Where have I been?

Hello my iPadawans,
I am sure most of you figured I had abandoned this site, but that is not true. The last three months have been very hectic for me. I quit my job as an IT Consultant and focused on finishing up some projects and finding a new job for myself. During that time, I chose to step away from all of my online duties, so I could better focus on my future. Well, I can now say I have completed that and I will be getting back to the regular updates that you have all been looking for!

On a personal note, I now am employed as an Information Technology Infrastructure Administrator for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Who are they? The largest public power company in the US.. That is who! I am really excited to have this opportunity to work for such a great company and I look forward to a hopefully long future here. The down side, I will no longer be working with iOS on a professional level. But that does not mean I won't still be involved in the community and keeping up with the news. So I will be continuing to share with all of you, the latest and most important iOS news.

Most of my personal projects have been completed and it is time to move on there as well. What does that mean? Just that I have to get some new projects going to keep me busy.. In the near future I I'll be designing and building my own CNC Router and my own Digital Pinball Machine. Once I start those I I'll share a quick link on here for anyone who might be interested.

So in closing, exciting times are coming! We can expect the iPhone 4gS to hit shelves in the near future and we can expect to see the production release of iOS 5 soon.. Which I might add is simply amazing! So keep your eyes peeled, exciting stuff is coming!

iPad 2 JailBroken!!!!

That's right folks! The iPad 2 has finally been jail broken. Http://www.jailbreakme.com has released their 3.0 of their popular online jail break and this one will work on the iPad 2 4.33, as well as

iPad 1: 4.3 through 4.3.3
iPhone 3GS: 4.3 through 4.3.3
iPhone 4: 4.3 through 4.3.3
iPhone 4-CDMA: 4.2.6 through 4.2.8
iPod Touch 3g: 4.3, 4.3.2, 4.3.3
iPod Touch 4g: 4.3 through 4.3.3

All you do is go to http://www.jailbreakme.com from your device and follow the instructions! This exploit DOES exist in 5.0 as well, but Apple is sure to patch it before it's release. But for the time being, enjoy!!! I am sure they will find another exploit soon!

Randy Walker

Flash is coming to iOS!!

The Apple Adobe war looks like it is finally coming to an end and Adobe is the one who caved. Since the beginning, Apple has been adamant about not allowing Flash onto the iOS devices. Why? Well because Flash Is a memory hog!

Tic Tac BLAM!! Explosive Take on an Old Classic!

Not too long ago, an acquaintance of mine mentioned that he had just released his first iPhone app. So obviously I just HAD to check it out! And for $.99 I can certainly say I got my monies worth! When I got to the app store and realized it was a Tic Tac Toe clone, I will admit, I was a little less than enthused. However, once I downloaded it, all of that changed!

JustStickIt. We've got Your back!

While the SmartCover is a really neat and minimalistic approach to protecting the iPad 2, it leaves the back completely vulnerable to scratches and dings. I was looking for something to protect the iPad 2 from daily use. I carry mine around everywhere I go. As such, I often set it down on various surfaces and one thing I learned from my Original iPad, is they scratch fairly easy. I wanted something to protect the edge, when I have it propped up with the smart cover, something that would protect the back from scratches and not interfere with the SmartCover. I found lots of options, most of them are all similar. Usually they are laser or die cut from 3M Di-Noc Vinyl. So with that in mind, I looked for the best value and a vinyl look I wanted. That led me to JustStickIt, on Ebay.

Wife Says No, But Apple Says YES!!

Apple has been paying extra close attention to any iPad 2's that happen to get returned. What are they looking for? Well, they are checking for any possible manufacturing issues that may or may not exist. For example, the light leakage that some users are experiencing. This way Apple can address these issues as/if they are discovered.There is a rumor of an event at Apple, that is really just too good not to share. I do not know if this is true or not, but....

Apparently Apple came across an iPad 2 that had been returned. When they went to inspect the unit for flaws, they found a yellow Post-It Note that said, "Wife Says No!" Well apparently it was escalated as something funny and a couple of executives heard about it. They decided to send him a free one back, with a note that says...
"Apple Says Yes!"

Buying the iPad 2? What to do with your iPad 1?

