What Should Apple’s iCloud Look Like?

By Darrell Etherington Apr. 29, 2011 on Gigaom

Friday morning, John Paczkowski of Digital Daily confirmed Om’s report earlier this week that Apple acquired the domain name iCloud.com. Apple has acquired and not used domain names in the past, but if Cupertino is planning to use the iCloud brand, what should that trademark encompass?

There’s already plenty of speculation out there about what plans Apple might have in store for cloud service offerings. A revamped MobileMe complete with iOS device remote media streaming of your photos and music is one frequently mentioned possibility. Clues that a service called Photo Stream is coming to iOS have already showed up in code from Apple’s mobile operating system, and rumblings that a cloud music storage and remote streaming service is on its way are only getting louder.

Apple also probably won’t take away any of the existing service it already offers. It’s currently in the process of moving all MobileMe Calendar data to remote server storage, and cross-device email, notes and address book syncing also seem like likely candidates for any larger cloud service package from Cupertino. Indeed, AppleInsider is now reporting this is in fact the case.

But what else do you want from a cloud service offering from Apple? Are the existing MobileMe offerings even something you’re interested in? Are mobile bandwidth costs a concern? Should Apple’s cloud plans include a basic free offering, and what extras, if any, would you be willing to pay for?

Uh-oh, Looks Like Apple is Tracking South Park Characters, and Everybody in the World

by PatrickJ on April 28th, 2011 on iSource

Uh-oh. It looks like despite the recent comforting analysis of ‘Locationgate’ by Joe and Alex, everyone’s worst fears have been realized. Innocent South Park characters are being tracked by sinister men in business casual attire.

Oh, and Steve Jobs has a map showing where everybody in the world is right now. South Park showed him standing in front of it.

The video can’t be embedded here, but you can check out South Park’s exclusive on this at the Gawker site or the official South Park site. As usual with South Park, there is some definitely NSFW (not safe for work) material in those clips.

Two and a half weeks with the Smart Cover

by Thomas on April 29th, 2011 on iSource

I’m new to the world of tablets, but I knew even before I bought the iPad 2 that I wanted my experience with it to feel clean and focused. This meant that as gorgeous and useful as external stands like the TwelveSouth Compass may be, they were a no-go because they were something else I had to store and set up.No, the only external device I wanted alongside the iPad was a Bluetooth keyboard of some sort, and I didn’t even want to use that unless I had to.

So there were a lot of expectations set upon the Smart Cover from the start, and it was actually rather anti-climactic to receive it a good two weeks before my iPad 2 arrived. When I first received the cover in late May I opened the box (which wasn’t all that great by Apple standards), folded the Smart Cover into an accordion, and then wondered what the hell else I could do with it. The answer at the time was, of course, *nothing* without the iPad.

Two weeks, on the 11th of April, my iPad 2 came tumbling through the postal system and arrived at my door. I turned it on, synced it up, and attached the black leather Smart Cover to my brand new device.

*Snap*
Hmm. Is that it?

Don’t get me wrong, the Smart Cover worked just as advertised. It let me prop  the iPad up in two different ways, turned the screen off automatically, and Zebra-cleaned the screen while the iPad wasn’t in use (leaving large strips of oily screen where the cover folds). But I suppose that for something that was nearly $90 Canadian, I expected something to admire in the same way I’ll often look at my MacBook Pro, iPhone 3GS, or my sister’s iPhone 4. However, unlike all of those objects, the Smart Cover (and perhaps the iPad itself), has been engineered to the point of near-invisibility.  Instead of spending any time ogling it, I just use it.

I use it daily as a stand for typing. Well, actually, I’ve found that I seem to prefer typing on the iPad when it’s lying flat, but this angle stretches even the amazing viewing angle of the iPad’s IPS display, so Smart Cover typing stand it is.

I use it as a reverse cover. I don’t often put my iPad into places where its screen needs shielding, but it seems to me that the rear of the iPad needs protecting from most any table surface, lest it slide jarringly across some sort of tablet-slashing crumb. So the Smart Cover spends a lot of time tucked away behind the iPad, folded in half, keeping the tablet just far enough above the table to prevent scratches and accompanying heart attacks.
One of the most surprising things about the Smart Cover purchase is how little the magnetic auto-sleep functionality matters to me in the day-to-day. It’s definitely awesome and certainly one of the first things that I’ll show off to friends, but using the iPad as often as I do, when do I ever really turn it off? I thought the coolness of the magnetic sleep and wake feature was one of the major reasons to buy this rather pricey Smart Cover in the first place, but it just isn’t as big a deal as I thought it would be. This isn’t upsetting or disappointing, though, because on the whole, I’m quite happy with the Smart Cover.

