West Whiteland police seeking alleged iPod thief's ID - The Times of Chester County

West Whiteland Township Police are hoping someone can identify this alleged iPod Touch thief.

A customer took his eyes off his new $ 229 iPod Touch momentarily and a thief grabbed it, said West Whiteland Township Police Department, who are seeking the public's help to identify the subject.

Police said the theft that occurred at the Target store at approximately 1:10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. The victim reported that he had just purchased the item and it was in his shopping cart when he stopped to look at another item in the electronics department. He discovered the item missing when he went to push the shopping cart out of the area, police said.

Surveillance video of the theft was obtained. A male was observed walking to the area with a woman and two children. The video shows him reaching into the cart and then placing the item into his pocket of his "Bryce Canyon National Park" hooded sweatshirt, police said. He was then observed exiting the store and placing something into a light-colored sports utility vehicle and returning to the store; he was observed leaving with the woman and two children a short time later, police said.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to contact the West Whiteland Township Police Department at 610-363- 0200. Anonymous information can be provided to tips@westwhiteland.org or the anonymous tip line, which is 610-594-9057.

Tags: West Whiteland Township Police

ipod – Google News

Microsoft's Surface 2 tablet appeals to this iPad fan - Fort Worth Star Telegram

I've tossed around several ways to approach my review of the Microsoft Surface 2 tablet, but it's impossible to make an iPad comparison since I've owned several over the past few years.

Supporting Flash is an obvious difference, but the most significant feature of the Surface 2, in my mind, is the little memory slot tucked away under the built-in stand.Using the microSD memory slot with cards up to 64GB (not included) gives the Surface 2 enough memory for storing movies, music, documents or whatever you want. This is in addition to internal memory of 32GB or 64GB.But the positives don't end there. I really like the tablet's construction of built-in, dual-position kickstand, keyboard and cover. On the side is a mini-display and USB 3.0 ports, and it comes with the full Microsoft Office 2013 suite of programs.It runs Windows 8, which allows you to sync it with other Windows 8 machines.Each Surface 2 comes with a free two-year account to the Skydrive Cloud network. Skydrive is a cross-platform cloud storage solution that will work with any version of Windows in a browser.The Surface doesn't come with much documentation, which isn't really needed. Wh en you first turn it on, the step-by-step instructions are easy to get you up and running.One nice feature lets you have multiple accounts without having to turn the tablet on and off. Each user can have his or her own setup of apps and appearance; just log in and out for each user.When you set up a children's account, restrictions can be put in place to limit what can be done. And a weekly report can be emailed to the administrator informing them what the children's site has been doing.I do wish the charging cable were a little more mainstream.Other specific: the touchscreen tablet measures 10.81 by 6.79 by 0.35 inches, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 1920/1080 resolution. There is also a 3.5 megapixel front-facing camera (great for Skype) and a rear 5 megapixel camera.I can't say I'm now a regular Windows user, but the Surface 2 has a place in my tablet world. www.microsoft.com/surface, 32GB $ 449, 64GB $ 549WiFi anywhereThe Karma can be in the palm of your hand for instant WiFi most anywhere.The pocket-size hot spot device (2.5 by 2.5 by 0.25 inches) costs $ 99 and is a pay-as-you-use device without any contract. Data is $ 14 per GB. Eight devices can be connected simultaneously without sharing your data. Once someone connects to your Karma and her or she signs up for data, you will receive 100MB deposited into your account.Karma coverage is offered in 80 major U.S. cities, and a 2014 nationwide expansion will add more than 230 cities using the Sprint 4G LTE Network. https://yourkarma.com, r egular $ 99 price will be lowered to $ 59.99 during the week of Dec. 2-7.Sound to goThe Outdoor Tech Buckshot Bluetooth speaker is designed for cyclists, but can be used in most any environment with its rugged, water-resistant design.The speaker has a rubberized outer shell so it's shock-resistant and can withstand small drops. It comes with a universal mount for bicycle handlebars for riding along with the music or using it as a hands-free device for phone calls: It has a built-in microphone.A full USB charge will give you about 10 hours of use and its IPX-5 water-resistance rating enables it to withstand splashes.www.outdoortech.com, $ 49.95Screen protectorsThe Armorz Stealth Extreme Lite screen protector is as strong as any I've seen. Your screen stays clean, and the company says protected screens can withstand impact from a hammer or drill. While I won't put that part to test, I will say fingerprints are at a minimum with the 0.2 mm-thick tempered glass. Officially it has an 8H hardness rating, which means nothing to me except that it prevents my iPhone 5s LCD from getting scratched up. www.Armorz.com, available for the iPhone 5/5s/5c, $ 34.95 and the Samsung Galaxy Not e 3, $ 39.95

