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Tag: ipad

  • iPad HD: 4G LTE Support Confirmed?

    The question of whether the forthcoming iPad HD will have 4G LTE connectivity has been giving the rumor mill fits for weeks. One report said that it would, while another argued that the lack of 4G was why the price wouldn’t go up. Yesterday a third report said that yes, the iPad HD would have 4G.

    Now, though, on the eve of the launch event (which is just over an hour away), the Wall Street Journal has apparently confirmed that the iPad HD will include 4G LTE connectivity. Citing “people familiar with the matter,” WSJ says that the iPad will have LTE capability, and that its inclusion should be much better news for Verizon than for rival carrier AT&T. While AT&T does have a 4G network, it is far newer and far smaller than Verizon’s.

    Speaking of Verizon, they may actually have dropped a hint about the 4G iPad themselves. Yesterday we reported that they had posted a teaser on their website saying that “Something Is Coming.” While yesterday’s teaser was pretty bland, today they’ve given it a makeover. Check it out below:

    Verizon Reigns Supreme?

    Of course, if Apple is preparing to release a 4G iPad, then you can bet we’ll be seeing a 4G iPhone, as well. Some expected to see 4G capability in the iPhone 4. When that didn’t happen, many expected to see it in the iPhone 4S. Though Apple will undoubtedly remain tight-lipped about what’s coming with the next iPhone, it’s inconceivable that they would release a 4G iPad now and leave it out of the iPhone later this year.

    What do you think? Will 4G make you more likely to buy an iPad HD? Sound off in the comments.

  • iPad HD: US Apple Store Goes Down Ahead Of Launch

    With the launch event for the iPad HD less than two hours away, the online Apple Store is down for U.S. customers. While the store occasionally goes down and then up again, sometimes with no change or only minor changes, the reason this time is pretty clear: they’re preparing for the launch of the iPad.

    While there’s been a lot of speculation as to when the iPad HD will be available, this Apple Store outage may provide a clue. Recent reports have said that Apple has already been bringing large quantities of the iPad over from China, where it’s manufactured. The fact that the Apple Store is down before the event even starts, coupled with the fact that Apple already has massive amounts of iPad HDs already sitting on U.S. soil suggests that the iPad HD will be available very soon after today’s launch event.

    Apple has been consistently releasing its iOS devices closer and closer to their announcement date – the iPhone 4S was in stores two weeks after the announcement. If the Apple Store is down now, the iPad HD may be available for pre-order as soon as today, and could be in stores very quickly after that. One recent report has suggested that it would hit stores in nine days, on March 16th.

    While we won’t know anything for certain until Tim Cook tells us from stage in San Francisco, it’s looking pretty likely that the iPad HD could be in users’ hands very quickly indeed.

    Will you preorder an iPad HD? Will you stand in line for one? Let us know in the comments.

  • AT&T Puts Up Their Own iPad 3 Teaser

    AT&T Puts Up Their Own iPad 3 Teaser

    Yesterday we told you that Verizon had put a teaser for the iPad 3 (iPad HD) on their website. Now it looks like AT&T is following suit.

    The banner on AT&T’s website this morning promises “an exciting new addition to our line-up” coming soon. It also includes a box where you can put in your email address so that you can “be the first to know about the news.”

    Of course, AT&T’s site doesn’t actually say that their new addition is the iPad 3, but unless there are any other companies planning major events to unveil highly anticipated products today, it’s a safe bet that they’re talking about the iPad 3.

    Now, if you don’t want to give AT&T your email address, you can stick around right here for all our iPad coverage, including coverage of Apple’s launch event when it happens, today at 10 AM Pacific time, 1 PM Eastern.

  • iPad HD Launching Today, Here’s What To Expect

    Apple is launching their much-anticipated next-generation iPad today at a media event in San Francisco. Scheduled to start at 1 pm Eastern time, the event will put an end to months of speculation about what to expect from Apple’s latest gadget. With all the coverage buzzing around the internet about the tablet, it can be hard to keep it all straight. Here’s a rundown of what we can probably expect from the next iPad:

    iPad HD

    While most of the coverage – including our own – has called the new tablet the iPad 3, evidence has surfaced in the past week or so to suggest that it will actually be called the iPad HD instead. The first evidence came at the beginning of last week when references to the iPad HD were found in inventory lists for Griffin, a company that sells accessories for iOS devices, and in the usage data for an app called Tapatalk. Yesterday those rumors were apparently confirmed by sources within Apple itself. So if you were really attached to the iPad 3 name, you’re probably going to be in for a disappointment.

