They Found a Way to Make Our Jackets USB Compatible

Columbia's Electro Amp jacket is arguably as teched out as a jacket can get really. Designed by a former Intel engineer, the jacket warms itself through the carbon-fiber threads woven into the coat. And even it recharges via USB.

Take a look

Lifesize Holocubes

First they were little, then they added touchability, now Holocube's holograms in a box are going big time -- in that the company's latest model is physically much larger than the others. It's the HC70, a new version with a 70-inch transparent screen that can be viewed from both sides. It's powered by a Windows 7 Embedded machine with 40GB of flash storage from which it can loop between eight and 18 hours of video, displayed via 1080p projector. You can see it in action below showing a... slightly mesmerizing collection of random bits of footage. Let us know if you can find the hidden meaning.

Check it out here.

Pico projector seen as an unlikely addition to Apple's iPhone until 2013

Anyone hopeful to see a portable pico projector in Apple's forthcoming fifth-generation iPhone -- or any other smartphone this year -- will likely disappointed by a new report, which says not to expect such technology until after 2012.

Supply chains sources have indicated to DigiTimes that the iPhone 5 will not employ a so-called "pico projector," which would allow the device to include the ability to project video images onto an external surface.

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Verizon Announces Unlimited Data Plan

A leaked memo from Verizon shows that the carrier will no longer offer its entry-level capped data plan smartphones, requiring new iPhone 4 customers to buy the $30-per-month unlimited offering.

The new pricing, leaked to Engadget, shows that Verizon intends to cease its $15-per-month 150MB data plan. Buyers of new 3G smartphones will be required to pay $29.99 per month for unlimited data allowance.

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Google Update

Today we’re launching a new education category in the Google Apps Marketplace to help schools and universities easily discover and deploy new web applications that integrate with their existing Google Apps accounts.

This new education category will make it easier for schools to have more web apps at their fingertips, including popular existing apps such as Aviary, Grockit and LearnBoost as well as the new apps launching today.

The new Apps Marketplace education category includes more than 20 applications from 19 vendors. These include web-based learning management systems (LMS) such as Haiku, student tools such as Digication for e-Portfolios, and learning platforms such as DreamBox learning games and BrainPOP educational content, all of which integrate with Google Apps through single sign-on and access through the Google universal navigation bar.

Thousands of universities, colleges and K-12 schools around the world with more than 10 million users already deploy Google Apps in their classrooms. The applications we're introducing today are just the beginning of making Apps and the Marketplace more vibrant and helpful for schools, and more web applications—by Blackboard, Knewton and Khan Academy—are already on the way. We look forward to further expanding and strengthening our set of education tools going forward.

Apple finalizing wireless e-wallet for iPhone 5, iPad 2 - report

A new report claims Apple will add near-field communication technology to this year's anticipated iPad 2 and iPhone 5, giving users the ability to have their device serve as an electronic wallet for quick wireless transactions.

[This type of technology has been available in Japan for a decade]

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A Video Preview of Android 3.0

Take a look: http://gizmodo.com/5725831/a-video-preview-of-android-30-honeycomb?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29

Google Docs introduces video player

Google's headed ever deeper into the clouds this year with a new function for Google Docs: video playback. As of this week, users can upload videos (up to 1GB) in a supported format, and make them available for viewing in Google Docs. As with the previous video sharing set up, you can still download video, including previous versions. Google engineers have warned of excessive processing time, but once videos are up, viewing is as easy as clicking play -- and having a Flash player, of course.

Verizon publishes frequently asked iPhone 4-related questions

Verizon has answered a number of questions customers may have about the forthcoming launch of Apple's iPhone 4 on its network, addressing topics such as handset upgrade eligibility and data requirements.

The full iPhone 4 FAQ from Verizon is included below:

New & Existing Customer Eligibility

1. Can I transfer my service from my current wireless service provider to Verizon Wireless?

Yes, if your number is portable, you can bring your existing number from your current wireless or landline service provider to Verizon Wireless. To check if you're eligible to port, or to check the status of a current port request, click here.

2. Should I cancel my existing service before porting?

No. Your number must remain active. Canceling your service prior to porting will prevent you from keeping your number. Please note: You may be responsible to your old service provider for any contractual requirements and applicable charges, including an early termination fee, on your old account.

3. How long will it take to port my number?

Wireless to wireless ports generally should take no more than three hours to one day, but could take longer. Landline to wireless ports generally should take no more than 4 days, but could take longer. Please note: Actual processing time may vary depending on the complexity of the port, existing volumes between carriers and your old service provider.

4. How will I know when the port in to Verizon Wireless is complete?

Verizon Wireless will send a free text message to your phone notifying you that your new service is fully activated.

5. Do I need to sign up for a 2 year agreement?

When purchasing iPhone at the 2 year promotional price a new agreement is required. However, you will also have the option to purchase iPhone at full retail price, which will not require you to sign a long-term agreement.

