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Hands On With Apple IPad 2 432

adeelarshad82 writes "Yesterday's announcement of the second-generation iPad showed exactly why there was so much excitment around the device. As the video hands on shows, iPad 2 makes up for all the things lacking in the original iPad. The 1GHz dual-core A5 chip does justice to apps like Photo Booth and over all user experience. Moreover, while the screen carries the same resolution, Apple was able to pack it in a noticably thinner iPad 2. Infact its dimensions, 13.4 mm to 8.8mm thick, make it 33% thinner than iPhone 4. Also while the cameras aren't HD, the inclusion itself provides an opportuntiy for Facetime, which is actually more interactive than what we've seen so far on other Apple devices."
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Hands On With Apple IPad 2

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  • Not enough (Score:2, Insightful)

    by ewe2 ( 47163 )
    Personally, I'm waiting for iPad 3.5, when it will really be finished!
    • RE: Not enough (Score:2, Informative)

      iPad 3.5 will probably come with Palladium 3.5, where even sites like Youtube will be charged for streaming to iDevice users.

      Already, Netflix, Kindle, etc. are on the chopping block on the App Store unless they pay up 30% of the user's fees to Apple. Want to read your Kindle books or Netflix movies on the iPad? Be forced to pay up to cover Apple's tax. The best thing is that according to Apple's rules, the price has to be same for other devices too, so even if you don't use the iDevices, expect your prices

      • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

        by dwightk ( 415372 )

        Readability was kicked off the App Store for failing to pay up

        heh, Readability (the company that charges 30% of revenue to publishers of content) was quoted about Apple's (the company that charges 30% of revenue to publishers of content) policy: it "smacks of greed"

        • by N1AK ( 864906 )
          Readability doesn't charge publishers. How ignorant or desperate are you? They offer users the ability to change the layout of content they already have access to. Additionally, the biggest issue people have with what Apple are doing isn't the charge, it is the fact that it is mandatory.

          I've been really impressed by the new iPad. I'd snap one up in a second if I didn't dislike Apple's controlling nature and the fanboyism so prevalent among its customers.
          • Readability doesn't charge publishers. How ignorant or desperate are you?

            Want a bet [readability.com]?

          • Re: Not enough (Score:5, Informative)

            by iluvcapra ( 782887 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:46PM (#35371398)

            Readability doesn't charge publishers. How ignorant or desperate are you?

            No, but they collect membership fees and revert 70% of these to the writers. 30% agency fees, for doing exactly squat besides rebranding and reformatting the content, would be considered exorbitant and unconscionable in just about any other business.

            I work with a lot of independent filmmakers and the "Readability" model has been with them for the last 10 years or so -- small fly-by-night "distributors" who take a huge cut of revenue and fees in exchange for making your movie available on their shitty burn-on-demand DVD website and offering it, with zero promotion and for bargain-basement prices on iTunes and Movielink and iFilm and all the other crap distribution channels that have come and gone the last decade. They're slimeballs and all they care about is putting themselves in-between artists and eyeballs, and doing as little as possible for their fees.

          • " and the fanboyism so prevalent among its customers"

            Oh, please. Knee jek regurgitations of false memes are getting old. File that one in the same drawer as BSOD.

      • he best thing is that according to Apple's rules, the price has to be same for other devices too, so even if you don't use the iDevices, expect your prices to go up because of Apple's policies.

        I'm not a fan of Apple but I think that's a misinterpretation. The rule is that the Apple device user has to be charged the same price if they buy the service outside the app store. So really all companies would have to do would be to add an extra fee on their site to enable streaming to i-devices, right?

        • Re: Not enough (Score:5, Informative)

          by Reapman ( 740286 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @03:25PM (#35371870)

          My understanding is Apple wants a 30% cut. However they don't want providers to charge extra on Apple devices - so basically publishers have two choices:

          1) Keep the price the same, and if the provider was making 30% or less already per sale, potentially lose money per sale.
          2) Raise the price for all and have non iOS users essentially pay a 30% tax for Apple.
          3) Don't release on iOS and lose that customer base.

          This is MY understanding. If I'm wrong please let me know.

      • They've been on the chopping block for several weeks now and nothing has happened. For example, the latest version of the Kindle app [apple.com] was published on the App Store on the 14th and has been downloadable to this day. Apple's made no statements about how they're going to apply these rules to Netfilx and Kindle, and all we can do is extrapolate.