    Retina Display

    Everybody has known that the iPad would be getting a retina display since July of 2010, when Apple unveiled the remarkable new display technology in the iPhone 4. Of course, at the time everybody thought it would be coming to the iPad 2. Though the iPad 2 did get a boost in resolution, it did not get a retina display. Ever since then, a retina display in the iPad 3 was considered a given. Confirmation came a few weeks ago when MacRumors apparently got their hands on an actual retina display for the new iPad.

    Though they couldn’t actually power the display (the connector that plugs into the logic board is different than on the iPad 2), they did put the thing under a microscope. There they found that it had a pixel density double that of the iPad 2. Whereas the iPad 2’s pixel dimensions are 1024×768, the iPad HD’s display is 2048×1536. After MacRumors was done with the display they sent it on to the folks at iFixit, who did their own examination and confirmed what MacRumors had found.

    For reference, the 27-inch iMac this article is being prepared on has dimensions of 2560×1440. The iPad HD crams almost as many pixels into a 9.7-inch display. This retina display, by the way, is likely the reason that the new iPad will be called the iPad HD instead of the iPad 3. Apple has a history of naming their devices for major features instead of just numbering them, and retina display is something iPad owners have been waiting for for quite some time.

    A5X Processor

    Earlier in the rumor cycle it looked like the iPad HD might be getting a quad-core A6 processor. In early January developers found references to a quad-core processor in the beta versions of iOS 5.1. About a month later, more evidence of a quad-core processor was found in reports from diagnostic software called iBoot that had purportedly been run on a new iPad.

    The quad-core processor was apparently not to be, however. As the end of February approached, images of an apparent iPad logic board leaked. These images showed not the expected A6 processor, but a processor labeled A5X. This processor was believed to be an enhanced version of the dual-core A5 processor found in the iPad 2 and IPhone 4S. Later information would show that Apple had been developing the A5X and the A6 at the same time. While there was all sorts of speculation as to why Apple would develop the two chips at once and then put the A6 in the iPad HD, the answer looks to be a simple one: Apple’s suppliers couldn’t produce the A6 in time.

    iOS 5.1

    Apple has had beta versions of iOS 5.1 in the hands of developers for awhile now. A report yesterday said that the Gold Master version (i.e., the one Apple considers ready for release) had passed Apple’s final quality checks. The original iPad released with iOS 3.1 (which never actually came to the iPhone at all). The iPad 2 released with iOS 4.1, which was available for download on all iOS devices shortly after the launch event.

    Actual news about iOS 5.1 is a little thin on the ground at this point. Siri confirmed some time ago that Siri would be getting Japanese support (though whether the iPad will be getting Siri is very much in doubt). Facebook integration is a possibility, though that’s very much up in the air at this point.

    4G LTE?

    This one is the most unclear of the bunch. There have been conflicting reports flying for months concerning whether the iPad HD would be getting 4G LTE capability. The same report in February that seemingly confirmed the quad-core processor also predicted a 4G iPad. Early last week, though, there was another report that suggested that Apple would be sticking with 3G for the new iPad. Yesterday, though, another report said that yes, the iPad HD would be 4G LTE ready. This one could go either way. Apple has been a bit slow to adopt 4G technology – it was expected in the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S – so they may delay putting it in the iPad. Also, a 4G iPad would be a dead giveaway for a 4G iPhone coming later this year. We’ll have to wait and see on this one.

    So, to recap: Apple’s new iPad will almost certainly be the iPad HD instead of the iPad 3, will definitely be getting a retina display and iOS 5.1, will probably run on a dual-core A5X processor, and may or may not have 4G LTE capability. For more speculation on what may or may not be coming later this afternoon, and for our full range of iPad coverage, check out our iPad page.

