Gadgets
Apple Confirms iCloud Web Apps for Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Find My iPhone
Jun 24th
Web access to iCloud Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Find My iPhone will be available at icloud.com this fall.Apple also confirms that the existing iWeb publishing, Gallery, and iDisk services from MobileMe will not be making the transition to iCloud. Some of these functionalities will, however, be replaced and/or enhanced with the already-announced photo and cloud services in iCloud.
All existing MobileMe services will continue to be available through June 30, 2012, although some such as syncing of Mac Dashboard widgets, keychains, Dock items, and System Preferences will become unavailable if users transfer their existing MobileMe accounts to iCloud before that deadline. Other MobileMe services not transitioning to iCloud such as iWeb publishing, Gallery, and iDisk will continue to be available until June 30, 2012 regardless of whether users maintain their existing MobileMe accounts or transition them to iCloud.
Skype for iPAD with Video chat
Jun 24th
A new video promoting a theretofore unreleased Skype for iPad app and demonstrates a stylish interface and video chat capabilities. The video, allegedly posted to Skype’s YouTube channel and then quickly removed, was captured by Twitter user @trackizmy1 and reposted by RazorianFly.
Skype for iPhone supports voice chat, voice calling, and instant messaging but does not include a native iPad client, instead running in pixel doubled mode.
iPhone 4 to be launched in INDIA on 27th May 2011
May 25th
Telecom operators Bharti airtel and Aircel today said they will start selling Apple’s iPhone 4 in India from May 27.
“With a robust roll out of Aircel’s 3G services in 13 circles across India, the launch of iPhone 4 will allow our consumers to truly savour the 3G experience,” Aircel Director Sandip Das said in a statement.
“With our incredible new price plans, we aim to make iPhone more affordable than ever,” Das said.
Growing smartphones sales are expected to get a further fillip with the roll out of 3G services in the country. 3G services, which offer high-speed internet access, have already been rolled out by both Aircel and Bharti airtel.
About 12 million smartphones are expected to be sold in India during 2011, according to a CyberMedia Research study.
Aircel said it will offer customers a range of flexible service plans for both post-paid and pre-paid mobile customers.
Following an upfront payment of Rs 34,500 for the 16GB model and Rs 40,900 for the 32GB model, customers will have the opportunity to recover 100 per cent of their upfront iPhone cost in monthly credits on Aircel’s service plan over a period of 24 months, it said.
White iPhone finally launching this week
Apr 25th
In case you’ve missed all the recent signs, the white iPhone 4 is finally being launched this week. All signs point to April 27th as the launch day. European carriers point to the 27th, Best Buy does too, and Apple has started shipping units to Apple Stores this week. In fact, Vodafone UK even sold one prematurely to a customer. Meanwhile, we’ve heard rumblings from both Best Buy and Apple Retail sources of the same.
With all rumor-eyes looking toward the next generation iPhone 5, it’s not clear how much demand there is for the white iPhone 4 which is now 10 months late from the original launch. So, here’s a poll to see who is planning on buying a white iPhone 4.
White iPhone 4 to Launch on April 26th?
Apr 18th
Last week, Apple confirmed rumors that the White iPhone 4 would finally be launching soon. Multiple sources pegged the release by the end of April, and iPhoneItalia now reports that April 26th will be the day.
The white iPhone 4 was first announced alongside the black model when the iPhone 4 was first introduced. Production issues with the white paint, however, have since held up its release.
Times Square video billboards defaced using iPhone transmitter [Video]
Mar 14th
A man connects his iPhone to a video transmitter which sits precariously in his handsets headphone jack. Whenever he places the video repeater near a video source, he is able to broadcast whatever is on his iPhone’s screen, effectively hacking video billboards in Times Square.
We can’t vouch for the authenticity of the video but it certainly looks real. What do you think?
Unlocked Apple iPhone 4 64GB Prototype Model Leaks
Mar 9th
We are hearing the rumors about Apple iPhone 5 won’t make it at least until September 2011, it seems that Apple in the meantime, is working on a 64GB model of the iPhone 4 to keep us all excited.
Some guys went hands-on with the unlocked iPhone 4 (carrier: SmarTone-Vodafone) with an internal memory of 64GB, and running iOS 4.1. They tell that the source had a couple of these prototype devices (apparently leaked from the Foxconn factory in Shenzhen).
The device also has the same “XX” markings that were seen on the first iPhone 4 prototype leaked by Gizmodo, months ago. Clearly, it’s a prototype built in early 2010, even prior to the iPhone 4 launch itself.
