If you have an iPad or an iPhone and you have small children, then you’ve learned how much your kids love to play games and watch videos on these devices. The problem is that the same device providing entertainment for your kids is usually the very device that you’re using to organize your life.

Sure, it’s fine if your 7-year-old plays Plants versus Zombies on your iPhone or iPad, but what if he lands on your big presentation with just a click of the home button and a few taps onscreen? Or what if your little girl stumbles across your age-inappropriate sniper game?

That’s where a product like Paperclip Robot’s BubCaps comes in very handy.

BubCaps by Paperclip Robot is an innovative solution to prevent accidently hitting the home screen button on an iPhone or iPad. The latex-free plastic or aluminum cap covers the round home screen button.  BubCaps are just rigid enough to stop a child or adult from accidentally pressing through, but flexible enough for an adult to activate the home button with a firm press.  It’s especially great for parents with young kids who love to play with their phones and tablets. Parents can load a fun kid friendly app and have peace of mind knowing their little one won’t be hitting the home button giving them access to the entire phone.

There are three basic BubCaps for different applications: the regular version works on the iPhone and touch, and it is strong enough to prevent toddlers from leaving an app. The Ultra provides medium resistance on iPads for toddlers and older children, and the Max offers high resistance on the iPad for all ages. Anyone who is strong enough to press the BubCap can exit the app, but a BubCap will keep it from happening too easily.

I received the BubCap Explorer 6 pack and a BubCap Pro set.

Installation on any of the BubCaps included in the Explorer pack is straightforward:

1) Clean the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, particularly around the home button (only apply BubCaps over screen protector films at your own risk).
2) Remove the backing from the BubCap.
3) Adhere the BubCap directly over the home button. If the BubCap isn’t positioned correctly, remove it and try again.
4) Once correctly positioned, press firmly on the left and right side of the BubCap for at least 30 seconds.
5) Wait at least 15 minutes before use, or longer if you believe there will be vigorous attempts to remove the BubCap. The adhesive bond will continue to strengthen for at least 24 hours after application (or reapplication).

It’s mentioned on the BubCap site that these may not work with all skins or all cases, and if you install one over a screen protector or skin and then decide that you want to remove the BubCap, you’ll likely have to remove anything under it as well. With that said, they do have this caveat: “While many people report good outcomes using a BubCap over a screen protector, the results can be unpredictable; do so at your own risk.”

This is the BubCap Max installed on my iPad

I installed the BubCap Max on my iPad, and since it doesn’t currently have a screen protector, I have no unpredictable behavior to report. I’ve found that while it is not hard for an adult or older child to press the home button, younger children and toddlers have no choice but to either stay in the app you are allowing them to use or turn the iPad off.

So there’s one need that BubCap definitely meets.

But how about taking it a step further? What if you are setting up a kiosk in the mall or at a convention, and you would love people to see the demonstration you’ve installed on your iPad, but you don’t want them to exit it and start reading your email? Or what if you are a teacher in a classroom equipped with iPads and there is a particular app that your students need to use, and you would prefer that they not be able to exit it?

That’s where the solid aluminum “industrial-strength” BubCap Pro comes in.

These suckers are incredibly rigid, and they are not easy to remove … but that’s exactly what you would want in an industrial or educational setting right?

I didn’t install the Pro version on my iPad, but I was able to more or less test it out. So how do you exit an app and tap the home button when you have one of these on your screen?

image courtesy of BubCap

The BubCap site says you can use a toothpick to poke through the hole and activate the home button. The BubCap’s hole looks deceptively small, though, and I was worried that the round toothpicks we use would be too fat. I needn’t have worried; I was able to lay the BubCap Pro over the home button and easily activate it.

BubCaps in their various strengths are a brilliant product for parents with small children; they will keep your kids from seeing anything inappropriate, but they will also allow you to use your iPad or iPhone without too much inconvenience.

BubCap Pro takes this idea to a whole new level; I can see how it would be invaluable for those who use the iPad in settings where they want to make sure the intended audience’s attention can’t wander.

PaperClip Robot BubCaps are available directly from the manufacturer.

MSRP: Most BubCap sets are $5.99 each, with the exception of the Explorer Pack ($7.99) and the Pro ($9.99)

What I Like: Different BubCaps offer various degrees of resistance for little fingers; Will work on the iPhone and iPad; the Pro version works in commercial and educational scenarios quite well

What Needs Improvement: Nothing, they work exactly as advertised

Looking for some fun entertainment while getting more relief for your wallet this summer? Amazon has a 30% discount on home video pre-orders of the upcoming Will Smith/Tommy Lee Jones sci-fi comedy Men in Black 3 plus free movie ticket voucher codes (up to $10) for the first 10,000 pre-order customers until June 25, 2012.

Grab the Three Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy for $39.19 and/or the Two Disc Combo: Blu-ray / DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy for $28.69. Amazon lists this home video version release date in 2012, so fans will have it before the year is out.

Terms and conditions apply. See details below.

Step 1: Complete your pre-order of Men in Black 3 on Blu-ray or Blu-ray 3D between May 23, 2012 and June 25, 2012.

Step 2: If you are one of the first 10,000 to pre-order, you will receive an e-mail within 48 hours containing your promotional code, click the link contained in the email to go to http://www.sonymoviecash.com/mib3 and redeem your promotional code by July 5, 2012.

Step 3: On the http://www.sonymoviecash.com/mib3, website follow the instructions to enter your promotional code and other required information and print your certificate.

The cellhelmet is one of the Kickstarter projects I backed that was actually successful, produced and shipped. (You can read the initial Kickstert This! post here.) Yes, my cellhelmet arrived the other day and I was excited to get it on my phone. It stayed there for about an hour and then came off, was repackaged and prepped to give away in tomorrow’s newsletter.

Why am I not using it? Read on!

The reason I find the cellhelmet to be a mixed bag can be summed up in this image. You see, the bulk of the creators discussion of the case isn’t actually on the case. Instead it is on the accidental coverage that comes with each case. And yes, that is a big deal and an innovation that makes sense. It is actually a great idea to bundle a case with damage coverage. The result?

No monthly fees. Every cellhelmet includes one (1) full year of accidental damage coverage for iPhone 4/4S. Pay only $44.99 and get cellhelmet, plus all coverages. Stop paying monthly fees for iPhone insurance today. *Water damage excluded. Must register coverage within 30 days of purchase.

That’s a pretty good deal!

And the case itself looks okay. It is one piece and the iPhone clips inside. It is a fairly tight fit so it does take some time to get in but that is a good thing since it speaks to the case’s integrity. It completely covers the back, sides, and even the area around the Home Button. That’s the good news.

Each cell helmet also comes with a few back inserts. This lets you change the color of the back of the iPhone without having to stick anything on it. I opted for the bland combination you see in front of you.

The folks behind the projects made a big deal our of these. Personally I was a bit underwhelmed by them. They are kind of cheap-looking and I could do without the big “cellhelmet™” on each one.

The website for the cellhelmet DOES discuss the case itself but to read about it you have to scroll down the page… way down. As noted, that makes sense since the real innovation here is in the bundling with accident protection but it does raise some questions. Question like, “What is the case like?”

I expected perfection. After all, there were 30!!! updates along the way including one that noted,

The cellhelmet™ is now a perfect fit – we couldn’t be happier with its sizing. We also finalized our material/color selections – you will all be very pleased with the simple feel of its dense TPU rubber shell.

We do have one issue however, which will need to be addressed before we can ship. As you can see in a couple of the last images, where there used to be a window to the Apple logo, you can still see a “halo.” This should not be there. We do not want to send out an unfinished product, so we will have this addressed first.

In other words, they were proud to get rid of an area on the back that had a slight reminder of a “window” in the initial design. That’s great but to ship a “finished”
product with this…

…leave something to be desired. I don’t mean to be picky but if you are going to make a big deal out of getting rid of a halo effect there shouldn’t be something this obvious on the case.

That’s problem number one. Problem number two is more a matter of taste.

In order for the case to be as protective as it is there needs to be more to it than merely surrounding the iPhone with plastic. There is and it comes in the form of the small interior ribs you can see around the interior frame. These actually create small gaps between the iPhone and the case itself and, in the process, gives some “shock absorbency” to it. That’s all good and well but it results in a case that is larger than the form-fitting cases I love. Some may love the shape, feel and size of it. I don’t.

So is this a bad case? No, not at all. Is it a good case? I can’t say it is and I don’t think there would be much to talk about if there accident protection wasn’t there. But it is and it makes a compelling case for this case, especially if you are someone who is prone to dropping it. And, in fact, we will be getting this case, and the year of protection, into the hands of one of our readers.

GIVEAWAY!!!!

If you want it just leave a comment on this post. In fact, the winner will not only get the cellhelmet and protection but we will even include the gray, limited edition t-shirt that came as thanks to backers! Make sure you are signed up for our weekly newsletter (Click Here) since that is where we will be announcing the winners.

You can check out the case here on the product here.

MSRP: $44.99

What I Like: Protective; Customizable with included back plates; Comes with one year of accident protection

What Needs Improvement: Bigger than I want in order to provide protection; Doesn’t feel particularly great in the hand; Blemish from where this case was filled or attached

Zinio recently introduced their Zinio Magazine Minute. In it “Notable figures in magazine publishing and technology share their thoughts exclusively with Zinio. Explore their favorite articles, magazines, and find out what inspires them.”

They reached out to Judie and me and interviewed us both. Judie’s interview is already live and I thought I would share it with you. (If you want to see it on the Zinio page click here.)

Question: What recent article(s) on Zinio had the most impact on you?

Answer: National Geographic, June 2011 – “Too young to wed, the secret world of child brides”

Smithsonian Magazine, January 2011 – “A Plague of Pigs”

Knowledge, Mar/Apr 2012 – The evolution special, “Last Man Standing

Question: Which magazines do you have in your Zinio library?

Answer: I have subscriptions to National Geographic Interactive, Smithsonian, Science, Science Illustrated, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Rolling Stone, Juxtapoz, Outside, Braintainment, Mental Floss, Beer Connoisseur, Texas Monthly, Knowledge, The Explorer’s Journal, Cosmo (my guilty secret), and a few random HGTV issues for decorating ideas.

Question: What is your favorite Zinio feature?

Answer: My father saved National Geographic magazines on his bookshelves when I was a child. They took up a lot of room, and they were the only magazine he was able to “collect” because of the amount of space involved to do so, but that’s not to say that he wouldn’t have collected others if space hadn’t been an issue. I can now read and later reference to *all* of my subscriptions on my laptop, or I can carry them with me on my iPad. The embedded live-links and portability of all this data makes Zinio editions a no-brainer for me.

