Category Archives: iPad

All the latest news on Apple’s iPad device which is powered by iOS. We have all the latest news, reviews, and discussions on iPad apps and games.

Online versus on-the-go – WordPress

Posted on by
Reply
Wordpress

Wordpress

We all know what a blogging website is. WordPress.com is one of many, and also happens to be one of the most popular. It’s free, it’s easy to use, and it looks good – all boxes ticked. Registration is quick, and you can start sharing your noise with the world within minutes.

One of the nicest things about WordPress is the Dashboard section. The Dashboard is a visually pleasing overview of your entire blog, showing how many posts you’ve written, how may comments have been made on them, and so on. There are plenty of background themes you can choose from to give your blog a bit of a personal touch, and I also like the way other users’ blogs are laid out on the WordPress homepage, allowing you to sample other people’s musings.

The mobile app falls a little short, however. It has a meagre 2-star rating, which is a little harsh perhaps, but isn’t far from accurate. Upon first opening the app, you can either add your current WordPress blog to the list, or sign up if you’re a first-time user. Personally, I’d recommend registering on the website – I always find it a bit fiddly filling in forms on the iPhone. Once added/created, your blog appears in a list, and when selected gives a stripped-down version of the online-version’s Dashboard. In fairness, this app does exactly what you want it to, but it isn’t very nice to look at, which is a shame. It’s also a bit glitchy; posts appearing more than once in the list, things like that. According to one user, it fails to save posts, which is a frustrating waste of time (and seeing as I’m typing this post on the app on my iPhone now, I’m going to select all the text and copy it just in case).

Overall, in terms of functionality, it seems to do everything the web version does, and its geotagging function is pretty cool, though setting them up to actually appear on your online blog feels like more hassle than it’s worth. I’d say that for WordPress, it’s handy if you want to publish a post as a draft perhaps, but as another user – ‘Mandog2’ – put it, it really is just “clunky, dull, and hard to use.”

iOS 4.0.2 Software Update

Posted on by
Reply
Software update

Software update

The jailbreakers have been having fun with this one. A well know and publicised security flaw in iOS which used a PDF exploit to jailbreak the iPhone has been patched by Apple. It seems the only point of iOS 4.0.2 is to fix this exploit in the iPhone. Aside from jailbreaking, it is good to see Apple respond fast to these security issues, particularly for enterprise users. There is also an update for the iPad software version 3.2.2.

Fixes security vulnerability associated with viewing malicious PDF files.

Products compatible with this software update:
• iPhone 3G
• iPhone 3GS
• iPhone 4
• iPod touch 2nd generation
• iPod touch 3rd generation (late 2009 models with 32GB or 64GB)

Jigsaw Box for iPad

Posted on by
Reply
Jigsaw Box for iPad

Jigsaw Box for iPad

Jigsaw Box for iPad is now available in the iPad app store. Developed by SparkleApps and available in 6 Languages, Jigsaw Box provides entertainment for kids and adults alike. Jigsaw Box is designed to look like you actually have the jigsaw in front of you. You can even hear the pieces snap together. There are many different puzzles to choose from, with varying amount of pieces from 12 (easy) to 208 (hard). Beautifully designed this game is great fun for all the family.

The game is designed by Irish developer Paul Reilly who has released the game in 6 languages? English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch and Japanese. Why?

“People are playing our Jigsaw game in 38 countries, most of which do not have English as their primary language. We want people to enjoy our games, and so it makes sense to provide the game in as many local languages as possible”. The localisation of the game was done by Dublin startup company Tethras, who specialise in mobile application localization. “We were delighted to work with Sparkle Apps on bringing their Jigsaw game to a larger market” said Brian Farrell, CEO of Tethras.

It comes with 100 beautiful jigsaw puzzles in 9 different jigsaw packs including:

★ Famous Landmarks (Niagara Falls, Golden Gate Bridge, Eiffel Tower…)
★ Kids Jigsaws
★ Castles
★ Wild Animals

Jigsaw Box is available on the iTunes App Store now for €2.39 ($2.99). For more information on the Jigsaw Box game including screenshots and video of the app, see www.JigsawBoxApp.com

Jigsaw Box in Pictures

If you would like further information on Jigsaw Box or Sparkle Apps, please contact:
www.sparkleapps.com paul@SparkleApps.com.

For more information about app localization with Tethras contact:
www.Tethras.com info@Tethras.com

Apple enables Genius Recommendations in iPad app store

Posted on by
Reply
Genius

Genius

Apple has enabled ‘Genius Recommendations’ in the iPad’s app store.

