When Apple demoed the upcoming iOS 7 earlier this week during WWDC 2013, the company focused solely on how it would look and operate on the iPhone 5. Now we know why, thanks to new images of the operating system posted on Apple’s iOS 7 Web page .

As it turns out, and as we all pretty much expected, iOS 7 on iPad and iPad mini will look and feel just as it does on the iPhone 4 through iPhone 5 — just on a bigger canvas. Well, save for iPad 2, iPhone 4 and any iPod Touch before the fifth generation: Those models lack access to Siri. As you can see above, not much changes between iOS 7 on iPad and iPhone aside from the spacing between its divisive icons. Read the rest of this entry »

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Ever wish there was a sleeker way to carry your charger, earphones and other peripherals with your iPad? A newly-launched Kickstarter project says it will solve that problem.  The Smart Cargo for iPad snaps on to your tablet to store your accessories in a convenient, aesthetically-pleasing case. It will retail at $30 once available. Using the magnetic cover of Apple’s Smart Cover, the Smart Cargo attaches firmly onto your iPad.

You will need to have the Apple Smart Cover or Smart Case to use this product, but for iPad users that already have that, this appears to be a valuable upgrade. Its interior is lined with felt to reduce noise, and it also doubles as a grip and wrist support for typing on the tablet. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you know what your children are doing online? According to a recent study, 30 percent of American parents don’t monitor their children’s social networking activity. The University of Southern California’s Annenberg Center for the Digital Future found that of that 30 percent, 28 percent said they trusted their children. Only 12 percent said checking up on their kids “would show lack of trust.”

Other reasons included not knowing how to use Facebook (9 percent) and not having the time to do so (7 percent). The same study, now in its 11th year, found that most parents feel the average appropriate age for children to own a mobile phones is 13 and having a Facebook account is 15.  Read the rest of this entry »

The stigma of an instant gratification-obsessed America might not necessarily hold up in one regard: Web surfing on the go. According to a study commissioned by SOASTA, a mobile website and app testing company, a whopping 76 percent of Americans are willing wait up to 10 seconds for a Web page or app to load on their computer, tablet or smartphone. 

A second survey commissioned by SOASTA polled more than 400 software and app developers with similar questions, to which 25 percent of them said that even one second of load time was unacceptable. More than one-third of app makers, 36 percent, said they’re willing to wait one second, and 29 percent of developers would find two seconds acceptable. At least it’s good to know that developers hold themselves to such high standards. Read the rest of this entry »

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“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Wise words to live by. And if you’re an experienced writer with a passion for mobile technology who lives in New York or San Francisco, we might be able to help you do that. We’re looking for two staff writers, one on each coast. The right candidate is obsessed with the hottest gadgets and technologies, and is enthusiastic about writing detailed product reviews, news stories, tips articles and feature-length pieces. You must be versatile and capable of juggling multiple deadlines in a fast-paced and fun environment, which may include live event coverage. You should be self-motivated and very organized. 

To apply, you’ll need to convince us why you’re right for the job. Start by visiting Mediabistro to apply. Note: you’ll need a free MediaBistro account.

Follow Anna Attkisson on Twitter and Google+. Follow LAPTOPMAG on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

Google is planning to unleash a second-generation Nexus 7 tablet to defend its stake in the 7-inch tablet market as soon as next month, according to a new report. There’s no evidence from Google to support this notion, but Taiwan-based Digitimes reports that the search engine giant is targeting a $229 price point for a 16GB variant.

Sources allegedly told the website that Google will stand by its $199 to $249 segment of the market rather than slashing prices like other vendors such as ASUS. At this year’s Computex in Taipei ASUS unveiled its MeMO Pad 7 HD, the follow up to its 7-inch MeMO Pad, which comes with an improved 1,280 x 800 display for an aggressively low $129.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Microsoft has finally announced that its Office software will be available for the iPhone, bringing a mobile version of its Word, Excel and PowerPoint productivity software to Apple’s smartphone OS. Office Mobile is currently available for the iPhone and can be accessed via an Office 365 subscription. There’s no iPad optimized version just yet, but it is optimized for the iPhone 5. 

Dubbed “Office Mobile for Office 365 Subscribers,” the iPhone 5-optimized app can be used to open Office documents as email attachments, view and edit documents online, and of course, integrates with SkyDrive. It offers support for charts, animations and SmartArt graphics and shapes as well. 

Read the rest of this entry »

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If the thought of being stuck in a plane without an internet connection gives you separation anxiety, you may want to make sure that the next flight you book offers Wi-Fi onboard. But because the service is still being installed in many airlines, it is often difficult to find that information before you buy a ticket.

Almost all major U.S. airlines now offer in-flight Wi-Fi for at least some of their flights, with the exception of JetBlue, which is rolling out the service this summer. Virgin America, on the other hand, already offers Wi-Fi for all of its flights.

Unless you know that you’re taking Virgin, finding a Wi-Fi enabled flight at booking time can be an exercise in frustration. None of the major airlines’ websites that we searched currently offer the advanced option of searching specifically for flights with Wi-Fi. Travel booking sites like Orbitz, Travelocity, Kayak and Expedia also lack the option right now.

Here’s how to make sure the next flight you book has Wi-Fi on board. Read the rest of this entry »

Gotten your fill of sweets from “Candy Crush Saga?” Then maybe its time to make the switch to adorable puppies and kittens. Game developer, King, has announced that its popular “Pet Rescue Saga” game has arrived for iOS and Android devices as a free title. The title, previously only available on Facebook feature over 72 mobile levels. In “Pet Rescue Saga,” players are tasked with helping cuddly dogs, cats and birds from hazardous situations across urban and fairy-tale landscapes. 

Read the rest of this entry »

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 The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 commanded most of the attention at this year’s E3—and why not? Microsoft and Sony spilled all the beans on their two new consoles, which are expected to battle it out this holiday season. The $499 One is an all-in-one entertainment center that integrates live TV, while the PS4 is targeting hard-core gamers with its sick specs and $100 lower price. Overall, there was plenty to see on the show floor, with several big-budget console titles unveiled along with innovative indie games. Meanwhile, mobile games continue to gain popularity, with big-name publishers taking notice.

After spending three days covering several major news conferences and visiting dozens of booths, these are our Best of E3 2013 Award Winners.

Next

Best Mobile Game: Fightback

Sometimes the first time is the charm. The '80’s-inspired beat ‘em up “Fightback” is developer Ninja Theory’s first entry into the mobile arena. Coming to iOS and Android, the game uses a series of swipes and taps, allowing gamers to put together 20-hit combos and deliver a beatdown to wave after wave of thugs. If you get tired of hand-to-hand combat, pull out one of the game’s oversize guns to clear the room. The free-to-play title allows gamers to purchase upgrades, including bigger, better guns or tattoos for stat boosts. Or you can work your way up the old-fashioned way—with a couple of hours of kicking butt and taking names.

More: EA Mobile's Fightback Packs a Punch

• E3 2013 Day 1: Top 5 Stories
• 11 Hotly Anticipated Games from Electronic Arts
• Best of Computex 2013 Awards