What’s the Big Deal with the Apple iPad?

Posted by Baby Jane Paguirigan On January - 29 - 2010 2 COMMENTS

ipad price

Sure the iPhone and the iPod are some of the greatest gadgets ever made. But lately, people around the world are talking about this so called new tablet computer to be released by Apple, the iPad. What’s so special about it anyway? Let us look around into the wonderful world of this device that’s said to make a mark on today’s technology.

First, take a peek at what it has in store – the specifications. This iPad is said to have 9.7” display screen at 1024 x 768 pixels, 16 to 64 GB Flash Drive, 1 GHz Apple A4 Chip, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi 802.11n, has optional 3G (by using a new micro-Sim), and has 10 hours battery life (that can even stay alive for a month in standby mode). How cool can that get? As thin as it is at 0.5” (13.4mm) and as light as 1.5 lbs, it is said to be the enlarged iPhone with faster and a mightier processor.

As per the applications, it’s also similar to the iPhone, but has more. It has features like the iBookstore, iWorks, and said to be better in terms of gaming and internet browsing. Question now, Is it safe to say that the iPad is just a blow up of the iPhone?

for ipad

The iPad is said to be half to be one hell of a gadget. There have been such good reviews from its makers. As the Apple chief executive, Steve Jobs, stated, “We think we’ve got the goods. We think we’ve done it.” In one of his interviews, Jobs asked “Do we have what it takes to establish a third category of products in between a laptop and a smartphone?”  After a few seconds, he answered his own question, “We have done it”. And not just from the makers did this earned trust, but even from people who can make use of it as well. iPhone software executive Scott Forstall quoted, “We think it’s going to be a whole ‘nother gold rush for developers as they build applications for the iPad.”

ipad viewer

The price range of this device is quite acceptable too. The cheapest one would be sold at $499, and the most expensive ones would be sold at around $1,000. These price differences depend on which add-on features you desire. The basic iPad ones, which cost from $499 to $699, only differ on the storage size. These are the one to be released in March. While those 3G iPad models on the other hand, the ones that will cost between $629 and $829, will be released worldwide in April.

ipad phone

So there ya go, you’ve read some of the most important details about this device. We can’t judge it quite yet, because no one really knows what’s in store and what exactly it can do. All there is are these facts and specifications, all we hold on to are the manufacturers’ words and the brand “Apple” itself. Only thing we can do now is to wait and see for ourselves what really the big deal about this iPad is as soon as it comes out in March.

ipad keynote Watch the keynote video with Steve Jobs

 

 
apple ipad video

Watch a marketing video

 

Popularity: 19% [?]

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Asus Eee Reader?

Posted by Jennifer Wang On September - 8 - 2009 7 COMMENTS

The cheapest portable ebook reader yet is set to arrive soon.

The Asus Eee Reader has finally been confirmed for a 2009 March 2010 release.  Many sources are speculating that this not-yet-released eReader will dominate the market, and that Amazon better watch their back.  There’s also rumors that there’ll be two versions of the “Eee”:  a budget unit priced at $164 and a higher-end device ($200).

Here’s a glimpse at the higher end Asus Eee Reader:

Asus Eee Reader

The Eee Reader reportedly will have features not typically found in traditional eReaders:

  • A webcam and microphone…for using Skype (a book that makes phone calls?  Wow)
  • A hinged spine, as shown in the picture above
  • Two  color screens, one of which could act as a keyboard!  This second screen could also be used to surf the Internet while reading a book on the first screen.

Because the Eee Reader will have full-color screens, it’s safe to assume that eInk technology will not be used.  That being said, hopefully Asus has come up with a way to reduce problems like glare and readability that other companies like Sony faced when not using eInk.

It’s hard to predict how successful these new devices will be, but I for one think it’s exciting to see companies thinking “outside the box” and trying new things.  On the other hand, critics have complained that the Eee Reader has too many features that are distracting from the primary purpose of an electronic reading device…READING ;)

Popularity: 68% [?]

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Amazon Kindle 2 – Now only $299!

