:: HOWL AT THE MOON
This crazy thing is perfect for photographers, cinematographers, and just any gadget crazy techie (me) who wants to play with this thing. It can turn at 200 degrees per second and is controlled by another iOS device (I’m already imagining the possibilities of using this thing with my iPad). Its function is basically up to the user’s imagination. There’s an image on the Galileo’s Kickstarter page showing the mount on a skateboard about to go under a car (and an iPad to watch what it sees). There will even be an SDK for app developers!
The Kickstarter page has already raised over $250,000 (the goal was $100,000) and has 21 more days to go. The most popular pledge is $85 (the lowest to receive the product when it’s released). The Galileo is set to retail at $129.95 when it’s released (estimated June 2012) so pledging for $85 (along with the other 1400 backers) is a steal. Check out the Kickstarter page here and the video below for a demonstration.
The Wi-Drive is a portable drive (16 or 32GB) that connects to WiFi and extends storage for iOS devices. Along with the free Wi-Drive app, the drive can be loaded up with files from a desktop or laptop and stream those files to an iOS device. It can even share the data with up to three different users at the same time.
The drive is about the size of an iPhone 4, so it fits in most pockets and bags. A USB cable transfers files from computers to the drive. The 16GB version is available on Amazon for $44 and the 32GB version for $95.
The keyboard connects to the iPad by way of its USB output to the Camera Connection Kit's USB adapter. When used with MIDI-compatible apps, like Korg's own iMS-20, it can send keyboard commands to play music and use its key functions to adjust various commands. It is compatible with GarageBand and its built-in MIDI keyboard support. Use VidRhythm to remix videos with the microKEY25. Cross the streams, and use a Korg keyboard to control Animoog! Any app that supports the iOS CoreMIDI framework introduced in iOS 4.2 can be used with a MIDI controller such as this, making it a portable and low-cost option for on-the-go musicians. The keyboard will be available from select music retailers for $69.99.
At GDC last week, I had a great conversation with Jani Kahrama from Secret Exit about the new retina display on the iPad. In particular we discussed Zen Bound 2 [App Store Link], one of my very favorite iOS games. It's also a game that really shows off iOS devices with it's fantastic 3D graphics. We were continuing the conversation that so many had started about what it would take to upgrade iPad apps to the new retina display. I don't have much to add to that conversation other than it's not easy and will add in many cases considerably to the app size.
The good news is that Zen Bound 2, as it exists now on the App Store will look pretty good on the new iPad and its retina display. It was originally created to display at the maximum resolution that the device supports. This was done to allow the app to be universal on the iPad and iPhone 4S and to future-proof the app. That means that it will run at full resolution on the new iPad, taking full advantage of the retina display.
There is one downside. Initially the user interface elements (buttons, etc) were not created for the higher resolution. So while the elements will be positioned properly, this will mean that initially those items will not be proportional and will be a bit small. An update will be coming in the weeks following the release of the new iPad to fix that issue and increase the resolution of the textures used in the game. This will just make the game look even better.
Let's take a look at some comparison screens to see how amazing the new screen will really be. Please note that looking at these samples on a computer screen really won't convey how good they will look on a retina screen. For that, you'll need the new iPad.
In the sample below you can see the current iPad 2 screen size (768x1024) on the left, how Zen Bound 2 will look like on the new iPad (1536x2048) in the middle, and how Zen Bound 2 will look like once the user interface elements are adjusted (still 1536x2048) on the right. Click on the image for the full size -- caution -- really large.
For more samples, take a look at the gallery below. Zen Bound 2 will be a great app to show off what the new iPad retina screen can do. It will be one of the first apps I download tomorrow. This is one beautiful app.
[gallery]
Today, Apple unveiled a very expected update to the iPad, but also a very impressive one. In addition, we got a few things we weren't expecting.
The iPad 3 looks to be a solid update to the iPad 2. Not only do we get an amazing retina display screen and updated internals for a faster device while maintaining the look of the iPad 2, but we also keep the great battery life and price points. Here's a quick rundown of the new iPad. Which, by the way is called just "the new iPad." Or perhaps it will end up being known as just iPad like the Macbook and iMac lines.
Retina Display
The new iPad includes an amazing retina display. That means that it has 4x the pixels of the iPad 2. For comparison, that's even one million more pixels than a 1080p TV. The new iPad will have a resolution of 2048x1536 or 264ppi. That amazing display will really make reading text a dream and less strain on the eye. The new display also has 40% better color saturation than before. It should really pop.
Apple A5X Processor
The increased number of pixels requires more horsepower to push them around quickly. The new iPad will include the Apple A5X processor that has quad-core graphics in a dual core processor. Apple compared that to the current high end for Android devices, the Tegra 3 and noted that the A5X offers four times the performance of that chipset.
