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The iPad mini has the fastest touchscreen of all the most popular tablets
App-streaming company Agawi is at it again. Just a few weeks after announcing that the iPhone 5 absolutely destroys the competition in terms of touchscreen responsiveness, Agawi returns with a similar benchmark survey for today's most popular tablets. The result? Well, once again Apple comes out on top, but it may surprise you to learn that the touchscreen on the iPad mini is in fact the overall winner, with just a 75-millisecond average response time. The fourth-generation iPad came in second with an 81-millisecond average response time, followed (somewhat shockingly) by the NVIDIA Shield gaming handheld at 92 milliseconds. The rest of the list, in order, consisted of the Surface RT, Kindle Fire HD (2013), Nexus 7 and finally the Galaxy Tab 3. Of course, milliseconds rarely matter in everyday tablet usage, but when it comes to responsiveness, it's clear that Apple has the edge in both smartphones and tablets.
AllThingsD reports October 22 Apple event
Red alert! Red alert! For anyone who has been anticipating a new iPad or perhaps a Retina display iPad mini, holding out for the release of the new Mac Pro or dreaming about the mythical iWatch -- the wait may soon be over. AllThingsD is reporting that Apple is holding an event on Tuesday, October 22 -- primarily for iPad announcements. John Paczkowski reports that the new Mac Pro and OS X Mavericks are probably on tap for the meeting, but the focus will be the fifth-generation iPad, rumored to have a thinner and lighter design similar to that of the iPad mini. And of course, the iPad mini might finally see that Retina display we've all been wishing for. Will those new iPads feature Touch ID for fast unlocking? We'll only know when the event takes place. Paczkowski also notes that October 22 is one day after Microsoft's new Surface 2 begins shipping -- so we're sure to hear some good snark from the Apple executives. It is also the same day as Nokia's Innovation Reinvented showcase. Fun abounds! Your TUAW metaliveblog team will be on hand to provide you with information and commentary as the announcements unfold. [Update: This was foretold to the world back in September, it seems]
Reuters sources predict shortage for unannounced iPad mini with Retina display
It's little more than a rumor at this point, but stories of delays and shortages have been circulating for about as long as mentions of an iPad mini with Retina display. Reuters spent the morning adding a bit more fuel to that proverbial fire with its own band of anonymous sources. The "people who work in the company's supply chain" confirmed that there have been issues bringing a higher res tablet to market -- issues that may, in fact, impede Cupertino's ability to capitalize on the ever-important holiday push. The refreshed mini is still apparently set for an October release according to the aforementioned unnamed informants, but it "could be available in only limited quantities this year." As to what's actually causing said shortage, no can say for sure, though word is that Apple's own certification process around power consumption may have thrown a wrench in the proceedings.
EverDock Kickstarter universal dock blasts by funding goal, looks great
With rare exceptions, I prefer not to write about Kickstarter and Indiegogo projects until there's a good possibility that the project will be funded. In the case of a new, truly universal dock created by Utah-based FŪZdesigns called the EverDock, the project is not only well past its funding goal of US$50,000 with 20 days to go, but the design looks so good I may end up backing it. The idea is that too many times, smartphone owners purchase a dock only to have their needs change in a couple of years. For many iPhone and iPad owners, the advent of the Lightning cable made old docks obsolete, and there are people who switch from micro-USB-based Android phones to those Lightning-connected iPhones and vice-versa. With each switch of device or charging technology, users usually end up buying a new dock. EverDock is designed to allow easy, tool-free swapping of the electrical / data end of the charging and sync cable. For example, it will support a 30-pin dock connector device, and can then be set up for a new iPhone with a Lightning connector in a matter of minutes. Need to charge both an iPhone in a Mophie Juice Pack Helium battery case (micro-USB) and a new iPad mini (Lightning)? No problem -- they've designed a dual dock that will hold both. If you have a case on your device, that shouldn't be a problem either; the EverDock is designed to accept most cases. At this time, backers can pre-order one of the aluminum EverDocks in silver, space gray or gold for a pledge of just $49. The EverDock Duo (two-device) model is just a bit more at $69. If FŪZdesigns reaches a $200,000 stretch goal, they'll let purchasers select the color of the silicone inserts that cover the top of the dock.
