Google’s support for the Bluetooth Smart Ready platform in Android is one step forward for the radio technology’s dominance in the internet of things. But the Bluetooth SIG has a lot more up its sleeve. Read more »
A new software update for Jawbone’s Big Jambox brings several performance improvements. Only iOS 6.1 devices will get one of the biggest though: two extra hours of battery life on the wireless speaker. Read more »
Don’t want your iPhone braving the elements on a bike ride? With this new wireless display from Wahoo Fitness, you won’t have to: It’s weatherproof and works with iPhone cycling apps. Read more »
Can one Bluetooth speaker serve three purposes? The Coda One does, ranging from hands free speaker in the car to a wireless music player to portable handset for large phones and tablets. Read more »
Finding hidden product gems at the International Consumer Electronics Show is tricky but three crossed my radar at the first CES mini-event. One is for health tracking, one makes media sharing easier from a phone and one provides 2 weeks of battery life for devices. Read more »
I tested both of Zagg’s iPad mini keyboard cases and either is a nice accessory. There’s a difference in typing, however, due to the two sizes. That means you’ll have to figure out if you value portability or a better typing experience when choosing. Read more »
Can a wireless keyboard with hinges turn your iPad into a laptop running iOS? That’s the premise behind Brydge, a Kickstarter project that I backed months ago. I opted to add Bluetooth speakers to my Brydge; take a look at how this setup works. Read more »
Once relegated to early adopters, smart watches are slowly filtering their way into the view of mainstream shoppers. Case in point: Casio’s new GShock connects to an iPhone for call or email notifications and can be found at Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom for $180. Read more »
As more people pick up connected pedometers, specialized exercise trackers and personal calorie-counting devices that connect back to the web, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group is trying to capitalize on the trend with new certifications for running and cycling. This is a win for consumers. Read more »
A number of connected watches have hit — and been funded on — Kickstarter lately, but the newest doesn’t just show information from a smartphone; it works as a hands-free speaker phone. The watch also supports voice commands so you can use it directly with Siri. Read more »
Some will never switch their voice activities from a smartphone to a tablet: Who wants to hold a tablet to their head? Wired or wireless headsets help, but wearing them for hours isn’t comfortable. What about a radical new wireless handset that looks like a pen? Read more »
I hate on-screen game controls; there I said it. As gaming goes mobile, there has to be a better solution than covering up screen to move and play. Nyko has the right idea, debuting its PlayPad products for phones and tablets running Android 3.0 or better. Read more »
You won’t be replacing batteries on Logitech’s newest iPad keyboard case. As its name implies, the $129.99 Solar Keyboard Folio uses light — either indoors or out — to maintain its battery life, which is two years on a single charge, claims Logitech. Read more »
There are no lack of Bluetooth keyboards for the iPad, but the newest one Kickstarter is impressive. Called Brydge, the wireless keyboard makes the iPad look like a MacBook Air. Backing starts at $150 and for $30 more you can get a Brydge with integrated speakers. Read more »
Logitech introduced its newest iPad keyboard / cover combo on Wednesday and if you could imagine Apple designing such a product, this is what it would look like. The $99 accessory works with the iPad 2 and the new iPad, pairing a smart case with Bluetooth keyboard. Read more »
Here’s a nifty Japan-only product that looks like a small wireless keyboard. But it pulls double duty: Hold the device up to your ear and it works as a wireless handset for VoIP, Skype or other audio chat applications on mobile devices. Read more »
Avid cyclists needing to communicate on a group ride might consider the Cardo BK-1. At $279, it’s not cheap, but the Bluetooth headset pairs with a radio module that attaches to a bike helmet. With it, riders have a light walkie-talkie to stay in touch. Read more »
A Kickstarter project to bring a new smartwatch to market blew through its $100,000 funding goal in its first day, and two hours later it crossed the $200,000 mark. What’s so unique about the Pebble E-Paper Watch? It works with both Android devices and the iPhone. Read more »
Mobile deals combine location-aware discounts with mobile marketing campaigns. What are the largest pitfalls in this promising space, though? Privacy and security issues must be addressed to assure consumers their purchases are secure and their location is being closely guarded. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Qualcomm announced chips that can take advantage of the new 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, allowing connected devices to move data up to three times faster than today. That’s important as we’re streaming HD video, remotely accessing PCs and playing video games through cloud services. Read more »