    What would you like to see in the iPad HD? Let us know in the comments.

  • iPad 3 Might Feature Haptic Screen

    Apple’s new iPad 3 might include a new “Feel Screen” technology, according to Pocket-lint. Senseg, the company that has developed panels based on haptic display technology, had hinted that their new feel screens might be included on the new iPad, in response to an inquiry concerning any involvement in the launch – “We won’t be making any statements until after Apple’s announcement,” as stated by a Senseg representative. To add to the speculation, Senseg senior VP Ville Mäkinen mentioned that “we are currently working with a certain tablet maker based in Cupertino.”

    senseg

    Senseg’s haptic display technology is described on its website:

    Senseg patented solution creates a sophisticated sensation of touch using Coloumb’s force, the principle of attraction between electrical charges. By passing an ultra-low electrical current into the insulated electrode, Senseg’s Tixel, the proprietary charge driver can create a small attractive force to finger skin. By modulating this attractive force a variety of sensations can be generated, from textured surfaces and edges to vibrations and more.

    Basically, the user can “feel” the screen. Pocket-lint was able to demo the technology in Barcelona at the 2012 Mobile World Congress, and had this to say – “We got hands-on – literally, as it’s the only way to experience the haptic interface – with a couple of demos on a developer unit: an image of the kitchen tile that felt smooth until you hit the bump of the grout and a representation of a solid bit of slate-like material which had a missing part so as when we slid our finger over it, it almost felt as if the tablet gave way and our finger dropped a bit. Clever stuff indeed.”

    Senseg goes on to describe their technology as being like “magic,” adding;

    “With Senseg, touch screens come alive with textures, contours and edges that users can feel. Unlike effects created by mechanical vibration and piezo solutions, Senseg is silent.” While this is all speculation, the addition of Senseg’s tech with the iPad 3 seems like a fairly obvious choice.

    It is evident that Applecare would handle faulty haptic panels.

  • iPad HD Rumors Get The NMA Treatment

    Later today, Apple is set to unveil their newest tablet to the public at a special media event in San Francisco. Whether it’s called the iPad 3 or the iPad HD, it’s probably going to be the topic of conversation for quite some time. Many will applaud its new features, while others are sure to lament what Apple left out.

    But if my iPad HD doesn’t shoot fire, I’m going to be pissed.

    Everyone’s favorite animators of the news are back with their tribute to all the iPad rumors floating about. Taiwan-based NMA thinks that the current crop of spec rumors – the retina display, 4G LTE, and improved camera – are child’s play:

    The cryptic invitation intensified an already fevered rumor mill that has been churning out predictions about what new features the third-generation iPad will boast. There is talk of a Retina display, 4G network capability, an improved camera and the integration of Siri, arguably the hottest feature present in the iPhone 4S.

    However, we at NMA have it on good authority that the features of the iPad 3 will not be anything like these … they will be even better.

    Check out their vision of the new device below:

    So, when Tim Cook takes the stage today, what do you expect? Flame-throwing capabilities? Angry Birds for fetuses functionality? I’m sure most of us can get behind that iPad Tab idea.

    All will be revealed soon enough. Hopefully it will be all rainbows, unicorns, and flying elephants. Check out our iPad event coverage here.

  • iPad 3 Getting AppleCare+ Warranty Plan

    iPad 3 Getting AppleCare+ Warranty Plan

    There are reports ahead of today’s launch event that Apple is set to offer their new AppleCare+ warranty on the iPad 3/HD. The AppleCare+ plan, which was introduced with the iPhone 4S in October, covers up to two incidents of accidental damage.

    The old AppleCare warranty covered only defects in the product. That is, if your headphone jack cut out or your home button quit working, AppleCare covered it. If you dropped it into the toilet or backed over it with your car, you were out of luck. Under AppleCare+, Apple will fix accidental damage twice.

    The AppleCare+ warranty is expected to cost $99 for the iPad 3. Each incident of accidental damage will cost you a $49 decuctible.

    Will you spring for the AppleCare+ warranty? Tell us your iPad damage horror stories in the comments.

