Tuesday, March 15, 2011

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iPad 2 Online Shipments Slip to 4-5 Weeks, Stores Open Early Tuesday

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 10:40 PM PDT


Just two days ago, the iPad 2 online shipments had slipped 3 to 4 weeks. Now, the shipment situation has become more complex. Let’s just say that if you already have an iPad 2, you were one of the lucky ones. If you still have not found one, you may have a chance today.

Some reports have estimated that Apple sold at least 500,000 units over the weekend. Others have gone as far as estimating that Apple sold close to a million units. We’re still trying to confirm the actual number of units sold. The question remains the same for many – When can you get your hands on an iPad 2?

We called a few Apple stores near our location in the Dallas area. Apple has confirmed they are planning to open some locations across the nation an hour early this morning (Tuesday). This is a good chance for you to get your hands on the iPad 2, which was being restocked in several locations on Monday.

Otherwise, you will have to be patient and order it online with the new estimated online shipment of 4 to 5 weeks. Keep in mind that Apple has also limited the number of iPads ordered to two per order.

A word of advice. Call ahead to confirm if your nearest Apple Store location does have iPad 2 units available. Hopefully, you will get lucky and get a chance to buy the new tablet this morning.

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AT&T Giving Away Free Month of Data Service to iPad 2 Owners

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 09:56 PM PDT


Competition is a great thing for consumers.  With Apple now selling the iPad 2 through AT&T and Verizon, both carriers are competing to land as many customers on their networks as they can.  Both carriers offer a range of data plans for iPad 2 users and AT&T is upping the ante by throwing in a free month of data for new iPad 2 owners.

AT&T’s iPad 2 promotion gives users one free month of 2GB data when they sign-up for AT&T’s standard 2GB data plan. AT&T normally charges $25 for their 2GB data plan so the deal isn’t bad for users looking to save a little money.

Since AT&T’s iPad data plans run month-to-month, users can sign-up for the 2GB service to get the first 30 days for free and then sign-up for the lower cost $14.99 plan later on after the first two months.

If you picked up an AT&T model iPad 2 this past weekend and want to get some free data, stop by your local AT&T store and they’ll get you hooked up with free 2GB deal.

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Piel Frama Cases for iPad 2

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 06:11 PM PDT


Looking for a high end case to protect your new iPad 2?  If so, Piel Frama announced its colorful iPad 2 case lineup today. Already established in the mobile device market, Piel Frama is poised to continue its trend of successful cases with its iPad 2 option.  Last year’s iPad cases from Piel Frama were a big hit for the Cases.com site and they remain “our biggest seller for the iPad," says Marketing Director Alex German.

Piel Frama cases are handcrafted in Spain by leather artisans and offer superior quality and workmanship.  A combination of the finest local materials, eco-friendly manufacturing techniques and careful attention to detail result in an exquisite leather product with minimal impact on the environment.

All Piel Frama iPad cases are designed to “protect the iPad while surrounding it in beautiful and seamless Spanish leather,” and the iPad 2 cases are no exception.  Every case is carefully cut, assembled and sewn by hand to maintain the high level of quality consumers are accustomed to from Piel Frama.  Cases provide easy access to all the iPad 2′s ports and buttons including the front and rear cameras, volume control, power control and dock port.  Each case also features a magnetic system closure, soft leather lining, document compartment and sync through travel cable.

The Piel Frama Magnetic case for Apple’s iPad 2 will be available in a variety of leather and color choices.  Cow-hide leather cases feature nine colors, including black, tan, red, green, blue, fuchsia, brown, orange, and yellow.  Additional options are offered in crocodile (black, brown, red, pink and orange) and ostrich (brown and black) pattern leathers.

Interested in purchasing a case for yourself?  iPad 2 cases may be pre-ordered now on the Cases.com website and take approximately 3-5 weeks to produce and deliver.  Prices start at $119 for cow-hide and climb to $159 for crocodile or ostrich.  Cases.com ships worldwide, allowing iPad users everywhere to enjoy the fine Piel Frama quality.

 

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Guy Gets Tattooed with Company Logo – Wins Free iPad 2

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 06:11 PM PDT


There’s no question that the iPad is a hot item, so hot in fact that it’s nearly impossible to get your hands on one.  With the iPad 2 sold out across the country, what does a guy need to do to get one?

Well, if you were lucky enough to be at SXSW in Austin this past weekend, all you needed to do to land an iPad 2 was get a nice big company logo tattooed on your leg. Sounds like a fair deal, doesn’t it?

San Francisco based startup BO.LT offered SXSW attendees a free iPad 2 if they agreed to get tattooed with the BO.LT company logo.  The logo, a combination of an elephant and a lightning bolt, isn’t the worst logo we’ve ever seen but we think most people will still opt to wait in line to get a new iPad 2.  Check out the video after the break to see the “lucky” winner get his new iPad 2. (NSFW)

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Time Warner Cable about to Launch Live TV Streaming via iPad

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 04:46 PM PDT


After years of battling over copyright issues, cable companies seem to be finally allowed to stream TV content to mobile devices, like the iPad. Late tonight, Time Warner will release a new iPad app to allow their customers to watch live television directly on their tablet.

