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News, Reviews, & Opinion
15-Year-Old's App Brings Windowed Multitasking to
the iPad
Byte's Boonsri Dickinson reports that while iPad apps normally take
up the machine's full screen, it doesn't have to be that way.
Dickinson notes that Pedro Franceschi, a 15-year-old Brazilian
developer, has hacked the iPad to make it run more like a traditional
PC, creating an app called Quasar to allow apps on jailbroken iPads to
run as if they are using a desktop operating system like Windows or Mac
OS X, enabling users to keep multiple apps open at the same
time.
The Quasar app is available for $9.99 on the Cydia jailbroken app
store.
Dickinson quotes Franceschi affirming that "Certainly multitasking
is the future of any modern operating system, including iOS. I think
Apple will implement in a future version of iOS something similar to
Quasar to allow [better] multitasking."
Dare we hope?
In the meantime, on his own
website, Pedro Franceschi notes that with his Quasar hack, you can
run your applications in separate windows, as we do on a desktop
operating system, resize, move, close, and put in a fullscreen window.
Quasar is integrated with the iOS's default app switcher.
Quasar is available on the Cydia Store for $9.99.
Link: 15-Year-Old's App
Turns iPad into a Windows-like OS
iPad and iPhone Replace iPod as First Apple Device
Owned in Households
PR: The iPad is drawing new consumers to the Apple brand,
with more than one-in-four iPad owners saying the device is their first
Apple product, according to market research firm The NPD Group's recent
Apple Ecosystem Study. NPD found that 33% of US homes (37 million
households) own Apple products, and while a majority (69%) of these
consumers own iPods, iPad ownership is in ascendance.
"iPad sales are growing much faster than any other Apple product has
this soon after launch," says NPD director of industry analysis Ben
Arnold. "In fact, one-in-five Apple owner households has one - nearly
equivalent to the number that own an Apple computer. This demonstrates
the appeal of both the new form factor and Apple's app ecosystem.
Historically, the iPod has been the introductory Apple device for
consumers, with 82% of owners saying it was their first Apple product.
This, however, is changing as first-time Apple buyers gravitate toward
other product lines. While over 70% of long-standing Apple owners began
their relationship with the brand by way of the iPod, this number
declines to just 57% among those entering the Apple franchise in the
past two years. Newcomers to the brand increasingly turn to the iPhone
or iPad as their first Apple device, which combined account for
one-third of first-time Apple purchases since 2010. NPD's Retail
Tracking Service shows iPod sales declined nearly 18% in 2011, a result
of consumer preference and digital media playback functionality
migrating to other portable devices.
On average, Apple households own 2.4 Apple devices but technology
ownership in these homes spans across multiple manufacturers and
platforms. Six-in-ten (58%) households owning a Mac also own a PC, and
nearly 30% of Apple brand enthusiasts own a non-Apple smartphone.
"Apple's OS X, iOS, and App Store are platforms specially tailored
for their products," observes Arnold. "Should more households become
multiple Apple product homes, these platforms will become even more
important in the acquisition and sharing of content between devices.
40% of electronics shoppers say owning devices in the same brand family
is an important purchase factor. As consumers look for greater
interoperability between devices and more brands become aligned with
platforms, we could see fewer multi-brand ecosystems in the
household.
More than 3,000 consumers from NPDs online panel participated in the
study which was conducted in February and balanced to represent US
household demographics. Nearly one-third of the respondents owned at
least one Apple device
iOS Leads Enterprise Adoption with Strong Growth
Driven by iPhone 4S and iPad 2
PR: Secure and managed enterprise mobility specialists Good
Technology have released their quarterly device activation report for
the first quarter of 2012.
The full report provides a breakdown of smartphone and tablet
devices activated amongst Good's enterprise customers, which include
eight of the top 10 financial institutions, seven of the top 10
healthcare organizations, half of the Fortune 100, and companies from
every major industry. The results demonstrate that companies continue
to embrace the "bring your own device" (BYOD) trend and accept new
devices into the enterprise.
