It's official, the next-generation Apple iPad is set for an unveiling on March 7.  Apple sent out the following invite to the press for the event at 10AM Pacific on March 7 at the Yerba Buena Centor for the Arts in San Francisco.
       As rumored, the invite pictured above suggests that the new iPad (not officially dubbed the iPad 3 yet as iPad 2S and iPad HD are sill possibilities) will sport a Retina Display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536, twice the amount of the iPad 2.  In order to power the higher quality display, the unit may be slightly thicker (sources say as little as 1mm thicker) to accommodate a larger battery.  Other expected features of the next iPad include an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, as well as 4G LTE support.

     The people at Liquipel have designed a coating that when applied in their machine will waterproof any electronic device with a coating.  The coating is breathable, which means that air can travel through the coating but water molecules cannot so you don't have to worry about your device overheating.  This will change the fragility of electronics around water like rain or accidental drops in puddles.  But is that a good thing?  With this technology people may not be as careful with their electronics and may be more prone to drops.

   What will this do to the case market?  People will most likely still buy a case to protect against drops but will not be looking to the new waterproof case from Lifecase.  Instead people will be able to purchase a small sleek case for minor drops and have the Liquipel coating to protect against water damage and still maintain that slim profile.

  You can send out your iPhone to the company and get the service done.  The main package cost $59.00 and can be purchased here www.liquipel.com.  Check out the video's below

Hey guys Just wanted to let you know that I am now in the Apple developer program and have access to iOS 5 beta and anyone with an iphone 3gs or newer, ipod touch 4th genereation, an ipad 1 and 2 that would like to have iOS 5 now can get it from me.  You can download the firmware from HERE but you will need to activate your devices UDID which allows iOS 5 to be activated through apple.  It cost money to be in the developer program so i am asking $10 for me to register your UDID.  If you would like to get iOS 5 just message me on facebook or in the comments below this post with your name and let me know you want it and then donate $10 to my website through the donate button on the left and in the notes put your name so i know who gave me money.   DO NOT try and install iOS 5 without having your UDID registered or with will lock up your device and you wont be able to fix it.

To find out your UDID you can download a free app "UDID tool" or when you plug your device into itunes and when you click on your device.  Click on where it says serial number and the UDID should show up

To install on your device you will need iTunes Beta 4 which you can get from the link i posted above.

Then you will download the correct firmware for your device but download beta 4 instead of Beta 5 because beta 5 link does not work.

once you have installed the itunes beta and downloaded the correct firmware you will start itunes and plug in your device like normal and hit sync to backup your device.

After the sync you will hold control and click on restore which will bring up a window in which you select the firmware you downloaded and then follow the process on screen

Once you have install the firmware your device will prompt you to set up iOS 5 and when it ask you if you want to set up as new device or restore from backup you select restore from backup and then select the restore that says today and _:__ time.

after you are all finished installing go to settings, general and click on software update and with will update to beta 5 over the air without having to connect to your computer.

THAT SHOULD DO IT, Please share this so your friends with iphones have a chance to get iOS 5

Looks like the Next generation iPhone is coming out on 5th September, just a month away from now, according to the latest rumors circulating the industry. a very solid source has tipped that the next generation iPhone will be released on 5th October on Swisscom network, A Swedish carrier. But that’s not the main story, 5th October is just the rest of the world date, but the next generation iPhone will be hitting the shelves in US on 5th September a month before the worldwide launch, tells a Senior Executive at Swisscom.
Even though it is really difficult for us to differentiate between the truth and fake here, but if its the truth then it fits in line with all the previous rumors of a September release date (though it is not global). And also the source didn’t even mention if it is going to be the iPhone 4S or the whole new iPhone 5 released on 5th September. Still there are no official words by aPPle itself but If the September 5th date is true then we will be hearing a official announcement pretty soon because September is just a month away.

By Sam Oliver: Apple Insider


Apple continues to express interest in developing affordable technologies that could in the near future deliver an easy-to-use augmented reality platform to its iOS devices like the iPad through the use of split-screen software techniques or transparent display screens, company filings reveal.

