So Ouat has released a crazy arsenal of iPad books for kids that are entertaining, interactive, and beautiful. For 2012 they’ve changed their name to Chocolapps, but if their first release of the year, “The Adventures of Robin Hood” ($3.99) is any indication, their name may have changed but their commitment to quality children’s storybook apps has remained the same. It’s full of interactive elements, great text, and so much more.

The storybook is based on the classic story of Robin ...]]>

So Ouat has released a crazy arsenal of iPad books for kids that are entertaining, interactive, and beautiful. For 2012 they’ve changed their name to Chocolapps, but if their first release of the year, “The Adventures of Robin Hood” ($3.99) is any indication, their name may have changed but their commitment to quality children’s storybook apps has remained the same. It’s full of interactive elements, great text, and so much more.

The storybook is based on the classic story of Robin Hood. The app is similar the developers previous storybooks, in that it fully engages children in story and style, while helping to teach word definitions, cursive or print letters, vowels, and even different languages. It of course also features enough animation to really keep them interested but not distracted.

Click To Enlarge

There are two different ways to enjoy “Robin Hood“, via Listen and Play or just Listen (meaning without the interactions). Both are excellent ways to use the app, and I like that I have the ability to introduce it to my kids without having all the interactions in the way (even though they are not really to begin with) when we are really diving deep into the story. There is the standard “read to me” and “read to myself” options, and they can be toggled on and off easily via the main screen at any time, or by pressing the “play” or”pause” button at the bottom of the page. There are plenty of extras, such as shooting a bow and arrow, full double page interactive pages of characters and scenes, and even launching a cannon ball and arrows at the castle.

There are also two great features for helping kids learn words. The first is called “Explain to Me” and shows the definition and context clues for unfamiliar words when tapped. The second, “Show Me” is just as great, as it gives an image that represents the unknown word. These are simply great additions to apps like this and I love that Chocolapps (formally So Ouat) has this type of functionality in their children’s storybooks.

I have two kids who test these types of apps with me, ages 4 and 6 right now, and they both enjoyed the story and the app. Though I think some of the elements (the shooting of archers off a castle for example) were a bit much for my 4 year old, I had no issues letting my 6 yr old (almost 7) doing this, as it’s not as if it was gory and brutal…and is simply part of the story. That said, I love the way this company creates apps of this nature: quality, educational, fun. I have no problem recommending them.

Check out more apps by Chocolapps!

Get The Adventures of Robin Hood in iTunes!

A new survey indicates owners of Apple’s iPad are far more satisified with their tablet purchase than owners of Amazon’s Kindle Fire.

According to the ChangeWave report, when asked how satisfied they are with their new tablet device, respondents indicated 74% were “Very Satisfied” with Apple’s iPad, compared to 54% for the Kindle Fire and 49% for “Other Tablet Devices.”

The positive aspect of these numbers according to ChangeWave:

“While the 54% Very Satisfied rating for the Kindle Fire is considerably below the ...]]>

A new survey indicates owners of Apple’s iPad are far more satisified with their tablet purchase than owners of Amazon’s Kindle Fire.

According to the ChangeWave report, when asked how satisfied they are with their new tablet device, respondents indicated 74% were “Very Satisfied” with Apple’s iPad, compared to 54% for the Kindle Fire and 49% for “Other Tablet Devices.”

The positive aspect of these numbers according to ChangeWave:

“While the 54% Very Satisfied rating for the Kindle Fire is considerably below the 74% rating of the industry leading Apple iPad*, it is higher than the 49% average rating for all of the other tablet devices combined.”

There are several things to note from the research.  First, of the 2600 consumers polled, only 6% (156,000) own a Kindle Fire, meaning less than 75,000 are very satisfied with their device. Both numbers – 6% ownership and the 54% satisfaction rate – are less than encouraging.

Second, the high level of satisfaction for the iPad is a positive sign that the device will continue to sell quite well, no doubt more so, when the iPad 3 is released.

