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Taito InvaderCade for iPad brings invasive price tag (video)
Sure, Taito is a veritable grandfather of the arcade world, but ¥15,800 ($209) for a nostalgic iPad Space Invaders box with one lonely einzelkind fire button? Atari also has some standing in this business and its worthy alternative costs just $60, while even the genre-founding iCade now seems a bargain at $100. Anyways, check out the video after the break to see an old Japanese bloke waiting patiently for his refund.
Belkin intros three ways to turn your iPad into a pricey kitchen accessory
Belkin showed off a trio of accessories last night aimed at incorporating your shiny Apple tablet into your kitchen routine. At the top of the list is the Chef Stand + Stylus, a $40 table top stand with a rubbery stylus that lets you use the iPad without dirtying it up with your greasy mitts. The stylus lives in a holster on the stand's rear. The $40 Fridge Mount turns the iPad into a $500 grocery list, securing the slate to your fridge door with 3M Command Strips. The Kitchen Cabinet Mount is the priciest of the bunch at $50 -- but is arguably the handiest, or at least most versatile, clamping the iPad to a cabinet or shelf.%Gallery-133828%
Kensington SecureBack case keeps iPads safe
Kensington extended its range of computer security products by introducing a new SecureBack case for the iPad 2. The case cradles the iPad 2 and provides it with a ClickSafe Security Anchor that's used on Kenisngton's other protective products. The product targets companies that are handing out iPads to their employees and want to prevent the loss of sensitive data. The cases are also designed to provide access to all the ports, speakers and buttons. It does appear to add some bulk to the slim profile of the iPad, but its a necessary tradeoff for increased security. Pricing for the entry level SecureBack case starts at US$49.99. Show full PR text Kensington Delivers the Next Level of Physical Security for iPad 2 Extends the ClickSafe™ Family of Security Products to Protect iPads™ In Public Environments Redwood Shores, Calif. – September 14, 2011 - Kensington Computer Products Group, a worldwide computing accessories provider for the mobile professional, today introduced a new line of ClickSafe® enabled security cases for the iPad 2. The new SecureBack™ Case uses Kensington's smart. safe. simple.™ ClickSafe® technology to secure the iPad and prevent device and data theft. The loss or theft of an iPad can result in severe consequences for users who rely on them-from lost productivity to replacement costs. The most serious compromise is the loss of sensitive personal and business data residing on iPad devices. Gartner projects that 80% of businesses will support a workforce using tablets by 2013 and Kensington's smart. safe. simple.™ approach to iPad 2 security ensures a smart first line of defense for tablet users wherever they go. Kensington's family of SecureBack cases features a unique three-piece design with a patent- pending rail system that quickly and easily secures the iPad to prevent theft. The case includes the world-class ClickSafe Security Anchor that enables iPad users to easily lock their tablet, in just one click. Designed to complement the iPad in every way, SecureBack preserves the tablet's celebrated, slim form factor. SecureBack offers full access to the iPad 2's ports, speaker, and cameras. The integrated security bar on each case can tilt the iPad for an ideal on-screen typing angle. Kensington has introduced two versions of the SecureBack case. The first features one-click security in a sleek form factor ideal for handheld use. A second case adds a 2-way extendable stand with 20-degree typing angle and 60-degree landscape viewing angle. Both versions are available bundled with a ClickSafe lock and cable. "We are excited to offer our customers the superior protection, ease and simplicity of our ClickSafe security system for a tablet computer," said Brian Baltezore, Senior Global Product Manager at Kensington. "Tablet users need security that will complement, not hinder, their use of the iPad. SecureBack is a design that truly pays respect to the tablet's style and functionality, so that when an iPad user inevitably does have to walk away from their device, they can do so with confidence." New Kensington SecureBack Security Cases for iPad 2 Kensington SecureBack™ Security Case (K39308; SRP $49.99): This version of SecureBack is ClickSafe "ready" via the built-in security anchor. Strength, security and elegant design come together in the SecureBack Security Case for iPad 2. A thin, yet strong three-piece construction protects the iPad with durable plastic while maintaining its sleek look and feel. The form-fitting design of the case resists prying to protect the iPad from being stolen and an adjustable slider bar allows quick access to ClickSafe® Security