iOS 4.3 beta arrives for devs, brings AirPlay video support to apps, personal hotspot and customizable iPad side switch (update: video!)

We'd been disappointed to find that iOS 4.2 only brought AirPlay video support to built-in Apple apps on the iPhone and iPad, but it looks like that's changing soon -- Apple just posted up the first iOS 4.3 beta, which allows devs to send video from apps or websites to an Apple TV. There's also a new beta of the Apple TV software for testing it out -- it doesn't have any version notes, so we don't know if it offers any additional features as well.

There are quite a few new features included in 4.3: personal hotspot is indeed included on the iPhone, although it needs to be enabled on the carrier side to work, and the iPad's side switch can now be set back to being an orientation lock, which should make a lot of people very happy. The iPad also gains some multitouch multitasking gestures, which are pretty interesting, actually: you can use four or five fingers to pinch to the home screen, swipe up to reveal the multitasking bar, and swipe left or right between apps. We're also seeing a new FaceTime icon on the iPod touch, which is nice, and 9to5 Mac noticed that the iPad now supports fullscreen iAd banners, which is less nice. Check after the break for a quick video of the iPad gestures.

Update: The Photos app has also gained new AirPlay functionality for photos and videos, and there's a slightly tweaked camera shutter sound, as well as bigger app icons in the App Store's Update menu.

[Thanks, Matt and Brian]

Continue reading iOS 4.3 beta arrives for devs, brings AirPlay video support to apps, personal hotspot and customizable iPad side switch (update: video!)

iOS 4.3 beta arrives for devs, brings AirPlay video support to apps, personal hotspot and customizable iPad side switch (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/ios-4-3-beta-arrives-for-devs-brings-airplay-video-support-to-a/

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ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Slider: another look

Remember those eccentric ASUS Android tablets at CES? Yeah, it's all a bit of a blur for us as well, but turns out both the Eee Pad Transformer and Slider prototypes just made it to the BETT (British Educational Training and Technology) Show in London this morning, so we decided to wander along to get our hands dirty again. Sadly, the Transformer had a bit of a rough ride from Vegas and remained dormant, but we were still able to admire its sturdy keyboard dock with great key press travel. And in case you've forgotten, said dock is also an external battery that doubles the juice up to 16 hours. UK shoppers will see this slate popping up in the stores around May or June for £379 ($597), and its docking kit for £100 ($158).

We were more fortunate with the functioning Slider prototype, even though it had the same sliding issue we saw at CES. But fear not, as we were told that the engineers are already reworking the mechanism, and here's hoping that they'll do something about the flexing keyboard as well. As for software, we didn't have time to test everything, but we were surprised by the general snappiness of the current Froyo test build. And speaking of which, we're not too sure what the plan is with ASUS' Android roadmap -- even though we were told at CES that Honeycomb will be on these tablets at launch, the folks we met today said that they'll be shipped with Gingerbread instead; and even then, there's no time frame for the 3.0 upgrade just yet. Anyhow, this is less of a concern for the Slider given its July or August launch, but it'll cost you a hefty £429 ($676).

Additionally, both tablets will see their 3G variants in the UK a quarter after their respective launches, but regardless, it's never too soon to start a petition for your carrier to spread the ASUS tablet fever.

Gallery: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer: another look

Gallery: ASUS Eee Pad Slider: another look

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Slider: another look originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/asus-eee-pad-transformer-and-slider-another-look/

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China has built the longest bridge in the world... so you don't have to dig that hole

Yes, in addition to being one of the coolest and largest nations in the world, China now has the distinction, at least for the time being, of having the longest bridge in the world. The Qingdao Haiwan Bridge -- at 26.4 miles long -- in Shandong Province is almost three miles longer than the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, which was the previous record holder for the longest bridge over water in the world (the longest bridge in the world period is also in China). The bridge took four years to build -- lightning fast by American construction standards -- and cost around $8.5 billion dollars. It was designed by Shandong Gausu Group and built by about 10,000 workers.

China has built the longest bridge in the world... so you don't have to dig that hole originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/W9_1_UVznqU/

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Ford takes us on the world's shortest test drive in the Focus Electric (video)

When offered a chance to take a Ford Focus Electric for a spin we jumped at it, though were admittedly a bit perplexed when told it would be on the show floor. As it turns out the company set up a loop upon which a Transit Van and Focus Electric were driving, one after the next, up a steep incline and over the heads of fellow journalists, stopping at a little dyno to see just what this thing was putting down, and then back around to where it all started. No shocking information was gleaned, and we still can't get anyone to confirm or deny the ability for a 480v quick-charge, but it sure beat walking.