So you bought the new iPad 2, but now you are not sure what to do with your Original iPad? Well, there happens to be a GREAT Cause that can use your old iPads. The HollyRod foundation is accepting donations of iPads, to give out to Families in need, with Autistic children. This is a wonderful program, with the ability to affect so many lives in a positive manner. I do not generally promote charities, but this one touches close to home for me and I feel it is a very worthy cause.

Push for Google Mail Accounts?

If you are like me, then you have a Gmail account. Heck, if you are REALLY like me, then you have several! I use Gmail and Google apps, for several of my email accounts and domains. I have the more important of these on my iPad and my iPhone. It has often been annoying to me that I could not set my Gmail accounts to push. Instead the best I could do was to have it check every 15 minutes. Especially since a lot of my emails are time sensitive. A good example would be a power supply failure alert on a rack mount server across town. But now there is a way to solve this! And no, it does not require any money or Apps.

Comex Does it again! Jail Breaks iPad 2 in 2 Days!

That right folks!!! We knew this would happen, but never expected it so soon! Comex tweeted just an hour ago this picture, of Cydia running on an nice new white iPad 2!!

The jail break has not been packaged for the public yet. It also still has to be tested out. But you can expect it VERY soon!!!! It will be nice to have all my lovely little Cydia tweaks back in place!

iPad 2, the First 12 Hours

So I have had the opportunity to spend a little time with the new iPad 2 and these are my thoughts on Apple's newest incarnation of the market dominating, iPad.

First of all, the device itself. The new iPad 2, as you likely know is thinner and lighter. The shape of it now, is more akin to a MacBook Air. It's edges are smooth and curved like the Air, not Flat sided or capsule shaped like the original iPad. It is also notably lighter than the original. The touch interface and screen have not changed, which to me is a nice bonus. I love the current iPad screen.

The iPad 2 also has two cameras on it now. A rear facing one and a front facing one. Both can be used in FaceTime and various other apps for video chat. The rear facing camera will also take HD video. Neither camera is as good as the camera on the iPhone 4, which is a little bit of a let down, but you can't win them all.

The heart of the beast has been increased drastically, viaApple's new dual core A5 CPU and a boost in RAM to 512 MB. Surfing the web, or any other media on the new iPad 2, is considerably faster than on the original. Web pages load in 2-5 seconds most of the time, from my experience. Netflix is up a hair faster, but loads the movie a lot quicker. Switching from task to task is smoother and the entire experience just feels snappier. Even typing on the new iPad 2 seems to be more responsive.

Battery life does seem to be just as good as it was, even with all the new speed it has. I very much look forward to some iPad 2 specific apps that will take advantage of the iPad2's new features and speed. And as always, I will be sure to keep you informed of my findings!

Enjoy and if you haven't already, go buy yourself an IPad 2!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad 2

Quick Post from the line at Best Buy

I got to Best Buy to get my iPad at 3 pm, looks like I am tenth in line! We have no idea how many iPad 2's that this store has gotten, they are not allowed to say. All we know is they have all 18 models and will come get us at 5.

iPads Pave the Way for Autism Breakthroughs

Autism affects 1 in every 110 children that are born today. With such increasingly high numbers of cases, it is more and more important that we find ways to assist those affected with Autism to be able to better communicate with the world. And that is exactly what Doctors and Teachers have done with the iPad!

In today's every increasing technological world, the iPad is standing out as a hero to some parents of Autistic children. Teachers and Doctors have found that Autistic children are naturally drawn to the iPad. They believe it is the familiarity on knowing exactly what to expect when they touch and click on the iPad. While they are generally frustrated by their lack of ability to anticipate human reactions, they know exactly what to expect when they slide a finger across the iPad's 10 inch screen. Even the act of drawing on the iPad is less frustrating, as they are able to handle the iPad a lot easier than they can a crayon or pencil.

Samsung VP Calls Their Galaxy Tablet Inadequate

According to Yonhap news agency, Lee Don-joo, Executive Vice President of Samsung's mobile division, has been quoted as saying that their Galaxy tablet is "inadequate" in the wake of the newly announced iPad 2. He wants the company to make the Galaxy thinner and better for the same price as the iPad.

Currently, a Galaxy 7 inch tablet will cost you $900 without a two year contract. Whereas Apple's most expensive iPad is $829 and 10 inches. Samsung has yet to announce pricing for their 10.1 inch Galaxy.. But it is safe to assume it will cost more than the 7 inch model. Samsung has a long way to go if they plan to be on comparable price scale with the iPads, which start out at $399 for first generation iPads and $499 for second generation models.

