iPhone Less Costly to Support, States Divided Over Android vs. iOS, Boxee for iPad, and More

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All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

News, Reviews, & Opinion

• iPhone Cheaper to Support than BlackBerry and Android
• US States Divided Over Android vs. iOS
• Is Social Media Turning Teens Into Narcissists?
• Can an iPad Replace Your Laptop?
• How to Share Your Mac's Printer with Your iDevice
• iCloud: Apple's Web Services for iOS 5 and OS X Lion
• DigiTimes: iPad to Account for 61% of 2011 Global Tablet Market

The Competition

• Pierre Cardin Tablet PC

Apps & Services

• Boxee for iPad Goes Live
• Camera Pro Plus for iPad 2 and iPhone 4
• Pimp Your Ride for Free with Cars.tomizer Lite 2.0

Accessories

• Bluelounge MiniDock iPhone/iPod Wall Charger and Display Dock
• NuVue Anti-Glare Screen Protector for Using Your iPad Outdoors

Presentation & Protection

• Belkin Keyboard Folio for iPad 2

iPod Deals

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News, Reviews, & Opinion

iPhone Cheaper to Support than BlackBerry and Android

InfoWorld's Galen Gruman reports that BlackBerry users need more help than iPhone users - and Android users need much more help than either - according to ClickFox, a firm that analyzes customer experience data to identify problems. ClickFox analyzed the support calls related to smartphones received by the North American carriers, and after factoring out the questions related to billing and carriers' various plans, it found a startling pattern: iPhones cost less to support than Android devices and BlackBerrys.

Link: Another Reason to Go iPhone: It's Cheaper to Support

US States Divided Over Android vs. iOS

PR: New data from targeted mobile advertising specialists Jumptap, shows that consumers in the South and Southwest tend to be Android-biased compared to the rest of the country, while those in the Midwest and Northeast lean towards iOS. California, Texas, and Florida over-index for Android use and states in New England and the Midwest over-index for iOS use. BlackBerry use, which over-indexed in New York, was also included in the geographic data. This new data establishes an evolving narrative of a North vs. South divide in the ongoing battle of the two top mobile operating systems.

Publisher's note: Looking at the map, north vs. south seems to be a gross oversimplification. There seems to be a trend from Android in the southwest to iOS in the northeast, but there are several exceptions. I've also compared this map with red vs. blue states, as well as education, income, and Mac use maps, and it doesn't seem to comport with any of them. dk

Link: Jumptap

Is Social Media Turning Teens Into Narcissists?

CTV News.ca reports that Larry Rosen, a psychology professor at California State University, says people who spend a lot of time on Facebook show more signs of narcissistic personality disorder.

The report says Rosen, author of "Rewired: Understanding the iGeneration and The Way They Learn," has been researching the impact of media and social media on the psychological health of kids and teens, and says that the problem with Facebook and other social media sites is that they can give budding narcissists a new platform to develop their over-inflated sense of selves. Narcissism can then develop into full psychological disorders.

Rosen says online narcissists are fairly easy to spot, and provides some tips on how to detect them.

Link: Is Social Media Turning Teens Into Narcissists?

Can an iPad Replace Your Laptop?

Old News blogger Jared Spurbeck says:

"When I went on vacation in New England about 10 years ago, I couldn't bring my desktop computer with me to the hotel room. Instead, I brought my laptop, a machine that was old even then. It had a black-and-white screen, a floppy disk drive and a trackball, plus it was extremely slow. But it could connect to the 'net, which was enough for me on the go."

However...

"Things have changed now. The laptop has become the primary computer for most people - it certainly is for me and my girlfriend. And now tablets like the iPad are beginning to take the place of the laptop, not as the primary computer but the portable machine. In a nutshell, the laptop is the new desktop computer, and the tablet - or at least the iPad - is, for many, the new laptop.

"So how did this come about, and is it a new reason to go out and buy an iPad? . . . Can it replace your laptop? Maybe...."