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tablet – Google News

This Week In Cult of Mac Magazine: 2013 Gift Guide - Cult of Mac

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mac – Google News

iPod Touch and Nano Cyber Monday Deal 2013 - WCCFtech

Walmart is offering some great iPod Cyber Monday deal this year. You can choose the colors in 32GB and 64 GB models.The iPod Touch will be offered with a bonus accessory kit. The iPod Cyber Monday deal like other deals being offered on Walmart will run through December 6.

"Because we always work hard to bring you the lowest prices, Cyber Monday 2013 means even bigger savings on the gifts and holiday items you want. And with a variety of free shipping options ? including HomeFree and Site to Store (or FedEx Office) ? these Cyber Monday savings get even sweeter."

Apple iPod Touch 5th Generation starts from $ 279, while Nano starts from $ 139 with free shipping available for both.

"Last year, Cyber Monday was our best sales day in Walmart.com's history and we've spent all year preparing to make it even better for customers. More than two-thirds of people who plan to shop in our stores on Black Friday also plan to shop Cyber Monday. Every year there's a bigger appetite for Cyber Monday, so we're giving our customers great deals and rolling back our free shipping minimum to $ 35, helping them extend their budgets this holiday season."

To check more iPod deals this holiday season, check out these stores which also are offering some good discounts on Apple's hottest selling gift item!

Going to a store and interested in knowing about offered top Black Friday offers:

Some posts designed specifically for various stores. Popular third party retailers or manufacturers' stores, you will find what you are looking for in these posts:

- Target Best Black Friday Deals

- Apple Black Friday Deals – One Day Apple Shopping Event! and Apple Black Friday 2013 Deals – What to Expect!

- Verizon Black Friday Deals for 2013 Leaked!

- Walmart Black Friday Smartphone Deals Include Some Major Devices and while we are at it here is what Black Friday deals you should avoid on Walmart this Year!

We cater to your constant need to remain up to date on today's technology. Like us, tweet to us or +1 us, to keep up with our round the clock updates, reviews, guides and more.

ipod – Google News

Apple's iPad comes out a big winner on Black Friday - VentureBeat

Dec. 4 – 5, 2013
Redwood City, CA

Tickets on Sale Now

Apple's iPad came out as the big winner based on a quick analysis of Black Friday sales at the Target retail chain today, according to InfoScout.

InfoScout

The top-selling items at Target on Black Friday. Apple's iPad comes out on top.

The data is based on InfoScout's consumer research. The company interviewed the first 3,000 shoppers at Target on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

The top three items sold at Target were all iPads, and the top 30 items sold were all consumer electronics devices.  Apple products were 22 percent of Target's early sales, and iPads alone were 18 percent of Target's sales, or 10 times the sales of Android tablets at Target.

ipad – Google News

Meet The $111000 Apple iPhone Blinged Up In Gold, Diamond, Ruby And ... - Forbes

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iphone – Google News

Will Microsoft Copy the Tablet Strategies of Apple and Google? - Motley Fool

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) is planning to get rid of one of its operating systems. At the UBS Global Tech conference last week, Microsoft executive Julie Larson-Green said that Microsoft wasn’t “going to have three [operating systems]” going forward.

