iMovie: iPad beats MacBook Pro and Mac Pro?

AppAdvice site has developed some small rapid tests for judging the performance of iMovie on the Mac in iPad and basic tasks. The findings are quite surprising: in most of the tasks of copying and coding, the iPad 2 was the fastest, even faster than the MacBook Pro or Mac Pro five times more expensive.

The first test involved the importation of a two-minute video from an iPod touch, 4G towards iPad (with the Camera Connection Kit) and Mac (with the import feature in iMovie). The iPad 2 performs this task in 25.5 seconds, five fewer than the iPad first name, two times faster than a Mac Pro, more than four times faster than a MacBook Air.

For the second test, it was necessary to create an empty project, place the same two-minute video, and then export it in HD 720p: again, the iPad 2 is the fastest. IOS devices end up in a handkerchief, far ahead of the Mac.

Finally, the last test, a bit closer to real conditions: it is this time a small assembly with the same two-minute clip, a title, a soundtrack, and an image to open and close the all exported to HD 720p. This time, the iPad 2 does not prevail: the Mac Pro or MacBook Pro 17 "five times more expensive ones are faster. We note however that the iPad 2 dominates the head and shoulders iOS other devices, this which was not the case in the previous test.

We wanted to check something with an iPad first generation with the latest version of iMovie to IOS, and a MacBook Air 11 "also features the latest version of iMovie for Mac .... The idea was to try to find the reason for these differences: Software Optimization or hardware or difference in the encoding process?

We used a 720p HD video file (H.264) 3:35, just exported in HD 720p. The output file weighs 285 MB side iPad, 262 MB Mac side, and it is difficult to see any difference: in short, the iPad would "cheat" not on compression. But where the MacBook Air is 1:10 p.m. to encode and export the file, does that iPad 03:03 (and this is a first generation model).

It is quite possible that this difference reflects a subtle blend optimization hardware and software with a version designed iOS closer to the hardware platform of the iPhone, iPod touch and the iPad. iMovie on the Mac operating correctly about multiple cores, but it would not be surprised to learn that the IOS version is a massive use of computing by the graphics chip and some advanced features of the ARM platform dedicated to video - it could explain the differences between the two generations of iPad, the graphics chip of the iPad 2 being much more powerful than the first generation. He can only hope that Apple emissions both bolt around the Mac version...

In the forth coming week you may expect a review is about windows7 phone and iPhone comparison.

DevonThink, MarsEdit and Handy Calculator

The document manager DevonThink had a major update which mainly concerns the function of adding to the manager from a web browser. The publisher updated its extensions and the addition now passes through a window semi-transparent. We can change the title, add a few notes and keywords and choose the document format and the folder that will store the web page. Also on the program, a concept of workspace provided for the Office Pro edition which is to fully safeguard the status of the application to restore it later. DevonThink Pro Office 2.1 also improves compatibility with Outlook and Entourage while all options are entitled to a new home screen and numerous bug fixes. The Mac App Store has not yet been updated.

Also updated MarsEdit, the authoring tool for bloggers. Version 3.3 introduces a new full-screen mode that allows you to concentrate on writing an article; this full-screen mode creates its own space in Mac OS X Lion. MarsEdit now supports transformations from text editor and you can ask the system to read text from this window. A new option sets the font sizes of the main window while the fast mode of writing preferences is now entitled to a preview. MarsEdit 3.3 finally fixes its bugs.

MarsEdit
If you find the calculator's default Mac OS X a bit antiquated, Handy Calculator tries to provide an interface more elegant and practical. Like Apple's calculator, Handy Calculator is always in the foreground, but when it is no longer used, it becomes partially transparent. What display the content behind everything possible to return to the calculations if necessary? The calculations are done using the Mac keyboard, or the application's virtual keyboard is easier to manipulate the mouse. The result can then be copied using the usual shortcuts or clicking on the outcome directly.

Asus has a MacBook Air competitor

Battered lately, Asus goes on the offensive. On the occasion of the Computex trade show being held in Taipei, the manufacturer has unveiled several products, one of which is presented as a direct competitor to the MacBook Air.


The Asus UX21 includes several ingredients that made the success of Apple's ultraportable: ultrafine (maximum thickness 17 mm), battery incorporated into the computer-in 7 days due to hibernation, wake ultrafast All aluminum design, SSD by default, glass trackpad.

Unusually for a PC, Asus has done in minimalist terms of connectivity: a microphone port HDMI, USB 2.0 and another USB 3.0.


This machine will be launched in September may also give some indications about the MacBook Air 2011 which could be sold next month. The Asus UX21 is based on the platform Huron River. It has a low power processor Sandy Bridge. This is a i5-2557M clocked at 1.7 GHz. It remains to know its price...

Samsung: "No, we are not copying Apple"

"We did not copy Apple's designs. We have used many similar designs in recent years. And we think that Apple's claims should not be a legal problem. “This is the line of defense JK Shin, President of Samsung Mobile.


However, this did not stop him from suggesting that the legal battle being waged between the two groups could be extended to new fronts. Remember that last weekend, the Korean company has requested access to prototypes of the iPhone and iPad3 to ipad5 prepare his defense

In addition, as part of the interview given to the Wall Street Journal, Samsung has recognized that he would put the package on Android, especially on the shelves. This does not mean an abandonment of Bada. Finally, to gain market share in the highly competitive market shelves, the Korean company said it would not hesitate to be very aggressive on the pricing plan.

Amazon launches competitor to the Mac App Store

Amazon launches competitor to the Mac App Store. Like Downloads available from the Mac Store you can download the software for an apple branded computers. Among the applications available for sale can find Microsoft Office 2011, Toast, both absent for the moment the Mac App Store.

The software library includes 250 titles from Amazon is much less than that of Apple. It is more like that found in the Mac store shelves. Also on the menu: many games signed Feral Interactive, Aspyr, or Electronic Arts.


The user experience offered by Amazon is less polished than that suggested Apple. The company selling online provides a download manager. The user must take care against the facility. On the other hand, there is no mechanism for automatic updating like the Mac App Store.

As on the Mac App Store, you can re-download previously purchased software on the Mac Download Store. Amazon offers more flexibility for publishers; they can decide how many positions on which a license may be installed. To celebrate the promotion of its new service, Amazon is offering a coupon for $ 5 valid until June 1st.

For now, this service is available in the United States. It is in some sense for Amazon to becoming a major player in the world of digital music stores.