• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Home
  • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Banners
    • Spam Liker Hall of Shame
    • Podcast
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • List of Suggested Manga
  • Kireina Yuri
  • Subscribe
    • RSS Feed
    • Mastodon
    • Bluesky (Bridged, Blog Feed Only)
    • Misskey
    • Feedburner
    • Anime Blog Tracker
    • Comments Feed
    • Add to Feedly
    • WordPress Reader

Chikorita157's Anime Blog

Anime blog that focuses on Yuri and School Girl Slice of Life Anime and Editorials

  • Tab 1
  • Tab 3
  • Tab 3
  • Home
  • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Banners
    • Spam Liker Hall of Shame
    • Podcast
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • List of Suggested Manga
  • Kireina Yuri
  • Subscribe
    • RSS Feed
    • Mastodon
    • Bluesky (Bridged, Blog Feed Only)
    • Misskey
    • Feedburner
    • Anime Blog Tracker
    • Comments Feed
    • Add to Feedly
    • WordPress Reader

comedy

moe

drama

music

opinion

final impressions

yuri

idol

action

kyoani

unboxing

Review: iPad and Anime Blogging

May 18, 2010 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

I have finally decided to get myself an iPad, which some people say it’s a big iPod Touch or iPhone and seem to hate it so much. I played around with my 16 GB Wifi iPad, loading some Anime Blogs from Anime Nano and the functions on the iPad. I even Jailbroken the device. So far, my experiences with it is great and its better than any Netbook out there. It won’t replace my Macbook Pro anytime soon, but it will definitely kill netbooks or make them evolve into multitouch tablets without keyboards and trackpads.

Design/Connectivity

The iPad is really light and weighing only 1.5 pounds and almost just as thin as the iPod Touch. Here is a comparison between a iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 2G, Nintendo DS, the Macbook Pro and the iPad:

iPad features a 9.7 inch LED display with IPS Technology. Most netbooks come with TN LCD panels and most of these netbooks uses CCFL backlighting, which makes them thicker and use a bit more power. There are some people that say the backlit display will hurt someone’s eyes and e-ink is better for long use! From using it for hours, it did not strain my eyes considering that it uses a IPS LCD panel. It also depends on the brightness, which the screen is set at.

Although the iPad only comes with a dock connector, there is a connectivity kit that is sold separately. It provides a USB connector that allows users to hook not only digital cameras, but USB Keyboards and headsets. Jailbroken iPads can use USB storage devices with some hacking. It also comes with an SD adapter to load pictures, but cannot play back video from it.

iPad also comes with Bluetooth. If you don’t like the touchscreen keyboard, you can pair a Bluetooth keyboard to the device. I own an Apple Wireless Keyboard which I paired with the iPad. It makes input a lot easier than the touchscreen keyboard.

The iPad is pretty minimalistic. The only controls is the volume, orientation lock and power/sleep button. This doesn’t matter much since the iPad is controlled mainly by the touchscreen.

Experience

iPad runs on iPhone OS 3.2, which is also used on iPhone and iPod Touch. However, iPad can now use iPad applications that feature more functionality than the iPhone/iPod Touch apps. I loaded Twitterriffic, a Twitter Client and some weather apps. They look amazing.

Youtube is also upgraded on the iPad too because of its big screen. Not only you can view videos in full screen, you can change the view to show other information while the video is playing. You can also play embedded Youtube videos within Safari without leaving the application like on the iPhone/iPod Touch.

MobileSafari is like the one on the iPhone, but upgraded. You can now add bookmarks to the toolbar for easy access. Since MobileSafari is based on Webkit, websites will load just as they would on the Web Browsers on your desktop/laptop. When I first unboxed the iPad, I loaded up Melative and the library updating works perfectly.

Some may be disappointed that there is a lack of Adobe Flash. This is because Flash is known to be a resource hog and the primary cause of browser crashes. Instead, HTML5 is implemented for video and stuff. Some sites are already adopting the service, but not all sites have it fully implemented.

How about WordPress on iPad? WordPress loads fine on the iPad. You can make new posts with the WordPress iPad application or the web interface. However, the visual editor does not work on the iPad nor uploading new content. This can be a problem if you want to upload pictures. The good thing is that you can write up new content and then add the pictures before publishing.

WordPress on iPad with Wireless Keyboard

The other functions on the iPad such as the iPod is just the same as seen on the iPhone/iPod Touch, but expanded. There isn’t much needed to be said about them.

The iPad comes with a full size keyboard on the touch screen, which is better than the netbook keyboard. I found that the landscape keyboard a lot easier to use, but I still need the time to get used to it. I won’t use it for prolonged use.

iPad also contains iBooks, which is a ebook reader. It allows buying of books from the device. It also allows users to import e-pub ebooks. So, if you want to import a translated light novel that wasn’t licensed yet, you can do so by converting it. I haven’t tried iBooks extensively, but it looks nice.

iPad at the moment does not have multitasking, although iPhone OS 4 will provide multitasking. Jailbreaking at the time being can give users the ability to multitask (with ProSwitcher or Backgrounder). I done this on my iPhone 3GS and I didn’t notice an impact on performance.

