Marware, SwitchEasy launch new iPhone 3G, iPod nano cases

SwitchEasy and Marware have released new protective cases for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, as well as Apple’s latest iPod nano 5G. Cubes by SwitchEasy features a duotone silicone design somewhat resembling a checker-board style, and offers tears resistant material that protects against scratches, scrapes or bumps. It is made for the iPod nano 5G and comes with additional guards to help protect the devices click-wheel, screen, and 30-pin connector. Cubes is currently available in Black, Red, Blue, Pink, and Yellow colors.

iPhone GPS apps: Aha for traffic, CoPilot for directions

Both Aha Mobile and ALK Technologies have released new updates to their GPS-enabled apps for the iPhone. The Aha traffic and destination-finder app allows users to see the current traffic flow and travel time of roads, while delivering tools for locating nearby rest stops or coffee shops. With the latest 1.2 update users have the ability to speak into their iPhone and broadcast voice tweets to nearby drivers, as well as post the Aha Shouts automatically to either Twitter or FaceBook.

XtraLean announces DataLore file-sharing app for Mac

XtraLean has announced its latest file searching and sharing tool, DataLore, that utilizes both Spotlight and Bonjour technology. The app enables users to access and browse a variety of content both on their own computer and other systems connected to a network. It uses search-as-you-type technology, along with filters that allow users to search by file types. DataLore also comes with customizable search features, enabling specific folders to be selected or deselected when trying to find an item.

Best Buy gets exclusive sales deal for Nokia Booklet 3G

Best Buy has announced that it will be the exclusive retail distributor of Nokia's upcoming Booklet 3G. Both companies have yet to disclose pricing or an official launch date. Along with Best Buy, customers alternatively will be able to pick up the device directly from Nokia.

Steve Jobs rises to #43 amongst Forbes 400 Richest Americans

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has risen to the 43rd spot amongst Forbes 400 Richest Americans. The iconic chief previously held the 61st position with an estimated net worth of approximately $5.7 billion. Forbes describes Jobs as the "cultish king of the iGeeks," while mentioning the persistent rumors of an Apple tablet device.

mSpot offers full-length movies for iPhone, more

mSpot has launched its latest mobile service, enabling users to rent full-length movies directly from their iPhone or other handset. Content is streamed directly to the device, eliminating the need to wait for downloads or sync to a computer. The company currently has agreements with Paramount Studios and Universal Studios, although more partners will be added later in the year.

Fujifilm Real 3D W1 arrives in US

Fujifilm has finally released its Real 3D W1 point-and-shoot camera in the North American market, following initial availability limited to Japan. The camera integrates two pairs of sensors and lenses, enabling stereoscopic still captures and video recording. Users can also take still pictures at 10-megapixel resolution, while 3X optical zoom is available for both 2D and 3D images.

Nikon D3s likely to launch October 15

Nikon should upgrade its full pro DSLR with the D3s in less than a month based on clues left by itself and outsiders. A French copy of the company's itinerary (PDF) for the Paris Expo on October 15th refers to the launch of a "nouveau reflex Expert produit Nikon," or a new pro DSLR product. The date coincides with reports of a D3s appearing at the same date and is unlikely to be a recap of the semi-pro D300s and amateur D3000.

Rumored RAZR sequel reemerges as V13

The rumored RAZR sequel, initially referred to as Ruby, has reemerged with the name Motorola V13. Reports late last year suggested the company decided to drop the entire project. However the device was recently approved by the Bluetooth SIG, likely indicating Motorola has continued to push forward with the Ruby.

NVIDIA previews next-gen "Fermi" GPU design

NVIDIA this evening provided an early look at the next generation of its graphics processors. Nicknamed Fermi, the architecture for future GeForce, Quadro and Tesla chipsets will jump from 240 cores to a much larger 512 and should be much faster in each core courtesy of some industry-first techniques. Fermi chips will be the first GPUs to have a real cache hierarchy, with Level 1 caches to keep specific information on hand and a single, shared Level 2 cache for larger tasks; they will also have a new GigaThread engine that can transfer data in both directions at once and handle "thousands" of tasks at once.

Sprint to match Verizon's $200 HTC Touch Pro2 price [U]

(Update with clarification of plans) Sprint is expected to drop the price of its HTC Touch Pro2 handset tomorrow to $200, according to a PPCGeeks member's talk with a Sprint representative. The $150 drop would match the $200 price the handset is being offered for at Verizon. The price is also after a mail-in rebate and after a two-year contract. The news comes from a PPCGeeks forum board user, who claims the news comes from a Sprint representative.

