iNews Review

iPhone 4 vs. first IBM PC, 3 Sizes for Toshiba Excite Tablet, New iPad Books, and More

This Week's iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Apple TV News

Compiled by Charles Moore and edited by Dan Knight - 2012.04.23

Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered in The 'Book Review, and general Mac news is in Mac News Review.

All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

News, Reviews, & Opinion

Rumor Roundup

The Competition

Books

Apps & Services

Accessories

iPod Deals

These price trackers are updated every month.

News, Reviews, & Opinion

We've Come a Long Way, Baby: iPhone 4 vs. IBM PC

PC vs. iPhone ZDNet's David Gewirtz says:

Summary: Check out this amazing infographic. You'll be astonished and amazed. You'll laugh and you'll chuckle. You'll tell all your friends. Look how far computing has come....[in 30 years].

PC vs. iPhone

The blog entry features an infographic created by the Internet Press Guild's Alfred Poor, showing the difference between an ancient first generation IBM PC and the current top-end iPhone.

Highlights:

  • 209x the CPU clock speed
  • 100,000x the data storage
  • 8000x as much system memory

Could 'Retina Bloat' Push Average Webpage Size to 5 MB?

The Pingdom blog asks, "Did you look at your website on the new iPad yet? We have browsed quite a few sites already on that gorgeous 2048 by 1536 pixel display, and we can categorically state that the future has arrived."

Whether that future is bright remains to be seen, with early signs seeming to indicate that one Retina display consequence will be the need to endure more bloat, with the possibility that the average web page size will balloon to almost 5 MB from the 1.1 MB average today, wreaking havoc on the Web, and with the code bloat we're already suffering from, it's debatable whether this is precious bandwidth resources well spent.

Publisher's note: That kind of inflation makes some silly assumptions. The majority of online content is ads, and I don't see advertisers moving to ads that are 4-5x as heavy as today's. Ditto for images and videos. Even if they are run at "retina" resolution, they don't need to be 4x as weighty as today's files since the eye will be less discriminating at such high pixel densities.

We have been experimenting with double resolution graphics, such as the tall and narrow PC vs. iPhone comparison above. Although it displays at 96 x 496 pixels, it's actually 192 x 992 pixels. By using an 8-bit PNG file, it comes in below 24 KB, a 4 KB savings vs. the equivalent GIF. Compare that to 56.8 KB for a high quality JPG or 30.5 KB for medium quality, and you can see the steps publishers and advertisers already take to save bandwidth and improve page load time. We do take the time to crop, resize, sharpen, and otherwise fiddle with images to achieve the best balance between a sharp image and file size/download time, which we hope you appreciate.

Ads and all, the Low End Mac homepage weighs in a 446.6 KB: 8.8 KB for the page code, 2.2 KB for our style sheet, and 26.8 KB for the big graphic header. Add 5.3 KB for a couple other graphics, and it's a svelte 43.1 KB. The other 400+ KB? The ads that keep Low End Mac free. Last week's iNews Review, which has lots of graphics, weighs in at 742.9 KB: 21.9 KB of page code, 2.2 KB of CSS, 7.6 KB for our site logo, and 206 KB of other images. That's 238 KB from our server plus over 500 KB in ads. dk

Rumor Roundup

Report from China: iPad mini Orders in Place for Q3 Release

iPad vs. rumored iPad mini
iPad vs. rumored iPad mini

Chinese blogsite game.163.com, citing Taiwan media reports, says Apple will release an iPad mini soon, with major Apple subcontractor Hon Hai Group (Foxconn) having won the OEM assembly order.

The blog says that the rumored Apple iPad mini supply chain has been finalized for third quarter shipments, to reach an estimated volume of 6 million units in the remainder of 2012 from the Hon Hai Group in cooperation with some parts making partners AUO and Shuo

The report suggests Apple will target the iPad mini as a counterattack on forthcoming Windows 8 tablets, to sell in a $249 too $299 range intended to blunt the Windows 8 and ongoing Android onslaught.

