Apple’s inclusion of the USB 3.0 protocol in the dock connector is most likely for support for many PCs that have been shipping with newest USB port for nearly a year while Thunderbolt will be an Apple exclusive of sorts for the rest of this year. Users of older Apple hardware, essentially anyone not owning the newest MacBook Pro, will have to opt for a USB 3.0 card for Mac Pros or upgrade to a newer Mac with the Thunderbolt port when available.
With support of the faster connectors, this could mean sync times will be reduced by half if not more in upcoming iPhones, iPods, and iPads. It is also possible that current iDevices will support the new high-speed traffic with a simple purchase of a new cable.
It’s no surprise to tell you about our love for Logos (review) on the desktop but how about on the iPad? Well, I spent a few months digging into Logos for iPad and have just released the review of my experience. Give it a read to find out if Logos hit a grand slam with its iOS version or if got away with a base-hit.
If you’re looking to make a verbal contract, you may wish to think long and hard about that prior to the agreement as many states do no enforce verbals. But how to make a quick contract – on the spot even – when you need one? Re-Evolve has put together Contracts HD that allows you to create a Non-Disclosure, Non-Compete, General Release, Property Release, Commitment, Model Release, Underage Model Release, Bill of Sale, Resignation, Photo Permission, Blank Contract, Actor Extra Contract, or Rental/Lease Contract right from your iPad. Once your contract is brought up and reviewed by both parties, simply use your finger to endorse it and it’s done! Take a look at the press release below.
Press Release
There’s a common misunderstanding about the term “Verbal Contract” and most people have asked the question, are verbal agreements legally enforceable? The answer is simple, depending on your state and circumstances some are and some aren’t. Obviously not that simple, however, Re-Evolve LLC today introduces Contracts HD, an iPad app with an entirely new approach to simplifying agreements between two parties.
Built specifically to handle the most common types of verbal contracts, Contracts HD allows any iPad user to create, collaborate, sign, and email completed contracts using iPad’s dynamic touch-screen interface. Aside from signing contracts, Contracts HD also provides a database of contract templates for which anyone can add an addendum to all existing contracts, auto-fill appropriate fields within the contract with your exact information, and allows both parties to sign contracts safely and securely by using a fingertip.
“You make a verbal agreement with someone like a friend, neighbor, gym partner or business associate at least once a day,” said Preston Tucker, Business Development Manager of Re-Evolve, LLC. “In most cases the other party holds up to their end of the deal, but sometimes they develop selective memory or an exact detail was heard wrong. Contracts HD can be used to help them recall their agreement.”
Standard Contracts Include:
Non-Disclosure
Non-Compete
General Release
Property Release
Commitment
Model Release
Underage Model Release
Bill of Sale
Resignation
Photo Permission
Blank Contract
Actor Extra Contract
Rental/Lease Contract
Coming Soon:
Promissory Note
Letter of Intent
Contracts HD can be purchased in the App Store (iTunes Link) for $9.99.
About Re-Evolve, LLC.
Re-Evolve was founded in 2010 and is a leading developer in mobile and social apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry and Web applications. Based in Boca Raton, FL, The company is dedicated to developing innovative iPhone and mobile applications. Contracts HD is the first of many applications the company will be launching over the next year. More information about Contract Apps can be found at www.contractsapp.com.
Several Charging Options
TekCharge MP1860A connects to devices in three ways: to iPad, iPhone, iPod nano or iPod touch using the included Dock Connector/USB cable, or to any compatible device using the USB device cable or an adapter tip.
An Apple Dock Connector to USB cable is included for charging and syncing iPad, iPhone, or iPod, with Mini USB and Micro USB adapter tips included for connection to current models of BlackBerry, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson mobile phones. The included USB adapter tips can be used to charge Kindle2, Nook, MP3 players, PDAs, portable media players, pocket video cameras, portable routers, GPS, MP3 players, and other 5V devices that use a Micro or Mini USB cable to charge. Additional adapter tips are available from Tekkeon for a nominal fee.
Intelligent Design
Its intelligent design enables TekCharge MP1860A to identify and provide exactly the right output power for the connected device, from less than 100mA to a whopping 2.1A¾the precise output to fast charge iPad.
