PayPal just updated their iPhone and Touch application.  The PayPal 2.0 iPhone App now supports “bumping”… basically if you and a friend have iPhones, a PayPal account, and the PayPal app you can send money to each other buy bumping phones when nearby.  Seems like we are one step closer to replacing good old fashioned cash.  Bummer.

“Beyond that proximity feature, PayPal 2.0 also adds a means of splitting up a restaurant check or other group purchases and “billing” other PayPal users for the amounts due. Bill reminders, money withdrawals, and other features you’d expect from the online payment system are still in place, too.”

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One of the complaints with the iPhone, other than the fact that AT&T is the carrier, is the fact that it isn’t able to multitask.  I can personally live with the one-at-a-time style of the iPhone… but maybe I don’t know what I am missing. 

The rumor of the day states that a new iPhone is coming this summer and will be more powerful and have the ability to handle multitasking.  Will have to wait and see.

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The nerdy dudes at Hack n Mod have figured out how to restore a scratched up iPhone, and de-brand it in the process.  Takes a bit of work but the finished product is stunning.  Read on for the “how to”  restore your iPhone.

Steps to Resurrection:

• Buy a scratched iPhone on eBay
• Gently dry sand external scratches
• Add some water and wet sand
• Polish with a 3M Headlight Lens Restoration Kit (~$15)

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Looks like the Scosche ReviveLITE got an upgrade giving it the “II” designator, a smaller footprint, greater stability, and the ability to charge two devices at the same time with an additional USB port.  Simple but functional.  Scosche ReviveLITE II video and press release after the break.

Second generation docking charger features USB port to simultaneously charge two devices

Oxnard, CA – March 04, 2009 – Scosche Industries, an award-winning innovator of iPod and iPhone accessories, announces the availability of its reviveLITE II. The second generation iPod/iPhone charger and nightlight has a smaller footprint than the original model and was redesigned to offer greater stability when plugged into an outlet.

Scosche also added a USB Port to the reviveLITE II, so users can charge another USB powered device while powering up their iPod or iPhone.  Like the original reviveLITE, the new version provides travelers with a switchable LED nightlight to avoid stubbing a toe in an unfamiliar hotel room.

“Scosche products are designed to eliminate clutter and enhance the accompanying device,” said Kas Alves, executive vice president of Scosche Industries.  “reviveLITE II does just that, providing a docking charging solution for the iPod or iPhone and allowing travelers to eliminate the need for carrying a second charger for another USB powered device.”

The reviveLITE II is available now at www.scosche.com for $24.99 MSRP and will be available in major retailers this spring.

iLuv Creative Technology, the leader in innovative solutions dedicated to developing unique accessories for Apple’s iPhone and iPod announces the iMM178 Vibe Plus, the next generation model from their Shake & Awake alarm clock dock series originally launched last year with the iMM153 . This Apple iPhone-certified new improved version features a sleek and slim black body design with a bed shaker that includes a speaker and volume control. iPhone and iPod users now have ten ways to wake up to their favorite music and this dock provides a 7 day – 5 day – 2 day alarm option for waking at a set time everyday, weekdays only or weekends. The Vibe Plus will be available now under $100 here or at www.i-luv.com and other retailers.

Key Features:
•    Bed shaker vibrates a bed or a pillow to wake up the heaviest of sleepers and includes a 3-level volume control
•    Built-in speakers featuring jAura acoustic speaker technology allow you to hear your music with depth and clarity
•    Dual Alarm function for 7-5-2 everyday, weekday or weekends wake options
•    Time-sync function that synchronizes time for your iPhone & iPod
•    Large easy to read digital display with 10 level LCD dimmer control
•    2 Way volume control – from the main unit or from the shaker
•    Integrated universal dock for your iPod plays and charges your iPhone and iPod
Digital Dual Alarm Clock Capabilities:
•    Dual alarm clock function allows a couple to wake to separate alarms
•    10-Way to wake up including to iPod, FM radio, buzzer, bed shaker, iPod + bed shaker, FM radio + bed shaker, buzzer + bed shaker

Radio Functions:
•    FM stereo
•    PLL digital tuning technology improves the radio signal clarity
•    Programmable presets for 10 radio stations
*Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPhone, iPod Touch 2nd generation, iPod Touch, iPod Nano 1st – 5th generation, iPod Classic, iPod with video, iPod 4th generation, iPod mini
“iLuv is very happy to add a premium quality version of our Bed Shaker Dual Alarm Clock to our series of alarm clock docks ,” said Howard Kim, Marketing Manager for iLuv. “This is a great solution for heavy sleepers and with the 7-5-2 day wake alarm function it meets everyone’s waking needs.”

