IK Multimedia has been cranking out new versions of its iRig guitar adapter for phones and tablets for nearly four years . And at CES 2015, there’s yet another update. The iRig 2 still allows you to connect that axe to an iOS, Mac or Android device, but this time around, there’s a 1/4-inch output jack, so you can use the company’s mobile apps (like AmpliTube) alongside an amp with ease. It also means that, if you so choose, you could make that mobile device part of an effects loop, or replace it entirely. Sure, the sound of individual pedals is hard to beat, but this setup aims for connivence. There’s also a headphone jack to keep from annoying bandmates, and while the on-board gain control returns, a new toggle switch will bypass the connected mobile device entirely. If you’re considering giving it a go, the accessory will be available during the first quarter of 2015 for $39.99/€29.99. Filed under: Misc , Peripherals Comments Source: IK Multimedia

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The iRig 2 wants to replace your guitar pedal board with a phone

The Supreme Court of the US has stuck stubbornly to its ways. No cameras in the court room, a paper filing system, those robes… which are so last century. That may begin to change over the next couple of years however. In a year-end report released Wednesday night, Chief Justice John Roberts said that the court would begin accepting electronic filings as early as 2016. The court will have to first develop the system, then it will be rolled out in stages. At first paper documents will be used as the default, but those represented by attorneys in the court will also have to file the same documents electronically. Once that trial proves successful, digital documents will become the default for everyone. Though, paper filings will still be required. As Justice Roberts explained in the report, “Unlike commercial enterprises, the courts cannot decide to serve only the most technically-capable or well-equipped segments of the public… the courts must remain open for those who do not have access to personal computers.” Obviously, one of the biggest concerns for the new system will be security. The privacy concerns of the plaintiffs, defendants and those testifying before the court is of the utmost importance. This is one of the many reasons that Roberts gives for the seemingly tortoise-like pace at which the Supreme Court adopts new technologies. (It took 37 years for the institution to even consider pneumatic tubes for sending documents between offices.) But, while he admits that a guarded approach to new technology is often a necessity for the federal court system, he acknowledges that its ways can seem archaic and inefficient. And even admits that some are… you know, like this reliance on flattened dead tree pulp. Filed under: Misc Comments Via: New York Times Source: The United States Supreme Court

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US Supreme Court moving to digital filing system in 2016

Sure, Philips’ color-changing Hue light bulbs can give you calendar or weather reminders, but if you buy them for practical reasons, you’re doing it wrong. To bust out their fun side, SyFy has just announced that its 12 Monkeys series , based on the cult Terry Gilliam film, will sync in time with the home WiFi lighting. The cable channel first did the Hue trick with Sharknado , an experience we found to be hit-and-miss . You’ll need to install SyFy’s iOS or Android app , then set it up to work with your Hue Bridge and bulbs. From there, it’ll provide special effects that “enhance” the show in a way you’ll either find cool or cheesy, depending on your state of mind . Filed under: Cellphones , Home Entertainment , HD Comments

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SyFy’s ’12 Monkeys’ will sync with your Philips Hue bulbs

As if we needed another sign of Xiaomi’s skyrocketing growth, the Chinese smartphone maker says it’s now the most highly valued technology startup in the world. Yes, it’s even worth more than wunderkind Uber. Xiaomi announced that it raised a whopping $1.1 billion from investors, which pegged its valuation at $45 billion, slightly higher than Uber’s $40 billion-plus value. For a company that didn’t even exist before 2010, Xiaomi is on a roll: It was named the third-largest smartphone maker in the world earlier this year (which honestly makes it hard to think of it as a startup). And it’s now focused on expansion efforts in India and Indonesia (scaling back plans to reach 10 more countries this year). It’s no wonder why Xiaomi is popular in emerging markets — its phones offer high-end specs and looks for a fraction of the price of other smartphones. While it has no plans to tackle the US or Europe yet (its next stop is Brazil next year), Xiaomi’s unique strategy and massive funding could end up driving down smartphone prices everywhere. Filed under: Mobile Comments Via: Bloomberg

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Xiaomi passes Uber as the world’s most valuable startup