Tablet in a Minute

YouTube Releases Official iPhone App Just In Time

2012-09-11T07:44:00.000-06:00

If you have not heard Apple is removing the original YouTube app that has been on iOS for many years. The app has pretty much been unchanged since release and in Apple's effort to remove Google Apps from the iOS ecosystem Google has responded with its own updated version of the app. It is great that this app was released the day before the iPhone 5 announcement as well as a possible release of iOS 6. Once you install iOS the stock YouTube app will be removed as well as Google Maps and it will replaced by Apple's new Maps application.

The app now takes on a much newer look and feel that was also recently introduced in the Android app. You can easily open of the left sidebar to view your playlists or view videos for specific channels you are subscribed to. For many users it is going to be hard for them to see the introduction of ads into the app but it is vital for YouTube to add this to give support to people such as me to continue to making great content.

You can find that app here and make sure you install it now before the old version disappears in a few weeks. The iPad version is currently in development and will be released in the coming weeks.

Let me know what you think of the new app.

Source: iTunes, YouTube Blog

The Apple Family

2012-08-29T11:42:00.000-06:00

Deal: iPad Bluetooth Keyboard $15

2012-08-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

Typing out a novel or even a quick email is not always the easiest on the on screen iPad keyboard. Even if it seems quick sometimes there are always a few mistakes that you have to drag your finger around to get to the right spot to edit it. This always end up taking much more time than you think it will.

If you are looking for an affordable bluetooth keyboard for your iPad or tablet check out this deal on Amazon. The keyboard has buttons specifically for the iPad but will work great on most smartphones tablets. You can get this SANOXY"bluethooth" keyboard for only $15.

Source: Amazon

Google Music Update Adds Expandable Jelly Bean Notifications

2012-08-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

Google Music has been updated that ads a few new features to many users. This update includes:

v4.3.609
* Bug fixes and support for Google TV devices.* Expandable notifications in Jellybean.

For those who have forgotten about expandable notifications here is a reminder. When an app supports expandable notifications and you see the notification in menu you place two fingers on it and pull down to see more options.

As you see to the left it gives you a bigger thumbnail and an option to go to the previous song. While it doesn't add a ton of new options, it does give you a nice notification widget to look at. This is the first Jelly Bean notification I have actually used and it really ads a nice touch to the OS.

For many of you this feature is not available since Jelly Bean is no where on the rader to be available for your device.

Play Store: Google Music

App How To: Pinterest for Android

2012-08-22T10:00:00.000-06:00

In this video I take a quick look at the newly released Pinterest App for Android. The app is fully funcional and is very easy to use. Once you have logged in or created your Pinterest account it will take you to the main page that shows the pins of all the people that you are following.

At the top of the page you can create a pin by selecting the button and then taking a picture of choosing a photo from you gallery.

You can scroll through all the pins on the main page and repin, like, or comment on a pin just by tapping on the picture. When you have selected a pin you can also click the menu button and you can download the picture to your device or you can share it with other social networks.

Back on the homescreen you can also swipe left to browse through the many different categories or you can swipe right to view your profile as well as news and see your followers and those you follow.

RePinning something from the web is where Android really has the advantage over other mobile operating systems. When you are using the web browser and you find something ou would like to Pin, all you need to do is press Menu, and then Share. You will then see the option to choose Pinterest as shown at the left.

Once you select Pinterest it will then pull up all of the images from the page for you to select. You can then choose one and name the pin as well as choose what board you would like it on.

For an initial release of this app Pinterest has done an excellent job. I found the app to run very smooth and load images quickly. I would suggest being on Wi-Fi or LTE if you are going to do some heaving browsing and pinning.

App Link: Google Play

App How To: Pinterest for the iPad

2012-08-22T07:30:00.000-06:00

In this video I take a quick look at all the features that have been released in the new iPad Pinterest app. The app allows you almost all the same functionality that the web offers minus rearranging your boards.

Once you load up the app you are first asked to login to your Pinterest account via Facebook, Twitter, or Email. If you don't have an account yet you can create one at first login. If you have not linked Twitter to your iPad it will make you do this first if that is your preferred way to sign in.

Once you are logged in you will then see everybody's pins that you follow. You can easily scroll down the page to see all of the pins. To repin, like, or comment all you need to do is click on a picture and you are given those options. If a picture is too large you may need to scroll to the bottom of the page to see the comment menu.

