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  • Android Tablets Outsell iPads in 2013

    There’s a new tablet leader in town. The year 2013 was a big step for Android tablets. For the first time ever, they outsold the iPad. Sales for the Android tablet reached 195.4 million last year, which is a 68 percent increase in total sales over 2012.

    According to Gartner, Inc., Android tablets now makeup 61.9 percent of all tablets sold, iPads 36 percent, and Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 2.1 percent. This is a big drop off for Apple whose iPads dominated over half of the market just last year at 52.8 percent.

    Roberta Cozza, a Gartner research director, spoke of Android’s current place in the market, “In 2013, tablets became a mainstream phenomenon, with a vast choice of Android-based tablets being within the budget of mainstream consumers while still offering adequate specifications.” Cozza also discussed the importance for companies to keep improving technology, “As the Android tablet market becomes highly commoditized, in 2014, it will be critical for vendors to focus on device experience and meaningful technology and ecosystem value — beyond just hardware and cost — to ensure brand loyalty and improved margins.”

    However, it isn’t all bad news for Apple. They still dominate the high-end tablet market. While the Android tablet has successfully marketed itself to appeal to cost-conscience consumers, mobile experts don’t believe that the market shift will have a dramatic effect on Apple since iPad users buy and browse more than users of other leading tablets. We saw the market shift the same way with the iPhone. Several competitors took chunks of the smartphone market from Apple, however, iPhone consumers still accounted for the largest share of buying and browsing.

    If you’re interested in buying an Andriod tablet, here’s a link to a list of the five best that “represent the highest-quality Android-based tablets currently available” according to CNET.

    Image via YouTube

  • Apple to Ship Over 80 Million Tablets This Year

    Apple to Ship Over 80 Million Tablets This Year

    Tablets were more popular than ever this holiday season, and Apple and Samsung continued to display their mobile dominance with iPad and Galaxy tablet sales on Black Friday.

    A DigiTimes report today is showing that this year’s tablet sales growth is not expected to slow. The report’s unnamed “Taiwan-based supply chain makers” are predicting that Apple will ship upwards of 80 to 90 million tablets during 2014. Those same sources predict that Samsung will ship 60 to 70 million.

    This takes into account the new tablets that both Apple and Samsung are expected to announce during the coming year.

    Apple is expected to reveal its refreshed iPad Mini and iPad Air lineup this year, which will presumably be lighter and thinner than last year’s lineup. In addition, the long-held rumors of a new 12.9-inch mega-tablet version of the iPad are still being passed on by DigiTimes’ sources. With Samsung having already unveiled its 12.2-inch mega-tablets at this year’s CES, Apple may see more pressure for a larger version of the iPad, though the report claims a mega iPad release is unlikely before the end of the third quarter 2014.

    As for Samsung, the Korean manufacturer will continue to flood global markets with tablets of all sizes and prices. With emerging markets forecasted to be so important for industry growth in the coming years, Samsung’s lower-price tablet lineup could become more important. DitiTimes predicts more tablets like the new Galaxy Tab 3 Lite with prices falling to as low as $129.

  • Apple Refund: Company To Refund Over $30 Mil. In App Case

    As of late, this writer has seen a trend among the toddlers and young children she finds herself around; most of them are better at handling an iPhone or iPad than many adults. This is certainly not undue, at least partially, to the corresponding trend of parents loaning their tech goodies to their children so as to keep them entertained in restaurants, cars, stores, and other places that may prove boring for even the most well-behaved children. The way that the new generation is becoming so immersed in new technology, so much so that it is almost something natural, is a pretty incredible thing, but does not come without its drawbacks. Such as, oh, finding out that little Timmy spent $100 on snacks for his virtual pet dragon.

