iPads Get Thumbs Up in Election Test

Election officials in Oregon are giving an “aye” to an iPad scheme that helped disabled voters cast ballots in yesterday’s elections.

Some 89 disabled people were able to have their say in choosing a representative to Congress thanks to Apple’s tablet computer, Politico reports.

One voter was “just so tickled with the iPad he’s committed to coming back in January to mark his ballot,” Secretary of State Kate Brown said.

There were a few minor hiccups, mostly because the iPad voting scheme isn’t paperless and requires Internet connectivity (or more planning ahead.)

Voters still need to print out ballots and mail them in.  Another issue was downloading the ballots on the devices so they don’t need Internet connectivity in the state’s rural areas, Brown said.

Officials have a few months to work out the bugs before the next trial Jan. 31. If all goes smoothly, voting via iPad will become available to all Oregonians – possibly from their own devices.

Otherwise, the state will also have to drum up the cash. Right now, they are using Apple loaners to test the program but estimate that it could cost at least $36,000 for the 72 iPads necessary to make the program available to disabled voters.

Via Politico

Follow @nmar

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iPads Get Thumbs Up in Election Test

Should Schools Be Named After Steve Jobs?

A high school in Bulgaria is reportedly going to dump Lenin as its namesake for Steve Jobs. And if it does, it probably won’t be the first school named after the Apple co-founder.

If reports are to be believed, a technical secondary school in Bulgaria would topple communist politician Vladimir Ilyich Lenin as its namesake in favor of the symbolic innovation and insight offered by Steve Jobs. (Or a famous scientist. The decision hasn’t been made, yet.)

The first school named after the “think different” pioneer was probably a high school in Mexico, which re-named itself “Steve Jobs” in 2008. Google Maps shows a school at that address with that name.

Apple has always had a strong role in education and iPads are increasingly replacing books in schools from kindergarten to college. So it’s not surprising that a school wants to name itself after recently-departed Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

There is already Steve Jobs Day in the state of California, honoring innovations that “transformed an industry, and the products he conceived and shepherded to market have changed the way the entire world communicates,” said Governor Jerry Brown.

What, if anything, do you think should bear his name?

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• Apple doesn’t do Twitter, but Steve Jobs stepping down is killing the trending topics

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Should Schools Be Named After Steve Jobs?

Goodbye Steve Jobs

Here’s to the Crazy One – Steve Jobs [Video]

One of the most memorable ads of the Think Different campaign was Crazy Ones, Apple’s tribute to the rebels, the troublemakers, the ones who see things differently. And the ones who change the world. Back in August when Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO, AdWeek released a revision to this heroes tribute, adding Jobs to the end of the sequence. With Steve’s passing we decided to run this video again.

AdWeek notes:

“The images showed everyone from John Lennon to Gandhi, but the inference was that Apple’s visionary leader was one these remarkable souls. Now, with Jobs resigning as CEO of Apple, we’ve added him to the end of “Crazy Ones”—a place he rightfully earned, even if he would never come right out and say so.”

Many people always felt Jobs should always have been included in this spot. Now he certainly is, at least in our memories. RIP Steve. Thanks for being Insanely Great!
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Here’s to the Crazy Ones – Including Steve Jobs [Video]

Report: Apple’s Testing The iPhone 5 In iPhone 4 Enclosures, Retina iPad 2 On The Way

Over the last few months, the rumor mill has just been incapable of agreeing whether or not the next iPhone will be a modest update on the iPhone 4 called the iPhone 4S, or a more revolutionary update called the iPhone 5. We’ve even heard that Apple will release both an iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 in September.

Now ThisIsMyNext is reporting that there is no iPhone 4s at all. Rather, reports of an iPhone 4s have been informed by Apple’s method of testing the iPhone 5 prototype inside of the enclosure of an old iPhone 4.

