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- Trident Aegis Case for Original iPad
- iOS 5 Hits Field Testing Stage
- Apple Responds to Location Tracking Questions
- JBL’s OnBeat Speaker Shipping Now with iPad 2 Bracket
- Great New Reading Apps For Learning Disabled
- Apple Says iPad 2 Launches in 12 Additional Countries Starting This Week
- NuGuard’s GripStand Offers Multi-Purpose Protection for iPad
- Location Tracking in iPad and iPhone: Just a Bug According to Apple
- Apple’s iOS Ecosystem Still Tops with Developers
| Trident Aegis Case for Original iPad Posted: 27 Apr 2011 08:31 PM PDT
The combination of a hard polycarbonate shell exterior and a silicone interior cushions the iPad and protects it from the bumps and scratches a typical device encounters everyday. All buttons are covered, along with the headphone jack and docking port which have silicone tabs to open and close as necessary. Getting your iPad into this case is easy. Just separate the two pieces of the Aegis and place the iPad inside the silicone portion first. Next, make sure you line-up all ports and buttons with the appropriate cutouts and button covers, and finally insert the device into the hard shell for its final layer of protection. When you purchase the Aegis, not only do you get a case but a few bonus items too. Customers will receive a scratch and smudge-resistant screen protector, along with a small microfiber cloth, to keep their screen in pristine condition. They’ll also get an audio jack extender for easy use with all types of 3.5 mm audio jacks. Trident’s Aegis Case is a nice option for people looking to protect their iPad from everyday use. I really liked the feel of this case after several days of use. It’s easy to use, offers great protection and comes in a wonderful range of colors. Interested? You can purchase the Aegis for a reasonable price on the Trident website now.
Note: If you are looking for an iPad 2 case and think the Aegis might be the one for you, it should be available in the next couple of weeks. » Related posts:
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| iOS 5 Hits Field Testing Stage Posted: 27 Apr 2011 03:25 PM PDT
With WWDC 2011 around the corner, Apple seems to be working double shift to be able to offer a preview of iOS 5 soon. The new operating system, slated to be released during Fall, seems to have hit the field testing stage, as developers have started to receive crash reports from their apps running on iOS 5 powered devices. FutureTap, the development shop behind Where To?, received a mysterious crash report earlier today, showing that its app was being tested on “iPhone OS 5.0.” The crash report also offers a couple of interesting tidbits, namely the fact that Apple has made changes to its maps and location API, as expected. The new API seems to be incompatible with some apps built to run under iOS 4, hence the crashes.
iOS 5 is expected to be unveiled at Apple's WWDC conference in June, and should include many features that everyone’s been waiting for – in other words, the new OS is expected to be a major revamp. According to different sources, iOS 5 will be focused on several cloud-based features, such as a personal media locker hosting service for your music, videos, photos, and location-based features. [via 9to5mac] » Related posts:
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| Apple Responds to Location Tracking Questions Posted: 27 Apr 2011 12:47 PM PDT
In the statement, the company says, "Apple is not tracking the location of your iPhone. Apple has never done so and has no plans to ever do so." Apple claims that the iPhone is not logging location, instead, it's keeping a database of Wi-Fi hotspots and cell towers around your current location (up to a hundred miles away). This is to help your iPhone quickly calculate its location when requested, for example, by an app. The iPhone uses a crowd-sourced database of Wi-Fi and cell tower data generated by tens of millions of iPhones uploading their geo-tagged locations, which Apple says is all anonymous and encrypted.
Each phone gets a small cache of this overall data sent from Apple, a cache that is not encrypted. When you sync your phone, iTunes makes a backup of this location data, but will cease to do so in the future. Apple claims that they cannot locate anyone based on the data collected. Apple says, "This data is sent to Apple in an anonymous and encrypted form. Apple cannot identify the source of this data." Apple does acknowledge two "bugs" in the software. Collected geo-location data is being stored for too long – up to a year, and the Phone software continues to collect Wi-Fi and cell tower data with Location Services turned off. Apple believes that the iPhone only needs 7 days of stored data, and the phone should not continue to transmit data after Location Services has been switched off. Look for a patch in the next few weeks that will fix these problems. The cache size of the Wi-Fi hotspot and cell tower database will be reduced in size, the cache will not be backed up in your iTunes, and the cache will be deleted entirely when Location Services is off. Additionally, after the next major iOS software update, the cache will be encrypted on the iPhone. According to Apple, they're strong proponents of privacy. "iPhone was the first to ask users to give their permission for each and every app that wanted to use location. Apple will continue to be one of the leaders in strengthening personal information security and privacy." It turns out that Apple isn't tracking you and your phone, but they do admit to storing too much data in caches and backups, plus acknowledging that phones should be able to turn this data collecting off, a "bugged" feature currently unavailable. It's unclear, though, if these were true bugs, or the coverup of a company who pushed privacy issues a little too far. Either way, I'm satisfied with Apple's response and planned changes. Do you think Apple's response sounds credible? Are you less worried now about Apple's location tracking software? Photo credit: Guardian. » Related posts:
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| JBL’s OnBeat Speaker Shipping Now with iPad 2 Bracket Posted: 27 Apr 2011 12:43 PM PDT
JBL has just announced that its OnBeat speaker for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch is now shipping. JBL’s new design was announced earlier this spring. The new dock speaker delivers realistic, high-output sound from any iOS device, and comes with a universal connector that firmly docks your iPad, iPhone and iPod devices. The JBL OnBeat docking station features dual Phoenix full-range transducers with computer-optimized DSP equalization for a richly detailed 360-degree soundstage, side-mounted volume buttons, a USB for syncing, a 3.5mm auxiliary input, composite video output, and a very nice design.
