Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 15, 2010 | No Comments
Today is iPad day, apparently. The numbers are in – and by numbers, I mean heavy estimates – and they say that a metric ton of iPads have been sold. 120,000 as per an estimate on CNN’s Fortune Brainstorm Tech. Here’s how the numbers break down:
- 69% bought Wi-Fi only model
- 31% bought Wi-Fi and 3G model
- 33% bought 16GB
- 32% bought 32GB
- 33% bought 64GB
Funny how they estimate into even thirds on what model everyone purchased, but that’s the joys of using a select group. Of course, there’s more:
“Apple has been able to generate over $75 million in revenue in one day on a product that 99.9% of purchasers haven’t touched or for that matter, even seen in person,” said Victor Castroll, an analyst with Valcent Financial Group. “And, we’re still three weeks away. That is amazing.”
Castroll was one of two AAPL Sanity members who monitored the order numbers as they flowed in, but he credits Deagol — a blogger-investor whose predictions of Apple’s earnings are consistently more accurate than the Street’s — with doing the heaving lifting. You can follow Deagol’s work at Deagol’s AAPL Model.
I’m pretty skeptical about the iPad and tablets in general, but if they really have sold this many, maybe the computer market will start to shift in a tablet direction. I just can’t wait to see what people think once it’s in their hands.
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 15, 2010 | No Comments
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 15, 2010 | 1 Comment
I didn’t pre-order an iPad on Friday. There are a lot of reasons why, but ultimately, it just came down to money. As it turns out, having a baby is expensive. Isn’t that right Mr $500-after-insurance-including-a-$200-”emergency”-fee anesthesiologist? No, I’m not bitter. Not at all.
There is another reason why I didn’t buy one, which is something some of you may share. I didn’t really want one. I mean, I want one like I want all Apple products, but not bad enough to plunk down the cash for it. No, I just want to lust after them until either a) the price comes down or b) the hard drive space goes up. Besides, I’ll be able to play with one at the store before I buy it, and maybe then I’ll get onboard. It’s how I bought my iPhone, after all.
Then, something funny happened. I fell in love.
If you don’t already, you should check out Forevergeek.com. Why? Well I’m a writer over there for one, but that’s not the important part. Robin wrote an excellent post about iPad accessories, and it straight up convinced me to buy an iPad. Why? Because now I get it.
Above is the Happy Apple Studio Wallet Deluxe. It’s also available in various colors as a clutch for women, but since I’m on the male side, I’m more interested in the wallet (although it does bring up an interesting point about purses versus man bags). It’s first and foremost, a case for the iPad. But attached to the case is a fancy fold-out pocket with room for paperwork, accessories or whatever else you need. It’s perfect.
At first, I figured this was a lame accessory that just wouldn’t do much for me. Then, it hit me – it’s the perfect portfolio. Take that in to a prospective client, open it up like it was any old notebook and BAM! Instant shock and awe. Hit them with my photo library full of work and watch the cash roll in.
OK, maybe not like that, but you get the picture. This product makes me want to buy an iPad, not the other way around. I may be overselling it a bit, and ultimately, I don’t think this is going to exist for real until the iPad is out there, but when it does I want one. Bad.
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 15, 2010 | 1 Comment
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 15, 2010 | 2 Comments
So the iPad pre-order was on Friday. With it, came a bunch of interesting tidbits that weren’t previously noted. Take the picture above, for example. Notice anything new? Oh look, there’s now a screen rotation lock. Just the other day I was checking my e-mail on the iPhone and I happened to be in a slightly reclined position. The screen flipped to the side, then I had to flip it back. Giant pain in the butt – and one that will be avoided with the iPad. I’m also secretly hoping this will be in either iPhone OS 4 or the next-gen iPhone.
