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Why iPad Can't Replace Laptop: No Trackpad
iPad Users and Others Risk Pinch Grip Syndrome - EyeGrip Tablet Holder Deemed Medically Advisable Option
Appigo Notebook Now Available for iOS Devices; Includes Dropbox Note Sharing
Apple's Profits Exceed Google's Total Revenue
Apple CEO: 'Amazon Fire Didn't Dent Our Sales'
Apple Now Largest Computer Maker, Sold More iPads Alone Than HP sold PCs
Apple And The American Economy
Crimson Announces New Colors and Finishes Added to Its Aluminum Frame Case for iPhone 4/4S
Brother Color Inkjet All-in-One Units Now Support AirPrint
Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition 8.2in Display Tablet Review
Why iPad Can't Replace Laptop: No Trackpad
CNET's Scott Stein says that truth to tell, he hasn't been thrilled with any iPad keyboard case solution, despite testing and reviewing about half a dozen of them.
He says he doesn't use his iPad during mission-critical trips to trade shows and live-blogged events or as a laptop replacement. Stein notes that while iIdeally, having an ultraportable, flexible device with a long battery life , but the iPad isn't it, and of the several reasons it won't work right now, the biggest by far is the good old-fashioned trackpad - or rather the iPad's lack of one.
Stein notes that while adding a keyboard to an iPad solves the problem of basic text entry, when you have to edit a document, or create a blog post with embedded links, or do simultaneous web research and writing, or do anything more than text entry and a few other commands, you're still obliged to reach up and touch the iPad's screen, which neither ergonomic nor time-efficient when you have the iPad propped up and a keyboard attached (as even the late Steve Jobs observed), which is why touchscreen laptops haven't taken off, and why no iPad keyboard case can replace the experience of working on a laptop. As he puts it, "I could go grocery shopping on a bicycle, but it doesn't mean it's as easy as using a car."
For the full commentary, visit here:
http://cnet.co/yQ9sA2
iPad Users and Others Risk Pinch Grip Syndrome - EyeGrip Tablet Holder Deemed Medically Advisable Option
Introduced this week by Capsicum Sports, the new EyeGrip tablet accessory ( http://eyegripstore.com ) provides users with a simple, ergonomic alternative for holding tablets while lowering the risk of developing this condition.
EyeGrip is a single-hand tablet holder with a built-in universal tripod mount. The understated, low profile handle and tripod mount is designed to not compromise the original sleek design of the iPad or other tablets, and is easily detachable for regular desktop use, using a patent pending design. Prior to the EyeGrip, there were few inexpensive options available for mounting a tablet to a tripod for photography, video and presentation purposes.
Tenosynovitis is a painful inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Although this inflammation is commonly due to repetitive motion such as knitting, playing an instrument, or chopping with a knife, it can also be caused by little or no motion at all. The mere act of pinching an object with sufficient force for a prolonged period of time has been shown to cause this disorder.
Dr. Randall West D.O. of Folsom, California, has recently diagnosed a number of patients with DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis. In all cases, they appear to be related to the continuous pinching force required to hold an electronic tablet.
"Recent cases have appeared that have been diagnosed as being caused by holding an electronic tablet using a pinch grip with one hand while typing with the other. The forces exerted by the thumb required to counteract the cantilevered mass of the tablet, coupled with the downward pressure from typing with the opposite hand, are quite significant. An alternate means of supporting the tablet is preferred over using the pinch grip," explains Dr. West.
"The EyeGrip product is a medically advisable option for users of tablet devices to prevent this disorder, which can be painful and debilitating," adds West.
EyeGrip Features:
• Single hand tablet holder with built-in tripod mount.
• Compatible with iPad and other electronic tablet devices.
• Eliminates "Pinch Grip" hand fatigue.
• Installs in seconds. Simple and secure.
• Detachable strap holder/tripod mount.
• Ultra-thin base supports landscape and portrait orientations.
• Adjustable Velcro strap.
