Dalrymple Reviews Apple's iPad mini with Retina Display

Jim Dalrymple of The Loop on Apple's new iPad mini with Retina Display.

The iPad mini can easily be your only iPad. The fact is, it always could, but you can do so now without feeling like you’re giving something up in return for the size. The iPad mini is small, it has a Retina display and it’s the most powerful iPad to date. There is just nothing bad to say about the iPad mini.

I can't wait to get mine. I orders the Space Gray 32GB T-Mobile version. Ships in 5-10 days. I pulled the trigger at 6:25am EST.

Google's Nexus 5

I would love to be able to recommend this device wholeheartedly, but I can't do that until Google sorts out the issues with the Nexus 5's camera. If the company can make software changes large enough to materially and noticeably improve the performance of its shooter — to make it competitive with other top-tier phones — then this becomes a different story. Even now, Google's working on fixing its issues, and someday we might see the Nexus 5's camera upgraded from problematic to usable, or even good. When that day comes, the Nexus 5 will be a killer package I'll happily recommend. But that's not today

If you're going to compete with the iPhone 5s, you're going to have to release a phone with a camera that can at least take pictures.

Still a solid release by Google with a great design. Has potential and the pricing is just right. Don't buy it for more than $349 or $399. Best Buy is pricing it at $100 over MSRP. Be careful.

via The Verge

T-Mobile's iPad Air Selling Out!

Already out of stock in one of San Diego's Apple's Stores (UTC), the iPad Air Wi-Fi+LTE running on T-Mobile is quickly becoming the choice of new iPad users due to their ability to download and access 200MB of data completely FREE! No overages either!!! Here's a screenshot of T-Mobile's pricing on their website for checkout. Once again, if you ask me, I'm grabbing the Space Gray 32GB Wi-Fi+LTE on T-Mobile. Also, in other news, if you only want the plain jane model iPad Air 16GB Wi-Fi, then make sure you get Apple and Best Buy or Staples to price match WalMart's Roll back pricing at $479!

Which iPad Am I Buying?

Both the new iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display are set to debut three weeks apart with the iPad Air going on sale this Friday, November 1st. Available for pre-order online and available for "in-store pickup", if you want it same day with no lines, reserve it online and pick it up. If you ask me, I'm doing just that. If I didn't make it clear already, I'm grabbing the 32GB LTE, T-Mobile option, leaning towards 51% space gray. You can't beat 200MB free of data and they'll have various one time plans available too. Just incase you go over 200MB, they'll just cut it off and reset it the following month so no overages! During this afternoon's Apple earnings call, CEO Tim Cook mentioned that he believes the iPad mini with Retina Display is going to be hard to come by this Christmas / Holiday season primarily due to manufacturing constraints. So yes, I too will be pre-ordering a mini and make my decision on which one to keep after I've handled both new iPads. While we're at it, if you must know, I'm also opting for the 32GB LTE, T-Mobile option in space gray… maybe. Or maybe white. Darn it!

"In terms of the retina or the iPad mini with Retina Display, we'll start shipping later in November. Uh…i t's unclear whether we will have enough for the quarter or not. We know how many we will have but we really don't know the demand until we start shipping, so we'll see how that goes. I think we'll do fairly well with with iPad as i'd mentioned before. we felt like its gonna be a great holiday season." - Tim Cook

Helping me with which size to pick, here's Jon Gruber's take on the iPad Air.

Calling the new full-size model the iPad Air says it all. In one year, the iPad Air has dropped 30 percent of its weight, narrowed considerably, and doubled in performance. A weight drop like that is significant for any product, but especially so for a device that is primarily used while being held in your hands. It’s startling when first you hold one.

I’m an iPad Mini convert. After just a few weeks last year, my Mini became my one and only iPad. My iPad usage is mostly for reading, and not much for typing. The smaller size and lighter weight just fit my usage better. I went into this year’s event assuming I’d walk out wanting to buy the new Mini. But the new Air is so much lighter, and thus so much more amenable to holding it in just one hand, that I walked out of the event completely unsure which one I want. In fact, the new Air (469 grams) is closer in weight to the new Mini (331 grams) than it is to the old iPad 3/4 (650 grams) that it replaces. (Those weights are all for the Wi-Fi-only models.)

The Verge posted their hands-on glimpse of the iPad Air last Tuesday during the Apple Event. In case you missed it:

http://youtu.be/6XunU-iXwyc

I'm excited, none the less, to once again have a full-sized iPad so that I can enjoy my comics, magazines and movies on my commute or while I sit in the pilot lounge during prolonged stays.

For further reading, iMore's Rene Ritchie offers his advice on which color to get and which model to get. I stand by it and agree with him. It didn't make it necessarily easier for me but I'm sure that you might be able to take something away.

