The iPad 2 launched in Canada with long line ups and shortages. However, people have still been able to reserve and pick up via Apple.ca. It’s been just over a week now since the launch–are you happy with your iPad 2?

iPad 2 is thinner, faster, lighter, has dual cameras, plus the new Smart Cover is one innovative accessory. I find the iPad 2 screen to be ... Read More]]>

The iPad 2 launched in Canada with long line ups and shortages. However, people have still been able to reserve and pick up via Apple.ca. It’s been just over a week now since the launch–are you happy with your iPad 2?

iPad 2 is thinner, faster, lighter, has dual cameras, plus the new Smart Cover is one innovative accessory. I find the iPad 2 screen to be much brighter than the original iPad. Overall, I’m pretty happy with the iPad 2, and I’m using it much more than I was with my previous iPad (read my iPad 2 review here). How do you like your iPad 2 so far?

Poll: How do you like your iPad 2?

The iPad 2 was announced a couple days ago, and will be released on March 11th in the US, and March 25th in Canada. The newest iPad is thinner, lighter, faster, and has dual cameras.

Apple also slashed prices on the original iPad by $130 (in Canada) across the board. Those that recently purchased one before the discount can still get a refund. Pricing for iPad ... Read More]]>

The iPad 2 was announced a couple days ago, and will be released on March 11th in the US, and March 25th in Canada. The newest iPad is thinner, lighter, faster, and has dual cameras.

Apple also slashed prices on the original iPad by $130 (in Canada) across the board. Those that recently purchased one before the discount can still get a refund. Pricing for iPad 2 in Canada should be on par with the US, but they will be priced more just like last year.

The question of the day is: Are you buying an iPad 2? Vote below!

With more than 100 announced improvements in the latest version of iOS 4.2 for iPad including

users will find a lot of new and improved functionality with their iPads.

The ones I personally anticipate the most are:

I have a confession to make.

In recent weeks, my iPad has taken the back seat. I just don’t spend nearly as much time using it as I did in the beginning. The reasons are a combination of:

Actually, the first point is probably more or less true. It ... Read More]]>

I have a confession to make.

In recent weeks, my iPad has taken the back seat. I just don’t spend nearly as much time using it as I did in the beginning. The reasons are a combination of:

1. Novelty factor wore off
2. The iPad purchase was immediately followed by a vacation with lots of time to use it
3. I finally got an iPhone

Actually, the first point is probably more or less true. It is still a very novel tool, but since I don’t use it for business purposes (yet), I just have less time to use it for fun.

• Vacation time + a new toy = lots of usage
• Back to the grind = less usage

Enough said on that.

The most important factor why I think my usage of the iPad has also diminished is my new iPhone. OK, it is newer than the iPad so there is another “novelty factor” to consider here, but as readers may remember from a previous post of mine, the biggest issue I have with the iPad is that e-mail is shared by all users. The iPhone is a personal device as opposed to the family shared iPad.

The size factor also plays a role since the size of a phone makes it well… portable. And as portable as the iPad is, it’s bigger. Size does matter in this case (especially when I was cycling to work this summer). And quite frankly, there isn’t much that I can’t do on my iPhone which I can only do on the iPad…

So, my current biggest use for the iPad?

• Streaming TV shows I missed
• Of course some games
• As a second screen. Referring to other documents on it while working on the computer.

Not nearly as much writing or blogging as I expected on it. I end up using my computer for that.

My kids remain the biggest users of the iPad for games of course and their enthusiasm for using it has not gone down by much I have to admit.

So has anyone else’s iPad taken a back seat? Why? and What do you use it for now?

I’ve had my iPad for a couple of months now and I noticed that I actually, so far anyway, rarely ever sync the iPad to my computer.

The only reason I have for syncing is to back up applications that I have purchased and that are not available for free. E-mail is already “safe” with the use of IMAP since the server is remote. Depending on how you setup contacts ... Read More]]>

I’ve had my iPad for a couple of months now and I noticed that I actually, so far anyway, rarely ever sync the iPad to my computer.

The only reason I have for syncing is to back up applications that I have purchased and that are not available for free. E-mail is already “safe” with the use of IMAP since the server is remote. Depending on how you setup contacts and calendars the same applies, an I have only configured those on my iPhone.

