Much like TinyVox which we looked at recently, you’d think TapeDeck would be its older brother (though the two aren’t related). TapeDeck for the Mac is a cassette deck for OS X, enabling you to quickly label and record audio from the built in microphone or connected pro hardware, and can allow you to monitor (playback) audio as it’s being recorded. If you have the jack for your Mac’s line-in port, you’ll be able to quickly save off audio to a .m4a file which shows up as a cassette in the tap box (the drawer that holds your cassettes). You can organize recordings by color, add notes, select audio quality per recording, and choose either stereo or mono (mono only records audio on the first of the two channels you’re recording to). It’s old school meets… new school?
Now On Your iPhone, SyncPad Marks PDFs From Your Pocket & Dropbox
Just like iPad version we reviewed back in January, SyncPad brings the collaborative whiteboard to your pocket with a spiffy iPhone version that includes recently added Dropbox support. If you’re not familiar with SyncPad, you can mark images and PDFs over the web by simply creating a free private room where you can upload your presentation materials from your library, or from Dropbox. You can also save the final results of your presentation as an e-mail attachment, or upload it to any folder of your choice in Dropbox (no default folders here). You’re given a variety of highlighters to work with from blue, red, green, and black which can be resized and erased as you dot about striking through lines of text or drawing silly images. It’s $4.99 in the App Store, and don’t forget to have your constituents download the free reader for viewing your presentations on the iPad.
DropBook Integrates Facebook With Your Desktop: Review & Giveaway
DropBook is a little more difficult to show off than most apps in part because of its deep integration with your desktop and menubar. It isn’t an app that traditionally sits in your Object Dock, rather, you get a translucent Facebook icon that sits in the lower left corner of your screen which you can drag pictures and favicons/URLs into to instantly share content to your wall. As content is dragged into the Facebook icon, a window appears that shows you the attachment or link to your content. If it’s a picture, you can send it to your album of choice including your profile pictures. On your Mac, a lot of content is bound to be bundled in iPhoto, and you can drag multiple selected photos for a multi-upload. You currently can’t add tags to photos, which might be a deal-breaker for those uploading lots of pictures.
Apple’s Role in Japan during the Tohoku Earthquake→
Apple’s Role in Japan during the Tohoku Earthquake
You know how in disaster movies, people on the street gather around electronic shops that have TVs in the display windows so they can stay informed with what is going on? In this digital age, that’s what the Tokyo Apple stores became. Staff brought out surge protectors and extension cords with 10s of iOS device adapters so people could charge their phones & pads and contact their loved ones. Even after we finally had to close 10pm, crowds of people huddled in front of our stores to use the wifi into the night, as it was still the only way to get access to the outside world.
The Apple staff have done a terrific job in aiding the people of Japan in connecting with friends and relatives by utilizing the power of kindness and modern technology. FaceTime, iPhones, and WiFi available at the retail stores brought relief and comfort to families as the impact and aftermath of the earthquake was felt throughout Tokyo.
I’d also like to remind readers that you can contribute to earthquake and tsunami relief through the iTunes Store. Even a small amount like $5 goes a long way.
“TV Anywhere” Looks Promising: Time Warner Launching iPad App To Stream TV
While Sling Media’s iPad app already exists to stream TV from anywhere thanks to your Slingbox, the powerplay into “TV anywhere” will ultimately be made by cable companies and Internet service providers. With companies like Hulu and Netflix competing against Time Warner, Dish Network, and Comcast, the only move left is to level the playing field by making content available everywhere. If I can get a new episode of House every week on my iPad from Time Warner (even more crucial when traveling), what’s the use in paying an additional fee for Hulu? While I’ve ditched cable all together because of the outrageous subscription fees, I may be enticed back with the promise of being able to stream content to my iPad. Read more
iPad 2 Camera Examples & iMovie
The iPad 2 is outfitted with a pair of cameras that allow for intimate FaceTime and HD recording sessions, but how do these cameras rank on the still photo front? Several blogs have posted some pics already, but I wanted to do a few examples of my own (including a homemade movie) that really shows off what you can expect to do with your new tablet.
The Billion Dollar Smart Cover→
The Billion Dollar Smart Cover
I’m estimating that at least 60% of iPad buyers will get one. Based on an estimate of 36 million iPads sold in 2011 and an average price of $48 (70% polyurethane and 30% leather mix), the total revenue for Smart Covers will top $1 billion this year.
While waiting in line for the iPad 2, chit chat with the line neighbors eventually turned to Smart Covers. Quite a few people I was in line with wanted either the orange or green polyurethane Smart Cover, with only a few opting to get the (PRODUCT) RED leather model. I agree that more people will opt for the polyurethane covers at the entry price. Based on Horace Dediu’s prediction, Apple will possibly make more money selling Smart Covers alone than competitors selling tablets.
Browse Instagram From Your iPad With Instagallery
Instagram photos are uniquely genuine to the photographer, often showcasing beautiful sceneries, elegant dishes, and perhaps a kitten or two. Unlike a DSLR where you prepare and tailor each scene, Instagram focuses on the now, capturing life as it happens in the moment. While I don’t have an iPhone to share experiences of my own, I can enjoy what friends and Twitter associates post from the couch cushion. Instagallery brings Instagram to the iPad display, allowing you to browse through popular photos, view pictures taken at the same geo-location where you took your photo, view photos as a slideshow, and like or comment on inspiring shots all in one place. Instagallery is available for $1.99 in the App Store.
The Smart Cover: Revisited & Reviewed
When I wrote about the genius of Apple’s Smart Cover for the iPad 2, I didn’t need to have it in hand to make my bold assertion. The Smart Cover had sold itself before anyone needed to touch it, thanks in part to Apple’s well done product showcase. It is the first accessory offered as you purchase an iPad 2 online, and the Apple store representative I was with made sure I knew all about the must-have covers. Apple is aggressively putting the spotlight on Smart Covers wherever they can, and for good reason. Put simply, this is the accessory you’ll want to buy with your next iPad.