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July 19th, 2011 at 2:55 PM EST | by Oliver VanDervoort
When the iPad was first announced, there was very little doubt that the device was going to be a very popular little gadget. Of course when first announced there were those who claimed that there didn’t seem to really be a need for a product that actually needed you to sync with a computer in order to use it but those were mostly comments from people who were trying to behave as if they were a bit more above it all than they actually were. The truth of the matter was that when the iPad was actually released in April of 2010, there was a huge demand. What might be a little bit surprising is that despite the fact that there have since been literally of dozens of other tablet computers released onto the market, the iPad’s demand is still growing, rather than holding steady or actually diminishing.
While RIM and Google and any number of tech companies have attempted to match the sheer popularity of first the iPad and then the iPad 2 recent reports by several industry analysts seem to show that not only is it becoming increasingly hard to shove the iPad out of the number one sales slot, but that Apple is actually improving its standing. Tomorrow, Apple is expected to announce its third quarter earnings and sales and while these earnings will be including other machines and programs, it appears all eyes will be on the iPad and the iPad 2 to see just how well the feature iOS devices are going to be selling. Of course, because the earnings report has not actually been released yet, we can’t be 100% sure of just how successful Apple has been in keeping the iPad sales flowing, but if industry analysts are to be trusted it was indeed an incredibly successful year.
While some analysts are aiming incredibly high, estimating that Apple was actually able to sell over 9.5 million iPads in the third quarter alone, even the lowball estimates of six million sold are pretty impressive. If we take the average estimate of 7.9 million units sold in the third quarter that would mean that Apple saw their iPad sales actually increase 142 percent from the same quarter a year ago.
The top product testing company gave Apple iPad 2 first place rating when compared with 9 other tablets. Consumer Reports performed a series of tests on 10 tablets to simulate use in everyday life, using 17 usability criteria to determine which tablet was best in areas like ease of use, versatility, responsiveness, and screen glare.
Only the Motorola XOOM came close to competing with iPad 2, and tied with the first-generation iPad in testing. The ability to play Flash content and a built-in memory card pushed the XOOM tablet close to iPad 2 in the ratings, but overall Apple’s new iPad was the better product.
Electronics Editor at Consumer Reports, Paul Reynolds, said:
“So far, Apple is leading the tablet market in both quality and price, which is unusual for a company whose products are usually premium priced. However, it’s likely we’ll see more competitive pricing in tablets as other models begin to hit the market.”
iPad 2’s battery lasted 12.2 hours in the test.
comment on this story | Comments Off on Consumer Reports Gives iPad 2 Top Tablet Rating
As a freelance writer, I jumped at the potential I saw in the iPad tablet to streamline meetings with clients. Every document I need for the meeting can be loaded onto the iPad. I am able to show up at a meeting professional and organized because I do not have to carry a bulky laptop case and then look for a place to spread out all of my paperwork and equipment.
I find the iPad is perfect for displaying my writing portfolio to clients. I open my portfolio website quickly and easily. Right away, the client is able to touch through all types of writing samples and not risk a paper cut. Since I am able to group my samples into categories, I am able to direct the client to specific samples they would be interested in seeing. This keeps from boring them with every piece of work ever accomplished.
The next benefit of the iPad for a freelancer is the ability to create a rough draft version during your discussion. The iPad has many apps, both paid and free versions, which give the ability to draw out an idea. I use Adobe Ideas to create a rough table of contents, but many will draw a flowchart or a sketch. I find that this keeps the meeting on task, shows the client that we are on the same idea, and reminds them that I am a dedicated professional in my field that is ready to go to work on this project.
After the client is sold on your talents, and they will be if you have an iPad, your next step in a meeting is to agree to and sign a contract. The iPad makes it easy to bring up your document and reword it so that it meets both you and your client’s terms. Once your contract is agreed upon, all you have to do is allow the client to use the iPad to sign the bottom of the contract. You are then able to show off another neat trick by emailing that contract to the client on the spot so they have a copy for their files. This is idea for the client because they will not have to worry about a paper copy.
The graphics processing unit in iPad 2 has been identified as the PowerVR SGX543MP2, as step up in speed and performance from its previous version found in iPad 1 and iPhone 4.
Anadtech has run some benchmark tests for speed and performance of iPad 2 against the first-generation iPad and its most worthwhile competition, the Motorola Xoom.
