The alert eyes of Jim Hamm caught this special sale info. Take a look, "The online Apple Store is having a clearance of the original iPad for three select WiFi and WiFi + 3G models, including the flagship 64GB WiFi + 3G iPad. Now available for up to $200-$230 less compared to their original list prices, these products come looking like new and with the same 1-year warranty that other Apple products receive. All refurbished iPad models also include a brand new battery and outershell. Supplies are time-limited, as indicated by the Special Limited Time Price designation. Availability is guaranteed upon receipt of full payment." Check out this link.
Free Digital Magazine App
Just released yesterday was a brand new app for the magazine "Distro." It's FREE. Jim Hamm tells us it's for iPhone or iPad, but later will be available as a PDF download for any platform. He comments, "I just downloaded and tried it, and I think I'm gonna like it." Take a look here.
Possibly, an iPad Mini
"Sending this link from PadGadget, Jim Hamm asks, "Could this rumor be true? What do you think: a good move for Apple or not? Zee just received her new 'mini' Kindle, and is it ever small and light, but has the same screen size as a regular Kindle. It is a pleasure to hold and read books on it. It is unbelievably thin and light. She has 363 books stored on it! Digital downloads is a market that will grow, in my opinion, and I think it would be smart for Apple to participate more fully in it by offering a lower-cost iPad.
"I'm relatively new to the digital download world, but I've taken a liking to it, and enjoy the ease of getting books from the library and reading them on my iPad. I just downloaded a new book from the library this morning, and didn't have to budge from my easy chair to search for and get the book. Nice. An iPad Mini with a lighter weight is an intriguing thought for me."
No Signal, Dead iPad
A question about wifi antenna and software for an iPad was raised by Harry Morel. Jim Hamm got right on it, and he passes along the information to us.
"I use the Wi-Fire antenna occasionally on my Mac when I'm traveling and the wifi signal is weak. It helps to boost or capture more of the signal so your Mac can access the internet. And yes, your Mac will have a built-in wifi card to pick up the signal.
"You can do a Google search on how to turn on internet sharing on a Mac. Here's one link to look at. Here's another one. As I understand it the Mac must be connected to the internet by ethernet, then it can share its connection via wifi to another device, such as another Mac or the iPad.
"I've not used this internet sharing concept, so I won't be covering it in my iPad presentation. Perhaps someone else on this email distribution list might have some suggestions on internet sharing on a Mac.
"Here's another option to consider if you're traveling: if your iPad has 3G capability, and you're in a 3G area (not Prescott), and you don't have wifi available, and you're willing to spend $25, you can buy 3G from your carrier for a month. Then you can turn it off at the end of the month so you won't be billed another $25. The minimum time period is one month. Not the most desirable option, but if you need to have an internet connection while you're away from home, this is available.
"If you're talking about wifi in your house and your iPad won't connect to the signal, perhaps the signal is weak. You can check the signal strength by holding the option key on your Mac and clicking the wifi icon to see what the RSSI is. Down below is a meter to help you understand the results. If your signal is very weak, then you need to boost it.
"Here is another diagnostic tool to check both the wifi signal strength and noise level. If your wifi signal is good in your house and the noise level low, and your iPad won't connect to it, then perhaps there is something wrong with the iPad. It is covered by a one-year warranty from Apple, so a visit to an Apple store might be in order," and as always, Jim signs off with a grin. (Click to enlarge the screen shot.)
You Can Print From an iPad or iPhone
Fascinating to imagine printing from your iPhone? your iPad? Jim Hamm sends this from Small Dog TechTails newsletter. He says he's not tried the AirPrint Activator, but plans to do so. "Lack of printing capability has been one of weaknesses of the iPad -- at least for me. If this app works, it will be a step forward in making the iPad more of a free-standing computer."
Mac & iPad Success
Here’s an article Jim Hamm sends from Forbes that discusses the success of the iPad. When iOS 5 is released, this will permit the iPad to stand alone and not require a “mother’ computer to connect to for updates. This will probably help in fueling even more sales of the iPad, even as Mac continues to sell very well.
Calling it "Surprised Acceptance to Focused Strategy" the article includes an interesting list of unexpected companies deploying iPads to their sales teams, others using iPads for internal company training, and even airline pilots using iPads.
Jim comments, "While I certainly enjoy my iPad, it couldn’t be my only computer yet. As more capability is built-in over time, perhaps someday. In the meantime, I’ll just enjoy the convenience -- and novelty -- that the iPad offers."
Looking at iOS
If you're a PMUG member or friend with Mac computers there's always more to learn. Yes? Now, with exciting new Apple devices, iPad, iPod, iPhone there's a lot of new information just out from this week's WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference). Jim Hamm passes on a tip on enabling automatic downloads on your mobile device (which needs to be on iOS 4.3.3).
Will iOS 5 Affect Mac Computer Sales?
Jim Hamm considers how iOS 5 will affect notebook sales. "Here’s a video with a summary of iOS 5. Lots of new features for mobile devices. The most important, in my opinion, is now the iPad, iPhone and iPod no longer need to have a computer to connect to. They can be free-standing devices. A nice step. On the flip side, possibly this might have a deleterious effect on notebook sales. On the other hand, though, I don’t think I’d just want to have only a mobile device and not have my Mac. I think each has its strong points. Time will tell how this all shakes out."
Here's a thought-provoking article from Jim that speculates about the future of Mac.
Conserve Battery Life
It started with a tip about conserving battery life for your iPad, but Jim Hamm goes on to tell about laptop battery life, too.
"Here's a tip for your iPad. I took a workshop on the iPad 2 at the Apple store yesterday. The gentleman presenting the workshop said that a person should close all open apps occasionally to conserve battery life. Every time you open an app that app stays running in the background unless you specifically close it.
