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News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apple's Share of Tablet Market Hits More than
One-Year High
PR: Two years after creating the market, Apple Inc. remains
the king of all media tablets, with its global market share rising to
nearly 70% in the second quarter, putting the company on pace to
reclaim much of the dominance it surrendered in 2011.
Apple during the second quarter shipped 17 million iPad 2 and New
iPad media tablets, up a stunning 44.1% from 11.8 million the first
quarter, according to the IHS iSuppli Display Materials & Systems
Service at information and analytics provider IHS This industry-leading
increase in shipments translated into a market share gain of 11.5%age
points, as Apple's second-quarter global tablet share climbed to 69.6%,
up from 58.1% in the first quarter, as presented in the table
below.
This marks a five-quarter high for Apple's media tablet market
share. The last time Apple accounted for such a large portion of the
media tablet was the first quarter of 2011, when it had a 70.0%
share.
"Apple is making all the right moves to rebuild its dominant
position in the tablet space," says Rhoda Alexander, director, tablet
and monitor research for IHS. "The company is pushing visual
performance boundaries with the New iPad, while providing value
customers with a lower-priced alternative, the iPad 2. With the
expected entrance of the 7" version of the iPad in September, Apple is
sending a clear message that it plans to dominate this market over the
long term. Apple's major media tablet rivals, Google Inc. and Microsoft
Corp., hope to challenge Apple in the second half of the year, but will
be facing formidable headwinds with no sign that the market leader is
backing off of its aggressive strategy in the market."
New Entrants Add Spice
"A major component of Apple's success to date is the company's
well-developed ecosystem of content and applications it had in place
before entering the tablet market, and its absolute control of the
hardware, software and operating system," Ms. Alexander notes. "When a
customer buys a media tablet, what he or she is really doing is
purchasing a key to that ecosystem, not just a piece of hardware."
The IHS iSuppli report notes that competitors have found it very
difficult to duplicate Apple's approach. This, however, has left an
obvious opening for 2012s newest market entrants: Google with the Nexus
7, and Microsoft with its Surface products.
Both firms have invested heavily in ecosystem development of their
own during the past several years. While this investment benefits the
Android and Windows original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners of
both companies, it's not surprising to see Google and Microsoft,
respectively, test the waters with media tablets of their own,
especially given Apple's prolonged stranglehold on the fast-growing
market.
"It's possible that each of these vendors is entering the market
intending to lead by example, rather than trying to be serious branded
tablet competitors," Ms. Alexander notes. "However, they both have the
potential to end up as major players even if their original intent was
only to demonstrate how it could be done. Microsoft in particular will
be one to watch, with its existing Xbox gaming community on the
consumer side and its operating-system dominance in business
markets."
In July of this year, Apple exceeded the 85 million mark for iPad
media tablets sold since the products launch in April of 2010.
IHS iSuppli media tablet consumer research shows that satisfied
users are likely to go back to the same brand for their next purchase.
In all likelihood, Apple already has developed a solid future customer
base, which will continue to strengthen barring a major stumble on an
upcoming product release.
In contrast, Samsung, Apple's closest competitor, has shipped almost
13 million total media tablets. Samsung was one of the first to enter
the market after Apple, introducing its first Galaxy Tab in the fourth
quarter of 2010. However, Samsung hasn't yet achieved the cumulative
unit sales that Apple reached by Christmas of 2010.
IHS iSuppli cites one difficulty for players other than Apple having
been in establishing a clear brand identity in the media tablet market.
Without a distinctive brand identity, competitors are forced to battle
on price, robbing them of the profit margin that fuels future product
and ecosystem development. Google;s entry-level $199 price point
exacerbates the price pressure across the Android tablet universe, just
as Amazon's entry did in the fourth quarter of 2012. It remains to be
seen at what price point Microsoft will enter.
"Tablets are becoming an increasingly important piece of the
consumer electronics space," Ms. Alexander says. "Vendors must
understand that customers are not buying hardware, but that they are
buying an experience. Users then want to carry that experience across
multiple devices, creating an opening for the savvy vendor into a much
larger sales opportunity than a single tablet."
Apple, Microsoft and Google are all keyed in to this much larger
user experience. To date, the media tablet for the most part has been a
consumer phenomenon, but the next big battle will be fought in the
business space. Indeed, the ongoing rivalry is shaping up to be a
battle of the Titans.
Link:
Apple's Share of Media Tablet Market Hits More than One-Year High in
Q2
Internet Speed More Important to Gen Y
'Millennials' than V-8 Power
A report by Bloomberg News' Hasan Dudar and Jeff Green cites growing
auto industry concern that financially beleaguered young people who
connect online instead of in person could hold down peak vehicle demand
by 2 million units each year, noting that rate of US auto sales to
18-to-34-year-old buyers declined to 11% in April 2012, down from 17%
for the same age group in April 2007, before the recession, according
to Southfield-based R.L. Polk & Co.
Dudar and Green observe that 4G is increasingly trumping V-8
horsepower for the 80 million US consumers born between 1981 to 2001,
according to Deloitte LLP, and that while the automobile is still a
gateway to freedom and independence, Generation Y has more alternatives
for connecting with others and the world at large than did previous
generations during their youth.
