All iPads iPad Air 2 - The dullest iPad Launch ever?

[crashoverride77]

I completely agree with the criticism expressed in this thread. The device has not evolved, just boosted in specs with an occasional design tweak.

They really need to put some time into expanding iOS for the iPad. 5 years later, we should have more than a large version of the iPhone. I'd go as far as saying that they've put more effort into making iOS better for the iPhone 6+'s large screen than they have for the iPad. Why can the iPhone 6 have more rows of icons than an iPad? Why does the iPhone 6+ get a great new landscape mode for it's home screen and the iPad doesn't? Why are so many element of iOS still sized for an iPhone (drop down lists, passcode buttons, etc...)

The iPad has so much more potential than just being a handheld web browser/casual gaming device, if only Apple would devote some resources to it.

You must be joking? Have you ever used an iPad. Omg why be on this forum criticising when even my mother knows that the iPad has a home screen that can be used in landscape since 2010, when iPad was launched. That's how most people use an iPad in LANDSCAPE, if you didn't know that I just don't know what to tell you. Pretty much all apps and UI elements have been SPECIALISED for iPad, also since forever
Also Microsoft tried to target the non casual audience and doesn't seem to be going to well for them.

 

[chupachup]

You must be joking? Have you ever used an iPad. Omg why be on this forum criticising when even my mother knows that the iPad has a home screen that can be used in landscape since 2010, when iPad was launched. That's how most people use an iPad, in LANDSCAPE. Most apps have also been SPECIALISED for iPad, also since ever
Also Microsoft tried to target the non casual audience and doesn't seem to be going to well for them.

Relax. Everyone knows. Don't feed the zombies.

 

[DaCurmudgen]

There is nothing wrong with wanting more.

I like the iPad, never had any issue, other than Safari crashes all the time now on any heavy web page.

I just look at my iPad1. Look at the iPad Air in the store, and sigh, that after 5 years it's the same dam thing.

Nothing fundamentally is any different

Hell even it is have nice stereo front facing speakers I'd jump for joy as it's a real change and I'd buy one, but I'd buy an air now, and feel I've just got the same thing really

I think Apple has been focusing on maximizing profits with every product is makes, while looking at ways to expand adoption of the category, if it happens to be a new one, like tablets. More users means more potential customers to pay an ongoing premium to own Apple products in that category.

There are two huge difference between the iPad1 and Air, and that is weight and resolution. When I first held the original iPad, I thought it weighed a ton and couldn't imagine using it to read books or watch movies for an extended period. A lot of people who bought one said something similar -- a bit awkward to bring everywhere and use. Once the iPad 3 was released, it was also evident that the retina display made book reading and movie watching even better than the original iPad.

5 years after the iPad launch and now it is much more normal to see people carrying around these devices because they are really conveniently portable. The Air and mini are definitely one of the best for that. I never liked the phablet notion, but I do see why Apple chose to fill that demand - if you are going to carry only device, it should also be a phone.

I do think you're right in that if there was some amazing stuff to reveal, we would have seen some leak by now. Given my premise above, I think TouchID and the potential for Apple Pay and HealthKit makes these devices even easier to carry around with you and use for activities like buying other things or monitoring your health. Add the Apple Watch, and I think you can see where they want to innovate.

 

[Charliebird]

I have a couple radical ideas.

Apple boast the storage on all models of the iPad lineup. Start at 32 GB or even more radically 64 GB and go from there.

Now here's my completely crazy idea. Drop the price of the whole iPad lineup. Maybe start at $299 for the rMini 2 and $399 for the iPad Air 2.

 

[chupachup]

I think Apple has been focusing on maximizing profits with every product is makes, while looking at ways to expand adoption of the category, if it happens to be a new one, like tablets. More users means more potential customers to pay an ongoing premium to own Apple products in that category.

There are two huge difference between the iPad1 and Air, and that is weight and resolution. When I first held the original iPad, I thought it weighed a ton and couldn't imagine using it to read books or watch movies for an extended period. A lot of people who bought one said something similar -- a bit awkward to bring everywhere and use. Once the iPad 3 was released, it was also evident that the retina display made book reading and movie watching even better than the original iPad.

