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The iPad is still some way away, but that hasn’t made me worry any less about the micro SIM card the device is purported to require to access a GSM network. Whilst I may initially decide to go ahead and purchase WLAN only model, the real deal is obviously a device that can reach the Interwebs via 3G or HSDPA. Micro SIM cards are not yet readily available and may not be available for some time in certain parts of the world. Some informal digging has resulted in me deciding that the micro SIM can easily created by cutting a current mini SIM down to size.

Based on information found on the ETSI site and Wikipedia, it seems that the only difference between the two SIM cards is the actual size of the cutout. The contact area is apparently identical.

The Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil provides an interesting paper that compares the different form factors.

PDF link here.

That would mean a simple bit of cutting on an existing mini SIM card would suffice to enable the iPad to go online. I wouldn’t suggest anyone try that with their one and only SIM card required for use in another device. But prepaid cards can be had for about ZAR 0.50, which is cheap enough to allow for a bit of trial and error. I’ll definitely give this a go, but that’ll only be possible in another 90 days or so. Or is that already 88

The much anticipated iPad has been presented by Apple and, overall, responses seem to be favourable. To me, the iPad as it has been shown is exactly what I would want. Ever since I’ve become reliant on the iPhone, I’ve been hankering for a device with the same functionality, but a bigger screen. A bigger screen for reading books and magazines and for browsing the web. And that’s really all there is to it: the iPad is an oversized iPod Touch with the possibility of adding 3G network services. The barrier to entry has been set to permit a good number of users to experience the device without having to spend a huge amount of money: USD 499 is not bad for a WLAN only device and in combination with a MiFi, the iPad can easily be taken on a road trip without worrying too much about wireless hotspot availability.

Some responses to the iPad announcement have indicated disappointments with the iPad. The lack of a camera is a frequent point that is raised. No radical change to the way the user interface functions. Lack of Adobe Flash support. To all these I say not important. For me at least. How long did iPhone users cope without the ability to cut and paste text? Quite some time. On a device the size of the iPad, a built-in camera would be handy but not essential. In my usage scenario, I don’t even video call using Skype or iChat when I’m on a decent Internet connection. Would I want to maneuver a 25cm x 18cm chunk of kit to take a photograph of something? Unlikely. It’s impractical and unnecessary. A change to the user interface would have necessitated a new operating system and possibly new applications. The iPad runs a flavour of the iPhone OS. All existing applications will run on the iPad, and newer applications will support the bigger screen. I have tons of applications I’ll simply be able to sync and run. The Zinio magazine reader will function, Amazon’s Kindle reader will function, as will all the photography apps (not requiring a camera) and games I have. That’s significant and means I can get going straight away without considering and learning a new style of interaction. Do I need Flash? I avoid that even when using a full-size desktop machine. HTML5 is a better alternative and existing content from YouTube and other sources is quite widely available for the iPhone without a reliance on Flash.

The battery life is significant even if real-world tests don’t meet up with the claimed 10 hours. 6 hours or more of constant usage would be great. A long standby time a great asset. But where the iPad breaks new ground is in its ability to connect to a Bluetooth or docked keyboard. Better still, Apple has also announced the ability to attach a camera or storage card using special dock connectors. The ability to add external devices and interact with them is now a reality. First promised a year ago when the iPhone 3GS was announced, we may finally see a slew of devices that may be connected to the dock connector to extend the usage possibilities of the iPad. With regard to the camera dock – suddenly editing a large image or creating high-definition HDR images without reliance on a notebook computer is a reality. Tons of applications are already available, and many more will take advantage of this – Photoshop for the iPhone OS may become a far more useful tool to many in this regard. With Apple having taken the lead in producing hardware interfaces, there is no doubt that other manufacturers will take the initiative to produce their own.