Right now, Microsoft has Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Windows RT. Given that Microsoft’s hardware partners have all rejected Windows RT, the ARM-optimized version of Windows seems like the obvious of the three to go.

To replace Windows RT, Microsoft might change one of its core beliefs — a strategy that has so far differed greatly from the one embraced by Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) .

Two operating-system philosophies
Microsoft has always differed with its competitors, Google and Apple, when it comes to drawing a line between traditional PC form factors and mobile devices. All three companies offer at least two operating systems, but apply their operating systems very differently.

Apple and Google use their mobile operating systems, iOS and Android, on both smartphones and tablets. Their traditional PC operating systems, Google’s Chrome OS and Apple’s OS X, remain on traditional PC form factors.

Microsoft, on the other hand, offers its pure mobile operating system, Windows Phone, strictly on smartphones, while pushing Windows 8 on everything else — desktops, laptops, tablets, and convertibles. Windows RT is, in a sense, also a pure mobile operating system, being offered strictly on tablets; but it looks identical to Windows 8, and largely functions the same, relying heavily on keyboard and mouse input.

Microsoft’s outgoing CEO, Steve Ballmer, explained how Microsoft thought about the two computing environments back at the D8 conference in 2010:

I think there will exist a general purpose device that does everything you want… Will there also be a device that you keep in your pocket? Because I think there’s a fundamental difference between small enough to fit in a pocket, not small enough to be in your pocket. There will be some distinct difference in usage patterns between those two devices.

Microsoft wanted to offer one computing environment for smartphones (Windows Phone), and one for everything else (Windows 8).

Windows Phone 8 gets bigger
But Nokia‘s new phablet, the Lumia 1520, stretches the limits when it comes to fitting in a pocket. The Windows Phone-powered device sports a 6-inch screen, making it larger than the Galaxy Note 3; Samsung’s flagship phablet running Google’s Android is a bit smaller, with just a 5.7-inch screen. Sure, the Lumia 1520 might fit in some pockets, but certainly not all.

Could Windows Phone get even bigger? The jump from a 6-inch phablet to a 7- or 8-inch tablet is not much of a stretch. Ovum’s analyst for devices and platforms, Tony Cripps, believes that it makes sense for Microsoft to scale up Windows Phone further, offering Windows Phone-powered tablets (via V3).

Windows Phone tablets could help Microsoft close the gap
Windows RT tablets have basically been a failure — some of Microsoft’s hardware partners, like Hewlett-Packard, have avoided offering them entirely. Others, like Dell, experimented with Windows RT tablets, but quickly discontinued them.

The aversion is understandable — consumers have avoided Windows RT. Microsoft was forced to take a $ 900 million writedown back in July after its own Windows RT tablet, the Surface, sold more poorly than anticipated.

The lack of mobile apps may have been the key reason for Windows RT’s failure. Apple’s iPad has hundreds of thousands of apps written for it specifically. Tablets running Google’s Android have far fewer, but Google’s operating system compensates for its weakness by scaling up existing Android apps written for smartphones.

Windows RT has had to rely on the Windows 8 app store, which continues to be plagued by a key lack of mobile apps, including HBO Go, Pinterest, and LinkedIn, not to mention the absence of popular games including Plants vs. Zombies 2. Windows Phone, in addition to being much more touch optimized than Windows RT, also suffers from a lack of apps, but appears to be gaining some momentum among developers with the recent additions of Instagram and Vine.

Offering Windows Phone-powered tablets would be, in a sense, conceding defeat, by acknowledging that Microsoft had it wrong when it came to drawing the line between mobile and traditional PC form factors. But if Microsoft heads in that direction, it could offer a tablet experience more competitive with Apple’s and Google’s offerings.

