Google Maps Impact
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apps & Services
Accessories
iPod Deals
These price trackers are updated every month.
Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered in The 'Book Review, and general Mac news is in
Mac News Review. Older Macs are
covered in Vintage Mac News. All
prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
Purchases made through links to Amazon.com and
Apple's iTunes/iBook/App/Mac App Store support Low End Mac.
Google Maps Impact
Google Maps Immediately Became the App Store's #1
App
The Register's Iain Thomson reports that less than a day after its
release,
Google Maps became the most popular download in the App Store.
Last Thursday, Google got its iOS mapping app cleared for posting on
the App Store (see last week's iNews Review
for more), three months after being unceremoniously dumped by
Cupertino with the release of iOS 6.
Thompson notes that the new Google application is markedly better
than its previous iOS Maps application - but still not as wide-ranging
as the one available to Android users.
Turn-by-turn navigation is included, along with traffic data, public
transit times, and Street View images, which makes it considerably more
complete than Apple's offering.
Link: Google Maps Becomes
Apple's Most Popular App
More Than 10 Million Google Maps Downloads in First
48 Hours
Last Monday, Google's Jeff Huber reports that more than 10 million
copies of the free Google Maps app for iOS were downloaded within than
48 hours of the app's release.
Link: More than 10
Million Downloads in Less Than 48 Hours After Release!
5 Ways Google Maps Beats Apple Maps
InformationWeek's Eric Zeman says Google Maps' triumphant return to
the iPhone exposes just how bad Apple's app really is.
He highlights five features of the new Google mapping application
that trounce what Apple offers.
- Speed
- Mass Transit
- Details
- Street View
- Desktop Map Syncing
Link: 5 Ways Google Maps
Beats Apple Maps
Apple Maps vs. Google Maps
Pixobebo's Kate MacKenzie observes that Apple has taken an amazing
amount of negative press over the new Maps app in iOS 6 for iPhone and
iPad.
Now that Google Maps is available for free on the App Store (and its
very good), how does it stack up to Apple Maps? MacKenzie stages a
shootout comparing:
- Map Data Quality
- Speed And Caching
- Details
- Mass Transit
- Desktop Map Syncing
- Turn-by-Turn Directions
- Traffic
- Integration Into iOS Apps
- User Interface (ease of use)
- Street View & 3D
- iPad Version & Mac Version
- Privacy
Google Maps wins, but not by as much as you might imagine given the
bad press iOS Maps has received.
Link: Shootout: Apple
Maps vs. Google Maps for iPhone
iOS 6 User Base Grows 29% as Users Update After
Google Maps Arrives
Tech Crunch's Josh Constine observes that Apple Maps was so bad,
many users refused to upgrade to iOS 6 until they could get Google
Maps, according to data from mobile ad exchange MoPub. The 12,000 apps
MoPub supports saw a 29% increase in unique iOS 6 users in the five
days after Google Maps for iOS was released. Constine notes that
Chitika reported just 0.2% growth immediately after the launch but it
seems people waited for the weekend to do the long install.
Link: iOS 6 Adoption
Grows 29% Over the Weekend as People Finally Update After Google Maps
Arrives
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Walmart Rolls Back Pre-Christmas iPad and iPhone
Prices
PR:
Walmart is rolling back prices on select Apple products to help
shoppers get their hands on some the most-wanted tech gifts this
holiday season, including an iPad 3 for an iPad 2 price.
Walmart is offering the new fourth-generation 16 GB Apple iPad (iPad 4)
with Retina display and WiFi for $399, bundled with a $30 iTunes card
from Monday, Dec. 17. The new fourth generation iPad features a
redesigned 9.7" display, new Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD
camera, and ultrafast wireless performance.
Walmart also is rolling back the price on the 16 GB Apple iPhone 5
to $127 (original price $189.97), and the 16 GB Apple iPhone 4S to $47
(original price $89.97). Rollback prices are available beginning
immediately and are valid for all carriers with a two-year
contract.
Special rollback prices are only available in store.
Barnes & Noble and Walmart have also announced that the NOOK HD
and NOOK HD+, and related accessories, are now available at all Walmart
stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com. Starting at $199 for the
7" NOOK HD and $269 for NOOK HD+.
iPad Shipments to Reach 100 Million in 2013?