At this stage, the app only supports 30 channels, but more will be added later. Note that the content will only be allowed to be streamed within Time Warner Cable customer’s homes (via their WiFi network), as streaming beyond the house would require additional rights the cable company would need to negotiate with the content owners.

The app is expected to be free, but only cable and internet customers will be able to use it. Besides the 30 TV channels offered by the app, Time Warner Cable plans to offer on-demand content as well, at a later date. The app will not be able to turn iPads into remote controls just yet, but a planned update should add the functionality within the next month or so.

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PropUp Stand for the iPad and iPad 2 – A Kickstarter Project

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 02:48 PM PDT


With all the iPad 2′s that flew off store shelves last weekend, users across the US are in search of accessories to use with their new device.  If you fall into that category and are in need of a stand, the PropUp is a good choice.  Designed for use with the iPad, this ergonomic stand will also work with the iPad 2.  Around the house, in the office or on the road, PropUp is both versatile and easy to use.

Designer Todd Andrews started work on the PropUp shortly after the iPad’s release last year.  After several months, hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars, the PropUp is moving forward and has just joined Kickstarter in order to take it to the next level and increase both production and marketing efforts.

iPads snap securely into the PropUp stand and allow you to use your device in either landscape or portrait mode.  Need to prop up your iPad on the kitchen counter to read recipes while you cook, hold your iPad comfortably while you read in bed or sit your iPad on the desk when doing homework?  The PropUp will help you in all those situations and more.

The PropUp is made of high quality, open cell material with a smooth, soft texture.  It cradles the iPad perfectly, providing a snug fit, even when your iPad is in one of the many cases currently on the market.

I used the PropUp with my iPad and was happy with the sturdy construction and simple, but effective, design.  The portability was a big plus for me and I loved being able to grab my iPad in the stand, stick it into my bag and go.  You can even get some added protection for your screen by flipping the iPad over and snapping it screen first into the stand.

If you’re in the market for a stand and you want to support an innovative new product, check out the PropUp website and Kickstarter page to see what you think!

 

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iFixit – Lots of Magnets Used by iPad 2′s Smart Covers

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 11:52 AM PDT


The folks at iFixit did the iPad 2 teardown last Friday. But, they did not stop there. They have now done a very unique teardown of the popular Smart Cover.

When Apple announced the Smart Covers many were impressed with the way the new covers would wake up the iPad when opened, or put it to sleep when closed. The new teardown has revealed a much more elaborate system than many expected.

Based on iFixit’s findings, the Smart Cover has one magnet that turns off the iPad 2′s screen. The remaining magnets are simply used “to either clamp to the iPad on the right side, or to form the triangular shape used to create a stand for the iPad 2.”

The findings also reveal that Apple has used a total of 31 magnets to make the Smart Cover system work. Ten (10) magnets are located in the iPad itself, and twenty-one (21) are located on the cover.

One of the sleek properties of the Smart Cover is the way it always auto-aligns with the iPad 2 when closed. The main reason, of course, is how the magnets will grasp the iPad 2 and automatically auto-align the cover. This is accomplished by the use of a row of magnets that clamp the Smart Cover tightly to the iPad 2 (on the right side). The picture below shows how the magnets have their polarity displayed, and you can also see how the magnets alternate in polarity. What iFixit found is that Apple complements the alternating polarity of the magnets in the iPad itself with the opposite alternating polarity of the magnets in the Smart Cover. This is what makes the Smart Cover remain aligned with the iPad 2 always.

 

In case you’re wondering about the integrated stand position, iFixit found a large metal plate encased in plastic inside the cover, which is what adheres to the magnets to form the stand.

 

[Photos Credit: iFixit]

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First iPad 2 In-Dash Install On Ford F-150 Truck

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 10:13 AM PDT


The iPad 2 has only been in the market for 3 days, and California based SoundMan Car Audio has done it again. They’ve managed to install an iPad 2 into the dashboard of a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup.

Last year, SoundMan Car Audio experimented with a Toyota Tacoma and proceeded to give it an A/V system overhaul with the first generation iPad taking center stage in the modified dashboard.

SoundMan installed the iPad 2 on the Ford F-150 doing a bit of fabrication, and connecting some aftermarket jacks and connectors. The result is a truck that will allow you to make FaceTime video calls, play your favorite Pandora stations, and even let you use Google Maps or your favorite navigation application. Check out the following video for a detailed explanation.

Kudos to SoundMan’s Doug Bernards who is the person responsible for installing the iPad 2 on the Ford F-150. Definitely a cool project to work on.

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