How do you compare to those surveyed? Are you very satisfied with your iPad and why?

[via GigaOM]

Yesterday new evidence surfaced which seemed to indicate the iPad 3 would feature a quad-core A6 processor and LTE capabilities.  Today a report claims Apple will launch the iPad 3 in March.

Japanese site Macotakara indicates Apple will showcase the iPad 3 in a media event in March ahead of its actual launch.

Originally the idea was floated out that Apple would make the iPad 3 announcement on February 24, Steve Jobs’ birthday, but now they’ve moved that to March.

Strangely, Macotakara believes Apple will hold an ...]]>

Yesterday new evidence surfaced which seemed to indicate the iPad 3 would feature a quad-core A6 processor and LTE capabilities.  Today a report claims Apple will launch the iPad 3 in March.

Japanese site Macotakara indicates Apple will showcase the iPad 3 in a media event in March ahead of its actual launch.

Originally the idea was floated out that Apple would make the iPad 3 announcement on February 24, Steve Jobs’ birthday, but now they’ve moved that to March.

Strangely, Macotakara believes Apple will hold an event in February, but it won’t be a product launch. The site doesn’t know anymore than that, and even called the event “strange.”  I don’t believe there’s any truth to this rumor and neither does Jim Dalrymple of The Loop, an individual with far more insight into Apple than yours truly.

What appears likely is the release of the iPad 3 sometime in March-April with a Retina Display,  a quad-core A6 processor and support for 4G LTE wireless networking.

[via MacRumors]

A new report has surfaced from Boy Genius Report claiming a source has provided them with images containing information about the iPad 3.

The image at left seems to reveal details of the iPad 3‘s specifications – particularly that the device will feature a quad-core processor in addition to global LTE capabilities.

Additionally the information indicates two iPad model numbers J1 and J2 (iPad 3,1 and iPad 3,2), two different devices, one WiFi only, with the other sporting WiFi and GSM/CDMA/LTE connectivity ...]]>

A new report has surfaced from Boy Genius Report claiming a source has provided them with images containing information about the iPad 3.

The image at left seems to reveal details of the iPad 3‘s specifications – particularly that the device will feature a quad-core processor in addition to global LTE capabilities.

Additionally the information indicates two iPad model numbers J1 and J2 (iPad 3,1 and iPad 3,2), two different devices, one WiFi only, with the other sporting WiFi and GSM/CDMA/LTE connectivity options, making the tablet compatible with carriers in all parts of the world.

To whet one’s appetitie for the iPad 3 further, it appears Apple’s quad-core A6 processor will be under the device’s hood, model S5L8945X. The current line of Apple processors, A4 and A5, have  model numbers S5L8930X and S5L8940X.

If the A6 is in the next iPad, it would be the speediest iOS device on the market when released.  Here’s hoping upgrades to the cameras, display and battery life join the dynamite A6 processor on the iPad 3.

Last week Apple reported record sales of the iPhone – 37.04 million, up 128 percent year over year – boosted by the “disappointing” iPhone 4S.

We’re only several months since the launch of the 4S and many months from the release of the next iPhone, but if you want to make others believe you’ve got the latest iPhone on the market, head to China and grab the iPnoho6.

As the image  above indicates, the  iPnoho6 is not even close to resembling the ...]]>

Last week Apple reported record sales of the iPhone – 37.04 million, up 128 percent year over year – boosted by the “disappointing” iPhone 4S.

We’re only several months since the launch of the 4S and many months from the release of the next iPhone, but if you want to make others believe you’ve got the latest iPhone on the market, head to China and grab the iPnoho6.

As the image  above indicates, the  iPnoho6 is not even close to resembling the fine craftsmanship associated with an Apple product.

The standard iPhone home button has been done away with in favor of a plastic button in the shape of the Apple logo.

As M.I.C. Gadget indicates:

“The ‘iPnoho6′ is made of cheap plastic casing in white color, and it is label as “IPDA”. It has some large speakers on the back, and it’s creative enough that the home screen button is designed in a “full apple” logo.”

