March 31, 2010: The world gets its first sense of how Apple’s tablet measures up, as the first iPad reviews hit the internet.
The consensus? That there’s no Flash, no USB, no multitasking — but Apple’s tablet offers an exciting new computing experience all the same. As USA Today writes, “The first iPad is a winner.”
Original iPad wows reviewers
The iPad was Steve Jobs’ final major new product category at Apple. He previously shepherded the launch of hits like the iPod, iTunes Music Store and the iPhone during his second tenure with the company.
Jobs unveiled the iPad on January 27, 2010. But with the exception of a few rare (and carefully selected) public appearances, the world did not get much information about how well the tablet performed until the first reviews began to trickle out on this day in 2010.
The verdicts from these precious few early iPad reviewers proved as positive as most potential owners hoped. Pogue said anybody intrigued by the tablet form factor would “love the machine.” The tablet’s ability to play movies continuously for more than 12 hours particularly impressed him.
Mossberg called the iPad “a whole new type of computer.” He referred to it as a “pleasure to use” — and said it made him less interested in using his laptop.
The Chicago Sun-Times’ Andy Inhatko got it right when he wrote that the iPad fills “a gap that’s existed for quite some time” — pitched halfway between an iPhone and a MacBook.
First iPad reviews: Better for content consumption than creation
Interestingly, the first iPad reviews acknowledge a challenge that Apple continues to face with subsequent iterations of its tablet. The critics noted that the device does not replace a laptop — and works better for consuming content than creating it.
Pogue wrote that a laptop will do more for less money. Mossberg confessed that — as much as he loved the iPad — he still turned to his laptop for writing and editing larger documents.
The first-gen iPad went on sale on April 3, 2010, with a 3G version following on April 30. The tablet became a big hit for Apple at launch. It took less than a month to sell 1 million units. (That’s half the time it took to sell that many iPhones.)
In its first year, the iPad sold around 25 million units. That made it the most successful new product category launch in Apple history.
Did you own a first-gen iPad? Leave your comments below.
Music streaming service Tidal is introducing a great new feature to its desktop app, one we hope other platforms implement: universal links. Now, whenever a Tidal user shares a song with a friend, the recipient will be able to listen to the track “on their preferred streaming service.” They won’t be forced to install the app on their compute. As the company put it, your friends can enjoy “your latest musical obsession, regardless of where they listen.”
The platform itself didn’t make an official announcement. This update appears to have been discovered by a Reddit user on the Tidal subreddit who posted screenshots of the patch notes and the feature in action. We can confirm Tidal Version 2024.03.27 of the desktop app is indeed live and rolling out, as we received the patch on our computer.
Sharing music across platforms doesn’t require any extra steps on behalf of the sender. To begin, click the three dots next to a song’s title, then hover over Share. Select Copy Track Link and send your friend said link.
Here’s where things get different.
(Image credit: Future)
When the recipient opens the link, they will be taken to a special Tidal web page where they select how they want to listen to the track. Four other streaming services are currently supported at the time of this writing: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music. You won’t be able to listen right away as you’ll have to wait a few seconds for the Tidal to connect to the third-party app.
(Image credit: Future)
Once it’s done, pick whatever you want and it’ll open your choice on a web browser. It won’t open their respective desktop app. The patch notes state there are plans to expand support to other services – presumably Deezer is one those. But it’s unknown when that’ll happen.
Leading the charge
This tech isn’t anything new, as similar tools have existed for years now. Deezer, for example, has Shaker, which is an all-in-one playlist feature that allows people to grab songs from their preferred app and pool songs together seamlessly. Songlink is another option, but again you have to make a full playlist.
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.
What’s exciting about the Tidal update is that this is the first time a major music streaming service is incorporating universal links. It’s a level of flexibility rarely seen anywhere else. You don’t have to create a playlist. You’re free to share one song and just the one song. On top of all this, Tidal is bucking industry trends by becoming cheaper, too. We would love to see Spotify, Apple Music, and the like follow in its footsteps.
