Apple iPad 2 has been unveiled

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The Apple iPad 2 has been unveiled, and Luxury Linkers  has spent some time with the hottest piece of  kit so far in 2011.

Make no mistake, this is a seriously cool piece of kit, bringing a whole host of improvements that, individually, may not sound like much, but put together take the iPad onto a whole new plane.

• Apple iPad 2: 12 things you need to know

1. iPad 2 is lighter and thinner

Apple called it an all-new design. And it is. The main physical thing is that the new iPad is thinner – 33 per cent thinner, clocking it at 8.8mm. Incredibly, that’s thinner than the iPhone 4 which clocks in at 9.3mm. It’s also 15 per cent lighter, which is welcome. You wouldn’t want it to be completely lightweight, but a bit less weight is good. It’s also available in white as well as the original black.

2. The iPad 2 has FaceTime

The new iPad has the expected front-facing VGA camera (as well as one on the back). What’s the point of the one on the back? Like the iPhone 4′s rear snapper, it takes 720p video (though has no flash unlike other tablets). And that’s enough for us.

3. The iPad 2 battery life stays the same

The iPad 2′s battery life is apparently not limited by the new design – it has the same 10 hour battery life as before, with a month of standby time (tsk, real-world figures please). Still, that’s quite impressive when you think about the reduced size of the unit.

Our colleagues at T3.com grabbed some iPad 2 video footage which you can watch below.

4. As does the iPad 2 display

The new iPad has a 9.7-inch display which, yep, is exactly the same. So the large-scale retina display wasn’t ready as we suspected. iPad 3 should sort that one out.

5. iPad 2 goes dual-core

A few months ago, a dual-core processor would have made headlines. Now they’re 10-a-penny and in many an Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet. The new processor is called the Apple A5 and is based on ARM’s Cortex-A9 design. And it’s probably clocked at 1GHz again.

6. iPad 2 graphics will be awesome

All Steve Jobs said was that the graphics capability would be 9x that of the current iPad. WOW! All he said? That promises serious gaming awesomeness (and it helps that the device now also has the gyroscope from the iPhone 4 and latest-gen iPod touch). The graphics will still be some version of Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR SGX graphics technology.

7. iPad 2 has iOS 4.3

The latest version of iOS ships with the iPad and will be available for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch on 11 March. There’s faster Safari browsing performance; iTunes Home Sharing and thankfully an enhancement to AirPlay. Let’s hope it works now. (By the way, iPhone 4s can act as Wi-Fi hotspots too).

8. The stupid button problem has been fixed

When the first iPad came out, the switch on the side locked the orientation. Super cool, everybody thought. Except Apple did a typical Apple thing and changed it to become a mute button. When there was already a volume control on the other side of the device. iOS 4.3 gives you the choice about what to do. That’s what happens when you listen to your customers. Thanks, Apple.

9. The iPad 2 has HDMI out

It will set you back around £30 for the cable, but you can connect your iPad up to the TV and charge it while doing so. What’s more you can have HDMI Video Mirroring that lets you mirror your iPad screen on an HDTV. Cool for presentations and the like – or just playing movie content.

10. The iPad 2 features HSUPA

The iPad 2 also features HSUPA support. That means faster uploads over 3G. Like mobile broadband. It’s only available on the iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, naturally. Expect this to come to the iPhone in the next update too.

11. The iPad 2 UK release date is 25 March

Apple has announced that the Apple iPad 2 UK release date is 25 March. T-Mobile and Orange told TechRadar they are stocking iPad 2 “when it becomes available later this month”. O2 told us it wouldn’t be selling the new tablet but would be offering data plans for it, while Vodafone offered a stern “no comment”. Thanks for the clarity there. As iPad 2 costs the same in the US as the original iPad, expect the models to start at £439 here.

12. iPad 2 sees Apple come out fighting

As well as some serious gnashing of teeth at competitors during Steve Jobs’ keynote, even the press release gets nasty. “While others have been scrambling to copy the first generation iPad, we’re launching iPad 2, which moves the bar far ahead of the competition and will likely cause them to go back to the drawing boards yet again.” Unfortunately though, it’s just not true. In terms of specs – if not looks – the latest Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablets are a match for the new iPad.

Another element of major note is the reduced thickness of the device.

Apple has somehow managed to shave off an extra third of the original iPad’s thickness and it certainly shows.

Indeed, the Apple iPad 2 is just 8.4 mm thick; for people with the iPhone 4, that means that the latest tablet is actually thinner than your phone.

Thickness never really felt like a major problem with the original iPad, but that doesn’t mean that this isn’t welcome on a thinner, sexier device.

