AT&T Cuts Rates on Unlimited Plans, Bing May Replace Google on iPhone, ValentineMaker App, and More

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All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

News, Reviews, & Opinion

• AT&T Announces New Unlimited Plans Across All Devices
• Quanta to Develop Smartbook the Size of an iPhone
• Apple Dumping Google for Bing on the iPhone?
• Android OS Roils Smart Phone Market
• Use Your iPhone to Scare a Bear (Before It Eats You)

Apps & Services

• ValentineMaker: Create and Email Valentines
• vPhone: VoIP App for the iPhone
• Great Book of World War II Airplanes Being Adapted to iPhone/iPod touch
• Free CoPilot Live GPS Navigation App for iPhone
• iHeadache for iPhone: The Most Complete Headache Analysis App Available
• Affordabook Takes Pain Out of Textbook Scramble
• Your Facebook Group Is Now an iPhone App
• Chess Elite iPhone Game Contest - Win a MacBook Pro

Accessories

• Steadicam Smoothee for iPhone 3GS
• Listen to Music Wirelessly from Your Computer or iPod on Home Theater Speaker System
• Buffalo Dualie Hard Drive Docking Station for iPhone and iPod
• Solar Power Pack for iPhone 3G/3GS with Additional Port for Charging Other USB Gadgets

iPod Deals

These price trackers are updated every month.

• Best classic iPod deals
• Best iPod touch deals
• Best iPod nano deals
• Best iPod shuffle deals
• Best iPhone deals

News, Reviews, & Opinion

AT&T Announces New Unlimited Plans Across All Devices

PR: AT&T has announced new unlimited plans across all devices - including its industry-leading lineup of smartphones - to provide more value and choice for customers who want to talk, text, and surf on the nation's fastest 3G network.

"With more than twice the number of smartphone customers as our nearest competitor, we are committed to offering great value and choice for customers who want to talk, text, and surf on the nation's fastest 3G network," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Our new plans reflect customers' continuing desire to do more with their phones - including talking and browsing the Web at the same time. Plus these new plans make it even more attractive to choose AT&T which already offers customers the best 3G experience and the industry's most popular and innovative devices."

The new plans, which will be available beginning Monday, Jan. 18, can be ordered at AT&T's 2,200 company-owned retail stores and kiosks, through convenient online service at att.com, or at one of the thousands of authorized AT&T retail locations.

Feature Phone customers may choose unlimited talk for $69.99. Family Talk customers (prices assume two lines) may choose unlimited talk for $119.99 per month. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals and $30 for Family Talk plans.

Quick Messaging Device customers may choose unlimited talk for $69.99 and Family Talk plans may choose unlimited talk for $119.99 per month (for two lines). These plans require a minimum of $20 per month for individual plans and $30 per month for Family Talk plans in texting and/or Web browsing packages for new and upgrading customers.

All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume two smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.

Existing AT&T customers can change to any of the new plans without penalty or contract extension with the online account management tool at att.com/wireless.

For customers who do not choose an unlimited voice plan, AT&T offers Rollover, which lets customers keep the minutes they don't use. In addition, AT&T offers A-List, which offers unlimited calling to up to 10 domestic phone numbers.

Quanta to Develop Smartbook the Size of an iPhone

Electronista reports:

"Quanta Computer, which supplies Apple and HP, will build a smartbook, according to a Tuesday report. The idea is for a 'computer in an iPhone form factor,' according to Quanta Chairman Barry Lam, who also added the company is seeking more strategic investments to keep making a profit."

Link: Quanta to Develop Smartbook the Size of an iPhone

Apple Dumping Google for Bing on the iPhone?

BusinessWeek's Peter Burrows and Cliff Edwards report:

"Apple is in talks with Microsoft to replace Google (GOOG) as the default search engine on its iPhone, according to two people familiar with the matter....

"The discussions reflect the accelerating rivalry between Apple and Google...."

Link: Apple, Microsoft Discuss Giving Bing Top iPhone Billing

Android OS Roils Smart Phone Market

ChangeWave's Paul Carton and Jean Crumrine reports:

"Google's Android mobile operating system was first introduced more than a year ago, and hardly made a ripple in the smart phone market - until now.

"ChangeWave's December 9-14 survey of 4,068 consumers shows the Android operating system roiling the smart phone market, with Motorola's new Droid smart phone the biggest and most immediate beneficiary.

"Among respondents who currently own a smart phone, 4% say they're using Google's Android operating system - a 3-pt jump since our survey in September.