        All we have is one data point from a frustrated vanity publisher who's upset, really, because it's not him getting that 30% instead of Apple. He wants to pretend he's

        • The rules don't get enforced until June. So really we're still a ways from seeing what will really happen.
          • Then what's this all about then, if Readability got rejected a week and a half ago under the same rule?
            • Sorry, I should clarify. The rules for apps currently in the store don't get enforced until June. Sony's reader was also rejected already.
      • It's not clear how this will shake out. Apple's position is not tenable without some clearer wording and compromises. As it stands, they are looking to cut their nose to spite their face... but Apple isn't stupid or crazy and they are probably well aware that their unmodified policy could damage their ecosystem, entice government regulation, and spoil their brand.

        My take: they will clarify the rules and target the Amazon (and possibly Netflix) model of apps, while leaving others with minor/no impact... if

      • Already, Netflix, Kindle, etc. are on the chopping block on the App Store unless they pay up 30% of the user's fees to Apple.

        While I agree that the In-App Subscription guidelines overreach on Apple's part, I think it's important to point out that the "30% for Apple" ONLY applies in cases where a new subscriber signs up for the services using the in-app subscription functionality. Existing subscribers, and subscribers who sign up using say, a non-iOS device, or the service's website, are exempted from this

    • by Shikaku ( 1129753 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:15PM (#35371088)

      I think iPad 3.11 for workgroups will be good enough for me.

  • by Animats ( 122034 )

    Product was covered yesterday. This is an article about a review.

    • by maxume ( 22995 )

      There's a link to yesterday's article right there in the summary, so there may have been some awareness and intention behind this posting.

  • by Locke2005 ( 849178 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:03PM (#35370924)
    Well, except for Flash support and user expandable memory...

    Does the Bluetooth support an external mouse and keyboard?
    • I used an Apple bluetooth keyboard with a friend's iPad last summer
    • I've been using a bluetooth keyboard with my iPad since last spring, when the iPad took the place of my laptop. I wouldn't know about a mouse, because there's no need for a mouse with it. The Flash issue has been covered to death. You either understand why its exclusion is a good thing or you don't, so there's nothing to add there. As for user-expandable memory, I can't figure out why people bring this up. It's a trade-off. There are certain advantages to having sealed, fixed memory, and it's a tradeoff to
      • There are certain advantages to having sealed, fixed memory, and it's a tradeoff to get them.

        I absolutely agree! I'll list some for the detractors:

        • Nobody can open your iPad and steal your RAM, leaving the iPad a useless husk.
        • There's no chance of accidentally putting in the wrong RAM and causing a short.
        • You can avoid the classic "My kids thought the VCR was a toaster" situation. No young'uns will try to make Ritz Cracker toast on your RAM slot!
        • The chances of cutting yourself on the sharp edges of RAM are vastly reduced.
        • Everything comes in one convenient package. There's no costs to upgrade the iPad, ever! (Because you can't.)
        • We were obviously referring to flash memory (e.g. SD or microSD cards), not RAM. And there are tradeoffs; if it is removable, the OS must check to see if it is there, know when it has been inserted or removed, and handle the situation where what it expected to be stored isn't what is there. It also creates a vector for the introduction of malware or even (gasp!) software not sold through the app store onto the device.
      • by vux984 ( 928602 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @03:00PM (#35371546)

        You either understand why its exclusion is a good thing or you don't, so there's nothing to add there.

        Wow. That's some arrogance. Did you really mean to say: "Either you agree with apple, or you are wrong."

        There are certain advantages to having sealed, fixed memory

        Can you actually name any that are relevant?

        Not having to manipulate a file system isn't one by the way. My car stereo handles CDs, mp3 disks, flash memory, and ipods, and all the complicated file system stuff is completely invisible... I just push the source button. I guess that would be too overwhelming for an iDevice user?

        Another example is the Nintendo Wii file system management which a 4 year old has no trouble with.

        Meanwhile the multiple advantages of removable storage however are blindingly obvious.

        Arguing about the trade-offs of expandable/removable storage its about as idiotic as as arguing about the trade offs of wearing a motorcycle helmet. (In that yes, there are circumstances where not having a helmet on would be advantageous... but the disadvantages thoroughly outweigh any advantages.)

        but you're NOT going to see those in iOS products

        This same arguments about how you didn't need were made about native application development and multi-tasking...

