Editorial: It’s Apple’s ‘post-PC’ world — we’re all just living in it

On Wednesday, Apple introduced the world to the iPad 2. A beautiful device, to be sure. Feature packed? You bet. Soon to be selling like hotcakes? Absolutely. But the introduction of an iteration on an already existing product wasn’t the most notable piece of the event, nor was the surprise appearance of Steve Jobs. No, Wednesday’s event was significant because it introduced the world to Apple’s real vision for the foreseeable future, a theme the company has hinted at but never fully expressed. This week, Apple showed everyone where it was headed, challenged competitors on that direction, and made it clear that the company not only has staked a claim in that space, but is defining it.

This week, Apple stepped into the “post-PC” era of computing — and there’s no looking back, at least not for the folks in Cupertino.

By joining the company’s ongoing vision of a “different” kind of computing with a soundbite friendly piece of marketing-speak, Apple has changed the rules of the game, and made the competition’s efforts not just an uphill battle, but — at least in the eyes of Steve Jobs and co. — essentially moot. But what exactly is the “post-PC” world? And why is it significant? Let me explain.

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Editorial: It’s Apple’s ‘post-PC’ world — we’re all just living in it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad 2: are you buying one?

iOS 4.3 is getting itself a pretty snazzy launch vehicle in Apple’s brand new iPad 2. The thinner, lighter, faster Apple tablet now comes in a choice of black or white, has cameras on front and back, and we understand its cake-cutting abilities are unrivaled. Now that you’ve had a good few hours to digest the news, consume the subsequent comparisons against the original iPad and the rest of the tech world’s tablet offerings, we want to know what you think. Will the iPad 2 pry open your purse, is the oldie still a goodie, or will you wait for the bigger and better things coming down the road? Answers below, please!

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iPad 2: are you buying one? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T introduces new post-paid plan for tablets, for those who prefer paying ex post facto

AT&T introduces new post-paid plan for tablets, for those who prefer paying ex post facto

Month-to-month billing is a great way to go for those who aren’t going to be traveling with their tablets all the time. If you’ll be a more frequent mobile data user, but still don’t want to get stuck with a contract, AT&T is introducing new post-paid plans. They can be added to an existing wireless plan (single billing FTW) and will see you billed automatically every month, but now you can cancel whenever your heart desires. Initial pricing is on-par with the pre-paid plans, which means $14.99 for 250MB or $25 for 2GB. It’s only the overage charges that are different here, $10 per 1GB versus $25 for 2GB on the pre-paid option. Not a huge difference, that, so really this is more of a convenience thing.

Continue reading AT&T introduces new post-paid plan for tablets, for those who prefer paying ex post facto

AT&T introduces new post-paid plan for tablets, for those who prefer paying ex post facto originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple iPad 2 Smart Cover vs. InCase Convertible Magazine Jacket… Fight!

By now you’ve seen Apple’s Smart Cover, right? The mind blowing cover (don’t call it a case) pretty much stole the show during yesterday’s iPad 2 press event, causing children to weep at the sight of our exploded bodies. Thing is, we’ve seen the design before. Oh sure, Apple improved upon it significantly, but there’s no mistaking its InCase Convertible Magazine Jacket heritage. See the two slug it out on video after the break in some kind of weird reverse KIRF cage match. We guess 2011 really is the year of the copycats.

Continue reading Apple iPad 2 Smart Cover vs. InCase Convertible Magazine Jacket… Fight!

Apple iPad 2 Smart Cover vs. InCase Convertible Magazine Jacket… Fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s iPad 2 keynote video ready for your viewing delight

Missed Steve Jobs’ surprise reappearance to unveil the iPad 2 this morning — or perhaps, are you an Apple fan who just can’t get enough? Well, it just so happens that Apple taped its latest magic show for you to watch at your leisure. Find it at our source link below, and imagine a time before 9.7-inch tablets hit the gym and slimmed down to just 1.3 pounds light. Oh, and we’ve also got a comprehensive liveblog, if video’s not your style.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Apple’s iPad 2 keynote video ready for your viewing delight originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad 2 arrives at the FCC

Right on cue, the three radio variants of the iPad 2 — that’s the WiFi A1395, GSM A1396, and CDMA A1397 — have arrived at the FCC’s labs for stringent testing. We’re sure Uncle Sam’s testers will stay on task checking up on RF interference and not just spend their time melting faces with Photo Booth, but we understand the temptation.

[Thanks, Laura]

iPad 2 arrives at the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple releases iTunes 10.2

Well, you’ll still have to wait a little while before you can use it with an iPad 2, but Apple’s already released iTunes 10.2 for those that like to be nice and ready. It brings with it support for iOS 4.3, and promises “improved Home Sharing” when browsing and playing your iTunes libraries on your iOS 4.3-equipped devices. We’ll let you know if we discover anything else hidden away inside — and you can feel free to do the same in comments.

Apple releases iTunes 10.2 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s Digital AV Adapter also works with iPhone 4, fourth-gen iPod touch, and first-gen iPad

In case you’re wondering whether Apple’s forthcoming Digital AV Adapter is worth your $39, you might be pleased to know that said HDMI dongle is also compatible with the latest crop of iOS devices before the iPad 2. This includes the iPhone 4, fourth-generation iPod touch, and even the first-generation iPad. Alas, both movies and slideshows will be capped at 720p output from these older devices, whereas the iPad 2 goes a little further with screen mirroring of up to 1080p — we’re guessing the beastly dual-core A5 chip is what makes the magic happen here, though movie output’s also limited to 720p. And hey, we’re only a few months away from finding out if the next iPhone will also get some 1080p love, so no pressure on buying this dongle just yet.

Apple’s Digital AV Adapter also works with iPhone 4, fourth-gen iPod touch, and first-gen iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CE-Oh no he didn’t!: Steve Jobs misquotes Samsung, asks what you’re gonna do about it

Hey, remember all the fun last month when Samsung’s Lee Young-hee said that Galaxy Tab sales were “quite smooth” but everyone heard “quite small?” Yeah, well, Steve Jobs doesn’t. Before unveiling the iPad 2 today the man in black and denim listed that early misquote — which was widely and officially corrected — as evidence to prove that the iPad‘s competition was floundering. Admittedly that isn’t far from the truth, but there’s no need to go putting words in other executives’ mouths to make a point.

Continue reading CE-Oh no he didn’t!: Steve Jobs misquotes Samsung, asks what you’re gonna do about it

CE-Oh no he didn’t!: Steve Jobs misquotes Samsung, asks what you’re gonna do about it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad 2 vs. Motorola Xoom vs. HP TouchPad vs. BlackBerry PlayBook: the tale of the tape

You might recall we ran this comparison about a month back when HP’s TouchPad was announced, but now we’re back with a full set of 2011 devices as Apple’s brand new iPad 2 has joined the fray. There’s no need for excessive introductions, really, just leap past the break to get swalloped up by an avalanche of next-generation tablet specs.

Continue reading iPad 2 vs. Motorola Xoom vs. HP TouchPad vs. BlackBerry PlayBook: the tale of the tape

iPad 2 vs. Motorola Xoom vs. HP TouchPad vs. BlackBerry PlayBook: the tale of the tape originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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