iPad Air launched, so thin you won't believe your eyes

iPad Air - "The Power of lightness"

Apple having sold this month their 170 millionth iPad and as there are now some 475,000 iPad specific apps available, Apple's Phil Schiller today (22nd October 2013) presented, at the Yerba Bueba Center for the Arts in San Francisco, the latest offerings from Apple :

The thin (7.5mm) and lightweight (1lb) iPad Air featuring :

M7 motion processor
A7 Chip
5MP iSight Camera
HD front FaceTime camera
1080p HD Video
Dual microphone
MIMO support
Upto10 hours of battery life
Retina display
Reduced bezel size

Two models :

1)  Retina display 16GB Wi-Fi

     Price - $499.00

2) Retina display 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular

    Price - $629.00

A screen and back cover will also be on sale for $69.00

Both will ship in Canada 1st November 2013.  

iPad Model comparison | Product details | iPad Air Video

The New iPad Mini 16GB Wi-Fi model featuring : 

7.9" screen
Retina display
A7 Chip
Screen only cover  - $39
Screen and back covers protector - $79.00Price - $399

Apple anticipate the iPad Mini launch for "later in November"

The original iPad Mini price is being reduced to $299

iPad Mini is to be released in Canada 2nd November 2012

Apple are schedule to release the iPad Mini in Canada 2nd November 2012.  Pre Order are being taken 26th October 2012.

Comparison Chart:

PRICES :

Wi-Fi             

$329 - 16 GB

$429 - 32 GB

$529 - 64 GB


Wi-Fi and Cellular
$459 - 16 GB
$559 - 32 GB
$659 - 64 GB

Full Specifications Mini iPad

Lost In The Woods Facing South. The solution.

If you have you seen The Discovery Channel snippet about being lost in the woods :

If you find yourself lost in the woods, stand a stick in the ground.

Mark the end of its shadow with a stone. 
Wait 10 minutes – the shadow will have grown longer.
Mark the new end with another stone.

Stand with the first stone on your right and the second on the left.
Congratulations now you are lost in the woods facing south.

The solution to finding your way home or being found is solved by the free Spot Connect App for iPhone, iPad (iOS 3 or later) and iPod touch owners.  The App "turns your smartphone into a satellite  communicator and one way text messenger."  Once the smartphone is paired with Spot Connect users can send GPS location based emergency communications or messages to predetermined recipients.  Custom texts can be typed and sent directly or the user can select from a pre defined list of 14 messages, popular choices include:

• Check-in/OK 
• SPOT Assist
• Help
• SOS
• Track Progress (automated function)

Messages, via the satellite link, can be relayed to a maximum of 10 groups (each group may contain up to 50 contacts).  Spot Connect service is designed to work in remote   locations: wooded areas, mountain regions, off shore and out on the lake.  Sent texts are delivered to email, Mobile phone SMS (simple message service) or GEOS Rescue Coordination Center (Emergency Response Center).  

Price Point: $180 plus taxes 


The Discovery Channel: 
Bell TV satellite channel 520 (standard definition), 1602 HD 
Fibe TV in high definition on Channel 1523


Photo Credits: 
Spot Connect
Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net "Forest" by dan

iOS 5.1.1 for iPhone, IPad, iPod Touch released

Apples newest iOS operating system for the iPhone, IPod Touch and iPad have just released the latest version 5.1.1.  

The update should correct the problems that users were experiencing when switching from a 2G to a 3G network and the annoying 'Unable to purchase' alert displaying even after a purchase had been made successfully.  


Improvements in reliability have also been made in respect of the HDR photo option, Air Play plus bookmarking and reading lists.


Apple iOS 5.1.1 update

The New iPad to be released in Canada 16th March 2012

The New iPad is to be released in Canada 16th March 2012 as well as the USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland. Apple introduced the New iPad 

at 1 pm EST today.

