It seems that amongst all the speculations about the iPad 3’s release date and its new features, no-one has noticed that Apple themselves have not released any information yet. Some speculated dates include 7 March, 9 March, or anytime in March and April 2012. The quieter Apple is about the release, the more the rumours grow and spread – I would say this is an example of free marketing at its best.

Some of the features that are being speculated about include a new quad-core processor, 4G LTE networking and a 2048×1536 Retina display. There was also an image released in February of what will supposedly be the new iPad 3 Case; this image shows a thicker iPad, suggesting that both battery life & graphics will be improved. It has also been suggested that the iPad 3 will be available with 128 GBs worth of storage, as well as an SD Card slot. The camera is also said to be better in the new iPad.

A new rumour has also started claiming that the next iPad release will actually be the iPad 2S, rather than the iPad 3. This rumour started with an iPad case maker in China selling a cover for an iPad 2S.  This isn’t too far a leap, especially after Apple’s release of the iPhone 4S, rather than an iPhone 5.

Needless to say, until Apple makes their own press release, these are all just rumours and speculations. Come on Mr Tim Cook (Apple CEO) tell us what is going on!

Have your say: Tell us what you would like to see in the new iPad, or perhaps some other improvements you have heard it may have.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” — Steve Jobs, at a Stanford University commencement ceremony in 2005.
Steve Jobs died yesterday, at the age of 56. After fighting a long & hard battle with Pancreatic Cancer, he has finally said his last farewell and gone to rest. His statement at the Stanford University is a testament to his personal awareness & knowledge that life is too short.

Steve Jobs will always be remembered for his profound input & innovation in technology. For the most part, each of our lives has somehow been changed by his work – whether it is the way you listen to music, communicate with others or even the way you work – he has influenced it by the way he made technology so personal & accessible.

His work ethic & constant striving for excellence & innovation is an example to all. Our children will be taught about him, and how it is possible for one person with perseverance to make a difference to the world.

Our thoughts and prayers go to the loved ones left behind. Rest in Peace, Steve Jobs.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower” – this was not just a statement made by Steve Jobs, but rather a lifestyle he lives by. Steve Jobs recently resigned as Apple’s CEO.  His resignation letter read as follows:

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

Steve Jobs co-founded both Apple and Pixar Animation Studios. While he was CEO of Pixar, some much-loved films like Toy Story, A Bugs Life, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars and Ratatouille were created. Since Pixar merged with Disney on 2006,  Jobs has been serving on Disney’s board of directors.

During Jobs’ reign as Apple’s CEO, some incredible technical innovations were introduced to us, including: the iPod, iTunes, the iPhone, the iPad 1 and the iPad 2.  Thanks to him, our lives will never be the same and most of our children will not know what a CD or DVD is.

When Steve Jobs’ resignation hit the news, there was enough concern to drop the Apple shares slightly, but Apple has promised that things will not change for the employees, and under the leadership of Tim Cook, Apple will continue to develop and innovate new technologies. I believe the next year will be critical for Apple and set the standard for things to come.

As I sit here typing this on my MacBook, listening to my iPod, wishing I had an iPad, I marvel at the innovation, drive, passion and commitment that Jobs has for the industry. He certainly has left his mark on the world. Steve Jobs, we wish you well as you battle poor health and hope for a quick recovery.

It’s said that competition fuels innovation, so therefore competition is good; good for the advancement of technology and good for the consumer’s pocket. Competition in the field of technology keeps information accessible, protocols open and standards adhered to. It is starting to seem however, that Apple does not agree with this sentiment, in light of its recent fiasco of lawsuits.

Apple has been behind several innovative products in the later half of the last decade, and has proved to be a substantial opponent to Microsoft, the former king of computing.  Apple no doubt achieved this with pure innovation and a genius marketing strategy which raked up millions of loyal subjects.

Predictably many patents have been registered by Apple in light of its rise to power and stardom. Understandably, patents exist to protect intellectual property, however, there surely is a line at which patent-ability stops. Logically many generic ideas may not be patentable, such as dressing in a certain style or using a specific colour in your logo. Apple recently lashed its legal claws out at the online media giant, Amazon, for the use of the two words “App” and “Store”. Therefore the term “App Store” cannot be used commercially, anywhere,  forever.  Not even on a Bar One wrapper.

Is this now going too far?  Is Apple really the victim of idea theft?  Are the two words “App” and “Store” an invention, an idea so original that it did not exist and had not been thought of previous to the founding of the Apple corporation?

It seems as though Apple is now on the warpath to obliterate any and all competition, has it lost the its direction to innovate both aesthetically and technologically, is it now only able to intimidate and destroy? If so, then it potentially means gloomy clouds for the world of technology and the consumers it serves.  As if there is no competition, monopolization will spread rampantly.

Amongst Apple’s battalion of lawsuits against Samsung,  it has managed to recently block the sale of Samsung’s latest tablet computer in Europe, claiming that Samsung has violated various Apple patents with their devices, including touch screen scrolling operations and screen display rotation, which seems like very diluted claims as those features are incredibly generic.  At this rate it would not surprise me if the next bout of Apple vs Samsung action is because Samsung uses the letter “A” in its brand name and therefore is copying Apple as they also use the letter “A” in their brand name!

Other mobile device manufacturers have not been left unscathed, Nokia and HTC have also been in the path of Apple’s lust for blood.  Not to mention the Android mobile operating system, developed by Google, which is IOS’s (iPad and iPhone’s operating system) biggest competitor.  It seems as though Apple wants to be the only portable device maker in the world.  All of these leaves that Apple is rustling is leaving a bad smell and making the traditionally evil corporation like Microsoft seem saintly.

In all sincerity, it seems as though Apple is beginning to act like a spoilt brat who can’t get along with his classmates.  Apple is clearly worried about its rivals, why?  Because they obviously doing something better. So why can’t apple devote all this negative energy into positive innovation and out do its rivals, instead of crying wolf at every turn?

I can only assume that someone from Seagate has an iPad or other tablet without a USB and got frustrated with the limited storage available (I know I would need a bit more storage than that offered by Apple).

Recently they (Seagate) gave us a glimpse their new HDD which has just joined the wireless arena. No longer do you need to plug-in your external Hard drive using a USB cable, but you can now send those bits and bytes over WiFi. Although we can’t give the award to being first to Seagate, (that goes to AirStash), we can certainly commend them on their creation. The 500 GB adds a fairly large amount of extra storage to any device.

The possibility that this offers goes far beyond just using it with you tablet PC. Very few homes have their own personal data server and since SA is not fully integrated in the cloud computing arena just yet, this offers a great opportunity to be able to back up your laptops and tablets without having to plug them in, just hit your wireless on and copy your data across no matter where in the house you are. No more lugging that 3.5” external HDD around with you or trying to find that plug point, just leave the HDD in your office and that’s it!

Well done on this one Seagate, just a bit curious on the range of the signal as well as the security!

Even if you don’t like Apple, we have to give then props for the advances in technology that they seem to continually make. They were the forerunner in the new generation of tablets the market has been flooded with, the iPod started a frenzy of mp3/mp4 players and there is no denying their creativity when it comes to their hardware design.

With the new iMac they seem to have done it all over again in a market where the likes of Sony, Acer and HP (among others) have joined the battle. But when it comes to all in one PC’s Apple have again lead the way – does the new iMac keep them in the front of this game?

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