Posts Tagged ‘iPad 2’

Apple to Release iPad HD on March 7 Event?

All along almost everybody thought that it’s gonna be iPad 3, the name of the newest version of Apple tablet. But now, as the Apple event draws closer and closer, it appears that Apple won’t take that name. New evidences including catalog of parts from suppliers and server logs suggests that Apple will be using the unprecedented ”HD” tag at the end of the popular iDevice. Major tech blogs were unanimous in their conclusion: Apple will be releasing not the iPad 3 but the iPad HD.

The invitation from Apple regarding their March 7 event

High Definition Display

As indicated by early rumors, the next generation of iPad will feature a retina display doubling the resolution of iPad and iPad 2. This is consistent with the “HD” suggesting a higher definition of display for better visual experience.

For other rumored features of the alleged “iPad HD”, see this article:

Apple to Reveal Next-Gen iPad (iPad 3?) on March 7, 2012

Apple to Reveal Next-Gen iPad (iPad 3?) on March 7, 2012

Starting today, you can unofficially call your iPad 2 as “old” and your iPad (first gen) “ancient” because Apple Inc. has already sent out invitations to media (including selected bloggers) for their event next week, March 7, 2012 (March 8 here in the Philippines). From the picture of the invitation, it is quite obvious that Apple will be releasing the next generation of their popular tablet product, the iPad.

“iPad 3″ Rumors

Well, Apple might have been the most rumored tech company in the world. Rumors mounts on every next-generation products that the company is rumored to launch. It started with the iPods, then the iPhones and the latest is the iPad. For the next iPad version dubbed by many as “iPad 3″, here are the most common speculation:

Quad-core A6 processor
iPad 1 has an A4 single core processor, iPad 2 has an A5 dual-core, so what do we naturally expect for iPad 3? Well, you know the answer. This new processor is expected to boost the computing and graphics power of iPad 3.

Better Camera

Images have come out in recent weeks showing an alleged iPad 3 sample placed side-by-side with iPad 2. The emphasis is that the camera has grown larger. Is Apple giving more image capturing power to their tablet like what they did with iPhione 4s?

Higher Display Resolution

Rumors has it that Apple is doubling the resolution of “iPad 3″ display. iPad 2 has a 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi). iPad 3 will double that to 2,048×1,536 pixel.

Increasing display resolution is not new to Apple. Apple doubled iPhone 3GS resolution of 480-by-320-pixel at 163 ppi to 960-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 ppi in iPhone 4. The technology is called retina display and has become one of the key selling points of iPhone 4.

LTE on iPad 3

Since most other tablets in the market has already an LTE support, the rumor of LTE support on iPad 3 is not dying out. We’ll see next week if it really does.

Siri on iPad 3?

Well, aside from the 8MP camera, iPhone 4S major boost comes from Siri, the intelligent voice assistant that was integrated to the entire iPhone 4S system. Will Apple also integrated this AI technology to their next-gen iPad? it won’t be impossible.

The invitation from Apple regarding their March 7 event (red arrow ours)

No “home” button for iPad 3?

Lastly, the picture from Apple invitation has spurred some controversy. As you can see the  image above, the home button is apparently missing. Well, with the introduction of the iOS 5, the home view can now be accessed by your 4 or 5-finger pinch (multi-touch). Will Apple totally remove the home button this time?

Well, all these rumors will remain as rumors until March 7 (March 8 in the Philippines) when Apple finally reveals what the next iPad version will really look like.

iOS 5.0.1 Update Now Available For Download

As expected, Apple has finally released an update to their mobile operating system with the iOS 5.0.1 version. The update contains fixes to the bugs affecting the battery life seen in iPhone 4S models. It also adds multi-tasking gestures to the original iPad (this feature was available in the beta version of iOS 5). Voice recognition was also improved specially for Australian dictation. Lastly, the update fixes the bugs on Documents in the Cloud.

Image via Wikipedia

The 790MB update is now available for download via iTunes (10.5 version only) or you can get the increment updates via device settings which only weighs 44.6 MB.

Asus Transformer Prime Details Unveiled

Since Asus’ chairman Jonney Shih showed the public a glimpse of the Asus Transformer Prime tablet in AsiaD last month, many (including me) were excited to know what are the details of its specification. Today, that excitement were satisfied with the unveiling of the details of Asus Transformer Prime tablet.

Nvidia Tegra 3 - powered Asus Transformer Prime Tablet

Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad Core Processor

Yes, Asus Transformer Prime’s computing power is provided by no less than Nvidia Tegra 3 quad core processor making it the first quad-core tablet in the market. With this advanced Nvidia processor beating inside it, Transformer Prime is more than ready to compete with Apple iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with regards to graphics and web browsing experience.

Thin and Sexy Form Factor

Transformer Prime is thinner than iPad 2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1 with its 0.33-inch thick aluminum body. It weighs approximately 1.29 pounds making it comfortable to carry. This is a huge upgrade from its predecessor, the Ee Pad Transformer launched early this year.

Another improvement with Transformer Prime is that its screen is now resistant to finger print and smudges. This is made possible by hydro-oleophobic coating, the same coating that protect iPad screens.

12-Hour Battery Life

Tegra 3 not only provides extra power to Transformer Prime but because its a low-power chip, Asus has made the battery life up to 12 hours. If this was to be proven right by testing, then Transformer Prime has either matched or dethroned the iPad 2, the current record holder. And adding 6 hours of extra battery juice from a detachable dock, Asus Transformer Prime can last up to 18 hours!

Ice Cream Sandwich by December 2011

Although Asus will ship Transformer Prime with Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) installed, they promised that Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) will be out by December this year. Ice Cream Sandwich is the latest version of Android Mobile OS which is the first version to work on both tablets and smartphones. It features revamped user interface, improved multitasking, resizable widgets, swipe gesture, powerful voice input engine and more.

