There’s no shortage of photo filtering software on the iPhone and iPad. But, really, if you’re going to do photography on a phone, why screw around? You should use lenses.

The problem being, of course, that most iPhone lens attachments were either bulky cases that were impossible ]]>

There’s no shortage of photo filtering software on the iPhone and iPad. But, really, if you’re going to do photography on a phone, why screw around? You should use lenses.

The problem being, of course, that most iPhone lens attachments were either bulky cases that were impossible to get off or clunky attachments that involved modifying your phone. At least until now.

Courtesy iPhone accessory maker Gizmon comes the solution: clip-on lenses. You simply slide the clip over the top of your iPhone or iPad, and the lens slots into place perfectly. It allows you to change lenses quickly and simply: just slide the clip off and put it somewhere the lens won’t get scratched.

Currently, the lenses only come in three types: a fisheye lens, for those extreme wide shots; a polarizing filter, to cut down on glare and washed out images (seriously, attach this if you find that’s a problem, it really does help), and a “three-image mirage filter”, which we assume does something goofy and cliched. But at $35 a pop, who cares: you can have all three handy when you need them.

Clip-On Lenses [OhGizmo!]

The problem with mixtapes is that dozens of them hit the internet every second, and range from high-quality reimaginings of popular songs to, well, crap. But the main problem, before you even get to the quality, is finding the damn things. This is where thefuture.fm steps in: if you have ]]>

The problem with mixtapes is that dozens of them hit the internet every second, and range from high-quality reimaginings of popular songs to, well, crap. But the main problem, before you even get to the quality, is finding the damn things. This is where thefuture.fm steps in: if you have an iPhone and an interest in mixtapes, they’ll help you find it.

If it seems like online radio services are trying very, very hard to give you lots of features on their apps, well, you’d be right. Online radio is pretty rapidly becoming incredibly competitive, as it becomes clear that it’s where the money is right now in music and tech, so everybody’s trying to one-up each other.

The interesting thing about thefuture.fm, formerly called Dubset, is that it’s dedicated entirely to remixes and takes by DJs on song. 5000 DJs contribute to the site (and therefore the iPhone app) and you can search by artist or DJ.

So now it’s just a question of finding a mix worth listening to. That, alas, the app can’t help you with.

thefuture.fm launches iPhone app [Engadget]

We know it’s hard to believe that Apple would ever ditch a product most of its userbase knows and loves simply because the company making it dared to challenge them elsewhere. And yet, it’s happening: Apple is dumping Google Maps come the next iOS, iOS 6. Which means the new ]]>

We know it’s hard to believe that Apple would ever ditch a product most of its userbase knows and loves simply because the company making it dared to challenge them elsewhere. And yet, it’s happening: Apple is dumping Google Maps come the next iOS, iOS 6. Which means the new iPhone isn’t going to have it, although current ones will still if they’re not updated.

So what does this mean for you? And what will be used in its place?

First, the replacement: Apple, needless to say, isn’t ditching giving you detailed maps. It just has its own in-house maps system now. Apple’s been building this for a while, buying companies and testing products, but this is the first word we’ve seen they’re following through on that threat.

It does mean that there won’t be a “Street View” option, but rumor is that there will be 3D representations available on your iPhone.

For you the end user, though, as far as getting around, you probably won’t notice the difference. Mostly what it means is that if you’ve got a lot of material on Google, it might be time to consider dumping the iPhone altogether. If Apple is ditching Google Maps, frankly, the rest of Google’s products are going to get shoved off the phone sooner rather than later, making it hard to fully integrate your life on your phone.

Still, it’s not like we weren’t expecting this one. It is Apple, after all.

What To Expect From The New Maps App on iOS6 [Wired]

We’re all vain to some degree. We’ve all stopped to quickly check our hair in a store window. We’ve all discreetly checked our suit for crumbs when nobody was looking.

But some of us are vainer than others, and not only want to make sure they look ]]>

We’re all vain to some degree. We’ve all stopped to quickly check our hair in a store window. We’ve all discreetly checked our suit for crumbs when nobody was looking.

But some of us are vainer than others, and not only want to make sure they look good, they want to display a status symbol while doing it. And probably get said status symbol yanked out of their hands while doing their makeup or checking their blowout.

