Gadgets Blog

An iPhone for $99?  Are you kidding me?   That’s a little bit of awesome.

So the basic 3G (8 gigs) version is now priced for easier mass consumption at $99.  A mid-range model with 16 gigs is available for $199, and the same $299 we paid for the first version will now get you the 32-gig bigger, better, faster, stronger edition.   Nice.

The new iPhone 3G S is said to be (up to) 3.6 times faster than the 3G, which hopefully would solve that frustrating little detail of delayed page loading while navigating that causes a driver to miss a crucial turn.  That’s only happened a few times so I’m not that bitter, but faster can only be better in this case.

And, the Apple dears have listened to the crowd and added cut-copy-paste functions for apps, as well as a shakable “undo” tool to ctrl-z your last action — Etch-A-Sketch comes to mind.

The 3G S also features a video camera (shoot, edit and share from the palm of your hand), voice control for your music or placing a call, and GPS maps with compass that reorients itself to match your direction automatically.   Speaking of, that landscape keyboard option will also be very nice indeed.

I, for one, was excited about the Pre but now my fickle consumer attention span is once again diverted… Palm what?  Feels like it’s my birthday and I don’t know which present to open first!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for iPhone accessories.

Source: CNN.com, Apple.com

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

•  The World’s Largest Cheetoh Eaten Over the Most Expensive Keyboard - Gizmodo
• Speakers that look like trash cans - Engadget
• Wooden iPhone cases - OhGizmo!
• Self-propelled suitcase drives itself - Technabob
• Blue Space submarine - Machines that Go Bing
  

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• SkyMall Deal: Save $25 off $150 at SkyMall 
• Xbox Stimulus Package; Hero Hawking Hospitalized
• Logitech Deal: Save 10% on Logitech Security Camera
• Banned Apple App: Apple Takes Down Baby Shaker
• Top 8 Helpful Gadgets for the Unemployed
• How to Buy an LCD: Tips on Buying an LCD TV
  

Apparently Apple, for a very brief moment in time, did not like crying babies.

Apple approved a controversial iPhone application, “Baby Shaker,” then immediately had to take it down, due to outrage and protest from child protection groups.

The app does just what it says. It puts a baby on the screen. It begins to cry. And then you see how long you can take the annoyance before you shake the crap out of your phone.

“On a plane, on the bus, in a theater. Babies are everywhere you don’t want them to be! They’re always distracting you from preparing for that big presentation at work with their incessant crying. Before Baby Shaker there was nothing you could do about it.

“Now, Baby Shaker gives you a charming drawing of a baby sure to make those with a less than iron will fawn. True to life, it begins to annoy you immediately. See how long you can endure his or her adorable cries before you just have to find a way to quiet the baby down!”

Very interesting, and yes, a cruel attempt at fun and humor.

I’m sure Michael Vick for a brief moment in time was thinking of how to create an app for fighting pitbulls to help him earn his millions back.

Source.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• 10 of the geekiest music videos of all time - Gizmodo
• David Beckham goes Terminator for Motorola - Engadget
• 3,500 Per Square Inch - Yanko Design
• Fujitsu’s Secure USB memory device, with erasing capabilities - OhGizmo!
• Star Wars T-shirts for the eco-geek - Technabo

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Dell Monitor Discount: Save 10% at Dell on a 20-Inch 
• Sleeping on Air: Floating Cloud Sofa
• Save 30% off ANY HP Photosmart Photo Printers
• Video Chatting: Next Gen iPhone to Have Video Chatting

I love how Apple keeps trying to keep the iPhone.

The latest Apple patent shows how Steve Jobs and the boys have applied for a patent for a type of video chatting. There are looking to create a front-facing video camera for chatting for the next generation iPhone. Also included in the patent is a morphing interface that will adapt to the motion of the user. Meaning, if you’re shaking like crazy, the elements on the screen will get bigger so you can punch them with your stubby digits.

Now, will they just figure out a way to send picture messages through text messaging. Is that to much to ask Mr. Jobs!?

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So you’d think the richest man on the planet would have pretty much everything. Especially something as cool and affordable as Apple’s iPhones and iPods.

You’ve thought wrong.

Bill Gates has some pride and among the things that is banned from his family at their technologically advanced home are, you guessed it, Apple iPhones and iPods. Finally, something the kids at school can tease the Gates children about.

“Oh, you have a G5 jet, well I have a 3G iPhone! NeeNer NeeNer!”

Even the wife Melinda Gates apparently has an eye for Apple’s creations.

“Every now and then I look at my friends and say, “Ooh, I wouldn’t mind having that iPhone.”

But until Bill lets go of the reigns, it looks like it’s Microsoft Zunes and Palm Treos for everyone.

To check out all the deals on Microsoft Zune media players on Smarter.com, click here.

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Photo Source.

Yep. That’s the new word on the street.

And a part of me believes it too. Only because as of recently, I just bought my second iPhone in year because I broke my screen and Mr. Jobs won’t allow me to just replace the screen. Oh no. I had to buy the whole unit.

Well done Steve. Well done.

Anyways, not sure how much truth there is to this rumor or what is going to be so new about the new iPhone. Check back often and we’ll update you.

To read more about it, click here.

It’s official.

The iPhone can do everything but walk the dog and do the dishes.

Well, I may be exaggerating a little bit, but not by much. But if you’re looking for something a bit more fun and bright to charge your iPhone at night and you’re too cheap to fork over some cash for a speaker dock or more, then this might be for you.

Scosche has come out with the reviveLITE, that not only serves as a charging station for your beloved iPhone, but it can also be your night light during those twilight hours so you don’t you run into the wall when you’re going for that midnight tinkle.

So how much does this beacon cost you? Oh, about $40. Here, check it out at Scosche.

Photo Source.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• Blackberry Storm now available on Verizon - Verizon
• iPhone 2.2 update released - Gizmodo
• Roll-up mouse pad includes a hub and speakers - Engadgets
• Miniature Mario Kart Wiimote Projector Lights - OhGizmo!
• MySpace Blackberry Application Breaks Records - Ubergizmo
• Check out the Slagoon sled - Machines that Go Bing!

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Online Fitness Deals: Save 10% on Skull Candy
• A Life Size Voltron Painted in Front of Your Eyes
• Dell Deals: Dell Coupons Expiring Today
  

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• EOps i24R3 wireless iPhone speaker -Gizmodo
• Look sharp in a Star Wars hoody - Shop Ecko
• Honda helps you walk with Robo-Legs - AP
• A watch for you match nerds - 24 Diamonds
• Virgin America to launch in-flight Wi-Fi November 22 - PSFK
• Wireless USB made easy - OhGizmo!
• Play with your iPhone with the Ocarina app - Technabob
• Upper body tanner - Ubergizmo

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Dell XPS Deal: Save $372 on a M1530 at Dell
• Cool Green Car: The Cool and Eco-Friendly BamGoo Car
• GPS Deal: Garmin Nuvi 260 Portable GPS Deal
• Cool Kitchen Gadgets: Darth Vader Toaster