Technomaly » ipad

iPad Sells One Million Units

J. Matthew Zoss — Tue, 04 May 2010 15:23:56 +0000

According to Apple, the new iPad has sold more than one million units in the first 28 days. For comparison’s sake sake, it took the iPhone 74 days to shift one million units. In other words, the touchscreen tablet is officially a hit.

The 3G version of the iPad has yet to go on sale, so it’s reasonable to expect another spike in sales once the new version hits stores on Friday. Many analysts predict that the iPad may hit 5 million units sold before the end of the year.

Apple has also stated that more than 12 million iPad apps have been downloaded to date, as well as 1.5 million digital books.

Source: Reuters

The Joker comes to iPad

J. Matthew Zoss — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:59:06 +0000

The moment a new piece of technology is released, there’s always someone who does something really cool with it. For example, The Joker and Catwoman pictures you see here were drawn entirely on an iPad using Sketchbook Pro. Granted, they were drawn by legendary comic book artist Jim Lee. Yes, he draws for a living. But drawing with your fingers on a brand-new piece of technology and producing these – well, that’s bad- ass no matter who you are.

Source: JoBlo .com

Google Tablet Operating In ‘Stealth Mode’

Nick Upton — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:31:01 +0000

Apple’s iPad wasn’t the first step in tablet computing, and it certainly won’t be the last. And now Apple has a big target on their back.

Apple’s major competitors said they already have tablets near completion, and with the iPad’s launch serving as a test bed for the entire market, they will certainly be taking note and tweaking their own versions.

The most interesting — to me — is Google’s efforts. I make no qualms about liking Google for the most part, but beyond that, Google’s Android system is the only competitor with even a similar marketplace. They already have developers making apps and with Google Books and Fastflip in Google Labs, they are poised to actually take on Apple head-to-head. (And it will probably have Flash support — oh zing!)

The New York Times looked into the Google slate; which the CEO told friends about at a party — I assume drunkenly.

Eric E. Schmidt, chief executive of Google, told friends at a recent party in Los Angeles about the new device, which would exclusively run the Android operating system.

People with direct knowledge of the project — who did not want to be named because they said they were unauthorized to speak publicly about the device — said the company had been experimenting in “stealth mode” with a few publishers to explore delivery of books, magazines and other content on a tablet.

Apart from Google, Microsoft’s Courier project looks pretty interesting with two screens and book-like folding. Paired with the new Microsoft Kin it could be a social butterfly’s dream tablet. Microsoft engineers have some kinks to work out though, notably keeping two touch screens running without killing battery life.

[Via New York Times]

That Was Fast: iPad “Will It Blend?” Released

Asterios Kokkinos — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:00:30 +0000

Ah, the Apple iPad. People waited on line for it for hours and hours, braving the elements and social stigmas associated with being one of the world’s biggest geeks. What better way to salute their efforts than by taking their object of desire and putting it into a blender?

Blendtec founder Tom Dickson gave the standard “Will It Blend?” treatment to the shiny new iPad, first by smashing it, then folding it in half. It’s hard to think of anything that could possibly be more entertaining than an old man smashing an iPad, folding it in half, then blending the hell out of it. Watch below:

How To Make Calls From Your iPad

Asterios Kokkinos — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:00:29 +0000

Well, the thing’s not even out for a week and already someone’s turned the thing into a giant iPhone.

If you’d like to make calls from your iPad, check out the Truphone app, which allows iPad users to make calls over VoiP. Calls are free to other Truphone, Skype or Google Talk users, and are $.05/minute over telephone lines (cheaper if you sign up for the monthly plan).

Why would you want to make calls from your iPad? Well, maybe your iPhone died because you tried to do two things at once with it. Maybe you like feeling like a very tiny man. Whatever your reasoning, just the very fact that you can do this is kinda cool.

Here’s video of a man using his iPad as a giant iPhone off TechCrunch:

Apple Sells 300,000 iPads on Day 1

J. Matthew Zoss — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:34:32 +0000

Did you buy your iPad yet? 300,000 of you did – at least, that’s how many units Apple reported as sold on day one. iPad purchasers also bought over 1 million apps from the App store on the first day and also downloaded 250,000 e-books.

Apple fans will call the number a triumph, while detractors will say selling “only” 300k makes it a bust. It is really hard to declare victory or defeat at this point, as many consumers may be waiting for the 3G version of the device later this month. Apple’s shares were down 17 cents to $235.80 in premarket trading and productivity is down across the nation as Apple fans play with their new toy.

Source: Associated Press

First iPad Games Leak Online

J. Matthew Zoss — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:16:27 +0000

Looking forward to the iPad? Apparently a number of iPhone game developers are. A number of “HD” or “XL” versions of existing iPhone/iPod games have been confirmed by the App Store. It’s safe to assume that these games will be merely higher-resolution versions of the games that will look better on the larger screen, but who cares? It’s news about an Apple product, so it’s clearly a big deal! Here’s a list of the games:

Ammoin HD
Azkend HD
Flight Control HD
Grind HD
HD Recovery
Labyrinth 2 HD
NBA Hotshot HD
Numba HD
Plants vs. Zombies HD
Sparkle HD
Worms HD

Looks like I’ll be buying Plants vs. Zombies for a third time.