However, there is some things that the iPad cannot do. Viewing Fansubs is one of those things as they require a special player like mplayer to play them and iPad does not support MKV files. They need to be converted to be played on the iPad, which can be time consuming. If you want to watch Anime on Crunchyroll, it will work on the iPad, since they already have an iPad app.

Another thing the iPad won’t do is run desktop applications. Sure, iPad has an office suite and can do pretty much anything the App Store provides, but if you want to use a desktop application such as Photoshop, you still need a computer. Want to play computer games like Audiosurf, Half-Life 2, Portal or visual novels? You still need a computer for that.

Lastly, you are pretty much stuck what the AppStore provides. Unless you jailbreak your iPad, you are stuck with what you have. With a jailbreak, you can do pretty much what you want to do with it. I do this with all my devices so I can customize and add functionality that Apple won’t allow.

Battery Life so far is pretty good. For use at 50% brightness with volume set on high, the percentage didn’t drop so much… but still not sure it last 10 hours, although there are reports that it lasted more than 10 hours.

Conclusion

While the iPad can do most of the basic tasks such as surfing, music playing, viewing photos, email, Instant Messaging and Twitter, it still not a complete replacement for a Laptop/Desktop. iPad is the role model of what Netbooks should be. Traditionally, I found Netbooks completely stupid because they use a bloated OS like Windows and come with small keyboards and trackpads. The iPad will push competitors to change their model and start making netbooks that uses only a touchscreen, some form of Linux and using mobile processors like ARM. Several competitors are already doing this such as HP’s WebOS Slate and others.

While iPad won’t replace the computer since you can’t watch fansubs or run Photoshop on it. However, it will allow the full web experience without flash and allow you to make posts on your WordPress blog. So if you out often, you can take your iPad and make you blog post on your Anime Blog and then edit it later when you get back on the computer.

Would I recommend it? Probably, but before making fun of it irrationally and saying it is just a big iPod Touch, play around with it to see if it fits your needs.

Read moreReview: iPad and Anime Blogging
Category: ReviewsTag: final impressions, iPad, opinion, review, unboxing

Kannagi Volume 2/sola Unboxing and First Impressions

September 29, 2009 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

Well, while I was at college learning, the final two DVDs I have preordered have finally arrived in the mail and yes, sola seems to finally materialize instead of being delayed indefinitely…

Like with the first Kannagi volume, Kannagi second volume have the same format as the first, but now featuring Zange-chan/Hakua. The DVD features extras like a creditless Opening/Ending and also trailers. The DVD Menu is the same format with some background changes. The only problem right now is that Kannagi is only available at Rightstuf at the moment (talking about monopoly), but I hope it changes in the future.

Another surprise is that sola have finally came in after the many times raging about how many times they delayed it. Given how many times they delayed it, they seem to got it right this time. As you see, there is nothing special with the case, but the series came on 3 seperate discs and features a creditless Opening/Ending themes. There is nothing special with the DVD menu and looks plain, but the picture quality is good enough. sola should be available in other retailers today.

I’m expecting to start at least one episode of sola this week, but the exams that is going on, it’s going to take awhile… I can’t wait. (click Continue Reading to see the pics)
…

Read moreKannagi Volume 2/sola Unboxing and First Impressions
Category: Kannagi, solaTag: first impressions, review, unboxing

Nintendo DSi Unboxing and Review

August 13, 2009 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

The Nintendo DSi I have sent away for have finally received in the mail. While North America have to wait several months to obtain one, the Nintendo DSi was released late last year in Japan. Nintendo DSi meant as a successor of the Nintendo DS Lite with new features including a bigger screen, two cameras, Wireless G and also WPA security compatibility, ability to use SD cards, plays and records sounds, and also buy downloadable games off the Nintendo DSi Store.

If you want a DSi, I suggest not getting rid of your old DS since it doesn’t have a GBA slot (so no more transferring Pokemon from your GBA games to your DS games)

Warning, rest of the review is image heavy.

…

Read moreNintendo DSi Unboxing and Review
Category: ReviewsTag: final impressions, review, unboxing

Kannagi: Crazy Shine Maidens Vol 1 Unboxing and Impressions

August 10, 2009 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

The first volume of Kannagi have arrived in the mail. Bandai seems to have worked hard to quickly release the first volume after shortly releasing it in July 17, 2009, the release was okay considering there is no dub, but it shouldn’t discourage people from watching it.

Unlike the other boxsets I own which have episodes on DVDs, with the lack of dub soundtrack, Bandai made it possible to fit all seven episodes while including the credit-less OP, and two EDs. Inside the case, is just the DVD… nothing else unlike the Kanon Boxset which was filled with Funanimation advertisement crap.

Kannagi Vol 1 seems to be only available at Rightstuf at the moment since Bandai have a exclusive deal with them, but it should be available through other stores later on. The second volume releases in late September.

