The Geek Church

Some of you might have heard of Vivitar, as they have made some pretty impressive digital cameras and accessories over the years. They are now working to make stuff for Apple products like the iPod and iPhone.

For example, there is the impressive Power duo dock which allows charging of an iPad plus an iPhone and iPod at the same time. This energy star compliant device which should retail for $49.99.

There also is a slide-out Bluetooth keyboard and protective shell case for about $49.99. You can also get a faux phone, a retro-style handset that connects to the iPhone or smartphone with a built-in hang up button and volume control for about $19.99.

Then there is the iSing Karaoke to turn the iPad into live karaoke which costs $69.99. Also available is a Karaoke Soundbar which will cost $199.

Look for these sometime this year. I wish I had more exact dates on all of them.

While I was at CES 2012, looking at the newest gadgets, I managed to find something really great for the iPad known as the Grablet.

The Grablet is a simple item that attaches to the back of the iPad or iPad 2 with clip-out straps. It allows the user to take the iPad in one hand while manipulating it with the other.

Not only will you make it difficult to drop your favorite Apple tablet, but you can also accessorize it and make it so you can hang your tablet on a wall or even on the back of a car seat.

If you are interested in getting a Grablet for yourself, head to the Grablet site and pick up one in many colors for a price of $39.99.

I’ve had a chance to try out HEX products before. They have a way of incorporating a touch of class in mobile devices. For example, they have a watchband that hold the iPod nano, giving it a sleek look.

At CES, they were not in short supply of classy products either as they announced their Fleet Collection. It includes laptop sleeves, messenger bags, and backpacks designed with Mac products in mind. I suppose that the formal or informal term would be “techcessories”, and they are all products designed for viewing the iPad or other Mac product.

There are way too many of these products to talk about, so you might want to go to the ShopHex site to view these bags and prices.

Some of you might not be familiar with Kickstarter, but it is a place where inventors can go in order to put their inventions on display and get some funding for them as well.

The TidyTilt is one such project, and it is quite a practical one. It is compatible with the iPhone 4 and 4S models, and it is designed to hold the earbuds. This comes in handy, and you can see how they wrap around that bar there.

The TidyTilt also has the ability to be a mount as well as a kickstand for the iPhone, which will come in handy for using an external keyboard.

That earbud feature is enough to sell the TidyTilt, and the designers, Derek Tarnow and Zahra Tashakorinia, have already picked up $50,000 for it. Considering they only wanted $10,000, this is quite good.

I believe that a $19 donation to Kickstarter will allow you to have a TidyTilt for yourself in one of the four colors when it is ready to ship.

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Heads up, dear readers! We’ve got breaking news as Steve Jobs of Apple unveiled the iPhone 4 earlier today. Obviously, you’ve got plenty of questions about what to expect from this new smartphone so we’ll give the full rundown of Apple’s latest product. Let’s start by discussing the iPhone’s design. Of course, the outer body of the phone consists of black glass and stainless steel rim, just like the infamous prototype misplaced, discovered and leaked in the news several months ago. The iPhone 4 is also three grams heavier and 34 percent thinner than its 3GS predecessor and has split volume buttons made of stainless steel. Apple says that this smartphone is currently the thinnest one in existence today. The stainless steel rim is also used for the phone’s antenna to provide better reception for 3GS and WiFi. The physical size of the phone is 4.5 x 2.31 inches in width, 0.37 inches thick with a weight of 4.8 ounces (137 grams).

Now we’ll take a look at the smartphone’s hardware. Like the iPad, this iPhone has an internal Apple A4 chip. Furthermore, the phone also uses several other interconnected chips, which include a Cortex-A8 main processor unit, a PowerVR SGX 535 and two low-power 128MB DDR SDRAM chips. The Cortex-A8 processor acts as the phone’s main controlling mechanism, the PowerVR SGX provides hi-def graphics and the SDRAM chips give greater processing speed. The iPhone 4’s battery was also improved, made 16 percent larger than the previous iPhone battery with a longer lifespan. According to Apple, the new battery makes the iPhone 4 capable of 7 talk hours over 3G, 6 browsing hours over 3G, 10 browsing hours over Wi-Fi, 10 hours with video, 40 hours with music and 300 hours on standby.

The new iPhone’s multi-touch screen is 3.5 inches with 960 × 640 pixels and Apple calls it the Retina Display. Thus, it has four times as many pixels compared to the previous iPhone display with 326 pixels per inch resolution in the screen. Apple said that this IPS display is the same tech found in the iPad, so applications can run with better resolution, sharper view for text, 3D graphics and vectorial art. The new display also has the same oleophobic layer as the iPad and iPhone 3GS for easy cleaning. The iPhone 4 has two cameras as well. The main camera is backlit, has a larger sensor, larger lenses and a higher ISO but retains the same 5 megapixels. However, the main camera also has an LED based flash for making photos and video. Meanwhile, a video conferencing camera is located on the front of the phone. It has standard VGA resolution, third-party application compatibility and also features Apple’s own video conference solution. In addition to these features, the iPhone has a internal gyroscope for tracking movement with great accuracy. It has a 3-axis, enabling it to detect roll, pitch and yaw. It’s also combined with an accelerometer to make 6-axis sensing possible. It features an extra microphone to cancel out noise and the same micro-SIM standard as the iPad as well.

