iPad

From the latest news to the most comprehensive tutorials, learn how to get the most out of your iPad with our step-by-step guides and expert tips.

Teardown finds iPad mini cost at least $188 to build

The iPad mini went on sale around the world on Friday, and though the official numbers aren't in yet, it appears to be selling rather well. This in spite of its lack of a Retina display, and its higher-than-average price tag.

In fact, Apple's had to defend the mini's pricing a couple of times now, claiming that its profit margins on the device are lower than on any of its other products. And according to a new teardown, that seems to be the case...

iPad mini jailbroken

It's only been about 24 hours since the iPad mini was officially released to the public, and it looks like it's already been jailbroken. Earlier this morning, MuscleNerd tweeted the above screen shot of him gaining root access to the new tablet. More details after the break...

Survey finds 75% of mini buyers are keeping their 10-inch iPad

In an attempt to get a handle on what kind of people are out buying the iPad mini today, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has been out and about interviewing purchasers of the tablet.

As you might expect, more than half of the early mini adopters that he talked to already owned a larger iPad. But somewhat surprisingly, more than 75% of them plan on keeping it...

Apple tweaks the Podcasts app

Apple's (mostly) hated Podcasts app that launched in the summer last received an update in September, finally bringing iOS 6 compatibility, iCloud subscription syncing, the ability to automatically download new episodes only when on Wi-Fi and more. Earlier today, a new version surfaced on iTunes. Podcasts 1.1.2, an incremental update, includes stability and performance improvements, bug fixes and a few enhancements.

For example, tapping a podcast in Top Stations now reveals episodes you can play. Also new is the ability to turn on automatic downloads for all subscribed podcasts in Settings. Unfortunately, the dreaded 1980s animated tape-recorder interface is still there, but Jony Ive will no doubt see to it sooner rather than later...

That’s one hell of a multitouch radio for your ride

As you may have heard, Apple's iPad mini finally went on sale earlier today. Some of you no doubt picked it up directly at your local Apple store (hope you didn't have to stand in line outside the Fifth Avenue store). Others might still be biting their nails anxiously awaiting that USP truck. If you're busy playing with or imagining handling Apple's shiny new toy, why not make some room in your car's dashboard so you can easily slide the iPad mini in and out? Look no further than Soundwaves of Tampa, which custom-built a dash in a 2012 Toyota Corolla. Video is right below...

Apple’s Lightning to Micro USB Adapter hits US online store

Apple's been an avid supported of USB for years. With USB 3.0, not so much - at least not until first Mac notebooks with USB 3.0 support began rolling out of assembly lines last year. The company, however, never adopted the industry-standard Micro USB connector. Instead, and much to the horror of the multi-billion dollar accessory biz, it chose to replace its own bulky, decade-old proprietary 30-pin dock connector with Lightning, another proprietary connector similar in size to micro USB (there's a reasonable explanation for that).

So, if you fancy connecting your Lightning-enabled mobile devices to micro USB cables and chargers to sync and charge, Apple comes to the rescue with its official Lightning to Micro USB Adapter. Originally released in Europe in September due to regulations mandating that all mobile phones be charged via commonplace micro USB adapters, it's now finally available to U.S. customers. How much? Just $20. I know, don't start...

First Nexus 10 reviews hit the web

Talk about timing. As Apple's latest tablet, the 4th generation iPad, officially goes on sale today, Google has lifted its embargo, giving early Nexus 10 holders the green light to post their reviews.

Google announced the 10-inch slate on Monday, and with its 2,560x1,600 display, 1.7GHz dual-core processor and 2GB of RAM, it's said to be a serious iPad contender. But what did reviewers think?

iPad mini fares better in drop tests than Nexus 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbHomq4QwIk

The iPad mini just went on sale this morning in 34 countries and warranty firm Square Trade already has drop tests done. Thanks to its unibody aluminum body and rigid construction, this is perhaps the most durable iPad yet. At any rate, the smaller iPad seems to withstand drops a little better than Google's Nexus 7 and the regular-sized iPad, even if the display on all three devices was completely shattered in the unforgiving face-down drop test.

As a Nexus 7 owner, I was honestly disappointed with poor build quality and especially how loosely the screen fits inside the frame. Of course, these drop tests are not very scientific and you shouldn't read too much into them though the video does a good job highlighting the iPad mini's rigid construction. Build quality and sturdiness, in addition to design, apps and other perks, certainly help justify the $130 premium compared to other popular seven-inch tablets on the market. Go past the fold for more drop test videos...

Apple’s revised apology to Samsung hits UK newspapers

As required by the UK court of appeal, Apple today published a public apology to Samsung in The Guardian newspaper, following the previous U.K. ruling that Samsung tablets did not copy the iPad. Snarky Apple yesterday published a public notice of the ruling on its web site and ran into trouble because it cunningly inserted a paragraph quoting the Judge on how consumers can’t confuse the Galaxy Tab with the iPad because “they’re not as cool", prompting Judge Robin Jacob to order that the edits be made within 24 hours.

The iPhone maker has pulled the notice upon request by Samsung, which argued that Apple's version of the notice gave the “impression that the UK court is out of step with other courts". The company did not update its web site with a revised version of the notice at post time. I take it Apple employees are busy launching the iPad in 34 countries so nobody can update the web site...

The winner of our iPad mini giveaway is…

The iPad mini is launching today in 34 countries around the world, and what better way to celebrate this event than giving one away to one lucky iDB reader. The response to our iPad mini giveaway has been phenomenal. Several thousand entries later, it is now time to announce the winner of our giveaway.

Without further ado, the winner of iDownloadBlog's iPad mini giveaway is...

The iPad mini begins its world tour launch in 34 countries, check out line videos

As promised, on Friday the new 7.9-inch iPad and a retooled fourth-generation iPad with Retina display both went on sale in what goes down in history as Apple's broadest and deepest iPad launch ever. The initial pre-order stock was sold out within hours a week ago, with expectation that the smaller iPad will move 1.5 million units during the weekend.

According to first reports, the launch drew shorter lines than for previous iPad launches, with places like Sydney experiencing the familiar lines that stretch for several blocks. Though the turnout wasn't as big as for a new iPhone, you had to stand in line if you wanted to buy the iPad mini at an Apple store. We've got some pretty nice launch videos right below the fold...

The iPad mini means ‘very tough’ holiday for Windows 8 sales

Yes, the iPad mini is indeed going to be competitors' worst nightmare. But Apple's new 7.9-inch tablet won't be terrorizing Android tablets as much as the last vestiges of PCs - many now with Microsoft's new Windows 8. On the eve of sales of Apple smaller tablet, the Sterne Agee analyst said Apple has its bulls-eye on PCs and Windows. Clarifying his earlier "nightmare" comment, Wu said observers who believe the new device is chiefly aimed at Android tablets such as Amazon's Kindle Fire HD or Google's Nexus 7 "miss the point"...