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- PadGadget Daily App Deal – 7 iPad Apps on Sale
- Geo Walk HD – iPad App Giveaway
- Apple Responds to Disaster in Japan
- First Batch of iPad 2s: Some Units Show Defects
- Hacker Combines iPad with NES Robot Game Controller
- Apple A5 Processor Teardown Pictures now Available
- Apple’s iPad 2 Early Store Openings a Bust
- iPad 2 Already Selling Overseas?
| PadGadget Daily App Deal – 7 iPad Apps on Sale Posted: 15 Mar 2011 10:01 PM PDT
For today’s Daily Deal we’ve found seven great apps to add to your iPad collection. We have two productivity apps, two entertainment apps and three 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 75% off, so be sure to check them out because they are on sale for a limited time.
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 pricing is 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. » Related posts:
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| Geo Walk HD – iPad App Giveaway Posted: 15 Mar 2011 09:47 PM PDT
We’re familiar with VITO’s award winning Star Walk app and just tried the updated version of Geo Walk for the first time. After reading scores of interesting facts about people, places and things on Earth, we were impressed by all the information packed into this app. The Geo Walk app provides users with a unique way to explore the world. A swipe of your finger and spin of the globe will show you everything from the Grand Canyon to K2, Alfred Bernhard Nobel to Gregor Johann Mendel, Killer Whales to Manta Rays and much more Looking for information about Europe? You can spin the globe, find the area you’re looking for and select the pictures you want to review. If you’re interested in animals from around the world – the category filters at the bottom of the screen will help you find what you’re looking for. Finally, test your newly acquired knowledge with Quiz mode. App features include: 500 up-to-date descriptions, smooth and stylish interface, category filter , two viewing modes, a quiz mode and no need for an Internet connection. Geo Walk – 3D World Fact Book is available for download from the App Store now for $2.99. Download it now for the introductory price or enter our iPad app giveaway and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to win a free promo code. Note: In celebration of VITO Technology’s 10th birthday, the app developer is offering a chance to win a new iPad 2. Check out their website to enter the contest and get information about additional prizes as well. We have 3 promo codes to give away and entering our contest is easy! Just follow the directions below and maybe you’ll be a winner. Enter via Twitter in two easy steps
Three lucky winners will be selected at random to receive a Geo Walk – 3D World Fact Book promo code. You can enter as many times as you like and the contest ends Thursday, March 17th @ 11:59pm Central Time. » Related posts:
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| Apple Responds to Disaster in Japan Posted: 15 Mar 2011 08:19 PM PDT
As a result of this terrible crisis, All Things Digital reports Apple plans to postpone the launch of the iPad 2 in Japan. "We are delaying the launch of the iPad 2 in Japan while the country and our teams focus on recovering from the recent disaster," said spokesperson Nat Kerris. "Our hearts go out to the people of Japan, including our employees and their families, who have been impacted by this terrible tragedy." Originally set for March 25, the new Japanese launch date has yet to be determined. It’s during difficult times like these that the best in human nature comes out and Apple employees from Japan to London did not disappoint. In a letter posted on the kevinrose blogg, an Apple employee outlines his activities and highlights Apple’s response since the earthquake hit on Friday. He tells of staff calmly leading people to safety “under the ridiculously strong wooden tables that hold up the display computers” and then helping countless mobile device users (not all of them using Apple devices) with any number of problems. Hundreds of people have swarmed Apple stores since Friday to watch the news on USTREAM and contact their families via Twitter, Facebook, and email. All the while Apple has continued to open store doors to “stranded people on the street,” as well as its own people. Store employees help fix iPhones, sell battery packs and teach people how to get streaming news on their smart-phones, contact family or stay informed via WiFi. In support of retail and corporate employees, Apple told its staff they could sleep in stores, provided food and even offered to pay for hotels. Apple’s one of the world’s most successful companies and it’s good to see the company taking care of its own in these difficult times. Let’s hope that everyone impacted by last week’s event is getting the same level of support as Apple’s staff. » Related posts:
