A new use for Find My iPhone: Popping the question, Apple style

<img align="right" alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/271/appleringkg4413147.jpg" vspace="8" />If you're a regular TUAW reader, you know we do a live show on Sunday evenings called the Talkcast. If you are a regular listener to the Talkcast, you know that I almost always give a shout out to our regular listeners, and I have been known to get up on a soapbox about how important our community is to us and that your tips and contributions are a very big part of our site. This is a wonderful example of how our regulars helped out one of our own.<br /> <br /> In case you missed it: on the episode recorded the Sunday before Christmas, we had Andrew (aka Macfan64) on with a <i>very</i> important question for us. He was going to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas, and he wanted to see if there was a way he could use his iPad to do it. After discussing a few ideas, it was suggested that a good way to start off would be to hand her the iPad (she was always taking off with it anyway to play -- what else? -- Angry Birds), and after loading a web page built specially for the occasion, she'd be off on a treasure hunt through the house. She was sent around to find things throughout the house by messages sent to the iPad using the Find My iPhone app (controlled by a family member). Eventually, she was led to the living room where the last item she found was a DVD to play. On the DVD was a slideshow of photos of the two of them together, and when the slideshow was over, Andrew offered the ring and popped the question.<br /> <br /> Luckily I didn't have to wait too long to find out how this turned out; I got a note on Christmas Day that she had accepted! It was wonderful to hear that Andrew was successful, not to mention that some of our Talkcast regulars were directly involved in making it happen. You can see highlights from the evening in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R89Ch1JXRV8">Andrew's video on YouTube</a>. If you keep an eye out for the end credits, you'll see that TUAW got a shout out for helping Andrew come up with the idea, in a nice Star Wars style crawl, no less.<br /> <br /> On behalf of all the folks here at TUAW, I am pleased to offer Andrew and Amy congratulations on their engagement and the best of wishes on their upcoming wedding.<br /> <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/30/a-new-use-for-find-my-iphone-popping-the-question-apple-style/"></a> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R89Ch1JXRV8">Source</a>

A new use for Find My iPhone: Popping the question, Apple style

If you're a regular TUAW reader, you know we do a live show on Sunday evenings called the Talkcast. If you are a regular listener to the...

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TUAW's Daily App: Roget's Thesaurus

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="196" hspace="8" src="http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2238/rogetsthesaurus4351512.jpg" vspace="8" width="400" /></div><br /> After a few weeks of games, we're going with more practical apps for a little while here, so here's an iOS version of the famous thesaurus reference book. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rogets-thesaurus/id380267574?mt=8">Roget's Thesaurus</a> is pretty much<i> the</i> name in finding words that can work in the place of other words, and a company called Mobifusion has worked with the real thing to bring it to the iPhone in a searchable form. The app lets you browse through 30,000 words and all of their synonyms, change text sizes on the fly or just flip through if you want to browse that way. You may argue that there are free thesauri (?) available online, and you'd be right, but it's nice, especially if you use one often, to have it available and ready to go on the iPhone whenever you want. The official Roget's Thesaurus app is <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rogets-thesaurus/id380267574?mt=8">US$2.99 on the App Store</a>.<br /> <br /> And if you don't want to pay a few bucks (just consider how much a paper copy of the book would cost -- it's worth it anyway), there's always the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freesaurus-the-free-thesaurus/id299185772?mt=8">FreeSaurus</a>. That works well, but there are ads in it, and as you should know by now, there's no such thing as a free <strike>banquet</strike> <strike>dinner</strike> <strike>luncheon</strike> lunch.<br /> <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/30/tuaws-daily-app-rogets-thesaurus/"></a> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rogets-thesaurus/id380267574?mt=8">Source</a>

TUAW's Daily App: Roget's Thesaurus

After a few weeks of games, we're going with more practical apps for a little while here, so here's an iOS version of the famous th...

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iPhoto 101: How to delete photos

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="1" height="108" hspace="8" src="http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/5310/trash2dw1230104297925.jpg" vspace="8" width="400" /></div><br /> <div><br /> Whether your Mac contains a mechanical hard drive or an SSD, everyone needs more space. We're all used to dumping Finder's trash frequently to reclaim drive space, but what some of you might not know is when you delete pictures from iPhoto, they remain on your computer since iPhoto has its own trash. If you've never done this you may have hundreds, or for that matter, thousands of pictures or videos in iPhoto that are just clogging up your drive.<br /> <br /> There are two ways to delete the iPhoto trash. One way is to just right click on the word <i>Trash</i> in iPhoto's menu bar, and selecting <i>Empty Trash</i>. The other, and possibly more telling way, is to single click on the word <i>Trash</i> in the menu bar. You'll be presented with all the unnecessary photos and videos along with the total number held in trash. On the top right is an <i>Empty Trash </i>button that will delete them completely. In both cases you'll be presented with a warning message asking you if you really want to do this. Click OK and you'll get back some space. If you've never done this, the amount reclaimed can be dramatic, but if you are in the habit of doing this, you won't get back all that much. I deleted 82 pictures and my hard drive space increased from 97.23 GB to 97.26 GB. See how much you can get back.</div><h6></h6><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5720363/empty-ilifes-trashes-to-free-up-space-on-your-mac">Source</a>

iPhoto 101: How to delete photos

Whether your Mac contains a mechanical hard drive or an SSD, everyone needs more space. We're all used to dumping Finder's trash f...

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PopCap games (Mac and PC) all on sale for 50% off

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="PopCap Mac sale" border="1" height="71" hspace="8" src="http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1205/popcapsale4235426.jpg" vspace="8" width="400" /></div><br /> PopCap is having a <a href="http://www.popcap.com/allgames.php?p=mac">blowout sale </a>on its Mac (and PC) games this holiday weekend. The 50% off sale is going on now and extends until January 2, 2011. All games except for the recently released Bejeweled 3 and game bundles are included in this sale.<br /> <br /> You can grab such titles as <a href="http://www.popcap.com/games/peggle?mid=peggle_mac_en_full">Peggle</a>, <a href="http://www.popcap.com/games/bookworm?mid=bookworm_mac_en_full">Bookworm</a> and <a href="http://www.popcap.com/games/pvz?mid=pvz_mac_en_full">Plants vs Zombies</a> for US$9.95 or less. This promotion only includes downloadable desktop games, not mobile titles for iOS, and may be one of the last big game sales before the Mac App Store opens in early January. So what are you waiting for? Hit the source link <a href="http://www.popcap.com/allgames.php?p=mac">here</a> and grab some of the hottest arcade-style games available for the Mac.<br /> <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/30/popcap-games-mac-and-pc-all-on-sale-for-50-off/"></a> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://www.popcap.com/allgames.php?p=mac">Source</a>

PopCap games (Mac and PC) all on sale for 50% off

PopCap is having a blowout sale on its Mac (and PC) games this holiday weekend. The 50% off sale is going on now and extends until January ...

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Bodega 1.3 available, a fun alternative to the Mac App Store

<img align="right" alt="" border="1" hspace="8" src="http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/9000/itsajollybodegashoptuaw.jpg" vspace="8" />With most Mac users happily anticipating the availability of the Mac App Store on January 6th, many seem to forget that there has been an App Store for Mac for quite some time -- <a href="http://appbodega.com/">Bodega</a>.<br /> <br /> Bodega is an app discovery and download gateway from <a href="http://www.madefresh.ca/">Freshcode</a>. The app can be downloaded by anyone for free, and the store is constantly stocked with new apps from a variety of Mac developers. The update provides bug fixes as well as performance and feature improvements, while maintaining the fun "corner store" look and feel that has been a trademark of Bodega.<br /> <br /> Ahead of the release of the Mac App Store, Freshcode is pushing Bodega to developers as an alternative with many advantages:<br /> <br /> <ul><li>No approval process for apps, although they must not be blatantly offensive or contain illegal content or information</li> <li>No restrictions on APIs used within apps</li> <li>Developers keep 93% of the sale price as revenue, compared to the Mac App Store's 70%</li> <li>There's no need to write a special version of an app to be included in Bodega</li> <li>No developer program charges or costs</li> </ul><br /> It appears that the Mac marketplace may soon have a surplus of App Stores, since Cydia's Jay "Saurik" Freeman is also developing a similar store. For Mac users, finding and purchasing apps is going to be as easy as clicking an icon -- or several of them. TUAW readers can <a href="http://appbodega.com/">get a taste of Bodega by downloading</a> the app here.<br /> <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/30/bodega-1-3-available-a-fun-alternative-to-the-mac-app-store/"></a> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://prmac.com/release-id-20119.htm">Source</a>

Bodega 1.3 available, a fun alternative to the Mac App Store

With most Mac users happily anticipating the availability of the Mac App Store on January 6th, many seem to forget that there has been an Ap...