Then there’s the battery situation. the iPad comes with an internal battery, and you can’t replace it yourself. What will you do if your battery goes out and you need a new one? Don’t worry, just cough up $99 and Apple will send you a new iPad. Wait. What? From Engadget:
“If your iPad requires service due to the battery’s diminished ability to hold an electrical charge, Apple will replace [emphasis Engadget] your iPad for a service fee.”
Holy crap! That’s amazing news, right? At least that’s what I thought, until I followed Engadget’s link to Apple and found something different:
If your iPhone requires service only because the battery’s ability to hold an electrical charge has diminished, Apple will service your iPhone for a service fee.
Well now that’s not the same thing. Looks like someone at Apple reads Engadget, caught the problem and fixed it. But now, thanks to the magic of the internet, it’s here forever for all to see – or, until someone changes the post.
As for me and my iPad purchase, I can honestly say that I didn’t purchase one. In my next post, I’ll explain what might change my mind. Stay tuned!
Update: As many of you have so kindly pointed out, I’m an idiot. I linked to the wrong page. But since I made a point of commenting on mistakes being forever, I’ll just go ahead and leave this as is, as proof of my stupidity.
Here’s the iPad link, which does still say “replace.” Yay!
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 15, 2010 | 2 Comments
Posted by: Lorraine Barte Nepomuceno on Mar 13, 2010 | No Comments
What are the first pages you load when you fire up your browser in the morning? For me, it’s Gmail and Google Reader (yes, I am quite dependent on the almighty G). Of course, that’s for mornings when I actually have time to enjoy a cup of coffee in front of my desktop, that is. On mornings that I have to be somewhere, I am extremely grateful for Newsie.
Newsie is a Google Reader client app that:
- Downloads my Google Reader subscriptions at lightning speed. I’m not kidding, this thing’s fast, because it doesn’t take forever to sync all your feeds (I have over 200!)
- Supports starred items, and automatically saves the item’s original web page with a virtual “paperclip” so I’ll remember to get back to it later.
- Works well with Tweetie & Twitterific, letting me tweet interesting posts. Not something I really do, but I like knowing that I can.
- Is beautifully designed, with a simple user interface and support for full-screen.
If you’re an RSS feed junkie like me, check Newsie out. It’s currently $3.99 at the App Store.
Posted by: Lorraine Barte Nepomuceno on Mar 13, 2010 | No Comments
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 12, 2010 | No Comments
A few years back, my wife and I bought our first house, and it didn’t come with any appliances with the exception of a stinky dishwasher and a crappy stove. As a result, we had to go out and buy everything new, which cost a pretty penny and ticked me off quite a bit. I didn’t care about most of the items – as long as they weren’t too expensive – but I did want a nice fridge. We ended up paying a good chunk of change for this gloss black Samsung model, with lots of cool cabinets and drawers. I was happy.
For months, we didn’t have anything on that obelisk, it just functioned. Then the magnets started creeping into place. First they were small yellow ones, then big ugly ones. Now I can barely see the damned fridge underneath all of the things stuck to it. Drives me nuts.
We have ugly magnets, not cool ones like these here. They’re the App Magnets, produced by Jailbreak Toys. Honestly, I don’t know how other to describe these, so let’s let Jailbreak do the hard work.
Whatever you want to do… There’s an app for that. That’s right. Whether you want to buy movie tickets, read the news, write a review, pay a tip, catch a taxi, or even train your dog, there’s an app for that. But what if you want to hang a photo on the fridge? Or leave a note on the microwave? Or save that Chinese take-out menu in a place where you can’t lose it? When it came to certain old-school tasks, the apps were coming up short. A little reverse innovation was needed. Well, good news, everyone… Now there’s an app for that, too.
Oh look, they used the “there’s an app for that” phrase. Twice. That’s not overused or anything. Regardless, these are pretty cool little things, and they’re not expensive either. Just $12.99 for the whole deal. Buy them now or risk having stupid magnets on your fancy fridge.
