The Apple iPad Case is designed to fit very slug with the iPad. It is a very slim and sleek and very lightweight. The case is made from a soft microfiber material and has reinforcement panels to help keeps its structure.
The thin “cover” over the iPad glass folds a full 180 degrees around itself allowing you to hold your iPad both in landscape or portrait mode. Additionally, there is a gap in the reinforcement panels creating a seam in the front cover allowing you to create an angled stand using just the case for use with landscape mode. There is a tab located on the back which you tuck the lip of the cover into to “lock” into place.
The angled stand provides you the perfect angle when sitting down and typing on your iPad screen with it on your lap. Additionally, the angled stand position works well while the iPad is on a desk, providing you a nice angle to view and type on the screen.
With the cover “locked” into the back you can position your iPad in additional positions making use of your iPad as a digital picture frame. For landscape mode set your iPad on the spline of the stand and for portrait mode set your iPad upright.
The cost is $39.00 and can be picked up at most Apple stores or ordered online. There are holes for headphone jack, dock connector port, and on/off and volume buttons.
All in all, I really love the Apple iPad Case and think it is a great mix between protection, function, and portability
Developer: LogMeIn, Inc.
App Name: LogMeIn Ignition
Category: Productivity
iTunes Preview
Version Reviewed: 1.1.142
App Price: $29.99
Date Reviewed: 6/29/2010
LogMeIn Ignition is an app that allows you to have remote access to one or more computers anywhere, anytime. This app is a must for those who need to have access to files from your workstation or laptop, or if you need to login to someones computer for technical support and works for both PC and Mac computers.
Setup of your remote computer management is very simple and easy to setup. Settings are automatically configured for optimal speed and performance and enables you to customize as you wish. To get started you will need to create an account at LogMeIn.com and download the LogMeIn software for your computer (Mac or PC version). Then download the LogMeIn Ignition app from the App Store on your iPad. You will be prompted to enter in your email address and password that you used to setup your account at the LogMeIn.com website and you will see a list of your computers that you can log in remotely to. If some of your computers in your list are not powered on or available to connect to, you will see that the computer is listed in grey and stating “offline.” Click on the computer name that you wish to login to and you will be prompted with the username and password to log into that computer. That’s it!
As for the quality, the remote computers look just as if they were right there in front of you, especially when connected via WiFi. The mouse movement takes a small amount of time to get used to. The mouse does not go where your finger clicks on the screen. Your finger dragging across the screen moves the mouse. This is done so that you can see precisely where the mouse is while you move your finger without having to look directly beneath your finger. After a few seconds it should come natural to you. Pinch zooming in and out works as you would think and if you have more than one monitor setup on the remote computer you can shake your iPad to switch screens. Tap once to single click, tap twice to double-click, and double-finger tap to rick-click. The use of the keyboard is fairly straightforward and there are convenient short cut tools at the bottom to bring up the keyboard, and configure your single taps for left or right mouse click.
While you are remotely logged into the computer anyone who is physically in front of the computer will receive notification that you are logged in and will see all of the mouse movements including opening files and windows. This will come in handy when an admin of yours needs assistance in being show where to go to retrieve data or files, or when an admin needs assistance being shown how to do something in a software or MLS system.
The price of the app is a bit on the tall side, especially when it comes to apps from the App Store. However, at $29.99 you get a very high quality and polished application which I highly recommend for those who need the remote access ability. LogMeIn, Inc. does not charge a fee for all of the features that I have gone over. However, they offer a “Pro2″ version which allows for additional features for like fine transfer, remote-to-local printing, desktop sharing, file sharing, drag & drop file transfer, remote sound, as well as some alert and reporting features. The subscription price for the LogMeIn Pro2 is currently $69.95 annually. For more details on the feature comparison between the free and paid subscription click here.
The Apple Wireless Keyboard is a wireless keyboard utilizing Bluetooth technology which connects to iPads, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4G, and Macs. It has a slim and sleek design and follows Apple’s stylish and simplistic design principles.
The slim and low profile enclosure is made of anodized aluminum and the keys are crisp and very responsive. In addition to the standard keys the top row consists of options for screen brightness, volume control, play/pause, eject, Exposé, and Dashboard. This keyboard, being wireless, is optimal for travel with your iPad if you need to type something of long length and you are not comfortable with the onscreen keyboard. Additionally, the Apple Wireless Keyboard is one of the slimmest and smallest full-sized keyboard I have seen and it slips nicely into your briefcase or small enough to carry with your iPad.
