So How Did I Do....
Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 10:14AM The iPad 2 event has come and gone. So how did I do....
- Faster - Check
- Thinner - Check
- Lighter - Check
- Dual Cameras - Check
- No Retina Display - Check
- More internal memory - TBA but I'm pretty confident they will have upped the internal RAM to at least 512MB to cope with the faster processor and HD video editing, etc.
- Subtle changes in styling to make the original iPad look outdated - Check
So on the iPad 2 itself, I think I can claim 100%
The other items I mentioned didn't make an appearance, but I did qualify myself by saying that Apple may just concentrate on the iPad.
Surprised that iOS 5 preview didn't happen though!
Some thoughts following the event...
I won't go into detail about all the announcements, the interwebs are awash with people regurgitating the specs, so I'll leave that to them!
Form Factor
Wow! That's thin! Thinner than an iPhone 4. Have you seen how thin an iPhone 4 is? A lot of the iPad 1's appeal is how it feels in the hand, albeit slightly heavy for some people. Couple the thinness of the iPad2 with the slight reduction in weight, it should make it easier to hold for prolonged periods.
Performance
I never really had an issue with the performance of the iPad 1. The boost in performance of both the CPU and the graphics will just mean that it will support more sophisticated apps.
Cameras
Seeing FaceTime demo'd made me realise just how much better it would be on the iPad rather than the iPhone. Hey, it's lighter so you can hold it up further. The inclusion of HD video is a bonus but we'll need to see how that looks when the device hits the streets. I have my doubts, especially if they've not used the same camera as in the iPhone 4.
Oh, and PhotoBooth will sell a shed load more of iPads on it's own.
iOS 4.3
The updates to AirPlay look fantastic and will transform how the iPad is used in the home to consume media. Stream from Mac to the TV and control via iPad/iPhone4, stream from iOS device to the TV and stream from the Mac to the iPad/iPhone 4 - all bases covered.
The personal hotspot for the iPhone 4 will probably make me go for the Wifi model of iPad, unless the carriers screw us over on the pricing or availability.
Smart Covers
Very smart! I saw one tweet saying that Apple probably spent more time designing Smart Covers that some of it's competitors spent designing competing tablets. I currently use the Apple case on my original iPad and while it's functional, it's pig ugly. Nice to see Apple give us an option to actually see the iPad whilst giving it some protection.
The magnets are a stroke of genius and building them into the case of the iPad itself, shows the attention to detail and innovation Apple are renowned for. Not forgetting including software to detect if the cover is closed or not.
Sheer brilliance.
I'm not too sure how the cover will behave when carrying the iPad, but kudos to Apple for coming up with the design.
Video Mirroring
At last. Full video mirroring for all applications. Long overdue and will be a boon to educators or anyone who needs to demo their iPad.
iMovie and GarageBand
Setting the quality bar high and the price point low. Both applications look very impressive and Apple are making huge strides in data manipulation using touch.
Live Feed
I'm sure there is more that I haven't touched on, but I'd like to comment on the absence of a live feed for the event.
Poor show Apple.
Not so much that there wasn't a live feed, despite the fact that they have provided a live feed for the past two events, but more so at the utter disregard for the Apple fans.
Would it have hurt to issue a note stating that the event would not be broadcast?
It's ridiculous that, in this day and age, that we have to cobble together information from live blogging, especially as they have proven that there is a robust and eminently usable live streaming capability.
Poor show that they don't treat their fans (and customers) with a bit more respect.
Rant over!
Availability
So will I be getting an iPad 2..... of course I will, it's my job.
When will I get one?
Well although the US launch is 11th March, the UK isn't scheduled for release until 25th March (assuming that the date doesn't slip). There is also no online ordering until the 11th March in the US.
So I have two options:
Get one shipped over to the UK - I have a friend who has offered to get me one on launch day and ship it over. That will incur extra charges and a short delay.
Take a mini break and fly over to the US for launch day! - Slightly more expensive (!) but I could get it on the day and bring it back.
Of course, if I did over to get one, I might as well get two and give one away in a ScreenCastsOnline members prize draw.
What would you do?
Reader Comments (7)
Hi Don, I know you didn't predict it but wasn't it rumored that there was going to be a change to Mobile Me (like it being free!)? I had also heard that BBC was going to have an event of their own on the same day (BBC Player introduced in US?) I love the iPad 2 and have from now until 3/11 to give in to the temptation to get one. In fact, that might be the real reason that Apple delays on shipment - to raise the yearning factor. I agree on the Live Feed - it seems absolutely prehistoric to have to sit reading tweets on sites like iLounge to follow the event.
Well if your popping over there Don sure you wouldn't mind picking up a few extra ones for your readers. :)
Really looking forward to this release though and I can't get over how slim they have made it. I know I'll be instantly buying iMovie and GarageBand for it, hopefully will allow me to make my own background music for the family videos and save me using copyrighted songs.
Of course you need to pop to NY and get two - it's your job! Oh, and put my name in the hat please!
Ho Don, nice blog post and I think you did well indeed. Now its time to book your flight and get you and us a few iPad 2's...
Yeah, seems like a NYC trip may warrant it. Of course, if you want to fly into Chicago or Milwaukee, we'd be happy to host you! And you can sign me up for the free one. -TAP
Not a bad set of predictions Don. Could you give me this Saturdays lottery numbers please, via email of course...
:-)
John
Look, I have had a fantastic time with my iPad and the UPDATE does not warrant getting the new one but......
My girlfriend said she wanted one and the thought of video mirroring...emmm its very thin and the weight ....emmmm iMovie........
bloody hell they have me again.....
Well done Don old boy