Live Coverage of Apple's iPad Mini Media Event [Event Ended]

[RedRaven571]

if you need one that bad to rip dvds and such, just buy an extra super drive. What's another $50 when you've spent over $1300...

"If you can afford $X for Y device, then what's another $Z."
That seems to be the recurring refrain here whenever Apple takes something away, that at least some of their customer base still wants, and still charges as though it were included. I don't get it.

Otherwise, those of us who have moved into the present (digital downloads with EVERY dvd copy for the last couple of years + software available via download) appreciate that Apple isn't wasting time with outdated tech.....

I have bought DVDs with digital DL, a lot of those digital copies don't give you the freedom to view your purchased movie on various devices. Plus, many have an expiration date. What's with that? If I purchase something that includes a digital copy, and I choose not to download it for 12 months, why should my access code be inactive? It's just a BS way of trying to get folks to not rip a copy of their purchased DVD. Additionally, I have a fairly extensive collection of DVDs that predate companies offering digital copy; should I repurchase all of those movies just so I can watch on my iPad?

As I said in a previous post, I understand taking the ODD out of portable computers; I just don't understand pulling it out of a desktop so it can be a little bit thinner, just for aesthetics. And, IF you want/need an ODD, not only do you have to pony up more $$, you get to have an ugly box sitting on your desktop, taking up space. That is/was the beauty of an iMac, nothing else is on the desk except, of course, the keyboard and mouse.

DVDs and CDs are not dead yet, regardless of how the late Steve Jobs felt about it. If people weren't buying them, companies wouldn't be selling them.

It's like Bluray, love it or hate it, it exists and Bluray disks are still selling; Apple could have offered it as an option/upgrade in their products but no, they know better. Personally, I don't care about BD in my computers, but, for the time being, I do care about having a CD/DVD drive in a desktop. I don't care that my current iMac (from 2009) is 'fat', it does what I need it to do, without any extra junk sitting on my desk.

 

[jrswizzle]

"If you can afford $X for Y device, then what's another $Z."
That seems to be the recurring refrain here whenever Apple takes something away, that at least some of their customer base still wants, and still charges as though it were included. I don't get it.



I have bought DVDs with digital DL, a lot of those digital copies don't give you the freedom to view your purchased movie on various devices. Plus, many have an expiration date. What's with that? If I purchase something that includes a digital copy, and I choose not to download it for 12 months, why should my access code be inactive? It's just a BS way of trying to get folks to not rip a copy of their purchased DVD. Additionally, I have a fairly extensive collection of DVDs that predate companies offering digital copy; should I repurchase all of those movies just so I can watch on my iPad?

As I said in a previous post, I understand taking the ODD out of portable computers; I just don't understand pulling it out of a desktop so it can be a little bit thinner, just for aesthetics. And, IF you want/need an ODD, not only do you have to pony up more $$, you get to have an ugly box sitting on your desktop, taking up space. That is/was the beauty of an iMac, nothing else is on the desk except, of course, the keyboard and mouse.

DVDs and CDs are not dead yet, regardless of how the late Steve Jobs felt about it. If people weren't buying them, companies wouldn't be selling them.

It's like Bluray, love it or hate it, it exists and Bluray disks are still selling; Apple could have offered it as an option/upgrade in their products but no, they know better. Personally, I don't care about BD in my computers, but, for the time being, I do care about having a CD/DVD drive in a desktop. I don't care that my current iMac (from 2009) is 'fat', it does what I need it to do, without any extra junk sitting on my desk.

I agree that the expiration date is a little much - but come on....it shouldn't be too difficult to dl the digital copy within the time they allot.

And the whole Blu-Ray argument is lost on me as well. There isn't a computer screen out there (with the exception of the bigger desktops) where blu-ray would make a difference in quality. Too small a screen to notice. Sure watching blu-rays on your 50" plasma makes a difference, but people who whine (I worked at BBY and got it alot) that the 13" MBP doesn't have a blu-ray drive are too funny....put em side-by-side and 99.99% of people wouldn't know the difference, so why would Apple spend the extra money to include something that doesn't really matter.

I think we've become increasingly entitled as technology advances and prices stay the same (or even go down in most cases). You're already getting more power, speed, quality from the new device than the old one and aren't paying more for it. So if you really have to have that extra superdrive, you pay out of pocket for it. Complaining that you have to pay for something that used to be included and then ignoring the fact that all this new power and speed that wasn't in the old model and is now coming to you for the same cost is a little hypocritical.

