A good FPS on a mobile platform is very hard to come by. Typically, the touch controls don’t work for me, especially on smaller devices like the iPhone or my Android. So when I decided to pick up N.O.V.A (Near Orbital Vanguard Alliance), I was a expecting more of the same in terms of control, visuals, stuttering as well as poor battery performance, etc.
Recently I made the decision to break up with Apple as far as what device I would use for my personal mobile phone (Sorry Steve, it’s you not me). I decided to try out an Android based device and with my contract still being with AT&T, the only Android phone worth checking out was the Samsung Captivate.
The Samsung Captivate is part of the Galaxy S line of phones finally available in the US. Each carrier is getting a version with minor hardware differences but fundamentally the same phone. Getting used to the Android OS was a major adjustment, not because it was hard, but because iOS is so simple in comparison. You pretty much have to switch your thinking to “what CAN’T I do to customize it?”
The 60 days following it’s official announcement have passed, and the wait is over.
Consumers can finally get their hands on the iPad in stores and see for themselves whether or not it is all that it has been hyped up to be.
Let’s start with the specs:
Half an inch thin
Weighs 1.5 pounds
9.7-inch IPS display (1024×768)
1 GHz A4 chip
16, 32,or 64 Gigabytes of storage
Wi-Fi 802.11n
Bluetooth
Accelerometer
Compass
Speaker
Microphone
“Is it really just an overgrown iPod Touch?”
Fundamentally, it is. But you will use it in a very different way.
Besides, is that such a bad thing?
Having a lot more screen and speed to work with will allow many applications to be more useful on a day to day basis, instead of just being nice to have in a pinch. The smaller screens on iPods and iPhones made some applications feel awkward and almost unusable, except when in dire need.
Speaking of applications, the default ones installed are: Calendar, Contacts, Maps, Videos, YouTube, App Store, iTunes, Safari, Mail, Photos, iPod, and Notes.
You will notice that the two missing are from iPod and iPhone are Clock and Calculator.
Most likely this is because there are so many different clocks and calendars in the App Store. They seem to be the new “Hello World” program for new developers.
As with all the Apple touch devices, there are very few actual buttons. There are Home, power, volume up/down, and orientation lock buttons.
The iPad is a lot more sensitive than the other touch devices, which makes the orientation lock a very nice addition.
Reading for extended amounts of time is very easy on the eyes and with the different zoom levels, as well as the accessibility options, there is plenty of room for adjustment for everyone.
When in landscape mode, the keyboard is large enough for me type easily, accurately and at a pretty good speed.
Portrait mode is a different story. I would chalk that up to getting used to the size more than anything. Either way the keyboard response is excellent once you find what is most comfortable for you.
Wireless range seems to be a bit shorter, and I suspect that it has something to do with the all-aluminum back.
Speed while browsing and streaming media is quick and I have experienced no lockups or degradation of performance.
Netflix on the iPad is perhaps my favorite app, and it runs like a champ.
Battery life is pretty close to advertised; I have only charged it twice in the week since I’ve purchased it, and I have used it a lot.
Most people have been turned off by the fact that it was not running a version of OSX of some sort, and running the iPhone OS instead. This leaves the ability to install standard applications, multi-tasking, expansion, and media card slots out of the picture.
At least in the traditional sense.
The App Store has some sort of application for whatever you need in some form or another. By keeping expansion out of the picture, software developers do not need to worry about as many variables, only whether a user has a 3G model or not, and can work on making more refined applications (in theory).
Multitasking is being addressed this fall with OS 4.0. As far as the lack of media card slots? This is a pain point with me, but I have come to expect it and it’s not a big issue. If Apple thought they could get away with not having them in their MacBooks, they probably would. EDITOR’S NOTE: Current baseline MacBooks do not include a media card slot. So apparently the author is correct. No hate mail, please.
Instead, you can buy a camera connectivity kit which will allow you to transfer pictures and video only to the iPad.
While the iPad will never completely replace your laptop, it definitely has a place and has proven quite useful to me.
If your not sold on it or you just want a full featured OS, there are other options on their way.
I was lucky enough to have a friend who let me borrow his the first week he had it (thanks Stig!) for a day and i knew that i wanted one.
I am really enjoying mine and would recommend it. Your best bet would be to find one and play with it a while and see if you can find a place for it in your lifestyle.
Finally the day has arrived that you have been waiting for.
Gela Skins have just launched custom skins for:
We haven’t got our hands on them yet, but I can assure you we will. Who doesn’t want their favorite NASCAR driver or their favorite podcast/video game reviewers on their iPod?
The process is simple, pick your product, upload the picture, arrange it on the template, preview, and buy. Head over to GelaSkins if you want to take a look.
My kids are older. I have one entering her senior year of high school, and one attending college, so perhaps I’m not the target demographic for a game designed for preschoolers.
Regardless, you’ll find my review inside.
My kids are older. I have one entering her senior year of high school, and one attending college, so perhaps I’m not the target demographic for a game designed for preschoolers.
Regardless, you’ll find my review inside.
If you’re able to read this review, you’re likely not going to enjoy this title… but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your consideration.
Not by a long shot.
Giraffe’s PreSchool Playground is a collection of mini-games with a very subtle touch of education.
Your child will be tasked with matching letters and numbers based on visual and verbal cues (in the Ace Adventurer mode the clues are verbal only), identifying and collecting various animals, and even given a sandbox picture editor that can export their creations.
The visuals are friendly and brightly colored, the music is enjoyable (even for adults, though I hate to admit it), and the animal sounds are entertaining. GPP has exception production values for an iPhone game, especially from a first-time developer.
While adults will quickly get bored, my tests with children were unanimously positive.
Consider this a great time waster for your 3-5 year old. If you’re child is older than that… you may want to look elsewhere.
Back in the day, I wish I had this title available to me. While waiting for a movie to start, the food to get to your table, or on a long car ride, it’s an easy way to keep your kiddie occupied.
Matt says BUY IT.
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Do you live just out of range of your favorite Clear Channel Radio station? Does your work not allow streaming audio through their networks?? Do you want to finally know what Bob & Tom’s hometown broadcast sounds like???
If you answered “YES!” to any of the above questions AND you carry a Blackberry, I might have the program you’ve been looking for… Follow the link for more details!
Do you live just out of range of your favorite Clear Channel Radio station? Does your work not allow streaming audio through their networks?? Do you want to finally know what Bob & Tom’s hometown broadcast sounds like???
If you answered “YES!” to any of the above questions AND you carry a Blackberry, I might have the program you’ve been looking for… Follow the link for more details!
It’s available now.
Get it on the ‘Podcasts’ tab at the top of the screen.
Episode #67: Brian returns from Brazil, Matt reviews 2 third-party guitar controllers, the ION drum set, double-bass pedals in Rock Band, and we discuss what happens when you get 100 PS3 Trophies in 10 days (it is NOT pretty). Also, B.O.M.B. manages to pay the internet bill this month, because of you… and some help from Amazon.
Bag Of Mad Bastards 
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