The TOTALLY Multi-Touch iPad

Have you been pining over the latest iPad as much as I have? Well clearly we're just no being creative enough or we would've fixed that problem a long time ago. No lines, no cues, just a lot of creativity and patience.

By the way, I love the game and the keyboard synth app. Almost beats Korg's synth. Almost.

iPad 2 Lines Form at SoHo Apple Store

Wait what!? Didn't we do this about 3 weeks ago?

Apparently, demand for the latest magical iDevice is so high that up to today, March 29th, there are still lines forming in front of the SoHo Apple Store. AppleInsider posted the video below of at least a couple hundred folks braving the cold in hopes of dropping between $500-$800 for the latest iPad.

Seriously, this amazes me every time I see something like this. Sure if I had disposable income at the moment I'd pick one up but it's too damned cold in New York City to wait on line. Maybe someone should have let them know you can order it online.

via AppleInsider

Confirmed: iPad 2 is carrier unlocked

Well if you've been on the fence about which iPad you'll be buying, we've got confirmation that the iPad is carrier unlocked so you can easily switch to your favorite carrier or local carriers if you're looking to dodge very costly international data charges.

More over at The Noisecast.

iPad 1 Now Starting at $399

Now here's an announcement for all you Macheads on a budget.

If you don't mind last year's model, the iPad v.1 starts at just $400. Sure there's no dual-core A5 processor or dual cameras, but if you don't mind making a few sacrifices, you can walk away with a brand spankin' new (no refurb) iPad on the cheap(ish).

Apple Store via Engadget

Place Your Bets.. The House Always Wins

It's almost showtime but for now take a look at this gem from Bookmaker.com.

Apparently the folks over at Bookmaker.com have you covered for a Vegas-style keynote. So if you're a betting (wo)man you can find out what your odds are and where to place your bets. You know if you're into that sort of thing. Or you could just play keynote Bingo.

via TUAW

Happy iPad 2 Day!

In just a few hours our lives will change forever, until the next refresh. So grab some popcorn, get your bingo cards out, and let's get ready for Apple buzzword shots!

Or if you're like me you'll just be trying to keep up with the news as it happens from your desk.

What to Expect:

1. New iPads. It's on their invite (which we didn't get) so why not announce it.
2. MobileMe announcement; it's everywhere and it seems imminent just don't be too disappointed if some of the best features aren't free.
3. FaceTime for iPad. If you're on a Mac that isn't the latest MBP series, download the app. It's worth the $.99 (US App Store).

What NOT to Expect:

1. iTunes Streaming service (aka Apple using Lala's acquisition efficiently). It's not gonna happen because iTunes makes enough money with its purchase only model, there really isn't any viable competition... yet.
2. iPhone 5 announcement. We go through this every time Apple holds an event. IPhones have their own event, that's when we'll hear about them.

Maybes:

1. Although this isn't an announcement for Lion , Apple's latest version of OS X, don't be surprised if we hear a few more morsels of info as how Apple plans on blurring the line between desktop and mobile.
2. iPad 2 will be on sale immediately after the announcement. It's not too likely but it would be a great way to reaffirm Apple's dominance in the mobile space. It ain't easy to project selling 6.5 million iPads in one quarter without having a lot of sway in the manufacturing world; this will just show how much clout Apple really has.

If there's anything you think we missed, drop a line in the comments.

MobileMe For Free?

IPhone season is in full effect over at the Wall Street Journal, as reports rumors of a newer cheaper iPhone are coming out (again). However, one of the biggest pieces of anonymously sourced pieces of info come from Apple's MobileMe is expected to be free in its latest revamp.

Currently MobileMe subscribers dish out $99 per year for what can be basically broken down to a Dropbox account and the ability to remote wipe your iPhone/iPad, so having it go free will be a big deal for folks who either said $99 per year is steep or couldn't justify the cost by not having an iPhone to remote wipe. It will be interesting to see if/how Apple will sweeten the pot for folks who've been paying the $99.

Also, lost (buried) in the original article, is mention of Apple's streaming music service which may or may not be ready in time for the MobileMe announcement. Gotta love those anonymous sources.

WSJ Online via TUAW

Verizon iPad Imminent

Image via 9-to-5 Mac.

Yesterday we gathered 'round the interwebz to watch Verizon dryly announce the CDMA iPhone 4. Today, we get news that the iPad 2 will also come with a CDMA option. So if you thought of buying a 16GB wifi iPad with Verizon's MiFi service you may want to wait a little bit longer.

via Techtree - India

iPad and iPhone to Lose Home Button?

A BGR exclusive says that the phone Steve Jobs had envisioned, a phone without any buttons, may soon be a reality. According to their source, the news of 4 and 5-finger multitouch gestures being supported in iOS4.3 was designed for devices without a Home Button.

Bigger still are reports from this same source, that Apple is testing iPads and iPhones without Home Buttons at the Apple campus.

