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Gaming on the iPad
IPads have fast become a great device that people use for everything in their daily lives, be it talking to their friends on different social media websites or using them to take notes and research information from the internet. Tablets are an extension of smartphones in the way that they are just more powerful devices with larger screens that allow you to do more with them. What tends to set the iPad apart from the competition is the fact that Apple is able to make an operating system that is simple to use but takes advantage of all the power in the device.
No matter where you are a tablet will almost always come in handy, be it at work when you need to read your morning emails. With a tablet you can do this while on the train into work, you could also use it in order to research something so that you can answer any questions sent your way. When you get home you can use it for all sorts of stuff especially entertainment with many different apps for playing films and TV shows such as Netflix. One of the most popular ways to entertain yourself with an iPad is to play games on it, and with so many to choose from there is a game for everyone. With the large touch screen and the tilt controls playing games can be extremely fun and different to playing games on any other platform.
Providers like OnlineCasinoAustralia.com.au have adapted well for the new mobile audience. Playing casino games is one type of game that is very well suited to a touch screen, take for example when playing a game of roulette being able to just touch the different numbers on the table in order to place your bets. There are many great games that are well suited to being played on an iPad.
Best iPad Bluetooth Keyboards
If you want it fast, then iPad is the way to go. No need to physically open it up ( i.e., peculiarities of its netbook predecessor) – it’s just touch and you’re good to go: web surfing, Youtube, unlimited games. Enjoy. No argument there.
However, if you want to get some real work (e.g., emails, writing important memos, presentations) done, you may want to rethink your strategy. You’re going to need a bigger arsenal. The iPad’s got the brain (microprocessor-wise) alright but may not have enough arms. No argument there, either.
Sorrows of an On-screen Keyboard
Just try typing on an on-screen keyboard that takes up almost half – 40% to be exact – of your screen. Not only do you get a smaller screen, you are bound by one reading angle and a cramped keyboard. In time your hands will manifest frustration as typing on a virtual keyboard gets more difficult as you plod along.
Nothing Beats a Real Keyboard
Nothing beats the click and clack of a real keyboard.Perhaps it is because our fingers have a more physical feel that it is able to remember the keyboard terrain – speeding things up.
Now thanks to NFC or near field communication (e.g., Bluetooth) all you need is to pair your iPad to a keyboard device and you’re in control.
But which iPad Bluetooth keyboard? Meet the best iPad bluetooth keyboards (to date):
1. ZaggZaggfolio
2. LogiTechUltraThin Keyboard Cover
3. ClamCase Pro
These keyboards have evolved from the earlier generation of iPadkeyboards, most notably the wireless keyboard that sticks the Apple logo on it – Apple’s Wireless Keyboard. Particularly, this keyboard already makes use of Bluetooth. However, the device does not boast of all-in-one functionality, a feature common in the three products under review.
Epic Keyboard Battle: Effective vs. Efficient
Now herewith are three of the top iPad Bluetooth keyboards in the market today. It is safe to say that their buying power have given them enough bragging rights to be taken up for a review.
However, one must be extra careful in dissecting products. It is easy not to see the forest for the trees. And be captivated by the device architecture and lose sight of functionality.
In this regard, a little Sun-Tzu would definitely help us: Effectivity first before efficiency. Better the man who shedsno blood and wins the war than the one who kills a hundred thousand soldiers and loses it.
So the real question is: Which of these 3 iPad Bluetooth Keyboard does the job best – most particularly in the 3 main functions that these brands offer?
Round 1: Keyboard
ZaggZaggfolio. Though the on/off button of the device is not as eye-catching, it’s simple and very easy to locate. Also, (Bluetooth) pairing is not a problem. As for typing, Zagg provides enough space between keys – very firm and sturdy for easy typing. This is not as wide as the earlier Apple wireless keyboard product. Moreover, product has shortcut keys (e.g., copy, paste, search, volume controls). Just one possible drawback: minute Delete key.
So with regards to keyboard functionality Zagg is a 7 out of 10 points (10 as highest).Excellent.
Zagg score: 7
Logitech Ultrathin.Keyboard dock fits right in – very basic. The plastic keys exude comfort. However, like the Zagg, the product display a less-visible Delete key. Typing becomes a breeze, thanks to a large space bar and dedicated function keys. One thing about the keyboard though is its thinness and may not give you the best tactile feel: It does not depress as much like ordinary keyboards.
Logitech score: 7
ClamCase Pro. An improvement of the original ClamCase, this product use Chiclet-style keys – small but well-spaced out. Though a bit narrow, these keys are well-defined and give just enough typing space. Unlike the Ultrathin the keys will give your finger a deeper travel – deeper depression. The product also boasts of iPad-specific function keys allowing greater versatility in media playback and copy/paste works. As it is the closest thing to a wired keyboard we give the Pro an 8.
Clam Case Score: 8
Round 1 Winner: ClamCase Pro
Round 2: Case
Logitech Ultrathin. Using magnets the keyboard latches and folds right over the iPad (cover). However, this is the thinnest of the 3 and may provide the least protection to your iPad. Well, of course, this makes up for easier travel. Really ultrathin: 0.5 inches.
Logitech score: 6
ZaggZagfolio. As an all-in-one keyboard case, the Zaggfolio cover gives a better job at protecting your iPad than the Ultrathin. Its cover amply protects both the front and back of your iPad while its top can be folded up to prop up the iPad. Added to this, a slot keeps the iPad from slipping.