C6 MagneFix Bookcase for iPad mini: Video review and giveaway
UK-based design house C6 is a new entry into the US Apple device accessory market, but they've already made a splash with the new C6 MagneFix Bookcase for iPad mini (£35.99 or US$55). This protective case features tough materials, bright colors (even the gray version we tested has a bright yellow "sunshine" interior), and magnets to not only wake and sleep your iPad mini, but also help to prop it up in landscape orientation. This light, protective case/stand weighs just 4.8 oz (136 gm) and features a polycarbonate back shell along with a magnetic cover that mimics Apple's Smart Cover. Other exterior colors that are available include "raspberry" (magenta) and "aqua" (blue), as well as graphite. And now, let's take a short video look at the C6 MagneFix Bookcase for iPad mini before you have a chance to win this attractive and functional case. Giveaway Like the looks of the C6 MagneFix Bookcase for iPad mini? It could be yours. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before September 28, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a C6 MagneFix Bookcase for iPad mini valued at US$55. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
iOS 7 on an iPad mini: First impressions
After seeing Dave Caolo's post about his first impressions of iOS 7 on an iPad 2, it occurred to me that I ought to write up my feelings about the OS on an iPad mini. The device isn't equipped with a Retina display, but it is one of the devices that can take full advantage of the features of iOS 7. So how does iOS 7 stack up to its predecessor on the iPad mini? The quick answer: very well. Why? Well, for some reason iOS 7 seems to scale to the smaller size of the iPad mini screen better than it does on a full-sized iPad. While the thin Helvetica Neue text almost seems to get lost on a Retina display iPad, it's right at home on the smaller iPad mini display. As my middle-aged bifocal-equipped eyes are not as great as they used to be, I still used this video tip to set the system text on the iPad mini to bold. Perhaps it's the fact that the iPad mini's processor doesn't have as many pixels to push around, but it definitely seems snappier to me on the iPad mini than on a Retina display iPad (third generation). As for battery life, that also seems to have improved. Your mileage may vary on both of these counts, but I was able to pump music from iTunes Radio to a Bluetooth speaker for three hours yesterday and only saw a 7 percent drop in battery level. That's much better than I had experienced in the past. I was happy to see that my browser of choice on my iDevices -- Chrome -- today provided me with the option to get data compression on the fly. This capability, although it isn't part of iOS 7, is also making the iPad mini seem brand-new. As with Dave's post, I'll follow up with any quirks or items that seem to merit attention, but for the most part, I'd recommend the iOS 7 update to anyone with an iPad mini. Just remember to back up first, OK?
iOS 7 now available to download
You've now had a few hours to digest our feelings on the iPhone 5s and 5c, but now it's time to replicate the bulk of that experience on your existing Apple devices. iOS 7 is appearing as an available software in your settings panel now, or at least in the very near future. If you own an iPhone 5 / 4S / 4, an iPad 2/3/4, iPad Mini or the 5th generation iPod touch, then you'll be entitled to witness Sir Jonathan's first grand attempt at a UI revolution. Also, don't forget that iTunes Radio will be making its big debut alongside the new operating system today, so at least you'll have some smooth grooves to chill out to while your phone updates.
