iPad 2 Apple's next-generation tablet

iPad 2: First impressions

We get our hands on Apple's next-generation tablet - and can't bear to let go of it
by Hedirman Supian
Updated 12:35 PM Mar 18, 2011

POOR iPad. Its haters simply dismissed it as an upsized iPhone or iPod touch from Day One.

It has now singlehandedly defined a new product category and remains the yardstick for any tablet that enters the consumer sphere (take that, naysayers). Version 2.0 of the iPad matters because, simply, it will be the new benchmark to beat.

It's a third thinner and 15 per cent lighter than its predecessor (the size of its touchscreen remains the same at 9.7-inches), but when Today got our hands on a set this week, the difference was more dramatic than the numbers suggested. The tapered edges give the illusion that the iPad 2 is thinner than it actually is. If you've been lugging the original iPad around, you'll appreciate its newfound svelteness - it's gorgeous.

Under the hood, its processing speed has been doubled and graphics performance is now nine times faster, according to Apple. In our tests, it rendered complex websites perceptibly faster, though it still can't display any Flash-based content. Graphic-intensive games like Infinity Blade played smoothly and content creation apps like iMovie on the iPad give a taste of how powerful this little package can be.

There are now two cameras, a VGA one on the front for video conferencing and another on its back that can record high-definition video at 720p. We got a kick out of using the large 9.7-inch touchscreen as a viewfinder, while the appeal of Apple's Photo Booth app that lets you take stylised spontaneous snapshots will, no doubt, be abused by hipsters and toddlers worldwide.

We didn't find the image quality of the pictures to be on a par with that of the iPhone 4's relatively excellent camera. But those who lament the iPad 2's poor image quality need to - don't mind the pun - see the bigger picture. Simply by having a bigger screen, the original iPad provided an immersive experience when viewing rich media like high-definition games or movies.

Now, with the iPad 2's cameras, developers can create even more immersive experiences with applications that employ technologies such as augmented reality.

Apple's thoughtfully designed smart cover deserves a special mention. It effortlessly attaches to the iPad via hidden magnets. When you flip its edge over ever so slightly, the iPad wakes up from its slumber. Delightful.

We've had the device for a day now and we haven't had to charge it despite putting it through our tests, intermittent WiFi connectivity, games and regular app usage. Apple claims it can last up to 10 hours on a single charge.

Major dislike: Unlike Android-based tablets and smartphones, iTunes on a computer is still the ball-and-chain that iPad users will have to grapple with when they need to sync, set up their devices or do back-ups.

Those not yet on the bandwagon might think that the allure of the iPad is an irrational one driven primarily by its lovely industrial design. But the range of quality apps made for its large format is currently unmatched on any other mobile or tablet platform (face up to the truth, Android fanboys). And Apple's easy-to-use interface on the device makes it instantly accessible to almost any demographic.

It might seem like a superfluous device that mimics the functions of your touchscreen smartphone or laptop, but the iPad - and now the iPad 2 - still remains in a class of its own because it makes it effortless for you to access all that computing power in the palm of your hands; there's no keyboard or mouse separating you from technology.



Special thanks to local developers Personae Studios (www.personaestudios.com) for allowing us to cop a feel of their iPad 2.



Don't just take our word for it. What does the man on the street think of the new iPad? Watch the video at http://bit.ly/TDY_ipad2


Source: www.todayonline.com