Review: Apple iPad mini smaller, still the gold standard

By Clayton Morris

Gadgets and Games

Published October 30, 2012

FoxNews.com

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  Oct. 23, 2012: Apple introduced the iPad mini, a new iPad design that is 23 percent thinner. (Apple)
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  Oct. 23, 2012: Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, introduces the iPad Mini in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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  Oct. 23, 2012: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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  Oct. 23, 2012: Apple vice president of marketing Phil Schiller shows off the company's new iMac, a razor-thin product that drew oohs and aahs from the assembled crowd. (FoxNews.com / Clayton Morris)
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  Oct. 23, 2012: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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It's just a runty iPad, but the new iPad mini somehow manages to establish its very own identity. I've been using the latest from Apple for a week now and I have to say: This little guy may be small but he performs big.

When the first iPad launched two years ago, people joked that it was just a big fat iPod Touch. And they were right, it basically was. But it was unique at the same time. So unique in fact that it became the industry standard for tablet computers. And the fastest selling consumer electronics device in history.

Likewise, the iPad mini is just a smaller iPad -- but it's such a cozy little device that it gives you the feeling of holding the Internet in your hands with an intimacy that the Mama iPad simply doesn't provide.

With the launch of the iPad mini, Apple is looking to sell to users who wouldn't otherwise own an iPad but want one, luring them in with the smaller form factor, lower price, and stunning hardware.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE IPAD

The 7-inch iPad mini is the kid brother of three full-sized models. Here are Apple's iPad releases since its debut in 2010:

-- the iPad, April 3, 2010.
Original model, unveiled by Steve Jobs on Jan. 27, 2010. News.Review.

-- the iPad 2, March 11, 2011.
A faster processor, thinner. Comes with two cameras for taking photos and video chatting. Announced March 2, 2011. News. Review.

-- the new iPad (third generation), March 16, 2012
Faster processor, much sharper screen and improved camera. Announced by Tim Cook March 7, 2012. News. Review.

At 7.8 inches, the mini is much lighter and more portable than the original 9.7-inch iPad. I don't usually feel burdened by my iPad but some users complain that it is too heavy to read in bed with, and it certainly isn't sized for a purse. The mini fits nicely in my man purse, but I'm speaking for the ladies here as well. The iPad mini is far more lady-purse friendly!

Using the mini with one hand opens new possibilities: reading books and articles while holding a pole on the bus or subway, for example. Or browsing the web while enjoying a nice warm cup of coffee, perhaps. One-handed reading is a cozy habit that is precluded if you use a larger iPad.

The 7-inch screen allows for easy thumb typing in portrait mode, although I didn't really enjoy typing in landscape. My hands are a little too big for that. You know what they say about a man with large hands? It's hard to type on 7-inch tablets, of course!

Despite the cheaper price, the iPad mini doesn't feel cheap. Quite the opposite. When I picked it up, I was reminded of the first time I held a first-generation iPhone. It feels sturdy. Hand-crafted. Expertly made.

As for apps, by now most users are familiar with the variety in the App Store. There are hundreds of thousands of apps that were designed for the iPad which scale down beautifully for the mini's smaller screen. Even iPhone apps that never looked quite right on an iPad look less awkward on the smaller device.

After a few days I started to prefer the mini to my larger iPad despite its lack of a Retina screen. It even made my larger iPad look old fashioned. Awkwardly large. The mini is fast, impressively light -- weighing in at just over 10 ounces -- and easy to keep with me at all times. The only thing I don't enjoy as much with the mini is watching videos. It seems the crystal-clear Retina display in the newer (and larger) iPads has spoiled me.

The iPad mini comes with a 5-megapixel camera on the back and an HD camera in front, which is great for FaceTime chats. It also comes in both Wi-Fi and LTE configurations with plans on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.

To get your hands on an iPad mini you'll pay $129 more than you will for Google's Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire HD. Apple no doubt wants to compete with those 7-inch tablets -- so why did the company price its offering above these competitors? 

Because Apple can. 

Those tablets don't have the complete experience that the iPad does. Come on: The iPad is still the gold standard for tablet computing after all. With stellar hardware and hundreds of thousands of apps, the iPad is the Kleenex of facial tissue. The Tivo of DVRs. It has all the perks of using an iOS device: AppStore, iMessages, FaceTime, etc. 

