Wired How-to has a few good pointers on how to ensure you squeeze as much juice out of your iPhone battery when the charger is no where in sight. Also mentioned were some battery usage myths which you might have heard before, debunked.
4 October 2011 Tuesday, seems to be the date that Apple will hold a special media event to launch new products, according to many on the WWW. And the new product…or products?
According to John Paczkowski from All Things D:
That’s the day Apple is currently expected to hold its next big media event, according to sources close to the situation, where the tech giant will unveil the next iteration of its popular iPhone.
While Apple was expected to have a Fall event, what will be announced is still up in the air. While most will expect Apple to announce the next iteration of the iPhone 4, leaks on parts and cases have shown that there might not just one, but two iPhones that will be in market later this year. However, possible production delays might see only one iPhone being introduced.
Something that will definitely be announced will be the availability of iOS5. Have been testing the developers beta on my iPhone 4 and the current one seems to be almost done. Apps run faster and the new notification centre is definitely much more user friendlier than before. Click here to find out the other new features coming soon with iOS5.
But what about hardware? Expect to see more – John Gruber of Daring Fireball wrote:
The fall event is important for Apple because it’s the one where they set their product lineup for the holiday quarter. The company prefers to announce new products simply when they’re ready, not when some arbitrary date on the calendar arrives. That’s why they stopped doing Macworld Expo keynotes. They showed this year that they’re not afraid to do a software-only WWDC keynote. But they can’t move Christmas. Apple is breaking profit and revenue records quarter after quarter. But Apple’s best-selling products sell best during the holiday quarter. iOS devices have “Christmas gift” written all over them. … Nine months into the year and Apple has announced but a single new iOS device: the iPad 2. Time’s up, pencils down.
We know we probably won’t see a new iPad this year, but how about a new iPod touch, with improved components and comes with 3G connectivity? This report from BGR quoted an analyst that said to expect a 3G iPod touch. Contrary to that report, a MacRumor posts also indicate an iPod touch but one that has minor improvements but spots the white case, similar to the iPhone 4.
One thing is certain, no one outside Cuppertino really knows what Tim Cook will be unveiling in the coming weeks. Yes, this is the first time Tim Cook will be holding fort at such an event. Will he be able to recreate Steve Jobs’ famous Reality Distortion Field as coined by cynics and more importantly, how will he do that “One More Thing”?
We will be there on whichever date that Apple holds the event and bring you up-to-date information as they come.
(Photo by Brendan McDermid / BoingBoing)
A MacRumor fan supposedly emailed Steve Jobs over the iOS location tracking controversy after two scientists wrote an app that pulls data from a file in your iOS backup that collates WiFi access point and cell tower locations data wherever your iPhone is connected. This led to furore all over about the lost of privacy and the security threat over the discovery of this data file and that Apple had collected this information.
In the email, the reader asked Steve Jobs about the need of collecting those information:
Steve,
Could you please explain the necessity of the passive location-tracking tool embedded in my iPhone? It’s kind of unnerving knowing that my exact location is being recorded at all times. Maybe you could shed some light on this for me before I switch to a Droid. They don’t track me.
In which Jobs replied in his usual short and vague replies:
Oh yes they do. We don’t track anyone. The info circulating around is false.
There is no official word from Apple about this as yet, but it won’t be long when they respond – either via a PR release or a iOS/iTunes update to secure the file.
We will update when we know more. Are you worried?
Steve Jobs was on stage last week to announce the next iPad, simply called iPad 2. Much had been speculated on what it will have and how it will look, with some getting close while others missed by miles. But it is here and iPad 2 will be available in the US from March 11 and another 26 countries from March 25. Unfortunately, Singapore is not in that 26.
It took more than 6 months last year before iPad officially hit our shores and hopefully for iPad 2, the wait will be shorter. But don’t be surprise as you will probably see them in your neighborhood electronic stores at extremely cut-throat prices.
