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Bracketron NanoTek Stand: minimalistic design by 1.0 Innovations, functional standout

Posted on June 17, 2013 by admin

You may read this review of the Bracketron NanoTek Stand (US$29.95) and ask yourself “What’s so exciting about a angled piece of aluminum with some sticky pads on it?” Well, many times smartphone stands are tied to a particular generation of a smartphone, so when the next big thing appears on the market, it’s time to toss the stand for a newer model. The Bracketron NanoTek Stand is a design that works now and will keep your iPhone happy for the foreseeable future. Design The NanoTek Stand began life as the SETA Smartphone Stand, a Kickstarter project by 1.0 Innovations that is still underway and has so far pulled in almost four times the funding goal. It appears that Bracketron saw just how successful the Kickstarter project was and they’ve now licensed the design. The Bracketron product is available now, and can be purchased online or from a number of retailers. For more information about the Kickstarter project, check out the video below: The NanoTek Stand/SETA Smartphone Stand is a piece of aluminum weighing in at 2.2 ounces, bent so that there’s a little “foot” on the bottom to allow it to stand up on a desk and adorned with a t-shaped slot cut through the lower part for a charging cable to snake through. On the bottom of the “foot” there’s a NanoSuction[TM] pad so that your phone and the stand aren’t going to topple if you happen to bump it. Another NanoSuction pad is on the front of the stand, and that’s what you slap your iPhone onto. Gallery: Bracketron NanoTek Stand (design by 1.0 Innovations) As noted, the t-slot in the front of the stand is perfect for feeding through a 30-pin Dock or Lightning connector for charging. The NanoTek is currently being sold in either white or silver. Functionality NanoSuction pads are amazing; they work well for sticking items to flat surfaces, and then letting you remove them without damaging either surface. That material is not sticky to the touch, and it doesn’t pick up a lot of dust or grime The 1.0 Innovations folks who set up the original Kickstarter project for this stand even have the idea of selling some super-sized NanoSuction pads for attaching iPads to surfaces like walls, refrigerators or windows. With a naked iPhone or — believe it or not — iPad mini, the device stuck right to the stand and stayed in one place. Especially with the iPad mini, it’s a great way to have access to the device on a desktop without taking up a lot of space. Well, there appears to be one material that isn’t NanoSuction-friendly, and that’s the material that Mophie juice pack battery packs are made out of. That’s what I use to keep my iPhone 5 charged up, and it just won’t stick to the stand. Pull off the case and the iPhone sticks like glue, put it back onto the stand and it falls off. Bracketron does include a second pad that’s supposed to work better with silicone or textured cases. I tried to remove the original pad to place the second pad onto the stand, and that was nigh impossible considering the adhesive used. I ended up placing the new pad on top of the old, and it didn’t work with the Mophie case either. Note to Bracketron and 1.0 Innovations: apparently Mophie uses Kryptonite to make its cases… Conclusion The modern miracle of nano-suction pads strikes again in this minimalist smartphone stand from the design team at 1.0 Innovations. Buyer beware, though — this stand doesn’t work with every case on the market. Pros Unobtrusive design that looks at home anywhere NanoSuction pads work well to grip tightly to most flat surfaces and “naked” smartphones, and it’s easy to remove the devices or move the stand The cable management system (i.e., t-slot) built into the stand is a stroke of genius Price is reasonable Cons NanoSuction pads do not stick to some case materials Who is it for? Anyone who wants to support an iPhone in a slightly angle vertical position on their desk or desktop Bracketron NanoTek Stand: minimalistic design by 1.0 Innovations, functional standout originally appeared on TUAW – The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Source  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, att, battery, case, content, design, dock, doe, EV, f1, google, hot, iPad, iphone, LED, lg, live, Mac News, OS, price, retail, review, rr, search, smartphone, smartphones, stand, video | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daily iPhone App: Solstice Arena is Zynga’s shot at multiplayer online battle arenas