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| First Batch of iPad 2s: Some Units Show Defects Posted: 15 Mar 2011 07:46 PM PDT
According to multiple articles coming from MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and many other sites, some users are less than happy, to say the least, and plan to return their device to Apple as soon as possible. Yellow tinting Just like with the first generation iPad, or the iPhone 4, some iPad 2s show a strange yellow tinting on the screen. This problem is common with units fresh from the factory, and seems to dissipate after a week of use or so – the glue used to set the screen inside the iPad is not completely dry yet, and causes the issue. If your iPad 2 shows the tinting, give your new iPad 2s a test drive for a week or so, and reassess by then. Backlight bleeding This issue seems to be affecting several customers. There is nothing you can do, and returning your iPad seems to be the only solution – unless it does not bother you This iPad only shows the issue on very dark screens This one shows it on light screens – much more noticeable Dead pixels Finally, the dreaded dead pixels. Despite Apple’s strict manufacturing guidelines, some lower grade screen manage to fall through the cracks. Some people will never notice the dead pixels, while they will drive others crazy. If a dead pixel is one too many for you, simply return your device for a replacement unit. Returning your iPad 2 If you experience one of these symptoms, go back to your Apple Store with your unit. Most Apple employees will take your iPad 2 back without any question. Be aware that your replacement unit will likely take weeks to ship though. [Credit pictures: 9to5mac, macrumors] » Related posts:
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| Hacker Combines iPad with NES Robot Game Controller Posted: 15 Mar 2011 07:19 PM PDT
We’ve seen all sorts of cool iPad hacks (here & here), but this latest one from Joven put a smile on our face. You see, we’re a nostalgic bunch here at PadGadget HQ and we love it when folks hack a classic gaming system and add in the latest high tech gizmos. Joven decided that his new iPad was lacking in the gaming department so he hacked an old NES game controller and combined it with Arduino (an open-source prototyping platform) to create a RoboTouch controlled iPad gaming system. The NES game controller interfaces to three robot actuators that are able to interact with the iPad’s multitouch display. The miniature servos can easily be moved around on the iPad’s screen thanks to tiny suction cups that mount them securely to an iPad, iPad 2 or probably even an iPhone. Check out the video below to see Joven’s hack in action. [via Engadget]
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| Apple A5 Processor Teardown Pictures now Available Posted: 15 Mar 2011 01:09 PM PDT
Chipworks‘s amazing shots – taken with an electron microscope – confirm most rumors heard about the processor: Apple managed to cram a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU, a dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU, and 512 MB of memory, in a footprint barely larger than the A4. To put things in perspective, the A4 comes with a single-core CPU, a single-core GPU, and only 256 MB of memory.
Based on markings inside the chip, the A5 seems to be built by Samsung, just like the A4. Meanwhile, UBM Techinsights just posted a full blown spec sheet for the new chip: The firm confirms that Samsung is indeed the chip manufacturer, and gives more insights about the new processor:
Finally, Apple seems to have included even better power management features inside the chip. According to a report from iOSnoops, the A5 seems to run at variable speeds, right below 1 GHz, in order to conserve power. In comparison, the A4 runs at a constant 1 GHz.
