You may not be familiar with the company Tronical but you will know their work because they are responsible for Gibson’s Robot Guitar tuning systems. Well judging by this video it appears that Tronical are about to launch some standalone systems that can be retrofit to pretty much any guitar be it a Les Paul [...]
Tag: iPad
Make Your iPad A True Writing Tool
For me, the iPad is the ultimate device for paperless reading, writing, and photo viewing. The comfortable viewing size of the iPad makes it a perfect electronic notebook for reading ebooks, PDFs, typing short emails, and viewing lots of photos. There are also some very good apps that actually allow you to use the iPad like a notepad.
Steve Jobs and Apple probably didn’t envision the iPad being used this way, but the smooth glass service of the device makes it a pretty handy tool for jotting notes, grocery lists, brainstorming and outlining ideas, mind mapping, and drawing simple designs. Let’s check the best free option for handwriting notebook apps, and then examine a few low-priced alternatives.
Bamboo Paper
If you want to test out how it feels to hand write on your iPad, the makers of Wacom tablets have produced Bamboo Paper, specifically designed for the iPad.
The best way to hand write on the iPad is using what is called a Stylus pen, but I don’t recommend going and buying one until you get a feel for using a handwriting notebook app. In the above screenshot, I quickly wrote using my index finger. Stylus pens help with a little more precise handwriting, but finger writing works just fine when you don’t have a pen nearby.
Bamboo is beautifully designed and functionally easy to use. When you launch the app, it has the look of one of those Moleskin notebooks.
Before tapping on the cover of the Bamboo notebook, notice that you can tap the menu gear at the bottom, which brings up a small collection of colored inks and three types of paper (not captured in the screenshot)—blank, lined, and graph papers.
The essential feature for these type of apps includes an undo, redo, and full erase tools. Bamboo Paper has all three. There’s even a button to clear the entire ‘sheet of paper’. In the app’s toolbar, you can also change the color of the ink and export your notes to your iPad’s Photo Library, email it, or print it. On the front cover of the app you can select to export the entire notebook of pages.
Bamboo Paper makes for a fine introduction to handwriting on the iPad. However, it does have a few missing features that regular users of the app will want. Though you can bookmark pages in Bamboo, it allows for only one notebook. Also, it doesn’t export pages to popular services like Dropbox. So if you get hooked on Bamboo, you might consider one of the few low-priced alternatives below.
Penultimate
One of the handwriting apps I’ve been using for quite some time is Penultimate ($1.99). It contains all the features of Bamboo Paper, but much, much more.
You can create as many notebooks as you like. In addition to the three types of papers, you can order for .99 cents packets of other types of papers for writing, planners, blank music sheets, graphic designing and games like Hangman.
Penultimate has what is called a Wrist Protection feature which, when enabled, stops the palm of your hand making marks on a sheet of paper as you write.
You can also easily navigate through pages of your notebook using the thumbnail view of the app. Like Bamboo, Penultimate allows you to export pages and full notebooks in PDF format via email, your Photo Library, iTunes, as well as printing. However, Penultimate also doesn’t have Dropbox integration.
Noteshelf
For a few dollars more, Noteshelf ($4.99) probably provides the fullest features out of all the notebooks reviewed.
Noteshelf contains everything found in Bamboo and Penultimate, with additional features allowing you to export pages and notebooks to Dropbox and Evernote. Noteshelf also allows you to import and re-size photos in your notebook pages.
Which notebook app you choose will largely be based on how much you prefer handwriting on your iPad as opposed to typing. You might start off with the free Bamboo app and if you see yourself using it a lot step up to one of the commercial paid apps. Also, you will need to shop around for a Stylus Pen. They costs between a few dollars and upwards to $35. Start with the low priced ones that you can find on Amazon.
(Via MakeUseOf.com.)
Ion Piano 2 Go Turns Your iPad Into A Keyboard Synthesizer
The Ion Piano 2 Go is a new dock that transforms your iPod or iPad into a music making workstation.
