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Apple

iPad 2 Rumored to be in Production 192

Posted by CmdrTaco from the milling-away dept.
Stoobalou writes "The normally sober and sometimes accurate Wall Street Journal is claiming that Apple's iPad 2 is currently in production. Foxconn might be producing a limited number of prototype samples of the Second Coming of the iPad but we're pretty sure full production won't start until Steve Jobs (or whoever will be donning the black turtleneck in his sickly stead) strides onto the stage at the official launch keynote."
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iPad 2 Rumored to be in Production More

iPad 2 Rumored to be in Production

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  • Rumors (Score:4, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @11:00AM (#35150952)

    This post is rumored to be the 1st post! It's in production now!

  • A company well known for releasing new models of its products will release a new model of one of its newest products! Gasp!

    Also, will it have video-out capability yet? Or possibly video-in so I can use it to pretend I have a portable DVD player?

    • No DVD (Score:5, Insightful)

      by crow ( 16139 ) on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @11:11AM (#35151114) Homepage Journal

      It is very unlikely that Apple would do anything to make it easy to put a DVD on the iPad. They want you to obtain content like that through the iTunes store. Anything they can do to help kill physical media is good for Apple.

      • It is very unlikely that Apple would do anything to make it easy to put a DVD on the iPad. They want you to obtain content like that through the iTunes store. Anything they can do to help kill physical media is good for Apple.

        Anything they can do to help kill physical media is good for everyone.

        • No it's not: you become beholden to your DRM certificates' provider. What happens when you want to use non-Apple hardware/software 10 years from now ? or even next year ?

      • This logic would have them now allowing iTunes to rip CDs either, which if clearly not the case. Perhaps the reason Apple hasn't built in the ability to rip DVDs (which would only help sell their ecosystem) is because it is illegal under the DMCA?

      • Granted it came out before the iTunes store, but Apple was the company behind Rip. Mix. Burn. [youtube.com] which greatly pissed off all the record companies.

      • Re:No DVD (Score:4, Insightful)

        by Arkham ( 10779 ) on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @11:48AM (#35151610)
        Actually it's quite easy to get a DVD movie onto an iPad.

        1) Most movies come with "Digital Copy" now. Put the code in iTunes, and you are done.
        2) For the ones that don't there's always Handbrake [handbrake.fr], which has presets for it and makes it trivial to convert in a few minutes. Once it's done, drag to iTunes and sync.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by Kashell ( 896893 )
          FYI: Handbrake can convert quite a few things into MP4, but these all don't play on the iPad. there's some issues here.

        • Steve has a better way: for a small fee, you can download a digital copy right to your device directly from iTunes. It's like magic, except that Steve gets 30%.

      • Re: (Score:2, Informative)

        by Anonymous Coward

        I ripped all of my DVDs onto iTunes and I easily sync them up to my iPad. I'm not sure your point has merit. I've got King Kong, Ikuru, and 40 Year-Old Virgin (a terrific, Slashdot-inspired documentary BTW) on there right now. The parent post is equally without merit, since Apple and all manner of 3rd party suppliers sell video out cables for both iPhone and iPad. Last time I went back to CT, I played Matrix on my mother's TV for her straight from my iPhone with this: Apple Composite AV Cable [apple.com]

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by guruevi ( 827432 )

        The problem is that it's not entirely legal in the US to format-shift the content you bought leased which is protected with any sort of encryption code (even if it's ROT-13) according to the DMCA. For the rest, QuickTime allows you to convert other digital media with nice presets for AppleTV, iPod Touch etc.

    • Re:/. News Network (Score:5, Funny)

      by fuzzyfuzzyfungus ( 1223518 ) on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @11:29AM (#35151382) Journal

      Also, will it have video-out capability yet? Or possibly video-in so I can use it to pretend I have a portable DVD player?

      The very idea is heretical: A video-out capability would imply the existence of screens more perfect than the one Apple sees fit to include.

      A video-in capability would imply the existence of things worth seeing that are not already in the app store.

      Absurd to reason and dangerous to faith.

    • Also, will it have video-out capability yet? Or possibly video-in so I can use it to pretend I have a portable DVD player?

      Get yourself Air Video [youtube.com], better than a video-in cable. It's one of those apps I can't live without.