Question: What are the hottest topics that you think will be featured in magazines in 2012?

Answer: All things political, as we head into the US presidential elections. But I will most likely continue to seek out articles that educate me on diversity, how things work, and why things are the way they are.

Update by Judie:  Dan’s Interview just went live, as well. You can read his by clicking here! He is much more eloquent than I was. =)

I recently reviewed Virtual City 2, and stated “Virtual City 2: Paradise Resort remains my current favorite city-building game after playing on the Mac and now the iPad”. Well … for today only you can get this great game for up to 40% off!

Here are some details:

40% OFF TODAY ONLY! SAVE UP TO 40% ON THE NEXT G5 GAME!LONG-AWAITED SEQUEL TO VIRTUAL CITY IS FINALLY HERE! Subscribe to the G5 newsletter and get a free game! www.g5e.com/e-mailNew buildings, new product chains, new challenges! After winning the hearts of millions of players, the best-selling city builder game, Virtual City, gets its long-awaited sequel! In Virtual City 2: Paradise Resort, you’ll get to expand your activities to the shining coast of Florida, snowy lands of Alaska, rocky mountains of Utah and arid tundras of Nevada. Complete 4 challenging locations with unique missions while fulfilling special goals like launching a Casino, building a Ski Resort and constructing an Ice Hotel. Offices and hotels, restaurants and clubs, museums and fitness centers – access the widest selection of buildings to make your very own Virtual City unique and prosperous.● 52 Challenging Levels in 4 Settings: Blustery Utah, Sunny Florida, Snowy Alaska, Steamy Nevada● 29 Distinct Mission Scenarios● 73 Types of Buildings● 42 Types of Goods to Transport and Trade● 12 Production Chains to Master● 98 Special Achievements to Earn● 45 Upgrades and Buildings to Unlock● Game Center Support ● iPhone 4 Retina Display support ● iOS 4+ multitasking support

The pricing is $1.99 for the iPhone and $4.99 for iPad – and is well worth it!

Head to the iTunes App Store and grab Virtual City 2 for iPhone or Virtual City 2 HD for iPad!

Nexuiz players now have a chance for some serious cash and prizes at the Machinima Nexuiz PC Tournament (U.S. residents only) June 9, 2012 at 3:00 PM. There will be space for 1024 teams with four players on each team as they will play through a single elimination bracket.

The matches will be best of three and played on Team Deathmatch. All qualifiying rounds will be conducted online and the final 2 teams will be flown out to Los Angeles to play the final round in Machinima’s Game Room HQ June 30th! Registration begins May 7th and closes June 15th. The qualifying rounds will begin online June 16th and end June 17th.

This futuristic first-person shooter (FPS) game from THQ is the CryENGINE® 3 powered game from Illfonic available on Steam and other PC download sites for a suggested price of $9.99. Nexuiz is also available Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network.

See the press release below for more details:

Tournament details:

• Open to U.S. residents only (see rules and restrictions)
• 4v4 Team Deathmatch tournament
• Maximum of 1,024 teams
• Qualifying rounds conducted online
• Final two teams flown to Hollywood, Calif to play the final round in Machinima’s game room on June 30, 2012

Prizes:

• $10,000 cash with $7,000 to the winning team and $3,000 to the runners-up
• AMD — 10 Radeon 7850 graphics boards
• Alienware™ — 4 TactX™ keyboards and 4 TactX mice

Format:

• Best of three in qualifying rounds
• Single elimination
• Finals in Hollywood will be best of 11 series

Schedule:

• Registration is open now at: http://www.360icons.com/pc/nexuiz/tournaments/Machinima-Nexuiz-PC-Tournament/
• Registration closes June 15, 2012
• Qualifying rounds take place on Saturday June, 16th and Sunday June, 17th
• Finals will be June 23, 2012

Machinima is the sole sponsor of the tournament and is responsible for all rules, administration and prizing. More details can be found on the Nexuiz community forums at Forums.Nexuiz.com.

Nexuiz for PC is now available from Steam at Store.Steampowered.com/app/96800.

Gear Deal: Logitech Z906 5.1-channel 3D Surround Sound THX-certified Speaker System via LogicBUY

Gamers gain a more robust mobile console experience with the PlayStation Vita versions using Wi-Fi/3G or Wi-Fi only online capabilities plus a rear touchpad, two analog sticks and a sharp OLED display.

 The Hype

Sony’s PlayStation Vita, previously codenamed “Next Generation Portable”, is the successor to the PlayStation Portable hardware series. Vita retains the familiar general form of the PlayStation Portable hardware series while dramatically improving on virtually every aspect of its use with powerful and exciting new features. Taken together this makes for a handheld gaming device that truly signals the entry of handhelds into the world of Next-Gen gaming.

• Revolutionary gaming experiences with dual analog sticks, front and rear cameras, front multi-touch display, multi-touch rear pad, GPS and new unit specific media flash-based storage
• Stunning multi-touch 5-inch organic light emitting display (OLED)
• The richest, deepest and most engaging handheld gaming lineup – including Nathan Drake’s epic adventure in Uncharted Golden Abyss, Rayman Origins, and Lumines: Electronic Symphony.
• Network connectivity via improved Wi-Fi capabilities (Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity avaialable in an additional Vita model)
• Location based gaming allowing players to find and meet friends virtually for brand new experiences

The Reality

Sony’s handheld game console named the PlayStation® Vita (“life” in Italian) debuted in the U.S. on February 22 and currently offers two versions:

The Wi-Fi only version ($249) works online with Wi-Fi hotspots accessed free in public places or home connections.

The Wi-Fi and 3G version ($299) uses signals for online functions (similar to a cell phone), so users can get it anywhere they get service, which is exclusively available from AT&T.

The realistic price points reflect the past (PSPGo launched at $249.99) while offering a better gaming experience for a lesser price for most mobile phones. I got the Wi-Fi only version, which includes a charger/USB cable, the handheld console, and helpful manuals. Both versions use PlayStation Vita cards, have media storage card capability range for 4 GB to 32 GB, allow one account and are not currently backwards compatible with the PSP UMD discs or PS One Classic games. Backwards compatible media includes PlayStation Store items, PSP downloadable titles, PS minis, and PS Suite games.

The console size is bigger than the Sony handheld console, the PlayStation Portable, which reflects the impressive concentration on the display and sharp graphics. PS Vita colors are only currently available in black (a white colored version will release in Japan on June 28, 2012) and have a nice glossy finish. The rounded edges enhance the design benefits and designers place important functions/buttons in well-conceived spots (e.g. volume control on console top right near the fingertips).

The 3G/Wi-Fi version weights approximately 9.8 ounces while the Wi-Fi only version weighs 9.2 ounces while both include 512 MB of system RAM and 128 MB of VRAM, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR connectivity, LiveArea software, a four-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor and a four-core SGX543MP4+ graphics processing unit.

With a bigger screen the PS Vita makes some room with smaller buttons. The standard overall Sony button layout remains with the familiar shoulder buttons, directional buttons, colored action buttons, start button, and select button while the power button is on the top left edge and volume buttons on the top right edge.

Ports include the standard PS Vita card slot, memory card slot, and headset jack plus ones for accessory, SIM card (3G/Wi-Fi model only), and a multi-use.

I thought about charging it, but had power immediately so I began the touch based navigation/interface to set everything up in under 15 minutes.

Users can customize the layout and icons easily by sliding through pages, pinching/spreading to zoom in/out, and typing without a stylus pen using an on-screen keyboard.

Set up a PlayStation Network account to create a friends list and keep track of your trophies (still allowing for only one user), which count towards overall totals accumulated on the PlayStation 3 as well.

Handheld console “firsts” on the PlayStation Vita include a pair of joysticks, rear touchpad for game interactions, and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

The dual-analog sticks are ideal for first person shooter games and any other game genre where game character movements are essential. For PSP games, use the right PS Vita stick for the directional pad and the left PS Vita stick for the PSP stick.

The rear touchpad should provide extra challenges for game developers while helping enhance player experiences (e.g. making music, keeping rhythm, changing land terrain, etc.). Users can easily fit all ten fingers on the rear touchpad, which also provides a more even support system for holding the PS Vita (the rounded edges also help).

The sharp, high resolution display (960 x 540 with a 220 ppi density) features 24-bit color and a five-inch screen that emits a brighter picture with high contrast. Picture file support exists for Jpeg, tiff, bmp, gif, png files.

No video-out capability here with video file support for two – MPEG-4 Simple Profile (AAC) and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High/Main/Baseline Profile (AAC).

The non-removable, built-in lithium-ion battery (DC3.7V 2200mA) life usually lasts approximately 4 to 5 hours and longer when only using the PS Vita to listen to music. Battery recharges only take about 2 and ½ hours.

The controls utilize combinations of straight forward touchscreen interfaces and six-axis motion sensor system with three-axis gyroscope and three-axis accelerometer, which adds more movement capabilities. A three-axis electronic compass is included in the WiFi/3G version.

Two 0.3 megapixel cameras (front and back) allow players to take pictures at a 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution at 78 FPS and engage in augmented reality experiences while providing capabilities for face detection, head detection, and head tracking.

The console sound options include stereo speakers and a microphone. Mps, aac, and wav are the supported audio files.

Other features include a built-in GPS receiver on the WiFi/3G version while both versions feature a maps application and, like the Nintendo 3DS (LINK), include AR (augmented reality) cards. Web-based applications including Netflix, Facebook, web browser, Twitter, Flickr, Skype, and Foursquare with capabilities for many more.

Part Two of my upcoming PlayStation Vita review will cover related applications, games and accessories.

Where to Buy: Amazon.com and other stores

Price: $249 for Wi-Fi only version / $299 for Wi-Fi and 3G version

What I Like: Mobile advantages, link capabilities with PS3 (hardware and actual games (three currently)), strong graphics, large display

What Needs Improvement: longer battery life, limited video playback capabilities, no video out option, limited backwards compatibility for games/media

Back in the days when I was on the look out for the “perfect tablet” (in other words, before I got my iPad), I used to love checking out Dynamism. While I’ve become more focused in my “gadget-selection”, Dynamism apparently is branching out. I just received an email and one of the new products they carry looks rather neat.

BANG! from bitplay is the perfect lamp for the aspiring sharpshooter, wannabe assassin, noir aficionado, or lazy bum in all of us. Simply point and shoot and the lamp will turn off and ‘play dead’ – until the next shot, when it springs back to life, and light! Sturdy construction and attractive design make it ideal for any room in the house.

Just $299 at Dynamism.

Check it out here.

I remember reading an article about 25 years or so ago! on how everything wired was going wireless and everything wireless was getting wired. The article was mainly about cordless phones and wired cable television, but it is one that comes back to me often about the transformative effect of technology and how quickly we acclimate to changes.

