iLive Clock Radio is one sexy-looking iPhone dock

Most iPhone docks don't do very much with the phone - you just leave it on to charge for the night and that's about it. Well, that's where the iLive Clock Radio Dock comes into play. The dock comes with a clock face that's missing the 12, and when the iPhone is plugged in, it displays the 12 and the clock hands with the use of an app. Charging your iPhone and turning it into a clock at the same time is a pretty great idea.

Unfortunately, a clock designed in this way means that without the iPhone it is pretty useless. But hey - so are other docks - at least this one gives you the added benefit of an analog clock and it's more functional than the wooden iPhone 4 alarm dock. The iLive Clock Radio Dock is available now for $49.99 from the iLive website.

$300 Spark Tablet Case Charges iPads, Smartphones Via The Sun

If you take your iPad or other tablet with you while travelling outdoors, chance are you need a case that's not only durable but offers some sort of charging solution. The Spark tablet case does just that.

The padded case not only features plenty of room to carry your gadgets, but it also has eight watts worth of solar charging ability. According to the manufacturer, the built-in universal battery pack takes around 10 hours of direct sunlight to charge up fully, though it can also be charged through USB ports. That 10 hours amounts to around one full iPad charge.

Though it's designed with the iPad in mind, the Spark is also compatible with a wide range of devices, including the Blackberry Playbook, HP TouchPad, Samsung Galaxy, and number of smartphones, digital cameras, and handheld videogame systems.

Solar gadget charging doesn't come cheap, though, as the Spark will run you a solid $299.

HP Touchpad and Touchstone dock: first video look

After returning from a Vegas vacation, I found one last jackpot on my doorstep: An HP Touchpad and Touchstone wireless charging dock. Both are review units sent from HP, and the devices went on sale last week. This model is the 32 GB unit, which costs $599, while the optional Touchstone dock is an additional $79. In this video overview of the hardware, you can see similarities to Apple's iPad; although the Touchpad is thicker and weighs slightly more, it uses the same 9.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display as Apple's tablet.

When it comes to software, you might be reminded of Android tablets and the BlackBerry Playbook. But webOS stands on its own as well. The multi-pane email view is useful and I really like the Flipboard-like layout available in the Facebook application. Consumers interested in the Touchpad will have to make a software decision however: How long can they wait for a wide variety of third-party apps or are there enough top-tier titles to justify the Touchpad?

This Is What Happens When You Daisy-Chain 200,000 Hard Drives

120 petabytes, 120 million gigabytes, 24 billion MP3s, 1 trillion files. That's how much IBM's new storage array holds-nearly an order of magnitude more data than the largest current system, making it the biggest hard drive array ever built.

The array is composed of 200,000 traditional hard drives working together. To avoid bottle-necks when reading or writing data, this array employs a proprietary file system known as GPFS to increase the speed at which the computer accesses data. It spreads a file across multiple drives, enabling the computer to read or write multiple parts of the file simultaneously. That also drastically cuts down on the amount of time spent indexing-allowing the system to blow through 10 billion files in just 43 minutes, four times faster than the previous three-hour record. And, to keep from losing data when a drive fails, the system automatically migrates files from the dead drive to its replacement, minimizing downtime and providing a fail-proof backup without affecting performance.

While IBM built this specific array for an unnamed client, the technology could one day allow for detailed weather system simulations, seismic activity monitoring, cloud storage infrastructure and other data-intensive projects.

G-Technology by Hitachi throws dual drive 8TB RAID Thunderbolt external HDD onto market

It's no surprise that G-Technology by Hitachi has unveiled a new external HDD today that has 8TB of storage inside. Seagate unveiled its own 4TB external yesterday and it's normal for others to come out with similar gear shortly thereafter. The G-Technology drive has some really cool features though and looks like it was meant to coordinate with a Mac style wise. The drive is called the G-RAID and as you might guess, it has a pair of HDDs inside.

Each of those HDDs hiding inside the shiny aluminum enclosure has 4TB of storage so this is an 8TB total capacity drive. With two drives inside the storage device, it is configure with RAID 0 right out of the box. The drive is going to be offered with a Thunderbolt port for your Mac providing 10 Gbps of data transfer to make for some speedy backups and file transfers. Other interface versions will also be offered. The drive is specifically designed with video editing in mind and promises excellent cooling.

