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Wow, quite a lot of nonsense going on in this thread.

The iPad 2 'could' fill the screen of your HDTV but it doesn't because it is a different aspect ratio.

It puts out HD video full screen just fine doesn't it?

Next.

The updated hardware is only going to be half the story.

Remember at last years event we got iMovie and Garageband for iPad.

Garageband even worked on the first generation iPad, which was a bonus.

They will do the same this year, they will show off the new hardware and glance over the improved internals.... and then show you what you can now do with it, probably by showing off 1 or 2 new apps they have.

Ipad one keynote: Here's the iPad, look I can browse the web, view photo's and videos, here's pages and keynote.

Ipad 2 keynote: Here's iPad 2, fast and thinner with camera's. It can do photobooth, facetime, iMovie...

iPhone 3G: Here's the iPhone 3G, its got a better camera and new design, look how much faster 3G is compared to edge.

iPhone 4: Heres the iPhone 4, new design, faster chip, better camera, iMovie for iphone to show off camera, jenga game to show off gyro, photo's and web browing to show off new display.

-They will finish up with some stuff about combining arts and technology, and we'll all get our credit cards out. :)
 
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I'm expecting more but the double resolution screen alone will be fantastic for anyone working with any sort of high resolution images, charts or data.

Think stock analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, optical microscopy, graphic design, metallurgy, geological seismic data, engineering drawings, FTIR, microRaman, scanning Auger analysis, EBSD imaging, medical x-ray imaging and industrial x-ray imaging just to name a few fields that would love to have a high resolution, portable display like this.
 
Price drop across the line.

One thing Apple doesn't get credit for is how they completely blew up the cell phone industries pricing structure. Prior to 2007 then it was common to pay $4-500 for garbage mid-range flip phones but then Apple came along and year after year they kept dropping prices and forcing the industry to follow. Tablets can easily go the same path because the competitors are now trying to beat Apple on pricing, but at any point Apple can squash them by dropping $200 off yet still remain profitable.

subsidized pricing existed long before the iPhone. The norm in the industry for years was a phone that retails for $400-$500 with no commitment. If you signed up for a 2 year plan, the carrier would typically subsidize much of the price of the phone bringing the price down to say, $99.

In fact, the original iPhone was not even subsidized, releasing at $499 and $599 for 4gb and 8gb models.

Also, it's not likely apple will keep around the original iPad, but if anything apple will lower the price of the original iPad to $299, and it would likely be lowered down to 8GB of memory. iPad 2 would hit the $399 price point (also likely lowered to 8GB). The iPad 3 will debut and keep the $499 starting price point and will start at 16gb, not 32....

There's your "wishlist" and then there is reality. As much as you may wish apple would give us iPad 2's for $300, and 32gb of memory in the base model of the iPad 3, it's never going to happen.
 
I'm speaking in general in regards to the average person. The examples you gave are VERY specific and limited to a VERY small portion of the population. Too most people the higher res and faster processor will not make a difference. There won't be a tangible enough difference for it to matter. Talking about a faster processor sounds great if we're talking specs, but in real world use if there isn't a tangible difference then it doesn't matter to most people.

You continue to bring up "tangible" differences for the layman. There is absolutely NOTHING tangible about the iPad! Never was...we didn't even know we NEEDED it!!! Now--coupled with the success of the iPhone, it's brought a company from mid pack Fortune 5 to the MOST valuable company in the WORLD! Seriously...you will continue to argue what is and isn't tangible to the masses when they've ALREADY voted with their bank accounts?

I think that pretty much sums it up. The thing about it is, with the example you gave I could use a ipad or ipad 2 and accomplish the same thing, so what does the 3 bring to the table?


Somewhat better isn't a big deal. To many people it's a "big deal" because it's the new ipad but in truth there isn't much to be excited about (see iphone 4s compared to iphone 4).

Bad, BAD example my friend. The 4s was and is the SINGLE most successful launch of a cell phone in the HISTORY of mobile communications! Stock prices have risen 25% since the earnings report a couple weeks ago, based on the back of the 4s. You MUST live in a different world than I

Price drop across the line.

