Apple Announces iPad

On January 27th, 2010, Apple Inc. announced their newest device, the iPad. The iPad is a casual, mobile computing device that some say will revolutionize the way that we surf the internet, read books, and the way that we think of computers in general. While this sounds exciting, how accurate is it? Ingenux cuts through the hype for you.

So what does it do? The iPad is a casual computing device capable of reading eBooks, checking email, surfing the internet, and more depending on the applications you load onto it. It has a multi-touch screen, like the iPhone. The screen is 9.7", in full color. It has a 10-hour battery life, and uses a solid-state hard drive instead of a hard disk. Its functionality should be expanded by access to Apple's much-lauded App Store.

eBooks
While not specifically designed for it, the iPad will work as an eBook reader. This puts it into direct competition with Amazon's Kindle Device, Sony's eBook Reader, and Barnes and Noble's Nook Device. Of these three competitors, only the Nook has a color screen. The Kindle and Sony eBook reader devices employ a technology called eInk, which goes to great pains to simulate the look and contrast of actual black ink on white paper. Apple has eschewed this concept in favor of a full color backlit screen.

The iPad is loaded with features compared to other eBook readers. It comes standard with a color screen, speakers, headphone jack, microphone, support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ambient Light Sensor, Accelerometer, and a SIM card slot for wireless broadband access. Not to mention, the iPad supports a long list of file formats that its competition in the eBook market simply doesn't address. Further, Apple is applying the lessons learned through its iTunes online music store to an online iBook store.

Internet
The iPad won't come with free wireless connectivity, like Amazon's Kindle device. However, it will come with a SIM card slot for wireless, mobile internet access. This makes the iPad a credible competitor for netbooks like Dell's Inspiron Mini and Asus' EEE PC. Also, the 10-hour battery life of the iPad wipes the floor with most netbooks. The iPad also features a multi-touch interface, weighs 1.5 pounds, and can be used in either landscape or portrait format. The accelerometer in the device automatically registers the position in which it is being held, and adjusts the screen accordingly.

Still, netbooks are full-fledged (if tiny) computers, with full Operating Systems. You can load programs onto most netbooks yourself, as you wish, unlike the iPad. Which brings us to the next point.

App Store
If all the iPad did was read books and surf the Internet, it wouldn't be quite so interesting. But you can also expand its usefulness by downloading applications from the App Store, which makes the iPad not only more entertaining, but more useful as well. The problem is, you can only download applications from the App store. There's no other way to load programs onto the device, limiting its utility significantly.

Casual Computing
What is casual computing? Think of it as computing from the couch. The iPad seems like a natural fit for this style of computing. The iPad weighs about the same as a hefty paperback with the outside dimensions of a magazine.

Drawbacks
The iPad isn't perfection. Some have pointed to the lack of a phone in the device as a serious flaw. Others have mentioned that the iPad does not support Flash, rendering a large parts of the Internet unusable. Some critics have also mentioned the lack of a camera as being a puzzling deal breaker.

More seriously, the iPad does not support multitasking. This means that you can't listen to music while surfing the internet, for example.

Conclusion
The iPad looks devastating as competition for eBook Readers and netbooks. Apple is saying that the future of computing is about portability and ease of use. To some, that lack of flexibility is a hindrance, but to others, it's the entire reason that they are looking forward to the iPad.

After all, sometimes all you want is to check the news, read a book, or listen to some music. And it doesn't necessarily require a decked out desktop computer or a massive laptop to do it.

The iPad begins shipping in March, with prices starting at $499.

Kaleidoscope Day Camp Selects Ingenux to Build their Website

February 5th, 2010 - Ingenux announces the launch of a custom built website designed and developed for Kaleidoscope Day Camp, a summer day camp for urban kids located in the New York City area. Kaleidoscope was in need of a professionally designed and inviting website that would create immediate trust in parents looking for a safe learning environment that their children could attend during the summer months. The individuals running the camp have devoted themselves to working with children and continuing their development in a fun and creative way and it was important to Ingenux to portray that in the new user application.

The new website allows the administrator to maintain content, pictures and videos in an ongoing manner with an easy to use content management system along with all needed enrollment forms and documentation, thus providing an update to date look and feel for viewers each time they visit the website. To view this fun new website, please visit http://kaleidoscopedaycamp.com/index.php.

About Ingenux:
Ingenux is a full-service, custom web design and software development firm with a focus on highly-driven web application and desktop software development. Companies hire Ingenux to design, develop and deliver custom software applications faster, cheaper and better than they can do themselves. Our slogan, "We Develop the Hard Stuff," is our commitment to create innovative business software solutions for any type of business that are efficient, user-friendly, cost-effective, cutting edge and fit to your exact business model. We take pride in solving current challenges our customers face as Ingenux custom software makes businesses run better

Data Proactive Partners with Ingenux

January 12, 2010 – Ingenux has again been selected by Data Proactive to custom build an Asset Management application; this will allow companies to instantly start managing their corporate assets including but not limited to all computers, monitors, IT hardware, and office equipment. This web based system will have a Barcode tracking structure as well as a RFID management option offered to the individual subscriber. Data Proactive Asset Management will allow the user to easily track inventory and generate reports in real-time providing companies’ instant knowledge on their current assets’ status and whereabouts.

