There’s no denying it anymore: GPS is becoming a free service. It all started with Google Earth and Google Maps, which offered detailed satellite imagery of Earth for free; then, the iPhone and other smartphones started coming out with GPS chips, and GPS navigation (together with other location-based services) became one of the most important features on smartphones.

Then, Google dealt a blow to companies like TomTom and Garmin, offering free turn-by-turn GPS navigation on Android smartphones. And now, according to Reuters, Nokia will offer free, global GPS turn-by-turn navigationon its smartphones.

Nokia’s offering will provide smartphone users with turn-by-turn directions covering 74 countries in 46 languages, with detailed maps for 180 countries. Since today’s smartphones have practically all the traits of a good GPS navigation device — large, bright screen, loudspeakers as well as Internet connectivity — it’s obvious that with this move, standalone GPS navigation devices have essentially become niche products. If you need a rugged, outdoor model or a boating GPS unit, you’ll buy a standalone device. But in most cases, the GPS chip and software that comes with your Nokia or Android smartphone (the price for GPS software for the iPhone is also plummeting towards zero) will be enough for your GPS navigation needs.

As for Nokia, there’s no denying that it’s been a bit bruised and battered by iPhone and Android growth (in contrast to its aging Symbian platform); with this move, they’re trying to stay ahead of the competition and offer some extra value to users of their smartphones. Looking at the short history of GPS on smartphones, free GPS was already inevitable; hat tip goes to Nokia for recognizing the trend and acting on it relatively early.

Mashable

The upside is you don’t need any specific technical knowledge to build up an app quickly (the company touts “in as little as 5 minutes!”), but the downside is the app interface and functionality are relatively basic.

Still, for companies, individuals, or artists looking to put out an iPhone app quickly and for relatively little cost as compared to hiring a developer, Sweb Apps is worth checking out.

Creating an App

The process of creating an app is relatively simple. First, choose your general industry; currently Restaurant, Retail Store, Business, Non-Profit, Government, Education, and Entertainment are offered, with a wildcard “Customization” category if your app is a hybrid or doesn’t fit cleanly into one of the aforementioned categories.

Within each category are an assortment of buttons providing different functionality. For example the Education section has buttons for your contact information, photo and video galleries, a map for directions to your organization, media for press announcements, awards, board members, and what programs your org offers. Every section also offers buttons for your blog, Facebook and Twitter information as well.

After choosing which buttons will be included in your app, you’ll enter the appropriate data for your business or organization. Then you can further customize your apps by choosing specific layouts, changing the background color, or uploading your own button graphics.

Pricing

You essentially purchase a package based on how many buttons you want your app to include. Each package reflects a one-time setup fee of $50 per button, so the 4-button package is $200, 6 is $300 and 8 is $400.

In addition, you’re looking at a $25 monthly hosting fee to keep your app live to the world. If you sign up for a year in advance, you can snag a 10% discount for a $270 annual hosting rate.

One optional extra is the App Tracker, which is a statistical analysis package allowing you to track the usage data surrounding your app. You can get stats in various time intervals for how many times your app was downloaded and even how many times each button has been used, giving you a way to monitor the effectiveness the various components of your app.

Content Management in Real-Time

Any subsequent changes you need to make to your app can be handled in real-time via Sweb Apps’ Content Management System. Since your application details are hosted on their own servers, your submitted changes can be updated on the fly.

Check out a video tour of the service below, and let us know what you think. Is this “Lego” style architecture the future of mobile apps? Or will it never replace custom development for the truly serious? What do you think about the cost – is what Sweb Apps is asking for reasonable for the small business without access to dev resources? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Pete Cashmore via Mashable

BearExtender n3 is a standalone Wi-Fi adapter and can be used with any Macintosh computer, including those that do not have built-in AirPort cards such as older G3 towers, iMacs and PowerMacs.

BearExtender n3 includes a small application that works very similar to the Apple AirPort software which allows you to scan for networks, add favorites, and connect.

Zero-hassle installation

1. Install the software from the reusable flash drive.
2. Restart your Mac, then connect BearExtender n3 to a USB port
3. Follow the step by step instructions to activate BearExtender n3 as your Internet source
4. Select your Wi-Fi network from the Wireless Utility and connect!

802.11n functionality

BearExtender n3 is a great way to add 802.11n wireless networking capability to your older Mac, while extending range! 802.11n offers higher transmission speeds and greater range over 802.11g and 802.11b networks (BearExtender n3 is compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b networks, but to take advantage of the BearExtender n3’s 802.11n capability, you must use the device with an 802.11n standard router or access point) .

With no tools required, BearExtender n3 is the easiest way to add 802.11n to your previous generation Mac. Just install the software and plug it into a USB port.

Additionally, for T-Mobile customers interested in donating $10 to the Red Cross, simply text “HAITI” to “90999″. The donation will be charged to the T-Mobile phone bill, 100% goes to the Red Cross, there is no fee and the texts will not be charged. By texting “YELE” to 501501, the carrier’s customers can support the Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti fund.

Gizmodo

Children will pilot AR.DRONE instinctively, using the iPhone, without any learning curve. This allows for an incredible fly experience and acrobatics.The flying bot comes with four helicopter like propellers which enable it to fly both indoors and out. the camera is located on the nose of the device and is sent through a wireless signal to the iphone interface. The AR drone is controlled through an intuitive touchscreen application that gives the user control over all aspects of the flight. while the camera is great for seeing where you are flying it also allows the vehicle to be used in augmented reality scenarios. for instance, users can pretend to fire weapons at targets or battle against an opposing device.

Source Design Boom via Parrot Drone

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Source Gizmodo

Source: Huffington Post via The Design Blog

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Gizmodo

Engadget

Engadget