Sky Sports for iPad 2.0 launches with live TV streaming, F1 Race Control companion

Another day, another app release from the folks at Sky, who have this time around delivered v2.0 of Sky Sports for iPad (formerly Sky Sports News). Coming just in time for the F1 2012 season, this iteration includes not only live streaming of the four Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports F1 HD, but it also has a new F1 Race Control companion feature built-in. During a race, it lets viewers choose from eight different camera feeds with in-car and pit lane views, in-race highlights, live race data like lap times and integrated social media feeds - while these are just for racing now, according to Sky's blog post, we may see similar ones for other sports soon. Access to the app is included with various Sky TV packages, while those in the UK and Ireland without a TV plan can get access to the app and Sky Sports News channel streaming for £4.99 per month, billed through iTunes. Check it out there for a few more screenshots or to download and get ready for the Australian GP.

Imminent iPad 3 launch prompts iPad 2 sale at Best Buy

Apple is all but confirmed to be planning a press conference for March 7th during which it will unveil its next-generation iPad tablet. The iPad 3 is expected to feature a high-definition 2,048 x 1,536-pixel Retina Display along with a faster quad-core Apple A6 processor, embedded 4G LTE, an upgraded rear camera and a redesigned case. There is no question that the new iPad will be a significant upgrade compared to the current model, but not everyone needs the latest and greatest. For those willing to forgo the added speed, embedded LTE and HD display, Best Buy is now offering $50 off every iPad 2 model it carries. Of course buying the iPad 2 now at a $50 discount is a risky move - a number of reports have suggested that Apple will continue to sell its current tablet at a discount of $100 or more once the next-generation iPad 3 launches next month.

Ten One Design Magnus Magnetic Stand for iPad 2 Review

One word came to my mind the first time I saw the Magnus Magnetic iPad 2 Stand from Ten One Design. That word was sexy. It's the most minimalistic iPad stand I've reviewed to date. Is this stand just a pretty face with nothing to back it up though? Let's find out. Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view. The Magnus looks and feels exactly like the stand that is built into my iMac. It is made of machined, recycled aluminum which has been hand finished. Mac fans would definitely guess that it was made by Apple. The front has a shallow trough with a thin strip of rubber that covers embedded neodymium magnets. A side view shows a slightly raised ledge and also shows off the one-piece design. The bottom has 4 rubber feet to keep the stand from sliding around on your desk. If you're familiar with the iPad 2, you'll know that the edges have magnets that are used to attach smart covers. The Magnus stand from Ten One Design takes full advantage of these magnets by using them as the sole method of holding the iPad 2 in place. I keep saying iPad 2 because the Magnus will not work with the original iPad or any tablet other than the iPad 2. It's been designed specifically to mate with the iPad 2′s magnetic left edge. The iPad clicks into the ledge as soon as you get close to it. Removing the iPad from the stand requires two hands. One to hold the stand and the other hand to pull the iPad free of the magnets. Has it occurred to you yet that you can only orient the iPad one way with this stand? It will only work in landscape orientation with the home button on the right. Although you can balance the iPad in the ledge in normal orientation, it isn't secure and is definitely not recommended as the slightest bump will cause it to slide out. The orientation issue is the number one limitation of the Magnus. The number two limitation is that the viewing angle can not be changed.   What good is an iPad stand that you can only orient one way and can't change the viewing angle? That's a good question… I have found that it does work great as a 2nd display for your desktop or laptop. It also works well as a clock or a photo frame. The angle is actually very good when using the iPad with a keyboard. So although functionality is limited with this stand, it's not a complete deal breaker. The deal breaker is more likely the 50 dollar price tag for something that can only be used with only one device in a very specific way. If the price tag doesn't scare you away along with the limitations, this stand is the sexiest way to display your iPad 2 in landscape orientation.

Apple's iPad 2 pulled from Amazon China as lawsuit looms

Apple's class-leading iPad 2 tablet has been pulled from Amazon's website in China following a lawsuit filed by Chinese firm Proview International. Proview recently filed suit against Apple for using its trademarked “iPad” name, seeking to ban sales of the iPad in China and abroad. Apple contends that it licensed the name from Proview, which has now unlawfully reneged on its deal. ”Proview refuses to honor their agreement with Apple in China," and Apple spokesperson said on Tuesday. “Our case is still pending in mainland China." While no ruling has been made, Chinese officials reportedly seized a number of Apple tablets earlier this week and now Amazon has pulled the iPad from its website, as has rival Chinese retailer Suning. It is not currently clear if the sales halts are court-ordered.

