Omio

More. iPhone. Accessories!

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Yeah, this is totally becoming a regular fixture. So many iPhone accessories, so little time…

Today’s is an offering from automotive giant, Mercedes Benz. Seeing the money that could be made from this lucrative sector, they have put car manufacturing on the back burner to focus on iPhone pouches.

To commemorate their sponsorship of Berlin Fashion Week, they have commissioned 40 Swarovski-crystal emblazoned cases to give away to lucky fashionistas. As gorgeous as they are, the pouch apparently ‘comes alive’ when the iPhone is inserted and the light bounces off the trinkets inside. Except your phone will be off when using the holster, rendering the lovely idea a little useless.

The nail in the coffin is the ‘GLK’ etched artlessly across the pouch in militaristic font. It isn’t the designer’s initials, rather a none too subtle opportunity to market their new ‘compact SUV’ to a fashion conscious audience. Who will neither know or care what a GLK is, as they ride around in carriages made of gold and fuelled by vintage wine.

Apparently, Kim Cattrall of Sex and the City was driven up to her first Berlin fashion show in this new aggressively shaped 4-door wagon. Not really sure what to do with that information, I think it’s supposed to impress you.

The cradle will be released alongside the £35,000 Chelsea tractor around October time. In shops. For rich people to buy. It looks like one of those random items in a celeb basket for hosting an awards show. Really pointless extravagances like jewel encrusted mobile phones or goat’s milk shampoo that they leave in the toilet at the after party or give to the housekeeper.

We want one!

Source: Cellphone Hits

Not. Best. iPhone. Accessory. Ever.

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

iPhone cosy. Shaped like a frog. It’s ‘name’ is Gregory. It does not have a name. It is two pieces of felt, seeming stitched together by an 8 year old. Calling it Gregory does not justify a $25 pricetag.

“Aw, it looks like he’s eating the phone!” Is a bit cute though… Yes, we bought two. Your point?

Source: Textually/FredFlare

Open Beta, Sign Up (To) Qik!

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Everyone on the net seems to want to tell everyone else what they are doing, every single second of the day. Social video streaming site Qik brings this one step further, allowing people to stream live video from their handset any time, day or night.

Sounds odd, but the more you think about it - the ability to stream live events, conference calls, password-secure private webcasts, on the scene news reporting - the better it is.

The new public beta has just been opened, adding the ability to embed these streams on sites like Facebook and MySpace. This allows for a whole new generation of stuggling artists to orchestrate gigs on a shoestring, but also bestowed bedroom divas with the power to host 3 hour concerts miming to their favourite hits. Qik representatives have not yet apologised for this.

I know what you’re thinking. Using this site for streaming live videos of a steamier nature, aren’t you? No chance, Qik requires the handset’s number upon signing up, so they won’t hesitate to…do something bad with that. They don’t say what exactly, but it is safe to assume they will have an elite force of porn trawlers to keep that stuff off Qik.

We have noticed a bit of a loophole there, as even Pay-As-You-Go handsets like the LG Orsay come equipped with super-cameras these days. Simply hand over the cash and you get an off-the-grid mobile and SIM, making a phone number is pretty useless as a security measure. But they are trying…

A staggering number of handsets are supported by their impressive streaming setup, with the all-important iPhone a new addition to the line-up. Click here to sign up and get guerrilla film making! One word of warning, make sure your data plan is pretty generous, or that video clip of yourself dancing to Aswad could cost you a lot more than just your dignity.

iPwned

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Well, the wait is finally over…at least for Mac owners. Yes, finally the iPhone Dev Team have released the Pwnage 2.0 software, allowing all iPhone/iPod Touch owners the best of both worlds, with both the App Store and third party unofficial stuff ready and working on a single handset.

Obviously their servers have gone into complete meltdown, but persevere and the download is well worth it!

There have been reports of slight issues in getting Pwnage to jailbreak handsets, but the majority seem to be enjoying it! Oh, and don’t forget this software isn’t quite ready yet for Windows people, with the Apple version coming out first for once. Also, whilst this program does jailbreak an iPhone 3G, it does not yet unlock it from the network’s clutches like it does with a 1st gen.