Finally, let’s consider the iPhone’s 4’s software. It has ISO 4 for selective multi-tasking. Thus, you can multi-task with applications while consuming less battery power and resources. ISO 4 also gives the Retina Display resolution independence, so applications are instantly adjusted to look sharper. This applies to typography, 2D vector graphics and 3D graphics as well. Meanwhile, the iPhone also offers the capability for video calling, made possible with its video conferencing camera. Apple calls this service FaceTime and communication is available from one iPhone 4 to another over Wi-Fi. Apple is featuring a new editing sofware called iMovie for iPhone as well. This software runs on hi-def with 720p, allowing you to edit video clips, add extra effects for still images and gives you access to a music soundtrack from your phone’s iTunes. Then you can export finished videos to 360p, 520p and 720p. However, iMovie is a separate application not included with the iPhone 4 itself. Lastly, ibooks are also compatible with ISO 4 and they’re accessible through the same controls used on the iPad’s iBook application. The new smartphone is scheduled for release on June 24 in black or white color options while prices are $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB.

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This past Sunday, President Obama made time in his busy schedule to serve as a key-note speaker at a graduation ceremony for Hampton University. Of course, he gave a speech to congratulate the college graduates on their accomplishment, encourage them about their potential and inspire them to embrace their future with passion and vision. However, his commencement address to the students took a very bizarre turn when he chose to identify certain game consoles and mobile tech products as detriments of our society.

In his speech, Obama specifically mentioned the X-Box, Playstation, iPod and iPad and described them as devices that devalue and weaken the power of information. According to the U.S. President, information is supposed to be a tool of empowerment for people in our society, especially the nation’s youth. Furthermore, his argument is that personal electronic devices of entertainment only turn knowledge into a distraction or diversion. Apparently, Obama believes that the impact of these game consoles and mobile tech products is a threat to the future of this generation’s youth, our country’s future and even our system of democracy. You might be interested to know that the President previously bashed the X-Box last year during a speech to the NAACP as well. In that speech, he argued that parents have to be involved in their children’s education and must remove the game console as a distraction.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that Obama also admitted his own lack of knowledge and experience with these devices since he has never used them. Personally, I find it amusing that the U.S. President is openly criticizing products of entertainment, communication and internet access even though he’s never tried them before. This argument in his speech about the devaluing of information in society seems to be a basic ploy to score public relation points with parents and graduating students who shun these devices. Politicians are certainly known for targeting popular products in our culture for open contempt to gain public favor during their speeches. Sadly, this commonly leads to poorly-conceived arguments and statements that only come back to hurt the reputation of these politicians after public and media reactions have fully set in. Indeed, this may also apply to Obama’s attack on game consoles and mobile tech products as well.

At least his recent statement didn’t include the Wii. Nintendo, you can still breathe easy for now but watch your back.

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Last night, Jason Chen, an editor and journalist of Gizmodo and his wife returned home at 9:45pm after having dinner to find police in their house, confiscating Chen’s computers and personal servers. Of course, the officers had a search warrant, which they showed to Mr. Chen when he asked for it. But they showed him the warrant after they ordered him to put his hands behind his head and searched him for weapons. Then Mr. Chen was informed that he wasn’t being arrested, he and his wife had the option of staying overnight at the home of a friend and neighbor and the couple had to wait for an half hour before their house was released from the search. Before leaving his home, the police gave Mr. Chen an inventory list of everything they seized and reassured him that he could be reimbursed for his front door, which they had bashed in.

These officers are members of the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team, a high-tech crime task force from various local Bay Area law enforcement agencies located in California. The search warrant they used was issued by a judge of the Superior Court in San Mateo county. According to the warrant, the police were authorized to confiscate personal property if there is probable cause that a felony was committed and if the removed items show that a felony was indeed committed. Furthermore, the warrant specified the seizure of computer systems, documentation of those computer systems, records and data from those computers and their hard drives and printed documents and images connected to the sale of the misplaced iPhone prototype. Other personal property of interest could also be taken to identify the suspect.

However, Gaby Darbyshire, Chief Operating Officer of Gawker Media LLC claims that the California police actually conducted an illegal search and seizure at Chen’s home because their actions could be in violation of section 1524(g) of the California Penal Code. Mr. Chen is an employee of Gawker Media, Gizmodo’s parent company and Darbyshire sent a formal letter to the police in Chen’s defense. In his letter, Darbyshire cites section 1524(g), which states that no warrant can be issued for the seizure of items described in Section 1070 of the Evidence Code. Furthermore, Section 1070 itself states that any employer or employee of a newspaper, magazine, radio station or other type of publication cannot be held in contempt by a judicial, legislative or administrative body for refusing to disclose information obtained for circulation to the public. Mr. Darbyshire also noted that the warrant was issued for “night search approval” only, which could have been violated by the police since Chen didn’t return home until 9:45pm and Darbyshire requested that Chen’s property be quickly returned to him.

