I like the idea of building your own mobile accessories. Like, if I were to build a case for my iPhone, it might be made of paper mache and duct tape. These paper cup speakers look way better though and they even have an Apple feel to them. The white and simple elegance of the paper cup seems like something right out of a Mac graphic design school.
“This is a fun project. Four single-serving paper cups, two tooth picks (for holding cups together) + iPod with classic earbuds. The increase in volume, of coarse, is radiculous, but hey, you get stylish iPod accessory out of nothing!”
This post isn’t about mobile devices, but since the iPod Touch with VoIP is like a mobile phone, I believe it qualifies. iPod hackers Dr Marian Kepesi, “Eok” and Samuel Vinson have designed and shipped an iPod Touch microphone and developed VoIP software that allows you to place calls using the mic/software combo.
The story of how this came together is great. Kepesi started the operation when he modded the docking cable, connecting the line-in pins to live audio, and recorded his first sample. The sound level was low but the signal was live. The iPod Touch’s ability to record was uncovered. Kepesi then put together his parts list and posted the circuit details so anyone could build the open source, dockable microphone. In total the parts cost about $30.
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Games are the fastest-growing and most popular type of application for iPhone. As of Friday evening, 7 of the 10 bestselling apps were games. According to Stan Ng, Apple’s senior director of product marketing, “This was an amazing surprise to us to see how much games have taken off.”
This is great news considering when QuicklyBored first started, mobile gaming was at an incredible low. In fact, we changed the format of the site and relaunched because mobile games were such a drag.
Since the App Store has launched, developers have created around 1,700 games. Former EA executive Neil Young describtes why companies such as his newly formed iPhone/iPod gaming company love the platform so much.
“I found that my iPhone was never very far away from me,” Young said. “I was constantly checking e-mail, downloading apps, playing games, browsing the Internet. My personal usage was measurably different from any phone or game machine I’ve ever had before. It led me to think that there was a dramatically new market opportunity for gaming on a unique mobile device.”
If you’ve tried the latest flight simulator for the iPhone and iPod touch, you’ll appreciate this controller case. The case gives your iPhone a nice landscape view controller form that protects your phone while gaming. Although it’s not currently available, you can get it preordered now.
Mophie’s Juice Pack has been taking a really long time to hit the market. They’re still offering it for pre-order but that’s it. Now there’s an alternative. The iV battery pack by FastMac promises up to 24 hours of talk time, 750 hours (31 days) of standby, 20+ hours of video and almost 72 hours of audio playback time. The pack also comes with a built-in LED flash/flashlight and a second USB port to charge additional gadgets. It’s also cheaper than Mophie’s Juice Pack at $80.
Steve Jobs has been widely quoted as saying the iPod Touch and of course the iPhone is the “best portable device for games.” I would agree with him in some respects but his quote is mostly based on the fact that the phone is getting such incredible downloads. As a mobile gaming enthusiast, I have to acknowledge all the other platforms and it would be hard for me to say the iPhone is the best hands down. What I will say, is that the iPhone has done the industry a huge service by showing people that gaming on a phone can be fun. Click through to read more about Steve Jobs and iPhone games
The above app, a fart simulator, was rejected by Apple on the grounds that it was deemed to have “limited utility to the broad iPhone and iPod touch user community”. I totally disagree. This app would be perfect for the teen market and has a ton of potential for Just for Laughs type gags.
Firstly, I really like listening to this guy talk and give his explanation. I would like an Italian guy to do all our voice-overs for video because I sound like a dying walrus. Other than that, Touch Ghosts seems like a simple yet fun game for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Although I haven’t played it yet so I can’t say for sure, the video is convincing enough for me to give it a try. Stay tuned and I’ll tell you what I think of it.
Shades has introduced its new line of cases for the iPhone 3G. Shades cases are made from 100% polyurethane and offer screen protection at only .4mm thick. Shades cases are available in 11 colors and cost $17 each.
Pangea, the people who brought you the awesome games Enigmo and Cro-Mag Rally, are having a sale that is on for another 5 days. If you download Enigmo, between 9am (PST) Wednesday, August 27th and 9pm Wednesday, September 3rd you can take advantage of the promotional price of $5.99, temporarily down from the standard price of $9.99. Also of note, Enigmo has been updated so you can download levels created by other users. Sweet!
