MicGadget
Latest
Preparing Hong Kong Apple Store for iPad launch
M.I.C. Gadget has the inside details (and lots of photos) on the Hong Kong launch of the iPad. Unlike the US, UK and other countries which sold on a first-come, first-served basis, Hong Kong was selling the iPad using a reservation system. Customers must sign up for an iPad the night before and wait for an email with a time to come and pick up their tablet. Some people, mostly scalpers, are hovering outside, hoping Apple will sell them an iPad, but they are getting turned away. M.I.C. Gadget sums up the experience by saying "And it is exciting to see boxes and boxes of the new iPad rolling in, stacking up on the shelf all ready for the die-hard Apple fans!" You can read more about the launch and thumb through some of the launch photos at M.I.C. Gadget's website.
More 'iPad 3' prototype parts show up, we go hands-on
In recent years, it's become a fashion for Apple prototype parts to pop up just weeks ahead of hardware launches; and it seems like there's no exception for the upcoming next-gen iPad, which is believed to feature a 2,048 x 1,536 IPS LCD within the same 9.7-inch footprint. While we're only two days away from seeing Tim Cook and co. unveiling said tablet, we couldn't help but take a look at its bits and bobs acquired by our good friends over at M.I.C. Gadget.What we have here is allegedly the external essentials of the "iPad 3," which include a white glass cover (sans frame) with a home button already installed, along with a 3G-ready aluminum body plus cables for the dock connector and the volume rocker. With a quick glance you may easily mistake this as just the iPad 2 -- it's even compatible with the Smart Cover! But look close enough and you'll spot the larger lens on the prototype, which may suggest that Apple's finally giving its tablet a more capable back camera. There's also a more subtle difference between the two bodies: not only is this "iPad 3" marginally thicker, but the curvature from the flat bottom to the sides is ever so slightly more emphasized, thus providing a tad more internal space for the components -- most likely the battery for the sake of feeding the rumored LTE radio. Well, until Mr. Cook gives us the answers, you can keep yourselves busy by watching M.I.C. Gadget's funkadelic hands-on video after the break.%Gallery-149459%
Rumor: iPad 3 case thicker, shows more gradual taper
Chinese tech website M.I.C Gadget gets some amazing spy shots on occasion. This time, they have photos that purport to show the back case of the rumored iPad 3. As you can see from the photos above, the alleged iPad 3 case (bottom) is slightly thicker than the case of the iPad 2. Although the difference in thickness appears to be significant, another photo (below) shows that the iPad 3 case is actually only about 1 to 1.5 mm thicker. The site notes that a poster on a Chinese forum has said that the bezel on the new device is narrower, which could be a way to resolve the "light leak" issues that some early owners of the iPad and iPad 2 experienced. M.I.C Gadget also published a photo of the back case that shows a slightly larger rear camera. That's in line with rumors of an improved iPad 3 camera, although nobody will know the exact specifications of such a device until the new iPad is announced. The site has a complete "rumor roundup" for your reading enjoyment, but remember that at this point, everything is pure conjecture.
iStation iPad dock is retro-Apple cool
You were probably born too late to have purchased one of the first computers out of Apple -- the original Apple I. This machine came as a set of completed circuit boards that you had to build your own case for. Many early owners of the US$666.66 computer used wood for the case, since it was cheap and easy to work with. If you like that wooden retro chic, you're in luck -- M.I.C. Gadget has created the iStation dock ($85.90) just for you. The iStation is actually an iPad dock with speakers and a Bluetooth keyboard, and when you prop up an iPad on top of it and take out your contact lenses, it actually looks kinda sorta like an Apple I. For those who like the more modern look of the Apple II, M.I.C. Gadget has also produced a white plastic version. That version actually needs to be Apple II beige to be correct, but who's grading them on accuracy (other than me)? M.I.C. Gadget has a full page of beautiful photographs of the iStation to get you to reach for your wallet, or you can stay here and watch the video showing just how to set up the dock to work with your iPad.
M.I.C Gadget's iHub 2 looks like Apple lawsuit bait
M.I.C Gadget, the same website that brought the world the Steve Jobs action figure that was quickly given a cease and desist notice, is back for more potential legal fun. This time, they've come up with a very cool 4-port USB 2.0 hub. It doesn't matter how many USB ports you have on your Mac -- it always seems like you can use a few more. So the M.I.C Gadget guys decided that a small black or white 4-port hub that features a glowing white Apple logo would be a popular product. They're calling it the iHub 2 (US$9.90), which of course sounds suspiciously close to any number of Apple products. Yep, they're probably right about the iHub being a potentially popular product. Heck, if I could get one before the next cease and desist notice is delivered to M.I.C Gadget, I'd probably buy one. However, Apple's lawyers have probably already downloaded the legal boilerplate for their C&D notice and are feverishly filling it out at this point. Considering that the Apple logo is one of the most recognizable trademarks in the world, and the company protects its trademarks with the same enthusiasm as a mother grizzly bear protecting her cubs, the iHub will be shut down faster than the Steve Jobs action figure was. This product supersedes the previous iHub, which apparently didn't catch Apple's attention. That was most likely before they made the Steve Jobs mini-me. M.I.C Gadget has even made a nice promo video, which you can watch on the next page. Enjoy it while it lasts. [via 9to5Mac]
Steve Jobs, in doll form
Steve Jobs showed up on my doorstep today...and he's a lot smaller in person. Okay, no, not the real Steve Jobs, but his incredible lifelike miniature. Many of you probably remember the big uproar a few weeks back that Apple had about M.I.C Gadget, a blog about Chinese life and subculture, manufacturing a doll in the great one's likeness. And now I can see why. After some very generous Christmas elves just sent me one of the coveted Steve Jobs dolls, I'm struck by just how lifelike it is. Everything from the detail on the iPhone in his hand to the crow's feet around his eyes are eerily realistic. More so, the quality of the figurine is, well... Apple-level. The paint job is stunning. The Apple logo base is precisely carved and solid in the hand. Steve's glasses are made of wire frame and removable. Even the pattern in his New Balance shoes resemble the ones he actually wears. When the doll went on sale for US$79.99, many scoffed at its price. But given it was limited to 300 units and the quality of the craftsmanship ended up being quite high, the company wasn't asking too much for it in my opinion. Too bad Apple quelled the doll and it never made it to open market. Something tells me the ones that did escape Hong Kong are going to be selling for premiums in the years to come as this is sure to be one of the hottest Apple collectibles ever. I've added a gallery below that shows off some of the intricate details of the figurine. %Gallery-110325%
