By John Mark V. Tuazon
Computerworld Philippines
June 16, 2010

SINGAPORE – The widespread adoption of smartphones across the globe is going to bring in the third wave of 3G networks use, consequently driving network traffic up and leading to congestion, executives from Nokia Siemens Networks remarked Tuesday.

During an offsite press conference at CommunicAsia 2010, Paul Tyler, head of sales, network systems, Nokia Siemens Networks Asia Pacific, said that the coming of the third wave of 3G use is currently being pushed by smartphones, which have overtaken 3G dongles in prevalence.

Tyler said the first wave was ushered by the promise of 3G in 2000, with that promise being realized in 2007 after the entrance of HSPA, HSPA+, and mobile broadband dongles.

Smartphones, however, are now more prevalent than 3G dongles, with at least one smartphone for every four dongles, a gap projected to grow bigger in the coming years, according to Tyler.

Skyrocketing adoption means good business for mobile phone vendors, but not necessarily for service providers. “Smartphones are very different from laptops,” Tyler explained. “They have always-on applications, so networks easily get congested because they cannot easily cope with signaling.”

Telcos are therefore challenged to address immense bursts in traffic from these devices—which is still predicted to rise by 10,000% in the coming years—while maintaining the quality of their services. “The opportunity lies in the operators’ ability to differentiate on the level of user experience,” Tyler noted.

Solution Points
One of the probable options operators can take is to increase capacity by implementing new technologies, according to Michael Murphy, the company’s chief technology officer. “Each step in the [network technology ladder] reduces the cost/GB, and helps satisfy demand,” he shared.

Currently, operators around the world are utilizing HSPA+ technology, with bids to move into commercial LTE (long term evolution) by the end of the year. Murphy pointed out that LTE-Advanced is three times more efficient than its basic counterpart.

Another option is to implement fair use policies in order to curb huge traffic demands. According to a Business Week study shared by Murphy, 80% of Internet traffic are coming only from 5% of end-users, thereby congesting the network for the rest of the users.

Murphy said telcos can break the buck by putting value on demand, which can be achieved by segmenting the market into different portions based on bandwidth. “[Operators] can monetize the bit pipe by assigning segmentations—such as Gold, Silver, and Bronze—to users, which can provide both fair use controls and differentiated tariff potential,” he explained.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Check Point clears the path to Web 2.0 application control
• Water cooling returns to IBM mainframe
• Microsoft still mum on programs prone to DLL hijacking attacks
• Mobile data traffic set to soar
• More IT managers plan to spend less, Oracle struggles with users, survey finds

By Dan Moren
Macworld.com
May 6, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO - Wi-Fi may be plentiful these days, but it’s far from ubiquitous. A device like the iPad is just begging for always-on Internet access, whether it be for checking mail, surfing the Web, or even keeping up with your latest game of Words with Friends HD. Apple’s iPad Wi-Fi + 3G delivers on that promise, though the 3G experience may occasionally have you searching about for a Wi-Fi access point tout de suite.

Everything my colleague Jason Snell said in his original iPad review holds true with this device, as the differences between the two models are few. Outwardly, the 3G-enabled iPad is almost identical to the Wi-Fi model, and the two share almost all of the same features, with the exception of those related to 3G networking and GPS.

For the privilege of those few features, however, you will be paying a bit extra: the 3G models command a $130 premium over their Wi-Fi-only siblings, making the price tags $629 for the 16GB version, $729 for 32GB, and $829 for 64GB. And keep in mind that the higher price covers only the 3G hardware inside the iPad. In order to actually use the 3G service, you’ll need to pay for one of the two monthly that Apple and AT&T have teamed up to offer: a $15-per-month plan that allows you 250MB of data transfer or a $30-per-month plan that allows you unlimited data. And unlike the iPhone service agreement, which requires a two-year commitment with AT&T, you can cancel your 3G plan for the iPhone at any time.

The performance
If you’ve spent any time with an iPhone 3GS, then you’ll be pretty familiar with the iPad’s 3G performance, as under-the-hood investigations show that the two use the same hardware.

Given that the iPad also boasts the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, there’s no contest between the two: Wi-Fi will beat 3G every single time. I ran a few speed tests using the Speed Test iPhone application and, though unscientific, Wi-Fi’s superiority was readily apparent–at my home, Wi-Fi was an astounding 70 times faster at downloads and 30 times faster at uploads.

Of course, such performance varies widely depending on the quality of the AT&T network in your location. And given that poor performance on AT&T’s 3G network has been one of the major complaints with the iPhone, don’t expect magically better performance on the iPad. The apartment to which I recently moved resides in a spotty coverage zone for AT&T’s network, and I’ve experienced frequent signal drops, poor coverage, and slow service on both my iPhone 3GS and my 3G-enabled iPad. I also have one of Apple’s recent 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Stations, which helps me get the most out of my Wi-Fi network.

If you live, work, or otherwise spend a lot of time in a place with solid 3G coverage, you should find the iPad’s 3G performance to be perfectly serviceable for most common tasks, like reading e-mail, surfing the Web, checking RSS feeds, and keeping up with social-networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

But when you start to get into more intensive tasks, the cracks in the 3G network begin to show. While I was able to stream video, audio, view maps, and so on over the 3G connection, the performance was sometimes subpar. Streaming via Netflix’s iPad app, for example, yielded video that was mostly watchable, though it did suffer from frequent pauses in playback as the video re-buffered.