Continue reading Ford takes us on the world's shortest test drive in the Focus Electric (video)

Ford takes us on the world's shortest test drive in the Focus Electric (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/UI2rlhSbyMA/

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Buccaneers Strap V.I.O's HD Cams to Their Helmets For In-Action Editing [Cameras]

Other helmet-cams, from the likes of GoPro and Oregon Scientific, look like they'd shatter within seconds of impact. V.I.O POV.HD is smashproof, waterproof, shockproof, dustproof...oh, and shoots 1080p footage of all the wildest adventures. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/uRgqmP6rnFM/buccaneers-can-now-strap-vios-hd-cams-to-their-helmets

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iRetrofone Steampunk Base for iPhone

The iRetrofone Steampunk dock for iPhone (3G, 3GS, 4) from freelandstudios is hand-sculpted and hand-cast in 0.5″ thick urethane resin.� Using your own docking cable, the iRetrofone dock allows you to charge and sync your iPhone.� The coolest thing is that all vocal communications functions are routed through the handset, so you can actually make [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/01/08/iretrofone-steampunk-base-for-iphone/

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Frontal Concepts infuse Nano Watch Band Review

Turning your 6th generation Apple iPod nano into a wristwatch is as simple as buying one of the many wrist band accessories that are currently available. The infuse watchband from Frontal Concepts is the second nano watchband I’ve had the opportunity to review. Let’s take a look. The infuse watchband is comprised of two main [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/01/09/frontal-concepts-infuse-nano-watch-band-review/

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Hotmail missing email problem was caused by automated test malfunction

Recently, several thousand users began reporting a problem with their Hotmail inboxes. Messages -- and sometimes entire folders -- had vanished from their Inboxes. Microsoft managed to restore everything in five days, but what exactly went wrong? And what -- if anything -- were they doing to make sure something like this didn't happen again?

The Hotmail team has since posted an explanation. As part of their regular monitoring and maintenance, Hotmail runs certain automated test scripts -- one of which got a bit carried away. Normally the script manipulates a set of test accounts created by the Hotmail team. This time, however, it accidentally messed with the directory information of up to 17,000 users.

The blog post points out that no email messages or folders were ever actually deleted -- Hotmail simply couldn't associate those users with their inboxes. The problem was protracted because Hotmail's support ticketing system didn't place a high priority on initial reports since there were so few, and because this wasn't a previously-known problem.

To make sure this situation doesn't occur again, Microsoft has tweaked its scripts and the ticketing system. Now, when multiple users report data loss, their tickets will automatically be tagged as high priority and demand immediate attention. Microsoft has also pledged to update its feedback system in order to improve communication with users.

Hotmail missing email problem was caused by automated test malfunction originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/hotmail-missing-email-problem-was-caused-by-automated-test-malfunction/

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Facebook Paid Farm Bureau $8.5 Million To Acquire Fb.com

On November 15th, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that Facebook had acquired Fb.com from The American Farm Bureau Federation�to use as the domain for internal emails now that the Facebook Messages were parked on Facebook.com. But what he didn't reveal at the time? The acquisition price. Today Reuters is reporting that the Fb.com �domain acquisition, which moved the 6 Million member Farm Bureau over to Fb.org, cost Facebook $8.5 million.

"At their annual meeting in Atlanta, Farm Bureau officials on Tuesday said the organization earned $8.5 million by selling a couple of domain names but is barred from identifying the buyer."

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/yzSFm9NPpBY/

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Hands-on: Gentle Alarm for Android is a beautiful way to wake up

When I listed Gentle Alarm as one of my top Android apps, I promised a more in-depth review -- and here it is! Here are the key features of the app that's been (successfully!) waking me up every morning for the past several weeks.

Profiles

One of the best concepts in Gentle Alarm is that not all alarms are exactly alike. The Profiles screen lets you set up individual alarm "types". As you can see, each profile has its own complete set of options: You can select whether or not you'd like to have a pre-alarm (more on these later), the duration of the alarm, the initial and final volume, the alarm tone (or MP3 tune), and more.

Gallery: Gentle Alarm for Android

Continue reading Hands-on: Gentle Alarm for Android is a beautiful way to wake up

Hands-on: Gentle Alarm for Android is a beautiful way to wake up originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/hands-on-gentle-alarm-for-android-is-a-beautiful-way-to-wake-up/

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Ego-Kits declares victory over nature, gravity with its E-Powered Downhill Bike Kit

In a move that is sure to excite the outdoorsman (or outdoors-lady, as it were) in us all, German outfit Ego-Kits has unveiled the E-Powered Downhill Bike Kit so you don't have to go through all that pesky exercise getting to the top of the mountain to enjoy the thrill of bombing back down. The kit comes with a 1200-watt aluminum motor that mounts under the down tube of 70 percent of downhill bike models, a battery pack (contained within an included backpack), charger, controller module, crankset, chain, and twist grip throttle with a battery charge indicator. We don't know the price or when the system will officially go on sale, but we do know that when mounted on a mountain bike, it looks cooler than other, more pedestrian electric bikes we've seen previously. Jump after the break to see the Ego-Kit in action.

Continue reading Ego-Kits declares victory over nature, gravity with its E-Powered Downhill Bike Kit

Ego-Kits declares victory over nature, gravity with its E-Powered Downhill Bike Kit originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/ego-kits-declares-victory-over-nature-gravity-with-its-e-powere/

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