    (Image Credit: 3dom)

  • iOS 5.1 Hits Gold Master, Should Launch With iPad 3

    It looks like the last piece of the iPad puzzle may be falling into place. With the launch event for Apple’s latest tablet less than 24 hours away, reports are circulating this afternoon that the gold master version of iOS 5.1 has been undergoing Apple’s thorough QA testing for about three weeks.

    Citing a “very solid source,” Chronic Wire says that iOS 5.1 is nearly finished with both Apple’s internal testing and similar testing with carriers and other partners. Apple has not made this version of iOS available to developers yet.

    There hasn’t been a lot of attention given to the features of iOS 5.1. Most of the focus has been on the iPad 3 (iPad HD?). That said, we know a little of what to expect. For one thing, Siri will be learning Japanese, according to Siri herself. Facebook integration is at least possible, since references to Facebook were found in earlier betas of iOS 5.1 back in January. Chronic Wire’s report also suggests that iOS 5.1 will be getting an easier method of accessing the camera from the lock screen (a nifty feature introduced in iOS 5 last year), as well as “at least two other new features that have not been publicly leaked.”

    It’s likely that iOS 5.1 will release either sometime tomorrow (after the iPad launch event) or sometime later, closer to when the iPad is actually released to the public. In either case, it’s a pretty safe bet that the iPad 3/HD will run iOS 5.1 right out of the box.

    What are you hoping for from iOS 5.1? Let us know in the comments.

  • Ukelele Goes Futuristic With iPhone & iPad

    Ukelele Goes Futuristic With iPhone & iPad

    April 2012 wil bring iPad and iPhone users a musical treat. Futulele is a ukelele synthesizer for the iPhone and iPad. The software app is made possible by Amidio’s top-ranked guitar app OMGuitar. The app is said to be touch sensitive and captures the nuances of real ukelele performances while offering a novel experience to Apple product users.

    The app features full recording and arranging capability and can be operated via a special holder that utilizes the iPod Touch or iPhone and iPad at the same time to create the instrument. The app will also function with the iPad 3.

    Toyo on Amidio Futulele Newsblog commented on the new Futulele:

    “We have managed to reduce the chord switch lag to a minimum level and capture every little nuance of a high-grade professional Ukulele instrument. You can use up to 12 chords for each song, and change chord sets on the fly. Full recording and sharing possibilities come straight from OMGuitar, as well as the effects section.”

    “Trying to reflect the obvious connections between the future and the past, we have chosen the famous Elvis Presley’s song “Can’t Help Falling In Love” (1961) as the title song for introducing the potential new-born urban legend instrument.”

    Check out the video below to see the ukelele synthesizer in action:

    Looks really cool! I’m sure it will be a big hit with Apple users. It’s a unique musical experience that brings musical production to a larger audience and perhaps spurs-on greater interest in real versions of the Hawaiian classical instrument. Look for it early in April.

  • iPad 3 May Spark Huge Wave Of Upgrades

    iPad 3 May Spark Huge Wave Of Upgrades

    Apple’s new iPad 3 (iPad HD?) is one of the most anticipated devices of the year. The new tablet, which Apple will be unveiling tomorrow, has generated huge amounts of interest from industry watchers and consumers alike. Now it looks like much of that interest may translate into sales.

    According to a recent informal poll conducted by iMore, nearly three quarters – 73% – of iPad 2 owners plan to upgrade their tablets. While some plan to switch to other tablets – a surprising 18% expressed interest in Windows 8 tablets – the vast majority will likely be eyeing the new iPad 3.

    The results from iMore’s study corroborate similar results we’ve been seeing from other sources. Two weeks ago we covered a study that showed significant majorities of tablet owners intending to upgrade. Two thirds of iPad 1 owners planned to get an iPad 3, while a further 35% weren’t sure. A smaller majority (56%) of iPad 2 owners in that study planned to switch, while 32% weren’t sure. Interestingly, 53% of respondents who owned a Kindle Fire planned to switch to the iPad 3.

    Another study last week showed that nearly a third of all mobile users said they planned to buy an iPad 3. Over half – 54% – of those said the iPad 3 would be their first tablet.

