iPad 2 vs. iPad – a performance test captured on video


The iPad 2 has finally settled in our office. Since the performance is the key feature on the new iPad we were curious how faster the iPad 2 is. The only way to see that is to put the first and second gen tablets head to head and see what happens.



We preloaded both iPads with absolutely the same content, enabled the multi-touch gestures, closed all active apps from the multi-tasking bar and started tapping some icons.

Quite expectedly, the iPad 2 loads much faster than its predecessor almost everything we ran. It has a dual-core processor, so no surprises here. And don’t get the wrong idea – we’ve timed each of the devices separately so it doesn’t matter if the actions aren’t performed simultaneously.

Opening applications is 50% faster on the iPad 2. Returning on the homescreen is generally quicker as well. The major speed difference though is witnessed when opening the book store app. The iPad 2 loads it 277% faster than it’s older brother and the actual books open three times quicker, as well.

Games in general open fast, too. Angry Birds, for example, sees 116% improvement, while Epic Citadel, which runs on the Unreal engine gets 96% faster over the iPad. Browsing the web is not what you’d call sluggish. Compared to its predecessor the iPad 2 loads websites 48% snappier.

But it’s quite a different situation when launching already ran and paused apps. Whatever iPad you use, the performance is equal. There is no matter which method of switching between apps you prefer (scrolling, homescreen or multi-tasking bar), you will get to the app immediately. There was no lag whatsoever. I am not sure if Apple failed to optimize this for the iPad 2 or they’ve already done a magical job the first time, but hey – it works like a charm and that’s enough.



The less RAM (256MB) on the first iPad affects the multi-tasking work a lot though. In case you reach the limit of paused apps they all are automatically cleaned and will restart when you go back to them. In any other case the app switcher works as described above.

As far as the OS start/shutdown times are concerned the iPad 2 outran its older fella with almost 4 seconds when powering on and below a second in powering off.



What’s next? As I told you yesterday we are working hard on our review and you should expect it soon. You will find there the usual stuff – screen comparison, loudspeaker and audio quality tests, performance and benchmark results, camera and video samples, exclusive apps and our final verdict.

izvor

This is why Apple’s killing it




Watching this clip of then two-year old Bridger working an iPad effortlessly as if it was second nature to him gave me a pause. His dad Mike says that “his speech, understanding, word recognition, and even hand eye coordination have improved within just a short while.” Bridger often cracks a smile, his eyes lighting up with excitement when exploring the device. To me, this is why Apple’s winning – they own these toddlers. A new generation of kids are growing up as we speak with an iPad etched in their memory. For me and you, it was a SNES or probably old school plastic elephants, turtles and giraffes. For your kids, it’s a shiny, easy to use toy with wonderful apps that respond to touch. Check out two more videos included below.

It goes without saying that for many of the iPad-toting toddlers Apple’s iOS devices and Macs will be a natural fit as they enter childhood and teen years. It’s the Apple brainwash and it works like a charm. Apple gets them while they’re young and rivals must be pulling their hair because they’re missing out on the entire generation of kids raised on Apple’s mobile gear and computers.

Since the iPad’s inception clips of toddlers working Apple’s gorgeous piece of aluminum and glass slab have become all the rage on YouTube. It’s almost like, forget dull kitten clips, here are the iPad toddlers. Can you imagine a 24-month old working a geeky Android slate like the Xoom or a messed up Chinese knockoff?

via Technologizer

izvor

iPad 2 vs. Motorola XOOM – Tablet War




The folks at phonedog compare the iPad 2 with the Motorola XOOM (Android). Enjoy the video!

Tablets tablets everywhere! Aaron throws the Apple iPad 2 and the Motorola XOOM -- the respective champions in their arenas -- into the ring for a tablet dogfight. The Apple iPad 2 offers Apple’s A5 dual-core processor, 9.7-inch display, a front and rear-facing camera, and is packed in a body that’s 1.33 pounds. On the other hand, you have the Motorola XOOM, the first tablet to premiere with Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). It offers a 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 10.1-inch display, 5-megapixel camera, front-facing camera, and LTE support (though it’s not available just yet).




izvor

Video: iPad vs iPad 2 – Strength test



The guys at iFixYouri had a piece of ipad 2 glass, and an ipad 1 glass, and really wanted to see how it’d hold up under bending. The iPhone 4 glass was bendible, not shatterproof, but bendible. They were extremely shocked at how much it could bend. What’s this good for? Well, flex is good for shock absorption, if you drop stuff on it, and durability.



izvor

Download iOS 4.3.1 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch [Direct Links]


Apple has just released iOS 4.3.1 update for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2, iPad, and iPod touch 4G/3G. This is just a minor update to fix bugs, vulnerabilities and battery life woes on all iOS devices.



To update to iOS 4.3.1, all you need to do is to connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with your computer via USB and start iTunes 10.2.1. You should now see a message as shown below, simply click on “Download and Install” (Mac OS X) or “Download and Update” (Windows) button to get on to the new firmware.



The final version of the last major update, iOS 4.3, was released back on March 10.


Direct Download Links for iOS 4.3.1 (Official from Apple):

iPhone 4 (GSM)
iPhone 3GS
iPad 2 WiFi
iPad 2 GSM
iPad 2 CDMA
iPad
iPod touch 3G
iPod touch 4G


UPDATE: Tethered jailbreak for iOS 4.3.1 is now available:

How to jailbreak iPhone 4 on iOS 4.3.1 using PwnageTool
How to jailbreak iPad 1G on iOS 4.3.1 using PwnageTool
How to jailbreak iPod touch 4G on iOS 4.3.1 using PwnageTool


You may also like to check out:

How to Downgrade iOS 4.3.1 to 4.3, 4.2.1, 4.1 on iPhone 4, 3GS, iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch [Guide]

izvor

Cydia 1.1 Released!


Cydia 1.1 has just been released by saurik and is now available in Cydia. This version is nearly a complete rewrite from 1.0 and includes new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. According to saurik, Cydia 1.1 is faster, slimmer, and more stable; including an improved search algorithm and "resume where you left off"

Cydia 1.1 also removes some of the older default packages. However, Saurik notes this is normal because repositories are managed differently, and will not be deleted.

Work on Cydia 1.1 has been ongoing on for some time now. Recently, Saurik posted a detailed comment on the improvements which can be found here

To install Cydia 1.1, simply open Cydia, and upgrade when prompted to.

Read More




izvor

Report: iOS 5 Postponed Until Fall?

Add this to the rumor list, but TechCrunch is throwing its two cents into the iPhone and iOS rumor pot. They are reporting that the next-generation version of iOS will not be coming out this summer as originally assumed, but is being pushed back to sometime in the fall for release. If this is the case, expect iOS 5.0 to be unveiled at WWDC in June, most likely with a developer-friendly download available at that time.



Naturally, if this rumor is true, that more than likely means the iPhone 5 will be pushed back until fall as well. We can’t imagine the newest iPhone coming out without the next OS version already on it, as has been the tradition every year up until now. Certainly this would correspond with previous rumors reported that mentioned the new iPhone being pushed back until this fall, so these reports are gaining strength by numbers.

The new 5.0 update would be a major revamp of the OS, adding a significant amount of focus to cloud-based features, such as Music Locker and Find my Friends. These cloud features will likely be discussed in June at WWDC, integrated with OS X Lion, and heavily used on all iOS devices — the list of which may include a new type of iPad expected to come out in September as well, according to TechCrunch. The MobileMe event originally planned for April will probably not happen now, but get pushed back to the June event instead.

This is still a rumor and has not been confirmed officially by Apple

izvor