Acase TipTop Case for the iPad Air Review

With many cases out for the iPad, it is sometimes difficult to decide which cases are good.  There are also many types of cases: sleeves; folio covers; clutch; built-in keyboards; etc.  Plus there are different price ranges too.

Today, we are reviewing the Acase TipTop which is a hard shell folio case for the new iPad Air (5^th generation).  This case was designed specifically for the new iPad Air which is thinner than previous generation iPads.  Therefore one must look for a case that specifically fits the new iPad Air.

Apple Introduces the New iPad

So after all the hype the media has provided, the new iPad is not going to be called the iPad 3 or iPad HD.  Its just the new iPad.  Some specs were expected while others were missed completely.  Again, the media likes to always write about rumors.  Let's dig in and see what the new iPad is all about...

Apple iPad 3 Launches in March

     Sorry I have been away but will be writing more posts.  Anyhow, Apple will apparently be launching the iPad 3 next month.  Apple tends to launch their iPads in March/April of the year.  Although little is known exactly on the iPad 3 will be like, several sources including AllThingsD and Boy Genius have mentioned a few things about the new iPad...

Apple to Launch iPad Mini in 2012?

   With better priced competition entering the tablet market, Apple is going on the offensive by launching an entry-level iPad early next year.  According to Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White, Apple is looking to launch an iPad in the mid to high $200 range.  Of course, this would be in addition to the iPad 3 which should launch in the second quarter of 2012.

   This would be a smart move for Apple as higher quality yet lower priced tablets enter the market.  Analyst are predicting that the Amazon Kindle Fire will give the iPad a tough fight although our belief is that they are not in the same class.  If Apple wants to maintain market share, it would need to lower the price of its iPad.  A $250 - $300 iPad may ensure that Apple remains on top.  We shall see.

RIP: Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

   The world lost, today, a genius and a revolutionary.  Whether you love Apple or hate them, the company would not be where it is today without his leadership.  It is difficult to imagine a world without iPods (which transformed music into a digital format for easy mobility), iPhone (introduce an easy to use and very functional touchscreen cellphone), iTunes (again moving from physical storage [DVDs] to digital) and the iPad (we would more than likely not have a tablet market without the iPad).  Of course, there are the Mac computers and Pixar.  We cannot forget about Pixar which he started.  Disney would not have its blockbuster hits without Pixar.  He was a fighter having survived pancreatic cancer and  a liver transplant.

   Steve stepped down as CEO several weeks ago because he must have known that his time was near.  He did the right thing.  Apple would have suffered a major hit if he was to have passed away as the current CEO.  It was best for him to step down and separate himself from the company which was the right thing to do.  Apple will continue to survive but nonetheless it still suffers a big loss.  

Editorial: HP TouchPad - Dead or Alive?

   With HP announcing that they are discontinuing the TouchPad and putting webOS on hold, Apple has claimed another victory against its competitors.  The TouchPad never had a chance against the iPad or the many Android Honeycomb tablets as it intended to compete in that higher-price market.  Having seen many tablets come and go since the first iPad was launched, a company claiming defeat after only 6 weeks on the market is the most shocking event I have witnessed in this still young tablet market.  What is even more shocking is HP's dramatic price cut ($99 for 16GB & $150 for 32GB)?  Whether intentional or not, we believe this is a good move.  Why?  Read on.

TabletConnect Hits One Year

Can't believe its been one year since our very first post (7/15/10).  I am actually surprised that we survived a full year. Initially, this blog was launched as a short term project but has grown to be successful.  Thanks to you!  As long as our readers continue to visit our blog, we will continue to do what we do: provide independent reviews; provide news & information on tablets.

Survey Results: Motorola Xoom is Winner

I know I am a little late on this as the survey closed several days ago.  The question of the month was "Which tablet are you looking forward to?"  The winner: Motorola Xoom.  No surprise there.  Who were the others?

Introducing the Apple iPad 2 (on sale March 11)

As our tweet on Twitter noted earlier today, Apple introduced the iPad 2 today to the world.  So what does the new iPad have?  Most of the rumored changes were true.  It will sport a dual core 1GHz A5 chip; dual cameras; HDMI output (although you will need to buy a special adapter); thin body (only 8.8mm compared to the original 13.4mm); and enlarged speaker grill on the back.  What has not changed is the resolution of 1024x768 (which is no surprise considering the cost to implement Retina Display on this size screen); the starting price of $499; and expected battery life of 10+ hours.  What has not been officially confirmed is the RAM.  The original iPad had 256MB.  With the competition introducing 1GB, Apple should also have 1GB.

