You know what that is, don’t you? That’s right: AT&T’s new $50 smartphone. In an aggressive move targeted at tweenagers still taking mirror-based MySpace profile pics with their Motorola RAZRs, both new and upgrade-eligible existing AT&T customers will be able to get the cut-rate iPhone 3GS starting tomorrow, January 7. According to the PR, the price for phones sold in Apple channels will be determined by — you guessed it — Apple, so bargain shoppers should stick to the AT&T retail outlets. And there you have it — do with the information what you will. PR after the break.
Garmin looks to be hedging its bets when it comes to the hardware/software PND debate, launching not only the nüvi 2400 range of dedicated 5-inch GPS units, but its first iPhone app as well. Garmin StreetPilot for iPhone offers turn-by-turn directions with spoken street names, free traffic alerts, lane-assist with a junction view for complex highway navigation, and integration with iTunes for music playback while you’re driving.
As you’d expect, it also supports Apple’s iOS multitasking system, so that navigation isn’t shut down even if you switch to a different app. Address Book integration allows for easier route planning, too. The new Garmin StreetPilot for iPhone app is available now, priced at $39.99.
Press Release:
Garmin® Brings Turn-by-Turn Navigation to iPhone with New StreetPilot App
Garmin rolls out new smartphone application lineup at 2011 Consumer Electronics Show
OLATHE, Kan./January 4, 2011/Business Wire — Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced its first turn-by-turn navigation app for iPhone, StreetPilot, as well as its full lineup of new smartphone applications for both iPhone and Android. Garmin’s new mobile applications — including StreetPilot for iPhone, Garmin Tracker, myMechanic, and My-Cast Lite — will be on display in the Garmin booth (South Hall #35831) at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
“Providing consumers with mobile applications is yet another way they can experience the benefits of Garmin – be it our navigation expertise or bringing the capabilities of our niche market products to a smartphone. GPS is an extremely helpful tool, but we recognize it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. We decided to introduce a new line of smartphone applications so that we can give customers a quality Garmin experience in the format of their choosing,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales.
The StreetPilot® App: Designed specifically for iPhone, the StreetPilot App gives iPhone owners unlimited use of Garmin’s industry-leading navigation with traffic alerts. The intuitive interface greets users with two simple options: “Where to?” and “View Map.” Customers can easily look up addresses and services and get voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions that speak street names to their destination.
The StreetPilot App includes many of the same high-end features available on Garmin’s standalone automotive GPS devices like free traffic alerts that enable drivers to steer clear of traffic accidents, road closures and construction; lane assist with junction view that directs drivers to the preferred lane and displays realistic images of upcoming complex junctions; and speed limit indicators that display speed limits for most major roads. It is an off-board navigation system so that customers always have the advantage of the most up-to-date mapping information available.
The StreetPilot App also integrates with a driver’s iTunes music library so they can access and control their music while on the move; integrates with their address book so they can navigate directly from their contact list; and uses the multitasking ability of iOS 4 to allow them to take a phone call while the navigation continues to work in the background.
The StreetPilot App is available now for $39.99 from the App Store on iPhone or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
Garmin Tracker: Available soon for iPhone and Android, the free Garmin Tracker App works in conjunction with the Garmin GTU 10 tracking devices (also announced at CES 2011) allowing users to track the things that mean the most to them – a child, pet, boat, car and more – and see its location from the convenience of their smartphone.
myMechanic: Auto aficionados can now know their car’s specific performance metrics including horsepower, torque, G-force, and more. Available for download from the Android Marketplace beginning in February 2011, myMechanic’s information is available when paired via Bluetooth with Garmin’s ecoRoute™ HD module.
My-Cast® Lite: In addition to the lineup of My-Cast apps currently available for iPhone, a new, free My-Cast Lite application is available now for Android users which provides radar, current conditions, hourly and extended forecasts and more.
Since its inception in 1989, Garmin has delivered 72 million GPS enabled devices – far more than any other navigation provider. Garmin’s market breadth in the GPS industry is second to none, having developed innovative products and established a leadership position in each of the markets it serves, including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation, tracking, and wireless applications.
