This iPhone case is basically an Android phone

iPhones have a reputation for being user friendly, but ultimately, Android can do a lot of things iOS can’t. Aspects of Android could be useful to all phone users, but straying from the Apple ecosystem can be intimidating. Now, there’s a new way for iPhone users to easily access Android features like expandable storage and multiple SIM cards. Entrepreneur Joseph Savion and his company ESTI Inc. decided to (almost literally) strap an Android phone to the back of an iPhone. That sounds like a strange idea, but that’s basically what ESTI’s Eye phone case does. The case, which is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter , adds a 5-inch AMOLED display, a 2.3GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU, a 2800mAh battery, up to 256GB of microSD storage, dual SIM slots, a headphone jack and wireless charging, among other features. There are two versions of the case: one with cellular connectivity and one without. A comment from Savion on the Kickstarter page says that the Android device can make use of the iPhone’s internet connection. While there is some other integration between the devices — they share the iPhone’s speaker, microphone and cameras — they pretty much function as their own machines. The case runs Android 7.1 Nougat , and if Eye is starting to sound more like a standalone phone than an iPhone case, well, it’s priced like one too. It’s expected to retail for $189 (or $229 for the 4G version), although early Kickstarter backers can get theirs for $95 ($129 for 4G). That said, $95 for a phone is pretty cheap. The main question is, who this product is even for? Most iPhone users seem happy with their devices , and probably don’t need a product like this to “improve” it. Even for users wanting to test the Android waters, there are plenty of non-Apple devices available for under $100 that could satisfy their curiosity without adding bulk to their current phone. Ultimately, Eye seems a lot more interesting than it does practical. As of this writing, the case has raised over $84, 000 of its $95, 000 goal with 32 days to go. So, it might not be necessary, but it will probably come to market anyway. Via: The Verge , 9to5Google Source: Kickstarter

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This iPhone case is basically an Android phone

Nanoloop’s cartridge turns your Game Boy into an analog synth

Nanoloop has been providing ways for music and gaming enthusiasts to create tunes with a Game Boy for years now. The company is back with a new card for the original Game Boy handheld: the Nanoloop Mono. With the €69 (around $76) accessory, you can transform that classic gaming device into an analog mono synth. Thanks to one pin of Game Boy’s cartridge connector working as an audio input and a built-in amplifier, the Nanoloop Mono can generate sound and output it through the headphone jack in a completely analog fashion. The Nanoloop Mono packs in three analog filters and a noise generator on its hybrid sound chip. There’s also a step sequencer with per step control of the parameters and eight memory banks than can each hold 15 patterns per channel. While the card works best with the OG Game Boy, it will also provide some noise when used with the Game Boy Pocket and Game Boy Color. However, Nanoloop says sound quality suffers with those gadgets. It doesn’t work at all with the Game Boy Advance, but the company makes another card for that handheld: the Nanoloop 2.0 . While you decide whether or not to turn your collector’s item into a music making machine, the video below shows the Mono in action. Via: FACT Source: Nanoloop

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Nanoloop’s cartridge turns your Game Boy into an analog synth

Latest Roku TV update makes any smartphone a wireless headset

One of Roku’s smartest features was the company’s decision to pop a headphone jack right into the remote, turning it into a wireless headset and saving your housemates from overhearing potential spoilers in the process. With Roku’s latest OS 7.5 update, users can now get that same feature on any Roku TV model using any iOS or Android device connected to the same WiFi network. Rather than plugging into the remote, users running the latest update to the Roku TV can listen and control playback through the Roku mobile app on their mobile device. It’s a feature that was already available on some of the company’s streaming boxes — now available on TV sets with Roku’s built-in tech. In addition to private listening, the latest OS update now allows Roku TV users to pause live broadcast TV when they’ve got a digital antenna connected to their Roku set. (You’ll need somewhere to store all that digital video though, so you’ll have to bring your own USB stick with 16GB or more of storage.) Finally, Roku OS 7.5 allows multiple iOS and Android devices to share photos to the big screen at the same time through Play on Roku, and there’s also expanded screen mirroring support for Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra . The new update is available today and will continue rolling out to Roku devices over the next few weeks. Source: Roku Blog

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Latest Roku TV update makes any smartphone a wireless headset

iOS 10.0.2 update fixes bugs in headphones, Photos

Even if you’ve already updated to iOS 10 , Apple has released its first official update for its mobile/TV operating system. Bugs that could shut down the Photos app when turning on iCloud Photo Library and disable app extensions have ben smushed, but folks with the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus may want it for another reason. Some users complained about the new Lightning-connected EarPods timing out, which would stop their in-line playback controls from working to adjust the volume, answer calls or use Siri. This update fixes the problem, making things just like they were when your phone had a headphone jack . Of course, you’re probably beta testing iOS 10.1 already , looking forward to new features instead of stable builds with bugfixes . Either way, the current update should be accessible via your Settings menu now. Via: 9to5Mac , MacRumors Source: Apple

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iOS 10.0.2 update fixes bugs in headphones, Photos