In his recent blog post, David Hsieh, Vice President at NPD
DisplaySearch, addresses the iPad
mini's supply shortages, as well as the possibility that Apple will
ship more than 100 million iPads in 2013.
Hsieh notes that according to NPD DisplaySearch's Quarterly Large
Area TFT Panel Shipment Report, panel makers including Samsung, LG
Display, Sharp, and Innolux will ship 70 million 9.7" iPad panels in
2012. Of those, 23 million will be iPad 2 XGA panels and 47
million will be new iPad QXGA ("Retina") panels, using both a-Si and
oxide TFT technologies. While the new iPad was originally planned to
replace the iPad 2, strong sales of the legacy model have
continued, and panel makers have adjusted new iPad panel production
downward while maintaining production of iPad 2 panels.
When Apple unveiled the iPad mini in October, Hsieh observes that
many criticized its $329 price as too expensive for a 7" segment tablet
PC, given competition from other 7" tablet PCs, including Amazon
Kindle Fire, Google Nexus, ASUS, and many private labels. However,
there is always a strong base of customers who only want Apple
products; recently, the iPad mini was voted one of the hottest consumer
products of 2012 in Japan. Consequently the iPad mini immediately faced
supply shortages for its 7.85" XGA display, supplied by AUO and LG
Display. Originally, Apple planned to sell 6 million units in 2012;
according to the Quarterly Small/Medium Shipment and Forecast Report,
only 1.6 million panels shipped in Q312, but Apple is asking panel
makers to ship more than 12 million in Q412 to fulfill the strong
demand.
Hess notes that panels for iPads are known to be hard to make, not
only because of the high resolution and low power consumption
requirements, but also because the wide viewing angle and high color
saturation specifications require additional photomask steps in the
manufacturing process. Technically speaking, standard a-Si TFT
backplanes require four or five photomask steps, but the iPad and iPad
mini panels require six to seven, and for panel makers with limited
experience in IPS or FFS production, as many as eight mask steps may be
used. Increased mask steps means longer production times and lower
yield rates.
In 2013, Hess projects that its likely Apple will adjust its product
portfolio to meet strong demand for the iPad mini, and that NPD
DisplaySearch believes Apple is targeting total iPad shipments of 100
million in 2013, half accounted for by the iPad mini, and 40 million
new iPad and 10 million iPad 2, the latter whose production he expects
to continue at least until the middle of 2013. He cites NPD
DisplaySearch's Quarterly Mobile PC Shipment and Forecast Report
forecast that the 2013 tablet PC market will be over 170 million, and
that if Apple hits its targets, it will continue its domination at
approximately 60% market share.
However, if iPad mini volume is anything near 50 million units,
Apple will need to find other panel suppliers in addition to AUO and LG
Display, just as it always has three suppliers for the iPad panels.
Leading candidates include Century in China, Innolux in Taiwan, as well
as Panasonic LCD in Japan, which are all experienced at IPS
technologies. At the same time, Apple will need to manage its iPad
panel supply in the event that it parts ways with Samsung.
Link: Apple iPad
Shipments to Reach 100 Million in 2013?
Velti Report Shows Android Market Share Fell
Dramatically in 2012
PR: Velti, a global
provider of mobile marketing and advertising technology, has released
its "State of Mobile Advertising 2012: Year in Review" data report. The
report highlights key mobile trends in 2012, including insight into iOS
market dominance and the growing international opportunity in
developing markets.
Velti's report shows Apple regained market dominance after falling
behind to Android in 2011. This year, Android's market share closed at
37%, compared to 61% in 2011. Contributing factors include the
popularity of the iPad mini and iPhone 5, as well as increasing
affordability of the iPod Touch and iPhone 4S. In fact, new iOS devices
released in 2012 had the strongest influence on changes in mobile use
and impressions:
- The iPad mini saw more total impressions at the end of November
2012 than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 did in the entire year. By the
end of the year, the iPad mini averaged 20 times more impressions than
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (42.4 billion vs. 2.1 billion
impressions).
- Although the Samsung Galaxy S3 was released at the end of May 2012,
the iPhone 5, released in mid-September 2012, has already caught up to
the Samsung Galaxy S3 in impression share. The iPhone 5 and Samsung
Galaxy S3 each held 50% of impression share, respectively, by the end
of November.
