• apple,  ipad,  newspapers

    The Daily Get Updated to 1.0.1

    February 9, 2011 /

    Earlier today, News Corp released an update to their iPad only newspaper, The Daily.

    The Daily 1.0.1 brings the much needed performance and stability updates to the app.  With today’s update, The Daily has gone from “a nice idea with a poor user experience” to an app that performs the way you would have expected it to.  After installing the update, I immediately noticed the improvements in performance, stability, and the initial load experience.
    As a note to current The Daily users, you must first delete version 1.0.0 before installing the 1.0.1 update.  That is an important safety tip.  If you just tap the install button, you are going to update in place, which clearly, News Corp, says not to do.
    There is one week left to the free Verizon sponsored “test drive.”  Buy this time next week, it is expected that you will need to start paying $0.99 a week or $39.99 for a one year subscription to The Daily.  It is currently unknown what content, if any, will be available for free after this week.
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  • apple,  iphone,  pre,  sprint,  verizon

    Rumor: Is Sprint Talking to Apple About iPhone?

    February 2, 2011 /

    Call me a fanboy.  Call my a loyalist.  But when I find something that works for me, I stick with it.  That has been the case with Palm and Palm OS/webOS and it is also true of Apple and Sprint.

    I’ve been with Sprint for almost four years now.  I’ve gotten good customer service from them, their coverage is good in my area, and I’ve become friends with the local Sprint store staff.

    I’ve also used Palm’s gear for 10+ years now, and Apple’s computers since 1984; starting with the Apple ][e.

    Now that Apple has built a CDMA/EVDO iPhone for Verizon, the buzz on the Internet is practically deafening about when Sprint might ink a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to the Now Network.

    PPCGeeks.com has an interesting article posted from last week asking if history is repeating itself.  I’ll let them explain.

    “Everyone noticed when Sprint quit promoting a certain part of their own EVO commercial on TV, which had one quote that stated “the EVO was a superior option to the iPhone 4”. Recently, Sprint altered this commercial to remove the iPhone 4 quote entirely.

    What beatweek noticed, and what we find interesting as well, is the fact that history seems to be repeating itself. Remember when Verizon had comments about the iPhone, barely a year ago, and then they eventually pulled this commercial, with no explanation, from the TV commercials? Well, Sprint is now doing the same thing.”

    Interesting.  I’d like to think that now that the CDMA iPhone hardware exists, Sprint is talking with Apple. I’d like to stay with Sprint, but with my 2-year contact for my Palm Pre set to expire in four months, I’m willing to jump to “Big Red” to get a pair of iPhones for my wife and I.  Either way, it looks like I’m ready to take a break from HP/Palm webOS devices.

    [Via PPCGeeks.com…]

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  newspapers

    The Daily: I’ll Probably Subscribe

    February 2, 2011 /

    Tomorrow, News Corp and Apple are scheduled to introduce, and hopefully, launch, a new digital only newspaper for the iPad called The Daily.  The Daily will be provided by a new subscription service Apple has been developing as part of their iOS and iTunes ecosystem.  An update to iOS 4.3 is in the works, however, it is not yet clear if that update or an update to iTunes is required to enable the new subscription service.

    If the rumors are correct, subscriptions to The Daily will cost $0.99 a week, a very reasonable price in my opinion.

    There has been some chatter on the Internet about whether or not The Daily will be heralded as a success or if it will be a bust.  Those who think it will be a bust point to the face that there are plenty of news websites that are free on the Internet, and they are correct.

    Call me old fashioned, but I still like to get my news from papers like The New York Times and The Washington Post.  The Wall Street Journal is another outstanding newspaper.  But I don’t subscribe to the print editions anymore because I’m looking to cut costs and the same articles are available for free on the respective websites.  (The Wall Street Journal is the exception.)

    On my iPad, I have the New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today apps loaded.  The first two have already indicated that they will start charging for access to their news.  USA Today, as far as I know, will remain free for the time being.

    For me, there lies the rub.  I’m looking to cut costs and the writers who work hard every day to bring me news from around the world want to get paid so they can put food on the table.  And that is why I’m willing to give a subscription to The Daily a try.

    The price is right and with only a half dozen sections, I can read the entire edition even on my busy schedule.

    I’ll be interested to see what gets unveiled when News Corp Chairman & CEO Rupert Murdoch and Apple Vice President of Internet Services Eddy Cue take the stage tomorrow morning in New York.