It's the iPad. Just runtier.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/10/30/review-apple-ipad-mini/#ixzz2DQvMAfF9

How civilians can get military-grade secure smartphones

By Allison Barrie

Published November 20, 2012

FoxNews.com

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  The Saife Defender X1, a smartphone with military-grade security and encryption. (Ascent Rugged Mobile / SAIFE)

Want a James Bond-style smartphone?

The new James Bond thriller “Skyfall” has just launched -- and so has a military-grade smartphone that you don’t need a Q to get your hands on. Use it and your conversations, texts and data will be secure even in extreme conditions.

Cummings Engineering has partnered with veteran-owned small business Ascent Rugged Mobile to launch the SAIFE Defender with the tagline “Rugged on the outside. Safe on the inside.”

The companies say they are giving civilians access for the first time to an ultra-rugged Android device with secure digital communications.

“We want to be the Swiss Army knife of secure mobile applications for the military and law enforcement communities,” said Cummings Engineering’s Darren Cummings.

All Black Network

SAIFE stands for Secure Agile Interoperable Framework for the Enterprise; it’s the cryptographic engine that underpins the SAIFE Defender’s security by powering the Secure Mobile software.

The software transforms an ordinary Android device into a highly secure device keeping your voice, IM and data secure across those fast new 4G wireless networks, Wi-Fi and more.

SAIFE data travels over existing existing commercial carrier networks from Verizon to AT&T through a “secure tunnel” named the Tactical IP Relay Network (TIPRNET). An all-black network, this means all communications between clients are cryptographically signed and encrypted.

The company argues that by securely leveraging those existing networks, companies can save big bucks.

Yet law enforcement, first responders and other government employees -- even those using different devices, such as iPhones, BlackBerrys or Droids -- can still communicate securely with an SAIFE Defender.

The company says its tech will give government users applications with capabilities they previously lacked or couldn’t use, due to the lack of security, something the SAIFE Defender has in spades. The encrypting, storage and transmission technology SAIFE Defender relies on is FIPS 140-2, accredited by the National Institute of Standards & Technology.\

Military Grade Tough

Ascent Rugged Mobile brings to the table its experience making ordinary mobile devices robust enough to withstand combat demands.

SAIFE Defender X1 is compliant with MIL-STD-810G, meaning it can withstand humidity, vibration, sudden temperature drops, altitudes of 15,000 feet and extreme temperature from 22 to 144 Fahrenheit.

It’s also totally waterproof, can be submerged under water for up to an hour at a depth of more than six feet and is impervious to sand and dust.

And for firefighters and EMTs who work in extreme conditions, a rugged durable device could be an advantage.

In the pipeline for the third quarter of 2013, SAIFE Intrepid will run on Android 4.0/Linux and is waterproof, submersible up to an hour as well as impervious to dust and sand. In black, NATO green or military tan, it will have added tools like a panic button, emergency alert and motion sensor.

Ballet dancer turned defense specialist Allison Barrie has traveled around the world covering the military, terrorism, weapons advancements and life on the front line. You can reach her at wargames@foxnews.com or follow her on Twitter @Allison_Barrie.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/20/how-civilians-can-get-military-grade-secure-smartphones/#ixzz2CoMeEkjp

Ultimate Black Friday deals guide 2012

November 19, 2012 By Natt Garun

The craziest holiday saving season is upon us, and here's a look at upcoming Black Friday deals on gadgets and accessories -- if you dare brave the lines.

Get your fill of turkey and gravy in early, Black Friday sales are coming sooner than ever this year so you better be prepared. With major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Sears opening as early as Thanksgiving night, you’ll wanna have a look at our top picks for the best tech deals this season. From what we’ve seen so far, it’s naturally a good time to score savings on television, monitors, smartphones, and video games. We’ve arranged the best Black Friday deals by retailers because we know you’d rather just pick one line and get all your deals in one place, but if you have an army of shoppers to send across the mall, have at it.

Best Black Friday Deals by store:

Best Buy (Doors open at 12 a.m.) Editor’s Pick: Samsung Galaxy S3 16GB: $48 from $200 (new two-year new activation, $100 for two-year contract upgrade) Asus 10.1 Transformer Pad 16GB: $280 from 380 40″ Toshiba 40E220U LCD HDTV: $180 from $420 Klipsch Icon 6.5″ Floor Speaker: $175 from $350 Cisco Linkyss Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router: $90 from $150

Walmart (Doors open at 8 p.m. Thursday) Editor’s Pick: Samsung HW-E350 Sound Bar: $98 from $150 60″ Vizio E601i-A3 1080p LED HDTV with WiFi: $688 from $1000 45′” Samsung UN46EH5300 Smart LED HDTV with WiFi: $598 from $800 Apple iPad (second-generation) 16GB with WiFi: $400 with free $75 gift card Note: Walmart will honor its price match guarantee on Black Friday depending on product availability so make sure to bring paper ads if you want to score extra savings in one location.

