At the suggestion of our designers, we recently launched the MARWARE EDITING CHALLENGE on Instagram. The challenge of editing images on your mobile device has produced some incredible creations from talented designers worldwide. So we snapped a photo of the Hollywood Beach boardwalk, located just a few miles from our headquarters, and invited the Instagram community to show off their skills. The winner will receive a Marware Prize Pack including a new Marware iPad case, iPad 2 Case, iPhone 4 4S Case or iPod touch 4G case of their choice, a Bit bluetooth headset and an iTunes gift card, as well as recognition throughout the Marware online community.

To compete, simply use whichever iPhone, iPad or iPod photo editing apps you prefer to bring your creativity to life! In addition to Instagram, some iOS photo editing apps we love to use are SnapSeed, Pro HDR, Filter Storm, Juxtaposer and Pixlr-o-matic.

The Marware Editing Challenge ends at 11:59pm EST on 4/29/12, so let’s see what you’ve got! The competition is already heating up so bring your “A” game. Check out the gallery below for some of the latest entries.

Prizes:

• Recognition in our blog, which will be featured on Marware.com as well as our online newsletter, Facebook and Twitter pages
• 1 Marware Case for the new Ipad, iPad 2 case, iPhone 4 4S Case or iPod touch case of your choice
• 1 Bit Bluetooth Headset
• $15 iTunes Gift Card

To Enter:

• Follow us on Instagram – @Marware)
• Use the Specified Hashtag – #marware_edit_mar2012
• Use the Specified Image Below
• CC: @Marware
• Geo Tag your image – “MARWARE EDITING CONTEST”

Eligibility:

All submissions for this month’s Marware Editing Challenge must be received before 11:59pm EST on 4/29/12. To be eligible, you can ONLY use your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to edit the picture. Submit NO MORE than 3 submissions per contest. Also, follow standard Instagram Terms and Conditions (NO Nudity, NO Profanity, NO Copyright infringements, etc.) Violations will be reported.

What’s the difference between the new iPad and the iPad 2? Why is the new iPad considered an upgrade? Will your case for the new iPad fit the iPad 2? We pulled some data determining the differences and comparisons between the two devices following Apple’s announcement of the new iPad on Wednesday.

Size

The new iPad measures 9.5” x 7.31” x 0.37” and weighs in at 1.44 lbs. In comparison to the iPad 2, measuring slightly differently at 9.5” x 7.31” x 0.34” and weighing just 1.33 lbs., the new iPad (3rd generation) is .03″ thicker and .11 lbs. heavier than the iPad 2.

Storage

Ok, so the storage between the 2 devices remained the same at 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. This writer was hoping for more, but I’ll take it. Similarly, the display size and overall configuration of the devices remained pretty much unchanged.

Display

You have to see it to believe it. The main differences between the new iPad and the iPad 2 start with the clarity of the display. The iPad improved from 1024 x 768 pixel resolution to an astounding 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution retina display-the highest ever offered in a mobile device.

There’s More!

Apple didn’t stop there, and all the enhancements and improvements can be researched by die-hard iPadophiles here: http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/

What’s Really Important?

This is all all fine and good, but what about the real important stuff? What about a case for my 3rd generation treasure to keep it safe? Well, I’m going to clear that up for you to (as best I can).

Despite the seemingly endless supply of speculation and rumor, Marware is once again ahead of the curve with an all-new lineup of Encore cases for the new iPad (*now shipping), updating all the ultra-popular iPad 2 cases with newer, improved versions.

The biggest question I run across lately is, “will my iPad 2 case work as a case for the new iPad?”

Without having the new iPad in my hot little hands, I am still going on record with this quick run-down of Marware cases for the new iPad and iPad 2 cases, and how they fit into this discussion.