Story and Image via CruchGear

Nintendo Enters The E-Book Game…Sortof

Asterios Kokkinos — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:00:02 +0000

Recently, Nintendo announced the launch of a new product, the DSi XL, a Nintendo DS that boasts a screen that’s 93% larger than the previous model. It’ll launch in late March, and with it comes some more fun news: one of the first carts for the new system will be an e-book.

To be fair, it’s 100 e-books crammed together onto one cart called “100 Classic Books,” which will include entries from Shakespeare and Dickens.

Does this mark the entrant of a new competitor to the e-book reading crown? Well, not exactly – Nintendo Marketing VP Cammie Dunaway has announced that the company “has no plans” to compete with the big boys like the Amazon Kindle or the soon to be released iPad. That, and the DSi XL won’t use the same “e-ink” display scheme as a lot of e-book readers, which would mean eyestrain enters into the equation.

Still, it’s pretty cool that Nintendo’s putting out a game that’s actually one hundred books. Now if only any of them were playable…two player WiFi The Tempest, anyone?

Source & Photo Source: Christian Science Monitor

First iPad Commercial Airs During Oscars

Asterios Kokkinos — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:00:05 +0000

Here’s the very first iPad commercial, which aired during last night’s Oscars. If you’ve been following the device on the blogs then it’s nothing new, but it’s still an entertaining, well put together commercial.

It also explains why Steve Jobs was seen on the red carpet, which is pictured below:

In other Oscar news, the techno-tastic Avatar walked away with Oscars for Achievement in Art Direction, Achievement in Visual Effects and Achievement in Cinematography. All these awards make sense – especially Visual Effects, as James Cameron essentially created new 3D cameras and technology from the ground up.

The computer animated tearjerker Up won for Best Animated Feature, which led to a heartfelt, genuine speech by director Pete Doctor, who remarked, “Boy, never did I dream that making a flip-book out of my 3rd grade math book would lead to this.”

Stirring stuff!

Confirmed: iPad To Launch April 3rd

Asterios Kokkinos — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:07:12 +0000

Yesterday, we ran a story reporting on a rumored release date for the iPad. Apple just confirmed that rumor as false – the “magical and revolutionary” iPad is launching on April 3rd.

Well, the Wi-Fi version, anyway. The model that can tap into AT&T’s 3G network arrives in “late April.”

The model will be shipping with 12 apps built in, all designed specifically for the iPad, and obviously the iPad will be able to run any of the 150,000 apps in the iTunes App Store as it is simply a gigantic iPhone.

Here’s a short little bullet of information from Apple HQ:

iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models on April 3 in the United States for a suggested retail price of $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB. iPad will be sold in the United States through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

Source & Photo Source: NYTimes

Rumor: iPad Launch Date is March 26th

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:04:19 +0000

iPhone Launch In Paris, 2007

We’ve all heard the rumors of production problems with the iPad, and we know the official release date is said to be sometime “in late March.” Now, the websites Examiner and MacRumors are both reporting that the iPad will launch on March 26th.

If correct, that’d mean Apple’s launching the same week they launched the iPhone way back in 2007. Remember those pre-iPhone days, before all your friends did was play with apps in front of you? Good times. Anyway, the second half of the rumor is that employees would get their hands on the device on March 10 for in-store demos, which would be the same day a massive commercial campaign for the iPad launches.

The thing about rumors is that…well, they’re rumors, and we won’t know if they’re true for a little bit now. Still, I hope they’re right, if only so I can finally play with one of these things and see what all the fuss is about.

Source & Photo Source: Christian Science Monitor

New Dell Tablet Sounds Pretty Cool

Asterios Kokkinos — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

With all this talk of the iPad, it’s hard to remember that yes, other idiots are also trying to make a device designed only for fun during a massive recession. If I had a bunch of expendable cash, I think I actually might buy this new Dell tablet, the Mini 5. Here’s what it’s packing:

Flash compatibility, unlike the iPad
Make phone calls
Runs on Android, which is always a plus
Front facing webcam, rear facing 5 megapixel camera
16:9 aspect ratio, perfect for HD media
A “competitive” price, which I hope is code for, “Much cheaper than the iPad”

For the record, the iPad’s screen is nearly double the size of the Mini 5, has access to the hundred thousand apps in the iTunes App Store, and is a gigantic iPhone. Gigantic versions of things people already love seems like a winning strategy in the coming tablet-wars.

I once again raise the question: does anyone out there actually need a tablet computer? I suppose the real question, though, is, will anybody want one.

Hulu Coming To iPad

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:00:17 +0000

The good news: Hulu’s coming to the iPad, giving people one more reason to buy one of the damn things. Access to every single episode of Lost on a beautiful screen while waiting at the airport? That’s a good thing.

The bad news: they may charge money for the app, which as we all know, is free over the internet. That’s according to All Things Digital’s Peter Kafka, who says he’s got this news from multiple sources within the organization.

