iPad By Davis: “iMore Editors' Choice for October 27, 2012” plus 6 more

iMore Editors' Choice for October 27, 2012
iPad mini and iPad 4: Should you upgrade?
Apple’s New 12W Adapter Will Charge New iPads More Quickly
Best Free iPad App of the Week: Jasmine –YouTube Client
Price Drops: Some Nice Pre-Halloween iPad App Sales
Microsoft Exec Calls iPad Mini a ‘Recreational Tablet’
Friend us on Facebook and bundle up your iPhone with a free case from iMore!

iMore Editors' Choice for October 27, 2012

Posted: 27 Oct 2012 02:54 PM PDT

iMore Editors' Choice for October 27, 2012

Every week, the editors at iMore carefully select some of our favorite, most useful, most extraordinary apps, accessories, gadgets, and websites. This week's selections include an image upload service, a zombie game, a private social network for teams and families, a game featuring a classic cartoon character, a popular Xbox game that's been ported to the iPad, and an app filled with interesting, useless facts.

Droplr - Ally Kazmucha

When it comes to choosing an image upload service, I've always been a huge fan of Droplr. Not only do they have an iOS app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, but a ton of apps support it including many Twitter apps. This means that all the images you upload to Twitter will be saved to your Droplr account. This is great for times when you need to access a picture, video, or other file to share that you know you'd previously uploaded.

Hopping into the Droplr app allows you to view all your drops as well as grab the link to any of them or send them via message, e-mail, etc. I use the service a lot on my Mac just for simplicity's sake. I can drag any image or file to the Droplr icon in my task bar and it'll spit out a link that I can share.

When you start an account, you'll get 1GB of storage space for free which is plenty for most users, especially if you don't have an issue going through and clearing out old files you don't need anymore (which you can also do from the iOS app). If you need more space you can upgrade to a Pro account for $39.99 a year and that'll get you 100GB of space.

Free - Download Now

Zombies - Simon Sage

Zombies is a straightforward dual-stick bash-em-up game with an absolutely thumping soundtrack (http://bignic.bandcamp.com/album/zombies-soundtrack). Players have to dash through workplace-themed levels, blasting through hordes of zombies with a variety of weapons to find an exit. If you can, rescue fellow co-workers from a grisly fate along the way. Think of it as Office Space with the undead, the punchline being that middle management was always a bunch of brainless drones anyway. The animation in the game is much better than the stylish pixel art would have you believe, plus just about everything has some degree of destructibility. The look might seem a bit derivative of Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery, but putting it all into the modern office setting with plenty of zombies to thwak keeps the style very fresh. The dialog and story are cute and quirky, even if the voice acting leaves a little to be desired.

Right now Zombies is only available for iPhone, but I've been testing out a Universal version that's due to launch publicly soon.

$0.99 - Download Now

Glassboard - Rene Ritchie

Glassboard comes from Brent Simmons, who previously created NetNewsWire and MarsEdit. Once again, Brent is taking an internet problem still in search of a better solution and offering just that. In this case, it's private networking. Others have tried this, but almost universally they've stayed bound to the web or for other reasons their mobile clients, frankly, have sucked. Glassboard was born to mobile.

Available for both iOS and Android, and as a website if you really have to, it lets anyone create boards, share them with office teams large and small, conference groups, family, and friends, and quickly, easily share comments, pictures, and otherwise stay in immediate contact. It's fast, it's fluid, and for what it does, it's fantastic.

It's also free, though there's a pro version available with additional features (and more to come).

Now we just need a desktop client so I never have to open the website again.

Free - Download now

He-Man - The Most Powerful Game in The Universe - Chris Parsons

He-Man is back and this time, it's actually something done with the IP that is great! He-Man - The Most Powerful Game in The Universe is a humorously animated side scroller that features 27 levels of gaming across the He-Man world of Eternia. You'll take on Skeletor, Beast Man and other as well, team up with Orco, Man of Arms all in an effort to defend the secrets of Castle Grayskull. The controls are a little hard to get used to but overall, once you get the hang of them.. you'll have the power! For any fan of the franchise, this is an awesome buy. If you're new to He-Man, it's still an awesome buy and one that you can get into rather easily, without knowing the He-Man background.

$0.99 - Download Now

Bastion - Joseph Keller

Bastion was first released on the Xbox Live Arcade in 2011, and is now available for the iPad. It is one of the better games I've played on any platform. With a beautiful, vibrant art style, solid gameplay and a great soundtrack, Bastion stands out amongst other App Store offerings. Bastion uses a both gameplay and a voiceover to tell its story, and the voiceover reacts dynamically to player decisions. The controls can be changed between tapping your character's destination to a more traditional, joystick-style setup. With a variety of weapons and items, you can customize your gameplay experience and special abilities. It's a lot of fun just to play around with the different special actions to see what you prefer. These various elements come together to give the you a great gaming experience. If you enjoy action-adventure games, it really doesn't get much better than Bastion.

