Apple Intros 4th Generation iPad, iPad Mini

Today Apple made a variety of introductions at an event at the California Theater in San Jose, Calif.

As part of those introductions, Apple introduced the 4th generation of the iPad and introduced a new iPad Mini.

Here are the key points:

4th Generation iPad

  • Key feature is improved performance
    • A6X chip doubles CPU performance;
    • 2X quad-core graphics performance;
    • 2X faster Wi-Fi.
  • Retina display – 2048-by-1536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi);
  • 720p FaceTime HD camera;
  • 5MP camera;
  • 1080p HD video recording;
  • Lightning connector;
  • 10 hour battery life;
  • Siri Intelligent Assistant; and
  • Same pricing as previous model.

iPad Mini

  • 7.9″ 1024×768 screen, at 163 pixels per inch (ppi);
  • Compatible with all iPad software;
  • 53% lighter than iPad 2;
  • 23% thinner than full-side iPad;
  • Dual-core A5 processor;
  • Facetime HD;
  • 5MP camera;
  • 1080p HD video recording;
  • Lightning connector;
  • 10 hours battery life;
  • Siri Intelligent Assistant; and
  • Priced starting at $329.

As a device for musicians, the most notable aspects of today’s introductions are that:

  • Apple has doubled the performance of the full-size iPad; and that
  • The iPad mini brings the entry-level price for the iPad platform down to $329.

What do you think of today’s iPad introductions? Do you think the performance gains or new ‘Mini’ form factor matter for musicians?

 

113 thoughts on “Apple Intros 4th Generation iPad, iPad Mini”

      1. Indeed. Many musicians were saying that the iPad 3 looked great but that the performance was poor since it was driving 4x the pixels on the (then) new Retina display. I suspect the iPad 3 will quietly die off now – notice they just called it ‘the new iPad’ rather than ‘the iPad 4’.

        I had hoped for a price break on the iPad 2s, but I guess I’ll just look for one on Ebay. For music I don’t really care for the the super-high resolution. Wish I could use an Android (new full-size tablet rumored to be coming from Google Monday) but Android is dead for music purposes 🙁

        1. how many ipads does one need? how much synth control does one need? how much of our planet’s resources need to be turned into ipads?

          1. Given that an iPad uses $1.36 of electricity per year to run, you should be a lot more concerned about your refrigerator, water heater, air conditioner and car – if you want to do something earth-friendly. Your air conditioner will go through that in less than a day.

          2. i emphatize with your argument on wasting earths resources, however, there are far more wasteful products than ipad. look through your stuff. i am sure you can find plenty.

  2. Too bad. I had hoped that the smallest version of the iPad mini would cost about 200€ – then it would have been a really, really nice MIDI/OSC controller option.

    But 329$, that’s about 250€. I don’t know, maybe that’s not so bad after all…but still, I’m a bit disappointed about the pricing.

    1. I was expecting $299 as well. I suppose they’re thinking people will go “for only $30 more I could get the iPad mini” when looking at other $299 tablets…

  3. I was pissed when I realized I couldn’t pick up the retina iPad last summer because we needed every dime for buying a house/moving across country. Now I’m bathing in the warm glow of smugness as I wait for Friday to order two of these. My iPad 2 will be permanently mounted in my studio now!

  4. My only question is if the mini or the iPad2 will be powerful enough in the next year to keep running updates of say Lemur or Fairlight…personally thats what draws me to the platform.

    1. I would be shocked if any devs were willing to promise to support old hardware in perpetuity. There will come a point where an app won’t be backward compatible. That’s been the story with computers since the dawn of time. That point will probably get here faster than you (or I) might like. I’ll keep my iPad2 around, it’s fantastic as it is now, even if frozen in time.

      1. Frozen in time is exactly right. My iPad 1 is going to sit in an Alesis IO dock and become a fixed-yet-fantastic set of instruments. Old iPads will have much more worth than old computers for many reasons.

    3. As much as I hate obsolescence, I’d rather see developers pushing the envelope and creating amazing new apps, than have everything work on my iPad 1.

      1. Yeah, that’s kind of how I feel about the new lightning port. On the one side, it kind of obsoletes a bunch of gear I have. On the other side, if 30-pin has to go away to allow for smaller form factors — well, see ya later.

