Interesting Products

iPad 2 model A1395

The iPad 2 model A1395 is the second generation iPad (or iPad 2) with WiFi-only connectivity.  The iPad 2 is a tablet device by Apple that was released in the United States on March 2011.  It was then subsequently released to other parts of the world.  The iPad 2 is lighter, thinner, and faster than the original iPad.

The iPad 2 comes in three models depending on the connectivity abilities.  

iPad 2 Model A1395: WiFi-only connectivity
iPad 2 Model A1396: Wi-Fi / GSM / A-GPS
iPad 2 Model A1397: WiFi / CDMA / A-GPS

For each model, you can have black or white color. And for each of the model, you can select the amount of memory capacity: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. Depending on your selections, the price will vary.

The model number can be found on the back of the iPad.  Alternatively, on the iPad, you can tap on “Settings” on the Home screen and then go to “General -> About -> Regulatory”.  There you should see the model number of the device.

If your model number shows A1219 or A1337, then you do not have the iPad 2; you have the original iPad.   But an easier way to determine whether you have the iPad 2 or the original iPad is to simply look to see whether it has cameras.  The iPad 2 has two cameras, one on each side, with rear camera being able to capture HD video.   The camera would look like a tiny pinhole, so it might be hard to spot.  The original iPad does not have any camera.

Because of the added camera, the iPad 2 has FaceTime app for video calling and PhotoBooth.

iPad 2 Model A1395

The iPad 2 uses the Apple dual-core A5 chip as opposed to the A4 in the original, making it up to twice as fast.  And better graphics (especially for games).  There is even a gyroscope, so that the display can rotate as you rotate the device.  There are games that takes advantage of the tilt sensing ability of the iPad 2.  Battery life is about 10 hours.

Of course, it can surf the web and send emails, but it can do a lot more.  Watch the below video by Apple.

The Apple iPad 2 Smart Cover is sold separately. As you saw in the video, the iPad can detect when you remove and put on the cover and will wake and sleep appropriately. The cover is magnetically attached, and can be folded into a stand for typing and watching videos.

It is recommended that you purchase either a Smart Cover or a third party case to protect the touch sensitive screen during transport.

HAG Capisco Chair

Take a look at this chair at ErgoDepot.com

It looks a bit unusual because you don’t often see them in chair. But someone told me that it was the most comfortable chairs.

Fun Matching Pillowcases for His and Hers

Look at the pictures on these pillow cases. It is obvious which one is for him and which one is for her. But that means that he has to sleep on the right and she on the left if you want the picture to match up.

Slippers that Cleans Floor

Here are some slippers that cleans the floor as you walk. They are more designed for cleaning hardwood floor as opposed to carpet. For carpets, you are better off using a vacuum cleaner.

They work better if you walk in a sweeping motion. And make sure you dust off the dirt afterward; otherwise you track dirt back onto the floor that you’ve just cleaned.

They come in different colors and but not sure if they come in different sizes.

Funny Mug Explaining What Advice Is

This mug defines the word “Advice” as “What we ask for when we already know the answer, but we wish we didn’t”.

For another funny mug, see the one that says “I hate coffee, it keeps me awake at work“.

“I Hate Coffee” Funny Mug

This funny mug says “I hate coffee, it keeps me awake at work”.

It is not recommended that you actually use this mug at work (assuming you want to keep your job).   Or if you do, let’s not let you boss see it.   However, if you work from home, then it is okay.  Although I guess it would not be as funny at home.

Perfume that Looks Like iPhone

Givenchy Play makes and perfume that looks like an iPhone — for women and men.

Staplers with Staples

Don’t have to worry about your stapler running out of staples. Don’t have to worry about your staples in your stapled papers getting caught in the the paper shredder. These staple-less staplers does not use staples. Instead, it cuts a slot and does a fold to bind your papers together. Works better when there are not too many sheets. Different colors and animal head shapes available.

Candles without Flames

These electronic candles are called “flameless candles” because use an led light. They don’t have flames. So that means no smoke either. But they look just like candles with a simulated look of melted wax. Some led have flicker effect to simulate flame-like appearance. Some have scent. Some have a timer feature. And some even have a remote control.

What Is PhotoReading?

Photoreading is an enhanced reading strategy developed by Paul Scheele that will enable you to extract more information out of your reading materials in a shorter amount of time.

Courses in this photo reading strategy is offered by Learning Strategies Corporation
in the form of public course seminars and home self-study courses.

The home self-study course is not just a recording of the live seminar. Rather it is redeveloped and designed specifically for self-learning. It is this home course that the below article is based.

