Survey: Games top usage on tablets, too

According to a survey done by Google’s AdMob, games are the number one use of most tablet computers out there, including Apple’s own iPad and iPad 2. As you can see from the chart above, 84% of tablet owners play games on their devices, a use that’s apparently ahead of even email checking, search, or newsreading and social networking. That’s interesting — when the iPad was first introduced, Steve sat on a couch and read email and news, but it turns out that once you get these things in people’s hands, the number one thing they’re doing is playing games.

Just like the iPhone, playing games are a big deal on these mobile devices, and they’re also a big way Apple has been able to sell both apps and hardware.

Additionally, 38% of respondents say they use their tablets more than two hours a day, and 82% have been using their tablets at home. Anecdotally, I’ll guess that these are still supplementary devices, though — people are using their tablets while watching TV or otherwise engaging rather than using them directly. Only 28% of respondents say the tablet is their primary computer, but 43% say they do use the tablet more than a traditional PC. Interesting to see how usage patterns on tablets are really inserting themselves into an everyday work flow.

Survey: Games top usage on tablets, too originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tip: iBooks can open EPUB books directly

The latest version of iBooks (or possibly one of the previous versions — we’re not sure when this change went in) includes a helpful little update in it: iBooks now recognizes EPUB files, which means it can open those files directly from anywhere on your iPhone, from your email to a DropBox folder or whatever you’ve got. That includes Mobile Safari as well — you can just tap a link to an eBook, and open it right up in iBooks.

Where, you might ask, can you find EPUB files? Lots of eBook retailers sell them directly, either in zipped copies or just as a file itself. Or, if you head over to the official format site, you can find a whole list of classic titles all ready to read in EPUB format. And Project Gutenberg also offers most of its titles in EPUB format, so you can grab them from there as well.

[via MacStories]

Tip: iBooks can open EPUB books directly originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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News360 joins the iOS news party with some interesting features

I’ve commented that news reading apps for iOS are surging, especially, it seems, as more big news brands put content behind paywalls.

As a pretty dedicated news junkie I’m delighting in all the creative apps that are scouring the web for worthwhile morsels of news, and serving it all up in a dedicated place. I’ve already praised Zite, which looks at half a million websites and delivers news that it determines you are interested in by keeping track of what you click on.

I’ve spent a couple days now using News360, from Russian developers whose specialty has been semantic analysis, fact extraction and text classification. Those are big words that describe using artificial intelligence to get you relevant material. News360 is far more focused on just news than some of the other apps, and looks at about a thousand mainstream websites and delivers stories in selected topics, while at the same time offering related stories from other trusted news sources.

Gallery: News360

News360 main screen on iPadNews360 settings dialogueNews360 query tool360 view for images

Continue reading News360 joins the iOS news party with some interesting features

News360 joins the iOS news party with some interesting features originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anomaly: Warzone Earth out now

I first previewed Anomaly: Warzone Earth back in January, and then saw the iOS version at GDC. It’s an excellent real-time strategy game, kind of a reverse tower defense, where you need to escort a military convoy through an area full of enemy towers. I enjoyed the game when previewing it, and if it sounds like your cup of tea, the title is now out and available on Steam for both Mac and PC as well as the Mac App Store. It’s usually $9.99, but there’s a launch sale on for just $8.99 on Steam, so if you need a free-time filler this weekend for under ten bucks, give it a look.

The iOS version is still due out soon, and I really liked what I saw of the game on the iPad, though it’s pretty different — more of a fast-paced version than the deeper desktop client. It’s supposed to be out by the end of the month, so we’ll keep an eye out for that one as well.

Anomaly: Warzone Earth out now originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QuickPick update in limbo for Lion similarities

QuickPick Screenshot

On Wednesday, QuickPick 2.0.3 was apparently ejected from the Mac App Store, according to a tweet from developer Seth Willits. A day later, Seth tweeted that the app is still in the store — as of this writing that’s the case — but update 2.0.3 had been rejected, increasing his confusion. Additionally, he mentions that an Apple rep told him that QuickPick would be “removed from sale,” citing a “confusingly similar” argument. For now, the app is in limbo.

QuickPick is a full-screen application and document launcher which offers several features reportedly missing from Apple’s app launcher — as it exists today at least. For example, the app’s dedicated preferences can set a global keyboard command or hot corner for activation, while users can identify their own most frequently used items to display and leave icons “scrambled” on screen to suit their own organizational style or lack thereof.