Our Apps coverage was delayed a bit due to wanting to try it out on a jailbroken handset, but like their site says, “thanks for waiting!” Expect an explosion of stuff about the weird and wonderful world of the App Store, as well as the lesser known Installer in the coming days!

UPDATE : Okay…the first one wasn’t as stable as everyone hoped, but this new 2.0.1 floating around is said to cure all ills and give your hair more shine and body. Keep you posted…

UPDATE 2: Yeah, it works… No network unlocking for iPhone 3G, no Installer support, and no Intellivision Intelliscreen. We are distraught. Alternative third party app device Cydia does work, and that provides some relief, but a lot of the orginal jailbroken goodness is gone. Perhaps hang on for Installer 2.0?

Can Google Learn From The App Store?

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

The recent woes for Google’s new mobile platform highlight two things. The first is that you should never let developers know that they are working with buggy software whilst others have the newest build and more resources at their disposal. This results in (entirely justified) accusations of favouritism, as well as some defecting to develop for the iPhone.

The second is the difficulty producing software for something that essentially has no physical form. With no idea of the screen size, input methods, anything of the final devices, how can they honestly be asked to create the best software possible?

This is the excellent point made by an article on the Silicon Alley Insider site, which goes on to mention the fact that, of the 50 programs which won the Android Development competition, one was a game. One. The rest are rather dour efforts, technically impressive but not the kind of programs to get anyone hot and bothered about the format…

Place that next to the iPhone, a device with a library of titles legitimately vying for attention with the big games consoles, let alone handhelds at this year’s E3. Super Monkey Ball is said to have earned Sega a cool $4.9 million off first weekend sales alone, and the large publishers are falling over each other to release their big franchises on the platform.

Why has Android been left in the cold?

Read the rest of this entry »

Virgin Mobile Says Get Nekkid, Clothe Homeless

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Talk about appealing to people’s most base instincts. Virgin Mobile in the US has managed to combine the two greatest things ever, donating money to charity and watching people get naked on the internet, in their new drive to raise awareness of social ills as well as their brand.

The scheme ‘Strip2Clothe’ is a premise that is brilliant as it is simple. Upload ‘tasteful’ striptease videos onto their site, and each time it is viewed by 5 people, Virgin donates new garments to the homeless of Washington D.C. Despite this being the latest in a long line of programs by Virgin to aid the homeless including ‘TXT2Clothe’ and ‘TXT2Donate’, more traditional charities are up in arms about the unorthodox manner in which Strip2Clothe raises funds.

The National Network For Youth (NN4Y) were initially partners in the idea, but as some of the 150 charities they represent found it inappropriate given the compromising situations homeless youths often end up in. As such, they have dissociated themselves from the charity effort, with the Catholic Charities group citing the ‘distateful’, ‘inappropriate’, and ‘exploitative’ nature of the idea.

Probably why the latter weren’t asked by Virgin to take part in the campaign…

The means may seem a little racy, but they are arguably validated by the ends. Judging by the traffic being enough to crash Virgin’s site on two occasions since launching on the 13th of July and over 70,000 donations being made already, people are only too happy to help the homeless on the conditions that it isn’t their own money, and if they get some tame nudity in the bargain. Just like Mother Theresa wanted us to be…

Pope Is Down, Sends Faith Message By SMS

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

In a move to prove the church is current and aware of the youth around the world, Pope Benedict has embraced modern technology and texted thousands of Australian pilgrims during World Youth Day.

“Young friend, God and his people expect much from u because u have within you the Father’s supreme gift: the Spirit of Jesus - BXVI,” was the SMS received by young pilgrims. Have to love the txt speak ‘u’s and signing off with his street name. He’s down.

It is admittedly a good method of reaching a demographic wary of religion in Australia, but as long as the Vatican stops short of sending out Facebook friend requests or invites to play Call of Duty 4, it won’t be seen as a cynical attempt to speak the kids’ language.

The World Youth Day festival, which aims to give Jesus a shot in the arm amongst young Catholics, lasts from the 15th to the 20th of July, with the Pope himself in attendance for part of it. There are Christian bands, social events, and also digital prayer video walls erected at famous Australian monuments including the Sydney Opera House, allowing converts to post up messages for the world to see.