Link: Are iPads Replacing Laptops?

How to Share Your Mac's Printer with Your iDevice

PixoBebo's Kate MacKenzie says you probably have two things that have been bothering you. First, how do you print from your iPhone or iPad. And second, how can you give more money to printer manufacturers. She points to her Mac app of choice to do both.

Printopia is a Mac app that lets Mac users share Mac printers with iPhones and iPads, and lets you print over WiFi using printers attached to the Mac. It also lets you send files directly to your Mac or to your Dropbox or Evernote account from your iDevice.

Link: How to Share Your Mac's Printer with iPhone or iPad

iCloud: Apple's Web Services for iOS 5 and OS X Lion

AppleInsider's Daniel Eran Dilger reports:

"Apple's iCloud services, announced this summer at the company's Worldwide Developer Conference, are quickly maturing for their initial release this fall. Here's what's new and what's changed."

Link: Inside iCloud: Apple's New Web Services for iOS and Mac OS X Lion

DigiTimes: iPad to Account for 61% of 2011 Global Tablet Market

PR: This year, approximately 65.2 million tablets will be shipped from manufacturers to major brand vendors. While Apple is expected to continue dominating the market with 40 million shipments and a 61% share for its iPad device, other vendors will provide consumers with more choice for operating system, product features and screen size, according to a recent DigiTimes Research Special Report titled "Expectations for the 2H 2011 tablet market."

Tablet shipments were up more than 420% from one year earlier in the first half of 2010 and the market will continue with its positive momentum in the second half of the year, with shipments expected to be up more than 150% from one earlier. Apple's iPad shipments in the second half of 2011 will reach 25.5 million units, up 76% compared to the first half of the year.

While Apple remains the dominant player with its iPad line, other major vendors have been looking to gain traction in this booming market. The non-iPad group's shipments in the second half are expected to reach 15.65 million units, up 65% compared to the first half of the year and accounting for 39% of total shipments, the report stated.

Outside of the iPad, all eyes will be Android develop mens [sic], as the platform has been extending its reach in the tablet sector even more rapidly than it did in the smartphone sector, with a penetration rate reaching more than 30%.

In terms of core application processors, Apple again will dominate that market in 2011. And while Nvidia's Tegra series has been widely supported by brands other than Apple, shipment figures from DigiTimes Research suggest that Texas Instruments (TI) is likely to be the firm to beat out for second place in the market.

However, tablet shipments in the second half of 2011 still face uncertainties and the key quarter for 2011 will be the fourth quarter, as a number of brand vendors have yet to firm up their strategies for the last quarter of the year.

The DigiTimes Research Special Report "Expectations for the 2H 2011 tablet market" provides a breakdown of expected tablet shipments by vendor for the second half of the year, as well as providing analysis of the semiconductor, software, processor technology and Taiwan manufacturing ecosystem shaping the market.

Contacts:

• Michael McManus (Michael.mcmanus@digitimes.com)
• Shannen Yang (Shannen.yang@digitmes.com)

Link: Apple iPad to Account for 61% Share of Global Tablet Market in 2011, Says a New Report from DigiTimes Research

The Competition

Pierre Cardin Tablet PC

PR: The Android-powered Pierre Cardin Tablet PC with its 7.0" display is sized to fit in the palm of your hand and packed with an array of features.

Browse to your heart's content - WiFi or 3G (requires compatible 3G dongle) - fully compatible with Flash. Visit your favourite shopping sites to make last minute gift buying a breeze.

• eBooks: Download your favourite books and enjoy them on the tube or the beach - wherever takes your fancy
• Front Facing Camera: A 1.3 Megapixel camera doubles as a camcorder meaning you need never miss a special moment ever again.
• Android Market: Customise your Tablet PC by choosing applications from the thousands on offer from the Android Market.
• Multitasking: Enjoy true multitasking thanks to a Samsung cortex 1 GHz processor - you can send emails, update a spreadsheet or maintain your diary simultaneously.
• Extendable Memory: Increase the storage capacity up to 16 GB using the Micro SD Card slot
• Touch Screen: Open menus, minimise windows and move between different applications with effortless touches of the capacitive screen.