Philosophically, there is also a trend among younger folks to regard
cars, even if they can afford one, as more a "necessary evil" than an
object of desire and passion, as was often the case with their
antecedents, or not even that for Millennials living in big cities that
have reliable public transit perceiving no need of owning a car at all,
while the Gen Y-rs who do buy wheels tend to want want their cars to
easily connect to the Internet.
Link: 4G Internet More
Important to Gen Y than V-8 Cars
AT&T Calls on Nation's Drivers to Pledge: Never
Text and Drive
PR: Wireless provider AT&T, seeking to bring attention to
a serious road-safety problem, is urging all Americans to pledge to
stop texting while driving, and then to join with others Sept. 19 to
make a lifelong commitment to never do so again.
AT&T, its employees and other supporters are calling on all
drivers to go to itcanwait.org to take the no-texting-and-driving
pledge, and then share their promise with others via Twitter
(#itcanwait) and Facebook. The pledge effort is part of the company's
public awareness campaign aimed directly at stopping the dangerous
practice of texting while driving.
"More
than 100,000 times each year, an automobile crashes and people are
injured or die while a driver was texting and driving," says AT&T
Chairman & CEO Randall Stephenson, citing a statistic from the
National Safety Council1.
"Our goal is to save lives," Stephenson says. "I hear from far too
many people whose lives have been forever changed by a
texting-while-driving accident, and together, we want to spread the
word about how deadly a single text can be. Texting and driving should
be as unacceptable as drinking and driving."
"We're challenging everyone to take the pledge to never text and
drive and to make it a lifelong commitment," he said. "And we're
challenging all device makers and app developers to offer devices that
come preloaded with a no-text-and-drive technology solution."
AT&T's It Can Wait public awareness campaign is focused on a
simple, powerful message: "No text is worth dying for." AT&T plans
to spend tens of millions of dollars on the campaign in 2012 and has
made it an ongoing commitment in future years. The effort is comprised
of several key initiatives, including:
- Encouraging its 240,000 employees to take the pledge and, in turn,
urge all people to commit that they will never text and drive. On an
average day, AT&T retail store and call center employees speak to
customers more than 500,000 times.
- Working with TV and music celebrities to deliver a strong
no-texting-while-driving message via TV ads, concerts, public
appearances, Twitter and Facebook.
- Launching an aggressive social media campaign with advertising on
Facebook and Twitter to encourage Americans to take the pledge and to
share their pledges with their friends via social media.
- Educating the public using TV ads on the dangers of texting while
driving that will run during high-profile events and teen-focused
programs.
- Working to provide a toolkit of no-texting-while-driving
information to every high school in the country.
- Challenging device makers and app developers to work with AT&T
so that all devices include a preloaded, no-text-and-drive technology
solution as soon as possible.
- Launching an online driving simulator at itcanwait.org in the
coming weeks so that anyone with access to the Internet can experience
the dangers of texting while driving.
- Bringing an in-car simulator to more than 200 locations before the
end of this year.
- Enlisting others including law enforcement, educators, national
retailers, consumer safety groups, legislators and the entire wireless
industry to join the no-text-and-drive movement.
- Asking more than 1,000 of AT&Ts strategic and other major
suppliers to encourage their employees to pledge not to text and
drive.
"Distracted driving is an epidemic on our roadways, and we need
people all across America to take action in their communities to help
put a stop to it," says US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. "I
applaud AT&T for taking on this issue with the 'It Can Wait'
campaign, and I thank them for helping to spread the word that no text
or email is worth the risk."
"Working with teens day-in and day-out, we see firsthand the impacts
that peer pressure and peer influence have on the decisions they make,"
says Sandra Spavone, executive director of the National Organizations
for Youth Safety (NOYS). That's what makes AT&Ts efforts so
effective. They understand that by working with these teens and
incorporating their feedback programmatically - ultimately, well reach
even more of that critical and impressionable audience with a message
they'll hear."
Together with NOYS, AT&T has pioneered more than 12 teen-led,
teen-focused educational summits, with plans to hold 10 or more locally
by the end of the year. NOYS is a collaboration of national,
youth-serving organizations, including nonprofit organizations such as
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Mothers Against Drunk
Driving and government agencies, such as the Governors Highway Safety
Administration (GHSA). AT&T shares in their common goal of
promoting safe and healthy behaviors among our nation's youth.
In addition, many other governmental, corporate, nonprofit and other
organizations have already pledged support for the awareness campaign,
including: The AFL-CIOs Union Plus program, American Federation of
Teachers, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boys & Girls Clubs
of America, CTIA, Junior Achievement, LULAC, National Education
Association, National Safety Council, National Urban League and
RadioShack. More supporters can be found at <itcanwait.org>.
A recent AT&T survey2 found that 97% of teens say
they know that texting is dangerous. The survey also found:
- 75% of teens surveyed say that texting while driving is common
among their friends;
- Almost all teens (89%) expect a reply to a text or email within
five minutes or less;
- And 77% of teens report seeing their parents text while
driving.
But technology can help: 89% of teens said a phone app to prevent
texting & driving like AT&T DriveMode3 would be an
effective way to get them or their friends to stop texting and
driving.
AT&T first began its It Can Wait campaign discouraging texting
and driving in 2009. The website itcanwait.org provides an opportunity
to take the don't text and drive pledge.