    [Photo via AppleInsider.com…]

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  • apple,  galaxy tab,  ipad,  samsung

    Samsung Uses New Math To Talk Galaxy Tab Sales Figures

    February 1, 2011 /

    Samsung management have some egg on their face that needs to be wiped off with regard to the “new math” they used to report sales numbers of their Galaxy Tab.

    Not only did Samsung have to back track and report that the 2 million Galaxy Tabs that where shipped where to retailers, not to consumers.  The “sell through” number that indicated how many consumers are buying devices, was not disclosed my Samsung.  The only consumer figures that Samsung’s Vice President of Mobile Communications was willing to state, was “quite small.”

    Adding to the deceptive sales figures, investment research firm ITG is now reporting that their survey of 6000 retailers indicates that the Samsung Galaxy Tab has a consumer return rate of 15-16%.  Yikes!

    I guess Samsung really should have listened to Google when they warned that Android 2.2 Froyo really wasn’t geared to to be run on tablet computers.

    Since Samsung was hell bent on getting the Galaxy Tab out the door as an iPad killers, I think it’s fair to point out that the return rate on the Apple iPad is only 2%.  As for sell through to customers, well, I think we all know the answer to that question.

    At least the Galaxy Tab has a cool looking wallpaper.

    [Via Digital Daily…]

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  • apple

    New Toy: Apple Battery Charger

    January 29, 2011 /

    I found myself in Albany, NY yesterday afternoon and I “accidentally” stumbled across the Crossgates Mall, which, as you may already know, is home to an Apple Store.  How fortunate for me!

    Anyway, I can’t stop at a mall that has an Apple Store and not go in.  This trip wasn’t too bad and I only purchased the Apple Battery Charger.

    The Apple Battery Charger comes with the charging unit that has the same styling and finish as other Apple power adapters and chargers.  The plug is removable and accepts the cord from a MacBook charger or a different adapter from the Apple World Travel Kit.

    The charger kit also includes six non-Apple branded NiMH batteries.  That is enough batteries to operate my old style Apple Bluetooth Keyboard (the all plastic one with the attached numeric key pad) and my Apple Bluetooth Mighty Mouse.

    Unlike other rechargeable battery kits, Apple does not sell batteries separately from the charger.  That’s a downer for me, as my kids go through batteries in the Wii Remotes like water.  The Apple sales rep I talked to said that I would have to buy a second kit if I wanted more batteries; something I do plan on doing in the near future.

    While checking out, the Apple rep told me that the batteries will last for 10 years I claim that I wasn’t going to hold them to and is something that I’m sure I’ll forget about by the end of year three.

    The Apple Battery Charger kit sells for $29.00 from Apple’s retail and online stores.

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  mac,  mac os x,  macbook pro

    Steve Jobs to Take Medical Leave from Apple

    January 17, 2011 /

    A short while ago, Apple posted a “media advisory” on their public relations website indicating that CEO Stephen P. Jobs has asked for, and has been granted, a second medical leave from the company he helped start.

    “Apple CEO Steve Jobs today sent the following email to all Apple employees:

    Team,

    At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.

    I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.

    I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

    Steve”

    Apple will be in good hands with COO Tim Cook at the helm while Jobs is away from Apple headquarters, and we can also know from the email that Jobs will still very much be involved with making strategic decisions.  The good news is that, aside from wild stock price fluctuation in the coming days, many of 2011’s new products are already mapped out and “in the pipeline” and will likely not be impacted by Jobs not sitting in his corner office while on leave.

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  • blackberry,  rim

    BlackBerry’s “Bridge” to Nowhere [Repost]

    January 13, 2011 /

    My friend and fellow gadget addicted blogger Jimmie Geddes has a new RIM BlackBerry Playbook article up on GadgetsOnTheGo.net.  The following is Mr. Geddes’ post republished here:

    I wrote about RIM’s PlayBook back in September comparing it to Palm’s never released Foleo. At CES RIM showed off the PlayBook running it’s “Bridge” software that tethers your BlackBerry via Bluetooth to the PlayBook in order to use the Email, Calendar, Messaging, and BBM apps on the PlayBook. If you don’t have a BlackBerry you will not be able to use Email, Calendar, Messaging, or BBM.

