iPad mini
If you’re someone who’s always first in line for new iPad releases, you haven’t had a lot to get excited about lately. Sure, Apple gave us the iPad mini and a slightly upgraded 9.7 inch iPad late last year. But the company broke its traditional March/April release cycle, leaving us without a new iPad in 2013. That will obviously change before the year is over, but, according to a new report, that wait might still be far from over. Read More
When it comes to mobile devices, Samsung has never been known for its restraint. Just a few months after showing us the Galaxy Note 8.0, and a month after the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, the Korean company just pulled back the curtain on yet another tablet: the 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3. It isn’t the highest-end tablet ever made. But, for that matter, neither is Apple’s hot-selling iPad mini. Let’s compare the specs (and other features) of the two mid-range mini-tablets. Read More
Apple’s image has taken a few hits in recent months ... at least if you listen to Wall Street types. But that hasn’t stopped the trusty old rumor mill from spinning story after story of juicy Apple-flavored tidbits. One of its favorite subjects is the inevitable iPad mini with Retina Display. According to a prominent analyst, Apple already has two refreshes of the small tablet in the pipeline. Read More
Back when the iPad mini was just a rumor, many of us expected it to be in the same price range as the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire (US$200). That didn’t happen. In fact, Apple’s budget tablet rings up for more than Amazon’s high-end tablet. But a reputable Apple analyst now thinks the company might do something about that later this year – by releasing a cheaper version of the iPad mini. Read More
It seems like every other week there’s a new rumor about an upcoming iPad mini or Nexus 7 with a sharper display. Customers love small tablets, and they love “Retina” displays, so their impending marriage is naturally a hot topic. But it’s easy to forget that Amazon already has a medium-sized tablet with a razor-sharp display. Let’s see how that "tweener" – the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 – sizes up next to Apple’s smaller iPad mini. Read More
Apple’s approach to public relations is pure genius. Hold a handful of media events every year, but otherwise stay silent. It makes the company a blank canvas. And countless fans, blogs, and media outlets will paint that canvas as they see fit. Thus we have reports like this, of unannounced Apple products with unannounced release dates being “delayed.” Silly? You bet. But let’s take the bait anyway, and see if there’s anything to it. Read More
Two years ago, the iPad was untouchable at the top of the tablet market. Apple still sells the most tablets, but several rival slates have made serious inroads. One of those is the Google and Asus lovechild that we know as the Nexus 7. Though a sequel to the budget tablet is unconfirmed, it's inevitable. And today we have some new details on the second-generation Nexus 7. Read More
In the past year, both large tablets and 5-inch smartphones have shifted to razor-sharp, high-resolution displays. Smaller tablets, however, have yet to make that leap. According to an analyst who’s been keeping tabs on the supply chain, that could soon change – with both the iPad mini and Nexus 7 switching to high-res “Retina” displays. Read More
One of the biggest weaknesses of iOS devices is the speakers. There are plenty of products out there designed to amplify the overly quiet speakers such as the db4 case, the Koostik dock, and the Horn Stand Amplifier. A new player is entering the field called the ampjacket. Not only does it work with iPhone 5, but it's available for iPod touch and iPad mini as well. Read More
Apple surprised everyone last October when the iPad 4 arrived just seven months after the iPad 3. That begged the question: would the company release the iPad 5 in the device’s typical March/April timeslot? Recently, all signs pointed to “no.” A new report, though, says that Apple is still considering launching new iPads within the next couple of months. Read More