palmIT

Google Maps for Android Adds Indoor Walking Directions

Cale Bruckner — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:05:49 +0000

Google Maps for Android 6.7 dropped today and the additions include: indoor walking directions, 360° panoramas inside restaurants and stores, and a new Google Offers feature. Read more about the update on the company blog.

“Since we launched indoor maps in the U.S. and Japan in Google Maps for Android last November, business owners have been adding their floor plans to our maps with Google Maps Floor Plans. Today, we are launching indoor walking directions for participating venues in these countries. This will help you get directions not only to a building’s front door, but also through those doors to the places where you want to go inside.”

ioShutter Camera Remote

Cale Bruckner — Wed, 09 May 2012 05:03:48 +0000

Control your DSLR from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch using the ioShutter Camera Remote and ioShutter App. The ioShutter App (free and paid) supports six different modes: standard trigger, motion trigger, sound trigger, time-lapse, timer, bulb, and modes can be combined. Most of Canon’s cameras are supported, and it sounds like a version for Nikon cameras is in the works.

The ioShutter Camera Remote competes with the successful Kickstarter project - Trigger Happy camera remote. Remotes like these are going to replaces the standard remote switches most manufacturers offer – the added functionality you get in the supporting Apps makes it an easy choice, and you don’t have to pay a whole lot more for the added functionality.

The ioShutter Camera Remote is available from Photojojo now for $69.99. The Trigger Happy remotes can be pre-ordered now, but won’t ship until July.

Update 05.08.12: Camera’s from the following manufacturers are supported by ioShutter Camera Remote: Canon, Hasselblad, Pentax, and Samsung. Nikon coming this summer. Compatibility details available on the ioShutter website.

Incase Box Case

Cale Bruckner — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:36:56 +0000

I think I dig the new Incase Box Case. It’s rubberized, which makes it easy to get on and off. I’ve veen looking for something like this. I don’t like the huge Incase logo, but I can live with it. Still amazed that Incase, and others, can sell an iPhone case like this for $29.99 – it probably costs less than a dollar to make.

iPhone Laser Pointer

Cale Bruckner — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:12:53 +0000

The Smart Dot from Tangram Design Lab (@tangram_design) is a laser pointer you can control with your iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, iPod Touch or iPad - and a bit more. The laser connects to the 3.5mm jack on your iOS device, and it’s powered by the same. The free Smart Dot App activates and deactivates the laser, but it can also connect with the machine hosting your presentation via wi-fi and act as a controller for your presentation as well. The App also includes a trackpad feature you can use to control the mouse pointer on the machine hosting your presentation. Smart Dot will do all of this for a mere $79.90. A pretty cool little gadget for the road warriors out there.

Logitech Ultrathin iPad Keyboard Cover

Cale Bruckner — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:26:01 +0000

A new ultrathin iPad keyboard cover from Logitech is about to drop. The aluminum encased cover sports an ultra-quite Bluetooth® wireless keyboard and enough battery to keep it all running for months of regular use. The cover integrates well with the magnets built into the frame of the iPad 2 and iPad (3rd generation) to secure the cover, and wake and sleep your iPad as it should. From the pictures, it looks sharp enough to hang with the iPad. Available later this month for about a Benjamin. If you spend a lot of time writing email on your iPad, you might just want to pre-order one of these.

Pebble Smartwatch – Wearable Computing

Cale Bruckner — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:41:09 +0000

I backed Allerta’s Pebble watch Kickstarter project yesterday; this is the second Kickstarter project I’ve backed. The Pebble e-paper watch extends your iOS or Android powered smartphone by connecting to it via Bluetooth; once connected (paired), Pebble can display notifications sent from your phone (calls, text messages (Android only), alerts, etc.), act as a music player remote control, and a whole lot more.

Pebble features an ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller, a 1.26-inch 144×168-pixel black and white e-paper display with backlight, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, four buttons, a vibrating motor, a three-axis accelerometer, and a scratch and shatter resistant lens. The battery is expected to last more than seven days on a charge, and it’s water resistant to boot.

Eric Migicovsky, Allerta’s founder, has been developing smartwatches for three years. inPulse, Pebble’s younger sibling, worked originally with Blackberry phones but was upgraded to work with some Android phones. inPulse has been popular despite some serious limitations, i.e. you could only install and use one App at a time. Pebble will have an App switcher built in so core functionality like notifications and the music player remote control can remain available even while an App is in use. To support this, Allerta added the ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller and 8 times more Flash memory and 12 times more RAM than inPulse.

I’m looking forward to getting my hands on my Pebble watch this Summer or Fall. I think wearable computing is going to be a big deal in the future, and I can see the use cases for Pebble in my life today. And a big congratulations to Eric and his team, they cleared $3M in backing today, on a goal of $100,000 – I’d say that’s a pretty good indicator that wearable computing has a future. @pebblewatch

Microsoft and West Coast Customs Build 400-hp Mobile Device

Cale Bruckner — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:55:43 +0000

Microsoft teamed up with West Coast Customs to build the ultimate 400-hp mobile device – and they’re calling it “Project Detroit.” The Ford Mustang fast back replicate (2012 Mustang inside) is packed with the latest Microsoft technology – the list includes: a Lumina 800 running Windows Phone 7, Viper’s SmartStart App, an all digital and customizable instrument cluster, a heads-up display that includes Bing Maps, Blue Oval’s Sync system, an XBox 360, a 4G hotspot, and a whole lot more.

