Crave

Test-drive the new iPad for 30 days

For a flat monthly fee of $24.95, online try-before-you-buy electronics site Ybuy will let you get your hands on the latest technology for 30 days without having to commit to its full purchase price.

You select one device at a time to test from an extensive catalog of everything from consumer electronics to gadgets for your home and kitchen. If the product doesn't fit in with your workflow or lifestyle, simply return it to Ybuy and get the next gadget in your queue. It's kind of like Netflix for electronics.

"For most consumers, when it comes … Read more

Rumor: 7-inch iPad to feature slim bezel display

First of all, let's clear the air about Apple's iPad and the Kindle Fire. Apple couldn't care less about the Kindle Fire. There is not a single device in the tablet market that requires Apple to create a "competitor" product.

In fact, one could argue that there is not a single device in the smartphone market that Apple is worried about either. The new iPad has reportedly sold out of preorder units, and the iPhone 4S drove Apple to its biggest quarter (and one of the best by any company) ever.

So, to suggest that the Kindle Fire is a catalyst for Apple to develop a new product is a little insulting to Apple. That being said, the rumors exist. The latest, from (who else) DigiTimes, suggests this Kindle Fire competitor from Apple will feature a 7.85-inch screen with a slimmer bezel to help maximize display area.… Read more

Path updated to include Nike+ integration, music matching, camera enhancements

Are you a fan of Facebook? Twitter? Instagram? Shazam? Nike+?

Would you be interested in a service that essentially combines the functionality of all these mobile apps into one sleek and simple-to-use program? Then perhaps you should give Path a try.

After its most recent update (see my colleague, Paul Sloan's take here), Path could become a major player in the social networking game, expanding its existing 2 million user base. All these enhancements take the brain-child of former Facebook platform manager, angel investor Dave Morin, to a whole new level.

The major integration win for Path comes in … Read more

Do yourself a favor, get AppleCare+ for the new iPad

If you were one of the millions following along today (hopefully on CNET's Live Blog) as Apple released its latest iteration of the iPad and have now decided you must buy it, be sure to add AppleCare+ to your order (pricing has not yet been made available).

First, everyone should know what sort of coverage is offered with every new iPad purchase. For included coverage, Apple shows that it truly believes in its products. Your new iPad will get one year of hardware coverage against manufacturer defects and malfunctions. That means, if your hard drive dies, some of your … Read more

Will the iPad HD battery be able to handle 4G LTE?

A report from Reuters this morning claims it has the inside track on the iPad HD (or is it iPad 3?) specs, namely that 4G is going to be included in Apple's tablet update tomorrow.

Also in on the rumor act is tech blog iMore, which claims to have a source within Apple who actually knows what's going on. The source, who correctly predicted the March 7 iPad HD event, is now telling iMore that the iPad HD is "good to go" for 4G LTE.

This rumor falls in line with an earlier report by Stearn Agee's Shaw Wu who claimed the iPad HD would also include a much faster processor, a Retina Display, and Siri, Apple's voice-controlled assistant.… Read more

City Council paper usage down 40 percent after switch to iPads

Stories of Apple's success in integrating the iPad into business have been easy to come by in the last year as many companies and organizations are finding that not only does the tablet save them time, but also money.

According to a report from AppleInsider, The City Council of Vancouver, Wash., found just that when it switched to iPads at the beginning of 2012. After these last two months, the council has seen a reduction in paper usage to the tune of 40 percent, which amounts to about 50,000 pages of paper over the course of the year.… Read more

Has Apple's iBooks Fair Play DRM been cracked?

When users purchase digital books through the iBookstore for their iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch, those files are only able to be played on iOS devices. That's because everything sold through the iBookstore has Apple's Fair Play digital rights management (DRM) software protecting it.

Now it appears, much to the chagrin of e-authors and digital book publishers, Apple's DRM has been cracked. The news comes from a forum post on MobileRead by user pdurrant:

"It is now possible to remove the DRM from epub ebooks bought in Apple's iBooks store. 'Brahms' has recently released a … Read more

Alleged iPad 3 Retina Display surfaces in photograph

With an early March launch of the iPad 3 looking more and more feasible, parts suppliers and third-party resellers are adding rumors on a daily basis to possibly help shape the look and feel of Apple's next-generation tablet.

Today's rumor involves an alleged photo of Sharp's Retina Display, widely believed to be included on the iPad 3. The story was picked up by Japanese blog Macotakara (via 9to5Mac), claiming the photos came from a third-party parts manufacturer called iLab Factory.

As with any rumor that has so many steps to get public, and especially with ones originating … Read more

Buffalo Wild Wings testing iPads as on-table ordering system

As if Buffalo Wild Wings wasn't already great enough, the popular sports bar is now testing iPads as on-table ordering systems for its restaurants, giving customers the ability to choose their meals and pay for them without having to wait.

The iPads are being tested in Toronto and soon Minneapolis. Apple's tablet is encased in a rugged Hubworks case and can be used for more than just ordering your food. Facebook, Twitter, and interactive games are all part of the experience.

Tim Murphy, director of international business for Buffalo Wild Wings, told Computer World, "Ultimately, we are … Read more