It is possible that Mr. Chen was targeted for police investigation since he wrote extensively about the iPhone 4G prototype that was misplaced by a software engineer in Redwood City last March and Gizmodo consequently posted the story after buying the smartphone. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether or not Chen is actually being charged for a crime at this time.

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When it comes to new technological developments on their product lines, companies tend to be secretive and protective of their latest stuff. Businesses often limit or restrict information about their newest products to have a competitive edge over their rivals and carefully plan out the release of their latest developments to make the biggest profit possible from them. Thus, information leaks and misplaced product prototypes are normally quite frowned upon in regards to their newest stuff. Apparently, an employee of Apple forgot these important facts about the proper handling of new merchandise when he brought a next-generation iPhone to a bar in Redwood City, California last month and accidentally left it behind.

This employee works for Apple as a software engineer who is responsible for the iPhone Baseband Software, the program that allows the phone to make calls. On the fateful night of March the 18th, this software engineer decided to spend his evening enjoying imported ales at Gourmet Haus Staud since this day just happened to be his 27th birthday. His reason for taking the new iPhone from outside the premises of Apple was to give it a field test. Of course, he prepared for this field test by disguising the new phone as a 3G iPhone and even discussed the test run briefly on his Facebook profile. Then he forgot about the new phone during his night at Gourmet Haus Stud and left it there before returning home.

Later on, this iPhone 4G was found by another man at the bar, who took it home and realized the significance of the find after he removed the phone’s fake 3G jacket. Afterward, the next-generation iPhone found its way into the hands of Gizmodo, who bought it for five thousand dollars weeks later. Of course, the tech blog also took the opportunity to post their own story about the iPhone 4G discovery this past Monday as well. Then, a letter signed by Apple General Counsel and Senior VP Bruce Sewell was issued to Gizmodo, formally requesting the safe return of the new iPhone prototype. So, Gizmodo Editorial Director Brian Lam sent a friendly reply to Apple, promising to give them the phone back after the opportunistic tech blog posted Apple’s letter on their website. At this time, it is unclear whether or not Gizmodo is facing legal repercussions for being in possession of the next-generation iPhone. Well, this whole situation was certainly more than a simple information leak. Personally, I wonder how it could affect the future of Apple’s smartphone product line and if that software engineer is facing certain disciplinary action for his mistake last March.

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Since the world is still reeling from last weekend’s release of the iPad, Apple is attempting to wow consumers further with their newest development, the iPhone OS 4.0. So far, fifty million iPhones have been sold, along with 450,000 iPads and OS 4.0 is scheduled to be applied to phones this summer. Then the iPad will get this upgrade in the fall. Obviously, people are wondering what the OS 4.0 can do. Well, here’s a rundown of its features and capabilities.

First of all, it offers multi-tasking. You can run applications with a double tap of the home button, pause games at any time and there’s a tray available for switching between applications. This tray pushes up the other home icons and has a metallic background. However, you will be facing limitations in using active applications even though you have the ability to switch between them easily. Furthermore, multi-tasking will not be available for iPhone 3G or the second generation iPod touch and there is no task manager to do the app. organization for you, either.

Second, seven background services are available for use. For background audio, you can play Pandora and manage it with pop-up controls. For background VoIP, Skype calls are still compatible, you can switch applications, a “return to call” button is available and you will be able to receive Skype calls on a locked phone. Push and local notifications are still available but local ones are for in-phone applications, pop-up alarms, etc. Fast app. switching is now possible. This feature allows you to store one app. in its present state as you switch to another one and then back to the previous one. The final background service is task completion, which allows for an upload if you close an app.

Next, folders are available for storing lists of usable applications. Up to 2160 applications can be stored for future use. There are also homescreen wallpapers, enhanced mail and unified mail to combine web mail, Mobile Me and multiple exchange accounts. A thread organization is provided as a more powerful inbox and attachments are now possible for third party email. Of course, iBooks are possible, similar to how they work on the iPad and you can sync bookmarks and between devices. There is also better email encryption and SSL VPN support for non-bold text. Then, gaming features include being able to challenge friends, compare high scores on leaderboards and do matchmaking and achievements. The OS 4.0 also supports Bluetooth keyboards. Lastly, ads will be appear in HTML 5, they are fully interactive and they now have access to APIs, which includes location and accelerometer as well.

However, there is no confirmation that it supports cameras with flash, and how easily you can download applications is another unanswered question.

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Hey, dear readers, if you’re keeping up on current events involving new technology, then you probably know that Apple’s iPad was finally released to the consumer over the past weekend. For those of you not able or not interested in buying one yet, you’re likely to have some obvious questions right now. Questions such as does it really work, what can it actually do, did Apple keep its promises about the product this time or what problems come with trying to use it? Well, Henry Blodget, the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Business Insider just wrote a review of his experience with the iPad earlier today. Here’s a summary with the highlights to answer your questions about the new Apple product.

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