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Really, I just want a cheaper iPad. The iPad looks really cool and all, but I'm not going to pay $500 for one, and I think a lot of other people are thinking along the same lines. Maybe add a couple features like this (USB for camera support seems like a no-brainer from the beginning, honestly) but mainly focus on how to keep the cost down.
 
No HDMI. Ever.

... HDMI would also be nice, but not sure how often I would use it.

AirPlay is Apple's latest attempt to reduce cable clutter. Over the years, Apple has led the way in obsoleting legacy connectors and cables. Even if it means creating some weird proprietary connectors (video + power + USB ADC for previous-generation displays, and now the 30-pin iPod connector.)

Apple only wants you to connect one HDMI connector to any of their devices. And that would be the connector from Apple TV to your HDTV. AirPlay will be the new "video out" for all iDevices and Macs.

Oh, and as for mini/micro USB? I don't give a crap. Whatever works.
 
Do you actually understand what 'Retina Display' means? It's a marketing term for a display with a resolution at or higher than 300 ppi. The pixel density of the display has very little bearing on weight, and no bearing on thickness.

The iPad 2 will not have a display of 300ppi, purely because there are no GPUs capable of driving such a resolution which could fit in a thin device.

Did you read what he typed? He said the same resolution which meant that by achieving 300ppi, they would have made it smaller. That, and he said nothing of thinness.
 
That would be pretty pointless since you would need a Mini-USB to USB connector anyways so it still would require a adapter...?[/QUOTE]

Also known as ... a cable, the exact same thing you need for any USB connection (as well as the current 30-pin dock/USB connection), anyway. :D

The mini-USB is on the iDevice's side. There is nothing special about it other than the form factor, practically a necessity considering the device's small size; most other "upstream" USB connections are Type B USB, the more square-ish one you'd find on the back of a printer, for example. You still need a cable. Even for a type-A-USB–to–type-A-USB connection, you'd still need ... the right cable. :D

I wouldn't really call it an "adapter" in any case; it's just an ordinary cable, and, as always, you need the right one. Mini USB cables are very common, especially on this like cameras and (now) smaller electronics.

PS - Is this really mini-USB, or is it micro-USB? I thought micro was becoming the standard on phones and similar devices, but I could be wrong.
 
sineplex said:
What has this got to do with anything ? Someone tell me ? I am more inclined to believe the 7-inch rumors if any as it makes much more sense now that Apple is up against geniune competition w/ "BlackBerry and Samsung."

They are stock analysts paid to research companies and think of anything that might affect share price.
 
Really, I just want a cheaper iPad. The iPad looks really cool and all, but I'm not going to pay $500 for one, and I think a lot of other people are thinking along the same lines. Maybe add a couple features like this (USB for camera support seems like a no-brainer from the beginning, honestly) but mainly focus on how to keep the cost down.

HAHAHAHAHAHA. Cheaper iPad. ROTF

Obviously you have not used any tablets before.

$499 is already competitive for what it does.
 
Just give me the same resolution as the current ipad, but with the retina display... so it is smaller and lighter.

That's not the same thing at all. You can't have the same resolution and the retina display. All the retina display is, is a higher resolution screen. Nothing more magical than that.
 
don't listen to these people. i used to be in equity research and 95% of these analysts don't understand this industry from the same perspective as people who are in it. they make their claims based on financials and trends.

it's too easy to predict this stuff now, next ipad will have retina, more ram, improved processor, better battery life, and front facing camera.
 
HAHAHAHAHAHA. Cheaper iPad. ROTF

Obviously you have not used any tablets before.

$499 is already competitive for what it does.

Exactly. Sometimes I feel like we're lucky the iPad is priced at what it is. I mean, who wouldn't want a price cut. But let's be reasonable.
 
It would be great if one could connect a digital camera via USB to do some photo editing on the fly. Front facing camera is a must - if it works with Skype it would be even better.

My dream device would be:

  1. Light, thin, comfortable to hold
  2. Good battery life
  3. Good screen resolution (at least 200 dpi)
  4. Powerful enough to play HD movies
  5. HDMI connector
  6. USB
  7. Some sort of file management so one could easily send files between apps
  8. Great audio quality
:)

I have one problem with adding connectors to a device - it increases the number of crevices where dust can enter the device. Unlike a laptop, tablets get handled more, so you will need to ensure that all the ports are sealed VERY well. Which will either add cost or won't happen to meet a price point.

As for your list - long battery life and 1080i playback are incompatible. It's going to be either one or the other, especially if you want to ramp up the resolution. Personally I think the resolution is fine, unless you hold the iPad closer than 8", which is a bit silly because you will have a hard time viewing the screen in its entirity.

As for the audio - that's what headphones are for.

I see Apple adding a front-facing camera because so many people think they need one, and maybe adding more RAM (big maybe though). It may lose a few grams, but battery life will still be 10 hours, which is plenty for the absolute majority of users (I can count the number of threads complaining about short battery life on one hand). The next generation will most likely be a facelift - just a freshening up of some specs with the addition of a couple of features that consumers think they need in order to generate interest in upgrading.
 
I have been thinking that all the rumors about Apple planning a 7" iPad are made up by Apple competitors. Apple is the standard. They need Apple blessing.

You can argue why the competitors do not make a 10" tablet. The fact is the 10" screen is very expensive. Jobs sets the iPad at $499. This is actually very low. iSuppli estimated it will cost more than $220 to make.

I think the virute of the 9.7" is it is very readable. 7" is small especially in browsing web pages.
 
Really, I just want a cheaper iPad. The iPad looks really cool and all, but I'm not going to pay $500 for one, and I think a lot of other people are thinking along the same lines. Maybe add a couple features like this (USB for camera support seems like a no-brainer from the beginning, honestly) but mainly focus on how to keep the cost down.

Look at the Apple refurb. store. You can get a 16GB Wi-Fi for $449. Not too bad.
 
That would be pretty pointless since you would need a Mini-USB to USB connector anyways so it still would require a adapter...?[/QUOTE]

Also known as ... a cable, the exact same thing you need for any USB connection (as well as the current 30-pin dock/USB connection), anyway. :D

The mini-USB is on the iDevice's side. There is nothing special about it other than the form factor, practically a necessity considering the device's small size; most other "upstream" USB connections are Type B USB, the more square-ish one you'd find on the back of a printer, for example. You still need a cable. Even for a type-A-USB–to–type-A-USB connection, you'd still need ... the right cable. :D

I wouldn't really call it an "adapter" in any case; it's just an ordinary cable, and, as always, you need the right one. Mini USB cables are very common, especially on this like cameras and (now) smaller electronics.

PS - Is this really mini-USB, or is it micro-USB? I thought micro was becoming the standard on phones and similar devices, but I could be wrong.


Your missing what I am saying... You camera is Mini USB out (for example) its built into it, so included was a Mini USB to USB cable. So you can plug it into your computer. Your still going to have to get a Mini USB to Mini USB cable, for roughly the same price and stress of just buying the 30 Pin connector kit. Does that make sense?


Even if the iPad came with Mini USB how would that help? It may standardize the charging method but because its a higher powered device it will take a lot longer to charge using a basic phone charger. For example: you want to plug in your usb keyboard into your ipad right now you buy the camera connection kit for 29.99 from Apple. If they put Mini USB on it you would have to either: A, buy the camera connection kit. or B, buy a Female USB to Male Mini USB to plug into your iPad.
 
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