    4. I think if anything the release of the mini will actually extend the life of apps developed for the iPad 2, since they are basically iPad 2s in a smaller enclosure. Because they will sell tons of these things there will be more incentive for developers to continue supporting the hardware.

    1. If file management is your breakpoint feature you must not do much other than shove files around. Doesn’t sound very fun or musical to me.

      1. How can I shove files around when theres no file management other than lame work arounds? lol Cut it out man. Why do I have to store 1gb+ of the same drum samples in beat maker 2 and nano studio? Why can’t both apps access them from a central location? NO FILE MANAGEMENT! EAD with your musical bs!

  7. I’m thinking of getting the ipad 4. How do you connect it to your computer? I remember reading about some camera connection kit but this doesn’t have the same port that is used with kit.

      1. Yeah I get that but the camera connector is made with 15 pin or whatever is in the original ipad/iPhone while the ipad 4 and mini have the new lightning connector. Also how do u get MIDI into the ipad

        1. You connect USB devices to the iPad with the Lightning->USB adapter and you can get midi in that way too. You connect it to the computer either wirelessly or with the sync cord. CCK is for the pre-lightning connector iPads.

  8. more power is good, sure – thus 4th generation ipad will be as powerful as iphone5 – based on geekbench it is around 1600 score and this number is half of my laptop on which I’m running ableton live, omnisphere, stylus rmx and other vst. future looks promising! I’m going to upgrade ipad as soon as apps will support this processing power in useful ways.

    1. windows 8 RT (with touch interface) doesn’t support midi at least initially, but windows 8 Pro is just like regular windows as far as I’m aware

      1. Windows 8 has two interfaces.

        One is basically like Windows 7. It will run your apps, but they won’t be multitouch.

        The other is a tablet style interface. It’s multitouch, but won’t run any of your apps or support MIDI.

        1. WRONG

          Surface with intel and Windows 8 Pro IS 10 points multi-touch AND will run standard Windows apps.

          Personally I’ll go for it, or any other Win 8 intel tablet (with i7 if possible – Surface is only i5)

          1. Hervé

            You need to either re-read my previous comment or check your facts.

            The ‘Metro’ (now nameless) interface does not support MIDI or any of your existing music apps, whether you are using Windows 8 on Intel or ARM.

            On Intel, you will be able to load existing apps and run them within the Desktop interface. Your apps should work about like they do in Windows 7, but they will not magically gain multi-touch features.

  10. USB connection – how ??
    I’d hate to have a connectior piggy-backed on to another connectior !

    Also what is the digital audio I/O specs. Sample rate, bit depth etc.?

    I’m in need of a touch device (Android or iOS) to wirelessly navigate and play he MP3 & FLAC on my NAS (like the hand-held squeeze box device).

    Looks like iPad Mini price won’t compete now that Android 4.1 supports USB audio.

      1. What are you talking about? The iPad Mini is almost exactly like an iPad 2, but smaller and using a Lightning connector instead of a dock connector. It’s running iOS 6 and does everything an iOS 6 device does.

    2. If you don’t want to chain dongles, then you should probably hold off until Line 6 releases a Lightning version (which I would expect Real Soon Now).

    3. For in-house streaming from NAS, I use an ancient iphone running ‘remote’ app, streaming from a giant HDD attached to another ancient mac running itunes in the basement. The receiver is a cheap airport express which has optical digital out (toslink), running into my stereo in the living room, or another airport express in my bedroom also optical connection to a nice Headroom balanced desktop amp running some Sennheiser 650s. For streaming to my phone itself, mowing the lawn or suchlike, I just use spotify these days 😉 You don’t require digital out for mobile listening. For fixed position listening, the airport expresses are awesome, and you just use the ios device as a controller.

      1. Thanks for the info, I didn’t know that 🙂

        But still, I’m kind of shocked – at first I was disappointed about 329$ = 250€, but 330€ is simply out of the price range that I’m willing to pay for such a device…

  13. Its DSP is apparently also improved. Its called image signal processor though, so it might not be open for developers to get their hands on, but I would love to see it used in a synth.