If this rumor proves accurate, it will fly in the face of the Steve Jobs' doctrine regarding 7(ish)-inch tablets, the late Mr. Jobs having declared during an Q4 2010 financials conference call: "These are among the reasons we think the current crop of 7" tablets are going to be DOA, dead on arrival. Their manufacturers will learn the painful lesson that their tablets are too small and increase the size next year, thereby abandoning both customers and developers who jumped on the 7" bandwagon with an orphan product. Sounds like lots of fun ahead."

Link: 传苹果将发布iPad Mini 鸿海等已拿下订单 (Google Translate Chinese-to-English translation)

The Competition

Toshiba Set to Contest the Tablet Market with New 10", 13", and 7.7" Android Tablets

Toshiba Excite tabletPR: Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD) has announced expansion of its Excite family of Android-powered tablets with three new display sizes: 13.3", 10.1", and 7.7". The new Excite tablets boast thin-and-light designs, brilliant displays, and quad-core performance, as well as a full range of essential ports and smart features.

"One size does not fit all, so we are carefully considering how and where people are using tablets and designing form factors to best suit various needs," says Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. "With amazingly thin and light designs, our new Excite family of tablets continues to incorporate what consumers have come to love about Toshiba tablets: essential ports for a more complete tablet computing experience plus durability that ensures they can go the distance."

Powered to Perform, Built to Last

The three new tablets - Excite 10, Excite 13 and Excite 7.7 - feature sturdy aluminum shells and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass displays, making them not only stylish, but durable. Powered by Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, which builds on things people love most about Android, the tablets offer a simplified UI, easy multitasking, customizable home screens, resizable widgets, and a full suite of familiar Google mobile services applications - as well as powerful new ways of communicating and sharing.

The Excite tablets' NVIDIA Tegra 3 processors deliver power to support multitasking, Web, gaming, and video performance, featuring what Toshiba claims is the world's only 4-plus-1 mobile quad-core CPU, making apps run faster, gameplay at console-quality, and smoother HD video, plus it features a unique fifth battery-saver core to handle everyday apps, extending battery life.

Each tablet is equipped with a 5-megapixel camera on the back, along with a 2-megapixel front-facing shooter for photography, video capture, and chat. The tablets also include stereo speakers with sound enhancements by Toshiba and SRS Labs, as well as WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Excite 10

An all-around tablet designed for home and away, the Excite 10 tablet features a 10.1" diagonal AutoBrite LED Backlit display with 1280 x 800 resolution (compared with the iPad 1 and 2's 1024 x 768) and 10-finger multitouch support. Measuring 0.35" in thickness and weighing 1.32 pounds, the Excite 10 tablet delivers up to a claimed 10 hours of battery life and seven days of standby, and is powered by a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor with Nvidia GeForce graphics and 1 GB of RAM, plus a selection of built-in ports, including Micro USB, Micro HDMI and a full-size SD card slot.

Excite 13: More Screen

Delivering more screen real estate than any other tablet on the market, the Excite 13 tablet offers a big, bright, higher resolution display, while measuring 0.4" thick and weighing 2.2 pounds.

Toshiba Excite tabletWith a 13.3" diagonal AutoBrite LED Backlit display with 10-finger touch support, the tablet features a cinematic 16:9 aspect ratio and 1600x900 native resolution, plus a four-speaker sound system with sound enhancements by Toshiba and SRS Labs and an included tablet stand that makes it easy to prop up on a table, kitchen countertop or coffee table.

The Excite 13 tablet is powered by the quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 mobile processor with GeForce graphics and 1 GB of memory, and is targeted to deliver up to 13 hours of battery life and seven days of standby. I/O connectivity includes Micro USB, Micro HDMI ports and a full-size SD card slot for syncing and sharing content.

Excite 7.7 with AMOLED Display

Toshiba's first tablet to feature an AMOLED display, the Excite 7.7 tablet is extremely thin at just 0.3" and light at only 13.4 ounces, fitting easily into a bag or jacket. Powered by a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with GeForce graphics and 1 GB of memory, the smallest Excite tablet still includes a Micro USB port and a Micro SD card slot.

