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News, Reviews, & Opinion
Survey Reveals Over Half Say 'My Smartphone Is My
Life'
A recent smartphone survey conducted by Prosper Mobile Insights,
exclusively utilizing SSIs mobile panel, included 102 smartphone users
who completed the survey on their smartphone. The survey was collected
from May 13 - 18, 2011. 56% of the sample was male while 44% was
female, and the average age of the sample was 36. The data reveals key
insights on mobile usage, security concerns and privacy issues, as well
as purchase decision behaviors executed by mobile users on their
smartphones.
As mobile technology continues to
evolve, a majority of smartphone users are fully integrating their
devices into every aspect of their daily lives. According to a recent
smartphone survey conducted by Prosper Mobile Insights among smartphone
users on their devices, 52.9% say they utilize all of the functions of
their smartphone. 30.4% say they use the basic functions of their
smartphones plus some applications and 16.7% only use their smartphones
for calling, texting and emailing.
With all the unique features of smartphones, texting (21.6%),
Internet (16.7%), and email (15.7%) are the top functions smartphone
users say they cannot live without. Calling features (7.8%), GPS
(6.9%), and Facebook (5.9%) are also necessities to some.
With new technology, however, comes new concerns, and the top
privacy issue among smartphone users is location tracking, followed
closely by unauthorized access to personal information:
Top Privacy/Security Concerns Among Smartphone Users
- Location being tracked: 35.3%
- Someone accessing personal information: 31.4% Someone accessing
financial data: 21.6%
- Online behavior being tracked: 11.8%
Despite these concerns, 55.9% of smartphone users say they prefer
using their smartphone to access the Internet over using a computer
(35.3% prefer to use a computer while 8.8% aren't sure).
Good news for retailers: The vast majority of smartphone users
(81.4%) say they use their smartphone to browse for products or
services. 77.5% use their smartphone to locate stores or look for store
hours. Reading reviews and researching specific products are also top
smartphone activities, and half say they have made a purchase via their
smartphone device:
Smartphone Shopping Behaviors
- Browsing or looking for a product/service: 81.4%
- Locating a store or store hours: 77.5%
- Reading customer reviews: 57.8%
- Researching specific products: 57.8%
- Receiving text messages with special offers: 53.9%
- Making a purchase: 50.0%
- Scanning a QR code: 34.3%
- Writing a customer review: 20.6%
- None of the above: 5.9%
Consumers are integrating mobile devices into all aspects of their
daily lives - including shopping. Smartphone and tablet users are more
engaged with online content and in turn are more influenced by digital
advertising. Gary Drenik, President & CEO, Prosper Business
Development, Corp.
Smartphone users were also asked to weigh in on their smartphone
survey taking experience. It appears as though smartphone users overall
enjoy taking short, fun surveys on their mobile devices:
Highlights of Verbatim Responses
- It was simple and the same or better than on the computer.
- Being able to take surveys using my phone makes me more likely to
actually take and complete them! Id do more if surveys would be
compatible with my phone.
- I love my smartphone and don't mind telling others about my phone
and all of the apps.
- Enjoy using my smartphone for everything. Would love to be able to
do [more] moving forward.
- I love the opportunity to take these on my smartphone!
Survey Sampling International is a global provider of sampling
solutions for survey research. SSI reaches respondents in 72 countries
via Internet, telephone and mobile/wireless. Client services include
questionnaire design consultation, programming and hosting, and data
processing. SSI serves more than 2,000 clients, including 48 of the top
50 research organizations. Founded in 1977, SSI has 17 offices in 15
countries.
Link: Survey
Sampling International
Are Gadgets Stealing Our Humanity?
The Sydney Morning Herald's Asher Moses says:
"Are smart phones making us less smart?"
"Smartphones and other gadgets have literally become extensions of
our minds and hold out the tantalising promise of never being bored
again, but are we sacrificing too much in the process?"
"On the other hand....
"During a talk at the TEDxSydney conference at the weekend,
Professor David Chalmers, director of the Centre for Consciousness at
the Australian National University, argued that gadgets, particularly
smartphones, had become part of our minds.