- Despite having the largest mobile carrier share in China, China
Mobile has a much smaller share of impressions than China Unicom (5%
and 11%, respectively). This is most likely due to the fact that China
Mobile does not carry the iPhone.
"Looking back at 2012, we really see Apple's power over the mobile
landscape," says Krishna Subramanian, CMO of Velti. "A great example:
despite the fact that China Mobile is the biggest carrier in China, it
has low overall mobile impressions, without the iPhone, and advertisers
in this market just aren't reaching consumers in the volume they could.
This is incredibly valuable insight for marketers and brands. At the
end of 2012, iOS devices held a 63% share of the market - so we know
that Apple holds the key to reaching consumers."
Velti's report also reveals that international growth is booming,
offering a huge value to mobile marketers to reach consumers around the
globe. Key international markets surface as mobile hotbeds in 2012:
- In Brazil, smartphone sales were predicted to increase 77% in 2012
according to IDC. The country now leads in click through rates (CTR)
with an average CTR of 2.575%. China trailed close behind at 2.403%,
followed by Italy and Russia (2.184% and 1.879%, respectively).
- Smartphone users in developed mobile markets were less likely to
click on ads: the UK placed eighth at 1.667%, while Australia (1.623%),
the United States (1.558%), Japan (1.457%), and Canada (1.429%)
trailed.
- In Europe, Spain saw a 1,020.7% growth in mobile impressions in
2012, which is significantly higher than its second and third place
contenders, Russia (726.7%) and Italy (671.3%). According to comScore,
Spain sees higher smartphone consumption than the whole of Europe, on
average.
The U.S. and Western Europe have been mobile leaders for quite some
time, but that landscape is clearly changing, said Subramanian. Often
in developed countries, mobile devices are the way consumers
communicate and access the Internet, do their banking, play games, and
stream TV. With developing markets around the world now embracing
mobile and supporting its infrastructure, we have immense growth
opportunities in front of us for 2013 and beyond. Its time for the
industry to look beyond the usual mobile suspects.
Other notable data from the report includes:
- Impressions served on photography apps grew 389.7% between January
and the end of November. Likely contributing factors: better camera
hardware on the devices themselves, and the availability of Instagram
to Android users in April of 2012.
- On Android phones, consumers love productivity apps. The category's
impression share on Android (5.7%) dwarfs other platforms (1.4% on
Android Tablets, .6% on iPhone and .7% on iPad).
- AT&T holds 45% of impression shares in the U.S., almost twice
the share of Verizon (25%) and more than four times the share of
T-Mobile (10%).
- Six months out of ten, ads served through real-time bidding (RTB)
saw higher click-through rates than ads served in the rest of Velti's
Mobclix Exchange, effectively showing that RTB is a valuable and
cost-effective targeting mechanism for publishers and advertisers.
Data for this report is taken from the Mobclix Exchange, which sits
at the intersection of 33,500+ apps and 45+ ad networks.
Apps & Services
Free Easilydo: Life Assistant for iPhone & iPod
touch
PR: Easilydo: Life Assistant, a free social productivity app
that gets things done on the spot, launched for iPhone and iPod
touch. The average person makes 35,000 decisions per day, but the
difficulty of juggling multiple apps to help you act on those decisions
are finally over. 
By handling dozens of tasks ranging from checking directions to
cleaning up your contact list, Easilydo makes life simpler, alleviates
everyday stress, and makes you feel like a better person.
Users need to download the app and then have the option to connect
to Facebook, Calendar, Gmail, Yahoo, and LinkedIn accounts to pull in
the information and tasks that are important to them. User data is
always protected. Easilydo will then offer to complete your daily tasks
with a simple tap of the Do It button.
Examples of tasks that Easilydo can help you with:
- Never miss life's important moments. Get birthday reminders, event
invites, and important social updates shared by your friends; sends
your wishes, e-gifts, RSVPs, congratulations. and support messages - be
there for your friends.
- Navigate your busy day easily. Get time to leave alerts and
directions to your home, work, or next appointment; autodial into
calls; text to say you're on the way or running late; track packages
what you need when you need it.
- Keep organized with zero effort. Merge duplicates in your address
book, add contacts from emails, clean old deal emails, and file
receipts into an email folder automatically taking care of the niggling
things that you always mean to get to and don't.
