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There’s no argument now: the iPhone App Store has been a resounding success for Apple. Since this morning, Apple has been counting down to the one-billionth download from its App Store. Given that the App Store was introduced not too long ago, that’s quite an achievement. The company’s currently showing a “live” download counter that’s somewhere in the 900,000s.

Ars Technica notes that Apple was bragging only a few months ago about half a billion app being downloaded. Obviously, the app store has only continued to take off since then — not lease because of Apple’s heavy promotion of various applications on its recent iPhone commercials and the “funnest iPod ever” promotions for the iPod touch.

So what’s in it for you? Apple’s running a contest from today until the billionth app is downloaded. Every app purchase enters you in a drawing for $10,000-worth of iTunes credit, a 17″ MacBook Pro, a 32GB iPod touch, and a Time Capsule. You can also enter the drawing for free (up to 25 times per day) on Apple’s site.

Apple’s also showing off the best apps on the platform, drawing attention to the top 20 most downloaded paid and free apps “of all time.” Games Tap Tap Revenge and Super Monkey Ball are highlighted.

Have you ever wanted multi-touch technology to control your computer in the palm of your hand? Well Elantech has developed a prototype of a Smart Remote Controller that does exactly that. It consists of two touchpads with some navigational buttons in the center. The Smart Remote Controller uses directional sensors to tell whether you are holding it like a joystick or like a remote control.

It has many different functions it can be a wireless mouse, TV remote control, joystick, keyboard, presentation controller, handwriting touchpad, and a biometric reader. It uses an onscreen menu to easily switch between each function. There is also a pop up diagram that shows what you are doing in each mode.

No word on when or if this controller will be made for the general public, so we will have to wait and see. Here is a video of the Smart Remote Controller in action going through all the functions.
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With this week’s release of the new Apple iPod Shuffle we have an overall look at this product even its inner guts. You can see what makes up this very simple piece of gadgetry. It measures just a little over 1.5 inches becoming the world’s smallest mp3 player. Inside the package you will find the iPod Shuffle, Apple earbuds (with in-line remote), USB cable, and a quick start guide. You will also need the newest copy of Apple iTunes 8.1.

• 4GB or 1,000 Songs
• Silver or black color options, aluminum case with a stainless steel clip
• Controls have been moved to a in-line 3 button remote
• “VoiceOver” Text to speech artist and track names and battery life in 14 languages
• 10 hours of playback (Down from 12 hours in previous gen)
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This year at CES 2009 Intel displayed the “fastest processor on the planet” along with their newest products. Intel showed off the Intel Core i7, Intel Core Centrino 2, and the Atom processor.

The Intel Core i7 Processor combines Intel’s Turbo Boost technology with Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology. To maximize performance they’re 8 processing threads with 8MB level 3 cache and 3 channels of DDR3 1066. It has the best memory performance of any desktop platform and delivers the maximum performance of 3-D games and images.

Intel’s Centrino 2 Processor offers a new experience in mobile processing by allowing multitasking. Included in the processor is a minimum of 3MB smart cache and a 1066 front side bus that makes the performance 50 percent faster. The Centrino processor offers the longest battery life possible you can watch an entire Blu-Ray movie on one charge. Also the processor technology has integrated with the wi-fi, which makes your wireless connection 5 times faster.
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In the sea of gadgetry our culture is beginning to drown in, it becomes increasingly difficult to see what is quality and what is not. At CES 2009, one in particular definitely began to stand above the rest.

The GiiNii Mini Movit is a mobile internet and social networking device that can make Skype calls anywhere there is a WiFi signal. Other features the device touts is a 4.3 inch touch screen and a front-facing camera that doubles as a webcam.

The estimated price of this little guy should be in the area of $149. Take an in-depth look at the Mini Movit at the following video:

Otterbox Has it Covered…Literally

OtterBox makes covers for the iPhone, the iPod Touch, the BlackBerry Storm, and the BlackBerry Curve 8350i.

These cases in particular as Mike McDonald notes, are “heads above most of the crap you’re gonna go grab at Wal-Mart and slap on your phone.”

Mike got a up-close look at the cases a while back at the Consumer Electronics Show. You can see them for yourself:

The OtterBox for iPhone 3G Defender Series consists of 3 layers:

1. A thin, clear membrane that covers your Touch Screen to help prevent scratches and dings.

2. A hard, strong Polycarbonate skeleton that surrounds your device.

3. A Silicone skin that absorbs bump and shock wrapped around it.

It also Includes a ClipStand holster. It should be noted that it will not fit the 1st Generation iPhone.

The OtterBox for iPod touch 2nd Generation Impact Series has a thin, skin-like design that protects against bump and shock. It’s actually designed to dissipate impact AWAY from your device.

It provides open access to the Touch Screen, headphone jack and sync/charge terminal. It also has an ergonomic design.

The OtterBox for BlackBerry Storm Defender Series case was designed to provide full access to all buttons, ports and functions of your smartphone. This includes the use of your camera, charging your phone, making calls, etc.

But like the others, it is also designed for “unparalleled” protection against harmful drops, bumps, shocks, scratches, dings and dust. It comes with a ratcheting belt clip as well.

The OtterBox for BlackBerry Curve 8350i (with Push to Talk) Defender Series is a “fully interactive” case, which enables complete usability of the trackball, keyboard, camera and Push to Talk features.

Sound is transmitted through this case via acoustical vents. The entire device is covered by the case, but each port is completely accessible

All surfaces of the BlackBerry are fully covered, yet all ports are accessible Silicone plugs. It ONLY works with this version of the BlackBerry Curve.

Each of these models is priced at around $50, except the iPod Touch model, which is about $20. Either way, they’re probably cheaper than replacing your device when you break it. And this is coming from a guy who broke like 3 phones in a year.

This year at CES 2009 Data Locker was honored with winning a CES Innovations award. This ultra portable hard drive is one of the securest ways to save your data. With a touch screen keypad you can lock your data in case if it was ever lost or stolen. On this 2.5-inch hard drive you can enter an 18 number pin to keep your data secure.

Also included in the security features is platform independent security, which means you don’t need a host computer to keep your data safe. The hard drive has brute force attack detection, AES encryption, and a self-destruct mode to get rid of all your data quickly.
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The free Internet broadcaster Pandora is now adding 15 seconds commercials to your playlist. The advertising campaign is only targeted to certain listeners. After about 10 songs you will hear a commercial for the new show on Fox called “Lie to Me”, you will hear it again after another 20 songs gets played. So if you are on of the lucky listeners that is targeted expect to hear a commercial every 2 hours.

You know what they say nothing in life is free so why would Internet radio be any different. I will still use Pandora because there is nothing else that can make a playlist like Pandora can. And maybe the commercials might work and i will end up watching that new show on Fox.

[via Gizmodo]

Ever since June of last year there has been talks of Verizon and Alltel merging, but now it is official. Verizon wireless has now become the largest mobile carrier with over 83 million subscribers. Alltel will continue to run under the Alltel name until a complete merger of the two brands later this year. Now you have fewer options on which carrier you can go with, between Verizon and AT&T taking up most of the mobile stock. We will now see a new breed of annoying mobile carrier commercials that you cant help to hate. Here is a Press Release from Verizon today with some more details.
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