Posted on June 17, 2013 by admin

I first got to see Solstice Arena, Zynga’s latest iOS entry, at GDC earlier this year , and then had a short meeting again last week with the publisher at E3. But you no longer have to take my word on what it’s like: The game arrived on iOS worldwide last week, so you can grab the free-to-download title at your leisure. And I recommend you do. Zynga has a reputation for pushy freemium elements in goofy casual titles, but I can confirm this game has none of that. This is a true mobile MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) title, similar to League of Legends, but very iOS-centric in its delivery. The game has been simplified in a lot of very smart ways, producing a high-quality title that’s very impressive. In my own play, I’ve found some minor balance issues (the healer character, for example, seems awfully overpowered, especially when teamed up with a burly bruiser), but I am sure those will get evened out as the game gets periodic updates and tweaks. And while yes, this is a freemium title, that part is also done very intelligently. The freemium elements are mostly confined to customization and convenience. Just like League of Legends, the game opens up a number of free heroes to play every week, so there’s ongoing variety even if you never spend a dime. And if you do, real money can only buy you custom skins for the heroes you own, or can pay for boosts in your own XP, so spending money doesn’t affect the gameplay at all. Prices are a bit high (which is something else I expect will likely be tweaked in a future update), but all in all, the freemium elements almost never get in the way of the gameplay, which is very respectable on Zynga’s part. In short, Solstice Arena is exactly the kind of game Zynga needs to help cleanse its reputation as a money-grabbing casual publisher. I would hesitate to call it truly hardcore (I think the game needs about double the heroes and maybe another map or mode to really start comparing its depth to a standard PC MOBA), but it’s definitely a “mid-core” experience that delivers a lot of fun. If you’re a MOBA fan or just want to see what Zynga is doing right lately, give it a download and a try on iPhone or iPad. Daily iPhone App: Solstice Arena is Zynga’s shot at multiplayer online battle arenas originally appeared on TUAW – The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Source  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments Continue reading →

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Apple Releases Official Statement About Its “Commitment To Customer Privacy”

Posted on June 17, 2013 by admin

In light of the recent PRISM scandal , Apple has decided to speak up and reaffirm its commitment to customer privacy by releasing an official statement on its website. Apple also repeated that it first heard of the government’s PRISM program when the media asked about it on June 6. Apple went on to explain just how it handles government requests for customer content. Apple explained that it “does not provide any government agency with direct access to our servers, and any government agency requesting customer content must get a court order.” Apple, with permission from the U.S. government, is providing a little insider information about how it handles these kinds of requests. According to Apple, from December 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013, it received between 4,000 and 5,000 requests from U.S. law enforcement for customer data with 9,000-10,000 accounts or devices specified in those requests. The requests came from federal, state and local authorities and included both criminal investigations and matters of national security. The requests most often concerns the police investigating robberies or similar crimes, searching for missing children, trying to find a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, or hoping to prevent a suicide. Apple’s Legal team evaluates each request, regardless of circumstance and, if appropriate, will pass on the “narrowest possible set of information to the authorities.” Apple insists that any unnecessary information is not provided and, at the time, if it sees inconsistencies or inaccuracies in a request, it will refuse to fulfill it. Apple reiterates its priority in protecting customers’ personal data and doesn’t collect or keep personal details. There is certain information that wouldn’t be provided to the law because Apple doesn’t even hold on to it. The examples the company gives is conversations over iMessage and FaceTime, which are protected by end-to-end encryption so no one but the people involved in the conversation can read them. Apple can’t even decrypt the data. Data related to customers’ location, Map searches, or Siri requests are similarly unidentifiable. “We will continue to work hard to strike the right balance between fulfilling out legal responsibilities and protecting our customers’ privacy as they expect and deserve,” Apple’s statement concludes. Image Credit: CNN Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apple Inc, Apps, att, case, content, design, Developer, doe, download, droid, ebook, EV, f1, facebook, fix, free, Gadgets, games, gaming, gm, google, history, hot, ICS, industry, ios, iPad, iphone, keyboard, laptop, LED, lg, live, lte, Mac, Mac News, Mobile, money, operating system, OS, PC, podcast, price, RAM, refresh, release, review, rr, rumor, rumors, search, security, shopping, siri, stand, sync, tablet, TC, update, video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple releases statement on customer privacy, received over 4,000 government information requests in six months

