Apple's Media Event to See Introduction of iPad 2, Cloud-Based MobileMe?

[ctdonath]

It's really kinda disgusting!

Well, what you wallow in imagining is.

Others who have been there note it's nowhere close to that bad, and is much better than their alternatives.

High standards of living & working cost money. Starting at a low standard, it takes a while to accumulate enough money to get there. Nobody can fund that shift overnight, and the products wouldn't sell if the price was raised to support that level.

Put very well: http://jeffreyellis.org/blog/?p=5053

 

[jayhawk69]

i feel that apple will announce the iPad 2 that will be a smallish update tomorrow at expected costs and say that in due to production constraints for those who want one a retina iPad will be available in June for $150 more. Those who want to wait can and those who dont care will get an ipad that is available tomorrow with camera, speed bump etc

 

[satcomer]

Well I know is MobileMe is just email right at this time (March 1st, 2011) and no other parts (Calender, etc.) is available. Plus with this data center coming online I sure hope iDisk gets fixed ASAP! The iDisk is being wiped all over the internet by DropBox and everyone knows it!

For my wild speculation we will get iTunes internet "Lockers" this fall during the iPod/Music event they hold every Fall.

 

[Tones2]

i feel that apple will announce the iPad 2 that will be a smallish update tomorrow at expected costs and say that in due to production constraints for those who want one a retina iPad will be available in June for $150 more. Those who want to wait can and those who dont care will get an ipad that is available tomorrow with camera, speed bump etc

Hmm..Now that's the most sensible way that it could possibly happen. Hadn't thought of that.

Tony

 

[chris975d]

I believe that Apple will offer a hybrid system:

1) iTunes purchases available from anywhere to any Mac or iOS device without local storage necessary.

• This would satisfy the labels and studios because it wouldn't allow users to potentially benefit from improving the use of pirated material
• It would fortify Apple's position in media sales because it would encourage people to buy from iTunes
• iTunes sales would increase exponentially, justifying offering Me.com for free
• This system would eliminate the need for Apple's responsibility for upload bandwidth, only streaming downloads from items that are already stored on iTunes servers

2) Other non-iTunes media would still be stored locally on a Mac or PC in iTunes' database but Me.com would facilitate streaming from your iTunes to any other Mac or iOS device.

I think this system would satisfy most people:

• You get to have access to all your media -- iTunes and non-iTunes -- on all your devices anywhere you are.
• iTunes content staying on the server means no need to manage large file libraries (option to download to your HDD if you wish)
• Free Me.com

The only compromise is that non-iTunes content would mean that you have to have iTunes running at home. I think this is a fair compromise. Maybe you can pay for server space to upload your non-iTunes content but perhaps it's better to just purchase your content on iTunes instead.

This, to me, seems like the most likely scenario. I'm curious to see how close ipedro's post here is to what actually happens tomorrow...remember, ipedro was one of the first (if not THE first) here at MacRumors to suggest that iPhone OS would be renamed to iOS back before the launch of the iPad.

 

[ppnkg]

where is the freakin iwork update?

 

[mauriziocorso77]

I come from the future. It's the 2nd of March here. Surprisingly this article is pretty accurate. I can't wait until the rest of the world (aka the US) sees the next iPad.








N.B I'm not from the future.

 

[jtoff]

Mobile Me

Apple must be up to something tomorrow regarding Mobile Me as it appears they are about to credit my checking account for an undisclosed amount. My account is not due to renew until June of this year.

 

[ipedro]

This, to me, seems like the most likely scenario. I'm curious to see how close ipedro's post here is to what actually happens tomorrow...remember, ipedro was one of the first (if not THE first) here at MacRumors to suggest that iPhone OS would be renamed to iOS back before the launch of the iPad.

Thanks chris. I'm surprised you still remember that.

 

[iPhoneCollector]

I hope they release ios 4.3

 

[chris975d]

Thanks chris. I'm surprised you still remember that.