Leaked iPad 3 parts suggest larger battery, 4G LTE, and Retina Display in same form factor as iPad 2

The next-generation iPad will feature a larger battery and a new camera, according to RepairLabs. The website obtained what it claims to be the rear shell of the upcoming iPad 3 from an industry insider in China. After examining the shell and comparing it to an iPad 2 case, RepairLabs noticed the mounts for the logic board were quite different, meaning the board itself will likely be a different shape. The rear case also apparently reveals that the iPad 3 will include a larger battery pack, in line with earlier rumors. The device is also expected to have a “different camera” as well, and the site suggests the front display will also be new. There has been speculation that the next-generation iPad would be slightly thicker, but the site claims that could be false after examining the rear case. Apple is expected to unveil the iPad 3 next month.

Magnus iPad 2 Stand – Most Elegant iPad Stand Yet?

If you've been trying to find an elegant and minimal stand for your iPad 2, the Magnus stand from Ten One Design looks like it might be it. Designed specifically for the iPad 2, this hand-finished aluminum stand takes advantage of the magnets that are built in to the Left side of the tablet to hold it in place. The result is a stand that you will barely notice. There are a few caveats though. The stand only works with an uncased iPad 2 in landscape orientation. If you're cool with that, then plunk down your $49.95 for this sexy stand.

iPhone 4S, iPad 2 untethered jailbreak almost ready for release

The uncharacteristically long wait iPhone 4S and iPad 2 owners have been forced to endure before their devices can be jailbroken is almost over. In a blog post early Friday morning, the iPhone Dev Team stated that an untethered jailbreak solution for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 is almost ready for a public release. The iOS hackers wrote that it has taken the combined efforts of pod2g, the Chronic Dev Team and their own group to develop the new jailbreak, and that all technical hurdles have now been overcome. The teams are now working on making the solution as bug-free as possible ahead of general release. Once available, the new jailbreak tool dubbed “corona” will support iPhone 4S handsets running iOS 5.0 and iOS 5.0.1 as well as iPad 2 tablets running iOS 5.0.1. Users hoping to jailbreak their devices should not update to newer versions of iOS in the event Apple pushes out any software updates ahead of corona's release.

Zero Chroma Vario-SC for iPad 2 Review

I seem to be the go-to gal for iPad accessories.  (Julie knows what I like!)  I have another iPad 2 back cover and stand for you today.  The Vario-SC for iPad 2 from Zero Chroma protects the back of your iPad 2, works with your Smart Cover, and acts as a horizontal, vertical, or typing stand.  That's a lot of functionality.  Let's give it a closer look. The Vario-SC is a back cover for the iPad 2.  It's made of a flexible, rubbery plastic, and it is easy to put on the iPad 2.  The Vario-SC is available in black or white.  I received the black.  The case is very thin, and it adds only a millimeter or two to the length and width of the iPad 2.  You'll notice in the picture above, there is a hard plastic assembly in the back of the case.  This is a multi-position, rotating theater stand, and it adds about 1x8″ thickness.  The Vario-SC weighs just over 4 ounces. The hard plastic portion of the theater stand doesn't seem to touch the back of the iPad 2.  I haven't noticed any scratches from rotating the stand while the case is on the iPad 2. The lip of the case just fits over the front of the iPad 2.  It leaves the camera, ambient light sensor, and home button completely accessible.  You'll see the bottom edge, as shown in the picture, is left mostly uncovered.  This opening is where the Smart Cover attaches.  I had no problem attaching the Smart Cover to the iPad 2 when it was in the Vario-SC.  The only quibble I have is that the hard plastic bump created by the theater stand prevents the Smart Cover from fitting flush against the back when it's opened and wrapped to the back. You'll see here that the black Vario-SC looks very sharp with my new red leather Smart Cover.  You'll also see that the headphone jack, microphone, and sleep/wake button are all exposed.  I had no problems using headphones or the sleep/wake button. The back camera is fully exposed, and I had no problems taking pictures with the iPad 2 in the case.  The mute/lock button and the volume rocker are also easy to use. The back speaker is covered with a grid of circular holes; I didn't notice any ill effects from this speaker grill.  I could also charge my iPad 2 with the charging cable without removing the Vario-SC. The spine of the Smart Cover fit perfectly into the opening.  I found the Smart Cover functioned perfectly with the Vario-SC.  The front lip was thin enough that it didn't interfere with the fit of the cover, and the sleep/wake function worked well. Now, let's talk about the rotating theater stand.  It's made of a hard plastic, and there's a stand that folds flat for storage, but pulls open when needed.  There are stops built in to the stand that locks it into eleven different positions as you pull it open.  The stand has an anti-slip rubber tip to keep the iPad 2 from sliding around. You'll also notice from the above pictures that the theater stand rotates a full 360 degrees.  There are four stops that lock it at the 12-3-6-9 positions.  Using the 11-position stand and the 360-degree rotation, you can achieve a multitude of angles and positions for your iPad 2. You can also use the stand as a hand grip.  Simply adjust the stand into the angle you find most comfortable.  It feels a bit like holding a thin microphone, and you can rest the edge of the iPad 2 on your arm for stability.  You might find this less tiring than pinching the edges of the iPad 2 for long periods. Here's just one horizontal angle.  I found this was a very stable position.  You'll have no trouble finding a comfortable viewing angle no matter your height or the table height. Here's a vertical orientation.  Again, this was very stable. Finally, here's a typing angle.  I thought it would be a bit wobbly as a typing stand, because the rotating theater stand is not centered in the middle of the case.  I found it to be amazingly stable.  It looks a bit tall, but it was actually a comfortable angle for doing the two-fingered pecking I always do with the on-screen keyboard.  I could also see the screen well at this angle. Zero Chroma also recommends using the Vario-SC in conjunction with the Smart Cover as a lap stand.  You can see in the above photos, the Smart Cover can be used as a platform to support the iPad 2 in either the horizontal or vertical position.  I will admit I didn't like doing this on my leather cover because I feared it would get scratched.  There were no scratches, but I was very careful doing this.  Finally, the Smart Cover can be used as a typing stand while the iPad 2 is in the Vario-SC cover.  The Smart Cover typing angle is somewhat lower than the Vario-SC typing angle. The Zero Chroma Vario-SC for iPad 2 is a very versatile back cover and stand.  The case doesn't change the width and length very much, but it does add some weight and thickness.  However, you'll get a lot of functionality in return.  You can use the case as a horizontal or vertical stand with a variety of angles and positions.  It's also a typing stand, a lap stand (with the Smart Cover), and a handle.  The back cover will also protect the aluminum back of the iPad 2 from scratches.  At $50, it seems you get a lot of bang for your buck.