• Includes four polyurethane corner bumpers.
• Compatible with the iPad Smart Cover.
• Patent Pending Design.
The EyeGrip is compatible with nearly all electronic tablets and has proven to be a useful tool in the workforce, especially to those who have taken their business mobile. Real estate agents, sales reps, medical personnel, retailers and athletic coaches are just a few of the many professionals that have already embraced the simple functionality of the EyeGrip. Manufactured in the USA, the EyeGrip retails for $19.95 and is now available online (free shipping and handling):
http://www.eyegripstore.com
Appigo Notebook Now Available for iOS Devices; Includes Dropbox Note Sharing
Appigo has announced that its Notebook app is now available as a Universal iOS app designed for iPad as well as the iPhone and iPod touch. Initially created for individual users, Notebook 2 is also redesigned with sharing in mind. Notebook's new Dropbox synchronization feature gives users idea collaboration across iOS devices, Macs, and PCs.
"Notebook is what the built-in notes app should have been," says Calvin Gaisford, Appigos CEO. "We've taken the concept of simple notes and added a powerful collaboration option."
Appigo redesigned Notebook for the iPad, adding a familiar notebook interface with full-screen editing capabilities. Notebook's iPhone interface has also been updated to be cleaner for quick access to notes. As a universal app, Notebook is now a cost effective app for users with multiple iOS devices.
Dropbox support in Notebook helps users easily share ideas with others. After connecting with a standard Dropbox account, sharing becomes automatic. When a user saves a note in a Dropbox shared folder, the note is synchronized to the users Dropbox account, accessible from other iOS devices, Macs, and also PCs.
Notebook keeps notes open and accessible by storing notes in standard text format. The standard text format allows users to edit notes on their PC and Mac using text editing apps such as the Notepad app for Windows and Text Edit on the Mac. Combining these apps with the new Dropbox synchronization helps users access their ideas everywhere and from any device.
Notebook is available on the iTunes App Store for $4.99 (USD). Notebook requires an Internet connection when using Dropbox, which may incur separate fees (contact your Internet Service Provider or cellular data provider for specific details).
Dropbox is a third party service and currently offers basic accounts free. Dropbox is available at:
http://www.dropbox.com/
For more information, visit:
http://www.appigo.com/
App Store:
http://bit.ly/xOqVt2
Apple's Profits Exceed Google's Total Revenue
In a Twitter tweet, Farhad Manjoo notes that Apple's Q1 2012 profits ($13 billion) exceeded Google's entire revenues ($10.6 billion).
You can check it out at:
http://bit.ly/xWUQwz
Sony Develops Next-generation Back-Illuminated CMOS Image Sensor For Smartphone and Tablet Cameras
Sony Corporation has announced that it has developed a new next-generation back-illuminated CMOS image sensor which embodies the continuous evolution of the camera. This image sensor layers the pixel section containing formations of back-illuminated structure pixels onto chips containing the circuit section for signal processing, which is in place of supporting substrates for conventional back-illuminated CMOS image sensors. This structure achieves further enhancement in image quality, superior functionalities and a more compact size that will lead to enhanced camera evolution.
Sony pledges to develop this next generation of back-illuminated CMOS image sensors and expand its product lineup, thereby contributing to the further development of user-friendly cameras and to shooting enjoyment.
Features of stacked CMOS image sensor
• Large-scale signal processing circuits required for higher image quality and better functionality are built-in
• More compact image sensor chip size
• Even higher image quality of the pixel section by adopting manufacturing processes specialized for superior image quality
• Faster speeds and lower power consumption by adopting the leading process for the circuit section
Background of development
The popularization of smartphones and other devices in recent years has been accompanied by an increasingly diverse use of camera functionality. This has brought heightened demand for more sophisticated cameras, to ensure adaptability to a wider range of scenes and Sony developed this stacked CMOS image sensor to meet such demand. In addition to the higher pixel numbers, superior image quality and faster speeds which conventional image sensors pursued, the newly-developed image sensors further achieve more highly-advanced functionalities and a more compact size, thus paving the way for enhanced camera evolution.
