Strange & Charmed

NaNoWriMo 2010 and the Quest for the iPad Novel

Well, it’s about mid October now and you know what that means? November and NaNoWriMo are right around the corner. In a few short weeks I will once again embark on a quest to write a 50k+ word novel within the month of November, but this year I have added a bit of a caveat in the mix. I plan to write the novel on my iPad.

Why, you may be asking yourself? Well, because one of my major goals for the iPad (yes, I have goals for my electronics) is that it become a super portable writers desk of sorts. So, the best way to put my goal into motion is to actually attempt to write something substantial on it, and NaNoWriMo is the perfect opportunity. I have been mentally psyched for NaNo ’10 since I finished my last novel in late November 2009 so I think that excitement and energy will help me tremendously with the slightly daunting task of writing a complete novel on an iPad. Obviously, the iPad is a decent word processor, so it’s not an impossible feat, but I believe that the lack of a physical keyboard and even the use of the bluetooth Apple keyboard at times will be a major test of not only what the iPad is capable of in terms of extended writing sessions, but also how it can fare as a tool to keep a writer on track through the use of brainstorming apps, note taking, and reference.

Currently, I am researching useful applications for the task; software that will help me keep my ideas flowing but also give me the ability to quickly multi task when necessary. {Any suggestions on apps would be helpful and appreciated!} Of course I will be attempting to chronicle my NaNoWriMo + iPad adventure here on The Pink Mac- you guys will keep me motivated and accountable! It will be an attempt because, lets face it, it’s difficult enough to write 50k+ words in a month without adding blogging into the mix, but since this is a subject near and dear to me, I am going to try very hard to get both done!

So, in the meantime, before NaNoWriMo begins, I will give you guys some updates on apps for writers and my general progress preparing for my November challenge! So Stay Tuned!

{Image via here}

Moleskine The Pink Mac

Moleskine Cases for iPad and iPhone to come!

I was so excited when I first saw this yesterday! As you may already know, Moleskine recently released a case line for the Kindle and Kindle DX, but now they are adding to their line iPads and iPhones! This will be the perfect hybrid of Moleskine and iPad and I cannot wait for them to be released. Prices haven’t been announced yet, but since the price of the Kindle DX case is coming in at around $60, I will assume that the iPad case could be no more than $75 dollars. That is quite a hefty price to pay, however, I am sure the die hard Moleskine fans out their will not hesitate to order them once they become available!

I will keep you updated as to my order status!

The Pink Mac

Portenzo Case for Apple iPad.

Above is the video review I recently made for my new Portenzo iPad case, but I have also included a written review with some extra information.

Now, I know there has been a lot of buzz around the Dodo case since it first came out, and I saw it and like most other Moleskine enthusiasts, loved it! However, there were always a few things that kept me from actually purchasing a Dodo case. First of all, I did not like the red interior of the Dodo case. I would have much rather preferred the interior to be something less bright and flashy like a simple black or a tan or beige interior. The second issue I had was with the Dodo bamboo seat and the way the iPad is fastened into place. The four corner tabs that hold the iPad in have been reportedly having issues which cause the iPad to fall out of place. So, for a case that already offers minimal shock absorption, the last thing I wanted was for my iPad to be unsecure inside it.

So, enter the Portenzo case. This guy has the same styling of the Dodo and reportedly the same homemade in the USA stamp of approval, however, those few issues that kept me from purchasing the Dodo case are elevated in the Portenzo.

First of all, this case has a black interior. Portenzo gives you an option. Since they are handmade one by one, you can pick to have a red or black interior. So, I chose black and I am happy with it! The second element of the Portenzo case that drew me to it was the “Sure Grip” corners in their bamboo seat. Instead of protruding from the top of the case the way the Dodo corners do, these corners sit inside the bamboo casing and to me seemed like a safer option.

So that is an overview of why I Purchased this case, but there are also a few other reasons this case is a unique option.

For one, you can select the exterior leather of the case, either a black morocco (which is similar to the exterior of a moleskine) or a black Levant leather which has more of a grain to it. Portenzo also makes an ostrich leather casing as well as a red exterior notebook case.