Both Android and Exclusive Toshiba Apps

The new Excite tablets include a full suite of familiar Google Mobile Service applications, including Google Play, YouTube, Gmail, and Google Maps. Additionally, the tablets come preloaded with a useful mix of Toshiba software and third-party applications, including Toshiba Book Place, which offers more than 3 million ebooks, the Toshiba Media Player that supports content sharing, Toshiba File Manager, as well as Netflix and Zinio, the ultimate app for magazine lovers and more.

  • The Excite 10 tablet will be available for purchase at the beginning of May 2012 for $449.99 MSRP for the 16 GB model, $529.99 MSRP for the 32 GB model and $649.99 MSRP for the 64 GB model.
  • The Excite 7.7 tablet will be available for purchase at the beginning of June 2012 for $499.99 MSRP for the 16 GB model and $579.99 MSRP for the 32 GB model.
  • The Excite 13 tablet will be available for purchase at the beginning of June 2012 for $649.99 MSRP for the 32 GB model and $749.99 MSRP for the 64 GB model.

These tablets will be available at major resellers, e-tailers, and direct from Toshiba

Books

iPad: The Missing Manual, 4th Edition

iPad: The Missing ManualPR: Apple's third-generation iPad has a new, razor-sharp Retina display and a robust processor, but you won't get far without an owners manual to all the tablet's features. J.D. Biersdorfer's comprehensive guide shows you how to transfer media to your iPad, sync and shop wirelessly, tap into WiFi and 4G cellular networks, and use iTunes for media management.

One of the coolest things about writing iPad: The Missing Manual is tearing open the box and diving in to see for myself what new features there are to explore," says Biersdorfer. "The latest iPad has a much better camera for taking your own photos and videos, a dictation function that converts your works into text and a razor sharp screen. And - if you happen to get a WiFi + 4G model and live in an area covered by a 4G LTE network - it also gives you a blazing fast connection to the Internet without having to scrounge up a wireless hotspot."

More important stuff you need to know:

  • Build your media library. Fill your iPad with music, photos, movies, TV shows, games, ebooks, and more.
  • Sync wirelessly. Keep your iPads apps, media, and email messages current without cabling up.
  • Capture stunning images. Take photos and HD video with the tablets new 5 megapixel iSight camera.
  • Get online. Connect via WiFi or the blazing-fast 4G LTE cellular network and create a free WiFi hotspot with Verizon's iPad.
  • Take dictation. Speak email messages and notes, and have the iPad type them up.

"No matter which iPad model you have - the new iPad, the iPad 2 or the original iPad - there's tons of stuff in iPad: The Missing Manual that works for your tablet, whether it be syncing photos or keeping your calendar up to date," says Biersdorfer.

iPad: The Missing Manual, 4th Edition
By: J.D. Biersdorfer
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Formats: Print, Ebook, Safari Books Online
Print: April 2012 (est.)
Ebook: April 2012
Pages: 368 (est.)
Ebook: $19.99
Formats: ePub, Mobi, PDF
Print & Ebook: $27.49
Print: $24.99

Links: Paperback, $13.63 at Amazon.com; Kindle edition, $11.99; iBooks edition, $11.99

Wiley Announces 9 Books on the New iPad

PR: To support Apple's release of the new iPad, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is bringing to market a series of new instructional books to help readers learn about the new iPad and get the most from the device. Wiley will publish nine new books between April and July 2012 on the new iPad including:

