October 20th, 2009

Apple releases new wireless "magic" multitouch mouse

Posted by David Morgenstern @ 11:08 am

Categories: Accessory, Multi-Touch

Tags: Mouse, Apple Inc., Wireless, Mice, Hardware, Peripherals, David Morgenstern

Apple on Tuesday released its Magic Mouse, a new mouse that features gesture control. The $69 accessory uses BlueTooth wireless to connect to the host computer.

The new multitouch mouse supports a range of gestures for clicking, multiple buttons, 360-degree scrolling, screen zooming and page “swiping.” Apple said the mouse is designed for righties and lefties.

The Multi-Touch area covers the top surface of Magic Mouse, and the mouse itself is the button. Scroll in any direction with one finger, swipe through web pages and photos with two, and click and double-click anywhere. Inside Magic Mouse is a chip that tells it exactly what you want to do. Which means Magic Mouse won’t confuse a scroll with a swipe. It even knows when you’re just resting your hand on it.

According to Apple, the Magic Mouse uses a laser tracking engine under its surface. I couldn’t find the resolution specs yet for the device.

Magic Mouse uses powerful laser tracking that’s far more sensitive and responsive on more surfaces than traditional optical tracking. That means it tracks with precision on nearly every surface — whether it’s a table at your favorite cafe or the desk in your home office — without the need for a mousepad.

August 11th, 2009

Review: Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 3GS

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 11:38 am

Categories: Accessory, Battery, iPhone

Tags: Apple iPhone, Hour, Battery, Apple iPhone 3G, Jason, Juice Pack, 3G, Smart Phones, Wireless And Mobility, Cellular Phones

A guest blog post by Vic Orly:

The iPhone 3GS is awesome except for one thing: its battery life, or lack thereof.

My battery experience had been awful. Recently, I was on a flight from Chicago O’Hare to San Diego with my new 32GB iPhone 3GS in airplane mode. When I boarded the flight, my battery charge was 85 percent. During the flight, I shot two videos about two minutes long each. I composed 17 emails, some attaching the videos. I also listed to music and watched a movie I purchased from iTunes. By the time I landed, the battery went from 85 to 27 percent.

Jason previously posted some suggestions for extending an iPhone’s battery life, including…

1. Minimize use of location services
2. Turn off push notifications
3. Fetch new data less frequently
4. Turn off push mail
5. Auto-check fewer email accounts
6. Minimize use of third-party applications
7. Turn off Wi-Fi
8. Turn off Bluetooth
9. Use Airplane Mode in low- or no-coverage areas
10. Adjust brightness
11. Turn off EQ
12. Turn off 3G

So, in order to keep our iPhones running longer we should revert to iPhone 1.0? It sounds like Apple wants me to use my iPhone 3GS as an iPod touch. Gee, thanks Steve. I upgraded from the original 8GB iPhone 2G to the new 32GB iPhone 3GS because I wanted a better phone. I don’t like to scale down or compromise on my toys so I began researching external battery packs.

Before I settled on the Mophie Juice Pack, I bought the KONNET PowerKZ from Amazon. It is designed to fully wrap around the iPhone. It adds a bit of bulk, but I liked the idea of a full enclosure. Sadly, this unit was terrible… pieces were falling apart (like the actuator to the iPhone’s upper power button), and whenever I would get a text message, the iPhone would make the “chirp” sound that it makes when you plug in external power. It was like the Konnet unit was going offline momentarily when the phone was receiving data.

I returned it a few days later and purchased the Mophie Juice Pack 3G from Amazon instead.

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June 26th, 2009

Review: iSkin CERULEAN F1 stereo bluetooth headset

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 12:03 pm

Categories: Accessory, Bluetooth, iPhone, iPhone 3.0

Tags: Apple iPhone, Audio Quality, Headset, Bluetooth Headset, Stereo Bluetooth Headset, A2DP, F1s, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cable

One of the most powerful new features in iPhone OS 3.0 is also its least discussed: Bluetooth 2.0, more specifically, the A2DP (a.k.a. stereo Bluetooth) profile. A2DP allows an iPhone running 3.0 to transmit stereo audio to a Bluetooth receiver — enabling an entire category of stereo BT headphones to work with the iPhone.

