Arpera: Visually stunning messaging app

Calling itself the “most beautiful messaging app in the world” might seem like a stretch but there is no denying that Arpera is a looker of an app.

The uncomplicated app has what you would come to expect from a messaging app: private messaging, private group messaging, and even open group or public chat room-like rooms. You can use emoticons, share photos, location, as well as audio and video messages in your chats. It works on both Android and iOS devices.

Increase productivity with Remoter Pro 1.4.0

Remoter Labs released an update for Remoter Pro for the iPhone and iPad. The Remoter Pro 1.4.0 allows you to remotely control your Mac via Screen Sharing and Windows/Linux PCs using VNC or RDP standards. You get full external keyboard support or you can use the software keyboard. You also get a “virtual trackpad” of sorts that helps control the mouse intuitively.

Setup is made easy with Bonjour and NetBIOS. There is also Remoter Fusion for sound redirecting and setup as well as Telnet and SSH support. Remoter VNC 1.4.0 app is selling at half price this week at $5.99 on the Apple App Store.

Grid-It in bag form

What can be described as an OC geek’s dream come true, the Cocoon Grid-It travel organizer now comes in bag form. The Slim features an interior panel with the same crisscrossed elastic straps ready to accommodate your gadgets and cables of any size. It even comes with a second compartment to house your laptops or tablets or other thin devices.

Be careful not to overstuff the bag with gadgets. You wouldn’t want to throw your back out. It’s not the lightest bag at 1.14kg but it is reasonably priced at $80.

Ford develops vibrating shift knob

It won’t be in the next Ford Mustang you’ll be taking out of the lot but it gives you an idea of what’s possible in terms of car technology.

Ford engineer Zach Nelson has created a vibrating shifter knob to make it easier to adjust to manual transmission and perhaps help you get the most performance or fuel economy out of the car. He created it out of an Xbox 360 controller, Arduino controller, and LED display which he placed inside a 3D-printed knob.