JBL has also included an IR remote that puts you in full control of system functions and music navigation from across the room. The AC power supply keeps your iOS devices charged when docked. The optional composite cable allows you to send video content on to your TV. If you bought an iPad 2, no problem, JBL has also released a new bracket designed to fit your iPad 2. If you already own a JBL OnBeat speaker, you can contact JBL for a replacement bracket by clicking here. Make sure you use the promo code "BRACKET". The JBL OnBeat speaker is available now for $149.95. The speaker will sell exclusively at Apple and Best Buy stores. Or, you can get FREE ground shipping when buying it directly from HarmanAudio.com. » Related posts:
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| Great New Reading Apps For Learning Disabled Posted: 27 Apr 2011 12:13 PM PDT
It's been known for some time now, especially after iTunes included a special education category on the featured page, that the iPad helps kids with learning disabilities and other special needs. The touch tablet technology has opened the door to many possibilities for doctors, scientists, teachers and parents. New developments are coming out all of the time that help special needs kids and their parents on their journey together. Many apps that help special needs kids focus on learning disabilities. Organizations have developed various readers to help children with a large variety of reading specific disabilities, such as dyslexia and language processing disorders. There are audio book, spelling apps, e-reading books and much more.
One such developer, Brain Integration LLC, has come up with a brilliant way to help children with learning disabilities, slow readers, resistant reader, and even young readers experience the joy of reading Gulliver's Travels and learning about Greek Mythology.
These e-readers are a perfect source to help unlock your child's reading potential. While they are geared toward helping children with learning disabilities, they are far from being exclusively for that area of education. The books are beautifully illustrated and engaging to read. Young readers will be able to increase their own vocabulary with Gulliver's Travels and become knowledgeable about Greek Mythology with Greek Myths.
Each book has over thirty originally illustrated images to visually stimulate the reader. The books are audio-based and read aloud by a narrator. Each word on the page is highlighted while it is being clearly spoken by the narrator so that children can read along. The book is not read too slowly as to dumb things down, but it is just slow enough for the reader to keep pace. Each page allows the reader to turn off or on certain features. If the reader does not want the book to be read, or does not want the words to be highlighted, those options can be removed and added back as desired.
eReading: Gulliver's Travels, Lilliput takes the first part of the classic tale of adventure by Jonathan Swift, abridges it and rewords it for modern English, thereby allowing readers to get the story without becoming frustrated with the difficulties of reading the more complicated, original version. eReading: Greek Myths is an original story that compiles the story of Theseus, The Minotaur, and Icarus, into one book. While the names and places of Greek mythology can be hard to pronounce, the narrator speaks clearly and slowly, helping the reader to learn the complicated words.
Both eReading apps are available for the iPhone and iPad universally. They work much better on the iPad, though because they are viewed on the larger screen. They are both only $1.99, a great price when you think about how much special education tools cost these days.
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| Apple Says iPad 2 Launches in 12 Additional Countries Starting This Week Posted: 27 Apr 2011 09:12 AM PDT
Apple announced today that iPad 2 (3G and WiFi models) will go on sale in 12 additional countries starting this month. Japan will be the first of the newly announced countries to begin selling the iPad 2 with the device going on sale Thursday, April 28. The iPad 2 will go on sale in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and eight additional countries on Friday, April 29. Apple also announced that iPad 2 WiFi model will be available in China beginning Friday, May 6. Customers can begin shopping online at 1:00 a.m. local time or if they prefer checking out the action, they can buy from a local Apple retail store beginning at 9:00am local time. Apple has struggled to meet the high demand for the iPad 2 and until recently, wait time were as high as 4-5 weeks for customers looking to buy one online. Apple appears to be getting a better grip on its manufacturing issues with online shipping estimates consistently improving week-over-week. Most Apple online stores now show estimated shipping wait times of only 1-2 weeks. The new iPad 2 (WiFi and 3G) will be available in Japan on April 28 and Hong Kong, India, Israel, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey and UAE on April 29. The WiFi models will go on sale in China May 6. Apple plans to announce additional countries at a later date Prices for the new iPad 2 remains unchanged with Apple maintaining its former suggested retail pricing for the 16Gb, 32GB and 64GB WiFi only models of $499, $599 and $699 respectively. The iPad 2 with WiFi + 3G will be priced at the familiar price of $629, $729 and $829 for the 16Gb, 32GB and 64GB versions.