Monster adds details to Heartbeats for US

Monster Cable late this afternoon provided greater details of its Lady Gaga-influenced Heartbeats in-ear headphones. The fashion-oriented audio will come in three models for the US and will sell only through Best Buy. They start with a model that goes without an in-line mic/remote combo. It should ship in black, all-chrome and rose/silver colors and will officially sell for $120 on October 18th, though Best Buy already lists them for $100.

Greenpeace lauds Apple, HP in new electronics rankings

Activist group Greenpeace has released a new edition of its Guide to Greener Electronics, which ranks major high-tech corporations in terms of their alleged environmental friendliness. Among the companies favored by Greenpeace's press efforts is Apple, which the group notes recently disclosed its carbon emissions. Apple has risen in rankings from 11th to 9th, aided not by the disclosure but by being the "most progressive" computer maker in terms of removing product toxins.

Sierra intros five new AirCard 3G data modems

Sierra Wireless has added five new AirCard 3G data modems to its lineup, including the AirCard 503, AirCard USB 308/309 and AirCard USB 301/302. The 503, 309 and 308 all support high-speed HSPA+ networks, allowing for peak download speeds of 21Mbps. The 503 has a two-in-one design that fits both PC card and ExpressCard slots. The AirCard 503 supports quad-band regular HSPA (850/900/1900/2100MHz) bands.

Base Mac mini shipping dates slip

Rumors of an immiment Apple desktop refresh were bolstered today by the addition of a delay to shipping times for the base Mac mini. Apple's online stores in the US and in Canada now show the entry $599 model shipping in one to three business days instead of its usual 24 hours. The high-end model has the same shipping time, however.

HTC Leo shows up in O2 catalog as HD2

The HTC Leo has shown up in UK wireless provider's upcoming catalogue, revealing it will be officially called HD2, at least in Europe. The phone is the first Windows Mobile device to use a capacitive touchscreen and multi-touch input, and is due for a release at O2 sometime in mid or late October. The catalog photo shows a standard Windows Mobile 6.5 interface as opposed to the expected TouchFLO 3D from HTC, though it's unclear if this is just O2's particular choice of image or an indication that its HD2 will go without TouchFLO.

Pioneer intros industry's first 12x Blu-ray disc writer

Pioneer on Wednesday announced the release of the industry's first 12x Blu-ray disc recorder, the BDR-205. The internal optical drive is capable of recording to blank single- and dual-layer Blu-ray media at the top speed, eclipsing the 8X ceiling of previous drives. The BDR-205 also has the ability to record data onto blank DVDs and CDs, at up to 16x and 40x speeds, respectively.

Intel Classmate PC facing mass cancellations?

Orders for Intel's Classmate PC have been canceled and shipments suspended from governments and OEM partners in many emerging markets, Taiwan-based component makers said. According to a Wednesday DigiTimes report, this is due to the economic downturn and the buyers in question reassigning their budgets to fight its impact. As well, the necessary network infrastructure rollout needed to provide content for the educational PC in developing countries has slowed for the same reason.

iPhone usurps Symbian as most popular phone OS online

Apple's iPhone OS has successfully overtaken Symbian for the lead in all mobile web traffic, according to the latest data from AdMob. The combined iPhone and iPod touch share has jumped from 33 percent in February to 40 percent in August. Symbian, meanwhile, has almost exactly traded positions with Apple and fell from 43 percent near the start of the year to 34 percent in August.

PowerbookMedic launches new DualDrives for MacBooks

PowerbookMedic has launched a new line of DualDrive options, said to double the internal storage capacities of Mac notebooks. A DualDrive is user-installed in place of a Mac's optical drive, allowing a second hard drive to be connected. As a tradeoff, owners lose internal CD/DVD functions.

New Chumby drops padding, adds radio

Chumby will add a new gadget to its range, with the Chumby one, which will be a clock radio. The all-purpose device adds both a regular FM radio tuner, and will bring in Pandora Internet radio as well as access to other Internet radio stations. As with the original Chumby device, userscan install widgets that include Google Calendar, weather, Facebook and nearly 1,500 others.

MacPractice upgrades, optimizes iPhone Interface 2.0

MacPractice has released an upgrade for its iPhone framework, iPhone Interface 2.0. The code allows doctors who also have the MacPractice desktop software (MD, DDS, DC or 20/20) to remotely connect to an office database for schedule access, patient records, appointment histories, prescription histories and alerts. It supports VPN access for keeping records secure.

