T-Mobile G-Slate now $100 off: A limited time deal!

By: iPadfanzz.blogspot.com, April 22, 2011 (New Delhi)

T-Mobile and LG Mobile Phones have quietly launched their new tablet, the T-Mobile G-Slate. LG’s new computer tablet runs on 4G wireless networks, or Wi-Fi connections, and shoots video in 3-D.

T-Mobile is luring consumers by offering a discount of $100, provided you sign up for a 2-year contract that costs $529. All you have to do is order before April 27. Thus, effectively you pay $429.99 for G-Slate. And without the T-Mobile contract, the G-Slate sells for $749.99.

To avail this discount, you need to place your order over the phone by dialing 1-866-464-8662, selecting option 3, and referencing the code GSLATE100.

Given the growing competition with the arrival of new players, this discount makes sense for LG, which is trying to carve out a niche for its product in the rapidly growing computer tablet market.

T-Mobile’s G-Slate is an amazing tablet that is equipped with Google Android 3.0 (codenamed Honeycomb), a tablet-optimized version of the operating system designed to challenge Apple’s iOS. G-Slate features a 10.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel display, 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor and front and rear cameras including two 5MP cameras on the back capable of shooting 3D footage.

The G-Slate has 32GB of internal memory with a microSD with the capacity to be upgraded another 32GB.

“The G-Slate represents the next chapter in T-Mobile’s rich history of Android innovation,” said Brad Duea, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. “Tablets enable users to take with them the rich Web and entertainment experiences they have at home, and this will radically shift the way people interact with and consume content while mobile. The G-Slate delivers a powerful combination of premium mobile HD entertainment and T-Mobile’s lightning-fast 4G mobile broadband network.”

The G-Slate also supports 720p HD on-device video playback and HDMI output which allows users to watch the video taken on another 3D or HD capable gadget. With a NVIDIA Tegra 2 mobile processor with dual-core CPU and full Adobe Flash Player support, the G-Slate enables browsing of rich Web content, multitasking and gaming. LG is betting big G-Slate’s 4G capability (on the carrier’s HSPA+ network) which it sees as a boost in the market.

G-Slate takes advantage of T-Mobile’s 4G network to easily stream all the content, whether video or data on the wireless network which is available in over 100 metropolitan areas.

eBay resellers making huge profits on iPad 2 sales

By: Aseem Gaurav, April 1, 2011 (New Delhi)

Apple's iPad 2 tablets have been on the market for quite some time now but the eager consumers are hard pressed to find them in any kind of retail store. On Apple's US online store, the delay between ordering and shipping presently stands at three to four weeks. But all this doesn’t mean that you just can’t get your hands on it as long as you’re willing to fork out more cash.

One of the most popular sources to find an iPad 2 is sites like eBay. For an iPad 2 order you may have to pay up to $406 over the retail price for the most expensive 64-gigabyte version, which retails for $829.

Data released by eBay showed that the average selling price of a 16GB Wi-Fi iPad 2 has been $697, $198 over Apple's retail price. This means resellers are getting whooping 40 per cent profit.

Similarly, the most expensive 64GB iPad 2 is also proving to be more lucrative for resellers. The average auction price of the 64GB Wi-Fi model has reached $963, or 53 per cent above retail, while the 64GB Wi-Fi/3G iPad 2 averaged $1,235, 49 per cent higher than the list price of $829.

Apple's iPad 2 remains in very short supply in the US and in more than two dozen other countries.

In stores the iPad 2 is available between $499 and $699 for the Wi-Fi model, and between $629 and $829 for the Wi-Fi/3G version of the tablet.

According to eBay, 65 per cent of the consumers buying iPad 2 from resellers are US citizens, which is a dramatic reversal from the 35 per cent of eBay’s iPad sales in the US last year.

After the US, the country with the largest number of imported iPads is Russia, with Canada a close second. These countries are followed by Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, France and Poland. Russia has received 500 iPad 2s, compared with 215 of the original device during the same time in 2010. But one of the big droppers was Australia, which went from 317 units in last year's iPad to 110 with the new model.

