January 31, 2013 in iPad, iPhone, Mac, YouTube
In this video, I discuss about the changes Apple has gone through in the past years, and their product line today. All of these contribute to how the public feel about the “cool-ness” of Apple. With the introduction of the un-surprising iPhone 5, The new and new iPad, and the fabulous MacBook Pro with Retina Display. Watch to find out my thoughts about how cool Apple is.
January 30, 2013 in iPad, iPhone, Product, YouTube
Throughout the past years, Apple has updated iOS to include more productive and useful features such as multitasking, iCloud, notification center, and more. However, if you look at the core apps, or built-in apps, those aren’t really updated much. Take Notes, for example. Nothing much has changed other than 2 new fonts and iCloud integrations. Weather doesn’t seem to have any functional changes. The Stocks app was only updated to be able to view graphs in landscape mode. The Calendar app has gone through no real cosmetic change, other than the integration of iCloud. Yes, they may be great apps already according to Apple standards, but many of us have to agree that we are all bored with how they look and act. Today, I will be talking about 4 apps that have replaced the default Safari, Mail, Music and Maps app.
First of all, Safari. Safari is a great browser. Now with integration of iCloud, with bookmark syncing and iCloud tabs, it’s a great browser. Even better, it also has offline reading lists, and a Reader view to make it easy for the eyes. However, I have made the switch to using Google Chrome. Why? Simply because I have also switched to Chrome on my Mac. Safari is a great browser, but it is really slow. My Mac is close to unusable when I have more than 10 tabs opened. Whereas with Chrome, it manages them very well to maintain the performance. Google Chrome for iOS also had bookmark syncing even before Apple made it available. Google Chrome in my opinion is simply the fastest browser on the planet. And same goes true with the iOS version. What I love the most about the iOS version is how easy it is to switch between tabs. With Safari, you would have to tap onto the tabs icon, and then flick to choose which tab you would like to switch to. With Chrome, you can also tap on the tab icon and view all of your tabs. But instead, you can just simply flick from either edge of the screen to switch between tabs. Just as simple as that. Much faster, much snappier than having to go through annoying taps.
The Mail app has had a few big features in the past years, such as a unified inbox, more than one exchange accounts, flagging and VIP inboxes. However, it never really made use of the multitouch user interface of actually swiping. Now I use an app called Sparrow. Sparrow is a famous Mac app that also landed on iOS not too long ago. It has unified inboxes, it has attachments, it has flaggin and starring. But is also has a great swiping feature. If you are in your inbox, you can just swipe to see the options of what you can do with that specific message. You can delete, archive, star, flag and so on. Because you can view these with a swipe, that allows you to save some screen space on the bottom, allowing you to view more messages at a glance. When you are in a message, and you would like to go through your messages, you don’t have to go back to the inbox again to see view each message. All you have to do is just swipe up or down, to go through your messages. Just like how you switch between tabs in Chrome for iOS. Very simple and easy. There are some drawbacks though. Sparrow does not do push notifications, which kind of sucks, and it does not have support for exchange accounts. And, because Sparrow has recently been acquired by Google, we will expect no future updates in terms of new features. Plus, the upcoming, widely discussed Mailbox app will be arriving the App Store soon, which is also promised to revolutionize your inbox.
Next up, the Music app. Simple sentence. The default Music app is ugly. It has been great in 2007. But not in 2013. ALthough with iOS 5 and iOS 6, they have refined the look of the Music app, it still is the same process of going through a long list of artists or albums or songs, just to reach your favorite song. What if you were able to browse your music more graphically? What if you can view your history? Your newest? Your most played? Well that’s what Track 8 does. It is a Music app that does all of that, with an interface that copies Windows Phone. You have the album art as tiles, and once you tap on the, there is an animation effect that takes you to that album. From the Home screen, you can see your history, newest and most played, which will allo you easy access to your most favorit and newest songs easily. All I can really say is, you just have to check it out. It even beats the music app in Windows Phone! Although it is a paid app, it is definitely worth it!
Last, but not least, is the Maps app. We all know that the Maps app in iOS 6 has caused a lot of trouble for many people. It’s not accurate, not Street View, and it’s just… crap. Even the Maps app before iOS 6 with Google’s backend was better. But now with the introduction of Google Maps for iOS, made by Google themselves, things have really changed. It is simply the best maps app ever. Normal view, satellite view both look awesome, with vector rendering and 3D capabilities. Navigation is easy as expected, and Street View is back. It’s free, it’s awesome, and it’s a must have.
Those have been the 4 apps that have replaced the default iOS apps. Do you have any other suggestions, or with any other apps? Please let us know in the comments section. You can also watch our video discussion about this topic on the top of this article.