    Come to find out, stories such as that hypothetical example are not uncommon, and the parents of little Timmy and other children like him are not at all pleased. The obvious question that comes to mind is how, exactly, the children are able to make these purchases in the first place. After all, most six-year-olds aren’t running around with credit cards. The answer lies in some rather shady trickery; children download free apps and games to their parents devices, and then go to buy power-ups, snacks, jewels, or coins for their respective games. A box will pop up, asking for a password, and children hand the device to their parents so that they can key it in. Afterwards, a 15 minute window is opened, where children have free reign to download and purchase goodies without any need of their parent’s consent or unwitting help.

    What those children and parents didn’t know, though, was that by typing in their password, they were allowing the app to charge real money for virtual tokens. When bills showed up at the end of the month, parents were enraged, claiming that they had not been told of the charges and that they shouldn’t be expected to pay for goods they were never told they purchased. And those purchases certainly add up; one parent reported that her daughter had spent over $2,000 on “Pet Tap Hotel,” and others claimed to have lost over $500 on games like “Dragon Story” and “Tiny Zoo.” Enraged, parents took to complaining and making claims against Apple, looking to get their money back.

    Today, Apple reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, which will include up to $32.5 million in refunds to jilted parents. Apple has agreed to provide full refunds to those effected by their children’s unwitting spending sprees, and has sent emails to people that it believes may have been effected in such a way. People who suspect that they may have lost money due to such circumstances are also encouraged to email Apple, if they have not received any word from the company.

    FTC Commissioner Edith Ramirez said on the topic, “This settlement is a victory for consumers harmed by Apple’s unfair billing, and a signal to the business community: whether you’re doing business in the mobile arena or the mall down the street, fundamental consumer protections apply. You cannot charge consumers for purchases they did not authorize.” Apple also released a statement, simply stating, “Today’s agreement with the FTC extends our existing refund program for in-app purchases which may have been made without a parent’s permission.”

    Apple also claimed that it already had programs in place to refund parents who found that their children had amounted charges without their permission, but that it would rather agree to the FTC’s conditions than draw out a long, nasty court battle over the topic. Either way, it seems like wronged parents will be getting their money back, and will probably be keeping a closer eye on their children’s app usage in the future, too.

    Image via Apple’s website.

  • Apple App Store Sales Reached $10 Billion In 2013

    Are you an Apple App Store developer? Did you create a best selling app in 2013? If so, you may have contributed to the Apple App Store’s best month ever.

    Apple announced this morning that App Store sales reached $10 billion in 2013. Amazingly enough, $1 billion of that was made in December alone making it the most successful month in App Store history. As for developers, Apple notes that it has now paid out over $15 billion to the men and women that help make its App Store so successful.

    “We’d like to thank our customers for making 2013 the best year ever for the App Store,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “The lineup of apps for the holiday season was astonishing and we look forward to seeing what developers create in 2014.”

    So, which apps helped Apple make $10 billion this year? The company points to Candy Crush Saga, Puzzles & Dragons, Minecraft, QuizUp and Clumsy Ninja as some of the year’s biggest success stories. It notes that most of these apps were made by teams outside of the U.S. which helps to illustrate the international nature of the App Store.

    Back in December, Apple did a year-in-review that revealed Minecraft as the #1 top paid app of the year while Candy Crush Saga was the most downloaded free to play game. As for its own personal app of the year, Apple gave its Editor’s Pick award to Duolingo.

    If you happen to have an Android device, you can check out what Google thinks were the best apps of the year here.

    Image via iTunes

  • iPad Mini Retina Is More Accessible Than Ever

    On November 12th, Apple soft-launched the new iPad Mini Retina, just in time for the holiday season. This new iPad mini model boasts a 7.9 inch Retina display, a 2,048 x 1,536 resolution, and 326 pixels per inch. Even with a soft launch, getting the new iPad proved difficult – shipping time started at two to three weeks. CNET claims that the delay was due to the nature and high quality of the display, which is challenging to make in such large volumes. But earlier this month, the shipping time dropped down to 10 days and this week, the shipping time went to 1 – 3 days. Meaning, you could get your hands on a Retina display in about 24 hours.