    1. I’d like the Mini to be cheaper, too, but you get what you pay for.

      The Nook and Kindle are being sold at a loss, because the devices are primarily for buying/using books and videos. They aren’t competitive devices when it comes to apps.

      When it comes to other Android tablets, they are handicapped for musical uses, unfortunately. No MIDI and high audio latency.

      The only tablets that look interesting besides the iPad are the upcoming Windows 8 Intel tablets. Can you imagine running Live on a tablet?

      It sounds like the Intel tablets are going to be priced around $800, though, and for that you could get a more powerful Windows laptop plus an iPad mini.

      Apple is going to sell a lot of these. Then next year, they’ll sell the first gen minis for $250, don’t you think?

  17. I’ll wait for the iPad 10, where most of this flapping will have been resolved. Or so I want to think, anyway. iPads seem to come out quite frequently. Its been, what, every 18-24 months? That’s too much expense for playing an ongoing game of Version Catch-Up. Sure, its part of using a PC of any kind, but I think a loose expectation of 5-7 years with a softsynth is reasonable. MOTU has updated Symphonic Instrument a couple of times, for free. After 4 years, it still cranks well and I’ll gladly pay them an upgrade fee when I take up a new desktop. Will Magellan be in the same position when iPad 6 comes out? Pads are still wet behind the ears, so I’m keen to see how this shakes out for both users and people like Wolfgang Palm, who seem to be tracking the evolution well. So far, its a great tool that doesn’t really address anything I need.

  18. I refuse to purchase an iPad until they please the market of people that want something bigger then the iPhone, but smaller then the iPad mini. Can we have a mini iPad mini?

    2. I want one that hooks over my ears like sunglasses, features a holographic GUI I can manipulate in the air in front of me and an eyepiece that blocks part of my focus so that I end up walking into traffic. I’ll also need a spare to use with the hospital’s Wi-fi so I can keep up with the memes about what a dumbf**k I was.

  19. i’m getting a bit sick of all this consumerism surrounding music technology, and the fascination with having mega control. control is abundant but its rare to find anybody who actually can use it it. it bothers me that the earth and exploited labor forces must bear the brunt of our perversions.

    1. Cry me a river. It’s quite ironic to criticize a piece of technology that replaces hardware instruments, mixers, and effects (at least as it relates to this blog) with a much smaller carbon footprint than the hard it replaces.

      1. 1. technology is not being criticized. hyper consumerism is being criticized.
        2. this is a response to “oh yes i now i can buy 10 ipads” when in most cases the only purpose they serve is to fulfill some fetish.
        3. it’s unfortunate you guys find such offense in a critique of consumerism that you feel the need to make personal judgements about strangers.

        3. That’s authoritative crazy talk. Why should anyone be restricted to what they can or can’t do because some random person tells them to. And again I have to stress that this blog presents the ipad as a productive not a consumption device. The readers here buy this device to make music not to consume media.

        4. mh

          You might want to lighten up a bit!

          A) this is a music technology site

          B) Nowhere in hadtocomment’s comment did he make “make personal judgements about strangers”. In fact – it was your comment that suggested that people buying an iPad was “hyper consumerism”. You don’t know how everyone is using their device, so you are the one making personal judgements about strangers!

    2. Think of the energy you’re wasting to post in synthtopia. It’s sad, really. You should be doing more with your computer. You should consider donating it to charity.

  20. won’t most music creation apps for iPad suffer in usabilty on a smaller screen ? i mean for things like synth keyboards, controls, sliders, and workspace…
    will developers need to release special iPad mini tailored versions ?

    1. Full size is the way to go for most musicians.

      Apple figured out that women were buying tablets that would fit into purses, and the original iPad is just too big for that.

