We’ve been able to confirm with multiple sources at Target that the retailer will start carrying the Apple iPad tomorrow, September 1st. This will make Target the second reseller of the iPad, with the first being Best Buy. We don’t have the full details yet on the launch just yet, but the company has sent out an internal email to it’s store managers saying that the device will be launched tomorrow.

Samsung is getting ready to unleash their beast. The highly anticipated Galaxy Slab Tab is finally becoming official and being announced on September 2nd at the IFA event in Berlin, Germany. This beauty of a device is aiming for the top spot in the tablet market with the iPad hot in it’s sights. Samsung is bringing to the table a nice 7” display that measures 1024x600 pixel resolution, 3.2MP camera, QVGA front camera, GPS, 3G support, 802.11N WiFi, 4000 mAh battery, 16 GB of internal storage, and video calling. I’m also guessing they’re bringing that amazingly stunning SuperAMOLED display protected by gorilla glass to this as well since it is part of the Galaxy familia. The teaser trailer over on Samsung’s site shows this tablet is quite the marvel to look at. I would say this looks almost as good as the iPad itself. The thinness of the iPad makes it a tad bit sexier. The trailer also reveals the Tab will be running Samsung’s TouchWiz 3.0 atop of Android version 2.2, Froyo. Since the device is part of the Galaxy series, expect for this piece of hardware to be extremely fast with that 1Ghz Hummingbird processor and at least 512MB of RAM, which is more than enough to power this monstrosity. With that kind of power under the hood, I think it’s going to be safe to say Apple is going to get a run for their money on this one, that is until we see what decides to come out on Black Friday…

Deep down in the secretive world of Cupertino, Apple (AAPL) is testing their first actual update of iOS 4 on the next iPod Touch, iPad revision and an “Unknown” product, Appleinsider has discovered.
According to people familiar with the matter, the latest beta of iOS 4.1, which is due to ship in the coming weeks, includes three new “Configuration Descriptors” within its USB configuration files — all of which pertain to devices that list “Apple, Inc.” as their “manufacturer”; can be seen in the screenshot below.

The first product, a fourth-generation iPod touch, is referenced within the code as “iPod 4,1.” That particular identifier shows the device will be the first iteration of a fourth-generation device, rather than a revision to the touch’s existing design, which would have been denoted as an “iPod 3,2.”

For Apple, this represents the fourth consecutive year in which the company will deliver a significant internal or external design change to its flagship iPod, keeping a tradition that has seen the media player’s adopt the architecture of iPhones that hit the market a few months earlier.

As such, this year’s iPod touch family calls for models akin to a slimmer iPhone 4, equipped with dual cameras, FaceTime support, Apple’s custom A4 processor, and high resolution Retina Display. For reference, the first three generations of the iPod touch were identified as “iPod 1,1,” “iPod 2,1″ and “iPod 3,1,” respectively.

The second unreleased product referenced in the USB configuration files is “iProd 2,1.” All indications are that this device represents a material update to the company’s iPad, as the inaugural version of the device released this past April was similarly listed in configuration files as “iProd 1,1″ prior to its announcement.

Finally, and most intriguing, is a previously undiscovered mention of a mysterious device listed only as “unknownHardware.” Although the configuration files tag this device with a unique Apple product ID of 20547, it’s textual descriptor is similarly listed as “Unknown- Add device descriptor info for this device.” Could this device be the hotly, most anticipated, Verizon iPhone we’ve been hearing about recently in the past few weeks? A source code and sources have noted that Apple is about to hit field testing for the devices, so I wouldn’t be too surprised if these are actually the iPad 2 and CDMA Verizon iPhone. Only Apple knows the actual details of these products and will eventually tell us what they are. Fortunately September is just right around the corner, so the iPod touch news isn’t that far away (September is when Apple decides to release their latest refreshes/updates to their iPod line). The other two products might be held off until January to line up with CES 2011 and who else other than Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg to Keynote the expo off with a bang. I hope you registered for this event because I know we here at Smartphone Nation did. See you there!

Source Appleinsider

There has been tons of speculation as to whether Hulu was going to bring its popular episode viewer to the iPhone and iPad. The speculation turned into a reality today as the company announced Hulu Plus, ad-supported subscription based app that will allow users to watch full television episodes right from their iOS 4 device. The downside? The subscription to Hulu Plus will run you $9.99 a month. The company is offering users a chance to request a invite to the service before it is launched here.

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Rogers has partnered exclusively with the 2010 FIFA World Cup to offer live streaming to Rogers Apple iPad customers. The application can be downloaded on the App Store and will allow you to stream all the remaining 2010 FIFA World Cup games on your iPad.