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 12, 2010 | No Comments
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 12, 2010 | 4 Comments
I came across this article today on Forbes.com, and it brought up a point that I’ve been pondering for the past few weeks: is it better to get a data plan for the iPad from AT&T or a data device from Sprint or Verizon for close to the same price?
At first, this seems like a simple answer. The AT&T plan is $15.95 for 250mb, and $30.00 for “unlimited” usage, so go with that. After all, you don’t go past the unlimited mark with your iPhone, so the iPad shouldn’t be any different right?
Well sure, but it’s not that simple. See, both Verizon and Sprint offer mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for really low prices, then you can get a data plan for anywhere from $39 to $59 a month. Yes, that’s a substantial increase in cost, but it’s also not only for one device. You could use it for your iPhone, laptop, even your home computer if need be. It’s an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require a locked-in subscription for the single device.
I’ve been putting some feelers out there on this topic recently, and I hope to have some hard data to back up my thoughts soon. In the interim, let’s discuss the options.
Ultimately, the iPad and how it’s used for data is up to you and where you plan on using it. If your iPad stays at home 24/7, then chances are the Wi-Fi mode will be just fine. If you plan on taking it anywhere though, you’ll either need to be sure they have Wi-Fi, or get a 3G model. The only real advantage with the AT&T plan is that it gets onto the same bills as your iPhone so you can just put out one check. I guess that makes it easier.
The Verizon/Sprint option means that you’d have to carry a device with you at all times to run your mobile hotspot. Although that’s inconvenient, it’s not ridiculous to consider. Not only would you be able to use the hotspot, but so would any of your friends who needed to hop on as well. Plus Sprint has 4G service in some areas, making it an even faster option to consider. It doesn’t make sense to use this option if you just have an iPad, but chances are you also own an iPhone, and in moments where 3G coverage is crappy, you could log onto the Verizon/Sprint model and get going. Better yet, use a laptop.
For me, the main difference is in the cost. It’s $60 for the biggest plan that they both have, which is pretty pricey. then again, if you use it more than a few times a month, it’s going to pay for itself. The other issue is the contract, which is required on both other providers. The AT&T option is nice because you can opt out whenever.
Like I said, I’m hoping to have some better numbers soon to back this up. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts on the topic, drop them in the comments box.
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 12, 2010 | 4 Comments
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 12, 2010 | 1 Comment
Last year, I got into the MacHeist bundle and picked up Twitteriffic along the way. Almost instantly, it pissed me off. The interface was annoying, hearing the little tweet reminder got irritating, and I hated how new windows would pop up behind others. I ended up taking it off my dock and forgetting about it. When the MacHeist Nano bundle came up, it came with Tweetie, so I figured I’d give that a shot.
I had some experience with the iPhone App, since I purchased the original Tweetie a while back and recently updated to Tweetie 2. But I hadn’t tried the Mac version yet, so here was my chance. I loaded it up, and I was good to go.
First, the interface. I love it. It’s clean, simple, and stupid easy to figure out. You start with your avatar up top, then it’s followed by a tweets button, @ mentions, mail and search. If you have multiple usernames, the others show up just below that, all in order. Switching between identities is easy, just click and go.
One of my favorite features though is how it deals with links and images. Twitpics load up in separate windows, with their own clean appearance, similar to quick-look for OSX. Any other links just load up in your default browser, all in a new window. It’s clean and simple, without being overdone. It’s that kind of application design that I can really appreciate.
If you missed out on the latest MacHeist bundle and still want a copy, it’s only $19.95 on their website. If you’re a hardcore Twitter user, this is the app for you.
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 12, 2010 | 1 Comment
Posted by: Lorraine Barte Nepomuceno on Mar 11, 2010 | No Comments
I was an English Literature Major, so you’ll understand if I’m more than just a little excited about my new find on the iTunes Store: it’s called Lit2Go, and it’s a collection of classic stories and poems, yours to download and listen to for free.
There’s a good selection, with something for almost everybody, from Edgar Allen Poe’s Stories to Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations (my personal favorite), to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, which you might want to download if you enjoyed Tim Burton’s recent production.