The New iPad Portable Genius (Wiley; 978-1-1181-7303-9; April 2012; $25.00) by Paul McFedries helps readers maximize features of the new iPad such as the beautiful Retina display, multitouch screen, 5 MP camera, Bluetooth and WiFi +4G capability, eReader functionality, and much more. (Paperback, $14.75 at Amazon.com; Kindle edition, $16.99)

iPad Secrets (Wiley; 978-1-1182-4736-5; April 2012; $29.99) by Darren Murph provides the millions of iPad owners with a true behind the scenes look into a vault of features and little known short cuts of this rapidly changing tablet. Direct from a product reviewer at Engadget, iPad Secrets provides practical information to vastly improve one's tablet experience, and to make the device more useful as a tool. (Paperback, $19.59 at Amazon.com; Kindle edition, $18.61; iBooks edition, $19.99)

Get the most out of the New iPad with the latest edition of iPad for Seniors for Dummies, 4th Edition (Wiley; 978-1-1183-5277-9; May 2012; $24.99). Written in the friendly For Dummies style, by veteran and best-selling For Dummies author Nancy C. Muir, this book sports senior-friendly larger type and lots of illustrations, so readers can access information as easily as they can on their iPad. (Paperback, $13.34 at Amazon.com)

Mac experts and veteran For Dummies authors Edward Baig and Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus walk you through the basics as you set up and explore the new iPad, master the multitouch interface, set up iTunes for your iPad, browse the Web, find the latest apps in the App Store, synchronize with iCloud, play games, video chat, and accessorize in iPad for Dummies, 4th Edition (Wiley; 978-1-1183-5200-7; May 2012; $24.99). (Paperback, $15.23 at Amazon.com)

The New iPad Fully Loaded (Wiley; 978-1-1182-5216-1; May 2012; $24.99) is a one-of-a-kind resource for squeezing every bit of functionality from the new iPad. As you progress through this captivating, full-color book, veteran author Alan Hess takes you beyond the basics and show you how to fully utilize your new iPad and its impressive features. (Paperback, $16.49 at Amazon.com; iBooks edition, $16.99)

iPad All-in-One for Dummies, 4th Edition (Wiley; 978-1-1183-5238-0; June 2012; $34.99) contains six minibooks in one to show readers how to power-use the new iPad. In this fun and practical guide, longtime For Dummies author Nancy C. Muir walks readers through the latest functions, features, and capabilities of the new iPad.

Exploring iPad for Dummies, 2nd Edition (Wiley; 978-1-1183-9863-0; June 2012; $14.99) by Galen Gruman is packed with full-color graphics, informative articles, and easy-to-follow step lists to cover the new iPad hardware and Apple's latest iOS software. (Paperback, $10.19 at Amazon.com)

Teach Yourself VISUALLY the New iPad (Wiley; 978-1-1182-5293-2; July 2012; $29.99) by Lonzell Watson is a full-color, step-by-step guide to the new iPad that is perfectly suited for anyone who is a visual learner and learns best with minimal text and maximum illustrations. (Paperback, $19.79 at Amazon.com)

Additionally, Siri for Dummies (Wiley; 978-1-1182-9928-9; April 2012; $7.99) by Marc Saltzman gets readers up to speed on everything the iPhone's voice-activated personal assistant can do, as well as covering the Voice Dictation feature for the new iPad. (Paperback, $7.99 at Amazon.com; Kindle edition, $6.39; iBooks edition, $5.99)

The new iPad books from Wiley are available for purchase online and at retailers nationwide in both print and all ebook formats.

Apps & Services

Forbes Lifetime Financial Planning App for iPad

PR: Forbes Media has announced the launch of its Lifetime Financial Planning iPad application, available now at the iTunes App Store.

The application features a calculator that suggests how much a user should spend, save and insure each year to achieve a stable living standard, now and through retirement. The calculator, powered by ESPlanner, was created by Boston University Professor of Economics Laurence J. Kotlikoff. Once a users individual data points are entered, the calculator displays Your Results for This Year as well as a Lifetime Overview, an interactive timeline that plots savings and discretionary spending over time. Financial planning tips are incorporated throughout the calculator.