      Hopefully they will add AirPlay support once iOS 4.3 is out and allow for over the air video out, too. In the meantime, you can get video out cables [amazon.com] that plug in the one port. Why get more ports when one port can do it all? :P

    • Re:/. News Network (Score:5, Informative)

      by thechink ( 182419 ) on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @11:38AM (#35151494)

      The iPad 1 already has video out. You just had to buy the necessary adapter [apple.com]. You could also use AirPlay.

      • The iPad 1 already has video out.

        Well, sort of... it's very crippled. Look at all the reviews in the link you posted - the average score is only 2/5, because it does NOT simply output what's on your screen - only certain apps output certain things, and even some videos from iTunes will NOT go out. (Even though it's just analog VGA out in the first place!) I don't see the point paying for a shockingly overpriced $30 pigtail when there's no indication of when it will or won't work.

        Maybe AirPlay isn't h

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by objekt ( 232270 )

      You can already have video out from a number of apps; netflix, youtube, etc.

    • Also, will it have video-out capability yet? Or possibly video-in so I can use it to pretend I have a portable DVD player?

      it already had video out. Buy the same cable that you can already buy for an iPod which gives you the standard L/R/Video cables, and it works like a charm.

      I watched movies from my hotel room on my last business trip using both my iPod and iPad as video sources.

      The ability to do video out had been there since day one.

  • Companies will often make many copies of a product before officially announcing it, so demand may be met after the announcement.

    Given the extreme demand for Apple's excellent products in general, and the iPad in particular, it seems only plausible that production has already started.

  • I wish people would stop calling it the iPad 2. Does Apple make a MacBook 2? An iMac 2? iPod touch 2? No, Apple generally doesn't number its products. It will probably be known as the 2011 iPad or informally as the iPad 2G (if you follow the iPod touch examples).

    • No one knows exactly how Apple will name the product until it's released, so calling it iPad 2 is a convenient way to refer to the next revision.

    • I wish people would stop calling it the iPad 2. Does Apple make a MacBook 2? An iMac 2? iPod touch 2? No, Apple generally doesn't number its products. It will probably be known as the 2011 iPad or informally as the iPad 2G (if you follow the iPod touch examples).

      Hmm, you realize they call the iPod Touch line "iPod Touch (Xth Generation)" with the X replaced by the version number?

      Sure they don't put it in THEIR website, but every website and every keynote and every communication calls it Xth Generation. I hope they do give it a descriptive name, I recall one ALMOST accidentally buying a 2nd Gen iPod Touch because it was listed as the cheapest option among the 3rd Gen in their store. I luckily noticed the extremely weaker specs before I went for it.

      I sort of wish

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by ifrag ( 984323 )

      Does Apple make a MacBook 2?

      If only... it would be easier to track down information when needed if Apple did have some kind of basic numbering. Or even somewhat non-intuitive number like NVidia, but at least something to point at and say "it's laptop version such-and-such" rather than trying to remember exactly what year it was purchased.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by wbo ( 1172247 )

        If only... it would be easier to track down information when needed if Apple did have some kind of basic numbering. Or even somewhat non-intuitive number like NVidia, but at least something to point at and say "it's laptop version such-and-such" rather than trying to remember exactly what year it was purchased.

        Actually Apple does give each hardware refresh a version number. In OS X you can see the version numbering by going to About This Mac and clicking on the More Info... button. Select the Hardware

    • Apple IIe.

    • Not the iPhone either Oh, wait....

    • Except that I'm typing this on an iMac11,3 and I have a MacBookPro2,1 at home, as well as a MacPro3,1. Those aren't version numbers though, are they? Of course, these aren't printed on the devices themselves, but are in the System Profiler (think Device Manager plus System Properties). Nonetheless, there are version numbers.

    • You're absolutely right. There sure wasn't a / an:

      Apple II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_II_series)
      Macintosh II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh_II_series)
      iPhone 4 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_4)

      etc.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by toriver ( 11308 )

      I wish people would stop calling a certain OS "Windows 7". It identifies itself as Windows Vista 6.1.

  • but we're pretty sure full production won't start until .. official launch keynote.

    Why would they wait until the official launch to start full production? Don't they need to build up a significant stock by the shipping date?

