Good Organic Gardening

Get it from the iTunes store

Free download for the app; subscription needed

Good Organic Gardening is a fresh new magazine focused on delivering the best�advice for productive gardening.�The current issue, back issues and future issues can be purchased within the app. Subscriptions are available in 6 months and 12 month increments (3 issues and 6 issues) starting at $17.

Spring Is Here

Get it from the iTunes store

$1.99

“Spring is Here” (Haru ga kuru)�is a story �told through the eyes of an insightful young boy soon to be big brother. It is geared towards early readers and touches on new experiences that any older child will confront when welcoming a new younger sibling. There is both an English version and a�Japanese version, Haru ga kuru, available. It is written by�Yoshimi Terasaki, with illustrations by�Miho Sasaki, and music by�Sh?hei Yamaki. The translation into English is done by�Jake Edge.

cPRO+ craigslist client

Get it from the iTunes store

$1.99

This officially�licensed�Craigslist app��features an intuitive interface and essential set of features to browse and post to Craigslist. It also includes Search Agents and notifies you of new matches. Users can do multi-city searchers, look through the photo gallery, use GPS-based auto location and more. All Craigslist cities, states, countries and continents are included, with enhanced search options and easy posting mechanisms. Users can also easily save and bookmark ads, add notes, edit saved searches and view a history of them. Replying and calling it a breeze, along with sharing to social media… and that is just the beginning of what this easy-to-use app can do!

Chore Hero Lite

Get it from the iTunes store

Free

Chore Hero Lite provides users with a fun way to manage their household chores. It makes it easy to�schedule and view chores, assigning various chores to various people, and using a reward system to get the job done. In fact, the more work a specific person does for the app, the more points they get. You can keep track of who is doing the most (and least) work, easily view the day’s chores, and keep track of what is getting done.

Zyrtec Allergycast

Get it from the iTunes store

Free

Are you a seasonal allergy suffer? If so, Zyrtec has you covered. This Allergycast app will bring you the pollen and weather forecasts to help you stay on track. It gives you the ability to plan ahead with the 4-day pollen forecast and weather report, and see which pollens are highest every day, along with tips on how to deal with them. Users can also save favorite cities for quick forecasts and turn on alerts to get a daily heads-up when your local pollen forecast is high.

SPF

Get it from the iTunes store

Free

When the sun starts to shine and we’re spending more time outside, SPF will help us stay protected from the harmful UV rays of the sun. It calculates the amount of time you should be in the sun based on your skin type and your local UV Index, using your GPS location to dynamically choose your UV Index. There are 5 skin types available in the app, ranging from Type I (pale skin, freckles, blond or red hair, blue or green eyes) to Type V+ (naturally black-brown skin, often has dark brown eyes and hair).

OtterBox iPhone 5 Defender Series Case

We already know that OtterBox is one of the best out there, their new Defender version fo rhte iPhone 5 will hold up to every time we drop our phone just like its predecessors. Designed for demanding conditions, heavy use and random accidents, the Defender includes three layers of protection with a polycarbonate skeleton that cushions the iPhone, along with a built-in screen protector that prevents smudges and scratches. The outer layer and belt-clip holster balance it all out (and doubles as a media viewing stand) with rubber plugs that protect the ports.

Apple iPhone 5 Tasche

If you’re looking for something a little classier, this Genuine Leather Flip Case iPhone 5 Case Cover combines comfort, ease of use, and usability. It includes a practical magnetic closure that makes opening and closing the case a simple flip, with a the same protection against scratches and other damage. The soft inner lining protects the screen, and the real leather material makes the outside stand up to tough use. Hand-sewn, and not glued, it is durable and will last through daily use for the life of your iPhone. 

Belkin View Case for iPhone 5

If you want to be a show off, you’ll want to snag the View Case, offering basic protection with a fully transparent polycarbonate back that lets you keep your iPhone’s looks uncovered (while keeping it covered). It has a flexible, soft TPU border, making it easy to grip, and a slim, compact, lightweight design, making it easy to hold. The View Case provides both impact and scratch protection, covering all buttons without limiting access to any controls or ports, and beveled edges help keep the screen scratch free. The camera lens cutout means nothing will interfere with your perfect shot.