As the first step towards the commercialization of its new CMOS image sensors, Sony has developed a model with built-in signal processing functionality, an element that usually requires external embedment. Samples will be shipped from March, 2012. Accordingly, models have been developed with Sonys unique RGBW Coding function, which facilitates low noise, high quality image capture even in low light condition, and the proprietary HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie function, which achieves brilliant color even when taking pictures against bright light.
About stacked CMOS image sensors
Conventional CMOS image sensors mount the pixel section and analog logic circuit on top of the same chip, which require numerous constraints when wishing to mount the large-scale circuits such as measures to counter the circuit scale and chip size, measures to suppress noise caused by the layout of the pixel and circuit sections, and optimizing the characteristics of pixels and circuit transistors.
Sony has succeeded in establishing a structure that layers the pixel section containing formations of back-illuminated structure pixels over the chip affixed with mounted circuits for signal processing, which is in place of supporting substrates used for conventional back-illuminated CMOS image sensors. By this stacked structure, large-scale circuits can now be mounted keeping small chip size. Furthermore, as the pixel section and circuit section are formed as independent chips, a manufacturing process can be adopted, enabling the pixel section to be specialized for higher image quality while the circuit section can be specialized for higher functionality, thus simultaneously achieving higher image quality, superior functionality and a more compact size. In addition, faster signal processing and lower power consumption can also be achieved through the use of leading process for the chip containing the circuits.
For more information, visit:
http://www.sony.net/
Apple CEO: 'Amazon Fire Didn't Dent Our Sales'
The Register's Rik Myslewski reports that if sales of the Amazon Kindle Fire tablet bit into iPad sales during the holiday season, Apple CEO Tim Cook didn't see it.
"I looked at the data particularly in the US on a weekly basis after Amazon launched the Kindle Fire, and in my view there wasn't an obvious effect on the [iPad sales] numbers," Cook told analysts and reporters during a call after Apple announced its impressive first-quarter financial results on Tuesday.
To read more, click here.
http://bit.ly/wdzYKS
Apple Now Largest Computer Maker, Sold More iPads Alone Than HP sold PCs
Appleinsider's Daniel Eran Dilger reports:
Apple has surpassed HP in both computer unit sales and revenues for the first time, taking the top spot sooner than expected on record sales of iPads. Rather than losing sales to low priced tablets, Apple said it would "continue to innovate like crazy" in the tablet arena.
For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/zbSQqC
Apple And The American Economy
An essay in The Economist says the macroeconomic discussions that Apple's success prompts tend to be very curious things - a company that's been phenomenally successful, making products people love and directly creating nearly 50,000 American jobs in doing so, criticised for not locating its manufacturing operations in America. It isn't enough for Apple to have changed the world with its innovative consumer electronics. It must also rebuild American manufacturing, and not just any manufacturing: the manufacturing of decades ago when reasonable hours and high wages were the norm.
Or so goes one increasingly prevalent trope.
Reality is that as the New York Times recently cited the late Steve Jobs telling President Obama at a sit-down dinner at Silicon Valley last February, those jobs aren't coming back. Americans simply won't work 12 hour days six days a week for $17 a day like the folks who built iPhones and iPads in China currently do.
The Economist points out that Apple does continue to capture most of the value added in its products, with the most valuable aspects of an iPhone, for instance - its initial design and engineering - still being done in America.
That, however, doesn't address the problem of America's growing income inequality, and The Economist says that it's worth asking how the American government might alter its policies so as to make life better for middle- and low-skill workers in America at reasonable cost, noting that jobs matter, but whether they matter enough - and specifically whether these low-skill manufacturing jobs matter enough - to undertake major and costly government interventions in the economy, in the process potentially harming the effectiveness of America's innovative businesses, is the question with which American workers and leaders are now wrestling.
