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Engadget's tablet buyer's guide: spring 2013 edition
Much like bears, tablet designers are coming out of hibernation: there have been a handful of noteworthy models reaching the wild after a few months of silence. Most of these are the Windows 8- and RT-based tablets that didn't quite make the cut for the holidays, and we're launching our 2013 spring tablet buyer's guide with a dedicated Windows section to accommodate a distinct and rapidly filling category. Just be careful before you commit to a purchase, wherever your allegiances lie: Mobile World Congress brought us tablets that haven't quite shipped yet, like the FonePad and Galaxy Note 8.0. (We've included a heads-up in those situations where waiting a few weeks, or months, may be wisest.) As chaotic as spring can be, our guide might just provide some kind of stability if you're shopping for your next slate.
Photojojo's telephoto lens brings up to 12x of optical zoom to your iPad
After creating the Photorito lens wrap that makes your zoom like a burrito, Photojojo has pulled off another feat: making iPad photographers look even wackier than normal. But the company's iPad telephoto lens is pretty useful if you're willing to hold a slab to your face to grab images. It brings a useful 10x zoom to the iPad 3 and 4, and 12x to the iPad Mini, giving you un-pixelated closeups along with "slight vignetting, a lo-fi look and all around interest to your photos." You're not going to make your iPad any less conspicuous as a camera than it already is, so you can grab the wee lens for $25 at the source.
The Daily Roundup for 04.11.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Daily Update for April 8, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
US Patent Office withdraws primary objections to 'iPad mini' trademark application
As noted by MacRumors, The US Patent Office has withdrawn primary objections to Apple's "iPad Mini" trademark application. The primary objections were raised last month when the USPTO deemed elements related to the "iPad mini" name as descriptive instead of contributing a unique name to a product. But now a published office action letter from the USPTO confirms the objection has been withdrawn. It appears Apple will be granted a trademark on the "iPad mini" name as long as no other entities are found to have the name trademarks and provided Apple only seeks to protect the term "mini" when it is used with "iPad" before it and not as a trademarked term in its own right.
GAME UK expands tablet sales to include iPads, more entry-level Android tablets
UK retailer GAME has been hunting for ways to stay relevant during a shift to downloadable games -- and now, that includes cribbing some style (just a little!) from Americans. Much like GameStop across the pond, GAME will soon sell a full range of tablets at 150 of its stores. The existing Nexus 7 offering will be joined by the seemingly obligatory 16GB iPad and iPad mini, although the rest of the lineup will be decidedly more frugal: options like the £100 Acer Iconia B1-A71 and £130 Archos GamePad will be bracketed by a raft of mostly DGM-built slates that dip as low as £60. It's difficult to know how the expanded sales will help GAME's bottom line, although the Nexus 7 reportedly fared well enough that it's likely tablets are here to stay.
Big box, online retailers slash iPad prices
Are you about to purchase an iPad? There's good news if you are -- Apple 2.0 is reporting that three large retailers have lowered prices on the iPad and iPad mini. Best Buy, Walmart and MacMall are all showing price cuts on the third-generation iPad and the iPad mini, possibly signaling that the retailers are beginning to clear inventory for new models of Apple's popular tablet. There are definitely some bargains to be found on the full-sized iPad. A 64 GB WiFi + Cellular third-generation iPad was selling for US$779.99 at Best Buy and is now showing a sale price of $545.99. A 64 GB Wi-Fi model was going for $649.99 and is now a bargain at $454.99. Remember, the third-generation iPad includes a Retina display... While Best Buy retained regular pricing on the iPad mini, Walmart has done a price rollback on the 16 GB Wi-Fi model, knocking the price back to $299. MacMall has dropped the price on a large variety of iPad mini models, with cuts from $10 to $29 depending on the storage capacity and connectivity.
