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Could the iPad 2 Be Getting Light Peak?
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I have to say it makes sense to me that they might do this so it is rolled out to as many customers as possible quickly. Lots of accessory makers will want to use it too if it is the latest hot thing on the iPad.
I think it is for the switch used to turn off Retina Display and return to standard resolution for all those people posting that Retina Display is not needed on the iPad.
A port at the top of the device is inelegant and goofy, the kind of thing you'd expect from HP or Dell, not Apple. Thumbs down.
We'll find out
I'd be surprised, but maybe we'll find out thursday if the new macbook pros have it. They will be a good indicator
I'd be surprised, but maybe we'll find out thursday if the new macbook pros have it. They will be a good indicator
Maybe they are implementing the MagSafe Power-Data connector that Apple has patented now. The connector definitely mentions the data connection is fiber optic:
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/02/1...ower-data-connector-live-device-configuration
EDIT:
Huh, yeah notice there is a pair of RX and TX cables there? Yeah, that's the same cable configuration for Light Peak:
"The Light Peak cable contains a pair of optical fibers that are used for upstream and downstream traffic."
And of course, notice that there are 4 fiber optic cables on the prototype connector posted on this story.
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/02/1...ower-data-connector-live-device-configuration
EDIT:
Huh, yeah notice there is a pair of RX and TX cables there? Yeah, that's the same cable configuration for Light Peak:
"The Light Peak cable contains a pair of optical fibers that are used for upstream and downstream traffic."
And of course, notice that there are 4 fiber optic cables on the prototype connector posted on this story.
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Just a hunch here, and I'm sure I'll get slated for it but hey ho.
If LightPeak is planning on using a USB style connector, then its actually perfectly reasonable to assume that its POSSIBLE that the iPad 2 or 3 could have lightpeak. It would be fully backwards compatible with USB 2.0, so there wouldnt be any issues for PC or existing Mac owners (in theory), just slower transfer rates (i.e the speed you currently get).
It just seems a bit odd that this has all suddenly come out within the space of a week, all with pretty credible sources.
To the lightpeak haters - you need educating. Lightpeak is a HUGE step forward and will benefit you immensely. If you don't know why - GO READ! The facts are plain and simple: USB3 is NOT better than lightpeak, not even close. It would be like comparing the old parallel printing port with a USB port. VERY different technology.
If LightPeak is planning on using a USB style connector, then its actually perfectly reasonable to assume that its POSSIBLE that the iPad 2 or 3 could have lightpeak. It would be fully backwards compatible with USB 2.0, so there wouldnt be any issues for PC or existing Mac owners (in theory), just slower transfer rates (i.e the speed you currently get).
It just seems a bit odd that this has all suddenly come out within the space of a week, all with pretty credible sources.
To the lightpeak haters - you need educating. Lightpeak is a HUGE step forward and will benefit you immensely. If you don't know why - GO READ! The facts are plain and simple: USB3 is NOT better than lightpeak, not even close. It would be like comparing the old parallel printing port with a USB port. VERY different technology.
How would the iPad benefit from Light Peak? The iPad doesn't send or receive high-bandwidth data. The only time it requires cabled data communication is the occasional syncing, which is bottlenecked by the slowness of iTunes anyway. Plus even if syncing is slow, it rarely matters as you probably leave the device plugged in for far longer, to charge it. So I don't see how speed would matter here?
Sounds about right.
People, I wouldn't get too excited about this. It's prolly something quite mundane like IR port, sim card slot, etc. Maybe, just maybe, this will be the NFC sensor Apple's been rumored to incorporate into their iDevices.
Uh, if you look closely, that "genuine hole" that you seem to think is "sticking out the back" is, in fact, lined up perfectly with the cut out for the lock switch. I would guess that you don't think that the lock switch is going to be mounted on the back, so therefore, one must conclude that both holes are actually on the top of the iPad, not sticking out the back. The appearance of it sticking out the back is, doubtless, due to the tapered edges of the iPad 2.
Maybe it's not a port for cables, but rather an opening for a projector? LED projectors have been miniaturized massively, so maybe the iPad could produce a wall (or table!) projection using an integrated beamer. In that case the "TOP CENTER" position would be a logical choice, as the iPad would be in portrait mode while using that emitter
And to put some spice to it - years ago there have been developments to get user input for smartphones by analyzing the users finger movement over a projected virtual keyboard (it was presented as technology demonstration in 2004 by Siemens for their SX-1 mobile - unfortunately the respective site is shut down). It never came to mass production, but would be a "typical" Apple move to include in a consumer device. Admitted - the internal virtual keyboard on the iPad seems large enough (thus such a projector would make more sense in an iPhone), but maybe Apple thought of some twists that would make it worthwile in an iPad as well...
UPDATE: Found a company that seems to have acquired the technology and is offering a bluetooth device: http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/products.asp
There you can get an idea what this is all about. Price seems high, but adding a cheap laser diode plus recognition optic and an App to the iPad should cost significantly less...
Well - the iPad seems to sell in millions of devices every year. If anything would come close to "huge quantities", this probably would be it
I have no idea of engineering or component design, but care to explain why economies of scale would be an argument against it? Don't forget that when strategic decisions come into play, the economic approach has to somehow consider future profits (which economic people often forget, as it is hard to put in strict numbers).
