i4Siri Makes it Easier to Use Siri on Non-iPhone 4S Devices

Folks behind i4Siri - a project dedicated to bring Siri to non-iPhone 4S devices like the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2 and iPad 1 have recently announced the availability of their replacement Siri servers and jailbreak tweak.

With i4Siri's servers, users can use Siri on their non-iPhone 4S devices without requiring an iPhone 4S. i4Siri supports the following features:

timetimernotes‘smart’ siriwww searchdictationphone callsjokesalarmsweatherwhere am I?Reminders (not completely working)Wolfram AlphaLocation Searches

i4Siri makes use of Spire - the jailbreak tweak created by Ryan Petrich, that legally brought Siri to non-iPhone 4S devices. However, Ryan's jailbreak tweak worked with a proxy server, which needed information from an iPhone 4S for authorization to use Siri. Currently i4Siri is available for free, but they plan to also launch a premium version soon.

Folks at i4Siri manage the proxy server so users don't have to worry about getting hold of someone with an iPhone 4S.  Since i4Siri doesn't use Apple's servers to process information, they claim that their service is legal.

Privacy has been one of the concerns of such as service, however i4Siri claim that "any information passed through the device and our server is kept strictly confidential and not logged. "

Instructions on how to install i4siri on your non-iPhone 4S device is available on their website.

Ryan had managed to legally bring the Siri port to iOS devices, as the tweaked version of iOS 5.0.1 that Apple had released in December came with decrypted ramdisks. But since iOS 5.1 released few days back comes with encrypted ramdisks, it is highly unlikely that the hackers will be able to legally bring the Siri port to non-iPhone 4S on iOS 5.1, which is another reason why iPhone Dev team has warned jailbreakers to avoid updating to iOS 5.1.

[i4siri blog via Redmond Pie]

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Illuminating Pet Leash makes nightly walks an easier task

It’s still cold and dreary out, and even though you?ve settled in for the evening, you dog still needs to go out one last time. Evening in this part of the year means darkness at a very early time, so it should only make sense that you have some form of illumination with you out on your frigid stroll with Fido. You could always bring your phone as a light, but when you need to pick up what your dog leaves behind, keep your dog from running off, and be putting light where it needs to be, you find that you are often one hand short.

Combination gadgets like the Illuminating Pet Leash make life much easier. It is a retractable leash that comes with a mounted flashlight, and a compartment for storing waste bags. You will need a trio of AAA batteries and $40, but that is a small price to pay for the convenience that it gives you.

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Will this $50 gadget make shooting video with a DSLR easier?

These days DSLRs aren’t just for still photography. Newer models have the ability to capture video at a very high quality. So why doesn’t everyone use a DSLR for their recording? Well there is one feature that makes using one a little more difficult than your average camcorder. Namely, the lack of an autofocus. The good thing is that if you can master using the manual focus while recording, you can get some really good shots. The best way to do this is to use some sort of accessory that gives you greater control over the focus ring, which does tend to cost a good bit. However, one Kickstarter project plans to offer one that looks good for just $50.

Dubbed the 50-Dollar Follow Focus, this contraption looks like exactly what you would need for filming. Made mostly from metal, the construction looks solid, and the ability to swap out belts and gears ensures that you can accommodate most lenses out there. Adjustable tension lets you get the smoothest focus possible. The fund has already surpassed its goal, so if you pledge your $60 (that includes $10 for shipping) you’ll be guaranteed to get one of the first batches.

View the original article here

Will this $50 gadget make shooting video with a DSLR easier?

These days DSLRs aren’t just for still photography. Newer models have the ability to capture video at a very high quality. So why doesn’t everyone use a DSLR for their recording? Well there is one feature that makes using one a little more difficult than your average camcorder. Namely, the lack of an autofocus. The good thing is that if you can master using the manual focus while recording, you can get some really good shots. The best way to do this is to use some sort of accessory that gives you greater control over the focus ring, which does tend to cost a good bit. However, one Kickstarter project plans to offer one that looks good for just $50.

Dubbed the 50-Dollar Follow Focus, this contraption looks like exactly what you would need for filming. Made mostly from metal, the construction looks solid, and the ability to swap out belts and gears ensures that you can accommodate most lenses out there. Adjustable tension lets you get the smoothest focus possible. The fund has already surpassed its goal, so if you pledge your $60 (that includes $10 for shipping) you’ll be guaranteed to get one of the first batches.

View the original article here

Illuminating Pet Leash makes nightly walks an easier task

It’s still cold and dreary out, and even though you?ve settled in for the evening, you dog still needs to go out one last time. Evening in this part of the year means darkness at a very early time, so it should only make sense that you have some form of illumination with you out on your frigid stroll with Fido. You could always bring your phone as a light, but when you need to pick up what your dog leaves behind, keep your dog from running off, and be putting light where it needs to be, you find that you are often one hand short.

Combination gadgets like the Illuminating Pet Leash make life much easier. It is a retractable leash that comes with a mounted flashlight, and a compartment for storing waste bags. You will need a trio of AAA batteries and $40, but that is a small price to pay for the convenience that it gives you.

View the original article here

Three Monitors Make Staying Healthy Easier

 

iHealth Smart Glucometer, Blood Pressure Monitor and Body Fat Scale: Price Undetermined

For those who are trying to get fit, or just stay healthy, a few additions to the medicine cabinet will be on their way in the second half of 2012. iHealth showed off three new devices at this year’s CES. The Smart Glucometer (that uses specially designed test strips), the Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor and the Wireless Body Fat Scale. The three monitors make communicating critical health information easier by letting users share their blood pressure, glucose levels and body fat with family, friends or doctors, who all may be interested in keeping an accurate account.

BLOG: Slim, Touchscreen Insulin Pump Coming in 2012

iHealth also offers the opportunity to track progress and graph glucose results through its (also newly introduced) Cloud service. When a user downloads or upgrades to the newest version of the iHealth app, results from his device will be automatically stored and backed up, after a profile has been created. The service will also work with iHealth’s previous devices, a digital scale and blood pressure dock. As of right now, the monitors only work with Bluetooth-enabled iOS devices. Being that the name of the company starts with an "i," don’t expect an Android version any time soon. 

Via: MedGadget

Credit: iHealth Labs

This article is part of our ongoing coverage of this year's Consumer Electronics Show. Find more CES articles here.

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