5 years after the iPad launch and now it is much more normal to see people carrying around these devices because they are really conveniently portable. The Air and mini are definitely one of the best for that. I never liked the phablet notion, but I do see why Apple chose to fill that demand - if you are going to carry only device, it should also be a phone.

I do think you're right in that if there was some amazing stuff to reveal, we would have seen some leak by now. Given my premise above, I think TouchID and the potential for Apple Pay and HealthKit makes these devices even easier to carry around with you and use for activities like buying other things or monitoring your health. Add the Apple Watch, and I think you can see where they want to innovate.

Did you think the apple watch was amazing? Because we didn't really see any leaks of that either.

 

[DaCurmudgen]

Did you think the apple watch was amazing? Because we didn't really see any leaks of that either.

I didn't really think the Apple Watch was amazing -- it too will need to evolve into a thinner, likely lighter version, but the health sensors might be enough to drive larger scale adoption. We've also been hearing about it for years, so not sure I was supposed to be amazed. Lastly, unless I'm mistaken, it really isn't in production, so leaked parts aren't available yet.

The iPad Air and rMini need to be in production for an October announcement and, at the latest, November availability. http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/ipad-air-2-what-we-want-to-see-1209884

 

[Rodster]

Did you think the apple watch was amazing? Because we didn't really see any leaks of that either.

I don't it's amazing either as there are so many choices for health based portable electronics which Samsung and Motorola have introduced. Pricing and restrictions are big questions for the Apple Watch.

 

[Piggie]

It's easy to keep things under wraps when you are paying a select few companies to make things in tiny numbers for a early showing.

iPad Air2 I would imagine has to either be in full production now, or very close to gearing up for full production.

If there is anything different we should see something any day now I'd guess.

If it's the same case, same screen, virtually same internals other than the touch ID and we know what that looks like, and the circuit board has an A8 chip instead of an A7, there is not going to be much to actually show

If there was a BIGGER model or redesign I'd expect to see a new case any moment.

 

[yep-sure]

You must be joking? Have you ever used an iPad. Omg why be on this forum criticising when even my mother knows that the iPad has a home screen that can be used in landscape since 2010, when iPad was launched. That's how most people use an iPad in LANDSCAPE, if you didn't know that I just don't know what to tell you. Pretty much all apps and UI elements have been SPECIALISED for iPad, also since forever
Also Microsoft tried to target the non casual audience and doesn't seem to be going to well for them.

Read my post again. I said NEW landscape mode.

They've tweaked iOS 8 to make it easier to use in landscape mode for the iPhone, and on the iPad it's stayed the same.

I would very much like the dock on the right when in landscape on my iPad. I would very much like to have UI elements like menu items, etc.., designed and sized for the iPad's larger screen.

 

[thedeejay]

Anybody think they'll get Retina HD Display?

 

[Piggie]

I mean, come on.

I think we can all see from this image and understand.

http://static.trustedreviews.com/94/00002c027/d1fd_orh350w620/ipad-air-gallery1-2013.jpg

Is that REALLY the most use Apple can make out of an almost 10" screen with an amazing 2048x1536 resolution.

Really? Is that the Best one of the worlds best designers can come up with?

Come on Jony, you MUST be able to think of something that uses the great screen in a more useful and productive way for the best tablet in the world for 2015 than that that sad example above.

PLEASE!

 

[crashoverride77]

Read my post again. I said NEW landscape mode.

They've tweaked iOS 8 to make it easier to use in landscape mode for the iPhone, and on the iPad it's stayed the same.

I would very much like the dock on the right when in landscape on my iPad. I would very much like to have UI elements like menu items, etc.., designed and sized for the iPad's larger screen.

What new landscape mode, so that the bottom icons are on the right? What is easier in landscape mode on the new iPhone that the iPad doesn't have, I'm curious.
Ipad menus are optimised for iPad, I mean do you want them bigger? State some examples at least.

 

[JonMPLS]

It is kind of odd-no leaked case photos, parts, etc (at least that I have seen).

 

[Noble Actual]

It is kind of odd-no leaked case photos, parts, etc (at least that I have seen).

Most likely because the design hasn't changed/not enough interest.

 

[JonMPLS]

Most likely because the design hasn't changed/not enough interest.

I actually hope you are right. I have so many cases I hope the update is internal!

