Amazon’s new Fire HD tablets challenge across the market

To date most tablet manufacturers have had two main routes: price it high and take on Apple, or price it low and take on the Android-dominated bargain market. With a flurry of announcements this week, Amazon is clearly going for both.

The existing seven inch Kindle Fire is getting a price cut from $199 to $160. The significance there is that it’s now significantly undercutting Google’s Nexus 7 and is thus the cheapest option for people who want a trusted brand name tablet rather than risk cutting corners on performance of usability.


Meanwhile there’s a new range of “HD” Fires with a bunch of new features beyond higher screen resolution such as a “drastically” improved processor, better wireless reception a camera, Kindle style syncing between e-Books and their audio versions, and an “X-Ray” feature that recognizes actors in a video and provides relevant links to sources such as IMDB. As is often the case with tablets, it may be a very personal decision as to which features really make a difference.

The 7 inch HD is at the familiar $199 price point, with a new 8.9 inch version at an iPad-busting $399, both models having 16GB of storage. There’s also a $499 model that has 32GB and supports LTE 4G speeds.

To top that off, Amazon is offering an LTE data plan for just $50 a year. That led Amazon boss Jeff Bozos to boast that the tablet/data plan combination will save $400 in the first year compared to an iPad.

However, the Amazon data plan is only for 250 MB a month. If you are getting, for example, 10Mbps on LTE you’ll be enjoying those fast speeds for all of three and a half minutes each month. Put another way, you’re effectively paying more than $70 an hour for the high-speed access.

Bezos didn’t directly address whether any of these devices are being sold at break-even or even below cost price. (It’s almost impossible to believe the reduced-price original Fire isn’t a loss-leader.) However, he did hint at such economics by pointing out that “we want to make money when people use our devices, not when they buy are devices.”

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 makes its debut but is it worth it

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 has finally appeared six months after its initial preview at Mobile World Congress (MWC). The tablet comes complete with an included stylus and the ability to give you a split screen view. You can watch a video on one half while taking notes on the other. Both provide some novelty and value but is it enough to justify the $499 price tag?

According to Engadget’s review of the new device, it certainly isn’t worth the virtually $500 price tag for the 16GB version. Yes, the Galaxy Note 10.1 has some nifty features but it also has some serious deficiencies. Those deficiencies are enough that the price is too high.


The tablet starts out with some rather nifty specs. It is the only tablet out at this price point with 2GB of RAM. It has a very fast proprietary quad core Exynos 4 processor running at 1.4 GHz. The devices multitasking capability is so far unsurpassed and its split screen ability is fantastic. The included S-Pen is a nice touch and the tablet includes several programs that make very good use of it.

In spite of these outstanding features, Samsung severely hamstrung the device with a several inferior specs. The camera is a middling 5 megapixel rear camera that takes poor pictures. The 1280 X 800 screen resolution is not enough to compete with the same priced iPad’s retina display or the new Asus Transformer Pad TF700’s 1920 x 1200 resolution. It comes with Ice Cream Sandwich and not the latest Android OS version of Jelly Bean. To finish it off, the Galaxy Note 10.1 has a cheap plastic build with creaks and squeaks.

Meanwhile Android Authority reports that you can get the Asus Transformer Pad TF700 with its Tegra 3 quad core processor, 32 GB of memory, superior screen resolution and build quality for $499. Techradar’s review of the top of the line Asus tablet talks about its excellent build quality, aluminum back, gorilla glass, 8 megapixel camera, excellent display and overall great feature set. Well except for the speaker which is on the back. For the money, at least at this moment, it looks as if ASUS has the better 10.1 inch tablet at the $499 price point. As always, visit your local gadget store and try them both out. Like with all devices, some of it comes down to personal preference.

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Apple & Samsung’s court battle begins

While many major portable gadget manufacturers have been engaged in patent wars for the past few years, most cases are either thrown out by judges, tied up in injunctions, or wind up in a pre-trial settlement. Not so for Apple and Samsung who today begin a full-blown trial in what Samsung is dismissing as a “fighting over rectangles.”

This particular case involves several claims and counterclaims, but the key is whether Samsung’s devices copy the look of the iPhone and iPad. Previous rulings have seen mixed results: Apple got a temporary sales ban on the original Samsung Galaxy Tab in the US, but its claims were tossed completely by a British judge (albeit with the logic that there’s no confusion because the Tab isn’t as “cool” as the iPad.)


The US case will now go before a jury that was selected yesterday. The case judge has already ruled that although the injunction made worldwide news, Apple lawyer’s can’t bring it up as an argument to persuade the jury that there’s something to their claims.

The matter at stake here isn’t simply whether Samsung violated Apple’s patents, but whether those patents were valid in the first place, and how they should be interpreted.

The Apple claim in the case certainly seems ambitious. For example, it complains that Samsung copied its design of having a black rectangular border with rounded corners and a flat upper surface, with minimal adornment on the border.

The problem is that while Apple’s design is always distinctive, what stands out is its simplicity and lack of unusual features. An Apple design is defined more by what it doesn’t feature than what it does.

It’s always hard to predict how a jury will react to a case, or exactly how the judge will rule on the interpretation of law. But in terms of real-life justice, it’s hard to see how anyone will have bought a Samsung Tab genuinely believing it to be an iPad, which in turn makes it hard to see how Apple has suffered substantial damage.

