One cannot deny that they’ve made progress, at least in the data center field. That’s just a small facet of their organization, though. What about consumer electronics?

That is, after all, one of the areas which Greenpeace criticized.

The iPad is widely regarded as one of the most revolutionary pieces of technology released in the past decade. It’s single-handedly changed the face of business, contributed considerably to the prominence of mobile computing and inspired a craze of the sort which hasn’t been seen since Apple first unleashed the iPod on the world. It was the beginning of the tablet craze, the device everybody wanted to have.

As is often the case, everybody was so caught up in the hype that no one really stopped to consider the sort of impact iPad production might be having on the world. That’s what today’s infographic examines.

It’s called ‘How Green is the iPad?” and it goes into detail about the CO2 emissions involved in the iPad’s production, distribution, regular usage, and recycling. It also looks at the materials used in the production of an iPad, and what sort of impact they have on the environment – as well as whether or not they’re toxic.

Last but certainly not least, it offers us a brief glimpse into Apple’s recycling program, which is reportedly offered in a staggering 95% of the countries in which the iPad is distributed. The question that remains, of course, is whether or not anyone actually makes use of the program.

The infographic is below. Click for a larger version, and I’ll see you fine folks later.

What do you think?

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Just How Green is the iPad? [Infographic]

Well, that was my reaction when somebody recently told me about Memoto.

It is a tiny little camera – with no buttons – that you wear on your shirt. It automatically takes photos throughout the day, geo-tags them with the built-in GPS technology, and stores them so that you have an automatic photographic record of your life.

It only takes photos when you’re wearing it. And it takes those photos every 30 seconds. It began as a project on Kickstarter, and now delivery of these tiny cameras is set to begin in April 2013.

Here’s a video which explains more:

What initially shocked me about this was simply… “Why would anybody want to photograph every moment of their day?”

And, initially, I thought it was sharing all of that out to the Internet (which would be freaky).

It looks like that isn’t true. Only YOU can selectively share photos on the Internet and, unless you do that, everything is private.

Which still begs the question…. why?

I can see three reasons:

1. Pure vanity. There are indeed some people who enjoy sharing every waking moment of their lives on the Internet. So, I guess something like this would give a lot of fuel to work with.
2. Backup for your brain. Most of us tend to think in mental pictures, but we also tend to forget them. If you want to remember something from earlier in the day, perhaps the camera caught it for you.
3. Unexpected surprises. Things happen and sometimes you can get some really cool photos at the moment unexpected times. Something like this has a much higher likelihood of capturing those little moments.

It is an interesting little piece of technology, regardless of whether any of us would actually use it or not.

For more information, check out Memoto.

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Automatic LifeLogging With Memoto – A Camera On Your Shirt

It starts with a brief overview of the top two mobile platforms. There aren’t really any surprises here. The Android store considers more apps, more comments are allowed, and the average price is lower. The iPhone, on the other hand, considers less comments, boasts a slightly lower average rating, and a higher average and maximum price.

Next, the graphic examines user satisfaction based on mobile app quality. The differences are fairly negligible here: on average, neither platform seems to have an advantage over the other, and none of the different types of applications appear to excite users more than any of the others (though games on iOS are rated slightly higher).

Finally, the infographic concludes with a summary of what users on each platform dislike, based on a sample of over 250,000 comments. Curiously, on Android, most users dislike installation and pricing, while very few seem to moan much about UI controls, security, hang, crashing, or  poor performance. On iOS, meanwhile, the most common complaint (by a considerably wide margin) appears to be about pricing. Perhaps the higher average price of iOS apps doesn’t really sit well with users who’ve already shelled out several hundred for a designer tablet?

Anyway, that’s pretty much all there is to it. It’s not some magical ‘cure-all’ resource by any stretch, but it’s still a bit of information that could certainly come in handy through the development process. At the very least, you can figure out what not to do through extrapolation, right?

You can find the infographic below. Click for a larger version.

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[INFOGRAPHIC]: All About Mobile App Quality

A number of solutions exist to address this problem: extra batteries, car chargers, and solar chargers. The last item on that list is hardly a new idea; solar charging devices have been on the market for quite some time.

But none of them are quite like the WakaWaka Power.

Some of you may have heard of the WakaWaka Light, which hit the market last year; with the goal of both providing charging capabilities to consumers on the road as well as safe, non-toxic power and light to developing nations such as Haiti.

