While on his way to SXSW, famous iPhone hacker Geohot was arrested for Marijuana possession in Sierra Blanca, a small town with a history of arresting famous people for pot possession, including country singer Willie Nelson, and rapper Snoop Dogg.
While at the checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, the Department of Homeland Security had drug dogs that barked at GeoHot’s car, meaning there was something fishy in the car. GeoHot apparently had a quarter of chronic stashed in the glove box, as well as eatables containing less than 1/8 oz of marijuana…
Tomorrow, the iPhone 4S will go on sale in stores around the world, and many people will be (and already are) lining up to purchase one.
One problem people always encounter when Apple releases a new product is long lines. There are a couple of different ways to avoid the lines, which will save you time, and, most importantly, ensure that you get a new iPhone! Read More
Today Apple put up the banner for the “Let’s Talk iPhone” event. The banner shows the same exact icons that were on the invitations sent out a couple of days ago.
The banner was put up outside of Apple’s campus auditorium in Cupertino, California. Apple’s event is scheduled to take place this Tuesday. Read More
There are some pretty crazy items on eBay, and this happens to be one of them. An artist is selling a picture of what he think the iPhone 5 will look like.
The pop sensation known as Justin Bieber has a red iPhone 4. Justin can be seen rocking his candy-colored iPhone next to swooning girls everywhere.
Not many celebrities have after-market customization on their phones. Justin’s iPhone is also jailbroken. You can get your iPhone colored at Colorware, or you can do it yourself with a kit from iFixdirect. Read More
Tim Cook, Apple’s new CEO, has been the center of attention recently. Tim has reportedly began replying to user emails. I emailed Tim myself, and I got a response within three days.
Steve Jobs is known for occasionally responding to emails, and Tim has started doing the same. I emailed Tim congratulating him on his recent position of CEO at Apple… Read More
Last week, we told you about how Nokia accidentally used an iPhone 4 in one of its advertisements. Today, it seems history has repeated itself, only this time with BlackBerry.
RIM made a fan video showcasing the new BlackBerry Torch and OS 7. For a short time in the video, you can easily spot something that isn’t a BlackBerry. It’s an Android device. Read More
Over the past week or so, there have been rumors floating around about a 3G-Enabled iPod Touch coming later this fall. If this were happen, you would be able to use 3G data on your iPod Touch, for Facetime, iMessages, etc. You would also be able to use a VoIP app, such as Skype or Viber, to call people from your iPod Touch.
We took this concept to Photoshop, and we came up with the iPod Touch 3G. It looks exactly like the current iPod Touch, but has a black strip on the back. It also says “3G” in the menu bar. Along with that, it also features an integrated SIM card, as the next iPhone is rumored to have… Read More
Just like RedSn0w earlier this week, PwnageTool has been updated to support the new firmware 4.3.2 for iOS. As previously stated, there wasn’t much reason for folks on the original iPad to update to this latest software.
But for the people that did, PwnageTool is recommended to jailbreak your iPad. It is simple and about as solid as it gets when it comes to jailbreak applications. If you’ve never done this before, or need a quick refresher, check out the tutorial below.
If you are looking for reasons to hack your iPad, check out our article, The Top 5 Reasons to Jailbreak here.
Important note: PwnageTool is for Mac OS only, for those that use Windows and want to jailbreak, check out our RedSn0w tutorial. Again this jailbreak is only for original iPads, the iPad 2 has not yet been jailbroken.
Step 1. Obviously make sure your iTunes is up to date and your iPad is on the latest firmware (4.3.2). You’re also going to need to download the latest version of PwnageTool from here.
Step 2. It’s a torrent, meaning you’ll need a client like uTorrent to open the file once it’s downloaded. After it’s installed, open it up and select iPad and Expert Mode and click next. Browse to HD/Users/$urname$/Library/iTunes/iPadSoftwareUpdates and select the 4.3.2 firmware.
Step 3. If PwnageTool likes the firmware you picked, it’ll take you to a menu where you can tweak the jailbreak. If you choose Cydia packages, you can preinstall tweaks and apps so when the jailbreak gets loaded onto your iPhone, its already set up.