The drive is preformatted for use with Mac OS X computers and the fan inside the enclosure to keep the drives cool is very quiet. The HDDs inside the enclosure are the new Hitachi 4TB 7,200 rpm offerings. Each TB of storage space on the drive can hold 2.5 hours of HD 1080/60i video. The drive will also be offered with eSATA, FireWire 800 and USB 2.0 ports. It will land in October with the Thunderbolt version coming in Q4. Pricing is unannounced.

HP Webcam HD 5210 lets you Skype in HD

If there's one thing great about technology, it's the ability to keep in touch with the people we care about even though they're thousands of miles away. We've come a long way since the introduction of 320 x 240 webcams (remember those days?) and now HD video calling is slowly becoming the standard. HP's latest entry to the webcam market, the HP Webcam HD 5210 is one such camera.

It allows 720p video streaming or recording in full 1080p HD (for you aspiring YouTube stars), so you can be sure that your videos will look top notch. An auto-focus lens and HP's TrueVision auto light exposure also help in that department. With software to help you perform one-click uploads to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Flickr, sharing your videos isn't going to be a problem.

The camera's mount allows it to swivel up to 270 degrees, and two premium noise-cancelling stereo microphones onboard ensure your voice is heard. The HD 5210 can also take still photos with at 13-megapixels, and has 5x digital zoom in the event the need ever arises. The HP Webcam HD 5210 will be available on September 21^st with a price tag of $99.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntmFWLjcXIM

Restaurateurs, Resolve to Be More Efficient This Year with SteadyServ

If any industry needs to be more efficient, it's the restaurant and bar business. Profit margins are tight, employee turnover is a problem, and customers can be fickle. That's why I love shows like Bar Rescue which feature new technological solutions for one of the oldest industries.

Case in point, managing beer keg inventory. Traditionally, bars are caught off guard when a key runs dry, but SteadyServ aims to bring some predictability to the market. The company says their SteadyServ keg sensor collects and sends information such as how much beer remains, the type and style of the beer in the keg, when it was delivered, when it was tapped, its age, and when the keg may run out. It sends this information to SteadyServ's cloud-based software, where it is paired with other information, such as how much safety stock remains, the next delivery date, previous order information, past consumption trends, event information, beer consumption trends nearby, and even local weather forecasts which may impact patronage trends.

And what high tech solution would be complete without an app? The SteadyServ service comes with a free companion app, called iKeg, naturally! The app is free, but without a login, you can't really use it; However there are videos on their site that show it in action. There are also interfaces for retailers and for distributors.

The SteadyServ sensor, their intelligent cloud, and the iKeg app are a practical application of artificial intelligence that could make the difference between a profitable bar and a losing proposition!

iLine Mobile Music Cables Review

 

Most audiophiles and budding musicians can recall a panic-ridden episode with a missing audio cable, ending in a speed run to the local music store to find a cable or adaptor to connect to their amplifier or mixing board. IK Multimedia's iLine Mobile Music Cables ($59.99) intend to make those situations a thing of the past. iLine is a package of mobile music cables designed to hook your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or standard jack audio device into a variety of audio input and output devices. 

The package comes with six different connectors, including a mono output adapter, an input output extension, a standard stereo aux cable, a 3.5mm stereo headphone splitter, an RCA output adapter, and a mono output splitter.

The cables can be used separately or strung together to traverse a particularly gnarly setup, are color-coded, and hold up extremely well in even rugged stage conditions.

All the plugs are plated in 24K gold to prevent oxidization and to maintain solid connectivity. Each cable's high-density shielding protects the low-capacitance insulation that protects the high-purity copper conductors within.

These cables are not your cheesy spare parts bin throwaways, but rather are high-quality connectors you'd be bummed to accidentally leave behind at a gig or mix party. Also included in the package is a vinyl carrying case that is more like a sleeve with pockets to fit each wrapped cable. 

In addition to the iLine cable bundle, IK Multimedia also sells the cables individually. But given the variability of speakers, amplifiers, and other audio devices, I suggest spending the money for the full package. If you use your iOS device for party mixes, performances, or jamming with friends, you will undoubtedly use each of the included cables at least once in your sonic engagements.

IK Multimedia manufactured this product seriously. The high-quality construction combined with the thoughtful combination of mono and stereo adapters shows how in tune the company is with its customer base. If you're already using other IK Multimedia iOS hardware products like iRig KEYS, and iRig MIX, iLine is a perfect compliment.

