His quote that says it all is: “Our teams are working on new hardware, software, and services that we can’t wait to introduce this Fall and throughout 2014.” Tim Cook does say that some of what’s currently unannounced will arrive “throughout 2014″ but that’s most likely software. Apple’s WWDC is always in June and in recent years it’s been used to talk about features in iOS and OS X — in other words, software. At WWDC 2013, Apple is expected to talk about iOS 7 and OS X 10.9.

There have been some rumors that Apple could introduce an iPhone 5S, a fifth-generation iPad, or a second-generation iPad mini at WWDC this summer, which would break the usual one-year product refresh cycle. However, Tim Cook’s comments specifically mentioning fall product introductions are likely referring to the new iPhone and iPad. The iWatch is something else we’re waiting for as well, but some speculate that might not be a reality until 2014. Cook did mention new product categories during the conference call, so it’s possible the iWatch is what he was referring to.

[via Gotta Be Mobile]

The savings are pretty substantial, with the 16GB Wi-Fi plus 3G variant of the iPad 2 priced at $349, compared to the retail price of $529. The 32GB version of the same model is priced at $429, and the 64GB model priced at $529.

The 16GB iPad 3rd Generation Wi-Fi plus cellular variant, which retails for $529 is available refurbished for $409, with the 32GB version priced at $499 and the 64GB version coming in at $579.

The savings only last until all of the units are sold, so if you’d like to take advantage of this offer, now’s the time to head over to Apple’s website and nab one.

[Via: Ubergizmo , Apple]

Kidding aside, these adapters are cheap (only $25) and are a totally serviceable way to add a long lens to your iPad or iPad mini. Judging from the pics on their site, the quality isn’t half bad either. For the price, it could be a nice thing to have in your bag in a pinch. Photojojo seems fully aware of the inherent goofiness of both the product and iPad photography, judging from the text of its description:

“Much like a full-grown adult doing cartwheels. iPad photography can look a little silly, but it is just so much fun. You get to see your photo through a ginormous viewfinder before your even snap it.

It’s time to take your iPad photography one step, or 10 steps, further with the iPad telephoto lens. This lens adds 10-12 times telephoto power to your iPad…..

…So hoist your iPad high, and snap away proudly. Your iPad may look a bit silly in this get-up, but you are going to end up with some seriously super photos!”

Thanks, Photojojo, for this inexpensive telephoto adapter, and for having a sense of humor about the whole thing!

[Via: Photojojo]

The Extreme Sleeve 2 is designed for the iPad but also offers up enough space for most 10 inch tablets as well. The Extreme Sleeve 2 absorbs 94% of impact, making it deserve its “extreme” moniker.

This is one of many ultra-sturdy cases that G-Form offers, and if you needed just a little more convincing as to how sturdy G-Form cases are, just watch the video below.

The material on the case feels soft to the touch, and has a slight “squish” feeling to it. Said material is G-Form’s RPT and Poron XRD, and will stiffen upon impact. You really wouldn’t know how much impact this case can withstand when you’re carrying it around, so there’s a nice balance between protection and style. The top of the sleeve is lines with a sturdy zipper that goes over the corners of  case slightly, allowing for an easier grip for getting the tablet out.

The tablet we were using was just a tad too large for the case itself (Asus Memo Pad Smart 10), and if that wasn’t the case, we’d have a video of our own to show just how rugged this case it. The thing is no joke. Even if you’re extremely careful with your tech toys, the G-Form Extreme Sleeve 2 should still be on your “to buy” list, as you never know when it will save your tablet’s life.

If you want the absolute best protection for your tablet, G-Form cases are the way to go.

Now if G-Form only made full body suits…

Take a look at the gallery below to see more of the Extreme Sleeve 2!

With Apple dropping the ball with secrecy as of late (ahem: remember the iPhone 5 shell casing leak?); it’s hard to 100 percent refute this case as not being the legit form factor of the next iPad. Truth is, most of the recent Apple leaks in the past year or so have been on the money. This new case suggests a slimmer and narrower iPad is in the works.

[via Engadget]

Something tells me this “low” I’m in right now isn’t going away. The sad fact of the matter is even three years after its release, as useful as it can be, almost anything I can think of doing on my iPad I can just as easily do on my MacBook. Hell, in some cases it’s easier. That’s especially true since OS X Mountain Lion came out with Reminders, Notes, and Messages apps, all of which were once exclusive to iOS and therefore required me to use either my iPhone or iPad to access them.

