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News, Reviews, & Opinion
Original iPad and iPhone 3GS Often Outsell Android
Devices at Verizon and AT&T
AppleInsider's Neil Hughes reports that older Apple iOS products
sold at a discounted price, like the iPhone 3GS and first-generation iPad, are often more popular
than newer devices running the Google Android operating system, citing
a new report by Canaccord Genuity technology analyst Michael Walkley,
who found that while the iPhone 4 is "by far" the top selling device at
both AT&T and Verizon, "Interestingly, our April checks indicated
continued strong demand for the iPhone 3GS at AT&T and iPad 1 at
Verizon, as these older generation products with reduced prices often
outsold new Android products."
Link: Previous-Gen Apple
iPad, iPhone 3GS Often Outsell New Android Devices at Verizon and
AT&T
'Disruptive Technology' Tablets Putting Other
Computer Categories in Danger Zone
PR: Even though the iPad continues to dominate the tablet
computing conversation and market, with new players like Samsung's
Galaxy Tab and Motorola's Xoom, the competition is heating up in the
United States, according to The Nielsen Company's latest in-depth
research on mobile connected devices, which was fielded in Spring
2011.
Among the findings:
- Around half of all tablet owners reported being the only ones in
their household using their particular tablet, while 43% said they
shared the tablet with others. 8% said that while they own a tablet
used by other household members, they do not use it themselves.
- When asked whether they used other connected devices more often or
less often since purchasing a tablet, 35% of tablet owners who also
owned a desktop computer reported using their desktop less often or not
at all, while 32% of those who also owned laptops, said they used their
laptop less often or never since acquiring a tablet. 27% of those who
also own eReaders said they use their eReader less often or not at all
the same percentage as those who also own portable media players.
One-in-four tablet owners who own portable games consoles are using
those devices less often, if at all, since purchasing a tablet.
If 20% or more of Nielsen respondents say they are using a device
less because of a tablet, the analysts say that's a dangerous zone for
older computer categories, and using that assumption the following
devices are likely to see sales declines going forward:
- Portable gaming consoles: Do you buy that new Nintendo 3DS or go up
in price and buy an iPad? The tablet impact on gaming consoles is
unclear. 22° of respondents use their portable gaming consoles
less, but 26% use it more.
- Portable media players: Apple is already seeing this with its iPod
units.
- E-readers: Chances are low prices will mitigate e-reader
cannibalization.
- Netbooks: Interestingly, only 23% of respondents said they are
using a netbook less (possibly because of some crossover in functional
utility based on size and ease of portability?).
- Laptops: 30% are using laptops less because they have a
tablet.
- Desktops: 32% are spending less time on desktops because of a
tablet. Tablets and laptops are constituting a double whammy on desktop
sales.
Link: Connected Devices: How
We Use Tablets in the US
Apple May Free the iPad from Needing a PC for
Updates
Forbes' Brian Caulfield says the iPad is still not a PC replacement,
but it's getting closer. The iPad has a display, a processor, a
flash-based hard drive, and a virtual keyboard.
What are the remaining obstacles? Caulfield contends that the reason
main the iPad is not a replacement for a personal computer - no matter
how simple your needs - is that it still needs to connect to a PC to
update its software. However, the next version of the iOS could change
that by adding support for over-the-air updates to iOS devices, thereby
eliminating the need to plug them into your Mac or PC to get the latest
software features.
Link: Apple May
Finally Free the iPad from Your PC
64 GB 3G iPad 2 Dominates Tablet Sales in
Europe
Contradicting one of the findings in a recent NPD survey, at least
in a European context, V3's Phil Muncaster reports that the 64 GB 3G
iPad 2 continues to be the most popular
version of Apple's best-selling tablet, although Android devices have
begun to make inroads into Apple's massive market share, according to
the latest report from Context.
Muncaster says the market research firm revealed that, in the six
weeks since launch, the 64 GB 3G model sold well across western Europe,
accounting for one-third of all iPad 2 sales, which comprised a
whopping 80% of tablet devices sold in the first quarter of 2011. The
WiFi only 16 GB model came second in the popularity stakes, accounting
for 22% of all sales, according to Context.
Link: Apple's 64 GB 3G
iPad 2 Continues to Dominate Tablet Sales
4 Reasons Not to Jailbreak Your iPhone, iPod touch,
or iPad
Life Hacker's Adam Dachis notes that some people love jailbreaking
their iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads, because it opens up so many
great new possibilities, but he warns that it also has potential to
cause a lot of problems and headaches, citing four big reasons why you
might not want to jailbreak.