  22. I used to love Apple. I still admire their design, but I really loved them in the 80’s with my 1st Apple IIc to the invention of the iPod. The iPad was probably their highest peak, a revolutionary device that somehow also signaled the beginning of a company losing it’s soul by the minute. I was proud of Apple when I believed them to be an all-American company that started in a garage. Now they are nearly condoning slavery by making their products in the poorest of human conditions in China, as workers who are forced to work and sleep at the factory have mental breakdowns and commit suicide at such a high rate that they now have nets set up to catch people who try to commit suicide by jumping. Apple is actually arrogant enough to argue that it’s not their factory…they only have all their products made there. Apple should be ashamed. I am ashamed and sickened because I have bought and loved their products. Certainly, Apple is not the only company guilty of decimating human rights, and workers rights. Most of the companies we buy from are guilty. And, WE the consumers are guilty of the same because we still buy these products. Apple had a chance here for their next REAL “game changer” by refusing to manufacture and assemble their products in China until there was fair pay and the rights of workers was truly respected. But, they blew it. Meanwhile, not only are Chinese workers without rights, We are often hired to train employees in China, India, and elsewhere only to lose our job and be replaced. What’s happening is that we are being held hostage for jobs by big business aka “job creators” who want us to beg them to bring low level / low pay jobs back to the US and do away with human rights and workers unions. How much money does a company like Apple really need? They have enjoyed record sales month after month. They’ve even beat the biggest oil companies for record profits. While its true that Apple isn’t a charity or non-profit, they could have made a real difference in the lives of workers everywhere, who mainly buy their products. Besides setting innovative design tek standards, they could do something that no one has truly done before – influence China to improve the lives of their workers. Until then, Apple fails and we all lose for letting it continue. I’m going to try to boycott any new Apple products until they choose to respect human rights.

      1. Lol, and you believe that 100% true because you’re a fanboy, right? Anyone can fudge numbers and create phony statistics. This is why some companies hire their own scientists, lawyers, marketing-spin companies. Remember the Tobacco industry? Remember BP in the Gulf of Louisiana? Enron? Pharmaceutical companies? I guess you still believe their innocence. Oh, there’s no such thing as climate change either I guess.

      1. I love the “try” part of your last sentence, it has such a determined ring to it.

        Is this a dig at me? I’ve already stated that I’m guilty of buying Apple products. I won’t deny it. And, even though I know it’s wrong to purchase from these companies, Apple makes seductive products that I very much want. Products that are innovative. I’m not saying that I don’t like their products.

        I like how people pick selected parts of comments and ignore the rest for their own reasons. I never said I was a saint, lol. It’s just that I do have a conscious and knowing what I know now, I’m going to feel more guilty if I continue to advance the cause of corporate greed. I don’t really have a solution though. I’m just making the case that we do need a solution because discrimination to a segment of the population is ultimately discrimination to the whole of humanity.

        If you don’t buy Apple or any products from companies that condone these foul practices then I applaud you. You’re a better person than I am.

        1. Wow. I’m a little surprised that people rate this a negative. I’m confused how anyone besides a greedy CEO would be against rights for workers. I also am confused as to why it’s even debatable that we raise the red flag against companies that are in violation…even the companies we like. I like Apple products but I’d like to know they are treating workers well.

          When companies cut your job, and then offer the job back to you for half the salary and less rights…we’ll see how happy you are then. Especially when your purchasing power has been diminished.

    3. A couple years back I worked for apple in The Netherlands.
      One day the boss told us to **** off because apple stopped our division and brought the whole project to China.
      Just like that from one day on the other.
      It was a division with around 50 people .
      30people of that division had a f***** up contract so that they had no job anymore so next day they had no job anymore.
      People crying and stuff 🙂
      It was a dramatic experience 🙂
      Yeah,it’s cheaper to do it in China .

    4. Its a frustrating moral conundrum, but not one unique to Apple. Most electronics assembly is done in Third-World-like hives. If someone has a financially viable idea for a fix, I’d love to hear it, especially if more work was brought back to the U.S. If I wanted to attempt to take a better high ground, sure, I could quit Apple. Then I’d have to use the remorselessly-crappy Windows OS, which would turn ME into a slave. Besides, PCs aren’t made under pure conditions, either. Apple just gets more notice because they are more flashy. Another reason to be encouraged by the growing domestic maker industry, although if you think copy protection is a bear now, wait until someone bootlegs the data for a proprietary motherboard and starts selling them illicitly from their garage.

    5. You also need to research the very real info about how it’s technically and financially impossible to produce a device like the iPad within the United States. We work to little and expect too much money in return, all the while not possessing the technical skills required to manufacture. “Abusing human rights” is a funny argument considering how most of us Americans are trying to live an elite life of bounty and are unwilling to do this work ourselves. When we start saying, “Here, let ME do that stuff so we don’t have to abuse those other people”, then we will have something to talk about. Until then, enjoy your iPad or shut up and don’t buy one.