 

[satchmo]

I realize Jobs was not a fan of a stylus, but perhaps Cook might.
Adding a digitizer to an iPad would disrupt the entire drawing tablet market. Wacom would feel it the most...followed by the Surface.

Other than that, it'll have touch ID, be faster and slimmer.

 

[mafaky]

There's a few more things coming I think such as:

-Improved anti-reflection coating on the screen
-Laminated Screen
-Thinner profile
-Possible 2GB Ram on iPad Air
-Split screen mode on iPad Air
-haptic screen technology (just kidding)

https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipad/

Assuming that the A8 chip will be used in the forthcoming iPad Air 2, how cam we expect to have 2GB of RAM (and consequently the multitasking aka split screen feature), as the A8 SoC has only 1GB of built-in RAM? Additional RAM module on the mainboard? Not likely, even technically feasible at all???

 

[Charliebird]

Assuming that the A8 chip will be used in the forthcoming iPad Air 2, how cam we expect to have 2GB of RAM (and consequently the multitasking aka split screen feature), as the A8 SoC has only 1GB of built-in RAM? Additional RAM module on the mainboard? Not likely, even technically feasible at all???

Remember the iPad Air uses a slightly different design and the ram isn't on the chip. Also on the A8 the ram isn't built into the chip it's on top of it.

 

[Tyrannosaurs]

I realize Jobs was not a fan of a stylus, but perhaps Cook might.
Adding a digitizer to an iPad would disrupt the entire drawing tablet market. Wacom would feel it the most...followed by the Surface.

Other than that, it'll have touch ID, be faster and slimmer.

I don't think Apple have a problem with the idea of a stylus as an option for people who want to draw, the issue was with having one as a necessary part of the experience.

I don't think we'll see it this year (I think there would have been signs in iOS8 to allow developers to take advantage of it which would have been picked up on) but I do think it would be a decent enhancement to the iPad and something which will happen eventually.

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Assuming that the A8 chip will be used in the forthcoming iPad Air 2, how cam we expect to have 2GB of RAM (and consequently the multitasking aka split screen feature), as the A8 SoC has only 1GB of built-in RAM? Additional RAM module on the mainboard? Not likely, even technically feasible at all???

Worth noting that the A7 in the iPad Air isn't the same as the A7 in the iPhone 5S (the iPad Air one is faster), so a variant A8 for the iPad Air 2 isn't impossible.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A7

Personally I don't think the Air will have 2Gb RAM if the iPhone 6 doesn't but it's not impossible.

 

[Hello...]

I think we are gonna see an iPad Pro. I think that's the big news. Not sure if the air would get 2GB ram, if I were a betting man I would be leaning slighting towards no, maybe 60/40.

I also think there won't be a new iPad Mini this year.

Let's see who's right!

I have to agree with seeing the iPad Pro, think it might show its head with a 2015 launch.

 

[Tyrannosaurs]

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[dumastudetto]

I'm very excited about the next media event in October. I'm very sure Apple will not disappoint us with incredible new technologies and experiences in the product refresh.

I think every new iPad refresh has brought something new to the tablet experience, and nobody should have any reason to expect they will be disappointed this time around. Maybe not everyone will upgrade this year if they bought iPad Air or iPad Mini Retina (I definitely will), but there's a lot of people who will be in the market for upgrades this year.

I expect Touch ID will be just the start when it comes to new features in the iPad family of products.

Let's wait and see and stay positive!

 

[meechy]

The design and size won't change i guess hence no leaks of anything. It'll be all internal upgrades and touch id.

 

[Souli]

I'm just crossing my fingers for touch ID since I'm using last pass and finally being able to input my login details directly into safari is so huge. I got a Windows 8 Tablet today but it doesn't feel right. It wants to do too many things at once and so nothing really works great. So I'll wait for the new Ipad and pray for Touch ID

 

[DarthTater]

I may be wrong (and it wouldn't surprise me), but Apple is probably wary of cannibalizing notebook sales with tablets. So they'll only go so far with iPads. A lot of what we ask for (split screen, multitasking, etc.) starts to impinge on notebook territory.

I could be totally full of hot air, though. And it wouldn't be the first time. But I expect that whatever gets announced will probably be incremental - A8/M8, fingerprints, maybe resolution.