Apple takes covers off iPad 2

[Crispy]

The wait is over for eager Apple fans wanting the next generation iPad. At an invite-only event in San Francisco on Wednesday, the company took the wraps off the iPad 2.

The Apple iPad 2 (Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who is taking a leave absence from the company, returned to unveil the new product, which is expected to be a hot seller.
As expected, the new tablet has two cameras and is faster with dual-core processors, which just about double CPU performance and make the graphics speed nine times faster, while using the same power as the processor from the first iPad. It's thinner than the older model. It went down in thickness from 13.4mm for the old iPad to 8.8mm on the new one.
In terms of the technical specifications, the device is 24.1cm high, 18.5 cm wide, and 0.86cm deep. And it weighs just 603 grams. The device comes in three storage sizes for both the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi plus 3G models: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB. The rear camera is 720P and the front camera is "VGA-quality" suitable for video and still photography.
The new tablet will go on sale in Australia on 25 March, after the US, which is getting it on 11 March. In the US, the pricing will start at US$499. Australian pricing will be announced at a later date.
The iPad 2 will also get some new features thanks to the latest release of the operating system, iOS 4.3. This upgrade brings a few new features like AirPlay support for apps that will include photo slideshows and porting audio from apps to other devices. Safari performance will be improved. Other major tweaks include a software option to adjust whether the switch on the iPad is used to mute the volume, or lock the screen orientation, functionality Apple had changed after the iPad had been released.
The iOS 4.3 version of software will be available on 11 March, and it supports iPad, iPhone (GSM) and iPod Touch (3rd and 4th generation).

Source: Apple takes covers off iPad 2 - Hardware - News

 

[steve-pressman]

Ouch that is really going to piss a few people off that have just purchased an Ipad, personally I think in a few months there will be better products and much cheaper than Apple id the Telekoms Show in Barcelona was anything to go by.


Steve

 

[Karln]

IPad 2

I said, it's a windows forum but the Steve Jobs has presented the IPad 2 today.

Among the news, 2 camera, a GPU 9x more puissant than older, and a CPU 2* more puissant. Surprise it will be fine and more Lightweight.
The base price will of 499$ and the most cheap 829$ with 64Go and 3G.

 

[Karln]

Ouch that is really going to piss a few people off that have just purchased an Ipad, personally I think in a few months there will be better products and much cheaper than Apple id the Telekoms Show in Barcelona was anything to go by.


Steve

Perhaps but in a few months and not is that price.

 

[pparks1]

Ouch that is really going to piss a few people off that have just purchased an Ipad, personally I think in a few months there will be better products and much cheaper than Apple id the Telekoms Show in Barcelona was anything to go by.


Steve

Heck, there have been talks of an ipad 3 by end of the year.

 

[steve-pressman]

Ouch that is really going to piss a few people off that have just purchased an Ipad, personally I think in a few months there will be better products and much cheaper than Apple id the Telekoms Show in Barcelona was anything to go by.


Steve

Heck, there have been talks of an ipad 3 by end of the year.

Does that mean that the Ipad was fundamental flawed? That they now have version 2 and like you say version 3 by the end of the year?

I for one think that Apple have peaked and Google is going to be the dominant OS provider in the years to come.

Just my opinion


Steve

 

[whs]

I for one think that Apple have peaked and Google is going to be the dominant OS provider in the years to come.

Although I am an Android fan, I still think that Apple is going to dominate the tablet marrket (not so in smartphones). Their pricing strategy makes it nearly impossible for the other companies to compete (example Moto Xoom). The big chance they would have in the 7" market because Apple is not (yet) present there. But they seem to be sleeping at the wheel - I see no Honeycomb 7" tablet on the horizon. They all seem to go for a red nose in the 10" arena.

 

[pparks1]

Does that mean that the Ipad was fundamental flawed? That they now have version 2 and like you say version 3 by the end of the year?

No, that is just Apple. They will release what they can and drum up huge interest and apple fans will buy it up like crazy. Then, when the new version comes out, many of these same fans will view it as a "magical upgrade" and will invest in it again. I mean, let's say Apple regrets not putting USB and Cameras in iPad 1. So, instead of putting both in iPad 2, they just give you camera. Maybe version 3 will give you USB and camera. But then the hope will be more resolution and perhaps Flash support in iPad 4.

 

[boogieboy]

Steve Jobs need to change his clothes too like Iphone's and Ipad's.

 

[Bongo]

No, that is just Apple. They will release what they can and drum up huge interest and apple fans will buy it up like crazy. Then, when the new version comes out, many of these same fans will view it as a "magical upgrade" and will invest in it again. I mean, let's say Apple regrets not putting USB and Cameras in iPad 1. So, instead of putting both in iPad 2, they just give you camera. Maybe version 3 will give you USB and camera. But then the hope will be more resolution and perhaps Flash support in iPad 4.

Bingo :devil:

 

[Crispy]

Found this video of the Ipad2: Apple iPad 2

 

[whs]

Does that mean that the Ipad was fundamental flawed? That they now have version 2 and like you say version 3 by the end of the year?