Marware Encore Lineup Cases for The new iPad

MicroShell Cases for The new iPad

MicroShell Folio Cases for The new iPad

EcoVue Cases for The new iPad

C.E.O. Hybrid Cases for The new iPad

The Microshell and Microshell Folio, because they are molded plastic, will only work for their respective generation of the device. Microshell and Microshell Folio iPad 2 cases only fit the iPad 2. The Microshell and Microshell Folio cases for the new iPad will accommodate the new iPad (3rd generation).

The EcoVue is a slightly different story. The EcoVue iPad 2 case may work just fine with the new iPad. However, the EcoVue case for the new iPad is vastly improved from it’s predecessor with the addition of rubberized grips, soft magnets, and an all new stylus holder.

Finally, let’s look at the super popular C.E.O. Hybrid case for the new iPad. Like the MicroShell cases, the C.E.O. Hybrid model is limited to the device generation it is designed for.

In a nutshell, like Apple with the iPad, Marware has made such functional and design improvements with the Encore lineup of cases, MY question is, “Why would you want to use anything less for the new iPad?”

That seemed to be the headline across the news: “No iPhone 5”.

Had my Verizon friend paid heed to the entire message discussed in yesterday’s conference, he may have heard some very exciting news.

 A noticeable improvement from the iPhone 4, the iPhone 4S not  only  offers all the bells and whistles of the previous version, but  also comes  with some serious hardware upgrades, including an  8 MP camera, a  dual-core A5 processor, and an all-new,  redesigned  dual antenna  system for more efficient  sending/receiving. There  are also three  capacities and price  points to choose from: 16 GB,  32 GB, and 64 GB.  Let’s not  forget improved battery life for 3G  voice over, streaming video,  and download speeds up to 14.4  Mbps.

There are new software offerings as well, like the new apps Cards and Find My Friends—a new app that allows users to locate friends and family using iOS devices on a map—with user friendly privacy settings. We can also expect a variety of upgrades and feature additions with the release of iOS 5. Arguably the most compelling feature of the iPhone 4S is Siri, an intuitive, complex virtual assistant with the ability to understand context, make recommendations, and execute commands based on voice input. Siri is able to assist with making calls, taking notes, finding locations, making complicated calculations, and everything in between. Siriwill not only execute tasks for you, it will help you decide which tasks require execution, and when, making the iPhone 4S quite possibly the “smartest” smart phone ever. With iOS 5 launching on October 12 and the iPhone 4S being released on October 14, avid users can begin planning out a device laden holiday season.

My guess is that once the dust settles and people give this new iPhone 4S a chance for what it really has to offer, the question of iPhone 5 or 4S will be irrelevant. After all a 5 is really just an S with some minor modifications…

Your memory will live on in the hearts of many. You are a true inspiration and one of the 3 men I admire most. A special message to the family and friends of Steve Jobs, all of us at Marware are very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all of you. “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

Jei Dievas uždaro duris, jis atidaro langą kažkur kitur~Lithuanian proverb

(If God closes the door, He opens the window somewhere else)

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. … Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” ~ Steve Jobs

Amazon opens fire on the e-book market and fires a few warning shots at the tablet guys. Not only is Amazon introducing new products, four new high-end devices for reading and computing, they have also revolutionized online tablet browsing. But before I get into all that, let’s take a brief look back at Amazon’s other recent accomplishments in the device industry.

Back in October of 2007 a brand new concept was born. In one month, by allowing readers to wirelessly shop for and download all types of reading material, Amazon.com single-handedly revolutionized the book market with the original Kindle. It didn’t end there. In 2009 Amazon impressed us once again with a slimmer, sexier Kindle 2 and DX. Ever on the mission of offering consumers what we want,we were treated to the new and improved Kindle (Kindle 3) last year, with a nice price, longer battery life, and more power. Amazon started with about 10,000 book titles at that time, growing that number to over 1,000,000 in under four years.

Could this mean there’s                                                                                                                a new sheriff in town?

