Apple iPad Cover

Is the long awaited Apple iPad 2 finally here?  Your guess is as good as anyone else’s!  The rumor mill is starting to churn and there are two sides to the story.  One rumor indicates that the next version of the iPad will be delayed till June due to production/design changes. Another story indicates that it will arrive on time in March (as soon as next week).  There’s been no confirmation from Apple on either of the rumors.  Apple has been known to keep the actual release dates a secret until they are ready to launch, but their marketing department is likely working overtime to generate a buzz on the next generation of iPads.

Regardless of when the iPad 2 arrives, one thing for sure, the shortcomings of the first version will be addressed.  One of the must-have missing from the first iPad is a webcam.  The webcam was one of the top features requested for the new iPad.  It will be useful for those who like to chat face-to-face and meet the needs of business users for conference calls.  The next-generation iPad will have both front- and rear-facing cameras for FaceTime video chat, Skype video calls, and other instant messenger applications that may support video interfaces.

There’s been many stories about iPad 2 cases floating around with large cutout for larger speakers.  This makes alot of sense since the device is geared toward multi-media experience.  The other notable difference on the new iPad case design between the first iPad and the new generation of iPads is a flat back rather than a curve back.  This supports the notion that the new iPad is slimmer, but with the same screen size 9.7-inch display.

With increasing competition from Android and Windows based tablets, the Apple iPad needs to continue to improve on the user experience.  From gaming to social network to the simple past time of reading, we can expect the iPad to continue and dominate this tablet computer market for the forseeable future.

Apple’s just announced that it’s sold 3 million iPads worldwide since the US launch date, which is a pretty impressive sales rate, we’ll give them that. The announcement also mentions that the tablet will drop in nine more countries during the month of July, so if you’re currently living in a sad iPad-less nation, take comfort: you could be next. Press release is below, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Continue reading Apple has sold three million iPads in 80 days

Apple has sold three million iPads in 80 days originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know that tiny little security snafu that allowed over a hundred thousand iPad users’ email addresses out? The one that the FBI felt compelled to investigate? Well, Goatse Security — the group that discovered that particular hole (stop laughing) — isn’t best pleased to be described as malicious by AT&T’s response to the matter, and has requited with its own missive to the world. Letting us know that the breach in question took “a single hour of labor,” the GS crew argues that AT&T is glossing over the fact it neglected to address the threat promptly and is using the hackers’ (supposedly altruistic) efforts at identifying bugs as a scapegoat.

As illustration, they remind us that the iPad is still wide open to hijacking thanks to a bug in the mobile version of Safari. Identified back in March, this exploit allows hackers to jack in via unprotected ports, and although it was fixed on the desktop that same month, the mobile browser remains delicately poised for a backdoor entry — should malevolent forces decide to utilize it. This casts quite the unfavorable light on Apple as well, with both corporations seemingly failing to communicate problematic news with their users in a timely manner.

iPad still has a major browser vulnerability, says group behind AT&T security breach originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 05:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sometimes, hackers hack without any constructive purpose — they do it just because they can. This, however, decidedly isn’t such a case; in fact, it’s one of the more enviable hackjobs we’ve seen in recent weeks. Basically, a dude split open his 3G iPad, removed the AT&T modem, and installed the circuit board out of a Verizon MiFi, providing power from the iPad’s battery and hooking in the borrowed AT&T antenna for hotspot range. The hack wasn’t without its trials and tribulations — the MiFi’s green LED initially shone through the back of the iPad’s display, for instance — but ultimately, the proud owner ended up with a fully functional iPad that doubles as a Verizon WiFi hotspot. It’s not exactly turnkey enough to recommend to lay folk, but at least Verizon customers can take heart knowing this kind of craziness is possible if you’ve got the stones for it.

[Thanks, Peter]

Verizon MiFi surgically implanted in iPad to create world’s first bionic tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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