        The main reason there is no expandable memory is that:
        a) Steve Job's obsessively hates slots and buttons, and is more than willing to sacrifice function to get form.

        b) If you can slide in your own 8GB SD card for $50, why would you pay hundreds of dollars extra for one with extra memory?

        • The main reason there is no expandable memory is that:
          a) Steve Job's obsessively hates slots and buttons, and is more than willing to sacrifice function to get form.

          b) If you can slide in your own 8GB SD card for $50, why would you pay hundreds of dollars extra for one with extra memory?

          Yep. Those are the two most likely reasons. Charging $40 for a video dongle is ridiculous and $40 for their magic cover is equally ridiculous.

          But so what? I don't get the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth caused by Apple releases. If those prices are too high or you don't like their marketing practices or the devices don't do what you need them to do then DO NOT BUY THEM. If someone else is perfectly happy to pay said prices for said items and they do not care about expandable memory and don't have any idea about Steve Jobs' personal taste then who the fuck cares?

          No one needs to own an Apple device. No one is forced to own an Apple device. No one is entitled to own an Apple device.

          • by vux984 ( 928602 )

            If those prices are too high or you don't like their marketing practices or the devices don't do what you need them to do then DO NOT BUY THEM

            Any particular reason I shouldn't remark about why I didn't buy them?

            I don't get the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth caused by Apple releases

            I don't get the fanboi fawning caused by them either. I think the two balance each other out, and its likely that the anti-reaction is in direct proportion to the fanboi-fawning reaction

  • Two corrections... (Score:5, Informative)

    by moosehooey ( 953907 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:03PM (#35370928)

    1. It is 33% thinner than the first iPad. It is also thinner than the iPhone 4, but only slightly.

    2. The rear camera is, in fact, HD.

    • Re: (Score:3, Funny)

      by killmenow ( 184444 )

      ...It is also thinner than the iPhone 4...

      Yeah, but does it have an app that will build you an island and fucking transform it into a jet and fly you there?

    • by jbarr ( 2233 )

      "2. The rear camera is, in fact, HD."

      True, but don't let the "HD" label fool you. Yes, it is 720p resolution for video, and comparable video on the iPod Touch 4G is quite respectable and decent. But resolution will also be 720p for stills as well--similar to the camera specs of the iPod Touch 4G--something like .7 mega pixel. (Yes, that's "point seven".) The resolution will be a far cry from the iPhone's 5 mega-pixel resolution.

      As a long-time iPod Touch owner, and current iPod Touch 4G owner, I can say that

      • by itsdapead ( 734413 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:38PM (#35371332)

        True, but don't let the "HD" label fool you. Yes, it is 720p resolution for video, and comparable video on the iPod Touch 4G is quite respectable and decent. But resolution will also be 720p for stills as well

        Which is fine for video calling, barcodes and getting an image when you don't have anything else. Plus, lower resolution often translates to better low light performance and lower noise. For taking proper photos, use a proper camera with a lens bigger than a baby's thumbnail. Even a phone is better ergonomically than a 10" fondleslab.

        • Even a phone is better ergonomically than a 10" fondleslab.

          Fondleslab? Oh, god, that's brilliant. It almost sounds like faux-German. Bravo, sir.

          However, I own a 1st gen iPad, and I also own a good quality DSLR plus a small digital point-and-shoot -- for me, I can't imagine why anybody would *want* a camera in that device, but someone must because it's one of the things I see people bitching about the most. Then again, my cell phone is used only for, well, phone calls ... and even then, not very often.

          Th

          • by Altus ( 1034 )

            I could see augmented reality being fairly valuable and I kind of like the idea of taking quick videos and being able to edit them right on the iPad (I would like that on the iPhone), never mind the front facing camera allowing for Facetime.

    • It is 33% thinner

      So is Steve Jobs.

  • by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:04PM (#35370942)
    ...it inspires impartial and unbiased Slashdot articles!
  • by chispito ( 1870390 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:04PM (#35370946)
    What about an SD card slot or USB port?
    • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward

      these are available through the main apple i/o connector with the camera connection kit. it includes adapter for standard usb 2.0 and adapter for SD card. USB comes with complete support for larger variety of of photo and video camera's including iPhone. It is also works with a variety of keyboards and headphones.

