Amazon launches iPad optimized web based Kindle Store

Amazon has launched a new web based Kindle Store designed specifically for the iPad. The new site looks and feels like an actual app rather than a web page however you don’t need to install anything to use the store.

Books are laid out in a cover flow arrangement and you can swipe through the books, click on the covers to see more information, read reviews and of course buy a book. If you do make a purchase, the book is automatically sent to your designated reading device. If you can’t wait that long, you can even read it within the new Kindle Store web page because Amazon has now made its Cloud Reader compatible with the iPad too. If you have your iPad handy, simply visit  http://www.amazon.com/iPadKindleStore to take a look at the new layout.

Imagination Technologies Releases Details on Next-Generation GPU for iOS Devices

Apple has long used Imagination Technologies' graphics processing unit (GPU) technology in its iOS devices, currently utilizing the company's PowerVR SGX543MP2 in the A5 system-on-a-chip found in the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S.

Last June, Imagination Technologies announced that the first six licensees for the next-generation Series6 family had signed on with the company, and while Apple was not explicitly named as one of the licensees, it has been presumed to be involved given the long-standing partnership that has even seen Apple take a financial stake in Imagination.

Imagination has now revealed new details (via The Verge) on the upcoming Series6 family, touting performance improvements of 20x or more for the G6400 and G6200, the first two members of the family.

Based on a scalable number of compute clusters the PowerVR Rogue architecture is designed to target the requirements of a growing range of demanding markets from mobile to the highest performance embedded graphics including smartphones, tablets, PC, console, automotive, DTV and more. Compute clusters are arrays of programmable computing elements that are designed to offer high performance and efficiency while minimising power and bandwidth requirements. The first PowerVR Series6 cores, the G6200 and G6400, have two and four compute clusters respectively.

Delivering the best performance in both GFLOPS/mm2 and GFLOPS/mW, PowerVR Series6 GPUs can deliver 20x or more of the performance of current generation GPU cores targeting comparable markets. This is enabled by an architecture that is around 5x more efficient than previous generations.

The press release notes that all Series6 GPU designs will support Apple-backed graphics APIs such as OpenGL ES "Haiti", OpenGL 3.x/4.x, and OpenCL 1.x for maximum performance. Previous reports of Series6-based GPU technology being licensed by ST-Ericsson have cited the capability to push 350 million polygons per second, compared to the nearly 70 million polygons per second achievable with the dual-core SGX543MP2 currently used by Apple.


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Jawbone UP sleep, nutrition, and exercise monitor for iPhone

Not content with merely making some of the best Bluetooth headsets and wireless speakers in the business, Jawbone expanded their product line this year with the Jawbone UP. A small, light bracelet, you wear it around your wrist and along with an iPhone companion app, it keeps track of how you’re sleeping, how much exercise you’re doing, and what you’re eating.

Live at CES 2012 we talk to Jawbone about the future of UP, the updated they’re pushing out, and why they feel mobile lifestyles encompass more than the traditional product lines.

• Jawbone UP app — Free — App Store link

Belkin WeMo looks to make home automation simple, all controlled from your iPhone or iPad

Belkin has announced a range of home automation devices which will all be controlled by an app on your iPhone or iPad. The new line all come under the Belkin WeMo brand and offer a fully modular home automation solution which can be expanded and added to whenever you like.

Consisting of two initial products, the WeMo Home Control Switch and the WeMo Motion Sensor, WeMo is a customizable, accessible home automation solution designed to simplify home maintenance and bring peace of mind to busy families and individuals on the go. WeMo works with a home’s existing electrical system and requires only a Wi-Fi network and free smartphone app to set up and control. Simply plug the WeMo Home Control Switch into any electrical outlet and then plug in any device, such as a lamp, into the WeMo Home Control Switch. Through the free smartphone app, the item then can be turned on or off remotely or scheduled to turn on and off at set times. The second product in the line is the WeMo Motion Sensor, which works with the WeMo Home Control Switch to make your device react to motion. Used together, WeMo can create a home environment that can turn a light on when someone walks in a room, or off when no one is present.

