0 RIM's Playbook vs Apple's iPad : The browser speed test

Today RIM posted a video of their PlayBook vs. Apple’s iPad to demonstrate the browsing ability and speeds the PlayBook has to offer. The results are interesting but seemingly skewed as well.
There were three different tests RIM used to compare the browers on the two devices. They went head-to-head in raw web-site rendering, Acid3, and Java.
To start out they are both directed towards UEFA.com and then CBS.com. The PlayBook clearly finishing loading and rendering both web-sites faster than the iPad. The CBS site however has flash content on it and obviously will not fully load on the iPad.
On the Acid3 test both devices managed to score 100/100 but RIM boasts that the iPad has an HTML error during this test.
The funny thing about these tests are that the iPad is over 6 months old compared to the PlayBook not even being out yet for sale. Also an interesting note is the fact the PlayBook is running on QNX which is Adobe Flash and AIR programs so naturally it will run flash sites as compared to the iPad not having flash capabilities.
It will be far more interesting to see the 2nd generation iPad pitted versus the PlayBook as the two devices will be on a much more level playing field. Do you think this test has any validity given the fact the iPad is real and the PlayBook is still technically vaporware or do you think this is Apple’s chance to step up their game and blow the PlayBook out of the water?
Check out the video after the break!

0 Twitter For iPhone And iPad Get Updated , Now With Push Notifications

Twitter for iPhone and iPad just got an update and the big news is — push notifications. This has been a highly desired feature for a very long time. At the moment, push notifications for the official Twitter app are only available for @mentions and direct messages.
Interestingly, Twitter does not include push notifications in the release notes. So it was a pleasant surprise to see Twitter asking for permission to send push notifications when launching for the first time after the install. Was this intentional?
I know there are some users who have refused to use the official Twitter app because it did not offer push notifications. If you’re one of those users, is this enough to make the switch?
Who’s excited for this feature? Do you plan to enable push notifications from Twitter or will you stick with a third party solution such as Boxcar?
UPDATE: Twitter has updated the change log to include push notifications for @mentions and messages.
UPDATE 2: Twitter has been updated again. Go get it again.

0 Square card : Now accept Credit cards on the go

 

Remember the Square card reader and payment service from our first hands-on video in January at Macworld Expo 2010? Square makes it possible for anyone, whether an individual or small business, to take payments via credit card. Shortly after Macworld Expo, I signed up for the service; I finally received my free credit card reader yesterday.
The reader is a tiny square box that plugs into the audio port on iOS devices or other smartphones. Rather than using an expensive (usually $75 or more) "sled" reader like those used in Apple's retail stores, Square developed a reader that did not use the dock connector or need the blessing of Apple's "Made For iPhone" certification. These readers have no moving parts and are so inexpensive to manufacture that Square can give them away.
Anyone can sign up for the service and get a free reader. If you want to be able to split a bar tab with friends and have them pay you via credit card, you can get a Square account and reader, and then simply swipe your friends cards to get paid. Square takes 2.75% of the transaction + 15¢ per swipe if you can get your drunk friends to provide their finger-written signatures, and 3.5% + 15¢ if they don't sign. Does that sound like a lot? To an individual, it might, but to small businesses who are used to hefty sign-up fees, monthly account minimums, merchant account fees, and higher percentages, Square is a hell of a deal.

Check out the Aquare card gallery below :

0 iPad now available on Verizon and AT&T

As previously announced, Verizon and AT&T have started selling the iPad today. AT&T is selling iPad Wi-Fi + 3G at the standard pricing for both device and data plan. Verizon is offering the wifi-only iPad bundled with their own Verizon MiFi, for more flexible, if less integrated 3G connectivity.
Once again, the bundle prices are:

• 16GB iPad and MiFi – $629.99
• 32GB iPad and MiFi – $729.99
• 64GB iPad and MiFi – $829.99

Data Prices (per/month):

• 1GB – $20
• 3GB – $35
• 5GB – $50

Since the AT&T iPad is pretty much what we’ve had all along, we’re more interested in asking if anyone will be opting instead for a Verizon iPad + MiFi this holiday season?

0 iPad with iOS 4.2 beta 3 jailbroken !!!!

Hackers have had their hands on the iOS 4.2 beta 3 for iPad long enough to jailbreak it. Last night, well-known iOS hacker @iH8sn0w tweeted a picture of an iPad running MobileTerminal, a jailbreak app giving the user full access to the terminal command line interface. From iH8sn0w:

Yay! iPad 4.2 b3 jailbroken — Weird that MobileTerminal runs in simulator

Going along with Apple’s normal beta schedule, it would seem they missed the beta 4 release window this past Tuesday. This could signal that Apple may skip beta 4 altogether and go straight to a GM build sometime next week. (Maybe that’s connected to the stealth developer summit Apple is rumored to be holding in Cupertino next week?)
So what does this all mean? Once Apple releases iOS 4.2 there will likely be a jailbreak available shortly (if not immediately). No need to worry about having to wait before you upgrade to if you’re a dedicated jailbreaker!
Will you be jailbreaking your iPad once 4.2 hits? Let us know in the comments!