Unplug your iPod and enjoy the ride! - Cincinnati.com (blog)

The days dwindle â€" so now it’s time to get lots of rest, eat sensibly, wash your hands a lot (to avoid catching cold, of course) and start mapping out your Flying Pig Marathon strategy. And for first-timers, here’s more sage advice from a Flying Pig streaker (i.e., finisher in every previous Pig):

1. Do NOT wear headphones!!

Save Lady Gaga/Doobies/NineInchNails/Adele etc for your solo runs, marathon is a social event. Talk to the runners around you, find the person doing their 50th state, 100th marathon on their 77th birthday, father/daughter doing their first before she graduates from West Point and is sent to Iraq. I have met all these real people doing Flying Pigs. Real runners hate headphone wearers. Ask those around you the questions you still have from your training, the person next to you (like me) may just be doing the Pig as a training run for a late summer Ironman. Finally, it may be the first time in your life as an adult that anyone has ever cheered for you, enjoy it!

2. Do NOT “carbo-load” Saturday night.

If you do, you will be looking for a port-a-John during the race for sure. Your last chance for glycogen replacement is Friday evening. Saturday evening just enjoy a light meal that sits easy on your system. There will be aid stations almost every mile with more then enough fuel to get you to the finish.

3. Do NOT “pre-hydrate” the morning of the race.

If you do, again, you will be looking for a place to pull over before you get out of Kentucky! If you normally start your day with a cup of coffee, enjoy one on race morning, as long as you have tried it during your training. There is plenty of fuel at the aid stations.

4. Be careful around the aid stations.

The ground will be slick with spilled sport drink and there will be people/kids wandering around. Stay to the left if you aren’t stopping and move far right if you are, do NOT come to a sudden stop! Grab a cup, pinch the top closed (to limit spills), drink what you want and throw the cup to the side of the road. Thank the volunteers, look both ways, and ease back into the flow. Don’t make any sudden moves and no one will get hurt!

5. Enjoy the race, you only do your first one once!

High five the little kids with their hands out, respond to the people who cheer you on, smile. There will come a time during the run when you know you are going to finish. At that point, relax and take it all in. You did all those training runs through the winter while your spouse/friends/kids slept in and laughed at your eccentricities to get to this very point so be totally “in the moment”! Enjoy it, you earned it.

6. Do NOT pass anyone at the finish line!

No one cares if you finish 3147th instead of 3148th! In the final stretch, position yourself for a nice finish photo. You don’t want to finish with the guy in the shark suit, or the guy in the red dress and heels, or the girls dressed as naughty nuns. This picture will be on your wall for the rest of your life, so you don’t want a hand covering your face or your hand blocking the face of the dude you “dusted” at the line! Be a good sport to the very end!

Marathon running is a great sport and the lessons you learn, from goal setting to personal discipline, will benefit you in ways you can’t anticipate. If you are a “1 and done!” person, you will never forget this day and it may be a defining point in your life. If, after a few days, you start thinking about what you would do different next time, you are hooked! Welcome to the club

Posted in: 5K; 10K; 15K; marathon; half-marathon, Flying Pig Marathon

Tags: Flying Pig Marathon

Jawbone Big Jambox Review: Bigger, Louder Wireless Speakers - ABC News

It's simple physics: A bigger vibrating body creates louder and larger sound.

And it's that simple principle that sums up the new Jawbone Big Jambox. The company's popular small Bluetooth Jambox speaker has powerful and impressive sound for its size, but according to Jawbone, there's been one complaint about that little speaker: it isn't always loud enough.

The Big Jambox is, as you might have guessed, bigger than the original Jambox. But at $299 it's quite a bit more than most iPhone or iPod speaker docks. The new device hits stores later this month (May 15th) â€" is it worth your hard-earned cash? And is it really that much louder?

The Big Jambox might have "big" in its name, but it's not really all that big, at least in comparison to other speaker docks, like the iHome iP4. Sure, it is bigger than the original Jambox, which is about the size of a box of animal crackers, but the 10 x 3.1 x 3.6-inch / 2.7-pound speaker can easily be picked up in one hand and ported to the backyard while your other hand grabs the six-pack or fold-up chair.

The minimalist, clean design of the original Jambox has thankfully been left untouched. In fact, it looks as if the original was stuck on Wayne Szalinski's "Honey I Blew Up the Kids" contraption and enlarged. And like the original, it's available in several colors, including red, white, and black. There are a few more controls on the speaker now; the top of the speaker has "Previous," "Next," "Volume Up," and "Volume Down" buttons so you can control everything on the speaker if your phone is across the room. It also has a button with a "J" on it, which when pressed starts the voice of a friendly, yet robotic, woman, who announces the battery level.

Jawbone.com

The Big Jambox compact wireless speakers are... View Full Size

The right edge of the speaker houses a power button, a pairing button, which makes it very easy to pair via Bluetooth with your phone, a line-in jack, a Micro USB port, and a charging port. Speaking of charging, the Big Jambox, like the original, has a built-in battery -- no wires hanging all over the place and no need to go buy those big D batteries.

Jawbone promises 15 hours of continuous music playback before you have to recharge; I've been testing the speaker for the last three days and have listened to at least five hours of music and the nice robotic lady tells me, "Battery is about three quarters full."

Pairing the Jambox with any Bluetooth device -- phone, tablet, or laptop -- is incredibly simple. Turn on the Bluetooth pairing mode on the speaker (yes, that lovely lady will tell you it's ready to pair aloud) and your device and the two will sync up. Start playing music on your phone and you'll hear it coming out of the box.

And it's then that the Big Jambox really shines. Like the little box, the sound that comes out of it is beyond impressive. Audiophiles will be impressed with the two proprietary active drivers and the two opposing passive bass radiators, and people who aren't impressed by audio jargon will just love listening to good sounding music. And they might just take note of the balanced audio, the crisp sounds, and the strong bass, especially when listening to a bassier and fresher tune, like Flo Rida's "Wild Ones."

As for the volume, the speaker lives up to its promise of loud sound. At full blast I worried that I was going to be kicked out of my apartment building. When I tested it at a park, I could hear the music from quite a distance -- I'd say well over 20 feet -- but I didn't get to test it at a party or outdoor BBQ. My guess, is that it would suffice for those situations, though if you have a big outdoor space you might require a wireless speaker system. The Jambox cannot sync with other Jamboxes, so this isn't going to be that sort of solution. I also did notice that the music can distort or sound overblown at those high volumes.

Blue Ivy Carter's iPod: Jay-Z Approves Of Questlove's Gift For Baby Girl - Huffington Post

What to get the girl who has everything?

Questlove certainly had an inspired idea when it came to a gift for Jay-Z and Beyonce's baby girl, Blue Ivy, upon her arrival -- an iPod, specially curated with tunes for Hollywood's newest queen B.

And what does Baby Blue's proud papa think of the musical gift? The Roots drummer told New York's Daily News that "Jay loves it."

The iPod reportedly has 4,000 songs picked specifically for baby Blue -- no doubt a robust introduction to the classics. But Blue Ivy's music education won't stop there; Questlove intends to add to the iPod's music library annually.

“We have a system now where I’ll re-up it once a year, every Christmas,” he told the Daily News. "It’s the gift that keeps on giving."

But the drummer isn't the only famous face who's been feeling generous when it comes to feting the baby girl. Beyonce's good friend Gwyneth Paltrow bought Blue Ivy a stroller ringing in at roughly $1,029 and Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland reportedly picked up a Bob Marley onesie for the Carter-Knowles household's newest addition.

Check out Beyonce's path to baby Blue below:

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5 Things You May Have Missed in Apple's Earnings Last Week - DailyFinance

Apple (NAS: AAPL) reported a monster second quarter last week. This we know. But beyond the headline figures, there were some additional interesting storylines taking place that are worth paying mind to. Let's see what other info the Mac maker gave us in the conference call and recently filed 10-Q.

1. The iPod is still the king after 10 years
While iPod unit sales have been expectedly declining for years because of iPhone cannibalization, the music player is still the king of the MP3 player market. Citing data from NPD, CFO Peter Oppenheimer said the iPod still enjoys a market share of more than 70% in the MP3 player market.

Fellow researcher GFK also says the iPod also remains the top-selling MP3 player in "most countries." The device just recently saw its 10th birthday, yet it remains top dog even after an entire decade.