The specs and price of the device are unknown but one thing is certain, what ever amount one were to spend on it is too much given its revolting appearance.

[via TechCrunch]

Tablet computers, notably Apple’s iPad, are gaining in popularity with Apple selling 15.43 million iPads and accounting for 58% of tablet shipments in  4Q 2011.

With tablet sales and shipments on the rise, one is left to consider if tablets are really taking over? Will they replace the laptop as the mobile computer of choice?

The infographic below from Litmus points to some interesting stats that indicate the growth of tablet use at the expense of the PC shows no signs of slowing:

New research from Strategy Analytics indicates Apple continues to hold a majority of the tablet market as Android improves its standing on the strength of Amazon’s Kindle Fire. 

Based on its calculations of worldwide tablet shipments during the fourth quarter of 2011, Peter King, Director at Strategy Analytics, states:

“Global tablet shipments reached an all-time high of 26.8 million units in Q4 2011, surging 150 percent from 10.7 million in Q4 2010. Demand for tablets among consumer, business and education users remains ...]]>

New research from Strategy Analytics indicates Apple continues to hold a majority of the tablet market as Android improves its standing on the strength of Amazon’s Kindle Fire. 

Based on its calculations of worldwide tablet shipments during the fourth quarter of 2011, Peter King, Director at Strategy Analytics, states:

“Global tablet shipments reached an all-time high of 26.8 million units in Q4 2011, surging 150 percent from 10.7 million in Q4 2010. Demand for tablets among consumer, business and education users remains strong. Apple shipped a robust 15.4 million iPads worldwide and maintained its strong market leadership with 58 percent share during the fourth quarter of 2011. Apple shrugged off the much-hyped threat from entry-level Android models this quarter.”

Despite strong growth in shipment share for Android, Apple’s share is down less than four percentage points since the firm’s estimates for the second quarter of last year. Android’s other gains appear to have come at the expense of Microsoft and Research in Motion, which registered at 4.6% and 3.3% respectively during the second quarter.

The reliability of Strategy Analytics’ numbers have been questioned in the past due to its counting of shipments rather than end sales to customers.

With many early Android tablets seeing little interest from consumers, the firm’s reports are seen as overstating Android’s impact by counting Android tablets still sitting on store shelves while Apple was selling nearly every iPad it could make.

Certainly shipments are a metric to keep an eye on, but sales are what matters and at this point Apple is the clear leader in that all-important category.

[via L.A. Times]

I received a SofShell for iPad 2 recently, and apparently now all I need is for someone to send me a Porsche for review to go along with it…that way I’d be all set to test out their claim. In case you haven’t heard the designers of the SofShell cases for iPad have said it’s “made from an anti-slip material that keeps your iPad in place—even when it’s on the trunk of a Porsche driving 60 mph”. Ok, so I ...]]>

I received a SofShell for iPad 2 recently, and apparently now all I need is for someone to send me a Porsche for review to go along with it…that way I’d be all set to test out their claim. In case you haven’t heard the designers of the SofShell cases for iPad have said it’s “made from an anti-slip material that keeps your iPad in place—even when it’s on the trunk of a Porsche driving 60 mph”. Ok, so I suppose I don’t actually need a Porsche to test this out, but I am not about to stick my iPad on the trunk of my sedan, so we’ll just have to take a look at this item from a standard use-case and take their word for the whole “Porsche Thing”.

The SofShell case is made from an anti-slip material that greatly outperforms silicone, neoprene, rubber, and urethane cases, it’s easy to clean, is amazingly durable, and fits like a glove. And it’s pretty darn clear too (not 100%, but clear enough). So you don’t have to hid the beauty of the iPad just to protect it. The SofShell is easy to put on, easy to take off, and there are versions made to work with the Apple SmartCover and others that work without. Also, you 1st Generation iPad buyers are in luck, SofProducts hasn’t forgotten about you! They have a version that fits the original iPad as well.