As of now, on the weekends my iPad acts mainly as a paperweight. It rests on top a flat neoprene sleeve on my desk. I give credit where credit is deserved, so it’s important to mention that I do actually use the thing. Being a student, I bring it to my classes every day. I use Evernote to take notes, iStudiez Pro to keep track of assignments and exams, Penultimate for sketches and diagrams, and Apple’s own Messages app to chat with friends while the professor assume I’m taking notes. Obviously a few other apps get thrown in the mix now and then, but those are the main ones. The minute I get back home from classes, the iPad takes a nap on my desk again until the next day.

The iPad has mainly become a travel companion, but that’s it. It’s a fantastic travel companion though. My laptop I bring almost nowhere because even though it’s a MacBook Air, it’s not nearly as portable as the iPad is. The problem is if I didn’t have an iPad, something tells me I’d be able to get along just fine bringing my laptop everywhere. It’d be a bit more of a hassle, but life would go on. If I didn’t have classes during the week, I’m not sure if I’d use my iPad at all.

I do want to eventually buy an iPad mini as an upgrade to my current iPad some time this year. I’m waiting for a refresh. Since I quite enjoy the iPad strictly as a travel computer, the iPad mini might just be perfect for me. Plus, I’d get to save some green.

But unfortunately what this boils down to is that the iPad as years have passed and sales have grown is still not something people need. A lot of people who want one don’t even know why they want one. The iPad is very special in that it’s one of the rare devices in which people figure out why they wanted it after they bought it.

Despite the iPad losing a substantial amount of its magic in my eyes over the past couple of years, it’s still a good device to have. It remains a luxury, however, and I think it’s going to be a while before it becomes an absolute necessary. I could be alone on that opinion, but I think I can probably represent the voice of anyone already in possession of a portable, yet fully functional laptop.

Then again, perhaps sometimes a little bit of luxury is a necessity.

The thinking must be to save the Office for Windows-based platforms and make that a unique selling point of tablets running Microsoft’s platform. That, apparently, is easier said than done, with Ballmer & Co. still struggling to excite enough buyers for their Surface tablet. Perhaps that will change this year, though as far as we can tell, for the time being – Apple will continue to dominate the tablet game.

Microsoft’s decision may change in the future as it realizes there’s money to be made across other platforms. Morgan Stanley’s Holt believes that “the company may ultimately decide there is more upside with Office on iPads, particularly if Win tablets fall short of expectations.” We’ll see how that goes…

[Via: MobileWorldLive]

NASA’s Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory in the Human Health and Performance Directorate at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas is looking for an iPad-based solution that monitors the dietary intake of crews during missions to make sure they’re consuming enough calories while in space. It is said that using nutrition and dietary patterns can prevent negative conditions associated with space-flight with research in other areas (like cardiovascular, muscle, bone, immunology and radiation) highlighting nutrition as integral to the mission success. These efforts will contribute to the safe human exploration of space.

The ISS FIT (Food Intake Tracker) iPad app challenge follows the recently completed Longeron Shadowing Optimization Challenge, a $30,000 open innovation competition to make the energy-gathering solar arrays of the International Space Station (ISS) more efficient by eliminating the shadows it casts upon itself at different points during orbit. More than 4,000 individuals registered for Longeron with 459 competitors producing 2,185 unique solutions in less than three weeks…

IDC data broke down the steep decline in great detail. Apple is seeing sales slip in developed markets like the United States and Japan, which is the tech giant’s bread and butter. The iPad is being replaced by the iPad mini and competing seven inch tablets from Samsung and Amazon.

Apple still commands about 39 percent of the market, but it’s significantly down from its peak of 56.8 percent in the second quarter of last year. Amazon was able to snag 15.5 percent of the market, while Samsung took in 13.1 percent of the market.

The way I look at this is Apple’s ridiculous profit margins for its products were going to come down eventually. But is it time to panic? No. The suits who work for the financial companies who cater to the stock market are the only ones making a stink about this. Remember, just like Jim Cramer from CNBC says “ Bulls make money, bears make money, pigs get slaughtered.” Right now, it’s a bear’s market.

Apple’s competition has not only gotten smarter, but they’re offering great quality at an affordable price. Apple for so long has been able to use the quality of products argument to justify its premium price tag, now they can’t do that anymore.

Here is the growth of the 10-inch iPad business:

And here’s the iPad on the decline:

[via Business Insider]