A hands-on look at using the Maps app on the Apple iPad, including new features such as terrain view and street view. pOriginally posted at a href=”http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10444044-49.html” class=”origPostedBlog”MP3 Insider/a/p
This week’s Apple iPad announcement gives us the perfect opportunity to discuss the future of publishing with Cliff Chiang and Jerry Ma, two graphic illustrators in the comic book industry. They join us in the studio today to talk about their collaborative project, “Secret Identities,” a graphic novel anthology of Asian American superhero stories.
Cliff Chiang and Jerry Ma of Secret Identities
(Credit:
CNET/The 404)
Growing up as an Asian Americans in the world of comics isn’t easy, especially when the only culturally identifiable characters you see are either stereostyped villains or hyper-sexualized women. As comic books quickly gain popularity here (although they are still not nearly as prevalent as in Japan), we’re starting to see a shift in the cultural perception of comic books, away from the chiseled, American superhero archetype. The artists behind “Secret Identities” navigate this sea change with stories equally rooted in Asian American history and individual experience.
Throughout today’s episode of The 404, Jerry and Cliff offer a unique perspective on the current state of the publishing industry and the move toward digital comic creation. As it turns out, neither of the guys are fans of the new iPad, but Jerry raises an interesting point about the practical application of the iPad in the hands of a parent. And although we didn’t have a chance to talk to them about it on the show, both are still considering the Modbook, an aftermarket Apple MacBook modified to work as a tablet computer.
We also love when guests bring us gifts, so look out for another contest for a chance to win a copy of “Secret Identities” (also available for purchase on BlackLava) that features custom sketches from Jerry and Cliff!
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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast
Last October, we would’ve never guessed that T-Mobile would bother to circle back with HTC on the myTouch 3G to craft a slightly modified version that fixes everyone’s single biggest complaint — the lack of an integrated 3.5mm headphone jack — but here we are now in January with that very product resting in our hands. Even crazier, though, is that the only version of the modified phone (or, at least, the only version announced so far) is a limited edition tie-up with Fender and pitchman Eric Clapton. Strange bedfellows, indeed — maybe just strange enough to work. Seriously, who doesn’t want a phone endorsed by one of the hippest, most storied brands of the 20th century?
Continue reading T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition impressions
T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The wearable mouse works on wireless, uses an optical laser, runs a week on a single charge, and is said to be pretty fast and accurate as it functions by aligning itself with the ligaments of your hand and wrist.
Some of Apple’s promotional material about the iPad implies the device’s Safari browser can load Adobe Flash content. However, demonstration units of the tablet, including the one presented by Steve Jobs, could not, and a consumer has already filed a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission alleging false advertising.
9to5Mac’s Seth Weintraub noticed that a Flash-based section of the NYTimes.com front page appears to load properly in the video above. The “Video” section of NYTimes.com that loads around the 1:15 mark is normally a piece of Flash content. Weintraub points out that the rendering and the resolution independence makes it look like the iPad really is loading Flash.
But that’s unlikely to be the case. If the iPad really did support Flash, it would be quite odd. Steve Jobs made no mention of Flash during Wednesday’s tablet event, and you would think he would highlight that since the lack of Flash for the iPhone remains an incessant complaint among customers.
Also, when Jobs demonstrated the tablet and showed NYTimes.com in the browser, it clearly reveals a missing chunk for where the Flash content is supposed to be. (Check out the keynote video at Apple’s website at the 13:10 mark.)
First noted by AppleInsider, a second example where Flash appears to be working on the iPad is a press image (right). It depicts an NYTimes.com slideshow that would require Flash support.
Adobe has already reacted to the iPad’s lack of Flash support, and you would think the company would know if Apple was really going to put Flash in the tablet. So while consumers can wish for adequate Flash support on the iPhone and the iPad, in the near term this seems like a pipe dream.
Paul Threatt, a graphic designer at Jackson Walker design group, has filed a complaint to the FTC alleging false advertising. His statement reads:
On the Apple iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices, Apple provides a proprietary web browser named Safari. On these electronic devices, Apple computer does not support the web browser extension commonly referred to as “Flash”. The Adobe Flash extension is a popular browser plug-in that has gained wide popularity due to its ability to easily display video and image based slideshows on the web.
In several advertisements and images representing the apple products in question, Apple has purposefully elected to show these devices correctly displaying content that necessitates the Adobe Flash plug-in. This is not possible on the actual devices, and Apple is very aware of that fact. Despite the controversial lack of support for Adobe Flash on these devices, Apple has elected to depict these correctly utilizing the Flash plug-in. This constitutes willful false advertising and Apple’s advertising practices for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the new iPad should be forcibly changed.
“I’m a huge Apple loyalist, so it kind of annoys me that they’re going and doing stuff like this,” Threatt told Wired.com. “Unless they’ve got something up their sleeve to actually give us Flash, it seems like false advertising in a big way.”
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Flash support or Threatt’s complaint.