AT&T picks up TerreStar Genus satellite phone

AT&T on Wednesday announced it has partnered with TerreStar Networks to offer the Genus, a rare dual-mode cellular and satellite smartphone. The Windows Mobile-based, keyboard-equipped handset uses AT&T's 3G and GSM/EDGE phone networks most of the time but can tap into the satellite for a connection in remote areas where no cellular coverage is available, such as offshore or in the wilderness. Its 2.6-inch display is touch-capable, while Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi are all built-in.

Jabra intros dual-mic Cruiser speakerphone

Jabra has announced the release of a new Bluetooth 2.1 speakerphone for use in cars, with its Cruiser. The new speakerphone is one of the first to use dual microphones to eliminate background noise and cancel out echos. The device is also capable of reading out contact names as they call in, or phone numbers if they aren't saved in the address book. This voice guides users through the pairing process, announces battery and connection status, and helps during the initial pairing and any subsequent links.

HDRtist 1.0 generates high dynamic range images

Ohanaware has released HDRtist 1.0, a tool for creating high dynamic range images. Users drag and drop photos with different exposures into the software, after which the app combines them into a single image that blends the best details. HDR allows photos to display a larger range of shadow and highlight detail than a normal camera can capture.

iPhone, Android, Pre trump others in satisfaction

Modern touchscreen phones like the iPhone, Android devices and the Palm Pre are proving to be much more enjoyable to use than conventional smartphones -- at times in spite of their networks, according to a CFI study. About 83 percent of US iPhone owners are satisfied with their phones while the other two touch-first platforms, Google's Android and Palm's webOS, are close with 77 percent each. In comparison, 73 percent of BlackBerry owners can say the same while those using Palm Treos of different varieties claimed 70 percent satisfaction.

e-on promises 64-bit Cocoa versions of Vue 8

Several beta, 64-bit Cocoa versions of Vue 8 should be released by early 2010, says developer e-on. Vue is used to generate and render realistic 3D environments, and is primarily divided into Infinite and xStream editions. Both should be updated to v8 in the fourth quarter of 2009, but only as 32-bit applications, limiting their top-end performance. Some multiprocessor improvements are said to be possible when using Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

Kenaxis 3.1 adds freeze and sound stretch tools

Kenaxis Creative has released v3.1 of its flagship audio performance application, Kenaxis. The software is used manipulate sound, creating loops that can be played and recorded over. The latest version offers the ability to freeze and time stretch sounds. The update also adds OSC compatibility and a FFT Phase Vocoder that allows users to better utilize interactive and sonic output.

Apple tech claims 30 percent drop rate for NYC iPhone calls

Nearly a third of all iPhone calls made in the New York City area are dropped, according to a Genius Bar technician at Apple's SoHo retail store. A person who recently brought his iPhone 3G to the outlet says he complained of being repeatedly disconnected, thinking the issue was related to faulty hardware. On testing, the Genius is noted to have discovered that over 22 percent of the phone's calls had been dropped.

Palm cutting staff, overstocking the Pre?

Palm is engaging in a fresh round of job cuts due to disappointing sales of the Pre, according to a pair of assertions made today. One tip has the smartphone creator laying off some staff within the US. Numbers and the particular divisions affected aren't mentioned by CoolSmartphone; the move is only known to be prompted by "restructuring."

Tycoon Games announces Heileen 2 development

Tycoon Games has announced it is beginning development on a sequel to Heileen. The game picks up directly after the end of the first game taking place on a mysterious Caribbean island where Heileen was shipwrecked with her friends. Heileen soon discovers a deck of tarot cards representative of the seven deadly sins and the seven heavenly virtues. The cards have the power to change both her dreams and her reality.

Freeverse intros Eye Glasses, Fairy Trails for iPhone

Freeverse has released two new apps for the iPhone and iPod touch, Eye Glasses and Fairy Trails. Eye Glasses is designed to work with the iPhone 3G or 3GS, and turns the mobile device into a magnifying glass. The app uses the iPhone’s auto-focusing camera to display text or imagery in 2x, 4x, 6x, or 8x magnification. In order to use the feature simple activate the app while holding the mobile phone roughly five inches away from the area that needs to be magnified, the large print will then show up on the iPhone’s display screen for easier viewing.

Ballmer claims gains in Windows marketshare

Windows is regaining some of its marketshare, claims Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "We’re gaining share. Apple is expensive," Ballmer says in a new interview. "And in tough economic environment, people get it. Their [Apple's] model is, by definition, expensive. And we’ve actually held or maybe even gained just a tiny bit of share relative to the Mac in the last 12 months. And it’s not really Snow Leopard. It’s really Windows PCs versus Mac."

