A Hands on Review of the iPad 2

Posted: April 13th, 2011 | Author: Charles West | Filed under: Apple, Gadgets | Tags: Apple, iPad 2 | No Comments »

The iPad 2 has only been on the market for a little over a month but for some strange reason it feels longer than that. It had only been out for about 27 days when I finally caved in and bought one for myself.

The thing is, I could remember a year ago around this time when I sort of trashed the first iPad. I remember saying “My biggest #FAIL for the iPad was a couple of things that were just too big for me to ignore.” Those things ended up being no Mac OS support and no USB ports.

How did I get to this point? What exactly made me change my mind on the iPad? Well, as strange as it sounds, I don’t really have a legitimate reason. One thing I can say, Apple is the trendsetter and most reliable in the industry when it comes to the tablet market. The fact is, I waited for over a year to purchase a tablet; figuring that companies such as HP, Windows, WebOS, Android and etc would get their acts together in becoming a serious competitor.

One year later, Apple remains the leader when it comes to sleek design and price (which is surprising, considering what the iPad 2 still lacks). Apple still remains head in shoulders above the competition.

I bought a WiFi 32GB version from Target because it was the only one left in a 50 mile radius. Why is it so damn hard to find a WiFi iPad 2 right now? When I was searching for my iPad, I felt like Charlie in the movie Willie Wanka and the Chocolate Factory in search of the golden ticket. I say that because it was highs and lows filled with like 20 phones calls to Targets, RadioShacks, and Best Buy’s across the state. I was looking for this iPad 2 like it was a pair of Jordan kicks (sad but true).

Some iPad 2 positives

Sleek form factor
Light weight for carrying
Lots and lots of apps
Really good power and speed when it comes to the processor
- Having a dual core processor along with gyroscope certainly helps.
Rear and front facing camera (not necessary but fun to have)

Besides the usual specs you would put in the positive section, I would have to mention the little things that are most important (at least to me). I have to say this is one of the best virtual keyboards I’ve ever used because of its amazing accuracy. Also, email integration is a breeze, Apple makes it simple for any tech person whether newb or pro to figure out.
iBooks
- iBooks is pretty cool because it saves all of your PDF files seamlessly where obtaining them for use or for print is a breeze.

Some iPad 2 negatives

STILL NO USB PORT (need I say more?)
Many of the iPhone apps aren’t native iPad apps (WatchESPN to name one off the head).
NO FLASH
- Being a user of the Android platform since its inception in 2008, I’ve become accustomed to using Flash and not having it is extremely inconvenient.

The bottom line

As much as I hate to admit it, the iPad 2 is a pretty cool and usual device for what you need to accomplish in day to day task. I mentioned my dislike of no USB ports a year ago but the reality is, USB along with CD-Rom is becoming a thing of the past with the emergence of the cloud. The cloud allows users to save an abundance of files making the use of USB ports not as important any more for external storage usage.

I definitely was not going to give you guys a review littered with a bunch of specifications you already knew. Instead, I decided to give an experience along with a recommendation to purchase the iPad 2, so you can experience it yourself (if you have the money of course).

The iPad 2 maybe overpriced but it is everything it advertises to be — which is reliable, sleek, and powerful. Even though my pockets maybe lighter, I remain happy with the purchase I’ve made.

If Competitors Don’t Get Their Act Together, Apple’s iPad will Continue to Dominate the Market

Posted: April 3rd, 2011 | Author: Charles West | Filed under: Gadgets, Just A Thought | Tags: Apple, BlackBerry PlayBook, iPad 2, Motorola Xoom | 2 Comments »

As a tech enthusiast, I could give you a huge list in what grabs my interest into buying a new gadget oriented product (like a tablet). Amongst such a list would be the usual eye catching characteristics of form factor and screen definition.

Although form factor and screen definition remains the hands down selling point for average (non advanced) tech users; it’s not what’s important. What seems to go unnoticed at times, is the importance of how these gadgets are priced. The reality is, pricing plays a much bigger factor in making a decision, especially if that particular product doesn’t have the cache of a Apple.

Where am I going with this you ask? Well, lets first take the 32GB Motorola Xoom tablet for an example. The Xoom without a doubt, is an impressive tablet which offers a slew of cool and cutting edge features for a first generation device.

Some of the Xoom features include an HD display, a dual core processor, a multitasking enabled operating system, access to thousands of apps, 4G connectivity, mobile hotspot, and video chat to name a few. The Xoom is offered in two different variations, one being a more controlled carrier version where you buy it from Verizon with a 3G network plan (3G + Wi-Fi version will cost you $799 off contract). The second variation is the regular Wi-Fi version which will run you $599 off contract.

See that’s the problem, Motorola is pricing the Xoom for the same price as Apple’s iPad 2. This brings it back to my original premise of cache, Apple (being first to the dance) has the respectability to charge such a price; Motorola doesn’t.