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iPad Mini event confirmed for October, name should stick

Those looking forward to Apple announcing their much-anticipated iPad Mini alongside the iPhone 5 on Sept. 12 shouldn’t get their hopes up until October.

AllThingsD, the technology blog of the Wall Street Journal, has confirmed rumors that Apple would announce its smaller, 7.85-inch screen tablet at a second media event in October. An actual date has yet to be confirmed.


“Apple’s next generation iPhone and its so-called ‘iPad Mini‘ will debut at two separate events this fall, rather than a single one as has been widely speculated, according to several sources…,” according to the report. “Only after the next generation iPhone is out the door and on sale will Apple announce the smaller iPad it’s been working on. That device, which is expected to have a display of less than eight inches, will be uncrated at a second special event, which sources said is currently scheduled for October.”

That report lines up with speculation from Blorge that Apple wouldn’t release both highly-anticipated products at the same time.

After that report published, the Japanese blog Macotakara, claims that the actual name of the tablet — iPad Mini — will indeed be the name of the device.

According to Macotakara’s Asian source, the smaller iPad will have “iPad Mini” printed on the back on the device.

Apple threw everyone for a loop when it released its third-generation iPad as simple the “New iPad.” Most rumor sites assumed it would be named the iPad 3, following Apple’s product-naming history.

It’s still up for debate if the iPhone 5 will be called just that or simply called the new iPhone.

The iPad Mini is expected to feature a 7.85-inch non-Retina display and be significantly thinner than Apple’s current, 10-inch iPad.

While there has been much debate around whether or not Apple should release a smaller iPad, the tablet will direct completely against Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Tablet and Google’s Nexus 7.

If you’re wondering what an iPad Mini could be used for, make sure to check out our 11 perfect uses for Apple’s smaller tablet.

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Should Apple delay iPad Mini release after iPhone 5?

Will the iPad Mini be released alongside the much-anticipated iPhone 5?

While tech geeks would love hitting up their local Apple Store to score both products on the same time, some are making the argument that it would be in Apple’s best interest to hold its smaller tablet for a later date.


As of now, Apple is expected to announce both products on Sept. 12 and it’s all but confirmed that the iPhone 5 will be released Sept 21.

According to the International Business Times, Apple wouldn’t be able to control the hype around two products being released on the same day.

“Think of it this way: Apple Stores, both physical and online, shut down every time Apple releases a new product. Could you imagine if Apple tried to organize lines for not just one, but two major product launches happening simultaneously?

“If Apple released the iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini on the same date, it would be an absolute disaster, especially for customers. Lines are already out the door and around the building for these products individually; if half of those people are there for iPhone and half for iPad Mini, and a handful of people are there to buy both products, there may not be a way for Apple to clearly organize the crowds, even if both products are ready to be sold.”

Additionally, from a public relations standpoint, Apple would lose a significant amount of ground.

We already have a good idea on what it will look like on iPhone 5 day — Sept. 21. Lines will be out the door and the media will snap that photo of the first person to walk out of the Apple Store with an iPhone 5.

Apple wants that day to repeat itself — and it will if it releases the iPad Mini a few weeks later.

My guess? Apple will say preorders for the iPhone 5 will start Sept. 12 and be released on the Sept. 21, but the iPad Mini will be available sometime in October. Apple likes to keep release dates vague to keep people like me blogging about it.

As a result, customers won’t be unhappy if they are unable to buy either of the devices.

The iPad Mini is set to be this year’s “must-have” item on everyone’s holiday shopping list.

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iPad Mini: 11 Perfect uses for Apple’s smaller tablet

When it begins to feel a lot like Christmas, you may be dreaming of an iPad Mini.

Reports out today claim that Apple will begin volume production of its new, smaller tablet in September, just in time for the holidays.


“Supply volume of Apple’s 7.85-inch iPad is estimated to reach four million units per month starting in September in order to prepare for demand from year-end holidays, according to sources from the upstream supply chain,” Digitimes reports.

While Digitimes doesn’t have the best track record for product rumors, it’s safe assume that Apple is planning on releasing its iPad Mini sometime this year and right around Christmas would make perfect sense.

How well will the iPad Mini do on the market? What will people use it for? We have been wondering the same thing.

Here are 11 perfect uses for the up-and-coming iPad Mini:
An iPad is the perfect Christmas gift

If rumors of a holiday release hold true, the iPad Mini could very well be the number one device on everyone’s shopping list. And if you’re on the giving end of this exchange, there are two positives: First is the price. The iPad Mini is expected to be aggressively priced between $200 and $250. Secondly? The receiver of the gift will love you forever.
Your new e-reader isn’t a Kindle or a Nook

Believe it or not, there are current iPad owners out there who also own a Kindle or Nook strictly for reading. Some may argue that the biggest reason for this is because they prefer reading on the e-ink that those e-readers provide. But the bigger reason is the size. The current iPad becomes cumbersome when using as a reading device for an extended period of time. Being that the iPad Mini is expected to feature a 7.85-inch screen and be considerably thinner, reading can finally become comfortable on an Apple tablet.
Is the iPad Mini your next Apple TV remote?

