Verizon Wireless iPad Now on Sale

On October 28th, Verizon Wireless began selling Wi-Fi versions of the iPad, with MiFi mobile hotspot dongle packages on offer, starting at $630 for the 16GB model.

Prices go up to $730 for the 32GB model, and $830 for the 64GB-er. Monthly payments beginning at $20 for 1GB of data will have to be paid to make those MiFi dongles work.

Windows Mobile 7

Windows Mobile 7 is coming out ----- and I want to keep you up-to-date on some of the reviews. Here is the first one:

http://gizmodo.com/5673838/10-ways-windows-phone-is-broken

What is 4G and Do I Need It?

There's a lot of talk about 4G wireless right now. Sprint has 4G. Verizon's getting 4G. And T-Mobile may or may not be running 4G.

Here is what you need to know: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2371304,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03129TX1K0000625&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ziffdavis%2FPCMagazineTips+%28PCMag.com+Tips+and+Solutions%29

Wii Vitality Sensor detailed in patent application, fires righteous beams of light

How does Nintendo's oft-delayed Wii Vitality Sensor work? According to a new patent filing, it's actually quite simple -- the unit fires infrared light right at your fingertip and reports how much passes through, just like the pulse oximeters the pros use. Games then translate the result to the unfortunately-named "relax fluid" number, which is the Vitality Sensor's equivalent of your Brain Age -- the more fluid you've got, the calmer you are. It's also allegedly sensitive enough to detect when you're breathing just by measuring the changes in your fingertip, as evidenced by a concept game where you have to closely adjust your inhaling and exhaling to get an avatar safely through a tunnel without hitting the presumably deadly walls. And now you know.

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/wii-vitality-sensor-detailed-in-patent-application-fires-righte/

Wireless body area network allows your body to send status updates to your cellphone

Dutch researchers recently demonstrated a new type of wireless body area network, or BAN for short. A BAN essentially gives the human body its own IP address, and the new techniques demonstrated at IMEC based in Eindhoven incorporate a dongle that plugs into the SD card slot of a cellphone, enabling the streaming of data from the sensors to the cellphone in real time. The demonstrated software, which runs Android OS and uses the nRF24L01+ radio wireless standard rather than Bluetooth. So what does this mean for the future of medicine? Well, with just a few EKG-like sensors, people with medical conditions such as heart problems, or athletes in training, will be able to monitor their own body on their cellphones. The technology is still in the demo phase, but it's one we look forward to seeing in practice.

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/wireless-body-area-network-allows-your-body-to-send-status-updat/

Shinobii's table tennis bat for Wii hitting shelves soon for $70

Remember that prototype Wii tablet tennis controller that was reviewed (and adored) recently? You know -- the one that had no official maker and no official release date? Turns out that very device is made by Shinobii Technologies, and the outfit is finally coming clean with a bona fide version that's suitable for public release. The TT Champion Bat is said to be a true 1:1 replica of an actual table tennis paddle in both size and weight, and the electronics required to interact with the Wii console are all integrated; in other words, this is your Wiimote when playing a tennis or ping pong title. There's also a rechargeable battery within to keep things humming along, and best of all, it'll soon be available online and at traditional video game retailers throughout the EU and North America for $69.99. Hello, stocking stuffer.

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/17/shinobiis-table-tennis-bat-for-wii-hitting-shelves-soon-for-70/

Podcast

Uploaded our latest Using Technology in Physical Podcast at http://www.pesoftware.com/podcast/index.html

The New Xbox.com Is More Than Just A Pretty Face

Tomorrow morning at 5AM Eastern Xbox.com will be going down. When it comes back, it'll have a fresh new look and some extra-added functionality. Let's take a look!

Major Nelson uploaded a set of pictures of the new Xbox.com website redesign this morning, giving users a look at how they'll be interfacing with Xbox Live via the web tomorrow morning. Xbox.com and the forums will go down at 5AM Eastern time, and when they come back up, this is what we'll be seeing.

New features introduced in the redesign include the ability to edit avatars via the website; a combined view for messages, friend requests, and game invites; improved account notification; family reports so you can keep tabs on your household; and the ability to play web games with friends via the website or Windows Phone 7. The Xbox.com Marketplace is also scoring a robust new search system, making it easier than ever to find the games you're looking for.

Check out the screens at http://gizmodo.com/5667776/the-new-xboxcom-is-more-than-just-a-pretty-face/gallery/ to see what we'll be seeing once Xbox.com is reborn tomorrow morning.

