By: Edward Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Highly Anticipated App Brings Image-editing Power of Photoshop to Apple iPad 2

At Mobile World Congress, Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced that Adobe Photoshop Touch is now available for iPad 2, via the iTunes App Store. Adobe Photoshop Touch offers core Photoshop features, as well as new capabilities for creating and sharing in an app custom-built for tablets. The app is a central component of Adobe Touch Apps, a family of six intuitive touch screen applications, inspired by Adobe Creative Suite software. iPad versions of the other Adobe Touch Apps are expected later this year.

Photoshop Touch gives users the ability to combine multiple photos into layered images, make essential edits and apply professional effects to create beautiful artwork, touch up photos, paint, lay out ideas and much more. The Scribble Selection Tool allows users to easily extract objects in an image by simply scribbling on what to keep, and then what to remove. With Refine Edge technology from Photoshop, even hard-to-select areas with soft edges are easily captured when making selections. Photoshop Touch helps users quickly find images and share creations through integration with Facebook and Google Image Search.

“People will be amazed with what they can create on the iPad using Photoshop Touch,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president and general manager, Digital Media Business Unit, Adobe. “Photoshop Touch combines the magic of Photoshop and its core features with the convenience of a tablet, bringing image-editing power to the fingertips of millions of people.”

“Adobe Photoshop Touch offers a huge convenience factor and boasts cool Photoshop features tailored for the iPad,” said Brian Yap, creative director, Boxing Clever. “Nearly all of the features I imagined being in Photoshop Touch are there, including the depth in layers, the extraction tools, and fade tool.”

“I love the organic process of working on the tablet. With Adobe Photoshop Touch, I have a new form of image creation with familiar tools but in a more relaxed work space, allowing me to rediscover image making through play rather than production,” Dan Marcolina, owner, Marcolina Design & Marcolina Slate. 

“My team and I put Photoshop Touch through the paces and it shines as a tool for on-the-go photo shoots,” said Tyler Stableford, photographer and director, Tyler Stableford Photography + Film. “Time is always critical when taking pictures during the golden hours of light. With a wireless connection, the art director and I can place photos, immediately as we take them, into a layer with the client’s artwork. This is really helpful when shooting catalog covers.” 

In addition to Photoshop Touch, Adobe expects to release the following touch apps for the iPad in the coming months: Adobe Collage for moodboards, Adobe Debut for presenting and reviewing creative work, Adobe Ideas for sketching, Adobe Kuler for exploring color themes, and Adobe Proto for website and mobile app prototyping.

Helpful Links:

• Artist Project Deconstruction: Bryan Yap

• Artist Project Deconstruction: Dan Marcolina

• Artist Project Deconstruction: Chris Georgenes

• Artist Project Deconstruction: Kyle Lambert

• Introducing Adobe Photoshop Touch on iPad 2 and Android

• Basic Retouching with Photoshop Touch

• Photoshop Touch Sky Replacement Tutorial

• Photoshop Touch Scribble Select Tool

• Photoshop Touch Paint Effect

• Photoshop Touch Add Effects

• Photoshop Touch Camera Fill

• Photoshop Touch Google Search

• Photoshop Touch Blend Modes

Pricing and Availability:

Adobe Photoshop Touch is available today in the iTunes App Store for US$9.99. Photoshop Touch is available in most geographies with English language support. The app will run on iPad 2 running on iOS5. For more information on Photoshop Touch, visit adobe products. Customers may submit feedback on the community powered feedback site, feedback photoshop. Users may also connect with the Photoshop Touch Team directly on Facebook, via Twitter or on the Photoshop blog. For Photoshop Touch how-to videos, visit adobe TV.

By: Edward Jackson (Editor In Chief)

ZAGGkeys FLEX, ZAGGsparq now available at all AT&T retail locations and att.com 

ZAGG Inc., a leading mobile device accessories company, has expanded its AT&T product lineup with the addition of the ZAGGsparq portable battery charger and ZAGGkeys FLEX gadget keyboard and stand. Beginning today, customers can purchase both products at AT&T retail locations across the U.S. and online at http://att.com/wirelessaccessories.

Expanded product lineup:

• ZAGGkeys FLEX is a versatile standalone keyboard accessory that delivers superior convenience and function for smartphones and tablet computers. Compatible with both Apple and Android devices, the ZAGGkeys FLEX allows consumers to add a keyboard to any smartphone or tablet through the use of Bluetooth technology. The ZAGGkeys FLEX retails for $79.00.

