Some more Vaja cases for iPad

Here are some more cases for the iPad and this is not the end, since Vaja is expected to introduce even more in the near future.

READ MORE - Some more Vaja cases for iPad

iPad keyboard selection

The iPad is still more than a month away before arriving in Europe at the end of May (pre-orders start on May 10th), but I have already started choosing the accessories that I am going to buy with it. The first thing I am going to need is a keyboard, but which one? The Keyboard Dock or the Bluetooth one?

Today, I came across with a very interesting comparison by Macworld answering all the necessary questions.

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Cost

The iPad Keyboard Dock and Apple�s Wireless Keyboard each costs $69 (unless you�re a Mac user who already owns the Wireless Keyboard, in which case this decision is easy). But keep in mind that to use the latter, you�ll need some kind of dock or stand. You can use Apple�s iPad Dock, but that will set you back another $29.

If buying the iPad has busted your budget, an inexpensive dock alternative is a cheap book or document stand�before receiving my iPad Dock, I used a $5 book stand that had been sitting in a drawer for the past couple years. Going this route also lets you choose whether to position the iPad in landscape or portrait orientation. (The iPad Keyboard Dock and iPad Dock hold the iPad only in portrait mode.) With either solution�official Dock or makeshift version�you can connect the iPad�s dock-connector cable to charge or sync, although with a generic stand, you can�t connect headphones or speakers at the same time in portrait mode, since the headphone jack and dock connector are on opposite ends of the iPad. (Apple�s Docks provide an audio output.)

It�s worth noting that some iPad cases�for example, Apple�s $39 iPad Case and Incase�s $60 Convertible Book Jacket�also act as stands, but I haven�t yet seen a model that offers good positioning in both horizontal and portrait orientation. Winner: Keyboard Dock, unless you already own the Wireless Keyboard

Portability

For many users, an external keyboard will serve mainly as a �docking station� that you bring your iPad home to. But an iPad and an external keyboard together weigh less than most laptops, so for some people, the combination may be a desirable alternative to a laptop for lots of typing on the road.

So which is more portable? While there are some tiny Bluetooth keyboards out there, Apple�s Wireless Keyboard is the smallest I�ve seen that still provides full-size keys and a Mac layout, making it an ideal partner for the iPad. The Wireless Keyboard weighs only 11.4 ounces and is just three quarters of an inch thick in the rear; most of the keyboard is only an eighth of an inch thick, letting it slip easily into even a crowded bag�if your iPad will fit, chances are the Wireless Keyboard will fit, too. Of course, you�ll need some sort of stand or dock, but my cheap book stand weighs only 3.8 ounces and folds flat; Apple�s iPad Dock�which is 1.25 inches tall at the top of its cradle�weighs 5.2 ounces. So the total weight of Apple�s Bluetooth keyboard and a dock or stand will be somewhere between 15 and 17 ounces.

The Keyboard Dock, on the other hand, weighs a surprisingly heavy 21.4 ounces (see the next item), is 7.25 inches deep, and is 2 inches tall at the top of its dock cradle, making the unit bulky for carrying in a laptop bag. Winner: Bluetooth keyboard

Stability

One of the Keyboard Dock�s biggest advantages over a Bluetooth keyboard and a separate dock is stability. Thanks to its heavy, deep base and non-slip bottom, the Keyboard Dock is unexpectedly secure. The iPad doesn�t shake at all while you�re typing, and even when you tap the very top of the screen, you get only a tiny bit of wobble. This is a welcome feature considering that, even with the keyboard�s special-function keys (see below), you�ll be tapping the screen often. In a pinch, you even can place the Keyboard Dock on your lap; as long as you keep your knees together, you can type with decent stability.

Apple�s iPad Dock is more stable than I expected, but you get quite a bit more wobble than with the Keyboard Dock. My cheap book stand is actually sturdier than both, as the back of the iPad rests on a metal bar, but, again, you lose the benefits of Apple�s dock cradles. Winner: Keyboard Dock

Ergonomics and angle

I was surprised to discover that each of Apple�s two Docks holds the iPad at a noticeably different angle: The iPad Dock tilts the top of the iPad back approximately 10 to 15 degrees; the Keyboard Dock tilts the iPad back about 30 to 35 degrees. The greater angle of the Keyboard Dock is necessary because it places the iPad so close to you�the iPad must lean back a good amount to give you a good view of the screen. When using the iPad Dock, you can simply push the dock farther away for a better view.