Makes sense to me – Hulu’s not making any money right now; it’s kind of losing its shirt in fact. Those little fifteen second commercials they run between acts of your favorite television shows aren’t making the networks much money at all, so the idea of Hulu charging a premium for iPad access makes sense. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’d be the surest way for the service to make a little cash. If you’ve got the scratch for an iPad, surely you have the $5-$10 for an app that’ll allow you to access all of Babylon 5.

Still, I’m bracing myself for the nerdrage. “Boo! Give us everything we want, right now, for free or we’ll murder you!!”

Source & Photo Source: The Christian Science Monitor

iPad To Be Sold At Best Buy

Asterios Kokkinos — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:18:19 +0000

Some interesting news out of Apple COO Tim Cook – he recently announced that the iPad will be sold at retail locations, like Best Buy, soon after it launches.

He also revealed that Apple considers itself to be a “mobile device company,” which makes sense as it pulls in most of its revenue from iPhones, iPods and laptops.

Additionally, when asked if the iPad would b e a replacement for netbooks, Cook completely trashed them – much like Jobs does at every opportunity.

Finally, when asked about the apparent failure of the Apple TV, Cook mentioned that the product had seen a 35% year over year growth, and was seen to be a “hobby” device.

The idea of picking up an iPad at retail locations makes a lot of sense – there’s something about a device that seems to exist only for fun that makes it the kind of impulse buy you’d pick up at a Best Buy, or a Target, or some other kind of general shopping store.

Source & Photo Source: Mashable

Wired Magazine: Now On The iPad

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:00:37 +0000

Wired Magazine’s new iPad application is essentially an issue of Wired you can read on your iPad. Which is pretty much all I need to hear to get excited. Although saying that Wired’s on the iPad now is the exact same thing as saying, “Wired Magazine just got much more expensive and harder to read! Also, unlike now, when you drop it you break it entirely!”

Below is some sweet, sweet video of the iPad/Wired combo platter in action.

While the iPad at this point refuses to promote Flash, it’s more than happy to promote the fact that the magazine runs on Adobe AIR. Interesting double standard, Apple.

Mashable had some nice observations that I completely missed, namely: the fact that the magazine can be turned 360, hand gesture navigation, dual axis navigation (which I do not understand), and Twitter/Facebook integration. I must admit, the idea of highlighting and tweeting text directly from an issue of a magazine out to your friends is pretty damn cool.

I’m still skeptical as to whether or not we even need an iPad, but hey, let’s hope we keep getting impressed by these apps.

Would You Buy An iPad If It Was Cheaper, Maybe?

Geoffrey Golden — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 14:00:33 +0000

There’s been a lot of buzz around Apple’s recently announced iPad, and let’s face it fanboys: much of the buzz has been negative. When Pee-Wee Herman uses your device as a drink tray, you know you’ve got problems. Perhaps that’s why Credit Suisse analyst Bill Shope thinks Apple will be “nimble” regarding the price of the iPad. If the device doesn’t perform up to expectations in the first few months, Jobs may quickly slash the price from $499 to something less wallet-draining, claims the industry analyst.

Then again, the iPhone’s price was cut dramatically soon after its launch, and the iPhone was an immediate success. So maybe rumors of a price cut aren’t so much a reflection of negative buzz, as they are a reflection of consumers being turned-off by a high price tag. After all, its much touted function is as a superior eBook reader, but you can get a lowly Kindle for half the cost.

Or maybe — just maybe — tech blogs should stop obsessing over every rumor surrounding Cupertino. When you search for Apple Rumors in Google, you get almost 15 million results. So that’s probably enough rumor coverage to last us for a little while.

Source: eWeek

Image Sources: Bored of Jam

Amazon eBook Price Wars: Macmillan Strikes Back!

Asterios Kokkinos — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:00:37 +0000

Here’s a simple one: Amazon.com is trying to set the prices of all e-books they sell at $9.99. Publishers don’t like this, as they sell their books for upwards of $16 and don’t want to lose the profit.

You’d think Amazon would want that extra cash, too – an increased sale price means more profit for the globe’s biggest book retailer, right? Well, not if they’re trying to move Kindles, they don’t. Amazon’s looking for a e-book pricing model that’s simple and cheap – take a loss on each e-book to more more of their e-book readers – but publishers are balking, moving from wholesale pricing models to what they call “agency” pricing models in order to restore the higher prices.

HarperCollins, Hachette and a just added Macmillan are the biggest of the defecting publishers, and are unilaterally setting their price points at $14.99 to $15.99 per e-book (with new releases going possibly as low as $12.99). Amazon, who needs their books, has no choice but to go along with it all.

This is good news for Steve Jobs, who seeking to avoid his iPad being outmaneuvered by the Kindle – both are e-book readers, and the one with the cheapest e-books could conquer the emerging e-publishing market. If he can keep parity with the Kindle’s prices (or undersell them), it’ll be just another reason to pick up an iPad.

Personally, I’ll be sticking with r-books – real books that actually exist in physical space – for the time being.

Source: VentureBeat

Image Source: Amazon.com