The very first version of the iPad was introduced to the market few years ago. By that time the concept of tablet device was pretty new to the mobile device users. Same as in many times before in apple history, they made a global life style change. Few months after launching Apple iPad, I could see many people using those in public places, buses and trains. Most of the time people were using those to read E books on the run, kids used them to play games and most interestingly, many people use them to browse internet in public Wi-Fi zones. It’s a really an amazing experience to browse internet with big touch screen in iPad. It also had a version with 3G connectivity addition to Wi-Fi. Many of the businessmen use that as a window to take a look in to their business on the run and sometimes control it. With in short period of time Apple iPad change the global idea of mobile tablet device.
In the first quarter of the year 2011, apple introduced iPad 2 as a continuation and improvement to the previous iPad. It contained lots of more cool features and new technologies. Again same as before sales hit the sky and people started using iPad 2 like crazy. It became a day to day item than a high tech magic in matter of months. In this article I’m going to take a look in to social impact done with the wide spreading of Apple iPad 2.
Specification Overview
- Processor
- Operation System
- Display
- 9.7 inch
- LED Backlit
- Multi Touch sensor
- Fingerprint resistant
- Sensors
- Gyro meter
- Accelerometer
- Light Sensor
- Compass
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- UMTS/HSDPA
- Camera
- 720p HD video
- Front VGA
- 0.7 Mega pixel rear
- 0.3 Mega pixel front
- Battery life
- Online service
In my first look I didn’t notice many differences in tech specification. But when I take a closer look there are very important improvements. Mainly they have increased the processing power from A4 chip to A5 dual core chip which will give you double the processing power. And previous iPad didn’t have any camera while this one has 2 with 720P HD video recording. Happy news for mobile games, iPad 2 comes with Gyro meter which give you more precise control when you play games with physical movements. Previous one only had a accelerometer which capture only movement of device not the movement relative to gravity. These features have enabled whole lot of new possibilities with iPad 2.
Usage Impact
Games
The iPad 2 comes with lots of favors for gaming. Its processor, highly accurate multi touch screen and special motion sensors like gyro meter turn it in to excellent gaming device. Lots of games developers have take the advantage of improvement of iPad 2 and came up with cool concepts. Most popular one would be car games and the most interesting part is you can drive the car considering the device as the steering wheel. With new gyro meter you can do more than previous accelerometer. I believe that game developers have not yet taken the full advantage of gyro meter and its capabilities, yet soon we will be able to see cool game which uses this new hardware. I wish there is a game which help us to work out, especially aerobics properly by guiding us detecting our movements.
Scientific Application
Other than the general public, iPad has dominated the scientific and academic world as well. Most of the scientist and researchers are using iPad as their notebook and data collection device. When they are working in field, this becomes really handy. There are custom developed applications which allow the researchers to store new data in central database and a retrieve the data as well. Improved connectivity options of iPad 2 have made those possible. The data could be presented to the researcher in various different graphical ways with the 10 inch display. Additionally they are using it as a communication tool, especially for video conferencing with the aid of front camera.
Graphic Designing
Many of the expert graphic designers and art directors are using iPad as their idea book. They are drawing sketches using multi touch screen and edit them using special software. With the improved multimedia capabilities and graphic acceleration this kind of work will become even easier and efficient. Additionally they can get the use of gyro meter to come up with graphic design with physical movements like smudge painting. Since iPad 2 comes with a camera capable of capturing stills and720p HD videos they can record their inspiration on the run and attach them in to their portable digital idea book.
Music Production
In music production software, it’s very difficult to handle its control surface with mouse and key board. To make controlling easier music produces were using hardware control surfaces. Still there were problems, like its very difficult upgrade hardware surface with the rapid improvement of software. Purchasing new and upgraded hardware surface was very costly. iPad and its multi point touch made music produces world much easier. They could extend the PC or MAC software interface to iPad and control it with touch screen. In this case, dealing with software upgrades is effortless. This comes handy when they are working with mixers and their faders. This made it very easy to program and automation while mixing audio. And this made it very easy to program drum beats with drum machines. One of the most popular music production software re designs their interfaces to work with touch devices in their latest version. They came up with special drum machine named Kong Drum Designer with big buttons which works amazingly with touch devices. With the improvement of processing power in iPad 2 all these processes became smooth with lesser latency.
Stock Trading
Stock traders are set of people who deal with lots of information and make quick decision. iPad gave them perfect solution to their needs. iPhone is having too small display to give what they want. With iPad mainly they are reading news. 3G connectivity always helps this. And news is not enough then need stock market statistics and software to execute orders. Again iPad provides versatile solution to install application, visualize data in big 10 inch screen and place order with the Wi-Fi of 3G connectivity. One of the most popular stock trading software, Direct FN Pro has released iPad version of the software. This software work with iOS 5 and let the traders to get the market statistic, visualize them with charts, apply market indicators and place orders. You will find more information about this iPad application in here, with screenshots.
In early time most of the investors were reluctant to use these kinds of devices considering the performance issues and connectivity issues. A delay of one second may lead to loss of many millions in finance game. I believe that iPad 2 has given a solid solution to those investors to be confident and do their trading on iPad with its Dual core A5 processor and 3G or may be Wi-Fi connectivity.
Market Impact
Same as in any other apple product iPad 2 hit the sky with its sales soon after its launch. According to statistics it shows even bigger sales in first few hours, than previous version of iPad. Within 24 hours after launching, recorded number of sales were nearly 500 000 devices. At the same time it took the large proportionate of Laptop market. After launching iPad 2, there were significant dropping of sales of Laptops, since iPad 2 practically replace and gives better experience than conventional laptop. And there were huge improvement of gaming with iPad 2. Sales of iPad gaming application were boosted by more than 100% and 17% of iPad 2 users mainly used the device as a gaming platform. This is again huge improvement compared to 9% with iPad original version.
This amazing device changes the world of good with its amazing capabilities and made a significant impact on global life style. It introduces the easier way to do things as well as totally new ways to do things. It redefine the way we game, create computer base graphics, music and many more. This impact will surely continue and make the earth a better place with the creative contribution of iOS software developers and Apple team.
Tags: #Apple #iPad