iPad By Davis: “CASE:Lynk iPhone case with integrated charge and sync cable hits Kickstarter” plus 19 more

CASE:Lynk iPhone case with integrated charge and sync cable hits Kickstarter
Forums: The deal with unlocking, 4S feeling dated and what should have iOS 6 focused on?
Remains of the Day: The thick of it
SlideShark puts PowerPoint in your pocket
iPhone 5 preview: 4-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio, in-cell display
Previewing Apple's Sept. 12 event
Twitter officially unveils more-restrictive API
iMore show live tonight: 9pm EST/6pm PST/2am BST
Ten One design announces Pogo Connect Bluetooth 4.0 pressure-sensitive stylus
New, miniature Dock connector adapters rumored to be Apple-only, $10 a pop
The Week in iOS Accessories: See hear!
Apple, FBI comment on AntiSec hack, say no UDIDs were given or collected
iPad Mini Lust – Latest Renderings Look Good
When the size column matters
Nokia tries to preempt iPhone 5 with amazing Lumia 920 camera, absolutely no launch details
Nuance announces Dragon Dictate 3
FBI denies it was source of leaked Apple device ID data
Quick DE Dawg Update: Back to Himself
Review: MoneyWiz a sleek personal finance Mac app
(Insider) The Macalope Daily: Writing bad

CASE:Lynk iPhone case with integrated charge and sync cable hits Kickstarter

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 02:10 AM PDT

CASE:Lynk iPhone case with integrated charge and sync cable hits Kickstarter The CASE:Lynk has just arrived on Kickstarter and it is basically a case for your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S with the added feature of an integrated sync and charge cable. The CASE:Lynk has been designed for moments when your iPhone is woefully short of battery power and you get the opportunity to plug it in then realize you don't have a cable with you. With the CASE:Lynk you will never have that problem again.

Cases have gone through many transformations and innovations, but we think we've stumbled upon one that's both functional while still retaining an elegant minimalist aesthetic. Apple is known for creating products that are simple, beautiful, and highly functional. We want to continue that approach with CASE:Lynk!

You might think the integrated charging cord built into the back of CASE:Lynk would cause it to be a bulky case. This was one of our major concerns, as well, when designing the product. In order to slim it down, we developed a custom USB connector without the jacket. This allows us to reduce the thickness of the back of our case to only 2.3mm. It is 1mm thick everywhere else, so you get a complete charging and syncing solution without adding bulk to your pocket. These innovations make CASE:Lynk the slimmest charging cord on the market.

The designer already has plans to release a version that will be compatible with the iPhone 5 and its rumored 9 pin dock connector. The CASE:Lynk is certainly a smart way to ensure you always have a sync and charge cable with you whenever you have your iPhone. If you like the idea of the CASE:Lynk, you can become an early adopter with a pledge of $35 which will secure one case complete with sync cable should they make it into production. The CASE:Lynk currently has a couple of pledges amounting to $75 and still has a long way to go before it reaches it funding goal of $125,000; it still has 34 days to go.

What do you think of the Case:Lynk? Do you think it is a good solution for charging on the go?

Source: Kickstarter

Forums: The deal with unlocking, 4S feeling dated and what should have iOS 6 focused on?

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 08:08 PM PDT

From the iMore Forums

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Regular Features

From the Forums

Remains of the Day: The thick of it

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 04:30 PM PDT

The latest spy pictures apparently show a much thinner iPhone, the plot thickens with a possible iPod update, and Apple may thin out competition in the dock-connector adapter market.

SlideShark puts PowerPoint in your pocket

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 04:00 PM PDT

If slide decks are part of your daily routine, you know what a hassle it can be to show them from a laptop. SlideShark lets you show your PowerPoint presentations from your iPhone.

iPhone 5 preview: 4-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio, in-cell display

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 04:12 PM PDT

iPhone 5 preview: 4-inch 16:9 aspect ratio in-cell display

One of the most obvious and important physical changes rumored for the new iPhone is a bigger, 4-inch display with a taller, 16:9 aspect ratio that uses thinner in-cell technology. While the 2010 iPhone 4 saw Apple double the pixel density of the iPhone display from 320x480 to 640x960, the physical size and 3:2 aspect ratio stayed the same. If the iPhone 5 is introduced on September 12 with a bigger 640x1136 screen, as we believe it will, for the first time that Apple will have changed the physical size and aspect ratio of an iPhone display.