• ZAGGsparq is a portable battery charger that carries multiple charges for any personal electronic device, including four full recharges for most smartphones. The ZAGGsparq provides two ports for most USB charged gadgets, including cellphones, handheld gaming systems, digital cameras, and tablet computers. The ZAGGsparq retails for $99.00.

“We are excited to build on our agreement with AT&T by providing additional ZAGG mobile device accessories to AT&T’s retail and online customers,” said John W. Melville, director of wireless sales for ZAGG. “The award-winning ZAGGkeys FLEX and ZAGGsparq help significantly expand the function and convenience of mobile devices, and appeal to customers using their devices on-the-go.”

ZAGGkeys FLEX was recently named an International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree. ZAGGsparq was named a CES Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree.

MRT will continue supporting our awesome friends over at ZAGG, for all of their innovative products. And a big thank you to everyone at ZAGG for making MRT what it is today…

By: Jenna Gonzalez (Editor In Chief)

And they’re at it again. The uber-priced Bang & Olufsen company has just launched the Chanterelle: A new limited edition version of their BeoVision 10-46 TV series (which was an overpriced dud not even near in quality to your average TV). The new version sports new speaker grille (oooh!) and trim in a beige color scheme (aaahhh!)  As if the new look wasn’t enough to tickle the cash out of your debt-ridden credit card, you can also add more overpriced accessories!  Say it isn’t so!  That’s right!  Because you don’t want to be the laughing stock at your next block party (NEVER!) You can and MUST add the BeoLab 6002 Chanterelle floor-standing speakers and an easel stand, which can only be purchased with the TV, and not as a standalone accessory. Duh! We knew that.

According to the hoity toity designers at the David Lewis Design Studio, the Chanterelle was designed to have a “unique” style among the other wise “bland” look of the rest of today’s televisions. With this 200/240 Hz LED you’ll get motion stabilizing technology that offers “smooth video” playing abilities on this full HD masterpiece. Are we supposed to think this sets it apart from cheaper TV’s that play the same “smooth video”? Well stop the presses! I didn’t know other TV’s weren’t as smooth!

Let’s not forget, the BeoLab 6002 Chanterelle also has those beautifully crafted matching floor-standing speakers and a very unique, easy to use easel stand that swivels. Well I’ll be damned! It swivels! Don’t want to get the must-have overpriced speakers? Not to worry. The Chanterelle is equipped with an “integrated” stereo speaker placed below the screen that is covered by a fabric front (Sounds fancy right?). But that’s not all. It offers integrated “surround sound” and DVB-HD module, electronic curtains and an extensive connection panel allowing you to add up to five extra speakers for a surround sound setup and a multitude of set-top boxes if needed. Why honey, this would be the best tine to move up to color TV!

This thing is so hot,  they’re only making 500 individually numbered units, with (get this) pre-orders already taken for the lucky numbers 8 and 88 by Chinese customers since these numbers do represent luck, wealth and prosperity in China! Quick, 1-7, 9-87, and 89-500 will be gone soon!  At the reasonable cost of $11,660, along with another $5,000 for the must-have BeoLab 6002 Chanterelle speaker and an additional $535 the easel stand, what kind of disillusioned moron wouldn’t empty out their savings account for this! Hello? Anyone?

By: Jenna Gonzalez (Editor In Chief)

Staff Note: As part of our spectacular summer giveaway extravaganza, we are giving away several of the newest smartphones all throughout August-September 2011. So make sure you and your friends “Like” us on Facebook . Remember that our contests are ONLY eligible to our fans and Facebook subscribers so don’t forget to LIKE us on FB! We will be giving away TWO BRAND NEW smartphones of our choice on August 30. All you have to do is “LIKE” us on FB and share with your friends! 

Click here to view the embedded video.

By: Jenna Gonzalez (Editor In Chief)

Staff Note: As part of our spectacular summer giveaway extravaganza, we are giving away several of the newest smartphones all throughout August-September 2011. So make sure you and your friends “Like” us on Facebook . Remember that our contests are ONLY eligible to our fans and Facebook subscribers so don’t forget to LIKE us on FB! We will be giving away TWO BRAND NEW smartphones of our choice on August 30. All you have to do is “LIKE” us on FB and share with your friends! 

