Apple Announces iPad 2: A5 Dual Core, 2 Cameras, Thinner

[BuddyTronic]

I think facetime is absolute crap, i dont think it can compete with skype, at least until they make a windows client (and maybe a linux one which propably wont happen).

Facetime rocks.

I use it way more than iChat or Skype.

The only thing is - you have to get the other person on an iPhone.

I run a business with people all over the world, and we have been using Facetime almost daily - better than a phone call and great for "eye contact" presence that really helps communication, and also great for "show and tell" issues where you can flip to the front camera and point out where a problem is on a thing.

This is why I am so stoked about iPad 2 - I really want facetime on a bigger screen. Going to give one to my mom - she can use it like a picture frame and then all the grandkids can Facetime in from all over the place. It's so easy even an 80 year old can do it. My 80 year old mom took to it instantly on the iTouch, so iPad 2 upgrade for her is going to be awesome!

As for Skype - I often have trouble getting other people to use it properly. Sad but true. Same for everything else - even iChat has problems - You gotta realize that most people are not as smart as you and I - they are not computer geeks - so Facetime is great just for the fact that it works guaranteed with no issues. (except you have to be on a wifi network).

 

[AlekNovy]

Incoming troll!..

Seriously dude.. Get a life.

Since when is criticism trolling? I was mega-dissapointed.

I'm not allowed to be dissapointed? I own every other iOS device in existence, and I'm now not allowed to criticise one of them?

Not being a fanboy means I have no life? How does that even compute. I'm sorry, it was a major dissapointment. You can't shame me into liking the iPad 2 and the decisions they made on it.

A freaking VGA camera for a 10 inch display is just going to look terrible. I know, coz that VGA camera is barely good enough for my 3inch iPod's facetime... How can it a VGA not look terrible stretched on 10 inches?

 

[blackcrayon]

Today's update is exactly as I expected it. It is a nice device (so is the ipad 1 and I actually like its design better than the new one). The only thing that is making me wait is local file storage. I mean there's got to be an easier way to store a file than emailing it to yourself. How about some space to use as file storage and then when you get to your computer sync it? The moment apple says the ipad can do that I'm all over one.

But the iPad already does this (so i'm going to assume GarageBand does too) - at least for individual apps. Might not be *exactly* what you want (a communal file storage area) but it's still storing the files on the device for download to a computer with iTunes. Hopefully they'll improve that though (allow global access of files over WIFI or something).

 

[baryon]

I love the new case from what I've seen, but I don't understand how exactly the hinge part works. Are magnets strong enough to hold that case firmly against the iPad? I would think it would just keep coming off when it's in your bag.

 

[bobobenobi]

No... real GPS means you don't need to go through a wireless phone company to use it. It's even listed "assisted GPS" for a reason as to differentiate it's usability. Assisted is handicapped...

You don't have the first clue what you're talking about. Assisted GPS has a faster start-up and satellite acquisition time when compared to normal satellite-only GPS.

Educate yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS

 

[firewood]

You forgot to mention the Local Gravity Field Cancellation (LGFC) module that activates when the accelerometer detects free fall. You don't want something expensive like that to obey the Law of Gravity when you drop it.

What, no included pony or magic unicorn??? And it should sell for 99 cents!!

 

[mab920]

thinner bezel

anyone notice the thinner bezel?

screen size is the same, but width of unit is .16 inches smaller

 

[jonhcox]

Question, and I don't know if this was addressed over the last 8 pages: is this screen on the iP2 laminated to the glass like the screen on my iPhone 4? If so, I'll consider an upgrade from my current iPad. I hate the thought of dust getting under my screen, of which a lot did on my 3G. On my iP4, I had no issues. If not, I'll likely hold off for any more announcements of the rumored iPad 3 and the rumored Retina screen. I can assume that the price will go up, but those additions would be very handy.

As far as the other upgrades- honestly, the thinness and weight are very attractive, but the processor upgrade is a nice biggie for me. I'm interested to confirm the memory numbers, as I do think the iPad needs more memory.

 

[Dillenger]

I'm waiting it out for the iPhone 5 and iPad 3...I'll stick with my iPhone 4 and iPad first gen...

Winner........