A2DP allows the use of stereo Bluetooth headsets with your iPhone. You can listen to the iPod application and even use it for phone calls — including Skype. It can also be used to transmit audio to compatible BT car stereos.

I’ve been testing the new CERULEAN F1 ($99, pictured) stereo Bluetooth headset from iSkin and I’m impressed by the sound quality and its ease of use. I was initially relegated to using the F1s with my Android-powered G1 phone because the iPhone lacked A2DP. I began testing the F1s with iPhone when OS 3.0 was distributed to developers.

I have to admit to being skeptical initially about stereo Bluetooth because of the audio problems and dropouts that plagued many of the early Bluetooth headsets. Boy, have we come a long way since then. Audio quality is good and clean with the F1s and I was able to walk almost 20-feet away from my iPhone before I got my first dropout.

The battery is estimated at eight hours for music, but I haven’t yet run into that limit yet because I’ve been using the F1s mostly while working out and bike riding — where they really shine. If you don’t like dealing with cables and having to be tethered to your iPhone, BT headphones are an indeal solution.

The Type A (”micro”) USB port on the F1s is a minor annoyance (I’d prefer mini USB) but now that it’s a pseudo-standard for charging mobile phones, its here to stay. I’d also like it better if the cable that connects the two earpieces came out of the bottom, but other than that I have little bad to say.

Sound  quality and range make the CERULEAN F1 a great companion to the iPhone, especially if you want to jam cable free.

June 16th, 2009

Camping with your Mac

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 12:35 pm

Categories: Accessory, Review

Tags: Car, Apple Macintosh, Apple MacBook, Battery, Apple MacBook Pro, FastMac, Engineering, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets

After having just returned from the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee I wanted to share a few tips about what to bring if you plan to bring your Mac (and iPhone for that matter) on a camping trip.

Moisture is the enemy of all electronics. When in the great outdoors it’s essential to keep your PowerBook/MacBook in a cool, dry and safe place, especially during those dewy early morning hours. I keep my MacBook Pro packed away in a quality bag and locked in the car. It’s much drier than sitting in a tent and harder to steal. Remember to vent the car periodically during the heat of the day to keep temperatures down and to keep your bag out of direct sunlight.

Bring batteries galore. If you’re going to be tenting and without access to reliable power, batteries are going to be critical. I brought two fully-charged MacBook Pro batteries and that barely got me through two days. If I had my druthers I would bring five fully-charged MBP batteries so that I didn’t have to worry about charging them. The problem is that this gets pricey at $130 a pop. If you purchased one of Apple’s new fixed-battery MBPs changing batteries isn’t an option, so you’ll have to start looking for an outlet after about 7 hours.

Pictured above are some of my road-trip stalwarts that I don’t leave home without. Starting in the upper left corner and going clockwise:

• Kensington 120 watt notebook DC power adapter ($99) with the Mike Gyver’s MagSafe adapter ($80) is great for keeping your MacBook charged while driving. I reviewed both in August 2007.
• FastMac’s IV iPhone battery ($80) is still the best of breed and the included LED light comes in handy when camping. I gave the FastMac IV a Best In Show award at Macworld Expo in January 2009.
• If you’re a dual iPhone family and driving long distances, a dual-USB 12-volt USB charger is practically a must — along with a second 12-volt outlet. The Dual-Port Car Charger (minus dock cables) costs $12 from RichardSolo.
• I brought 2600mAh Solar Battery Charger (about $24 on eBay) as a backup, but didn’t end up using it on this trip.
• CableJive iStubz ($15 for two) compact dock cables for charging and syncing iPhones and iPods. Pictured in a clear organizer pouch (US$6-10) from Tom Bihn.
• A 3G card from a reliable provider is critical if you plan to actually get online with your computer. Don’t rely on AT&T’s craptastic 3G network to be reliable in places in the woods like Manchester — especially during a festival with 80,000 people at it. My favorite is the Verizon Wireless USB760 Modem ($50 plus 2-yr. agreement of $40 or $60/month) which slaps into my MacBook Pro’s USB port and allows me to get online using OS X’s built-in driver in the Network Control Panel. Also pictured in a clear organizer pouch (US$6-10) from Tom Bihn.
• A white Photon Micro-Lite II keychain flashlight ($8 on Amazon) on a lanyard is critical for any outdoor activity after dark. It will help you avoid puddles and stumps and possibly help you find your car keys. It’s a no-brainer, get one for everyone in your party.
• A Nitecore D-10 flashlight ($60 from 4Sevens) is probably my best upgrade from last year. It’s 130 lumens and runs off lithium AA batteries which are much cheaper than the CR123 batteries required in other flashlights.