    The new ship time includes all models ranging from 16 GB to 128 GB, in both Wi-Fi and Cellular models. It also applies to limited international shipping, including Mexico and Canada and the Asian Pacific. The Retina iPad still has a 5 day ship time to any European countries.

    This pad is also more readily available in phone carrier stores, including Verizon and AT&T. It seems that Apple, notorious for being out of stock in phone carrier stores, is finally easing its grip on supply and increasing production, therefore making the newest upgrade the most accessible iPad.

    The iPad mini Retina is not only sleek but boats high-performance, with a powerful A7 chip, 10 hours of battery life, and 2x faster Wi-Fi speed. The Retina iPad mini starts at $399 and is available in Space Grey and Silver.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Branded Tablet Install Base to Hit 285 Million by Year’s End

    If 2013 could be labeled anything for the tech world, it would certainly be the year of tablets. Every major tech manufacturer is now trying to stake their place in that rapidly growing market segment and tablet sales this year outpaced even the traditional PC market. Tablets were some of the most-wanted items of this year’s Black Friday weekend, and continue to be hot items during the holiday sales period.

    Market research firm ABI Research this week estimated that the install base for branded tablets will hit at least 285 million by the end of the year. The firm sees the market evening out between brands, with Apple’s iPad domination of the tablet market beginning to wane.

    ABI sees Apple ramping up iPad sales once again during the fourth quarter holiday season. The company’s year-over-year shipment drop during the third quarter came just before the launch of its revamped iPad product lineup, which includes two of the most sought-after tablets on the market.

    “Product transitions are rarely pretty, but ABI Research expects Apple to have a stellar 4Q’13 as it looks to satisfy an even larger audience purchasing tablets for the first time,” said Jeff Orr, senior practice director at ABI.

    With its wide selection of tablets, ABI sees Samsung continuing to dominate the android tablet market. The firm points to the Korean manufacturer’s increased ad spend as a significant factor in its ongoing success.

    “Apple’s early tablet lead is not as evident three years into the market’s boom,” said Orr. “The initial iPad shipments are aging out with the first wave of replacement tablets expected over the next six months. We believe about 51% of the tablet installed base is coming from iOS and 40% Android when all is said and done in 2013.”

  • Original Tomb Raider Hits iOS, Only Costs $0.99

    Earlier this year, Square Enix rebooted the famous Tomb Raider series for modern consoles with a more relatable Lara Croft that was more interested in surviving than raiding tombs and killing endangered animals. It was a fantastic game, but some were a little bummed that it didn’t have more tomb raiding. For that, there’s always the original game.

    If you don’t have a PlayStation or PC to play the original 1996 game on, Square Enix has your back with a new iOS version of the original game. First and foremost, this is a straight up port of the original PlayStation game so don’t expect any fancy visuals like in Tomb Raider Anniversary. It also brings over the complex controls of the original, while adapting it to a touch screen device, so expect to see plenty of on-screen clutter. Thankfully, the game does support gamepads for those own one.

    Here are some additional details:

    We’ve not messed about with it, so it’s the full, unedited, unadulterated experience from the classic release at a super-low price. How better to find out if you’ve still got what it takes to beat a legendary game than by taking on the lost city of Atlantis and the pyramids of Egypt? It’s probably not for the faint of heart!

    The game includes two extra chapters that were included in the game’s 1998 re-release, giving you a total play time of around 15 hours. Also supports game controllers such as the MOGA Ace Power and the Logitech PowerShell.

    What’s that about a super low price? Going against Square Enix’ terrible habit of over pricing mobile titles, Tomb Raider is priced at only $0.99. It’s nice to see that Square is finally getting the hang of this mobile pricing thing. Now if only it didn’t charge $20 for its Final Fantasy remakes.

    Anyway, Tomb Raider is available today on all iOS 7 devices, but it’s been optimized for the iPhone 5 and later. If the old Tomb Raider bores you, you can look forward to Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition on Xbox One and PS4 next year.

