The Tech Bench

As of today, you can now pay at any U.S. Starbucks by having the barista scan your iPhone.

This is how it works:

You download the free iOS (or Blackberry) Starbucks app and fill up your Starbucks card with credit (like any other Starbucks card.) The app then displays a barcode that the barista scans and voila!

Not of fan of Starbucks and their new Trenta cup? This kind of technology is so easy to use that I’m sure other chain coffee shops will only be a year or two behind. Will this make paying for your coffee at Peet’s easier? Yes, but they’ll still take their sweet time making it.

[ Starbucks App ]

Just in time for newly announced Verizon iPhone, the wraps are ready to come off shinning new Verizon store in Steve Jobs’ home town.

Located just a few blocks from the Apple Store in downtown Palo Alto, this new Verizon store’s design is straight out of Apple’s playbook.

Between this store and AT&T’s recently expanded store in Palo Alto, it seems like the carriers are picking up some of Apple’s DNA in hopes of picking up some more iPhone customers.

New Verizon Wireless store on University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto

New rumors suggest that the iPhone may finally be making it’s debut on Verizon in the first week of February.

While rumors about when the Verizon iPhone will launch have been commonplace since the iPhone first came out, two of the data points behind the Feb. launch rumor look promising.

1. AT&T just slashed the price of the 3GS to $49 with 2 year contract. Lock ‘em in before Verizon gets a chance.

2. The Apple Store has reportedly restricted employee vacations for the first week of February, which often tells of a new product being immediately available for sale. Especially one that will require all hands on deck like mass iPhone activations.

It’s been time, for some time, for Verizon customers to have the option of getting an iPhone. And for us already using one on AT&T, more competition should lead to lower prices and better service.

BMW has announced their first iAd for the new X3.

This interactive ad allows the user to customize a new vehicle, share their creation and schedule a test drive from their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch using Apple’s new iAd platform.

We should start seeing iAds show up on our iOS devices by the end of the year at which time we’ll find out if the highly customized, “fun to use” ads will be more welcome than the banner ads we all usually ignore.

[ BimmerFile ]

Apple has recently released iOS4.1, a highly anticipated update for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3G/3GS, and a majority of the iPod touch models. Fixes for the proximity sensor and bluetooth issues are included, as well as the addition of HDR photos, TV show rentals and the ability to upload HD video over Wifi.

The download is available through iTunes now.

Ahh checks. Nothing makes you feel like you’re back in the 1800′s quite like writing and depositing checks. Thankfully the app programmers at Chase must have felt my pain and you can now deposit checks straight from your iPhone.

The app works by using the iPhone’s camera to take pictures of the front and back of your check. Newer ATMs scan checks directly yet, at least at Chase, you can’t manually input what the dollar amount is. So if someone has bad handwriting or if the check is crinkled, you may not be able to deposit at the ATM. With the iPhone app, you manually input the amount which ensures that you’ll be able to deposit the check for the correct amount.

While the app doesn’t do away with checks (yet,) it’s free, easy to use and if it saves you one trip to the ATM, well worth the effort.

Right now it looks like Chase is the only big bank app with the check deposit feature, though I’m sure BofA and Wells won’t be too far behind.

[ Chase Mobile ]

Friends, family, and customers are asking what we think of the iPhone 4 and if they should get one.

If you haven’t jumped on the iPhone bandwagon yet, the answer is a simple “yes.”

If you already have an iPhone, the answer may be a little more involved.

Here’s a few things to think about before making the upgrade:

Durability

This seems to be the one area that has been progressively getting worse with the iPhone. The first gen’s heftier metal body felt great and held up the best to abuse. Unfortunately it looks like the iPhone 4 has a bit of a glass jaw and early reports look like it will be a popular repair for us in the future.

Speed

Each new iPhone makes a big leap in overall speed and the iPhone 4 is no exception. The iPhone 4 is fast and will make your old iPhone seem slow in comparison.

Call Quality/Reception

The iPhone 4 does have a second mic to help with sound quality, but the antenna “improvements” seem to have created new issues which may negate their effect. In other words, I wouldn’t upgrade for the sake of improved reception.

New Features

Here’s where the decision to upgrade will probably be made. The new screen is awesome and much improved, however most people were happy with the previous screen. Front facing camera is cool, but more gimmicky than life changing at this point. A better camera with LED flash is probably my favorite new edition. If you’re like me, your iPhone has become your primary camera and any improvements here are welcome.

Conclusions

You have an original iPhone – Don’t upgrade. The tank-like durability and instant vintage status alone are worth keeping it in action for a little while longer.

You have a 3G – Probably worth the upgrade. You’ll get to use all the new features of iOS4 (mulit-tasking, custom wall papers) and get tons of new hardware features (compass, gyroscope, better camera, more memory, etc.)

You have a 3GS – If you’ve held off until now, you can wait a little while longer. Yes the new iPhone is better but yours is still pretty good. If you’ve got the cash burning a hole in your pocket, the iPad may be the way to go.

As for me? I had the first iPhone on day one and have upgraded the first week with each new iPhone, until now. I’ve got a 32GB 3GS  and while I’ll probably get an iPhone 4 before the end of the year, I’m in no rush. The improved camera is probably the single biggest draw for me but not a must have. When I do make the jump, the one thing I know for sure is that this will be the first iPhone I actually get a case for.

It’s official, a premium Hulu service is coming in July.

Hulu Plus will stream HD content to your iPhone, Mac, iPad, TV and iPod Touch for $9.99/month. Both Wi-fi and 3G streaming will be supported. Other devices like the PS3, Xbox 360, TVs and blu-ray devices will support the new service soon.

The Hulu Plus subscription will include access to an expanded library of shows and movies. You can sign up here to request a preview invite.

[ Hulu Plus ]

Availability:

iOS 4 is now available for download as a free software update.

Over 100 New Features Including:

- Multitasking

- Home screen wallpaper

- Folders

- iBooks

- Unified Mail (multiple email accounts managed from a single inbox)

- 5x digital camera zoom. Tap to focus when shooting video.

Compatibility:

iOS 4 works with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, second and third gen iPod Touch.

iOS 4 is not compatible with the original iPhone or iPod Touch.

Not all features are compatible with all devices. For example, multitasking is available only with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and third gen iPod Touch (32GB & 64GB.)

iOS 4 for the iPad will be available later this summer.

How To Update:

Connect your iPhone / iPod Touch to iTunes to download and install the new update.

[ iOS 4 Features ]

Let’s say you leave your new iPhone in a bar and need to track it down before it ends up on Gizmodo ASAP.

There’s an app for that.

Apple has released the new Find My iPhone app that allows you to locate, ring or remote wipe your iPhone or iPad from any other iPhone or iPad.

Just download the free app on a friends iPhone, sign in with your Mobile Me account and your lost or missing iPhone will appear via Google Maps.

You need three things to make this work.

1. A Mobile Me account registered with your device.

2. A friend/kind stranger with an iPhone.

3. To actually remember that this capability even exists when you do lose your phone.

[ Find My iPhone ]