One thing that pretty much everyone takes for granted is a full-function wireless remote. Yet many of us can remember a time into the 70s and 80s where switching channels meant getting up off the couch and turning a knob. But that isn’t due to lack of technology, since a wireless remote had been available since 1955 thanks to Eugene Polley.

This week we mourn the passing of Mr. Polley, who passed away at age 96. He may be gone, but his invention will long be remembered.

According to Forbes:

Zenith Electronics, a subsidiary of LG Electronics, said Polley’s inventions, primarily in the television field, earned him 18 U.S. patents.

“Polley’s best known invention, the ‘Flash-Matic’ remote control, was the world’s first wireless TV remote, introduced in 1955. It used a flashlight-like device to activate photo cells on the television set to change channels.”

But it wasn’t just a gadget that Polley produced, but an entirely different way of thinking. Looking beyond the box, beyond what is physically obvious.

Beyond keeping TV viewers pinned to their chairs, Polley’s invention unchained technology from mechanical knobs and levers, opening vast possibilities, said Richard Doherty, CEO of suburban New York-based technology assessment and market research company Envisioneering.

“Without his idea you might not have gotten to the Internet,” Doherty said. “It allowed you to go beyond the physical dial. It set the pace for dozens for follow-on inventions that go beyond the physical.”

During his 47-year career as an engineer, Polley earned 18 U.S. patents. At Zenith, he worked his way up from the stockroom, according to a biography from Lincolnshire, Ill.-based LG Electronics, which owns Zenith. Polley also worked on radar advances for the U.S. Department of Defense during World War II. He helped develop the push-button radio for automobiles and the video disk, a forerunner of today’s DVD.

Many have also said that the remote has left behind … lots of big behinds. But I think that misses the point by focusing on the outcome of a single product rather than the enabling technology of a visionary. Either way I am glad I can snuggle in on the couch with my family on a cold winter day and watch a movie without ever leaving the confines of our blanket.

AmazonWireless had the 16 GB Droid RAZR for just $0.01 with new two year contract. Thatnis pretty amazing considering the fact that it is currently $199.99 at Verizon. And that is just the beginning of the savings. You see, you will also get a $40 credit and $25 in free apps and the phone will ship for free. And there is even more! For a limited time all 4G Verizon phones come with free double data – that means get 4GB for 2GB cost, 8GB for 4GB cost, or 20GB for 10GB cost!

The Droid RAZR features 4.3″ Super AMOLED 540×960 display, dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB built-in memory + 16GB microSD included (support for 32GB microSD), dual-facing cameras (8MP rear w/1080p, 1.3mp front), microHDMI, microUSB, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, 4G LTE, Kevlar shielding, up to 12.5 hours talk time and is 7.1mm thin at thinnest point. Here’s what the deal page has to say about the phone:

In true RAZR fashion, this phone boasts the slimmest design for a 4G LTE phone yet while still packing premium specs. It features a dual-core processor, 16GB built-in memory (which is expandable) and a 4.3″ Super AMOLED display. But the real selling point for this phone is in its design, just 7.1mm thin at its thinnest point. This is a great phone for people looking for a blend of power and style.

Details and ordering information can be found here on the deal page.

Gear Deal: Droid RAZR 16GB 4G LTE plus $25 apps plus $40 credit plus Double Data via LogicBUY

Most people who have been using PCs in the past decade or so have doubtless seen this image, the default background image on Microsoft Windows XP. “Bliss” it is called. I’ve always had a soft spot for this image, plus images like it for my desktops. To my mind there is something soothing about undulating fields of green grass under a bright blue sky. In the back of my mind I simply assumed that it was a tweaked photo taken somewhere in Washington, owing to the topography and proximity to Microsoft’s Redmond HQ.

More recently, however, while setting up an XP system for testing, my curiosity got the better of me, so I starting digging around on the internet to see what I could find out about the image, and my sleuthing led me to an artist site and a project called “After Microsoft”. As it turns out, there is indeed a bit of a story behind the creation of the iconic Bliss wallpaper.

In 2006, artists Simon Goldin and Jakob Senneby found the location of “Bliss” and re-photographed it for their “After Microsoft” project. The original photograph they researched was taken by a professional photographer, Charles O’Rear in 1996. “Bliss” was a hill located not in Washington, but in California. More specifically, it was a hill on a vineyard southeast of Sonoma, shown here using Microsoft Bing’s mapping:

Here is the photo taken by Goldin and Senneby in November of 2006:

There’s quite a bit of difference between the original photo and Goldin and Senneby’s. If the area is in Sonoma, a pricey real estate and packed with vineyards, why no vines in the first photo? From their site, the artists revealed how the original photograph came about:

The most distributed image ever is being phased out. What remains is a hill in Sonoma Valley, California.

Charles O’Rear used to pass that hill almost daily between his home in Napa and his wife, Daphne, who lived in Marin County. He always carried his medium format camera.

It was hard even to slow down on highway 12/121. But one day, it must have been in January, he pulled over. After about a month of rain the sun comes up, and there is beautiful green grass. The weather during the winter can change dramatically. A break in the storm. Intense blue sky with cumulus clouds. Maybe later that day it rained.

Blue was an important brand color already in ’95. Clouds and sky being a common theme in many aspects of the product’s identity and collateral. Illustrating potential and opportunity.

Continuing the cloud theme, but with added grounding. The horizon gives a sense of scale to the image. Makes it possible to imagine being there.

Because of the danger of that road and where he was standing, he didn’t take a tripod. His camera, when handheld, needed to be shot at least at a five-hundredth of a second. Whatever that translates into on a sunny day. Probably 500 at 5.6.

With property prices in Sonoma reaching $75,000 per acre for bare land, most hills were being developed into vineyards or homes. On this hill grapevines had been planted. But in the early 90’s a Phylloxera bug infested the grapes and made them unusable. The entire vineyard had to be pulled out. For a few years the hill was covered with grass. Green at the time of the photograph.

Green was the second main color in the branding scheme and in the User Interface. Running late in the product development cycle. Looking for a nature shot. “The reality of real life”. The image matched the brand colors. It fell completely into place, in terms of sky, clouds, blue plus the green field.

By the time the image was purchased, grapes had been planted again on the hill in Sonoma Valley.
—

Based on interviews with photographer Charles O’Rear and Microsoft Design Team representative Tjeerd Hoek, as well as email exchanges with Eileen Crane at the Carneros Wine Alliance, Susan Kim at Corbis, Denise Phillips at Microsoft Licensing, Christofer Björkvall at Microsoft Sweden, and Casey Boggs and Beth Naidis at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide. With additional information from Wikipedia and other web sites that I no longer remember.

A few of  you might remember my post about my X7501 thank you gift from Waggener Edstrom. Waggener Edstrom as Goldin and Senneby mentioned was also one of the groups involved. Also coincidentally, “Bliss” was photographed about the same time I started my job of the past 16 years at Advanced Computer Graphics, Inc., where I later began using Windows XP.

Goldin and Senneby’s description above is an amazing narrative about  how Charles  O’Rear’s serendipitous quick stop and shot became a brand marketing image and essentially an icon in its own right. I can’t help but shake my head in bemusement how merely being in the right place at the right time can have such unanticipated results.

One last observation. In the original 1996 “Bliss” image, observant folk might have noticed in the left center of the picture some parallel lines. A quick “Bird’s Eye” view with Bing revealed the culprit:

Note the power line tower. I wonder how many time XP users with the “Bliss” wallpaper had their electricity delivered across the very spot where their wallpaper’s picture was taken?

Google Music is having a cool one-day ‘pre-summer’ sale with a bunch of albums for $2.99, including Daft Punk, Smashing Pumpkins, David Guetta, Coldplay, Ellie Goulding, Rush, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, The Best of U2 1980-1990, Steve Miller, Bon Jovi and more.

They are also featuring a bunch of ‘summer pop classics’ for $3.99, including No Doubt, Bob Marley, The Go-Gos, The Beach Boys and more.

Amazon.com MP3 store is matching most of the prices and has an even bigger selection of $2.99 and $3.99 albums (some outside of pop/rock, which seems to be Google’s sole purview), meaning you can get the great prices without dealing with Google and their inferior music store and app … best of both worlds!

Living in Atlanta, there’s one thing I have begrudgingly become accustomed to dealing with — sitting in traffic.    All that wasted time.  All that stress!   Sure, GPS and smartphones with turn-by-turn navigation help — but rarely pick up accident information until it’s too late.   That’s where INRIX, a leading provider of traffic information, comes in.     Need to know the best time to leave the office to make it across town for that meeting with the CEO?     Don’t want to be late for that big date you’ve spent months planning?   Check out the new iPhone and iPad apps that INRIX has to offer — beginning today!  For Free!!    Let’s check it out…

See Geoff Walker, Director of Consumer Marketing for INRIX, show off the features of the new INRIX Traffic App for iPhone & iPad.

INRIX reports that Drivers Idle More Than 40 Hours A Year inAmerica’s Ten Worst Traffic Cities and waste over 60 hours annually on the most gridlocked roads in the U.S.    Will the INRIX traffic app really save you time and get you out of traffic — for the price of $0.00 (as in Free)??   It’s definitely worth a download.     In fact, a full review of the app will be forthcoming to see how whether it lives up to its promise to help you avoid traffic.

Key functionality from the app includes:

• Your Fastest Routes to Home & Work:  Drivers can easily decide which route is the best choice to get around today’s traffic. Only INRIX analyzes the impact accidents, sporting events, concerts and other unique local events have on traffic to deliver the fastest routes with the least delay.
• Recommended Departure & Travel Times:  The INRIX Traffic Forecast Slider shows drivers the best options for avoiding frustrating delays now and in the future.
• Share INRIX Arrival Times:  Easily send your INRIX Arrival Time instantly to any contact with just a few taps.
• Personalized Traffic Alerts:  Drivers can uniquely tune their app to only alert them to accidents and other incidents causing delays along their route.

“The innovative time scale will let you slide across different departure times to forecast arrival time.

The new INRIX Traffic App is available today as a free, ad-free download for iPhone; iPad and iPod Touch from the Apple App Store.  To learn more about the INRIX Traffic, visit www.inrixtraffic.com.

I’m an iPad user (I write many of my posts on an iPad these days), and I have a big interest in tablets and tablet technology.  Lately, I’ve been reading a bit about Windows 8 and the new “RT” version for is specifically for tablets.  By the way, for those that don’t know “RT” stands for runtime.  There’s a bit of a buzz around the fact that MS is going to enter an arena dominated by Apple (iOS) and Android-based apps like the Kindle Fire.