Flash forward to today. Four new high quality devices.Four low price points. Infinite options. Amazon is introducing a New Kindle e-reader, two versions of the all new touch models, the Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G, and the highly anticipated Kindle Fire, clearly setting their sights not only on tablet industry big guns like Samsung Galaxy, Blackberry Playbook, and Sony Tablet S, but also clearly gunning for the untouchable industry juggernaut, the Apple iPad.

The new Kindle comes in at just under six ounces. With the new E Ink display, it is smaller, lighter, and easier to read than earlier models.  Moving on to the new Kindle Touch with easy to read E Ink display and multi-touch functionality, and the top-of –the-line Kindle Touch 3G offering up free 3G wireless with no annual contracts or monthly fees. The Kindle Touch line also  uses Amazon-developed X-Ray, a feature that allows readers to inspect the “bare bones” of a book, like character information or subject matter. These new additions to the Kindle family are slimmer and lighter, with more functionality, storage, and battery life. All at a great price that even the most discriminating tablet user can live with.

Beavis and Butt-Head said it best.

Fire!

FIRE!

FIRE!

And finally, the release we’ve all been waiting for, the all-new Kindle Fire. The Kindle Fire gives users full access to all of Amazon’s online content and free cloud storage. With vibrant color quality, in-plane switching for improved picture quality, and the use of Amazon’s own Silk Browser, the Kindle Fire is sure to turn some heads. Add in a great price, and Amazon is sure to have a hit.

A connection as smooth (and strong) as Silk!

Silk technology is changing the browsing paradigm. By utilizing dual or “split browser” architecture, Silk vastly accelerates connectivity on a page-by-page basis. Using smart computing, Silk actively determines which browser components will run on the mobile device, and which will run on and use the power of Amazon’s web servers (The Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud or Amazon EC2), effectively dividing the labor and speeding up the hardware performance of your device while browsing the web. Will all this (and a dual core processor for live streaming and a free month of Amazon Prime thrown in for good measure) put the Kindle Fire in prime position to topple the iPad giant?

Ready. Aim. Fire!

Why Yes, We Are Ready For Some Football!

Well Marware peeps, it looks like Team Marware survived the 2011 NFL opening weekend (including Thursday and Monday Night Football). We all even showed up on time and were able to move at a normal pace. There is an unexplained energy in the office, and the start of football season has once again caused the level of competitiveness to rise.

Being based in South Florida, everyone is from somewhere else for the most part. There are very few “true” Floridians, which always makes college and pro sports much more interesting. Everyone’s team is the best, no matter where you’re from. Whether you’re a Dol-fan, a Cheesehead, a Bills Backer, or part of the Who Dat Nation, we all answer the call come game time. 

     It is during these times when our portable camera devices come in very handy. I am seeing more devices dressed up for the game. Sports cases, plastic cases,fine leather, you name it. Meanwhile, people are watching one game on TV accompanied by a completely different game on their phone or tablet. The unspoken rule applies. No talking during the game, but if necessary, our device will get our undivided attention.

      Are You Kidding??

     I was out Monday night watching the Dolphins at a relatively popular watering hole. I see a friend of mine across the way and we give each other the “it’s great to have Monday Night Football back” gestures. Now the entire time the game was on, my buddy is over there checking the stats with his ESPN app (I know this because he kept flashing me the screen, inadvertently missing most of the game while he was playing on his phone). He’s checking the stats. On his phone. While we are WATCHING the very same game! If I hadn’t witnessed it,  I would never have believed it.

   If left to our own devices…

It is becoming ever clearer that our devices are not just a part of our culture, but a part of our lives. Heck, we’ve seen players on the sideline listening to an iPod. We can even follow our favorite players’ tweets during commercial breaks or while they’re in the locker room at halftime. If that isn’t a sign that we can’t live or play without our mobile devices, I don’t know what is. Working, playing, or catching up on scores, our mobile devices rule our world.