Forbes Lifetime Financial Planning for iPad

In addition to the financial planning calculator, this application features:

  • Live-stream of latest retirement news from Forbes
  • Financial advice from leading financial experts and key points to help begin a users long term planning
  • Ability to save articles and results, creating a content portfolio of all relevant information that can be shared via email, Facebook, and Twitter

In the wake of the financial crisis and increased volatility in markets, the importance of being able to create a financial plan that will allow you to maintain or improve your living standard through retirement is critical, said Vice President & Investing Editor of Forbes Media, Matt Schifrin. Our new easy-to-use interactive tool, and suite of news and educational content, helps users create a sound plan, and takes much of the guesswork out of the retirement planning process.

The Lifetime Financial Planning application is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and includes integrated advertising with videos from the company's senior executives that discuss the importance of financial planning and answer commonly asked financial questions in a one-to-one conversational approach.

Forbes Lifetime Financial Planning for iPad

"Northwestern Mutual is pleased to partner with Forbes on the Lifetime Financial Planning application," says Conrad York, Vice President of Marketing at Northwestern Mutual. "The application offers rich content that individuals can turn to for tips and advice, and aligns with Northwestern Mutual's focus on financial planning, especially as it relates to retirement."

The application is available free to consumers and joins additional applications from Forbes Media, including Forbes Lists, Forbes Investment Guide Plus, Forbes Photos and Videos applications; Forbes.com, Intelligent Investing, and Forbes Cover Stories applications available on Google Currents; and an application on Yahoo Livestand.

Scanner Pro 4 Turns Your iPhone or iPad into a Portable Scanner

PR: Readdle has introduced Scanner Pro 4, its scanning application that transforms iPhone and the new iPad into a portable scanner. With this release, Scanner Pro becomes a universal application, gets revamped iPad interface, and adds instant image processing.

Scanner Pro 4Scanner Pro captures the image of the document with the iPhone camera and processes this image to look like a scan from flatbed scanner. Smart image processing detects paper borders, crops unnecessary parts of the image, removes shadows, and saves the result as PDF file. Scans are stored locally on the iPhone and can be shared via email, uploaded to Dropbox and Evernote.

Scanner Pro 4 brings the scanning concept to the new iPad. Featuring 5 megapixel camera and high resolution retina display, the new iPad becomes an excellent tool to capture documents or receipts and go paperless. With the latest update Scanner Pro 4 becomes a universal app which runs on both iPhone and the new iPad.

With the large iPad screen in mind, the new Scanner Pro 4 was completely redesigned to streamline scanning and provide full control over the scans and sharing process. Automatic page border detection and instant image processing are combined with outstanding ease of use.

"The iPad version of Scanner Pro is a great opportunity to address the basics, the roots of how you can use the camera on the mobile device", said Igor Zhadanov, Readdle CEO. "Since 2009 Scanner Pro has got a tremendous feedback from our customers and now it is time to apply the best of the things we've learned during these years."

Initially released in 2009, Scanner Pro pioneered the concept of scanning documents with the iPhone camera. Since the release it quickly settled as one of the top 10 business applications for the iPhone in 20 countries. With over 350 000 users that rely on Scanner Pro regularly to scan documents, receipts and whiteboards, Scanner Pro continues to shape the future of scanning with mobile devices.

Device Requirements:

  • iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  • Requires iOS 4.3 or later
  • 20.6 MB

Scanner Pro 4.0, a universal iPhone and iPad application, is available on the Apple App Store for $6.99 for new users and as a free upgrade for existing application owners. Enterprise licensing is available upon request. For best scanning results it is recommended to use devices with high quality cameras, which includes iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and the new iPad.

Splashtop Enables Windows 8 Metro Experience on iPad for Developers

PR: Splashtop Inc. has released Win8 Metro Testbed powered by Splashtop, a remote desktop app that allows software developers and technology enthusiasts to simulate a Windows 8 environment on an iPad. By using Win8 Metro Testbed, developers can test native Metro UI touch gestures on an iPad as they code and compile new apps on their Windows PC.