The quality of the video delivered over the 3G network is also noticeably lower than what you get via Wi-Fi. Netflix, for example, down-samples the video, though it’s passable. I also tried the AirVideo video-streaming app, which allows you to pick and choose from a variety of data rates, but I still had trouble with pauses in playback.

I had even worse luck with the recent ABC Player update, which allows for streaming video over the 3G connection. Performance varied hugely depending on location, with streaming basically impossible to use at my home. However, I did find that other locations yielded better results, and in one particular incident, I actually had to flip the iPad’s cellular data connection off and then on again to yield better speeds.

Most perplexingly, I found that YouTube videos streamed over 3G were practically unwatchable, due to their low quality–you appear to get the same videos that the iPhone gets over the 3G connection, which look terribly pixelated on the iPad’s higher resolution screen.

In general, pretty much any bandwidth-intensive task from video streaming to rendering graphics-heavy Web pages takes longer to complete via the 3G connection, but when you’re out and about with nothing to compare it to, it’s not much of a bother.

The plan
As I noted in my first look at the 3G iPad, managing your AT&T account on the iPad is simple: you can sign up, monitor your usage, change your plan, and even cancel it all from the iPad’s Settings app. While no contract is required, do remember that the data plans are prepaid, so once you activate a plan, you’ve got it for 30 days. Changing or canceling a plan won’t take effect until the end of the billing cycle.

Of the two plans offered through AT&T, which should you get? Well, the ability to subscribe and cancel at any time is a hugely beneficial one: it means you only have to sign up for 3G service when you need it–say, when you’re traveling, for example.

But if you’re doing anything beyond e-mail and light Web surfing, you’ll probably want to shell out for the unlimited plan. Streaming video, in particular, is hugely intensive: using the Netflix application can easily rack up in excess of 100MB in an hour. One feature-length movie can put you within spitting distance of your bandwidth cap.

There are cases where you might opt for the 250MB plan. As one of my colleagues suggested, perhaps you might want to check your e-mail or get online while you’re staying at a hotel that charges–to put it diplomatically–premium fees for Wi-Fi access. It may very well be worthwhile, in such a case, to shell out the $15 just for the convenience. Plus, even the cheaper plan gives you the added bonus of free access to AT&T’s nationwide network of more than 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, including one at each of the half dozen Starbucks that are no doubt within walking distance from your location at this very moment.

If you want to keep an eye on how much bandwidth you’re chewing up, there are two options: one is to use the meters under Settings -> General -> Usage, which tell you how much data has been sent and received over the cellular data connection. This information is tracked by the iPad’s operating system itself, so it should always be up to date. You can also view your bandwidth usage under your AT&T account in Settings -> Cellular Data, but that can sometimes take time to update as it’s tracked by AT&T. In addition, if you’re using the unlimited plan, you won’t see your usage displayed there, just a note that you’re on unlimited bandwidth.

Given the disparity between the prices and amount of bandwidth offered, I think most users will opt for the unlimited plan. If you hit the 250MB cap, AT&T shuts the service off unless you add another $15 chunk of 250MB or switch to the unlimited plan–and if the choice is $30 for 500MB or $30 for unlimited data, that’s not decision that requires a lot of thought.

One downside to 3G connectivity through your iPad is that even if you already have an iPhone, with its attendant $30-per-month unlimited data plan, you’ll need to pay for the iPad’s data plan separately. All of a sudden, you’re racking up $60 every month for 3G data–and if you have more than one 3G-enabled iPad in your family, you’ll have to pay full price for each one since AT&T doesn’t offer any sort of family plan.

The power
The addition of cellular capability to the iPad raises another question: how does the device’s battery life hold up? While Macworld Lab is still conducting more definitive testing, my informal experience suggests that the 3G connection does impact the bottom line for power, though not as badly as you might fear. While relying on the cell phone connection, I saw the battery power dip much lower than it had on any day while using the Wi-Fi model, but not so much so that I was unable to get a full day’s use out of it.

But remember that the addition of 3G support means that the iPad carries three separate radio chips that can all be active simultaneously: the cellular connection, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Having all three of these on at once can definitely put a dent in your battery. In fact, a solid day’s worth of mixed usage–from about 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.–dropped me as low as 40 percent of battery life, which is lower than I reached in daily average usage of my Wi-Fi iPad in the previous weeks.

You have the ability to deactivate the cell connection under Settings-> Cellular Data and rely only on Wi-Fi. And that’s a welcome option, especially if you spend a lot of time in a location where the iPad struggles to get a solid signal. I’ve taken to leaving the cellular data connection off unless I’m specifically out of Wi-Fi range, at which point the battery life ought to more or less be equivalent to a Wi-Fi-only iPad.