The recording quality could be better, I suppose- but the voices are crisp, and plays clear enough on my iPod for me on my ancient, somewhat noisy, treadmill.
You can go directly to the iTunes page of Lit2Go, which doesn’t include their entire library, or search through their huge database on the web.
Posted by: Lorraine Barte Nepomuceno on Mar 11, 2010 | No Comments
Posted by: RJ Huneke on Mar 11, 2010 | No Comments
The meeting drags on as the drab droll continues to reflect on the integral usage of office toilet paper, and in the process the March Madness college hoops game slips away. Get a text message on the iPhone that sheds light on the score at the end of each half with the “Sportacular” application.
The free sports guide quickly assembles all of the current day’s games for nearly every game, and with the flick of a finger the “Sportacular” App user can have any game report a change in score, or an update at the end of a period in the game!
Games are listed by sport, and clicking on a Bulls Vs. Magic basketball game will result in the live game time ticking away every few seconds, the score, the stats, the channel the game is on if it is televised, the spread and even a scoring summary!
Scrolling down to the bottom of the basketball court background, that beautifully borders the highlights, the “Sportacular” App user can see the game leaders, like Matt Barnes in the Orlando game, complete with a picture and his six points for the first quarter.
At the top of the screen a fixed scoreboard reflects the score no matter what aspect of the game the user is researching. Fantasy picks and custom teams can all be figured into this intuitive and quick action sports tracking “Sportacular” application!
IMPULSIVE Review Grade: A
Posted by: RJ Huneke on Mar 11, 2010 | No Comments
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 11, 2010 | 1 Comment
Oh Jennifer Anniston, is there any rom-com that you won’t do?
It’s Thursday, and I’m going to start a new regular feature titled Two Rumor Thursday. And by feature, I really mean that if I have two rumors to post up about on a Thursday, I’ll do it. Got it? Even you in the back? Alright, good. Now let’s get to it.
Rumor 1 from Apple Insider:
People with a proven track record in predicting Apple’s technological advances tell AppleInsider that the Cupertino-based company has developed a “full-on solution” to multitasking on the iPhone OS but offered no specifics on how the technology would optimize resource conservation and battery life — two of the most critical issues surrounding the matter, alongside security.
From a user-facing perspective, Apple plans to deliver a multi-tasking manager that leverages interface technology already bundled with its Mac OS X operating system, according to those same people. It was requested that specifics be withheld at this time, as the iPhone Software 4.0 remains under development and reportedly has a quite ‘way to go’ before it’s ready for prime time.
Some people would say that I forgot about multi-tasking in my amazing What I Want in the Next-Gen iPhone article. I didn’t. That’s because I really don’t care.
See, I don’t want to listen to Pandora and work on Tweetie. I’m just fine with working with the iPhone as is, no worries. Now I will say that apps such as 1Password and TextExpander would really benefit from multi-tasking, but it’s not the end of the world to me if it doesn’t happen. I don’t need my iPhone to be a computer, that’s what my MacBook Pro is for.
Rumor 2 from ZDNet:
I’m getting tips in from sources who claim that Apple is set to revamp its high-end Mac Pro line, adding a ‘hexacore’ Core i7-980x model to the line up.
All information points to this happening next Tuesday, March 16th.
The Core i7-980x is Intel’s first six-core part. Here’s the spec:
- 3.33GHz (TurboBoost to 3.6GHz)
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- 32nm architecture
- Socket LGA1366
- 130W TDP
I don’t understand much about technical jargon, but I do know that the Intel Core-i7 is getting great reviews, and I’ve been hearing it’s coming to the laptops soon. I also know that the 3.33Ghz processor would fly in a Mac Pro, and would make me heavily consider a purchase. Well, until the price tag hit me. Then, I’d consider robbing a bank.
Posted by: Kevin Whipps on Mar 11, 2010 | 1 Comment
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