Digitivity » iPad

Mobile Productivity: Being Productive On-the-Go Thanks to Mobile Devices

Digitivity — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:44:06 +0000

As technology has advanced over the past decade, many people are turning to digital solutions for enhancing productivity. Modern smart phones offer a variety of productivity software, with an emphasis on cloud based storage. With the release of Android 4.0, many smart phones are as powerful as a personal assistant.

Google recently released Ice Cream Sandwich, commonly known as Android 4.0. Android is an operating system that powers many mobile phones. It provides a central platform for developers, allowing cross-compatibility for a wide variety of smart phones.

Android 2.0 was originally created for smartphones with smaller screens, while Android 3.0 catered to tablets with 7-10 inch screens. Ice Cream Sandwich combines features of both these operating systems, allowing users to run a single operating system across multiple devices.

(Courtesy of IvanWalsh.com)

This can be an extremely valuable tool for many businesses and individuals. The Android operating system is tightly integrated with Google’s online services, such as Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and Maps. All data is automatically stored on a central server, where it is safe from potential loss. If a user loses an Android device, they can automatically download all their information to a new device instantly.

There are many productivity boosters available for the Android operating system. Email access is available across a wide variety of devices, with automatic syncing between accounts. Google Calendar includes advanced syncing tools. Updating a reminder on an Android device will make it available on all devices a user owns, including their online Google account.

New voice recognition technology in Android 4.0 allows users to transcribe voice in real-time. As a user speaks into their phone, translated words will appear on Android’s screen. All processing takes place on a central server, which can provide more accurate and responsive transcription results. This service does require cell phone plans with a data connection.

(Courtesy of Neil Boyd)

Google Docs on Android can be a great way to stay productive while traveling. Google Docs is an online application that provides tools similar to Microsoft Office. It’s possible to create and share presentations, spreadsheets, documents, and other data with ease. Using Google Docs, a user can create a presentation on a computer, and have it instantly delivered to an Android tablet. Through the use of cloud technology, all of a user’s data is instantly available on any device.

Google Docs on Android also allows for collaboration between groups. In the past, it was challenging for more than one person to create and edit a single document. Copies of a file were passed around several groups, with each individual adding information to a document.

By using Google Docs, it’s possible for many people to collaborate on a document in real-time. Several people can work on creating a presentation together, while discussing their work in a shared chat window. Updates are provided to each user in real-time, preventing overlap in work. In addition, all data is automatically backed up to a central Google server, preventing any potential loss of data.

iPad

(Courtesy of Tsubaki Kaworu)

It’s possible to keep track of a group project while on the go. By installing Google Docs on an Android device, it’s possible to see collaboration between a group in real time. Cell phone plans with high-bandwidth service can allow users to communicate via webcam while editing, allowing an unrivaled level of collaboration.

For users interested in improving their productivity, an Android tablet or cell phone can be a valuable tool. There are several essential apps for anyone using an Android device: Gmail, Calendar, Voice, and Docs. These will allow anyone to create a mobile office anywhere in the world.

This is a guest article by Ruben Corbo, a writer for the website Cell Phone Expert where you can compare cell phone plans. When Ruben is not writing he’s producing or composing music for short films or other visual arts.

Want a Free iPad? Go to the Local Library

Digitivity — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:56:04 +0000

Posted in Articles

If you want a free iPad, you might want to check out your local library. It’s not just books they’re loaning out anymore. They expanded a long time ago into lasing CDs. But now they’re also loaning out the devices you need to play them: iPods, iPads, laptops, digital cameras Related posts:Attack of the Linux [...] Related posts:

Steve Jobs Dies An American Hero

Digitivity — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:14:42 +0000

Steve Jobs passed away at his home. Regardless of your preference in computers or phones, he had an amazing record of innovation over the years:

He changed personal computers from a hobby to a practical reality with the original Apple computer.
He revolutionized graphic design and brought forth desktop publishing with the Macintosh.
The iMac brought the Internet to many people for the first time.
MP3 players existed before the iPod, but the iPod made playing MP3′s easy.
The iPhone was many people’s first smartphone.
Finally, the iPad made tablets practical and easy to use without a stylus.

People view him as a hero because he went from nothing to being one of the richest men in the world, all the while letting people do computing tasks they weren’t able to before.

Most people don’t know that Jobs was the son of a Syrian immigrant named Abdulfattah John Jandali. He was adopted into a working-class California family. His birth sister was writer Mona Simpson, also considered a genius in her field.

iPad Productivity Tools: The Shopping List

Digitivity — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:30:19 +0000

Image

This great app provides the iPad user with an easy to manage shopping list that can be taken everywhere. Shopping items may also be placed in different categories, which make it easier to plan your trip to multiple stores throughout the day. This app has a very fast learning curve because of the easy to use and simple user interface. The best part about this app is that it is only $2.99!

ShoppingList App

This is a guest article by Ruben Corbo, a writer for the website Broadband Expert where you can find internet service providers in your area and compare prices on different deals for your wireless internet necessities.

Top 5 Productivity Tools for the Apple iPad

Digitivity — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:51:00 +0000

Image courtesy

Apple’s iPad has grown in popularity amongst tech-savvy people and gadget-lovers alike. There are thousands of apps available on the market for the iPad, some of which are meant for entertainment purposes, many of which have an aim towards productivity. The best thing about the iPad is that all of these apps may be downloaded and installed via wireless internet. Here, we will concentrate on the top 5 productivity apps.

It’ll be presented in a series of 5 posts, so watch this space.

Prior Art for the iPad: From 1994

Digitivity — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:39:00 +0000

So Apple’s suing everyone left and right who’s selling anything that looks remotely like an iPad, including getting an injunction preventing Samsung from selling its Tab in Europe.