It's all in how you look at it. I choose to be pragmatic and logical (maybe too much so sometimes - I have a very "go with the flow" personality). These keynotes and certain "features" missing or somehow not as good as some people think they should be don't really bother me. All of these devices suit my needs and then some. I adapt - and when I get to the point where I can't for whatever reason, there's always a way to fix it.

 

[RedRaven571]

And the whole Blu-Ray argument is lost on me as well. There isn't a computer screen out there (with the exception of the bigger desktops) where blu-ray would make a difference in quality. Too small a screen to notice. Sure watching blu-rays on your 50" plasma makes a difference, but people who whine (I worked at BBY and got it alot) that the 13" MBP doesn't have a blu-ray drive are too funny....put em side-by-side and 99.99% of people wouldn't know the difference, so why would Apple spend the extra money to include something that doesn't really matter.

My point had nothing to do with the viewing experience of a BD on a small screen; hell, my entertainment system upconverts incoming signals and I can barely tell the difference between BDs and DVDs on my 50" Sony.

However, as you mentioned above, a fair number of "whiners" have been interested in having a BD player in their MBPs (perhaps even their iMacs), even if it's just to rip a copy, as I suspect. There certainly has been sufficient customer demand, as evidenced by the number of pc makers who have BD players as an optional upgrade. So why couldn't Apple make it available as an upgrade (not talking about giving anything away)? THAT's my point.

I think we've become increasingly entitled as technology advances and prices stay the same (or even go down in most cases). You're already getting more power, speed, quality from the new device than the old one and aren't paying more for it. So if you really have to have that extra superdrive, you pay out of pocket for it. Complaining that you have to pay for something that used to be included and then ignoring the fact that all this new power and speed that wasn't in the old model and is now coming to you for the same cost is a little hypocritical.

IDK, seems to me they need to periodically update the specs otherwise, why get a new computer? The prices stay the same or go down because the cost of manufacturing the components has gone down dramatically in the last 10 years. Due to more/better automated systems and, of course, that the manufacturing is done in a third world country. 10 years ago, I paid over $2K for a 17" HP laptop; you can buy one today that is, what, 8-10 times faster, for $800.

I guess I don't feel 'entitled' when I'm plunking down my money at the register; like most consumers, I want what I want. However, like most Apple consumers, because, overall, I really like the products, I will continue to buy them, even though I don't necessarily agree with every decision they make.

 

[jrswizzle]

My point had nothing to do with the viewing experience of a BD on a small screen; hell, my entertainment system upconverts incoming signals and I can barely tell the difference between BDs and DVDs on my 50" Sony.

However, as you mentioned above, a fair number of "whiners" have been interested in having a BD player in their MBPs (perhaps even their iMacs), even if it's just to rip a copy, as I suspect. There certainly has been sufficient customer demand, as evidenced by the number of pc makers who have BD players as an optional upgrade. So why couldn't Apple make it available as an upgrade (not talking about giving anything away)? THAT's my point.



IDK, seems to me they need to periodically update the specs otherwise, why get a new computer? The prices stay the same or go down because the cost of manufacturing the components has gone down dramatically in the last 10 years. Due to more/better automated systems and, of course, that the manufacturing is done in a third world country. 10 years ago, I paid over $2K for a 17" HP laptop; you can buy one today that is, what, 8-10 times faster, for $800.

I guess I don't feel 'entitled' when I'm plunking down my money at the register; like most consumers, I want what I want. However, like most Apple consumers, because, overall, I really like the products, I will continue to buy them, even though I don't necessarily agree with every decision they make.

Sure - my BluRay point was more a pet peeve than an indictment of your post lol sorry if it came across confrontational.

I agree prices will continue to drop as the things you mentioned get more efficient and advanced - however the yearly (sometimes twice a year) "spec bumps" come from every computer manufacturer there is. And with each upgrade in power/speed/performance/whatever comes either a stay or reduction in price. This is year-to-year and sometimes within the same year.

I guess what I'm saying really does boil down to "If you can afford $X for Y product than adding $Z shouldn't be an issue" but it really is true. If you're purchasing a brand new iMac and it would break the bank to add a $50 option on at the end - chances are you probably shouldn't buy the computer in the first place.

Otherwise make do with the digital age. It's a transition to be sure - but one that if made, can be very satisfying as all my content (stored digitally) is available on a variety of devices in my home (and on he go) with little to no extra work.

 

[MikeT77]

Well

This is the second time I've been burned by Apple; the first when I bought the original iPhone and a litle over a month later they dropped the price by $200. Since it was like 34 days out, they wouldn't do anything for me. Thank god for CitiBank and buyer protection....

