Tech News and Reviews
Posts tagged Apple
iPad review (2012)
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What’s in a name? Or, more importantly, what’s in a digit? Would that which we call an iPad by any number less than 2 be less sweet? That’s the question Apple posed for us indirectly when it unveiled the new iPad and relegated its future slates (and, presumably, phones) to a numeral-free future. And that new slate? It’s much the same as the old one, with a slightly more chipper processor at its (quad) core and support for both Verizon and AT&T’s fancy new LTE networks.
But there’s one bigger change here, one that will ripple across the industry as each manufacturer struggles to keep up in this ever-accelerating market. That feature is the iPad’s new 2048 x 1536 Retina display. It’s the best display ever featured on a tablet, probably the best display ever on a mobile device, but is that enough to keep this tablet ahead of the pack? Believe it or not, the answer is yes.
The new iPad: are you buying one?
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Today is the day many have been patiently, or not so patiently, waiting for. The new iPad saunters onto shelves around much of the globe, and into the sweaty palms of the “gotta-have-its.” So, were you dazzled by that display? Or tempted by the LTE and new graphics chip? Maybe you’re upgrading, or treating the partner (by treating yourself)? Perhaps you were hoping for the rumored smaller device, or just gotta have something Android. Whatever camp you fall into we want to know about it, tell us via the poll below!
Is your new iPad heating up?
0Apple’s latest hot ticket seems to be a tad too hot to hold, some users are reporting. New iPad owners on the Apple’s own support community complain that the slab’s lower left corner can get a little warm during extended use. Don’t get excited though, reports seem to vary by user — some are reporting that their tablet becomes too uncomfortable to hold while others say that it only gets “slightly warm” and that it’s “expected.” How’s your new iPad treating you? Click on through to the comments and let us know.
Apple to allow license-free virtualization with OS X Lion, developers roar with delight
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Developers and IT managers have reason to smile today, because it looks like Apple is changing its approach to virtualization. According to Mac Rumors, users who download the client version of OS X Lion will be able to run one or two virtualized copies on a single Mac, using tools like VMware or Parallels. This functionality first surfaced with Leopard, but was only available to users who obtained a pricey OS X Server license. The EULA for 10.7, however, suggests that Lion owners won’t need any extra licenses to tinker away in an alternate OS universe. It’s news that the enterprise community will certainly welcome, but we’ll have to wait a little longer before riding the Lion into a virtual realm, later this month.
Apple offers free repairs for iPhones, other products damaged in Japan quake
0738 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
Apple customers with Macs, displays, and iOS devices that were directly damaged in the Japan earthquake and tsunami may be eligible for free repairs. The offer, posted on the company’s Japanese website, excludes iPod classic, nano, and shuffle, and only applies to customers living in areas covered by the Ministry of Health’s Disaster Relief Act. Originally posted in March, Apple’s announcement joins Softbank’s offer to replace lost iPhones registered to its network, and free calls to Japan from U.S. carriers, among others. Considering water and other accidental damage typically voids a device’s warranty, you’ll want to give AppleCare a call soon — the acceptance period only runs through June 30th.
Just say no: Apple and Intel stop using conflict minerals
0779 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
While the US government hasn’t issued an outright ban against the use of ‘conflict minerals’ coming from the Congo, it has passed a law that will require companies who use them to tell all of us when our gadgets have been paid for (in part) with blood. Looks like Apple and Intel weren’t too keen on the bad PR that would come from such disclosures, and joined the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and its Conflict-Free Smelter program. The program requires mineral processing plants either prove that they don’t fund the ongoing hostilities in central Africa or peddle their war-supporting wares elsewhere. For now, that means that the folks in Cupertino and Santa Clara will have to find other sources for the three Ts (tungsten, tin, and tantalum) needed to sate our technological appetites.
Apple holding iPad 2 event next week?
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We’re all hotly expecting new MacBook Pros on Thursday, but it sounds like Apple might have an even bigger announcement soon: Kara Swisher at All Things Digital says the iPad 2 will be revealed on March 2 in San Francisco. That lines up with some of the rumblings we’ve heard, but we haven’t gotten an official invite yet, so things could change — we’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything definite.
How would you change Apple’s 11-inch MacBook Air?
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Apple may not be much on the idea of a 7-inch tablet, but an 11-inch ultraportable? Now that’s an idea even the engineers in Cupertino could dig. When we reviewed the 11-inch MacBook Air, we found an awful lot to love — that all-Flash design is definitely a boon, and the more-mobile-than-mobile design is sure to be loved by road warriors and light packers everywhere. But it’s still (comparatively) sluggish, and it’s lacking a backlit keyboard. Enough from us, though — we’re here to hear what kind of changes you would make. Would you have thrown a faster chip in there at the expense of the case? Boosted the screen resolution? Added an SD card slot? Bit the bullet and tossed in USB 3.0? Comments are open below — dive on it!
Apple’s App Store hits 10 billion downloads (update: we have a winner)
0851 days
by Arlene.L
in Cellphones
Now that the number of App Store downloads to iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads around the world has handily exceeded the population of Planet Earth, we can hopefully put this story to bed until they hit another factor of ten — and as unreasonable as 100 billion downloads sounds, we’ll bet it actually won’t take that long. That’s right: just a few days after kicking off its online counter, Apple’s officially hit the 10 billion mark, which is a whole lot of software any way you slice it. So, Android Market, you’re next?
Update: The lucky winner was Gail Davis of Orpington, Kent, UK, who downloaded Paper Glider. PR after the break.
Apple’s numpad-less compact wired keyboard gets discontinued, few tears are shed
0902 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
The ultraslim, metallic, chiclet-styled obsession all began back in mid-2007, but a revised iMac in March of 2009 delivered something else: a chopped-down version of the Apple Keyboard. If you’ll recall, that one dropped the numeric keypad and gained two peripheral USB sockets, making it one of the more compact desktop keyboards on the market. Just shy of its second birthday, it seems as if the supply chain overlords in Cupertino have seen fit to discontinue it, though a number of e-tailers still seem to have stock for the moment. If you’re dead-set on snagging one (we know, stocking’s aren’t that long), Amazon can make your day for $46.99, but we’d probably pony up the extra $3 necessary to bring one home with a number pad on the right.