Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Apple launches new iTunes U app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

An all-new iTunes U app was released by Apple today, providing educators and students with even more teaching and learning tools for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices.

Altec Lansing LIVE 5000 Wi-Fi all-in-one speaker

Altec Lansing has released the LIVE 5000 (MN5000) Wi-Fi all-in-one speaker, a wireless speaker that can be moved around the house and controlled from a free iOS, Android or Desktop LIVE application after connecting the LIVE 5000 to your home Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n network.  According to Altec Lansing, the LIVE 5000 is driven by a tri-amp system, the two 3-inch mid-range drivers constructed of super strong Kevlar, and the speaker also features neodymium soft-dome tweeters, a long-throw 4-inch subwoofer and passive radiator for punchy bass. 

 Look for the LIVE 5000 Wi-Fi speaker to be available in early summer 2012 for $499.95.

Apple announces Black Friday Holiday Gift Guide Sale

Apple is having a special one-day holiday gift sale this coming Black Friday, November 25th, with deals and discounts available at Apple Retail Stores or Apple online. Apple is offering free shipping for orders over $50, including accessories for iPad, iPod, iPhone, and Mac from Apple's Holiday Gift Guide. You can also buy online and pick up your product at an Apple store.

Belkin LiveAction Camera accessories and App for the iPhone and iPod touch

Belkin has announced its new LiveAction Camera accessories for iPhone and iPod touch devices. They include the LiveAction Camera Grip and LiveAction Camera Remote, new tools that make it easier to snap photos and record video. Using the LiveAction App, you can then share your digital images directly on Facebook or email by following the intuitive on-screen interface. The app also allows you to capture still photos and record video simultaneously. In fact, Belkin says that the LiveAction App, available for free at the Apple App Store, can be used alone as the primary camera app for the iPhone and iPod touch, in case you don't want to spend money on the gear.

Jawbone introduces UP wristband and App for your health

Jawbone has announced a new gadget aimed at helping you stay healthy. It's called "UP," and it consists of a small wristband that works with its own App for iPhone and iPod touch to track your daily activity, sleep patterns, and eating habits.

The UP band comes in small, medium, large, and in a choice of seven colors to fit your style. It's priced at $99.99 and will be available from Jawbone, Apple, AT&T, Best Buy and Target on November 6th, while the UP by Jawbone App is available for free from the App Store after the purchase of an UP wristband.

iLounge 2012 iPhone + iPod Buyers' Guide released

Once again, iLounge has released its annual iPhone + iPod Buyers' Guide, an extensive look at Apple's i-devices, accessories and apps. Packing 218 pages of information, the 2012 iPhone + iPod Buyers' Guide is available for FREE as a PDF download from iLounge.com, we highly recommend it if you're in need of info on iPhone/iPod speakers, headphones, cases, batteries, and games.

Details from iLounge:

Designed to help novice and expert Apple users alike, the 2012 Guide focuses on several key areas of the iPhone and iPod experience:

* Apple's devices. iLounge includes capsule reviews of Apple's current iPhones and iPods, complete with screenshots, color guides, and per-model buying advice. A new feature called iNtelligence offers quick, smart advice at the bottom of every iPhone and iPod review, while a special comparative guide to iPhone and iPod touch cameras explains how every model compares with point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras. Additionally, the iGlossary clearly explains Apple technical and marketing jargon that has become confusing over the past several years.

* Accessories. iLounge walks you through 18 different accessory categories, explaining each category and focusing solely on the year's very best products. Selected by iLounge's editors strictly on editorial merit, these accessories represent the cream of the crop from thousands of different vendors, distilled down into easy two- to six-page collections of top picks. Best of the Year Awards include both Editors' and Readers' Choice Awards for 2011's top products and developers.

* Games and Apps. Separate, beautiful sections of the 2012 Guide look at the Top 100 Games of 2011, and the 100 Essential iOS Apps of 2011. While the Games section looks only at titles released within the past 12 months, the Apps collection includes the 100 titles our editors have picked as the most valuable to keep on iPhones, iPods, and iPads, spanning a number of different categories.

* History and Community. iHistory provides a comprehensive and remastered timeline of important events in iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes history, while the latest reader-submitted iPhone, iPod, and iPad Around the World photos show the incredible proliferation of Apple products into remote and populated regions of the globe.

iHome's iW1 Wireless Rechargeable Speaker System with AirPlay

Designed to stream music from your PC's iTunes library, an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch device, iHome's new iW1 Wireless Rechargeable Speaker System with AirPlay works with a free iHome Connect app to stream audio within a Wi-Fi network. The portable speaker system is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and it is controllable by a capacitive touch panel, an included remote control, or your iOS device.

Pre-order Apple iPhone 4S smartphone from Verizon Wireless today

Today, Apple's new iPhone 4S smartphone from Verizon Wireless is up for pre-ordering on its website. You can get a jump start now, or wait for iPhone 4S to arrive at Verizon Wireless stores on Friday, October 14. Either way the new iPhone 4 S will cost you $199.99 for the 16 GB model, $299.99 for the 32 GB model and $399.99 for the 64 GB model with a new two-year customer agreement. As we saw with the Sprint iPhone 4S, and AT&T iPhone 4S announcements, Verizon will also be selling the last iPhone 4 (8 GB) model for $99.99.

Be aware that Verizon customers who buy an iPhone 4S will need to purchase a voice plan beginning at $39.99 for 450 minutes and a data plan beginning at $30 for 2 GB monthly access.

Sprint customers can finally pre-order an Apple iPhone 4S or iPhone 4

The day has finally come for Sprint Wireless customers who have been craving an iPhone. You can now pre-order the new Apple iPhone 4S beginning today ahead of its official release on October 14th, or you can opt for an iPhone 4 with iOS 5, which is on sale for $99.99.

Sprint's pricing for the new iPhone 4S starts at $199.99 for the 16GB model, $299.99 for the 32GB model and $399.99 for the 64GB model. Sprint is offering its "unlimited data plans" for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 customers, which start at $69.99 per month plus the required $10 Premium Data add-on charge. 

Apple iPhone 4S smartphone release by AT&T, Verizon and Sprint on October 14

It's not an iPhone 5, but the new iPhone 4S should have enough features to get customers excited. Apple announced the iPhone 4S today, and the new smartphone will be released in the United States on October 14 at Apple stores, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and for the first time through Sprint Wireless.

Joining the new iOS 5 operating system, there are several other notable new features on the iPhone 4S. Apple has added its speedy dual-core A5 chip, the same proccessor found on the iPad 2, which will make for better performance and graphics on the new iPhone 4S. The digital camera has been upgraded and now offers 8 megapixel photos and full 1080p HD video recording!  Perhaps the most unique feature is a new voice operated assistant on the iPhone 4 S called "Siri" which will answer many of your questions about travel, weather, messages and more. Let's not forget about Apple's new iCloud storage and media service, which will launch on October 12th.  Apple is promising a FREE 5 gigs of storage for your music, photos, apps, contacts, calendars, documents, etc., while keeping all of these files up to date across all your devices. 

Apple iPhone 4S pricing is set at $399 for the 64GB, $299 for the 32GB, and $199 for the 16 GB models. Apple also announced that the 8 GB iPhone 4 will now be available for $99, and an 8GB iPhone 3GS will be free with a new contract.