A Japanese firm announced some cool sheets of film called Pic3D that can turn devices like the iPhone into 3D capable offerings. The film uses software that you put the URL of your video into twice to get 3D effects with no glasses.

According to reports Apple is grabbing up so many of the LCDs for mobile devices like the iPad and iPhone other makers are unable to get them. Gear like the Amazon tablets have reportedly been delayed due to the inability to get screens.

The iPhone app Viber has been updated with a new feature that users will appreciate. The app is now offering free text messaging with version 2.01.

The Twitter for iPhone app has been changed a bit for better usability. The app has ditched the QuickBar feature that let the user see trends on the top of the time line.

Joby has unveiled a new product for the iPhone 4 called the gorillapod mobile for iPhone 4. The thing is a case and tripod that lets users take better images and video with their phone.

Hasbro has unveiled a modern version of the View Master that uses the iPhone called my3D. The thing holds the iPhone and works with an app that will have content from different companies on the App Store.

Medialets ran the SunSpider test suite with Safari 4.0.1 on a 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo White MacBook (as a baseline for relative comparisons), Mobile Safari on the iPhone 3G with iPhone OS v2.2.1, Mobile Safari on the iPhone 3G with iPhone OS v3.0, Mobile Safari on the iPhone 3GS with iPhone OS v3.0, the “Browser” app on the T-Mobile G1 with Android OS v1.5 (Cupcake) and the “Web” app on the Palm Pre with Web OS v1.0.2

The results of the iPhone-based tests alone are rather astonishing and seem to indicate that many of Apple’s claims about the performance gains of their 3.0 OS and the iPhone 3GS may hold some water. Using OS 3.0 on the same iPhone 3G yields nearly 3X the JavaScript performance in Mobile Safari vs. using iPhone OS 2.2.1. The iPhone 3GS ups the ante by another factor of 3, bringing JavaScript performance on the iPhone 3GS to just 12X that of a full-powered desktop machine that has well over four times the raw processing muscle alone. The T-Mobile G1 running the “Cupcake” version of the Android OS completed the test suite in about 91 seconds. This makes it about a third faster than the iPhone 3G running Apple’s previous OS (2.2.1). The Palm Pre came storming out of the gate with speeds that closely rival the iPhone 3G running Apple’s latest iPhone OS.

For full details of the benchmark test, see Medialets’ summary of results.

As the video shows, in our OpenGL ES testing, the 3GS is generally close to four times faster than the 3G. Results will vary depending on the application but this is remarkable to say the least.

plasma’s pretty heavy on particle animation and fairly CPU intensive. The current build only uses features of OpenGL ES 1.1 and we’re considering taking advantage of some OpenGL ES 2.0 features for a richer experience on the iPhone 3GS.

As Daniel noted in his article, the graphics processing unit (GPU) in the 3GS is a PowerVR SGX, which seems to offer a very significant advantage over the PowerVR MBX Lite found in previous iPhone/iPod touch hardware. The GPU is likely where we’re gaining much of the improved performance in plasma. Increased RAM and cache sizes are also likely accounting for some of the better performance.

iPhone 3GS vs iPhone 3G 3D graphics test from IntoMobile on Vimeo.

[via TapTapTap blog]

While 3D content for the iPhone is limited, the iWear range of headsets are also useful for watching iPhone and iPod content on a “larger” display.  Battery powered, the headsets include an in-line remote and headphones, and can be used with other AV sources with the included adapter cables.

The Vuzix “Works with iPhone” Apple Certified Cable will be bundled with the Vuzix iWear AV230XL, which SlashGear reviewed back in January.  It’ll also be available as an optional upgrade for other models and existing owners, priced at $39.95.

Press Release:

Vuzix announces ‘Works with iPhone’ Apple Certified Cable with 3-D Support for Complete Line of AV Video Eyewear

Rochester, NY – April 2nd, 2009 – Vuzix Corporation, the leader in video eyewear for the consumer, defense and low vision assist markets, is thrilled to announce Apple iPhone® compatibility. Every “Works with iPhone” product is designed for optimal connectivity with the iPhone® and is certified by Vuzix to meet Apple performance standards. Additionally, the cable is the first on the market that supports 3-D video in the following formats:

• Side by Side
• Interlaced
• All 3 Major Anaglyph Modes

The cable will be available bundled with the Vuzix iWear® AV230XL and available as an upgrade for all current Vuzix Video Eyewear customers for only $39.95. Vuzix’ ability to allow the consumer to upgrade their video eyewear ensures users have the latest technology without having to repurchase a whole new product.

“The iPhone® compatibility combined with the recent announcements of the Wrap 920AV and the Augmented Reality Accessory Kit keep Vuzix at the forefront of the mobile video and 3-D revolutions,” said Vuzix CEO, Paul Travers. “As our products become increasingly more affordable, extensively available and highly compatible with a broad range of content types and mobile devices, the widespread adoption of Vuzix Video Eyewear is inevitable. We are excited to officially extend this compatibility to iPhone® enthusiasts worldwide,” added Travers.

Vuzix continues to set the standard for innovative and high-quality Video Eyewear products. The iWear® VR920 is the world’s best-selling virtual reality system while the iWear AV310 Widescreen boasts the world’s first 16:9 widescreen Video Eyewear. The AV230XL is designed for the everyday consumer and features the convenience of AA-battery power and a sub-$200 price point. The latest edition to the Video Eyewear family, the Wrap 920AV raises the bar once again with a true ‘sunglass look’.