Tuesday, March 29, 2011

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PadGadget Daily App Deal – 6 iPad Apps on Sale

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 08:56 PM PDT


For today’s Daily Deal we’ve found six great apps to add to your iPad collection.  We have a productivity app, three entertainment apps and two game apps in today’s bundle.

We used our PadGadget Apps Tracker to find these great deals and we’ll continue to look for the best app deals as they pop-up. Some of these apps are up to 66% off, so be sure to check them out because they are on sale for a limited time.

  1. A Monster Ate My Homework – Battle monsters as you try to get your homework back.  This 4.5 star game is now available for Free instead of the normal price of $0.99.
  2. The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game – This kid’s classic is sure to put a smile on your little one’s face.  The app is now on sale for $1.99 instead of $2.99.
  3. Curlington HD – Who knew that curling could be so much fun.  Join the Secret Agent Curling Academy and play the classic game of curling with a twist.  iCookbook is now on sale for $0.99 instead of $1.99.
  4. Meteor Notes – If you’re more of the visual type, this unique note taking app might be for you.  Meteor Notes has a 4.5 star app store rating and is now on sale for $0.99 instead of $2.99.
  5. Six Strings – Enjoy strumming a six string or five string?  This app lets you play a slew of string instruments all from the comfort of your iPad.  It’s now on sale for $4.99 instead of $7.99.
  6. GrooveMaker Rock Ace for iPad – If you want to be the next Ozzy, grab your iPad and GrooveMaker Rock Ace to lay down some hot rock and metal tracks.  This GrooveMaker app is now on sale for $4.99 instead of $9.99.

We use our PadGadget Apps Tracker to constantly monitor the App Store to find the biggest price changes on iPad apps. Our editorial team goes through the data, picks the best deals on the most interesting apps and then brings them to you on a regular basis.

All app prices are checked at the time of posting but prices are subject to change without notice. When developers put their games on sale it’s usually for a very limited time, often 24 hours or less, so be sure to check pricing on iTunes before making a purchase.

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President Obama Admits He Owns an iPad

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 08:43 PM PDT


We’ve read about many government leaders both here and abroad who have iPads and according to MarketWatch, President Obama is now among them.  During a town hall meeting in Washington, D.C. today, President Obama was questioned by news anchor Jorge Ramos.

"Do you have an iPad?" asked Ramos next.

"I do have an iPad," Obama replied, joking later about also having his own computer.

"I mean, Jorge, I'm the president of the United States," Obama said. "You think I've got to go borrow somebody's computer?" said Obama to laughter. "Hey, man, can I borrow your computer? How about you? You've got one?"

President Obama also reportedly admitted his iPad is tethered to his BlackBerry.

The President is no stranger to the iPad and has even been spotted signing the popular device.  Bystanders even asked the President to autograph their iPads during recent political events in Washington and Portugal. During the most recent signing, the President said, “Sign my iPad, I've done this once before." In both cases the Secret Service seemed somewhat hesitant but that didn’t stop the President from putting his John Hancock on the high-tech device.

The MarketWatch report doesn't state whether the president has the original iPad or iPad 2.  Regardless, we’re sure he didn’t have to stand in line to get either one.  Who knows, maybe Steve Jobs gave President Obama an iPad as a gift during the recent tech leader dinner.

[Image Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza]

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iOS 4.3.1 Untethered Jailbreaks in the Works, iPad 2 Support Unclear

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 06:51 PM PDT


Since the launch of iOS 4.3 on March 10, the only tools able to jailbreak iOS-powered devices have been PwnageTool (for Mac) and sn0wbreeze (for Windows). While these tools will do the trick, they’re tethered, and require users to plug their devices to their computers every time they need to be restarted, or simply when they run out of battery.

While full, untethered jailbreak methods are not available just yet, recent findings seem to indicate that they are finally close to being released.

iPhone security expert Stefan Esser (aka xpl0n1c) managed to find a new exploit that could be used to jailbreak devices running iOS 4.3.1, and earlier today, Esser posted a video on YouTube to showcase the end result: his jailbroken fourth generation iPod touch running iOS 4.3.1 is able to boot without being tethered.

