scroll wheel for selecting the desired conversion. Currency conversion rates are updated daily for 170 countries meaning the apps conversions stay accurate from day to day.