Anchor. SecureBack provides full access to all iPad 2 controls, buttons, ports and cameras. Kensington SecureBack™ Security Case with 2-way Stand (K39310; SRP $59.99): This version of the SecureBack case is ClickSafe "ready" via the built-in security anchor. In addition, the thin three-piece construction of the SecureBack™ Security Case with 2-way stand protects your iPad 2. The durable plastic case maintains its sleek look and feel, while a 2-way extendable stand accommodates flexible iPad orientation. Use the stand in landscape mode for typing or portrait mode for viewing movies or surfing the web. Kensington SecureBack™ Security Case with ClickSafe Lock (K39309; SRP $79.99): Securing the iPad 2 on the go is easy with the SecureBack™ Security Case with ClickSafe Lock. The thin, yet strong three-piece construction combines into a durable plastic case for iPad, while preserving access to all controls, buttons, ports, and cameras. An adjustable slider bar allows quick access to ClickSafe® Security Anchor or covers it when not in use. The included ClickSafe Keyed Lock provides unparalleled ease of use to lock down the iPad 2 with just one click. ClickSafe's advanced cable construction of 7x7 configuration is specifically used to combat thievery attempts, assuring that the tablet, and all of the data on it, are always secure. Kensington SecureBack™ Security Case with 2-way Stand & ClickSafe Lock (K39311; SRP $89.99): Achieve maximum productivity and superior security for your iPad 2 with the SecureBack™ Security Case with 2-way stand & ClickSafe Lock. The thin, yet strong three-piece construction combines into a durable plastic case for iPad, while a 2-way extendable stand accommodates flexible iPad orientation for landscape or portrait viewing. An adjustable slider bar allows quick access to ClickSafe® Security Anchor and an included ClickSafe Keyed Lock provides unparalleled ease of use to safeguard the tablet at all times, with just one click. Product Availability The Kensington SecureBack Security Case line of products is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com, Kensington.com and other major retailers. For additional information on the new and existing line of Kensington products, please visit http://www.kensington.com. Follow Kensington on Twitter @KensingtonZone Visit the Kensington SafeZone blog: http://blog.kensington.com/security/Show full PR text Kensington Delivers the Next Level of Physical Security for iPad 2 Extends the ClickSafe™ Family of Security Products to Protect iPads™ In Public Environments Redwood Shores, Calif. – September 14, 2011 - Kensington Computer Products Group, a worldwide computing accessories provider for the mobile professional, today introduced a new line of ClickSafe® enabled security cases for the iPad 2. The new SecureBack™ Case uses Kensington's smart. safe. simple.™ ClickSafe® technology to secure the iPad and prevent device and data theft. The loss or theft of an iPad can result in severe consequences for users who rely on them-from lost productivity to replacement costs. The most serious compromise is the loss of sensitive personal and business data residing on iPad devices. Gartner projects that 80% of businesses will support a workforce using tablets by 2013 and Kensington's smart. safe. simple.™ approach to iPad 2 security ensures a smart first line of defense for tablet users wherever they go. Kensington's family of SecureBack cases features a unique three-piece design with a patent- pending rail system that quickly and easily secures the iPad to prevent theft. The case includes the world-class ClickSafe Security Anchor that enables iPad users to easily lock their tablet, in just one click. Designed to complement the iPad in every way, SecureBack preserves the tablet's celebrated, slim form factor. SecureBack offers full access to the iPad 2's ports, speaker, and cameras. The integrated security bar on each case can tilt the iPad for an ideal on-screen typing angle. Kensington has introduced two versions of the SecureBack case. The first features one-click security in a sleek form factor ideal for handheld use. A second case adds a 2-way extendable stand with 20-degree typing angle and 60-degree landscape viewing angle. Both versions are available bundled with a ClickSafe lock and cable. "We are excited to offer our customers the superior protection, ease and simplicity of our ClickSafe security system for a tablet computer," said Brian Baltezore, Senior Global Product Manager at Kensington. "Tablet users need security that will complement, not hinder, their use of the iPad. SecureBack is a design that truly pays respect to the tablet's style and functionality, so that when an iPad user inevitably does have to walk away from their device, they can do so with confidence." New Kensington SecureBack Security Cases for iPad 2 Kensington SecureBack™ Security Case (K39308; SRP $49.99): This version