"He said just as we use technology such as prosthetics, canes, cars
and bikes to extend our bodies, devices like the iPhone extended our
minds.
"But the question remains: are we choosing information overload at
the cost of sacrificing the more meditative and contemplative aspects
of our minds?"
Link: iPhone, Therefore
I Am: Are Gadgets Stealing Our Humanity?
The Revenge of Steve Jobs: iPad Is the Real 'Next'
Computer
PC Magazine's Tim Bajarin
deduces that Steve Jobs has never given up on his vision of creating
the "next" great computer, noting that after Jobs was kicked out of Apple, he set about creating
a computer that could beat the original Mac and the PC, and while Jobs'
NeXT Computer did not achieve that, the
base NeXT OS code created during that time eventually became the core
of Mac OS X - and iOS as well.
Bajarin thinks Jobs' desire to create the "next" big computer and
thumb his nose at the PC market is now stronger than ever, with Jobs is
inflicting his own version of personal revenge by beleaguering
traditional PC vendors with new Apple new products and services - such
as redefining the laptop computer with his MacBook Air - innovations
and style that have resulted in the Mac today kicking PC butts in the
marketplace in virtually every arena from enterprise to government to
education.
However, the crowning jewel in Jobs' personal revenge, says Bajarin,
is the iPad, which has really become the "next" major personal
computing platform.
Link: The Revenge of
Steve Jobs
Alaska Airlines Replacing Printed Flight Manuals
with iPads
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services reports that
"Alaska Airlines has announced its intention to replace hard copy
flight manuals for its pilots with iPads, and is looking into doing the
same with navigational charts
"Anticipated benefits from the switch include fewer back and muscle
injuries caused by pilots lugging around heavy hard copy manuals that
can cumulatively weigh up to 50 lb."
Link: Alaska Airlines to
Scrap Paper Flight Manuals, Equip Pilots with iPads
iPad Proving Invaluable for Marine Corps
Aviators
The Shephard Group reports that since November last year, US Marine
Corps aviators in Afghanistan have been using iPads loaded up with maps
of the southern regions of the country to reduce their workload in the
cockpit, and they recently upgrading to iPad 2s. The digital maps allow
crews to search out locations in the region with a tap on the screen
rather than flicking through map packs that are heavy and take up room
in the cramped cockpits of aircraft, such as the AH-1W Cobra and the
F/A-18 Hornet.
Shephard says the idea was developed by an enterprising Cobra pilot
from one of the deployed HMLA squadrons, and has spread rapidly through
the deployed squadrons.
Link: iPad Proving Invaluable for
Marine Corps Aviators
Federal Agencies Embrace iPhones, iPads
InformationWeek's Elizabeth Montalbano notes that when President
Obama was elected, much was made about his affection for his BlackBerry
and whether he'd be allowed to keep it once he assumed office, because
of security concerns. Obama did end up keeping BlackBerry with some
added security tweaking, but now in his third year in office, he's
evidently switched to an Apple iPad, and Montalbano notes that iPads
are showing up in more and more federal government agencies that are
testing Apple devices in field trials, with some having begun
distributing them to workers.
Link: Federal Agencies
Embrace iPhones, iPads
iOS Replacing BlackBerry in Some Government
Agencies
Hardmac's Lionel says that according to Agilex Technologies, a
company specialized in the deployment of electronic devices in
government, iOS devices have been in much more demand lately - in what
used to be RIM's exclusive territory.
Apple products like the iPhone and iPad are being chosen more
frequently by government departments and agencies because of their
versatility when the user wants to do anything beyond sending emails,
such as accessing data outside of the office.
Lionel notes that according to some experts, RIM could end up being
replaced by Apple, because it bet too heavily on the biggest strength
of its system, its secure email system, while failing to develop other
features and possibilities offered by the device with software
applications like Apple did on iOS.
The RIM to Apple transition, if it happens, will take years to
complete, but Lionel says that already in some agencies, like NASA and
the State Department, it seems to be Apple or nothing.
Link: iOS Is Replacing
BlackBerry in US Administrations
100 Web Apps to Rule Them All
AppStorm's Matthew Guay says:
"There's so many web apps today, it's hard to keep up with them all.
