iPad

How do you use your tablet? (poll)

When the iPad first came on the scene back in 2010, most people bought them without having much idea how they'd use them. It was more out of curiosity, to see if a tablet would indeed meld with modern life.

Fast-forward three years. Now we all know exactly what tablets are good for and what they're not. We buy different sizes to accommodate different needs and purposes. Heck, some of us are already moving on to our second or even third tablet.

But why? What drove you to buy one, and what's your primary use for it … Read more

Upcoming iOS update likely to kneecap Evasi0n jailbreak

One of the most popular jailbreaking tools for iOS could be snuffed out as part of an upcoming software update from Apple.

iOS 6.1.3, which Apple gave to developers for testing last week, reportedly keeps Evasi0n from being installed, leaving would-be jailbreakers in a lurch.

Evasi0n came out earlier this month and gives iPhone, iPod, and iPad owners deeper access to the software on their devices than Apple allows. The two key benefits for those who install it is that you can make significant changes to basic system software, as well as add additional apps through third-party software … Read more

2-in-1 iPhone Lightning cable inspired by Transformers

Cable clutter is the bane of gadget hounds everywhere. If you can find a way to ditch a cable, it's a beautiful thing. I guess that makes the Orobis Transform cable a beautiful thing. It combines an Apple Lightning connector with a Micro-USB connector leading to a standard USB connector on the other end.

The idea of a 2-in-1 cable isn't new. What's cool is how the Transform handles it. Inspired by the Transformers, the Lightning part of the cable fits over the Micro-USB part. To expose the Micro-USB, you slide a small latch, fold it over, and plug it in. It's cute and functional.… Read more

NYPD creates special team to recover stolen Apple devices

Smartphones are so common now that it's easy to forget criminals will steal them if you give them the opportunity.

Apple device thefts in New York have gotten so bad that the New York Police Department created a team dedicated to recovering stolen iDevices, the New York Post reported today.

The team works with Apple to obtain ID numbers -- known as International Mobile Station Equipment Identity numbers -- for devices to help track down the stolen goods.

The number of thefts of such devices in the city soared last year, according to a report from the NYPD. The … Read more

iPhone Mini launch this summer makes sense, analyst says

A low-priced iPhone makes a lot of sense, Morgan Stanley says, and it even could hit the market this summer.

Katy Huberty, an analyst with the banking firm, noted that after her meetings with Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer, she's convinced that innovation remains a top priority for the Cupertino, Calif., electronics giant. She also believes that Apple will increase cash return to shareholders and expand carriers, distribution, and possibly price points to drive iPhone growth.

She noted that a lower priced iPhone makes sense for several reasons:

"iPad Mini is expanding Apple's customer base with … Read more

Crave giveaway: Kanex Sydnee four-port recharging station

Congrats to Johnal L. of Costa Mesa, Calif., for winning a pair of Aperio Audio Verus Forte speakers in last week's giveaway. This week's prize is sure to get the winner all charged up.

We're giving away a Kanex Sydnee recharging station, which charges up to four iOS devices at once through its four 2.1-amp USB ports. It works with all iPhones and iPads, and would be quite happy in any iFriendly home, office, or classroom looking to keep its gear organized and powered up. … Read more

Images of alleged Retina iPad Mini appear on Chinese forum

Photos posted to a Chinese Internet forum of what appears to be the back casing of a future iPad Mini are leading some to speculate that the next version of Apple's smaller tablet may have a Retina display.

On the forum, the images show what seems to be an iPad Mini rear casing with a blue Apple logo and the word "iPad" in blue. Current iPad Minis, Apple Insider points out, have either black or silver detailing.

But the photos also seem to show that the casing is thicker than the one used for the current-generation iPad … Read more

Apple may be working on new e-book features for iOS

Apple may be working on some new search and highlight features for reading e-books on iPads, Patently Apple reported today.

The company filed a patent application for "creating and viewing digital note cards," according to the application published today (PDF below). The patent outlines technology for a new floating toolbar that allows users to do quick searches of text and enable highlighting and note-taking.

Users would be able to highlight text with various colors or by applying different fonts -- like strike-through font -- and add notes. In addition to text, these notes could include other media such … Read more

Apple may be sued in Brazil for updating the iPad too fast

Apple could be facing a lawsuit in Brazil for updating the third-generation iPad so fast last year.

According to a report from Brazilian newspaper Jornal do Comércio, the Brazilian Institute of Politics and Law Software (IBDI) has targeted the iPad maker for what it says were unfair business practices with the release of the fourth-generation iPad model five months after launching the third-generation model in the country.

In a follow-up, Brazilian news site O Hoje adds that the suit wants Apple to give those who bought third-generation models with the latest versions and/or give buyers half of … Read more