Type of Article: MacTech Blog

First impression: iPad a game changer, but can’t replace the Mac

Posted by | Apr 5, 2010 | , |

Tomorrow I’ll start a multi-part review of the iPad. For now, here are some of my first impressions on the new device. My main thought: the iPad is a game changer, but it won’t replace the Mac.

Why not? While the iPad is great for consumption, the Mac is better at creation. Music, movies, homemade video, ebooks, digital magazines, TV shows, surfing the web, checking email — all look and work great on the iPad. However, it’s not built for using iLife apps or doing heavy duty work despite the availability of iWork and Bento apps (which I’ll also get around to critiquing).

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Mobile data traffic from computer modems, routers to increase fourfold

Posted by | Apr 5, 2010 | , |

Think there are lots of computer modems and routers now? Think again as that number is going to explode in the next four years.

According to a study by ABI Research (http://www.abiresearch.com), mobile data traffic from personal computer modems and routers will increase fourfold between 2010 and 2014. This year some 2,000 petabytes of data will be sent and received, a figure that will rise to about 8,000 petabytes in 2014. The regional distribution of this traffic demand highlights global economic trends as well.

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Five reasons not to buy an iPad

Five reasons not to buy an iPad

Posted by | Apr 2, 2010 | , |

Well, I’ve already ordered mine, but if you’re on the fence about buying an iPad, the folks at TechStartUps.com have put together a list of five reasons not to buy an iPad. They are, in TechStartUps’ own words:
 
“No Multitasking — no searching the web as you chat on AIM, no listening to Pandora as you read an eBook.  Sure, the iPad is faster than your smartphone, but what good is added speed when you will have to be constantly going in and out of apps instead of being efficiently able to do them all at once? 
 

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My iPad lust makes me a bad person, I admit

Posted by | Apr 2, 2010 | , |

I’m a bad person, I admit it. I’m going to visit Mom this Easter weekend. But there’s a part of me that wants to stay in town, pick up my iPad (which I pre-ordered) at the local Apple Store, and play with it.

Evidently, I’m not the only want wishing to spend Easter with an iPad. Although predictions of early sales are all over the place, I suspect the number of units shipped will exceed expectations.

One techie says the obvious interest in the iPad shows the growth of the tablet market.

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New iPad apps to squeeze iPhone users

New iPad apps to squeeze iPhone users

Posted by | Apr 2, 2010 | , |

By Bill Oakey

I just checked “App Updates” on my iPhone. There are several today listed as “universal,” meaning they are optimized for the iPad. Right away I wondered about the file sizes.

What if these enhanced versions with a higher resolution and more features for the iPad screen will be significantly bigger than the older iPhone only versions? I just ran a comparison and some of the results are quite shocking. Indeed, these new enhanced apps, which will replace the older versions, are bigger in size. Several times bigger in some instances.

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