Hey, you — it’s January 3rd. You know, the day you’re supposed to return to work / school / life. And the day you’re supposed to catch a flight you’ve had booked for three months. And probably a day that you’re supposed to accomplish lots of other tasks. Unfortunately for you, you actually believed that your iPhone alarm would fix itself when today rolled around, but based on hordes of complaints seen on Twitter and Facebook, said fix is still hibernating. And thus, you’re still sleeping. Even here at Engadget HQ, we’ve seen iPhone 4 handsets not wake us as promised (on non-recurring alarms), so who knows when Apple will step up to the plate and address the issue. In the meantime, go ahead and set up a recurring alarm while gently crossing your fingers and toes. Or, you know, buy a battery-powered alarm clock off of your grandmother.
We’re not exactly sure of the cause of this fancy new issue affecting Apple’s super cool iPhone line of cellphones, but apparently you’ve got trouble come 1/1/2011. According to an explosive stream of frustration-filled tweets on the Twitter microblogging service, when the clock strikes midnight, one off alarms will cease to sing out. The issue sounds eerily similar to recent Daylight Savings Time trouble we witnessed back in November, although we saw both repeating alarm and single alarm failures.
So how can you fix this potentially life-ruining problem? Well until Apple patches its OS — and it’s currently unclear if this is just iOS 4.2.1 or earlier versions as well — you can simply create a recurring alarm at the time you need to be woken up, and then disable it once your dreams are completely ruined. We’re taking a deeper look into the issue and have contacted Apple — if we get more news, you guys will be the first to know. In the meantime, feel free to commiserate in comments, and… happy new year?
Update:9to5 Mac says that the bug will get fixed all by itself once the calendar hits January 3rd. We haven’t confirmed this, but if it turns out to be the case, that’s pretty good news. In less good news, the issue seems to be affecting iOS 4.1 and 4.0.2 as well.
Update 2: Apple responded to us on the issue, though they didn’t offer any surprises:
We’re aware of an issue related to non repeating alarms set for January 1 or 2. Customers can set recurring alarms for those dates and all alarms will work properly beginning January 3.
Skype has updated its iPhone client to support free video calls, as teased yesterday, taking on Apple’s own Face Time system. The new Skype for iPhone app allows the latest iPhone 4 and 4th-gen iPod touch to send video, while the iPhone 3GS, 3rd-gen iPod touch and iPad can all receive video from other callers.
Video demo after the cut
As well as video calls between Skype Mobile users, calls between the new mobile app and Skype’s Windows, Mac and Linux software is also supported. Unlike Face Time, Skype’s software supports WiFi and 3G video calls; Apple’s system only allows WiFi connections to be used.
The new Skype for iPhone app is a free download [iTunes link] from the App Store; however there’s still no optimized iPad version of the software as yet. Earlier this week, leaks suggested that a Verizon iPhone video calling app was incoming, renewing speculation about the possibility of a CDMA iPhone.
All signs have been pointing to this release for a few days now, but we’ll admit: we expected Skype to wait until CES next week to pull the covers off what could become its crown jewel service over the coming months. Skype’s official iOS client has finally sprouted the ability to make video calls, allowing iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and fourth-generation iPod touch users to share real-time video amongst each other and users of Skype’s Windows, Mac, and Linux clients along with the ASUS Videophone (obviously, 3GS users won’t have the convenience of a front-facing camera, but they’ll still be able to broadcast video from the rear-facing one). Additionally, you’ll be able to receive video from others if you’re using an iPad or a third-generation iPod touch. The service is free and works over both WiFi and 3G — and considering Skype’s existing PC footprint, we’d argue this stands a very real chance of putting the hurt on FaceTime usage. No word on when Skype will be making video-capable clients available for Android or other mobile platforms, but Skype says that there’ll be “plenty more” announcements in Vegas next week, so we wouldn’t be surprised.
Update: So we just gave 3.0 a spin, calling iPhone-to-iPhone (both WiFi), iPhone-to-desktop (both WiFi), and again iPhone-to-iPhone (both 3G). The first two worked great, although the desktop camera produced better quality. As for the worst-case scenario, 3G-to-3G video calling, well… we wouldn’t recommend it unless absolutely necessary. Video after the break, and be sure to note the battery life — after about 10 minutes of use, we dropped from 66 percent to 61.
Someone must really like you — otherwise, how did you end up with an iPhone this holiday season? Yeah, we know, iPads don’t really fit into stockings. Besides, your parent or significant other got you an arguably better gift in the cheaper (with two-year contract, of course), more compact, and more recently updated iPhone 4. We’ve given you some app suggestions before when the device first launched, but that was six months ago, and in technology time, that’s like seven years. Want a run-down of the best apps, our favorite accessories, and the essential tips and tricks? Just follow along after the break!