Hence, the iPhone mirror, which actually rips the back off your iPhone 4 and puts a mirror there.

That’s right, this isn’t a silly case, it actually directly modifies your iPhone. Fortunately, installing this thing won’t void your warranty, and it’s not glass, so those are two bonuses.

Essentially, you bust out your handy pentalobe screwdriver (what, you don’t own a complete toolkit for messing with computers? That’s just me? OK), remove the back panel, and screw on your mirrored panel. Yep, that’s it. It’s really that easy.

Now, explaining why you’re such a huge nerd that you own a pentalobe screwdriver, and yet are so vain you need a mirror in your pocket at all times, that’s a lot harder.

iPhone 4 Mirrored Panel [iFixit]

We’ve talked about translator apps before, but the tech you need to seamlessly speak to somebody else in another language is still years away. Which can be a problem if you’re trying to order a steak in Italian right now.

So, you need a translator ]]>

We’ve talked about translator apps before, but the tech you need to seamlessly speak to somebody else in another language is still years away. Which can be a problem if you’re trying to order a steak in Italian right now.

So, you need a translator app, especially when traveling overseas. Fortunately, if you’ve got an iPhone, you can get one of the best translators currently on the market.

The SayHi is useful in two ways. First, and most basic, you can just speak into the phone and it’ll give you both the phrase in the correct language, and also the written translation. So, if you don’t want to butcher the local language, you can just learn to say “Sorry” and show them the written translation on your phone.

Secondly, it means you can ditch the phrasebook. Especially since SayHi has 23 languages and dialects on-board, with more on the way.

Unfortunately, you can’t get it for Android, but at least on iOS you won’t pay a lot: SayHi is currently on sale for $1 before it gets upgraded. If you wait, it’ll cost you $3.

SayHi Translate [App Store]

There are a lot of apps out there for your DSLR camera. They range from the silly to the incredibly useful, like light field and depth of field calculators.

The problem, of course, is getting your phone out and getting the app fired up when you ]]>

There are a lot of apps out there for your DSLR camera. They range from the silly to the incredibly useful, like light field and depth of field calculators.

The problem, of course, is getting your phone out and getting the app fired up when you need it, especially if something is happening right there that you need to shoot right now. So that makes the Flash Dock a particularly useful device to have.

It’s pretty straightforward: it’s really just a smartphone case with an accessory shoe on the bottom. Slot the case into the shoe, rotate your phone however you’d like it, fire up the app you want, and you’re ready to go.

There are some sacrifices involved, like giving up your hot shoe, for example, or the fact that you’ll be risking your camera and your phone if you drop it. But, being able to use those calculators will be incredibly useful, especially if your next-door neighbor notices and tries to get the curtains closed before…

We seem to have lost the thread here. It’s a useful device, and it only costs $40.

Flash Dock attaches iPhone to DSLR [Gizmag]

AT&T has seen the writing on the wall, and started unlocking the iPhones of certain customers. If you don’t currently have a contract with them, and have an account in good standing, you can ask them to unlock your phone, which means you can take it to any carrier.

AT&T has seen the writing on the wall, and started unlocking the iPhones of certain customers. If you don’t currently have a contract with them, and have an account in good standing, you can ask them to unlock your phone, which means you can take it to any carrier.

And considering AT&T’s reputation, a lot of people are probably going to do just that. But where, exactly, should you take it? Well…the reality is, you don’t have any options. Here’s why.

T-Mobile: T-Mobile will be aggressively bidding for your business, but if you do manage to get on their network, expect it to move at a crawl: currently iPhones move at 2G speeds across T-Mobile’s network, due to it not broadcasting signals on the right spectrum. Until they get an iPhone of their own, it’s not a good idea.

Sprint: This would be great…except it probably won’t work. Sprint uses the CDMA standard, and AT&T uses the HSPA standard. It is true that more recent iPhones can support both (well, sort of), but there may be technical issues.

Verizon: Again, they’re CDMA, so…yeah.

