Much of the recognition with Siri on the new iPhone 4S is its ability to schedule meetings, set timers and reminders, and come up with some pretty humorous responses to off the wall questions. What hasn’t gotten a lot of press is one of the more powerful tools Siri’s voice-cognition capabilities offers to users of the iPhone 4S. Voice-dictation of emails, notes, and documents has never been easier. I decided to see for myself how well this is implemented with a few of the more frequently used apps on my iPhone 4S.
V-Moda Remix Remote Earphones and Arctic E461-BM Earphones
Companies: V-Moda & Arctic
Websites: V-Moda & Arctic
Price: V-Moda Remix Remote: $79.00 USD / Arctic E461-BM: $31.36 USD
One of the greatest assets to any iOS device is the ability to listen to your favorite music, audiobooks, or your favorite apps. There is nothing more annoying than trying to do so with earphones that simply ruin the experience with their shoddy qualities. Most of us aren’t in the market for expensive earphones that can cost over $200, so what’s out there for those of us who want to find a balance between sound quality and cost? V-Moda and Arctic each have earphones in their lineups that try to reach such a balance. How do they compare?
SuperTooth HD Review
Company: SuperTooth
Price: $129.00 USD
As a commuter with a fairly long drive to work each day, I often find myself in situations where I need to use my iPhone while driving. Aside from the fact that using a cell phone while driving can be dangerous, it is also illegal to do so in New York State. Utilizing a Bluetooth handset and going hands-free is the only safe and legal option for motorists needing to use their cellular devices in my area of the country.
I’m not a big fan of in-ear Bluetooth devices. I find them uncomfortable and distracting, and that’s not a situation I want myself in while driving. The SuperTooth HD speaker phone seems to fix that dilemma with its visor-mounted handsfree system.
Dexim Visible Green Charger
Company: Dexim
Price: $34.90 USD
Charging cables are the most heavily used pieces of equipment that users of iOS devices take completely for granted. How exciting can chargers be, right? Dexim may change that perception with their new Visible Green Charging Cable — a system that is not only cool to use, but is also environmentally friendly.
The Dexim Visible Green Charger is designed to eliminate the “vampire” power draw that accounts for close to 10% of the energy consumption in the U.S. This is electricity that is being drawn from the grid by devices that are simply plugged in but are not being used. Maybe it’s a game console that’s turned off or a battery charging cable that’s simply plugged into a fully-charged device. Either way, there is a needless usage of electricity that not only adds to your monthly electrical bill, but also harms the environment with the extra power that’s forced to be generated.
BodyGuardz Clear Skins & Carbon Fiber Armor
Company: BodyGuardz
Price:
iPad 2 Clear Skin full body protector – $29.95 USD
iPhone 4 Clear Skin – $24.95 USD
I have to admit that I’m a minimalist at heart when it comes to the appearances of my electronic devices. Apple’s designs are simply elegant and I like to show them off. Bulkier cases can sometimes detract from the inherent good looks of these devices, so I’m constantly on the lookout for cases that provide decent protection while staying as thin as possible. Possible solutions I’ve seen include the polymer skins for iPhones that involve a liquid application, but I’ve always been a bit intimidated to apply one to my iPhone. I finally worked up my nerve and gave BodyGuardz a try and I’m glad I did.
Toddy Smart Cloth
Company: Toddy Gear
Price: $9.99 USD (2 or more for free shipping, 3 or more for $5 off)
Apple’s iOS products look sleek and just beg to be handled. Of course we as Apple fans do this, and as anyone who’s ever been to an Apple Store can attest, these products get dirty faster than Steve Balmer breaks into a sweat. As a biology teacher, I always cringe when I pick up an oily, fingerprint-laden handheld product because I know what sorts of microbes live on these devices for up to a month. Todd Gabel thought similarly when he came up with the Toddy Cloth, an antimicrobial screen cleaning cloth for any handheld device or laptop screen.
Otterbox Reflex iPhone 4 Case
Company: Otterbox
Price: $44.95 USD
I’ve never been disappointed with any of Otterbox’s products. It’s well-known among fans of Apple’s iOS platform that the cases Otterbox makes are some of the toughest you can buy. Whenever my iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone is protected in an Otterbox case, I feel much more secure in using my expensive toys. Once again, Otterbox doesn’t fail to impress with the Reflex, the latest addition to its growing line of iPhone cases.
Level8 Backpack & MacBook Protective Sleeve
Company: Level8
Atlas Backpack, 15″ Protective Sleeve
Price: 15″ & 17″ Atlas Backpack – $99.99 USD, 15″ Protective Sleeve – $49.99 USD
As a teacher who carries his MacBook Pro and iPad 2 to school each day, finding a decent laptop bag is a real priority for me. Without a doubt, the readers of this article are fans of Apple’s amazing, yet pricey products. Protecting that investment while maintaining functionality is important for people who want to maximize their productivity. I think I’ve finally found my solution after using Level8′s Atlas Backpack and 15″ Protective Sleeve for the past month. Continue reading »
The HandStand iPad Case
Company: Hub International, LLC
Price: $49.95 USD for all models
There are times when I wish I had another hand when working with my iPad. Let’s face it, it’s pretty tough to multitask while trying to hold onto an electronic device that cost upwards of $500. I have no desire to risk breaking it. Hub International may have the answer to the problem of how to hold your iPad securely while trying to grab a cup of coffee or do other work while holding onto your iPad. The HandStand is an novel idea in iPad cases that becomes an extension of your arm as you work.
