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Topic: iPad

Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

Summary: This is no pie-in-the-sky wishlist: Just a few improvements I'd like Apple to put into the iPad 3. But I'm not holding my breath.

Jason Perlow

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This is no pie-in-the-sky wishlist: Just a few improvements I'd like Apple to put into the iPad 3. 

We're not sure why after five successive iPhone and two iPad releases that Apple hasn't been able to figure out how to integrate wireless induction charging into their devices.

After all, this is something that even Palm was able to do with their Touchstone technology in the original Palm Pre, and HP was able to do with the TouchPad.

Pulling that awful proprietary 30-pin connector in and out of the slim and slanted iPad case is utterly nerve-wracking and has so much potential for damaging the device. Why not just lay the iPad/iPhone on an induction charging mat or a stand after using it?

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Topics: iPad, Apple, Mobility

About

Jason Perlow, Sr. Technology Editor at ZDNet, is a technologist with over two decades of experience integrating large heterogeneous multi-vendor computing environments in Fortune 500 companies. Jason is currently a Technology Solution Professional with Microsoft Corp. His expressed views do not necessarily represent those of his employer.

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54 comments
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  • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

    No I will rather get 3 Kindle Fires ...
    AdnanPirota
    Reply Vote

    • Kindle fires are rubbish

      @AdnanPirota, an outdated version of android OS, Crappy e-reading capability that amounts to scanned image files, no built in Exchange support, no wonder it is dirt cheap.
      Snooki_smoosh_smoosh
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

        @Snooki_smoosh_smoosh my salary is 250 euro (I live in south-eastern Europe) so no way I will give 2 salaries to browse internet on max resolution possible
        AdnanPirota
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

        @Snooki_smoosh_smoosh

        Um, it's actually a fork of Android, so it's not really outdated.

        People buying a Kindle Fire are not the type of people NEEDING exchange support. Why increase the cost for all those people to please a minority.

        If it's not for you, fine. But don't be arrogant about it. If you believe it's worth paying three times the amount for exchange support, then go right ahead. Your other comments are purely subjective.

        Enjoy your email.
        Bozzer
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

        @Snooki_smoosh_smoosh Let's see: Ford Focus or Audi TT? I have money left over to travel and room to carry stuff around with the former... and prestige and fear of theft with the iPad. It's always nice to have perspective, right?
        myangeldust
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

      @AdnanPirota I'd rather wait for the WOA tablets coming out soon. Windows 8 and Office 15 running as fast as any iPad and completely compatible with my PC without iTunes to sync everything for me. Yay!
      myangeldust
      Reply Vote

      • Up to speed

        The "iTunes" talking point is so last year. You were supposed to have switched to the "screen full of static icons" talking point on January 1st. Didn't you get the memo?
        Robert Hahn
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

        @Robert Hahn LoL, +1
        IceQ
        Reply Vote

  • The thirty-pin connector

    gives them more versatility than the 4 pins on USB, the argument is irrelevant anyway.

    Get a case for the slippery problem, like an otter-box.
    Snooki_smoosh_smoosh
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

      @Snooki_smoosh_smoosh With iCloud the connector is a vestigial organ because it's no longer required. All they need the MicroUSB for would be for charging using 2-watt standard that everyone else uses.
      jperlow
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

        @jperlow What's the point? It's not like one has to get a 30 pin cord, it's already included and has an A/C adapter. But if one needs an additional cord for charging there are plenty available on eBay that are cheap and will charge the device. And I'd much rather deal with the 30 pin cord than the "standard microUSB" that is so much more of a pain in the a$$ to connect to the device compared to the 30 pin cord.
        athynz
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

        @Pete "athynz" Athens The problem is, you do have to buy one or two of these cables...

        See, when I was using the iPad or iPhone, I didn't want to haul the cable with me and risk leaving it at work or losing it... So, I needed one for my Car and one for my Office!

        Of course, with the Phone it was a much bigger issue as the battery is weak at best, under any real load, and you can't replace it!
        slickjim
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

        @jperlow<br>You are quite simply misinformed. Vestigal? How, pray tell are you going to connect an SD card adaptor? You're going to use iCloud for that? Oh, USB you say? But then how do you get audio and video out to external devices? Oh, another USB port? Maybe a Mini HDMI? How many USB buses do you suggest (not to mention actual ports)? So now we have a device that is only a few inches across, which has holes in the case for at least two USB ports, an mini HDMI port, an SD card slot, and how many other holes? So now the device is that much more prone to water and dust damage, and much weaker against flexing, and external cases become that much more flimsy, to accommodate the ports. None of this even addresses the fact that USB has inherent latencies that make it ill-suited to be carrying this much data. And it does not even take into account the HUGE third part accessories market, that DWARFS the USB accessory market. But wait, there are many more USB peripherals than iPhone accessories. Yeah, try getting them to work on your phone without the drivers in your OS of choice.<br>So yeah, you're right, no longer required.<br>The only thing you have left is cost and accessibility. This is where Peter Perry's, as per his usual, misinformed trolling comes in to play. First, since you are given a cable with the phone, you already have one. If you need another (you really don't, but if you do) they are just as cheap as USB cables. Funny how people compare cheap monoprice USB cables to the $20 Apple cable, but don't bother to look for after market 30-pin cables, that can also be had for a couple bucks.<br>But, but, but... if I don't have a cable, you can always find a USB cable lying around. Leaving aside for a moment the complete lack of veracity of this statement, considering the widespread use of iPhones, iPods, and iPads, I suspect that finding someone with a spare 30-pin cable is just as easy as finding a spare USB cable, especially since the USB port is actually split into two separate connector types.<br>Which brings up another point you are misinformed on:<br>EVERYONE ELSE DOES NOT USE microUSB. As just mentioned, the market is split between miniUSB and microUSB. In fact, the port most OEMs currently use is not microUSB, it is miniUSB. So good luck with your phone standardized on microUSB. Chances are you will be hard pressed to find someone with a spare power adaptor that will work with your phone. My guess is that the number of people who could lend you a 30-pin charging cable or adaptor is an order of magnitude greater than the number that could loan you a microUSB cable.<br>Besides which, there are VERY cheap ($1.50) 30-pin to miniUSB adaptors available that give you just what you want, that are barely bigger than the port they plug in to, so that whole argument is moot, anyway.
        .DeusExMachina.
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

      @Snooki_smoosh_smoosh How About HML if they really need a connector at all? The HML connector is Micro USB Compatible and has all the capabilities of Apple's connector.
      slickjim
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

      @Snooki_smoosh_smoosh Since the 30 pin connector for my iPod plugs into the USB connector of my laptop, its versatility is limited by the versatility of USB. The main advantage to Apple for their connector, is the licence fees they charge manufacturer to use it.
      DJL64
      Reply Vote

  • Increasing fonts and widgets is just asking for headaches on the interface

    if your eyes are tired, turn on accessibility, and you can then double-tap with three fingers to turn on zooming and zoom the display as much as you want.
    baggins_z
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

    So you basically want Galaxy Tab
    pupkin_z
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

      @pupkin_z

      LOL...That's what I was thinking too when I saw his wish list :)
      IslandGypsy
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

      @pupkin_z Actually, most of this better describes the HTC Tablets.
      slickjim
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad

      @pupkin_z

      Sure sounds like it.
      NoAxToGrind
      Reply Vote
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