Zagg Score: 7
ClamCase Pro. ClamCase Pro seems to be a perfect-fit for the iPad. With the ClamCase Pro, the iPad is transformed into a full-pledged netbook or laptop right before your eyes. Closing a ClamCase Pro with an iPad in it is the closest thing to closing a laptop. In the Protection Department though is where ClamCase Pro takes a definitive run for it and leaves the competitor behind: No protection like the ClamCase Pro. If you value your iPad, this could be the best protection money can buy. We would have given it a 10 had it been just a little lighter.
Clam Case Score: 9
Round 2 Winner: Clam Case Pro
Round 3: Stand
Clam Case Pro. This is a very versatile design. Just flip the screen and voila you have an iPad stand minus the keyboard showing. The Apple product stands very securely vertically. What may leave competition in the dust here though is the 360° hinge which the company is getting a patent for. This allows greater reading angles, a feature not found in its entire competitor.
Clam Case Pro score: 9
Logitech Ultrathin. As a basic design, the keyboard provides a slot in which the iPad can stand.Pretty neat. However, one may be limited to a single reading angle no matter the light. Unlike the ClamCase Pro, the Logitech does not offer greater reading flexibility.
Logitech score: 7
ZaggZaggfolio. As a stand Zagg provides a slot that secures the iPad. Like the Logitech product, however, Zaggfolio does not provide wider reading flexibility as a ClamCase would.
Zaggfolio score: 7
Hands down, in the three categories above the ClamCase Pro provides the best keyboard facility, greater stand flexibility, and best protection for your iPad: a clear showcase of effectivity.
What to Buy:
All these three products have their own fortes. For instance, Logitech Ultrathin would be great for the travel-savvy.
However, we put premium into protection and in this regard longevity. Effectivity over efficiency. With all the hustle-bustle, the grit-and-the-grind of today’s everyday hectic life, one thing’s for sure: A broken iPad is no iPad at all.
Now, many may argue price as a factor. Sure it is. But taking a difference of 4 adult burgers at a casual-dining restaurant for a package of Total Protection for my iPad, I’d take ClamCase Pro anytime. Not to mention the $20 coupon price off available today.
Gear4 Angry Birds Mini Speaker Review
After playing around with the Gear4 Angry Birds mini speaker from http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/, I’m more than certain I am in a good position to come up with a well informed review of sorts.
First Impressions
When it arrived a couple of weeks ago, I was somewhat disappointed by fact that the package weighed almost nothing. I was like, “Hmm… Typical made-in-you-know-where electronic product that’s made of cheap plastic and what have you”.
Although the packaging was neat and of good quality and opened the package I went and I said, “Yup! Typical…”.
The mini speaker was so light I had to convince my 4 year old son multiple times that this isn’t a toy! Of course he still played with it regardless and that’s a plus for this product because it sure looks adorable and the details of it are great.
I can probably imagine you reading this with your o_O look by now. Well, that’s actually what how I would some-up my initial impressions to be honest.
Sound Quality
Seconds after opening this, I immediately plugged it into my smartphone and played some tracks. The summary of this part is…. —–> 
<——–
Then again, I said, “typical”.
It sounded like 50% lesser in quality and power to the Galaxy S2 built-in speakers.
Then wify came. Said the speaker looks lovely and what not and I told her it doesn’t sound too good and when she tried it on her N8, she had no choice but to agree.
Then she started checking out the paper/manual (sorry I don’t read those!) and started playing around with the product and boom she “pulled” the speaker to its now “stretched” or “opened” position and voila! 3x more power! 3x more quality than your mobile phone’s built-in speakers!
Conclusion
If you ever get a hold of such an adorable Angry Bird mini speakers, you won’t be listening to built-ins ever since.
Here are the breakdown as to the why:
• You’ll be amazed at how much power and quality sound you’ll be getting from such a small (and did I mention adorable?) form factor. It’s just overall so cute and light (ok after wify figured out you needed to “open” this device, I don’t really care about it being nearly weightless which in my “older” mind would translate to cheap materials) that you won’t mind using it as a keychain or mobile chain of sorts. In fact, my son used it like so for awhile.
• Although the material is nothing but plastic, the build quality of this small device is AAA+! You can’t see anything on it that’s a “little off” which is quite common these days as most devices like so are made-in-you-know-where for all the good “business” reasons. I just love how neatly snagged this speaker is that you can’t recognize its purpose when you tack in the wire at the bottom.
• It’s a RED ANGRY BIRD! Nuff said.
The New Login With Amazon API
Amazon recently rolled out the new “Login With Amazon API”, with its move essentially viewed as the online retail giant’s bid in expanding its digital presence.
At its core, the API allows for quick and convenient access to Amazon’s featured services, developed as an option from where third party developers could easily facilitate the access control commands required in Amazon-related transactions.3
By rolling out the new “Login With Amazon” API, the company essentially makes a stake at the domains currently being treaded on by other IT industry giants like Apple and Google, along with other players such as Facebook and Twitter. Apart from its Amazon-centered login capacities, the new API also has ties with Woot and Zappos, with both entities being subsidiaries of Amazon.
Based on reports from Amazon, close to 40% of Zappos’ new customer base opted to login via “Login with Amazon”, as twice that number of Woot customers opted to use the “Login with Amazon” API.
While a new API doesn’t exactly come as “breaking news”, it has to be said that Amazon has certainly gone far from simply being an online retail giant, with a huge number of its services currently extending and expanding to areas beyond the online retail giant scope.
Add the fact of Amazon rumored to be thinking up of rolling out its own HD and glasses-free 3D smartphone, it appears that Apple has another competitor to watch out for, apart from Android and Samsung.
Have you given the new Login with Amazon a go?