No, that is just Apple. They will release what they can and drum up huge interest and apple fans will buy it up like crazy. Then, when the new version comes out, many of these same fans will view it as a "magical upgrade" and will invest in it again. I mean, let's say Apple regrets not putting USB and Cameras in iPad 1. So, instead of putting both in iPad 2, they just give you camera. Maybe version 3 will give you USB and camera. But then the hope will be more resolution and perhaps Flash support in iPad 4.

And what they should really put in is a microSD port and a retina screen. Thier current screen is not that swift and i would never buy a pad without micrSD.

Maybe the new RiM PlayBook can compete: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2381288,00.asp
And this an interesting comparison: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380049,00.asp

 

[Everlong]

Apple are giving a $100 refund to people who bought the iPad up to 2 weeks before the iPad 2 was unveiled.

Apple confirms $100 refund for those who recently purchased an original iPad -- Engadget

 

[pparks1]

Here is a great advertisement for the iPad2...it seems more honest and to the point;
Team CoCo Pokes Fun at iPad | NBC Bay Area

Watch the video clip at the bottom.

 

[DeanP]

Ouch that is really going to piss a few people off that have just purchased an Ipad, personally I think in a few months there will be better products and much cheaper than Apple id the Telekoms Show in Barcelona was anything to go by.


Steve

Heck, there have been talks of an ipad 3 by end of the year.

Can't be true - Apple has a 1-year cycle on their products.

 

[Everlong]

Ouch that is really going to piss a few people off that have just purchased an Ipad, personally I think in a few months there will be better products and much cheaper than Apple id the Telekoms Show in Barcelona was anything to go by.


Steve

Heck, there have been talks of an ipad 3 by end of the year.

Can't be true - Apple has a 1-year cycle on their products.

There's quite a few sites with the same rumour saying an Apple employee let it slip.

Apple iPad3 Rumored to Arrive this Year Itself; Is it the Real Next-Gen iPad? | Technology Magazine Daily

 

[jimbo45]

Hi all
a 7 inch Tablet (approx 16 cms) is a really HORRIBLE size to carry around as a phone --it's just TOO big even if it does have phone functionality), too small a screen to watch movies on (at least if you are over 45 like some of us) --why on EARTH would you watch an HD movie on a 7 inch screen anyway ???? and not flexible enough to be used as a serious travelling computer.

Give me something like the Acer apsire series 1 10.1 inch series netbook -- screen size just about sufficient, proper keyboard -- I HATE touchscreen type devices when inputting data such as for spreadsheets / e-mail/presentations etc. In anycase they get really filthy and greasy very quickly if you are outside a lot.

Anybody ever tried using an IPAD to create a powerpoint type of presentation or create complex spreadsheets.

A dedicated e-reader to me can make sense -- but a Tablet --what use is this to man or beast if you need to travel and need a computer -- these days travelling LIGHT is what you need to do and having to take this brick sized accessory in addition to a laptop isn't going to work.

As far as smart phones are concerned -=-who really NEEDS them anymore -- I've gone back to the tiny Basic Motorola Razr W295 -- fits neatly into tyhe smallest pocket and is perfect AS A PHONE --what else do I need it for..

If I need to be online then I'll just logon with a laptop.

When I'm out at a Pub / restaurant etc etc why should I be bothered with people who AREN'T sitting / eating / drinking etc with me.

I think the infatuation with these types of devices will soon dry up.

I'm not anti technology but it has to deliver -- just not look nice but doesn't offer anything I even feel remotely compelled to use.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[whs]

Jimbo, It look like you would be candidate for this one: Samsung Slide PC 7: Tablet & Netbook in One Running Oaktrail | Netbooknews - Netbooks, Netbook Reviews, Smartbooks and more

 

[pparks1]

I don't think the 7 inch tablets are bad at all. Of all of the tabs that I have played with, I've enjoyed the Samsung Galaxy Tab the best...and it had a 7" screen. I'm not going to carry these things around with me everywhere I go like I would with my smartphone. That's not really the point.

If I had to choose between a tablet and my smartphone, i would pick the smartphone every time. The smartphone is with me everytime that I leave the house. I can make a call, I can use it for GPS, I can give it to the kids to watch videos on, I can plug in headphones and listen to music, I can fire up the kindle app and read one of my books while I wait in a doctors office, I can look up a website on the Internet, I can check my Gmail account, I can keep up with my work email, and I can play games with it.

For more convenient web consumption, I can always return back home and use my laptop or desktop. The tablet is simply a middle sized form factor device that I have no current needs for.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

For people like me a Smart Phone just has too small a screen to use as a convenient Kindle like app to read books -- however the latest ebook readers are really thin enough even with larger screens to carry around in an inside pocket -- they can play music too look at the Sony PRS Daily Edition

PRS-950SC | Reader Daily Edition™ | Sony | Sony Style USA

Cheers

jimbo