The astounding thing is that, after so many good todo list applications that have come out, Omnifocus on the iPhone cost USD 19.99 which is a rather steep price.
And to top it off, this iPad app will cost USD 39.99!
Pocket Informant have been priding themselves to come up with good task management applications since Windows Mobile days.
Their iOS Software have been selling well on the App Store and here they did their changes to their iPad App and it looks great!
Calendar View
While on a 2.8 inch to 3.5 inch screen it is a struggle to present events and task in a clear manner with good space affordance, on a 10 inch display it is not a problem.
Task View
Task Lists are clear and concise as well. Do note the clear breakdown into Folders, Tasks, Perspectives and Filters.
Over the Air Synchronization
The advantage of PI over the standard iPad calendar lies in two areas: the integration of the calendar with tasks, and the ability to have PI sync those functions with outside sources. The PI calendar can be synced to desktop clients (Outlook, iCal) and to Google Calendar online. Tasks can be synced to the online service Toodledo. Development is planned to add Exchange support and full OS X support in the future.
This ability to wirelessly sync both calendars and tasks online and to the desktop is something iPad owners have longed to have since the appearance of the device. Having this powerful capability included in an app that facilitates working with the calendar and tasks is icing on the cake.
Pricing
This application is expensive at USD 12.99 (now promo at USD 6.99) but I think it is well worth the effort.
The ipad have finally come to Singapore. The price is reasonable for Apple Products and I would think its on the high side for an entertainment device, but if you want something lightweight for your travels, the iPad is a good bet.
For folks in the defence industry (read sub-contractors, NS Men, regulars) you would wanna grab your hands on this device as it is without camera but it will greatly improve your productivity
WiFi
16GB: SGD$728
32GB: SGD$878
64GB: SGD$1,028
WiFi + 3G
16GB: SGD$928
32GB: SGD$1,078
64GB: SGD$1,228
Beginning this Friday, customers can purchase all models of iPad through Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
The medium of transfer have always been through WEBDAV WIFI transfer, where your iPhone becomes a webserver temprory and provides a url that you can assess via your desktop browser to transfer your books:
Key in the address in (1) in the picture in your browser:
The new USB Manager
What I like about the new USB manager is that it’s a portable application that does not require installation.
Once you plug in your iPhone or iPod touch into your USB, it should detect it!
A review of BookLover for iPhone application to increase reading productivity
For all reading fanatics out there, ever thought of having an application that consolidates
All your reading thoughts
All the books that you have read before
All that you have read
Easy sharing with all your friends
BookLover is that application. As an application to do that, I find that it has a major limitation:
Lack of cloud storage
By this I mean storing your have read, to read and will read list in some for of web applications where your account is maintained.
Why is it important for an app like this? For one thing, read is an age old activity and chances are people have a lot of books on paper back that they have read before.
As a read I want one service not just an application that enables me to keep track of it. I would have expected the BookLover iPhone app to act as a front end for it.
Other than that, it is quite an innovative application:
Finding a cover art for your book
If you are able to get online, BookLover will be able to find a cover art for your book.
I have tested it on 3 books and its been darn successful:
Finding related book titles
Booklover will also help you hunt down books that are related. I tried this on a Forgotten Realm title called Shadowstorm and it was able to bring up other book titles from similar authors:
Conclusion
It’s a small price to pay to ensure that you have an application that keeps track of your books.
The feature worth paying money for is the lookup of cover art via book title search.
Other than that it is fairly straight forward database storage.
I still feel you can keep track of this in other free options, particularly Evernote on the iPhone.
What we are seeing currently are more functional tablet delivered from Apple and likely most notable Windows 7 based tablets.
The SDK provided by both Android and Apple allows you to format it easily for tablets.
But we are not seeing a lot of Android software developers do that.
Take a look at iElectribe which enables the users to synthesize music on the iPad
Korg is known for many things in the music industry, not the least of which is the company’s synth tech. Korg recently decided to dive into the Apple app store with iElectribe, a digital version of the company’s Electribe series of rhythm synthesizer. Does it stack up? If our experience is anything to go by, then you bet it does.
iElectribe offers up 64 pre-set patterns ranging in genre from House to Hardcore, which allow the user to get up and going without having to create anything from scratch. The application also has 32 templates in a similarly large range of genres; this gives a basic framework which, with a little work, can turn into some pretty elaborate beats. For those who want total control, iElectribe has 64 user banks that have nothing more than a single synth trigger on the downbeat of each measure. You can load or write to any of these files using the browser functionality located underneath the application’s faux LCD.
Korg gives you eight basic sounds to work with, including a handful of synths, an open and closed hi-hat, a cymbal, and a clap/snare that can be toggled by changing the waveform. Eight sounds might not seem like much, but with the software’s ability to manipulate sounds at the most basic of levels, the number of sounds that can be created is almost limitless.