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RunKeeper Pro is free through January -- there's no excuse to be a couch potato

<img align="right" alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/2842/runkeepericontuaw410012.jpg" vspace="8" />If you read my recent roundup of exercise and dieting apps for iOS, you'll probably remember that one of my featured apps was <a href="http://runkeeper.com/">RunKeeper</a> for iPhone, which I use to track my walks and bike rides. Up until this time, I've used the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/runkeeper-pro/id300235330?mt=8">RunKeeper Free</a> edition, which lacks the customizable audio cues, coaching features, and improved fitness class experience of the Pro version.<br /> <br /> Well, I just upgraded to the Pro version for free, and you can, too. As a way of encouraging people to get off their couches and to thank RunKeeper users for their support over the last two and a half years, the company is making <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/runkeeper-pro/id300235330?mt=8">RunKeeper Pro</a> free to download through January 30, 2011. It doesn't matter if you haven't used RunKeeper Free in the past, you can still get the Pro version at no cost.<br /> <br /> This giveaway comes in the wake of RunKeeper Pro being named by Apple as one of the <a href="http://itms//itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMultiRoom?fcId=402042790">Top Grossing Apps of 2010</a>. Note that the Elite service, which allows others to follow your progress while you're out exercising, still costs either US $4.95 per month or $19.95 annually. For TUAW readers who use Android smartphones, you'll be happy to know that RunKeeper Pro for Android is also free through the month of January.<br /> <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/30/runkeeper-pro-is-free-through-january-theres-no-excuse-to-be/"></a> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://runkeeper.com/blog/mobile-app/runkeeper-pro-is-free-through-the-month-of-january">Source</a>

RunKeeper Pro is free through January -- there's no excuse to be a couch potato

If you read my recent roundup of exercise and dieting apps for iOS, you'll probably remember that one of my featured apps was RunKeeper ...

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Mel's favorite iOS apps of 2010

I thought this might be a hard to list to come up with, but I really just took a look at the apps that I use every day, and that <img align="right" alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9674/directv1230129373777439.jpg" vspace="8" />made it easy. I won't be including built-in apps like Safari or Mail, but the things that third-party developers have come up with that make having an iPhone such a pleasure. That's not to say that there may be other apps that compete with some that I've mentioned, and are just as good or maybe better, but these are my choices, all used day to day. So here, in no particular order, are my favorites.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icam-webcam-video-streaming/id296273730?mt=8">iCam</a>: What a great little app for 5 bucks. I can check on the house and pets. Using webcams that are built into my Macs or stand alones, iCam lets me see multiple cameras, hear <img align="left" alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8866/icam1230129373770939379.jpg" vspace="8" />audio, and turn motion detection on. It sends alerts so you know something is going on. iCam can also record movement if you want. It's easy to set up, the network setup avoids issues with firewalls or multiple routers and it just works. The app is universal.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/directv/id307386350?mt=8">DirecTV</a>: Free and really useful if you have a DirecTV DVR. Using the DirecTV app I can search for programs while away from home, set up recordings, and eliminate your anxiety about missing something important. A recent update lets you search for movies, or you can use a more global search to find programs by title, cast member names, and other criteria.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://tuaw.com/tag/apps">Source</a>

Mel's favorite iOS apps of 2010

I thought this might be a hard to list to come up with, but I really just took a look at the apps that I use every day, and that made it eas...

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Rumored iPad 2 case pictures leaking out of Asia

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="iPad2 case" border="1" height="218" hspace="8" src="http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/7986/ipad2caseleak3859940.jpg" vspace="8" width="400" /></div><br /> A steady stream of <a href="http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/index.php?ID=10875">purported iPad 2 cases</a> continues to flow out of Asia. Similar to earlier leaks, this latest case to hit the rumor mill suggests the iPad 2 will have a rear-facing camera and a slimmer, possibly more angular design than the first generation iPad. This aesthetic change may be akin to the overhaul made to the iPod touch. The latest generation iPod touch dropped the rounded feel of its predecessors and replaced it with a thinner, sharp-edged design. <br /> <br /> Apple mobile products have a long history of leaked cases that supposedly hint at upcoming hardware. Various iPhone models and the iPod touch have been targeted in these pre-release accessory leaks. Usually, these case leaks are incorrect - remember the iPhone Nano case leak that had the world buzzing with rumors of a mini-iPhone? On a few rare occasions, though, these case leaks have been spot on and provided an early glimpse at unreleased hardware. Keeping that in mind, take a look at the three minute, case-filled video after the break and let us know if you think it is a harbinger of the second generation iPad or a carefully-crafted fake.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/index.php?ID=10875">Source</a>

Rumored iPad 2 case pictures leaking out of Asia

A steady stream of purported iPad 2 cases continues to flow out of Asia. Similar to earlier leaks, this latest case to hit the rumor mill ...

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New Year's App blowout lowers prices on some iOS apps

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" hspace="8" src="http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/4530/battleforwesnothsale377.jpg" vspace="8" width="400" /></div><br /> The sales are almost all done this holiday season (EA , you may have noticed, has raised its prices back up from that 99 cent price point that was so strong during Christmas), but here's one more to help you pick up a a few more iOS games to play over New Year's. <a href="http://newyearappblowout.com/">The third annual New Year's app blowout</a> features a deal put together by a bunch of indie developers, and is offering sales on some really great iPhone and iPad apps. I can heartily recommend <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battle-for-wesnoth/id340691963?mt=8">Battle for Wesnoth</a> for just 99 cents, and <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/displaypad/id399786470?mt=8">DisplayPad</a> for just $2.99 is a nice deal as well. Other than those, some of the games on the list look worth a try, and there are some that have dropped all the way to free, so jump on in and download those.<br /> <br /> Hopefully, after all of the new games out this holiday season, and all of the crazy sales on apps from earlier on this year, you've got more than enough to play on your iOS device. But just in case not, feel free to take advantage of this last big "blowout" before we head on into whatever magical apps we'll see in 2011.<br /> <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/30/new-years-app-blowout-lowers-prices-on-some-ios-apps/"></a> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://newyearappblowout.com/">Source</a>

New Year's App blowout lowers prices on some iOS apps

The sales are almost all done this holiday season (EA , you may have noticed, has raised its prices back up from that 99 cent price point t...

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SEC forms show Apple execs donated $3 million in 2010

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7536/applecharities3725454.jpg" vspace="8" /></div><br /> A few Securities and Exchange Commission <a href="http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/12/29/apple-officers-donate-3-million/">forms filed this week</a> show that Apple executives gave shares of Apple stock to various charities right around mid-December. The stocks added up to a value of about three million dollars across the four executives that gave. Unfortunately, none of the charities designated to receive the money were listed in the forms.<br /> <br /> Millard Drexler, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millard_Drexler">the CEO of J. Crew</a> and a member of Apple's board, gave away a total of 6,800 shares, as you can see above, and the other givers are also board members or executives. It's good to see the generosity flowing in Cupertino this year.<br /> <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/30/sec-forms-show-apple-execs-donated-3-million-in-2010/"></a> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/12/29/apple-officers-donate-3-million">Source</a>

SEC forms show Apple execs donated $3 million in 2010

A few Securities and Exchange Commission forms filed this week show that Apple executives gave shares of Apple stock to various charities ...

