First Hands-On Impressions of New iPad Air 2: Ultra-Thin, Improved Display, Better Camera

[skinnylegs]

If this has 2GB RAM I'm sold. Otherwise no deal.

Move along.......

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You're kidding aren't you, Samsung can achieve ten times as much in 12 months than Apple does. The reason Apple doesn't achieve anything is because it hates spending money.

Are you serious? What has Samsung released in the last 12 months that is that different than the previous 12 months. Have you actually used a Samsung device? LOL I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab S sitting in front of me and it will be sold tomorrow after I order an iPad.

 

[KALLT]

Price will most likely have to be lowered to compete. Soon.

You say that as if that is a bad thing. ;-)

In all honesty, if you see how advanced the competition has become and how little it matters, I'd be all for a lower pricing. Apple's biggest advantage is their third-party ecosystem and even that point is slowly eroding. For me, the higher prices are increasingly difficult to justify, even though I like both OS X and iOS very much. Apple should just be less arrogant, they really don't need it.

 

[calzon65]

The new iPad Air2 looks fantastic, I have an iPad Air but I continue to wish Apple would extend the battery life a bit more. Those 15 hour flights from the US to Asia kill my iPad since I'm not fortunate enough to sit in First or Business class with an electrical outlet.

I know there is the ongoing quest to make things lighter and thinner, but at some point I think we may be reaching the point of diminishing returns so sacrificing a small bit of thinness for longer battery life remains one of my wishes.

 

[Kwill]

Will it bend?

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If this has 2GB RAM I'm sold. Otherwise no deal.

The iPad Air 2 has been beefed up way beyond the previous model, and even the iPhone 6, with a faster 64-bit A8x processor and 2GB of RAM – double the RAM of the previous generation.

 

[Konrad]

You say that as if that is a bad thing. ;-)

In all honesty, if you see how advanced the competition has become and how little it matters, I'd be all for a lower pricing. Apple's biggest advantage is their third-party ecosystem and even that point is slowly eroding. For me, the higher prices are increasingly difficult to justify, even though I like both OS X and iOS very much. Apple should just be less arrogant, they really don't need it.

I agree. I also hope for Apple to lower acquisition cost as I no longer see a significant advantage in the premium across platforms for brand alone.

 

[Rogifan]

Will it bend?

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The iPad Air 2 has been beefed up way beyond the previous model, and even the iPhone 6, with a faster 64-bit A8x processor and 2GB of RAM – double the RAM of the previous generation.

Got a better source? I don't trust Forbes.

 

[gmcalpin]

Better camera, seriously? In 3+ years I've not used my rear camera for anything once. I don't speak for everyone obviously, but am I alone? Doesn't feel like it.

I, uh, take a lot of pictures of my cat with it, while I'm reading or surfing the internet or whatever.

I wouldn't whip out my phone (super lazy) but with the camera right there, sure, **** it.

…In my defense, he's a really awesome cat.

 

[BvizioN]

What I don't get is, why do people moan about 16GB version?? You don't have to buy it, let others (if any) do. You buy what suits you. Apple must have it's own reasons for continuing with 16gb version. Some people only use it for web browsing and emailing. I know few of them.

 

[peterdevries]

Will it bend?

This is possibly even more annyoing than "safari is snappier", and has lost its comedic value about 5 minutes after it was first posted 3 weeks ago...

 

[anomie]

Really can't see this helping cure the reported market stagnation. Gave me no reason whatsoever to want to upgrade from my Air.

Better camera, seriously? In 3+ years I've not used my rear camera for anything once. I don't speak for everyone obviously, but am I alone? Doesn't feel like it.

Looking forward to more scenes like this though...

Image

What's the point in rolling your eyes?
And yes, I am using the iPad cam all the time. It's great to have a big screen for videos.
If that looks stupid to you, you maybe are too old fashioned?

 

[peterdevries]

What I don't get is, why do people moan about 16GB version?? You don't have to buy it, let others (if any) do. You buy what suits you. Apple must have it's own reasons for continuing with 16gb version. Some people only use it for web browsing and emailing. I know few of them.

I know quite a few too. But slowly RAM at the lower end (16 Gb and 32 Gb) is becoming so cheap that I'm questioning Apple's motives on this. Even an increase to 32;64;128 tiering would still generate a massive amount of margin for them.

 

[nj1266]

i must say i find your statements contradictory.

personally i dont see them as "giving" 64 for the price of 32 but rather selling you the 16 for the price of a 32.

i think the market leader should not have to play these kinds of games. with ota updates, pictures taking up more space and all kinds of apps for everything available i find the 16 for an ipad is criminally small space.

You have options. You can buy the 64 gig at the same price as the 32 gigs. Two years ago I bought the 32 gig iPhone 5 for 750$. This month I bought the 64 gig iPhone 6 for $750. Please explain to me how Apple is screwing me over? They are giving the 64 gig for the price of the 32 gig!!!