Another high profiled tablet set to release and “challenge” the iPad 2 is the BlackBerry PlayBook. Recently, I expressed why I thought the PlayBook could be doomed before arrival over my disapproval of the proposed $499 price tag.

The BlackBerry PlayBook will bring interesting features such as a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and wireless connectivity to your BlackBerry for time access to: email, calendar, address book, task list and BBM. According to its specifications, the PlayBook sets itself up to be a pretty impressive device. The PlayBook will sell for $499, $599, and $699, which in GB’s equates to 16, 32, and 64 respectively.

Here lies the problem, much like the Motorola Xoom tablet, BlackBerry has decided to “challenge” Apple directly by offering the same memory and price. This strategy from both Motorola and BlackBerry is suicidal. Why would you challenge a well established product like the iPad using the same playbook (no point intended)? From a marketing standpoint it makes no sense; if you’re trying to challenge any icon in its comfort zone — you should separate yourself by offering something different. Copying an industry leader is not only fatuous but not unique.

What makes this whole thing worst is companies beating themselves rather then Apple beating them. Both tablets are pretty good and could pose a real threat to the iconic iPad. I do want to be fair in all of this by acknowledging potential cost for these companies to produce these awesome devices we all love. I do realize the underline cost that is associated with such things like parts.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple has a slight edge in the parts pricing department. I can’t tell you how much Motorola and Research in Motion pay for each tablet to be produced but what I do know is; stealing Apple’s price strategy marketing a first generation device is a joke. If there isn’t a manufacturer willing to produce a tablet with nice form factor and even better pricing; Steve Jobs will continue to sleep good at night knowing Apple is still king of the tablet world.

BlackBerry PlayBook, Doomed Before Arrival?

Posted: March 22nd, 2011 | Author: Charles West | Filed under: Gadgets, Just A Thought | Tags: Apple, Best Buy, Blackberry, BlackBerry PlayBook, iPad 2, PlayBook | No Comments »

RIM and Best Buy announced the pre-orders, pricing and launch date for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. It is scheduled to be available on April 19 from all Best Buy stores and Best Buy Mobile stores in the U.S., as well as Best Buy and Future Shop* stores in Canada.

After I received this announcement, it got me thinking about the price. The BlackBerry PlayBook with Wi-Fi will come in three models, featuring 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage at $499, $599 and $699 respectively.

The point is, BlackBerry is setting itself up (once again) for FAILURE. Why would you release your first tablet ever, a month after Apple releases the sequel to its iconic iPad?! Furthermore, why in god’s name would you price it the same as the iPad?!! This without a doubt should tell you how out of touch RIM really is.

I’m sure the PlayBook is an impressive tablet, hell, I even want to review the tablet for this blog but RIM’s not so smart marketing may doom the device before it even hits the shelves. I hope RIM reconsiders its launch price, so it can be taken serious instead of being the laughing stock of the industry.

What is your thoughts?

If your still interested in pre-ordering the PlayBook in the U.S. or Canada, information is below.

U.S. – www.bestbuy.com/playbook

Canada – www.bestbuy.ca/blackberry or www.futureshop.ca/blackberry

Steve Jobs Makes Triumphet Return to Announce iPad 2

Posted: March 2nd, 2011 | Author: Charles West | Filed under: Apple, Gadgets | Tags: Apple, iPad 2, steve jobs, Zagg | 1 Comment »

Steve Jobs made his triumphet return on stage today, to announce the highly anticipated iPad 2. Thanks to the unbelievable work over at Cnet, I was able to grab a couple of notes and pics.

Technological/Hardware changes in the new iPad 2 include:

A up to twice as fast CPU performance.
Video cameras. Both a rear camera, and a front-facing camera.
Gyroscope for the gamers
HDMI video out capabilities — which Jobs indicated that this was a big request from teachers. It will give you mirrored video output, so you can see everything on the screen, and not just display out from specific apps. The special cable will run 1080p and work with all apps, cost will be $39.
Sorry no extra ports
iPad 2 will feature the same “legendary” 10 hour battery life of the existing iPad, which includes a month of standby.

Cosmetic changes include:

Its dramatically thinner, in fact its 33 percent thinner (Gone down from 13.4mm to 8.8mm in thickness), it’s actually thinner than iPhone 4!
A redesigned cases in polyurethane and leather (five different colors)

The iPad 2 will work with both AT&T and Verizon, and having no price drops, keeping them the same should no doubt drop the price of the original iPad. iPad 2 shipping out on March 11 in the U.S. and shipping in 26 more countries on March 25.

I took away two significant things from this announcement. The first being, Apples’ clear intention to make iPad 2 the presentation tool of the future. Can you imagine schools or hospitals dumping their old projector devices for the iPad? It will save those industries millions of dollars and it would make portability WAY more easy. Teachers could send every student its presentations displayed during class, after class.

