Withings makes a $129 blood pressure monitor for Apple devices

(PhysOrg.com) -- If you were to open the App Store in iTunes and put in the world health you would find a wealth of apps ready and waiting to help you get healthy. Most of those apps feature advice or information. Another large group gives you the ability to track what you eat or how often you work out. Few of them come with an accessory.

Withings is an app maker best known for making an app that allows users to share their weight with the world. Now, they are doing the same thing with blood pressure. The app, which comes with its own plug in blood pressure cuff is going to retail for $129, which is significantly more expensive than a standard home blood pressure cuff and it runs on AAA batteries.

The machine, first shown off at CES, works with either an iPhone, an iPad, or an iPod touch, which provides a wide range of options for users who do not want to invest in a new cell phone or a tablet PC in order to use the app.

Once you get the system set up and take your first blood pressure it can be sent to services such as Google Health or Microsoft HealthVault, as well as to your friendly primary health physician.

The monitor begins shipping today, June 20th 2011, for the public and it can be ordered on the Withings site. Though, for the cost it may be worth simply buying a $30 cuff at the drug store and typing the results into a much less expensive app.

? 2010 PhysOrg.com

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Apple starts selling unlocked iPhones in US

(AP) -- Apple is selling "unlocked" iPhones in the U.S. for the first time, allowing owners to switch carriers to a limited extent.

The unlocked iPhone 4s are listed Tuesday on Apple Inc.'s website for $649 and $749. They're identical to the version sold for use on AT&T Inc.'s network, but don't require a two-year contract.

The buyer supplies his own Subscriber Identity Module, a card that ties the phone to a network. Apart from AT&T, the only national U.S. carrier that's compatible with the phone is T-Mobile USA, and it can provide only phone calls and low data speeds.

Many overseas carriers are compatible with the phone, so international travelers can switch out their U.S. SIM card with one from the local country to avoid AT&T's international roaming fees.

?2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Monster TRON Legacy Light Disc Audio Dock for Apple iPod, iPhone, MP3 Review

March 03, 2011 at 09:24 PM in Gadget Reviews
Monster TRON iPod Identity Disc Dock Instruction booklet AC Adapter (with two-prong Europlug adapter) Remote control (battery included) iPod Dock Adapters for iPhone 3G/3GS, iPod Touch 3G/4G, iPod Nano 4G/5G, & iPhone 4
Pros: Extremely well-constructed Five audio drivers: four 1.5" drivers and one 3.5" long-throw woofer
80 individually controlled energy efficient LEDs
TRON application visualizer iPhone app creates advanced lighting effects
It's TRON!
Comes with iPod docks for modern iPod/iPhones plus aux-in via 3.5mm cable (not included)
Incredible sound
On-board controls
Almost like a work of art - nothing else quite like it currently out there

Cons: Current version of the TRON app doesn't automatically load the application when iPod or iPhone is docked
Might be pricey for non-TRON fanatics
Flashing blue lights! We LOVE flashing blue lights! In all seriousness, I may not be the most objective person to review the Monster TRON Light Disc Audio Dock. I saw the original "TRON" in the theater as a kid, own a copy of the "TRON" collector's DVD, reviewed the TRON Xbox 360 controller, the TRON PS3 controller, the TRON Wii Remote, and even the TRON Identity Disc toy. I saw "TRON: Legacy" three times in an XD 3D theater - I guess you could say I have a bit of a TRON addiction. All that being said, I also know a quality product when I lay my grubby little gadget-addicted hands on it, and this Identity Disc dock is unlike anything you've ever rested your iPod or iPhone in. It's got incredible, incredible sound, tons of options for interface, and looks fantastic on any surface you set it on. Oh, and flashing blue lights. Highly recommended!

Apple Ranks as 21st Biggest Retailer According to US Sales

In a report released annually by the National Retail Federation, Apple ranks 21st in a list of the top 100 retailers based on US sales. The company’s retail and iTunes sales were combined giving Apple a total of $18 billion in sales.

According to the list, Apple’s sales rose 32.3% based on sales numbers from 2009's list against 2010's (yes, most recent list is from last year’s sales). Apple has got one of the smallest amount of stores on the list (233), yet still ranked higher than some retailers totaling up to thousands of stores.

If you’re interested, the top ten on the list is Walmart, Kroger, Target, Walgreens, The Home Depot, (ATL, woot woot!) Costco, CVS, Lowe’s, Best Buy and Sears. Also, the list can be found here complete with sales numbers (domestic and worldwide), growth, number of stores and more.

Oh, and Verizon is number 47 while AT&T is 69.

[Via TNW]

Categories: Blog entry, Current, News  Tags: 100, apple, AT&T, costco, CVS, retailers, target, top, US, Verizon, walgreens, Walmart

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