After downloading Minecraft Reality for iOS, I channeled Queen's epic song "Bohemian Rhapsody" and asked myself, "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"
Fortunately, the answer to both questions is "yes." The $1.99 app, released yesterday, gives gamers the opportunity to view their Minecraft creations in the real world -- through the lens of augmented reality. … Read more
Leaked from today's 404 episode:
- The confetti at Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was made of confidential police documents.
- NEC is designing a suitcase-size DNA analyzer.
- A pill that calls home once you've taken it.
- CNET Exclusives: 35 percent off Outdoor Technology Bluetooth headphones and wireless gear!
Amazon's Gold Box feature is a catch-all page for the retailer's daily deals, and Cyber Monday gives music lovers the opportunity to grab a pair of the site's best-selling headphones at a seriously generous discount:
The Klipsh Image X10 are an older model, but still well worth the $84.99 price tag (76% off retail). CNET reviewed this one as well as its updated sibling that includes an in-line remote and microphone for calls, but their exceptionally clear and balanced audio response with passive sound isolation and superslim earpieces make a great sidekick to your music player. … Read more
An interesting low-cost gift for your favorite photog, the $24.99 Triggertrap Mobile Dongle lets you use an Android or iOS device as a remote shutter release for digital SLR or advanced compact cameras.
The dongle is compatible with more than 280 cameras, but you'll still need to download and install the iOS or Android app to actually use it. Those apps usually costs $4.99, but starting today the apps are free for the holidays.
That's not a huge savings, but it does mean that if you pick up the Triggertrap Mobile for a gift, the recipient … Read more
Apple may be gearing up to launch the next-generation iTunes 11 software "within the next days," according to a report by MacRumors, citing a German music distribution service.
Germany-based Feiyr emailed artists to submit high-resolution imagery for the music player's new layout, saying Apple will release iTunes 11 in the coming days. "Users have the possibility to view picture and galleries to every artist in iTunes," says the email.
While the email isn't a direct communiqué from Apple, it's possible that Apple is warning music distribution firms and … Read more
Perch is an iOS app, though there isn't an iPad-specific version yet. The idea is you take an iOS device like an iPhone, attach it to your wall, and start up the Perch app. It just hangs out there, waiting for someone to come along.
Perch is always on. It uses facial recognition to identify a person who steps up to it, gives you a countdown, then automatically starts to record. You share your message ("I finally reached Level 60 in World of Warcraft!") and it sends it along to the remote users in your Perch family. Those people can check the message at their leisure and then record and send replies. … Read more
Usually, iPhone docks are pretty interchangeable. A dock charges up your iPhone. Maybe it has some speakers. Maybe it has some other nifty feature that made you want to buy it. But the Lumawake iPhone dock has a whole bunch of nifty features to entice you.
Lumawake is designed as a bedside companion. It has an infrared motion sensor on it that watches you while you sleep, but not in a creepy way. Combined with an app, it tracks your sleep patterns and generates reports from the results.
The sleep-tracking ties in with a Smart Wake function. It determines when you're sleeping lightly near your wake-up time and slowly turns on LEDs to simulate sunrise. If that doesn't work to wake you up, a back-up alarm will sound to roust you from your bed.… Read more
Leaked from today's 404 episode:
- Review & Outlook: Obama's dividend assault.
- Obama win: What it means for your tax bill.
- Lies, damned lies, and Black Friday sales.
- Black Friday: 10 items NOT to buy.
- Follow Aunt Jill on Twitter!… Read more
An iMessage security hole discovered earlier this year has reportedly been patched in iOS 6.
Revealed in February, the bug allowed texts through iMessage to continue to appear even after the phone's account information had been wiped, the SIM card deactivated, or the password changed. This meant that a stolen iPhone could still receive text messages intended for the device's owner.
The Next Web reported that a source with knowledge of the matter said that the issue was resolved in iOS 6 after Apple pushed through several new checks for iMessage. One critical tweak requires users who change … Read more
Between crowded airports, winter delays, and luggage loaded with gifts, holiday travel can be stressful. But with a little planning, you can make your trip a little easier from start to finish. So rather than gathering up a collection of apps that help you book flights, we decided to make a different kind of travel collection.… Read more
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Take the best in technology for a spin with Brian Cooley.
