Following on from the news that we finally received our (and possibly one of Australia’s) first batch of Novothink Surge iPhone Solar Charger Cases, we thought we’d share a Youtube video by Shinymedia taken at this year’s CES demonstrating how it works and the app you can use to show you all the battery info you’ll need.

Novothink Surge iPhone Solar Charger and App Video

YouTube – CES 2010 – Novothink Surge iPhone solar charger and app

Novothink Surge iPhone Solar Charger Product Page

It seems that Apple have the least customizable home screens but could this really be a bad thing? I think their approach has reduced complexity and confusion especially for people who are not as geeky as some.

I must say I like the moving background of the the Android 2.0 OS!

Which one do you like the best?

YouTube – Home Screens: iPhone, Windows Mobile, Android, WebOS.

Once I get my hands on a Nexus One, I’ll be able to provide you with a more accurate take but from what I’ve seen I think it’s quite safe to deduce the above.

Enjoy

YouTube – Prizefight: Goggle’s Nexus One vs. Apple’s iPhone 3GS.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to review Navigon’s iPhone GPS app. I gave it a thumbs-up for its clean and easy-to-use interface and nice cityscape backgrounds. Today, Navigon have announced some major improvements to their already great iPhone App, namely in the additions of 3D terrain views which are powered by NASA, Social Media integration (Facebook, Twitter) and intelligent routing which provides multiple routes and more!

I’m going to see if I can jump onto the appstore and upgrade my version of Navigon pronto!

Here’s the press release below:

Sydney, February 10, 2010 —NAVIGON AG, the leading provider of mobile phone on-board navigation, today announced a significant update for MobileNavigator, the most feature-rich navigation app available on the iPhone platform. Extending comprehensive functionality, the update adds three innovative features: in-app connection to Facebook and Twitter, Panorama View 3D with 3D terrain views powered from NASA data, and personalised route delivery via NAVIGON MyRoutes, an intelligent direction provider.

“NAVIGON, the first in the industry to launch an on-board navigation app on the iPhone platform, remains ahead of the competition by consistently delivering first to market, full-feature updates. Apple’s App Store is ideal for delivering our latest innovations to our users,” said Gerhard Mayr, vice-president worldwide mobile phones & new markets, NAVIGON. “The upcoming fifth version not only redefines routing capabilities on the iPhone platform but also integrates social media connectivity, and outstanding, reliable 3D environment views.”

Further enhancing the proficient iPhone connectivity capabilities, MobileNavigator allows users to broadcast current position, destination and ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) to favourite social media outlets, Twitter and Facebook, without navigation interruption. This free addition provides easy access in-app icons that seamlessly launch, while the Twitter feature automatically limits input to the maximum 140 characters, and provides a character countdown.

Complementing the elegant iPhone UI, Panorama View 3D delivers 3D map views through digitised cartography rendered from NASA’s height and terrain data. The full 3D view delivers an accurate depiction of surrounding environment, and what lies ahead with digital landscapes that include elevations, shadows, and geographic images. Panorama View 3D is integrated in-map, independent from the phone’s data connection.

NAVIGON MyRoutes takes personalised route recommendations to a new level with intelligent, customised direction planning and is provided at no extra cost to MobileNavigator users. The feature analyses individual driving data and designs customised routes. Up to three choices with distance and ETA are clearly displayed in-map for each. One primary recommendation based on the user’s driving habits, the day of week and time of travel is provided and the additional two alternatives provide options to choose a preferred route.

MobileNavigator transforms the iPhone into an inclusive navigation device that relies on the GPS receiver, independent from a cell or wireless signal, to provide the most feature rich on-board navigation application. MobileNavigator offers a familiar, yet streamlined user interface that offers intuitive visual feedback and readily accessible connected features, which takes the efficiency of mobile navigation to new heights. It is the only on-board iPhone navigation app available that includes Google Local Search, Reality View Pro, branded in-route POI’s, seamless in-app iPod controls, enhanced pedestrian mode, and now in-map social media connectivity in one application.

Version 1.5.0 Feature Highlights:

Connection to Facebook and Twitter: This free addition to Navigon MobileNavigator provides a simple icon tap that posts users current position, destination, and ETA without navigation interruption

Panorama View 3D: True 3D in-map views obtained from NASA’s height and terrain data enable intuitive orientation of surrounding environment, and what lies ahead with digital landscapes elevations, shadows, and geographic images. Panorama View 3D is integrated in-map, independent from the phone’s data connection.

NAVIGON MyRoutes: Analyses driving habits, patterns, location, time/day and provides up to three routes clearly displayed in-map with ETA, distance and driving times for each and is provided at no extra cost to MobileNavigator users.