There are rumors swirling that Apple plans to announce a major update to their Apple TV lineup — including the announcement of a dedicated television set that would either run on AT&T’s or Verizon’s cable service. The other half of that announcement is an Apple TV set-top box that would allow you to run your current cable provider through the Apple interface. Where does the iPad Mini come into play here? It would serve as your remote control. Say so long to the days of the tiny Apple TV remote, scrolling around on an onscreen keyboard that makes you want to scream. Your iPad Mini would allow you search for TV shows simply by typing on your tablet keyboard. At 7.85-inch screen, it makes for a comfortable advanced remote control.
The iPad Mini is the ultimate news reading tablet

We posed the following question earlier this month on Blorge: Will the iPad save the newspaper industry? That’s a tough question to answer, but the iPad Mini has the potential to be a great device to consume news — especially for commuters. Expect Apple to release some kind of news pagination software, similar to iBooks Author, specifically for news organizations that would allow local newspapers to easily go digital. If local newspapers can easily embrace going digital, using the iPad Mini as the medium, expect big things. I can see the ad already: Subscribe for two years and receive a free iPad Mini. Expect promotions galore.
The iPad Mini (with 4G) is perfect for commuters

A more expensive version of the iPad Mini will include 4G LTE cellular service, making it the top tablet for commuters — especially women — who like to only carry their purse while on-the-go. Commuters use their iPad today, but not as much as Apple may have expected. The tablet is quite large for commuting. By shrinking down to a 7.85-inch screen and thinner body, that subway or bus ride could become a bit more tech-savvy for you.
iPad Minis will make its way into hotels, restaurants and retail stores

One of the biggest pushes in the hospitality and customer service industries is implementing some kind of tablet technology and doing so seamlessly. Hotels want to eliminate their front desk altogether and approach guests when they walk in, hand them a tablet and have them sign their name on the room agreement with their finger. Restaurants want a way to offer their menus on a digital platform, so they can easily update from day-to-day without wasting paper. At half the price than the current iPad, the iPad Mini could soon find itself into both of these industries. Plus, the iPad Mini is a more appropriate size for dinner menus that Apple’s current tablet. And retail stores would love to check people out from anywhere in the store. Carrying an iPad Mini is much more comfortable than a full-size iPad.
Is the iPad Mini a child’s first tablet?

Unless brought up in a wealthy family, it’s pretty rare for a child (12 years and younger) to own an iPad. At $500, it’s not worth risking being broken or lost. But the iPad does offer a ton of genuinely good education apps that parents will see a lot of benefit in. For $250, the iPad Mini could be a great education tool to give to a child.
More iPads will make their way into the classroom

Following up on the last point — not only will more children now own an iPad Mini, but schools will also take advantage of the cheaper price point. The iPad is quickly becoming an educator’s favorite tool. There are plenty of great applications that supplement lesson plans and truly makes learning interactive. At half the price, schools will have a better chance of getting this type of technology into the classroom.
Trick out your car with an in-dash iPad Mini

This may seem like a bit of stretch, but there are people out there who have installed an in-dash, full-size iPad into their car. A 10-inch screen in a car is not only a huge distraction (7.85-inch may not be much better…) but it also takes up a ton of space. The iPad Mini could be the ultimate way to truly “pimp your ride.
The iPad Mini makes a perfect second monitor for your laptop

If you’re an 11” MacBook Air user that also owns an iPad, it doesn’t come as a surprise to you that your tablet practically has the same screen real estate as your laptop. If people saw you using both devices in a coffee shop, they might think you’re overusing technology a bit. But if you’re using an iPad Mini as a second monitor, I don’t think it would look that bad. In fact, it would actually be the perfect size for a second monitor.
A smaller iPad works better as a photo frame

One of the fun features of the iPad is that it can double as a digital photo frame. If you’re throwing a party, you set your photo album, set it up on a table in your home and your guests can see a bunch of photos. This might also be a stretch, but an iPad Mini is actually closer to the size of a normal photo frame, making for a more natural photo-viewing experience at your next party.

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Why the iPad Mini could outsell the iPhone 5

The iPad Mini is the underdog in a sales race against the iPhone 5
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Both of Apple’s latest and greatest iOS devices will certainly be the talk of the tech industry come next month when they are both announced. While it appears the iPhone 5 will be released on Sept. 21, it’s unclear whether or not the new, smaller iPad will be released alongside of it.


It’s safe to assume that it will be released sometime in the end of the third quarter or early fourth quarter, but the bigger question is: Which one will be more successful?
Can the iPad Mini outsell the iPhone 5?

When put head-to-head the iPad Mini is David and the iPhone 5 is Goliath. The hype around the iPhone 5 has been huge — possibly the biggest around any Apple device announcement — but the iPad Mini has made strides in the past week.

The folks at iMore and 9to5 Mac gave us beautiful renderings of what the smaller iPad could look like. It won’t seem miniature like a Kindle Fire or Google Nexus 7, rather, it will be feel better in our hands.

The iPad Mini is expected to have a 7.85-inch screen (about two inches less than the current iPad) and be significantly thinner. It will resemble a larger iPod Touch.
Expect iPad trade-ins galore

There will be three groups of people who go out and buy the iPad Mini. This is the first type.

While everyone loves their iPad, they admit it’s not always the most comfortable tablet. It’s fairly big and heavy, which can make extended reading and moving watching a drag. If you’re a commuter, you want the least amount of weight as possible. A smaller iPad accomplishes this.