That leaves tiny regional carriers like MetroPCS or Leap, who are unlikely to have the SIM card necessary to run the iPhone. So…yeah. AT&T basically just gave you the finger.

iPhones free at last [CNet]

On the heels of Instagram’s Android app release and over 1 million downloads in 24 hours we thought it would be interesting to take a look at what Instagram users are taking pictures of. With all the complaints about how Instagram empowers the ]]>

On the heels of Instagram’s Android app release and over 1 million downloads in 24 hours we thought it would be interesting to take a look at what Instagram users are taking pictures of. With all the complaints about how Instagram empowers the average joe into thinking they’re the next Ansel Adams it is easy to look past the fact that there are still pictures being shared on there that you do in fact want to see.  Case in point, we’ve scoured the #playboymansion tag and came up with a virtual tour of the place that every man dreams of seeing with his own eyes.  So for your viewing pleasure we present the Playboy Mansion as seen on Instagram.

Via @firstinflight23 http://instagr.am/p/ISB9lpCX5b

via @ambermarie52 http://instagr.am/p/I6AuamNaxE

via @pinkhollywoodtreasure http://instagr.am/p/IvsCySj2r3

via @gracezip http://instagr.am/p/Il32B1S5JO

via @maddie4dayz http://instagr.am/p/I5S2Oih4vO

via @thealyssaskipper http://instagr.am/p/I0cfijJ2uJ

via @maddie4dayz http://instagr.am/p/I5TY-9B4vT

via @runway_waiters http://instagr.am/p/IdTgO7mKWx

via @ellhoward http://instagr.am/p/I3YbjjhjL-

via @christinaxfaye http://instagr.am/p/IugSo3Lk-q

via @taylorjbarnes http://instagr.am/p/IrtLIyFo3T

via @trailertrashlee http://instagr.am/p/InaNbuk27j

via @gmerlo http://instagr.am/p/IcxqXUGyFs

via @rachelle314 http://instagr.am/p/IcxqXUGyFs

via @laurenashmoore http://instagr.am/p/I5V4-OJ0sv

via @iamericsean http://instagr.am/p/ISgevdhpxX

via @kittycohen http://instagr.am/p/IPhDvwwr11

Let’s do a quick PSA: you should never keep a condom in your wallet. The constant flexing will inevitably weaken the rubber, which is pretty much the exact opposite of what you want. That said, you really should have condoms with you when you go out, because, realistically, sheathing the ]]>

Let’s do a quick PSA: you should never keep a condom in your wallet. The constant flexing will inevitably weaken the rubber, which is pretty much the exact opposite of what you want. That said, you really should have condoms with you when you go out, because, realistically, sheathing the pork sword is your job, bunky.

So, how do we have condoms on us at all times? Simple: use the Playa Case.

As novelty iPhone cases go, this one is dumb yet discreet about the dumbness. If you look at the case, it just looks like a basic iPhone hard shell case. However, there’s a condom compartment in the back: just slide down the “secret” panel and you’ve got a condom handy.

We’re torn because the name of this case is stupid, and it has “Playa” written across the bottom, which is pretty much vagina kryptonite. It’s from Opena, whose big claim to fame is an iPhone case with a slide-out bottle opener. But you do need to have a condom on you if you’re single and looking to get laid, and this is actually a fairly intelligent and practical solution to that problem. So, maybe consider getting this and using a power sander to remove the name or something.

Playa Case Will Not Get You Laid [Gizmodo]

There are a lot of dumb things you can bolt to your iPhone, or put it inside. There are legions of horrible cases and worse accessories just begging you to attach them to your $600 smartphone. But we’ve found what might just be the most awful one of all:

There are a lot of dumb things you can bolt to your iPhone, or put it inside. There are legions of horrible cases and worse accessories just begging you to attach them to your $600 smartphone. But we’ve found what might just be the most awful one of all:

The iPhone Money Clip. Yes, it’s a money clip you install on your iPhone, by bolting it to the actual phone.

No, seriously.

Let’s start with why this is bad in a men’s fashion sense. Men generally have a money clip not because it looks baller, although it does, but because it means if their wallet is stolen, they still have money to get a taxi home. The entire idea of a money clip is to not get your money stolen, and a mugger is considerably more interested in your iPhone than your money.

