DigiTimes reports that Apple's next generation iPad will become available in about 3-4 months. The publication's supply chain sources indicate that the next generation iPad parts are starting to ramp up while the iPad 2 production is starting to decline.

OEM production of iPad 2 will remain high at 14-15 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 but decline to 4-5 million units in the first quarter of 2012, paving the way for the launch of the new iPads, the sources noted.

Volume production is expected to start in February and reach 9.5-9.8 million units in the first quarter of 2012.

March or April should come as no surprise to regular Apple followers. While Apple first announced the original iPad in Jan 2010, the company didn't start shipping the first units to customers until April. In 2011, the iPad 2 was announced around the same time of year.

The iPad 3 is widely expected to carry a high resolution "Retina" display.

As expected the iPad 3 will probably make its debut in the first quarter of the year. It should reach our shores by mid to late April, hopefully. Looking forward to the much awaited "retina" display.

The Government is in talks with various parties to upgrade the country's free public Wi-Fi system and ease mobile network congestion here caused by an unexpected surge in Internet data usage.

A rather strange solution.

Apple continues its goal to get consumers to own one device that does a lot of things very well. One of the iPhone 4S features that people are raving about is the camera quality. It was a significant upgrade from the iPhone 4′s camera quality.

Robino Films has posted a video that compares the iPhone 4S video and the Canon 5D Mark II side-by-side.

You can judge for yourself, but my eye can’t tell much of a difference. With the Mark II price showing $3,199.00 on Amazon and the iPhone 4S at roughly $600+ (with all the extras), your average amateur photographer might just have themselves a dilemma.

According to Robino Films, here is the information, specs, and settings at the time of the test:

Here’s a “fair” test between the iPhone 4S and the Canon 5D MK II. I made a little rig that allowed me to shoot both cameras at the same time side by side. All scenes are perfectly synced together so you can pause and scrutinize the frames! See photo of the makeshift rig in the photo area.

Exposure, shutter speed, frame rate and picture style were matched as close as possible between the two cameras.

This test shows that the tiny F2.4 lens and sensor on the iPhone are pretty nice. It even got a little depth of field!

I did not overlay the exact ISO and Stops 5D settings per shot. It was too much to keep track for this simple test. To be fair I matched 5D exposure to the iPhone so no “Cinestyle” / 24p here.

Here are the settings:
iPhone 4S

- AE.AF locked. That’s all you have!

Canon 5D MKII
- Canon 50mm 1.4
- ISO 160 ~ 640 (varied per shot to match the iPhone)
- F 7~22 (varied per shot to match the iPhone)
- Shutter 1/60th
- Auto WB
- Standard Picture Style
- 1080p 30

Apart from the lower frame rate I notice on the iPhone 4S and slightly more crisp image on the Canon 5D, the HD video on the iPhone 4S is simply mind-blowing. Looking forward to seeing many home-made productions with this bad boy from plenty of creative fanatics out there.

Logitech M525 wireless mouse lasts three years on a single pair of batteries

By Terrence O'Brien posted Oct 18th 2011 12:11AM

That is the Logitech M525 wireless mouse, a rather unassuming hunk of plastic and rubber with a scroll wheel that also tilts for navigating pages both horizontally and vertically. Sure, you get your choice of white or black, for what that's worth, but probably the most distinguishing feature is the battery life. This £35 ($40) pointer gets up to three years on a single pair of AAs. In the states you get a few more color options, including green and blue, and all versions use Logitech's proprietary wireless connection, which lets you connect up to six devices to a single tiny dongle. The M525 is available now in the US and should be available in the UK before the month is out. Check out the PR after the break.

Boasting 3 years lifespan for a single pair of batteries, it seems like you do need to change the batteries at all, well almost.

Some asian dude speaking german. And also an iPhone 5 mockup.

The Logitech Wireless Solar keyboard K750 is now available for mac and It comes in 5 different colors. Let's hope they bring this into Singapore soon!

Trent Kimball, CEO of Texas Armoring Corporation (TAC), was tired of customers asking if his company's bullet-resistant glass in its armored cars actually resisted bullets. So he did what any reasonable CEO would do: he asked his employee to shoot at him with an AK-47. It's loud, scary, dangerous, and completely awesome.

The last time I visited TAC there was much shooting at various kinds of bullet-resistant glass, steel, and kevlar. We all joked about someone getting behind the glass during the live-firing but no one was crazy enough to do it. Until now.

"I've never seen anything quite like it," said TAC's Jason Forston, adding "probably because of the inherent risk in pointing assault rifles at humans."

It's an inherent risk the company is dedicated to mitigating with their vehicles, which range from lightly-armored vehicles for worried individuals to IED-resistant SUVs for use in foreign conflict zones.

