Hasta La Gadget!

Apple has just issued an update to its Internet-connected set-top box, opening up a few new features including connectivity with the official websites of the MLB and NBA.

Subscribers to MLB.tv and NBA League Pass can now watch live games directly from their Apple TV. Those without a subscription can also still tap into the new functionality, with live streaming scores pushed through the service. Subscriptions cost $20 – $30 per month.

The update also allows third-party apps to stream through AirPlay, allowing numerous iPhone and iPad apps to now be beamed directly from an iPhone or iPad to the TV.

The update can be applied by going to the General Settings tab in the Apple TV interface and selecting “Update Software.”

Via MTV

We’ve already seen Apple boast that it’s sold 15 million iPads in 2010 and commanded more than a 90 percent market share, but IDC has now come in and provided a broader picture of the tablet market as a whole — and e-readers, too. Not surprisingly, it too found that the tablet industry is basically all about Apple at the moment, although its market share did dip from a whopping 93 percent in the third quarter to 73 percent in Q4, which averages out to 83 percent for the year — all told, there were 18 million tablets sold in 2010. Things are a bit more competitive in the e-reader market — where there were 12 million devices sold — although Amazon is still head and shoulders above everyone else with a 48 percent share. Interestingly, it’s followed not by Barnes & Noble as you might expect but by Pandigital, which just eeked into the number two spot for Q4 (though B&N is slightly ahead for the full year). Hanvon came in fourth based largely on strong sales in China, and Sony rounded out the top five with sales of 800,000 units in 2010. Check out the press release after the break for some additional details

Continue reading IDC: 18 million tablets, 12 million e-readers shipped in 2010

IDC: 18 million tablets, 12 million e-readers shipped in 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IDC has released data about tablet sales.Apple, not surprisingly, came out on top. However, the Samsung Galaxy also has a slice of the pie, as well.

In fact, the Samsung Galaxy has a 17 percent share of new tablet sales. Not stellar, but it does indicate that buyers are open to non-Apple products. With the good news about “outside” tablets could cause a larger influx of new tablet models coming out. However, with the iPad 2 coming out tomorrow, the data could change quickly.

IDC also stated that e-readers have a 48 percent market share, with so many of the e-readers doubling as tablets. Despite both Samsung, and, e-readers are doing well, the IDC believes that Apple will maintain a 70-80% market share. 

Via ZDNet

Ever since Skyfire brought Flash to the iPad with its server-side solution, we’ve had a feeling that others would try to emulate the experience and satisfy the general public’s desire for the venerable format on Apple’s tablet. iSwifter is another entrant to the space, and its app claims to allow access to any Flash content on the web — a lofty claim indeed. Oh, and did we mention it’s coming to Android versions above 2.2 as well? We’ve given the iPad app a brief rundown, so head past the break for a breakdown of the positives and negatives.

Continue reading iPad gets Flash yet again with iSwifter app, Android version coming soon (hands-on)

iPad gets Flash yet again with iSwifter app, Android version coming soon (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wired.com's Brian Chen and Jon Snyder get all meta with the iPad 2. Photo John Snyder

Tomorrow is iPad 2 day. We already knew that Apple’s physical stores would start selling the new iPad at 5PM local time across the U.S, and at AT&T, Best Buy, Target, Verizon Wireless and Walmart stores. Now we know when the lazier amongst us will be able to order online: Apple will start selling the iPad 2 from Apple.com at 1PM Pacific. That should mean you’ll get your iPad on Saturday.

Apple has also pulled a neat trick down in Austin, Texas. Many nerds heading to the South by Southwest Interactive Conference — which begins tomorrow — were wondering whether to hang back for a day in order to secure their new toy. Apple has fixed this by building a huge temporary Apple Store in downtown Austin, situated in the Scarbrough Building on Congress Avenue. Thus, you can safely head off to the conference, annoyingly abbreviated to “South By,” by the nerds who attend, and be sure of getting a new iPad.

Those outside the U.S will have to wait a little longer. The first international wave of roll-outs comes in two weeks, on March 25th. If you live in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or the UK, you will be able to buy one then. Hopefully, anyway: last year the international launch was delayed a couple times due to crazy sales at home.

iPad 2 Arrives Tomorrow [Apple]

Apple set to open popup shop in core of SXSW action [Statesman]

See Also:

• Hands-On With Apple's Skinnier, Faster iPad 2
• iPad 2 Cover Is Smart, All Right — If You're Steve Jobs
• Just How Bad Is the iPad 2 Camera?