Review: Apple's Third-Generation iPad and more

In This Issue...

Review: Apple's Third-Generation iPad
Free Android apps use up battery power sending ads
ALK Technologies offering the CoPilot Live Premium navigation apps at a discounted price (for a limited time)
Time Warner Cable now live streaming 26 local channels for NYC iPad users
Some evidence showing that not every iPad user needs to update to the new iPad
Cut The Rope: Experiments now available for Android
Google Play for Android gets a few new features
Digiboo movie rental service utilizes USB drives for airport travelers
Apple will finally reveal how it will spend its money
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Review: Apple's Third-Generation iPad

Apple's third-generation iPad

Apple’s third generation iPad, as Apple products these days are wont to do, arrived on the market with a bang. It received almost universally positive reviews when it was unveiled in early March, and then arrived in stores March 16, breaking single-day sales records.

Named not with a number but rather simply “The New iPad,” the third-generation device sports enough improvements that it can easily be declared the best tablet now available on the market. If you’re still on the first edition, are using an inferior Android tablet or have never had a tablet before, this is the one you want to buy. But is the new device enough of an improvement to necessitate an upgrade for iPad 2 owners? Not necessarily.

(Note: This review is based on a 16GB, 4G LTE-capable iPad, borrowed for an afternoon from a family member of the author.)

The form factor is essentially the same- the new tablet is slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad 2, but not to a significant degree. The screen remains 9.7 inches and the bezel is the same size; battery life remains at about 10 hours.

The headline improvements on the new iPad are three: it is the first iPad to offer Apple’s Retina Display; its camera is significantly improved, featuring 1080p video recording capability for the first time; and the device offers 4G LTE-capable editions from AT&T and Verizon.

Of those improvements, the speed is the most notable. It’s just plain really, really fast, and will likely make a significant different to those who like to stream or download large files on trains or other places without dependable Wi-Fi. The camera is also much better. Cumbersome as it can be to record using such a large device- and no, holding the iPad up over your head, Lloyd Dobler-style, to record at a concert is still not recommended. But the camera is certainly an improvement, especially if you have a new baby at home like I do.

But the headline improvement of the new iPad, the one most emphasized by Apple at the launch, was the screen. And ironically, it’s the one of the three that is least impressive.

The Retina Display on the new iPad’s screen is an improvement, no question. But it’s not a huge improvement. The screen is slightly better, but not to a mind-blowing degree.

I grabbed an iPad 2 and did a side-by-side comparison for several tasks- watching video, using apps, and just plain using the home screen- and the different wasn’t even readily apparent. At times, the iPad 2 screen even looked better. The difference is likely only apparent, for video, when watching in 1080p, but not all or even most video online is in that resolution.

Screenwise, the improvement from the second iPad to the third has a lot more in common with the iPhone 4 to 4S, as opposed to the 3GS to the 4, even though that was the iPhone that introduced Retina Display.

So therefore, it becomes a question of whether the improvement is good enough to justify upgrading, especially if you already shelled out $500 (or more) a year ago for the iPad 2. Perhaps the biggest game-changer of all from Apple has nothing to do with the new device: It’s that the price of the iPad 2 dropped by $100, in a move that could kill off the iPad’s competition once and for all.

Other improvements include the simultaneous arrival of the iOS 5.1 software, the inclusion of the new Apple A5X processor, and improved versions of numerous apps, including Apple’s in-house iMovie, iPhoto and GarageBand applications.

The new iPad sells for $499, $599 and $699 for 16, 32 and 64GB Wi-Fi-only versions, and $629, $729 and $829 for LTE. All versions are available in both black and white, with the LTE versions available from both AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

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Free Android apps use up battery power sending ads

Ever wonder why your Android phone’s battery runs out so quickly? According to research done by Abhinav Pathak and his colleagues at Purdue University, up to 75 percent of the energy used by free Android apps is spent either serving up ads or monitoring user data. When Pathak and his crew delved into some of the more popular apps like Angry Birds, Free Chess, and NYTimes, they found that only 10-30 percent of the energy was being used to power the app’s intended function.

In Angry Birds, only 20 percent of the energy is used to run the game, while 45 percent is used to locate the user and download ads based on their location via 3G. In addition, the 3G connection remains open for 10 seconds — even if data transmission has completed. This “tail energy” takes up another 28 percent of the app’s energy. No wonder some of us have to charge our devices twice a day…

Pathak will present his findings at the Eurosys conference next month in Bern, Switzerland.

Via [New Scientist]

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ALK Technologies offering the CoPilot Live Premium navigation apps at a discounted price (for a limited time)

The folks over at ALK Technologies are offering the CoPilot Live Premium apps at a rather nice discount. The sale prices are only going to remain in effect for a short while which means you better not wait all that long. In fact, the sale will only remain in effect through March 20th — tomorrow. Anyway, that bit aside — what we have is a 20 percent discount on the CoPilot Live Premium apps which include goodies such as CoPilot Live Premium HD USA, CoPilot Live Premium USA and CoPilot Live Premium HD North America. In regards to those three apps, the prices are now set at $15.99, $12.99 and $19.99 respectively. But remember those prices are only valid through tomorrow. That being said, for those in the US the first app (Premium HD USA) sounds pretty reasonable — $15.99 and it is a universal app which means it can run on your iPhone and iPad. And for those scoffing at the idea of a navigation app running on your iPad I will say this — don’t knock it until you have tried it. Sure, the iPad is on the larger size, but that makes it easier to see and navigate — especially when you are driving alone and don’t want to take your eyes off the road. If interested you can follow those three via links below…