I guess that if I was using it for work stuff more often and creating documents and presentation I would consider doing it more often or making sure to use a service like Dropbox to save files on-line.

So I was wondering, iPad users and readers of this blog, how often do YOU actually sync your iPad with our computer and why?

Last week, I mentioned to a friend of mine that I am an active owner and user of an iPad, and her first question wasn’t the expected “Oh, how do you like it?” or “Oh, shiny, can I play with it?”, but rather, it was simply “Do you use it in public?”. Her primary concern wasn’t of me getting mugged on the street or anything of that nature. In ... Read More]]>

Last week, I mentioned to a friend of mine that I am an active owner and user of an iPad, and her first question wasn’t the expected “Oh, how do you like it?” or “Oh, shiny, can I play with it?”, but rather, it was simply “Do you use it in public?”. Her primary concern wasn’t of me getting mugged on the street or anything of that nature. In fact, she was most concerned about my privacy, and what a larger screen would mean for passersby on buses, cafes and parks.

While I have few concerns over random people peeking over me while watching the latest Top Gear or reading my eBooks, other privacy issues do bug me. In an age of Twitter, Facebook & Foursquare, privacy has taken a backseat to convenience and connectivity at your fingertips. With our iPads and iPhones becoming our professional lifelines outside of the office, can we trust these devices to safeguard our personal and corporate information? Can we trust Apple? In my opinion, the answer is maybe. However, the real answer is a lot more complex.

Apple has certainly come a long way to protect personal data since the first iPhone. They’ve introduced on-device encryption, auto data erasure on failed passcode attempts, and Find My iPhone to find lost devices; there will even be more security features to come in iOS 4.2. However, many of these features has its fatal flaws, and can ultimately fail users.

What Apple Fails to Do

My main security gripes involve security features that are merely cosmetic or optional or lenient. Two that are top of mind are Auto Data Wipe and Find My iPhone. My primary concern with Auto Data Wipe is simply that it’s an optional setting. In order for security to be top of mind and taken seriously, core security features such as data wipe can not be optional.

On the surface, Find My iPhone and Remote Wipe are also fantastic security features. However, both are only available as part of the MobileMe suite. If Apple were truly serious in protecting user and data security, they would offer these services freely to all iOS devices. Instead, at $109 per year subscription, they have clearly signaled that user security is a two-tiered system and shouldn’t be offered to everyone. This is simply unacceptable.

What Apple Does Well

So Apple dropped the ball on a few core security features, but they do a few other things well. Apple boasts of 256-bit AES on-device encryption, and this goes a long way to protecting user data. It’s integral to iOS, and can’t be turned off. They’ve also incorporated text-based passwords to strengthen the unlocking mechanism, as well as many other enterprise level security features.

As we continue to integrate our iPads into both our professional and personal lives, our data privacy will grow as a concern. Is privacy top of mind for you? If so, do you think Apple is doing a good job protecting our personal information? Or could they do more? Let us know in the comments below!

With Apple’s announcement of the iPhone 4 on Monday, Canadians were both excited and somewhat deflated. Excited because the new iPhone’s design and features are pretty impressive. Deflated because Canada missed the initial June 24th launch and instead was pushed to the “late July” launch. The ‘Big 3′ carriers have confirmed they will sell the iPhone 4.

Many of you out there have held off on purchasing ... Read More]]>

With Apple’s announcement of the iPhone 4 on Monday, Canadians were both excited and somewhat deflated. Excited because the new iPhone’s design and features are pretty impressive. Deflated because Canada missed the initial June 24th launch and instead was pushed to the “late July” launch. The ‘Big 3′ carriers have confirmed they will sell the iPhone 4.

Many of you out there have held off on purchasing the iPad to wait until Apple announced their latest iPhone. This post relates to those on the fence about buying an iPad. Now that you’ve read all about iPhone 4, how does that impact your decision to buy an iPad? Carriers will once again rumoured to be charging $199/$299 for the iPhone 4. People who opt to buy the phone outright can expect to pay $599/$699 for the 16/32 GB models. The last time we did a poll on this issue, 46% of votes had people opt to skip the iPad and buy the next iPhone.

