Monthly Archives: August 2013

“If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live on after he’s dead, then maybe he was a great man” -James Dean

The Holmes family lost it’s patriarch when Mr. Pad and Quill’s dad passed quietly through the “grey rain-curtain of this world to the white shores of a far green country”.  At times like this, when your heart is stricken with grief and loss,  you search, at times in vain, for words that give expression to what this dear loved one meant to you.  I imagine this is why some of the greatest works of art are born in anguish and adversity.

Artistic people are always looking to capture the essence of an experience, to emote a moment or to leave an impression of themselves in their little corner of the world.  In this way, technology is a great friend to artistic people allowing the easy capture of a photo, or the quick jotting of a lyric, while certainly increasing

by Esther P., Pad & Quill Techster
 
One big advantage that the iPad has over the iPad mini is the option of a Retina display. That may be changing soon with the introduction of the next-generation iPad mini. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the next iPad mini that Apple launches will most likely come with a high-resolution Retina display.
 

Retina Rumors

Samsung, LG, and Sharp are rumored to be the suppliers Apple is using for the new Retina display on the iPad mini. The screens on the current iPad mini are supplied by Sharp and Taiwan-based AU Optronics.
 

Color Options

by Esther P., Pad & Quill Techster
 
When there's a new iPhone about to launch, rumors start flying. Some of them are wild guesses. Others are fairly accurate.
 
The rumor that Apple will be hosting a media event on September 10 to announce the launch of the iPhone 5S and possibly a low-cost iPhone 5C seems to be true, however. The rumor was reported by AllThingsD, which has a strong track record when it comes to making predictions about Apple's next move, according to MacRumors.com.
 

iPhone 5S

 
Rather than using a pattern, PIN or password to unlock your iPhone, the new iPhone 5S will feature fingerprint sensor software that authenticates the user without the need for remembering passwords or patterns.
 
While analysts predict that the fingerprint sensor will eventually be able to authenticate purchases using your iPhone, they don't believe iOS 7 is currently able to handle anything beyond user

by Esther P., Pad & Quill Techster
 

Seems like every time you buy the latest and greatest, a newer version gets released in the next couple of months and suddenly your shiny new toy is yesterday's news. If you're thinking about buying a new iPad, you might be better off waiting a month or two for the iPad 5. Unlike the minor upgrade from the iPad 3 to the iPad 4, the iPad 5 is rumored to be a big step up from the iPad 4.
 

Lighter, smaller

 
Although the screen size for the iPad 5 will be the same as previous generations, the lighter weight and more compact size will make it feel more along the lines of the iPad mini. With consumers expecting

by Esther P., Pad & Quill Techster
 
It hasn't been that long since I was in college, but the dinosaur of a computer that I used to type up research papers in my dorm room would be a laughingstock on today's college campus. iPhones and iPads were still just a twinkle in Apple's eye. Today, though, most college students can't imagine living without an iPhone or iPad—and for good reason! They help you stay organized, keep in touch with friends and family, share photos, and communicate. They can also help you stay sane during your college years. Here's a roundup of 5 of our favorite iOS apps that we think every college student needs. Know of one we didn't list? Share it in the comments!
 

1. Amazon Student (free)

 
After signing your life away on student loans and tuition checks, there are still textbooks left to buy. Save money with Amazon Student,

by Esther P., Pad & Quill Techster
 
There's a certain thrill that comes with getting a new tech device, but there's also a learning curve when it comes to figuring out how to use it—which can be frustrating. That's why we've put together these tips for Kindle Fire newbies on how to help you get the most from your device.
 

1. Nix the ads.

 
If you've got a nose for a bargain, no doubt you choose the "With Special Offers" version of Amazon's Kindle Fire. Putting up with ads can save you money up front, but if you get fed up with advertisements after a few weeks, luckily there's a way to get rid of them.
 
The unfortunate part is that you're going to have to crack open your wallet again. Turning off ads will cost you $15. Just log in to your Amazon account, navigate to Manage Your devices, and click "Edit" under Special Offers. From there, you can unsubscribe.

A post from Mr. PQ

Really Brian, Part Deux?  Yes, really.  After Mrs. PQ's last post we got a wee bit of feedback from our French loving friends.  Surprisingly they were not that excited that she placed the French language and swearing in the same category.  So I thought maybe pay tribute to French in the title of this post (aka damage control).

This is the second post about why Kari, myself and the team are really passionate about the word 'Crafted'.  In my previous post I mentioned our hard fought battle to find Buckram cloth that was not butt ugly.  We finally did and could not be more proud of the Cartella Linen Case for the Macbook Air that utilizes a gorgeously strong linen buckram cloth.

by Esther P., Pad & Quill Techster
 
It's that time of year again. The smell of freshly sharpened pencils and the satisfaction of slipping a stack of crisp folders into a brand new backpack are back to haunt school-age kids and instill nostalgia in those of us without a 3-month summer vacation anymore. For students headed to college, however, getting ready for back to school means a lot more than just pencils, folders, and backpacks. Dorm bedding, laundry baskets, and bath towels are also on the list…along with a laptop or tablet for doing homework outside the computer lab or taking notes in class.
 
With tablets gaining in popularity, college students are now faced with the decision of choosing whether to buy an iPad or a MacBook Air for college. One is ultra-mobile and fun with a long battery life, while the other is more powerful for bulky software (like Adobe PhotoShop) and easier to use for multi-tasking.
 

Why an iPad?

From Mrs. PQ

The other day I saw a book entitled "How to Learn French in a Hurry", and after checking my credit cards to make sure none of the quills were covertly planning to wing their way to France, chucking their education to follow their muse,  I began to ponder how one might "learn french in a hurry".  Teaching a teenager to drive your new car with manual transmission immediately came to mind.  There was a whole lot of "french" *that evening, coupled with the smell of a grinding clutch.  Opening a report card to discover the kid was serious when she decided to "just give up on school" spring semester.   As I confiscated her iPhone some sort of language accompanied the fire blazing from my eardrums, that, while indiscernible, was mutually understood.

One other way to learn french in a hurry is to go to an e-commerce site, find a product you love, and then become foiled by technology, unable to make a purchase.