Full size
The glass Kimball is crouching behind, if you were curious, is T7-level bullet-resistant and is 2.16 inches thick in the middle. It's rated to defeat up to 30-06 AP rounds and will deflect rounds from an M-16, AK-47, FN-FAL, and other similar weapons. This specific glass is from an S-Class Mercedes and features an offset edge so it looks stock, which is what you see flying off when it's shot.

"In a vehicle we would cover the offset with an overlap system to ensure complete protection," said Forston.

When it comes to standing behind your product, we hope you don't work for an armored car company.

For more information, visit http://www.texasarmoring.com or http://www.facebook.com/texasarmoring

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is some crazy shite. Kudos to the CEO!

Finally, after days of teasing folks here in Singapore, HP has revealed that it is selling the TouchPad at hugely-discounted prices of S$118 (16GB version) and S$188 (32GB version) from tomorrow.

The fire sale will happen at the Comex tech bazaar starting tomorrow at Suntec Singapore. One hundred units of each version of the tablet will be available each day at the HP booth during the four-day event, and each person is allowed to buy just one unit.

HP Singapore had said last week that it would separately allow refunds for users who had already pre-ordered the tablets, which was supposed to have gone on sale here for S$699.

This comes just weeks after the tablet was dumped in the United States for as little as US$99, which has since ironically sparked a rush for a device that the company thought had been a failure after just six weeks of putting it on the shelves.

More details from the HP Singapore Facebook page:

AT HP BOOTH 8428 – HP DIRECT COUNTER ONLY
The 16GB and 32GB HP TouchPads will be available for S$118 (S$126 with GST) and S$188  (S$201 with GST) per unit respectively during the first two days of COMEX 2011 (1-2 September 2011). 100 units of the 16GB and 32GB versions each will be available each day and this purchase is limited to one unit per person, regardless of whether it’s 16GB or 32GB. The mode of purchase is cash and carry only, no credit cards or NETS. This is non-refundable and non-returnable.

These units will be available at HP booth 8428 (specifically the HP Direct counter), Hall 402/403.

AT HP BOOTHS (8150, 8245, 8428)
You will also be able to purchase a HP TouchPad 16GB and HP TouchPad 32GB for S$49 (with GST) and S$119 (with GST) respectively with any purchase of a HP TouchSmart610-1138d, 1178d, 1188d; and HP Pavilion dv4-3020TX, HP Pavilion dv6-6144TX, dv6-6105TX and dv6-6106TX.

Your purchase-with-purchase HP TouchPad will be available at RewardsLINK, first come first serve, while stocks last.

RUSH RUSH RUSH if you want to get them. I'm sure they will be snapped up almost within 5minutes of each day!

Jobs submitted his resignation to the Board today and strongly recommended that the Board implement its succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO.

Uncertain times ahead. He reportedly remains chairman of the board though.

Apple's legendary co-founder and top ideas man Steve Jobs resigned as chief executive Wednesday, the company said, in a long expected move after he began a dramatic fight with cancer.

In a written statement, Apple, the world's second biggest company by market capitalization, announced that chief operating officer Tim Cook would take over as CEO but that Jobs would stay on as chairman of the board.

 

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know... that day has come  Steve Jobs in his resignation letter

 

"Steve's extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world's most innovative and valuable technology company," board member Art Levinson said in a statement.

No reason was given for Job's resignation, but his health problems, including a lengthy medical leave for a liver transplant in 2009 and his increasingly gaunt appearances at public events, fueled speculation he would have to give up the everyday running of the company he co-founded in 1976.

Cook ran Apple when Jobs went on medical leave and has essentially been running day-to-day operations since early this year with the company racking up record revenue and profit.

Jobs is seen as the heart and soul of Apple, with analysts and investors repeatedly expressing concern over how the Cupertino, California-based company would handle his departure.

"The board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO," Levinson said.

"Tim's 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does," Levinson continued.

Jobs submitted his resignation on Wednesday and urged the board to implement its succession plan and name Cook as his replacement, according to Apple.

Cook was previously responsible for Apple's worldwide sales and operations, including management of the supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries.

Jobs is a living legend in Silicon Valley. He is the beloved visionary behind the Macintosh computer, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad.

Born on February 24, 1955 in San Francisco to a single mother and adopted by a couple in nearby Mountain View at barely a week old, he grew up among the orchards that would one day become the technology hub known as Silicon Valley.

Jobs was 21 and Steve Wozniak 26 when they founded Apple Computer in the garage of Jobs's family home in 1976.

While Microsoft licensed its software to computer makers that cranked out machines priced for the masses, Apple kept its technology private and catered to people willing to pay for superior performance and design.

Under Jobs, the company introduced its first Apple computers and then the Macintosh, which became wildly popular in the 1980s.

