THE NEW APPLE IPAD

After months of speculation, rumours and raw hope, Apple have finally announced the brand new iPad in all its glory. The third generation model arrives with the expected Retina screen and full HD support, including iSight camera, revamped iLife applications and quad-core A5X processor to make sure it all runs smooth. The new screen is a welcomed addition, and certainly a due one considering the technology was available almost two years ago. With four times as many pixels as last year's iPad 2, the display is quite incredible, squeezing in resolution of 2048x1536, that's 3.1 million pixels in a 9.7 inch area.

It goes on sale March 16th worldwide, along side the iPad 2 which gets a new cheaper price as the 'low end' version. The naming ditches the numbering system, following suit of their iPods and iMacs, which makes more sense really, distinguishing models with generation and year. I am so tempted. Don't be surprised if you see it on my PURCHASES Page soon.

Other announcements at yesterday's event from San Francisco included new Apple TV with 1080p HD support, iTunes 10.6 equipped with full iCloud features, and Japanese Siri. Cool.

APPLE IPHONE 4S

I thought there would be more significant changes really.

Like, I can get (and have got already) the new iOS with my current phone, the better camera is expected but no remarkable, and a faster processor sounds great, except my phone isn't slow as it is. I think Siri is cool but I feel they've developed an unnecessary function to be honest. I'm never going to chat to my phone. I use it to chat with people. It's a bit weird.

Now, I also thought I wasn't alone with this view, but it turns out many people disagree. 4 million to be precise. 4 million sales in a weekend is fucking mad, like proper unbelievable. I don't think I'll be joining them but I might just go cheer myself up with a new case.

MASTER-PIECE SUEDE IPHONE COVER

As part of master-piece's new Fall 2011 collection of the Equipment Series, this is their premium suede iPhone 4 cover. So so nice. The Japanese brand brings its quality and craftsmanship to these iPhone covers, including two leather choices too. But it's this deep teal suede cover that is so appealing to me. I find it has a sense of regality, the soft suede texture embossed with master-piece's signature branding. And it's practical too, thin and solidly constructed. For the material and design, it is unsurprisingly priced on the high side at £65 but by no means untouchable. Want.

APPLE OS X LION RELEASE

When Apple properly unveiled Lion to us at WWDC, I have to admit I was impressed with what it had to offer. Then I read an entry on Gizmodo explaining why it wasn't as good as it sounds, prematurely hampering my excitement, despite the article going into such fine details about how many fingers swipe what that I wasn't even sure what it was talking about. But now that I've had a day to use it myself, I want to honestly describe its interface, whilst trying not to be biased by the negative review I had read first.

Except that's very difficult when everything said in that article I agree with.

I do not understand why iCal and Address Book have taken a cheap toy-like appearance, which by the way is unchangeable. It's so horrible, just doesn't fit with the rest of Apple's simple slick looks in silver. Gestures have been featured heavily as one of the main new functions but sadly finger swiping isn't at all consistent across applications. In fact, gestures aren't included at all in iPhoto to navigate between images or between events, nor does it do anything to see my next or previous message in Mail - both really annoying. Mission Control doesn't let you organise your spaces and windows to how you want. Little inabilities like these are so frustrating, making me pissed off with it all despite some great features.

Full screen apps are beautiful, exactly what we wanted. The animation when navigating between them is smart. The absence of the scroll bar makes a huge difference in terms of clutter. But for me, all these positives are completely overshadowed by the flaws I'm afraid. I'd think twice before getting Lion. Maybe three times.

NEW APPLE MACBOOK AIR

So that's their new approach. Light and thin but with no compromises. They've really committed to it too because it looks like the plastic MacBook is no longer available on their store. Fitted with the latest Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, flash storage and hi-res LED screens as standard, it does sound pretty good. And as an owner of the 2.5kg MacBook Pro, I would kill for a powerful notebook that's as portable as this. Of course it comes with the all new OS X Lion too, which I'll write about later once I get accustomed to its interface. Took fucking ages to download and install.