The WeMo Home Control Switch will cost $49.99 and the same switch with an included motion sensor will cost $99.99. Both products should be available in the summer. Belkin are also planning some additional home automation products which will be compatible with WeMo. A baby monitor, garage door opener and a door lock.

Source: Belkin PR

Daily Apps: Vodio, King Camera, Cat-a-minute!, Siegebreaker, Puzzles ‘N Coloring – Sea Life

Vodio: Take video consumption on the go to the next level, by creating your very own personalized video streams from dozens of content services. Free up your time by watching the most talked about videos, instead of searching through hours of videos you might like.

• Free for iPad – App Store link

King Camera: Now with Instagram support!

• Free for iPhone – App Store link

Cat-a-minute!: Cats, cats, and more cats! Seriously, if you love cats, this app is for you.

• Free for iPhone and iPad – App Store link

Siegebreaker: The Brookelands are under siege! A mysterious evil has arrived, turning all the happy knights and peasants into vile monsters! Only the kings remain, but the undead armies are marching – who can save the kings?

• Free for iPhone and iPad – App Store link

Puzzles ‘N Coloring – Sea Life: Jump into the water and explore the world of Puzzles N’ Coloring – Sea Life . A smiling crab, a wandering fish, a jumping dolphin and more await your child in this puzzle that doubles as a coloring book.

• $1.99 for iPhone and iPad – App Store link

Any other big app or game releases or updates today?

Have an app you’d love to see featured on iMore? Email us at iosapps@imore.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

Liquipel Claims it Can Make Your iPhone Waterproof Without a Case

This sounds to good to be true, but Liquipel claims that they can make your iPhone (or any other device) waterproof without a case, with a process that applies a patent pending waterproof coating on the iPhone to protect it from water or … Continue reading →

CES 2012: Panasonic’s 20-Inch Display at 216 PPI Arrives Amid Rumors of ‘Retina’ MacBook Pro

Last month, Apple was rumored to be preparing to launch a 'Retina'-resolution 15-inch MacBook Pro early this year carrying a resolution of 2880x1800 pixels. The rumors are also being fueled in part by OS X 10.7.3 beta versions showing evidence of continued work on a HiDPI mode to display existing content at the correct sizes for these ultra-high pixel densities.


Supporting the idea that displays offering the necessary pixel density are approaching market readiness, Panasonic yesterday showed off (via Engadget) its new 20.4-inch IPS Alpha LCD panel registering at 3840x2160, a density of 216 pixels per inch.

Panasonic Corporation, a leader in high-definition display technology, has developed a 20-inch 4K2K (3,840 x 2,160 resolution, approx. 8.29 million pixels) IPS Alpha LCD panel, the smallest as a 4K2K-resolution display. The new panel has the world’s highest pixel density of 216 pixels per inch (ppi) and the thickness of only 3.5 mm, the thinnest in the world. A prototype panel will be unveiled at the 2012 International CES to be held in Las Vegas, United States from January 10 to 13.

IPS Alpha panels are suitable for making ultra-high definition displays because of their simple pixel structure - one of the characteristics of the IPS panels - as well as their high contrast ratio, excellent color reproducibility with rich gradation and the industry's highest-level light transmission rate that were implemented by Panasonic’s unique IPS-Pro technology.

Apple's rumored Retina-resolution MacBook Pro would come in at roughly the same pixel density as Panasonic's display, suggesting that the display manufacturers are indeed working on products within the realm of Apple's goals.

Apple's Retina display introduced on the iPhone 4 marked a significant step forward for the smartphone industry, offering the crispest image quality seen on a mobile display. Apple's interest in HiDPI display modes on the Mac and rumors of ultra high-resolution displays for its notebooks suggest that the company is attempting to bring that same leap to larger screens, making for easier reading and sharper images using pixels that are individually indistinguishable at typical viewing distances.