Macworld’s buying advice

The 3G iPad is every bit as good a device as the Wi-Fi-only model, and it’s only more capable than its fellow model. There are no significant tradeoffs with the 3G version, as long as you’re willing to pay more in exchange for more capability. My colleague Mr. Snell made the case for a 3G version of the iPad well before it shipped, and having one in my hands, I find myself inclined to concur with his conclusions–that 3G connectivity gives this version of the iPad a measure of flexibility missing from the Wi-Fi-only version.
Assuming you’re already sold on the idea of an iPad and merely want to figure out whether to buy the 3G version or the Wi-Fi-only model, the real question you need to ask yourself is: is it worth it to spend an additional $130 to have the option to use 3G service? Look at it as an investment that at some point down the road you’ll be trapped somewhere without Wi-Fi, and you’ll be glad you can still play that triple word score.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Wireless Desktop Adapter
• Genius Wireless Keyboards
• Connect in Style with Buffalo’s New Hubs
• ‘World’s Smallest’ Android smartphones
• Windows 7 Compatible Router

By Jason Snell
Macworld.com
April 6, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO - When Apple first took the wraps off the iPad, we tried our best to answer all the questions that cropped up about this entirely new device. And, with the help of Steve Jobs’ iPad presentation and a little bit of hands-on time, we were able to give a pretty good overview of what to expect from the iPad.

But a lot can change in two months. More details about the iPad have come out. And we’ve managed to get our hands on an iPad all our own. So we’re able to go back and update our old iPad FAQ with the latest details about the device.

Pricing and availability

What’s the iPad going to cost?

Pricing depends on two factors: the amount of storage the iPad includes, and whether or not it has support for 3G networks. An iPad equipped only with Wi-Fi connectivity, available April 3, costs $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), or $699 (64GB). The Wi-Fi-plus-3G version, available later in April, will cost $130 more at each size–$629 (16GB), $729 (32GB), and $829 (64GB).

But if I wait and pay more for the 3G model, I get free 3G access, right?

No, the extra cost is ostensibly to cover the extra hardware required for 3G connectivity. Cellular data will cost extra.

How much extra will it cost?

Apple has struck a deal with AT&T that lets you pay either $15 a month for 250MB of data, or $30 a month for unlimited data. But unlike with the iPhone, a 3G plan isn’t mandatory, and there’s no contract involved–it’s pre-paid and on a month-to-month basis. So you could, say, activate 3G service for your iPad before your vacation and pay just for that month. The iPad will even let you set the plan to auto-cancel at the end of the month, so if you forget you won’t be charged any extra.

What about if I already have a data plan for my iPhone. Does that count?

Nope. Each device requires its own plan.

AT&T doesn’t have good 3G coverage where I live, work, and travel–will it work with Verizon or T-Mobile instead?

Not at the moment. Although the 3G-enabled iPad will ship unlocked–meaning it won’t be tied to a particular network–the device uses a GSM chip that’s incompatible with Verizon’s 3G network. T-Mobile is a GSM network, but its 3G data runs at 1700MHz; the iPhone’s 3G components support 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz GSM/EDGE, and 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA. Bottom line: the iPad won’t work on T-Mobile.

Beyond that limitation, the 3G-enabled iPad requires a micro-SIM card for mobile-network access; currently, AT&T is the only U.S. carrier using these cards. (Other international carriers also use mini-SIM cards).

If you want to use an iPad with another cellular network, your best bet is to just buy the Wi-Fi version and a Wi-Fi-based cellular modem, like the Novatel Wireless MiFi. You’ll have to pay for a plan, but you can use that wireless connection with your laptop, iPad, or any other Wi-Fi-capable device.

Are they any other differences between the Wi-Fi and 3G models?

Besides price, there are a few physical differences. The 3G models weigh an extra tenth of pound, and have a black antenna window that covers part of the top and stretches onto the back of the iPad. The 3G models also include GPS functionality.

So I can pick up an iPad on Saturday?

Assuming that you ordered one when Apple started taking pre-orders in March, then sure. Otherwise, you may have to wait a bit. As of this writing, Apple’s online store says that any iPad ordered right now will be delivered by April 12–that’s a lag of about 10 days. The bottom line: Don’t expect to queue up in front of an Apple Store on Saturday morning and walk away with an iPad, no matter what this week’s episode of Modern Family would have you believe.

That said, there are two options if you have the early-adopter itch but lack the in-store pick-up reservation. Apple only holds reservations until 3 p.m.; any unclaimed iPads are then made available for sale to the general public. So it’s possible you could pick one up that way. The iPad is also available at Best Buy, Apple Authorized Resellers, and campus bookstores, though those outlets will likely have a limited supply on hand.

Hardware and design

What if I don’t want to use the on-screen keyboard to type in long e-mails?

You have other options. Apple will sell the Keyboard Dock, a weighted iPad dock attached to a thin Apple keyboard. When using the external keyboard, the iPad’s onscreen keyboard disappears, letting your document fill the entire screen. The iPad also supports Bluetooth keyboards, so you can type without having to physically connect the iPad to a keyboard–though you will want to prop the iPad up somehow (with a dock or case or other stand) so you can actually see what you’re typing.

Will these keyboards support keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. The Keyboard Dock keyboard features several special keys, including one that locks the device. Bluetooth keyboards that offer media-control keys will control iPod playback on the iPad, and keys that adjust the volume up and down and display brightness up and down will work on the iPad as well. Many keyboard shortcuts familiar to Mac users will work, such as command-C for copying and command-V for pasting. The option key works its extended-character magic, so pressing option-u followed by u will generate the letter u with an umlaut. You can even hold down the shift key and use the arrow keys to select text. And app developers can add in support for their own keyboard shortcuts. In short, the keyboard support is more robust than you might have expected.

How easy is it to pair a Bluetooth keyboard with an iPad?