"All of us are overwhelmed by the daunting number of apps that we
have on our phones to keep up with our work and social lives. To solve
this, Easilydo simplifies life by finding what you care about and
offering to get it done for you," says Mikael Berner, Founder and CEO,
Easilydo. "People who use Easilydo rave about how much time they save
and how the app helps them be a better friend and family member. Our
aim is to make people feel good about taking control of their day,
having less email to deal with, and eliminating the guilt of forgetting
something."
Easilydo is also announcing that it has raised $4.3 million in
funding from USVP and Mayfield Fund, with additional investments from
individual funds.
"Easilydo has built a disruptive new application that will reshape
the way people get things done, which will be essential in our
mobile-driven world," says Robin Vasan, Managing Director at Mayfield
Fund. "Our investment in the Easilydo team underscores our belief in
the talent and determination that have always brought their ideas to
fruition."
The Easilydo App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone
and iPod touch.
Publisher's note: Installed on my iPhone 3GS, and it just told me
about a free iTunes track. Nice! Going to give this app a try.
dk
Link:
Easilydo: Life Assistant
Steampunk Inspired Vintage Gadget: The Only Utility
App You Will Ever Need?
PR:
HolosOne has announced the immediate availability of Vintage Gadget, an
exciting new utility app for iPhone offering eight tools for the price
of one. Vintage Gadget, the Swiss Army Knife of utility apps, combines
useful tools with classic, steampunk-inspired design.
With eight unique utilities and a steampunk-inspired mechanical
design, Vintage Gadget offers the features of multiple tools in one
beautifully designed interface, complete with moving parts and
intuitive controls. Users can quickly select a tool by rotating Vintage
Gadget's control wheel and watch in amazement as their chosen utility
slides into view, amid clouds of steam and whirring cogs, with
clockwork precision.
Following
the success of HolosOne's Vintage Times app, Vintage Gadget includes
unique interfaces for each tool, including a ruler, protractor, timer,
stopwatch, flashlight, compass, counter, and spirit level.
"Vintage Gadget is not only the most beautiful app we've ever
created, it's also the most useful," says Jerko Latkovi, cofounder and
CEO of HolosOne. "With eight amazing tools, users will find a use for
Vintage Gadget every day."
Each of Vintage Gadget's eight tools provide accurate numerical and
visual results by taking advantage of the iPhone's built-in gyroscope
and compass, as well as the Retina Display. This level of quality and
reliability make it the ideal app for DIY enthusiasts who want maximum
functionality without having to search their iPhone for multiple
apps.
Whether a
user is putting up a shelf, boiling an egg, hanging a picture, counting
or trying to find their way, Vintage Gadget offers the tools they need
in an interface that is as beautiful as it is functional. Complete with
audio and visual feedback for each action performed, users can quickly
calculate, measure, locate, and illuminate in style.
Why buy eight individual tools when you can get them all in one
beautifully designed app?
Vintage Gadget's Tools in Detail
- Protractor - Users simply drag the protractor needle with a finger
to pinpoint precise angles. They can then lock the needle in place with
a simple tap.
- Ruler - Using the edges of their iPhone, users can quickly take
measurements in centimeters or inches.
- Compass - Using the iPhone's built-in digital compass, Vintage
Gadget provides a sumptuous compass face as well as a numerical readout
for location precision.
- Counter - Each tap of the plus button adds to the large Counter
display. Users can also reset and remove counts with a single tap.
- Timer - By sliding a finger across the Timer interface, users can
set a countdown from one minute to one hour and be alerted with a sound
and message when the defined period of time has elapsed.
- Stopwatch - Minutes, Seconds and Milliseconds are displayed in
vintage style from the Stopwatch interface with both visual and
numerical readouts.
- Flashlight - Harnessing the iPhone's built-in LED Flash, Vintage
Gadget's Flashlight allows the user to turn the light off and on at
will.
- Level - With classic spirit level bubbles as well as a numerical
readout that rotates with the device (using the iPhone's inbuilt
gyroscope), Vintage Gadget's Level is not only accurate but beautiful
to boot.