This Is My Next’s Joshua Topolsky explains:

Simply put, as the iPhone 5 components are built for a smaller and lighter device, they can be easily fit into a casing which for all intents and purposes looks identical to an iPhone 4… and that’s exactly what Apple has been doing. Our sources tell us that the company has been testing the new components in old iPhone cases, for obvious reasons. Some of those reports we’ve heard about a larger screen for the old design would make sense too, as a slight tweak of the size (say, to a 3.7-inch display), would be barely noticeable to the eye, but obvious in internal component design. So if you’ve been wondering why the rumors about the iPhone 4S rose to such a din, now you know.

This isn’t unheard of: Apple famously field tested the iPhone 4 in a case that made it look like the iPhone 3GS.

Why would Apple ditch the iPhone 4 design so quickly? According to Topolsky, the “highest levels” of Apple are ready to move on from the design after the twin debacles of Antennagate and Glassgate.

In the same report, Topolsky confirms that his sources say a high-resolution iPad 2 Plus will be released in September with a display resolution of 2048 x 1536.

Topolsky writes:

he idea behind the product is apparently that it will be a “pro” device aimed at a higher end market — folks who work in video and photo production possibly — and will be introduced alongside something like an iPad version of Final Cut or Aperture. This product is specifically said tonot be the iPad 3, rather a complimentary piece of the iPad 2 line. Think MacBook and MacBook Pro.

We just don’t buy this. Not only has Topolsky been wrong about a Retina Display iPad before — he famously said the iPad 2 would have one — but packing that many pixels into an iPad display is still cost prohibitive. Perhaps Apple could make it work by branding that iPad as an iPad HD and charging more, but I just don’t think it makes sense to split the tablet market between consumers and professionals. What do you think?

The rest is here:
Report: Apple’s Testing The iPhone 5 In iPhone 4 Enclosures, Retina iPad 2 On The Way

What Is Steve Jobs Announcing Monday? Here’s The Scoop About iCloud & Time Capsules [Exclusive]

Apple has already revealed that Steve Jobs will talk about iCloud, iOS 5 and OS X Lion during his WWDC keynote on Monday morning.

In addition, it’s rumored that Apple’s wireless Time Capsule backup/router will get a big update.

Here’s how iCloud and the new Time Capsule will work, according to a source close to the company who asked not be identified. It’s pretty surprising:

According to the source, Apple has developed a system to make users’ Time Machine backups available through its new iCloud service.

This is the “Home Folder” access concept that we’ve detailed before (how it will be accessed using NFC iPhones and the role of the Mac App Store). All your files and data — pictures, videos, Word and Excel documents, and so on — will be available anytime, anywhere, on both Mac OS X and iOS devices.

The surprising thing is, iCloud won’t be fed through Apple’s massive new data center in North Carolina, as you might expect.

Instead, the system will be based on Time Capsule, Apple’s wireless router and hard drive backup that’s currently sold in 1TB and 2TB versions. As rumored, Time Capsule will be updated, becoming less of a local backup and more of a personal cloud server, like the newer souped-up NAS (Network Attached Storage) drives from companies like Iomega (we reviewed one here). The new Time Capsule is rumored to run on iOS and come with embedded A4 or A5 CPUs.

Our source didn’t have any information about the hardware, but detailed how the Home Folder access system works. Files saved on your computer are backed up instantly to Time Capsule, which makes them available to remote Macs and iOS devices.

If you make any changes on any computer, those changes are updated through iCloud and stored on your Time Capsule. The Time Capsule archives and serves up your files even when your computers are off. When you get home and fire up your desktop computer or laptop, the files are automatically synced across your devices.

This service will also allow you to upload photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Time Capsule. The media will be stored on the device and be made available for other devices to sync. iCloud is the “conduit” through which everything moves, the source said.

“Your computer gets backed up to Time Capsule anyways,” said the source. “Now it’ll serve up your content when you want it, where you want it, right there on your iOS device.”

The system sounds like Dropbox, the web-based file-hosting system that’s won accolades for simplicity and ease of use. But in Apple’s case, your personal cloud will be maintained not on company servers, but on your own Time Capsule.

Why isn’t Apple using its massive new data center? This part is not clear. It may just be a way to sell more hardware. Apple is a hardware company after all.

