Big Gadget Day

Discussion in 'Off Topic Area' started by Chimpcheng, Mar 25, 2011.

  1. Chimpcheng

    Chimpcheng Yup... Giant cow head... Supporter

    Hey. Those keeping their fingers on the pulse of technology will know that today is a big, big gadget day in the UK (and probably most of Europe). Today sees the release of Apple's iPad2 and Nintendo's 3DS console.

    Now, I've got my monies ready for an iPad2 but I don't fancy waiting in line - big queues are expected and the thing isn't being released for sale until 5pm today. I was going to order online but there is currently a 2-3 week lead time (possibly more looking at the situation in America - sources having quoted up to 6 weeks).

    Then again the 3DS has a certain amount of appeal for me too. Glassesless 3D gaming, but in the end might just be a gimmick for me rather something integral to gaming...

    Any how, any body interested in either or both or are you just meh? :eek:

    http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/

    http://www.nintendo.com/3ds
     
  2. Wotonito

    Wotonito Valued Member

    Uhh, was there ever a DS2?....
     
  3. Moi

    Moi Warriors live forever x

    I wouldn't mind the IPad but I'll leave it until the queues die down. Is there much difference between the 2 & the original?
     
  4. Chimpcheng

    Chimpcheng Yup... Giant cow head... Supporter

    The differences are minimal to be honest and from what the press reviews say if you already own the original iPad then there's no need to get an iPad2 unless you're flush with cash.

    Just off the top of my head it's slightly thinner and lighter, slightly faster and has 2 (relatively poor) cameras. As the press goes "it's evolutionary rather than revolutionary".

    Still, I don't currently own an iPad but after spending some time on one I've decided that I want an iPad.
     
  5. SpikeD

    SpikeD At the Frankenstein Place

    Personally i think the 3ds is just cashing in on the latest 3d hype and will probably be a waste of 200 notes (that and the health warnings attatched to 3d in general and 3d without glasses in particular). As for the Ipad, That fits into the 'more money than sense' catagory. Apple are robbing bastards and smile whilst doing it. But if it wasn't my cash i'd go for the Ipad as it has a chance of doing something other than knackering my vision.
     
  6. Chimpcheng

    Chimpcheng Yup... Giant cow head... Supporter

    From what I gather from the interweb the ‘health warning’ regarding the use of the 3D functionality of the 3DS, especially in the young, was simply Nintendo covering their own backs. Eye specialists reckon that the 3D wouldn’t damage eyes even in developing children, some think that the 3D may actually help visual development.

    However, a recent article I read on Gizmodo suggests that Nintendo are putting a certain amount of “distance” between the 3D capabilities of the console and gaming – apparently a small percentage of people won’t be able to see the 3D effect at all (something to do with the biology of their eyes?)

    With regards to Apple, all their products are vastly overpriced – the last Apple product I bought was a first generation iPod Touch many years ago – but after extended play of the original iPad at play and at work (we are developing apps for it) the thing is brilliant. To be more accurate, some of the apps available for it are brilliant.

    Plus, I can get a Star Trek Captain’s uniform and pretend that someone just handed me the latest damage report after our last encounter with the Borg... :D
     
  7. SpikeD

    SpikeD At the Frankenstein Place

    Now a PADD would be just pant wettingly awesome, alas, Steve Jobs is really just a Pakled.
    Re the 3d issue, I read recently that the biggest issue with false 3d augmentation in screens is the fact that the display is still 2D, so the brain is constantly trying to resolve a conflict between depth perception and actual depth. In real life the eye focuses three dimensionaly by focusing at different distances/focal points and interpolates this into a real 3 dimensional world environment, whereas with a 3d tv or such like the eye is only focusing on a fixed distance, i.e the screen but the information the eye gathers suggests many different levels/planes of sight. There is an issue with the developing eye/brain relation but also with *ahem* mature subjects. As to it not working for some, that would be me then, i cannot see "magic eye" images; something to do with astigmatism.
     
  8. robertmap

    robertmap Valued Member

    That's the single best and most compelling reason for getting an iPad that I have ever heard - now if someone would only bring out an old-school tricorder that would be THE BEST :) :) :)
     
  9. Chimpcheng

    Chimpcheng Yup... Giant cow head... Supporter

  10. robertmap

    robertmap Valued Member

  11. Moi

    Moi Warriors live forever x

    There isn't a day goes by when I don't think I'm Kirk using the flip cover on my iPhone. Thank you apple x
     
  12. Mushroom

    Mushroom De-powered to come back better than before.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw"]YouTube - Head Tracking for Desktop VR Displays using the WiiRemote[/ame]

    Is this real then? technically non-glasses....you just need a IR thing stuck to your head.
     