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iPhone 101: Where did I put that app?

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="1" height="295" hspace="4" src="http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2004/iphone101findyourapps23.jpg" vspace="4" width="400" /></div><br /> Once you have a fair number of apps on your iOS device, you might find that you occasionally "lose" an app somewhere in the pages and/or folders of your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Handily, there's a trick for locating that app using iTunes. I consider myself a seasoned iTunes/iPhone user, and this simple little tip was a surprise to me. It might be to you, too!<br /> <br /> Connect your device to your computer and let it show up under "Devices" in iTunes. Select the device and click on the "Apps" tab of the info panel. You'll see a list of all of your apps on the left, and a rendering of your device's screens (pages) on the right. All you need to do is double-click an app on the left to see exactly what page it's on, and in what folder, if you've organized that way.<br /> <br /> <strike>Now, if only Apple hadn't removed the search field on the apps list. I've accumulated a decent app library, and scrolling that list is a <i>pain</i>, but at least I'll be able to find the apps <i>on</i> my device now.</strike> As commenters & colleagues have pointed out -- and as we've mentioned before -- the iTunes-wide search field at the top right of the window now serves double duty as a search tool for applications that you've bought/downloaded. Sorry for the misdirection!<br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://www.tuaw.com/tag/iphone101">Source</a>

iPhone 101: Where did I put that app?

Once you have a fair number of apps on your iOS device, you might find that you occasionally "lose" an app somewhere in the pages...

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Four Little Critter interactive childrens books hit iOS

<img align="right" alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/6611/critterdw1230103584999.jpg" vspace="8" /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercer_Mayer">Mercer Mayer</a> has been writing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Critter">Little Critter</a> books since the grown-up children were sleeping in cribs. My kids loved the series and had me read it to them hundreds of times Little Critter is a hedgehog-looking animal who very small children can easily relate to as he goes about his simple adventures. Each of the over 200 books featuring Little Critter tells a very simple story providing positive reinforcement for very small kids who sometimes need to be told how competent and good they are, even if they sometimes get things wrong. All the books are whimsically illustrated and quite funny in a gentle and child-like manner. These are very simple books without any hard words and are very appropriate for little ones starting at about one year old. Each of them sells for US $1.99 and are universal apps working well on all iOS devices, but of course looking better on the larger screen of an iPad.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://oceanhousemedia.com/">Oceanhouse Media</a> has released four of the series so far, and I'm sure as time goes by many more will show up. They all use the Oceanhouse engine that has become a standard in the industry. As in all the OM books, there are three options. AutoPlay is for the smallest of children. Each page is read as the built-in animation zooms now and then to highlight what's important on the page. The pages turn automatically as the sound effects play and each word, as it's read, is highlighted. Read To Me provides a bit of autonomy since the young reader swipes the pages to turn them and the text is read by a very young sounding voice. Touching the text block will cause it to be read again. Read It Myself deletes the narration until the text block is tapped in case the child has a problem with a a word or two. In all three options, touching an object speaks what it is and the word appears in a colorful animation. If the object appears in the text, the word in the text block is highlighted. This has served OM well for its series of <a href="http://www.oceanhousemedia.com/products/drseuss/">Dr. Seuss</a> and <a href="http://www.oceanhousemedia.com/products/zonderkidz/">Berenstain Bear</a> books among others, and is just as appropriate for Little Critter.<br /> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/all-by-myself/id404676605?mt=8">Source</a>

Four Little Critter interactive childrens books hit iOS

Mercer Mayer has been writing Little Critter books since the grown-up children were sleeping in cribs. My kids loved the series and had me...

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MacBook Pro appears on Amazon's 2010 bestseller list

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/150/macbookpro3512373.jpg" vspace="8" /></div><br /> The iPhone and the iPad both made eBay's "top-shopped" list for the year, but neither of those devices are sold on Amazon, so they weren't to be found on the big online retailer's <a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1511357&highlight">annual list of bestselling items</a>. The Kindle was, of course -- it's Amazon's own e-reader, and it was both the bestselling and most wished-for item on the site in the Electronics category.<br /> <br /> But while Apple's iOS devices didn't make the list, there was one major Apple item that did. In the Computers category, the MacBook Pro with the 13.3" screen scored as both the bestselling and most wished-for item. Apple's excellent laptop appears to be the computer of choice for Amazon shoppers. The only other specifically Mac item on the list was the Mac/Windows version of Photoshop, which was the most gifted item in the software category (Microsoft Office was the bestselling item in that category).<br /> <br /> One smartphone did make the bestselling list, and it was the Samsung Captivate Android phone (again, probably only because the iPhone isn't for sale on Amazon.com). Some of the other items on the list are funny, too -- who knew so many people needed Donut Shop K-Cups? For work coffee, you think?<br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1511357&highlight">Source</a>

MacBook Pro appears on Amazon's 2010 bestseller list

The iPhone and the iPad both made eBay's "top-shopped" list for the year, but neither of those devices are sold on Amazon, so...

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In Depth: The school that gives every student an iPad

