News Archive for 09/09/10

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Check Point VPN delivers secure remote access to iPhone

09/10, 11:35pm

Check Point iConn VPN for iPhone

Check Point on Thursday launched its VPN and intrusion-prevention software for the iPhone. Check Point iConn VPN is designed to provide iPhone users with secure remote access to corporate network systems through VPN gateways. When working on corporate servers, users can do everything from e-mailing to accessing internal web portals, file servers and IP-based corporate applications.

Scosche, Griffin, Belkin announce new iPod nano 5G cases

09/10, 11:20pm

iPod nano 5G protective cases

Scosche, Griffin Technologies, and Belkin have all announced new and revised cases for Apple’s latest fifth-generation (5G) iPod nano. The kickBACK hard-case with integrated rubber siding is developed by Scosche, and offers shock resistant protection and a hinged kickstand for widescreen viewing. It also includes an opening for the iPod nano’s video camera, and comes with built-in traction nubs for improved grip on flat surfaces. Originally released in October of 2008 for the iPhone 3G, the new version can also be purchased from the company’s online store and is currently priced at $24.

iPod nano to gain Nike-branded heart rate monitor?

09/10, 4:40pm

Evidence from Apple's own website

The latest iPod nano may soon have an optional Nike heart rate monitor, a guide from Apple's website is said to indicate. The manual (PDF) includes a section called "Linking a Nike+iPod Compatible Remote or Heart Rate Monitor," specifically stating that the technology is only compatible with a fifth-gen Nano. Although the new player is already in stores, there is no sign of the quoted monitor.

NAVIGON updates MobileNavigator GPS app for iPhone

09/10, 4:05pm

Adds text-to-speech

NAVIGON has launched a second, free update for the North American version of MobileNavigator for the iPhone. The app turns an iPhone into a GPS unit, with maps for the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It works in both portrait and landscape modes, and has features such as intelligent address entry, signpost display and lane assist. It also displays warnings when exceeding speed limits.

Camera-equipped iPod touch still coming, say sources

09/10, 3:40pm

Change in production very recent?

Apple is continuing work on an iPod touch with a camera, in spite of having just released a third-generation player without one, several sources claim. Yesterday's product debut surprised some onlookers, who had fully expected the addition in keeping with long-standing rumors and evidence. A camera has nevertheless been added to the iPod nano, a smaller and cheaper device.

iFixit dissects fifth generation iPod nano

09/10, 1:45pm

Teardown revels processor, memory information

iFixit has dissected the new fifth generation iPod nano, showing the internal components. Apple introduced the Nano at its iPod press event held on Wednesday. The overall design appears to closely match the fourth-generation iPod nano, but with the new camera and a click-wheel that is not permanently affixed to the case as it was in the previous generation. The new video camera is video-only, as the size of the Nano reportedly limits the ability to integrate still-photo capable circuitry. The video camera captures H.264 640x480 video at 30 frames-per-second and captures AAC audio.

Sharp intros Blu-ray player, two portable iPod docks

09/10, 1:20pm

Sharp intros BD player with online video service

At the CEDIA show on Thursday, Sharp announced it will soon launch a new Blu-ray player, the BD-HP52U. The reader will have the ability to connect to the web, and Sharp will partner with an unnamed service provider to bring premium streaming video content. This partner is expected to be named later in September. Other known features of the BD-HP52U include Blu-ray Profile 2.0 support and the ability to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound formats.

Jobs defends lack of camera on iPod touch

09/10, 12:00pm

First post-event interview

The third-gen iPod touch has not been given a camera because Apple wants to think of it as a gaming device, according to company CEO Steve Jobs. Speaking with David Pogue of the New York Times, Jobs attributes the marketing shift to public demand. "We started to market it that way, and it just took off," he says. "And now what we really see is it’s the lowest-cost way to the App Store, and that’s the big draw."

Pioneer outs tabletop iPhone speakers, sound bar

09/10, 11:15am

Pioneer XW-NAS3, NAS5 and HTP-SB300

Pioneer used the CEDIA expo today to dip into bookshelf-sized iPhone and iPod speakers for the first time in the US. Having just entered Europe a week ago, the XW-NAS3 and XW-NAS5 are both single-piece units but are designed for better sound than usual in the class with 2.1-channel, digitally amped 60W output. They both also have stealth displays behind the grill and optionally support Bluetooth for streaming stereo music, including from an iPhone or iPod touch.

iPod update event gives confidence, says analyst

09/10, 9:45am

Helped by iTunes 9, App Store figures

Apple's 2009 iPod update event was generally a positive, says Needham & Co. analyst Charlie Wolf. It did for instance mark Steve Jobs' first public appearance after his six-month medical leave, during which he had a liver transplant. Jobs also announced several important statistics, such as the existence of over 75,000 iPhone apps, and over 1.8 billion app downloads. The last official figures included 65,000 apps and 1.5 billion downloads.