Esser does not build jailbreaks, so he patched sn0wbreeze to showcase his exploit instead. According to the security expert:

I repeatedly stated that I will not release a jailbreak tool – I will only give out the untether. I did not try yet, but if it is feasible the untether could be a cydia package. [...] While the vulnerability I use is in the iPad 2 kernel my untether will NOT SUPPORT the iPad 2, because there is no way to install it there (bootrom exploits fixed). – however Comex is working on that part.

Esser also mentions that while his exploit could be used in upcoming first generation iPad jailbreaks, the method will not work with the iPad 2, as Apple made significant changes to the device’s bootrom.

Apple built extra fail-safes within the device, and even when new exploits are found, Apple’s engineers patch them right away. For instance, Comex, the hacker behind jailbreakme, confirmed earlier today that the exploit he was planning to use for an upcoming iPad 2 jailbreak has already been patched by Apple via the iOS 4.3.1 update.

[via iOSnoops]

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iPad 2 Accessory – XGear Releases the Smart Cover Enhancer

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 05:46 PM PDT


Apple’s Smart Covers have been a popular accessory since the iPad 2 was released two weeks ago. I’ve seen plenty of iPad 2 owners showing off how their Smart Covers automatically wake up the iPad 2 when opened, and put the iPad 2 to sleep when closed.

However, Apple’s covers do not protect the iPad 2 completely. The Smart Covers leave the entire back, edges and your iPad 2 mostly exposed. That is what XGear is attempting to fix with their new accessory.

XGear’s Smart Cover Enhancer complements Apple’s Smart Cover by protecting the back of your iPad 2. This snap-on cover has been designed to provide complementary protection to your iPad, while still letting you use your current Smart Cover.

XGear has left the iPad 2 “hinge” area exposed along with all ports, cameras and buttons so that your Apple Smart Cover can fit per its original design.

You can pre-order the Smart Cover Enhancer now for $34.99. The snap-on cover starts shipping on April 4th. The price may be a bit steep for its functionality, but it can become a handy accessory for several iPad 2 owners.

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iPad 2 Available at RadioShack Tomorrow?

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 10:56 AM PDT


According to a tip received by Mac Rumors, 500 RadioShack stores around the country will begin selling the iPad 2 starting tomorrow.  The photo of the internal notice states:

We are thrilled that iPad 2 will be available at 500 RadioShack locations across the country starting March 29! Details have been sent to these stores.

If this tip proves to be true, RadioShack will become the sixth retailer in the US, outside of Apple, to stock the iPad 2.  Best Buy, Walmart, Target, AT&T and Verizon are already carrying the iPad 2, and have been since the launch on March 11th.

It seems a bit odd that Apple would add another distributor to the mix when it is currently experiencing iPad 2 inventory problems worldwide.  After waiting several hours in line on more than one occasion for our iPads and coming up empty handed every time, we placed an order online.  We are two weeks into a four week wait and continue to contact local retailers about inventory hoping to locate three black 32 GB AT&T iPad 2s.  No luck so far in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

So, will RadioShack have iPad 2s in its stores tomorrow?  We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

[Image: MacRumors]

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Apple’s 2011 WorldWide Developers Conference to Kick Off June 6

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 08:44 AM PDT


Earlier today, Apple announced that it will hold its annual WorldWide Developers Conference (WWDC) from June 6 to June 10, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The event will be focused on “the future of iOS and OS X,” and will feature more than than 100 sessions, to help iOS and Mac developers enhance their coding techniques, and exchange coding tips.

Several sessions will be focused on the new features offered by OS X Lion, as well as iOS. While the press release published by Apple earlier today does not mention it explicitly, the event could also be used by Apple to offer a glimpse of what iOS 5 will offer, once released during fall 2o11.

About a thousand of Apple engineers will be invited to the event, so if you happen to be an iOS or OS X developer – and are willing to pay the $1,599 entry fee – the show will be a great way to meet the folks who build the operating system you use everyday.

