Category: Apple

Posted on

iPhone OS 4.0 Coming This Summer!

Apple just took the wraps off iPhone OS 4.0, which is due out this summer for the iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 3G, iPod touch 2nd and 3rd generations. They are touting over 100 NEW Features. Here's a quick run down of many of the hot features with my favorites in bold:

  • Multitasking – Run Multiple 3rd Party Apps at once!
  • Unified Mail inbox – Finally!
  • App Folders – for better organization!
  • File & delete Mail search results
  • Search SMS/MMS messages
  • Web search suggestions
  • Choose image size in Mail messages
  • QuickLook
  • Bluetooth keyboards
  • In-App SMS
  • iBooks
  • Calendar Access in the SDK
  • Mail gets Threaded Responses, in App Attachment Viewing and Multiple Exchange Accounts
  • CalDav invitations
  • Larger fonts for Mail, SMS & alerts
  • Cell data only setting
  • Spell check
  • Persistent Wi-Fi
  • Gift Apps
  • Birthday calendar
  • Recent Web searches
  • Create Playlists
  • Top Hit in search
  • 5x digital zoom
  • Nested Playlists
  • CardDav
  • Tap to focus video
  • Upload workouts to Nike+
  • Places in Photos
  • Home screen wallpaper
  • Wake on wireless

There will also likely be NEW iPhone's this Summer too!

IMPORTANT NOTE: No Multitasking on the iPhone 3G or iPod touch 2nd gen. Also no OS 4 for the iPad until FALL

Posted on

Charging Your iPad: What You Should Know

The good news is that so far the iPad battery life is really good.However, there are some things you should be aware of when it does come time to charge it. When Apple introduced the iPad and subsequently put the specs up on their website, the first thing that jumped out at me was that they were specifically calling the fact that the supplied charger was a "10W USB Power Adapter".  

The fact that they were announcing the wattage was an alert to me that the iPad had different power requirements than the iPhone and iPods. Typically if a manufacturer calls something out it's for a reason and I was right. So here's what you need to know:

Continue reading “Charging Your iPad: What You Should Know”

Posted on

Apple iPad Review: WiFi Model

It's here! I just spent the weekend with my New Apple iPad: 16GB  WiFi model (I'll also review the WiFi+3G model when it ships) and wanted to give you my in-depth review. It's exciting! As a matter of fact my buddy Bruce was waiting at his office on Saturday for his iPad to be delivered and when the UPS guy got there, they started talking and the UPS guy shared with him how people were following him in their cars and begging him to give them their iPads early before getting to their homes. I can't think of too many products that cause this kind of frenzy. See my Unboxing Video here (it's different than any other iPad unboxing video you've seen 😉 ) On to the review and keep in mind that I've only had the iPad for two days, so I haven't touched every single feature yet, but here's what I've seen and touched so far…

The Hardware

The iPad is another example of Apple's attention to detail. Everything from the packaging to the actual design of the device is top notch. There are just a few hardware buttons. The home button is there just like on the iPhone and iPod touch as well as hardware buttons for the volume controls on the right side, on/off switch on top, a screen/rotation lock on the right and built-in speaker on the bottom as well as headphone jack and microphone on top.

My first impression when I picked it up out of the box was "it feels heavy!" Although it's only 1.5 lbs, I was looking at it from a "hold it with one hand while reading" angle. Since it's a book reader, I would want to hold it with one hand while flipping the pages with the other. I would be easily fatigued if I had to hold it in one hand for more than a few minutes. Holding it with two hands won't be an issue and holding it with one hand as long as you have your knee or a table to rest on should be fine.

The iPad comes with a USB sync/charging cable and a wall charger. 

It's FAST! The iPad is VERY RESPONSIVE. I haven't seen any lags whatsoever. Photos, Apps and everything I've tried so far have been very speedy!

Battery Life – So far so good. Keep in mind that testing for a weekend is not real-world regular use. However,  I can easily see this thing going for 10 hours straight. I haven't run it all the way down yet, so I'll have to report back later on the actual battery life I get when I using it under normal conditions. Also very few will run it for 10 hours straight without a break.

Wi-Fi – The iPad takes advantage of 802.11n. So both range and network speed are GREAT! I must also remind you that this is the WiFi version and therefore will only connect to the internet via a WiFi hotspot. I know that sounds like a "duh" statement, but there seems to be a lot of confusion over the difference between the two models: WiFi and the WiFi+3G model that's coming out later this month.

Continue reading “Apple iPad Review: WiFi Model”

Posted on

My iPad is here!