Photoreading Home Study Course Materials

How PhotoReading Works

Photo reading is not speed reading. Speed reading involves drills to make your eyes move faster. Photoreading is to extract out the important information from the reading more quickly. In photoreading, you do not need to actually need to consciously “read” every word. Your sub-conscious already read it for you.

The course is not hard work. In fact, you can not and should not “work hard” at this. Because you are employing the power of the sub-conscious mind. Paul Scheele say you have to learn to let go and let the sub-conscious mind do its work.

By some estimates, the eyes and brain take in about 10 million bits of information per seconds unconsciously, but your conscious mind only perceive 40 bits of information per second. The actual number varies, but the bottom line is that you perceive only a small fraction of all the information that your brain takes in. When you read, your sub-conscious mind already took in the word a quarter of a second before your conscious mind “read” the word.

In the course there will be a series of exercise where you have to perform some reading for a specific time. Scheele says that you have to follow strictly the timing of the reading. You will need an egg timer or other count-down timer that will ring after say 3 minutes or however long that particular exercise is. I like to use the online egg timer at online-stopwatch.com.

The learning strategy involves a multi-pass technique. You make multiple passes through the reading material, where each pass will let you “activate” more and more of the material. This is designed so that we can get the most out of the material within a given amount of time. Depending on the reason for your reading the material and its complexity, you may need more or less passes.

One thing is for sure, photoreading one pass is still many times better than no reading at all. Have you ever bought some books that you plan on reading. And the stack of book has been left unread in a pile on your desk for a couple of months. In our time-constraint society, we simply do not have time to read every single word that comes our way. The strategy gives us the next best thing, which is to extract as much out in the given amount of time that we do have (whatever amount of time that happens to be).

Then whenever you happen to have more time (it may be never), you can always go back and re-read and re-activate the material. Since you had gone through already the first pass, the second pass will go fast and you will get more out of it.

The PhotoReading technique

The PhotoReading technique involves 5 steps:

1. Prepare: In this step you prepare your mind to be in the ideal state for learning using relaxation techniques to get into relaxed alertness. You also focus on the purpose of the reading.

2. Preview: You take a wide view to get a sense of the structure of the reading material.

3. Photoread: This is the step where you let your subconscious mind and your whole mind do the work for you — flipping through the pages (but not actually consciously reading yet).

4. Postview: You go through the material finding trigger words and formulating questions.

5. Activate: After letting your mind incubate the material that it had absorbed, this is the step where you bring the essential information to your conscious memory. It involves techniques such as Super reading, skittering, mind mapping, and rapid reading.

Super reading is similar to speed reading. And rapid reading is similar to regular reading that we are all familiar with. You can apply these techniques in any order and use each of them appropriately depending on them the complexity of the material and the purpose of your reading.

Mind Mapping

A note-taking technique that is taught in the course that is quite useful is called “mind mapping”. It is a visual diagramming method of taking notes. You use key terms only and put the core concept in the center of the page with connecting lines radiating from it to supporting keywords. You can see a example of a mind map on page 63 of the fourth edition of the Photoreading book (included in the home self-study course). Just by looking at the mind map, one is able to see the entire outline of the material and how certain concepts are connected to another. By remembering the mind map picture, one would remember all the key points of the material. It makes remembering materials very easy.

Speaking of memory… The home study course also includes “Memory Supercharger” paraliminal audio CD. Paraliminal means “beyond the threashold of conscious awareness”. Using relaxation techniques, your mind will receive positive affirmations to strengthen your memory. It is designed to be used with stereo headphones (headphones not included) as multiple messages can be piped to your left and right ears. But do not listen while driving or operating heavy machinery, because you may be asked to close your eyes at times as part of the relaxation steps.

Course Materials

There are two versions of the PhotoReading self-study course that can be order at Learning Strategies Corporation website

The classic version consists of …

• eight audio CDs with accompanying workbook manual
• the fourth edition “Photoreading” book by Paul Scheele
• the “Natural Brilliance” book by Paul Scheele
• Webster’s pocket dictionary
• memory supercharger paraliminal audio CD

All the CDs are taught and narrated by Paul Scheele himself.

The deluxe version consists of everything in the classic version plus a “PhotoReading Results Supercharger” 3-DVD Pack and the “PhotoReading Activator Paraliminal” audio CD.

Note:

This article was written in March 2011 in is opinion at the time of the writing. Author has received complimentary course material from publisher and may receive compensation from display ads and links within that page.