As usual, Apple will give its yearly Design Awards for apps developers, for apps “that demonstrate technical excellence, innovation and outstanding design.” Last year, only iPhone and iPad apps were included in the Design Awards content, but this time around, Apple will also include Mac apps – an smart move, given that Apple launched the Mac App Store earlier this year.

Full press release below:

CUPERTINO, California—March 28, 2011—Apple® today announced that it will hold its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) June 6 through June 10 at San Francisco's Moscone West. At this year's five-day conference Apple will unveil the future of iOS and Mac OS®, including exciting demonstrations of the new kinds of apps that developers can build using Apple's advanced frameworks and more than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers.

"At this year's conference we are going to unveil the future of iOS and Mac OS," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "If you are an iOS or Mac OS X software developer, this is the event that you do not want to miss."

Mobile developers will be able to explore the latest innovations and capabilities of iOS and learn how to greatly enhance the functionality, performance and design of their apps. Mac® developers will see and learn how to develop world-class Mac OS X Lion applications using its latest technologies and capabilities. Developers can even bring their code to the labs and work with Apple engineers, applying development techniques and best-practices to enhance their apps.

 

Activities at Apple's WWDC 2011 include:

  • more than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers on a wide range of technology-specific topics for developing, deploying and integrating the latest iOS and Mac OS technologies;
  • over 1,000 Apple engineers providing developers with code-level assistance, insight into optimal development techniques, and guidance on how they can make the most of iOS and Mac OS technologies in their apps;
  • the opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow iPad®, iPhone® and Mac developers from around the world; and

Apple Design Awards which recognize iPad, iPhone and Mac apps that demonstrate technical excellence, innovation and outstanding design.

Go to the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2011 website (developer.apple.com/wwdc) to purchase tickets, as well as for updates and more information.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

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Amazon, Google Racing Apple to Cloud-Based Media Locker Service

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 07:36 AM PDT


The last 3 days have been full of rumors about the upcoming MobileMe media locker service from Apple. One of the biggest questions has been whether or not Apple will offer the service for free, or charge $20 per year as rumored.

While Apple keeps working on their big announcement, Amazon and Google have been working relentlessly to launch their very own cloud-based solutions.

A big question around MobileMe has been how soon can Apple convince the big content publishers to join a new cloud-based service. We have to assume that Apple should not have major problems with many of the major label records such as EMI, Universal, Warner, Sony and others. We have to consider that iTunes has been a good platform to those companies when we talk about driving additional revenue.

Everyone has been expecting Apple to confirm their MobileMe service plans. As usual, Apple has not shared any details, but has briefly hinted us by making clear they do plan to leverage their massive data center in North Carolina.

However, let’s not forget about Amazon and Google. The last few days have given specific indications that they will be ready to compete against Apple in the cloud digital locker service space.

Amazon already has a strong retail experience with their cloud distribution service called Amazon EC2. The company already stores electronic books for Kindle owners and allows those users to save a digital copy in their personal digital locker.

According to CNET, Amazon has been spending quite a bit of time talking to major record companies and Hollywood studios about their digital locker service. The company could surprise all of us this week with a big announcement about their upcoming digital locker service.

Amazon is clearly aiming at helping major content providers store music, videos/films and book collections. The service would provide you a cloud locker service to store your very own music, videos, books, and other content that wasn’t even purchased via Amazon.

Some folks may argue that Amazon does not have all the required licenses, but let’s not forget that Amazon already offers their “Instant Video” service, where you and I get a chance to buy or rent movies and TV shows online. They are actually giving Netflix a run for the video streaming market.

Of course, Google cannot be forgotten. Google has been testing a music service that supposedly will allow you to store music on Google’s servers where you can quickly access it from any connected device. We also have to assume that Google will want more than simply storing your music files. The company will certainly make a big push for a media locker service. Some CNET sources have said the service has not been formally announced due to Google’s current negotiations with music labels.

The next few weeks should be very interesting as these three giants unveil their cloud services strategy. There is still much to talk about. Many questions remain unanswered. How much will Apple, Amazon and Google charge for these services? How much will record labels and Hollywood studios want to charge for the online consumption and storage of their valuable content? What will be the final price to consumers?

How many of you plan to use a media locker service?

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