Very easy. You open the Settings app and tap on General and then Blueooth. You keyboard should appear in there; when you tap to pair it, the iPad will ask you to enter in a few digits on the keyboard and press return. And that’s it. (Removing the pairing is similarly easy; you just tap on the device in the same Bluetooth window and the devices will unpair.)

How good is the on-screen keyboard?

This is a vital question, but we’re going to have to get back to you. It’s going to take us more time with the device before we can make a judgment on how on-screen typing feels. Stay tuned.

Does the iPad have a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver?

The 3G version does; the Wi-Fi version does not. The 3G-capable iPad uses the same Assisted GPS technology used in the iPhone 3G and 3GS. (Despite how it sounds, “Assisted GPS” is not a lesser form of GPS. “Assisted” means the device can use other cues–such as the location of nearby cellular towers or Wi-Fi networks–to speed up the initial GPS “fix” compared to using the GPS circuitry alone.) The Wi-Fi version uses the same Wi-Fi-based location finding system as the original iPhone. If it can spot some familiar Wi-Fi base stations, it can figure out where you are.

Does the iPad have a compass?

Yes it does! If you’re in Maps, you can double-tap the location button and the map view will orient itself to whatever direction you’re pointing the iPad.

How hot will the iPad get?

It’s still too early to tell; we’ll get back to you. It doesn’t seem particularly hot, though, in our initial use.

How comfortable does it feel in the hand?

This is going to vary from user to user. We need to spend more time with it ourselves. The iPad is most definitely heavier than an Amazon Kindle, and it’s unlikely you’d hold it in your hands for long periods of time–to watch a movie, for example. Beyond that, we just can’t say yet.

Can I use the iPad to present on an external display/projector?

Yes. Unlike the iPhone, which currently is limited to video-out from the iPod and YouTube apps, apps on the iPad can send video out via the same dock-connector-to-video adapters available for the iPhone. A good example of this is the Keynote app, which will let you present your slides on an external monitor if it’s hooked up. Your iPad then becomes a controller, so you can advance slides, jump around between slides, even hold your finger down and turn it into a faux laser pointer on the external screen. (Unfortunately, Keynote doesn’t currently support presenter notes, so you won’t see those.) Apps need to specifically support this feature, so we’ll have to see which iPad developers take up the challenge.

Does the iPad come with a pair of Apple headphones? And if I plug in a set of headphones with a built-in microphone, will the iPad support it?

Surprisingly, the iPad does not come with headphones! You’ll need to supply your own. But yes, if you plug in headphones with a built-in microphone, the iPad will sense it and use it as your sound input for apps that do audio recording. (If you don’t plug anything in, the iPad will use its tiny built-in microphone, located next to the headphone jack.)

How is the sound quality from the little speaker?

Color us impressed. The sound is loud and the quality decent. Don’t get us wrong: It’s still a fairly tiny speaker down at one end of the iPad, so it’s not going to wow audiophiles. But you could watch a movie on it, sans headphones, and have a pretty good time.

Short of connecting it to a computer and looking in iTunes, how do I know when the iPad is getting “full?”

Just open the Settings app, tap General, and tap About. The Available line will tell you how much space is left.

I know that the iPad has 802.11n, but will it connect to a 5GHz-only 802.11n network?

Yes.

Can you set different wallpapers for the home screen and the lock screen?

Yes, you can. You set both from the Settings app, by tapping on Brightness & Wallpaper. When you select a Wallpaper image, at the top you’ll see a toolbar with options for Set Lock Screen, Set Home Screen, and Set Both.

Can I use any Mac or AC adapter to charge the iPad?

Not quite. When we tried to plug the iPad into existing iPod or iPhone accessories, we discovered that some Macs and AC adapters we tried were able to charge the iPad; others caused the iPad to declare it was “Not Charging” despite it being connected and syncable. It turns out that the iPad has some very specific charging requirements. With the included 10-watt USB power adapter, it charges awake or asleep. On high-powered USB ports such as most recent Macs and the iPhone power adapter, it charges as well, though more slowly, according to Apple. On Macs and PCs without high-powered USB ports, the iPad will charge when it’s sleeping, but when it’s awake it will display that “Not Charging” message in the status bar at the top of the screen.

Will my iPhone accessories work with it–specifically the wall charger and headphones? I remember when the iPhone came out I had to buy an adapter for my iPod headphones to make them work on the iPhone.

Nothing hinky this time–your headphones will work, and the iPhone wall chargers should work as well. Plus, the iPad comes with its own charger (a USB cable and AC adapter).

Built-in Software

Does the iPad do multitasking?

The multitasking story is identical to the iPhone and iPod touch: Some built-in applications, most notably iPod, will run in the background. No third-party apps can do so.

Does the iPad support multiple users? In other words, is there a log-in system or does each person have to have their own iPad?

Like the iPhone, the iPad has no conception of different users being logged in. This means that the calendars, contacts, and e-mail accounts you link with the iPad are available for everyone who uses the iPad. You can add multiple accounts, but there’s no way to segregate them so you can see your accounts and your spouse can see his or hers.

Can you set a keycode lock? I was thinking of using this at the office and even at home I’d like to lock it.

Yes, as with the iPhone and iPod touch, you can set the iPad to lock with a four-digit code required to unlock it.

Is there any way to get files off of the device? Can I access the filesystem when it’s docked?

