Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered in The 'Book Review, and general Mac news is in
Mac News Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apps & Services
Accessories
iPod Deals
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News, Reviews, & Opinion
iPads Easy to Sell, Hard to Make
VentureBeat's Mikko Torikka says it seems that manufacturing iPads
is not as good a business as selling them, with Apple selling as many
iPads as it can get from suppliers at a good profit, but their Chinese
contract electronics assembler Hon Hai (a.k.a. Foxconn) has seen its
profits go down with the growing demand for Apple products, according
to Hon Hai's founder and chairman in a Bloomberg report.
Apparently iPads are extremely difficult and expensive to
manufacture.
Link: iPads Are Easy to
Sell, Hard to Make
Apple Releases Unlocked GSM iPhone 4 in US
PR: Apple has released an unlocked iPhone 4 that you can
activate and use on the supported GSM wireless carrier of your choice,
such as AT&T in the United States.
If you don't want a multiyear service contract or if you prefer to
use a local carrier when traveling abroad, Apple suggests that the
unlocked iPhone 4 is your best choice. It an active micro-SIM card from
any supported GSM carrier worldwide.
How the unlocked iPhone 4 works
The unlocked iPhone 4 ships without a micro-SIM card, so you'll need
an active micro-SIM card that you obtain from a supported GSM wireless
carrier. Insert the micro-SIM card into the slot on your iPhone,
connect to your Mac or PC using the USB cable, and launch iTunes on
your computer to complete the setup.
Mac system requirements
- Mac computer with USB 2.0 port
- Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later
- iTunes 10.1 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download
)
- iTunes Store account
- Internet access
Windows system requirements
- PC with USB 2.0 port
- Windows 7; Windows Vista; or Windows XP Home or Professional with
Service Pack 3 or later
- iTunes 10.1 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download
)
- iTunes Store account
- Internet access
iPhone 4 works with micro-SIM cards from supported GSM carriers.
Contact your carrier for a micro-SIM card.
A micro-SIM card is a small memory card used in the iPhone 4 and
other cellular devices that stores your wireless account information.
With an unlocked iPhone, you will need to obtain a micro-SIM card
directly from your GSM carrier.
GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications, and is an
industry standard for wireless communication that's used by most
carriers around the world, including AT&T in the United States.
Other carriers use a different technology called CDMA.
The unlocked iPhone will work on supported GSM carrier networks
around the world, including the U.S. Because the unlocked iPhone is
sold without a contract commitment, you can establish service and use a
micro-SIM card from a local carrier at your destination. Or check with
your U.S. carrier regarding international roaming and associated
charges.
Buying an unlocked iPhone 4 allows you to choose your own GSM
carrier, change carriers at any time, and even use multiple carriers if
you travel frequently. Check with your carrier regarding the length of
commitments or contracts.
Note that an iPad micro-SIM card will not work with your iPhone.
Price:
Link: iPhone at the Apple
Store
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 'Head of the Android
Pack'
ITBusiness.ca's Melissa J. Perenson says that the first Android
tablet to market with the Honeycomb 3.1 OS offers a slick design and a
brilliant display - and is also lighter than the iPad.
Perenson contends that Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi is the first
Android tablet to effectively challenge Apple's iPad 2 at what Apple does best, design,
and at CAN$499 for a 16 GB version (the 16 GB WiFi iPad is CAN$519),
the Samsung device has that in spades, moving to the head of the
Android pack.
She observes that the Tab 10.1 achieves perhaps the greatest design
compliment an Android tablet can hope for in that it was often mistaken
at first glance for being an iPad 2, even by iPad users.
Link: Samsung Galaxy Tab
10.1 on Par with iPad on Design
Images in iOS 5 Framework Anticipate iPad with
Retina Display
ZDNet's Jason D. O'Grady says there's good news for the
resolution-obsessed in the form of new high-resolution (1536 x 2048)
images that were discovered in a Twitter .framework in the new
iOS 5 SDK: iPad 3 is getting a Retina Display.
The big question: When will iPad 3 be released? O'Grady leans toward
March/April 2012 despite persistent rumors that Apple might fast-track
a Fall 2011 release.
