With Apple having now taken the covers off their "new iPad", the folks over at iMore have been rocking out the news to the masses. If you're into that sort of thing, you can head over there and check out the craziness for yourself. If you're more comfortable right here on CrackBerry, you can at least have a look at how the new iPad stacks up against the BlackBerry PlayBook along with the ASUS Transformer Infinity. No matter what you think of Apple though, if nothing else -- that display is packing some serious pixels.

While PlayBook owners are still getting to know their PlayBook OS 2.0 software, iPad fans are getting more than excited for Apple's big announcement tomorrow. And let's admit it, we know there are a lot of BlackBerry Smartphone owners out there with iPads too. So if you are the least bit curious about the next generation of tablet competition from Apple, be sure to check out our sister site iMore.com tomorrow, Wednesday March 7, 2012, at 10am PT/1pm ET/6pm GMT. iMore will be hosting a special edition iPad Live podcast with Rene Ritchie as well as Simon Sage, and guest appearences from the Mobile Nations crew, including Phil Nickinson and our own CrackBerry Kevin. They'll be following along with the event and providing the usual mix of up-to-the-minute commentary, witty color, and expert analysis. The live chat will be in full effect, so you can comment right along!

iMore will also be getting all the big announcements up on the main page just as fast as humanly possible, so you can follow along via RSS, Twitter or Facebook. Then at 6pm PT/9pm ET/2am GMT Georgia and Rene will be back on Ustream for iMore's regularly scheduled iPad Live podcast, doing a full-on post game show and wrap-up with special guest David Barnard of App Cubby.

If you haven't already, check out iMore's complete rumor roundup and iPad event preview and then go and tell the iMore team what you're expecting to see from Apple tomorrow, or jump right into the iMore forums and share your predictions.

The big show is less then twenty four hours away, folks. Keep your browsers locked on iMore. In the meantime, this is CrackBerry and we love reading what our readers have to say, so drop a comment on this post with your thoughts. 

There's a quote in the book The Alchemist that I like which says "What happens once will never happen again. But what happens twice will surely happen a third time." In the case of CrackBerry's iOS-related sister site, we're now onto round number 4. 

The site originally launched as PhoneDifferent.com in April 2007, just a few months after CrackBerry.com went live. That name was based on Apple's Think Different commercials. The connection proved too obscure for all but the Apple hardcore though, so PhoneDifferent merged with the TheiPhoneBlog.com in May 2008, keeping TheiPhoneBlog name. With the site being a lot more than just a blog and Apple releasing the iPad, another name was needed and in February 2010 TheiPhoneBlog got abbreviated down to TiPb.com. For those who knew the history behind the TiPb name it made sense, but beyond that it didn't and the name proved a little too difficult to intuitively pronounce (Tip-Bee... i think?!).  Suffice to say, we've been on the lookout for a better iOS domain for a long time now, which is no easy task - everything is it taken, not for sale or can be had for stupidly unreasonably-high (on crack) prices. 

But today our iOS frenemies have finally re-launched TiPb.com as iMore.com. Definitely a big improvement and it suits the site's mission... Delivering More of everything for your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and everything iOS. More news, More reviews, More contests, More help, More everything for your I. Matching the new name is a newly updated site, so jump on over and check it out. I don't want anybody turning their back on BlackBerry, but I know a lot of us BlackBerry owners also own iPads and iPod touches, so if you do want to keep on touch with Apple stuff, do it over at CrackBerry's sister site, iMore!

Bye Bye TiPb, check out iMore.com

Steve Jobs seemed to think that the 7-inch tablet was just to small, hence his decision to only release a 10-inch tablet, and now a researcher by the name of Jakob Nielsen has completed a study that he believes confirms this. Having had the BlackBerry PlayBook in hand for quite a while I would personally have to disagree that the 7-inch display is too small, and in fact it is quite nice to carry around, but we wanted to know what you think about it. So PlayBook owners, is the 7-inch form factor to small? Do you find yourself having a hard time navigating around, or are you able to do everything you need without issue?