Apple Expected to Announce iPad 2 on March 2nd

Apple will be hosting an event on March 2nd to announce its new iPad 2.  Apple launched the first iPad last April and intends to launch the second generation version almost exactly a year later.  With the competition launching their first generation tablets, Apple is way ahead launching its second generation tablet.  It would be difficult for Apple to match the sales figures from the first iPad.  (How many individuals will actually replaced their one year old iPad?)

Apple iPad 2 Has Started Production

The Wall Street Journal has reported that production has started for the next generation iPad.  According to WSJ, the new iPad will be lighter and thinner than the original.  In addition, it will have a more powerful processor, more memory and a front facing camera.  There have been different reports as to whether the new iPad will have the higher resolution (Retina Display) but apparently the new iPad will be similar to the first iPad.  This is no surprise as the cost to increase the resolution would be significant.

Verizon Wireless To Sell Ipad

Probably not the news that most people are waiting to hear that involves Verizon and Apple but nonetheless it is news.  Verizon Wireless will be selling Apple's iPad later this month.  Unconfirmed reports still are going around that Verizon will offer the iPhone early next year but again its unconfirmed by either parties. Although the 3G version of the iPad is not compatible with Verizon's CDMA network, Verizon will be selling the WiFi version with an optional bundle including its "MiFi" device.  This device allows one to access Verizon's network using a WiFi connection.  One can purchase different data packages. AT&T will start selling the iPad in its store on 10/28 also with different data packages. Always compare data plans from the different carriers.  Depending on your usage, one maybe more expensive than another.  Virgin Mobile has competitive pricing on their data plans with their "MiFi" device.

Apple's iPad - King of Tablet PCs for now

For years, manufacturers have tried to invent a "workable" tablet computer but have been unsuccessful.  Its difficult to pinpoint exactly when tablets first were introduced.   Technically in 1888, the first patent for an electronic tablet used for handwriting was granted.  However in modern times, Apple & Microsoft have both introduced the concept of a portable computer without a keyboard.  In 1993, Apple introduced the Newton PDA a.k.a Apple MessagePad.  In 2001, Bill Gates demonstrated a Tablet PC prototype.

Apple already working on a more powerful iPad

Digitimes has reported that Apple will be releasing the next iPad with an ARM Cortex-A9-based processor and 512MB of RAM.  Target date is sometime 1st qtr 2011.  Apparently, Apple will also be launching a 7 inch iPad with a screen resolution of 1024x768.

Microsoft hard at work to bring Windows 7 tablets

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

CNET has reported that Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, has stated at an analyst meeting that "They'll [tablets] be shipping as soon as they are ready.  It is job one urgency. No one is sleeping at the switch."  Ballmer has admitted that Apple's iPad has sold more than what he would have liked.  However, Microsoft is apparently working hard with its partners on delivering a Windows 7 tablet in the future.

Apple beats estimates with surprising strong sales from iPad

After the stock market closed today, Apple announced their earnings - net income rose to $3.25 billion during the quarter ending June 30 (which is a 78% increase from a year ago).  Strong sales came from Mac computers, iPhone and, of course, the iPad.

What is surprising is that Apple sold almost 3.3 million iPads during the quarter almost matching the number of Mac computers sold - 3.47 million.  To put things into perspective, it took Apple 20 months to sell 1 million iPods.

Image via CrunchBase

iPad Releasing in 9 More Countries on Friday

The iPad is going on sale in nine countries this Friday, July 23.  The nine countries are Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore.

We anticipate strong sales as Apple continues to introduce the iPad throughout the world.  Additional countries will get their hands on the iPad later this year.

Tablets PC to steal market share from Notebooks in 2010 & 2011

According to a Goldman Sachs report, global shipments of tablet PCs are expected to reach 16.4 million and 35 million units in 2010 & 2011. These would represent about 40% of global demand for notebooks with netbooks being the one mostly affected. Apple being the responsible for most of 2010's figures since they were the first to introduce a successful tablet computer.

We are not surprised by this as our belief is that the days of netbooks are numbered. Although there is debate whether tablets are a fad or not, only time will tell. We believe they are not a fad and are here to stay.