Live Coverage of Apple's iPad 3 Media Event

[myurkus]

Last year, the media and public alike were expecting an iPhone 5, thus were vocally disappointed when they only announced the iPhone 4S.

I think this is the exact same scenario: They did not change it enough to warrant an "iPad 3" moniker, but instead of labeling it "iPad 2S" thus garnering as much criticism as last year, they decided to simply label it "iPad." Brilliant move, since I so far do not hear any complaints; however, aside from the name, that is exactly what happened: i.e. the iPad 3 rumors were all incorrect/hopeful speculation. Confusion over versions may be rampant in the coming years, but if they called it iPad 2[ANYTHING], regardless of the features, the criticism would have been relentless. Bravo!

That said, I am glad to hear that the 4G-LTE [necessary for the higher resolution] and especially the resolution rumours were true.

Think about it, my large Plasma (and everyone eles's HDTV) is 1080P (1920x1080), which is less than the a tablet! That is amazing! The thing will actually have to downsize Blu-Ray quality 1080P-resolution videos!

Actually I am more disappointed that iOS 5.1 and iTunes 10.6 seem to be inconsequential. (I guess we will see if the performance improvements are noticeable. (I am typing this to kill time as I update my phone to iOS 5.1...))

MikeY

 

[Adam-Jobs]

keeps giving me an error when i click process order... god this is frustrating

 

[attalus]

The Swiss store is back online since 00:55 and my order just went through and shows up in my account

The Swiss store was online briefly from 20:45 - 20:55 right after the keynote with page load times of around 5 minutes. After that it was offline for 4 hours.

It took more than 10 attempts to get the order through, including having to reload the last checkout page and even the processing page to finally get to the order confirmation page.

What might have helped is that during the successful order, only the iPad itself was selected with no extras whatsoever (the attempts before all included extras).

 

[Adam-Jobs]

tried at least 15times to "place order", went to the processing screen and then gave me an error. finally placed the order though!

 

[blow45]

Agreed with the capacities, Apple was once a capacity leader and now they have fallen, at least the androids have expandable space. At least add that if they dont want to add space.

Exactly. they are afraid iPad will cannibalize either the air, or the iPods, but to offer it at 16gb capacity like the iPod nano and cap it at 64gb max is just spitting on the customer, 3 years of 16gb as a starting model, from the world's largest purchaser of flash who can get them cheaper than anyone, and then they tell. You you can get textbooks and edit videos? 3 textbooks at 2gbs average size a couple of movies and you are done on your iPod nano capacity iPad. And the only reason they can do this is because they have the competitive advantage with the retina, but giving the user something great, and the retina is great, doesn't mean you have to eff them royally with something else such as storage and cripple the device...

I sure hope google gets their **** together and decide to enter the market not via Samsung but directly because apple and Jobs might deserve all the praise for introducing such a visionary device as the iPad, but Tim Cooks management apple needs a good competitive kick in the nuts to stop resting on laurels and compromising what the user can do because of their strong market position, and starts offering more...

 

[dave811]

tried at least 15times to "place order", went to the processing screen and then gave me an error. finally placed the order though!

Same here, tried 20 times and just went through! Good night!

 

[blow45]

Last year, the media and public alike were expecting an iPhone 5, thus were vocally disappointed when they only announced the iPhone 4S.

I think this is the exact same scenario: They did not change it enough to warrant an "iPad 3" moniker, but instead of labeling it "iPad 2S" thus garnering as much criticism as last year, they decided to simply label it "iPad." Brilliant move, since I so far do not hear any complaints; however, aside from the name, that is exactly what happened: i.e. the iPad 3 rumors were all incorrect/hopeful speculation. Confusion over versions may be rampant in the coming years, but if they called it iPad 2[ANYTHING], regardless of the features, the criticism would have been relentless. Bravo!

That said, I am glad to hear that the 4G-LTE [necessary for the higher resolution] and especially the resolution rumours were true.

Think about it, my large Plasma (and everyone eles's HDTV) is 1080P (1920x1080), which is less than the a tablet! That is amazing! The thing will actually have to downsize Blu-Ray quality 1080P-resolution videos!

Actually I am more disappointed that iOS 5.1 and iTunes 10.6 seem to be inconsequential. (I guess we will see if the performance improvements are noticeable. (I am typing this to kill time as I update my phone to iOS 5.1...))

MikeY

Mike you made a few errors, 4g-let cant be considered nessecary for the resolution, and you the iPad will upscale 1080p videos, otherwise a solid post.

 

[attalus]

The Swiss store is back online since 00:55 and my order just went through and shows up in my account

Update: Confirmation E-Mail arrived one hour later.

