The Bob Clark

Previously, users could access and download click-wheel games for the iPod classic by clicking on a drop down list next to the App Store button within iTunes, but it looks like the option has now been removed completely. With Apple gearing up to announce the next iPhone on October 4th, this could mean they’re making preparations to remove the classic from the iPod lineup altogether.

TUAW got a tip earlier this week that Apple is indeed planning to get rid of the platter-based iPod in addition to the iPod Shuffle to help streamline the product line and go touchscreen-only.

It seems that the “product transition” Apple mentioned on the last earnings call could very well be within the iPod line. Specifically, if you want to buy an iPod shuffle or iPod classic from Apple, you should do it sooner rather than later. We’ve heard those two iPods are getting the axe this year.

Could we see the iPod classic go the way of the Dodo or will Apple keep it around for nostalgia’s sake?

Source: AppleInsider, TUAW

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch blog

Skype for iPad has been updated this week, to Version 3.5.84.

The big new feature that this update brings is Bluetooth support for the iPad 2 – so you can do hands-free Skype calling.

Another notable addition, which some will not be fond of, is the addition of advertising for users who do not have Skype Credit, a calling subscription or premium subscription. Personally, given how good this free app and service have been for me over the years, I have zero objection to them running a few ads.

It’s great to see the Bluetooth support added and I’ve found Skype for iPad to be an impressive app overall.

Here’s an App Store link for Skype for iPad; it remains a free app.

© patrickj for iPad Insight, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: iPad Apps, Skype for iPad

iPad Insight

Trivia by Sporcle, the artist formerly known as just Sporcle when it was just an iPhone app, got an update this week and is now a universal app with full iPad support.

It’s based on the trivia quiz website sprocle.com. It’s also easily my favorite trivia app, largely because it is just so different to any other I’ve seen. For starters, it’s much more challenging than most because it is never multiple choice – it always forces you to know the answers.

It’s also not a single question at a time or a small set of questions; instead it is a superb set of listing-style challenges. There’s a very wide variety in terms of types of lists you’re challenged with filling in. Here are just a few examples from recent days’ content in the app: Bands by Synonyms (name the bands given a list of synonymous names), American Newspaper Suffixes, Premier League Team that have Scored 7+ Goals in a Match, US Cities Top 200 (name the 200 most populous cities and towns in the US).

(…)
Read the rest of Trivia by Sporcle, Best Trivia App Ever, Hits the iPad (345 words)

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Post tags: iPad Games, Trivia by Sporcle

iPad Insight

While there haven’t been any new iOS betas for iPhone or iPad since beta 7, iTunes is still getting some attention — beta 9 was just released to developers.

If you’re a registered dev, just hit the link below and go grab it.

Source: developer.apple.com

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch blog

Quora – the excellent question and answer website – released their Quora iPhone app this week.

Although it would of course be great to see a universal app or iPad version of Quora, the good news is that the iPhone app works very well on the iPad.

The app lets you browse topics or the whole stream, search for answers on specific topics, and add and answer questions. It also shows your notifications, Nearby topics (for me Austin and SXSW are the top hits), and lets you view and edit your profile.

I like Quora quite a bit, and I’m sure I’ll use it more now because of this iOS app.

Here’s an App Store link for Quora; it’s a free app.

Any Quora users here?

© patrickj for iPad Insight, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: iPad Apps

iPad Insight

This morning I received the Oberon Design iPad 2 Cover shown above – a review unit provided by Oberon. The design I chose is called the Hokusai Wave and I hope that despite my terribly poor photographic efforts you can get some idea how gorgeous this thing is.

And that would be my strongest first impression of this case – that it is just a beautiful design and made with lovely thick quality leather. Or, as the Oberon site describes it, ‘old school leather artistry’. Hurrah for old school then.

I’m not sure how well this case will serve when using the iPad heavily (I’ll soon put that to the test) but it is certainly a fantastic looking option for a carrying case.

Once I’ve spent more time with the Oberon iPad 2 Cover I’ll post a review. In the meantime, you can see more details on it or place an order at Oberon’s product page for it here: http://www.oberondesign.com/iPad2.php

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Post tags: iPad 2 accessories, iPad 2 cases, iPad Cases, Oberon Design iPad 2 Cover

iPad Insight

Barely three pounds without the battery pack and the optional memory booster.

Unleash the power of The Pyramid!

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Post tags:

iPad Insight

9to5Mac‘s Mr. X claims that not only has the iPhone 4S begun appearing in Apple’s internal inventory system, but that it’s appearing in 3 capacities. For the last couple of years, Apple has only offered 16GB and 32GB iPhones, with the previous year’s model going the budget 8GB size. Could iPhone 4S once again raise the storage stakes to a full 64GB?

Given that we’ve also heard from manufacturing sources that Apple has at least been prototyping 64GB versions of the new iPhone, we would say it’s fairly likely that Apple’s new iPhone will come in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities; just like the iPad.

While iCloud theoretically changes the dynamics of local storage, audiophiles, videophiles, and other who still want to carry around a large volume of media and other files would no doubt still want and use 64GB on-device. It would likely require double density NAND Flash chips to achieve, since iPhone has traditionally had half the storage slots as an iPod touch. If Apple does start using those chips, could a 128GB iPod touch be on the horizon as well, allowing Apple to retire their aging iPod classic player?

We’ll find out Tuesday.

Source: 9to5Mac

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch blog

Griffin’s latest iPad accessory is their first offering in what they call the Business Solutions Sector. It’s called the MultiDock and it’s a charge and sync station for up to 10 iPads.

The MultiDock is said to boast both a compact footprint (less than a laptop’s) and toughness to ‘withstand the rigors of workplace, classroom, and institutional use’.

Here’s a little more on how this is targeted:

“The MultiDock delivers plug-and-charge convenience in a compact footprint that adapts easily to classrooms, offices, healthcare facilities and other settings,” said Mark Rowan, President of Griffin Technology. “With Griffin’s Business Solutions, we are excited to provide the most complete power, protection, security, connection and application solutions for enterprise users.”

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Read the rest of Griffin Launches MultiDock – Charge & Sync Station for up to 10 iPads (180 words)

© patrickj for iPad Insight, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: iPad in the enterprise, MultiDock for iPad

iPad Insight

Shortly after we published our iPhone 5 facts and rumors infographic this morning, PC World came up with a graphic visual interpretation of its own. In this realistic infographic, the website reveals the anatomy of an Apple rumor.

And they’re pretty spot on. But we’ll let you be the judge of that…(…)
Read the rest of The Anatomy of an Apple Rumor [Infographic]

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