Today Steve Jobs and the Apple team released info about the upcoming iOS 5 update.
The best source for concise info about what the new OS will do is from Mobile Crunch (Everything You Need To Know About iOS 5).
The biggest deal for many seems to be the addition of notifications, and missed notifications on the lock screen that allow you to swipe directly to the pertinent app. Apparently many folks felt this was a major issue on the Apple vs. Android battlefield.
I'm personally more interested in the newsstand portion of iBooks, where your subscriptions to magazines will now appear.
Many folks were also stoked to hear about the reading list option. From Safari, you can now add items to a reading list which will showcase your articles in a "prettied up" version. Sort of like your very own magazine or newspaper.
Reminders, the way I understand it, is the least useful change for me personally. I already have reminders popping up from my calendar, which I've synced to Google Calendar for years now.
One thing that is interesting is the photo shortcut from the lock screen. This makes capturing spontaneous shots easier, faster, and better. They say the camera's improved as well with this latest software update. This is probably aimed at higher-pixel camera phones coming out daily nowadays.
The thumb keyboard cracks me up. It's the keyboard separated into two areas, one on the left margin and one on the right margin.
The "PC Free" concept is pretty much, yes very, a huge deal, since we've all been tethered to laptops and desktops indefinitely for iPhone and iPad updates and syncing...and let's not even bring up iTunes syncing *shiver* The Wireless synch to iTunes and the iPad mirroring are nice add-ons that make a difference without much effort from the user.
Twitter is now better integrated, and iMessages promises stealth and speed when sharing between users--not something earthshaking since I don't really use my IM app of choice (eBuddy) all that much anymore, nor IM in general. And I doubt this is that relevant for most, since they're anyway used to texting.
I am very excited that this latest iOS update brings with it so much functionality, that I can barely contain myself to run home and plug in the little buggers to see how it all applies to the particular models of devices I own (iPad 2 and iPhone 3GS).
If anything interesting happens once I update, I'll be sure to follow up with a post.
Cheers and happy iOS-ing. Of course, we have to wait until the fall, but what's a couple of months!
Showing posts with label iPad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iPad. Show all posts
Monday, June 6, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
I Got an iPad!!
The significant-other unit talked a lot about getting me an iPad 2 for my birthday, but ordered it in such a way that it got to me about three weeks after the fact. Which is no big deal!
I had a day scheduled as a work-from-home day on which I could sign for the delivery before the UPS guy sent it back.
I have been having a blast surfing, listening to music, and reading on my new iPad. My only regret is that it doesn't save attachments. I can't imagine why. Since I have attachments I need to send to my Dropbox. I need to identify a way to possibly email my attachments to Dropbox directly.
Otherwise, the screen, the weight, the apps, everything is peachy. Just how I love it.
Here's some images I've captured thus far, and I will be adding more as I find new neat things to save/share.
I had a day scheduled as a work-from-home day on which I could sign for the delivery before the UPS guy sent it back.
I have been having a blast surfing, listening to music, and reading on my new iPad. My only regret is that it doesn't save attachments. I can't imagine why. Since I have attachments I need to send to my Dropbox. I need to identify a way to possibly email my attachments to Dropbox directly.
Otherwise, the screen, the weight, the apps, everything is peachy. Just how I love it.
Here's some images I've captured thus far, and I will be adding more as I find new neat things to save/share.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
iOS 4.3
Friday was the official rollout of iOS 4.3 to all iPhones (3Gs and above) and iPads.
According to the Apple OS update page, the benefits are mostly for iPhone 4 users:
The Naperville, Illinois Apple store reported a line so long down Jefferson Avenue, that it bent around the corner where the Eddie Bauer store is (Crowds Come Out to Naperville Apple Store for New iPad 2) located.
I even read somewhere that they offered customers in line a free Starbucks drink, since the line and wait were so long.
After a few hours of sales, Apple officially reduced the shipping time wait for a new iPad 2 to 2-3 weeks, according to an update by ZDNet.
So...did you get yours yet? Are you going for an iPad 1 because it's much cheaper now? Or are you favoring an Android tablet?
According to the Apple OS update page, the benefits are mostly for iPhone 4 users:
- personal hotspot for up to five devices
- iTunes home sharing
- new AirPlay features
- faster Safari performance via the newfangled Apple Nitro JavaScrip engine
- HD video via Apple's Digital AV Adapter
- Ping features
- new settings for message alerts
- single-tap conference calling pause
- and a number of bug fixes
The Naperville, Illinois Apple store reported a line so long down Jefferson Avenue, that it bent around the corner where the Eddie Bauer store is (Crowds Come Out to Naperville Apple Store for New iPad 2) located.
I even read somewhere that they offered customers in line a free Starbucks drink, since the line and wait were so long.
After a few hours of sales, Apple officially reduced the shipping time wait for a new iPad 2 to 2-3 weeks, according to an update by ZDNet.
