iphone & ipad blog

Viper’s SmartStart car control app hits Android

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:30:00 +0000

The Viper SmartStart app on a HTC Nexus One. (Credit: Directed Electronics) Android users with Viper remote start systems who have wanted to use their phones to lock, unlock, and start their cars are now in luck. On Thursday, Viper creator Directed Electronics is making its Viper SmartStart app available on the Android Market, as well as through its site . The company released the same version of the app for iPhone users back in October and to BlackBerry users at January's CES. The app, which contains no new or additional features over those versions lets users start their car using their phone, as well as doing things like locking and unlocking doors, opening the trunk, and setting off the panic alarm. The app is free, though it requires that users have Viper's SmartStart security hardware installed in their car, as well as an active subscription to the company's $29.99 a year security service. As mentioned in previous coverage, new SmartStart buyers get a year of this for free when they buy the SmartStart hardware, which runs anywhere from $499 for a new installation, or $299 to add o an existing Viper alarm system. Since releasing this remote unlock and start technology for mobile devices, other hardware makers have gotten on board with apps that share information with on-board vehicle computers. Most notably it's been OnStar, which has its own series of apps for General Motors cars , including a special one for the Chevrolet Volt . It lets Volt owners user their mobile phones to do all the normal things like toggling car door locks, honking the horn and turning the headlights on an off, as well as more vehicle specific tasks like running vehicle battery diagnostics.

WSJ: Apple investigating iOS 4 on iPhone 3G complaints

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:27:28 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple, Inc. is looking into reports that the performance of iOS 4, on the iPhone 3G, is sub-par. The most common gripes are that the two-year old handset is “sluggish” and “burns through a charge” very quickly after the update is installed. Anyone out there experiencing this? Read

Sky 3D channel comes home October 1 with Ryder Cup, EPL, movies and more

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:02:00 +0000

The Sky 3D channel has so far been officially available only in 1,500 or so UK pubs , but now its residential launch for all Sky+HD customers is slated for October 1. The 2010 Ryder Cup will serve as a launch event with three days of live coverage from Celtic Manor as the US and European teams do battle; the first ever in 3D, but the third such event it's covered in high definition. Golf fans won't be the only ones catered to, Premier League football will be returning once the season starts and today's announcement coincided with a SkyArts 3D filming arranged by the English National Ballet. Hollywood's major studios have already agreed to provide 3D movies including Bolt , Monsters vs. Aliens , Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince and more, while Sky has commissioned its own original 3D flick, Flying Monsters presented by Sir David Attenborough. Not quite ready for the 3D revolution? Feel free to put that on the backburner -- at least until the 2012 London Olympics -- as the network is also adding content from HBO, a large slate of new comedies, Anytime+ VOD, and a Sky Mobile TV iPad app. With an HD channel count of 43 and plans to reach 50 by year-end, there should be a little something there for everyone to enjoy. Continue reading Sky 3D channel comes home October 1 with Ryder Cup, EPL, movies and more Sky 3D channel comes home October 1 with Ryder Cup, EPL, movies and more originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

New Droid X ad laughs at Apple’s bumpers

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:20:08 +0000

(Credit: Motorola) The headline reads: "NO JACKET REQUIRED". Yes, this is a reference to the bumpers that Apple is now giving away free to iPhone 4 purchasers. And the copy entices with all the subtlety of an American Apparel photoshoot: "At Motorola, we believe a customer shouldn't have to dress up their phone for it to work properly. That's why the DROID X comes with a dual antenna design. The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like to make crystal clear calls without a bulky phone jacket. For us it's just one of those things that comes as a given when you've been making mobile phones for over 30 years." For all the biting banter of this ad, I still find it hard to find too many people who are truly having a serious problem with their cell phone antennas, be they users of iPhones or of any other magical device. Perhaps this is largely because people don't bother making phone calls any more. Or perhaps in this long and interesting summer, people just need something to talk about. Over e-mail, on Facebook and in the blessed real-time coffee shop that is Twitter.

BeagleBoard finds new purpose in DIY wearable computer

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:02:00 +0000

We've already seen the small and flexible BeagleBoard used for a couple of different DIY projects , but few quite as impressive as this wearable computer built by Martin Magnusson. In addition to complementing any outfit, this rig runs Angstrom Linux, uses a modified pair of Myvu Crystal video glasses (and some stylish shades) for a display, and simply relies on a Bluetooth keyboard for input and a tethered iPhone for internet connectivity. Of course, if the shoulder strap isn't your thing, Martin has also demonstrated that the rig can discreetly fit in a standard CD case -- check it out after the break, and hit up the source link below for a look at the complete build process. Continue reading BeagleBoard finds new purpose in DIY wearable computer BeagleBoard finds new purpose in DIY wearable computer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink