iPad 2

A Week With The New iPad - 4G Or Bust

 

If you're thinking about the new iPad, ask yourself - do you need internet connectivity outside of WiFi? Cause otherwise ... pass on it.

There are three main advantages to the new iPad:

Faster cellular signal: I'm on a train for two hours round trip during my work commute, so the updated 4G signal is a godsend. It feels like I'm surfing on wifi, and it's helped me to spend less time waiting for things to load and more time reading, tweeting, and all of that good stuff.

Better screen: The screen has been updated, and it is unbelievable. However, the screens of the iPad 1 and 2 are pretty damned good. And pretty damned good is enough for the majority of people.

Upgraded memory: The extra memory is noticeable when using intense applications like games and streaming applications like NBA Courtside. Again, nothing dramatic unless you are really on the bleeding edge.

Does that get you excited? Are you someone that runs intensive applications and requires internet outside of wifi coverage? If so, then you've probably already upgraded.

If you're not excited, then please note that the iPad 2 is on sale new for $100 cheaper, and you can save even more money if you look used.

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Most of You Shouldn't Worry About the New iPad

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I've advised several people not to upgrade to the new iPad. Meanwhile, I'm anticipating my preorder to come in tomorrow.  How do I reconcile this? It's pretty simple - you shouldn't upgrade unless you are a hardcore early adopter.  Same goes for almost any Apple product.

My iPad 2 is a great device. I can do everything that I need with it. There is nothing in the new iPad that gives me any brand new functionality that changes the game. But I still put my iPad 2 up for sale, and I am eagerly anticipating tomorrow.

So what's so different about the new iPad that I've decided to upgrade? Things are better. Better display. Better network connectivity. Better voice input. Those three things alone appeal to me, a person that pushes the edge when it comes to technology. I do way more intensive gaming on the iPad than the average person (I can't see casual games benefiting from a retina display), and I have an hour long train ride to work where a 4G signal would be magic. I know I'm an outlier.

I'll shoot a short review video when I get my hands on it and put it through its paces. See y'all tomorrow!

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Tech Thoughts From the iPad 2 Launch Line

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Yeah, I'm one of those crazy folk that waits on line for Apple products.  Aside from meeting similarly obsessed nerds, it also gives me a chance to actually churn out a post that I've been trying to do for a couple of days.  So here we go ...

I have a funny relationship with AOL.  I used the free CDs during my summers home from college to access the wonders of the web through my 28.8k modem, even though I had to brave the customer reps crying when I canceled at the end of the summer.  I no longer use AOL as a web portal, and I shuddered when they merged with Time Warner.  Currently, I respect AOL because they have invested money in some of my favorite sites such as Engadget and Techcrunch (though I don't think the Huffington Post acquisition was the best).  So I have a soft spot for my old buddies at AOL.

It saddens me that AOL has cut 20% of their work force.  I'm assuming that this is the best business decision, and it will make AOl leaner and meaner, but that is a lot of people being dumped into a still recovering economy.  Hopefully these people don't spend too long on the market, because this also has another affect: people that are just joining the workforce and attempting to jumpstart their careers will have no chance competing against a huge influx of ex-AOL employees.

I'm a Jersey boy, and they never fail to disappoint: they almost sold computers containing sensitive data.  According to Gizmodo, "Files on abused children, people's tax returns, computer passwords, names, addresses, birth dates and other information on hundreds of foster children and abused children and Social Security numbers all would've went public".  I really, really, really wish state governments will start hiring qualified people to make tech decisions.  Qualified people that know the internet isn't a series of tubes would ensure that mistakes like this are minimized.

Ok, time to finish my Italian BMT and continue chatting with the geeks.  Two more hours!

iPad Dos Equis: Stay Thirsty My Friends

 

Apple's event today was everything I wanted it to be. I didn't even have to furiously hit refresh on several liveblogs, because TWiT had a livestream where they read the updates from several sites. That makes it much easier to actually get work done during a Stevenote.


Apple is taking an aggressive stance with other tablet makers. They took a $500 tablet and made it thinner, lighter, bumped up the CPU to dual core, added cameras, and yet kept the price at $500.

Price drives sales in this space. No matter how much the Android and Windows tablet manufacturers will try to outspec the iPad, they will not achieve success outside of the geeks. If the $800 Motorola Xoom is a sign of things to come, Apple will lose some share but maintain a significant lead in the tablet market.

I'm glad Apple deny waste resources on a Retina display, which would have driven the price up. The screen is already beautiful, and I rarely use the device in direct sunlight so glare is not a dealbreaker for me.

The new tablet versions of GarageBand and iMovie are amazing. I only hope that they are not "optimized" for the iPad 2, and run sluggish for those that choose to keep their original iPad.

The iPad 2 is a must get, especially considering that the current iPad still has retained a good amount of resale value. I just Gazelled mine for 70% of its value (before they decreased the trade-in value), so I don't have to come out of pocket much on March 11th.  Before Gazelle, I tried Craigslist. The blessed Henry Artkins quickly reminded me why I don't sell on there anymore:

"Thanks for getting back to me, i want to buy your (iPad) for my sons Birthday he is in West Africa where he works with Shell oil Company, I will be paying you through PayPal, these secures and protects two parties in a transaction... I will like you to send me your PayPal invoice or your PayPal identification email for payment... I will provide you my sons shipping information for shipment as soon as the payment is sent. I will be paying you the sum of ($780 USD) for the cost and shipping, Shipping will be through USPS Express mail. Thanks for your anticipated co-operation.

Remain Blessed,

Mr. Henry Artkins"