I’ve been lucky enough to own pretty much every tablet on the market today, as well most designer cases for them, but I’ve yet to own a designer branded tablet. Well, it looks like it’ll happen after all. Pierre Cardin has released what they tout as “The first designer tablet in the UK”. The French fashion house has made their way into the mobile electronics market with their new 7 inch, Android powered tablet and with leather case (no word on who the hardware maker is). Unfortunately I’m just a slight bit miffed, since for some unknown reason Pierre Cardin opted to go with Android 2.2 as it’s OS. When it comes to Android tablets, I’m at the very least a Honeycomb girl and I’m not looking to downgrade right now. The tablet offers all your basic features such as Google browser, Google map, Gmail, Skype, Google Market, Multimedia Player, Clock, Calculator, News, Weather, Voice Search, Adobe Flash 10.1 and more through the Android Market. So for those who aren’t looking for the latest from Android and would be happy with the basic day to day functions in a stylish package, this may be the tablet for you. Though this isn’t the most advanced Android tablet on the market, it is surprisingly affordable for those who want to be  technologically fashionable at ₤275 or $450US. So the question is, who wants one?

Via Pierre Cardin

SUMMER SMARTPHONE GIVEAWAY OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

By: Jenna Gonzalez (Editor In Chief)

Staff Note: As part of our spectacular summer giveaway extravaganza, we are giving away several of the newest smartphones all throughout August-September 2011. So make sure you and your friends “Like” us on Facebook . Remember that our contests are ONLY eligible to our fans and Facebook subscribers so don’t forget to LIKE us on FB! We will be giving away TWO BRAND NEW smartphones of our choice on August 30. All you have to do is “LIKE” us on FB and share with your friends! 

While shopping on Madison Avenue, I stopped by the Orianne Collins Concept store and noticed these gems, the Goldvish luxury cell phones. The gleam of these beautiful gold, diamond covered  phones with leather accent caught my eye. Goldvish is a company I know all too well for making such seductively lavish phones. I came across the Illusion collection of cell phones, which are available in 240 variations. Yes, I said 240 variations, with options of rose, white or yellow gold with an additional option of a titanium finish. There are 12 colors to choose from when it comes the alligator leather accents and 5 diamond trim levels.

From the Centerfold model with it’s 0.15 CT single diamond to the Like Heaven model that is 11.03 CT studded with 1639 VVS diamonds. Though this phone doesn’t offer you all the functions of day’s smartphones, it offers you an unsurpassed class of luxury.  The cost of these beauties starts at $120,000 for your base model and up to $1.2 million for a pave diamond encrusted model.

With Goldvish’s latest release of the Equilibrium, the world’s first dual SIM luxury mobile phone, handcrafted masterpiece. The dual SIM feature allows you to switch between phone numbers easily, letting you go from your work to your private line without effort. The Equilibrium is handmade in Switzerland with the highest quality materials. It is customized to your specifications, with your choice of finish, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium or the finest leather. As you can see in the picture above, you can choose 18 carat gold or platinum trim. The Equilibrium can also be covered in diamonds. It features a 2.4″ ultra clear LED with 115 carat grade A, natural Sapphire crystal screen, 8GB internal memory,  bluetooth, FM tuner, 7 hours of talk time or 20 days of standby time. The Equilibrium starts at $160k and goes on up to $2.5 million for a pave diamond covered, platinum toting model. It is the epitome of elegance.

Then there is the Goldvish Revolution, a unique blend of a cell phone and a beautifully Swiss made handcrafted timepiece. The Revolution has automatic analog watch with visible moving parts, made by Frederic Jouvenot. The body of the Revolution is covered with 18-carat pink and white gold, and is encrusted with diamonds with a total weight of 29 carats. The Revolution will run you  $490,500. While hardly anything most of us can afford right now, on a purely aesthetic value (nevermind the smartphone functions), I can at least appreciate the craftmanship they put in to them. So what do you think?

Click here to view the embedded video.

OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

By: Jenna Gonzalez (Editor In Chief)

Staff Note: We are giving away some amazing prizes in our spectacular summer giveawayextravaganza, that is coming soon. So make sure you and your friends “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Make sure to share with your friends, because the more Likes on FB and the more followers on Twitter the bigger the prizes. Remember that our contests are ONLY eligible to our fans and Facebook subscribers so don’t forget to LIKE us on FB! 