Win8 Metro Testbed

On March 1, 2012, Microsoft tweeted that its Consumer Preview of Windows 8 was downloaded one million times in just 24 hours, and since then millions more have been downloaded. Now with the Win8 Metro Testbed powered by Splashtop, a Windows 8 app developer who has an iPad can avoid incurring the extra cost of a Windows tablet, which can run upwards of $1,000.

Win8 Metro Testbed Win8 Metro Testbed

"Since Apple's App Store generates over 80% of all tablet app revenue, nearly every software developer that writes apps for tablets has an iPad," notes Mark Lee, Splashtop CEO and cofounder. "With Windows 8 Metro expected to ship on over 400 million new PCs and tablets annually, these developers have high expectations for an enormous new market. Splashtop lets them turn their iPad into a development testbed to evaluate touch gestures and functionality of their app in a Windows 8 environment."

The Win8 Metro Testbed enables native Windows 8 Metro touch gestures, including the ability to:

  • Swipe from the right to view the Charms menu
  • Swipe from the left to switch apps
  • Swipe left/right in Internet Explorer to move between pages
  • Swipe down to bring up additional menus
  • Swipe down on an item to select it
  • Pull down from the top to close an app
  • Swipe slowly from the left to run two apps side-by-side ("snapping")
  • Swipe from left-and-back to show running apps
  • Pinch to navigate files, folders, apps and data with Semantic Zoom
  • And more

View a short video of Win8 Metro Testbed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwIeWfvcZ_o

Win8 Metro Testbed can be downloaded for a special launch promotion price of $24.99 (regular price of $49.99) from the iTunes App Store.

iOS 5.1 Untethered Jailbreak and Unlock Released for the iPhone 3GS/4/4S, iPad 2, and New iPad

Through their website, iPhone4sJailbreak.com revealed its new iOS 5.1 untethered jailbreak/unlock for the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3Gs, iPad 2, and new iPad 3.

This new iOS 5.1 jailbreak installs the much loved Cydia application, thus providing access to literally thousands of applications not before accessible on the iPhone 4S and iPad 3.

The software is also compatible with the latest baseband model, all the while guaranteeing zero loss of features or functionality. Moreover, customers will have access to free lifetime updates of the software solution to ensure compatibility with all future iPhone/iPad models and iOS versions.

The iOS 5.1 Jailbreak guarantees extreme ease of use and is provided with an illustrated guide that details how to jailbreak and unlock the iPhone/iPad with the latest iOS 5.1 installed. The whole process is said to take approximately 5 minutes.

iPhone4sJailbreak.com's software has been downloaded by over 250,000 customers located in over 145 countries. To further ensure customers of its product's usability, iPhone4sJailbreak offers a 100% full money back guarantee on all orders. Customers dissatisfied with the company's product will be given a full refund, no questions asked.

iPhone4sJailbreak.com offers outstanding customer service, by offering many forms of 24/7 support that includes email, phone and live chat.

Need software to unlock/jailbreak your iPhone with the latest iOS 5.1 installed?

Accessories

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover Case for iPad2 and New iPad

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard CoverPR: Logitech has extended its tablet lineup with a new keyboard accessory for iPad - the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover.

Made for the new, third-generation iPad as well as the iPad, this new accessory leverages Logitech's extensive heritage of high quality, reliability and design, creating an all-in-one solution that combines an ultrathin screen protector and a built-in Bluetooth keyboard.

"The third-generation iPad and its apps are designed to give you more control and creativity, whether you are editing photos and movies, making music or writing a novel," says Alexis Richard, director of product marketing at Logitech. "The new Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover with its ultra-sleek, smart design and extended keyboard battery life provides a convenient way for you to make the most of your iPad no matter what activity you are using it for."

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard CoverAs a partner for your iPad, the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover protects your screen with a stylish, slim aluminum cover that adds minimal weight to your tablet, and features a built-in keyboard that pairs through Bluetooth. When you're ready to type an email or watch a movie, the keyboard's built-in stand holds your iPad at a comfortable angle.