Separating the dock and keyboard also gives you the flexibility to get the best ergonomics out of your setup: When at your desk, you can place the iPad at the proper height for a display, while placing your keyboard much lower�or even on your lap. Winner: Bluetooth keyboard

 
Special keys

The Keyboard Dock�s other big advantage is that it provides, in place of traditional function keys (F-keys), a number of special-function keys. Specifically, the top row of the Keyboard Dock�s keyboard includes dedicated Home, Spotlight, Picture Frame, Onscreen Keyboard, and Screen Lock keys, as well as keys for screen brightness (Down and Up), media playback (Back, Play/Pause, Forward), and volume level (Mute, Down, and Up). The playback controls control playback even when the iPod app is in the background.

Of those special keys, Apple�s Wireless Keyboard provides only the brightness, playback, and volume controls. It adds an Eject key, which acts as an Onscreen Keyboard key when used with the iPad, and an Escape key, which can be used only in limited circumstances�for example, to dismiss a suggested spelling correction instead of having to tap on the tiny onscreen X button. (The Wireless Keyboard�s fn key does nothing when used with an iPad.)

(I also tested a third-party Mac Bluetooth keyboard, MacAlly�s $70 BTkey. The BTkey worked well with the iPad, and has the advantage�a major one if you frequently work with numbers�of a numeric keypad. On the other hand, the BTkey has even fewer special-function keys than the Wireless Keyboard: just Volume Down, Volume Up, and Mute. As with the Wireless Keyboard, the Eject key brings up the iPad�s onscreen keyboard.)

As Dan Miller mentioned in his review of the Keyboard Dock, while its iPad-specific keys are convenient, they�re not as useful as they could be. For example, the Home key brings up the iPad�s Home screen�or, if you�re already looking at one of your Home screens, switches you to the first Home screen�but you still must tap the screen to launch an app. It would be great if you could use the arrow keys to select an app and then press Return to open it. And it�s worth pointing out that two of the Keyboard Dock�s four unique keys�Home and Lock�have counterparts on the iPad itself, and a third, Spotlight, can be approximated by pressing the iPad�s own Home button twice. Still, I found the Keyboard Dock�s special keys to be handy to have. Winner: Keyboard Dock, but barely

Flexibility

The Keyboard Dock offers the flexibility of being able to sync and charge your iPad while you work. However, as I noted above, you can largely do that with the Wireless Keyboard, as well. In fact, the Wireless Keyboard�s biggest advantage may be its flexibility. Even if you put aside the fact that the Wireless Keyboard can serve double duty�pairing with your Mac and your iPad�it just lets you do more: It�s convenient to use on the road, at home, or at the office. You have more flexibility in placement. You�ll be able to use it when your iPad is docked in one of the many iPad speaker systems we�ll soon be seeing. You can even use the Wireless Keyboard as a very basic remote control�if your iPad is playing music while docked, you can skip tracks and play/pause from across the room. And with the right stand or cradle, you can use the Wireless Keyboard even if your iPad is in landscape mode. (I expect to see a number of third-party docks that let you sync and charge in both portrait and landscape orientations.)

In fact, this last item points to the Keyboard Dock�s biggest limitation for me: Portrait mode is fine when typing in Pages or other apps where your documents tend to have a paper-like aspect ratio. But I use a good number of apps where I prefer landscape orientation when typing; Mail and Safari are just two of the most-obvious examples. And don't forget that the Keyboard Dock won�t accommodate an iPad in a case. Winner: Bluetooth keyboard

Decisions, decisions

For those who plan to do most of their external-keyboard typing in a single location, and whose documents tend to use portrait orientation, Apple�s Keyboard Dock is great for bringing the iPad home and plopping it in to type, sync, and charge. The Keyboard Dock is also surprisingly stable and offers a number of unique special-function keys. But for everyone else, I think Apple�s Wireless Keyboard is the better way to go: It�s better for travel, it can be used in a wider range of situations, and it offers most of the Keyboard Dock's special features. (Of course, If you�ve already got Apple�s Wireless Keyboard�or another Bluetooth keyboard�give it a try with the iPad; if you�re happy with it, you just need a dock or a stand.)

