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Disclosure: The writers of Magna Techa were financially compensated for informing you about HeadsetHome.com.

Impressed by the iPad?

So, does the Apple iPad live up to the hype? The machine announced by Steve Jobs yesterday has been rumored for over a decade. That's pretty big shoes to fill, when it comes to an electronic device. The price ($499 for the non-3G base model) gives the iPad some hope in the market. But do people want a big iPhone that you (probably) won't make voice calls on? We'll see. But remember this: the iPhone was released with no downloadable apps and no 3G radio. It couldn't do video and it had a mere 8 GB of storage. But look at how far it has come.

Read more: Does the Apple iPad Live Up to the Hype?

[Via Apple Techa]

Apple Tablet hangs out back in 1983

Well, lookee here! Engadget sends word that a leak on the Apple Tablet has bee found... from 1983. It turns out a company by the name of Frog Design, who designed the Apple IIc, made an Apple tablet device. The machine, as you can see above, has a full keyboard, a stylus and sexy good looks. So where can we buy one of these beasts? We can't, you say? That's no good! Guess we'll be waiting for the 2010 edition.
[Via Apple Techa]

Tired of crapware? OpenCandy is too.

After writing about Avast's recommendation of Google Chrome during installation, I was interested in the idea of "opt-in" suggestions. That is, when Avast recommended Chrome, the installer didn't automatically select to install the browser, but instead allowed users to opt-in to install it. This is a consideration that many companies don't take, and users can end up with software they never wanted.

I was then introduced to another proponent of "opt-in" recommendations, OpenCandy. OpenCandy is a startup that powers software recommendations during installations, but they do it the right way. They only deal with high-quality apps (BitTorrent, doubleTwist, and PrimoPDF, just to name a few) and they don't trick users into installing anything they don't want.

With OpenCandy, you won't end up installing "Super MicroVirus 2003" with your newfound application. And that's a great thing, if you ask me.

You can read more about OpenCandy here: Want Great Apps? Think OpenCandy

Chrome OS and media playback

Many people seem to be worried about what Chrome OS can't do. However, I am more concerned with what it can do. And there's another skill to add to the operating system's list: media playback. In a recent interview with Ars Technica, the directing engineer for the Chrome OS project explains that Chrome OS, without any web app in play, will be able to play your music and videos.

"...You might just have a USB key that has a bunch of MP3s on it, so you want to be able to plug that in and listen to those MP3s. There might not be any controlling webpage for that activity, but it’s clearly something you need to be able to do in any reasonable operating system or browser. So we’re doing a lot of work to make Chrome and Chrome OS handle those use cases really well"

That said, Mathew Papakipos just might have put many fears to bed. While numerous people have said that a "browser" can't do everything they need to do, this shows that Chrome OS will be able to do quite a bit. You can read the full interview here: Google talks Chrome OS, HTML5, and the future of software.

Would you pay $700 for the iSlate?

It looks like Retrevo Plus Report has gone and polled some people (500 random users) on how much they would pay for Apple's rumoured tablet device. The answer? About $700 is the max for most people. And I would say that is about what I would be willing to shell out. However, will Apple listen to this little tidbit? Hopefully.

Apple could really blow the rest of the market (what there is of it) out of the water with a $500, well-equipped iSlate. Only time will tell, though. Perhaps we'll find out around January 27th?

[Via Apple Techa]

Do Microsoft and Apple need to worry about Chrome OS?

Eric Goh, of egoh.com, has an interesting slant on Chrome OS and its effect on the OS landscape. He wagers that Google's new operating system should have the big players scrambling to get something together. Because, as Goh puts it, "a simple browser based OS that is self-updating and relatively secure would solve 95% of the issues people contact me about".

Goh touches on a point I had in a recent article (which you can read here: How Chrome OS will change computers as we know them).  Chrome OS, when it is production ready, could supplant current Windows and Apple OS' for many users. These users simply want to use the web and Internet for daily routines. They rarely need to edit an image more than resizing it, they don't develop software, and they withhold from heavy video-editing. Chrome OS is perfect for what they need to do. And it will keep them out of virus and malware troubles.

So even though you see many pieces in the blogosphere with authors complaining that Chrome OS is too weak, you don't see your cousin and grandmother writing that the new OS can't do what they want. Because it can and it likely will, if the big dogs don't come up with something fast.

You can read Mr. Goh's post in its entirety here: Google Chrome OS - Microsoft and Apple should be worried

[Via Chrome Techa]

Extensions now available for Chrome on Mac

Google has updated the dev channel for the Chrome web browser, including extension support. For those of you brave enough to install the dev channel on your Mac, you can now experience what Windows and Linux users have had for a little while now. You can read more about the update here: Dev Channel Update. You can also check out all the tasty extensions available here: Chrome extensions.


[Via Apple Techa]

Google Reveals Nexus One

"Google announced their smartphone today, dubbed the Nexus One. Although Google developed the Android operating system that runs on the Nexus One, the device is the first phone to actually be sold by the search giant. Google provided specifications for the device, as well as helping us figure out a few unknown details."

Hit the link below to read more about the Nexus One or go here to flop down the cash money to buy today!

[Via Examiner.com]

iPhone OS 4 beta in developers hands, support for iSlate included

It looks like Engadget's got the scoop on some news about the next version of the iPhone OS. Supposedly developers have their hands on a beta version of it already. And it includes support for higher screen size and resolution. One could definitely take this as a sign of the upcoming Apple tablet, or iSlate.

They also point out that January 27th might be the magical date that Steve Jobs unveils the iSlate. Seeing as he is oh-so-happy about the new product and rumors say that Apple has ordered up 10 million to be produced for this year, I can see why he wants to get that beast out the door ASAP.

What do you think? Is this bit of info the straw that broke the Apple-Tablet-rumor's back? Or is it just more over-hyped vaporware frenzy? Let us know in the comments below!
[Via Apple Techa]