Jan 29
As expected, Apple let a 128GB iPad out of the bag today. And there’s almost zero chance you should buy it. More »
Jan 29
Apple Debuts 128GB Fourth Generation Retina iPad, $799 For Wi-Fi, $929 For Wi-Fi + Cellular, On Sale Feb. 5
Posted in: Today's Chili
Rumors turned out to be correct, and Apple has launched a 128GB version of the fourth generation iPad with Retina Display. The 128GB version comes in both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular versions, and will be available Tuesday, February 5 from Apple retail, Apple online and Apple authorized resellers in both black and white.
Apple’s 128GB fourth generation iPad is designed to cater to users with greater storage demands, like enterprise users, creative professionals and those in the medical industry, according to details shared in the official press release announcing the new model.
With more than 120 million iPads sold, it’s clear that customers around the world love their iPads, and everyday they are finding more great reasons to work, learn and play on their iPads rather than their old PCs,” Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller is quoted as saying in the release. “With twice the storage capacity and an unparalleled selection of over 300,000 native iPad apps, enterprises, educators and artists have even more reasons to use iPad for all their business and personal needs.
Apple also includes testimonial quotes from an AutoCad VP, the CEO of professional audio company WaveMachine Labs, and professional sports analytics company Global Apptitude. It’s likely a good strategy to aim this at those kinds of customers, given that with a price tag this high, the number of general consumers such an option would appeal to could be quite limited. Apple should make much more money on this particular SKU, however, given that generally its profit margins increase as storage capacity goes up on iOS devices.
A mid-cycle capacity bump is an unusual move for Apple, which, especially with iOS devices, has generally stuck to a fairly regular update schedule where devices get more extensive hardware changes roughly once a year. I said in our post about 9to5Mac’s pre-release leak on a 128GB version of the Retina iPad that this actually makes sense for a number of reasons, however, since it injects some new life into a device that was last updated in October and likely won’t see another major update for at least another six months. Plus, it differentiates the iPad further from the iPad mini, and could put the tablet even more in competition with ultraportables and other PCs now using flash storage in similar capacities, but with much higher price tags, especially in those industries singled out by Apple.
The news isn’t a complete surprise thanks to 9to5Mac’s reports from retail sources. Traditionally, the site has had solid info about Apple’s new product pipeline, and this time proved to be no exception. But it is rare that we get a chance to see an Apple rumor hit the web and then get confirmed in such quick succession.
Jan 29
Apple boosts fourth-generation iPad to 128GB for $799 (update: carrier support)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Apple’s iPad line has topped out at 64GB since it was born. That perennial ceiling has been smashed: the company is hiking the capacity of the fourth-generation iPad to a whopping (and only recently rumored) 128GB. The hardware hasn’t otherwise changed and preserves both the performance and dimensions that we already know. The WiFi and cellular versions get equal treatment, although we’ll pay dearly for the increase at $799 for the base WiFi version and $929 for the cellular edition. Both of the extra-capacious tablets will be available February 5th.
Update: Not that there was much doubt, but Sprint has confirmed that it will be stocking 128GB cellular iPads. AT&T and Verizon haven’t chimed in, although it’s safe to presume they won’t let Sprint have the new storage option all to itself.
Apple Increases iPad with Retina Display to 128GB
Offers Twice the Storage Capacity to Create & Enjoy Even More Incredible Content
CUPERTINO, Calif., Jan 29, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Apple(R) today announced a 128GB* version of the fourth generation iPad(R) with Retina(R) display. The 128GB iPad with Wi-Fi and iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular models provide twice the storage capacity of the 64GB models to hold even more valuable content including photos, documents, projects, presentations, books, movies, TV shows, music and apps.
“With more than 120 million iPads sold, it’s clear that customers around the world love their iPads, and everyday they are finding more great reasons to work, learn and play on their iPads rather than their old PCs,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With twice the storage capacity and an unparalleled selection of over 300,000 native iPad apps, enterprises, educators and artists have even more reasons to use iPad for all their business and personal needs.”
iPad continues to have a significant impact on business with virtually all of the Fortune 500 and over 85 percent of the Global 500 currently deploying or testing iPad. Companies regularly utilizing large amounts of data such as 3D CAD files, X-rays, film edits, music tracks, project blueprints, training videos and service manuals all benefit from having a greater choice of storage options for iPad. The over 10 million iWork(R) users, and customers who rely on other incredible apps like Global Apptitude for analyzing team film and creating digital playbooks, Auria for an incredible 48 track recording system, or AutoCAD for drafting architectural and engineering drawings, also benefit greatly from having the choice of an iPad with more storage capacity.
“Our AutoCAD WS app for iOS was designed to give customers seamless access to their designs anywhere, anytime,” said Amy Bunszel, vice president of AutoCAD products for Autodesk. “These files are often large and highly detailed so having the thin and light iPad with its Multitouch display, integrated camera and all-day battery life, is a real advantage for iPad users to view, edit and share their AutoCAD data.”
“The features and capabilities of iPad give us the ability to set a new standard for multitrack recording and editing on a mobile device,” said Rim Buntinas, WaveMachine Labs’ CEO. “Users of the Auria app can play 48 mono or stereo 24bit/96 kHz tracks simultaneously, record up to 24 of those tracks simultaneously, and also edit and mix with familiar tools. With its portability and all-day battery life, iPad has revolutionized recording for audio professionals allowing artists to record anywhere.”