Well...it WAS kinda amazing that you nailed that prediction, when most other people were saying that they'd never rename the OS.

And your current prediction makes the most sense...iTunes purchases in the cloud accessible to any of your connected iDevices, and local storage still available for those that aren't (traditional iPods and such).

 

[whatever]

People please remember Apple is not the one who is calling the next version of the iPad, iPad 2.

The new Apple TV is simply called Apple TV.

All of the iPod shuffles through out the years have been called iPod Shuffles.

The same is true of the iPod Nano, iPod Touch, iPod, etc.

The only real exception has been the iPhone and that's partly because the technology changed.

iPhone was just Edge
iPhone 3G introduced 3G
iPhone 3GS introduced faster 3G

And the iPhone 4, was called that, to help differentiate it from the cheaper iPhone 3GS which was still being sold by Apple and AT&T.

 

[ipedro]

Well...it WAS kinda amazing that you nailed that prediction, when most other people were saying that they'd never rename the OS.

And your current prediction makes the most sense...iTunes purchases in the cloud accessible to any of your connected iDevices, and local storage still available for those that aren't (traditional iPods and such).

Yeah, I have my finger on Apple's pulse and I seem to be adept at getting into Steve's mind My futurecasting of AppleTV appears to be unfolding pretty accurately as well.

My analysis on the subject of a MobileMe cloud comes from my belief that Apple will use Me.com as a driver of sales for iTunes which will justify offering MobileMe for free. Streaming only purchased content will keep the labels and studios happy as it will not only discourage piracy but it will encourage more purchases of media content. This is probably the sales pitch Steve made to win them over and allow streaming of previously purchased content.

However, going only part of the way with people's libraries wouldn't be an attractive feature overall. People will want all of their content available, not just part. A good compromise -- one that doesn't require insane and frankly unsustainable storage on Apple servers -- is to enable iTunes via Me.com as a no setup, no complexity, no management streaming server of your other content.

Hopefully this is what is announced tomorrow.

 

[nns]

I just don't buy it that there will be an iPad 3 later this year. Certainly, Apple can't ANNOUNCE that tomorrow since that would kill iPad 2 sales. And I don't see how they can come in with just a minor spec bump and expect to compete with the high spec tablets coming out now - they would certainly lose market share.

I guess we'll see tomorrow.

Tony

How many people buying iPads actually know the specs? My guess is that, whatever they announce, they'll stay at the top of the tablet market for the rest of the year.

 

[Tones2]

How many people buying iPads actually know the specs? My guess is that, whatever they announce, they'll stay at the top of the tablet market for the rest of the year.

Many people know the specs in this market. Plus, they can SEE that Xoom has HDMI and USB ports, microSD storage, a better display, a more logical aspect ratio for holding, will have both 4G and Flash support, and cooler looking OS.

Tony

 

[ipedro]

How many people buying iPads actually know the specs? My guess is that, whatever they announce, they'll stay at the top of the tablet market for the rest of the year.

Exactly. The very nature of the iPad versus a PC is to forget about how it works and to focus on the end result: using it.

If iPad 2 continues to be intuitive, fast and offers features that people deem necessary -- all while being the hottest looking tablet on the market -- it'll remain the best seller.

If other tablets have dual cores and 1GB of RAM, what will it matter if they run hot and run out of battery in a few hours? What will it matter if the app ecosystem is inconsistent and scattered?

User experience is the only spec that matters.

 

[JLB-UK]

Apple must be up to something tomorrow regarding Mobile Me as it appears they are about to credit my checking account for an undisclosed amount. My account is not due to renew until June of this year.

Interesting! I can't log into my Me.com account at the moment, but it might be freak timing

 

[xlii]

An Apple staffer talking about the iPad3? I say bull.
I can't imagine they would have a special event tomorrow only to show a slightly improved iPad2.

I agree... I can't believe that someone that high up at Apple would risk their job leaking what this article said they said.