      1. Thats a cop out if you ask me. I think you’ll find that many Americans work a vigorous schedule. I thought I had read that Europeans on average have considerably more time off. I know in Italy at least, most people have off for an entire month in the summer in addition to holidays etc. True we have lazy people in the US as well. But I meet a lot of people who work 2 or 3 jobs trying to make ends meet and they don’t seem lazy to me.
        I just don’t buy the argument that it can’t be done in the US …we were #1 in manufacturing at one time and practically invented assembly line work before WW2. We trained other countries including China to do what we do. If you’re saying that we can’t do it as “cheaply” then Id agree with that. But other than that your argument is hogwash. ???? If Apple doesn’t have the technology to build computers in the US then their technology must be inferior to the Chinese. Perhaps we shoul just buy computers with 100% Chinese ingenuity if we’re going to just make decisions based on can do or can’t do, and forget about human rights an just all become slaves to big corporations. I guess you’re saying that’s a better idea.

        1. “If Apple doesn’t have the technology to build computers in the US then their technology must be inferior to the Chinese.”

          There are three problems with that statement:

          1) This isn’t a technological issue – labor is way cheaper in China.

          2) This isn’t an Apple issue – When you buy Dell, HP, Motorola, Nintendo or Nokia – their stuff is coming from the same factories. Apple gets singled out because they’ve got a history of being progressive on a lot of issues.

          3) This entire ‘Chinese manufacturing is evil’ issue is bogus. Suicide rates at Foxconn are a small fraction of what they are in every single US state; the Chinese people consider tech manufacturing jobs to be very desirable; and the presence of Western companies in China is positive force, because Western companies demand minimum age, minimum wage and maximum work week standards.

          Labor abuses will certainly happen there, but trying to hype China’s problems is fundamentally jingoistic. Labor abuses are rampant in the US. Take the meat-packing industry. Those used to be good jobs that paid well. Now the plants are staffed with illegal immigrants and the workers get paid salaries far below average. Swift got caught just a few years ago with over a thousand illegal immigrants working for them.

          Don’t inject a bunch of bogus social and political garbage into a forum that’s about making music. And, if you can’t help yourself, at least have an informed opinion that makes sense!

          1. “1) This isn’t a technological issue – labor is way cheaper in China.”

            Well that’s part of the problem if you want to manufacture in America. But, I somewhat disagree that it isn’t a technological issue. If you’re marketing a product that’s supposed to be revolutionary and make the world a better place…for PEOPLE, and then allow workers to be treated like cattle – then you’ve got some work to do. I understand that Apple isn’t the only company allowing this. But, does that make it right? Apple is the leader and has been for a long time. Other companies follow that lead. You can quote all the ways that Apple pats itself on the back for environmental progress. But they forgot that people are a part of the environmental landscape. Not to mention that the plant that makes batteries for Apple isn’t so loved by the nearby residents.

            “2) This isn’t an Apple issue – When you buy Dell, HP, Motorola, Nintendo or Nokia – their stuff is coming from the same factories. Apple gets singled out because they’ve got a history of being progressive on a lot of issues.”

            It IS an Apple issue if they want to be a positive leader in the world. Their Keynote is cringe-worthy btw. I think I almost threw up.

            “3) This entire ‘Chinese manufacturing is evil’ issue is bogus. Suicide rates at Foxconn are a small fraction of what they are in every single US state; the Chinese people consider tech manufacturing jobs to be very desirable; and the presence of Western companies in China is positive force, because Western companies demand minimum age, minimum wage and maximum work week standards.”

            Are you sure about that? How much did Apple pay to fudge those stats? How much did the Chinese government pay to fudge those stats? Do you believe everything you hear and read about? How long did it take you to figure out that smoking was bad for your health? Yes, I’m sure that Chinese Businessmen find tech manufacturing to be very desirable. But, I guess if you’re a factory worker and you voice your opinion, then you’ll get shot. I will say that manufacturing in the US might not be better in dealing with human rights issues. Does that matter geographically where these violations take place? People are people and should be treated equally.

