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

[MyopicPaideia]

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

Yeah, I agree, but it will never happen. It isn't Apple's business model. iDevices are always going to be pushed as "personal" devices, multiple accounts on the same device will never be supported in the conventional way a desktop does it. Instead they are going to have things like family sharing and being able to use different AppleID's simultaneously on the same device for iTunes, iMessage and iCloud.

Since the Android business model wants to create as many user profiles as possible rather than sell as many devices as possible (Apples business model), they have had this support for a couple of years now.

 

[sofila]

Most underwhelming iPad mini update ever.

it is the 2nd update ...one shot one kill ...

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The reason Apple doesn't achieve anything is because it hates spending money.

I don't like many things about Apple, but for sure they achieve everything because people love to spend money for them

 

[Deedlez]

The UK Apple website says the iPad Air 2 is "Available to order online on 17 October".

It's now 10:20 in the UK on 17 October.

Please take my order Mr Apple!

 

[Macist]

What happens when the screen breaks? Is it a much more pricey repair because the screen is integrated?

My Air once cracked as a complete mystery and once after a 5" fall in a Smart Case and is clearly much more fragile than previous models. So all this thin, thin thin concerns me.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

The UK Apple website says the iPad Air 2 is "Available to order online on 17 October".

It's now 10:20 in the UK on 17 October.

Please take my order Mr Apple!

I got up at 5:30 AM, Eastern, (same time as everyday), which means it's 2:30 AM in CA... why won't they take my mone-I mean, order-yet?

Now I'm pretty pissed/stressed, because I need this to arrive within the next 5 weeks as a birthday present, and given all the problems Apple is having actually getting the 6+ into people's hands, I expect they'll probably take a few weeks with this, too, especially if I'm not amongst the first to preorder.

 

[teslo]

they target photographers because their photo apps sell more. but to video enthusiasts, this is exciting. with last year's model, some shots were good enough to consider using for more than location scouting or video mood boards (like in your final product).. now it's an even closer step to that. anyone here heard of the podcaster?? with accessories like lenses and directional mics (and on-the-spot software editting?!), this thing is a compelling piece of hardware. it'll be a bigger success than people think because a lot of folks were interested in the air last year who didn't buy, so now they will. you can add me to that list

and are people familiar with the presently available ultrakam pro? 2K video capture. for your iphone 5 and up, too. yesss

edit: looks like they have a newer 4k version as well. ya feeling me?

 

[teslo]

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.

samsung has money to spend on being the first to put out gimmicky features because they SKIPPED spending money on the R&D for their lines of phones in 2007. they let other companies do that for them. you realize how much that saved them? not that it matters. when apple takes one of their 2 year old features and implement it, they make it a true success. i'm not even knocking their current phones, cause they're nice, clearly. but to pretend they have some insane new phone each year that's nothing like their last, well, that's a simple falsity.

 

[Keirasplace]

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...

Anyway, flash is used when you have no other solution to get a good shot otherwise, don't have the time or ability to improve your situation, or if you have total control of the situation (studio).

I dislike the look of flash photos in non studio situations, even with expensive equipment. The quality of flash setups on smart phones and lower end compacts (even those of $600) is pretty dismal.

My most frequent use outdoor (not a thing I do that often) fill in on high contrast scene. Subject in darkness not that close to the camera while the background is bathed in light. But, I don't see a small underpowered flash on a small device being able to really get something good out of this.

Taking photos on the dance floor, boxing matches, hockey matches and the like would be another decent use I agree; But I would still prefer the much more dramatic lighting in place on premise; I position the subject, or myself so they are lighted properly.

Obviously, If I'm shooting something instantaneously like say the Robert Kennedy assassination, I'm using the flash (but not an Ipad...). The photos of those kind of even are rarely good esthetically but that's not the point of them.

 

[centauratlas]

So, two questions here:
1. Is it confirmed 2GB of RAM?
2. On sale tomorrow (Oct 17), is this another midnight CA time again?

It wasn't at midnight CA time. ;-)

 

[Nozuka]

should be available to order soon. this just happened:

 

[Count Blah]

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?

The issue is that 99% of the people who take video/pics with their iPad have ZERO concern for other people. I have been at aquariums where people with iPads park themselves at the front of a tank, hold their ipad up with FULL brightness(it's usually dimly lit for a reason), and block everyone out for a full 5 minutes.

At school events, the ipads go up over their heads, blocking out EVERYONE behind them for a good portion of the show. The same with kids sporting events.