"But more importantly, 21% of those planning to buy a smart phone in the next 90 days say they'd prefer to have the Android OS on their new phone - a monstrous 15-pt jump in just three months."

Link: Android OS Roils Smart Phone Market

Use Your iPhone to Scare a Bear (Before It Eats You)

AppleInvestor.com blog says:

"Thanks to Stephen Colbert, we've become acutely aware of the dangers of bears, the 'soulless, godless, rampaging killing machines' who patrol the forests of North America and prey on unwary hikers (some potentially not-safe-for-work language on that last site, FYI). Until now, your best defense against these furry terrors has been simply avoiding their killing grounds altogether. But Flying Jalapeño Software has introduced the latest weapon in the arsenal against the ursine menace: ScareBear Trail Companion.

"ScareBear Trail Companion is an iPhone app that replicates the sounds of bells, clapping, and rocks in a tin can (yes), all of which are supposedly like kryptonite to bears and will scatter them from your path before you even encounter them. Should you happen to come across a bear immune to these charms and wards, ScareBear Trail Companion still has you covered - in an emergency, you can use the app to sound an emulated air horn, which may terrify the creature and send it scurrying away."

Link: Use Your iPhone to Scare a Bear (Right Before It Eats You)

Apps & Services

ValentineMaker: Create and Email Valentines

PR: Jeff Hendrickson presents the essential iPhone, and iPod touch app to create and email Valentine's Day greetings using the photos from the user's photo library. ValentineMaker is a must-have app for iPhone and iPod touch users who want a fun and easy way to send Valentine's Day greetings to loved ones.

Want to create and email Valentines greetings using the photos of people or pets in your iPhone or iPod touch photo library? ValentineMaker is ready! With the photos from your iPhone or iPod touch photo library, use ValentineMaker to select a photo, add one of the Valentine hearts decorations, and let the fun begin. After creating your Valentine greeting, email it to your Valentines! Great for letting the people in your life know that you are thinking about them on Valentine's day!

Feature Highlights:

• ValentineMaker uses pictures from your photo library
• Comes with different Valentine hearts
• You set the message in the festive Valentine's Day banner
• Email your ValentineMaker greeting to your Valentines
• Saves your ValentineMaker greetings to show your friends
• Great to create Valentines greetings using pet pictures

Use Notes:

• Both Name, and Description are required fields
• You can scale your picture to center faces or make faces larger or smaller
• You can move, scale, and rotate hearts
• Please visit the support page for more detailed instructions

Device Requirements:

• iPhone running 2.0 or later
• iPod touch

ValentineMaker 1.0 is 99¢ and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Entertainment Category.

Link: ValentineMaker (download link)

vPhone: VoIP App for the iPhone

PR: Matrix today announces the launch of its proprietary V Phone offering wireless and mobile VoIP software for the iPhone platform. The vPhone sip client is targeted at IP Telephony companies that are or intend to provide voice and telephony services to end-users. It has the immense potential to be a forerunner in the supply of software to VoIP Service Providers and Internet Service Providers.

Matrix today announces the launch of its proprietary vPhone: wireless and mobile VoIP software for the iPhone platform, which has the immense potential to be a forerunner in the supply of software to VoIP Service Providers (VSP's) and Internet Service Providers (ISP's).

The vPhone sip client is targeted at IP Telephony companies that are or intend to provide voice and telephony services to end-users. For VoIP Service Providers (VSP's) that are providing home based voice services, the vPhone solution is the ideal opportunity for providers to further boost their revenue stream by offering wireless or mobile VoIP calls. Matrix can provide a white label or branded version of the vPhone that is customised to a provider's specifications. This versatile application can be locked down to a provider's settings, branded with their logo and integrated with the provider's backend system or toolbox.

Following the recent announcement of the vPhone on the Symbian platform, this further cements our offerings on IP Telephony solutions to service providers. Currently, as very few companies provide a wide range of SIP Clients for the major operating systems found on mobile devices, Matrix's vPhone product is a ready made solution and has the added advantage, since it will be available for the Google Android and Windows Mobile platforms as well.

The vPhone is also available to end users of the iPhone at the Apple App Store, this mobile VoIP app for the iPhone not only offers users the ability to make VoIP calls, it has the distinct advantage over its competitors of being able to send text messages or SMS's using your VoIP Provider of choice. This app is fully featured with history logs, contacts integration, dialing from history and adding to contacts from history logs. It even has a built in voice help to assist users configure the app.