    • Only reason that comes to my mind is secrecy, but still does not sound realistic to me. Parts have been showing in some places so manufacturing, to some level, is already going on. Final assembly may be what finally got kick-started.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by geekoid ( 135745 )

      Ship straight from the factory warehouse. Why store it, move it store it and move it when you can just direct ship?

  • WSJ = Apple re-setting expectations (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward

    WSJ gets leaked info directly from Apple. Given the quotes in the video, it seems like they're trying to lower people's expectations. One (maybe, but not for-sure, two) cameras, same resolution, higher specs otherwise. Everybody expects higher specs, but also dual cameras, higher-DPI display, and for it to fart unicorns and be made of unobtanium mined from Pandora.

    Me? Gimme facetime so the little one can call her grandparents. That alone will sell an amazing amount. But I'd really like higher-DPI. An

    • Given the quotes in the video, it seems like they're trying to lower people's expectations.

      Make an exception to Jobs' anti-leak beliefs in order to "reset the expectations" of techies, while risking the Osborne effect [wikipedia.org] and suppressing demand for the current iPad? No way, dude. It's got to be an unofficial leak.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by socsoc ( 1116769 )
      Pandora? Everyone knows only Slacker has unobtanium.

    • and for it to fart unicorns

      Please, it is not like an iPad can break the laws of physics. In order to get it to fart unicorns you first have to feed it smurfs - and good luck finding enough smurfs to make one unicorn.

      and be made of unobtanium mined from Pandora

      Now you're just being silly.... I heard they were going to use adamantium [wikipedia.org].

    • The Pandora from Avatar or the Pandora from Borderlands? I'll take the Borderlands one because there's a chance the iPad will have a x4 fire elemental effect. Sweet!

  • Normally sober ? (Score:5, Funny)

    by mbone ( 558574 ) on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @11:15AM (#35151176)

    The normally sober and sometimes accurate Wall Street Journal

    Must not read the editorial page much.

    • Re: (Score:2, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward

      The normally sober and sometimes accurate Wall Street Journal

      Must not read the editorial page much.

      You must not understand the editorial page.
      And /. is something to swear by?

  • I post this link every six months (Score:5, Funny)

    by wembley fraggle ( 78346 ) on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @11:21AM (#35151246) Homepage

    http://www.misterbg.org/AppleProductCycle/ [misterbg.org]

    It's continuously relevant.

  • Interesting assumption (Score:3)

    by Dzimas ( 547818 ) on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @11:23AM (#35151284)
    Given that Foxconn has produced over 1 million iPads a month, I don't see why production wouldn't ramp up a few weeks before an announcement. Staff need to be trained and assembly line glitches need to be resolved before they can deliver flat out. That said, I ordered an Apple TV last November that shipped directly from Shenzhen after a short delay-- it seems that they're not even bothering to warehouse inventory in North America anymore because there is no cost saving when everything has to be air freighted anyway.

  • Apple, unlike pretty much every other major player in the consumer electronics/computer market, has a great track record of having products available to buy the day they're announced. The online Apple store always goes down on days when new products are announced so people can order stuff as soon as it's been presented.

  • "we're pretty sure full production won't start until Steve Jobs (or whoever will be donning the black turtleneck in his sickly stead) strides onto the stage at the official launch keynote"

    Going by Apple's track record, they usually announce the product and allow you to buy it immediately from their website, to be delivered within a few days. If they had to manufacture the things, they'd make the announcement.... and then everyone would twiddle their thumbs for a few months, waiting for the damn thing.

    I do

  • Seriously though, Apple's greatest achievement is how they have managed to wrap the public and the tech media around their little finger. The dust hasn't even quite settled from the first iPad launch and I am already seeing articles plastered all over the place about the 'rumors' of the iPad 2.
  • Show me a tablet with a letter-sized screen for reading papers or books formatted for that size without having to pan or zoom (14" diagonal), one that can have user content (in particular, pdf's) uploaded to it easily, and one that can *ACTUALLY* be used in a modestly interactive way (such as book reading) for more than a few hours at a time without having to be plugged in (I've heard some of the claims about iPad battery life being really good, but I haven't found them to be true in my experience with the

    • Re:Still waiting for the ideal.... (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Zenaku ( 821866 ) on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @12:06PM (#35151854)

      I hate to be yet another voice claiming great iPad battery life against your direct experience, but. . . seriously, did you have a defective unit or something? In my experience a few hours of reading won't even drop my battery gauge by more than a few percent. Hell a few hours of video isn't even a problem.