Likely due to a desire to differentiate themselves from the iPhone, and the need to fit a much bigger battery into their phones to feed early, power-hungry LTE chips, Apple's competitors began growing their screens to 3.8, 4, 4.3, 4.5, 4.8 and even larger sizes. Some of them are so big compared to the iPhone's traditional 3.5-inch screen that they look like you could hollow them out and use them as a case.

But some people liked the bigger screens. So that led to a choice -- iPhone at 3.5-inches, or a non-iPhone with a bigger screen. And while record amounts of people kept choosing the iPhone, just as many, if not more, started choosing the bigger not-iPhone. By going to a 4-inch screen, Apple gets back some of those people who would have bought the iPhone over the non-iPhone if only the iPhone had a bigger screen. Since 4-inches, especially the way Apple's doing it, isn't radically, un-pockatably bigger than the current iPhone, they probably won't lose any of the people who prefer smaller phones either. Apple gets the best of both worlds -- a bigger screen that increases the iPhone's addressable market.

At the same time, Apple has continuously worked to simplify their hardware, to remove visual clutter, and to make their devices as distraction free as possible. Just you, the screen, and your apps. A bigger screen with less bezel top and bottom better accomplishes that goal as well.

Why Apple is going to 4-inches at a new, 16:9 aspect ratio is a more interesting question. Apple could have simply scaled up the current 640x960 display from 3.5- to 4-inches. But it would have dropped the current 326 ppi density down to 288 and that might have been a deal-breaker in the post-Retina display world. Apple could have increased the pixels both horizontally and vertically. Here are some examples and mockups of different ways Apple could have gone to 4-inches.

How Apple could implement a 4-inch iPhone display.

Instead, Apple is keeping the pixel density at 326 ppi and the width in portrait mode at 640px, but increasing the height to 1136px. That allows them to keep the iPhone 5 the same width as the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, and simply increase the hight. But instead of increasing the height of the device to the same degree as the height of the screen, they're removing part of the top and bottom bezel. So you have a bigger, 4-inch screen, in a phone that's not any wider, and only slightly taller, than the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. You have a bigger screen in a device that's still pocketable, and for many, still easy to use one-handed.

To make the iPhone 5 display thinner, Apple is reportedly turning to in-cell technology. This allows Apple to combine the touch sensor into the LCD display, turning what was previously 2 discreet layers, into a single layer that's 0.5mm thinner. That might not sound like a lot, but when you consider the iPhone 4S is only 9.3mm to begin with, it's significant.

What it means for current apps is another story. Apple's built-in apps will no doubt be updated in time for the event. The Home screen will have an additional row of icons. Mail will show an extra message. Contacts will show an extra person. Maps will show more area. Camera will show a widescreen view. Video will better fit most modern, 16:9 TV shows, and movies shot at great than 16:9 will require less letter-boxing.

Some iOS 5 interface elements already look awkward in landscape orientation, but Apple is changing the way things like Share Sheets look, and that should improve landscape presentation for all devices. Even the landscape keyboard will probably get resized and re-spaced to be as okay as ever at 16:9.

Here are some examples and mockups of how apps and interface elements could look on a 16:9 display (scroll down past the dedicated system area mockups).

How Apple could implement a 16:9 iPhone

For third party App Store apps, everything compiled against the existing iOS 5 SDK will likely be displayed letter-boxed (in portrait) or pillar-boxed (in landscape). In other words, black bars would occupy the extra 176 pixels of the new display. So you would essentially see on an iPhone 5 what you see on an iPhone 4S today.

As developers update to support iOS 6 on the iPhone 5, apps that are list-based (UITableView) or grid-based (UICollectView) could add an extra list or grid row and be on their way. Apps that have more flexible layouts (AutoLayout) could take their relative positions regardless of 16:9 or 3:2 display. Games that use OpenGL could fill the right amount of screen on either device, though interface elements would have to be adjusted. Apps or games with a ton of custom, carefully placed interface elements will have to be redone, and redone in a way that lets them properly fill the screen, regardless of which screen they have to fill.

If iOS 6 goes gold master (GM) on September 12, the way previous versions have gone GM at previous events, some developers might be fast enough to update and have their apps 16:9 ready for the expected September 21 launch day.

Here's a video MacRumors put together to show how it could work.

iOS has always been about the apps, not the chrome around the box. That makes the display the ultimate expression of the device. The iPhone 5 will not only have a higher aspect ratio, it'll have a higher display to bezel ratio than ever before.

The bottom line is the iPhone 5 doesn't really have a bigger display, it has more display, and that's an important difference. You're not going to be getting bigger pixels or bigger content, you're going to be getting more pixels and more content.

