IPad opinions?

[simongr]

I expect then a release here in Oz along the same timelines - I certainly will think about upgrading to the next model next year. A little more oomph would be useful - especially if we get an app that can track changes.

Camera on the iPad is a non-event for me when I upgrade to iP5 next year.

 

[samh004]

iPAD Ver 2.0 looks like a Jan release, moles have spotted the commercial being shot for it:

Apple Caught Shooting Commercial For New iPad - Channel News

According to 9to5Mac insider the props for the commercial were all current model iPads which they said would be edited out and replaced with new models, suggesting the design would be the same size with most of the changes being under the bonnet.

9to5 Mac suggested that the new model will include a new camera along with performance upgrades such as a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor and possibly a newer display screen.

But there’s nothing in that story that suggests they weren’t just shooting an ad for the current generation of iPads

 

[markis10]

But there’s nothing in that story that suggests they weren’t just shooting an ad for the current generation of iPads

There is, for a start why would they shoot an ad for a current product already out???

 

[samh004]

There is, for a start why would they shoot an ad for a current product already out???

They’ve released a few ads since the iPad debuted. Apple doesn’t rest on their laurels, they could just be making another push. I’ll agree it’s not terribly likely, but new ads appear every couple months or so.

 

[drewbles]

Considering the timeline for Apple products, I would be very surprised if we saw a refresh to the iPad before March next year at the earliest, considering they're still rolling the current one out (NZ only got it a few weeks ago).

Apple learned that you don't make changes too quickly after the 1st gen iPhone was released as 4/8gb, and a few months after they released it, they canned the 4gb and went to 8/16gb. They ended up dishing out Apple store vouchers to people who were too pissed off.

12 months is a long time in tech, but sub 12 months is not really acceptable for 'major' updates of products. Apple are at heart, marketing geniuses, so i'd be surprised if it was before 12 months. But I have been wrong

 

[simongr]

The first gen was announced at the end of January keynote with the commencement of sales in the US in April - I would expect a similar timeline for gen 2.

 

[samh004]

12 months is a long time in tech, but sub 12 months is not really acceptable for 'major' updates of products. Apple are at heart, marketing geniuses, so i'd be surprised if it was before 12 months. But I have been wrong

Agree, I’d expect the second version to be released around the same time as the first version, but they could do the old Apple thing where they launch it months ahead and build up the hype.

 

[simongr]

Well Jan to April is a few months. I wouldnt expect to see a new product keynote before January - it would kill sales for Christmas.

 

[samh004]

Well Jan to April is a few months. I wouldnt expect to see a new product keynote before January - it would kill sales for Christmas.

Ditto, don’t think they’ve ever released something at Christmas/in December.

 

[drewbles]

Agree, I’d expect the second version to be released around the same time as the first version, but they could do the old Apple thing where they launch it months ahead and build up the hype.

Very unlikely. Product refreshes from Apple are typically available on a very short time frame from announcement. The longer they leave between announcement and availability, the quicker their sales drop on old stock. Apple is very good at clearing stock out of the supply chain, then flooding it with the new model. This is how most the 'leaks' occur, when retailers get heads-up from wholesalers/distributors on new product codes for Apple products. Apple product codes are pretty simple to decipher for product 'bumps' and upgrades, not so much for new ones.

Apple are very good at managing supply, with the exception where there is short supply due to manufacturing slowness or part shortages (eg the iPad and iPhone 4 when they were released).

 

[samh004]

Very unlikely. Product refreshes from Apple are typically available on a very short time frame from announcement. The longer they leave between announcement and availability, the quicker their sales drop on old stock.

I’m not sure about that, as everyone knows when new iPhone’s will be released, it’s the same time every year. It doesn’t matter if they don’t announce it, sales go down anyway.

I don’t think it’ll matter if there’s no announcement, everyone will expect a refresh around the same time the first was released, so it’ll be iPad in ~April, iPhone in ~July, iPod touch in ~September.

