• apple,  ipad

    iPad: A Real Life Test

    April 11, 2010 /

    This morning my girls, wife, and I are heading off to a cheerleading competition and my iPad will be coming along for the ride.

    I plan on putting my iPad through a real life performance test. We’ll be inside today, so sunlight won’t be a problem as I reported yesterday at t-ball on my spf360 Twitter account.

    I plan to have Wi-Fi on, if there is coverage, catching up on the day’s news in the WSJ and NY Times Editor’s Choice apps. Perhaps I’ll play a few games of Firemint’s Flight Control HD. Also on the agenda is reading some pages in iBooks and watching some TV shows.

    So how well will the iPad’s battery hold up? I’m not sure but we are going to find out together. I’ll be posting updates on my spf360 Twitter account throughout the morning with battery status updates.

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  • apple,  ipad,  iphone os

    Early iPad Owners Report Wi-Fi Problems

    April 6, 2010 /

    According to an AppleInsider post, early iPad users are reporting bugs with Wi-Fi connectivity on their new “magical” mobile device.

    Sam Oliver writes for AppleInsider:

    “Already there are a number of threads with dozens of posts about Wi-Fi connection issues, ranging from a weak signal to an inability to connect to a router. Issues have been reported with a variety of routers, including Apple’s own AirPort Extreme.

    In response to some issues, Apple has set up a support document for users who have problems getting their iPad to rejoin known Wi-Fi networks after a restart or waking from sleep. The issue is known to occur with some third-party Wi-Fi routers that are dual-band capable.”

    You can read the support document titled “iPad: Does not automatically rejoin Wi-Fi networks” on the Apple website.

    I’ve experienced this problem with my iPad yesterday before I knew about this support document. I was able to workaround this issue by powering down my iPad and then rebooting it. I have not had the problem since.

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  • apple,  ipad

    Apple iPad Unboxing Photos

    April 4, 2010 /

    I’ve had my iPad for about 9 hours now and I’ve been completely taken by this device. Bigger than an iPod touch, yet smaller than a MacBook, the iPad is my new “go everywhere” device that will serve up photos, email, web, games, video, and music while I’m on the go.

    The following are some photos from my unboxing of a 32GB iPad and the Apple iPad Case.

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  • apple,  ipad,  itunes

    iPad Tutorial Videos

    April 2, 2010 /

    With less than 24-hours to go before I can get my hands on my 32GB Wi-Fi edition iPad, my OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) for new business tools, has kicked into over drive.

    Last night, people who follow my Twitter feed know I was downloading application for iPad from the iTunes Store. Today, I’m watching Apple’s iPad tutorial videos.

    Also, my print edition of Time Magazine arrived in the mail today. The cover features Steve Jobs and has a few stories on the long road to the iPad. Time’s editor also announced that there will soon be a Time application for the iPad which will require a paid subscription. (I don’t know if a paper subscription will be able to unlock/login to the electronic iPad edition yet.)

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  • amazon,  apple,  ipad,  iphone

    Amazon, Barnes & Nobel to Release iPad Ereaders

    March 23, 2010 /

    According to AppleInsider.com, both Amazon and Barnes & Nobel will be developing their own iPhone/iPod touch/iPad application.

    “Both companies revealed to The New York Times that they will create new digital readers and storefronts in addition to their existing applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. The App Store software will also compete with Apple’s own iBooks application and accompanying iBookstore, which will also be available for download on the App Store rather than coming preinstalled on the device.”

    You can read the full article on AppleInsider.com…

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  • apple,  ipad

    Apple iPad Accessories

    March 15, 2010 /

    Now that I have made my Apple iPad reservation with an Apple Store here in Connecticut, I’m taking a look at what accessories I might want to get for my new mobile gear.

    I’ve been walking around with a simple screen protector on my iPod touch and it has done the job nicely since the iPod is carried around in my laptop bag or my pocket. While that might be OK for an iPod or iPhone, the pocket trick won’t work for an iPad.
    Alan’s Must Have iPad Accessories
    If I’m going to have my iPad with me at the office, I’m going to need something more than a screen protector. I’ll have to get some kind of case of it. And it looks like Apple’ iPad Case is a perfect fit for my tastes. It no only protects the iPad, but it also serves as a stand for the iPad so that you and position it for watching video, reading, or viewing photos. It also folds to become an angled wedge that positions the iPad so you can type on the on screen keyboard. (I’m able to touch type on a hardware keyboard, but I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to “touch type” on the iPad. We’ll have to see how things go.)
    The iPad Case will go on sale sometime in April, but I don’t expect it to be ready for the April 3rd launch. The iPad Case is priced at $39.00.
    The iPad Dock works just like you would expect the iPhone or iPod dock to work. It provides you with a base to plug your iPad into and then has a dock connector port you plug in the iPad’s dock connector to USB cable and plug the other side into your Mac or PC. There is also an audio line out that you can connect to external powered speakers. The Apple iPad Dock also works with all of the other iPad dock connector accessories like the video out cable.
    The Apple iPad Dock will be available for $29.00 on April 3rd.
    3. iPad Screen Protector
    Call me crazy, but after shelling out $500+ on a new gadget, I still want the screen to look amazing and be scratch free two years after I buy it. It’s true, I baby my hardware. While I don’t see any Apple or third-party screen protectors in on the online Apple Store today, I do expect them to show up before long. And, so, I’m adding a screen protector to my list of must have accessories.
    You can see Apple’s other iPad accessories at the online Apple Store.
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  • apple,  google,  iphone,  motorola

    NTY: A Battle for the Future Is Getting Personal

    March 14, 2010 /

    The New York Times has a new article online that does a good job of detailing the battle between Apple and Google that has gone from a simple rivalry to what could become an all out war between the two tech titans.

    “In the last six months, Apple and Google have jousted over acquisitions, patents, directors, advisers and iPhone applications. Mr. Jobs and Mr. Schmidt have taken shots at each other’s companies in the media and in private exchanges with employees.”

    You can read the full article at The New York Times website…

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