In the top left of the app there is a menu icon. You can open the menu by clicking on the icon or by swiping your finger on the screen to the right. In the menu you can browse different categories as well as open up a built in web browser or view your profile and settings.

When you go to the built in web browser you can then search for anything on the web and then Pin It right from the app. This is works really well and it is easy to use.

When you click on the settings in the menu you can easily change your Facebook sharing settings and other options just like you would on the web.

Once you are done browsing a certain category or the web there is a X box on the current tab in the upper right corner that you can click to take you back to the main page.

The app runs very well and is performs that main features of Pinterest well. If you have any questions please leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer you.

App Link: iTunes

New Website Lets You Create Music Playlists With YouTube

2012-08-16T10:28:00.000-06:00

For years YouTube has been a wonderful source to find new music to listen to that you don't have to pay for. Sometimes I felt like there could be a better way to listen to the music than through the standard YouTube player. Reddit user jimikain has created an application that allows you to create playlists on YouTube in a easy to using interface called deskamp.

When you first go to the site you search for a song you want to here and add it to your playlist. You can then search for others songs you like or browse through suggested music or turn on Radio Mode that will randomly play suggested songs.

One feature that I really liked was that you can select the music icon to find a different quality of the current song you are listening. If you strictly want to only hear the music and not see the video there is an option to hide that as well.

Currently it is not working on the iPad or other mobile devices.

Application URL: www.deskamp.com

GTasks: To Do List | Task List Update Now Supports Android Tablets

2012-08-15T15:00:00.000-06:00

For users of Google Tasks there has never been an official Android app. If you browse the Play Store you will find many apps that will allow you to sync your information with Google Tasks servers.

One of my favorite applications is Gtasks. It is a beautiful user interface that lets you easily add tasks, notes, and even due dates. This wonderful app has now been updated to support Android tablets. This will hopefully help Google Tasks users complete their tasks easier on the big screen.

Source: Play Store

Is The Verge's Galaxy Note 10.1 Unit Broken?

2012-08-15T14:27:00.001-06:00

Today Samsung announced its next member of the Galaxy Note Family. The Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with a Wacom-powered S Pen that allows for touch sensitive stylus tablet experience. The tablet has a 1.4Ghz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM. It will be available tomorrow with the 16GB costing $499 and the 32GB model at $549.

The Verge reviewed the new device and while it is highly specked it received very low scores. In the video review it shows that tablet has a bit of lag just scrolling through home screens but the problem is very evident when opening up multiscreen apps. This allows you to use two specific Samsung apps in split screen mode. When switching from one app to the other there is almost a 2 second delay before the app begins to respond.

In a 3rd generation iPad world is sad to see so many devices struggle to match its quality. The Galaxy Note's screen is nowhere near the Retina Display of the iPad and it is still struggling to keep its performance up. While many have suggested it is simply a bad review unit it really is making Samsung look bad.

Is the interface and multiscreen ability enough for you to see pass the lag and purchase the tablet?

Pinterest introduces app for Android, iPad and iPhone

2012-08-15T13:47:00.001-06:00

After a very long wait Pinterest has finally released a Android app and a iPad app. The Android app will work on phones and tablets alike. They have also updated the iPhone that allows you to see more pins at once. Being able to Like, Comment, and Repin is a breeze in the new speedy app. You can easily login with your email address, Facebook, or Twitter account. If you own a Kindle Fire the app will now available in the Amazon App Store.

Check out Pinterest's App page to download the app now!

Source: Pinterest

Woot Deal: Sony 32GB 9.4" Tablet for $259

2012-08-03T07:27:00.004-06:00

Everyone should wants to own a tablet these days right? Why not purchase one that can control your Sony TV? That is of course if you own a Sony TV. This $259 tablet will not disappoint if you are looking for a simple Android tablet that will get the job done with speed.

The built-in IR Blaster is a nice extra feature to have so you can quickly control your TV from an app without having to pick up your remote.

This also comes with a cradle that will allow you to dock your device and keep it charged up for when you need it. If you are interested in the full spec sheet see below.

Operating System: Android Honeycomb (upgradeable to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich)
Memory: 1GB (installed)
Processor: 1GHz nVIDIA Tegra 2
Storage: Flash 32GB
Size: TFT Color LCD
Resolution: 1280 x 800
Ports: microUSB
Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g/n
Cameras: Front: 0.3 MP, Back: 5.0 MP
Battery: Built-in Lithium-Ion (5000mAh)
Dimensions: 9.53"(W) x 6.81"(H) x 0.35"(D)
Weight: 1.33 lbs

Check out Woot.com for more photos and to purchase. This deals ends August 3rd so make sure you pick yours up before they are sold out. Make sure you check out Sony's website to see reviews and compare prices!