Recently, the organization behind the WakaWaka Light has put their product through something of an upgrade process. The new device functions both as an LED lamp and as a solar charger capable of charging virtually any mobile device you might happen to be using. It clips on to most smartphones, and features a USB jack for charging iPads and other tablets, with indicators for battery level and charge progress. Not only that, it’s portable, easy to use, and incredibly effective. There’s just one tiny caveat to the whole deal…

It’s still a prototype at the moment. There’s currently a kickstarter campaign running in an effort to make enough money to distribute the devices (it’s already well exceeded its goal). Those of you who go to Kickstarter to contribute can nab a model of the device for yourself (assuming you pledge enough to cover the cost of one of the devices).

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WakaWaka Power: The Portable Solar Charger and Light

The first of these is that, along with the Internet, mobility is changing the way we consume, think and communicate. We use our devices for pretty much everything from chatting to surfing the web to watching videos to shopping to organizing our day. This trend is, in turn, changing how we access media, where we do our browsing, and when we view and surf.

At this point, I’m telling you a bunch of stuff you already know: it’s obvious that smartphones and tablets have changed something fundamental about the way we connect with one another. People have been buzzing about it virtually since day one of the mobile web craze.

Today’s infographic, titled “5 Ways Mobile Devices have Changed the Way Americans Consume Media” quantifies the craze surrounding mobile usage. It looks in detail at how much time Americans spend on their smartphones and tablets, at what point during the day most people use their devices, and what they use those devices for. Finally, the infographic concludes with the influence that various mediums wield on a customer’s purchasing decisions – as it turns out, we shouldn’t count cable TV out just yet. Apparently, around 57% of people surveyed by Inmobi (the organization responsible for the infographic) said that television wields the most influence over their purchasing decisions.

As always, you can find a compact version of the infographic below – click for a larger image.

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[Infographic]: How Mobile Phones Have Changed Media Consumption

Clearly, iOS users were pretty pissed off about Apple Maps and wanted Google Maps back. In fact, this is one of those rare occasions where Apple actually issued an apology.

One’s opinions on Apple Maps depends alot on where you live. In some areas, the maps were sorely inaccurate. In other areas, it wasn’t bad at all. The traffic information was pretty hit and miss, and the database of places was lacking. Turn-by-turn was executed very nicely, but if the data it is using just isn’t that great, then it affects the usability of the entire app.

So, there are clearly many iPhone users who were just fine with Apple Maps.

But, there is no doubt that Google is just MUCH better at it.

The new Google Maps app is very well designed, following suit with the new design schemes of many of Google’s apps for iOS lately. Google Street View is very seamlessly built right in now. And, yes, the app now sports turn-by-turn directions. Features of the app are very easily brought in via simple swipes.

It doesn’t do any offline maps, so this won’t replace apps like Garmin and TomTom for those iPhone users who need the maps baked into the phone. But, for most people, Google Maps will do everything you need.

3 Lessons for Apple

Obviously, I’m just a casual observer and user. So, to sit here as a blogger and play armchair executive for Apple is all too easy. But, I’ll do it anyway.

1. Apple failed to listen to its users. Users did not want new maps. That being said, users DID want turn-by-turn. And, it has long been a favorite bash on the iPhone that it didn’t have turn-by-turn navigation built into it. The problem was never that the iPhone couldn’t do it. The problem was licensing. Google simply wouldn’t allow Apple to do turn-by-turn using its maps. So, from that perspective, Apple HAD to abandon Google Maps. The problem was…
2. They didn’t execute well. In the rush to get to market, they released a half-baked Maps app. And, the reason it was half-baked is because…
3. Apple isn’t a data company. Apple is a hardware company, primarily. They also develop some software and most of it is pretty good. But, they are not a data company. Apple has traditionally sucked when it comes to anything data-driven or cloud-based. So, Apple trying to get into the maps business was just ill-conceived. As a company, sometimes you need to concentrate on your strengths. Google is a data company. Apple isn’t. End of story.

In the end, Google Maps is now what I’ll be using on my iPhone. And, the regular Maps app will sit in a folder and be a little play app that I can use when I want to fly like a bird around Manhattan or San Francisco. Which, isn’t very often.

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Google Maps is Back on the iPhone – Users Rejoice

Can you imagine using your smartphone to be able to turn your home lights on or off, or monitor your home heating/cooling system? It’s already here and more people are taking advantage of it. From monitoring lights in your house, to raising or lowering window shades, wireless home control networks are playing a big role.

And having remote access to your home systems via smartphone, you can control more of your home environment while on the road for business or pleasure. This has benefits in saving money on air conditioning or heating usage, refrigerator control, lights, shades and more.

