Year: 2012

The iPad mini ships with the smaller 5-watt adapter after all

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 1, 2012

Compared to the phased-out 10W adapter, Apple's new 12W power brick enables faster charging times for iPhones, iPads and iPods. Specifically, the two extra watts of power shave up to 45 minutes off the iPad charge time. What's really interesting is that in an article 9to5Mac ran a week ago it claimed "Apple also told us that the iPad mini would come with a 12W adapter as well".

This doesn't seem to be true, if a report by MacRumors is anything to go by. The publication relays a note from its reader who was able to purchase an iPad mini from his local Walmart yesterday and confirmed that it came with the smaller 5-watt adapter.

It doesn't appear to be an isolated incident. Additionally, iPhoneinCanada shortly following the iPad mini keynote observed that Apple's own shopping app depicted the 5-watt adapter as part of the iPad mini package contents...

Apple’s new 12W power brick charges iPads up to 45 minutes faster

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 1, 2012

Apple's new 12W power brick enables faster charging of your iPads, iPods and iPhones. Apple stopped short of divulging specifics when asked to quantify the “fast, efficient charging” claim on its online store. "We don’t have an exact percentage of how much faster it would charge but you should see an increase in speed", the company told 9to5Mac.

Enter Mike Flaminio of Insanely Great Mac, who took it upon himself to figure out non-scientifically the exact difference. An interesting video he posted claims the new power brick is able to charge an iPad between 30 and 45 minutes faster compared to the old (now phased out) 10W adapter. Yes, two extra watts of power make a difference. Check out his clip right below...

Apple releases iOS 6.0.1: fixes keyboard glitch, improves Wi-Fi and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple has this morning released an update to its mobile operating system, iOS 6.0.1. The update comes just a day before the official launch of Apple's new 4th gen iPad and iPad mini.

In iTunes, updating to 6.0.1 is business as usual. But if you have an iPhone 5, you'll likely see the above screen asking you to install an 'Updater' before you receive the actual update. As it states, the Updater fixes a bug that prevents the iPhone 5 from installing updates wirelessly over the air.

So what's new in iOS 6.0.1? We've got the full change log after the break...

iPad mini teardown reveals Samsung display, stereo speakers

Cody Lee ∙ November 1, 2012

We've still got about 24 hours or so until the iPad mini goes on sale here in the US, but the i-teardown experts over at iFixit have already scored their test subject. And they're ripping it apart as we speak.

This has become a bit of a ritual for the do-it-yourself repair site, with new Apple products, and it usually reveals some interesting things about the devices. So let's see what they've discovered thus far...

Path releases native iPad app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 12, 2018

Path, a social network where people engage in limited sharing of their daily habits and photos with only a select few closest friends, later today will launch its iPad app. Focused on full-screen experience in landscape, Path puts more of your network at your fingertips with fewer taps. Images of the iPad interface are promising and new features sound interesting enough to give it a a try. My favorite: the improved home screen displaying more activities from your network than is possible on the iPhone version.

UPDATE: a new version of the original iPhone app just went live with support for native iPad experience. Simply update your existing installation to get iPad goodies...

Concept video shows widgets the way Apple should implement them

Sébastien Page ∙ November 1, 2012

If you've had an Android device in your hands before, you've likely noticed they usually come with widgets for just about anything. As a matter of fact, when I reviewed the Nexus 7 a few months ago, I noted that widgets were definitely one of the strong points of the tablet. Of course, jailbreakers are no strangers to widgets: Dashboard X is an example of how widgets can be implemented in a very tasteful way on iOS.

Visual and UI designer Max Rudberg recently took it upon himself to imagine another way widgets could work on iOS. The result is quite amazing, and in all honesty, I believe Apple should really take note of Rudberg's concept. Have a look for yourself...

Mansfield return as SVP influenced by Forstall’s ousting

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 1, 2012

The many layers of why Scott Forstall was ousted as Apple's iOS chief just keep peeling away. The latest wrinkle: Bob Mansfield, the company's former hardware engineering senior vice president, agreed to come out of retirement to become senior vice president of Technologies, a new group encompassing wireless and hardware tech, only after Apple CEO Tim Cook offered a boatload of cash and the promise he didn't have to talk to Forstall...

Apple patents movement-based iOS theft detector

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Are you worried your priced iOS or Mac gadget may be stolen? Don't fret, Apple's got your back, according to a new patent filing. Apple plans to use the accelerometer inside iOS devices to detect a theft, then sound an alarm.

Key to preventing those annoying car alarm-like false alerts, Apple's idea includes a special controller which ignores normal bumps and drops, instead listening for signals indicating a snatch-and-grab...

UK Judge: Apple must remove “incorrect” Samsung apology

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 1, 2012

Note to Apple: UK judges don't get American snarkiness. The UK Court of Appeals Thursday told the iPhone maker its recent apology to Samsung was "incorrect" and required a new notice on the website "acknowledging the inaccurate comments." At issue: comments from the trial's first ruling in which the judge declared Samsung's tablet "not as cool."

Judge Robin Jacob ordered the changes to Apple's website be made within 24 hours, rejecting the Cupertino, Calif. firm's request for 14 days to make the edit. "This is Apple. They cannot put something on their website?" Jacob reportedly said...

The Cygnett SecondSkin softly protects your iPhone 5

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Cygnett ranges four continents and sells product in more than 45,000 worldwide retailers across 40 countries. According to Cygnett's description, the company tries to provide mobile protection solutions that are protective, fashionable, and functional. With a diverse line up of iPhone 5 options, they are doing well in their mission and I had the opportunity to give the SecondSkin a run for about a week.

In a crowded market, it is difficult to make a product truly stand-out, but many case companies continue to press forward, taking their stab at the latest and greatest. If you just nabbed your iPhone 5 or are planning to get one soon, start taking a look at the wide selection. We are here to give you a quick glimpse at the new SecondSkin...

Apple adds Sandy relief donation portal to iTunes

Cody Lee ∙ October 31, 2012

As most of you are aware of by now, the Northeastern part of the United States was hit by a superstorm this week. Hurricane Sandy tore through New York, New Jersey and other areas on Monday night, causing an estimated $60 billion in damages.

For those that are looking to help, Apple has teamed up with the American Red Cross to make it easy for folks to donate money to the relief efforts...

iPad mini box says the tablet requires iTunes 11

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

As we told you this morning, some customers started receiving their iPad minis today, despite the fact that the tablet doesn't officially launch until Friday. This gave us early unboxing photos and new details about the product.

One of those details is that on the back of the iPad mini's retail box, it says that the tablet requires iTunes 11 for sync. But, as we all know, Apple has pushed its iTunes 11 release back to November. So what's the deal?