The iPad has generated a nearly unimaginable level of interest, and not just among the technology press. Following the iPad’s release in the United States over the weekend, we all have iPads (made possible by a generous TidBITS reader!) and we’ve been immersed in using them. If you’re still wondering if an iPad is for you, Tonya runs down the options and considerations to make before placing an order. Adam takes a broader perspective, explaining why the iPad is a blank slate upon which Apple will build its – and our – digital future. And Matt Neuburg looks at the iPad from the developer’s view. This issue isn’t entirely devoted to the iPad: we also cover the release of iTunes 9.1… which brings iPad compatibility and some new twists. But really, all of this could be old news: Apple announced that it will preview iPhone OS 4 at an invitation-only event this week! Please can we have some sleep now? Notable software releases this week include Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.2.4 Update, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.8 Update, Firefox 3.6.3, iPhoto ’09 8.1.2, AirPort Utility 5.5.1, PDFpen 4.6.1 and PDFpenPro 4.6.1, QuickTime 7.6.6 for Leopard, and Keyboard Maestro 4.2.
Do Apple programmers ever sleep? Hard on the heels of the iPad release, Apple has just invited media to a special event in Cupertino to talk about the next version of the iPhone OS.
In preparation for this weekend's release of the iPad, Apple has released iTunes 9.1, adding iPad compatibility along with a few additional welcome features.
With an iPad in hand, Adam begins to understand what's different about the iPad, and why it's an important step in the future of computing. The key? The iPad doesn't run apps, it becomes them.
The iPad is here, but what will be its future? The world may or may not rush to buy it, but I think developers will rush to program for it.
You've seen the reviews and decided you want an iPad. Read this article to get specific advice on which model to buy and how to pick among the accessories offered by Apple.
The iPad is a Big Deal for Apple and the Mac ecosystem, and our coverage of its release this week surpassed the levels of text that even we are willing to inflict upon our dear readers. In case you read TidBITS only in email, however, we want to make sure you don't miss a lot of great material. We'll likely publish these articles at some point in the future, but if you want to stay on top of everything we're covering this week, head over to our Web site. (And we encourage you to leave comments on these articles, too!)
Notable software releases this week include Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.2.4 Update, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.8 Update, Firefox 3.6.3, iPhoto '09 8.1.2, AirPort Utility 5.5.1, PDFpen 4.6.1 and PDFpenPro 4.6.1, QuickTime 7.6.6 for Leopard, and Keyboard Maestro 4.2.
We won't pretend otherwise - nearly everything we did, read, listened to, and watched online this last week revolved around the iPad, including early reviews, clips from "The Colbert Report," announcements of iPad-specific additions to MobileMe, roundtable discussions of the iPad, and previews of Jeff Carlson's forthcoming iPad book. On the Mac side, we noted how Other World Computing and the Mac Performance Guide have teamed up to offer custom Mac Pro-based workstations for professional photographers.