Hands-on with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and Folio for iPad mini
Today we're going to take a look at two new products from accessory manufacturer Logitech. First, the company's Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, long a favorite for full-sized iPads, is now available in a US$79.99 iPad mini version. The company has also introduced the Folio Cover for iPad mini ($49.99), for those who want protection for their little iPad but don't need a keyboard. Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini Like the full-sized model I reviewed last year, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini is designed to provide a comfortable typing experience and also protect the screen of the device while in transit. It uses a magnetized strip on a hinge to snap to the iPad mini in the same manner that Apple's Smart Cover does, and even has the built-in magnets to turn the mini on or off when you open or close the "cover." There's also a magnetized notch in the cover just above the keyboard where the left side of the iPad mini goes when you're using the keyboard. Once it is in place, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and iPad mini form a fairly solid unit -- very useful when you're banging away on the keyboard writing your next novel. Bluetooth setup is amazingly easy with iOS 6 or 7, and there's a power switch on the side of the unit if you decide you'd like to stretch the battery life a bit more. To recharge the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, there's a standard USB to micro-USB cable included. Logitech estimates six weeks of usage on one charge given two hours of daily keyboarding. How does the keyboard feel when typing? Pretty good! I am a fast touch-typist and had no problems getting used to the layout of the keyboard. There's excellent tactile response, and the keys don't feel too cramped. That being said, I compare most iPad mini keyboards to my current favorite -- the ZAGGkeys Folio Keyboard for iPad mini ($99.99). As you can see from one image in the slideshow for this post, the ZAGGkeys keyboard is much more spacious, which just eases typing even more. It also has a multi-colored backlight for night use. The Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini comes in black and white. At just 7.6 ounces (215.5 grams), it adds just a tiny amount of weight to a backpack or purse. Conclusion Logitech makes a full line of impressive iPad and iPad mini accessories, and the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is a wonderful addition to the family. It is compact, complements the iPad mini perfectly, and offers quick removal of the cover when it's not needed. Pros Very fast Bluetooth pairing Keyboard has a good feel for such a small size Good battery life Less expensive than other similar iPad mini keyboard cases Matches the outside look of an iPad mini perfectly Cons Keyboard is cramped compared to some of the competition No backlight in the keyboard Back of the iPad mini is not protected Who is it for? The iPad mini user who wants a useful Bluetooth keyboard and some protection for the device screen Folio for iPad mini The Folio for iPad mini is strictly for protection; there's no keyboard in it although you can get the Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad mini ($89.99) if you want protection and a keyboard. Available in black or red, the Folio has a nice cloth exterior and a smooth interior lining. The iPad mini is held in place by a clever plastic mount; it's quite easy to install and remove the iPad mini when needed. The Folio also acts as a stand for the iPad mini in landscape mode, and features a hole for the rear-looking camera to peek out of. The weight of the Folio is just 6.8 ounces (192.8 grams), once again providing lightweight but sturdy protection to your iPad mini. Conclusion While it's not as fancy as some of the iPad mini cases we've reviewed in the past, the Folio for iPad mini provides solid protection at a reasonable price. Pros Easy to install and remove iPad mini Cover material is quite rugged and should last for a long time Price is reasonable Very lightweight Cons Not the most high-fashion iPad mini case we've ever reviewed; it's rather plain-looking, in fact Who is it for? The person who is looking for a solid iPad mini cover that will last Giveaway It's time for iPad mini-toting TUAW readers to have a chance to win one of these two accessories courtesy of Logitech and TUAW. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before September 15, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One receives a Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini valued at $79.99, while the other receives a Logitech Folio for iPad mini valued at (49.99) Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Hawaiian Airlines will offer iPad minis to passengers
Hawaiian Airlines this week announced that it will begin offering iPad minis to passengers flying between Hawaii and 14 routes that encompass destinations in the US, Asia and the South Pacific. The iPad mini will offer a full-fledged entertainment experience and will enable passengers to pick from upwards of 100 hours of movies and TV shows. Further, the iPad minis will come pre-loaded with a smattering of gaming titles as well. I suppose leaving the fun and sun of Hawaii can be a harrowing experience, so what better way to soften the blow than to provide passengers with a first-rate entertainment experience as they leave the islands? In a statement on the matter, Hawaiian Airlines VP of Product Development Blaine Miyasato said: Hawaiian Airlines' signature on-board hospitality is already very popular with travelers, but we wanted to go even further to ensure our customers' travel experience is more enjoyable. With the help of Bluebox Avionics, we're building on our acclaimed inflight service by incorporating the latest in popular consumer tech products to enhance our in-flight entertainment options. As for the logistics of the iPad mini rollout, the program will begin early next week. Passengers flying business class will be given complimentary iPad minis while passengers flying economy class will have the option to rent an iPad mini for US$15 if reserved at the gate or $17 if reserved on-board the flight.
