iPad 2 Browser Showdown

If there's one thing that most iPad users like to do is surf the internet.  And the iPad 2 is perfect for that because of it's thin and light form factor with a 9.7" screen.  With iOS 4.3, the default iPad browser Safari just got a boost.  Apple says JavaScript runs up to two times as fast compared with the previous iOS.  But, how does it do in real world web surfing?

I tested four browsers to see how each of them loaded web pages on the iPad 2.  The browsers I tested are: Safari, Atomic Web Browser, PERFECT Browser, and Mercury Web Browser Lite.

My First iPad iMovie Video

The other day I went hiking to the top of the Diamond Head trail.  This was a great chance for me to finally use iMovie for iPad.  This can only be used on the iPad 2 unless you have a Mac and can do this workaround, which is not for the faint of heart.

I only took pictures with my iPhone 4 when I went hiking but that's okay.  iMovie makes your still shots come alive with pans and zooms, which are editable.  Some of the pictures I took I used a filter with the app Instagram, which I highly recommend.

Update: I forgot to put in one more app that I used.  The final picture, which is a 360-degree view at the top of Diamond Head, was made using an awesome app called You Gotta See This!

The amount of themes is limited, so I hope they update it more than once a year.  In fact, Apple should create an app to make iMovie themes and let users create their own themes and share them.

I'm a veteran of the iMovie for iPhone and the iPad version is even better.  The great thing is that it's a universal app so the $4.99 I dropped down last year now gets me the iPad version for free!  One caveat:  iMovie may not work with every single type of camcorder video format.  Personally, I always use my iPhone 4 so that's not really a problem for me.

My iPad 2 (Early) Review

Although I had to work a lot before and after I bought my Apple iPad 2, I think I've had enough time to use it and write down my thoughts on the device.

I got the ultimate iPad 2 device - the 64GB AT&T 3G model with my unlimited data plan grandfathered in from last year.  As I explained in my previous post, I had to get white because black ran out for my specific model.  So far, the white border has not distracted me but, of course, this is a subjective matter.

Now on to the review:

My iPad 2 Story

In between working through the tsunami coverage here in Hawaii, I was able to pick up an Apple iPad 2.  I got the 64GB AT&T 3G model in white and left the Apple Store at Ala Moana Center a happy man.  But, I had to endure some trying times.

Let me explain:

Looking At iPad 2 Accessories

Okay. I've decided to upgrade to the iPad 2.  I'm able to get some money from Gazelle to fund this project.  Plus, I have a nice tax return.  So which accessories do I want for the iPad 2 this time around?

Photos courtesy of Apple

To iPad 2 Or Not iPad 2?

Now that I've had a few days for the features of the new Apple iPad 2 to sink in, it's time for me to give my two cents about the new tablet.

Although I've been telling most everyone that I don't plan to upgrade, I've been rethinking that now since this seems to be a good time when people are thinking about picking up the iPad 1 for reduced prices.  Still, in my mind it's NOT a done deal.

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of buying the iPad 2.

Photos courtesy of Apple