The iPad apps have access to a file-sharing area, which you can see when you attach the iPad to a Mac or PC via iTunes. In the Apps tab, there’s a File Sharing area with two interface areas, Apps and Documents, next to each other. Click on an app in the Apps area, and a list of its files will appear in the Documents area. You can drag compatible files into this area–for example, Pages and Word files when Pages is selected–and even drag them out of that area out onto your desktop. You can even rename the files right from within iTunes. It’s all a bit rudimentary, but it does seem to work. This system should allow app developers to ditch the desktop-uploader apps they’ve had to use up to now.

If I email you a Pages file and you open it, does the document get copied into Pages’ File Sharing space?

Not quite. If you tap and hold on the attachment in Mail, it’ll give you the option of viewing it in Quick Look or opening it in Pages. Once it’s open in Pages, the document lives in Pages’ “My Documents” view. From there, you can tap the Share icon to e-mail it somewhere else, share it via iWork.com, or export it into the File Sharing space. If you don’t export it, it won’t show up in the Documents area of iTunes.

Will the iPad stream video and audio podcasts from the iTunes store?

It appears that you can, but it’s pretty inconvenient. The iTunes store podcast section is designed to let you download podcasts, then play them back.

Will I be able to print from the iPad?

The short answer is no. Apple hasn’t created any systemwide printing feature for the iPad. Individual apps such as iWork will let you export a file to the File Sharing area or via e-mail, so you can open that file on a Mac or PC and print it from there. And we may seem some individual apps arrive that will let you print direct from those apps to compatible printers. But that’s it, at least for now.

Can you send rich-text e-mails with Mail?

No. Mail uses plain-old plain text.

Can multimedia be streamed to the iPad from a Mac or PC running iTunes, rather than having to sync everything to the iPad before viewing or listening?

Not using Apple software. The iPad works just like the iPhone and iPod touch–you sync media to it and then play it back. But third-party apps do enable some degree of media streaming from Macs and PCs, and many of those third-party apps will probably be updated to support the iPad. It would sure be nice if Apple updated the iPad’s iPod app to support iTunes sharing though, wouldn’t it? But it’s not there as of now.

What’s the relationship between the Calendar and Mail apps on the iPad and their iPhone and Mac counterparts?

The iPad’s version of Calendar and Contacts may look somewhat different from their iPhone counterparts, but the functionality is much the same. You can sync e-mail accounts, calendar events, and contact information over the air using the device’s support for Apple’s MobileMe or Microsoft’s ActiveSync technologies–if you don’t have access to either of those, you can still sync the information from your computer via iTunes.

Can I toggle the visibility of all my different calendars in Calendar?

Yes. Unlike the iPhone, which still (annoyingly) forces you to see all synced calendars or one calendar at a time, each calendar on the iPad can be toggled on or off. So if you want to occasionally view some calendars you’re syncing, you can hide them the rest of the time.

If I get an e-mail with an appointment attachment, can the calendar see the appointment so I can accept it? On the iPhone I can’t, but on my Mac it works perfectly. Which version made it to the iPad?

The iPhone version. Exchange invitations seem to work fine; invitations send via regular mail from iCal can’t be opened.

Does the iPad have parental controls?

Yes, just like the iPhone and iPod touch. Open the Settings App, tap on General, and tap on Restrictions. Once you enable restrictions, you can choose to lock users out of Safari, YouTube, iTunes, location services, and app installation. There are also settings to control in-app content purchases, music and podcasts, movies, TV shows, and apps.

Can I buy or rent HD movies and TV shows direct from iTunes on the iPad?

Yes, depending on what’s available on the store. Many new-release movies are only available to rent in HD, but some are also available for purchase. And TV shows are generally available to purchase in HD, right from the iPad.

When I visit a Web page via the iPad’s browser, does it default to the mobile version of the site if there is one?

It depends on how the iPad’s browser describes itself when connecting to a Web server. When we visited macworld.com with our iPad, it loaded the full version of the site, not the special iPhone version. But some other sites we visit did serve up their iPhone versions. It’s up to each site to decide where it wants to send iPad traffic.

For those in the know, here’s what the iPad reports itself as to Web servers: Mozilla/5.0 (iPad; U; CPU OS 3_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/531.21.10 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.4 Mobile/7B367 Safari/531.21.10.

Will the iPad display Web content made using Flash?

Nope. As with the iPhone, the iPad’s version of Safari doesn’t support Adobe’s Flash technology.

How does Photos on the iPad compare to iPhoto?

Photos acts mostly as a photo browser. You can browse through albums and–if you’re syncing with iPhoto–Events, Faces, and Places. You can peek inside any collection of photos by reverse-pinching it in the photo browser–you’ll be presented with a thumbnail overview of each image in that set. However, Photos does not offer any of the editing capabilities of iPhoto: for that, you’ll need a third-party photo-editing app.

Can I browse my iPhoto files via Wi-Fi?

No. The Photos app only displays photos synced via iTunes.

Does the iPad support VPN? How about Exchange?

Yes and yes. The iPad basically supports all the stuff the iPhone supports. We were able to successfully connect to our office’s Cisco VPN from the iPad.