It also offers a host of educational resources and information on
the issue including a documentary featuring families impacted by
texting and driving accidents that has been viewed more than 3 million
times.
Publisher's note: AT&T's DriveMode software does not appear to
be available for the iPhone, which is a shame, as it's the most popular
smartphone brand. dk
- National Safety Council
- Survey conducted by Beck Research on
behalf of AT&T (PDF)
- Data and text messaging charges may apply for download and app
usage. Standard messaging rates apply to auto-reply messages. AT&T
DriveMode is free to AT&T customers only. Compatible device
required.
Link: It Can
Wait
Blogging Using Just an iPad
Cult of Mac's Charlie Sorrel maintains that an iPad with an external
keyboard and several key software tools is pretty much all you need to
write and publish to the Web, noting that he does all his work these
days on an iPad - from organizing reviews through gathering story
ideas, actually writing posts and features, and even photographing and
editing gadgets for those reviews, he says every last bit is done on
Apple's tablet.
Sorrell concedes that one of the biggest problems with the iPad has
been writing blog posts, and that you really did need a Mac or PC to
take care of multiple browser windows and - most of all - uploading
images, However, he says that while there isn't exactly a wealth of
options, there are certainly several credible workaround methods that
will let you execute those tasks from the iPad.
In his article, Sorrell walks you step-by-step through the process
of writing and posting a blog post on the iPad, starting with finding a
story and finishing with the final, scheduled post.
However, Sorrell concedes that blogging solely from an iPad is
anything but a smooth and fluid process, and that somewhat ironically
his blogging with an iPad tutorial was finished on a Mac due to the
volume of images it contained, so it's not time yet to jettison your
Mac.
Editor's note: Your editor finds that while it is indeed possible to
do some production work at the composition end on the iPad, reason
dictates that many elements of the markup, proofing, and posting
process are so cumbersome and kludgy in the iOS that using a Mac or PC
- if one is available - is the logical alternative for non-masochists.
cm
Link: Step-By-Step:
Blogging Using Just the iPad [How-To]
iPhone Value Tips from NextWorth
The new iPhone 5 (or whatever Apple actually calls it - New
iPhone seems likely) is surely coming, with a speculated September
12 announcement date penciled-in.
To help consumers make an informed decision about the timing of
their older-model iPhone trade-in, NextWorth looked at past
announcements and corresponding trade-in values for trends.
The data shows that trade-in values of previous
phone models begin to drop even before the actual announcement of the
new version (now, in this instance). It stands to reason that this is a
result of the influx of rumors and buzz surrounding the anticipated
announcement. Older generations show a relatively smaller decline in
value, but the overall result is that when trading in, sooner is
better.
To get the best value for older model iPhones, NextWorth suggests
selling now if you have a back-up phone, and taking advantage of the
21-day price lock-in to get the best price. Also, if you're unsure of
the value or condition of your phone, you can bring it in to one of
NextWorth's 1,450 Target Mobile locations for an instant trade-in,
eliminating the guessing game for online price quotes.
For an idea as to what to expect with the iPhone 5 announcement,
NextWorth has put together a chart showing the decline in trade-in
value of the iPhone 4, 3G and 3GS surrounding the announcement and
availability of the iPhone 4.
Link: NextWorth
The Competition
Google Nexus 7: 'Almost the Only Device I
Need'
Cnet's Eric Mack says he's finding it hard to detach from his new
Nexus 7 tablet and is wondering if perhaps it could end up being the
one gadget for him.
Mack affirms that unlike previous Android tablets and his
much-scorned Nook Tablet, he's had trouble putting down his
Nexus 7 in recent weeks. He says he's also found that - unlike the
iPad - the Nexus 7 is just small enough to slip into the pocket of
a pair of baggy pants and always have at arm's length, and that he's
also finding himself performing tasks on the tablet that had previously
been restricted to the domain of other devices, including email,
filling out Web forms, some word-processing and spreadsheet work using
voice commands, and input through the Swype beta keyboard he recently
installed. He observes that for a full-time writer, the notion of the
touchscreen replacing the satisfying haptic feedback of a clicking
keyboard is disturbing at best, and reason to go back to the quill and
ink bottle at worst.
Yet he allows that with the Nexus 7 in his hands, he feels at home
with the touch screen for the first time, and that Android Jelly Bean
has improved what worked from previous iterations and integrated enough
of what works in iOS to feel almost as comfortable for being lightly
productive as Windows does, which has got him seriously fantasizing
about ditching all his other devices and PCs in favor of one
über-tablet like the Nexus 7, which isn't quite there yet, but is
close enough to have convinced him that it's possible.
Link: Google Nexus 7 Is
(Almost) the Only Device I Need
Microsoft Collaborates with PC Makers and Partners
to Deliver Windows RT PCs
The Building Windows 8 blog's Steven Sinofsky says that since
release to manufacturers (RTM in Microsoft parlance) on August 1, PC
manufacturers have been using the released software to ready new PCs
designed for Windows 8, and that engineering collaboration has
been better than ever as the partners work to bring better performance,
reliability, and battery life to new PCs designed for Windows 8. A
post by Mike Angiulo, vice president of the Ecosystem and Planning
team, details how Microsoft's Windows 8 team have collaborated on
development of Windows RT and new PCs designed for the operating system
with ecosystem partners, including PC manufacturers, Silicon partners,
and other component suppliers, to complete high quality Windows RT and
Windows 8 PCs.
