Dork Adore » iPad

The Padintosh: When iPad covers go wrong

Emma Cossey — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:55:51 +0000

You’ve just received a beautiful new iPad for Christmas. It’s sleek, ultra-skinny and just the right size for digital tapping on the go.

Ah, the wonders of living in an age where we don’t have to lug around a ton of technology to check our emails!

So why would you ruin it with a giant Macintosh case? For the ironic, retro lulz. Obviously.

The Padintosh is the brainchild of Thumbs Up World. They’ve also bought us the 80s Retro iPhone case, which was presumably designed to ensure that you’re the only person still doing Trigger Happy TV impressions in the 21st century.

While it might be too late to buy this as a Secret Santa for your practical joke-loving IT department, you will be able to buy it from Thumbs Up World from Q2 2012.

Just in time for next Christmas then.

What do you think? Are they taking the mac a bit?

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The best children’s story iPad apps

Alex Milway — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:39:43 +0000

With 2012 about to sit squarely on top of 2011 and flatten it to memory, we can be comfortable in the knowledge that children’s book apps are now coming into their own.

The industry that started out with a nice (if limited) Alice in Wonderland, has evolved into a beautiful medium, rich with invention. Stories are no longer there just to be read. They are to be lived!

So which ones are the best?

Kid’s stories on the iPad: A roundup

The team at Nosy Crow are going great guns, pushing lovely illustration into the interactive digital world.

Bizzy Bear, The Three Little Pigs and Cinderella, all combine great visuals and an engaging level of interactive design.

Firmly rooted in storytelling, they complement Nosy Crow’s printed output perfectly. My young, two-year-old tester approves, as do I. These apps really are very good.

Another treat is Hugless Douglas, a great example of a picture book transformed into an app.

Best described as a super-enhanced audio book, with Alan Davies providing the wonderful narration, it turns David Melling’s book into an app worth having.

Peppa Pig’s a winner

Other apps out there, pushing picture books into the future are Hide Run Growl, narrated by a CBeebies presenter.

I found it a bit simplistic compared to Hugless Douglas. My iPad-loving toddler enjoyed all the growling, but was soon disappointed that it didn’t do more, especially after playing with more interactive appery. So young to be so jaded.

Representing children’s TV, you’ve got Peppa Pig’s Party Time (a real hit with my young tester, particularly in the section where you mix the birthday cake. Highly recommended), Postman Pat, and – just like the show itself – a quirky, slightly clunky, charming Ivor the Engine app.

Who wouldn’t want to be Jones Steam?!

Pixar and co

It’s no surprise that an ex-Pixar designer is behind the much talked about The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore – it looks beautiful. But while it’s a nice (if bitty) diversion, the short film does it much better.

Perhaps my two-year-old is a bit young to appreciate the more interactive elements, but some magic was missing for me too.

Another option is the free read-along Toy Story app from Pixar, which is simple but good fun.

And there’s also the lovely Nursery Rhymes app (Nursery Rhymes with StoryTime review on Dork Adore), worth getting for the chance to chop the tails off the Three Blind Nice (and reattach them) over and again – though my daughter would love it even more if it sang instead of said the songs.

Children’s apps have really matured over 2011. Next year’s going to be great.

Let us know which children’s apps your kids are loving at the moment – we’d love to try them!

Alex Milway is a children’s author and illustrator. His latest book, The Magma Conspiracy is out now with Walker Books. For more news, pictures and random gubbins read Alex Milway’s blog .

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Five of the best magazine and book apps for the iPad

Emma Cossey — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:02:54 +0000

Love a read but don’t love lugging books and magazines around with you? Here are five of our favourite ways to catch up on your favourite book, magazine or website.

Kindle for iPad

I briefly considered getting a Kindle before I got my iPad, so the Kindle app (free) is the perfect compromise. You can download, buy and read books at the touch of a button, and it has a bunch of other features like bookmarking and search functions. The productive side of me likes to see the percentage of book read increase at the bottom of the page too.

The only thing I wish it included (that the Kindle itself does) is a text-to-speech function, so I can plug it in and listen to books in the car/bath.

iBooks

The iBooks app (free) is Apple’s native ebook reader. I tend to use iBooks to read PDFs easily and ebooks I’ve downloaded on my laptop, although it’s quite easy to download books from the iBook store too. So it’s great if you’re not already an Amazon customer.