2. How much the iPhone grew in China
Apple sold more than 35 million iPhones in the quarter, with China being a clear catalyst for the strong figures. Specifically, Oppenheimer said the Asia-Pacific and Japan segments led iPhone growth, as those geographies saw iPhone sales double from last year. Within Greater China alone, Apple sold five times as many iPhones as it did a year ago. Bringing No. 3 carrier China Telecom (NYS: CHA) into the fold was a key move to boost those sales.

Just imagine what will happen to iPhone sales once China Mobile (NYS: CHU) inevitably gets in on the action. China Mobile isn't the largest wireless carrier just in China, but in the world, with more than 667 million subscribers. Only 59.5 million, or 9%, of these use 3G data, representing plenty of opportunity for Apple once the pair make it official.

3. The iPad in education
The education market has always been one of Apple's strengths, and despite the naysayers, the iPad is beginning to take off within the sector. Oppenheimer said Apple sold twice as many iPads as it did Macs to domestic K-12 customers during the quarter. For example, the San Diego School District just picked up 10,000 of them and is planning on buying another 15,000 in the June quarter.

We're now entering a key buying season for the K-12 market, and Apple has high hopes. CEO Tim Cook also cited the iPad 2 entry-level price cut to $399 as an important move, saying it "unlocks some education demand" within price-sensitive buyers.

This is exactly what an exec at one of Apple's textbook-publishing partners, McGraw-Hill (NYS: MHP) , saw happening. McGraw-Hill Education exec Vineet Madan recently predicted that "we'll see much more uptake" now that it costs $100 less.

4. Supply lockdown
Apple is known to lock down critical component supplies with hefty prepayments that easily top $1 billion. At the end of the quarter, Apple had $3.3 billion in inventory component prepayments outstanding, up from the $2.3 billion it had in September.

Apple also commits to purchase massive amounts of components and third-party manufacturing services beyond those prepayments, much like how Sprint Nextel (NYS: S) has committed to buy $15.5 billion in iPhones from Apple over the next four years. Apple's outstanding manufacturing and component commitments now stand at $13 billion.

While Apple technically boasts no long-term debt, off-balance sheet agreements are analogous to debt, since the company is on the hook to make payments over the term of these agreements, including the $2.8 billion it also owes on retail space leases.

5. Where is Apple's mattress?
Apple has quite the stash, with $110.2 billion cash and investments. Of that total, $74 billion of it sits overseas held by foreign subsidiaries, up from $54.3 billion six months ago. That means Apple has generated nearly $20 billion in cash flow abroad in two fiscal quarters.

Don't expect any of that money to be coming home anytime soon, since pesky repatriation taxes would mean Uncle Sam would take some right off the top before Cupertino could even use it for anything. Besides, Apple's probably using that money for the aforementioned component prepayments to Asian suppliers.

Keep your eye on the iBall
These tidbits help you see the results within the results, as well as what key areas represent important future opportunities and current growth catalysts for Apple. You just have to be paying close attention.

Apple is using its international cash stash to dominate the world, but it's not the only American company to do so. Here are another 3 American Companies Set to Dominate the World by tapping growth in emerging markets. Check out the special free report now while you still can.

At the time this article was published Fool contributor Evan Niu owns shares of Apple, but he holds no other position in any company mentioned. Check out his holdings and a short bio. The Fool owns shares of Apple. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Apple and creating a bull call spread position in Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

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Will cars help iPad zoom away for good? - GigaOM

A few days back, I came across a press kit from Jaguar. The iconic British brand recently showed off the 2013 Jaguar XJ Ultimate, a $155,000 ultra-luxury sedan, that goes on sale later this year.

I am not really a car guy â€" I don’t own one and don’t plan to own one. What caught my eye was that the backseat of the car had two iPads, one for each rear passenger. They come with a wireless keyboard and are housed in what Jaguar calls, “specially designed leather-trimmed docks in the rear of the front seats and hidden behind roller doors, also finished in tailored leather. ” The iPads are charged when the car is running. The keyboards are slipped into the “cabinets.”

This isn’t the first time an automaker has made special consideration for the iPad, but this seems to be pretty well thought out one. Back in 2010, Mercedes showed off how iPad could be integrated into its cars. Other brands have made similar attempts as well. Anyway, the Jaguar offering made me wonder if the iPad is going to become as dominating a force in the auto industry  as the iPod.

Back in the day, when automakers first started to build iPod connectivity into their vehicles, it was quite clear that it was game over for iPod’s rivals. The easier it became for drivers to use their iPods in the cars, the more Apple distanced itself from its rivals. The iPod’s march started with luxury car brands, but eventually even budget brands were bundling iPod connectivity into their cars. And now the cycle is starting all over again with iPad integration making its way into luxury car brands. (Also, my colleague Katie wrote an awesome post about iPad’s impact on greener transit and connected cars.)

Thoughts?

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Monetizing music in the post-scarcity age
• Forecast: the future of the digital music industry
• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution

Apple sidesteps taxes in California - 89.3 KPCC

AFP/AFP/Getty Images

A view of the main entrance to Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California on March 11, 2011.

If they take a moment to think about it, most iPod, iPad, or iPhone consumers probably imagine that the money they pay Apple is eventually collected in its Cupertino, California headquarters.

Since 2006, however, Apple has deposited most of its domestic profits into accounts linked to the company’s subsidiary in Reno, Nevada through tax loopholes with nicknames like the “Double Irish With A Dutch Sandwich.” By doing so, they’ve avoided paying California’s 8.84 percent corporate income tax rate and enjoyed Nevada’s zero percent corporate tax rate.

It’s arguably cost the country billionsâ€"and California millionsâ€"in lost tax revenue. Apple has declined to comment on its Nevada operations, but has stated it “has conducted all of its business with the highest of ethical standards, complying with applicable laws and accounting rules.”

WEIGH IN:

Tax experts agree, what Apple is doing is perfectly legal, but does it make for sound U.S. tax policy? And even though it’s perfectly legal, does Apple have any responsibility to go against financial incentives and pay a heftier corporate tax rate?

Guest:

Edward Kleinbard, former chief of staff, Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation; professor of law, USC Gould School of Law

Janet Novack, DC Bureau Chief, Forbes

Apple originally considered iPhones with keyboard, click wheel - Ars Technica

Former Apple Senior Vice President Tony Fadell, who is credited with the creation of the original iPod, says Apple originally considered iPhone designs with both a physical keyboard and an alternate "iPod+phone" with a click wheel. The comments were part of an interview for an episode of On The Verge, set to debut on Monday afternoon.

Asked if Apple had considered an iPhone design with a physical keyboard, Fadell said it was "definitely discussed."

"It was a heated topic," he noted. At the time, the iPhone's lack of a physical keyboard was one of its most hotly contested features. And though the iPhone's soft keyboard has been successfully transplanted to other smartphone operating systems, some smartphone users still prefer a physical keyboard.

Fadell went on to explain that Apple had pursued three basic design ideas in depth for the iPhone: an "iPod+phone" concept, a QWERTY keyboard design, and a large touchscreen design. Though Fadell was very familiar with touch technology due to his work on the iPod, he was initially skeptical that a touch-based soft keyboard could work as well as a physical one.

"I wanted it to work, because it made sense that you wanted a full screen," Fadell said. That large screen ended up becoming one of the iPhone's iconic features.

"The biggest problem with the 'iPod+phone' [concept] was we had a little screen and this huge hardware wheel," Fadell explained. When then-Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone in January 2007, he complained that hardware keyboards common on smartphones of the day similarly limited available screen real estate.

If having the larger screen seemed the way to go, however, why bother with the other prototypes, such as the click-wheel-based "iPod+phone? "Sometimes you have to try things and then throw it away," Fadell said.

A Beatles Bonanza - Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)

Wonder upon wonders, "new" material from the Beatles is still springing forth - on Apple apps, video discs, CD and soon at a movie theater near you.

Material Evidence: George Harrison was the gear head of the group - quite a good photographer and gadget lover - and also a media hoarder. Evidence comes to the fore tomorrow with the home video release of Martin Scorsese's documentary film "George Harrison: Living in the Material World" and the simultaneous release of the Abrams multi-touch iPad/iPhone/iPod  e-book of the same name.