Mr. Angiulo says you can expect to see everything from ultrathin
sleek designs with stunning high-resolution displays, to All-In-One PCs
with large immersive displays complete with touch, to high-power towers
with multiple graphics cards and high-performance storage arrays at a
wide range of price points.
He says they're particularly excited about the new low power x86
Windows 8 PCs that will take advantage of Intel's SoC platform
innovations to provide an always on and always connected experience
(known as connected standby), noting that recently, Lenovo announced
the ThinkPad Tablet 2 (see below), which offers
a combination of new features built on the latest Intel ATOM
processor.
Windows RT begins a new era of ARM-based PCs, explains Mr. Argiulo,
where Microsoft is working with its Silicon and PC manufacturing
partners to bring a whole new set of innovations to market.
He notes that Windows RT shares significant code with Windows 8 and
that they've achieved their goal of one Windows binary for all Windows
RT SoC platforms from Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments, each of
which has developed innovative ARM CPUs that form the basis of a
complete system, and that PC makers will provide Windows RT PCs as
integrated, end-to-end products that include hardware, firmware, and
Windows RT software. Windows RT software will not be sold or
distributed independent of a new Windows RT PC, just as you would
expect from a consumer electronics device that relies on unique and
integrated pairings of hardware and software. Over the useful lifetime
of the PC, the provided software will be serviced and improved.
Windows 8 RT PCs
He adds that if you've following the trajectory of Windows RT,
perhaps you have taken note of the Asus Tablet 600 (Windows RT)
announcement or Microsoft's own Surface RT news, and says that along
with Asus, there will be ARM-based PC designs from Dell, Lenovo, and
Samsung running Windows RT, and that collaboration on these PC efforts
has been different than for in any other Windows release, resulting in
Windows RT PCs that will have consistent fast and fluid touch
interactions, long battery life, connected standby, and are beautiful,
thin, and light designs to make the most of the capabilities of Windows
RT.
One marquee feature will be "connected standby" - having your PC
always on and always connected in the new connected standby state
without excessively draining your battery. When a Windows RT PC is not
in use, it will move into a new low-power mode that allows it to keep
your data fresh and current while also not requiring a battery charge
for days. And when you need your system, it will turn on in less than a
second at the touch of a button, which is a mobile phone experience but
in a full PC.
Graphics cores have also gone through extensive optimization around
power-efficient HD video playback, achieving the design goal of core
Windows RT UI animations at 60 fps. Also, by simply tapping two
NFC-enabled Windows RT PCs together, users can easily share photos,
URLs, map directions, and anything else that Microsoft's software
partners have designed into their Windows apps.
As an ecosystem, Windows, the PC manufacturers, and the Silicon
partners have been engaged with developers around the world to design
application experiences that will light up the capabilities of this new
PC hardware.
Link: Collaborating to
Deliver Windows RT PCs
Acer Chairman: Microsoft Working to Minimize
Surface Impact
DigiTimes' Aaron Lee and Joseph Tsai report that after publicly
urging Microsoft to reconsider its decision to launch its own-brand
tablet PCs recently, Acer chairman and CEO J.T. Wang commented August 9
that Microsoft is pushing Surface to help Windows 8 succeed, has
acknowledged associated concerns of its PC brand vendor partners, and
is trying to minimize negative impact created by the launch.
The Register's Brid-Aine Parnell cited Mr. Wang cautioning Microsoft
that "It will create a huge negative impact for the ecosystem and other
brands may take a negative reaction. It is not something you are good
at, so please think twice."
DigiTimes' Lee and Tsai note that Acer was the first brand vendor to
go public with a warning about Microsoft's plunge into the PC hardware
market, saying that Surface could have negative impact on the existing
PC ecosystem, leading some market watchers to speculate that Acer may
quit developing Windows-based tablet PCs. However they report that Wang
has clarified that his company has no intention of quitting the
Windows-based tablet PC market, and is aggressively developing related
devices.
However, with Microsoft unlikely to abandon its plans to launch of
the Surface tablet PC product, Mr. Wang reaffirmed his conviction that
Microsoft's actions will destabilize the long-established PC ecosystem,
and has contacted Microsoft to discuss his concerns, also pointing out
that his public comments are not only meant for Acer's benefit, but
that of the entire Windows community - vendors, Microsoft and
users.
Lee and Tsai cite Mr. Wang saying the PC industry in general is
concerned that Microsoft's change of strategy may have more serious
consequences than the company's original intent, ultimately not only
potentially hurting others, but Microsoft itself, hastening to clarify
that he is optimistic about Windows 8, has given the operating system
his highest rating, and is eagerly waiting to see it achieve success,
stressing that his critique is intended to protect and support success
of the new Microsoft OS.
The report cites Mr. Wang suggesting that that Microsoft is weighing
potential solutions, such as creating a price gap to minimize the
negative impact on other vendors' product lineups, predicting that if
Microsoft launched a Surface entry-level model at a price of $199
(highly unlikely in any event), it would have a significant impact on
the competition, but priced in the $499-$599 range, the effects will be
a lot smaller.
