Use the Kuro Cube to make your fridge smell great

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smart Home,

If you want a 21st century method of deodorizing your refrigerator, get ready to throw out that old box of baking soda and pick up the Kuro Cube. the Kuro Cube is a compressed block of white charcoal that specializes in absorbing the smells that you don't wanna smell, saving your nose from the horrid sensory attack you might get hit with whenever you open the fridge. It costs $25, and lasts a good five years, as long as you set it in the sun every now and then so it can get dried out. You can place these in other areas, too, if you want to purify the air in other rooms.

Read More | Kuro Cube

Transporter 2.0 improves user experience, brings iOS, Android apps

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

We're big fans of Connected Data's Transporter device, which basically gives you locally stored and protected cloud storage without having to upload your files to third-party services like Dropbox or Copy, with no subscription fee. Now, on the heels of the Connected Data & Drobo merger agreement, comes the announcement of Transporter 2.0, a big software update for the NAS. Version 2.0 of the Transporter software brings a host of welcome improvements like:

• Improved integration with the OS X Finder and Windows Explorer
• Custom right-click options and drag-and-drop functionality
• Share direct links to files and folders
• Choose how folders are synced (locally or remotely)
• Increased firewall support

Additionally, new Transporter iOS and Android apps will allow remote access and management of files stored on the device. Transporter v2.0 will be a free software upgrade for all existing customers. For new customers, Transporter starts at $199 without a hard drive, $299 for 1TB, and $399 for 2TB.

Apple releases new iPod touch 16GB without rear camera for $229

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video,

Apple has released an addition to the iPod touch lineup, bringing in a 16GB fifth-generation unit which lacks the 5-megapixel rear camera found on the 32GB and 64GB variants. The new model replaces the fourth-generation iPod touch, which sold for $199 for the 16GB model (which did have a rear camera.) Apple has now discontinued that model altogether. Besides missing the rear camera, the 16GB fifth-generation iPod touch also does away with the Loop wrist strap. That makes sense, since the wrist strap was mainly used alongside the camera. You can pick up the new stripped-down 16GB iPod touch for $229.

Read More | iPod touch 16GB

Purported iPad 5 case leak points to redesign with reduced bezel size [Video]

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Accessories, Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,

The folks over at Tinhte.ven, who have a fairly good track record with Apple leaks, have managed to get their hands on some cases that are said to be designed for the expected iPad 5. This is becoming the norm, as we speculate that case makers pay leakers for design schematics in order to get a leg up when the Apple product goes on sale.

Rumors are pointing to a redesigned iPad 5 that has slimmer and lighter characteristics and reduced bezels, similar to those found on the iPad mini. If you're looking into buying a new iPad, we suggest waiting a bit longer if you want the latest and greatest--our guess is we will see the new models in about 3 months. Check out the video after the break.

Click to continue reading Purported iPad 5 case leak points to redesign with reduced bezel size [Video]

Meet August: Yves Behar’s keyless digital lock system

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smart Home, Wireless / WiFi,

Yves Behar, the famous designer of the popular array of Jawbone bluetooth headsets, Jambox portable stereo jukebox and fitness activity monitor Up, has launched a new company, promoting a smart door lock, August. August is a keyless digital lock system for your home connected to low powered Bluetooth with an iPhone app. August does not solely rely on Wi-Fi in order for it to function, so no need to worry in the event of a power outage. The device is said to be easy to install in a two-step process compared to other locking solutions. It does not require an additional lock for the outside door and it's said to not be noticeable since the device is housed in the inside lock of the home, which it replaces. Check out the video after the break.

Click to continue reading Meet August: Yves Behar’s keyless digital lock system

Read More | August

Tweetbot for Mac 1.3 brings media timeline, cover images, more

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

Tweetbot for Mac has been updated to version 1.3, which mostly carries over a lot of the recent features introduced in Tweetbot for iOS. This includes things like media view, and support for the Twitter cover images on profile pages. Here's the full list:

• New media timeline. Type command f and switch to the media view (next to the search box).
• New look for Tweet detail including retweet and favorite counts.
• Profile Cover Image support.
• Double clicking titlebar above a profile view will scroll profile back to top. Double clicking again will scroll their timeline/mentions/faves to the top.
• Fixed issues with unread items obscuring notification/error messages and attached post windows.
• Fixed issue where you text was still editable after you’d sent a tweet.
• Various other bug fixes.

You can download Tweetbot for Mac now.

Tesla set to triple Supercharger charging network by the end of June

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,

At the D11 conference, Tesla CEO Elon Musk just announced a major expansion to the Tesla Supercharger network. According to Musk:

"There's going to be a dramatic acceleration of the Supercharging network. By the end of next month, we'll triple the Supercharger coverage area. There's a map that'll go live tomorrow. By the end of this year, you'll be able to drive from LA to NY just using the Supercharger network. We're improving the density of Superchargers in well-traveled routes, as well as the overall coverage area."

This is huge, as there is always range anxiety for owners of vehicles that are 100% powered by electricity. Rapid expansion of Tesla's Supercharger network is essential to curbing that feeling. Tesla Model S owners using the Supercharger can go from 0% to 80% charged in 30 minutes. Of course, the Model S is a very expensive vehicle, but getting Superchargers in place for when Tesla expects to have a $30,000 range vehicle for sale (in about three years, according to Musk,) will go a long way towards buyer confidence.

Drobo and Connected Data to merge, we look forward to Transporter-like Drobos

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Storage,

Here at Gear Live, we're big fans of both Drobo and the Transporter, so excuse us if we're more than a little excited about the announcement that the two companies that entered into a merger agreement. We've covered the Transporter in the past, but to refresh your memory, it's a collaborative file-sharing device that offers Dropbox- or Copy-like functionality, but stored locally with no fees. Of course, Drobo makes fantastic external storage devices, many of which we've covered extensively. It will be great to see new Drobos that offer the Transporter file-sharing abilities. Nothing official has been announced, but we can dream.

Tempo for iPhone now supports auto dial-in to top 20 conference call services

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Business, Productivity, App Updates, Free Apps,

Tempo, one of our favorite iPhone calendar apps (alongside Fantastical) just received an update that should make it significantly more attractive to business users. Why? Well, Tempo now includes support for automatical dial-in for the top 20 most popular conference call services. So now, when you set a calendar appointment for a conference call, Tempo will find that email, grab the dial-in details and code, and if it is one of the 20 services, you can use Tempo to call and enter the conference code for you, all with one tap. The 20 services include: AccuTalk.net, AdConferencing, AnyMeeting, Calliflower, Free Audio Conferencing, Free Conference Calling,  Free Conference USA, FreeConference, FreeConferenceCall.com, Fuze, GlobalMeet, GoToMeeting, join.me, Powwownow, Rondee, TalkShoe, Totally Free Conference Calls, UberConference, Wiggio, and WebEx.

You can get Tempo Smart Calendar for free in the App Store.

Twitter for iPhone 5.7 improves photo sharing, timeline view

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,

Twitter for iPhone 5.7 has been released, bringing with it improved photo sharing and a preview of what your media- and metadata-filled tweets will look like prior to you posting them, so you can get them juuust right. The Twitter timeline also gets a makeover, now being wider and easier to read throughout the app. You'll also now receive a notification whenever a friend of yours joins Twitter (we aren't sure how that one works,) alongside all the typical bug fixes and code optimizations. You can download Twitter for iPhone now.

Read More | Twitter for iPhone