Chock full of rare performance clips plus stories from the late Harrison, family and friends, Scorsese's monumental  two part/four hour  epic delves deeply into the musician's spiritual nature as an alternative path into the Beatles' history. This treasure trove  has been playing on HBO and HBO Go for a few months (and actually will screen again Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m.  on HBO2 East)  But if you buy in tomorrow on DVD, Blu-ray or iTunes download, you'll also be treated  to bonus features like a "lost" Harrison guitar solo frm "Here Comes the Sun."  The  DVD/Blu-ray combo edition also boasts a ten song CD collection of stripped-down demos, including several from his landmark solo album "All Things Must Pass." The same CD ("Early Takes, Volume 1")  will be available separately, too.

 The Multi-Touch Encounter: Widow Olivia Harrison gets top billng on the companion touch me/move me Abrams digital book, a $15 downloadable app from the iTunes store in the vein of the recently issued "The  Guitar Collection: George Harrison."  The latter, selling for $9.99, helps fans make mental connections from George's guitars to the tracks he played them on, with iTunes song snippets (or complete performances if you own them), a/v clips from the artist himself and other "hands-on" demos by  awe struck musicians like Mike Campbell, Gary Moore and George's son Dhani Harrison.

  Olivia Harrison found a lot of her multi-media e-book's contents while rummaging through drawers at home. Among the discoveries was a digital picture frame wherein George's voice welcomes "Hello, magic mirror frame."  

Beatles At the Cinema: Also full of promise is the new documentary "The Beatles: The Lost Concert," coming to movie theaters on May 17 and 22. Pundits like Philadelphia news legend Larry Kane (who trailed and befriended the Beatles on their early U.S. visits), rock original Chuck Berry and concert producer Sid Bernstein get to talk about the Beatles invasion in February, 1968, so welcome and distracting just three months after the assasination of John F. Kennedy. 

 All that remembering is warm-up to the real reason you'll come out to see this documentary, as it shifts to a "long lost" film of the Fab Four's  first U.S. concert from Feb 11, 1964, held at the Washington (D.C.) Coliseum, later shown in theaters via closed circuit broadcast but "missing" for decades. 

That broadcast process and the production's 8-camera black and white shoot were considered quite high tech for its day. Still you gotta laugh at the primitiveness of the stage setup during the dozen song show. Performing in the round, the Beatles faced first one part of the audience for a couple songs, then physlcally shifted their angle and gear  themselves (no stage hands!) to face a different part of the crowd. Pity poor Ringo and his drum kit!

Reunion Plans? Don't Hold Your Breath: As for the recurring buzz of a surviving Beatles (plus offspring) "reunion concert" in London this summer, which 2012 Olympics organizers have been pushing for . . . Paul ("I'm still a Beatle") McCartney is game. But Ringo Starr says he'll be be busy  touring the U.S. And Julian Lennon (who can sing just like his dad) has less-than-zero interest. 

ODOC iPhone and iPod dock project debuts on Kickstarter - TechShout!

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ODOC iPhone and iPod dock project debuts on Kickstarter - TechShout!

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Cristina Ocrainiciuc: May Teen of the Month - Canton Repository

CRISTINA OCRAINICIUC

Hoover High School

Senior

Age 18

4.565 GPA

Parents  Honore and Liliana Ocrainiciuc

CRISTINA’S FAVORITES

Teachers  Mr. Woods, Mr. Draher, Mr. Kreis, Miss Rostedt, Mrs. Leckie-Ewing, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Sowd, Miss Walker and Mr. Bunnenberg

Book  “Deception Point” by Dan Brown and “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

Restaurant  Li Asian Cuisine

Hobby  Tennis

What’s in your iPod or MP3 player?  Fun., Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Adele, The Wanted, Vampire Weekend, Gavin DeGraw

CRISTINA’S SCHOOL ACTIVITIES  German club (served as president, treasurer and secretary), class officer (vice president and secretary), Academic Challenge (co-captain), National Honor Society, math club, freshman mentor, in the school’s gifted/talented program, President’s Council, tennis (captain), improv club, ballroom dance club, speaks three languages.

CRISTINA’S COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES  Church choir, youth group (vice president with over 350 hours of service a year), AGAPE Girls, food pantry volunteer, A Community Christmas volunteer, nursing home caroling, recreational volleyball.

CRISTINA’S HONORS AND AWARDS  Academic letter, honor roll (all years), National Forensics League (grades 9 and 11), AP Scholar with Honor (grade 11), Academic Challenge letter, Summa Cum Laude honoree.

Who would you like to spend a day with and why?  I would love to spend the day with Kate Middleton. It would be amazing to hear how she has had the ability to positively impact the lives, as well as to inquire about goals she has now that she is such a powerful advocate of the people. Also, it would be awesome to get wedding dress tips!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  I definitely see myself being a medical professional. Everything in that field grabs my attention, so it will be fun to find out where exactly I end up in it. I also hope to get married and start a family. Then continue my education throughout my life, for being a lifelong learner is a passion that North Canton City Schools has instilled in me over the years!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?  I would love to travel to Greece. The culture and the beauty of the country is undeniable, and the rich history only attracts me more. I would also like to venture back to Romania, for that is where I was born and lived for the first seven years of my life! It would be great to go back and see my family. Aside from that, I would love to visit everywhere. Traveling and discovering the world, I feel, is a great way to discover how you can best influence the world.

How has your high school changed since your freshman year?  I feel that through the acquisition of new clubs over the years, we are more able to get a variety of people involved in school activities. From math club to classic cartoon club, we are able to include individuals that before did not have interest in any clubs. It has been a great way to get people involved and show them just how great Hoover High School is.

What advice would you give the freshmen?  I would say, do not be afraid to ask questions. At first, they are reluctant for they do not want to make themselves stand out so early in the game. But, the truth is, the only way to make yourself a better scholar and person is by inquiring about the world around you and being determined to learn from it.

Who has been the most influential in your life and why?  My mother has definitely been the most influential person in my life. From teaching me correct posture, to helping me learn about the world. She has helped me blossom from a shy girl to a confident young lady, unafraid to speak my mind. She has always been there for me, and I know that she will be there for every big moment in my life. She is my mother, but also my best friend!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?  You must live in the moment, but not forget that the future is there. To live life to the fullest, you must live in the moment and enjoy life, but you must know that there is a future that you must prepare for.

What is the biggest issue facing teens today?  I feel that they don’t see how much of an impact they can have on their communities. By volunteering and providing their time they can help the lives of hundreds. They need to see how influential they are, get out there, and be a positive force in the world.

In a world of TMZ and YouTube, do you think the public has been too intrusive in the life of public figures? Why or why not?  Once you’ve reached a certain milestone of fame, you have to expect the lack of privacy. You will be someone who is always in the public eye, but this is what they signed up for. But, they need to notice that, and turn it in a positive manner. They need to become active role models for today’s young children, and see that their impact can be great, as long as they allow it to be.

Where is your favorite happening in Stark County?  Cafe Gelato and the library. Both are great places to just sit down, and enjoy studying. Being in a relaxed environment can really make the difference.

If you were issued one do-over from the past four years, what would it be?  I don’t think I would change a thing! These last four years have been amazing, and if anything, I would just want to relive them.

Who would be your Hollywood best friend?  Jennifer Lawrence. She is outgoing, speaks her mind and is 100 percent honest. She would be my perfect best friend.

Who plays you in a movie of your life?  Reese Witherspoon would be the first person I would call. She shows how you can have a family, and still be a successful person. She has great balance in her life, and that is what I strive to have as well.

Favorite TV shows?  “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Voice” and “Say Yes to the Dress”

Favorite movies?  “The Prince and Me,” “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” “Forrest Gump,” “Inception,” “Limitless,” I really love movies. I could go on forever!

Person you’d least like to be stranded on an island with?  I would take anyone. It’s easy for me to get along with people and being alone would be much scarier.

MTV, Food Network, Travel Channel or History Channel?  Travel Channel.

Food you’d never eat?  Eel. My friends tried to get me to try it once. Not happening.