High-Capacity Rechargeable Battery
TekCharge MP1860A features a high-capacity rechargeable lithium ion battery. Designed the highest degree of safety in mind, it features multi-layer protection circuitry to help prevent over-charging, over-discharging, over-current, or short circuit, and flame-retardant plastics that exceed industry requirements.
Charge Battery and Device Together
To optimize charging time and luggage space, users can leave extra power adapters at home and use a single USB power adapter to charge the battery along with two connected devices overnight.
Battery Capacity at a Glance
A bright, color-coded LED on top of the battery quickly indicates the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery.
Emergency Flashlight
As an added bonus, TekCharge MP1860A includes a flashlight to provide emergency light at a user’s fingertips.
“Made for iPod, iPhone, iPad” Certification
TekCharge MP1860A has been officially certified by Apple Inc. as a “Made for iPod, iPhone, and iPad” product. A certified Apple dock connector to USB cable is included in the TekCharge MP1860A box to ensure 100% compatibility with Apple products.
“While TekCharge MP1860A is certified by Apple for use with iPod, iPhone and iPad, this compact, high-capacity battery is universal to work with hundreds of popular mobile devices, including new tablets that are beginning to hit the market,” says Jerry Yang, president of Tekkeon, Inc. “And its unusually high 2.1 Amp output is ideal for fast charging most of these devices.”
TekCharge MP1860A includes:
TekCharge MP1860A Dual Port Power Pack
Retractable USB input/output cable (power only)
Dock Connector Cable for connection to iPad, iPhone or iPod (power and data)
myCharger™ USB power adapter
Mini USB adapter tip
Micro USB adapter tip
Adapter tip tote
User guide
The MSRP for TekCharge MP1860A is $69.95. The battery is available through retail and major on-line stores, including 3GStore.com, Adorama, Amazon.com, B&H Photos, CircuitCity.com, CompUSA.com, Newegg.com, and TigerDirect, and from the Tekkeon store at www.tekkeon.com. It comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Tekkeon offers a complete line of mobile power products for the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and other mobile devices. To learn more, please visit http://tekkeon.com.
Now this is what LensPen has to say.
Press Release
iPads and tablets are great, stylish products. Music, movies, the internet – all with a simple touch of the screen. But that simple touch-screen action leaves a trail of greasy fingerprints that soon cover the whole surface and reminds us that with every use it’s time for a cleaning. A rub on your shirtsleeve isn’t effective, and you quickly find that sprays, tissues and cloths are not convenient and only make the fingerprint mess even worse.
SideKick™ by LensPen® is a new screen cleaning tool specially designed to remove fingerprints from iPads and tablet touch-screens. There are no tissues, no cloths, no sprays and no liquids. SideKick features the same carbon technology used in other LensPen products to remove fingerprints and greasy blemishes from camera lenses and other fine optics.
“It’s not high tech, it’s old tech,” said Peter Meurrens, Vice President of Operations at Parkside Optical and inventor of SideKick. “My grandmother knew how to clean an iPad, she just didn’t know it.” SideKick’s carbon compound is similar to the one found in printer’s ink; why newspapers have been an effective way to clean windows for generations.
“When you get a fingerprint on a lens or a computer screen, it’s a mistake,” Meurrens said. “But when you get fingerprints on an iPad, it means you’re using it! We cleaned the screens of hundreds of iPads and tablets when we introduced SideKick at CES and Macworld in January, and it removed the fingerprints every time.”
Suggested retail for SideKick is $14.95. A package of two replacement cleaning pads is $9.95. Each pad gives 150 cleanings.
For more information on SideKick, as well as other LensPen products, go to www.lenspen.com.www.lenspen.com
Watch a SideKick product demonstration at www.youtube.com/lenspennews.
Get the deets below from the companies press release and look forward to a possible review of this unit and see how it will fair against the other two we will be looking at in the coming weeks.
Press Release
Marco Island, Fla. – (February 28, 2011) – MountMe, a new company dedicated to bringing one of a kind mounting accessories and solutions to iPad users, is pleased to unveil Freedom™, the only all-in-one carrying and mounting device on the market. Freedom is a sleek protective case for iPad that easily transforms into a highly adaptable and practical mounting device. iPad owners can now bring their media content to life whether they are at home or on the go.
