MobiTechnophile

One of the great things about Pebble is that it uses standard 22mm watchbands. 

Replaced the stock band with this $13 rubber band with this stainless steel buckle closure.

If you're jailbroken on iOS 7, Smartwatch+ has been updated and is now iOS 7 compatible.

Smartwatch+ is available for non-jailbroken devices as well, but there are 3 reasons I've been waiting for the JB version:

App stays open in the background. No need to activate every so often to keep it "alive"

Activate Siri with a press of the button

Reply to texts using canned responses

Check it out in Cydia for $2.99

Side obsession: remote controlled toys

Here's where I'm holding:

Syma Mini RC - For under $20 these are really fun 

JXD 343 Gyro Shooter - $35, a little more interaction, this heli shoots little missiles.

Syma X1 Quad Copter - $32, this is a MUST HAVE. I bought a Parrot but returned it before opening after trying this copter. Bottom line, it does flips. Need I say more?? Caveat - not great indoors unless you have A LOT of open space.

To Buy:

New Pebble App has a store - easy to find and install apps and watchfaces

New Pebble App has a "locker" feature that stores wathfaces and apps you remove so you can put them back on later

Battery indicator! Many watchfaces now incorporate the Pebble battery status

No more need for Httpebble, etc. Pebble can now make web calls natively. Hello weather!

Time always visible - even with many notifications.

There are also many new apps using new SDK features previously not possible with Pebble. 

Caudabe: The Veil Ultra Thin iPhone Case is my personal pick for iPhone case. It barely registers as a case and is good enough to protect the iPhone from the scratches and dings that end up driving me insanse.

Sticks and Stones

Yes, we know Apple’s smartwatch is coming. Who wants to wait?

Get a Pebble today. Here’s 10 reasons why:

Works with iOS and Android using low-power Bluetooth

Lasts a week on a single charge

No need to pull out your phone to:

Read emails, texts, notifications as they arrive (iOS (native),Android)

See who’s calling (and reject ‘em!)

See what music is playing, and control music play

Customizable watchfaces:

Show Weather

Show Calendar, Battery, Stocks, More..

Create your own in under 5 minutes

Install WatchApps!

Use with Runkeeper, Runtastic Road Bike, more – better exercising experience

Take a photo without touching your phone (selfies!)

Play Tetris and Breakout! :)

Even reply to texts! (Android, iOS [jailbroken])

Swap out the band with any standard 22mm watch band

Drive a Mercedes? Even better.

Read Facebook, Twitter, News, etc. (iOS via Boxcar, Android viaPebble Rocker)

Oh ya –it also tells time.

Remember When.. TVs Were Dumb?

It’s easy and cheap to turn any TV – even a simple monitor – into a SmartTV. 

SmartTV’s have “channels” or “apps” (think iPad) that let you watch content, play games, view your personal photos and videos, communicate etc.

ROKU – Models starting as low as $49.99.

Pros:

Choose from most major channels, content providers

Small, cheap, simple

iOS and Android app acts as remote control

Only device that integrates with Aereo – so you can watch live local TV.

Many 3rd party channels (called ‘private channels’) for just about every interest

Cons:

No native YouTube channel (but you can use Plex to get it)

No playing iTunes DRM content

  Apple TV – Starts at $94.99

Pros:

Integrates well with Apple devices, iTunes

Now supports more channels than before, including Netflix, Hulu Plus

Airplay / Mirroring lets iOS devices stream photos, movies, and games wirelessly to TV

Perfect for Apple-centric users

Cons:

No Amazon Instant Video

No support for external, 3rd party content

Only 1 model to choose from

  Google TV – Many devices

Pros:

So many devices to choose from, including standalone boxes, Blu-ray players, etc.

Browse the web with ease, just like on a computer

Dual View allows using Google TV while watching regular programming (other devices need their input switched)

Runs Android OS – tried and true OS, and most popular mobile OS in the world

Cons:

With Chromecast released (see below), exact future of Google TV is unknown

  ChromeCast - $35 – Chromecast isn’t really like the other options. Chromecast is an HDMI dongle that you plug into your TV, then use your smart devices to stream content to the TV. Essentially, it’s like Airplay, but works on iOS, Android and desktop computers.

Pros:

Cheap, simple

Cons:

You, Me, and 3D (Printers)

Why Should I Care?

3D Printers are similar to regular inkjet printers, except they can print 3d objects like toys, cups, even guns and prosthetic limbs. (Don’t print a gun, don’t get arrested)

They have the potential to seriously bring down prices for many consumer products – even designer eyeglasses.

Anyone and everyone can become a manufacturer. A graphic artist can suddenly become a jewelry manufacturer (see #2 below)

Prices on 3D printers have dropped significantly. Even at higher price points a 3d printer  can pay for itself in less than a year.

