Category Archives: Gadgets
The iPad Mini – Is It Fact Or Fiction?
So, how about that iPad Mini everyone? Will we actually see this gizmo or is it truly a figment of our imagination?
Since the beginning of time – or so it seemed – the tech community went on some sort of PR binge purporting the existence of the iPad Mini. It was a “done deal” they all said. Has to happen, will happen, must happen, better happen – the rumours would not stop. Sort of like a train out of control.
And then the iPhone 5 event came and went with not a mention, not a hint that there would be another event devoted to the release of the iPad Mini.
Now, if they had not have hyped their recently released new iPod line at their September iPhone 5th event, I would have assumed that they were keeping the iPad Mini news under wraps until October.
I mean, if they devoted time to speak about their new iPod Touch and Nano line, even though they were not to be released until October, did it make sense that they would not have mentioned the iPad Mini?
And don’t even get me started on the prices. The new iPod Touch prices have pretty much locked out any room for an iPad Mini.
Yes, I am afraid that all the “Unofficial Reports” are now amounting to delusional hearsay and speculation.
It’s in production alright – it’s in production in everyone’s head.
Way back when on this little old blog, I predicted that such a product did not exist, except in the minds of the consumers who wanted it to exist. Apple already had their perfectly proportioned, best-selling iPad – why would they break their back trying to develop a smaller one? For what reason?
With the release of the larger iPhone and iPod Touch, Apple basically made a statement: this is what we do, these are the sizes we believe in and we are rocking the sales market.
It is now October 10th, the supposed release date of invitations to the iPad Mini event and – still – not a mention, not a hint, not a gasp that Apple is ready to officially launch the iPad Mini this month – if ever.
Personally, I was welcoming the iPad Mini – not for myself but for my grandchildren. It is the perfect size for kids.
Although most kids still like the convenience and portability of the iPod Touch, many would drool over a mini iPad. It is light, compact and ideal for movie viewing, gaming and browsing. And their smaller fingers and precise eyesight would navigate the apps with seamless dexterity.
This is a bad call, I feel, on Apple’s part. And I can’t believe I just wrote that. Boy, that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Say it isn’t so, Apple. If not, there will be many Kindles under my Christmas trees this year.
Amazon Pushes The Right Consumer Buttons With The Release Of Their New Kindle Products
With the release of it’s new Kindle products this afternoon, Amazon proved why it has been such a strong and steady force in the technological realm.
And, it makes us wonder what Apple has in store for us on September 12th. Will it out-Amazon Amazon, especially with consumer-friendly prices?
Apple Needs To Release A Kids’ Product With A New Name
It’s all in the name. A new name, especially in the tech world, attracts attention, especially if it designed by the mother of all tech companies, Apple Inc.
Presently, rumors abound and refuse to die down until, finally, an Apple event in the Fall of 2012 reveals all.
We know that the new iPhone will be released – the last product with which the late and great Steve Jobs was intimately involved from start to finish. By all accounts, it is going to be revolutionary and will absolutely sell like hot-cakes because of Steve Jobs’ involvement.
However, in the wake of the newest announcements that the iPod Touch is going through a revamp stage, everyone is in a frenzy. Will the new iPod Touch be the rumored iPad Mini? I touched on this very topic a couple of days ago but it bears repeating.
I feel that Apple should release a newly sized product with a new, spiffy name, for no other reason than to peak the interest of the consumers.
Picture a newly sized device, programmed specifically for kids and, perhaps, per-loaded with some kid-oriented apps related to Education, Music, Games, Problem-Solving, Books etc.
And it should be made of material that can withstand the rough and tough handling by children and tots. Water and drool-proof as well. My 18-month-old grandson may still be teething and learning to speak but he spends half his day playing and drooling all over my iPad.
Then christen it with a new, high tech name that will have the parents running in droves to grab one during the holiday season. iTot? ChildPad? IPadJunior? iToy? iPod Pro? iPod ‘Tween? iPod Prime?
Now, it’s your turn to add a name or two – I have to clean the drool off my iPad now. 
[Rumor] Apple IPad Gets Smaller, Amazon Kindle Gets Bigger And The World Is Flat
Do you see what I mean? How ludicrous are the rumors that Apple is going to release a smaller iPad this Fall while Amazon is going to release a larger version of its Kindle device? I really think the world has gone mad – well, the tech world most definitely!
Everyone is chomping at the bit over the rumored release of an iPad Mini. Now, from the depths of Mashable.Com comes this article:
Apple is working on a smaller version of its iPad tablet, cheaper than the current model, the New York Times reports citing several people with knowledge of the project.
The new, smaller iPad will have a 7.85-inch screen diagonal and will cost “significantly less” than the “regular” iPad, which starts at $499.
Meanwhile, Amazon is working on a bigger version of the 7-inch Kindle Fire in order to compete with the iPad, claims a developer briefed on Amazon’s plans.
It’s as if no one can make up their mind anymore about what size will work or not so, hey, why not just produce a bunch of tablet sizes and see which one the consumers like the most?
Well, I love my iPad and I have no desire for anything smaller. Yes, it could be cheaper but, like all things, the price will come down over time. Remember those ginormous TVs and the ginormous cost associated with these products? The prices lowered over time.
And this is exactly what will happen with the iPad and other technological devices. As they become more common place in the home, business and education sector, the prices will become less threatening to the average consumer.
So, an iPad Mini at a lower price will be meaningless. But a full-size iPad at a lower price – now that’s a different story.
Do you agree or disagree? I may be wrong and you may be right but we can agree to disagree, right?
Happy 57th Birthday Steve Jobs. You Are Missed!
Heaven has inherited a tech angel in the form of Steven Paul Jobs. I am sure that my deceased father, who loves gadgets and from whom I inherited this love, is having a grand ‘ole time watching Steve weave his magic in his new home – the spiritual ICloud.
But, here on earth, we are celebrating what would have been Steve Jobs’ 57th birthday. And, even though he is no longer with us in body, his spirit is an everlasting presence each and every day of our lives. Well, certainly my life.
For instance, I am typing this article on the IPad, while receiving text messages via my IPhone. My Mac is booted up and ready to use each day, seamlessly supported by Time Machine via Time Capsule back-ups.
And later on this evening, I will fire up my Apple TV to watch a movie and to access AirPlay in order to view the latest videos of my grandchildren.
Earlier in the day, I entertained my 1-year-old grandson with both my IPhone and IPad – stories, music, games in the form of Children’s Apps are the norm around here.
And, like many babies and toddlers out there, he has already mastered the art of pinching and swiping.
This blog and so many like it exist because of Steve Jobs’ passion for technology and the arts. I am a musician and it was through the Apple experience that I was able to fully embrace all that technology could offer in terms of creative possibilities.
GarageBand, IMovie, IBooks Author, IPhoto Calendars and Books, not mention all the media and photo apps available – all spoke to my innate desire to create, create, create!
The passion for creativity is ageless and Steve Jobs understood all this from day one. From young children to young children at heart, the Apple experience was created for people who never wanted to grow up. We have a bit of this Peter Pan complex in all of us, but, for some of us, it really is a way of life.
Unfortunately, I came late to the Apple party – June 2009. I walked into the local Future Shop, fell in love with the IMac 24″, bought the last one – a floor model but brand new – and never looked back.
In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his wife Laurene, his children, his colleagues – everyone who was influenced by this extraordinary man.
And – one more thing – please take the time to leave a message on the website created for Steve Jobs’ birthday.
