Tag Archives: Apple

Mar 7 2012

A New Dawn, A New Day and A New iPad

Apparently, Apple are going to make an announcement about something in a couple of hours… The rumour is, a new iPad is going to be announced. The third iPad, an iPad which is 1080p HD… The iPad3 or the iPadHD.

iPad

I had an iPad. I queued up at 5am and waited patiently to be one of the first in the UK to own an iPad. Snapping up the 64GB WiFi version, with a LOT of accessories I wanted to make sure I had full use of the iPad and put it through it’s paces and at first I loved it.

The more I used it, the more I realised I couldn’t quite get a comfy grip. I couldn’t hold it in just that right way and I started being very aware of how heavy it was. Then the iPhone 4 came and as always, I queued up in the morning and I was one of the first to get my hands on it. Then it started happening, I was reaching over the iPad to get my iPhone. The retina display was stunning and when sat side by side the iPad, you could really notice the difference.

When I realised I wasn’t using it as much as I’d hoped, after six months, I decided to sell. It funded most of my MacBook Air purchase so it all worked out well in the end. When the iPad2 came soon after my loss, Apple had corrected most of what I had disliked about the iPad. It was lighter, easier to hold and with the Smart Cover you could balance it stood up in various ways.

Since then, I’ve always said, the only thing that would tempt me back to iPad is a better display and a faster performance… Well I think that time has come.

Here are my thoughts and predictions:

  • iPadHD/iPad3 – I realised today the iPad 2 is actually called iPad. With the iPhone, Apple added numbers to differentiate the models on sale, with iPad they replaced the first with the latter. So they will probably name it iPadHD so they can still sell iPad as a cheaper option!
  • 3G/LTE(4G) - There could be two versions, one for US users and one for international users, or they may just stick with 3G. LTE uses a lot of battery and yes it’s fast and could stream full HD over your mobile network. Which network would want to encourage that?!
  • No Extra Ports and Same Ol’ Home Button - Everything needs the home button. iOS 5.1 needs the home button. iPad’s have better multi-touch gestures but it still needs a home button. Maybe next time.
  • HD (1080p) or ‘Retina’ Display - The screen will be something special. A 1080p, crystal clear ‘retina’ display and no matter how much you zoom, you won’t see a pixel!
  • iPad Mini - There’s also rumour of a smaller iPad, a 7.85″ version but I honestly doubt this will happen. Apple have said several times, there’s no need for an inbetween. You have your iPhone and an iPad, why anything in the middle?
  • Last-Minute addition – Tactile Feedback Screen - This is a new one, a latecomer to the rumour scene. The new iPad will have a tactile-feedback screen, which lets you feel objects and will give you feedback when you tap, almost like tapping away at a real keyboard. I’m not sure about this and don’t think Apple will include it. It reminds me too much of that terrible Blackberry a couple of years back.
So when will it be released? My feeling is Friday. Why not? Apple appear to have shipped a LOT of packaged items from China and other places where manufacturing has recently ramped up. I really hope so… I may have to make an early morning trip into Manchester to my favourite Apple Store…
Feb 14 2012

iPad 3… Coming Soon?

I have it on good authority that there will be an iPad 3 announcement on March 7.
(Read as: A website has reported about another website and someone has ‘heard from a friend’ so I’ll post that too!)

iPad

There have been the usual trickle of photos from within Apple’s supply chain of various parts and pieces. Some have even gone as far as playing Lego with the pieces and fitting together to try to see what it will look like… It will look the same.

Apparantly a millimetre thicker to add a slither of battery life but essentially, it will look the same as the iPad 2. The suggested A6 processor could stay as a dual-core but rumours suggest this could be increased (along with some added RAM) to a quad-core BEAST!

That is what will turn me. Nevermind the possibility of a ‘Retina Display’ with a Higher-than-High-Def resolution. Who knows? Well, Tim Cook probably does… As will the rest of the world within three weeks!

Nov 22 2011

Re-Downloading Media in iTunes

Through various recent changes, both in iOS for iPhones and the such but also in the iTunes Music Store, you are now able to re-download your past purchases in iTunes!

You can also download straight from your iOS device but today I’ll be concentrating on using iTunes.

Purchased

You’ll notice some new items on your iTunes home page. iTunes Match isn’t available in the UK just yet, so that’ll be covered at a later date.

For now, just select ‘Purchased’ and this will take you to a new section of iTunes where you can re-download everything you’ve ever purchased.

Music History

You can select to look at all your previous purchases, or just what isn’t currently on your computer. This is great if you’ve had to delete media or lost music over the years, I’ve lost plenty of tracks here and there and iTunes will filter out what you’ve already got and show you what isn’t there!

Download

Once you’ve gone through your Music, you can also re-download any apps you may have purchased. Or indeed Books from the iBook Store. If you’re lucky enough to have a US iTunes Store, you can also download TV shows!

TV Shows

Oct 4 2011

iPhone 4S – Everything You Need To Know

So unless you’ve been sleeping or living in a TARDIS recently, you’ll know that Apple have just finished announcing iPhone 4S. Outside the same, inside all different.

iPhone 4S

 

Now that Apple’s website is back online, you can watch some video and look at pretty pictures and see how great the iPhone 4S is going to be, but you came here for the lowdown. So here it is.

