Apple announces iPad 2 with new design, faster A5 processor - Page 8

So how do you feel about the Xoom?

Wait for the update for Flash?

Wait for the update for 4G?

So without these (non) refreshes, the Xoom seems even more lame when compared to the iPad 2.

I think the second generation iPad's hardware is just fine, it's iOS that needs an overhaul:
As the new iMovie's export options show, a unified, system-wide file handling system is needed - be it local storage or in the cloud. Likewise Airprint's capabilities need to be expanded to non-HP-printers as was originally planned. Also, the notification system needs to be reworked; why am I informed about calls and text messages but not e-mails?

What features would you like to see improved or added in iOS5? What about further titles from the iLife suite? I'd love to see a better more iPhoto-like version of photos...

Create an Ad-Hoc wireless network on your PC/Mac. Log on to the wireless network using your iPad. Then get one of the file sharing app such as Air Share.

How much will a 32GB memory card cost, to bring the Xoom up to 64GB of memory?

Seeing as you chose to base your comparison on the 64GB iPad.

The camera connection kit which I mentioned earlier would allow you to physically plug a USB flash drive into the iPad.

After that, the issue is whether the iPad has software that can use it that way. Perhaps there is or will be a 3rd party app that can read and write to USB flash drives.

As for the micro USB connector, I'm not sure you would need an adapter. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a cable that terminated with a micro USB connector.

That's a really good suggestion.

You could also get an AirPort Express which is very portable. It would cost a little extra, but you wouldn't have to recreate the network every time you want to use it.

Xoom is exactly what I said it would be over a month ago... rushed.

...I think it has something to do with a full moon...

False. The iPad 3G has a Broadcom BCM4750UBG A-GPS chip in it.


Be disappointed no more.

Australian, i.e. British

That would be an adaptor.

you can buy the 2, sell it and then get the 3 when its available.

Here's an idea.

Place the adapter on the end of the USB cable before putting the USB cable into your bag...

Voila... only 1 cable/adapter in your bag... no fumbling required!

And those who don't need the capability do not have to pay more for a more expensive tablet that includes something they do not use or need.

Look: You could have gotten paid for your remarkably astute and concise analysis:

Motorola Xoom versus the iPad 2 --- the Xoom is a clear winner



Perzactly....

Where will all the Xoomers go after their devices short time's passing?

Fairly predictable, but great to hear none the less:

The reviews are very clear:

Those that did not touch the iPad 2, are slamming the ipads spec sheet, calling it a 1.5, minor upgrade, and asking how this is going to hold up vs the Androidian Hoard.

Anyone that has a hands on review is talking about how excellent this thing performs and how different it feels.

Still looking now for a hands on that has anywhere near the same tone as the "armchair" analysts.

Even the ones that live blogged during the event quickly seems to take on a whole other tone after getting thier hands on it.

Went from yawn to wow pretty quick IYAM.

I was going to post a pissy comment about Baby Xoomers... but I won't....


Here's an article with a different perspective:

The Only Thing You Need to Know About the iPad 2

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You forgot it should cost only $19.99 and for a limited time you will get a second iPad free*

*Handling charges apply

Availability dates of Flash have slipped before. Thus far its performance has not be overly impressive.

LTE isn't any faster than HSPA+. Why should Apple rush?

I'm thinking we check back in June.

Thanks so much for this. Kinda sums up the real differences although iOS 5 better improve notifications.

I'm surprised they didn't use the Gobi chip in the iPad2 - maybe there is not enough room after it's been slimmed down.

I was pretty confident that we will see another update to the iPad this year but am a bit less convinced now. The reason: "2011 - Year of the iPad2"

Let's go over your statement:

"Flash will be available in a few weeks... LTE option (when: in a few weeks - How: Box it up and send it away - but don't root it before hand)...

You have to wait for the features it purports to offer... but we won't know how any of this stuff works until that future time comes...

Hmmmmm.... sounds rushed to me...

I'm guessing that their new graphics chip is slurping up a bit more power.

Flash will be available in a few weeks because moto left it out purposely IMO, to get the great reviews on record, to get the great battery life on paper, before Flash is installed and in tanks the system considerably.

Smart move IMO. Easy to push under the rug this way, this way, every review will always say it gets the same battery life as the ipad, or very close.

Every "tale of the tape" will say something to that effect.

I eagerly await the reviews of the XOOM running flash on big red's LTE network.

I'll put the over/under at 6 Hours vs the 9-10 its running at now.

I'll similarly give it its due and proper if it manages the features well.

Okay so which one to get? Verizon or AT&T? Does anyone know what the pricing plans are for the 3g?

Are they the same price? Is one better than the other?