Or perhaps Apple feels that consumers will happier if they are in control of their own data. Maybe users don’t trust Apple (or any other company) to host their most important files, especially after years of spotty service from MobileMe. Or there could be other reasons, perhaps legal, that are skirted when users are responsible for their own data.

Our source says the system is fully baked and is “what’s next in line” — but stopped short of saying this is what Jobs will reveal at the Worldwide Developer’s Conference on Monday.

The source said it will be added to future versions of OS X and iOS — but they didn’t know which versions of OS X and iOS. There appears to be no sign of it in beta releases of Lion, which has been available to developers for months. Apple has kept iOS 5 under tight wraps, and it may be ready for this system.

“This is what I heard that they have ready to go,” the source said. “This is what’s next in line. Word is, it’s a pretty finished piece.”

Given the source’s confidence in the completeness of the system, we’re willing to go out on a limb and bet this is what Jobs will reveal on Monday.

Airport Express — More Processing Power

In addition, our source said Apple’s Airport Express portable WiFi router is also getting an update. Specifically, it’s getting more processing power. The source didn’t know why. AirPort Express is also rumored to be getting an update next week, largely because Apple’s stores have run out of supplies.

The source didn’t shed any light on other rumors surrounding iCloud, such as it will include an online music locker or cost $25 a year.

However, they did pour cold water on the rumor that Time Capsules will download and store iOS updates in the background.

“I haven’t heard anything about a Time Capsule holding iOS updates,” they said. “Honestly, that rumor sounds incredibly stupid. Why would a Time Capsule need to store an update to deliver to your phone when it can be downloaded live?”

Also, don’t miss: The Cult of Mac Super Guide To What To Expect At WWDC 2011

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What Is Steve Jobs Announcing Monday? Here’s The Scoop About iCloud & Time Capsules [Exclusive]

Weirdly Indestructible, Impact-Absorbing iPad/2 G-Form Cases Now Shipping

Ok, we’re a little baffled why this dude is pulling out an iPad in this sitch. Last-minute conditions-check? Confused about the term “surf the web”?

What’s pretty clear though, is that the blindingly yellow G-Form iPad Extreme Sleeve case ($60) he’s peeling off his iPad is now shipping. We love talking about this case; partly because we’re fascinated with the extreme-sport-derived protective material it’s made from, and partly because we’re mesmerized by the crazy videos G-Form keeps releasing to demonstrate the Extreme Sleeve’s protective ability — which seems formidable.

Right now, it’s only available (thankfully, also in black) from G-Form directly.

This Week’s Must-Have iOS Games: First Touch Soccer, Spider Jack, Frisbee Forever & More!

Kicking off this week’s selection of must-have iOS games is a brand new soccer game from X2 Games – the team behind the award-winning X2 Soccer titles. First Touch Soccer promises to be the true next-generation of soccer on iOS, offering the “most complete, realistic and addictive soccer sim available.”

Spider Jack is the latest puzzle release from Chillingo and I’m betting this game will be the next iOS game craze. Inspired by Cut the Rope, this game features a similar gameplay mechanic and all the ingredients needed to be a fantastic iOS puzzler.

Frisbee Forever is a whole new way to play frisbee and the only official frisbee game for iOS. It boasts super crisp 3D graphics and a frisbee experience like no other!

Find out more about the games above and check out Pulse: Volume One – this week’s final must-have – after the break!

First Touch Soccer – ($0.99) iPhone – Games

First Touch Soccer claims to be the most complete soccer sim available for the iPhone, and with its impressive list of features, it could be spot on. To complete with the big boys like FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer, you need something pretty special – and this game is just that. It features an intelligent AI engine that provides smart defensive and attacking play with a challenging and addictive experience. Boasting intuitive controls, excellent visuals and multiple game modes. It really shines with ‘Dream Team’ mode, which allows you to create your own team from players all over the world – past and present. You can even design your own kit! With over 250 clubs, 30 competitions, and 7 game modes, First Touch Soccer is a must-have for soccer fans, and currently on sale to celebrate its release at an incredible $0.99!