<P align=center><img src="http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/5273/mac228showfeatipadclass.jpg"></P><br /><P>Fraser Speirs is talking about changes caused by his school's radical shift in technology deployment. </P><br /><P>Every pupil at Cedars School of Excellence, in Greenock, Scotland, is now armed with an iPad, creating an environment a world away from the typical 'computer room', and providing the potential for seamless integration of technology and traditional teaching. </P><br /><P>The iPad project arose from day-to-day demands within the school. As Head of Computing, a dozen iMacs were fixed in Fraser's classroom, and a dozen MacBooks were available for booking; but with teachers increasingly wanting to provide pupils with web access, pressure and demand grew. </P><br /><P>"In January 2010, we started looking for answers," recalls Fraser. The school couldn't afford enough laptops to make a meaningful difference, but the iPod touch was considered, since internet access was a big factor. "We realised the iPod touch was cheap enough to give one to everybody," says Fraser, "but teachers had issues with what it couldn't do." </P><br /><P>At the time, the iPod touch couldn't output to a projector nor connect to a mechanical keyboard, but the school nonetheless continued forming its plans. And then the iPad arrived. </P><br /><P>Fraser says Apple's tablet dealt with every problem the school had with the iPod touch: it boasted a decent software keyboard and projector connection, and Apple made office apps available for sale. On importing his own iPad from the US, Fraser was sold: </P><br /><P>"On the first day, it ran and ran. I couldn't make the battery die, and I realised this alone would transform the technology experience in the classroom." </P><br /><P>With many of the school's teachers being iPhone owners, few needed convincing. A leasing arrangement with the local Apple Store soon saw dozens of iPads winging their way to Greenock. (Fraser notes that leasing was done through the Glasgow Apple Store's business team, and isn't a special school lease.) </P><br /><P>Even teachers who weren't confident with technology and didn't see a place for their laptops in school started bringing their iPads with them every day, and everyone found different ways for Apple's tablet to enhance their classes. Ultimately, this is driven by the blank-slate aspect of the iPad. </P><br /><P>"This is a device we bought, but it's not just a textbook or an instrument, or a set of art tools – it's all of those things and more," says Fraser, adding that one teacher's putting together a band, purely comprising children playing iPad apps. </P><br /><P align=center><img alt="iPad 1" src="http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/5273/mac228showfeatipadclass.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>"The thing is, to do this we're not adding anything to the classroom – it's just more software on the devices." When the discussion turns to specific use-scenarios for the iPad, it's clear Apple's 'there's an app for that' approach could revolutionise the classroom. For infants, the school uses the likes of wood-puzzle-style apps to develop motor skills, abc PocketPhonics for tracing letters, and Math Bingo (which Fraser calls a "sensational hit") for basic maths. </P><br /><P>Elsewhere, older pupils are immersed in iBooks, which replaces the class's paper books with eBooks, and Keynote for presentations. And with any child aged 10 or older allowed to take their iPad home, homework is sent and received via email; this enables teachers to set more flexible tasks in sensible chunks, eliminates most excuses and has reduced the amount of incomplete homework.</P><br /><P>Interestingly, many apps are also being used in new and innovative ways. For example, Fraser says Numbers is employed in situations where people may not have reached for a spreadsheet before, such as to create formulae for testing expected output in programming classes, or for capturing live information about experiments as they progress. </P><br /><P>The nature of the App Store helps, providing countless specialised apps that can be used to teach a particular aspect of a course. In his computing class, Fraser has utilised the game Binary Madness HD, which has you convert random decimal numbers to binary as quickly as possible: "It's not something I use every day, but small apps like this reinforce specific parts of learning." </P><br /><P>He rightly adds this is something that you rarely find on other platforms: "No-one would write a Mac app like Binary Madness HD, but on iOS it seems to be the kind of thing developers find interesting – creating simple apps for only 59p." </P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad for all </STRONG></P><br /><P>The benefit of the school's 'iPad for all' philosophy is particularly evident in art. Brushes is popular, as are quirkier apps such as TypeDrawing (where you fingerpaint with letters); most importantly, though, instead of replacing traditional media, the iPad has given pupils newfound confidence in all areas of art. </P><br /><P>"The iPad is not a substitute for existing media, and it requires artistic skill to master, but in some ways it more effectively helps pupils develop confidence in their abilities and enthusiasm to try," asserts art teacher Jenny Oakley. She says a combination of immediacy, security (due to 'undo') and usability means pupils "do not have to overcome the hindrance of learning to manipulate another tool – rather, they use one they've developed dexterity in since birth". </P><br /><P>With this newfound confidence, pupils are more willing to try, which Oakley says is "half the battle". The iPad also provides assistance regarding experimentation – pupils can use filters and effects to visualise how something would look in a different medium and then use real-world tools to mimic what they see on the screen.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The move to digital </STRONG></P><br /><P>While it's clear Cedars School of Excellence has integrated iPads into the learning environment, critics remain concerned; they claim the school's pupils are being denied access to technology that would supposedly prepare them for the real world and that 'everything' is being replaced by electronic content. Such inaccurate statements annoy Fraser: </P><br /><P>"In reality, we're sometimes using the iPad exclusively and sometimes not. Truth be told, I'd like to move to the iPad more, but we're constrained by resources – some textbooks aren't available electronically, for example. Anyone against such iPad use should bear in mind that society itself is in the process of replacing everything with electronic content – it's happened with CDs, and Amazon and Apple are doing the same with books." </P><br /><P align=center><img alt="iPad 2" src="http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/5273/mac228showfeatipadclass.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>Fraser adds that a child starting school today won't leave until 2023, by which point, who knows what technology will be commonplace? His thoughts are the same regarding anyone who says children should solely work on Windows PCs – instead, he argues that they should use whatever tools enable them to best learn: "The iPad beats a PC because it removes that whole layer of 'we're doing computers now', and you end up with 'we're doing maths' or 'we're doing music'." </P><br /><P>The iPad also eliminates some of the menial aspects of schooling: "In traditional teaching, you spend time learning how to write a sum properly, how to lay out a jotter, how to lay out text on a page. You must do that before you can express thoughts and ideas. But with an iPad, open Pages and you can immediately start writing an essay or play." </P><br /><P>This is why even if a Mac OS X tablet arrived, Fraser wouldn't switch, and he thinks the same regarding the recent slew of iPad wannabes. "There's something about the iPad's size that's just right – make it a 7-inch widescreen and the keyboard would be tiny, but the iPad's screen enables you to have a good-sized keyboard and see your content. Also, the form factor enables you to have a long-lasting battery," he says. </P><br /><P>And while iPad competitors brag about hardware, Fraser says that's irrelevant: "As good as the iPad's hardware is, it's the software that makes the device interesting in education – and I'm not just referring to big brands, but to small apps as well." </P><br /><P><STRONG>User focus </STRONG></P><br /><P>The reality of using a platform that focuses on what you can do with it rather than what's under the hood has resulted in focused pupils. Fraser says teachers throughout the school are finding that pupils now just get on with tasks, "because they have some way of working that's not just 'write it down on a piece of paper' – schooling has become more flexible and therefore more engaging and interesting."</P><br /><P align=center><img alt="iPad 3" src="http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/5273/mac228showfeatipadclass.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>Fraser nonetheless admits that the speed of adoption and the 'invisible' nature of the technology has surprised him: "We didn't think the iPad would become embedded quite so quickly. Already, it's a problem if a child forgets their iPad – in fact, on the day of the interview, one pupil did just that and convinced his mother to drive his device to the school. </P><br /><P>"It's funny, because we'd had this idea about disciplining a child by taking away their iPad, but doing that would break someone's school day, because we now operate under the assumption that digital technology is as available as paper!" </P><br /><P>Fraser adds that it's also crucial to consider the technology 'everyday' and not 'special'. "For example, it's important to not use the iPad as a reward. Technology is the way we do business – it's how we teach. It's not a reward for doing traditional education well." </P><br /><P>Although using an iPad is simple, setting up the school's system was anything but for Fraser, and limitations in Apple's ecosystem soon became apparent. </P><br /><P>The school currently has an Xserve providing user-login services to iMacs and notebooks, and Fraser's "beloved" iMac suite was dismantled, to enable each classroom to house an iMac. Each morning, pupils log in to accounts to sync their iPads with their class's iMac. </P><br /><P>Secondary pupils each have their own library, enabling a certain amount of customisation (such as podcast subscriptions); in primary, every iPad is synchronised to the same account.</P><br /><P>In terms of app purchase and deployment, Fraser buys apps on his computer and copies them elsewhere via Home Sharing. "This doesn't do updates, so teachers have to press 'update all' on some iPads each day," says Fraser. And due to the lack of app volume purchasing in the UK, the system requires a certain amount of jumping through hoops, in order to ensure developers get their fair share.</P><br /><P>"No iTunes account can buy an app more than once, and it would take too long to create an account for each pupil. Also, no-one under 13 can have an account, unless it's set up by a parent or guardian," explains Fraser. </P><br /><P>His devised workaround is the use of 'gifts' apps to dummy email accounts at the school, which are not accessed, so the right number of apps is always purchased; nonetheless, it's clear Fraser is hopeful when he says "there are better times ahead" regarding this part of the project. </P><br /><P><STRONG>The downside </STRONG></P><br /><P>Elsewhere, problems exist. Due to leasing iPads from the Apple Store, faulty units are replaced with ease, and on-site spares ensure pupils end up with just 30 minutes of downtime while their content is synced to a replacement. (Fraser discloses the iPads have so far proven durable, and the only two major faults have been down to commonplace screen failures.) </P><br /><P>Even the thorny issue of funding never became a block. The school funds the iPads out of its general budget, and with it being an independent school, Fraser says the portion from fees that goes towards iPads is "a mathematically provable trivial fraction"; furthermore, savings made elsewhere (less printing, mostly sleeping iMacs, fewer book replacements) are already starting to offset the relatively small iPad leasing fees. </P><br /><P align=center><img alt="iPad 4" src="http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5273/mac228showfeatipadclass.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>Whether there's a wider future for the iPad in the classroom remains to be seen. Fraser thinks many aspects of his project are scalable, to state schools as well as independents, but local authorities and a lack of administration tools are likely to be stumbling blocks. </P><br /><P>He notes that "magic money" (from election years or companies looking for favours from councils) often pays for school technology, but computers end up being mothballed when there's no funding for a refresh. Also, money disappears into systems that teachers don't ask for, such as interactive whiteboards. Therefore, it's "policy that usually dictates whether something is 'possible', rather than the benefits, drawbacks and limitations of a system". </P><br /><P>On administration tools, Fraser says Apple needs to devise something for schools with larger classes (Fraser's school has classes with as few as a dozen pupils, rather than the UK average of 25), particularly regarding remote inspection facilities: </P><br /><P>"With a small class, I can walk around and see what everyone's doing, but that would be hard with twice as many pupils." He'd like to see Apple-enabled iPad administration and access through Apple Remote Desktop, for pulling browser histories over the air, updating apps, locking devices and capturing screens, but without a system administrator having to pay for enterprise-grade infrastructure.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Time to relax </STRONG></P><br /><P>On the software side, at least, things are better; Fraser says he's having the quietest time he's ever experienced as the 'IT guy' at school, despite having multiplied by five the number of deployed devices he's responsible for. </P><br /><P>Next he's keen to assist teachers who are less confident about using iPads by figuring out how and why some teachers are speeding ahead and helping everyone get to the same level. "I'm trying to move on the pupils' minds too – in class, someone will ask if they can go online to find something. I'll say of course – as long as it's relevant, use whatever you want." </P><br /><P>Perhaps it will be a while before everyone's fully comfortable with iPads in the classroom, but then Fraser says that's hardly surprising, given that classrooms worldwide remain largely traditional, and technology is usually prescriptive: </P><br /><P>"We've done something that's not often tried – we brought in technology and didn't tell people how to use it". Instead of thinking of the iPad as a digital textbook, it's become a research and creativity tool across all subjects; because of this, minds are being expanded and experiences broadened, not restricted. Once, the school focused on iWork, iLife and Safari, but now pupils access dozens of varied apps. </P><br /><P>"Apple pundit John Gruber once described the iPad as an app console, and I think he's right. It's something for doing work on or playing games – but it's not a generalised platform," says Fraser as the interview concludes. </P><br /><P>"That's good for me, because I want kids to learn – I don't want them to work through the computer stuff just to get to the learning." We think that should be enough to silence his critics.</P>

