Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

engadget.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

171–180 of 206 posts

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#171

Post by potatolicious »

ary wrote: post #67
Pewpewarrows wrote: post #64

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'…

I suspect that when iOS 5 is announced there will be more to say about the iPad 2's abilities. We'll see I guess.

They really need to fix the notification system and the multitasking model. Now that we have a CPU that screams while sipping power, there's not a large case against it.

The constant waiting (IM apps in particular) when task-switching is aggravating, and the one point where Android can really whip the hell out of the iPad.

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#172

Post by fdb »

mattparcher wrote: post #113
billmcneale wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Did you really expect Apple to add USB ports to the iPad? Doesn't seem unreasonable coming from the company that claims to have popularized USB: http://www.apple.com/thunderbolt/

Thunderbolt is actually based on the Mini DisplayPort specification. If anything, Apple will add this to the iPad, but it will look quite different than USB. The next iPad, rumored for September of this year, is more likely to include major new features, including a higher-resolution display and more connectivity (i.e. Thunderbolt).

September!? Really? That's ridiculously quick.

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#173

Post by fdb »

pohl wrote: post #52

No mention of memory? Is it still 256MB, or did they bump it up to the 512MB in iPhone 4? Or is it finally 1GB?...

I find it fascinating that the technology is so pushed to the background, putting the experience front and center, that they don't even mention how much memory it has. This is a very conscious decision.

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#174

Post by cryptoz »

[deleted] wrote: post #155
Pewpewarrows wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Xoom is $600, not $800, and my comment said soon. Android smartphones started out slow as well as you may or may not remember. Apple Fanboys were all too eager to laugh at the first model or two of phone running on Android, and now look who's running the market just a short time later. If you don't see any correlation between what happened then and what's happening now I honestly don't know what to tell you.

[deleted]

NO! The WiFi model is $600, the 3G model is $800. The 3G model was released last week, the WiFi model is coming out soon.

The Xoom is $600! Really, it honestly is. Here, I'll cite the CEO of Motorola as proof!

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&#38...

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#175

Post by rtc »

danilocampos wrote: post #161
mattparcher wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thunderbolt is actually based on the Mini DisplayPort specification. If anything, Apple will add this to the iPad, but it will look quite different than USB. The next iPad, rumored for September of this year, is more likely to include major new features, including a higher-resolution display and more connectivity (i.e. Thunderbolt).

It's doubtful that the iPad is going to refresh that dramatically by September. It's even more doubtful that Thunderbolt would be in such a refresh – they would have to add PCIe support to their ARM SOC and that doesn't seem trivial. (Though it's entirely possible it's in the new A5 and they said nothing about it)

I think Apple went out of their way to make it seem like iPad2 is a long-running product: - end of video, Ive saying "iPad2 will define the category for years to come" - 2011: the year of iPad2

Both of these are, I believe, explicit attempts to make people NOT think a new iPad3 is coming soon (so people won't wait, and will buy now instead), but in reality these two things perhaps support the iPad3 in September rumors...

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#176

Post by spamizbad »

lurch_mojoff wrote: post #146
spamizbad wrote: post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I think we're both making the same point here - the original iPod had a lot of friction holding it back with consumers. What I was attempting to elude to was this: until the iPod had better connectivity options (USB and PC support) in addition to reaching storage parity (40gb by gen 3) it finally blossomed and took over the market. It's not that the 1st gen iPod was garbage - it wasn't - it just lacked some crucial components before it could conquer the market.

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#177

Post by panacea »

achompas wrote: post #153
dean wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"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." This is just another way of saying that tablets are a horrible form factor.

I see it as "iterative improvement." Apple released the iPad, watched the public's response, and fixed a major problem with a high-margin accessory. A bit greedy? Yes. A step forward for tablets? Absolutely. You'd better believe Apple's competition will copy this idea in no time.

Their case for the first iPad is very cludgy. Harsh edges, always looks tatty, the least impressive solution to an ergonomic dictate that Apple have produced (except for their mice) and yet I'd never remove it.

It's great for what it does. Provides a scratch free case and a tactile surface and 3D gripping 'column' that's needed to casually use the device in a wide variety of general use situations (plus the pocket to store the screen wipe for the inevitable smudges).

That they've made redundant the market for scratch-protective cases, while improving on the other two must-have ergonomic features is a bit funny.

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#178

Post by arn »

Pewpewarrows wrote: post #163
danilocampos wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Apple doesn't have to do much to appeal to the mass market of people that purchase their products. Of course they do. They're not selling $20 pairs of jeans, here. They're selling expensive stuff that requires a conscious decision to purchase. Apple needs to provide a compelling case to move their product. It's not practical to buy something just because it's from Apple. It has to actually do something for you as a…

You honestly don't believe that most Apple customers just buy Apple products because of the brand name on the box? Go survey anyone buying the products in the store or online. See how long it takes you to get an answer along the lines of: "I researched all my options and this seemed like the best choice." > You can't sell 15 million units of a brand new, $500 product in nine months on the strength of TV ads and magaz…

>You honestly don't believe that most Apple customers just buy Apple products because of the brand name on the box?

This is a ridiculous stance. It is dismissive and doesn't explain how Apple turned around from being an almost bankrupt company to what it is today.

You ignore how that brand was built. Esp when Apple was on the verge of death in the late 90's. They couldn't rely on their brand at that point, could they? Apple as a powerhouse is a relatively recent phenomenon.

It's like saying Zappos customers are only loyal to Zappos because of their brand, and not their customer service. Their customer service is how they built their brand. Similarly, Apple built their brand on some really great products.

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#179

Post by [deleted] »

Pewpewarrows wrote: post #163
danilocampos wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Apple doesn't have to do much to appeal to the mass market of people that purchase their products. Of course they do. They're not selling $20 pairs of jeans, here. They're selling expensive stuff that requires a conscious decision to purchase. Apple needs to provide a compelling case to move their product. It's not practical to buy something just because it's from Apple. It has to actually do something for you as a…

You honestly don't believe that most Apple customers just buy Apple products because of the brand name on the box? Go survey anyone buying the products in the store or online. See how long it takes you to get an answer along the lines of: "I researched all my options and this seemed like the best choice." > You can't sell 15 million units of a brand new, $500 product in nine months on the strength of TV ads and magaz…

[deleted]

Re: Live from Apple's iPad 2 event

#180

Post by stcredzero »

WillyF wrote: post #21
stcredzero wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really want to be able to do a timed mute on my iPhone. I keep on putting my phone on mute to see a movie, then my girlfriend is mad at me the next morning because I don't answer the phone.

Call her before you go to bed... This would actually create an interesting problem. If you have a hardware switch and a software timer, then the switch is going to be wrong sometimes.

Simple: you only get to use the software timer/switch if the hardware switch is mapped to orientation lock, which is what I was getting at in the first place.

(I have a problem, in that I assume everyone thinks things out two steps ahead, because that's how it works in my family. This is why bystanders sometimes wonder if we all share a gene for schizophrenia. Our conversations seem disconnected.)

Post reply on HN