Disc jockey

Moving beyond today’s remotes (image: bttremote.com)

An iPhone may fall under the generic heading of a mobile phone, but a combination of the convenience of apps and the ability to use the iPhone as a remote for everything from playing a movie to changing the color of our lighting means that many of us use them at home almost as much as we do when out & about.

In a patent published today, Apple explores the potential of the iPhone to act as an intelligent remote with the kind of functionality typically associated with high-end home automation setups. The idea is based around the concept of ‘scenes’. Having a romantic night in with your partner? You probably want the lights dimmed, the music on softly, the TV off. Movie night? The big-screen on, Apple TV selected as the source, surround-sound speakers selected, volume up higher – and so on … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

Update: Apple is now officially advertising its app promo celebrating the App Store’s 5th birthday with a link on the Apple.com homepage and a new section in iTunes. You can access the new section featuring 5 apps and 5 games free for a limited time from iTunes on your Mac or the App Store on your iOS device.

As noted on 9to5Toys and the Verge, a group of premium games have free at the iOS App Store this morning.

So far, games such as Infinity Blade II, Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP, Where’s My Water?, Badland and Tiny Wings are all on offer for nothing, alongside apps such as [Map My Ride], Traktor DJ (normally $20), Day One, Over, and Barefoot World Atlas.

Speculation is that the huge sale is to celebrate the 5th birthday of the App Store. Or part of the “Only on the App Store” Promotion above. Or a glitch. Or…just go download them!

Find any other gems? Share in the comments…
Expand
Expanding
Close

Straight from the CES Unveiled event in Las Vegas, audio accessory maker Ion just introduced us to one if its latest creations— a hardware DJ controller kit called “Scratch 2 Go” that puts a physical crossfader, two sets of three control knobs for pitch, EQ, etc., and a two small platters right on the display of your iPad. The company also announced updated versions of its other DJ and Guitar controllers for iPad and iPhone…

The hardware controls attach to your iPad’s display via suction cups and essentially work like a stylus, allowing you to control elements of several DJ apps on the App Store. The hardware controls are designed specifically for the iDJ 2GO app that will also work with Ion’s just announced updated Lightning version of its iDJ 2 Go hardware DJ controls. However, Ion confirmed to us that it would also work with the popular djay app for iPad.

It could also work with other iOS DJ apps provided the stylus-like tip of any particular element of the 5-piece kit lines up with the controls inside the app you’re using. Ion is making the new Scratch 2 Go kit available in April for $30 through select retailers.

A video of the kit in action from the CES show floor below:

Expand
Expanding
Close

From 9to5Toys.com:

Starting today, StackSocial offers The Mac Music Bundle for $39. That’s $316 off and the lowest price we could find for this 8-app bundle. It includes MegaSeg DJ, The T-Pain Engine, Tracks, Flip4Mac Studio, Boom for Mac, Ondesoft Audio Recorder, SOS Online Backup, and TuneUp. Head below for descriptions or over to StackSocial.

More great software, tutorials and gift ideas at Stack Social.
Expand
Expanding
Close

The bundles, they don’t get better than this: MacLegion’s $50 holiday bundle (normally $540 – that’s over 90 percent off) includes 10 great apps, and the first 5,000 customers also recieve Alarm Clock Pro (normally $19.99) as a bonus.

As always, MacLegion ensures all the apps included are the latest versions each developer has to offer. MacLegion bundles entitle you to full after-sales support as well as valid upgrade paths for later software releases, just as if you had bought each application from the developers themselves.

Our faves include Flexbits’ Fantastical calendar application, Algoriddim’s djay music mixing system, and the timeless TechTool Pro system utility.

All of the apps and descriptions follow:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t41zernuKxo&w=640&h=385]

Following a challenge from Carphone Warhouse in the UK, rapper Tinchy Stryder, along with his crew, performed live using only iPads as their instruments. The result was captured on film (above) and it is quite remarkable. The crew used 21 iPad apps to create their music last night with titles ranging from the popular I am T-Pain app to djay. The rest of the apps are listed after the break (witha iPad Christmas Bonus video).

Expand
Expanding
Close