Now I finally made the decision to buy an iPad, after passing up the 1st & 2nd Gens and I get rewarded by having that iPad discontinued and replaced after 7 months.

2 strikes, Apple....2 strikes. And I'm not much in the baseball mood, so there most likely won't be a 3rd strike allowed.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

 

[RedRaven571]

Otherwise make do with the digital age. It's a transition to be sure - but one that if made, can be very satisfying as all my content (stored digitally) is available on a variety of devices in my home (and on he go) with little to no extra work.

I'm working on it, to be sure. Agree that it is much easier having movies on a HDD attached to BD player in the living room.

 

[someone28624]

Yay, Apple just made iPad 3 obsolete and millions of iPad 3 users instant suckers.

My iPad 3 is still gorgeous, fast, and runs all of iOS 6 features perfectly. What's there to be ticked about?

 

[CocoaPuffs]

My iPad 3 is still gorgeous, fast, and runs all of iOS 6 features perfectly. What's there to be ticked about?

But you don't have A6x...and I do, except that we paid the same price, not to mention that I could buy your iPad at $120 less.

 

[Konrad9]

I watched the whole thing on my son's ipad with absolutely no problem. I was amazed at the quality of it. Maybe it was an ISP issue you had? I'm in Mexico, by the way and I have cable.

Required a Mac or iDevice and Safari.

 

[RobNYC]

Wasn't that Age of Consent?

Yes, I was wrong. I quickly looked up the "best of" CD track listing and mixed the two up. It was Age Of Consent.

 

[someone28624]

But you don't have A6x...and I do, except that we paid the same price, not to mention that I could buy your iPad at $120 less.

I don't get why you feel the need to try and make me feel bad about my iPad. I bought my iPad knowing it has an A5. I didn't buy it expecting an A6x. I bought it knowing something newer and better would come along, but this will be mine for about 2 years. I'm cool with that. And you can buy my iPad for $120 less than I paid for it. I've had it for 6 months. That's like $0.67/day. I've definitely gotten 67 cents worth of enjoyment out of it everyday.

 

[Maschil]

I would have liked to see it at $299 but $30 extra isn't the end of the world. Just don't buy a lightning adapter with it and its the same. I think eventually it will come down to $299.

i agree

 

[CocoaPuffs]

I don't get why you feel the need to try and make me feel bad about my iPad. I bought my iPad knowing it has an A5. I didn't buy it expecting an A6x. I bought it knowing something newer and better would come along, but this will be mine for about 2 years. I'm cool with that. And you can buy my iPad for $120 less than I paid for it. I've had it for 6 months. That's like $0.67/day. I've definitely gotten 67 cents worth of enjoyment out of it everyday.

I didn't do anything. You felt the need to read and respond to my comment.

 

[shvaid]

Hi and farewell

Well
I am still using my iPad 2, wasn't to sure if to upgrade to the new iPad, now with the new, (new) iPad as from last week announce, I really don't know if to upgrade at all, as I can wake up in the morning two month from now and found out that a new member of the family has landed.
I think I had to much, not only it was only six month from one to another, none of my current gadget is not applying with the new generation, and I really not in a mood for open my pocket again and again for acquiring the new gadgets, I had enough.
hell, I will stick to what I have as long as it works, and then I will re-think what is going to be the next one to acquire.
WIN8 or Android, both are as good as the iPad if not better.
it is very annoying, and so far from being innovative, what is the direction you are going, as for me it looks as if it is the end of the way

 

[Abazigal]

But you don't have A6x...and I do, except that we paid the same price, not to mention that I could buy your iPad at $120 less.

And it's not going to lose me any sleep at night.

And that was 7 months I have been enjoying my ipad3 while you were on an older tablet model. 7 months in which I was able to use my ipad in my teaching and (later) incorporate airplay mirroring. Even if I had perfect knowledge that Apple would upgrade their model in October, I would still have purchased one in March, no regrets.

Because I am still using a 4s, this means all existing cables/adaptors are compatible between both my iphone and ipad. My country's 4G is still a bit unstable (they currently use 2 different bands, and only one is compatible with its radio band), so I am content to wait another year for it to stabilise (if it proves problematic, I may just downgrade to a wifi-only model).

I don't facetime, so the improved front-facing camera is moot.

If anything, I am hoping that this recent ipad4 refresh pushes the ipad5's release date to next October or November. My phone's 2 year contract would be up right about then, so this enables me to upgrade both my ios devices at the same time.