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Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

engadget.com

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Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#141
post #140
post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's slightly obscene that a tablet that's so similar is being released so soon, obsoleting the first generation and encouraging a fair few people to upgrade for the sake of it.

Apple isn't forcing anyone to upgrade, original iPads aren't going to become useless on March 11.

But they sure are trying their hardest to encourage people to ... ;)

EDIT: Sorry for the spelling mistake, downvoter - it's now corrected :)

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#142

So... a dual core processor, two cameras, and... that's it? I was honestly expecting a LOT more considering how much competition they're getting this year. The new cover is neat, and it seems like they did a great job with the Movie and Garage Band apps, but the new iPad 2 is pretty underwhelming. Same old low resolution, no USB ports, and no desperately needed UI changes (I'm guessing iOS 5 wasn't ready yet and you'…

Sounds a lot like... "No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame." This kind of thinking is what has allowed Apple to sweep up so much damn money, along with ownership of the DAP and tablet markets. Give people what they actually need instead of filling out spec lists to appeal to the nerds.

Apple doesn't have to do much to appeal to the mass market of people that purchase their products. The iPad 2 could have only added a camera, and it would sell by the millions this year.

Apple has very good PR. It's allowed them to create a nice ecosystem of brand loyalty where people will always come out to buy their "next great thing" year after year. They've made a good profit from it, so it must be working.

When you go beyond the people that buy Apple products because they're Apple products, to people that actually make a conscious and informed decision about what they buy, there are definitely several valid concerns and reasons not to buy into it. Pointing to large sales numbers as a counter-argument to criticism is just plain silly.

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also, dip your finger into an inkwell. Then press really lightly on a piece of paper, then press really hard on a piece of paper. Note the difference. No accelerometer needed -- flesh is fleshy and distorts under pressure.

How does that account for finger size though? Children might have a hard press of the same area as my light press. Hm, could be they look at the rate of change in the growth of the tap event...but this wouldn't provide information about mass. I think it's a no go. We need a force here. They know how heavy the iPad is. They have an acceleration. There's a force.

[deleted]

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What competitors are shipping their tablets by March 11? Last I saw for RIM was April. Loaded question perhaps, but the "iPad killers" based on Honeycomb aren't out en masse yet.

This is a tablet that has to stand against the next entire year of competitors, at Apple's current release schedule. It's not even caught up to the Xoom in terms of hardware specs. Like the iPhone before it, it'll be tough competition against the wave of competitors that have faster release schedules.

well Gruber said they're releasing another one in fall ;)

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#145
post #88

For me, the most exciting announcement has to be the line of Smart Covers. iPad covers aren't new, but this cover looks like it could solve the ergonomic problem of typing on your iPad or watching a movie/TV show while you're not sitting on a couch. It also protects your iPad's screen without adding bulk. EDIT: @marcoarment: "The Smart Cover might be the best feature of the iPad 2. I can't possibly express how much I…

Perhaps progress is overrated, when 'smart covers' are the most exciting feature.

Device hardware doesn't matter if the device is hard to use. Smart Covers could solve the iPad's ergonomic problems, and that's far more important to users than two cameras or HDMI out.

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds a lot like... "No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame." This kind of thinking is what has allowed Apple to sweep up so much damn money, along with ownership of the DAP and tablet markets. Give people what they actually need instead of filling out spec lists to appeal to the nerds.

But that statement was a fair (albeit glib) criticism of the original iPod. It never really had it's breakthrough moment until the 3rd generation.

But that was not because the iPod had no wireless, neither because it had less space than Nomad. I hope we can all agree, with the benefit of hindsight, that the reason for the slow uptake of the iPod was a combination of it being Firewire only, it being Mac only, Apple not being the brand they are now, and the fact that people were not really familiar with and didn't quite understand the concept of digital music.

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#148
post #32

The piano on Garage Band is touch-sensitive (dynamic volume depending how hard you press)? That almost is, dare I say it... magical. All in all, goalposts shifted once again. Can't wait to see what sort of games hit the AppStore (although I suppose backwards compatibility will hinder the uptake of the '9x better' graphics)

After the iPod Nano watch, I smell the next obvious Apple accessory: the iPad Keytar.

Already been done: http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2010/06/04/worlds-first-ip...

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds a lot like... "No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame." This kind of thinking is what has allowed Apple to sweep up so much damn money, along with ownership of the DAP and tablet markets. Give people what they actually need instead of filling out spec lists to appeal to the nerds.

But that statement was a fair (albeit glib) criticism of the original iPod. It never really had it's breakthrough moment until the 3rd generation.

The iPod got wireless and more storage than a Nomad in the 3rd generation?

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does anyone seriously think they are deliberately holding back?

Well, they don't have any serious competition at the moment. Why push prices up or profit margins down with a high res screen when they can introduce one at a later (and cheaper) date?

It's also a nice trump card to pull out if a nice shiny new tablet looks like it will begin eating into Apple's marketshare. If they think the iPad 2 can already comfortably take on the Xoom (etc), why would they try to add too much now?
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