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We’ve seen 911 call centers that accept text messages, and now if PowerPhone gets its way you’ll some day be able to use MMS messages to further pinpoint the source of your distress. Patent number 7,764,769, “Integrated Call Handler and E-Mail Systems and Methods,” has just been approved by the Patent and Trademark Office, detailing the use of the company’s Incident Linked Multimedia (ILM) software to receive and prioritize multimedia messages at a call center near you. There is also something there about the software integrated with “existing Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems,” which we imagine must be good news for someone looking to implement these features. But let’s be honest: we’re just looking forward to watching the inevitable “World’s Most Embarrassing Drunken Videos to 911″ special on Fox. PR after the break.

Continue reading PowerPhone patent approved for sending MMS messages to 911

PowerPhone patent approved for sending MMS messages to 911 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nah, your sarcasm detector isn’t busted — we genuinely are surprised that Apple has lifted the iron fist and allowed a piece of hardware on its handset to be used for something other than Jobs himself intended. It may seem trivial to those who haven’t witnessed Apple block the most sensible of programs in the past, but allowing applications that enable end-user control of the LED camera flash is a pretty big deal. It’s one of those “sad, but true” moments, you know? As of now, the affordable (£0.59) Flashlight – For iPhone 4 and even more affordable (zilch) LED Light for iPhone 4 can be downloaded directly from the App Store and used to activate the LED whenever you darn well please, and for reasons that we needn’t mention, we’d suggest you go ahead and grab one… pronto.

Update: Another free option — Power Light — just splashed down into the App Store.

Update 2: Lookie there, another free option with LED-Flashlight! Woo!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Shocker! Apple approves apps for using LED on iPhone 4 as flashlight originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Outside of Samsung’s Wave, we’re having a hard time thinking of a meaningful device that has shipped with Bluetooth 3.0 onboard. Kind of crazy when you think about it, being that the protocol offered some pretty promising stuff when it went official in April of 2009. Fast forward to today, and it looks as if the Bluetooth SIG is storming forward regardless, as the Bluetooth 4.0 core specification has now been adopted with “low energy technology” as the standout feature. This step means that companies can begin to work towards integration of BT 4.0 in actual end-user products, and if the SIG has its way, the tech will begin to show up in minuscule devices that haven’t been able to take advantage of Bluetooth thus far. In fact, they want this stuff in applications “not even possible or imagined today.” Looks like someone better get those imagination gears turning, ’cause Q4 2010 certainly isn’t an eternity from now.

Continue reading Bluetooth 4.0 specification gets official, devices expected by Q4 2010

Bluetooth 4.0 specification gets official, devices expected by Q4 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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