Glasses Off says their iPhone app can help reduce eye age by up to 20%

It’s scientifically proven… at some point or another, whether we like it or not, we’ll all have that dreaded day when we realize we’re holding the newspaper an arm’s length away to read it.

Presbyopia – the inability to see near objects clearly – is usually first noticed in the ages between 40 and 50, and try as we might it’s not something we can avoid. The good news is that the market is awash with reading glasses and multifocal contact lenses to ease the problem. The even better news is that recently, an app has emerged claiming the ability to reduce the condition’s effects and reduce our ‘eye age’ by as much as 20%.

Innovation, it seems, was clearly focused on the product itself rather than clever naming, as developers ‘Ucansi’ (did someone say cheesy?) prepare to launch their app-child ‘GlassesOff’.

How does it work?

The technology relies on training the eyes to see patterns known as Gabor Patches, which in plain terms are blurry lines produced through exploiting a grey background. Development has been lengthy, and it is reported that a large majority of subjects were able to see as much as two lines further down on an eye test after undergoing the procedure.

How much will it cost?

So that’s the good news. The bad news is that the app looks like it’s going to set you back around £60 ($96). Added to this is the fact that due to the need for a top notch display for the software to work, it will initially be limited solely to new versions of the iPhone – costing somewhere in the region of £500 ($802).

And the wallet assault doesn’t end there. £60 ($96) buys you the initial app and three months worth of training, however Ucansi have indicated that in order to receive further training after this period, a monthly fee will apply.

That said though, rumours are spreading fast that the company may well be looking into converting their software onto a Windows supported platform. As well as this, with the prices of corrective laser surgery stretching comfortably into the thousands, this might suddenly sound like a much more persuasive deal after all.

The future?

Certainly this is a very intriguing app and one that’s worth keeping an eye on to see how things develop. What I find most exciting though is that this could well be a step toward aiding other eyesight problems without invasive surgery… perhaps we’ll see an iCure for problems like myopia in the near future?

Robin blogs for DirectSight.co.uk about technology and eyewear

1. Pocket Guitar – For iPhone. This is a great app if you want to hear sounds from six different types of guitars. Realistic sounds and a great save function make this a popular app.

2. Cleartune is a perfect app for muso’s on the road. A fully functional tuning device allows you to tune stringed instruments as well as a range of brass instruments as well. Cleartune is available for Android devices as well as iPhone. Considered one of the finest apps as well as a great tool for professional musicians.

3. Ever had a catchy tune in your head and want to get the melody down on the bus before you forget. Ellatune is an app that gives you a complete synthesizer including a keyboard so you can record and save your next hit, on the go.

4. xPiano for Android devices lets you shine as a musician with a completely programmable recording studio in the palm of your hand. Ten different instruments and four octaves of super sound. You can even learn how to play the piano with the handy tutorials.

5. DJ’s don’t feel left out. Equalizer is a great app for Android devices that’ll let you mix, and tweak your own tunes as you listen. Hook it up to your sound system and you’re just a hip-hop away from a mega party.

6. Bebot Robot Synth does the same for iPhones and you can get some amazing effects and distortion going while you listen to your music.

7. Finger Beat for iPhone turns you phone into a mini beat box, which will keep your inner Dub-Step pumping. Create catchy tunes and keep them ready to amaze your friends.

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8. Tempo is a metronome app that helps you keep in time to any song. Whether you’re struggling to prepare for you X-Factor audition or you just want to keep to the beat while you’re jamming with your mates, Tempo keeps you in time, on time, all the time.

9. Solo for Android transforms your phone into a guitar. No more lame air guitar moves when you use this app that comes with an internet search function so that you can get the music for any song on the planet.

10. Drum Kit Lite is one of the best-loved apps for iPhone. You’ll feel just like you’re a real drummer with the realistic range of drums right on your phone. A six piece drum kit and the ability to play along to your favourite tunes. This is the app the Beatles wish Ringo had learned to use!

This article was written by DV247.com - specialists in pro audio equipment

Oh, and just for fun I’ll throw in a video of iBand,  a band that only uses iPads and iPhones as instruments:

Temple Run

This action based game revolves around the story line of an explorer attempting to steal an idol from a temple. The game is literally endless in action because it will just keep loading more challenges for the player to get through until he or she fails to do so.

In the game, the player is being chased down by “demonic monkeys” who are attempting to capture the hero and thus end the game. There are also several other obstacles that the hero must face while trying to run away from these demonic monkeys. The game is played by tilting the iPad or iPhone to make jumping and avoiding moves.