The smartphone could arrive with this massive storage option in coming weeks to months (if Apple intents to), and probably preloaded with iOS 4.3 as well. Check ‘em out!
iPhone 5 Rumors Suggest New Antenna, Aluminum Back
Mar 9th
Already over the iPad 2? Here come another round of rumors for the next Apple device on the horizon: the iPhone 5.
According to Taiwanese source Economic News Daily, the next generation of iPhone will be a significant upgrade from the iPhone 4, released June 2010.
The site reports that the iPhone 5 will no longer include the glass back of the iPhone 4 and instead use an aluminum case, as in the original iPhone. Apple’s reason for the switch apparently has to do with scratching issues on the iPhone 4, as well as the problems the company experienced attempting to manufacture a white iPhone.
Also to be fixed: the much-maligned antenna. Rumors suggest Apple will locate the antenna behind the Apple logo, in an effort to deal with the exposed antenna problems of earlier phones.
Economic News Daily adds that the iPhone 5, like the iPad 2, will use the fast A5 chip in the new phone.
Earlier rumors have predicted that the iPhone 5 will be bigger, smaller, cheaper, and much, much more. As always, only Apple knows for now.
Apple to Launch iMovie and GarageBand for iPad on March 11th
Mar 7th
At recent media event, Apple introduced a revamped universal version of its iMovie application for iOS devices, bringing compatibility to the iPad for the first time. The company also unveiled a brand-new GarageBand application for the iPad. The new apps will be priced at $4.99 each and will be available alongside the March 11th launch of the iPad 2.
iMovie allows users to shoot video directly from the iPad and have it appear right in the application for easy editing. With new themes and still photo support, users can easily drag-and-drop footage, photos, and text to quickly create high-quality video right on their tablet devices. With a Precision Editor built right into the timeline on the iPad, clip management is straightforward and simple.
Other new features include sound effects, audio waveforms, multiple audio tracks for easy voiceovers, and new tools for sharing to the web, among devices, and via AirPlay.
GarageBand for iPad offers libraries of virtual instruments with both simple touch and more complex “smart” functionalities to allow users to sound like expert musicians with simple gestures. Recording studio functionality allows users to mix together various tracks, with various amps and effects to adjust the sound of individual instruments. The new GarageBand also includes a number of sharing tools to allow users to export their work via email or to their iTunes libraries. GarageBand for iPad is also compatible with the Mac version of GarageBand, allowing for easy movement of projects between devices.
All New iPad 2 is here !!
Mar 6th
Thinner
How much thinner is the new iPad? 33% thinner. The iPad has gone from 13.4 mm to just 8.8 mm. The iPad 2 is now even skinnier than the iPhone 4 which is 9.3 mm thick.
Lighter
Up to 15 percent lighter claims Apple. This should come as a relief to those who felt the original iPad was too heavy.
Faster
The iPad 2 is getting a new dual core processor dubbed the A5 (just as we predicted). Apple says the new processor is twice as fast as the old one and claims the graphics performance is 9 times faster. A ninefold increase is graphics performance is pretty crazy for one generation of improvement. Early hands on reports claim the new iPad is blazingly fast.
Cameras
The new iPad comes into line with the rest of the iOS family by getting front and rear facing cameras. The front camera is a VGA camera that can be used for facetime chats with other iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Mac users. There is also a neat photobooth app that allows you to take photos of yourself using the front camera. The rear camera can shoot 720p HD video.
iOS 4.3
The new iPad will come with the newest version of Apple’s mobile operating system iOS 4.3. This update enables better performance while using the Safari Internet browser, iTunes home sharing, Airplay improvements, and you can now turn the iPad mute switch back into the rotation lock if you so wish.
iPad Smart covers
It attaches magnetically and aligns perfectly. Open and close it, and iPad 2 wakes up and goes to sleep. Fold it into a stand for watching and typing. It’s smart in more ways than one.
Other stuff
The iPad 2 also gets a gyroscope and will now be available in black or white (as reported earlier this week). Apple demonstrated new apps for iMovie and GarageBand for iPad. Both apps looked very impressive and both will be available the same day iPad 2 releases. I have been expecting iLife apps for iPad for awhile now. The only thing oddly absent was iPhoto for iPad. Finally, Apple announced new “smart covers” for the iPad which act as a screen protector / case.
Conclusion
With much improved hardware yet the same exact prices as the last generation iPad, Apple should continue to dominate the tablet space. iPad 2 definitely looks like a worthy upgrade over the original iPad. Did we get everything on our wish list (SD card reader, retina display)? No, but Apple has to keep some things for future hardware updates. We are definitely excited about iPad 2 and will have much more on iPad 2 in the days and weeks to come. Now we just have to decide which color iPad 2 to buy.