Spider Jack – ($0.99) iPhone / ($1.99) iPad – Games

Spider Jack bears an uncanny resemblance to Cut the Rope and offers a similar style of play mechanic, but instead features an adorable green arachnid called Jack, whose mission is to return to his web to get his fill of flies. It features 75 levels skilfully designed levels that promise to test your reflexes and foresight. Using pieces of web (not rope) you must carefully avoid electrical beams and guide Jack safely home to his web. Use hairdryers to you advantage and try to collect as many stars as you can along the way. Each level features multiple solutions, and the impressive visuals have been hand-drawn and optimized for the iPhone 4′s Retina display. Realistic physics attempt to give you a taste of “what real web-slinging is like,” and offer a puzzler that’s suitable for players of all ages and abilities.

Frisbee Forever – (Free) Universal – Games

www.youtube.com/watch?v=213OQ4nDVzA

Get ready for blast off with Frisbee Forever on your iPhone and iPad, offering 100 crazy tracks which you must fly through at breathtaking speeds. Twist and turn in the California Theme Park, climb the majestic mountains in the Wild West or send the waves blazing in the pirate-filled Caribbean oceans. Play with classic Wham-O Frisbees or brand new discs exclusive to the game. Collect more than 100 frisbees as well as plenty of trophies and secret bonuses.

Pulse: Volume One – ($4.99) iPad – Games

Enter an absorbing world where players become part conductor, part note-captor and part multitouch master. Pulse is a brand new music game in which you must tap speeding notes as they cross the radiant pulse in an attempt to conduct beautiful melodies. There are 8 cores levels featuring original music with eclectic soundtracks of varying genres. It features unique and intuitive multitouch gameplay which is easy to pick up, but hard to master. Pulse is one of the most original iOS games I’ve seen for a while a truly magical idea that is executed perfectly on the iPad.

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This Week’s Must-Have iOS Games: First Touch Soccer, Spider Jack, Frisbee Forever & More!

Steve Jobs Believes Apple Will be OK Without Him

One of the most interesting revelations of the Fortune piece “Inside Apple” that’s making headlines this weekend is how Steve Jobs thinks Apple will be OK without him.

Fortune reporter Adam Lashinsky writes:

“Jobs himself believes he has set Apple on a course to survive in his absence. He has created a culture that, while not particularly jolly, has internalized his ways.”

Lashinsky says Jobs has been busy codifying the way he runs Apple — an argument I’ve been making for years.

“… these days, he’s especially focused on institutionalizing his ways of doing business. His mission: to turn the traits that people most closely associate with Jobs–the attention to detail, the secrecy, the constant feedback–into processes that can ensure Apple’s excellence far into the future.”

And here’s me writing for CNN in January:

In the last decade, Jobs has thoroughly remade Apple in his image. His personality traits have become encoded as the way the company does things. His perfectionism, attention to detail, even his design taste, have become part and parcel of Apple’s processes, from product development to advertising.

One of the most interesting revelations in Lashinky’s piece concerns the “case studies” that are being written about Apple’s most important decisions, such as consolidating iPhone manufacturing around a single factory in China. Jobs hired Joel Podolny, former dean of Yale School of management, as Apple head of HR. He’s been busy with a team of “eggheads” writing studies about Apple’s business decisions.

“It runs out Podolny has been busy working on a project that speaks directly to the delicate topic of life at Apple after Jobs. At Jobs’ instruction, Podolny hired a team of business professors, including the renowned Harvard veteran and Andy Grove biographer Richard Tedlow. This band of eggheads is writing a series of internal case studies about significant decisions in Apple’s recent history. It’s exactly the sort of thing the major business schools do, except Apple’s case studies are for an Apple-only audience… The goal is to expose the next layer of management to the executive team’s thought process… Jobs even is ensuring that his teachings are being collected, curated and preserved so that future generations of Apple’s leaders can consult and interpret them.”

Lashinsky’s piece isn’t yet online but is available on the iPad. MacStories has a pretty good summary.