      The only problem I ever have with battery life is when I want to completely drain it, as they say one should occasionally do. I think the damn thing harvests power from ambient radio waves.

    • Upload to a website or email yourself the PDF then stick it in iBooks. Or are you thinking you want to plug in a USB cable and drag and drop a PDF onto your device. How...1990s.

    • it's sounds like you just want an e-book. go buy a kindle, it's way cheaper and the battery lasts a lot longer.

      (my wife bought a kindle about two years ago...she loved it and used it every day. she said it was awesome. one day she bought an iPad, but after that she still used the kindle most of the time. one day I pointed out that there's a kindle app for the iPad. she never used her kindle again. Oops!)

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by mark-t ( 151149 )

        The Kindle fails my purposes in other ways where the iPad actually wins. First and most notably, the Kindle is not color. Secondly, its not designed to respond to touch gestures. Third, the refresh rate is unacceptably slow and is too visually distracting when trying to quickly visually scan across multiple pages for particular information (which may be a diagram and not just text that can be searched for).

        Of course, also there's the fact that the Kindle isn't a 14" unit, and to the can't display lett

    • Show me a tablet with a letter-sized screen for reading papers or books formatted for that size without having to pan or zoom (14" diagonal), one that can have user content (in particular, pdf's) uploaded to it easily, and one that can *ACTUALLY* be used in a modestly interactive way (such as book reading) for more than a few hours at a time without having to be plugged in (I've heard some of the claims about iPad battery life being really good, but I haven't found them to be true in my experience with the unit).

      Have you given the Kindle DX a try? It sounds like it has the capabilities and form factor that you are looking for.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by geekoid ( 135745 )

      You mean, like the kindle? OK, it's not 14" diagonal but everything else fits, and it is a pleasure to use.
      .

    • Re:Still waiting for the ideal.... (Score:4, Informative)

      by UnknowingFool ( 672806 ) on Wednesday February 09, 2011 @07:28PM (#35156774)
      A few hours battery life reading? What kind of reading were you doing? I borrowed an iPad for a month and the average time between charges was a week if I was just reading. If I was watching a video or surfing the web a lot, it was a few days. It wasn't my iPad so I don't know how well the owner took care of it but it seemed to have decent battery life for me. It doesn't last weeks like a Kindle will but then again you can't do all the other stuff on a Kindle so that's a trade-off

  • The normally sober and sometimes accurate Wall Street Journal...

    I don't think you fully appreciate the amazing levels of hypocrisy and outright lack of awareness involved in posting that on a site like Slashdot. This is, after all, the site where it's entirely possible to have 100 comments on a story before anyone posts a rebuttal/explanation that total invalidates all prior comments with two sentences that come straight from reading the article.

  • How is this news? Apple tends to stick to annual release schedules. iPad launched in April. April is now 2 months away. Breaking news! Product in production two months before it goes on sale!

    The only news would be if the iPad2 WASN'T in production already.

  • Am I the only one who wants a 12"?

    Man, that came out wrong.

    12" screen, that is.

  • I fear I shall purchase such a device. My annual bonus shall be distributed soon and the peer pressure is great. We are working with iPads in the office, and I have a fantasy of using such a device as a gaming (board/tabletop RPG) aid (I recognize I will need to do some of my own development)... Oh, the gadget-goodness, it burns...

    Of course, my employer will probably provide me with one, in which case, I can save some money...

    • No way would I spend my own hard-earned nickels and dimes on it. If my employer were to provide one on the other hand, I'd be happy to have it. I'm only now starting to understand what the damn thing is good for (aside from video watching, social networking, and other such frivolity).
  • Apple will continue to put a new one of these out every 6 months, and tell you that you absolutely must have it. And somehow they make money, humans are so gullible.
  • This is not news for most of us here.

  • The iPad is a success.

    Really, it's not even a tiny leap to think they will make another iPad.

    You know what else is in the works? a new iPhone.

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