Tech Blog

My almost 2 year old uses a soother just for bed time. You can ask him and he'll pull the plug and hand it to you, no worries. My dentist is pleased (although he would like us to pull the binky permanently).

However, if my son has an iPad and you ask him to hand it to you, it's not going to happen. You can't even take the iPad and replace with an iPhone, he knows which one he wants and he's not ready to give it up.

The dependance we now have on technology to entertain our kids has led to some experts calling tablets"digital pacifiers."

I went on a keyboard diet this week.  

My only way to go online at home was via my iPhone or iPad.  For 3 days I lived in Steve Jobs' future - the future without keyboards.

If there is one thing that makes iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches awesome it’s the apps. Yeah iOS might be cool. Yeah the hardware might be so elegant that “art” isn’t much of a stretch. Yeah none of those matter awit without great apps. So when our fearless leader Laura asked if I would do a top 5 apps post, I said “of course” right off. And then she sweetened the pot by giving me a Future Shop gift card to buy an iTunes card so I could buy some apps that I’ve been dying to try (and so I have).

I have a problem, I feel compelled to download and install any and all iPad note-taking apps that I come across. How many do I have on my iPad right now? Eight. Yeah, eight, nine if you include the one that comes with the iPad by default. Oh that this doesn't include a good half dozen apps I classify as "office or writing apps" like QuickOffice or iWork or SimpleNote (I know that SN is more "note taking" than "writing", but that's not usually how I use it). So what's the deal here? Why so many apps? And have I reached a point where I'm stuck with "fish or cut bait" over which app to use? Well...let's find out.

Ever since the Apple II days, I've been a flight simulator geek. I've always been interested in aviation, but due to my less-than-perfect eyesight, a career as a pilot wasn't in the cards. But that didn't dim my interest in aviation. And given my interest in computers & technology, it seemed natural that I'd gravitate toward flight sims.
 
Which is why I can recognize the passion of folks who are interested in Train Simulators. True, I don't 'get' that interest or passion, but I can recognize and appreciate it when I see it.

Apple calls it the "amazing" tablet that's hard to put down. The iPad 2 has finally come to Canada with new features and a new design. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the new tablet a few days before launch courtesy of Apple. I've played with the new features, tried out the cameras and even played a few levels of Angry Birds Rio on the device. So how does it compare to the first version? Read my review to find out.

It is iPad season.  The second edition has been flying off the shelves in the US all weekend and Canadians will get their hands on it starting on March 25.

The iPad is a beautiful blank slate and the first thing you have to do is load it with apps to truly feel the power of the tablet.  Here's a list to get you started:

It's iPad 2 Day (in the US) and with the arrival of the updated tablet comes question time for the technista.  The Apple Tax to be paid by Canadians on the edition to arrive in 2 weeks is steep, so many will no doubt be driving across the border to pick up a unit this weekend, but is that really the best idea?  Do you need an iPad?  Is a first edition enough? 

Here's a list of questions to ask yourself before you decide which one to buy.

It’s not a surprise, given that Steve Jobs already mentioned it at last week’s iPad 2 launch event, but the latest iOS 4.3 update is been pushed up by two days and is now here and ready to download onto your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Two cool Fantasy Role Playing Games have caught my attention lately on my iPad; The Battle for Wesnoth and Battleheart.
 
Yes, they're both RPGs, but are so dissimilar in their approach and execution that they're not really treading in each other's space, so to speak. Here's why...

Ever since the iPhone and iPod Touch caught the attention of developers of developers with an interest in music, there have been music apps in the iTunes App store.
 
With yesterday's announcement of Garage Band for iPad these smaller niche developers could be challenged by the vast development resources Apple can bring to bear.

Today’s announcement of the iPad 2 changes none of my family's excitement for our current model. We use it everyday and love it.  A slimmer design, front and back cameras and updated iOS, won't change that.

If you already have an iPad, I don’t think it’s necessary to pay the annual Apple Upgrade Tax by picking up the second edition.  The added feature set isnt enough to make the move.  

However, if you haven’t yet gone to iPad, now is a GREAT time to jump on board. 

It was no real secret that it would happen today, but Apple officially raised the curtain on its new iPad 2 tablet today at an event in San Francisco. A launch date for Canada on March 25 has been confirmed as well, despite rumours of a delay, and pricing has been set as well. The iPad 2 officially goes on sale at 5:00 PM local time on Friday.

One of the long-time players in the glass photo filter and accessory space is company called Tiffen.

And recently I learned that they were also in the iPad  image editing space with Photo FX Ultra -a very powerful image editing app that includes a surprising number of filters and a few effects I'd not seen before.

There's something curious about products from Apple.  They're hailed for their simplicity and elegance in design, but the first thing all users do is slap a case or cover on the product. 

The iPhone is gorgeous, but if you dont have a case on it, you're asking for trouble when the slick surface slips from your slippery hands.  Same with the iPad.  It's a tight piece of architecture, but if you got one from Christmas that's still sitting on your desk commando - you need to cover that thing up.