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
The Competition
Apps & Services
Accessories
iPod Deals
These price trackers are updated every month.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apple to Expand iPhone 5 Screen to 4"?
DigiTimes' Yenting Chen, Rebecca Kuo, and Yvonne Yu report that
according to upstream component suppliers, Apple will increase the
screen size of iPhone to 4" for its fifth-generation iPhone to compete
with the Google Android platform in the 4- to 7-inch smartphone
market.
The DigiTimes reporters cite component suppliers saying production
lines for Apple's next generation iPhone have begun testing, and Apple
wants to expand the iPhone's screen size to 4" to support the tablet PC
market as a more pocketable alternative to its next-smallest igadget,
the a 9.7" iPad, and note that
smartphones currently running Google's Android platform such as Samsung
Electronics' Galaxy S and Google's Nexus S, with Acer planning to
launch a 4.8-inch smartphone, so with Apple joining the 4"inch and
larger market, the 4" to 5.5" screen size category is shaping up to
become the major battlefield for smartphones and alter industry
dynamics for production of small to medium-size LCD panels.
Link: Apple to Expand
iPhone Screen Size to Four Inches? (subscription required)
NAND Flash Consumption in Tablets to Rise Nearly
400% in 2011
PR: As consumers snap up tablets in increasing numbers, the
use of NAND flash memory for the popular devices in 2011 will explode
almost fivefold, according to new IHS iSuppli research.
Tablet consumption of NAND flash is expected
in 2011 to soar to 2.3 billion gigabytes (GB), up a phenomenal 382.4%
from 476.8 million GB in 2010, reflecting a 4.8 times increase in 1
GB-equivalent units during the past year. Shipments of NAND for tablets
show no sign of slowing down in the years to come, eventually hitting
12.3 billion GB by 2014.
NAND is used in tablets mainly for the storage of content, such as
books, photos, music, and movies. The proportion of NAND flash use
among tablets, measured against the total supply of NAND memory, will
jump to 11.8% in 2011, significantly up from 4.3% last year. By 2014,
that figure will climb to 16%.
The bump in NAND consumption among tablets is likely to come from
devices such as Apple Inc.'s iPad as well as a raft of tablet devices
powered by the rival Android operating system, expected to hit the
market this year, said Dee Nguyen, analyst for memory and storage at
IHS. Together, the iPad and Android-based tablets form one strand of
the tablet experience offered by manufacturersone centering on
Internet-based media consumption. For such tablets, internal storage
capacity is less an issue because the devices are intended to provide
entertainment, not a full PC computing experience.
Average memory densities will range from 27.1 GB for non-iPad slates
to 41.5 GB in the iPad.
A second strand of tablet use, Nguyen said, proposes a PC computing
experience, replete with the full suite of products from Microsoft
Corp. and offered on the Windows/Intel platform. Such tablet
devicesexemplified by models to come from Lenovo Corp., Samsung
Electronics and Hewlett-Packardcome with generally 32-64 GB of solid
state storage. In an environment of strong NAND pricing, this density
range is the highest that can be offered by manufacturers while still
maintaining costs.
Nonetheless, because more memory cannot be provided for
Windows/Intel tablets without driving the cost out of the sweet
spot.
Taiwan News Channel Says iPad 2 Is Thinner and Has
USB
Chinese IT news site micgadget.com's Chris Chang reports that the
next-generation iPad could arrive as soon as April, according to a
report on Taiwan news channel, ETTV News, which notes a list of iPad 2
features including a thinner body, front and rear cameras, a better
speaker and a USB port, housed in a "more squareish" form factor with
possibly 8 different colors of back case available.
Link: Taiwan News
Channel Says iPad 2 Is Thinner and Has USB Port
Adobe Reports Strong Mobile Adoption of Flash
Player and AIR; High Expectations for 2011
PR: At Mobile World Congress 2011in Barcelona, Spain, Adobe
Systems Incorporated has announced that developers and content
publishers can now deploy Adobe AIR applications to more than 84
million smartphones and tablets running Android and iOS. Thousands of
applications have been created and made available on Android Market and
Apple's App Store to date. By the end of 2011, Adobe expects more than
200 million smartphones and tablets to support Adobe AIR applications.