Posted on June 17, 2013 by admin

Following the likes of Microsoft and Facebook , Apple has publicly responded to the explosion in interest in the NSA’s PRISM program , and has been authorized to reveal some of the data on what it’s shared with the US government in the past . It apparently first heard of the program when the media started to ask about it earlier this month and has reiterated that it provides no government agency with direct access to its servers. It does, however, get its fair share of requests for customer data from US law enforcement, receiving between 4,000 and 5,000 of them between December 1 2012 and May 31 2013. These requests covered over 9,000 accounts or devices, and come from federal, state and local authorities. Apple elaborated a little on these information requests too, saying that the majority of these requests have involved searching for missing children, preventing suicides and robberies. The company says it has “always placed a priority on protecting our customers’ personal data,” and its legal team evaluates each request . Apparently, Apple can’t decrypt (and thus share) iMessage and FaceTime data, which is encrypted end-to-end. We’ve added its full statement after the break. Filed under: Internet , Software , Apple Comments Source: Apple Continue reading →

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US officials say less than 300 phone numbers were investigated in 2012, data thwarted terrorist plots

Posted on June 16, 2013 by admin

With all the coverage PRSIM and the NSA’s data collection have been getting recently, it’s no surprise that the US government is eager to rationalize its actions. The crux of the latest defense seems to be that the government isn’t using its treasure trove of data very often: according to recently declassified documents, the NSA used the database to investigate less than 300 phone numbers last year. These efforts reportedly prevented terrorist actions in more than 20 countries. It’s a small assurance, but a vague one, and the NSA knows it — according to the Associated Press , the organization is trying to get the records of these thwarted plots declassified to demonstrate the program’s value to concerned citizens. The reveal of such data might be a convincing argument, but disquieting revelations continue to roll out: members of congress are now reporting that the NSA has acknowledged that it does not need court authorization to listen to domestic phone calls. Either way, we’re certainly open to more government transparency . Comments Via: CNET (1) , (2) Source: AP Continue reading →

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iOS 7 gamepad leaked, features blurry Logitech G logo

Posted on June 16, 2013 by admin

Apple may consider the iPhone to be a gaming device , but even it’s willing to admit that traditional gaming demands a proper gamepad . The folks at Logitech apparently agree, and seem to be preparing to release an iPhone 5-compatible gamepad with its G-prefix branding . An image acquired by Kotaku shows four-button Logitech gamepad build around an iPhone shaped hole. A Lightning connector pokes at of the gap’s right side, indicating a hard-wired (or at least device powered) peripheral. According to Kotaku , this will be just one of several third-party gamepads designed for iOS 7′s Game Center overhaul, and Apple won’t be providing a first-party solution, either. The blurry image ought to be flavored with the standard amount sodium chloride, but we wouldn’t scoff at an officially supported gamepad solution . Filed under: Gaming , Mobile , Apple Comments Source: Kotaku Continue reading →

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A fresh look at iOS 7 on the iPad [Gallery]

