A new firmware update for the Sony Ericsson LiveView promises to address the Bluetooth connection errors that soured our review of the companion display. Confirmed incoming back in December, the update tweaks the “most identified reasons” for the LiveView’s random disconnects, something that users told us was more than problem than simply our review unit.
It also boosts the number of supported simultaneous plugins to 30 – handy, since Sony Ericsson says there are now more than 30 on offer in the Android Market – and causes of random reboots and crashes have also been addressed. More information on the update here; let us know how you get on in the comments.
Improved stability in the phone application (update available on Android Market since some weeks ago)
Improved plug-in handling and limit of number of installed plug-ins raised to 30.
Connection stability improved – most identified reasons for random disconnects should be fixed now.
There were some cases of random reboots reported, and all those reported crashes have now been resolved.
Compatibility with competitor phones is greatly improved, both in regards to stability and to battery life time.
Automatic reconnect when coming back in range improved.
Speck launched three new products for the just released MacBook Air for those who want to protect it while keeping it looking light and sleek. All three products will be available for the MacBook Air 11” and 13”.
The PixelSleeve Air is a tight fitting sleeve that wraps your MacBook Air in a textured neoprene exterior with a soft micro-fleece interior. Featuring Speck’s trademark pixel-pattern design on the outside giving it grip and style, the PixelSleeve Air has also been made zipper-free so that it’s airport security friendly. The PixelSleeve Air will be available in February in Black, Aubergine, and Peacock for $34.95 MSRP
The SeeThru and SeeThru Satin Cases are two piece cases that snap onto your MacBook Air giving you a tight fitting hard shell protection. The minimal design offers access to all the port areas and access to the back/hinge area. The four rubberized feet on the bottom help keep your laptop in place as you open and close the screen. The ultra thin plastic doesn’t add bulk to your MacBook Air while providing protection. The sleek and shiny SeeThru is available in Clear right now, with additional colors Cobalt and Rasberry available in March. The SeeThru Satin has a frosted look with a soft-touch rubber coating that still allows the Apple logo to shine through. The SeeThru Satin is available in Black right now, with additional colors Aubergine, Mango, and Peacock available in March. Both are $49.95 MSRP
Apple stores have apparently begun receiving stocks of universal iPhone 4 bumpers, which will suit the controls on both the AT&T and Verizon versions of the smartphone. As we spotted back at the CDMA iPhone 4′s launch, the newer handset has the ringer switch slightly lower down the left-hand side; this tweaked official iPhone 4 case has a longer opening to suit both positions.
Video demo after the cut
The updated case was spotted by Engadget reader Alex, who promptly picked up the Bumper so as to compare it to the original design (as you can see in his video below). The change does mean that from now on official Bumpers should suit either iPhone 4 version, but if you’ve got a fitted case for your current model, don’t necessarily expect it to work on the Verizon handset arriving next month.
DSLRs are vastly superior to their point-and-shoot brethren when it comes to the quality of the picture taken. Unfortunately there is one area where the DSLR will always fall short in comparison, and that’s portability. The nature of these cameras means that they are always going to be bulky. That’s okay, because we’re willing to sacrifice portability to get that perfect shot. Of course that doesn’t mean we can’t find easier ways to carry them around.
This Loop from Luma is an interesting take on the camera strap. It’s designed as more of a sling, which is worn across the chest, allowing your camera to rest conveniently at your hip. What’s more, is that there are a variety of ways that you can attach it to your camera. Sure, you can use the existing strap loops, but if those don’t suit your needs, you have other options. One attachment allows you to mount the strap using your tripod mount (while not blocking access to your mounting screw). Another puts the point of contact on the lens (if you’re using a large telephoto lens). Comfort and convenience in the form of this strap will run you around $70.
With a fantastic Bluetooth headset on the market and a pumpin’ portable speaker to blast out jams, how could Jawbone improve their product lineup? Well, we still think a stereo headset might be swell… but that’s not what the company delivered today. No, this is the Jawbone Era, the world’s first Bluetooth earpiece with a built-in accelerometer for motion-sensing apps, and plenty more improvements where that came from. There’s a new version of the company’s NoiseAssassin noise-canceling algorithms that adjusts inbound volume and equalization to let you hear better, an extra-large 10mm cone speaker with a larger range of frequencies, two processors, more memory, and an hour of extra battery life compared to the Jawbone Icon, to be specific. With only two motions currently recognized — a double-tap to begin / end / switch calls and a rapid shake to pair — the accelerometer’s a bit of a gimmick for now, but Jawbone suggests more gestures are probably on the way. In the meanwhile, the other advancements might make the Era worth the price of entry — which is $130, by the by.