Yes, sexier. That’s the overriding impression of the iPad 2. You thought the original iPad was desirable, but its successor makes it look like a dumpy girl next door with its supermodel good looks and a size that suggests a diet of Diet Coke and cigarettes.

Another key addition is cameras – front and back – and you’ll be pleased to hear that the addition does not mar the looks at all.

In fact the front camera is subtle, as it is on the iPhone 4, and the rear one (which can record in HD) certainly doesn’t turn the device into an ugly cyclops.

We can’t help but question the need for cameras at all; it’s rare that you will actually want to take out your tablet to take a picture and we’re yet to be convinced by the merits of Facetime.

But, the cameras function as you would expect – and we’re sure hours of fun can be had with PhotoBooth and the video calling function.

But, it isn’t just in the looks department that Apple has sprinkled its magic; this beauty is also a bit of a tablet beast under the hood.

That’s largely due to a new A5 dual-core processor from Apple – an all-in-one offering with heavily beefed up graphics capability and twice as fast as a CPU.

In fact, Steve Jobs promised us that the new Apple iPad 2 is nine times more powerful in the graphics department that its predecessor – which should give games app developers something to get their teeth into.

The extra boost of speed is noticeable in the time it takes to open apps. There is still a delay, of course, but it’s much reduced – and the already responsive touchscreen seems a little zippier as well.

We tested a couple of programs that gave the new chip a thorough bashing – namely the brand spanking new (and rather lovely) GarageBand and Infinity Blade.

Starting with the latter, Infinity Blade was a real test for the iPad original, but the discernible lag that affected it is definitely much reduced on the iPad 2.

That makes for a completely different feel to the game – it’s spritely and impressive. We can’t wait to see more graphically intense games of this ilk really pushing the boundaries.

Keen musicians are going to love GarageBand, which gives you the chance to make music to your heart’s content.

It’s an environment where lag and waiting time would crucify the experience. But fortunately from a speedy loading time right the way through to instant responsiveness to our ham-fisted efforts to drum, this was a pleasurable experience.

iMovie also felt quick and responsive; and although this isn’t going to be competing against a quad-core gaming beast, we do think that you will appreciate the stride taken from the iPad original’s A4.

It’s impossible to go much further without discussing one of the things that did not make it onto the iPad 2 – namely the Retina display that is found on the iPhone 4.

We’re big fans of this hi-res display on Apple’s flagship phone, and we were hoping that we would see it arrive on the iPad 2.

But, be it through cost or manufacturing, the display does not appear to be changed much at all. Which frankly is a bit of a shame.

It may be an added extra, but it’s also well worth talking about the Smart Cover. The iPad 2 has magnets built in that mean the Cover – at $39 (plastic) or $69 (leather) – will latch on and protect the screen.

It’s actually really cool – although maybe not quite as simple as Apple make it look in the video. The cover curls underneath to make a stand and peeling back one corner wakes the device.

In a word, it’s neat; and that’s not a term you’ll find far away from your thoughts when you first pick up an iPad 2.

Conclusion

People who suggest this is an incremental upgrade are simply not looking at the bigger picture; the Apple iPad 2 feels and acts drastically differently from its predecessor.

The plethora of changes – some cosmetic, some under the hood – have boosted a device that felt like a luxury, to a device that is head and shoulders above its competitors at the moment.

The lighter, thinner iPad 2 is nicer to hold, nicer to use and nicer to look at – and if that’s not an important upgrade then maybe we’re missing the point.

More images

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Making It a Mobile Web App

Making It a Mobile Web App

Ask any interactive agency nowadays what their clients are asking for when they need a mobile experience — the answer will inevitably be “an iPhone and/or an iPad app.” Native Apple apps are a hot commodity, and in today’s mobile application ecosystem, mobile web apps are not sexy. In fact, many people don’t even realize they are even an option. In certain cases, an iPhone/iPad app will be the right solution for their needs.

However, there are some situations where it may become a short-term win, but eventually a long-term loss. Mobile web apps offer a good number of advantages over native apps; and though they face some design, development and deployment challenges, they are a powerful cross platform, scalable and affordable solution.

Increasing Fragmentation

Mobile apps are all the rage. There are a slew of startups targeting the iPad, countless entrepreneurs hacking together the next killer iPhone app, and it seems as though every big company has released an app of some sort. With the increasing penetration of Android phones, developers are scrambling to port their software.

But what about deploying to Windows Phone 7, Blackberry and Symbian? Who wants to study yet another SDK, learn another language, and go through yet another app submission process? Who will continue to keep the code up to date for all these platforms as each one splinters into new incarnations, releases new hardware and OS updates. Fragmentation is a costly long-term investment. And people are beginning to realize that native apps are not a sustainable long-term solution for all their needs.