Most importantly, QuickPick runs on Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Apple may perceive the app as direct competition to Launchpad, one of Lion’s most highly touted new features. If users see low-cost alternatives to a potentially costly Mac OS X upgrade, they may be dissuaded from spending the time and money to make the leap to Lion when it arrives this summer (though one feature vs. all of Lion’s improvements decreases this likelihood). Perhaps Apple is simply rejecting the app to prevent confusion in their own marketplace; an argument Willits isn’t buying.

“QuickPick existed years before Launchpad…[Version] 2.0.2 isn’t any different than 2.0.3.”

Willits continues to plead his case with Apple. In the meantime, for US$10, QuickPick 2.0.2 is still available on the Mac App Store and version 2.0.3 is available through the Araelium Group website.

[via MacNN]

QuickPick update in limbo for Lion similarities originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EyeSee360’s GoPano micro creates 360° panoramic iPhone 4 videos

Imagine shooting a video at a wedding with your iPhone 4. Later, as you’re watching the video, you swipe across the screen and you can see everything that was going on — the bride and groom repeating their vows, the faces of the people watching the ceremony, even the mom who took her noisy young child to the back of the room as to not interrupt the festivities.

That’s the idea behind a funded Kickstarter project from EyeSee360. The company has developed an iPhone 4 case and detachable lens combo called the GoPano micro that makes 360° panoramic videos, and will also have apps available for viewing the video. The project already has over 1,100 backers, and will be funded on May 14, 2011, but if you want to be one of the first people to get a GoPano micro, you can still back the project.

The project sponsor, Michael Rondinelli, and his crew have created some compelling videos showing just how incredible the 360° videos are. There’s a scene in one video (see next page) where an iPhone 4 is mounted on the hood of a car and driven down a street. Want to make your own Google Street View video? The GoPano micro will let you do just that.

Check out the video and head on over to the GoPano Kickstarter page for more info.

[via TiPB]

Continue reading EyeSee360’s GoPano micro creates 360° panoramic iPhone 4 videos

EyeSee360’s GoPano micro creates 360° panoramic iPhone 4 videos originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple keeping iPhone 5 suppliers mum about launch date

In a research note, Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities suggests Apple is being extra secretive with its Asian suppliers when ordering parts for the iPhone 5 and is still quietly preparing the next generation handset for a June or July launch. White writes, “Although we do not have a smoking gun that definitively rules out a delayed autumn unveiling or one that supports a launch this summer, there is a pattern of activity in motion with the supply chain that makes us question a delayed launch.”

Circulating rumors suggest Apple may release the iPhone 5 in the fall instead of the summer as it has done in the past. Analysts making this prediction have pointed to a lack of component orders for the iPhone which should have been made if the Cupertino company was targeting a June launch. Other rumors point to a significant overhaul of iOS which may include a cloud-based file locker and music streaming service that could debut this fall along with new iPhone and iPod touch hardware.

White also confirms other reports that suggest Apple is using its cash reserve to secure components for its iPad 2, iPhone and iPod touch. Apple is reportedly offering upfront cash payments to suppliers to keep its production line flowing while blocking out competitors that are not as cash-rich as Apple.

Apple keeping iPhone 5 suppliers mum about launch date originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House passes bill protecting Apple, others from lithium batteries classification

The House approved legislation that would prevent the U.S. from enacting a proposed rule limiting lithium-ion battery shipments by classifying the batteries as hazardous materials. The legislation addresses a rule proposed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The PHMSA rule would cost companies including Apple an initial $1.3 billion to comply with new packaging, training and handling requirements designed to limit overheating and potential explosion of these batteries while in transit. This rule would apply to stand-alone batteries as well as those included in notebooks, mobile phones, and digital cameras.

All this discussion stems from both explosions and fires caused by poorly manufactured lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices. Apple experienced trouble in the past with the batteries in select iBook, PowerBook and MacBook Pro models. The battery problem was so pronounced in the PowerBook 5300 that it earned the nickname “Hindenbook”. Since those rocky years in the early 2000s, Apple has spent much time and money improving and standardizing lithium battery technology.

