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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
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Well, this didn’t take long now did it.  AT&T has announced that as of June 7, 2010, their iPad 3G Plan will be shaken up a little bit.

For new iPad customers, the $25 per month 2 GB plan will replace the existing $29.99 unlimited plan. iPad customers will continue to pre-pay for their wireless data plan and no contract is required. Existing iPad customers who have the $29.99 per month unlimited plan can keep that plan or switch to the new $25 per month plan with 2 GB of data.

If you are lucky enough to have the unlimited plan as of now, no worries, your plan will be grandfathered in.  Shocker, I know…

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
Playstation 3 Repair |  Xbox 360 Repair |  Nintendo Wii Repair |  iPhone Repair

Too bad they didn’t have these when I was a kid, or I would have gotten my Eagle Scout!  Here are the requirements:

Requirements

Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may complete requirements in a family, den, pack, school, or community environment. Tiger Cubs must work with their parents or adult partners. Parents and partners do not earn loops or pins.
Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

1. Explain why it is important to have a rating system for video games. Check your video games to be sure they are right for your age.
2. With an adult, create a schedule for you to do things that includes your chores, homework, and video gaming. Do your best to follow this schedule.
3. Learn to play a new video game that is approved by your parent, guardian, or teacher.

Academics Pin

Earn the Video Games belt loop and complete five of the following requirements:

1. With your parents, create a plan to buy a video game that is right for your age group.
2. Compare two game systems (for example, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii, and so on). Explain some of the differences between the two. List good reasons to purchase or use a game system.
3. Play a video game with family members in a family tournament.
4. Teach an adult or a friend how to play a video game.
5. List at least five tips that would help someone who was learning how to play your favorite video game.
6. Play an appropriate video game with a friend for one hour.
7. Play a video game that will help you practice your math, spelling, or another skill that helps you in your schoolwork.
8. Choose a game you might like to purchase. Compare the price for this game at three different stores. Decide which store has the best deal. In your decision, be sure to consider things like the store return policy and manufacturer’s warranty.
9. With an adult’s supervision, install a gaming system.

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
Playstation 3 Repair |  Xbox 360 Repair |  Nintendo Wii Repair |  iPhone Repair

Anyone with bad timing that signed a contract with AT&T after June 1st is going to have one hell of a shock when it comes to their early termination fee.  The new early termination fee has been raised from $175 to $325!  Holy crap.  AT&T’s ridiculous explanation:

The idea is, and we think that it’s fair approach, that if you spend less on a device, your early termination fee should be less. If you spend more, your early termination fee should be more.

Time to jump ship while the going is possible.  If you decide to stick around, I hope you’re in for the long haul.  To add insult the injury, they also have a new BS plan regarding ETF:

For customers who enter into new two-year service agreements in connection with the purchase of our more advanced, higher end devices, including netbooks and smartphones, the ETF will increase to $325, and be reduced by $10 for each month that you remain with us as a customer during the balance of your two-year service agreement. After that, the ETF will no longer apply.

Although I am currently using a Google Nexus One, an unlocked device, I am stuck in the grasp of AT&T for at least another year.  Sucks to be me…and you after June!

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
Playstation 3 Repair |  Xbox 360 Repair |  Nintendo Wii Repair |  iPhone Repair

For our complete review of the Apple iPad, see “Apple iPad: An Honest Review“.  Remember, you will need a monthly data plan from AT&T to enjoy the 3G functionality.  No contract pricing for the data plan:

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
Playstation 3 Repair |  Xbox 360 Repair |  Nintendo Wii Repair |  iPhone Repair

To this date, Google’s CEO dismisses the iPad as “nothing more than a large phone” and confirms that Google is getting ready to unveil its own tablet computer.  The New York Times has reported that Schmidt has told his friends about the new device at a recent party in LA.

Not much is known yet regarding specs, release date, etc…as always, we will keep our eyes open for developments and post them here!

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
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Some of the released features include:

Camera & Video
Not only can you record, but video conferencing seems simple via two-way video using Skype.  Also indicates there will be cameras on each side of the device.

USB Ports
This opens up to a world of possibilities.

SD Memory Expansion Slots
Simple way to move around photos, etc.

