With the iPhone 4 ushering in so many new features, it seems safe to say that the iPad II will inherit many of it's little brother's features.
Here is what I'm betting on:
Retina Display - it's far too sharp with text to NOT put it in the second gen iPad
Front Facing Camera - this will likely be in there because supposedly there is room for it and all iPads are WiFi compatible - the avenue used by FaceTime.
More RAM - I believe the iPad has 256 MB of RAM while the iPhone 4 has 512 MB.
Faster Chip - duh, newer units are always faster, but maybe not by a lot.
SD Card Slot - this might be pushing it, but it'd be cool to see an SD slot on an iPad. It would make for faster image uploading and you could use it for extra storage.
Possible Redesign - we MIGHT see a redesign based on the iPhone 4. Maybe not a glass back, but I wouldn't put it passed them. If not, it may look similar, but with an aluminum back.
No Camera or HD video - it is really nonsensical to add this feature to such a big product. Forward facing camera is likely as mentioned. If there IS one on the back it will be fore FaceTime purposes and likely lower resolution.
I think we could see this as soon as January, but it could be further out and late in 2011. Apple seems to want to make it's products uniform. Just look at the Macbook Pro line. 13-17" are identical except for size. Same with iMacs and even the new Mac Mini has taken on the design characteristics of the iMac. The only odd ball in the group is the regular MacBook. I wont be surprised if this one goes away eventually to make room for a pad between the iPad and the Macbook pro? Why? Because for like $200 more than the Macbook, the lowest end Macbook Pro is way more than $200 worth the hardware in my opinion.
We'll see. It's always fun to see that they're gonna do.
- R
June 28, 2010
June 23, 2010
No worm for the early birds
An interesting twist is occurring in the iPhone 4 launch debacle. It seems that early players in the pre-order game are actually being penalized for their efforts. Many of the pre-order customers who's orders were postponed or processed late in the day are actually getting their precious packages ahead of schedule, while many of the early birds, as it were, are not expecting delivery until at least launch day.
The fact that the orders - for the most part - seem to be scheduled for on-time delivery is a good thing. However, many of those who had conducted the pre-order at the beginning of the day are actually getting their units after the late bloomers.
There has been some variation in delivery times between those who waited at Apple direct stores and those who ventured to AT&T retailers, but other issues are occurring between orders sent form the same location.
For example, I was one of the first four people in the door at the local AT&T store here in Montgomery. No, I'm not a crazed fan - well, yes I am, but I was not rushing to the store to beat every other iPhone patron nor was even there to pre-order, but rather to determine when the online server failure would be resolved. I then discovered that they would be taking pre-orders in-store. Lucky me.
There were four of us there when the doors opened and all of us were greeted by AT&T reps - no lines, at that point. Within 3o minutes the system errors became clear. Within an hour and a half they were unable to process orders and within two hours they were turning people away. The whole thing went from bad to worse in less time that it takes to play a World Cup match, and considering that this is the FOURTH time the phone has been upgraded, you'd think that this wouldn't have happened - but I digress.
Anyway, a few people that I know got their phone pre-orders in well after mine and as it turns out, their devices are getting in sooner. My pre-order was completed at 9:45 a.m. One friend's was completed at 2 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. How are they arriving? The 6 p.m. order arrived today - a day early - just after lunch. The 2 p.m. order was delivered at 3 p.m. today - again a day early. And mine? The early bird pre-order? It should be here tomorrow. Launch day, yes, but really? The first in line get their's later? My shipping information was "not found" in the FedEx database - like thousands of others. It only updated this morning around 8 a.m. Ironically, it was the first in the system. I guess the guys at Apple started boxing and labeling devices and created a big pile, then, started shipping from the top of that pile. Makes sense...to someone, somewhere, I guess.
At the end of the day, does it matter? No. It just sucks that those who did get their early wound up not getting the priority. I know if I were the first to a restaurant I'd expect to get seated before those who came after me with the same party number. In the end we'll all get to eat, but it's just common courtesy I suppose. I'm a little irked at the situation to say the least, but as I like to say, "I'll live."
- R
The fact that the orders - for the most part - seem to be scheduled for on-time delivery is a good thing. However, many of those who had conducted the pre-order at the beginning of the day are actually getting their units after the late bloomers.
There has been some variation in delivery times between those who waited at Apple direct stores and those who ventured to AT&T retailers, but other issues are occurring between orders sent form the same location.