Prices remain the same as the original iPad when it was first launched and you will have the options of WiFi or WiFi+3G at 16GB, 32GB and 64GB and also a choice between White or Black. See below for the SG prices from last year.
iPad pricing for Singapore from last year
The iPad 2 will have a new tapered, slim design with the same screen size as its predecessor. It is lighter than the original iPad and even thinner than the iPhone 4 (8.8mm vs 9.3mm). There are also TWO color options – White or Black…which kinda means Apple has solved the White case problem that had plagued the iPhone 4.
There are two cameras on the front and back of the iPad 2 (VGA and 720p respectively) which you can use to record HD videos and also use it for FaceTime with other iOS devices or the Mac.
FaceTiming with the iPad
Internally, it has a new duo-core processor, A5, which Apple claim to be double the speed than before. They also stated a 9 times improvement in graphical performance which will come in useful with some of the new apps announced (more on that later).
With the slim design, powerful processor and graphics chip, one might think that battery life will be affected. Nope. Apple somehow managed to squeeze more battery in the iPad, so much so it will still have 10 hours usage using WiFi (9hrs with 3G).
The iPad 2 will come with iOS 4.3 installed, which Apple had just made available for everyone. This comes with improvements to AirPlay, Safari and the new iTunes Home Sharing that allows you to watch all your media on your PC via iTunes wirelessly.
As mentioned previously, with the two cameras in iPad 2, you can start doing FaceTime video chat with someone on another iOS device or your Mac. With the front camera at the top of the iPad while held in portrait mode, the camera will be closer to you but I am still not convinced if one will be comfortable doing FaceTime with the iPad 2, or be happy with how one will look on screen when the camera is looking up …
Another software that comes new with iPad 2 is Photobooth which you should be familiar if you owns a Mac. But with the touch interface, you can even manipulate some of the effects to give yourself that unique special look.
During the event, Apple also demoed two new apps that will be coming to the App Store which utilize the features of the iPad – iMovie and GarageBand.
Make a movie? Now you can with the HD cam on the iPad
The iMovie app for the iPhone currently is a much stripped-down version of what you get on the Mac. But with this update (it will be an Universal app), the iMovie on the iPad works closer to how iMovie works on the Mac, taking full advantage of the increase screen and touch gestures. You can import directly from what you shoot with the HD back camera, and activate the Precision Editor to fine tune your edits. There are multiple audio tracks overlay which you can add music, sound effects or even record voice over directly. When done, you can share it out to your favorite video sites or watch it on the iPad. Watch the demo here
Fancy being the next singer/songwriter with the GarageBand on iPad 2?
As for the GarageBand, Apple has create an app which makes making music much more accessible to anyone. On a Mac, GarageBand requires you to have a keyboard/guitar to make music. But on the iPad, using touch interface, GarageBand lets you play and record music like the real instrument – be it a drum, guitar or a grand piano. It also comes with an 8-track recording suite that lets you import music from your iTunes library, or record straight off an instrument or via the built-in instruments. Watch the demo here
With Apple, you know that everything they put out will have been carefully thought through and they usually don’t produce something just for the sake of that. Take for example the Smart Cover they announced together with iPad 2. This is basically a harden piece of cover made of Polyurethane or Leather, that when laid over the iPad 2, holds itself steadfastly onto the iPad with magnets and protects the screen when closed, or when folded, becomes a stand – both vertically or horizontally. To add to its functions, when you lift the lid off the cover, the iPad will switch itself back on from sleep mode. There are 5 colors to choose for either the Polyurethane or the Leather cover. I think this will be a hot-seller.
See it in action in the video below.
Apple also announced a new adapter (Apple Digital AV Adapter) that will allow you to mirror your iPad 2 screen onto a display with HDMI on both landscape and portrait mode at 1080p (movies at 720p). This works across all apps on the iPad 2. You can also connect your 30pin cable to charge your iPad at the same time. When used with other iOS device, you can display slideshows or movie on the big screen at 720p, with audio support.
