iPad Quick Fix: Skype Not Working

A friend told me he has a problem with his iPad particularly with Skype. He said he can not use it properly or the application fails at some point. As we are just talking over the phone, I do not know what really is happening.

At lunch time, he brought the iPad for me to take a look. We launched the application on his iPad and on my laptop then try to communicate with each other using Skype. Video is good and can hear me loud and clear but I can not hear him. So this is the problem that he is talking about! His contacts can not hear a word he is saying during their video call conversation.

Things that can cause the problem paraded in front of my mind. It might be the device itself(microphone), the internet bandwidth, the software or the setting!

Problem solving

• Rule out device(microphone), application and bandwidth

To rule out if his device or the application is the problem, I let him use my laptop to log into his Skype account and I log on to my Skype account to my android device. Our Skype conversation has no problem, we can see and hear each other very well.  I am now suspecting the iPad's microphone causing the problem. To test if it is, I asked him to download other VOIP (oovoo) software on his iPad. After downloading and creating a new account for him, we used oovoo to communicate. The video is superb and the sound is OK as well. This time we know that there is nothing wrong with the iPad's microphone and the bandwidth. So it is down to the Skype application. We might need to re install again or look under the hood and check the settings.

Looking under the iPad's microphone setting, we noticed that the device does not allow Skype(3) to use the iPad's microphone! Tapping the button on did resolved his problem.

To go to the iPad's microphone setting, tap settings> then privacy(1)> microphone(2)>slide and turn the button on(4).

iPad 3's New Specs

As expected, the price of the iPad 2 came down from at least £70 with the arrival of the new iPad. What can you get with paying £70 more? Is it worth it? Let's see what's really new and weigh the difference.

Form Factor

The new iPad (iPad3) has the same form factor like that of the old iPad 2, surprisingly it is a bit thicker at 9.4 mm compared to the old at 8.8 mm. It is also heavier by 51 g and topped the scale at 652 g. This means another adjustment to be made for the folio and case makers. Another promising business at the cost of slashing the price on the old cases.


Resolution

The immediate distinguishable difference  is in the graphic's retina display. While the iPad 2 has a resolution of  1024 X 728(132 ppi), the iPad 3 doubles the figure at 2040 X 1536 (264 ppi). This means the tendency for the display to show pixelated images goes a longer way than the iPad 2. This is noticeable specially when displaying fonts magnified as much as you like. It can also display HD images onto a bigger screen without the rugged square edges of pixels. This is very good when you use your iPad 3 as a video source.

The Processor

There's much of a confusion when Apple says the iPad 3 is a quad core. People then has the impression that the processor of the iPad 3 has 4 cores! The truth is, it is a dual core processor, the same dual core like the iPad 2. The processor is a dual core A5X 1GHZ with quad core graphics compared to the dual core A5  1GHZ with dual core graphics. Both devices are capable of multi-tasking without being stunned specially when using multiple applications at the same time. Where's the right place for the quad core hype then? It is in the graphics (GPU), which has nothing to do with the brain of the computer.  While this helps in the burden of the CPU to process images, which in turn makes the CPU process data faster, having more CPU cores would really make a big difference.

The iPad 2 has 512MB Ram and the new one has 1GB.

Mobile Internet

The new iPad is 4G enabled. This new wireless protocol for mobiles offers 10 X more speed than 3G. This will be good in facetime and other VOIP communication or video calls. And of course  for normal browsing and surfing the internet. But users with this technology should be aware about their data bundle limits as it might also be consumed as fast with the very fast connection. It would then be more practical to opt in for unlimited data.

There's no worry in the UK, as there's no network transmitting 4G signals yet. 

Camera

Obviously, the camera on the new one is superb for these reasons. It has 5-megapixel backlight-illuminated sensor (BSI), a five-stage lens configuration, 1080p video recording, face detection and image and video stabilisation. 

iPad Dictate

This is not the SIRI virtual assistant in iPhone 4S, it is a  feature that turns spoken word into text on applications that has a text entry field like email, messaging, or notes. While this is helpful with devices that doesn't have physical keyboards, the accuracy of translation depends on many factors like noise and distance from the device. If the translation is not reliable in a certain distance, why not just type it?  

So there you go, the list of the things that can make you decide if you are really up to grab the iPad 3 or just get the cheaper iPad 2 for the meantime while waiting for the real iPad  QUAD CORE!

Watch Video Below

Interesting Apps for iPAD

*TAPTV*

Buy iPad Case

Format: iPhone and iPad.

License: Free

Category: Entertainment

Updated: 20 April 2011

Version: 1.6

Size: 11.5 MB

Language: English

Developer: TapMedia Ltd

© Tapmedia Ltd

Description

Stream hundreds of classic movies, cartoons, documentaries and more to your iPhone, iPod or iPad for FREE

CHANNELS

Easily find what you're looking for with our great selection of channels. From Movies, Cartoons, Documentaries, App TV, Audiobooks, Magic TV, Best of YouTube™, Silent Classics - there is something for everyone.

FEATURED

Hand-pick collection of  favourite videos together with some of the most popular shows on Tap TV so you don't miss out.

VIEWING HISTORY

Resume play from where you left off (excluding YouTube™ videos).

**Wi-Fi Internet connection required **

*SKYGO*

This app is designed for both iPhone and iPad.

License: Free

 iPad Camera Connector Kit

Category: Entertainment

Updated: 28 November 2011

Version: 2.0.0

Size: 6.6 MB

Language: English

Developer: BSkyB

© 2011 BSkyB

Description

TV from Sky on the go available at no extra cost for Sky TV customers – now with Movies on demand

**Winner of Stuff Gadget Awards App of the Year December 2011**

Enjoy live TV from Sky wherever you have a 3G or WiFi connection in the UK or Ireland on your iPad, iPhone 3GS or above or iPod touch 4th gen.

Take the magic of Sky Movies with you this winter.

Customers with Sky Movies 1 & 2 can now watch all 11 live channels including Sky Movies Premiere and Sky Movies Christmas. Plus, hundreds of movies on demand to watch whenever you fancy over a WiFi connection.

Watching live Sky Movies on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch through a 3G connection will use data and contribute to the monthly allowance set by your mobile network operator. Exceeding this could result in significant charges.

Stay up to date with the latest Sky Sports action.

Sky Sports pack customers can watch all five dedicated live Sky Sports channels including Sky Sports News.

Sky News is also available to all Sky TV customers.

Watch Video

*FLUID*

This app is designed for both iPhone and iPad.

iPad Speaker Dock

License: Free

Category: Entertainment

Updated: Oct 27, 2011

Version: 1.82

Size: 9.0 MB

Language: English

Seller: Fabien Sanglard

© Fabien Sanglard

Description

"Fluid" turns your iPhone/iTouch screen into a liquid surface.

Totally interactive with your fingers, it will keep the kids busy for a while.

Watch Video