Take Apple out of your iPhone

Smartphones come  bundled with a selection of software that makes them a functional smartphone right out of the box.  Although functional, some of the bundled apps on the iPhone are a long way from best in class, most notoriously, Apple Maps in iOS 6.  Calendar & Safari only see service on my iPhone when they are called up by Mail.  Check out Calendars+ & the Atomic, Dolphin & Mercury browsers.

Some alternatives to bundled apps are reviewed in the linked article.  Perhaps the most intriguing app mentioned is Fleksy.  It's as close as Apple, being Apple, is ever going to let you come to a replacement keyboard under iOS.  Try typing "apple" as "sookr", (i.e. every letter wrong, 1 key to the right or left) & Fleksy will get it right.  Try the same thing, typing "banana" as "nsmsms".  Don't use it myself, but this app is an amazing feat.

http://www.techhive.com/article/2032894/take-apple-out-of-your-iphone.html / Google Maps Fantastical Mailbox Mail Calendar Evernote Notes  Camera Awesome Clear to do list Tasks  Reminders iOS iPhone iPad iPod device /

Free sample copy of Arc, the new digital magazine from the publishers of New Scientist

Cover of 4th edition
Credit: Arc/ New Scientist

Download PDF version
http://email.newscientist.com/cgi-bin1/DM/t/nCwcM0eMgLE0BcD30rrCx0EI

ePub version
http://email.newscientist.com/cgi-bin1/DM/t/nCwcM0eMgLE0BcD30rrCy0EJ

Check out the blog at:
http://arcfinity.tumblr.com/ / digital magazine /

Turn almost any lamp into a wireless speaker

Credit: Hammacher Schlemmer/ The Gadgeteer

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/04/09/turn-most-any-lamp-into-a-wireless-speaker/ / wireless speaker built-in speakers The Invisible Speaker Hammacher Schlemmer shaded lamp remove harp metal piece that the shade sits on screw lamp’s socket light bulb lightbulb shade longer shade hardware 2.4GHz base station connects connect music source smart phone smartphone player computer television audio component cables wirelessly transmit transmitter transmits music 200 feet away inch 3″ driver 25W amp remote control pair individual base station The Invisible Speaker /

Hybrid owners: still happy after 200K-300K miles (video)

Toyota Prius 1997–2003
Credit: Wikipedia

Despite the naysayers, maintenance costs for hybrids are falling & longevity, including the battery, is spectacular.

A few conversions of numbers quoted in the video:

207,739 miles = 334,323.5 km

40.4 mpg (US) = 48.5 mpg (UK) = 5.8 l/100 km.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1078269_hybrid-owners-still-happy-after-200k-300k-miles

And here's another one:
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1060255_does-the-toyota-prius-hybrid-hold-up-consumer-reports-yes / hybrid battery petrol gas gasoline Toyota Prius miles carbon footprint NiMh nickel metal hydride replace replacement cost dust to rust life cycle imbedded cost embedded miles per gallon litres liters per 100 kilometers kilometres Toyota Prius 1st 2nd first second generation /

The Xfire Safety Light creates a laser-generated bike lane for safer night cycling (video)

Credit: Xfire/ Inhabitat

It doesn't take much thought to realize that riding a bicycle at night is much more dangerous than riding in daylight. A 2009 study quantified the risk at 2 to 5 times. Being visible is the trick. Uniquely, the Xfire Safety Light creates a virtual bike lane.

http://inhabitat.com/xfire-safety-light-lets-you-create-your-own-laser-generated-bike-lane-for-safer-night-cycling/

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix2sNGhXJ2c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRnH1T_sZlY&feature=youtube_gdata_player / dangers riding cycle bike bicycle dark night visibility vision see Xfire Bike Lane Safety Light security battery powered power battery-powered safety light clamps bike frame project projects highly visible red laser images line lines ground on either side simulating instant bike lane that helps alert drivers presence intense laser markers visible over a mile away under headlights streetlights research lights reflectors value night cycling 2009 study researchers Irene Kwan James Mapstone The Cochrane Collaboration Night-time cycling is two to five times more dangerous than cycling in daylight Forty per cent of cyclist fatalities occuring occur during the hours of darkness most important factors collisions kinds is simply late detection of other road users value visibility devices safety lights alert drivers earlier presence of the cyclist shockproof weather-resistant weather resistant polycarbonate attaches bicycle seat post universal bracket included device includes LED flashing taillight extra visibility AAA batteries cells  light burning for 20 hours Xfire bike safety lighting systems /

Walk, or run, to lower heart disease risk: benefits are similar

Running carries risks of back, knee, ankle & other injuries.  If health benefits are similar, the choice seems clear.

http://healthland.time.com/2013/04/05/walk-or-run-to-lower-heart-disease-risk-benefits-are-similar/ / cardiovascular cardio vascular heart rate  loos pressure heart attack stroke risk fitness protective Alzheimer's disease cognitive ability quality of life meditation /

Analysis: Is there a smartwatch in your future? • Updated 00:39 09 April 2013 GMT

Credit: Sony/ Business Insider Australia

Smartwatches may be the next big thing.  Samsung, Apple & Google are claimed to have smartwatches in development.

Most existing smartwatches are essentially Bluetooth connected peripherals of smartphones. At first glance, it's hard to see such a peripheral ever being more than a technophile niche product.  However, smartphone screen sizes are increasing.  Soon to be available, the mainstream Samsung Galaxy S 4 has a 5 inch screen.  Six inches (or even 6.3) is rumoured for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, expected later this year.  Big screens are great for visibility, but make a phone heavier & harder to hold or remove from a pocket or bag.  Perhaps combined with a headset, a Bluetooth connected smartwatch which allowed checking of SMS, email & calendar could overcome the disadvantages of a large screen smartphone.


Google Glass
Credit: Google/ TechRadar

Another possibility is a smartwatch which incorporates microphone & speaker, reducing the need for a separate headset. It's not a watch as we traditionally think of it, but Google Glass could do all of the above with the added advantage that, worn like a pair of "glasses", it is better positioned than a conventional watch to provide mike & speaker.

Just today, I discovered another use of a smartwatch: detecting a phone ring in a noisy environment.  In a not very noisy shopping centre, didn't hear the ring, but felt the vibration of my Pebble smartwatch.  Listened for the ring.  Still couldn't hear it.  Took out the phone & sure enough, it was ringing.  Important call too.

Will iCloud allow Apple to produce a smart watch (iWatch?) with capabilities that other manufacturers can't match?

http://bgr.com/2013/04/04/apple-iwatch-analysis-samsung-410431/?utm_source=hitlist-sb&utm_medium=home

Some existing smartwatches
http://au.businessinsider.com/best-smartwatches-2013-1?op=1#metawatch-strata-1

Also see Evolution of the smartwatch Part 1 & Part 2 / Smartwatch smart watch wrist band Bluetooth link to smartphone phone mobile cell battery charge recharge copy Apple products patent copyright iPhone iPad Android Galaxy rumored rumor rumour MetaWatch Strata Leikr Cookoo Touch Time Sony I'm Apple iWatch analysis: Apple ready to go where Samsung can’t follow /