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iPhones accounted for almost half of October, November smartphone sales

Market research group NPD is reporting some good news for Apple ahead of the January 24 earnings call. The three models of the iPhone that are currently for sale -- the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS -- accounted for 43 percent of US smartphone sales in October and November.

Android phones saw a significant drop of 13 percent of share during that same period, while Apple's share bumped up 17 percent. Where are RIM and Windows Phone handsets in all of this insanity? Well, RIM saw a 6 percent share in the US, while Windows Phone and "all others" were barely above the zero line.

At least in the American market, iOS and Android have the market and mind share for smartphones. As noted on Macgasm, the iPhone 3GS outsold every model of Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone handset during the October-November timeframe. Of course, the 3GS is now free from AT&T, so it's hard to compete with a no-cost handset and an application base of over half a million apps.

iPhones accounted for almost half of October, November smartphone sales originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPhones accounted for almost half of October, November smartphone sales originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video shows face recognition unlock for iPhone

One of the features that graces the screens of many Android 4.0 phones is FaceUnlock, which uses facial recognition technology to unlock a phone rather than a simple swipe or swiping and entering a passcode. Now some devs have ported that capability to iOS and are promising that the capability will be available soon in the form of an app.

In the video below, there's a demo of this app-in-progress. It's pretty cool and seems to work well, although at least at this point it seems to be a bit slower than just swiping the home screen and tapping a four-digit code. What do you think, TUAW readers? Is this just an Android-y gimmick or the wave of the unlocking future? Tell us in the comments.

[via Engadget]

Video shows face recognition unlock for iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Video shows face recognition unlock for iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2012: Lenovo Brings Apple’s Touchscreen iMac Concept to Life

Back in 2010, an Apple patent publication was published revealing the company's concept for an iMac supporting both mouse-driven and touch-based input with a hinged display arm allowing the screen to transition from an upright position to a horizontal surface.


While Apple has yet to release such a product and may have scrapped the idea entirely, Lenovo's new IdeaCentre A720 being shown off at CES this week (via Engadget) offers a similar flexibility in its ability to transition between a traditional all-in-one desktop configuration and a flat, table-top touch surface.

Similar to the HP TouchSmart 610, which debuted around this time last year, it has a display that can be tilted between 5 and 90 degrees, the idea being that that 10-point multitouch panel will be easier to use if it's lying at a near-flat angle. Spec-wise, it'll be offered with various Intel Core i processors, discrete NVIDIA graphics and up to either a 1TB HDD or a 64GB solid-state drive. Expect it to hit sometime in the first half of this year, starting at $1,299.

The Verge also posts a hands-on video showing the IdeaCentre A720 in use in both upright and horizontal positions.


The hands-on demonstration shows a rather sluggish response to touch input, but offers a good glimpse of the flexibility afforded by the multiple orientations.

Apple's patent application included descriptions of sensors that would automatically detect the orientation of the display and adjust the operating system being used accordingly, with the idea being that the computer would utilize a Mac OS X interface in its upright orientation and then transition to an iOS-like touch overlay interface when moved to the horizontal display. While Lenovo's concept does not utilize this automatic sensing, it does offer Lenovo's dedicated IdeaTouch layer on top of Windows 7, which itself allows for touch input.


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HipGeo for iPhone keeps track of your when and where

HipGeo is a free app that can create a sort of travel blog on the fly with as much or as little user input as you like.

It tracks your location, allows you to add comments and photos, and can even playback an animated map of your travels.

You can keep your travel info to yourself as sort of a diary, or share your adventures via Facebook, Twitter or email. Alternatively, publish your info to the world through a web page or using the app itself.

HipGeo also shows posts from people nearby who've elected to make their locations public. I didn't see a lot of activity near me, but I did see some public posts from the bigger nearby cities, and a lot of activity at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The app works well, and gives you granular control of your privacy ranging from 'keep my travels to myself' or 'let the whole world know where I am and what I am doing.' The app has some safeguards to protect your battery life, because it runs in the background when you activate it. One setting (places) saves your battery by only uploading a new location, while another setting (places and routes) tracks you from moment to moment. It's better to use the latter setting selectively or only if you're plugged in.