It’s amazing to me the way Apple thinks they own the very concept of a tablet.

So here’s a video from 1994 talking about Knight-Ridder’s tablet-based electronic newspaper initiative (1994!)

-It talks about multimedia integrated into electronic newspaper articles, like clicking on a picture of a ballgame to see a videoclip from it.
-It talks about clicking on newspaper headlines and summaries to go to the full article.
-It even talks about clicking ads; if you’re interested in it, you can go to the advertiser’s site (called “space” in the documentary).
-It talks about voice commands to operate the device.
So, what do you think: is Samsung the copycat, or Apple?

Attack of the Linux iPad Clones

Digitivity — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:00:53 +0000

Apple iPads are now available on pre-order, but with the new Linux-based iPad clones coming out, you might want to save money and get more features.

In fact, there are least 50 table PCs being launched this year.

Some advantages of the new iPad clones:

Cheaper price: $499 is the base price for an iPad, getting more expensive for decent storage space.
Expandability: The iPad wants $29 for a power cord. And it doesn’t have an SD slot.
Ability to run Flash: While YouTube still works on iPads because YouTube provides a special workaround, there are plenty of websites (from video sites to kids educational sites which may not)
Standards: The iPad uses a “microSIM”, which only one carrier has.
Multitasking
DRM: The iPad has Digital ~~Rights~~ Restrictions Managment, clones won’t.

With the ARM processor coming into its own, this year seems ripe for low-power tablet PCs.

Do you think clones will be worth it? Or does Apple have anything which is truly superior to the PC-based tablets?

Resources

Here come the Linux iPad Clones
ARM iPad clones
Slashdot discussion

Apple Stole iPad Design from a Chinese Company?

Digitivity — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:53:39 +0000

Plenty of American and other companies have claimed that Chinese companies have copied their designs.

Now, a Chinese company is claiming that Apple stole the design for the iPad from it.

An electronics firm in Shenzen, China, has been selling tablet computer called the PC-P88 since last July. The company, Shenzhen Great Loong Industrial, says that they are talking to lawyers and readying a lawsuit against Apple.

The PC-P88

is a bit heavier than the iPad
has USB ports, unlike the iPad
runs Windows and supports Linux
has an ethernet port as well as WiFi
has a 160GB hard drive (unlike the Apple iPad)
has card reader
has only 1.5 hours battery time

My comments

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Apple is famous for claiming that others have copied its designs, and for filing lawsuits.

Even so, there were plenty of tablet computers before the iPad and also before the PC-P88 (like the Microsoft Tablet PC), so I don’t think Great Loong’s lawsuit could end up being anything other than a PR boost.

Resources

NY Times article
PC-P88 website

After the iPad: the Google Tablet?

Digitivity — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:24:42 +0000

Google took many years to come out with a phone after Apple’s iPhone, but it looks like they’ll only take a few months to put out their tablet after the unveiling of the Apple iPad.

A number of blogs are reporting on pictures of Google’s tablet (still under development) posted at the Chromium dev site.

One big difference between the Apple iPad (and iPhone) and Google’s Android and Tablet is that with Google, you can run multiple programs at once. So you need a UI to switch programs, and Google came up with dragging windows:

Google is said to be working with HTC, who made Google’s Nexus One cell phone, to create the Google Tablet.

Google Tablet: Full Keyboard

Google Tablet: Split Keyboard

Google Tablet: Keyboard Anchored to Side

Google Tablet: Context Menu

Google Tablet: Switching Programs

Google Tablet: Dragging WIndows

Resources

Google Tablet: Google and HTC To Launch Apple iSlate Rival [RUMOR]
A First Taste Of What The Google Tablet’s Interface Will Look Like
Google Shows Off its Tablet Concept
Chromium tablet concepts
Google Tablet YouTube
NeoWin: Google’s tablet UI concept pictures
Smarthouse: HTC To Launch Apple iSlate Competitor
Register: Google chisels Chrome OS tablet, rumors say
Washington post article

Apple Reveals the iPad Tablet: A Coverage Roundup

Digitivity — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:02:50 +0000

Steve Jobs revealed Apple’s tablet computer, dubbed the iPad, in a ceremony at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco.

Specs

Display: a 9.7 IPS (in-plane switching) LCD with multi-touch

Size/weight: 9.56 x 7.47 x 0.5 inches. 1.5 pounds (24.3 x 19 x 1.3 cm, .68 kg). Interestingly, the 3G model weighs .1 pounds more.

Resolution: 1024×768 at 132 dots per inch

Storage: 16, 32, 64GB flash memory

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. 3G on the 3G model.

Power: 10 hour non-replaceable battery

Input/output: Dock connector, stereo jack, speaker, microphone (no USB)

Location: Digital compass. Assisted GPS/cellular in the 3G model.

Coverage roundup

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak on the iPad.

Adobe: Flash Apps will run on the iPad, even full screen at some point

The iPad won’t feature SD or USB ports. Rather, you’ll have to buy adaptors.

Everything you need to know about the iPad.
Which version should you go for, 3G or non-3G?

Can AT&T‘s already overloaded data network handle the iPad? Yes, says AT&T.

Reactions from the blogosphere.

Three reasons why the iPad will kill the Amazon Kindle.

And three reason’s it won’t.

A gauging of the Twittersphere’s reactions to the iPad.

Is the iPad going to be a great children’s toy? The NY Times thinks so because children are so tactile.

And does the iPad sound the death knell of the standalone GPS?

John Chow loves the Apple iPad, but some readers aren’t so sure.