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.

CardSwitcher 2.0 now available on Cydia

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 21, 2012

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzdi1lO7V_w[/tube]

An exciting update to CardSwitcher has been issued on Cydia. If you remember our initial walkthough of the tweak, CardSwitcher is an alternative multitasking solution for iOS devices.

This latest update was totally rewritten for iOS 5, and includes live application views, updated swipe gestures, and a new grid mode aimed at iPad users.

Would you consider using the new and improved CardSwitcher? If so, you can find it on Cydia's BigBoss repo for $1.99, but it's a free update for existing customers.

Cellular data plans not cutting it for content-hungry 4G LTE iPad users

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 21, 2012

That entry-level data plan you signed up for to go along your brand spanking new iPad? It's obsolete, thanks to the device's 4G LTE networking that allows for speeds easily exceeding your home broadband connection. As a result, folks planning on enjoying 4G speeds on the go may likely blow past through their monthly allowance in a couple days. Your mileage may wary, of course, depending on your mobile usage habits.

Here in the U.S., entry-level data plans for iPad begin at $15 or $30 a month, depending on your carrier. AT&T's entry-level 250MB plan will set you back $14.99 a month, with 2GB/5GB plans costing $30/$50 a month. Rival Verizon Wireless is offering 2GB/5GB/10GB tiers priced at $30/$50/$80 a month.

But even five gigabytes a month is conceivable insufficient when you stream high-definition movies and television shows to your device over 4G LTE networks, upload big photos to your social networks or edit and upload full HD movies to YouTube, etc. The Wall Street Journal has the full story (subscription required)...

Apple upping iPhone orders from Pegatron, iPad touch modules from Wintek

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 21, 2012

A pair of reports from Asian trade publication DigiTimes appeared this morning, asserting Apple's iPhone orders from contract manufacturer Pegatron are on the rise while the company is also looking to source more touch panel modules from Wintek in the following quarter. According to the first story sourced from market watchers, "Apple continues to raise its iPhone orders to Pegatron as well as placing orders for new iPad".

Pegatron, whose plants are up for inspection by the Fair Labor Association, reportedly found itself under fire over Asustek Zenbook orders, according to a story by Chinese-language Commercial Times (Google translation).

You may also recall that Pegatron is rumored to be keeping its fingers crossed to land manufacturing orders for the so-called iPad mini that the usually credible Wall Street Journal raved about.

Apple imposing Nano SIM standard on Motorola, RIM and Nokia

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 21, 2012

When Apple was designing the iPhone 4, the company had adopted the smaller Micro SIM format for space constraints. Smaller in size compared to the standard Mini SIMs, Micro SIMs do the exact same job while using less space. But with mobile devices getting even slimmer these days, even Micro SIMs waste too much valuable space inside thin mobile gadgets.

Apple thinks smaller is better so last summer the company submitted a new requirement to the European Telecoms Standards Body for the use of even smaller SIM cards in mobile phones (AT&T followed suit). But the battle over the upcoming Nano SIM standard has put Apple once again on a collision course with its rivals in the smartphone space, namely the opposing group led by Android maker Google and joined by the ailing BlackBerry maker Research In Motion and Nokia of Finland, reports the Financial Times (subscription required)...

Microsoft allegedly halting iPad purchases made with company funds

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 21, 2012

Just as the new iPad landed two weeks ago, taking off to a great start, software maker Microsoft is reportedly looking to put a ban on iPad purchases made with company funds. According to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, a new policy is being put in place by Microsoft’s Sales, Marketing, Services, IT, & Operations Group (SMSG) which sent an internal email to employees specifically stating that iPads and Macs are a no-go.

Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit makes Office and other utilities for the Mac, but the company also makes iPad peripherals and a number of apps for iOS devices, such as the MSN and SkyDrive programs. They're also rumored to have been working on bringing the full-blown Office suite to iPad, which would help Apple's tablet penetrate deeper into enterprise world.

Even though SMSG encompasses 46,000 Microsoft employees worldwide, it's unlikely that the ban Apple products will put a noticeable dent in the iPad's performance. Apple shipped 55 million iPads as of last December and is projected to sell 12 million units of the new model in this quarter alone, excluding iPad 2. An alleged email to Microsoft employees is included right below...

