Archive for May, 2010
May 11th, 2010 at 1:32 PM EST | by inu846W
In a move we all should have seen coming, Borders has announced the Kobo, its US$149 eReader and Kindle/Nook competitor. It will launch in June with an accompanying eBook store, stocked with more than a million titles.
There are iPad and iPhone apps out now, and both are free. The odd thing is that they both look gorgeous on the iDevcie’s color screens as compared to the Kobo’s greyscale display and offer wireless access to the store, which the reader does not.
Read more: TUAW.com
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May 11th, 2010 at 7:32 AM EST | by inu846W
Apple recently updated a support document detailing current solutions to Wi-Fi connectivity issues surrounding the iPad. There have been several distinct Wi-Fi issues reported on various discussion forums. The new support document lists a few possible workarounds, but also states that “Apple will also address remaining Wi-Fi connectivity issues with a future iPad software update.”
The workarounds listed include:
– Updating Wi-Fi router firmware
– Using WPA or WPA2 wireless security
– Adjusting screen brightness
– Renewing IP address
Read more: MacRumors.com
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May 11th, 2010 at 7:11 AM EST | by inu846W
A “rough” estimate of sales of the iWork suite of applications for the iPad predicts that Apple could reach more than $40 million a year in sales of its mobile office software.
Silicon Alley Insider on Monday suggested that Apple has already earned more than $3 million in sales from Pages, Keynote and Numbers, which cost $10 each. That total was based on discussions with developers who have had applications in the top 10.
The report assumes that a top paid iPad application sells about 7,500 copies on a Saturday or Sunday, and about 2,500 on a weekday. Since the iPad debuted in early April, the three iWork applications have remained among the top selling software on the App Store. And priced at $10 each, the applications have also paved the way for other software to have a higher price than the bargain $0.99 applications that dominate the App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch.
With estimated revenue of $825,000 per week, that works out to more than $40 million a year earned from the three applications, assuming sales maintain the same pace. Of course, sales could go higher too, as currently the iPad is only available in the U.S. Apple has just begun accepting preorders in nine additional countries in preparation for a May 28 launch. Nine more countries will have iPad availability come July.
Read more: AppleInsider.com
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May 11th, 2010 at 6:48 AM EST | by inu846W
IM+ Lite is now available for iPhone and iPad as a free, ad-supported universal application.
Our full review of IM+ for iPad is in the works and should be appearing shortly, so I’ll just hit some highlights here: With the exception of Skype chat, IM+ Lite supports the same features as the full version of IM+: Twitter, Facebook, Google Talk, Yahoo, MSN/Live Messenger, AIM/iChat, ICQ, MySpace and Jabber.
Read more: TUAW.com
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May 10th, 2010 at 9:42 AM EST | by inu846W
Despite Apple’s claims that the iPad would ship unlocked, allowing owners of the 3G model to access any compatible wireless data network they might choose, the device is locked to carrier Softbank Mobile in Japan.
Apple confirmed on Monday to IDG News Service that the iPad will ship locked in Japan. That’s a change from January, when the iPad was first unveiled and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said that the device would be unlocked internationally, allowing customers to choose their carrier.
"All Japanese models will be SIM-locked to Softbank Mobile, Apple’s iPhone partner in Japan, Apple said late Monday," the report said. "The company confirmed the presence of a SIM lock but couldn’t immediately explain why it was enforcing the restriction in Japan."
Read more: AppleInsider.com
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May 10th, 2010 at 6:49 AM EST | by inu846W
So, now that both versions of the iPad are out and available, it’s probably time to ask the question: does a device like this replace another computer, or is it an entirely new category? Back during the announcement, Jobs was adamant that it was definitely a netbook replacement (“Netbooks aren’t better than anything,” he said then), but could it even replace notebook computers? According to a new survey, 44% of iPad purchasers say they won’t be buying a notebook because of the device. That’s not the only computing category taking a hit, either. The same survey found that 41% said they didn’t need an iPod touch because of the iPad, and 27% said they wouldn’t even need a desktop computer.
Now, obviously a survey is a temporary screenshot of people who have just spent $500 on a computer. Just because people say they won’t need a new computer in a few years doesn’t mean that they won’t. Likewise, netbook sales are supposedly dropping off already. After reaching a high last year, they crashed in January after the announcement and then again when the iPad released. The statistics student in us points out that cause doesn’t necessarily imply effect, though (and sure enough, the iPad wasn’t actually announced until 17 days after the NPD data citing the netbook drop in interest). This is early, early research, and the actual effect the iPad will have on other markets isn’t clear yet.
Read more: TUAW.com
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