Home automation via wireless network controls is a growth industry. Technology market research firm ABI Research estimated in its 2012 Home Automation, Security and Monitoring report that by 2017, 90 million homes worldwide will use automation systems. That’s a solid 60 percent growth during the next five years.

ABI suggested smartphone applications are the key drivers in letting homeowners control and check their homes from wherever they are. And that’s helping to drive down costs for connectivity options via monthly subscriber offerings rather than traditional high costs of large up-front installation and equipment purchase.

Getting Started

For most folks, the first step into a smart home (home automation) technologies is to create a wireless control network that controls simple devices such as lights or blinds. To get started in creating a home wireless control system, two popular protocols exist for home automation control. One is ZigBee and the other is Z-Wave.

These wireless protocols are low-power, short-range wireless systems that incorporate mesh networking to enable coverage throughout the home. Plus, these networks don’t interfere with more common Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless networks you may already have in the home.

Here are some of the ways wireless control networks are already automating your home’s basic functions with technology. These systems are being integrated in new homes and homeowners are looking to upgrade in older models.

Wireless Home Security

If you’re a homeowner that works away from home, you know the value of a good home security system. For years, traditional home systems were wired to a phone landline and monitoring stations, and that has led to products like intruder alarms, door access control systems and outdoor surveillance cameras tied to closed circuit security systems.

The rise in cellular technology and smartphone usage is bringing newer home security systems tied to cell signals and Internet access to the masses. These wireless systems work even in the event of a power outage, downed Internet access or even when phone lines are cut. Affordable and easy to install, wireless systems are highly recommended to anyone who wants to avoid installing equipment into walls or forgo complicated wiring without compromising security.

One company, LifeShield (www.lifeshield.com), offers a Web and mobile app called LifeView that gives homeowners real-time access to home security systems, and it’s accessible to users through their smartphones, tablets or PCs, at no extra charge. Having this accessibility to your home security system while on the go will likely be a huge boom to homeowners in the coming years.

Kitchen Food Needs

RFID (radio frequency identification) technology via home automation systems is becoming more of a useful tool to identify refrigerator contents, control your ovens, coffee makers and other appliances.

Use your smartphone in connection with a home automation system to manage perishables and leftovers to better reduce spoilage, leave a digital note on your fridge door’s LCD screen, or stream a saved episode of a cooking program to your refrigerator door video screen while you cook.

You can also program and synchronize clocks and schedules, download new recipes from the Internet, and get text or email notifications when certain cooked foods or your coffee is ready!

Household Appliances

With a wireless control network set up, homeowners can work remotely with household appliances like washers and dryers in new tech ways. You can download new wash-cycle programs from the cloud; go online to check the status of your laundry, and if the event of any malfunctions, automatically notify the manufacturer or a repairman using your smartphone.

Heating & Cooling Systems

This may be one of the more crucial advantages to having remote access to your home. You can remotely program your temperature settings in the home while you’re away. This is super important if you’re leaving town for a few days and don’t have to keep the home cool or warm for pets. You can remotely set the temps to keep costs low and reset for when you’re returning from an extended trip.

Lighting & Blinds

In autumn and winter, the sun sets earlier and nights start sooner. It’s time to readjust your network lighting controls to turn lights on or off earlier. You can also set a schedule to open and close your window shades to keep potential burglars guessing if you’re at home or not. Plus, you can reduce money on heating and cooling bills by remotely letting in sunlight to give warmth, or keep shades down in the hot summer to control the cool air within.

Recently, the former CEO of CEDIA (Customer Electronic Design & Installation Association) is starting a new company that looks into the future and finds a business model that hopes to build a cloud-based home automation service and sell ads to subscribers that might include the subscriber’s choice of TV stations, home temperature settings, arrivals and departures and more.

Whatever way you look, the future keeps getting more tech advanced for home automation needs. No longer will you have to return home in the car because you forgot to lock the door. There’ll be an app for that.

After getting her Computer Science degree in NorCal, Alana Bender’s interest in writing about technology took over & she started freelancing for various blogs & publications. Alana loves the beach & Apple products.

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Automating Your Home With Smart Wireless Technology

You get the idea. Essentially, they streamline a bunch of tasks for which we used to need at least ten different pieces of tech, and shove them all into a single, portable device. It’s easy to see why everybody loves them, and why those few who still don’t have a smartphone are sometimes seen as a bit strange.

The fact is, most of us can’t live without our phones, simply because they keep us in contact with people from both our work and personal lives. Myself, I don’t even have a landline – I’ve my smartphone, and an Internet phone line. The easiest way to reach me is to send a text. It’s safe to say that many people actually do need their smartphones. But at what point does that need cross the road over into an addiction? At what point does viewing something as a necessity for one’s day-to-day life steamroll out of control into an obsession?