Source: Macworld

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READ MORE - iPad keyboard selection

Apple updates MacBook Pros

The time has come and my beloved MacBook Pro is already old. Apple updated its MacBook Pro lineup today with the long anticipated Arrandale processors, Core i5 and i7. However, the 13" MacBook Pros keep the Core 2 Duos, making me not to feel so bad, with modest speed increases and 10 hours  of battery life (instead of 7). Apple now also offers a 512GB SSD as a $1300 build-to-order option as well.

READ MORE - Apple updates MacBook Pros

Vaja expands its lineup of iPad cases

During the last few days, Vaja has expanded its range of iPad cases by adding a Limited Edition ivolution case, as well as the "ivolution Top Chrystal" with Swarovski crystals encrusted and the "ivolution Stripes" cases.

READ MORE - Vaja expands its lineup of iPad cases

My G Drive HDD finally arrived - first impressions

Back in February, I posted some nice stuff for your Mac, including an external HDD with FireWire 800 connectivity by G-Technologies. All this time, I was patiently waiting for it to arrive and yesterday, I got it on my hands.

If you really want to get a good external HDD with FireWire connectivity, then you definitely have to do some research as it's not easy, let alone having an eSata port as well. The G Drive offers great flexibility by providing 1x eSata, 2x FireWire 800 and 1x USB 2.0 ports. Also, it spins at 7200 rpm with up to 32 MB cache!

Although I didn't have much time to play with it and run speed tests, I will do so in the next few days, the G Drive looks the part by mimicking Apple's styling and the quality of the aluminium case feels good.

The kit contains a universal AC power supply, 1.6 m eSATA cable, 1.8 m FireWire 800 cable, 1.8 m FireWire 400 cable, 0.6 m USB 2.0 cable and a CD manual.

+

Interface flexibility

Slick design looking right at home with the rest of my Mac equipment

White LED indicating if the drive is powered up and when the drive is being accessed

Spinning at 7200 rpm

Formatted as Mac OS Extended, allowing to be used straight from the box as a Time Machine volume

-

No vertical stand

READ MORE - My G Drive HDD finally arrived - first impressions

Vaja reveals ivolution & ivolution SP cases for Apple iPad

Today, Vaja officially added the ivolution and ivolution SP cases in its range of cases for Apple's iPad. Both cases can be ordered and colour combos can visualised using the configurator. Even more cases are expected soon!

READ MORE - Vaja reveals ivolution & ivolution SP cases for Apple iPad

Vaja continues to tease with more colours

Vaja has already made available a leather jacket for the highly anticipated iPad, while during the last few days has teased us with a couple of photos showing a variety of upcoming cases (earlier posts). Now, not only Vaja has made available the configurator for the jacket, but has also published another photo showing its upcoming cases in new colour combos.

READ MORE - Vaja continues to tease with more colours

Infiniti to start publishing iPad version of adeyaka

Although Apple's iPad is not available yet, it seems that it's going to play an important role in publishing. A proof of that is the fact that adeyaka (????) � the multi-prizewinning customer magazine of Infiniti � will be available worldwide in a version developed specially for the iPad.

According to the press release, the Web version of the magazine (www.adeyaka.com) already set new yardsticks upon its publication in 2008, winning the gold prize in the �Best of Corporate Publishing Award� in 2009: the most important European distinction for corporate communication. In terms of content and design, the iPad version of adeyaka will orient itself towards the print edition of the magazine, but also offer the reader new and interesting opportunities of experiencing brand content, thus increasing the communications performance of the brand. adeyaka for iPad will be available from the Apple iTunes Store from May, 2010.

Andreas Sigl, General Manager Global Brand Innovation at Infiniti, was quick to realise that as a global premium brand, Infiniti would need to reach its very technically-aware target groups with an iPad version. �We were particularly convinced of being able to present the fascination of our brand in a completely new combination of editorial depth and media experience. Central sales of our iPad customer magazine via the Apple iTunes Store thus offer us for the first time the ability of reaching worldwide potential and existing customers with a single media.�

Says Berthold D�rrich, Managing Director of k�ckritzd�rrich, �By publishing the iPad version, we now � for the first time � have the opportunity of combining the benefits of the print magazine with the depth of state-of-the-art rich content, without the user having to change from the print version to the online version in the Internet, as was earlier the case. In this way, the Infiniti brand experience can be communicated with an intensity that was not possible before. Given the possibility of sharing these brand experiences with friends directly from the iPad on social networks such as Facebook, XING, LinkedIn or Twitter, the customer magazine becomes a very high �snowball factor� brand communications medium for our Client.�

�The iPad version of adeyaka will leverage many iPad functionalities to offer a completely unique reading experience, while maintaining the �look and feel� that already made adeyaka one of the most highly-acclaimed customer magazines,� says Lutz Suendermann who as Creative Director is responsible for the project.