            “and the presence of Western companies in China is positive force, because Western companies demand minimum age, minimum wage and maximum work week standards.”

            How twisted is that? So from what you’re describing it sounds like Western companies are evil but the Chinese like and admire that? “…companies demand minimum age, minimum wage and maximum work week standards.” – That sounds HORRID to me, as if we/people are treated like a mere crop. It’s like an early prediction of the Matrix where there will be a large harvested segment of the population whose sole purpose is to work for pig-slop wages while Big Business thrives and the machine moves forward! The plan seems to be going well. And, it’s going to come back to the US as well. Especially if the Tea Party in the US gets its way. They will deregulate, they will shrink government until it has no power except to fight their rich white men wars. Big Business is the new government world order. The rest is smoke and mirrors.

            I just had more faith in Apple. I am disappointed because I thought them to be a beacon for what a company should and could be. They’ve let me down. Sure the products are great. But, unlike in the past where I was loyal and stuck by them, I will now drop them like the dirty dish they are if something better comes along…even though that will probably be made in China too. I guess it’s too late unless the power goes out. But, I’m an electronic musician so I don’t want that to happen either.

            1. Not sure why you want to blame Apple for the fact that wages are lower in China!

              Or why you think they are behind a giant conspiracy!

              What companies do you think are doing a better job than Apple?

      2. Thats a cop out if you ask me. I think you’ll find that many Americans work a vigorous schedule. I thought I had read that Europeans on average have considerably more time off. I know in Italy at least, most people have off for an entire month in the summer in addition to holidays etc. True we have lazy people in the US as well. But I meet a lot of people who work 2 or 3 jobs trying to make ends meet and they don’t seem lazy to me.
        I just don’t buy the argument that it can’t be done in the US …we were #1 in manufacturing at one time and practically invented assembly line work before WW2. We trained other countries including China to do what we do. If you’re saying that we can’t do it as “cheaply” then Id agree with that. But other than that your argument is hogwash. ???? If Apple doesn’t have the technology to build computers in the US then their technology must be inferior to the Chinese. Perhaps we shoul just buy computers with 100% Chinese ingenuity if we’re going to just make decisions based on can do or can’t do, and forget about human rights an just all become slaves to big corporations. I guess you’re saying that’s a better idea.

  25. Mane iPad has some good useful music apps. I use imaschine, sound prism, pianist pro, nano studio, and GarageBand regoulgisly, I feel like I need more iPads for my controller apps lol. It’s so cool having wireless midi control (on a adhoc network off course), I don’t even need a keyboard with ni maschine (mk1). I just use sound prism pro and pianist pro (scale mode) and my playing has improved.

  26. ” I’m going to ‘try’ to boycott any new Apple products until they choose to respect human rights”
    – 30 minutes later pre-orders ipad mini…..

  27. Well those iPad form fitting docs arent going work so great with the mini, mostly im talking about
    things like the Alesis interface that came out a couple of years ago. This whole resizing products thing is going to annoy audio technology companies.

  29. Let’s make this topic a little bit longer. 🙂
    This I will do by the comparison between a software instrument and a hardware instrument.
    Any Hardware instrument (synth) will dance around a software instrument.
    So save your money for buying a real instrument in place of buying a mini device from a device that ‘s not be able to compete against a real hardware synth.
    C’mon,it’s more fun to play a real instrument with a character than touching a device with probably another ugly GUI and the same cold character as all the other software instruments.
    Now give me thumbs down Itards! 🙂

  30. not to be an “iTard” or anything, but will “any” hardware instrument really dance around a soft synth? so, a dx9 is more playable than TC-11?. or a casio cz101 better than omnisphere? and on and on.

    false dichotomy, my friend (but then i think you know this already). hardware can be awesome, so can software. hardware can be shit, so can software.

    as is always the case, it’s what you do with it that counts.

      1. ha! i used to own a cz101 many years ago (that i bought in a junk shop in saudi arabia!) and i loved the damn thing, but programming it….not so much. i accidentally destroyed it by letting the batteries corrode inside it.

  31. The ipad 3 is going for 380 now. Seems like a better buy. Do any 3 owners feel like processing power is becoming a limitation?

  32. What’s with all the wacko comments?

    It’s a tablet! If you don’t need one, don’t buy one!