- Goodbye Stability and Safety
- You Don't Get to Update iOS as Soon or as Easily
- You'll Be Restoring Often
- Good Jailbreak Apps are Pricey
Link: Four Reasons
Not to Jailbreak Your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad
LG Responsible for the Light Spots on Some iPad 2
Displays
Hardmac's Guy, citing DigiTimes (and noting that the information has
not been confirmed elsewhere), says that LG has been forced to reduce
its production rate of iPad 2 displays due to of light spots that
appeared on many units, which were discovered immediately after the
tablet came out, with Samsung taking over part of LG's supply share
with better quality displays, allowing that company to ship 4 million
displays during the first quarter while LG shipped 3.2 million. The
article notes that LG says the problem is now solved and that
production will ramp back up to normal speed during the second quarter,
observing that, as is often the case, early adopters end up doing the
final "beta" testing of a new device
Link: LG Responsible for
the Light Spots on the iPad 2 Display?
Link: Apple
to Add Third iPad Screen Supplier after LG 'White Spots' Production
Issue, DigiTimes (subscription required)
Speech Recognition: The iOS Achilles' Heel?
ZDNet's Jason D. O'Grady notes that Android outperforms iOS in terms
of speech recognition - and it has from the very beginning. Simply put,
Android has it and iOS doesn't.
That may be about to change, with TechCrunch reporting that Apple
has been negotiating a deal with speech recognition specialists Nuance,
which makes
Dragon Dictation for iOS devices, in recent months, and speculating
that as a minimum Apple could include the Nuance speech engine - widely
regarded as the best of breed - in iOS 5. However, O'Grady thinks Apple
should simply dip into its money bin and acquire Nuance, bringing the
talent and intellectual property in-house and embedding speech
recognition at every level of the OS, which would put the iOS on par
with Android in speech.
Link: Speech
Recognition: The iOS Achilles' Heel
Apple to Run Voice Recognition Technology from
Nuance at North Carolina Data Center
EdibleApple's John Hiesler reports:
"It's largely believed that one of the more important features of
iOS 5 will be voice recognition. Not only did Apple purchase Siri - a company well regarded for their
voice-activated personal assistant app - but rumor has it that Apple is
exploring a deal of some sort with Nuance, the company whose voice
recognition technology powers Siri along with a bevy of other iOS and
Mac apps."
"At next month's WWDC, Apple will reportedly announce a new
partnership with Nuance. More specifically, Apple will be employing
Nuance software, and perhaps hardware, at their brand new data center
in North Carolina."
Link: Apple to Run Voice
Recognition Technology from Nuance at Its North Carolina Data
Center
Apple Partnering with Nuance Rather for iOS 5 Voice
Recognition?
AppleInsider's Daniel Eran Dilger says:
"A new report indicates that Apple has deepened its partnership with
speech recognition firm Nuance to deliver voice recognition features in
iOS 5, edging out alternative software from Microsoft in the company's
bid to roll out voice features competitive with Google's Android."
Link: Apple Reportedly
Partnering with Nuance Rather than Microsoft for iOS 5 Voice
Recognition
Queen Elizabeth II Orders iPad 2 after Princes
William and Harry Show Her Apple's Gadget
The Daily Mail is reporting that Queen Elizabeth II is said to have
ordered an iPad 2 after grandsons, Princes William and Harry, who both
own iPads, reportedly introduced their grandmother to Apple's iconic
tablet, and that the 85-year-old monarch is said to have been so
impressed with the touchscreen device that she immediately ordered
staff to buy her one, hoping to use it on long journeys around the
country in the Royal car or train. The article notes that the Princes
think this is hilarious, loving it that their grandmother wants an iPad
- and that they think she's really cool - according to a source cited
by the Sun.
Apple mobile devices are not new to QEII, who has owned iPods for
years, also receiving one as a gift from US president Barack Obama when
he visited London in 2009.
Link: 85 Year Old Queen
Elizabeth II Orders iPad 2 after Grandson Princes William and Harry
Show Her Apple's Gadget
Adobe Nav Is Not a Standalone Version Photoshop
for iPad
FairerPlatform's Ron Carlsen says:
"The long-awaited version of Photoshop has arrived for iPad
(see below), but it's not what you think. This is an
adjunct, an add-on for the desktop version of Photoshop CS5, and it
won't work with earlier versions. If you're looking for a stand alone
iPad app to edit photos and images, this isn't it....
"What you do get is a decidedly tablet-style interface for Photoshop
CS5. I'm not Wacom tablet owner, so it's not clear to me whether or not
this app/interface is designed to be a Wacom replacement.
"Thereupon,
Adobe Photoshop Express (iTunes, free) is unusable as a stand alone
image editor as you can't perform a whole host of basic image editing
functions, including resizing, and there are web dependencies to
Adobe's Flash only online version of Photoshop."