Apple‘s online book store may compete with Amazon’s Kindle store. I have a Kindle and enjoy using it. The iPad means I will no longer use the Kindle. Not because I’ll necessarily purchase content from Apple’s iBook store. I’ll be able to read all my Kindle books on the iPad using the Kindle Reader. The iPad has a colour screen and is backlight. There is no way the Kindle can compete with that. Concerns about iBooks not being available immediately in countries other than the USA are of no concern: I’ve been using a US-based iTunes account for ages with full access to all content it provides. I’m able to purchase Audible books from the US store even though I don’t physically reside in that country. Similar access will be available to the US iBooks store. It takes a bit of obfuscation, and that’s it. Nobody’s really perturbed about that, least of all the guys accepting cash for their services.

The only reservation I have is the use of the micro SIM card instead of a standard one. It’s obvious that this is a lock-in to AT&T in the USA. The 3FF SIM (micro SIM) is about 50% smaller than a regular GSM SIM card. Instead of a 15mm x 25mm card the dimensions are 12mm x 15mm.

The availability of the 3FF micro SIM in South Africa is not yet known.

Apple has created a device that is instantly recognizable to millions of iPhone users the world over. It’s easy to use, provides a great feature set and is responsive. Migration of existing applications is a no-brainer, and the addition of special applications such as Apple‘s own iWork for the iPad will lead to greater use of the device in areas where the iPhone previously couldn’t perform. The device will mature, and as it does, those features that irk users will be accepted (like the lack of cut and paste) and possibly rectified. The iPad is an appliance. Easy to use, limited in its functionality to enable it to perform at its peak. That’s the Apple way. In my opinion, the iPad in its current guise is the evolution of a new platform. Subsequent updates to the iPad will enable more features, better and more compelling applications and interaction with various external devices. In a similar way to the iPhone, the iPad will become widespread as its features are discovered by more and more users, possibly in specific vertical markets.

In my opinion, the iPad (at least on paper) is the device I’ve been waiting for. I can’t wait to get my hands on one…

I finally got around to updating the 5D Mark II‘s firmware to the new 1.2.4 version. A simple procedure that worked without a hitch. I prefer to use the CF card method.

The update corrects a phenomenon that visible noise may appear in images taken by continuous Bulb shooting. This firmware update corrects a phenomenon that if the [C.Fn II-1 Long exposure noise reduction] setting is set to [2: On], noise may appear in images that are captured while the previous image is still being generated.

Whilst on the Canon USA site, which I consider a spectacular resource for all things EOS, I had a look at the new content that had been added to the Canon Digital Learning Center. Needless to say that I spent roughly five minutes completing the firmware update to the camera and almost four hours browsing the content available on that site. With the rest of the house asleep, I was able to read a number of articles and assimilate a significant amount of information without interruption.

If you haven’t checked out the content Canon provides, I urge you to have a look. Videos, articles, technical discussions and more. It’s all there, regardless of your level of proficiency or technical ability. In particular, there are some great resources on HDR photography and the use of flash lights. On entry point is this link, but there is tons of other content accessible from the main site.

Steve Jobs didn’t disappoint at his presentation of the new Apple product announcement.

The iPad will be available in the next month, with international availability pending. It’s little more than an oversized iPod, but that’s exactly what I was hoping for.

The 9″ device is powered by Apple‘s own A4 chip, running at 1GHz and able to execute the entire library of iPhone applications natively. A choice as to whether the app is run in full screen mode or centered on the larger iPad screen is available, until applications for the iPad are developed. A variety of options regarding configuration are available and the pricing starts at USD 499. The ideal model is the one containing both 3G and WLAN with 64GB of storage. That’s the one to get.

The unit accepts optional accessories, including a stand and keyboard stand. For those with an Apple Bluetooth keyboard, that can be connected to the iPad. It will be possible to upload photos from a camera and possibly use an application to edit and process those. A new version of iWork runs on the iPad.

Only a few more hours to go until Apple unveils the next big thing.

Unbelievable how much a product that no one has ever seen can grab the imagination in the way the rumoured Apple tablet device has. If this is anything like an oversized iPhone with 3G network connectivity, WLAN, touch screen and decent display, I want one.