E-books

Will iBooks and the iBookstore save the publishing industry?

iBooks and the iBookstore are a system for users to purchase and read books–not magazines, not newspapers, but books. Book publishers will be able to supply ePub-formatted books for sale in Apple’s iBookstore, but magazine and newspaper publishers will need to find their own way onto the device, either by building their own apps or by contracting with an app developer or service to publish their content via a third-party app.

As of this writing, there are already some fascinating iPad news apps in the App Store, including ones from the New York Times and Reuters. We’re sure more are on the way, too. But the newspaper and magazine industries will need to do a lot more work to take advantage of the iPad, and the results will be more scattershot than what we’ll see from the book industry.

How much will books cost?

Right now, most books are listed between $12 and $15. But there are cheaper books, and even some free ones.

Can the iBooks app display PDFs or ePub files that didn’t come from the iTunes store?

iBooks doesn’t do PDF. It will display DRM-free ePub files, as well as ePub files that come from iTunes. To sync them to iBooks, just open the Books tab in iTunes and drag your ePub files in.

Will books purchased through iBookstore have digital-rights management restrictions?

Yes, books are linked to your iTunes account, just as music, videos, and apps are. This also means that if you have two iPads linked to the same iTunes account, both should be able to download all the same books and apps for a single purchase price.

Can I use iBooks to read the books I bought on another e-book store?

Almost certainly not, since most purchased books are wrapped in DRM, and iBooks supports only Apple’s own DRM format and DRM-free books. The good news is, those other stores may very well be working on iPad editions of their apps, which would be able to read those books. But iBooks won’t.

Does iBooks have a white-text-on-black-background option, the kind that makes reading in bed spouse-friendly?

Sadly, no, although you can fake it by opening the Settings app, tapping on General, then selecting Accessibility, and turning on “White on Black.” You can even set that features as a short-cut when you click three times on the home button. But that feature inverts the iPad’s entire interface, which is far from elegant. The good news is, iBooks does allow you to control the iPad’s backlight level directly from within the app. But we agree that a white-on-black option would be a good idea and we hope it’s added to iBooks.

Can you highlight text in iBooks? This would be essential for college books.

Yes, you can. In fact, not only can you highlight text (by selecting it and then choosing Highlight from the pop-up menu), you can even choose from five different colors (yellow, green, blue, pink, and purple). You can also quickly view all highlights (and jump to them) from the same screen that hosts the book’s table of contents.

What sorting options are the in the iBooks app? Can you sort by Author and/or Title? What about Genre?

In list view, you can sort by title, author name, or category. You can also see the books in the same custom order as when they appear in Bookshelf view.
Other Software

Does the App Store offer two different classes of apps–iPhone and iPod touch apps on one side, and iPad-optimized apps on the other?

Yes. The App Store app on the iPad splits search results in two–there are iPad apps and iPhone apps. You can download either kind, but of course iPhone apps will only run in iPhone emulation mode. Some apps appear with a plus (+) symbol, which Apple has chosen to indicate that the app is designed for bothiPad and iPhone, and will display natively on either system. (In other words, it’ll run in full-screen mode on an iPad, not in iPhone-compatibility mode. But on an iPhone, it’ll transmogrify to fit in the iPhone screen.

Some developers are using this split to create separate apps for the iPhone and iPad, thereby generating more cash. Others are updating their iPhone apps to also support the iPad. If you’ve bought such an iPhone app, you’re in luck–it means that you’ll be able to upgrade that app to the new version and use it on your iPad without paying extra.

Will I be able to move the apps I’ve already bought for my iPhone onto an iPad?

Yes. Plugging in an iPad to your Mac or PC will automatically transfer existing music, videos, and applications that you’ve purchased. However, unless the app in question has been updated for the iPad, you’ll get only the iPhone version.

Is there any way to get apps on the device that don’t come through the App Store?

The iPad is just as locked down as the iPhone and iPod touch–all apps are App Store apps approved by Apple. (Try saying that one five times fast.)

Apple tweaked iWork to run on the iPad–why not iLife?

At the moment, the iPad seems more focused on media consumption than media production. You can view your photos and videos, listen to music, read books, surf the Web, and so on. While the iPhone 3GS’s built-in camera takes pictures and records videos, there’s no similar way of creating media with iPad. As such, iLife programs like iMovie, GarageBand, iDVD, and even the editing capabilities of iPhoto are all absent. iTunes’s capabilities are mostly duplicated by the combination of the iPod application and the iTunes storefront application.

While it seems likely that the iPad will feature more media-creation tools (if not from Apple, then from third-party developers), it’s possible Apple chose not to focus on that aspect of the device because it was more complicated to develop the interface for media creation than it was to do so for media consumption.

If I open a PowerPoint file in Keynote, and edit it, can I save it back to PowerPoint?

No. Your options are to save it as a PDF or as a Keynote file.

The big question

I already carry an iPhone and a laptop. Why do I need a third device?

When you get right down to it, that’s the central issue surrounding the iPad. Apple touts its tablet as something that goes in between those devices. Not everyone will want one, but the theory seems to be that many people don’t really need a laptop for a lot of tasks. A simpler device like the iPad could better fit into people’s living rooms, or into their bags for commuting or long trips. But it’s definitely a leap of faith by Apple. Whether users will buy the iPad and integrate it into their lives, either replacing or complementing their existing devices, remains to be seen.