Grove iPhone 5 Case 

Stepping away from plastic, the Grove uses all-natural bamboo to protect your investment from scratches and wear and tear. Beautiful, natural, and durable, the case is built from a plant-fiber composite interior that laminates the bamboo exterior. It is developed from 100 percent post-consumer fibers, along with renewable bamboo, with a strong build, gorgeous feel, and a way to help the environment. You can even get your own custom design.

Pad & Quill Little Pocket Book for iPhone 5

Hand-made in the USA, this super thin pocket book for the iPhone 5 is created from unique baltic birch, built to be just over 9mm thick. The hand-stitched, genuine leather cover, is custom designed by PQ to meet their high standards of quality, with pockets to hold your license, credit cards, and cash–all while protecting your phone. It’s durable, allows easy access for all your needs, and has an attractive and professional look.

X-Doria Kick Case for iPhone 5

If you want to keep it simple, consider the X-Doria Kick Case. A pop-out kickstand allows for easy horizontal or vertical viewing, with a simple-to-use slide on attachment and a rubber grip for extra stability. The top of the case is smooth and glossy, and is made from durable, impact resistant polycarbonate to keep your iPhone safe and sound. It’s simple and clean, with easily accessible ports and controls and a variety of colors to choose from.

Similar to the transition from the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S, the newest iPhone won’t have much of a major upgrade, and likely just be a little more enhanced. The rumours spreading indicate that Apple plans to release an iPhone model using plastic chassis in order to push and promote its global smartphone market share.

The newest version is expected to feature a higher-end processor — even better than the one it currently houses. The iPhone 5 has an A6 chip, and is admittedly impressive. About twice as fast as the A5 chip, it loads everything quickly and efficiently, making you wonder how the previous versions could even be classified as slow. It also has a substantial battery life, allowing users up to 8 hours of browsing on a cellular connection, with 8 hours of talk time, and 10 hours of video/music playback. We are looking forward to seeing how Apple plans to one up this (or, in the case of the iPhone 4S to the iPhone 5, double it) for the latest model.

The new iPhone 5S is also expected to feature a higher megapixel camera. This, of course, is exciting within itself, considering the iPhone 5 boasted some amazing features with its new camera.. and the iPhone 4S, too, was such a step above. With the current and latest iPhone featuring the panorama photo feature up to 28 megapixels, awesome low light features, 1080p HD video with the iSight camera, and improved back and front cameras, the newer version will likely include some improvement, but not an exponential amount compared to previous versions.

Other rumours have purported that the newest iPhone’s home button will include a longer cable, which would be routed differently through the iPhone’s body. Apple has also previous indicated that they might be adding a fingerprint sensor within the home button, or possibly on the home button, which would minimize theft and cracking any passwords.

We are also hearing that both the iPhone 5S and the newest iPad 5 will be launched on June 28th, 2013. Paying homage to the 6th year �anniversary for the unveiling of the original iPhone, they should be ready to go mid-year… and are notably the first two devices that have been developed entirely under the reigns of Apple’s CEO Tim Cook.

Take the iPhone 5, for example, which is home to an�8MP iSight camera with improved HDR capabilities, reduced motion blur, top notch low-light photos, and attention to detail. Read more about that here.

If you want to get a little savvier with your iPhone camera, here are some tricks we’ve picked up along the way for the best possible photographs.

Hold It Steady

When you’re shooting with your phone, try to use two hands, and keep it as still as possible; if you need to prop your elbows on a table, it might give you a more solid base. If you can’t, hold your elbows and arms close to your body (as opposed to arm’s length), which will help give you a more secure ground.

Use the Grid

Using the grid makes it a lot easier to take photos, primarily because then you can use the rule of thirds–essentially lining up your subjects in the right way. To activate the grid, go to the Camera app, then tap Options in the middle of the top row. Slide Grid to On, then tap Done.

