If you haven’t seen the all the rumors circulating about a redesigned AppleTV based on the iOS, take a look at this link. The question now is with it run Apps from the App Store? I can’t imaging Apple limiting the device. What remains is what kinds of things could you do with your TV powered by iOS. Here some speculation and wish listing.

• Reading my email on the TV
• Playing games. Now, can Apple invent a wireless controller complete with an accelerometer and and gyroscope? I’m looking for NCAA football!
• Using a word processor and spreadsheet. Easy to see on an 1080p screen.
• Google Earth and Google Maps
• Weather on Demand
• Netflix. (I’ve got to have my Netflix)
• Video streaming with iTunes sharing. (Hey, another reason to use Air Video Server)
• Shopping on eBay
• Shopping on Amazon
• iBooks for the AppleTV? This could be the BIGGEST eReader ever.
• Another way to play my photos on the TV.
• iMove of the TV? OK, I know… right now there’s not a camera attached to the TV, and why would you want to capture video of your kids watching the latest episode of Dora the Explorer, but how cool would it be to edit the movies from your iPhone on a huge TV screen. Who would want a to do this on a computer ever again.
• What if we mounted a video camera on the TV, could this be the best way to Skype, iChat, or FaceTime someone? How cool could that be.
• Hey, and there’s about 250,000 more Applications that could make it’s way to the TV if you can run Apps from the App Store.

If this device is a reality, and anywhere near the $99 price spoken about on blogs across the net, then Apple with have a hit on their hands. Well, at least they will after the usual suspects spend three weeks telling everyone why “<insert some other name product here>” is better and the measly 16GB of local storage and no USB port.

Opinions?

Is Apple reinventing the AppleTV? is a post from: iPad unWiReD

• iPadWallpapers.org
• iPad-Wallpapers.com
• iFullscreen.com
• Graphicmania.net

If your interested in creating your own, stay tuned to my net article “Make your own iPad backgrounds.”

iPad Backgrounds is a post from: iPad unWiReD

It seems like forever since I ordered my iPad 3G about a month and a half ago. It felt like it would never arrive. Was it worth the wait? Only time will tell.

I’ve written several articles about the iPad, but this was only with experience from using floor models at my local Apple Store. I must admit, the time at the store does not compare with personal alone time. As amazing as my expectations for this device has been I can definitely say I’m not at all dissatisfied. (Now if someone will just make a serial cable, all my dreams will come true)

I hesitate to write the same review everyone is writing. Besides there isn’t much different with the iPad 3G save the 3G hardware, and as I’ve stated several times I’ll be using only when on vacation or company business.

If there is one complaint that I just have to voice, it’s the poor navigation of Apple’s App Store. Though the collection of iPad specific applications is limited I already find it difficult to find things. This isn’t a problem just for iPad Apps, but also for iPhone apps too. Apple please fix it.

I’m off to spend more time with my new toy, check back soon for additional thoughts, updates and maybe even a few reviews.

It’s finally here is a post from: iPad unWiReD

• Read the reviews everyone else has posted. (Again)
• Go by my local Apple Store and gawk at the Wireless Only version.
• Write another useless post on my blog so that everyone will realize that I haven’t left the country. (Yet)
• Check the Apple Store every hour for a shipment change.

Is the wait over yet? is a post from: iPad unWiReD

I thought I was over it, but when the package came, I was still disappointed. What good is a case without an iPad. This STINKS and is really a BAD TEASE.

A Bad Tease is a post from: iPad unWiReD

I didn’t realize there is a little slot on the backside that allows you to slip the lip of the case into to secure it. Well designed and implemented. I also found the feel of if to be sleek and practical.

The keyboard orientation was just about perfect. The jury is still out for me for long-term typing. I’m use to resting my hands on my keyboard, and found that doing that on the iPad didn’t work very well. This in effect slowed my typing and made it nearly impossible for me to type without looking. The on consolation is that the screen is in close proximity to the onscreen keyboard, so watching is easier.

The video orientation is nice, but probably not something I’d use much unless I’m on a plane or maybe at the lake on the picnic table.

The Apple store had an assortment of six or seven cases, but they were already out of the Apple iPad case.

Have you found any “Can’t live without” accessories for the iPad? Feel free to share in the comments section.

Apple iPad Case is a post from: iPad unWiReD

I didn’t post yesterday simply because there were already 10,000 post and reviews of the iPad. I’m also on of those who pre-order the iPad 3G so doing a launch day review wasn’t an option. Today I’d like to focus on what to do now that you’ve got you iPad.

