iPad 2

[Wass]

The iPad 2 has an A5 dual core processor, a rear and front camera. It also has a built in gyroscope and is much thinner at 8.8mm thick. It has HDMI output up to 1080p.
iPad 2 comes in black or white. Price starts at $499 and is available on March 11.

 

[Alex p.]

PSP2 will wipe it's ass technically, so I'm not interested.

 

[Casio]

It's the really the same as the iPad1 but with better processor and 2 cameras. Obviously it's better, but it's not a revolutionary leap.

Though the HDMI output is kinda cool, though it's really just an adapter, as it works on old iPads and iPhones as well.

 

[Robin]

It's really starting to hold true (kinda has done for years though) that Apple seem to hold features back which could have easily been implemented in the first one so that they can have such frequent refreshes and make diehards buy it all over again only a year later.

Literally the minute the first one came out people were saying the next one will probably have cameras which could have totally been in the first one! I bet the iPad 3 will finally have a USB3 port or something! Hardly revolutionary additions. Competition has every port / feature under the sun in the first product!

I have to say this one seems more attractive to me though. It usually takes the first generation for anything to get into its stride so I hope they have ironed out the kinks with this one.

Robin.

 

[Wass]

I agree, this seems more like an iPad 1.5

 

[Sprite]

I already own an iPad so the new refresh doesn't strike a cord with me. Maybe next time round by that time it will have 1080p back and 720p front camera, quad core A6 processor, retena screen, twice the storage and be thunderbolt compatible. I might upgrade then by that time I may have a new mac too with Lion and thunderbolt connections for a 3sec sync with iTunes

 

[eSZee]

The iPad 2 has an A5 dual core processor, a rear and front camera. It also has a built in gyroscope and is much thinner at 8.8mm thick. It has HDMI output up to 1080p.
iPad 2 comes in black or white. Price starts at $499 and is available on March 11.

And?

 

[boiltheocean]

And what? He provided some spec and pricing on the new iPad, what more are you wanting from that post?

 

[Casio]

Unfortunately they were never going to change too much as it would have caused fragmentation. It'll still sell like hotcakes though.

 

[Robin]

Pretty good comparison chart with some of its nearest rivals...

 

[Spartan0189]

Interesting, but, don't take me wrong or anything, I think the iPad 2 will be a waste of money, since it's mainly just hardware upgrades, and personally, I believe Android is far superior to iOS. But hey, that's just me.

 

[Crash]

I agree with Sprite, as an iPad 1 owner, there just aren't enough new and interesting features to interest me. Sure, two cameras and a faster processor are nice, but definitely not a giant leap.

In a way, I'm not too bummed that iPad 2 isn't very impressive. One of the things I dislike most about the computing world is that everything is on such a short cycle that as soon as I buy something, it's almost outdated. Like Weird Al said, "My new computer's got the clocks, it rocks, but it was obsolete before I opened the box."

 

[NLxAROSA]

I think not many realize what a huge blow Apple is dealing to the competition here.

Yes, it's not a huge leap forward, but so far, none of its competitors have come even close to realizing a device with similar capabilities as the iPad for a similar price. And now Apple increases the ante even further by releasing a device that's even better (though granted: evolutionary rather than revolutionary) and what's best: it will cost the same as the current iPad!

Not that I'm going to get one soon, because the changes with my current iPad are too small.

 

[Joel]

I dunno, I've played around with iPads before and they're certainly fun, but I just feel like there's no niche it would fill in my computing life. If I'm lazy and browsing from bed, my iPod is a lot more convenient, and if I'm up I'll just go on the desktop...

 

[Shoogar]

I called up my telephone company in query of getting an iPad 3G and the guy on the phone completely belted it. He said that the Samsung Galaxy would be a much better option; and I think he's right, because after all, the iPad is basically a giant iPhone/iTouch. It doesn't do spread-sheets and it doesn't let you type documents on compatible software, sure there's App's that will allow you to do this on the iPad but it's just an application, it's not actual software.

In my opinion, Apple release things on a later date with newer features that they could have put in the first model because they're scared of what the consumer will think of the product. They don't want to go ahead and put in all this fancy stuff for nobody to buy it. They'll simply produce a 'template' then update to it and release a new product of it. It's much like they did with the iPhone, they released the iPhone, the iPhone 3G and then the iPhone 3GS, now there's the iPhone 4 and pretty soon there will be a new version of the iPhone 4 (I believe it will be available in white as well)

 

[eSZee]

I think not many realize what a huge blow Apple is dealing to the competition here.

Yes, it's not a huge leap forward, but so far, none of its competitors have come even close to realizing a device with similar capabilities as the iPad for a similar price. And now Apple increases the ante even further by releasing a device that's even better (though granted: evolutionary rather than revolutionary) and what's best: it will cost the same as the current iPad!