We’ve spent about five hours with the headset already, listening to music and taking calls, and while the accelerometer seems almost wasted at present, there’s no discounting that new 10mm driver and the audio it can pump out. While no substitute for a set of quality dedicated earbuds, it sounded worlds better than the Jawbone Icon’s tiny, tinny drum, and playing Pandora tracks we no longer felt an overpowering desire to take it out of our ear — making a cyborg existence all the more bearable, we suppose. We’ll bring you a full review soon, but if you’re already sold, you’ll find four different Era designs on sale at Jawbone’s online store… oh, right about now. PR after the break.
When you want to take your laptop out of the house, you likely put it in some kind of laptop bag or backpack. This allows you to easily carry the computer, along with any cords and accessories you might need. However, it can also add a lot of bulk, depending on which one you get. If you want to ditch the bag and just find an easier way to carry the laptop, why not add a handle to it?
The mBrace (get it?) is a conceptual handle for your unibody MacBook Pro. You just slip the handle through the opening beneath the screen. When the laptop is closed, the device puts pressure on the lip just above the top row of keys, rather than the actual hinge. You’ll then be able to carry around your laptop by the handle, instead of gripping it the usual way. To be honest, I’m not really sure that this design solves any existing problems, but if you want to help it along, you can back the project over at KickStarter.
Despite Apple’s best efforts, details of the iPad 2 continue to trickle out; yesterday it was talk of an ARM Cortex A9 dual-core processor, a “super high resolution” display and dual-mode GSM/CDMA support, while today it’s a batch of supposed iPad 2 cases. The handiwork of TopAppo, the silicone case shows the by-now familiar squared-off back plate believed to distinguish the second-gen iPad, along with cut-outs for a larger speaker.
Now, it’s unclear where the company has got the details for the case from – this could all be speculative, it could be based on leaked information or rumor, or it might be relying on more official measurements – so as with all these leaks we’re grabbing a fistful of salt. Still, it’s not the first case to look like this, and as we’ve seen with previous accessories for Apple devices the Shenzhen industry do seem to have an uncanny knack for narrowing in on the official design.
According to TopAppo, manufacturing of the iPad 2 case is ready to begin now, while iPhone 5 accessory manufacture is also expected to start imminently. Apple is tipped to announce the iPad 2 later this quarter, while the fifth-generation iPhone isn’t expected until midway through the year.
Despite Apple’s best efforts, details of the iPad 2 continue to trickle out; yesterday it was talk of an ARM Cortex A9 dual-core processor, a “super high resolution” display and dual-mode GSM/CDMA support, while today it’s a batch of supposed iPad 2 cases. The handiwork of TopAppo, the silicone case shows the by-now familiar squared-off back plate believed to distinguish the second-gen iPad, along with cut-outs for a larger speaker.
Now, it’s unclear where the company has got the details for the case from – this could all be speculative, it could be based on leaked information or rumor, or it might be relying on more official measurements – so as with all these leaks we’re grabbing a fistful of salt. Still, it’s not the first case to look like this, and as we’ve seen with previous accessories for Apple devices the Shenzhen industry do seem to have an uncanny knack for narrowing in on the official design.
According to TopAppo, manufacturing of the iPad 2 case is ready to begin now, while iPhone 5 accessory manufacture is also expected to start imminently. Apple is tipped to announce the iPad 2 later this quarter, while the fifth-generation iPhone isn’t expected until midway through the year.
Alesis has unveiled its latest iPad peripheral, and if you’re a digital musician who likes using your fingers then the StudioDock might make a lot of sense. A universal docking station, the Alesis StudioDock offers twin 1/4-inch XLR inputs and twin XLR outputs, along with a headphone socket, video output and MIDI in/out. It’s designed to allow iPad music apps to connect with studio instruments as well as control external audio sources.
Each input has individual gain control and phantom power, and there’s a guitar-direct control allowing direct input to amp and effects apps. A footswitch control lets you trigger a feature without needing to take your hands off the instrument, and there’s USB MIDI support for hooking up a computer.
The video output can hook up to a TV or projector, opening the door to A/V installation use, and Alesis reckon the StudioDock is built for stage use too. It reminds us a little of Freescale’s pro-audio Tablet Dock concept from last year, though this is something you’ll actually be able to buy come May 2011, priced at around $199.
Are you looking for a way to immerse yourself into your video games a bit more? We’re still a long way from virtual reality, but there are small things you can do to feel like a part of the game. One thing is to have the proper audio setup. Switching from stereo to a 5.1 surround sound setup can make a huge difference. Soon, you’ll even be able to add mood lighting to your PC games. That’s right, mood lighting.
Mad Catz has announced their new amBX devices, which provide ambient light in conjunction with whatever game you are playing. They can actually take lighting cues from the PC games that you’re playing, and give off the same colors that are being seen in the game. This takes the image from just being on the screen in front of you, and makes it a part of the entire room. Will this be the next big thing in gaming? We’ll see when the lights hit later this year.