"Double tap the home button. All those apps you see along the bottom are open and running. To close them put your finger on one and hold till it starts wiggling. Close all the open apps along that bottom row.
Jim explains, "I took a look at mine and practically every app I have on my iPad 2 was open and running in the background. Take a check on yours and see how many you have running. How often to close open apps? Perhaps at the end of the day might be a good time -- at least that's what I plan to do."
But is that a factor in battery life for our laptop computers, I wanted to know. Jim said, "If the laptop is running on battery, then I think yes, probably each app might draw a bit more juice from the battery. A bigger problem might be using up RAM. Every app uses RAM, and Safari and Mail will continue to grow the longer one keeps them running. Having a few apps open probably wouldn't affect streaming, though."
My final question was about the Apple workshops. Jim furnishes us with this Scottsdale store link.
Travel Adventure with iPad
The iPad is finding a home in outdoor sports. Jim Hamm suggests, "Take a read on this article. Be sure to watch the video on 'snowboarding with a splitboard.' Can't believe someone does that, and calls it fun. Look at some of the steep mountain sides they come down on. Mighty scary, and dangerous too. It's possible this was filmed with an iPad, but I'm not sure."
These tips for adventure travel from National Geographic conclude, "Starting in May, Apple is going to offer free travel app workshops for consumers at their 200+ U.S. stores. At these workshops, Apple instructors will show the latest and best travel apps available."
It's the People Who Make It Special
Only 30 seconds long, this iPad commercial touches both mind and heart. And you might agree that it's the same with Mac and the PMUG people. Thanks to Jim Hamm for sending this link.
More on the iPad 2
A real geek who is a first time tablet user passes along his experience with apps on the iPad 2. Photos and descriptions pique our interest in this piece sent to us from Jim Hamm.
Look What's Inside!
Want to see what's inside? Of course, you do! Jim Hamm fixes us up with this nifty site so we can see inside the iPad 2. But with a little searching I was able to find the innards of my MacBook Pro on that site. See if you can find your computer.
eBook Possibilities
Even without an iPad we want to get informed about eBooks. There was mention of Calibre in an article from a previous email from Jim Hamm, and now Zee writes, "I have used Calibre as a software to import ebooks and change whatever form they are in, to the correct form for my Kindle... It worked well the few times I actually used it. I am definitely not an expert!"
Anticipating the New iPad
Timing is everything, someone said. David Passell sends this article about features expected in the latest iPad, such as front-facing cameras and a lighter design. Soon, we'll know . . .
'Tis the Season
Eight guys with their iPhones and iPads and musical apps perform three holiday songs on stage. View here. Is this the future?
MBA Getting Good Reviews
"What do you think of the new MacBook Air?" was the question posed to Jim Hamm. He's the only one in PMUG with the MBA. He writes back, "The new model is better than the one I have, and mine can't be upgraded to solid drive. As to more features, no, I'm pleased with what the MBA has. I like the light weight, crisp screen and great portability. I may end up getting the new solid state 13" MBA. It is getting great reviews.
"Zee really enjoys her iPad, and I enjoy my MBA. I probably won't get an iPad, but may get the new MBA. I'm using my MBA as I type this. Both the iPad and MBA have their strong and weak points, It's a matter of personal preference, I think." Jim goes on to refer us to the report, "MacBook Air Has the Feel of an iPad in a Laptop."
"One negative review of the new version is the keyboard is no longer backlit. Bummer. I suppose Apple did this to conserve battery power. There is some question whether an SSD (solid state drive) will continue to perform well over time, or tend to clog up. Time will tell, I guess," Jim concludes.
New Accessory for the iPad
"I just found this article on the Fastcompany magazine website about the new Toccata keyboard accessory for the iPad," announces Allen Laudenslager. He continues, "The article reports that it connects via bluetooth when you press any key, has a battery life around 45 hours and recharges from the iPad USB connection. It has a integral screen stand with several angles to suit most users and the author reports good key 'feel.'
"The key are a softer plastic since the whole thing doubles as a case for the iPad and the face of the iPad rests on the keys with the case closed. The only drawback the author reported is that since it's not a full sized keyboard, the apostrophe key is not in the 'right' place, and he ends up hitting the Enter key by mistake. Well, life is trade offs; a new Macbook Air starts at $999 while the iPad Tocatta keyboard priced out at $670.
"If you already have an iPad, a new keyboard and you're up and running for just 70 bucks."
Leave MacBook Pro at Home, Take iPad on Vacation
A writer recounts his vacation to Bryce and Zion, leaving MacBook Pro at home, and taking his iPad with his iPhone. Jim Hamm passes this article along to us, with the notation, "One interesting observation he makes—and which I hadn’t thought about—is the WiFi login at one lodge was Flash-based, and the iPad (or iPhone) doesn’t support Flash. He couldn’t login to WiFi. Wouldn’t that be frustrating? Sitting there surrounded by WiFi and couldn’t access it!
"But, overall, the iPad worked fine, and he would do it again for a vacation trip, but not on a working trip. The new iOS release for the iPad (in November, I think) may help some of the issues he covers, but not the Flash issue."
Places to Buy iPads
"For those with lots of spare $$$, here is the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT," exclaims David Passell. Apple and Verizon announce the iPad is coming to Verizon. Catch some of the details here.
Now Jim Hamm jumps in with a discovery of his own. Sam's Club is going to sell iPads.
Apple Hot Mail announces AT&T stores will begin selling them on October 28. Already selling the iPad: BestBuy, Target, Walmart. And, you can purchase refurbished iPads from the Apple Store.