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iPod

Product Review: KIDIGI Universal Desktop Cradle for iPad

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When I am doing the GWE podcast or when I am working on content for the website I find it absolutely necessary to have multiple screens in front of me. One of the screens that I love having the most is the iPad. However, I can’t always find the optimal place for my iPad and the outer case doesn’t always allow me to position the iPad in a way that’s comfortable for me while I work. Fortunately, I was recently sent the KIDIGI Universal Desktop Cradle for iPad from MobileFun.

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The KIDIGI Universal Desktop Cradle works with the iPad (3rd generation)iPad 2, iPad and will also fit the iPod and iPhone. This cradle comes with USB cord to allow you to connect your device to your computer or directly to your Apple charger through the cradle itself. The 30-pin connector in the cradle is adjustable to ensure everything sits firmly in place regardless of what device your using. Another plus for this device is that you should be able to use it without removing your case, a huge annoyance that often comes up with other desk cradles. The KIDIGI cradle also looks really nice, it’s slick design makes it look like an Apple product.

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The only con I found for this cradle is that I feel it could be a little more stable. While using it, I put it to the test and pushed hard and it began to wobble a bit. The cradle held it’s ground well enough and your device will definitely be safe, it’s just not as solid as I would like.

Overall I would recommend picking this up if you’re looking for a nice desktop cradle to use with pretty much any Apple device with a 30-pin connector.

Here are some of the key features:

  • Data Hot Sync and charging on your desk with a cradle.
  • The connector is easy to adjust to fit all ipods & iphones ipad.
  • Keep Silicon case or leather case with your iPad or iPhone in the cradle and can use in stable condition.

 

You can pick one of these up for just $17.49 at MobileFun. Have a device with the new lightning connector? No problem, MobileFun has something for  iPhone 5 as well, so go ahead and check it out.

Xbox Music Looks To Be a Great Move For Microsoft

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Zune wil be rebranded as Xbox Music in the relatively near future and I like the direction Microsoft is taking it’s re-imagined entertainment app. Xbox Music will not only be available on Xbox but also on Windows 8 PCs,tablets, and Windows Phone as well.

The new service will allow existing subscribers to migrate through the rebranding with ease and users will still have access to the same content they had before the switch. The buzz surrounding the new application is getting louder as we draw closer toward the end of the year and we hope to hear more official details on the new service soon.  Our best guess is the app will be released along with Windows 8 and could feature ad-based music streaming similar to Spotify, but it’s only a guess.

I have always liked the Zune player but I have preferred the iPod over the years mostly because I owned an iPod first and didn’t want to figure out how to transfer everything over to a new system, not that it’s overly complicated, but because I have really never had a good enough reason to switch. I have however have used Zune software for Windows and generally liked the experience. With the release of Xbox Music I will gladly jump right in as I plan on doing a review of the app as soon as it is available.

The Xbox itself is really my favorite Microsoft experience as it combines all of my entertainment needs into a simple, easy-to-use interface. Although many argue back and forth about whether PSN is better than Xbox Live, I still think that Xbox Live is done really well, even when you consider it’s faults. With my solid library of games and media on my Xbox, having a well integrated Music service, especially one with free streaming music, will complete my media experience on the Xbox.

The Xbox is really more than just a gaming console, it really has become a media hub, this was Microsoft’s goal and they have done a really god job with it. Thinking ahead to the next obvious direction for Microsoft’s console, I can only imagine that this new music service will be integrated with SkyDrive to allow for a complete cloud solution to allow you to access your media from any other device running Windows 8. This should line them up pretty well with Apple and their cloud services, with the exception of not having a gaming console.

As Windows 8 rolls out we will be anticipating the release of Xbox Music and hopefully we will be rewarded with a solid media library and music streaming app.

iOS 6 Rundown

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So, we got the update but.. what changed? I notice a few different icons on the screen but what else has happened? Well, we round up some key features of iOS 6 here so you don’t have to. Apple Logo

Facebook

Facebook is now fully integrated into the OS it self, which is really nice for Facebook users out there as it allows you to connect with Facebook without you having stop what your doing and switch apps. Facebook events are tied directly into Calendar and sharing links is super easy. ‘Likes’ are now part of iTunes and the Apps store.  It almost feels as if Facebook was meant to be a part of iOS from the start.

Maps

Well, no more Google Maps as Apple has decided it’s time to do the map business all by itself. The new map application looks really good and it would seem that, at least initially, Google Maps users should’t miss much. The new maps are quite detailed and look really slick even standard mode. I test drove the the 3D view by flying around Los Angeles and everything seemed to work really well. Turn-By-Turn navigation also makes an appearance with this map update, which has been long overdue.

Siri
Our old friend Siri gets some improvements as well, including movie reviews,facts and trailers from Rotten Tomatoes. Siri can also help you find something to eat by listing restaurants by price and rating. Need to know any sports scores? Siri covers that for you too, simply ask what the score is of a specific team and you’re good to go. You can also open applications by simply asking Siri what to launch.  Siri has seen quite a few improvements with this update and I can see Siri becoming more and more useful in the future, especially if Siri is to be integrated into new automobiles.

 

Safari

Safari gets iCloud Tabs which will allow you to view any open tabs form one iOS device on any other connected iOS device. Safari now features full screen landscape browsing, which looks great. Safari will also save entire webpages so you can view them offline later.

 

Facetime

Facetime will now work over a cellular network. Simple enough but I have yet to see it in action, I am wondering how the overall quality will be.

Phone

Well with everything the iPhone can do I think we tend to forget that it actually makes phone calls. Apple has added some features for the phone including being able to instantly send a text message to a recently declined phone call. You can also set call reminders when you decline a call or use a do-not-disturb mode to completely block all calls or only allow calls from high priority contacts.

 

Mac will also see the integration of Facebook into OSX Mountain Lion along with a few other updates in the new version 10.8.2. These are just a few of the new features on iOS 6, if your interested in everything head to Apple’s official site.