Claiming that 9.7-inch is the ideal size for a tablet, would you PlayBook owners have to agree or disagree with this study? Making use of the bezels, and eliminating the need for physical buttons, and on screen menus to clutter the screen, could his research be off, and the 7-inch size could be ideal for many users? Be sure to share your thoughts on the ideal size in the comments!

Source: TiPb

Read TiPb's Review of the Apple iPad 2

In a few weeks things will get crazy here on CrackBerry as the BlackBerry PlayBook hits the market and we do our content thing on it (think device, app, accessory reviews, how-tos, tips, tricks and more). Over at our sibling site TiPb.com, which covers all things Apple iOS related, they have now had a few days with their latest tablet toy, the Apple iPad 2, and have posted their initial review of it. Knowledge is power, so for the sake of being able to tell your Apple fan boy friends why your PlayBook is better than their iPad, you'll want to jump over at the link below and check out the review! :)

To be dead honest, as I type this the UPS man is actually on his way to my house with an iPad 2 (and yes, I bought it in white). I was hoping to have a PlayBook by now, but since that isn't the case I'm going to spend a couple of weeks getting to know the competition so that when I do review the BlackBerry PlayBook I can give it a real honest comparison to the current sales leader in the tablet market. We know the BlackBerry PlayBook is power packed out of the box and that the QNX-based BlackBerry Tablet OS has a ton of potential in it, but I'm sure there are going to be areas where iPad 2 > PlayBook as there will be areas where PlayBook > iPad 2. In the meantime, be sure to check out TiPb's iPad 2 Review.  Oh, and if you want me to do a CrackBerry Kevin unboxing of the iPad 2, let me know in the comments and maybe I'll do one up.  If I do do one, it won't be conventional... I can promise you that.

Read TiPb's Apple iPad 2 Review

Bayalink hasn't been much in the spotlight, but we have checked them out a few times in the past. If you're not familiar with them, the idea is basically an application that allows you to interact with your BlackBerry using a full size display and keyboard via your PC. You can interact with most apps (some 3rd party are exceptions) including email, calendar, contacts, tasks, memos, and browser. Today Bayalink let us know that they are looking for beta testers for their BlackBerry connector for iPad. This will allow you to use your iPad to connect to and control your BlackBerry Smartphone.

Bayalink Liberty gives iPad users unique capability to securely connect to their BlackBerry data and interact with that data using the tablets screen and keyboard similar to how the Liberty technology has been used by enterprise customers for years on the PC, laptop and notebook. In subsequent releases, users will be able to surf the internet or intranet through the BlackBerry (with no VPN required) on a disconnected iPad via their standard BlackBerry data plan. 

Users interested in participating in the beta program (which will start in a few months) can send an email to beta@bayalink.com for more info. Keep reading for the full press release.

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Between now and November 10th, we're partnering with Waze to give away an iPad or an Android Galaxy Tab (obviously if this was happening later, we'd go BlackBerry PlayBook here, but it can't hurt to win a tablet of any kind, right?). Here's how it works:

1. Download and install Waze from your mobile browser.
2. Drive around with Waze and collect "Road Goodies" - which basically just means drive over the CrackBerry logos as you move about your city. As you can see above, they are *everywhere*.
3. It's a competition between iPhone users, Android users, and BlackBerry users - which is to say you're up against the kids from TiPb and Android Central. Whichever site whose users collect the most Road Goodies will win and be able to give a tablet away to one of their users - selected randomly from amongst the top 25 collectors. Remember - you only get credit for driving over the CrackBerry icons.
4. That's it! Use Waze, collect Road Goodies, and stick it to those iPhone and Android users while automatically getting a chance to win an iPad or Tab

What's Waze, then? It's a free social mapping tool: you can get directions, find out where the traffic is, ping other users, and generally find your way around while helping other Waze users get better location and traffic information. Check out the full details on the Waze Blog.