Apple's innovations include the "computer mouse" to make it easy for users to activate programs or open files.

Jobs was elevated to idol status by ranks of Macintosh computer devotees, many of whom saw themselves as a sort of rebel alliance opposing the powerful empire Microsoft built with its ubiquitous Windows operating systems.

Jobs left Apple in 1985 after an internal power struggle and started NeXT Computer company specializing in sophisticated workstations for businesses.

He co-founded Academy-Award-winning Pixar in 1986 from a former Lucasfilm computer graphics unit that he reportedly bought from movie industry titan George Lucas for $10 million.

Apple's luster faded after Jobs left the company, but they reconciled in 1996 with Apple buying NeXT for 429 million dollars and Jobs ascending once again to the Apple throne.

Since then, Apple has gone from strength to strength as Jobs revamped the Macintosh line, revolutionizing modern culture with the introductions of the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes online shop for digital content.

Reuters revives rumors that Apple is building a lower priced 8GB version of the iPhone 4 to launch this fall. Reuters cites "two people with knowledge of the matter".

The flash drive for the 8GB iPhone 4 is being manufactured by a Korean company, one of the people said on Tuesday, declining to name the company. Apple currently sources its flash drives from Japan's Toshiba and South Korea's Samsung Electronics.

In addition to this low cost iPhone 4, Apple is also said to be targeting "an end of September" launch for the iPhone 5. This new iPhone 5 will reportedly look "largely identical" to the iPhone 4, but have a bigger touch screen, better antenna and an 8-megapixel camera. This contradicts many of the early case designs that have shown a dramatically different form factor.

This news comes at an interesting time, as we've been hearing more from suppliers and seeing leaked parts appear on the web. In addition to the battery prototype photo, UK repair shop iPatchiPods had also told us that their suppliers had also relayed that there would be two such models: a less expensive iPhone 4, as well as the expected iPhone 5. Due to the simultaneous development, there could be some confusion with regard to parts appearing on the net. While many are claimed to be for the iPhone 5, there may be some that are intended for this low-cost iPhone 4. In one example, the back camera part that leaked yesterday was found to be a 5 megapixel part, not an 8 megapixel part as rumored. It's possible the part could be intended for this cheaper iPhone 4.

In fact, the low-cost iPhone 4 screen is already circulating in the hands of suppliers, and we are trying to get more information on it and other potential iPhone 5 parts.

More updates on iPhone 5 and also iPhone 4 8gb to be launch in Sept. Hang Tight.

Muse (code name)

Design and publish HTML websites without writing code

Create websites as easily as you create layouts for print. You can design and publish original HTML pages to the latest web standards without writing code. Now in beta, Muse makes it a snap to produce unique, professional websites.

Let your creative run wild and be set free from coding obstacles with Adobe Muse, a software that lets you design and publish websites without the hassle of writing your own codes.

Beta version is complimentary till early 2012. Available on both Mac and PC.

An XtremKey for
Extreme Conditions

The XtremKey's memory modules are shielded inside of a 2mm casing and sealed with wear-resistant screw threads and a rubber O-ring, which makes it watertight up to 100 meters. It's easy to transport and attach to your keychain, using its metal cable ring. In addition, it's resistant to 5-meter drops, fierce heat and bitter cold-it holds up in any environment, no matter where you take it (+200°C / -50°C)*.

Looks like something from the James Bond Inventory. Perfect if you're a Bull in a china shop. The 32gb version is retailing at $188 on the SG Apple store.

Nice lengthy interview with Bruce Dell by [H]ardOCP. Even includes a realtime demo!

In a few years' time I might be able to use Maya on my iPad.

The District Attorney of San Mateo County is moving forward in the case of the iPhone 4 prototype we posted about last year. Fortunately, nobody from our team is being charged.

Can't believe it's been a year.

The lack of a universal standard for active shutter 3D glasses became painfully clear during our 3D TV shootout last year, and gave plenty of reasons for buyers to skip the pricey specs altogether. Nine months later we see that LG has jumped onto passive 3D and CEA is playing catch up on the IR glasses problem, but many of the new HDTVs for 2011 are using Bluetooth technology to keep their glasses in sync -- again without any promise of cross-manufacturer compatibility. A day late and a few dollars short, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung and universal glasses maker XpanD are announcing the "Full HD Glasses Initiative" which should lay down a standard for consumer active shutter glasses to communicate over Bluetooth or IR. The new glasses should be backwards compatible with this year's TVs, although early adopters from 2010 have no such guarantee. The press release (included after the break) indicates we can expect the new models to arrive in 2012, assuming they haven't lost more ground to the FPR army and can still convince buyers to even look at 3D by then.

This is long overdue but great to finally have this going on now.

I'm still in shock. It could be an elaborate hoax though.