_____________________________________________________________

Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

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

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.

_____________________________________________________________

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.

_____________________________________________________________

Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

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

Yesterday I had a chance to scoot up to Best Buy and play around with an iPad for a while.  Prior to launch, I assumed that the iPad was “just a larger version of the iPod Touch”.  After launch, I now confirm that the iPad is “just a larger version of the iPod Touch”.  Please allow me to elaborate…

Having been a huge fan of Apple products for many years and use a MacBook Pro on a daily basis, I am a bit let down with overall line up of Apple products lately.  I’m a techie that loves innovation and customization, and with the exception of Jail Breaking (hacking) your Apple devices, these options just aren’t available.  Apple devices seem to be so locked down; they are almost too simple for most techies.  The apps absolutely make the iPhone & iPod Touch.  I originally had an iPhone 2G (the 1^st generation), and anxiously awaited the iPhone 3G release.  Disappointed with the minimal upgrades, I decided to hang on to the 2G until the next generation release.  When the iPhone 3GS came out with added video capabilities and a compass, I decided to jump ship and get rid of my iPhone altogether…a decision I didn’t regret.  I now have an iPod Touch and a Google Nexus One, which is an AMAZING device out of the box.

I apologize for the tangent, lets move on to the actual Apple iPad review.  As I feel that this is an iPod Touch on steroids, I will only touch on items that I feel are iPad only:

Display

At the end of the day, the iPad is all about the screen. Its 9.7-inch LED backlit IPS (in-plane switching) display is large, bright, and crisp and does not disappoint. Although some complain about the glossy screen as a distraction, I wasn’t bothered enough to write it off.

• 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
• 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating

Hardware

Sadly, the iPad has no camera for video conferencing or any USB ports for countless plug-ins or peripherals. The iPad does have a few other components you should be comfortable with, as well as a new added feature.  As on the iPhone/iPod Touch, there is the obvious home button, a volume rocker, a power and/or sleep button, a headphone jack, and a 30-pin dock connector for connecting your iPad to your computer.

Regarding new hardware, Apple has introduced a screen rotation lock which will force the your iPad to remain in landscape or portrait mode.  Nice for when you’re on the couch reading a book while shifting positions.

Keyboard

The iPad utilities the on screen keyboard that is used with the Apple mobile devices.  In landscape mode, I found myself typing fairly quickly in a short amount of time.  Not so much in the portrait mode.  Nothing groundbreaking here, but gets the job done.  Apple will be releasing a physical plug in keyboard that will satisfy those whom hate the onscreen version.

E-Reader

This feature is perhaps one that I would use the most if I were to purchase an iPad.  The ability to purchase an e-book directly from the iBooks app is a neat feature, which delivers the e-book instantly.  We had a chance to flip through a Winnie the Pooh book as well as a large novel with no pictures, both worked very well.  There are options to bookmark not only a page, but also an exact paragraph.  Turning the page is a simple flick or swipe of your finger. All in all, the e-reader is a solid new feature introduced on the Apple iPad.

Apps

The good news: the iPad will have over 150,000 of apps at launch due to the ability to use all iPhone/iPod Touch apps.  The bad news:  there is an ability to scale up the iPhone/iPod Touch app to conform with the iPad screen, however, most apps looks horribly pixilated and out of place.  In most cases, the original app size is best.

A lot of developers are planning to cash in on the iPad App movement, so upgrading current apps to work natively with the iPad is top priority.  Although I haven’t played with too many apps, I must say that the Marvel Comic Book reader is simple amazing and fun to use!

Calendar / Contact

Those who are comfortable with Apple’s iCal and Contacts will feel comfortable with these features on the iPad.  Both open in a spilt screen, book like display, and serves its purposes.  The slider scroll on the bottom of the calendar app is a nice and quick easy way to hope from day to day.

Mail

Simply put, the iPad mail application is the iPhone mail program with a preview area for messages.  Attachments need to be viewed with the source app, kind of limiting.  The iPad mail app is not made to replace your Entourage, Apple Mail or Entourage.

The Bottom Line

If the Apple iPad came out prior to the iPhone or iPod Touch, this definitely would be a “wow” gadget.  As it did not, I can only say that the iPad is a larger, steroid injected iPod Touch.  Unfortunately and as I have done for the last few Apple releases, I’m going to hold off until iPad 2.0, maybe even longer given the upgrades.

_____________________________________________________________

Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

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

Here is a simple solution that is almost so simple, we would have never thought of it – the “binder clip cord management system”:

As the picture shows, grab a few binder clips out of the free-for-all company cabinet, and feed your cords through.  Attached the clip to the edge of your desk, and “wa-la”, a perfect solution for those fallen cables!

_____________________________________________________________

Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

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

If you are on the fence about getting an Apple iPad, some of these leaked apps may or may not persuade your decision.  Check them out here: http://appadvice.com/appcollections/view/ipad-apps

_____________________________________________________________

Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

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

This seems to be a good idea, and I’m shocked it has taken all this time for Apple to come up with this idea?  I wonder where is the “trade an app” option?  A website like that would be shut down so fast by Apple, it doesn’t seem worth the headache…

_____________________________________________________________

Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

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

The reSTART Internet Addiction Recovery Program specializes in treatment for internet, gaming, texting and video game excessive use.  I myself have known relationships that have been torn apart due in part to World of Warcraft and excessive gameplay.  South Park did a parody on this game, and it was strikingly realistic!

Pricing starts at $14,500 for 45-day treatment and $27,000 for 90-day treatment – this does NOT include a $200 application fee, an $800 2-day screening interview fee and an $200 airport pick-up fee!

Our professionally trained clinicians understand technology related behavioral addictions, and the impact such conditions have on a person’s life. We work with individuals, couples and families to help them better understand and recover from an Internet, Video Gaming or Technology related behavioral addiction, as they reconnect with what’s important and meaningful in their lives.

Counseling Program Services available include:

• Thorough individualized assessments
• Clinically designed programs tailored to meet individual needs
• Individual counseling with professionally trained staff
• Group counseling and psychotherapy
• Life skills and vocational coaching
• Mindfulness based stress reduction programs and group-work
• 12-step meetings and spiritual recovery

We invite you to meet with one of our clinicians for an assessment and development of an individualized treatment plan to help you or someone you care about, learn to manage, and in many cases overcome, a behavioral addiction.

With that said, I highly doubt insurance will cover any of this.  Today only, PCQuikFix is running a special – for the low low price of $2,500, we will send a PCQuikFix technician to your home to remove any and all power cords associated with your video game consoles…problem solved!

_____________________________________________________________

Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

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

_____________________________________________________________

Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

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

Plug your device into your computer and connect to iTunes and update!