There will be many eBay sales of the original iPad, iPad 2′s and even the current-generation iPad with Retina display. Once people experience how a smaller tablet feels in their hands, they will want one and won’t care about ditching their 10-inch model.
New tablet users will flock to the Apple Store

One of the biggest barriers to buying an iPad for many people is its price tag. When the iPad Mini is announced it will be aggressively priced between $200 and $250, with the potential of a larger-storage iPad Mini ringing in around $300. That’s a price that will easily compete against the likes of Amazon, Google and Barnes & Noble.

New tablet users will want to get their hands on the iPad Mini more than an iPhone 5. In fact, I believe the iPad Mini’s largest market of users will come from this category.

Users who aren’t using an iPad right now may not be the most tech-savvy, or they could never justify spending $500 on a device that doesn’t allow them to accomplish basic tasks that say a netbook could do. When the iPad Mini is announced, it will be advertised as the perfect tablet for the person on the go, the avid reader and especially for women, who will love being able to quickly throw it in their purse.
Loyal and crazy Apple fans will just want to buy an iPad Mini

If you have the money to spend, then why not? That’s what many Apple users will be saying when they go out and order an iPad Mini. These are the people who will also go out and buy an iPhone 5, already own an iMac, MacBook and a Retina iPad, but they can never have enough.

They’ve already justified the reason of their purchase and can’t wait to be seen on the subway or in the coffee shop with their shiny new device.

These are the people that make people hate Apple people. But more power to them.
Other reasons the iPad Mini could win

One of the last possibilities for the iPad Mini is its integration with a potential Apple TV announcement.

Apple is rumored to be releasing a dedicated television set that will solely run off AT&T and Verizon’s cable service in addition to a dedicated TV set-top device that would allow the user to pick its own cable provider.

The idea is that the iPad would be fully-intrgrated with the TV and even serve as its remote control. The Apple TV service would include a cloud-based DVR that would allow users to watch their on any of their iOS devices — and possible even on the web through iCloud.com.

If the idea performs as well its sounds, many people would love to have an iPad Mini as their remote control. Wouldn’t it look nice on your coffee table?

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iPad Mini isn’t that mini, according to report

Apple’s much-hyped iPad Mini tablet doesn’t look much smaller than its current model.

The folks at iMore have mocked up and all but confirmed the designed of Apple’s next-generation tablet, which will be about 2-inches smaller, measuring in with a 7.85-inch screen. While it seems like it would be a significant difference in size, the iPad Mini isn’t that small.


“Based on several sources, I believe that design to be an accurate represetnation of what the iPad Mini will look like,” Rene Ritchie, at iMore reports. “In addition, it’s my understanding that it will be the exact same thinness as the iPod Touch, which is substantially thinner than the 9.7-inch iPad. The quick mockup shows what I believe are accurate proportions for the iPad Mini compared to the 9.7-inch iPad and the current generation iPod Touch 4.”

So while the screen size won’t be significantly smaller, the actual body will much thinner, making it more attractive for people who use their iPad for reading and FaceTiming because they have to hold the device up for an extended period of time.

The bevel on the side of the iPad Mini will be significantly smaller — more than half the size thinner than the current iPad — which could make holding it difficult for people with larger hands and thumbs.

However, the thin-factor of the iPad Mini will make it quite attractive for consumers looking to buy a tablet. It may even lure current iPad users to trade in their current model and buy the cheaper iPad Mini, which is expected to cost between $200 and $250.

“This iPod touch-like design makes a lot of sense for a number of reasons,” according to a report from 9to5Mac. “For one, when compared to the Nexus 7 (and Kindle Fire, Galaxy Tab 7, RIM Playbook, etc.), this would give the iPad mini a similar, “purse-able,” and “big pocket-able” form factor but with a larger 4:3 display. The lack of a bezel on the sides will make it easier to hold too.”

Here is another mockup from iMore:





The iPad Mini is expected to be announced on Sept. 12, alongside Apple’s iPhone 5 and a new operating system, iOS 6. While the iPhone 5 is expected to be released on Sept. 21, it’s unclear when the iPad Mini will be released.

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Why you will trade in your iPad for an iPad Mini

With less than a month to go until Apple announces its much-anticipated iPad Mini, many iPad users are telling themselves that they aren’t interested.

That might change once the smaller iPad is released.


The iPad Mini is expected to feature a 7.85-inch, non-Retina display screen, down from the current 10-inch screen, and be aggressively priced between $200 and $250. By adding the smaller iPad to its lineup, Apple is sending a direct message to Amazon and Google that they are the king of the tablet.

So, why will you trade in your 10-inch iPad for an iPad Mini?
Because You Actually Enjoy Reading

Let’s face it. As much as you try, holding the iPad like a book for an extended period of time is tiring. If you’re an avid reader that wants to finally ditch your hardcopy books and go entirely digital, the iPad Mini is a perfect solution. At 7.85-inches, it’s a comfortable size to hold for an extended period of time, making it a great reading machine. But Apple already knew that. The Amazon Kindle is the best reading tablet on the market.
The iPad Mini is For Commuters

If you’re a commuter (and not the driver!) and use your iPad on the road, you’ve likely become accustomed to it, but again — it’s pretty big. The iPad Mini is the perfect commuter tablet.

For women, it’ll fit perfectly in their purse and for men, it will fit perfectly in that front pocket of your messenger bag.

