Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Monday, August 09, 2010

DIY Smartphone Video Chat Hanger [DIY]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5606603/diy-smartphone-video-chat-hanger

DIY Smartphone Video Chat Hanger With the slow introduction of video chat on smartphones, you may be looking for a way to save yourself some arm strain while chatting. Apple blog TUAW has created a cheap but useful hanger that mounts your phone on your computer monitor.

Whether you're using your smartphone as a webcam for your PC, running FaceTime on your iPhone 4, or anticipating Skype's upcoming Android app for your Evo's front-facing camera, this little hack makes video chat a bit more versatile. Now, instead of being tied to your computer, you can pick up your phone and turn it around, move to a new room, or even carry on your conversation as you leave the house.

TUAW's mod merely consists of some cardboard, duct tape, and the top of a wire hanger. It certainly isn't the prettiest hack around, but they certainly did their homework on it. Each nook and cranny in it has a purpose, whether it's allowing tethered devices, charging yoru phone, or accomodating external speakers. With a bit of ingenuity you could probably fashion something that isn't so ugly, too—and if you're really clever, you could even find a way to do it without covering up a giant portion of your monitor. Hit the link to check it out, and let us know what ideas you might incorporate to a smarphone video chat mount in the comments.

Low rent FaceTime: Create your own FaceHanger

The Sprint Anycom Receiver Wirelessly Connects Any Bluetooth Device to an iPod Speaker Dock [Stuff We Like]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5606701/the-sprint-anycom-stereo-receiver-makes-your-ipod-speakers-wireless

The Sprint Anycom Receiver Wirelessly Connects Any Bluetooth Device to an iPod Speaker Dock Whether you've moved on from your iDevice to something else, or you just want to be able to change the tunes from far away, this super cheap Bluetooth receiver will dramatically increase the usefulness of your iPod speakers.

We're not partial to unitaskers here at Lifehacker, and the slew of popular iPod speaker docks are no exception. While they're mighty convenient for your iDevice with a dock connector, they're less so for your other media players and smartphones, especially if they don't have an auxiliary jack. The Sprint Anycom FIPO Bluetooth Stereo Receiver, apart from having a ridiculously long name, is a $20 adapter that plugs into your iPod speakers and makes them wirelessly compatible with any bluetooth-enabled audio player.

That means your iPhone, 2nd or 3rd generation iPod touch, Android phone, BlackBerry, and even Laptop can pair with it and play music into the speakers. Sure, the audio quality may not be audiophile-approved, but it's not like it's a $1000 stereo—it's an iPod speaker dock, and $20 for wireless, anything-compatibile music playing is hard to turn down. Hit the link to check it out.

Update: Just after we posted this, Amazon changed the status of the item to "currently unavailable". If you search around, though, you can probably find it available on other sites.

Sprint Anycom FIPO Bluetooth v2.0 Stereo Receiver w/Dock Connector for iPod Speakers [via Unplggd]

Online-ConVert Converts Audio, Video, Images, and More [Conversion]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5607031/online+convert-converts-audio-video-images-and-more

If you're looking for a one-stop web-based tool for converting media from one format to another Online-ConVert supports dozens of conversions including obscure formats often overlooked by other web-based converters.

Converting WAV to MP3 or PNG to JPG is old hat for just about every web-based converter out there. Where Online-ConVert really shines is the inclusion of lesser used formats. The video converter, for example, even supports conversion to video formated for playback on the Nintendo DS—if you didn't know you could play video on your DS make sure to check out how to hack your DS for backups and supercharge it with homebrew software to see all the other cool things it can do.

In addition to supporting a huge range of format conversions Online-ConVert has a bunch of little features that make it a pleasure to use—despite it's initially clunky looking interface. Online-ConVert supports both file upload and URLs—we had no problem using YouTube URLs to create videos to dump onto our Nintendo DS, for example. Each conversion also generates a QR code that you can scan with your cell phone to download the file. Let's say you're at a computer and you don't have an appropriate sync cable or syncing software for your phone. You can convert the file and scan the QR code to initiate the download right to your phone.

Visit the link below to try out the converter or sound off in the comments with your favorite conversion tools.

Online-ConVert [via Download Squad]

IdiomDictionary Defines That Phrase so You Don't Have to Ask Your Friends [Dictionary]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5607483/idiomdictionary-find-out-what-that-phrase-means-so-you-dont-have-to-ask-your-friends

IdiomDictionary Defines That Phrase so You Don't Have to Ask Your Friends Almost like a less offensive Urban Dictionary, IdiomDictionary is for those phrases that everyone seems to understand except you—instead of getting them to explain it, you can look it up in their giant database of over 5,000 idioms.