We’ll try to address this big question in our forthcoming full review.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Wireless Desktop Adapter
• Genius Wireless Keyboards
• Connect in Style with Buffalo’s New Hubs
• ‘World’s Smallest’ Android smartphones
• Windows 7 Compatible Router

By Matt Hamblen
Computerworld (US)
March 25, 2010

FRAMINGHAM - LAS VEGAS — Sprint Nextel launched the HTC EVO 4G smartphone at CTIA today, using the name EVO instead of Supersonic , for the Android-based device.

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said the device will appear in the summer, and said it can run on Sprint’s WiMax network “but is a terrific smartphone even at 3G speeds.”

The extent of WiMax availability could be critical, according to some analysts, but Sprint promoted the EVO on its own merits, noting its 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

The carrier demonstrated its HD-capable video camcorder and a 1.3 megapixel camera. It features a 4.3-in. display and a built-in kickstand to be used to stand up the device for viewing.

Sprint said the phone is 4.8 in. x 2.6 in. x .5 in. and weighs 6 ounces. Pricing was not announced.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Wireless Desktop Adapter
• Genius Wireless Keyboards
• Connect in Style with Buffalo’s New Hubs
• ‘World’s Smallest’ Android smartphones
• Windows 7 Compatible Router

By John Mark V. Tuazon
Computerworld Philippines
November 10, 2009

Telecommunications firms need to break out of the mold of merely providing access to consumers, and expand to avenues providing relevant content to their end-users, executives from a 3G technology innovator urged in a meeting with reporters Thursday.

Instead of competing for cost of 3G services, visiting Qualcomm officials said mobile networks should instead compete for value to sustain their business. “Because of its added capabilities, 3G is not just an addition to providing wireless Internet access,” said John Stefanac, president, Qualcomm Southeast Asia/Pacific. “It should be a medium for operators to offer a wide variety of services.”

Stefanac said that before, when operators were merely servicing voice and SMS to users, it was difficult to compete on value, “so they ended up competing on price. But 3G is more than that,” he stressed, adding that competing on value means delivering certain applications that are relevant to the end-users.

Stefanac illustrated the example of Amazon’s Kindle, which is the first e-Book reader device of its kind to have provided content to consumers without having to go through mobile operators. “They have their own relationship to customers,” he pointed out, “and because of that, they are able to offer customers end-to-end solutions that meet their needs.”

Because of the immense popularity of Kindle, Stefanac said mobile operators should be more involved in the device selection by its subscribers. “They have to make sure that subscribers are using those devices specifically due to the applications designed for them,” he stressed.

Stefanac said the development of applications utilizing the 3G network will ensure the migration of users to preferred networks, enabling operators to be a part of the value chain. “But as we see it, in the Philippines, the software development area of the 3G ecosystem needs to do more,” he commented. “Since the Philippines is an English-speaking nation, there can even be a potential for homegrown applications to be exported abroad.”

One type of application telcos can utilize, according to Stefanac, is the massive popularity of social networks such as Facebook and Friendster in the Philippines. “Social networking is an important factor in 3G growth,” Stefanac said.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Check Point clears the path to Web 2.0 application control
• Water cooling returns to IBM mainframe
• Microsoft still mum on programs prone to DLL hijacking attacks
• Mobile data traffic set to soar
• More IT managers plan to spend less, Oracle struggles with users, survey finds

By Mikael Ricknäs
IDG News Service (Stockholm Bureau)
August 25, 2009

STOCKHOLM - Nokia has unveiled the Booklet 3G, a netbook with high-speed mobile broadband and Wi-Fi connectivity, and a GPS receiver, the company said on Monday.

The Booklet 3G should run for up to 12 hours on one battery charge, Nokia said. It weighs 1.25 kilograms, has an aluminum chassis and is slightly more than 2 centimeters thin.

The mobile broadband connection will be based on HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access), but Nokia doesn’t want to elaborate on what speeds it will support.

The device also has a 10-inch screen, and can connect to bigger displays using an HDMI port, according to Nokia. Like most other netbooks on the market, it contains an Intel Atom processor and will run Windows — although Nokia isn’t yet ready to say which version of the OS.

Lately Nokia has shown an increasing amount of interest in Linux, a competitor to the Windows OS. Nokia announced in June that it will work with Intel on mobile devices running the Linux-based Maemo platform. But choosing Windows makes sense given consumer resistance to Linux netbooks, according to market research company CCS Insight.

Detailed specifications, market availability and pricing, will be announced at Nokia World on Sep. 2, Nokia said in a statement.

How competitive the specification will be when it ships remains to been seen, as a slew of netbooks based on Windows 7 are expected to be announced in the near future, according to Geoff Blaber, analyst at CCS Insight.

The price will be very important in determining the netbook’s success, and here Nokia is in a bit of a quandary, said Blaber. It can’t be too cheap, because that will make smartphones such as the N97 look expensive. But it can’t be too expensive, because that could alienate consumers who are used to low-priced netbooks, Blaber said.

But looking at the specification, it seems like the Booklet 3G will be an expensive product, according to Roberta Cozza, principal research analyst at Gartner. But she doesn’t want to guess what it will cost.

A high price tag means Nokia will hope to get operators to subsidize the device. But getting operators to do that might turn out to be difficult, according to Blaber. Nokia’s services push will be an integral part of the Booklet 3G, and that might not sit well with all carriers, he said.

Nokia said the move into the portable computing market is a natural evolution for the company. The launch of the device has been rumored for several months.