Press It Right

The camera doesn’t actually take the photo when you tap the shutter button. Instead, it takes it once you remove your finger. So be sure your camera is steady until you remove your finger, and then that will ensure that you don’t have a blurry shot.

Using the Flash

You don’t have to use the Flash all of the time, and in fact, this is one of the biggest issues with building the better photo. The flash is set by default to Auto, and in general, that will help you out, but taking a little more control is deliver the results that you want. Use the flash in daylight so there are no shadows around your subject, or when it is totally dark out. Do not use the flash at concerts and sporting events, when shooting through glass or in a mirror, or when objects are stagnant.

Focus It

You can indicate on the phone where to focus by tapping the screen. This also helps determine where the camera �looks for exposure. For example, if you tap a dark section of the photo, the camera will increase the exposure in that area to reveal any hiding details in the darkness. If you tap a brighter area instead, it will lower the overall exposure in the image.

Try Something New

We’re totally digging the new panorama feature on the upgraded iOS. To activate it, users just tap to shoot and move the camera across the scene � up to 240 degrees in total. The iPhone uses the gyroscope, an A6 chip, and the Camera app to work together to create one seamless shot. Pretty darn slick, if you ask me!

What are your favourite iPhone camera tips and features?

When keeping your Mac secure, make sure that you stay up to date on new security threats. Updates are always available, and as new security threats are undercovered, there are generally an array of fixes and temporary changes that are available that allow you to take control before other issues are found.  It is important to stay in the know to ensure the best safety as new things emerge all of the time.

Make sure that your Mac is subscribed to Apple’s Software Update, and each time there is a security update, take advantage of it. This makes sure that you have the fixes when they become available, so that way you are aware of when issues need to be fixed.

You should also stay updated with online and offline sources, such as user groups, Twitter feeds, and other sources that keep you posted about security issues, give you the details on protection possibilities, and ensure that any updates are legitimate. Im addition, if you’re using apps that are downloaded from other parties, double check that they are secure and update when needed.

Another tip is to use a personal firewall. A personal firewall controls network traffic that runs to and from a computer, and allows (or denies) any communications based on specific security policy. This will keep you safe, assuming it is fully enabled for logging, and that way you can use an app to analyze the log to highlight any issues that might arise.

As everything in life, a good password will get you far. No longer will “password” or “1234″ cut it, but really, has it ever? Choose an alphanumeric code that is hard to guess, and Apple offers a built-in password assistant, which is found in the Keychain. The Keychain Access app is a front-end to the password management system that stores passwords for email, websites, networks, disk images, servers, notes, and more, making accessing and storing passwords seamless. Also you can research and download a Mac Keylogger.

Keeping it confidential is also key, so be sure not to send confidential information regularly by email. Assume that all emails aren’t safe unless proven otherwise, so be picky with what you’re opening as an attachment. Most often, attachments in email messages include viruses, unless you know the sender, and always double check that the context of the email matches up with the person’s attachment (or that they mentioned there is one attached. Even more, never click on links that are sent in an email message (again, unless relatively verified by the sender. When you don’t know the sender, it is generally sent by a “phishing website” that is trying to snag personal information from you. To avoid this, type URLs right into the browser, use bookmarks when possible, and only click on links from reputable people with reputable sites. Getting anti-virus applications also help. Though Mac-specific viruses are rare, anti-virus apps can help in odd instances.

Keeping your Mac’s goods will also help, so if you can keep it confidential, even better. Though it is simple to share iTunes music, iPhoto pictures, printers, and more, it is safer to use them just for your own or restrict the access to a couple machines in your home or office. Securing your wireless access via your AirPort is also important. You can change your router’s password often, and don’t allow it to be administered via the Internet when you are out of the home.

