My iPad 2 was not showing (on my Mac) as a device associated with my iTunes account . On closer investigation, I appeared to have  trouble enabling the automatic download feature on the iPad using Settings…Store. Each button for Music, Books and Apps would switch off by themselves after a few seconds.

Simple fix is to Sign Out of your account on the iPad then sign back in. Buttons would then remain switched ON and the iPad correctly appeared as a device in the iTunes account on my Mac.

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Users can select from a number of pre-defined shapes as a starting point and use a variety of tools are available that enable the user to “tweak” the model into the shape that they require.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Currently available as a free download (for a limited time) from the App Store

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/123d-sculpt/id446119510?mt=8

More details about the App can be found at

http://123dsculpt.com/

and there is a video channel on YouTube at

http://www.youtube.com/123dsculpt

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I’d just got my iPad 2 and connected it up to my Mac machine running the latest Mac OS X v 10.6.7 and started iTunes as instructed.

Things seemed to be going fine through registration and setup when I received the abrupt warning

iTunes was unable to load dataclass information from Sync Services. Reconnect or try again later.

iTunes did, however, recognise that an upgrade to iOS 4.3.3 was required and proceeded with the download.

At the start of the iOS upgrade, however, I got the equally strange message

iTunes could not backup KML System’s iPad because the backup session failed.

Tried all the usual things, checked iTunes version was up-to-date, rebooted machine, etc. etc.
Was there a problem because I had Dropbox running ? (this didn’t seem to be a problem)

How about trying the “Restore to original settings” ? (This did proceed to install iOS 4.3.3 on the iPad but the same messages persisted and sync would still not work).

Was there something wrong with the iPad ? (brand new too! – but no, the same problem was apparent with my 2nd Generation iPod Touch which produced the same messages when plugged in).

To cut a long story short, it appears that installing Xcode 4 will corrupt an existing installation of iTunes in some way. The solution is simply to reinstall iTunes!!

Lo and behold, the problem went away after a re-install of iTunes and all is back in working order with syncing and backups working as per normal.

ps … I came across an interesting topic on the Apple Support Communities which discusses the same issue and contains some additional steps which may be required if a simple re-install of iTunes fails to resolve the issue.

https://discussions.apple.com/message/13213319?messageID=13213319

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It should be available in a number of other countries including the UK on March 25th.

Slimmer than the original  at 9.5in x 7.31in x 0.34in (241.2mm x 185.7mm x 8.8mm)  and lighter too at around 1.33 pounds (600g) that’s 33% thinner and 15% lighter.

Powered by a custom designed 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 processor, with a 9.7 inch (diagonal) LED backlit multi-touch display providing a graphics resolution of 1024×768 pixels. The battery will allow up to 10 hours of use from a full charge.

New features include 2 cameras – a front facing camera providing VGA quality at up to 30 frames a second with audio, to support Apples’ FaceTime video calling facility and a back facing camera that allows recording HD images/video. The still back-facing camera provides 5x digital zoom. A 3-axis gyro, Accelerometer Ambient Light Sensor and Digital Compass are incorporated.

Available with 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage in either Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + 3G versions. Prices start from $499.

Notable accessories available (at extra cost) include:

The iPad 2 Smart Cover provides additional protection and can fold in just the right places to create a stand for holding the iPad.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/smart-cover/

Use the 30-pin to HDMI wow AV adapter to plug the iPad 2 into your HDTV, projector and display your iPad 2 screen so that everyone else can watch too

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/mirroring.html

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Main enhancements to iOS4.3 include:

• Faster web browsing with Safari incorporating the new Nitro JavaScript engine. This will run JavaScript up to 2x quicker than the speed of Safari in iOS4.2.
• iTunes Home Sharing allows iOS 4.3 users to play media on an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch from their iTunes library on a Mac or PC over a local wi-fi network.
• There are also improvements to AirPlay that allow you to stream additional content including video from 3rd party apps, to AppleTV (which requires a 2nd generation Apple TV running the latest software).
• There is a new Personal Hotspot feature. This allows you to share an iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to 5 additional devices in a combination of a maximum of 3 over Wi-Fi, 3 over BlueTooth and 1 USB device.
  Note: Personal Hotspot requires a supporting hotspot tethering plan from your carrier
• The iPad side switch can be customised to allow you to either use it to lock the screen in landscape or portrait mode or to use it as a mute button.
• Also on iPad, you can use 4 and 5 finger gestures that allow you to pinch to reach the Home Screen. Swipe Up to show the multi-tasking bar and Swipe Left or Swipe Right to switch between running applications.

As always, to install the updates it’s simply a case of connecting to your Mac or PC and using the software update feature for your device in iTunes.

Note: The iPhone 3G or 1st and 2nd generation iPod Touch are no longer supported in this version of iOS.

Full details about iOS 4.3 are available from:

http://www.apple.com/ios/

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I’m not sure why you would want to but you can – with the iBluek Bluetooth Keyboard from Dexim.

The keyboard is made of premium leather for durability and superior protection.The sleek ABS keys turn the iPad and keyboard into one seamless unit.

http://www.dexim.net/us/products/Home-Office/DXA010.html

Introduced at the recent CES 2011

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Fingers are used to move touch points in the model. The view of the model can be changed and controlled by moving the iPad.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Details at

http://www.interactivefabrication.com/projects/beautiful-modeler/

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From iTunes, select File…Add to Library, navigate to the PDF file(s) and pick Choose.

