Digital Zone 244: iPad 2

Posted by Patrick Wiscombe on March 2, 2011 under Tech Podcasts | Be the First to Comment

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In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about:

• Apple announces iPad2
• Apple refunds $100 to recent buyers of old iPad

Jobs breaks from medical leave to unveil iPad 2

Steve Jobs briefly emerged from a medical leave and made a surprising appearance to unveil the iPad 2 himself. He said the number of software applications — or “apps” — available for the iPad gives Apple a huge advantage. The tablet has two cameras built in for taking photos, recording video and video chatting. The battery life will be the same as the original — about 10 hours of usage or a month on standby. The iPad 2 is also thinner — 8.8 millimeters, or about a third of an inch, instead of the current 13.4 millimeters. It weighs just a bit less — 1.3 pounds, compared with the original 1.5 pounds. With a $39 accessory, people can connect the tablet to televisions, so they can watch high-definition videos on the bigger screen. The next-generation iPads will cost the same as the originals — $499 to $829, depending on storage space and whether they can connect to the Internet over a cellular network. Apple will add a white model to the current black. In the U.S., the iPad 2 will go on sale March 11 and work on AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless. Apple’s online store began selling the original models for $100 off, starting at $399. Refurbished versions were even lower, starting at $349. Apple sold 15 million of the iPads in nine months. After its March 11 U.S. launch, the iPad 2 goes on sale March 25 in 26 other markets, including Mexico, New Zealand, Spain and other European countries. Apple also introduced updates to the software that runs on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The company said the update, iOS 4.3, will work on iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 models, except the new version for Verizon Wireless. Among other things, the new system turns iPhones and iPads with 3G cellular connections into personal Wi-Fi hotspots, so you can share the connection with computers or other devices — if your wireless carrier allows it. Apple also announced new software designed for the iPad, including a $4.99 version of iMovie for video editing and a $4.99 version of GarageBand, its music recording and editing software. GarageBand includes instruments that can be played by touching the iPad 2′s screen, and it can even sense whether you’re tapping quietly or banging on the “keys.” The company also said Random House became the last major publisher to agree to sell its titles in Apple’s e-books store.

Apple refunds $100 to recent buyers of old iPad

Apple will give $100 back to shoppers who bought a first-generation iPad at one of its retail stores or through its online store in the past two weeks. This because it cut prices for old iPads by $100. Apple says retail customers need to present the original purchase receipt and request a refund within 14 days of the price reduction. Online shoppers should call Apple customer service. People who want to return their first-generation iPads can do so within 14 days of purchase.