Then again, we may only be seeing a new MacBook Pro and Aperture 3.0.

Oh, and one more thing…

I’ve cut down my printed magazine consumption quite drastically over the past year or so. Magazines are still a big drawcard for me, though the fact that imported publications cost an absolute fortune and are generally at least one month late in arriving at the local newsagent makes the Internet a far better source of information. Nonetheless, magazines still provide a fair bit of information. To continue my addiction, I’ve been purchasing subscriptions to select magazines online. Zinio is a good service with a reader available for both Windows and Mac. Prices for annual subscriptions are insanely affordable. A single issue (at least one month old once it’s actually for sale in South Africa) of a certain photography magazine costs almost ZAR 100.

The same magazine in digital format costs USD 10. That’s about ZAR 70. For an annual subscription – twelve issues in all. Even with DRM and the inability to print more than a page at a time that’s a fantastic proposition. The drawback? Magazines can be read only on a Windows or Mac, and that’s hardly convenient. Until now, that is.

The biggest hope I have had for the iPadCanvasTabletSlate that Jobs will hopefully unveil tomorrow is that it will provide an application for reading magazines. For a long time, I was hoping that an application would be available for the iPhone. Two weeks ago, I was ecstatic upon discovering that Zinio has ported a reader to the iPhone. Without doubt that means a similar application will be available to run on the new Apple device all and sundry are eagerly awaiting. The iPhone‘s screen is small, but the small selection of magazines formatted for that platform are easily readable. More and more content is being prepared for the iPhone.

Similar to the desktop reader, a library of purchased content is displayed.

Downloading an entire issue is fast and easily possible over an EDGE connection. The files seem rather compact and are added to the library once downloaded. Once downloaded, the magazine can be read without requiring further network connectivity.

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Michael Schumacher‘s ride for the season has been unveiled. The Mercedes Petronas RB1was unveiled in the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart.

The traditional Mercedes silver is incorporated along with the necessary blue colouring of the team’s main sponsor. Some very odd detailing on the front wings and an unusually long front section makes the car seem somewhat ungainly when viewed from the angle shown in the image above. The name of the car is the RB1. RB stands for Ross Brawn, the team principal.

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Lego City is an exciting place to be lately, specifically with regard to the stunning buildings that are available in boxed form. The recent fire house was yet another fine example of a building featuring a lot of interior detail and a modular design that blends in with the others available. Creating a sprawling cityscape is rather easy and indications are that further additions in this range will be available in the future. In addition to the market place, hotel, green grocer, winter toy shop, fire house and various others, Lego is releasing the Grand Emporium.

It’s a corner building with a lot of interior detail and removable sections for easy access and play.

Set #10211 includes a number of mini figures to round out the Lego shopping experience and comprises roughly 2200 pieces. It should be available locally from June this year.

The replacement schedule for existing number plates that cars bear in the Gauteng Provice has been published, along with the specification of the new number plates. Nothing much changes in the way the number plates look – the familiar blue on white design with the GP logo stays, though the number format changes to accommodate roughly 200 million registrations. The existing three letter, three digit scheme accommodated only 9 million variations. Differences to the letter colouring occur for governmental vehicles (red), those with personalized plates (green) and vehicles used for public transport (black).

In addition to the change in the letter/number sequence, the new plates will be metallic and will include a 2D barcode as well as an RFID chip. The purpose of the RFID chip is touted as a means of preventing illegally obtained plates from being attached to a vehicle. In my opinion, this is a secondary reason: toll roads and chip readers (already installed on the general highway system surrounding Johannesburg) will be able to utilize information from the RFID chip to charge for road usage and of course to ensure fines for speeding are allocated correctly.

It is likely that the cost of operating a vehicle on the highways of Johannesburg and surrounds will become a very expensive affair in future, not least of which is the requirement of having old number plates replaced at a cost to the vehicle owner in line with specified expiration dates.

The new plates will have a validity period of five years, after which they will have to be renewed once again.