In Depth: The school that gives every student an iPad

Fraser Speirs is talking about changes caused by his school's radical shift in technology deployment. Every pupil at Cedars School of Ex...

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Paul Allen re-files lawsuit against Google, Facebook and Apple

<P align=center><img src="http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6460/honeycombmedia200200.jpg"></P><br /><P>Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has re-filed a more detailed version of a lawsuit originally filed earlier in 2010, claiming that several high-profile tech firms are guilty of patent infringement – including Google, Facebook and Apple.</P><br /><P>Allen's Interval Licensing, the patent arm of Interval Research, filed the revised patent infringement lawsuit against these big-hitting tech giants this week.</P><br /><P>The US district court told Allen's lawyers that Interval had until December 28 to refile the lawsuit, which is exactly what they have done.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Patently hopping mad</STRONG></P><br /><P>The new lawsuit includes numerous screengrabs of websites and services that Interval claim shows infringement on its patents.</P><br /><P>The lawsuit accuses Apple, Facebook, eBay, Netflix, AOL, Yahoo!, Office Depot, OfficeMax, YouTube and Staples of infringing on four patents held by Interval Licensing that relate to e-commerce and online search functions. </P><br /><P>FOSS Patents' <a href="http://fosspatents.blogspot.com/2010/12/paul-allens-interval-licensing-refiles.html">analysis of the patent complaint</A> by notes that Google's Android operating system – and its notification system for texts, Google Voice messages, emails and other alerts "to a user of a mobile device in an unobtrusive manner that occupies the peripheral attention of the user" – is directly under fire from Allen's lawsuit.</P><br /><P>"If any of those infringement assertions against Android [are] true, this can spell trouble for makers of Android-based devices, and for Android application developers," notes FOSS Patent's Florian Mueller. </P><br /><P>"Patent holders can choose to sue Google, device makers, application developers, users, or any combination of the foregoing options." </P><br /><P>Expect to hear a lot more on developments in Paul Allen's patent infringement lawsuit against Facebook, Apple, Google, and others as this particular tech patent drama plays itself out in court in the coming weeks.</P>

Paul Allen re-files lawsuit against Google, Facebook and Apple

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has re-filed a more detailed version of a lawsuit originally filed earlier in 2010, claiming that several hi...

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Tutorial: How to set up a Windows 7 HomeGroup

<P align=center><img src="http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg"></P> <br /><P>HomeGroup is a feature exclusive to Windows 7. </P><br /><P><br /><P>It enables you to easily share music, photos, documents and even printers between different switched-on PCs on your home network without having to spend time configuring each system – you set up the HomeGroup using one PC, then join it using other machines on your network. </P><br /><P>It's a really useful system and is so simple to get going – just follow my step-by-step guide below. </P><br /><P>The great thing about HomeGroup is that you can share as much or as little as you want, and I'll also show you how to do that later in the tutorial. </P><br /><P>You can only create a HomeGroup in the Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate Editions of Windows 7, but you can join one with any version. </P><br /><P><STRONG>1. Find the HomeGroup settings </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 1" src="http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>You can get to your HomeGroup settings various ways, including searching for HomeGroup in the Start menu, but I've gone to Control Panel and under Network and Internet I've selected Choose HomeGroup and sharing options. By the way, you can only be connected to one HomeGroup at any one time. </P><br /><P><STRONG>2. Create your HomeGroup </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 2" src="http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>As you can see from the screenshot above, there's currently no HomeGroup set up on our system. This window just gives you a little bit of blurb about what a HomeGroup is, so you can safely click through it by selecting Create HomeGroup at the bottom of the screen.</P><br /><P><STRONG>3. Choose which files </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 3" src="http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>The wizard now asks you which libraries you wish to share. You can be more precise about included files and folders at a later stage, but this is just a general set-up step. Sharing printers means you'll be able to print from one machine using the printer on another computer. </P><br /><P><STRONG>4. Leave it out </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 4" src="http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>If in doubt, feel free to leave a library out – you'll be able to add it easily at a later stage. Here I've decided that I actually don't want to share my music and videos, but that I do want to share my documents so that I can access them from other machines on the network. </P><br /><P><STRONG>5. Start sharing </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 5" src="http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>Click Next and your HomeGroup is created – this may take a while depending on the speed of your PC. If you're worried about sharing your files, remember that only computers you allow (and that are running on your home network) can access your files. Click Next again when the process has finished. </P><br /><P><STRONG>6. Your password </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 6" src="http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>You now see this screen, with an automatically generated password. You need this password for other computers to join your HomeGroup. This is no substitute for password-protecting your wireless network – your router should be secure, too. Write down or print your password using the link. Click Finish. </P><br /><P><STRONG>7. The nerve centre </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 7" src="http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>Now you're presented with this screen, which is the nerve centre of all your HomeGroup settings. As you can see, you can alter the libraries that you're sharing as well as view or print the HomeGroup password, should you have forgotten it. You can access the troubleshooter from here, too. </P><br /><P><STRONG>8. Change settings </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 8" src="http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>I've changed my mind and decided that I want to share my music as well. Check the box next to the library in question, then click Save changes. My HomeGroup is now fully set up on my first machine and so next I'll explain how you can connect up another machine to the HomeGroup. </P><br /><P><STRONG>9. Connecting another machine </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 9" src="http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>Now I'm on a second PC – my laptop downstairs. It's connected to the same wireless network as my first PC. Once again, go to your HomeGroup settings in Control Panel. You can see that the machine has detected there is already a HomeGroup on the network, created by my first machine. Click Join now. </P><br /><P><STRONG>10. Which libraries? </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 10" src="http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>As with my first computer, my laptop is now asked which libraries I want it to share with other machines. This time I've asked it to share all the media on this computer but none of the documents – I don't really store too many files on my laptop. Now click Next. </P><br /><P><STRONG>11. Enter the password </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 11" src="http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>Now you're asked for the password that you saw on your first computer. Remember that if you've forgotten it, you can return to your first computer to view it or to print it out. The password is case-sensitive, so you have to type it carefully. Once that's done, click Next. </P><br /><P><STRONG>12. You're connected! </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 12" src="http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>This screen means you're connected to the HomeGroup – it really is that simple to share your media and documents, and you'll be connected to the HomeGroup every time you start your Windows 7 PC. I'll just click Finish and I'm done. Now repeat the process on any other Windows 7 PCs you want to connect up. </P><br /><P><STRONG>13. Indexing libraries </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 13" src="http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>This screen means Windows 7 is still indexing your libraries ahead of sharing them – I just leave it alone for a few minutes. If you connect to a different network using your HomeGroup machine, this same screen displays "The HomeGroup is not available because you're not connected to the home network." </P><br /><P><STRONG>14. Leaving a HomeGroup </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 14" src="http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>If you really want to leave a HomeGroup, it's just as easy as joining one. In your HomeGroup settings (under Control Panel > Network and Internet), click Leave the HomeGroup. You then see this screen of options, which is basically checking that you do want to leave. Click Leave the HomeGroup again. </P><br /><P><STRONG>15. Share or exclude files and folders </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 15" src="http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5800/owv51annohomegroupimage.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>I want to exclude some folders from being shared. Navigate to the file or folder you want to exclude, and select it. In the toolbar, click Share with, then click Nobody. Should you want to include other folders, select them and choose either HomeGroup (Read) or HomeGroup (Read/Write) from this menu.</P><br /><P><STRONG>16. And that's it! </STRONG></P><br /><P align=center><img alt="step 16" src="http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/2594/owv51annohomegroupimagev.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>You now have a fully-functioning HomeGroup. If you encounter any problems, there's a HomeGroup troubleshooter to ease your pain, available on the main HomeGroup settings page within Control Panel > Network and Internet. Click Start the HomeGroup troubleshooter.</P>