Not that I'm going to get one soon, because the changes with my current iPad are too small.

And why wouldn't it? Maybe that makes sense of you cause you're an apple fan but why would a new version cost more? Phones, TVs, laptops all have been coming out for years and costing about the same new when compared to old gen at the same performance level.
As for the whole evolution/revolution, I don;t see either happening with this device.
Let the bashing commence.

In my opinion, Apple release things on a later date with newer features that they could have put in the first model because they're scared of what the consumer will think of the product. They don't want to go ahead and put in all this fancy stuff for nobody to buy it. They'll simply produce a 'template' then update to it and release a new product of it. It's much like they did with the iPhone, they released the iPhone, the iPhone 3G and then the iPhone 3GS, now there's the iPhone 4 and pretty soon there will be a new version of the iPhone 4 (I believe it will be available in white as well)

That part isn't opinion.

As for the rest, I disagree. Apple know what they are doing. They know people will buy their product no matter what, very few exceptions. So why would they put all the newest things in a current model, when they can milk it over the next 2-3 generations and maximize profit?

 

[NLxAROSA]

And why wouldn't it? Maybe that makes sense of you cause you're an apple fan but why would a new version cost more?

Because they're already dominating this market. Yet they introduce a new model at the same price while reducing prices of the current generation of iPad by 100 euros. They certainly didn't have to. That's definitely a change of policy for Apple: with previous products they always targeted they high-end/hipster part of the market, but this time they want to dominate the whole thing.

As for evolution: it's a small one (so I'm certainly not getting one), but evolution nonetheless. I just wish they would make a version with the retina display. The current display they are using is lacking.

That part isn't opinion.

And it is true for any company operating in the computer hardware market. The amount of money that is required to launch a new (or improved) product (whether it's a tablet, processor, GPU or other component) is enormous. Companies always (try to) spread it as far as they can.

 

[eSZee]

I'm gonna disagree with most of the above but agree that no one spreads it as far as apple.
I see nothing different about the ipad 2 launch and any other apple launch except apple dropping the price of older gadgets with the release of the new one and not doing that with the ipad2. When the iphone4 came out, the 3gs already had price cuts, same goes for all previous phones. So now it looks like they are changing for the better when in fact they are keeping the old thing at the same price as the new thing to make the new thing seem like a bargain. It's obviously working so thumbs up to them.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

We've been waiting to buy an iPad, so the '2 is good news for us. I can't see how anyone with an iPad 1 would think "ooh, I'll throw away that £500 and buy the new one".

Generally, I think it's a Marmite product. It's highly polarising, for reasons pertaining to its self, its form, its function, and OS. And also because it has supplanted the iPhone as being the icon of the Apple brand. People focus their emotions about Apple onto the iPad.

For me, it's been an interesting process to get to the point of deciding to buy one. It's not principally for me: there's a technophobe iPhone user in the house who wants a bigger form factor. I'm looking forward to some of the rich media functionality - such as Evo magazine - and the remote controls for Sonos, Sony and Marantz kit that will be populating our house soon.

 

[Maas]

I heard the Ipad3 is going to feature a Retinadisplay...
My god, the resolution on that thing is going to be 3 times full HD!

 

[Robin]

I heard the Ipad3 is going to feature a Retinadisplay...
My god, the resolution on that thing is going to be 3 times full HD!

Nothing bigger than the iPhone will feature the retina display for the foreseeable future (at least for another 5 odd years) because as people in the know have already calculated it is not currently possible to have a consumer device with a screen that size running that resolution.

Lots of websites and media keep calling for rentina display on everything but they are ignorant of the science behind it, I find it funny they keep saying it on wish lists because ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! They need to take some classes or something!

Basically for something like the iPad you would need a graphics processor so hungry and large it would not fit in to a device that form factor. Plus the screen would be extremely expensive to produce. At the current size of the iPhone screen those issues are just about achievable but do you fancy an iPad costing 4 times as much as an iPhone, I think not!

Its the same reason why Apple laptops don't have it yet, its because the economics are crazy. We will see devices with large retina displays (4 in >) when we see consumer UHD-TV's which is still a way off.

Robin.

 

[freight48]

I might pick up the new iPad.

 

[NLxAROSA]

I'm looking forward to some of the rich media functionality - such as Evo magazine - and the remote controls for Sonos, Sony and Marantz kit that will be populating our house soon.