Genius Recommendations functions similarly to the genius on the iPhone. On the iPad  Genius Recommendations even has it’s own tab – see screenshot above.

Apple takes a screenshot of your applications, uploads this information to their servers, runs the list through an algorithm, and posts back a list of suggested apps to your screen. Before this is enabled you need to agree to their terms as you are uploading information from your iPad to Apple, although we are told this is anonymous!

What suggestions did you get? So for on my iPad there  is the following suggestions.

  • ABC News for iPad
  • BMW Magazine
  • DIE Welt
  • Super 7

Modern Combat: Sandstorm for iPhone

Posted on by
2
Modern Combat: Sandstorm

Modern Combat: Sandstorm

Assigned to Mission Sandstorm, your duty is to locate and annihilate a new terrorist cell setting up shop and recruiting foreign insurgents in a remote desert hot spot.

With great graphics and gameplay Sandstorm for the iPhone is a game that really shows off the iPhones capability as a gaming device. This shooter game features a number of different weapons (2 assault rifles, sniper rifle, RPG, shotgun, submachine gun, light machine gun, heavy machine gun mounted on a moving 4X4, explosive grenades, flashbang grenades, radiation detector) and has 10 missions. It’s pretty easy to control the game, as the controls are kept simple yet intuitive .

Even if you are not big into gaming you will have fun with Sandstorm, which features the ability to play online over wifi or with friends and family over local wifi, or bluetooth . But be careful, its very easy to pass a number of hours playing Sandstorm with friends. Despite the fact that multiplayer has only 3 areas to play and these areas are small, it still is a lot of fun!

The game is also available on the iPad, iPod Touch, android, and soon on the PSP. The iPhone version costs 2.99 USD or 2.39 EURO. [iTunes Link]

Modern Combat: Sandstorm for iPhone

Description from iTunes

  • 10 missions featuring varied and highly polished Middle Eastern environments (city, hospital, sewers, port, lab, training camp etc…)
  • Local multiplayer (through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) and online multiplayer (through Wi-Fi connection): Up to 4 players competing in Deathmatch or Team Deathmatch in 3 Multiplayer maps
  • Intuitive iPhone controls offer unprecedented game fluidity. Choose among 3 different control systems: Default Controls, Screen Tap and Virtual Sticks
  • Use a wide range of authentic, advanced weapons (2 assault rifles, sniper rifle, RPG, shotgun, submachine gun, light machine gun, heavy machine gun mounted on a moving 4X4, explosive grenades, flashbang grenades, radiation detector) enriched with a leveling system that allows the player to progressively unlock weapons and use munitions from fallen foes
  • Aim and shoot with extra precision in Sniper and Ironsight mode
  • Highly polished 3D graphics provide full immersion into the military experience and high intensity combat
  • Cinematic snippets, military voice-overs and true-to-life situations increase game realism
  • Gameloft LIVE!
  • Brace yourself for war like you’ve never experienced it before.

Apple store down (updated)

Posted on by
Reply
Apple store down

Apple store down

The Apple store is down, we could hope that pre-orders for international iPhone 4, but rumor has it-   it’s Mac Pros.

Updated:

Apple have just updated their website, and you can now purchase and iPad online in Ireland. You can also purchase a SIM card from O2, Vodafone and Three at checkout in order to start a 3G service. You can also purchase a number of iPad accessories.

Prices and availability in the store are as follows.

Wi-Fi

16GB

  • Ships: 7-10 business days
  • Free Shipping
  • €499.00

32GB

  • Ships: 7-10 business days
  • Free Shipping
  • €599.00

64GB

  • Ships: 7-10 business days
  • Free Shipping
  • €699.00

iPad costing much more in Europe?

Posted on by
Reply
iPad

iPad

If you are buying the iPad in Europe you  might be amazed to notice some price difference in what our US friends are paying. A quick look at XE.com live exchange rates reveals some interesting facts on how much more you may be paying. Take for example the entry level model (WiFi) 16GB.

iPad WiFi 16GB

USA: Our friends in the USA pay 499USD which is 386 EURO
UK: Hop across the pond and pay 429GBP which is 512 euro or 662USD
Ireland: In Ireland you will pay 499EURO

In fact Ireland is not getting the worst deal, France and Germany also pay 499Euro entry level iPad. The UK seems to pay a bit more if your converting your euro. Conversions completed with XE.com