Pricing and Availability

MobileNavigator is available for AU$99.99 in the Apple App Store and is equipped with maps of Australia from NAVTEQ®. NAVIGON is showcasing the update prior to its launch in spring at the Macworld Expo show in San Francisco/USA, booth #575. The Panorama View 3D feature will be available via an in-app Purchase for AU$9.99.

Besides being available for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, the NAVIGON app also runs on first-generation iPhone or an iPod Touch. Additional accessories are required for GPS navigation on these devices.

For more information, please visit: www.navigon.com/iphone.

Find NAVIGON on:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/NAVIGON_
Facebook: www.navigon.com/facebook

Flickr: www.navigon.com/flickr
Youtube: www.navigon.com/youtube

About NAVIGON:

NAVIGON AG are a world leading provider of premium navigation technology. NAVIGON delivers software on mobile phone platforms and for the automotive industry as well as branded personal navigation devices. NAVIGON’S MobileNavigator is the most feature rich on-board navigation app on the iPhone platform. Founded in 1991, NAVIGON employs more than 400 worldwide with a presence in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South Africa. – NAVIGON. And the world is yours.

Wonder no more! Here it is:

Arnold's iPhone 3GS Home Screen - February 2010

These are my most used apps.

Take note that I have removed Whatsapp from my homescreen and replaced it with OzWeather since I seem to be checking this more often these days.  You’ll see I’m also using CoPilot for iPhone as my GPS of choice.

Send me a link of what’s on your homescreen too!

Introducing the iClooly iPhone Stand.

While it’s name will bring your tongue some discomfort, having this on your desk will enhance your geek-cred as well as keeping your desk somewhat tidy. Keeps with the Apple minimalist theme too.

Product Specifcations of the iClooly Aluminum Stand for iPhone

• Material : Aluminum
• Dimension : W120xH113xD47
• Weight : (Net) 75g/ (Gross) 150g
• Made in Korea

Features of the iClooly iPhone Stand:

• Make your iPhone 3G & 3Gs looks like mini iMac.
• The Pivot function allows you to rotate your iPhone 3G & 3Gs horizontally or vertically.
• Easy to detach with one simple push button on the back of the stand.

Get your iPhone 3G/ 3Gs iClooly Aluminum Stand here!

The CandyShell iPhone / iPod cases by Speck seem to be some of the best cases out there. Their hard protective exterior and soft innards have made them a smash all around the world.

Here are what some of the best have to say:

“CandyShell is a real standout on elegant design at a time when cases are becoming either too simple or too complex…a two-tone color scheme that’s just a hint flashy and hip…nearly comprehensive protection for the iPhone 3G” – iLounge.com

“…the Speck CandyShell takes it one step up from the pack…It’s got a soft rubbery inside to keep a iPhonen 3G safe, and a glossy hard outshell so that it slips easily into those tight jeans pockets…Yummy” – New York Times Gadgetwise

“It’s a nice feeling knowing that the best phone in the world has one of the best cases in the world wrapped around it. Take my advice, before you buy another case for your iPhone check out the Speck CandyShell. I have a feeling that it’s the one you’ll want” – MacTruth

The Candyshell comes in 5 different colors to suit your taste.

You can see more at www.speckproducts.com or if you’re in Australia contact www.iworldaustralia.com.au.

Check out the video below – I loved the Wario music at the end.

P.S. I thought of a good application for this – when you find a spider in  your car but don’t know where it crawled to!!

iDriver Description

iDriver is an iPhone application to remote control a car. Go to http://www.spiritofberlin.eu for more information on “Spirit of Berlin”, a completely autonomous vehicle by the Freie Universität Berlin. It is equipped with various sensors and a drive-by-wire system for unmanned driving. iDriver is an addon to remote control the car with an iPhone. Powered by Appirion UG (http://www.appirion.com).

YouTube – iDriver – iPhone remote controlled car

We all hate traffic right? Well to help ease me through the (mostly daily) ordeal, I’ve mounted up my iPhone within finger’s reach from the steering wheel.  Easy to take photos, Twitter, Facebook, GPS and even handsfree telephone conversations. Please take note that I do not condone any of the aforementioned social activities while the car is actually moving!

(taken from inside a Honda Civic Hybrid 2009 which I am still writing the review for!)

Got your own cool random photos?  Email them to me (tips at mrgadget dot com dot au) with a blurb and if it’s worth it, I’ll put it up

For those not willing to shell out $50 or so dollars for a decent iPhone or iPod Touch desktop stand/dock, check out this green solution by aspiring industrial designer, Julien Madérou.

Not only can this be created for under $1 but you can also apply the same design to other similar devices such as mobile phones and Windows Mobiles devices. We need to see more of these types of innovative creations!

Just brilliant.

Follow the link below to get the instructions in how to make this iPhone/iPod Touch Paper Stand.

Via dessinemoiunobjet