One thing Apple doesn't get credit for is how they completely blew up the cell phone industries pricing structure. Prior to 2007 then it was common to pay $4-500 for garbage mid-range flip phones but then Apple came along and year after year they kept dropping prices and forcing the industry to follow. Tablets can easily go the same path because the competitors are now trying to beat Apple on pricing, but at any point Apple can squash them by dropping $200 off yet still remain profitable.

Imagine this:
$299 - iPad 2 16GB
This would make sense because despite it being "last years model" it is still a few steps above the competition so it's far from being a dead product and the pricing would make sense for their movement to EDU.

$499 - iPad Pro 32GB
This would be the iPad 3. Better specs are the obvious improvements but the benefits of more speed/higher resolution is that Pro apps could be possible. Think Aperture, FCP, Photoshop on a tablet! Also, if you've ever tried taking notes on an iPad then it requires larger writing because of the lower res screen, but a higher res screen brings us one step closer to replacing paper with tablets because we can use a stylus and actually write note in normal sized letters and have it still be legible (well, most people. my handwriting is terrible so I prefer typing). A simple product doesnt mean it can't do complex tasks and they can price the iPad Pro to be a true computer replacement for many people if we see tablet versions of the apps we use on the desktop.


So while a new iPad is exciting, the pricing is really what I'm looking forward to.

The original iPhone wasn't subsidized. Before that, almost everyone had a 'Free' phone that came with a contract extension. Apple didn't invent subsidization. Equally...other vendors are having an incredibly frustrating time attempting to match Apple's already incredible price structure. I don't see any 9-10.5" 16gig Tabs AnyWhere selling for less than the 16g iPad. Unless a quick sale is posted for sell through...the iPad is already incredibly well priced, fits it's nitch perfectly...and AGAIN, the masses have already voted...with their credit cards and cash. You're just plain wrong!

I have to ask...why are you hear? I don't frequent forums that I'm not passionate about...ever. Don't have time. Yet I'll readily admit to being a huge Apple/Mac/iPhone/iPad fan...I just don't have the time to go stir up folks on forums that I'm not passionate about. Maybe that's the ticket...are you envious? Are you out of work? Many folks are...the economy sucks right now. But this product, the iPad is---even in incremental upgrades, a MONSTER! It's being covered by everyone--from the geek sites to the mainstream media. No one can match it's current "respect" from the public. Many have tried and folks with BIG pocketbooks (see HP, Asus, Sony and Samsung). One has succeeded. That's the Amazon Kindle Fire. And, IMVHO--the ONLY reason it HAS succeeded is because it's being 'subsidized' by Amazon in a way...sold at a small or non-profit in order to fill it up by the customer from their SuperSite! That's it! And performance-wise--it's a joke compared to the iPad (either 1 or 2!). I own a "Fire" as well as both editions of the iPad.

I'm not sure where you'll end this...you most likely won't. You lost your argument before you hit "submit" post on this site. The display ALONE will be a worthwhile upgrade. The other "hardware" upgrades are for the geeks like us. The average Joe could care less if it's A5/A6 or dual/quad. It's not a "Tangible" concern to the masses. Period. If it works...and betters it's older brother and sister, that's ALL that's necessary. IMO, again...as an owner or the iPads and buyer of a Xoom and Galaxy...the iPad 1 is still a better buy than any Android run tablet on the market. Hence, those that MAY be out of work or on tight budgets, this will allow them a chance to grab an iPad at the lower cost you're proposing! EveryOne WINS!

--Now--{Please} Go Away! You're disturbing our excitement here!!! You may want to find a passion, a hobby...or some other place to spend you "BearerOBadNews" BS!

j
 
So I guess it bears asking, what could they possibly announce that you would be excited about? The retina display is the single most important improvement they could possibly make. It's the one thing that, in my eyes, would make the iPad my perfect dream gadget. Discounting the other dozen improvements that they'll likely make, seriously, what more could you want? Not that any of this really matters anyway, seeing as it hasn't even been announced yet.
If they announced different sizes that would be enough to have me consider purchasing one. Something a bit more portable would be welcomed.