Features:
- Keyboard and piano performance app for iPod or iPad
- 25-note mini-keyboard for comfortable, realistic performance
- Velocity-sensitive keys for maximum expression
- Includes free App download with four different sounds to play
- Everything you need to practice, perform and write music
- Powered by batteries or AC adaptor
Pricing and availability are to be announced.
(Via Synthtopia.)
Apple TV surpasses the iPad for Netflix viewing
Netflix are not doing too badly at the moment, for they reported, ‘Apple TV has done very well for us, and in just four months has passed the also-growing iPad in Netflix viewing hours.’
This is added on top of their pretty-looking quarterly report.
(Via ZiggyTek Blog.)
NAMM 2011: AmpliTube Fender for iPad
K Multimedia are on a roll right now, I’m a massive fan of Amplitube 3 but then they released an iPad version of Amplitube and it just looks like iPad’s were designed to run Amplitube rather than the other way around. Aside from being visually stunning it also has the most amazing amp models too and now IK Multimedia have announced a new version for NAMM 2011 of their Fender licensed amp collection called AmpliTube Fender™ for iPad, iPhone and iPod. As you can hear the emulations of classic Fender amps and effects are incredibly realistic as we have come to expect from Amplitube but the combination of beautiful graphics and the tactile interface make it worth buying an iP
Portastudio on iPad, with Faux Cassette, and Everything Old is New Again
If it’s an iconic piece of hardware or software, there’s at least a decent chance you could be seeing it in virtual iPad form soon.
Tascam’s Portastudio, released today, is a particularly striking example. The famed, budget cassette multitrack recorder, the box on which countless demos and quick songwriter creations was forged, appears on Apple’s tablet. There’s even a fake cassette tape, which I have to say is a little bit unnerving.
This is all nostalgia, right? Well, no, actually: those big, simplified plastic controls and memorable layout work because they’re so easy to use. The problem with a lot of software design of the past couple of decades is that it’s somewhat inhumane. Given endless space and often-increasing, ever-cheaper system resources, music software has been, charitably, less-than-friendly. Resembling a 70s jumbo jet cockpit, UI controls multiply and shrink to the point that they challenge all but an 18-year-old pair of eyes. Add in clunky default OS widgets, collapsible tabs and dockable windows that add still more complexity, and you wind up with a trainwreck. What these hardware emulations prove is that you could learn something from hardware – even when the need for blank space, big knobs and faders and buttons, limited controls, and standard hardware inputs and readouts is gone.
So, back to the original product, what does $10 get your iPad? If you know how a Portastudio works, you probably already know most of the answer, but here’s a quick rundown:
- Cassette tape-style transport. (Linear transport, I might add. Seriously. You have to rewind and fast forward to get around.)
- Routing to four inputs.
- Mixdown to stereo (via a dialog box, so that’s the point where you break the illusion).
- Simple EQ.
- File sharing, via iTunes or Soundcloud. (This last item is what makes this a useful tool and not just a novelty.)
- Support for ‘a few’ class-compliant audio interfaces, though your mileage may vary.
The development work was done by a well-loved developer, Chris Randall / Audio Damage. (Chris I think does learn hardware’s design lessons in his UIs.) See his blog post:
Hey, Look What I Made…
The bad news: no bounce, which seems a major oversight. Ironically, Tascam also has to admit that they don’t have any class-compliant audio interfaces. (Doh!) In case you’re wondering, they also say flat out in the FAQ, don’t expect versions for other operating systems soon — too bad, as this would seem fairly ideal in a reduced form on iPhone and iPod touch.
But the radical simplicity of this app could be its appeal. I may actually fire this up to use as a recording sketchpad, especially with hardware synths, Game Boys, and so on.
http://tascam.com/product/portastudio/
And forget the app itself: this ought to be a perfect time to look back and remember what made the original PortaStudio great – and wonder why so often those same design principles are lost.