    [Image: iTunes]

  • Bing Updates Its iOS, Android Apps

    One of the best things about Bing is how its homepage is updated with a new picture every day. One day, you have an image of a polar bear frolicking in the snow and next you have an interactive haunted house that references all the best horror films of the past four decades. Now Bing is bringing its constantly changing homepage to mobile.

    Bing announced today that its mobile apps for Android, iPhone and iPad have been updated with an option to make the daily Bing homepage image your lockscreen image. As it does on Bing, the lockscreen image would change everyday with Bing.

    So, how do you use this feature? On Android, it’s quite simple really. All you have to do is hit the arrow button at the bottom of the screen. Here’s what it looks like:

    Bing Updates Its Android, iOS Apps

    If you want to do the same on iOS, it’s a little more complicated. First, you’ll need to sign into your Microsoft account. From there, tap the same button that you see above. This will walk through the process of setting up your SkyDrive folder to save the images for later use. Finally, go to settings -> Wallpapers & Brightness -> Choose Wallpaper to set the saved image as your background.

    While an update focused solely on images would certainly be worth of an entire blog post, Bing wants you to know that it’s also added a new sync feature. When using the Bing app, you can now sync your bookmarks and saved images to your Microsoft ID. This will allow you to access said bookmarks and images across any of the Bing apps on Android and iOS.

    You can grab the new Bing app today for Android, iPad and iPhone.

    [Image: Google Play]

  • Tablets Help Students Learn Science, Shows Study

    Many of the concepts taught in science classrooms are inherently difficult to explain in a classroom or through a book. Physics in particular is hard to illustrate beyond the mathematics of it. Newer technology seems poised to help with this problem, though, as more and more classrooms adopt tablet devices running a variety of interactive learning software.

    A new study by Harvard researchers has found that tablet apps can indeed help students better learn science. The study found in particular that iPads can help illustrate the concept of the scale of the universe, which is nearly impossible to demonstrate in the classroom. The results are to be published in the January 2014 issue of the journal Computers and Education.

    “These devices offer students opportunities to do things that are otherwise impossible in traditional classroom environments,” said Matthew Schneps, lead researcher on the study and the director of the Laboratory for Visual Learning at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center For Astrophysics. “These devices let students manipulate virtual objects using natural hand gestures, and this appears to stimulate experiences that lead to stronger learning.”

    Schneps and his colleagues gave iPads to over 150 high school students in Bedford, Massachusetts who were learning concepts about space. They found that these students were better at understanding common misconceptions with regard to the scale of celestial objects. Students using the iPad learning software were seen to have improved understanding of the relevant topics in as little as 20 minutes.

    The study’s authors believe their research could provide much-needed evidence that new technologies do have a place in the classroom. They hope that tablets and other interactive technologies could help students grasp traditionally difficult subjects such as science and math.

  • Morgan Freeman Portrait Stuns The Internet

    Morgan Freeman is the latest subject for artist Kyle Lambert, and his incredible photo-realistic style is stunning everyone as his time-lapse video goes viral this week.

    Lambert uses Procreate, an app for iPad that allows artists to use their fingers to create stunning pieces. For most of us, getting a drawing to look this realistic is impossible even with a stylus and 20 years of training. But Lambert uses only his fingers and says he “reduced the brush size to a few pixels, pinched to zoom and carefully painted in the fine detail.” The final image is the result of 200 hours of work (and really makes me want an iPad).

    Check out more of his work here.

    Image: YouTube

  • iPad Mini Deserving of a Place on Your Holiday Shopping List?

    iPad Mini Deserving of a Place on Your Holiday Shopping List?

    Black Friday is just a few days away and everyone will be shopping for all the hottest and newest electronics on the market. If you want to be the best gift giver at your holiday party, you need to buy the tablet that has it all, the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini has everything the full sized version offers but is smaller and weighs less, making it easier to carry, hold and store. It also has a huge variety of features that make it the perfect all-in-one electronic device.