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tablet – Google News

E-40 Questions Authenticity Of Recent Mac Dre Tributes - HipHopDX

Exclusive: E-40 recalls connecting Los Angeles and the Bay Area with “Function,” and says rappers are capitalizing of off Mac Dre’s legacy with their recent hits.

Yo Gotti's Jeezy-assisted single, "Act Right" entered Billboard magazine's "Hot 100" chart this week, joining Drake's 2011 single, "The Motto" on the list of recent, charting songs to pay homage to slain Bay Area rapper Mac Dre. But fellow Bay Area emcee, E-40 questioned the motives of such artists.

"Man, you know my words carry a lot of weight. I have nothing against none of them dudes, right? They just capitalizing off a great rapper that was from the Bay and passed away," E-40 said during an exclusive interview with HipHopDX. "They know that the Bay had love for him, so why not say his name? Can I say that they listened to him before he passed or even after? Can I say that they can quote his lyrics? I don't know. But hey, they did come to the Bay and shoot the videos and invite the whole Bay out. It opened a lot of people to the sound when Drake did it. And with Yo Gotti, I hear it everywhere. So to each his own, man. I ain't mad at it. It is what it is."

Mac Dre, born Andre Hicks, was killed in 2004 in Kansas City, Missouri when a gunman fired into a van in which Hicks was riding. Known for his signature slang, E-40 added that he often feels the Bay Area gets overlooked in terms of trendsetting. Additionally, 40 praised Richmond, California emcees Calvin T and Magic Mike as influences. And he often speaks out in support of his hometown Vallejo and the surrounding Bay Area, E-40 pointed out the need for West Coast unity and how his 2012 single "Function" fit into that agenda.

The West Coast hadn't been on for a minute," E-40 said. "We all the way on now, and everybody wanna get some West Coast slaps…I wanted to bring the Bay Area and Lala together, because we all West Coast. It was just God that did it, because 'Function' wasn't a violent song. It was just a slap, and it's not going nowhere. I think it's in there, 'cause it's played everywhere. I was glad to be with the youngsters, and I truly believe in them. All of them told me, 'Right on, Unc.'"

After emerging on the scene with his Mr. Flamboyant EP in 1989 E-40 will continue his 21-year career in Hip Hop with the release of Block Brochure: Welcome To The Soil 4, 5 & 6 on December 10. In addition to the single "Plush," E-40 explained that the albums will feature singles that either sample and/or interpolate "Stairway to Heaven" by the O'Jays, "Doo Wah Ditty" by Roger Troutman and Zapp among others.

RELATED: E-40 Defends His Reluctance To Leak Singles

mac – Google News

Apple Cyber Monday - Cyber Monday ipad, ipod, and iphone Deals and Sales - Susan Jhun

We all enjoy technology, and the benefits they bring us.  If we need anything from time, maps, calendars, and or gps technology provides us the know-how and information.  This is quite useful in today's s society.  We like and appreciate all things fast, new, and convenient so it's no wonder technology would prove to be a good fit.  There were plenty Black Friday deals available among various stores offering great products for low prices.  If you didn't, however, get to make the most of Black Friday or simply just want more deals, don't worry, it's not quite over yet.  Cyber Monday this 2013 is approaching fast, and will give buyers another round at deals online.  If you were hoping to have another chance at scoring deals and sales on a few electronic devices, then read on.

Unfortunately the iPhone 5S and 5C didn't have as many Black Friday deals and won't have as many Cyber Monday deals as the Mac, iPad, iPods and Apple TV. As was the case with Black Friday, and now Cyber Monday, Apple is offering gift cards for select items bought through their store, but it seems as if the iPhone 5S and 5C are not part of this deal. However, there is some good news to be uncovered. Best Buy, Walmart and T-Mobile are all offering some deals on Apple's latest smartphones. Unfortunately some of these deals won't see past the weekend into Cyber Monday. So consumers and or potential consumers should move fast.