$4.99 - Download Now

Weird But True - Leanna Lofte

Weird But True is an iPhone and iPad app that is actually targeted for kids, but it's even cool for adults. It's simply an app filled with random facts. For example, did you know that the world's biggest flower can grow wider than a car tire? Or that there are about a billion bacteria in your mouth right now? This is the type of valuable information you'll learn with Weird But True. Any child old enough to read will think it's hilarious and even grown adults will find some of the facts to be unusual and surprising.

Free - Download Now

Your choice?

Now that we've chosen our favorites for the week, we want to hear yours! Did you pick up a killer app, accessory, or game this week? Let us know in the comments below!

iPad mini and iPad 4: Should you upgrade?

Posted: 27 Oct 2012 02:46 PM PDT

iPad or something else: Which tablet should you get?

Just because Apple has released the new iPad mini and iPad 4 doesn't mean you have to race off and get it. Crazy, I know, particularly coming from the greatest iPad enthusiast site in the world, but that just goes to show you how true it is. When the time comes for you to get your next tablet, whether it's today or next year, and iPhone or something else, you should look at what's on the market and decide what best suits your needs.

Buying your first tablet

If you've never owned a tablet before, get an iPad. Unless you hate Apple, or specifically need a tablet that offers something Apple's iPad doesn't, it's the best damn tablet on the market and will provide the best experience for the most people most of the time.

If you want something that's even more like a laptop and can run Windows apps, check out the Microsoft Surface.
If you're heavily invested in Google and the Android ecosystem, check out Android tablets like the Nexus 7, Transformer series, or Galaxy series.
If you live in the U.S. and are all in on Amazon, and don't really need a full-on tablet, check out the Kindle Fire.
If you love BlackBerry or just want an ultra-cheap, small tablet, you can find the BlackBerry PlayBook for $150 in some bargain bins.

But seriously, get an iPad.

Upgrading from the iPod touch to the iPad mini or iPad 4

If you have an iPod touch, the iPad mini will actually be less portable and likely have a lower screen density. But with equal specs to the iPod touch 5, a 4:3 aspect ratio screen, and ability to run iPad apps in addition to your existing iPod touch app, it could make for a compelling upgrade. If you don't need something you can slip into a pants pocket, the iPad mini can let you do more at an only slightly higher price. It also has a cellular option.

The iPad 4 is something totally different. Much bigger in size and display, and much more powerful, it's a good choice if the iPod touch is just too small, or you want something that can let you use iPad software at full size, for a full-on productivity boost. It's not an ultra-light laptop like the MacBook Air, but if you don't even need that much computer, it's a great choice.

Upgrading from the original iPad to the iPad mini or iPad 4

The original 2010 iPad is getting a little long in the tooth. Underpowered, with not enough RAM, and not able to run iOS 6, unless you really want to ride it into the ground, both the iPad mini and the iPad 4 are compelling upgrades.

The iPad mini will give you much better performance while also also being far more portable. If the original iPad is too big and heavy for you, and you don't need the screen size but still want all your apps and content, the iPad mini is a great choice.

The iPad 4 will give you a much better screen and much, much more power. If the original iPad was the perfect size for you, but you want something that can run iOS 6 and all the latest software, and don't want to get caught in the same end-of-line situation with the iPad 2 next time around, the iPad 4 is your go-to.

Upgrading from the iPad 2 to the iPad mini or iPad 4

iPad 2: Everything you need to know

The iPad 2 is still a good iPad -- Apple is still selling it, after all. So if you have an iPad 2, and you're still happy with it and it does everything you need it to do, you don't have to worry about upgrading at all. Still tight, enjoy, and see what Apple does with the iPad line in 2013.

The iPad mini isn't any more powerful but is lighter and more portable. The iPad mini has essentially the same specs as the iPad 2 but is only 80% the size and less than 50% the weight. If you're less about using the iPad in your lap, and more about trying to use it to read in bed, the iPad mini could be a better choice.

The iPad 4 will give you not only a Retina display, but an A6X chipset capable of properly driving it, and international LTE for even faster networking. If you held off from getting the iPad 3 because it wasn't the performance improvement you were hoping for, or because it didn't offer LTE in your area, the iPad 4 fixes both of those problems. It's the upgrade you were waiting for.

Upgrading from the iPad 3 to the iPad mini or iPad 4

The iPad 3 was released only 7 months ago, which means there's almost no reason for anyone who got one to even consider upgrading to an iPad 4 or cross-grading to an iPad mini.

The iPad mini os slower than the iPad 3 and lacks a Retina display. You should only considered switching if you absolutely need something lighter and smaller and are willing to sacrifice everything else to get it.

The iPad 4, which adds new LTE and A6X chipsets, should on be considered if you couldn't get LTE with the old model and need it, or the performance really bothers you and you have money to burn to fix it.

Upgrading from an Android, Windows, or other tablet to the iPad mini or iPad 4

If you've tried other tablets and not enjoyed them, or been frustrated by the lack of content in your region, or your ability to get help and support with it, the iPad is worth checking out.

