Octopus Overlords

by **Exodor** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:47 pm

iOS 4.3 is out

he iPad’s switch, turned into a mute button in iOS 4.2, can once again be used as an orientation lock.

Halle-frcikin-lujah.

Maybe I'll finally update my iPad from 3.x.

by **GreenGoo** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:11 pm

Quaro wrote:Camera has other uses in applications. Any app where you look 'through' the iPad needs a back facing camera. Word Lens for example: http://questvisual.com/ -- and that works better on iPhones than iPods because of the better camera.

Also having just a front facing camera would needlessly fragment the app market, making the Ipad lack a feature the iPod has.

HD video conferencing is actually amazing. Have you ever had a physical meeting where one or two people are using video conferencing? It's like they don't exist. Now give them each a 42 inch TV, turned vertically, and they are life size, and in HD. Everyone reacts TOTALLY differently.

Now that is fascinating and something I'd like to witness.

by **Exodor** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:17 pm

I got to play with the Xoom a little at Fry's yesterday and I was pretty impressed.

Not impressed enough to sell my iPad and buy the more-expensive Xoom but impressed enough to keep watching it.

I really like the memory card slot. I'll like it even more when they update the OS to make it functional.

by **stessier** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:22 pm

I played with it at Best Buy over the weekend. I've never played with the iPad, so I went and did that right afterwards.

They both seemed pretty similar for my 4 minutes of use. I got onto OO from the Xoom pretty easily once I figured out how to turn it on. I had a little more trouble on the iPad, but only because I didn't know what I was doing or how to open the browser. They both rotated nicely. The iPad was thinner and a bit lighter to my hand. The iPad also had fewer fingerprints - don't know if they clean it more, the glass is less prone, or more people were playing with the Xoom.

I don't know how anyone can use the software keyboard though. it kept picking up letter that my pinkies were apparently typing. :lol:

by **Yojimbo** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:07 pm

I just watched my first flash videos on the Xoom. One from amazon and one from Netflix.

I am going to like that part.

by **msduncan** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:03 am

Engadget breakdown of the new iPad 2:

Engadget

Perhaps more interestingly for all you gamers in the audience, the iPad 2 reports that it has a dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU on the die as originally foretold -- and, spoiler alert -- it mops the floor with both the original iPad and the Motorola Xoom.

by **RunningMn9** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:28 am

Exodor wrote:Maybe I'll finally update my iPad from 3.x.

Be careful.

I updated from 4.2 to 4.3 yesterday, and my ipad can no longer connect to Wireless-N networks. I had to drop my router back to mixed mode to get it to connect until Apple fixes it (again, it was apparently a known issue in an earlier release).

by **ChaoZ** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:54 am

Doesn't Apple usually time the new OS releases so it cripples the previous generation, urging people to upgrade to the just-released one?

by **Moggy123** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 12:51 pm

Yojimbo wrote:I just watched my first flash videos on the Xoom. One from amazon and one from Netflix.

I am going to like that part.

It's not supposed to drop until Friday. Did you get the leaked version?

by **Moggy123** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 12:52 pm

Yojimbo wrote:I just watched my first flash videos on the Xoom. One from amazon and one from Netflix.

I am going to like that part.

It's not supposed to drop until Friday. Did you get the leaked version?

by **magic** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:11 pm

RunningMn9 wrote:
Exodor wrote:Maybe I'll finally update my iPad from 3.x.

Be careful.

I updated from 4.2 to 4.3 yesterday, and my ipad can no longer connect to Wireless-N networks. I had to drop my router back to mixed mode to get it to connect until Apple fixes it (again, it was apparently a known issue in an earlier release).

Wifi based location services have been flaky on my 16gb wifi model. I have both models next to each other and the iPad2 can't find itself in any app, while the original has no issues. Restarting the device seems to work for a while, but stops again after a while.

The hosepower this thing has blows me away. Real racing 2 and dead space look amazing.

by **stessier** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:16 pm

Moggy123 wrote:
Yojimbo wrote:I just watched my first flash videos on the Xoom. One from amazon and one from Netflix.

I am going to like that part.

It's not supposed to drop until Friday. Did you get the leaked version?