Device Requirements:
- iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5, iPod touch (3rd/4th/5th generation), and
iPad
- Requires iOS 5.0 or later
- 36.5 MB
Vintage Gadget 1.0 is $1.99 (or equivalent amount in other
currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store
in the utilities category. All press enquiries, including interview
requests, reviews, images and quotes should be directed to
HolosOne.
Link:
Vintage Gadget
Free Scanner Mini Aims to Make iOS Devices the
World's Most Popular Scanners
PR: Readdle has released Scanner Mini, the first free
application of its kind that allows anyone to scan anything they need,
anywhere with their iPhone or iPad. Scanner Mini uses the iPhone or
iPad camera to take an image of a document, then it improves the
quality of the image and makes it readable, using special algorithms to
remove shadows and correct perspective.
"Common wisdom
says that the best scanner is the one that is always with you," says
Igor Zhadanov, Readdle CEO. "And by that definition we are going to
make Scanner Mini the best scanner in the world"
With Scanner Mini people can go paperless by scanning papers,
receipts, whiteboards, and even multipage business reports. Automatic
edge detection and advanced image processing makes scanning blazingly
fast and accurate. iTunes File Sharing offers a simple way to transfer
scans to any Mac or PC.
Scanner Mini provides great value for iOS users with its zero price
tag and rich feature set. It keeps scans safe even in case the iPhone
or iPad is lost or broken. Everything is automatically backed up to
iCloud for secure cloud storage that every Apple customer (using
supported systems) can use for free.
"You can get perfect scans in seconds, without any ads or
watermarks," says Igor. "I think that every iPhone or iPad owner should
install Scanner Mini, because you never know when you will need it. It
is always nice to have a scanner in your pocket."
For those who need to do more with their scans, Readdle offers an
upgrade to Scanner Pro. This allows people to share their scans via
email; upload to Dropbox, Evernote, and Google Drive; print via
AirPrint; and even fax.
Language Support: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Spanish, Turkish
Device Requirements:
- iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (5th
generation), iPad (3rd generation), iPad WiFi + 4G, iPad (4th
generation), iPad WiFi + Cellular (4th generation), iPad mini and iPad
mini WiFi + Cellular
- Requires iOS 5.0 or later
- Universal app optimized for display on all iOS devices
- 10.8 MB
Scanner Mini 1.0 is completely free, and available on the App Store
in the Productivity category.
Link:
Scanner Mini
Heliog: A New Way of Managing Your Photos on
Dropbox
PR: Did you ever feel that the official Dropbox app, even
after it's update recently, doesn't meet your needs when it comes to
photography? How about having all of your photos stored on your Dropbox
accessed instantly and with a great and elegant look added to it?
Marcel Schmitz has introduced Heliog 1.0 for iOS. All images are
downloaded in their original resolution, so you can zoom in and show
the details. You can mark folders as favorites and have them
downloaded.
Heliog is the missing app for
managing your photos on Dropbox. If you work in a team and use Dropbox
for syncing your photography artwork or want to have your photos all
the time with you without carrying about syncing your device, then
Heliog is for you. It instantly detects new photos and displays them in
a cool way, even if you share folders with other Dropbox users. Every
change to the shared folder is instantly updated and you can show the
results instantly.
Using Dropbox' new sharing capability, you can share a photo or a
folder with selected photos on Facebook, Twitter, per email, or by
copying it's link and using it as you like. Options are limitless.
If you're a photographer and want to show your portfolio to your
client, you can previously download and store all photos in any folder
into your device and browse them offline using Heliog. All images are
downloaded in their original resolution, so you can zoom in and show
the details. You can mark folders as favorites and have them downloaded
to your device for quicker access.
You can use your device's camera to upload photos to a folder while
you're shooting. And if you share that folder's link with your
audience, you can let them follow your shooting session live. You can
also browse your device's albums and upload multiple photos at the same
time to Dropbox. If you use an iPad and the camera connection kit,
Heliog is going to be your best companion, uploading and sharing your
artwork instantly.
Heliog works on the iPhone, the iPad or iPod touch. It supports all
iOS 6 devices natively and explores all their capabilities the
right way.
Device Requirements:
- iOS 6.0 or later
- iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5, iPod touch (3rd/4th/5th generation), and
iPad
- 1.7 MB
Pricing and Availability:
Heliog 1.0 is $1.99 (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and
available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Photo
& Video category.