January 11, 2013 in Computers, iPad, Mac, Product, Tablets, YouTube
Here at Plomonet, Kenta discusses a lot about Tabler vs. Laptops. He has made many videos in the past about his thoughts regarding the two, at that point in time. This year, with the inclusion of the new iPad mini, he has some new thoughts he would like to discuss. The video is available below.
January 11, 2013 in Accessories, Computers, iPad, iPhone, Mac, Music Players, Phones, Product, Tablets, YouTube
We have made a series of videos discussing what we think at Plomonet about the possible upcoming products from Apple. Categories are divided into Macs, iPods & Apple TV & iPhone, and iPad. Videos are available below.
Mac Predictions
iPod, Apple TV & iPhone Predictions
iPad Predictions
January 11, 2013 in iPad, iPhone, Phones, Product, Tablets, YouTube
Our hosts, Kenta and John have discussed about the differences regarding the Black & Slate models and the White & Silver models of both the latest iPhone 5 and iPad mini. YOu can watch the videos of the discussions below.
iPhone 5 Comparison
iPad mini Comparison
November 27, 2012 in iPad, Main Blog, Product, Slideshow, Tablets, Uncategorized
With all the rumors that have been floating around ever since the first generation iPad was released, the iPad mini is finally a reality. In this review, I will be covering the design, screen, cameras, apps & iOS 6, accessories, price aspects of the iPad mini. I will also be giving you my detailed analysis of my full thoughts and opinions as to what I think about the product overall, and whether you should go ahead and spend your money on it or not.
Design
The design of the iPad mini really isn’t much of a surprise after seeing all the leaked images of the screen bezel. However, when you really hold one with your hands, it is pretty impressive. The iPad mini is just thin as a pencil, and weighs only 0.68 pounds, which is 53% lighter than the Retina Display iPad. That is really, really impressive, and this was done by designing the motherboard and battery to be even thinner, and also making the glass display itself thinner.
When I purchased the first generation iPad, my first impression was that it is a beautiful device, but it is just simply heavy at 1.5 pounds. Surely it is lighter than netbooks (remember those?), but it was not something I was comfortable holding with one hand for even 5 minutes. Then, the iPad 2 was announced in 2011, which made the design even thinner and lighter. It was 1.3 pounds and when I held one in hand (before purchasing), I was really surprised with how much lighter it felt. I was all for lightness so I made an impulse buy right on the spot.
So, weight is a big deal for me, and that is why the iPad mini is a big deal for me. Weighing at less than a pound (0.68 pounds), it is a joy to hold with one hand, and does not make me feel tired at any point. I can easily hold it with one hand, with my thumb slightly covering the screen. However, that is not an issue because Apple has included some software in iOS 6 that will ignore unintentional touches. And this does in fact work. I feel comfortable holding it with one hand and scrolling through websites with my thumb. Or, I can also hold it by simply “grabbing” on to the iPad with my whole hand, and operate touches with my other hand. Although this is slightly larger than the Nexus 7 (which I have also played around with), it actually does not feel too big. It is a capable, and cope-able size to hold with one hand.
In terms of build quality, it is fantastic. Made from aluminum and glass, it just feels like a high quality product, just like any other Apple product. However, the aluminum back does sometimes make it feel slippery to hold, and also catches some fingerprints. The color comes in black & slate and white & silver, both of which look beautiful. I did find that the Apple logo on the white model looked odd simply because I am used to the black Apple logo on the back of every other iPad.
Screen
The screen resolution is nothing surprising. At 1024 by 768 pixels, in a 7.9 inch screen size, it is definitely not as sharp as a Nexus 7, nor the Retina Display iPads, but does look much better than the iPad 2. Actually, because of the better colors on the iPad mini compared to the iPad 2 and Nexus 7, I don’t actually mind too much. And since I have never owned a Retina Display iPad before, I do not feel disappointed. Because I do naturally have bad eye sight, the pixels actually haven’t even disturbed me at all.
The display is also an IPS display, which means viewing angles are wide and great. This is true, and has been true since the first iPad. The viewing angle quality is much better on the iPad mini compared to the iPad 2.
Screen size is a major factor of the iPad mini. The screen comes in at 7.9 inches, compared to the 9.7 inches on the larger iPad. Because the screen pixel density is the same as the iPad 2, all the apps can run perfectly fine on the iPad mini. However, everything will look much smaller. Text, icons, buttons will all look smaller and initially I was not used to it. However, after playing with the mini for a day, I gradually got used to the smaller screen size with smaller icons. Now, it is actually odd for me to move back to the larger iPad, simply because I am not used to the larger icons anymore. Everything seems blown up and looks weird.