5MP Rear Camera
The camera on the iPad gets a boost to 5MP, similar camera to the iPhone 4 in specs. HD video recording, video stabilization, etc. A solid upgrade. But please, don't be holding up your iPad to take pictures. You'll look like a dork.
What doesn't get an upgrade is the front camera. That remains at just VGA resolution. Sorry, no Facetime HD this update.
LTE, Up to 73 Mbps Speed
LTE, the next generation mobile data communication will be available for the new iPad. In the US that will be available on AT&T and Verizon. In Canada available on Telus, Rogers and Bell. The extra speed will really make the downloads fly when using the device away from Wifi.
In addition, the iPad can now be a personal hotspot if the carrier supports it. It will also support GSM 3G when traveling in areas that don't support LTE.
“It’s the privilege of a lifetime for me to work with the most innovative people on Earth. Only Apple can deliver this kind of innovation in such a beautiful, integrated, and easy to use way. It’s what we love to do, it’s what we stand for.” - Tim Cook
How to get one!
Pre-orders for the new iPad start today and will be available March 16th in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. The prices remain the same as the iPad 2:
Wifi model: 16GB $499, 32GB $599, 64GB $699
3G / 4G LTE model: 16GB $629, 32GB $729, 64GB $829
You can pre-order your new iPad now at Apple's online store.
iOS 5.1, Available Today
iOS 5.1, a minor update to iOS 5 will be available today. It's a good update with few new features but a lot of fixes. The only new feature highlighted was Siri for Japan.
iOS 5.1 should be available now, check for updates in Settings, General, Software Update.
Apple TV 1080p
Apple announced an update to the hockey puck shaped Apple TV. The new model will support 1080p content, which is now available in the iTunes store TV and Movies section. iCloud will be there to support movies now, in addition to TV shows which were added last year. In addition, the new Apple TV comes with a new streamlined interface that looks more and more like iOS with tiled icons. The Apple TV is actually running a version of iOS, with a different interface.
The updated Apple TV will be available March 16th and maintains the same price, $99.
The Apps!
Of course at 148Apps, we are, obviously, all about the apps. The apps demoed today were a great demonstration of what can be done with the new device. Here's what we saw:
Sky Gamblers from Namco - This simplified Ace Combat game, sort of a more casual version, shows that the new iPad can and does beat the consoles in the graphics power. While the game itself isn't as complex as console titles, it will look better.
Sketchbook Ink from Autodesk - Autodesk showed a version of their new app, a line art focused version of Sketchbook. This app can create and export images of up to 100 MP in size. Line art (think Adobe Illustrator) is resolution independent so you can zoom in as far as you like and maintain smooth lines. Sketchbook Ink be available in April.
Infinity Blade: Dungeons from Epic Games -- The natural extension to the Infinity Blade franchise I guess. This game appears to be a Diablo like game set in the Infinity Blade world. You quest is to find the Infinity Blade. Created to really exploit the retina display. The new iPad has more memory and of course a higher resolution than the PS3 or Xbox 360 so it's a dream for game developers. No release date given, it's just coming soon. Check out the trailer below:
iWork Apps - A free update will be coming to support the new retina display. Still $9.99 per app for Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Available today.
Garageband - now includes Smart Strings, a note editor. You can also push your creations back and forth with iCloud. In addition, 4 devices can "jam" in real time. Sounds interesting. Available today.
iMovie - iMovie also updated for retina and 1080p movie editing and exporting. It also includes some new outlining, storyboarding, planning and editing tools.
iPhoto for iPad - The star of the app show had to be iPhoto, a new app, and we'll have more details soon. But this is, as you would expect, not iPhoto brought to the iPad. It is a reengineered and rethought app focused on touch interaction. From everything we've seen they have done an amazing job. It includes some features like photo browsing, editing, effects. Also includes beaming for sending photos between devices and a new feature Photo Journals.
Some of the more interesting and new things in the app include some new gesture types (like swipe in/out from the bezel), some great photo analysis tools like find similar photos, and an auto-correct photo that will not only fix exposure problems but even straighten tilted photos.
All of the editing in iPhoto is non-destructive -- that means that you can always go back to the original photo. No need to worry about doing something creative and destroying your original.
Photo Journals are a way to group photos and annotate them with memories, quotes, etc. They can be laid out and then shared via iCloud to any browser.
iPhoto will be $4.99 and available today in the App Store. [App Store Link (will be live soon)]
What We Didn't See
We didn't see some thing many expected. Siri for the iPad or Apple TV for one. I'm not convinced that Apple thinks of Siri as the future of user interface that many do. I believe they see it more as a mobile assistant. As such, it really works on the iPhone and iPhone alone. This could change of course as the scope of functions that Siri handles expands in the future.