Previewing Apple's Sept. 12 event

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 03:10 PM PDT

Nobody knows what Apple has in store for its special press event next week, but we've got a panel of Macworld editors ready to make their best guesses.

Twitter officially unveils more-restrictive API

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 01:48 PM PDT

As promised, Twitter on Wednesday released more details about version 1.1 of its API, outlining the specifics of the increasingly restricted access it will offer third-party developers to its service.

iMore show live tonight: 9pm EST/6pm PST/2am BST

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 12:27 PM PDT

The iMore show returns tonight to talk everything iPhone and iPad, and wow do we have a lot to talk about tonight. Apple's confirmed their September 12 event, we think we know what the iPhone 5 will look like, and we've only just gotten started.

Plus, we'll be answering your questions so leave them in the comments below, #imoreshow them on Twitter, or email them to podcast@imore.com.

Join Rene, Georgia, and Seth, and the best looking chat room in mobile, LIVE tonight at 6pm PDT, 9pm EDT, 2am BST for all the action.

Seriously. Set an alarm. Bookmark this page. Be there.

Want to go full screen? Head to iMore.com/live. Want to watch via iPhone or iPad? Grab the Ustream app and search for "mobilenations"!

imore show

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News

New, miniature Dock connector adapters rumored to be Apple-only, $10 a pop

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 10:52 AM PDT

Way back in February iMore learned Apple was planning to ditch the traditional 30-pin Dock connector for a smaller, more modern Dock connector, and roll it out across their iOS product line this fall. For those with older accessories, we learned Apple would be supplying an adapter that would keep many of them compatible. iLounge has now added a few more details, claiming Apple will be the exclusive supplier of the Dock adapter, at least at first, and that they're be pricing them starting at $10.

According to sources, the Dock Connector Adapters will sell for approximately $10 each or three for $29, with Apple-branded new USB cables selling for $19 each.

iLounge has a good track record when it comes to this type of information, and the numbers make sense. $9.99 sounds cheap enough, but packs in great gobs of profit for Apple, especially if they keep it exclusive for a good length of time.

However, it remains uncertain if it will address the needs of all accessory makers, including those who would need specific functionality split out or converted, for example serial interfaces, composite or component video, etc.

We should find out more when Apple introduces the new Dock, and the iPhone 5 on September 12

Source: iLounge

The Week in iOS Accessories: See hear!

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 11:00 AM PDT

This week's roundup of iOS accessories includes stuff that will help you make movies, charge your iOS devices, listen to music, and more.

Apple, FBI comment on AntiSec hack, say no UDIDs were given or collected

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 10:23 AM PDT

Apple comments on AntiSec hack, says no UDIDs were given to the FBI

Apple has provided a statement regarding the recent release of over 1 million iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad unique device identifiers (UDIDs) by AntiSec, who claim to have hacked 12 million of them, including other personal information, from an FBI laptop. Apple spokesperson Natalie Kerris told John Paczkowski of All Things D:

The FBI has not requested this information from Apple, nor have we provided it to the FBI or any organization. Additionally, with iOS 6 we introduced a new set of APIs meant to replace the use of the UDID and will soon be banning the use of UDID.

The FBI has also called the allegations that they collected UDIDs and other information "TOTALLY FALSE" and issued a statement to All Things D saying:

The FBI is aware of published reports alleging that an FBI laptop was compromised and private data regarding Apple UDIDs was exposed. At this time there is no evidence indicating that an FBI laptop was compromised or that the FBI either sought or obtained this data.

AntiSec has responded:

Also, before you deny too much: Remember we're sitting on 3TB additional data. We have not even started.

Source: All Things D, All Things D

iPad Mini Lust – Latest Renderings Look Good

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 09:36 AM PDT

Want to see what the rumored iPad Mini is probably going to look like? Well you're in luck – as a number of viable looking mockups and renderings have come out over the last week or so.

The one shown above is courtesy of 9to5Mac and they say it ties in nicely with the growing consensus on the iPad Mini's specs and the latest parts leaks for the widely expected smaller iPad.

MacRumors has also released a very detailed set of 3D renderings of the iPad Mini and even a companion video for them – though they also point out that since they worked up these renderings a few likely specs details have emerged which are different to some of the assumptions made in these renderings.

Here's my favorite line in the MacRumors piece:

As has been previously noted, the 7.85-inch iPad offers 66% of the surface area of the current 9.7-inch iPad and almost 40% more surface area than competing 7-inch tablets.