It's been out at least a week in western WI (played with it in BB on 3/7 and saw a guy buy one).

by **Moggy123** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:50 pm

stessier wrote:
Moggy123 wrote:
Yojimbo wrote:I just watched my first flash videos on the Xoom. One from amazon and one from Netflix.

I am going to like that part.

It's not supposed to drop until Friday. Did you get the leaked version?

It's been out at least a week in western WI (played with it in BB on 3/7 and saw a guy buy one).

I meant the Flash 10.2 update. I've had my Xoom sincethe day after release. The flash update is supposed to occur next week, but there's a leaked version out of the tubes.

by **Exodor** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:50 pm

RunningMn9 wrote:
Exodor wrote:Maybe I'll finally update my iPad from 3.x.

Be careful.

I updated from 4.2 to 4.3 yesterday, and my ipad can no longer connect to Wireless-N networks. I had to drop my router back to mixed mode to get it to connect until Apple fixes it (again, it was apparently a known issue in an earlier release).

The upgrade went fine.

I wasn't amused that the "backup" it suggested (I hadn't synced my apps for a long, long time) took 2.5 hours before it even started the upgrade.. :grund:

by **Cylus Maxii** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 3:57 pm

I played with an iPad2 the day that they came out. Then again on Sunday (with daughter unit).

I ordered mine today damnit! Now I have to wait 4-5 weeks for it. I guess I will start/resurrect an iPad, must have,apps/games topic to keep me busy until I actually get one.

by **Exodor** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 4:36 pm

Two of my most-used apps are no longer available on the iTunes store:

iDos
VLC

I synced my iPad with iTunes and they show there.

I have absolutely no plans to buy an iPad2 but may pickup the inevitable third version. Once you've purchased an app and synced it with your iTunes can you sync them with new devices even if the app has been pulled from the store?

by **Cylus Maxii** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 5:24 pm

I'd love to know how to get iDOS working once I get my iPad2.

by **Exodor** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 6:36 pm

Cylus Maxii wrote:I'd love to know how to get iDOS working once I get my iPad2.

It hasn't been available on iTunes for months but a similar is available if you jailbreak.

by **magic** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 10:24 pm

Exodor wrote:

I have absolutely no plans to buy an iPad2 but may pickup the inevitable third version. Once you've purchased an app and synced it with your iTunes can you sync them with new devices even if the app has been pulled from the store?

yes, but if you lose the original app file, you can't redownload it. I have vlc running on my ipad2 and it just chugs away with no performance issues.

by **Exodor** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:58 pm

iPad3 confrimed to have high-res screen.

According to Mac Rumors, which managed to get its hands on an actual iPad 3 display, the rumors regarding the resolution are indeed true. It will offer a 2048x1536 display, compared to the iPad and iPad 2's 1024x768 displays. By placing the displays of an iPad 2 and iPad 3 under a microscope, Mac Rumors was able to highlights clusters of 4 pixels from the iPad 2 and clusters of 16 pixels from the iPad 3.

Mac Rumors was also able to obtain the iPad 3's logic board, which offered a pair of 16 GB flash memory chips from Hynix, an upgraded power management chip and an upgraded package on package system-on-a-chip.

With the iPad and iPhone carrying A4 chip systems and the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S carrying A5 chip systems, many expected the iPad 3 to obtain an upgraded A6. However, it has been discovered that the chip system for the iPad 3 is an upgraded chip called "A5X." Its data code shows that it was manufactured in November 2011.

In addition to a resolution and chip system upgrade, the iPad 3 will sport a camera with 8 megapixels, as rumored before. Apple Daily, a Chinese publication, published photos of a complete iPad 3, which showed a device that resembles how reports have described it.

The iPad 3 will also have 4G LTE connectivity, and run on Verizon and AT&T's LTE networks.

Just take all my money and give me one of these things now.

by **EvilHomer3k** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:15 pm

I plan on buying one at launch (first time I've ever bought any apple product at launch). The kids get my old ipad (32gb) and I'm going to sell their 16gb ipad 1. I have not seen anything that mentions any rumors of memory sizes. Hopefully they start at 32 now rather than the paltry 16 currently offered.

by **Exodor** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:18 pm

EvilHomer3k wrote:I plan on buying one at launch (first time I've ever bought any apple product at launch). The kids get my old ipad (32gb) and I'm going to sell their 16gb ipad 1. I have not seen anything that mentions any rumors of memory sizes. Hopefully they start at 32 now rather than the paltry 16 currently offered.