The only thing not included I'd have liked to see is a 3.5mm stereo splitter with male ends versus the female ends in the headphone splitter. While it's not a deal breaker (simply pair the headphone splitter cable with two stereo aux cables), I've run into a need for such a cable several times.

So if you're looking for a high-quality audio cable collection with decent variety and thoughtful design, I recommend taking a closer look at IK Multimedia's iLine Mobile Music Cables.

 

Product & Manufacturer:  iLine Mobile Music Cables by IK Multimedia

Price: $59.99

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Save, and share, those childhood memories with ArtKive

My youngest daughter was nicknamed 'The Factory' at nursery school, due to the sheer volume of artwork she turned out. Sure, we are proud parents, but if I kept everything, I'd be labeled a hoarder. As a parent, I'm guilty of secretly depositing those works of art in the recycle bin. But you simply can't preserve everything your kids create, in school, camp, or at home.

Now, there's an app for that, cleverly called ArtKive. ArtKive accomplishes several things. First, it allows you to take a photo of the artwork and archive it electronically for posterity.

Second, you can share those electronic images with friends and family, regardless of distance. Grandparents, cousins, etc. can all have access to your petite Picasso's pieces.

Finally, and this is where ArtKive hopes to make money, since the app is free, you can order physical goods like mugs or photo books.

It's a neat idea, and if your kid ends up being a real artist, you'll have some great mementos. Regardless, they might avoid some repressed memories of you throwing out their creations! Try the free app today at ArtKiveApp.com.

Give your iOS devices a HyperBoost of storage with the iUSBport

Sanho makes a variety of battery packs under the HyperJuice name that give you extra power for iOS, Apple, and other USB based devices, but I was intrigued by their latest offering. The iUSBport is a hockey puck sized device that takes any USB hard drive or flash drive and turns it into a wireless storage device!

You can plug something as small as a 16GB flash drive or as big as a 3 terabyte hard disk drive and access the content from up to three devices at a time. Those devices can be iPhones, iPads, or iPod touches, but also Android devices!

To access the wireless data, just use a modern browser like Safari or Chrome and you can view videos and photos wirelessly! You just browse to the default address that the iUSBport broadcasts from, http://192.168.0.1 once you connect to the iUSBport WiFi network. There's also a built in FTP server so you can transfer files wirelessly!

A neat bonus feature is that you can use the USB port to charge your iOS device, provided you supply the USB cable! This could really help, in a punch. The device itself charges using a custom cable and a USB charger (not provided, and they recommend an iPad caliber 5watt charger) and can last about five hours on a full charge.

The iUSBport is available in white or black. Another nice touch is an integrated LCD screen that displays the current status of the iUSBport.

You might be concerned that by connecting to the iUSBport's WiFi network, you are giving up your Internet connectivity. Fortunately, they have a pass through option that allows you to connect to both the Internet and the iUSBport.

Given the high prices Apple charges to go from 16GB to 32GB, or to 64GB, the iUSBport offers a flexible, affordable alternative. And because that extra storage can be shared among multiple devices, and can be as large as you can find, the iUSBport is a great accessory for your gadget bag!

GoSmart Stylus released in 27 European countries via Amazon U.K.!

One of my fav iPad accessories, and one I use on a daily basis is now released in several EU countries, and also available here in the U.S for $24.95. See my full GoSmart review here, or read on for the full PR scoop on this elegantly designed stylus... This is a perfect stocking stuffer for the artsy or geeky iPad user in your life...

"October 25, 2012, Los Angeles, CA - GoSmart, Inc. www.justgosmart.com  announced today that the GoSmart Stylus is now available in Europe through Amazon U.K., priced at: 19.95  or $24.95 U.S.  Also available in the U.S. since August, the GoSmart Stylus is made of ergonomically designed solid aluminum, featuring a flexible patent-pending see-through Teflon coated stainless steel tip with Capacitive Coupling Technology for precision pointing -- the smoothest and most precise stylus for iPads, touchscreen tablets, smart phones and other touch screen devices.  The Amazon U.K. site provides European availability of the GoSmart Stylus, with expedited shipment to the U.K. and other European countries at a reduced rate.