General security note: You should always have as many levels of defense as you can, just like in the physical world. Think of the crown jewels in a locked box in a secret, guarded room in a guarded castle with high walls, a draw-bridge and a crocodile-infected moat. From an Internet security point of view, think of good physical security (castle optional), a router-based firewall, personal firewalls, all services off by default, good passwords for any services you do offer and encryption of critical data.

Facebook

You’ve likely already been using the Facebook app, but we’re all likely on the same page to say that it is less than stellar. Now users can use the Facebook app to interact with ease and all the tools are available right within it. You can share a photo to Facebook from the Camera or iPhotos, use Maps to post your location, connect with the Game Center, and even integrate Siri into helping you out. Facebook events can also integrate with your calendar, making your memory that much sharper, and contacts automatically stay up to date.

Phone

Even the phone system has seen an awesome improvement. For those who must decline an incoming call (whether you’re too busy or, you know, screening calls), you can instantly reply with a text message or set yourself a callback reminder. You can also use the Do Not Disturb function and you won’t be called by anyone except for the contacts that you note can get through. That that is call screening at its finest.

Camera

Though the iPhone already boasts a darn great camera, the new panorama feature makes it that much better. This lets you capture everything you want with a sweet of the phone. A single motion can shoot up to a total of 240 degrees, whether horizontally or vertically, and it creates one seamless, high-resolution photograph. The tricky part is keeping your arm steady — it alerts you to keep the arrow on the middle line as you sweet the photo, so those with a shaky arm might want to pass off the camera to someone with a little more finesse.

Maps

After poor reviews about the previous Maps that Apple doled out, they’re back at it with something better. They’re rebuilt maps into a way that they are now vector based, with detailed graphics and text, and smooth panning to keep everything in line. The app moves with you, so you can tilt and rotate and find what you need, easily seeing all the names of the streets and places that you are looking for. Users can get both spoken and visual navigation details, along with real-like traffic updates. For those driving and using it as a GPS, they will appreciate the clear, well-spoken turn-by-turn directions that you can follow along (keeping your eyes on the road, of course) with 3D views.

Siri

Siri lovers will adore the improvements with iOS6, where she does a lot more than, well, just tell you what to do. She now understands more languages and more countries, and still knows the answers to everything. Going to dinner? She can tell you the best restaurants in town. Have a question about something on the news? She likely can hunt that down, too. Laying in bed and want her to post on Facebook for you that you’ve the flu? Don’t worry, Siri can let your friends know to hop on over with some chicken soup.

Find My Friends

Though Find My Friends is a convenient way to share locations with your family and friends, it is even better for families who need to stay in touch for emergency reasons. Users who share their locations with you appear on a map so you can quickly see where they are and what they’re up to. Kids going out that night? Find My Friends can tell you where they are and at what time, making it easy to pick them up if they had some car trouble or if they might be stretching the truth on their whereabouts. Parents will also appreciate the location-based alerts, such as if they arrive home from school and you’re still at work. We also dig this for our friends who run in races… you can follow their marathon status as they head to the finish.

Bluelounge Milo

The Bluelounge Milo has recently been upgraded, and it’s definitely for the better for aesthetics. The iPhone stand features a technology-forward Japanese micro-suction that grips your iPhone at any angle. The well-designed micro-suction pad is reusable, easily cleaned, and does not leave any residues on your devices or tabletop. With the upgraded stand having a new aluminum finish, it looks great, too–we love that it coordinates with Mac’s sleek look. Available in Black, White, Aluminium Black and Aluminium White, the Bluelounge Milo starts at $14.95. Get it here.

Mujjo iPad Mini Sleeve

This new sleeve is tailored to fit the mini iPad (with SmartCover attached) in a straightforward, minimalist look. Hand-crafted, the 100% wool felt holder combines both fashion and high functionality, with a high quality top-grain 100% vegetable-tanned leather that is hand-dyed using environmentally friendly dyes leather strap. A simple snap closure keeps it secure, and a storage pocket at the front is a handy compartment that allows you to store documents, earplugs and other accessories. It is available in Brown or White, and starts at €44.95. Get it here.

