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Opinion: The iPad 5 is Big

Posted by Stephen Hall at 2:54 pm

macrumors-ipad5d

Let’s take a look at the above rendering that was posted on MacRumors yesterday, courtesy of CiccareseDesign. They show what will potentially (and most likely) be the form factor of the fifth-generation iPad. The iPad mini took design language from the iPhone 5, and it would only make sense for the iPad 5 to continue on this path.

The most obvious feature brought to your attention is the thinner bezel. That said, this particular mock up sizes the bezel proportionally. The side bezel on the fifth-generation iPad is undoubtedly smaller, but is it too small for you to be able to hold it comfortably? (more…)

Feb

Next-Gen iPad Expected to Share Design of iPad mini

Posted by Joe Rossignol at 9:04 am

IPadmini-vs-iPad3

While it can be hard to take some of the ridiculous claims that DigiTimes makes seriously sometimes, this latest rumor does make sense. According to the Taiwanese news website, the next-generation iPad — the full-sized 9.7-inch model — will adopt design qualities that originate from the iPad mini.

It just makes sense that Apple would give the next full-sized iPad the same look and feel as the iPhone 5, iPad mini and fifth-generation iPod touch. Apple has new display and adhesive technologies that allow for its consumer electronics to be thinner, lighter and stronger. And that’s just what the next iPad should be.

The release date of such iPad remains unknown, although it is widely expected that the tablet won’t launch until much later this year. After all, the refreshed fourth-generation iPad with a Lightning connector and faster processor was just made available last October. But, don’t rule anything out just yet. Apple always seems to have a curveball up its sleeves.

[DigiTimes]

Microsoft Surface Shipments Total Just 900,000

Posted by Joe Rossignol at 7:27 am

Blue Microsoft Surface

It has been estimated for several months now that early Microsoft Surface sales would be rather bleak in comparison to other tablet competitors, namely the iPad. And now, the proof is in the numbers.

Research firm IDC has just released market share data for tablets during the fourth quarter, in which it determined that Microsoft shipped just 900,000 Surface tablets last quarter.

The bad news wasn’t just limited to Microsoft, however, as Apple also saw the dominant market share of its iPad decline in the fourth quarter. The iPad now has 43.7 percent market share, compared to 51.7 percent year-over-year.

Apple sold a record-breaking 22.9 million iPads during the fourth quarter, but saw increased competition from Android tablets, Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD and, to a much lesser extent, the Microsoft Surface.

Much like the smartphone industry, the tablet space has been heating up since Apple broke into the market with the iPad. For the corporation, this means more competition. For the consumer, this means more choices.

[BGR]

Microsoft’s 64GB Surface Pro Has Less Free Space Than a 32GB iPad

Posted by Joe Rossignol at 8:05 pm

Blue Microsoft Surface

If you were actually planning on purchasing a new Surface Pro when the tablet goes on sale in a few weeks, you might want to reconsider. Microsoft has confirmed today that its 128GB Surface Pro has only 83GB of free space, while the 64GB model has just 23GB available storage. (more…)

The 128 GB iPad is Here, but Who’s Buying?

Posted by Jonathan Kizer at 2:39 pm

New-iPad

So Apple now definitely is the leader of the tablet pack in terms of built-in storage: the iPad 4 can now be purchased in a 128 GB variation. The price is, unsurprisingly, high: $799 for a model without 3G/4G connectivity.

So while 128 GB may be appealing to many, the price will likely serve to keep most people away. So who is this model aimed at?

The way it was announced likely holds the secret. (more…)

Apple Announces 128 GB iPad with Retina Display

Posted by Stephen Hall at 7:50 am

IPadmini-vs-iPad3

In a press release available for you to read on Apple.com, the company has today announced that they will begin shipping a new model of the current generation iPad that comes with 128 GB of storage. As John Gruber of Daring Fireball pointed out yesterday, this is most likely a placeholder for the release of the next generation iPad “later in the year.”

If this 128 GB iPad 4 thing is true, I take it to imply that the iPad 5 isn’t coming until later in the year, and that this is a way for Apple to make a little news, keep the lineup fresh, and raise the bar on tablet storage capacities.

This news comes just a day after the release of iOS 6.1, which provided hints to a forthcoming 128 GB device. There were also references in the latest iTunes, as well as SKUs that were tipped to 9to5Mac showing four new models. Regardless, the device is here and it’s shipping on February 5th. Do you plan to get one? Why would you need 128 GB of storage?

iPad Could Be First iOS Device to Feature 128GB Storage

Posted by Joe Rossignol at 9:16 pm

iPad-4G-Fourth-Gen-Lightning

Apple is prepared to launch a new iPad model, reports the often-credible Mark Gurman for Apple rumor mill 9to5Mac. According to Gurman, the upcoming iPad will be a fourth-generation model, available in both white and black colors and Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi plus cellular options.

Gurman suggests that the recent discovery of 128GB system partition keys in iOS 6.1 means that speculation would naturally point towards a 128GB iPad, but does note that there is not enough evidence to make that claim outright. But, ultimately, he does feel strongly about the correlation. (more…)

iOS 6.1 Hints at 128 GB Devices Coming Soon

Posted by Jonathan Kizer at 1:34 pm

While iOS 6.1 may be light on new features, there is at least one bit of interesting data included: there is a 128 GB system partition key in the BuildManifest. This information comes via Twitter user @iNeal:

We should be seeing 128GB iDevices soon. iOS 6.1 beta 5 has 128G system partition key in BuildManifest.

— Neal (@iNeal) January 27, 2013

What exactly does this mean? For starters, it seems likely that at least one iDevice will be receiving 128 GB of flash storage in the near future. The inclusion of this key suggests that Apple is testing what will become public software on internal prototypes, which would in turn suggest that those prototypes are at least relatively close to being finalized. (more…)

Hide Those Pesky Default Apps Using the Newsstand Glitch

Posted by Stephen Hall at 5:04 pm

Yesterday, we posted about a SpringBoard glitch that allows you to move any apps that you want into the Newsstand folder. Apparently, this glitch has also brought to light various other methods of achieving jailbreak-like effects on standard Apple firmware. iDownloadBlog has today posted another tutorial showing a simple modification to the Newsstand glitch that will allow you to hide apps completely, rather than just putting them in the Newsstand folder.

Performing this glitch is only a simple modification to the steps that allowed you to put your apps in Newsstand. Instead of tapping and holding the app that you want in Newsstand, you put all the apps you want to hide in a folder (as shown above) and perform the same steps. After the folder containing those apps is in Newssstand, all it takes is a reboot or a respring and those apps will disappear. To bring them back, simply reboot or respring once more.

[iDownloadBlog]