Ditto, except I have the iPhone 3G

 

[ten-oak-druid]

So is GPS part of the 3G chip? It seems like they go hand in hand on iOS devices. It would be nice to be able to get a wifi only device with GPS.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

GPS would not work on a Wi-Fi only device, simply because the iPad would not be able to download map data when it's not connected to the net, regardless of whether the GPS can access position data.

I have a garmin gps that gets updates for maps via my computer. It has no access via wifi or cell network. It's doable. I would assume smaller form factors are more popular with a GPS device that is often used on the move.

p.s. iPad 2: one sexy piece of kit.

 

[downset]

No... real GPS means you don't need to go through a wireless phone company to use it. It's even listed "assisted GPS" for a reason as to differentiate it's usability. Assisted is handicapped... The Tom Tom dock lets the iPhone work as an un-assited, uncrippled GPS, but for the price of the dock, you can just get a Tom Tom and be done with it. I will never rely on assisted GPS again. You're arguing schematics. No one thinks it's imaginary GPS. We know it exists, but it still is crippled.

you are wrong, stop spreading lies

both iphone and ipad 3g work perfectly on their own as a gps, and you don't need 3g or wifi signal, just gps

they also connect faster to the satellites than any tomtom or garmin i ever owned

imo navigon is the best gps software on the app store atm/

 

[notabadname]

Almost as heavy. Still no real GPS. Same price is doing me a "favor" with all the competition offering thinner, lighter, cheaper, more open OS? I know we all hate flash, but the reality is 25% of the top 100 pages on the net still use it, so we can either have access to it or not have access, they go with #2 to try and make a statement. Comparing your year-old platform to one that hasn't even been released yet? Wow, Apple w\o Jobs is really tanking quick. This is like the 80s where Apple had everything going for it then just gave it all up to be satisfied with 10% forever. It's all just a mess, this is Android's year.

Queue the flamer responses. It's hard to see Apple fall short this year. I was really hoping they'd wow us with something to give all the new Android tablets a run for the money.

I'm not buying, more for the rest of you.

Why do you post a comment in a discussion thread if you don't expect responses? Anyone who responds is a "flamer"? Doesn't that make you one? The only tablet that really competes with this one (by screen size) is the Xoom. This one has the same processor essentially (both dual- 1GHz), The new iPad is thinner. It's lighter. It has longer battery life (10 versus 9 hours). So what competition is thinner and lighter, unless you are talking about a 7 inch Samsung, which has 7 hour battery life, a single core chip? Maybe the recently announced (but no ship date set) Galaxy 10.1 which is thicker than the iPad 2, same weight and pretty much same specs, offered only in 16 or 32GB and is expected to cost significantly more than the equivalent iPads. So please put a reference for your statement, "with all the competition offering thinner, lighter, cheaper . . ."

 

[spatlese44]

Some seem to think that this was an insignificant upgrade. For me, FaceTime is huge and the primary reason I would get one. Fan noise from laptop running iChat gets old and while my new iPhone 4 does a good job, the screen is tiny compared to an iPad. It's going to be like having a TV or a phone in the house. Who uses audio-only anymore? That's so 19xx's.

 

[adbe]

the cover seems cool, just wondering if that will slide off often while it's in a backpack/man-bag or something similar.

Hard to say. Probably not though if the magnets have enough strength. The way it grips around will allow a little magnetic hold to go a long way.

a little disappointed in this because it's basically the same as we have in the ipod touch 4g, which i already have. i've been wanting an ipad for some time now. the best thing about this is the faster speed. i was hoping for something much lighter, from 1.5lb to 1.3lb is hardly dramatic. and facetime isn't something i cared about.
.

Assuming Gruber et al are correct that another release will happen later this year, a 'halfway' update makes sense. They'd need something other than just screen to bring out for Christmas. Processor speed wouldn't bump that much. If the v2 has 512MB or RAM (it probably does) they aren't going to want to jump to a GB just yet. A few extra little bells and whistles, night be all that's needed.

I actually think the late September 'refresh' makes sense, as it moves the cycle towards the holiday period when most of these will sell. As with iPods it moves it *after* the back to school period. Crucially though it moves it after the iPhone. I don't think Apple are ready for the iPad to one up the iPhone. You're not going to see stuff on the iPad that foreshadows the iPhone 5 or 6, so better to trail the iPhone as the Touch does, and add all the new candy a few months later.

 

[NoExpectations]

Do I use the WiFi HOTSPOT off my iPhone or do I get a 3G model? 3G models come with GPS...nice for many of the Apps. Verizon's lack of global coverage eliminates that choice.