So...did you get yours yet? Are you going for an iPad 1 because it's much cheaper now? Or are you favoring an Android tablet?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
iPad 2
Today was the greatly anticipated Apple iPad 2 keynote. I was able to follow along by reading Endgadget.com's great live blogging page.
It looks like the iOS update, 4.3, will be out March 11--when I believe the new iPad will come out.
It looks like the iOS update, 4.3, will be out March 11--when I believe the new iPad will come out.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Verizon iPhone: Now For The Bad News...
According to a compiled reviews post on CNN Fortune today, the Verizon iPhone is leaving folks unsatisfied.
Although calls are not dropped as often as on the AT&T network, and the reach of the signal is stronger for many, the user can't multitask on the 3G network (phone call and surf the web at the same time).
Second, is data speed. AT&T is almost 50% faster at download speeds. This is a cause for concern for most folks interested in a smartphone for data transfer (documents, photographs, email, etc.).
But there is a neat little hook with Verizon: the hotspot feature. You can use the iPhone to get your iPad or other gadget free reign over the Internet, without having to pay for a data plan that's only available to that particular gadget *cough*iPad*cough*
I'm seeing two pluses and two minuses here. What about you?
From what I read thus far, the Verizon pluses are not enough to get me to switch...particularly with the carrot dangling in the horizon of AT&T possibly releasing the iPhone's hotspot feature in a near future.
Although calls are not dropped as often as on the AT&T network, and the reach of the signal is stronger for many, the user can't multitask on the 3G network (phone call and surf the web at the same time).
Second, is data speed. AT&T is almost 50% faster at download speeds. This is a cause for concern for most folks interested in a smartphone for data transfer (documents, photographs, email, etc.).
But there is a neat little hook with Verizon: the hotspot feature. You can use the iPhone to get your iPad or other gadget free reign over the Internet, without having to pay for a data plan that's only available to that particular gadget *cough*iPad*cough*
I'm seeing two pluses and two minuses here. What about you?
From what I read thus far, the Verizon pluses are not enough to get me to switch...particularly with the carrot dangling in the horizon of AT&T possibly releasing the iPhone's hotspot feature in a near future.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
To iPad or Not to iPad? A Decision By the Numbers
Many business people are dragging around their little iPads lately. Showoffs they are.
I see them at meetings, on the plane. The little case or portfolio that they use allows them to have them at an incline on a table to easily view and type on the cornea display.
Some say that an iPad's more convenient than a laptop...it's lighter, you can access almost any document pending you have the right app, and they're very portable. Alternatively, of course, there is the Mac AirBook...
Options, Options
So what are the options if you're also considering an iPad as part of your mobile toolset?
First of all, you need to decide whether you want the Wi-Fi model, or you want to spring for the more expensive 3G and the required data plan.
According to the Apple iPad page, the Wi-Fi model come in these flavors:
Wi-Fi vs. Data Plan
Wi-Fi models can survive munching off free Wi-Fi from Starbucks, some hotels, and other generous locales. Meanwhile, the 3G will only work wherever the 3G network extends to. But there's also a third option: using the Wi-Fi model with a Mi-Fi card. A Mi-Fi is an intelligent mobile hot spot you can use for a laptop, a tablet, your Wi-Fi enabled smart phone, and more.
When it comes to iPad service providers, you have AT&T and Verizon. I looked at Verizon's iPad page first because they're the recent partners and may have some exciting propositions to compete against old hat AT&T.
The Verizon Proposition
I was surprised to learn that the Verizon iPad page offers only a Wi-Fi version of the iPad (all three memory size offerings) bundled with a Mi-Fi 2200 mobile hotspot.
The plus here, is that their Mi-Fi comes free in this bundle for the price of the iPad at whatever memory tier you're picking, and with a one-year ($70) or two-year (free) contract for the data plan. Typically, the Mi-Fi only goes for $269.99.
So if you go for Verizon's iPad, you get the three memory option iPads at face value, the Mi-Fi hotspot for free, and service at these levels:
Is it me or are they making most of their money off of people who don't know how many G they need and end up paying over after the allowance? Hm.
Plus:
The AT&T Proposition
On the other hand, AT&T seems to be offering the Wi-Fi+3G option in the three memory levels. They seem to assume that if you want the non-3G you'll just step into your nearest Apple store to get the device on your own.
The AT&T Wi-Fi system includes over 200,000 Wi-Fi spot locations. You can find one of their hot spots using their Find an AT&T Hot Spot site.
The AT&T 3G plans come in domestic or international flavors:
Domestic
International with usage limit and 30-day expiration
Plans automatically expire when you run out of data or when the 30-day cycle comes to an end. Plans automatically renew every 30-day cycle.
