I see this playing out like the Apple IIs a lot of us used in school. They were so out of date that is made plenty of people think Apple made crap. They should at least update the processor.
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Apple Continues to Sell the iPad 2 Because Customers Are Still Buying It
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An iPad2 or original iPad Mini are ideal for POS systems. I can see Apple still selling them with the low res screens and minor CPU bumps for $200 two years from now, bundled with the Square POS system.why would they still buy it with the iPad 3 and 4 on the market ?
As an interesting side anecdote, something like 90% of the small coffee shops, cafes and local stores I go to are using Square. Not to mention farmers markets, food carts, massage therapists with folding tables, dog walkers, baby sitters, etc.
One cafe I know was spending $1000 a month for a regular POS system that didn't provide ANY metrics for that price, JUST sales processing. They switched to Square on an iPad, ran two months of metrics and proved that sales after 5:00 PM where so low that it was costing them money to be open. Switching to an iPad POS system probably put $10,000 in their pocket in a year. The iPad has been a fundamental business enabler in subtle but powerful ways. Which have nothing to do with retina displays and fast graphics and the like.
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The only reason its still for sale is they are still producing it for Dish Network to sell with their "Hopper" application.
This is the reason they are still selling iPad 2:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/H3635LL/A/bretford-powersync-cart-for-ipad
Especially the line
While it would be possible to replace one or more of the integrated USB to Dock Connector cables with a USB to Lightning cable, it makes using the cart much more complicated ("No Jim, you can't use that cable with your iPad, please put use one of the others") and it's obviously simpler to replace one broken iPad 2 with an identical model than to have 23 iPad 2, 3 iPad 3, an iPad 4 and 3 iPad Mini in that cart. Kids would fight to get the one they like the best.
And so it's much cheaper and easier to replace a broken iPad 2 with a new iPad 2, instead of making it more complicated to use in class or replace all 29 still working iPads with 30 iPad 4 or Air.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/H3635LL/A/bretford-powersync-cart-for-ipad
Especially the line
While it would be possible to replace one or more of the integrated USB to Dock Connector cables with a USB to Lightning cable, it makes using the cart much more complicated ("No Jim, you can't use that cable with your iPad, please put use one of the others") and it's obviously simpler to replace one broken iPad 2 with an identical model than to have 23 iPad 2, 3 iPad 3, an iPad 4 and 3 iPad Mini in that cart. Kids would fight to get the one they like the best.
And so it's much cheaper and easier to replace a broken iPad 2 with a new iPad 2, instead of making it more complicated to use in class or replace all 29 still working iPads with 30 iPad 4 or Air.
why would they still buy it with the iPad 3 and 4 on the market ?
Evil people buying backhanded presents for people they hate. It's a growing market.
that's a completely stupid thing to say. students can make good use of those cameras and "educational" doesn't necessarily mean a school makes the purchase. I would rather spend $299 buying my 10yo an iPad 2 to use and take to school than a more expensive Air which is above what they would necessarily need. Why exclude some customers? Not very business smart.
No, but many people will be willing to pay $300 which is what Walmart, Target and Best Buy will sell if for come Christmas.
Apple has done an incredible job of convincing people that they never have sales when in fact they do. Six months after the iPhone 5 debuted Walmart was selling it for $47 on contract.
Apples prices its products the way it does because they know the people who have to have the latest and greatest technology are willing to pay a premium to get it and it allows their channel partners to have "sales".
If people are still buying them, regardless of who, you can be sure Apple will continue to support them.
I genuinely wonder if there is customer confusion, at least prior to the release of the iPad Air...
"iPad 2 or iPad? Well, iPad 2 of course - it's newer! It has a '2' behind it!"
"iPad 2 or iPad? Well, iPad 2 of course - it's newer! It has a '2' behind it!"
I think "because people are buying them" is a BS excuse.
The real reason is because the profit margin is probably higher and people are still buying them at that price.
After all, it's in the Word: "a fool and his money are soon parted".
That said, the iPad 2 nailed everything so perfectly that you could use it as is, forever. Just don't update it past iOS 6. There are more than enough apps written for iOS 6 that can do pretty much anything you can think of. It is the Snow Leopard of tablets. It really is an amazing device.
The new iPad Air is also an amazing one. Hyper powerful, great battery life, light as hell, I want it. I detest the trendy look of iOS 7, but I think the iPad mitigates some of my issues with it with its size. Once I'm inside an (non Apple) app, I'm good. And most of all, the ecosystem just can't be beat. So, I can use it until a jailbreak appears...
