aviflax.com » review http://aviflax.com Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:50:21 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 The Three Themes of the iPad 2 http://aviflax.com/post/the-three-themes-of-the-ipad-2/ http://aviflax.com/post/the-three-themes-of-the-ipad-2/#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:48:09 +0000 Avi http://aviflax.com/?p=1328 The iPad 2 will be going on sale tomorrow, and I’ve read enough reviews and analyses of the device to judge that there’s something being missed. Most reviews, and Apple’s marketing, simple discuss each improvement individually, or discuss the overall experience of using the device — but I haven’t seen anyone try to sum up the changes thematically, to enable a succinct high-level summary of what the iPad 2 is all about.

Three themes encompass the various improvements embodied in the iPad 2 and its accessories: speed, power, and ergonomics.

I don’t think I need to explain “speed” at all. By “power” I mean the ability to do things which weren’t possible or practical before; this includes the cameras, the gyroscope, the Verizon-compatible 3G radio, and the faster CPU and GPU — there’s some overlap between speed and power. I’m excited about those themes, but they’re pretty straightforward. I suspect that “ergonomics” requires more explanation.

The iPad 2 has many ergonomic improvements: lighter, thinner, rounded edges, flatter back, and the Smart Covers. These advances together will make the iPad 2 a significantly better experience than the first iPad. Being lighter and thinner means it’s easier to grasp in one hand with less fatigue over time. The flatter back means it’ll work much better on a flat surface such as a table or desk without a case or stand — the curved back of the first iPad made a case or stand essential. The Smart Covers will also enable more frequent use of the iPad without a case, because they’re so quick and easy to remove.

Combined together, we have a device which will be much easier and more pleasant to use without a case, more likely to be used without a case, and which when held in one hand will frequently be significantly lighter.

I understand why Apple wouldn’t market the iPad 2 using these themes; they’re too abstract for marketing. People generally want to hear about concrete improvements in new models. But there’s value in identifying and understanding the themes embodied in a new version of a product, so as to be able to make a holistic comparison with the older version.

]]> http://aviflax.com/post/the-three-themes-of-the-ipad-2/feed/ 2 Coraline: ★★★★ http://aviflax.com/post/coraline-%e2%98%85%e2%98%85%e2%98%85%e2%98%85/ http://aviflax.com/post/coraline-%e2%98%85%e2%98%85%e2%98%85%e2%98%85/#comments Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:49:25 +0000 Avi http://aviflax.com/post/coraline-%e2%98%85%e2%98%85%e2%98%85%e2%98%85/ We saw Coraline in 3D last night, and it was superb. Four stars out of five! Definitely recommended in 3D.

]]> http://aviflax.com/post/coraline-%e2%98%85%e2%98%85%e2%98%85%e2%98%85/feed/ 0 Ultimate Ears iPhone headphones/headset http://aviflax.com/post/ultimate-ears-iphone-headphonesheadset/ http://aviflax.com/post/ultimate-ears-iphone-headphonesheadset/#comments Fri, 23 May 2008 21:58:00 +0000 Avi http://aviflax.com/?p=454 Elina gave me this excellent set of headphones designed expressly for the iPhone, with a microphone and control button, for my birthday – thanks babe! Although in-ears aren’t my favorite type of headphones, these are light-years ahead of the crappy earbuds that Apple shamelessly includes with the phone.

Pros:

  • great sound
  • highly custamizable fit
  • good passive attenuation of ambient sound
  • separate microphone and control button makes both more convenient and effective
  • high quality materials and construction
  • iPhone-specific plug

Cons:

  • can hear cord bouncing around as I walk, I think this is called subharmonics, I find it really annoying, but I think it’s a general problem with all “canalphones”, not just these.
  • The phones seal really well, and don’t feed any of my voice into the audio, so I can’t hear myself speak, so I end up speaking very loudly – good for callers hearing mr, disconcerting for myself and people around me.
  • callers hear a lot of ambient noise when I’m out on the street. (but I am in new york)

Bottom line: excellent headphones with a few quirks, which shine where it matters. And a great gift. Thanks Elina!

(Posted from my phone while walking through Central Park, listening to music, taking calls, and shooting some snapshots.)

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