We need more apps like this on the Android and Meego
I’ve never been an IT manager at an airport, but I’d imagine that setting one of these things up would cost less than other methods. Plus, updates are simple: just download a new version of the app.
Of course, you can get that re-create that airport excitement whenever you want by downloading the app yourself. Minus the overpriced food, crying babies and stale air, of course.
I tend to agree with the writer as, apple’s product is slowly growing viral. Companies do not need to retrain the user or rather, the consumer will not have a complex learning curve to the service they are offering.
Apple’s mobile operating system update, iOS 4, can be downloaded from iTunes now
The updated operating system, previously known as the iPhone OS, features more than 100 new features. However, in order to download the 378MB update, you will need the latest version of iTunes (version 9.2), so be sure you are all up to speed before trying to upgrade.
iOS 4 can be installed for free on the older iPhone 3G and the current iPhone 3GS, in addition to the second- and third-generation iPod touch. An iPad-friendly version of the OS is expected later in the year.
The main features that the new OS offers includes multitasking, a unified inbox, folders for better application organization, the introduction of Game Center and more. Apple’s own site has an informative run-down of what iOS 4 brings to the table.
Check out the iOS update and let us know if you have any problems.
The iPad announcement have been out for months now and still we only get alot of vaporware from the big hardware manufacturers.
The most promising have been the dell streak here. Its running Android 1.6, snapdragon and 800×480. It will be market in around USD 500
Next Huawei have their Smakit S7. Its 7 Inch Capacitive touch screen, 800×400 resolution, Android 1.6 with 3G
The you have the cheap options such as the SmartQ V7. It is resistive touch screen, 800×480 resolution. ARM11 600 MHz processor. It should cost USD 150
And Lastly the Eken M001 7 inch Tablet should be retailing at USD 100. 600×480 resolution, Android 1.6, VIA MW8505 600MHz
The problem with screen resolution
Almost all of them spot resolution of 800 x 480. That is lower than what the iPad have at 1024 x 768. Is this a big factor?
To me it is, With a 1024 x 768, you could probably display applications at higher DPI. and although you have the same screen size, you have more screen real estate.
The problem with Android 1.6
The open source advocates will point out that Android puts out more versions then the iOS. But really, if thats the case why does it take so long for the hardware manufacturers to switch from basing Android on 2.2 instead of 1.6?
As a consumer i will be thinking “Hey, 2.2. is already out, this thing looks ancient at 1.6. I am not going to buy it.”
The hardware manufacturers will sometimes give the carrot by saying that they will release the 2.2 upgrade later, but really alot of these hardware manufactuers will take a long time to do that and some wouldn’t even do it, since they have sold you the product and already earn from it.
The problem with these UI is that they distort the identity of the Android Device, its like having breast enhancements. It look great but deep down you know they are having it because their natural breast is not good enough.
I asked enough friends what they think of Android and iPhone and really what draws people to the iPhone is that for the freaking first time in their lives, they have a smartphone that
Doesn’t lag when scrolling through list
Doesn’t get laggy ui when transiting between apps and main screen
Looks damn good for its UI
Doesn’t need to soft reset
Doesn’t need to worry about memory issues
The critics will say its not something new. Its not a new feature. To me it is a new feature. Because previously no one is able to do it. Why? Don’t ask me. Right now, Android’s listview probably doesn’t perform as well as the iOS listview.
Do note that when it comes to efficiency, alot will depend on the SDK and what the developers do with it. So really some apps lag on android is because the developers did not do a good job on it.
The problem with not having dedicated UI Controls for tablet
Right now, Android Tablet Manufacturers are just creating a Launcher that looks good on a 800×480 resolution.
However, Google, if you observe is not actively courting developers to develop for this resolution or bigger screens.
In my opinion on a 7 inch screen, the UI should afford to be different from that of a 3.5 inch smartphone. You can put 2 list views next to each other for more efficency and productivity.
Here are some apps which shows that with greater screen real estate, you need to provide a more comprehensive SDK for it.
2 List views for Appigo ToDo
TweetDeck – Multiple List Views and Quick Access Dropdown Menu
Conclusion
For someone that really wants to see the opensource Android to succeed, i cannot imagine me switching from my iPod Touch 3G to an Android anytime soon because the applications on the iOS is much more polish and functional compare to that of the Android.
The more sub standard hardware being put out will just go about enhancing the reputation of the iPad.
Think more ugly girls make the most beautiful girl stand out more. Yes people around are jealous of her but in reality no one just measures up.
I am really looking forward to Gingerbread in Nov or Dec. Google can really do more to drive this.
The productive organizer is one who is in control of himself as well as his surroundings.He studies how others define their system and works to improve on it and in turn, educate others how to change their lives.
Here, we hope to bring you the necessary widgets to effectively organize how you work or play. Whether you are at work, on the move, or at home, we will find the right solution for you to get things done.
