The iPad is an excellent device for creating and editing sound, but sometimes, just using that headphone port isn't enough. For that, DIY musician Qubais "Reed" Ghazala built this custom-made iPad dock, which plugs the iPad into a whole row of various sound-related ins and outs, from a line input and output to even a video interface. Yes, it's not quite as finished as a professional setup might be, but the DIY style works well here.

Read more of this post to watch a video of the dock in action that includes some tips on its construction in case you want to try putting one together on your own. Ghazala used a PodBreakout board to get all of the data he needed to and from the tablet, and a MacAlly iPad stand as the base unit.

Continue reading DIY breakout dock looks to get professional sound out of iPad 2

DIY breakout dock looks to get professional sound out of iPad 2 originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 31 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple has debuted a new support program called (quite reasonably) the MacBook Bottom Case Replacement program. As 9to5Mac notes, there's been an issue with the rubber bottom part on some recent MacBook models where some glue problems may separate the rubber pad from the actual MacBook case.

If you have had such an issue with a MacBook sold in the past few years, Apple will be happy to replace it at any Apple Store. And if you don't want to bother with coming in, you can even order a replacement kit online, then just put the new case on yourself.

It's not a huge deal of course, and Apple says that if you're not having the problem, you obviously don't need to replace your case, but it's good to know that Apple's got a way to deal with even a small hardware issue like this.

Apple will now replace your MacBook's bottom originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 30 May 2011 23:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, kids! I've checked and double checked and it's Talkcast time! Since you're most likely off tomorrow, you have no excuse not to stay up late and join me for this week's Talkcast! We'll be spending a bit of time discussing the Lodsys Kerfuffle, developments on the current and future editions of Mac OS, and of course we'll be paying a visit to my house to discuss the latest on another operating system, iOS 5.

Remember: When Kelly hosts the show, it means we have an aftershow! TUAWTF covers all manner of topics. Come for the show, stay for the aftershow.

Your calls and questions help make the show the best it can be, otherwise I'm just talking to myself! To participate, you can use the browser-only Talkshoe client, the embedded Facebook app, or download the classic TalkShoe Pro Java client; however, for maximum fun, you should call in. For the web UI, just click the Talkshoe Web button on our profile page at 4 HI/7 PDT/10 pm EDT Sunday. To call in on regular phone or VoIP lines (Viva free weekend minutes!): dial (724) 444-7444 and enter our talkcast ID, 45077 -- during the call, you can request to talk by keying in *8.

If you've got a headset or microphone handy on your Mac, you can connect via the free Blink or X-Lite SIP clients, basic instructions are here. (If you like Blink, the pro version is available in the Mac App Store.) Skype users with SkypeOut credit can call the main Talkshoe number; it's also a free call with the Google Voice browser plugin. Talk to you tonight!

Talkcast tonight, 4pm HI/7pm PDT/10pm EDT: Memorial Weekend Edition! originally appeared on TUAW on Sun, 29 May 2011 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here's a big case of "Good luck with that." Samsung's lawyers are demanding to see the iPhone 5 and iPad 3, according to ThisIsMyNext. Samsung says it needs to see Apple's upcoming devices because its iPhone and iPad competitors, the Droid Charge and Galaxy Tab 10.1, will likely be on sale around the same time. Samsung wants to make sure it can spot any possible similarities so it can be ready for any potential legal action from Apple.

Last week a judge granted Apple access to Samsung prototypes of the Galaxy S2, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G and Droid Charge. This will allow Apple to identify elements that could confuse customers into thinking the Samsung devices are the same as Apple's devices. As MacRumors points out, only Apple's lawyers will be able to see the prototype Samsung gear. Similarly, if Samsung were granted access to the iPhone 5 and iPad 3, only the company's lawyers would be able to view them. Still, since it's Samsung that is on the defensive, it's not likely that Samsung will be granted access to Apple's prototypes.

Apple first filed suit against Samsung in April, claiming the Samsung Galaxy line too closely imitated the look and feel of its iOS devices.

Samsung's lawyers want access to the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 originally appeared on TUAW on Sun, 29 May 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Earlier today we told you how Apple's legal team finally caught up with Fei Lam, the teenager from New York who was selling white iPhone 4 conversion kits, and filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against him. Now new information about the whole ordeal has emerged including how exactly Apple found him.

In an interview with Fast Company, Lam says that he first found out about the lawsuit when he received an email from Fast Company. Lam also says that, contrary to reports, he did not make US$130,000 for the sales of white iPhone parts.

He is apparently meeting with Apple's lawyers within the next month to discuss the lawsuit and any legal repercussions, however Lam will not be represented by a lawyer as he doesn't have the funds to cover one. An earlier report by Fast Company also noted that Apple only tracked Lam down after hiring a private investigator that worked for an anti-counterfeit and trademark protection firm. Looks like when it comes to Apple, you can't remain on the lam forever*.

*I'm going to apologize ahead of time for the worst pun ever.

Fei Lam of WhiteiPhone4Now reveals how Apple found him originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 27 May 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The popular sci-fi tower defense game Sentinel 3 is on sale for only US$0.99 for a limited time. Normally $2.99, the sale price is in celebration of the release of a massive new downloadable campaign that is available as an in-app purchase for $1.99. The new 15 map campaign features 15 endless maps and 6 new classic maps as well as a new commander unit, new weapons, new turrets, and new enemies.