Twelve South introduces GhostStand for MacBook
Now here's a way to make your MacBook look almost like it's floating in mid-air: the design wizards at Twelve South have announced GhostStand (US$34.99), a transparent Lucite platform that elevates a MacBook about six inches off of the desktop for easy viewing. The two blades that make up the GhostStand have double-inlaid brushed-metal rails that are lined with silicone to both grip and protect the MacBook and desk surface. The stand is a wonderful way to elevate a MacBook screen to improve dual-monitor use, and also offers a more ergonomic arrangement for any MacBook user. As with Twelve South's previous recent addition to the family, the HiRise for iPhone 5 / iPad mini, the pricing on this attractive stand is quite reasonable. We're happy to see that Twelve South is making more affordable products that still offer beautiful design and top-quality construction. TUAW will feature a full review of the GhostStand in the near future.
iBackFlip launches the TabKeeper 360 iPad case; Somersault on sale
iBackFlip has been making the popular and versatile Somersault iPad case for quite a while, and earlier this summer announced the TabKeeper 360 (US$54.95). The TabKeeper 360 (above) is now available on the iBackFlip website, and if anything, it's even more of a multi-tasker than the Somersault. The TabKeeper 360 works as a carry case (with comfortable handles), a messenger bag, or a backpack, and even folds over to work as an iPad stand for typing. One thing that has always been a hallmark of the Somersault is the ability to hold an iPad hands-free by flipping the case open while it's strapped onto your body, and the TabKeeper 360 has that same useful capability. The company developed and patented a way of holding a tablet in most popular sizes that's called the X-Grip, which adjusts quickly between an iPad mini and regular-sized iPad. If you have both varieties of iPad, you might only need to buy one TabKeeper 360 for both devices (provided you only carry one at a time). iBackFlip has also been having a summer sale on the Somersault, which provides a bit more carrying capacity than the TabKeeper. At this time, you can buy the Somersault for just $64.95 ($25 off the usual price) or the Somersault Slim at $59.95 ($20 off regular price). TUAW will have a full review of the TabKeeper 360 in the near future. In the meantime, be sure to watch the video below that demonstrates all of the features of this compact and useful carrying bag.
AT&T expanding LTE coverage to 50 more markets by year-end
AT&T plans to make even more iPhone 5, iPad and iPad mini owners happy by the end of 2013, with today's announcement that 4G LTE service will be rolled out to 50 additional markets in the US before New Year's Day. AT&T's 4G LTE network currently covers 370 markets with 225 million potential customers. By the end of the year, that coverage will expand to more than 400 markets and 270 million people. While we won't list all 50 markets here, the top 10 seen here are an indication of the type of locations that will be gaining speedy wireless internet service.
iPad market share struggles in China
Research firm IDC reports that iPad shipments to China fell sharply during the second quarter of 2013, dropping from over 50 percent of the country's tablet market to only 28 percent. The iPad is still the top tablet in China, with Samsung grabbing an 11 percent share and Lenovo an 8 percent piece of the pie. Analyst Dickie Chang noted that there was strong demand for low-priced Android tablets from "white box vendors" -- that is, very generic devices from relatively unknown manufacturers. Chang said that "...consumers are becoming more familiar with the tablet product. They can use Android tablets from Samsung, Lenovo or others from small white box vendor guys because the price is cheap." How cheap? An Android tablet from Chinese manufacturer Onda sells for as little as 699 yuan (US$113) equipped with a quad-core processor, 8-inch screen and a 5-megapixel camera. A total of 46 percent of all tablet shipments came from vendors that IDC listed as "others" -- that means that individually, they each had a market share of less than 1 percent. Apple can take some solace in the fact that Microsoft's share of the Chinese tablet market is less than 1 percent, with only 37,000 units shipped. Confusingly, Chang also noted that the drop in iPad units shipped could just be Apple reducing inventories of the iPad and iPad mini in preparation for the introduction of new models. It appears that only time will tell if Chinese consumers are really jumping away from the iPad, or just waiting for the latest and greatest models from Cupertino.
Logitech announces new Ultrathin Keyboard Folio, Folio Protective Case for iPad mini
With the popularity of the iPad mini, it's not surprising that we keep seeing more and more accessories that fit the little guy. Logitech has just announced two new products for the mini: the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad mini (US$89.99) and the Logitech Folio Protective Case for iPad mini ($49.99). According to independent sales data for the United Sates, UK, Germany and France, Logitech's Ultrathin Keyboard for iPad is the number one selling keyboard for the full-sized iPad. The new mini version is the thinnest keyboard folio Logitech makes, has a layout to maximize the key size for fast typing and includes shortcut keys to perform a number of iPad mini functions. The Foilo Protective Case is also light and thin -- both new products are using new water-repellant materials, and have a new SecureLock system to hold the iPad in place. Logitech says that the products will also come in new colors, including grey, purple and pink. TUAW will have a full review of the new products in the near future.
