ABC Player for iPad updated, 3G streaming is a go

Well that was fast. That ABC Player for iPad update we heard about this morning has already made its way through Apple’s approval process and is now available for download. Orientation lock is now, erm, on lock controls are more responsive, but most importantly, (lower bitrate) 3G streaming is now a go. With that settled, now no bus ride will ever get between you and an island chockfull of confusion and smoke monsters.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

ABC Player for iPad updated, 3G streaming is a go originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A tale of two iPad cases: the Dodocase and M-Edge Trip Jacket

If you’re like us, one of the first things you wanted to do after getting your iPad was to find a great case for it. Right off the bat, we weren’t really that into Apple’s offering, which is strangely 90’s in its design aesthetic, though it does have a number of decent features if you’re looking for a do-it-all scenario and don’t have strong feelings on looks. For us, however, the goal was finding something that kept a low profile, shielded the slate from unnecessary grime, and made it easier to deal with. Oh, and we wanted it to look like a book. After reviewing the options, we’ve come up with two choices that we think are your best bets for turning your iPad into something a little more familiar, so here’s our quick take on M-Edge’s Trip Jacket, and the stunning, hand-made Dodocase.

Continue reading A tale of two iPad cases: the Dodocase and M-Edge Trip Jacket

A tale of two iPad cases: the Dodocase and M-Edge Trip Jacket originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad 3G’s non-WiFi video playback restrictions detailed

iPad 3G's non-WiFi video playback restrictions detailed

We could hear the echoing howls of discontent over the weekend as thousands finally received their very own iPad 3G and learned they couldn’t watch Dancing With the Stars whilst on the go. Now we have the details on why, exactly, and the repercussions. As it turns out, it’s simply a carry-over of an iPhone OS HTTP Live Streaming rule that states quite clearly:

You must include a low quality stream of no more than 64 Kbps for your app to resort to when network conditions demand it, along with the higher quality streams you want to deliver to your customers when the network can support it.

It seems the ABC Player devs chose to skip that option, so when you lose WiFi you also lose Tom Bergeron’s charm and wit. Other apps, like Netflix and YouTube, do provide a lower bitrate fallback, but that of course results in nasty compression artifacts when on the go. In other words: there’s a very good chance that 3G streaming will come in a future ABC Player release, but when it does it ain’t gonna be pretty.

iPad 3G’s non-WiFi video playback restrictions detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple sells 1,000,000 iPads in revolution’s first month

Steve told us it’d be revolutionary, and if sales are the measure of a device’s success, then the iPad seems to be well on track to validating its creator’s bold claims. This past Friday, “just 28 days after its introduction,” Apple sold its millionth iPad. 1.5 million ebooks have already been downloaded to the device, along with 12 million apps. Steve Jobs has also taken time from his busy essay-writing schedule to remind us that that’s less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve the milestone with the original iPhone, and demand for the “magical” slate continues to outstrip supply. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Apple sells 1,000,000 iPads in revolution’s first month

Apple sells 1,000,000 iPads in revolution’s first month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keepin’ it real fake: Android iPad KIRF gets Android 2.1, display upgrade, and our undying respect

Still unsure whether you want that Android iPad KIRF we spotted a couple weeks ago? What if we told you it got a display upgrade to 10-inches and an OS upgrade (to Eclair) to boot? Rocking a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, 512MB of RAM, a 16GB flash drive, SD card slot, three USB 2.0 ports, headphone and mic jacks, Ethernet and HDMI ports, and WiFi, this is definitely something to keep an eye out for on your next trip to the gadget markets of Shenzhen. Just remember to grab one for us, okay?