What are your must-have Mac travel accessories?

June 3rd, 2009

Most impressive demo ever: Sony 3D controller

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 11:02 am

Categories: Accessory, Games, Hardware

Tags: Sony Corp., 3D, Controller, Jason D. O'Grady

Warning: no Apple content follows.

Following on the heels of Woz’s review of Bing, comes one of the most impressive demos that I’ve ever seen – the new Sony 3D controller that was demoed at E3 in Las Vegas.

If you like the Nintendo Wii’s 3D controller, you fall in love with the new Sony controller. It works with “sub millimeter” access and the controller itself has a cool glowing orb on its tip. The light-sabre whip and handwriting demos at E3 2009 are pretty impressive.The spraypaint demo reminds me of MacPaint circa 1984 and has the potential to revolutionize immersive gaming the way MacPaint revolutionized software UI.

How much does it threaten the Wii? How do you think that it stacks up against the new Project Natal 3D controller for Xbox?

May 18th, 2009

Review: Jawbone PRIME Bluetooth headset

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 8:22 am

Categories: Accessory, Bluetooth, Review

Tags: Headset, Bluetooth Headset, Jawbone, NoiseAssasin 2.0 Technology, Jason D. O'Grady

I just received my Jawbone PRIME Bluetooth headset and I love it. PRIME is the successor to the Jawbone 2 (which I reviewed in July 2008) and it doesn’t disappoint.

PRIME is a little sleeker than the Jawbone 2 (but not by much) and comes with a re-designed “new fit” earbud that allows you to wear it without an earloop (the piece that goes over your ear). The earbud that was attached in the box happened to fit me perfectly, but they also include three traditional earbuds, three new fit earbuds and one earloop in the box - which should fit most ears.

Although you don’t need to use it with an earloop, I prefer to. It’s partially out of habit (I always wore one with the Jawbone 2) and partially for safety. No one wants to lose their $130 Bluetooth headset, and wearing the earloop gives me a little extra piece of mind.

Sound-wise it’s amazing. Jawbone uses a proprietary noise cancellation technology called NoiseAssassin 2.0 that blocks out almost all ambient noise, including wind noise while driving, construction equipment, loud concerts, noisy bars, you name it.

The new NoiseAssasin 2.0 technology is really what sets Jawbone apart. Of the dozen or so Bluetooth headsets that I’ve used, there’s simply no comparison to Jawbone. Check out the noise cancellation demonstration video on the Jawbone site, it was recorded using a standard Bluetooth phone over a national network with no modifications to the sound quality.

Jawbone PRIME comes in several colors (including green, red, yellow and purple) which makes it stand out from all the black/silver headsets out there. I prefer a color (purple actually) over black because it’s easier to find in a dark bag. If you’re more of a traditional type you can choose from black, coffee or platinum.

Jawbone is best Bluetooth headset on the planet because its noise cancellation is second to none. If I had to complain about one thing, it would be the proprietary charger. If Jawbone included a standard mini-USB port and cable it would be true Bluetooth nirvana.

What Bluetooth headset are you using?