EBay Deals ranks top tablets based on how you feel about them
In an attempt to further educate would-be tablet buyers on which tablets carry the most weight with consumers, EBay Deals has taken a rather exhaustive look at a variety of different social and retail metrics. As you can imagine, the iPad's dominant market share made the contest rather one-sided in some cases, but there are still some pretty interesting tidbits to be gleaned here. For starters, in a ranking of tablets based on the number of views each device received in "review" and "unboxing" videos, Google's Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 lead the charge, with the iPad mini coming in fourth and the standard iPad landing in eighth place. This result is likely skewed by the fact that only the first 500 videos for each tablet were counted for views, and the iPad has been around much longer than the relatively new Google Nexus slates. Perhaps the most interesting results came from a pair of measurements of how many tablet users "love" their devices. To examine this, the number of Twitter search results for the phrase "I love my [tablet]" were tallied. In this case, the iPad came in first, followed by the Kindle Fire and then the iPad mini, with Google's Nexus 10 and the Galaxy Note on its tail. For an even more accurate ranking of tablet adoration, 10,000 tweets about each device were collected and then analyzed for sentiment, whether positive, negative or unclear. Perhaps surprisingly, the iPad mini took the top spot, with the Kindle Fire again coming in second and -- brace yourself -- the BlackBerry PlayBook in third. The iPad landed in fourth place followed by the Nexus 7. For a full rundown of the results in several more categories, hit up EBay Deals.
Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini: Adjustable, affordable, attractive
Design house Twelve South is dedicated to creating Apple accessories that you want to buy, and its latest product is no exception. The HiRise (US$34.99) is a charging desk stand created for two of Apple's mobile products -- the iPhone 5 and iPad mini -- and is different from most similar stands in that it is adjustable to fit a variety of iPhone cases. Design Like all Twelve South products, the HiRise comes to you in an attractive box with a sincere "Thank You." Some assembly is required, so instructions on setting up the HiRise are available in a small booklet, or you can choose to watch the process online. The HiRise is beautifully machined out of aluminum, featuring a flat stand that is sized to be stable under the load of an iPad mini, a short riser that contains one of three plastic clips (more on those later), and another taller riser that serves as a back rest for your device. The base has a rubber foundation to help keep it from moving; it also has the side benefit of toning down those loud buzzes when your iPhone is in vibrate mode and sitting on a hard surface. Functionality As mentioned earlier, the HiRise needs a wee bit of assembly. An Allen wrench is secreted under a plastic door on the bottom of the base; it's used to install a four screws later on. You need to provide your own Lightning cable as well, so if you want to keep your existing cable for mobile charges, head on out to your local Apple Store and purchase another one. Twelve South includes three custom plastic clips that are used to hold the Lightning connector at varying distances from the base. For situations where you aren't using a case with your iPhone 5 or iPad mini, you use the "0" clip. For a case with some extra depth -- the OtterBox Defender, for example -- the "5" clip is more appropriate. Thinner cases like the Griffin Reveal or Speck CandyShell use the intermediate "3" clip. I use a Mophie Juice Pack Helium and recharge my iPhone 5 with the bottom of the case removed, so I chose to install the "0" clip. Next, you install the rear support -- what I called the "back rest" -- and adjust it to match the thickness of the case. I wouldn't suggest using the HiRise with a case that's thicker than the Juice Pack Helium, as I had to move the rear support as far back as possible to accommodate the battery pack. Once everything is adjusted, the Lightning cable can be snugged into a channel on the bottom of the stand and the plastic door snapped back into place. And voila! You now have an attractive aluminum stand on which your iPhone 5 or iPad mini can stand in style while charging up. It's no secret that I really like Twelve South's products. It's also no secret that I usually think their products are overpriced. The HiRise is a refreshing exception to that rule -- it's well worth the $35 in terms of the quality of the materials, the custom fit, and the solid functionality. Conclusion For many people, just plopping their iPhone or iPad mini down on a desktop for charging is fine. But for those who would rather have an attractive stand that holds your device above the clutter, the Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini is a solid performer. Pros Adjustable to fit a variety of iPhone 5 cases, also works with the iPad mini Well-written instructions for assembly backed by a short online video Price is right on target for a classy and well-built accessory Like many of Twelve South's products, it looks like something Apple would design Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Anyone who owns an iPhone 5 or iPad mini and is looking for a classy charging stand