Hive Response for iPod touch 5G

This gaming case from Incipio is the perfect contender for the new iPod touch. Guaranteed for life, the case is made up of thick, silicone rubber core, combined with a hard plastic central frame for support. There is also a built-in kickstand for easy viewing, and a comfort grip for using two hands. It is made up of a smooth anti-static coating that allows for easy storage in your pocket, with superior protection from the stretch and tear-resistant high-density silicone. The case also comes with a screen film, cloth, and applicator card. Available in Charcoal Gray/Navajo Turquoise, Obsidian Black/Obsidian Black, Optical White/Charcoal Gray, Vivid Violet/Royal Purple, Graphite Gray/Sunkissed Orange and starts at $24.95. Get it here.

Ten One Design Pogo Connect

The styluses of styluses, this one stands out for being different than the rest. Ten One has developed an electronic stylus that is superior in all ways, including improved writing accuracy and pressure sensitivity, the ability to work at all angles, no need for calibration, and no moving parts. It feature Bluetooth 4.0/Bluetooth Smart wireless functionality, has a long battery life, uses just an (included) AAA battery, and an auto shut-off. It’s compatible with hundreds of apps, and even features location finder if you misplace it, transmitting a unique signal to track down its location. Another bonus? The tip is not only replaceable, but upgradable, too. It is modestly priced at $79.95. Get it here.

Trident Case’s Kraken A.M.S. Case for iPhone 5

The heavy-duty case is one of the best from Trident. The shock-absorbing silicone, combined with the hardened polycarbonate plastic shell, makes it an overall good option for exterior of the case, while the built-in screen protector keeps it fingerprint and scratch free. It includes a built-in, and removable, media stand, with dust covers over microphone and speaker bays. Port openings are covered by silicone, and it is equipped with convenient belt clip/holster. The case itself is black, and available with accents in pink, blue, red, black, and green, and is priced at $49.95. Get it here.

]]> http://applereviews.com/5-must-have-apple-accessories/feed/ 0 http://applereviews.com/5-must-have-apple-accessories/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/applereviewsplus/~3/9_h5kQVR8WE/ http://applereviews.com/1password-review-giveaway/#comments Sun, 18 Nov 2012 11:40:27 +0000 Justin Heartland http://applereviews.com/?p=1885 1Password is the ultimate password generator / storing app for the Mac. Today we are reviewing version 3.0 of the app – and giving AppleReviews readers a chance to win 1 of 2 copies. More information about the giveaway can be found after the review.

1Password 3 Hands on Review.

Downloading and installing 1Password is a cinch. As with any mac application, you download the .dmg, open it and drag the icon to your applications folder. Job done. 1Password is no different here and the install is complete within moments. However, 1Password is a little different here in that the app looks gorgeous. We really do get spoiled as mac users – surrounded by so much awesome app design of which 1Password is one of the top.

Once installed, and we’ve entered our license info, everything is ready to go!

First step is to click on “New Data File”. The next screen allows us to enter our master password. It also features a beautifully intricate icon of a safe.

Obviously, we wont show you what we put here. This password will be used to access your data file, so make sure you remember it!

Next up, we need to install browser extensions. These give 1Password access to the application or service you want it to remember the password for.

Add-ons are available for:

• Safari
• Firefox
• Camino
• Omniweb
• WebKit
• NetNewsWire
• DEVONagent
• Fluid
• Flock
• iCab

And that’s it! You just need to enter in your identities (so you can sign-up to new sites and services with 1click!).

1Password looks awesome and makes you feel like a spy or hacker from the movies when using it. Genius!

Features

Once your in you can really appreciate the app. Its very, very easy to use.

You have the option to store log-ins for sites, accounts (such as those for MobileMe or emails), Identities (which offer up address and contact details storage), secure notes, software licenses and Financial passwords e.t.c)

Security

Of Course, if your like me, you want to know if all this data is secure. Here’s what 1Password say about the matter:

Passwords Are Encrypted Using Your Master Password

When you run 1Password for the first time, you create a Master Password that is used to encrypt your data. No one will be able to view your passwords or other confidential information without knowing the password.