We’ve already covered Social Media and Internet addiction, so today we’re going to look at something very, very similar – smartphone addiction. According to a Gazelle survey some time ago, at least 65% of people feel as though they can’t live without their phone. Of those respondents,  18% were willing to sacrifice their personal hygiene and health for a smartphone, while 15% would rather give up on intercourse than give up their iPhone for a few days.

The infographic – which breaks down smartphone usage habits as well as addiction – can be seen below. One interesting tidbit from the piece concerns how Blackberry users view the world. Apparently, we’re much more pessimistic.

I wonder why that is?

As always, click for a larger version, and I’ll see you folks next time.

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[Infographic]: Are you Addicted to your Smartphone?

What exactly does it mean for mobile gaming?

A great many websites have already detailed all the important stuff about the iPhone 5 (at least, where gaming is concerned). I’ll sum them up briefly here: it’s got a much beefier battery than previous models, better speakers and earbuds, a bigger screen, and (this is the part that’s really exciting) Apple’s new A6 Processor is capable of the sort of graphics you’d ordinarily only find on a PS3 or 360. Apparently, it’s more than twice as fast as the old A5 (which was no slouch when it came to graphics and processing power, itself). Not too shabby, right? Granted, mobile hardware’s been improving by leaps and bounds for a while now.

Because for some reason, our society has an ingrained obsession with making everything smaller (at least, where technology is concerned).

But we’re getting a bit off track. The iPhone 5 certainly boasts some impressive specs; true, and it’s no secret that mobile gaming is an incredibly fast-growing (and incredibly lucrative) field. At the end of the day, though, what does all this mean? Are we going to be seeing more complex games making their way to the mobile field? Are we going to start seeing a level of quality that used to be reserved for devices solely made for gaming? Could the iPhone really be hailed as a gaming smartphone?

I mean, if you think about it, the attractive thing about mobile games (and, perhaps, what makes them so popular) is that they’re both cheap, and very easy to pick up and play. Got a few minutes while you’re waiting for the bus? Slingshot some birds at a pig’s house. In line at the grocery store, and the clerk’s taking forever? Play a bit of Jetpack Joyride. While there are certainly a few fairly deep titles available on iOS, it’s not likely that the technological leap is going to result in any considerable change in the game mechanics.

Then again, some of the games we’ve already seen released onto the platform(Horn, in particular) denote an evolution in more than just aesthetics. For all we know, the developers could surprise us. The hardware is certainly there – all we have to do now is wait and see what they do with it.

Image Credits: [The Guardian] [Plus XP] [Forbes]

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Gamer’s Corner: The iPhone 5 as a Gaming Platform

For those of you who don’t know already, Apple’s announced the next product in their iPad line…but it’s a little smaller than you might expect. Apple showcased, for the first time, the iPad Mini; a tablet PC designed to fill in the gap between the iPhone and the standard model of their iPad, and to compete with the Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7. Essentially, Apple’s using the iPad Mini to address a corner of the mobile market that they’ve not yet conquered.

Here’s what we know about the product so far.

The Price

The iPad Mini’s 16 GB Wi-Fi model debuts at $329 USD (a rather steep price, considering how much other, similar products are being sold for). The cost is what has everybody most concerned about the product, particularly given that the 64 GB model is priced at almost $700.00 in the U.S: a huge price hike over its competitors, and considerably higher than the $249-$299 prices that everyone was predicting for it. Pre-orders will be available on Friday, October 26, and the Mini will begin shipping a week later.

The Dimensions

The iPad Mini is, well…mini. It’s got a 7.9 inch screen and weighs in at .68 lbs, with a thickness of 7.2 mm (23% thinner and 53% lighter than the standard iPad.)

The Specs

The iPad Mini is available with either straight Wi-Fi, or with Wi-Fi and cellular service. As with virtually every other tablet on the market, it’s available with a hard drive size of 16, 32, or 64 GB. It’s packed with a dual-core A5 procsesor, a Facetime 1.2 MP HD camera capable of 720p video, a 5MP iSight camera, and 1080p video recording and the battery offers about 10 hours of battery life. You can read the full list of technical specifications here.

Software

The iPad Mini comes prepackaged with iOS 6, and a suite of all the standard apps which you’d expect to ship with a tablet.

Related Products

In addition to the iPad Mini, Apple also announced a super-thin iMac along with a redesigned Macbook Pro.

Image Credits: [Salon]

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Five Things you should Know about the iPad Mini