 

[antic]

Its quite pitiful reading all of these negative comments about this upgrade. Spec wise its twice what you were getting before and more.

Ok so it hasn't got a retina display. What other tablet device coming to the market this year has. None.

The main problem is that you read that much crap about what might, or might not be in the next model you all believe it to be true.

The fact is the iPad 2 will be available within a couple of weeks in volume and at a lower price than the competition. Stop bleeting on about what it hasn't got and concentrate on what it has. A class leading CPU, better graphics, a better quality display than the competition and most importantly software that works.

If you like it then buy it. If you don't then there is always something else out there for you.

 

[scotth23]

you are right. you can only airplay video, photos and music. You won't be able to 'airplay' games like angry birds or anything. only videos photos and music. Now, you CAN hook up your hdmi to a tv and mirror it. but then, you have a $500 gaming system hooked up with a cable.

From Apple's site regarding iOS 4.3:

"Even AirPlay-enabled apps and websites get the big-screen treatment with iOS 4.3."

So, with the new iOS, apps can be AirPlay enabled to stream to other devices. What that means (video? graphics?) remains to be seen.

 

[mab920]

you are wrong, stop spreading lies

both iphone and ipad 3g work perfectly on their own as a gps, and you don't need 3g or wifi signal, just gps

they also connect faster to the satellites than any tomtom or garmin i ever owned

imo navigon is the best gps software on the app store atm/

what he said

assisted does not mean crippled, it is the opposite. It's improved because in triangulates your general area with cell towers very quickly, and then the GPS can hone in on exact location. I stopped using my tom tom because when I got in the car it would take a few minutes before it would find me... I have to sit in the car waiting to drive until it finds my location...very frustrating

 

[gugy]

I think this announcement today gives some credibility to the rumors that a new iPad will come more towards the end of the year so it can benefit a strong surge in sales for the Holiday season.
While the new iPad 2 has some great improvements, it almost feel Apple is holding back more features and better specs to a new version later on the year.

 

[Hunabku]

-
It isn't sending any competitor back to the drawing board, LOL.

right! - using a drawing board denotes drawing up new ideas - rather the competition is just onion skinning what apple previously has done.

These shallow attempts at copying are evidenced in so many ways - they fall far short with shockingly little original innovation. Perhaps they should just pay apple to be their R&D department.

 

[Dooger]

And I love Jobs jabs at the competition playing catch up and going back to the drawing board, and the "the competition doesn't get it and is trying to treat this like the pc market in specs" comment. I'm calling it now. iPad 3 will be smoking hot on the inside and beefed up significantly. They might have gotten this baby thinner, but I'm really underwhelmed and not swayed on my temptation to get me some honey fresh from the comb.

Do you talk like this in real life?

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

SUCKS!

I just snapped a photo of my keyboard with my iPod touch. The characters of the keyboard are unreadable on the photo. That's how bad the back camera on the iPod touch is.

And these geniuses decided to take the iPod touch cameras and slap them on the iPad, which has a 10 inch screen?! That has to be a joke! And they have no freaking LED-flash. Unless you're shooting on a beach in mid-summer, most photos and videos shot with it, will be utterly useless.

If they couldn't do cameras right, they shouldn't have done them at all. Even at the 3inch ipod-touch screen your head hurts on how bad the photo you just snapped looks.

On a 10 inch screen the photos this camera produces will make your eyes bleed.

And facetime! Give me a break. With the VGA camera, if you facetime with someone, their face will literally appear as a bunch of blobs.

This is why they only spoke of the cameras and facetime, and didn't demonstrate them. They would have seriously embarassed themselves.

Troll much?

 

[adbe]

So is GPS part of the 3G chip? It seems like they go hand in hand on iOS devices. It would be nice to be able to get a wifi only device with GPS.

AFAIK Apple are using a cell chip that has GPS and a few other things built in. To add GPS to the non-cell models would require a different GPS chip and probably mother board changes that don't warrant the cost. if they can save that cost *and* up-sell you to a 3G model, that works to their gain.

It annoys the hell out of me, cos GPS is the only feature the 3G model offers that I want. So I make do with no GPS, and I sulk.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

Its lacking IMHO. It looks like a iPod Touch stretched out.

This isn't something a lot of people have a problem with.