HipGeo is an interesting take on location broadcasting, blogging, navigation and social integration. It seems to work as advertised, and is a really effortless way to create a blog of a vacation, or even your daily activities. I think users should take care about publishing photos and locations to the whole world, but if you limit your followers I find HipGeo to be worthwhile for travelers with a preference for sharing.

HipGeo requires iOS 4.0 or greater. It is a 6 MB download. You can see some screenshots in the gallery below.

HipGeo for iPhone keeps track of your when and where originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

HipGeo for iPhone keeps track of your when and where originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2012: MSI Shows Off Thunderbolt-Connected External GPU

Last August, we reported that Village Tronic was working on a Thunderbolt version of its ViDock PCI Express expansion chassis that serves as a docking hub complete with external graphics card for high-end performance. With Thunderbolt-equipped peripherals making a big splash at CES this week, it should come as no surprise that progress on the expansion hub concept is continuing.


AnandTech reports that MSI is the latest entrant into the category, showing off an early demonstration model of just such a product with its GUS II. While the external graphics card (GPU) featured in the demonstration currently works only under Windows, AnandTech suggests that Mac support should be easily achievable for those GPUs supporting the platform.

The external chassis features a Thunderbolt interface and an internal PCIe slot. Despite running on a MacBook Pro there is currently no OS X support for the solution, but it does work under Windows. Presumably if there's OS X support for the GPU inside the enclosure it would work under OS X as well.

The only limitation to the GUS II is the internal GPU has to be powered by PCIe alone (there are no aux PCIe power connectors inside the chassis).

A release date and pricing for the GUS II have yet to be announced, but it certainly seems as though the Thunderbolt standard championed by Apple and Intel is gaining momentum as it seeks to lead the next generation of multi-purpose connectivity technologies.


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TeleNav launches free Scout “daily personal navigator” for iPhone

Last month, TUAW reported on GPS navigation vendor TeleNav's plans to launch an HTML5-based free navigation system that would work on any browser. Yesterday, TeleNav introduced Scout, which is another free personal navigation product. The new service comes with a Scout by TeleNav iPhone app (free) and a companion website (scout.me), and will soon integrate with Ford Sync-equipped vehicles.

The idea is that you can use the app across platforms for discovery of new locations and to get directions, and share the same information wherever you may be. If you use your personal computer to look up restaurants and add one to a favorites list, that list is then available on your iPhone and soon in your Ford vehicle.

It's a noble idea, and I have to admit that the app looks nice. One sweet feature of Scout is that it takes into account current traffic conditions when determining the time to your destination. The cleanly-designed Dashboard screen shows the current temperature at your location, that location is pinpointed on a strip map displaying traffic, and there's a continuous display of how long it's going to take to get from home to work or vice-versa.

The scout.me website shows a handy "beta" tag, and that's well-deserved. I ran into some problems during my initial tryout. When trying to set a default work location, the app kept defaulting to an incorrect place that is miles away from the actual spot. The app would not let me change the address, insisting that the other spot was correct.

Likewise, I had issues figuring out how to actually sync the scout.me site and my iPhone, finally resorting to asking the TeleNav PR team -- it's actually simple, and done through the Scout.me button at the bottom of the dashboard page. Tip to TeleNav -- perhaps you should have the app walk users through the sync process during the first launch.

The variety of different offerings from TeleNav is somewhat perplexing. As I mentioned, they have an HTML5 web app that's supposed to be coming soon, there's Scout and Scout.me, and then there are the Navigation By TeleNav / GPS by TeleNav apps. The AT&T Navigator app is also a TeleNav product. This kind of scattershot approach will serve to do nothing but confuse the public about what the company is trying to do in the GPS navigation app market.

A short video from TeleNav touting the service is embedded below.

