Prologue
Pierced through a handful of the rumours and finally, iPad 2 was unveiled by our look-thinner-but-stiff-enough Steve Jobs last tuesday. Like what I wrote in my forecast and probably most of the Tech. guys did as well, the new iPad 2 is about a third thinner and over 10% lighter, yet speedier and more powerful than the original version, for many users, challenged their laptops as a digital tool. And it costs the same as the original. No doubt, iOS 4.3 hits its final release in iPad 2. It was apprently a big letdown for most of the developers without seeing any clue of iOS 5 SDK on the stage.
While it's evolutionary rather than revolutionary like the first model, the changes Apple has made are generally pleasing and positive. Its improvements, including front and rear cameras, compensate the few drawbacks and feature omissions that people found at the first generation of iPad. iPad 2 offers an excellent balance of size, functionality and price, not surprisingly, keeps Apple ahead in the tablet race.
However, the iPad 2 comes better but not prefect. Its cameras take mediocre still photos and Apple didn't even reveal their megapixel ratings. The company says they were designed for video, not still photography.
They did capture decent video in my tests, including high-definition video from the rear camera and video good enough from the front camera for satisfying video calling. But, for a company known for quality, which bundles a new still-photo app with the device, the cameras are disappointing. －Walt Mossberg, AllThingsDigital
In my view, unless you are desperate for the cameras or feel you are laboring under the greater bulk of the original model, I don't advise that iPad owners race to get the new version.
The Body: iOS 4.3
Okay, the protagionist of this entry is not about iPad 2 but iOS 4.3 itself instead. As you know, the final release of iOS 4.3 is available at iTunes on Wednesday prior to the first sales of iPad 2 on 11 March. Very soon, its brother with little bug-fixed iOS 4.3.1 revealed itself quietly too. Let's see what Apple software engineers had done in iOS 4.3:
Testing, ComparisionAbout iOS 4.3 Software Update
This update contains new features and improvements, including the following:
- Personal Hotspot*
Share iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to 5 devices (combination of up to 3 Wi-Fi, 3 Bluetooth, and 1 USB)- iTunes Home Sharing
Play music, movies and TV shows from a shared iTunes library on a Mac or PC (requires iTunes 10.2)- New AirPlay features**
Play videos from the Photos app including the Camera Roll album, iTunes previews, enabled third-party apps and websites on Apple TV
Play slideshows from Photos on Apple TV using transitions available on Apple TV- Faster Safari performance with Apple Nitro JavaScript engine
- HD video out using the Apple Digital AV Adapter***
View 720p HD videos from Videos app, iPod app, Photos, YouTube, Safari, Keynote, and enabled third-party apps on an HDMI display- Ping features
Push notifications for comments and follow requests
Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing screen
Parental controls- New Settings
Messages setting for number of times to repeat an alert
iPad side switch setting to lock screen rotation or mute audio notifications and sound effects
Single tap conference call dialing with a pause to send a passcode- Bug fixes
*Requires iPhone 4 with tethering data plan
**Requires Apple TV (2nd generation) running software version 4.2 or later
***iPhone 4, iPad, iPod touch (4th generation)
For information on the security content of this update, please visit:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
- The Changing in Setting Page:
A new Location Services Setting reveals in left side bar and the new setting for iPad side switch shows in General Setting Page.
Location Services Setting Page
- iPad side switch
In iOS 4.3, users are able to customize the switch on the side of your iPad to lock the screen rotation or mute the volume. Just configure the side switch in Settings.
Screen Rotation Lock Mode and Volume Mute Mode
- iTunes Home Sharing
A new Home Sharing function shows up at the setting page of iPod. Home Sharing is all about your music, videos, podcasts and more— if it's in your iTunes library on your Mac or PC, you can now play it on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch over a shared Wi-Fi network - it makes life easier. I did try with this new feature with my Mac, it worked fantastically without any complicated configuration. Awesome!
- Safari - Apple Nitro JavaScript Engine
The core update of iOS 4.3 as what Apple feverishly promote about - the much-expected improve in Safari - Nitro JavaScript Engine. By performing the SunSpider JavaScript Benchmark at both iOS 4.2.1 and iOS 4.3 on iPad, we got two radically different result: 8072.1ms and 3346.6ms respectively of the sum-up point in the same setting of testing environment. We do know the benckmark still the benchmark, sometime it doesn't really reflect its real performance. I have been tried with my iPad by browsing through several websites which having massive Javascript Framework in a period, I found it does make a sense with that benchmark point. The feeling of browsing through the website with faster response and higher stability was completely satisfied.
In addition, Personal Hotspot for iPhone user, Airplay and Airprint are also highlighting with iOS 4.3. However, unfortunately, I couldn't have the hand-on experience for that due to the limitation of testing devices.
The Bottom Line
With a sort of improvements, both exteriorly and interiorly, in iOS 4.3, it undoubtedly makes iOS devices go ever further and better. Nonetheless, the super-unstable Wifi connection in iPad/iPad 2 and the frequent crash-down of Safari/Apps due to unclear reason still exist around there without a critical fix.
As new contenders move into the field, Apple isn't likely to keep its 90% share of the booming tablet market. But the iPad 2 moves the goal posts, by being slimmer and lighter, boosting speed and power, and holding its price advantages, available apps and battery life. As of now, I can comfortably recommend it as the best tablet for average consumers.
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