“The bottom line for our customers is winning football games, and iPad running our GamePlan solution unquestionably helps players be as prepared as possible,” said Randall Fusee, Global Apptitude Co-Founder. “The iPad’s unbeatable combination of security, being thin and light, having an incredible Retina display and also being powerful enough to handle large amounts of data enables us to deliver a product that takes film study to a new level and ultimately gives our users the best opportunity to prepare, execute and win.”
The fourth generation iPad features a gorgeous 9.7-inch Retina display, Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime(R) HD camera, iOS 6.1 and ultrafast wireless performance**. iOS 6.1 includes support for additional LTE networks around the world***, and iTunes Match(SM) subscribers can download individual songs to their iOS devices from iCloud(R).
iPad runs over 800,000 apps available on the App Store(SM), including more than 300,000 apps designed specifically for iPad, from a wide range of categories including books, games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. iPad also supports the more than 5,000 newspapers and magazines offered in Newsstand, and the more than 1.5 million books available on the iBookstore(SM).
Pricing & Availability
The new 128GB versions of the fourth generation iPad will be available starting Tuesday, February 5, in black or white, for a suggested retail price of $799 (US) for the iPad with Wi-Fi model and $929 (US) for the iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular model. All versions of the 128GB iPad will be sold through the Apple Online Store ( www.apple.com ), Apple retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.
Source: Apple
Jan 29
Natural Tilt-Shift Effect Turns the Biggest Warship in the World Into a Tiny Model
Posted in: Today's Chili
I love this photo of the USS John C. Stennis nuclear supercarrier. It looks like a tiny model thanks to the F-18’s exhaust fumes, which distort the air above part of the deck and turns the image into a bit of a tilt-shift photo. More »
Jan 29
Over the weekend, a test was conducted on a Boeing designed ground-based defense system designed to protect the United States from ballistic missile attacks. The Pentagon has deemed the missile interceptor test a success. The test involved launching a three-stage interceptor from a silo located on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
After the interceptor missile blasted off, the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, developed by Raytheon, was deployed and traveled to a designated point in space. In this particular test, there was no dummy target missile for the system to intercept. Instead, the kill vehicle executed a variety of preplanned maneuvers while collecting performance data in space.
The kill vehicle is designed to identify, lock on, and eliminate high-speed ballistic missile warheads while they are in space. The kill vehicle uses no explosives and destroys the missile by the sheer force of the impact. Raytheon calls the system hit to kill. The program has had failures in the past.
Flight testing of the defense system was suspended in early 2011 after an error resulted in a failed intercept during a test conducted in December of 2010. Program participants say that they used industry and government expertise to solve a complex technical issue related to what the kill vehicle experiences in space. This test is one of the steps to getting the system ready to resume intercept testing.
[via LA Times]
Pentagon deems interceptor missile test a success is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jan 29
We have yet to live in a future where everything is voice controlled, just like how the Star Trek movies work. You know, there is just something that I don’t quite get in Star Trek, why address the computer as, well, “computer”? “Computer, do this..” and “Computer, do that..”, instead of giving it a name that would make it more personal. Imagine if the name itself was just one syllable long – you would be able to fire off commands faster than ever, and that microsecond could mean the difference between life and death, especially when it comes to a high tech space age. Thing is, we have yet to arrive in such a century – at least not now, so we will just have to be content with far less mature products like Clarity’s Amplified Captioned Telephone.
Basically, the Amplified Captioned Telephone by Clarity intends to help out those who have hearing difficulties in order to better understand what is being said over the phone. Using the same kind of technology that Japanese company NTT DoCoMo’s Hanashite Hon’yaku app employs, it boasts of speech-to-text software which is capable of translating calls between people who speak different languages. The Amplified Captioned Telephone will target seniors, and whenever it detects an active call, the screen will switch to show off a text transcription of the conversation so that one can keep up. The Amplified Captioned Telephone will retail for $229, and it seems to be a US-only device at time of publishing.
Source
[ Clarity outs Amplified Captioned Telephone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Jan 29
In a conference room in the basement of the Hannaford Suites Hotel in Kenwood, Mae Brazelton of MB Gallery & Beauty Supplies explains natural hair types to a crowd of 20 African-American women, whose ages range from early 20s to 60s.
Some are shorn clean; others have gone for the wild and curly look; a few are sporting afros. One woman has beautifully kept locks down to the middle of her back. The styles are different, but they have come together for one purpose–to celebrate the decision to “go natural.”
Jan 29
While it may look great in the store, your new flat screen is going to need to be calibrated once you get it home to deliver the best viewing experience. While hardcore videophiles will want to invest in a professional service, this new calibration app from THX covers the basic adjustments that the rest of us actually use. More »
Jan 29
WASHINGTON — Republican-leaning groups opposing President Barack Obama’s choice of Chuck Hagel to head the Defense Department have let loose a barrage of claims about the former GOP senator.
They say he endorses automatic cuts to the defense budget, that he wants to decimate the nation’s nuclear arsenal, that his membership on the board of a major company that had a Pentagon contract is a conflict of interest that he’s ignoring.
Read More…
More on Barack Obama
Jan 29
Want to add some fab eco-friendly style to your home but have no time to page through thousands of eBay listings? Then just sneak a peek at my Weekly eBay Roundup of Vintage Home Finds.
This eclectic mix of designer and non-designer vintage home finds caught my discerning eye because of their uniqueness, contemporary feel or highly collectible nature.
As always, buyer beware! Be sure to read the listings closely and contact the sellers with any questions.
Read More…
More on Vintage Finds
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.