Also if you want to read an edited transcript of Apple CEO Tim Cook Macworld has you covered. He also goes on record saying, "I think it’s going to be an iPad Christmas." If you ask me, exciting times ahead for Apple especially with the mention of new product categories.

I'll leave you with Apple's awesome pencil commercial. Take a peak. What do you think? Which one are you going to buy?

http://youtu.be/o9gLqh8tmPA

The New MacBook Pro with Retina Display

Bottom line: I can't wait to buy this beast of a computer. With reviews trickling in, the best of the best it here. If you ask me, I'm all for the MacBook Pro w/ Retina Display 15" with maxed out CPU (+ $200) that also includes the dedicated graphics card. So yes, $2799 total. Then there's Apple Care Plus too. It's getting expensive!

The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is probably the best all-around laptop on the market. It checks every box, from “portable enough” to “insanely powerful” to “beautiful trackpad” to “reasonably priced for its market.” At $1,999 it’s a mile from cheap, but compared to other laptops with its capability that price tag isn’t so bad. This is the most versatile laptop I’ve used, one of only a couple that’s at home in any situation, simple or complex, personal or professional. Rated: 9.1

via The Verge

Apple's 2013 Fall Event in Review (and what I'm buying)

Recap After the introduction of the amazing and incredible iPad Air, the iPad mini with Retina Display, the Mac Pro, Haswell MacBook Pros, and finally OS X Mavericks, my biggest takeaway was the continued onslaught by Apple's talented programming team of providing productivity applications for one low cost; FREE.

The $19.99 operating system upgrade that we've been familiar the past few years has gone free (just like iOS), and all the iLife and iWork applications are now included with every new Mac and iOS device. That about quells any arguments that one could pose against converting over to an Apple computer. Think about it for a minute. You buy a computer and out of the box, the only applications you might need are… you tell me? Apple has always been about providing the best experience to the end user and BOOM, there it is!

If you need something a little more in line with "Pro" in photography, download Aperture (which received a modest .5 update to 3.5) and on the film side of the aisle, you still have the controversial Final Cut Pro X. Either than that, you're now free to collaborate offline or even online in real time with the new Numbers, Keynote and Pages also available on iCloud beta! One caveat to all this, Apple still hasn't given us users more cloud storage space unlike Yahoo's new free 1TB storage option or Google's unlimited photo storage.

The other big free news story of today happens to come from T-Mobile's introduction of 200MB a month of data for free! With both new iPads encompassing all 14 LTE bands in a single chipset for an additional $130 over the standard wifi version, it's a no brainer to elect a T-Mobile + WiFi version.

In-Depth

Since I never quite had the chance to use my iPad 3 let alone unbox and open it, nor had the chance to really use my iPad mini (it's my daughter's new Disney television), I've been eagerly waiting for the next 9.7" iPad and today, Apple gave us the iPad Air. From what I'm gathering, it's amazing. Smaller and more capable that its predecessor with the kicker being a device that's comfortable to hold with one hand. That's always been my falling in love moment with the iPad mini and I'm quite excited to try this out with the iPad Air. You can count on me to be in line the night prior to Nov 1st or eagerly waiting on my computer to buy and click Space Gray 64GB LTE+WiFI "In-Store Pickup".

When you hear about the upgraded dimensions of the iPad Air, you’re undoubtedly impressed. 28 percent lighter. 20 percent thinner. 1 pound. 1 freaking pound! But it’s not until you actually hold the device until what Apple has done here really registers. - MG Siegler

Over the course of the past year, I've advised many friends and acquaintances, and even family members to grab the iPad mini without hesitation. The weight, form factor and size was just perfect and didn't lead to wrist fatigue. None have returned it nor complained and it's always been praised. The one glaring omission from the first generation was a Retina Display and now we have it. The release date is set for late November and you can also bet that I'm going to pull the trigger on this device. I might keep both, but my aim is to classify the use of each iPad and optimally choose one device. I'll be keeping my 1st gen iPad mini too. On a side note, I also have a 2012 Nexus 7 tablet. Click and Buy Space Gray 32GB LTE+WiFi

If you've installed OS X Mavericks, Federico Viticci from Macstories.net has posted a very thorough roundup on tips, tricks and details here.

Now here's the bigger news on my personal front. Ever since I sold my 2008 MacBook Pro, I've been using my wife's late-2010 MacBook Air and taking it along with me on my overnights. I've been hogging it so much (yes I'm using it right now to type this post) that it's downright disgusting. As personal punishment, I've kept the bright purple Marc by Marc Jacobs slip cover and can be seen totting it around. NBD. It's come in quite handy as it's easily spotted.

