heat

Odd speculation persists about 'revised' iPad

Asia-based sources won't quit with speculation about a "revised" model that will fix some of the shortcomings of the third-generation iPad.

Here's the problem: the third-generation iPad's 2,048x1,536 Retina display requires twice as many backlights as the iPad 2, which potentially makes it run hotter and necessitates a bigger battery to achieve roughly the same battery life as the iPad 2.

That bulked up backlight assembly also contributes to a slightly thicker, heavier design than the iPad 2.

Raymond Soneira, the founder, president, and CEO of DisplayMate Technologies, explained the challenges that Apple … Read more

Google sued for not removing ugly photo of Miami Heat owner

In this blogging, social-networking, open-information age, unflattering photos of people pop up left and right. But would you sue someone for posting such an image? Or even more, sue Google for refusing to take it down?

That's exactly what minority owner of the Miami Heat NBA Team Ranaan Katz has decided to do. According to paidContent, Katz has based his argument on copyright infringement but also wrote in the complaint that the photo is "partially distorted due to its unflattering nature."

The photo in question shows Katz standing courtside during a basketball game with his eyebrows raised, … Read more

Put the pedal to the metal in these games for iOS

Ever since I was a kid I've had a fascination with racing. My father took me to motorcycle GP races at the age of 4 and we went every year for most of my young life. The big-name racers of the day, the roar of the engines, and the smell of formula fuel as they sped around the track all added to the fun and excitement for the young version of me.

These days I'm not much of a spectator racing fan, but if a new racing game comes out (really on any platform), I somehow automatically become interested. A big racing game release today on iOS got me looking for more fun driving games -- and while I know they're not for everybody -- if you like to "go fast," these games are for you.

This week's collection of iOS apps is all about racing. The first lets you upgrade cars and compete on numerous tracks with a 3D top-down view. The second challenges you to compete, driving old-school go-carts around tracks and has a great overall feel. The third is a well-polished sequel that many racing game fans will probably automatically download.… Read more

The 404 1,079: Where we ban all the skinnies (podcast)

On today's 404 episode, we'll solve the mystery of phantom cell phone vibrations and why we're so often tricked into thinking our phones have a mind of their own. One psychologist from the University of Sydney thinks that it has to do with electrical currents running through parts of the body surrounding the phone, while another professor of psychology believes it's in ours heads, that our addiction to technology has made us paranoid about e-notifications.

Walking around New York in this heatwave is enough of a workout for anyone these days, but some gym-goers in Canada are so sick of skinny people making them look bad that they've issued a ban on anyone that can't be described as "plus size."

According to the NY Daily News, Body Exchange gym in Vancouver claims to be a "safe haven" for overweight people that feel scrutinized when they work out next to those without an addiction to food. Unfortunately, we'll have to defer to Richard to comment on this story, as neither Jeff nor I have ever been inside a gym.… Read more

NASA video visualizes a 'Perpetual Ocean'

NASA has released a computer visualization project called "Perpetual Ocean" that presents a data-created time lapse of the Earth's ocean and sea surface currents over a two-year period.

The animation (see below) shows the globe slowly spinning as white swirls curl and move in the water around landmasses. It looks as if Vincent van Gogh had painted into the oceans -- from the Gulf of Mexico to the Indian Ocean to the Black Sea.

Using NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's computational model called Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean Phase II ( ECCO2), scientists simulated … Read more

Confirmed: New iPad's heat a non-issue

The new 2012 iPad runs warmer than the iPad 2, but it's no hotter than many laptops under similar conditions.

That's the conclusion after hours of testing in CNET's San Francisco and New York Labs, all of which are detailed below.

We're continuing to test a variety of aspects on the iPad, including heat output, wireless performance, and other features. But--so far, at least--the operating temperature is no reason for CNET to change its buying recommendation (the new iPad is currently the highest rated tablet on our site, and an Editors' Choice).

As always, there are myriad variables here--how you hold (or don't hold) the iPad, whether you use a case, what apps you run, and for how long.

If you're a prospective buyer and concerned about the issue, we'd suggest giving the iPad some hands-on testing in a retail store before committing to a purchase.

Editors' note: This story (and its title) has been updated several times since its original publication--including the addition of the new introduction above--to reflect new test results, and the resulting conclusions.

Numerous reports of new iPads getting unexpectedly toasty have plastered the Web today. CNET Labs ran its own, independent tests, and without too much beating around the bush, here are the results. All temperature measurements were taken on the back of the tablet and all are reported in degrees Fahrenheit.… Read more

CNET Labs investigates iPad heat complaints

Updated at 8:05 p.m. PDT: The first round of CNET Labs iPad heat testing is complete. Results are available in this blog by Senior Editor Eric Franklin. Though further tests will be conducted, the initial results find the new iPad to be only slightly warmer than the iPad 2, and in no way a danger to users.

Our CNET Labs team is currently investigating claims that the third-generation Apple iPad may overheat under normal operating conditions, such as video playback or gameplay.

Anecdotal reports have pointed out that the new iPad can get a little toasty. A statement from Apple … Read more

Too soon to call warm iPads 'heatgate'

Everyone loves a controversy, and Apple has had its share of them in the past few years.

Stock options backdating? Check. A lost, leaked iPhone months ahead of its release? Yep. Antennagate, locationgate, batterygate, addressbookgate--those too.

But heatgate?

That could be the name of the latest Apple gadget-related dustup. Though let's be clear: context matters.

Apple's new iPad, which more than 3 million people bought over its launch weekend, gets warm. Not you-can-cook-your-breakfast-on-it warm, but (similar to the iPhone and previous iPad models) warm enough to have it turn itself off if you're using it in … Read more

LED backlight a likely culprit in iPad heat issue, says expert

Reported heat issues with new iPad are most likely due to a combination of more backlights and more power needed to drive the backlights, an expert told CNET. This follows a CNET report attributing extra heat to the new iPad's A5X chip, also.

Apple has doubled the number of LEDs in the new iPad to achieve the same brightness as the iPad 2, driving up power requirements and therefore heat, Raymond Soneira, president of DisplayMate Technologies, said in a phone interview today.

"The LED power at maximum brightness is 2.5 times that of the iPad 2," … Read more