Device Requirements: iPhone running 3.0 or later

vPhone 1.01 is $1.99 and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Productivity category.

• Screenshot - Dial: http://www.TheVPhone.biz/images/IMG_0010.png
• Screenshot - SMS: http://www.TheVPhone.biz/images/IMG_0011.png

Link: vPhone (download link)

Great Book of World War II Airplanes Being Adapted to iPhone/iPod touch

PR: The Great Book of World War II Airplanes is a highly regarded work featuring a collection of super-realistic airplane illustrations that has sold around 170,000 copies worldwide. With the conversion of the first batch of these illustrations into "iPhone app" form, iPhone users can view and enjoy the superb images of the Zero Fighter drawn by leading airplane illustrator Rikyu Watanabe.

Headway Inc. (Representative: Hisae Akioka, Address: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) announces that it is beginning distribution of the iPhone/iPod touch application World War II Airplanes: Zero Fighter from Apple's App Store.

This application was created by taking images of the Japanese World War II Zero Fighter from the among the illustrations appearing in The Great Book of World War II Airplanes, which was published in 1984 and has sold 170,000 copies worldwide, and repackaging them to create an iPhone app.

World War II Airplanes: Zero Fighter is being sold in an English language edition at a retail price of $5.99. However, for one week from today, this app will be on sale at a special release price of $3.99.

Features of World War II Airplanes: Zero Fighter

This application contains over 50 beautiful and highly realistic illustrations of fighter planes including the world famous Zero fighter and a number of other popular Japanese World War II fighters such as the Raiden, Reppu, Shiden and Shinden that are renowned for the excellence of their design. These illustrations were drawn by Rikyu Watanabe, one of the world's leading exponents of airplane illustration, whose drawings are even today widely referred to by aircraft fans and modelers the world over.

These illustrations of these excellent airplanes including trihedral drawings, airplane internal structural drawings and illustrations of parts such as sights, engines, etc., are displayed in full on a beautiful iPhone/iPod touch screen. The instrument panels are also reproduced in detail with such extreme precision that some users may even feel that they are actually sitting in the cockpit.

This application introduces the Zero fighter in even greater detail thanks to specialized iPhone functions that display explanations and other detailed information by tapping the i mark or expanding or reducing the magnification using double tap and pinch operations.

A sideshow function is included to allow users to enjoy viewing each illustration in succession at a leisurely pace.

World War II Airplanes: Zero Fighter is an iPhone application developed and sold by Headway Inc. with the express permission of Zokeisha Publications Ltd., the owner of the copyright of the original book The Great Book of World War II Airplanes. Continuing on from the Zero fighter, Headway is planning to develop a series of iPhone applications for a number of the other great airplanes featured in the Great Book of World War II Airplanes, such as the P38 Lightning, the P-51 Mustang, etc. A Japanese edition of the present application is scheduled to be available within 2010.

System Requirements: iPhone/iPod touch compatible, requires iPhone OS 2.2.1 or above

Retail price: $5.99

Release date special price: $3.99

List of Illustrations Included (Partial)

• Mitsubishi Zero Carrier Fighter Model 21 (A6M2 "Zeke")
• Mitsubishi Zero Carrier Fighter Model 52c (A6M5c "Zeke")
• Mitsubishi Local/Floatplane Fighter Raiden Model 21 (J2M3 "Jack")
• Mitsubishi 17 Trial Carrier Fighter Reppu (A7M2 "Sam")
• Kawanishi Local/Floatplane Fighter Shiden Model 11 (N1K1-J "George")
• Kyushu 18 Trial Local/Floatplane Fighter Shinden (J7W1)
• Zero Model 21 (A6M2) Anatomical Drawing
• Zero Model 52a (A6M5a) Cockpit Drawing
• Nakajima Sakae Model 21 Engine (NK1F)
• Model 98 Firing & Bombing Sighting Device, etc.

About the Great Book of World War II Airplanes

The Great Book of World War II Airplanes on which this application is based is an illustrated collection published in 1984 that has sold approximately 170,000 copies worldwide. This book is a celebration of twelve typical fighter and bomber aircraft that played active roles in the Second World War and is packed with full-color illustrations by Rikyu Watanabe together with a voluminous text. The book brings together the contents of an earlier series of works introducing each of these aircraft, which were published in a 12-volume series between 1980 and 1983.

