iPad apps: creativity unleashed

We love to create things: drawings, movies, photos, songs, and, on occasion, stunning literary imagery with the help of text styling. While Apple didn’t necessarily blow us away with its offerings on this front for the iPad (no GarageBand, iPhoto, or iMovie, for instance), 3rd party developers are naturally happy to oblige. We were frankly surprised at some of the depth and functionality we discovered in the App Store, but while what we have here is a nice start, we’re even more curious to see what sort of creativity these developers can coax out us with a few months of iPad experience under their belts and a better handle on the strengths and weaknesses of the system. For the time being follow us after the break as we run you through some of our existing favorites. Not enough apps for you? Check out some of our other roundups!

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iPad apps: creativity unleashed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1 year ago

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iSuppli pegs iPad component costs at as little as $259.60

This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone: just because Apple’s touting the “magical” $499 pricepoint of the iPad doesn’t mean they’re selling it at a loss. After carefully poring over the iPad’s internals, iSuppli has added up a bill of materials as low as $259.60 for the 16GB iPad, including a $95 screen and $26.80 processor. The good news for us is that there’s actually a lot more complexity inside the iPad than iSuppli was expecting — they originally estimated the device at $219.35 in materials. For instance the touchscreen is controlled by three separate chips, which means down the road we can expect some of these separate bits of silicon to merge and drive down prices. What might seem silly and wasteful at $499 could seem all-too-tempting at $299.

iSuppli pegs iPad component costs at as little as $259.60 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1 year ago

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Chinese based botnet discovered, larger than previously thought

About a year ago, a group of security researchers in Toronto affiliated with the Munk Centre for International Studies uncovered the existence of an international botnet called Ghostnet, and discovered that it may be a Chinese espionage tool used against Tibetan citizens. It was one of the largest botnet networks at the… Related posts:

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1 year ago

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Nintendo teams with Google for glorified ‘Google Fight’ gameplay for Wii

A ‘Google Fight,’ in case you’re unfamiliar, is pitting one keyword against another on Google and seeing which one gets more hits. It’s a favorite pastime around the Engadget HQ, where it’s often used to keep intern ego in check, when we point out their inferior PageRank. Apparently it’s a bit of trend at Nintendo as well (or maybe Nintendo just likes money), because they’ve teamed up with Google to release a game for the Wii in Japan called Ando Kensaku comprised of just such a mechanism. Players compete by guessing the most popular search term, an action we hope is somehow augmented by a dramatic Wiimote flourish. Unfortunately, with a name like Ando Kensaku and no specific plans mentioned, we’re not sure if we should even hope for a US release. Oh well, we’ll always have the interns.

Nintendo teams with Google for glorified ‘Google Fight’ gameplay for Wii originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1 year ago

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Engadget rides the Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Device! (video)

We just had a chance to go hands… er, rear-on with Honda’s latest R&D experiment, the U3-X Personal Mobility Device, and we’ve got the say — it was a moving experience. If you’ll recall, the tiny, uni-wheeled unit is built on the same balancing principles which the company’s ASIMO uses, and utilizes the world’s first omni-directional driving wheel system. What does all that mean? Well, it means that when you sit down on the thing, it moves in whatever direction you lean in, however slightly. The experience is kind of amazing, as it requires very little effort on the rider, and though you feel like you could easily go flying off of the U3-X, you always retain a solid center of balance. As opposed to something like the company’s Walking Assist devices (which you can see us taking for a spin right here), this is a totally effortless experience. It just goes where you want it to — almost by suggestion. There’s no telling if Honda will ever bring something like this to market — they’re notorious for crazy projects that never see the light of day on store shelves — but it’s an amazing look into the potential future of transportation. If you thought the Segway was a little big for your taste, this could be the answer to your prayers. As far as we’re concerned, now that we’ve taken a ride on the U3-X, walking just feels like a chore. See for yourself what it looks and feels like in the video after the break!

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Engadget rides the Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Device! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1 year ago

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Verizon Wireless teases employees (and us)

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1 year ago

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Intel’s Atom D525 to offer 1.8GHz with no bump in consumption?

The solder has barely hardened attaching Intel’s Atom D510 to a suite of nettops and the like, but already we’re getting word of its successor, the supposed D525. Many have expressed disappointment that the D510 offers no better performance than its predecessor, but the new D525 should do better thanks to both a slight bump in speed (up to 1.8GHz) and compatibility with DDR3 memory. Despite that the new chip is said to have the same 13W TDP rating and, according to Fudzilla, will be shipping sometime in the second quarter — so not too far off. Netbook Choice is also reporting the existence of the chip in a chart from Intel, but that chart pegs it at the same ‘ol 1.6GHz. We’re still inclined to think the 1.8GHz rating is correct, but we won’t be placing any bets until Intel makes things official. We’re just not the betting kind, really.