Cameras
The 5 megapixel iSight camera
The iPad mini sports 2 cameras. The front FaceTime HD camera, and the rear iSight camera. These are both better than the iPad 2, but pretty much the same as the 4th generation iPad. Let’s being with the FaceTime HD camera. This camera is now able to shot 720p HD quality videos, which would look extremely sharp and clear, and equally great over a FaceTime call (if you have a good internet connection). The built-in A5 processor is also able to detect faces, and adjust the saturation and exposure automatically. This is the same for the rear camera.
Taken with the FaceTime HD camera
The rear iSight camera has a 5 megapixel sensor, and is able to shoot video at full 1080p HD quality. Thanks to the A5 chip, it is also able to do auto-stabalization, which is a nice touch. Image quality looks good, similar to the 5th generation iPod touch and the iPhone 4. But could be much better with a flash. I did not find that the photos were dull in any way, and it could possibly replace my on-the-go camera, if I happen to have my iPad with me at all times.
Taken with the rear iSight camera (although not the best weather to capture a photo)
Apps & iOS 6
Because the iPad mini has the exact same resolution as the iPad 2, all the apps that were designed for the iPad will work perfectly fine without any work on the developer end. This is great because once you purchase your new iPad mini, all the apps you had will just work fine without any new downloads or upgrades. It’s just that the apps look slightly smaller. That’s it! In terms of the speed of these apps, the A5 chip is extremely capable of coping with opening apps, playing graphic intensive games and so on. I never felt that the A5 chip was slow in any way, therefore the performance in combination with the apps will definitely not disappoint.
Siri on the iPad mini
iOS 6 also brings a lot of new features to the iPad, and we will not go through the main features in this review. However, one thing that the iPad mini has over the iPad 2 is Siri. Apple touts that Siri is your intelligent assistant and your best friend. This can be questionable, but having Siri on the mini can be handy at some times. In addition to all the things Siri was able to do ever since the launch of Siri in 2011, Siri is now also able to tell you more about restaurants, movies and sports with iOS 6. In my tests, Siri responded well, however, the speeds were nothing compared to the Google Search app. This is not really a fair test as Siri is a built-in feature, and Google Search is just an app. And, Siri actually does more. As I have mentioned, Siri does all the stuff it did since the launch, such as set reminders, alarms, appointments and so on. And all of this is great to have on a mobile device. The only problem I had when using Siri on the mini is that when I’m holding the mini in portrait, with my thumb on the screen, sometimes I can accidentally dismiss Siri. Siri on the iPad is just a small window just right beside the home button, and once you tap elsewhere, it will just go away. So when I’m waiting for search results, and accidentally tap the screen, it’s all gone and I have to ask again.
Accessories
Just like with the full size iPads, the iPad mini comes with (actually a separate purchase) the cute little Smart Cover. These Smart Covers are slightly different compared to the larger ones. First, it only comes in polyurethane, no leather. There also is no option for the Smart Case, that also protects the back of the iPad. Secondly, the hinge of the cover is not longer a piece of metal, but now it’s a micro-fiber material that does not scratch up the side. With the previous Smart Covers, it had completely scratched up the side of my iPad 2. Thirdly, the Smart Cover still folds and bends, but now only has 3 major parts to it, one less than the previous one. I found that this was sometimes annoying because it is not stable, and sometimes it just collapses by itself. The things that are the same compared to the larger one is that the flip-open-to-wake function still works (as well as close-to-sleep). And, the price is the same. At AU$45, it is still quite pricey for an accessory like this, but it is still a must-have accessory for the most of us.
iPad mini with Smart Cover in video-watching mode
iPad mini with Smart Cover in typing mode
Price
The iPad mini comes in a variety of models and prices. The base line with 16GB WiFi-only starts at AU$369 (US329), and you will have to add an extra whopping Au$110 to step up to the 32GB model, and another AU$110 up to the 64GB (in the US, its an extra $100 increase for every step up). With the WiFi + Cellular models, it starts at AU$509 and adds an extra AU$110 for every step up (In the US, its an extra $130 from the WiFi-only models for each capacity respectively). There has been a of talk of how the iPad mini is simply overpriced compared to the competition where they are selling their 7-inch tablets at just US$199. If you just consider the US prices, yes it is expensive to start off at US$329, and pay more to step up. I am living in Australia, where the currency between the two countries are almost a 1:1 ratio, however, I would have to pay an extra, ridiculous amount, just to purchase the baseline iPad mini. Even worse, I have to pay an extra AU$110 to step up to higher models. That is just unacceptable in my opinion. However, if we consider this as an alternative to the larger iPad, yes, it’s a great option. If you compare this with competing tablets, nah, not a great comparison.