The fun of this game is that the action is literally endless. It is just a constant challenge to push yourself to last longer and longer in the game. It is mostly a reaction time testing game. There are few other skills that one would need to be good at this one. Even though it is such a simplistic game, it is one of the top 50 downloaded games on the App Store.

Draw Something

A game title that is a command, nice! There is something to be said for a game that helps unlock our artistic abilities. That game currently is Draw Something. Not only are players challenged to draw pictures, but the other participants in the game must attempt to guess what the pictures are. They are given a certain amount of letters that are contained in the word to do this. However, those letters are jumbled up so that the participant actually has to figure out what the other person is drawing. Thus, it could be argued that this game is challenging people on more than just one level.

Draw Something took off as a mobile app almost instantly. In its first five weeks on the scene it grabbed some 20 million downloads. After 50 days it was up to 50 million downloads. That is an incredible rate for any app to be downloaded, and it is a good thing this one did become so popular. The game itself requires many players playing with each other all the time. Players get to choose when to log in and play the game, so it is nice to have many friends who are playing all at once to keep the action rolling. With this many people downloading the game, it should not be a problem for most!

Angry Birds Space

Continuing the popular Angry Birds genre, Angry Birds Space is just the latest addition to this very well known series. In this game birds are launched into block structures in an attempt to knock them over. Earlier versions of the Angry Birds games had a flat screen surface to the game, but this space version does not. Each level has its own 3-D field of play and its own amount of gravity. These things actually have an impact on the trajectory of the birds that are launched. Thus, these new factors do impact the whole game quite a bit.

Angry Birds lovers need to have the space version to experience the very latest in this storied game. There are so many things about this version that you do not want to miss out on.

Mobile games are likely to continue their rise in popularity. More people than ever have mobile devices capable of playing these games, and those numbers are only rising. If this trend keeps up, it is exciting to think about all of the great games that will be released in the near future.

This article has been provided by one of the PlayVille.org gaming bloggers, the site that offers all of the biggest free online games such as Temple Run Online and many others.

Here are 6 apps that unite our smartphone and automotive worlds. Check them out, some are new and several are sporting new features that make them even more appealing.

TomTom
TomTom has been the leading GPS, turn-by-turn navigation app for a long time. Because TomTom downloads maps to your phone—unlike your built-in iPhone maps app—your map doesn’t disappear when you hit a dreaded dead zone. And now the latest update has brought in the world of social networking. You can search and navigate with Facebook and also share your destination via Twitter, Facebook, email or a regular text message. Now you won’t have to call everyone in your life to tell them you’ve arrived safely. This iOS app will set you back $60, but it can definitely be worth it.

Scout
This iPhone app is designed to be your personal navigator. The free version offers traffic based driving times, route information, traffic jam avoidance information, favorites and more. Another popular features with the free app is its huge database of points-of-interest. A few features are free for the first 30 days, like voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation, and afterwards require a subscription.

Escort Live
For road warriors, next to their vehicle, their most important gear is their smartphone and radar detector. Escort is bringing together iPhones and Android devices with radar detectors and plugging them into a social network to deliver super high octane radar, laser, and speed trap information up to 25 miles out. Drivers get voice and visual alerts in real time. The setup requires a $100 SmartCord Live, which includes the first year’s subscription to the service. The pricing of additional years has not yet been announced. The app is a free download.

Speedometer + HUD
Most of us have day dreamed about being a jet fighter pilot and one of the coolest parts of that dream is the heads-up-display. Here’s a free iPhone app that brings a heads-up-display to your car. Hey, could this be the coveted smartphone app that we’ll actually be encouraged to use while driving? You locate your iPhone on your dash so the app projects your speed onto your windshield, and if you break the speed limit, you’ll get a warning—a courtesy the next state trooper down the road is unlikely to extend.

Zilla: Digital Dashboard & HUD
The same folks who provide the free Speedometer + HUD take it several steps further in this $2.99 app. Here you get a heads-up-display that you might find in a $500,000 super car, or at least one of the better X-Box racing games. Check your G Forces while cornering and braking, as well as speed, air temp, tire loading, directional bearing and more. You can even control your music with iPod buttons. By the way, the heads-up-displays in this and the previous app work best at night.

Find My Car
How many times have you come out of the ballpark looking for your silver mid-sized compact sedan and searched for over an hour before you found it? With this free iPhone app, that will never be a problem again. Find My Car tells you how far away your vehicle is and gives you walking directions. For Android users there’s the similar Parkdroid.