For example, I was one of the first four people in the door at the local AT&T store here in Montgomery. No, I'm not a crazed fan - well, yes I am, but I was not rushing to the store to beat every other iPhone patron nor was even there to pre-order, but rather to determine when the online server failure would be resolved. I then discovered that they would be taking pre-orders in-store. Lucky me.
There were four of us there when the doors opened and all of us were greeted by AT&T reps - no lines, at that point. Within 3o minutes the system errors became clear. Within an hour and a half they were unable to process orders and within two hours they were turning people away. The whole thing went from bad to worse in less time that it takes to play a World Cup match, and considering that this is the FOURTH time the phone has been upgraded, you'd think that this wouldn't have happened - but I digress.
Anyway, a few people that I know got their phone pre-orders in well after mine and as it turns out, their devices are getting in sooner. My pre-order was completed at 9:45 a.m. One friend's was completed at 2 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. How are they arriving? The 6 p.m. order arrived today - a day early - just after lunch. The 2 p.m. order was delivered at 3 p.m. today - again a day early. And mine? The early bird pre-order? It should be here tomorrow. Launch day, yes, but really? The first in line get their's later? My shipping information was "not found" in the FedEx database - like thousands of others. It only updated this morning around 8 a.m. Ironically, it was the first in the system. I guess the guys at Apple started boxing and labeling devices and created a big pile, then, started shipping from the top of that pile. Makes sense...to someone, somewhere, I guess.
At the end of the day, does it matter? No. It just sucks that those who did get their early wound up not getting the priority. I know if I were the first to a restaurant I'd expect to get seated before those who came after me with the same party number. In the end we'll all get to eat, but it's just common courtesy I suppose. I'm a little irked at the situation to say the least, but as I like to say, "I'll live."
- R
June 15, 2010
AT&T not "changing everything". Again.
If spotty cell coverage and the inability to tether haven't been reason enough for Apple to consider expanding its wireless carrier relations, today's problematic start to the most anticipated wireless device launch in history surely should be.
In an effort to circumvent customers' problems with getting iPhones in the past - I suppose - Apple decided to offer pre-ordering for the first time ever - that I recall. The iPhone launched in much the same way as the iPod. It was new, and cool and everyone probably wanted one, but not everyone jumped on board - at first. Now the iPod is so popular that it, in fact, is the default name for the entire MP3 player line. Even if you are sporting a Roxio or, dare I say, Zune, everyone asks, "Hey, what are you listening to on your iPod?"
The iPhone went through similar paces with the second generation, the 3G, bringing in a larger crowd and with the 3Gs the iPhone became one of the most popular mobile devices on the planet. The unit, in conjunction with the iTunes, the iTunes Store and the hundreds of thousands of Apps has created a family of usability unmatched by any other manufacturer - period. Sorry Droid. But all of this is separate from the carrier end. Yes, Cingular jumped on board with the Rocker - which was actually terrible aside from the fact that it did iTunes - and visual voicemail and they do provide good data speed compared to some other vendors, but they monopoly on iPhone rights has taken a toll on customers. Something that Apple has had to start answering for more recently.
It becomes harder and harder for Apple to separate itself from AT&T when it comes to coverage problems because even though the two are really mutually exclusive with regard to what they handle in the unit, Apple has been getting some flack for not allowing other carriers, like Verizon for example, have a shot at it. Yes, Verizon's data is not strong, but with a nod from Apple, that would likely be fixed and quickly. But, until the multi-carrier day arrives, AT&T has exclusive rights to do what they want and lately it seems like they want to screw it up.
When the 3Gs launched it was a big enough deal that it spawned record lines of people waiting to either upgrade or obtain the device for the first time. Even here in podunk Montgomery, Alabama, one store saw more than an hundred people in line on launch day. The store only had about 40 phones, but wouldn't tell anyone in the back of the line not to waste their time. What did those toward the rear get after hours of waiting? "Sorry, we're out and there's no rain-checks."
Another problem that's slightly more understandable, but still super frustrating was the early days of activation. I remember being without cell service for more than 10 hours cause the network was clogged. Now, it's a new problem - and it's not even activation time.
As of this post I am - as far as I'm aware - one of only about five or so individuals in Montgomery that actually as a receipt confirming a reserved iPhone 4. Why? Because the AT&T servers can't handle the load. Everything goes smoothly online (or did) until you actually want to pick your phone and then the system crashes and tells you to call an 800 number to upgrade to anything BUT the iPhone 4. The AT&T servers have also screwed up the Apple pre-order deal as well because they are having to tap in to the AT&T system to verify that the customer is either qualified via credit approval or eligible for a product upgrade.