New Trent Airbender Mini: Protective keyboard case for the iPad mini (updated)
A while back TUAW was on a roll with keyboard case reviews. While there were some really good ones for the iPad mini -- the US$99.99 Zagg Foiio for iPad mini being my favorite -- there was a paucity of keyboard cases that also provided decent protection for the device. New Trent's Airbender Mini ($39.95, Model NT31B) is the last of the keyboard cases we've received recently, making me wonder if there's a horrible M. Night Shyamalan movie waiting in the wings... (sorry, bad joke). Design The first thing that hits you after opening the Airbender Mini box is that this is a chunky little case. The second is the smell -- I'll get to that in a moment. In terms of the chunkiness of the Airbender Mini, it's because it not only includes a polycarbonate shell but also has a thick silicone protective layer on the outside. That silicone layer includes sealable "doors" for the Lightning adapter port, the mute/orientation lock switch, and the earphone port. The rear camera is covered with a small plastic window, and the on/off button is also covered with a pass-through silicone "bump." Now about the smell -- there's a strong chemical smell when you open this thing up. I'm not sure if it's outgassing from the silicone or the polycarbonate, but it was strong enough to give me a headache. If you win this case in our giveaway or buy one, be sure to let it sit unwrapped for a while to let the chemicals outgas away from you. Update (10/26/2013): New Trent followed up on my feedback about the chemical smell and has eradicated the problem. A new device that was sent to TUAW did not exhibit the strong odor, so obviously the company has eliminated the issue in manufacturing. Many thanks to New Trent for following up on this problem. The case also includes a nice little touch not found elsewhere: an aluminum arm on which the part of the case that holds the iPad mini can swivel. That's very nifty, as users can choose to place the screen in a portrait mode while typing if they wish. %Gallery-195772% The keyboard itself is a five-row design with the classic QWERTY layout, with some notable exceptions. The /? and \| keys have been moved from their traditional places on the far right of the keyboard and placed in the bottom row next to the space bar. Special iPad mini functions are enabled through a function key that is found on the bottom row. Charging of the Airbender Mini is done through a USB to micro-USB cable (included) that plugs into a port on the side of the case, once again equipped with a silicone cover "door." Finally, and probably the most important feature for those who are thinking about using this case in the great outdoors, the screen is covered with a transparent and touch-friendly plastic cover. The Airbender Mini is one of the few iPad mini cases I've seen that includes screen protection by default. Finally, the physical details: the Airbender Mini weighs 9.1 ounces (258 grams) and measures 8.22" x 5.67" x .98" (209mm x 144mm x 25mm). Functionality As with any keyboard cases, the most important factors to consider are ease of pairing with the device, how easy it is to type on it, and how the screen is placed in relation to the keyboard. To install the iPad mini into the Airbender Mini case, you must remove the silicone sleeve completely, then pop open the internal hard case. After dropping the iPad mini into the case, you reverse the procedure to keep the mini protected. Pairing is quite simple. There's a connect button to press, and when the iPad mini and keyboard recognize each other, you're prompted with a four-digit code to type on the keyboard to consummate the pairing. A blue, fast-flashing light indicates that the keyboard is in pairing mode. Other LEDs indicate charging (red for charging or green for charged) and the current caps lock status. I'd rate the protection, both from drops and accidental splashes, as very good for this keyboard case. The silicone sleeve and doors will keep the entire assembly in very good condition after most little accidents. I found the "arm" on which the screen sits to be a great idea, too. It's much more adjustable than a number of other keyboard cases I've tested, and I actually found portrait mode to be quite useful in some writing apps. Now, about the keyboard itself. You can see from the photo gallery that the physical keyboard is smaller than that on the excellent ZAGGkey Folio for iPad mini keyboard, due to a much larger bezel surrounding the keys. That little bit of space on either side makes for a keyboard that's about one inch thinner than the ZAGGkey keyboard, so the Airbender Mini keyboard