IPHONE 4 BRICK CASE

 

ThinkGeek have this incredible item available - the LEGO Brick Case for the iPhone. Though not licensed under LEGO themselves, the case is compatible with the iconic brand's infinite range of pieces, meaning you can now build whatever you like onto your iPhone 4. Genius. And it's only $19.99. Consider I shall.

WWDC APPLE ANNOUNCES

The keynote at WWDC 2011 - one hour of heavenly music to Mac-users' ears. Pretty much everything that's been missing and what we've been wanting has just arrived. I'm not gonna go into the details, you can find a techie site for the full shit, but essentially three major systems are to be revamped: the new OS X, the new iOS and the new cloud concept.

OS X Lion was already being previewed and its core features had previously been released. Looks amazing. iOS 5 for the mobile devices is quite a big update too, more so than I had expected. All new notifications, new-look applications like Mail and iMessaging which pretty much shits on BlackBerry. Finally. And lastly, the iCloud essentially acts as a syncing machine, storage and back up space. It's free too, brilliant.

Though most ideas aren't anything new, with people arguing it's just catching up with Android and whatever, I'm afraid Apple's version is better in every possible way. It therefore hasn't only 'caught up' but has also overtaken it. And lapped it. Twice.

AIAIAI HEADPHONES

Just found out that the Apple store has a new sound range available, provided by AIAIAI of Denmark. I don't know what it is with Scandinavian audio brands but they're all super stylish and simply very cool. Pictured are the Swirl in-ears and the Tracks headphones which I think I may like to purchase. (And get rid of the Beats. Contact me if you want buy them off me!) I've not tried them yet but it looks light and comfortable - I reckon they'd sit on my head oh so elegantly.

Affordably priced, aesthetically brilliant. Just watch as these babies get more and more common out and about.

THE ALL NEW APPLE IMAC

Here we go again. Another updated iMac. "The all-in-one that's one of a kind." "The ultimate all-in-one." "The whole package. And then some." I don't even know what they've done to improve it or how. But basically it has better everything compared to the previous one, and with every new model, mine just gets more feeble. Cry.

APPLE IPAD 2 RELEASE

After months of rumours, bits of leaked information, and hell, plain guesses, the wait is finally over and it is here. The new iPad from Apple. First of all, it looks very slick. Slimmer and lighter is always great news, as well as another new microchip technology, A5 or something, making it almost doubly fast compared to model one.

So what does it not have? A Retina screen. Display resolution hasn't changed at all. Yes, sad face. But the number of newly available features and Apps opens up so many opportunities. They've promoted iMovie and GarageBand particularly, which I agree is amazing. HD video recording and editing can be done easily and you've pretty much got quasi-real musical instruments to practice on or record with. Love that.

When the iPad was first launched last year, I was unsure of its place and necessity. But now it makes sense. Maybe I'm biased as a massive Apple fan, but it's just so compact, capable and cool. I want one.

And finally, may I add how fucking cool the new case is. It's basically more like a magnetic cover - it's so damn clever! Just watch this short video, says it all. Except one thing - how it's ridiculously overpriced.

ALKR IPHONE 4 CASES

Now, I got myself an iPhone about a month ago and have been unconvinced with the range available in the market for cases. Thought I'd wait for something decent to come about. And bam - today I think I've found it.

This is the brand new Protection Case from stylish Apple accessory specialists, alkr. In five vibrant, sheek, beautiful colourways, this is the one. It looks pretty sound and solid from the outside, but the hidden playfulness on the inside is just too special. I am putting in an order straight after I post this article man! Though for which one, I'm torn..

LINKS : alkr

IPOD NANO WRISTWATCH CASE

Now this totally makes sense! Hex have come up with this silicon wristwatch case for the latest iPod Nano, which of course surprised a few of us with its square touch screen. But this watch idea is perfect. What a great idea. All of a sudden I think this iPod is a must-have, what an awesome little accessory it could now be. Not too sure about the actual execution of Hex's product - the design details and available colours aren't great - but the concept is one that I am totally for. What do you think?