    Apple has enjoyed remarkably high demand for their devices for several years. Indeed, the last few have set records of one kind or another. If this survey data is correct, it seems that we can expect much the same for the iPad 3.

    What do you think? Are you planning to get an iPad 3? Will it be your first tablet? If not, what are you switching from? Let us know in the comments.

    (Image courtesy of GigaOm)

  • iPad 3 Release Date March 16th [RUMOR]

    iPad 3 Release Date March 16th [RUMOR]

    Although we know that Apple is set to unveil their newest iPad tablet at an event on Wednesday afternoon, we haven’t yet heard anything regarding the actual date in which it will hit the shelves. According to sources inside an Apple Store, the new iPad will release just nine days after it is announced.

    Google+Reader”>9to5Mac is quoting “reliable” store sources that hint the iPad 3 will be available on March 16th. Apparently, they are busy making preparations for a “big Apple store event” on that day. It’s important to note that March 16th is the Friday following the expected announcement. That’s because the iPad 2 was released on March 11th last year, the Friday after it was announced.

    About the whole “iPad 3” name.; we’ve been seeing mounting evidence that they new tablet will not have a number attached to it, and rather be called the “iPad HD.” Today, we learned that it’s looking more likely that that will be the case.

    Other finds from today include the rumor that the new tablet will in fact sport 4G LTE capabilities (despite previous assurances to the contrary), and the fact that Verizon has already begun to tease us about the new device on their website.

    9to5Mac’s sources also mentioned a separate launch event to occur a week later. Would Apple split up the iPad and Apple TV announcements? All will be revealed at 1 pm EST Wednesday.

  • Apple TV Out Of Stock Almost Everywhere

    Last week we brought you news that Apple might be preparing to launch a new Apple TV alongside the iPad 3 (iPad HD?) at tomorrow’s launch event. Now it looks like we may have some confirmation of that.

    According to a recent report from MacRumors, stocks of the current generation of Apple TV are dwindling at retailers across the country. While stocks have been diminishing at stores like Best Buy for awhile now, it looks like Apple’s own retail stores are starting to run out of the Apple TV as well.

    The fact that even Apple Stores are running out of the Apple TV all but confirms that an update is on the way. What we still don’t know is what the third-generation Apple TV will look like. Features like Siri and gesture controls have been, though that might be a bit far-fetched. There has also been speculation that the new Apple TV will finally have access to the App Store. If so, that will be a pretty significant update.

    Would you like to see a new Apple TV tomorrow, in addition to the new iPad? Tell us what you think in the comments.

  • Meth Can Impair Your Judgement When Buying iPad!

    If you want to go out and pickup an iPad, you probably shouldn’t shop high. Palo Alto police were following-up on a stolen iPad using the “Find My iPad” software when the GPS locator brought them to the Woods apartment complex in San Jose, California. they knocked on the door where the locator said the iPad would be. A man answered and the police asked if they could step inside. The man agreed and let them in.

    Assistant District Attorney David Tomkins commented on the behavior:

    “They probably thought if they didn’t, we’d suspect something, or they thought, ‘I’ll let them in’ — they probably won’t find anything.’”

    To the surprise of the officers, not only did they find the iPad, they found huge piles of crystal meth! The three occupants of the apartment were taken into custody and authorities called-in the narcotics department. A search warrant was obtained and the meth was seized.

    There turned out to be 780 pounds of crystal meth in the apartment, some unrefined, but most of it was finished product. The value is estimated at $35 million. Apparently the meth gave-off no noticeable odor outside the apartment, but was very distinctive upon entrance.

    It is not clear what motivated any of the individuals to steal the device, but with such a large stash of meth, there is no reason they couldn’t have afforded to buy one. I’ll bet they’re kicking themselves now. Sometimes our nature gets the best of us.

    District Attorney Jeff Rosen commented on the case:

    “I told my dad about the bust and he said, ‘They have $35 million, and they can’t go out and buy an iPad’?”

    Apparently the suspects were too busy enjoying the merchandise to think clearly about their actions. I think $600 is a small price to pay for an iPad, especially it buys you peace of mind and keeps the police off your tracks. Further evidence that drugs do impair your judgement, and in this case, render you completely stupid.