 

[Ted13]

When is going on sale in Apple Stores

When is it going on sale in brick and mortar Apple Stores? I saw the "shipping next week", but that pertains to on-line orders. Apple Stores will have a definite date one would think?

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Yes, why is it that the iPad Air 2 has the exact same camera as the iPhone 6+ yet it doesn't protrude on the iPad Air 2?

Could it be that the camera on the iPhones is better in some way that requires it to be thicker?

Because it isn't the same camera, it is the 5S unit.

 

[Iphonedai]

Thinner, lighter, faster. Yea i know it looks the same, but it is time to stop dreaming about a revolutionary change at this point. An Ipad is an ipad and spec changes is good enough for me! Upgrading my air to air 2 this xmas

 

[Chundles]

Because it isn't the same camera, it is the 5S unit.

The rear camera has a maximum aperture of f2.4 - this means it's the unit from the 5/5C with some of the tweaks from the new ISP in the A8.

The previous iPads have used variants on the iPhone 4 5MP camera with software improvements available from the processor.

 

[dopeman]

Somehow when Steve was around the new product introductions had a better... punch. Perhaps it is just a coincidence, but given the other brands, this, other than the apple brans is rapidly losing the appeal. Price will most likely have to be lowered to compete. Soon.

somehow...it might turn out that way...and apple might end up in desperation mode.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

The rear camera has a maximum aperture of f2.4 - this means it's the unit from the 5/5C with some of the tweaks from the new ISP in the A8.

The previous iPads have used variants on the iPhone 4 5MP camera with software improvements available from the processor.

Oops, yes you are absolutely correct. Makes the point even more solid. This is why the camera doesn't protrude.

 

[Sissyboy]

That's what I'm wondering too. I don't like the tap/touch feel of my wife's Air,

It is a bit strange at first, but nice when you get used to it.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

I know quite a few too. But slowly RAM at the lower end (16 Gb and 32 Gb) is becoming so cheap that I'm questioning Apple's motives on this. Even an increase to 32;64;128 tiering would still generate a massive amount of margin for them.

Institutional sales. Education, Enterprise, Medical, etc. These are all 16GB machines that are single purpose devices that roll out with profiles that only allow the installation and use of a single specific app or single suite of apps. Apple sells millions and millions of these every year. That alone justifies its existence. Add to that the fact that they do in fact sell tons of these to the average consumer, and it almost becomes more of a question as to why the 128GB exists rather than the other way around...but of course the answer to that one is easier

 

[VaDor]

What is missing for me is multi-user in IOS for iPad!

I share my iPad with my girlfriend and we both use common applications like messages, instagram, mail, safari etc... it would be nice if we could set up a profile for each one of us...

While I know this is IOS related it would impact more the iPad usability than the "new" weight or camera or whatever... at least for me

 

[CarpalMac]

What's the point in rolling your eyes?
And yes, I am using the iPad cam all the time. It's great to have a big screen for videos.
If that looks stupid to you, you maybe are too old fashioned?

Yes it does look stupid, nothing old fashioned about thinking that. More importantly though, it blocks the view for others stood behind whilst users are holding up their slablets, as I have experienced on several occasions.

So yes, I roll my eyes. It is a pain and annoying. Want a photo? Carry a camera or use your phone. Presumably if you have your tablet on you, you have at least one of the other and the quality will be better.

 

[donnaw]

Yes it does look stupid, nothing old fashioned about thinking that. More importantly though, it blocks the view for others stood behind whilst users are holding up their slablets, as I have experienced on several occasions.

So yes, I roll my eyes. It is a pain and annoying. Want a photo? Carry a camera or use your phone. Presumably if you have your tablet on you, you have at least one of the other and the quality will be better.

To be honest, I find people who use those huge cameras with gigantic lenses attached just as annoying.

But I've been to a lot of recitals/school plays etc for my grandkids over the last few years. I find that most people wanting pictures actually stand in back or on the sides. Have done it myself. Maybe people are just a bit more polite here than where you are.

 

[abl978]

Disappointed that the mini updates were so minimal; was really looking forward to upgrading from my 3rd gen. Guess I'll check out the iPad Air 2 when it's in stores and see if it's something I'll want.

 

[Lictor]

I'm a photographer for 30 years. Flashes are really for desperation times only since not even on my Canon G16, my lowest end real camera, it doesn't really look that good.

Well, it's great to still have things to learn after 30 years of practice... A few concepts to investigate about the use of camera flash :

• The real purpose of a flash is not for desperation times, but to be used when you want to be in control of the lighting and the contrasts in the scene
• Fill-in flash in daylight, it's easier to add contrast after the fact than to remove it and it's a way to extend the dynamic range you can capture
• Fill-in flash in low-light situation, the flash lets you balance the exposure of your main subject and of background
• Triggering studio flashes - yep, you can actually use studio flashes with your iPhone even if it's not the most practical thing in the world
• freezing high speed actions (such as water drops), but I'm afraid the LED "flash" on the iDevices is not good for that

Now, the main problem with photography on the iPad is not the lack of flash, it's just the fact that it's a tablet which is about the worst form factor you can think of...