2-1: Weekly Written Analysis 2

While reviewing the technology news this week, I noticed that Apple is about to announce a new product, the iPad 2. They are going to make the official statement Wednesday, March 2^nd. The electronics world is wildly speculating about the advancements that have been added to the existing iPad 1. Rumor has it that the iPad 2 will include video phone features, a Retina display, a USB connection, and a 3-axis gyroscope. The current iPad 1 does not include these features, so it will be exciting to see how they are integrated. It appears Apple is planning to do a mild upgrade for now, then another more extensive update is slated for sometime this fall.

Apple is bringing the iPad up to date with the current specs from their iPhone 4. The iPad 2 will add a front facing camera so you can use it with Facetime and chat with people who also utilize Apple products. The Retina display upgrade is going to provide much crisper images on the screen, making text and video clearer. An included USB connection will be a nice addition, although at this point it is hard to tell exactly what it will be able to be used for. The new 3-axis gyroscope is a welcome improvement for Apple’s gaming audience. Improved handling and precision will provide a better gaming experience, and many of the games currently available in the App Store are already enabled for 3-axis gyroscope technology.

Even with the beneficial advancements being rolled out with the iPad 2, I am still a little hesitant to buy. The deal breaker for me is the inability to custom install programs that aren’t linked to the App Store. If a product is released that lets me install whatever software I want, then I would be more inclined to purchase one. All we can hope for is that Apple rolls out a major refresh this fall and delivers a product that can live up to its hype. I really enjoy the tablet format but I still think it needs work to become an asset to an advanced consumer. I understand that Apple is first trying to appeal to the mass market, but I do not consider myself part of this majority. Next week stay tuned and I’ll be talking about the new MacBook Pro that Apple just released last week.