Otterbox Latch for the iPad 1
Company: Otterbox
Price: $ 49.95 USD
Otterbox is no slouch in making accessories for iPads, iPhones, and iPods. I’ve been using an Otterbox Defender case on my original iPad ever since I wrote a review about it last summer. It’s an amazing case, so when I saw that Otterbox recently released the Latch, an accessory that adds even further levels of functionality to your Otterbox Defender or Commuter cases, I knew I had to take a look at it for our MyMac.com readers.
Peterson Birds of North America for iPad
Company: Appweavers, Inc.
Website: iTunes
Price: $9.99 USD
I have vivid recollections of browsing through the Peterson Birds of North America book throughout my childhood. My mother and I still watch for rare and unusual birds. As a biology teacher, having access to a detailed and accurate field guide to birds in our area is an absolute must. When I heard about the iPad version of the Peterson book, I knew that I had to take a look at it for our MyMac.com readers.
Sennheiser CX 680i Adidas Sport In-Ear Stereo Headphones
Company: Sennheiser
Price: $79.95-$99.95 USD — depending upon vendor
Ever since my first iPad, I’ve been using Apple’s traditional white earbuds. When I got the opportunity to take a look at Sennheiser’s CX 680i Adidas Sport In-Ear Stereo Headphones, I suddenly realized what I’ve been missing all these years. Priced at around $100, these headphones aren’t Sennheiser’s highest-end headphones, but anything I take a look at is going to sound great compared to the white earbuds I’m accustomed to.
Star Walk for iPad
Company: Vito Technologies
Price: $4.99 USD (iPad), $2.99 USD (iPhone/iPod Touch)
Some of the best apps in the iTunes Store are apps that deal with astronomy. Astronomy is one of those branches of science in which we all tend to take an interest. Just think of how many television series, novels, and movies have been devoted to adventures in outer space. It is natural for us to see apps devoted to this most pervasive and yet enigmatic of scientific disciplines.
Macworld’s Mac Troubleshooting Superguide
Company: Macworld
Price: PDF: $12.95 USD, Printed Book: $19.95 USD, CD-ROM: $12.95 USD
Most of us are well versed in using our Macs and troubleshooting the comparatively few issues that arise from time to time with their use. Every now and then we run into a problem we aren’t quite sure how to approach. For instance, if your printer stops working after an upgrade of your OS, do you zap your parameter RAM or should you try uploading new printer drivers from Apple first? If you’ve tried a number of fixes and just can’t figure out what to do next, the Macworld Mac Troubleshooting Superguide may have the answers you’re looking for.
The Mac Superguide provides tips on everything from installing software and operating system upgrades to solving issues with networks. It’s virtually an A to Z guide to fixing just about every common issue that faces users of the Mac platform.
Solar System for iPad Review
Company: Touch Press
Price: $13.99 USD
I’m nuts about anything that has to do with science. That interest stems from the fact that I’m also an Earth Science teacher and Science Department Chairman at Chenango Valley High School. I spend every working day talking about science to students from every background. To do that, you’d better have a true passion about the subject matter. After having reviewed Touch Press’s app The Elements last year, I was excited to see the release of their latest offering, Solar System for iPad, as the App of the Week on the iTunes App Store. The graphics in Solar System for iPad are just as amazing as they were with The Elements. The 842 MB installation is a testament to the level of detail that Touch Press has put into the application. Installation of the app is lengthy, so much so that I highly recommend that you install by syncing with your computer rather than directly on your iPad via the App Store application.
Continue reading »
Solar System for iPad Review
Company: Touch Press
Price: $13.99 USD
I’m nuts about anything that has to do with science. That interest stems from the fact that I’m also an Earth Science teacher and Science Department Chairman at Chenango Valley High School. I spend every working day talking about science to students from every background. To do that, you’d better have a true passion about the subject matter.
Continue reading »
Review – Elmedia Player Mac Application
Company: Eltima Software
Price: Free ($20 for PRO version)
If you get as tired as I do in trying to figure out which media player you need to use to play back video files of a one codec or another, perhaps Eltima Software’s Elmedia Player is a solution. The Mac community is jam-packed with media players, so you have to ask yourself why you need to spend time looking at yet another one. In my experience with Elmedia Player (I was supplied the PRO version by the developer), I found that it suits nearly all of my video playback requirements in a very iTunes-like interface.
As a science teacher, I’ve often given thought to the idea of writing a book or study guide for one of the various disciplines I teach. Let me say that again — I’ve often thought about it, but have never actually pulled the trigger because organizing such work is daunting. When I recently dove into Scrivener, my whole perspective on writing such a piece has changed.
I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the electric guitar. So, two years ago at the young age of thirty eight I finally decided to give it a try. Mid-life crisis you ask? Maybe, but I’m having a blast! Anyone else who’s worked hard at learning one of their favorite tunes knows the thrill felt when you finally hit that power chord riff or solo perfectly. I remember the feeling well as I was recently rocking out to Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me.” Hey, cut me some slack, I grew up in the eighties!
It’s this new passion for the guitar that made me raise an eyebrow when I first saw IK Multimedia’s new product, the iRig. The iRig is a cable interface that plugs into your iOS device’s headphone jack, allowing you to connect your guitar cable to your iOS device and a set of headphones or speakers. With a separately purchased app, Amplitube, your guitar is now connected to a complete stomp box and recording center.
Got iPads?
In the past, many teachers have brought a laptop of some sort with them to access e-mail, take notes during sessions and access the Internet. For the past several years, the number of people bringing laptops with them to the conference has grown noticeably larger — until this year.
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