Well, there may be trouble in paradise again.  The iPhone 4 had an antenna problem and now it seems that the iPad 3 overheats.  Not to the point of not being functional, just pretty hot to the touch.  Users are complaining and tests are confirming.  When used intensely for 45 minutes straight, the new iPad reaches temperatures as high as 116˚.  That's 13˚ hotter than the iPad 2, though it's still 24˚ cooler than a sauna.  

Apple isn't apologizing or planning to do anything about it.  Their official stance is, if you have a concern contact AppleCare.

What do you think?  Are you going to buy the new iPad?  Do you already own one?  Today's lackluster announcement from Apple CEO Tim Cook showed us two things:  How much Apple probably misses Steve Jobs and how unspectacular this newest iPad release is compared to the jump from iPad to iPad2.  

The key is - will you buy one?  Is that resolution improvement enough to make you do it?  My wife loves the iPad - she owned the first one and immediately bought the iPad2 when it came out because it was thinner, came in white and for a few other reasons that escape me now.  But the newest one isn't doing it for her.  

What I'm most curious about is this:  Will the fastest buyers be current iPad owners, current iPad2 owners, or iPad holdouts who have been using other tablet devices or are like me - haven't succumed to the tablet devices' lure yet.  I don't think I ever will - I love my Macbook too much.  And a real keyboard.

Let's hear it...are you going to buy one when they come out on March 16th?  And what do you own now for a touchpad / tablet device?  Let's discuss...

This is big news...wow...today is the day that Steve Jobs announced to the world that he is resigning from Apple as their CEO.  Sure, he's planning to stay on as the chairman of the board, but for all intents and purposes his run at Apple is over.  The reins are now turned over to his planned successor...former COO Tim Cook.

What does this mean for Apple?  Probably not a lot.  They're on the right track, Jobs has set the proper course for the organization...the innovation isn't going to just cease.  Cook & company will carry on.  But this is sad news.  Ever since I was wooed into the Apple family by my wife when I purchased my first - and only - Macbook (which I'm typing this on right now) back in March of 2009, I've been a full-fledged Apple believer.  An iPod followed, then an iPad, though this and the follow-up iPad2 purchase became purchases for my wife as I still am not sold on a tablet...too much in love with my Macbook.  Then there's the iPhone, God's gift to...well, to anyone smart enough to buy one.  Droid was good, but the iPhone is a new world.  Love it...love it...can't live without it.

Now I've gotten off track a little.  What are your thoughts on Apple's next steps?  Will they miss a beat without Jobs?  Will they remain the leader...the incredibly innovative money-making machine that they have been for so long?  Will I still find my happy place inside the Apple store at the Fashion Show mall on the Las Vegas strip?

And what about Jobs?  This won't be a Brett Favre thing.  I believe he's truly done this time.  This is more like Magic after his health situation.  Retired, back for the all-star game, and then off into the sunset.  Seriously, Jobs health is not good....and that's sad.  We all should be praying for him...I know I am.  And I wish him the best and I hope that Apple continues to stay on track without him.

As a relatively new convert (two years ago) to the world of Mac and all things Apple, I thought this might be a good topic to cover today - especially with all eyes on Steve Jobs and the iCloud announcement.  What is your favorite Apple tool?  I'm finding - based on my own experience - that once you make the move to Apple products, the full conversion is not far behind.  Rarely do you have just one Apple toy.  Get a Macbook or Macbook Pro, and an iPad or iPhone is not far behind.  And for those hardcore Photoshop users and other creative individuals, the iMac has no Windows-based desktop competitor.  Period.

For me, I have a Macbook and an iPhone and basically access to an iPad, though it's really my wife's iPad.  My Macbook is #1 - I use it for everything I do in the world of IT consulting.  My iPhone is a great companion - I use it constantly for email and occasionally for writing professional articles.  I briefly used the iPad but I didn't see the need for it once I had an iPhone in my hand.

As for my wife - the photographer - she simply can't bring herself to rate one above the other.  Ok, she doesn't use her older model Macbook Pro any more but can't bring herself to part with it just yet.  But her iMac, iPhone, and iPad are constant productivity tools for her and each one is used extensively every day.

What about you?  What's your favorite Apple productivity tool in terms of hardware?  Is the new iMac your most used tool?  Are you finding the iPad or new iPad2 to be more useful than you had even hoped it would be?  Are the keys of your Macbook or Macbook Pro nearly worn out from constant use?  Can you not imagine life without your iPhone and how do you use it for business productivity?  Send in your thoughts....