Secondly, it’s tacky as both a phone accessory and a money clip. “Oh, we need to settle the bill. LET ME JUST PULL OUT MY IPHONE AND PULL A FEW BILLS OFF MY MONEY CLIP.” “Hold on, I need to take this very important call on my iPhone. Let me sit so you can see the Platinum Amex I’ve clipped to the side for the sole purpose of impressing people.” You’ll not only get mugged, you might get deservedly beaten up for having this.

It’s not even useful as a personal organizer: who wants to clip a bunch of receipts to the back of their phone? In short, it’s the crucial fashion accessory for douches this summer season.

Poddities

Previously we told you about NetZero’s new cheap WiFi hotspots, but they’re not the only game in town when it comes to kind of slow but serviceable data connections. FreedomPop is another, and they have an idea so wacky it might actually work.

Namely, selling ]]>

Previously we told you about NetZero’s new cheap WiFi hotspots, but they’re not the only game in town when it comes to kind of slow but serviceable data connections. FreedomPop is another, and they have an idea so wacky it might actually work.

Namely, selling you an iPhone case that comes with its own data plan, hotspot capabilities, and WiMax radio.

It sounds silly, but it’s actually kind of brilliant. Using the iPhone for your WiFi is expensive, to say the least; cell phone carriers are pretty nasty with their tethering charges. But it’s also a pain for some people to lug around a WiFi hotspot if they rarely need one.

The main question is, of course, how much this case will cost, and how many people will make actual use of it. It’s certainly useful for road warriors who need to slim down, but definitely need a WiFi backup. But for the man on the street, we’re not so sure.

Either way, though, it beats the iPhone case that has a phone in it.

No, really, that exists.

FreedomPop rumored iPhone case with WiMax radio [Engadget]

Most iPhone cases are, not to put too fine a point on it, awful. They’re mostly designed to, at best, crack when you accidentally drop it, and overcharge for what amounts to some rubber and plastic.

On the other hand, there are cases that genuinely increase the functionality of the ]]>

Most iPhone cases are, not to put too fine a point on it, awful. They’re mostly designed to, at best, crack when you accidentally drop it, and overcharge for what amounts to some rubber and plastic.

On the other hand, there are cases that genuinely increase the functionality of the phone. Like Gizmon’s new iCA, which turns your iPhone into a full-fledged digital camera, complete with interchangeable lenses.

No, not that big honking lens on the front: that’s just for show, and to serve as a socket for the hands-free set in cars.

In the corner, however, is a lens mount that fits snugly over your iPhone’s camera and has seven lenses and filter that can be used to create a genuinely unique image instead of some Instagrammed crap. It even includes a classic-style flash, a remote shutter, and a handstrap lug.

We do kind of wish that it wasn’t so excessively twee; hipsters are going to be all over this, just like the iPhone carabiner. But, hey, if you’re into photography, you finally have a case with easy to use interchangeable lenses.

Gizmon iCA [Gizmag]

Because lighters are too mainstream, you can now open a beer bottle with your iPhone. Intoxicase is the bastard love child of a protective cover and a bottle opener. I don’t want to sound like a hipster or anything, but I’ve been opening beers with my phone for years. Then ]]>

Because lighters are too mainstream, you can now open a beer bottle with your iPhone. Intoxicase is the bastard love child of a protective cover and a bottle opener. I don’t want to sound like a hipster or anything, but I’ve been opening beers with my phone for years. Then again, my Nokia 5110 is unbreakable.

via Gizmodo

Cable stinks. It’s a fact of life. You can’t pick and choose the channels you get, costs rise by at least five percent every freaking year, as your cable operator and networks squabble your shows get taken off the air… it’s like there’s this huge conspiracy to ]]>

Cable stinks. It’s a fact of life. You can’t pick and choose the channels you get, costs rise by at least five percent every freaking year, as your cable operator and networks squabble your shows get taken off the air… it’s like there’s this huge conspiracy to make us go outside and read books or something.

Fortunately, Sprint, yes, the cell phone company, has a solution to your cable woes called SprintTV… and it’s actually both incredibly interesting and possibly very scary to your cable company.

What you need is an unlimited data plan from Sprint and an iPhone. Sprint doesn’t sell an iPad (well, yet, come March we suspect that’ll be a different story), so technically you’re stuck on a small screen. But the app is free and comes with a surprisingly large range of channels: all the broadcast networks, ESPN Mobile, Speed, NBC Sports, and so on.