That's huge if it all turns out to be accurate. Those are the sort of numbers that should make all the difference in the world in terms of how good the apps and experience are on the iPad Mini. An iPad that's significantly thinner and lighter while still offering 2/3 of the surface area – damn that sounds good.

Of course all of this is just conjecture at the moment, as Apple has announced nothing and is isn't even expected to until next month – but it seems like with each passing year the Apple rumor mill gets more and more effective at outing a healthy percentage of the big details on hot new Apple devices. I'm definitely hoping that proves to be true with the iPad Mini.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on these latest iPad Mini renderings. Are you lusting after the iPad Mini yet?

When the size column matters

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 09:30 AM PDT

Can't your favorite column arrangements to stick in the Finder's List view? Perhaps you need to update your version of Mac OS.

Nokia tries to preempt iPhone 5 with amazing Lumia 920 camera, absolutely no launch details

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 09:05 AM PDT

Nokia tries to preempt iPhone 5 with amazing Lumia 920 camera, absolutely no launch details

Once news got out that Apple would be holding an iPhone event on September 12, every competitor and their platform partner scrambled to announce events ahead of time. Mostly. The first was Nokia's Windows Phone event this morning, which showed off the new flagship Nokia Lumia 920 with a brief nod to the mode budget-friendly Nokia Lumia 820. Daniel Rubino from our Mobile Nations sibling site, WPCentral was there live to catch all the actions.

Along with some digs at Samsung (for their "first" Windows Phone 8 device being unfinished) and Apple (for putting needless metal elements in their antennas), Nokia threw the spotlight on location services, including their traditional maps products, transit directions (which will be offloaded to 3rd party apps in iOS 6), indoor directions, and some interesting if awkward Augmented Reality features. Inductive charging was also front-and-center, along with partnerships to bring compatible chargers to places like Virgin Atlantic lounges, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf outlets, and retails products like Fatboys.

Once again the materials look out of this world. Literally. Nokia stressed how you could pound nails with the Lumia 920. Literally. The screen is curved and gorgeous and intelligently tries to prevent glare when used outside. The assemblies are ceramic to prevent scratches, and the whole, solid unit looks built to last. Apple and Nokia are both making phenomenal, iconic hardware these days. No one else is coming close.

The most impressive part of the demo, however, was the Lumia 920 camera. Building off Nokia's PureView brand, it sports a massive, over-sampling lens with an f2.0 aperture that's essentially "floated" so it can capture more light, longer, and produce truly amazing images. A series of "lens" apps, including Microsoft's Photosynth allow for extended features and functionality as well.

It will be interesting to see if Phil Schiller, who's been handling the iPhone camera demos for the last few Apple events, can show off something competitive on September 12.

Microsoft's Joe Belfiore also previewed home screen tile customizations and a new feature of Windows Phone 8: Press the Home and Power button at the same time, and you get a screenshot. You're welcome, bloggers.

Steve Ballmer came out at the end to proclaim 2012 the "year of Windows", which was a bit odd since, from Microsoft's perspective, which year wouldn't be the year of Windows?

The biggest disappointment of the event, however, was that absolutely no pricing or launch date information was provided. Similar to the Microsoft Surface event, it smacked of something thrown together quickly to grab some b-roll from the iPhone 5, with neither the Windows Phone 8 feature set nor go-to-market strategy actually finished yet.

And that's too bad. Because those details matter. And you better believe that on September 12, Apple will announce a price and ship date for iPhone 5.

Daniel is still on the show floor, so keep it locked to WPCentral for ongoing coverage.

Iphone Vs Windows Phone

Nuance announces Dragon Dictate 3

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 09:00 AM PDT

Nuance on Wednesday announced the launch of Dragon Dictate for Mac 3, the latest generation of its much-loved voice transcription software.

FBI denies it was source of leaked Apple device ID data

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 08:30 AM PDT

The FBI denied that the 1 million unique device identifiers for Apple devices posted publicly by hacker group AntiSec on Monday had come from its computers.

Quick DE Dawg Update: Back to Himself

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 08:19 AM PDT

Many of you were so kind when I posted last week about my big pal, the Deputy Editor Dawg, and his surgery to remove an object that was lodged in his intestine. Thanks very much for all your comments and concern.

So I thought I'd offer a short final update on his status. This morning I removed his cone of shame and he gave a huge head shake and rubbed his head all over me. His incision area has healed up very nicely and is nice and clean. He's got his appetite back and I'd say he's back up to about 80% of his normal self.

He needs 5 more days of bed rest and then we can get back into our normal routine of long morning walks and chasing tennis balls in the evening. Basically, he's happy and just about back to his old self.