Next iPad due Q1/2011?

Owen

Apparently so! According to AppleInsider, there's a new iPad with facetime being tested currently, and is due to be launched early 2011 breaking the normal yearly update of iDevices. Why? Apple supposedly want Facetime to be available on all their current IOS products, and there's an oncoming flurry of Android/Chrome OS/Windows tablets with webcams.

Thoughts? I couldn't believe how crappy the hardware specs of the iPad were when it was launched. I understood not having USB, I understood not having a rear camera, but I always thought the iPad would be the perfect present for my Mother who wanted to video conference with her grandkids in the UK, and was surprised it didn't have a webcam from launch. I think this is something that needs to happen, the iPad really just is a big iPod and needs a kick up the arse to still remain relevant in today's market.

Zascar

This pretty much sums up apple's marketing strategy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ELpS3Wc4Q

I like the ipad but I would not buy one. I'm waiting for the flurry of Android devices that will be better and cheaper. See post in sig

Basq

Ah... the ol' iPad camera argument!

Speaking personally (and also the opinion of a lot of people I've talked to), video calls are not for me. It's great than you could video-chat with friends and family but realistically, I just don't know how often it'd be used by most people. A good camera on a device has never been a kicker for me!

So I'm more than happy with my current iPad. Adding a camera isn't gonna lure me into upgrading in the slightest.

Owen

That's the weird thing about video calling. I hardly ever use it. It's a gimmick for me. But my Mother saw it on the iPhone 4, and actually thought about buying an iPhone 4 specifically so she could conference with the grandkids abroad even though she's nearly 70. I could see her using an iPad with a camera every day of the week.

iMax

Enabling a connectable camera would be a good start to improve the current one.

_Whimsical_

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Apparently so! According to AppleInsider, there's a new iPad with facetime being tested currently, and is due to be launched early 2011 breaking the normal yearly update of iDevices. Why? Apple supposedly want Facetime to be available on all their current IOS products, and there's an oncoming flurry of Android/Chrome OS/Windows tablets with webcams.

Thoughts? I couldn't believe how crappy the hardware specs of the iPad were when it was launched. I understood not having USB, I understood not having a rear camera, but I always thought the iPad would be the perfect present for my Mother who wanted to video conference with her grandkids in the UK, and was surprised it didn't have a webcam from launch. I think this is something that needs to happen, the iPad really just is a big iPod and needs a kick up the arse to still remain relevant in today's market.

Aren't they planning to decrease the size of the next iPad?
Adding face time and decreasing the screen size seems like an odd choice to me.

I think an iPad with face time could well appeal to grannies and an older generation who are intimidated by computers. The idevice interface is just so idiot proof that anyone of any age could become familiar with using it very quickly and the broad functionality it offers would appeal to that market too. However I don't believe there are enough interested older people out there for apple to ditch their " cool kid" image in the hope of appealing to them. If they're aiming at a younger market I can't really see how face time would have people rushing out to buy the iPad. If they're going to budge their present iPad users to upgrade and attract new users they'll want something a whole lot more innovative than face time in my opinion.

Hobbes

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Thoughts? I couldn't believe how crappy the hardware specs of the iPad were when it was launched.

Which ones? So far it works great for games and battery life is fantastic.

the iPad really just is a big iPod

No, it isn't. If you think that, you probably don't use one.

jeromeof

I think a webcam is something people think they want but hardly ever use. I have a webcam on 2 laptops and other than initially when I first got them and a single time to keep my kids happy I have never used them.

Apple will no doubt include one in the next iPad, given that it is now in all iPod touches etc. but mainly because there will be 100's of Android iPad clones come next year, most of them will have a webcam, just to try and get the upper hand specs wise over the iPad. But given my experience it wouldn't make me upgrade. A dual core A4 (A5 maybe), 512MB (1GB memory) and a retinal display ppi resolution (say 1920x1280 i.e. 960x640(x2)) might make me think of upgrading.

Dman001

Once Apple start implementing FaceTime with PC and Macs I reckon it will properly take off. A camera has no appeal to me at all, I want more memory in the iPad. Wouldn't mind seeing a slight price decrease too, maybe by €50.

Creamy Goodness

a lot of people who say they don't use webcams that's fair enough it doesn't seem to be a huge thing here in ireland and uk to use them.

but when i was living in the states last year there were tons of people on public transport i saw making video calls on their phones. it's a big thing over there. if you look at apple treat the world it's no doubt that america is their biggest market, they need to please them the most.

tbh i'm glad i held out on the ipad, i'll probably buy the new one, not just because it will have cameras and probably a better display etc.etc. but because i'm getting annoyed at constantly having to teach my parents and siblings how to use a netbook (running ubuntu) how to open up firefox, an ipad will take that away so i can stop doing what i do for a living (not necessarily an IT support guy but as i have a degree in computer science i should know everything about computers right?) when i get home.

