February 12, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

I’m still skeptical about laser projectors — while the technology is impressive, the practicality is still a little limited. And unfortunately, Microvision’s demo of their SHOWWX projector here at Macworld 2010 didn’t do much to change my mind. It’s a nice little device — it’s almost exactly the size of the iPhone, and the rep told me that most of the unit is actually the battery — and there are some good applications for it. But for the consumer market that Microvision really wants, the $500 unit (that will go on sale in March) is still a little too small in terms of scale and usability. Read more…

February 09, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

Last week I downloaded (but did not install) the iPhone OS 3.1.3 firmware for my 3GS. I wanted to have a copy of the firmware on hand, but didn’t want to upgrade right away. I checked “Do not ask me again” and clicked Download Only. I thought that was the end of the matter.

Unfortunately, this Sunday, I plugged in my iPhone and left the room to grab some tea. When I returned, the iPhone was 50% of the way through the 3.1.3 firmware upgrade procedure. It did something I had no idea that it would do: it upgraded me without asking. Read more…

February 01, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

Apple may be working on a second Mac OS X based tablet, according to TechCrunch sources.

The information ‘originated from a good source’, though it was a second hand source. Some of the main details were corroborated with another source as well.

It appears that Apple is pretty far along on work on second bigger tablet device (possibly up to 15.4″) and it could run a more traditional version of OS X, unlike the iPad which operates on an iPhone based OS. Read more…

January 28, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

A few of our readers have pointed out this interesting little blurb currently found down at the bottom of the iPad’s specs page:

This device has not yet been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.

Did Apple just announce a “magical and revolutionary product” that they can’t yet sell? Yes and no. Yes, given that the 3G iPads will connect to the cell phone network, the FCC will have to approve them. But will that be a problem? Probably not. Read more…

January 27, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

Apple has finally released their long awaited tablet. Here’s how much it will cost you and when it will be available.

Hardware Costs
The iPad comes in three sizes: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB.

You have the choice of purchasing the device with or without 3G Internet access.

iPad 16GB: $499
iPad 32GB: $599
iPad 64GB: $699

iPad 16GB 3G: $629
iPad 32GB 3G: $729
iPad 64GB 3G: $829
Read more…

January 25, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

Flurry Analytics has identified about 50 devices thought to be pre-release Apple Tablets in testing. These devices have been placed geographically on Apple’s Cupertino campus. Testing increased dramatically in January with signs of life beginning as early as October.

On these devices, Flurry observed approximately 200 different applications in use by testers. Studying category trends provides insight into the kind of user Apple is targeting and how it expects the device to be used. They’ve compiled a chart that shows the number of applications in use by category across test devices. Read more…

January 21, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

When Apple finally takes the wraps off its long-anticipated tablet next Wednesday, the device will strike a familiar chord with owners of the original iPhone, with similarities in industrial design trickling all the way down to the handset’s button and connectivity components, AppleInsider has learned.

Nearly two and a half years have passed since AppleInsider exclusively reported in September of 2007 that the Cupertino-based gadget maker planned to follow the blockbuster success of the iPhone with a broader entry into consumer electronics, spearheaded by a completely new category of device akin to a “slate” and reminiscent of a modern-day reincarnation of the company’s now defunct Newton tablet.

Since then, Apple has surprised in its capacity to work alongside dozens of partners and still maintain a relatively tight lid of the product’s design, feature set, and software-driven functionality. Though recent weeks have been met by a flurry of reports on Apple’s likely intentions for the device, a 28-month trail of rumors and speculation have left onlookers with exponentially more questions than answers.
Read more…

January 19, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

While Apple’s tablet is still expected to see a formal introduction at a media event next week, issues with battery life and durability could result in a June launch, an analyst said Tuesday.

In a new note to investors, Shaw Wu with Kaufman Bros. said checks with supply chain sources indicate the launch pattern for the tablet could follow that of the original iPhone in 2007, with a January unveiling and final product shipping to consumers six months later. He said that the June launch could be due to “minor issues” with more work needed on battery life and durability.

However, he said, checks also indicate that a tablet-type device will be introduced next week, at a Jan. 27 event, where the company has advertised it plans to show off its “latest creation.” Wu described the product as being like a “super” iPod touch. Read more…

January 13, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

Clues on Apple’s forthcoming tablet continue to surface as the device is expected to debut this month, with a new report referring to the device as an “iPhone on steroids.”

Citing a close contact within Apple, Boy Genius Report on Wednesday issued a report with alleged new details and specifics on Apple’s 10-inch touchscreen device. The source said the device has an internal model number of K48AP and sports an “incredibly fast” ARM-based processor.

What kind of ARM chip remains unknown, though many have speculated that the reference Cortex-A9 design would be a likely candidate for any new hardware. However, one analyst recently claimed that the device would sport a Cortex-A8-based chip with a speed of about 1GHz. Read more…

January 07, 2010 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News

With a rumored Jan. 27 event fast approaching, speculation regarding Apple’s still-unannounced tablet continues to mount. This week, one analyst shared alleged information on the device’s internal components, while another attempted to project the cost of its parts.

Analyst Ashok Kumar of Northeast Securities spoke with AppleInsider this week about the device, which is expected to debut this month and ship in March. Kumar said the tablet processor will be manufactured by Samsung and will be based on the Cortex-A8 ARM architecture. He believes it will have a speed of about 1GHz.
Read more…