iPad mini 2nd-generation rear shell leaks

We haven’t been hearing much hearsay on the second-generation iPad mini. Of course, we know it’s coming at some point, but today’s leak seems to be the first out of many that we’ll see in the coming months. Unconfirmed photos of what appear to be the rear shell of the second-gen iPad mini have leaked out onto the interwebs.

Screen Shot 2013-02-21 at 1.07.18 PM

A member of Chinese site WeiPhone has posted photos of the rear shell in a forum thread, which shows all angles of the piece of aluminum that is said to be a part of the second-gen iPad mini. Of course, the shell looks very similar to the current iPad mini, but it does look a tad bit thicker. That could just be the angles of the photos giving us that effect, but a thicker iPad mini wouldn’t be unheard of.

For instance, the full-size iPad gained a bit of thickness after the iPad 2. Granted, it’s only a bit thicker, but the thinnest iPad that we’ve seen came out over two years ago. Apple may be stuffing a Retina display in the iPad mini, as well as some faster hardware, which would understandably make the device just a tad thicker than before.

The photos also show a bright blue Apple logo, as well as the word “iPad” towards the bottom. We’re guessing this just a part of the manufacturing process, or it could mean that Apple is planning to offer colored logos with this next-gen device, although that seems highly unlikely. Obviously, we don’t know much about this leak, so we’re keeping a good amount of salt nearby until we hear something a bit more official.

[via MacRumors]


iPad mini 2nd-generation rear shell leaks is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Jony Ive Blue Peter video up now: chatting on gold and aluminium

If you live outside the UK or haven’t got access to the Britain-based Blue Peter television program for whatever reason, you’ll be glad to see that the full chat they’ve had this past week with Jony Ive is now available in full. The Blue Peter program hosts a variety of engineers, inventors, and famous people of all kinds and has done so over its record-holding span of years actively broadcast on television. Apple’s own Jony Ive’s appearance included chats about three different designs created by children who rose to the challenge provided the week before, and showed Ive receiving a special badge in his honor.

herewego

The Blue Peter gold badge is a pin, or a button, if you like, that’s given by the program to people of particular influence on the design community. As it was given to Ive, so too did he reciprocate with a custom-made large version of the token back to the program. This extra-large Blue Peter badge was made of pure Aluminum – or Aluminium if you’re from that side of the sea.

Apple’s Chief Designer spoke up about how influential the Blue Peter program was on him as a child as well. He made it clear that he was particularly struck by the way the program took everyday objects and turned them into new, more useful inventions each time they appeared. Re-using objects otherwise seen as throwaway was also mentioned as being especially memorable by Ive.

cutting

You’ll also notice in the video that the host and Ive are using two iPad minis to work through the segment. It’s with these that they watch video presentations of the designs the children have made and make a point to tap through throughout the program. The whole Ive segment, too, takes place inside Apple’s own campus in Cupertino – fun stuff!

BONUS – extended edition!



Jony Ive Blue Peter video up now: chatting on gold and aluminium is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Netflix for iOS updates with improved UI and zoom controls

Netflix pushed out a pretty significant update, which brings the streaming app up to an even version 3.0. The update includes an improved player user interface, where you can just tap to display the video titles if you’re using the app on the iPad. Netflix also brought the zoom control back, which allows you to watch shows in full screen.

2013-02-21 11.08.57

The app also has a slightly rearranged player as well, including better placement of the play/pause button, as well as the 10-second rewind button, both of which are on the left side at the bottom. We also want to say that the volume slider and playback slider are a little bigger, but that could just be our imagination playing mean tricks on us.

2013-02-20 21.58.59

The zoom control being brought back is certainly an interesting change that Netflix decided to change its mind on. They got rid of the feature in past updates, but brought it back this time around. While personally I never use the zoom button, some viewers enjoy switching between fullscreen mode and widescreen mode.

Netflix is a free download and the update is available now in the iTunes App Store. Of course, though, you’ll need a Netflix subscription to enjoy the app, which is $7.99 per month. Back in December, the PlayStation 3 was considered the number one device that Netflix users used, but it’s nice to see the streaming service give attention to other platforms as well with updates.


Netflix for iOS updates with improved UI and zoom controls is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Native Instruments announces Traktor DJ for iPad, brings the mix to iOS (video)

Native Instruments announces Traktor DJ for iPad, brings the mix to iOS

DJ apps for iPad? There’s a bunch. But — if you’re at all familiar with the craft — there’s a very notable name absent from the crowd. Until today that is. Native Instruments set the high watermark for DJ software with its desktop-based Traktor application, and now it’s available in compact iOS form. Designed by the same team as the full-fat version, aspiring DJs can enjoy two waveform-based decks, with three-band EQ, eight effects (ported over from Trakor Pro) all redesigned from the ground up for the iPad’s touch-based input. The interface eschews the conventional virtualization of a turntable set-up, instead creating a workflow more congruent with the hardware’s form factor. Notably, a new “Freeze” mode stops the waveform from galloping on, letting you tend to cue points, loops etc or slice it into samples for “playable” parts. There’s also interaction between the mobile and desktop versions via dropbox-based media sync, so any tracks loops and so on made on the move can be seamlessly transported to your club performance too. Think an iPad app is nice and all, but want a little more spice? Well, hook it up to one of the firm’s popular Audio 6 or Audio 10 interfaces (via the USB connection kit) you just got proper pre-listen and cue functionality too. Traktor DJ is available today for $19.99, and if you’re still undecided, there’s a demo video after the break that might just swing it for you.