    If you want to save the whales, don’t think you’re going to do it by spending your time posting whiny comments!

    1. Wow. There’s some pretty awful people on this site I guess. Human rights issues are never ‘funny’. I guess I have the ability to like a product but still call out a company when their ethics suck. I don’t understand the football like fandom bestowed to any company. If Apple is so great- they can do better.

      1. i don´t believe anyone is standing up for apple here.
        the thing is that discussing human rights out of a comfy place on a music forum is profoundly ironic and pretty distasteful. so better leave it out or do something concrete about it.

  33. The only reason to upgrade to the new iPad would be if the A6x processor actually helps in making AudioBus run and work with more synths and apps .
    We can only know when they release it so I guess wait for a while to let AudioBus get released and also line6 midi

    1. I haven’t seen any reason to upgrade yet, but having twice the CPU power probably will probably be very useful when AudioBus comes out.

      Audulus looks like it will be very cool, too, so I’m interested to see how it will work on an older iPad.

    2. Maybe sometimes it’s good to get people out of their comfy coma. I think people have often looked to musicians to have a voice of reason in things that are happening in the world. We have surrendered Much of that. I think if I buy a product, especially if I buy an instrument or tool for making my music, I should have a say in what I expect from the company that I’ve invested in…if they want my business! Just saying!

      For the same reason that I wouldn’t want to buy a piano with keys made of real ivory from an Elephants tusks, I have reservations with how Apple and other companies treat the workers who make their products. And even if Apple doesn’t employ these people directly, they are letting these atrocities happen and directly funding it.
      Sorry to ruin your comfy browsing. Life isn’t a fairy tale though. And sometimes we can use these things in our music.

      2. Are you using a computer? You are supporting slavery. Does your car have anything electronic in it? Ditto. I suggest you join a contemplative monastery where you use nothing more high-tech than a garden rake.

  36. Rotten Apple to the “core”. What a craptastic video. These Exec’s make the design sound like it’s a technological marvel. It’s nice….trouble is it’s the same darn design they’ve had for years now. These drones working for them ohh and ahhh every second lapping up every word. $1699 for a macbook, “Ohhh Ahhh”, like it’s such a fantastic deal. People hugging their iFarts like it’s their long lost lover.

  37. What a great read hey – all riddled with contradictions and fanboy crap. It’s pretty simple the tablet market was reinvigorated by apple and Steve jobs (rip) and specifically created an inbetween product for a failing disposition of pc tablets – instant on – no startup – fast wifi – secure – 11 finger touch – secure – now retina – amazing developers . And the list goes on, just appreciate the epic stability if apples creativity. Sure there a some flaws but not as many as an os that’s still open source and lacks any real direction. If you don’t like it don’t buy it – if you like both buy both. It’s not hard. Who cares if you want 10 – I would mount them everywhere 1 in the toilet – the car – to myself – and my girlfriend – even the cat. iCatmini.

  38. Ok so if you smoke cigarettes then you support a multibillion dollar company killing civilians and yourself but buying a fucking ipad mini is a crime also. WTF your car runs on dead fish from 16 million years ago – but no fish have rights. Omg I think I’ve lost it !

    1. It’s not exactly a crime…directly. But we shouldn’t bury our heads in the sand either. Changing things would be slow but it starts with talking about it. Actually we should be driving hydrogen cars. The technology is already there. We’re being lied to. Your analogy isn’t the best.

      1. Dude zeitgeist is where it’s at if you want change – and tesla had it in the bag – again exploited for his inventions. Change moves faster with education and if you think that an ipad has no effect on education then your naive. These devices accelerate the average humans reach for knowledge – if I make more arrows that fly better and are sharper will you sit there and criticise me or work harder to develop something better. These products are purely luxury and consumerism at its highest – but if you think they are not needed then why is apple doing so well.
        This thread could go on forever justifying consumerism and resource , maybe even move into religion 🙂 cheers

        1. Well…I agree with you on nearly everything you’ve said! I’m not against Apple’s products. And knowledge is mostly better for everyone on a more equal playing field at least.

  39. it takes its cues from fashion, positioning tablets, computers and software as cultural beacons: stamps that immediately say who you are or, rather, who you aspire to be.

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