    If you are going to buy an iPad Mini and want the best, you might as well spend a little extra to get the iPad Mini with Retina Display. The Retina Display feature offers a resolution of 2048×1536 pixels. It also has more color and a sharper picture. But the display feature isn’t the only thing the new iPad Mini has going for it.

    It has smooth graphics and the iOS 7 that is faster than ever. The iPad Mini with Retina Display also comes with the M7 co-processor that allows your apps to work faster and better. One of the best features of the new iPad Mini is its long battery life. The tablet can run for an entire day on a full battery as long as you aren’t playing games for hours and hours. If you don’t plan to use the iPad for lengthy periods of time, it could last as long as two days.

    The 2012 iPad Mini was impressive when it was released and most people didn’t feel like Apple needed to change a thing. But Apple took the few complaints into consideration and made sure the new iPad Mini with Retina Display had everything users could dream of. If you are out shopping for a tablet this Black Friday or anytime during the holiday season, you may want to check out the new iPad Mini with Retina Display.

    Image from YouTube.

  • iPad Mini With Retina Display Reportedly Available For Walk-In Purchases At Some Stores

    Some consumers looking to buy Apple’s iPad mini with Retina Display may now be able to do so in their local Apple Retail stores. I stress the word “may”.

    On November 12th, Apple announced the availability of the device, but only by way of order and personal pick-up due to limited supplies.

    GottaBeMobile and others are reporting that the company is selling them to walk in customers in some stores, though supplies are still limited. So if you’re planning on making a trip to the store, don’t get your hopes up too high. You might want to call ahead.

    Obviously we have a major shopping week ahead, so I wouldn’t expect supplies for walk-in customers to last very long.

    The iPad mini with Retina Display was unveiled last month at a big press event along with the new iPad Air, Mac Pro and Macbook Pro models.

    The device comes in silver or “space gray”. The Wi-Fi model costs $399 for 16GB, $499 for 32GB, $599 for the 64GB model and $699 for the 128GB. The Wi-Fi + Cellular model is $529 for the 16GB, $629 for the 32GB, $729 for 64GB and $829 for the 128GB.

    The original iPad mini has been dropped to $299 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and $429 for the 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular.

    Image: Apple

  • Tablet Market Set For 20% Growth in Fourth Quarter

    Though major growth in the tablet market is beginning to slow in established markets in the west, the overall tablet market is still set to grow very quickly in the coming years.

    DigiTimes today reported that tablet sales during the fourth quarter of 2013 can be expected to reach 60 million units. That would be a 20% rise in sell-through from the fourth quarter of 2012.

    The report cites the release of new tablets in October and November as a major factor in the rising sales of the devices. Nearly every major tablet manufacturer, such as Apple, Samsung, Toshiba, LG, ASUS, and even Nokia have new tablet offerings for the holiday season.

    Apple in particular is set for significant growth during the fourth quarter, with DigiTimes estimating the company will ship 20 million iPad devices before the end of the year. This represents a major increase in shipments from the 14.25 million iPads Apple shipped during the third quarter, which was actually a slight quarter-on-quarter drop in shipments from the second quarter of this year. The company’s iPad Air will lead sales this holiday season, while a new refresh of the iPad Mini is rumored to be in short supply.

    With its growing variety of tablets, Samsung is leading the way for Android-based tablet manufacturers that have now collectively over taken Apple in the market. DigiTimes estimates that the Korean manufacturer will grow its shipments slightly quarter-over-quarter to 10 million tablets during the fourth quarter.

  • Jury Awards Apple $290 Million In Samsung Lawsuit

    Jury Awards Apple $290 Million In Samsung Lawsuit

    The AFP and the San Jose Mercury News reported an important update today on the lawsuit between Apple and Samsung: an eight-person jury from Silicon Valley has awarded Apple $290 million for Samsung’s apparent copying of iPhone and iPad designs, which it used in 13 devices.