So, I did what any rational person would do. I went to a an AT&T retail store. I went to the source. After 45 minutes in line, I got my receipt. Apparently the main glitch is coming from the address verification component for product delivery. No matter what gets entered, it cannot verify the address and won't complete the order. I wanted mine sent to my office so someone would be there to sign for it. When that wouldn't take the AT&T rep tried the retail store. It too failed. Then she entered my home address. Fail. She just kept trying until finally it accepted the order and printed a receipt. So, as of now, I am a verified pre-owner of the iPhone 4. I have no idea where the phone is going to ship to, but I'll know like two days before it's supposed to arrive when I get an email. Nifty.
Another cool thing that would be awesome for the clerks to know is if someone has to be home to sign for the package and which carrier will bring it. Everything I've ordered from Apple in the past has come FedEx, but we'll see. Since FedEx can deliver from like 7 to 7, it can come any time. If someone has to be at home to sign for it and if everyone is at work trying to make money to pay for it and FedEx wont leave it on the door step, then there is another major problem with the system. FedEx might have thousands of people in line waiting to get their undeliverable iPhones! All because the AT&T reps - at least here - have no idea who is bringing them or how, and they can't get an address in the system anyway.
A work associate of mine was in line right behind me and he called me an hour after I left and said they were turning people away because they couldn't push any orders through. He was told that the manager would personally call him once it was sorted out and as of five hours later - still no word. Since the location I was at opened an hour before the other lone AT&T retailer in the city and since he was right behind me in line, it might be safe to assume that only the first of us who got to a rep first got into the system.
So, Apple offers a pre-order process nine or so days before the actual launch to help streamline the process and ensure supply demands are better met, but AT&T wasn't ready. I'm not sure how this could be the case. Did the IT department take a vacation? Did they fail to see the product reveal? Apple has sold an iPad every THREE SECONDS since it launched and it DIDN'T have a three-year history of loyal owners and 90% of the new owners STILL aren't sure exactly what it's for and AT&T didn't prepare for the iPhone 4?! It makes no sense. This is where AT&T is extremely lucky to be the ONLY provider with the most popular device in the world. Because there are really no repercussions. Big deal if people have to keep coming back and get pissed off - they can't shop elsewhere.
I have an idea. If I am the CEO of the exclusive US carrier of the most popular handset in history and I know that the most significant upgrade to the device is coming since the second generation (really) and they are offering customers advanced purchasing - I'm going to dedicate a server farm to the task and my IT team is going to be getting lots of overtime quadruple checking that the address field works! Yes, I realize that there is an extreme demand on the system, but this is 2010 and we're talking about one of the largest telecommunications companies on the globe. This is stupid.
Luckily, they have nine days to sort it out and hopefully people wont get left out in the rain because they got bumped down a list and there weren't enough phones to go around. Then after nine days of waiting, maybe we'll all be in for a treat when the millions of people got preordered units all try to activate them within a few hours of each other. If the servers and system can't handle an address field, what happens when all those people got to turn on their phones?
The 3Gs activation was seamless - at least here - so there is hope. But it was first come first served and the system was more controlled. You didn't have millions of people all WITH units trying to activate at the same time. This should be fun. For FedEx's sake they can get them all delivered on time...
We'll just have to wait and see...
In an effort to circumvent customers' problems with getting iPhones in the past - I suppose - Apple decided to offer pre-ordering for the first time ever - that I recall. The iPhone launched in much the same way as the iPod. It was new, and cool and everyone probably wanted one, but not everyone jumped on board - at first. Now the iPod is so popular that it, in fact, is the default name for the entire MP3 player line. Even if you are sporting a Roxio or, dare I say, Zune, everyone asks, "Hey, what are you listening to on your iPod?"
The iPhone went through similar paces with the second generation, the 3G, bringing in a larger crowd and with the 3Gs the iPhone became one of the most popular mobile devices on the planet. The unit, in conjunction with the iTunes, the iTunes Store and the hundreds of thousands of Apps has created a family of usability unmatched by any other manufacturer - period. Sorry Droid. But all of this is separate from the carrier end. Yes, Cingular jumped on board with the Rocker - which was actually terrible aside from the fact that it did iTunes - and visual voicemail and they do provide good data speed compared to some other vendors, but they monopoly on iPhone rights has taken a toll on customers. Something that Apple has had to start answering for more recently.
It becomes harder and harder for Apple to separate itself from AT&T when it comes to coverage problems because even though the two are really mutually exclusive with regard to what they handle in the unit, Apple has been getting some flack for not allowing other carriers, like Verizon for example, have a shot at it. Yes, Verizon's data is not strong, but with a nod from Apple, that would likely be fixed and quickly. But, until the multi-carrier day arrives, AT&T has exclusive rights to do what they want and lately it seems like they want to screw it up.