Augmented reality (AR) is a term used to describe a live direct or an indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input, such as annotations, sound or graphics presented through an information layer. 

In one filing published for the first time Thursday by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and discovered byAppleInsider, Apple notes that despite strong academic and commercial interest in (AR) systems, many existing implementations are complex and expensive, making them unsuitable for general use by the average consumer. 

As part of its filing, Apple proposes that iPads could feature a split screen display that can be used to display an object or subject matter such as a live video feed from the tablet's camera on one side of the split, and computer-generated imagery identifying elements in that video feed on the second side of the split.

In one example shown, a user is viewing a live video of the skyline of downtown San Francisco in first display area, while object recognition is performed in real-time on a captured frame of the video to present information on the second display area, such as balloon call outs identifying the buildings or structures in the live video.

Software running on the iPad could utilize onboard positioning system such as GPS, WiFi, and Cell ID ,along with motion sensors to transmit information about the live feed to a network service, which could then spit back 3D models of recognized objects in the live feed that the user could navigate in real-time.




"For example, gyroscopes, magnetometers and other motion sensors can provide angular displacements, angular rates and magnetic readings with respect to a reference coordinate frame, and that data can be used by a real-time onboard rendering engine to generate 3D imagery of downtown San Francisco," Apple said. "If the user physically moves device, resulting in a change of the video camera view, the information layer and computer-generated imagery can be updated accordingly using the sensor data."

More specifically, the company provided an example where the user sets a marker via a pushpin on a building seen in the distance so that a driving or walking route can be computed in real-time and overlaid on the 3D computer-generated imagery to provide directions to that building from the user's current location.




Optionally, Apple added that the annotated live video, computer-generated imagery and resulting information layer can be shared via a Share Button with one or more other devices, and the AR displays of the devices can be synchronized to account for changes in video views. 

While the filing proposes an AR implementation utilizing existing technologies found on the iPad (and iPhone), a second filing from the company relating to the same subject matter is slightly more ambitious in that it proposes iPads with a display screen having a viewing area with a transparent portion that enables a user to view objects behind the electronic device by looking through the display screen.

The "transparent portion may encompass the entire viewing area, or only a portion of the viewing area of the display," wrote Apple engineer Aleksandar Pance, who is the sole inventor credited to the patent application titled "Transparent Electronic Device." He added that additional implementations could call for an iPad with two or more display screens (each having respective viewing areas with transparent portions) arranged in an overlaid or back-to-back manner, or two display screens whereby one display screen is partially opaque but displays a transparent window that's movable via multitouch input from the user. 

"These overlays whether in handheld or other electronic devices, may provide an 'augmented reality' interface in which the overlays virtually interact with real-world objects," Pance wrote. "For example, the overlays may be transmitted onto a display screen that overlays a museum exhibit, such as a painting. The overlay may include information relating to the painting that may be useful or interesting to viewers of the exhibit. Additionally, overlays may be utilized on displays in front of, for example, landmarks, historic sites, or other scenic locations. […] For example, a tour bus may include one or more displays as windows for users. These displays may present overlays that impart information about locations viewable from the bus.




The same filing also details a viewing routine that would allow a user to view both images and real world events simultaneously via a single display screen. For example, the viewing routine may allow for a portion of the display to be selectively transparent while the remainder of the area of the display screen is opaque.

"For example, display screen may include an in-plane switching LCD screen in which pixels of the screen default to an 'off' state that inhibits light transmission through the screen," Pance explained. "This may be accomplished by driving a voltage to zero to the pixels in an 'off' state (i.e., the pixels in an opaque region)" while "voltage could then be applied to pixels of the display screen to enable light transmission through such pixels (when desired), allowing a user to view real-world objects through the activated pixels of display screen, thus generating a window in the opaque region."

Apple said such futuristic displays screens may include an LCD having pixels that default to an "on" state allowing light transmission and which can be activated to render some or all of the pixels opaque. Alternatively, the company said that the screens could include an OLED.