For examples of popular AIR applications for Android and iOS, visit
m.flash.com.
In addition, Adobe announced that more than 20 million smartphones
were shipped or upgraded with Adobe Flash Player 10.1 software on over
35 certified devices in the first six months following the launch. For
2011, the company expects Flash Player to be supported on more than 132
million units worldwide. More than 50 tablets are expected to support
Flash Player this year alone. Using Adobe Creative Suite 5 tools, over
three million Adobe Flash Platform developers are now able to author
content across a substantial number of devices for both Flash Player
and AIR.
"We are thrilled to see mobile adoption of Flash Player and AIR
exceeding even our own expectations, with much more to come in the
months ahead," commented David Wadhwani, senior vice president,
Creative and Interactive Solutions Business Unit, Adobe. "This is
tremendous progress toward ensuring that mobile users everywhere have
access to their favorite content from casual games to Web video and
enterprise applications regardless of what device they are using. And,
our CS5 customers are excited about the ability to easily extend their
creative work across millions of mobile devices."
Adobe is also showcasing the latest release of Flash Player 10.2
along with additional performance advancements at the conference. The
new release includes support for innovative new features including
Stage Video, which delivers much improved video performance through
optimizing hardware acceleration on mobile devices, desktops and TVs.
Stage Video decreases processor and memory usage while enabling higher
frame rates and improved video quality. Test results show up to 80% CPU
savings when playing back video in 1080p on Windows and Mac OS. Stage
Video support for mobile devices will be available on Android 3.0
Honeycomb and BlackBerry Tablet OS. Existing H.264 video content on the
Web will benefit from Stage Video on mobile platforms without any
changes to the content.
Adobe AIR
A key element of the Adobe Flash Platform, AIR enables developers to
leverage existing code to create and deliver standalone applications
across devices and platforms. Adobe AIR supports smartphones and
tablets based on Android, iOS, BlackBerry Tablet OS, and desktops
including Windows, Macintosh, and Linux operating systems. In addition,
Samsung is the first television manufacturer to ship Adobe AIR in its
line of Samsung SmartTV devices. With Adobe AIR, developers are able to
use familiar tools including Adobe Flash Professional CS5, Adobe Flash
Builder and Flex to build rich standalone multiscreen applications.
Thousands are already available on Android Market, Apples App Store,
Adobe InMarket and Intel AppUpSM center today.
Adobe AIR enables enhanced application experiences through a series
of features, including support for accelerometer, camera, video,
microphone, multi-touch and gestures. Support for geolocation allows
developers to create location-based applications and services. AIR is
also able to display native browser controls within the application
allowing for the integration of HTML and .SWF content. With SQLite
support developers can easily store and cache databases inside an AIR
application.
Adobe Flash Player
One of the top free apps on Android Market, with more than 6 million
downloads to date and more than 150,000 users giving it a 4.5-out-of-5
star rating, Flash Player brings rich Flash based content to mobile
devices inside the browser. In addition to Android Market, the runtime
is distributed directly by device manufacturers and operators via
pre-installs and operating system upgrades.
Flash Player 10.2 is available now for Windows, Mac and Linux on
Android, HP webOS and Google TV. BlackBerry Tablet OS, future versions
of Windows Phone, LiMo, Samsung SmartTVs and others are also expected
to support Flash Player. For a list of certified devices, visit
http://www.adobe.com/flashplatform/supported_devices/smartphones.html
Apple iOS 4.2.6 iPhone Update
New in version 4.2.6: Fixes a bug to ensure Personal Hotspot data
usage is accurately reported (for Verizon iPhones).
System requirements: iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G. Or iPod
touch 3G or 2G.
Not all features are compatible with all devices. For example,
multitasking is available only with iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS. Hot Spot
is only on the Verizon (CDMA) iPhone 4. Game Center requires iPhone 4,
iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 2nd generation or later.