What is your favorite feature on the new iPad?

2012-03-22T08:04:00.002-06:00

The new iPad has now been out almost a week now and you have been able to spend some quality time with it. Now that all the hype is over, what is your favorite new feature?

Retina Display
iSight Camera
1080p Video
LTE
A5X Processor
Voice Dictation
iPhoto
Update iMovie or Garageband

And for you iPad 2 owner's, have any of these reasons been enough for you to upgrade or do you see no need?

Image Source: Apple

Mint Updates App For Native Android Tablet Support

2012-02-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

A few months after releasing the official iPad app, Mint has now released support for 9" and 10" Android tablets. Go get the app here. If you are not a Mint user it is a financial budgeting tool that will compile all the transactions from your different bank accounts. Then you can plan a budget and as you purchase items for each budget you can track your progress over the month. I highly recommend it! Set up your account with Mint.com today to help keep your financial resolutions for this year.

Blog Update

2011-12-01T13:00:00.001-07:00

Hey everybody! Sorry it has been awhile since I have actually posted anything. I have been busy with a few different things. I have been writing posts for the ZAGG tech blog and you can go here to read all of my posts.

I will be updating this blog more in the coming weeks but I would like to thank you all for your support.

Here are just a few tablet updates that you should know about.

There is a Kindle Fire update that puts your device at version 6.2. From what I have heard it makes everything rung more smooth. Update by tapping the Quick Settings icon and hitting Sync. The update will download in the background and install automatically.
The Transformer Prime will be available on the 19th December for $499. Check out a great review here.
If you are trying to decide which is better to get for your kids for Christmas between the Inno Tab and the LeapPad check out this YouTube video to help you decide.

Amazon Kindle Fire, now available

2011-11-16T09:15:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Amazon released it's first color tablet. This tablet not only is a great price at $199 it also performs very well. I was able to spend a few minutes with it and it ran very smooth. It is really easy to navigate and has a beautiful display.With all the different content that Amazon offers it will surely be well known in the tablet market.

Joshua Topolsky from The Verge went to the streets to find out what Union Square knew about the Kindle Fire.

With the Kindle Fire you have access to the Amazon App Store, Kindle books, music, and Amazon Movies. The App Store has relatively few apps but it should become very populated with apps as the Fire becomes more popular. Go ahead and order yours now!

How to use and enable Home Sharing

2011-11-10T08:31:00.001-07:00

Home Sharing is what Apple offers to help all your device work with each other while all connected to the same network and Apple ID. Apple allows you to enable Home Sharing on up to five different computers. When it is enabled on your computers you can drag and drop your songs between different computers in iTunes and stream music and videos from other devices on the network.

Some of the major benefits of Home Sharing come if you have an iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone. When you enable it you are able to browse your entire music and video collection on your device and play them without syncing the content to the device. This also works on the Apple TV 2 and that is how you can stream all your content to the TV without the box having a hard drive.

Check out the video above to see how this is done.

Apple: Home Sharing

iPad 2 + Apple TV = Best baby monitor ever

2011-11-05T12:27:00.000-06:00

Recently I have found many different uses for the iPad 2 Mirroring to the Apple TV. In this use case scenario I used my iPad 2 and Apple TV together to create a baby monitor.

I wanted my baby to get a good nap while we were having a Halloween party so I put her in a back room so that our conversation would not wake her up. Once I got her to sleep the first thing I did on the iPad was go to Settings -> Auto-Lock and then changed the Auto-Lock to never.

Next I turned the brightness all the way down since no one was actually going to look at the iPad so I could save on battery life. Then I turned on mirroring to the Apple TV, opened the camera app, and set up the iPad on a table and propped it up using my Smart Cover.

When I went into the front room we could all see the screen and watch her and we could see when she wakes up and starts moving. In the picture above I had the iPad on camera mode and not video so that is why there are lines, we were also not hearing her. Later I tried it on video and still no sound would come through the TV. I have not yet found a way to send the sound to the TV with the video camera app.

When she went down for another nap it was too dark for us to see her so I found a decibal reading app called Decibel Ultra that allows for us to see if she was actually making any sound.