You can read all “Project Detroit” on the Wired Autopia site, and if you’re interested in following the build, tune in to Channel 9′s site and watch the Discovery Velocity Network this Sunday at 9:00 PM.

To top it off (pun intended), Microsoft will be making all the source code from “Project Detroit” available on CodePlex, so you can build your own Bat Car.

iTunes Movie Trailers Updated

Cale Bruckner — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:06:55 +0000

Good news movie fans, Apple released an update for iTunes Movie Trailers for iPad today that adds support for the new iPad’s Retina Display. Now you can watch your favorite movie trailers in Retina Definition.

Instaprint Prints Instagram

Cale Bruckner — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:21:30 +0000

Dig Breakfast‘s (@breakfastny) Instraprint project – now on Kickstarter.

Instaprint is a location based photo booth that can transform parties and events by putting a camera in everyone’s hand. By setting Instaprint to look out for specific locations or hashtags, any Instagram tagged appropriately will automatically be printed out on inkless paper.

iOS Apps Rejection Rate

Cale Bruckner — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:37:42 +0000

A 30% rejection rate on iOS App submissions is a bit higher than I thought it would be. Well.. now that I’m thinking about it, maybe not.

of the 26,000 applications submitted for review each week, 30 percent are rejected for failure to meet developer guidelines. – Tim Cook (Apple CEO) – via VentureBeat MobileBeat

All of this is coming out of Tim Cook’s response to letters from G.K. Butterfield and Henry Waxman, ranking members of a congressional subcommittee dedicated to protecting the little people from evil things – like iPhones ; )

iOS Adoption Rate

Cale Bruckner — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:43:10 +0000

Matthew Panzarino’s (@mpanzarino) TNW post, Why do developers prefer iOS over Android? Try 75% adoption of iOS5 while ICS is stuck at 1%., and Chris Sauve’s (@pxldots) post, iOS Ebb and Flow, are both good reads for anyone interested in iOS adoption rates.

Sauve on just how incredibly fast iOS gets picked up when compared to Android:

iOS 5 captured approximately 75% of all iOS users in the same amount of time it took Gingerbread to get 4% of all Android users. Even more astounding is that 15 weeks after launch iOS 4 was at 70% and iOS 5 was at 60% while Ice Cream Sandwich got to just 1% share at the same age. – Chris Sauve

iPhone Bike Computer

Cale Bruckner — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:04:31 +0000

Squeeze a little more value out of your iPhone by turning it into a featured packed bike computer! The Wahoo Bike Pack wirelessly connects your iPhone to any ANT+ bike sensor so you can get all of your favorite cycling data on your iPhone, including speed/cadence, power (wattage), and heart rate.

The Wahoo Bike Pack includes a bar-mounted, waterproof case for your iPhone. Linked up with the Wahoo Fitness App, it tracks all your fitness data: power, bike speed, heart rate, etc., plus it connects wirelessly to any other ANT+ devices you’re already using.

Wahoo Bike Pack for iPhone

New iPad Commercial

Cale Bruckner — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:19:03 +0000

Apple released a new iPad commercial today to highlight the stunning Retina Display that will be included with the new iPad – a feature they’re expecting will set the iPad apart from the growing number of iPad competitors. Ordered my new iPad today, looking forward to the stun.

When a screen becomes this good, colors are more vibrant. Words are pin sharp. Everything is more brilliant. Because when a screen becomes this good, it’s simply you and the things you care about. The stunning Retina Display on the new iPad.

1GB of RAM in new iPad?

Cale Bruckner — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:10:52 +0000

THE VERGE is reporting that the new iPad is going to ship with 1GB of RAM. That’s awesome – and double what the iPad 2 is sporting. Won’t know for sure until the 16th, but I’d say there’s a good chance this is true.

Is Square the new Intuit?

Cale Bruckner — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:17:10 +0000

Square Register for iPad looks great. Register uses the same Square Card Reader the iPhone App uses, and I love the new analytics package.

Square, founded by Jack Dorsey in May 2010, made a big splash by making it easy for iPhone users in the U.S. to accept credit cards inexpensively. Square has been showing up everywhere lately, from Farmers’ Markets to Girl Scout cookie stands. Square Register looks great, and I’m sure it’s going to be a big hit with small business owners across the country. Is Square the new Intuit? It’s starting to feel that way.

Square Register from Square on Vimeo.

Clear Task Management

Cale Bruckner — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:39:13 +0000

Clear, an elegantly simple and gesture based task manager for iOS, had a fantastic first week. Clear has been downloaded more than 350,000 times in the 9 days since it hung its shingle in the iTunes App Store, as reported in the Guardian. Clear was developed by RealMac Software in collaboration with Milen and Impending. You can download Clear now for the introductory price of $0.99 – MAC and iPad versions on the way.