Link: Adobe
Nav Is Not a Standalone Version Photoshop for iPad (App
Store link)
Apps & Services
Adobe Announces Availability of
Photoshop Touch Applications for iPad
PR: Adobe Systems Incorporated has announced the immediate
availability of the Adobe Photoshop Touch apps
Adobe Color Lava,
Adobe Eazel, and Adobe Nav for Apple iPad in the Apple App Store.
These three apps from Adobe were developed using the Photoshop Touch
Software Development Kit (SDK) to demonstrate the potential for new
interaction between Photoshop and tablet devices.
Adobe Color Lava for Photoshop, Adobe Eazel for Photoshop, and Adobe
Nav for Photoshop unite the fun and interactive experience of touch
devices with the power and precision of Photoshop by enabling users to
create custom color swatches, paint directly onscreen and drive popular
Photoshop tools from tablet devices. These applications take advantage
of the iPad's touch screen for a truly immersive, tactile, on-the-go
experience, and expand upon inroads made by Adobe in the mobile and
tablet market initiated with Photoshop Express, Adobe Ideas and Adobe
Connect Mobile.
Photoshop is a part of the recently announced Adobe Creative Suite
5.5 product family, enabling designers and developers to create for
popular and emerging smartphone and tablet platforms. Current Photoshop
CS5 owners can download a free update to enable new interaction between
Photoshop and tablet devices.
Initial industry feedback for the Photoshop Touch applications has
been overwhelmingly positive; in a First Look review by Macworld, Lesa
Snider says that "By having nothing between you and your artwork, you
can focus on creating in the purest sense. Snider also notes the
excitement for the new Photoshop Touch SDK, saying, I have no doubt
developers will be burning the midnight oil to push the envelope of
this new technology and create other useful Photoshop integrated
apps."
The Photoshop Touch SDK makes development possible on numerous
devices, including iOS, Android and BlackBerry PlayBook. Utilizing the
SDK, developers will have wide access to Photoshop functionality with
the freedom to innovate and create new apps or add capabilities to
existing ones. Adobe has already engaged with a number of developers to
incorporate tablets and other devices into creative workflows that
empower Photoshop users in new and groundbreaking ways.
Photoshop Touch Extends Creative Processes
Adobe Color Lava allows creatives to use their fingertips to mix
colors on the iPad, creating custom color swatches and themes to
transfer back into Photoshop.
Adobe Eazel takes advantage of cutting-edge painting technology by
letting digital artists create rich realistic paintings with their
fingertips, and introduces a new kind of interaction between wet and
dry paints. These paintings can then be sent directly to Photoshop CS5
for compositing or for taking the artwork further.
Adobe Nav increases workflow efficiency by letting users select and
control Photoshop tools using the iPad as the input surface, customize
the toolbar, browse and zoom in on up to 200 open Photoshop files, or
easily create new files.
Adobe Photoshop Touch Software Development Kit (SDK) enables
developers to build tablet applications that interact with Photoshop
from Android, BlackBerry PlayBook and iOS devices.
"Tablet devices are destined to become part of creative workflows
and these companion Photoshop applications are just the first
indications of the creativity we can expect from Adobe and our
developer community," says John Loiacono, senior vice president and
general manager, Digital Media Solutions, Adobe. "With our Touch SDK,
we are going to see some astonishing new ways to keep Photoshop at the
heart of the creative process no matter what the device desktop
computer, Android tablet, BlackBerry PlayBook or iOS device."
The Adobe Color Lava, Adobe Eazel and Adobe Nav applications for
Photoshop are immediately available through the Apple App Store.
Pricing for the applications is $4.99 for Adobe Eazel, $2.99 for Adobe
Color Lava and $1.99 for Adobe Nav.
Current Photoshop CS5 customers can download and install the free
update from within the application or via the Adobe Application
Manager. Developers can access the free Adobe Photoshop Touch SDK for
Windows and Mac OS platforms on the Adobe Application Manager.
Adobe Photoshop CS5 and CS5 Extended are available through Adobe
Authorized Resellers, the Adobe Store and Adobe Direct Sales. Estimated
street price for Adobe Photoshop CS5 is $699 and $999 for Photoshop CS5
Extended.
Link: Adobe
Political Label Quiz: How Conservative or Liberal
Are You?
PR: Super Boise Studios has announced the release of the
Political Label Quiz for the iPhone and iPad. Now that the primary
season is finally upon us it's time to figure out what your politics
are! That's where the Political Label Quiz comes in.
The quiz is very
thorough and consists of 45 multiple choice questions design by
graduate students and professors at the University of Wisconsin and
Yale. The questions gauge your position on various issues such as
military spending, abortion, affirmative-action, gay rights,
entitlement programs, and more. You can save your progress and take the
quiz in multiple sittings. Once you answer all of the questions the
quiz will instantly grade your results!
