iPhone News Updated

Should I upgrade to the iPhone 4S for Siri?

Apple’s voice-activated, personal assistant, Siri, is a cool app to show off at parties, but is it useful enough for me to upgrade to the iPhone 4S? And how can I make sure that I don’t get socked with a surprise $1,000 bill when I return from my winter vacation in the Caribbean Islands?

These are the questions Ask Maggie tackles in this edition.

Should I upgrade to the iPhone 4S for Siri?

Dear Maggie,
I’ve had the iPhone 3G for a couple of years. But recently, I’ve really gotten tired of the slow download speeds for emails and Web surfing. Would the iPhone 4S be better? Also the Siri app looks really interesting, and I can’t get it on my iPhone 3G. Is it worth it for me to upgrade to the iPhone 4S for this app?

I’m going to be buying a new phone in the next couple of weeks, and I am curious as to whether or not you think it is worth the money to get the iPhone 4S, or if I should consider something else. Now that I’ve been retired for almost five years, I’ve lost touch with the latest technology so your advice is much appreciated.

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Pad & Quill’s cases: Classy covers for iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air

Pad & Quill has been making book-bound iPad and iPhone cases for a couple of years. By book-bound, I mean that the cases made using traditional book-binding materials and techniques.

Like DODOcase, the cases have evolved a bit over the years to meet the requirements of new devices; unlike DODOcase, Pad & Quill has created a complete line of cases to protect many of your Apple mobile devices. In this review, I’ll take a look at Pad & Quill’s Little Black Book for iPhone, the Contega and Octavo iPad cases, and the new Cartella case for the MacBook Air.

Little Black Book for iPhone 4/4S

Let’s start with the smallest member of the Pad & Quill family, the Little Black Book case for iPhone 4/4S (US$44.99). A number of small book-type and wallet cases have been announced for the iPhone 4S in the last few months, but of those I’ve reviewed, I feel that the LBB is the best made product out there.

Like all of the Pad & Quill cases, the device sits nestled in a CNC-machined wood frame with small pads in the corners that make sure that your iPhone isn’t going to plop out. Unlike the DODOcase products (which don’t include an iPhone case), you don’t have to send off for additional pads — Pad & Quill includes extra material for cutting your own pads.

The case also has the standard Moleskine-like elastic cord for securing the cover when you’re on the move, as well as a unique feature — a red ribbon “bookmark” that is used to help pop out the iPhone when you want it in your hand.

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