Jeez, now Apple has to do something revolutionary every year for a new product to matter at all? Three or four revolutions a decade isn't enough? Inventing a new market isn't enough if you don't reinvent it with every release?
No, they need to do something to meaningfully differentiate the new product from the old. If they can't do that then there's no reason for me to even consider the new product.

----------

You continue to bring up "tangible" differences for the layman. There is absolutely NOTHING tangible about the iPad! Never was...we didn't even know we NEEDED it!!! Now--coupled with the success of the iPhone, it's brought a company from mid pack Fortune 5 to the MOST valuable company in the WORLD! Seriously...you will continue to argue what is and isn't tangible to the masses when they've ALREADY voted with their bank accounts?



Bad, BAD example my friend. The 4s was and is the SINGLE most successful launch of a cell phone in the HISTORY of mobile communications! Stock prices have risen 25% since the earnings report a couple weeks ago, based on the back of the 4s. You MUST live in a different world than I



The original iPhone wasn't subsidized. Before that, almost everyone had a 'Free' phone that came with a contract extension. Apple didn't invent subsidization. Equally...other vendors are having an incredibly frustrating time attempting to match Apple's already incredible price structure. I don't see any 9-10.5" 16gig Tabs AnyWhere selling for less than the 16g iPad. Unless a quick sale is posted for sell through...the iPad is already incredibly well priced, fits it's nitch perfectly...and AGAIN, the masses have already voted...with their credit cards and cash. You're just plain wrong!

I have to ask...why are you hear? I don't frequent forums that I'm not passionate about...ever. Don't have time. Yet I'll readily admit to being a huge Apple/Mac/iPhone/iPad fan...I just don't have the time to go stir up folks on forums that I'm not passionate about. Maybe that's the ticket...are you envious? Are you out of work? Many folks are...the economy sucks right now. But this product, the iPad is---even in incremental upgrades, a MONSTER! It's being covered by everyone--from the geek sites to the mainstream media. No one can match it's current "respect" from the public. Many have tried and folks with BIG pocketbooks (see HP, Asus, Sony and Samsung). One has succeeded. That's the Amazon Kindle Fire. And, IMVHO--the ONLY reason it HAS succeeded is because it's being 'subsidized' by Amazon in a way...sold at a small or non-profit in order to fill it up by the customer from their SuperSite! That's it! And performance-wise--it's a joke compared to the iPad (either 1 or 2!). I own a "Fire" as well as both editions of the iPad.

I'm not sure where you'll end this...you most likely won't. You lost your argument before you hit "submit" post on this site. The display ALONE will be a worthwhile upgrade. The other "hardware" upgrades are for the geeks like us. The average Joe could care less if it's A5/A6 or dual/quad. It's not a "Tangible" concern to the masses. Period. If it works...and betters it's older brother and sister, that's ALL that's necessary. IMO, again...as an owner or the iPads and buyer of a Xoom and Galaxy...the iPad 1 is still a better buy than any Android run tablet on the market. Hence, those that MAY be out of work or on tight budgets, this will allow them a chance to grab an iPad at the lower cost you're proposing! EveryOne WINS!

--Now--{Please} Go Away! You're disturbing our excitement here!!! You may want to find a passion, a hobby...or some other place to spend you "BearerOBadNews" BS!

j

First I'll start with your quoting of sales figures. I don't care about sales figures unless I'm investing stock. I'm talking about the next version of a product differentiating itself from its predecessor. It's really that simple. The fact that you used the word "argument" says a lot. I'm not presenting an argument, I'm presenting my perspective. If you don't like my perspective please find the nearest exit and run along. Bottom line is if the next ipad fails to differentiate itself from the previous one, then I will not be purchasing it.
 
No, they need to do something to meaningfully differentiate the new product from the old. If they can't do that then there's no reason for me to even consider the new product.

From your own OP, OP:
Does it really matter? Are they really going to introduce anything groundbreaking?

So are you looking for something groundbreaking, or something that's just different from the iPad 2? And, more importantly, does what you're looking for matter?

There are three types of people in the world: those who own an iPad 1, those who own an iPad 2, and those without an iPad. Even if the 3 is only an incremental upgrade, the 3 will still sell to two of those three audiences. Those who own an iPad 2 may not feel the need to upgrade, but there are still a lot of iPads to be sold as first gen upgrades or first iPads.