I like the layout of the store, which mimics a bookshelf, and the ebooks themselves are designed to look like books too. Great for those of us who miss reading actual books.

It also comes with a bookmarking facility, and you can vary the brightness and text size.

Zinio

Thanks to Zinio (free), I’ve switched most of my magazine subscriptions from paper to digital. Zinio has a huge range of magazines you can download, either by issue or by subscribing.

If you choose the latter option, it’ll automatically download your latest issue when it’s out. It’s also got a great Explore section, where you can preview sections of new and old issues.

Oh, and if you miss your favourite magazine because you were on holiday, or didn’t get down to the newsagents fast enough, you can download a back issue through the app.

The only downside is you don’t get magazine freebies.

Zite

Zite (free) creates a magazine out of content it thinks you’ll like, and it gets more accurate the longer you use it. Add your Twitter and Google Reader account and it gets even smarter with the content it shows you.

I like the fact I can save content to my Read It Later account from within the app, give posts a thumbs up or down to show whether I want to see more of the same, and share content by email, Facebook and Twitter. You can also choose to filter your content by category, like Fashion or Food & Cooking.

Flipboard

Last, but by no means least, is Flipboard (free). It’s another personalised magazine app that is put together using your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google Reader and Flickr. You can also save content to Read It Later and Instapaper.

This app is my absolute favourite for keeping up with my Google Reader, and it’s great for catching up on Instagram and my social feeds too. It’s also utterly beautiful to read. The content flips over like pages, and you can share, comment and read more from within the app. A must have for any iPad users.

Let us know what you’re using and we’ll take a look in our next round up.

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App Reviews: StumbleUpon, Fruit Ninja, Wave Launcher, Katango, Walkit

Katie — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:19:00 +0000

This week, we’ve got iPhone, iPad and Android app reviews for your, courtesy of the wondrous team at Frackulous.

Here’s a quick over-view of what you can expect:

StumbleUpon for the iPad. A great way to suck up the precious hours of your life, the StumbleUpon app will give you instant access to pictures of animals doing adorable things. If you don’t already use the toolbar on your browser, we highly recommend it (unless you have a dissertation to finish). StumbleUpon at the App Store.
Wave Launcher gives you more control over how you use your Android. It’s a “must-have” app, according to Susi. Wave Launcher at the Android Market.
Katango is a super-complex and clever Facebook contacts service, that groups your friends, family and miscellaneous randoms into different Google+ style groups. Katango at the App Store.
The WalkIt app for the iPhone comes from the kindly people over at WalkIt, who have helped many of us to discover the efficiency of using legs for commuting with instead of tubes. WalkIt at the App Store.
Fruit Ninja is a classic game for your iPhone. Simple, but addictive. Fruit Ninja at the App Store.

Check out all the reviews overleaf:

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Essential Gadgets: Masterplug USB and mains charger

Emma Cossey — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:00:00 +0000

One of the most annoying aspects about technology is the sheer number of cables, USB wires and chargers needed to keep on top of everything. When I’ve run out of USB ports on my laptop and my iPhone has hit 2%, there’s usually a scramble around the house to find a free charge point.

But then I came across this glossy black plug adaptor that allows me to charge my laptop at the same time as two other USB products (which covers all your Apple products). Just pop your USB connectors in the top, and plug your laptop in as normal.

Additionally, the MASTERPLUG Surge Protected Adaptor with USB is equipped with a power surge protector, so you can avoid harmful voltage spikes.

It might not be the most exciting gadget you’ll ever buy, but it’ll certainly be one of the most useful (particularly if you’re packing light for a holiday).

I picked it up for around £6 from Sainsburys, but you can also get it from Dixons and PC World.

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App review omnibus: Remember names and autotune yourself

Katie — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:47:00 +0000

Our friends over at app review show, Frackulous, have put together their latest app omnibus, which we present here for your viewing pleasure.

This week, we’ve got better iPhone video from FiLMiC Pro, cheap places to stay from Airbnb, Songify’s autotune funsies, the death of the guide book, and the chance to become a better friend with What’s My Name on Android.

Apple Store

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Five things we love this week

Emma Cossey — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:37:20 +0000

This week, we’ve been bowled over by an adorable iPad app, geeked out on Google+, protected our gadgets with some quirky cases, got excited about a certain magical film and created our own infographics.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore

This is possibly the loveliest app I’ve ever downloaded on my iPad. It’s an interactive ebook based on an award-winning short film, and follows Mr Morris Lessmore as he falls into a world of flying books. If you’re a fan of Pixar shorts, you’ll adore this. Download it now and you’ll have one more thing to distract the kids with when the summer holidays kick in.

Here’s a little peek at what it has to offer:

Google+
Half of team Dork are now on Google+, after Rebecca and Wez’s excellent post about it last weekend. I’m particularly excited about the option to share content within certain circles, even if it does leave me the paranoia that I’m going to either a) post all my personal information to the wrong people or b) turn schizophrenic.

Case Mate
Case Mate sent me some great cases this week for my iPhone and iPad, including this Monsta Case (£12.99, Amazon) for my iPhone. They also sent me a lightweight cover for my iPad (£37.99, Amazon), which doubles up as a stand for watching video/lazy surfing.

Harry Potter

Obviously. The world and their mum are off to see the final Harry Potter movie this weekend. I’m hugely excited about seeing it after reading Anna’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 – Dork Review. This has also led to us testing out the Kymera Magic Wand, which we’ll be reviewing for the blog next week.

Making our own Infographics

This week, we’ve wasted a fair amount of time making our own infographics. Visual.ly has the tools to help you make your own infographic based on your Twitter usage, and pit it against another user if you wish. In the future, you should be able to make your own infographics quite easily using the system too.

Here’s the Dork Adore infographic:

What things have you loved this week?

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High End Bling For iPhones and iPads from Camaél Diamonds

Joely Black — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:00:22 +0000

Solid Gold iPhone from Camaél Diamonds

This is for the geek who has – pretty much literally – everything. Need the perfect gift for somebody you love and have the cash to spend? These are probably the ultimate high-end geek gifts.

Forget lasering a name onto the back of the iPhone — what about encrusting the handset with diamonds?

Camaél Diamonds are launching a line of handmade geek essentials including iPhones, iPads, Blackberrys and iPods. Each one is made to order by experts and provide private consultations as part of the personalisation service.

If you can manage the mind-boggling prices, you can choose from items such as a diamond edition Blackberry Bold 9700 (£18,000), a solid gold iPod (£14,999) or even a solid gold iPad (£89,999).

Gold editions come in either white, rose, or yellow solid gold and the diamonds are highest clarity VVS to flawless stones, all of which the company guarantees are ethically sourced.

Now, while I can’t afford these by any stretch of my imagination (let alone my bank account), I’m not sure I’m keen on the idea of carting around such an expensive trophy myself: I’d want to hire somebody just to look out for it, knowing my tendency to drop my iPhone at the worst possible moment.

Mind you, if you can afford a gold iPad, you can probably afford to hire a full-time carer for it.

They definitely look a lot better than the cheap alternative: covering your iPhone in cheap plastic fake diamonds or cubic zirconia. Personally, I prefer my gadgets as they are (I’m a gadget puritan, yes), but if it’s your taste, then these definitely are the ultimate in high tech bling.

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Five things we love this week

Emma Cossey — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:00:53 +0000

This week, we’ve been drooling over quirky stationery, munching on Marmite carbs, playing retro games with a new tech twist, giggling at a man dressed up as Lady G and getting comic-happy with the Half Tone app.

Fancy

Fancy is “part store, blog, magazine and wishlist”. It’s a bit like Tumblr or Posterous, but much cleaner — and meme-free (yup, meme overkill does exist).

I use it to find new products, save new finds and collect them all in one pretty place.

It’s particularly good for finding independent designers and amazing wall art. You can also follow your favourite stores, so you can get a peek at the newest products first.

It’s through Fancy that I discovered the ultimate in geeky stationery products – colourful Tetris Sticky Notes.

Marmite Bagels

I need to explain why these are brilliant?

Fine.

It’s a marmite-flavoured bagel. Which saves you two minutes in the morning spreading the love/hate spread on your breakfast carb. Which means two more minutes to stay in bed.

At £1.39 for get a pack of 4 from Waitrose, it works out as a pretty cheap breakfast too.

Kijjaa!

Kijjaa! is a Japanese-style website game you load onto your desktop or laptop, and control with your iPhone. Download the app and enter the code given on the website, and the game will load up. It’s very much an 80s arcade-style game, with fairly basic graphics, but it’s interesting stuff wirelessly controlling your battleship by tipping and moving your iPhone.

It’s not quite as addictive as Angry Birds, but the particularly impressive thing about this game is the potential for further uses of this technology.

Weird Al Yankovic parodies Lady Gaga

Weird Al Yankovic and Lady Gaga really are a match in kooky heaven. Here’s the evidence:

Halftone

Halftone is a new app for both the iPhone and iPad that lets you put your photos into a comic-book style frame, along with captions, sound effect icons and grainy visuals. It’s fun on the iPhone, but really comes into its own on the iPad, where you can add the tiniest detail for the perfect comic strip.

I’ve spend roughly 27% of my week turning my dog into a superhero using this app.

Discovered anything you think the dorks will love this week? Let us know in the comments, or send us a Tweet.

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Five Father’s Day gifts your dad will actually like

Emma Cossey — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:00:29 +0000

There’s a reason why dads usually end up with boring socks, dubious ties and a ‘World’s Greatest Dad’ mug on Father’s Day: the Father’s Day aisle in most shops is full of utter crap.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! This year, you can either get your dad yet another pair of novelty cuff links…or one of these gifts.

Magimix 4200XL Food Processor

Not an obvious choice, but we grouped together and got this for our Dad at Christmas and he loves it. Nothing in our fridge stays there for long without being shredded, chopped or blended.

It’s possibly the manliest kitchen gadget you can get, and Magimix is known for being the best in the market for these gadgets.

Order one from Debenhams for £250. If your budget is lower, you might prefer the mini-chopper for £50.

iPad 2

Expensive yes, but if you club together with other siblings or your mum, this could be the Father’s Day gift to end all gifts. I don’t really need to tell you why this is cool, do I? Just imagine his face when he unwraps it.

Buy it direct from Apple (where you can take advantage of the engraving option) at prices starting from £399 for a 16GB Wi-Fi version.

Doctor Who – Complete Series 1-4 Box Set

C’mon, you knew Doctor Who would get a mention at some point in this list, didn’t you?

This box set of the first four series from the revamped Doctor Who starts in 2005 with the ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, and runs all the way through the three series featuring David Tenant as the tenth Doctor.

Possibly we’re suggesting it because we’d quite like to sit and watch it with him. Who can say?

At £44.97 from Amazon, you should have enough change from a £50 note to get him a decent card too. Possibly one of these Moonpig ones..

Jasper Conran Brown Leather Holdall

Sometimes, it’s the gifts your dad would never buy himself that prove to be the most popular.

This Jasper Conran Brown Leather Holdall is ideal for business trips or a weekend away when a scruffy old sports bag just won’t do. The leather is ultra-soft, and the finish is really smooth. I actually got this for my boyfriend earlier in the year, so it’s a fairly good present all round for blokes.

Plus it comes with wheels and a pull out handle, making it practical too.

Buy it from Debenhams for £160

Eye-Fi Pro X2 8GB Wireless SDHC Memory Card

It may be tiny, but this memory card is most definitely mighty.

The Eye-Fi is a memory card that allows you to transfer your images wirelessly to your computer/laptop/Facebook/Dropbox account, doing away with fiddly wires and cables. For any photography or video fans, this is a must for saving time. You can also upload to YouTube, Picasa, Flickr and TypePad, so he can upload to his chosen social media or photo sharing site while on the go.

Prices start at £38.99 for the 4GB basic option

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Dork Adore » iPad

The Padintosh: When iPad covers go wrong

More stories like this

The best children’s story iPad apps

Kid’s stories on the iPad: A roundup

Peppa Pig’s a winner

Pixar and co

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Five of the best magazine and book apps for the iPad

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App Reviews: StumbleUpon, Fruit Ninja, Wave Launcher, Katango, Walkit

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Essential Gadgets: Masterplug USB and mains charger

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App review omnibus: Remember names and autotune yourself

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Five things we love this week

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High End Bling For iPhones and iPads from Camaél Diamonds

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Five things we love this week

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Five Father’s Day gifts your dad will actually like

Magimix 4200XL Food Processor

iPad 2

Doctor Who – Complete Series 1-4 Box Set

Jasper Conran Brown Leather Holdall

Eye-Fi Pro X2 8GB Wireless SDHC Memory Card

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