The Q1 findings showed that Apple's iPhone 4S hit a record high,
claiming the number one device spot overall, with 37% of all
activations for the first quarter (four times that of any other
device).
The iPad 2 claimed the second spot overall, with 17.7% of
activations for the quarter. With less than one month on the market,
the new iPad, released in March 2012, rocketed to the number four spot
with 4.3% of all activations for the quarter, and an impressive 12.1%
of activations in March alone.
Amongst Android devices, the Motorola Droid took the top spot, with
1.6% of all activations, making it the seventh most popular device for
the quarter. Overall, Android smartphones represented 26.1% of all
activations for the quarter, while Android tablets came in at 2.7%.
BYOD and Tablets Drive Substantial Year-over-Year and
Quarter-over-Quarter Activation Growth for Good
As a leader in enabling BYOD, Good Technology is seeing rapid growth
in both the quantity and size of its customers' deployments. The number
of Good customers deploying iOS and/or Android devices grew by more
than 50% over the past 12 months, while the average Good customer
deployment size more than doubled over the same period. Even more
impressive, in Q1 2012 alone, Good's activations grew by 50% over Q4
2011, and were nearly double the two previous quarters combined.
"BYOD smartphones and tablets combined with proactive, company-owned
iPad deployments are driving rapid growth both the size and number of
new deployments amongst our customers," says John Herrema, Good
Technology's SVP of Corporate Strategy. "This includes significant
growth in the number of Good users who have both a smartphone and a
tablet, with the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 as the most frequently occurring
combination."
Enterprise Users Driving Tablet Adoption
A recent Gartner press release ("Gartner Says Worldwide
Media Tablets Sales to Reach 119 Million Units in 2012") forecasts
118.9 million tablets will be sold this year. Good found that iPads
collectively represented roughly 97.3% of its tablet activations for Q1
2012. Apple's continued growth is not only being driven by consumers
and the overall BYOD trend, but also by proactive enterprise deployment
of iPads. Apple's iPhones and iPads remain the clear choice amongst end
users when it comes to both BYOD and large company-driven deployments
in verticals such as Financial Services, Business and Professional
Services, Life Sciences and Healthcare.
Life Sciences witnessed the highest rate of growth in the quarter
for iPad net activations by industry, steadily increasing from less
than 3% in October 2011 to nearly 14% in January 2012. This growth
mirrors anecdotal data around proactive iPad deployments to sales
forces in that industry, most notably among Pharmaceutical and Biotech
companies.
"With Windows 8, we expect more competition for Apple and the iPad
in the enterprise tablet space, especially for proactive, company-owned
device deployments," says John Herrema, Good Technology's SVP Corporate
Strategy. "On the smartphone side, we just released support for Windows
Phone 7.5 last week and it will be interesting to see how it performs
over the coming quarters."
Link: Good Technology
Device Activations Report | Q1 2012 (PDF)
New iPad 2 vs. Old iPad 2
Macworld's James Galbraith reports that the iPad 2 sold prior to March 16 and those sold
after the launch of the third-generation
iPad differ in more ways than the $100 price drop.
To wit: Apple is using a different production process for its A5
processors, having switched from using Samsung's 45nm process to its
32nm process, reducing the size of the chip by 41%.
Theoretically, the smaller size could mean better performance or
lower power consumption, and to see if they could find any measurable
performance differences between the two versions of the iPad 2,
Macworld Labs purchased a brand new model and ran their standard set of
tests on them.
Link: Lab Tested: The
New iPad 2 and Old iPad 2
Tim Cook Scoffs at Tablet-Laptop Hybrids, but Apple
Is So Close
Forbes Contributor Michael Humphrey says that when the CEO of a
company
scoffs at a concept the way Apple's Tim Cook did at the
Tablet-Laptop hybrid concept that Microsoft has been developing for its
Windows 8 OS on Tuesday, it doesn't mean the company will never
manufacture that product. It just means someone else is going to have
to prove people want it.