Seriously. I probably own more Apple products than the average hardcore Apple fanboy, and despite being BlackBerry addict #1 still have a lot of respect for Apple and Steve Jobs. That dude is smart. But at the same time, I'm starting to think he's getting a little crotchety in his old age. Between antennagate and yesterday's Apple earnings call, El Jobso is making a habit out of really smack talking on the competition, which is a bit tactless and classless if you ask me (besides, that's what Smartphone Experts podcasts are for!).

If you missed what was said, jump on over to our sibling site TiPb.com for the blow by blow (Steve on Google's openness, Steve on RIM, Steve on 7" tablets, live earnings call notes). Long story short, Jobs said RIM is going to have to fundamentally reinvent themselves if they want to catch up to the momentum Apple and Google have. I don't disagree with that, but I do think QNX is that reinvention and the BlackBerry PlayBook is the first product of what I like to think of as the new RIM. But Steve even harped on the PlayBook (indirectly) by bashing all 7" tablets. Steve's argument is that while you may think a 7" tablet should offer 70% of the experience of a 10", it doesn't - it's more like 45% because of the diagonal measure. Steve says for a great app experience you need 10 inches, and that simply increasing resolution of a 7" tablet isn't the answer. Steve's conclusion on 7" tablets is that he feels they're all going to arrive DOA and that manufacturers will be learning the hard way that they need to make a 10" tablet for round 2. Why don't you tell us how you really feel, Steve? :)

While I don't disagree with Steve's logic on why a physically bigger screen is better, I do disagree in his thinking that a device like the PlayBook is doomed before it starts. I think RIM is doing a smart thing by labeling the the BlackBerry PlayBook as the first Professional Tablet. Put it this way - the only time my iPad leaves my house is when I'm traveling and going to be stuck on a plane for a few hours, because the thing is too big to carry around with me (not to mention I still feel like a douche bag to pull it out in public). With the PlayBook small enough to slide into my inside coat pocket, I think it'll get a lot more play. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of the iPad, so I'm really curious and hopeful that the BlackBerry PlayBook delivers a compelling user experience. I have high expectations for what RIM had better deliver in the PlayBook.

Since when has RIM ever been about making only one form factor of product? RIM is all about choice. Just look at their lineup of form factors for BlackBerry Smartphones. With the PlayBook hardware finalized, wouldn't it be safe to assume RIM is already laying the design work for another tablet? Maybe a bigger one for consumers since the first one at 7" has been christened as a professional tablet? Doing the professional tablet first gives RIM time to build up their QNX app catalog, so it's full of apps for when a 10" PlayBook 2 (or whatever they call it) gets announced. It's not that RIM is making a mistake in building a 7" tablet. It's that they're starting off by differentiating themselves in a way that will allow them to carve out a niche and capitilize on their historical strengths, and from there will broaden out their product offering.

Anyways, vote where you stand on the size matters issue above, and sound off in the comments!

Love it or hate it, the iPad has made waves across the world and judging by the amount of people in the CrackBerry forums that have one, it's safe to say we better start acknowledging some of the stuff out there that is BlackBerry / iPad compatible. Which when you really think about it is quite a bit to cover, really. Everything from making use of accessories that work with iPad and BlackBerry right down to sending documents from your BlackBerry to your iPad.

We'll be sure not to go too iPad overboard here on CrackBerry but one interesting thing that popped up in the forums was a method where you can actually tether your BlackBerry to your WiFi-enabled iPad if it's been jail broke. Now, to say this is a perfectly working solution would be a lie. I personally never got it to work for any great amount of time but many others in the forums have done so with great success.

The process requires you to download a cydia app called iBluever and a BlackBerry application called PDANet. After a few setting adjustments you technically should be up and running using your BlackBerry data plan with your WiFi enabled iPad. That said, you should keep in mind that anytime something is interacting with your carrier data, you could incur extra charges. if you decide to set this up, you do so at your own risk. Thanks to aohus for posting this up for us.