Chris Turberville-Tully is a marketing strategist for HR Owen, a luxury car dealer selling new and used Bentley, Maserati, Lamborghini and Ferrari cars in England.

Keeping a file of your medical records has long been recommended, but most people could not easily carry their life’s medical past with them with bringing along a large file folder. At least until now. One of the newest apps for the iPhone, My Life record is a place where you can store your medical history to provide an official copy of your medical records directly from your iPhone. It is supported by the operating systems for the iPhone and iPad Touch as well as on your MAC or PC, along with Android powered Smartphones.

The HIPPA law that dictates medical record privacy also guarantees that every patient is able to receive a copy of their medical record and carries the stipulation your physician must provide to you. By keeping a copy of your past health with My Life Record if you are out of town on vacation and need to see a new doctor, the information you can provide with your permanent medical record can prove invaluable in recommending treatment. Allergies listed in your records can be life-saving and will ensure any treatment follows any treatment that is already in progress.

Why My Life Record

My Life Record helps you organize and maintain all y our important medical records... your TRUE medical record, not just information you've put in it - your official record.

The best thing about My Life Record is that it is a legal verifiable copy of your medical records. Using the new technology you can retain a copy for your own use or for sharing with medical professionals, as well with your family. You can also use the app to make notes for yourself to pull up later to ask your doctor about changes in your well-being or other things you notice and may forget about before your next visit.

Whenever you visit your doctor, or a different doctor or hospital they all ask for a current list of any medication, and My Life Record has a dedicated section for that information. Most people will know what prescriptions they are on but may fail to mention any over-the-counter medications they use. This can be valuable to your physicians as some OTC drugs can interact with prescription medications. With a simple click you can add a medication, dosage information and when it was prescribed, or eliminated, to create a permanent record of your prescription history.

My Life Record can also save information about your lab results and for people with high cholesterol or other acute disorder this can provide valuable information about changes you may need to make in your lifestyle. You can also store images that are part of your medical history to help track any changes that may have occurred in X-rays, MRIs or ultrasound. Actually seeing the image provides more information than simply reading about what the physician saw on the image.

Jason Phillips has contributed this post. He is a tech geek with a profound knowledge on android and ipad. He is a young entrepreneur with aspiring skills to touch the sky. Visit his site to know more about electronic health record

StL Baseball

StL Baseball is a terrific way to stay abreast of all of that up to the minute action and statistics that you need to make your educated commentaries. Cardinals’ fans may not appreciate the analogy but their team to this outsider is like the New York Yankees of the National League, if somewhat geographically removed, meaning that they can usually be relied upon to win their division. They are often the team to beat. StL Baseball rocks because it has the juiciest blogs, the latest scores and all that jazz that keeps the Redbirds tweeting.

Milwaukee Baseball

Milwaukee Baseball has got the job of being a fan down to a science. No stone is left unturned to include the fan in on all of the fun. The app has the priorities properly in perspective as well. The tailgating parties are given their place in the sun. Fans can shine their instant karmas with comments to their constituency. Ever since they put that tawdry little Sausage Race incident behind them there has been no stopping the Brew Crew. They will have a thing or two to say about St. Louis’ traditional dominance in the standings. The denizens of Miller Park are expecting big things from this years’ roster and early indications are that they won’t be disappointed.

Cincinnati.com

Cincinnati.com encapsulates the best content from a wealth of sources to bring all of the game results and the in depth analysis that you crave. This is the thinking man’s/woman’s Reds’ app. The first official professional baseball team in history has come a long way since the days when they would send a horse rider into town with all of the latest scores and info. All that is required today is this app to push the newest dope onto your iPhones’ screen. Now all can be seen in digital splendor on the fly. Though there may be those that bewail the loss of a job for some unfortunate equestrian, it is probably for the best that that horse has long been put out to pasture so that you may remain in yours and yet receive all the exciting goings on from the Reds clubhouse.

Pittsburg Baseball Live

Pittsburg Baseball Live is the go to app for long suffering Pirates fans. It is true that it should be more about how the game is played anyway. It’s always fun to watch good sportsmanship and perhaps the Pirates are due for a baseball miracle. In this brand new season anything can happen. That’s why Pirates fans and even non-Pirates fans should get this app. If they can outperform their stat sheets then it will be a baseball story that you won’t want to miss. Instant Twitter messages can be sent direct to your iPhone, nice touch.