Target (Doors open at 9 p.m. Thursday) Editor’s Pick: Halo 4 for Xbox 360: $60 with free $20 Target gift card Xbox Live 1600 points: $10 from $20 Nintendo 3DS Super Mario 3D Land bundle: $150 from $210 PlayStation 3 250GB with Uncharted/inFamous bundle: $200 from $300

Office Depot (Doors open at 7 a.m.) Editor’s Pick: Google Nexus 7 32GB:  from $250 24″ LG E2442TC LED Monitor: $120 from $200 Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS Digital Camera with 8GB SDHC card: $130 from $180

Sears (Doors open at 8 p.m. Thursday) Editor’s Pick: 50″ Toshiba 50L2200U LED HDTV: $300 from $800 Nook Simple Touch e-reader: $40 from $100

Staples (Doors open at 5 a.m.) Editor’s Pick: Lenovo ThinkPad Twist with Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, and Windows 8: $700 from $900

Radioshack (Doors open at 6 a.m.) Editor’s Pick: HTC One X on AT&T: Free with two-year contract upgrade from $100 Auvio Portable Bluetooth Speaker: $40 from $80 Samsung Galaxy S3 16GB: $50 with new activation from $200 ($100 for two-year contract upgrade)

 

Online-only:

Dell.com Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18MP DSLR Camera with telephoto zoom lens: $750 from $1000 55″Samsung Series 6 UN55EH6000 LED HDTV: $880 from $1400

Bestbuy.com Ultimate Combo Pack: Killzone Trilogy with controller: $TBD Sony Xperia TL: $TBD

Walmart.com Xbox 360 4GB Dance bundle with Kinect and two controllers: $230 from 275

Amazon Deals are ongoing in forms of temporary “Lightning Deals,” and changes every few hours. To be added: ThinkGeek, Newegg

Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/buying-guides/black-friday-deals/#ixzz2CiE7fu9p

Amazon.com begins taking orders for larger, 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD 5 days early

Published November 15, 2012

Associated Press

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  The Kindle Fire HD 8.9, a new version of Amazon's tablet sized to compete more directly with the Apple iPad. (Amazon)
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  The Kindle Fire HD 8.9, a new version of Amazon's tablet sized to compete more directly with the Apple iPad. (Amazon)
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  The Kindle Fire HD 8.9, a new version of Amazon's tablet sized to compete more directly with the Apple iPad. (Amazon)

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NEW YORK –  Amazon has started taking orders of the larger version of its Kindle Fire HD tablet computer on Thursday, five days ahead of schedule.

But because buyers could "pre-order" the device, Amazon is short on stock — orders placed today won't ship until Dec. 3, according to the company's website.

Amazon.com Inc. said Thursday that its customers can now order the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD from its website for $299. The tablet will be available at Best Buy stores beginning on Friday and at more retailers in the coming weeks.

Seattle-based Amazon had originally planned to ship the tablet on Nov. 20. The smaller version, which has a 7-inch screen, is already available.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/15/amazoncom-begins-taking-orders-for-larger-8-inch-kindle-fire-hd-5-days-early/#ixzz2CdXV3uWC

New rival for AT&T, Verizon: Google

Published November 16, 2012

The Wall Street Journal

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  AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Google has held talks with satellite-TV provider Dish Network in recent weeks to partner on a new wireless service that would rival the networks of wireless carriers such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The talks between Dish and Google aren't advanced and could amount to nothing, one of the people said.

Google is just one of several companies that Dish has held talks with recently, and the discussions with other potential partners are also at an exploratory stage, said the people familiar with the discussions. It is unclear which other companies are discussing a potential partnership with Dish.

A Google spokeswoman declined to comment.

Dish has said repeatedly over the past year that it wants a partner in building out a wireless network with the wireless spectrum—the airwaves that can be used to provide mobile phone and Internet services—it has acquired since 2008.