My personal experience with the 3G network under AT&T is that it doesn't typically provide healthy coverage during our vacations. If you're hoping to use the GPS feature to help guide you to and fro your travel itinerary destinations, it can get scary. Have paper maps or a real GPS unit. Let me tell you, it's not a fun surprise to find out your iPhone signal isn't available when you're in the middle of the road between Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico, or out in swampland highways in the middle of Louisiana.
AT&T has a Coverage Viewer page where you can look up the data coverage provided by their network in the US.
I was unable to locate small print fee information for the AT&T data package.
Before finalizing your decision, it's best you go somewhere in person and 1) play around with the device yourself, and 2) talk numbers and specs with the attendant there.
I hope this helps someone out there trying to make heads or tails out of the service plans, and hoping to make their iPad buying decision soon. Good luck!
I see them at meetings, on the plane. The little case or portfolio that they use allows them to have them at an incline on a table to easily view and type on the cornea display.
Some say that an iPad's more convenient than a laptop...it's lighter, you can access almost any document pending you have the right app, and they're very portable. Alternatively, of course, there is the Mac AirBook...
Options, Options
So what are the options if you're also considering an iPad as part of your mobile toolset?
First of all, you need to decide whether you want the Wi-Fi model, or you want to spring for the more expensive 3G and the required data plan.
According to the Apple iPad page, the Wi-Fi model come in these flavors:
- 16G for $499
- 32G for $599
- 64G for $699
- 16G for $629
- 32G for $729
- 64G for $829
Wi-Fi vs. Data Plan
Wi-Fi models can survive munching off free Wi-Fi from Starbucks, some hotels, and other generous locales. Meanwhile, the 3G will only work wherever the 3G network extends to. But there's also a third option: using the Wi-Fi model with a Mi-Fi card. A Mi-Fi is an intelligent mobile hot spot you can use for a laptop, a tablet, your Wi-Fi enabled smart phone, and more.
When it comes to iPad service providers, you have AT&T and Verizon. I looked at Verizon's iPad page first because they're the recent partners and may have some exciting propositions to compete against old hat AT&T.
The Verizon Proposition
I was surprised to learn that the Verizon iPad page offers only a Wi-Fi version of the iPad (all three memory size offerings) bundled with a Mi-Fi 2200 mobile hotspot.
The plus here, is that their Mi-Fi comes free in this bundle for the price of the iPad at whatever memory tier you're picking, and with a one-year ($70) or two-year (free) contract for the data plan. Typically, the Mi-Fi only goes for $269.99.
So if you go for Verizon's iPad, you get the three memory option iPads at face value, the Mi-Fi hotspot for free, and service at these levels:
- 1G data for $20 monthly, $20 per GB rate after allowance
- 3G data for $35 monthly, $20 per GB rate after allowance
- 5G data for $50 monthly, $20 per GB rate after allowance
- 10G data for $80 monthly, $20 per GB rate after allowance
Is it me or are they making most of their money off of people who don't know how many G they need and end up paying over after the allowance? Hm.
Plus:
- mobile insurance for $4
- line activation $35
- you should add I-Dial if you like roaming
- tolls, taxes, and surcharges @ anywhere from 5-39% of your monthly bill
- monthly Federal Universal Service Charge on interstate and international telecom charges @ 15.5% per line
- monthly regulatory charge up to .02 per line
- monthly administrative charge up to .06 per line
This information was last updated on the Verizon site on January 1, 2011.
On the other hand, AT&T seems to be offering the Wi-Fi+3G option in the three memory levels. They seem to assume that if you want the non-3G you'll just step into your nearest Apple store to get the device on your own.
The AT&T Wi-Fi system includes over 200,000 Wi-Fi spot locations. You can find one of their hot spots using their Find an AT&T Hot Spot site.
The AT&T 3G plans come in domestic or international flavors:
Domestic
- 250MB at $14.99 a month
- 2GB at $25 a month
International with usage limit and 30-day expiration
- 20MB at $24.99
- 50MB at $59.99
- 100MB at $119.99
- 200MB at $199.99
Plans automatically expire when you run out of data or when the 30-day cycle comes to an end. Plans automatically renew every 30-day cycle.
My personal experience with the 3G network under AT&T is that it doesn't typically provide healthy coverage during our vacations. If you're hoping to use the GPS feature to help guide you to and fro your travel itinerary destinations, it can get scary. Have paper maps or a real GPS unit. Let me tell you, it's not a fun surprise to find out your iPhone signal isn't available when you're in the middle of the road between Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico, or out in swampland highways in the middle of Louisiana.
AT&T has a Coverage Viewer page where you can look up the data coverage provided by their network in the US.
I was unable to locate small print fee information for the AT&T data package.
Before finalizing your decision, it's best you go somewhere in person and 1) play around with the device yourself, and 2) talk numbers and specs with the attendant there.
I hope this helps someone out there trying to make heads or tails out of the service plans, and hoping to make their iPad buying decision soon. Good luck!
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