Now, something new with Portenzo that was not an option when I made my purchase is a stylus loop with a space cut out from the bamboo so that you can keep a stylus in your notebook. A cute and useful idea for anyone who regularly uses a stylus with their iPad. I for one am not one of those people, but it’s nice to get the option.

So, let’s discuss the quality of this case as a protection option for the iPad. As you can see, this case is comprised of a hardcover and a bamboo seat to hold the device in place. Nowhere is their padding and nowhere is their plastic or waterproof materials. This case is as delicate as a book, and therefore this is NOT the case to let your toddler interact with the iPad through, and for that matter, if you yourself are a klutzy or device dropper, this is also not the case for you. This case and others like it will not survive a fall unless your dropping it on a mattress. Bamboo splits, leather rips and your ipad could very well end up in pieces if you do not show this case as much care as you would a naked iPad. But, that being said, if you are an adult or young adult who is careful and respectful of your devices, this case offers plenty of iPad protection and may very well be the case for you.

So, what sort of protection does this case offer if it’s not padded or waterproof? Well, since this is a book style case, you clearly have screen protection, and speaking for the Portenzo case alone here, this is some decent screen protection, perhaps among the best you will find out there. Short of keeping your iPad in a titanium shell, your screen will not see better protection from any other mainstream iPad case currently manufactured. Next, you have nearly full body scratch protection. Something that differs between the Portenzo and Dodo case is that the Portenzo case covers around most of your ipad so that only the ports and switches are visible. The dodo case’s seat exposes more of the iPad’s aluminum body which could result in scratching. Finally, the “Sure Grip” corners are exactly what you’d expect. These corners keep the iPad in place, no matter how much I flip the case over or shake it, the iPad is not falling out. It is actually quite a tricky process to even remove the iPad from this case, but once you figure it out you see that the iPad is just soo secure that you know you will not be suffering any accidental detachments of your iPad from the case. The final element of protection that I want to mention is the elastic strap. I couldn’t imagine owning a flip style case for any device that did not incorporate an enclosure to keep the front flap closed, however, I have seen flip cases without such methods. For me, I think, what is the point of a flip cover if you can’t keep it closed? Well, there is no point to that, which is why I love the elastic closure of the Portenzo case. Not only does it keep the front cover down while the ipad is not in use, but you can flip the cover back and use the elastic to hold the cover down while you are enjoying your iPad.

So, what are the other features of this case? There aren’t many other features, but there are one or two I will mention. You can flip the front flap back while resting your ipad on a surface and it will create a slight angle that is useful for typing. You can also stand your ipad in landscape or portrait mode on its own for watching movies or reading, however, if you are using the ipad in landscape and placing it on a slick surface you will want to put something behind the flap of the case to keep the case from slipping down.

So, that is the Portenzo Notebook case for the iPad! If you have any questions, please let me know and I will try to address as many as I can. This case retails for $59.99 with a special offer of free shipping for a limited time.

tech

Kin You Believe it?

In the past few years we have seen, on an almost regular basis, company CEO’s getting paid huge bonuses for failed management, policies, and performance. This is not the case for Microsoft. Steve Ballmer was supposed to take home a bonus of 200% of his base salary for the 2010 fiscal year. However with a dismal breakthrough into the smart phone world, (SEE: Kin, you know, that phone that got pulled after 79 days on the market) Microsoft felt like he didn’t fully deserve it. So Ballmer’s bonus was reduced by 50%. Now granted he did still earn $1.34 million, but it is still nice to see a company owning up to its mistakes and holding people accountable.

lifestyle The Pink Mac

Why I Give Up on Rumors

For a long time, like many others I was excited to hear all the new Apple rumors about the next big thing or the newest update or the list of adjectives Steve Jobs would use in his next exciting and revolutionary Keynote. But after many many many disappointments I am about to give up. The iPhone 4G, HD, or whatever other name it it is rumored to be will not be coming to Verizon this summer, or this fall, or possibly ever despite the nearly 10 million search results for a CDMA enabled iPhone. The iPad did not have a camera and multitasking at launch and the list of Apple rumors goes on.