The statistics released by eBay throws up another interesting fact which says 30 per ent of iPad 2s bought on the site were the 16GB WiFi-only model with the top of the line 64GB 3G version coming second with 23 per cent. It means people are either looking for the cheapest or very best iPad 2, but nothing in-between.

Barack Obama proudly admits of owning an iPad

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 30, 2011 (New Delhi)

The gadget loving US president, Barack Obama, has joined the legion of iPad users. Well, he hasn't thrown away his BlackBerry aside for Apple products.

Obama detailed that fact during a town hall meeting in Washington with Spanish-language network Univision.

During an interview with Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, he was asked: “Do you have an iPad?”

“I do have an iPad,” Obama replied, joking later about also having his own computer.

“I took my BlackBerry off for this show, because I didn’t want it going off, and that would be really embarrassing,” Obama said.

Surprisingly the US president is not alone in owning an Apple iPad. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and several Japanese ministers were also seen using the Apple’s highly popular gadget device.

Apple founder Steve Jobs says the company has sold more than 15 million of the devices. Apple’s second-generation iPad 2 starts at $499. But the president didn’t mention which version he owns — or what he uses it for.

iPad 2 completely sold out in many locations worldwide

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 29, 2011 (New Delhi)

You heard it right. Apple’s highly coveted tablet, the iPad 2, which went on sale in 25 countries on March 25 appears to be selling faster than freshly baked pancakes. Adding to the news that iPad 2 was quickly gone out of stock in London, now there are reports that the tablet is already sold out in countries like Germany, France, Canada and Spain.

In London, supplies were all sold out on March 26 at the Apple stores in Regent Street and Covent Garden, just one day after it went on sale.

Though there was no confirmation from Apple, but the company recently said: "The demand for the next generation iPad 2 has been amazing. We are working hard to get iPad 2 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible."

A report published in the Telegraph UK said they were not able to find a retail location with an iPad 2 in stock.

On the other hand, many shoppers blame Apple for not anticipating the demand and thus turning away many fans empty handed – some who had queued for over 50 hours to get the device.

But then there is some sound piece of advice from retail store employees who recommend that iPad fans reserve the device online so they can pick it up in-store when it becomes available.

As the recent quake in Japan begins to affect Apple’s supply of components, the supply shortages of iPad 2 devices are expected to deepen further.

"While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we've changed the game again with iPad 2," Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, has earlier said. "We're experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the U.S., and customers around the world have told us they can't wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone's patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone."

The massive success of iPad 2 has prompted many rival manufacturers to capitalize on the growing demand for computer tablets by offering their own. Samsung Electronics Corp. launched the Galaxy Tab in Canada last November, Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. will bring its Xoom tablet to Canadians in early April and Canada’s own Research In Motion Ltd. will begin selling its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet to Canadians on April 19. There will be more than 50 iPad rivals expected to hit store shelves this year.

In Asia, the iPad 2 will be officially available in Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and many other countries in April, with sales delayed in Japan.

Texas-based RadioShack starts selling Apple's iPad 2

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 29, 2011 (New Delhi)

Texas-based gadget retailer RadioShack will begin selling Apple's iPad 2 at 500 of its stores beginning March 29, becoming the latest retailer to offer Apple’s hottest device.

With this RadioShack would join the league of Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY), Target Corp. (TGT) and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), as well as Verizon Wireless and AT&T (T) outlets who are already selling the device since its release more than two weeks ago.

The deal comes as a big boost for RadioShack, which has transformed its operations from an all-purpose tech store to a more narrowly focused mobile-device retailer.

A RadioShack employee said: "We are thrilled that iPad 2 will be available at 500 RadioShack locations across the country starting March 29."

At the moment, RadioShack sells some Apple products, including the iPod and AT&T-powered iPhone, in its flagship stores. It also sells both the AT&T and Verizon iPhones in its Target Mobile kiosks.

iPad 2 goes out of stock in London

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 27, 2011 (New Delhi)

The Apple iPad 2 was launched in London last week on March 25, 2011 and just within two days it is reportedly completely sold out across London. The waiting time for online orders has already gone up from the initial estimate of between two and three weeks to as much as four weeks.

Immense craze was seen among tablet addicts as hundreds lined up in bright sunshine outside Apple's London flagship store on Regent's Street. Those at the extreme front had been waiting for more than 33 hours by the time they got their hands on the device. Few spent the night in sleeping bags on the street. Among the throng, the mood was generally festive.