Tutorial: How to set up a Windows 7 HomeGroup

HomeGroup is a feature exclusive to Windows 7. It enables you to easily share music, photos, documents and even printers between different ...

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CES 2011: LG to show off Honeycomb tablet at CES

<P align=center><img src="http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1781/lglogo200200.jpg"></P><br /><P>LG will launch a new Android tablet at CES 2011 according to Korean sources, as it attempts to keep up with neighbours Samsung.</P><br /><P>The Korea Times is reporting that the new tablet will be a 8.9-inch offering and will be running <a href="">Honeycomb/Android 3.0</A>.</P><br /><P>The paper is citing 'industry sources' for the leak, which would be impressive given we've heard very little of the new tablet for a while now.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The time is now</STRONG></P><br /><P>LG announced it would bring an Android 2.2 tablet in time for Christmas back in July, <a href="">but it seems the company is waiting for a more tablet-friendly OS</A> to drop before it releases its first tablet.</P><br /><P>The company is apparently also going to show off auto-stereoscopic 3D mobile displays as well at the show which would allow even those moving at fast pace to watch 3D video - namely drivers looking at 3D-enabled billboards.</P><br /><P>We've already seen the Motorola Everest running the next-gen Android interface, and that looks set to be debuted at CES 2011 too - so if LG and possibly Samsung step up as well, it could be a slate-filled Vegas trip for TechRadar this year.</P>

CES 2011: LG to show off Honeycomb tablet at CES

LG will launch a new Android tablet at CES 2011 according to Korean sources, as it attempts to keep up with neighbours Samsung. The Korea Ti...

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New Intel Solid State Drive 310 is smallest yet

<P align=center><img src="http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/9525/intel20ssd20310200200.jpg"></P><br /><P>Intel has just released its latest solid state drive, boasting a considerably smaller form factor than past SSDs. </P><br /><P>Intel's Solid State Drive 310 Series offers similar performance to the popular X25M SSD but is around an eighth of the size.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Embedded apps and dual-boot notebooks</STRONG></P><br /><P>Intel sees customers using this new SSD 310 Series for things like embedded apps (small, autonomous computers), as well as flagging a whole range of potential industrial and military uses. </P><br /><P>As far as consumer tech goes, Lenovo has already selected this new SSD, with Tom Butler, director of ThinkPad product marketing noting:</P><br /><P>"The Intel SSD 310 series will allow us to provide the advantages of a full-performance Intel SSD paired with the storage of a hard disk drive in a small, dual-drive system." </P><br /><P>A dual-drive system will allow you to put all your system and apps on the SDD for fast boot and launch times, while also keeping your main files and data on the cheaper and 'old fashioned' 2.5-inch hard drives.</P><br /><P>The SSD 310 series also matches the X18/25-M series' <a href="http://www.interfacebus.com/Engineering_Dictionary_MTBF.html">MTBF</A> of 1.2 million hours and operating shock of 1,500G/0.5ms </P><br /><P>The SSD 310 series is now shipping to manufacturing customers at a cost of $99 for 40GB and $179 for 80GB (though that's based on a minimum order of 1000).</P>

New Intel Solid State Drive 310 is smallest yet

Intel has just released its latest solid state drive, boasting a considerably smaller form factor than past SSDs. Intel's Solid State Dr...

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Hacking team demos permanent PS3 jailbreak

<P align=center><img src="http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7080/failoverflow200200.jpg"></P><br /><P>A hacking team has been demonstrating a technique that will crack the PlayStation 3's loader at the recent Chaos Communication Congress event in Berlin.</P><br /><P>The latest PS3 hack claims to give users complete control over their console, something that is bound to cause some ire amongst Sony Computer Entertainment's security specialists. </P><br /><P>The team of hackers also demonstrated how they had got around Sony's PS3 security systems, to allow the hacking community to sign their own code.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Hack, crack and sack</STRONG></P><br /><P>What all of this means is that Sony's current v3.55 firmware is now highly vulnerable. Plus, more importantly, it is going to be very difficult for Sony's security folk to make a permanent fix to these exploits.</P><br /><P>The hackers promised the Chaos Communication Congress crowd that they will release the tools to take advantage of their PS3 crack next month. </P><br /><P>Somebody, somewhere at Sony no doubt just received a rather harsh email from their superiors ordering them to get to work on fixing this…</P><br /><P></PARAM><PARAM value="true" name="allowFullScreen"></PARAM><PARAM value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"></PARAM><EMBED src=http://www.youtube.com/v/HEFMAP0mTvY&hl=en&fs=1 width=420 height=315 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"> </EMBED></OBJECT><br /><P align=left>Via <a href="http://twitter.com/fail0verflow">http://twitter.com/fail0verflow</A></P>

Hacking team demos permanent PS3 jailbreak

A hacking team has been demonstrating a technique that will crack the PlayStation 3's loader at the recent Chaos Communication Congress ...