RokForm RokShield v3 for iPad mini: Protection with mounting flexibility
RokForm makes some incredibly useful protective iPad and iPhone cases, and now the company has applied its genius to the iPad mini. The new RokForm RokShield v3 for iPad mini (US$59) is a good solution for anyone who wants protection for their mini as well as options for mounting the device. Here's a quick review of the case and mounting system, and readers have a chance to win a RokShield for their iPad mini. Design Unsurprisingly, the design of the iPad mini RokShield is similar to that of the RokLock case reviewed earlier this year. That means that the polycarbonate shell holding the iPad mini is divided into two pieces for easy installation. Those pieces are held together by a elastomer "bumper" that protects the iPad mini from drops and bumps. On the back of the case are four small hexagonal "bumps" that serve to protect the back of the iPad as well as keep the case from sliding when placed on a hard surface. Dominating the back of the case is the port for the mounting system. The RokShield is shipped with two mounts; one that serves as a rotatable kickstand and another that sticks to any surface (like a wall) for hands-off use of the iPad mini. %Gallery-184631% Owners can purchase extra surface mounts for $12 each, a car suction mount for $49, a tripod adapter for $39, or a replacement kickstand for $19. The RokShield comes in a choice of seven color combinationsL black, black and gun metal (gray), black and blue, black and red, aqua and white, white, or white and pink. RokForm also includes a full screen protector for your mini, along with a cleaning kit to get rid of those fingerprints before you install the screen protector. Functionality RokForm seems to design its products to a very fine tolerance, and the RokShield fits the iPad mini like a glove. Installing the two-part case is a cinch, and installing or removing the elastomer bumper -- although it's quite tight -- is pretty easy as well. Once the iPad mini is in the case, it can either be locked onto the surface mount or have the kickstand attached to the back of it. The kickstand works in either portrait or landscape orientation, and is easily removed with just a twist. Whether you want to prop up your iPad mini on a desktop, mount it on a wall, or use it for big-screen navigation in your car, the RokShield and the mounting systems will do the job. It may not be the most stylish case for your device, but the RokShield is certainly one of the more functional mini cases we've reviewed here at TUAW. Conclusion The iPad mini is proving to be a hit for Apple, and the RokForm RokShield case and mounting system is a unique and versatile way to protect your mini while keeping it close at hand. Pros Two-part polycarbonate shell is easy to install and remove, while the elastomer bumper provides a good grip while protecting the iPad mini Includes screen protector and two mounts, with more accessories available from the manufacturer Very reasonably priced for a protective case and mounting system Cons None to speak of Who is it for? The iPad mini owner who wants the ability to mount the device on a variety of surfaces Giveaway There's only one thing better than reading about the RokShield for iPad mini -- winning one! 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 April 5, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a RokForm RokShield v3 for iPad mini valued at $59. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
USPTO asks Apple to amend its application to trademark 'iPad mini'
Earlier this year, Apple received a non-final Office action letter from the USPTO regarding its trademark application for the iPad mini mark. A non-final Office action is the first notice sent to an applicant about a problem with its trademark application. Following the notice, the applicant has six months to amend its application to meet the USPTO's requirements. In the case with the iPad mini, Apple's application was cited because the iPad mini name was merely descriptive and not a unique, non-descriptive term for the product. The USPTO's examining attorney Lee-Anne Berns writes in a letter to Apple that "the mark is merely descriptive of a feature or characteristic of the goods and registration is refused under Section 2(e)(1) of the Trademark Act." Apple can amend its application "to add a claim of acquired distinctiveness" and try again to trademark the iPad mini name. [Via CNET]
Engadget Giveaway: win an iPad mini and Nike+ FuelBand, courtesy of WalkMe!
It may be April Fool's Day, but believe us when we say this is no joke -- we would never kid you when it comes to another chance to win awesome stuff. It's actually the second birthday of WalkMe, and the website guidance tool wants to celebrate by offering a 16GB WiFi iPad mini and Nike+ Fuelband to one lucky winner. WalkMe is a service that lets businesses offer a better user experience on their site by walking their customers each step of the way -- the company refers to it as a GPS navigation system for online tasks. So head to the widget below and get your entries in! Note: Please enter using the widget below, as comments are no longer valid methods of entry. The widget only requires your name and email address so we know how to get in touch with you if you win (your information is not given out to third parties), but you will have an option to receive an additional entry by following WalkMe on Twitter if you so desire. Winner: Congratulations to Adolpho F., Boynton Beach, FL, for being this week's winner!
