Pomodorable brings refreshing touch to task management on the Mac

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,

This morning Pomodorable, a new task management and productivity app from Monocle Society, hit the Mac App Store. Pomodorable relies on the Pomodoro technique, a method of accomplishing things on your task list by using a 25-minute timer and focusing on one item exclusively during that timeframe, while also logging distractions.

The nice thing about Pomodorable is how versatile the software is. You can use it exclusively as your task management (and time management) app, but if you're already using an alternative task manager like iCloud Reminders, OmniFocus, or Things, then you can continue using those apps to manage your tasks and Pomodorable will two-way sync between them. This way, you don't need to change how you do things, while still taking advantage of Pomodorable's powerful time features.

Click to continue reading Pomodorable brings refreshing touch to task management on the Mac

Pixelmator 2.1 brings iCloud, Mountain Lion, Retina display support

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Software,

Pixelmator, the app that we like to refer to as "Photoshop for the masses," has just updated with a big release this morning bringing powerful new features to the Mac app. Pixelmator 2.1 introduces iCloud sync, Mountain Lion service sharing (allowing one to send images directly to Facebook, iPhoto, Flickr, Aperture, and more,) as well as support for the Macbook Pro with Retina display.

Additionally, new photo effects allow you to quickly add filters (vintage, miniaturize, rain, snow, etc.) to your images, and the Effects Browser lets you preview them quickly and easily.

Last, the price of the app has been dramatically reduced, as Pixelmator is now selling for $14.99, way down from the $59.99 price tag. You can buy Pixelmator on the Mac App Store.

Read More | Pixelmator

Purported iPhone 5 parts leak out of China

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Rumors,

Apple continues to be unable to keep information on the next-generation iPhone under wraps, as more purported iPhone 5 parts have leaks out of China. If real, the parts confirm the news of both a small home button, centered FaceTime camera, larger display, and nano-SIM card tray.

It won't be long before these things are confirmed, and proved to be false, as Apple is set to debut the new iPhone on September 12, with a September 21st launch following soon thereafter.

Read More | NowhereElse

Apple now selling refurbished iPad (2012) for $50 discount

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Hot Deals,

It sure took a while, but Apple is finally selling refurbished models of the new iPad (2012) for a pretty nice discount. All models sell for $50 less than the standard MRSP for a brand new model, so if you're okay with refurbished goods, it's a nice deal. You even get the one-year of AppleCare included, just in case anything goes wrong. Anyone gonna pick one up?

Be sure to read our iPad (2012) review if you're on the fence.

Read More | Refurbished iPad

Starbucks to start accepting Square payments this fall

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Misc. Tech,

We've gotta hand it to Square. The mobile payments company has just signed on its biggest partner to date--Starbucks. Yep, with the new deal, customers will be able to pay for their orders with the Pay with Square app in the US, which means they won't even need to bust out a card or cash. Square will also be processing all Starbucks credit and debit transactions. In addition to Square being accepted at Starbucks locations, the deal also sees Starbucks investing some $25 million as part of Square's current financing round. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has even joined the Square board of directors. Yeah, this is a big deal. Other Square partners include FedEx, Staples, and Walgreens.

So, when will you be able to start paying with Square at Starbucks? The company will launch the functionality this fall across 7,000 US locations.

Spotify 0.5.4 appears with iOS 6 support

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Music, App Updates, iPad Apps, Free Apps,

The most recent Spotify update has appeared in the App Store with iOS 6 support in tow. Typically, Apple rejects app releases that mention compatibility with beta versions of iOS until they put out to official call. Spotify is what we'd consider a high-profile app, so we thought it was interesting to mention. Aside from iOS 6 support, Spotify 0.5.4 also brings the ability for iPad users to show more channels at once, fixes Facebook login issues, and improves app stability. You can get it now. iOS 6 launches in the fall.

Microsoft Surface RT to get stripped down version of Office 2013 RT

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Software,

The Microsoft Surface tablet is nearing launch, and as such, the company is releasing more information as it pertains to what consumers should expect. Office 2013 RT edition will ship on the lower-end model, but it will have a bunch of features stripped from the software in order to ensure a smooth tablet experience. Oh, and also it'll be a preview version rather than the full, final version that's set to arrive in early 2013.

Expect Office 2013 RT to be missing features like macros, third-party add-ons, and VBA support. A few other "small features" will also be cut, with Microsoft pointing to battery life and reliability as the culprits.

Read More | The Verge

iOS 6 can scale to 1136 x 640, the expected display resolution of the next iPhone

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Rumors, Software,

We've been covering the rumors of what the next-generation iPhone 5 will look like since the iPhone 4S launched. At this point we're pretty certain that users can expect a redesigned iPhone with a longer display based on leaked hardware components. Today, we also have further proof stemming from the software side of things. 9to5Mac took the latest iOS 6 beta and was able to run it in the iOS Simulator software at 1136 x 640 resolution. The result? iOS 6 automatically added a fifth row of app icons to the home screen.

Click to continue reading iOS 6 can scale to 1136 x 640, the expected display resolution of the next iPhone

Read More | 9to5Mac

Samsung Galaxy S III Jelly Bean update coming late Q3 / early Q4

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Software,

Owners of the new-ish Samsung Galaxy S III have been asking the question "What about Jelly Bean?" ever since the latest Android OS was revealed shortly after the launch of the smartphone. Well, according to SamMobile, the wait shouldn't be too much longer. Word on the street is that Samsung has finalized its internal testing of Android 4.1 for the Galaxy S III, and has moved on to getting it ready for public release. Once that's done and Google gives the okay, the latest Samsung flagship will have the update pushed out. SamMobile estimates that users can expect the update in late Q3 or early Q4, but that isn't an official statement from Samsung itself.

Read More | SamMobile

NASA releases color footage of Curiosity rover descent onto Mars

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Science, Videos,

NASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars yesterday morning, and today we get a detailed look at the descent. Comprised of 297 thumbnail images, this stop-motion video gives us a look at the two-and-a-half minutes it took for Curiosity to touch down on the red planet. Curiosity landed in the Gale Crater, and you can get a look at the video after the break.

Click to continue reading NASA releases color footage of Curiosity rover descent onto Mars

Read More | NASA