Nintendo announces Wii Remote Plus with built-in MotionPlus tracking

We have confirmation from Nintendo that they are indeed building the Wii Remote Plus, which combines a Wii Remote with its Wii MotionPlus gyro add-on into one Wii Remote-sized package. We spotted the controller in a FlingSmash bundle, the telltale "smile" text below the Wii logo, and now all we really need is a price and a launch date.

More Good News from Target Stores

Starting October 17, holders of Target store credit cards will be eligible for a 5 percent discount on an iPad purchase—taking $25 off the purchase of the basic 16-GB Wi-Fi-only model of the device. Target will sell the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models of both the Wi-Fi and 3G versions of the iPad.

How to Pick an Android Smartphone

Check out reviews of the Droid X and Epic 4G and Evo at http://gizmodo.com/5651182/how-to-pick-an-android-smartphone

Pay special attention to the flow chart for selecting an Android phone.

How To Use Your iPhone As a Bike Computer

The LiveRider iPhone app and bike kit is meant to be the equivalent of the dashboard of your car, but on your bike.

The app lets you keep track of how far you have gone, how fast you are currently going and even lets you keep Google Maps handy in case you get lost. You might be able to do some of these features with just using Google Maps GPS, but you couldn't track your ride to the extent that LiveRider could. You can even put it in ghost mode, which is you chasing your previous rides and times, kinda like a racing game.

The kit costs $100, which includes the mount, the magnets and the adapter. The app is free, but doesn't work without the kit.

Take a look: http://gizmodo.com/5646063/how-to-use-your-iphone-as-a-bike-computer?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29

Digital Golf Glove Tells You Exactly How Hard To Grip It

The SensoGlove, a $89 golf glove, is the first digital glove that'll offer you tips on your grip. Its embedded sensors can read how well you're holding your club to ensure you apply the exact grip pressure for the perfect swing. There's a sweatproof 1.2 inch LED screen that tells you which finger needs a fixin' and the glove can even deliver audio commands to get your grip in line.

We have requested a review device so that we can provide our podcast listeners with additional information.

Tablet PCs BlackBerry PlayBook vs. iPad vs. Galaxy Tab vs. Streak

Check out the point by point comparison: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/28/blackberry-playbook-vs-ipad-vs-galaxy-tab-vs-streak-the-tale/

EVO 4G and Droid Incredible vie for title of best Android hotspot in informal test

Wireless tethering is rapidly becoming a desirable option in top-tier smartphones, but which device delivers the best? Laptop Magazine swore to find out, pitting six Android favorites (two HTC, two Motorola and two Samsung) against one another. Unsurprisingly, the HTC EVO 4G came out on top, averaging 5.09 Mbit / sec downloads and a 3.65 second page load time when 4G connectivity was present, but intriguingly enough it's the freshly-upgraded Droid Incredible that pulled the best speeds on 3G. Lest you think Motorola was trounced in this little competition, the Droid 2 actually delivered websites the fastest at 4.425 seconds on average -- besting the Samsung Epic 4G on 4G -- and Droid X owners can find consolation in the fact their handset is really good at loading ESPN for some reason.

iPad comes to Target on October 3

iPads will soon be popping up among the groceries and housewares—Target announced on Friday that it will sell Apple’s tablet device at its 1743 stores across the country.

Until now, Apple sold the iPad directly from its Website and stores, and through electronics retailers like Best Buy and MicroCenter. Some smaller retailers also sold the device through Amazon.com’s online store. Like the iPod and iPhone before it, however, the iPad is escaping into general retail stores.

First working Social Bicycles GPS-enabled bike lock pictured

It's been a little over a month since we last saw the Social Bicycles (or SoBi) bike lock concept, a simple thing that could revolutionize bicycle loaning worldwide. Now, here's the first working prototype, a GPS-enabled device that affixes to the rear wheel of a bike set to be offered up to others. Those others can call up a mobile app to locate available rides and retrieve the password necessary to unlock them. Once done pedaling they can just lock the thing up again and it's immediately added to the queue of available human-powered chariots. This version is currently being tested and, while we're still waiting for a formal release date, we're also hoping the devices get a dose of miniaturization before then -- they currently look more like briefcases than bike locks.

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/first-working-social-bicycles-gps-enabled-bike-lock-pictured-lo/