Now I can finish Episode 6 and 7 legally… until volume 2 comes in the mail (yes, I preordered it)

…

Read moreKannagi: Crazy Shine Maidens Vol 1 Unboxing and Impressions
Category: KannagiTag: A1 Pictures, aniplex, review, unboxing

Kanon Complete Series Boxset Unboxing – First Impressions

June 8, 2009 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

kanon-ep1-scr18
It’s the “girls in the snow ani…” Oh Shi—-
Since the ADV meltdown occurred, it became increasingly difficult to obtain 6 DVDs of Kanon just as mentioned in the unboxing of the Air Boxset until ADV transfered it’s licences to Funianimation…

Here is the unboxing pics:
…

Read moreKanon Complete Series Boxset Unboxing – First Impressions
Category: KanonTag: key, kyoani, reaction, review, unboxing

Air TV Complete Series: First Impressions

May 7, 2009 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

air-dvd
Extra thick peach nectar…. I think I’ll pass….

After waiting for weeks dying to see another Kyoto Animation’s Key adaptions after Clannad ~After Story~ was finished weeks ago, I finally received my Air TV Boxset… which I had to wait because it wasn’t released until late April.

You might be wondering, why would you watch something that is 5 years old… Well, if you haven’t know about the history of Kyoto Animation and Key… thats the reason because basically they revolutionize how Visual Novels are adapted to TV because they are faithful to the original source material which others didn’t care about. Thats why Toei’s Kanon was largely forgotten due to it’s poor animation in 2002… Also, I became interested after watching Kanon 2006 remake in late December and wanting to watch Air ever since.

Now for the unboxing pics…
…

Read moreAir TV Complete Series: First Impressions
Category: AIRTag: key, kyoani, unboxing

Sidebar

Categories

Archives

Current Season

  • Mayonaka Punch
  • Na Nare Hana Nare
  • Shikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan
  • VTuber nanda ga Haishin Kiri Wasuretara Densetsu ni Natteta

Episodic Blogging Schedule

To be decided.

Anything not covered here will be covered at Kireina Yuri with short impressions.

Non-Episodic Content

  • Editorials
  • Japanese Self-Study Progress
  • Let’s Plays
  • Podcast
  • Project iM@S
  • Reviews

Follow Us

You can subscribe to this blog via WordPress Reader

Follow Chikorita157’s Anime Blog on WordPress.com

Also follow us on Mastodon for the latest blog updates and Anime/Manga/Video Games related toots

Follow @chikorita157 on Mastodon

Get a Mastodon Account

Anime Lists

AniList
MyAnimeList

Recent Posts

Rock wa Lady no Tashinami deshite – Episode 9 – Battle of the Bands Struggles

Ninja to Koroshiya no Futarigurashi – Episode 8 – The Haunted, New Home

Aru Majo ga Shinu Made – Episode 9 – Meg Defying Magic to Save a Special Tree Spirit

The Quest to Revive AniBlogTracker, Finding Japanese Media and Culture Blogs and More

Slime Taoshite 300-nen Shiranai Uchi ni Level Max ni Nattemashita 2 – Episode 8 – Escaping the Cold By Going to a Tropical Escape

Recent Comments

  1. Aknorals⚑Ⓐ 🏴 on Rock wa Lady no Tashinami deshite – Episode 9 – Battle of the Bands StrugglesMay 30, 2025
  2. Aknorals⚑Ⓐ 🏴 on Rock wa Lady no Tashinami deshite – Episode 9 – Battle of the Bands StrugglesMay 30, 2025
  3. chikorita157 🐰:unverified: on Rock wa Lady no Tashinami deshite – Episode 9 – Battle of the Bands StrugglesMay 30, 2025
  4. 四 on Ninja to Koroshiya no Futarigurashi – Episode 8 – The Haunted, New HomeMay 29, 2025
  5. 四 on Ninja to Koroshiya no Futarigurashi – Episode 8 – The Haunted, New HomeMay 29, 2025

RSS Kireina Yuri

  • Maebashi Witches – Episode 8 – Tanabata Wishes and Kyouka’s Embarassing Secret May 26, 2025
  • Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi – Episode 7 – Club Trip in Paradise May 25, 2025
  • Maebashi Witches – Episode 7 – The Tough Life of Choco May 19, 2025
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Subscribe and Follow Us For New Content

If you want to receive the latest posts in your email, you can subscribe to this blog via email or click the follow button to follow this blog dirrectly using a Mastodon or Misskey account.

To follow this blog via Wordpress Reader, click the button on the right.

Follow Chikorita157’s Anime Blog on WordPress.com
Follow Kireina Yuri on WordPress.com

Follow us on Mastodon or BlueSky for the latest blog updates and Anime/Manga/Video Games related toots

Note for Bluesky users: Follow @ap.brid.gy first before following

Follow us on Mastodon
Follow us on Bluesky
Get a Mastodon Account

© 2009–2025 James M. All rights reserved. Images are owned by their respective owners.

All text on this page is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. Powered by Mai Theme.

Privacy Policy

mastodonMisskey tumblrrss