There seems to be a belief that MS can (and might) make a huge mark in this space because of what they, and the Windows platform can bring to the plate.  But I have to say, I think Microsoft may be about to make a HUGE misstep with this release.  It sounds great on the surface – Windows for your tablet, and it even comes with the key MS Office apps!  Wow!  But there’s a fly in the ointment:  This Windows isn’t really Windows as we know it.

As I was reading about this upcoming release I first thought that I misunderstood when I read that standard Windows apps won’t run on the new Windows RT?  But really, why should they?  These tablets have a totally different processor with a totally different architecture.  Apple understood this when they release the iPad – iOS apps are NOT the same as OSX apps, and no one is likely to mix those things up.

So what’s the problem here?

Well so far it seems like there is almost an effort to NOT talk about the fact that this is really a not a variant of Windows as we know it, and it’s also not a strip-down of Windows – but rather a completely different OS.  And yes, there will be some flavor of MS Office apps included, which are likely to be part of any marketing strategy because it will be the only tablet OS to “support MS Office”. But again, it’s a different OS.  It requires totally new apps – your regular apps won’t run.  Can you start to see the potential for confusion and misunderstanding?

On a bit of a side trip, you also will have to ask, since it needs new and different apps, why would anyone choose this over an iPad or Android tab? What’s the benefit?  I think the key differentiator is going to be the inclusion of the MS Office apps.  And I think those MS Office apps are part of what’s going to make people think, incorrectly, that it’s just “Windows”.  And I’m not entirely certain that MS or it’s partners want you to think otherwise.

By calling it “Windows”, with a kind of meaningless “RT” tacked on it just encourages people in thinking that it is the same (or similar) to other versions of Windows.  So doesn’t Microsoft realize that calling it Windows when it won’t run traditional Windows apps, has the potential to confuse and frustrate users? Did they learn nothing from past mistakes?  Yes people are smart, but to most people – Windows is Windows, but in this case it’s not!

Yup – I know what you’re thinking:  Windows Phone is out there and people aren’t thinking that Windows Phone is going to run traditional Windows apps, so why should they be confused by Windows RT?  Because “Windows Phone” is a name that clearly says this is a phone in itself brings to mind different expectations, just like it’s predecessor Windows Mobile, but “Windows RT” doesn’t really clearly make that differentiation.  The name is likely to be kind of meaningless to most people.  For that reason I don’t think that people are going to make the distinction as easily that this “Windows” is NOT “Windows Standard” or “Windows Professional”.

I get that MS, and it’s partners will want to capitalize on the Windows brand, but I am really convinced that this has the potential to be a bigger marketing mess that Windows Vista or even Windows Me.  This one has the potential to piss people off and that is never good for business.

So again – Apple, while making their user interface front ends on their different platforms more and more similar, has kept a “logical” division between OSX and OSX apps on the desktop/laptop side of the house, and iOS and iOS apps on the mobile side of the house.  No one is confused that an iOS app will run on a Mac.  MS has Windows Phone whose differentiation is clear from the word “Phone” in the name.  But Microsoft is not (at this point) making that division clear with Windows RT.  I think they would do themselves a much greater service by giving this OS (and the related apps) a different name – one that feels different or calls out the difference.  Maybe a fun name like “Windows Panes” or even something more mundane like “Windows Portable” so that people know there is a connection, but also a clear difference.

I suspect that a fair number of people will think that Windows RT will simply seem like a different version like Windows Ultimate or Windows Standard and be disappointed when they realize it’s not.  I don’t think there’s enough differentiation to make the situation clear to potential customers and that could be the setup for a big FAIL.

What do you think?  Do you think people are aware enough to notice the difference, or is this likely to annoy users and be another potential marketing black mark for Microsoft?

Today’s Google Doodle is a fully interactive synthesizer to celebrate the life of synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog. The sound of so many classic recordings from the 70s owes almost entirely to Moog and his crew from the small Trumansburg, New York manufacturing facility hand-wiring these innovative musical instruments.

The ‘Moog Sound’ is not just due to analog circuitry, but more due to the limitations of the technology and some errors made in designing the circuits. I remember having to do most calculations by hand in undergraduate school, from electromagnetic waves to statistics and more … and certainly don’t miss those days! But aside from an error in the design, the nature and variability of circuits and lossy connections gave each instrument a unique sound and feel.

Interestingly, last week I was watching a cool history of the MiniMoog, which looks at the major leap from the massive ‘wall of wires’ that was the Moog Modular to the tiny powerhouse that launched the synthesizer as a popular portable touring instrument for keyboard players from Chick Corea to Rick Wakeman to Keith Emerson and more.

Here is the Minimoog History:

Also, for the next week the Moog synth app Animoog is on sale for $0.99! Definitely grab this one!

Head to MoogMusic for more info – and be sure to check out the Google Doodle (Or Moogle as I have seen it called)!

Lenovo has a new IdeaCentre A720 Multi-touch All-In-One Desktop and it looks awesome. In fact, it looked so good that it won 3 awards at CES 2012. The desktop has a 95-degree adjustable hinge that rotates the screen a normal viewing position down to entirely flat. Even better, the super-thin 27″ 1080p display supports 10-finger multi-touch. That means you can use every digit at once in a game or app. It is super-slim but comes loaded with the new Intel Ivy Bridge quad-core Core i7 processors, NVIDIA graphics, and more. In fact, you can even hook a game console or other device up to the A720 and use it as an HDTV.

It is available now and there are even some deals!

The Core i7 quad with 8GB RAM, a 1TB HDD, a 2GB NVIDIA GT630 and Blu-ray is normally $1,999, but you can get it for $1,849.

The Core i7 quad with 8GB RAM, a 1TB HDD, 2GB NVIDIA GT630, Blu-ray, and a TV tuner and remote is normally $2,099 but is available for $1,949.

The Core i7 quad with 8GB RAM, a 1TB HDD and a 64GB SSD, 2GB NVIDIA GT630, Blu-ray, and TV tuner and remote is normally $2,149 but is available for $2,099.

Details and ordering information can be found here on the Deal Page.

Lenovo IdeaCentre A720 Multi-touch All-In-One “Ivy Bridge” Desktop, New and… Awesome via LogicBUY

We love Kickstarter; Dan and I (along with others on the Gear Diary team) have backed many projects, and we are always on the look out for new ones. That is, of course, why we started Kickstart This! We love the way that Kickstarter helps inventors and artists get funding so that their products and projects will be available to the public.

As anyone who has backed a project on Kickstarter likely knows, “every project is independently crafted, put to all-or-nothing funding,and supported by friends, fans, and the public in return for rewards.” While Kickstarter gives these projects a place to gain exposure, Kickstarter ultimately has no control over the actual project itself once funding is reached, and they are not responsible for whether you’ll like the product you backed or if you’ll even receive it. That makes sense, right? And it is all laid out clearly in their Terms of Use.

So what would you think if I told you we’d heard that because of the recent explosion of funding for a single project and its possible backlash, the Pebble ePaper Watch for iPhone and Android, Kickstarter had — at least for now — stopped approving pure hardware products for funding?

As a refresher, the Pebble Watch (which Dan and I both backed) project started with a goal of $100,000 in backing but, by the time their funding period was over, $10,266,845 had been pledged — which translates to just under 69 thousand pre-orders. We’ve been told to expect a September 2012 fulfillment date, but I have no doubt there will be at least one delay; hopefully we’ll have it by Christmas.

And as a side note: Kickstarter charges 5% of the take on successfully funded projects, and assuming that everyone who committed to buy a Pebble did just that, Kickstarter made $513,342 on that one project alone. Think about that for a moment.

Yesterday I received an email from Jack Campbell, hoping to drum up backing for a hardware project he is beginning.

Hi All,

Here is the moment I emailed about earlier. The crowdfunding project for the weeSteady product is now live.

It is not on Kickstarter. Apparently, because of enormous backlash (fears) created by the huge $10 million Pebble watch campaign, Kickstarter has at least for now stopped approving pure hardware products for funding projects.

So, we’ve launched the project on IndieGoGo, the #2 crowdfunding site.

See it here: http://www.indiegogo.com/weesteady

I am sincerely asking you to go there now, as soon as you read this, and pledge to get one weeSteady product for $25. If for some reason that’s a stretch, at least do the $1 level support.

More than this, please now hit your Facebook and Twitter and Google+ accounts and post about the cool camera gadget your friend has on IndieGoGo. The more eyes on this project, the more success it will have.

Finally, I have project pages set up on Facebook and Twitter. Please go there and like the project on Facebook and follow the project on Twitter.

http://www.facebook.com/WeeGadgets
http://www.twitter.com/WeeGadgets

And, if you have friends or family who use a little camera or phone for videos… well, hit the 3-pack special and get some cool Christmas gifts for them!

Those familiar with this product and project all believe this could become the highest funded project ever on IndieGoGo.

You helping jump it off to a fast start is a big, big part of making that happen!

Thank you so much!

Jack Campbell, Founder
weeGadgets
www.weegadgets.com
jack@weegadgets.com

As highlighted in red, it was noted that Jack isn’t using Kickstarter to fund his new product, the weeSteady: Tiny Stabilizer For iPhones & Compact Cameras’s GoGoWidget. His reason was that because of backlash fears from the Pebble, “Kickstarter has at least for now stopped approving hardware products for funding projects.”

Curious about his reference to backlash, I e-mailed back and asked Jack to clarify. This was his reply:

There has been a wave of fast-growing online chatter raising [a] question of safety with these huge hardware projects that promise a product, collect a big amount of cash, and then have a tiny band of inexperienced dreamers left to actually bring the promised product to quality mass production. While a few earlier projects had flirted with the million dollar mark or close thereto, this $10 million project seems to have broken through some psychological hurdle that’s resulted in all of the grumbly, Chicken Little types across the web to start making it a heavy talking point in blogs, boards, articles.

A staffer I know within KS told me that [it has] really caused a concern about the PR image within KS management, and has chilled their willingness to flood KS with more and more hardware products — at least for the moment. I understand it’s in heavy discussion, seeking a decision.

I did a bit of research, and I’ve learned that the next largest funded Kickstarter project was Double Fine Adventures video game project, which raised $3.3 million and closed on March 13. The comments left for the project are overwhelmingly positive, and there is a promised date of 6 – 8 months for final fulfilment. Surely this isn’t a cause for concern for anyone at Kickstarter.

So then I checked for hardware specific projects, and I found the next highest was the Elevation Dock at $1,464,706 (which Dan backed); it closed on February 11 with 12,551 backers, and it had an estimated delivery date of April 12. That date has come and gone, and judging by the grumbling in the comments, backers are becoming restless. Five days ago, a revised shipping date of June 5th was posted. Considering the amount of time both Dan and I have waited for previous projects, this still seems to fall under a reasonable turn-around; however the creator did miss the date, and some of the backers are disappointed.