Article by Martin Monroe, tech author at idaconcpts specalizing in smartphone app reviews such as these Android baseball apps.

The new Galaxy S III from Samsung - the latest powerhouse phone in the Android Ice Cream Sandwich Lineup

In this article, we’re going to be looking at the differences between the just-announced Samsung Galaxy S III and three other top phones on the market. Our Android competitor will be the HTC One X, which like the Galaxy S III is its manufacturer’s flagship phone for 2012. We’ll also look at the best phones currently available on iOS and Windows Phone – the Apple iPhone 4S and the Nokia Lumia 900. Both will see updates near the end of this year, as Apple release the iPhone 5 and Nokia will no doubt release a new handset to coincide with the launch of Windows Phone 8. Let’s get right to the numbers.

Are we really running out of wireless spectrum for all our connected devices?

Spectrum, by its official definition, is a way of categorizing light waves by their frequency. To the telecommunications world, spectrum is what allows telecom companies the ability to sell and service more of their units. The problem is that each piece of bandwidth can only carry so much data, although spectrum is reusable.

There has been much in the news lately about big telecom companies pushing for more spectrum to be given so they can say they offer more to their customers, which ideally will generate more revenue for them. This has resulted in many companies warning about a spectrum shortage, which some companies say will result in higher bills to customers and a lesser quality of service. But still others say that there is no spectrum shortage at all. So which is it?

The Non-Believers

Those who don’t believe in the spectrum shortage say that carriers are ‘overselling’ the threat because it’s cheaper and less time-consuming than installing advanced antennas and routing traffic to wi-fi networks, two solutions which experts say would allow carriers to service ten times the devices they are able to now.

In fact, more users can be connected simply by offering more towers but lowering the amount of users per tower. But new tower locations have to be scouted, building permits need to be secured, and money spent to build them.

Even more sinister reasons for the shortage outcry have been offered by others, who say that the primary interest of telecom companies is in making money, and not in improving wireless performance or making spectrum available to their customers.

However, spectrum represents a very important commodity among wireless providers, as the more spectrum that can be monopolized, the more money that can be made.

Control, Not Availability

Organizations like CitiGroup say that it’s not the availability of spectrum or lack thereof; it’s who has the control over spectrum that is the issue. Their report about the status of spectrum revealed that while most carriers in the United States have 538 MHz of spectrum available, they are only using 192 MHz.

The group stated that too much of available spectrum is in the hands of companies who either do not plan to use it or have certain challenges that won’t allow them to do so. In addition, they say that a large amount of existing spectrum, while providing two-to-3.5G services to customers, cannot be easily converted for 4G use.

Some feel that with fewer people accessing television via over-the-air broadcasters, that TV stations should hand their spectrum over for auctioning to wireless companies. In the FCC’s proposed arrangement, broadcasters would get a percentage of the money obtained at auction, which could number in the billions.

The Obama administration appears to be following suit, with the President authorizing a 500 MHz reallocation plan from broadcasters and other companies to wireless carriers that would see auctions happening over the next ten years. Such a plan would result in almost thirty billion dollars being raised.

What Happens If We Run Out?

The shortage of wireless spectrum, which some say could occur as early as 2013, may result in slower or intermittent connections on the smartphones and tablets that appear to be using the most. At the worst, the shortage could see millions of customers used to reliable connections becoming harder to convince that they money they pay for their wireless services is actually worth the connection they have.

A spectrum crunch could also force many wireless companies to spend the money to erect new cell towers if they want to keep their customers from going elsewhere. Speculation on worst case scenarios is rampant, but many hope that the looming spectrum crunch will result in new ideas for the use and management of the spectrum that’s available.

Citations:

• Spectrum Shortage: Just so much whining?
• There is no spectrum shortage: Citigroup

Guest author Jesse Schwarz enjoys helping consumers make sense of technology-related issues.  He has assembled information to help identify and answer questions related to broadband at www.highspeed-internet-providers.com.

1. Vouchercloud

Vouchercloud is available as an app where you can receive your vouchers through text message or as a voucher code directly on your phone. This voucher is then presented to the cashier upon paying to enjoy valuable savings. The vouchers available are on a wide range of items from leisure and entertainment, from Alton Towers vouchers to eating out, to travel and many more.

The Vouchercloud app is now available on all smartphone platforms including Windows phones, iPhones, Android and Google. This enables the buyer to enjoy money saving discounts while on the go.