World of Warcraft producer says they’re looking into iPhone version

Cody Lee ∙ March 20, 2012

Ah World of Warcraft. The number one MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game) is also likely the number one reason why gamers aged 12 - 60 don't see much sunlight. But that may not be the case for long.

Eurogamer recently spoke with WoW's senior producer John Lagrave about the possibility of Blizzard bringing the popular game to the iOS platform. And his comments are actually a lot more positive than you'd think...

Leaked screenshot suggests Verizon shared data plans are coming soon

Jake Smith ∙ March 20, 2012

A new plan from Verizon that will allow its customers to share a data plan between their iPhone and iPad has been rumored to launch for quite awhile. In May of 2011, Verizon’s CFO Fran Shammo hinted towards it rolling out, but offered no time frame.

In January, we saw a picture of Verizon's back-end that hinted to the plan launching soon. Today, a screenshot of the family data usage calculator that will be used when first signing up for the plan has leaked, showing that the plan may be launching soon...

Comixology iPad app updated, now displays comics in super high definition

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Graphic novel fans who haven't yet picked up a new iPad might have just found a good reason to do so. Comixology, the world's largest digital comics platform, just upgraded its iPad app to support the tablet's high resolution Retina display.

The company specializes in graphic novels and comic books, and offers both as digital downloads through its iOS app. Its library includes popular works from both DC and Marvel, as well as a number of other publishers...

Heatgate looms as Consumer Reports launches probe confirming iPad overheating

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 21, 2018

An influential United States consumer advocacy group Consumer Reports is investigating online reports describing overheating issues experienced by some owners of the new iPad, which went on sale last Friday to sell three million units during the launch weekend. The consumer watchdog also runs a monthly magazine since 1936 that features exhaustive product reviews widely accepted as credible.

A preliminary report states that the tablet hits 116 degrees Fahrenheit, or a whopping 46 degrees Celzius, while running graphics-heavy games such as Infinity Blade II. According to Reuters, Consumer Reports will publish its full findings this coming Thursday "after finishing a battery of tests", per their spokesperson.

It's interesting to note that Consumer Reports last Saturday published a quick review of the new iPad on its blog, proclaiming Apple's device "the best tablet yet"...

The new iPad to launch in 24 more countries this Friday

Cody Lee ∙ March 20, 2012

It's no secret that Apple's new tablet has been an overwhelming success thus far. The company announced yesterday that it sold more than three million iPads during its opening weekend — a new record for tablet sales.

But perhaps even more impressive is the amount of iPads that are still available. Retailers still have tons of the tablets on hand, and Apple is looking to launch the new iPad in 24 more countries this Friday...

Sprint bankruptcy a legitimate risk as Apple jumps on the LTE bandwagon

Cody Lee ∙ March 20, 2012

Sprint's stock fell 4% yesterday as investors reacted to a report that the risk of the carrier going bankrupt was increasing. Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett downgraded Sprint shares from "market-perform" to "underperform" based on the news.

While the company, which happens to be the third largest wireless provider in the US, has had a long string of poor quarters over the past few years, analysts had high hopes for the carrier after it finally became an iPhone partner late last fall...

Rumor: Sharp joins the Retina party, but brings only 2.71 million iPad panels

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 20, 2012

Last week, Bloomberg reported that Apple's long-time supplier and frenemy Samsung has fulfilled the bulk of orders for the new iPad's stunning 2,048-by-1,536 pixel resolution display, marketed under the Retina moniker. Piggy-backing on that story, Reuters chimed in with claims that LG Display is also filling iPad Retina display panel orders.

A new report by DigiTimes, a hit-and-miss Asian trade publication, asserted this morning that Sharp too is supplying Retina display panels for the tablet. Apple is known for sourcing components from multiple suppliers in order to reduce risks and squeeze the best prices possible. Unfortunately, quality issues with the highest-resolution display on a mobile device meant Sharp delivered lower-than-expected Retina shipments, pegged at 2.71 million units...