Mr. Wang is also cited noting that Microsoft didn't give PC brand
vendors a heads-up prior to announcing its Surface project, and with
Redmond entering hardware development, thereby morphing from partner to
competitor, he says while Acer isn't afraid of competition, he wants to
understand the new rules of the game.
Link: Microsoft Working
to Minimize Surface Impact - Acer Chairman J.T. Wang (subscription
required)
8 Windows Tablets Profiled
PCWorld's Ian Paul profiles eight forthcoming Windows 8 tablets:
- Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 (see below)
- Microsoft Surface RT
- Asus Tablet 600
- Asus 810
- HP Slate 8
- Dell Latitude 10
- Fujitsu Stylistic Q702 Hybrid Tablet
- Samsung Series 5 Hybrid
Publisher's note: This article is very light on specifics, like how
much these tablets will cost. dk
Link: Eight Windows 8
Tablets to Watch
Lenovo Announces ThinkPad Tablet 2 for
Windows 8
PR: Lenovo has unveiled its first tablet specifically
designed for Windows 8, the ThinkPad Tablet 2. The multi-use
tablet boasts differentiators that matter, including an optional
digitizer and pen for precision input, 3G wireless with Lenovo Mobile
Access pay-as-you-go plans and 4G models1, along with
security features like a Fingerprint Reader, IT manageability
technologies, and corporate-level service and support.
"Customers want a
versatile device that fits their lifestyle and the many ways they use
technology," says Dilip Bhatia, vice president and general manager,
ThinkPad Business Unit. "Our new ThinkPad Tablet 2 marries
incredible hardware and software to give consumers a great device for
office, home or travel while also offering companies and IT managers
the oversight they need to help secure and manage their company's
networks and data. For the next generation of Lenovo PCs, designed to
be great with Windows 8, were working closer than ever with
Microsoft Corp. and our silicon partners. Today we are excited to
reveal the fruit of this collaborative co-engineering, the ThinkPad
Tablet 2, a joint effort between Lenovo, Microsoft and Intel."
Based on the upcoming Intel Atom Processor-based mobile platform and
Windows 8 Pro, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 works the way users do across
varied environments. It has a thin and light design measuring 9.8 mm
thin and weighing less than 600 grams (1.3 pounds), all in a 10.1"
screen. The tablet supports multiple input methods: multi-finger touch
and an optional digitizer and pen, especially good for note taking,
capturing signatures and completing forms. The optional ThinkPad
Tablet 2 keyboard and dock can be paired with the tablet for more
PC-like computing in the office. With an array of ports including a
full-size USB port, users easily can attach existing devices like
monitors and printers.
Suited for commuting and in field scenarios, the tablet offers
virtually anywhere connectivity and productivity with 3G and 4G
wireless models. The tablet serves lifestyle computing uses just as
well as business tasks with its package of communications and
entertainment features: HD display, front and rear-facing cameras for
video conferencing and uploading photos, noise canceling microphones,
HDMI port and wireless video streaming.
While users will
like the tablet for its aesthetics and powerful features, IT managers
will particularly enjoy its security-enhanced and manageability
technologies. With the optional Fingerprint Reader, passwords are
biometrically stored. The encrypted internal and external storage meet
the highest levels of security requirements. Using Windows 8 Pro and
the Intel x86 architecture, IT managers can provide for VPN access,
utilize existing Windows management tools, manage application
deployment and block users from installing certain apps. In addition,
Lenovo Services offer a complete suite of packages, including sealed
battery warranties, accidental damage protection and custom
imaging.
The ThinkPad Tablet 2 is intended to be available when Windows 8
launches in October.
Publisher's note: The ThinkPad Tablet 2 differs from Windows RT
tablets because it uses an x86 Intel Atom Z2760 chip, code-named Clover
Trail, letting it run full-fledged Windows apps.
Apps & Services
OS X Pad HD Makes Your iPad Work Like a Mac
Tablet
Lifehacker's Adam Dachis reports that OS X Pad (see
below) is a new theme that can make your iPad look and operate like
a Mac, and says that if you prefer traditional desktop paradigms to
those of iOS, all you need is the Dreamboard app and a few minutes to
install.
This Modmyi forum entry notes that OS X Pad HD is the most advanced
Mac OS X experience available to transform your iPad into a 'Mac
Tablet' with a fully functional Finder bar and interactive, self-aware
menus options.
The Finder Window is customizable with an all apps folder and 6
editable folders that you can change the label names to match your apps
in that folder, and the Dock is also completely customizable, letting
you add any of the pre-made 'Mac-style' icons to the 10 available
slots, or add anything from your iPad, and there's also a Quick Launch
folder to add any favorite apps to that you can't fit on the Dock.
The System Preferences Menu is also very true to Mac, offers a
central location to all your software settings and customizations.
More of a software upgrade for your iPad than a theme, OS X Pad HD
is now available in The Theme Outlet store app $3.50.
To get The Theme Outlet app visit http://thethemeoutlet.com/tto/os-x-pad-hd-by-fnet-designs/
Link: OS X Pad HD Turns
Your iPad into a Mac Tablet
OS X Pad HD by Fnet Designs
PR: Finally, the wait is over. A true and completely
customizable Mac OS X experience for your iPad is here.