Hope Benedict had enough free texts on his tariff to send out 300,000 prayer wishes, otherwise that bill is going to give him a bad turn…

Source: The Australian

fonolo Rubs Soothing Balm Over Phone Menu Burn

By Kate CrowleycloseAuthor: Kate Crowley Name: Kate Crowley
Email: talk@omio.com
Site: http://www.omio.com
About: Kate is one of Omio's resident mobile experts.See Authors Posts (196)

Automated menus are annoying. I think it’s fair to say that no one would choose to experience an automated menu if they had a choice. Thank the lord for the exciting new, free service, fonolo! fonolo’s website describes its service thusly:

“Pick the company you need, scan through their phone menu visually, then just click the spot you need to call. fonolo will automatically dial, navigate their menu and then dial your phone. When you answer, you will be connected to the right spot in the menu. We call that “Deep Dialing”. You’ll call it smart.”

Actually I’ll call it pig lazy, but I’m not here to argue semantics. Deep dialing (insert immature comment here)? That don’t impress me much. Luckily that’s not all fonolo offers:

“fonolo’s Intelligent Call History takes things to another level:
* It automatically organizes all of your calls to a given company, regardless of which phone you used or which number was dialed.
* It stores recordings of all the calls that you can review at any time or forward to someone by email. (Coming Soon: transcriptions.)
* It allows you to write text notes during a call that get stored with the history. You can later search and review those notes.”

fonolo won Best New Product at ECommm 2008, which is no mean feat. I’m not 100% sure about this, but I think fonolo is only available to North Americans at the moment. It’s also still in closed beta (full service launches in September), but you can register for the service here.

Official Site: fonolo

Source: DataZilla

Developers Jostle For App Store Space, Resort To Dirty Tactics

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

With people making serious money with their games in the new Apple App Store, some are turning to more underhand tactics to get onto the top of iTunes search pages.

Clicking on ‘All iPhone Applications’ reveals 37 pages of programs, and since they are sorted from A to Z by default, ‘Ziggy’s Adventures in Sudoku’ is probably going to get buried. To prevent this, wily devs are capitalising on syntax errors to reach the top of the tree.

As such, clever titles like ‘!FLOverload!’ and ‘$0.99 Sudoku Classic’ (which actually costs £0.59 here, blame the exchange rate) can be seen languishing on the front page, using a symbol as the first character of the title to avoid drowning in the sea of some great, but mostly pointless items. What about Zeptopad, or Whack the Groundhog? Pretty sure those should be a little bit further down the pecking order than A to E…

I guess all’s fair, but it will not take long before the App Store descends into a mess not unlike Yellow Pages with 4 pages of incorrectly tagged garbage like ‘AAA*** Taxis’ before finding anything where it is actually supposed to be…

Hopefully Apple can straighten out these issues as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to contact iTunes support to hit these charlatans where it hurts most. The pocket.

Source: iPhone Alley

Mobile Phones Make Finding a Parking Space Easier

By Kate CrowleycloseAuthor: Kate Crowley Name: Kate Crowley
Email: talk@omio.com
Site: http://www.omio.com
About: Kate is one of Omio's resident mobile experts.See Authors Posts (196)

Good news for the US: smartphones will soon be helping to ease the pain of finding a parking space in busy cities. In a few months, San Francisco will see 6,000 of its 24,000 metered parking spaces fitted with wireless sensors. These sensors will be connected to a network that will alert drivers when a space becomes free. The “I’m free!” alerts will be displayed on street signs, and drivers will also be able to check whether a space is free on their smartphone.

The plastic sensors may even save people’s lives because, in San Francisco, arguments over parking spaces make people stabby. In 2006, 19-year-old Boris Albinder was stabbed to death in an argument over a parking space. Parking spaces are definitely high up on the “pathetic reasons to murder someone” list.

A dozen other major US cities are discussing implementing the alert scheme, but New York isn’t one of them. This is despite a study showing that 28-45 % of traffic in the city is caused by people circling the blocks, looking for somewhere to park. Also, drivers searching for metered parking in a 15 block area around Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side drove an average of 366,000 miles a year. Sorry New Yorkers; as San Franciscans smile benevolently at their phone screens before pulling into an empty space, you’ll still be driving in circles and swearing up a storm.

Source: New York Times