A serial connection is probably not the first port that sprang to mind while bemoaning Apple’s shortage of socket options on iOS devices, but that’s just what Southern Stars and Redpark are offering. The SkyWire is a $79 adapter for the iPhone 4, iPad or other iOS models that allows you to hook the handset up to various computer-controlled telescopes.
Since it’s been developed according to Apple’s “Made for iPod” specifications, you don’t need to jailbreak or otherwise hack your device in order to get SkyWire working. Now, telescope control might not be top of everybody’s list of priorities, but Redpark say it’s just the first serial application; the technology they’re using is suitable for home automation, networking, scientific instrumentation and more.
Whether the world really needs another way to turn an iPhone 4 or other iOS device into a universal remote control is something for a different argument; Gear4 is just pleased to get its UnityRemote out of the door. The $99 accessory hooks up to your iPhone via Bluetooth and has a 360-degree IR transmitter array to control your HDTV, amp, Blu-ray player and anything else.
Meanwhile there’s the usual companion software in the App Store which turns your iOS device into a learning remote. You can either program it by choosing your kit from a list of preconfigured manufacturers and hardware, or by teaching the UnityRemote emitter itself using the existing remote control.
There’s macro support, so you can have your TV, cable box and surround sound amp turn on simultaneously with a single button-tap, and programmable gestures to change things like volume and channel. It’s available now, at $99 from Gear4 direct or from Amazon.
Press Release:
GEAR4 Takes Control With New UnityRemote™
Now available for U.S. purchase, UnityRemote device gives iPhone/iPod/iPad
users universal control
El Segundo, CA (Dec. 22, 2010) – GEAR4 (www.GEAR4.com), a UK iPod and iPhone audio brand and case manufacturer with an emphasis on design, today announces the U.S. availability of UnityRemote. Now available through Amazon, the UnityRemote device turns any iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a universal remote control
Designed to make controlling multi-media devices simple, the universal UnityRemote from GEAR4 enables users to control everything from TVs to Hi-Fis, Blu-Ray players to digital TV boxes – anything that has an infrared receiver – using one single device.
“Excitement for UnityRemote has been building and we’re looking forward to having consumers start using it in their homes,” said Tom Dudderidge, CEO of GEAR4. “People are already so comfortable and familiar with their iDevices, it will be a huge convenience to use it as a remote as well.”
UnityRemote works with two parts – an app, which is downloaded for free from the Apple App Store, and a small device that can be placed anywhere in the room. The UnityRemote device receives a Bluetooth® signal from the Apple device, and then sends an infrared command in 360 degrees via five infrared transmitters to the device to be controlled.
After launching the app, users simply select the device to be controlled from a long list of manufacturers – many that you’ve heard of, and even some you haven’t. If, for some reason, the device to control is not listed, UnityRemote can easily ‘learn’ how to control the device.
Users can also set up ‘actions’ for UnityRemote to control multiple devices simultaneously. With one touch, users can turn on their TV, DVD player, digital TV box and their home cinema sound system. The remote layout can also be adjusted so that one remote layout has the buttons for multiple devices on the same screen, like ‘play’ from the DVD player and volumes for the surround system. There’s nothing to plug in to the iPhone and nothing to search for with UnityRemote. Simply enter the room and begin using your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad as a remote control.
UnityRemote is compatible with iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4; iPod touch 2G, 3G and iPad. It is available now through Amazon.com for $99. To learn more, visit www.GEAR4.com.
About GEAR4
Disruptive Ltd. is the owner and manufacturer of the GEAR4 brand, the UK’s leading iPod, iPhone and iPad audio brand. Founded in 2004, the company is privately owned and operated, with its head office in High Wycombe, UK.
Here’s an odd one: Path, which launched an iPhone photo sharing app last month designed to only show your pictures to up to fifty carefully-selected friends, has added video sharing to the v1.2 update. Thing is, only clips ten seconds or shorter can be uploaded, a limit that seemingly addresses both limited mobile bandwidth and the company’s ethos of “personal moment sharing”.
It’s not the only change in Path 1.2; there’s also better handling of iPhone push notifications and more intelligent integration of the tagging system with the media timeline. The people or places you tag in your photos – and videos – are now prioritized to the top of your timeline. It’s available as a free download for iOS devices here [iTunes link]