New in iOS version 4.2:
- AirPrint - Print mail, photos, web pages, and more directly to
AirPrint compatible printers on a local wireless network
- AirPlay - Wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos to
- Apple TV - Wirelessly stream music to AirPlay compatible speakers
and receivers, including AirPort Express
- FaceTime improvements
- Initiate calls with Voice Control
- Initiate calls from an SMS conversation
- Support for Bluetooth accessories
- Find text on the web page in Safari
- New fonts setting available for Notes
- New SMS/MMS text tones and the ability to set custom tones per
contact
- Additional restrictions (parental controls) available:
- Account settings
- App deletion
- Game Center friends
- Location settings
- Ability to import .ics files into Calendar
Bug fixes, including:
- Eliminates sound artifacts occasionally captured in recorded audio
with 4th generation iPod touch
- Improves audio playback to car stereos via USB
Products compatible with this software update:
- iPhone 4
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 3G
- iPod touch 2nd generation or later
This update is available via iTunes.
Note: iOS 4.2.1 is the version number displayed in the iOS user
interface and iTunes.
Link: iOS 4.2
Software Update
The Competition
HP TouchPad Previewed
Asymco blogger Horace Dediu says:
"The world's largest PC company just launched a media table.
Conflating the iPod touch and iPad brands into TouchPad, HP joins RIM
in announcing an integrated OS/device product to compete as a platform
vs. iOS and Android (and to some degree even against Windows)."
Dediu notes that AAPLinvestors is still maintaining an iPad death
watch, and that it was one year ago, on Feb. 10th 2010, that Bill Gates
declared the iPad to be "a nice reader," but said "there's nothing on
the iPad I look at and say, Oh, I wish Microsoft had done it." Dediu
observes that Apple's typical veil of secrecy prior to the iPad launch
was unnecessary, since nobody understood the product even months after
it launched, and many still don't a year later, with potential
competitors looking at the iPad and seeing nothing, reacting only after
the iPad market exploded and they started to feel belated collateral
pain.
Link: The
(iPod)Touch(i)Pad
Acer Rolls Out 7" and 10" Android and Windows
Tablets
The Register's Hard Reg reports:
"Acer's 10.1in Iconia Tab A500 wasn't the only tablet the PC giant
announced this week: it also took the wraps off a 7in Android-based
alternative and a second ten-incher, this one running Windows.
"The Iconia W500 will run Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit on a 1GHz
AMD C-50 chip with integrated Radeon graphics, 2GB of DDR 3 memory and
a 32GB SSD, plus Bluetooth 3.0, 2.4GHz 802.11n."
Also ethernet via a dock accessory, plus HDMI, SD, and USB ports and
a "mini Sim" slot to use with the 3G version.
Link: Acer Taps Out Yet
More Tablets
Apps & Services
Take Control of Working with Your iPad, Second
Edition eBook Helps You Become Productive on the iPad
PR: It may not wear a coat and tie, but that doesn't mean an
iPad can't fit in at the office. Joe Kissell's second edition of "Take
Control of Working with Your iPad," published by TidBITS Publishing,
Inc. helps iPad-toting workers find and use the best productivity apps
and techniques.
The new edition includes information not only on the changes that
iOS 4 has brought to the iPad but also on the many new and revised iPad
apps that have become available recently. With advice that has been
polished and refined over many months of real-world iPad use, Kissell
explores the working possibilities of the device. The 133-page ebook
costs $15 and is available online.
With this new edition in hand, readers can learn how to:
- Type right: They'll learn tips for maximizing typing speed on the
onscreen keyboard and discover the best ways to use the iPad Keyboard
Dock and Bluetooth keyboard options.
- Select, cut, copy, and paste: These commands may be second nature
to regular computer users, but their touchscreen versions are another
matter. Kissell explains how to use touchscreen editing commands
effectively and fluently.
- Transfer files among apps and devices: The ebook shows how using
iTunes to exchange documents with an iPad is not the only way to go. It
looks carefully at those apps that can exchange documents with each
other and with cloud/server-based systems, including Air Sharing HD,
Documents To Go, Dropbox, GoDocs, GoodReader, MobileMe iDisk, Memeo
Connect, Office2 HD, PrintCentral, Quickoffice Connect Mobile Suite,
ReaddleDocs, SugarSync, and more. It also provides insights into how
the iPad handles files and explains how readers can leverage that
knowledge.