From the apps we've all used for years such as Gmail to newer apps that
just came out this year such as Flow, web apps have increasingly become
a part of our daily lives.
"Whether you're just getting started using web apps, or are a
longtime fan of web apps and would like to find more exciting apps,
you'll be sure to find something interesting here. There's no way to
include every web app, but we've included the apps that we think are
the very best in their categories. If you've got a favorite app that's
not included, feel free to add it in the comments below."
Publisher's note: Some of these apps are Mac and/or Windows only.
dk
Link: 100
Web Apps to Rule Them All
Video: Unlock Your iPad Keyboard's Potential
Cult of Mac's Michael Steeber says:
"While the iPads onscreen virtual keyboard is nice, it still doesn't
compare with a physical keyboard in usability. Fortunately, Apple
includes some relatively hidden features which can greatly improve
typing speed as well as usability on the iPads keyboard. In this video
you'll find out how to enable these features and use them to their full
potential."
Link: Unlock the
Potential of Your iPad's Keyboard [Video How-To]
Top 12 iPad 2 Complaints
InfoWorld's Galen Gruman says he really likes the iPad 2, which he considers the best tablet
available. Gruman says he uses his iPad 2 every day for work and
personal purposes, and he has co-written a book about how to work it,
but nevertheless it brings its own share of frustrations flaws and
omissions that he encounters every day, most of which are are merely
annoyances, but some have real consequences.
Gruman's dirty dozen iPad 2 shortcomings that bug him the most
are:
- Apps that go "pfft."
- Apps that downgrade themselves.
- Safari's premature refresh.
- The Smart Cover's obscuring of the 30-pin connector.
- Accidental volume changes when the Smart Cover is attached.
- Nonmodifiable alert rings.
- Lack of filtering on email.
- Lack of warning before cellular data plan renewals.
- Lack of support for TinyMCE and similar AJAX tools.
- Inability to add, delete, and move email folders.
- Lack of voice navigation.
- Calendar limitations with Google.
Link: Top 12 iPad 2
Complaints
Taiwan OEMs Rushing to Obtain Certification for
iPad 3
DigiTimes' Rebecca Kuo and Jackie Chang report that Apple has begun
certifying components for the iPad 3, and many Taiwan-based component
makers are actively participating. Some makers have already landed
certification, such as Radiant Opto-Electronics with LED backlight
units, according to industry sources.
Kuo and Chang also note that Taiwan-based component makers for
backlight modules and light bars have received certification from
Apple, however, the certification of panels is still in progress, added
industry sources.
There are also market rumors that iPad 3 will adopt AMOLED
(Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) panels, and Apple
management has been visiting Samsung Electronics about this matter.
However, industry sources said this is unlikely to happen - the iPad 3
will still use 9.7" LCD panels. According to component makers, the
timing for the launch of iPad 3 should be in 2012, with
iPad 2 becoming the mainstream and Apple lowering its price to
compete with other tablet PCs.
Link: Taiwan OEMs Rushing
to Obtain Certification from Apple for iPad 3 (subscription
required)
Apps & Services
Apple iWork Now Available for iPhone and iPod
touch Users
Apple has announced that its iWork productivity apps - Keynote,
Pages, and Numbers - are now available for iPhone and iPod touch, as
well as iPad. Created for the Mac and then completely redesigned for
iOS and Apple's Multi-Touch interface, Keynote, Pages and Numbers allow
you to create and share presentations, formatted documents and powerful
spreadsheets on the go. iWork apps are available on the App Store for
$9.99 each to new users and as a free update for existing iWork for
iPad customers.
"Now you can use Keynote, Pages, and Numbers on iPhone and iPod
touch to create amazing presentations, documents, and spreadsheets
right in the palm of your hand," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior
vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "The incredible Retina
display, revolutionary Multi-Touch interface, and our powerful software
make it easy to create, edit, organize, and share all of your documents
from iPhone 4 or iPod touch."