IdiomDictionary is pretty simple to use; you just type a phrase in the search box and it will explain to you the idiom's meaning. It does have quite a few, including a large number that I had never even heard of before. You can browse by letter, if you'd like to just learn a bunch of new idioms you can rattle off, but the search is its most useful function.

Unfortunately, it doesn't go the other way—if you're looking for a clever way to say something, you can't look up an idiom for that idea. I can't search "relax", for example, and come up with "hang loose". You can only search for idioms themselves. It's kind of a bummer (that would be such a useful feature), but it's still incredibly handy for those situations when you hear a phrase you just aren't familiar with. Hit the link to check it out.

Update: Reader BishopBlaze cleverly points out that to do a reverse idiom search, you can just do a site-specific search on Google. For example, if you're looking for an idiom for "relax", just search site:idiomdictionary.com relax on Google to find a few.

IdiomDictionary [via Download Squad]

Scan or Photograph Checks for Deposit at These Banks [Banks]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5608013/scan-or-photograph-checks-for-deposit-at-these-banks

Scan or Photograph Checks for Deposit at These Banks Depositing checks probably feels like the last stand of paper for savvy online bankers. Switch to one of the banks accepting check deposits via scanner, iPhone, or Android, and you'll never have to wait in ATM or teller lines again.

Image via USAA @ HOME.

The who's who among banks with remote check deposits comes through the very clever Paperless Office Wiki. Banks both local and national in scope are charted for their scanner, iPhone, and Android availability, given a rating, and listed with their eligibility and other requirements. You'll definitely want to check a bit of the fine print, as certain banks require a higher level of account sign-up to get the remote deposit offering, but it's a great place to start looking if you're stuck with regular trips to the bank, or find even quick-scanning ATM deposits kind of a drag.

Know of another bank with a great remote check deposit? Point it out in the comments, but don't be afraid to throw it in the Paperless Office Wiki, either.

Remote Check Deposit [Paperless Office Wiki via The Consumerist]

High-Tech 2WD Ostoure Superbike Is Straight Out of Skynet's Garage [Motorcyles]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5607625/high+tech-2wd-ostoure-superbike-is-straight-out-of-skynets-garage

The Ostoure concept is a "super naked" motorcycle concept sprung from the mind of designer Mohammad Reza Shojaie and possibly Skynet.

The Ostoure ("Legend" in Persian) boasts two-wheel drive, Bluetooth helmet support, HUD indicators, multiple radiators, and an AC system (?), although that's all hypothetical given the fact this puppy is a prototype design. Throw on some side-mounted Gatling guns and this would be right at home on the set of Terminator: Salvation.

The unique controls are akin to an airplane's, if that helps you visualize how this bike would steer in any way, shape or form. [productdesignforums via Design blog]

Fujifilm's Instax mini50S Cheki is a Cute Polaroid Alternative [Instant Cameras]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5607947/fujifilms-instax-mini50s-cheki-is-a-cute-polaroid-alternative

Fujifilm's Instax mini50S Cheki is a Cute Polaroid Alternative Now that we know Polaroid's reissued film is pricier than a three-course meal, it's time to look at alternatives. FujiFilm's been doing a fine line in instant cameras, and their upcoming Instax mini50S Cheki looks suitably teensy for pockets.

It uses Fujifilm's Instax Color Film, which is about $16 for 20 photos' worth. A small screen (measuring 2.4" x 1.8") lets you view photos on the dinky camera, which it itself measures 4.4" x 3.8" x 1.9". The focus is 0.6mm to 3m, and it can take close-ups up to 11.8".

Two CR-2 batteries are needed to power the mini50S Cheki, which has a self-timer mode and flash.

It looks like it's just a Japan-only release for now, but JapanTrends has put up a $220 US price-tag for export, when it goes on sale September 4th. [JapanTrends]

Leaked HTC Desire HD Video Shows Larger Screen and Dual-Flash [Android]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5607979/leaked-htc-desire-hd-video-shows-larger-screen-and-dual+flash

Leaked HTC Desire HD Video Shows Larger Screen and Dual-Flash An unusually well-shot and clear video has appeared online, showing off the as yet-unannounced HTD Desire HD. Looking more like an EVO 4G than the original Desire, it has a 4.3" display and half-matte, half-glossy back.