Flash has already gotten Apple in trouble in the past. In the U.K., two customers complained that Apple was falsely advertising the iPhone in a TV commercial by saying “all the parts of the internet are on the iPhone” when the handset does not support Flash. The U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority deemed the ad misleading and pulled the ad.
In November 2008, Wired.com explained why it’s unlikely Apple will support Flash on the iPhone. We pointed out Flash was not allowed in the iPhone developers’ terms of service agreement, which stated, “An Application may not itself install or launch other executable code by any means, including without limitation through the use of a plug-in architecture, calling other frameworks, other APIs or otherwise…. No interpreted code may be downloaded and used in an Application except for code that is interpreted and run by Apple’s Published APIs and built-in interpreter(s).” (I don’t have access to the latest iPhone developers’ TOS agreement because it’s under strict NDA, but I doubt that clause has changed.)
We also noted allowing Flash would open doors to content that competes with apps in the App Store, so it would probably be in Apple’s best interest to shy away from the platform. Lastly, Flash would potentially introduce a slew of performance problems as well. Flash has been known for sporadic crashing and quickly depleting battery life, as well as security risks, which amount to many potential headaches for Apple.
Updated 1/30/10, 11 a.m. PDT: Apple has removed the image of the iPad showing the NYTimes.com slideshow from its home page. Apple has also updated its promotional video to show a missing chunk on NYTimes.com to reveal the lack of Flash support.
Updated 1:45 p.m. PDT: Weintraub has posted more information: “We’ve just got word from our source at Chiat/Day Media Arts Lab that they make fake optimized web pages for all of Apple’s commercials — which load faster. In this case they made optimized images to take the place of Flash and are redoing them as we speak.”
Updated 11:30 a.m. with Paul Threatt’s complaint filed to the FTC.
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Lenovo introduces AMD-based IdeaPad G455A for China originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Alienware didn’t drop too many details about how it was revising its M15x and M17x gaming lappies back at CES, but now both of those are finally ready to be ordered by the drooling masses. The “little” guy is available with a Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7 processor, your choice of a 512MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M or 1GB GeForce GTX 260M, a 1,600 x 900 or 1,920 x 1080 15.6-inch WLED panel, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 250GB HDD (or a 128GB / 256GB SSD for those with the coinage) and plenty of lights to go around. The big brother can be ordered with a Core i7-920XM processor, dual 1GB GeForce GTX 280M GPUs (or a pair of Radeon Mobility HD 4870s), optional Blu-ray drive and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Follow the links below if you’re eager to be first in line — the M15x gets going at $1,199 (and should ship early next month), while the M17x starts at $1,799 with a Core i7.
[Thanks, Joshua]
Alienware’s Core i7-equipped M15x and M17x now available to order originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Apple iPad looks to be a good digital photo frame or online video viewer. For that to work, however, you’ll need a way to lean the tablet at an angle–and that’s where the Scosche KickBack stand comes in. This polycarbonate and rubber hybrid case includes an integrated kickstand to hold the iPad either horizontally or vertically. It can even hold the iPad at a low angle to make onscreen typing more comfortable.
To keep you from dropping your new toy, the KickBack includes molded grips on the back for more secure handling. The case also comes with a screen protector and a cleaning cloth. Look for it in early- to mid-spring, along with a full line of other iPad accessories. The price hasn’t been given yet.
Apple didn’t just launch a new product with the iPad, but a new ecosystem. While the product is months away, many accessories are already being announced. iLuv is offering a large slate of products, including the iBG2000 water-resistant neoprene sleeve (shown). This lists for $19.99 and includes both solid colors and printed designs. All of them have a zipper close.
Other iLuv iPad accessories include the iCC806 Leather Case ($39.99), which folds open like a book and comes in black or pink; the iCC805 Casual Fabric Case ($39.99), which comes in three color combinations and is held closed by a vertical strap; and the iCC803 Ultra Thin Clear Case ($29.99), for those who want the beauty of their iPad to show through.
For something a little flashier, the iCC804 Ultra Thin Case with Tatz Graphics ($34.99) comes in pink, red, or black; the iCC802 Flexi-Clear Case with Dot Weave Pattern ($29.99) has a modern look; and the iCC801 Silicone Case ($24.99) comes in a rainbow of bold colors.
Cor blimey! Sir Richard Branson sure is ambitious. Just when you thought conquering the final frontier was all that the Virgin empire was fixated upon, today it announces a new product for its Limited Edition retreats on Planet Earth — the Necker Nymph aero submarine. As the ‘aero’ part implies, the vehicle relies on “downward ‘lift’ on the wings” to counteract its positive buoyancy during its two-hour dives, which probably means it can’t remain stationary underwater while you grab nearby weeds or whatnot in those open cockpits. Still, given the chance, we suspect any mere mortal would be up for a spin if beached on Necker Island — ‘course, coming up with the $25,000 per week lease rate may prove to be an insurmountable task.
Virgin goes underwater with Necker Nymph aero submarine originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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