of SecureBack is ClickSafe "ready" via the built-in security anchor. Strength, security and elegant design come together in the SecureBack Security Case for iPad 2. A thin, yet strong three-piece construction protects the iPad with durable plastic while maintaining its sleek look and feel. The form-fitting design of the case resists prying to protect the iPad from being stolen and an adjustable slider bar allows quick access to ClickSafe® Security Anchor. SecureBack provides full access to all iPad 2 controls, buttons, ports and cameras. Kensington SecureBack™ Security Case with 2-way Stand (K39310; SRP $59.99): This version of the SecureBack case is ClickSafe "ready" via the built-in security anchor. In addition, the thin three-piece construction of the SecureBack™ Security Case with 2-way stand protects your iPad 2. The durable plastic case maintains its sleek look and feel, while a 2-way extendable stand accommodates flexible iPad orientation. Use the stand in landscape mode for typing or portrait mode for viewing movies or surfing the web. Kensington SecureBack™ Security Case with ClickSafe Lock (K39309; SRP $79.99): Securing the iPad 2 on the go is easy with the SecureBack™ Security Case with ClickSafe Lock. The thin, yet strong three-piece construction combines into a durable plastic case for iPad, while preserving access to all controls, buttons, ports, and cameras. An adjustable slider bar allows quick access to ClickSafe® Security Anchor or covers it when not in use. The included ClickSafe Keyed Lock provides unparalleled ease of use to lock down the iPad 2 with just one click. ClickSafe's advanced cable construction of 7x7 configuration is specifically used to combat thievery attempts, assuring that the tablet, and all of the data on it, are always secure. Kensington SecureBack™ Security Case with 2-way Stand & ClickSafe Lock (K39311; SRP $89.99): Achieve maximum productivity and superior security for your iPad 2 with the SecureBack™ Security Case with 2-way stand & ClickSafe Lock. The thin, yet strong three-piece construction combines into a durable plastic case for iPad, while a 2-way extendable stand accommodates flexible iPad orientation for landscape or portrait viewing. An adjustable slider bar allows quick access to ClickSafe® Security Anchor and an included ClickSafe Keyed Lock provides unparalleled ease of use to safeguard the tablet at all times, with just one click. Product Availability The Kensington SecureBack Security Case line of products is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com, Kensington.com and other major retailers. For additional information on the new and existing line of Kensington products, please visit http://www.kensington.com. Follow Kensington on Twitter @KensingtonZone Visit the Kensington SafeZone blog: http://blog.kensington.com/security/
Kensington's SecureBack case is like The Club for iPads (video)
Kensington already came out and admitted that employees don't actually use the locks handed to them on their first day of work. And yet, it's betting folks will want to swaddle their iPads in a thick layer of plastic and chain them to their desks. That, in a nutshell, is the idea behind the SecureBack, an iPad 2 case that allows you to lock down the tablet, armor and all, just as you would a laptop. That beaut you see up there is a three-part affair, with two pieces of plastic that come together to cover the back and are held together by a sliding slat. That's just the case, mind, you -- to lock it down you'll also need one of Kensington's ClickSafe locks, which the company already makes for laptops. It's up for pre-order now, with a standard version fetching $50 and a souped-up one with a kickstand going for $70. If you don't already have a compatible lock, you can also buy one bundled with the case, with that extra hardware adding thirty bucks to the cost. Full PR and a demo video after the break because really, what's more hypnotic than watching a set of hands dissemble a case? %Gallery-133544% %Gallery-133539%
Samsung files French patent complaint against Apple, targets iPhone, iPad
Samsung has retaliated against Apple once again -- this time, in France, where the Korean manufacturer has filed a complaint alleging that Cupertino infringed upon a trio of its patents. Originally filed with a Paris district court in July and announced yesterday, the complaint claims that the UMTS technologies featured in the iPhone and 3G-enabled iPads violate three of Samsung's patents. Unlike a previous case in Germany, which recently resulted in a nationwide injunction against the Galaxy Tab 10.1, this filing "focuses on three technology patents, and not on the design of the tablets," as a Samsung spokesperson was quick to point out. Details on the patents in question remain blurry for the moment, but it'll probably be a while before the case progresses anyway, with the first hearing scheduled for December.