Intel’s Atom D525 to offer 1.8GHz with no bump in consumption? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1 year ago

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iPad apps: books and comics galore

Reading on the iPad is something that is part of the device’s DNA. Whether or not you think that LED-backlit display is a killer or a cure for the world’s third favorite bedtime activity, you can’t deny that Apple has pushed the idea of the iPad as e-reader pretty heavily. So, if you’ve got one you must be thinking about what kinds of reading choices you really have. Unlike a lot of platforms, you’re not just locked into Apple’s iTunes-integrated iBookstore for getting your textual kicks — you can also utilize Amazon’s Kindle service and a handful of other distribution channels for the books and comics of your choosing. So, which ones stand out? Take a look beyond the break and see our picks for reading on your magical new device. Oh, and be sure to check out our other app roundups right here.

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iPad apps: books and comics galore originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1 year ago

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Daimler, Renault Team Up On Electric Car Tech

It’s official: the 800-pound green car gorilla has arrived. Executives from Daimler and Renault-Nissan Alliance this morning in Brussels announced a comprehensive partnership to share powertrains and architecture for compact cars and light commercial vehicles. Related posts:

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1 year ago

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In Depth: Top 20 best iPad apps

The iPad has arrived, in the US at least – and that means deciding which apps you should purchase and download right away.

We tested the launch apps and we’ve ranked them based on how they test out, if they make use of the larger screen, and any added perks.

1. Kindle for iPad

Why list a free e-book reader as the top pick when Apple’s own iBook is included? Ask anyone who owns a Kindle – with this free app, you can download every book and magazine you have ever purchased for free and read them on the iPad.

The Kindle reader doesn’t have the annoying grayscale book spine of the iBook reader, and books through Amazon are cheaper. There’s also a much wider selection. And, one of the best ways to use the iPad is for reading books, mags, and newspapers.

2. Blackboard Mobile Learn

The second free app that tops our list, Blackboard Mobile Learn is a classroom learning tool where teachers can make assignments, interact with students, write blogs, and post grades. It requires a backend infrastructure. Currently available only for higher-ed schools, Blackboard will add K-12 support by June.

3. Scrabble

Scrabble is another app that is just an ideal fit for the iPad. The classic word-cross board game is well-designed with wooden tiles that look realistic. With the accurate touchscreen control, it is easy to slide tiles around on screen.

4. Groovemaker

Groovemaker is like having a DJ on your iPad. There’s an easy to way to record and mix loops, add drum parts, and adjust sound levels to make a song. Samples clips sound great, especially on earbuds. The app is ideal for live music at parties as well.

5. Things

We know all about Things – the well-regarded task manager for iPhone and Mac. On the iPad, once again the app just has a new life because it’s like carrying around a clipboard with all your to-do items in one easy-to-access bucket.

6. Fieldrunners

Fieldrunners – the classic tower defense game for iPhone where you drop cannons to shoot advancing armies – has always needed some extra screen real estate. On iPad, the game looks crisp and colorful, but most importantly there is more room to plan out your strategy and divide up your units in a logical array.

7. Netflix

Netflix is on so many devices it is becoming a legitimate standard for streaming movies over the internet. (It’s on the Roku player, Samsung BD-C6500 Blu-Ray player, and many others.) Now, it is on the iPad, and it works: you can even set up a movie queue and search for films and shows, unlike other embedded devices that force you to add instant movies to your queue on your PC only.

8. Pianist Pro

MooCowMusic got an early jump with its iPhone port of this useful piano tool. On the iPad, the keys are large enough to actually play a real song. There’s plenty of sampled piano sounds – even a church organ – and a quick way to record.

9. WeatherBug Elite

WeatherBug Elite is a perfect example of why the iPad is changing computing: it shows a well-detailed map of your exact location, forecasts, video, and even camera feeds from your area. There are even contour maps for wind speed and temp.

10. FlightTrack Pro

This iPhone port works exceptionally well on the iPad, mostly because you can see a large map that shows your flight departure and arrival. Pop-ups after you enter the flight info remind you about when the flight is ready to take off.

