Who Needs Flash On The iPad When There's HTML5?

Since the iPad's introduction to the public in January 2010, it has suffered unwieldy criticism from Apple antagonists. These groups of Apple non-enthusiasts have called the iPad a regretful piece of appliance at the least.

However, from the point of view of neutral commentators, there emerged a set of logic to explain the seemingly exclusive structure of the iPad.

The most popular perceived deficiency of the iPad in terms of software is its lack of Flash support. Flash is used in most websites; it is supported by all major Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera) except for the mobile version of Safari. YouTube is one of the most popular websites that utilize Flash for its videos.

Apple makes up for the lack of Flash support by creating and designing apps that are specific to the iPad. For instance, YouTube has a Flash-free app, using H.264, that will run smoothly on the iPad. Safari supports HMTL5, which can display embedded videos more efficiently than Flash-supported websites.

It has been noted several times that multitasking is impossible on the iPad because the user has to close one app before moving onto the other. Critics have panned this issue by taking into consideration the target market for this device.

As an "appliance" for the media consumer, the iPad is meant to play a single program at a time, most likely a video or a movie. It seems plausible since this device is marketed as an instrument to experience richer media; thus, multitasking is not expected.

The same goes with its lack of wired connections, particularly USB and FireWire ports. iPad has a "locked-down" nature that seemed to offend non-Mac users because of its almost elitist appeal. Critics have also answered this concern and their opinion made great sense.

The iPad is designed by Apple so it's only natural for the manufacturer to prefer full control over the software content of the product. It does not matter if the ownership has been transferred to the buyer. The point is that Apple prefers to protect their creation by ensuring that software entered into the device is properly filtered. Besides, they probably have more iPad apps to introduce and it would be unfortunate for them if a different software company would create a brand new application for the iPad before they even thought of it.

Its lack of commonly used hardware features can be easily resolved by purchasing separate accessories, such as the wireless keyboard dock, camera connection, Bluetooth headphones, composite and component AV cables, power adapter and dock connector to VGA adapter. Clearly, these deficiencies have already been considered by Apple engineers before criticism even materialized.

It is not obvious but there seems to be a continuous struggle of the Apple marketing division to insist that the iPad is in fact a media consumption appliance. It should be differentiated from a full desktop or laptop computer and an iPhone and simply be appreciated as a go-between of the two.

Its lack of full phone and computer features establishes that Apple has created a class of its own and might possibly be a successful forerunner in the field of tablet computers.

What iPad Is And Is Not

Apple iPad is many things to many people. It is a consolidated device that can be anything – from a gaming console to an alternative to a 'real' computer and a replacement for popular e-reading devices. It is also a media player, a web browser, an e-mailing device…to highlight a few things it can do. The fact that it does so many things while offering a better experience than the original devices built for iPads' specific applications is enough to confuse people what role iPad really fits in their lives. We'll try to break the device down a bit for you.

It is a superb media player. – Playing video is, perhaps, the forte of iPad, but Apple doesn’t really claim that so it can't be confirmed. Nevertheless, like its older distant cousins – laptops, DVD players and even plasma TVs – it can display videos very well. With its crisp, glossy screen, you can expect high from this device and you won't be disappointed. Maybe you'll find the fingerprints on the screen gross when you turn of the device, but that's an entirely different issue.

You can watch live stream TV on iPad, and even watch YouTube and other video sites without a glitch, given of course that you have the right application to 'convert' Flash to iPad-hosted file. If you are looking for a device that can help you catch your favorite video online, you can watch nearly whatever you want with iPad without a hiccup.

It's a major gaming platform, almost. – Everyone thought that gaming apps are just value-added features that can enhance the use of iPad. Well, everyone was wrong, dead wrong. iPad may not be built as a dedicated game console, but definitely has the qualities of a great gaming console. In some respects, it even beats existing gaming consoles with its features and capacity to enhance gaming experience. Gaming console developers could be cursing that extra horsepower and that extra huge multitouch screen that Apple threw into their tablet PC.

It could be a computer replacement. – In the future, we could see iPad-like devices replacing real computers. As 'raw' as iPad is now – raw, meaning having the superb and diverse apps and functions it has now – it already shows great promise for end users. It somewhat gives us a glimpse of personal computers 5, 6 10 years ahead. Maybe even less.