The company is clearly hoping to take advantage of its brand and its mobile phone distribution channels to compete in the cutthroat netbook segment, Blaber said.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Check Point clears the path to Web 2.0 application control
• Water cooling returns to IBM mainframe
• Microsoft still mum on programs prone to DLL hijacking attacks
• Mobile data traffic set to soar
• More IT managers plan to spend less, Oracle struggles with users, survey finds

By Tom S. Noda
Computerworld Philippines
July 4, 2006

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) chief Roland Solis said the commission is ready to defend before Congress the amount of license fees it charged to four telecommunications companies to operate third-generation or 3G services.

Representatives Simeon Kintanar (Cebu, 2nd district, NPC) and Danilo Suarez (Quezon, 3rd district, LP), chairpersons of the House of Representatives’ committees on ICT and Oversight, respectively, earlier expressed doubts on whether the NTC followed the law in granting 3G licenses last December.

NTC chairman Roland Solis said in an interview that the commission is ready to defend the amount of 3G user spectrum fees it charged to service providers Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Digital Telecommunications (Digitel), and newcomer CURE (Connectivity Unlimited Resources, Enterprises, Inc.).

The commission reportedly earned P2.3 billion but according to lawmakers, the amount is significantly less than what is charged in other countries that have rolled out 3G and that the government could have earned at least P15 billion if bidding was conducted.

Solis added the NTC is likewise ready to defend its decision to reject the applications of five other service providers namely, Bayan Telecommunications Inc., AZ Network Communications Inc., Pacific Wireless, Media Telephony and Next Mobile.

In its decision, the NTC ruled that the above-mentioned operators are “unqualified” to deliver 3G services. Since the number of qualified applicants is less than the five spectrum allotments, NTC argues there is no need to conduct bidding.

Reps. Kintanar and Suarez, along with other members of their respective committees, asked the NTC to consider reviewing the license fees paid by four players to determine if these were “fair and reasonable.”

“We are ready to deliberate on it but we just don’t want to be discourteous to the congressmen because we are still being investigated. But we are ready,” Solis said in reference to the license fees.

According to him, the commission is currently reviewing the rates it is charging for the entire frequency spectrum, not just 3G.

“We are thinking if there is a need for us to increase the fees at this time, not just on 3G but on all spectrum usages like UMTS, WiMax, and Wi-Fi,” he said.

Regarding the request for review of qualifications of 3G applicants, Solis said NTC has already done the “groundwork” but is yet to deliberate on it.

Asked about Suarez’s earlier warning that NTC officials could face graft charges if it does not abolish the 3G licenses, Solis refused to comment and added, “I can’t comment on that. I would rather wait for the (committee) report.”

Email the author at tsnoda@computerworld.com.ph.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Check Point clears the path to Web 2.0 application control
• Software blades boosts virtual security management
• Security gateway extends software blades to the edge of the network
• Lawson forays to cloud apps, gives users power of choice
• Oracle unveils social, user-centric update to BPM middleware

By Tom S. Noda
Computerworld Philippines
June 28, 2006

The House of Representatives’ committees on Oversight and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are currently studying new and “reasonable” fees for telecommunication companies who acquired licenses to operate third generation or 3G mobile services.

Rep. Simeon Kintanar (Cebu, 2nd district, NPC), chairman of the Lower House committee on ICT, said both committees are studying ways to come up with “upfront and yearly broad spectrum fees” for service providers Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Digital Telecommunications (Digitel) and CURE (Connectivity Unlimited Resources Enterprise, Inc.).

“The rates of (3G) spectrum users’ fees are being reviewed because we want to make sure that the provision of the law, which asks for a reasonable rate, would be applied,” Kintanar said in an interview with Computerworld Philippines.

Kintanar said Congress is once again calling the attention of the National Telecommunications Communications (NTC) to consider reviewing the license fees paid by four players whether it was indeed “fair and reasonable.”

Although he admits that this matter needs further study, Kintanar hinted the license fees set by the NTC might not be reasonable compared to spectrum fees in other countries that rolled out 3G.

Kintanar, who once served as NTC commissioner, also expressed doubt whether the current commission has properly evaluated the qualifications of all 3G license applicants.

According to him, the main reason on why NTC did not bid out the frequencies for 3G is that there were five sets of spectrums available. Under the law, if there are enough spectrums to give away to qualified applicants, then there is no need for a bidding.

“We have to apply the law. But I don’t know if they were able to properly process the evaluation of the interested applicants,” he said. “They were nine of them originally, and only four qualified.”

The other applicants were Bayan Telecommunications Inc., AZ Network Communications Inc., Pacific Wireless, Media Telephony and Next Mobile.

Rep. Danilo Suarez, (Quezon, 3rd district, LP) chairman of the Oversight committee, earlier said that the system NTC applied in distributing frequencies was patterned to suit at least four or five licensees.

Solis reported the NTC earned P2.3 billion in the awarding of four licenses. But lawmakers are arguing that the commission could have earned P15 billion to P26 billion more.

Email the author at tsnoda@computerworld.com.ph.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Check Point clears the path to Web 2.0 application control
• Software blades boosts virtual security management
• Security gateway extends software blades to the edge of the network
• Lawson forays to cloud apps, gives users power of choice
• Oracle unveils social, user-centric update to BPM middleware