I am only left to wonder what the next generation of devices will bring us.  The D TV’s (HD/3D) have already replaced going out to the game, with these same features quickly making their way to phones and tablets. Thanks to developments like iOS5, Thunderbolt, and iCloud we are also no longer tethered to our computers. Will the new iPhone have HD? Will the next iPad or Kindle begin to replace the need for televisions? Our world is getting smaller and smaller as these devices play a larger role in everyday life.  So next weekend, while you’re watching your team, don’t be shy. Embrace the changes. Dress those devices up and have them at the ready. You never know when you’ll need to snap a photo or catch a tweet. Play ball!

What are we playing games here?

We’d been designing cases for the new iPhone for days on end and we’d reached the boiling point. We all needed to blow off some steam from the pressures of every day life. Last week the rules were set up. A different kind of gauntlet was thrown down. This wasn’t any ordinary challenge to find the next best Kindle or tablet case. Nor were we being tasked to name the new iPhone skins or brainstorm new laptop cover designs. This was bigger by far. This contest would tax our collectiv e knowledge of physics and engineering in a unique way. Oh yes, we needed to learn to fly. Quickly. There were prizes on the line. This week’s reward: the CEO’s parking spot for a week.

The excitement was in the air. Participants were warming up, getting ready for the main event. All the departments were represented.

Shipping, accounting, sales, design, support…there was even a delegate for the execs present. Everyone was ready for an amazing day. Onlookers gazed in awe (and some in trepidation)at the contestants as they began to make their way toward the playing field. The players made their final adjustments and tweaks and so began the Marware Olympic Games MMXI. This week’s game: Paper airplanes, going for distance.

  Oh! The Humanity! 

  It was both a glorious and horrifying event. Planes were everywhere, crashing into laptops, into iPad cases, into other contestants—nothing was safe. As the crowd gathered to watch the spectacular display, the players took their turns, each vying for the #1 spot. The support team gave their all, in vain. Accounting followed but to no avail.  Then came sales. Crashed and burned. Up next was creative with a  valiant attempt with a plane resembling a lawn dart. Was this  our winner?  

 As the game neared an end, chaos ensued. The Design Team broke out  their secret weapons: paper plate air foils and something  resembling a rock. The air foils failed miserably as cheers from  the growing crowd erupted. The rock was simply disqualified  much to design’s chagrin (hey, without rules we may as well be animals).  As the dust settled and the spectators reduced to a myriad of soft grumblings, it was all over but the judging. Despite design’s best efforts, they only placed 3^rd. 2^nd place went to the creative team, as did the coveted top spot.

So What’s Next?   We have weekly events scheduled and even now, plans are being devised, schemes cooked up, and quality time generally being wasted. But why? At best, a dwindling shot at mediocrity and at worst, a lifetime of daily taunts and mockery.  All this effort put forth just to add up a weekly score in the hopes of landing the Grand Prize.

What might that be? A fancy new Marware case straight out of the refurbished bin of course! (the new ones are for customers).

We all know the way to tell how close a storm is, right?

When you see the lightning, start counting. The lower the count, the closer the storm. First comes the lightning, then the thunder. It’s a natural progression defining an unbreakable connection between 2 different energies working in concert—light and sound, visual and audible, video and audio—starting to sound familiar?

Some things seem to work better together. Nuts and bolts. Thunder and lightning. The Three Stooges. Speed and power. Apple and Intel. Grab your gear. The storm is here.

Have you heard the news?

The latest news storming the industry tells of how Apple Computers and Intel have once again joined forces and collectively introduced the new Thunderbolt^TM I/O protocol in the form of the first ever Thunderbolt Display from Apple, offering more pixels and unbelievable clarity from any angle with in plane switching (IPS), and by incorporating this technology into the newest Macbook Air^TM..