Portenzo Alano and Boomerang cases for iPad mini: review and giveaway
The release last year of the iPad mini resulted in many accessory manufacturers scrambling to redesign full-size iPad cases for the smaller footprint of the mini, and now we're seeing the fruits of their labors. Case manufacturer Portenzo recently released both the Alano (starting at US$99.95) and Boomerang (starting at $69.95) iPad mini cases. Check out the review of these two cases, and then stick around to have a chance to win one. Design Both the Alano and the Boomerang share a number of design features that I'll cover shortly. The big difference is in the exterior treatment. For the Alano, it's a leather cover made from what appears to be stiff boot leather -- the version I received for testing is called the Indiana Journal (possibly because it looks like something Indiana Jones would carry with him on his journeys), which has a price tag starting at $119.90. The Boomerang uses a whimsical and fun retro 50's boomerang pattern done in bookbinding linen -- I think the Jetsons might approve. %Gallery-183649% On the inside, both of the units are virtually identical. There's a laminated wood frame that holds the iPad mini in place. That frame is not as nicely made or finished as the one on the inside of the beautiful Pad and Quill Aria iPad mini case ($89.99) reviewed earlier this month, but it does the job. One thing I initially thought to be very odd is that the Portenzo frame does not include a cutout for the on/off/sleep/wake switch on the top of the iPad mini. However, there's a clever solution to turning the iPad on and off -- you simply push down on the front of the top right corner of your iPad, and that bumps the switch up against an internal wedge that pushes it down. Brilliant idea! There's an optional ($9.95) cutout on the left side of the frame that includes an elastic loop for holding a stylus, as well as cutouts in the proper places for the speakers, Lightning port, volume toggle and orientation lock, and headphone jack. The cover, when open and closed, turns the mini on and off. The case itself can fold to stand up in landscape orientation -- the Intellistand option ($19.95) uses two very powerful magnets to prop up the stand without the need for flaps or Velcro, another impressive option that's different from most other manufacturers. Finally, there's an elastic band to hold the cover securely in place when in transit and protect the rear-facing camera. Oh, if you want an opening for that camera to look out of? It'll cost you $4.95. Functionality The Portenzo cases work quite well, and I must admit that I find their "push to turn on" design feature to be something I'd like every manufacturer to consider. Hopefully, Portenzo has patented that feature so they can license it to others to adopt and pull in some royalties. In addition, the magnetic Intellistand option is quite nice, although it only works in one orientation. The powerful magnets provide a way to keep the stand steady or keep the frame stuck to the back of the case without resorting to the usual "cheap" method of slapping Velcro everywhere. Likewise, the stylus cutout is a nice feature for those who use styluses. It works with a variety of readily-available styluses, although some of the larger ones like the Pogo Connect are a bit too wide to allow the cover of the case to close properly. If I have one complaint about the Portenzo cases, it's that all of the really nice features are add-ons. It's like buying a car with a nice low base price, and then finding out that you add another 30 percent to the price tag to add necessary options. In this case, the Alano Indiana Journal case starts at an already pricy $119.90. By the time you add in the Intellistand, Stylus Compartment, and Camera Opening options, the price tag jumps to $154.75 -- a lot for an iPad mini case, even one that is nicely designed. Conclusion Portenzo's Alano and Boomerang cases are lovely to look at and use, with some optional features that really increase their utility. However, the pricing structure for these cases makes them quite a bit more expensive than the competition. Pros Nice design, and the Boomerang has a fun retro material that harkens back to the 50's The push-to-turn-on feature of both cases is a unique way to turn an iPad mini on and off without the need for a cutout or pass-through button Optional Intellistand works very well Both designs use cover magnets to turn the mini on and off automatically Cons Expensive when compared to competing products, especially when adding multiple options Laminated wood frame holding the iPad mini isn't as well made as that found on competitors Interior of the Alano Indiana Journal case is unfinished and rough Who is it for? iPad mini owners who want the ultimate in case utility and who are willing to pay a premium for extra features Giveaway We have one Portenzo Alano Indiana Journal and one Portenzo Boomerang iPad mini case to give away! 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 March 25, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Portenzo Alano Indiana Journal iPad mini case valued at $154.75, while the other receives a Portenzo Boomerang iPad mini case valued at $104.80. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Daily Update for March 15, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Refurbished 4th-gen iPads and iPad Minis hit the Apple Store
If you've been lusting after Apple's latest tablet offerings but couldn't muster the funds to snag one, you just might have your chance now. Seemingly a rite of passage for Apple products, the Cupertino company is now offering the iPad Mini and the 4th-gen iPad for slightly cheaper prices as refurbs. Depending on the model, they're on sale for anywhere from six to ten percent off. For example, the 16GB 4th-gen iPad sans LTE is now $449 after a $50 discount, while an LTE-free 32GB Mini is $389 after a $40 discount. Not every single iteration is in stock at the moment -- the base 16GB Mini isn't listed, for instance -- but we're sure the inventory will be filled out soon enough. Have a peek at the source to see if you can score yourself a sweet deal on a bonafide Apple tablet that's almost as good as new.