- Manage contacts and calendars: Few workers can survive without
their contact lists and calendars; Kissell teaches the essential
techniques for using the iPad's included Contacts and Calendar
apps.
- Write and send email: Today's worker can't survive without email
either; Kissell explains how to set up email accounts, view and reply
to email, and adjust settings in Mail to match each workplace's
requirements.
- Take notes effectively at meetings and lectures: It's hard to take
a shiny new iPad to a meeting unobtrusively, but once the ooohs and
ahhhs die down, everyone has to be able to get back to business. The
ebook offers useful pointers for using Apple's Notes app, and tips on
great third-party apps for taking typed or handwritten notes, recording
audio, and even using speech recognition.
- Create documents in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, and more: Kissell
runs through the productivity capabilities of the apps in Apple's
mobile iWork suite, and he explores a number of third-party
alternatives that offer capabilities that Apple overlooked. He also
provides a special focus on cross-application communication among the
iPad, "the cloud," and a desktop computer.
- Print documents: And not just on a printer - Kissell describes how
to "print" to a Dropbox folder, to PDF format and more, using Apple's
built-in AirPrint feature and third-party apps.
From instant messaging and Web browsing to location mapping and note
taking, Kissell puts the iPad's capabilities into the context of
getting work done. The ebook concludes with pointers to apps that allow
workers to perform even more tasks, including drawing and painting,
working with multi-track audio, outlining and brainstorming, and using
databases.
Coupled with Kissell's latest book, the iPad turns out to be a great
business tool (coat and tie remain optional).
- Take Control of Working with Your iPad, Second Edition by
Joe Kissell
- http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/ipad-working
- PDF format
- 133 pages
- Publication date: February 9, 2011
- Price: $15 (PDF) -
purchase link - EPUB and Mobipocket available shortly
- Print: $26.99
- ISBN: 978-1-61542-098-8
Verietas Software Expands Real-time iOS Battery
Monitoring Technology
PR: Have you ever pulled your phone out of your pocket, only
to find that you barely have any battery power left? Or even worse,
your battery had died and you didn't notice, leaving phone calls and
messages unanswered. To bring you peace of mind, Verietas Software
announced today the release of Battery Alert!, an expansion to the
innovative and entertaining app Death Cough, to maintain awareness of
your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch battery life. Never get caught with a
dead battery again.
Battery Alert! is a simple-to-use app specifically designed to
ensure that you always know when your battery needs a little extra
juice. When its "warn" threshold is met, it will play your chosen alert
sound and present an alert window, even if your device is doing
something else or locked and in your pocket. When the "alert" threshold
is met, the app will play the configured alert notice, alerting you to
recharge your device or it will shortly power off.
"When we developed Death Cough, we created the world's first
real-time iOS battery monitor. But we did it in a sort of
tongue-in-cheek way that some users didn't take to," said Joshua
Pressnell, Founder of Verietas Software, "We felt Battery Alert! would
provide the more practical user base a useful and needed capability
without the sometimes-annoying death sounds."
Battery Alert! is the second app in the Verietas Software portfolio
to provide real-time iOS battery monitoring while not operating
actively in the foreground. Users start the app once when they turn on
their phone, and then leave the app running in the background, free to
do other things. When the appropriate battery levels are reached, the
app plays a sound and presents an alert notice.
Device Requirements:
- iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
- Requires iOS 4.0 or later
- 2.2 MB
Battery Alert! 1.0 is 99¢ (or equivalent amount in other
currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store
in the Utilities category.
Link: Battery
Alert! (download
link)
Opera Mini Coming to iPad
The Register's Cade Metz reports that Opera has developed a version
of its popular Opera Mini browser for the iPad and will unveil it at
the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
The company referenced the iOS browser in a press release Thursday
morning, announcing it will also demonstrate new versions of Opera Mini
for Android, iPhone, J2ME, BlackBerry, and Symbian. No official release
date as yet.