Patent-Pending Capacitive Coupling Technology with See-Through Wire Tip for Precision- No Tapping Sounds While Taking Notes

Made for painting, drawing, sketching, scribbling, writing, clicking, and selecting on any touchscreen device (even with sticky protective covers), the GoSmart Stylus with an iPad (or other tablet) makes pen and paper obsolete.  The Teflon-coated metal tip of the stylus quietly glides on the iPad or other touchscreen to silently take notes during meetings or classes, with no tapping noises.  It features a precise touch unimpeded by clunky foam or plastic discs, which encumber most other styluses.  Strong and flexible at the same time, the tip easily pivots to accommodate various angles, never scratching your device's touchscreen display.  The Stylus provides unique clarity and precision via its patent-pending tip, which employs Capacitive Coupling Technology, featuring several wire rings for an effectively solid conductive surface with minimal material for a clearer view.

The GoSmart Stylus is the perfect "digital pen and paper" for:
        Business people and students to quietly take notes at meetings and lectures.
        Doctors to update patient charts.
        Police and other government agencies to enter forms and tickets.
        Artists to paint or draw smoothly and accurately.
        Left-handed people to write quickly and easily on iPads without problems.  See "Lefty" video at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omnVs00_DGU&feature=plcp
        Emailing Documents to sign and email PDFs without the need to scan and fax.
        Selecting text and clicking icons.
        Real estate agents, accountants and salespeople to sign PDF documents and fill out sales forms.

Customer Quotes:

"I love this stylus! It glides super smooth over the glass or over the screen protector.  I am a full time graduate student and I use this stylus up to 12 hours a day.  I primarily use my iPad and the GoSmart Stylus to write notes in class and highlight and take notes in articles," - Michelle, University of Oklahoma.

"I scan my client's documents as PDFs and annotate them using [the GoSmart Stylus]," - Olivia, accountant.

"I'm currently storyboarding a feature film. Several of the scenes I'm doing exclusively on my iPad using the Procreate app. This is the only stylus I'll use for artwork on my iPad," - professional artist for movie industry.

Two Models with Aesthetic Design - Embedded Rare Earth Magnets Hold Stylus to iPad

The GoSmart Stylus is available in two ergonomic designs:  300 Series (rocket-shape style) and 200 Series (pen-shaped style).  Both designs include two rare earth magnets embedded inside for attaching the stylus to the newer iPads.

GoSmart Stylus 300 Series:
o       Unique aerodynamic rocket-ship look and solid ergonomic feel.
o       Solid aerospace-grade aluminum.
o       Cap's silicone rocket fin shape prevents the stylus from rolling and allows Stylus to stand on its own.
o       Silently takes notes during meetings.
o       Includes two rare earth magnets for attaching stylus to new ipads.

GoSmart Stylus 200 Series:
o       Shaped like a standard pen.
o       Includes polycarbonate cap with clip for travel and easy storage in pocket.
o       Made with the same high quality materials and precision handling as 300 Series.
o       Includes two rare earth magnets for attaching stylus to new ipads.
o       Silently takes notes during meetings.

Available in U.S. and Europe

Amazon U.K. enables the GoSmart Stylus to be exported to the following 27 EU countries:
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Belgium
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Ireland
Portugal
Austria
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
Greece
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Poland
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
U.K.

The GoSmart Stylus 300 Series and 200 Series are available immediately in the U.K. at Amazon U.K. at: 19.95 and in the U.S. at the GoSmart site: http://justgosmart.com/stylus/  or Amazon.com at $24.95 each.  For more information, see the GoSmart website:  www.justgosmart.com  YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/JustGoSmart?feature=watch
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/JustGoSmart  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/justgosmart.

About GoSmart

GoSmart, Inc. www.justgosmart.com  is a privately held company headquartered in Los Angeles, California.  GoSmart develops and markets uniquely innovative product.  Their current product line includes the GoSmart Stylus with precise touchscreen pointing with an unobstructed view through a patent-pending capacitive wire tip; the GoSmart Restpad; and GoSmart Clip for iPhone for safer GPS viewing in the car.  For more information, see www.justgosmart.com .

 

Fantastic iPhone Gadgets & Accessories-Xtand Go

Xtand Head out is usually a sound install to your apple iphone, to require the idea to your car dashboard or windscreen. The item doesn’t include any extra connections, cabling, or maybe functions ( space ) only a standard, reputable increasing device.

Fantastic iPhone Gadgets & Accessories-Jaybird Sportsband

For the epitome of stylish, instant, sporty headset : browse the Jaybird Sportsband. They appear unbelievable, and in many cases contain a warrantee against just about any harm due to the zonked your forehead! I’m offered.