Me too. Elise doesn't now it yet but she'll be inheriting my iPad1.

She uses it almost as much as I do now.

by **Hamlet3145** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:27 pm

I have an iPad 1. Now I get to debtate on whether I want to put out the dough for an iPad 3 or get a great deal on an iPad 2 sale once the 3 is announced. My only issue with my current iPad is that it feels slow to me now and the battery isn't quite what it used to be. Hmmmm. . . .

by **The Meal** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:17 pm

If it's the same upgrade in resolution as made in the iPhone, that's a Big Deal™ in terms of iPad upgrades. Hopefully we can figure out a way to upgrade my wife's machine when they become available.

by **Carpet_pissr** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:14 pm

The only major complaint I have about my iPad2 is the resolution when trying to use it to read. Everything else (minus the terrible app store) is great. Battery life is truly amazing, but I actually still prefer to read on my iPhone simply because the text is so much clearer.

If they can actually boost the resolution this time, that would be sweet for those wanting to use the device as a reader, but for other purposes, I think the res. is already pretty good (games, movies, etc).

by **YellowKing** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:20 pm

I'm really torn on getting an iPad 3.

Currently I have a first-generation iPad that was provided by my company. Sweet deal except they're changing the mobile device policy in April. If I want to continue to use it I have to pay $22/month to cover 3G fees/personal use. I also have to agree that the company can remote wipe it, track it, monitor it, encrypt it, etc. etc.

On the one hand, I could pay their fee for the next two years and still not spend what it would cost for a new iPad.

On the other hand, I'm chained by corporate policy and have the specter of them monitoring its contents hanging over my head. Ugh.

I also agree with Hamlet in that it feels rather slow and bulky now after playing with iPad 2s. The clincher is certain games that are only playable on the 2 - you know that trend is only going to get worse when the 3 comes out.

by **Zarathud** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:31 pm

I would have a hard time resisting a Kindle Fire-sized iPad, but I have little interest in paying for another data plan.

by **telcta** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:44 am

YellowKing wrote:Currently I have a first-generation iPad that was provided by my company. Sweet deal except they're changing the mobile device policy in April. If I want to continue to use it I have to pay $22/month to cover 3G fees/personal use. I also have to agree that the company can remote wipe it, track it, monitor it, encrypt it, etc. etc

I was going to ask how they track and monitor while allowing you to have your iTunes or MobileMe account active. We are using the iPhone Configuration Utility to quickly set up devices and requiring passcode locks that cannot be removed and I don't see how to track and remote wipe it, other than a policy if you fail the passcode x times. But then I realized there is a Mobile Device Management solution available (that works within the iPhone Configuration Utility) to tightly control those devices.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/business/integration/mdm/

I'll have to look into how much an mdm server would cost, i can't tell you how many times people have lost their phones.

by **EvilHomer3k** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:12 pm

YellowKing wrote:I'm really torn on getting an iPad 3.

Currently I have a first-generation iPad that was provided by my company. Sweet deal except they're changing the mobile device policy in April. If I want to continue to use it I have to pay $22/month to cover 3G fees/personal use. I also have to agree that the company can remote wipe it, track it, monitor it, encrypt it, etc. etc.

On the one hand, I could pay their fee for the next two years and still not spend what it would cost for a new iPad.

Don't think of buying a new ipad as a purchase. Think of it like a lease. In two years it will be worth half what it is now (if not more). I sold my iPad 1 16gb for $265 outside of ebay. eBay pricing is still at $300 so I could have gotten a little more that way. It was $499 new two years ago so it cost about $250 for two years of use. The 32gb I have is going for $400 right now so it retained it's value even better. Overall, I think you are better off buying your own unless the depreciation of the iPad increases significantly or you need a cell connection for it. If you need the cell connection go with the companies. If not, get your own.

by **EvilHomer3k** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:31 pm

Took a while but I got mine pre-ordered. 32gb black and a gray smart cover. Unfortunately I forgot all of the gift cards I was going to use to buy it. Guess I'll be buying groceries with a few Visa and AMX gift cards.

by **Exodor** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:33 pm

I've got a black 16g WiFi model on the way.