Though I'm sure a redesign of this scope would take into account that iOS devices occasionally tend to freeze - not that Apple would ever release anything that wasn't 100% ready to go.

Still with news like this, and this, I can't help but to be a little excited what's going to be unveiled in just a few short weeks.

via BGR

iPad 2 Ads Shot & Ready For Post Production

We knew it was coming, but now reports of an ad being shot at New York's Pier 59 by David Sims means that it's officially a matter of 'when' and not 'if.' According to 9 to 5 Mac's report, the photographer used current gen models for the shoot and the new models will be rendered in during post production.

Clearly the new iPad 2 will be of similar dimensions to the current one; goodbye rumors of a 7-inch iPad. Since we know that an iPad 2 is forthcoming, is it too early to get started on the fake iPad 2 rumors? I'm going with full Flash support and Verizon exclusivity.

via 9to5 Mac

Is that an iPad?

Twitter user @KevlarMenace posted that very same question in response to Degree for Men's "Chain of Adventure" YouTube campaign. It looks like they made an attempt to disguise the iPad but it's probably one of the worse camo-jobs this side of a Cupertino beer garden.

Anyhoo; we'll let you decide for yourself.



Hat tip to @KevlarMenace.

Etch-A-Sketch iPad Case

Take one good look at that and tell me you don't want one. In fact tell me it doesn't make you want to go out and buy an iPad just get this case.

Well if you did say such a thing I'd call you liar. And no one likes a liar. Not at all.

The case, well it's officially licensed by Ohio Art - makers of the original Etch-A-Sketch and will set you back about $40. While you're Etch-A-Sketching your iPad out, make sure to download the app as well (the app is not official).

Via TUAW

Update: Didn't mention it above but TUAW has a gallery with more pictures... so you know what to do.

New iPads with FaceTime Due Out Q1 2011?

Here we go again with more rumors of a camera equipped iPad coming out in the very near future. Ars Technica brings us FaceTime ready iPad tease, citing Digi Times that various component manufacturers have begun testing a 9.7-inch iPad, pressumably with a camera for use with FaceTime.

Though no new info has really been announced in this latest rumor, the time frame - First Quarter 2011 - is spot on for the usual 1 year refresh rate of most Apple products (the iPad was announced in March 2010). Although sources have told AppleInsider that we can expect to see a new FaceTime compatible iPad in stores in time for the holiday season, I'm sticking to the conservative Q1 2011 guestimate.

via Ars Technica

Restoring a Sense of Child-like Wonder in China

Not only are you the proud owner of the 1st iPad sold in China and got hoisted like the hero consumer you are; you even made a shirt for the occasion: I BUY IPAD NO. 1

Good on you sir, good on you.

via Gawker

Holy Hot Dang Batman! IPhone 'Jailbreaking' No Longer 'Illegal'

This one comes in from the U.S. Copyright Office, a ruling was released today stating that "jailbreaking" your iPhone is not, as Steve Jobs had once put it, "illegal." The ruling clearly address the installation of "non authorized" software such as firmware, software, DVD content, and E-books!

I make that determination at the conclusion of a rulemaking proceeding conducted by the Register of Copyrights, who makes a recommendation to me. Based on that proceeding and the Register’s recommendation, I am to determine whether the prohibition on circumvention of technological measures that control access to copyrighted works is causing or is likely to cause adverse effects on the ability of users of any particular classes of copyrighted works to make noninfringing uses of those works. The classes of works that I designated in the previous proceeding expire at the end of the current proceeding unless proponents of a class prove their case once again.

Hooray for consumers' rights!

via U.S. Copyright Office

iPad Pre-Orders

Just a reminder: iPad preorders starting at 8:30 this morning.

Ladies and gents. Start your credit cards!

Update: At 8:00AM EST the Apple Store is down in the US. I've got that buying itch!

Update 2: Officially taking pre-orders now! Direct link here.

The Night Before the Keynote

Twas the night before the keynote
and all through the land;
The bloggers were a frenzy
For what was at hand.
They boarded their planes
handling laptops with care.
In hopes that his Steveness
and Tablet would soon be there.

So for the next 24

we'll sacrifice our beds,

As images of iPad OS dance in our heads.

So with @MrHaroHaro prepping coffee

and me with MacBook in lap.

We eagerly await the REAL news,

and hope it ain't a trap.
What with today's McGraw-Hill leak
that sparked quite the chatter.

We all know by tomorrow
it just wouldn't matter...

This is my obligatory pre-Tablet/Unicorn Tears/Mythical unannounced "game changing," "print industry saving," "god-tablet" post. Tomorrow once there is real news to report we'll bring you the condensed version of tomorrow's Apple Keynote.

Thank you to all the men and women that have brought us all kinds of Tablet/Slate/whatever news and rumors. In specific thanks to Gizmodo.com, TUAW.com, and AppleInsider.com for all the great stories - check those out and see how they panned out after tomorrow's event.