October 2012

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iPad 4 – Everything You Need To Know

23 October 2012 8:00 PM

Although today’s special Apple keynote in San Jose is centered around the announcement of the iPad mini, lest we forget the Retina-displaying, 9.7-inch iPad complete with all the bells and whistles. Released back in March, the 3rd-Gen Apple slab brought a host of improvements on its predecessor such as the A5X processor for quad-core graphics, and today, in line with recent changes made by Apple, a slightly-amended version of the slate, dubbed as iPad 4th-generation has been announced today.

The announcement comes straight from Senior VP, Phil Schiller at the Apple media event at California Theatre in San Jose, CA. The fourth generation iPad comes with a faster processor, better cameras, availability on more wireless carriers and a certain improved connectivity port.

Internal Hardware
The 3rd generation iPad that was announced earlier this year came with a beefed up version of the A5 processor in the iPad 2, which Apple called the “A5X”. It had quad-core graphics to support the doubled resolution, but the same general performance as the iPad 2.

This time around, Apple has introduced the A6X. Over the A5X, it has twice the general and graphical performance while maintaining the same 10 hour battery life. How much faster this is compared to the A6 chip in iPhone 5, only time (and rigorous benchmarking) will tell.

Cameras
While the rear camera is of the same impressive-for-a-tablet 5-megapixel variety, the front-facing camera is now HD much like the iPhone 5 “FaceTime HD” camera. This will reduce the disparity that was so obvious on the third-generation iPad with its higher-than-HD resolution but “VGA quality” FaceTime camera.

Lightning Connector
The fourth-generation iPad also comes with the new Lightning connector; finally sealing the new connector’s position in Apple’s family of mobile personal computing devices. It’s slimmer and better designed, but it breaks compatibility with previous accessories like speakers, docks etc.. You’ll have to buy a Lightning to 30-pin connector cable separately to use them with the new, new iPad.

Connectivity
Besides the usual suspects – AT&T and Verizon – Apple has confirmed that Sprint will also be carrying the fourth generation iPad with support for its LTE network. Wi-Fi technology has also been further advanced, with support for 2.4GHz / 5GHz frequencies and channel bonding.

Pricing And Availability
You can buy it in black or white, in 16GB ($499), 32GB ($599) and 64GB ($699) configurations for Wi-Fi-only models. You can also get the 4G LTE model for the respective storage configuration by paying the usual $130 on top.

iPad mini – Everything You Need To Know

23 October 2012 7:57 PM

It’s finally here, folks! Apple has just announced the all-new iPad mini at their event today on their own campus. It’s (mostly) exactly what the technology blogosphere was expecting: a smaller iPad 2. Check out all the basic specifications, pricing and availability after the jump!

Display
The iPad mini gets its name from its noticeably smaller display which is 7.9-inches. Its resolution matches that of the iPad 2, at 1024 x 768 giving a pixel density of 163ppi which, by today’s standards, is rather shabby.

Cameras
The iPad mini is accompanied by two cameras, one at the front which supports FaceTime HD, and a 5-megapixel iSight Camera at the back which shoots video at 1080p.

Yes, the same rear-facing camera found in the latest generation iPad. In short; you don’t just get a smaller iPad, you also get an amazing camera which you can carry around with you most of the times.

Lightning Connector
As you might expect, the 30-pin connector is a long gone story and the iPad mini comes with Apple’s brand-new Lightning connector which made its debut with the iPhone 5, fifth-gen iPod touch and the seventh-gen iPod nano.

Dimensions/Weight
Besides the reduced display size, the overall dimensions of the device have also been scaled down: It is slimmer and will, most definitely, have an appropriately reduced weight. Weighs in at just 0.68lbs, this thing is really, really light as far as we can tell. The device is just 7.2mm thick, and is dubbed as being thinner than a pencil. I guess we’ll buy that notion.

Processor/Battery life
With 10-hours of battery life, Apple hasn’t made any sort of sacrifice! And we really mean that. The iPad mini is powered an A5 processor, the one found inside the iPad 2.

Price
iPad mini comes in Apple’s usual selection of colors: black and white. There are three storage configurations – 16GB (£269/$329) / 32GB (£349/$429) / 64GB (£429/$529) – and two configurations based on connectivity – Wi-Fi only and LTE (add $130).

This is considerably more expensive than other Android-based tablets that start at $159 / $199, but that’s not unexpected coming from a company like Apple which charges a heavy premium for its devices. At least this is lower than the revised iPad 2 which cost $399.

Smart Cover
The iPad mini will be complimented with the iPad mini Smart Cover, the same cover which we’ve already seen on the iPad 2 and the current generation iPad, except that it’s smaller. The available colors are dark gray, pink, blue, green, light gray and our favorite; red.

Siri
Siri is a part of the iPad mini now, as well. Making its debut on the iPhone 4S, then making its way onto the third-gen iPad, then the iPhone 5 and iPod touch. Siri has found a new home; the iPad mini.

Availability
The iPad mini will be in stores in selected countries on November 2nd, with a wider availability rolled out in stages. Online pre-ordering start on Friday; we’ll inform you when it goes live so stay tuned!

Combine the smaller display with slimmer, lighter design, lower price and you have a tablet that goes head to head with the likes of the popular Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. The next few months will be very interesting as we will see how not just consumers, but also how Google and Amazon will respond to it.