Have you actually used the device? Honeycomb is far superior to any other Android OS currently available. Check. Hardware is impressive. Check. Apps (specifically designed for Honeycomb). Well, lets just say that they're coming. On to the display. Certainly it has the highest resolution (among current tablets), but its not equal in pixel density and thus the colors don't exactly reproduce as well as they do on the iPad. Moreover, though the hardware specs are good, it is not without some drawbacks: it's heavier and thicker than the iPad (1 or 2); the power button and the speakers could have benefited from better placement, and the cameras, despite the higher megapixel count, do not take great shots; video-conferencing is also blurry and jerky. I don't say this from reading a review. I have actually used the device. I also currently own/use a Droid X. That said, the few things that people knock Apple for, such as the lack of widgets, are somewhat over-rated. I have four widgets on my Droid X and, frankly, other than the fact that they display certain info without the need to click on an app, the overall function isn't much different than an app, because most of the critical things I need to do still require me to click on the widget. Scrollable widgets are nice, though I have used few and few are well designed.

Most important, other than a few critical Google apps, such as Google Maps, few apps in the Android market can compete with the quality of those in the App Store, and there are almost zero third-party apps designed specifically for Honeycomb. A tablet without apps is like a performer without an act. Oh, I'm sure the apps will come, but they'll be behind by a year and probably lower in quality. App developers are not entirely happy with the Android Market and few, if any, are making money. This leads to less quality apps and fewer apps overall. Moto also needs a better strategy in regard to pricing and availability (i.e., no Wi-Fi- only or GSM versions available yet and not concrete date/s for when). Having only a VZW version to compete against a WiFi, CDMA, and GSM version, and lower price is poor planning at best and terrible strategy at worse. As to Honeycomb, it is better than the other Android operating systems, but that's about it. It's still not as refined, polished, or as smooth as iOS. It does handle notifications better and multitask more elegantly, but that's about it. It has some stability issue and some quirks. It feels like an OS trying to do too much and, thus, comes off as half-baked or rushed.

I just finished watching Steves special event keynot. I have to say, I am really impressed on multiple aspects. First of all, I was really happy to see Steves out and about, and looking as heathy as I saw him at the last key note. I assume what ever he did during his leave had a seizable positive effect. And then of course the new iPad!!! Can't waIt to get hold on it. Finally iMovie and Garageband on the iPad in an ever enhanced version and to a price that makes me think how on earth can they do that and still make profit.
I am so looking forward to try all this for myself.

If the only change was to double the resolution of the screen, could it still be considered (using a salesman's flexible semantics) an iPad2? They could sell boatloads of such a model during the gift-giving season, even at a higher price. And, if they have supplier agreements cornering the supply for the better screens, no competing tablet could match it. I haven't given up hope.

Do we know for sure what the ram size is? Gizmodo is stating an apple employee told them 256 and thats why it isnt stated anyware. That would be the only thing holding me back. I would want atleast 512

The funnier thing is Motorola making Flash a big deal and include it in their specs sheet and marketing materials but end up selling their tablet without it. You wanna hear a funnier story?! You cannot view the Xoom website using the Xoom browser

The 'word' is that the iPad 2 features:

512 MB RAM and the cameras are essentially the same ones utilized in the iPod Touch e.g. VGA (640x480) front and 0.92 Megapixels (1280x720) rear.

to me it's hard to believe that the biggest complaint is the lack of ports. Good grief, with the current iPad I could plug in my camera, plug in anything else through the dock connector, and be on my way. I don't need or want the side of my tablet to look like a G-D PC with so many specialized ports. this is a tablet, folks, and I want it to be free of clutter, which means keeping the ports to a minimum. I'm surprised you don't want a VGA port so it will be backward-compatible with your last-century CRT display.

If you want ports, the iPad is not for you. Get over it.

I don't think it has anything to do with Motorola. I think they pushed with Xoom in order to be "first in the row" (well, Honeycomb row obviously). Other big names I had opportunity to check - Samsung, Asus, Toshiba - are all planning their Honeycomb tablet(s) release in April, and I would not be surprised that they are actually waiting for Flash to be implemented in Honeycomb.

It's a little dongle. Give me a break.

I agree!

Who cares what the ram is? The iPad does what it is designed to do very well. It's not a PC.

The iPad uses cellular wireless. The Providers have different networks. Maybe the networks should all be the same frequency? It's not about the phones!

Um, how about plugging it into your computer and transfer that way? Or get an adapter that doesn't come with a long cable. Google is your friend (to search for things like this).

Yah, I was thinking... 2x CPU speed and up to 9x GPU speed will not help much in reading books or emails, but can make a hell of a difference in games!