On Gear Live: Circuit Breaker: The Tech Newsletter that Elevates Your Gadget Game

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Apple In-Ear Headphones

announced new in-ear headphones that contain two high-performance drivers, a woofer and tweeter, built-in.  The price might be high at $79, but it may well be worth it, especially if you have a discerning ear.  The three pairs of changeable is a nice inclusion since all ears are created differently and you’ll be able to find just the right fit, unlike that last in-ear that Apple made a while back.  Another nifty feature here is the “control capsule”, which includes a microphone, volume adjustment, and music/video playback control. Oddly, despite the microphone, these don’t seem to be compatible with the - Apple says the mic is great for voice notes though. In that case, we should all run out and get these! They’ll be available in October.

What?  You don’t want to pay a high price for the Apple logo?  I mean, comfort?

Read More | Apple In-Ear Headphones

Gallery: Apple Introduces In-Ear Headphones


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iPod classic 120GB

As part of this morning’s Let’s Rock event, Apple announced that the was going to be available in one model from here on out, that being 120GB. While that is down from the 160GB model that was available previously, it is also up from the 80GB version that most people were buying. In case you didn’t know, that amount of space gives you the ability to save 30,000 songs. 30,000! Does anyone really have the time to do download, and listen to, that many songs?  If so, I’d like to meet him (or, more appropriately, her) - on second thought, maybe I don’t.  In either case, this will be the only version of the classic iPod moving forward and it will retail for a cool $249. You can order one now at the Apple Store Online.

Read More | iPod classic

Gallery: iPod classic gets bumped to 120GB


NapbookHafsteinn Juliusson designed the Napbook, a laptop case that can double as a pillow. It was created for students, business folk between sessions, or anyone who has the need to catch a few winks. Because the Napbook is only available at the Apple store in Reykjavik, Iceland, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to pick up an inexpensive pillow, cut out some of its innards, and make your own.

Check out Hafsteinn’s other ideas, including his Slim Chips, flavored paper with no calories and Growing Jewelry, made with live Icelandic moss.

Read More | Hafsteinn Juliusson

Gallery: Napbook Laptop Case Doubles as Pillow


Apple Let's Rock iPod event

Well, what do you know? Looks like that event that Kevin Rose speculated about a couple of weeks ago is finally official. This morning, Apple sent out notification of their next event, titled “Let’s Rock”, is set for September 9th. Now, looking at the graphic, we think it is pretty clear that this one is going to be focused on s. Apple is notorious for refreshing their portable media player line in September (heck, last September was when the iPod touch was announced) for the whole back-to-school and holiday vibe.

While we expect to see new models across the board, word on the street is that the and will be the ones to pay attention to this time around. That is, unless, you are like me and have tons of media that you want with you at all times. If that is you, then you are with me in hoping we see something akin to a 250GB iPod classic. Aside from that, though, some surprises would be nice. I know I’ve been asking for it for years now, and this probably isn’t the appropriate place to announce it, but I sure as heck would just love it if Apple would also give us a new Cinema Display. Could happen, right? Yeah, I didn’t think so either.

Gallery: Let’s Rock: Apple event planned for September 9


PwnageTool 2.0.3

For those of you out there who can’t live without a jailbroken , we venture to guess that you’ll be happy to hear that PwnageTool 2.0.3 is now available, thanks to the continuing hard work of the iPhone Dev Team. This new version features a few new features:

  • Updated Installer.app to beta 6
  • Support for iPhone and firmware 2.0.2 5C1
  • Adds .de localization for those who read German

If you are already running an older version, you can update right from within PwnageTool, otherwise hit the link below to download the latest version.

Read More | PwnageTool 2.0.3

Gallery: iPhone Pwnage Tool 2.0.3 now available


iPhoneWhile many camped out in the U.S. for a chance to be one of the first grab the sacred iPhone, there might have been a slight hesitancy on the part of Poland to do likewise. So, according to their largest mobile carrier Orange, actors were paid to stand in line.

“We have these fake queues at front of 20 stores around the country to drum up interest in the iPhone,” a spokesperson said.  Their thinking is that buyers there may not have sufficient funding to splurge on the expensive device. There were none paid to hang at the T-Mobile Era stores, however.

Read More | ABC News

Gallery: Actors Stand in for Polish iPhone Purchasers


iPhone TelescopeWhile we are on the subject of gadgets for iPhone 3Gs, there is now a 6x Zoom Telescope available for the near-sighted or simply nosy. Brando claims that it has a super wide angle, a larger luminous flux, better color, and a higher visual acuteness. Simple to assemble, the package includes a crystal case, neck strap, and adapter. There is also a telescope available for 2G iPhones. Each one will set you back $19.00.

Read More | Mobile Brando

Gallery: iPhone 3G Telescope


SeeThru CaseSpeck has announced that they now shipping their SeeThru iPhone 3G hard shells. The cases have rubber, no-slip grippers in its two piece, snap together design. Remove the bottom only for docking or use it as a stand for viewing photos or video. Like their other cases, there is access to controls, sensors, and ports. Available in Amethyst Purple, Rose Quartz Pink, Garnet Red, Diamond Clear, or Obsidian Black for $29.95 on their site or in Apple stores.

(Thanks, Jen)

Read More | Speck

Gallery: Speck SeeThru iPhone 3G Hard Shell


MobileMe Extension

We know that ‘s service has been off to a rocky start, but we are just glad that the company realizes it as well. Since the launch, people have had trouble with syncing, have lost email, and have discovered that this whole “push” thing wasn’t really as “pushy” as Apple made it out to be when they gave us a look at the product back at .

Originally, Apple gave all subscribers a 30-day extension to compensate for all the issues, as well as a written apology. Since then, things have gotten a little better, but are still in no way seamless. Because of this, Apple has just decided to grant another extension, and this one is twice as long as the original. If you were a MobileMe subscriber as of 12:00 AM PDT on August 19, you get an additional 60 days tacked on to the end of your subscription. Even better, if you were taking a free trial of the service as of that time, you get 60 days added on to your trial. Apparently, Apple doesn’t want you to not sign up due to the kinks they are trying to work out. Good for them.

Hit the Read link below for the full details on the extension, and the eligibility requirements around it.

Read More | MobileMe extension details

Gallery: Apple grants all MobileMe subscribers a 60-day extension


iPhone 2.0.2

Just two weeks after released iPhone 2.0.1 firmware, we just got word via iTunes that firmware 2.0.2 is now available, and it, too, is all about killing bugs. The update is a little over 248 MB in size, and will be waiting for you when you next go to sync your . We’ve already gone ahead and done the installation, and we feel so much more bug-free already. Let’s just hope this ends our countless frozen Apple logo issues that have us doing a complete restore of the almost daily.

Gallery: iPhone firmware 2.0.2 ready to kill some bugs


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