Humphrey cites Cook as quoted by CNN saying:
"Anything can be forced to converge, but the problem
is that products are about tradeoffs, and you begin to make tradeoffs
to the point where what you have left at the end of the day doesn't
please anyone. You can converge a toaster and refrigerator, but those
things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user."
He says he thinks Cook is right about tradeoffs, but they're really
beside the point, noting that while Apple seems determined to take the
keyboard out of the mobile computing experience and that while it's
fine for texting and light emailing, the iPad typing experience is
hardly optimal, while no such issues obtain with his MacBook Air,
which, when it comes to work, he would take it over anything else. The
Air is so light and portable he would gladly give up all other devices
if it offered the tablet-style lean-back experience, meaning that Apple
is so close to the perfect hybrid already.
Link: Too Bad Tim
Cook Scoffs at Tablet-Laptop Hybrids: Apple's So Close
Successful Jailbreak and Unlock for iOS 5.1 for
iPhone 4S/4/3GS
A leader in the iPhone unlocking service globally,
iphone4sjailbreak.com has announce the release of its recently updated
iPhone 3GS/4/4S Jailbreak/Unlock 5.1 software.
Through its website, iphone4sjailbreak.com reveals that its software
can unlock the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and the iPhone 3G up to the latest
iOS 5.1, also enabling video chat on the 3GS iPhones. This also allows
the iPhone to have Flash and Cydia applications installed. Providing
GPS Navigation application for free, this software can be used on any
GSM SIM card worldwide and is compatible with the latest baseband,
while guaranteeing zero loss of features or functionality and charging
zero on roaming for calling from overseas. Moreover, customers will be
able to avail of lifetime updates and support upon purchase of this
software.
The iphone4sjailbreak.com software guarantees ease of use. Along
with the product is an illustrated guide that shows how to unlock an
iPhone. The whole process takes approximately 5 minutes.
iphone4sjailbreak.com says its software has been downloaded by over
250,000 customers located in over 145 countries. To further ensure
customers of its products usability, iphone4sjailbreak.com offers a
100% full money back guarantee on all orders. Customers dissatisfied
with the company's product will be given a full refund, no questions
asked. Customer service offers 24/7 support via email, phone and live
chat.
Link: iphone4sjailbreak.com
Apps & Services
Fast Puffin Web Browser Supports Flash on iOS
Devices
PR: Puffin Web Browser is a wicked fast web browser.
With the help of cloud servers, it brings the desktop web browsing
experience to tablets and smartphones, and also supports Flash video on
iPads and iPhones.
The developers, CloudMosa Inc., say that more than 700,000 licenses
were sold globally for Puffin Browser version 1.0., launched last year,
and Puffin was ranked as the #1 paid iPad Utility in more than 10
countries. Puffin 2.0 is a major re-write and a significant upgrade.
With the new algorithm, Puffin 2.0 is even faster loading, panning, and
zooming of web pages.
Features:
- Speed: Render the full versions of web pages extremely fast through
cloud computing
- Flash Support
- Great support for Flash games
- Play millions of Flash videos
- Watch Flash videos in full screen mode
- Tabs: Multi-tab UI to switch tabs between web pages with a single
tap
- Others
- Bookmark
- Search suggest
- Popup blocker
- Option to clear browser history, cookies, or cache
- Support most international web pages and input methods
A free version, Puffin Free, is also now
available.
Highlights on the differences of the Puffin Free and the Puffin Web
Browser:
- Puffin Free will be search and ads sponsored - The choice of the
default search engine is subject to change, and content ads may be
displayed alongside with the web pages
- Puffin Free is feature restricted - Expensive features (on the
server side) may be suspended temporarily on the free version to reduce
operating cost
- Puffin Free is on the leading edge - New and experimental features
will be available on the free version sooner than on the paid
version
- Puffin Free is a preview of the Puffin Web Browser - During the
evaluation period (14 days), the free version has the full feature set
of the paid version
- Puffin Free does not support Flash - Flash videos and games will
not play after the eval period. Nevertheless, HTML5 videos and games
will be fully supported
System Requirements:
- Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
- Requires iOS 5.0 or later
The paid version of Puffin sells for $2.99.