I've been playing with the iPad all day and working on my Full Review that will be posted on Monday. In the meantime I thought you might want to take a look at this unboxing video that I recorded earlier. I think you'll like it 😉

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGEmRk87qkA

Posted on

iHome iA5 App Enhanced Alarm Clock Review

When the iPod was introduced back in 2001 (yes 9 years ago!), it didn't take long for accessory manfacturers to start giving us ways of listening to our favorite tunes via better headphones and speaker systems. Once the iPod came out with a standard dock connector, this market exploded. iHome has been making iPod compatible speakers and alarm clocks for years. However, this time they've taken it up a notch. They actually gone beyond just using the dock connector as a means of filling the room with music. Instead they've integrated the iPhone/iPod touch with their hardware via a FREELY downloadable App called iHome+Sleep. This App enhances the features of the iA5 and goes way beyond just a simple alarm clock. See my more detailed review of the iHome+Sleep App here.  Rather than tell you about this device, I'd rather show you in this video:

 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXejpJyqFNM

 

Continue reading “iHome iA5 App Enhanced Alarm Clock Review”

Posted on

A real tripod mount for your iPhone

More and more I'm seeing the iPhone being used for some serious photography applications and workflows. Don't laugh, it's true. Chase Jarvis published an entire book of photos captured with nothing but an iPhone. Now that the iPhone 3GS does video, I'm even seeing Steadicam rigs. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not all that impressed with the iPhone as a camera. It's OK! It's fine for the occasional snapshot and of course in the words of Chase, the best camera is the one you have with you. A while back I reviewed an iPhone App by Joby called Gorillacam that allowed you to do timed captures. Here's another App that tries to be the only photography app that you'll need and even adds video capture to the iPhone 3G. With these apps that can do video capture and time lapse photography, the next thing you're going to want is a way of mounting your camera on a tripod. While I love the Gorillapod series, the only way of using one with the iPhone is using their specific Gorillapod Mobile. Well not anymore! The good folks at G Design have come up with the perfect solution. The U+3G is a holder for your iPhone 2G or 3G/3GS that has a standard tripod mount on the bottom. This of course will allow you to mount your iPhone on ANY standard tripod that you already have. 

On its side

Continue reading “A real tripod mount for your iPhone”

Posted on

Tech Profile of Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak

Steve Wozniak

Chief Scientist
 

Company

 
woz2010

Los Gatos, California   (my home)

 

Your blog/website?

 

Favorite Gadget(s)

Cathode Corner nixie tube watch, iPhone, Nexus One, Palm Pre, MacBook Pro 17" SSD, original Gameboy, mi-fi, Garmin 885, TomTom Go 740 Live, Canon 5D Mark II, Segway, Prius, many laser pointers…
These are all gadgets that I use regularly and am still not bored with.
I left out AV equipment.
Posted on

iPad Pre-orders to begin this Friday

ipad_2up_fbgame2

In case you hadn't heard, Apple will begin taking pre-orders for both WiFi and WiFi+3G versions of the iPad this Friday, March 12th presumably via the Apple Store Online. The WiFi model is supposed to ship on April 3rd (or you can reserve one for pickup). No word yet on the actual date that the WiFi+3G model will ship, Apple says in "late April."

 

Speaking of the WiFi+3G Model

I know that many of you hate AT&T with a passion. I have no passion one way or the other for them. However, in all fairness it looks like their claims of having the fastest (no one said most reliable or best coverage in your area) 3G network has some truth to it. PC World's results are in and in fact AT&T comes out ahead in their results.

Continue reading “iPad Pre-orders to begin this Friday”

Posted on

Review: V-moda Remix Remote headphones

remixremote

Although I've been a huge fan of the V-Moda Vibe Duo headphones, I actually kinda went back to using the headphones that came with my iPhone 3GS. It certainly wasn't because of sound quality or comfort, it was solely because of the integrated remote. The iPhone 3GS and the latest iPod touch models allow for volume controls on the remote and the Vibe Duo was lacking this function. That all changed last week when I got my hands on the NEW V-moda Remix Remote Headphones. This redesigned headset has an integrated Mic for handsfree phone calls, play, pause and skip controls for your iPod and YES volume up and down controls. 

 

Wow!

I put them on just for a quick test to make sure the controls worked, and I had forgotten how comfortable these were in my ears. I ended up listening to music for the next hour. I just didn't want to take them off because they felt and sounded so good. Speaking of comfort and fit, I don't think I've ever purchased a set of headphones with this many options for different sized ears. Although I will say that I liked the original carrying case better than this new cloth one:

vmodaearpieces

They even include "sport clips" for joggers and working out so that they don't fall out easily. I'm very happy with the New V-moda Remix Remote Headphones and as much as I love the Bose Quiet Comfort 2 Noise Canceling Headphones, this V-modas fit in my pocket and are with me on my current trip instead of the Bose.

The V-moda Remix Remote Headphones retail for $99.