When the 3Gs launched it was a big enough deal that it spawned record lines of people waiting to either upgrade or obtain the device for the first time. Even here in podunk Montgomery, Alabama, one store saw more than an hundred people in line on launch day. The store only had about 40 phones, but wouldn't tell anyone in the back of the line not to waste their time. What did those toward the rear get after hours of waiting? "Sorry, we're out and there's no rain-checks."
Another problem that's slightly more understandable, but still super frustrating was the early days of activation. I remember being without cell service for more than 10 hours cause the network was clogged. Now, it's a new problem - and it's not even activation time.
As of this post I am - as far as I'm aware - one of only about five or so individuals in Montgomery that actually as a receipt confirming a reserved iPhone 4. Why? Because the AT&T servers can't handle the load. Everything goes smoothly online (or did) until you actually want to pick your phone and then the system crashes and tells you to call an 800 number to upgrade to anything BUT the iPhone 4. The AT&T servers have also screwed up the Apple pre-order deal as well because they are having to tap in to the AT&T system to verify that the customer is either qualified via credit approval or eligible for a product upgrade.
So, I did what any rational person would do. I went to a an AT&T retail store. I went to the source. After 45 minutes in line, I got my receipt. Apparently the main glitch is coming from the address verification component for product delivery. No matter what gets entered, it cannot verify the address and won't complete the order. I wanted mine sent to my office so someone would be there to sign for it. When that wouldn't take the AT&T rep tried the retail store. It too failed. Then she entered my home address. Fail. She just kept trying until finally it accepted the order and printed a receipt. So, as of now, I am a verified pre-owner of the iPhone 4. I have no idea where the phone is going to ship to, but I'll know like two days before it's supposed to arrive when I get an email. Nifty.
Another cool thing that would be awesome for the clerks to know is if someone has to be home to sign for the package and which carrier will bring it. Everything I've ordered from Apple in the past has come FedEx, but we'll see. Since FedEx can deliver from like 7 to 7, it can come any time. If someone has to be at home to sign for it and if everyone is at work trying to make money to pay for it and FedEx wont leave it on the door step, then there is another major problem with the system. FedEx might have thousands of people in line waiting to get their undeliverable iPhones! All because the AT&T reps - at least here - have no idea who is bringing them or how, and they can't get an address in the system anyway.
A work associate of mine was in line right behind me and he called me an hour after I left and said they were turning people away because they couldn't push any orders through. He was told that the manager would personally call him once it was sorted out and as of five hours later - still no word. Since the location I was at opened an hour before the other lone AT&T retailer in the city and since he was right behind me in line, it might be safe to assume that only the first of us who got to a rep first got into the system.
So, Apple offers a pre-order process nine or so days before the actual launch to help streamline the process and ensure supply demands are better met, but AT&T wasn't ready. I'm not sure how this could be the case. Did the IT department take a vacation? Did they fail to see the product reveal? Apple has sold an iPad every THREE SECONDS since it launched and it DIDN'T have a three-year history of loyal owners and 90% of the new owners STILL aren't sure exactly what it's for and AT&T didn't prepare for the iPhone 4?! It makes no sense. This is where AT&T is extremely lucky to be the ONLY provider with the most popular device in the world. Because there are really no repercussions. Big deal if people have to keep coming back and get pissed off - they can't shop elsewhere.
I have an idea. If I am the CEO of the exclusive US carrier of the most popular handset in history and I know that the most significant upgrade to the device is coming since the second generation (really) and they are offering customers advanced purchasing - I'm going to dedicate a server farm to the task and my IT team is going to be getting lots of overtime quadruple checking that the address field works! Yes, I realize that there is an extreme demand on the system, but this is 2010 and we're talking about one of the largest telecommunications companies on the globe. This is stupid.
Luckily, they have nine days to sort it out and hopefully people wont get left out in the rain because they got bumped down a list and there weren't enough phones to go around. Then after nine days of waiting, maybe we'll all be in for a treat when the millions of people got preordered units all try to activate them within a few hours of each other. If the servers and system can't handle an address field, what happens when all those people got to turn on their phones?
The 3Gs activation was seamless - at least here - so there is hope. But it was first come first served and the system was more controlled. You didn't have millions of people all WITH units trying to activate at the same time. This should be fun. For FedEx's sake they can get them all delivered on time...
We'll just have to wait and see...
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