Specifications:

• Display: 7.0 inch capacitive multitouch
• Resolution: 800 x 480 Pixel
• CPU: Samsung S5PV210 Cortex-A8 1.0 GHz
• Ram: DDR II 512 MB
• Storage: Internal 4 GB, Micro SD slot support up to 16 GB
• O/S: Google Android 2.2 (Froyo)
• PC Interface: Mini USB host (for keyboard, mouse 3G etc.), mini USB, HDMI
• WiFi: WiFi IEEE 802.11b/g
• 3G Support: External 3G (3G Dongle Available Separately)
• Camera: 1.3 Megapixel Front Facing Camera
• Video: 720P HD Playback
• E-book: TXT, PDF, CHM, HTML, PDB, UMD
• Games: Download via Android Market
• Video: Supports RM, RMVB, AVI(H.264/H.263), MOV, WMV, MP4, ASF, 3GB, TS, etc...
• Audio: Supports MP3, WMA, WAV, APE, FLAC, AAC, OGG, etc...
• Photo: JPG, BMP, PNG, TIFF
• Battery: Lithium 4400 mAh
• Weight: 520g
• Dimensions: 19.5cm x 12.3cm x 1.4cm
• Software: Google browser, Google map, Gmail, Skype, Google Market, Multimedia Player, Clock, Calculator, News, Weather, Voice Search, Flash 10.1 viewer
• 1000s of other Apps are available free via Android Market

Price: £275

Link: Pierre Cardin Tablet PC

Apps & Services

Boxee for iPad Goes Live

PR: Boxee for iPad takes the work out of finding, viewing, and sharing online video by bringing videos from your friends, your bookmarks, and your computer all into one easy to use app. No converting, syncing, or payment required.

Video from you and your friends - all in one place that goes anywhere. Boxee for iPad brings videos from Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and your computer all onto your iPad so you can find and watch new videos or favorites on the train, in bed, on the couch, on the john, during boring conversation, on the patio, from the roof deck, in an abandoned bunker, on the side of a mountain....

• Social: Never miss a hilarious or inspiring new video from your friends again. Boxee connects to your social life and delivers every video your friends share on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr to your iPad. Return the favor and share favorites with two taps. Boxee brings video sharing to the iPad in a way that's simple and unique.
• Watch Later: Each day, were bombarded by video from everywhere. Collect them in one place and save them for later with Boxee. Queue YouTube videos, TED talks, and, well, whatever you want to watch on your iPad, whenever you want. Your commute just got its own video playlist.
• Media Streaming: Stop wasting hours converting and syncing videos to your iPad. Boxee streams videos from your PC/Mac to your iPad over WiFi. You pick the video, we handle the rest no cables or wires necessary.
• Send To Boxee Box: Watching video on your iPad and want it on the big screen? Send videos straight to your TV via a Boxee Box so everyone in your living room can enjoy. Now you can go back to playing Angry Birds on the iPad while you watch : )
• PC to iPad, Easily: Download the Boxee Media Manager to stream video files from a Mac / PC to your iPad while on your home network.

Learn more at http://boxee.tv

System Requirements

• Mac OS X 10.5+
• Windows 7, Vista, XP
• Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later

Link: Boxee for iPad (App Store link)

Camera Pro Plus for iPad 2 and iPhone 4

PR: KenigArt has announced Camera Pro Plus for iPad 2 and iPhone 4 1.0. Camera Pro Plus features a simple and easy HD interface with advanced photo optimization math algorithms and serves as an upgrade for your iPad 2/iPhone 4 to a professional working old style steampunk SLR camera that can take photos directly from your iPad 2 (or load existing photos from your iPad/iPhone Albums), made advance HQ math optimisation with taken photos and add some additional FX photo effects.