Cristina Ocrainiciuc: May Teen of the Month - Canton Repository

CRISTINA OCRAINICIUC

Hoover High School

Senior

Age 18

4.565 GPA

Parents  Honore and Liliana Ocrainiciuc

CRISTINA’S FAVORITES

Teachers  Mr. Woods, Mr. Draher, Mr. Kreis, Miss Rostedt, Mrs. Leckie-Ewing, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Sowd, Miss Walker and Mr. Bunnenberg

Book  “Deception Point” by Dan Brown and “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

Restaurant  Li Asian Cuisine

Hobby  Tennis

What’s in your iPod or MP3 player?  Fun., Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Adele, The Wanted, Vampire Weekend, Gavin DeGraw

CRISTINA’S SCHOOL ACTIVITIES  German club (served as president, treasurer and secretary), class officer (vice president and secretary), Academic Challenge (co-captain), National Honor Society, math club, freshman mentor, in the school’s gifted/talented program, President’s Council, tennis (captain), improv club, ballroom dance club, speaks three languages.

CRISTINA’S COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES  Church choir, youth group (vice president with over 350 hours of service a year), AGAPE Girls, food pantry volunteer, A Community Christmas volunteer, nursing home caroling, recreational volleyball.

CRISTINA’S HONORS AND AWARDS  Academic letter, honor roll (all years), National Forensics League (grades 9 and 11), AP Scholar with Honor (grade 11), Academic Challenge letter, Summa Cum Laude honoree.

Who would you like to spend a day with and why?  I would love to spend the day with Kate Middleton. It would be amazing to hear how she has had the ability to positively impact the lives, as well as to inquire about goals she has now that she is such a powerful advocate of the people. Also, it would be awesome to get wedding dress tips!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  I definitely see myself being a medical professional. Everything in that field grabs my attention, so it will be fun to find out where exactly I end up in it. I also hope to get married and start a family. Then continue my education throughout my life, for being a lifelong learner is a passion that North Canton City Schools has instilled in me over the years!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?  I would love to travel to Greece. The culture and the beauty of the country is undeniable, and the rich history only attracts me more. I would also like to venture back to Romania, for that is where I was born and lived for the first seven years of my life! It would be great to go back and see my family. Aside from that, I would love to visit everywhere. Traveling and discovering the world, I feel, is a great way to discover how you can best influence the world.

How has your high school changed since your freshman year?  I feel that through the acquisition of new clubs over the years, we are more able to get a variety of people involved in school activities. From math club to classic cartoon club, we are able to include individuals that before did not have interest in any clubs. It has been a great way to get people involved and show them just how great Hoover High School is.

What advice would you give the freshmen?  I would say, do not be afraid to ask questions. At first, they are reluctant for they do not want to make themselves stand out so early in the game. But, the truth is, the only way to make yourself a better scholar and person is by inquiring about the world around you and being determined to learn from it.

Who has been the most influential in your life and why?  My mother has definitely been the most influential person in my life. From teaching me correct posture, to helping me learn about the world. She has helped me blossom from a shy girl to a confident young lady, unafraid to speak my mind. She has always been there for me, and I know that she will be there for every big moment in my life. She is my mother, but also my best friend!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?  You must live in the moment, but not forget that the future is there. To live life to the fullest, you must live in the moment and enjoy life, but you must know that there is a future that you must prepare for.

What is the biggest issue facing teens today?  I feel that they don’t see how much of an impact they can have on their communities. By volunteering and providing their time they can help the lives of hundreds. They need to see how influential they are, get out there, and be a positive force in the world.

In a world of TMZ and YouTube, do you think the public has been too intrusive in the life of public figures? Why or why not?  Once you’ve reached a certain milestone of fame, you have to expect the lack of privacy. You will be someone who is always in the public eye, but this is what they signed up for. But, they need to notice that, and turn it in a positive manner. They need to become active role models for today’s young children, and see that their impact can be great, as long as they allow it to be.

Where is your favorite happening in Stark County?  Cafe Gelato and the library. Both are great places to just sit down, and enjoy studying. Being in a relaxed environment can really make the difference.

If you were issued one do-over from the past four years, what would it be?  I don’t think I would change a thing! These last four years have been amazing, and if anything, I would just want to relive them.

Who would be your Hollywood best friend?  Jennifer Lawrence. She is outgoing, speaks her mind and is 100 percent honest. She would be my perfect best friend.

Who plays you in a movie of your life?  Reese Witherspoon would be the first person I would call. She shows how you can have a family, and still be a successful person. She has great balance in her life, and that is what I strive to have as well.

Favorite TV shows?  “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Voice” and “Say Yes to the Dress”

Favorite movies?  “The Prince and Me,” “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” “Forrest Gump,” “Inception,” “Limitless,” I really love movies. I could go on forever!

Person you’d least like to be stranded on an island with?  I would take anyone. It’s easy for me to get along with people and being alone would be much scarier.

MTV, Food Network, Travel Channel or History Channel?  Travel Channel.

Food you’d never eat?  Eel. My friends tried to get me to try it once. Not happening.

Cristina Ocrainiciuc: May Teen of the Month - Canton Repository

CRISTINA OCRAINICIUC

Hoover High School

Senior

Age 18

4.565 GPA

Parents  Honore and Liliana Ocrainiciuc

CRISTINA’S FAVORITES

Teachers  Mr. Woods, Mr. Draher, Mr. Kreis, Miss Rostedt, Mrs. Leckie-Ewing, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Sowd, Miss Walker and Mr. Bunnenberg

Book  “Deception Point” by Dan Brown and “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

Restaurant  Li Asian Cuisine

Hobby  Tennis

What’s in your iPod or MP3 player?  Fun., Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Adele, The Wanted, Vampire Weekend, Gavin DeGraw

CRISTINA’S SCHOOL ACTIVITIES  German club (served as president, treasurer and secretary), class officer (vice president and secretary), Academic Challenge (co-captain), National Honor Society, math club, freshman mentor, in the school’s gifted/talented program, President’s Council, tennis (captain), improv club, ballroom dance club, speaks three languages.

CRISTINA’S COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES  Church choir, youth group (vice president with over 350 hours of service a year), AGAPE Girls, food pantry volunteer, A Community Christmas volunteer, nursing home caroling, recreational volleyball.

CRISTINA’S HONORS AND AWARDS  Academic letter, honor roll (all years), National Forensics League (grades 9 and 11), AP Scholar with Honor (grade 11), Academic Challenge letter, Summa Cum Laude honoree.

Who would you like to spend a day with and why?  I would love to spend the day with Kate Middleton. It would be amazing to hear how she has had the ability to positively impact the lives, as well as to inquire about goals she has now that she is such a powerful advocate of the people. Also, it would be awesome to get wedding dress tips!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  I definitely see myself being a medical professional. Everything in that field grabs my attention, so it will be fun to find out where exactly I end up in it. I also hope to get married and start a family. Then continue my education throughout my life, for being a lifelong learner is a passion that North Canton City Schools has instilled in me over the years!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?  I would love to travel to Greece. The culture and the beauty of the country is undeniable, and the rich history only attracts me more. I would also like to venture back to Romania, for that is where I was born and lived for the first seven years of my life! It would be great to go back and see my family. Aside from that, I would love to visit everywhere. Traveling and discovering the world, I feel, is a great way to discover how you can best influence the world.

How has your high school changed since your freshman year?  I feel that through the acquisition of new clubs over the years, we are more able to get a variety of people involved in school activities. From math club to classic cartoon club, we are able to include individuals that before did not have interest in any clubs. It has been a great way to get people involved and show them just how great Hoover High School is.

What advice would you give the freshmen?  I would say, do not be afraid to ask questions. At first, they are reluctant for they do not want to make themselves stand out so early in the game. But, the truth is, the only way to make yourself a better scholar and person is by inquiring about the world around you and being determined to learn from it.

Who has been the most influential in your life and why?  My mother has definitely been the most influential person in my life. From teaching me correct posture, to helping me learn about the world. She has helped me blossom from a shy girl to a confident young lady, unafraid to speak my mind. She has always been there for me, and I know that she will be there for every big moment in my life. She is my mother, but also my best friend!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?  You must live in the moment, but not forget that the future is there. To live life to the fullest, you must live in the moment and enjoy life, but you must know that there is a future that you must prepare for.

What is the biggest issue facing teens today?  I feel that they don’t see how much of an impact they can have on their communities. By volunteering and providing their time they can help the lives of hundreds. They need to see how influential they are, get out there, and be a positive force in the world.