Today was the WWDC conference presented by Apple.  They showed off the new Mac OS 10 Lion and iCloud, but my main focus of this post is iOS 5 with some of its 200 new features including the new notification system. Below are pictures from the conference and i will be giving a small description of the picture below each picture....

You can also watch the whole conference here - WWDC conference

Apple has just confirmed that its new mobile operating system iOS 5.0 will be announced at a keynote address during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference next week.

The keynote will be presented by Steve Jobs and a team of Apple executives. Also set for the stage is new Mac OS X Lion, the eighth version of the company’s operating system. iCloud, Apple’s new cloud service offering, will also be detailed at WWDC.

The conference will feature a series of technical sessions from Apple engineers designed to help developers make the most of the new systems. It’s unlikely that new hardware will feature.

the keynote takes place on June 6th at 10am in the US, or 6pm BST, which clashes with Microsoft’s E3 press conference.

Whether this is nothing more than coincidence or a deliberate move by Apple is unclear, but it’s certain to grab some attention from its rival, particularly if Jobs decides to discuss what these new operating systems can do for games on Apple’s services.

Apple’s iOS App store has just crossed the golden figure of 500,000 apps after combining the apps of iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. This milestone was compiled by 148Apps, Chomp, Chillingo and was posted in the form of a huge and interesting infographic to enlighten us on some of the milestones and trends on the way to the golden mark.
In January, Apple announced that they’ve reached the 350,000 mark and in about four months, they’ve achieved another 150,000 which is a milestone in itself. Games, Entertainment, Books, Education makes up the half of the milestone, which is a bi thing and almost 37% of the apps currently available on the app store are free.

If these numbers are accurate, then it suggests that the paid apps have generated about $34.3 billion dollars in revenue, i.e. 63% of 15 billion downloads as paid apps times average price of $3.64. Amazing when you think this market never even existed 4 years ago. These revenue numbers alone are worthy of a headline story.

Apple has finally released the long awaited white iPhone 4 after months of speculation, rumors and teases.  You can get your white iPhone 4 at Apple Store retailers AT&T, Verizon Wireless stores and select retailers.  The white iPhone 4 will be available for $199 for the 16 GB version and $299 for the 32 GB version with a new 2-year agreement.

We track the head of the user with the front facing camera in order to create a glasses-free monocular 3D display. Such spatially-aware mobile display enables to improve the possibilities of interaction. It does not use the accelerometers and relies only on the front camera.

iPad vs iPad 2: Dimensions and Weight


The first thing that you’ll notice between iPad and iPad 2 is the size. iPad 2 is thinner and smoother on the edges, being also a little bit smaller. The huge difference is the weight, where iPad 2 manages to be lighter than iPad, making it easier to handle and less solicitation for your hands if you are using it for a long time without putting it down. At this point iPad 2 has the advantage, while iPad stands behind with a little more weight and over-sized dimensions.

Battery lifetime


When it comes to battery lifetime, we have a tie situation because both iPad and iPad 2 shares the same battery which can provide 10 hours of continuous usage without recharging. It is a pretty good value, if you think that those 10 hours actually means uninterrupted usage of the processor by surfing on the internet, playing games, running different applications or just watching videos. In a stand-by mode, both iPad and iPad 2 can provide a 1 month period before recharging.

iPad vs iPad 2: Display


Even if iPad 2 is a little bit smaller than iPad, they share the same 9.7 inch display making it again a tie. It can display a 1024 x 768 resolution and it’s made from a fingerprint-resistant and scratch-resistant glass with a great response at the commands. The 9.7 inch liquid crystal display has two important sensors that adjust to ambient light and also the brightness so that you will see the same high quality images even if you move from indoors to outdoors. Nobody wins at this section, let’s move forward.