If you are the 1% of the ipad users who don't do this , them I'm sorry for lumping you in. But iPad video/camera users are the worst.

 

[Maxime]

LOL @ the $100 premium to get the TouchID on the iPad mini.

Really ? ROFL

 

[teslo]

The issue is that 99% of the people who take video/pics with their iPad have ZERO concern for other people. I have been at aquariums where people with iPads park themselves at the front of a tank, hold their ipad up with FULL brightness(it's usually dimly lit for a reason), and block everyone out for a full 5 minutes.

At school events, the ipads go up over their heads, blocking out EVERYONE behind them for a good portion of the show. The same with kids sporting events.

If you are the 1% of the ipad users who don't do this , them I'm sorry for lumping you in. But iPad video/camera users are the worst.

well there's you're problem, you're of the age where you go to school field trips to the aquarium. outside of HS, people with ipads aren't obsessed with the novelty of owning one and using it everywhere so others can see it. i'd say 1% of ipad users annoy others. your 99% is bass-ackwards.

 

[numlock]

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!!!

do you not expect any natural progression? this is in a sector where things are moving at an incredible speed and you are stuck in last year.

hey why not take it a step further and say with the new 128 gig ipad that they are giving you twice the capacity, considerably better screen, much faster processor and quadruple the ram for the price of the 64 gig original ipad!!!

i sincerely hope that you are more aware of your surroundings when you are negotiating your salary.

 

[Count Blah]

well there's you're problem, you're of the age where you go to school field trips to the aquarium. outside of HS, people with ipads aren't obsessed with the novelty of owning one and using it everywhere so others can see it. i'd say 1% of ipad users annoy others. your 99% is bass-ackwards.

It's the parents doing this. And I am talking about the camera, not regular usage.

 

[teslo]

It's the parents doing this. And I am talking about the camera, not regular usage.

right on that's what i meant too, maybe it's your town? i live in a major city of millions, been to countless shows and events and i've only ever seen people respectfully using their ipad off in a corner or making sure it doesn't block anyone. the picture you linked may be the most sensational pic of that type of thing i've ever seen.

 

[Lictor]

The issue is that 99% of the people who take video/pics with their iPad have ZERO concern for other people.

It's a general concern with photography and technology at large actually...
You have the same problem with people using flash where it's forbiden or during theater shows. You have the same problem with people keeping that obnixious beep sound in quiet contextes. Or the same problem with people who can not be bothered to mute their phones during a theater play.

 

[teslo]

Is it bending ???

Is this stupid BS meme over yet ???

 

[jephrey]

The big question is, "Does it bend in your pocket?"

 

[Dreamer2go]

The big question is, "Does it bend in your pocket?"

Can you even put the iPad in the pocket?

Gosh.... can you guys stop it with the bendgate? Really blown out of proportion already....

 

[rajat8676]

Everytime I feel that Apple can't do anything more with iPad, it does come out with substantial improvements to keep the surprise element and interest going.

 

[Tech198]

First, we see an Air...

"Its so thin, its lighter than Air"

and now we see "iPad Air 2 so ultra-thin, you cannot see it"

Where did it go ??

Its only a design change, not a Retina change.... Thus is what i mean by, "you cannot do more changes to an iPad since it's finished"

The rest are just minor improvements, and eliminating the rough stuff.

 

[RockSpider]

samsung has money to spend on being the first to put out gimmicky features because they SKIPPED spending money on the R&D for their lines of phones in 2007. they let other companies do that for them. you realize how much that saved them? not that it matters. when apple takes one of their 2 year old features and implement it, they make it a true success. i'm not even knocking their current phones, cause they're nice, clearly. but to pretend they have some insane new phone each year that's nothing like their last, well, that's a simple falsity.

I'm no Samsung lover, merely pointing out the facts. Apple has one of the lowest spending on R&D.
LG Prada.

 

[apolloa]

I wonder how many hours of extra battery life this would have if they kept it the same thickness as last years model with the same battery? Form over function for Ive I guess? Apple has to have those specs bragging rights I guess?

Anyway, about time they had a fused screen, shame they ditched the mute switch cause it's too thin. Wonder what GPU it has in it, and if it has 2gb RAM?

 

[s2mikey]

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...

Great post. Especially the last line about the ipad form factor being dodgy. I've tried to some pics with mine and...well..... It's just not its strong point. The other problem is that most cases end up betting in the way which makes photography even more awkward.