Looks like another iPhone app that I want has hit the market.  Trapster’s 4.0 release helps users log roadtrips, find friends, locate speed traps, rockslides, roadkill, etc… The beauty of the Trapster app is that is i database that is user updated so if a new speed trap pops up you will know about it.  Read on for a review of some of the best features after the break.

We’ve Got A Great Big Convoy

Driving a Uhaul truck and a Honda from Texas to Illinois, with just two vehicles, it’s amazing how many times we nearly lost each other. Though this isn’t a feature most people will use every day, this updated version of Caravan lets users add "friends" and track where they are or going while exchanging directions, points of interest, audio, et cetera.

It’s perfect for caravanning or road rallying because one user can send a message to an entire group. This could also work well for bikers, urban hikers, or other large groups of iPhone-equipped travelers. Plus, it’s a good way to avoid people you don’t want to see.

Uh-Oh, Here Comes The 5-0

Among the app’s users is Texas’s Travis County Sheriff’s Department, which Trapster discovered was entering in their own traps before they went out to try and pop speeders. Why? According to sheriff’s deputy Tom Carpenter, "If I can get my compliance without writing a ticket, I’ve done my job."

If there’s a speed trap logged by a known law enforcement official, it’ll show up with a custom graphic, seen above, so drivers will know how close they are to getting busted. We’ve fooled around with it between Houston and Austin (the latter is in Travis County), and it worked exceptionally well, giving advance notice of impending speed traps as well as detailed traffic information.

Track Your Roadtrip In Real Time

The days of geotagging your photos, loading your trip points into Google Maps by hand, and then posting all the info to Facebook are over. Trapster’s "My Trips" feature will track your journey and automatically upload any photos, video, or notes you take along the journey to a custom map online that you can share with friends. See a great roadside attraction or stop at a delicious restaurant? You can mark it for future reference. We can think of a million uses for this, both professional and personal. You can see a sample trip here.

Watch Out For That Dead Armadillo!

In addition to pointing out county mounties, Trapster 4.0 adds a few new road hazards to the reporting list. These range from helpful alerts about scenarios like road closures or construction zones to notifications of things like brush fires and roadkill.

You can download Trapster for at the iPhone App Store, Blackberry App World, Palm software store or at their site.

[Trapster.com]

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The TV Hat is functional… but beyond that it is close to a gag gift.  Guaranteed to repel the opposite sex while you watch TV.  Watch the video to get the full picture… at least their video is good (they get the humor of the product).

I think I just found my favorite phone (though the HTC Legend comes in a close second) of Mobile World Congress 2010 and it’s from someone completely unexpected: Puma. Yes, the same Puma who makes the shoes, sportswear, and accessories.

OK, maybe I’m just a sucker for a cool gimmick but it’s always nice to see something completely different like the Puma Phone. Plus, it looks to be quite a competent phone and it’s apparent that the company put a lot of thought into the integrated features.

The handset itself is manufactured by Sagem and has a 2.8-inch, 240×320-pixel resolution capacitive touch screen and built-in solar charger on the back. The quad-band GSM device also includes Bluetooth, 3G, A-GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. All pretty standard for a full-feature phone, but it’s the user experience that makes the Puma Phone different.

From the bright red background to the bold icons to the preloaded sports functions, the Puma Phone is designed to complement your lifestyle just as much as it is meant to be a communication device. There’s a host of sports features, such as a run and bike tracker that takes advantage of the GPS capabilities. There’s a built-in radio, a scratching turntable, social networking integration, and video calling. And it’s all done with a cheeky and fun attitude. I mean, the phone has an on-demand digital puma named Dylan. Enough said.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Puma Phone will only be heading to Europe with an expected April ship date. If you like what you see, there’s always a chance you buy the phone unlocked. The handset should go for about $576 (420 euros).

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Since everyone seems to be sporting an iPhone these days… they are often trying to differentiate themselves by dressing up the iPhone in a cool case or cover.  This is the coolest iPhone case I have seen to date.  The Nintendo Game Boy iPhone case looks super realistic and is available here for about $20.

Back in May of 2009 SlingPlayer made it to the iPhone but needed a Wi-Fi network connection… bogus!  Well it looks like the folks at AT&T approved the SlingPlayer app to stream video over the 3G network.

The 3G-friendly version of SlingPlayer for the iPhone will be a free upgrade to the $30 application, and should be available as soon the app store approves the new software.