Step 4. Once you are done tinkering, select the build option and click next. This is where PwnageTool does its magic. It’ll take a bit, so be patient.
Step 5. After the custom firmware is done building, PwnageTool will have you put your iPad in DFU Mode, but don’t worry, the software walks you through this.
Step 6. If you do it successfully, iTunes should recognize that you have a device plugged in and ask you to restore. Hold down the Option key while clicking restore to get the option to choose your custom firmware. Once it installs, your iPad reboots and you are finished!
Most everybody recognizes the movie Full Metal Jacket, or at least recognizes the name. The 1980′s film based on the Vietnam War was instantly a classic, not only because of its epic storyline, but because of director Stanley Kubrick.
The experience was so amazing, that star Matthew Modine decided to keep a journal of his experiences on the set. This diary later turned into a book, which included on set photographs and personal accounts of working with the legendary director.
The limited edition book sold out quickly, and fans have continued to hope that a paperback edition would soon make its way to the shelves. Although Modine doesn’t plan to publish any more copies of the diary, he might be looking to bring the book to life with a new iPad app.
Adam Rackoff is a huge Kubrick fan, and loves Full Metal Jacket. He also loved Modine’s book enough that he approached the retired actor last year about his idea for an interactive iPad app that told the behind the scenes story of Full Metal Jacket. The app would feature audio of Modine reading his journal, and a wealth of scanned original photographs from the movie.
Although they’ve done a lot of work on the application, they’ve reached a halt in production. Lack of funds has forced the producer to launch a Kickstarter page to raise money for this hefty project. Rackoff currently has 80 backers that have pledged $6,601 so far. His goal is $20,000.
If you would like to see this app available in the App Store one day, pop over to the page and donate. You can pledge anything from $5 to $10,000 or more. The higher the donation, the cooler gift you get from Rackoff including authentic photographs from the set of the movie.
I’m not much of an accessories guy. I don’t put my iPad into a case because I think it’s too beautiful to be hidden under some rubber casing. Yet you have to protect your device. I purchased a Smart Cover with my iPad 2 but it’s only good at protecting the front of my iPad. What about the back?
Yes, the back of my iPad 2 is what worries me most. I use this thing every single day, and unlike my iPhone that usually ends up in my pocket, my iPad travels around the house all the time. It goes from the couch to the coffee table, from the bathroom to the kitchen countertops, outside on our patio. How to you prevent the back of your iPad from being scratched, while not sticking it into a case?
Enters InvisibleShield by Zagg, a thin clear protective film that has been protecting iPhones and iPads for several years now. The guys over at Zagg were nice enough to send me a sample of their iPad 2 InvisibleShield to try out and review. Before going further, I want to make it clear that even though I received an Invisible Shield for free, it doesn’t alter the outcome of this review in any way.
This is not my first Invisible Shield. Since 2007, I’ve used many of those for my iPhones and also for my previous iPad, and I’ve always been a big fan of the product. When Zagg said they were going to send me one of those InvisibleShields for iPad 2 to review, I didn’t expect any surprise. After all, the product is the same, just the shape is different.
So no surprise on that side. The InvisibleShield came in a nice box with the front and back protective film. Also included is a little pouch with a lint free cloth, some spraying solution and a squeegee.
InvisibleShield installation
I know how to install the InvisibleShield but I still bothered reading the instructions and watched the demo video. After making sure I had everything ready, I cleaned the back of my iPad with the cleaning cloth, washed my hands, and sprayed my fingers with the application solution before handling the shield, as advised. I removed the paper backing of the shield, sprayed it with the solution and applied it to the back of my iPad.
It took me a couple tries to get it perfectly aligned, then I used the squeegee to remove all excess spraying solution stuck between the film and the iPad. It took me about 2 minutes from start to finish.
Although I didn’t want to use a shield for the front of the iPad, I still decided to put it on to see how easily I could apply it. Turns out that I kinda ran out of spraying solution. I guess I used way too much during the installation of the back shield. Nevertheless, I was able to properly install the InvisibleShield on the iPad screen in just a few seconds.