GAP StyleMixer application for both iOS & Android

The Mobile Web is Everywhere

As the native mobile app market becomes increasingly fragmented, it is becoming clear that there needs to be a solution which can re-use code and designs across platforms, and which eases deployment headaches. But why invent a new solution, when it already exists on every device out there: the Web.Webkit is gaining ground as the de facto standard for rendering web content, but even Webkit isn’t appropriate for every application. It wouldn’t be recommended for experiences that need complex graphics rendering, require hooks into specific hardware such as camera or accelerometer, or have hefty media requirements.

Though these constraints will change over time. But for all other apps that don’t need these features, using the mobile web frees developers to use their web technology of choice, so long as it will render on mobile browsers. Design and develop once, deploy everywhere. With smart design and code, a single web app could render appropriately on differing resolutions and screen sizes, and respond accordingly to touch, 5-way or cursor. Indeed, frameworks for mobile web app development already exist, such asSencha Touch.

Sencha Touch Mobile Web Development Framework

Old News

Desktop web apps are far from a new idea — Rich Internet apps have been around for a while. Google has been pushing in this direction for years, creating a broad suite of online tools, primarily for the desktop, with an increasing focus on mobile. However, web apps have been slow to gain traction in the mobile space. Even with Apple promoting mobile web apps as the next best thing on their 1st generation iPhone in 2007, the focus is still squarely on native apps. And the primary reason for this is due to the overwhelming success of Apple’s (native) App Store.

The App Store Model

Apple’s App Store was not the first to distribute native applications to mobile phones, but they proved it was a viable model, and launched the concept into popular culture. It’s this same model that would be necessary to make a mobile web app ecosystem successful.

Foursquare App in Google’s Android Market

As a consumer, it’s more appealing to go to one trusted online outlet for stuff than to waste time searching the web for the same thing, and putting yourself at risk of being hacked. Mobile web apps need a consolidated storefront for much the same reasons.

First, it’s easy to find apps when they are indexed, categorized, and searchable in one place. Second, a robust community of users exposing app popularity, contributing ratings and writing reviews makes it easier to evaluate your choices. Third, when I’ve decided to buy a game such as Plants and Zombies, I want to be sure my purchase will be a safe one — something a robust app store from a recognized company should offer. And since a web app is cross-platform, you could play it on your Android phone, your iPad, and your desktop — all with a single purchase. Buy once, use anywhere. It’s magic!

As a business or developer creating web apps, a centralized web app store provides benefits over doing it solo. Most importantly, it provides a source of monetization. This is the key to driving adoption of a web app ecosystem, as without revenue, businesses and developers will stick with money-making native apps. It’s also a marketing channel, allowing for easy discovery and promotion. Another potential benefit of using a web app storefront would be the APIs to help developers deal with authentication, licensing and other technical hurdles of digital distribution.

It’s Possible Now

A great majority of native apps could be deployed today as full featured mobile web apps. The HTML5 family of technologies allow for refined typography, animation, streaming video, offline storage, and the list goes on. Probably the most high profile web app to date is the Youtube mobile site, which delivers a comparable experience to the native apps they have built.

Youtube Mobile Web Experience

Real World Challenges

As with any innovation, there are big questions that need to be answered. The most obvious is the issue of cross-platform compatibility. Building a robust and rich cross-platform mobile web app experience would benefit from HTML5 technology support, but currently RIM and Microsoft’s mobile offerings use their own standards. This weakens the des/dev once, deploy anywhere story; but is by no means a dealbreaker. Web developers have long dealt with coding to accommodate troublesome browsers, and this would be a similar case.

Another challenge in the ‘deploy anywhere’ scenario arises when you look at how a given design translates across devices with varying resolutions, form factors and input methods. Application designers will need to approach this problem by targeting several key resolution/form factor combinations, similar to what is recommended by the Android SDK. Depending on what device an app is being run on, the design, layout and functionality may differ significantly. This can be solved using a combination of intelligent design and careful development.

Last but not least is the problem of providing consistent, quality user experiences in this new application space. We’ve seen how the Android’s app offerings often leave much to be desired in terms of visual design and usability while Apple has been more successful in defining quality experiences. Providing a set of best practices, design patterns, and components for designers would go a long way towards the creation of quality mobile web app experiences that would win over consumers. As mobile web apps gain credibility, we will see more offering such as Sencha Touch and Sproutcore that provide solid web development and experience frameworks.

The Inevitable Victory of the Web Browser

Web applications as ‘the next big idea’ might never happen — but in the coming years, more and more websites will have mobile incarnations that look a lot like applications. You’ll be swiping through articles, pinching photos, and flicking pests off your Farmville plot — all in your mobile browser. And people won’t even realize that in the end, the next generation mobile web won.