The real reason is because the profit margin is probably higher and people are still buying them at that price.
After all, it's in the Word: "a fool and his money are soon parted".
That said, the iPad 2 nailed everything so perfectly that you could use it as is, forever. Just don't update it past iOS 6. There are more than enough apps written for iOS 6 that can do pretty much anything you can think of. It is the Snow Leopard of tablets. It really is an amazing device.
The new iPad Air is also an amazing one. Hyper powerful, great battery life, light as hell, I want it. I detest the trendy look of iOS 7, but I think the iPad mitigates some of my issues with it with its size. Once I'm inside an (non Apple) app, I'm good. And most of all, the ecosystem just can't be beat. So, I can use it until a jailbreak appears...
Not as shocking as still selling the iPod classic. You've gotta be one weird roommate to buy one of those.
As others have eluded to. The iPad 3 has just over bare minimum hardware to drive a Retina screen, causing speed and stability issues in some instances. There is also a large device ecosystem for Dock connectors, with an installed base in Education, medical, science, and research.
I am sure Apple and device manufacturers will be focusing on support for lightning connectors going forward, however it would be a hard cut, to completely shut off availability for dock connector iPads, that still have good performance.
I am sure Apple and device manufacturers will be focusing on support for lightning connectors going forward, however it would be a hard cut, to completely shut off availability for dock connector iPads, that still have good performance.
Why?
160GB of music is great on flights where there's no wifi (GoGo Sucks btw for streaming anything).
I read somewhere it has been the best ever selling iPad. Quite understand why Apple want to continue selling it. Bread and butter sales keep the money rolling in.
I am writing this on the one I bought on the day it was released. Tried the mini, iPad 3 and then the 4 and returned them all! The mini was too small with iffy screen and the other two full size iPads felt heavier and clunkier than my 2.
Waiting to check them out next week but feel the iPad Air will replace my 2.
I'm quite happy with my Kindle Fire HD so will probably give the new mini a miss and get the Kindle HDX instead. Very big difference in price.
I am writing this on the one I bought on the day it was released. Tried the mini, iPad 3 and then the 4 and returned them all! The mini was too small with iffy screen and the other two full size iPads felt heavier and clunkier than my 2.
Waiting to check them out next week but feel the iPad Air will replace my 2.
I'm quite happy with my Kindle Fire HD so will probably give the new mini a miss and get the Kindle HDX instead. Very big difference in price.
The big question: while they may sell, is keeping all these legacy products (I'm looking at the iPad 2, iPhone 4S, iPod classic and classic MBP) going to be good for Apple's brand image, and consequently their ability to be perceived as an 'innovator'?
(Also, how do they expect to hasten adoption of the Lightning adapter if they have old products hanging around that don't use it?)
(Also, how do they expect to hasten adoption of the Lightning adapter if they have old products hanging around that don't use it?)
This is exactly what I use them for. Recently picked up five from the refurb store for a trial in some of our stores. We just use them for email signup lists and stick them in a nice stand.
well, it's like computers
most people don't need quadcore to go on internet, read emails or listen to music
the iPad 2 is just enough for 99% of usage
most people don't need quadcore to go on internet, read emails or listen to music
the iPad 2 is just enough for 99% of usage
Don't think consumer, think enterprise
I highly doubt the decision to keep it around is based on consumer demand. There are a lot of businesses/enterprises that have red tape and investments in software and hardware that work on the 30 pin connector. A good example would be Point of Sale, where credit card swipers run on the 30-pin and have stands/cases that fit the iPad 2 casing. Furthermore you have businesses that have large muiti-device charging stations, custom work-in-field cases, etc. Education and businesses unfortunately can't move at the rate of innovation and buy in bulk and are probably happy to hear that they still have Apple as a channel to buy new devices.
I highly doubt the decision to keep it around is based on consumer demand. There are a lot of businesses/enterprises that have red tape and investments in software and hardware that work on the 30 pin connector. A good example would be Point of Sale, where credit card swipers run on the 30-pin and have stands/cases that fit the iPad 2 casing. Furthermore you have businesses that have large muiti-device charging stations, custom work-in-field cases, etc. Education and businesses unfortunately can't move at the rate of innovation and buy in bulk and are probably happy to hear that they still have Apple as a channel to buy new devices.
Becaused the 5s feels like a lightweight piece of junk, and the 5c (.7 oz heavier) feels like a quality device? I wouldn't touch a 5s.