In a world of TMZ and YouTube, do you think the public has been too intrusive in the life of public figures? Why or why not?  Once you’ve reached a certain milestone of fame, you have to expect the lack of privacy. You will be someone who is always in the public eye, but this is what they signed up for. But, they need to notice that, and turn it in a positive manner. They need to become active role models for today’s young children, and see that their impact can be great, as long as they allow it to be.

Where is your favorite happening in Stark County?  Cafe Gelato and the library. Both are great places to just sit down, and enjoy studying. Being in a relaxed environment can really make the difference.

If you were issued one do-over from the past four years, what would it be?  I don’t think I would change a thing! These last four years have been amazing, and if anything, I would just want to relive them.

Who would be your Hollywood best friend?  Jennifer Lawrence. She is outgoing, speaks her mind and is 100 percent honest. She would be my perfect best friend.

Who plays you in a movie of your life?  Reese Witherspoon would be the first person I would call. She shows how you can have a family, and still be a successful person. She has great balance in her life, and that is what I strive to have as well.

Favorite TV shows?  “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Voice” and “Say Yes to the Dress”

Favorite movies?  “The Prince and Me,” “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” “Forrest Gump,” “Inception,” “Limitless,” I really love movies. I could go on forever!

Person you’d least like to be stranded on an island with?  I would take anyone. It’s easy for me to get along with people and being alone would be much scarier.

MTV, Food Network, Travel Channel or History Channel?  Travel Channel.

Food you’d never eat?  Eel. My friends tried to get me to try it once. Not happening.

Questlove gives Jay-Z a sound baby present for Blue Ivy Carter: an iPod full ... - New York Daily News

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Questlove gave Jay-Z a special iPod loaded with thousands of songs that span the alphabet, but he only got up to the letter J.

JAY-Z approved of Questlove’s baby gift. The Roots drummer told us at Saturday’s second annual Comedy Awards that his gift to Blue Ivy Carter was a big hit with the infant’s hip-hopping daddy. “Jay loves it,” said Quest, who was on hand at the Hammerstein Ballroom to perform with his band.

Back in January, the Afroed music aficionado told us he was still working on a specially curated iPod of 12,000 songs to present to Hova and Beyonce, but he didn’t quite reach his goal when he presented it to the new parents. “I put like 4,000 songs on it,” Quest said, adding, “Ironically, I only got to the letter J.” The bandleader and part-time deejay wanted the iPod to feature songs spanning the alphabet but said he’ll make up for the missing tracks another way. “We have a system now where I’ll re-up it once a year, every Christmas,” said Quest. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

ELLE MACPHERSON was on the arm of one billionaire on Saturday, and has another in mind to run for office with. The 48-year-old Australian supermodel was the date of British billionaire banker Roger Jenkins at the Vanity Fair White House Correspondents Assocation Dinner after-party. When we started to talk politics with the leggy lady, she told us: “I’d love to have Mayor Bloomberg as my running mate.” When we tracked down the Mayor to inform him what “The Body” told us, the 70-year-old Bloomberg rolled his eyes a bit and said: “It would be an honor.” We bet.

ED HARRIS doesn’t look like a man who cries a lot, but he shed some tears at the “Stars of Stony Brook Gala” on Wednesday. The actor, who played abstract art great Jackson Pollock in the 2000 film “Pollock,” was honored and got misty when he recounted the struggle he and his producer partners faced bringing the Oscar-nominated biopic to the screen. The benefit raised $3.6 million to insure the future upkeep of the late artist’s East Hampton home-turned-museum.

It also produced one revelation about the paint-splattered floor of the barn studio where Pollock worked. IMAX CEO and Stony Brook Foundation Board Chairman Rich Gelfand told the crowd that experts come from all over to study the floor because “it contains splatters that can be matched to particular masterpieces” created there. But he added: “Then I meet Jonathan Pollock, Jackson’s nephew, and he confesses that, as an 8 year-old, he used to sneak into the studio at night, splatter his own paint, then ride over it with his bike.”

DOES DANIEL RADCLIFFE have politics on his horizon? At the Bloomberg & Vanity Fair White House Correspondents Association Dinner after-party at the French Embassy Saturday night, Washington public-relations priestress Tammy Haddad introduced the “Harry Potter” star to Obama strategist Bill Knapp of SKDnickerbocker. “You would love me,” Radcliffe told Knapp. “I would be such a great candidate for you.” “Tory or Conservative?” asked Knapp, referring to Britain’s political parties. “I would be Labor,” replied the actor, before heading off into the star-studded room for another celebrity briefing.

KANYE and KIM have become so close they're starting to dress like each other. Headline-grabbing couple Kanye West and Kim Kardashian dined at The Lion Friday night in Greenwich Village where a source says they arrived wearing "matching leather pants." Apparently West's weren't properly secured because as they entered the restaurant paparazzi nearly caught a side of West they've never seen before when the mercurial rapper's pants sagged a little too low. The pair "ate alone," according to the source, and after a quick meal headed back to West's downtown apartment.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON looks that good in her “The Avengers” costume for a reason. At Saturday’s Tribeca Film Festival premiere of the superhero movie at the Ziegfeld, actors weighed in on their co-stars’ ensembles. Clark Gregg told us it was Tom Hiddleston, who plays Norse god Loki, that had the most challenging getup. Hiddleston agreed and said it “comes in about 30 pieces of leather and chain mail, and someday, it will be in a museum." As for their curvy co-star, who plays Black Widow, Gregg said her process wasn’t as time-consuming: “I think they just took some wetsuit oil and slid [Scarlett] into that thing.”

Contact Gatecrasher:

Frank DiGiacomo: fdigiacomo@nydailynews.com

Carson Griffith: cgriffith@nydailynews.com

Adam Caparell: acaparell@nydailynews.com

Follow us on Twitter: @NYDNGatecrasher

Questlove gives Jay-Z a sound baby present for Blue Ivy Carter: an iPod full ... - New York Daily News

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Questlove gave Jay-Z a special iPod loaded with thousands of songs that span the alphabet, but he only got up to the letter J.

JAY-Z approved of Questlove’s baby gift. The Roots drummer told us at Saturday’s second annual Comedy Awards that his gift to Blue Ivy Carter was a big hit with the infant’s hip-hopping daddy. “Jay loves it,” said Quest, who was on hand at the Hammerstein Ballroom to perform with his band.

Back in January, the Afroed music aficionado told us he was still working on a specially curated iPod of 12,000 songs to present to Hova and Beyonce, but he didn’t quite reach his goal when he presented it to the new parents. “I put like 4,000 songs on it,” Quest said, adding, “Ironically, I only got to the letter J.” The bandleader and part-time deejay wanted the iPod to feature songs spanning the alphabet but said he’ll make up for the missing tracks another way. “We have a system now where I’ll re-up it once a year, every Christmas,” said Quest. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

ELLE MACPHERSON was on the arm of one billionaire on Saturday, and has another in mind to run for office with. The 48-year-old Australian supermodel was the date of British billionaire banker Roger Jenkins at the Vanity Fair White House Correspondents Assocation Dinner after-party. When we started to talk politics with the leggy lady, she told us: “I’d love to have Mayor Bloomberg as my running mate.” When we tracked down the Mayor to inform him what “The Body” told us, the 70-year-old Bloomberg rolled his eyes a bit and said: “It would be an honor.” We bet.

ED HARRIS doesn’t look like a man who cries a lot, but he shed some tears at the “Stars of Stony Brook Gala” on Wednesday. The actor, who played abstract art great Jackson Pollock in the 2000 film “Pollock,” was honored and got misty when he recounted the struggle he and his producer partners faced bringing the Oscar-nominated biopic to the screen. The benefit raised $3.6 million to insure the future upkeep of the late artist’s East Hampton home-turned-museum.

It also produced one revelation about the paint-splattered floor of the barn studio where Pollock worked. IMAX CEO and Stony Brook Foundation Board Chairman Rich Gelfand told the crowd that experts come from all over to study the floor because “it contains splatters that can be matched to particular masterpieces” created there. But he added: “Then I meet Jonathan Pollock, Jackson’s nephew, and he confesses that, as an 8 year-old, he used to sneak into the studio at night, splatter his own paint, then ride over it with his bike.”