Again, I tested the SofShell for iPad 2 with the Smart Cover and I have to say, it’s pretty darn great. The texture provides a very comfortable yet grippy hold, and actually made it easier to handled for extended periods of time, especially when reading. I love that not once when using the iPad with the SofShell did I think I may drop it…and never did I set it down thinking it was going to slide from where I put it. It just “sticks” wherever you set it. This is just great for parents who let kids use the device. Especially when you add in the extra 43% shock protection from drops (but remember this case is for the back only), the SofShell really is useful and beneficial.

The only downside to the SofShell is that cases like these (the anti-slip kind) always attract a bit of dust. It cleans easy though and it’s a trade-off worth making if you’re someone in need of great protection but do not want to sacrifice the beauty and elegance of the actual device, as SofShell is only 2mm thick and isn’t going to add much bulk to your iPad.

Even better, SofShell has dropped in price as well. You can now pick it up for $29.50. Check out the videos before for more details and information.

Vertical Test:

The “Porsche Test”:

Shop:

http://sofproducts.com/store/

Apple today announced financial results for the fourth calendar quarter of 2011 and first fiscal quarter of 2012. 

For the quarter, Apple posted revenue of $46.33 billion and net quarterly profit of $13.06 billion, or $13.87 per diluted share, compared to revenue of $26.7 billion and net quarterly profit of $6 billion, or $6.43 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

Gross margin was 44.7 percent, compared to 38.5 percent in the year-ago quarter, and international sales accounted for 58 percent of ...]]>

Apple today announced financial results for the fourth calendar quarter of 2011 and first fiscal quarter of 2012. 

For the quarter, Apple posted revenue of $46.33 billion and net quarterly profit of $13.06 billion, or $13.87 per diluted share, compared to revenue of $26.7 billion and net quarterly profit of $6 billion, or $6.43 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

Gross margin was 44.7 percent, compared to 38.5 percent in the year-ago quarter, and international sales accounted for 58 percent of the quarter’s revenue. Apple’s quarterly profit and revenue were both company records.

MG Siegler of TechCrunch and Matthew Panzarino of The Next Web put into perspective how mind-boggling Apple’s earnings announcement is.

Leading the charge behind Apple’s record numbers were the iPhone on sales of 37.04 million, up 128 percent year over year, and the iPad on sales of 15.43 million, up 111 percent year over year.

Speaking of the iPad, Apple CEO Tim Cook when asked about the impact of lower-priced tablets, notably the Kindle Fire, seemed none too concerned:

“We don’t see the limited function tablets and ereaders in the same category… I don’t think that people who want an iPad will settle for a limited function.”

“In terms of other tablets, last year was supposed to be the year of the tablet, and I think most people would agree it was the year of the iPad for the second year in a row.”

“We now have apps totaling over 170,000 available for the iPad, and that compares to what appears to us to be a few hundred for the competition.”

Apple is riding high, exuding confidence, and there’s no reason to believe their growth will slow anytime soon.

Reading books in iBooks is a magical experience, unrivaled by any other way to consume a digital books.

Flipping pages in iBooks the way students at the KAIST Institute of Information Technology Convergence imagined flipping pages is absolutely incredible.

By swiping and holding, readers can flip through a book quickly and accurately to find key information buried deep in a book or magazine’s pages.

If you believed there was no way reading an iBook and flipping through its pages could be any more ...]]>

Reading books in iBooks is a magical experience, unrivaled by any other way to consume a digital books.

Flipping pages in iBooks the way students at the KAIST Institute of Information Technology Convergence imagined flipping pages is absolutely incredible.

By swiping and holding, readers can flip through a book quickly and accurately to find key information buried deep in a book or magazine’s pages.

If you believed there was no way reading an iBook and flipping through its pages could be any more spectacular and fun, take a look at the KAIST ITC version below and let us know which method of turning iBooks pages you prefer.

[via MacRumors]