PoP Video peripheral turns iPod touches and iPhones into pico projectors for $99
Posted by Edgar Alvarez | Filed under Techie Stuff
While it may not be the first time we've come across such a concept, this PoP Video add-on is certainly quite different than, say, WooWee's Cinemin Swivel -- and significantly cheaper, too. The PoP Video pairs up with iPod touches (3rd / 4th generation) and iPhones (4 / 4S) via Apple's proprietary 30-pin connector, essentially turning your device into an unorthodox pico projector. According to PoP's site, the 3.5 ounce peripheral's capable of 960 x 540 video output and can give you up to two hours of "playtime" on a single charge -- achieved by way of micro-USB. It all wouldn't be worth it without the free iOS app, though, which lets folks tinker with settings and do what it's intended to do: project videos, pics as well as browsing within Safari. The $99 PoP Video is up for pre-order now, and you can get a quick glimpse of the accessory in action just past the break.
Continue reading PoP Video peripheral turns iPod touches and iPhones into pico projectors for $99
PoP Video peripheral turns iPod touches and iPhones into pico projectors for $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2012 02:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink
CNET | 
PoP Video | Email this | Comments
Tags: iphone, Peripherals
iHome intros iDM5 Executive workstation for tablets / smartphones, priced at $130
Posted by Edgar Alvarez | Filed under Techie Stuff
We've seen iHome launch a multitude of sleek and useful peripherals aimed at the army of slabs out there, and its newest creation isn't an exception. Dubbed the iDM5 Executive, this workstation's designed to make typing on one of those iPads or Tabs a whole lot easier by giving you access to a full set of physical QWERTY keys. Aside from the keyboard, the iDM5's also packing Bluetooth capabilities alongside a 3.5mm audio jack, so despite the "i" shining from the outfit's name, the add-on isn't exclusive to iOS devices. Furthermore, iHome added two USB ports, allowing you to keep the juice flowing on your smartphone / tablet while getting some "work" done. The iDM5 is priced at a hefty $129.99 and you can snatch it up from the iHome site linked below.
Continue reading iHome intros iDM5 Executive workstation for tablets / smartphones, priced at $130
iHome intros iDM5 Executive workstation for tablets / smartphones, priced at $130 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |iHome | Email this | Comments
Tags: Peripherals
Droplet and StackAR bring physical interface to virtual experiences, communicate through light (hands-on)
Posted by Zach Honig | Filed under Techie Stuff
Light-based communication seems to wind throughout the MIT Media Lab -- it is a universal language, after all, since many devices output light, be it with a dedicated LED or a standard LCD, and have the capacity to view and interpret it. One such device, coined Droplet, essentially redirects light from one source to another, while also serving as a physical interface for tablet-based tasks. Rob Hemsley, a research assistant at the Media Lab, was on hand to demonstrate two of his projects. Droplet is a compact self-contained module with an integrated RGB LED, a photodiode and a CR1216 lithium coin battery -- which provides roughly one day of power in the gadget's current early prototype status. Today's demo used a computer-connected HDTV and a capacitive-touch-enabled tablet. Using the TV to pull up a custom Google Calendar module, Hemsley held the Droplet up to a defined area on the display, which then output a series of colors, transmitting data to the module. Then, that data was pushed to a tablet after placing the Droplet on the display, pulling up the same calendar appointment and providing a physical interface for adjusting the date and time, which is retained in the cloud and the module itself, which also outputs pulsing light as it counts down to the appointment time.
StackAR, the second project, functions in much the same way, but instead of outputting a countdown indicator, it displays schematics for a LilyPad Arduino when placed on the tablet, identifying connectors based on a pre-selected program. The capacitive display can recognize orientation, letting you drop the controller in any position throughout the surface, then outputting a map to match. Like the Droplet, StackAR can also recognize light input, even letting you program the Arduino directly from the tablet by outputting light, effectively simplifying the interface creation process even further. You can also add software control to the board, which will work in conjunction with the hardware, bringing universal control interfaces to the otherwise space-limited Arduino. Both projects appear to have incredible potential, but they're clearly not ready for production just yet. For now, you can get a better feel for Droplet and StackAR in our hands-on video just past the break.