    This latest award brings Apple’s total damages up to a staggering $900 million from the entire infringement suit against Samsung. The jury valued the Samsung Infuse 4G at $100 million, and the Droid Charge at $60 million.

    Apple’s first suit against Samsung was filed with Australian courts in 2011. Apple had requested that the country ban the Samsung Galaxy tablet computer on the basis that Samsung violated no less than three copyrights.

    Previously, Apple’s lawyer had asked for $379 million in damages for patent violations on the part of Samsung. They argued that number based on the profits Apple lost, and the profits that Samsung gained from selling the infringing devices. Samsung was portrayed as a hobgoblin that pirated Apple’s designs to keep up in the competitive smartphone and tablet markets.

    Across the aisle, Samsung’s lawyers argued that Apple was portraying their patents as more valuable than they are, and that Apple is overestimating their importance to consumers.

    Where a consumer might buy an Apple iPhone for the brand, Samsung argued, a Samsung smartphone may be purchased for: the larger screen; Android operating system; and affordability,not because it resembles an Apple product. Samsung placed the damages at $52 million.

    The dueling tech-giants are far from finished with one another. Another trial is scheduled in March over more patent violations on Samsung’s part. Unfortunately, by the time that suit goes to court, the case will have fallen even further behind the releases of new devices from both companies.

    Regardless of how the appeals get resolved, Apple and Samsung will continue to battle for their chunk of the smart-device market. According to an IDC survey, Samsung currently has the bigger market share at 31.4 percent while Apple’s share slipped from 14.4 percent to 13.1 percent.

    [Image via Wikimedia Commons]

  • In Late 2013, Apple Launches iPad-Optimized Apple Store App

    Apple has launched a new Apple Store app tailored specifically for its iPad devices. The company released such an app for the iPhone a few years back, but surprisingly has never had an iPad-optimized experience for it.

    Apple says of the app, “Explore beautiful, high resolution image galleries, discover the latest products and accessories, and check out with a few taps.”

    The feature list from iTunes is as follows:

    • See the latest trending products that others are buying, sharing, and reviewing.
    • Use pinch gestures to zoom, browse and compare.
    • Personalize an iPad or an iPod with free engraving, and get signature gift wrap.
    • Buy products on the go and pick them up at your favorite Apple Retail Store, or have them shipped to your door.
    • Find an Apple Retail Store near you and view hours , get directions, check product availability, make Genius Bar reservations, or sign up for workshops and events.
    • Explore Apple Retail Stores around the world and mark stores as favorites.


    Apple announced in October that it had sold 170 million iPads, and that was before the launch of the latest models.

    iPad Sales

    CEO Tim Cook said at the time that there were 475,000 iPad apps in the App Store. That’s iPad-optimized apps alone, and not just “stretched out” versions of smartphone apps, as Cook put it. It’s kind of odd that Apple wouldn’t already offer its own apps in such a fashion.

    [via TechCrunch]

  • The New iPad Mini Isn’t Very Repairable

    The folks at iFixIt have turned the art of tearing apart electronics into a science over the years. Every teardown is methodical, beautiful and best of all – educational. So what do we learn from today’s iPad Mini Retina teardown? Apple makes it very hard for consumers to fix their devices.

    In today’s iPad Mini Retina teardown, iFixIt found that Apple’s latest mini-tablet has its share of good and bad. Unfortunately, the bad far outweighs the good thanks to the large amounts of glue Apple uses to keep its components in place. Doing so makes it harder to remove parts, and can even damage them if you’re not careful. They also note that there are hidden screws inside the iPad which makes removing some components a dangerous proposition.

