Siva Om is an award-winning graphic artist, website designer, journalist, nature enthusiast and tech-geek. He has been actively blogging, writing articles, and designing websites since 2002. A featured writer for several tech-related sites, many of Siva's articles and blogs delve into the technological and sociological changes Apple's innovations are bringing to the world. Siva can be reached at siva@iphonelife.com.
Yes, I did say iPad Nano. No, that is not a type-o.
Remember back, just 20 years ago? Who would've thought that laptops would have revolutionized mobile computing the way they did? Obviously someone. And who could have foreseen how, within a short time, laptops would come in sizes ranging from less than 11 inches to almost 2 feet!? But they have.
Now it is the age of the tablet. In this post-PC phase of computing evolution we are seeing the market dominated by both higher quality and more varied options of smartphones, “phablets” and tablets.
Personally, I say it's inevitable that Apple continually expands its product line, certainly if they wish to remain the dominating presence of the technology industry. Apple may not be “forced” to do anything, but they have, and will continue to see the intrinsic value inherent in offering an ever increasing variety of product options in terms of iDevice range, capacity and physical size.
After a long wait, and not knowing exactly when the iPad mini with cellular capability would ship, it seems like the waiting and wondering is over, at least for some of us!
Initially Apple informed me via email, that I could expect my new iPad mini on November 21st, which was still a couple of days earlier than some other pre-order customers were told. But that was then, and this is now.
The holidays are once again upon us, and iPhone Life is your trusty resource for informative reviews and great gift ideas this holiday season.
Welcome to my roundup of some of the best iPad carryalls available, here at iPhone Life! The criteria being used for this collective is that each bag must be specifically designed to comfortably accommodate a 10-inch iPad, as well as being unique, ruggedly constructed and built to last. All of the bags featured here are exceptional in their own way, with the common thread that any one of them ought to provide you with years of loyal service. Depending on the conditions you expect the carryalls to be used in and the individual user's temperament, one bag will suit one person better than another might, but I believe that in this roundup there is something for everyone. Whether buying for yourself or for that special someone, I hope you find this compilation both useful and helpful in making your holiday gift bag decisions.
House of Marley: specializing in gear for the iLife.
I can't talk about House of Marley without taking a moment to acknowledge the man who started it all. A man whose principles and messages of love, and “inity” continue to inspire and shape the course of countless lives in so many ways. In fact as testimony to his longevity and influence, Forbes lists Robert Nesta Marley as number 5 on the list of top-earning deceased celebrities.
iPhone 5’s have literally been flying off the shelves since their release a couple of months ago! Anyone who has a new iPhone 5 and is active, accident prone or outdoorsy; you should listen up.
And, with the Holiday season upon us, even if none of those traits apply to you, this is still good information to bookmark. After all, an iPhone 5 heavy-duty case can make a great Holiday gift for someone in your life who does happen to fall into the above-mentioned categories!
To that end, I have rounded up some of the best, rugged protection, heavy-duty iPhone 5 cases out there. Featuring the Lifeproof frē, the Griffin Suvivor, the Otterbox Defender, Ballistic's Hard Core, Trident's Kraken, and Seidio's Convert. Read on after the break for full review details!
Rumors swirled about the iPad mini for literally years prior to its unveiling. And since it's introduction there has been a great deal of criticism, commentary and ridicule, deriding the iPad mini for being too expensive and for not having a Retina display.
Oh how these drop tests always make me cringe just a little, kind of like nails dragged slowly and screechingly down a chalkboard! All the same, I'm still glad that someone’s done it so we can see how well the iPad mini holds up upon impact.
Outdoor Technology’s Adapt is one of those clever inventions that seem self-evident after the fact. Once you see it, it just makes sense, and almost immediately your mind begins to think of numerous ways it would be convenient to have around! In fact, the Adapt by Outdoor Technology is a relatively simple device; a Bluetooth relay with a built-in microphone, which recieves and transmits a Bluetooth signal between any devices equipped with a 3.5 mm audio jack. But that succinct description doesn't do this handy gadget justice.
Google it. See for yourself. There isn't really anything else on the market quite like this. Yes, there are a few bulky Bluetooth recievers or transmitters floating around out there, but noting this balanced between being a reciever, a transmitter and a microphone, all in a self-contained mini-adapter. Definitely nothing else this tiny or ruggedly built! This is a unique gizmo, in part because it doesnt attach to the transmission (iPhone) side of things, it attaches to the reciever (earphone) side of things, making your speakers, headset or car stereo Bluetooth enabled, just like that! The trailblazers at Outdoor Technology have an original product on their hands, one that sets a high bar for any such versatile Bluetooth adapters to come! Read on for more deatils on this amazing little invention!
Technically, according to my credit card company, I already own an iPad mini. But that doesn't mean I have it in my clean little hands yet. In fact, (cue the sad violin) mine isn't due to arrive until around Thanksgiving since I went ahead and ordered the Cellular capable model.
Nonetheless, some of my colleagues have been fortunate enough to have gotten their mitts on an early release of the highly anticipated iPad mini. So without further adieu, here are some of my favorite tidbits from the first crop of reviews of the new Apple iPad mini:
As a preface, one of my favorite observations right off the bat, comes from an astute reader at the Endgadget site. In the wake of a rather ironic public outcry for mediocrity, a commenter had this to say in the forum: “Apple is a premium brand. Their products will always come at a premium. That's why it's expensive, like any other premium brand. They charge more because their goal isn't to make the best cheap tablet, it's to make the best small tablet. And that comes at a premium. It's for customers who want that. Apple fills that market. So don't be shocked when their products' prices don't compare to their competitors who have lesser build quality and lesser customer service. If you don't want to pay BMW prices, you can buy a Ford.”
Now, with that in mind, let's move forward. One of the most impressive things I found with these reviews is their consensus that the iPad mini has immediately raised the bar, instantly becoming the best small tablet (despite Apple's omission of a Retina display) in a category where other companies have had time to make a dent and gain a foothold. Read on for snippets of expert's hand-on analysis of the game-changing iPad mini...