Best Buy to Give Employees iPads??

That's right folks! Word from Forbes is that one of the major U.S. retailers, which is presumed to be Best Buy, is planning to supply it's "Connected World" sales staff with iPads! The hopes of management, is that this move will help sell both the employees and the customers, on their "Connected World" concept.

The iPad 2 is Here!!

On Wednesday, Apple unveiled it's second generation tablet, the "iPad 2"! The new model is thinner, faster, more innovative and has two cameras just as we had suspected. And it ships on March 11th!

The iPad 2 comes packed with a dual core A5 processor running at 1 Ghz. It weighs 1.3 pounds, compared to the original iPad that weighs 1.5 pounds. The new iPad w is also thinner. It is just 8.8mm think, which is even thinner than the iPhone 4! It has front and rear cameras, both capable of taking pictures or movies.

iPad2 Coming Soon.. iPad3 Right Behind?? Not Likely..

By this point, we have likely all heard the rumors. The ones that say Apple will release an iPad 2 AND an iPad 3 this year. This is obviously outside of apple's Standard Operating Procedure of An update every 12 months or so. Nor does it really make sense from a marketing point of view. I mean, would you buy a 2011 Corvette, if the 2011.5 Corvette was going to be redesigned with more Horsepower? Nope.

App Review: Google Translate Saves the Day!

If you are like me, you speak only one language well. You may be able to muddle through a couple others, but English is the only fluent language you have. Well, in today's modern world of interconnected communities, English alone is just not enough! In my town, we have a very large Spanish speaking community. I even have several Spanish speaking clients. Which often times makes communication a little difficult for my clients and I.

Enter Google Translate.

ZaggMate iPad Keyboard: A Review

My wife had mentioned to me,, that if the iPad had a keyboard she would likely not need a laptop anymore. So I took the opportunity to purchase her a ZaggMate iPad keyboard for $99 at Best Buy
After letting her play with it for a while, I borrowed it from her, so I could give you my honest impressions with the unit.

Georgia to Consider iPads in lieu of Text Books

Yesterday, Tommie Williams, The Senate President pro tem announced that State Educators and legislators are considering an offer made to them by Apple last week, that would put iPads in the classrooms of middle schools thru out Georgia instead of books.

Mr Williams is quoted as saying,

“Last week we met with Apple Computers, and they have a really promising program where they come in and their recommending to middle schools – for $500 per child per year, they will furnish every child with an iPad, wi-fi the system, provide all the books on the system, all the upgrades, all the teacher training – and the results they’re getting from these kids is phenomenal.”

A look at Business Apps: LockInfo

As I have mentioned before, a big part of my job the last four years, has been to find new and innovative ways to incorporate iPhones and iPads into Microsoft Exchange environments. Most of my users are accustomed to Blackberries and they expect their iPhones to behave in the same manner. One of the largest complaints I received from my users early on was, there was no way to see your email and calendar at a glance. So being the good little Consultant that I am, I went in search of an answer. What I found, is nothing short of amazing!


First I would like to say, Apple made a HUGE mistake when they chose to not allow Apps and Developers to use the lock screen. The lock screen can do so much more and SHOULD do more. But nope. It just sits there with a clock on it and a pretty background. If you have an iPad, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that you have a HUGE chunk of prime grade A digital real estate sitting right there.. And what is on display? Your geeky Star Trek background and a clock. Well no more! This app changes all of that! And how do they do it, when Apple strictly forbids this type of behavior? Why they sell it on Cydia, that is how. Cydia is the Jail Broken App store, filled with themes and all manner of Apps that Apple would not allow onto the App Store. So first things first, you gotta Jailbreak your iDevice.

Once that is done, head on over to Cydia and buy LockInfo It is a steal at twice the price! Lockinfo allows you to display all kinds of information on your lock screen. For example, you can display you calendar, mail, text messages and missed calls on it right out of the box. That's not enough for you? Want to display the Weather or any other bit of info? No problem! LockInfo has a plugin system and people are all the time developing new plugins for all your favorite apps. I now run LockInfo on my iPad and just love it! It has never been easier to see if I have anything pending, or an important email has come it. I highly recommend this to everyone!

I was going to write you up a tutorial on how to install and use it, but iClarified has already beaten me to it and done a very nice job at that! So click this link and check it out!