All you need to do to stay secure is to pick one strong password and commit it to memory. Since it is only a single password, you can make it long and secure. A password nine characters or longer that is not based on a dictionary word or phrase will protect you from even the toughest criminals.

For the real techno-geeks, here’s some info about the actual encryption method used.

How Strong is 1Password’s Encryption?

The short answer is that it is very strong.

The slightly longer answer is that your data is encrypted using AES, the same state-of-the-art encryption algorithm used as the national standard in the United States. 1Password uses 128-bit keys for encryption, which means that it would take millions of years for a criminal to decrypt your data using a brute force attack.

For the really long answer, full technical details on the encryption algorithm, key generation, and FIPS compliance, please see the Agile Keychain Design document.

Over your head? Rest-assured this app is pretty darn secure.

Test

Now it’s time to give this app a whirl. I enter my twitter account information.

Hey, stop peeking!

Now with the browser bar, I can shoot on over to twitter, and….

I’m logged in. It’s that easy!

Some of the features I found most useful was the ability to make boring, ordinary credit card purchases into one-click actions. Like most of the mac community, I have a fair few Macs. You can sync between the 2 (or more) by using an app like DropBox. The user guide has a tutorial on how to do so.

agile.ws/products/1Password/user_guide

We should also note that the 1Password Firefox and Safari manager automatically gives you a pop up box when you fill in a new form, asking if you would like to save a new identity. This is the most helpful and easiest way to just ‘set it and forget it’ for your passwords. As long as you backup with Dropbox (or MobileMe) you should be pretty much good to go. One of the team members here at Apple Reviews has been using 1Password for around 2.5 years, with MobileMe sync, from a Mac Pro to a Macbook Air, with no problems at all, even after a hard drive fail, since data is in 3 places at once, it easily syncs back.

1Password is available for the jaw-droppingly good value of $39! Your going to make that money back within a week of not having to fill out forms and logins anymore! You should check out the 1Password site here.

Giveaway

As promised, we have 2 copies of 1Password (worth $39 each) to giveaway. To get your hands on one of them, all you need to do is follow our twitter account @applereviews and tweet the following message. Big thanks to the guys at 1Password for providing us with the copies. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 2nd December.

follow @AppleReviews to win a copy of 1Password by @1Password http://bit.ly/R2StS

]]> http://applereviews.com/1password-review-giveaway/feed/ 12 http://applereviews.com/1password-review-giveaway/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/applereviewsplus/~3/uJI-EzKvKWc/ http://applereviews.com/5-new-ipad-apps-love/#comments Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:57:26 +0000 Sarah Heartland http://applereviews.com/?p=5562 With the new iPad mini a hot commodity, we mustn’t forget about all of the amazing app developers hot on its tail, producing fantastic apps that highlight the mini’s features.Here are five of our newest apps we love and why we love ‘em.

ShopShop

Get it here from iTunes; Free

A simple, basic shopping list that helps you organize what you need to get without any frills. It easily works alongside Dropbox; just set up an account to share with your family members or roommates, and you can access the same list and see it while you’re at the store. You can make multiple lists that are easy to find since they are labelled alphabetically, and sync between lists via Dropbox.

HuffPost Live

Get it here from iTunes; Free

With HuffPost Live, you can live-stream a video network that uses stories on The Huffington Post website (from politics to health to lifestyle) as the jumping-off point for real-time conversations and commentary. It allows viewers to join the discussion as on-air guests. They say, “Don’t just watch the news, be part of shaping it”, which is a neat way to really get involved while you watch it stream live.

Endomondo Sports Tracker

Get it here from iTunes; Free

This GPS-based app lets you track any outdoor sport for its duration, distance, speed, and calories burnt. You get audio feedback on miles and kilometers, and can manually enter workouts that are stationary, such as treadmill running, spinning, or strength training. You can also keep up with your friends via a newsfeed and friend lists. There are options for tracking your heartrate, exploring local routes, and customization features. Users can also choose to upgrade to  Endomondo Sports Tracker PRO if you also want interval training, graphs, the ability to race against yourself, and time and calorie goal functionality.

