After reading about the iPad 2’s marketing strategies on Jennifer Chu’s blog, rumors of the upcoming release of the iPad 3 are already surfacing (really Apple? = =). I’ll have to agree with Jennifer that Apple really does know how to abuse its brand equity to the point where they can release a “new” version of their product every 3 months and the general population will still buy it.
So I decided to do a little bit of research and write about the features and legitimacy of this trendy tablet computer.
Features:
- 9.7″ Display Size
- 1024 x 768 Resolution
- Apple A5 1 GHz dual core Processor
- 512 MB RAM
- Storage: 16, 32, 64 GB
- Wi-Fi and/or 3G
- Front and Rear Cameras
- 9-10 hours battery life
- Weight: 1.33-1.35 Lbs
- Colors: Black or White
So basically improvements from the last generation include: faster (dual core) processor, added two cameras, and a having slimmer/lighter ‘chic’ look with cool colorful ‘Smart Covers’ to compliment it.
Now the question remains – Can the iPad 2 really replace a notebook computer and be as useful of a tool in a business setting, or is it all just a gimmick?
A few limitations to keep in mind when buying the iPad 2:
- Still no flash support (for videos and games online)
- No USB port and SD Card Slot
- Weak cameras
So is it actually WORTH $499 (cheapest version), or is it all part of Apple’s premium pricing strategy? I’m sure you’ve all seen a parody or two of these iPad 2 promotional videos:
What actually does impress me though, is that regardless of whether the iPad is really worth the price tag or not, no one can deny how much it has already impacted the gadget industry. But then again I’m just an owner of an Apple iPhone, my opinion is probably biased.
iPad 2 making music:
