Analysts predict massive iPad quarter with 12M units on 156% annual growth

The new iPad hit the market just four days ago and already it has managed to move three million units. But that's peanuts compared to the twelve million units some analysts are projecting for the entire first quarter of 2012, which ends in less than two weeks. Mind you, this estimate excludes sales of iPad 2, now discounted to $399 for the entry-level 16GB Wi-Fi model, and is based on 156 percent year-over-year growth versus the 111 percent iPad growth in the holiday quarter.

As noted by John Paczkowski over at the AllThingsD blog, UBS analyst Maynard Um is projecting "massive" iPad quarter based on an average of 750,000 daily units since last Friday's launch. Of course, launch demand will eventually cool off, but with the device launching in 23 more countries this coming Friday (fastest iPad roll-out yet) and impressive rates of production ramp-up, Apple looks poised to take iPad sales to the next level...

What Apple should do with its money

Sunday night, when Apple announced that it was going to be holding a conference call the following morning regarding its plans for its massive cash pile, the internet ran wild with speculation.

We heard all kinds of theories, ranging from a surprise Twitter buyout to a small carrier acquisition. But Apple's actual announcement of dividends and stock buybacks was much more tame.

While this outcome might have appeased investors, it left some of us wanting more. Here's what I think the company should do with its money...

Thermal imaging: New iPad runs 10 degrees hotter than iPad 2, but still within operating requirements

Yesterday, we told you about an unknown portion of new iPads overheating, with the lower left-hand corner of the device getting warm or noticeably hot. This was based on personal observations by numerous owners who took to Apple support forums to share their experience.

Now, a more scientific approach has confirmed that yes, the new iPads are indeed getting a little toasty. More precisely, the device on average runs 10 degrees hotter than its predecessor, the iPad 2. The finding is based on side-by-side thermal imaging of the new iPad vs. iPad 2...

iPhone Mug Case helps you “handle” your daily tasks

Those looking for a different, yet functional iPhone case might be interested in this little guy. The Mug Case, offered up by the folks at Taylor, promises to make your life easier with its unique design.

The all-rubber case features a coffee mug-like handle that can be used to prop your phone up on a table top, or to carry the handset around with a single finger. And best of all, it won't break the bank...

Expert says the new iPad causes less eye strain than its predecessors

The biggest change in Apple's new iPad is undoubtedly that Retina display. Cramming all those extra pixels into the same size screen is certainly a feat of engineering, but Apple didn't do it just because it can.

As anyone with a new iPad in front of them, or an iPhone 4/4S for that matter, will have to admit, having a Retina display makes the screen almost look like a magazine. It's impossible sharp, mesmerisingly clear.

According to one Optometrist and the editor of All About Vision, those extra pixels also help to reduce eye strain, too...

What would Chuck Norris do? Ask Siri.

Although the whole Chuck Norris Facts meme has ran its course, apparantly there is a jailbreak developer that doesn't want to let it die.

Chuck Norris Facts for Chatbot is an AssistantExtensions plugin that will spout off Chuck Norris "facts" faster than Chuck Norris can roundhouse kick a saber-toothed tiger...

Apple announces it has sold 3 million new iPads so far

While the company's stock just closed at an all-time high this afternoon, Apple has just announced some staggering numbers. According to a press release just issued by the Cupertino-based company, it's sold 3 million iPads since its launch on Friday. Customers just couldn't wait to get their hands on the new Retina display glory.

Press Release below:

Apple stock closes at over $600 for first time

Today has been a pretty big day for those who currently own Apple stock. The Cupertino-based company announced this morning on a conference call with CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer that it will be issuing divdends and stock buybacks.

The stock market is liking Apple's announcement. While it hit $600 per share four days ago, Apple's stock has just closed at over $600 for the first time..

FAA could finally let passengers use iPads during takeoff and landing

Last December, The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave American Airlines’ pilot approval to use iPads in-cockpit as a cost-effective replacement for heavy pilot bags. But what's good for pilots and US Air Force is off limit to passengers who are still prohibited from using their wireless gadgets during taxi, take-off, landing or while the aircraft is under 10,000 feet.

Why? Well, as any avid fan of National Geographic's Air Crash Investigation could tell you, this policy exists over fear of consumer electronics interfering with aircraft avionics and cockpit electronics. Good news for all you globetrotters out there with a penchant for playing Angry Birds in the skies, catching up with your email or just browsing the web while airborne.

According to the New York Times, the agency is considering relaxing its policies governing the use of gadgets such as e-readers, iPads and other wireless devices in commercial planes...

Fifth Avenue Apple Store sold over 13,000 iPads in first 12 hours

Earlier today, both AT&T and Apple announced that they saw record-breaking iPad sales over the weekend. Neither company, however, gave any kind of specific sales figures.

So while everyone is speculating — we've heard it's well over a million — The Verge has gotten some ballpark estimates from the popular Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City...

Apple brings community Q&A to online store

Apple already has one of the most customer friendly shopping experiences around with its online store. An easy to navigate UI combined with pages full of information and a great customer support staff make it one of the best. Today, Apple has added a new element in hopes of making things a bit easier when you're buying your new iPhone or iPad online.

Apple has introduced an 'Answers from the community' section that allows customers to ask any question and get quick responses from fellow Apple fanboys. For more direct questions, this new section of the site should be of more assistance than Apple's support forums...

How to hide your iPhone’s dock with ‘DockHide’

DockHide is a recently released jailbreak tweak that enables you to hide the dock on your iPhone's Home screen.

Along with outright hiding the dock, there's also a provision to stretch out the remaining icon spacing to fill the void from the missing dock.

All of this is accomplished by means of a simple Activator action that you can configure via the tweak's settings panel.

Check out our video walkthrough of DockHide inside...