The Great Book of World War II Airplanes has attracted feverish support from a wide range of airplane and fighting machine fans on account of its large B4 modified format, massive binding, mammoth 632-page format, 24 dynamic gatefold illustrations, beautiful coloring accomplished using special colored inks including silver, exquisitely detailed full-color illustrations, and superb expository writing. In addition, this book has been highly evaluated as a historical document and has continued to attract and enchant readers for over a quarter of a century since its first publication.

In World War II Airplanes: Zero Fighter, some parts of the contents of the original book have been omitted. Also, the main text is presented in English only.

Link: World War II Airplanes: Zero Fighter (download link)

Free CoPilot Live GPS Navigation App for iPhone

PR: GPS navigation pioneer ALK Technologies today announces CoPilot Live Directions, their full turn-by-turn GPS navigation app for iPhone devices. CoPilot Live Directions takes a more flexible approach to map management. As with all CoPilot Live products, detailed street maps are stored on the phone, not downloaded per trip. Customers can choose how much or little of North America's road network they wish to store on their iPhone.

iPhone users in North America can now download a free app that provides lifetime turn-by-turn GPS map guidance with CoPilot Live Directions. The app, from GPS navigation pioneer ALK Technologies, Inc., gives you a 30-day Free trial of the full GPS navigation app for iPhone with premium features such as voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation and 3D map displays throughout the US and Canada. After 30 days, users can opt to continue using premium voice-guided GPS navigation with a 12-month or 30-day subscription via in-app purchase ($19.99 and $2.99 respectively), or they can simply continue to enjoy free lifetime use of map-only turn-by-turn directions.

In addition to breakthrough affordability, CoPilot Live Directions takes a more flexible approach to map management. As with all CoPilot Live products, detailed street maps are stored on the phone, not downloaded per trip. However with CoPilot Live Directions, customers can choose how much or little of North America's road network they wish to store on their iPhone. After installing the app, simply download your choice of map from in-app to iPhone via WiFi: either the complete map of North America (1.3 GB) or individual maps of the states you need (approx. 50 MB).

Michael Kornhauser, Managing Director at ALK Technologies said, "With CoPilot Live Directions, we are making full-featured turn-by-turn GPS navigation for iPhone more affordable, more flexible and more accessible than ever. With a choice of features, mapping and subscriptions, including free map-based directions, there's now a CoPilot to suit all types of traveler and every level of budget."

Key features in CoPilot Live Directions:

• 30 days free full-featured CoPilot Live navigation with Text to Speech voice guidance, 3D maps and advanced trip planning
• Free lifetime use turn-by-turn directions with automatic route calculation and 2D maps
• Full street level maps of the US and Canada
• Detailed street maps downloaded via WiFi and stored on the iPhone, so there's no need to rely on your data network for navigation
• Navigate to a street address or one of millions of businesses using integrated real-time local search
• Free CoPilot LiveLink location sharing lets friends and family know where you are via the Internet, Facebook or onscreen in CoPilot on their own phone

Device Requirements: iPhone 3G, 3GS running 3.0 or later

Customers who prefer to download the complete map of the US and Canada via iTunes rather than WiFi can do so by purchasing the lifetime use, full-featured CoPilot Live North America GPS navigation app via the App Store.

Link: CoPilot Live Directions (download link)

iHeadache for iPhone: The Most Complete Headache Analysis App Available

PR: BetterQOL, Inc., the developers of iHeadache, have released the latest version of their headache tracking program. iHeadache is the only App that delves into a fully comprehensive analysis of headaches and their triggers. The application creates custom reports for physicians and stores fifteen months of detailed headache data. iHeadache is an expert system for classifying, analyzing and tracking all facets of headache pain and disability, including symptoms, triggers and medications.

Developed by neurologist, researcher and headache specialist, Dr. Brian D. Loftus, the app has unique capabilities not available in other applications dealing with headaches. "This software is unique in that it captures data from the patient in order to generate reports specifically formatted for their physician," explained Dr. Loftus. "It's the first step to optimized headache care."

The four stars plus app is able to analyze a patient's headache using the International Headache Society criteria (IHS) to differentiate the main types - migraine, probable migraine and tension. It keeps count of the number of headaches monthly, which helps to pinpoint patterns and determine if a headache is chronic. Medication tracking is also used to help a doctor decide if a patient is having rebound headaches from medication overuse.

iHeadache creates reports over periods of time, indicating not only the type and number of headaches and medication used but also assesses the level of disability involved, based on a standardized disability scale called the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) and the time the user is disabled.