So why do we care?  Here’s a mini history lesson for you:

Since the dawn of the computer age, there has a mad rush to be the fastest, the best, the most intuitive and user-friendly personal computer on the market. Macs and PCs have led the maelstrom and have historically attempted to use different technologies for connecting external and internal devices throughout the data stream to overshadow the competition. From internal BUS configurations to drive connectors to external ports, there have been glaring and subtle differences in how each platform has helped end users navigate data from one port to another.

Now if you’re like me or even if you’re not like me, you may be asking yourself,  “Just what is Thunderbolt and how did it get here?”  Since we are primarily Macs here, I’m focusing primarily on Apple technology.

Macs have jumped from the original ADP and DIN technology to USB 1.1 and FireWire 400. After that first leap and some floundering, Macheads found themselves needing to adapt to FireWire 800 or accept and revert/switch to USB 2.0. While FireWire was the superior offering, it required a new port configuration to accommodate the speed increase. USB 2.0 did not. Both platforms, Mac and PC, began using the same technology until the development of USB 3.0.

True to form, Apple resisted USB 3.0 technology and eventually found a very Apple-esque outside the border solution—Thunderbolt. Now if you’re like me or even if you’re not like me, you may be asking yourself,  “Just what is Thunderbolt ?”

Thunderbolt will arguably be “the next big thing” in connectivity.

Is it fast?                          

We crave speed.

It’s fast.

Thunderbolt offers over twice the bandwidth of USB 3.0, 20 times the bandwidth of USB 2.0 and 12 times the bandwidth of FireWire 800. This amazing dual channel technology provides up to 10 Gbps of throughput in both directions (I/O) at the same time.

Is it powerful?

We won’t sacrifice.

It’s powerful.

Through a single, compact port users are able to daisy chain up to 6 devices without losing throughput–eliminating the need for hubs or switches. They can also get up to 10 Watts of power for peripherals.

Is it versatile?

We just love to multi-task.

How’s this for versatility?

Developed with audio and video applications in mind, Thunderbolt combines video, audio, power, and data over a single connection. With a single cable, the need for multiple cables like FireWire, USB and a power cord is eliminated.

With our totally newfound connected and synchronous lives in the cloud, we add the speed and power of Thunderbolt to our earthbound devices. More pixels. Crystal clarity.  Blazing speed, and “grunt grunt” MORE POWER.

What will all this freedom and power allow us to do? Upload, download, create, imagine…all better. To borrow a phrase and put it simply, Apple and Intel are once again allowing us to do more, with less.

I remember hearing the buzz about how all Apple retail stores were closing for 1 hour in order to prepare for the release. People started lining up in malls and in front of Apple stores across the United States. Because the initial release was US only, I can recall friends from other countries asking us to get them an iPhone and send it to them, despite the fact that they would not work and that they were AT&T exclusive. Everyone had to have one, RIGHT NOW. It was mind-blowing.

It wasn’t long before the iPhone attracted the interest of PCers as well as Macheads.  It became clear that the iPhone was the beginning of a smartphone revolution that rages on to this very day. Suddenly everyone everywhere had to have a smartphone using touch screen technology. It was a global phenomenon soon attracting the big players like Motorola, Samsung, Blackberry, Android, and Nokia. Despite their best efforts, the iPhone always came out on top. Much to the big guys’ chagrin, all these new offerings were compared to the iPhone in reviews, marketing, and even some advertising. I fondly recall an ad stating, “Can’t get an iPhone? Try these alternatives”.

It’s easy to see how the skyrocketing popularity of the iPhone helped Apple weave it’s way into the very fabric of our lifestyles. Not only has the iPhone won the hearts of consumers, but it is also being used as a business solution. Each subsequent iPhone release generates industry buzz months before any anticipated release date. The rumor mills start churning out blogs, reviews, and articles on all the Apple fan websites. People start budgeting for the new model. Many plan to replace their current iPhone with the latest release without even knowing why it’s better than the one they already have. And on and on it goes with every new release.

