by Michael F. Kastre
Apple recently unveiled the iPad 2 amid the usual hype and swirling rumors that typically accompany its product launches. Although perhaps not the revolutionary tablet many hoped for, it is pure Apple — sleek, stylish, skinnier and faster.
When Apple launched the era of the tablet, the iPad was heralded as a lightweight Wi-Fi device bigger than a smart phone and smaller than a laptop that would enable the user to surf the Internet, check e-mail, watch movies and TV, view and share photos, enjoy music, read e-books, play games and more. Touted as a replacement for the laptop, you could customize it by downloading apps for everything from recipes to the sports scores of your favorite teams.
As technology continues to emerge, tablets, like the iPad, will likely become powerful enough to replace laptops, but for the present users are still tied to their computers. For instance, even if you don't sync other types of media to the iPad 2, you still need iTunes on a PC or Mac to keep the tablet’s software updated.
Here's a look at iPad 2's basic and enhanced features, what it's still missing, and a peek at the future.
Basic and Improved Features
Although improvements have been made, the software for iPad 2 is mostly the same as its predecessor. For example, it features a slightly modified mobile operating system, the iOS 4.3, and, an improved version of AirPlay, which lets you share media like songs and slideshows between the iPad and other devices. The iTunes capability is built in so you can stream your music library to your iPad when it’s on the same network as your computer.
Price. Price stays the same with basic units costing $499 and topping out over $800 for those with enhanced capabilities.
Size and weight. It's 15 percent lighter and 33 percent slimmer, making it thinner than an iPhone4.
Display. The 9.7-inch touch screen doesn't have retina display but is still LED backlit for high resolution, crisp, vivid, bright colors and wide viewing angles. It's still not great in sunlight.
Smart covers. The new cover protects the screen and also serves as a stand for the iPad 2. They contain magnets, which also activate the sleep/wake button.
Battery life. It's still advertised at 10 hours of use time and a month of standby.
CPU. A new and improved dual-core processor chipset facilitates fast graphics and multi-tasking.
Camera. There are new dual cameras for HD video and photos. The front camera puts you face-to-face on video calls and the rear camera captures your surrounding environment such as a party, coffee shop, or the beach.
Gyroscope. This works with things like music apps to recognize hard or soft pressure when playing instruments. And the gyro and accelerometer work together so maps, games and apps know where you are going.
Side switch. Now you can tell the iPad whether the side button should lock rotation or mute the device.
Connectivity. Connect with a Wi-Fi hotspot, mobile hotspot, or 3G mobile broadband on AT&T and Verizon wireless networks. Plus, you can now connect iPad 2 to a TV through High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), which is a compact audio/visual interface for transmitting digital data, but it will cost you extra for an adapter. You also need an extra connection kit to transfer photos directly without going through iTunes.
Apps. The iPad 2 comes with a wide range of apps, including those associated with the cameras and such items as iMovie and Garage Band, which enables you to create music. Others like AirPlay enable you to stream movies and HDTV. AirPrint sends information to a Wi-Fi printer. Essentially, there's an app for almost anything you want to do.
Security. It’s still fairly easy to hack.
Missing Features
Thunderbolt Technology. Some users were hoping this Intel technology would be a feature of iPad 2. It's not. Thunderbolt connectivity is currently the fastest way to get info in and out of PCs and peripheral devices. For example, you can transfer a full length movie in seconds.
SD. There is no Secure Digital (SD) slot for the commonly used memory card. Although this is probably an attempt by Apple to protect its app and music system, it could be a drawback for those who want the flexibility of increased storage and the ability to swap content.
Speed. Speeds run at 3G on AT&T or Verizon, but not 4G.
Retina Display. A retina display is a high-end screen that creates eye-popping colors by fitting more pixels in the same size display. It was rumored the iPad 2 would feature a retina display to increase resolution like the iPhone4 — which wowed users — but that’s not the case.
MobileMe update. Some expected Apple to update its MobileMe cloud storage and use it on iPad 2. It didn't happen, although it could still happen early this year. (Currently MobileMe automatically and wirelessly synchronizes such items as new e-mail, calendar events and contacts on iPhones and Macs)
USB. Although connectivity has been improved, there is no USB port.
Adobe Flash. This technology is still absent.
What's Next?
With such high expectations for Apple products, disappointment is almost always inevitable. While it boasts somewhat enhanced capabilities, the look and feel of the iPad 2 are not radically different from the original. But this serves the marketing geniuses at Apple well. Their frequent product launches allow Apple to add bells and whistles at a steady pace, creating a steady stream of buyer buzz and anticipation.
So, even with some desirable features still missing, Apple has given itself plenty of room to enhance future iPads. And if history is any indication, they will keep pushing not just increasingly innovative capabilities, but sleek style and size as well.
Michael F. Kastre is a freelance writer who is always amazed by the cleverness and creativity of the technical wizards who bring these wonderful gadgets and goodies into our lives.