Having never owned a tablet before this iPad, I tend to think of the Smart Cover as part of the device, and not a separate accessory to criticise or ogle. This may well change as some of the review cases have in the pipeline arrive, but even if I had to stick with just a Smart Cover as my primary case for the iPad 2, I’d still be quite content. I may not sit down and admire it with my hands folded under my chin as I often do with my favourite gadgets, but that’s because I’m always so busy using the crap out of it to notice, and that’s a definite (albeit different) testament to its design.

On using the iPad’s Keyboard

by Thomas on April 30th, 2011 on iSource

I’ve been trying to find my ideal way of typing on the iPad and have a few thoughts and “methods” to share:

Landscape Typing

I’ll start off with an observation that commenters on some other posts have shared, namely that typing is actually more comfortable when the iPad is simply lying flat on the table.

I work around this a little by making sure I maintain a good posture when I sit, and pay attention to where my fingers stay in their default position. Although the nubs on the “F” and “K” keys can’t be felt on the touchscreen, I still try and use the home row as a guide, with each of my middle fingers hovering above “D” and “K”. This keeps my wrists relatively straight while still allowing me hands to fly over the keyboard as needed.

Touch typing on the iPad is possible, but it’s different than on a physical keyboard, since the keyboard design basically assumes that my pinkies have been cut off. There simply isn’t enough space for me to use all of my fingers, so I find myself typing without my pinkies or my thumbs (Yoda style!).

All typing is about rhythm and I’ve found that once I get into the swing of things on the iPad, it’s some of the breeziest typing I’ve ever done. My hands are more open and flat than on a physical keyboard and don’t tend to stay as static, since actually leaning on the keyboard will produce gibberish (i.e. learn belt aero.jvner.k$). When I’m really in the swing of things it feels like I’m break dancing on the touchscreen…with my fingers.

Typing in Portrait

Portrait mode is an altogether different beast and feels much more like the iPhone’s keyboard. I almost wish it were split halfway and made a little smaller so that I could use it as a thumb board (I remember Gruber mentioning this a while back as well).

Portrait is the more awkward of the two keyboards, though, since I’ll usually hold the iPad up in portrait mode, but its keyboard is best used when the iPad is lying on its back on a flat surface. An Apple branded voice-to-text solution would be very handy as an alternative.

Trouble Cases

I tend to have trouble with the word “you” because I type it too quickly, any word that needs capitalisation usually ends up with an “a” in front of it because the left shift key is So Damn Small.

The Symbols (.?123) key can also be troublesome because of its inconsistent design. Tapping and holding on it and the tapping on an apostrophe will bring you right back to the regular keyboard, but tapping on any other key — be it a number or a symbol — will not. In this latter case, you’ll always need a second tap on the symbols key to return to the regular keyboard. Strange.

Conclusion

I ultimately want this touchscreen keyboard to work out so that I can enjoy writing on this device without any extra accessories. I enjoy using a Bluetooth keyboard with the iPad but don’t want to get too attached to it as a solution since Apple may never implement the keyboard shortcuts I believe I need, and there isn’t always space on a table for both the iPad and a keyboard.

iPad 2 – Couple of weeks in…

I haven’t had much time to spend on this blog lately but during my absence there has been a fair amount of Apple news including the release in Australia of Apple’s new iPad 2. It’s been no secret I’ve been anxiously awaiting the 2nd version of this tablet having had version 1 for about 9 months. The addition of cameras and a faster processor and better screen has made the possibilities endless.

I posted a review on FaceTime ages ago on this blog and always said that video conferencing on a device the size of a tablet would be awesome! and I must say Apple haven’t dissapointed. There already are several apps available that take advantage of the cameras for video calling including FaceTime and there are several big names in the video conferencing industry planning releases soon which should make this mobile platform reveal even more possibilities.

I purchased a 64GB WiFi model, I see no need for a 3G capable iPad especially as I own an iPhone 4 and I can use the personal hotspot feature to share my mobile internet connection with the iPad negating the need for a seperate mobile data plan for the iPad.

I did test a 3G model for a few days and found the 3G capabilities to be as good as version 1 and on par with the iPhone.

The faster processor makes loading apps significantly quicker, I tested the same app on a version 1 iPad and loaded them at the same time and found the iPad 2 to load most apps almost twice as quick. The processor coupled with the higher resolution display makes this an ideal media consumption and gaming device but it has enough grunt to do advanced music and graphics editing as well as read your email, surf the web or watch YouTube.