Posted by Jim Swanson On July - 10 - 2009 2 COMMENTS

If you were on the fence about purchasing an Amazon Kindle 2 before because you considered it to be too pricey, well we have some good news for ya!

Amazon must have heard the complaints because they’ve recently reduced the price of the of the Kindle 2 to a much more reasonable $299!   It was previously $359 so that’s a $60 discount (17%).  Weeeeeeee!  :)

Read more about the Kindle 2 or purchase this popular device…

Popularity: 11% [?]

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No Kindle For Germany (Yet)

Posted by Jim Swanson On June - 29 - 2009 5 COMMENTS

According to a German weekly publication, Wirtschaftswoche, the Amazon Kindle 2 or DX won’t be available any time soon.

Why not?

Well apparently Amazon wasn’t able to agree on terms with the two Germany wireless companies, T-Mobile and Vodafone.  Amazon wasn’t willing to pay for Whispernet what the two companies were asking.

Another reason (not official though) is reportedly that publishers in Germany are refusing to lower ebook prices, and that the government has fixed prices by law.  Ouch.  So Germans won’t be seeing any $0.99 or even free ebooks like Americans have had the pleasure of.

On a more positive note, Amazon is continuing negotiations with other European countries so hopefully they’ll have better luck elsewhere.  This situation with Germany does hurt though, as they’re one of the top 5 markets in the world technology-wise, and even bigger than the UK.

Popularity: 4% [?]

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Jointech JE100 – New Ebook Reader

Posted by Jim Swanson On June - 11 - 2009 ADD COMMENTS

jointech_je100Jointech (a tech company based out of Hong Kong) have recently announced that they have a new ebook reader (known as the JE100).  It’s a 7-inch device that has a COLOR LCD touchscreen rather than an e-ink display.

This is the first non-e-ink portable ebook reader that we’ve had the chance to discuss, so we’re quite excited.  Although e-ink seems to be the way of the future for electronic reading devices, it’s still nice to see competing technologies

The JE100 uses Windows CE 5.0, and has the following capabilities and specifications:

  • Comes with Mobipocket Reader, MSReader and eReader support
  • Can play video and audio files
  • Ability to view and edit Microsoft Office documents
  • 3-6 hour battery life
  • 400 MHz processor (slower than both the Kindle 2 and Kindle DX)
  • 128 MB internal flash storage
  • 64 MB RAM
  • Up to 4GB external storage
  • Two USB ports (to plug in accessories like keyboards or for hooking the device up to a PC)
  • Built-in speaker and audio-out port

Those specs seem fairly mediocre, and the battery life is definitely weak.  It seems like more of a netbook or mini-PC than a portable ebook reader.  I guess we’ll have to wait until people start buying and reviewing it until we can make a better-informed decision.

One thing’s for sure, though…it definitely looks sleek!

Popularity: 9% [?]

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Kindle DX Shipping Soon!

Posted by Jennifer Wang On June - 6 - 2009 ADD COMMENTS

Amazon has announced that the highly anticipated Kindle DX will be shipping starting June 10, 2009. Woo-hoo!

The shipping schedule apparently goes like this:

  • Pre-orders placed before June 5 will start shipping on June 10
  • New pre-orders (after June 5) will be treated as first come, first served
  • New pre-orders will likely be shipped in between 7-10 days?

So basically, even if you haven’t pre-ordered a Kindle DX, you didn’t really miss out on anything, as you can still order now and get one within 2 weeks. That’s not bad at all!

Read more here…

Popularity: 2% [?]

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What’s the Big Deal with the Apple iPad?

Sure the iPhone and the iPod are some of the greatest gadgets ever made. But lately, people around the world [...]

Asus Eee Reader?

The cheapest portable ebook reader yet is set to arrive soon.
The Asus Eee Reader has finally been confirmed for a [...]

Amazon Kindle 2 – Now only $299!

If you were on the fence about purchasing an Amazon Kindle 2 before because you considered it to be too [...]

No Kindle For Germany (Yet)

According to a German weekly publication, Wirtschaftswoche, the Amazon Kindle 2 or DX won’t be available any time soon.
Why not?
Well [...]

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