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Poll Reveals iPhone 4S Is The Public’s Choice for “Best New Tech Gadget of 2011"
Apple To Launch Three-Tier iPad Model Lineup With iPad 3?
Why The iPad Camera Matters
SMB's Plan Massive Tablet Purchase Wave in 2012 - Mainly iPads
Apple To Increase Battery Capacity Of Upcoming High-end Version Of New iPad - Digitimes
Will Apple Keep Or Kill iPad 2 When iPad 3 Debuts?
Pad 3 Internal Parts Revealed?
The Galaxy Nexus 5.3" Tablet Enigma
Don't Use iPad Charger With iPhone - Apple
Argentinian iPhone Ban a Hoax
Team Canada Table Hockey Scores on iOS and Android
Poll Reveals iPhone 4S Is The Public’s Choice for “Best New Tech Gadget of 2011"
With 2011 coming to a close, SodaHead.com, a popular opinion temperature-taking Web community, has released results of a poll asking consumers which product was the Best New Tech Gadget released this year. Apple took the top two spots and a cumulative 64 percent of the total vote, with the iPhone 4S coming out the clear winner with 39% of the vote, followed by the iPad2 with 25%. Rounding out the top five were the Kindle Fire (17%), Nintendo 3DS (12%) and the Nook Tablet (7%).
Your editor will also risk the wrath of teeny-boppers and Lady Gaga fans by observing that I couldn't agree more with Sodahead poll respondents who pretty much nailed it by naming Justin Bieber the "Most Overrated Music Star" of 2011, with Gaga the runner-up. Nice to know there's still some critical discernment in popular taste.
An more expansive infographic, with the results of all of SodaHead's "end of year" polls, can be seen at:
http://bit.ly/u0Af3P
Apple To Launch Three-Tier iPad Model Lineup With iPad 3?
Digitimes' Yenting Chen, Ingrid Lee, and Jessie Shen's report that Apple is planning to unveil its next-generation iPad - which will come in two versions - at the iWorld trade show on January 26, 2012, is being hotly disputed on the tech Web, and contradicts a report by Digitimes colleagues Ninelu Tu and Joseph Tsai who project that the iPad 3 will arrive in March, consistent with broad commentariat consensus.
Chen, Lee, and Shen's report cites sources in Apple's supply chain partner firms predicting that the iPad 2 will be carried-over to compete directly with Amazon's kindle Fire in the entry-level market segment, while two new iPad 3 models will focus on the mid-range and high-end segments respectively.
They also say a rumored 7.85-inch iPad, wil be a no-show, with all models continuing to feature 9.7-inch screens but with QXGA resolution (1,536 x 2,048 pixels), and dual-LED light bars to strengthen panel brightness based on insider reports.
Panels are to be sourced mainly with Sharp, but with Samsung Electronics and LG Display supplying some screens. Additionally, the report says the iPad 3 will be powered by quad-core A6 processors from Samsung instead of the dual-core A5 CPU in the iPad 2.
Other iPad 3 enhancements are to be 5-megapixel and 8-megapixel cameras, and batteries with capacities as high as 14,000 milliampere-hour (mAh), the reporters note.
For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/vvZnf4
Why The iPad Camera Matters
Blogger Mike Cane says it appears that the main difference between two rumored iPad 3 versions will be that the high-end model will get an 8 megapixel CMOS image sensor similar to the one in the iPhone 4S, while the mid-tier version would get only a 5 megapixel unit a la the iPhone 4. The front camera in the iPad 2 is a miserable 2 megapixels, while the rear camera resolves less than a megapixel.
However Cane castigates those who contend that if you're using a 10-inch tablet as a camera for anything other than the odd emergency situation or when making a video call, you are "doing it wrong" as smug, short-sighted thinking. Your editor agrees. The argument that most people with iPads also have 5 to 8 megapixel smartphones isn't universally applicable, and anyway, as Cane argues, if he's got an iPad in hand and some action is taking place, he's not going to take the time to put it away and grab a camera or a cellphone, which would be really doing it wrong - his conclusion being that the iPad is a post-PC device and it needs a better camera to also make it a post-cellphone device.
