John Gruber via Daring Fireball
It’s the difference between “What’s the best we can do within the constraints of the current ePub spec?” versus “What’s the best we can do given the constraints of our engineering talent?” - the difference between going as fast as the W3C standards body permits versus going as fast as Apple is capable.
This design trade off is just like Apple’s 30 pin dock connector. Many try and argue that a mini or micro USB port that is supported throughout the industry is a better choice that an Apple only port. I see the other side to that argument. The 30 pin dock connector offers not only power and data, but video, audio out, audio in, FireWire, midi, ect. ect. Apple made the choice ~8 years ago to push forward with their own port with the features they wanted rather than wait for a standard port to be adopted. I think that choice has turned out ok.
In this video I detail the process of downloading a Zip file of iPhone wallpapers, an image file from Google images, and an MP3 file from soundcloud all via the built in Apple provided Safari web browser. Once downloaded these files can be opened in many apps including Dropbox, GoodReader, or Camera+. Check out Camera , Dropbox, and GoodReader on the App Store.
I am going to start a new weekly post series called, the app of the week. This post will highlight a great App (new or old) for the Mac, iPhone, iPad, or the web that I believe is due some attention.
This weeks app is called HappyShutter by developer ThirdSight. This application is yet another camera app for iOS but this one stand apart from the rest. The app uses a new technology to detect when all of the subjects of your photo are smiling. Once everyone is smiling the picture is taken and saved directly to your devices camera roll. In my testing this app has worked very well it has even been able to differentiate a smirk or slight grin from a full smile. This app is currently at an introductory price of $0.99 and available in the AppStore.
In this video I unbox and review the Skech porter case for the iPad 2. This case has quickly become my favorite case for the iPad and has replaced my Smartcover/Booq sleeve combo that I have been using since the iPad 2s release.
This case is set apart by its great construction, high quality materials, and a perfect fit. The materials used in this case really make it something special. The faux leather used in this case rivals real leather. It has a very dull finish and is stiffer than most fake leather used on cases in this price range. Get your own Skech Porter on Amazon in a variety of colors.
Dana Wollman via Engadget
Still, we managed to find a slew of Android tablets (and one iPad) across a range of budgets. Been on the fence about what to get? Skip past the break for some ideas.
I could have written this fluff article in one sentence.
If you have $500 dollars buy an iPad.
As a side note, the kindle fire is an attractive looking product but is not proven. I wouldn't buy anyone a tablet that was not an iPad until after the fire is released. Maybe at that point it would be a good option for the more budget conscious tablet buyer.
Once your music is in iCloud, you can stream and store it to any of your devices. Even better, all the music iTunes matches plays back from iCloud at 256-Kbps AAC DRM-free quality — even if your original copy was of lower quality.
Between this and Eddy Cue’s comment that iTunes match would cache or intelligently download your music as you play it, I think its a safe assumption that iTunes match does stream you music to all of your devices. The “cache or intelligently download” means that even though songs are downloaded to your iOS device as you play them when space is running low older songs are removed from your device. I am looking forward to late October when iTunes match is launched.
In this video I take a look at the Aranez K Leather Case for the iPad 2. This is a portfolio style leather case with a built in flap to allow for a better angle when typing. This case also includes the obligatory slots for business cards opposite the iPad.
Rene Ritchie via TiPb
Pad 2 have been marked as discontinued at Target according to a source who sent TiPb the above screens. Though these only show the 16GB iPad 2 3G on both Verizon and AT&T as being discontinued
I have never bought into the rumor that an iPad 3 would be released this fall along side a new iPhone. If the iPad 2 3G is discontinued I belive that it might point to a single SKU for AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.
Patrick Rhone via Minimal Mac
Just like the iPad created a whole option, and thus, new market (the one you keep calling the “tablet market”), the only way to compete is not to get into that market but to create a whole new one. One that will suck the life out of the iPad market. Something so disruptive, so mind blowing, so magical that, like the iPad, people will form lines around the block for months to get it.
Looking at what Apple did to its own iPod line is a great example of this. They essentially stopped trying to really innovate the iPod line and made it irrelevant with the release of the iPhone.