Needless to say, other networks are available… but it’s just like cable: you’re going to pay for separate bundles to add to your plan.

On the other hand, if you already have an iPhone, this might let you just plug your phone into your TV and dump cable entirely. Hey, even paying for a bunch of channels via Sprint is going to be cheaper than the hundred bucks a month your cable company wants.

SprintTV Comes to iPhone [9 to 5 Mac]

If you thought putting your iPhone in a fake gun-like cradle was stupid, how about a ball?

Okay, first off, it’s called TheO. Nuff said. But remember my primary gripe regarding the aforementioned caddies, in which the goal of making a shooting game feel more “realistic” is ]]>

If you thought putting your iPhone in a fake gun-like cradle was stupid, how about a ball?

Okay, first off, it’s called TheO. Nuff said. But remember my primary gripe regarding the aforementioned caddies, in which the goal of making a shooting game feel more “realistic” is undermined by the fact that you can’t keep your eye on the screen as a result, thus making the act of actually playing somewhat impossible?

Well, it’s even worse here…

True, in the case of bowling, there’s another, larger display to help keep score and the like. But how is this any better than similar (and far easier to cobble together) experiences provided by the Wii? And regarding the game of catch among kids; seriously, is the game that much improved by having a phone inside the ball?

While I have no doubts that the TheO keeps a device safe and secure, you’ll have to excuse me if I NEVER want to give it a shot.

According to The Unofficial Apple Weblog, the thing is $25. That’s twenty-five bucks for an eventual trip to the Apple Store. Have fun trying to explain to one of their Geniuses how exactly your phone got busted and why they should replace it.

Yet it still includes plastic pistols. Plastic pistol attachments for your iPhone or iPod Touch to be exact. And no, not the ones from before, these ones are entirely different.

Behold Lazer Tag, 2012 edition…

From Hasbro’s description of the game (no screenshots ]]>

Yet it still includes plastic pistols. Plastic pistol attachments for your iPhone or iPod Touch to be exact. And no, not the ones from before, these ones are entirely different.

Behold Lazer Tag, 2012 edition…

From Hasbro’s description of the game (no screenshots exist), it’s exactly what one might guess: an augmented reality type game in which the iOS device acts as an HUD. Up to 24 players are supported, which sounds cool. Until one realizes that 24 grown adults will have to fork over $39.99 for each one (that’s ten bucks more than the previous model). Hey, at least the app itself will be free.

At least it looks more like a toy than a sawed off shotgun, which was one major beef with the Xappr. In the end, this new version of Lazer Tag could either seriously rock or seriously suck, depending on how feature right the actual pieces of plastic you above truly are.

You see, what made the original so awesome to some, and annoying to others, is all the flashing lights and noises the games made. If these iOS device caddies can do the same, now we’re talking. But if one has to rely completely upon the display to monitor progress and the such, well, you basically have the same problem that I outlined with Xappr. As in, you won’t be able to see what the hell is going on if the device is swing all around, since it part of something that you’re supposed to handle like a gun.

But given the premium price of the guns themselves, and the lack of any for the app, leads one to believe that there will be lights and noises involved. Great job for some, not so much for others. It all comes out, later this year, in August.

The iPhone can do a lot. Play games, buy you movie tickets, get you on an airplane, land you a hook-up if you’re reasonably slick and use the right app…the uses are endless for the little pocket computer. But one thing it can’t do is control your ]]>

The iPhone can do a lot. Play games, buy you movie tickets, get you on an airplane, land you a hook-up if you’re reasonably slick and use the right app…the uses are endless for the little pocket computer. But one thing it can’t do is control your mind.

Well, until now, thanks to the Japanese.

The idea is simple, albeit incredibly, disturbingly creepy; you download the app, select what kind of dream you want to have, and then place your iPhone by your bedside table. The iPhone detects your sleep cycles, and at the appropriate time, begins whispering certain words and cues to you to get you to, say, dream about running through a field of boobs.

Yes, it’s an app that will have your iPhone whispering to you in your sleep to have you dream about specific topics.