As a bonus offer, the application will be free to download and also streaming will be free and unlimited. That means that any data generated while using the application will not be deducted from your monthly bucket. To get the application, search Rogers LIVE 2010 FIFA World Cup to download today. How’s that for our Canadian iPad lovers?

Thanks again Miranda!

We got our hands on a popular database software Bento that was developed for the iPad. You may be asking yourself why you would ever need a personal database software. To be honest, we were asking the same thing when we decided to review this application. However, upon playing with the app we actually found it pretty useful for everyday use. Bento lists some of its common uses on its website:

• Organize contacts, clubs and mailing lists
• Track projects, tasks, and deadlines
• Plan special events, parties and weddings
• Link photos to contacts, projects, and events
• Manage students, classes, and lecture notes
• Search wine and movie collections
• Catalog inventory, assets, and equipment
• Record billable hours and payments due
• Keep a daily log of diet and exercise
• Store recipes and shopping lists

Bento for iPad is one of those applications that really utilizes the iPad’s big screen. There are numerous drop down menus that make it easy to navigate around the application while still seeing content in the background. On the left side of the screen when in landscreen mode there is a list (in alphabetical order) that tells you the name or description of the database entry. Upon clicking the entry, the right side has all the information you have inputted into the database. The entry looks like a notebook in which you would keep the paper version of the information. In portrait mode all you see if the entry which really makes it feel like you are holding a notebook (seen in image above).

Creating different libraries is extremely easy with the pre-designed database templates that let you record anything from inventory to a classroom student list. These pre-designed templates really let you organize your life’s information into the application. We used a bunch of these pre-designed templates to organize our life. Some of the tools we used were: To Do List, Contacts, Files, Expenses, Classes, and Notes. Upon creating the Library. It is simple to input data and create different entries that can easily be accessed later.

Syncing the information to your Mac is very easy and doesn’t even require you to plug it into the computer. If the Mac and the iPad are both on the same Wi-Fi network, you can link them up to sync your information so that it will be the same on both devices. This could be very important when used in a small business to keep track of inventory and other business processes. Syncing to the Mac requires Bento for Mac which will run you $49 for a single license.

Bento for iPad is available from the App Store for $5. The price is definitely fair for what you get out of the application if you are looking for a database program. The application can be purchased here.

As much as Rogers tried to be the only carrier to provide the iPad data plans, they didn’t succeed. Bell has announced that they will also provide iPad data plans. Prices start at $15 for 250mb or $35 for 5gb. Exactly the same as Rogers. You will also have access to all of Bell’s WiFi Hotspots throughout Canada including Starbucks… etc. So Rogers or Bell? It’s all up to you.

Press Release

As you may of heard. Apple today has announced that they will start accepting pre-orders around the world for the Apple iPad. Canadians will have the choice of 2 different models in 3 different capacities. WiFi models are as followed:

• $549.00 for 16GB + WiFi
• $649.00 for 32GB + WiFi
• $749.00 for 64GB + WiFi

And for the 3G models, you’ll pay about $130 more for each model:

• $679.00 for 16GB + WiFi/3G
• $779.00 for 32GB + WiFi/3G
• $879.00 for 64GB + WiFi/3G

As expected. Rogers today also announced their iPad pricing for Canadian consumers just in-time for Apple to start pre-orders. The price plan is nothing out of the ordinary and we didn’t expect the unlimited plan to roll out at all, but it’s decent and best of all, there’s no contract! So here’s the deal:

• 250 MB for $15 + WiFi (Includes free unlimited access to all Rogers WiFi hotspot)
• 5 GB for $35 + WiFi (Includes free unlimited access to all Rogers WiFi hotspot)

Rogers customer experience shows that 250mb/5GB plans will be more than enough for virtually all customers. 99.8% of iPhone customers use less then 5GB of data while 95.6% of rocket stick mobile internet users use less the 5GB per month. With the statistics, as you can see. 5GB should be enough for your iPad pleasure. And as for 250MB? not so much… choose wisely.

iPad Canadian Pre-Order

[Source via: RedBoard]

Apple has held up its end of the promise saying that the iPad WiFi + 3G version would be coming out at the end of April. Beginning on April 30 at 5pm, consumers will be able to hit a Apple store and purchase a 3G-capable iPad. Apple has also said that customers who pre-ordered the device should start receiving it on the 30th. That is, unless you ordered it on or after Monday in which case you will receive it on May 7.

Big news inside the world of Rogers. It seems like Rogers has been chosen (obviously) to be the carrier that will support the iPad 3G. Price plans will be released around the end of May along with the devices. We’re not too sure how it’s going to work and if Rogers Wireless will be selling the iPad as well or will it just be the Apple store. I’m just suprised that Canada is even getting the 3G model. No specific dates or price points yet. Check back soon for more information.

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