On April 3rd, 2010, Apple finally released the long-awaited iPad. This short post will tell you a little bit about my impressions of this device.

The first thing you’ll notice about the iPad is how thin it is. It’s actually a bit thinner than an iPhone! When you pick it up, it feels a bit heavy, at 1.5 lbs. However, the plus side of this is that you can really feel the solid quality of this device.

Despite how many people have been saying that it is just a big iPod Touch, there are actually a few changes that set it apart. The Safari web-browsing app, for example, has a new UI for when you’re switching between windows. Rather than flipping through your windows one by one, you can see them all at the same time.

The iTunes app also is much improved. It looks a lot closer to the iTunes that you’d expect on your computer. Perhaps the biggest improvement is the YouTube App. You can see all the search results on the same screen, and the display is absolutely gorgeous.

Overall, I think the iPad is a great value for the price. It’s hard to sum up all the features for you. You need to go to an Apple Store and try it for yourself.

Now that the iPad had finally been unveiled you might be wondering what the top 5 apps would be great for it.  Since the iPad has a much larger 9.7-inch capacitive touchscreen and multitouch capabilities, it could add a lot to some of the most popular apps and games in the App Store. We’ve collected 5 current iPhone apps (games mostly) that we think will especially look good on the iPad.

1) Facebook – Apple’s senior vice president iPhone software, Scott Forstall mentioned in yesterdays announcement that Facebook would be a great addition to the iPad.  Considering that anyone with a decent amount of Facebook friends can access a wealth of profiles, updates, photos, plus much more, you can use it to be the hippest stalker ever.

2) Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars – We already knew that this popular game plays well on the iPhone 3GS and the Nintendo DS. But imagine blowing it up to twice the size.  Shootouts, explosions will be much more epic on the iPad. The touchiest GTA installment just got more crazy.

3) Madden NFL 10 – Madden on the iPhone just isn’t Madden. Those who have been playing Madden in their living rooms for years know that the mobile version of the iconic game is fun, but the screen’s a tad too small to really lay out those plays.  With the iPad, the Madden franchise will finally get a chance to play ball on the biggest portable screen yet.

4) The Sims 3 – If you’ve been looking to walk your Sim around with more precision and take in more details in this very successful adaptation, the iPad will be a good option.

5) SimCity – The iPhone version of SimCity only had one glaring problem—the screen was a tad small to do everything you wanted to do, especially if you had big sausage fingers.  The iPad’s touchscreen will probably do the game some much needed justice.  Now you can build your city with the peace of mind that you’ll be able to build roads precisely when that massive fire breaks out.

iPhone 4G Mock-up with LED Flash

Sources familiar with Apple’s claim say the electronics maker is seeking allotments of LED camera flash components in the tens of millions for delivery during the 2010 calendar year, meaning future iPhones, and possibly the iPod touch, will most likely be recipients of those parts, due to their sales volume.  Those same sources say that Philips’ Lumileds Lighting sector is believed to be the front-runner for Apple’s business and may have already secured the design win.

This is all good news, of course, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.  It took two years for Apple to upgrade the iPhone camera, and even now with the 3GS 3.2 megaxpixels and video recording, the camera is still a huge waste of time.

]]> http://ipodreboot.com/apple-buys-up-10s-of-millions-of-led-flash-components/feed/ 10 http://ipodreboot.com/posimotion-shows-off-their-helix-gaming-grip-for-iphoneipod-touch/ http://ipodreboot.com/posimotion-shows-off-their-helix-gaming-grip-for-iphoneipod-touch/#comments Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:37:17 +0000 Ray Morrison http://ipodreboot.com/?p=1121

With all the driving and racing games for the iPhone, you would think there would be an accessory to make the device easier to handle during game play.  Well now it’s here!  Most of the racing games use the accelerometer of the iPhone or iPod touch to control the car on LCD screen. The iPhone gets tilted left or right to turn in the desired direction.

Those wanting more realism in their mobile driving and racing games can now get the Posimotion Helix gaming grip accessory.  The stylish grip will make its debut at CES next month and lets the user clip the iPhone or touch into the steering wheel accessory.

The Helix steering wheel will be available for purchase early next year however the price is still to be determined.  I have never seen a use for this sort of thing myself for an iPhone. It’s not much different from just holding the iPhone in your hands.

Lookout gamers Formula 1 is coming to the iPhone and Touch in the near future, said Codemasters.  The game will feature all the greatness your familiar with including accelerometer based steering and tap buttons for brakes and throttle.

 The App Store, F1 2009 will feature 10 teams, 20 drivers and 17 circuits from the World Championship.  It will offer stunning graphics, the authentic Formula One experience on the iPhone and iPod.  Players will be able to race the stunning Eau Rouge at Spa Francorchamps, and experience the claustrophobic streets of Monaco where one mistake can end with twisted wreckage.

F1 on iPhone and iPod supports two different modes of game play: Time trial and Endurance.  Time trial is about setting the best lap time at a circuit.  Endurance is about speed and consistency as players test their skills with six, nine or 12 laps looking to set the best average lap time.

F1 2009 is also available to buy now on the Nintendo Wii™ and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable).

TomTom have confirmed that their Car Kit – the optional accessory to accompany the TomTom iPhone app – will only fully work with the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, thanks to a limitation in the TomTom application.  The app’s limitation means that owners of the first-gen iPhone, together with iPod touch users, won’t be able to take advantage of the Car Kit’s integrated GPS receiver and speakerphone.

The TomTom navigation application does not require the Car Kit accessory, but with it users of iPhone 3G and 3GS can see boosted GPS signal together with using their phone hands-free.  It also has an integrated charger, which both rejuices the iPhone and powers the Car Kit’s GPS/speaker.

TomTom are saying they have no “public announcements” about whether they’ll be releasing a version of the Car Kit app that’s compatible with the iPod touch or first-gen iPhone.  The Car Kit itself is priced at $119.95 and expected to ship in 2-3 weeks according to Apple’s online store.

I’m a woman on the go. For years, I struggled with atlases, hard to fold maps, and other people’s direction each road trip. I always got where I was going, but then I received a iphone Christmas 2008. I took it on a business trip to Miami, FL. Though I flew, I thought it would be handy. Usually, I’m stuck in the hotel with a rental car, not knowing the area, but this time I had the most empowering travel companion. I used the google maps and my iphone to come up with a close restaurant to have dinner. I feel confident every time I leave the house that I know where I’m going and my iphone knows how to get there. Now, I’m fearless!