This is just one new way I have been using Air Play Mirroring, what uses have you found for it?

iOS 5 Multitasking Gestures on iPad 1 without jailbreak

2011-10-20T15:00:00.001-06:00

With the iOS 5 update it did not give Multitasking Gestures or AirPlay Mirroring to the iPad 1. For many this was a big disappointment. This video shows you how you can do enable them for your device. I have not been able to verify if it works so let me know how it goes. Take Luck.

modmyi

Netflix updated to work on Honeycomb tablets

2011-10-19T13:18:00.003-06:00

Netflix just released an update to their Android application that allows for the app to be downloaded on all Honeycomb tablets. This is great news 6 million Android tablet owners out their.

Android Market

AirPlay Mirroring and how to watch Hulu Plus on the Apple TV

2011-10-17T10:48:00.002-06:00

The biggest complaints I have about the Apple TV is that it does not have apps like Google TV and lacks the amount or content of the Roku and Boxee Box. All of this just recently changed with iOS 5 and an Apple TV update. With these updates you can now use AirPlay Mirroring. This allows your to share your iPad 2's screen and iPhone 4S right to your TV connected with an Apple TV. This now gives you the ability to use every Appn in the App Store right on your TV.

So far I have found it to be a very solid expierence. I have barely noticed any delay. For me this just became one of the best set ups that you could have in your home, school room, or conference room. With the availability of apps the possibilities are quite endless to what you can do. I have found it very useful to get content on to the TV. Hulu Plus for example is an amazing app on my iPad. With AirPlay Mirroring I am, now able to have all that content right on my TV. The video below shows exactly how it is done.

Here our a few tips about using AirPlay Mirroring:

When your iPad is being shown on a Apple TV the black bar at the top of the iPad will turn blue so that you know your screen is being shared somewhere.
When you use a app that has sound that is playing on the Apple TV you can use the volume controls on the iPad to control the volume.
When you play a video, look at pictures or use an app formatted for the Apple TV the TV's screen will switch between seeing the iPad status bar and showing a full screen display of the selected media.

What feature will you use most on the Apple TV?

When Does iOS 5 Come Out? Available Now!

2011-10-12T11:47:00.002-06:00

The wait is finally over. For those of you that have been waiting for the big update it is finally here. To get the update make sure you update iTunes to 10.5. Once you have done that plug in your device and click check for update and you should be good to go. If you have Mac with OS X Lion make sure you check for an update as well to get all the iCloud features.

Check out Apple's site for all the new features you will receive in the update. Let me know what your favorite one is going to be.

The update is only available for these devices:

Facebook for iPad now available!

2011-10-10T18:56:00.001-06:00

Tired of using Safari for Facebook and sad you are missing many features? now you can get Facebook for the iPad. Some added benefits of using the iPad app are the ability to upload pictures from your photo library, games, and Ability to view photos full screen.

Note: Before you go to find the app uninstall the old Facebook app if you have it installed. Then when you search for Facebook in the App Store click on Facebook when it comes up under iPhone apps. This link will take you to the iPad app.

Let's see if you can get a frowny face in less than a minute like I did. Hit the iTunes link to check it out.

iTunes
Zagg

iOS 5 Coming to your iPad October 12th

2011-10-04T13:50:00.001-06:00

Apple announced it's new iPhone, the iPhone 4S but to me the most important thing that was announced was the availability of iOS 5 on October 12. There are over 200 new features that have been added. Make sure you get your iOS device all backed up before the big day so you are ready to download and install the new and shiny OS.

Check out all the new features over on Apple's site

Dunder Mifflin-Sabre Tablet

2011-09-30T09:48:00.002-06:00

Last night on The Office Dwight introduced the new Sabre Tablet. Though it is an odd shade do you think it would work?

Kindle Fire for $199 and ships November 15

2011-09-28T10:16:00.000-06:00

And there it is, the Kindle Fire. This Amazon tablet has a 7" IPS Display with a dual core processor. It weighs in at 14.6 ounces and a thickness of .45". It has a screen resolution of 1024 x 600 and 8GB of internal storage. It will be released on November 15 and will have free two day shipping. It will come pre-loaded with your Amazon account already registered so you are ready to go out of the box.

The Kindle Fire will certainly be the winner for cheap tablets this holiday season. If you are looking for a simple media tablet this looks to be the one to get. Did I mention it was only $199?

Amazon