Jason Iu | The Verge

Blackberry 9790 coming to Rogers ‘in time for the holiday gift-giving season’

2011-11-17T22:07:20-05:00

Blackberry Bold 9790

After several leaks and an announcement, the Blackberry Bold 9790 is finally set to launch on Rogers, with the Canadian carrier promising to have the device home in time for the holidays. That’s about as specific as it gets regarding the release date, and pricing information remains as elusive as ever.

As a reminder, the Bold 9790 comes with Blackberry OS 7, a 1GHz processor, and a 2.44-inch, 360 x 480 touchscreen display sitting above RIM’s acclaimed Bold keyboard. So, how about it, our Canadian readers? Are you willing to commit to a 3-year contract (yes, American friends, three years) for this phone, or would you rather wait until next year for a QNX Blackberry to arrive?

Camera+ app for iPhone updated to bring back volume button as shutter feature

2011-11-17T18:19:49-05:00

Camera+ VolumeSnap

Camera+ gained attention last year by being among the first apps to use the volume button as a shutter release — a feature it called VolumeSnap — before being pulled from the App Store for “non-standard” usage of the volume button. With the feature now implemented into iOS 5, the non-standard has become standard, and developer Tap Tap Tap has updated its app to once again include VolumeSnap. The feature, combined with all the settings that Camera+ offers over the iPhone’s stock camera app (including exposure controls, scene modes, and effects), should please those who wish to use their iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S more like a point-and-shoot camera. The updated app is now available on the App Store.

Steve Jobs once contemplated having his own wireless network built on Wi-Fi spectrum

2011-11-16T03:58:04-05:00

Steve Jobs

It seems that in addition to building his own TV, Steve Jobs also had unfulfilled plans to own a wireless network. Wireless industry legend John Stanton related his past discussions with the Apple founder this week, and revealed Jobs’ desire to use Wi-Fi spectrum to replace mobile carriers. Stanton spoke at the Law Seminars International event in Seattle, where IDG News was in attendance. Reportedly, Jobs gave up on the idea around 2007, which would be sometime near the release of the original iPhone on AT&T.

We don’t know what he was planning, but the choice to use the 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands are surprising considering how congested they can be — practically anyone can make use of those bands for their own devices. This could potentially be the reason why Jobs eventually decided against using it to build his own network, but there is also the possibility that he had other ideas for Wi-Fi in mind — perhaps VoIP? A wireless network would have fit perfectly with Apple’s attempt to control every part of its ecosystem, but with that out of the picture, it seems the company will have to settle with working with carriers, even if it has to make compromises.

Bridge universal remote concept promises to bring keyboard control to all your devices

2011-11-14T23:29:01-05:00

Bridge universal remote

There is no shortage of universal remotes in the world, but most don’t include all the different control vectors you’d like for your gadgets. Convergence Technologies has started a Kickstarter campaign to get funding for a device it believes solves that problem: the Bridge universal remote. The group promises that the device will be the “first, truly universal household remote,” citing compatibility with computers, set-top boxes, game consoles, media streamers, and 95 percent of TVs from the past three years. The remote might not be completely universal, however, as compatibility with the Wii and Xbox 360 is “pending further review.”

Convergence Technologies is trying to differentiate the Bridge through its versatility, featuring a full hardware keyboard for thumb typing, an analog stick for mouse controls, and shoulder buttons — making it appear very much like a video game controller. The group is hoping to raise $59,000 on Kickstarter for development of the device, which it is planning to sell for under $100. Check out a video of the Bridge below.

YouTube app for Android updated with ‘Watch later’ and +1 button

2011-11-14T23:07:24-05:00

Youtube app update

YouTube isn’t just getting a Google+ makeover on its website, the social network is also making inroads on the app front. Google has updated its YouTube app for Android, which now has a +1 button available on every video. Other improvements include the ability to edit the info of a video while you’re uploading it, as well as the ability to queue videos in a “Watch later” list. After updating, you can find your “Watch later” list by hitting the Menu button, selecting “My Channel,” and then tapping the “Playlists” tab. Version 2.3.4 of the YouTube app is available to download now from the Android Market.