One of the famed Tascam models, the sort that may well bring up fond memories of mobile recording. (Not quite the right model, but you get the idea.) Photo (CC-BY-SA) Lucius Kwok (the developer), via Wikimedia Commons
(Via Create Digital Music.)
BBC Launching iPlayer iPad App Outside UK
Fans of BBC programming will appreciate this latest tidbit. According to the Financial Times, the BBC is planning on launching its iPlayer app as a commercial subscription for iPad users outside the UK. United States viewers are said to be the first target. The report says that the news conglomerates plans are still being worked on.
As of right now, the BBC offers a free version of its iPlayer iOS app for UK users, who are already paying TV licensing fees in order to support BBCs programming. Since the BBC cant charge for content in the UK, the organization is aiming to offer paid subscription access for its content in foreign markets, like the US.
The report is citing Luke Bradley-Jones, managing director of BBC.com, who says that the service would start out as a paid subscription app, ‘in part to get audiences used to using the service, but more importantly so we can generate additional value from the service in terms of the user data that it gives us.’
Bradley-Jones had said that the BBC was ‘planning for the Global iPlayer to initially launch just on the iPad platform, as it provides such potential to develop a truly interactive video-on-demand service, and also maps pretty nicely on to our core target audience for the service.’
Following that, the BBC would then expand outward to offer up a variation of subscription access, digital downloads and pay per viewing, and would also aim for chance to work with advertisers to sponsor free content.
Currently, the government in the UK charges residents an annual ‘colour TV’ license fee of about $227 US, which is then used for supporting television, radio broadcasts and production. It also covers its online programming, such as mobile delivery via its iPlayer app.
So what do you think readers? If this app does come to light, are you game? Or pass? Feel free to leave your comments below!
(Via Mac|Life all.)
New iKlip iPad Microphone Stand Adapter
If you’re an iPad music software user, you may want to check out the new IK Multimedia iKlip — a $39.99 multi-angle iPad microphone stand adapter.
Here are IK Multimedia’s suggested uses for the iKlip:
- Score viewing during musical performance and playback
- Viewing notes and presentation materials during live presentations/performances
- Learning tool – use your tablature and score apps to learn songs and riffs
- Use it with AmpliTube for iPad to play on stage or practice at home
- Use your favorite iPad music creation apps like GrooveMaker
- DJs – now you can use your iPad DJ apps live — mounts to tabletop stands as well as standard mic poles
- Use with karaoke apps for live ‘play along’ singing – whatever your favorite iPad app, it’s now within your reach.
According to IK Multimedia, the iKlip is is constructed from dense thermoplastic molded components for ‘extreme durability and secure holding abilities under the most demanding situations’.
Features:
- Sturdy, durable thermoplastic construction with sure-grip touch points — securely holds your iPad without scratching or marring it
- Universal stand clip securely attaches to virtually any microphone stand
- Multi-angle adjustment allows precise positioning for optimal stage or studio viewing
- Quick-snap clips provide fast, secure iPad insertion
- Fast installation — iKlip installs on your mic stand in seconds with the twist of a knob
- All controls, buttons and connectors are accessible when your iPad is clipped into iKlip
- Multi-mount design provides both horizontal and vertical orientation of your iPad
- Can be mounted on the vertical part of a mic stand, or on a horizontal boom for limitless positioning
- Designed and manufactured in Italy
If you’ve used the iKlip, leave a comment and let us know what you think of it!
(Via Synthtopia.)
NOOSY Offers HDMI Adapter For The iPad, iPhone 4 and iPod touch
NOOSY China, an unauthorized third-party Apple accessory manufacturer has come up with a HDMI adapter for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch (4G). The product claims to allow you to output the display of your device to your HD display, though it wasn’t clear if the adapter will support audio over HDMI. It also wasn’t mentioned if it would support DRM protected content over HDMI though the site does feature images of Star Trek being played on the iPad and on a connected TV. Pricing wasn’t mentioned, though hopefully it won’t cost too much.
(Via Ubergizmo.)
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