Software
With the Apple iPad, you pretty much get what Apple gives you and what’s available in the App Store.  With the HP Slate, you are able to install software such as iTunes, Skype, Firefox, etc.

Adobe Flash
Flash is everywhere, except on Apple mobile products.  It doesn’t bother some, but some will welcome this feature.

Apple has said it themselves, the iPad is NOT made to replace your laptop.  HP on the other had, says that this is exactly what this device is aimed to do.  Set for release later this year, I’m pretty excited to play with one!

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
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The Good News – What we WILL get from OS 4:

Multitasking

Everyone saw this one coming.  Apple has taken alot of slack lately as this feature is not currently available on the iPhone.  Although not an “expose” type of multitasking, at least its something.  Per Apple:

Developers will have access to seven multitasking services, which will allow tasks to be performed in the background while preserving performance and battery life. So you’ll be able to make a Voice over IP call while playing a game or checking email, find a restaurant on Urbanspoon while listening to Pandora, and more.

Folders

When I had the iPhone, I had it jailbroken for most of it’s life.  It isn’t until the App Store came around that I stopped jail breaking as “most” of the features were now available.  One of the features I would always use is “folders”.  It’s easy to have a TON of apps flooding your iPhone, however, with folders you are able to keep the organized nicely.  Per Apple:

Organize apps into folders with drag-and-drop simplicity. Get faster access to your favorites and browse and manage up to 2160 apps at once — many more than the current limit of 180 apps.

Upgraded Mail

Basically, you can have multiple email addresses show up in one inbox.  Other sorting features will be available as well as the ability to open attachments in third-party apps.

iBooks

Much like its big sister, the iPad, OS 4 will be getting a version of iBooks.  The nice feature is that you only have to purchase your book once, the devices will stay synced including notes, bookmarks, etc.  Per Apple:

The best way to browse, buy, and read books on a mobile device. Easily flip through the pages of a book you’ve downloaded from the iBookstore while listening to your music collection. Browse tens of thousands of books — many of them free — by title, author, or genre. You can even check out reviews and read sample pages before you buy.

iAd

Just what you always wanted, a new way to receive ads on your mobile device!  Your prayers have been answered, per Apple:

iAd is a breakthrough mobile advertising platform from Apple. With it, apps can feature rich media ads that combine the emotion of TV with the interactivity of the web. For developers, it means a new, easy-to-implement source of revenue. For advertisers, it creates a new media outlet that offers consumers highly targeted information.

Other items
Smaller, notable items include: 5x digital camera zoom, Bluetooth keyboard support, local notifications and fast app switching.

The Bad News – What we WON’T get from OS 4:

Sorry, Old Guys
So here is something that will effect MOST iPhone users, ONLY the iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch (3rd-gen) devices will get all of the new features.

The iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2G will get “many things“, not including multitasking.

The old iPhone 2Gs will be left in the dark, no update, nothing…according to Apple, just let it go, man.

An Updated UI/Homescreen
This will never happen.

Flash Support for Safari
Anyone that knows Apple has come to the realization that Flash will never find a home on an Apple mobile device.  Some say Steveo has a grudge, but most think its because Flash is a battery sucker and Apple doesn’t agree that people need it.

Mass Storage Mode
Some were hoping that the iPhone would be able to be plugged into a computer and used as a USB flash drive…a mode to transfer files from place A to B.  Yeah, not going to happen.

Tethering with AT&T
This may be more of an AT&T restriction that Apple, nevertheless, its still a no go.

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
Playstation 3 Repair |  Xbox 360 Repair |  Nintendo Wii Repair |  iPhone Repair

I love Pandora, and plug it into our car stereo via my Nexus One to stream music all the time.  A solution like this would definitely make you the talk of the town, and target for that matter!  Here is the full installation:

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
Playstation 3 Repair |  Xbox 360 Repair |  Nintendo Wii Repair |  iPhone Repair

Alot of App creators release a “lite” or free version so that a user can test out the software before he/she buys.  I know from experience that it is a pain getting a refund for an App via the iPhone, however, Android has a “return/get refund” option if you see the App sucks within 24 hours.

If you have an App that you would like to suggest users download, or would like an App reviewed, please let us know.

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

Computer & Electronic Repair Solutions
Playstation 3 Repair |  Xbox 360 Repair |  Nintendo Wii Repair |  iPhone Repair