Information recorded, tracked and stored by iHeadache:

• Symptoms
• Duration and severity
• Disability and impact
• Medication and usage (more the 25 system medications preloaded)
• Number of headaches
• Headache triggers

Reports generated by iHeadache can be broken down into 28 or 30 day periods or by specific months for presenting to a physician:

• The types of headaches a patient has
• The number of headaches during a specified period of time
• Medications and dosages
• The length of time a patient is completely and partially disabled
• A patient's MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale) score
• The sum of a patient's headache triggers

Notes

The app allows users to create custom triggers and medications, as well as enter notes about each headache. All of the information is stored for fifteen months, which is long enough to unearth patterns and provide clues for optimized patient care.

iHeadache Lite is available for a free trial but limits users to two weeks of data storage. iHeadache 1.0 for BlackBerry is also now available. It offers the same features as iHeadache 1.2 for iPhone and iPod except for trigger tracking which will be available in version 1.1. iHeadache developers are already planning to sync their app with a specialty website in a future release.

Device Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch 2.2.1 or later

iHeadache 1.2 is $4.99 and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Medical category. A portion of the proceeds from iHeadache is donated to medical research. Promo codes are available for qualified reviewers. Please specify the website or blog you represent when making your request.

• Demonstration Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/BNeurology
• Screenshots: http://www.betterqol.com/iheadache/screenshots-ip.html

Link: iHeadache (download link: iHeadache Lite or full app)

Affordabook Takes Pain Out of Textbook Scramble

PR: New multi-book iPhone App gives college students an efficient way to get their books at the best price, helping them avoid long lines on campus and trim some fat off the cost of higher education. This mobile generation wants one-stop comparison shopping - on the fly

As families reel from our economy's drawn-out tantrum, college students can call home with some good news. Affordabook.com, an online price comparison search tool and just-out iPhone application, helps users find good deals on cheap textbooks - a welcome relief when every penny counts.

News ImageSurveys show students spend between $300 and $1500 each year for new and used books, heaping additional strain on tight budgets. On average, families lay out $14,000-$30,000 in annual tuition and fees to send a child to college.

"My differential equations textbook alone cost me $200 this term," said Ryan Lockaby, 19, a freshman at South Carolina's Clemson University. "I've got to say 'no' when my friends want to go out to eat. These hidden costs burn your social life."

Affordabook.com provides a multi-book search in a matter of seconds, based on ISBN, book title, author, or keywords. Website visitors can use their laptop or the company's recently launched free iPhone app to search and tally the cost for all their books at once or just research one book at a time.

"This mobile generation wants one-stop comparison shopping - on the fly," said Vinnie Thomas, owner of Affordabook. "People don't have time to mess around. Time is money. Textbooks are money. This iPhone app will let a student snap up a deal when he corners one."

Almost two dozen retailers are linked to the price finder, enabling easy comparison and quick purchase of discount textbooks, novels and other nonfiction works. Users also can create a Watched List, which generates an email when a book reaches the client's target price range.

The Brick, NJ-based company also highlights books of interest, current New York Times Bestsellers and money saving tips on its site.

Textbook prices have soared in recent years - tripling since the mid-1980s, according to the US Department of Education and Government Accountability Office. New textbooks generate about $4 billion in revenue in this country, says Simba Information, a market research group. Used books generate about $2 billion in sales.

Headquartered in Brick, NJ, Affordabook was launched in 2006 by entrepreneur Vinnie Thomas. The company provides real-time, web-assisted comparison shopping, helping students and other customers find textbooks and novels at the lowest price. Affordabook partners with more than 20 name-brand retailers, facilitating quick research and easy online purchase or rental of new and used books.

Link: Affordabook (download link)

Your Facebook Group Is Now an iPhone App

PR: AppMakr, a fast self-service tool to create iPhone apps, transforms your Facebook Group Page into an iPhone app

AppMakr is offering a $100 discount coupon to showcase your Facebook Group iPhone app.

Turn any Facebook Group into an iPhone app in just minutes using AppMakr. AppMakr is offering a $100 discount coupon off the regular $199 price through January 31, 2010 to showcase this new functionality. Use coupon "FACEBOOK" at checkout.

Launched last week, AppMakr.com has built 2,159 iPhone Apps in just ten days for thousands of registered users. AppMakr has been featured by top tier bloggers worldwide, including Guy Kawasaki, Seth Godin, Robert Scoble, Beth Kanter and Geoff Livingston, as well as being featured in TechCrunch, Mashable, MobileCrunch, TechMeme, The Washington Post, TECH Cocktail and others.

