Currently following the live-blog over at Engadget. Just hopped on 15 minutes ago, so now I'm caught up and waiting for new content.

Steve's looking more frail than ever, I genuinely feel sympathy for him. I don't think he's on the road to recovery...

Back to tech...

The specs and features look interesting along with the all-new physical design. In many ways, even though so much is new, it will seem like a speed-bump because the most interactive part, the OS, is only undergoing a small version bump.

About the only thing I'm disappointed at that they weren't able to reduce the number of SKUs and add more memory at the same price points.

I don't really have any time to discuss this today as I need to wrap up a ton of stuff including some commercial invoices before I head out for a long weekend ski trip to Quebec.

With rumors of another iPad update for the fall (similar to how many Apple notebooks get two updates), I'm currently flip-flopping on whether to get an iPad 2 in a few months or just wait until October.

Now they're showing off some nice looking apps. As well as "setting the bar for developers" this is really showing up all the other tablets out there, because none of them are going to have software that's this polished or this immersive. At least not for a long time.

I suspect the iPad will sell more units in 2011 than all other copy-cat tablet devices combined, something it already did very easily in 2010. Unfortunately this isn't going to help Apple reconsider their stiff subscription model and developer revenue sharing. Because at 30%, let's face it, it's not a service or transaction fee, it's revenue sharing.

Apple has made close to $1 BILLION on app sales so far. Developers have (as a whole) of course made 2x that, the number Apple announced at this event.

It's over... But no "one more thing..." - I miss that.

Yea me too, I was hoping for "We know me.com is shit! We know it's slow, over priced and hardly does anything you want it to. So, we've come up with this great idea of doing it all really fast, for free and actually letting you check your feckin email on any god damm browser you want!"

If I didn't like it's sync features so much I'd get rid of it. Hurry up Apple!!! Rant over.

Cheers

Cris

The only reason I had .mac/me.com was the 'find my iPhone' feature, then they went and made it free. I never used the email/calendar/gallery stuff as Gmail and Flickr already provided what I need. So when my renewal comes up later this year, I think I'll let it lapse.

Oh yes, the iPad 2 looks really nice. I was going to buy one this year, but I still have absolutely no use for it. So I'm going to get a new MacBook Pro instead and wait for its sucessor.

I can't argue that it's a great piece of hardware. They've [supposedly] extremely improved the performance, and not harmed the cost or battery life.

They've really raised the bar, and as usual the other guys only passed Apple's product just as the new one comes out.

I'm still an Android guy, and can only hope to have a suitable substitute.

*edit*
ps- one tiny nit-pick: we have the standard horribly over-priced Apple dongle once again. In order to connect the iPad 2 to your TV with a $3 HDMI cable, you have to buy a $39 dongle.

Give the aftermarket a few months.

I suspect we will see a tidy iPad2 to HDMI single cable or compact adapter become available. Something slicker than having that somewhat bulky Apple adapter hanging off the iPad.

Perhaps something like this. Or even smaller, I hope.

Pretty much an as expected event. A bit disappointed they didn't preview iOS 5, maybe they will do that at a separate event later this month. Late March/Early April tends to be when they shift focus to the next OS with developer betas, for release in June alongside new iPhone hardware.

Also kinda interesting that they didn't unify the 3G model, so now there are 9 SKUs instead of 6. Maybe the iPad 2 was too far along to use the same chip they put in the Verizon iPhone that is capable of running on both GSM and CDMA networks.


I'll take a $39 dongle over a $55 wifi activation fee It is good to see display mirroring, should help make the iPad 2 even more popular in education or business meetings.

iOS 4.3 is going to be useful for the iTunes home sharing and computer to iPad Airplay. This should help cut down on the number of items I manually sync to the iPad. It's also an interesting cutoff point. Seems the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2nd gen will be ending their iOS upgrades at 4.2.

MMmm... still no GPS. Pass.

GPS is in the 3G models like last time.

That's not GPS. That's "cell tower triangulation".

Cheers

No, it's GPS.

And yes, it works even without a cellular data plan active. Both my iPad and iPhone 4 knew my exact location down to a few feet when I was in west Texas with no cellular coverage. Made for some good stargazing with the help of Star Walk.

Got a link that shows the actual hardware used in the iPad?

Thanks.

Okay, googling around I found this thread, where post #29 confirms first-hand experience with "true GPS" in the iPad mk1/3G.