And it's pretty obvious that a good number of iPad 2 owners would not consider a retina display to be incremental, or that it would fail to "meaningfully differentiate" the 3. In fact, a lot of people are waiting for it with bated breath - it would convince a decent number of 2 owners to upgrade. Not all, maybe not even most, but there are still those other two audiences out there, who will make up the majority of sales no matter what.

Whether a retina display is "groundbreaking" is definitely up for debate, but in the end - who cares? It's a feature people want, that's all that matters.

(Insert 4G/LTE, price drop, whatever rumored feature you like instead of retina display; the point is the same and holds regardless.)
 
If they announced different sizes that would be enough to have me consider purchasing one. Something a bit more portable would be welcomed.


No, they need to do something to meaningfully differentiate the new product from the old. If they can't do that then there's no reason for me to even consider the new product.

----------



First I'll start with your quoting of sales figures. I don't care about sales figures unless I'm investing stock. I'm talking about the next version of a product differentiating itself from its predecessor. It's really that simple. The fact that you used the word "argument" says a lot. I'm not presenting an argument, I'm presenting my perspective. If you don't like my perspective please find the nearest exit and run along. Bottom line is if the next ipad fails to differentiate itself from the previous one, then I will not be purchasing it.

this isn't twitter, no one cares what YOU think.
you're not who apple is interested in selling an iPad to. you probably already have one, so in apple's eyes you aren't in the market.
they just have to barely upgrade it each year to add a few bullet points, and sell to people who have outdated computers, who just want something simple for home use.
thats the whole point of the iPad, it's just a computer for the average person to have fun with. that's it!
 
ok so what is a big exciting change if a huge dramatically better design change isn't then hmmm... what is?, lets see,

ipad-ipad2 better processor more ram much thinner much lighter 2 cameras etc

so that not a major upgrade then hmm... iPad 2 to iPad 3 probably no major redesign but no one knows, hugely better screen that is a huge seelinng feature and is great better then 1080p much better processor and graphics ( u think this is useless cus graphics r good enough but when u have a resolution over 1080p almost that of the 27 iMac then yes it need much better graphics),

lte(sort of big)

siri big

if that isn't big to u then what is no touch screen but hologram, new nuclear battery for 5 trillion hours of battery life, less then one nm thin, runs osx, idk what is it
 
Bottom line is if the next ipad fails to differentiate itself from the previous one, then I will not be purchasing it.

You want a medal for this brilliant insight? Bottom line, if a product doesn't meet your expectations there's no requirement that you buy it.
 
I think the OP makes a good point. The iPad 3 will be still a simple tablet computer running iOS. So it's unlikely to be a groundbreaking new concept of computing. (Don't get me wrong: Apple will sell 20 Million iPad 3's or more and at least one iPad 3 to me.)

For some owners of an iPad2 it might be not a big upgrade.

For others the retina display and a much faster GPU will give them a host of new things to do with the iPad. So they will see it as a huge improvement.

However in the long run the number of relevant new features will be less and less between releases and the new releases will become less relevant events.

Take the Macbook Pro as an example. There is very little difference between my 2008 and my 2010 Macbook Pro's. The 2010 is a bit faster but nothing earth shattering. Video transcodes maybe 30-40% faster, that's it. In order to make something different Apple had to invent the Macbook Air.

It will be interesting to see what Apple will do in a few years when tablet hardware has reached a similar saturation point as notebooks have now. What will they do different then?
 
I'm excited because I got rid of my iPad 2. On the flip side I really want an OS overhaul. iOS is great but I want more customization. I want to be able to have widgets and customIze notification center. I want to be able to use flash ( I don't care I'd it's buggy, Ill deal with that give users options).
 
I have no idea why so many people are dubbing the next iPad as the "iPad 2S". In all honesty, I believe that the next iPad deserves to be called the iPad 3 because of the major new features it is bound to have. A retina display, A6 chip, more ram, possible 4G LTE, and a new camera is certainly a "true" upgrade. Just because it's not going to have a complete redesign doesn't mean its going to be just a "slight" upgrade.
 