AppMakr offers, for the first time, a true "What You See is What You Get" WSYWIG interface for creating a fully native iPhone application and now includes Facebook Group RSS feeds. Users can enter a website URL or keywords and AppMakr will create a sample iPhone app from that content in 27 seconds.

For more information on how to turn your Facebook Group page into an iPhone app, visit http://go.AppMakr.com/Facebook

AppMakr allows users to register test apps on their iPhones or iPod touches at no charge. Apps can be published with AppMakr as the author for $199 or self-published for $499. There are no recurring fees, and users keep all ad revenue they generate.

Link: AppMakr

Chess Elite iPhone Game Contest - Win a MacBook Pro

PR: 99Games, creators of Chess Elite are now organizing a Chess Elite contest and awarding a sleek MacBook Pro as the grand prize to the Best Chess Player Contest coming up for Chess Elite. The contest starts on Jan 15th and ends on March 15th.

Chess Elite is an iPhone game that allows players to play chess against other human opponents and rank the players based on their win-loss record.

99Games, creators of Chess Elite are now organizing a Chess Elite contest and awarding a sleek MacBook Pro as the grand prize to the best chess player.

About the game:

Chess Elite currently has over 2,000 players who are active on its online community. The game offers a plethora of features such as Correspondence Play, Elo Rating System and Push Notification support. A recent update added Chess Clubs and Smart Groups to the game.

Apart from that, the game also lets a player view their own as well as other players' career statistics.

About the Chess Elite Contest:

The contest facilitates the players to polish and hone their chess skills. Players need to compete against other players in the Chess Elite online community and increase their Elo Rating by winning against other players. Everyone starts with an Elo rating of 1,600 when they join the community. There is no limit to the number of games a player can play simultaneously. Top players will be awarded with fabulous gadgets and the first player to achieve an Elo Rating of 2,500 will win a shiny new MacBook Pro. Standard Elo rating system is followed to compute the rating of players.

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: MacBook Pro 13" 2.26 GHz: First player to achieve 2,500 Elo
• 2nd Prize: iPod touch 32 GB: First two players to achieve 2,400 Elo
• 3rd Prize: iPod touch 16 GB: First three players to achieve 2,300 Elo
• 4th Prize: iPod nano 8 GB: First players to achieve 2,200 Elo
• 5th Prize: iPod shuffle 2 GB: First player to achieve 2,100 Elo

Link: Chess Elite (download link)
Link: Chess Elite Best Chess Player Contest

Accessories

Steadicam Smoothee for iPhone 3GS

PR: The Tiffen Company, award winning manufacturer of still image and video accessories, announced at the International Consumer Electronics Show, the release of the Steadicam Smoothee™, a new easy to use right out of the box image stabilizer for use with the Apple iPhone 3GS.

The Smoothee, developed by Steadicam, the leader in camera stabilization, now allows iPhone 3GS owners to capture incredible video without the shakes normally associated with handheld video shot on the go.

The Steadicam Smoothee is specifically designed and engineered to work with your Apple iPhone 3GS. Based on the same technology as the big $60,000 rigs used in Hollywood, it allows iPhone 3GS owners to capture incredible video without the shakes normally associated with handheld video shot on the go, right out of the box, the very first time.

The Steadicam Smoothee is small and agile enough to take on vacations or follow the action at sporting events.

The Smoothee let's you "fly" wherever the scene takes you - up and down steps, indoors and outside, through crowds - almost anywhere, with precise, elegant control and ease. Its quick release mount lets you instantly swap camera connections between your Smoothee!" and any tripod.

"We're extremely proud to be introducing this incredible new Steadicam at CES, that let s anyone take great videos with their iPhone 3GS the very first time. Whether they re novices or aspiring videographers, the Steadicam Smoothee allows iPhone 3GS owners have a richer experience and more fun with their iPhone," said Steve Tiffen, president and CEO of the company.

The lightweight, agile, and easy to use Steadicam Smoothee features an innovative, patented design built around a durable mono-frame metal structure that requires no complicated instruction to use. With its go anywhere compact dimensions, The Steadicam Smoothee is approximately 8 W x 14.5 H x 2.5 D (20.3 x 36.8 x 6.4cm) in operating configuration. While designed for the Apple iPhone 3GS, the patented quick release removable iPhone mount also serves as a tabletop stand or can be mounted to any tripod with a standard x20 camera mount and the comfortable ergonomic hand-grip folds up securely when not in use. Also included with the Steadicam Smoothee is a quick guide DVD on how to get the best possible shots, along with a carrying strap.

