Year: 2012

iPad for Academics: setup, workflow, and accessories

With the rise of iPads in education continuing at a steady pace, it only seems natural to find ways to replace PC-dependent methods of academic work. Over the past year, I have tasked myself with replacing traditional education methods with the functionality of my iPad, from reading textbooks to taking lecture notes. Only recently have I taken the ultimate challenge: completing an entire research paper using only Apple's groundbreaking tablet, from conception to submission.

In trying to find solutions to the glaring obstacles in my path, I devised a workflow to make this task feasible. I compiled a list of strategies, study habits, iOS apps, accessories, and web apps that made me more efficient in everything from research to writing...

The best business card apps

Over the past half of a decade, digital connections have become more common than real life interactions. You can easily "meet" people via Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn without ever having to shake their hand at a meeting. However, business cards, in one form or another, are still an important part of connecting in real life. So, it is important to find the best way to manage your business cards in a digital age. It is also a good idea to know how to make a great impression on someone with just a small amount of information.

There are two different types of business card apps. One type creates a digital business card that you can share with others wirelessly. The other turns physical business cards into digital ones so you don't have to keep stacks of them in your wallet.

Dock your iPhone in style with the ODOC

Folks in the market for a high-quality iPhone dock might want to look into the ODOC Kickstarter project. The ODOC is an elegantly-designed dock for your iPhone or iPod touch that's packed full of features.

The accessory's main selling point is its patent-pending ball-bearing mechanism that can lock your device into five different viewing angles, allowing you to use it in different positions while it charges...

Facebook working on iPad version of Messenger app

The Facebook Messenger app debuted last fall and has remained one of the most popular iOS apps ever since. It seems a lot of members of the social networking service use the standalone messaging app over standard texting.

So far, the software has only been available [for iOS] on the iPhone. But it looks like that could be changing in the near future. According to 9to5Mac, Facebook is working on an iPad version of its popular Messenger app...

Would you buy a carrier-subsidized iPad?

In the midst of all of the talk regarding Apple releasing a smaller iPad to reach out to budget shoppers, one analyst has another idea on how the company could lower the slate's cost to infiltrate the budget tablet market. Carrier subsidies.

Analyst A.I. Houriani, of Seeking Alpha, believes that Apple could sell a lot more iPads if it could convince carriers to absorb some of the tablet's up front costs in exchange for multi-year contracts — similar to what they do with iPhones...

Analyst believes Apple will soon become a mobile operator

9to5Mac points to an interesting presentation given at the recent Barcelona Informa MVNO Industry Summit by Whitey Bluestein. The wireless industry analyst believes that Apple is about to launch its own wireless service courtesy of MVNO.

This isn't the first time we've heard rumors regarding the iPhone-makers becoming a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, but Bluestein believes this is set to happen in the "near future." And he makes a pretty convincing argument too...

Jawbone outs Big Jambox, a bigger, louder Bluetooth boom box

I like accessories Jawbone makes. Last year, I had a chance to test-drive their wireless portable speaker system, the Jambox, and to say that I walked away pretty much impressed would be an understatement.

As for the original Jawbone headset, it's still widely regarded as one of the best Bluetooth headsets available.

The recently released iPhone health bracelet dubbed Jawbone Up also stirred up quite an interest, even with certain reviews have not been so favorable.

The latest from Jawbone is Big Jambox, essentially a blow up version of the original Jambox. This badass speaker system is a dream come true for party-goers as it provides more oomph, offers greater personality and promises more bang for your buck than its $200 predecessor...

Apple concedes top smartphone vendor title to Samsung

Apple sold 35.1 million iPhones last quarter, nearly doubling the amount of handsets it sold in the same three month period a year ago. But despite its record-breaking performance, the company still conceded its top smartphone vendor title to Samsung.

During the holiday quarter, Apple shipped 37.1 million handsets — the most out of any of the other smartphone manufacturers in the world. And it looked like it was set to do it again this time around, but the Korean handset-maker edged it out...

‘AlwaysArrange’ now available on Cydia

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbFsxOEk1yU[/tube]

Do you hate having to place your app icons into wiggle mode to be able to rearrange their position on the Home screen? If so, then AlwaysArrange is the tweak for you.

AlwaysArrange is a new jailbreak tweak that allows you to rearrange your App icons on the fly, without needing to place them into wiggle mode.

Check out our full walkthrough of AlwaysArrange, and head over to Cydia if you're interested. It's available for free on Cydia's ModMyi repo.

This Liquidmetal iPhone 5 concept looks quite believable

As rumors about Apple switching to the all-new metallic glass material for a next-generation iPhone continue to persist, one designer has weighed in with own rendition of what the device might look like, both from the inside and the outside - and it's quite noteworthy.

As you know, Apple obtained a worldwide exclusive license to use Liquidmetal alloy in consumer electronics products. With previous rumors alleging a complete redesign, a Liquidmetal-based iPhone is certainly a plausible proposition...

RIM unveils new BB10 operating system

It's pretty common knowledge that the smartphone space currently belongs to Android and iOS. The two platforms make up more than 70% of the market, which at one time belonged to the likes of Microsoft and RIM.

But neither company saw the iPhone coming, and both failed to respond quickly. Now they're fighting for the crucial "third platform" spot. Microsoft with its Windows Phone OS, and RIM with its new BB10...