Uhhhhh…there’s no “program assassins” option on this thing, right?

Right?

Yume [Technology Miraiworks]

The creator of Twisted Metal is also jumping ship, due to not wanting to be involved in the upcoming casual game projects.

So get this: according to various reports, Eat Sleep Play, the makers up of the upcoming, and highly anticipated Twisted Metal revival, has just ]]>

The creator of Twisted Metal is also jumping ship, due to not wanting to be involved in the upcoming casual game projects.

So get this: according to various reports, Eat Sleep Play, the makers up of the upcoming, and highly anticipated Twisted Metal revival, has just laid off eight employees. The series creator, the much beloved David Jaffe (he also created God of War btw, so he’s one of Sony’s best hands for sure) is also gone.

It was reported that he was off to create casual games, but his response to that, as noted by Joystiq was basically: yeah, right. And that makes sense, given that his former home’s new emphasis is going to be iPhone and iPad development, hence the exit.

Well, this all certainly sucks. It’s a situation that’s not all that different from Last Guardian, with yet another creator flying the coop (though at least Jaffe stuck around long enough to see the game to completion as a full-timer). One also has to wonder why such a focus is being made without the game having shipped yet.

Is this a sign that the final product is less than perfect? Perhaps not… Jaffe’s track record is fairly sound, and Twisted Metal‘s return was clearly a labor of love for him. But one can’t help but view things in such a manner either.

Everybody remembers playing with Hot Wheels when they were kids. They were muscle cars powered by pure imagination. Or slingshots, depending on how much you wanted your Mustang to pull off that loop-de-loop.

But, as with all things, we grow up and put away childish things. Only to get really ]]>

Everybody remembers playing with Hot Wheels when they were kids. They were muscle cars powered by pure imagination. Or slingshots, depending on how much you wanted your Mustang to pull off that loop-de-loop.

But, as with all things, we grow up and put away childish things. Only to get really angry at small children, because they get awesome computer-controlled tiny race cars, and we got a couple of wheels soldered to a pin that broke after five minutes.

Actually, this product is probably aimed equally at adults and children: kids get the standard RC controls that come in the box, adults get the iPhone adapter and thus all the awesome ways to control the car.

And there are plenty of awesome ways to control this tiny little race car. You can control it by tilting your iPhone. You can control it by drawing a path with your finger. You can control it by dragging your finger across the screen, which also sets acceleration. And, of course, you can have a virtual RC controller, if you happen to be incredibly lame and hate fun.

Probably the best part is, unlike most RC toys for the iPhone, this won’t cost you a fortune: it’s only $33. Expensive for a Hot Wheels, but worth it to torment the brats down the street. Now, Hot Wheels, make a monster truck heavy enough to crush other die cast cars, and you’ve got yourself a sale.

Hot Wheels RC iNitro [Engadget]

Most of your gadgets are powered by lithium ion batteries. There’s a good reason for that: lithium ion batteries pack a lot of power into a very, very small space. The downside is sometimes that power decides to take the form of catching fire.

Fortunately, science has ]]>

Most of your gadgets are powered by lithium ion batteries. There’s a good reason for that: lithium ion batteries pack a lot of power into a very, very small space. The downside is sometimes that power decides to take the form of catching fire.

Fortunately, science has developed a cheap, simple way to keep the electronics you own from killing you. Well, from killing you with fire, anyway.

Here’s the problem, scientifically speaking. Once a battery cell hits a certain temperature in the area where the electrode and the electrolyte meet, it just keeps going until it lights something on fire, kind of like Ozzy in the ’70s. It’s called “thermal runaway”, and just to add to the fun, it can literally happen in seconds, making it hard to detect.

This sensor simply measures the alternating current coming out of the battery: you know, the stuff that your battery is supposed to put out in the first place. As the battery heats up, this current is affected in subtle ways by the temperature. All the sensor has to do is pick up on that difference, and shut down the battery before we get thermal runaway, which we are increasingly convinced needs to be a metal song.

Oh, and this sensor is also dirt cheap. In other words, soon, the idea that your phone can burn you to death will be a thing of the past. Now, the cancer, that’s a separate problem.

Inexpensive sensor can warn of lithium-ion battery failure[The Engineer]