Editor's note: I agree that an iPad 3 release is unlikely for
later this year. cm
Link: Images in iOS 5
Framework Leak iPad 3 Retina Display
mindWireless Study Shows iPhones Cost Enterprises
80% More than Blackberries
PR: A recently completed mindWireless study analyzing costs
of business users with an iPhone or BlackBerry provided by AT&T and
Verizon found the average total cost for a BlackBerry was $103 per
month compared to $183 per month for an iPhone. For an enterprise
considering allowing 1,000 users to switch from BlackBerry to iPhone,
they can expect their upfront costs to rise by over $100,000 and their
annual wireless expense to increase by over $900,000.
The higher cost comes primarily from the wide use of features and
international data on iPhones. International travelers have 50% higher
charges for data roaming on their iPhones. Increased data usage does
not always equate to higher costs, because 95% of users are on
unlimited or 2 GB data plans for domestic use.
"Data use is clearly the driver for the cost variance between iPhone
and BlackBerry," says Brian Hall, manager of Financial Analytics for
mindWireless. "By analyzing actual data drawn from our wireless
telecommunications expense management clients, we validated a belief
that iPhones were inherently more expensive to the enterprise. We found
that iPhone users send/receive 66% more text and picture messages, with
twice as many users requiring a text message plan over 1,000
messages/month."
Key comparison findings of the study included:
- Average Monthly Cost: BlackBerry $100, iPhone $183
- Average Equipment Cost: BlackBerry $136, iPhone $262
- Average Monthly Data Consumption: BlackBerry 22 MB, iPhone 232
MB
- Mobile Device Management: BlackBerry - Available, iPhone -
Difficult
- International Data Roaming: iPhone 50% higher
- Device Discounts: BlackBerry - Frequent Incentives, iPhone - Rare
Incentives
- Text & Picture Messages: iPhone 66% higher
- Enterprise Server Costs: BlackBerry Yes, iPhone Optional
However, as data pricing moves away from unlimited pricing and
becomes tiered for domestic plans, iPhone users are expected to pay
even more in the future based on their higher usage. With the
introduction of tiered international data pricing, we found that the
10-fold increase in data usage played a much bigger factor in the
international wireless market.
Another major factor in the Smartphone arena is the growing Android
user base. According to ComScore, of the 72.5 million Smartphones in
use in the US in the first quarter, 34.7% were Android devices,
BlackBerry's share dropped to 27.1%, and Apple's share increased only
slightly, to 25.5%.
Hall also noted, "But, then again, the iPhone does have Angry
Bird."
Publisher's note: The report only analyzes cost differences, not
differences in productivity. With ten times the average data
consumption, it appears that iPhone users are making much more use of
their equipment than BlackBerry users. This is a significant factor
that may be of more value than the dollars and cents of price analysis.
dk
Link: iPhones
Cost Enterprises 80% More Than Blackberries
Apps & Services
Voxofon Gives iPhone Users Contract-Free,
High-Quality International Calling Starting at a Penny-Per-Minute
PR: Voxofon now offers a native application that makes it
simple and inexpensive for iPhone users to make international calls
from their iPhone Contacts directory, Voxofon Call History, or
Contacts. International calling with Voxofon is a low-cost,
high-quality, contract-free way to stay in touch with friends, family,
and business associates for pennies per minute.
Mobile and landline callers commonly experience a trifecta of
international calling challenges: Exorbitant rates; long term
contracts; and complicated dial sequences, said Alexey Goloshubin,
president of Voxofon. Often, they feel as though they're writing a
blank check to their phone service provider. In many situations, the
process of remembering and dialing correctly the long sequence of
numbers to make that international call can be frustrating.
With Voxofon, iPhone users download a free app and are able to use
their iPhones contacts directory to reach anyone internationally by
simply selecting them no need to enter complicated codes or dialing
sequences. Also, the app displays the exact cost to that precise
destination number even before the user starts the call, so users can
validate the exceptionally low rates we give them every time - there is
total transparency and no surprises.
Key features of every Voxofon call include:
- Simplicity - Calling abroad from any phone is exceptionally easy.
There's no need for PIN codes - just dial and talk. Access to Contacts
and Call History enables redialing with the touch of only one key. The
Voxofon SMS user interface is easy to navigate, even for the mobile
phone novice.
- Affordability - Voxofon prices start at a penny per minute,
allowing users to call abroad and spend more time talking with friends,
family and business associates.
- Quality Voxofon always uses connections with reliable, high quality
routes for connecting calls abroad.
- Security - Voxofon protects information so that users can make
calls abroad safely.