:horse:

I'm amazed that they're actually calling it "the new iPad" instead of the iPad3 or iPad HD. Can you imagine what the accessory market will look like in a few years if they adopt a naming standard as with their Laptops - keeping the same name through multiple generations?

Because you know that every iteration will require a slightly different sized case. :grund:

by **RunningMn9** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:47 pm

I could not possibly have been more underwhelmed by today's announcement. I really wanted to want this device. I can't understand the horrendous naming decision. What is the next one going to be called? Steve never would have allowed this. I mean, I like the retina display and graphics horsepower bump, but the rest is *seriously* weak tea for the "next big thing".

by **YellowKing** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:54 pm

I could not possibly have been more underwhelmed by today's announcement. I really wanted to want this device. I can't understand the horrendous naming decision. What is the next one going to be called? Steve never would have allowed this. I mean, I like the retina display and graphics horsepower bump, but the rest is *seriously* weak tea for the "next big thing".

I don't think anyone expected this to be a game-changer. As it stands, it is a pretty hefty upgrade and significantly more of an upgrade over the iPad 2 than the iPad 2 was over the original iPad. The mere fact that they added that tremendous display and significantly juiced the graphics horsepower without seriously impacting battery life or raising the price is pretty big. Add in LTE, upgraded camera, voice dictation, etc. and I don't see how many iPad fans couldn't be excited. You can forget Apple releasing one with SD slots and USB and Flash and Java and all that crap. Those are pipe dreams that aren't going to happen, at least not for generations.

As for the name, it sounds like they're just trying to get the iPad in line with their other products like the iPod. I think there is some subtle marketing strategy going on here as well. Not attaching a "sequelized" number will let them get away with minor feature upgrades easier.

At any rate, I've placed my order for a 64GB Wi-Fi only. I went Wi-Fi only because I hardly ever use mine outside the home/office, and couldn't justify the data plan cost no matter how fast it might be. And I went 64GB because I am an app whore and have a feeling the extra horsepower and new display is going to result in bigger games/apps. As it stands I've used up about 25GB of my 32GB iPad without even really trying.

My laser engraving says, "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up." (Ferris Bueller)

by **Hamlet3145** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:01 pm

It will probably just be referred to as a "3rd gen iPad."

I'll be getting one of the 16 gig models probably later this year mostly for the new screen. I use my 1st gen iPad as my Kindle so that will be a major upgrade for my eyes. :horse:

If nothing else it's nice they kept the price the same.

by **RunningMn9** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:38 pm

I was chatting with five colleagues during the liveblog, and to a man we were bored to tears. All of us currently have iPads (mix of 1s and 2s), and all but one have iPhone 4/4S phones. And i think I'm the only one without a Mac laptop.

None of us understand your excitement. But I'm glad someone is enthusiastic!

by **The Meal** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:50 pm

Is it possible with a 4G-enabled iPad to forgo the monthly plan but to use prepaid sim cards for those times you would be away from wifi hotspots? Its a rare thing that this would be desirable, but on those rare occasions it'd be REALLY desirable.

by **RunningMn9** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:56 pm

The 3G ones are on demand like that. If you need it, you just turn it on for that month. If you don't want it, you turn it off.

by **The Meal** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:06 pm

Are there smaller-than-monthly blocks of time for 3G-enabledness? Say you were expecting to use 500MB-worth of data over a weekend. What sort of options are on the table?

by **YellowKing** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:21 pm

None of us understand your excitement. But I'm glad someone is enthusiastic!

Out of curiosity, what would you have gotten excited about?

by **RunningMn9** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:38 pm

YellowKing wrote:
None of us understand your excitement. But I'm glad someone is enthusiastic!

Out of curiosity, what would you have gotten excited about?

I honestly don't know. But 15 minutes of incremental hardware improvements and then 50 minutes of app upgrades for apps I don't want wasn't what I had in mind. In 2012, how can you give a presentation like this, listing your newfound ability to add captions to pictures as a feature worth mentioning on stage?

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