Via [CoPilot Live HD Premium USA] and [CoPilot Live Premium USA] and [CoPilot Live HD Premium North America]

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Time Warner Cable now live streaming 26 local channels for NYC iPad users

It looks like Time Warner Cable subscribers may be in luck. Well, they will be in luck assuming they were hoping to be able to stream local television on an iPad (and also living in New York). Yup, the folks over at TWC have announced that New York City Time Warner Cable subscribers are now able to stream local content on the iPad app. More specifically, those who fall into that category will be able to stream 26 local channels. And for those without an iPad handy, the streaming can also be done on the web at TWCTV.com. And for those outside the NYC area, rest assured in knowing that Time Warner Cable has not forgotten you. According to further details, they are “working to bring local channels to a few more of our markets by the end of the year.” And lastly, getting back to those in NYC, here is a list of those 26 channels that you can now stream;

WCBS HDTV (CBS)
WNBC HDTV (NBC)
NBC NY Nonstop
WNYW HD (Fox)
WABC HDTV (ABC)
Live Well HD
WABC News Now
WWOR HD (My9)
WPIX-HD (PIX11)
WPXN HD (ION)
WXTV HD (Univision

)

WFUT HD (Telefutura)
WNJU HD (Telemundo)
WFME
WLIW (PBS)
World
WLNY (TV 10/55)
WMBC
WNJN HD (or WNJB or NJN1) – PBS
WNYE (NYC TV Life)
WRNN
WNET (Thirteen HD)
V-ME
Create
Kids13
Rise (Al Jazeera)

Via [TWC Cable Untangled] and [The Verge]

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Some evidence showing that not every iPad user needs to update to the new iPad

The new iPad is touting some improvements over the previously existing iPad 2 with goodies such as 4G LTE coverage and improvements to the camera. Of course, while both of those sound nice, the big deal here is the new and improved display, which is being touted as ‘resolutionary.’ Anyway, while we are sure that Apple did just what they said — made the display much much nicer we are also not all that surprised to see that some new users are having trouble figuring out which device is the iPad 2 and which device is the new iPad. That being said, the folks over at The Next Web offered up some video evidence showing just that — and if nothing else, this may convince some that they do not NEED to upgrade.

Via [The Next Web]

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Cut The Rope: Experiments now available for Android

ZeptoLab released Cut The Rope: Experiments (for iOS) way back in August of 2011, and well, it looks like this weekend brought the release to Android. Yup, Cut The Rope: Experiments is now available for Android users and can be found in Google Play. The game comes priced the same as the original version of Cut The Rope, which is $0.99. The newly released Experiments version of the game is currently sitting at version 1.0 and will run on Android devices with 1.6 or later. Bottom line here, this Experiments release is perfect for those who have played, beaten or simply gotten bored of the original Cut The Rope. In terms of what you can expect to get in return for your 99 cent purchase price — the goodies include 125 new experiments and 5 level packs. Or more specifically, here is how the feature set breaks down (according to the folks at ZeptoLab);

125 new experiments (levels) across 5 colorful new settings, with more to come!
5 level packs: Getting Started, Shooting the Candy, Sticky Steps, Rocket Science, and Bath Time
New gameplay elements like rope guns, suction cups, rockets, and water!
New characters
New storyline featuring commentary from the Professor
New social integration: find hidden evidence for the Professor's photo album to share on Facebook.
Scoreloop achievements and leaderboards – compare your progress to other rope cutters around the world!

Via [Google Play]

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Google Play for Android gets a few new features

Google Play now has more going for it other than a new name. Google has started to update Google Play on Android devices to version 3.5.15. this update brings over a few features already present on the Google Play desktop site such as streamlined reviews and easier access to your apps.

Google Play for Android now lets you sort reviews according to device. No longer will you wonder if a certain app will work well with your phone. You’ll also be able to filter reviews to only include comments on the latest version of an app.

Google Play also has menus that can be swiped through to reveal installed apps and every other app you’ve downloaded on your account.

This update should automatically make its way to you soon if it hasn’t already.

Read [Droid-Life]

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Digiboo movie rental service utilizes USB drives for airport travelers

Digiboo is approaching the movie rental business a bit differently. Instead of popping out discs, Digiboo downloads movies onto a customer’s USB drive. Digiboo recently launched at three airports in Minneapolis, Portland and Seattle. Travelers are more likely to realize they forgot to bring something to entertain them before and during flying, so airports are a good place to find some impulse buyers.

Digiboo has over 700 movies to choose from. A customer just needs to select the movie they want, insert their USB drive into the kiosk, pay with a credit card and begin the registration process to view the movie. Digiboo requires a PC (not Mac support at this time) to be registered online before the movie will play. Digiboo will have a pre-registration form available on its website soon.

Up to five devices can play purchased movies, but only one device will play a rented movie. It costs $3.99 to rent a movie in standard definition for 48 hours and $14.99 to buy the movie.

As of now, Digiboo only works on PCs. Support for Android is coming in June.

Site [Digiboo] Read [Pocket-lint]

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Apple will finally reveal how it will spend its money

Apple has amassed an incredible amount of cash thanks to its line of ultra desirable electronics. The company is currently sitting on nearly $1 billion cash and the world wants to know what Apple plans on doing with it. We’re going to get our answer this morning at 9am Eastern.

During this time, Apple will hold a conference call starring CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer. The announcement(s) will be streamed live on the internet for anyone to listen in. Alternatively, listeners will be able to pick up the phone call dial in to the conference as well.

Apple stated that it will only talk about its cash. Don’t expect to hear anything too specific about the new iPad or the fabled Apple television.

Overall, anything that’s announced today has the potential to be really huge, or just plain boring.

Via [Apple]

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