Dec 19

With Christmas just a few days away, perhaps you are looking for a last-minute gift for the Apple-lover(s) in your life. The pocket-sized book, “I, Steve” — Steve Jobs In His Own Words — edited by George Beahm, is a great stocking-stuffer and a must-have for any Apple enthusiast and fan of the late, great Steve Jobs. Chock full of quotes from Steve, it is interesting to get a look into one of great minds of our time. Here’s a sneak peak at a few memorable quotes found in the book:
“Being the richest man in the cemetary doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful — that’s what matters to me.”
And another:
“We don’t stand a chance of advertising with features and benefits and with RAMs and with charts and comparisons.  The only chance we have of communicating is with a feeling.”
Just one more quote:
“We’re gambling on our vision, and we would rather do that than make “me, too” products.  Let some other companies do that.  For us, it’s always the next dream.”
You can pick up “I, Steve” from Amazon here or from a bookstore near you.
Dec 18

Apple is airing a new commercial toting the wonders of Siri on an iPhone 4S, helping Santa and his sleigh of eight tiny reindeer deliver presents to all good girls and boys. Both clever and fun, the commercial brings a smile to the face and, instead of visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads, perhaps we can better imagine and dream of new iPhones and iPads showing up in our stocking or under the tree. Here’s hoping!

 

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Mar 17

How cool is Apple’s iPad 2 and the iPad in general? When you add in Garage Band on the iPad 2 with the talent of artist Jhameel, you get a catchy song like “Cafe Du Monde” and a creative YouTube video. For some reason the HTML code for the video didn’t translate well to this blog post, but you can watch the video right here. The iPad has been an effective medium for artists to expand their art, whether it be graphics, sound or the written word. Here’s a great example of what recording artist Jhameel can do with his iPad 2 — what can you do?

Thanks, Ryan!

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Sep 10

I don’t currently own an Apple iPod nano with its new touchscreen, but the idea of wearing one as a watch does intrigue me and, although it doesn’t quite fit my personal taste for watches, I think it’s a cool concept. CountyComm, located in Santa Clara, CA, makes watchbands for a variety of watches and they even have a pouch that just so happens to fit the iPod nano and watchband perfectly.

According to their site, their 22mm Maratac Nylon Single piece bands fit the iPod nano nicely — sliding neatly through the clip. They offer a variety of colors and offer up a great way to sport your iPod nano. I don’t yet have an iPod nano OR one of these watchbands, but the whole idea is intersting, particularly if there are several watch faces to choose from on the iPod nano.

What do you think about wearing an Apple iPod nano as a watch? Check out more pictures after the break.

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Jul 14

How versatile is the iPad? Last night I was watching Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and was blown away when I saw Squeeze perform, specifically when their keyboard player busted loose on a solo featuring the iPad. How cool is that?

Apparently the touch sensitivity of the multi-touch display was more than capable of delivering an accurate, melodic solo and it was amazing to see it done with Apple’s wonder-tablet. Whether you’re reading an ebook, setting up a new calendar item, writing email, or playing keyboard for Squeeze on a late-night talk show, the iPad delivers. What kind of creative ways do you use YOUR iPad?

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Jul 06

The Reader’s Digest iPad Edition is now available in the iTunes App Store and is the first digital version of the most popular paid circulation magazine on the planet. The Reader’s Digest app takes advantage of the multimedia capabilities offered up by the iPad, like enhanced content such as video, zooming ability and links. The app was created by YUDU Media and is currently available for free in an effort to get the digital version of the popular magazine out into the hands of iPad owners.

I downloaded the Reader’s Digest app on my iPad and then proceeded immediately to download the latest edition (June 2010) for free. The download took a few minutes because I was using 3G only, but once completed, it was easy to flip through the virtual pages of the magazine. This version of the magazine is oriented to a UK audience, so those of us in the USA may find it lacking in some relevance, but overall it’s a nice effort and demonstrates the capabilities of the iPad. Since it’s free, you have nothing to lose by trying it out.

[Thanks, Ana!]

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Jun 09

Any time we find some iPad or iPhone media that we deem to be cool and newsworthy, you’ll find it here. Line2  from Toktumi is a $.99 app that adds a second number to your iPhone that works over 3G, WiFi or cellular networks. Or, in the event you want voice capability on your iPad, it’s capable of utilizing either your WiFi connection or 3G (if you have the iPad 3G) for making VoIP calls — and no, we don’t think it’s a good idea to hold your iPad up to your face like a phone during your calls. Instead, just use your iPad’s speaker for calls or try a set of headphones with a built-in mic.

Just install Line2 and within a couple minutes you can have your very own phone number for making outbound and receiving inbound calls. The first 30 days is a free trial, then $14.95/month for unlimited U.S./Canada calls and low-cost international calls.

I used Line2 on my iPad to call my friend on his iPhone. He offered that the call quality was not the best, but certainly passable. I could hear him just fine on the speaker, but I would recommend headphones with mic for a better calling experience. For only a buck, you can check out Line2 and have 30 days of free U.S./Canada calling, even from your iPad. If you decide to try it out for yourself, let us know what you think.

Jun 02

Meet Shinya, a magician who not only sees the value of his iPad as magician’s assistant, but also understands the amazing power of the iPad as a media superstar. He takes sleight-of-hand to a new level utilizing the iPad as the ultimate magic prop. Didn’t Steve Jobs himself say that the iPad is a “magical” device? It most certainly is. Shinya also recognizes the iPad as a communication platform for a new generation. Give the YouTube video a watch and be prepared for some visual candy — iPad style. Let the magic show begin!

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May 18

One of our Forum members, naviculture, has posted a link to iPad Walls, a prized gem of a site that serves as a repository and source of iPad wallpapers and backgrounds. They boast daily updates with new pictures, ranging from 3D, Animals, Celebrity, Funny, Holidays, Music, Scenery, Sports, and many more. They even have a “Submit” button where you can share your favorite images so others can download and enjoy new wallpapers and backgrounds on their iPad.

On your iPad, just head over to iPad Walls, find an image you like, then press and hold to have the option to “save image”, and display your saved image from “saved photos” in your Photo app. Next, just open the image, tap on the arrow in the upper right corner next to the trashcan, and then tap “use as wallpaper.” Presto. You now have new wallpaper on your iPad.

Thanks to naviculture for the tip!

May 13

What if you could play World of Warcraft (WoW) while waiting at the doctors office? On the subway or city bus? While waiting for your plane to board? Or just about anywhere? The extreme portability of the iPad is ushering in a new wave of imagination and development to bring new and existing apps to this exploding platform, and there are people working on ways to bring the massively-popular WoW into your hands in an ultra-portable way.

Companies like Gaikai are developing products like Streaming Worlds, where insane processing power, massive storage and those pesky software updates are performed at a centralized location and the game is streamed to your device where you have full interaction. Instead of being anchored to your desktop or cumbersome laptop and installing DVDs or CDs to your hard drive (not to mention the expense of such), your iPad might function as a terminal where you can interact with and play your favorite PC/Mac game without the fuss and bother of upgrading hardware or software.

Head over to Gaikai’s site now and check out this technology for yourself. There is also a beta sign-up if you’re inclined to try out the goods. Let us know if playing WoW or other games streamed to your iPad is something you dig or something you don’t.

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