The iPad is a great product, but like all great products, it doesn't come without its fair share of flaws. Despite single-handedly helming the tablet market for the past two-and-a-half years, we could all pick out issues we'd like to see resolved, and one of the most obvious is the relatively poor speaker design. With the iPhone, the speakers are positioned along the bottom, meaning whichever way you lay it down, the audio - albeit slightly tinny - can always be heard. The iPad's speakers are located on the back of the device, and even though Apple has improved the sound quality through generations of its flagship slate, pushing sound out in the opposite direction doesn't cut it for a device of the iPad's caliber.
Whilst the idea of controlling all elements within the home from one device is a concept with futuristic overtones, it's not as though the tech isn't already in place, and one can easily find an app for a smartphone or tablet to open curtains, unlock doors, or more recently, control colorful lighting. With this in mind, Savan Kotecha - music producer for the X Factor, has laden his home in gadgets and contraptions that play nicely with his favorite iOS device - the iPad. He's spent a sum total of $80,000 (and counting) to turn his Hollywood pad into what looks like a geek's dream, and a great deal of his electrical compliances are now controlled from the comfort of his iPad.
Microsoft has made no secret of the business acumen of Windows 8 and products such as the Surface. We've already seen this model marketed with Emirates Airlines, an upmarket company already seen to be embracing the Redmond company's technologies, and while Emirates could have gone all tablety long before now, it waited for the "security and robustness" provided by Microsoft. The idea of Windows 8 tablets and products being the, secure, go-to option for businesses has taken a bit of a hiding today, though, with the news that British bank Barclays has forked out at least £3.3 million to purchase 8,500 iPads, a move said to be a part of "improving the customer experience."
Both LG Display and AU Optronics are currently supplying the displays for Apple’s new iPad mini tablet, but with AU reportedly having some production issues, it's looking as though LG is carrying much of the burden. The report surfaces from the hit-and-miss DigiTimes citing the usual "sources familiar with the matter," and although the two companies are considered the “main display suppliers," it would seem the vast majority of iPad minis are packing a screen manufactured by LG.
I am a bit of a fiend when it comes to apps and games for my mobile devices, and over the years, I've learned to become rather shrewd in what I buy, and when I buy it. While a lot of apps and games are indefinitely free, many of the better offerings charge for the privilege, and what with it being Black Friday today, many coveted paid titles are available absolutely free of charge!
With Thanksgiving day, followed by Black Friday, and inevitably, Christmas, the consumer electronics market will be abuzz with savings, as each vendor and retailer looks to attract additional custom at this most lucrative time of year.
A week ago, we heard the news that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak would be starring alongside Danny Trejo in an 8-bit epic for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. On paper, games simply don't get any more awesome, and if you've been anxious to see one of the world's most celebrated techies swap the automatic updates for the automatic rifle, today's your lucky day.
We have seen instances in the past of resourceful developers throwing together various pieces of work and technologies to create clever ways of controlling lighting levels at home or office as well as creating make-shift home automation systems that may not have the same power as a premium system, but still gets the job done. The SiriProxy-Hue project is yet another example of how community driven projects can interact with Apple's own software and hardware to create a usable system for the average user.
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto franchise is one of the most iconic on any gaming platform, and to commemorate the tenth anniversary since the release of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, a port for iOS and Android is set to arrive on December 6th. As we reported last month, Rockstar will be rolling back the years for the nostalgic GTA fans, and as well as confirming the release date in a press statement today, it also added the title will cost $5.
The iPad is quickly staking its claim as one of the most capable gaming devices on the market. With quad-core graphics and an A6X processor, it already has the PS Vita in its pocket in the graphic performance benchmarks, but whilst titles are becoming more realistic and gameplay is improving year on year, the iPad itself isn't getting any easier to hold.