When combined with a 3D Scanner, you can basically Xerox real-life objects.

Not Sold Yet?

Get Instant Gratification. Need a new iPhone case? Done. Penny slingshot to attack a co-worker? Made.   Download a file fromThingIverse and print it immediately.

Make Money / Save Money / Get Creative. You don’t even need a printer to try it. Upload your design to Shapeways.com and they’ll print it and ship it to you. Or let them print and sell your item to others – printed even in steel, silver.

Watch it happen live at a Makerbot store in NYC.

Sold? Take The Plunge

Create and design with Sketchup - Free

Get A Printer:

Printrbot - $299 – Entry Level

Solidoodle - $499 - A little more polished

Flashforge - $1,199 - Makerbot (below) Chinese knockoff

Makerbot - $2,199 – Brand Name

The CubeX Tri - $3,999 – You got too excited. Chill.

Consider a Scanner:

Volumental – Free - creates 3D scans via Xbox Kinect and the web.

Smartphone world:

Apple finally released iOS 7, and everyone’s battery life dropped. Try these tips to improve battery life: http://bswi.ch/9BD81

On the brighter side, here’s a nice recap of some of the great new features iOS 7 brings: http://bswi.ch/5D2A5

Android users, add an extra button to your phone that does whatever you want with this brilliant Kickstarter item: http://bswi.ch/6303E

Can’t wait for Siri integration for your car? Get Mobile Home and get your Siri on: http://bswi.ch/0C704. If you’re daring and jailbroken, get the same functionality for free by hacking  your iPhone to launch Siri by dialing a number: http://bswi.ch/D8067

Hot Products:

No more bathroom rinsing cups needed with this brilliant toothbrush: http://bswi.ch/0C3E6

I thought my ears were the only ones Apple’s earpods constantly fell out of. Not so, and not anymore: http://bswi.ch/91699

Productivity:

MS Office is expensive. Check out LibreOffice. Their 4.1 release will have you seriously questioning the cost of Microsoft Office. Mac/PC. http://bswi.ch/2CB6D

Passbook on your iPhone collecting dust? Use PassSource to add just about any store card to Passbook http://bswi.ch/AE698

Amazon isn’t only about buying. Read the reviews on these products whenever you need a quick pick-me-up: http://bswi.ch/3FC4B

Wolfram Alpha might possibly be the most underused/underappreciated website on the internet. Don’t believe me? Read this: http://bswi.ch/4AC6A

Ikea + Hacking = Awesome http://bswi.ch/16B4C

For the Brain: Try Wibbitz for iOS and let the app read you the news while showing news imagery. Best implementation of this technology I’ve seen to date. http://bswi.ch/ED3FD

For the Kid (in us): Out of lives in Candy Crush? Change your smart device’s clock – push it forward an hour. Free lives!

For the Traveler: Finally, Google Maps for iOS can cache maps locally. Just type “ok maps” in the search bar to save the (visible) map to your device.

For the Weekend: Muku Shuttr lets you take a picture on your phone with the press of a button on a remote. Fund it! http://bswi.ch/ADDB7

Hack Your Brain - Remember lists of information quickly using the Loci system and Major system. Read these Wikipedia entries, or check out the book Moonwalking with Einstein.

http://bswi.ch/B369C (Method of loci)

http://bswi.ch/F3CB2 (Major System)

http://bswi.ch/33209 (Moonwalking with Einstein)

Hack Your Charger – The standard charging cable for most smartphones is way too short for my taste.  Extend it by 15 feet for under $4.http://bswi.ch/6CCBC

Hack Your Drinks – Keep this cup in the freezer, then take any (sugar) drink and turn it into a slushie / ices on-demand.

http://bswi.ch/EA769

Cheaper Alternative: http://bswi.ch/7825D

Hack Your Health – Create a goal on this website (like losing 10 pounds) that’s tied to money. Miss the goal, lose the money.http://bswi.ch/C1938

Father’s day is June 16th. How about getting something that he might actually like?

If you haven’t heard about Leap Motion, check out their vid here: http://bswi.ch/9D730 – You won’t get it in time but this thing is so cool that giving Dad a printout in an envelope with: “it’s pre-ordered for you” will still score a win.

Whiskey Stones are so passé. Go for Whiskey Stone Shot Glasses instead. http://bswi.ch/5C5CB

By far, the coolest iPhone external “speaker” system. http://bswi.ch/51032

How did I travel before using Cocoon Organizers? No clue. http://bswi.ch/5EF90

Old meets new with this Retro Flip Down Clock - http://bswi.ch/D2A0A

Brown bagging has never looked (or tasted) this good. Gotta love the included magnetic spoon! Thermo Pot: http://bswi.ch/6134B