      • by fermion ( 181285 )
        To many people having hundred ports, 30 access ports, and a 20" screen is what makes a computer. For those people Apple is not the choice. I don't often need all these ports that everyone else does. I usually only hook up my computer to zero or one monitors, and if I do use a monitor I usually leave the dongle attached to the monitor. I don't need more than two USB ports, and the only thing I miss on the some macs is the FireWire port so that I can connect high speed devices.

        The real problem with the

      • He probably meant a built-in SD card slot and USB port. An external connector cuts down on portability and is often not there when you it. Also, a built-in SD card slot allows you to use the SD card to expand your storage instead of just swapping content.
      • by iksbob ( 947407 )

        It is also works with a variety of keyboards and headphones.

        I've actually been surprised by the number of things it works seamlessly with. Not just headphones, but I plugged in a portable USB microphone/instrument preamp and it recognized and made it available as a stereo audio source and also an output via the preamp's monitor connection. As for keyboards, computer keyboards yeah, but it also recognizes and powers USB MIDI (piano) keyboards. The synth software available on the iPad is a bit limited compared to what's available on a laptop or desktop system, but it'

    • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

      by killmenow ( 184444 )
      You beat me to it. Those two things right there contribute to making the iPad a no go in our corporate environment even though some of our senior management loves the shiny things. USB Host port plz. And not via a fscking apple port adapter. Put a native USB port and native SD slot (with HC and preferably XC support) and a native HDMI out on the sucker. Then maybe we'll get the SDK, port some bespoke apps and start equipping our sales reps with these things.

      Until then, hey, they're cool for checking the
      • by Overzeetop ( 214511 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:38PM (#35371322) Journal

        WTF are you letting your people put removable storage into your devices? I thought that was phased out a decade ago to keep virii from jumping on the corporate network. And what are you going to use it for - it all comes with wireless N, email and a web browser that can be pointed to your internal server. You're not going to get any faster transfer with a marketing USB dongle (that is usually dog slow) or a class 6 (or even class 10) SD card. I suppose I can buy the HDMI thing, but you're going to have to carry a dongle for that VGA connection anyway, and presuming you even allow Macs on your network they already have to carry an adapter to go from DP to, well, anything useful.

        Now, if you want to complain about having to install iTunes on your corporate machines - THAT is, imho, a real issue.

        • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

          by killmenow ( 184444 )
          The business case for the iPad (in our company anyway) would include (a) running bespoke apps to hook into our transaction processing system so reps in the field could enter orders from customer premises directly and/or query order/inventory status for customers while on site, and (b) giving presentations while on site at customers. Most projectors accept hdmi in. As is, via the adapter they could show presentations with projectors but it's yet one more type of specialized cable they have to keep track of i
          • Well, if your internal sites are flash, you are, indeed, hosed. Since the A4/A5 processors aren't x86 compatible, and you'd have to write your internal apps from scratch anyway, why not move to a secure web interface instead? Then - if you weren't too reliant on a particular browser - you would be cross platform for whomever needed to access the system. Of course, if flash is what the devs are using...well, that sucks on many levels.

            As for sending large files, you may as well use a cloud service or your o

          • by Drakino ( 10965 )

            Problem is, no mobile device (phone/tablet) is adding a real HDMI port. They are too big and bulky, and single use. The Xoom has mini HDMI, so you still need something other then a standard cheap HDMI to HDMI cable around. And of course that also assumes you have a projector with HDMI. Many are still VGA, so why not also add a bulky VGA port to the device? Because now your are adding more ports to a ultra portable device that can't afford the space to a feature very few customers will rely on all the t

      • by Drakino ( 10965 )

        What is the corporate need for actual USB, actual SD and actual HDMI ports on the device? What features would each one bring that the adaptors can't bring that make them mandatory for corporate use?

        USB is the most puzzling one to me, since noone ever explains what they want with it. Do you want a USB host port, or a slave port, or both? Which connector? What devices do you then expect to attach to it?

        • by mblase ( 200735 )

          USB is the most puzzling one to me, since noone ever explains what they want with it. Do you want a USB host port, or a slave port, or both? Which connector? What devices do you then expect to attach to it?

          I assume they want to read/write files from a USB flash drive.

          From Apple's POV, though, I imagine the problem with USB or SD card slots is the same as that for the user-replaceable battery: thickness would have to increase. Frankly, I'm surprised the current one has room for the dock connector.

