Okay, this is how it is going to work:

I am trying to raise money to buy a Canon 5d Mark II digital camera. I need to raise about $2500 to buy the camera, so I am going to raise $3500 (due to Paypal fees) and give away a brand new iPad.

For your donation, I will give you an entry into my raffle to win a brand new Apple 16 gig wifi iPad shipped directly to you.

The raffle will be held on: July 31, 2010

Donation page: ChipIn or use the widget on the side of this page if your browser supports it. ———>

Steps:

Step 1: Donate a minimum of $1 @ ChipIn or right up there ———^

Step 2: Tweet or post on Facebook or another social website online.

*If the goal of $3500 is not met by July 31, 2010 (or slightly longer if the contest gets extended) and the donation total is still enough to purchase the iPad, the raffle will continue, otherwise, the money will be refunded to the Paypal account paid with.*

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The guys over at AppleInsider have discovered that the boot script in the beta 3.0 version of the iPhone firmware alludes to the Broadcom BCM4329 wireless chip.

This new Broadcom chip, among other things, supports 8011.N wireless (including 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz) and the real shocker, FM receiving and transmitting, which 9to5Mac found out from the Broadcom spec sheet. 9to5Mac says, “[this chip] theoretically could be used to broadcast sound into car stereos..without external adapters.”

MobileDevDesign points out:

The BCM4329’s FM transmit capabilities enable consumers to stream music directly from their mobile devices to car stereos or home theater systems without special adapters or bulky cables. With the FM receiver, users can get real-time traffic information as well as music, news, and sports broadcasts on their mobile devices.

While FM radio frequency isn’t the newest technology, it does open up some interesting doors. For instance, the Nike+ in-shoe pedometer might finally work for the iPhone and I can finally listen to radio while I run … wait… I hate the radio… but I’ll tell you what I do like, not having to buy a silly, expensive FM transmitter to forget every time I go in my friends car. Now that’s progress! [via 9to5Mac]

Apple, Iphone, News, Rumor, Tech Apple, Iphone, Tech

Skype’s official iPhone client is in the App Store tomorrow, but with a feature list like this… should I really be that excited? At least BlackBerry users will have to wait until May to be disappointed.

The Skype app will include free Skype-to-Skype calls, SkypeOut support, a new interface, and instant messaging. The only feature that is kinda exciting is the support for 2G iPod Touches with external mics.

The real let down isn’t necessarily the Skype app, I suppose, but the App Store ban on voice over IP over 3G. Skype has to be used over a wireless network… =( Also, Gizmodo points out that, “You can’t even top up your SkypeOut account or purchase other services like voicemail, which, by the way, can’t be accessed from the app.”

I don’t wish Skype any ill-will, I’d just much rather them wait till Apple lifts the “Voice-out-IP-over-3G” ban and come out with an all singning, all dancing app that really shows off what a great service Skype is, rather than a half-baked app that is redundant with other third party apps. For instance, Fring has been doing all the things the NEW Skype app does and multiprotocol (including AIM) IMing for over a year. It’s about time two things happen:

1) Apple needs to hurry out their 3.0 firmware (which includes some apps being able to run in the background, maybe lifting the VOIP/SIP over 3G ban)

2) Skype needs to take a hint from Gizmo Project. I have their app on my Nokia N73. Basically, when you make a call, they call you and connect your call. VOILA! Problem solved. VOIP anywhere.

Skype told CNET that their app will have better voice quality (and probably lower latency), but aside from that was unable to offer many significant advantages over other apps. In my opinion, Skype should have just bought FRING and rebranded it. [via Gizmodo via CNET and NYT —Images from CNET]

Apple, Iphone, Iphone Apps Apple, Gadgets, Iphone, iphone apple apps, skype

Close on the heels of rumors from the Commercial Times on Monday and Dow Jones Newswires on Tuesday, Reuters reports on a source close to touchscreen manufacturer Wintek saying that the company has received orders from Apple for 10-inch touchscreens expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2009.

Taiwan touchscreen specialist Wintek already makes small screens for Apple iPhones, and has received orders for the larger ones that are roughly the same size as those used in mini PCs, said the source close to the Taiwan firm. He asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

He added that he did not know what the final product would be, or who would make it.

It is unclear whether this is one of the same sources quoted by the Commercial Times and/or Dow Jones Newswires, but Reuters‘ claim that the source provided the information “on Wednesday”, after the previous reports had been issued, suggests that this is either a fresh repetition of the information by a previous source or a new source entirely. [via Macrumors]

Apple, Rumor Apple, mac, Tech

It’s new, it’s tiny, it’s the NEW 3rd gen iPod shuffle and it was released on March 11th on the sly!

• 4GB or 1,000 Songs
• They come in Silver or black
• Controls have been moved to the headphones
• “VoiceOver” Text to speech artist and track names and battery life in 14 languages
• 10 hours of playback

Pick either a silver or a black shuffle up at Amazon for $79 and FREE shipping!

CUPERTINO, Calif., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple® today introduced the all-new iPod® shuffle, the world’s smallest music player at nearly half of the size of the previous model, and the first music player that talks to you. The revolutionary new VoiceOver feature enables iPod shuffle to speak your song titles, artists and playlist names. The third generation iPod shuffle is significantly smaller than a AA battery, holds up to 1,000 songs and is easier to use with all of the controls conveniently located on the earphone cord. With the press of a button, you can play, pause, adjust volume, switch playlists and hear the name of the song and artist. iPod shuffle features a gorgeous new aluminum design with a built-in stainless steel clip that makes it ultra-wearable.

