Review Apple iOS 5

With the new release of the iPhone 4s and iPod updates an new iOS operating system update is only natural. Apple has put in a lot of though and time to create a iOS that takes portable devices to a whole new level. Five features stood out to me.


1. Notifications: Apple has redesigned their notifications. In the last iOS, updates and notifications would pop-up and stop you from your work and game play. It would require you to stop what your doing and hit the ignore button to get rid of the pop-up. Now all notifications come in on a small scrolling bar at the top of your screen. If you want to view the notification simply tap the bar at the top and if you want to ignore it, it disappears in a few seconds. And this doesn't stop game play at all. Also the new notification center can be accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen to the bottom. The center will have all the updates and notifications and can also be accessed from the lock screen as well.

2. PC free & wireless sync: You used to need a computer to dock your brand new iPod or iPad to in order to register it and unlock it for use. Now you can buy a new iPod or iPad with iOS and you can register it right on your device. This makes it easy to start using for those who are new to Apple devices but you can also then dock it with a computer. Also you can sync your device without using a cable to connect to your computer. Now as long as your computer and device are in a wifi area then the wireless sync can take place.

3. Reminder: Apple put a new app that ships with the new iOS. This allows you to create lists and reminders. You can tag these lists and reminders with dates and times so you can set it to push out a reminder. This can work for either time or location. Say that you want to remember to shop as you leave work. You can set a shopping list to remind you as you leave the store.

4. Newstand: Apple released iBooks in the past and it allowed for users to buy books and read them on their devices. Now, Apple released Newstand which allows for the user to subscribe to magazines and read them on their deceives. These magazines update automatically and will be right in the Newstand ready to read the day it comes out.


5. iMessage: With the new iOS comes a new app from Apple. iMessage allows for all iOS users to communicate via photo or text message right on their iOS device. This only works if both deceives have wifi or 3G connection and it doesn't work with other devices such as a computer or phone since they aren't running iOS 5.

These are only 5 of 500+ features that Apple says has been updated with the new iOS. However not all features will work on all devices. For instance, multi-touch gestures will only work for the iPad and not the smaller iOS devices. Also in order to access the new camera feature from the lock screen you need to double tap the home button. This is only a minor inconvenience. Also when changing the music from anywhere on the device I find a bit of a lag, longer then I had before. This can be annoying sometimes but again it is nothing more then a minor inconvenience. Lastly I would have expected to see more major updates however I was impressed with this update and I would give it a 5/5.

Sources:

Apple

Apple Releases New iMacs

Tuesday, May 3, Apple Computers released a new lineup of iMacs. Apple's update to its top-selling desktop computer includes many new awaited features and updates to the iMac's inside and outside. The iMac, which shipped out Tuesday, has a LED backlit display, "HD FaceTime camera", and a multi-touch trackpad. On the inside it harnesses the new Intel CORE i7 processor, an advanced AMD Radeon HD graphics processors, and can be modified to hold 1 TB of storage memory. This is a big leap from the older version. The new iMac can cost you $1199 for the 21.5 inch and $1699 for the 27 inch version. Many Apple fans await the new operation system OS X Lion this summer. This will be available for all of Apple's computers, including the iMac.

Sources:
Apple Computers
PCWorld

Tech Review: iPod Touch 4th generation

Almost every year Apple computers releases an update for their iPod line-up. This year I was looking to update my 2nd generation iPod Touch. My 2nd generation had two years in use. That was my first iPod and I used it to its fullest potential. After two years the battery was not holding as much capacity and I was looking for an update. The 4th generation was the answer.


I bought the new one the day after Christmas and it came 2 days later. I was very exited to get my hands on it and start playing around with it. I got the 8G model and I also got a case with it because I would like to keep it clean and dent-free. It brags a 960 by 640 Retina Display, a 720p HD rear facing camera, Face Time, and the fast processing of the A4 chip. After over a week of exploring every feature I can safely say that this is a great product. Here are some reasons why I did and didn't like it.


1. I love the 960 by 640 Retina Display. This was not the reason I bought it but it has soon become my favorite feature.


2. I take video classes at school and love to make films so the 720p HD video recording feature was the gem of the Touch. Not only can you shoot in HD but you can edit and export in HD as well. Just for fun I made a fun little video in HD and I was able to shoot, edit and export a 30 second video, in less than 5 minutes, complete with graphics and transitions.


3. Along with the camera a microphone is included in the Touch. I was very excited to find that the quality of sound was great. With this I can record audio and use Voice Control to control my iPod. And my favorite part is that many applications such as I am T-Paine use the mic to change your voice and it is a fun and useful feature.


4. One part of using an iPod Touch as a personal computer is the fact that the user needs to switch between applications fast and effortlessly. Multitasking on the iPod Touch is a easy and smooth process when switching between tasks. It will also keep tasks running so you can still listen to Pandora while downloading that email presentation and update your Facebook status all at the same time without slowing down your processing speed that much. The only problem is that ending the tasks requires the user to manually shut down the tasks by deleting them in the multitasking menu and they accumulate quickly.

5. Their are not many downsides that I found, and I'm generally nit-picky, with the Touch. I have found that not having a GPS chip is inconvenient especially since I like to know where I am and where to go while on the road or on travel. It is also a disadvantage because the maps application only loads maps when it is connected to Wi-Fi. Maybe a 3G cell phone based information model, like the iPad would be a good option.

6. I found that the buttons were off-center and hard to press especially with a case. I guess this is something that you get used to. I did however like the individual volume buttons instead of the rocker in previous models.

Overall I love the new iPod Touch. And I would give it a 9.5 out of 10. It effortlessly stood up to my demanding tests and its will work well for anybody with an iPod Touch. I found the transition to the newer model, natural. It is worth every penny.

iTunes and The Beatles

The songs of The Beatles have now found their way onto iTunes. This update was announced on November 16, 2010. iTunes is offering all 13 of the original albums and they are also offering a "Box Set" that has every song from every album. And every song from every album comes with the iTunes LP so you can have the album cover on your iPod. Although the band is no longer around, their songs can be enjoyed right on your iPod anywhere you go. Apple also dedicated a website to The Beatles. http://www.apple.com/the-beatles/











Sources:



Apple Computers