Link:
Puffin Web Browser Free
Link:
Puffin Web Browser
Panes iPad Widget Utility for Enhanced
Multitasking
PR: Panes is an app designed to enhance your
multitasking experience on the iPad by creating a user interface in
which you can easily switch between tasks (e.g., tweeting, browsing).
The App comes preloaded with several core mini-apps (also called
widgets) that you can switch between.
Unfortunately, due to App Store restrictions, you can still only
perform one task at a time. You cannot run these widgets
simultaneously.
Currently, the following widgets are available:
- Twitter
- RSS
- Facebook
- Weather
- Web
- YouTube
- Tasks
- Notepad
- Converter
- Calculator
- Stopwatch
- Calendar
- Google Reader
- Read It Later
- Stocks
- Clock
- Simple Note
More planned to be added in future updates
New in Version 1.0.5
- Fixed bug affecting settings loss.
- Fixed minor issue with weather units (C/F).
- Updated the RSS/Google-Reader widgets to properly fit in embedded
images
NOTE: If your settings disappear after updating, force close the app
(double tap home button, tap+hold app icon, tap the "-") and reopen
it.
Panes sells for $2.99
System requirements:
- Compatible with iPad
- Requires iOS 5.0 or later
Link:
Panes for iPad
Accessories
'Magic' Magnetic iPad Stand
PR: Montclair, NJ based Ten One Design have just
unveiled a very slick new iPad stand, which they claim as incredibly
secure, with magnets and all that cool stuff, but they say that to be
honest they're "only selling it because it looks super hot."
This isn't just a portable travel stand, and is intended to be for
desktop use as well. Its developers say Magnus works beautifully with
unfettered iPads (iPad 2 or later), and that protective skins on the
back are no problem either.
The Magnus' hand-finishing does limit production speed, so they
caution that stock levels may be low for the first few weeks.
You many note that the front of the Magnus shows no visible
support, and the magic, so to speak, is in the magnets. Ergo, Magnus
uses a strong magnetic link to hold the iPad while remaining completely
out of sight.
Magnus is first machine-crafted from pure aluminum and then
hand-finished using cutting-edge manufacturing techniques. After that,
customized magnets are installed into the base, and rubberized feet
fitted to the bottom surface. Materials employed include machined
recyclable aluminum, nickel-plated neodymium, recyclable
plastics, recyclable carton, PET-coated paper fiber.
In terms of industrial design, Magnus' designers say they targeted a
reduced silhouette. Viewed from the side, you see only the iPad's tilt,
and a flat plate on the desk, and from there, engineering took
over.
While the iPad mounted on Magnus may look like it's defying
gravity,we're assured that the magnetics keep it secure, and indeed
counseled to be sure to use two hands when removing the iPad from the
stand, since Magnus will try to hold on and may lift off the desk.
Magnus Stand for iPad sells for $49.95
Link: Magnus iPad Stand (available
from Amazon.com for $32.35 plus shipping)
PadPillow Pillow Stand for iPad
PR: The iPad accessory formerly known as Cushi Pillow
Stand has a new name and is now known as PadPillow Pillow Stand for all
generations of iPad.
PadPillow, which comes in one of three colors: Steve's Blue Jeans,
Light Khaki, and Charcoal Gray sells for a price of $34.00 and is
currently available for purchase through Ipevo's online store.
The name change is effective immediately. According to Ipevo, the
physical packaging is also being changed to reflect the name change as
swiftly as possible. During this transition, some customers may still
receive packaging with the Cushi name. Ipevo assures customers that the
product they receive is identical in features and functionality to the
PadPillow advertised on the online store.