DOES DANIEL RADCLIFFE have politics on his horizon? At the Bloomberg & Vanity Fair White House Correspondents Association Dinner after-party at the French Embassy Saturday night, Washington public-relations priestress Tammy Haddad introduced the “Harry Potter” star to Obama strategist Bill Knapp of SKDnickerbocker. “You would love me,” Radcliffe told Knapp. “I would be such a great candidate for you.” “Tory or Conservative?” asked Knapp, referring to Britain’s political parties. “I would be Labor,” replied the actor, before heading off into the star-studded room for another celebrity briefing.

KANYE and KIM have become so close they're starting to dress like each other. Headline-grabbing couple Kanye West and Kim Kardashian dined at The Lion Friday night in Greenwich Village where a source says they arrived wearing "matching leather pants." Apparently West's weren't properly secured because as they entered the restaurant paparazzi nearly caught a side of West they've never seen before when the mercurial rapper's pants sagged a little too low. The pair "ate alone," according to the source, and after a quick meal headed back to West's downtown apartment.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON looks that good in her “The Avengers” costume for a reason. At Saturday’s Tribeca Film Festival premiere of the superhero movie at the Ziegfeld, actors weighed in on their co-stars’ ensembles. Clark Gregg told us it was Tom Hiddleston, who plays Norse god Loki, that had the most challenging getup. Hiddleston agreed and said it “comes in about 30 pieces of leather and chain mail, and someday, it will be in a museum." As for their curvy co-star, who plays Black Widow, Gregg said her process wasn’t as time-consuming: “I think they just took some wetsuit oil and slid [Scarlett] into that thing.”

Contact Gatecrasher:

Frank DiGiacomo: fdigiacomo@nydailynews.com

Carson Griffith: cgriffith@nydailynews.com

Adam Caparell: acaparell@nydailynews.com

Follow us on Twitter: @NYDNGatecrasher

Three contenders ... music systems for $400 - Sydney Morning Herald

LG FB165, $399.

Want to enhance your listening experience? You can get superior sound quality in a compact hi-fi for a song.

Talk to any hi-fi dealer and you'll hear that their customers, having had their time with MP3 downloads and iPods, are now looking for genuine sound quality. And it's not surprising. MP3 players were convenient and beautifully flexible but the compressed music they pumped out sure was flat and uninspiring.

And it's obvious what's driving this change. With the vast quantities of cheap memory available these days, we can have it all. Electronic music can now offer us the convenience and flexibility of MP3 with the sound quality of CD or, in some cases, even better than CD.

The demand for quality sound seems finally to be filtering down to popularly priced music systems. When Yamaha introduced its MCR models a few years ago, they became our yardstick for compact audio. They weren't perfect but they sounded good for their size and especially for their price. Now other companies haven't just caught up, they have overtaken the Yamaha.

Advertisement: Story continues below

Pioneer HM30, $399.

LG is turning out some great-sounding products in both music and home cinema, and Pioneer has always been into sound quality if you could afford it. And in recent times, the pricing of systems from both has been getting sharper and sharper. Now they each have offerings for less than $400 that we'd buy before the Yamaha we listened to here.

And unlike the Yamaha, both of them handle DVDs as well as CDs. The Yamaha has been upgraded to receive digital radio broadcasting but it still can't serve as an all-in-one solution for music and movies like the other two. If only LG and Pioneer offered the colour choice of the Yamaha, they'd be going gangbusters - it's time audio companies realised that black is boring now and silver is only marginally less so.

Any of these will serve nicely as a music system in an apartment or an average-size living room, but we'd go for the LG first for its mix of aesthetics and sound. However, if you like to play your music loud, the Pioneer is the way to go.

Yamaha MCR040, $499.

LG FB165
$399 (spotted for $374)
4 out of 5 stars

This is a good-looking unit with touch controls that you only have to lightly brush to operate. And it sounds good, too, going loud enough to fill an average room without losing too much definition, although the bass from the passive radiator at the side can get a little muddy. But overall the sound quality is good. The iPhone/iPod dock is on top and so is a slot for loading discs, both DVDs and CDs. There’s a USB at the front for both playing and recording WMA and MP3, and a digital tuner as well as FM. The HDMI output at the back means it’s easy to hook your television in and get far better sound than the telly’s tiny speakers can yield. The main unit measures 135mm wide x 285mm high x 281mm deep while each speaker is 125mm x 285mm x 280mm. lge.com.au

Pioneer HM30
$399 (spotted for $378)
4 out of 5 stars

A neat unit, this, and it goes the loudest of any of these without losing quality. Then it goes even louder and the bass gets muddled and poorly defined, but it’s still listenable if you’re not fussy. Lower down, the sound is big and beefy with lots of depth and presence â€" maybe the best word is muscular. It’s impressive for its size and it has bass and treble controls. The iPhone/iPod dock is under a hinged cover on top, with the cover providing partial protection from knocks. It’s both CD and DVD compatible (the DVD has video upscaling to full high definition) with both digital radio and FM and there’s a front-mounted USB plug for playback of music files in MP3 and WMA. There’s also a headphone jack and an HDMI. The main unit is 215mm wide x 90mm high x 300mm deep while the speakers are each 132mm x 260mm x 173mm. pioneer.com.au

Yamaha MCR040
$499 (spotted for $398)
3 out of 5 stars

Once our yardstick for compact music systems, Yamaha remains impressive but is no longer the best. This goes very loud for its size but at these volumes the music becomes something of a mishmash. At lower volumes, and certainly at volumes sufficient to fill an average room, the sound quality is good, with surprisingly strong bass for its dimensions and highs that are clear and well defined. The Yamaha’s secret weapon is that it comes in 10different colours, making it very appealing to people who are into aesthetics as much as sound quality. What it lacks compared with the other two is the ability to play DVDs, so it’s for music only. But it does have a USB for playing WMA and MP3 files, and digital radio as well as FM. The iPod dock is on top. The main unit is 180mm wide x 120mm high x 309mm deep, while each speaker is 122mm x 118mm x 287mm. yamahamusic.com.au

iPad replaces iPod as first Apple product consumers purchase: report - New York Post

The iPod has had a nice run of it, but it’s no longer the gateway drug into the Apple ecosystem it once was. It is fast being replaced by one of the company’s newer devices: The iPad.

More than a quarter of current iPad owners say the tablet is the first Apple product they’ve purchased, according to a new survey from the NPD Group. “iPad sales are growing much faster than any other Apple product has this soon after launch,” says NPD’s Ben Arnold. “In fact, one-in-five Apple owner households has one â€" nearly equivalent to the number that own an Apple computer.”

So the iPad is Apple’s newest ambassador? Not all that big of a surprise considering how well the device has been selling. Apple sold 11.8 million iPads during its most recent quarter â€" that’s more than double the number it sold last year. More to the point, the newest model was only actually shipping during the last three weeks or so of the quarter. And, as Apple CEO Tim Cook noted during the company’s Tuesday earnings call, iPad supply was constrained at that time.

And sales to date have been fantastic.

“Just two years after we shipped the initial iPad, we’ve sold 67 million,” Cook said Tuesday. “To put that in some context, it took us 24 years to sell that many Macs, and five years for that many iPods, and over three years for that many iPhones, and we were extremely happy with the trajectory on all of those products.”

To read more, go to AllThingsD

iPhone prototypes included physical keyboard and iPod hybrid - Phones Review

The tech world is currently thinking on what Apple will do with the next version of the iPhone that will be released sometime this year, but it has been revealed that ahead of the launch of the original iPhone prototypes included physical keyboards and an iPod hybrid.

Tony Fadell was an Apple executive at the company leading up to the first iPhone launch, and as AppleInsider are reporting the company had toyed with the idea of the first iPhone having a physical keyboard. They obviously went with the intuitive multitouch design that changed the smartphone world forever, and at the time the biggest player in the sector were BlackBerry whose handsets featured physical QWERTY keyboards.

Fadell is claiming that Apple had narrowed the design of the original iPhone to three prototype designs ahead of releasing the device in 2007. The executive officially left the company in 2008 but stayed on the payroll as a special advisor to Steve Jobs until 2010, and during that time worked on eighteen different versions of the iPod and iPhone up to the 3GS. He eventually left to start up the ‘smart thermostat’ company, Nest.

