Tag Archives: iPad

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 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.
Mar 21 2011

The Man from Apple Says…

Just read a funny story that I really hope is true and so I thought I’d share it with you.

Over the weekend, Apple have been keeping a close eye on all of the iPad 2 returns they’re receiving in. Most are the usual ‘change of mind’ but Apple want to keep an eye out for any patterns or manufacturing faults so they can quash them before they get worse.

One iPad was returned with a simple post-it on the box clearly stating the reason for return…

Wife Says No

Wife says no. I think that speaks volumes and I reckon a lot of iPad’s were returned for the very same reason!

The tale was passed around Apple internally, all as a bit of a joke and a chuckle. However, it escalated a little higher than originally thought and when two of Apple’s VP’s caught wind of this. They swiftly moved into action.

They sent the guy an iPad 2 with a post-it attached…

Apple Says Yes

The man from Apple, he most certainly say yes.

Feb 21 2011

Apple, Rumours Galore!

So there are a LOT of Apple rumours flying around the interwebs at the moment and just in case you’re getting bored or you’re lost in the sea of various rumours, patents and rumblings. Here’s a round up of what you need to know.

MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro

A MacBook Pro refresh is imminent and I know of at least one person who’ll be gutted if the rumours are true and we see an updated product line being released next Thursday. I for one think it will happen but it will be a simple hardware refresh. Nothing too new or different, I think new processors and various bumps to make the machines that little bit quicker and better.

Apple have also been working on new batteries and more importantly new ways to hold charge and to improve battery life. Apple have been jumping forwards in leaps and bounds when it comes to laptop batteries and the more they tweak their own design, the more life we get out of our portable gadgets!

iPad 2

iPad Retina

Yada, yada, retina display, new ports and smaller screens. All the rumours for iPad 2/3 are the same ol’ same ol’ and really. Even if a new model comes out soon, I don’t think we’ll be seeing too much of a re-design. One new patent Apple have been granted has piqued my interest though.

Smart Bezel

A ‘Smart Bezel’ could mean the first tablet without any buttons. An iPad without a home button? What gives… Well Apple have designed a way to use the bezel surrounding the screen to include touch sensors, light emitters, pressure sensors and accelerometers. So you can control apps, and navigate your way to the homescreen by touching or squeezing the iPad’s frame.

The jury is out, so let’s see if anything comes of it.

iPhone 4.5 / 5

Everyone is expecting a new iPhone to be released later this year but what have we got instore for the iPhone 5?

Well first, let’s talk about the most recent rumours. The iPhone Nano.

Some rumours say that it will be physically smaller (literally like an iPhone Nano) but I think everyone is reading it wrong… Think more of a virtually smaller device. Similar to the New Apple TV, minimal storage and easy to use. I don’t know if this will come out in the interim before we get a whole new iPhone but it may be something released alongside the iPhone 5.

New iPhones?

An iPhone 4 design handset, however with only 8GB of storage. Apple will start to push users towards cloud storage and streaming capabilities. The iPhone ‘Nano’ (let’s just call it that just because it’s easy!) will be aimed towards those who are tempted with the iPhone but still consider it too expensive or complicated.

Then in addition to this ‘lite’ version, a full blown iPhone 5 will be released. Again, there are rumours of a larger screen size or iPhones which include an RFID chip and various other new tech which Apple would introduce to it’s userbase.

So lots of rumours, but that’s all they are. Rumours. So enjoy what you’ve got and look forward to what’s new!