Do clamp your eyes on the HD YouTube video fondle of the Desire HD below, and tell us what you think. While it doesn't give away too many details, at least we can gather it's got a bottom-located 3.5mm jack, and dual LED flash next to the stylized lens. HTC's famous rubberized back has returned, only in patches—around the flash and antenna, down the bottom (presumably for the battery-eject, as we saw in the Legend and HD Mini), and on the right-side (I'm guessing for the microSD card slot). [247Android via Engadget]

Why Don't We Have a 2-in-1 iPad Camera Connection Kit Yet? [Ipad]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5607982/why-dont-we-have-a-2+in+1-ipad-camera-connection-kit-yet

Why Don't We Have a 2-in-1 iPad Camera Connection Kit Yet? Remember how the iPad camera connection kit was really hard to get hold of? How they were going for close to $200 on eBay? Chinese iPad users are using this handy $26 2-in-1 USB/SD card dongle. Lucky guys.

Apparently it changes between USB or SD card functionality with just a press of a button, but as you can see the main advantage here is that the two dongles Apple sells bundled together for $29 have been reduced to just the one device, for the equivalent of 426 over in China. Nothing like a piece of Chinese convergence to whet our appetites in anticipation of a swift import. [Weiphone via MICGadget]

BlackBerry Curve 9300 3G Runs OS 6.0, Too [BlackBerry]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5608011/blackberry-curve-9300-3g-runs-os-60

BlackBerry Curve 9300 3G Runs OS 6.0, Too RIM has updated its Curve range of BlackBerrys today, with the Curve 9300 3G rammed with OS 6.0 goodness and 3G connectivity. It was hardly a secret, and in light of last week's Torch it doesn't look quite so appealing.

Nonetheless, the Curve range has always been about affordability, and there's certainly no touchscreen to be seen here. There's the QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad, GPS, Wi-Fi and a microSD card slot that can take up to 32GB of memory cards. The 256MB of internal memory is par for the course, unfortunately.

The camera is a slight 2MP job, and the display has 320 x 240 pixels.

I must say, I do like the return of the full shiny bezel, last seen on the Bold 9000. Out in August. [BlackBerry Curve 9300]

Waterloo, Ontario - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G, an exciting addition to the globally popular BlackBerry Curve series of smartphones. Designed to provide the growing mass of smartphone purchasers with a distinctly powerful, approachable and affordable choice, the BlackBerry Curve 3G supports high-speed 3G (HSDPA) networks around the world and gives users the exceptional communications features they need to accomplish more than ever, when they're at home, at work and everywhere in-between.

"The majority of people in the worldwide mobile phone market have yet to buy their first smartphone and the BlackBerry Curve 3G is designed to provide an extremely attractive and accessible choice that will help convince many of them to make the leap," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "The new BlackBerry Curve 3G is a perfect choice for happily busy people who are looking for a user-friendly 3G smartphone to help them make the most of their day and to stay connected with their friends, family and co-workers."

The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone features a comfortable full-QWERTY keyboard for fast, accurate typing, optical trackpad for fluid navigation, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, as well as dedicated media keys, so music lovers can easily access their tunes while on the go. The new smartphone also features a camera that can record video and a microSD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32 GB memory cards for media storage. Support for 3G networks makes browsing faster, streaming music smoother, and gives users the ability to talk on the phone while they browse the web, instant message with BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) or share their location with friends on popular social networking sites.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G ships with BlackBerry® 5 and is BlackBerry® 6 ready. BlackBerry 6 is a new operating system for BlackBerry® smartphones that was announced last week. It retains the trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh and engaging experience that is both powerful and easy to use. BlackBerry 6 is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G, subject to carrier certifications, in the coming months.

The new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone (model 9300) will be available from various carriers and distribution partners around the world beginning in August. Check with local carriers for details about availability and pricing.

For more information about the new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone visit www.blackberry.com/curve3G. For more information about BlackBerry 6, visit www.blackberry.com/6.

ASUS' EeeBox EB1501P leaks out with Atom D525, Ion GPU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/06/asus-eeebox-eb1501p-leaks-out-with-atom-d525-ion-gpu/

We're still waiting on leaked (or official, we're not partial) images to confirm, but based on a presentation slide and a bit of insider information passed on to Notebook Italia, ASUS is gearing up to replace its aging EeeBox EB1501 with the EB1501P. Reportedly, the box will be based around Intel's dual-core Atom D525 processor and will feature NVIDIA's Ion GPU, a 250GB hard drive, 2GB of DDR3 memory, 802.11n WiFi, an HDMI output, six USB sockets and Bluetooth. That aligns quite nicely with the EB1501U (shown above) that we spotted back at CeBIT, which has yet to launch in any capacity since. A proper introduction at IFA, perhaps? We'll be watching, ASUS.