My second thought, is the fact that iPad 2 will be going after accessory manufacturers, with its redesigned iPad 2 case which wakes up the iPad from sleep when you open it, and puts it to sleep when you close it. The cover uses magnets to grasp onto the unit, and align it. “You can add it in a second. You can remove it in a second,” Jobs says. Best of all, it comes in five colors for the polyurethane case, and five for the leather (poly is $39 and leather is $69). Big accessory companies like Zagg may have to slighty adjust its prices to with stand a obvious intrusion by Apple to its core business.

What do you guys think about the iPad 2, are you going to buy one?

Woohoo! Side Switch Lock for iPad will Make its Return, Thanks Apple

Posted: January 13th, 2011 | Author: Charles West | Filed under: Tech Stuff | Tags: Apple, Apple iPad, ipad | No Comments »

If you are an iPad owner, you should be excited, why you ask? Well, Apple is giving back the option to use the iPad’s side switch as a screen rotation lock again, and not just as a volume mute switch. This small inconvenience, has pissed off many users (to say the least) because it’s a pain in the ass to lock in the screen orientation (lots of people say). This feature will be in the iPad’s Settings section of their soon to be released iOS 4.3. Having this additional option to lock the screen makes it easier to do simple (but relaxing) task like reading in bed, which we all love to do, right?

Source

“The Daily” iPad Only Newspaper

Posted: November 21st, 2010 | Author: Justin Robinson | Filed under: Mobile, Social Media, Tech Stuff | Tags: Apple, ipad, ipod, journalist | No Comments »

Apple is again making the move toward carrying the first digital only news paper that will only be available on iOS. The man behind this idea, Rupert Murdoch, has hired somewhere around 100 people to write for the digital only publication. Each issue of the publication will cost $0.99 to download which I don’t see as a problem because people buy a paper that costs $1.50 (most of the time for the coupons). This could mean people will start their own magazines and make them digital only and even existing magazine companies adding a digital copy that is accessible on digital handsets. Seems like a good idea, having a base app that carries and organizes your issues, I wonder what will happen to Zinio if companies start putting out their own digital copies of Magazines with apps for purchase on the Android and iOS markets.

After a seven year wait, is Apple finally bringing Beatles to iTunes?

Posted: November 15th, 2010 | Author: Charles West | Filed under: Music, News | Tags: Apple, itunes, the beetles, wsj | No Comments »

According to the WSJ (Wall Street Journal), Apple will be unleashing the long awaited Beatles catalog during tomorrow’s iTunes announcement.

As Engadget states:

This is according to WSJ’s “people familiar with the matter,” and matches with what Billboard calls “the best bet” from what it’s managed to scrounge up. Even with such an imminent announcement, WSJ’s sources warn that plans could change at the last minute, and that the talks between Apple, Beatles reps, and EMI were taking place as recently as last week. Still, we just have to believe this is going to happen, cross our fingers, and wear our lucky socks tomorrow — because really, who wants to wait another seven years?

This is really great news to not just Apple and The Beatles bottom line ($$) but to lots of fans and potentially new adapters of the Beetles work who have been deprived access (legally) for the last 7+ years.

Let’s cross our figures and hope that Stevie boy (Steve Jobs) and Apple work out the business disputes with the Beetles so we can soon rush over to iTunes and get us some Beetles tunes!

Source: Engadget via The Wall Street Journal, Billboard

New MacBook Air will include OS X on a USB key

Posted: October 21st, 2010 | Author: Charles West | Filed under: Tech Stuff | Tags: Apple, MacBook Air, usb key | No Comments »

As much as we may want to root against Apple when it comes to their prices, openness (when it comes to customization), or Steve Jobs we find ourselves constantly having to tip our caps to Apple’s innovation.

A nice option that now comes tucked away in the MacBook Air’s included documentation is a USB key containing a full version of the Mac system software and iLife ’11 suite.

This is really weirding me out because I predicted (privately with friends) the soon to be demise of music CD’s and CD-ROM’s and Apple seems to be the front runner on my crazy theory. Just think, if you can now add the needed software (that usually comes inside most computer box packages) to your laptop via a “USB key”, that would basically indicate a soon to come death to CD-ROM’s.

The way this is said to work during the installation process is when plugged into the computer, holding down the “C” key as you boot up treats the USB stick just like an optical disc, lets you run system diagnostics, or do a clean re-installation of OS X. Everything a CD-ROM would have done.

But lets make this less complicated, for those of you out there whose ever had to replace your disk drive (me included) this should be music to your ears, I’m definitely thinking of picking up one of these 13″ MacBook Air beauties for myself.

Source: cnet news

A Hands on Review of the iPad 2

If Competitors Don’t Get Their Act Together, Apple’s iPad will Continue to Dominate the Market

BlackBerry PlayBook, Doomed Before Arrival?

Steve Jobs Makes Triumphet Return to Announce iPad 2

Woohoo! Side Switch Lock for iPad will Make its Return, Thanks Apple

“The Daily” iPad Only Newspaper

After a seven year wait, is Apple finally bringing Beatles to iTunes?

New MacBook Air will include OS X on a USB key

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