Metz notes that Apple still bars third-party applications from
interpreting code on iOS devices, so Opera will not be able to offer a
version of the full Opera browser feature set on the iPad, but with
Opera Mini, all webpages are sent through proxy servers and compressed
before they're sent down to the browser anyway, so no code is
interpreted on the device. Apple allowed an iPhone version of Opera
Mini into the Apple App Store last year.
Link: Opera
Uncloaks Browser for Apple Fondleslabs
New App Designed Specifically for iOS Products and
for Full Integration with Philips SpeechExec Enterprise Suite
PR: Netherlands-based Royal Philips Electronics has announced
it will begin offering a recording application for iPhones and iPads.
Philips Recorder for iPhone and iPad turns the smartphone or tablet
computer into a wireless digital dictation recorder and works
seamlessly with the SpeechExec Enterprise suite, allowing users to
record, edit, and send dictation files directly from the mobile
device.
"In today's world, technology such as iPhones and iPads can and
should be used for multiple purposes, including dictation recordings,"
says Thomas Brauner, Senior Director and Category Leader at Philips
Speech Processing. "It was for this reason that we developed the
Recorder for iPhone and iPad. This new app provides users with the
ability to dictate from any environment and send the recording to a
transcriptionist without having to carry multiple devices making
everyones life simpler."
Since the new recorder turns iPhones and iPads into a wireless
digital dictation recorder, users can dictate in any location they want
and upload files to a Web server using 3G or WIFI connections. The Web
server then distributes the recorded files to registered
transcriptionists via email or to a network folder. This allows the
typist to begin working on the file immediately, which decreases
turnaround time and dramatically increases personal productivity.
In addition, the new app includes features such as:
- Easy-to-use touch screen controls for intuitive operations and fast
file edits
- Express Recorder Mode so users can simply shake their iPhone or
iPad to start and stop recording
- Automatic file encryption for maximum security
- Priority settings to indicate urgent recordings that need to be
processed first
More information about integrating the Recorder for iPhone with
SpeechExec Enterprise solutions can be obtained from a Philips
specialist reseller for dictation solutions details can be found
online.
Philips Recorder for iPhone will be available from the App Store
starting on February 21, 2011.
Link: Philips Recorder for iPhone (no
download link yet)
Remote Mouse: Turn Your iPhone Into a Wireless
Trackpad and Keyboard for Free
PR:
Turn your iPhone or iPod touch into a wireless touchpad and keyboard
now. You can take control of your presentations from anywhere in the
room.
Features:
Two finger
tapping for double click.- Two finger dragging for scroll.
- Function keyboard with arrow keys.
- Touchpad with vertical and horizontal orientation.
- Accelerometer based mouse.
- Works over WiFi network or 3G.
- Easy-to-use user interface.
- Works with Mac OS X Tiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard
- Works with Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7
System requirements:
- Intel
- Mac OS X 10.6 or later.
Link: Remote Mouse (download
link)
Apps for Safer Driving Now Available to Millions
of New iPhone Owners
PR: With millions of new iPhone devices in the hands of
Verizon Wireless customers, there is an increased risk of distracted
driving incidents, because iPhone owners must look at the screen to
type on the phone. Cleverlike Corp. has invented a solution for typing
on the iPhone without looking at the screen. Their latest apps,
StealthType SMS and StealthType Maps, aim to make it safer to send text
messages or use Google Maps while driving. Send accurate text messages
to your contacts without looking at your phone or speaking to it.
Safely enter business searches or program driving directions for Google
Maps without looking at the phone or speaking to it. These potentially
life-saving apps are sold in the app store for $1.99.
The Problem
With its new support for the iPhone 4, Verizon Wireless has just
launched an army of millions of brand new iPhone users onto our roads.
For many customers, this will be their first touchscreen smartphone.
Typing on a touchscreen device requires focused visual attention which
creates a dangerous scenario when mixed with the bad habit of texting
while driving.