But is that a good enough reason to halt all hardware projects? Or is that even what’s happening?

I sent the following inquiry to Kickstarter through their contact form:

I’ve been told that Kickstarter has at least temporarily halted approval on pure hardware products for funding projects, due [to] fears regarding fulfillment of the Pebble Watch?

I’ve been told that there is concern about the PR image within Kickstarter management, and that it has chilled their willingness to flood Kickstarter with more hardware products — at least for the moment. I’ve also been told that it’s in heavy discussion, seeking a decision.

Is this true? And if so, do you have a comment? I am running an article on this later today, and would like a statement from Kickstarter.

Thank you and best regards,
Judie

Their response was:

We’re going to decline to comment or participate in an interview. Regarding that rumor: you should note we have projects launch every day that are hardware: http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/open%20hardware?ref=sidebar

It’s true that going to the Hardware page link will return quite a few products that are currently open, but clicking the Recently Launched sidebar link returns a list of the “newest and freshest” items that is surprisingly short on hardware.

I reached out one more time and asked if they had a comment about that; I’m still waiting for a response, and I’m not very hopeful that I will get one.

So what does this all mean, exactly?

Perhaps nothing much in the grand scheme of things, but we do find it interesting. The tech community watched with wonder as the Pebble juggernaut continued to gather supporters and orders. The idea that future Kickstarter hardware projects might be impacted by the Pebble’s performance never really occurred to us, but we had already noticed that there seemed to be fewer and fewer hardware projects popping up lately.

I don’t think that either of us would have thought to connect the two, but Jack’s email definitely puts a different spin on things. Couple that with Kickstarter’s unwillingness to issue a solid denial leaves us wondering if it’s true: Has Kickstarter, at least for now, stopped approving hardware products for funding projects?

If you have tried to list a hardware product on Kickstarter recently, only to be turned down, we would like to hear about it.

For the rest of us, does this mean that we can expect to see less hardware being offered until at least the last two huge hardware items’ orders have been fulfilled?

There is something rather neat taking place at my synagogue tonight, and Judie and I thought it would be fun to share it with you all. Dr. Amir Shapiro, the Director of the Robotics Lab of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, is joining us. Dr. Amir develops robots that benefit humans and improve the safety and security of not only Israel, but the world. He’ll be speaking for a while, and then he will be demonstrating some of his robots.

That’s right, he’s bringing robots with him!!

We’ll be streaming it over Ustream, and we invite you to watch. Assuming all goes according to plan, you’ll be able to find Gear Diary Live on Ustream at 7:30pm tonight, by clicking Right Here.

Our thanks to: American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion’s vision, creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University’s expertise locally and around the globe. With some 20,000 students on campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sede Boqer and Eilat in Israel’s southern desert, BGU is a university with a conscience, where the highest academic standards are integrated with community involvement and a commitment to the sustainable development of the Negev.

Pre-order (exclusively at GameStop in North America) the upcoming action shooter Hitman: Absolution on PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 and receive this free stand-alone game titled Hitman: Absolution Sniper Challenge. Hitman: Absolution can also be pre-ordered on PC, but this challenge game won’t be available on PC until August 1.

What you see is what you get in this challenge game, set atop a Chicago skyscraper (background in beginning, skippable cut scene), which I received on the PlayStation 3. Agent 47 stays in his perch, so players’ only movement becomes the sniper scope zoom and targeting baddies that include one main target and 14 bodyguards (shown as icons in the lower left screen).

Based entirely around stealth, sniping, reloading, and an intelligent approach to solving each mission, this sniper game features Agent 47 with only one weapon – his silenced Agency Kazo TRG sniper rifle (unlocked in your future copy Hitman: Absolution by playing this game), which features an exceedingly slick first person interface with sophisticated looking crosshairs and a significant amount of realistic and natural movements to counter the supposed ease of pegging a vulnerable target.

The more creative and skilled the approach, the higher the score, and the better chance players will win exclusive prizes from month to month by ascending the leaderboards. The female talking on the other end of Agent 47′s communications provides the feedback, so players can adjust their strategy accordingly.

This game gives players about 15 minutes to complete their mission while tracking statistics on delivered head shots, exposure from cover, alarms, how many people (enemies or innocents) were involved, and so on. There are no health bar to worry about, but innocent deaths and other snafus will diminish point totals and bragging rights throughout the online leaderboards.

You don’t have to worry about getting hit by bullets – henchmen will fire back but usually in different directions. Even if they find you those pistols can reach Agent 47’s perch, so the only failure here is failing to kill the main target, Richard Strong Jr, a powerful chief executive of a major weapons manufacturer. When baddies get hit by bullets most reactions seem realistic, but a few fall flat like a seemingly solid chest shot that makes a bodyguard pull his stomach in then sit on the ground slouching forward.

The perks are endless and the puzzle-like unlockables can keep players busy playing for double-digit hours, especially to take a shot at the current three million plus high score on the global leaderboard. By the end, players can have each target’s pattern memorized, but why stop there – the game includes several side challenges like pegging pigeons and other more object-focused specialties. Some side missions can ruin the main target mission, but the game enables players go back and re-try the challenge unlimited times. Players can also uncover multipliers and special chained events.

Hitman: Absolution and Hitman: Absolution Professional Edition is currently set for release on November 20 from publisher Square Enix. Hitman: Absolution will feature the voice talents of Keith Carradine, Marsha Thomason, Powers Boothe, and his daughter Parisse who voices Lilly plus disguises, a sophisticated AI-System and Glacier 2 technology that delivers a cinematic story, distinctive art direction, and cutting-edge game and sound design.

Review: Hitman: Absolution Sniper Challenge

Where to Buy: GameStop

Price: FREE with Hitman: Absolution pre-order at GameStop (PS3 and Xbox 360; PC version available for pre-order, but this game not available on PC until August 1)

What I Like:  strong graphics, authentic shooting experience, fun challenges, online leaderboards, no cost, smooth interface, strategy/puzzle-like elements

What Needs Improvement: more realistic body movements/reactions to sniper shots

Source: Copy provided by publisher

Ever since I first heard a Sonos wireless music system I have been a fan. In fact, just 36 hours after receiving the review loaner unit, I ordered my own system. As I have written previously, my Sonos system is, by far, one of the best gear purchases I have ever made. Now Sonos is adding to their lineup and, in the process, adding some bass. As the release notes, “the Sonos SUB, a stunningly designed wireless subwoofer that takes the whole Sonos Wireless HiFi System one seismic step closer to the spine-curling, jaw-dropping, full body experience music was meant to be”.

The speaker works with all Sonos amplified components: CONNECT:AMP/ZonePlayer 120/ZonePlayer 100; PLAY:5; PLAY:3. (It does not work with the non-amplified Sonos CONNECT/ZP90/ZP80.) The SUB is 15.8 x 6.2 x 15in and weighs in at 36.3 lbs. and features

Two force-cancelling speakers positioned face-to-face: All the sound and energy from the music comes through loud and clear, and none of it is lost in cabinet buzz or rattle.

All digital sound: All filter settings, active equalization and time alignment are done digitally through state-of-the-art DSP (Digital Signal Processing) circuitry for zero-loss audio quality and energy.

Dual acoustic ports: Tuned to maximize the acoustic volume of the SUB and enhance bass resonance.

And, in keeping with Sonos’ philosophy, it is easy to set up and use. You simply place it in a room, plug it in, press a button and follow some simple prompts on your controller. From there the SUB will wirelessly connect to the rest of the Sonos system. As Sonos CEO John MacFarlane notes,

Like all of our products, our new SUB is designed from the inside out by Sonos. SUB has all the hallmarks of a great Sonos product: Clear, deep, all-digital sound, an incredibly simple setup, and beautiful design you’ll be proud to show off in your home.

The SUB will be available in mid-June in a high-gloss black lacquer finish for $699 USD ($749 CAD, $899 AUD, €699 EU, and £599 UK). The black matte finish will be available in October at $599 USD ($649 CAD, $799 AUD, €599 EU, and £499 UK). For details check out the product page here and the video here on the Sonos Blog.

The Leap looks to offer touch free motion sensing control abilities fir computer users that began with the Nintendo Wii remote controller (including the subsequent MotionPlus controller) and Xbox 360 Kinect controller while claiming more accuracy than both.

The Leap is basically a small iPod sized USB peripheral that creates a 3D interaction space of 8 cubic feet through special included software.

Perceived applications include computer interfaces, map navigation, artistic productions, engineering, graphic design, 3-D models, web browsing, and, thankfully, gaming.

The Leap will retail for $69.99, and a limited number are currently available for pre-order at LeapMotion.com. The Leap will reportedly be available in early 2013, so that gives developers and entrepreneurs time to stretch their creative and practical minds. Check out the press release below:

Leap Motion, the motion-control software and hardware company changing the future of human/computer interaction, today announced the Leap, the world’s most accurate 3-D motion control device. It will change the way people control their laptops and desktop computers. The Leap is 200 times more sensitive than existing technologies and will cost a fraction of the price, just $69.99. Open today for pre-orders, the Leap will ship to consumers this winter. Leap Motion also has begun accepting requests for free developer kits today. Thousands will be provided in the coming months to let developers create a wide array of Leap-based applications.

The Leap creates a three-dimensional interaction space of 4 cubic feet to control a computer more precisely and quickly than a mouse or touchscreen, and as reliably as a keyboard. Leap Motion’s patented software, the heart of the Leap, represents four years of research and a series of major mathematical breakthroughs by co-founder and CTO David Holz.

The Leap is accurate to within 1/100 of a millimeter, a precision level required for touch-free natural gesture controls like pinch-to-zoom. The Leap addresses the shortcomings of all existing human/computer interaction tools by enabling a 3-D workspace that recognizes intuitive gestures. It is the first product in history to accurately sense the individual movements of all 10 of the user’s fingers, and can also track objects like a pen. Traditional mouse-and-keyboard navigation turns actions that are intuitive in the real world, like drawing a picture or manipulating 3-D objects, into highly technical tasks. Existing motion-sensing technology is crude, inefficient and often frustrating, and even touchscreen technology is limited by a two-dimensional workspace and scale restraints.

“It was this gap between what’s easy in the real world but very complicated to do digitally, like molding a piece of clay or creating a 3-D model, that inspired us to create the Leap and fundamentally change how people work with their computers,” said Leap Motion CEO and co-founder Michael Buckwald. “In addition to the Leap for computers, our core software is versatile enough to be embedded in a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, cars and refrigerators. One day 3-D motion control will be in just about every device we interact with, and thanks to the Leap, that day is coming sooner than anyone expected.”