The Apple Wireless Keyboard runs on two AA batteries and automatically powers itself off to conserve battery and will instantly turn back on when you start typing again. There is a discreet on/off button on the right hand side of the enclosure for when you are away from your desk for extended periods of time.
The cost is $69.00 and is available at most Apple stores as well as online at the Apple website.
Connecting the Apple Wireless Keyboard to the iPad is simple. With the batteries installed in the keyboard, go the “Settings” of your iPad and click on “General.” You will see “Bluetooth” as an option. If the setting is not turned on, enable it now. Now turn on your Apple Wireless Keyboard by pressing and holding the on/off button for about a second until a green light turns on in the top right corner of the keyboard. Your Apple Wireless Keyboard will appear in the list of available devices to connect to. My Apple Wireless Keyboard comes up with a custom name “Tei’s Keyboard” because I had set a custom name when I connected the keyboard to my Mackbook Pro and the iPad recognizes the saved name and displays it for your convenience. You will then be prompted to type in the passkey displayed on the screen and press return. After doing so you will see your keyboard has connected.
Now that your Apple Wireless Keyboard has connected to your iPad you can you use keyboard to type anywhere the onscreen keyboard of the iPad used to come up. The eject button on the keyboard will raise and lower the onscreen keyboard on the iPad. Additionally, the top row of keys for brightness, play/pause, and volume are fully functional as well.
The Apple iOS 4 upgrade has been available for a few days. If you’re like me you clicked on the “Check for updates” button in iTunes numerous times before it was finally made available.
What are the new features with iOS 4? The easiest way to answer this is to list out the new features for iPhone 3GS owners and separating features out for iPhone 3G owners. There is an obvious reduction in features for the iPhone 3G. This is largely due in part to the older and slower processor and less memory.
iOS 4 New Features for iPhone 3GS
- Multi-tasking for 3rd party apps
- Unified email inbox
- Email message threading
- Folders for app organization
- iBooks app
- Wireless keyboard support
- Homescreen wallpaper
- Screen orientation lock
- Data protection
- SMS character count
- Tap to focus video
iOS 4 New Features for iPhone 3G
- Unified email inbox
- Email message threading
- Folders for app organization
- iBooks app
So how did the update do?
Unfortunately, for me the update did not do so well and it failed on the first attempt. Luckily, the restore option from iTunes worked great and completed the update. The entire process was about two hours, over double what I had originally thought it would take.
So was the update of iOS 4 worth it on my 3G phone?
I wish I never updated my phone. The unified email inbox, email message threading, and folders for app organization are fantastic features that I use. However, the trade off for these couple of new features is great. My phone feels like it is running at half speed, sometimes even slower. Opening apps pause for multiple seconds before opening. Texting is slower. Waiting to pull up the keyboard is painful. And if battery life wasn’t bad enough before this, it’s even worse now.
So, if you have an iPhone 3G, and if you can forego the couple of new features, I’d just wait it out.
Apple’s iPhone 4 was released today and while the lines formed for people waiting to get their hands on the new iPhone, those who pre-ordered them online have a slightly different story to tell than from that of previous iPhone releases.
The first reports of problems with the iPhone comes in several complaints. The first is reports of yellow bands and yellow spots on the display. Apparently, some Apple stores are treating this as a residue from the manufacturing process which will clear up within a few days. Other Apple stores are replacing the units outright. Some users are complaining instead of the yellow dots, they have white spots in a layout resembling a constellation of stars. There has been no office word from Apple at this time.
The next type of complaint of the iPhone 4 comes in the reception of calls. Apparently, holding the iPhone 4 in the lower left hand corner of the phone with your hand may cause attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas and to avoid gripping it in a way that covers both the sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of the many available cases. Real nice answer to a problem with reception… don’t hold your phone that way. This ought to be real interesting to see how long this answer holds out and how big of a problem it really is.
Although I fully intend on going to an Apple store as soon as the white iPhones are available (currently estimated mid to late July) I now intend on fully inspecting the phone in great detail before leaving the store.
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