Its Official! iPad2 is out for sale March 11.

Just browsed the news today. Steve Jobs lead in the unveiling of the new iPad2 at an Apple event in San Francisco March 12. According to the sources, the iPad pricing remains the same starting at US 499$. Basically the new iPad has

1. front and back camera.
2. has faster dual core A5 processor with lower power consumption.
3. has an hdmi connector to connect to a flat TV.
4. offers new colored cases with magnets and which put the iPad2 to sleep when not in use.
5. Two new softwares were introduced, the Garage band and new iMovie video software.
6. the iPad2 comes in two colors, Black or white.
7. Adding to the iPad2 requires a computer connection and syncing through iTunes.

We would have preferred that iPad introduces new usb slots. The new features will not make us run to buy the new iPad2. I hope that the original Samsung Galaxy tablet will still be available with a much much lower price thatn the 28,000 pesos it currently commands at some stores.

We hope that other manufacturers can lower their prices. We are keeping an eye on the Motorola Xoom!



The iPad2 is not revolutionary as when the first iPad came out.This is more of a gradual evolutionary improvement.


Click on any of the following links to view photos of the new iPad2.


USA Today


Macworld

Ipad 2 to be out today???

It is March 2 in the Philippines. Since we are about 12 hours ahead of the Eastern Standard Time of the US, we may be asleep already when Apple makes the announcement of the iPad2 release.

In the meantime, here are news, articles on the iPad2.

1. 
   Photos and videos of the rumored iPad2?
   We arent sure how the device will really look like, but it never hurts to view photos of prototypes.
   
   
2. Eweek: iPad is obsolete?!!
   
   Makes me unhappy and a little angry. I should have waited for this March?
   
3. 
   Reuters: Apple to introduce new iPad, with or without Jobs Without Jobs, Apple should be dead by now, instead it has the most strange transformation into a leading computing technology company!
   
4. 
   AFP: Apple to unveil new upgrade
   
   

NBS has iPAD cover

I have a brown colored leatherette cover bought from CDRKing. I wanted a black color but it is out of stock. Instead I went to NBS (National Book Store) in Ali Mall last night and I was able to buy a black simulated leather cover for the price of 339.25 pesos.

Here is our brown covered CDRKIng, as you can see, you have to be eternally conscious always of ensuring that the iPAD does not slip out of the cover!

The iPad needs a setting to turn off Cellular Data connection.

I cannot laugh at the stories of people being billed exhorbitantly, in fact the bills can be enormous!, by Smart, Globe and other communication companies.
For instance, Rep. Anna York Bondoc was billed the incredible amount of P100,000 for only 3 week use of mobile phones.

A spokesman for the Globe company has even averred that the iPad still connects to the 3G even when it is turned OFF!


This shows that we need a bill to stop billing by the hour the iPAD is ON but by the the hours the device is connected and downloading digital data.

We need a gadget to turn off the Cellular Data connection when the iPad is turned off via the power button. It SHOULD NOT automatically connect to the 3G communications provider!! Damn!


IT IS SO EASY TO FORGET: go to settings > Celllular Data and turn it off manually!

The New Zealand Earthquake and the Earthquake program of USGS on the Ipad.

I used to shudder at the real time reporting of the free iPad Earthquake program most recent geological temblor report. Viewing a recent history grid, I noticed that a series of Earthquake rocked the South Island of New Zealand, which already suffered last September but without fatalities. Alas this time, up to 65 deaths were reported in crushed buildings, or trapped in cars. Unlike the September earthquakes in which people were mostly in bed, this time, more people were out and even some were in the tower of Christchurch Cathedral which tumbled down according to reports.

The series of earthquakes were of magnitudes (from most recent) 4.8, 4.4, 6.3, 5.5, 4.1, 4.5, 5.6,4.5, 6.4 in the Richter scale.

Here is a screenshot of the location of the New Zealand earthquakes (on second row and last entry):

CS Monitor: at least 65 dead.

LA Times

iPad 2 in production?

Click on Thinner, Faster, Lighter


the new ipad2 will have a front and back camera, will be thinner and lighter but will have still the same display resolution.

Zaggmate for iPad.

From http://www.zagg.com/accessories/zaggmate-ipad-case
comes an aluminum case with bluetooth keyboard for the iPad.
It is available for only about 100 dollars (4,500 pesos). Here is a pic
lifted from the above mentioned page.

Here are the features also from the manufacturer's page:

ZAGGmate iPad Case Features

Aircraft-grade aluminum with a bead-blasted, anodized finish that matches the iPad
Military grade high-density padding for superior drop protection
Innovative hinge provides ten angles for viewing and typing in both portrait and landscape mode (non-keyboard version only)
Stylish, thin and lightweight. Half as thin as most folios for the iPad
Large, flat base allows for use on a soft or uneven surface such as a lap or on a bed
Only adds about ⅛" to the iPad

ZAGGmate iPad Case w/ keyboard Features

Embedded wireless Bluetooth physical keyboard
Special function keys for music control, volume control, slideshow, home, search, etc.
Only adds about ¼" to the iPad
About


The Zaggmate case with keyboard goes only for around 100 USDollars!
without keyboard, this one will set you up for 70 USD. Another competing product is from Tsir Tech whose case is made of leather.