April 24th, 2009

Gelaskins, just because

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 11:35 am

Categories: Accessory

Tags: Gelaskins, 3G, Productivity, Notebooks, Cellular Phones, Wireless And Mobility, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets

I’m a big fan of Gelaskins, which are basically glorified stickers that you attach to your gadgets, well, just because. There’s no functional benefit to adding one of these bad boys and you’re either going to love ‘em or hate ‘em. But I’m firmly in the love ‘em camp.

They’re a cool way to add a little personality to what is really just a tool at the end of the day. Gelaskins are also perfect for covering the logo on your, ahem, hackintosh (left). Installation is pretty simple thanks to the micro-perfs in the 3M film that they use.

Any leftover bubbles slowly disappear within 24 hours, unlike some of those screen protectors where you’re sweating every bubble. They can also be removed without leaving any residue and moved to another device — if you’re careful.

Add some personality to your kit this weekend. Live dangerously!

Pictured are the Enamored Owl on a Mini 9 ($20, left) and Gaia on a MacBook ($30) and iPhone 3G ($15).

April 15th, 2009

Review: Richard Solo iPhone/iPod Dual Charging Station

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 4:00 am

Categories: Accessory, iPhone, iPod

Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple iPod, Richard Solo, Digital Music, Digital Media, Personal Technology, Consumer Electronics, Jason D. O'Grady

Richard Solo has a good reputation for its external iPhone batteries and has begun to expand into other iPod and iPhone accessories. Its latest offering is the iPhone/iPod Dual Charging Station which sells for $45 from RichardSolo.com.’

If you’re a two iPhone family it’s a great solution for routine overnight charging and minimizes the “where did I leave my iPhone?” problem that plagues my family several times per week.

It’s a handy two-port charging dock that fits the iPhone and all iPods (except the shuffle, natch) by way of six (included) dock adapters. Because I tend to use a case on my iPhone I opt for no adapter in the charging dock which seems to work fine.

Richard Solo’s dual-bay charger costs $5 less than the Griffin version (which I reviewed in November 2008) and features piercing blue LEDs that are right out of The Fast and The Furious. The lights are a handy visual indicator that your iPhone has a good connection, and if you prefer darkness they can be turned of via a switch on the side.

March 23rd, 2009

Apple discontinues Bluetooth headset

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 7:36 am

Categories: Accessory, Bluetooth, iPhone

Tags: Apple iPhone, Headset, Apple Inc., Bluetooth Headset, Jason D. O'Grady

Apple has discontinued the $99 Apple Bluetooth headset (MB536LL/A) that it announced in January 2007 alongside the original iPhone.

A MacRumors forums member discovered last Thursday that the headset had been changed to a status of “discontinued” on the Apple Store.

The move is widely speculated as being house-cleaning related to Apple’s June iPhone refresh. While it could simply be End-Of-Life (EOL) because Apple is leaving the Bluetooth business to others, many believe that it’s a harbinger that a replacement is coming.

Since Apple announced support for A2DP (stereo Bluetooth) in iPhone OS 3.0, there’s a good possibility that Apple’s next headset will support it. I just hope that Apple keeps the iPhone Bluetooth Travel Cable, one of its best qualities:

This handy cable does double duty: It syncs and charges your iPhone or iPod, and it charges your iPhone Bluetooth Headset. Just plug it into a computer or an Apple USB Power Adapter.

February 13th, 2009

Bag Friday: iSobre leather sleeves

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 11:17 am

Categories: Accessory, Bags, Cases, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

Tags: Apple MacBook Air, Apple MacBook, iSobre, Minimal 15, Exterior, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Jason D. O'Grady

Don’t feel like working today? Bag Friday.

Today’s installment is all about sleeves. No, not the tattoos covering your arms, leather sleeves for your electronic gear.

I reviewed the leather “manila envelope” sleeve for the MacBook Air from iSobre in June 2008 and loved it. The iSobre sleeve is a step above all the other manila sleeves that I’ve seen on the market in terms of quality and the fit and finish is impeccable. Based on my experience with the original MacBook Air sleeve, I was looking forward to iSobre’s new sleeves for non-Air MacBooks.

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