Link: Steadicam Smoothee

Listen to Music Wirelessly from Your Computer or iPod on Home Theater Speaker System

PR: Aperion Audio, a consumer direct maker of award-winning home theater speaker systems, introduces the Aperion Home Audio Link (HAL), a wireless adapter which streams any audio format wirelessly from a computer, iPod, MP3 music player or mobile device to a variety of audio systems. By adding more HAL Receiver units the music can be distributed to up to three rooms. HAL is simple to use, utilizes a robust wireless link, and delivers high quality sound at an affordable price.

Many music libraries are stored on computers, MP3 players, and other mobile devices which are restricted to small, built-in speakers. By using Aperion's HAL, music lovers can hear great sound wherever they want in the home, on the type of sound system they prefer. The Aperion HAL gives users a choice, setting the music free and enabling it to be heard on the best audio system available, such as a home theater speaker system. HAL can also be used to wirelessly connect a powered subwoofer.

To hear music from a laptop computer, for example, the user simply plugs the matchbox sized HAL Send unit into a computer's USB port, connects the HAL Receive unit into an AV receiver, plugs in the power adapter and the system links automatically. Unlike many wireless products on the market today, HAL does not require a WiFi network or software installation. The HAL gives new meaning to the phrase "plug and play".

"Our customers have been asking our Home Theater Gurus for advice on wireless audio systems; we set out to find a reliable technology that we could advocate," said Mike Hopkins, Aperion Audio's Product Development Manager. "We created HAL to give consumers the opportunity to listen to all of their music or favorite Internet radio stations wirelessly on their preferred sound systems and we've been able to do it simply with an elegant, affordable solution."

The Aperion HAL system is priced at $149. To enjoy distributed music throughout the home, consumers can purchase additional HAL Receive units for $70 each. The system is available for preorder now at AperionAudio.com and ships January 28, 2010.

Specifications and Warranty:

Package Includes: HAL Send unit and HAL Receive unit, 2 USB power adapters, 2 stereo mini to RCA cables, one stereo mini cable, and two pairs of adhesive Velcro strips.

Technical Specifications: Transmits uncompressed digital audio up to 100 feet in the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

Warranty: One year limited warranty covers all defects in material and workmanship.

For more information, visit AperionAudio.com or call 888-880-8992.

Link: Aperion Home Audio Link

Buffalo Dualie Hard Drive Docking Station for iPhone and iPod

PR: Buffalo Technology has announced the Buffalo Dualie, the world's first combined storage solution and docking station for the Apple iPhone or Apple iPod. Characterized by a contemporary design featuring a chic brushed aluminum and black soft touch two-tone finish, the Dualie allows consumers to sync and charge their iPhone or iPod while providing simultaneous access to the included 500 GB portable hard drive for backup or storage of digital assets.

Presenting a new unique hardware platform, the Buffalo Dualie incorporates both a USB 2.0 and a FireWire 800 port on the Mac-formatted 500 GB portable hard drive with a two-port USB 2.0 hub on the docking station. Designed for a broad array of computer users, from creative and corporate professionals to prosumers and students, the Dualie offers an organized and simple solution for storing, protecting and synching digital assets.

Introducing the Buffalo Dualie

• Meet the world's only combined storage and docking station for the Apple iPhone or Apple iPod
• An Ultra portable USB 2.0/FireWire 400/800, 500 GB drive with USB 2.0 dual dock.
• Dock your drive and iPhone or iPod on one base station
• Elegant Aluminium Tone Finished Chassis
• USB 2.0 Docking Station - with two additional ports
• 500 GB USB 2.0 FireWire 400/800 2.5" Hard Disk Drive
• Sync and charge your iPhone or iPod while accessing your portable hard drive
• Includes hard drive, dock adapters and all necessary cables
• Adapters for iPhone 3G/3GS, 2G iPod touch, 120 GB iPod classic, and 5G iPod nano
• Preformatted hard drive for Mac users. Includes all necessary drivers for Windows users.

"Buffalo Technology has been a leader in the portable drive space with robust solutions and bold designs," said Ralph Spagnola, vice president of sales at Buffalo Technology. "The Buffalo Dualie is a unique step that moves beyond 'just storage,' offering an innovative work space solution that differentiates our brand and helps us grow our consumer storage category."