A smaller iPad should also have better battery life — so if you’re a major commuter (i’m talking airplanes) — you’ll also be in luck.
iPad Mini Will Integrate with Apple TV

One of the things that not very many people are talking about is Apple TV. I think we’ve nixed the idea that Apple is planning on releasing a dedicated television set this year, but there should be some kind of announcement around their little black box Apple TV.

I think it will involve the iPad Mini.

The iPad Mini is the perfect size for a table-top remote. Of course, Apple won’t limit their Apple TV iPad integration to just the iPad Mini, but it will be a more comfortable size for your coffee table.

The integration should let you switch between channels on the Apple TV and the various apps.
You Love Technology

And you love Apple products. You’re not afraid to trade in your iPad and try out the iPad Mini. If you don’t like it, you’ll simply save up some money, sell your iPad Mini and go back to the bigger iPad once a new model is released.

If you’re the fan of Apple products, it’s pretty clear you’ll see how to incorporate a smaller iPad into your life.
You’ll keep your iPad… and buy an iPad Mini

You’re the true Apple fan. You’ll think of some kind of excuse to require two iPads in your life. One will be for at home, the other for on the road. Or maybe your iPad Mini will be your dedicate TV remote. Whatever the case, you’re willing to drop $250 for the sake of trying something new.

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Will iPad Mini destroy Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google tablet competition?

With less than a month away until the presumed announcement of Apple’s newest tablet — dubbed the iPad Mini — it may be time for manufacturers of smaller tablets to start getting nervous.

Apple is heavily rumored to announce a smaller version of its popular tablet on September 12 and release it nine days later on Sept. 21. The iPad Mini would have a 7.85-inch non-Retina display and be aggressively priced between $200 and $250. The cost may go as high as $300 depending on storage in the device.


The smaller iPad is Apple’s answer to competition against Amazon’s Kindle Fire, Barnes & Noble Nook and Google’s new Nexus 7 tablet. It’s Amazon’s and Google’s tablet that will be under the most fire.

The International Business Times recently published a piece examining how the iPad Mini would fare against its rivals at Google and Amazon. While the outcome looks grim, the newspaper did point to some things that the three companies could do to help their chances agains the popular iPad.
Lower tablet prices

The three companies could easily lower the prices of their respective tablets. The Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 are already very reasonably priced at $200 and the Nook Tablet has been sliced down to $180. If they drop their price point down to $150 and Apple releases an iPad Mini for $250, they could still sell fairly well.
Cheaper services, music and entertainment

Apple’s iTunes store and App store are what make the iPad so special. Each of the competing companies also have their own versions of different services and digital add-ons, however.

IBT suggests that Amazon gives members a free year membership to its Amazon Prime service, which lets them enjoy thousands of popular movies and TV shows for free. Google could do something similar.

The iTunes Store is expensive when it comes to movies and television stores, but that’s why there are great third-party companies like Netflix and Hulu Plus.

Will the iPad destroy the competition? It seems likely. But Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Google have the potential to think of a creative marketing scheme. The only difference is Apple doesn’t need a gimmicky marketing plan — they will simply sell millions upon millions of tablets.

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Will the iPad Mini save the newspaper industry?

one of the goals when Apple released its popular iPad tablet was to help save the newspaper industry and journalism as a whole.

While strides were made, the iPad wasn’t the savior of the industry.


Could the iPad Mini be the solution?

At the time of the iPad’s 2010 release, newspapers across the country were struggling to stay afloat. Advertisement sales quickly crashed and smaller papers struggled to create an online presence. The iPad didn’t fix any of those problems.

The main problem was that the iPad starts at $500, essentially making it a luxury item in many markets.

If rumors prove to be true about the iPad Mini — a 7.85-inch version of the popular tablet — being priced between $200 and $250, then it becomes a device more easily available to the public. With a larger amount of people using the iPad as a result, there would be an opportunity to sell and push more content from news organizations to the iPad.

Maybe it could even save some current organizations and papers.

Last month, News Corp.’s made-for-iPad newspaper The Daily laid off a third of it staff, bringing down the total number of employees from 170 to 120. The digital newspaper needs about 500,000 subscribers (you can subscribe for 99-cents weekly or $40 for the year), but last fall, it reported that it only had about 100,000. It’s unclear how many people were actively reading the paper.

A more affordable iPad could be the answer for The Daily. If they convince the iPad users that Apple is going to gain through the iPad Mini that their content is compelling enough and can bring back that nostalgic feeling of waking up and reading a newspaper every morning, maybe they could hire back some folks.

The idea had to cross late Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ mind before he passed away last October. According to recent media reports, Jobs was receptive to the idea of a smaller iPad, in order to compete with the likes of the Kindle Fire and future Google tablets.

Apple’s current senior vice president of Internet Software and Services said he believes there’s a strong market for a 7-inch tablet.

“I expressed this to Steve several times since Thanksgiving and he seemed very receptive the last time. I found email, books, Facebook, and video very compelling on a 7-inch. Web browsing is definitely the weakest point, but still usable,” Cue said in an email to Apple executives.

Will the iPad Mini re-open the door for the newspaper industry?

The heavily rumored device is expected to be announced Sept. 12 and released nine days later on Sept. 21, alongside Apple’s iPhone 5 and a new mobile operating system, iOS 6.