YouTube Capture iOS app updated with iPad / iPad mini support for all your tablet filming needs
Okay, maybe the YouTube Capture iOS app update with iPad and iPad mini support won't support all your tablet filming needs, but it does aim to fix your ability to instantly capture and upload video to YouTube. And hey, let's be honest, that video of your cat playing with the soda box really should be on YouTube.
Survey: Interest in iPad mini is growing
TechBargains.com is a deals site that I follow, and it recently shared the results of a survey that demonstrate that Apple's iPad mini is a winner, and suggest that its popularity will continue to grow. TechBargains polled its readers, and found that interest in the smaller iPad has nearly doubled since the tablet was announced last October, with 33 percent of respondents saying that they plan to buy the next iteration of the iPad mini, compared to 18 percent last year. Despite the increased demand, consumers want more out of the next version, according to the survey. First on the list is longer battery life and a faster processor, as requested by 87 percent and 85 percent of respondents, respectively. About 77 percent of those surveyed requested a Retina display on the iPad mini, which is not surprising. But it is clear, both from this survey data and just from what I've seen in the community anecdotally, that people are taking to the iPad mini more and more. I don't think it was ever really unpopular -- the iPad is an excellent tablet no matter what -- but I do think that when it was first announced, many consumers failed to see its appeal. Now that it's been available for a while, however, and it's been in Apple Stores and seen on trains and airplanes, I think more people are warming up to the idea of a smaller and very impressive little iOS tablet. If and when Apple does announce a model with a Retina display, the public's interest will grow even further.
Review and giveaway: MapiCases' Soli is a luxurious home for your iPad mini
I've taken a look at a number of really nice iPad mini cases, and the US$120 MapiCases' Soli falls into the luxury end of the spectrum. However, you're not spending your money on looks alone. This is geninuely a very nice case. The Soli comes in four colors of glossy European leather: black, brown, red and tan. It functions the same as a number of other good iPad mini cases, folding into two stand positions that will handle typing in landscape mode or watching videos. The magnets in the front cover will wake the iPad mini from sleep when you open it, and the lining protects the screen. MapiCases says each case is made by hand, and the craftsmanship shows. I spent a week with the Soli and was pretty pleased. My one quibble is that the latch sticks straight up when the case is folded back so you can watch a video, as you can see in the photo above. I wish it was flexible enough to fold back and stick to the cover like my Belkin case does. I was a bit dubious about the case in typing mode, thinking the iPad mini would rock as I use it. It did, but only slightly. There's a number of great cases with similar features for $70-80 less, but if you really need to make a statement or appreciate having a luxury iPad mini case, you can't go wrong with the Soli. It'll look great in a fashion boutique, the boardroom or your local coffee shop. Giveaway We have a very nice red MapiCases Soli that would love to find a new home! 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 March 9, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a MapiCase Soli for iPad mini valued at $120. Click here for official rules. Loading...
Pad and Quill's Aria iPad mini case: A masterpiece
In musical terms, an aria is an expressive melody usually sung by one singer. In classic opera, an aria is one incredible, soaring experience that brings an audience to its feet. For an iPad mini, an Aria (US$99.99, pre-order price $89.99) is a beautiful leather iPad mini case crafted by the artisans at Pad and Quill. Brian Holmes, aka "Mr. PQ", was kind enough to send me one of only three Aria prototypes in existence so I could give it a try. What I found upon opening the box was a symphony of wood and leather that is really quite breathtaking. The Aria, which folds into a traditional landscape-mode stand, is made of a thick full-grain American leather -- boot leather, if you will. That's quite different from the thin leather veneers that are usually used in concert with book binder's board to make a stiff cover. The leather has small embossed decorations on the cover and spine, with the cover decoration done in an "apple branch" motif. The Aria comes in three color schemes: coffee spine and onyx black cover, chestnut (lighter brown) spine and onyx black cover, and an onyx black spine with chestnut cover. The cover, by the way, has those little magnets to turn your mini on and off automatically. There's also an elastic band to hold the cover closed in transit, and a red "bookmark" ribbon to ease removing your mini from the case. Holding the iPad mini in place is one of Pad and Quill's hand-finished Baltic Birch frames, perfectly form-fitting and beautifully finished. There are large cutouts for the earphone jack, orientation lock, volume controls, speakers and Lightning port. If you've been holding off on buying an iPad mini case, there's no reason to wait any longer. I honestly don't believe that you're going to find a more stunning or well-made iPad mini case anywhere. Owners of "regular" iPads will be happy to hear that a full-sized version of Aria is in the design phase now and should be available later this year.