    Interestingly enough, iFixIt found that the iPad Mini shares the same CPU with the iPhone 5S instead of the new iPad Air. All three use the same A7 CPU, but the iPad Air’s A7 has been clocked to a higher frequency. So you could say that the new iPad Mini is more like an oversized iPhone 5S instead of a slimmed down iPad Air. Either way, you’re getting what looks to be a powerful 7-inch tablet.

    If poor repairability doesn’t phase you, you can pick up the iPad Air today for $399. If you want to go all out, you can also pick up an 128GB model with LTE for $829.

    [Image: iFixIt]

  • iPad Mini With Retina Display Is Now Available For Purchase

    Apple announced today that the iPad mini with Retina Display is now available. You can order it through the Apple Online Store or through the company’s retail stores (for personal pick-up apparently due to a limited supply), as well as through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon or other authorized resellers.

    The device was unveiled last month at Apple’s big press event along with the new iPad Air and new Mac Pro and Macbook Pro models.

    “The response to iPad Air has been incredible, and we’re excited for customers to experience the new iPad mini with Retina display,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “We think customers will love both of these thin, light, powerful new iPads, and we’re working hard to get as many as we can in the hands of our customers.”

    The iPad mini with Retina Display comes in silver or “space gray” (yep, that’s what they call it).

    The Wi-Fi model costs $399 for 16GB, $499 for 32GB, $599 for the 64GB model and $699 for the 128GB. The Wi-Fi + Cellular model is $529 for the 16GB, $629 for the 32GB, $729 for 64GB and $829 for the 128GB.

    The original iPad mini has been dropped to $299 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and $429 for the 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular.

    Image: Apple

  • JFK Assassination: Yep, There’s an App for That, Too

    Are you a tech savvy history buff? Can you not get enough information on the JFK assassination in the midst of all the anniversary frenzy? Well, Apple has you covered. Check out the new Grassy Knoll Report App.

    The app is an interactive tool that uses historical research and analysis with modern photography and GPS-enabled maps, in order to fully explore the conspiracy of all conspiracies that ended in the death of John F. Kennedy in 1963. It was written by Joe Williams, who is an award-winning reporter and film critic for the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

    For 99 cents, you can explore the various conspiracy theories that have been floated over the years involving everyone from the CIA to the Mafia, and virtually stand behind the fence where the kill shot was allegedly fired. You can also visit Parkland Hospital where the famous “magic bullet” was discovered, or follow Lee Harvey Oswald on his journey from Mexico City to Dallas, where his life supposedly ended in murder.

    You can also take a virtual ride out to Oak Cliff where Dallas policeman J.D. Tippit was shot to death by a mystery gunman and shadow Jack Ruby on his infamous crazy weekend that ended in murder, and view the basement where Ruby killed Lee Harvey Oswald. What a ride.

    This thing includes articles on the assassination conspiracy theory, timelines, and coverage of key locations and people. You can also see how these locations look in the present day, as well as historical photos.

    This app is awesome for those of us that just happen to be obsessed with JFK, Oswald, or conspiracies in general. Even Jimmy Fallon knows a great thing when he sees it, saying, “The Grassy Knoll Report is amazing. Everyone needs to see this.”

    Image via wikimedia commons

  • iPad Air Components Cost Less Than Last Year’s Model

    With each passing year Apple adds new features and hardware to its line of iPhones and iPads. The cost for the latest Apple devices, however, has managed to remain relatively stable due to better manufacturing processes, as well as Apple’s incredible influence over its component manufacturers. A breakdown of the iPhone 5S back in September found that one of the smartphones could be made for around $199 – just $2 more than the estimated cost of last year’s iPhone 5S smartphone.

    Today, market research firm IHS presented its cost analysis for the iPad Air, which was finally released last week. The firm’s teardown of the tablet reveals that, even with its new 64-bit A7 CPU, the iPad Air is less expensive for Apple to manufacture than last year’s third-generation version of the iPad tablet.