Best Buy is offering the iPhone 5S for 75 dollars off all models on AT&T, Verizon, and Spring. This deal has unfortunately run only until the end of business on Black Friday. Walmart is offering to credit a customer 30 dollars if they buy an iPhone 5C on contract. This deal from the mega retailer looks to run through the entire weekend but not for Cyber Monday. T-Mobile appears to also be offering a deal for this year's big annual sale. The company is offering the iPhone 5S and 5C for an amazing 0 dollars down and the deal started Black Friday and will in fact carry over until Cyber Monday.

This year, Target is proud to announce their Cyber Week Deals are not just the "Monday" sales; they will be pushing out their online deals up to Thursday.  Hot deals for their announced Black Friday included the ipad Air, so as Cyber Monday approaches closer, we're hoping to uncover more and more information regarding just what kindle of up to date top notch Apple products will be on sale again, and in Target's case, how long they will last throughout the week.

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ipod – Google News

Kensington KeyFolio Pro for iPad Air Review - Gotta Be Mobile

By Kevin Purcell | 11/30/2013

The Kensington KeyFolio Pro for iPad Air updated the former KeyFolio Pro for iPad to make it fit the new size and thickness of the smaller lighter iPad Air released last month from Apple. We wanted to find out if the keyboard case could keep up its strengths to make it as compelling a keyboard case for the iPad Air as it was for the earlier generations.

The new Kensington KeyFolio Pro for iPad Air covers the iPad in a soft sheepskin cover that feels great and looks good. We're not fans of folio cases that hold the iPad by sliding into a compartment like the KeyFolio Pro instead of a back snapping onto the iPad. That's a taste preference not a quality issue. For people who don't mind the added thickness, this case works well and protects the iPad with a professional quality case and design. The iPad and case will fit the lifestyle of professionals who want to use their iPad as a laptop replacement.

The keyboard works well and feels good for touch typing for normal sized hands. It feels narrow and cramped for people with large hands.

We like that the keyboard comes out of the case easily thanks to magnetic attachment. Users can put the iPad at lower angles thanks to removing the keyboard. The user must pull with some force to get it out, so it won't slide around or fall out easily. The keyboard feels comfortable. Since the iPad Air measures slightly smaller than previous generation iPads, the design makes the keyboard slightly narrower. We couldn't tell the difference.

The updated keyboard comes with some nice features, including shortcut keys for the typical function like media play buttons, volume and mute buttons, a home key and lock key. We also get a new key to engage the multi-tasking view that shows the app icons and thumbnail view of each app screen. Instead of double tapping the iPad home button, use this key next to the space key.

Kensington sells a Plus version of the keyboard. It comes with backlit keys in one of seven colors. We didn't review that one, but like the option for an extra $ 20 over the base price of $ 99.95 when buying direct from Kensington making it $ 119.95. Amazon sells the Plus for about $ 100 and the one without the backlit keys for only $ 80.

The KeyFolio Pro for iPad Air doesn't use the magnetic wake/sleep function despite all the magnets built into the case. The case holds the keyboard in place with a magnet. The flap that holds the KeyFolio Pro closed uses a magnet. Why not put a magnet along the edge to put the iPad to sleep when closing the case?

If an iPad owner likes a thin case, then they should get a separate keyboard to pull out only when needed. People who don't mind a thick case will enjoy the Kensington KeyFolio Pro if they get it for the price Amazon sells the case.

The case includes a stylus slot, but its very thin so my Kensington stylus doesn't fit.

AppleiPad AirKensington KeyFolio Prokeyboard caseReview

ipad – Google News

Apple Inc. (AAPL) iPhone 4S Allegedly Caused Thai Man's Electrocution - ValueWalk

"Safety first" is one of the primary priorities of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in selling its products, but there have recently been reports that some people lost their lives using their iPhones because of electrocution. The main culprit in the accidents were third party chargers used by iPhone users who were electrocuted while charging and answering a phone call.