is incredibly cramped. I also found, much to my dismay, that the frequently-used apostrophe (') and quote (") keys are in awkward locations and require a press of the function key to type. Still, anyone using the keyboard could possibly get used to the function key requirements and cramped spacing. For me, I'll stick with the ZAGGkey Folio. Conclusion The New Trent Airbender Mini keyboard case for iPad mini provides superior protection, a sub-par keyboard, and a unique rotating "arm" design, all at a discount price. Pros Very inexpensive Good build quality Adjustable arm allows iPad mini screen to be used in either portrait or landscape orientation Excellent protection against drops and splashes Simple setup, and well-written instructions Cons Keyboard is cramped and in a non-standard layout Several important punctuation signs require a function-key input Strong chemical smell when the keyboard case is removed from the box Silicone external sleeve has a tendency to collect dust Who is it for? The iPad mini user on a budget who only uses a keyboard on occasion, but would like a protective case as well. Giveaway Despite the cramped keyboard, the New Trent Airbender Mini still has a lot of things going for it. One of you lucky TUAW readers is going to win this case. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 12, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a New Trent Airbender Mini keyboard case for iPad mini valued at $39.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Deus Ex: The Fall update supports iPad 2
Deus Ex: The Fall hit the App Store a few weeks back and instantly made headlines for an anti-piracy scheme whereby users with jailbroken iOS devices were precluded from playing the game, even if they spent the full US$6.99 to download it. The developers were quick to respond to user outcry and promised that an impending update would soon change that. Yesterday, Deus Ex: The Fall was in fact updated, but the bigger story here is that the game is now compatible with the iPad 2. So for all you iPad 2-toting folks who want to get some action-style gaming on, have at it. The changelog also indicates that the recent version of the game includes a major update to the game's artificial intelligence. Lastly, bear in mind that the game is not compatible with the iPhone 4, but will work on the iPhone 4S and above, the iPad 2 and above, and the iPad mini.
iPad sales slip as tablet market surges
The tablet market has exploded in the last year, with nearly 60 percent growth since the same quarter in 2012. This is according to new information published by the market research firm IDC on Monday. At the top of the market is Apple, thanks to strong sales of the iPad. However, while Apple is still No. 1 on the charts, their victory comes with a coda that makes it a little bittersweet. Although Apple was the top vendor with 14.6 million iPads shipped and a 32.4 percent market share, they were the only company out of the top five vendors to have their market share drop since 2012. That year Apple enjoyed a staggering 60.3 percent market share. In 2013 that number had shrunk to a 32.4 percent market share, a -14.1 percent growth rate since the pervious year. Meanwhile their competition saw growth ranging from 277 percent for Samsung to 313.9 percent for Lenovo and 247.9 percent for Acer. But here is where looking at the full number chart, linked here and included above, is important. Each of the competitors who made a sudden surprising leap in market share this year had almost no market share the previous year. For a long time, Apple was the only serious game in town when it came to tablets for professionals. In the last year, the market has opened up with better models from Apple's competition, and often at a lower price point than the premium-priced iPad. Meanwhile Apple didn't have a new iPad for sale this year, unlike in 2012 when the third- and fourth-generation iPads and iPad mini hit the stores. Without new product driving sales, Apple saw their overall growth slow. Still, even with slowed growth, the company was able to lead the market in shipped units by more than 6 million units compared to their nearest competitor.
iPad mini with Retina display rumored to be delayed until early next year
How could a product that hasn't seen an official announcement be facing delays? It's a puzzling tale, that's a certainty. Still, rumors of a pixel-packed iPad mini have been making the rounds for a while, and, frankly, we don't expect the stream to slow down anytime soon. Now, Taiwanese publication Economic Daily News is reporting that Apple's having trouble lining up displays that meet Retina standards, making it difficult for the company to launch its 7.9-inch tablet ahead of this year's upcoming holiday season. Interestingly enough, the publication also says Apple plans to release the iPad mini with different screen resolutions come next refresh -- one of them being a lower-end, non-Retina model. Will we see a new iPad mini around its first anniversary? Maybe two? Oh, the waiting game...
