iPad hits UK

After a successful launch in the US, Apple's iPad today makes it across the Atlantic to certain European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK) as well as Australia, Canada and Japan.

Here's how online technology commentators Mashable and Tech Crunch reported it.

There's also an interesting article in this month's Creative Review - called "iCame, iSaw, iConquered?" - on the likely impact of the new device on magazine publishing, but you'll have to be a subscriber (or WH Smith/library loiterer) to read it.

However, there's plenty of other good stuff on the CR blog.

Not a good week for Apple

Two Mashable reports from this week show that it's not been a good one if you're an Apple employee (or fan).

The first story revealed that the international launch of the iPad had been delayed, although admittedly this was because the pre-orders had been higher than expected.

The second is that an iPhone OS 4 beta jailbreak tool has been released, meaning that the hackers must have been busy as Steve Jobs was making the announcement! There again, in today's digital age, hacking rather than copying could be considered the sincerest form of flattery...

Android Apps

Mashable is just one of the resources I use to stay up-to-date on what's happening in the social media and mobile technology arena, so I wanted to share this post about "7 Mind-Blowing Free Android Apps".

Now, I don't have an Android phone such as the Nexus One (I use an iPhone), but the review makes each of these apps look pretty cool. Out of interest, I looked for them (or something similar) on the App Store and found:

* Google Earth (in the Travel category!) and NASA's "Space Images" app (Education)

* Only a handful of free translation apps, with mixed reviews (although there's "Dog Translator" for converting barks into English!)

* Several free movies apps, including the one I have "Movies". While it does have a US bias, you can still track down what's playing in your local cinemas via the location-based search, get the show times and read the relevant reviews. Useful.

Hope that helps?!

iPad verdicts

OK, I haven't seen it live, touched it or used it... so this post is simply a starting point for further investigation into Apple's iPad.

Here are a few different viewpoints on its usefulness, drawbacks and potential:

* Mashable post #1 offers an overview of the new device

* Stephen Fry adds his unique perspective

* Mashable (#2) highlights the geographical limitations of iBook functionality

* Creative Review asks the fundamental question: what is the iPad for?

Whatever the reality/your own view, it must be true that this is yet another medium designed with applications in mind.

Developers - get your thinking caps on!

Black Hawk Down (on your iPhone)

According to a recent post on online social media guide Mashable, the US Army has launched its own app - available free from the News category within the App Store.

While the reviewer expected it to be "little more than a recruitment app", the new tool actually offers access to the official US Army site (which links to all the Services) and its database of facts on equipment and vehicles - including Black Hawk helicopters.

And to prove that US Forces are 'with it' in marketing terms, the website's Home page also features a video and a link to a social media page that includes dozens of entries on Flickr, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.