Owen

Hobbes wrote: »

Which ones? So far it works great for games and battery life is fantastic.

For me, for the iPad to be a killer device, it would need to have both cameras. Having a portable internet device without the ability to skype/facetime is akin to buying a netbook without a webcam. I'd just never do it, I'd look for something else.

I'd have expected some sort of biometric authentication in case it was left behind somewhere (Which Apple has patents for, baffles me why they don't use them), I'd have expected the ability to tether the iPhone to the iPad for connectivity without a SIM only plan. I'd have expected an memory card reader so artisticky photogs could show their afternoons shooting session to friends over a coffee. Even a simple kickstand would be good!

Hobbes wrote: »

No, it isn't. If you think that, you probably don't use one.

What additional features apart from the screen size does the iPad have over an iPod touch? I've checked the apple site, and apart from the 3g version having additional location features (agps, cellular location), it is pretty much a large iPod touch.

naasrd

PaintDoctor wrote: »

?...it is pretty much a large iPod touch.

So your point is what, exactly? The iPod Touch is an absolutely brilliant little device so something that's bigger therefore must be just as brilliant and guess what...it is!

Owen

I was making the point that the iPad is behind now compared to the rest of the IOS device lineup. It needs a kick up the ass to stay relevant.

I'm not a hater, I have a house full of iPods of all vintages, and a few iPhones including the 4. I just wish the iPad was better, and now it looks like Apple are going to make it better which means I'll be buying it if they do.

Kevin!

I would think that the next generation of iPads will have more RAM - considering they only have 256mb and the iPhone 4 has 512mb.

jeromeof

PaintDoctor wrote: »

For me, for the iPad to be a killer device, it would need to have both cameras. Having a portable internet device without the ability to skype/facetime is akin to buying a netbook without a webcam. I'd just never do it, I'd look for something else.

You actually use a Webcam??? Or you just look at specifications and like the idea of having a webcam. As for a camera it is patently stupid to have a camera on a tablet. It is too big, you will have your smartphone with you, so use that for taking pictures. Though I did like the "camera for iPad" app which allows you to use your iPhone as the camera for the iPad.

PaintDoctor wrote: »

I'd have expected some sort of biometric authentication in case it was left behind somewhere (Which Apple has patents for, baffles me why they don't use them), I'd have expected the ability to tether the iPhone to the iPad for connectivity without a SIM only plan. I'd have expected an memory card reader so artisticky photogs could show their afternoons shooting session to friends over a coffee. Even a simple kickstand would be good!

I am not sure anyone uses biometric authentication, so I can't see that as a feature but eventually this might come. I like the idea I have seen on some devices where rather than a swipe to unlock, a user can specify a pattern. Get the pattern wrong and the device locks up etc.

As for memory card reader, there is just such an add-on, the camera kit?? As for a kickstand, I had one on a archos I had a few years ago, it broke and ruined the device for me. Having it built into the protective case is a smarter idea (as you would always want to have it in a protective case) and even if it breaks you just get a new case.

PaintDoctor wrote: »

What additional features apart from the screen size does the iPad have over an iPod touch? I've checked the apple site, and apart from the 3g version having additional location features (agps, cellular location), it is pretty much a large iPod touch.

Actually use one before making such generalities. It like saying your smartphone is just a small computer, whats the big deal!!! The idea is that the smartphone experience is a good one, but on its own could not replace the home laptop/netbook for the majority of people in the future. The 3 reasons an iPod touch wouldn't replace a netbook are (1) the screen size, (2) the appropriate applications (e.g. iPad mail app is more like Outlook, Google earth is more like the desktop version, a browser like Atomic is more like a full PC webbrowser (i.e. extensions), AirVideo is much more like a media center on the iPad, iBooks/Kindle/GoodReader make the iPad a viable alternative to a book, I could go on and on - did I mentioned games etc) and the final reason is an (3) optional keyboard (for those times when you do actually need write something long - like this reply). Add these features to an iPod Touch and you have something useful as a laptop/netbook replacement! Oh wait, Apple did that its called an iPad.

Owen

jeromeof wrote: »

You actually use a Webcam???

