Chinese Customers Get Violent Over Apple Products

 

People in China got violent over the iPad 2 release in Beijing over the weekend. Fights broke out, people were bloodied and glass was smashed.

By: kareem@techsual.com

What happened at the iPad 2  launch?

At the iPad 2 release, group believed to be a scalpers was caught trying to cut ahead in line. They were confronted by one of the Apple store security guards who told them they could wait in line and buy theirs the same time as everyone else. Apparently the would-be scalpers didn’t dig that idea and started a fight with security. An employee from the Apple store then came out with  a metal club (I guess to help the poor overwhelmed security guy out) and smacked up 2 young men and 2 middle aged women. According to the reports Apple then shut down the store, which somehow led to one of the stores glass windows being shattered when the crowds got mad they wouldn’t be able to get their hands on the ’magical’ device that day.

The store remained shut down all Saturday and re-opened on Sunday with no issues to report.

Related Stuffs:

• Article: People Get Bloodied At Beijing iPad 2 Release
• Source: CNN

Quick Hit: People Get Bloodied At Apple iPad 2 Beijing Release

By: Syeed@techsual.com

According to a report on MyChinaViews.com, violence broke out during the second day of Apple’s iPad 2 launch in Beijing, resulting in some people getting a little bloody, pics below.

Most of the details are unknown. Apparently a fight broke out between the Beijing Apple store employees and some scalpers. According to MyChinaViews a non-Chinese employee came out of the store with a metal club and hit four people, two young men and two middle aged women, and started up the crowd, which proceeded to smash one of the store’s glass doors.

MyChinaViews.com provided some pictures, you can see the rest on their website.

Related Stuffs:

• Source: MyChinaViews.com
• From: PCWorld

Quick Hit: Apple Updates iOS, Fixes Tracking ‘Bug’

Apple rolled out an update today to iOS that addresses some of the current outrage people have been feeling about the fact that their phones and tablets trace their location, despite this being pretty well known long long before iOS or Android even existed.

So the patch released today will cut the iPhone and iPad’s tracking database to the last 7 days, rather than the years worth of data it was holding before. In case your wondering why it’s still holding any information, it’s because it needs it so applications can have quicker access to your location for certain features, also to help prevent dropped calls and other failing signal issues.

The patch calms some nerves I’m sure but nonetheless people either have to start reading about these things and why they’re done, accept it an move on with their lives or just ignore it altogether because once again, your phone’s been tracking you since before the days of iPhone and will continue to, mostly because it has to, that’s just the way mobile technology works my friend.

Related Stuffs:

• Source: Mercury News
• Article: Apple Denies It's Tracking Data
• Article: Stop Being So Paranoid About Your Phone Collecting Data

HBO Ready To Go Mobile

By: Syeed@techsual.com

HBO is all ready to get on the mobile streaming bandwagon.  They’ve announced that starting today subscribers will be able to download a free app on their Android or iOs devices that will allow them to stream content from the networks catalog directly to their device.

HBO go is the networks current online viewing option which launched last year.  It allows subscribers to watch quite a bit of HBO’s content online, on their own time. The app will give users access to that entire catalog online which includes over 14,000 worth of content such as movies and full seasons of some of their hit shows.

The app is only free to users who subscribe to HBO through their current cable provider, which is odd if their plan is to get back old subscribers or entice people who watch most of their TV on the web and most likely have already cancelled their cable subscription. I don’t think this app is going to make anyone want to re-subscribe to cable or HBO if they’ve already found a comfortable alternative.

Source: The Chicago Tribune

iPad 2 Officially Hits Toys R Us

Apple’s insanely popular iPad 2 started selling at Toys R Us over this past weekend. Quite a while before the rumored release next month.
Toys R Us is putting the iPad 2 in 30 states and only in select stores. Along with the iPad 2 Toys R Us will also be selling cases and accessories for the tab.
Some people are concerned that Apple putting the iPad 2 in a toy store might ‘cheapen’ it’s reputation. I think it’s a good move on Apple’s part. I don’t see any devaluation in the iPad’s reputation by it being in a toy store, it’s not like they made a cheaper kid friendly version to sell to Toys R Us, and if this gets better technology into the hand of children I’m all for it.
I think children should be exposed to technology at a younger age. I very much believe that the future of education lies in social networking and gaming.
Toys R Us will be selling the iPad 2 through it’s online store as well as the few stores it’s available in. But there will still be a wait as demand is crakhead high right now for Apple’s ‘magical’ tablet.

