iPhone translator; cases

In brief: One website provides a talking iPhone phrasebook, another heavily discounts iPod cases, Micronet releases a new clustering switch, and a space simulator makes a few changes. Coolgorilla and the travel site lastminute.com have developed the iPhone Translator, a website which provides a quick audio phrasebook for travellers. Users pick one of five languages (French, German, Italian, Portugese and Spanish), then filter through categories to hear phrases on topics such as food, shopping and emergencies. The words are both spelled out on-screen and read aloud by native speakers. Greek phrases are promised to be coming soon.

iPod case discounts

The vendor usbfever.com is currently holding a Summer Sale, with sharp price cuts on its generic iPod cases. Silicone cases for fourth- and fifth-generation full-size iPods, as well as second-gen nanos and shuffles, are currently on sale for as little as $3 with shipping; "featured" cases are $4. The cases normally sell for $10 to $13, prices that will return on August 15th.

New EoVDSL clustering switch

Enterprise customers may be interested in the SP3508A, an EoVDSL clustering switch by Micronet. The unit groups eight VDSL lines into two gigabit Ethernet links, and provides symmetrical bandwidth of 5, 15 or 25Mbps over telephone-grade wiring to distance between a quarter or full mile. It is compatible with ANSI, ETSI and ITU standards, and has a POTS/ISDN splitter to allow voice service.

A-OK! updates, drops price

The space simulator A-OK! The Wings of Mercury, which attempts to model NASA's early Mercury flights, has undergone several recent changes. While the new v3.8 release fixes a number of bugs, the most significants changes include a new owner -- Apogee Development -- and a reduction in the software's price, now at $40. A forum has also opened up so that astronauts can discuss the sim in detail.

by MacNN Staff