IconBurglar 1.2 saves favorite icons in Burglar Bag

BravoBug has released v1.2 of IconBurglar, used to extract application icons in a variety of image file types. The latest version adds a Burglar Bag tool used to save copies of the users favourite icons. The update additionally includes a new search field similar to Mac OS X's Spotlight search. The applications interface has been enhanced and features improved drag and drop support and ICNs support.

SanDisk adds memory cards for PSP Go, DSi

SanDisk on Wednesday announced it has released memory cards meant specifically for portable gaming systems such as Sony's PSP Go and PSP as well as the Nintendo DSi. All significantly boost the storage capacity of said systems, with the PSP Go's capacity doubled by the new 16GB Memory Stick Micro M2 card. There is a 32GB Memory Stick PRO Duo and a Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo of the same capacity for the PSP from Sony, while the DSi gets an 8GB SDHC card.

iHome ships dual-iPhone clock radio

Catering to couples or multi-device owners, iHome this morning said it has started shipping the iP88. The clock radio is the company's first to have two Dock Connectors and can take audio from two iPhones or iPods (one at a time) in addition to charging both. It also more fully exploits the Apple hardware and can wake to a playlist on one of the devices orsync time with an iPhone's clock.

BlackBerry Atlas to be an upgrade to the Curve 8900?

A new BlackBerry handset has shown up in photos on the web recently, thanks to Salomondrin. The screen indicates the model is called an Atlas, but it bears a striking resemblance to the current BlackBerry Curve 8900, including its keyboard, but the back of this new handset has Bold stamped on its backside. The latest from RIM otherwise appears to have the same optical trackpad as the Curve 8520 and the upcoming Bold 9700.

LG intros compact Pop touch phone with solar power

LG chose Wednesday to launch a new starter touchscreen phone as a spiritual successor to the Cookie. The GD510, also known as the Pop, is more upscale but also much more compact with an aluminum shell that's only just slightly wider than the 3-inch 240x400 touchscreen. It still uses the S-Class interface but has just a single button on the front that changes role depending on the context: it can bring up a menu but will also cancel a task or end a call.

BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac due on October 2nd

Canada's Research in Motion has revealed that a long-awaited Mac release of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager will be ready for download on October 2nd, at 1PM Eastern time. The software is mainly a first-party answer to titles like The Missing Sync, and lets users sync data from iCal, Entourage, Address Book and other unspecified programs. It also folds in BlackBerry Media Sync, the component which transfers iTunes playlists.

Apple talking to print for tablet books?

A second and potentially more significant rumor today claims that Apple has been courting publications with the aim of putting text on iTunes for the sake of its upcoming tablet. The iPhone creator has reportedly talked to the New York Times, an unnamed magazine publisher (possibly Conde Nast or similar) and textbook publishers McGraw Hill and Oberlin Press to bring their content formatted for the iTunes Store.

Apple not directly behind Light Peak?

A counter-rumor today claims that stories of Apple creating Light Peak for Intel are false. The unnamed sources for CNET believe that Intel had already been developing the technology and that the semiconductor firm had simply asked Apple for feedback as part of its usual requests for outside input. Apple's specific influence isn't explained, but its tendency to ask for features "nobody else does" helped drive the technology, according to the tips.

DoubleSight reveals new line of Smart USB Monitors

DoubleSight Displays has revealed a new line of display screens, the Smart USB Monitor. Available in either 7-inch, 9-inch, or 9-inch webcam versions, each LCD monitor is designed to work with any desktop or notebook with a USB port and up to as many as six of the displays on one computer. Like most USB displays, it requires no video chipset and works both in landscape and portrait modes. Most apps will work properly, including some Internet and offline videos.

LiveToon plug-in adds cartoon style effects to Final Cut

Noise Industries has announced a new LiveToon plug-in, from its development partner DVShade, designed to increase the visual effects capabilities for Final Cut, Motion and After Effects. The latest plug-in is geared for creating and editing professional-looking cartoon, graphic novel, or sketch effects that can be added to footage. It includes over 10 integrated presets and provides a series of parameters such as posterization, saturation and cartoon edge lines.

QuickBooks for Mac 2010 adds credit processing, payroll

Intuit has unveiled Quickbooks for Mac 2010 with built-in credit card processing, access to the company's new payroll service and several enhancements designed to improve ease of use. Also included is My Time, a new standalone application for time tracking and billing.