The Buffalo Dualie includes adapters for iPhone 3G/3GS, iPod touch 2nd Generation, iPod classic and iPod nano 5th Generation as well as all necessary cables. The drive is pre- formatted for Mac users and supports Apple Time Machine. Time Machine will automatically back up the entire contents of your Mac, including system files, applications, accounts, preferences, music, photos, movies, and documents. Additionally, the Dualie includes all required drivers for Windows system users.

Technical Specs

• Size and Weight
  • Drive
    • Height: 134mm
    • Width: 83mm
    • Depth: 21mm
    • Weight: 230g
  • Internal Hard Disk Drive
    • HDD Interface: SATA
    • Drive Capacity: 500 GB
    • Format: HFS+
    • Number of Internal HDD: 1
• Data Interface Docking Station
  • Rear Dock: USB 2.0
  • Standards compliance: USB 2.0
  • Connector type: 1 x USB Type mini-B. 2 x USB type A
  • Data transfer rate: USB 2.0: Max 480 Mbps
• Docking Connector: HDD
  • Connector type: USB type mini-B
  • Number of ports: 1
• Dock connector: Apple iPhone/iPod
  • Connector type: 30 pin Apple connector with adapters for iPhone and iPod
  • Number of ports: 1
  • Adapters supplied:
    • iPhone: 3G/3GS
    • iPod touch: 2nd generation
    • iPod classic: 120 GB
    • iPod nano: 5th Generation (video)
• Dock
  • Height: 70mm
  • Width: 101mm
  • Depth: 96mm
  • Weight: 380g
• Data Interfaces Hard Disk Drive
  • USB 2.0
  • Standards compliance: USB 2.0, USB 1.1
  • Connector type: USB Type mini-B
  • Number of ports: 1
  • Data transfer rate: USB 2.0: Max 480 Mbps, USB 1.1: Max 12Mbps
• FireWire (IEEE-1394)
  • Standards compliance: FireWire 800 (IEEE--1394b), FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a)
  • Connector type: FireWire 9-pin
  • Number of ports: 1
  • Data transfer rate: FireWire 800: Max 800 Mbps, FireWire 400: Max 400 Mbps
  • Other
  • Supported Operating Systems: Mac OS x 10.4 or later, Windows XP and Vista
  • Power consumption: USN: 2.5W, FireWire: 3W, Docking Station: 0.3W
  • Operating Environment: 5 to 35C, 20-80% RH (non-condensing)
  • Power supply for Dock: UI 318 (UNIFIVE)

The Buffalo Dualie is backed by a limited one-year warranty and includes toll-free, 24/7 technical support.

The new Buffalo Dualie is now available to purchase in the US. The Dualie is exclusive to the Apple Store via apple.com or the Apple Store at an estimated street price of $249.99.

The Buffalo Dualie will be available to purchase across Europe, the Middle East and Africa from February 2010. For more information relating to the Buffalo Dualie, please contact Buffalo Technology by emailing sales@buffalo-technology.co.uk

Link: Dualie

Solar Power Pack for iPhone 3G/3GS with Additional Port for Charging Other USB Gadgets

PR: With this Power Pack for the iPhone 3G, you can enjoy your movies, music, phone calls, and Internet surfing without worrying about the battery running out! This portable charger can recharge your iPhone to 100% about one and half times when the this powerpack is fully charged.

This Power Pack can also charge other USB powered devices through it's USB slot at the same time it's charging your iPhone. For example: a Blackberry, cameras, other phones, MyVu Media Viewers, MP3 Players etc.

Features:

• Additional USB Port for charging other USB Gadgets
• DUAL Power Sources for recharging - Solar or USB Mini 5 pin
• LED indicators for battery status
• An External Battery for other USB Gadgets
• Perfectly fit for your iPhone 3G/3G S
• Recharge your iPhone in a convenient way
• Still access to key buttons and ports.
• You can still have it for Photo-taking (still can use your camera).

This accessory is compatible with:

• iPhone 3G (or 2.0)
• iPhone 3GS
• iPhone 2G (or 1.0) (see notes below)

Specifications:

• Capacity: 2100 mAh
• Input: 5V, 500 mA
• Output: 5V 500 mA (max.)

Color: Black

Note:

• Physically not 100% fit, but definitely no problems to charge.
• Please take the solar charging as a back up source for recharging as it will take quite long time to recharge the battery and it may not recharge the battery up to 100% full.

Link: Solar Power Pack for iPhone 3G/3GS with Additional USB Port for Charging Other USB Gadgets