Similar to a Smart Cover, the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover attaches quickly and securely to your iPad with a magnetic clip. It has an instant On/Off feature, which means your iPad automatically wakes up when you open the cover, and switches to standby when you close it. With a claimed six-month battery life (based on a somewhat optimistic two hours-per-day usage), worries about your keyboard losing power are minimized.

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard CoverWith function keys for enhanced navigation, the keyboard sports a piano-black finish and ultrathin profile.

Logitech has also confirmed that the Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2 and the Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad from its current tablet accessories lineup are compatible with both the iPad 2 and third-generation iPad.

In addition to announcing the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, Logitech also confirms that the Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2 and the Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad from its current tablet accessories lineup are compatible with both the iPad 2 and third-generation iPad.

The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning later in April for a suggested retail price of $99.99.

iWatchz iPod nano Watch Bands Now Available at Best Buy

iWatchz iPod Watch BandiWatchz iPod Watch BandPR: The Q Collection, a light, sleek and comfortable iPod nano watch band by iWatchz is now carried by all Best Buy locations for $24.99, allowing iPod nano users to wear their nano as a watch.

The Q Collection of iPod nano watches bring together ease of use and chic design with silicone bands, now available on Best Buy shelves nationwide in classic black and white. A gift idea for Mothers Day, the soft-touch silicone bands of the Q Collection are paired with durable translucent polycarbonate iWatchz clips. The bands are lightweight and secure, and transform the iPod nano into a stylish timepiece in just three simple steps: Press, Slide, Click.

iWatchz iPod Watch Bands"Since launching iWatchz in 2010, our company has been leading the way in ease-of-use, stylish design, and affordable pricing for stylish iPod watch bands for the nano," says the iWatchz Team. "We are thrilled to be reaching even more mainstream consumers at Best Buy, the leader in consumer electronics sales."

All-in-one Card Reader for iPad

PR: The original CF Card Reader for iPad was first introduced by M.I.C exclusively for DSLR camera users. It was featured by many top Photography and Tech sites, such as RobGalbraith, PhotographyBlog, Engadget, Gizmodo, Wired, SlashGear, Photojojo, etc.

Now improved to support iOS 5.1 on the New iPad. It comes with SD, CF, microSD card slots and a USB port.

The card reader has been improved to support iOS 5.1 on the New iPad. It also comes with both SD and CF Card slots packed within its slim profile - two key functions for the price of one.

The new Card Reader has been tweaked to be able to overcome the Voltage Limit set by the iPad and hence supports even 600x CF Cards and Class 10/UHS-I SD Cards. We have tested the Card Reader with SanDisk Extreme Pro CF and SD Cards with no issues - without any external power required.

The new Card Reader has an added power input port that can be optionally used for the extra juice these cards need to work.

Summary of New Features

  • The New Card Reader now comes with SD, CF, microSD card slots and a USB port
  • Supports 600x CF Cards and Class 10/UHS-I SD Cards
  • Improved reading speed and the initial time taken to load the device
  • Added OPTIONAL extra power input port to support all kinds of cards / external devices when the voltage given by the iPad is not enough

Supported Cards

  • Tested to support 600x CF Cards and Class 10/UHS-I SD Cards.
  • (Please only transfer photos and videos only from memory cards written by Cameras, all other file types or platforms are not tested with iPad.)
  • Note: SDXC cards have not been tested.

Supported Devices

  • iPad
  • iPad 2
  • The New iPad

Recommended iOS version: 5.0.1 and higher

Notes:

  1. Due to software limitations, only one of the four interfaces (i.e. CF, SD, microSD or USB) may be used at any time.
  2. Since iOS 5.0.1, iPad has changed its way reading the Memory Cards. It will first detect the total capacity of your CF Card before showing the images and the videos within, and this process may take up to 5-10 seconds. Please do not remove your card or card reader during this startup process.
  3. iOS 5 supports playback of raw footage recorded by Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras.
  4. iPad 2, The New iPad and the All-in-One Card Reader support standard photo formats, including JPEG and RAW.