Daily iPad App: Machinarium
Machinarium is a charming game with an arresting and engaging art style; it debuted on the Mac and PC platforms a couple years ago. It's very similar to the point-and-click adventure games that saw much popularity in the late 80s to early 90s. You must guide a robot character through a rusted, run-down cityscape populated entirely with robotic characters and cybernetic animal life, solving puzzles along the way in order to advance the story. The art style and music, both of which are among the best I've seen in any game from any genre, combine with an eccentric storytelling method (told entirely without words) to deliver a unique and unforgettable experience. Machinarium was incredibly fun (and challenging) when I played it on the Mac last year, and at the time I thought to myself that the game would be a perfect fit for the iPad. Fortunately, Amanita Design thought the same thing, and Machinarium is now available for the iPad 2. I specifically mention the iPad 2 for a reason; that's the only iOS device that has enough horsepower to run Machinarium. Playing through Machinarium on the iPad 2, you might wonder why a 2D adventure game like this will only run on Apple's most powerful iOS device while heavy-duty 3D games like Infinity Blade or Rage will run on the original iPad and iPhone 4 just fine. As it turns out, Machinarium was originally built entirely in Flash for desktop platforms, and it's been ported to the iPad 2 via Adobe AIR. This enabled the developers to deliver mostly the same experience as the desktop version, but it also meant that the iPad 2 was the only device able to run the game to their satisfaction. "The memory limitations of iPad 1 (which are somewhere around 115 MB RAM per app) are just quite challenging," the developers said in response to complaints about the app not being available for the original iPad. "You have to have it running around 80-90 to keep it stable and the app has tons of timeline animations, the sources are 1 GB, all compiled into one single SWF file + some assets. The app was originally made for PC and upgraded for tablet devices. When you start creating tablet apps from scratch it's a whole different story. The game is now made with 'no compromises' compared to the desktop version and that keeps it unique." Having played all the way through Machinarium on both the Mac and iPad 2, I'll say that the iPad version does come fairly close to the developer's "no compromises" claim. I compared screens from the iPad version and Mac version side by side. Apart from minor differences in some UI elements and a lack of multi-layer, faux-3D "foreground" elements on the iPad version (something I didn't even notice on the Mac version until comparing them), Machinarium on iPad 2 is in nearly every respect identical to the desktop version. The game's art style is a perfect fit for the iPad, and you'll almost certainly find yourself entirely absorbed into the game as you hold it in your hands. However, while Machinarium on the iPad 2 runs very well and delivers an experience that's definitely worth the price tag, the app does demonstrate a few of the perils associated with porting Flash-based games onto a touchscreen device. Machinarium's Flash-based desktop iteration consumes around 70 percent of CPU resources on my MacBook Pro, a device with approximately 4.5 times the overall computing power of my iPad 2, so it's no surprise that only Apple's most powerful mobile hardware can handle the game even after porting it. Porting the game into a more iOS-friendly format made it so Machinarium could run (and run well, without a hint of lag) on the iPad 2. However, the game is still very demanding on battery life; my iPad lost over a third of its charge after two hours of play, about the same amount of battery charge a turbo-3D game like Infinity Blade would consume. Perhaps more frustrating is some interface elements for Machinarium's desktop version have been lost in translation on the touchpad interface -- another common caveat about porting Flash games to iOS. Controls in the desktop version of Machinarium were largely context-based; hovering the mouse pointer over certain areas of the screen would give users clues about what elements they could interact with and how they could interact with them. That context-sensitive interface is almost entirely gone from the iPad version of Machinarium, meaning that at some points the only way to progress is by tapping blindly on the screen and hoping something happens. Additionally, the game can sometimes be confused about which action you're trying to take. One particularly frustrating example of this was on a screen where you have a choice between pushing a crate or climbing on top of it. Several times in a row the game thought I wanted to push the crate instead of climbing on it, and each time this resulted in a solid minute of animation from pushing the crate to the next screen over and back again. On the Mac version, with its context-sensitive and mouse-based controls, this was never an issue. As another example of how the desktop interface was somewhat lost in translation on the iPad, the game's built-in hint system relies on a minigame that was easy enough on a Mac with keyboard controls, but the same controls on a touchscreen made it frustratingly difficult. None of these issues are knocks against Machinarium itself or its developers, but rather something to keep in mind when playing (or developing) any game that wasn't initially designed with a touchscreen interface in mind. One more thing worth noting: while the art style may make it seem as though the game would be perfect for younger children, unless your kids are packing some serious brainpower it's likely they'll become frustrated by the game's challenging and sometimes elliptical puzzles. Heck, the same goes for adults; if you don't find yourself hurling four-letter words at the game during at least one of Machinarium's many puzzles, then submit your application to Mensa right now, brainiac. Those complaints aside, Machinarium on the iPad 2 is definitely worth your time and your five dollars, especially if you never played the Mac version. Though the interface isn't a perfect translation to the iPad, the game's art, music, and charming story are each worth the price of admission on their own. When they're put together, five bucks feels like a bargain. Don't just take my word for it; as of this writing, Machinarium is the top-selling iPad app.