• By: syeed@techsual.com
• Source: Mac Observer

iPad 2 Coming to Toys R’ Us Next Month

Modmyi.com received a tip from a Toys R’ Us employee that the big time toy retailer is planning to stock its shelves with iPad 2 starting next month.

The website received the tip and a product knowledge sheet (which makes it seem more legit) from the employee today. According to product knowledge sheet Toys R’ Us will also be selling the smart cover, the iPad camera connection kit and the VGA connector.

Toys R’ Us stocking the iPad 2 could be a pretty big move for Apple. Not only will they be getting a younger crowed used to their products, which will no doubt guarantee future sales. It’s also a show of just how simple the iPad 2 is to use, I mean if a kid can use it you can expect most adults to be able to use it just fine.

The only real downside I can see to the iPad 2 being in Toys R’ Us’ around the country is it might make people view it as a toy and cheapening it’s reputation.

Source: Modmyi.com

Time Warner Cable Adds New Channels to iPad App

 

After dropping a 11 channels yesterday from their iPad app due to complaints by television networks, Time Warner Cable decided to get a little payback in the for of adding some new networks to the app overnight.

To be exact TWC added 16 new national channels and 3 local channels to the iPad app whilst we were fast asleep. The new channels include: CNN, Disney, G4, ESPNews and 30 some-odd other channels. I guess this is Time Warner's way of fighting back for their customers and hopefully make up for ‘caving in’ to programmers wishes, which is the way some people saw yesterdays reaction by the company.

I think this is a good move by TWC, losing 11 channels one day only to come back with more tan double that amount the next day is pretty impressive. Hopefully this will show the other programmers what they might be missing out on by alienating iPad users.

Source: tewcableuntangled.com

Time Warner Forced to Remove Channels From iPad App

 

Time Warner Cable is removing about a dozen channels from it’s iPad app after receiving complaints from major entertainment companies. A couple of the channels removed include Comedy Central.

Time Warner recently released their iPad app which allows users to stream content through their home network. Even though the app is in-home use only, programmers such as Viacom Inc., News Corp and Discovery Communications have argued that streaming to devices whether in the home or not, is not part of the programming deal they made with Time Warner.

The biggest issue for programmers seems to be that Nielsen ratings are not counted when people view shows on their iPad,  and if programmers can’t get the proper Nielsen numbers then they can’t get properly paid by advertisers. Networks have also said that since Time Warner only paid to bring their content to televisions, they’re in the wrong by providing it on the iPad as well.

Time Warner has said that they believe their within their rights when it comes to streaming to the iPad and indicated they might take legal action. They stated that they, “will continue to fight to ensure their customers have access to the content they pay for.”

Source: The Mac Observer

For Once RadioShack is On Top of Their Game, Starting to Sell iPad 2’s today

 

I’m not a fan of RadioShack, I’m sorry but I worked there for a few months a couple years back and the managers would brag about selling expensive phones and plans to old people who didn’t need them. But I’m willing to put that hatred aside for a moment to let you all know that the iPad 2 is now on sale at 500 RadioShack locations across America. Just in case you couldn’t get your hands on one, what with all the scalpers and all.

This is an amazing shock to me, why? you may be asking. Well because RadioShack has a history of falling on new technology adoption. The most recent adoption fail I can think of is that they were offered to be one of the first AT&T resellers to have the iPhone and turned it down. It’s ok though because they started selling them last March, which is about 5 years late.

So you can go out and buy an iPad 2 at a RadioShack near you, you’ll be breaking my heart but, it’s ok I understand your technolust.

iPad 2 Game Real Racing 2 Goes Big, 1080p Big

 

An Australian game company by the name of Firemint is planning full 1080p output without the border bars in it’s new Real Racing 2 game, making it the first iPad app to take up your whole T.V screen.

Real Racing 2 lets you use the iPad 2 as a controller, or should I say steering wheel? Racing takes place on your T.V while the iPad shows a mini map.

The idea of using the iPad 2 as a full on gaming console is pretty interesting. I don’t think it has the capability to compete with an Xbox or PlayStation, but who knows? Stranger things have happened and if this game sells I’m sure we’ll see a trend of developers going in the full 1080p output direction, rather than just ignoring the possibilities of the iPad 2’s newer, fancier capabilities. Mirror mode is nice and all but… well just check out the video below and see for yourself.

