What do you mean? The iPad 2 is discontinued and still getting iOS 8 today. And if that is the case, they would cut off the iPad mini (non-Retina) since it has the same innards.
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iPad is the iPad Air 2 by far the most Complete iPad even for some years to come ?
- Thread starter augustya
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What do you mean? The iPad 2 is discontinued and still getting iOS 8 today. And if that is the case, they would cut off the iPad mini (non-Retina) since it has the same innards.
It's still getting those updates because they were still selling them in large volumes to big institutions until very recently. I suspect the Mini is just coming along for the ride. It also helps that Apple has, just recently, seemed to decide that the way to prop up iPad sales is to offer them at as many price points as possible.
Still, the reason the iPad 2 held on for so long is because of those institutional sales. What you see for support today is a result of that legacy. Specifically extending the life of products like this.
I was a little worried when a couple of guys here said that Perhaps the iPad Air 3 next will have a design change just like what iPhone 6 got. Though I strongly suspect that would happen because with iPhone 6 Apple was going to a different size so it had some room to do that. But with iPad Air 3 if they dont change the size from 9.7 Inch, I wonder of there is any chance for them to change the body of the iPad-3 as they did for iPhone 6
Also the other concern is if the coming iOS Version mostly the Multitasking windows, Split-Screen etc...would they go on to work smoothly on the iPad Air 2 if this iOS (iOS-9) is released next year.
I also meant from a Design Point of View not just the Hardware and Software or iOS
What on earth are they designing if not hardware and software or iOS?
If you're thinking the Air 2 is some kind of archetype for iPads to come then.. Why is it just a warmed over Air? Thinner sure but cosmetically identical in other respects. It's more likely that the next iPad will refresh the design tbh.
With design I mean like real design, shape, structure as iPhone 6 got. It looks difficult for iPad Air to get a design overhaul unless Apple decides to change the 9.7 Inch size ! I mean what can Possibly change ? more thinner ? But not like from looking like a Pad to a Horizontal looking letterbox or something I don't know but with 9.7 Inch what permutation and combination interns of design will Apple do ??
I don't know about thinner but obviously the physical design could and will change. The air 2 carries over the same design language as the Air which itself was just a scaled up mini - it's getting old now and is bound to get a refresh soon. Sure the screen size won't change but then that hasn't changed since the iPad 1 - what does that prove? There may not be an Air 3 at all - perhaps next is the iPad X or the iPad Pro or iPad: The Next Generation but if you think that nothing's going to change from here on in then I'm afraid you haven't really been paying attention.
Whatever comes next, in less than a year, Air 2 owners will be looking at in the same way that Air owners look at the Air 2 now, or that iPad 4 owners looked at the Air this time last year. It's natural. There is no standing still in this market and Apple will leave the Air 2 behind next year (or maybe sooner if the Pro rumours are true) and move on to something that pretty much blows it away. You're better off accepting that before you part with your cash.
What needs to change design wise? More than likely it will be a further refinement of the existing design - thinner, probably a change to the iPhone 6 shape - which will be nice because it gets rid of the sharp chamfer and makes the entire device feel like one continuous piece of material. Possibly some further slimming of the bezels, but I doubt we will see that next.
Hopefully, they don't try anything too radical because the iPad form factor is just about perfect in my opinion. Massive changes to very good design more often than not get it wrong.
I think you have got yourself too much bombarded with a lot of hear say, visiting a lot of sites out there and hence you are lost in pool of rumours and so don't know what is what ?? Hence you are making these Weird statements ! Please don't mix iPad Pro and iPad Air 3 as one thing irrespective of iPad Pro comes out or not there will be an iPad 3 and I am not talking about iPad Pro where as you seem to be giving references of iPad Pro for design change ! Wake Up ! Two different things !!
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And that is why I am saying and I strongly feel if they are not changing the screen size they cannot and they will not change the design massively ! They have already reached the optimum in the iPad design, what else could it be to it ? Maybe a diferent technology screen like OLED or IGZO but nothing in terms of design !!
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It's got to be a design change like the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, with their new design language of rounded edge glass (like iWatch too). And it seems odd as someone said on these forums that it seems like Apple decided to prop up sales of their iPads by selling so many combinations and generations. But who knows...they may be just getting rid of excess glass inventory of the old glass design by selling so many iPads with this 2013 shape, so that they can unveil something new next year?
I think you are still fine with the 3. The demands on tablets hasn't really changed since then and whatever problems they faced in 2012 for the most part still exist. Aside from SOC improvements how else have tablets changed? From an end user standpoint not a whole lot. Weight and size is about all I can think of.
If your uses are light as you suggest, and your iPad 3 currently does the job; then I do not see a need to upgrade. Keep using your iPad 3 lightly for another year or two; let it run to the ground; and then decide what's out there. Now, all of this assumes you do not upgrade iOS which is a surefire way for Apple to slow your system down and push an upgrade.
But if you have someone else paying your bills, or feel that irresistible urge to hand Apple your money
; then well there is no point in asking the question!is the iPad Air 2 by far the most Complete iPad even for some years to come ?
Look, I'm really trying to save you some heartache here so listen carefully; the Air 2 will be replaced in less than a year. The entire Air line of iPads may well be replaced, and I'm not talking about the iPad Pro (that name was just one I picked out of nowhere) or any other rumours, I'm just talking basic common sense. Apple are not just going to sit back and leave the Air 2 standing as some kind of "pinnacle" or "epitome" of iPad design, they will simply release a better one and consign it to history. The Air design replaced the original iPad line; something else will replace the Air sooner or later, they won't just sell minor variations on the Air 2 forevermore to keep you happy.
By all means buy an Air 2. It's a fantastic iPad. It's the best iPad yet (those words that someone up on stage in Cupertino says *every year* about *every ipad*). But please buy it in the sure and certain knowledge that in a years time it won't be the best anymore, and a little part of you will be hankering after the next model - because that is how life works I'm afraid.
Look, I'm really trying to save you some heartache here so listen carefully; the Air 2 will be replaced in less than a year. The entire Air line of iPads may well be replaced, and I'm not talking about the iPad Pro (that name was just one I picked out of nowhere) or any other rumours, I'm just talking basic common sense. Apple are not just going to sit back and leave the Air 2 standing as some kind of "pinnacle" or "epitome" of iPad design, they will simply release a better one and consign it to history. The Air design replaced the original iPad line; something else will replace the Air sooner or later, they won't just sell minor variations on the Air 2 forevermore to keep you happy.
By all means buy an Air 2. It's a fantastic iPad. It's the best iPad yet (those words that someone up on stage in Cupertino says *every year* about *every ipad*). But please buy it in the sure and certain knowledge that in a years time it won't be the best anymore, and a little part of you will be hankering after the next model - because that is how life works I'm afraid.