Delivery date for Switzerland is listed as March 19 - 21, in-store pickup was not available during checkout.

 

[Maschil]

I got one for my wife to help her get accustomed to iOS. She's a university instructor and teaches iMovie, most of the adobe suite, and other apps. Mark my words... one day she'll be teaching iPad apps. She needs to get started before she falls behind...

defiantly!!...

 

[2IS]

Ok, truth be told the weight isn't the big thing that bothers me, you got me there (I was just pointing out it is getting bigger rather than smaller). It's more the size. The fact that it won't fit in my pocket or in my purse means I have to carry something extra just to carry it around. And if I have to do that, I'd rather just take my laptop which dimension wise won't really require me use that much bigger of an item to carry it around. The extra weight is worth the much better functionality and full OS imho with full fledged programs rather than stuff compromised to be more mobile.

You want an ipad that fits in your pocket? That's called an iPhone.

 

[tigress666]

You want an ipad that fits in your pocket? That's called an iPhone.

No, I said I want an ipad that I can hold with one hand. Several Kindles fit that definition, they're not as small as a phone. THey have a bigger screen so easier to do stuff like read a book. The biggest hurdle here is it being light.

I also want an iPad that is significantly smaller than my laptop, enough that i can't just justify taking my laptop instead. The iPad really isn't that much smaller in dimension than my laptop (at least that makes it all that much easier to take around with me besides weight).

I already have an iPhone. It's great for reading books on the hold it with one hand. But I have to admit I'd want a bigger screen for reading books at least at home (but being able to use it with one hand is a big advantage over a paper book . Without that advantage I really don't see a huge advantage over a paper book. Because I can read it easier while eating, laying in bed, walking through the house... plus not having to try to keep it open like a paper book). And I don't just want a slightly bigger screen, I want it big enough that it probably won't fit in my purse well so no, I don't want them increasing the iphone's screen size. I'd rather have a separate device and keep my iphone super portable.

Basically I don't honestly have a big interest in a tablet. And to get me interested, you'd have to first make it good for ebook reading, cause for me that's the one main use I could see for a tablet that it would be better over a laptop or a smartphone. But for the price I do want extra functionality rather than the dedicated Kindles Amazon offers (and the Fire almost got it except it's too heavy, it's a heavy device for its size). It would be nice if it worked in the apple ecosystem both cause of choice of apps and because I already have an MBP and an iphone.

 

[AppleMark]

You want an ipad that fits in your pocket? That's called an iPhone.

No, I said I want an ipad that I can hold with one hand. Several Kindles fit that definition, they're not as small as a phone. THey have a bigger screen so easier to do stuff like read a book. The biggest hurdle here is it being light.

I also want an iPad that is significantly smaller than my laptop, enough that i can't just justify taking my laptop instead. The iPad really isn't that much smaller in dimension than my laptop (at least that makes it all that much easier to take around with me besides weight).

The iPad, is not an eReader. Clearly, you cannot compare a kindle to an iPad, if you could you would own a kindle and you would not be here posting about it?

I can naturally read text more easily on my iMac than my laptop, iPad, or iPhone. You are missing the point by a mile. I can also hold an iPad with one hand, so perhaps I am either exceptionally big or you are exceptionally small

I would like to have the functionality of my iMac in my pocket, hold it with one hand while eating a burger, but it is not going to happen.

It has nothing to do with product design, just simple physics... If you want a compromise get an 11" Air. But again, an Air is not an iPad.

The 11" Air is the reason Apple are stunting the development of the iPad IMO as they are very close in portability and a higher capacity iPad would eat into that product line.

Maybe you are holding out hope for a 7" version?

On the topic of the New iPad, I have seen nothing to make me want to run out and buy it to replace my 1st Generation iPad, in the same way iPad 2 did not. I think owning an iPhone 4s, makes the 'additional' features on the 'New' iPad less appealing or magical.

Which is a shame..., as I was hoping for a game changing device with at least more storage options.

Just saying..

 

[Abazigal]

Mine got through on the first try, though the website was lagging a little. Guess it helps I was doing it in the wee hours of the morning and most of my countrymen are still asleep.

 

[No5tromo]

I got one for my wife to help her get accustomed to iOS. She's a university instructor and teaches iMovie, most of the adobe suite, and other apps. Mark my words... one day she'll be teaching iPad apps. She needs to get started before she falls behind...

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Windows 8 is in the corner... which means better prices... and more compatibly between PCs. And in all honestly, Microsoft seems to have gotten it right this time. Mark my words... just like it happened with iPhones, Apple will not stay at the top for too long.
Apple is very conservative and clueless when it comes to dealing with competition threats. Patents of things they didn't necessarily invent and lawsuits is the extent of their answer to competition.