The only time a ‘rumor’ was ever confirmed was earlier this year when Gizmodo got their hands on an actual iPhone 4 hidden within the casing of an iPhone 3G. Although we learned alot about the new iPhone’s body style and potential cameras, the biggest thing we learned from the inoperable device is that Apple does not “do” leaks and will stop at nothing to squash anyone who talks about an actual Apple device before it’s release.

(Getting your house raided isn’t a strong incentive to screw around with Apple)

But this newest rumor I have just heard takes the cake. Despite being released a mere six months ago, the iPad 2 is supposedly going to be released by Apple…. this Christmas. This AppleInsider article does what the rumors always do – cite “someone close” on the inside of Apple with a supposed leak of the inner workings at 1 Infinite Loop. No. Not happening. It doesn’t take an Apple Genius to realize that Apple has a set release cycle. Just a few days ago Apple held its music-fest where every year in September they update their iTunes and iPod line up. Soon we will have the iMac and MacBook event, and next summer we will have the iPhone event. Eac event is huge for Apple, not just to show off their shiny new objects but also to boost their stock. Yes, nothing makes more money for Apple having seeing Steve Jobs talk for 2 hours at an annually anticilated event. Not to mention it gets Apple in the news and talked about like no other tech company in the world!

So in order for the iPad 2 to get an early release date, Apple would need to completely change their yearly update cycle. The iPad is a device between a smart phone and a laptop, so Apple clearly can’t show it off with laptops in October, so it would need its own event. Not to mention Apple has to remember the issue it caused by lowering prices on the original iPhone only a few months after it released. Remember the outrage? Try having a few million Macheads freaking out that their 6 month old device is out of date.

(Just in time – the new iTorch!)

So that does it for me because this is just too ridiculous of an idea. No more falling for these teaser and hushed whispers from the depths of Cupertino. I’ll just wait for Steve to put on his jeans and a black turtleneck and say “one more thing.”

tech

Now I’m a believer

I never thought I would see the day but it is here. I have converted, changed sides, done a complete 180 on my views on the iPad. Why? Well getting one for free helps.

See while my girlfriend The Pink Mac already has an iPad, that didn’t stop her from submitting to a contest for a free one… And she won. So lucky for me, I was bestowed this great gift to love and enjoy. But to be honest I didn’t think I would because since the iPad was announced all I did was say what a stupid, pointless, and idiotic device it is. Why would I need this when I have a laptop that can do it all and more!? Well, I want to apologize to you Steve Jobs for doubting your genius.

In one day the ipad has replaced my laptop for over 90% of my daily use. I bring it to school now since all I used my laptop for was web surfing anyway. And let’s be honest, at school if it was to get stolen I’d rather lose a $500 device than a $1300 one! At home I used to surf the web in bed always, and the ipad is a lighter more lap friendly device to use. And when I hear people buying separate netbooks for bed instead of their laptops, the idea of using an iPad in bed isn’t too crazy. Most of all it’s just fun! The use of a touch interface seems too perfect and it baffles my mind why more companies haven used this input since it is the most natural way to compute. And let’s not forget about all the apps that a laptop can’t run….

So I love my iPad now. Would I have paid $500 for this on my own? Probrably not. But this gift has changed my mind about the device completely, so if your on the fence on if you should buy one all I can say is this – BUY IT!!!=justify>

Sent from my iPad.

The Pink Mac

BookBook for iPad

I have been waiting for a couple of months for the BookBook for iPad to arrive, and finally, this morning, I recieved an email from TwelveSouth revealing their newest case solution. As someone who owns a BookBook for the 13″ Macbook, I was interested in seeing what this case would look like for an iPad, and as I had guessed, it is a smaller version of their Macbook cases. At $69.99, this case is actually very reasonably priced when you consider the materials and the craftsmanship that went into making it. In fact, I think many people are going to be drawn to this case because it fulfills multiple roles. For one, it provides a pretty high level of protection to the iPad with the thick leather exterior and the zipper enclosure, ensuring that your device is going to be safe through the wear and tear of day to day use. The case is also great for masking the iPad. We know that iPad users are targets of theft because of the high visibility of the device, but a case like this really does a great job of hiding the iPad in plain sight. Finally, this case also solves the problem of how to hold the iPad, which for each person is different, but with a case like this, their is a good chance that the user will find a comfortable position when using the device.