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| NuGuard’s GripStand Offers Multi-Purpose Protection for iPad Posted: 27 Apr 2011 07:22 AM PDT
NewerTech has released a new multipurpose tool for the first generation iPad. The NuGuard Grip Stand case is a hard plastic shell with a shock-absorbing inner liner made of rubber that serves as a protective case and desktop stand for your iPad. If your daily life forces you to take the iPad wherever you go, NewerTech’s protective case will certainly offer extra protection.
NewerTech’s hard plastic shell grips your iPad snugly while protecting it with a shock-absorbing inner rubber liner. The included stand can be removed at anytime, and can be swiveled 360° and positioned at multiple angles for viewing or typing needs. The desktop stand also works as a one hand grip so you can use your iPad while standing or walking, and also works as a wall hook for presentations. You can also use the desktop stand as a handle to carry your iPad like a briefcase.
NewerTech also offers the NuGuard GripBase/GripStand bundle, which allows you to remove the case stand and use the GripBase as a "desktop workstation companion" base.
The NuGuard GripStand protective case is available in black or white for $29.99. The GripStand and GripBase bundle is available for $39.99. » Related posts:
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| Location Tracking in iPad and iPhone: Just a Bug According to Apple Posted: 27 Apr 2011 05:38 AM PDT
While the location tracking file was discovered some time ago, it didn't get much coverage until the Guardian published a piece about it last week. For some unknown reason, GPS-enabled iOS devices such as 3G iPad 1/2 and iPhone save the location of their owner on a regular basis, in a file stored on the device, and saved by iTunes each time the device is plugged into a Mac or a PC. In Apple’s own words, “Apple is not tracking the location of your iPhone [and iPad 3G]. Apple has never done so and has no plans to ever do so.” The press release explains that the location feature introduced in iOS 4 is nothing more than a way for iOS devices to calculate their location faster.
Data extracted from an iPhone location file – Credit: Guardian When asked about why the files was designed to hold up to a year’s worth of location data, Apple simply explains that a bug prevents iPhone and iPad 3G to purge the file – technically, Apple never planned to record more than seven days’ worth of location data.
Sometime in the next few weeks, Apple will release an update to iOS to clear the issue. The update will:
In other words — much ado about nothing! » Related posts:
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| Apple’s iOS Ecosystem Still Tops with Developers Posted: 27 Apr 2011 05:15 AM PDT
The newest Appcelerator and IDC mobile survey, of 2,363 Appcelerator Titanium developers, reveals that developer momentum is shifting even further towards Apple due to a languishing interest in Android tablets, plus OS fragmentation and an overwhelming number of app stores. This marks the first time that Android has experienced a withdrawal in interest. Among developers, the number interested in developing for Android phones has dropped from 87% to 85%, below the 91% (iPhone) and 86% (iPad) interested in developing for iOS. Developer interest in Android tablets has fallen to just 71%. Tablets like the Motorola Xoom and the Samsung Galaxy Tab have been received with an indifference that is markedly different than the excitement and interest in the iPad 2, where scores of people stood in line and fought to get their hands on one. Additionally, sales of these devices have been unimpressive. These drops are consistent with an overall frustration towards the Android platform, which may lead to an even greater drop in developer enthusiasm in the future. 63% of survey respondents report that the biggest risk to Android is device fragmentation, while 30% say that a lack of interest in Android tablets is a factor, and 28% note that multiple app stores are a problem. Fragmentation among mobile devices has occurred quickly, and, according to the Appcelerator/IDC report, is now six layers deep between OSes, programming skillsets, mobile devices, form factors (phone and tablet), multi-app portfolios, and Android permutations. This, added to Android's own fragmentation across devices and platforms, explains developers increasing dissatisfaction. However, 71% of developers are actually very interested in Android as a tablet OS, but only 52% are very interested in a leading Android tablet device – the Samsung Galaxy Tab. 44% are very interested in the Motorola Xoom, and 31% in the upcoming HTC Flyer. There was minimal interest in smaller players. The Android OS remains appealing to developers, but there's a clear disappointment with currently available devices. After a strategic announcement of a partnership with Nokia, Microsoft has taken the distant third spot in developer interest, overtaking RIM. 29% of developers are very interested in the Windows 7 phone, while 27% are very interested in BlackBerry phones. Microsoft has pulled ahead, but interest levels have dropped sharply in both platforms since last quarter. With interest in Android, Windows 7, and BlackBerry down, there's a slight chance that a new entrant into the mobile world could make some significant headway, but that seems unlikely with 62% of respondents saying it's impossible to catch up with market leaders Apple and Google. Additionally, respondents reported that they simply would not have time, between iOS and Android, to take on a new platform. The survey also notes that mobile and cloud computing are emerging as a very powerful force in the technology industry. 84% of developers surveyed report that they are using at least one cloud-enabled or cloud-based service in their current applications. Many use multiple cloud services, or plan to. Cloud based services may solve some of the current problems with device fragmentation, but ultimately, without a viable Android-based iPad competitor, developers will continue to re-focus efforts on developing for iOS, slowing development for Android and putting it even further behind.
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