Supported video formats include:

  • H.264 video up to 1080p, 24, 25 and 30 frames per second, AII-I codec, High Profile level 4.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48 kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats;
  • MPEG-4 video up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48 kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats;
  • Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format.

In stock for $32.90 at M.I.C. Store.

M.I.C. Gadget's Chris Chang has posted a comprehensive illustrated review complete with video demos for the All-in-One Card Reader, observing: "Forget Apple's official iPad camera connection kit, with its separate USB and SD card slots. This little guy lets you transfer files via CF, SD, microSD and USB all in one dongle."

Seidio Launches Protective Cases for the New iPad

Seido Expert Case for New iPad and iPad 2PR: Seidio Inc. announced the launch of Expert, the newest addition to their line of accessories for the iPad 2 and new iPad (3rd generation).

Seidio's new case is a leather portfolio made of synthetic leather through what is claimed to be an eco-friendly process. As one of the thinnest cases of its kind, it offers an alternative for users who prefer a minimalist design. Utilizing advanced technology, users will be able to securely place their iPad inside the Expert using Clean-Grip. Clean-Grip was engineered to hold the iPad securely without messy residue and simultaneously allow users to remove and reposition their iPad, if necessary.

Seido Active Case for New iPadIn addition, the Expert allows users to prop up their iPad in angles optimal for typing, viewing multimedia and watching movies, and it activates the iPad Cover Lock for added convenience. The case comes in four different colors - Ebony, Espresso, Regal Purple, and Ivory - each with its own unique texture. For consumers that would like more protection, Seidio's Active is a dual-layer case that features a compact and lightweight polymer with a precisely positioned hard skeleton for added protection on the corners and sides.

"We wanted to provide another protective solution for iPad users," says Seidio CEO David Chang. "These new accessories add to our line of cases to provide different levels of protection, meeting the needs of many users."

Seidio products are available at various local retailers and online at SeidioOnline.com and Amazon.com.

Acase Premium Micro Fiber Leather Case and Flip Stand with Stylus Holder for New iPad

Acase iPad 3 CasePR: As a form-fitted case folio for Apple New iPad 3rd Generation (iPad 3), This Acase leather case is suited for daily usage and travel. The exterior of this case is made of Premium Micro Fiber leather, which is lightweight and provides the Apple New iPad 3rd Generation (iPad 3) total protection from scratches and small impacts.

The slim design of this case gives your Apple New iPad 3rd Generation (iPad 3) a snug fit without adding excess bulk, which is a great match with the slender design of the Apple New iPad 3rd Generation (iPad 3).

User can still access all of the Apple iPad's features even while it's still installed in this case including charging.

Acase iPad 3 CaseSpecial Features:

  • Designed specifically for Apple New iPad 3rd Generation (iPad 3)
  • Available for access to all functionalities
  • Available for two standing positions, and a stylus to attach to the case
  • Build in magnetic closure, stylus is not included
  • All controls, buttons, and pots are kept open
  • Colors: Black, Pink, Green & Orange

Car Floor/Seat Bolt Mount for All iPads

PR: This is a product for mounting your iPad in the car. All you need to to do is loosen the bolt on your passenger seat and fasten the bracket, which will then sit at a perfect angle for viewing and pressing a few keys.

Features:

  • Custom-made for Apple iPad, 100% fit
  • Easy to Mount: Only takes you 3 min. to mount.
  • Landscape or portrait viewing
  • Gooseneck design for Up / Down; Left / Right adjustment
  • Complete 360° rotation for horizontal tile and vertical tile viewing, can be locked into position
  • Easy to use: Simply mount the bracket to your headrest and put the device on then you can go
  • Made to permit you to bend it however you like

This accessory is suitable for:

  • Apple iPad
  • Apple iPad 2
  • Apple iPad 3 (The new iPad)

Specifications:

  • Maximum weight load: 2 Kg (or 4 lb).
  • Operating Temperature: -40° ~ 80°C.

$54.99

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