Much food for thought in this piece:
http://econ.st/AooVvO
Crimson Announces New Colors and Finishes Added to Its Aluminum Frame Case for iPhone 4/4S
Crimson has announced an exciting expansion to its Aluminum Fame Case (AFC) product line for the iPhone 4/4S.
Available online ( http:// http://www.crimsoncase.com and the through the Crimson Amazon store) and coming soon to a growing list of resellers around the globe, the AFC is a tputed as a secure, jewel-like enclosure that delivers extremely high levels of protection and aesthetics, worthy of the iPhone 4/4S itself.
"When we first launched the AFC, we thought we'd have a winner on our hands. But the response from both users and the press has been virtually overwhelming," says Ben Yang, CEO of Crimson. "So, we did what comes naturally to us. We took a great product and made it even better. Based on feedback from our users and resellers, we have expanded the AFC line...not just with new colors, but with new finishes as well including Chrome and an absolutely beautiful 24K gold-plated edition that has to be seen to be appreciated."
Weighing in at only 19 grams and CNC machined from aircraft-grade aluminum and engineering-grade resin, the AFC provides much needed protection without adding significant weight or bulk. The frames of the case cover the edges of the front touch screen and back glass plate of the iPhone 4/4S which, when combined with robust resin corner guards and integrated shock absorption, means that it is fully protected. Best of all, the AFC provides this protection while revealing not concealing the beautiful design and engineering of the iPhone 4/4S itself, leaving the camera, as well as all ports and buttons, open and fully accessible.
The Inevitable Antenna Question
The AFC provides its protection without touching the sensitive, side-mounted antennas of the iPhone 4/4S. Blocking of these antennas is so often the source of reception loss encountered with other aluminum case designs.
The AFC for iPhone 4/4S is immediately available in a variety of new colors and finishes:
• Anodized Silver
• Anodized Black
• Anodized Red
• Anodized Orange
• Anodized Purple
• Anodized Pink
• High-gloss, Polished Gold
• Chrome
• 24K Gold Plate
What's Included:
• Aircraft-grade anodized aluminum frame case with stainless steel Allen head screws
• Engineering-grade acetyl resin corner guards
• Two (2) spare stainless steel Allen head screws (just in case!)
• Allen driver for installation
• Microfiber cleaning cloth
• Installation instructions
• Each AFC includes a bonus set (front and back) of CRIMSON Film Surface Protectors (Anti-fingerprint)
Anodized (Red, Black, Silver, Orange, Pink, Purple): $39.95 (U.S. MSRP)
Polished (Gold): $39.95 (U.S. MSRP)
Chrome: $59.95 (U.S. MSRP)
24K Gold Plate: $69.95 (U.S. MSRP)
The AFC for iPhone 4/4S is available now for purchase at select retailers worldwide and at the CRIMSON Online Store:
http://www.crimsoncase.com
Brother Color Inkjet All-in-One Units Now Support AirPrint
Brother International Corporation has recently launched several color inkjet all-in-one products that support AirPrint. AirPrint is a wireless technology that allows users to print from their iPad, iPhone, iPod touch without having to first install a printer driver. The supported models include the MFC-J280w, MFC-J430w, MFC-J625dw, MFC-J825dw, and MFC-J5910dw.
In July, Brother released a new line of small office, home office inkjets that now support AirPrint. AirPrint is a convenient feature for busy small business owners who need immediate access to high-impact images and on the go information, such as realtors, event managers and architects. All future Brother wireless printers will feature AirPrint support.
For more information you can visit the website at:
http://www.brother.com
Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition 8.2in Display Tablet Review
V3's Khidr Suleman reports that Motorola's Xoom 2 Media Edition is a portable Android Honeycomb 3.2 tablet with an 8.2in display from Motorola that offers reasonable performance. Suleman prefers this device to the larger 10in Xoom 2, but says it is still not quite good enough to tempt him away from the iPad 2.
For the full review visit here:
http://bit.ly/AbqoAE
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