So, with that, am I going to pull the trigger on the new 15" MacBook Pro w/ Retina Display with Crystalwell? As some of you may know, I've been putting on hold for just over a year. I really want to say yes and I'm still really close, but with Broadwell touting increased CPU figures over Haswell's battery and power management upgrades, I'm still up in the air. I need a laptop now so the scales are tipped more towards the just do it but I'll let you know. The one I would get would be the 15" with a dedicated GPU so that starts at $2599 and I'd up the CPU to the next step up for $200. Add Apple Care and you're above the $3k mark! It's pretty scary once you break that threshold but if it's going to last over 36 months, then $2.75 a day for an awesome machine is a figure that I can live with. my previous 2008 MBP cost me just $0.85 a day (Purchased for $1899 + $200 in upgrades two years later minus the selling price of $860 divided by 4 years)

Microsoft's 2nd Try with the Surface Pro 2

As much as I wanted to like Microsoft's latest Surface Pro 2, the price doesn't justify it's target utility. At $999 for the 128GB model, Apple's MacBook Air is the better laptop and the cheaper iPads or even Android tablets are the better tablet especially when it comes to using many of the apps we are already familiar with. I'm glad to see the upgrade and refinement but I'll be waiting for its next iteration. Until then.

Until then, the Surface Pro 2 is a great machine if you can deal with some of the compromises. If you can't, there are plenty of great tablets, and plenty of great laptops.

via The Verge

Recall: Apple MacBook Air June 2012 to June 2013

I'm a huge supporter of things best of the best, but sometimes faulty parts from various manufacturers can be hazardous to your continuous happiness in the world of computing. If you don't back up on a regular basis, this recall should be of concern to you! Posted yesterday on Apple's website, they are launching a recall on the MacBook Airs purchased between June 2012 to June 2013 for faulty flash storage drives. Warning users to not install any updates, you can verify if your MacBook Air is affected following the simple steps on the Apple website.

This is a free replacement so I would schedule an appointment at your local Apple Store Genius today and get it done!

To see if your drive may be affected, go to the Mac App Store, click on Updates and choose the MacBook Air Flash Storage Firmware Update 1.1. The firmware update will test your drive to see if it is affected. You will be directed back to this page for next steps if needed.

Dropcam Pro Available Now!

I just placed my order for Dropcam's newest product the Dropcam PRO. The upgraded camera offers 2x sharper image quality, 8x zoom, 130 degree field of view, and an enhanced two-way talk compared to the previous model now simply called Dropcam. With the previous year old model having over 1100 reviews on Amazon including the numerous best sellers rankings such as:

• #10 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• #4 in Camera & Photo > Surveillance Cameras
• #5 in Electronics > Security & Surveillance
• #5 in Baby > Safety > Monitors

It's also no brainer that with only a week on the market, the HD model has already shot to the top!

• #1 in Home Improvement > Safety & Security > Home Security & * Surveillance > Complete Surveillance Systems
• #1 in Electronics > Security & Surveillance
• #1 in Camera & Photo > Surveillance Cameras

I should be receiving it tomorrow and will let you know how easy the setup is in real life, host an unboxing video and some sample real life pictures. I also opted in for the 7-day CVR for an additional $99 providing me a 1-year contract. I'm excited!

For a further in-depth, turn to Dan Desilva on 9to5mac.

The new Dropcam Pro is a tremendously easy to setup and offers great audio/video quality for consumers and small businesses. The addition of Bluetooth LE, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a wider field of view are all worthy updates that help make the Dropcam Pro one of the best Wi-Fi video monitoring systems available. It truly makes >checking in on any location as simple as can be thanks to the iOS and Android mobile apps.

It's Nest Protect for Me and My Family

I've been enthralled with the Nest Thermostat since its debut but have had no reason for one since our heater is the sole provider in my central air system. I've been actively looking for excuses to purchase one and yes, that does include installing a full-blown system replacing our 32-year-old furnace and installing air conditioning. Money isn't quite there yet so that option will have to wait but that brings me to the first exciting Nest product that I can purchase: The Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector. I posted about its debut a few days ago but I've since had many deep thoughts leading me to preorder three devices.  Use the video below to get re-acquainted. http://youtu.be/QXp-LYBXwfo

From researching online and looking up various building codes, I've come to the conclusion that I do not need to have my system hard-wired (being built pre 1992 with no major reconstruction and upgrades since the original construction) and that I'm okay with how my current two detectors upstairs system works. Both are mounted in the main hallway immediately outside of the sleeping quarters.  I would love to go all the way and install one in each bedroom, but once again, that's quite a huge increase in expense.  I want to say that my current smoke detectors are hard-wired but since the Protect has the ability to connect via WiFi, crosstalk and monitor each other, I would love to make sure that I have the power to provide to these little guys.  There are a few limitations to having the battery-powered versions, but nothing that subtracts from the feature set.