The Solution
New apps from Cleverlike Corporation aim to make the roadways safer
by providing a way to type on the iPhone without looking at it. Their
StealthType SMS and StealthType Maps apps can help users send text
messages and search Google Maps without taking their eyes off the road.
Both of these apps are now available in the app store for a sale price
of US $1.99.
Highlights of StealthType SMS
- Send accurate text messages to your contacts without looking at
your phone or speaking to it:
- Safe Send allows you to send a text message without looking and
directs a reply to your e-mail inbox. Your recipients are notified to
call you if their response is urgent.
- In-app SMS option allows you to send text messages using your
phone's built-in SMS text messaging.
- Send Free Text Messages without a text messaging plan using the
Safe Send option. (Requires internet access.)
- Customize your contact list for initiating SMS messages.
Highlights of StealthType Maps
Safely enter business searches or program driving directions for
Google Maps without looking at the phone or speaking to it:
- Select from Search, Driving Directions and Map options.
- Use your current location or enter a specific location for
addresses.
- Pull up a map of the current area for checking the traffic on your
commute.
- Define a preset zoom level so you don't have to resize your map
view.
Core Features of All StealthType Apps
- Unique "StealthType" technology for navigating the app and typing
without looking at device or speaking to it
- Male or female voices (real, professional voice recordings)
- QWERTY or ABC keyboard layouts
- Send to Clipboard option for iPod touch, iPad and iPhone users
- Stealthy design that emits low light levels for discreet use day or
night
Background on the Invention of StealthType
Before the touchscreen interface of the iPhone was released, the use
of mobile phones for talking and texting while driving was running
rampant with hardly any laws in place to prevent it. Up to that point,
most phones had a keypad that made it possible to feel the buttons so
you could successfully type without much looking.
When the iPhone was released, it became clear that the touchscreen
interface would require significant visual attention to type on its
smooth flat keyboard. There was no doubt that this was going to make
the problem of distracted driving even worse.
Cleverlike Corporation's founder and President, Brian Dickman, began
immediately working on a app-based solution that could help alleviate
this problem. He challenged himself to answer the question, "How can
someone type a complete and accurate message on a flat screen without
looking at it?"
Voice recognition technology was ruled out because several companies
have had the technology on the market for many years with a low
adoption rate. Personal experience with voice recognition technology
showed that it is not always accurate and it can be awkward to speak to
a device in the hopes that it understands what you're saying.
The idea of predefined or "canned" phrases was also considered, but
it is too limiting to be useful in most cases. The solution needed to
allow someone to type their completely unique message without looking
at the screen.
The next area of consideration was the technology already on the
phone designed to allow a visually-impaired person to use the phone. A
visually-impaired person can be classified the same as a person that is
trying to use the phone without looking. The problem is that while this
built-in aid would be a blessing for someone that could not see, it is
cumbersome for someone that can see the phone but only wants to use the
visual aid features occasionally.
The answer to the challenge was found in a solution that can be
characterized as a visual aid for people that can see. It's a simple
solution that uses a recorded voice to prompt the user through the
application. When the user touches their finger to the screen, the
phone will tell them what button they are touching. Keeping the finger
on the screen and moving it across the screen will quickly help them
find the correct button. When the finger is lifted from the screen, the
button under the finger is selected. This process is used for
navigating the application and for typing on the keyboard without
looking.
After of few prototypes of this final idea, the exclusive
StealthType technology was perfected. Months later, the first
StealthType-based apps were launched in the app store. There are
currently four different StealthType apps available in the app
store.
It's important to note that the motivation behind the development of
StealthType technology was to solve the rampant dangerous use of mobile
phones for texting while driving. The StealthType apps were not
designed to encourage irresponsible or illegal mobile phone behavior.
Users are responsible for obeying the law and using good judgement with
their mobile devices while driving. The safest way to use a mobile
device while driving is to not use it at all.