    • This was already made available by the camera kit in version 1. What is lacking is the driver support.

  • by Lead Butthead ( 321013 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:21PM (#35371134) Journal

    Truely, if it is perfect, we should not expect another Hitler Rant video...

    • The appropriate Hitler rant here would be the CEO's of the competitors who have not even managed to compete with the iPad1, and here's Apple shipping version 2 before half the competitors have their tablets shipping.

    • by Kosi ( 589267 )

      What are you talking about? Did somebody make up a video of Hitler ranting about some gadget?

      LOL, there is a German comedian (Gerhard Polt) who took video footage of a speech Hitler held, and overspoke the audio with a rant about being conned in a leasing contract. Search Youtube for "Hitler Leasingvertrag" if you understand German, I still have to laugh after having it seen approx. 50 times.

  • The razor wire (Score:3, Insightful)

    by ThatsNotPudding ( 1045640 ) on Thursday March 03, 2011 @02:34PM (#35371272)
    topping the walled garden is now 33% sharper too.
  • My opinion only but I think Apple dropped the ball with the iPad again. Why not provide a stylus and an app that would make the iPad behave like electronic paper. You could take notes in class, in meetings, draw tech diagrams, etc? Have it do OCR on whatever you write and have it produce a typed document (PDF) and keep the original handwritten work as well.

    • All available from third parties. Welcome to 2010.

      Best iPad Stylus Pens Review [hubpages.com]

      WritePad for iPad [apple.com]

      • Look at the nubs on those stylus pens. They are too thick. It would be like taking notes by using the tip of your finger. They do not allow for the finer control and thinner lines that you get with a pen (or pencil) on a piece of paper.

        Watched the WritePad demo. I've seen other software by other vendors. They are all the same. Again, you don't get the fine control like you do on paper with a pen.

        What I'm talking about is being able to write more the 4 words on the iPad before you have to refresh the s

    • Why not provide a stylus and an app that would make the iPad behave like electronic paper.

      You know the real revolution of the Sholes and Glidden [wikipedia.org] was that you could type on it faster than you could write. If something has a keyboard, and you can take for granted that the user population has keyboarding skills, handwriting recognition is useless baggage.

      • Sure. Draw making a sketch or drawing in class with a keyboard. By the time you are done recreating the diagram your prof drew, he/she has already moved on through 2 other topics.

        What I want is basically electronic paper.

    • The iPad is a large form factor, personal media consumption device with social networking. It's not for taking notes, or writing term papers, or shooting a Filipino horror movie in NYC. I don't think capacitive screens will do what you want to do with any sort of accuracy. Its the trade off of a smooth, finger based interface - accuracy sucks.

      Personally, I'd like the idea of that feature, too. I'd also like a higher resolution camera and a "digital copier" function that would let me capture pages to PDF w

    • by mini me ( 132455 )

      There are many vendors who sell styluses for the iPad already. They don't have the ability to sense pressure like, say, a Waccom tablet, but they are fine for things like general note taking. I agree that it would be a really nice feature for Apple to add, but I can see why it is not their top priority – there is only so many hours in the year.

    • by rsborg ( 111459 )

      Why not provide a stylus and an app that would make the iPad behave like electronic paper. You could take notes in class, in meetings, draw tech diagrams, etc? Have it do OCR on whatever you write and have it produce a typed document (PDF) and keep the original handwritten work as well.

      You do realize this was the entire premise of the Microsoft Tablet PC platform, right? You know, the one that's been selling for nearly a decade?

      If Microsoft hasn't dominated the tablet market in that time, from their position of utmost strength, then perhaps the pen/tablet strategy isn't the solution (and Apple realized this).

  • No Flash support. Less storage than a laptop. He still can't play World Of Warcraft on it. Lame. ;)

  • Tablets are getting me excited about computing again. A look at Texas Instruments' OMAP SoC roadmap promises some very interesting upcoming capabilities that will find their way into future devices.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omap#OMAP_5 [wikipedia.org]

  • All the excitement? Really? This is the second story I've heard on the iPad 2. Yay... There was far more excitement around the original iPad than the iPad 2. "All the excitement" amounts to "Ho-Hum, a new iPad it the features the first one should have had."

    Please... it's a "new" Apple product. Beyond that, there's nothing special about it and the tech news world pretty much agrees. Giving it the same amount of coverage as any other new product from a major company.

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