Logitech’s modular iPhone case lets you change features on a whim
As clever as smartphone cases can get, their features are usually set in stone; if you decide you need a battery pack after you bought a wallet case, you might be stuck. Logitech hopes to eliminate that accessory anxiety with its new Case+ add-on for the iPhone 5 and 5s, built in part by the TT Design Labs crew it acquired last year. The modular design starts with a basic protector, but lets you attach components depending on what you need. A +Drive piece gives you a magnetic car mount, while +Energy more than doubles your battery life; +Wallet offers space for your credit cards, and +Tilt (based on TT’s TidyTilt) provides both a kickstand as well as a magnetic mount for your fridge.
Do be prepared to pay for the convenience, though. Logitech currently plans to ship Case+ in the US this month as a $200 bundle that includes everything. Given that a 16GB iPhone 5s typically costs the same amount on contract, that’s an expensive proposition — it’ll only make sense if you crave flexibility. We’ve reached out to Logitech to see if it will let you buy components one at a time like you can elsewhere, but we wouldn’t count on it. If your needs aren’t quite so varied, you may want to pick up a more focused (and likely cheaper) case instead.
Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Mobile
Source: Logitech
Wahoo’s new heart rate monitor also improves your running form
Many heart rate monitors can show that you’re running quickly enough to get a good workout. However, they won’t tell you that you’re running properly — which is why Wahoo has just unveiled the TICKR Run, a monitor that includes its own motion sensor. The wearable tracks not just your heartbeat and calories, but also your stride and overall smoothness; you should get a feel for the efficiency of your running style without having to use a separate foot pod.
There’s also a treadmill mode for when you’re stuck inside, and the monitor will talk to both Wahoo’s iPhone app as well as third-party Android and iOS titles like RunKeeper and Strava. The movement tracking boosts the TICKR Run’s price to $80 versus the regular TICKR’s $60, but that might pay dividends if it helps you both refine your form and avoid buying additional gear.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Mobile
Source: Wahoo Fitness
OneNote updates let you start notebooks on iPhone, print on Mac
After lavishing much of its recent attention on Excel, PowerPoint and Word, Microsoft is ready to show OneNote some more love. The company has unveiled a big redesign of its iPhone app that brings simpler navigation and, at long last, the ability to create new notebooks and sections on OneDrive; you no longer have to start jotting down ideas on another device. Upgrading also brings Office Lens (already on the iPad) for digitizing real-world documents, and it’s easier to start a quick note if you’re in a hurry.
The Mac software is getting some much-needed attention, too. You can finally print hard copies and drag-and-drop photos. If you copy text, it’s much easier to preserve the original formatting. Both the iPhone and Mac updates are already available in their respective App Stores, so there’s no reason to hesitate if you use OneNote to keep your ideas in order on either platform.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Microsoft
Via: Office OneNote Blog (1), (2)
Source: App Store, Mac App Store
Physical Mockup Appears to Show Larger 5.5-Inch iPhone 6 in Hand
Yesterday, several images surfaced on Chinese site Feng [Google Translate, via Nowhereelse.fr] showing a physical mockup of what was said to be Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6. The mockup appears to be based on design drawings shared by Japanese magazine MacFan last month.
Most of the reports covering the images have indicated that the mockup appears to represent the rumored 4.7-inch iPhone 6, but we believe this mockup is actually of the even larger model that has been reported as having a display in the range of 5.5-5.7 inches. Among the evidence pointing to this being the larger version:
– Protruding rear camera: In the design drawings, only the larger model is depicted with a protruding rear camera similar to that seen on the current iPod touch. The drawings show the larger iPhone 6 as slightly thinner than its smaller sibling, necessitating a slight protrusion to accommodate the camera module.
– Display to device height ratio: The design drawings show that the larger 5.5-5.7 inch iPhone 6′s display is approximately 80 percent of the height of the device, while the 4.7-inch model’s display is around 75 percent of the device height. The photos of the mockup show lines delineating the display edges as putting the ratio closer to the 80 percent figure seen on the larger model.
– Size in hand: Hand size obviously varies significantly from person to person, making comparisons difficult, but the physical mockup simply looks very large in the hand. According to the design drawings, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is just 13 mm taller and 7.5 mm wider than the iPhone 5s, but the mockup looks more like the larger iPhone 6 design, which is an additional 20 mm taller and 11 mm wider.
Most of the recent attention has been on the smaller 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6, as that is expected to debut first around the September timeframe. Multiple reports have indicated that the even larger version will likely arrive several months later.
Lunecase harvests excess iPhone energy to light up LED notifications
iPhone cases are a dime a dozen, but the creators of Lunecase claim their masterpiece can do something special. While it looks just like any other case on the surface, Lunecase can apparently harness the electromagnetic energy the iPhone emits and use it to light up its LED call or message indicators. It’s not even connected to the phone via wires or any other means — if what its Kickstarter page says is true, it’ll work as soon as you snap it on. Sound familiar? That’s because Lunecase’s creators, Ukrainian company Concepter, showed it off at CES 2014, albeit in a different form. The prototype presented during the event looked a lot different from the current offering, but at least it worked just as advertised. If this sounds more useful than a case that can track your blood pressure, you can get one for the iPhone 5, 5s and 5c from its Kickstarter page for a minimum pledge of $35. Just note that you’ll have to make do without its icon-like indicators until it ships, which the company aims to do sometime in August.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Lunecase Uses Electromagnetic Energy to Display iPhone Notifications [iOS Blog]
Ukranian company Concepter today debuted a new Kickstarter project for the Lunecase, a new iPhone case that uses electromagnetic energy emitted from the iPhone to detect and alert users when a text message or phone call is placed.
