…and we use the word refine very loosely. In the last 30 days, Apple has dropped the App Store ban-hammer on applications that display images of scantily clad women and Wi-Fi scanning/stumbling applications. The bare-naked ladies were removed because, as Apple VP Phil Schiller put it, “the needs of the kids and parents” had to come first. Wi-Fi scanning applications got the boot for making calls to a private API, which raises the obvious question… why were these applications approved in the first place? So, what is latest app genre to feel the sting of Apple’s proverbial backhand? So called “cookie-cutter” applications. Apple is beginning to reject apps that were created using application building services and do not add any specific functionality to the iPhone or iPod Touch. Or, as TechCrunch’s Jason Kincaid succinctly put it, “Apple doesn’t want people using native applications for things that a basic web app could accomplish.” Whatever the reasoning, Apple is sending a scary message to potential application developers… we can change our mind.

Read

Not that we haven't seen multifaceted mousepads before, but there's something quite delectable about Razer's latest. The craftily-named Vespula is the company's first dual-sided gaming surface, complete with "speed" and "control" sides that supposedly give you the best of both worlds when switching from one genre to the next. Essentially, the speed side is as smooth as a baby's bottom, while the control side adds a textured layer to pick up on the finest wrist twists. There's also a bundled gel-filled wrist rest to keep the ergonomists happy, and if you're interested, you can get yours right now for $34.99 (or €34.99 elsewhere).

Razer's dual-sided Vespula mousepad: for smooth, seductive mood-swingers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Hot Hardware  | Email this | Comments

Steampunk-inspired PC master modder Datamancer (aka Rich Nagy) is no stranger to Gizmodo, and his latest work, a keyboard called Sojourner, is yet another example of his mastery within the genre.

If you really like steampunk-inspired gear, this can be yours for about $1,200 to $1,500.

The keys have all been artificially distressed to give the impression that this keyboard has "traveled the world in the backpack of an intrepid explorer."

Side view. Note the holes and, yes, more distressing and tarnish.

More keys! Also distressed! Just like your wallet should you try and buy this thing. [Datamancer via Born Rich]

The console guitars are nothing new to the internet, but an NES guitar of this caliber—one in which even the headstock has been replaced with a cartridge&mdah;is a rarity indeed. Hit 2:20 for the demo. [TechEBlog via GadgetReview]

The first paid apps are finally starting to filter into Palm's App Catalog, giving us all another great reason (after our daily caffeine fix has been properly handled, of course) to blow a buck or two every day of our lives. First up is none other than Air Hockey, an app genre that seems to be taking every platform by storm -- we never really thought that the true Dynamo experience could translate well to a couple of fingers on a phone's display, but we're just $1.99 away from finding out for sure.

[Thanks, Joe]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Paid apps now live in webOS App Catalog, Air Hockey comes first originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments