Daily Archives: December 18, 2011
Holmes Doesn’t Drag Audience From Their Homes – Biff Bam Pop’s Box Office Wrap-Up Report, Weekend of December 16th
While our favourite supersleuth managed to top the box office this weekend, it was from a remarkable debut. Meanwhile, the Chipmunks delivered a lacklustre showing, while MI: 4 managed to rock theatres in limited release. Here’s the how the weekend turned out:
Biff Bam Pop’s Holiday Gift Guide Day 18, Part 2: iPhone Projector Case
Apple fanatics… we all know at least ONE; and for the iPhone junkie who has everything we’ve got the perfect present! In part two of today’s Holiday Gift Guide, we look at the iPhone Projector Case from Texas Instruments (TI) and specialty retailer Brookstone.
Whether you’re buying for yourself or for a fellow Apple fan, this powerful pocket-sized projector makes an awesome gift. With Texas Instrument’s Pico projector technology, this device allows you to plug your iPhone in for on-the-go video projection.
But of course the real appeal here is the prospect of subjecting others to your personal photos, videos, and apps; anywhere and at any time. With a 15-lumen-LED projection lamp (located near the headphone jack at the top) and a 0.5-Watt speaker (on the back) this device truly is a portable screening room for whatever you can access via iPhone. It works with with any app that supports dock-connector video out, including the stock Videos, Photos, and YouTube apps, and some third party apps. Reviews confirm that the Projector Case delivers on its promised up to 50” display with 640×360 native resolution. Like any projector, it works best in a dark room but can be whipped out just about anywhere. At $230 this is a beautiful price point for a device that lets you virtually photo and video bomb people with your iPhone content. You can order it from Brookstone here, and though it won’t arrive in time for the Holidays it WILL be there in time to show off all those embarrassing New Years photos. If you have an Apple fanatic on your list, the Projector Case is sure to impress!
Biff Bam Pop’s Holiday Gift Guide Day 18 – iPad 2
If the geek on your holiday shopping list and is anything like me, they are basically crippled by their love of gadgets. There never seems to be enough disposable income to acquire all the toys, with all the functions, that a gadgeteer could want. Just when you think you’ve finally discovered the perfect device – the next version of it is released with EVEN MORE AMAZING STUFF!
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the tech-lover on your list, let’s take a look at what one of 2011’s best, and most popular, devices; the iPad 2, has to offer. While it may seem hard to believe, the iPad 2 is coasting into it’s first holiday shopping season on the market.
Let’s start by weighing the pros:
The Tech Specs. They’re impressive. The iPad 2 boasts a dual-core A5 chip, front and back facing cameras, HD video capture capabilities and a 10 hour battery life – all contained within a device weighing just over half a pound.
The Cool Factor. It’s freakin’ cool. And it’s super sexy. The user experience on the iPad is so seamless and intuitive. There is no adjustment to feel comfortable navigating around the iPad, the interface just works how you think it should. One of the biggest surprises is that the keyboard is the perfect size. There were no awkward touch-typing gaffs that are commonly associated with the iPhone.
It’s Size. It’s incredibly light and it fits in almost any size bag. If you pair it with an iMac or MacBook with iCloud, not only is it small, it’s incredibly mighty. Open your iPad 2 and almost everything you own is at the swipe of your fingertips.
There’s an app for that. Whether you want to make fart sounds, manage your budget, or do anything in between, there is an iPad app available to get you there. Many of which are less than $5 – if not free.
And now, some of the cons:
It does not replace a laptop. The Gorillaz may have recorded their album Plastic Beach on an iPad (first gen), but don’t let that fool you. The iPad 2 is not a laptop killer. It’s fantastic for a whole pile of stuff, but even with multitasking you still can’t have a browser and a word processing document open at the same time.
It’s not an e-reader. Or maybe it is. I guess that’s up to you. The light coming off of a computer screen is terrible for your eyes and the iPad’s screen is backlight just like the computer you’re on now. Unlike the Kindle, the iPad isn’t doing your eyes any favours even if you don’t mind the brightness of the screen.
You need the Smart Cover. It’s a stand! It’s a cover! It turns your iPad on and off when you open/close it! It’s also sold separately.
You will undoubtedly be a hero if you give your loved one an iPad 2 this holiday, but definitely consider what the person you’re shopping for wants to achieve with their new gadget. It’s the perfect solution for someone with a primary computer, who longs for a sexy and simplified version to compliment.
You can pick up the iPad 2 at Authorized Apple Re-Sellers, The Apple Store, and online. It starts at $519.