But as it was expected, stock of the iPad 2 at launch was limited. Prominent retailers in London were quite unsure about when they would next get stock in.

The second generation of the iPad is lighter and thinner than the original, with two cameras and a faster processor. It went on sale on Friday in 21 European countries plus Australia, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand.

iPad 2 Gold History Edition now available for $8 million

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 24, 2011 (New Delhi)

If you have $8 million and want to spend on one of the most expensive and exclusive gadgets in the world, then iPad 2 Gold History Edition is just for you.

Designer Stuart Hughes has come out with a special edition iPad 2 model made from gold, diamonds, dinosaur bone and pieces of Ammolite, costing a whooping £5 million (or $8 million).

The iPad 2 Gold History Edition comes with 53 individual 12.5 carat diamonds formed in an Apple logo which are encrusted in a 24 carat gold rear. Stuart Hughes used 2 kilograms of 24 carat gold to build iPad 2.

Another very interesting feature that has gone into the making of this device is that the designer has used 750 grams of Ammolite stone sourced from Canada. The rock was used to form the front of the iPAd. The rare rock has been mixed with 57 grams of shaved 65 million year old T-REX Dinosaur thigh bone.

The home button of the ultra-luxurious iPad 2 has been fashioned out of a single cut 8.5ct flawless diamond which is surrounded by 12 outer flawless diamonds. Luxury goods fanatics will be saddened to hear that only two models of the device are available.

Apple iPad 2 users facing FaceTime video chat freeze problem

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 24, 2011 (New Delhi)

There are some reports on technology sites which suggest that FaceTime video feature on Apple’s iPad 2 may not be working as expected. The issue is more prevalant while using the front facing camera.

The users experience this problem when they make video calls using Apple’s FaceTime, which some say could be a bug in the iOS 4.3 that's not limited to just iPad 2 owners. A lot of iPad 2 users are experiencing this problem are taking to Apple’s support forums to voice their concerns. According to them the problem rectifies itself when switching the device off and then back on.

“I had this problem on my iPad 2 as well. I restored the iPad and it was fixed, but during a FaceTime call I switched to the back camera and it froze the video on both ends of the call (but NOT the local video / video of me on my end and video of them on their end),” wrote ASD forum user chucknelson.

FaceTime is not a new concept for Apple enthusiasts as it has been included on the iPhone 4 for some time. The features enables users to interact with others through video conferencing, and with the front and rear cameras on the iPad 2 you can see who’s in front and behind the device.

However, this is not the first time that users are reporting these freezing problems, recently the new MacBook Pro 15 and 17-inch models were suffering from overheating and freezing problems due to multiple programmes being run at the same time.

The solution to this problem is same just like other iOS devices. As an initial step try resetting your iPad 2. Hold the top Sleep/Wake button and the Home button until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. If the problem still recurs then restore from your iPad's backup. But if both these steps don’t work then try restoring to the factory settings.

<a href="http://www.blogsmonitor.com/technology-internet/"><img src="http://img.blogsmonitor.com/small/2605.gif" alt="Technology-Internet blog" title="Technology-Internet blog" border="0" /></a>

Battery maintenance tips for iPad 2

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 23, 2011 (New Delhi)

First, congratulations on being the proud owner of iPad 2. Now that you have an iPad 2, so you may be wondering how you can best utilize the battery life of your latest gizmo, for which you have become the envy of your friends and neighbours. I give you few tips over how to maximize the batter life of iPad 2.

Apple’s iPad 2 has a built-in 25-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, with up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music. Its battery can last up to 9 hours of surfing the web using 3G data network as well.

Well, the battery life of iPad 2 depends actually on the way you use it. Like if you play videos most of the time then it will go off quickly. But rather than using heavy stuff if you use it only for ebooks then probably you’ll have more life.

The recharging method means a lot. Use the USB cable adapter that can be plugged in electric outlets. Also make sure that you use a high power USB outlet that lets you charge your iPad. Furthermore, once your iPad gets fully charged through the PC or through the adapter; do not leave it on charge, as it is a negative your battery.