Link: StealthType SMS
(download
link)
Link: StealthType Maps
(download
link)
Type Faster on the iPhone and iPod touch with Easy
Typing 2.5
PR: Canzhi Ye, 14 year old iPhone app developer, announces
the latest update to Easy Typing. Easy Typing allows users to be more
efficient when typing on the iPhone or iPod touch. The app features a
large, full QWERTY keyboard with key sizes that are twice the size of
the ones on the iPhone's default keyboard. Available for only 99¢
on the App Store, the Easy Typing iPhone app allows users to take
advantage of all the available real-estate on the iPhone and iPod touch
screen to type more efficiently.
Easy Typing includes the following features:
- Key sizes based on frequency of use
- Keys that are twice the size of the default iPhone keyboard
- Commonly used punctuation such as .",?!' is on the main
keyboard
- Full QWERTY layout
- Secondary keyboard includes numbers and math symbols
- Export to email and sms with the touch of a button
- Simple default copy paste
- Auto capitalization
- Posting a Facebook status directly from the app
- Tweeting directly from the app
- Updating Tumblr directly from the app
New features in the 2.5 update
- Double tap for Caps Lock
- Hold to delete
- New interface
- Keyboard click sounds
- Improved social network integration
With this new update, truly experience all the features of a fast
keyboard. The default keyboard can often be frustrating to use. iPhone
users, especially those with big thumbs, sometimes find that typing a
simple email, SMS, tweet, or Facebook status can take minutes. This
larger keyboard dramatically increases the efficiency of typing on the
iPhone, so users no longer have to waste time struggling with the
default keyboard.
Canzhi Ye wants to thank all of his users for making Easy Typing a
successful iOS app. He appreciates the informative feedback and
suggestions. He also wants to reassure users, current and potential,
that Easy Typing is in active development, and further upadtes are
currently in the works.
Device Requirements:
- iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
- Requires iOS 3.0 or later
- 1.1 MB
Easy Typing 2.5 is 99¢ (or equivalent amount in other
currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store
in the Productivity category.
Link: Easy
Typing (download
link)
Free Go! Tax Canada 2.0: File Your Canadian Tax
Return on Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
PR: Go! Tax Canada announces its release of its free app
(version 2.0) for the iPhone and iPod touch. This innovative app makes
filing your 2010 Canadian Personal incomes taxes easy and stress free.
Tax documents and data are submitted with the click of your device's
camera and appropriate App technology. Secure data transmission (SSL)
is employed to protect your personal information. All your original tax
documents are retained by you. Your tax return is prepared by expert
tax professionals and electronically filed with the Canada Revenue
Agency. All possible tax credits are applied, providing you with the
largest refund possible. A complete summary of your tax return is
provided to you.
The app may be used at any time and from anywhere in all provinces
and territories. Service cost payment for your tax return preparation
is made using PayPal. It is equivalent to the purchase of a computer
program for self preparation of your return. View our video and tour
showing ease of use of the app on our website gotaxcanada.ca . Also,
read the testimonial from a last minute 2009 tax filer. The Go! Tax
Canada app is a great way to overcome the burden of "tax time" for
2010.
Device Requirements:
- iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
- Requires iPhone OS 4.1 or later
- 1.3 MB
Go! Tax Canada 2.0 is free and available exclusively through the
Canadian App Store in the Business category.
Link: Go! Tax
Canada (download
link)
Accessories
Pentalobe Screwdriver for iPhone 4/iPad/iPod touch
4G
PR: If you bought an iPhone 4, iPad, or iPod touch 4G
recently or you've sent an older unit to Apple for fixing something,
did you notice that the 2 screws at the bottom are now not standard
Philips or Torx head?
It's a new screwhead that Apple is using in the outer enclosures of
their i-devices, called the Pentalobe Screw, and it requires a
specially made screwdriver for that screwhead design.
USB
Fever now offers the needed tool in Petagon shape, specially made for
new iPhone 4, iPod touch 4G, and iPad.
$7.99
Link: Pentalobe
Screwdriver for iPhone 4/iPad/iPod touch 4G
The Case for an iPad to Be Handled with Love
PR: Handle With Love announces the launch of its new product,
a stylish, unique, and customizable Apple iPad case that is handcrafted
in Australia. Made from a durable fabric, the cover acts as armor to
protect iPads from the nicks, scratches, dirt, and grime that often
come with everyday use.