Incident happened while phone was charging

A recent report by the Daily News Thailand (written in the Thai language) indicated that police found an unidentified man dead lying on the floor of his home holding a burnt iPhone 4S. The officer assumed that the man was electrocuted because his chest and neck had severe burn marks. According to the report, the man's body was brought to a hospital determine the actual cause of death.

The father of the victim testified that prior to the accident, he saw his son lying on the cement floor without wearing a shirt because of the hot weather. According to him, he heard his son scream later that night in his room, but ignored it because he has a history of sleepwalking. The next morning his son was found dead.

Non-Apple third-party device believed to be at fault

According to the father, he believed his son was using his iPhone 4S while charging it because the device was plugged into the power outlet when he discovered that his son was already dead. Based on the photographs, the blue model charger used by the victim on his iPhone 4S is not original. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) ships its iPhones with a standard white charger.

Early in July, a flight attendant for China Southern Airlines was electrocuted when she answered a call on her iPhone 5 while charging it. The family of the victim said she collapsed as soon as she picked up the device.

There had been several other reported electrocutions involving iPhones and third party chargers, which prompted Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to conduct investigations. The tech giant also issued guidelines to help users identify its original USB power adapter.

iphone – Google News

Apple's iPhone 5s & 5c take 9 of Japan's top 10 smartphone sales spots - Apple Insider

By Daniel Eran Dilger

Just over two months after Apple launched its new iPhone 5s and 5c across Japan’s three major carriers, weekly sales rankings list various iPhone models split between the carriers took 9 of the top 10 smartphone slots.

Weekly sales rankings by Japan’s BCN list Softbank’s 32GB iPhone 5s as the nation’s the top seller, with the same model on NTT DoCoMo and au/KDDI filling out the top three.

iPhone 5c on Softbank and au took the fifth and sixth spots, while the second place DoCoMo phone was the high end 64GB iPhone 5s.

The top selling smartphone not from Apple wasn’t a domestic branded smartphone or a Samsung model but rather a low end Chinese device by ZTE.

Sony represented two models in the top 20, while the top selling Samsung device was a Galaxy S4 at 16th, behind two additional iPhone models: 64GB versions of iPhone 5s on au and NTT DoCoMo. In total, Apple took 12 of the top 20 slots compared to just one Samsung device.

NTT DoCoMo pulls a Verizon

Prior to launching iPhone 5s and 5c in September, NTT DoCoMo had been pushing Android phones from Sony and Samsung in an effort to resist Apple’s refusal to allow preinstalled apps or carrier branding on its iPhones.

Two years ago, Chief Executive Ryuji Yamada defended his refusal to carry iPhones using the same logic Wired presented two years before that: the lack of built in support for popular features like iMode messaging and digital wallet systems.

After losing 3.2 million users over the last 4 and a half years by not carrying the iPhone, NTT DoCoMo finally relented and began carrying Apple’s smartphone this fall.

The majority of the carrier’s sales immediately went to iPhones, mirroring a virtually identical story at Verizon Wireless in the U.S.

Verizon spent two years backing BlackBerry’s attempts to provide an iPhone-alternative with two failed generations of the Storm, then orchestrated an intense effort to position Android as its “Droid” branded alternative to iPhone in 2010.

Despite offering 4G LTE service, Verizon’s Droid program failed to attract the high value data subscribers AT&T was attracting with iPhones. After launching iPhone 4 in 2011, Verizon reported the 3G model outselling all of its Android 4G sales combined.

Japan doesn’t love Samsung

Just as Motorola had partnered with Verizon in 2010 in an attempt to gain a footing on a carrier without iPhones, Samsung had attempted to partner with NTT DoCoMo to “improve its brand image in Japan,” stated Sumio Hiroshi, a manager at Canon in Japan.