I’ve always been huge supporter of green initiatives through my charity work and fundraising and I tend to keep an eye out for the latest in green technology for myself and to share with you. I recently came Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid, a solar powered robotic lawnmower. It is essentially a Roomba for your lawn. Husqvarna is an innovator when it comes to electric automowers and this being one of the most innovative yet. The Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid is the world’s first fully automatic zero emission hybrid lawnmower. Yes, zero emissions, take that into consideration when the average new gas powered lawnmower puts out the same amount of air pollution as 11 new cars in an hour of use according to the EPA.

The mower uses it’s solar panels to give it an extended charge to run longer before it needs to return to it’s charging station. Meaning, that on sunny days it uses less electricity and mows more of your lawn. The Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid can mow lawns up to a 1/2 acre in size depending on the light conditions. It can be programmed to fit your specific lawn care needs and even has a added feature of being able to send you a text when it is done mowing.

The Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid doesn’t come cheap at $2999.95. But if your a home owner like myself, you know the time and cost of taking care of your lawn, and in the long run it is worth the price.

Take a look at this video featuring the Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid

Click here to view the embedded video.

For more information on the Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid or to purchase one for yourself go to HUSQVARNA

By: Jenna Gonzalez (Editor In Chief)

Staff Note: We are giving away some amazing prizes in our spectacular summer giveawayextravaganza, that is coming soon. So make sure you and your friends “Like” us on Facebook and follow us onTwitter. Make sure to share with your friends, because the more Likes on FB and the more followers on Twitter the bigger the prizes. Remember that our contests are ONLY eligible to our fans and Facebook subscribers so don’t forget to LIKE us on FB! 

As many of you know I am quite a music enthusiast and a bit of a musician myself. I love playing the piano and often find myself teaching family members and friends how to play. I’ve tried and enjoyed many an iPad piano app to varying levels of success, but other than the entertainment factor of playing along, I haven’t really found anything that really teaches someone how to play. So when I saw the ION Audio Piano Apprentice for the Apple iPad 2 , I instantly thought it was a great product.

The ION Audio Piano Apprentice is a 25 note lighted keyboard with touch sensitive keys that works with the free Piano Apprentice app in iTunes store.  All you have to do attach the Piano Apprentice to your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch and follow the lighted keys with your fingers and before you know it, you’re learning to play the piano! On screen piano players can follow along to Emmy award-winning piano instructor, Scott Houston. While the keys on the Piano Apprentice light up, Scott’s hands are playing above on the screen, showing you the proper hand placement.

It is scheduled for release in early September for $99, this is one great product for any beginner, of any age.

Here is a brief introduction to Ion Audio’s Piano Apprentice and app.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As a music enthusiast who believes in the statistical facts linking academic achievement to the arts , I believe in the power of music as a teaching tool for children. If you happen to have an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, this is something that would be a lot of fun to have. Let us know what you think about it. We just might give a few away!

For more information on the Ion Audio Piano Apprentice go to here

By: Jenna Gonzalez (Editor In Chief)

As many of our loyal fans and subscribers know, MRT isn’t just a great place for them to read up on the latest tech news, but also a site where a quirky team from all walks of life come together and show their distinct personalities. Sure, we may not be churning out 50 posts a day, but we at least make sure that each little tidbit of information, particularly any review, is something helpful to regular people like us. Of course, the reviews just don’t quite do products justice until videos are made….and here at MRT, there is only one who makes video reviews look cool, even if the products may not always be. Yes, I’m talking about our resident law school grad and Youtube star Jonathan Long.

While it’s not unusual for us to get emails from Jonathan’s fans; Every once in a while someone will ask why someone so different from the MRT gang could be part of the team. “He’s so serious!” some people say. Others say he’s “aloof” and not as “whimsical” as some of our resident nuts (cough cough…Brittney Wilson). Other comments have likened his articles to “reading a memorandum.”  Someone on Youtube posted “I didn’t know unboxings could take 15 minutes!”…..Oh but how about a personal favorite of mine? “I fell asleep halfway through a piece”. I’m not saying one of our writers Foster Scott said that, because I’m not naming names after all. 