6. Will existing customers be able to redeem their New Every Two credit?

Yes, existing customers will be able to take advantage of their New Every Two credit if eligible, and use it towards the purchase of iPhone (may not be available at all agent locations).

7. Will Verizon Wireless be offering an early upgrade promotion?

No, Verizon Wireless is not offering any early upgrade promotion at this time.

Pricing

1. Are there minimum service and data pricing requirements?

Yes, iPhone customers will need to choose from any of the current Nationwide plans. Customers will also be required to activate a data package, pricing will be announced at a later date.

Purchase

1. I currently have an iPhone with AT&T. Can I keep my existing version of iPhone?

No, in order to take advantage of the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless network, you will need an iPhone 4 that works on the Verizon Wireless network.

2. Can I upgrade to an iPhone even though I am not eligible to upgrade?

If you are not eligible to upgrade, you cannot upgrade at promotional pricing today, but you can pay full retail price and upgrade your phone if you would like to.

3. How much will iPhone cost?

$199.99 for the 16GB model, and $299.99 for the 32GB model with a new 2 year agreement.

4. When can I purchase iPhone?

iPhone 4 will be available for pre-order to Verizon Wireless customers only, on a “first come, first serve” basis via VerizonWireless.com, on or around February 3rd 2011 – details to be confirmed a week prior by Verizon Wireless. New and existing customers can purchase in select channels on February 10th 2011.

5. I am an existing customer and I’d like to go into a store to pre-order iPhone, will I be able to place my order in store?

No, iPhone will only be available for pre-order online for both consumer and business customers.

6. Can I go to an Apple store to purchase and activate the phone?

Yes, beginning on February 10th, you can visit an Apple Retail store to purchase and activate. However, prior to visiting, please make sure to check your upgrade eligibility if you are an existing Verizon Wireless customer.

8. Do you anticipate high demand for iPhone 4?

We do expect that iPhone 4 will be in high demand. In the event that iPhone 4 is not available in stores after February 10th, you can place your order in store and have the phone shipped directly to your billing address. Shipments will take place on a “first come, first serve” basis. No billing will take place until shipments are made.

Content Transfer
1. If I’m an existing Verizon Wireless customer, how do I transfer my contacts?

In order to transfer contacts, download and run Backup Assistant on your existing phone before receiving your new iPhone. Click here for more details, and for step-by-step instructions on how to transfer your contacts from your existing phone to iPhone. If you already keep your contacts on your Mac or PC, you can use iTunes to sync them to your new iPhone 4. iTunes syncs contacts with applications such as Mac OS X Address Book, Yahoo! Address Book, and Google Contacts on a Mac, or with Yahoo! Address Book, Google Contacts, Windows Address Book (Outlook Express), Windows Contacts (Vista and Windows 7), or Microsoft Outlook 2003, 2007, or 2010 on a PC.iPhone 4 can also sync your contacts over the air using MobileMe or Microsoft Exchange. If your current device cannot sync contacts with any of these options, you may need to re-enter your contacts on your new iPhone 4 manually.

2. Will my existing voice mail transfer over when I activate my iPhone?

No, all existing voice mails will be lost when transferring over to iPhone. Click here for more details, and for step-by-step instructions on how to save your existing voice mail.

3. Can I save my voice mails?

Yes, click here for more details, and for step-by-step instructions on how to save your existing voice mail.

iPhone and iTunes

1. Will the iPhone work on Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network?

iPhone 4 works on Verizon Wireless' 3G network.

2. Do I need iTunes to set up my iPhone?

Yes, you need to use iTunes 10.1 or later to set up your iPhone for the first time. If you'd like to make purchases from the iTunes Store or App Store, you can create a new Apple ID or specify an existing Apple ID during set up. For corporate users, you may need to contact your wireless administrator for additional information on installing iTunes.

3. If I already have an iTunes account, can I use it with my new iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless?

Yes, during set up, you can specify your existing Apple ID.

4. Will I be able to sync content and iOS apps that I already have in iTunes to my new iPhone 4?

Yes.

5. Will I be able to buy apps via the App Store?

You can search for, browse, review, purchase, and download iOS apps from the App Store directly to iPhone. Apps that you download and install from the App Store on iPhone are backed up to your iTunes library the next time you sync iPhone with your computer. When you sync iPhone, you can also install apps you’ve purchased or downloaded from the iTunes Store on your computer.

6. What happens to any existing apps that I have purchased on my existing Verizon Wireless handset?

The apps purchased on your existing handset will not work on iPhone 4.

7.Will I be able to buy apps via the App store?

You can search for, browse, review, purchase, and download apps from the App Store directly to iPhone. Apps that you download and install from the App Store on iPhone are backed up to your iTunes library the next time you sync iPhone with your computer. When you sync iPhone, you can also install apps you’ve purchased or downloaded from the iTunes Store on your computer.