LINKS : Hex | Apple

NEW MACBOOK AIR PLUS OS

The all new Macbook Air has been unveiled today, and as a hardcore Apple lover, it pleases me so much. Coming in two sizes of 11" and 13", its new slanted design makes it even thinner, with a height of just 0.3-1.7cm. Internally, they've likened it to the iPods and iPads by using Flash storage, but it's still a part of the Mac range as it comes with the awesome Multi-Touch Trackpad. And aesthetically, it's so fucking.. wow.

One point that I do still question, however, is how it's purpose is distinguished from the iPad. Now that the Air is further smaller and lighter, and therefore more portable, combined with the fact that it's still a fully functioning laptop, why would you purchase an iPad. Yes, its price is half of the MacBook Air, but I just don't see its practicality. Still waiting for a convincer.

Finally, Apple also gave us a sneak preview yesterday of the 8th operating system. OS X Lion comes out next summer and it looks like it's going to be revolutionary. As always.

LINKS : Apple

THE ALL NEW IPOD FAM

I sit at home every day, looking to find something new, something amusing. Unfortunately I must have missed my daily routine yesterday as I made my way to Barcelona. Really beautiful place here.

But this is even more beautiful. The all new iPods from Apple. The Touch, Nano and Shuffle all launched new models on September 1st and oh my are they pretty. The iPod Touch comes with the impressive Retina display among all else, as well as new features like HD video recording. It's also the thinnest yet. Interestingly, they've gone for the curved look rather than follow the iPhone 4 into a more square, cornered design.

The iPod Shuffle seems to have gone back a couple generations as buttons have been reintroduced, which I think will be a popular decision. Plus it's super affordable at £39.

But this is the biggest surprise. The brand new Nano now has a Multi-Touch screen, having dropped the click wheel, and it's square - like fucking tiny. It looks awesome and I'm tempted to buy it, but there's just a few down-sides for me. First of all, it no longer plays video. Also, it's a shame that the maximum capacity is still 16GB. And actually, I quite liked the click wheel. But I do love the fact that they've changed it and really brought something fresh. Aesthetically looks sick too.

LINKS : Apple

MAGIC TRACKPAD FOR IMAC

I love Apple, but this is just stupid. It's a bigger version of the trackpad found on the MacBooks made just for the iMac. But for what? Like, what is wrong with a mouse? And the Magic Mouse is great - it looks sleek and the button-less smooth surface was new and exciting. This trackpad just doesn't work for me.

And they say it fits perfectly along side the keyboard, but I beg to differ..

LINKS : Apple (UK)

THE NEW GADGET FROM APPLE

The all new iPad. First of all, what a crap name. I hate it, I think it's ludicrous. It has no sense of.. well, sense. It's too similar to iPod, and pad just sounds sad. I would have called it iTablet or iTouch or something like that.
But looking at its tech specs and capabilities, this seems like quite a clever idea. A really big iPod Touch. Taking inspiration from those graphic tablets, this multi-touch screen certainly looks the part. Coming in with a 9.7 inch multi-touch glossy widescreen with IPS technology, the same as the iMac, it's portable and very light, weighing only 700 grams. Personally, I would now choose this over the MacBook Air, that super thin laptop people seem to have forgotten about. Although I suppose this comes with just 64GB maximum, which is really not very much when you consider music and video. But for internet, mail, apps, photos and video, it's pretty sweet.
Having been unveiled for the first time today, you can already sign up to be notified of availability. It's only available in the US and with a price tag starting at just $499, I really don't think it's very bad. The Wi-Fi version will get shipped for late March, and the 3G model in April. Hopefully we'll see this beauty in the UK very soon.

LINKS

Apple (UK)