LG solves iPad display quality issue, shipments resume
Display manufacturer LG was reportedly struggling to meet production targets for Apple's iPad 2 LCD due to quality issues (particularly a "light leak" issue noted in early models). According to a report from DigiTimes, LG has solved those issues and is back to cranking out displays for Apple as fast as it can make them. LG reportedly built 4 million displays for the iPad 2 in August, and it's expected to build another 4 million this month. Considering that iPads don't usually hang around on shelves for too long, the implications for Apple's quarterly iPad sales are pretty staggering. If Apple is really selling 4 million of these things every month, that puts the iPad on a very rapid track to being the best-selling consumer electronics device of all time. According to DigiTimes's source, "Apple's iPad 2 shipments are expected to reach 12-15 million units in third-quarter 2011, which will benefit its suppliers." No doubt it will be a benefit to Apple too.
German court upholds injunction against Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Apple wins nationwide ban
A German court has weighed in on Apple's seemingly interminable patent battle against Samsung, and it isn't looking good for Galaxy Tab users. In a ruling issued today, a Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court upheld last month's preliminary injunction, banning the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 within Germany. Citing the slate's "minimalist, modern form," presiding judge Johanna Brueckner-Hoffmann determined that Samsung's tablet bears a "clear impression of similarity" with the iPad 2, thereby meriting a nationwide ban. "The court is of the opinion that Apple's minimalistic design isn't the only technical solution to make a tablet computer," Brueckner-Hoffmann explained, "other designs are possible." Earlier this week, as you may recall, Apple won a separate injunction against the Galaxy Tab 7.7 in Düsseldorf, though Samsung can still appeal that decision in a lower court. The court stopped short, however, of calling for an EU-wide injunction against the 10.1-inch slate, arguing that "it could only be competent to order a Europe-wide ban for a firm headquartered outside the European Union if this firm has a German subsidiary." Samsung, meanwhile, plans to appeal the ruling in a higher court, with a company spokesman issuing a now all-too familiar statement: "We are disappointed with this ruling and believe it severely limits consumer choice in Germany."
LaunchPort wirelessly charges iPad 2, infects users with glee (video)
Shiny, happy people staring at iPad 2s? Why, it must be the power of inductive charging, or just hyper-enthusiastic marketing. Revealed at CEDIA 2011, Dana Innovations' recently announced LaunchPort system takes the convenience of wireless charging and slaps it on your wall. Of course, there's the regular ol' option to have your Apple slab recharge from a flat top surface, but then you'll be missing out on the 360 degree pizzazz. The price of this fancy doesn't come cheap either, with both the wall- and base-mounted options costing $200 each, plus the $150 for the mandatory PowerShuttle sleeve and the $10 pre-order fee. Now, how badly do you need to show off that Jony Ive-designed tablet? Skip past the break to witness overacting at its finest.
Saks interactive storefront features 64 iPads
The Saks 5th Avenue store in New York and Styelist.com have teamed up to create an interactive storefront display made up of 64 iPad 2s and 18 27" Cinema Displays in order to celebrate Fashion's Night Out. The three-window display was conceived and built by Gin Lane Media and uses a custom built app and a local network to get all the iPads connected to one another. The Loop has some additional pictures of the display. But for those of you who want to do more than look, you can actually take part in what appears on the display. Besides Stylelist imagery, users can submit their own photos that will be shown on the iPads by Tweeting photos with the hashtag #StylelistatSaks.