The case is more than just a simple iPad screen protector: by
flipping the lid over, it can be adjusted into a stand with several
positions that create perfect viewing angles for use in bed, on a
plane, or a desk. The iPad covers by Handle With Love start at a price
of $99 and come in two different colors initially, a cream-colored
sandy linen and a classic black, and both feature a red lift strap.
It looks both classic and modern, fitting in seamlessly with and
enhancing the iPads design. It feels smooth in customers hands thanks
to the high-quality fabric material that will not sweat. Customers can
personalize their cases to express themselves or write a message to
their loved ones as a gift with custom inscriptions on the spine.
"With over seven million iPads in consumers hands, people feel a
growing need to protect their valuable tablets and they are looking for
accessories that will do that. We really do handle every single case
with love before we ship it to customers. Our covers are handmade in
Australia, and we personally ensure a high level of quality for each
one before we sell it. So far, the feedback from our customers has been
overwhelmingly positive," says Jindou Lee, founder of Handle With
Love.
Link: Handle
with Love
Apple Addiction Spreads to Verizon: OtterBox
Protects All iPhone 4 Users
PR: Verizon Wireless customers have long anticipated the
launch of Apples top-selling smartphone on their network; now that it
has arrived, OtterBox isn't leaving them waiting for premiere
protection.
Now compatible with the Apple iPhone 4 on the AT&T and Verizon
networks, OtterBox announces universal Defender Series cases.
"The Defender Series has been our most popular line of cases
for the iPhone 4," says OtterBox founder and CEO Curt Richardson. "This
opportunity with Verizon will allow us to provide the same quality
solution to these new users."
The Defender Series case for iPhone 4 is a polycarbonate shell with
built-in screen protector completely encases the device. The case is
finished with an impact-absorbing silicone skin that covers all ports
and plugs, protecting them from wear and debris while still allowing
for easy access. A holster-style swivel belt clip that doubles as a
media stand is also included.
OtterBox Defender Series cases now accommodate the iPhone 4 variants
from both Verizon and AT&T, and OtterBox will soon offer universal
cases in the Impact Series, Commuter Series and Reflex Series lines of
cases.
OtterBox Defender Series cases sell for $89.95
Also see Steve Watkins' review, OtterBox Defender: Don't Let
Your iPhone 4 Leave Home Without It.
Link: OtterBox
OtterBox Unveils Utility Series Cases, Introducing
the Latch for iPad
PR: Designed to help you get the most out of your tablet
experience, the OtterBox Utility Series provides unmatched versatility
on the go and introduces the Latch for Apple iPad.
"With the introduction of the Utility Series, OtterBox not only
protects technology but also makes it adaptable," says OtterBox founder
and CEO Curt Richardson. "The iPad is a great example of how mobile
technology has evolved and the Latch is designed to further enhance its
uses."
The elastic straps of the Latch wrap around the corners of the iPad
encased in an OtterBox Defender Series, Commuter Series, or simply by
itself to securely hold the device. The padded hand strap is adjustable
to accommodate different hand sizes comfortably. An additional
adjustable elastic strap with Velcro is included, as well as an
adjustable lanyard, screen cover and s-biner utility clip. All of these
elements work in conjunction to form the most versatile utility
accessory available for the iPad.
The
Latch's adjustable hand strap allows for quick and easy securing of the
iPad to one hand, eliminating fatigue and reducing the likelihood of a
drop. The elastic strap serves the dual purpose of fastening the device
to the back of a car seat headrest or to the leg for increased
productivity and hands-free carrying. The lanyard attaches to the back
of the Latch and can be adjusted for carrying over the shoulder or
around the neck in either landscape or portrait orientation. Finally,
the s-biner utility clip allows the user to fasten the iPad to a belt
for easy access, while a lightweight screen cover provides protection
from the elements. (Note that the Utility Case is NOT designed as a
protective accessory. Screen cover is NOT waterproof).
All of these accessories fit inside the removable storage bag which
doubles as an iPad display stand.
The Otterbox Utility Series sells for $49.95
Link: OtterBox