In an interview Thursday, Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen declined to comment on Google specifically, but said some of the potential partners he has considered include companies "who would like to be in the industry" and currently don't have a wireless business.

He added that it would be easier for Dish to partner with a company that already has wireless towers and related infrastructure for transmitting data, among other expertise in the business.

For more on this story, see The Wall Street Journal. 

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/16/new-rival-for-att-verizon-google/#ixzz2CUIbaEji

Big ticket: Americans buying upscale tech gadgets

By Sean Captain

Published November 15, 2012

TechNewsDaily

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  Digital SLRs are one of the product types that people are upgrading to. (Nikon)

As sure as the sun rises every day, so does spending on tech products every year. But what people are buying has changed a great deal. 

The current move is toward not only smartphones and tablets but also high-end versions in other product categories, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, which this week gave its annual projection for holiday shopping.

Just as last year, 76 percent of gift buyers plan to purchase a tablet such as the iPad, the CEA said. (In fact, Americans will buy 32 million just in the last three months of this year.) Just two years ago, about the same percentage wanted laptops. In 2009, it was digital cameras, and in 2008 it was game consoles.

While fewer people are buying cameras overall, more people are buying high-end DSLRs. "Consumers have a wealth of experience around digital photography, and now they are looking for something more," said the CEA's chief economist, Shawn DuBravac.

In mobile audio, MP3 players are slowly dying out. But headphones selling for $300 or more, such as those in the Beats by Dr. Dre line, are growing, DuBravac told TechNewsDaily.

[See Also: Best Full-Size Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum]

At home, people are buying more "multi-room" audio systems such as Sonos, which can beam music around the houses over Wi-Fi. For example, a docked smartphone in the living room could play music not only there but on wireless speakers in bedrooms upstairs. Sales are also up for soundbars — long, thin speakers that sit below a flat-screen TV and provide sound that's a step up from the set's built-in audio.

Speaking of TVs, sales are as flat as the screens, but the ones going out the door are ever larger. This year, for the first time ever, people will buy more LCD TVs with screens of 60 inches (diagonally) or larger than with screens measuring 20 inches or less. Ever more of those sets will be smart TVs, too, with the ability to play video and audio from Internet services such as Netflix and Pandora.

Even the next frontier in madly expensive TVs, ultra high-definition, is picking up. These screens, with four times the pixels of the best regular HD TVs, have astronomical dimensions and prices. LG, for example, makes an 84-inch screen model that sells for $20,000 — which might be seen as a bargain next to the $25,000 Sony model of the same size.

The CEA expects these behemoths to make up 9 percent of TVs sold in the U.S. by 2014, in part because prices will plummet. "The average TV price falls 14 percent per year," said DuBravac, but he expects that a new technology like Ultra HD will grow cheaper far faster. "I would not be surprised if prices fell 20 percent a year or 25 percent a year," he said.

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Copyright 2012 TechNewsDaily, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/15/big-ticket-americans-buying-upscale-tech-gadgets/#ixzz2CM0tMC4U

iPhone 5S? Rumors hint at what's next for Apple

By Daniel Berg

Published November 13, 2012

Laptopmag.com

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Apple may have just launched the iPhone 5, iPad mini and the 4th generation iPad, but there are already rumors about what Apple will be releasing next. 

Business Insider is reporting that Apple may be launching an updated iPhone 5, currently being called the iPhone 5S, as well as the long-awaited Apple television set.

The iPhone 5S is expected to bring higher performance but no design changes to the iPhone 5, just like the iPhone 4S compared to the iPhone 4. An Apple television set would be a completely new product, rather than an update to the AppleTV, which is expected to completely revolutionize cable and television.

Apple has adhered to a yearly release schedule in the past, but recently broke this convention with the release of the 4th generation iPad, which hit the shelves just months after the release of the 3rd generation iPad. Additionally, Apple released the newest version of OS X, Mountain Lion, just a year after the release of Lion; previously, Apple released major operating systems on a bi-annual schedule.

While it's possible that Apple may have some surprises for early 2013, we think it's unlikely that this will include an updated iPhone. Despite the rising popularity of prepaid cellphone plans, most iPhone users are locked into bi-annual carrier plans and iPhone sales would be hindered by the additional cost of breaking these contracts. As for an Apple television set, only time will tell.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/13/apple-may-launch-its-own-tv-new-iphone-in-early-2013/#ixzz2CEqXEGkT