Fnet Designs brings their advanced theming skills to the table once
again with their next installment for DreamBoard, OS X Pad HD. This
theme includes a completely customizable dock, a fully interactive
Finder bar and UI customizing options, and all updates for this
software done within the theme. Just like a Mac, you can go to Software
Update in System Preferences and select OS X Pad HD and view all your
installed information along with the available version on the server.
Entering your PayPal email address gets you instant access to your
update.
Link: OS X Pad
HD
MessagEase Mobile Keyboard Sets the Fastest Time
to Type a Message on a Touch Screen Mobile Phone
PR:
Exideas has announced that Cheng Wei Chang of Singapore has shattered
the world record of the fastest time to type a text message on a
touchscreen mobile device using Exideas' innovative keyboard
MessagEase. Mr. Chang has typed the 160-character phrase designated by
Guinness World Record in 23.83 seconds (equivalent to 75.5 WPM)
bettering the previous world record by more than 2 seconds (8%).
While many MessagEase users routinely text at speeds well above 50
WPM, Mr. Chang's speed is the fastest recorded so far, setting a new
world record.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IEkheRozp0
"For this category, Guinness World Record requires typing of
the phrase: 'The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and
Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In
reality they seldom attack a human.' correctly and without any
assistance from a dictionary, wordlist, auto-correction or any system
of disambiguation," says Saied Nesbat, Ph.D., President and CEO of
Exideas. "While many MessagEase users routinely text at speeds well
above 50 WPM, Mr. Chang's speed is the fastest recorded so far, setting
a new world record."
MessagEase is an innovative nine-key virtual keyboard optimized for
touch screen devices. Unlike the QWERTY keyboard that has tiny keys on
small touch screens, MessagEase has fewer, larger keys with a
revolutionary letter-frequency-based assignment that minimizes finger
travel and maximizes speed.
Since MessagEase is radically different from the old QWERTY
keyboard, it requires some getting used to. Nevertheless, MessagEase
claims over 500,000 downloads so far, and that many have found its
learning curve well worth the time they save when texting. Once people
get familiar with MessagEase, it becomes an indispensable tool for
their mobile device.
MessagEase is currently available for Android, iOS, and Windows. You
can download it for free from Google Play Market or Apple's App Store.
You can also download MessagEase for Windows from exideas.com.
To ease the learning curve, Exideas has created MessagEase Game, an
enjoyable letter game that makes learning the new keyboard fun and
entertaining.
Message Ease is free.
Link:
Message Ease on Mac App Store
PhoneClean for Windows Frees Space on iPhone,
iPad, and iPod touch
PR: iMobie Inc., a
startup company committed to iPhone, iPod, and iPad software
development, has announced its PhoneClean - the first and unique iPhone
maintenance freeware made to free up space on iPhone and keep all iOS
devices running fast.
"Over the last year, we have received a large number of enquiries
about 'what is the Other (storage space) on my iPhone/iPad and
how to clean them up.' 
To answer that, we are proud of announcing our
PhoneClean," says Frank, founder of iMobie Inc., "Although our
PhoneClean has quite the commodity value and market competition, it's
our great honor to make it free for all Apple fans."
With usage and time, Apple iOS devices iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
accumulate long-term caches, temp and off-line junk files
generated by Apps or due to failed iTunes syncs. 
Apart from taking up space on an iOS device, they
may devour memory resources and slow down the iPhone when launching
Apps.
To bring up a simple and fast solution, iMobie takes the lead and
introduced PhoneClean. Through detecting, analyzing, and deleting
cumbersome temp files, PhoneClean will generally reclaim up to 40% free
space. And for average users, the regular inner cleanup will keep iOS
devices running smoothly.
PhoneClean
Highlights
- Every unfinished iTunes sync will create quite a number of junk
media files. To average iPhone users, they cannot be either found or
removed. So PhoneClean comes to help with one-tap solution.
- Worry about iPhone, iPad, iPod touch run out of disk? Now
PhoneClean will make iOS devices always have enough free space.
- By eliminating these cumbersome caches and temp files, PhoneClean
will free up more memory resource when launching apps, browsing the
web, as well as playing big games.
PhoneClean is 100% freeware and no ads or any fees was involved.
Requires Windows XP or newer.
Publisher's note: After reading this description, I hope iMobie is
working on a Mac or iOS version of this app. dk
Link: PhoneClean for Windows
Free James Haefner iPad App Showcases Spectacular
Car Photography
PR: Car lovers and photography fans alike will enjoy a free
new iPad app showcasing the beautiful automobile photography of Detroit
photographer James Haefner. Rocket Garden Labs, developer of the
Foliobook portfolio app popular among professional photographers,
launched the James Haefner app as a way to show as many people as
possible the gorgeous portfolios that can be created using
Foliobook.
The
James Haefner app delivers a free collection of Haefner's work
featuring beautiful cars. Rocket Garden Labs collaborated with Haefner
to deliver a rich collection of automobile photographs - from the
phenomenally rare Corvette Shark to today's most luxurious
vehicles.
Photographs in the James Haefner collection can be flipped through
one-at-a-time, or run automatically as a slideshow. Each shot is a page
from Haefner's recent work formatted in a professional portfolio
format.
Professional photographers can also benefit from this app by
learning how a leading automotive photographer presents his work to art
directors and prospective clients. This collection is both beautiful
and instructive of the art and business process of a great
photographer.