Now, as much as I believe this case has a number of positive points, I have a feeling it has a few negatives as well. From my experience with the BookBook for Macbook, I know that the leather materials, while they are very durable and luxurious, are also very heavy. So, this case is going to add weight to the iPad. How much? I am not quite sure and I can’t seem to find a weight on the website, but I am thinking the device may double in weight with this case. The second problem I see with this case is that the method for securing the iPad in place is more complex then it needs to be. As you can tell in the images of this case, the bottom corners of the iPad are held in place by what seem to be very sturdy holsters, however, the top of the iPad is secured only by a thin strap of elastic. Now, I would feel much better if the design of the holster was more uniform and just used those four corner stirrups, instead of a mixed approach. Not only does it make the case look cheaply or hastily made, but the elastic on the top looks like it could get in the way of using the device as it will stop your finger from scrolling across the screen rather abruptly. The final drawback to this case is that the outer materials, as far as I can tell, are not weather/ wear and tear resistant. The exterior leather, while thick and luxurious, is delicate, showing scratches and scuffs easily, so this case is definitely one that would require a delicate lifestyle in order to keep up its beauty. My BookBook for Macbook is actually used as more of a showpiece and hiding spot for my 13″ Macbook that gets very little use since I upgraded to a Macbook Pro last year. I would certainly not want to use the case too often outside of the house, or as a day to day case because I don’t want to diminish it’s quality. Of course, with an iPad sized case, you may be able to better protect the case itself while you are out and about, since you could hold it, or tuck it away in a bag or under a jacket if it began to rain, ect.

Overall, I am very excited about this new iPad case. Despite the few drawbacks I mentioned, I am sure it is going to become a very popular case. The style certainly draws upon the nature of the iPad as an eReader, but is also timeless enough to be used by non book lovers as well. Not to mention, I think we all like a good digital vs analog paradox. So, let me know what you think? Is this a case you are interested in for your iPad, or perhaps you see other drawbacks to this case that I haven’t realized? Let me know!

The Pink Mac

Clear iSpot in Action

Using my new Clear iSpot at work today with my iPad. It is actually pretty fast here, despite having only a mid level signal. Although I don’t get good reception with it at my apartment, this will really come in handy at work and while I am out and about. Stay tuned for a full review of the product coming soon!

lifestyle Solutions The Pink Mac

Back to School Tech Tips

With the end of summer nearly upon us, these next few weeks of August will see college and high school students on their way back to the daily grind of classes and coursework. If you are one of the many students heading back to the classroom, you may be in the market for some new tech gear. The start of a new school year has always been ceremoniously entangled with the concept of the “new,” and the prospect of new gadgets can always make for an exciting start. However, if you are one of the many students who will be dragging around an old laptop or iPod, don’t worry, because I have some tips for making your old tech feel new again to get you pumped for your upcoming semester.

Add a little spring to your gadget’s step

Although your laptop may be well equipped with a fast processor and a large hard drive, it may not be as snappy as it once was. This is a common issue with computers in general, but luckily it is an easy issue to fix as it is most likely related to a clogged hard drive. Months or years of accumulating files and viewing web pages can cause your computer to run significantly slower, so to fix the problem, you will need to start cleaning out your files.

1. Start by going through your documents, pictures, music and movie files and getting rid of any files you no longer need. For files you don’t use but need to keep record of, move those to an external hard drive to free up space.

2. Next, try clearing your web browser’s cache. This will take care of old web page information that is stored on your computer and eating up memory. To do this, go to your browser’s preferences or settings and look for the option.

3. Finally, delete unused applications. To do this on a Mac, you simply need to drag the application to the trash can, however, to insure you have removed all the sub files of the application from your hard drive, I suggest downloading an application such as AppCleaner or AppDelete to help you remove all associated files. On a PC, use the application uninstaller in your Control Panel found in ‘Add or Remove Programs’.