One thing I noticed right away was the redesign of the case, thinner with rounded edges and noticeably lighter than my iPad 1. My only complaint about the external design of the iPad 2 is the connector port at the bottom is flimsy, the connector is easily dislodged due to the rounded edge of the case which makes accidentally unplugged the iPad 2 easy (a blessing if you forget its connected and stand up with it in your hands!).

I purchased a red leather smart cover at the same time and I must say this is one of the most simple yet elegant accessories Apple has ever designed for one of it’s products. The magnetic connectors work well, the ability to fold up the cover into a stand that cat sit upright or lying down is brilliant! One thing I noticed there aren’t many back covers out yet that are compatible with the smart cover, I’ve seen a couple and will be checking one out soon. At the moment I use a clear silicon back cover which I have cut on one edge to facilitate the smart cover, it works but it’s not great.

Battery life I noticed isn’t as good as the iPad 1, and it drains quicker when doing certain things like graphics intensive movies etc. The new display must chew a fair bit of juice compared to the iPad 1. Charging seems to take longer as well.

Apps that are specifically designed for the dual core processor and/or higher res display are great, and even regular apps work just as good if not better on the iPad 2 and many app publishers are updating their apps to take advantage of all the new features on the iPad 2 such as the gyroscope for game control etc. My favourite games at the moment are EA Sports Fight Night 2, EA Sports Need For Speed Hot Persuit, Garage band from Apple is great if your into creating music or just messing with a guitar or drums!

All in all the iPad 2 has live up to my expectations and I already look forward to the iPad 3 and what Apple is going to give us that’s new! Whilst this device isn’t cheap compared to other mobile devices and tablets I think the overall design and engineering of the hardware coupled with Apple’s iOS operating system make this the front runner in the market as a mobile media consumption device.

That’s right, a media consumption device. Not a replacement for your PC or laptop or mobile, but a separate portable device designed for consuming local and online media be it audio, video, documents or websites etc this device has many uses and indeed can do most things a laptop can do but not all. If you set your expectations as such you won’t be dissapointed in purchasing an Apple iPad 2.

Apple eyes for WWII HQ in Brisbane?

By Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson From: news.com.au

Exterior of MacArthur Chambers Apartment Complex. Queen St. Apple is eyeing the site for a flagship store. Picture: Drew Fitzgibbon

ONE of Australia’s largest Apple Stores could open in Brisbane within months after plans for a $10.5 million renovation of historic MacArthur Chambers were lodged yesterday.

If approved, the potential Apple base would be bigger than Sydney’s flagship Apple Store at almost 2000sqm, though one of its three levels is dedicated to office space.

Although Apple is not mentioned in the application, the planned renovations have all the signatures of its outlets, including twin glass doors, a “new colour scheme of shades of white”, illuminated interior signs, a stone floor and, tellingly, “new feature stairs”.

A glass staircase was the hallmark of Apple’s first Australian store in Sydney’s George Street and can also be seen in the company’s flagship store in Fifth Avenue, New York.

The application to Brisbane City Council, lodged on behalf of MacArthur Central Shopping Centre yesterday, also reveals plans to spend $3.84 million removing “current modern additions” and returning “the building closer to its original form”.

That includes the removal of escalators, a lift, tiled ceilings, and part of its mezzanine level.

The renovation is estimated to take three months.

The 1934 English Renaissance-style building was previously occupied by bookseller Dymocks and now houses a discount book retailer, but the central Brisbane location is steeped in World War II history.

In 1942 it was commandeered by US General Douglas MacArthur to serve as the Allied Forces’ South-West Area Headquarters. It remained under his control until November 1944.

If approved, Brisbane’s first Apple Store would look very different to the 10 existing Apple Stores in Australia, though it is not out of character for the technology giant to redevelop a site of cultural significance.

In 2004 the company opened a store in historic Regent Street, London, after long negotiations with the British Crown.

And last year Apple opened a Parisian store featuring marble columns, a mosaic floor and wrought iron railings located opposite the city’s Opera de Paris.

Apple had reportedly been investigating other Brisbane City locations including the Wintergarden and the former Albert Street Borders location, but Apple fans on the MacTalk website unearthed the new development application hours after it was lodged yesterday.

One keen local fan already has the potential Apple Store marked for his next big phone purchase, commenting: “Camping out for iPhone 5 launch, anyone?”

