PadGadget

More iPad 2 Pictures Surface – Fact or Fiction?
Speck CandyShell Wrap iPad Case – Accessory Review
Food Processing for iPad – Dice and Slice like a Sushi Master
PadGadget Weekend iPad News Roundup – Feb 27, 2011

More iPad 2 Pictures Surface – Fact or Fiction?

Posted: 27 Feb 2011 08:06 PM PST

With the iPad 2 media event just days away, new pictures of what are reported to be the body design for the iPad 2 keep popping up on the net. While all the iPad 2 body and case designs share several similar features such as volume controls, mute button, headphone port and dock connector, they differ in many key areas.

So with all these rumored iPad 2 photos sharing so many similar elements, this could mean one of two things, these photos are authentic and Apple has been making last minute design changes to the new iPad 2 or more likely these are clever fakes.

The latest set of rumored iPad 2 body photos, from website iLab.cc, show a thinner iPad body with a distinct tapered design. The photos contain many of the same design elements seen in earlier iPad 2 photos such as front and rear facing cameras, a thinner body and a larger speaker port on the back of the iPad’s case. While the latest photos show the new iPad 2 will get a larger speaker, the speaker grill has a distinctly different design from what we’ve previously seen.

Many of these elements are in-line with previous iPad 2 rumors; however, the latest photos show a design which many consider to be out of line with Apple design aethstetics. The tapered sides and unrefined speaker grill on the body in these latest photos don’t strike us as something Johnathan Ive or Steve Jobs would approve.

The new speaker port doesn’t have the fit and finish we’ve grown accustomed to from Apple. Apple has spent millions in developing cutting edge precision machining capabilities to constantly push the envelope with its industrial design. With its advanced aluminum laser drilling capabilities, we’d expect the speaker grill to look more like the tiny holes found on the current Mac Book Pro than the crude slotted or large drilled hole designs we’ve seen in photos so far.

So does this uncharacteristic design mean that these photos are all fakes? Not necessarily. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people working on the iPad 2 so it’s not hard to imagine that basic design elements are being leaked out to accessory makers throughout Asia. While these might not be the refined final product we’ll see form Apple on March 2, they more than likely reflect some of the elements to be unveiled this week.

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Speck CandyShell Wrap iPad Case – Accessory Review

Posted: 27 Feb 2011 07:55 PM PST

Speck has become an iOS accessory maker market leader with its wide variety of great cases available for a range of mobile devices, from iPad to MacBook and BlackBerry to Kindle. The CandyShell Wrap is the latest iPad case released from Speck and it has lots to offer.

Like the CandyShell, the CandyShell Wrap is a semi-flexible case that combines a hard outer cover with a soft rubberized interior to offer your iPad great protection from daily bumps and bruises. Adding to the level of protection provided by the CandyShell, this new case also provides a screen cover to shield your screen when closed and act as a stand when open and folded back.

The iPad snaps simply and quickly into the case and provides users easy access to all ports and buttons. A small flap on the bottom back of the case allows you to access the USB port and dock the iPad in an Apple or keyboard dock without removing your iPad from the shell.

CandyShell Wrap’s screen cover is likewise a hard cover exterior and a soft rubberized honeycomb design interior. With the cover closed, screens remain protected and scratch free. Flip the cover open and wrap it behind the case to play games or fold it up and lock it into place to create a stand perfect for viewing movies or typing an email. If for any reason you want to remove the screen cover (like docking), it easily slides on and off the edge of the case and your iPad screen still remains somewhat protected by the lip of the case around the edge of the device.

Following in the design of many Speck cases, the CandyShell Wrap is another great addition to the company’s lineup. This stylish case not only safeguards your iPad but looks good, is multi-functional and easy to install. The CandyShell Wrap for the iPad is available for order on the Speck website, as well as Amazon, and prices range from $45.99 to $59.95.

What I liked: The flip back screen cover that also doubles as a stand when folded and locked into place. The screen cover may also be removed if you decide the case suits you better without one.

What I didn't like: There is no way to fasten the cover and prevent if from coming open when closed over the screen. The shiny finish attracts fingerprints.

To buy or not to buy: If you're looking for a case/stand that provides great protection and you're willing to pay the price, the CandyShell Wrap iPad case is a good choice.

Device: CandyShell Wrap for iPad
Manufacturer: Speck
Price: $59.95 at Speck or $45.99 on Amazon
Score:

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Food Processing for iPad – Dice and Slice like a Sushi Master

Posted: 27 Feb 2011 05:35 PM PST

Are you one of the many thousands that have sliced fruits all day long with Fruit Ninja HD? No doubt, Fruit Ninja has been a juicy action game with squishy, splatty and satisfying fruit carnage.

Chillingo wants part of the action too. The company has released a game onto the App Store that brings a production line like you’ve never seen before. Food Processing challenges you to slice different food products into the right pieces forcing you to try to get the highest score.

With Food Processing HD, there is no question that Chillingo wants to take away some of the Fruit Ninja fans.

As a player, you’ll encounter different types of food to process. You have to get ready to slice, tap, or swipe because the game requires you to use different gestures when trying to process or cut each food type. For example, you’ll need to swipe to slice the corn or eggplants, and tap to crack walnuts. So, make sure you stay focused on the game because the different foods go by quickly. Chillingo has also added vegetables that you’ll need to slice by using different cutting techniques as well.

In order to get high scores, you’ll need to master each cutting technique and be able to recognize each food type. If you manage to do that, you’ll hit high scores and unlock bonuses. There is a “Combo Meal” bonus that if you manage to string together perfect cuts you will enjoy huge point bonuses and combos. These special combo-cuts will allow you to unlock all the secret content.

This is a fun game that have taken the idea of Fruit Ninja, and has added an array of different features to make the game challenging. It's a game that will make you think through which gesture to use on which type of food. And, if that’s not enough for you, Chillingo has included a "Hell's Kitchen" mode, which is a super fast, intense mode that restricts certain foods or speeds up the conveyor belt for you.

Overall, the game includes great action, artwork and animations. The soundtrack makes the game fun to play. It’s a very good download for your iPad.

Food Processing HD is available now on the App Store for $1.99.