Computing tasks ranging from simple to complex can now be accomplished with natural hand and finger movements. Current uses of the Leap include:

• Basic computing tasks like navigating an operating system or browsing through Web pages

• Precise virtual drawing in 2-D and 3-D

• Signing a digital document by writing in air

• Navigating large-scale 3-D data visualization systems

• Creating and manipulating 3-D models like houses and cars

• Playing computer games, including fast-twitch first-person shooters

Future applications from developers could include medical imaging, robotics, unique art creations, computer-aided design, virtual-reality environments, training simulators for complex manual tasks and more.

The Leap plugs directly into a USB port and calibrates in one step, allowing users to quickly begin controlling their computers with natural hand and finger movements. Users can fine-tune the Leap’s sensitivity settings, create their own custom gestures and even network more than one Leap together to create a larger interaction space.

“Breakthroughs in technology come in all sizes, but often the very biggest disruptors come in very small packages: the computer chip, the mouse, the smartphone and now the Leap. Roughly the size of your pinky finger, I believe the Leap is the future of how people will interact with their devices,” said technology visionary Bill Warner, founder of Avid Technology and a Leap Motion investor. “What’s previously been an expensive special effect in movies is now an affordable everyday reality, in full 3-D. With the Leap, you use both hands and all 10 fingers to work within your computer’s virtual environment just as easily as you do in the real world.”

Developers who want to create Leap-compatible applications can request a Leap software development kit via Leap Motion’s website at leapmotion.com/developer-application/. Leap Motion’s app discovery platform will make it easy for developers to promote and monetize their own applications for the Leap

The Leap will be widely available this winter at a suggested retail price of $69.99. A limited number are available for pre-order at leapmotion.com/order.

About Leap Motion
Based in San Francisco, Leap Motion is a motion-control software and hardware company developing the world’s most powerful and sensitive 3-D motion-control and motion-sensing technology. Leap Motion’s first product, the Leap, will be available in early 2013. The Leap is 200 times more sensitive than existing motion-control technology, making it the first product to let users navigate and interact with computer applications using natural hand and finger movements. Founded in 2010 by Michael Buckwald and David Holz, the company has raised $14.55 million to date.

Last year Apple sought to bring “natural-language voice control” to the mobile market through the iPhone 4S’ Siri. While some have complained that Siri is too limited or simply doesn’t work well enough for them, there is no question that it is a taste of things to come. Now Nuance, the folks behind Dragon Dictation (and rumored to be behind Siri although neither Nuance nor Apple will confirm the fact) is bringing natural-language voice control to the car. The company just unveiled Dragon Drive!, Nuance’s “new automotive-grade natural-language voice platform created and designed specifically for the connected car. Dragon Drive! enables automotive manufacturers and suppliers to deliver eyes-free, hands-free message dictation and direct access to content, music, and navigation – all powered by the same core technologies at the heart of Nuance’s successful Dragon Dictation and Dragon Go!”

Admittedly, this is a mixed bag. After all, when it comes to distracted driving the BEST situation is for drivers to leave their phone in their pocket and focus ONLY on driving. That, of course, isn’t happening. As a result, Nuance wants to make the situation safer through a conversational mobile assistant messaging experience that lets drivers speak, listen and respond to text messages and emails  without taking their eyes off the road. For instance, with Dragon Drive! Messaging you can say

“Send a text to Anna Smith, ‘I’m stuck in traffic. I’ll be at the office as soon as possible.’”
“Listen to the email from Alex” to hear text read aloud with Nuance’s newly optimized humanlike text-to-speech;
“Reply to Alex, ‘Sushi sounds great. See you at 7.’”

In addition, the platform also lets drivers,

Find local businesses and information;
Get instant directions from anywhere;
Search and listen to any song or artist; and,
Get instant knowledge and news from the mobile Web.

As Jack Bergquist, Automotive Analyst of IMS Research notes,

As connectivity continues to push into the car, bringing with it a host of new services and features, the risk of driver distraction is becoming a key issue for every vehicle manufacturer. Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly turning to natural voice-based interfaces to simplify more complex command tasks and to provide information and data back to the driver in a way that avoids them needing to take their eyes off the road.

Dragon Drive seeks to do just that by harnessing Nuance’s natural language understanding and automotive voice technologies to create a platform that is optimized for in-vehicle use. Dragon Drive! Messaging is available in six languages including US and UK English, French, Italian, German and Spanish with additional services, languages and country markets rolling out over the course of the year. To learn more about Dragon Drive!, visit nuance.com/products/dragon-drive.

Images courtesy Scion

Move over smart car, Scion is taking over the micro-subcompact car segment with its iQ.

The new Scion iQ is being touted as the world’s smallest four-seater and adds yet another model to the funky spinoff division of Toyota.

I had been looking forward to testing this new little urban go-kart. I find its design much more appealing than Daimler’s smartfortwo U.S. model and its onroad experience is light years ahead of the smart car.

But I do have two requests for Scion in the iQ: First, please stop calling this a four-seater – it ain’t. A third occupant maybe could fit semi-comfortably but I would not want anyone to have to attempt to ride behind the driver, not even on a dare.

Second: Please add seat height adjustment to the driver’s seat or remove the grab handle from above the driver’s window. Every time I turn my head I hit that dang thing – it’s just right there in the wrong spot for comfort. Allow me to lower the seat or get rid of the handle. (And just why the heck did you add an “oh Jesus!” handle to the driver’s side anyway? Shouldn’t both my hands be on the steering wheel?)

The new Scion iQ is only 10 feet long, making it perfect for congested urban driving and parking. It is powered by a peppy 94hp 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that is backed by a CVT gearbox that, together, make for surprising acceleration from this little sprite.

The vehicle is designed as a three-door hatchback and ours features comfortable (albeit high) buckets up front and a bench with split-folding seatbacks in the rear. With the rear seat upright it takes away just about all storage space in the rear. Honestly, I would have instead gone with a fixed cargo deck and called this duck a duck.

Another surprise is how quiet the iQ operates on the road – until you roll into the throttle, then the engine reminds you of its tiny yet powerful size.

One would think that given its tiny footprint and small engine size the new Scion iQ would boast some of the best fuel economy figures for a gasoline-powered vehicle and around town it is pretty darn good at 36 mpg but its 37 mpg rating on the highway is nothing to boast about. Again, iQ is better suited for urban duties.

The car is easy to drive, is awesomely maneuverable (thanks to its short wheelbase and electric power steering) but suffers just a bit from the fore-aft pitching seen in such short vehicles. For some however, this rocking motion may help lull your rear passengers to sleep in hopes they will quickly forget just how uncomfortable they are back there.

Scion calls iQ’s styling “iconic” – I think I would simply state it as modern urban and functional and there is only so much a designer can do given these interior and exterior dimensions.

As a two-seater, the iQ feels much larger than it is from the front seats. And the infotainment center stack seems more like a built-in robot with a flattop. I love the adjustable interior lighting, I just wish Scion could have extended it to some lights underneath the car or something.

Where the smart car scared the dickens out of me when operating on the highway the iQ does not. Sure it is still no match for a big rig but at least there is enough pep to get me the heck out of the way without having to stick my leg out the door to help pedal.

Pricing for the Scion iQ begins at $15,265. Our test vehicle did not come with a copy of the window sticker as they usually do so we don’t have final pricing, but delivery, processing and handling runs an added $730.

The 2012 Scion iQ is fun and funky and the perfect choice for urban lifestyles of (very) small families or individuals. And I cannot wait to see what Scion fanatics do to customize this one.

In late 2010 Mary Halvorson released Saturn Sings, her second recording as a leader and first with her quintet. Building on the acclaimed trio debut ‘Dragon’s Head’, Saturn Sings was immediately acclaimed and landed on Top 10 lists across the world of jazz critics. I found it a stunningly original and creative work, saying “she soars with unique and original compositions and improvisational techniques that are tremendously fresh and challenging and listenable all at once. This is absolutely one of my favorite recordings of 2010.”

Now, just a few months after releasing a set of duets with Jessica Pavone, Halvorson and her quintet are back with ‘Bending Bridges’; so let’s see how she followed up the massive critical success of Saturn Sings.

Summary:
One of the key attractions for many to ‘Saturn Sings’ was the way in which the ensemble managed to simultaneously play ‘inside’ and ‘outside’, meaning that her music has rhythm, a harmonic structure and melody … but that those things are sometimes more of a ‘suggestion’ than a rule. There are semitonal shifts, polyrhythms, unexpected twists and turns, and plenty of dissonance and enharmonic tones.

But all of that stuff is really just infrastructure which is the parlance of music geeks such as myself, and what REALLY made ‘Saturn Sings’ click with critics and fans alike was the level of musicianship, interplay and improvisation, and the strong compositions. She had already established an amazing trio on ‘Dragon’s Head’ in 2008 with bassist John Hebert and drummer Ches Smith, and the addition of Jonathan Finlayson on trumpet and Jon Irabagon on alto saxophone broadened the palette without narrowing the space for improvisation.

It was a winning formula in 2012, and in the last couple of years things have simply gotten better in every possible way. While I will get into more detail on the individual songs, the experience of playing as a band has added even more depth to the risks the musicians take, to the level of communication, and to the way that they can anticipate each other’s musical moves do deftly and provide key support and counterpoint that makes every song shine even brighter than it would have without the experience.

Starting off with Sinks When She Rounds The Bend (No. 22), Halvorson sets the tone for the entire album: the melodic statements are there but build and grow slowly and organically. When she makes a solo statement it is not a ‘blowing session’, but done in the context of the melody played by the others. Surprises abound, as Hebert makes a solo statement just as it seemed the composition would head in the typical direction of horn solos. When the song returns there is a fierce energy and suddenly Halvorson isleaning on her distortion box while playing a chromatic backdrop that propels the song urgently forward towards a dissonent crescendo. For a song that started introspectively, the conclusion is a gorgeously and freely improvised sea of power and energy.

The next song Hemorrhaging Smiles (No. 25) also features the full quintet, with an upbeat funk vamp with an infectious horn lead bridged by an ascending chromatic figure on the guitar. I was reminded of Bill Bruford’s Earthworks with Greg Osby and Henry Threadgill from the ‘Easily Slip Into Another World’ as I listened to the way the song developed, and the directions Irabagon took during his solo. Both he and Jonathon Finlayson get a great chance to stretch out over the funky structures and are given excellent support from Hebert, Smith and Halvorson. And just when Finlayson has taken things so far afield that it is hard to remember where they started, the band comes charging in with the theme again.

