Latest Gadgets, Tablets and Smartphones
Earlier this morning Skype launched a native app for the iPad. Unfortunately it was pulled out of the app store moments later and then followed by a tweet saying:
To ensure your best Skype experience, we’ve temporarily removed Skype for iPad which went live prematurely today.
Good new though as a quick check of the app store shows that it is available again (at least here in the UK where I am testing it now).
Apple launched OS X Lion last week to the world and we now see that they have begun seeding 10.7.2 to developers. The changes that 10.7.2 brings to OS X Lion is support for iCloud. Until now, only iOS developers have had access to iCloud on the iPad, iPod touch and the iPhone. With the release of this new Beta 5 of Lion, it gives developers the opportunity to test iCloud between mobile and desktop devices.
Fring has launched its iPad app which now brings group video chat to the tablet device. The new version of Fring lets up to four people chat with a video link at the same time.
Nuance has released a new version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking and with that, a companion app that allows you to use an iOS device as a remote microphone for the software.
The new version of the software is 11.5 and along with being able to function with iOS used as an external mic, it also allows for you to update your facebook status with your voice.
Although there’s not much we are too surprised about here, we still thought we’d mention that iOS 5 has indications that two iPad 3 models will be launching as well as 2 iPhone 5 models. The information comes from the SDK that shows references to iPad3,1 and iPad3,2 as well as iPhone4,1 and iPhone4,2. No mention of a new iPod touch is listed.
The reason the iPhone model numbers contain a four is that it’s the forth generation iPhone if you count the 3G still as first generation.
Apple iCloud was finally announced yesterday. The new service aims to put all of your content in the cloud and make it an invisible process to move files between each of your Apple devices.
When buying a track from iTunes for example, you can buy it on your iPhone. The track is then loaded to iCloud and any other logged in device such as an iPad, iPod touch or a Mac each have the song downloaded automatically.
Apple has announced iOS 5 along with all the features that it brings to the iPhone, iPod and iPod touch. The iOS 5 release date will be sometime in the fall of this year although no specific date has been mentioned. As for compatibility, it will work on the iPhone 3GS, 4, iPod touch 3rd and 4th gen as well as the iPad and iPad 2.
Take a look below to see what new features are coming to iOS 5:
Apple has announced that iOS 5, Lion and iCloud will all be announced at WWDC this year. The event is being held on June 6 at 10:00am.
Each of the new software and services will be announced in the keynote presentation by Steve Jobs as well as other Apple execs.
iRemoco is an RC helicopter that is controlled by an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. The kit comes with a radio device that connects to the 30 pin dock connector on your iOS device. When connected, you load up an app and can then be used to fly an RC helicopter around with either two on-screen analogue controls, or by a single control and motion to move the helicopter around a room.
The app also can be used to switch between three different frequencies so that up to three helicopters can be used at the same time.
Occasionally we come across very unique apps for the iPhone and iPad. Trimensional is one of those apps which hit the app store just over a week ago. What it does is allows you to use your iPhone 4, iPod touch (4th gen) or iPad 2 as a simple 3D scanner.
The app works by flashing a sequence of four frames on the screen of the iOS device and at the same time, captures images with the front facing camera. By projecting different images from the screen it allows it to create a simple 3D map of a face or any object as pictured below.
Today, we hear that Apple could be hiring some new staff. This would normally not be too exciting although this time, we hear that the staff being hired are ex Nintendo and Activision PR staff.
The Nintendo staff member is Rob Saunders who was Nintendo UK’s head of PR. It is expected that his role will be related to PR and that the work will revolve around gaming on the iOS platform. [Read more…]
The iPhone Facebook app has been updated to a new version. The 3.4 release brings five new features to the app, which includes:
– Added Map View for Places
– Added the ability to Check in to Events that you’re attending
– Added the ability to unfriend from the phone
– Improved News Feed
– Improved notifications UI
The map is a welcomed addition for those what check-in to places. Also, you can now check in to events rather than just places. [Read more…]