It is advised not to use your device after applying the InvisibleShield to give it some time to cure. Can you imagine not using your iPad for 24 hours? No, me neither, so I used it right away.
It takes about 2-3 days for the shield to completely cure and get rid of all the air bubbles that you might have accidentally left under. During that time, needless to say that your screen will not look good, but again, it’s just a matter of time.
After a few days, I removed the front shield because I just don’t like it on my screen. It’s barely there, but it bugs me to have something on the screen.
Success!
It’s been over 10 days now and the InvisibleShield on the back of my iPad 2 hasn’t moved at all. It has done a great job at protecting my iPad, and I am no longer afraid to put my device on any surface because I know it is well protected.
On top of bringing great protection to your device, having an Invisible Shield on the back of the iPad makes it easier to hold the device as it doesn’t slip as much while in your hand. It’s a little detail that has great importance to me.
My biggest concern about having the Invisible Shield on the back of my iPad was to see how it would work with the magnets of the Smart Cover. When you snap the Smart Cover on the side of your iPad, it covers part of the Invisible Shield. After snapping and unsnapping the Smart Cover probably a couple hundred times since I got the shield, I haven’t noticed any difference at all. It still snaps perfectly, and most importantly, it doesn’t damage or peel off the shield.
I’ve heard people complain about an orange peel effect on the back of the iPad before. I personally never experienced that, and I suspect it has a lot to do with the way you install the Invisible Shield.
Conclusion
Do I recommend InvisibleShield for iPad 2? Absolutely, however, and depending on your iPad usage, it might be a better idea just to get the back coverage only. That’s what I did and it works out great for me, especially because I have the Smart Cover for the front.
The InvisibleShield for iPad 2 starts at $29.99 for the front or back coverage. For $39.99, you get the full back and front coverage, so again, depending on your usage, you should make the decision that will best fit your needs.
We’ve all watched in awe as Firemint showed off their gorgeous Real Racing app on a big screen HDTV. No they aren’t a console company. The iPad 2 is so powerful it can support the output of full 1080p video to an HDTV.
With Apple’s new HDMI adapter they released alongside the iPad 2, connecting your tablet to the big screen was supposed to be easier than ever, right?
Not according to inventive hackers Eric Govoruhk and Kelly McAteer. These two managed to put together a wireless adapter for the HDMI port that would allow you to send the HDMI signal wirelessly to a receiver tapped into the back of your T.V.
They even fit this adapter into a molded iPad 2 case, so everything still looks nice and clean. Not only that, but they completed the entire project with materials bought at their local electronics store.
The hack involves an Apple Digital AV Adapter which is hooked into a wireless HDMI transmitter, and a battery capable of powering the transmitter for up to 2 hours. The total cost of the project was just under $300.
They claim that wireless presentations were the goal behind this project, but this could open up a world of possibilities for developers. While Firemint’s racing game looked cool on the big screen, the HDMI cable would certainly limit your game play.
Something like this would enable wireless, big screen gaming from your iPad at a fairly affordable price, as mass production would certainly drive costs down. Or we could see Apple do something with AirPlay that would give similar benefits at little or no costs.
They go over what they used to make the adapter in the video below, would you attempt to do something like this with your iPad 2?
Apple has taken some serious heat over their moisture indicators in their products in the past. In fact they were sued over the LCI strips in their iPhone 3GS, or rather their placement.
LCI or Liquid Contact Indicators have been used in consumer electronics for years. It’s that little white strip that turns pinkish or red when exposed to water. If you’ve ever had a mobile phone with water damage, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
But typically in mobile phones the LCI strips are behind the battery or underneath keypads. Apple has been scrutinized for leaving their LCI strips more exposed such as in the headphone jacks and the dock connectors of their iDevices.
The placement of these strips made them extremely susceptible to incidental water damage. Sweat and other elements would trigger these LCI strips, but not do any damage to the internals of the device. This would result in extremely unhappy customers at Apple stores who were denied warranty help due to the aqua sensors being triggered.