    None of the suspects names have been released, but I don’t think this will be a hard case to prosecute. I would guess that possession in this amount would carry a pretty hefty sentence even if you exclude the theft of the iPad.

    Above photo courtesy of thewoodsapartments.com.

  • iPad 3: iPad HD Name Looking More Likely

    iPad 3: iPad HD Name Looking More Likely

    Last week we started hearing rumors that the forthcoming iPad 3 would actually be called the iPad HD. An inventory list of iPad accessories from Griffin and usage statistics from a Romanian developer both referred to the iPad HD instead of the iPad 3.

    Now it looks like we may have confirmation of the new name. Following the original reports, both CNet and VentureBeat consulted their sources at Apple, and both confirmed that the new iPad will be the iPad HD.

    As noted last week, this sort of thing is pretty typical of Apple. Of the five iPhone models that have been released since 2007, only one (other than the original iPhone) was named for its generation number. The second iPhone was the iPhone 3G, because of its 3G connectivity. The third iPhone got a major speed boost, so was called the iPhone 3GS. The fifth iPhone was the iPhone 4S, with the S presumably representing Siri. That being the case, it stands to reason that a major new feature like the retina display would warrant a non-numbered name for the new iPad. In that case, iPad HD is a logical choice.

    Of course, nothing is certain until we actually hear it from the stage at the launch event in San Francisco tomorrow, but it’s looking like Tim Cook will be unveiling the iPad HD, not the iPad 3.

    What do you think of the iPad HD name? Sound off in the comments.

  • iPad Screencasting Software Doceri at SXSW 2012

    iPad Screencasting Software Doceri at SXSW 2012

    SP Controls is readying the second generation of its popular Doceri iPad-based whiteboard and presentation software for release this spring and will unveil a sneak preview at this week’s South By Southwest (SXSW) LAUNCHedu event.

    The new Doceri software will include sophisticated screencasting with easy editing and audio voice over, enabling educators to publish their instruction materials to the Web in addition to creating and presenting hand drawn lessons live in the classroom.

    Availability of the Doceri update is expected within the next 30 days. The Doceri Remote iPad app will remain free in the iTunes store,and will no longer require an active WIFI connection to Doceri Desktop. The update will also be free to registered users of both the paid and free trial versions of Doceri Desktop, which provides access to all pedagogical resources on the desktop or in the cloud, as well as expanded storage for Doceri live drawings and videos.

    Doceri is one of just six technology solutions for higher education chosen to participate in the March 7, 2012 SXSW LAUNCHedu event. Participating companies will present their solutions to a jury consisting of panelists from education, entrepreneurship and venture capital. The panel will choose three finalists, one of which will be named the winner of the SXSW LAUNCHedu event.

    Since its original release last year, Doceri has been adopted by teachers at all levels from K-12 to higher education, who recognize the iPad as the answer to interacting more with their students and less with their lesson presentation materials. Doceri offers teachers a natural interface to create, edit, save and replay hand-drawn lessons and presentations right on the iPad using their finger, a standard stylus or the accompanying Doceri GoodPoint intelligent stylus. In addition, Doceri provides remote access and wireless control over presentations or any software running on the instructor’s Mac or Windows PC, allowing annotation over presentations, JPEGs, PDFs and even live Web pages.

    “Doceri allows me to present a lesson from anywhere in the classroom; a big plus when trying to manage 32+ middle school students,” says Anne Whitman, 7th grade math teacher at Oakdale Jr. High in California. “To actually see what I am writing and replay it while facing my students with my back to the board is amazing! I can work out equations ahead of time or live in front of the students.”

    The popularity of the Kahn Academy educational video library has moved the concept of the flipped classroom to the forefront of educational technology discussion over the past year. The resulting paradigm shift moves direct learning from the classroom to the student’s computer – outside of class – via videos that cover the basic lesson material. This flipped classroom model frees the instructor to use class time for project-based learning and meaningful interaction about the material.