Another handy feature in this app is that it’ll helpfully provide you with a map of your local area, marking local participating businesses so that you can be sure that you’re always getting the best deal in town!

2. Hot Deals UK

Hot Deals UK has a wide selection of deals, vouchers, sale items and freebies available with a great app that is available for both iOS and Android based mobile devices. Get the information through push notifications, newsletters or just do a basic search in your area and see the great deals available to you. Hot Deals UK is a community run app where consumers share information and voucher codes with other consumers, so you can always count on someone to be keeping the database fresh!

3. Red Laser

Red Laser is one of the top iPhone, Windows and Android phone apps for those that want to pay the best price when you walk into any store and see a must have item. It’s so easy to use; you scan the item you’re interested in and the app will do the rest. You’ll be presented with buying options, product information, directions to retailers and more at the tap of a button.

If someone in the family has food allergies, this app is a definite must have. Scan the barcode of any food item and a list of the allergens will be available for you to check and determine whether the food is safe to take home with you.

4. Pricecheckah

Pricecheckah is a money saving tool available for the iPhone. It enables you to save money when you have the urge for an impulse buy or see something you really want. All you do is scan in the barcode or type in the name and Pricecheckah will find you the cheapest prices even from places such as eBay and Amazon, where you can order it straight away and have it delivered.

5. Spendometer

Spendometer is ideal for anyone who is trying to save money or buy on a budget. This free app lets you set daily, weekly or even monthly budgets and you just pop in your spending as you go. It will soon advise you if you are saving or overspending. Perfect for students who are living on a very tight budget and need to ensure they don’t overspend.

Whatever phone you have whether it’s Android, iPhone, Windows mobile or Blackberry, you can enjoy great shopping and discount code apps if you are trying to save money. Everyone these days is trying to save every penny possible and walking into a store and buying any item often isn’t an option. Being able to easily compare prices, receive discount codes and find the latest deals near you, is the great way to enjoy what you love but still save money wherever possible.

The team at Broadband Choices love to help you save money. Compare broadband plan prices at BroadbandChoices.co.uk.

Through voice dictation, you simply tell Siri a demand, such as to send an email, or you can ask a question, such as information about the weather, and Siri will either perform the task or find your answers. Siri doesn’t need to be installed and it doesn’t need to be taught what to do. Through the use of WiFi, 3G and Apple technology, it is able to recognize your requests and provide answers. If Siri doesn’t understand or needs more information, it will ask you questions to get a better grasp on what you’re looking for.

Some iPhone 4S users haven’t yet used Siri or don’t use it for all of its possibilities. If you own an iPhone 4S, you need to use Siri for the following.

1. Listen and respond to text messages and emails.

Rather than fumble with your phone to read emails or text message, you can instruct Siri to read them aloud. This is great when you’re incapable of handling your phone to read these notifications, such as while driving or working out. Along with reading them aloud, you can also instruct Siri to respond for you. Simply tell Siri what to say, and it will do all the work. And there’s no limitations, so you can have an entire conversation via text message without ever typing a single thing.

Siri can also transcribe anything for you, not just emails and text messages. If you want to write a note to yourself, you can speak it instead of typing it. This is great if you don’t have time to sit and type something out or if you’re just not that great of a typist to begin with.

2. Manage your schedule.

Siri can help you become more organized by staying on top of your schedule. Since it is capable of reading your calendar and your address book, it can tell you what your schedule looks like for the day as well as where certain appointments may be located. You can also tell Siri to add events to your calendar, and you can even tell it to remind you about certain upcoming events.

3. Find out information.

With a smartphone, you have the Internet at your fingertips, but sometimes you’re not sure where to look for specific information, or you don’t feel like searching through websites to find the one piece of information you need. Instead, you can have Siri do this. If you’re lost, Siri can tell you where you are and how to get home. If you want to know what the weather will be like on your business trip, Siri will tell you. If you want to know where to get a hamburger at 3 o’clock in the morning, Siri will let you know.

Siri is a great addition to the iPhone 4S, and since it’s capable of so many functions, it’s a great personal assistant to have. If you have yet to use Siri, you need to use it for these three functions. It will make your life easier, and you’ll soon wonder how you ever lived without it.

Andreas Svensson is a swedish-born IT specialist and Apple fanatic who loves to write about his interests. To ensure his work is clear and free of grammatical errors he uses a grammar checker before letting anyone read it. Grammar rules can be tough to learn when English is your second language so he is glad for the extra help.