4. For an iPod that is beginning to lag, I suggest that you do a factory reset of your device, then, make sure you have the most up to date firmware installed, before restocking your device with new tunes and videos for the school year. Although iPods tend to have a shorter lifespan than laptops, with proper care and maintenance, you can keep yours up and running for a long time. (I still have an iPod Mini from early 2005 in good working condition.)

Give your gear a bath

Although they are electronic devices, computers and mp3 players still need proper cleaning from time to time to keep them not only looking good, but also working well. When dirt or dust gets inside a gadget, it can start causing issues like overheating and lagging that shorten the life of the device. So, a regular cleaning is always a good idea.

1. The first thing to remember before you begin to clean any electronic device is that you must turn the device off. Skipping this step could cause major harm to yourself or the device. So, power down and unplug all wires.

2. I tend to begin cleaning my laptops keyboard area first. This is usually a source of much dust and dirt that should be cleared out of the way first. Use a can of compressed air, or, if you know how to remove your keys individually, do so slowly and carefully. I like to use q tips to get into the nooks and crannies of the keyboard, myself.

3. Next, clean off the casing. Depending on the outer material of your laptop, either plastic or metal, you may want to use a dedicated electronics cleaner like iKlear, but I find that soap and water or antibacterial wipes do a universally good job. If you are using soap and water, just make sure that you only slightly dampen the towel you are using to make sure you don’t get liquid into the delicate parts of your computer.

4. Finally, clean the screen of your computer with an appropriate cleanser. To be prudent, I would check with the manufacture of the computer to see what solvents are safe to use on the computers screen. Although Windex is always a safe bet, you may prefer to use electronic screen wipes or another popular brand of computer screen cleaner if your screen has any sort of sensitive coating.

5. Follow a similar method to clean an iPod or mp3 player, making sure to also clean your earbuds with a q tip or cotton ball slightly moistened with alcohol to remove bacteria.

Update your electronic wardrobe

You’re not the only one who could benefit from a wardrobe upgrade for the new school year. A great way to make your old tech feel new again is with some upgraded cases, covers, and skins. There are a wide variety of retailers that sell these items, most specified to the specific device you own, so I will not list them here, but I will say that a new sleeve for your laptop, or a new case for your iPod can be an inexpensive way to add excitement and interest back to your gear. Not to mention upgrading the protection will extend the life of your device!

The Pink Mac

Feeling Blue*

Recently my old Speck clear hardshell case wasn’t in too good shape. I didn’t clean it as regularly as I should have, scuffs were scattered on the surface, and most importantly the bottom was falling off. Somehow the bottom clips that hold the bottom of the case on had fallen off one by one until nothing was supporting it. I had to decide on another case and did a lot of research of all the cases out there, but in the end Speck won me back. This time though, with a flare of color.

Out of all the cases out there, Speck was the one that fit my needs perfectly. I needed a strong, durable case to keep my Macbook Pro protected from daily use and I needed a case with a smooth finish because I hate the feeling of the bare aluminum unibody Macbook. It feels too fragile and rough to the touch. Speck hardshell cases give me a smooth plastic finish that I like. Now while this hard-shell will be more prone to showing scratches and scuff then Speck’s satin cases, it is a sacrifice I am okay with because in the end those scratches are on a plastic case, not my Macbook Pro which is still spotless after nearly a year of use.
Now sadly Speck no long carries the blue case in their lineup. But you can still get a few of Amazon or MyGearStore but be sure you are getting a case for the exact model your laptop is since they cases will vary for each one. And one point about the blue cases is in the pictures online the case appears to be a baby blue, but in person its much darker and even teal. It is an amazing and unique color perfect for women and men.

The only downsides to the Speck case are every now an again tiny particle or dirt, dust, ect can gen in between the case and the laptop. This is especially true with the bottom as it has openings for cooling. And if you don’t take off the case every week or two and clean this out you can get tiny tiny black marks which I assume are scratches. I have a few of these on my laptop and they are hardly noticeable so I’m not too worried. Also, since I’ve had this happen to me, I wish the bottom was secured by more or bigger clasps as they seem a little on the small side. Hopefully with a little more TLC this case will stay on better than the last. Still despite these two downfalls if your in the market for a rock solid case that has a smooth hardshell finish, Speck is the way to go hands down.