8. Will any Verizon Wireless apps be available on iPhone?

iPhone will have the 3G Mobile Hotspot app pre-installed, and it will also have other popular apps available in the market such as VZ Navigator, and V CAST Media Manager.

9.What happens to any existing apps that I have purchased on my Verizon Wireless handset?

Although many of the same apps may be available on iPhone, those apps already purchased on your existing handset will not be available on your iPhone.

10. Will Verizon carry accessories for iPhone?

Yes.

11. If I have an iPhone 4 on another wireless carrier and switch to an iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless, will all of my accessories be compatible?

Most accessories should work, however you may find that cases and covers could be different depending on the product manufacturer.

12. Can I use my iPhone 4 while traveling abroad?

Yes, customers can use iPhone for voice and text in over 40 countries with data service in over 20 countries. For service availability and rate information, visit International Roaming Rates and Coverage. When travelling outside of these 40 destinations, the Global Travel program is the perfect short-term solution for the occasional or infrequent global traveler who needs to stay in touch when travelling internationally.

Support

1. Who do I call for support or general questions?

Verizon Wireless customers with general support questions can contact customer service by dialing *611 from your cell phone, or (800) 922-0204 from a landline, Monday-Sunday 6am-11pm.

2. How will Verizon Wireless continue to maintain the largest and most reliable 3G network in America with the launch of iPhone 4?

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $60 billion since it was formed – $5.7 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. Verizon Wireless' 'most reliable network' claim is based on network studies conducted by test men and women who drive 100 specially-equipped vehicles more than 1 million miles annually to test network performance, call quality, and data network performance. Verizon Wireless uses the results of its frequent network tests to maintain and fine-tune the company's network on a regular basis as part of its ongoing quality maintenance programs and annual capacity planning.

1. Can I exchange a device that I recently purchased for iPhone?

Yes, we will gladly accept returns or make exchanges on all wireless devices and accessories purchased from Verizon Wireless within 30 days of purchase (14 days for tablets). To make an exchange, return the merchandise (including device, charger, battery, instructions, and any other components) in the ORIGINAL box. All merchandise must be in like-new condition and accompanied by the original receipt. Shipping charges may apply to exchange merchandise sent to you by Verizon Wireless. A restocking fee of $35 ($70 for netbooks and tablets) applies to any second return or exchange of a wireless device (excluding Hawaii).

Apple's iPhone Coming to Verizon

Ending years of anticipation, Apple and Verizon announced Tuesday that the iPhone 4 is coming to the largest wireless carrier in the U.S. on Feb. 10 at a starting price of $199.

Customers will be able to preorder the much anticipated phone on Feb. 3, and it will launch in Verizon and Apple stores, as well as online, a week later. The handset will carry the same prices of $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS Has TomTom and an Attitude

The Nike+ SportWatch, powered by TomTOM GPS, will bug you when you forget to run and encourage you when you do.

It's like your own personal trainer...on your wrist! The SportWatch GPS will bug you with run reminders when you haven't logged a run in five days, you'll get "attaboys" for achieving run records, and you can plug the watch directly into your computer to interface with nikeplus.com.

As for the hardware, the SportWatch's GPS works in combination with a shoe sensor to keep logging your location even when you're running in the city, and you can tap the display to illuminate the backlight or set a new lap.

Take a look here.

iHealth blood pressure iPod dock: another sort of Apple to keep the doctor away

Back in March 2009 at the iPhone OS 3.0 debut event, Apple's Scott Forstall pointed out medical devices specifically as one of the more interesting class of peripherals that could leverage the new custom app interface capabilities. And while it's certainly an interesting concept -- keeping tabs on your general health from the comfort of your own home -- we haven't really seen it catch on (only a couple of products come to mind). That isn't stopping iHealth; the company's blood pressure dock, available today from its online store (we're told it should be filtering through Apple's own channels later this month) ties in with a specialized iPhone / iPod touch / iPad app to monitor and track blood pressure from the comfort of your home, where theoretically there shouldn't be a stranger in a white coat making you extra nervous. In our brief time with the device, the interface seemed fairly intuitive and the whole process simple and not at all intimidating. The cost of entry is $99.95 for the hardware; the free app should be hitting iTunes today. Press release after the break.

Take a look.

iPhonECG case monitors your heart rate to make sure you're appropriately excited about CES

CES isn't just about incrementally thinner or faster hardware, you know. Some people like to bring legitimately innovative ideas to the show, such as this iPhonECG case, which does what its name suggests: it takes an ECG (electrocardiogram) reading of your heart's activity through a pair of electrodes and then communicates its findings to an iPhone 4 it can be attached to. We say it can be attached to an iPhone as communication is done wirelessly, so you'll probably be able to monitor your ticker's rhythm without the Applephone pressed against your bosom. Then again, maybe you like that. It's a free world, we don't judge. We'll be sending out our most hairy-chested editor to give this thing a proper test at the Las Vegas convention next week. Until then, scope out the video after the break.

Take a look - I will at CES.