Apple this week released the first Developer Beta for iOS 4.2, allowing developers to get an idea of what iOS 4 is like on an iPad. Click here for a video preview of the release. The update’s headline feature is wireless printing, which Apple has called “AirPrint”.

Here is a quote from the Press Release that accompanied the announcement of AirPrint: AirPrint wireless printing for iPad™, iPhone® and iPod touch® to members of Apple’s iOS developer program today, and that AirPrint will be included in the free iOS 4.2 software update in November. AirPrint automatically finds printers on local networks and can print text, photos and graphics to them wirelessly over Wi-Fi without the need to install drivers or download software.

The 4.2 update will bring the iPad into line with iPhone and iPod Touch which have been running iOS 4 since July.

Amazon has directly challenged the iPad in their latest commercial. The premise of the ad is that a man cannot read his iPad in direct sunlight due to the glossy screen whereas a women with a Kindle can read perfectly fine. There is also the suggestion Amazon believes the iPad is too expensive. Click here to view the commercial for yourself.

While the problem is a real problem (trust me, it can be very frustrating), iPad users can be comforted by the fact they can access the same array of Kindle books via the app. Also, if you flip the situation to low light, the iPad is easily viewable whereas the Kindle is not.

Apple has posted two new iPad ads on their website titled: “iPad is Musical” and “iPad is Delicious”. They follow up from the What is iPad…?”  commercial. Click on the links to view iPad is Musical and iPad is Delicious

Following up from the guide we posted earlier, iOS 4.1 has now been released for general use. The update brings Game Center, Ping, High Dynamic Resolution photography and HD Uploads as well as bug fixes, a performance boost for iPhone 3G being the most notable. Game Center will not work on the 3G model, but will on a 2nd Gen iPod Touch. The update is available within iTunes when you plug in your iPhone or iPod Touch or click here for detailed steps on how to download ,

The page highlights the update’s main features of: Multitasking, AirPlay, Folders and Wireless Printing. This page can be viewed here

Features include a panel based system that allows users to view content within links without having to leave their Twitter Timeline. The system is very intuitive and is control by swiping the panels to the left or right depending on how you prominent you wish them to be.

The app also features some nice multi-touch features such as Pinching open a tweet to see their profile information, or a two finger drag down to see replies to a tweet.

Most notable however, is just how good this app looks. It is clean, nice textures and is generally very crisp and stylish. I highly recommend it to any Twitter users, and if you’re not already, here are the links to follow us: Bentron, iPad Insider .

The new panel view

]]> http://www.ipadinsider.com/official-twitter-for-ipad-app-released/feed/ 0 http://www.ipadinsider.com/ipad-news-from-apples-september-media-event/ http://www.ipadinsider.com/ipad-news-from-apples-september-media-event/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:29:33 +0000 Ben Hainsworth http://www.ipadinsider.com/?p=991

Today Apple hosted it’s annual media event which centres around it’s iTunes and iPod products. There was however, exciting news of updates for the iPad.

Firstly, Steve Jobs gave a preview of iOS 4.2 which will be made available for the iPad sometime in November. This update will bring all the features the iPhone 4 and 3GS are able to use at the moment. For example: multitasking, folders, email threading and others. What is very exciting however, is the added ability of being able to wirelessly print from the iPad; this is a feature that has been sorely lacking up to this point.

Another update for the iPad is the ability to be used in conjunction with the revamped Apple TV. This allows the iPad to stream media to the Apple TV to watch on a larger screen. So if you were watching Iron Man on your iPad on your way home and decide when you get home you’d like to continue on a larger screen, you tap the ‘Airplay’ button and the Apple Tv will play from where you left off.

These updates sound very promising, and we will of course update you when more news and details are available.

It is not a complete overhaul to the store by any means, but does offer a useful tool for those looking to expand their App library. No update is required and is available now.

SendStuffNow is a ‘cloud’ based file sharing service that offers amazing versatility, security and ease of use for every user. To start, users set up an account and within a couple of minutes can begin to share files to other users who can then download the files themselves. Crucially, they do not need to set up an account themselves to do so. An example of use would be: a photographer is out in the field, loads up the images on his iPad using the Camera Connector. They open up SendStuffNow and can very quickly select which images they want to upload and select who they want to send them to using the iPad’s contact list. Users can set a password and an expiration date as well as track the number of downloads against the number of invites.

For the average consumer the service is free and offers 1GB of storage space and 10GB to download, which should offer plenty to those who just want to share between family and friends. Those looking for greater capacity can become a Premium member for $120 a year which offers 2GB upload capacity p/m and 4GB download capacity p/m. Where the company are really targeting are small businesses. With the emergence of smart-phones and more recently tablet devices in the last couple of years, we are living in an increasingly mobile world; Smith Micro have recognised this and are taking full advantage. They believe that for those businesses looking for a solution to the problem of being able to have a secure area where files can be kept, shared and monitored all on the go, SendStuffNow is the answer. I have to say I agree. The service can be accessed from any computer, iPhone and iPad; having tried the service on all three, it is tailored perfectly to each device.

The overall experience is seamless and the functionality is flawless. Considering the baseline service and app are free, this app is a must have for, not only any iPad user but iPhone and iPod Touch users as well.

Link to download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sendstuffnow/id380541939?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6