Pioneer AppRadio hands-on

We got a chance to experience Pioneer's iOS-connected in-dash AppRadio in action this afternoon, and even got to see the thing running in a real-deal automobile. So did it meet our expectations? Well, to be perfectly honest, we didn't know what to expect, but for what it promises, which is bringing the convenience and connectivity of iOS apps to your car, we suppose it does a fine job -- even if it only support four apps at the moment. More after the break.

Pioneer AppRadio Hands-on

Setting up AppRadio is a relatively simple affair -- you just connect your fourth gen iPhone or iPod touch via the proprietary 30-pin connector, push a button and you're in. Once there, you choose from a series of options -- Radio, iPod, Apps, or Phone -- from a menu on the multitouch capacitive display. We didn't get a chance to test out the phone, but the other three options were relatively straightforward. The radio is set up in a pretty simple fashion, but we imagine the lack of physical buttons will take some getting used to -- you won't be able to blindly reach out and fiddle with the keys right out the gate. When you hit the app button, you'll have to have one of the four -- Pioneer says it expects more to come before the big launch -- approved apps running before a scrollable list appears. Once you're in any of the apps, controls are relatively simple, but you'll have to return to your phone or iPod to switch between applications. Multi-touch controls, including pinch-to-zoom work well, and all of the apps we tested moved pretty swiftly.

Our big gripe here -- and it is a big one -- is that AppRadio is short on apps. There are currently only four apps running on the system: Rdio, Pandora, INRIX, and MotionX-GPS Drive. The first two, are, as you might already know, music apps, and the last two are a GPS and traffic app, respectively. All of these applications have been designed specifically to meet Pioneer's standards, with a focus on safety. When it comes to Pandora, that means you won't be able to set up any new stations while driving and, similarly, search functions have been disabled on both Rdio and Pandora. That also means you won't be seeing all the apps the App Store has to offer popping up on your dash -- so don't expect to play Angry Birds while sitting in rush hour traffic. Like we said before, Pioneer says it expects more apps to show up in the future, but we'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, check out our gallery of AppRadio in action, and keep your eyes out for our video (coming shortly).

Adobe dominates Kaspersky Lab's top ten PC vulnerabilites list

Being number one is usually an honor, but not when it comes to Kaspersky Lab's top ten PC vulnerabilities list. Unfortunately for the software giant, Adobe took top dishonors for Q1 this year, pulling in five total spots on the list, including the top three. According to the security firm, all of the vulnerabilities appearing on the list allowed cyber-criminals to control computers at the system level. The number one spot was occupied by a vulnerability in Acrobat Reader that was reportedly detected on 40 percent of machines running the application, while Flash Player flaws took second and third. Other dishonorees included the Java Virtual Machine, coming in at fourth and fifth place, Apple QuickTime, Winamp, and Microsoft Office. That ain't bad, considering Microsoft ruled the vulnerabilities roost in 2010.

The Inquirer

Kaspersky Lab

TOUCHWRITER HD: THE SENSATION OF HANDWRITING, NOW ON YOUR IPAD

As many of us know, handwriting allows you to put part of your soul in
what you write, much more than typing it on a display. Touchwriter HD
is an application for Ipad (but Aesthology has it also for Iphone and
Ipod) that allows you to touch write notes. With it, you don’t type
letters, but you draw them with your fingers (or stylus) uppercase,
lowercase. You can easily slip in emoticons and create a quick
checklist, and to keep track of your notes you dispose of a running list. You  can also change settings (like changing the color of your
virtual ink, or it’s width, and so on) and drag images on a note and comment them.
But, more interesting, you can also export what you have “handwritten” and upload it on Google, Docs, Evernote, Twitter and others... or send them as an email. If you have saved an URL on one of your notes, you
can pick up a digital keyboard and type it out. With Touchwriter, writing is more personal, and less “cold” that tapping types. Just be careful, because the touch field is very sensitive, and by the first time it’s difficult to write with it, at least without a stylus. With this app you don’t only take notes, but can also send personalized messages, love letters and so on in a more personal way, sending to the people you love something more than cold types. For more details visit the Apple site