As the new name implies, PadPillow is designed for all three
generations of Apple's iPad. However, ebook readers like Barnes &
Noble's Nook and Amazon's Kindle, other brands of tablet computers, and
even traditional books and magazines are suitable for use with
PadPillow.
The accessory is a plush pillow designed for reading and other
tablet computing activities away from the desk. PadPillow conforms to
the user's body to provide a soft yet sturdy stand while sitting,
reclining on the sofa, stretching out on the carpet or lying in
bed.
PadPillow has two triangular sections which can be folded together
for a compact stand or stretched apart to accommodate a wireless
keyboard. A 100% cotton denim cover is removable and
machine-washable.
"The new name more strongly aligns PadPillow with Apple's iPad,
but the overall versatility and value of this accessory remain the
same," says Royce Hong, CEO and Big Head of Design for Ipevo.
"Particularly for avid readers who enjoy relaxing and assuming a
comfortable position as they read, PadPillow is the ideal companion
whether you place it in your lap, on the bed, or on the arm of the
sofa. We call it 'comfort computing,' and in fact PadPillow is so soft
that you could use it as a pillow for your head after you're done."
PadPillow for all generations of iPad is available for $34 through
Ipevo's online store.
Link: Ipevo
(available
from Amazon.com)
Wheeled Glass Floor Stand for iPad
PR: This iPad (or Tablet PC) Stand Prop is a support
bracket that can make iPad use more comfortable by freeing users' hands
from holding the device in hand all the time, letting you enjoy the
iPad in a more comfortable way.
The stand prop is 360° rotatable, and the bracket part is
made of metal, so it is extremely durable. It comes with four wheels
supporting the the glass base, so you can move it to any place you
want. The stand prop can lengthen and the prop holders are four small
rubber sponges which avoid nicking your iPad.
Features:
- With Wheels, easily move to any place in a convenient way!
- The floor stand is made of durable Glass - as a part of your living
environment.
- Allows tilt and swivel in all directions
- Large range of height adjustment (from 0.17m to 1.5m)
- Heavy Duty base lets it stand reliably and easily
- East to insert and remove iPad from Plastic holder
- Easy to assemble, easy to store
This accessory is suitable for:
- Apple iPad 3
- Apple iPad 1, iPad 2
- UMPC
- eee PC (Netbook)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9"
- Samsung Galaxy P7100 Tab 10.1
- Motorola Xoom MZ601
- Motorola Xoom MX604
- Motorola Xoom MZ600
- LG Optimus 3D P920
- HP Touch Pad
- Blackberry PlayBook LTE
- Blackberry PlayBook
- etc... check its specifications, this is universal, could be
suitable for many tablets.
Specifications:
- Device weight (Loading): <= 1 Kg
- Device's thickness: 5mm ~ 19mm
- Device's dimensions: 5 inches ~ 10.1 inches.(or adjustable between
13cm ~ 26cm)
- Gross Weight: 5.1 KG
Only ships to: USA, Canada, Australia, West and North Europe
(Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, UK, Ireland),
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan ROC, Korea,
Japan). For other countries, USB Fever reserves the right not to ship
or you may need to pay extra shipping costs for that.
- only ships to PayPal address
- Ships in 7 ~ 10 days
$149.99
Link: Wheel Glass Floor
Stand for iPad/Tablet PC/Pad Computers
Bowden and Sheffield Minimalist iPad Cases
PR: The Bowden and the Sheffield iPad cases are a product
design project from Provo, UT by Kickstarters Levi & Eric.
The cases have been designed to fully protect your
iPad during everyday use while not sacrificing the design and feel of
the iPad itself. The idea was to build a case sturdy enough to take a
beating, but sleek enough for any setting. The developers' focus was to
create a simple, clean look, while using as many natural materials as
possible. They wanted this product to be crafted of the finest
materials in their home state because "it just makes sense to build
things close to home."