Conclusion
So overall, I really love the iPad mini. It has completely replaced my iPad 2 in every way. The cameras are great, apps work great, Siri is fine and iOS 6 runs smooth. The major factor that made me want to replace the iPad 2, though, is the size. The 7.9-inch screen with its smaller form factor is what it is all about. I am able to carry it around and hold it for longer periods with just one hand. I can type comfortably in portrait and landscape with the on-screen keyboard. And it is just simply much more portable. I am really loving the iPad mini, and i do not regret buying it. So, who is this for? Well, if you are coming into the iPad ecosystem for the first time, its a great buy. It is much cheaper than the baseline full size iPad. Even if you are already in the iPad ecosystem, it’s still a great buy, as long as you have the original iPad, or an iPad 2, simply because all of the new and existing features just makes it a better iPad. If you already own the third generation iPad with Retina Display, this might be a tough move, since you have just purchased the iPad this year, and it might be difficult for you to move back to a non-Retina screen. Nor would you want to upgrade to the 4th generation iPad too. So you guys are simply just stuck. But if you love your iPads, that’s great. If you really, really want the smaller form factor, then the iPad mini is a great buy, and will not disappoint you.
Plomonet rating: 10/10
Full video review will be up soon. Stay tuned!
November 26, 2012 in Gaming, Gaming, iPad, iPhone, Slideshow
Sushi Mushi is a puzzle game that is extremely fun, and suitable for everyone. The concept is simple. There are 30 little pieces of sushi with a specific shape and colour, and all the user has to do is to highlight the ones that are the same colour and/or the same shape to get points. The aim of the game is to get the most points by the end of a 3 round match against either your friends or the strangers you play against. As you win, you will level up. Levels are measured by “belts” (like karate and other martial arts). With all the extra little touches, such as daily fortunes, and achievements, this game is extremely fun to play with.
This game is multiplayer-based (like Words With Friends™ and DrawSomething™), so a wifi or cellular connection is required to play. The connection does not affect the gameplay at all, so don’t worry even if your internet connection is not up to par. You can login through either Facebook or email- Facebook may be the better choice, for you can play against your friends if they have the game too.
Overall, this game is great. It’s very colourful and the cuteness is unbearable. This fast-paced game is very easy to understand and very fun to play. Though it’s going to take sometime to level up to a high level, it’s very competitive and a very good game to consider when you’re bored. This game is compatible with iPhones, iPads, iPad Minis, and iPod touches. This is a must try game.
Plomonet Rating: 10/10
September 29, 2012 in iPad, iPhone, Phones, Product, Tablets, Uncategorized, YouTube
After seeing all the leaks and rumors of the iPad Mini, some of you may believe that the product is in the works. We think so too, but not because of the leaks. We have our own take on why we think the iPad Mini is coming. There are 2 main reasons.
Firstly, there is just a huge demand. Google, Asus, Amazon, Barnes and Noble. They are all coming up with low-cost 7-inch tablets that are actually selling a large amount. Especially the Amazon Kindle Fire, introduced last year, has been the top selling Android tablet. Whilst the iPad’s 9.7inch screen is nice, people are absolutely in love with the 7inch form factor. That’s why there is also a demand for a 7inch iPad, which would probably sell loads in our estimates.
The second reason though we think is more profound. Because of the change in the way Apple names their devices, we are starting to be very optimistic about the iPad Mini. Apple has changed the way they name their iPads. We were hoping for an “iPad 3″, but instead it was called “The new iPad.” At the same time, they are still selling their iPad 2 models. With their new iPhone, instead of calling it “The new iPhone” they called it the iPhone 5 (although technically it is the 6th generation). At the same time, they are keeping their iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S in their lineup. So that is when we wondered, what is going on? Couldn’t they have just called it “The new iPhone”? Why did they move back to the numbering system? Well that is where the catch is.
With the new iPad and iPad 2, they are selling them to 2 different markets. The new iPad being the flagship device, and the iPad 2 to be the more affordable option. Same goes for the iPhone. The iPhone 5 is the new flagship, and the iPhone 4 and 4S will be the low-cost option. What happens when the iPad Mini comes in? Most likely, it will be completely replacing the iPad 2 model that they still sell, and will be the new low-cost tablet option. And this makes so much sense, because Apple is still willing to make a low-cost option for consumers to choose from. Have they ever done that with their Macs and their iPods? No. Every time a new model is released, the old model is gone in history.
With the iPhone, that isn’t really the case. Whilst they do want to keep a low-cost option, they are only building one new iPhone every year, whereas if they had the iPad Mini, they will be making 2 new iPads every year. What if the new iPhone was to be called “The new iPhone” every single year? You would be having an iPhone 2010, iPhone 2011, and iPhone 2012, which doesn’t really make much sense. Because they are only making one iPhone a year, it makes sense to have a numbering system for marketing reasons, and for people to know which device is which.
Why doesn’t Apple make a redesigned low-cost option? We don’t know. But with the current naming system of the iPhone and iPad, we do think that there is a new iPad Mini in the works, and Apple will continue to introduce one new iPhone every year.
What are your thoughts? Please leave them in the comments section below!
