Any views on UK iPad 2 launch. Will we be allowed to order online before 24th? Can we reserve with stores for collection or will it be a first come first served basis? Will the response and anticipation be as great as the original iPad? A few discussion points if anyone cares to partake.......
I own two I can't believe how much better it is than my friends Ipad I can't help laughing about how slow his first generation is he actually only bought it a few months ago and can't afford to upgrade. If I was him I'd just throw it on a fire. I bet everyone with the first ipad feels like a complete moron now that it's just a piece of useless outdated crap. Ipad 2 has made everything else completely useless.
The iPad 2 doesn't make the iPad 1 a piece of useless outdated crap, it makes it the second best tablet on the market. It is still perfectly useable.
I'm not really interested in a bunch of specs so the iPad 2 kinda bores me in that sense, it feels like an update not a successor. I'm hoping the iPad 3 will be all about the features.
The only thing I'm taking from this is: In a years time, with the release of iPad 3, will that make my next mega-expensive toy (the iPad2) a worthless piece of crap in waiting? I'm undecided on progress like this. Of course we want it, but when things are deliberately overpriced in the first place it does make me think twice.
That's the beauty of Apple products. Within 12 months of buying it, my iPod Touch 2nd Gen was a worthless piece of crap, couldn't even play new games. I've now owned my Macbook just over a year and it's already starting to look old in comparison to the latest line... though the base model Macbooks seem to hold up slightly better with only minor changes.
I suppose it's not unique, but my PS3/360/TV/stereo don't all feel insignificant after just 12 months.
Consoles have designed lifespans of what, 5+ years? Stereo tech really hasn't changed since 5.1 got big. Now that 1080p has sort of become the defacto standard for HD the only real room for improvement is contrast ratio and even that is minor. Those aren't very good comparisons to computers and portable electronics that are basically designed to be disposable.
I really don't see why the iPad 1 is "useless" because of the iPad 2. In fact, as others have said, the iPad 2 isn't a massive jump from the iPad 1. It *is* better, but the iPad 1 is still a fine device and plays a ton of great games as well as regular apps, great web browsing, etc. This is all just a very silly discussion. On top of all that, Apple's devices hold more value in the resale market then most other products, so upgrading is a feasible option for those who think the features and improvements are worth the upgrade.
The whole "useless" thing really kicks off when the new apps arrive. I didn't care about 3GS until there were games on it I couldn't play with my 2G. Given the iPad 2's supposed huge leap in graphical prowess and all the other fancy enhancements I don't think it'll be too long before apps start appearing that the original iPad can't handle.
Examples? My dad still uses an iPhone 3G and I've only come across one game that won't run on his phone. Even new games like Real Racing 2 and NBA Jam are compatible, 95% of iPhone apps still run on all hardware. It sucks when an app won't work on your device I just have a hard time believing it's that common of an issue.
There were a bunch of 3GS enabled games when it arrived, I can't remember them off-hand because I couldn't buy any. Even though lots of games still support older devices, performance inevitably begins to suffer, particularly in 3D games like Dungeon Defenders. Then there's sprite-intensive games such as Espgaluda II and the other CAVE games. The iPad 2 is supposed to be a beast for sprite rendering so I'm sure someone's about to take advantage of that for a dual stick shooter/bullet hell game. The situation might be even worse for iPad considering it's size means people have other uses for it too. It can run more serious work-related apps which potentially means graphic editing, 3D modelling, music creation... all very CPU intensive and if they want to make the most out of the new power it could mean ignoring the weaker original iPad.
It's not completely unique, but it's worse than others' because Apple inflate their prices beyond the pale. You only have to compare the quality of desktop pc you get, for a given amount of money, twixt mac and "ibm"
I had forgotten about the CAVE games honestly and that sucks because they are so great, but even then the 3G is still a unique case in that it's first generation hardware with absolutely no RAM to squeeze a game into repackaged with a 3G antenna. When the 3GS came out it was designed with the app store in mind while the original iPhone hardware had a year to go before a game of any kind was even available.
Perhaps this topic is getting a little too far away of the veins of my original post. I appreciate the input from everyone, but still no follow ups re my initial posers. Perhaps I should look elsewhere for an import unit, than risk a delay, maybe due, or maybe not, to the Japanese crisis.......
I was actually excited about the release and even saved up £250-odd... And then I read this thread. And then it hit home about how annoyed I was when I got my first gen iPT and then the second gen came out. I don't want this again. However, having said that, the iPad 2 does have pretty good features such as the gyro and compass - more things like that can't be updated/added, can they? So for what I need it for, should be fine. And my friends will be jealous for a year!
Technology marches on, better products come out. It is every few months for some Android devices. A year is fine. As to waiting for the Uk launch of the iPad. I wouldn't be surprised if the launch is put back. Overwhelming demand in USA, plus potential tightening of supply due to component problems from tsunami-hit Japan.