- Efficient Customer Support Access to our multilingual support
agents for timely resolution of any customer issue or concern.
Used by thousands of people every day, Voxofon provides high quality
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) international phone calling
services from any land line, mobile phone or computer, including the
iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7, and HP Palm WebOS.
Voxofon's low-cost international calling rates start at only 1 cent per
minute, with no setup or monthly fees.
Link: Voxofon
(App
Store link)
PhoneIt-iPad Hack Turns Your iPad 3G into a Fully
Functional Phone
PR:
PhoneIt-iPad from iPhoneIslam.com, the biggest Arabic, Islamic
community website for iOS Apps, News & Hacks, turns the 3G iPad
into a fully functional phone.
You will need a jailbroken iPad running iOS version 4.3.3 and a
standard phone SIM card which, if it can make phone calls on phones, it
will make phone calls on the iPad as well.
When iOS 5 comes out and Is inevitably jailbroken, the developers
say they will work to make their app support it and offered a free
update.
PhoneIt-iPad is not yet MMS ready.
Link: iPhoneIslam.com
Adobe Updates Photoshop Touch Apps with New Camera
Support and Enhanced Photoshop CS5 Interaction
PR: Adobe has announced that the Adobe Photoshop Touch apps -
Adobe Eazel, Adobe Color Lava, and Adobe Nav - have been updated and
are available immediately for download, with expanded capabilities that
take advantage of interaction between Photoshop and tablet devices. Due
to popular demand, Adobe is also offering Adobe Eazel at a discounted
price of $2.99 - for a limited time only - to give more iPad owners an
opportunity to try the innovative painting app.
New Enhancements to Photoshop Touch Apps
The following new features that unite the interactive iPad
experience with the power and precision of Photoshop are being added to
Adobe Eazel, Adobe Color Lava and Adobe Nav:
- Adobe Eazel - Digital artists now have easy access to the paintings
they create with the new Eazel image gallery and are able to save and
open artwork within the app.
- Adobe Color Lava - Using the iPad 2 built-in camera, creatives can
now capture images from within Color Lava, and then pick their color
inspiration from captured images to dab, swirl and mix into custom
color themes.
- Adobe Nav - Users can now transfer images directly from their iPad
photo library into Photoshop CS5 for editing, designing and
retouching.
Initially made available in the Apple App Store in early May 2011,
the Photoshop Touch apps allow tablet device users to be creative
anywhere. Digital artists use Adobe Eazel to create rich, realistic
paintings with their fingertips that can then be sent directly to
Photoshop CS5 for further refinement. Adobe Color Lava allows for
tactile color mixing directly on the iPad to create custom color
swatches and themes that can then transfer into Photoshop CS5. With
Adobe Nav, users can view and select up to 200 open Photoshop files,
even when working offline, and also create a custom toolbar to drive
Photoshop CS5 from the iPad.
The Photoshop Touch apps were developed using the Photoshop Touch
Software Development Kit (SDK), which gives developers the ability to
create apps that interact with Photoshop CS5 for mobile and tablet
devices including iOS, Android and BlackBerry PlayBook. The Photoshop
Touch SDK has been a very popular download among the Photoshop
community of publishers, trainers and plugin providers, enabling them
to innovate and redefine the Photoshop creative workflow.
The updated Adobe Photoshop Touch apps (versions 1.0.2) are
available through the Apple App Store. Pricing and download links are
as follows:
To experience interactivity between Photoshop CS5 and tablet
devices, current Photoshop CS5 customers can download and install the
free update from within the software. Instructions are available at
http://adobe.ly/e2WJhj
Developers can access the free Adobe Photoshop Touch SDK for Windows
and Mac OS platforms at http://www.adobe.com/devnet/photoshop.html
Adobe Photoshop CS5 and CS5 Extended are available through Adobe
Authorized Resellers, Adobe Direct Sales, or the Adobe Store.
Estimated street price for Adobe Photoshop CS5 is $699, and $999 for
Photoshop CS5 Extended.
These apps are iPad only.
Link:
Adobe Eazel for Photoshop)
Link:
Adobe Color Lava for Photoshop
Link:
Adobe Nav for Photoshop
Accessories
Nuu MiniKey Keyboard Compatible with iPhone 4
PR: Sicj of makung stupad spulling mistooks on your
iPhone? Check out the Nuu MiniKey, a Bluetooth-friendly iPhone 4 case
feathering a flip-out keyboard that facilitates texting, emailing,
blogging and tweeting using proper tactile analog keys, not
feedback-less pixels.