You want a medal for this brilliant insight? Bottom line, if a product doesn't meet your expectations there's no requirement that you buy it.
It seems that all the downplaying of the iPad 3 have more to do with personal insecurity than the actual product.

There's no doubt that the next iPad will be superior to the previous one, so what exactly is the point in trying to pretend that "better" isn't worth owning? Nothing. Its just a bunch of iPad 2 owners who don't want to "feel" left behind so therefore they're trying their hardest to shorten the gap between a product they own and a product that doesn't officially exist yet. That's really sad because technology will always move forward and there's nothing wrong with understanding that you don't actually have to OWN a product in order to appreciate it.

Skip a generation, its not a big deal.
 
From your own OP, OP:


So are you looking for something groundbreaking, or something that's just different from the iPad 2? And, more importantly, does what you're looking for matter?

There are three types of people in the world: those who own an iPad 1, those who own an iPad 2, and those without an iPad. Even if the 3 is only an incremental upgrade, the 3 will still sell to two of those three audiences. Those who own an iPad 2 may not feel the need to upgrade, but there are still a lot of iPads to be sold as first gen upgrades or first iPads.

And it's pretty obvious that a good number of iPad 2 owners would not consider a retina display to be incremental, or that it would fail to "meaningfully differentiate" the 3. In fact, a lot of people are waiting for it with bated breath - it would convince a decent number of 2 owners to upgrade. Not all, maybe not even most, but there are still those other two audiences out there, who will make up the majority of sales no matter what.

Whether a retina display is "groundbreaking" is definitely up for debate, but in the end - who cares? It's a feature people want, that's all that matters.

(Insert 4G/LTE, price drop, whatever rumored feature you like instead of retina display; the point is the same and holds regardless.)
I never said it had to be groundbreaking, I said it needs to differentiate itself. Differentiation and groundbreaking are two totally different things.

this isn't twitter, no one cares what YOU think.
you're not who apple is interested in selling an iPad to. you probably already have one, so in apple's eyes you aren't in the market.
they just have to barely upgrade it each year to add a few bullet points, and sell to people who have outdated computers, who just want something simple for home use.
thats the whole point of the iPad, it's just a computer for the average person to have fun with. that's it!
You obviously cared enough to feel compelled to respond...if you truly don't care don't respond and move on. No need to get personal trying to defend a product.

I think the OP makes a good point. The iPad 3 will be still a simple tablet computer running iOS. So it's unlikely to be a groundbreaking new concept of computing. (Don't get me wrong: Apple will sell 20 Million iPad 3's or more and at least one iPad 3 to me.)

For some owners of an iPad2 it might be not a big upgrade.

For others the retina display and a much faster GPU will give them a host of new things to do with the iPad. So they will see it as a huge improvement.

However in the long run the number of relevant new features will be less and less between releases and the new releases will become less relevant events.

Take the Macbook Pro as an example. There is very little difference between my 2008 and my 2010 Macbook Pro's. The 2010 is a bit faster but nothing earth shattering. Video transcodes maybe 30-40% faster, that's it. In order to make something different Apple had to invent the Macbook Air.

It will be interesting to see what Apple will do in a few years when tablet hardware has reached a similar saturation point as notebooks have now. What will they do different then?
Exactly! Finally someone that understands what I'm saying and isn't just blindly rushing to Apple's defense.

It seems that all the downplaying of the iPad 3 have more to do with personal insecurity than the actual product.

There's no doubt that the next iPad will be superior to the previous one, so what exactly is the point in trying to pretend that "better" isn't worth owning? Nothing. Its just a bunch of iPad 2 owners who don't want to "feel" left behind so therefore they're trying their hardest to shorten the gap between a product they own and a product that doesn't officially exist yet. That's really sad because technology will always move forward and there's nothing wrong with understanding that you don't actually have to OWN a product in order to appreciate it.

Skip a generation, its not a big deal.
Well I for one can buy any tablet any time I want. Buying a new tablet when it comes out isn't an issue at all. Right now for me, it's down to the Galaxy Tab 2 and the next iPad, but honestly I don't see any real reason that would make me want to go out and get the next iPad unless they do something completely unexpected. Otherwise, it seems to just be more of the same.
 