Carpets looking like this are currently popular...
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Watch that "hole" be for an indent in the case to allow things to clasp/hold the case in other structures.
I'd laugh at everyone.
I'd laugh at everyone.
Wow, really Arn?
We both know that not going to happen, not even an iota of a chance here, nada, zip, zero. Jeez, how could you even consider this?
Also, I would like to inquire as to why my first comment was deleted? It was clearly a placeholder, foul play at work here indeed.
A 'placeholder'? Why, so you could make the GLORIOUS claim to having been the first one to post a comment on a MacRumor story?
Good grief, son ... get a life!!!
So, when does th speculation end...
...and the nail biting begin?
I want my iPad2 now. Enough of this endless churning of non-information (okay, I'm reading rumor sites, what do I expect?) but I'm trying to glean whatever I can to sustain me while I wait for even an announcement of an event that might lead to a date for a possible release of or a chance to pre-order iPad2.
Yea Apple, throw us a bone here! Fever pitch has now been reached.
...and the nail biting begin?
I want my iPad2 now. Enough of this endless churning of non-information (okay, I'm reading rumor sites, what do I expect?) but I'm trying to glean whatever I can to sustain me while I wait for even an announcement of an event that might lead to a date for a possible release of or a chance to pre-order iPad2.
Yea Apple, throw us a bone here! Fever pitch has now been reached.
First post but here goes.
I doubt it's Light Peak, USB or any other connectivity standard. The position of it, directly opposite the Apple Dock Connector would be awkward for cases when both connectors have a cable attached and the user still wanted to use the device. Apple is usually the market leader in design and I don't think they'd be so daft to overlook the usability issues that ensure when you have USB cables coming out both the top and bottom of the device...especially when used in portrait mode. If it was to have two inputs, which given APples track record with iOS is all but unlikely, then they would probably be situated near one another.
As for using the spot for IR...again I think that is very unlikely. The technology never received much use and was eventually dropped in mobile phones and I don't see why Apple would want to adopt a technology thats only real consumer use is for TV remotes. Given they can put Bluetooth in whatever devices they make, including the rumored TV they may be working on, IR would seem a backwards step for the iPad and a waste of time and money for most applications. Certainly as far as the Apple ecosystem is concerned it doesnt make much sense and I doubt they care whether your Samsung TV could use it or not.
I think it will be for something less invasive than another cable. I'm half tempted to say a second switch if they havent made their mind up on the mute or screen lock functionality, but I think Apple will look to remove physical switches and buttons, not add them.
I doubt it's Light Peak, USB or any other connectivity standard. The position of it, directly opposite the Apple Dock Connector would be awkward for cases when both connectors have a cable attached and the user still wanted to use the device. Apple is usually the market leader in design and I don't think they'd be so daft to overlook the usability issues that ensure when you have USB cables coming out both the top and bottom of the device...especially when used in portrait mode. If it was to have two inputs, which given APples track record with iOS is all but unlikely, then they would probably be situated near one another.
As for using the spot for IR...again I think that is very unlikely. The technology never received much use and was eventually dropped in mobile phones and I don't see why Apple would want to adopt a technology thats only real consumer use is for TV remotes. Given they can put Bluetooth in whatever devices they make, including the rumored TV they may be working on, IR would seem a backwards step for the iPad and a waste of time and money for most applications. Certainly as far as the Apple ecosystem is concerned it doesnt make much sense and I doubt they care whether your Samsung TV could use it or not.
I think it will be for something less invasive than another cable. I'm half tempted to say a second switch if they havent made their mind up on the mute or screen lock functionality, but I think Apple will look to remove physical switches and buttons, not add them.
Speculation=Reasoning based on inconclusive evidence; conjecture or supposition.
Rumor= A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin.
Speculation from others is okay...especially if you happen to have the term 'analyst' somewhere in your job description, as this enables you to talk as much **** as you want...and get paid for doing so!
Apple did sign up the EU legislation that promoted a common standard for mobile phone chargers. They settled on micro-USB as the common standard. That would make a lot of sense. The standard iPod port is getting a bit old in the tooth and there's a heap of new accessories that could be built and sold for a new port!
I dislike the black and white, no filesystem versus needs a filesystem argument.
Apple needs to introduce something that scales a lot better than the email to app file passing and the itunes to app file syncing.
Jobs has said that they are aiming higher than providing the well worn concept of nested folders. I take this to mean something like, just like cut and paste or multitasking they're aiming higher to something that doesn't depend on users to remember where something is in a deep structure. It's just not ready yet.
There's so many patents and prototypes of concepts where a file is an object in a 3d or psuedo 3d space that can be organised with gestures and associated with other objects ie. in piles. There's also a need for a UI to select objects, whether thats a file, an image, a contact etc and exchange those objects with nearby devices over NFC, bluetooth.
On a small device i envisage a view not dissimilar to coverflow for files that allows re-ordering, grouping and exchange with easy to understand gestures. On an iPad this UI might be extended in an extra dimension to allow wider view of available objects.
Its true to say Apple doesn't want us thinking of files, but a central point in which to manage relationships between files (metadata) and file exchange is a definite possibility. iOS 5.0 i suspect and hope will reveal more.