As much as we gush over universal links, we have several questions. Will the mobile app receive the same upgrade? The Reddit post specifically mentions receiving Version 2024.03.27 on their Mac and we got it on our PC. However, there’s no mention of Android or iOS anywhere. Same goes for its availability; it’s unknown if this is rolling out globally or not.
According to recent estimates, around 328.77 million terabytes of data are created each day. Storing that data is a challenge, so it’s no wonder that we’re seeing a number of new high-capacity storage technologies being introduced. In the past few months alone we’ve reported on a ceramic cartridge with a 10,000TB capacity, a 200TB optical disc, and Micron’s NVDRAM, which outperforms NAND-based SSDs in terms of speed and durability.
At a keynote speech at MWC 2024, Huawei’s Dr. Peter Zhou took the wraps off a number of new data storage solutions being introduced by the company. OceanStor A800 and OceanStor A310 are designed to make “AI training data globally visible, manageable, and available, and improves data collection, preprocessing, and training efficiency”, while OceanProtect E8000 and X9000 are data backup appliance solutions.
Perhaps the most exciting announcement however, covers the company’s next-gen OceanStor Arctic magneto-electric storage solution.
Over 10PB capacity
Although details on OceanStor Arctic are a little light at the moment, we know that it’s designed for warm and cold data. Huawei has also said that it is projected to reduce TCO by 20% compared to tape, and reduce power consumption by 90% compared to hard drives.
Huawei’s China HQ has since provided a little more detail, telling Blocks & Files, “Huawei’s MED (magneto-electric disk) brings brand-new innovation against magnetic media. The first generation of MED will be as a big capacity disk. The rack capacity will be more than 10 PB and power consumption less than 2 KW. For the first generation of MED, we will position it mainly for archival storage.”
Tom’s Hardware suggests that since the technology is a “magneto-electric disk (MED), not a magneto-electric drive, we are dealing with something that has magnetic platters with tracks (and probably spins). The underlying principle of MED technology seems to be the magneto-electric effect, which creates a connection between the magnetic and electric properties of a material.”
The first generation of the OceanStor Arctic is slated for international release in the first half of 2025.
Thought you missed out on Black Friday bargains for Portable Power Stations? Well, hold onto your hats, because Christmas just got a whole lot brighter! BLUETTI, the powerhouse of portable power solutions, is rolling out a holiday miracle – offering you a golden opportunity to snag the power station you’ve always wanted at a jaw-dropping discount, with savings soaring up to 38% from Dec.11 to Dec. 25.
Dive into the BLUETTI Holiday Extravaganza
BLUETTI’s power stations aren’t just gadgets – they’re the ultimate, versatile gifts for you, your family, and your friends. Imagine lighting up your Christmas tree and powering your festive cheer, whether you’re cozying up at home or adventuring in the winter wonderland outdoors.
Fast-charging Powerhouse: BLUETTI AC200L
Kickstart Your Savings at $1499 (originally $1699), Pocket a Cool $200 Discount – Ready to ditch the noisy charging brick and step into the future? Meet the freshly launched AC200L – your silent power hero. This marvel packs a punch with a bi-directional inverter, boasting a colossal 2,400W output and a rapid 2,400W wall charging capability. Dreaming of endless power? Simply team it up with expansion batteries or solar panels for a relentless 1,200W solar charge. Plus, with its ultra-fast UPS mode flipping the switch in just 20 milliseconds, you can kiss those pesky power outages goodbye.
On-the-go Power: BLUETTI AC70
Only $499 (down from $599), Snag a $100 Discount – Embark on your festive adventures with the AC70, the perfect companion for your holiday camping escapades and emergency backup needs. Compact yet mighty, the AC70 tips the scales at a mere 10.2kg (22.5lbs), offering a robust 1,000W of power for your smaller appliances and gadgets. And here’s the cherry on top – the BLUETTI app, your digital command center, allows you to keep tabs on and control the unit from the cozy confines of your sleeping bag, making your camping experience effortlessly smart and connected.