So what exactly do you want them to do that will be such a great upgrade over the current iPad.

The screen is getting an upgrade
Processor is getting an upgrade
Graphics are getting an upgrade
Camera is getting an upgrade
Battery is getting an upgrade
OS is getting an upgrade

Not sure what else you think will "differentiate" the product. There are only so many things you can do with a slate to upgrade it.

Seems to me you are seeking an iPad that looks different, regardless of if anything else was upgraded. So you want a cosmetic change over any type of functional change that you would actually notice.

Yeah, you're right, everyone should just wish for an iPad 2 with a new case so that we can waste $500 on cosmetic updates rather than performance updates.
 
I never said it had to be groundbreaking, I said it needs to differentiate itself. Differentiation and groundbreaking are two totally different things.

.

You said groundbreaking in the original post that starts this thread, which I conveniently quoted for you in the comment this was in response to. But if you'd like proof, you can go back to Page 1 and read your OP yourself.

I think you've just proven yourself a garden-variety troll, so I will now excuse myself from this thread and suggest everyone else do the same.
 
You know, Id like to be able to read my iPad outside. I love ebooks but the screen is just unreadable outdoors.
 
Hrmmmm....

....I'm curious/hopeful about iPad 3 (should it have a 'retina' display) having the ability to be used as a field monitor for DSLRs shooting high definition video. I understand something of this size would be somewhat awkward shoe-mounted to a camera given its weight and proportions, but if used on a rig or jib - something like that could be immensely useful. Would also welcome an iPad version of FCP
 
I would like this iPad 3 to come out already, so we don't have to speculate, rumored to death or guess any further. 3 weeks to go :apple: :(
 
...

[/COLOR]

First I'll start with your quoting of sales figures. I don't care about sales figures unless I'm investing stock. I'm talking about the next version of a product differentiating itself from its predecessor. It's really that simple. The fact that you used the word "argument" says a lot. I'm not presenting an argument, I'm presenting my perspective. If you don't like my perspective please find the nearest exit and run along. Bottom line is if the next ipad fails to differentiate itself from the previous one, then I will not be purchasing it.

You completely missed my point. Sales numbers are relevant to everyone OTHER than you. Not sure why only stocks come in to play when we're discussing differentiating features of an existing product. Sales numbers say everything...along with the appreciation of end user support surveys, these two numbers/figures/percentages play a BIG part in the consumer deciding which way to go when it's time for a new purchase. Tech, Food, Homes, Vacuum cleaners...doesn't matter. Sales figures matter. Period...to everyone other than YOU!

If it really is as simple, as you say...as the successor differentiating itself from it's predecessor--I would 'argue' Apple has always done an incredible job of presenting differentiating features. Some may or may not matter to you--however, there are ALWAYS several features that tend to hit a significant, if not majority of the consumer base. Your poor example of the transition from the 4 to 4s is an exemplary example of my 'argument'. The 4s only LOOKS like the 4. The ONLY thing Apple didn't redesign is the "Shell" of the phone. The Guts---ALL NEW! And in most areas, significant improvement over the 4 (I'm a previous owner of each phone and even though I was happy with each, I was BLOWN away by each successor).

Take a peak at the new MBA. Both the 2010 reintroduction and this year's Sandy Bridge update...BIG updates!!!

The MBP--Same! Sandy Bridge is phenomenal--

Even the Mac Pro--I have no belief that Apple is abandoning it's Pro system. They're just waiting for the new generation of CPUs as these are expensive investments. They WANT a significant improvement before they offer the machine!

Apple TV1--To Apple TV2, Everything lives on my Mac. I have no need for internal storage...and at a 99 dollar price point, I can afford to have one in every room!

Their display technology continues to improve constantly--the addition of Thunderbolt--the evolution of the iPod over just 10 years--I just can't understand your side of the "debate", "discussion", or in a court of law-- your "argument"---Argument does NOT have to have a negative connotation. It's a perfect word to use when a debate is in progress between two sides. Not that one is any more right than the other.

--So anyone that doesn't like or agree with your perspective should "Run Along" now? YOU posted YOUR perspective on a PUBLIC APPLE FORUM!!!! Next time you don't want to discuss, DON'T POST!


j
 
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