Application Features:

• Steampunk HD Camera design and Style
• Simple and easy HD interface is fully optimized for iPad 2/iPhone 4
• Advance photo optimisation math algorithms
• 10 FX photo effects to make your photos awesome and nice looking
• Shot optimised photos directly from application or load it from iPad/iPhone Photo Library/Album
• Save FX'ed photos to iPad 2/iPhone 4

All that incredible features you will get in our one awesome Camera Pro Plus steampunk application! Don't miss this Special offer!

Device Requirements:

• Compatible with iPad and iPad 2/iPhone 4
• Requires iPhone OS 4.0 or later
• 4.3 MB/4.7 MB

Camera Pro Plus for iPad 2/iPhone 4 HD v1.0 is $6.99/$3.99 (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Photography category.

Link: Camera Pro Plus for iPad 2 (App Store link)
Link: Camera Pro Plus for iPhone 4 (App Store link)

Pimp Your Ride for Free with Cars.tomizer Lite 2.0

PR: Independent iPhones app developer, emirBytes has announced that Cars.tomizer 2.0 Lite is available to download in the Apple's App Store. The app is created specifically for the iPhone and iPod touch platform, utilizing the touch interface.

The app update includes a major remake of the user interface, including graphics support for iPhone 4 retina display. The developer says: "We had some feedback about the ad blocking some of the buttons in the previous version, so we fixed that issue in this version as well. A new and awesome banner feature is also added to this update. We hope Cars.tomizer fans enjoy the major update and we hope for good ratings from them."

Cars.tomizer Lite Now Features:

• Awesome graphics with Retina Display support.
• Fully customizable parts - move, resize, rotate and mirror them.
• Introductory parts in the Parts Library - wheels, brake caliper, side skirtings, rear spoiler, decals and stripes, and muffler.
• Fully customizable glow banner.
• Save to your device or upload to your Facebook account.
• Easy to use interface.

Device Requirements:

• iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
• Requires iOS 3.2 or later (Tested on iOS 4.0)
• 12.2 MB

Cars.tomizer Lite 2.0 is available for free from Utility category of the App Store. There is also a Pro version called Cars.tomizer Pro, which has more awesome features and more parts varieties and types.

Link: Cars.tomizer Lite (App Store link)

Accessories

Bluelounge MiniDock iPhone/iPod Wall Charger and Display Dock

PR: Bluelounge has announced the market-wide availability of MiniDock, a cord-free wall charger and display-docking station made for Apple iPhone and iPod devices that uses the existing Apple USB Power Adapter. MiniDock represents the latest in a series of sleek, innovative cord management products from Bluelounge, all designed specifically for Apple iPhones and essential for travel and household charging needs.

MiniDock allows consumers to charge and display their iPhone in an upright position in any electrical outlet without disorganized cords. Intended for use with existing Apple USB Power Adapter, iPhone or iPod can now plug directly into an electrical outlet. Ideal while traveling or in any home or office environment, MiniDock is lightweight, cord-free, and allows users to simplify and de-clutter the charging areas normally occupied with the unsightly and wayward cords. Users no longer need to deal with untidy cords while packing or when charging their device. With MiniDock, the user can charge their Apple devices upright, directly into their Apple USB Power Adapter, conveniently and seamlessly anywhere where an electric outlet is available.

"Our customers are passionate about their iPhones and their accessories," says Bluelounge Principal and Creative Director Dominic Symons. "People are proud of their devices so they treat them with care and worry about their phones getting damaged when in use or while traveling. MiniDock meets the public's desire perfectly, with a sleek and innovative charging station that doubles as a display stand, so proud iPhone owners can use their hardware efficiently while they charge it. Our unique design keeps their phones safe, off the floor and out of harms way - all at the same time."

The MSRP for MiniDock is $19.95 and the product is available in three versions to fit US, UK, and EU adapter standards. MiniDock is available on the Company's website and at retailers worldwide.