When Apple were developing the first iPhone the company had three prototypes that included an iPod/iPhone hybrid, an undisclosed version that was also called iPhone, and the model that was eventually released to customers. Fadell was asked what his opinion on a virtual keyboard and could see its potential, and would have rather waited for the technology over going with the physical option.

Steve Jobs who had the final say on the design is claimed to have sided with Fadell, and pointed out that the lack of physical keys as being inherent to the now iconic design. Before Apple released the iPhone the trend was for physical keyboards to be used on smartphones, and early devices that used resistive touchscreen technology weren’t very intuitive with many needing a stylus.

The first iPhone brought capacitive touchscreens to the consumer that provided a handset that was not only sleek, but more user friendly and also larger displays could now be used. This opened more options for what could be done on the device that included more complex games and video. We then saw an explosion in multitouch screen tech in the smartphone market, and a move away from physical keyboards. Some still prefer to use such keyboards but it seems the majority of mobile users prefer the virtual approach.

Which type of keyboard do you prefer on your smartphone?

Workman Publishing and Dreamkind Release Brain Quest App for iPad, iPhone ... - PR.com (press release)

Workman Publishing and Dreamkind Release Brain Quest App for iPad, iPhone, iPod and NOOK Tablets

Dreamkind announced today that a new Brain Quest app has launched in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the popular children’s trivia game. The app takes children ages 5-11 on an adventure from Wisdom Islands to the Caves of Knowledge to the deepest reaches of space. Children move along their journey by answering hundreds of trivia questions, winning coins, and completing different missions. The Brain Quest App is available for iPhones, iPads, and the Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet.

Englewood, NJ, April 28, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Workman Publishing, together with award-winning digital studio Dreamkind, will release an iPhone, iPad, iPod, NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color app for the beloved children’s series Brain Quest, in celebration of the line’s twentieth anniversary. The app will be available in the iTunes Store and in the Barnes & Noble NOOK Store on April 26th. Brain Quest, the game that gives kids a smart start is currently America’s #1 bestselling educational brand with 36 million copies sold. The app will bring Brain Quest’s signature question-and-answer format to life through the elements of interactivity and exploration. Rich in content, educational and entertaining, the app will appeal to a wide audience of users.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see Brain Quest come alive in this new form, even as the series continues to make learning fun for children of all ages… as it has now for twenty years and counting,” said Bob Miller, Group Publisher, Workman Publishing. “Now kids can go beyond the format of the original decks and workbooks to move through a variety of imaginary worlds in game form. It’s as addictive as sugar… but won’t hurt their teeth!”

“Part of the mass appeal of the Brain Quest series is that each question is an opportunity to discover a new fun fact,” said Matt Cohen, Dreamkind’s Director of Business Development & Marketing. “The new Brain Quest app will tap into that sense of discovery by taking kids on an exciting journey â€" to desert islands, mysterious caves, and even outer space â€" all while they play an engaging and entertaining trivia game.”

The app will launch on iPads, iPhones, and iPods with a free gaming platform for grades 1-5 featuring 100 questions for each grade. Users can then extend their experience with downloadable expansion packs featuring new questions and adventures, with 600 questions and 28 levels per grade. With Casey, Jake, and Gizmo by their sides, kids can sail through the wisdom islands, trek through a snowy mountain pass, or launch into a space voyageâ€"all while honing their skills in math, science, language, and history. For the Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color, users can download free trials.

An immersive environment and short, playable rounds will have kids itching to complete the journey and rack up the rewards. Simple, intuitive swiping and finger-tapping lets kids play independently. The app tracks scores for up to three people, which means fun for the whole family. Each round can be played multiple times for a mix of review material and new questions, and for extra difficulty, kids can try to collect all 84 coins in their grade level.

Featuring fun and challenging curriculum-based questions, graphics and soundscapes, and a trio of friendly companions, it’s the app that turns learning into a game.

For 20 years, Brain Quest has been adored by kids, trusted by parents, and approved and used by teachers. Comprised of question-and-answer decks and workbooks for children ages 2-13, Brain Quest content is based on the latest state and national curriculum standards and approved by an advisory board of Milken award-winning educators. Based on the stuff kids need to know when they need to know it, Brain Quest shows kids that it’s not only fun to be smart, it’s smart to be smart. In addition to the release of the app, the line celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2012 with a revised 4th edition supported by a million-dollar, year-long marketing campaign that features a partnership with Chrysler.

The Brain Quest app can be downloaded from the Apple and Barnes & Noble app stores by visiting this address: http://dreamkind.com/brainquestapp beginning April 26th.

About Workman Publishing (http://www.workman.com)
Workman is the creator of award-winning calendars, cookbooks, parenting/pregnancy guides, and fun, educational children’s titles, as well as gardening, humor, self-help, and business books. From our What to Expect series and Page-A-Day Calendars to the iconic 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and Gallop!, the one-of-a-kind, moving picture book for kids, our products inspire readers. The Workman Publishing Company also includes Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, Artisan, HighBridge Audio, Storey Publishing, and Timber Press. In addition, Workman is the distributor for Black Dog & Leventhal, Greenwich Workshop Press, and Fearless Critic Media.

About Dreamkind (http://www.dreamkind.com)
Dreamkind is an award-winning digital studio that develops apps, online games, animations, websites, and social media initiatives. Dreamkind has developed apps in partnership with Sesame Workshop, the United States Department of Defense’s Centers of Excellence, the United Nations World Food Program, ALEX Toys, and many others. Dreamkind also develops top-ranking apps under its brand, including Office Riot and Frankenstein Matchmaker. Dreamkind is committed to children’s education and well-being and donates 10% of its profits to various children’s charities.

Contact:
Noreen Herits, Workman Publishing, (212) 614-7775, brainquestpr@workman.com
Matt Cohen, Dreamkind, (201) 541-5557, info@dreamkind.com

Gadgets: Pry tool makes opening your iPod a snap - Fort Worth Star Telegram

By Gregg Ellman

Special to the Star-Telegram

The NewerTech iSesamo steel pry tool simplifies the tricky task of opening iPods, iPhones and other gadgets.

Instructions are included for opening some devices. In most situations, just insert the tip of the flexible steel blade into the seam of the device and then widen the cover from the back to unlock the clips.Once you have your device open, it's simple to replace batteries (also sold at NewerTech) and do other simple repairs.www.newertech.com, $9.99Camera lenses for iPhonesFisheye, macro and wide-angle lenses are included in the Olloclip lens attachment for iPhones.IPhoneographers will love the choices, which can be changed in seconds. The wide-angle lens doubles your viewing angle. The macro lens's focal distance is 6 inches. The fisheye will give you about a 180-degree field of view.The lens snaps on and off the iPhone 4 or 4S in seconds. Beware that it might not fit properly if you have a screen protector.I found that the lens worked great for all its functions. An iPhone's camera does have its limitations, but since I always have it on me, a camera is always nearby. Adding the three lenses only makes this better.A cover and a microfiber material case for storage and cleaning are included.olloclip.com, $69.99Tripod mount for iPhonesThe Glif is a great little device for mounting your iPhone 4 or 4S onto a tripod or other photography accessories.The recyclable rubberized plastic adapter is about 3 inches long and snaps onto your phone -- again, beware if you use a screen protector -- and has a standard threaded tripod for easily attaching it to many accessories.It works in both portrait or landscape angles and can also prop up your phone on a flat surface as a movie stand.There's not a lot to this product, but it works great and costs only $20.www.studioneat.com

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Apple iPod nano 8GB MP3 Player (current generation) for $100 + free shipping - CNET

Priced at: 100.00

Buy Now

go4computers via eBay Daily Deal offers the 6th-generation (current model) Apple iPod nano Multi-Touch 8GB MP3 Player in Pink, model no. MC692LL/A, for $99.99 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find by $20 and the best price we've ever seen for this MP3 player. (For further comparison, we saw this iPod bundled with a $40 Toys "R" Us gift card for $30 more three weeks ago; it's also just a buck more than what Apple charges for a refurb.) This nano is 47% lighter and 46% smaller than the previous model and features a 1.5" Multi-Touch LCD (no more click wheel), 24-hour battery life, clip, volume buttons, VoiceOver, and more. Deal ends April 30.