As I mentioned the group grew from an established trio, and Halvorson features the trio on four of the nine songs. The first of these is Forgotten Men In Silver (No. 24), which Halvorson starts with a bright acoustic-sounding strum on her Guild that suggests an airy and impressionistic style (well, with some dissonance and fascinating chord choices thrown in for good measure) – which is immediately dispelled when Hebert and Smith start to play. The main theme persists and deepens through Halvorson’s guitar while the bass and drum strain against the flow. It is the type of seemingly simple one-minute segment of music that gets more intriguing with each listen, as the bass and drum shift the beat around, moving emphasis to give the feel of shifting time signatures, and playing off each other to create dynamic tension. But then at just under the two minute mark, Halvorson plays a figure that sounds like a sped up version of the main theme which immediately veers off into one of my favorite parts of the entire album. The drum and bass are freely improvising, with Halvorson playing a heavily strummed swirling figure that is hypnotic and exciting and tense all at once. After about thirty seconds it is over and we land in a section that made me think of Circle’s The Paris Concert, with Hebert playing a combination of picked and bowed lines that would make Dave Holland proud, and Smith sounding like Barry Altschul mixed with Billy Cobham and Halvorson combining Chick Corea and her mentor Anthony Braxton. It is a great song that showcases why this is such a tremendous combination of musicians.

Love In Eight Colors (No. 21) is a return to the quintet format, and is an epic composition that features different themes and tonal colors centered around each of the members of the quintet. The main theme has a laid back groove, with Halvorson’s support playing reminding me of a vibraphone and giving the introduction a very classic feel before things move into a syncopated feel that immediately put me into the mindset of the Art Ensemble of Chicago as Finlayson takes an extended solo break. The song feels more like a suite, with different sections and movements coming and going, but with related themes carrying throughout. It features some of the most inspired group improvisation on the album – which I found surprising given the relatively straight-ahead start. Jon Irabagon shines tremendously and the interplay between him and Halvorson yields surprises with each listen.

The next couple of songs are trio pieces. The Periphery Of Scandal (No. 23) starts with a melody played in a way that reminds me of some of the great modern guitarists such as John Scofield and John Abercrombie. Both share a penchant for jagged, angular lines … but Mary Halvorson has a style all her own, which is quickly apparent. This is the most ‘rock-oriented’ song, but it is really not so much rock as it is a hard driving, intense feel. After the main theme, Halvorson has an almost introspective section where she strums chords while Hebert takes the lead, but soon she cannot be contained and the strumming becomes more jagged, warped and finally she flips on the distortion effect. I was actually surprised that at the end the trio circled back to the main theme, but left the last phrase incomplete in a way that suggests a question mark at the close.

That Old Sound (No. 27) is the most ‘laid back’ track, and brought Pat Metheny’s album ‘What’s It All About’ or his earlier ‘One Quiet Night’ to mind in spirit if not substance. It is reflective and melancholy at times, but not sentimental and uncompromising in the same way as all of Halvorson’s guitar work. It is the prettiest song on the album but maintains a uniquely Halvorson approach throughout.

After two trio pieces we return to the full quintet with Sea Cut Like Snow (No. 26), which is a great reminder of why everyone talks about Mary Halvorson’s compositions and why everyone is crazy about Jon Irabagon. Starting with a repeated minor sounding figure, the composition quickly branches into a variety of directions but all of the soloists stay true to the use of repeated figures and a relatively small palette of notes. Hebert and Halverson occupy nearly the same harmonic space for a time while creating what sounds like a duet within a quintet composition. When Finlayson’s solo ends Hebert and Smith begin laying down a swinging groove so thick and heavy it always gets me moving and then Irabagon layers his solo on top. Like everything else the piece quickly deconstructs itself towards the end of his statement, and has become more of a dirge when Halvorson takes the center. The song began with a melancholy feel and ends with a decidedly ‘down’ mood, but has quite a journey in between.

The final trio piece is also my favorite song on the album. Deformed Weight Of Hands (No. 28) starts with a chord-based melody played against a funky vamp from bass and drums, which opens up into a combination of chordal and single-note melody elements played against some stop-time rhythms. Then at about 45 seconds in the distortion pedal kicks infor a few seconds in a powerful statement, which immediately switches off into a hard-swinging break before returning to the opening funk section for an expanded look at the melody. As noted, this is my favorite track, so I will mention more at the end.

As an interesting aside, the way my review copy entered into my iTunes library had the final song – All The Clocks (No. 29) – as the lead-off when I synced up to my iPod Touch for the car. The reason I mention this is because the opening guitar figure Halvorson plays is something that I have heard from people such as Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Barney Kessell and others. But within a few measures it devolves into something that ONLY Mary Halvorson could play. I saw it as an opening salvo showing herself within the tradition of jazz guitarists but also uniquely her own artist. And while having it on the last song changes the placement, it doesn’t lessen the impact of the statement. Halvorson plays an introduction that veers from traditional to abstract and then quickly returns to somewhere in the middle as the band joins the fray. The melody is gorgeous and energetic, yet the structure remains as intricate as everything else on the album. Each musician makes a vital contribution and it is a wonderful way to close the album – just as it would have been a great opener. This is the song that ‘makes the most sense’ (to quote my family) to non-jazz folks, but still contains everything essential to understanding what Mary Halvorson brings to modern music.

Bending Bridges came out about two weeks ago, and while I held off listening until a couple of days before the ‘street date’ I had this review nearly completed within a couple of days. So why wait? I wanted to play this more, play other stuff, come back a couple of times, and get an overall assessment apart from my first couple of listens. To a large extent, I needed to validate a statement I had floating around in my head. Here it is:

Bending Bridges will absolutely appear on my list of the ‘Top 10′ albums of 2012.
Sounds like a bold prediction this early in the year, but quite frankly ‘Bending Bridges’ is THAT good. In 2010 ‘Saturn Sings’ captured the imagination of jazz fans and critics such as myself who fell in love with the music that encompassed the tradition without being constrained; that looked to the future without discarding past knowledge. It was a strong album with solid compositions and excellent performances. And ‘Bending Bridges’ is better in every single way. I always say that I prefer not to get ‘review copies’ of music because I would rather support the artist – but I make an exception for pre-release copies. So naturally on the day of release I corrected this by buying ‘Bending Bridges’ on iTunes – and so should you.

Choice Track (and why): Deformed Weight Of Hands (No. 28) – I absolutely adore this song as it brings together all of the strengths of Mary Halvorson and her trio: swinging, rock-centric intensity, free rhythmic interplay, intimate communication, and an incredible level of musicianship and composition. I have mentioned how certain songs being to mind other recordings, and this is no exception. As I listen to this song I think of John Scofield’s early trios, Kind Crimson from the ‘Discipline’ era, John Abercrombie’s ‘Gateway’ trio, and even some 70′s era Mahavishnu Orchestra. Yet at the same time there is a bounce and swing that so many guitarists of the 70s and 80s eschewed in favor of more straight-ahead rock musings. Mary Halvorson incorporates swing, rock, bebop, free, fusion, and post-modern jazz … and she does it all fluidly and fluently – and most importantly musically.

You Might Love This If: You have an open mind and adventurous ear. Everything that has earned Halvorson accolades before remains, and has only improved: her compostions are stronger and tighter and she understands writing for quintet better than before; her musicianship and ability to genre-hop at will has improved and freed her to play whatever she feels at a given moment; and the interplay and communication amongst the musicians facilitates surprises and risks and a totally trusting environment for exploration and improvisation.

Where to Buy: iTunes Music Store – $9.99, or from the Amazon MP3 Store – $8.99.

Here is a video of her trio playing live:

Head to Mary Halvorson’s official site for more info on her many projects and when you can see her perform live!

At the start of the year, Dan reviewed the LifeProof iPhone case. He loved it. I have had one for a few months, and on paper it is the ideal case for me. But I don’t have the unconditional love for it that Dan did. So will the pros outweigh the cons? Read on for my take, though if you haven’t yet read Dan’s review i suggest you head there for a quick overview of the fundamentals of the case first.

As I said, on paper this is the case for me. I run, in all-weather conditions, so having my phone protected from water is a plus. I am also accident-prone. My coworkers from Borders teased me mercilessly about the time I attempted a behind the back toss of an item and knocked myself over. The first time I fell while out running, I called my mom to complain about my skinned knees…instead of sympathy, she asked if falling was a common risk or just because it was me. Two weeks ago I walked into a glass wall. Encapsulating my fragile smartphone doesn’t seem like such a crazy idea!

But there are drawbacks to that kind of protection. For one, the screen protector drives me nuts. It isn’t so bad by itself, but if I handle a non-LifeProof’d iPhone and then go back to mine, I definitely feel the difference. It takes more force to activate the screen, and it makes it slightly harder to interact with certain games. Also, the glare from it is bad. It is so glossy, in fact, that Sarah made me angle my phone differently the other day because the screen protector was making the bedside light glare into her eyes. I also had some difficulty accessing the screen in direct sunlight.

Second, to make the case really waterproof you need to keep the headphone jack sealed. There’s a handy screw-in adaptor so you can still listen to music, but you need to keep track of where you leave the headphone plug, a tiny piece of plastic. It is hard to say how they could have waterproofed the headphone jack without a screw in plug, but it’s a huge pain if you use the headphone jack regularly, like I do for Pandora on my commute. LifeProof sells replacement plugs, but I really wish there were a way to have a pop open door like the dock connector instead of a separate, tiny piece of plastic.

Third, and this is partially only an issue because I am already nitpicking, the dock connector space is really tight. It only fits an Apple-sized one, so my 3rd party chargers (like my car charger) don’t work. I could go out and buy an official Apple car charger, or find another one with a smaller plug, but the one I have functions fine, it just doesn’t fit the LifeProof case. It isn’t a big deal, and if I were head over heels for this case I would justify the expense of buying a new charger. I just haven’t brought myself to do it yet. It isn’t a problem on a regular day, but I found myself managing my power consumption very carefully on my road trip to Maine this weekend, so I didn’t accidentally run out of juice along the drive. This actually became a big issue on my drive back-I had to head home earlier than I thought, and my phone wasn’t at 100%. It’s a 6+ hour drive, and I sweated bullets about having enough juice. I did come up with a solution that didn’t involve removing the case (more on that below) and that’s a good thing, as removing the case leads to my last concern.

Apparently, in order to maintain the waterproof nature of the case, it needs to be removed sparingly. Essentially, the LifeProof folks recommend you snap it on/off no more than 50ish times. After that the seal can become weak. This is a problem if you have a wandering eye for cases (as I sometimes do). Once the LifeProof is on, it’s designed to stay on for a while. So I can’t take a break from the case, or only use it on bad weather days, without running the risk of ruining the seal. It is (effectively) all or nothing.