TeleNav launches free Scout "daily personal navigator" for iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TeleNav launches free Scout "daily personal navigator" for iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast’s AnyPlay Brings Live TV to iPad

Comcast – the largest cable operator in the US with over 22 million subscribers has just announced that it has started rolling out AnyPlay – its live TV streaming service. It has started the rollout first to its Xfinity HD … Continue reading →

Nuance Launches Voice-Controlled Platform For TVs and Other Devices; Gives a Glimpse of Apple’s Rumored Siri-Enabled Television

Nuance, the undeniable leader in voice recognition technologies, is bringing its voice recognition technology to TVs, set-top boxes and Intel Ultrabooks. Dubbed “Dragon TV,” the technology essentially brings the Siri-like experience to TVs and set-top boxes, which is interesting because Apple itself … Continue reading →

Super Pixel Bros. blocky Mario game gets renamed, hits the iPhone

Remember that super square game of Super Mario Bros. we told you about last year? Well, it looks like it's finally made it to the next level, landing on the iPhone -- albeit with a slightly less infringing name. Super Pixel Bros. has been revamped and rebranded Pixel Land, and you can download it today for $0.99. The game uses 64 pixels to create 24 levels of damsel-saving action. Demo video located after the jump.

Continue reading Super Pixel Bros. blocky Mario game gets renamed, hits the iPhone

Super Pixel Bros. blocky Mario game gets renamed, hits the iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast Begins Rolling Out ‘AnyPlay’ Live TV Streaming for iPad

Back in September, we reported on a leaked document from cable and Internet provider Comcast revealing details on the company's forthcoming "AnyPlay" live television streaming service. While Comcast is not the first cable provider to bring such a product to market, it is the largest cable and Internet provider in the United States.


Comcast today announced that it has begun rolling the AnyPlay service out to its customers, beginning with Xfinity HD Triple Play customers in Denver and Nashville. More markets will be added in the coming months, with the service initially launching for the iPad only but joined in the future by the Motorola Xoom.

Here's how it works...the AnyPlay device works the same as any other set top box in the home, but instead of delivering the incoming channel lineup to a television, AnyPlay delivers the lineup to the Wi-Fi router on the home network. The router then distributes the secure video signal to the iPad or Xoom over your home's wireless network. So as long as your tablet is within range of the home wireless router, you can turn it into another television screen.

The AnyPlay service is accessed via the company's existing Xfinity TV app for the iPad, which also offers thousands of hours of on demand movies and TV shows available for viewing both inside and outside of the home.


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Survey finds iPhone demand still strong in North America

The iPhone 4S launched several months ago, and demand remains strong says a new survey from ChangeWave. The December 2011 survey asked customers if they were buying a new smartphone in the next 90 days and which handset they would choose. Similar to previous surveys, the iPhone was the top choice, chosen by a majority (54%) of the respondents. The runner-ups were Samsung and Motorola which grabbed 13% and 7% of shoppers, respectively.

The iPhone has slipped a bit, and Samsung has gained some ground since the September 2011 survey. This isn't a sign that Apple is losing its appeal; it's just the natural flow of product launches. ChangeWave surveyed customers in September, just before the launch of the iPhone 4S. People were eager for Apple's new phone and waiting to buy it. In December, the fervor died down and demand dropped slightly. Samsung, however, launched its flagship phone, the Galaxy Nexus in the US in mid-December. Demand climbed because the phone was brand new.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months. Apple will continue to provide the 4S, while Samsung will likely reveal a range of handsets at both CES in January and Mobile World Congress in February. Samsung won't surpass Apple in the coming months, but its string of phones could take another percentage point or two from Apple. Of course, Apple will recoup these points when it introduces the iPhone 5.

[Via GigaOM]

Survey finds iPhone demand still strong in North America originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Survey finds iPhone demand still strong in North America originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily Deal: BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber for iPad 2 only $17.95

For today only, the iMore Store has the BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber for iPad 2 on sale for only $12.95!. Get them before they’re gone!

Get the BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber for iPad 2 now!

Leaked Parts Suggest iPad 3 May Look Like iPad 2 With Retina Display, Improved Rear Camera & More

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