This will load them into the Books section of your iTunes library and syncing with your device will copy them into your iBooks library under a new section called PDFs.

Job done.

And another thing, if you have a Mac you can add a PDF directly to the Books section of iTunes, using the following approach:

Make an alias of the iTunes program (ctrl click on the iTunes program in the Applications folder)

Drag the alias to your [home-folder]/Library/PDF Services folder and rename it, if required.

Now you will have an iTunes option when, for example, you pick the PDF button in a Print dialog.

This is a simple readme text file which I’m going to add to my Books collection, and here it is in iTunes. (note: it works with text files too!)

Job done

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On release day, I called into PCWorld on the way to work and lo and behold there it was … 10 minutes later I had one in my grasp together with some “extras” a case and screen protector. I obtained the 32GB wi-fi version  - as I will mainly be using it in the office and from home I declined the opportunity to obtain a 3G version. Time will tell whether a 3G version would be better.

Not a great deal in the box just the iPad, charger and USB cable.

The charger is a 10W unit and various notes on the web discuss problems charging from a USB port. The official word from Apple states that to charge the battery you can connect to a high-power USb  2.0 port or connect to a power outlet using the power adapter, and comments that some USB ports do not provide enough power to charge the iPad and will display “Not Charging”.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4060

None of my (desktop or laptop) machines, apparently, will charge the iPad howeverit does appear to charge in spite of what is displayed although very slooooowly.

Read additional notes on battery life at the Apple web-site

http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipad.html

Switch on, connect to iTunes, using the USB cable perform an initial sync and you’re good to go.

Initial comments and feedback from people who’ve managed to get their hands on it include …

“it’s just a big iPhone/iPod touch”

In some respects that’s exactly what it is, however the increased size provides a similar but different user experience. It is more comfortable to read and use and the increased screen estate allows for different layouts for the basic applications which are installed by default. Certainly, if you’ve ever used an iPhone or iPod Touch you’ll know how to use one of these.

“its just like your laptop without the keyboard”

Pretty much the case. The keyboard is on-screen when required and when in landscape orientation can consume half the screen – however, this does enable something closer to a full-size keyboard that you can touch type with. You can also buy a docking keyboard as an optional extra if you prefer.

“the weight is noticeable”

After holding it for a while you may start to notice how heavy it is. The wi-fi model comes in at 1.5 pounds (0.68kg) and the wi-fi + 3G model is 1.6 pounds (0.73kg) Also it takes a while to find the position which you find most comfortable.

“its difficult to find the most comfortable reading angle”

If you want to read a book  how would you hold it ? You try and hold it like a physical book but after a while you probably leave it resting on you lap although tilted at a slight angle. The tilt angle is probably an important factor here and it certainly does seem more comfortable at an angle rather than when laid flat on your lap or a work surface. It is possible to buy a case as an optional extra from Apple that enables you to use it as a stand at an angle of approximately 30 degrees although there are mixed reports about the case.

“its great for viewing Photos and videos and playing games”

Certainly true – graphics quality seems excellent and I couldn’t fault the ease for viewing graphics. I like the glossy screen too although its not to everybody’s taste .

“the cost is too prohibitive”

The 32GB wi-fi model is £499 which pus it out of the reach of a lot of users. Would it be more cost effective to go for a netbook/laptop ? – almost certainly just as you get more value for money if you buy a desktop machine rather than a laptop. The jury is out on whether the iPad is really worth it.

Feel free to add your own comments …

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There has been speculation about a number of “slate” style devices for some time, and here are a few I’ve seen mentioned

HP Slate

The HP Slate was announced back in January as a spoiler prior to the Apple announcement of details of the iPad. But is it a dream or reality?

Click here to view the embedded video.

also note the recent Engadget article, which mentions price tags of $549 and $599

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/hp-slate-to-cost-549-have-1-6ghz-atom-z530-5-hour-battery/

WePad

The WePad has an 11.6 inch multi-touch screen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels and uses a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 with up to 35GB memory. Supported communication protocols include Bluetooth 2.1 Wi-FI and optional 3G. Other features include 2 integrated USB ports, SDHC card slot, 1.3MP Webcam, Ambient light and Acceleration sensors and internal microphone. But battery life is mentioned to be around 6hours only.

However, at almost 200g in weight will it prove a little tiresome to hold in one hand?

WePad OS is based on Open Source technologies and uses a Linux distribution with its own touch-based user interface.

Pre-ordering for the WePad is due to start on the 27th April with suggested prices of €449 Euro for the 16GB WiFi version and €569 Euro for the 32GB WiFi 3G version with expected delivery in Summer 2010.

More information is available at

http://www.neofonie.de/

or

http://wepad.mobi/en

and there is a product Specification document at

http://www.neofonie.de/files/product_specifications_WePad_1004012.pdf

Conclusion

Which one do I want ?

Perhaps I’ll just wait for the Microsoft Courier

http://www.kf12.com/blogs/techno/2010/01/microsoft-courier/

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/microsofts-courier-digital-journal-exclusive-pictures-and-de/

it seems the most “novel”and  innovative to me.

Then again, I could always just get an iPad …

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