We didn't see a preview of iOS 6 -- as hoped. iOS 6 is expected to be as big of a change, if not even more of a change as iOS 5.
We didn't see Facebook integration. Many expected Apple to finally include the same integration in iOS for Facebook as Twitter sees. Well I guess, not yet.
We didn't see a new accessory. Many thought that Apple would introduce a new back cover to compliment the Smart Cover. Nothing announced -- though it could show up in the store later.
Apple made some bold moves today. They introduced an iPad that we'll not likely see duplicated in hardware design on Android devices before the next iPad is ready. In addition they made some interesting branding moves by dropping the revision number from the iPad line. The next iPad will just be called iPad. And I'm guessing we'll see all future iPads called the same. Similar to the iMac / Macbook lines where they are all called the same. So we'll have to denote this as the Winter 2012 iPad I guess.
What we now have is a device that's more powerful as a game machine than the PS3 or XBox 360. It's has access to more games and at much cheaper prices. Now we just need to start seeing more AAA titles.
The new iPad is a very solid device created to address many of the outstanding requests of users. A better screen, faster processor, and faster communications. Well done Apple.
Duo Pop basically turns the iPad into a game show with four “Poppers” and a transmitted that’s placed near the iPad’s speaker. Similar to Jeopardy, each player’s popper is used to ‘buzz-in’ to answer questions.
There are multiple apps supported by Duo Pop including Guesstimation, a guessing-based trivia game, In The Know, a progressive clue game similar to what you might see in a bar, Highlights Hidden Picture Countdown, based on the popular kid’s magazine, and Saturday Night Live - The Game, based on the show.
Duo Pop is available for $39.99 on Amazon.
One of the concerns with 60beat’s GamePad has been whether the device would see enough support from developers to make it worthwhile. As promised by 60beat back when it was announced, February has rolled around and some titles are beginning to support the 60beat.
Both Alien Space and Alien Space Retro from Owens Rodriguez have been updated to support the 60beat. Given the number of dual-stick shooters on iOS and the lack of analog joysticks on the external controller frontrunner, the iCade, dual stick games could spearhead 60beat support thanks to its unique-to-this-platform functionality.
Katana Jack, a game that claims to have had its graphics hand-painted on the iPad, has also been updated with support for the 60beat. It also supports the Gametel controller, the iCade, and iControlPad, so this free app is a must-download for anyone with an external iOS game controller, if only because it supports them all.
There’s also No Gravity, a game which started life way back in the days of PSP homebrew development, before seeing legitimate releases on PSN, and now on iOS. Both the Lite and full versions of the game support the controller.
There are likely to be more titles that support the controller, and its particular advantages may prove to be a boon to developers looking to support external controls in their games. The total list of games that support the GamePad is available here.
With the MPC Fly iPad app users can sequence four tracks at once, access library of audio samples and drum kits, use various audio effects on their sequences, pull samples from their iTunes library, and share their work on SoundCloud, Facebook, or Twitter.
The MPC Fly houses it's own rechargeable lithium-ion battery making it a truly portable solution. It also includes a wall charger, and will charge the iPad while it's plugged in to the wall. No word yet on how much the MPC will retail for.
This is because the Powertrekk comes with a fuel cell that can be used to power USB devices. Fuel cells work by converting by a fuel's chemical energy, from a source such as hydrogen, into electricity through reactions with elements like oxygen. So, for those who paid attention in chemistry, what's a common liquid source of oxygen that could be added to a hydrogen fuel cell in order to be converted into electricity? Water! Yes, by simply adding water to the Powertrekk's fuel cell puck, it can be used to charge a device over USB. The Powertrekk also comes with a 1500 mAh internal battery that can be charged over USB, or through the internal fuel cell. The fuel cell itself has a storage capacity of 4 watt-hours, which means that at its maximum output of 5 volts, it has a total 8000 mAh capacity, using Amperage X Voltage = Wattage. In layman's terms, that's about enough to charge the iPhone completely about 4 times, assuming maximum battery efficiency. Also, the 5 volt output means that the iPad cannot be charged with the Powertrekk.
Now, the Powertrekk is not an inexpensive solution; the charger is expected to sell for US$229 when it is released, and 3 extra fuel cell pucks will cost $12. Still, this could be a useful accessory for those who spend a lot of time away from electrical sources, find solar chargers inefficient, and/or want an environmentally-conscious way to charge their USB devices. The Powertrekk will go on sale in the spring, available from both the Powertrekk website and worldwide through a variety of distributors.
