I'M STUMPED!

The Stump is compatible with all versions of the iPad, most iPhones (except the first one) and other tablets.Since I got my lovely new iPad on 16th March I’ve had the usual quest to find a case - or some kind of protection - to stop it from getting damaged when I’m out and about. Preferably one that can act as a stand. Because I don’t want to get Apple’s iPad Dock (which doesn’t get good reviews) or their Smart Cover (I don’t particularly like it and it doesn’t protect the back) I had to scour the web for possible candidates.

I started out quite excited at getting a worth case/stand to complement the iPad. But each time I found something I rather liked it was either not available for the new iPhone yet, or was ridiculously expensive. Thus I began to get quite frustrated.

Actually, I mostly like to use my iPad naked (the iPad, not me!) because I love the design and feel of it. I pair it to my Apple Wireless Keyboard a lot and need to be able to stand it up in different positions. And when I’m out and about taking photos I connect my camera to it to check out my work in situ to see if my snaps are any good or if I need to do more. So I want something that will protect my iPad while I’m travelling about.

Then I thought that perhaps I could get a case and a separate stand. And that’s when I came across the Stump Stand.

The Stump Stand is a very simple design. But it’s a practical and rather brilliant one, like many simple ideas (traffic cones, for instance).

The different positions make the Stump Stand very practical for a variety of tasks, landscape or portrait.As you can see from the photo, it lets you use your device in three different positions. And the good thing is that it’s compatible with your iPhone (every version except for the original iPhone) and all iPads to date. And other devices, too, like the Kindle and other tablets.

In the US, you can buy the Stump directly from the manufacturer, here.

Here in the UK, however, you can only get it from Amazon or Apple.

You can get it in various colours. But I only like the black one which I feel will look better with my black iPad and iPhone.

Now, last week, when I was order one from Apple, there was a 5 day wait for despatch. But something happened and I forgot to confirm my order.

Today I went back to The Apple Store to order it and now I won’t get it until 26th April! And at Amazon the situation is even worse; there is a wait of between one and three months for the black one! So, essentially, you could say that I’m stumped. Or you might say that I’m not. Depends how you look at it.

Obviously the manufacturer has either completely underestimated the demand for his product, or they don’t care about Europe. You’d think he’d have more distributors. It’s very annoying and it sort of puts me off buying one, but it is the only thing I’ve seen that fits some of my requirements that isn’t ugly or ridiculously expensive. And it has fabulous reviews. Damn. I will just have to wait.

For those in the UK who like bright colours or are just too impatient, the pink, red and bright green ones are still readily available. (Double damn).

Obviously I still have to find a case to travel about with. But, being rather creative and good at knitting and sewing and so on, I’m thinking that I might even make one myself and personalise it. It’s just a matter of finding the time. Because at the moment I’m knitting a dog. 

I’ll keep you posted.

YET ANOTHER iPHOTO UPDATE (9.2.3)

Yesterday I said I was swimming in updates.

Today there is yet another! This time it’s for iTunes.

I suppose we mustn’t grumble. Just shows that Apple is aware of issues and is doing what it can to address them. There just seem to be such a lot of them at the moment!

Today’s update apparently “improves overall stability” and “addresses an issue that could cause iPhoto to quit unexpectedly on systems with multiple user accounts”.

So if iPhoto unexpectedly quits on you, this update will be very welcome.

I don’t have multiple users on my Mac. It’s mine, all mine! :-) But I’ll be glad of the stability improvements.

YET ANOTHER iTUNES UPDATE! (10.6.1)

I’m swimming in a sea of updates; there just seem to be quite a lot at the moment, don’t there?

The latest iTunes update “provides a number of improvements” which include a fix that resolves unexpected quitting while playing videos and syncing photos to devices, as well as problems while browsing TV episodes in your iTunes library on Apple TV.

It also fixes bugs when using Voiceover or Window Eyes (screen readers for the visually impaired). And a bit more.

Have a look for yourself. Or just intall it. If Software Update has failed to alert you, just run it now.

It might just solve some issues you’ve been having and brighten up your Friday.

2-3 WEEK WAIT, NOW, FOR THE NEW iPAD

Whether you want black or white, there’s a wait for the new iPad.I’m so glad I pre-ordered my new iPad and had it delivered early on the morning of the launch (16th March). Because people who dithered and who are ordering now are subject to a 2-3 week wait. So despite scepticism as to whether the new iPad could reach and maintain the sales momentum of the previous two models, it’s selling fast.

Maybe we have to change the old saying that goes “They’re selling like hot cakes” to “They’re selling like iPads”. Or iPhones, of course.

THOUSANDS QUEUE AROUND THE GLOBE FOR THE NEW iPAD

Er… WHY?

Did these people not know that pre-ordering from the Apple site has changed? Unlike previous releases of iPhone and iPad, THIS time our shiny new devices were delivered to our door the same day they were available at Apple Stores. 

In fact, as posted previously, mine arrived at around 8 am GMT. That’s the same time as all the Apple Stores opened! So there.

And, I sat in bed sipping delicious frothy coffee while I waited, and was then able to unbox it and set it up immediately. No wait to get back home or somewhere ‘safe’. I thought that was pretty damned cool.

But some people, apparently, camped outside stores for 31 hours… Again, WHY?

I can only imagine they did it for some sort of cathartic, spiritual and community experience. Yeah (man). I’m not mocking it, really. But… 

After my last, time-consuming, frenetic experience of buying an iPad, it was heavenly to pay for it online, do nothing and just wait.

In fact, after I eventually got my first (original) iPad I wrote to to Apple saying I thought that taking people’s money for pre-orders, and then letting those that queue up get the product first, was, in my humble opinion, not on. Clearly they took notice of me. :-)

Anyway, I’m very happy with my new iPad so far. And (much) more about that later. One thing I am NOT happy about is this. Rather a long time ago I thought it would be a good idea to buy Apple shares. I was broke at the time, but tried to persuade my family. No-one believed me when I said Apple were going to be big. Today shares hit $600. Nuff said.

Glass of wine required (good for shock).

Have a great Sunday and if you’re in the UK, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!