iPad Screen Lock Button Making A Comeback?

It would appear that Apple has been listening to the complaints because according to MacRumors, Apple plans on bringing the screen orientation lock back by giving users the option to enable it in the new iOS 4.3 beta version. With so many iPad users complaining about this issue, it has been dubbed one of the dumbest iPad moves in 2010.

According to reports, the company has released their new iOS 4.3 beta version to developers, and it will be available to the public sometime in the next few months. The MacRumors website reports some of the features found in the new iOS 4.3 beta version include the ability to change the functionality of the iPads switch to a screen orientation lock or a mute switch, which I know will you guys happy!

More iPad 2 Rumors

Similar to the launch of the original iPad, the iPad 2 is expected be released in the United States first, while other countries might have to wait as long as July.

According to the reports, the iPad 2 will originally be sold exclusively through Apple stores. While Apple retailers such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Amazon will have to wait until summer ends before getting the rights to sell Apple’s newest tablet pc.

The MacNotes website also confirmed most of the rumors that have been circulating around lately, such as the iPad 2 will include both front and rear based cameras along with integration of a USB port. The device is also said to have a pseudo-retina display that will offer a higher resolution display than that of the current iPad.

Rumors also state that the company that assembles all of Apple’s devices, Foxconn, is adjusting their factory’s lines in order to handle the mass production of the new iPad. Rumors suggest that Foxconn will start producing the iPad 2 as early as next month.

Of course these rumors are solely speculation and until Apple officially announces the specifications and release date of the iPad, these rumors are really all we have to go on.

Hyundai Equus Has An Interactive Owners Manual App

The Japanese car maker Hyundai is ditching their old paper owner’s manual in favor of a 16B Wi-Fi Apple iPad.

Their new luxury sedan the Equus comes equipped with an interactive owner’s manual that is actually a free app for the Apple iPad. The app lets car owners view a multimedia reference guide as well as locate Hyundai dealers, check safety warnings and even schedule service appointments.

If you’re interested in the Hyundai Equus then you should definitely check out the demonstration in the video below. The Equus app is shown playing different promotional videos that allow you to view a 3D vehicle walk-around, including interactive demonstrations of the different safety features that the Hyundai Equus is equipped with. The app also includes a map of all of the Hyundai dealers and service stations all across the United States.

You can purchase the Hyundai Equus for around $58k, but before you do this I definitely recommend downloading the free application from the Apple store.

Fuze Online Meeting Software

The online meeting software Fuze has just released a new version of their already popular iPad app that gives users the ability to host web seminars, or webinars, directly from the Apple iPad.

If you’re not already familiar with Fuze, they were the first online meeting service that gave users the ability to schedule and host meetings from the iPad, rather than just attending the meetings that were originally scheduled from a desktop computer.

If you’re a business person who is always conducting conference calls with your clients, then Fuze meeting is the perfect solution for you. This new Fuze Meeting app brings an upgraded Dropbox function and new Webinar Mode that allows you to hold massive virtual conferences with anyone who has Fuze Meeting, whether it be the iPad, iPhone or Desktop versions. This means that business owners no longer need an actual office space in order to hold their conference meetings.

When launching the app in Webinar Mode, users can launch a web seminar from any iPad device. The app can accommodate up to a 100 different people at the same time. Users can also call the meeting with the applications integrated VoIP technology, eliminating the use of Skype.

While the new Dropbox function gives users the ability to upload documents directly into the Fuze meeting library. This makes it very easy to share documents with the other users attending the Webinar. Dropbox allows you to upload files before, after or even during the conference meeting.

So if you’re a business owner looking for a better solution for starting online meetings with your employees, then you should definitely check out Fuze Meeting HD for the iPad.

The TiVo iPad App Should Be Available This Month

A while back we wrote about the soon to be released TiVo app for the Apple iPad, and it seems it’s getting closer to being launched.

The app is packed with a sleek looking design that will give users full control over their TiVo set-top boxes. The TiVo Company recently tweeted that they are almost ready to release the iPad app, and it should be launched before January ends.

This new TiVo app will give users an easy way to search through content, view guides, as well as scheduling and managing recordings, get recommendations and even view an actor’s entire resume via the IMDB database. The TiVo interface looks to be very user friendly and comes complete with various social networking plugins that allow users to post comments about their favorite shows or movies via Facebook and Twitter.

Grocery Shop From Home With The Peapod iPad App

If you’re always busy working and never have time to go out and do things, then there is a new grocery shopping application for the iPad that will make your life a little easier.

Even though a lot of people find their future sole mates while searching for groceries at the super market, for most of us it’s just a hassle that we could definitely do without. Well now of the most popular online grocery stores, Peapod, is making it easier to skip the isle browsing at the grocery store with the creation an iPad application that let you shop from home.