 

[greenmeanie]

Windows 8 is a frigging nightmare.
You're the first person I have seen praise it.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Windows 8 is in the corner... which means better prices... and more compatibly between PCs. And in all honestly, Microsoft seems to have gotten it right this time. Mark my words... just like it happened with iPhones, Apple will not stay at the top for too long.
Apple is very conservative and clueless when it comes to dealing with competition threats. Patents of things they didn't necessarily invent and lawsuits is the extent of their answer to competition.

 

[Leonard1818]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Windows 8 is in the corner... which means better prices... and more compatibly between PCs. And in all honestly, Microsoft seems to have gotten it right this time. Mark my words... just like it happened with iPhones, Apple will not stay at the top for too long.
Apple is very conservative and clueless when it comes to dealing with competition threats. Patents of things they didn't necessarily invent and lawsuits is the extent of their answer to competition.

I am pretty amp'd about windows 8 however Microsoft has NEVER been the preferred OS of CAD or Photo/video editing software.

I understand your point however your example falls short. Have you seen any fugures on iPhone sales lately? Any trends? iPhones are selling like hotcakes these days... Not to mention apple doesn't necessarily NEED to stand up to competition in a standard, traditional way because their whole business is not standard and traditional. Their customers are't "standard and traditional". How many other companies can outsell their previous product by adding one new, small feature to something (and therefore catching up to industry standard)? None. How many companies have DROVES of people waiting outside in horrible weather conditions in line for a chance to get their hands on a new piece of gadgetry?

Again, I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to look at everything from a different perspective.

p.s. in regards to windows 8 -- if you have the ability to check my ip address, you'll see I'm coming out of a speicific city that lies about 855 miles north of cupertino... just sayin

 

[BigDukeSix]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Windows 8 is in the corner... which means better prices... and more compatibly between PCs. And in all honestly, Microsoft seems to have gotten it right this time. Mark my words... just like it happened with iPhones, Apple will not stay at the top for too long.
Apple is very conservative and clueless when it comes to dealing with competition threats. Patents of things they didn't necessarily invent and lawsuits is the extent of their answer to competition.

Microsoft sucks and is evil.....enough said.

 

[Leonard1818]

Microsoft sucks and is evil.....enough said.

so intellectual and fact-based!

 

[2IS]

Windows 8 is a frigging nightmare.
You're the first person I have seen praise it.

You haven't looked hard enough.

 

[The Game 161]

Anybody got a link to the video of the event?

 

[tigress666]

The iPad, is not an eReader. Clearly, you cannot compare a kindle to an iPad, if you could you would own a kindle and you would not be here posting about it?

I can naturally read text more easily on my iMac than my laptop, iPad, or iPhone. You are missing the point by a mile. I can also hold an iPad with one hand, so perhaps I am either exceptionally big or you are exceptionally small

You are missing my point. Yes, I would mostly be using it as an e-reader. But I want the extra functionality and I would love to be able to use the apps I already have on my iphone or have access tot he large amount of apps the iPad has (I want extra functionality too, I just see my main use being as an e-reader). Plus it would integrate well with my other apple stuff (for example I actually do have a decent amount of ibooks now). The Kindle fire almost was what I was looking for but it's just too heavy (well that and the not working with the apple ecosystem but for what I want to use it for that's not a huge issue honestly. I could suck up not being able to read my ibooks on my kindle and just start buying kindle friendly books).

7" is not a bad form at all and there is people who could use it (after all, if there wasn't, would it be such a contreverisal topic here ?). I mean I want a glorified ebook reader, but I also know a pilot who doesn't want the ipad solely cause it won't fit in a way he can make it useful on his plane (but he wants one cause it does have some really good piloting apps that he could make use of). I don't see why you people are so against htem making a 7" ipad too. If you don't want it, here's a hint, don't buy it!

Actually, I kinda suspect I do know (being a Mac fan but knowing that you are at the whim of what apple decides you want). I'm betting there is this niggling fear that if those of us who want a 7" ipad get our way, that some how that will limit your choice of the bigger iPad cause Apple has been known not to like to offer a lot of choice. But you know, they didn't discontinue the ipod when they introduced the nano (yes they have now but I'd argue that is more cause of the ipod touch and iphone than cause of the nano, the nano also is fading away). They do sometimes actually add on options .