While special incentives and promotions helped Samsung to push volume smartphone sales on NTT DoCoMo this summer, just as Motorola had apparent success in selling phones on Verizon in 2010, its popularity was short lived when it was exposed to competition from Apple’s iPhone.

Complicating Samsung’s efforts to sell phones to Japan is an unfavorable view of South Korea related to a territorial dispute over islands located between the two nations, a squabble that has been escalating for years.

In 2011, Japan’s foreign ministry instructed its staffers not fly with Korean Air. The two countries have long maintained a rivalry. In stark contrast, modern Japan has long viewed America more favorably, with a particular affinity for Apple and in particular Steve Jobs.

iphone – Google News

The best tablets of 2013: A year of refinement, not revolution - VentureBeat

Dylan Tweney/VentureBeat

The new iPad is super-skinny.

Dec. 4 – 5, 2013
Redwood City, CA

Tickets on Sale Now

While 2012 was a knockout year for tablets — with the introduction of the iPad Mini, Nexus 7, and Microsoft Surface — 2013 is actually somewhat boring in comparison.

Yes, tablet sales continued to grow steadily (up 53 percent from 2012, says Gartner), but this year is more about evolving last year's killer tablets than breaking new ground. The iPad Mini got a killer hardware upgrade and a much-needed Retina Display screen, and the Surface and Nexus 7 both got major upgrades of their own.

Apple's iPad Air, which is mainly notable for being incredibly light, is the only big tablet surprise I can recall this year.

What 2013 lacked in groundbreaking tablets announcements, it made up for in better overall value. All of the revamped tablets from this year offer far better hardware at reasonable prices, and they're also run off better software. If you held off on a new tablet last year, now is the perfect time to upgrade.

Dylan Tweney/VentureBeat

The iPad Mini with Retina display might be the most comfortable tablet for web browsing. It fits easily in one hand.

Best overall tablet: iPad Mini with Retina Display

The original iPad Mini was my favorite tablet last year, so it's not a huge surprise that I've fallen head over heels for its replacement. Apple's new iPad Mini with Retina Display upgrades the original's disappointing display, but it also manages to pack in all of the juicy hardware from the iPad Air, including the fast A7 processor and M7 motion processor.

But at $ 399, up from last year's $ 329 iPad Mini launch price, the new model also makes it clear that Apple doesn't see its smaller tablet as a budget device.

Dylan Tweney/VentureBeat

The iPad Air comes in white (with silver) or black (with space gray).

Best big tablet: iPad Air

Apple is now basically offering two high-end tablets, the new iPad Mini and the iPad Air, separated only by their price and screen size. The Air weighs in at close to a pound, closer in size to the iPad Mini than last year's big iPad. That means it's much easier to hold with one hand, which should be helpful for prolonged reading sessions (and it deftly solves one of my biggest issues with large tablets).

If you need a big 10-inch screen, go for the $ 499 iPad Air. But for everyone else, I'd recommend prioritizing portability with the new 8-inch iPad Mini.

Dylan Tweney/VentureBeat

The 2012 edition of the Nexus 7 (on the left) is slightly thicker than the new, 2013 Nexus 7 on the right. You won't notice the difference much unless you put them side-by-side like this (or use calipers).

Best budget tablet (& best Android tablet): Nexus 7

Once again, the Nexus 7 is the best tablet deal on the market — even after Google raised its price slightly to $ 230 (the original was just $ 200). While last year's model was notable for being fast and cheap, the new Nexus 7 is much slimmer and easier to hold.

It also packs in the usual speed improvements, but really, the biggest upgrade with this new model is that it no longer feels like you're holding an overweight slate. In the domain of tiny tablets, that's key.

Best Windows tablet: Surface 2

After raising our hopes and swiftly dashing them with the first Surface, Microsoft has apparently learned from its mistakes. The Surface 2 ($ 449) is a fast and capable tablet — and together with its revamped keyboard covers (from $ 120 to $ 130), it's also a productivity dream. While you're stuck with Windows 8′s slim app ecosystem, the Surface 2 also includes Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Office, which means it will fit right into many corporate IT setups.