ASUS' EeeBox EB1501P leaks out with Atom D525, Ion GPU originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Augen's Kmart tablet and smartbook won't have Google-branded apps from now on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/07/augens-kmart-tablet-and-smartbook-wont-have-google-branded-app/

The future for Augen's $150 tablet and $100 smartbook isn't looking good -- not only do the blue-light specials have slow processors and resistive touchscreens, but their official Google app privileges have just been revoked. To be fair, Android Market actually wasn't working on either device from the get-go, but Augen just sent us a statement confirming that the entire proprietary suite (including Market, Gmail and more) was preloaded on the devices without Google's permission, and won't appear on new batches that make it to store shelves. Augen says it's working with Google to secure rights to these apps for new products further down the road, but if you want a dirt-cheap mass market Android device with these apps preinstalled, you'd best head on down to Kmart... assuming they're finally in stock, of course. Press release after the break.

Continue reading Augen's Kmart tablet and smartbook won't have Google-branded apps from now on

Augen's Kmart tablet and smartbook won't have Google-branded apps from now on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QNAP's QMobile app enables multimedia NAS streaming to Android and iOS

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/08/qnaps-qmobile-app-enables-multimedia-nas-streaming-to-android-a/

Got yourself a QNAP NAS, do you? If you're also in legal possession of an Android or iOS-based device, you could soon be streaming your dusty Boyz II Men and / or Our Lady Peace jams straight from your network. Over the past month, the outfit has released QMobile apps for both Android and iOS, enabling everything from Google's Nexus One to Apple's iPod touch, iPad and iPhone to remotely stream images, tunes and videos so long as their NAS is online (and connected to a halfway decent broadband line). The app is said to work just fine over 3G or WiFi, and there's even a My Jukebox feature that essentially acts as a shuffle system for those who aren't too picky about what comes through. Both apps are available now in the Android Market and App Store for no charge, but you'll probably want to tap those source links and update your NAS management software to v3.3.0 before trying any fancy business. Video promo is past the break, if you need some encouragement.

Continue reading QNAP's QMobile app enables multimedia NAS streaming to Android and iOS

QNAP's QMobile app enables multimedia NAS streaming to Android and iOS originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 01:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flash ported to iPhone 4, available for download (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/08/flash-ported-to-iphone-4-available-for-download-video/

Cydia is a great place to hang out, and we're sure unlocking is pretty swell, but it's quite possible you and your freshly-rooted iPhone 4 have already run out of fun things to do. In that case, might we suggest giving Frash a try? That's right, Comex's Strong Bad-inspired port of Adobe Flash 10.1 has been compiled once again, and though it's still an alpha build there's nothing keeping you from experiencing the joys of animated advertising on your iOS 4 device. Instructions are exactly the same as in our Flash how-to for iPad -- jailbreak, download the .deb, upload it to a folder deep inside your phone via SSH, restart and you're done -- but if that sounds like too much work or you're worried about your phone asploding prematurely, you can watch from a safe distance as Homestar Runner struts his stuff. You'll find that and more in a video after the break, and a pre-compiled alpha build is available at our source link.

Continue reading Flash ported to iPhone 4, available for download (video)

Flash ported to iPhone 4, available for download (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grant Pannell, Frash (Github) | Email this | Comments

Best Buy pegs Droid 2 at $199 with 2-year activation, $599 without (updated)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/08/best-buy-pegs-droid-2-at-199-with-2-year-activation-599-witho/

It's rather astounding to believe we've come this far without Verizon or Motorola so much as recognizing the Droid 2's existence, but with leaks like this on a weekly basis who needs traditional marketing? Astute reader Greg from North Carolina tells us his local Best Buy has those leaked dummy units out on shelves, and lo and behold, there's a set of price tags right next to them. As originally rumored, the phone will launch at $199 with carrier subsidy and $599 should you choose to cart it home without a plan in tow. Still no solid confirmation of that August 12 release date, but at this rate we expect the handset may sell out before Verizon's PR team breathes a word. Spot the full image after the break.

Update: On a related note, the original Droid is now "out of stock" on Verizon's website.

Update 2: Oh what the hell, dropped in an official "coming soon" Droid 2 advertising supplement making its way into newspapers.

[Thanks, Greg and Jeremy C.]

Continue reading Best Buy pegs Droid 2 at $199 with 2-year activation, $599 without (updated)

Best Buy pegs Droid 2 at $199 with 2-year activation, $599 without (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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