Saturday, March 26, 2011

iPad 2 Review: Pros and Cons and Recommended Apps


So I purchased the iPad 2 on March 22nd from Best Buy with a green Smart Cover.

The packaging was simple and to the point. No bull, just ipad, usb, basic manual card and wall charger adapter. 32 gb wifi, white.


I own an android device and it does not compare by far. The iOS is sleek and intuitive, with genius apps and clean interface. I have never felt so comfortable using a handheld anything. Laptops are too heavy, phones are too small, and the iPad with it's lighter weight and thinner design feels much more comfortable in my hands.
Now, what really separates this thing from its competition, aside from the simple and elegant layout and function, are the apps available. These aren't just your every day apps stretched out to fit a bigger screen, these have been programmed to utilize the full potential of the device itself.

The iPad is quick; switching applications and purchases seems completely effortless. There is no freezing, no overheating, and the ease of navigation is impeccable. Games like deadspace and infinity blade also show how far the new processor can take itself. I think even the least savvy of tech users could easily adapt to this device, and those of us who find ourselves a bit more knowledgable in that area may find ourselves inexplicably awe stricken.

And about the functionality for families- the apps for kids are genius. The interactive books and educational games are incredibly helpful when looking to keep your toddler entertained, though I don't think the hardware is durable enough to let children use it without supervision. Also, these apps support adult interaction, which is not only beneficial to the bonding experience but increases rate of learning as well.

In terms of something I had not previously considered for the iPad, augmented reality is taking it's first steps in infancy. This is something somewhat unprecedented and conceptual, only really making its first developmental milestones with junaio and magic mirror. Utilizing apps like foursquare or twitter, this could quickly evolve into something much larger, allowing parties to hardlink images or messages in a virtual world. When third party social networking sites boost AR functionality to it's full potential, you could use your iPad as a view finder and point the cameras at a restaurant and see reviews, check-ins from your friends, as well as messages they may have left there for you. It'll taking social networking to a whole new level, and this in itself is quite literally "magical" although the iPad most definitely isn't the only device qualified or capable of advancing the AR department. This is what I'm really waiting for, and as time goes on I hope that a strong user network will be established so I myself can indulge in an augmented experience. Here are some good articles breaking that concept down:
www.thenextweb.com
www.fastcompany.com
www.macstories.net


Now, lets get to the Pros:
  • The faster processor makes applications, email and surfing nearly instantaneous. The screen size also makes using these apps a lot more comfortable than what I've experienced on the iPhone and Samsung Vibrant.
  • The on-screen keyboard is a little too compact, but easy to use and is much less prone to errors than its smaller siblings (iphone and ipod touch).
  • Graphics capability for gaming with apps like infinity blade and deadspace exceeded my expectations and they run SUPER smooth.
  • Photobooth is, as they advertise, very entertaining and facetime is an easy and fun way to call friends and family over the internet.
  • It's super portable and weighs less than my books, making it VERY convenient for school. Taking notes on it is very adaptable with the free Evernote app, which allows you to separate subjects into notebooks. An external keyboard would be a lot easier for this and would eliminate the need for a laptop.
  • The apps designed for kids are super fun and my toddler asks to use it every day.
  • It's a tool for integration, opening doors to augmented reality and introducing high-end technology into our everyday life.
  • The iOS is very user friendly and easy to learn, and lets people who may not have been as tech-savvy before have access to the benefits and convenience of technological advancement.
  • The ecosystem gives way to infinite uses for the iPad, and I don't think I have ever been more pleased with a purchase.
Cons:

  • The rear facing camera and VGA are surprisingly low quality for such a high quality product. For current iPad users considering the upgrade solely for this purpose, I would wait until they can get at least a 5mp camera on the rear of this thing. The front facing camera is about as good as a webcam, which is fine, but the rear facing camera imho is unacceptable. It's grainy and no amount of lighting will justify the still shots. The video capabilities on the other hand are surprisingly good from the same camera and the best example of this is shown in this music video here
  • You look like a total arse in public with it. Until the hype about owning one calms down and people start getting their iPads in the mail, the scowls and disapproving looks coming from passerby's can really degrade the experience. Taking notes with it in class was like dangling a steak in front of a dog who knew he couldn't get it.
  • Wireless printing (Airprint) is only supported by a small selection of wireless printers. This is especially frustrating when you have a six month old wireless printer that is now obsolete.
THE SMART COVER:
I adore the smart cover. Although it doesn't protect the back of the iPad, a good matte film and a sleeve will give it all the protection it needs. It's thin, fun, and the stand feature isn't flimsy at all. I expected a lot of the smart cover to be hype but because of it's compatibility and utility as a stand, I find it really is a must-have with the iPad. Although it does a pretty bad job keeping the screen fingerprint-free, it definitely helps to keep dirt and other abrasives away from the iPad. There's also a certain "notebook" feel the smart cover adds because you can open and close it, which I personally find aesthetically pleasing.

I found a really awesome looking wooden case on etsy. For some, it might look like a block of wood, but I found its minimalist design really appealing and if the price could be cut down a bit, I might consider buying one.




TOP FIVE APPS IN ORDER OF MY FAVORITE:

Zite: Zite is a free personalized magazine that lets you pick categories, or picks them for you using twitter or google reader. It pulls articles from the internet that you CARE about, and in an elegant layout. It really revolutionizes the browsing experience and saves a significant amount of time. Link here

Evernote: Evernote is actually what I wrote the rough drafts for my blog posts on. It's an organized and free way to take notes for school or jot down ideas. One of the best free word processors on the app market, for sure. Link here

Flipboard: There isn't a lot about flipboard that I can say except for that it turns your social feeds into a magazine. What I like particularly is that it compiles the information shared on my live feed (links, photos, etc.) in a way that makes it browsable. When on facebook in an internet browser, I often overlook the links and videos and look at the statuses, skimming through gossip and drama and occasionally popping a status in the mix. With flipboard, I'm engaged in what my friends are sharing, and the statuses have become an afterthought. I think that it does what facebook was meant to do, which is to share information with a social network of people in a way that brings us closer, instead of farther apart. The best part is, like the rest of the apps I've listed so far, it's FREE. Link here

Pages: Pages is a word processor that acts like an Office application and can send documents in Word, PDF, or Pages format in email. It has several templates to choose from and I am currently writing an English paper on it. It's supportive of airprint, so with an airprint enabled printer, you could print your documents with one tap. This app is 9.99, which is much less expensive than office and serves nearly the same function. This is best utilized by students and educators, but could very well be useful in a professional setting as well. Link here

iWriteWords: This is an interactive app for toddlers that teaches writing and counting skills. With this app, my toddler is able to write entire words and recognizes notably more sounds, letters and numbers . It's something that would have to be tried out to be really appreciated, because it incites rapid learning in the most basic and necessary functions in our educated life- literacy and the ability to count, all for just 2.99! Link here:


iPad 2 will open many windows in the future for education, augmented reality and professional life. With a growing number of apps and compatible devices, it's easy to see how tablets could easily become a part of our every day reality. With the recent cooperation with leading textbook sellers, this will also become a staple in higher education and a useful tool for teachers and educators alike and I recommend this product to everyone, despite age or occupation. I give this an 8 out of 10, and I am an extremely satisfied customer.

For my readers, what do you use your iPad or iPad 2 for? What are it's best uses? Best apps?

If you'd like me to review an app or function specifically, mail or comment requests! I'd love to answer any questions or go over in more detail anything you feel like I haven't covered adequately.

-Brooke

*Image taken with iPad 2 rear facing camera to display camera quality.

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