Check out VentureBeat’s product data sheets for more in-depth information on tablets.

tablet – Google News

How to Adjust Geofencing in Reminders for iPhone and iPad - The Mac Observer

Geofencing – what is that, anyway? Some high-tech national border security measure?

No… it's technology that, among other things, allows for the creation of virtual boundaries via GPS-enabled, location-aware devices. Geofencing technology has been around for several years, but used only for the likes of Bond, James Bond, and others of that ilk. For the rest of us mere mortals, this technology has been available on our iPhones as well as on our assisted-GPS, cellular equipped iPads.

You can see geofencing in action on your iOS device by using the Reminders app. Recently, I discovered quite by accident – and was delighted to learn – that the geofencing perimeter can be adjusted. Let me show you how.

First and foremost, you need to have Location Services enabled for all this to work. To verify this, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.

Verify that Location Services is enabled globally and for Reminders

There you will find the master switch; make sure it's on. Further down, you will see a list of all apps on your device that support Location Services. You can keep enabled just the ones you want. It's probably a good idea to go through these and fine-tune your settings. In any event, scroll down until you locate Reminders, and make sure Location Services is enabled.

For everything to work as described in this article, you also need to make sure that notifications are enabled for the Reminders app. This is done via Settings > Notification Center.

Verify that Reminders is included in the set of apps that use Notification Services

Make sure that Reminders is listed in the Include section. From there, you can configure the Reminders notification just the way you want.

Back to the Reminders app…

In Reminders you have the ability to set what are known as Location Reminders. That is, you can be alerted about a reminder based on when you arrive or leave a location. This is what geofencing is all about!

Let's use one of my own scenarios as an example. I tend to procrastinate when it comes to cleaning up my home office deep down in the bowels of my house. I want to be automatically reminded to work on this task each and every time I am about to pull into my garage. Thanks to the Location Services and Geofencing features supported by the Reminders app on my iPhone, I am alerted via a notification as I am entering into a pre-defined perimeter radius surrounding my house.

Here are the steps in Reminders for setting up a Location Reminder based on when you arrive or leave a location:

1. Add a new reminder by first tapping one of your lists where you want it to appear, then tap a blank line.

2. While editing your reminder, tap the Info button for a list of details regarding the reminder. Remember that to see the Info button you must tap on the reminder to enter the Edit Reminder mode.

The Info button is only visible when tapping a reminder

3. In the Details panel, enable the Remind me at a Location switch.

Tapping on the Info button takes you to the reminder's Details panel

4. Tap Location, then choose a location from the list, or enter an address.

5. Select whether you want to be notified upon arrival or upon leaving the address.

 

Choose or enter a location and drag the geofence perimeter to modify it

6. You can accept the predefined perimeter of the geofence or adjust it by dragging in or out the black dot defining the edge of the geofence. This sets the approximate distance at which you want to be reminded.

7. Tap on Details at the top-left to return to the Details panel, where you can set other options like priority, which list you want this reminder to appear in, and any notes regarding this reminder.

8. Tap on Done at the top-right. You're all set!

When the reminder is configured, all details are visible in the main Reminders app

It may be useful to know that you can add common locations to your personal info card in the Contacts app. When you set a location reminder, locations in the list include addresses from your card. For instance, add your work, home, and other favorite addresses to your card for easy access in Reminders.

Finally, don't forget that you are also able to silence all notifications temporarily by turning on Do Not Disturb. This is configured in Settings > Do Not Disturb. For more details, see my article here on TMO, "Set & Use 'Do Not Disturb' in iOS"

Why not familiarize yourself with Geofence technology? Moving forward, it becomes a key player in advancing the "personal assistant" attributes of our devices – those that we could merely dream about in the past.

mac – Google News