Latest Gadgets, Tablets and Smartphones
The JackPod is another great idea that I just came across on Kickstarter. It is a device that you plug in to the 3.5mm headphone jack on your smartphone and use that as a mounting point for a tripod.
The details show that it can mount any smartphone that uses any case safely on to a tripod so you can get steadier shots.
The 6th generation iPhone rumours have continued to be written ever since the iPhone 4S launched. One of the big changes, other than a change of dock connector, is that the device might include a larger 4 inch screen. On all iPhone models Apple has opted for a 3.5 inch screen, but rumours have strongly suggested that Apple will break away and opt for a larger screen.
After a few months of iOS 5.1 being in beta 3, Apple has now publicly released iOS 5.1. The latest version of iOS is available for the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone and brings several new features although Siri users might be left a little disappointed.
Now that iOS 5.1 Beta 3 has been seeded to developers, we are now seeing reports and hints at what could be included in future updates. One of the first discoveries is that the iPad and perhaps the iPod touch could be getting some form of Siri.
You might remember that Apple [AAPL] has recalled a number of first generation iPod nano units. These were the ones build in September 2005. We are now seeing evidence that Apple has replaced some 1st gen units with the latest 6th gen models.
Apple [AAPL] has issued a recall for the first gen iPod nano. The reason for it is due to problems with the device that in some very rare cases had problems with overheating. Batteries and heat don’t go together too well often causing explosions. Apple seems to have made the best choice here although the original nano came out five years ago.
Garage Band for the iPad has received an update. Amongst a few tweaks, another feature added is iPhone and iPod touch support. For those that already have purchased Garage Band on the iPad, you’ll now be able to download it to your iPhone as it is now a universal app.
A few new Apple devices have appeared in the Apple inventory according to 9to5Mac. In total there are 2 new iPhone SKUs as well as 3 new iPod touch SKUs. Read on to see what they are.
The iWork suite of apps have always been available for iPad owners, but never for iPhone or iPod touch users. This has now changed as Apple has finally released versions of the apps that are compatible with both the iPhone and iPod touch.
The new versions went live in the App Store yesterday when the familiar + sign was added to the app which means the single apps are compatible with both the large and smaller screened devices.
Spotify is in the process of rolling out a new service to regular iPod users. This includes those with an iPod classic, iPod nano and iPod shuffle which will see each of the devices capable of being connected up to the Spotify app on the PC or Mac. Once connected with the regular 30 pin connector, the iPod will show up in a new Devices section.
With that connection, you can now sync across to your iPod any tracks that you own. You also have the ability to download tracks or/and complete playlists that you have saved. The pricing drops to as low as 50p per track in the UK depending on how many MP3’s you purchase.
Apple has released an update for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The new version is 4.3.2 which is a minor update that brings a few bug fixes to the OS.
The fixes include the FaceTime problem where a blank screen or frozen video would occur during a call. Also, a fix specific to the iPad WiFi+3G model has been fixed which prevented some users from connecting to networks (international problem only). Finally, a number of other security updates were baked in to the update which we suspect just seal a few security holes, perhaps to help prevent those who update from jailbreaking with the current methods.
The iPod nano is currently in its sixth generation. Most of the previous generations have seen changes to the design, with the 6th gen shrinking the unit right down and putting a touchscreen on the front of it.
We see today that Apple [AAPL], is working on a new seventh generation model that keeps the same form factor as the 6th gen model. The main difference though is that it looks like it will get a camera on the back, and perhaps on the front. The leaked image (larger version below), shows what looks to be the 6th gen device but with a camera hole cut out of the top right of the unit. [Read more…]
