iPad Free App of the Week: Songify

Songify basically allows users to record anything such a news clip, a poem you wrote, a headline, or even your own words, once the recording has been done the app will create an auto-tuned song with your words.

Your words will be turned into a song, you can choose different beats from Gregory Brothers’ hits, including "Bed Intruder," "Winning" and "Double Rainbow," once you have finished your creation you can then share your self-made song with Facebook, Twitter or even by email.

It's fun, it's easy and it doesn't sound all that bad. Give it a try.

 

Apple Announces Back-to-School Promotion

I thought school just let out.  Apple apparently can't wait for kids to head back.

Apple announced today its annual back-to-school promotion, but unlike years past offered a $100 iTunes gift card to customers who buy a qualifying Mac.

In each of the last three years, Apple had given rebates of up to an amount of $249 toward the purchase of a new iPod Touch or other iPods.  Students loved this.

This year's promotion, which runs through Sept. 20, gives students, parents, teachers and staff members the $100 gift card when they buy a new iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Refurbished Macs and the Mac Mini do not qualify for the deal.

The gift card can be used for purchases at Apple's digital content marts, including the Mac App Store, iOS App Store, iBookstore and the iTunes store.

New iMacs with New Processors

Apple likes to call it a "refresh", so let's say Apple refreshed its lineup of iMac desktop computers with new Intel Corp processors that is says are up to 70 percent faster.

The new iMac line will also include new Thunderbolt ports that were introduced earlier this year in its MacBook Pro laptop line. Thunderbolt is an input/output technology that supports displays and devices.

Thunderbolt ports are similar to USB ports but about 20 times faster, according to Apple.

Apple said on Tuesday that the new iMac, which has quad-core Intel processors, is on sale online at in its retail stores starting at $1,199.

Apple Faces Supply Concerns in Earthquake Aftermath

Electronics manufacturers face a parts shortage as the conditions in Japan continue to worsen.

Apple may face shortages of key parts for its newly released iPad 2, according to research firm IHS iSuppli.  The country of Japan continues to experience power outages, transportation issues, and now a possible nuclear meltdown.

"Should the Japan crisis be prolonged, I expect a shortage of electronic parts in the second quarter," said James Song, an analyst at Daewoo Securities, noting Japan provides 57 percent of the world's wafers, used to make the chips that go into mobiles phones, cameras and other electronic devices.

Japan exported 7.2 trillion yen ($91.3 billion) worth of electronic parts last year, and 2011 was supposed to top that.

Apple isn't alone, Toshiba and many auto makers are holding their collective breathe waiting to see what happens.

Apple Sells Out of iPad 2

Apple may have sold as many as 500,000 iPad 2 computers after retail outlets ran out of the tablet-style device on its debut weekend, said Piper Jaffray Cos. analyst Gene Munster.

Stores run by Apple, Target, Corp. and Best Buy contacted by Munster’s team had sold out of the device, he said in a research note yesterday. Online orders via Apple’s own website are taking up to a month for delivery, up from less than a week when sales began.

Early estimates suggest demand for iPads remains buoyant even as competitors such as Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. enter the tablet market. Apple sold more than 300,000 units of the first iPad in the 24 hours after its April debut. 

One interesting stat is the number of new iPad 2 buyers.  70% of iPad 2 buyers were new to the iPad, compared with 23% of iPhone 4 buyers who were new to the iPhone at launch.  This shows the iPad 2 is really gaining traction, and it also appears that those that already own iPads didn't feel there was much reason to go out and get the new one.