After finally hearing about the new iPhone, are you going to buy an iPad or iPhone 4?

The iPad’s launch in Canada has been quite successful so far according to your latest opinions on the device. I already told you my review of the iPad but what I haven’t touched on is which network is best for iPad 3G users? We have covered the iPad 3G plans from Rogers, Telus and Bell. As for which carrier to go with, that comes down ... Read More]]>

The iPad’s launch in Canada has been quite successful so far according to your latest opinions on the device. I already told you my review of the iPad but what I haven’t touched on is which network is best for iPad 3G users? We have covered the iPad 3G plans from Rogers, Telus and Bell. As for which carrier to go with, that comes down to your personal preference.

However, the differences can be as follows:
- Bell and Telus have the newest 3G network that is not as saturated as Rogers
- Rogers customers can activate their data plans right on the iPad; Bell/Telus users are required to call in to activate their data plans
- Poor experiences with either Rogers/Bell/Telus will easily make you switch to another carrier

Personally, I think iPad 3G users should choose the network that has the best coverage, the fastest speeds and a decent price (oh, if only it was that easy). One big issue that hasn’t been talked about much is network speed. This is where all you iPad 3G users will chime in to share your networks speeds based on your location/carrier! What provider did you go with for your iPad 3G?

How to Test your iPad 3G Network Speed

1. Download the free Speedtest.net iPhone app onto your iPad.
2. Run the speedtest over 3G on your iPad. Once you have your results, inform us in the comments by copying and pasting the following template:

Location: Vancouver (insert your own city)
Carrier: Rogers/Telus/Bell (choose ONE network)
Download speed: 3.5mb/sec (insert your speed)

This ought to be interesting to see which areas and networks get the fastest speeds for the iPad 3G!

The iPad launched in Canada (along with other countries around the world) last week on May 28th. People who pre-ordered had their deliveries delayed by FedEx and people waited in line from coast to coast. We also digested iPad 3G data plans from Rogers, Bell, and Telus (last to debut their plans) as well. With your iPad just over a week old, what’s your ... Read More]]>

The iPad launched in Canada (along with other countries around the world) last week on May 28th. People who pre-ordered had their deliveries delayed by FedEx and people waited in line from coast to coast. We also digested iPad 3G data plans from Rogers, Bell, and Telus (last to debut their plans) as well. With your iPad just over a week old, what’s your take on it so far? You’ve read my review of the iPad–so now it’s your turn to speak.

What do you like/dislike about the iPad? Are you satisfied with your purchase? Let us know below!

A recent poll by Retrevo suggests that consumer love for the iPad is dying down. With Apple’s announcement of the iPad, the hype leading up to the device was incredible. Once the product was announced, many people were disappointed that the iPad’s specifications did not live up to their incredible expectations. The iPad, for what it is meant to do, is going to be amazing for first time internet ... Read More]]>

A recent poll by Retrevo suggests that consumer love for the iPad is dying down. With Apple’s announcement of the iPad, the hype leading up to the device was incredible. Once the product was announced, many people were disappointed that the iPad’s specifications did not live up to their incredible expectations. The iPad, for what it is meant to do, is going to be amazing for first time internet users–who won’t have to deal with the complexities of running an operating system!

Retrevo Poll Suggests Consumers Don’t Want an iPad

Retrevo (one of the largest electronics sites on the internet) recently posted results of their iPad poll. They asked consumers four questions:

Before the iPad announcement:
Have you heard about the new Apple tablet that might be revealed in January?
From what you’ve heard about the tablet, do you think you need one?

After the iPad announcement:
Have you heard about the new Apple tablet?
From what you’ve heard about the tablet, do you think you need one?

What’s interesting to note here is that Retrevo previously had a survey that stated MacBooks were being outsold by Netbooks in the ‘back to school’ segment. John Gruber was quick to point out that survey wasn’t very accurate.

There is speculation that Apple might lower iPad pricing if demand is low. However, typically Apple products rarely have sales, but there are price drops when new updates/products are announced.

iPadinCanada.ca’s iPad Poll – Your Turn to Get Involved!

We’re going to start our own unscientific poll for Canadians. Please take part and it’ll be interesting to see what the results will be!