 

Links:

• Firemint Website
• Download Real Racing 2 From the App Store
• Techland Article

Chinese Scalpers Buy Out iPad 2’s and Sell Them For Double Overseas

According to an article by the NY Post. A group 0f Chinese scalpers, about 200 strong has been buying all the iPad 2’s from Apples New York Store and selling them in their home country.

The scalpers haven’t tried to hide, and aren’t afraid to admit what their doing. They admitted what they’re doing to the NY Post, one of them stating they buy from -then sell, and that the ones they bought that day were all ready one their way to China.

Apple hasn’t responded  yet, employees at the store and customers who want their own iPad 2 seem to be pretty upset and disgusted by the scalpers, as do I.

Check the link to read the full article.

Article: iPad Cads Scalping Buyers

iPad2 Details Released

So Apple’s announced their new iPad today during their press conference and it’s looking like apple is ready to blow away the ‘copycats’ as they call them.

The iPad2 is going to be the first dual core tablet to ship in volume. The tablet will be running on Apple’s new A5 processor and according to Apple be twice as powerful and consume the same power as the current iPad's CPU. Apple is saying that the A5 will be 9X faster at graphics processing than the current A4, have the same 10 hour battery life and as an added bonus be lighter.

The iPad2 is also going to be 33% thinner than the current version which makes it thinner than the iPhone4. It will also have a rear and front facing camera, it will also have the same built in gyroscopic functions that are in the new iPhone and iPod touches. It will ship in both black and white from lunch, and be available on Verizon and AT&T at the same price as the original.

Another big inclusion is HDMI out with the ability to mirror images in 1080p. It will work with all apps according to Apple, they will be selling a $39 attachment that charges your iPad2 as well as outputting video.

Here's a couple of pics from Engadget of the new cover that according to Jobs was designed alongside the iPad2 to cover the front as well as function as a stand.

The big kicker was the release date, March 11th 2011 here in the U.S and two weeks later on the 25th in Apple’s 26 other shipping countries.

 

Apple also announced iOs4.3 and a ton of other things. Check out the liveblog with pics and a rundown from Engadget.

Engadget: Apples Press Event

iPad2 Announced!!!!!

The iPad2 was just announced at apples press event going on now. and its thinner lighter and faster.

Check out the live blog over at engadget

Engadget: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

IPad 3 Rumors Already Hitting the Web

 

According to Apple Insider, the analyst by the name of Ming-Chi Kuo of Concord Securities who has previously given them detailed component plans of the IPad 2, that denounce rumors of its increase to double the resolution of the IPad, has also made a point about the IPad 3’s possible specs.

Kuo is saying that the IPad 3 will most likely have double the resolution of the current IPad, making it a retina display. He stated that the IPad 2’s lack of a retina display was due to Apple not being able to meet the production quality and cost that comes from manufacturing such a complicated display.

The article also talks about Apple’s plans to possibly release a larger version of the IPod touch this year. Which kind of goes against what Steve Jobs had said in the past, but might be a good mover for Apple due to the popularity of oversized Android phones.

Check the link for a full article over at Apple Insider.

Article: iPad 3 with Retina display, new device sized between iPad and iPod in Apple's pipeline

OnSwipe VS Murdoch's Daily?

A small start up by the name of OnSwipe has created a platform that allows any publisher, big or small to create an app style, tablet version of their content.

The start up has already received $1 million in venture capitol funds and is currently beta testing. OnSwipe is, according to their website:

" A platform that makes it insanely easy for publishers of all sizes to make their content and advertising a beautiful experience on touch-enabled devices via Web browser."

Click the link below for a full article on wired.

Article: Startup Challenges Murdoch’s Daily to Drop the App and Try the Web

Apple’s App Store Reaches 10 Billion Downloads

 

After a little over a year and a half, Apple has finally reached it’s 10 billionth app store download.

The top 5 free downloads included; Bubble Ball, Paper Glider, iFace Fat, Google Places  for iPhone and the free version of Angry Birds.

The top 5 paid apps were; Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Cut the Rope, Burn The Rope and Angry Birds Seasons.

Click the link for the full article over at toptechreviews.net.

Article: Apple App Store Tops 10 Billion Downloads

Tablet Face-Off

 

Technorati Tags: Android,Motorla,Xoom,PlayBook,BlackBerry,WebOs,PcWorld

What with all the tablets floating around after CES it was bound to happen, PCWorld ran an article today comparing the iPad 2,  Motorla Xoom,  Blackberry Playbook and WebOs slates.

Check out the link below to read the full article.

Article: Table Chaos: iPad 2 vs. Xoom vs. PlayBook vs. WebOs Slates