Droplet and StackAR bring physical interface to virtual experiences, communicate through light (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | CommentsTags: Peripherals
Logitech reveals Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the third-gen iPad, a set of keys that protect your slate for $99
Posted by Billy Steele | Filed under Techie Stuff
Ever thought to yourself that those Smart Covers would be so much better if they somehow had a keyboard built in? Perhaps not, but Logitech is looking to fill the void anyway. The outfit has announced its Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for this year's iPad. On the business side of the accessory, you'll find a full Bluetooth keyboard with function keys that will last up to six months on a single charge -- that is, if you can manage to limit your use to under two hours a day. Securing your slate during those heavy typing sessions is a built-in stand that sits atop the keypad; however, it appears that you're stuck with only one viewing angle. Around back, the cover will protect that precious Retina display while providing instant on / off functionality like the original Smart Covers did, complete with magnetic clip. Don't fret, it'll also play nice with the second-gen model, just in case you haven't committed to the latest Apple tablet. Available later this month in both the US and Europe, the keyboard cover will cause you to fork over $100 before employing either of its services. Full details are in the PR below and a few press shots wait in the gallery that follows.
Logitech reveals Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the third-gen iPad, a set of keys that protect your slate for $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | CommentsTags: Peripherals
Livestream Broadcaster hands-on
Posted by Richard Lawler | Filed under Techie Stuff
According to CEO Max Haot the logical next step for Livestream -- now well established as a reliable service for bringing live video feeds to the internet -- is just to get more people distributing live video by any means necessary. To that end, the company is jumping into the hardware business with this palm-sized Livestream Broadcaster unit that just went up for preorders a few days ago. With a subsidized price of $495, it connects to video cameras directly over HDMI then reencodes and uploads the video on the fly to the company's servers (unlimited streaming costs $45 per month, each encoder comes with three months free) via Ethernet, WiFi or a 3G / 4G USB dongle. Even on the wireless-internet challenged LVCC floor it was sending several streams and enabling user control via buttons on the unit itself, or remotely from a PC or iPhone / iPad. These boxes are still on target to ship at the end of May and and showed off everything those without the backing of a tech / media conglomerate (cough), like small businesses or independent bloggers, would need to make their productions available for viewing as they happen.
Continue reading Livestream Broadcaster hands-on
Livestream Broadcaster hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | CommentsTags: Peripherals
Switched On: When the smartphone giveth, Part 1
Posted by Ross Rubin | Filed under Techie Stuff
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. 
Part II of this article will be coming next week -- stay tuned!
The rise of smartphones hasn't been kind to makers of devices such as digital cameras, digital music players and portable GPS devices. Handsets with a rich selection of apps have been increasingly cannibalizing sales of these products, leaving few ways for these once hot holiday gift items to compete. In some cases, though, they have enabled functionality that was once envisioned for standalone products that either failed in the market or never went much beyond a niche audience. Here are five examples of failed devices that never made much headway. The concepts behind them, though, ultimately found acceptance on smartphones.
Continue reading Switched On: When the smartphone giveth, Part 1
Switched On: When the smartphone giveth, Part 1 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | CommentsTags: Peripherals, Retro
Livestream Broadcaster pre-orders available now, shipping at the end of May for $495
Posted by Edgar Alvarez | Filed under Techie Stuff
Livestream Broadcaster pre-orders available now, shipping at the end of May for $495 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
PermalinkThe Verge | Livestream | Email this | Comments
Tags: Peripherals
Razer to arm lefties with the Naga if it gets 10,000 Likes before April 21st
Posted by Billy Steele | Filed under gAmINg, Techie Stuff
Razer to arm lefties with the Naga if it gets 10,000 Likes before April 21st originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Facebook | Email this | Comments
Tags: Peripherals
Apogee MiC review
Posted by Billy Steele | Filed under Techie Stuff
Continue reading Apogee MiC review
Apogee MiC review originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | CommentsTags: iphone, Peripherals