And oh, every app which works on the larger iPad works flawlessly on the iPad mini. Hence, the devs can rest assured that their apps can get into the hands of many at launch.

Via, redmondpie.com

Apple unveils iPad mini + Shocks everyone with iPad 4

23 October 2012 7:33 PM

Apple has unexpectedly revealed a fourth generation iPad, called, well the iPad 4.

Featuring an upgraded A6X CPU, Apple claims the iPad 4’s new processor will double both the CPU performance and the graphics performance of the previous A5X CPU used in the third generation new iPad.

Though the shell is the same size as its predecessor, the iPad 4 is more energy efficient, boasting 10 hours of continuous battery life.

Apple has also included its new Lightning port, a Retina Display and two times as fast Wi-Fi as previous iPad models, while the camera has also been tweaked for a better performance.

Apple has also announced the iPad 4 will be LTE compatible, and noticeably in the background of Apple’s San Jose presentation was the Everything Everywhere logo, suggesting the UK will be able to enjoy faster network speeds when the iPad 4 arrives here in Blighty.

A Wi-Fi only 16GB version of the iPad 4 will cost you $499 (£313), while a Wi-Fi and cellular version 16GB version will set you back $629 (£395). Both variants are available in black and white.

Apple has introduced an iPad Mini. The new pencil-thin (7.2mm) iPad mini comes a mere half-year after the third generation iPad was introduced. Apple says it is as light as a pad of paper.

All software that runs on iPad runs on Mini, though it is borne of a separate design, said Apple’s Phil Schiller.

Display area on the iPad Mini is a third larger than that on its Android competitors, Schiller said, and 50 percent larger than Android for surfing Web. With Wi-Fi configuration, It will be priced at £269. ($329)

Pre-order yours starting October 26. Or buy the Wi-Fi model at your favourite Apple Retail Store starting at 8:00 a.m. on November 2. Wi-Fi + Cellular models available late November.

Will the iPad 3 drop in price now they showed off the 4th Gen? Who knows.

What do you think of the iPad Mini and the iPad 4? Will you be buying the Mini or the 4th gen or both? Let us know in the comments below!

Carl killed off on Emmerdale’s 40th Live Hour Episode

17 October 2012 9:09 PM

Soap fans were treated to high drama as Emmerdale celebrated its 40th birthday with a live episode in which Carl King (Tom Lister) was battered to death with a brick.

The bad boy of the Dales suffered a blow to the head at the hands of his love rival Cameron Murray (Dominic Power) – but a death was not the only big event to happen in the hour-long episode.

The live show was a display of some of the soap world’s traditionally favourite occasions and was completed with two weddings and two births.

Avid viewers watched as Chas Dingle’s (Lucy Pargeter) wedded bliss to Dan Spencer (Liam Fox) lasted no more than the first 30 minutes, while Katie Sugden (Sammy Winward) enjoyed a marquee reception with new husband Declan Macey (Jason Merrells).

Elsewhere, Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb) gave birth to the baby boy she hopes will save her daughter Sarah’s life after she developed leukaemia.

Joining Debbie in her labour pains was Gennie Walker (Sian Reese-Williams) who gave birth to a baby girl on the floor at Chas and Dan’s wedding reception.

With the emotions of weddings and babies running high, the episode culminated in the shocking death of Carl which show bosses say will have have “major, far-reaching repercussions”.

Fans of the soap were left to speculate about the death, which was kept secret until tonight.

Viewers feared Carl may meet his demise but other characters fans thought faced playing out their final scenes live included vet Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt), old favourite Alan Turner (Richard Thorp) and shrewd businessman Declan Macey.

The ITV soap has followed in the footsteps of Coronation Street and EastEnders as each celebrated their 50th and 25th birthdays respectively with live episodes.

Did you watch Emmerdale’s live 40th or The Fallout behind the scenes? Personally i think they pulled it off, let us know what you think in the comments below!

Put Newsstand In A Folder On Any iOS Device, No Jailbreak Required

11 October 2012 6:33 PM

StifleStand is a simple Windows program to move the Newsstand icon into a folder but what makes StifleStand special is that it doesn’t require a jailbreak in order to use it, which means that it even works with the new iPhone 5. No doubt, hundreds of users who despise Newsstand flocked to the app, but Windows users were sadly left in the cold.. until now the developer (Filippo Bigarella) has released a version for Windows (v1.1)

Here’s how to do it

  • Download and run StifleStand as administrator
      • Mac OSX / Windows OS
  • Connect your IOS device
  • Swipe to the page where your Newsstand app is located.
  • Click Hide Newsstand on StifleStand, and watch the Newsstand app be whisked away into a folder called “Magic”.

    • However here are some points to note

  • You will not be able to use Newsstand while inside a folder, attempting to launch it will send your back to your Lock screen if not jailbroken, or kick you into safe mode if jailbroken.
  • To regain your Newsstand app, simple drag it out of the folder.
  • You can add additional apps to the Magic folder, and use them as usual.
  • You can rename the Magic folder
  • If you have problems getting StifleStand to work, it may be because you have too many apps installed on your device (See Filippo Bigarella’s tweet)

    • What do you think of StifleStand? Is it smart, clever or just pointless? Let us know in the comments below personally the app doesn’t bother me.

    Photo via Tysihelp