The Lunecase does does not require a battery or a connection with the phone, but it is able to determine when the iPhone receives an SMS message or a phone call, at which point it lights up an LED on the back of the phone to create a visual notification.
The case is smart enough to tell the difference between the two types of notifications and the LED in the case is powered by energy emitted by the iPhone itself. Eliminating the need for a battery allows the Lunecase to retain a thin form factor while being able to provide notifications. Lunecase was initially shown off at CES 2014, where it received positive reactions.
“Accessories made for the iPhone can sometimes take the beauty and easy functionality away from the phone,” said Concepter founder Vlad Tislenko. “Lunecase brings the back of your phone to life and enhances the natural iPhone functionality with no batteries, no cords and no bulk.”
Currently, Concepter is creating Lunecases for the iPhone 5/5s and the iPhone 5c.
A limited number of black Lunecases can be preordered on Kickstarter for $30, with a white Lunecase also available for the iPhone 5/5s for a pledge of $39. Personalized engraving is available for $99, and all Lunecases are expected to ship in August of 2014.
You can now use the iPhone for free, as long as you don’t mind old gear
To date, FreedomPop’s no-cost phone service has been attached to older Android phones. That’s fine for many, but not exactly diverse. Your choices are a little better now that carrier has added iPhone support to its lineup, though. You can get 200 voice minutes, 500 messages and 500MB of data per month on Apple’s handset without paying a dime; it costs the equivalent of $5 per month if you need unlimited calls and texting. It sounds great, so what’s the catch?
As you might suspect, device selection is the big gotcha. Much like Ting, FreedomPop isn’t carrying the latest Apple technology. You’ll have to be happy with either buying a refurbished iPhone 5 for $349 or bringing over a Sprint-ready iPhone 4, 4S or 5 you already own. This isn’t the choice for those who want to live on the bleeding edge, then. Still, it does give you free LTE phone data — a major advantage when the only alternative on FreedomPop with similar speeds is a hotspot.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sprint
Via: Recode
Source: FreedomPop
Windows Phone thrives in Europe, but struggles in China and the US
Microsoft’s quest for smartphone market share is hitting a few roadblocks, it seems. Kantar estimates that Windows Phone is still gaining ground in Europe, where it’s up year-over-year to 8.1 percent of sales in the first quarter of 2014. However, it’s taking a bruising in other areas. In the US, Windows swung from increases this fall to a slight dip in the winter; while it’s still doing relatively well at 5.3 percent of US share, it’s not posing much of a threat to Android or iOS right now. The platform also took a drubbing in China, where its share was nearly cut in half to exactly one percent thanks to the rise of budget Android handsets.
Not that it was all sunshine and roses for the industry heavyweights. Android made strides in China, the US and parts of Europe, but it sank in Australia, Europe and Japan. Some of these losses were due to a recovery from Apple, according to Kantar. The iPhone is still having trouble in China and the US, but it clawed back share in Australia and Europe. It’s also dominant in Japan; 57.6 percent of local smartphone buyers chose iOS hardware this quarter.
Whether or not these trends continue through the spring isn’t certain. Windows Phone may get a helpful boost from the launches of the Lumia 630 and 930, while Android may get a lift from Samsung’s Galaxy S5 flagship. There’s also the wildcard of the 8GB iPhone 5c. Although it’s not dramatically cheaper than its 16GB counterpart, it could draw a few mid-range buyers to Apple. It’s safe to say that Microsoft will be watching very closely — now that it owns Nokia’s device business, it has even more incentives to see Windows Phone succeed.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Microsoft, Nokia, Google
Source: Kantar Worldpanel
Apple will replace your iPhone 5’s faulty power button for free
If you’ve noticed that your iPhone 5′s sleep/wake button isn’t working reliably, you’re not alone — and you’ll be glad to hear that Apple is doing something about it. The company has started a free program in Canada and the US (worldwide on May 2nd) that will replace buttons on phones made through March 2013. Should you qualify, you’ll get your phone back four to six days after it reaches an Apple repair center; there will be a loaner on hand if you can’t afford to be incommunicado for that long. We’re sure that some would have liked the program to start earlier, but it’s no doubt a relief if you otherwise faced paying for an out-of-warranty repair.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Via: The Loop
Source: Apple
eBay’s new mobile apps are all about you
eBay’s mobile apps just got a little more personal. The company refreshed its offerings for the iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows Phone 8 today, unveiling a new look for the apps that’s customized to your habits. The highlight of the update is a new “My Feed” section on the home screen which populates with large photos of items you’ve indicated you want (like this epic collection of 125 Goat books). It looks a lot like Pinterest, with updated imagery that makes you feel a little more like you’re shopping for high-end antiques rather than crap someone found in grandma’s attic.
If you’d prefer to bid on a “Stylish Lion Mane” for your pooch from the mobile web, you’re in luck. Those accessing the site from their phone or desktop browser will also get the new personalized feed. The update isn’t quite live yet, but will launch with the ability to list items for sale from your phone as well as respond to offers and browse through Daily Deals. Because bargains like this $5 unisex toilet bag don’t come along everyday.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Windows Phone Store, iTunes, Google Play
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