 

[Mal]

According to 9to5Mac insider the props for the commercial were all current model iPads which they said would be edited out and replaced with new models, suggesting the design would be the same size with most of the changes being under the bonnet.

That seems very strange. Surely they would have dummy/active devices already out if that was the case. I think it's yet another bunch of Apple Fanbois who are reading too much into something they shouldn't.

 

[samh004]

That seems very strange. Surely they would have dummy/active devices already out if that was the case. I think it's yet another bunch of Apple Fanbois who are reading too much into something they shouldn't.

Not necessarily, Apple is generally very guarded over products that aren’t yet released, other than that stolen iPhone. So it seems possible, but it does sound odd, so I also think it’s just a current gen ad.

I guess we’ll all know soon enough

 

[simongr]

Very unlikely. Product refreshes from Apple are typically available on a very short time frame from announcement.

Not true in all cases. The iPad was 2-3 months between announcement and launch (longer for us colonials). But the new MBA was out immediately.

 

[tuppaware]

I got bored and frustrated with my Ipad .... Sold it and bought a Kindle after I found out that most of the time I only used it for reading books.

In the end the money would of better been spent on a 11" macbook air.
# Frustratingly hard to type on keyboard
# Doesn't matter which way you hold it - its uncomfortable to hold.
# Reading books on it kept me awake.
# Wireless reception wasn't anywhere as good as my iphone.
# And traveling with it was a cough - mostly because hotel wireless will allow 2 wireless products on the one account (laptop and Iphone)
# No Printing (although I am aware this will come later)
# And I get bored of games easily.

Now if only the MBA had 3g....

 

[markis10]

After a week I am happy with mine, use it for quick email updates and Ipod'ing. Next week I am taking it away with me and going to use it as much as possible and leave my real tablet as the backup, it will be an interesting week.

 

[simongr]

Interesting comments - I wonder if you got a lemon... In terms of my experience:

- Wifi no issues for me
- Hotel wifi - I just use the 3G card in the iPad (and get replacements in other countries)
- Printing - I actually am really challenging myself not to print since I got the iPad. People email me documents and I now flick them via email to the iPad instead of printing them
- Keyboard - did you try the "use the force" methodology? the more I concentrate using the ipad to type the harder I find it. If I just "use the force" (i.e. just type and let the spell checker do its thing) I have fewer errors

In terms of keeping you awake whilst reading - isnt that the point?

My main gripe is the lack of track changes in word apps - that would be the killer for me.

Personally a MBA would be not that much better as it still would require me to use the company laptop.

Next week I am in India and if I can get wifi in the office then I will not be taking my laptop.

 

[samh004]

In terms of keeping you awake whilst reading - isnt that the point?

That’s what I thought too, but perhaps he meant the ambient light sensor didn’t kick in so well. I know occasionally I’ve found a very dark or a very bright screen on my iPhone for a bit, but it usually fixes itself quickly. Could the part break?

 

[tuppaware]

That’s what I thought too, but perhaps he meant the ambient light sensor didn’t kick in so well. I know occasionally I’ve found a very dark or a very bright screen on my iPhone for a bit, but it usually fixes itself quickly. Could the part break?

I found that I struggled to sleep after reading... where my kindle lets me wind down before bed.

Sounds sad but.. I can check my gmail for free in most countries on my kindle on 3g.

 

[medhead]

Just noticed this review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Though I'd post it for interest. (definitely no suggestion on my part)

A tad costly but Tab proves a real iPad rival | The Australian

Smaller screen 7 inch 1024x600, lighter weight, Android OS, 1GHz processor, SD card, but other features seem similar to iPad. Plays HD video, apparently, and supports DLNA. All the details are in the story, Included apps might be of interest:

The pot is sweetened further by the inclusion of some very useful apps, including a two-month free subscription to The Australian's news app, the excellent Navigon turn by turn navigation software that turns the Tab into a high-end GPS (a car dashboard mount is in the wings) and the Thinkfree Office suite, which can open and edit Microsoft Office documents.

Expensive $999 for 16GB 3G model, but can be had on a plan.