Ladybird Classic Me Books

Get it here from iTunes; $2.99

Though this app isn’t free, if you have kids, it’s worth its weight in gold. Ladybird Classic Me Books is an app that takes classic Ladybird books and shares them via iOS devices. Unlike a conventional story book, each book in the app is packed with hidden hotspots that, when touched, trigger narration, funny character voices and sound effects from celebrities. Users can also create their own interactive hotspots by drawing with their finger and recording their own voice or sounds using the device’s microphone–a feature that really makes your child a part of the story.

My First Orchestra App HD

Get it here from iTunes; £2.99

Another fantastic kid-driven app, My First Orchestra creates a guide to help each kids of instruments of the orchestra. Led by a little green troll called Tormod, users need to help him find his way home while he shows them the orchestra. Each instrument has its own page, with a young performer playing a solo. Tormod, too, in a fun way, also tries out the instruments. The app is completely interactive; tapping any words or pictures delivers narrated text, music excerpts, and sound effects. A full album of music includes over 30 classic orchestral works.

]]> http://applereviews.com/5-new-ipad-apps-love/feed/ 0 http://applereviews.com/5-new-ipad-apps-love/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/applereviewsplus/~3/nTx6JF8hfJA/ http://applereviews.com/new-imac-better-ever/#comments Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:31:55 +0000 Sarah Heartland http://applereviews.com/?p=5548 With the recent release of the new iPad mini and 13-inch MacBook Pro with retina display, Apple has also unveiled a new iMac, with a whole lot to offer.

With a few key features–including a new design, display, and faster processor, along with graphics and storage options that’ll make you swoon, the new iMac trumps all of its predecessors, and everything else on the market.
The manufacturers took everything into consideration, redesigning the machine from the inside out. It has an aluminum and glass enclosure and is much thinner and lighter, weighing in at up to 40 percent less volume and an edge measuring a meer 5 mm thin. The new display is something to love, reducing reflection by 75 percent with an even better colour and contrast. The cover glass is fully laminated to the LCD, covered by an anti-reflective coating that is applied using a fancy high-precision plasma deposition process. Every iMac display is individually calibrated using an advanced spectroradiometer (you know, “designed to measure the  spectral power distributions of illuminants.” Obviously.)

On the inside, the new iMac has a third generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, which can easily be upgraded to Core i7. The processors, which are the latest NVIDIA GeForce processors, have up to 60 percent faster of a performance, which is perfect for those who are looking for advanced gaming and creating or utilizing graphics intensive apps. The new iMac’s standard is an 8GB of 1600 MHz memory and a 1TB hard drive, and if you’re interested, you can choose to configure your iMac with up to 32GB of memory and a new 3TB hard drive, or 768GB of flash storage for ultimate performance.

It also comes with two  Thunderbolt and four USB 3.0 ports, and the unique Fusion Drive, an innovative storage option that gives customers the performance of flash storage and the capacity of a hard drive. It is built upon the combination of 128GB of flash with a standard 1TB or 3TB hard drive to create a single storage volume which automatically manages files to optimize read and write performance. It will move the files and apps you use most often to flash storage to enable faster performance and quicker access.
Similarly, the Mac mini also has had an update, with third generation dual-core Intel Core i5 and quad-core Intel Core i7 processors, which are up to twice as fast, along with integrated graphics that are up to 65 percent faster. It has a standard 4GB of 1600 MHz memory with support for up to 16GB, four USB 3.0 ports in addition to its Thunderbolt, HDMI, SDXC, Gigabit Ethernet, and FireWire 800 ports.

Both new devices exceed Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieve an EPEAT Gold rating

For complete technical specifications, check out apple.com/ca/imac or apple.com/ca/mac-mini.

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