Outdoor Solar Generator Kit: BLUETTI AC180 + PV200S
Starts at $999 (was $1598), Save $599 – Seeking a mighty power bundle for our wilderness outings? Feast Your Eyes on the BLUETTI AC180. When it’s time to power up your electric grills and brew that perfect cup of coffee in the great outdoors, this 16kg (36.1lbs) portable powerhouse is your go-to. Capable of handling up to 2,000W resistive loads with its Power Lifting mode, the AC180 is a true force of nature.
Power on tap, whenever, wherever – the AC180 is a quick-charge maestro. Zip from zero to 80% in just 45 minutes with its 1,440W mains charging. Or embrace the sun’s bounty with a 500W solar charge that tops you off in a swift 2 hours. And here’s a clever twist: when you hook up both solar and mains, it smartly prioritizes solar to keep your costs down and eco-credentials up.”
Starts at $2298 (was $2998), Save $700 – BLUETTI’s Crown Jewel – AC200MAX: The Ultimate Powerhouse for Road Trips and Emergency Prep. This top-tier model is your trusty sidekick for juicing up everything from your refrigerator to your iPhones, all at once. Dream of limitless power? Expand its capacity to a staggering 6,144Wh with two B230 expansion batteries. And in the face of a multi-day blackout, relax knowing your food stays chilled and fresh.
The AC200MAX is a veritable power hub with 16 outlets, including a NEMA TT-30 RV plug ready to energize your rig directly. Pair it with solar panels, and you’re looking at a robust 900-watt charge, ensuring you stay powered up, no matter where your adventures take you.
Scalable Home Backup Power: BLUETTI AC300 + B300
Starts at $2499 (was $3299), Save $800, With a free folding trolley(reg. $299) – Home Backup Revolutionized: Meet the AC300 System. When the lights flicker and power wanes, this UPS is your home’s unwavering guardian. Within a swift 20ms, it springs into action, ensuring your essentials – lights, fridge, heating system – don’t miss a beat. What’s more, this isn’t just any battery system. It’s a modular marvel, tailored to fit your specific energy needs and budget.
Choose your power level, from 2 to 4 B300 batteries, each packing 3,072Wh, and scale up to an awe-inspiring 12,288Wh. And when it comes to recharging? The AC300 is all about speed and sustainability. Opt for a rapid 3,000W mains charge, or go green with a 2,400W solar charge, slicing your bills while championing clean energy
The Perfect Christmas Gifts from BLUETTI
Embark on a Journey with BLUETTI, Where Every Purchase Brings Peace of Mind and Sparks Inspiration – just like the stories of our BLUETTI Heroes.
Take a moment to meet Tom Phease, a spirited 75-year-old whose off-grid farming life has been revolutionized by BLUETTI’s AC300 and AC500 battery systems. Nestled in his solar-powered shed, these systems have propelled Tom into a world of energy independence.
Then there’s Latrell Mitchell, a rugby league icon, who found refuge and rejuvenation at Winmarra Farm, nursing a calf injury. Here, BLUETTI’s generators are more than just power sources; they’re catalysts for healing, powering Latrell’s off-grid pursuits and recharging his spirit for a stronger comeback.
BLUETTI isn’t just about delivering power solutions; it’s about energizing lives, fueling passions, and fostering a sustainable future. This festive season, BLUETTI goes the extra mile – rewarding you with triple BLUETTI BUCKs on your purchase and a 5% bonus for friend referrals. Gift yourself or your loved ones with BLUETTI this Christmas, and unlock a realm of endless possibilities.
About BLUETTI BLUETTI has been committed to promoting sustainability and green energy solutions since its inception. By offering eco-friendly energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use, BLUETTI aims to provide exceptional experiences for our homes while also contributing to a sustainable future for our planet. This commitment to sustainable energy has helped BLUETTI expand its reach to over 100 countries and gain the trust of millions of customers worldwide.
Disclosure: “This is a sponsored post. timeswonderful has been compensated for this post.”
Filed Under: Sponsored
Latest timeswonderful Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, timeswonderful may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
March 31, 2010: The world gets its first sense of how Apple’s tablet measures up, as the first iPad reviews hit the internet.