    RIM should not be building “Bridge” software, especially when that “Bridge” only bridges itself to a BlackBerry. You’ve got to wonder what’s going on if you’re buying a device from a company that needs to build software to get Email, Calendar, and Messaging working, and only working by using a separate device from the same company.A tablet should not have to rely on a phone to do Email, Calendar, Messaging, and in RIM’s case its very own BBM. A bridge to nowhere is still a bridge to nowhere.

    Today a former RIM executive has gone on the record with Business Insider saying the PlayBook will flop. One of the main reasons is:

    ” * The first Wi-Fi-only version won’t be able to connect to a lot of corporate BlackBerry email accounts unless the user also has a BlackBerry phone near the PlayBook and uses the PlayBook’s tethering capability.

    This last point sounds completely insane, given that corporate email is the entire reason the BlackBerry exists. But Reddy just got back from CES, and said that this is what the BlackBerry booth team told him. We’ve contacted RIM for comment, and haven’t heard back.”

    Additional Comments

    I can’t agree with Mr. Geddes more about RIM’s “Bridge” software.  Seriously, RIM?  You need to tether a PlayBook with a BlackBerry to gain access to messaging applications?  Didn’t you guys learn anything from Palm’s Foleo/Treo tethering disaster?  Maybe you guys should shelf the PlayBook and focus on getting the QNX OS ported over to new BlackBerry handsets, BlackBerry handsets; which I’ll point out, are your core competency.  There will be time to chase the iPad later.  For right now, you need to be worried about losing smartphone marketshare to handsets running Google Android and Apple iOS.

    [Via GadgetsOnTheGo.net…]

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  rumors,  touch

    iOS 4.3 Brings Back iPad Hardware Rotation Lock, Other Changes on the Way

    January 13, 2011 /

    It wasn’t that long ago that I was ranting about Apple converting the iPad’s hardware rotation lock slider switch into a Mute switch.

    Looks like Apple heard the iPad user community crying foul, and people who have played with iOS 4.3 Beta 1 for the iPad are reporting that Apple has made it possible for users to chose, via a preference, what behavior the hardware slider switch will perform.

    Multi-Touch Support, Hardware Changes

     In addition to getting our beloved hardware rotation lock switch back, Apple is also tossing in support for new multi-touch commands that will allow you to access things like the multi-tasking bar.

    Rumors are also going around on the Internet because BRG.com is reporting that one of the reasons why multi-touch support is coming to iOS devices is because Apple is rumored to be taking away the Home button located at the bottom center of the each and every iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch released to date.

    iOS 4.3 Device Compatibility

    Oh, and about previously released iDevices: iOS 4.3 drops support for the iPhone 3G and second generation iPod touch, leaving them stranded at iOS 4.2.1.  The first generation iPhone, the iPhone 2G, and the first generation iPod touch max out their software upgrades at iOS 3.1.3.

    [Via MacStories.net…]

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  • apple,  iphone,  verizon

    iPhone4. Verizon. Feb 10th. ‘Nuff Said!

    January 12, 2011 /

    I think that the headline says it all.  After 3-years of wild speculation, debate, and outright arguing, today, Verizon Wireless and Apple took the wraps of the Verizon 3G CDMA edition of the insanely popular iPhone 4.

    People interested in getting a 16GB or 32GB Verizon iPhone 4 can pre-order their phones starting on February 3, and can purchase their phone on a first come, first served basis at Verizon Wireless locations or Apple retail stores starting on February 10.

    “We are pleased to introduce millions of wireless users to the industry leading iPhone 4 on the nation’s most reliable network,” said Lowell McAdam, president and chief operating officer of Verizon. “This is an important step for the industry as two great companies join forces to give wireless customers one of the most important technological additions to the mobile landscape this century.”

    “Verizon Wireless customers have told us they can’t wait to get their hands on iPhone 4, and we think they are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s chief operating officer. “We have enormous respect for the company Verizon has built and the loyalty they have earned from their customers.”

    Pricing & Availability
    iPhone 4 will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning Thursday, February 10 for a suggested retail price of $199.99 for the 16GB model and $299.99 for the 32GB model with a new two year customer agreement. iPhone 4 will be available at more than 2,000 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide, online at  www.verizonwireless.com/iphone, at Apple Retail Stores, at the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), at Apple Authorized Resellers, and by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN.

    For more information, you can read the joint press release on the Apple website.  Verizon has also posted a FAQ for the CDMA iPhone 4 and related terms of service.

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