11. Pages

Apple knew full well that Microsoft would not move an inch to support the iPad, so Pages is the best (and only!) word processing app. Combined with the iPad Dock with an Apple Bluetooth keyboard, it is possible to do real work on the iPad, even if Pages lacks some key features – such as HTML mark-up support.

12. Tweetdeck

Another brilliant port to iPad, Tweetdeck shows you the feeds of your Twitter friends, your own mentions, and your direct messages. It works well because there is enough screen space to actually read all of this content.

13. Keynote

Keynote is worth the price of admission if only because you can set up an attractive slideshow – using Apple’s templates and stock artwork – and run it on the iPad’s crisp screen – which is viewable from side angles during a meeting.

14. Mirror’s Edge

The PC and console versions of Mirror’s Edge never really caught on due to minimalistic gameplay mechanics. On the iPad, the story is still confusing (is she running from enemies, trying to collect info about them?) but the action is better. You flick and jump to avoid obstacles in a side-scrolling window, and there’s a few interesting additions – such as tilting the screen to run faster.

15. ABC Player

The ABC Player on the iPad is a must download – it provides the best way to watch TV shows from the US network for free. Most importantly, it works quite well over a Wi-Fi connection without some of the latency problems on the desktop.

16. Labyrinth Lite HD

More than just a simple wood-block puzzle where you move a marble from one end of the box to another, Labyrinth Lite HD has expanded to provide a tougher challenge with switches, rotating dials, and other obstacles. The iPad version is just right: it really feels like you are playing the classic puzzle game.

17. Yahoo! Entertainment

We were surprised to discover this colorful, well-designed app – which shows you TV listings for your area as well as video snippets and news.

18. SketchBook Pro

We’re big fans of SketchBook on the iPhone, and this high-def version just makes it even easier to sketch out an artistic image. The tools are amazingly advanced, mirroring what you might see in Photoshop or in a real artist’s shop.

19. OmniGraffle

OmniGraffle has never quite fit a device like it fits the iPad. This diagramming tool – which you can use to create flowcharts, sketch out ideas, and even plan an office floorplan – is just pick-up-and-go easy on the smooth touchscreen.

20. AIM

AOL still exists? Yes – in theory. On the iPad, this instant messaging client looks great and, coupled with the responsive soft keyboard, is actually one of the best ways to communicate with friends, short of a video chat in a future iPad version.

Four iPad apps we didn’t include

You might wonder – why did we not include a few notable apps? Here are some of the near-misses and omissions along with why they did not make the list.

1. The Elements

This is an interesting app that points to some future innovations – think doctors who look up health charts and show you videos of your torn ligaments. The Elements shows you a rotating image of periodic table elements and a wealth of info culled out of Wolfram Alpha, but it’s mostly smoke and mirrors. There’s a lot of info, but it is not that interactive.

2. Adobe Ideas

Adobe’s first try at an iPad app is essentially a sketchpad that does not do nearly as much as Sketchpad Pro. It’s really one of the poorest apps on the iPad.

3. Touchgrind HD

Touchgrind is great on the iPhone, but for some reason the game feels underpowered and simplistic on the larger iPad, especially when games should be a vast improvement over any of the smartphone options.

4. LogMeIn Ignition

LogMeIn is a handy way to tap into your PC or Mac remotely. Unfortunately, for a jaw-dropping 20 pounds, and buggy operation, the app just doesn’t make the cut.

Five iPad apps we want to see

Compared to the 150,000 apps available for the iPhone, the iPad has a long way to go. Here are some ideas for apps we want on the device – sooner rather than later.

1. Drum machine

Imagine tapping on a realistic-sounding drum kit – with a way to easily repeat the bass rum or cymbals and record loops, then export them. Looptastic HD offers some basic loop creation tools, but we’re hoping for a full drum set rendition.

2. Hulu or Boxee player

The ABC player is great, and Netflix works well for movies, but we’d prefer a player that aggregates content from many sources and lets you access them easily.

3. Music recording

The iPhone has plenty of apps for recording music, but the larger screen on the iPad and slick portability means this device could become a musicians best accomplice.

4. Role-playing games

Otto Matic is one early example of a top-down game – but we’d like Sony and others to get on board with some robust role-playing games, or even Final Fantasy, with brilliant graphics, sound, and a deep storyline – with CGI cutscenes, please.

5. Social networking

At present, the iPad is a bit light on social networking apps, such as a true Facebook client and one for LinkedIn. If these companies can somehow integrate with email and the photo app we’d be extremely pleased and impressed.

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1 year ago

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