This is Jonathan Koomey’s third essay in a series of four this week that highlights, and excerpts from, his upcoming book, “Cold Cash, Cool Climate,” which discusses how entrepreneurs and investors can profit from tackling climate change, one of this century’s greatest challenges. Read more »
Google’s mystery device has been unveiled by The Wall Street Journal as a Sonos-like platform for wirelessly streaming music around the home. But the most important thing is that Google is moving beyond software to making a branded hardware device of its own. Read more »
Sony’s next-generation SmartWatch is “coming soon” according to the product page, and it looks like a huge improvement over the company’s first attempt, which debuted in Sept. 2010. The SmartWatch connects wirelessly to an Android phone for message notifications checking Facebook and Twitter or monitoring exercise. Read more »
Google is asking the Federal Communications Commission for permission to test a mysterious Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled “entertainment device,” in employees’ homes in four U.S. cities. So inquiring minds want to know, what exactly is it and is Google trying to build its own devices? Read more »
OnLive’s game service is already available for Android devices, but there’s an iOS version in the works. Here’s a hands on demo with the beta client on an iPad, along with the OnLive wireless controller, which I think brings a much better experience than the touchscreen. Read more »
Pioneer’s new $599 AppRadio2, a smart, 7-inch capacitive touch display radio supports both iOS and Android phones. It includes an external GPS, rear-camera input, and of course, smartphones with compatible apps. Looks like a great way to get Pandora, Waze, or Rdio integrated with your car! Read more »
Sometimes Windows is just what the doctor ordered, and with OnLive’s new Desktop app for iPad, I suspect it’ll be the prescription I’m looking for much more often. Here’s a look at what the fresh new Windows virtualization app for iPad offers. Read more »
Among the expected rows of new televisions, computers, phones and tablets at the Consumer Electronics Show is a growing number of health gadgets. These vary in form and function, but nearly all of them share some common elements: connectivity, mobile applications and social aspects. Read more »
The line between car and home entertainment center is getting blurrier by the minute as electronics makers and car companies take to the Consumer Electronics Show 2012 and concurrent Detroit Auto show to strut their stuff. Here’s a sampling of the news. Read more »
Super Stickman Golf is a sports game that plays more like a platformer. Scoring is the same as in golf, but each golf course is designed more like a level from a Mario game than something you’d see on the PGA tour. Read more »
Losing weight is on a lot of people’s minds post-New Year, so this is a perfect time to revisit tips and tricks about how to use Apple technologies to help you get healthier in 2012. Attitude, food and activity monitoring can contribute to a healthier you. Read more »
2011 wasn’t really a year in which we saw a lot of big changes on the hardware front from Apple, even though iOS 5 and iCloud made big splashes in software. But I think we can expect a lot of device changes in 2012. Read more »
Previously, we told you how you can use your iPad as a telephone. Using a Bluetooth headset with your iPad makes that idea even more practical. The Jawbone ERA is the one I happen to use, but others should work just as well. Read more »
Apple’s iPhone is no doubt a heavy contributor to the death of point-and-shoots at the hands of smartphones, but it still lacks some niceties of dedicated cameras. New accessories from Belkin, collected under the LiveAction brand, aim to narrow the gap even further. Read more »
As the market for Bluetooth 4.0 health monitoring gadgets is about to kick off next year, some companies are wasting no time, announcing products now. Wahoo’s new BlueHR heart monitor will debut for $79.99 and uses the low-powered wireless protocol with several existing iPhone 4S apps. Read more »
Finding good Bluetooth headphones is a pain, and even big names with strong reputations in audio won’t necessarily come through for this category. But niche headphone maker Jaybird has done a terrific job with its Freedom headset, which combines good audio with gym-friendly features. Read more »
Time may not be your biggest challenge even as holiday shopping draws to a close. Apple gadget-lovers can be hard to shop for, since they tend to satisfy their own needs when it comes to accessories. Still, there’s something for everyone among the following twelve suggestions. Read more »
The next iPod you buy could wrap around your wrist and be Siri-controlled through speech commands. That’s because Apple is actively prototyping wearable computing devices, sources told the New York Times, in an effort to stay on top of this emerging tech trend. Read more »
I remember when finding projects on Kickstarter related to Apple products were relatively hard to find — especially good ones. Those days are over, and we’ve got another crop of interesting, cleverly designed and above all potentially useful Kickstarter projects to prove it. Read more »
HealthRally is what you get if you crossed Facebook with AMC’s Intervention . The startup, which raised $400,000 in seed money from noted angels and launches Thursday, allows you to reach personal wellness goals by getting friends and family to pledge cash to support you. Read more »
