Today Apple announced iPhone 4, featuring:

• A brand-new design
• FaceTime video calling
• Retina display
• 5-megapixel camera, and
• HD video recording

iPhone 4 comes with iOS 4, the newest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, featuring:

• Multitasking
• Folders
• Enhanced Mail
• Additional enterprise support
• iBooks, and
• iAd, Apple’s new mobile advertising platform

iPhone 4 comes in either black or white and will be available in the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $199 (16GB) or $299 (32GB). Qualifying customers can purchase it through Apple and AT&T’s online and retail stores, Best Buy, Walmart, and RadioShack. It will be available on June 24 in the U.S., France, Germany, Japan, and the UK. Customers in these countries can pre-order from the Apple Online Store or reserve an iPhone 4 for pickup at an Apple Retail store starting on June 15.

Apple also introduced a new 8GB model of iPhone 3GS for $99 in the U.S., which will also be available on June 24.

iPhone 4 will be available in 88 countries by the end of September. iOS 4 will be available on June 21 as a free software update through iTunes for iPhone and iPod touch customers.*

iMovie for iPhone 4, a new app available from the App Store for $4.99 when iPhone 4 ships, allows customers to edit and share iPhone 4 videos and apply themes, transitions, and music.

* iOS 4 is compatible with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and second- and third-generation iPod touch (late 2009 models with 32GB or 64GB). Some features may not be available on all products. For example, multitasking requires iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 or third-generation iPod touch (late 2009 models with 32GB or 64GB).

[More information at Apple.com]

aka: “the turbo-encabulator”

In the words of Alan Greenspan: “If you thought you understood what I just said, it’s clear that you misunderstood me.”

Take a minute and read the description below before watching. “Several years ago, Rockwell International decided to get into the heavy duty transmission business. We were getting ready to tape our first introduction video. As a warm up, the professional narrator began what has become a legend within the trucking industry. This man should have won an academy award for his stellar performance. Now remember this is strictly off the cuff, nothing is written down. I think you will enjoy this once in a lifetime performance from this gentleman…”

[Thanks to Chris Keller of Consultant Alliance for finding this video.]

Were the Secure Thumb Drives we mentioned in a previous post just not enough storage? LaCie, makers of those great portable orange rugged drives, has answered the call of many who need to securely store large files. Files such as movies, audio or other multimedia. LaCie’s Rugged Safe offers multiple levels of data protection, from its “unbreakable hardware encryption and the safest biometric authentication technology,” to its shock–proof enclosures.

The Rugged Safe includes hardware-based AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 128–bit encryption. This is the same standard used by the U.S. government and organizations worldwide to protect critical documents. The drive uses biometric authentication, which enables personalized data control, with access for to up to ten users.

You can connect the drive to your Mac via USB 2.0, FireWire 800 and FireWire 400. Once you have setup the users, they just need swipe a single finger for authentication. The drive requires no software installation and is also bus powered, so you can attach it to any computer and easily access your data.

[Available from LaCie]

The Dharma Alarm clock from the TV Show LOST features an Apple ][ style keyboard so you can enter the infamous series of numbers to stop the clock. If you don't enter them in time, well, I think you know what will happen. You will have a one minute one-minute warning before the electromagnetic cataclysm mode starts.

Features include:

• 4 Digit Display
• 8 Color paint scheme
• 15 component clock movement
• You can set it up to 16 minutes before your normal wake-up time
• A 23 Year warranty
• Retro 42-character green display

[$50 from Think Geek]

AutoPark from Frolicware allows your iPhone to keep track of the time left on your parking meter and exactly where you parked your car. The app doesn’t even have to be running, as it uses push notifications to let you know when the time on your meter is almost expired. The GPS function pinpoints your car on a map, and AutoPark allows you to set location in the parking structure via colors, levels, letters and numbers.  You can even add notes or take a picture of where your car is.

Other services include finding nearby gas stations, banks, and public restrooms (with more services promised). One-Button Email allows you to let others know where you parked your car, incase you need someone else to find it.

[via iTunes Store $4.99]