Too true. I can think of lots of circumstances where I would prefer to use my iPad camera rather than dragging along my Sony Cyber-Shot if only the camera had decent resolution. Bring on the high-res iPad camera! - Ed.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://bit.ly/rQP51g
SMB's Plan Massive Tablet Purchase Wave in 2012 - Mainly iPads
Nearly three quarters of U.S. small and medium businesses (SMB) with fewer than 1000 employees have plans to purchase tablets over the next 12 months, with the iPad being the most considered tablet among those firms planning an upcoming purchase, according to The NPD Group's third quarter SMB Technology Monitor.
Among the SMBs surveyed by the market research firm, 73 percent said they plan to purchase tablets over the next 12 months. That's up from 68 percent in The NPD Group's second-quarter survey, and an overwhelming number, 90 percent, of all firms anticipate spending the same amount or more on tablets over the next 12 months. The average investment an SMB will spend on tablets is projected to exceed $21,000 over the next 12 months, but depending on company size, the intent and amount spent will vary substantially.
Among the larger firms (501 - 999 employees), 89 percent plan to purchase new tablets, up 8 percent from Q2 2011, and 95 percent plan to increase or maintain their spending levels. On average, these larger firms plan to spend nearly $39,000 on tablet hardware.
According to the report, smaller businesses, while also recognizing the importance of the tablet market, don't plan on purchasing or investing as much as the larger firms. Over the next 12 months, 54 percent of firms with fewer than 50 employees plan on new tablet purchases, with 89 percent expecting to increase or maintain spending. That investment, however, is a mere fraction of what the larger firms plan to spend. On average, businesses with fewer than 50 employees plan to spend less than $2,000 on new tablets in the next 12 months.
"Businesses of all sizes appear to be determined to capitalize on the tablet phenomenon," says Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at NPD. "The iPad, just as it is in the consumer market, is synonymous for 'Tablet' in the business market, leaving Apple poised to take advantage of the increased spending intentions of these SMBs. NPD's research shows that iPad purchase preference is higher among larger firms than smaller ones, which is an important indicator that Apple is gaining traction far outside its typical consumer space."
The SMB Technology Monitor is a quarterly survey, the most recent installment fielded September 2011. Firms with fewer than 1000 employees participated in the survey and answered questions relating to PC, server, printer, storage, networking, tablet, mobile phone, and software purchase intentions.
The new SMB Technology Monitor presents detail on the important small to medium business (SMB) market segment. Its interactive features let you filter the information the way you want to see it.
For more information about the SMB Technology Monitor and to download a free report, visit:
http://bit.ly/rXGnHu
Apple To Increase Battery Capacity Of Upcoming High-end Version Of New iPad - Digitimes
Digitimes' Aaron Lee and Steve Shen report that according to unnamed industry insider sources, lithium-polymer battery capacity for the high-end version of Apple's new iPad - (which Digitimes says is due to be unveiled in January - a widely disputed prediction) - will be increased to 14,000mAH compared with the 6,500mAH charge capacity of the current iPad 2. If this rumor is true, it will represent a revolutionary advance in tablet computer battery life, perhaps more than 24 hours uptime on a single charge.
However, official comment from Apple's battery suppliers Simplo Technology and Dynapack was not forthcoming.
Lee and Shen say Apple is fixing to unveil two versions of its next-generation tablet, targeting the high-end and mid-range segments of the market, according to their sources said.
For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/vvq5Pz
Will Apple Keep Or Kill iPad 2 When iPad 3 Debuts?
Digitimes' Ninelu Tu and Joseph Tsai report that while
Apple is rumored to be planning to carry over its iPad 2 model to compete in the entry-level tablet PC market against Amazon's Kindle Fire when the next-generation iPad 3 hits the market in March, sources in Apple's upstream supply chain are reporting that Apple's iPad 2 orders are dropping gradually, while orders for the new devices remain steady.