Operating System


iPad comes with the classic iOS 4.2.1, as its upgraded version, iPad 2, comes with an upgraded version of the OS: 4.3. The iOS 4.3 brings out a new feature that allows you to customize the side switch button. You can make it a volume button which allows you to toggle between volume on and mute, or to lock the screen in landscape of portrait view. This iOS is going to be available once the iPad 2 launches and the good news is that if you have iPad, you can upgrade it. Considering the last argument, we declare this a tie.

iPad vs iPad 2:Processor


As we can see from the table above, iPad 2 is equipped with new processor from Apple, which can only mean that it is faster. Its dual-core processor can make the difference when it comes on running multiple applications or playing games, but if you add the upgraded version of iPads Apple A4, Apple A5 system on a chip then you have a warranty of this new iPad 2 performance. After you will play a little bit on the new iPad 2, you’ll start to refer at iPad as ancient. This section is won by iPad 2!

Memory


Here, the iPad 2 has 512MB of ram compared to the 256MB of the iPad 1 which is twice the memory.  The iPad 2 wins this round

Camera


With no doubts iPad 2 wins this section because, as you know iPad has no front or rear cameras and iPad 2 is equipped with a VGA front-facing camera and a 720p HD rear-facing camera, being optimized for video-calls.

Storage


Both models, iPad and iPad 2 can be purchased in a 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB version, so nothing new here. Without any further comments at this section: TIE!

iPad vs iPad 2: Wireless and Geolocation


Both models have the same specs at this section, Apple sharing the tech from iPad to iPad 2. This can only mean one thing: if it was applied for the iPad 2 it can assure us that it works well as you probably noticed on the iPad, if you used this function often. Tie at this section also



iPad vs iPad 2: Conclusion


iPad 2 will come trough AT&T and Verizon (the model with Wi-Fi + 3G) and its price will start from $499. As we could see from the confrontation above, iPad 2 definitely win it. Will Apple have at least the same success with iPad 2 as they had with iPad? We think that they will, but do you?

The iPad 2 was just announced today and will be available on March 11, 2011 here are some pictures from the conference showing you all the details.













thanks you engadget.com for the photo's from the live blog of event!

   Apple sent out press invites for an event they will be holding next week on March 2, 2011.  The invite (shown above) has the calender application from iOS devices with the date March 2 on the front, the invite shows the icon pealed back and showing the corner of the iPad.  Now there is no proof that it is the iPad 2 which is show but may as well be the 1st generation iPad letting us know that this is the date in which they show the awaited iPad update the iPad 2.  For months there have been rumors speculating what the new iPad will have in terms of changes, so here are some of the rumors than will most likely make their way into the iPad 2.


1: Dual camera's (front and rear facing)
      One of the most asked for items in the iPad by consumers is the addition of camera's.  This rumor is the highest probability of being in the new product because Apple wishes to have all their devices support Facetime video calls.


2: Thinner and lighter design
       With every new product, Apple tends to try and make them lighter and slimmer.


3:  Retina Display
       Apple released the retina display in the iPhone 4 which is the highest resolution screen in a mobile device.  This technology will most likely find its way into the new iPad


4: Dual core Processor
       The latest tablet computers released by Apples competitors have dual core processors.  Apple will  most likely announce their new A5 processor which should be a dual core processor or even a quad core processor which is possible, shown off by Sony in their new PSP2.

With the Motorola Xoom and many other Android based tablets coming out soon, the iPad 2 will have to step up its game.  Do to that there will have to be 3 major things it will have to accomplish.

1. It’s all about the cameras

A lot of early reports and speculations regarding the iPad 2 claimed that the Apple device may support a front and back facing camera. However, the Wall Street Journal claims that the iPad “will have at least one camera on the front of the device”.
Even if the camera has less mega-pixels when compared to these other Honeycomb tablets, this will be okay because Apple has shown that the specs do not always matter. However, what does matter is having 2 cameras. Lets face it, people like taking pictures and they are not always concerned with taking pictures of themselves.
Current Honeycomb tablets support 3D pictures and 1080 HD recording. Apple must compete with this one way or another.