 

The New iPad features a 2048 x 1536 resolution Retina Display, HD 1080p video recording capability, IOS 5 and an A5X Chip.  Auto Focus, auto exposure on the   iSight 5 megapixel rear camera (front camera has FaceTime).  A microphone for speech to text capabilities - email, notes, send text or search the web.

Applications including Photos, Photo Booth, Newsstand, Notes, iMessage, plus Twitter integration are handled nicely by the  dual -core, quad-core graphics A5X chip. iCloud and photo beaming for keeping up to date and sharing content with others. 

Comparison Chart :

PRICES :

Wi-Fi  3G            

$499 - 16 GB

$599 - 32 GB

$699 - 64 GB


4G LTE
$629 - 16 GB
$729 - 32 GB
$829 - 64 GB

Pre-Orders being taken now

Watch the Video - the New iPad

The New IPad full specifications

LogMeIn Free App for iPhone, iPad now Free

LogMeIn have released a  mobile  LogMeIn Free  App at no cost  for IPad and iPhone users  (previously $29.99)


Log in to your computer (Windows or Mac) remotely, view and access your files any time from where you are (subject to WiFi  or 3Gconnection)


Or you can download and install LogMeIn Pro ($39.99) if you need cloud storage, and file management capabilities.

Read full LogMeIn Press Release
Images Credit:  LogMeIn Media Resources

iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone, iPad, iPod released

Mobile operating system iOS 5.0.1 has been released.  Head to iTunes and click Update to install the update if the Update alert didn't pop up automatically on your Apple product.  The update is available to user models;

iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S
iPad, IPad 2
iPod, iPod touch 3rd and 4th generation)

iOS 5.0.1 has been designed to improve user experience and also rectify bugs in iOS 5.0.0  ie:

Fixes bugs that affected battery life,  Cloud functions (Documents)
Improved voice recognition for Australian users and Multitasking gestures for original iPad owners.

iOS 5  Software Update

PlugBug - Dual Charging Plug for Mac

The PlugBug makes it possible to charge a MacBook and an iPhone or iPad at the same time.   PlugBug features a 10W USB charger that piggybacks onto your MacBook Power Adapter.  This stylish, socket saving device retails for $34.99 US at Twelve South.

Photo Credit:  Twelve South

Crazy Pumpkin App for iPhone

The 21st was National Pumpkin Pie Day, which reminded us about the Crazy Pumpkin App for iPhone, iPad and iTouch.  It's Free its decorative and can be downloaded from the App Store

Best routes for Autumn or Fall colours around Barrie

Fall is all around.  Here are links to some of ICT North's favourite fall colour routes. Our satellite tv installers travel these road in all seasons but for fall foliage lovers these are some of the best around Barrie and Orillia. 

Georgian Bay Fall Colour Routes

Barrie to Orangeville Fall colours (colors) Route

Lake Simcoe-Round the Lake, Barrie, Orillia Fall Colours (Colours)

We also recommend the nearby roads in and around Minden, Horseshoe Valley, Collingwood, Blue Mountain, Meaford, Eugenia, Flesherton and the Beaver Valley.

  More northern Ontario autumn colour routes.


Even if you are too busy to drive out it is possible to bring
the vibrant fall colors to you with the Fall Foliage App for iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

CardFlick App - exchange and keep your contacts up to date

An old saying goes  - "all work and no play makes jack a dull boy"

Try CardFlick App alongside your Bell Business Apps   

CardFlick iPad App makes it easy to exchange contact details and keep them up to date.
Andriod version to be launched soon.

Books or Not

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 was a major milestone for the book.  The ability to reduce the months required to carefully copy by hand the content of each book to produce a new one was revolutionary.  For individuals the mass production of  typewriters  in 1868 and the computer in 1981 made it possible for them to write and print their own compositions.

Since the advent of the computer there has been a move toward digitally storing existing books, documents and artworks.