iPad mini impressions, four months on
Can you believe it? The iPad mini has been with us for four months. That may not sound like a long time, but in the tech world, where tablet updates are happening sometimes twice a year, the mini has become well and truly established in Apple's tablet line up. In fact, some might say it's already looking a little long in the tooth, with building anticipation of the next mini iteration. iMore has put together an interesting article detailing comparisons of first impressions of the mini to real-world, tried and tested impressions four months on. Many were concerned that the lack of Retina display would deter those used to the pixel-dense lushness of the iPad 3. Or even that the screen size of the mini would simply be too small to do anything realistically, compared to the larger iPad 3. However, based on iMore's reflections, even those that were initial doubters have been converted to the mini. And even iPad 3 owners find themselves shelving their Retina-endowed iPad 3s for the smaller, lighter and more convenient form factor of the mini, stating that the lack of Retina display is a non-issue at this stage. Personally, being an iPad 3 owner, I've not taken the plunge for the mini, but having used one a few times, the form factor is extremely appealing. However, with rumors of a thinner and lighter 9.7 inch iPad this year, and a Retina screen for the iPad mini, choosing which model of iPad to go for is going to become even more tricky and difficult. Have you used an iPad mini? What are your impressions four months on?
TUAW TV Live at 5 PM ET: A clean desktop is the sign of a cluttered mind
Today's going to be another "flying solo" episode of TUAW TV Live. My potential guest is still suffering from some viral crud or another, so I thought that we'd do another unboxing-fest to take a look at some great new Apple accessories and talk about apps. In case you're wondering about that headline, it's because I'm proud to say that my formerly messy desktop has been spiffed up to the point that it's actually presentable. I'll talk a little bit about my experiences with the iPad mini, which I'm finding to be a very cool device, and also talk about a place where you can buy all of those Kickstarter products you never backed. As usual, I'll be starting the show at 5 PM EST (2 PM PST / 10 PM GMT) sharp, and we'll take a few minutes to chat before the demos start. To join in on the chat and watch the live streaming video, drop by TUAW about five minutes before the start time to get your instructions on how to participate. If you're unable to join us for the show, remember that you can always subscribe to the video podcast and watch the show at your leisure in iTunes or any other favorite podcatching app. The past shows are also available on the TUAW YouTube channel. The chat is on IRC: join us on server chat1.ustream.tv, chat room #tuaw-tv.
An iPad mini with Retina display could cost $12 more to build
Hardware market research firm iSuppli has released a new report that claims the cost-per-device of an iPad mini sporting a Retina display screen could be fairly high: as much as $12 or more. Even if all of the other parts stay the same price, just adding a Retina display in the iPad mini's size, iSuppli's report suggests, would bring Apple's cost above $200, which would likely mean higher costs for consumers as well. Which doesn't seem all that impossible -- the current iPad mini is selling quite well at $329, and you have to think that potential purchasers would be happy to spend a bit more for a full Retina display. Plus, if Apple really needed to shave some of that margin off just to boost sales, it probably could (though that would be a very un-Apple move, and it seems like it'll be a while before the iPad mini needs any extra help). For any other company, $12 per device might be a real problem, but Apple has still has quite a few options to deal with such a high increase in cost. Not to mention that Apple is always working on its supply costs, so while that may be the price now, the company may be working hard on figuring out a new way to supply and develop smaller Retina displays, or to work out a deal to make them cheaper in general. It's true, putting the Retina display in the iPad mini won't be cheap at the moment, but if anyone can figure out a way to do so without attacking their very high margin, it'll be Apple. [via App Advice]