    While instructors in higher education as well as at the K-12 level are using standard videos made available by Kahn and others, there is an increasing desire among instructors to create their own video screencasts – also called vodcasts – for use by their students and shared by other faculty.

    The new version of Doceri will allow recording of audio and video simultaneously like basic apps on the market. However, this “one shot” approach can be challenging when the goal is to provide a quality video-based lesson. Doceri’s sophisticated authoring and editing tools also allow for multiple authors and unlimited editing before a final audio overlay is recorded.
    This opens a wealth of options to instructors for including creating and sharing or monetizing lesson videos on YouTube, on private Web sites, on Learning Mangement System such as Moodle or Blackboard, or in iBooks.

  • iPad 3: “Something Is Coming,” Teases Verizon

    With the iPad launch event just about twenty-four hours away, people are starting to get excited. Never one to let a good marketing opportunity pass, Verizon has put a teaser about the tablet at the top of verizonwireless.com.

    The tease, seen below, says that “Something is Coming,” and offers you the chance to give Verizon your email address so that they can let you know what it is. Of course, they don’t actually say that this mysterious “something” is the iPad 3 (iPad HD?), but since nobody else is staging a major launch event for a long-awaited and much-rumored product, there aren’t really any other candidates.

    Verizon's iPad 3 Tease

    Of course, what Verizon doesn’t tell you is that by giving them your email address you’re probably also setting yourself up to get more emails from them. If you’d rather find other sources all the latest on the next iPad, you can check out our iPad 3 page.

  • iPad 3 Launching With 4G LTE After All [Rumor]

    We’re only a day away from the big iPad 3 (or is it iPad HD) event that Apple’s holding in San Francisco. Invites were sent out last week, saying that the Cupertino company has “something you really have to see…and touch.”

    One of the biggest speculation points on the new tablet has been whether or not it’s going to launch with 4G LTE capabilities. Early reports said yes, but later reports have thrown that into question. On Monday, we told you about sources that said the iPad 3 will not tote a higher price tag than the iPad 2 (something that contradicts common wisdom on the matter). The possible lack of a price hike led MIC Gadget to speculate that it was due to the iPad 3 not coming 4G LTE ready.

    Now, on the eve of the suspected launch, iMore is reporting that the new iPad will come ready for 4G LTE. They quote sources that were correct on the date of the launch event who say that Apple is not planning on saving the big 4G announcement for the iPhone 5.

    They also added the little tidbit that despite recent uncertainty on the availability, the new iPad will in fact launch with the A6 quad-core processor.

    With many carriers expanding their 4G networks, it would make sense for Apple to launch their latest and greatest with the capability. Luckily, we only have to wait another day to find out.

    For more on the iPad 3, head on over to our coverage page.

  • Square Register iPad App Promises “Everything” You Need To Run Your Business

    Square has a new iPad app called Square Register, which it deems “everything you need to start, run and grow your business all in one free iPad app.” That’s a bold promise. Can it deliver?

    Well, lots of businesses are already pretty high on Square itself. In December, the company announced that a million merchants are using the service. That number has likely increased significantly since then. According to AllThingsD, the company is processing $4 million a year.

    So what’s in the app?

    If you sign up, you’ll get the free card reader mailed to you. You can organize items and create a custom inventory. It includes fast checkout via “favorites,” and the 2.75% per swipe (Visa/Master Card/Discover/AmEx) rate. You can create a loyalty program. You can create and publish your profile to the Square Directory.

    Square Register from Square on Vimeo.

    There are analytics features with interactive charts and employee permissions. You can set custom gratuity amounts to appear at the end of a purchase flow, and personalise receipts (while letting customers decide between paper, text or email). You can wirelessly print receipts or open your cash drawer.

    The app works with any iPad running iOS 5.

    As iPads continue to gain adoption, particularly among small businesses, this app will no doubt be appealing to plenty of merchants. Another big boost for Square should be coming as it gets integrated into taxi cabs around New York City. Even the president’s campaign is taking advantage of the service.

  • iOS Beats Android In HTML5 Performance

    While much of the discussion over which mobile platform is better – Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android – is subjective, we occasionally run across some hard data that may push conclusions in one direction or the other. A recent study by Spaceport.io, dubbed the PerfMarks Report, provides one such piece of data.