iPad 2 may drop to $299 after iPad 3 launch

Last week brought reports that Apple plans to reveal two versions of the iPad 3 this month during the Macworld/iWorld expo scheduled for January 26-28, 2012, in San Francisco. Both will reportedly offer the same 9.7-inch QXGA screen (1536 x 2048) and A6 SoC, but one model will sport a 5MP camera whereas the other will feature an 8MP camera. These will serve as new mid-range and high-end tablets in Apple's iPad lineup. As for the low-end/entry-level model, this will be Apple's current iPad 2, according to sources at Apple's supply chain partners. We speculated that it will be re-launched with a lower pricetag than what's offered now, and even suggested that Apple may introduce an 8 GB model to put Apple in a better position to compete with Amazon, Barnes & Noble and even Archos in the $199 tablet market. However on Tuesday sources from Apple's supply chain clarified that the high-end 8MP iPad 3 will have the high resolution QXGA panel (2048 x 1536) and the 5MP mid-tier model will have the same XGA panel offered with the iPad 2 which comes with a 1024 x 768 resolution. That means Apple would essentially offer an iPad with a A5 SoC, XGA panel and a 0.3MP camera, an iPad with an A6 SoC, XGA panel and 5MP camera, and an iPad with an A6 SoC, QXGA panel and 8MP camera. As for pricing, there's speculation that the Wi-Fi iPad 2 could sell for as low as $299 USD. Currently Apple offers three iPad 2 Wi-Fi only models: $499 for 16 GB, $599 for 32 GB and $699 for 64 GB. While it's possible that Apple may knock $200 off the price of its 16 GB model, providing an 8 GB version with a low price point seems more likely. Will a $299 iPad tablet be competitive in a $199 tablet market? For many consumers, the $100 price gap between the Kindle Fire and the possible $299 iPad 2 may be too wide. Another problem Apple may have in competing with Amazon's Kindle Fire is that it's essentially the only Android tablet that allows consumers to purchase and stream video content directly to the device — Google's Android Market only provides rentals (Ultraviolet doesn't count yet, sorry). Amazon also stays competitive with the Android Market, offering a free Android app each day while countering Android Market promotions like the $4.99 albums and 0.99 EA games. To some degree Amazon and Google are tag-teaming against Apple, both providing cloud storage for video, music and ebook purchases (except for the Green Lantern license which ends in March doh). However in the long run, both Android and iOS have their strengths and weaknesses — consumers simply need to weigh each against how much they're willing to spend.

Next-gen iPad may feature double the battery capacity of iPad 2

Apple will launch a new high-end iPad model in early 2012 featuring a battery that includes more than twice the capacity of the current iPad 2 battery. Citing anonymous sources from within Apple's supply chain, DigiTimes recently reported that Apple's upcoming next-generation flagship iPad will feature a new 14,000 mAh battery, as will a new mid-range iPad model. The new power pack will feature more than twice the capacity of the 6,500 mAh battery currently used in Apple's iPad 2. DigiTimes also reported late Wednesday that Apple's 2012 iPad lineup will include three models: a low-end iPad 2, likely available at a discount compared to current pricing, a mid-range next-generation iPad and a high-end model. The new mid-range and high-end models will also reportedly feature an upgraded 2,048 x 1,536-pixel displays with dual-LED backlighting.