If your like me, you probably did a pre-launch day search in iTunes to find all the great apps just laying around waiting for a device to run on. I picked up a few myself. Here’s what my list looks like.

• Netflix (Got to have my streaming video)
• Pages (Maybe we can do something productive on the iPad after all)
• Dictionary.com (Ok I can’t spell)
• ABC Player (Has CBS and Hulu released and app yet?)
• WinAdmin (Maybe work will pay for this one… I “really need it” to mange our network servers.
• LogMein Ignition (Got to keep those servers working when while I’m on the beach)
• The Wall Street Journal (Isn’t the iPad suppose to save the print media?)
• PCalc FREE (Hey, Apple didn’t give us one)
• Banner for iPad (I’ve always wanted to tell the guy behind me just what I think about him following me so close)
• WordPress (I’m planning updates while at the Lake this summer)
• Break FREE HD (Time for a little brainless fun)
• Bible HD (Keep up with the preacher on Sunday)
• Night Stand HD (Heading to Vegas next week, I’ll need a good alarm clock)

After looking around for a while, there still seems to be some holes in the iPad specific offerings, but I’m sure our developer friends are hard at work and will release thousands more apps soon. There were also some absent friends (like Facebook) that I believe may be less significant now that we have a device with a large amount of screen real estate. We’ll probably see some of these, but I was more important on the smaller iPhone/iPod Touch.

Have you got your iPad yet? What apps were a must for you? What’s missing.

The iPad’s here, what to do now is a post from: iPad unWiReD

Excited about the iPad release next week? You should be. Even if you’re not planning on purchasing one right now, I believe the date will be significant and here my list of reasons why.

• Apple is riding high on success lately and that momentum will mean a lot for the iPad that is struggling for an identity in the eyes of many tech-heads.
• eReader Plus. For all the great eReaders out there, they really don’t do much. Here’s a chance to change all of that.
• Apple is first! Ok, maybe there are some devices already out that fall into the iPad/slate category, but Apple is on the leading edge this time around. This is a change in strategy for Apple who has for some time innovated in already existing markets (e.g. MP3/Media players)
• Third-party iPad specific Apps. I’ve said it before, the Apps are what will make or brake the iPad. Innovation is what will make the iPad great. (Though it will likely cost us a little more)
• Most of our questions will finally get answered. iPad reviews will clog up blogs, magazines, podcast, forums, and newspapers for weeks and weeks. I’m sure we’ll see post after post of people complaining about the lack of Mac Computer content just like we did when the iPhone was released.
• The local Apple Store will have iPad’s on hand for the us to touch and feel. I watched several reviews from individuals fortunate enough to get their hands on the device following the announcement, but one sticks out in particular. “I really didn’t get it until I picked it up.“
• For those of you waiting for the Second Generation iPad, you’re now about a year away.

Feel free to let iPad unWiReD know your thoughts when you get your iPad.

Four More Days is a post from: iPad unWiReD

• Search the web for the 1 millionth time for something new about the iPad. Check!
• Read everything on Apple’s website again. Hey, did they change some of the pictures? Check!
• Watch the keynote address again and pretend this is the first time you ever heard of the iPad. Check!
• Print a full sized copy of the iPad on you color printer, paste it to a piece of cardboard and pretend you just received it from the online store. No check… really I’m not crazy.
• Drive by your local Apple Store and begin putting up your tent. Who cares if your early, you’re probably not first. Hey, that’s why I pre-ordered.
• Write down all the things you can’t stand about the HP Slate. Check!
• Write a post that really covers nothing, but fills up space on the web. Double-Check!

OK, maybe I didn’t do all of those, but I did spend some time looking for free eBooks in ePub format. Check out some of these sites if your interested.

• ePubBooks.com
• Feedbooks
• Manybooks
• Planet eBook
• Project Gutenberg
• eBooks Just Published
• Smashwords
  

Getting Ready for the iPad is a post from: iPad unWiReD

I want one of the sleek devices, but I’m not willing to plunk down the cash unless it’s for the 3G version. I don’t really need the 3G capability daily, but we do take family trips from time to time. While on vacation I’d really like to leave my laptop at home and purchase a month’s worth of 3G just for the trip (we’ll call it a vacation expense).

I’ve fallen into the “doing work while on vacation” trap more than once, but equipped with an iPad I believe most of the temptation will be left in my backpack next to the bed when I’m away.

To this end, I’m going to wait the extra month for the 3G iPad… but I couldn’t resit pre-ordering it.

Have you placed your order yet? What type of iPad did you or are you planning on ordering?

iPad On Order is a post from: iPad unWiReD