Walking Across America

Incredible time-lapse video of Mike walking across America... A fantastic journey you can now watch in less than two minutes thanks to time lapse magic.

Definitely worth watching!

Parrot AR.Drone Pre-Orders Available

Remember the amazing AR.Drone da Parrot which turns your iPhone into a real flight controller?

After some delays, here it is at last. Pre-orders for the AR.Dron have started, and you'll be able to get your own for $299.



The AR.Drone should start shipment next September 3rd.

MyMeasures & Dimensions for iPhone

Here's an iPhone that should come in handy.

With this MyMeasures & Dimensions from SIS Software you can quiclkly and easily annotate photos with dimensions and measurements.

I can't tell you how useful this App has proven to be, to me... a regular homeowner who just likes to tinker a bit with home lighting (LEDs of course) and such; so, just imagine how much more useful it will be to anyone using it professionaly. :)

Sure, it would be nice if the App automatically calculated the dimensions given the scale and perspective... maybe even based on real-time video processing! But, who knows... maybe a in a future update. :)

The following video shows how simple it is to use...
You can add any number of dimensional and angular measurements, and notes as well, all with just a couple of taps and touches. It really is very easy to use and you'll be mastering it like a pro in no time.



Of course, you can use it for much more stuff other than "home-dimensions":

A truly useful App I highly recommend for every iPhone/iPod user out there.

iPad USB Typewriter

For the most nostalgic among you, here's something you'll definitely love: the USB Typewriter!

Available in complete form or in kit, this allows you to bring your old typewrite skills back to life and hear its characteristic sound once again-
You can use it with any computer with an USB port... and even with an iPad, turning it into a virtual piece of paper.



Não sei porquê... mas assim de repente fiquei com uma vontade de "metralhar" numa destas velhas máquinas... Alguém tem uma para oferecer? :)

iPhone Generations Speed Test

When you look at the new iPhone 4 you can't stop but feel amazed to what an amazing device it is. But... how do you fare older generations stack up compared to it?

Update: we now have a boot test including every iPhone up to the newest iPhone 5.

That what you're about to find out in the following video that puts every iPhone generation (2G, 3G, 3GS and 4G) side by side.



[via Appadvice]

iPad "Holographic" 3D Projection

Sure, it's not a real hologram, but this "3D" projection system using an iPad is quite simple and achieves... somewhat interesting results.

Basically, they're using an iPad to project different images on the sides of a transparent pyramid (using a special film), and as each side is showing a different image... it creates the illusion of a 3D object inside.

The effect is not as good as some other systems we've seen in the past... But it's also a lot simpler and - certainly - cheaper.


N-3D DEMO from aircord on Vimeo.

BlindType for iPhone

After being amazed with Swype on the Galaxy S, I have to admit this BlindType makes me feel puzzled by its ability to write... even without a keyboard!

I know it sound weird... You need to watch the following video to truly appreciate it.

I hope it get to the App Store fast, though it's real usefulness will always be severely limited because you'll only be able to use it in its own app and not on a system-wide basis.
(But that's why I suspect it won't take long for us to see it coming to the Android platform. ;)

Panda USB Vaccine

As you're probably aware, virus and malware are a growing concern for many users.
You're using your computer just like on any other day... and then suddenly you notice weird popups and warning bugging you every few seconds.
Surprised, you start backtracking your actions... what did you do that might have caused this to happen?

... and then you realize... all you did was use a USB pen from a friend a while back...

Yes... in some cases that's all it takes. In its eagerness to make thing "easy" for users, Windows automatically executes some special files whenever you insert a new media device like a USB pen... and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that's one of the preferred methods for virus and malware to spread around like wildfire.


But here's a nice small (and free) tool that can help you with that: Panda USB Vaccine.

This util makes your USB Pens resistant to this type of attack, by creating a special - and safe- autorun file that can't be modified or deleted. Meaning... nothing else can use it for nefarious intent.

Sure, even though malware can't use the autorunfile doesn't mean you can't have other files on the pen infected - that's why you'll still need to use a up-to-date anti-virus program. But at least, it will help prevent it from spreading around using this autorun method.

iPhone 4 Augmented Reality with Gyroscope

When it was announced the iPhone 4 would have a gyroscope, improving its motion detection accuracy, I immediately thought that would come in handy for augmented reality applications.

Well, here it is: Acrossair, an augmented reality browser running on an iPhone using the new gyroscope, side by side with a iPhone 3GS using only the digital compass and accelerometers.

