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