Link:
Heliog
The Lens: A New Guide for Creative
Photographers
PR: The Lens: a Practical Guide for the Creative Photographer
is a new ebook from publisher Rocky Nook, fully enhanced for the iPad,
that answers questions photographers actually ask about lenses. By
demystifying optics, decoding arcane terminology, and providing
practical tips, The Lens helps amateur and professional photographers
make smart purchasing choices and build the perfect lens
collection.
"Choosing the right lens is one of the most important photographic
decisions you can make," says author NK Guy, "Nothing affects the
quality of a photo more than the lens. It's no longer just about the
megapixels - it's the glass that makes all the difference."
Yet many photographers starting out with interchangeable lens
cameras don't venture past the basic lens included in the box. Some are
reluctant to spend more money, are confused by the buzzwords, or are
overwhelmed by all the choices that are available. This new book takes
the guesswork out of the process so everyone can get the best out of
their gear.
For advanced photographers, NK Guy covers the foundations of lens
design, the optical and mechanical properties of photographic lenses,
and describes every major category of lens on the market today, from
tilt-shift to manual focus. The popular field of adapting old lenses to
modern digital cameras is detailed as well.
The $19.99 book is now available as an enhanced iBook from Apple's
iBookstore. The book is richly illustrated with Retina-quality
photography, interactive sections, and a high resolution slideshow.
Available now from the US, UK, and Canadian iBookstores. (other regions
to follow) The book is also available worldwide in print form,
distributed by O'Reilly and Associates.
Link:
The Lens
Accessories
Waterproof Protective Case Shell for iPhone 5
PR: This product is
suitable for the iPhone 5, offering good protective and waterproof
efficacy. The phone can be directly manipulated after installation.
Flexible silicone as the operator interface let it become good touch
feeling and durable. The case allows you to unrestricted use the phone
in the rain and snow or other similar circumstances.
This product is suitable for the IP67 degree of protection that can
be isolated from dirt, dust, dust storms, and withstand dirt impurities
and construction dust. It makes the phone isolated from the snow,
ice and water. 
Therefore, the case make the
phone can be used rest assured in snowboarding, rafting or other
environment.
Features:
- Great for camping, boating, fishing, tubing, swimming, or any other
water sports
- Comes with a strap for more convenience to carry
This accessory is suitable for Apple iPhone 5
Manufacturer information:
- Manufacturer: iPega
- Model: PG-i5005
Colors Available:
Notes:
- Do not use chemical agents to clean this product. Wipe with a damp
cloth gently to clean.
- Do not expose your product to high temperature areas or products in
a fire.
- Do not throw, pound or damage the product intentionally.
- Proper use of the products and appropriate maintenance can prolong
its life.
- Install according to the user manual and do waterproof test before
use
$19.99
Link: PG-i5005 iPega
Waterproof Protective Case Shell for iPhone 5
Grantwood Technology Releases the SmartBack for
iPad
PR: Grantwood Technology recently introduced the
SmartBack for iPad, a protective cover that serves as a companion to
the Smart Cover from Apple. The SmartBack preserves all of the
functionality of the Smart Cover, while also protecting the back of the
iPad from scratches that can occur with normal use, and holding the
Smart Cover in place when folded back. The SmartBack allows access to
all ports, buttons, and cameras, and is made from a Polycarbonate/ABS
blend (PC/ABS), which makes it lightweight yet extremely durable.
"We like the Smart Cover from Apple," says Michael Banks, cofounder
of Grantwood Technology, "It just needs a little help. First of all, it
offers no protection for the back of the iPad. Secondly, it is
rather annoying when the Smart Cover fails to stick to the iPad when
folded back. 
Finally, we want the Smart Cover to
stay on the iPad with a more secure attachment as it simply pops off
too easily. Our SmartBack for iPad solves all of these issues."
The SmartBack for iPad currently comes in black, with a silver
version due in January, 2013, and is compatible with the iPad 2, iPad 3
(the new iPad), and the newly released iPad 4 (the iPad HD). It is
available on both the company website and through Amazon. The Apple
Smart Cover is sold separately. For more information and upcoming
product releases, visit Grantwood Technology, follow them on Twitter,
or like them on Facebook.
Link: SmartBack for
iPad ($24.99 from Amazon.com
and eligible for Super Saver shipping as part of $25 order)