Link: MiniDock

NuVue Anti-Glare Screen Protector for Using Your iPad Outdoors

PR: The NewerTech NuVue Anti-Glare Screen Protector for iPad reduces eyestrain in the sun for easier studying or reading outdoors or in sunny rooms. Its Anti-Glare static cling film provides clearer iPad viewing by reducing both glare and smudges with no rainbow effect, like other conventional antiglare shields. It is custom-designed to fit the iPad perfectly with a peel-and-stick easy install that wont create air bubbles like adhesive-based screen protectors.

Compatible with iPad (not iPad 2).

Pricing: $12.79 (available immediately)

Available at Other World Computing.

Link: NuVue Anti-Glare Screen Protector for iPad

Presentation & Protection

Belkin Keyboard Folio for iPad 2

PR: Belkin has unveiled the Keyboard Folio, an all-in-one Bluetooth keyboard and protective folio solution for the iPad 2. The Keyboard Folio features TruType keys for a comfortable, computer-style typing experience and complements the functionality of the iPad 2 with separate, adjustable modes for viewing and typing.

Thanks to its ultra-thin design, the Belkin Keyboard Folio enables a comfortable, computer-style typing experience wherever and whenever you need it.

"People are pretty outspoken in their dislike for flimsy rubber keyboards and the need for a solution that acts and feels more like a true laptop keyboard," says Jamie Elgie, senior director of product management for Belkin's mobility division. "We took these complaints to heart and created a keyboard that people not only want to use, but also outperforms other products in terms of typing speed and errors."

The Belkin Keyboard Folio features a larger keyboard with TruType hard plastic keys for optimal tactical response and a more computer-like feel. A spring mechanism underneath each key ensures a tactile response with every stroke, helping you to type faster and with less error than on a touchscreen. Plus, function-specific keys let you easily copy and paste text, moderate volume and control music. A 1.7 mm key travel improves typing accuracy and speed, making it easier to edit documents or draft emails. Lightweight, slim and stylish, the Keyboard Folio sports a unique trifold design that tucks the keyboard away when not in use and keeps the screen protected on the go.

"With the explosion of the tablet market and more people using tablets as a laptop stand-in, people really need accessories that provide enhanced functionality and portability while on the go," says Elgie. "Thanks to its ultra-thin design, the Belkin Keyboard Folio enables a comfortable, computer-style typing experience wherever and whenever you need it."

Cable-Free & Plenty of Power

A simple Bluetooth pairing process means you wont be tied down by messy cables during use. And 60 hours of active battery life and 2,000 of standby battery life will keep you going simply use a USB cable when its time to recharge.

A Perfect Fit

The premium, stitched case hugs your iPad and protects it from scratches and scuffs, with a suede-like feel and inner lining that's smooth against your device. The keyboard tucks away and the soft cover folds over to protect your screen when you're on the go. Lightweight and formfitting, it slips easily into another bag without bulk.

Features of the Keyboard Folio for iPad 2 (F5L090)

• Built-in computer-style keyboard with tactile, well-spaced TruType keys
• Function-specific keys for copying and pasting text, moderating volume and controlling music
• Unique trifold design tucks keyboard away and soft cover folds over to protect screen
• Adjustable landscape screen angles for typing and viewing
• Rigid backplate for stand stability
• Pairs with iPad through Bluetooth - avoids messy cables
• 60 hours active battery life, 2,000 hours standby battery life
• Rechargeable using USB cable
• Durable construction protects from scratches and scuffs
• Premium, stitched exterior with a suede-like feel and smooth inner lining
• Micro USB port for charging works with standard cables
• Sleek design to minimize bulk
• Camera lens cutout
• 1-Year Limited Warranty
• Compatible with iPad 2

The Keyboard Folio is available now for $99.99 at select retailers in the United States.

Link: Belkin Keyboard Folio for iPad 2 (Amazon.com link)