Architecturally the 543MP2 has more than twice the compute horsepower of the SGX 535 used in Apple’s A4. Each shader pipeline can execute twice the number of instructions per clock as the SGX 535, and then there are four times as many pipes in an SGX 543MP2 as there are in a 535. There are also efficiency improvements as well. Hidden surface removal works at twice the rate in the 543MP2 as it did in the 535.
Apple claimed an improved 9x graphics speed with the new iPad 2 at the media event to announce the new tablet on March 2. Anadtech was not able to confirm that claim, but approached 7x speed in the various tests they performed with different games. In each graphics test, iPad 2 was much faster than the Xoom.
Apple iPad 2 reviews are popping up around the Internet from tech sites, techies, and media outlets who were lucky enough to get their hands on the new tablet before they go on sale tomorrow. The glowing reviews shed more light on iPad’s potential to outshine its competitors this year, though some reviewers did mention some drawbacks like the poor camera quality. iPad 2 comes with new features, a new body, a new inside, and everybody thinks it will be as much or a bigger success than the first-generation iPad.
Walt likes the iPad 2, calling it the “best tablet for average consumers,” and thinks it makes the old iPad and Xoom look “bloated”. But he’s not happy about the quality of the rear facing camera for taking pictures and lack of 4G support. He suggests not buying the iPad 2 if you have a first-generation iPad as it is “evolutionary rather than revolutionary.”
As new contenders move into the field, Apple isn’t likely to keep its 90% share of the booming tablet market. But the iPad 2 moves the goal posts, by being slimmer and lighter, boosting speed and power, and holding its price advantages, available apps and battery life. As of now, I can comfortably recommend it as the best tablet for average consumers.
For Apple’s competitors in the tablet-device market, the iPad 2 is a bucket of water to the face. After more than a year of struggling to catch up to the original iPad, here’s a new model that addresses many of the iPad’s deficiencies, dramatically improves its speed, and doesn’t cede any ground on price, features, or battery life. The iPad 2 raises the bar Apple set a year ago—and it’s time for the rest of the industry to scramble again to catch up.
For everyone else, the iPad 2 is a triumph, an iPad that’s even more iPad than the original. And the original one was really good. The first iPad was a bolt from the blue, a device that defined an entire category, and a tough act to follow. The iPad 2 follows it with aplomb.
A week ago, after its unveiling, I got some hands on time with the new hardware and my initial assessment was that it pushed a device that already had no true competition, even farther ahead. But now I’ve had the chance to actually use the thing non-stop for a week. Is my feeling the same?
Actually, it’s even stronger.
The original iPad was considered a huge hit — but that was with no real competition. The iPad 2 has some competition — right now, the Xoom, and many more are coming. But I have no doubt that the iPad 2 will be an even bigger hit than the original.
Apple announced the iPad 2 today at a media event in San Francisco to an invite-only crowd of media reporters. Steve jobs made a surprise appearance, though his attendance was rumored, and spoke often throughout the 70 minute event.
Let’s take a look at what the iPad 2 has to offer:
Body:
The new iPad 2 design is 1/3 thinner and 15% lighter than the original iPad weighing only 1.3 pounds.
New iPad 2 Features and Apps:
A much anticipated upgrade for iPad is the forward(VGA) and rear(720p resolution) facing cameras. Users can now enjoy the FaceTime video conferencing feature between 2 iPads, iPad and iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and iPad and Mac. The rear facing camera shoots HD video to be used with iMovie and can also be used with FaceTime to shoot video from the opposite side of the iPad. Learn more about FaceTime here or more about the cameras here.
Photobooth compliments the new iPad cameras and allows users to edit and manage their photos easily. And with iMovie, editing videos is easy simply by using your fingers. Videos can be uploaded directly to Vimeo, CNN iReport, and YouTube. Cost will be $4.99 and availability is March 11. Learn more here.
GarageBand for iPad is a great advancement. It allows you to use your own instrument or play different instruments within the iPad like piano and drums. Included are touch instruments, guitar amps, loops, 8 track recording, mixing capabilities. The cost is $4.99 and will be available March 11 with iOS 4.3.
The iPad can now be shown on your HDTV through the new HDMI cable. This feature will show on your TV exactly what is on your iPad screen in full 1080p. The cable also charges the iPad at the same time as viewing and will cost $39.
As a freelance writer, I jumped at the potential I saw in the iPad tablet to streamline meetings with clients. Every document I need for the meeting can be loaded onto the iPad. I am able to show up at a meeting professional and organized because I do not have to carry a bulky laptop case and then look for a place to spread out all of my paperwork and equipment. 
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