With Freedom™ an iPad can be mounted and viewed virtually anywhere including on car seats, head rests, airplane seats, walls, mirrors, windows and more. Whether you are at home, in a hotel, outside or on the go, Freedom provides a secure yet flexible and instantly accessible mounting and protective system that allows users to position their iPad where they need it, when they need it. It’s also great for use in a workplace such as a doctor’s office, lawyer’s office, business office and a classroom.
“As parents and business professionals we saw the need for an all-in-one solution for the iPad that provides freedom of viewing practically anywhere without cumbersome attachments and multiple docking/mounting options,” says Brien Spina, Founder of MountMe. “With our universally adaptable mounting solution, the iPad can be easily transformed into a great in-car or on-the-go entertainment system, a wall clock, home automation controller and more. The possibilities and uses are endless.”
Freedom features and functions include:
• Heavy Duty Mobile Mounting Strap – Allows you to securely mount your tablet to a headrest, car visor, your leg, and any other object you can wrap a strap around
• Four Suction Cups – Suction cups effortlessly attach to the small bracket portion of the Freedom Mount, and allow a secure mounting option for hard surfaces such as glass, mirrors or a refrigerator
• Screws – Provide for permanent mounting options on a wall or other solid object
• Panning & Tilting Capabilities – The ability to pan 360 degrees and tilt 90 degrees provides unlimited mounting and user capabilities
• Built-in Kickstand – The unique patented design bracket acts as a kickstand for your favorite photo album or by simply reversing the bracket with a turn of the wrist; it will put the tablet into an ideal typing position
• Quick Release On/Off Bracket – MountMe has developed a quick release on/off bracket that allows you to freely and effortlessly remove the tablet from its mounting position to a mobile position while providing the user with a heavy duty attractive protective carrying case
The functionality of MountMe’s revolutionary Freedom mount doesn’t end here. The carrying case has been strategically designed to allow for a comfortable gripping surface on any of the four sides that will conform to the palm of your hand which makes such activities as gaming even better. MountMe has also solved the wobbling that occurs when an iPad’s is placed on a flat surface by creating a symmetrical flat back portion of the carrying case creating a perfect user experience.
This visible but unobtrusive all-in-one universal mounting solution is a must have accessory for the kitchen, lounge, bedroom, study, garage, car, airplane, boat and more. Protect and mount your iPad with a case that makes it accessible and secure anywhere. Freedom will be available in a variety of colors including blue, turquoise, white, purple, metallic grey, red, pink and black for $49.99 MRSP at www.mount-me.com.
Seems like news apps are dime a dozen in the App Store but some seem to stand out among the thousands available and News360 is one of them. Applying some Artificial Intelligence (AI) to figure out what is the freshest and most relevant news for your interests, News360 has been impressing many iPhone users with the results. Today, News360 comes to the iPad to fill the big screen with even more news.
Finding news that applies to you is a tricky job and a Google News search usually puts a news seeker through a frustrating task of clicking, reading, returning to the Google results, and looking for another possible link to your story you seek. For local news, the frustration is even more maddening. News360 uses over a thousand top news sources to aid in your search weeding out noise Google will often produce. This sets it apart from other news apps I’ve used that are just one source. In essence, you have a better chance of finding your article of interest. News360 even uses the iPads location finder to zero in on your local news.
News360 looks to be an interesting product that all news readers should give a look at.
Press Release
Palm Desert, CA – February 28, 2011 – DEMO Spring 2011 – News360 (Moscow) www.news360app.com – an emerging leader in applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semantic analysis technology to news stories – today announced the next generation of the company’s acclaimed news discovery and analysis platform for the Apple® iPad at DEMO Spring 2011.
News360 enables users to browse real-time information from hundreds of thousands of news articles (both local and worldwide), with the ability to achieve expert levels of depth on any given topic cited in the story. Each article is algorithmically evaluated for news “freshness” and source credibility in addition to a qualitative analysis of both text and photos. The previous iPhone-only generation of the platform was named by Apple as one of the top worldwide news apps in 2010 and became a best-seller in the App StoreSM.
The News360 app not only aggregates articles from more than a thousand leading news sources – it also uses semantic analysis and natural language processing to automatically identify and hyperlink more than 500,000 companies, people, brands and locations within the stories. A tap on any one of them leads the user to encyclopedic, interlinked wiki-like dossiers, filled with background information.