[Via AppleInsider]

House passes bill protecting Apple, others from lithium batteries classification originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon iPad 2s feel the need to roam … constantly

A number of owners of Verizon iPad 2s are reporting that their devices seem to be having issues accessing the Verizon 3G network. As discussed in the Apple support forums and reported by GigaOM’s The Apple Blog, the iPads are fine fresh out of the box, displaying Verizon as the carrier in the upper left of the iPad status bar. It’s when owners activate an account with Verizon that things start getting a little strange.

Once the account has been set up, the word “Roaming” appears where the carrier name should be. This is usually an indication that a user is no longer on his or her carrier’s network, and is using data roaming. The problem gets even stranger — to use data service, even in an area with only a strong Verizon network signal, the iPad owner has to turn data roaming on.

GigaOM’s Charles Jade notes that the problem may be related to the Preferred Roaming List, which is an internal database common to CDMA devices that determines how the device connects to a network. Some Verizon iPad 2s just aren’t recognizing Verizon cell towers, so they display the “Roaming” indicator. Verizon doesn’t charge subscribers for U.S. data roaming, so there’s no extra cost involved, but the issue is still annoying.

Affected iPad 2s can be returned to Apple or Verizon stores for replacement, although the replacement models may still exhibit the same symptoms. There is some discussion that iOS 4.3.2 might include a fix for the roaming problem, but until then Verizon iPad 2 owners who are seeing the issue will have to be content to roam.

Verizon iPad 2s feel the need to roam … constantly originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BootCamp updated for 2011 MacBook Pros

Apple has released Boot Camp 3.2 Update for MacBook Pro (early 2011). This update fixes issues with unexpected shutdowns as well as problems with Japanese and Korean keyboards. Of course, it’s recommended for all users. You’ll find it via Software Update if you’ve got the proper machine, or just download it here.

Good luck, and let us know if BootCamp 3.2 solves or causes any trouble for you.

BootCamp updated for 2011 MacBook Pros originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clorox ditches BlackBerry, 92 percent of employees replace it with iPhone

According to Computerworld, Clorox CIO Ralph Loura recently realized that the company’s workers were no longer satisfied with their corporate-issued BlackBerry phones. Loura decided to ditch BlackBerry as a platform and gave 2000 employees three choices for replacements: an iPhone, a phone running Android or a phone running Windows Phone 7. A full 92 percent of employees chose an iPhone, 6 percent picked an Android phone, and a tiny 2 percent (40 employees out of 2000) chose Windows Phone 7 as their platform of choice.

Loura stated that the security concerns that have held back other companies’ IT departments from embracing iOS weren’t an issue for Clorox. “We live in public cloud for mail and messaging. I don’t have to worry about security because I don’t sync data to the iPhones. It remains in the cloud.” He’s also said that Clorox is beginning to deploy a small number of iPads; no one has volunteered to replace their notebook computer with an iPad yet, but Loura does believe it can eventually run cloud-based business apps.

Since Clorox apparently didn’t give employees an option to stick with BlackBerry, it’s unclear how many would have done so given the choice. But according to Loura, “If you believe demographic studies, the workforce in their 20s and 30s isn’t going to accept black corporate PCs with black corporate mobile phones and not be allowed to run Facebook or Angry Bird apps.” The really interesting part is the huge skew in numbers between people choosing the iPhone versus an Android phone; if all the punditry about Android’s ascendency is to be believed, I’d have expected the platform to make a much better showing than 120 out of 2000 employees.

Clorox’s story is only one data point, and there might be other factors at work — maybe the only Android phone Clorox offered its employees was a hunk of junk — but at least in Clorox’s case, Apple’s is the only platform that comes out of this looking like it has a viable future.

[via AppleInsider]

Clorox ditches BlackBerry, 92 percent of employees replace it with iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TUAW’s Daily App: ClubWorld

ClubWorld may not exactly be your kind of game. It’s sort of a mashup of popular freemium gameplay elements. ClubWorld includes Farmville-style time sinks as you build your club up, social environments to customize and share with friends, and even some music-based mini-games. The look and the aesthetic are more tuned towards younger players than the average gamer, and most people old enough to buy an iPhone for themselves probably won’t be too interested.

But that’s not really what’s interesting about ClubWorld. What is interesting is that it’s from Tapulous, the company that’s had so much success on the App Store that it was bought by Disney last year. While Tapulous has been moving towards the freemium model with its Tap Tap Revenge series, ClubWorld is a complete embrace of that model. This looks like a Facebook game more than anything else. There are even in-app purchases for “energy items” (called sugar here) and iTunes referral links to music. Looking at this game, I’d almost call Tapulous a social gaming company rather than an iPhone developer.