And yes, I am kind of small. And honestly, one of the things i like about my iphone as a book reader is I like to read in bed (usually on my back). And my arms tend to get tired trying to hold the book up in front of my face (and it's awkward to try to read it while resting the book on my chest). The iphone is light enough that isn't an issue and it's one of the big reasons I prefer it over a paper book now (that and easier to read while I have lunch/dinner/a snack). The iPad, not so much. And honestly, with my small hands and the weight, it would be awkward trying to hold it in one hand.

(But now I will be having a chance to change my mind... my mom is getting the new ipad and giving me her ipad 2 <- I said I don't want one but I won't refuse a free one . Just no way could I justify buying one right now but a 7" would have had me a lot more tempted. Apparently the new one is successful enough to get her to upgrade already).

 

[No5tromo]

I am pretty amp'd about windows 8 however Microsoft has NEVER been the preferred OS of CAD or Photo/video editing software.

I understand your point however your example falls short. Have you seen any fugures on iPhone sales lately? Any trends? iPhones are selling like hotcakes these days... Not to mention apple doesn't necessarily NEED to stand up to competition in a standard, traditional way because their whole business is not standard and traditional. Their customers are't "standard and traditional". How many other companies can outsell their previous product by adding one new, small feature to something (and therefore catching up to industry standard)? None. How many companies have DROVES of people waiting outside in horrible weather conditions in line for a chance to get their hands on a new piece of gadgetry?

Again, I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to look at everything from a different perspective.

I'm not saying that iPhones failed as devices, on the contrary they are the most successful mobile device at the moment, and they will probably remain very successful for a long time, however Apple's plans to make it the dominant mobile device failed when Android came along. Google, being a tidy less conservative, and open source friendly, enabled the creation of devices with a lot of the iPhone features minus the ridiculous prices. Apple NEVER makes products for clients that seek affordable solutions, they might offer older models at better prices but that's it, they are still expensive compared to their competition.

As for Apple having "non-traditional" customers, well, I know that we're going through the Apple fanboys frenzy era (which I find ridiculous) but come on, Apple products are as mainstream as they come, and a tad less "revolutionary" than they make them to be. Plus I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't know how many people throughout the years waited for the release of a non-Apple device like crazy but didn't end up camping outside a store (or they did but the world never got to know), the whole campning-outside-an-Apple-store thing is just a stupid late 00's trend that carries on, nothing more, it doesn't make Apple's products more than what they really are (which is good tech devices, but that's it, they didn't re-invent the wheel and the world of technology will be able to live on if Apple dies tomorrow). Also, the number of people that camp outside Apple stores to get a device on the release date, only make a small percentage of the people that actually buy their products. The majority of Apple's clients are much more "traditional" in reality.

P.S. I don't mean to sound as if I'm not giving credit to Apple for their contribution to technology but it seems pretty often that they are not able to tell the difference between inventing new technologies and putting existing technologies together in order to make a good product (and sometimes leaving important technologies out).

 

[Leonard1818]

I'm not saying that iPhones failed as devices, on the contrary they are the most successful mobile device at the moment, and they will probably remain very successful for a long time, however Apple's plans to make it the dominant mobile device failed when Android came along. Google, being a tidy less conservative, and open source friendly, enabled the creation of devices with a lot of the iPhone features minus the ridiculous prices. Apple NEVER makes products for clients that seek affordable solutions, they might offer older models at better prices but that's it, they are still expensive compared to their competition.

As for Apple having "non-traditional" customers, well, I know that we're going through the Apple fanboys frenzy era (which I find ridiculous) but come on, Apple products are as mainstream as they come, and a tad less "revolutionary" than they make them to be. Plus I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't know how many people throughout the years waited for the release of a non-Apple device like crazy but didn't end up camping outside a store (or they did but the world never got to know), the whole campning-outside-an-Apple-store thing is just a stupid late 00's trend that carries on, nothing more, it doesn't make Apple's products more than what they really are (which is good tech devices, but that's it, they didn't re-invent the wheel and the world of technology will be able to live on if Apple dies tomorrow). Also, the number of people that camp outside Apple stores to get a device on the release date, only make a small percentage of the people that actually buy their products. The majority of Apple's clients are much more "traditional" in reality.

P.S. I don't mean to sound as if I'm not giving credit to Apple for their contribution to technology but it seems pretty often that they are not able to tell the difference between inventing new technologies and putting existing technologies together in order to make a good product (and sometimes leaving important technologies out).

Hmmm, seems we have a lot of the same opinions on this stuff... care to have a discussion? Step over here. Would you like something to drink? I've got some delicious Kool-Aid if you're interested

I agree -- Apple is nowhere near innovative. I've always said that. But what they DO do (heh doo doo)... they do well. That is, take something that exists, refine it, then show people why they MUST have it (or better said: how it would fit into their lives). The average Joe didn't necessarily HAVE to have a smartphone in their lives but Apple took the smartphone, polished it, and showed people that they NEEDED it. Now I'm not saying that wouldn't have happened eventually anyway... just that Apple was the first-mover on that approach. It would have come, in time, with Android. No doubt.