Well, to celebrate his birthday today (gotta love FB alerts!), we’ve decided to put together a somewhat rudimentary mini-photo documentary on what makes Jonathan special, and why we think he’s just the perfect cup of tea for us.

Even as a little cereal-crazed kid, Jonathan always knew he wanted to be a techie-lawyer. I know it seems innocent enough but believe it or not, he's actually learning complex codes while planning to sue his parents if he chokes on those adult-sized bites.

Boring? If riding a non-regulation bike with a flimsy kid helmet on a dangerous course doesn't scream "this guy's got a set of steel balls" then you obviously have no concept of what a death-defying Pulitzer-prize winning journalist is. Or steel balls, you pick.

 

He's adventurous! This time on a regulation bike with a above-industry-standard get-up, boldly exploring the unforgiving bear-ridden trails of the forest for an unrelenting 42 miles. Yes, Jonathan doesn't just review things. In his life as in his work, he puts it to the test like only the most commited athletes can.

 

He's a road-warrior! Eric Lichtig: "Seriously, what's with all these pics of him on bikes?" Jenna: "I don't know, it's all I got from his FB page. Deal with it"

 

He's a musical masterpiece! Since the age of 5, Jonathan's Korean mom has guided him through grueling piano lessons and musical composition that would eventually make him into the multi-talented guitarist, pianist, bassist and composer that he is today. See, if we all had a tiger mom, we'd be prodigys too.

 

He's a team-player! As the keyboard player of his longtime Indiana band "Graduates", he's a major force in creating some pretty wicked magical sounds and selling out venues all across college town. And yes, if you want live performance Youtube videos, just ask. You'll have to forgive the drunken audience. They come with the band.

 

He's dedicated. Oh yes, as a law school grad and an intern, Jonathan's job require meticulous work going through mountains of documents and sorting through tons of legal jargon. So if his articles look like memorandums, there's your answer!

 

He's relentless and unyielding. An occasional blink here and there, and he's ready to go again. Perhaps that's why he blinks so much in his videos. Seriously, I've counted about 40 in one minute.

 

He's a great brother You can tell a lot about a person based on their family values...and Jon definitely doesn't skimp out of the love he showers his little sis.

 

Aloof? More like mysterious. Calculated and cunning. Blowing hot and cold, all the while keeping an indifferent exterior. Norman Bates, eat your heart out. You too Janet Napolitano!

 

 

So next time you read one of Jonathan’s unusually precise posts, and you find yourself wondering the same questions. Just know that every little quirk he has is precisely why we love our Jonathan. That or you could just skip to his often-attached Youtube videos. That’s what I do. Wink! Why, you might ask?

That smile....melts my heart every time.

By: Jenna Gonzalez (Editor In Chief)

Staff Note: We are giving away some amazing prizes in our spectacular summer giveawayextravaganza, that is coming soon. So make sure you and your friends “Like” us on Facebook and follow us onTwitter. Make sure to share with your friends, because the more Likes on FB and the more followers on Twitter the bigger the prizes. Remember that our contests are ONLY eligible to our fans and Facebook subscribers so don’t forget to LIKE us on FB! 

You know I have a special place in my heart for anything adorned with the beautiful gleam of Swarovski crystals, and I am quite an audiophile as well. So when I saw these gorgeous On Aura Tout Vu designed Sony headphones, I just had to share them with you.

On Aura Tout Vu has paired with Swarovski Crystallized again to make these beautiful crystal encrusted Sony headphones. On Aura Tout Vu is a member of the exclusive Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, along with other members such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Givenchy and others. The company is best known for outfitting Lady Gaga with some exquisitely eccentric clothing and jewelry.

On Aura Tout Vu has plated each set of these Sony stereo earphones with white bronze. The earphones are then encrusted with turquoise from the Swarovski Elements collection along with matching crystals and leather accents. The white earphones are garnished with white Swarovski crystals and Swarovski crystal pearls with exotic snake skin leather accents.

These babies are set for release in August and no prices hves been announced as of yet. You’ll be able to get these at these Swarovski retailers – SWAROVSKI CRYSTALLIZED concept stores in New York, London, Shanghai, in-store at the Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens and at Swarovski Innbruck. They will also be available online at www.swarovski-crystallized.com Pretty flashy huh? Now these are headphones I wouldn’t want to leave laying anywhere.