Well after three generations I finally bit the bullet and bought the new iPad. I have been an iOS owner many years ago with the iPod touch, but this is my first foray into the newer generations of ios. Being a steady tech news follower and fan of new devices, I figured I would share some thoughts.
First, about me, I am 30 years old and I have been on android os for about 2.5 years now. I decided to go the iPad route for a couple main reasons. First, the iPad form factor. I spent a little time a Best Buy and played around with the various tablets on display. I REALLY wanted to like the android tablets going in. I had read tons about the Transformers and was somewhat leaning that way. I was disappointed when I picked them up though mostly due to e 16:9 form factor. In landscape it's fine for general media consumption, but I felt like that was really the only useful orientation. In portrait, it felt awkward and unwieldy. I am using my tablet for work and I'd like to be able to read journal articles on it. The 4:3 of the iPad makes way more sense for that type of usage. 4:3 simulates the page of a magazine much more closely than 16:9 and it makes sense if you want to use your tablet for reading purposes. If I were only watching movies and playing games, I think the 16:9 would actually be very nice.
My next gripe with the android tablets was the lag. I kind of expected it after reading reviews for the past year or two. They just haven't figured out how to make a smooth experience yet on the android platform for tablets. Blah. N7 maybe changes that. Maybe.
Last, after looking at the new iPad screen, it's pretty tough to go back and use an android tablet screen. They just aren't up to snuff yet on the overall appearance. The retina display is gorgeous, and frankly I'd rather use a more pleasant display. It absolutely affects the experience you have with a device.
With all the negatives stated about the android devices, i gotta say, the iPad hasn't been all roses either. I do have a few complaints. First is the os (ya, I know). I've been using a Galaxy Nexus since the first day it came out and I am absolutely in love with it. Honestly, I have no idea how you apple fans defend the iPhone anymore. It's an inferior device in many ways. Google has been innovating, apple has been stagnant. I've been gone from ios for 2.5 years, and I didn't miss a whole lot. I came back and everything looks EXACTLY the same. They haven't changed, well, anything. Yes, they've done a lot of under the hood work, but for the most part, it feels kind off dry and boring to be back. Ice cream sandwich is a superior os for mobile computing. There, I said it.
Another observation about the amazing iPad - it also lags! Yes, scrolling on the home screen is absolutely smooth, but who cares?! There aren't any widgets to enjoy anyways. And one of the most shocking discoveries so far has been that the Facebook app lags like crazy! We at talking about one of, if not, THE most used app in the entire App Store, and it sucks. I was totally shocked. For as much **** that is tossed at android for lagging, it blows my mind that the iPad is also a lagger. In addition, I've managed to get more than a couple force closes while playing with various apps. This has happened while browsing the web or listening to music. iOS is far from perfect.
At this point I'm not totally sold on the iPad. I have 30 days to figure it out. I'm definitely a fan of the hardware. I really wish I could get the same hardware with some jelly bean, but that ain't gonna happen. The app ecosystem is probably a bit nicer on the iOS side, but I've never felt deprived on my Gnex, and I think that's becoming a weaker argument against android every day.
I typed all of this up from my shiny new iPad. The keyboard isn't half bad!
Cheers
First, about me, I am 30 years old and I have been on android os for about 2.5 years now. I decided to go the iPad route for a couple main reasons. First, the iPad form factor. I spent a little time a Best Buy and played around with the various tablets on display. I REALLY wanted to like the android tablets going in. I had read tons about the Transformers and was somewhat leaning that way. I was disappointed when I picked them up though mostly due to e 16:9 form factor. In landscape it's fine for general media consumption, but I felt like that was really the only useful orientation. In portrait, it felt awkward and unwieldy. I am using my tablet for work and I'd like to be able to read journal articles on it. The 4:3 of the iPad makes way more sense for that type of usage. 4:3 simulates the page of a magazine much more closely than 16:9 and it makes sense if you want to use your tablet for reading purposes. If I were only watching movies and playing games, I think the 16:9 would actually be very nice.
My next gripe with the android tablets was the lag. I kind of expected it after reading reviews for the past year or two. They just haven't figured out how to make a smooth experience yet on the android platform for tablets. Blah. N7 maybe changes that. Maybe.
Last, after looking at the new iPad screen, it's pretty tough to go back and use an android tablet screen. They just aren't up to snuff yet on the overall appearance. The retina display is gorgeous, and frankly I'd rather use a more pleasant display. It absolutely affects the experience you have with a device.
With all the negatives stated about the android devices, i gotta say, the iPad hasn't been all roses either. I do have a few complaints. First is the os (ya, I know). I've been using a Galaxy Nexus since the first day it came out and I am absolutely in love with it. Honestly, I have no idea how you apple fans defend the iPhone anymore. It's an inferior device in many ways. Google has been innovating, apple has been stagnant. I've been gone from ios for 2.5 years, and I didn't miss a whole lot. I came back and everything looks EXACTLY the same. They haven't changed, well, anything. Yes, they've done a lot of under the hood work, but for the most part, it feels kind off dry and boring to be back. Ice cream sandwich is a superior os for mobile computing. There, I said it.
Another observation about the amazing iPad - it also lags! Yes, scrolling on the home screen is absolutely smooth, but who cares?! There aren't any widgets to enjoy anyways. And one of the most shocking discoveries so far has been that the Facebook app lags like crazy! We at talking about one of, if not, THE most used app in the entire App Store, and it sucks. I was totally shocked. For as much **** that is tossed at android for lagging, it blows my mind that the iPad is also a lagger. In addition, I've managed to get more than a couple force closes while playing with various apps. This has happened while browsing the web or listening to music. iOS is far from perfect.
At this point I'm not totally sold on the iPad. I have 30 days to figure it out. I'm definitely a fan of the hardware. I really wish I could get the same hardware with some jelly bean, but that ain't gonna happen. The app ecosystem is probably a bit nicer on the iOS side, but I've never felt deprived on my Gnex, and I think that's becoming a weaker argument against android every day.
I typed all of this up from my shiny new iPad. The keyboard isn't half bad!
Cheers