Filed under:

Comments

Source: Native Instruments

Netflix for iOS 3.0 brings the zoom icon back, adds more UI improvements

Netflix for iOS v30 brings the zoom icon back, adds more UI improvements

Sony’s now obsolete PS3 may be the Netflix streaming device of choice, but that doesn’t mean the popular streaming service will ignore other platforms. The Netflix app on iOS, which saw its last big refresh back in September last year, has just been bumped up to v3.0 — bringing with it a slew of UI changes aimed towards improving your movie-watching experience. The zoom icon that was removed previously is now back for easier access to full-screen viewing, while a tap displays video titles if you’re using the app on the iPad. The three-point change log also includes a relocation of the playback controls. Nothing profound, but hey — could be worth your while if it keeps you away from reality just a little longer.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: App Store

TI unveils new TI-Nspire iPad applications

Texas Instruments has announced that it has built its high-end graphing calculator technology into some applications designed to run on the Apple iPad. The company has announced the launch of two new applications including the TI-Nspire App for iPad and the TI-Nspire CAS App for iPad. These apps are specifically designed for the iPad and were refined in collaboration with researchers and classroom teachers.

ti-nspire

The apps were designed to meet curriculum needs for students ranging from seventh grade through college. The apps are able to offer all-in-one functionality for performing calculations in proper math notation. The apps also offer graphing and exporting functions, equations and inequalities, and the ability to construct and explore geometric figures.

The apps have a on screen keyboard that can toggle between math notation and QWERTY configurations allowing students to put notes beside equations. The applications also offer dynamically linked multiple representations of problems encouraging students to make personal connections by observing how the equations change as the student interacts with the shapes, graphs, and objects on the tablet screen.

The apps also have the ability to create and save documents and share them using e-mail, iTunes, and other sharing options. The app also takes advantage of the integrated camera of the iPad allowing students to take photos and import them into the app and overlay graphs and equations on those photographs to illustrate math principles using real world examples. The apps are available to download right now from the App Store for $29.99 each. Teachers can get a free one-year license to both apps with the purchase of one of the apps via the App Store.

[via TI]


TI unveils new TI-Nspire iPad applications is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Audible updates iOS app to version 2.0, adds iPad support

It has taken quite a while, but Audible has finally released an update to its iOS app that adds support for the iPad. Previous to this, the app was iPhone-only and rather difficult to use regardless, with the most basic functions you’d expect in an audiobook app – such as the ability to track progress – pretty much absent. That changes with version 2.0, which both adds iPad support and introduces a new user interface that is altogether more intuitive.

use

Users can now use the Audible iOS (version 5.0 and higher) app on the iPhone (3GS and later), iPod Touch (3rd generation and later), and iPad, giving them access to the service’s entire catalog of audiobooks. In addition to the revamped user interface and iPad support, there are a handful of new features and improvements that build on the previous offerings.

One of the biggest new features is the ability to toggle between listening and reading with Whispersync for Voice the Kindle app or a supported device. Likewise, there’s a new library filter that allows users to hide completed titles from their library after finishing them, keeping things neat and orderly and easy to sift through.

Start-up has been simplified, with users now being able to sign in with their Amazon account. Downloads are also optimized, with users being able to pull up to three hours of audio data over a mobile data network (3G and 4G). Navigation is also easier, with progress bars included on each book to make it easier to monitor how far through a book one, as well as improved search and thumbnails.

[via Cult of Mac]


Audible updates iOS app to version 2.0, adds iPad support is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple’s Upgrade Dilemma

Apple has been taking a beating on Wall Street, in part due to skepticism over future growth of iPhone and iPad sales. With the market becoming saturated with iPhone and, to some extent, iPad users, Apple will soon need to rely upon upgrades rather than new customers to fuel sales. Apple’s problem is that their products are so good, people aren’t upgrading fast enough. More »

Audible 2.0 for iOS brings long-expected iPad support and a UI overhaul

Audible 20 for iOS brings long due iPad support and a UI overhaul

When the iPad is seemingly tailor-made for books of all kinds, you’d think Audible would leap on the opportunity to produce an optimized audiobook app — it wasn’t quite so eager, as customers have since discovered. Apple tablet owners won’t have to perpetually lean on the stock music app for their fix, though, as Audible 2.0 at last brings an iPad-friendly form. The better use of screen real estate is the most obvious improvement, although there’s a fresher, simpler interface for every iOS device. A few helpful extras reside under the surface, if the new layout isn’t enough. It’s easier to both sign in and hide finished books, while listeners who didn’t replenish their libraries at home can grab as much as 3 hours’ worth of audiobook over a cellular connection. Existing Audible subscribers just need to snag the latest app for free at the download link.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Via: Cult of Mac

Source: App Store

Square’s Business in a Box Is a One-Stop Startup Kit

Square’s quest for small business domination continues in the form of Business in a Box, a convenient, all-in-one package that intends to get small businesses up, running, and using as many Square products as possible. More »