  13. Chimpcheng

    Chimpcheng Yup... Giant cow head... Supporter

    Curses. Just been told to expect a queue of a couple hundred people at Apple Store Newcastle upon Tyne! Damn you Apple, damn you all to hell!
     
  14. Mushroom

    Mushroom De-powered to come back better than before.

    I read somewhere that its actually cheaper to buy the iPad in the US. Think my brother was queuing yesterday in San Fran or something.
     
  15. SpikeD

    SpikeD At the Frankenstein Place

    I saw a future tech vid a few weeks back (i'll try to find the link) that demo'd this style of viewing but for tv broadcasts, movies etc. (technically this not 3D but actually gives a better interpretation of it) It was working towards having a screen that alters the perspective for multiple viewers by having some kind of multi-faceted display that gave a differing view as you moved through the differing angles.
    I think it was predicting a decade before it is mainstream and was supported by the TV/Movie industry. The only downside i can see with this is that if, like our living room, you have furniture dotted around the TV position, every body will be seeing a different picture so i presume it would have a finite 'angle' were-by the image would then remain in the extreme of that angle.

    The other thing in the vid was a prototype holographic TV set, and it worked! Monotone and only about 200 pixels or something crazy like that but it's on its way, coupled with the progressive march of quantum computing a holodeck may not be too far off, although i doubt it would be tangible for a lot longer.
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2011
  16. Moi

    Moi Warriors live forever x

    £100 difference. Not sure how much that is taking out our 20% vat and supplying a 240v charger but it's a long way to go if you need to take it back
     
  17. Moi

    Moi Warriors live forever x

    Turns out 3DS doesn't work if you close one eye.
    Guess Nintendo really is serious about clamping down on pirates this hardware generation.
     
  18. Chimpcheng

    Chimpcheng Yup... Giant cow head... Supporter

    So there I was at work reading the websites of local newspapers saying how a queue outside the Apple Store started at 6.30am and had grown and grown. I began to get texts and facebook updates from friends saying the queue was 200 people, soon it was 400 people, at this point I figured that I wasn't going to get an iPad 2 on day of release.

    Anyway, I arrived in town at just after 4pm, less than an hour before launch and got to the Apple Store and saw a very small queue. Puzzled I asked the security guy if this was the end of the queue.

    "No, no, no, mate" he said "You're not going to believe this" and he pointed to where the next part of the queue started in the near distance.

    I walked over to that part of the queue and was pointed to another part of the queue, got to the end of that one and was directed to another and then another, before finally I reached the end of the it, some 500+ people long in total. The queue was split into sections to allow shoppers into the many shops in between. Mulling it over, I decided that I didn't need an iPad 2 that badly, so I began to leave, when I noticed that Apple Store staff were moving up the queue... They were asking people in the line which model that they wanted, at which point they received a card (if the model wasn't already sold out) which guaranteed them the unit for that day only.

    Sweating, I asked for my model and colour and they produced a card! Two and a half hours later I was in the store (the Apple Store staff had to whoop and holler as they formed a line and high-fived everyone who was lead in by a member of staff to get their iPad 2) paying for my iPad 2.

    Before I went in there was a further queue of around 300-400+ people behind me and I wanted to stroll by after my purchase purely to be a git. However, when I came out there was about 20 people in the queue... It seems that the rest had been dismissed as Apple had sold out of all units - sucks to be them.

    The iPad 2 is awesome. If you're in the market for a tablet computer then you should consider getting one (next shipment due around end of next month to early May). I can't seem to put the thing down - though this might be a case of "ooooh shiny, shiny". :D
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2011
  19. robertmap

    robertmap Valued Member

    Hi 'Chimpcheng',

    Congratulations on your iPad 2 acquisition.

    The 'gadget' that I want to buy is the Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR Digital Camera but it's not available yet :(
     
  20. Chimpcheng

    Chimpcheng Yup... Giant cow head... Supporter

    Ooooooooooh, that's a fine looking camera there and doesn't seem as expensive as others in its class. April 2011 release it seems.
     

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