Posted on June 16, 2013 by admin

Control Center iPad iOS 7, Game Center and Notification Center below It appears that some developers have been posting iOS 7 on iPad (emulator) usage shots on the web. Aside from Apple’s somewhat hidden official images , there aren’t any other official images of the iPad running iOS 7 that are public.  We’d heard even before the keynote  that Apple was  behind in releasing iOS 7 for iPad  and as such initial iOS 7 betas are only for iPhones and iPod touches. You’ll note the flashlight option on the Control Center which is probably just a leftover since the iPad doesn’t yet have a Flash. Reader Phillip describes how to get iOS 7 iPad emulator running in Xcode 5: Copy the folder: /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/ Platforms/iPhoneSimulator.platform/Developer/ Applications/iPhone Simulator.app/Contents/ Resources/Devices/iPad (Retina).deviceinfo to /Applications/Xcode5-DP.app/Contents/Developer/ Platforms/iPhoneSimulator.platform/Developer/ Library/PrivateFrameworks/SimulatorHost.framework/ Versions/A/Resources/Devices Then open the iOS Simulator and select ”iPad (Retina)” as device. (Current Xcode 4 and Xcode 5 is required.) More at apfelpage.de Continue reading →

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Home Lohas brings hydroponic gardening into your room, rabbit guard not included

Posted on June 16, 2013 by admin

While running between booths at Computex earlier this month, we were momentarily distracted by these vegetable boxes (maybe it was lunch time as well). As it turned out, this product was launched by Taiwan-based Home Lohas around the same time as when the expo started. The company pitches its hydroponic gardening appliance — so the vegetables rely on nutritious water instead of soil — as a hassle-free, low-power solution for growing your own greens, plus it’s apparently the only solution in the market that doesn’t need water circulation. With its full spectrum LED light, air pump and timers, harvest time can apparently be reduced by about 30 percent. It’s simply a matter of filling up the water tank, adding the necessary nutrients and placing the seeded sponge on the tray (the package includes three types of organic fertilizers and some seeds). The only downside is that this system costs NT$15,800 (about US$530) in Taiwan, and for some reason, it’ll eventually be priced at US$680 in other markets. If that’s too much, then stay tuned for a half-size model that’s due Q4 this year. Gallery: Home Lohas brings hydroponic gardening into your room, rabbit guard not included Filed under: Household Comments Source: Home Lohas (Chinese) Continue reading →

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This Week On The TC Gadgets Podcast: E3, The Death Of Symbian, And WWDC

Posted on June 14, 2013 by admin

It was a big week in gadgets , and thus, a big TC Gadgets podcast it shall be. This week, we discuss developments at E3 , including Xbox One and PS4 pricing, the death of Nokia’s Symbian OS , and of course, WWDC . Will you buy a PS4 or an Xbox One? Does despair fill you from nose to navel when you remember the good old days of Symbian? Is the new iOS 7 design repelling, attractive, or some bizarre combination of the two? John Biggs, Matt Burns, Jordan Crook, Darrell Etherington, and Natasha Lomas touch on all of this and more. Enjoy! We invite you to enjoy our weekly podcasts every Friday at 3pm Eastern and noon Pacific. Click here to download an MP3 of this show. You can subscribe to the show via RSS . Subscribe in iTunes Intro Music by Rick Barr . Continue reading →

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New Microsoft ad uses Siri to take more shots against the iPad

Posted on June 14, 2013 by admin

Microsoft may have released an iPhone optimized version of Office Mobile today, but that doesn’t mean the folks over at Redmond are all aboard the iOS bandwagon completely. In an ad released yesterday, Microsoft takes some more shots at the iPad by poking fun at the iPad’s lack of a zoom-able homescreen, its lack of SD card support, it’s “high” pricepoint, and its lack of multitasking. All the while, it uses Siri’s voice to point out all of these egregious shortcomings. Gasp! In a previously released and similar ad poking fun at the iPad, Microsoft pointed out that the iPad can’t run Microsoft PowerPoint. I suppose that’s why Office Mobile is optimized for the iPhone — gotta keep some things consistent. New Microsoft ad uses Siri to take more shots against the iPad originally appeared on TUAW – The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Source  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, content, doe, EV, f1, google, hot, ios, iPad, iphone, LED, lg, Mac News, Microsoft, Mobile, OS, price, release, search, siri, TC | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment