Tablet/Kindle Fire question (Latest: new iPad available March 16; post 32)

[1992casey]

Contracts aren't required for data usage on iPads. You can fire up a data plan on an as needed basis. Because the iPhone4S is the same phone whether one chooses AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint, I'd bet that the new iPads will offer that choice, too. That would mean that if you didn't like one provider, you could easily try another.

 

Rooting (on Android) or jailbreaking (on iOS) gives you administrative access to the device's file system. It removes a lot of restrictions involved with using the device. On an iOS device, for instance, you can install software that doesn't come from the App Store.

 

Rooting/jailbreaking does void one's warranty, however, I believe that warranty status can be restored by restoring the device to factory condition. In other words, you won't get any advice or support from the manufacturer if you root/jailbreak.

 

Rooting/jailbreaking also removes some of the built-in security on these devices. You become responsible for your own security.

 

As an aside, the word "rooting" can be offensive to Australians if used in the right wrong context.

[thebruce44]

Contracts aren't required for data usage on iPads. You can fire up a data plan on an as needed basis. Because the iPhone4S is the same phone whether one chooses AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint, I'd bet that the new iPads will offer that choice, too. That would mean that if you didn't like one provider, you could easily try another.

 

Rooting (on Android) or jailbreaking (on iOS) gives you administrative access to the device's file system. It removes a lot of restrictions involved with using the device. On an iOS device, for instance, you can install software that doesn't come from the App Store.

 

Rooting/jailbreaking does void one's warranty, however, I believe that warranty status can be restored by restoring the device to factory condition. In other words, you won't get any advice or support from the manufacturer if you root/jailbreak.

 

Rooting/jailbreaking also removes some of the built-in security on these devices. You become responsible for your own security.

 

As an aside, the word "rooting" can be offensive to Australians if used in the right wrong context.

 

To add to the rooting/jailbreaking thing, its much easier to root and unlock Android devices as they are open sourced and its actually encouraged (for the most part). Apple, on the other hand, has attempted to limit the success of jailbroken devices over the years. I've never had a jailbroken device, so I can't speak of specifics, but thats just what I have read in articles. Rooting an Android phone is pretty straight forward though.

[thebruce44]

Some guy at the Apple store told me that contracts weren't necessary for the 3G thing, that you could just get it for a month if you were going on a road trip or whatever. What do you mean about widgets? The iPad doesn't have them?

 

And to casey- I was kind of more talking about the apps in terms of functionality. Is there a large difference in price/availibility in terms of getting the popular/useful ones on android vs. apple?

 

I wasn't aware that you could get 3G for a month or so, that's actually pretty sweet. Still though, I prefer the wireless hotspot route.

 

iOS does not have widgets. Its one of the shortcomings of iOS vs Android or even Windows and it doesn't look like it will be changing anytime soon. A widget allows you to place dynamic information directly on your home screens instead of just apps or folders. Most Android apps come with a widget. As an example, for my calendar I use the default Google calendar program. On my home screen, I have a widget which displayed the next 8 or so events that will be coming up. When one of them passes, it updates to remove that event and shows a new one on the bottom. Time, weather, stock tickers, sports scores, music controls, emails, scrollable contacts, it's all right there for you when you turn on your home screen. It saves a tremendous amount of time over having to actually open an app to get your information. While the UI is better on an iPad, widgets really make a tablet for me. There is just so much real estate on the home screens, I love having all my information a swipe or two away. Here are some examples, the first two images are Android tablets and the last is an iPad:

 

http://cdn.alltouchtablet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/android-3.1-home-screen.jpg

 

http://www.colbybrownphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Screenshot_2012-02-12-20-52-27-720x450.png

 

http://www.ipadinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/iPad2HomeScreen.jpg

[mothershipconnection]

I want to get a tablet to watch games on (going with the broadband Extra Innings instead of the cable one this season) but I don't really know anything about them.

 

Just a heads-up: since Apple has weird phobia of Flash, you have to get a separate app to watch it on iPad, and it's like $15. I think you can get it free if you spend an extra $20 for a premium account.

[1992casey]

The MLB app is free this year. See SenatorShriv's post.

 

Microsoft won't be supporting Flash (or any plugins) in Windows 8 Metro, and Adobe has dropped Flash for mobile devices. If a mobile OS wants to continue with Flash, it'll have to do it without help from Adobe.

[thebruce44]

I don't know that you can watch live games on the app.

[1992casey]

Apple just announced that the next iPad will be available March 16. It'll be priced the same as the current iPad 2 line, and will:

 

• Feature a 2048x1536 pixel display.
  
• Offer 4G/LTE (separate models for Verizon & AT&T, but both will do international roaming).
  
• Act as a personal hotspot if supported by the carrier.
  
• Include a 1080p camera.

[berniebrewer4life]

Apple just announced that the next iPad will be available March 16. It'll be priced the same as the current iPad 2 line, and will:

 

• Feature a 2048x1536 pixel display.
  
• Offer 4G/LTE (separate models for Verizon & AT&T, but both will do international roaming).
  
• Act as a personal hotspot if supported by the carrier.
  
• Include a 1080p camera.

 

 

If you live in a 4G area(i don't), then that's sweet. Otherwise, I don't see the need to jump out and buy a new one, if you already have the ipad 2. They are adding a Quad-core processor and retina display as well.

[chadomac]

Nothing too crazy as far as upgrades on the new iPad... but I was close to getting an iPad 2 and waited because I knew this was coming. Probably going to pick one up next week.

 

iPad users... do I really need a case and/or keyboard? I don't want to turn this into a $600-700 purchase but I have a feeling it will be.

[1992casey]

16 GB iPad 2s will continue to be available at $399 (WiFi only) and $529 (3G). I don't think I'd be inclined to upgrade from an old iPad, but I'd certainly shell out the extra $100 if I were a first time buyer.

[thebruce44]

Apple just announced that the next iPad will be available March 16. It'll be priced the same as the current iPad 2 line, and will:

 

• Feature a 2048x1536 pixel display.
  
• Offer 4G/LTE (separate models for Verizon & AT&T, but both will do international roaming).
  
• Act as a personal hotspot if supported by the carrier.
  
• Include a 1080p camera.

 

 

If you live in a 4G area(i don't), then that's sweet. Otherwise, I don't see the need to jump out and buy a new one, if you already have the ipad 2. They are adding a Quad-core processor and retina display as well.

 

Quad core GPU. The main chip is still dual core.

 

And the LTE variant is an extra $120.

[1992casey]

$130, but who's counting.

 

I tend not to worry about cores and such as long as the thing works. That information might be semi-useful for comparing iPad to iPad, but I don't see it being useful for comparing devices using different operating systems.

 

If this were a traditional computer, I'd be more concerned about hardware specs simply because there'd be a number of choices.

[chadomac]

You really think it's worth it to go for the new one if I've never owned an iPad? I was just reading that the iPad 2 is down to $400 now... was thinking about just picking one of those up and saving myself some cash. I doubt I will ever use the camera and I will just be using it at home for internet... not taking advantage of 3 or 4G.

 

I feel like I'm paying $100 for a nicer screen... and I bet the iPad 2 screen looks pretty nice itself.

[berniebrewer4life]

Apple just announced that the next iPad will be available March 16. It'll be priced the same as the current iPad 2 line, and will:

 

• Feature a 2048x1536 pixel display.
  
• Offer 4G/LTE (separate models for Verizon & AT&T, but both will do international roaming).
  
• Act as a personal hotspot if supported by the carrier.
  
• Include a 1080p camera.

 

 

If you live in a 4G area(i don't), then that's sweet. Otherwise, I don't see the need to jump out and buy a new one, if you already have the ipad 2. They are adding a Quad-core processor and retina display as well.

 

Quad core GPU. The main chip is still dual core.

 

And the LTE variant is an extra $120.

 

My bad, i should have been more specific, that's a pretty major difference.

[1992casey]

You really think it's worth it to go for the new one if I've never owned an iPad?

I'd pay extra, but you might not. Neither choice would be wrong or poorly thought out.

 

Besides getting the most current, I'd probably figure that the extra money would get me another year before being tempted to replace the thing. For someone else, the up front savings would be more important.

[1992casey]

Refurbished 16GB iPad 2s are currently going for $349 at apple.com. Refurbished 32GB models are going for $399.

[thebruce44]

No other company in the world could get away with screwing its customers the way Apple manages to in terms of storage capacity.

[chadomac]

I picked up an iPad 2 for $400 today at Bayshore's Apple store. I've wanted one of these for a year or two now... but just couldn't bring myself to drop the money. The price drop did it for me. As I said in my earlier post... my computer is upstairs and my TV is downstairs in my apartment... and a lot of times I want to get on the web for something (I don't have a smart phone). This will be absolutely perfect to keep in the living room - I will use it a ton. I won't ever use the camera or the 3/4G... so this was the one for me... I was just waiting for the price to go down a bit before I pulled the trigger.

 

That said... I sure do hate the Apple store. It's just a really lame inefficient set-up if you're a guy like me that doesn't have any questions and knows what he wants. I walked in and found a guy with no customers around him (it was actually pretty dead in there) and he asked if I had any questions. Told him exactly what I was there for, and he told me he'd get me a "specialist". He introduced me to the guy, then the guy started asking me questions. I told him I just wanted the iPad 2 for $399, no accessories, no extended warranty, etc etc just like I said to the first guy. He then got on his fancy phone and told me an iPad would be coming out. Some dweeb comes out from the mysterious and futuristic backroom area with my iPad and hands it to my "specialist". He then rings it up and I'm out the door. It only took 10 minutes or so... but it should've taken half that time. I didn't need to go through 3 people to make that transaction. I know Apple's branding/image is a part of this whole process, but I just find it really lame. There should be a guy at the back desk that I can walk up to, tell him what I want, and have him grab it from behind him and then ring it up for me. I went through 3 people instead.

 

Ok sorry, rant over. I am really happy to have my first iPad and looking forward to watching Brewers games with in-game threads opened up on Brewerfan.

[thebruce44]

I picked up an iPad 2 for $400 today at Bayshore's Apple store. I've wanted one of these for a year or two now... but just couldn't bring myself to drop the money. The price drop did it for me. As I said in my earlier post... my computer is upstairs and my TV is downstairs in my apartment... and a lot of times I want to get on the web for something (I don't have a smart phone). This will be absolutely perfect to keep in the living room - I will use it a ton. I won't ever use the camera or the 3/4G... so this was the one for me... I was just waiting for the price to go down a bit before I pulled the trigger.

 

That said... I sure do hate the Apple store. It's just a really lame inefficient set-up if you're a guy like me that doesn't have any questions and knows what he wants. I walked in and found a guy with no customers around him (it was actually pretty dead in there) and he asked if I had any questions. Told him exactly what I was there for, and he told me he'd get me a "specialist". He introduced me to the guy, then the guy started asking me questions. I told him I just wanted the iPad 2 for $399, no accessories, no extended warranty, etc etc just like I said to the first guy. He then got on his fancy phone and told me an iPad would be coming out. Some dweeb comes out from the mysterious and futuristic backroom area with my iPad and hands it to my "specialist". He then rings it up and I'm out the door. It only took 10 minutes or so... but it should've taken half that time. I didn't need to go through 3 people to make that transaction. I know Apple's branding/image is a part of this whole process, but I just find it really lame. There should be a guy at the back desk that I can walk up to, tell him what I want, and have him grab it from behind him and then ring it up for me. I went through 3 people instead.

 

Ok sorry, rant over. I am really happy to have my first iPad and looking forward to watching Brewers games with in-game threads opened up on Brewerfan.

 

Don't other stores sell iPads? I would never set foot in an Apple store. Is there a more pompous and creepily minimalist setting in in the world?

[1992casey]

How can something be pompous and minimalist at the same time?

 

I agree that chadomac went through too much when he knew exactly what he wanted to buy. The process shouldn't have needed any more than two dweebs.

 

Of course, anyone is going to pimp their extended warranties. I have to say that I've gotten great mileage out of AppleCare. However, I've always delayed purchasing it until the last possible minute.

 

I'm not sure what the "last possible minute" is on iOS devices, though. I believe that there was a requirement made last fall that AppleCare needed to be purchased immediately for iPhones, but the company may have backtracked on that.

[thebruce44]

How can something be pompous and minimalist at the same time? :

 

Not sure I follow. The store has a creepy minimalist design. I'm all for not having clutter and hiding your cables, but its over the top. The employees are pompous with comments like "congratulations" when you purchase something. The design and the attitude are all taken to a level that makes it excessively self-important. It's my understanding that's pretty much the definition of pompous, is it not?

[1992casey]

I thought that you were calling the design of the store pompous.

[chadomac]

The process shouldn't have needed any more than two dweebs.

 

I enjoyed that comment. I didn't think about going anywhere else... I guess I've always bought my Apple stuff through their store or online... and I didn't feel like waiting for it to ship.

[1992casey]

Some places (e.g. Best Buy) offer longer return periods than the 15 days that Apple offers. That may cause me to go elsewhere if I think the possibility of a return exists. However, Best Buy's dweebs aren't nearly as well trained when it comes to the products themselves. And it's a little disconcerting when you look at the computers and see that a bunch of system updates need to be installed.

 

The no pressure approach in the Apple Store is cool. I've gotten a lot of valuable information there without buying anything. I think that in chadomac's situation, the no pressure thing kicked in when it didn't have to.

 

If you order via mail and need to exchange something, Apple makes it as easy as it gets.

 

Third party hardware at the Apple Store is generally priced at retail. You can usually do better online.

[chadomac]

Yeah, I think I may need a keyboard for mine iPad... I can't effectively type very fast on it. I will look around online unless anyone has suggestions on where to get accessories for a good price.