ClubWorld does take full advantage of Tapulous’ music expertise, using lots of fully-licensed tracks in the various clubs you can create and play with, but this is much more a stab in the direction of We Rule and even Booyah’s Nightclub City. It’s a very interesting turn for the company; we’ll have to see how it works out. Meanwhile, if you want to give it a try, ClubWorld is a free download right now.

TUAW’s Daily App: ClubWorld originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clik Clok iPad 2 accessory: Be like Flava Flav

To wear what we feel comfortable calling the “Worst. Accessory. Ever,” you need three things. First, more money than sense. Second, a desire to resemble a high-tech version of Flava Flav. And third, a firm belief that the magnets along one side of your iPad 2 are strong enough to hold on to this Clik Clok chain no matter how hard you rap.

“Tired of having to carry your iPad in a bag?” wonders designer Pensa. “Or worse yet…in your hand? Looking for a convenient way to have your iPad with you at all times whether you are at work, out with friends, or working out? Have you ever looked down at your stylish giant clock necklace and wondered, ‘HEY! Why can’t this thing browse the internet, play music, and let me video chat with my friends?’ “

If you recognize yourself in this description or in the picture (nice hat!), then you need Pensa’s gold, red or silver chain necklace that attaches to the magnetic points on your new iPad 2. Will it hold? Remember how worried you were it wouldn’t stick to the fridge, and that worked out fine, right? And as soon as it’s attached, the Clock app fires up automatically. Cool!

The Clik Clok isn’t in production yet, and there’s no price set either, but Pensa describes the Clik Clok concept as “Ready for Kickstarter…” Luckily it also adds, “Hint…we are kidding.”

Still, ask nicely and I’m sure Pensa would make you one to go with your hat.

[Via Likecool]

Clik Clok iPad 2 accessory: Be like Flava Flav originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Condition ONE app combines iPad and photo journalism

Traditional photo journalism has always had a limited point of view. You could only see what was in front of the camera. Video photo journalism added a new dimension to reporting as the camera could pan around an area giving the user views from multiple vantage points. However, with both photo and video journalism, viewers have no control over what they see in the shot. War documentarian Danfung Dennis is on the brink of changing this thanks to a custom camera system and the iPad. The former is a new tool for the photo journalist to record events, and the latter is a tool for the viewer to immerse themselves in that event and control what they see.

Dennis created an app called Condition ONE, which allows viewers to use their iPads as fully interactive windows into photo journalist images. As you can see in the video below (warning, NSFW language), Condition ONE allows you to interact with a current scene in what is probably most easily comparable to a moving photograph from the world of Harry Potter. Users can pan up, down and rotate around to get a complete look at an event in a set moment in time as if they were actually there. Dennis told Time that the point of Condition ONE is to create a new form of storytelling that will “shake viewers out of their numbness to traditional media and provide them a powerful emotional experience.”

While there is no hard launch date or price, the Condition ONE app is set to debut in mid-2011 and is sure to change the way many see an event that has occurred halfway around the world. “Once viewers enter a video experience, they can move the tablet in any direction and see the corresponding field of view,” says Dennis. “The traditional two-dimensional, rectangular frame is shattered as viewers step inside the frame and experience the stories as the protagonists.”

Continue reading Condition ONE app combines iPad and photo journalism

Condition ONE app combines iPad and photo journalism originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atomix is the iPad’s first video game magazine

There are more and more magazines appearing on the iPad now, some good and some bad. Atomix is definitely at the good end of the spectrum, not least because it’s being produced by Area 5, former creators of the 1UP Show at 1UP.com.

“The iPad app is intended as a global product,” says Atomix founder Oscar Noriega, “and we knew we needed to release simultaneously to Spanish and English-language markets.” That and a desire for a heavy video content led to Area 5.

“We loved the idea from the start,” says Area 5 co-founder Ryan O’Donnell. “We’re huge fans of the possibilities inherent in touch-screen devices and we knew even from early versions of the app that Atomix ‘got’ it.”

Atomix sells for US$0.99 per issue at the moment, although subscription options will be available eventually. The magazine will be covering games from all over, not just on the iOS platform; L.A. Noire is on the cover, and among other games, Atomix also covers Killzone 3, Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 and Journey.

Atomix is the iPad’s first video game magazine originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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