Flipboard for iPad

Looks like we have a revolutionary social-networking app arriving: Flipboard for iPad.

Basically, this Apps aggregates and analyzes you Twitter and Facebook social network and streams, and presents you the most interesting content in a very easy (and interactive) way.

I can't wait to try out out, but until then, check the following videos:

Gaming at 300 APM

If you thing you're pretty good at games like Starcraft and Warcraft, tell me how many actions can you perform per minute?

If you'd say you can performa 1 per second, I'd already be impressed... But... after seeing this video, I'm not to keen on playing my pre-ordered Starcraft 2 with anyone but my trusted (and slow) old friends.

Because, as you'll be able to see, pro players can go beyond 300 APM! That's over 5 actions per second... non-stops! It's completely... unblievable! o_O

These guys will soon need a high-speed camera to be able to capture how fast they're playing.

Samsung Galaxy S Review

Well, just to share with you guys what I've being doing in my Portuguese Blog - sorry for not having much time to create long articles in english, but I've been swamped with lots of reviews lately.

But,this one I had to share with you! The amazing Samsung Galaxy S, the best Android device around at the moment!

For the full review of the Galaxy S you can head to my portuguese blog, and hopefully Google translate should kick in and allow you to (barely) understand what I had to say.

But here are the highlights

Samsung Galaxy S

Top of the class hardware:

• CPU ARM Cortex A8 1GHz processor
• 8 GB/16GB internal Flash, 512 MB RAM, 2GB "App space" (plus microSD up to 32GB)
• Super AMOLED 4" (480x800) screen with capacitive multitouch touchscreen
• GPRS Class 12 (4+1/3+2/2+3/1+4 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
• EDGE Class 12
• 3G HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps
• WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n; DLNA
• Bluetooth v3.0, A2DP
• USB v2.0 microUSB
• 5 MP Camera, 2592 x 1944 pixels, autofocus (geo tagging, face and smile detection, accelerometer panorama assist mode, etc.)
• HD Video 720p@30fps
• VGA front facing camera
• Android 2.1 (Eclair)
• Dimensions: 122.4 x 64.2 x 9.9 mm
• Weight: 119 g
  
• Li-Po battery 1500 mAh
• Stand-by up to 750h (2G) / up to 576h (3G)
• Talk time up to 13h30 min (2G) / up to 6h30 min (3G)

others:

• TouchWiz 3.0 UI
• Multi-touch
• Accelerometer
• Digital compass
• Proximity sensor
• Swype text input
• 3.5 mm audio jack

LED Flash is missing... which is a shame in such a "have-it-all" device.


Build Quality

Besides its sheer size, the Galaxy S impresses by its clean look and amazing thinness and lightness. The first time you hold it in your hand you'll be amazed.
That small hump in the back is also cleverly designed and placed, and helps holding it in a comfortable way.


Super AMOLED screen

From the first time you boot the Galaxy S the screen is the most impressive feature that will mesmerize you from the moment it lights up. Amazing color, incredible contrast, with deep blacks like you've never seen.

Sure, it has that dreaded pentile pixel pattern, but... you won't notice it that much:

As for the viewing angles... I think it's safe to say... what viewing angles!?!

In use

The Galaxy S comes with the TouchWiz interface from Samsung, but it's simple enough for any Android user to feel right at home. Those who don't like it will quickly dismiss it and install any other launcher anyway - that's the beauty with Android.
As for the speed, as you'll be able to see in the following videos... there's not much waiting involved when using this Galaxy S.



It also comes with the Swype keyboard as standard... and I loved it (you can see it in action in the video above)!


Photos

The Galaxy S comes with a great photo App, from smile detection to accelerometer based panorama assist, you'll love how it handles photos... though you might miss the LED flash.




Photos and Video

Here's photo and video HD 720p recorded by the Galaxy S (it was done under adverse sunset conditions, but it should give you an idea).

Live Wallpapers

Just to show off to friends and such. :)




Last Words

When I first reviewed the HTC Desire I wasn't entirely convinced it would be enough to make me let go of my trusted iPhone. Well... the Samsung Galaxy S finally seems to do it: this is the first Android device I would seriously consider as a full time replacement for my iPhone.

Sure, there are things that should be taken care of (but that holds true for all devices out there) but considering it's cheaper than the iPhone 4, and all it has to offer, this Samsung packs a mean punch and is highy recommended for all!

Here it is next to some low cost Androids I had for review: Vodafone 845 and Optimus Boston:

And here it is next to some more well known contenders: a Nexus One and the HTC Magic.