“With Clear, the mission was pretty simple. Get rid of the bullshit, and focus on easy, quick and flexible task entry and management. We looked at what was out there, and began by forgetting everything we saw.” – Impending

Clear for iPhone – Available Now! from Realmac Software on Vimeo.

Official Backer: AppTag Laser Blaster for iPhone

Cale Bruckner — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:59:47 +0000

Kickstarter, the crowd-source funding platform for creative projects, is moving into the mainstream. Last week, two projects – Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Adventure, and Casey Hopkins’ Elevation Dock: The Best Dock for iPhone raised over a million dollars each in just one day.

Kickstarter is democratizing the product development process by putting the decision of whether or not a product should be funded in the hands of the consumer, and consumers are coming out to vote. A new generation of makers (prefer makers over inventors) is responding to the opportunity.

Jon Atherton (t: @tunes) is a maker that recognized the Kickstarter opportunity early. He successfully used Kickstarter to fund jaja, a pressure sensitive stylus for iPad, and he’s at it again with AppTag – Laser Blaster for iPhone.

AppTag brings first person shooter console gameplay to smartphones in the real world by combining the smartphone with a laser tag like system. You can use AppTag with the included pistol grip or attach it to any blaster (a Nerf gun for example) that has an accessory rail. You can read all about AppTag on Kickstarter; Jon does a better job of describing his product than I can – and because it’s a great product, I’m sure the project will be funded. In a post on his blog, Jon talks about how Kickstarter is changing the way he does business.

Kickstarter is going to disrupt a lot of businesses! Previously an inventor like me would pitch inventions, then the toy company has a bunch of committee meetings, they then decide to evaluate it with an option, if they then proceed they offer a small prepayment and an eventual 5% royalty on wholesale. They cover all marketing and manufacture. Inventors can do really well with the right toy!

So for example with the jaja pressure sensitive stylus (which we pitched as a kids coloring in toy) we have now had over 1000 backers, and raised enough to do the tooling and final development work ourselves – we own the IP, and we can sell direct online for a cheaper price with a greater margin.

Now with Kickstarter, I can develop an idea and do the same work as I pitch to the toy companies (create a movie and do a presentation). I then upload it to Kickstarter – where thousands of people evaluate the product! Real customers put there money down if it is good! – Jon Atherton / AppTag 38% Funded – LOVE @Kickstarter

AppTag is the first Kickstarter project I’ve backed – probably because it caught my ten year old son’s attention and he can be pretty convincing. I’m not sure why I haven’t backed a project before. I’ve definitely benefited from the platform – I love my olloclip: iPhone Lens System.

Good luck Jon, and thanks for inspiring me to back my first Kickstarter project. Keep making.

The Cdock for iPhone

Cale Bruckner — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:58:23 +0000

The Cdock, designed by James Aloysius of Portland Oregon’s Hatchet Goods, is a horizontal docking station for your iPhone 4 or 4s that transforms your iPhone into a handsom clock or a miniature retro TV. Pair Cdock with an App like Alarm Clock Pro to replace your bedside nemesis, or the clock on your desk at work. It looks great, and you’re charging the whole time.

The Cdock is available in three faceplate options: glossy black resin, white ohh la la resin, brushed aluminum, or walnut. The resin models go for $55, brushed aluminum $65, and walnut will set you back $70. The Cdock ships with a 6′ USB charging cable (U.S. plug), and it’s handmade in beautiful Portland Oregon.

It’s a little on the spendy side, but considering it’s handmade here in the U.S., and that an Apple Dock Connector will cost you $19 – it’s a fair price. everythingicafe.com posted a nice video review of the Cdock, if you need more convincing. The Cdock, another successful KickStarter project.

Batch for iPhone

Cale Bruckner — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:20:13 +0000

My friend Pat McCarthy, cofounder and CEO of Fantuition, posted his thoughts on the new Batch photosharing App the other day. I haven’t had a chance to check Batch out yet, but based on his review, it sounds like a great tool for sharing photos with friends and family.

You can see the future potential if batches from one event or location are grouped automatically and viewable together. It could nicely fulfill the promise of Color that never came to be.
- Pat McCarthy / ConversionRater.com

Batch is available for download now from the iTunes App Store. Thanks for bringing it to my attention Pat!

Magnus Stand

Cale Bruckner — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:06:36 +0000

The Magnus Stand from Ten One Design (t: @TenOneDesing) is good enough to carry the Apple brand. The design is minimalist, it’s made from recycled aluminum, and it uses the iPad 2′s build-in magnetic hinge to lock your iPad in place. The stand only works in the portrait orientation, but the minimalist design and use of the iPad 2′s magnets to support the iPad leave the various ports, controls, and camer unencumbered.

The Magnus was unveiled at CES 2012, and will be shipping later this week. Available from Ten One for about $50 bucks, which a bit steep for what you’re getting, but like I said it’s good enough to carry the Apple brand.