360 DEGREES Weblog

Now that the iPhone SDK seems to allow for 3G VoIP, it looks like the floodgates are beginning to open. Joining the ranks of iCall in this somewhat uncharted territory is Fring. Same deal as the previous one, the ability is already inherent in the current build, and now that the restriction has been lifted, users can simply place calls as they usually do through the service — yes, that includes Skype calls — only now not tethered to the nearest 802.11 cloud. As for the native Skype app, last we checked it was still not working. But it’s only a matter of time.

Fring in the apps store

Sporting an Apple-like monolithic design and gobs of high technology, the Sony Bravia NX800 HDTV ($2,300-$3,500; March 2010) is one of the Japanese electronics giant’s sexiest yet. Features include a full HD 1080p, edge LED-backlit LCD screen in either 46-, 52-, or 60-inch sizes, Motionflow 240Hz technology for smooth on-screen motion, integrated Wi-Fi, and ambient light sensor, Sony’s Bravia Internet Video and Internet Widgets, the Bravia Engine 3 video processor, and both USB and DLNA support for photos, music, and video playback.

For those who believe that men must be the traditional breadwinner, then the Live Checking Card could come in handy in these modern times. After all, you would want to keep a close eye on just what your other half spends on while you’re hard at work in the office, wouldn’t you Judging by the card’s namesake, the Live Checking Card is capable of showing your accumulated spending amount right after any purchase. This is made possible thanks to e-ink technology that will refer to your purchase history with bank account transactions over the month via RFID. Still in the conceptual stage at point of publishing, we wonder whether stylish wives and girlfriends of the rich and famous would want to see their spending watched and possibly curbed in such a manner.

If you are wondering what the future of kitchens will be, well, we have seen it and it

Professionally made desserts are all very well, but for true bake-it-yourself types, there’s nothing like a homemade confection. Much the way Sprinkles Cupcakes mixes aim to give baking enthusiasts a way to emulate professional results in their own kitchens, so Ticings allow them to add a dash of photographic-quality art.

Ticings are edible images that can be applied to cakes, cookies, brownies and cupcakes. Users need only peel them from their paper backing and then press them onto a baked confection. Whereas some baking embellishments drag when cut, Ticings merge with soft frosting to create edible art that creates no resistance for the knife. Launched last month, the US-made decorations

The granddaddy of all Apple rumors finally came true. It’s not going to change the world, but it might get you reading more books. The Apple iPad ($499-$829) is the now-not-so-mythical tablet God King, featuring a 9.7-inch Multi-Touch LED-backlit display with IPS technology that’s packed into a half-inch thick piece of aluminum that weighs just 1.5 pounds. Shipping with slick apps for web, email, photos, videos, music, and eBooks, the iPad can also run most current iPhone apps, small or upscaled in full screen. Thanks to a new iBook Store (goodbye Kindle, nice knowing you), you’ll be able to buy and download books to read, just like you do music and movies on your iPhone. The iPad is powered by a custom 1GHz Apple A4 chip and offers an insane 10-hours of (video watching) battery life and a month of standby time. The iPad comes in two versions ? one with Wi-Fi and one with both Wi-Fi and 3G. There’s also a bunch of unexpected accessories, including a Keyboard Dock and a Portfolio case that can double as a stand. Get your iPad in late March.

Feed your inner pyromaniac without putting yourself, family, or closest neighbors in danger of bodily harm with Dynamite Fire Starters ($40). Despite the name, these fire-starter sticks aren’t actually made of dynamite, but do resemble cartoon-style TNT with their elongated cylindrical bodies. Made from paraffin and sawdust, 20 sticks come in each pack, encased in a finger-jointed cedar box that resembles the real dynamite boxes of old.

The Office Pod is small self-contained mini office, designed for installation separate from the house. The pod is 2.1m square, it can be constructed very quickly and is fully securable. It comes with LED lighting, heating/cooling, desk, storage and blinds. The designers reckon, that by not having to commute to the office every day you

One of the problems with speakers is the fact that their size often forces you to leave them at home. Not so with the Kerchoonz K-Box Speaker ($75). At just 4.5″ x 2.2″ x 0.8″, this diminutive speaker can be hooked up to practically any audio source, and uses patented gel-audio technology to turn any flat surface ? like a table, wall, or box ? into a full-on speaker with surprisingly good bass response. Sure, it’s not going to replace a portable Hi-Fi, but for places that you don’t want to take your normal portable system, it’s better than nothing.

When companies search for a new salesperson, you know they scrutinize each candidate’s track record before making an offer. When consumers hire a real estate agent to sell their home, however