Keynote, Pages, and Numbers import and export documents from iWork
for Mac and Microsoft Office, print wirelessly using AirPrint, and
include beautiful Apple-designed themes and templates. All iWork apps
now include improved document management with thumbnail images that let
you find your files quickly, organize them and group them into folders
using intuitive gestures. From the Tools button in the toolbar, you can
easily share any presentation, document or spreadsheet without leaving
the app.
Keynote makes it easy to create presentations, complete with
animated charts and transitions. You can play your presentation in Full
Screen view on the stunning, high-resolution Retina display or connect
to a projector or HDTV for a large audience. Available separately, the
Keynote Remote app allows your iPhone or iPod touch to control a
Keynote presentation on any iOS device or Mac.
Pages is now designed for a mobile device and has everything you
need to create amazing documents. Pages takes full advantage of the
high-resolution Retina display on iPhone 4 and iPod touch so you can
see all the detail and richness of your documents. To make working with
text easy on iPhone and iPod touch, Smart Zoom automatically zooms in
to follow the cursor while you're editing and zooms back out when
you're done.
Numbers uses Multi-Touch gestures and an intelligent keyboard to
help you create compelling, great-looking spreadsheets with over 250
easy-to-use functions, flexible tables and eye-catching charts. Just
like Pages, Numbers takes advantage of the high-resolution Retina
display and Smart Zoom to make working with text and cells on iPhone 4
or iPod touch easy.
Keynote, Pages, and Numbers are universal apps that run on iPad and
iPad 2, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, and iPod touch (3rd & 4th
generation). Keynote, Pages, and Numbers are available from the App
Store for $9.99 each for new users, or as a free update for existing
iWork for iPad customers. Keynote Remote is sold separately via the App
Store for 99¢.
Links:
Keynote,
Pages,
Numbers,
Keynote Remote
Turn Your iPhone or iPod touch into an External
Drive with DiskAid
PR: DiskAid
is a tool for PC and Mac which enables the use of iPhone, iPad, or iPod
touch as an external mass storage device. DiskAid gives access to the
devices file system, transfers text messages (SMS) to computer, allows
to copy, edit or rename files and folders on the iPhone, iPad or iPod
touch directly from the desktop. Using a USB connection, it is the
safest and most reliable way to access devices files and folders. Used
with FileApp or FileApp Pro transferred files and documents can easily
being accessed on the device.
See What DiskAid Can Do for You
DiskAid will automatically discover every folder and application
that is compatible with FileSharing and will let you copy documents,
files, and media to your device from your computer back and forth. With
FileApp or FileApp Pro installed, you will be able to browse, read and
watch them on the go
I Want Disk Use on the iPhone (iPhone USB Drive)
There is no such thing as the Disk Use on the iPhone, and I cannot
use my iPhone as an external storage like I used to on my iPod Classic
to copy files from a computer to another. Thanks to DiskAid desktop
application, I can transfer files using the USB cable.
Access Data on the iPhone
I have many text messages (SMS) and my Camera roll is full on my
iPhone I would like to transfer all of these simply and rapidly on my
computer. I learned that DiskAid is easy and lets me browse and copy
all iPhone/iPod touch files, SMS and data quickly.
Apps File Sharing Support
It is annoying to launch iTunes for file transfers to apps or to
fetch files stored in these apps documents folders. DiskAid
automatically displays every Apps icon and lets me easily access them
and rapidly transfer data, back and forth.
Browse Files and Folders
DiskAid gives easy access the file system of the iPhone, iPad or
iPod touch.
USB Storage
- Use the iPhone as external storage and bring your files
everywhere.
- Transfer any kind of file
- Transfer files to iPhone/iPad.
- View them on your device using FileApp.
Connect iPhone, iTouch, iPad
- DiskAid is fully compatible with all Apple iOS mobile devices.
- Apps File Sharing - Connect to FileApp and all others iPhone Apps
installed on your device.
- Copy Camera Roll pictures - Easy access and copy of pictures from
iPhones or iPads Camera Roll to desktop.
- Access Contacts - Export iPhone contacts as vCard to import them in
Outlook or Address Book.
- Read Notes - Read iPhone, iPod touch or iPad notes to computer and
easily copy them.