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New iPad Smart Cover could include multi-touch, flexible display

Apple’s popular Smart Cover for the iPad is about to get much smarter.

The United States Patent & Trademark Office published a patent by Apple that is more than a year-old that shows some pretty impressive features in the works for the flexible flap that protects your iPad’s screen.Specifically, the patent shows a future Smart Cover utilizing a built-in, flexible AMOLED-typed display.


That display would be laid over the flexible cover and display notifications such as recent emails, instant messages and upcoming calendar events. It could also double as a keyboard, writeable notepad and controller for music.

The patent description says, “Adding the integrated display to the flexible cover greatly enhances the overall functionality of the tablet device.”



Recently, Microsoft announced it’s best shot at a tablet, the Surface, which includes a type of Smart Cover that features a keyboard for easier typing. While many third-party accessory developers have released hybrid keyboard-cases, it’s something that Apple hasn’t focused on.

Sure you can buy Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard to pair with the iPad, but it doesn’t keep everything in one place. Since the release of the iPad, Apple has wanted to create a device purely based on touch and not on hardware. But even though the iPad keyboard is easy to use, it’s not practical for any long-form writing, or if you have hundreds of emails to reply to each day.

If this patent comes to life, it would certainly put Microsoft’s Surface cover to shame, but it will be difficult.

Apple has been known to be working with various companies that are attempting to produce an ultra-thin and ultra-flexible display. Earlier this year, Wired reported that the iPad Mini will feature a 330 ppi, 7.85-inch IGZO display. IGZO is a new display fabricating technique that can make displays even thinner and higher in contrast, all while using less power.

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iPad Mini cases popping up from case makers

After a Sunday evening report that said Apple is announcing and releasing a smaller version of its popular iPad tablet, photos from case makers have popped up, showing how the “iPad Mini” will look with a sleek case.

9to5 Mac reports that some case makers who have access to Apple’s supply chain are showing off what the smaller iPad would look like. It’s unclear if the purported photos are genuinely based the iPad Mini that Apple is expected to announce Sept. 12 and release Sept. 21.


“We’re not too sure what to make of that, but last year, case maker Case-Mate did the same for the iPhone 5,” the blog reports. “Their design was false, but they did create some media attention for themselves. It’s possible that DeviceWear is playing that game this year. In any case, DeviceWear’s website hosted a few images of its cases. These images included some nice renders of the iPad mini.”

Reports surfaced last night that said Apple is planning a special event on Sept. 12 to announce its iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini. Both devices are expected to be released nine days later on Sept. 21.

The iPad Mini would feature a 7.85-inch screen, down from the 10-inch screen on Apple’s current iPad. The smaller device wouldn’t feature an ultra-sharp Retina display, as the current iPad does. The smaller tablet is expected to be aggressively priced between $200 and $250, directly competing against Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Google’s new Nexus 7.

A smaller iPad could be a success for a commuters and women who want a device that can easily fit in their purse.

If reports are proven to be true that both devices will be released in September, it will be an interesting Keynote address. Apple would be announcing a completely re-designed iPhone 5 with a larger, 4-inch screen and an iPad with a smaller screen.

To balance everything out, Apple may just have to release a brand new iMac desktop computer with a Retina display.

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Early iPad prototypes show a tablet is a tablet is a tablet

Early prototype designs for the iPad suggest that all tablets were always destined to look very similar to each other. No offense to Jony Ive but it’s hardly rocket science.

Court documents released this week show some early designs for the iPad, with Apple tinkering away behind the scenes on the product well in advance of it being announced. These are from the Apple vs. Samsung trial which will see the two tech giants battle it out in court over who copied who and which patents have been infringed upon.


I’m actually not all that interested in the case because it’s an absolutely pointless waste of everybody’s time, money, and effort. Both companies would be better served improving the products already on the market or, I don’t designing new ones for us all to spend our hard-earned cash on. But the iPad prototypes do suggest one thing: that a tablet is a tablet is a tablet.

Apple fans will not agree with this sentiment, arguing that the iPad was new, innovative, and a game-changer. That may be so, but it was clearly inspired by other, older products, and as demonstrated previously, Apple undesigned the iPad more than it designed it. This was a retroactive process whereby the extraneous crap was removed to leave the iPad in its purest tablet form.

If you look through the prototypes they all look very similar. Sure, some have rounded edges, some have kickstands, some have two-tone color schemes. But they’re all recognizable as being tablets. Even if someone had never seen an iPad before, when asked to design a touchscreen tablet they would likely create something that looked very similar to the Apple slate. Because there is very little room for maneuver.

There’s a reason most people feel arguing over design patents is pointless, and this is it in a nutshell.

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Amazon readies new Kindle Fire tablets

I guess it was bound to happen in the days following the announcement of the Nexus 7 at Google I/O. However, news that new Kindle Fire tablets could be arriving soon, with both 7- and 10-inch versions abound, will surprise many.

The Kindle Fire first went on sale in November 2011. Critical reviews were mostly positive, and sales exceeded expectations. Despite these factors the Kindle Fire made barely a dent in the side of the Apple iPad. Two very different tablets of course, but many of us felt an attractive and much, much cheaper alternative would lessen enthusiasm for the iPad. This was not the case.