The names of products in their Fine Grain line are Eric and Levi's
ancestral surnames - Sheffield coming from Eric's family tree while
Bowden and Palmer come from Levi's.
Both the Bowden and the Sheffield originate from the same design,
with the only difference being the materials used. Both cases will fit
the iPad 2 and New iPad, and measure 10-7/8 x 8-1/2 inches and
only 3/4 inch thick. They both come equipped with a magnetic closure
system to keep your iPad securely in place at all times. The lining is
ultra-soft felt flocking that is claimed to actual clean your screen as
it goes in and out of the case. If you use your iPad with the Smart
Cover, the Smart Cover can lie on the outside of the case but securely
underneath the leather or felt cover of The Bowden and Sheffield.
The Bowden
The
Bowden is milled from aircraft-grade aluminum, bead-blasted and
hard-anodized for a long-lasting finish. This is the same process
that Apple uses to achieve the beautiful finish you find on
Apple's unibody MacBook Pro and iMac. The Bowden also features your
choice of hand finished 
walnut or cherry hardwood and black or brown full-grain,
chrome-tanned leather. This leather is claimed to be the finest quality
available, and will wear naturally with time, adding to the unique,
natural look of your case.
The Bowden will retail for $190.
The Sheffield
The
Sheffield is made of milled polycarbonate with your choice of either
hand finished cherry or walnut hardwood. The cover is precision cut
from 100% natural wool felt, which is strong and also wicks away
liquids. Another intriguing feature of the Sheffield is its ability to
be used as a dry-erase board, making it ideal for anyone needing
to take temporary notes or sketches without the hassle of carrying
around a separate notebook.
The
felt cover can also be used as a stand when you need to type, surf the
web, or whatever.
The Sheffield will retail for $190.
Materials
Eric and Levi say they strive to make each product with locally
produced materials. Most of the raw materials in both the Bowden and
Sheffield are produced within 50 miles of their studio, and all of
their outsourced processes are performed locally as well.
Levi & Eric are attempting to collect $20,000 in funding so they
can buy the tools and materials necessary to launch their iPad
cases.
Link: Bowden and
Sheffield Minimalist iPad Cases
Dirtproof, Snowproof, and Shockproof LifeProof
iPhone 4/4S Case
PR: LifeProof, a provider of protective, everyday cases for
smartphones and tablet PCs, has announced that LifeProof for the iPhone
4/4S and LifeProof in Motion accessories are now available for sale at
J&R Music and Computer World in its New York megastore and online
at jr.com.
LifeProof gives users freedom to use their mobile device everywhere,
while singing in the shower, skiing, biking, surfing, working on
construction sites, playing with children - in everyday
activities. The LifeProof case is claimed to deliver the highest level
of waterproof, shockproof, dirtproof, and snowproof protection in an
incredibly low profile, adding only 1/16" to the width of the phone,
while providing full access to all device functions.
J&R Music and Computer World on Park Row in downtown Manhattan,
opposite City Hall, is New York's largest electronics, music, video,
and computer megastore. Occupying an entire city block across from City
Hall, the 300,000 square foot store stocks everything in photography,
including professional equipment, audio, video, home office,
housewares, personal care, music, and movies.
"LifeProof has gained a big following in a short time because it
answers a need for so many people, giving them the freedom to live
their lives and stay connected anywhere," says LifeProof CEO Gary
Rayner,. "At the same time, it is has a sleek and slim design and slips
easily in and out of your pocket. We are excited be able to offer
LifeProof at J&R stores and make it more accessible to a growing
market."
J&R Electronics sells LifeProof in two locations in their New
York megastore, in the Mac Dept. at 1 Park Row, 4th floor, and in the
cell phone store, in store 3 on Park Row. The LifeProof iPhone case is
$79.99.
Link: LifeProof iPhone 4/4S
Case (available in
white or
black)