Bus Checker app alerts you when you arrive at your stop

2011-11-13T07:13:01-05:00

Buschecker

Bus Checker by developer FatAttitude was among the first apps used by government body Transport for London‘s Bus Countdown feed to offer Londoners live data on bus arrivals, routes, diversions, and cancellations. As expected of apps based on a free public API, there is a lot of competition offering the same features, but Bus Checker hopes to leapfrog the competition with an update that includes alerts for when you’ve arrived at your stop. The alerts should prove useful for all those that like to use the public transportation system to catch up on sleep, but there is currently no way to set the alert to warn you before you arrive at your destination, in case you needed to yank the pull cord or press the bus stop button. Still, the feature gives Bus Checker a small advantage, which — in a market filled with very similar products — means it won’t have long until the competition starts copying it.

NC State researchers turn 2D patterns into 3D objects using light and printer ink

2011-11-12T22:50:05-05:00

2D to 3D

The most fun science experiments seem to be ones that you can replicate in your own home. For those would-be scientists, North Carolina State University researchers have developed a way to get 2D patterns to self-assemble into 3D objects using regular household products. The process starts by taking a pre-stressed sheet of plastic (made of Shrinky-Dinks, for additional fun) and printing bold black lines into it, using an ordinary inkjet printer. The plastic is then cut into an appropriate shape and put under a heat lamp. Since the black lines absorb more energy, the plastic folds along those lines, with wider lines causing a farther fold. With properly placed lines and the right shape of plastic, the 2D pattern can fold into cubes, pyramids, or whatever you can think of. While this research could prove to be groundbreaking in the field of origami, Dr. Michael Dickey, co-author of the paper describing this research, claims the process “has potential for rapid, high-volume manufacturing processes or packaging applications.” Video of the action below.

Fujitsu ultrabooks leaked in blurry photos

2011-11-11T22:29:03-05:00

Fujitsu Ultrabooks

Fujitsu may not be the first brand you think of when considering laptops, but the company might soon draw attention to itself with the release of two brand new ultrabooks. Ultrabook News received some leaked photos (blurry, of course), showing a 13-inch model (pictured) as well as what seems to be an unfinished prototype of an 11-inch model. Not much can be seen in these leaks other than what appears to be a USB 3.0 port on the 13-incher, making it at least competitive with Lenovo’s and Asus’s offerings as far as ports go. While ultrabooks were originally hyped as bringing the Macbook Air’s capabilities to Windows, the reviews thus far suggest that they’ve got a ways to go. If Fujitsu manages to rise to the occasion — and that’s a big “if” — it might start seeing a lot more attention from the laptop-buying populace.

Iogear’s Wireless 3D Digital Kit streams 3D, 1080p to your HDTV for $379.95

2011-11-11T02:04:03-05:00

Iogear Wireless 3D Digital Kit

We’ve seen wireless 3D streaming before, with HP’s Wireless TV Connect taking in content from laptops, while Vizio’s slightly more expensive product streams from all your other sources of content. While not the first to market, Iogear is trying to win on features with the upcoming release of its higher-priced Wireless 3D Digital Kit. The kit consists of three parts: the standard transmitter and receiver, plus an IR remote for controlling the boxes. The receiver box features a single HDMI port for plugging into your HDTV as well as an IR pass-though for controlling source devices in a different room. The transmitter box has two HDMI ports to take in content from your Blu-ray player, set-top box, or any other source of media. It also features a single HDMI loop-through port, which allows you to mirror the content for viewing on a second TV. The two boxes don’t need line-of-sight placement — you can hide the transmitter somewhere up to 100 feet away and it should still transmit media just fine.

Iogear’s kit has the advantage of transmitting over longer distances versus its competitors, but the price at $379.95 might be hard to justify. Still, if you want to watch 3D or 1080p content (no information on whether you can watch content that is both 3D and 1080p) and you want it transmitted from a device you put in some far corner of the house, the Wireless 3D Digital Kit will be available online and in stores in the coming months, starting with Costco.com.

Verizon bringing LTE to new markets in Ohio and Pennsylvania on December 15th

2011-11-10T21:06:49-05:00

Verizon LTE coverage

Want to take advantage of Verizon’s doubled data cap plans for 4G phones but don’t live in a 4G-covered area? Well, if that data-barren land you live in happens to be in Ohio or Pennsylvania, your luck might soon change. Verizon announced today that it’s rolling out its LTE network to several new cities, including Youngstown, Warren, Campbell, Struthers, Poland, Boardman, Canfield, Austintown, McDonald, Niles, Findlay, Tiffin, Fostoria, Arcadia East, and Carey in Ohio, as well as Indiana, White Township, Homer City, and Blairsville in Pennsylvania. The company is planning to turn on the data speed upgrade on December 15th — just in time for you to enjoy fast mobile internet while your family carries out the embarrassing holiday traditions.