The same can also be said about the iPad. I was a naysayer less than a year ago. "I just can't justify spending that much money on a device that I can't find a solid justifiable use for". I just pre-ordered an iPad 3 for my wife for her birthday. I have found MULTIPLE uses for it in her situation and I think it will be well worth the investment (if you dare) in the long run. Her and I are both in the tech industry ("Hi I'm a PC" ) and she uses mostly apple products because of what she teaches. That coupled with the statistic that iPads outsold PC's/laptops/whatever it was (the jist being that iPads are moving FAST) was enough justification that she needs to get on board or risk falling behind.

I digress...

Apple is very good at creating a buzz around their products. A lot of fandroids will see through this and will be critical but from a business perspective... samsung just *WISHES* they could create the same buzz. It's a business dream.

 

[No5tromo]

I was a naysayer less than a year ago. "I just can't justify spending that much money on a device that I can't find a solid justifiable use for".

You pretty much described where I am right now. I got a laptop, I got an iPhone... what more would an iPad offer me that justifies its price? I guess you could say it can replace netbooks to an extent, but I'd rather get a MacBook Air or another ultrabook as a netbook alternative if I were concerned about portability, and even though an iPad (or a MacBook Air) is in fact easier to carry around than a regular laptop, you just can't go anywhere carrying it with you (maybe it's easier for women to slip it in their purse, I don't know).

If I want to check my emails, take a look at the news or check something online, an iPhone will do the job just fine. Hell, I even read books on my iPhone and I find it much more comfortable than I though it would be (on a 3Gs! no Retina display...)

I just finished my college studies, if I was just starting my college studies I would definitely be more interested in it. I can definitely see it's potential in education, even though the tablet industry is very young and it needs more time to mature (or at least I am a little conservative, and I like to wait before I jump into something new). Ultimately though I think I'd still pick a laptop because we got free Microsoft software through msdn and we were trained on Visual Studio plus we needed to have easy access to the *cough*student versions*cough* of programmes like Matlab and Autocad which I don't even know if they run on a tablet.

 

[Leonard1818]

You pretty much described where I am right now. I got a laptop, I got an iPhone... what more would an iPad offer me that justifies its price? I guess you could say it can replace netbooks to an extent, but I'd rather get a MacBook Air or another ultrabook as a netbook alternative if I were concerned about portability, and even though an iPad (or a MacBook Air) is in fact easier to carry around than a regular laptop, you just can't go anywhere carrying it with you (maybe it's easier for women to slip it in their purse, I don't know).

If I want to check my emails, take a look at the news or check something online, an iPhone will do the job just fine. Hell, I even read books on my iPhone and I find it much more comfortable than I though it would be (on a 3Gs! no Retina display...)

I just finished my college studies, if I was just starting my college studies I would definitely be more interested in it. I can definitely see it's potential in education, even though the tablet industry is very young and it needs more time to mature (or at least I am a little conservative, and I like to wait before I jump into something new). Ultimately though I think I'd still pick a laptop because we got free Microsoft software through msdn and we were trained on Visual Studio plus we needed to have easy access to the *cough*student versions*cough* of programmes like Matlab and Autocad which I don't even know if they run on a tablet.

It does very highly depend on what you will use something for. As I mentioned, 97% of people (around me anyway) who buy a new laptop buy it for email and light web browsing. THAT'S IT. My dad just called me and wants to buy my mom an iPad for her b-day (copycat ). She JUST got a new toshiba laptop and he's laughingly irritated cause, as he says, "it's just going to sit on the shelf". It's true though! Once she gets an iPad she will be able to do EVERYTHING she did on her laptop on her iPad and it'll be much easier and MUCH more portable for her.

I couldn't justify it for me-- I *kinda* can now (if you think about something long enough, you'll come up with a justification lol) but like I said, I can absolutely justify it for my wife. Like you, I just use my phone for EVERYTHING. I hardly watch TV anymore. I just read news on my phone. I look at my favorite websites on my phone. I look at all of my pictures/videos on my phone. I'm typing this to you right now on my laptop because it was already open (researching ipad 2 stuff for my dad). I think about it and I would love to just grab an iPad and have all the same capabilities as my phone (and all of my same favorite apps) but with a bigger screen (see, I can really start selling myself on this...)

You'll come around eventually. The tablet market is young but from what I can tell it's growing-- leaps and bounds-- and is NOT a fad of any kind.