(Top to bottom: LifeProof, Phantom, Otterbox)

I know I started off with the negatives on this case, so let’s look at the positives. Rugged case usually means thick and bulky, and the LifeProof is definitely skinny by comparison. To use a body image comparison, a traditional Otterbox/Survivor/Phantom case is like the bouncer at a club, while the LifeProof is more like a Crossfit enthusiast. Both are tough, but one is more brawny and the other more of a mix of specialties. On a purely aesthetic level, I love the LifeProof. I think the style and feel are amazing, and I love the texture mix of rubber and plastic. When my iPhone is in the LifeProof I know it is safe.

The waterproofing appears to work well (I tested it before I put my phone in for the first time), and it definitely has its advantages. There’s the obvious reason, which is that I don’t fear sweat or rain ruining my phone, but I love that if my phone gets dirty I can just give it a good rinse. There’s something so awesome yet taboo about running an iPhone under water to clean it! Also, if you do it in the office bathroom it definitely confuses and surprises your coworkers! All joking aside, it is helpful for cooking and cleaning projects where I need step by step instructions on my phone. I can touch the screen, interact, get flour and food on it, and just rinse it clean without worry.

The big question is, do the pros outweigh the cons? It’s something I struggled with a lot in writing this review. I have started, deleted, and come back to it a number of times. I feel as though I should LOVE this case, but every time I feel like it has “clicked”, something strikes me as annoying again. I tried talking this out with a friend of mine who uses an Otterbox Defender, and she made an important point: How often did water/dust/impact, etc., really happen, and how much of the LifeProof was overkill given my soft suburban life? She fully admitted her Otterbox was big, sometimes too big, but she was looking for that protection after breaking her last phone. But she said that she wouldn’t pay the premium for the water protection of a LifeProof, since it was overkill for her needs.

I had a long drive today to reflect on that conversation, and it led me to a helpful series of considerations. One, did I want or need a solid case? The answer is yes, especially after I scuffed one side of my (at the time) uncased iPhone when I dropped it a few weeks ago. Ok, so if I wanted a solid case, the LifeProof stacked up well, since it doesn’t add much excess bulk compared to a Speck Candyshell or similar case, but it offers many more protective features. And since I am somewhat accident prone and fairly active, moving beyond the basic cases to the tougher levels isn’t a bad thing. That pushes my choices into the Otterbox Defender/Case-Mate Tank and Phantom/Griffin Survivor level. Compared to those, the LifeProof offers more protection in a sleeker package. Basically, for my needs, the LifeProof outclasses traditional cases with more options and less bulk.

Once I came to that conclusion, it wasn’t hard to realize I really do like the LifeProof case. It has some flaws, but no case is perfect. However, by halfway through my road trip today, I had pretty much talked myself into sticking with the LifeProof. What really sealed the deal was when I stopped to stretch my legs and walked into a rest stop, where I spotted the solution to my charging woes-a car charger with two USB ports. I was able to charge my iPhone in the LifeProof case using the regular Apple charger, and I didn’t have to worry about my battery running out mid-drive. Coincidence or just really good retail placement, it helped seal my decision!

Overall, I clearly like the LifeProof enough that the pros outweigh the cons. However, I strongly recommend evaluating your needs carefully before investing in a LifeProof case. Do you work in an environment where dust is a problem? Are you prone to dropping your phone in puddles? Are you looking for a thinner case than an Otterbox, but with a high level of protection? If so, LifeProof should be at the top of your list.

MSRP: $79.99 from LifeProof

What I Like: Skinny case for such tough protection; good-looking style; lots of support on their website; offers protection for just about any what-ifs

What Needs Improvement: Screen protector is a bit thick and glossy; dock connector is tight; limited number of removals before waterproofing may be compromised

Ah, Radio Shack!  Back in the day, Radio Shack was the go-to place for electrical and electronic, well, stuff.  Cables, converters, power supplies, “gender-benders”; off you would go to Radio Shack where you would prowl the aisles–they had aisles then–looking up at the shelves full of stuff, trying to find the components so that you can jury-rig together your own 25-pin to 15-pin connector.  Or whatever

Like everyone else now, Radio Shack is trying to change with the times.  They’ve still got quite a bit of components, but with the advent of places like Fry’s Electronics, they simply can’t compete with inventory, so they’re offering a combination of electronic components and peripheral items like headphones, cell phone cases, and the like.  Including cell phones themselves.

Which brings me, in my usual roundabout way, to the point:  I went to Radio Shack yesterday to get some new ear buds for The Boy, and the nice counter guy there told me that they sell iPhones (along with Android phones) and, if I reserve one from them when my contract is ready for renewal and the new iPhone comes out, I won’t have to wait in line at the local Apple store; I can just go down to the Shack and pick it up.  (I don’t know about you, but at iPhone release time, there’s never a line at Radio Shack; AT&T and the Apple Store, yes; Radio Shack, not so much.)

In addition, Radio Shack is offering some pretty sweet trade-in deals for your old iPhone.  Want to not have to pay full smack for the new iPhone 5 (or whatever they end up calling it)?  Trade in your 3GS and get “up to $100 back” on a trade-in.  As my whole family has iPhone 4′s or 4S’s, that’s a pretty attractive deal.

So when the time comes to get your new phone, think about Radio Shack.  I mean, seriously: why not?

I’m not much of a pool player, really.  I like pool–heck, I also like snooker a lot!–but the combination of my crappy small motor control abilities, the lack of feeling in two of my fingers, and the oddball fact that I learned to shoot left-handed even though I’m right-handed, has assured me a place in the “competent but gets tromped by anyone with any real skill” category.  I do have fun, though.

The place for guys like me to shine, though, is with electronic pool-like games:

Peak Systems announced the release of Carpet Ball, a mobile game designed for friends and family to play together in real life. It combines aspects of billiards and shuffleboard to create a simple yet addicting game.

Carpet Ball allows players to connect two to four iPhones, which they line up to create the game board. With the ultimate goal of being the first person to knock all of the other player’s balls off the table, players take turns using the cue ball to push the opponent’s balls off the table. Carpet Ball lets you customize your settings and has an interactive training tutorial.

Carpet Ball is available in the U.S. for $.99 and is priced accordingly in other regions. Carpet Ball is compatible with iPhone and iPad and is available worldwide from Apple’s App Store or at www.carpetballapp.com.

So if you’re a pool player, or just like electronic pool games (I have a bunch installed, me), maybe you should give it a whirl.  It’s available for an MSRP of $0.99 on the iTunes app store.  And if you check it out, let us know what you think below!

The HTC One X is a beast… and I mean that in only the best way. It is big, it is beautiful, and it has a fantastic screen. The body of the phone is polycarbonate which means the white color goes completely through it. That, in turn, means scratches won’t be quite so apparent. The screen is made from Corning Gorilla Glass. THAT means the screen won’t easily scratch. In other words, the HTC One X is a tough phone. Despite being so tough, however, you ARE going to want to protect the device. One great option is SGP’s Crumena Leather Pouch Series of cases. Let’s take a look and then give two away!!

From SGP:

SPIGEN SGP’s Crumena is a genuine leather pouch for the HTC One X. The Crumena protects the device against damages, dirt, and dust. The inner layer is made from a soft material to prevent scratches. On the back of the case is a small tab to make removing the device easier. When the tab is pulled, the HTC One X is raised from the pouch for convenient accessibility. One unique characteristic of Crumena is the embedded magnet that keeps the HTC One X firmly in the case when not in use.

Features:

Premium genuine leather

Soft interior lining to prevent scratches

Magnetic leather tab

Rear speaker cut-out to allow clear and audible sound

Designed by SPIGEN SGP in California, USA

As you can see, the pouch is nicely constructed. The leather has just a touch of texture to it. This adds just enough interest and grip to it. The retractable tab helps you remove the HTC One X with ease.

The little details matter and make this an especially nice pouch. For example, there are four perforations toward the bottom of the case. This let’s speaker sound through. Similarly, the leather tab has a small magnet embedded within it. This prevents it from flopping round and makes it easier to quickly pop the device out. That’s important because, as you will see in the next two images, the device fits into the pouch rather tightly. All in all, it is a simple but effective design.

As noted, it is a snug fit!

And when the HTC One X is inside it is well-protected although the very top does remain a bit exposed.

In all the SPIGEN SGP HTC One X Crumena Leather Pouch Series of cases is a great option for protecting the device. This is particularly true since the One X is already so large that adding on the bulk and weight of a permanent case might not be the best way to go. And with the cases costing under $30… why not get one… or two. After all, the Crumena Leather Pouch does come in Black, White and Brown. Details and ordering information can be found here on the product page.

MSRP: $29.99

What I Like: Nice quality leather; Good construction; Quick release pull tab; Magnet keeps the leather tab in place

What Needs Improvement: Very top of the phone remains exposed

Win One!!!

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You know, while I am a big fan of stuff that you can get FOR FREE, I have to say that I often wonder just how the heck developers can make any durn money by giving stuff away.  I have to tell you that I’m not one of those “information should be free!” kind of guys; as a person who makes his daily bread by coming up with stuff in his brain and writing it down, I want to make sure that “content creators” (we really have to come up with a better word!) get compensated.  After all, no money to them means no more content, right?

Well, the press release for the Playstation game Cuboid–now available for free on iOS–has a hint:  ”Cuboid for iOS is FREE to download and features in-app purchases that facilitate and speed up (mid-level saves, hints, level unlocking) the game process.”  Now, I have heard of some less-than-ethical developers coming up with “games” that are really just a way to get your money, but this clearly isn’t one of those times.  Developers are clearly trying to find a good balance between initial low prices and making money; I’m always happy to give those kinds of games a try:

HeroCraft, a Russian mobile applications and games developer and publisher, today announced the release of Cuboid for iOS, a stunning 3D puzzle game in which players navigate ancient ruins and lush environments, maneuvering a rectangular block through mystical exits. Cuboid, a previous best selling title on the PlayStation(R) Network, is developed by Creat Studios, produced and co-published by i-Free Innovations, and is now available on the App Store as a FREE download for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Cuboid is available at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id515257693

Featuring 77 twisted puzzles and 3 beautifully vibrant environments, the game challenges players of all ages in a variety of mind-bending ways to flip and rotate the game’s main object — the ancient artifact Cuboid – to stand on and pass through a level’s mystical exit as fast and with as few moves as possible, all-the-while being careful not to fall off the map. Starting with simple concrete surfaces, players will find Cuboid easy to play, however, as gameplay advances, players are faced with intriguing obstacles such as fragile tiles, switches, teleporters, or levels that impose move limits to complete the maps.

Sound interesting?  Well, I’ve already downloaded it myself, but you should of course decide on your own.  Just remember:  Free, and available on the iTunes app store.  Tell us what you think below!