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Review: Denon AVR-2311

<P align=center><img src="http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3962/hcc190denon231102200200.jpg"></P><br /><P>Coming to the ring in its all-black livery is Denon's latest middleweight contender, the AVR-2311. The latest in a long line of Denon champions, this model is more an evolution of the heavy-hitting 2310 than a revolution in its own right. </P><br /><P>That said, the predecessor had a lot going for it, including a fast-paced and exciting sound, plus a feature list that had much of the competition whimpering in their respective corners. </P><br /><P>At the heart of the AVR-2311 you get the same core processing chipset and power-house amplification offering a very respectable 135W into 6O, on paper at least. It is fully kitted out with the latest HD audio decoding, and promises 1080p images from almost any source. </P><br /><P>The changes, tweaks and upgrades of last year's model are subtle, but bring the design more up to date. The HDMI in and outs are now v1.4a specification, although the choice of six inputs and a single output on the 2311 would have been better configured five/two in my opinion. They offer Audio Return Channel from your TV should you want to amplify Jeremy Kyle in the morning and are 3DTV compatible for switching. </P><br /><P>The new video scaling engine is based around Anchor Bay's fourth-generation chipset with its proprietary Precision Deinterlacing and its five-field motion-adaptive processing. It's not ABT's top-spec chipset, but it certainly packs in most of the good stuff. </P><br /><P>The back panel is comprehensively equipped making the 2311 a natural step up from the rather frugal 1911 for those with plenty of sources. The multichannel output suite is equipped with twin sub outputs and, with Dolby Pro-Logic IIz on board, there is a spare set of speaker terminals for front height channels. </P><br /><P>It is a 7-channel amplifier, however, so you have to choose between rear-back or height speakers – a subject that invariably starts a bun fight in the HCC office. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Four go missing </STRONG></P><br /><P>On the missing list are four important connections, however. The first is that the MM phono input has gone from the previous model, which is no big thing. More seriously, there are no multichannel inputs for those of us who still own multichannel SACD players; there's only a single USB terminal on the front panel and not hide nor hair of an Ethernet connection. </P><br /><P>On a machine costing this much, I would have thought the latter was damn near mandatory these days, not only for internet radio, streaming, and NAS-based media, but also for firmware updates.</P><br /><P>In a comeback that would have George Foreman nodding sympathetically, though, the front USB input can be connected to an iPod or iPhone digitally. Most docks or USB-based Apple connectors allow the phone or player to convert the digital files to analogue music (through arguably the worst DACs in the world – thanks Apple) before going to your amp. </P><br /><P>The AVR2311 interrogates the inner working of the device and streams a PCM digital signal from the device to its onboard decoders. Load up your iPod with high-bitrate or lossless music and you've got yourself a very fine high-end music server. </P><br /><P>Cosmetically, the AVR-2311 is about a six out of 10. Not ugly but quite plain and, like many sixes, looks a whole lot better after a bottle of Rioja. </P><br /><P>I was no great fan of the last generation's flip-over remote control either, with its buttons on both sides, so I welcome the return of a single-sided remote. Interestingly, the device's bottom two buttons are labelled Party and Sleep. Now that is my sort of gadget. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Stuck in the middle </STRONG></P><br /><P>Powered up, the Denon's GUI also scores about six out of 10. It is much advanced from some of the old black text menu systems, but equally it falls shy of the beauty of the brand's full phat picture GUIs. </P><br /><P>It comprises menus with some colour and a couple of line drawings, basically. However, it is easy enough to navigate without referring to the manual and it offers Audyssey auto-set up with a mic supplied. The end of the setup asks you if you want to default to Audyssey Dynamic Volume and/or Dynamic EQ before saving the setup, then away you go. </P><br /><P>The Audyssey MultEQ room EQ system defaults to 'on' and did a reasonable job of balancing my room on the first run.</P><br /><P>While experimenting with a full-range speaker system with no subs during this test, I dived into the manual EQ settings. I was pleasantly surprised to find you could copy over the measured Audyssey curves and then tweak each band on each channel from that point: very useful and very flexible indeed. </P><br /><P>Likewise, I take my hat off to Denon for including a reasonably comprehensive video adjust menu, if you want to add a little more punch to your picture. </P><br /><P>Sound quality is another area upgraded over the old 2310, and HCC got an inside track on the fact that this model was tuned and benchmarked by a pair of UK born and bred ears. In fact, said ears explained some of the finer points of the new model over lunch when the review sample arrived. </P><br /><P>And it doesn't take long to hear the differences: the opening sequence of <EM>Star Trek</EM> (2009) blistered into the room with speed and detail aplenty. A heady mix of big bass effects and upper frequencies with real sparkle make the 2311 an amp that wows from the outset. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Spectacular delivery </STRONG></P><br /><P>As Captain George Kirk (Snr) ploughs the USS Kelvin into Nero's fearsome mining ship, while his wife gives birth in an escape shuttle, the Denon doesn't hold back in delivering both the action and the emotion of the scene. It is a full-on thrill ride charged with poignancy and, as the ships collide and the scene cuts to a view from space, the silence is crushing. </P><br /><P>The effect was only a little dampened by a fairly obvious digital 'clicking' sound through the speakers as you raise and lower the volume. This was a feature of some of the earliest AVRs to implement DSP based digital volume controls. I am surprised Denon let this one slip through, although once you have set the volume for film watching you are not going to hear it, of course. </P><br /><P>The dialogue through <EM>Star Trek</EM> is quite intense, particularly some of the scenes in the Vulcan academy with its ambient, lofty halls. The Denon crafts the open space with plenty of scale and a good sense of height even in 5.1 mode. Footsteps echo on hard floors with a realistic tone and small details such as rustling clothes are delivered in detail. </P><br /><P>When Spock's father walks down the corridor and sits beside his young son in detention after a fight, you can feel every bit of the cool atmosphere. If anything, the AVR-2311 sounds just a little too clinical with this fine detailing, etching them in the room to perfection, yet falling just a little shy of the natural smoothness required to make them truly believable. </P><br /><P>Despite that, it certainly steps up the sonic pace from its predecessor and is a frisky performer that will thrill with big blockbuster action movies. Its articulate balance is more detailed and energetic than the bigger, weightier sound of Denons of old, but I am not sure I wholly dig the shift, personally. </P><br /><P>Add to this the, frankly, odd lack of networking features, and I find the AVR-2311 a little wanting despite it being a better overall machine than the muchloved, old AVR-2310. I'm confused.</P>

Review: Denon AVR-2311

Coming to the ring in its all-black livery is Denon's latest middleweight contender, the AVR-2311. The latest in a long line of Denon ch...

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Channel Tunnel to get mobile coverage by 2012 Olympics?

<P align=center><img src="http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/5391/highblurrytubetunnel200.jpg"></P><br /><P>Plans are afoot to bring mobile phone connectivity for passengers travelling on the Channel Tunnel in time for the 2012 London Olympics.</P><br /><P>The four British networks, Vodafone O2, Everything Everywhere (Orange and T-Mobile) and Three are ready to join forces with their counterparts in France to share the costs of the £20m project.</P><br /><P>According to a report in today's Daily Telegraph, the plan is to lay out the full 31.4-mile route from Dover to Calais to enable passengers to use their phones throughout the journey.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Ofcom gives go-ahead</STRONG></P><br /><P>The Telegraph report says that Ofcom is ready give the plan the go-ahead, with French telecoms infrastructure company signed-up to install the tech.</P><br /><P>London is also testing Wi-Fi on the Tube, with Mayor Boris Johnson keen to make the whole city a wireless hotspot in time for the games in less than two years.</P>

Channel Tunnel to get mobile coverage by 2012 Olympics?

Plans are afoot to bring mobile phone connectivity for passengers travelling on the Channel Tunnel in time for the 2012 London Olympics. The...

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Rumour: £200 Nintendo 3DS out on 18th March

<P align=center><img src="http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/9054/3dsblue200200.jpg"></P><br /><P>British retailers have claimed that the new Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming console will be released in the UK on 18 March next year.</P><br /><P>Nintendo is, as would be expected, not commenting on the rumours.</P><br /><P>However, as we prepare for the press events in Amsterdam and New York later next month, when we expect to get hands-on time with a number of the launch titles (see full list below this news), one UK retailer has already started taking pre-orders for Nintendo's new console.</P><br /><P><STRONG>£195 3DS pre-orders being taken</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.gamegears.co.uk/ds-dsi-c7/ds-dsi-consoles-c47/nintendo-nintendo-3ds-console-black-p2572">GameGears</A> allows users to "register" their interest and is listing the Nintendo 3DS as having an RRP of £199.99 with the e-tailer teasing with a £5 pre-order discount, offering the 3DS to Brits at a price of £194.99</P><br /><P>The console will be available in red, blue and black and GameGears promises free delivery.</P><br /><P>Japanese gamers will be the first to get their hands on 3DS versions of some of the launch titles next week, at Nintendo World 2011, which takes place January 8-10 in a convention center near Tokyo.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Nintendo World 2011</STRONG></P><br /><P>A total of 32 3DS games will be on display. </P><br /><P>One thing that we do know for sure is that the Nintendo 3DS will launch on February 26 in Japan for 25,000 yen. </P><br /><P>This list of games in itself is almost worth a trip to Tokyo for the hardcore Nintendophile. You can see more at the official <a href="http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/nw2011/list/index.html">Nintendo World 2011</A> website.</P><br /><P>The full list of titles is shown below (with playable demos in <STRONG>bold</STRONG>):<BR>* indicates working titles</P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D "The Naked Sample"</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Pro Evolution 3DSoccer</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Street Fighter IV 3D Edition</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Resident Evil Revelations</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Dynasty Warriors Chronicle</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Dead or Alive Dimensions</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Ridge Racer 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Nintendogs + cats</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Kid Icarus: Uprising</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Steel Diver</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Pilotwings Resort</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>AR Games</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Nintendo 3DS Camera</STRONG></P><br /><P>· Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D</P><br /><P>· Super Monkey Ball 3D</P><br /><P>· Kingdom Hearts 3D*</P><br /><P>· Gundam The 3D Battle</P><br /><P>· Tales of the Abyss</P><br /><P>· One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP</P><br /><P>· Cubic Ninja*</P><br /><P>· Puzzle Bobble 3D</P><br /><P>· Pro Baseball Family Stadium 2011</P><br /><P>· Animal Resort*</P><br /><P>· Xevious</P><br /><P>· 3D Bijin Tokei*</P><br /><P>· Starfox 64 3D</P><br /><P>· Paper Mario*</P><br /><P>· Animal Crossing*</P><br /><P>· Mario Kart*</P><br /><P>· Surechigai ("passerby") Mii Hiroba</P>

Rumour: £200 Nintendo 3DS out on 18th March

British retailers have claimed that the new Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming console will be released in the UK on 18 March next year. Nintendo ...

