Tag: Apple

iPad 2 vs. 3rd Gen iPad: What Are They Missing?

What 3rd Gen iPad reviews usually talk about is whether it is worth the upgrade if you already own an iPad 2. Case in point: Thoughts on the new iPad.

To be fair, they did mention that the new iPad is definitely a good the best buy if you are gonna be a first-time iPad owner. But what they really failed to consider was that: if you were to buy your first iPad, there’s actually an alternative — to get the iPad 2 instead.

To me, they’re answering the wrong question. The right question should have been: If you were to buy your first iPad, would you forgo the new iPad and settle for the cheaper iPad 2 instead? Simply stated: are the new features and upgrades of the new iPad (i.e., Retina display, quad-core graphics, 4G LTE, etc.) worth the US$100 premium from the price of the iPad 2?

I already had my take about it: Why I opted for iPad 2 instead. What about your opinion?

Why I Opted for iPad 2 Instead?

(Updated: please see notes at the bottom of this article)

Why did I settle for iPad 2, and forego the new iPad — or iPad 3?

(Note: Apple is not calling the new third-generation iPad the iPad 3, but for purposes of this post and the discussions hereinafter, and to avoid confusion, I’ll refer to the third-generation iPad as the iPad 3.)

When I sold my iPad “Classic” back in June 2011, I had it then in my mind to just get the next version of the iPad. Thus, the delight when the iPad 3 was announced by Tim Cook last March 7, 2012 (or March 8 in the Philippines).

The major improvements (or changes) of the iPad 3 from the iPad 2 are:

  • Retina Display — capable of 2048-by-1536-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi);
  • New A5X Chip — same dual-core processor as the A5 chip of the iPad 2 but the upgrade comes in the quad-core graphics (vs. dual-core GPU);
  • iSight — 5-megapixel back camera;
  • 4G LTE connectivity — for faster cellular data browsing;

See detailed comparison at the Apple Store.

Before I took the plunge and got the iPad 2, I have watched the video reviews by The Verge and MacWorld. And from that, here are my impressions: Read further and tell me if I’m vindicated »

The Idea of an iPad Mini

Kyle Baxter breaks down the advantages vs. disadvantages of a smaller version of an iPad (e.g., a 7″ to 8″ display):

I have no doubt that Apple is working on a small iPad, but that’s a separate question of whether they will actually release it.

Personally, I don’t like the idea of an iPad Mini, iPad Nano, or whatever name. I’m not entertaining the idea of getting both, if there will ever be a smaller version. And I hate debating with myself which screen size should I get.

I’m already spending a lot of effort deciding whether I should get the new iPad (3rd Gen) or settle for iPad 2. And I’m already sick of deciding. So please put a stop at my agony.

Boostcase Hybrid — a must buy for iPhone 4/4S users

After reading good reviews and buy recommendations about the Boostcase Hybrid from PTB, Abuggedlife, and Technograph, I finally gave it a go and bought one. Indeed, it is capable of doubling my iPhone’s battery life, especially when I’m nowhere near a power outlet, places other than the house or the office.

I’ve been to out-of-town trips where I found my iPhone’s battery dead (or almost dead) before the trip is over. These are the instances that the Boostcase battery pack could have proved very useful.

Don’t get me wrong, I consider the iPhone’s battery to be the most reliable and most consistent compared to say an Android (more on this in another post) and even BlackBerry. I mean I can install any new apps on the iPhone without worrying much about any additional strain on the battery, as compared to when using Android and BlackBerry. Of course, unlimited 3G use especially when using the Maps app can drain a lot of battery. Photos and my own impressions after the jump »

My Thoughts on the New iPhone 4S

We all know iPhone 4S has been announced last night. And a lot of people are disappointed. It fell well below most people’s expectations, especially — I guess — the detractors.

But at least let me share my thoughts about this new iDevice:

  • Lack of redesign – at least my iPhone 4, with its already great looks, design, build and construction will still stay relevant for another 12 months or so;
  • 3.5 inch display is so 2007. Everyone else is 4 to 5 inches across– I think it is still the sweet spot for a smartphone. Not too big for just call and text and not too small for internet browsing. And remember, all the 500,000+ apps that are currently available in the App Store are built for that screen size. Make the display larger, given that you maintain the exact aspect ratio, and you might find your apps already pixelated. You may not want a new screen size for an iPhone and count your available apps back from zero? What about the possibility of purchasing the same app you once purchased for use in your new iPhone 4S? If you really want a bigger screen, go get an iPad.
  • No LTE or 4G or HSPA+ support – those technologies are barely, if not at all, existing in the Philippines anyway, so why bother? And don’t tell me it’s the network of the future — because I’m actually satisfied with the current 3G + HSDPA speeds, if only the telcos could make it more consistent across all areas in the country, without the worry of shortened battery life.
  • 8-MegaPixel Camera and 1080p Video Recording – of all the new features of the iPhone 4S, these are my least favorite. Here we are again, back at counting pixels. We all know that the higher the pixel count, the larger the resulting JPEG file, the slower it will take to upload and share with friends. Even a 2-megapixel image is more than enough size for just internet sharing via Facebook or the likes. And 1080p? For my 32″ LCD TV? Obviously an overkill! Improve the lens quality — that’s what I’d say — which they actually did with the 5-element lens and f/2.8 aperture.

So, in a nutshell, the improvements introduced in the new iPhone 4S may be less than impressive but I’m not at all disappointed.

The iPhone Evolution

The iPhone evolution described in infographic:

You have to bear in mind, though, that the iPhone 5 (or the 5th generation–that is, as it’s still indefinite what they’ll call it) specs are based on rumors circulating the web so far. Even the picture and form isn’t certain.

It’s good to see how the iPhone evolved through the years in just one look.

Raptor is a Great FICS Desktop Client for Mac

Free Internet Chess Server (FICS), which can be found at www.freechess.org, is a great way to play chess online for free. Besides being free, another great thing about FICS is the presence of a huge community, so that you’ll always have someone within your playing level to start a game with. It is also highly moderated by system and human moderators so that trolls and cheaters are quickly identified and acted upon accordingly.

I used to connect to FICS via Winboard or BabasChess on my Windows machine. But now that I’m on a Mac (specifically on an Intel, Mac OS X Lion 10.7, Macbook Pro 13″ Early 2011), these two programs don’t just seem to work. Good thing I stumbled upon a comment from one user in the FICS group in Facebook about Raptor Chess. See screenshot after the jump »

Mac Desktop Client for FICS

UPDATE: I actually already found a great FICS client for Mac: Raptor Chess.

If you have have read in my previous post, I’ve been a Mac convert for sometime now. And I would like very much to test the computing power of a Mac upto its full potential.

I also liked playing chess on FICS or freechess.org. And I have been looking for Apps or programs that can be a desktop client for connecting to FICS. In my Windows days, my favorite was Winboard, though I sometimes used BabasChess. Continue reading Mac Desktop Client for FICS