2. Making the iPad 2 less like the iPhone and iTouch
If i ever admired an Apple fan-boy for what ever reason, the reason would have to be because of the unity the comes with their devices platform. Apple’s products have a sort of “seamless” integration with one another. This can be accomplished without having all devices look the same. Apple, however has not been able to see this. This is where it starts to go downhill.
Imagine this; You have an iPod Touch and now you need to get a phone. You say to yourself “the iPhone is so similar to the iPod Touch. The only difference is that it can make calls.” So then you go and get yourself either an Android phone or a Windows mobile phone. I have seen this happen already.
So having, what I like to call an over grown iPod Touch that does less then the actually iPod Touch while having another iOS device, I find to be kind of pointless. Don’t think I’m being biased here because I feel the same way about the Samsung Galaxy Tab and all other Android tablets that run the same software as my Android powered phone. I also do understand that the iPad has subtle differences and has its own App store, but is that enough?
Current tablets that run Honeycomb run on an Android platform but the experience is of its own when compared to the Android phones. Google has done a great job in optimizing the Android Honeycomb experience. Even Motorola took full advantage of this in an ad that they also used to attack both the iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Apple needs to completely re do the iOS on the iPad and make it more tablet like. A bigger screen is nice but for the price they want us to pay it isn’t worth it.

3. The iPad 2 will need to evolve into a true gaming platform
Whether it be Android, iOS or the not so up and coming WM7, gaming has only taking off on these platforms because it is convenient. Lets face it, we don’t wake up in the morning with a craving mindset to play Angry Birds or Tap Tap and if you do I would suggest you seek some form of consoling because those games are “I am just playing this to pass the time” kind of games. These Honeycomb tablets are changing this however.
The Honeycomb tablets, so far all support dual core NVIDIA processors. This has already attracted major game companies that previously only made games for the Play Station 3 and has become fully compatible with these Honeycomb tablets.
If the iPad 2 is comfortable at the level of gaming it currently has then investing in the proper specs may not be a necessity but it simply cannot allow android to walk away as the superior gaming platform.
We wont truly know what the iPad 2 entails until Apple decides it is ready to “change everything” again. I suppose we will just have to wait and see.

This coming Thursday the Verizon iPhone is finally here.  The phone will be available at Verizon stores, select partner stores such as best buy, and of course Apple stores everywhere.  The iPhone goes on sale at 7am which matches AT&T's early release way back in june for the original iPhone 4.  If you pre-ordered a Verizon iPhone on February 3, it will be shipped to your home on the 10th.  Verizon has set a record for a sale of a cellphone in just 2 hours.

The 10 Billion applications have been exceeded.  Whether you are an owner of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, everyone has contributed to this success. Apple has responded that the person who downloaded the 10 billionth app will get a $10,000 gift certificate to spend on the AppStore.  Their name is not yet known, but Apple will unveil it soon.  From September 2009 to January 2010 there were 1 billion app downloads alone

Resolve Market Research complete a survey that looks at how the iPad is being used, and how the iPad is impacting other technology devices like e-readers, portable gaming consoles and netbooks.  The study was conducted online to a national audience.  #5 on the list is Game consoles, now people don't really know how powerful the current game consoles are so that on the list is questionable.  #4 is ipod/mp3 players, this survey must have not included anyone that listens to music while working out because my guess is that it will be pretty hard to work out with the iPad on your wrist. #3 is Laptops/netbooks, now most people do use laptops to surf the web as a mobile surfing tool, but it does not replace the editing tools or main software.  #2 is portable gaming devices, the iPad is a great portable gaming device that also has a 10" screen that no other portable do.  And #1 on the list is E-book readers, a lot of people have kindles and nooks but the only thing they are good for is reading.  You cannot surf the internet or play games or do work on them.

There are many reasons why not to get the Verizon iPhone just yet, but i want to point out some of the main ones here. The first reason is network instability, sure Verizon thinks its CDMA newtork can handle the onslaught of new iPhone users but the fact is that iPhone users are known to use twice the amount of data than android users. That might cripple the network on day one. The second reason is that you aren't going to be able to get your hands on one, there will be a limited supply just like the iPhone 4 launch for AT&T. The third reason is that Verizon's iPhone plan will be more expensive than AT&T. The final reason is unless you want to be Verizon and Apple's guinea pig then just wait for the iPhone 5 which should be announced within the next few months