Tag: iPad 2

Apps are better designed in iOS than in Android

Before I bought my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (9.7-inch, T819), I totally forgot taking into consideration the fact that apps are usually better designed in iOS than in Android.

Not that I totally screwed up in my decision, of course, there are other important factors that I considered, the topmost being the price.

But to give you an example of how apps are better designed in iOS than in Android, take a look at the screenshots of probably the most go-to app for every smartphone and/or tablet owners, Facebook.

In landscape modes, here’s the Facebook app in my old iPad 2:

facebook-app-on-an-ipad

Facebook iOS app on my iPad 2 (Landscape mode)

Continue reading

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: Continue reading

The iPad 2 Review That Will Probably Make You Buy One

Or at least will move you to the edge of buying an iPad 2.

What would the first iPad have been like if its engineers had been given another year to work on it

— Chicago Sun-Times, Review: iPad 2 is not revolutionary, but it is great

The author did some tests to compare the processing or loading speeds for some heavy-computing Apps between the original iPad and iPad 2. And he found out the increase in loading these certain apps was remarkable –around 2.5x faster. Now, while I’m waiting for some apps to load in my iPad classic, I’ll be wondering how wonder it would have been if I had the iPad 2 instead.

Personally, the thinner and lighter thing don’t really appeal to me, especially when the reviewer was actually worried attaching that a thick cable may actually snap something inside that thin device: Continue reading

The Road to the iPad 2

It’s been days since the Apple Media Event in San Francisco. What we’ve learned from the event:

  • The expected release of the iPad 2;
  • The expected release of iOS 4.3;
  • Some updated apps especially made for the iPad 2, such as Garage Band, Photo Booth, and iMovie;

Personally, I’m not that impressed with the specs of the new iPad. From what Pinoy Tech Blog has pointed out as key differences from the original iPad, I don’t think I’ll easily buy to that processor upgrade, or the addition of front and rear cameras, or the reduction in thickness (or thinness, if you may) and weight, especially if it only officially reaches the Philippine shores in another eight months. Continue reading

The iPad 2 Smart Cover

With the introduction of iPad 2 yesterday in the Apple Special “Media” Event in San Francisco, California, Apple also introduced the iPad 2 Smart Cover.

Besides being a stand for your new iPad 2, this thing snaps into your iDevice through magnets. Also, it enables sleep when you put on the cover as well as wakes it up when uncovered. Continue reading