Schools and colleges are moving away from the printed word.  Issuing students with iPads which have already been preloaded with all the required course material.  Study, homework assignments and test papers are being distributed and completed online.

Offices rely on the electronic transfer of information to increase productivity and to create digital records. Company books are for many now stored in computer accounting programs.   Newspapers and magazines have online versions accessible to 'on the go' readers.  Even restaurants using iPads are testing computerized menus and order systems.

Book readers are designed specifically to be easy to read in all light conditions and feature conveniently placed navigation buttons. Some of Amazon's Kindle e-book readers incorporate E Ink technology which saves power and provides a non reflective screen making it a positive user experience.

Although books are still being published and printed, they are now also being made available to download either for reading on specific devices or for printing out.  Printed books, magazines and newspapers will probably become treasured items in the same way that vinyl records did.



Photo Credit:  Image: zole4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

iPads replacing restaurant menus

iPads being used in place paper menus is restaurants.  
One of the first restaurants to implement the change was  do at The View in Atlanta.

Canadian restaurants are taking advantage of this tabletop technology allowing customers to place their orders via iPads.  Lift Bar and Grill  (Vancouver) took part in four week LiveMenu iPad trial, developed by Binnj, based in London, Ontario, back in April 2011.


The advantage to the iPad menu is the ability to view further information about the wines and winery.  Information can also be viewed by price, vintage, winemaker etc. 


As outlined in the article  e11even goes digital, making the selection process much more personal and with the accompanying images more engaging than reading a menu description, has proved a big hit with customers.


Sources:
do at The View
Restaurant News
Restaurants Toronto.com
Lift Bar and Grill.com

Skype for iPad

FInally Skype for iPad (iOS4 or later) has been launched, the application is available as a separate download.  Sykpe enables users to easily chat via voice, text or video chat with other Sykpe subscribers regardless of the platform (Computer, smart phones, i Phones, tv etc.,)

Skype for iPad App

G-Form Extreme Sleeve for laptop or iPad

If you're heading out to the cottage and taking your laptop, notebook or iPad investing in a protective cover   or sleeve males sense.


The G-Form Extreme Sleeve is unique in that it made from a gel like material which on impact due to Reactive Protection Technology (RPT) stiffens the material, effectively absorbing the energy of the impact.

visit G-Form

SmartSnap Connection Kit for Smart Cover

When iPad2 was introduced one of the new innovations was the Smart Cover, which was designed for iPad2.  The magnetic Smart Cover can function as a cover and keyboard or movie stand.

Many first generation iPad users wanted to buy the protective cover, which retails for $45.00 but there was no suitable attachment method.

Smartfix Co have created the Smartsnap Connection Kit which can be fitted to older iPads allowing them to make use of the Smart Cover.

iPad2 to be released in Canada 25th March 2011

Today saw the launch of iPad2  to be released in Canada 25th March 2011
Comparison Chart

Price - From $499 US to $829

Also introduced -

• Smart covers -   a sectional magnetic cover to protect your screen. that can control sleep functions and auto clean your screen - available in a range of colors.

• HDMI Compatability

• Auto orientation with lock switch preference setting.

• iPad2 to incorporate Photo Booth,  Facetime and Garage Band

Image Credit  - Greg Kumparak  -

Mobile Crunch - Live Blog

Bump for iPhone or Android

Bump is an easy way to share photos, music, contacts, calendar events, text messages, and connect on social networks.  To use this app both smart phones need to have the app active - then simply bump them together to transfer data. iPhones and iPads can get Bump via iTunes Apps store, Android users can get the app through Android Market.

Visit Bump 


Image credit to Bump Technologies Inc

Apple iPad 2 - smaller screen

In response to the Samsung Galaxy Tab  and 7 inch screen size tablet computers.  Apple are now working on the iPad 2. The new model will feature a smaller screen.  Rumor suggests that the iPad 2 screen size will be approximately half the current iPad's  9.7 inch screen size.

No date has been given for when iPad 2 will be launched.