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."
Two corrections... (Score:5, Informative)
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:meh (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Makes up for all the things lacking in iPad1? (Score:3, Informative)
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.
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 to go up because of Apple's policies.
Readability was kicked off the App Store for failing to pay up http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/21/apples_rejection_of_readability_ios_app_stirs_subscription_controversy.html [appleinsider.com]
Before you mod me overrated/flamebait/troll etc. maybe reply to tell me why you're doing so?
Re: Not enough (Score:3, Informative)
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"
WTH Apple? (Pre-Orders) (Score:0, Informative)
Ok... I saved my pennies, nickels and dollars for the new iPad. Even gave up on getting the old one for free as a possible XMAS gift. Well now that iPad 2 if officially for sale, I want to buy/order mine now. Well one would think that should be easy enough. Go to the store in person or the online store. Well, I tried both and no luck. So, I gave Apple a day to get their online store sorted out and even called one of their stores. The word from the stores is that you need to check web site to have any chance of ordering one. Otherwise, you are stuck in the cattle gates in front of the Apple stores for their "5pm" sale time on 3/11. 5pm on a Friday WTH Apple?
So I chatted with someone on the Apple Online store and they confirmed that no preorders of any kind and it will be first-come first-server on 3/11. Their "reasoning" seems to be that they had a lot of problems with pre-orders last time and this should solve the problem. Well, I don't know about that.. but my guess is that their is possibly a distribution/production issue where they do not want a million orders at once or they want some big PR with long lines. I don't know.. but Apple is really trying my patients with this move and making me think long and hard about this purchase.
Re: Not enough (Score:5, Informative)
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.
Re:Makes up for all the things lacking in iPad1? (Score:4, Informative)
Except, of course, that they aren't.
The FAA recently certified iPads for pilots to use for charts. There's never been a netbook that even attempted that task.
A tablet is not a netbook any more than a shrimp is a clam.
Re: Not enough (Score:5, Informative)
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.
Re: Not enough (Score:4, Informative)
I believe that the rules are structured to prevent that. Something along the lines of, "if a subscription offer is made outside the app, the same or better offer is made inside the app as well, using the in-app subscription functionality that Apple has built." I can't say this is certainly disallowed, but it seems like a fairly obvious loophole that runs counter to the strategy they seem to be pursuing.
Re:Your needs/desires aren't everyone's needs/desi (Score:5, Informative)
I have a Motorola Xoom on my desk right now as I type this.
Your long list of silliness about the "Zoom" includes: silly things that imply complexity, "25 pounds", USB port, "three 9-volt batteries".
In order:
The UI is a bit more busy than an iPad, with more little options, but I haven't found it at all hard to use.
According to specs, it is 730 grams, which is exactly the same as an iPad with 3G. Note that the second generation iPad 2 is listed as 600 grams; presumably that is not including the 3G option but it is still a win for Apple. On the other hand, an M16 rifle weighs about 8 pounds, so your innuendo is that the Xoom probably weighs three times as much as the Apple product; clearly false.
Yes, the Xoom has a USB port. That is a good feature and I like it. The iPad has a USB port, but only if you put a special dongle on the special Apple connector. But I guess your point was that it would be silly for a rifle to have a USB port. In that case, please list the actual features of the Xoom that are silly. You might, for example, mock the Xoom for having a barometer; but it adds no significant weight or cost, and it will be very useful for certain applications, and I don't see how you could claim it makes the Xoom harder to use, so perhaps it's not that silly after all.
As for batteries, the Xoom has built-in sealed battery pack, just like the iPad. The iPad claimed battery life is 9 hours for the 3G model; the Xoom claimed battery life is 8 hours, with a faster processor. The iPad 2 claims to have 9 or 10 hour battery life.
I think the actual specs show that the Xoom is not quite as slick as an iPad but it is in the ballpark, and I personally do not want to shackle myself to Apple's ecosystem. If you want a device that gives you the most freedom, then the Xoom is a worthy option. If you want the slickest device currently made, then get an iPad 2.
steveha
Re:Your needs/desires aren't everyone's needs/desi (Score:2, Informative)
Check again, Flash isn't supported on the xoom for another 1-2 months if your lucky and adobe moves quickly.
Adobe has to certify flash ready devices before it will be allowed. That is why Apple told them to fuck off. Apple doesn't like third parties ruining their devices and making them late to the market.
I would also check again on real reviews of mobile flash. In short it works, but only kinda of, and it sucks down your battery if you got something that actually runs. I have found dozens of flash "apps" that don't work on mobile flash.
Re:Makes up for all the things lacking in iPad1? (Score:2, Informative)
Actually that isn't true at all. I purchased my Xoom off contract from Best Buy and didn't pay a dime for 3g service. Originally, rumors claimed you'd have to purchase at least one month of 3g service from Verizon in order to activate wifi, but that was only FUD. Just like your post.