Hot Deal: Altec Lansing iMT630 Portable iPod/iPhone Dock: $49.99 - Electronic House

April 27, 2012 | by EH Staff

The other day, we tried rocking out to Spotify on an iPhone, without any headphones. The end result was just sort of lame. Because iOS portables pack in so many music possibilities, a docking station has become a bit of a must.

When docking stations first hit shelves, they were sort of expensive. Now one particular product can be had for under $50â€"at least today. The website 1SaleADay has the Altec Lansing iMT630 Portable Dock for iPhone and iPod list for a mere $49.99. This is $100 off product’s list price and about half the price we could find it anywhere else.

This portable dock can park the iPod and/or iPhone, for use at work, at home or on the go. A rechargeable battery promises up to 7 hours of playtime, with two 2-inch drivers cranking out the music.

Available in black, red or blue, the iMT630 also comes with a remote for controlling from across the room. There are also a few apps to enhance the iMT630 experience, such as the Music Mood App and the Alarm Rock App.

So yeah, you’re probably going to get more than your 50 bucks worth with this purchase. Just make sure to buy one soon. This is a one-day deal, so it’s only good for today (Friday, April 27, 2012) or whenever the retailer runs out of stock.

Why the IT industry can shove off - Inquirer

IT IS NEITHER CUSTOMARY NOR WISE to publicly air your grievances, but what the hell. I have a few, and most of them are with the technology industry and the junk that it puts out.

Therefore I present my list of grumbles, complaints, moans and gripes about firms like Apple and Facebook and bills like CISPA and ACTA.

I'm going to start small. I cannot stand Ipod docks. I do not have an Ipod, Ipad, Iphone, or eyepatch, so I have no need to stick anything in one. Yet I am presented with them everywhere. Want something free with a mobile phone? What about this Ipod dock. Hey, you know what your toaster is lacking? An Ipod dock. What are you using that belly button for anyway? In two hours we can get an Ipod dock in there. Come on man! Where's your Ipod dock! It's like you are nothing without one.

Dusting my DVD player I noticed that it too has an Ipod dock. I've taped it up. I do not want your Ipod docks.

On the subject of Apple, while I should say that I don't blame it for Ipod docks but desperate hardware add-on floggers, I do have an issue with its use of the term 'magical'.

I'll tell you what is magical. Harry Potter, unicorns and sawing women in half are magical. Making a computer or a bloody Mac takes no magic at all, it takes silicon and factories, and workers, and sweat, and designers, and marketing people. Nowhere in the process at all does anyone perform any magic. I suggest that until someone at Apple presents a rabbit out of a hat, whenever its marketing people are tempted to use the term 'magical' they just clip it or use something like 'functional' instead.

Here I feel that I should complain loudly about the Ipad and how tedious it is. However, I once went on a camping trip and someone had taken one along. I think it was that, and its impressive battery life and music collection, that kept us all sane in the Welsh rain. So, if not the Ipad, then what? Well, Instagram.

Instagram has more hype around it than a rapper that shoots flames out of his gold teeth and has punched someone in the face on live television while riding a bazooka like it was a donkey. It is a very hot property right now, and why? Because it is so damn good? No, because Facebook paid $1bn for it.

I've tried the app and yes I can see what it does. Can I see why it's worth so much money? Well, no. Not unless you think about why Facebook might have bought it, which could be to feather its nest with more information about its users and further secure its walled garden.

The money Facebook spent on Instagram is very concerning. It is a lot of money for anyone to spend on a gewgaw, and apparently Mark Zuckerberg went lone wolf on the hunt and returned gloriously having talked the firm's founders down from $2bn to 'merely' $1bn.

It makes you wonder what else he might do with his money. Has he cloned himself and created a Zark Muckerberg that attends meetings for him while he sits at home with his girlfriend and his dog? If he has, that's every man's dream and we should dislike him for it.

That is if we don't already dislike him for Facebook, which is easy. The web site has turned from a minor annoyance where everyone from the woman in the post office to your mum wants to tag you in a photo where you look fat, to a very, very large marketing database that is stuffed with the trivial news and muses, moans and whinges of over 900 million people. If that doesn't worry you, it should. It worries me, and thus it made my list.

Logitech UE Air Speaker - Macworld

Logitech’s $400 UE Air Speaker gets an awful lot right. The UE in its name stands for Ultimate Ears, the formerly independent headphones company Logitech acquired back in 2008; Air refers to Apple’s wireless AirPlay technology, which the speaker uses superbly to play streamed music. Add to that a hideaway iPhone/iPod/iPad dock cradle, brilliantly easy setup, and very nice audio, and you get an impressive, easy-to-recommend speaker.

The UE Air is sleek and shiny, sporting a piano-black finish on the sides and back, with a black-mesh front. (The downside to piano black is that it’s no good at hiding fingerprints.) But you’ll need some room for the Air, as it’s nearly two feet wide. Specifically, the curvy speaker measures 23.1 inches wide, 9.2 inches tall and 9.2 inches deep at its deepest point. It weighs just under ten pounds.

On the angled top surface of the UE Air sit three metal controls, offset nicely in silver. The middle one is an oversized volume dial with a small dimple for your finger. On each side of that control sits an unlabeled smaller button: Mute on the left, and Power on the right. A glowing LED next to the Power button helps you tell the buttons apart when the Air is in sleep mode. (In that mode, the LED pulses green.) When the Air is in sleep mode, it wakes up nearly instantly when you press the Power button; if you turn off the system completely (by holding down the Power button for five seconds), it takes a bit more than half a minute to turn on again.

A second LED is in a recessed area in the base of the unitâ€"recessed enough that I needed to crouch down slightly, or angle my head back a bit, to see it. This LED glows green when everything’s okay and the unit is powered on; glows orange if there’s a problem with the Wi-Fi connection; and pulses (with the color depending on the network status) when the the Air is asleep.

Push in on that section of the base, and a hidden dock-connector cradle slides out. You can use the cradle for charging and for playing music directly from your iPhone, iPod, or iPad. (Logitech says the dock does not provide enough juice to fast-charge an iPad.) The dock will even accommodate some protective casesâ€"I successfully docked my third-generation iPad with its Smart Cover wrapped around the back. Of course, if you dock an iPad, you can no longer reach the Air’s hardware buttons without reaching around the iPad.

On the back of the UE Air you’ll find an ethernet port, a Wi-Fi Connect button, a 3.5mm (1/8 inch) stereo-audio line-in jack, and a connector for the included AC adapter.

Getting the UE Air online is a snap if you use an iOS device. Just dock the device in the Air’s cradle, install the free Logitech UE Air app when prompted, and then follow the app’s instructions to connect the UE Air to whatever Wi-Fi network your iOS device is already using. If you don’t have an iOS device handy, you press that Wi-Fi Connect button in the back, connect your computer to the Logitech UE Air Speaker Setup wireless network that’s created, and then visit a specific URL on your computer to configure the speaker.

Of course, if you’ve got an ethernet network that’s connected to your Wi-Fi network, you can use the Air’s ethernet port instead. But in my testing, AirPlay streaming over my home wireless network was smooth, with nary a dropout or other audio problem.

One added benefit of using the iOS app is that the app also lets you adjust the Air’s treble and bass levelsâ€"in fact, it’s the only way to do so. I nudged the treble up just a smidgen, and the bass from the default setting of 50 to about 60.

The UE Air has no trouble reaching loud volume levels, and I didn’t hear any distortion, even with the volume cranked all the way up. Without the aforementioned bass and treble adjustments, I thought the Air’s bass was too soft; dialed up a bit, it sounded fine. Everything about the Air’s audio quality was, in fact, best described as fineâ€"it was better than passable, but not jaw-droppingly impressive. Surprisingly, despite the Air’s nearly-two-foot wingspan, I was a bit disappointed by the system’s poor stereo separation.

The UE Air is a good AirPlay audio system, but it falls short of great. I appreciated the Air’s easy setup, its integrated dock-connector cradle, and its sleek appearance. But a speaker is all about the sound, and the Air doesn’t sound as good as other $400 speaker systems I’ve tested. For example, Audyssey’s Audio Dock Air also costs $400, but it occupies a significantly smaller footprint and it sounds better (though it lacks the UE Air’s dock cradle) Put simply, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by the UE Air’s audio, but you won’t be awed by it, either.