Atari Arcade is the $60 answer to iCade (review)
iMAME4All gains experimental support for iCade, iOS gamers gain infinite happiness MadCatz proves its soul still burns with Soul Calibur V Arcade FightStick Soul Edition Gameloft bringing a dozen iPad games to Jetstar flights, curbing in-flight boredom with UNO Yearning to relive the classics (Lunar Lander, anyone?) on your iPad, replete with that authentic arcade feel? It wasn't long ago that we reviewed ThinkGeek and Ion's formidable iCade, but at $100, it was -- and still is -- a pricey portion to stomach for an occasional retro gaming fix. Fast forward to the present, and Atari's paired with Discovery Bay Games to create their own official spin on an iPad arcade adapter, fittingly dubbed the Arcade Duo-Powered Joystick. Unlike the iCade, it doesn't use Bluetooth and requires no batteries -- you simply dock your iPad into its 30-pin connector. The joypad is specifically made to work with Atari's Greatest Hits app, and it's set to land in early October for a slightly more wallet-friendly price of $60. We were able to slam its controls a bit while playing through various levels of Major Havoc and the like, and you'll find our impressions after the break. %Gallery-132833%
Verizon ad features iPad 2
Everyone remembers the iDon't ads Verizon Wireless aired for its DROID handsets. In a refreshing change, the carrier has released an iPad 2 ad that is airing on national TV. The ad focuses on 3G connectivity and all that you can do with an iPad 2 on the "Nation's Largest and Most Reliable Network". If you haven't seen it on TV, you can check out the ad below. [Via 9to5 Mac]
WSJ: China gets 3G iPad approval
Early this morning, the Wall Street Journal reported that China's certification agency has given Apple the go-ahead to begin selling a 3G device with the model number A1396. As MacRumors points out, that model number corresponds to the 3G-equipped iPad 2. The not-so-mystery device is listed as WCDMA-compatible for operation on the China Unicom network. While iPad 2 sales in China have been going like blazes since the device's May debut in-country, the approved/available models have been Wi-Fi only. The addition of the 3G unit is likely to add further momentum to China iPad sales. This approval doesn't bear on the possibility of the iPhone and iPad 2 3G moving onto the market-leading China Mobile network, although previous stories (and a spotting of then-acting CEO Tim Cook at the company's headquarters) all point to that device coming at some point. Since China Mobile uses a different mobile standard than China Unicom, the iDevices for that network will have to be re-engineered or built to work in multinetwork/universal mode.
Elgato EyeTV Mobile eyes-on (video)
Elgato's been experimenting with live TV on the iPad for over a year now, but until now, that meant streaming programs that were already broadcast online anyway -- a mighty large limitation, wouldn't you say? This week, though, the company announced EyeTV Mobile, a TV tuner that plugs into the iPad 2's 30-pin connector, allowing it to pull in broadcast television. We just happened to stumble on Elgato's booth here at IFA and treated ourselves to a short TV break. The tuner, which fits easily in the palm of your hand when the antenna is collapsed, only allows you to draw in signals using the DVB-T standard, so make no mistake this is a product just for our European readers. (Although Elgato says it hopes to release something similar in Japan.) Even more than the hardware or the programming selection (fútbol, anyone?), we remain impressed by the free EyeTV iOS app, whose interface is pretty much the same as the HDHomeRun for iPad app, with the ability to swipe the screen to change channels and, in this case, save your location. It'll be available across the pond for €99.95 / £99.95 at the end of this month. Until then (or if you're just stuck in the states), check out our hands-on photos below and a video demo after the break. %Gallery-132551%
Apple wins German injunction against Samsung, Galaxy Tab 7.7 pulled from IFA
Apple's ongoing patent battle with Samsung has taken yet another twist, now that Cupertino has won an injunction blocking German sales of the recently unveiled Galaxy Tab 7.7. According to FOSS Patents, Samsung pulled its new Android tablet from both the IFA show floor and its German website on Saturday, in compliance with a Friday decision handed down by the same Düsseldorf Regional Court court that banned sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 last month. The 7.7-inch slate had previously been on display with a sticker that read "Not for sale in Germany," but, as we noticed yesterday, all demo models, posters and other promotional materials have since been removed. Samsung spokesman James Chung told Bloomberg that the new injunction "severely limits consumer choice in Germany," but confirmed that the Korean manufacturer "respects the court's decision," and vowed to do everything it could to defend its intellectual property. Details on the ruling remain hazy and Apple has yet to comment, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear more.