Despite all its glory, iPad is nowhere near to replacing 'real' computers just yet. It can't do as much as laptops and desktops can but it can definitely run as a winner against netbooks and other smaller devices. It can even beat e-reading devices, portable DVD players, and even plasma TV. Knowing Apple, we know that some great things are in store for iPad 2.0.

So what is iPad? Let's just say it's the first device ever to deliver on its promise while taking existing technologies to much greater heights. It may take a while before Apple unveils its predecessors, but
iPad is definitely the future of personal computing.

Tips And Tricks For Your iPad

Anyone with half a brain can use iPad at its basic level. Well, iPad, in fact, is very basic, even 2-year old kids can work well with it. There's no such thing as learning curve, and definitely, if you have used an iPhone before, using an iPad for the first time is a day at the beach. It is made to be that way.

But still, even when things have already been simplified by Apple for you, there are still some things about iPad use that may take time before you know. Here are a few.

Soft Reset
Apple's iPad does not necessarily come with an insurance that it will perform the same way it did the first time you bought it. Although there are no moving parts in the device, which generally means the device deteriorates very slowly if at all. There are still some risks though that some of its parts may not function in the long run. In case something goes awry with iPad, you can always find consolation in its Soft Reset function.

Soft Reset comes in very handy when the system freezes. It can be performed by just holding the top or power button simultaneously with the front or Home button for a couple of seconds. This will force your device to restart. Not happy with how an app is working and want to force quit it? Hold the Home button the same way, this time without holding the power button, and the device will exit any running app.

Cut- and Copy-Pasting
It's a pain to copy long texts on iPad so Apple created an easy solution that will let you copy an entire paragraph without necessary stretching the blue knobs that appear on your screen. To do this, tap any text four times and this will highlight the entire paragraph. This trick can be done only though if you are copying an editable text. Otherwise, you're stumped.

Importing Free eBooks
There are still some free things in this world. Free eBooks on Apple's iBooks for example. If you want to download old books that have fallen out of copyright, you'll find that there is an extensive collection of free eBooks downloadable on iPad. So long as you stick to the classics, you're a happy man with iBooks.

Easy Mute
When embarrassing moments are on the horizon because you frequently forget to turn off the volume of your multimedia device, you'll find that iPad gives you a break. It has an easy mute function that allows you to automatically turn the volume off. For two seconds, press the volume down and you'll have peace and quiet back.

Supersized Screenshots
Now the screenshot of your driving simulator would look more like a windshield than a tiny keyhole. Take giant screenshots on your iPad by holding the power and home buttons simultaneously for half a second.

Bringing the Virtual Keyboard Back
Switching between keyboards – real and virtual keyboards – is not as hard as many people confess. You only have to hit the eject key on the real, physical keyboard to bring the virtual one up.

The iPad: First Impressions

The first time I heard about the iPad, I thought it was a joke. I eventually discovered it was a real product so I snickered at the name; I thought to myself that it is a funny way for Apple to pun its own line of digital products. But then I realized that it is actually a very nifty idea for a product.

First, iPad is undeniably sticky—it sounds like Apple's eponymous digital genius, the iPod, which has spawned a line of its own, starting from the classic edition to its more advanced babies such as the iPod Touch.

The most common reaction to those who have encountered the iPad for the first time is a mixture of surprise and pleasant confusion: 'Huh? Did I hear you right? Did you say it with an eh or an ah?' That is why it sticks to one's mind because the moment you hear it, you start to think about it.

Next, the iPad lives up to its name—and I just do not mean the Apple brand. It is very literal that it is almost funny. I remember when I first heard about it, after I got over its pronunciation issue, I thought about its appearance. My friend told me that the iPad resembles a clipboard or a tablet, and I just could not believe that it was going to look like that. Somehow, we all got used to the fancy and metaphorical model names of gadgets that when we find something so bluntly named, it is just incredible.

The iPad looks like a homogeny of a slate, a thick pad of paper, a clipboard, a tablet, and a binder cardboard. One of its greatest features is that you can use it as if it really is a clipboard cradled on the crook of your arm. It works on a touchscreen interface, which eliminates the need for a keyboard or a pen, thus freeing the hands. However, unlike most touchscreen gadgets, the iPad is a multi-touch device: that means you can pinch, drag, and tap two visual objects on the screen with your fingers at the same time. It is a lightweight gadget at 68 grams and 13.4 millimeters thick.