This is the second custom web application to be allocated to Ingenux by Data Proactive as Ingenux has also been contracted to build an all-encompassing Field Services application. This state-of the-art product will manage day to day operations with a powerful employee scheduler, full work order management, and comprehensive reporting system.

Data Proactive Field Services will enable business owners to increase productivity by streamlining the work flow process with intuitive and easy to use features. A few of the cutting edge features will include a drag and drop scheduling system, real-time dispatching, online work orders, service calls, tracked inventory management, customizable reporting, purchase order tracking, and a complete history record of the customer database.

Ingenux offers a wide range of award winning services including custom web design, web application development, custom software programming, flash application and mobile device software. For more information about Ingenux please visit http://www.ingenux.com

Ingenux Further Develops Internship Program

Pacifique Mahoro- Development Intern

Ingenux launched an internship program last year and we have been fortunate enough to have another wonderful intern. Pacifique Mahoro originally from Rwanda joined the Ingenux team in early November for a 3 month Development Internship.

Mahoro is attending Oklahoma Christian University under a scholarship sponsored by the Rwandan Government and studying Computer Science with a minor in Management. He aspires to be a professional web/software developer and would love to be one of the pioneers bringing the software industry to Rwanda.

While participating in our internship here at Ingenux Mahoro was able to work on projects from beginning to end and understand what it is like working with ETA's and clients. He has been also able to expand his knowledge in today's web languages and techniques such as PHP, CSS, JavaScript, Ajax, and Flash.

"Ingenux has a great team. They made me feel part of Ingenux. Everyone, especially my mentor, Jason, had a lot of passion to teach me new techniques as well as help me do a great job. I've worked in other places, but I never felt this honored, respected, and motivated as I was at Ingenux and all was possible with help of a great and helping team and great manager, "Pacifique Mahoro, said.

Ingenux Builds GoLite Footwear A New Ecommerce Solution

December 11th, 2009- GoLite Footwear® has partnered with Ingenux to create a contemporary jQuery-enabled website that provides a user-friendly ecommerce solution enticing online shoppers to browse their online shoe store and use the easily-navigated shopping cart.

This state of the art website is a high-resolution graphic based site that uses jQuery and AJAX for easy transition between products, photos and product categories while maintaining advanced functionality, the end product being a unique and superior ecommerce platform.

GoLite® Footwear is the leader in lightweight outdoor gear ranging from hiking shoes to everyday running shoes and they're committed to meeting the needs of those who love the outdoors by delivering the ultimate in off-road performance and durability in what would be conventionally be thought of as an impossibly light shoe.

For more information on this website, please visit Ingenux at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ki4atfdab.0.0.orhguwcab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ingenux.com%2F&id=preview. Ingenux offers a wide range of award winning services including custom web design, web application development, custom software programming, flash applications and mobile device software.

After the Flowers Selects Ingenux to Build an Online Fundraising Platform

December 30th, 2009- After the Flowers selected Ingenux to design, build and launch a powerful website that meets the need of delivering financial assistance to people dealing with a death, injury or an illness with the help coming directly from family, friends and community through online donations.
After the Flowers is an online fundraising platform that is being embraced by churches, funeral homes and civic communities and provides sponsor memberships so that groups can help numerous individuals at one time. This modern donation site ensures those in need can receive help and allows them to start the emotional recovery process while helping to alleviate their financial burden.

Donations can be made anonymously and directly to those in need through a secure online account service. The site name, After The Flowers, is a direct representation of the site's purpose, to continue to offer emotional and financial support after the flowers are gone directly following a life-changing event.

For more information on this website, please visit Ingenux at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ki4atfdab.0.0.orhguwcab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ingenux.com%2F&id=preview. Ingenux offers a wide range of award winning services including custom web design, web application development, custom software programming, flash applications and mobile device software.

Tech Dirt

Which is Better for Mobile Business: Blackberry vs iPhone
Business is becoming more and more reliant on mobile phone and mobile technology. As phones become smarter and companies become more global, the need to access email, paperwork, presentations, and data has reached a level that makes it important if not essential for every business. This is why many businesses issue or recommend smartphones to their employees.The two biggest phones making waves in the smartphone market are the BlackBerry and the iPhone. The Blackberry is a staple of finance, politics, and business work everywhere. In recent years however, the iPhone has been making waves and eating up market share with its slick interface, touch screen, and iPhone applications in the marketplace that seem to have every idea converted into an application.With mobile trends changing rapidly, business owners are left in a predicament: which phone should his or her business be using? Which one is a better tool for conducting business? To answer that question, we need to analyze and compare each phone and its platform.

Read more at http://www.ingenux.com/viewnewsletter.php?date=Jan.10&status=pull