Essentially, if you have an iPhone 4, I’d say stick with it. If you have a 3G or 3GS (or heaven forbid a classic 2G!) then it’s worth the upgrade. Simples.
If you have an iPhone 4 and you use it a lot then I would recommend the 4S. It’s harder, better, faster and stronger. Here’s why:

  • A5 dual core processor. The same that’s used in iPad 2 making iPhone’s performance and graphics twice as fast!
  • 8MP Camera.  It ain’t about the MP, it’s about the quality. The sensor captures 60% more pixels for sharper and brighter images.
  • HD Video. Not the HD you’re used to. Full 1080p recorded with live image stabilisation to create stunning video.
  • Smart Twin Antenna’s. No more dropped calls and it doesn’t matter how you hold it.
  • Siri the Smart Assistant. Taking voice recognition to a new level allowing you to dictate messages and emails, discuss your calendar and create/change appointments and it literally answers you back. You have to see it to believe it.
  • Airplay Mirroring. Not just video out, wireless to your Apple TV you can stream everything on your iPhone. Video, web pages and more importantly, games. A wireless controller streaming your games to your TV in HD.
  • Find My Friend. OK, this is a general iOS 5 thing but this is gonna be awesome. Your friends share their location for brief periods of time and you can check in to see where they are. Perfect if you’re meeting up with friends on a night out or at a festival!!
The release date in the US and the UK is Friday October 14th at 8am. There are no prices confirmed for the UK networks as of yet but I’m sure they’ll follow in the next couple of days. The US prices are $199, $299 and $399 with a two-year contract for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models respectively. The 3GS will now be free with a contract and the 8GB 4 will be reduced to $99.
Apple have hinted at prices for the iPhone 4S in the UK starting at £499 but whether this is with a contract or not, I don’t know.
iPhone 4S Price
I could go on all night and talk about the pros and cons and whether you should get one if you already have an iPhone or if you’re a new user. There are 9 variations of iPhone available now. So the world is your oyster. Go and get one and have a play… iDid.
Oct 3 2011

Apple iPhone Event – Tuesday 4th Oct

10am, One Infinite Loop, tomorrow morning. Apple would like to talk about iPhone. Specifically, news of the imminent release of iOS 5.0 for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Apple iPhone Event

So before we talk about the iPhone, let’s talk about iOS. Tomorrow, Tim Cook will take the pleasure to announce that the iOS 5.0 GM will be available to developers. Apple stick to a familiar pattern when releasing beta releases to developers and last week, Apple skipped a release and that can only mean one thing. It’s ready.

The GM will be available to download immediately on Tuesday allowing for updates to be rushed through before it’s released to the public some time the following week. I expect this to be on Friday 14th October.

So iPhone. What’s going to be announced? There has been more noise on the internet surrounding an unreleased, unannounced product than ever before. Every rumour has been touted for what will most likely be called iPhone 4S.

In reality, the only time we’re going to find out what Apple has up it’s sleeve, is tomorrow. When they want to announce it. I’ll try to cut my way through the shrubbery and get right to the good stuff for you. Here is what I’m pretty sure will be announced tomorrow:

  • iPhone 4S in White/Black
  • Available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB flavours.
  • iPhone 4 8GB in White/Black
  • iPhone 4S will include A5 dual-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • Improved Camera (Possibly Sony’s 8MP)
  • Same Size/Shape as iPhone 4
  • iOS 5.0 will be very fast
As well as minor changes, like the antenna being moved so there will be no/less signal interruption with your hand. The sensors next to the ear piece will have moved near to the side of the phone. Battery life will be improved as will the microphone/noise-reduction. Which will help Apple’s new way of reacting to a long-home button press… Assistant.
There is quite a bit of last minute talk about Assistant which Apple hopes will become the new thing in voice-recognition and voice-powered software. As well as the usual ‘call Dad mobile’ and ‘play music’ Apple hopes to use it’s new acquisition Siri and their new partnership with Nuance to create the ultimate in voice powered apps.
Hoping to allow you to literally dictate messages and emails, ask for directions, book restaurants, check cinema times and book tickets. Literally, your assistant to the real world.
This hasn’t been featured in iOS 5.0 so far, only hinted at with the occasional microphone icon. This could lead to the fact that Assistant needs the RAM and the horsepower of the A5 chip to allow it to understand what you’re saying and what you’re actually asking for. This isn’t voice-recognition, this is voice-understanding.
Possible iPhone 4S

A photo of what looks to be a 64GB model of an iPhone 4-Shaped device.

There are very heavy rumours about a new device. An iPhone 5. A slimmer, sleeker design with tapered edges similar to the iPad 2. An elongated home button to allow multi-touch commands away from the screen. Less storage to allow for iCloud integration and a SIM-free phone with an Apple-designed chip instead.
Apple could announce something but it’ll be a surprise. If they do, they’ll say it’ll be ready next year. They’ll say “Have this, you love the iPhone 4, well this is faster, better and will last… We’re gonna work on this and it’s gonna be AWESOME.”
They can’t let Tim Cook walk out there saying “Hi, I’m not Steve Jobs, here’s a slightly better phone and it’s not as cool as something Steve would bring but…” They’ve gotta give something more than the iPhone 4S.
As for me, I’ll do my usual. Sell my iPhone 4 the week before release. I’ve already locked in a very nice offer from several recycle websites. I’ll be buying the iPhone 4S on an 18 month contract as soon as it’s released.
Then if/when the iPhone 5 is announced and released. I’ll do the same all over again.
I’ve done this with every iPhone since the very first launch and each upgrade hasn’t cost me a penny.