[Via MacRumors] » Related posts:
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| Apple’s iPad 2 Early Store Openings a Bust Posted: 15 Mar 2011 12:09 PM PDT
Were you one of the many people that got up early this morning and stood in line at your local Apple store in hopes of getting an iPad 2? If you were, you probably found out it was a complete waste of time. Word spread like wild fire across the web yesterday that select Apple Stores were planning to open their doors earlier than normal today. Apple store employees let customers know that they were opening some stores earlier than normal on Tuesday to accommodate customers wanting to buy an iPad 2. Only problem, inventory was once again way short of demand. The PadGadget team visited local Apple Stores this morning at 8:00 AM and found some people had been in lines for at least an hour. Once 9:00 AM rolled around, the lines had grown to over 100 -150 people. Shortly after 9:00, Apple Store employees informed those waiting in line that FedEx had arrived but only delivered a meager 15 – 30 units. Clearly the news was a huge disappointment for hopeful customers who had been standing in line for over two hours. We’ve heard from readers that this same scenario played out across the country. Most people speculated Apple was opening early because stores were receiving larger iPad 2 shipments to make up for low quantities during opening weekend. We heard many frustrated customers complain that they had been told by Apple employees yesterday they were expecting a large shipment and they should come back today to pick one up. Apple needs to quickly address not only their supply chain issues at the root of iPad 2 shortages but also the way in which they communicate availability to potential customers. Setting expectations by opening stores an hour early only to find the store received 20 units is unacceptable for a company who prides itself on customer service and satisfaction. During last year’s launch, Apple had an in-store preorder system in place that allowed customers to place their name on a list and then be notified once inventory had arrived and their unit was available. This simple system allowed customers to avoid standing in line for hours on end, only to then find out they had just sold out. The people we spoke with this morning said this was not their first time waiting in line to get an iPad 2 and most doubted they would be returning to an Apple Stor any time soon. Customers were clearly frustrated with the lack of information coming from Apple Store employees, who supposedly have no idea when, what or how many iPad 2s they might get. Online ordering is only marginally better as shipping times continue to grow, with Apple’s Online Store now showing at 4-5 weeks waiting period. Apple needs to get the iPad 2 inventory issues worked out quickly before potential iPad 2 customers start waiting in line for an iPad alternative. » Related posts:
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| iPad 2 Already Selling Overseas? Posted: 15 Mar 2011 09:48 AM PDT
Apple’s iPad 2 inventory shortage has been the big story after the new tablet was officially released on March 11. It’s hard to get your hands on an iPad 2 at the moment. Even online shipments have slipped out to a surprising four to five weeks. But, where have some of these iPad 2 units gone? A very interesting report by Fortune has indicated that a sizable amount of iPad 2 units are already selling in China. According to Fortune, ” By Sunday, the new tablets were selling in China for up to 105% over their sticker price”. This is not the first time an Apple product has been bought in large quantities by gray-market dealers for reselling overseas. The same situation happened last year when the iPhone 4 was launched. Back then, large quantities of the iPhone 4 were bought in New York and sold in the gray market to customers in Hong Kong. The iPad 2 launch has apparently followed the same trail as the iPhone 4. According to Fortune, many of the iPad 2s sold since last Friday have been bought by gray-market dealers. Large quantities of the iPad 2 were bought in New York City, and some tipsters have indicated that many of those iPads were bought by foreign couriers. Chinese blog M.I.C. Gadget has cited a Mr. Lo, as a veteran gray-market dealer in Hong Kong that distributed thousands of iPhone 4s and iPads last year. Apparently, Mr. Lo could be one of the reasons why so many iPad 2 units have not been available to several consumers in the United States. According to the report, Mr. Lo probably has couriers in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. But, why so many iPad 2 units were bought for the gray market? Simple. In China, and in other parts of Asia, there are lots of Apple fans that are willing to pay high premiums for the iPad 2. The graphic below shows the prices and markups that allegedly Mr. Lo has been able to enjoy for the iPad 2. Apple continues to struggle with the iPad 2 inventory. At this point, many new customers are frustrated with the inventory situation. And, we have not even mentioned other countries like Canada and many countries in the Pacific Rim. Let’s hope the inventory situation improves soon. [Photos Credit: Fortune and M.I.C. Gadget] » Related posts:
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Interested in a great educational app? If so, take a look at the newly renovated Geo Walk – 3D World Fact Book from VITO Technology.
The devastation in Japan seems to worsen by the hour and our hearts go out to the thousands of people affected by this tragedy.
While the PadGadget team had no issue with its brand new iPad 2s, some buyers are not as lucky: some early buyers came back home with units showing some unpleasant defects. From yellow tinting, to dead pixels, some of the iPads sold since last Friday appear to have been rushed out of the factory a bit too fast.
Last year, the folks at 
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