"Rocket
Garden Labs feel privileged to be able to work with a photographer of
Jim's stature, so that the simplicity and clean lines of our app can be
experienced with the highest quality photography," says Paul Freeman,
Rocket Garden Labs chief designer. "The James Haefner app will appeal
to car nuts everywhere as well as photographers and artists."
Foliobook is unique among iPad portfolio apps in having slideshow
transitions that include a signature transition resembling leafing
through photographs in a portfolio print box. This transition
particularly suited the presentation of Haefner's work because the
images represent the layouts of his printed professional portfolio. For
this app, Rocket Garden Labs extended Foliobook to add more realism to
the transitions. These improvements along with others will become a
part of a forthcoming free update to Foliobook.
Foliobook was designed from the
start to be suitable for photographers who are at the very top of the
industry. It recently achieved greater notoriety after Scott Kelby,
editor-in-chief of Photoshop User magazine, published on his blog that,
"with Foliobook, I have finally found my portfolio app for the
iPad."
James Haefner is a Detroit based automotive and architectural
photographer, his work covers the vintage cool of mid-20th century
design to the futuristic present exemplified by modern car design.
Rocket Garden is an interactive design house specialising in mobile
and tablet media applications for photographers, designers and creative
professionals, based in London, UK.
Link:
James Haefner iPad App
Mobile Mouse Pro Transforms Your iPhone into a
Wireless Mouse & Keyboard
PR: Mobile Mouse instantly transforms your iPhone or
iPod touch into an in-air, wireless mouse for your computer. Sit back
and surf the web, browse your photo library or control your music
player from the comfort of your couch. Mobile Mouse uses the built in
accelerometer to translate your hand motions into mouse movements on
your screen. It can also operate as a touchpad, allowing you to control
your computer with a fingertip.
Mobile Mouse uses the built in accelerometer to translate your hand
motions into mouse movements on your screen. It can also operate as a
trackpad remote, allowing you to control your computer with a single
finger. Mobile Mouse is an essential part of any home theater PC and a
presenter's best friend. Mobile Mouse uses an innovative application
notification system to let the iPhone know what program you are running
at any time and show the appropriate keys for that program. This allows
Mobile Mouse to provide a single screen remote for controlling all your
media and web applications. Mobile Mouse supports all the most popular
web and media programs for the Mac and PC.
Features
- Accelerometer based mouse controller
- Trackpad(full screen vertical and landscape modes)
- Application switcher (works just like the dock in OS X)
- File Browser
- Ability to hide keyboard (shake to hide/show)
- Landscape keyboard (shake in landscape mode to show)
- Media Remote (w/vol up/down and eject buttons)
- Web Remote
- Presentation mode with Pro option (Keynote/PowerPoint)
- Numeric keyboard
- Application notifications
- Remote keyboard with function and arrow keys
- Programmable hotkeys (can be set to run a program or keyboard
combination)
- Scroll pad
- Left and Right mouse buttons
- Multitouch gestures (two finger scroll, two finger tap, swipe
left/right with 4 fingers, swipe up/down with 4 fingers, pinch with 4
fingers, spread 4 fingers, three finger drag, three finger tap, double
tap three fingers, double tap two fingers)
- Modifier Keys
- On screen typing
- Sleep/Wake your computer
- Password protection
- Custom sensitivity settings
- Foreign language keyboards
- Supports Bonjour or static IP
- No screen size limitation. Works with multiple monitors.
- High resolution graphics for retina display on iPhone 4.
New in Version 2.6.3
- Smoother mouse movement
- Fixed Pro presentation remote to work over ad hoc networks
- Fixed issue with shift key on numeric keyboard
- Added option to use 3 fingers instead of 4 for swipe gestures
- Bug fixes
New in version 2.6.1:
- Fixed problem causing click and drag to not work on multiple
swipes
- Improved trackpad response time
- Fixed slow connection time (Must download version 2.6.6 of the
server from our website or the Mac App Store)
System requirements:
- Mac OS X Leopard/Snow Leopard/Lion (Intel)
- Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 (32/64-bit)
- WiFi router (works best on a local area network or Ad hoc
network)
- Mobile Mouse Server Software
- Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or
later.
Note: Before you run the software, you will need to download the
server application from mobilemouse.com
$1.99
Link:
Mobile Mouse Pro ($1.99)
Link:
Mobile Mouse Lite (free)
Mobile Mouse Server: Control Your Mac from Your
iOS Device
PR: Mobile Mouse Server (formerly Air Mouse Server) is
the server software to accompany the Mobile Mouse App for the iPhone,
iPod Touch, and iPad.
Instantly transform your iPhone or iPod touch into motion based
mouse, trackpad, and wireless remote for your computer! Sit back and
surf the web, browse your photo library or control your music player
from the comfort of your couch. Our app uses the built in accelerometer
to translate your hand motions into mouse movements on your screen. It
can also operate as a trackpad, allowing you to control your computer
with a single finger. Suddenly your iPhone, iPod and iPad have become
an essential part of any home theater and a presenter's best friend.
Using an innovative application notification system, your iOS device
will always know what applications are running at any time and show the
appropriate keys for that program, providing you with a single screen
for controlling ALL your media and Web applications.
To use this software, you must also download the Mobile Mouse app
from the App Store for your iPhone/iPod or iPad.