Since then we’ve seen the arrival of the Retina Display-boasting new iPad (call it an iPad 3 and Apple may send a hit squad out), and the unveiling of the Nexus 7, Google’s first branded tablet. It’s a corker too, with hardware far more capable than its price tag would suggest. Now is the time for Amazon to (re)join the party.

According to BGR, Amazon is readying two new Kindle Fire tablets. There is to be a new version of its 7-inch tablet, and also a 10-inch Kindle Fire, which has actually been the subject of rumors even before the original Kindle Fire shipped.

According to sources the new Kindle Fire tablets will have vastly improved build qualities, with metal casings replacing the plasticky feel of the original. Both will feature a microUSB port and possibly HDMI as well. The 10-inch version will also include a front-facing camera. The new Kindle Fire tablets could be arriving sooner rather than later, with CNET expecting to see them before the month is out.

This is an interesting turn of events because it would mean Amazon going head-to-head with both Google and Apple. The 7-inch Kindle Fire would be direct competition to the nexus 7, while the 10-inch Kindle Fire could be seen as a cheaper alternative for those who want a larger tablet but don’t want to spend a fortune acquiring an iPad.

This should be an interesting summer in the increasingly competitive tablet market.

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Leaked iPhone 5 parts coming together before September announcement

With each day passing, more parts of Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone 5 continue popping up across the Internet.

Today is no different.


The online repair firm iResQ has taken photos of the inside of Apple’s next-generation iPhone, showing off the new, smaller dock connecter and newly-located headphone jack. The photos show a larger grill for the speakers and gives a great glimpse into what the iPhone 5 will actually look like.

The repair blog claims to have had parts for both the iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini for awhile now, and have finally decided to share those with readers.

Apple’s iPhone 5 is expected to be announced Sept. 12 and released nine days later on Sept. 21.

The photos finally clear up how many pins Apple’s new dock connecter will actually have. We can finally say goodbye to the archaic 30-pin connecter and say hello to a brand new 8-pin connecter.

The other big difference in the iPhone 5 is the new placement of the headphone jack, moving from the top left of the iPhone to the bottom left. This design follows suit with the current iPod Touch.

“The docking port and headphone jack assembly seemed to fit perfectly inside of the frame,” the blog reports. “One of our technicians was even able to screw the assembly into the pre-aligned screw holes inside of the frame.”

The leaked parts is just another day in the land of iPhone 5 rumors.

For the past several weeks, everything from the actual glass screen to the backing, to the battery and now even more of the internals have popped up across the web — evidence that manufacturing of the iPhone 5 is in full force.

The iPhone 5 will be completely re-designed with a taller, 4-inch screen and a thinner body. It will also be quite powerful, featuring a quad-core A6 processor and 1 GB of RAM. Apple’s new iPhone will also run on the 4G LTE cellular network.

The internals of the iPhone 5 (left) compared to the iPhone 4S. Apple's iPhone 5 is expected to be announced next month.

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Outcome of Apple, Samsung lawsuit could determine future of smartphones

The outcome of the month-long legal battle between Apple and Samsung could determine more than which company receives a hefty payday.

It could also determine the future designs and features of all smartphones on the market.


The New York Times published a report Sunday looking into the test that nine jurors are expected to have this week, determining if Samsung will owe Apple $2.5 billion in damages for infringing on any of the company’s patents or if Apple will owe $422 million in a similar countersuit.

The Times reports that the outcome of the lawsuit will determine if the future of the smartphone will be erratically different from the iPhone, or if we’ll continue to see a line of iPhone copycats.

“I think what we’ll see is the diversification of designs in the marketplace if Apple wins,” Christopher Varani, an intellectual property lawyer said in an interview.

If Samsung wins, “Expect to see an awful lot of Apple knockoffs without fear of retribution,” Michael Gartenberg, an analyst for the technology research firm Gartner, told the Times.

As marketshare has shifted to Android-based smartphones, Apple is determined to prove that the success of companies like Samsung is due to Apple’s design and iOS.

The case, however, has opened the history books for the original iPhone, showing off photos of prototypes that look considerably different than the iPhone we’re used to today.

Multiple media reports have said that Samsung has continuously been on the defensive side of the fight during the month-long battle.

The entire legal battle could have been avoided altogether if Samsung would have agreed to a patent license that Apple offered at a rate of $30 per smartphone and $40 per tablet, which would have allowed Samsung to design their phone’s operating system around similar schematics of iOS, the mobile operating system for the iPhone and iPad.

With $2.5 billion on the line for Samsung to lose, that deal could haunt them this coming week in court.

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It’s safe to assume that the iPhone 5 is one of the most-hyped electronic devices in the past decade.

In fact, some financial analysts are even saying Apple’s next-generation iPhone could be the biggest updated electronics product in all of history.


The hype is real.

But here’s a thought: Could it flop? What if the hype for the iPhone 5 announcement is too big? What if Apple CEO Tim Cook presents the new iPhone and we aren’t impressed?

Here are 7 ways the iPhone 5 could totally bomb:
iPhone preorders won’t be taken right away

It seems to be a safe bet that the iPhone 5 will be announced on Sept. 12 and released nine days later on Sept. 21. On the day of its announcement, Apple is expected to open it online website for preorders of the new iPhone.