    IHS estimates that the components in the 16GB version of the iPad Air costa approximately $304. This represents a significant reduction in cost from iPad 3 components, which were estimated to cost $325 at its launch last year. Adding $6 in manufacturing costs, the total cost to produce a new iPad air is estimated at $310.

    With the tablet selling for $499, the cost reductions mean a higher margin on each iPad Air sold. Even better for Apple, adding 16GB more storage to the device is estimated to cost Apple only $8.40, meaning the $100 markup on the 32GB version of the iPad Air is almost entirely profit.

    “While the iPad Air slims down in size, the profit margins are getting fatter,” said Andrew Rassweiler, senior director for cost benchmarking services at IHS. “Although the Air’s new, ultrathin display and touch screen are more expensive than for the third-generation iPad, Apple has held the line on cost by taking advantage of price erosion in other areas. Furthermore, the iPad Air leverages the same components and suppliers that are used in the iPhone 5s and 5c as much as possible.”

  • Coupons.com Adds Coupon Codes to App Update

    Heads up couponers and others who like to save money–the popular savings website Coupons.com is releasing an updated app for Apple iOS devices on Monday. The updated app offers coupon codes and offers from both national and local retailers. This works out perfectly since thousands of people will begin flocking to the stores to make holiday purchases soon.

    Version 2.0 of the Coupons.com app will include a host of improvements, but the one people are most excited about is the addition of coupon codes, something that the RetailMeNot app has offered for a long time.

    According to Coupons.com, “Thousands of coupon codes are now available for saving on online shopping at hundreds of stores…For users shopping in-store, offers are available for redemption at checkout. Just show offers on your mobile device in the physical store. Top stores include Bath & Body Works, JCPenney, Macy’s, The Home Depot, and J. Crew.”

    The app is free and available for download via iTunes, and you can register to access additional savings. Check out the new Coupons.com iOS interface below.

    Are you a couponer or have any tips for holiday savings? Respond below.

    “More and more consumers are reaching for their mobile devices to help them shop and save. In fact, during last year’s holiday season, the percent of web-based purchases made on a mobile device reached well into the double digits and one-third of smart phone owners indicated they used a mobile coupon while holiday shopping,” said Steven Boal, CEO of Coupons.com.

    “We’re continuing to invest in mobile solutions to make shopping and saving better for consumers this holiday season, and all year long,” Boal continued.

    After taking a test-drive of the updated Coupons.com iOS app, it’s easy to see how the app will become even more popular, especially as people start their holiday shopping since it offers savings from Toys ‘R’ Us. It’s a good thing that the updated app was released at the beginning of November, which will give retailers about three and a half weeks to get used to accepting codes from the app before Black Friday arrives.

    Images via iTunes

  • The iPad Air Is Now Available To Purchase

    The iPad Air Is Now Available To Purchase

    Apple unveiled its new lighter, thinner iPad – the iPad Air – at a press event on October 22nd. The device is now available for consumers to purchase, and just as the holiday shopping season kicks off (Amazon just launched its Black Friday deals store).

    “iPad created an entirely new mobile computing experience, and the new iPad Air is another big leap ahead. It is so thin, light and powerful, once you hold one in your hand you will understand what a tremendous advancement this is,” said Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing, Philip Schiller, when the device was announced. “iPad Air with its 9.7-inch Retina display weighs just one pound and packs the incredible performance of iOS 7 running on a 64-bit desktop-class Apple A7 chip, and delivers all-day battery life in the lightest full-sized tablet in the world.”

    The device weighs only a pound, and is 20% thinner and 28% lighter than the fourth generation iPad. The bezel is 43% narrower.

    You can get it in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular models starting today. The former is available at $499 for the 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB and $799 for 128GB.The latter is $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, $829 for 64GB, and $929 for 128GB.

    You can buy the device through the Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores, through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon or other retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, Staples and Radio Shack.

    Walmart is offering a $20 discount on the 16GB model, and some retailers (including Best Buy, Staples and Apple itself) are reportedly matching the price.

    Image via YouTube