The third Nest Protect is to accommodate a new installation downstairs for the family room primarily for CO leaks coming from the garage area.  Once again, at $129 a piece, it's no easy decision.  What makes it more palatable is the fact that it's primarily for my daughter and future kids. Knowing that this system is that much better that every current product out on the market, my family not only deserves the best but it'll provide me the peace of knowing that they are taken care of when I'm out away on a trip.

For some current laws, I've posted them below for your viewing and educational pleasure. You can also reference the California Registry website which provides more details into all the various building codes.

1) New Construction If the house has undergone any major additions, renovations, or repairs since August 14, 1992 that exceeds $1,000 in cost and for which a permit is required, a smoke detector must be installed in each bedroom in addition to being centrally located in the corridor or area outside the bedroom. In newly constructed areas, the smoke detector must be hardwired with a battery backup. (California Building Code § 907.2.10.5.2.)

2) Wiring or Batteries For homes built before 1992, smoke detectors may be battery operated. Newer homes or homes that have undergone major construction require hardwired smoke detectors with a battery backup, as stated in the California Building Code.

3) Sleeping Areas In homes built before 1992, smoke detectors must be centrally located outside each sleeping area. Depending on the floor plan, one or several smoke detectors may be needed. For instance, a two-story house with bedrooms upstairs and downstairs will need two smoke detectors, one centrally located outside each area. On the other hand, a two-story house with bedrooms on the second floor will need only one smoke detector if the bedrooms are all in the same area. If the home was built after 1992 or has undergone major repairs or construction, the California Building Code requires the installation of smoke detectors in each bedroom, and in each corridor or hallway near each sleeping area.

I do wish that Nest would provide an estimated shipping date. I'll of course gladly take a sample unit too to review =)

Transfer Cash via Square for Free

I've find myself at dinner on more than one occasion, semi-embarrassed, without cash, out of all places at a cash-only restaurant requiring a temporary loan. I don't know about you but I simply don't carry that much cash on my person these days. Repaying that short-term loan can be awkward when it comes to writing a check and / or finding a far away ATM which always leads to dark alleys plus the extra charges so I try to avoid that as much as possible. I don't know too many friends that have used Wells Fargo or Chase's application to send and receive cash because not too people actually bank at the same place and when it comes to credit unions, forget about it.

For all those awkward moments, we now have Square Cash. It's a free service (no hidden charges) that allow individuals to send and receive cash via e-mail. Yup, seriously. Money is transferred via one debit card to another up to increments of $250 on a weekly basis but with a simple verification of identity, you can send up to $2500 a week! No password or account setup is required and the app is available on either iOS or Android. Deposits happen fast within one to two days but Square is promising faster service in the near future.

The only caveat is that you have to trust Square to handle your transaction. So if anything, make sure your e-mail account password is a tad bit more secure when using the service but either than that, Square has had an awesome track record with their merchant business in detecting fraud through strong security measures and close human and machine monitoring. Start e-mailing cash today!

Square Cash is the quickest, simplest method I’ve seen for sending money from one person to another.

via Walt Mossberg for Wall Street Journal

Austin Mann chooses his iPhone 5s over his Canon 1DX

Austin Mann takes Apple's iPhone 5s, and only the iPhone 5s as his primary camera on a trip to Patagonia.  Okay, he actually also brought along an iPhone 5 for comparison sake but he did leave his $6,800 Canon 1DX DSLR at home.

Now, after a full week of testing the iPhone 5S in Patagonia I'm beyond impressed with what it can do. We had our hands on two iPhone 5S's just minutes after they were released… a couple days later, we were bound for Patagonia to field to test the iPhone 5S camera against it's predecessor the iPhone 5. All the fancy new features like fingerprint scan are nice and nifty but as a travel photographer, all I really care about is what this camera can do.

He shows off a quite few impressive panoramic shots depicting the enhanced dynamic range capabilities of the iPhone 5s and this alone, in my opinion, is reason for the upgrade.  Arghh... looks like the next time I'm around an Apple store, I'm trading in my iPhone 5.

via Austin Mann

Don't bother with the Finger Print Scanner

The Verge reviews the HTC One Max and where it fails with its new "gimmick."

Equally enervating is the fact that you have to wake the One max from sleep before swiping to unlock it. The whole point of these fingerprint sensors is to speed up security processes, not make them more finicky, and that’s exactly where the HTC One max fails.

via The Verge