• Check Out The Full Details And Process In The CrackBerry Forums >>

*UPDATE - At the time of writing this article we had based our original information as it was posted on Electronista. Since the time if the original publishing, new information has come about wherein the quoted comments from Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis may have been taken out of context or looked into to deeply. Since the new information is now available to us, we have posted the transcript below the break for you all to read. *

It's stories like this that make our brains hurt. When RIM's Founder and Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis says things like "touch-only phones like the iPhone aren't that popular" we find it really confusing... 1) We're pretty sure touch-only phones are popular - we see a lot of them and more being offered every day. 2) We're pretty sure RIM makes some touchscreen-only phones (whether they've made a good one or not yet you can debate in the comments). 3) We're pretty sure RIM is going to keep making at least some touchscreen-only devices moving ahead.

This new talk of touchscreen phones and tablets is stemming from a recent TD Newcrest technology conference keynote Lazaridis gave in Toronto. While Lazaridis was downplaying the efforts of the iPhone he addressed the tablet hype as well. Lazaridis claims there is no market for tablets and that as smartphones are getting more powerful and more computer like, this by
extension would reduce the need for a tablet. While we tend to somewhat agree that tablets and devices like Apple's new iPad are still finding their place in the world, the fact that Apple has pushed well over 300,000 of them and stores have long waiting lists clearly shows there is indeed an emerging market here that appears to have momentum behind it.

This is one of those posts where I could go on a big never-ending rant, so we'll end this early knowing that WES 2010 is just around the corner, where we'll hopefully gain some more insight into this and other areas of interest surrounding RIM. Worst case, we'll carry on this conversation in a live CrackBerry Podcast next week where plenty of booze is involved. That will be fun. 

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Learn More About the iPad: Read TiPb's Full Apple iPad Review >>

Back on January 27th, the day the Apple iPad was announced, we posted a poll here on CrackBerry.com asking readers how they felt about the iPad from the perspective of being a BlackBerry owner. The results: 12% said they loved the iPad (perfect compliment to a BB) and would buy one; 18% said it was cool but nothing life changing; 9% said their BlackBerry did everything they need already; 47% said it's just a big iPod Touch and **shrugged** while the last 13% voted that Apple sucks and the iPad is overhyped.

Fast forward a few months and the Apple iPad is officially available. Now that the reviews are pouring in and it's out there for all to use, I'm wondering if and how people's impressions of it may have changed. If you've changed your opinion of the iPad since that first poll, be sure to drop us a comment and let us know what you're thinking now.

Apple iPad Review: As you can imagine, our sibling site TiPb.com has been in iPad fever for the last couple of days with both Rene and Dieter working overtime to get the Apple iPad Review done. I posted Rene's mandatory unboxing video above to get you started... if you're interested in learning more then be sure to jump over and read the full Apple iPad review.

The big news of the week: clearly iPad. Our site for all things iPhone, iPod, and iPad, TiPb, has total coverage of the iPad launch and a huge helping of iPad app reviews. Stay tuned for a full iPad review tomorrow!

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The Apple iPad - coming soon...

Apple's big announcement has come and gone and its wake it has left us with the Apple iPad - a mobile tablet computer ebook reader thingy that looks like an oversized iPod Touch or iPhone. It'll run all of the iPhone's apps, also run iPad-specific apps and will be available in models with or without 3G service. If you missed the live coverage, be sure to jump over to our sibling site TiPb.com who is all over it. Be sure to watch the video below too for some additional iPad enlightenment.

Once you're up to speed with Apple's latest gadget that fills in that void between smartphone and laptop, be sure to cast your vote above and let us know how you feel about it. I sort of look at it as a device that compliments the BlackBerry quite well (check out my iPhone Review for this year's Round Robin and you'll understand why I think that's the case - it's all about the Hierarchy of Needs). And be sure to ellaborate in the comments - I'm personally really curious to hear what you all think. Is it a Kindle killer? Your next must-have gadget? Is it technology for the sake of technology without their being a need for it? Sound off!!