Source: Infiniti Europe

READ MORE - Infiniti to start publishing iPad version of adeyaka

Vaja shows some more iPad cases

Here is a new photo showing even more upcoming Vaja cases for the iPad (earlier post). I really look forward to start customizing them!

READ MORE - Vaja shows some more iPad cases

More Vaja cases for Apple iPad coming in April

A few days ago, I made a post about a nice Vaja leather jacket for iPad (earlier post), the Retro Slim Jacket, which is currently available only in black-lime green colour combo.  Now, Vaja has shown a photo of another proper case expected to be available in April. Soon, more info will be available, so stay tuned!

READ MORE - More Vaja cases for Apple iPad coming in April

BlackBerry users fancy an iPhone instead?!

A survey of 1140 respondents, conducted by Sillicon Valley-based Crowd Science, revelaed that almost 40% of BlackBerry users "prefer Apple's iPhone for their next smartphone purchase".

Below are some other interesting results from this survey: 

• Brand loyalty for Android and iPhone are about the same at around 90%
• Only 9% of iPhone owners said they'd swap right now for a Nexus One, compared to 32% of RIM owners
• Following the launch of the Nexus One, 91% of iPhone users were aware of the phone, while 75% of BlackBerry users were aware of it
• 32% of iPhone owners use their phone only for personal use, whereas 28% of Android users, and 16% of BlackBerry users do the same
• Only 1% of iPhone owners use their phone only for business use, whereas 0% of Android users, and 7% of BlackBerry users do the same
• 44% of respondents owned a 'dumbphone', 17% owned iPhones, 15% carried BlackBerrys, and 3% used Android devices

Source: 9 to 5 Mac

READ MORE - BlackBerry users fancy an iPhone instead?!

A beautiful case for your iPad!

In the past, when PDAs were popular, I had a couple of iPaqs and a Palm. For the later one, I had done a lot of research in order to find a good quality case and at the end I bought a Vaja one. Vaja cases may be expensive, but bare in mind that they are customised and built to order.

Vaja is producing leather products for a wide range of electronic devices (MP3 players, notebooks, phones, digital cams etc) and as you may expect, Vaja has already released a leather jacket for iPad and more products are expected soon. The specific jacket is available in the colour combo you see in the photos, for the time being, and costs $120.

READ MORE - A beautiful case for your iPad!

Soon, Apple's iKey may be the only thing you'll need to unlock all doors!

It's amazing how successful iPhone and iPod are. Even in a Bentley Mulsanne you can find a port in order to connect your iPod! So, what's next? The Telegraph claims that Apple has plans to replace the traditional door key with a hi-tech alternative.

According to the article, this developing technology, nicknamed the iKey, will allow people to use a single electronic device to unlock their car, front door and gain access to their office. It's all going to be a matter of entering a pin code and wave the device over an electronic pad fitted beside a door to open it.

iKey was revealed in a newly published patent application, which has generated speculation that the next model of the iPhone will contain this feature. It exploits a technology known as Near Field Communication allowing electronic devices to transmit information between each other when in proximity.

Apple filed the application with the US Patent Office. It states: "The device can communicate with an external device to open a lock. By way of example, the electronic device may be a model of an iPhone.

"The external device may be any suitable electronic device such as a portable media player, personal data assistant or electronic lock that may be used to access a door, car, house or other physical area."

READ MORE - Soon, Apple's iKey may be the only thing you'll need to unlock all doors!

Apple announces iPad availability

Following rumours about a possible delay on the availability of Apple's iPad (earlier post), due to supplier issues, Apple announced today that iPad will be available in the US on Saturday, April 3, for Wi-Fi models and in late April for Wi-Fi + 3G models (on March 12, US customers can pre-order both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models from Apple�s online store). In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April.