 

[chris975d]

Yeah, I have my finger on Apple's pulse and I seem to be adept at getting into Steve's mind My futurecasting of AppleTV appears to be unfolding pretty accurately as well.

My analysis on the subject of a MobileMe cloud comes from my belief that Apple will use Me.com as a driver of sales for iTunes which will justify offering MobileMe for free. Streaming only purchased content will keep the labels and studios happy as it will not only discourage piracy but it will encourage more purchases of media content. This is probably the sales pitch Steve made to win them over and allow streaming of previously purchased content.

However, going only part of the way with people's libraries wouldn't be an attractive feature overall. People will want all of their content available, not just part. A good compromise -- one that doesn't require insane and frankly unsustainable storage on Apple servers -- is to enable iTunes via Me.com as a no setup, no complexity, no management streaming server of your other content.

Hopefully this is what is announced tomorrow.

I've got a feeling that you're spot on with both of these. It wouldn't be hard at all for Apple to enable iTunes (on your local machine) to stream your own content to wherever you are. Like you said, this way they don't have to have ridiculous (and honestly, impossible to estimate) amounts of storage on their (Apple's) servers. And again, like you said, if they offer free hosting/storage of all iTunes purchased content, it should drive iTunes purchases.

 

[allamoureux07]

Exactly. The very nature of the iPad versus a PC is to forget about how it works and to focus on the end result: using it.

If iPad 2 continues to be intuitive, fast and offers features that people deem necessary -- all while being the hottest looking tablet on the market -- it'll remain the best seller.

If other tablets have dual cores and 1GB of RAM, what will it matter if they run hot and run out of battery in a few hours? What will it matter if the app ecosystem is inconsistent and scattered?

User experience is the only spec that matters.

But if you agree, then why offer the iPad 2 at all? The iPad 1 is selling like hotcakes and will continue to - just push off the update until iPad 2 is really ready (I.e. Retina, etc.).

 

[125037]

In regards to iPad 2... PLEASE DON'T TELL ME THAT!

 

[Tones2]

Exactly. The very nature of the iPad versus a PC is to forget about how it works and to focus on the end result: using it.

If iPad 2 continues to be intuitive, fast and offers features that people deem necessary -- all while being the hottest looking tablet on the market -- it'll remain the best seller.

If other tablets have dual cores and 1GB of RAM, what will it matter if they run hot and run out of battery in a few hours? What will it matter if the app ecosystem is inconsistent and scattered?

User experience is the only spec that matters.

You realize that everything you are saying is opinion, right?

Have you seen or tried a Xoom? It looks pretty much the same as the iPad except for the aspect ratio. Most people THINK it's an iPad when they see it. It's battery life is similar to the iPad. It doesn't run hot. As for the interface, it's cooler than OS4 after getting used to it. Try it. It runs smoothly, in the store at least. Apps will be written to take advantage of the increased speed and memory. My iPad stutters with higher texture 3D games even right now, let only more advances game being developed for higher processor devices.

The specs DO matter in REAL terms. The core market for tablets is STILL techies.

Tony

 

[ipedro]

But if you agree, then why offer the iPad 2 at all? The iPad 1 is selling like hotcakes and will continue to - just push off the update until iPad 2 is really ready (I.e. Retina, etc.).

Because part of the user experience is novelty. "Newness" is a tangible feature. Also, while technical specs may be invisible to the average user, new features such as FaceTime and more storage are visible and necessary to stay competitive.

 

[notabadname]

What, there's going to be a new iPad?

 

[allamoureux07]

Because part of the user experience is novelty. "Newness" is a tangible feature. Also, while technical specs may be invisible to the average user, new features such as FaceTime and more storage are visible and necessary to stay competitive.

An iPad will be NEW to whoever buys it, regardless if it's an iPad 1 or iPad 2. The general public would keep buying iPad 1 if they didn't know about iPad 2 - most don't even know there is an event tomorrow to announce a new iPad. To them, Apple = good enough, regardless of the tech specs.