    The report compares Android’s and iOS’s performance in HTML5. According to the study, the iPhone and iPad were often as much as three times faster than the next best Android competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. What makes the results especially interesting is the fact that HTML5 is often seen as something of a threat to Apple. The HTML5 web standard allows developers to create completely platform-agnostic apps. These web apps will run on any browser capable of handlilng HTML5, whether smartphone, tablet, or laptop/desktop computer. As such, web apps aren’t subject to the “walled garden” of the iOS App Store.

    Yet, as Spaceport’s data shows, the iPhone and iPad are significantly better at handling HTML5 than anything Android has on offer. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the first Android phone to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box, and is widely regarded as among the best Android phone available.

    Spaceport.io is a company that specializes in development tools for games on various platforms, including iOS, Android, and others. The report was designed to measure the current state of the implementation of HTML5 on mobile devices.

  • SXSW 2012: Pearson Showcasing iBooks And Digital Classroom

    South by Southwest has emerged as one of the top events to showcase new technologies and product announcements. Education will be a major topic this year and Pearson is leading the charge.

    Pearson announced today that it will be showcasing its new iBooks and digital education initiative at SXSWedu. The iBooks presentation will go down on Tuesday while Wednesday will showcase their plans for the digital classroom of the future.

    Pearson has been at the forefront of interactive textbooks by designing learning experiences based around video, 3D animation and other interactive images. To continue this trend, Pearson CEO Marjorie Scardino will be using her keynote at SXSWedu to showcase their new iBook line that allows students to digitally highlight, take notes, bookmark, quickly look up definitions, link to relevant topics and more.

    “Educators across the country are making a major push to transform the classroom experience by integrating digital programs that will help better prepare students for college and careers,” said Mike Evans, Pearson Senior Vice President. “The classrooms of tomorrow are digital, and iBooks are among the interactive programs that will help teachers reach the Facebook generation of students in a way never before possible.”

    While the push for iBooks is commendable, the cost of the iPad and other materials will still have to be considered. We reported on a study that found traditional textbooks to be the cheaper way to go for high schools at this point in time. Apple is the main factor when it comes to cost, but Pearson could introduce a way to lower costs somewhat so smarter education could be more affordable to all, especially in those areas that need it the most.

    We’ll be covering more SXSW 2012 events and announcements as they happen, so stay tuned to our coverage.

  • iPad 3 Won’t Be Getting 4G After All?

    Earlier this morning we covered what appeared to be the first up-close look at an iPad 3. Well, most of an iPad 3, anyway. It seems that Chinese tech blog MIC gadget got their hands on the front and rear panels of the device, and gave the components a pretty thorough examination.

    Tucked away in MIC Gadget’s report, though, was an interesting bit of speculation. They note, citing sources, that the price of the iPad 3 will not be higher than that of the iPad 2. While this is a welcome contradiction of earlier rumors, it may come at a price. MIC speculates that the reason Apple is keeping the price the same is that the device will not be getting 4G LTE capability.

    Speculation about the iPad 3 has included 4G capability for quite some time. As carriers expand their 4G networks and an increasing number of mobile devices (mostly phones) become 4G-capable, adding the technology to the iPad seems like a logical step. In fact, evidence surfaced early last month that seemed to confirm that the next iPad would have 4G. Screenshots from iBoot diagnostic software reportedly run on a prototype iPad 3 showed the device with 4G connectivity and running a quad-core processor. While the quad-core processor is looking unlikely at this point, many were holding out hope for 4G.

    Of course, MIC’s speculation is just that – speculation. While they’re likely right that the iPad 3 won’t be getting a price increase, that doesn’t mean that the device won’t be 4G-capable.

    With the iPad 3 (or is it iPad HD?) launch event just two days away, we only have a little while left to wait. While the rumor mill isn’t likely to wind down until Tim Cook leaves the stage on Wednesday, the end is definitely in sight. Until then, check out our full coverage of the iPad 3 here.

    What do you think? Would you like to see the iPad 3 get 4G? Does it really need it? Sound off in the comments.