It seems to be a safe bet that this will happen, but if for some reason Apple decides to hold the release a month or two (this has been known to happen in the past for certain product releases due to supply issues) it would be a huge disappointment.
If AT&T or Verizon don’t allow for early upgrades

There are going to be quite a few people on the edge of being able to upgrade the to the iPhone 5 — especially those who are current iPhone 4 or 4S users.

If you bought an iPhone 4S last year, it seems inevitable that you won’t be able to upgrade, as you’ll only be a year into your two-year contract. If you purchased an iPhone 4 on its opening day, you’ll be ok because that released on June 24, 2010. But if you waited until October or November to pick up that iPhone 4, you may have to wait a month or two before upgrading.

Thankfully, AT&T has had a good reputation of allowing iPhone users to upgrade early. Verizon on the other hand has not. We likely won’t have a better idea on who will allow early upgrades until announcement day.
If the taller iPhone screen is too weird

Let’s face it, we’ve been calling for a bigger iPhone screen for sometime now, but what happens if we just don’t like it when it comes out?

We’re not talking about a bigger screen in both height and width — it’s just width. The iPhone 5 will be completely redesigned with the taller screen and a thinner body.

Again, I don’t think this will be a problem. While it may look odd at first, keeping the width of the iPhone the same should certainly fire up the muscle memory in our hands and give us something we’re familiar with.

In fact, I think we’re all going to enjoy the taller screen, especially when reading longer emails and web articles.
If the battery life isn’t improved

Battery life on the iPhone 5 is a legitimate concern. After seeing some leaked specs of the battery, it’s an improvement on the iPhone 4S battery, but not by much.

You must remember, however, that the iPhone 5 is significantly more powerful. It’s going to run on the battery-sucking 4G LTE cellular network, operate on a quad-core A6 processor and include a 1GB of RAM.

While the new iPhone will be powerful, it’s unclear whether or not it will have a stronger and longer battery life. This could be a problem for the road warrior.
If the iPad Mini isn’t announced alongside it

Only announcing the iPhone 5 at the Sept. 12 event would be a huge disappointment, especially for the tech bloggers and tech blog readers who are expecting Apple to also announce its new iPad Mini alongside the iPhone.

Apple tends to release things in threes and this could be the biggest three-device announcement in history. We can expect the iPhone 5, the iPad Mini and making a late run is an Apple TV announcement.
If supply can’t keep up with demand

It’s a safe bet that if you don’t preorder your iPhone 5 right away on announcement day, you’re going to have to either wait in line or wait a month or two before you can get your hands on one.

It’s unclear how long Apple has been manufacturing the iPhone 5, but if it is experiencing supply problems, it could be a problem for Apple. Those looking for a smartphone and who want the new iPhone may not wait and choose to go with Samsung’s Galaxy III.

Supply issues sometimes can work in a company’s favor because it shows the actual demand for a device. But if there isn’t enough supply for a long time, it could hurt the company.
If third party companies don’t create new charging adapters in time

Part of the iPhone 5’s new design is its smaller dock connecter, which is shrinking from the 30 pins we’re familiar with to somewhere between eight and 16 pins. Because the new iPhone will have stronger iCloud integration, it won’t need as many pins for syncing with a computer.

The only problem with that, however, is that loyal Apple users have piles upon piles of 30-pin chargers that we will have to start throwing away. Whichever third party accessory company releases the best and most affordable 8- to 16-pin charger should make out pretty well.
Did we miss anything?

Could the iPhone 5 be a total disappointment? It seems unlikely, but anything that is receiving this much hype has to be careful. Expectations are high, so it better deliver.

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Steve Jobs’ technology helped foil his robber after death

The irony behind the burglary of the home of late Apple CEO Steve Jobs in uncanny.

It’s safe to assume that 35-year-old Kariem McFarlin was a bit freaked out and taken back.


That’s because McFarlin, who was arrested and charged with the burglary of Jobs’ home, was tracked down using the technology that Jobs’ revolutionized. That’s what you get for stealing an iPad, Mac Mini, an iMac and several iPods, on top of some ritzy jewelry and expensive champaign.

In addition, Steve Jobs’ wallet, which included his driver license, a Visa credit card and an American Express Titanium credit card.

As a side note, to get the Titanium card, also known as the Black Card, you need to have a perfect credit history, spend a minimum of $250,000 annually on a previous American Express card, pay a $5,000 membership fee and an annual $2,500 fee, and be identified as having a “major” net worth, by American Express.

According to the Silicon Valley Mercury News, the moment McFarlin connected to the Internet on one of the devices, he was practically tracked down immediately.

Thank you Steve Jobs for innovating the “Find my Mac” feature built into iCloud.

In an interview with the local newspaper, one of McFarlin’s former bosses called him an idiot.

“There’s certain things you don’t do, and burglary is one of them, but burglarizing an icon like that, that just puts yourself pretty much in the deep hole.”

McFarlin was arrested two weeks ago and sits in jail on bail of $500,000. Police authorities are calling the burglary totally random. McFarlin has robbed several homes, according to the report.

The San Francisco Chronicle has more in-depth information on the story.

According to that report, The Jobs’ home was under renovations. It’s unclear whether or not any of Jobs’ family were in the home during the burglary.

If convicted, McFarlin could face nearly eight years in prison, as this is not the only house he has burglarized.

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PC sales slump but reasons unclear

The number of PCs shipped by manufacturers has notably fallen in the US according to new estimates. There’s also a surprising dip in the global figure.

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