Source: Apple

READ MORE - Apple announces iPad availability

What is going on with mobile apps

Since the introduction of smartphones and Apple's iPhone, there is a boom in the available mobile apps. I always used to own a PDA, but I had to wait for almost fours years in order to find a new model, since I never fancied a device combining PDA and mobile phone functionality. Palm stopped producing them and focused on Treos, while it took ages for HP to introduce new models and now, I don't think HP will ever replace its lineup.

The big business nowadays is smartphones and it is interesting to see what is going with mobile apps. In terms of quantity, Apple's store and Google's Android market are in the lead. The later one though has a faster growth rate relative to the number of apps housed. According to the report, "Android�s growth is picking up with 3,000 new apps per month (15 percent). Apple is growing with about 14,000 new apps added per month (9 percent)". One other interesting point is that Android has the most free apps. 

With Android becoming better and better, soon you will be able to find also decent hardware coming with Google's OS and thus, Apple has to try hard in order to continue to be in the lead.

Source: ReadWriteWeb via Wired

READ MORE - What is going on with mobile apps

First details about the upcoming Apple MacBook Pro 2010 emerge

Many of us thought that 27th February would be the date when the new MacBook Pro would be revealed, but it ended up to be iPad's solo debut. The next day, I went with relief to buy my Mac (earlier post) knowing though, that the inevitable will happen. Soon it will be replaced.

Anyway, a screenshot showing memory modules for the MacBook Pro 2010 is a proof that suppliers are getting ready... and where there's smoke, there's fire. The memory frequency has been raised from 1066 MHz to 1333 MHz.

In therms of new applications, expect Apple to reveal iLife '10 (I suppose that the new MacBook Pros will ship with the '10 version) and iWork '10.

Source: ThesMaC via we want Apple Greece

READ MORE - First details about the upcoming Apple MacBook Pro 2010 emerge

Short review of my Apple MacBook Pro & Magic Mouse

I have my lovely MacBook Pro for almost a month now and although I am sure that there are still many features to discover and learn, I am going to write a short review.

It was back in 2000, when I first saw the iBook and I immediately wanted one. Since I wasn't much into computers back then, I tried to find out what was so special about Apple computers, but at the end, due to the fact that I needed to run engineering software, I didn't buy it. I could have used an emulator, but a solution like this wasn't adequate for running CAD & FEA software.

Anyway, since then I bought three laptops and one desktop pc, all with Windows OS, but in the meantime, since I couldn't stand the awful OS, I was also using Linux for my daily tasks. Now, since I am not working with FEA software anymore (bad choices in life...), I finally got my first Apple product, a top-spec 13.3" MacBook Pro. Needless to say that I couldn't resist buying the Magic Mouse as well.

When I first opened the box I was simply amazed. We are talking about serious quality here. Everything appears to be well thought out and simplicity is something you immediately start appreciating. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I have summarized below the pros and cons.

Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" (mid-2009 edition, 2.53GHz MB991LL/A)

+

built-in stereo speakers

LED-backlit widescreen

backlit keyboard

aluminium unibody enclosure

amazing small perforations created by laser drill

battery life + adaptive charging

battery charge indicator even when the laptop is switched off

MagSafe power port (meaning that the power connector is held in place magnetically) 

performance (it's fast!!!)

spotlight search functionality

cover flow view in Finder

dock appearance and magnification 

ease of program installation

you press the "shut down" button and after 2-3 seconds it's dead

... and many more amazing features that cannot be described... you have to use a Mac to understand

-

rather strange management of the photos by iPhoto. Picasa works much better for me
monthly installments on my credit card 

Apple Magic Mouse

+ 
multi-touch surface feels so good

scroll in any direction with one finger
functionality using MagicPrefs, such as customised taps etc.

"slow down when you're moving slow" kind of thing

-

rather small in size for my hand

mouse pointer speed was seriously slow, but using MouseZoom things got better

no carrying pouch
occasionally it loses connectivity *

* according to an article, this is related to the design of the MacBook Pro: "Unfortunately, the problem seems to be endemic to the design of the Mac Pro itself. It appears that the Mac Pro�s Bluetooth antenna is hidden on the underbelly of the machine, under a plastic cover. According to Mac site HardMac, this causes the Mac Pro to have much spottier Bluetooth reception than other computers with better placed Bluetooth antennas, and the Magic Mouse is particularly fussy about it."

Verdict

It worths every penny!!!

What's next?

An iPad of course, in order to replace my iPaq ;-)

READ MORE - Short review of my Apple MacBook Pro & Magic Mouse