Thanks to various navigation and symbol keys you won't need to keep
flicking between onscreen keyboards. And because the MiniKey eliminates
the need for the iPhone's virtual keyboard, your typing area gets
supersized. You can also toggle between the MiniKey and your iPhone's
virtual keyboard via an integrated button.
Nuu Mini-Key Features include:
- The backlit keyboard makes typing in poorly-lit areas a breeze. The
backlight may be toggled on or off to suit your own preference.
- Keyboard Shortcuts let you quickly and easily edit text on your
iPhone 4 with shortcuts such as Command + C to copy, Command + V to
paste, Command Z to undo.
- Convenient Toggle Button allows for smooth switching between the
physical QWERTY MiniKey and the onscreen keyboard.
Nuu MiniKey Specifications:
- 42 key slide out keyboard with backlight
- Broadcom Chipset (Bluetooth V2.0 Compliance)
- FCC/CE/C-Tick/BQB Certified
Battery
- Li-Polymer (380 mAh)
- Charges in 3-4 hours with Micro-USB cable
Note that the Nuu MiniKey contains a magnet in the sliding mechanism
which may affect the compass in your iPhone. Before using the compass
feature in your iPhone, you need to remove the iPhone from the Nuu
MiniKey case.
The Nuu MiniKey iPhone 4 Keyboard sells for $79.99.
Link: Nuu MiniKey
Proprietary Process Developed to Create Metal
MeeMojo iPhone 4 Case
PR: MeeMojo has created a proprietary process of
fabricating aluminum phone cases that it says will not jeopardize the
phone's functionality. The process is being used to create aluminum
iPhone 4 cases for its online company.
"Metal cases were plagued with signal degradation problems. With our
extensive history of custom fabrication, I was confident that we could
create a solid case that would preserve phone functionality," says
MeeMojo principal Petar Todorovic. "Once we designed our proprietary RF
Neutral Polymer Isolator, we knew we had the right fix."
Todorovic brought more than three decades of custom fabrication
experience, ranging from aerospace work to custom after-market truck
accessories to the task of producing the innovative phone cases. "From
my involvement in the after-market custom truck accessories sector, we
know a solid market exists for cutting edge, premium products, but we
also know that consumers demand high functionality. Once we established
the quality and flawless operability, our designers provided the edgy,
dynamic look," he notes.
MeeMojo has released two case styles for its initial launch, the
Edgy and the Slick, with additional metals, styles and color options
still in the R&D phase. Each case is assembled using polished
stainless steel fasteners, assuring a precise fit for the iPhone 4.
Cases can be seen and purchased at:
Link: MeeMojo
Wrangler Military-Grade Case for iPhone 4
PR: IvySkin USA have debuted Wrangler Case, based
on the award-winning Quattro4 and SmartCase for iPhone 4 and iPad 2.
Rugged, triple coated and precisely engineered, the all new Wrangler
Case provides the ideal balance of sharp protection, antiglare front
glass guard and smooth lines. Its exceptionally rigid body extensively
uses ultra-high-strength Polycarbonate, aluminum and TPU. IvySkin's
signature Glass Touch-Thru screen guard completes the all around
protection.
The Wrangler Case leads it boldly into a new era. From
its Touch-Thru grille to its muscular body and impeccable material,
it's an ultramodern classic. Rugged, Triple coated and precisely
engineered, the all new Wrangler case provides the ideal balance of
sharp protection, Antiglare front glass guard and smooth lines.
pressure-sensing power and home buttons with our innovative Direct-TPU
system offers quicker iPhone response, crisper hold-grip feel, and high
impact control.
The Wrangler raises the bar for iPhone safety
engineering. Its exceptionally rigid body extensively uses
ultra-high-strength Polycarbonate, aluminum and TPU. Its dual snap bars
are fiber-reinforced. Six point advanced Adaptive lining acts as
airbags for the iPhone in case of a drop. IvySkin's signature Glass
Touch-Thru screen guard completes the all around protection.
Wrangler Case for iPhone 4, $49.99, is now available at Verizon
Retail Stores and directly from IvySkin online. Dr. Bott is a direct
wholesale distributor of all IvySkin products in the US and Europe.
Link: Wrangler
Case