Well 9to5mac has posted this and other photos from their friends at iFixYouri showing that Apple has removed the LCI strips from inside the headphone jack of the iPad 2. Not only that but there aren’t any in the dock connector anymore either.
The reason? It could be in response to all of the complaints that the LCI strips sometimes produced false positives. One thing for certain is that they will be replacing a lot more iPad 2s under the warranty. What’s the new procedure for Apple reps to check for water damage? Check the sim card tray for corrosion.
Have you had issues with Apple’s LCI strips before? Tell us below!
Apple has absolutely nailed their mission of producing products focused on the user experience. Forget specs and actual numbers. Apple’s iPad is built for you and whomever you share it with. Even if that someone is a 2 year old!
Now I would like to see a 2 year old try and use a Motorola Xoom or a Galaxy Tab. Would they even know how to begin?
Analysts are predicting that Apple sold close to a million next-gen iPads during launch weekend. They are so backed up, online orders are showing shipping dates 5 weeks out.
Apple Insider is reporting that the iPad 2 shipments that some stores got this past Tuesday actually arrived Monday. Their source, who claims to be familiar with Apple’s retail operations, states that the change is a direct result of previous device launch issues.
Apple’s previous strategy has been to get the products from truck to shelf as soon as possible. But apparently it led to inventory inaccuracies and other problems at Apple retail locations. The new 24 hour delay is to give retailers ample time to check the iPad 2 shipments in, calmly and properly.
To the majority of us, an extra 24 hours may not seem like a big deal. But to the faithful that are still lining up at Apple stores every time there’s word of an iPad 2 shipment, it can be a lifetime.
Has anyone been able to snag an iPad 2 since launch weekend? Tell us below!
We’ve been talking about the iPad 2 for while now, or at least we’ve heard rumors about it, but there’s one thing we haven’t speculated about: it’s name. We all call it iPad 2 but do you really think Apple didn’t come up with something a little more original for such a flagship product?
Early reports and leaks claim that the iPad 2 will be much thinner. Could it then be named “iPad Air”? If I had to take a guess, I’d say the name of the iPad 2 will actually be “iPad II”. It’s pronounced the same but it’s spelled differently.
What do you think? Can you predict the name of the iPad 2?
We’ve heard our fair share of iPad 2 rumors lately, the craziest one being that its release was going to be postponed until June.
Today comes another rumor that I believe to be true. Kara Swisher, one of my least favorite tech writers, announced today on her blog that it seemed clear Apple would announce the iPad next week in San Francisco.
According to several sources close to the situation, the Wednesday date in a little more than a week is firm and will take place in San Francisco, the scene of many such Apple events.
Steve Jobs currently being on a leave of absence, I doubt he will be introducing the new iPad.
OtterBox, the maker of in my opinion the best protective case for the iPhone and iPod touch now also offers two new cases to protect your iPad as well.
Stopping by their site you will find their new iPad Defender case ($86.95) and their iPad Commuter case ($62.95). One of the nice things with the iPad cases is that they have a removable cover on the bottom that allows you to leave the case on the iPad and still plug it into a variety of docks/keyboards and other accessories.
The big differences between the two cases is the Commuter is more of an outer protective shell that goes around the outside of the iPad and covers the back as well and comes with a self-adhering protective touch screen film.
The Defender on the other hand is an entire iPad protective shell that includes the thin plastic screen protector built in just like the Defender series for the iPhone and iPod. In addition, the Defender also had built in props to hold the iPad in either portrait or landscape mode for viewing and working with your favorite new “toy”.
To some, the pricing might seem a bit high, but to me the OtterBox series of products are well worth the money, especially since if you buy the Defender series you are getting fairly hardcore protection for your favorite iDevice.
I noticed today on the Otter Box site that they currently have the Commuter in stock but apparently the Defender is really popular as the site states that they are currently sold out and thus far I have not been able to find them in any stores that normally carry Otter Box products.
I have a sweet Targus leather case for mine now with built-in landscape prop support but I am really tempted to get a Defender when they are back in stock. What is your opinion on this awesome new iPad accessory? Will you go on-line and order one?