Think of it as a giant iPod Touch with the ability to create documents via iWork, which is Apple's office program that enables its users to create slide presentations, word documents, spreadsheets, and the like. The iPad can store and play music and videos through iTunes. It also has Wi-Fi capabilities; therefore, you can experience seamless Internet surfing, chat, and email.

An iPod will have you squinting at the screen to have a good look while the iPad provides a large enough screen to properly enjoy videos and movies.

Apple considers the iPad as its revolutionary project that will bring all other competitors to shame. We have yet to experience the lasting power of this magical product and its 150,000+ applications. It just made me think: how in the world am I going to use all 150,000 of them?

Surface vs iPad

The Microsoft Surface RT and Surface Pro seem aimed at taking on Apple while the Google Nexus 7 is primed to reduce the Kindle Fire to ashes. Really, it’s hard to imagine who might purchase a highly modified Android tablet over one with the latest Jelly Bean 4.1 Android operating system.

Similarly, it’s hard to imagine who might purchase either of the Surface tablets instead of an iPad especially when pricing for the Surface hasn’t been set but is anticipated to be in the upper hundreds. Then again, the Microsoft Surface tablets promise at least a few features not yet available on the iPad – though you never know what Apple might have up its sleeve.

Microsoft Surface Tablets take on Apple’s iPad
We put together this reference table for a quick comparison of the tablets.
SPECS
Surface Pro
Surface RT
iPad WiFi
Processor
Intel Core i5
(Ivey Bridge)
NVIDIA Silicon
Tegra-based ARM
Dual-core A5
Weight
1.99 lbs
1.48 lbs
1.44 lbs
Thickness
.53”
.37”
.37”
Screen
10.6”
(Clear Type Full HD)
10.6”
(Clear Type HD)
9.7”
Pixels
1920X1080 (guess)
1280X720 (guess)
2048X1536
Storage
64GB or 128GB
32GB or 64GB
16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Extras
Digital Inking
Touch Cover or
Type Cover
Built-in Kickstand
Touch Cover or
Type Cover
Built-in Kickstand

USB 2.0
No
Yes
No
USB 3.0
Yes
No
No
Camera
Front & Back
Front & Back
Front & Back
MicroSD

Yes
No
MicroSDXC
Yes

No
WiFi
Yes
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Stylus
Yes
No
No
Speakers
Yes
Yes
No
Available
Jan 2013
Oct 2012
Current
Pricing
$999 (guess)
$499 (guess)
$499

The limited amount of information we have on the Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro suggests that the device may give the iPad a run for its money. The full Windows operating system, the Touch/Type cover options, integrated kickstand and two USB ports may be enough to cause some Apple devotees to add the Surface Pro to their collection of devices.

So noteworthy is Microsoft’s decision to include two USB ports that Doug Gross of CNN wrote, “These ports open up the possibility of extra storage, printing and other external capabilities that should be easier and quicker than the workarounds iPad users need involving cloud storage, WiFi connections and the like.”
Even so, it seems the most likely consumer of the Microsoft Surface Pro will be those who are considering purchasing their first tablet. This segment of the market, having worked on full computers for so long, may be more comfortable with Microsoft’s beefy tablet/PC hybrid.

Considering the tablet market is anticipated to grow by 85% in 2012 this might not be a bad marketing strategy for Microsoft. Unfortunately speculation that the Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro will cost around $1000 may cause some to sacrifice expandable storage and other extras in favor of keeping a few hundred dollars in their pocket.

Some Really Good Reasons Why You Should Get Yourself An iPad

So many people the world over have already started loathing the idea of buying and carrying around the supersized, not-so-cool tablet PC called iPad. Many say it’s a big disappointment and definitely not worth the $499 tag price. But many people are on the other side of the fence. So why you should get yourself an iPad?

Because it's downright cool.
Let's be honest with ourselves for the moment, shall we? We all want iPad because it is currently the coolest thing in the world. Forget the price, forget the geeks' ranting about its limitations and just think about that sleek, sexy screen, that flawless aluminum back and that almighty software that has more power in it than you can ever imagine, and it won't take you long to love the device. And it is the vanity of vanities but we know that this one is an eye-catcher. Who wouldn’t love to catch other people's attention because of a cool device?

