Status Updates in Microsoft Outlook

If you use Microsoft's Outlook for your email client. There is now (what Microsoft calls) a "Outlook Social Connector." Once you install this connector you will be able to see the status updates for anyone sending you email. If they have a social account setup in one of the providers. Watch the short video, it will show you how to install the connector.

iPad 2 Rumor Roundup

Near Field Communications (NFC) chip

There is a possibility of a iPad with a 7" screen . I wouldn't count on this one.

April release date:

Elton John has been quoted as saying.

"I'm a Luddite. I don't have a phone, I don't have a computer. ... But this is going to be a problem for me because they're coming out with a Skype iPad in April and I've got to get one because I want to see my son when I'm not there."

Processor:

Ming-Chi Kuo of Concord Securities claims the new iPad will sport a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 processor. That's in line with what I've been expecting, and if Apple sticks to its guns this processor will be marketed as the Apple A5.

Graphics Chip:

The graphics processor will be the Imagination Technologies’ POWERVR SGX543 GPU, as reported here. What's critical here is that this graphics chip supports OpenCL, meaning that the power of both the graphics chip and the main CPU can at times be combined to handle intense computational tasks. The new iPad will be super-powered.

RAM:

"iPad 2 has 512MB RAM, same as iPhone 4 and twice as much as iPad 1, but running at higher clock 1,066 MHz for getting bigger memory bandwidth (iPhone 4 memory clock is 800 MHz)," Ming-Chi Kuo said.

Camera:

iPad 2.0 will host a low-res front-facing camera and a low-res back camera. Apple is already seeking an expert in digital photography to work with the iPad development team. This could mean improvements in PhotoStream, MobileMe Gallery and should also equate to new tools for image editing on your iPad. This has to also mean iPhoto will reach the iPad (at last), as the existing Photo App doesn't edit images. I'd stick my neck out to suggest a version of iMovie - already available on the iPhone -- will also reach iPad.

Resolution:

Ming-Chi Kuo of Concord Securities recently claimed the new iPad display will retain the same 1024 x 768 resolution, but will be anti-reflective, so it will be a much better device for reading -- think a Kindle, but better.

IDC analyst, Tom Mainelli believes we will see a Retina Display, but not until version 3 of the iPad, presumably next year. “I don’t believe anybody is ready to produce that resolution in volumes at this point. And Apple is going to require huge volumes for the iPad 2,” he said

Connectivity:

Primarily, WiFi-only, GSM, and CDMA. You'll be able to get an iPad for Verizon or for AT&T.

Accelerometer/Gyroscope controls:

These are going to be improved. Expect a 3-axis gyroscope

Carbon Fiber Body:

The iPad 2 will have a carbon fiber case, reducing weight and improving flexibility.

There is also an interesting read from Tim Cook, Apple's COO

Apple slams other tablets, says working on iPad 2

If anyone has any questions, feel free to leave a comment.

Excerpts from Computerworld.com

Too much attention

I'm probably the only person that would notice this. I was watching episode 11 (The Devil's Lube) of season 6 of Two and a Half Men. In the episode Charlie was in the car with Alan & talking on the phone with his doctors office. All the while he's holding his (1st gen) iPhone upside down.  He finishes his conversation. Talks to Alan a little more then calls Rose. He's holding the phone correctly, then the camera zooms in & he's holding it upside down again.

Yes, I realize this doesn't have anything to do with tech. Except the fact that Charlie was using a 1st gen. iPhone albeit incorrectly.

In-App Purchases

Today’s tip is right under everyone’s nose. But, if you’re like me it has never dawned on you that it’s even there.

If you have small children or adults that play with your iOS device (iPod, iPhone, or iPad) you may want to disable the “in-App Purchases” on your device. This is an easy fix to an ongoing problem with people not paying attention when they are tapping away at the screen to kill those darn Pigs (Angry Birds).

Tap Settings

Tap General

Tap Restrictions
Enable Restrictions

Scroll down to "Allowed Content"
In-App Purchases - Slide to the left to turn off

Facebook Comments

Let's say one of your Facebook friends post some big news. Now what are you suppose to say for a comment. Well here is a flowchart to help you leave the perfect comment.

Crud on Tech

I've been watching a lot of Tech podcasts on the Apple TV. My youngest daughter seems to be getting into this whole Tech thing a little more than I expected. It's cool, but drives the wife crazy because she hates watching that stuff. She is one of those people that just want things to work and expects me to make it happen whether or not I know how.

Website of the day:

Lifehacker

Big Bang Theory

I know everyone has seen "The Big Bang Theory." If you haven't, you should. At the end of the show Chuck Lorre (the producer) writes a vanity card. Everyone needs to pause the episode & read this "vanity card." the man is a gifted comedic writer. For those who have missed these up until now. Here is a link to the archives.
http://bit.ly/hKCOPe