Now along comes a new and improved iPhone. Release date rumors have been flying around the internet. Speculations about design changes and requests for feature additions and updates are being released fast and furious all around the world wide web. And what will the new iPhone bring us? Video chat? Better cloud computing (safe bet with the release of iCloud)? More carriers? (seems likely with the addition of Verizon)? Will there be lines around the block to get this latest greatest addition to the iPhone family? Only time will tell. But rest assured, PCers and Macheads alike will receive the new iPhone with the same excitement and fervor we’ve all come to expect. After all, it will be the latest, greatest addition to our newly synchronized lives.

Friends know that I’ve been trying for years to alert folks to the dangers of the inevitable zombie apocalypse. So when a good friend called to tell me that finally The Centers for Disease Control were taking my weekly letters seriously and developing a preparation plan for the unavoidable, I was supremely excited.

They think they’re being funny

While the CDC claims they’re only using humor to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness, smart folks know the truth: they’re trying to subtly prepare the populace without inciting terror over what we all know is just around the corner.

What’s the Plan?

The CDC assures us that they’ll be focusing on treatment and containment and they ask that families be prepared with a few essentials. Their strategy boils down to two basic things: An emergency kit and a plan.

The Kit: you’ll want first aid supplies, non-perishable food stuffs, water and emergency shelter. Don’t forget a utility knife and a big roll of duct tape. If you know any Libertarians or Mormons, they’ll be able to better advise you on long-term food storage solutions.

The Plan: your family should know the best route to beat feet out of the neighborhood if the locals get flesh-hungry. Map out paths to higher ground and establish rendezvous points in case you get separated. Everyone in my family got fully-loaded Armageddon bags and annotated topographical maps from me for Christmas. You don’t want to have to take time to think about where to go in an emergency and thorough planning eliminates doubt. Especially make sure small children know who to follow and what to do. As a bonus, including out-of-shape neighbors in your escape route might up your chances for survival. Remember: you don’t have to run faster than the zombies.

But what did they forget?

For a bunch of scientists and doctors, the CDC is pretty spot-on with their strategy but there’s a few things they left out.

• Weapons

Much like the small pox of yore, the best way to protect yourself from Zombie Virus is with a weapon. This isn’t your grandmother’s Polio, masks and gloves are useful but healthiness is a warm gun. Perennial favorites include shotguns, long-handled axes and Flying V guitars. Don’t underestimate the trusty baseball bat. It doesn’t require sharpening or ammunition and it makes a satisfying thud against the heads of the undead horde.

• Explosives

Everyone knows that zombies are irrestibly drawn to big, pretty explosions. Make sure your family stocks up on fireworks, the more colorful, the better. Stick a sparkler in the pocket of the nearest brain-eater and you might buy yourself precious seconds to escape consumption.

• Electricity
  

  Juice for my Droid

The end of the world doesn’t have to be…the end of the world. Pick up a hand crank flashlight and smartphone charger like the one on the right and the apocalypse will be a little bit brighter. You can find adapters for most phones and even iPads and Kindles. With a little bit of scavenged supplies and some help from Instructables.com you could even power your laptop with an old bicycle.

• Mad gardening skills

It might not be on the CDC’s list, but every wasteland survivor should know a little about backyard gardening. Can you grow potatoes in a bucket or tomatoes in an old laundry basket? Start practicing now and you won’t be left hungry when the Super-Duper Mart is overrun by bandits.

Urban agriculture baby

Good luck!

The best zombie survival plan is adaptable to a variety of emergency situations. In the less-likely event of a hurricane or an earthquake, many of the above resources will still be of use. Say for instance there’s a nuclear meltdown, those weapons will come in handy warding off the giant mutated rats.

For more info about zombie preparedness check out my post 5 Best Apps for the Zombie Apocalypse or hit me up on twitter: @rolopocalypse

How are you getting ready to face the Dead? Share your advice in the comment section below.