All other features from the old Ee Pad Transformer was either improved or maintained including the back and front facing cameras, USB 2.0 port and full-sized SD slot, gyroscope, and SonicMaster audio. It will also be shipped with pre-installed Apps such as Asus WebStorage, MyNet, MyCloud, File Manager, and Asus sync.

Pricing and Availability

Asus Transformer Prime will go on sale worldwide this December and will start with a price of $499 for the 32GB model ($599 for the 64GB). The keyboard dock is sold separately at $149.

Final Thoughts

Is Asus Transformer Prime better than Apple iPad 2? Maybe. Is Asus a viable competitor for iPad 2? Definitely! If you are to buy a tablet right now and you just don’t want the iPad 2, then I can advise you to buy Asus Transformer Prime. It could be the best Android tablet in the market to date (unless future reviews will show otherwise).

Amazon to Release Tablet on September 28, iPhone 5 on October 5?

Image via CrunchBase

Two tablet rumors are circulating in tech-blogs and many other news website around the web.

Amazon Tablet

The first one is about the long anticipated cheap Amazon Tablet. The rumor is currently back to the headlines as Amazon invited several press groups to an event to be held this coming September 28. In most cases, Amazon announces a new product in press events like this.

This could also be just an event for their popular reading device, the Kindle. But tech analysts and other “inside” stories just can’t prevent themselves from speculating that Amazon is building a device which does more than reading books. And the interesting about this tablet is that it was supposed to be radically priced below any other tablet in the market.

Whatever it is that Amazon is announcing, let’s wait and see. Anyway, it’s just three more days to go!

iPhone 5 on October 5?

Technology blog AllThingsD claimed that they have inside information that Apple will be holding a press event this coming October. This would likely be the venue for releasing the next version of their best-selling product, the iPhone 5. The event was said to be dated October 4 (US Timezone) and it will be historic since it will be the first time Apple’s new CEO Tim Cook will introduce a product to hundreds of media and Apple fans in the audience.

Aside from iPhone 5, the October 5 event might likely feature a refresh on the iPod series as well as the official release of iOS 5, the next version of the mobile OS that runs Apple’s premium mobile devices such as the iPhone and the iPad.

Although there has been rumors in the past regarding a new iPad along with iPhone 5, that speculation was recently falsified by latest inside stories that shows Apple pushing the next iPad next year.

Finally, Skype for iPad is Now Available For Download!

Two days after “prematurely” releasing Skype for iPad App, the Microsoft-acquired software manufacturer Skype has finally made the large-screen iOS version of its popular video chatting application available again for download from the App Store!

As many have already seen and notice, Skype for iPad features a more clean-looking interface. It also took advantage of the camera on iPad 2 for full screen video call and chat. Skype for iPad also allows chatting while on a video call, a feature not available on the iPhone App.

Here are some screenshots from my own iPad 2.

Skypw for iPad start-up

Skype Releases iPad App But Pulls It Out Afterwards

Image via CrunchBase

Internet calling and video chat software maker Skype has released the much awaited iPad App yesterday but quickly pulled it from the App Store hours after it was released saying that the App was still “premature” for public release.

The Skype for iPad App has all the necessary features we would have expected including the ability to have video chat in a wider screen of an iPad. Unlike the iPhone App though, Skype for iPad  has the ability to send instant message while on a video conference. This is likely due to iPad’s bigger screen which allows Skype to place a small chat window without blocking the face of the person you are chatting with.

Skype for iPad works for both iPad 1 and iPad 2 but the former has no ability to video chat as we should already expect.

Since it was pulled out from the App Store, many are asking why it was released in the first place. Is there a communication gap inside Skype team? Does its acquisition by Microsoft affected their decision-making protocols? Or is it their latest strategy in making big buzz? If the latter is true, I’m not buying it.

Apple’s 3rd Quarter Report: Earnings Soars Due to iPhone and iPad Record Sales

Image via Wikipedia

Apple Inc. reported yesterday its earnings for the third quarter of 2011 which ended June 25. The company reported a record revenue of $28.57 Billion and record profit of $7.31 Billion. For comparison, last year’s 3rd quarter earnings was $15.70 Billion and $3.25 Billion for revenue and profit respectively.

The stellar financial performance of the company was attributed to the record sales of two of their most popular products: the iPhone and the iPad. Apple said that iPhone sales grew by 142 percent reaching a record number 20.34 Million iPhones sold within the period. On the other hand, iPad sales grew by 183 percent reaching a record number of 9.25 million units sold within the period as well.

Apple is expected to hold tighter to their market position with regards to these two products. It was widely rumored that the company is poised to reveal the iPhone 4 successor this coming August or September 2011. There’s also a growing speculation that an early update to iPad 2 might also be released together with the new iPhone.

iPad 3, iPad 2 Plus or iPad HD – Apple to Release a New iPad Later This Year?

Image via CrunchBase

Looks like Apple is set to launch a new version of iPad tablet late this year, probably this September along with a highly probable iPhone 5 and iPod line refresh. This is based on recent reports claiming that Apple suppliers in Asia has begun preparing components for a new iPad.

Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi Version Now Available in the Philippines at 17,000 Pesos

Samsung’s  Galaxy Tab WiFi-only versions are now available on sale at Samsung Stores nationwide at a price point of 17, 000 pesos. As the name implies, this version of Galaxy Tab has its 3G capability removed so you can only connect to the internet via WiFi connections. Also, Galaxy Tab WiFi internal memory was 16GB and expandable up to 32GB.

Samsung Galaxy Tab

Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi runs on Google Android 2.2 (Froyo). Samsung have also released its successors, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 8.9. Both are not yet available in the Philippines as the of this writing.