Because it is a Kindle killer.
Maybe not entirely a Kindle killer, it's not a dedicated e-reading device after all. But for a multifunctioning device that delivers premium media-playing capabilities, iPad is certainly cannibalizing Kindle's sales. So much thought have been thrown in to make iPad a decent e-reader and for that alone, it is worth looking into. And besides knowing Steve Jobs, his claim about picking up from where Amazon has started is certainly something you can watch out for.

Because it is a major gaming platform.
No one claimed that iPad is a major gaming platform. It probably is not. But for the quality of gaming experience it can deliver, it can certainly perform at par with some gaming consoles. Plus with the thousands of applications you can choose from, the multitouch screen capabilities, the landscape-to-portrait switching of the glossy screen, you certainly will get more than what you initially expected. Gaming in iPad just an added-value feature? Maybe. But for an added value feature, this exceeds the reasonable expectations of reasonable people.

Because of its applications.
How about having access to more than 150,000 apps? This just shows how much you can do with your iPad. From making stick-it-notes on your homepage to running 3D games and mapping systems, true to Apple's tagline, iPad simply has every application you need. And soon, developers will be adding to the extensive selection of apps already available in Apple app store.

Because it's portable.
You may hear people complain about its 1.5 pounds weight, but really when you come to think of it, no other device that does what iPad does is as light as it is. It is not a stretch to say that people who have some portability issues with Apple's iPad are just picking on it. At 1.5 pounds, this is as portable as you can get.

Because it's an instant device.
There are days when we are not comfortable being burdened with a heavy laptop or desktop OS running in the background. During those days, iPad is the perfect solution. It is a perfect device for watching videos, listening to music, surfing the net and playing games on the go.

Save Money on Google Nexus 7

For a low-priced tablet, Google’s new Nexus 7 offers a lot to get excited about. Those who have had an opportunity to get their hands on the device state that the Nexus 7 has the look and feel of a solid, high-end tablet. Early reviews repeatedly remark on the devices smooth corners, ease of handling, impressive responsiveness, and backing with its leather-like feel.

The Nexus 7 weighs just .75 pounds – less than its 7” tablet competitors, making it more comfortable to carry and hold for extended periods of time. The Nexus 7 also offers other features that its competitors don’t.

These include:
* Forward facing camera, 1.2 megapixels
* Microphone
* GPS
* Wi-Fi 802 11b/g/n
* Bluetooth
* SIRI-like virtual assistant
* Near-field communications
* Android 4.1 aka Jelly Bean
* Speedy quad-core processor
GameStop takes Pre-Orders on 16GB Nexus 7

Google is offering the Nexus 7 tablet in 8GB and 16GB versions and both are competitively priced at $199 and $249 respectively. The Google Play store is accepting pre-orders of either model and GameStop is taking pre-orders on the 16GB version for US-based customers.

The good news is, if you’re looking to save money on the Nexus 7 and you live in the US, GameStop is giving customers up to 30% toward the purchase of the Google tablet with qualifying trade-ins.
Qualifying device trade-ins include:

* Video gaming hardware
* Video gaming software
* Video gaming accessories
* Apple products and devices
* Android-based devices

Go to http://www.gamestop.com/Browse/StoreSearch.aspx to find a GameStop location near you.
Or, place your pre-order online at http://www.gamestop.com/Tablets.  Because neither tablet offers expandable storage the slightly more expensive 16GB seems to be the better value of the two.

Get $25 toward Google Play with Nexus 7
Although some have bashed the small selection of the Google Play store, the Nexus 7 may well succeed in satisfying the content needs of its customers because, unlike the Kindle or iPad, Google’s tablet can run media from other compatible sources. This means that Nexus 7 users aren’t limited to what they find in the Google Play store.

To sweeten the already rather tempting deal on its Nexus 7 tablet, Google has pre-loaded the device with a $25 credit toward its Google Play store. This credit can be put toward any of the over 600,000 apps, games, movies, music, books, and magazines.

Google also rewards its customers by pre-loading the tablet with some content including the Transformers: Dark of the Moon movie and songs from well-known artists like the Rolling Stones.
Happily, if you live in US, you can purchase the 16GB through GameStop and earn up to 30% back by trading in your surplus gadgets. If you’re not in the US you can still pre-order either model of the Nexus 7 by going to the Google Play store.