Foxconn posts $943 million net profit for first half of 2011, 20 million iPad 2s coming for Q3?
It looks like 2011 is shaping up to be a solid year for Foxconn. Earlier this week, the hardware manufacturer announced net profits of NT$27.38 billion (about $943.72 million) for the first half of this year, just a few months after posting a disappointing $218 million loss for all of 2010. These figures, however, are down about 21 percent from the first six months of last year, when Foxconn (AKA Hon Hai Precision) reported net profits of NT$34.74 billion (around $1.2 billion). In a statement, Hon Hai said its first semester results were "as expected and remain seasonal," considering today's harsh and uncertain financial climate. DigiTimes, meanwhile, is reporting that the electronics maker is "expected" to ship a full 20 million new iPad 2s during the third quarter of this year, though the Taiwan-based news outlet didn't offer much in the way of explanation or sourcing.
Foxconn will reportedly ship 20M iPads this quarter
DigiTimes is reporting that Foxconn is set to ship a reported 20 million iPads to Apple this quarter, which ends September 30th. If the report pans out, it would represent 60% sequential growth in shipments. When Apple first unveiled the iPad 2, shipping times quickly rose to as high as 4-5 weeks due to overwhelming demand. It took until August 2nd for iPad 2 shipping times to hit 24 hours in Apple's online store. Apple usually retains a tight control over inventory and if it has ordered 20 million iPads, it's likely Apple thinks it will sell at least 75% of those this quarter, which would be significantly higher than the 9.25 million iPads sold last quarter. Also, a fourth-quarter order of this size suggests optimism for sales during the all-important Q1, Apple's holiday quarter, which runs from October 1 to December 31st.
Invoxia NVX 610 desktop VoIP phone for iPhone and iPad hands-on (video)
If we're going to spend $599 on a phone, it needs to offer unparalleled audio quality, absolutely seamless device integration, and a drop-dead gorgeous design. Invoxia, a new entrant to the world of VoIP telephony, claims to have created just that, with its NVX 610. The desktop unit uses an iPhone (or iPod touch or iPad) app as its control interface -- the hardware itself includes only touch-sensitive volume, mute, speakerphone, and voicemail keys. With the exception of accessing your iOS device's address book, however, all of the phone's hardware is self-contained. Calls are processed using the built-in ARM Cortex-A8 processor, and can be made via Skype or any third-party SIP. You can also take incoming iPhone calls using the handset or speakerphone, but all outgoing calls are processed using VoIP, not your iPhone's mobile network. We took a peek at the NVX 610 at IFA, and definitely liked what we saw. Jump past the break for our initial impressions, and a (somewhat noisy) intro video from Invoxia CEO Serge Renouard.%Gallery-132121%
Apple selling refurbished iPad 2s
For those of you who want to save a little money on an iPad 2, Apple has begun selling refurbished models on its online store. Apple currently has a stock of white and black Wi-Fi iPad 2 models for US$549.99 for the 32 GB model and $649.99 for the 64 GB model. Refurbished iPad 2 3G models will run you $679.99 for the 32 GB model and $779.99 for the 64 GB model. Those prices are a $50 savings over new models. Apple also has a selection of refurbished original iPads for sale, starting at $399.99 for a 32 GB iPad 3G model. All of Apple's refurbished products feature a one-year limited warranty and can be purchased with an extended AppleCare warranty. You can read Apple's Certified Refurbished Products guidelines here.
Apple posts new iPad ad, "Learn"
Apple has released a new video in its iPad 2 ad campaign. The ad is called "Learn" and it, as expected, focuses on using the iPad as a learning tool. This particular usage is on the rise with educational institutions around the country providing iPads to students. Schools from Yale Medical school to a kindergarten in Maine are now using the Apple tablet in the classroom. Outside the classroom, adults and students alike have a variety of learning applications that teach you everything from tying a knot to playing a piano.
