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.

Gorgeous Rise Alarm Clock goes free as App Store’s App of the Week

Folks unhappy with Apple's stock alarm clock feature may want to check out the beautiful Rise Alarm Clock app by Kellen Styler. Not only is it one of the best-looking third-party alarm clock apps out there, but it's also free for a limited time.

Apple has named Rise its App of the Week, something it does every week for paid apps it believes deserve to be featured in front of millions of eyeballs. And after downloading the app for myself, it's not surprising that they picked this one...

Rdio update brings Pandora-style personalized radio stations

Adaptive Internet radio is all the rage these days for streaming music service subscribers. At least, that's what you'd think looking at the top players. The feature, which was popularized by Pandora, can be found in Apple's iTunes Radio, Spotify, and now Rdio.

Rdio updated its apps today with a number of improvements, including enhanced Stations, tweaked UI, and more importantly, a new feature called 'You FM' that allows you to listen to personalized radio stations based on your favorite and pertinent tracks...

Microsoft now takes swipes at iPad mini

Wow, there's just no stopping Microsoft's marketing people in their anti-iPad crusade. As it’s done several times this summer, the Windows giant yesterday posted a Surface commercial which predictably takes swipes at Apple's full-size iPad, criticizing its $499 asking price, lack of SD card slot and limited Office compatibility (go figure).

You'd have think Microsoft's ad agency would not release another iPad bashing commercial until next week. Much to our surprise, however, a mere 24 hours later a new commercial has surfaced on YouTube, this time on Microsoft's WindowsVideos channel.

And for the first time, the software giant is targeting the iPad mini by pitting Acer's 8.1-inch Iconia W3 tablet against Apple's popular 7.9-inch $329 device. I've included the ad for your viewing pleasure right after the break...

Apple’s PC share drops as iPads cannibalize Macs

The PC market - once comprised of hulking desktop machines and slim laptops - increasingly relies on tablets for a fresh infusion of sales. The latest instance of this new world order comes from market researcher Canalys, out with its PC forecast which includes tablet shipments.

Viewing tablets as PCs results in Apple losing more than eleven percent in PC sales. Why? Because iPad sales are cooling amid lack of a refresh. Although just twenty percent of Apple sales are traditional PCs, the firm continues to lead the PC market. However, in a post-PC era, delays of introducing a new iPad means Apple's lead was trimmed during the second quarter of 2013, the research firm announced Wednesday...

Comcast testing new cloud DVR app for iOS devices

Back in June, Comcast announced its new X2 set-top box—a DVR that uses cloud storage instead of a traditional hard drive. It isn't expected to launch until later this year, but the cable provider has just been caught testing a new iOS application that allows subscribers to access their saved programming from the cloud-based recorder.

The folks over at FierceCable spotted the app in iTunes this morning. It's called Comcast Labs DVR, and it's published by Comcast Interactive Media. The software promises a revolutionary new DVR that streams live TV and shares your recordings to tablets, phones, and all of your television sets—as long as you're behind a Comcast modem...

Poll finds most users actually prefer the look of iOS 7 over iOS 6

The responses to the radical user-facing changes Apple has made in iOS 7 have been a mixed bag thus far. While some users welcome the new designs and like the way the software looks, others dislike the update so much they say it could kickstart Apple's downfall.

But it looks like the voices in the latter camp are just the loudest, and don't necessarily represent the majority. Because according to this online poll conducted by Input Factory's Polar platform, most folks actually prefer the overall UI design of iOS 7 to that of iOS 6...

Quality issues reportedly prompt Apple to cozy up to Samsung for iPad screens

It's no secret Apple's been working around the clock to decrease its reliance on Samsung for components. I'm also sure you know the two frenemies have been entangled in a complicated web of lawsuits the world over for two years. Now, various market repots have indicated Apple months ago showed Samsung the door by introducing other mobile display makers to the iPad supply chain, namely LG Display and Sharp.

In an interesting reversal, research firm NPD DisplaySearch said Wednesday it believed Samsung actually gained on the iPad screen supplier LG Display because Apple in April and June reportedly sourced more 9.7-inch iPad panels from LG Display than from Samsung...

Despite slumping Surface sales, Microsoft continues to attack iPad in new ad

You would think that with an ongoing Surface sales slump that even multiple fire sales can't fix, Microsoft would try to switch up its tactics. But nope. As it's done several times this summer, the Redmond company posted a new tablet ad today attacking the iPad.

The new spot is called 'Surface RT vs. iPad.' And like Microsoft's previous commercials, it pits the Surface against Apple's popular tablet, highlighting their differences. This time around, the iPad is knocked for having a smaller screen, lacking a kickstand and more...

Apple files for patent on fused glass enclosures for use on TV sets and more

Apple filed for an interesting new patent last week on methods for fusing glass pieces together to create various types of glass enclosures. The filing was published by the European Patent Office yesterday, which credits Jony Ive as one of its inventors.

More specifically, the patent application illustrates how the double-sided glass construction design of the iPhone 4/4S could be extended to the iPod, iPad, and various displays. Apple even points to a TV set being encased in glass using its fused process...

Apple seeds iOS 7 beta 5 to developers: this is what’s new

Apple has seeded iOS 7 beta 5 to developers this morning. The update comes just one week after the release of beta 4, as it appears that the company is trying to get back on track after the lengthy Developer Center outage.

Beta 5 is available now to all registered Apple developers via the Dev Center and OTA, which can be installed by visiting the Software Update section in the Settings app of proper devices that currently have iOS 7 installed...

Scosche introduces new ‘BoltBox’ charging cables for Lightning devices

Folks looking to pick up a new Lightning charging cable might want to check out Scosche's latest iOS accessory. The California-based company introduced the 'boltBOX' today, a new colorful USB charging cable for all of your Lightning devices.

What makes the boltBOX better than your average Apple USB Lightning cable? Well, aside from the fact that it comes in a variety of different colors, it features an innovative retractable design that neatly stores its 3-foot cable when not in use...

Twitter app updated with two-step verification, enhanced photo search and more

Folks using the official Twitter client on iOS will be happy to hear that it has received a significant update this morning, bringing the app to version 5.9. The update includes a handful of improvements, including 2 step authentication and enhanced photo searching.

Twitter first introduced two-step authentication back in May, following a number of widely widely publicized hacks involving celebrity and other high profile accounts. With today's update, Twitter is bringing the new security feature to iOS and Android devices...