Regularly. I have a lot of friends and family living abroad. Webcams are fantastic for keeping in touch and seeing kids grow up, etc.

jeromeof wrote: »

Actually use one before making such generalities.

I have used several iPads, and there's no wow factor for me. I find my 10 inch netbook with touchscreen and webcam far more appealing. Again, I want an iPad, just not it's current iteration. I'm not the only one who feels this, there's a humongous thread on Engadget with people complaining about the first gen half hearted feel the iPad has.

When did this turn into an argue with PD thread? I thought the point was to discuss a new iPad potentially coming out? You guys incapable of having shortcomings pointed out in a product? Remember, I love Apple too, they just need to wake up the iPad IMHO.

jeromeof

PaintDoctor wrote: »

When did this turn into an argue with PD thread? I thought the point was to discuss a new iPad potentially coming out? You guys incapable of having shortcomings pointed out in a product? Remember, I love Apple too, they just need to wake up the iPad IMHO.

Hey no worries, if you regularly using a webcam thats great and i definitely wouldn't recommend an ipad for you.

For me the shortcomings are the memory and the display resolution. The memory problem isn't obvious yet, but I have a horrible feeling that when 4.2 comes in November, it will cause significant amounts of slow downs (as the iPad is lightning fast for me at the moment). The resolution is a slight problem, I have a few PDF's which have so much detail in them that they look at bit blurry at the 1024x768, so you have to pinch/zoom around which is a shame as it ruins the book/magazine like experience. These 2 shortcomings are actually less to do with the device now but rather what it might be able to do in future, hence why I think it is a great device now for most people. Yes, if it added a front-camera they would be even more people which it would be useful for and you can always do with a faster processors.

But make no mistake this is not a large iPod touch, it is a home laptop/netbook replacement for most non-techie people I know and obviously with a few extra features it will become even more so. That said I imagine a future Android tablet will also be a great laptop/netbook replacement (though probably for more techies than non-techies).

cyberspi

The lack of webcam and built in card slot are the 2 things that have stopped our household buying one. The other half frequently travels with work and skype allows him to join in with me and the kids for our usual chat around the dinner table at supper time. He doesn't need a computer for his work so the compact iPad with long life battery would be a lot handier for him than bringing the MacBook.

jeromeof

cyberspi wrote: »

The lack of webcam and built in card slot are the 2 things that have stopped our household buying one. The other half frequently travels with work and skype allows him to join in with me and the kids for our usual chat around the dinner table at supper time. He doesn't need a computer for his work so the compact iPad with long life battery would be a lot handier for him than bringing the MacBook.

Yes this is the classic Facetime use-case but surely it is easier to hold a mobile phone like an iPhone4 for longer period? Skype works great now with IOS4, though still doesn't use the camera on the iPhone. That said I can understand a laptop for this as you can at least angle it without having to hold it all the time.

I am not sure what the comment on the built in card slot is meant as I can't honestly see the difference (other than the initial cost) in an adapter or a built in card slot. The iPad has lots of storage and it is easy (though you have to use iTunes) to drag drop PDF/movies etc. onto it for later consumption.

Owen

jeromeof wrote: »

Yes this is the classic Facetime use-case but surely it is easier to hold a mobile phone like an iPhone4 for longer period?

Kickstand! :pac:

jeromeof wrote: »

I am not sure what the comment on the built in card slot is meant as I can't honestly see the difference (other than the initial cost) in an adapter or a built in card slot.

Using an adapter seems very anti-Apple's chic design. I think if they'd incorporate an SD card reader for the casual photog, and a CF slot for the SLR users, it'd have opened up new audiences, and gotten the thumbs up from various review sites. Just my opinion though, and everyone's is different!

Hobbes

PaintDoctor wrote: »

For me, for the iPad to be a killer device, it would need to have both cameras.

OK so your buying trend is have two cameras in it. You can already use SkyPE with it.

I'd have expected the ability to tether the iPhone to the iPad for connectivity without a SIM only plan.

My feeling at first, but I have 3G model and works out cheaper then using my phone.

I'd have expected an memory card reader so artisticky photogs could show their afternoons shooting session to friends over a coffee. Even a simple kickstand would be good!

You can already get a memory card reader for it. As for the kick stand a number of cases for it this already.

Even so you have cloud drives, various sites for dropping your files and reading them on the device. Or just drag and drop via iTunes (least on mac, not sure about windows).

What additional features apart from the screen size does the iPad have over an iPod touch?

Which iPod touch? If you mean the ones without the cameras then better processor, 3g, better sound. But the main thing is you can use the iPad for a lot more then you would use the itouch for.