The iPad has multiple layers but the first layer is so incredibly easy to use that the most non-tech savvy of people, people who have found traditional computers intimidating and off-putting, can pick it up and get going with it immediately. At the same time it's highly appealing to expert and veteran computer users who want to spend their time getting things done, not getting their computers to do things.
The iPad has iTunes and now iCloud, which does a lot of what iTunes used to but without the cable, lets you easily sync your existing content and also gives you access not only to the App Store but iTunes music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, iTunes U (University) and overall more content in more parts of the world than any other service.
The iPad gets software updates whenever Apple pushes them out. There's no waiting for manufacturers or carriers to decide if they're going to bother giving them to your phone or not. They just work.
The iPad, if you live near an Apple Retail Store and you have a problem with your tablet, can often be fixed on the spot. There's no passing the buck between carrier and manufacturer, there's no sending your tablet away for lengthy repairs. You make a Genius Bar appointment, you show up, they fix your tablet or swap it for a new one (if you're still under warranty or Apple Care). They'll also help you set it up and teach you how to use it. If you're new to tablets, this is the single best reason to go Apple.
The iPad ties into Apple's entire ecosystem. Apple itself creates a ton of other products to supplement the iPhone, including Mac computers, iPods, iPhones, a ton of software, and much, much more.

So yeah, get an iPad.

Ipad Mini

Ipad 4

ipad mini buyers guide

Ipad Buyers Guide

Featured

Tips and How-To

Apple’s New 12W Adapter Will Charge New iPads More Quickly

Posted: 27 Oct 2012 01:31 PM PDT

Here's a little bit of good news for those of us planning on purchasing the new iPad Mini or iPad 4 when they're released this coming week: it looks like Apple's new 12W power adapter will charge the new iPads more quickly than the older 10W adapters.

Not much was said about these during the iPad Mini launch event, but 9to5Mac did some research on them and were told by Apple :

We don't have an exact percentage of how much faster it would charge but you should see an increase in speed.

These new adapters will come with both the iPad Mini and iPad 4, and can also be purchased separately at the Apple online store for $19. That last point is especially notable as it looks like the new adapter is compatible with all generations of the iPad and most or all generations of iPhone and iPod Touch as well.

Faster charging, especially for the new iPad 4, is always a good thing.

Here's the deal -- you follow iMore on your favorite social networks, and we give you awesome accessory prizes... EVERY MONTH!

We know our loyal readers already visit iMore.com daily, subscribe to our RSS feeds and get the iMore Podcast on iTunes, but we wanted to do something a little extra to reward our loyal fans and grow our audience in some of the off-iMore social networking and content sharing sites that iPhone owners hang out and visit.

It's easy! All you have to do is follow iMore on Youtube, Twitter, Google+ and Facebook and as a thank you for doing so we're going to pick a lucky winner each month from among our iMore followers / subscribers / fans on each of these sites to win some great iPhone prizes! That's four winners each month - one picked at random from each site. All you need to do is click the links below to follow us on each site, and just keep following us! We'll pick our four winners on the last day of each month and announce them around the first day of the new month along with the prizes to be won for the new month. You can subscribe to all of Youtube, Twitter, Google+ and Facebook to maximize your chances of winning.

This month we're going to help you protect your iPhone 5 with new cases and gift certificates to the iMore store! See the list below for links to the sites and the prize you could win on each one.

On Youtube - You could win Seidio CONVERT Combo for iPhone 5!
On Twitter - You could win a Trident Kraken AMS Case for iPhone 5!
On Google+ - You could win a Incipio FAXION Case for iPhone 5 !
On Facebook - You could win a Incipio EDGE PRO Hard Shell Slider Case for iPhone 5!

We'll send out a reminder each week with ways to earn extra entries, so make sure to watch the blogs! Thanks for following, spread the word and good luck!!

Facebook bonus entry!

Looking to win a bonus entry on Facebook for an extra shot at that Incipio EDGE PRO Hard Shell Slider Case for iPhone 5 and a $50 iMore store gift certificate? It's your lucky week! After you 'like' iMore, just leave a [comment on this post on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/imorecom/posts/386827591393682) and you've got yourself a second entry! See, we told you it'd be easy.

Follow iMore and Win Contest FAQ/Details

Eligibility - Open worldwide. In order to participate as a follower /subscriber / fan of the iMore accounts in this contest you must have an account with Youtube, Twitter, Google+ and Facebook. We'd love you to follow on us in all four locations (that maximizes your chances of winning) but it's not required. One, two or all four is fine. If you're already following us when this contest starts, don't worry, you're entered automatically!! You must also be a registered member of iMore to be eligible.

Announcing Winners - Winners will be chosen randomly each month. Winning usernames will be posted to the iMore blogs within the first few days of each new month. Winners will be contacted via the respective sites (Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Youtube) and once initially contacted the follow-up will be conducted via email to work out details (address for shipping, etc.) on getting the prize. There is no rule against being able to win more than once.

There you have it! Be sure to tune into the blogs around the first day of each month for the winners' announcement and to see what can be won next month. If you have any questions, you can email me at michelle @ iMore.com - be sure to make the subject Follow iMore and Win Contest!

iPad by Davis

domingo, 28 de octubre de 2012