Fring optimizes its four-way video calling app for smiley iPad 2 owners

Ok this gives me a tiny bit of iPad 2 envy....and then I realize I will never have 3 other iPad2 owning friends.

Fring optimizes its four-way video calling app for smiley iPad 2 owners: "

Sure, you could have fired up Fring to make four-way video calls from your iPad 2 this whole time, but you'd have saddled with an iPhone-sized interface on your 9.7-inch IPS screen. And, as we say around the Engadget compound -- tablet optimized or get the frack out. OK, we don't really say that, but everything is better when it's designed for the screen you intend to use it on. So, we're very pleased to tell you that Fring has been updated with proper iPad support (cue cheers). Basically there's no reason to use Facetime now, with its lame single-caller and WiFi only limitations. Hit up the source link if you're in the group video chatting mood.

iPad accounts for 97 percent of US tablet traffic online

I honestly have been waiting for this data to come out.  I knew it was out there. I knew it was exactly what I imagined and now I am justified when I see a tablet ad on tv and they are claiming to be defining the tablet genre, or redefining it.  Or especially when they claim that someone should look out because they are better....etc etc

And i think to myself who are they kidding?  I don't think Apple is a god but I certainly know that they have cornered the tablet market. They have defined the market in fact.  They certainly are not threatened by ....you.  You should be just building yourself up. Not talking trash to the consumer public.  Sure some folks are gonna buy something other then an iPad.  Sure I get that.  But look at the data.....go ahead I will wait.

Now that you have looked.  Its not close. Its not coke and pepsi out there. Its Apple.  And if you want to take a chance with several hundred dollars....

Anyway, I'm all fired up mostly because I know someone I know who isn't a techy is going to buy some other device and when I ask them why they bought it they are gonna say "Dan, they are all the same"

iPad accounts for 97 percent of US tablet traffic online: "

It's no secret that the iPad commands a serious lead in the battle for tablet mindshare, but comScore's new Device Essentials traffic-tracking service shows just how much that translates into market dominance. According to the web monitoring company, the iPad and its successor account for 89 percent of tablet internet use globally, and 97 percent here in the US. Of course, the slate segment is still young and accounts for only a tiny percentage of total traffic. And, it's worth noting, the iPad has a significant advantage in being the first to hit shelves. If you want to dig a little deeper, hit up the source link for the PR and a few more charts.

Phones and Pads: Opinions

When the iPhone hit the market there was a turmoil and then again when the iPad hit the ground. Immediately everyone copied the iPhone and then everyone copied the iPad. 

One major question was asked. Which one do I need? I certainly don't need both.  And so the struggle began by consumers.  Two wireless plans?  Or do I try to tether.  Oh crap the mobile companies are going to gouge me on tethering.  If I get a cheap phone and a Pad device I can eliminate the need for an expensive data plan but then I don't have data while really mobile.....etc etc

So companies in an effort, not to help you fix this problem but get you to spend more and developing combo Phone/Pad devices.  ASUS has the PadPhone (thanks for great articles by Engadget) and CMIT's TransPhone are in my opinion just falling in behind Motorola Atrix's Laptop Dock. 

Essentially they want you to buy both devices.  See the companies only make money off the device. The service provider is the one sucking the marrow from your bones.   So Apple figured out how to strike better deals getting a percentage of your service and these other guys are just going to make you want more device.

Either way you are paying a fortune.  And as these devices evolve so too will the mobile providers suck more money out of you.  A friend of mine out in California gave me the idea to get a mobile router (MiFi) device and just put your data into that.  

I suggest it for a couple reasons.  It still allows me to get data on any wifi enabled device i choose to buy in the future.  I pay essentially one data plan and I can connect multiple devices (with my hardware i can connect 5 devices your mileage may vary).  It has simplified my data usage and has allowed me to downgrade any phone data plan i already had.  I also purchased a wifi only pad device and i just use the Wireless Router for accessing the internet.   Sure its not as fast as a phone with 3g/4g internet. I will give you that.

Having used a smartphone now for some time. (Original Sidekick to Current iPhone) I have to say that my phone primarily is used to look up numbers and directions. Beyond that if i need to view a website in a pinch a small screen works.  But still to this day if I am going to write a letter of any length, blog entry, or take notes...i need something larger then a phone.  Sure it can do it but its a backup function in my opinion. 

I have an iPad as well.  Now this has completely convinced me I don't need a laptop of any kind. And if my job didn't require certain software and hardware I could basically do 90% of my work on a company iPad.

I have to tell you....carry a iPad and then carry your laptop to and from meetings.   I'll take my iPad any-day.  Anyone who complains about typing on an iPad never gave it more then one try in my opinion.  I touch type and it works just fine.

My key issue now is.....there needs to be better integration between phone and pads.  I need seamless connection between my two devices.  That is the next seller for me.