Shame one has to purchase an expensive doorstop 3G card just for a $5 GPS chip.

Cheers

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad-3G-Teardown/2374/1

Scroll down, it's on the communications board. Broadcom A-GPS BCM47501UBG. This is from the initial iPad, the iPad 2 may change chips.

*edit* and the datasheet in PDF form, confirming the chip tracks up to 24 satellites (and not cell towers).

If it's the same chip as the iPhone 4, then I'll confirm it's excellent. GPS is the only reason I'd consider getting the 3G upgrade. Apple is taking a nice extra slice of profit on that upgrade, perhaps to make up for the lower margins on the entry level WiFi model.

I was really hoping to see a 128GB model...

DAMN! That HDMI dongle works with iPhone 4, iPod Touch and the original iPad as well.

This guy from ComputerWorld thinks the Xoom is a better tablet than the iPad 2. Wow, is he ever out to lunch. I can't believe this guy would be capable of holding a position at McDonald's let alone a magazine. Seriously, that bad.

http://blogs.computerworld.com/17907/motorola_xoom_versus_the_ipad_2_the_xoom_is_a_clear_winner

This looks interesting....

http://www.gns-gmbh.com/index.php?id=194&L=1

... there are also cradles for the iTouch (don't know about the iPad) but all this seems a bit pricy.

I might get a Samsung galaxy YP-GB1 when they come out here.

I'd love for there to be a competing aftermarket product, but while I'm well aware of Monoprice (I've talked about it many times on the forums here before), did you actually search the site? You won't find any cables for iProducts. There are some wall and car chargers, but they're USB chargers, so technically they charge anything.

Do accessory companies need to pay Apple a license to use the 30-pin connector?

Well, technically it's an displayport to HDMI converter, not just a bunch of wires and a connector... but I guess others will make cheaper ones.

Actually, I think they have already. I've definitely seen 3rd party HDMI adaptors for the iPad/iPhone... (googles... http://www.buy.com/prod/noosy-iphone-4-4.../220194569.html ... but they're all more expensive than the new apple one...)

I've no idea why they call a GPS chip that can operate totally autonomously (no hinting or almanac download from a network) "AGPS". Maybe it makes it an easier sell to phone vendors?!

Freaky.

In general GPS has gone with 3G because 3G cell triangulation sucks due to the closed loop power control... hence why, for E911 requirements, 3G phones suddenly all grew AGPS functionality. That doesn't explain why the iPad has it with the 3G though, unless it shares the same antenna (possible, I'd have to look at the iFixit teardown in a bit over a week )

Yes, though I have no idea what it is, and I know that some use clone connectors and so sidestep it. The whole "made for iphone" logo marking means approved vendor, device meets apple spec, etc.

You wouldn't believe how bad, electrically, some of the unapproved accessories are. Seriously, it'd be hilarious if they weren't blowing up my stuff

The Noosy HDMI Adapter seems to have this limitation;
Do not support the movies that were purchased through iTunes or locked with Apple's Fairplay copy protection scheme.

Does the official Apple HDMI adpator also have this limitation?

I am impressed that the iPhone 4 can do 1080 video. Not actually tried it - yet.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't do 1080. The AppleTV doesn't do it, and it has the same chip. It might be capable of it, but I question the ability to use that adapter to get "1080P High Ddfinition"

I haven't tried it at all, but this guy says it can (jailbroken)

Actually, 18 SKUs if you're counting both the black and white models. I don't know if Apple's had this many SKUs for what's essentially one product since the Performa days.

So, are the newest iOS devices DisplayPort internally? I was just assuming they use whatever display signaling stuff is built into the SOC, but is that all DisplayPort now?

I'm sure the Apple HDMI adaptor can play 720p protected movies with HDCP enabled on the HDMI end; they specifically refer to movies in the description of the adpator.

Possibly the 3rd party ones are just using a non-HDCP compatible chip?

iPhone4 can't do 1080p I'm afraid. The iPad2 says it'll do 1080p for mirroring mode (presumably to fit a portrait 1024 pixel screen), but also doesn't mention video. I can't say more than the page says.

Well, it's DP on the dock connector - if you crack open one of the VGA adaptors that has been around since the iPad came out, you'll see a DP->VGA chip.

Remember Apple design these SoCs. Not many HDMI ports on apple products, apart from the AppleTV

Petty strong magnets (all 15 of them)