Evo magazine is pretty cool, as are several others. For kids, get the Disney interactive books, they're great. Beware of cheap-ass apps though, plenty of magazine publishers think it's okay to just scan their magazine to PDF and call it an app. I also have several virtual synthesizer apps, work great too. 👍

Nothing bigger than the iPhone will feature the retina display for the foreseeable future (at least for another 5 odd years)

I still want it.

 

[Lain]

I dislike the look of the back of the iPad 2, definitely prefer how the original looks.

But thinner, lighter and more powerful? Cool.

 

[Kryz11]

Im getting one too.

I like Android as well, but nothing compares to iOS to how smooth it runs, never any hiccups or glitches as far as I know off. And the web browsing scrolling zooming smoothness is a big SOLD for me. Heck, my 3rd Gen Ipod touch runs way smoother over my brothers Google Nexus ONE phone. So I do not know why people say Andoroid is far far more superior. I really do not care for open system, All I need is a great web browser, youtube, mail, pics, videos and music. iPad 2 here I come!

 

[Patrick]

Only way I would get the IPad 2 is if I get a decent amount of money for my IPad 1. I post from my ipad and use it every day.

 

[Lain]

Im getting one too.

I like Android as well, but nothing compares to iOS to how smooth it runs, never any hiccups or glitches as far as I know off. And the web browsing scrolling zooming smoothness is a big SOLD for me. Heck, my 3rd Gen Ipod touch runs way smoother over my brothers Google Nexus ONE phone. So I do not know why people say Andoroid is far far more superior. I really do not care for open system, All I need is a great web browser, youtube, mail, pics, videos and music. iPad 2 here I come!

My thoughts exactly. I haven't had much hands-on time with Android, but it doesn't seem as smooth or cohesive as iOS. And tablets such as the iPad are kind of about having a smooth, cohesive and fun way of doing tasks and enjoying a variety of media. Not so much about how open the OS is, which in the end isn't all that beneficial to the end user.

It's kind of like Linux vs Mac OS/Windows. Linux is open which is great if you like to tinker, but for average users it comes with more problems than benefits. Mac OS and Windows are designed by companies to be as easy to use as they know how to possibly make them.

Not to mention that Apple's App Store has better support than anything Android has to offer. Who cares if your tablet's processor is 200 MHz faster, has twice the memory and has every port known to man if all the software is being developed for another platform?

 

[Sprite]

We've been waiting to buy an iPad, so the '2 is good news for us. I can't see how anyone with an iPad 1 would think "ooh, I'll throw away that £500 and buy the new one".

Generally, I think it's a Marmite product. It's highly polarising, for reasons pertaining to its self, its form, its function, and OS. And also because it has supplanted the iPhone as being the icon of the Apple brand. People focus their emotions about Apple onto the iPad.

For me, it's been an interesting process to get to the point of deciding to buy one. It's not principally for me: there's a technophobe iPhone user in the house who wants a bigger form factor. I'm looking forward to some of the rich media functionality - such as Evo magazine - and the remote controls for Sonos, Sony and Marantz kit that will be populating our house soon.

It's defiantly a product that has you second guessing if you would use it or not. I currently own a few computers including a Samsung netbook and an iMac. The iPad has replaced these in a way that for none heavy usage ie: Internet, gaming (all be it basic), photo & video viewing I use it 100% of the time and now remote racing is in GT5 I also do this also.

Beware as someone has already stated, there are some naff apps that mascarade as digital magazines, they are just basic scans of the print versions and low quality at this too. Some are nice like Evo and WIRED magazine but they are close on 600mb and sometimes over per issue so unless you have no download limit and a decent Internet connection be prepared for long downloads.

Again like people have mentioned if the kids are going to be using it get some nice apps, I would recommend "Little Things" it's an object finding game that's easy to play but very tricky to do especially the timed games. I have had my iPad since day one in the UK and I don't think I could go back to a netbook or laptop unless they were instant on like the iPad, had similar battery lifetimes and had the bitsize media consumption skill the iPad has. Since getting mine, family and friends have gone and got them too.

I would also recommend Rowmote as it allows control over other Mac's with the specific client installed. I use it for controlling my iMac on the 46" screen, perfect for larger web browsing and watching BBC iPlayer or YouTube on a bigger screen (unless you have a network TV or other way of doing it)

Let us know how you get on if you get one.

 

[eSZee]

Im getting one too.

I like Android as well, but nothing compares to iOS to how smooth it runs, never any hiccups or glitches as far as I know off.

That hasn't been the case in all of the iphones I've had. Overtime they all slow down and become annoying, just like most devices. If I left them "stock" like Steve Jobs intended it to be, I'm sure it would be fine but I need my angry birds and a few other apps.

 

[NLxAROSA]

Add to that (new) applications will eventually use all available resources (try 'running' Navigon on an iPhone 3G ).