The results will first tell you whether your a social conservative
or liberal. Then they'll tell you whether you're a economic
conservative or liberal. Finally you'll find out how
conservative/liberal you are relative to everyone else who took the
quiz! We also integrated Twitter and Facebook so you can share your
results with all of your friends and family.
The Political Label Quiz is also included as a feature in the newest
update to Political Fury: Primary 2012 Edition! Political Fury is the
premier political discourse app in the App Store featuring forums, an
in-game social network, a Primary 2012 Center, and more! If you take
the quiz in Political Fury the results are posted to your in-game
profile so you can share it with the community!
Device Requirements:
- iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
- Requires iPhone OS 3.2 or later
- Universal Application
- 13.7 MB
Political Label Quiz 1.0 is available worldwide for free exclusively
through the App Store in the News category.
Link: Political Fury:
Primary 2012 Edition (App Store links:
Political Fury Lite,
Political Fury: Primary 2012 Edition )
Accessories
RainBallet, Rugged, Waterproof Case for iPhone 4
with Intelli-filter
PR: Dance
in the rain with your iPhone 4! RainBallet from The Joy Factory
protects your iPhone 4 in extreme environments at the pool or beach,
during rainstorms and workouts, or at construction sites. The rugged
case resists rain and water jets and keeps your iPhone dry, even if you
drop it in water. And the Intelli-filter design blocks only water - not
sound - to preserve sound quality while in the case, so you lose
nothing by adding protection.
RainBallet features Sharpvue lenses on the front and back of the
case, turning your iPhone 4 into a high-quality, waterproof camera.
Take photos at the beach, the pool or in the rain. Add a stylish sports
armband and sweat-proof your iPhone 4 during strenuous workouts. With
RainBallet, your lifestyle won't get in the way of using your iPhone 4
to the fullest
- Fits iPhone 4 snugly (AT&T, Verizon)
- Resists damage from rain, water jets, sweat or splashes.
- Intelli-filter design blocks water, not sound, to preserve sound
quality.
- Built-in shock-resistant structure provides extra protection.
- Front and back Sharpvue lenses enables high-quality photos through
the case.
- Meets IPX5 standards.
Link: RainBallet
ClamCase Trooper iPad Keyboard Hard Case
PR: The Trooper Limited Edition ClamCase is space-inspired
keyboard case for the Apple iPad. Featuring a black hinge, keyboard,
base, and ergonomic rubber feet, the imperial white protective case
provides contrast, with high-quality fit and finish that transforms the
iPad into essentially an iOS netbook.
In addition, ClamCase is gearing up for launch of a ClamCase
model for iPad 2. This all-new version builds on the features that made
the original ClamCase a success. ClamCase for iPad 2 has been designed
with a new lighter and and sleeker design as befits its inspiration,
and will be available in both black and white models.
ClamCase products offer a practical solution for users who have
experienced the Jobsian "magic" of the iPad and are looking to take
their device to the next level. ClamCase is claimed to be the only
tablet case on the market that in addition to enhancing the mobility of
the iPad with a highly functional keyboard and durable hardcover case,
also maintains the freedom of the tablet design with its patent-pending
360 hinge.
ClamCase for iPad is currently available for purchase, with a retail
price of $149 and a special clamcase.com online price of $119. For a
limited time purchase a ClamCase Gift Card for $99 and receive $119
store value. This discounted gift card can be used for any product(s)
from within the ClamCase online store.
The Limited Edition ClamCase Trooper and ClamCase for iPad 2 will
ship this summer.
For more information, visit clamcase.com or call 800-939-0335 to
speak with a customer service representative.
Link: ClamCase Trooper
iPad Keyboard Hard Case
SlickWraps Genuine Leather Sleevecases for iPad
and iPad 2
PR: Slickwraps, Inc. announced their SlickWraps iPad 2
Leather is now available through SlickWraps.com.
Made from genuine high quality Leather, the patent-pending
SlickWraps Leather for Apple's iPad & iPad 2 can be found at
slickwraps.com
SlickWraps is a leading manufacturer, designer, and distributor
of electronic wraps/skins for protecting and enhancing the mobile
experience, including the popular iGlowPhone and SlickSkin brands.
A part of SlickWraps line, iPad 2 Leathers are a thin, pliable cover
that applies directly to personal electronics like a film, but is
created from genuine leather. SlickWraps Leather Series uses a
patent-pending adhesive process that holds the skin firmly in place on
the device and is also removable leaving no unsightly residue.
SlickWraps Leather Series provides gadget protection plus premium style
in a very thin form.
"We are very excited to introduce SlickWraps Leather for the iPad
& iPad 2 to customers," says Andrew Coe, Vice President of
Operations for SlickWraps. "We have invested a lot of effort in
creating the most impressive and premium leather wraps anywhere in the
world, people will really be turning heads with these eye-catching
Leathers."
Link: SlickWraps
Leather Series