It will be another post to give you the reasons to buy or not, to upgrade or not, WiFi or 3G, white or black…etc. But thankfully someone else has done it – read this thorough should I buy article by Marco Arment.
With regards to the choice between WiFi or WiFi+3G model, it depends how and where you see yourself using it. As mentioned in the article by Marco, the WiFi+3G model includes a GPS module which you will need if you require your iPad to give you decently accurate location. Also now with iOS 4.3, if you have iPhone 4, you can use the Personal Hotspot feature to connect your WiFi iPad onto the net
But if you are still looking at the WiFi+3G iPad, besides the price difference between a WiFi and a WiFi+3G model, you need to factor in the additional cost to of getting the 3G connection.
There are two options: MultiSim or iPad package. MultiSim is a value-added service tagged to your mobile post-paid plan. Assuming you already have a phone plan with 3G data, you can get another SIM card with the same account and use that card in your iPad. Monthly charges for all 3 telcos for a MultiSIM VAS with at least one MicroSIM card, is S$10.70. (If you are a SingTel customer, get a normal SIM card for MultiSIM VAS and get it cut to size to use in iPad, saves you S$5/mth, assuming both SIM cards you have are not MicroSIM)
Alternatively, you can get a separate post-paid plans for iPads, ranging from S$21.40/mth from M1 to S$36.40/mth from Starhub (S$34.50/mth from Singtel).
.h3 So now we wait.
While we wait for Apple to release the launch date of iPad 2 to come out, take this time to think about your usage need and see whether the iPad will fit into your life. Alternatively, like some of us, shape your life with an iPad instead… 
And for those who are contemplating waiting for the next iPad…
You can argue that there might be another one coming out within the next 8-12 months… but that’s always going to be the case. And unlike a lot of other electronics, the retail price of any given Apple product will probably never change over its lifespan. Therefore, the best time to buy an Apple product is right when it’s released or updated ~ Marco Arment
Share with us your thoughts on the iPad 2.
The past day has seen a few posts from various major news outlet and blogs about when we will get to see the next iPad and iPhone. First there was Bloomberg saying new iPad will be delayed followed by Business Insider saying iPhone 5 will be delayed.
Then you get articles from the likes of TechCrunch and The Loop refuting those rumors with a definite “no – those rumors are not true”, with not much backing.
Now you get New York Times and All Things Digital saying Apple will have an event on 2 March to reveal the new iPad.
Watching all these various news site and blogs go about trying to find the newest and latest scoop is like having an endless supply of sweet pop corns on your lap at the cinema – they are there just to increase my enjoyment as I wait for the real deal.
I’m going to Cornery to get a pack to prepare for that elusive media invite for the next big thing. Sour Cream & Onion or Tom Yum popcorn anyone?
(photo by Mark Dodds/Flickr)
Another day, more rumors. Seems like there are a lot of people who are familiar with the matter who are hearing alot from Apple. Good for us I guess.
First Bloomberg and then The Wall Street Journal both reporting that Apple is working on a cheaper and smaller iPhone that might or might not be released in summer, together with the next iPhone.
This comes after news that Nokia loving it up with Microsoft’s Windows 7 OS on their future devices, HP’s upcoming devices with WebOS and of course, the many Android devices that are available in the market. Having a smaller and cheaper iPhone will enable Apple to tap into developing market that might not have been accessible with the current or upcoming iPhone 5.
Another piece of rumor that comes out is the updating of MobileMe to provide more services than the ones currently provided, at US$99.
Apple is considering making MobileMe a free service that would serve as a “locker” for personal memorabilia such as photos, music and videos, eliminating the need for devices to carry a lot of memory
This will be useful together with a miniature iPhone as it sacrifice size and price with smaller capacity. Imagine every piece of music that you purchase, will automatically be available online via MobileMe. Many people have speculated on when Apple will bring more cloud to their MobileMe services, especially with a huge data center that has been operating in North Carolina, 2011 might just be the time to see that happening.
We will update and see if there are people who are familiar with the matter will start leaking images, especially those badly-lit and out-of-focused photos.