News360 uses the iPad’s GPS to show focused local news, anywhere in the world, and also allows users to connect to TripIt® and obtain news about upcoming travel destinations. The app also automatically generates live Twitter® feeds for each story, and allows the user to partake in the real-time conversation around a particular news event.
Users can use their Facebook® profile information to auto-create a personalized news feed based on their publicly-stated interests, or delve deeply into News360’s customization system, which allows them to create multiple customized feeds around varying preferences.
News360 allows users to manage the deluge of real-time news by bundling same-topic articles from different sources under one “story” umbrella and by providing a user-customized stream of headlines that have been matched with pictures identified by facial recognition and/or AI analysis as relevant to the story.
“News360 only gives you what you can consume at any given time,” said Roman Karachinsky, Chief Business Development Officer. “It doesn’t overwhelm you with a counter saying you have 5,000 unread articles, nor does it simply provide a pre-filtered magazine-style view with no deeper levels of content. With News360, you always feel in the loop because it delivers the cream of the crop in news – in the right sequence, in an entertaining and addictive format – from all sources. Tell it what you like, and it can become an indispensable tool, personally and professionally.”
“The events of the world, the news stories that shape and touch our lives both locally and globally, can become overwhelming,” concurs Matt Marshall, executive producer of DEMO. “News360 provides a level of not just clarity but understanding of the events, people and facts behind the news. The focus on iPad as a delivery mechanism for their new platform provides users with a truly mobile and innovative experience allowing them to not just read the news, but become immersed and interactive with it.”
Designed to work with Bluetooth-enabled iPads and iPhones, this ultra-slim, foldable keyboard brings a more familiar typing method to iPad and iPhone users by offering them a quick and easy way to compose e-mails and other important documents with their touch screen devices. Plus, users can play, pause and control iTunes music directly from the keyboard’s media console.
The ultra-compact Bluetooth Wireless Mobile Keyboard folds for maximum portability and comes with a premium carrying case and iPhone stand, which can be easily slid and stored into the keyboard body itself, for on-the-go convenience and protection. The keyboard works with 2 AAA batteries, also included.
Verbatim’s Wireless Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard is available now at Amazon.com and Fry’s Electronics for just $79.99.
“Our goal was to make a multi-functional case that didn’t sacrifice protection or the slim, sleek design of iDevices,” said Shefali Sedey, Director of Marketing & PR. “The iChair blends form with function making it easy to use and carry, so users can browse the web, type messages more comfortably or prop up their device to view movies or presentations no matter where they are.”
Debuted at CES, iChair cases are made of the highest-quality materials, featuring a rubber coated, matte-finish with integrated pull-out stands that contribute to the ultra slim profile design. The iPad version is lined with microfiber and has twin stands – one capable of rotation providing three different angles for optimal viewing, along with a small stand that positions the iPad at an ideal angle for typing. Available in black with your choice of an extra top slider case in either blue or white, all cases come equipped with a screen protector, cleaning cloth and squeegee board making iChair’s value unbeatable. The iPhone 4 case includes both a front and rear screen protector for ultimate protection.
The iPad case retails at $49.00 and the iPhone 4, iPhone 3G/S and iPod Touch cases at $34.00. Continental U.S. customers also receive free standard shipping when they purchase the iChair at goiChair.com.
WritePad is an advanced notetaker for iPads and iPhones, which converts practically any handwriting into computer text. This feature-reach, Star-Trek-like technology makes the on-screen soft keyboard obsolete. Notes created with WritePad can be emailed, Tweeted, saved, translated to other languages, synced with Dropbox, or exchanged directly between 2 or more iOS devices.
With WritePad users can:
· Create and edit text documents using the advanced handwriting recognition engine or iPad keyboard for text entry in landscape or portrait mode.
· Improve productivity by utilizing inline gestures, spell checker, context analyzer, and shorthand features.
· Email, Tweet, Print, or post Facebook updates directly from WritePad.
· Synchronize WritePad documents with Dropbox and iTunes.
· Translate documents to 13 supported languages using Bing Translator.
· Change WritePad’s appearance by manipulating text, page and ink colors using the customizable Styles feature.
WritePad Availability and Pricing
WritePad for iPad 4.5 for English language is available now in the iTunes App Store for $9.99. International versions of WritePad 4.5 will be available soon. For more information about the WritePad product line, please visit PhatWare’s web site at www.phatware.com/writepad.