Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
My mantra for web and mobile app design
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs
Monday, March 14, 2011
First impressions of the iPad 2
After reading through all of the press reports on how long the lines were on March 11 and how current online orders for the iPad 2 will take up to five week to fulfill, I feel quite validated in my efforts to make sure I get Apple's latest gadget on launch day.
The validation continues after a full weekend of use. Key differentiators from the original iPad are:
1) Video mirroring only works on the iPad 2. This is very valuable to me because I plan on using the device for presentations and demos. Moreover, video mirroring works with my iPad VGA adapter, so I can show anything on my iPad with projectors and standard monitors. The HDMI connection is just a bonus for larger screens and home entertainment systems.
2) Speed and performance improvements are noticeable. For graphics and authoring apps, such as GarageBand, the device works smoothly. Switching between apps also seems to work better. Typing and other commands have less lag, and images appear to render faster.
3) Web browsing through Safari is more reliable and just plain faster. More pages are cached and page rendering is noticeably faster. I find that I am using the browser even more now because performance is just as fast, if not faster that my regular laptop.
4) The front and rear facing cameras has its benefits. iMovie will not install on the original iPad because it has no camera, but it works great on the iPad 2. Additionally, I use Skype and video conferencing a lot, so I can now use the iPad as a regular communications device. Perhaps Skype will now fully optimize its iOS app to better take advantage of the iPad 2. FaceTime and Photobooth are nice bonuses.
5) Form factor of the iPad 2 is even more portable now. True, the original iPad was sleek and easy to carry around, but the new device fits even better in bags and cases. Just carrying the iPad 2 around is much more ergonomic. The small adjustments in size, weight and form collectively makes the device much easier to bring anywhere.
I got the black, 64 GB wi-fi only version and I would say the upgrade was worth it. The speaker placement allows for better projection of sounds and the apps are already being rolled out to fully take advantage of the iPad 2's technical specifications and added features. This trend will only continue, which should further validate my purchase.
As for the rumors about an iPad 3 coming in fall, I didn't want to deprive myself of the many benefits of the iPad 2 for what "might" happen. However, I wouldn't bet on another upgrade in fall. If there is one, it would be an incremental upgrade over the iPad 2 - just improving camera resolutions and allowing for 4G connectivity. Certainly not enough reason for me to do another upgrade at that time.
If you're on the fence, I would recommend taking the jump and picking up an iPad 2. However, you may have to wait a month or two when supplies catch up with demand.
- Posted from my iPad 2
The validation continues after a full weekend of use. Key differentiators from the original iPad are:
1) Video mirroring only works on the iPad 2. This is very valuable to me because I plan on using the device for presentations and demos. Moreover, video mirroring works with my iPad VGA adapter, so I can show anything on my iPad with projectors and standard monitors. The HDMI connection is just a bonus for larger screens and home entertainment systems.
2) Speed and performance improvements are noticeable. For graphics and authoring apps, such as GarageBand, the device works smoothly. Switching between apps also seems to work better. Typing and other commands have less lag, and images appear to render faster.
3) Web browsing through Safari is more reliable and just plain faster. More pages are cached and page rendering is noticeably faster. I find that I am using the browser even more now because performance is just as fast, if not faster that my regular laptop.
4) The front and rear facing cameras has its benefits. iMovie will not install on the original iPad because it has no camera, but it works great on the iPad 2. Additionally, I use Skype and video conferencing a lot, so I can now use the iPad as a regular communications device. Perhaps Skype will now fully optimize its iOS app to better take advantage of the iPad 2. FaceTime and Photobooth are nice bonuses.
5) Form factor of the iPad 2 is even more portable now. True, the original iPad was sleek and easy to carry around, but the new device fits even better in bags and cases. Just carrying the iPad 2 around is much more ergonomic. The small adjustments in size, weight and form collectively makes the device much easier to bring anywhere.
I got the black, 64 GB wi-fi only version and I would say the upgrade was worth it. The speaker placement allows for better projection of sounds and the apps are already being rolled out to fully take advantage of the iPad 2's technical specifications and added features. This trend will only continue, which should further validate my purchase.
As for the rumors about an iPad 3 coming in fall, I didn't want to deprive myself of the many benefits of the iPad 2 for what "might" happen. However, I wouldn't bet on another upgrade in fall. If there is one, it would be an incremental upgrade over the iPad 2 - just improving camera resolutions and allowing for 4G connectivity. Certainly not enough reason for me to do another upgrade at that time.
If you're on the fence, I would recommend taking the jump and picking up an iPad 2. However, you may have to wait a month or two when supplies catch up with demand.
- Posted from my iPad 2
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