The brand new Peapod iPad app will allow grocery shoppers to purchase their products online and promptly schedule a time for delivery. Shoppers can easily browse for items by different brand names, product types or UPC codes while easily adding them to their online shopping carts.

The Peapod app also gives customers the ability to use the Apple iPad to check through past purchases which gives users an easy way to add previously purchased items to their current shopping lists. There are also some cool new features integrated into the new Peapod iPad app, such as a viewing option that allows you to see your selected items in a list or grid like format.

So if you’re a grocery shopper in one of the 23 different locations that Peapod has store in, then I would definitely recommend using this grocery shopping application. The application is completely free to download and delivery costs usually run about $8 to $10, but you do have to purchase at least $60 worth of food.

Apple May Soon Do Away With Their Restocking Fees

Have you ever bought an expensive computer or television from your local electronics store only to return it and pay the expensive restocking fee?

These restocking fees usually run anywhere from 10-20% and stores charge it to their customers when they return any opened item. Almost every electronics retailer in the country, including Apple, charge these ridiculous fees.

Well there are now new reports that seem to suggest that Apple is changing their return policy and doing away with these restocking fees. Apple stores currently charge 10% on all returned items, but as of tomorrow, this might not be the case. Customer might soon be able to return their Macbooks, iPhones and iPads to the Apple store and receive full refunds.

Apple may be changing up their return policy due to pressure from the US government. U.S. Senator Charles Shumer has been pressuring the Trade Commission to determine whether or not companies should be able to charge restocking fees, especially since most retailers don’t inform their customers of these fees prior to them purchasing it.

Although Apple’s return policy remains unchanged as of today, these rumors obviously started from somewhere, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see an Apple update very soon.

New Childrens Dinosaur App From National Geographic

If you have kids that enjoy dinosaurs, and what kids doesn’t, then this application is perfect for you. This new dinosaur application is your one stop complete dinosaur reference book ever made.

The Ultimate Dinopedia app contains information on pretty much every species of dinosaur known to man. If your kids are interested in learning about dinosaurs, then this app will provide pretty much all the information that they ever wanted to know. This app has various sections like one for Meat Eaters and one for Plant Eaters. For example, each section has individual pages specifying each species of dinosaur that falls into each category. These sections also cover various topics like definitions, habitats, fossils, hatching, migrations, courtship, digs, discovers, extensions, etc.

The Ultimate Dinopedia app was designed specially to fit the iPads 9.7 inch hi-def screen, and it’s very easy to use. Your children can easy scroll through topics and pictures with the swipe of their fingers. There are also picture information and videos associated with some of the pages found in this application.

So if you’re looking for an application to entertain your little ones, then you can download the Ultimate Dinopedia: The Most Complete Dinosaur from the Apple App store around $6.00.

iPad 2 Cases Are Already Hitting The Market

Even though there is no official word from Apple to when the iPad 2 will be officially launched, that is still not stopping some companies from making accessories for it.

One mobile accessory maker, Dexim, is stating that they have designed a case specially made to meet the specifications for the iPad 2.

The Dexim iPad 2 case comes with a rear facing camera hole that is located at the back of the case, along with spacer for the devices speaker. The mock-up from Dexim seems to be a bit thinner than that of the first generation iPad model, and the home button is located closer to the bottom. Also, the case features a fully functional Bluetooth keyboard that will basically turn your Apple tablet into a fully fledged clamshell type laptop computer.

The case has an interesting design and it is actually quite similar to what other companies’ iPad 2 cases are looking like, even though some people are questioning the legitimacy of it. For beginners, Apple has not even come out and announced the release of the iPad 2.

While companies come out with cases for the non-existent iPad 2, there is still no proof to what exactly the iPad 2 will even look like. So please don’t take these companies’ predictions too serious, especially until Apple gives the official word about the next generation iPad’s release.

The iPad has taken no attention away from the Kindle

Even with its colors, sleek design and fancy apps, the iPad does not destroy the Kindle. In fact, both devices will have vigorous growth in 2011.

According to a new report issued by Forrester tablet, computer sales should skyrocket this year well over 130 percent from the 10.3 million units sold in 2010 to 24 million in 2011.

While the tablet category is roasting hot, Kindle e-readers have not been tossed aside as many predicted. Forrester expects that the number of e-readers in the market will surge by 50 percent in 2011 to 15.5 million units.

Survey data that was released yesterday by J.P. Morgan, found that in December brand awareness for Amazon’s Kindle is at 76 percent (versus 84 percent for the iPad), and 28 percent of survey respondents said they either own a Kindle or plan to buy one in the next 12 months.

Most interestingly, J.P. Morgan found that 40 percent of iPad owners also own a Kindle, and that another 23 percent of iPad owners plan to buy a Kindle in the next year.