Continue reading Keepin’ it real fake: Android iPad KIRF gets Android 2.1, display upgrade, and our undying respect

Keepin’ it real fake: Android iPad KIRF gets Android 2.1, display upgrade, and our undying respect originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 May 2010 23:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad 3G works on T-Mobile, can be hacked to send text messages

Here’s a pair of interesting iPad 3G hacks for your lazy Sunday — first, Apple’s tablet is apparently unlocked out of the factory, so trimming a T-Mobile SIM to micro SIM size will get you up and running on EDGE with no further hassle. Not terribly useful in the States, but good news for Europeans who’ll have several carrier options right out the gate. Secondly, MuscleNerd of the Dev Team has discovered it’s apparently possible to send text messages from a jailbroken 3G iPad using a T-Mobile or non-iPad AT&T SIM — the stock AT&T SIM restricts SMS and calls, apparently. Check videos of both hacks after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading iPad 3G works on T-Mobile, can be hacked to send text messages

iPad 3G works on T-Mobile, can be hacked to send text messages originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 May 2010 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Redmond Pie, thegadgets  |  sourceMuscleNerd’s Twitter  | Email this | Comments

iPad 3G jailbroken on video: same as it ever was (on the WiFi model)

You may find yourself holding onto an iPad 3G. You may find yourself not able to stream ABC player. You may tell yourself, I think I need to break some rules. You may ask yourself, will I be able to use the same Spirit software that jailbreaks my WiFi model? You may ask yourself, well, did I backup my SHSH blobs? Download still not yet available — time is holding us, time does hold you back. (There is video, at the bottom of the ocean after the break.)

Continue reading iPad 3G jailbroken on video: same as it ever was (on the WiFi model)

iPad 3G jailbroken on video: same as it ever was (on the WiFi model) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad 3G denies ABC player, downsamples iTunes store video previews over AT&T


Well ain’t that a kick in the pants. Reports are coming in from newly-minted iPad 3G videophiles that iTunes store previews and Netflix streams are getting downsampled over AT&T’s network. The folks at iLounge have been tinkering enough to confirm the iTunes issue (we’re still waiting for FedEx to drop off our 3G tablets so we can corroborate ourselves) and, lo and behold, ABC player flat out refuses to work over AT&T’s 3G network, instead displaying an oddly familiar message: “Please connect to a Wi-Fi network to use this application. Cellular networks are not supported at this time.” Perhaps an update will ensue to fix such limits, but in the meantime, we’re sure at least someone at Sling HQ is having an awkward chuckle.

iPad 3G denies ABC player, downsamples iTunes store video previews over AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BookArc Keeps iPad Standing Tall

BookArc.jpg

If Apple had included a kick stand with the iPad, it would have been more convenient, but it also would have killed a nascent industry. If you’re sorting among the many commercial options looking for the ideal way to stand your little buddy, consider the BookArc by Twelve South, which has an attractive look and works in both portrait and landscape orientations. Combine it with a wireless keyboard and you’ve got a go-anywhere office.

If you find the BookArc’s $39.99 price (now with free shipping) too steep for a molded piece of plastic, there are options. I like this less-expensive solution, which analyst Ross Rubin suggested in a recent tweet. 

Apple iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter not accomplishing the simplest of tasks

Look, there’s no arguing that Apple charges a boatload for its first-party adapters, and this isn’t the first time that one of those overpriced dongles has caused an uproar (Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter, anyone?). But when the company trots out an iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter and promises to enable users to “see their videos and slideshows on the big screen,” it should probably make a few clarifications. Instead, more than a handful of consumers are revolting over on Apple’s own webstore, noting that any video laced in any type of DRM (iTunes flicks and Netflix streams included) won’t output at all. Contrary to popular belief, this adapter doesn’t actually mirror the iPad’s display, which is fairly absurd in our eyes — teachers are even stating that Apple’s own Pages and Keynote apps won’t output via the dongle, making this effectively worthless for blowing up presentations for all to see. We (sort of) get the DRM thing, but not including support in your own presentation app? Unacceptable. A tipster has noted that Apple informed him that “it’s up to the app makers to enable the video out function,” so we suppose all that’s needed to solve a lot of controversy is for some switch to be flipped in some direction. Any other hang-ups with this thing that the world should know about? Drop ’em in comments below.

[Thanks, Tony]

Update: A few tipsters have noted that Keynote does in fact work here. Here’s a growing list of what does and doesn’t work with the adapter.

Apple iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter not accomplishing the simplest of tasks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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