In addition to the new in-game features Sentinel 3, which is a universal game for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch has beefed up the iPad graphics with higher resolution background levels. The game's engine has also been completely revamped for much-improved gameplay. No word on how long Sentinel 3 will remain on sale, so if you're a fan of tower defense games you might want to snap this one up quickly.

Sentinel 3 on sale for $.99, $1.99 DLC update adds large number of features originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 26 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last month we told you about a Pioneer filing with the FCC that revealed something called the AppRadio. Today, Pioneer has officially showed off just what the AppRadio is -- an iOS-integrated car receiver that hooks up to your iPhone or iPod touch. AppRadio features a 800 x 400 6.1-inch multitouch capacitive display that allows the user to easily navigate and interact with not only the media on your iOS device, but your apps as well.

The receiver features built-in Bluetooth and GPS, an AM/FM radio, and a video input that can be used with an optional rear view camera. The receiver can also take advantage of iOS's Google Maps app. Pioneer is opening its AppRadio to developers, allowing them to design their apps to work in conjunction with the receiver. No apps will be stored on the receiver -- everything is done through apps on your iPhone or iPod touch -- but developers will be able to build in AppRadio support directly to their apps.

Right now four app developers have partnered with Pioneer including Motion-X GPS Drive, Pandora Internet Radio, Rdio streaming music, and Inrix Traffic and, as CNET points out, those apps sport AppRadio features in addition to iOS features, allowing for sending information to and from the car's touchscreen and speakers. Some features aren't available through the touchscreen, however, because Pioneer is trying to keep interactions as safe as possible.

No word yet on the pricing, although Pioneer is saying AppRadio should sell for "below $500" when it goes on sale June 22.

Pioneer announces iOS-integrated AppRadio receiver originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 25 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Getaround is a brand new app launching today on the App Store that is designed to be a "peer-to-peer car rental marketplace." The idea is that it's like a Zipcar sort of service, but run peer-to-peer style, so anyone can rent their cars for just a few bucks an hour. If you need a car for a limited amount of time, you can load up the app, do a quick search in your area, and then find a car and an owner renting it just long enough to take a trip to the grocery store or pick up a piece of furniture.

And if you want to be an owner, you can sign up with the service online, and Getaround will cover the insurance after an eligibility screening, and even provides a special carkit that lets users unlock and lock their cars straight through the iPhone app (just like the official Zipcar app).

It seems like a great service, both for people who want to make a few bucks renting cars, and for current car sharing users looking for a cheaper or closer service than they're currently using. If you live in an urban area and could make use of a shared car, give it a look.

Getaround app takes car sharing peer-to-peer on the iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 24 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Kogeto Dot is an interesting little device. It's a lens that attaches to your iPhone 4, and allows you to shoot 360 degree panoramic video with the iPhone's little camera. Engadget tried it out and they found it a little awkward -- you have to hold the iPhone perpendicular to the floor as you shoot, which means you can't actually see the screen unless you're holding it high above your head. But usability really isn't the emphasis here -- the lens comes with an app that will straighten out your video and even allow you to stream it right from the iPhone, so portability is the main driver in this case.

The company also has a standalone panoramic capture system already, so they've got some experience in the field to play off of, even if the actual iPhone implementation is a bit hacky. The Dot is currently available for preorder for $98, pending actual production of the item. It'd be cool to see some video shot on location in this way, though for most panoramic shots, odds are you'd have gear built more specifically for the task.

Kogeto Dot takes panoramic video with the iPhone 4 originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 23 May 2011 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Weather HD is a popular iOS app that we at TUAW have raved about in the past. The iOS app lets you use your iPad or iPhone as a window into a beautiful weather world around you. The app uses stunning full screen animations to show you the weather instead of the numbers and little icons other weather apps use. Now Vimov, the company behind Weather HD, has launched a Mac version of the app and it takes the basic premise of their simplified weather app to a whole new level.

First off, the animations in Weather HD for Mac look simply stunning. I'm running the app on a 15-inch MacBook Pro and it just looks incredible. That tells me that on larger screens like the iMac, the app must just look otherworldly. Besides the multiple locations and weekly forecasts that are available in the iOS version, the Mac version offers a host of features that turns the app into a full weather center on your Mac. You can see hourly forecasts, phases and cycles of the moon, and current and next-day-average cloud, temperature, dew, humidity, and wind maps. Best of all it has built in a full-screen view to the app so you can see its gorgeous animations at their fullest.

I will say that, as cool as it is, the app does have limited usability. It's pretty to look at and has some nice alerts and mapping features, but how often to we need to open up an app to see the weather forecast? I usually just activate Dashboard and quickly check out my weather widgets. One thing I would love to see is a screensaver option for this app so I can see those gorgeous weather animations anytime my computer is idle. Of course, Vimov can't build in screensaver functionality into the app now because Apple doesn't allow screensavers in the Mac App Store. Hopefully that will change soon. Still, Weather HD is highly recommended and costs US$3.99.

Gallery: Weather HD for Mac

Forecast looks amazing for Weather HD for Mac originally appeared on TUAW on Sun, 22 May 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.