“Imagine your music player talking to you, telling you your song titles, artists and playlist names,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPod and iPhone™ Product Marketing. “The amazingly small new iPod shuffle takes a revolutionary approach to how you listen to your music by talking to you, also making it the first iPod shuffle with playlists.”

iPod shuffle is based on Apple’s incredibly popular shuffle feature, which randomly selects songs from your music library. And now, when you can’t remember the name of a song or an artist playing, with the press of a button iPod shuffle tells you the name of the song and artist. iPod shuffle can even tell you status information, such as battery life. With the ability to hold up to 1,000 songs and the VoiceOver feature, you can now easily switch between multiple playlists on your iPod shuffle. iPod shuffle can speak 14 languages including English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.

The new iPod shuffle comes in silver or black and features a sleek and ultra-wearable design with a built-in stainless steel clip. iPod shuffle is the smallest music player in the world and is incredibly easy to clip to almost anything and take with you everywhere you go. iPod shuffle features up to 10 hours of battery life.*

Pricing & Availability

The third generation 4GB iPod shuffle is now shipping and comes in silver or black for a suggested price of $79 (US) through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iPod shuffle comes with the Apple Earphones with Remote and the iPod shuffle USB cable. iPod shuffle requires a Mac® with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS® X v10.4.11 or later and iTunes® 8.1 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista, Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 3) or later and iTunes 8.1.

*Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. Seewww.apple.com/batteries for more information. Song capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; in 256-Kbps AAC format, song capacity is up to 500 songs; actual capacity varies by encoding method and bit rate. [via Apple]

Buy geek and gamer themed T-Shirts and Hats @ SplitReason.com!
 

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The awesome guys over at ThinkGeek.com sent me some gadgets to support my Stolen iPhone Cause and I’m giving them all away to you guys for being so awesome! =D.

Read more…

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This concept video showing possible ways Apple could improve iTunes when it comes to managing iPhone apps has been doing the rounds on the web for the past couple of days. Although, to our knowledge, the poster is in no way affiliated with Apple, the video provides some excellent, Apple-esque solutions to the currently poor app screen in iTunes.

1. Category sorting
Arrange applications like you do music and movies in iTunes by order of size and category, maybe even Cover Flow.

2. An end to upgrade mess
When you update an application or even sync new ones, your original Home Screen layout isn’t preserved. The result is an ugly mess and time wasted dragging apps to their proper place.

3. Home Screen folders
Drag and drop applications into folders you can name. One folder for games, one for social networking apps and so on.

4. Multiple direction Home Screens
At the moment you can swipe left and right but why not up and down too? That would provide the option to reach one of four screens in one swipe. [via iphonekungfu.com]

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A possible image and video of the next generation Mac Mini was first posted to a MacRumors forum discussion thread. The image depicts what could be the next Mac mini.

The original leaker also claimed the following specs:

- Intel Core 2 Duo
- 2GHz
- 3MB L2 cache
- 2GB RAM DDR III, 1066MHz
- Super Drive is SATA

The port configuration is consistent with previous rumors that the new Mac mini would bring improved specs. Specifically, the new Mini was described to have 5 USB ports, FireWire 800, and two Display ports (Mini DisplayPort and Mini DVI). All these can be found on the leaked photograph. [via Macrumors]

Update: @sanjayprasad informed me that Gizmodo claims this photo is a fake… you decide: Gizmodo

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With more than 4,700 games in the App Store for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch, there are a lot of games to sort though — which are the ones you should buy and the ones you should steer clear of?

Here are Wired.com readers’ top-rated iPhone game picks:

10. JellyCar (Free) You guide your car through various courses trying to complete in the best time. The game uses ‘Jelly Physics,’ where your car bends, stretches and even breaks. It seems silly at first but after a few minutes, you’re hooked!	9. WordWarp ($1) Take six given letters and make as many words as possible in the time limit.
8. Cube Runner (Free) Free and highly addictive. It’s like old school Star Fox.	7. Tap Defense (Free) Set up turrets, then let the demons attack. It’s great for playing in short bursts.
6. Topple (Free) Fun, casual stacking game from the folks that made Rolando. Bought Rolando but seem to end up playing this free game more. It’s fast and fun and makes great use of the iPhone interface.

Top 5 after the jump:
Read more…

Apple, Gaming, Iphone, Iphone Apps Apple, cube runner, galcon, Gaming, ishoot, itunes, jelly car, lux, tap defence, topple, trism, wired, wordwarp, wurdle

Bloomberg’s interview with Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen reveals that Adobe is developing Flash for the iPhone, it’s been in development since June 2008, and is a customized solution just for the iPhone.

Apple has said repeatedly that regular desktop Flash is too heavy (on CPU, and thus battery life) for the iPhone, whereas Flash Lite is too lousy. Jobs has coerced Adobe to create a custom solution. From Narayan’s words of “the ball is in our court. The onus is on us to deliver,” the engineering effort lies more in Adobe’s engineering team than in Apple’s.

Adobe actually said, back in September ’08, that there would be a version released “in a very short time” if Apple approved it. Obviously either Apple rejected it, or Adobe themselves decided it wasn’t quite resource-friendly enough to launch.

I’m keeping with Apple’s general update policy, I’m sure that users will be “charged a nominal fee” for the privilege of using Flash on the one of the most expensive phones in the marketplace. I love the iPhone, but come on, I want my picture texts and copy and paste too — the easier to update things should be done first in my opinion! [via Gizmodo via Bloomberg via Apple Insider via Engadget]

Apple, Gadgets, Iphone, News, Tech Apple, flash, gadget, Iphone, iphone apple apps, Tech