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LucidLogix virtualization tech enables AMD and NVIDIA GPUs to play together with Sandy Bridge

<img align="right" alt="" border="1" hspace="4" src="http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9225/lucidchip5202650.jpg" vspace="16" />It's <i>baaack</i>. We've gone well over half a year without hearing a peep from black magic makers LucidLogix, but here on the doorstep of CES 2011, the company has resurfaced just in time to ride on the coattails of Intel's forthcoming Sandy Bridge platform. Sandy is expected to take over CES when companies start to introduce new PCs in just a few days, and thanks to Lucid's virtualization software, we wouldn't be surprised if a few are served with NVIDIA and AMD GPUs. This here technology enables the two to play nice, making the outlandish fantasy of using a multi-GPU, multi-vendor setup a reality. DirectX 11 is also supported, with the only real requirement being to "connect the display screen directly to the motherboard's Sandy Bridge display output." We'll be taking a closer look at the peacemaker once we land in Vegas, but for now, go ahead and prepare yourself for a beta version of 'Virtu' -- it'll hit at some point next month.<br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/lucidlogix-virtualization-tech-enables-amd-and-nvidia-gpus-to-pl/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>

LucidLogix virtualization tech enables AMD and NVIDIA GPUs to play together with Sandy Bridge

It's baaack . We've gone well over half a year without hearing a peep from black magic makers LucidLogix, but here on the doorstep o...

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Santech can't wait for CES, lists a bunch of Sandy Bridge CPUs on new N67 laptop

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" hspace="4" src="http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7113/10x12308b435santech5150.jpg" vspace="4" width="400" /></div><br /> Man, who needs to go to CES anymore? Intel's frailly maintained secrecy around Sandy Bridge processor identities has been blown to smithereens today by Italian systems integrator Santech. The company lists a now familiar Core i7-2630QM (quad-core, 2GHz) alongside an i7-2720QM (2.2GHz), an i7-2820QM (2.3GHz), and an i7-2920XM (2.5GHz), confirming once and for all that Intel has completely lost its mind when it comes to naming chips. Other specs include up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM, up to 750GB of magnetic storage or 160GB of the solid state stuff, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, and a 15.6-inch display that can be either glossy or matte, with a resolution of either 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080, depending on your preference and budget. Deliveries are said to start on January 27th and prices range between €1,200 ($1,577) and €3,000 ($3,943).<br /> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/santech-cant-wait-for-ces-lists-a-bunch-of-sandy-bridge-cpus-o/"></a><br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/santech-cant-wait-for-ces-lists-a-bunch-of-sandy-bridge-cpus-o/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>

Santech can't wait for CES, lists a bunch of Sandy Bridge CPUs on new N67 laptop

Man, who needs to go to CES anymore? Intel's frailly maintained secrecy around Sandy Bridge processor identities has been blown to smit...

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ASUS EP121, EP102, EP101, and EP71 tablets get diagramed in latest teaser

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="1" height="266" hspace="4" src="http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8637/10x12308b35fgfb5108797.jpg" vspace="4" width="400" /></div><br /> Haven't had enough CES titillation yet? Good. ASUS has apparently been up to some mischief overnight in uploading and then pulling a new version of its teaser video from a week ago, though this time it also included explicit product names attached to some quite informative diagrams. It looks to be the full family of upcoming CES tablets, with the EP121 touting stylus input and a wireless keyboard, the EP102 showing that there will indeed be a slider in ASUS' Pad family, and the EP101 looking like, well, a laptop. There's also a media-centric EP71, whose proportions make it seem likely to be a sort of oversized PMP. Skip past the break for a closer look at them all and don't forget to grace our comments with your theory as to why ASUS feels compelled to have such a segmented product offering.<br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/asus-ep121-ep102-ep101-and-ep71-tablets-get-diagramed-in-late/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>

ASUS EP121, EP102, EP101, and EP71 tablets get diagramed in latest teaser

Haven't had enough CES titillation yet? Good. ASUS has apparently been up to some mischief overnight in uploading and then pulling a ne...

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HTC Scribe turns up in US trademark filings, could be a tablet

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="74" hspace="4" src="http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1048/htcscribetrademark50347.jpg" vspace="4" width="400" /></div><br /> It's an open secret at this point that HTC is almost certainly working on one or more tablets for introduction in 2011 -- and with heavyweights like Samsung, Motorola, and LG all playing the game (or <i>about</i> to play the game), really, how could they not? <i>PocketNow</i> has unearthed a very fresh trademark filing with the US PTO -- filed this past Sunday -- for "HTC Scribe," described as a "handheld wireless device, namely, a tablet computer." Doesn't get much more definitive than that. Of course, companies file for marks that they don't ultimately end up using all the time -- from their perspective, it's better to shoot first and ask questions later -- so it's not a slam dunk, but when you think about it, Scribe could actually be an awesome name for a little Honeycomb tablet. Only question is, are we going to see this stuff next week at CES or in February at MWC?<br /> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/htc-scribe-turns-up-in-us-trademark-filings-could-be-a-tablet/"></a><br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/htc-scribe-turns-up-in-us-trademark-filings-could-be-a-tablet/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>

HTC Scribe turns up in US trademark filings, could be a tablet

It's an open secret at this point that HTC is almost certainly working on one or more tablets for introduction in 2011 -- and with heav...

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HTC Media Link DLNA streamer review

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="1" height="266" hspace="4" src="http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/300/htcmedialinkreviewhtcme.jpg" vspace="4" width="400" /></div><br /> Apple's AirPlay might be getting all the attention lately but it's hardly the first solution for wirelessly streaming media to the television. Far from it. In 2003, the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) formed with its first set of interoperable products hitting the market in 2004. Since then, the alliance has certified thousands of products supported by more than 245 member companies, 29 of whom are listed as "promoter members" including such heavyweights as Sony, Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba, Verizon, AT&T Lab, LG, Qualcomm, Cisco, Microsoft, Panasonic, Intel, HP, and Motorola. Pretty much everyone <i>but</i> Apple. Recently, HTC joined the DLNA ranks with the introduction of two smartphones -- the Desire Z and Desire HD -- and a tiny media streamer known as the HTC Media Link, HTC's first attempt to gain a foothold in the living room. Over the last week we've been testing the Desire Z (a Eurofied T-Mobile G2) with the Media Link, lazily streaming video, music, and images around the house using a myriad of sources and controllers from Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and Western Digital. How did it perform? Click through to find out.<br /> <br /> <div><b>Gallery: HTC Media Link</b><br /> <img alt="" src="http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/5253/htcmedialinkreviewdsc62.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/5253/htcmedialinkreviewdsc62.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5253/htcmedialinkreviewdsc62.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/5253/htcmedialinkreviewdsc62.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5253/htcmedialinkreviewdsc62.jpg" title="" /></div><h6></h6><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/htc-media-link-dlna-streamer-review/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>

HTC Media Link DLNA streamer review

Apple's AirPlay might be getting all the attention lately but it's hardly the first solution for wirelessly streaming media to the ...

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