However, the order falloff does raise the quention of whether Apple is actually planning to phase out the iPad 2, something Tu and Tsai's sources say is still too early to tell.
For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/tPLkSX
Pad 3 Internal Parts Revealed?
Japanese blogsite Macotakara's danbo reports that TVC-Mall.com tried to check out the parts that are being sold for the iPad 3, including Dock connector part " three iPad Dock Connector Charging Port Replacement Flex Ribbon Cable Original, "parts for noise-canceling microphone cable" Mic Microphone Replacement Flex Ribbon Cable for iPad Original three," and volume control buttons cable/power Part "Power On/Off Original Flex Cable Replacement for iPad 3"i.
He notes that the noise-canceling microphone cable "Flex Cable Ribbon Mic Microphone Replacement for Original 3 iPad" resembles an iPhone 4S component, but differs from the iOS device is not having plug type connector joints, and its mating-type connectors are employed vertically. It also seems a guide hole is provided to secure the parts to the microphone.
As for the iPad 3 Dock Connector Charging Port Flex Cable Ribbon Replacement, danbo says he tried to connect to the existing cable Dock and had the impression that it stuck slightly shallower. While the 30pin size is unchanged, it seems that the connector is shorter than before.
For the full report (Japanese language) visit here:
http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/index.php?ID=15248
The Galaxy Nexus 5.3" Tablet Enigma
TechCrunch's Jordan Crook says when he and his colleagues first heard about Samsung's 5.3-inch Galaxy Note, they didnt really know what to do with it. "Is it a phone? Is it a tablet? Oh, look! A stylus!... It was weird."
However, he notes that apparently people like weird, with Samsung reporting that it has shipped over 1 million Galaxy Note's globally since the device launched back in September, and expects the numbers to grow once the Note is released in the U.S.
For the full report visit here:
http://tcrn.ch/vWm4nN
Don't Use iPad Charger With iPhone - Apple
Shanghal Daily's Rich Zhu says that Apple fans are being cautioned not to charge their iPhones through their iPad chargers although they are both produced by Apple Inc.
"We don't suggest doing that because of the different voltage. You had better use the iPhone charger," an AppleCare official told Shanghai Daily.
Zhu notes that reports online say that charging an iPhone using an iPad charger will damage the phonedue to overheating caused by higher-pressure voltage. The iPad charger puts out 10 watts while iPhone's is 5 watts.
You can also charge the iPhone through a computer's USB port.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=491338
Argentinian iPhone Ban a Hoax
Cellular News's Suzzie Christodulu reports that a story being circulated that Argentina has banned the import of Apple iPhones and BlackBerry smartphones, ostensibly due to their impact on currency rates, is a hoax.
For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/rJPbek
Team Canada Table Hockey Scores on iOS and Android
In partnership with Hockey Canada, Stinger Games brings Team Canada Table Hockey to Android and iOS devices. Relive your childhood spent playing table or bubble hockey with your friends in this face paced Red vs. White game. Showcasing realistic 3D physics using the Bullet Physics, with great graphics and challenging CPU opponents.
Based on Stinger Table Hockey, which was the No. 1 selling Paid App in Canada, Team Canada Table Hockey makes improvements in every area of the game making it a new experience. Improved physics, control and AI takes table hockey to the next level.
Bullet Physics provides physics simulation that recreates the speed and challenge of real table hockey, featuring a puck that has a life of its own. Used extensively on next generation consoles, Bullet Physics provides a unique gameplay experience for iOS and Android devices.
Challenge a friend to a game of table hockey over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Improve your skills with a selection of fun and simple mini-games, competing against other players worldwide to see who has the best skills using OpenFeint and Game Center Leaderboards. Track your table hockey career stats and earn achievements for your milestones.
System requirements:
• Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
• Requires iOS 3.1 or later
$0.99
For more information, visit:
http://www.stingergames.com/teamcanada/
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDTqvjx_9bE
App Store:
http://bit.ly/uGmwsZ
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