If you are like the rest of the world, you are either drooling over the iPad or using one right now to read this.
Check out the latest accessories to hit the market for the trendy device, with everything from neoprene sleeves to desktop chargers.
XtremeMac: Neoprene Sleeve
Ideal lightweight iPad sleeve for traveling
* Form-fitting sleeve integrated with pockets for such items as cables and earphones
* Velcro seal ensures iPad and other accessories are safely secured at all times
* Hex design gives it a sleek and modern aesthetic
Available at: XtremeMac.com
Price: $39.99
Website: www.XtremeMac.com
XtremeMac: Nylon Sleeve
Durable sleeve provides maximum protection for iPad
* Form-fitting exterior protects and secures iPad
* Soft plush lining cushions iPad and protects from scratches
* Clean design and zipper at the top of the sleeve provides easy insertion and removal of iPad
* Hex design gives it a sleek and modern aesthetic
Available at: XtremeMac.com
Price: $49.99
Website: www.XtremeMac.com
IDAPT i4 Universal Desktop Charger
Simultaneously charge four different devices and clear cord clutter with one system
* Features 3 tip ports and one USB port and LED light indicating charge status
* Interchangeable “quick release” tip system allows for easy, customizable charging system
* Compatible with over 3,500 brands of mobile devices, including Apple, Nintendo, PSP, Blackberry, Garmin, and more
* Package includes six of the most popularly used interchangeable tips
* Available in black and white
Available at: IDAPTweb.com
Price: $59.99 MSRP
Website: www.idaptweb.com
Find the song that you want to make into a ringtone.
Listen to the song and find the part of it you want to use. The chorus may be a good place to start.
Write down the start and stop times of the clip.
Right-click the song and select “Get Info.”
Click the “Options” tab.
Type in the start time of your ringtone in the text box next to “Start Time” in the minutes:seconds (i.e., 2:01) format.
Type in the end time of your ringtone in the text box next to “Stop Time.” Make sure the ringtone is no more than 40 seconds long.
Click “OK.”
Right-click your song again and select “Convert Selection to AAC.” Wait for iTunes to convert your song. It will create a duplicate version.
Right-click the ringtone and select “Delete.”
Click on the “Keep Files” button.
Find the file. It’s usually in your User folder under “Music > iTunes > iTunes Music” and under the band’s name. It will have an extension of m4a.
Replace the m4a extension of your ringtone with m4r. You can either double-click slowly to rename your file, or right-click and select “Get Info” on a Mac or “Rename” on a Windows PC.
Click “Use .m4r” or the PC equivalent when the system warns you that the change may affect the use of your file.
Double-click the ringtone file. ITunes will automatically add it to your ringtones folder in your iTunes Music Library.
Connect your iPhone and sync your ringtones. [via eHow]
We drink a lot of the Apple kool-aid around here, so it is good to see some of the Office for 2011 features pop up around the interwebs. In the embedded teaser video, we see glimpses of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and even Outlook. Yes. We finally get Outlook.
Besides that, it look to be pretty standard and now includes a full screen view for Word. As a writer, this is something I really appreciate. [BGR]
You know how you see the packaging of somethings and you instantly want them, I think that just happened. Hopefully they sound as good as they look in the wrapper. Have you ever purchased anything JUST because of how it looked in the packaging?[OhGizmo]
In addition to the speed bumps given to the Mac Pro and the iMac, Apple also announced the launch of their Magic TrackPad. Coming in at $69, the first official trackpad for a Mac desktop supports many of the features already found on the most recent MacBook Pros.
The new item allows for 2 and 3 finger gestures, and also allows for swiping and inertial scrolling. If didn’t already guess, the mouse is wireless and operates using bluetooth. Design aspects include the usual matte silver finish found on Macs for that last few years, and it is sized to fit perfectly next to Apple’s new keyboards. [Apple]
It is easy to feign ignorance when buying your consumer products, but that is going to get a little harder. Last week when President Obama signed the all Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, it included a law that requires companies to disclose the use of tantalum, tungsten and tin, three rare minerals that are heavily mined in the Congo, in independent audits filed with their annual financial reports. Now the law does not prevent them from using conflict minerals, but it will allow companies that do not use them to advertise their products as conflict free. Check the PSA below to get a better understanding of how all this works.
It has been no secret that the iPhone 4 has an antenna issue. This noise level for the issue has risen considerably in the last few weeks and Apple decided to hold a press conference about it today to get the news out that it is not only their problem. According to Jobs, all smartphones have this issue, and it is not only Apple. Though that does not really provide a solution to those that are getting dropped calls and/or are seeing lower data rates, a free case does. Here are the details:
• If you have an iPhone 4, you can get a free bumper from Apple.
• If you want another case—or Apple’s bumpers are out of stock—you can pick another one from some options.
• If you already bought another case, you get a refund on that.
• The offer applies until September 30; at which time apple will “re-examine” the situation
I guess this works for now. I wonder if there will be a long term solution? Or maybe this is their long term solution. [Engadget]
I have been waiting for this good news. The iPhone dev team has managed to get a carrier unlock working on the iPhone 4, though it is yet to be released to the public. This should bring feelings of spending your good money to those people in the US on TMobile that are stuck on the 3GS. Stay tuned and we will be sure to update you when the unlock is released. [@Planetbeing]
We all knew that Apple operated a walled garden when it came to their image, and they are proving it once again by removing threads in their support forum that refer to the Consumer Reports article that found the iPhone 4 faulty. In essence, the report stated that Consumer Reports could not recommend the iPhone 4 due to an antenna glitch that the company feels Apple needs to fix. Well Apple can not be too happy about that, and has instead started to delete threads in their forums that refer to that study. I am not sure why they are so angry. Consumer Reports even offered a solution, just put a piece of duct tape on the antenna and it will stop the problem. [TUAW]
Though Blackberry may have things on lock when it comes to getting you your email, the entire OS experience has been lacking to say the least. Both Apple and Google have made tremendous strides with their respective operating systems and continue to widen he gap. But RIM has not been resting on its lions. In fact, BBOS6 should be quite an advancement in the experience category if the video below is more than just fancy camera tricks. The video shows features like aggregated social network integration, universal search, and the all-new WebKit-based browser (Thank GOODNESS). Take a look and let us know what you think.
Its already backhanded the Kindle and the Nook, dominating the e-reader market. For the past few months, we’ve heard plenty about the books and movies of the ultimate Apple creation. But now it’s time to talk iPad games. What’s awesome? What tanks?
According to cseffects, Geometry Wars ($9.99) is a must for the lucky iPad owner. Titans joins the six original Geometry Wars gameplay modes: Deadline, King, Evolved, Pacifism, Waves and Sequence. The site recently ranked its 10 Most Superb Addictive iPad Games. Find out all about them here
The film you see above was shot and edited on the new iPhone 4. The film, “Apple of My Eye”, a short film by Michael Koerbel, was shot and edited completely on an iPhone 4. I think the Flip Video and all those other “pocket” HD camcorders just had a heart attack.