New in version 2.6.12:
- Fixed problem with monitor not waking with newest version of OS X
10.7
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later
- Mobile Mouse Pro for iPhone
Free
Previous versions still available that support OS X 10.4 Tiger and
OS X 10.5 Leopard. Also available for Windows XP/Vista/7 and Ubuntu
Linux.
Link: Mobile Mouse
Server for Mac (latest
version also on Mac App Store)
Accessories
Back to School Tablet and Smartphone Accessories
from Kensington
PR: Kensington Computer Products Group is kicking off this
back to school season with smart and affordable products to help
students stay connected to their mobile devices, whether a smartphone,
tablet, or laptop.
"Our customers are looking for products to make sure they get the
most out of their mobile devices this school year and we have a unique
line of accessories that are perfect to meet that need, says George
Foot, Vice President of Marketing & Development, Kensington. "We've
designed ideal companions for students to carry that are built to keep
them connected, protected, and productive in all environments - from
the classroom to the dorm room and anywhere in between."
Kensington Essentials for Back to School
Back to School 20% off sale prices currently available at the
Kensington
online store.
Kensington Combination Case for iPhone 4 &
4S (Black w/White Dots - K39391US; Pink w/Black Dots - K39392US;
White w/Black Dots - K39390US; SRP $24.99)
Dress up your iPhone for the first day of school. Protect your
iPhone from bumps and scratches in this soft rubber and hard shell
combination case. The flexible outer shell combined with the hard outer
case grips and protects your iPhone on the move while still allowing
easy access to all controls, touchscreen and ports.
Link:
Combination Case for iPhone 4 & 4S, black with white dots
(currently
$18.50 at Amazon.com)
Link:
Combination Case for iPhone 4 & 4S, pink with black dots
(currently
$16.30 at Amazon.com)
Link:
Combination Case for iPhone 4 & 4S, white with black dots
(currently
$17.08 at Amazon.com)
Kensington Virtuoso Pro Stylus & Pen (Black-K39526WW;
White-K39564WW; SRP $29.99)
The Virtuoso Pro Pen provides a sophisticated and elegant
design blending a Rollerball Pen and responsive touch stylus to make
note-taking easy on your tablet and notepad. And the conductive quality
barrel delivers greater comfort and control with a sculpted clip for
easy storage.
Link:
Virtuoso Pro Stylus & Pen, black (currently
$26.37 at Amazon.com with free super saver shipping)
Link:
Virtuoso Pro Stylus & Pen, white (currently
$23.99 at Amazon.com)
Kensington AbsolutePower Dual USB Wall
Charger
Running out of outlets in your dorm room? Power is never far away
with two AbsolutePower Dual USB Wall Chargers to charge two tablets,
smartphones, and other USB-charged mobile devices simultaneously. Stay
connected with the Kensington AbsolutePower Dual USB Wall Charger with
USB Adapter Cables (K39373US; SRP $34.99). The Kensington AbsolutePower
Dual USB Wall Charger with 30-pin Apple Cable (K39525US; SRP $34.99)
charges iPad, iPhone, and iPod devices. Both chargers incorporate dual
2.1 Amp USB power ports ready to provide full charging support for
tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices. The AC plug removes for
storage and travel.
Link:
AbsolutePower Dual USB Wall Charger with USB Cables (currently
$26.23 at Amazon.com with free super saver shipping)
Link:
AbsolutePower Dual USB Wall Charger with 30-pin Apple Cable
(currently $24.85 at Amazon.com)
Kensington
PowerGuard with BungeeAir™ Battery Case & Find-My-Phone
Fob (K39575US; $79.99
From the classroom, to the library, then back to the dorm room;
students on the move won't lose or forget their iPhone with PowerGuard
and BungeeAir. Simply insert your iPhone into the ruggedized case,
download the free BungeeAir App and attach the fob to your keys or
purse. If you and your iPhone are separated, the iPhone screen will
lock automatically and send an alert to the fob. The rugged PowerGuard
battery case resists scratching and protects your iPhone while also
adding up to 4 hours of talk time. Hold your iPhone in landscape or
portrait mode with the cases built-in card slot (card not
included).
Link:
PowerGuard with BungeeAir Battery Case & Find-My-Phone Fob
(currently
$56.11 at Amazon.com with free super saver shipping)
Kensington
KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case & Stand (Red-K39638US;
Dark Brown-K39639US; Caramel-K39640US; SRP $99.99)
Personalize and protect your iPad with a companion that also helps
make doing homework and taking notes a breeze. The KeyFolio Pro 2
provides a high-performance removable keyboard optimized for the touch
typist. Built-in Bluetooth technology delivers wireless operation and
one button setup. A secured Velcro fastener ensures tablet vertical
stability with viewing angels from 70 to 20. This lightweight 3-in-1
design is optimized for travel and in-case use plus protects your new
iPad and iPad 2 from wear and scratches.
These Kensington products are currently available for purchase at
Kensington.com, Amazon.com, and major resellers.
Link:
KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case & Stand, red (currently
$69.26 at Amazon.com with free super saver shipping)
Link:
KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case & Stand, dark brown
(currently
$63.39 at Amazon.com with free super saver shipping)
Link:
KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case & Stand, caramel
(currently
$63.65 at Amazon.com with free super saver shipping)