- Transfer Text Messages - One-click copy of iPhone text messages
(SMS) to Mac or PC.
- Export Call History - Export iPhone call logs to Excel or
Numbers.
- Listen to Voicemail - Transfer iPhone Voicemail audio files and
save them to computer
- Keep Voice Memos - Copy Voice Memos directly to computer without
iTunes sync.
- User friendly - Intuitive drag and drop application window
- non-geeky interface for easy operation.
Try for free before you buy.
Download and install DiskAid free trial first, register and unlock
after!
System requirements: iTunes 10 and iPhone OS 3.x to iOS 4.x
Works with or without jailbreak.
PC Windows & Mac OS X
Use DiskAid to transfer files from one platform to another, or from
home to office.
DiskAid is $9.90 for Mac OS X 10.5 and up (Universal Binary),
including Snow Leopard. The cost covers licenses for three computers
with two years of free upgrades. There also are special (free)
educational licenses.
Link: DiskAid
Accessories
AV Cable with USB for iPad, iPhone, and iPod
PR: This AV Cable with USB is a 150cm long
composite AV cable for connecting an iPod, iPhone or iPad via the dock
connector to a TV or stereo. Use the TV to share videos and slideshows
together with family and friends, or connect it to your stereo or
powered speakers for listening to the music stored on your device.
The USB port allows for charging your device while it's
being used. Simply plug it into a power source such as a USB power
adapter. The USB port can also be plugged into a computer for syncing
or charging.
This AV Cable with USB is compatible with the newest
models of iPod, iPhone and iPad, and also works with many older
generation models.
Features:
- Licensed by Apple: Made for iPod, Made for iPhone, Made for
iPad
- Color: White
Compatible with:
- iPad, all
- iPhone, all
- iPod touch, all
- iPod nano, all
- iPod 4G & 5G
- iPod classic
$32.99
Link: AV
Cable with USB for iPad/iPhone/iPod
Mophie Workbook Portfolio Smart Case with
Interchangeable Color Straps for iPad 2
PR: Mophie announced the availability of its new Workbook
iPad 2 portfolio case designed to provide protection and an improved
user experience for the iPad 2. The lightweight adjustable case doubles
as a stand, allowing infinite angles for viewing, typing and browsing,
and features a magnetic integration that wakes and puts the iPad 2 to
sleep upon opening and closing.
The Workbook is versatile in
both fashion and function, adding an element of style with
interchangeable elastic straps in complementary color combinations. The
folio cases are now available in black and white and come with four
mix-and-match closure straps in colors including magenta, yellow, cyan,
purple, grey and black. Cases in gray, chocolate and purple are planned
for release in the coming weeks, giving iPad 2 owners lots of options
for protecting their device while also reflecting their personal
style.
"Mophie is driven to create products that are super functional
without sacrificing style and design," says Ross Howe, senior director
of product marketing. "Creating the new Workbook was a great
opportunity for us to have some fun with fashion elements and color
combinations while also delivering the real protection, portability and
enhanced function iPad 2 users want."
Black and white Workbook folios with interchangeable straps are
available now for $49.95 at Mophie.com. Key features and benefits of
the Workbook include:
- Infinite Viewing: The design and flexibility allows the case to act
as a stand for the iPad 2, delivering an infinite number of viewing and
onscreen typing angles to enhance functionality and increase
productivity
- Magnetic Closure: Wake your iPad 2 by opening the case; put it to
sleep by closing
- Multiple Color Combinations: Cases in black and white now available
with gray, chocolate and purple coming soon
- Mix-and-Match Straps: Interchangeable elastic straps provide a
secure closure that caters to everyday style changes. Black cases ship
with cyan, magenta, yellow and black straps, and white cases pair with
cyan, magenta, grey and purple.
- Tough Exterior, Plush Interior: The durable animal friendly
exterior is easy to clean, yet fully protects the device from damages.
The soft interior fabric ensures the iPad 2 is cradled snugly
inside
- Pass-Through Design: Enables full access to all ports and controls
allowing users to simultaneously charge and sync the device without
having to remove it from the Workbook
Link:
Workbook iPad 2