Fring First With iPhone Group Video Calling

By Darrell Etherington Apr. 28, 2011, 10:42am PT on Gigaom

Fring released an update Thursday for its iPhone app that brings group video chat to the service. You can now use Fring to chat with up to three friends (for a total of four people) over 3G and Wi-Fi. Android users can also get in on the action, using Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G and both platforms can talk to each other. Fring had been testing the group video chat feature in limited betasince the beginning of April.

Fring is the first app that brings group video chat to the iPhone, beating out industry leaders like Skype, and also Apple itself. Code found in FaceTime for iPhone seems to indicate that Apple plans to eventually roll out group video chat for the service, but for the time being, Fring gets to be the only game in town (for iOS; there’s a group video chat for Android and Mac/PC called Oovoo). Best of all, video calling is completely free with Fring. Enabling group video chat in the Skype desktop client requires a paid premium account.

Group video chat may not be a feature many users find themselves pining for just yet, but if you do happen to need it, not having a mobile option is a considerable drag. And even if not many users actually take advantage of Fring video calls, the company still scores a significant victory just by being first to market, especially in a field like video calling, which is expected to become huge in the next few years, especially on mobile devices. That Fring also managed to bring cross-platform support for the two biggest mobile operating systems out of the gate at feature launch is also no small victory.

Steve Jobs Interviewed on Location Tracking Issues

posted by Eric Slivka on Wednesday April 27, 2011 01:21 PM on Gizmodo

Earlier today, Apple officially responded to recent concerns regarding significant amounts of location information being stored on users’ iPhone and in system backups, noting that the information is actually a database of nearby Wi-Fi and cellular access points used to provide quick location fixes when needed.

While we noted earlier this week a claimed brief email response from Apple CEO Steve Jobs regarding the issue, he has now spoken more thoroughly about the issue in a new telephone interview with All Things Digital. In the interview, Jobs reiterated many of the same statements made in Apple’s official Q&A on the issue, but offers a bit more perspective on things.

Jobs said that the tech industry hasn’t done a good job of educating users on what has been a fairly complicated issue.

“As new technology comes into the society there is a period of adjustment and education,” Jobs said. “We haven’t as an industry done a very good job educating people I think, as to some of the more subtle things going on here. As such (people) jumped to a lot of wrong conclusions in the last week.”

Jobs declined to comment on the practices of other companies such as Google that have also been included in the controversy, noting only that Apple intends to participate in discussions with federal legislators and regulatory agencies to reassure them about Apple’s practices.

“I think Apple will be testifying,” Jobs said. “They have asked us to come and we will honor their request of course.”

Jobs also said it will be interesting to see how aggressively the press tracks the issue and looks at what other players in the industry do.

“Some of them don’t do what we do,” Jobs said. “That’s for sure.”

Jobs was joined on the call by Apple executives Phil Schiller and Scott Forstall, and All Things Digital will be posting a more thorough recap of the interview shortly.

Apple Registers iCloud.com for Online MobileMe Replacement?

Posted by Kevin | April 29, 2011 on GottaBeMobile

It was reported that Apple bought the domain iCloud.com from a Swedish company called Xcerion and now we learned from Apple Insider that Apple is using the name internally as it preps the newest versions of iOS and Mac OS X.

When you type the domain icloud.com you get a page redirect to cloudme.com and the browser title bar says, “Your files online”. However, when it finally loads the new site has absolutely no Apple branding. It is just the old Xcerion site announcing its re-branding.

This is likely smart naming by the company from whom Apple bought the domain. They probably have not yet flipped the switch to the new Apple service. The name fits the Apple branding scheme.

The new service will likely replace the MobileMe backup and sync service which offers users email, online calendars, photo and video hosting, and web hosting along with file storage. The new service could also supplement iTunes and grant users online storage for their music, videos, and apps. If Apple really gets radical it could replace iTunes altogether, something that would cause many to rejoice since iTunes feels so outdated and is very clunky when running on Windows.

Like many Apple rumors, there are conflicting reports that the upcoming service will either be free or that it will be free but transition into a paid service. The latter seems unlikely since most services that attempt to make that transition fail. We think it will be a freemium model with part of it being free but advanced functions (that is the stuff you would actually want) will be a paid service. Right now MobileMe is $99/year although deals can be found for less.

All of this is most likely to be housed in the Maiden, NC facility that is nearing completion. We’ve driven by the facility and it is not very noticeable from the road – a guard shack on an unmarked road with high manmade mounds surrounding the whole facility so it cannot be seen from the road. However, a local TV station talked to someone who went inside the facility and that person said it was too big for just hosting iTunes. Something like a video streaming service would need the kind of computing power hosted in this enormous facility.

In June at Apple’s WWDC, we will likely learn more about the new service, if not before.