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Everything iPad 2: Hands On, Reviewed, Analyzed, Where to Buy

YM Ousley — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:20:05 +0000

Yesterday was the big day when that mysterious “2” invitation was confirmed to be for an event launching the iPad 2. Okay, so it wasn’t that mysterious, but there was one surprise. Notably, it was that Steve Jobs delivered the presentation. Though the stock price of Apple spiked on Jobs’ appearance, many financial analysts are saying it actually created more confusion that relief. For many people, Steve Jobs is Apple. This is of course not true: Apple has thousands of employees, Jobs is a very important one, but by no means the only one. Still, the thought of Apple without Jobs, who has been dealing with an undisclosed medical condition believed to be cancer, is feared by investors who’ve been demanding a succession plan.

While the iPad 2 is thinner, faster and presumably shinier than the original iPad, there weren’t too many seriously groundbreaking features, so Jobs’ appearance may have been a way to make up for that. Some believe an iPad 3 will be here before year’s end (Apple calls 2011 the “year of the iPad 2” so take that as their rebuttal), so it may also be the extra bit of star power needed to push people off the fence.

In case the actual features and reviews are what you’re really interested in though, here’s a roundup of everything iPad 2.

iPad 2 First Hands On {Engadget}

“This thing is insanely fast. We’re not joking — it’s blazingly fast. Everything the iPad 2 does feels like it’s on turbo. We’re uploading a video of the some evidence of this, you’ll be appropriately stunned.”

Visit Engadget for additional videos and closeups.

Why Steve Jobs Emceed Another iPad Pep Rally {Fast Company}

“For manyÂ Apple-gazers, the most notable aspect of Wednesdayâ€s iPad 2 launch wasnâ€t any particular feature of the upgraded device. Nor was it the fact that Apple was launching a v2 less than 12 months after it unveiled the first version of its new tablet; it was the command performance by the person who made it: CEO Steve Jobs.”

iPad 2: All the Details {Gizmodo}

“Contrary to the rumors, the new iPad 2 has been improved a lot internally. Faster processor, faster graphics, HDMI Full HD output, the 720p HD camera on the back, the frontal VGA camera… it’s quite a new beast.”

Apple announces redesigned iPad 2: A5 CPU, 2 cameras, ships March 11 {Apple Insider}

“The new iPad 2 will be available in two colors — black and white — and will be available on both AT&T and Verizon 3G networks from day one. It also sports the same 10-hour battery life. A new accessory cable will also offer mirrored HDMI video out to HDTVs for 1080p high-definition output. The $39 cable allows users to charge their iPad while using the video out feature. Another accessory announced by Apple is a magnetic “smart cover,” which covers the front of the device. Covering the front of the device automatically locks the device, while taking it off will unlock it. Microfibers on the screen cover are said to clean the iPad 2 display, while magnets will automatically align the cover on the screen.”

iPad 2 will be at Best Buy at launch (Update: Sams Club+Walmart) {9 to 5 Mac}

“In case you want to sit in the parking lot of a Best Buy rather than the parking lot of an Apple Store: Best Buy will have iPad 2 at launch. Â Wooo!”

What was MIA from the big iPad announcements today? {TUAW}

“Life is not all about fawning over every move Apple makes (despite what it feels like some days). As I step outside the Reality Distortion Field, there were some things I wanted to see Apple include.”

iPad 2 Rollout Leads to Massive Deflation in Secondary Market {Mashable}

“If youâ€re planning to trade in your old iPad for a shiny new iPad 2, you arenâ€t alone. In the hours after the iPad 2 announcement, thousands of iPad users have headed for the web to sell off their tablets of yesteryear. This frenzy â€” coupled with Appleâ€s decision to drop the price of the original iPad to help clear out inventory â€” has had a drastic impact on the secondary market. That makes this a prime opportunity for savvy buyers to get a good deal on last yearâ€s iPad.”

Just Bought An iPad? Head Back To The Apple Store With A Quickness For A $100 Rebate {CrunchGear}

“Did you just buy an iPad? Why? Donâ€t you pay attention to the Internet? Anyway, if you bought an iPad between now and February 16 you can still pop back to the Apple Store to get a $100 rebate on your recently purchased frisbee.”

Is the $97 WalMart iPhone a Good Deal?

YM Ousley — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:01:54 +0000

Walmart has cut the price of the 16GB iPhone 3GS from $199 to $97, just weeks before Apple is expected to formally announce the features of the new iPhone.

While that may sound like a good deal – the 8GB phone is $99 on Apple’s website, it might only be appealing to those who’ve been on the fence about the iPhone for a while. If you purchase the $97 iPhone, you’ll still be locked into a 2-year contract with AT&T. Many people suspect that an iPhone for Verizon will appear before year’s end. For those who have heard the many complaints of customers on AT&T; like dropped calls, spotty reception and sporadic call quality, even in areas with multiple bars, a new network might be more important than a $100 discount.

For the phone geeks, $100 might also not be enough to make up for the fact that the phone won’t come with the latest features due to come on the latest iPhones. Judging by the fervor over the lost iPhone Gizmodo posted about, it’s safe to say there are enough people who are more concerned with having an extra camera and larger battery (to support a higher quality screen display, among other things) than getting the lowest price.

If you’re okay with AT&T, can make do with a single camera and think the current screen resolution of the 3GS is just fine, Apple rarely sells anything at 50% off so the WalMart discount is definitely worth considering.

H&M’s Disposal Policies Don’t Make the Cut

YM Ousley — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:10:01 +0000

If Zac Posen has unsold inventory at the end of the season, you can likely find it for a discount on Gilt. A successful trip to Century 21 or TJ Maxx (for the non-New Yorkers) can mean steep discounts on last season’s clothes.

H&M or Wal-Mart’s unsold inventory? Check the trash. In a very eco-unfriendly move, the New York Times reports that both retailers make a habit of simply throwing out unworn clothes that don’t move. Rather than donating the garments to the homeless or charities – New York Cares, around the corner from H&M’s 34th Street store would willingly accept the clothes, the clothes are ripped or slashed and thrown away.

While H&M and Wal-Mart are the subject of the Times’ look at clothing at the end of its life cycle, it raises the question of how mass retailers handle unsold inventory. Officially, most companies have donation programs or policies in place; but with larger tax savings for losses than donations, it raises the question of how closely fast fashion adheres to those guidelines.