What the iPad 2 announcement means for appraisers

Dale Spoonemore, Product Manager
labs@alamode.com

After much anticipation, and in keeping with their tradition of annual releases, Apple announced the iPad 2 on March 2nd. The new device has some impressive upgrades to both hardware and software, including a new version of their iOS operating system that will also be available on the iPhone. I'm going to highlight some of the new hardware features and how they'll affect your work and play. Because, let's face it, you're going to be using it for reasons other than strictly appraising. With a device this cool, how can you not? The iPad 2 will be available online and in stores March 11th starting at $499.

New rear-facing camera
Arguably, this has been the most requested feature for the iPad. The new high-definition camera, coupled with DaVinci for iPad, transforms the iPad into a true "one-device-solution" for appraisers. DaVinci for iPad will work with the built-in camera from day one by allowing you to add photos to a DaVinci report seamlessly with no additional cameras or additional hardware required. The iPad 2 coupled with DaVinci means the days of lugging around both a camera and clipboard are over.
New front-facing camera
The iPad 2 also inherits the front-facing camera from the iPhone 4. Applications such as Skype have already taken advantage of the front-facing camera to allow for face-to-face voice communication, not to mention Apple's own FaceTime feature that allows you to have face-to-face conversations with anyone else that owns an iPhone 4, Mac, or the new iPad 2. Though this feature will probably more often be enjoyed for personal use, appraisers in a large office may find the new front-facing camera useful for communicating with other people in the office when situations arise where communication via voice or text just doesn't cut it.
Faster processor
The revolutionary Apple 1.0 GHz A4 processor has been upgraded to the new dual-core 1 GHz A5 processor. With a dual-core processor that means it's twice as fast and an even better experience within DaVinci for iPad. Entering data, adding photos, sketching, and overall performance of the application, especially when working with large files, will be much snappier.
Slimmer, lighter
It seems as though each new device unveiled from Apple is slimmer and lighter, and the iPad 2 is no exception. They've managed to cut the weight down by nearly 3 ounces. It's also 33% thinner than the original iPad and even thinner than the iPhone 4.
Available through AT&T and Verizon
The new iPad will be available on both the AT&T and Verizon networks for 3G service. Like its predecessor, it comes in 16, 32, and 64 GB formats, with or without 3G. We highly recommend getting an iPad with 3G service for the always-on data connection and because GPS is only included in 3G-enabled versions. Also, you will be able to sync your reports from DaVinci back to the office from anywhere that you have service, not just when you are connected to a wireless network. 3G data plans for the iPad start at $14.99/mo, no contract required.

There are a few features missing that I would like to have seen. An SD card slot would have been nice, however you can still purchase an iPad Camera Connection Kit here that allows you to use an SD card via an adapter. Also, a built-in Thunderbolt-compatible port would have been cool. Thunderbolt is basically an upgraded version of USB that allows for data streaming of up to 10 GB/s, which is over 20x faster than the current USB 2.0 that is commonly used. The addition of this feature to the iPad 2 would have allowed you to sync videos, music, and photos from your Thunderbolt-enabled computer in seconds. The retina display from the iPhone 4 would have been a strong improvement. The iPhone 4 changed my perception of the way that a mobile screen should look. I remember thinking, "why is this important?" during the announcement of the iPhone 4, but you totally get it after using it for just one day. Everything looks crisp and clear. It's a shame that they haven't been able to incorporate this technology into the iPad yet. Lastly, the camera for the iPad 2 doesn't incorporate an LED flash like its iPhone 4 sibling.

The decision of whether to buy the original iPad or the new iPad 2 boils down to necessity. The iPad 2 definitely holds some advantages in speed and size. However, I think the camera will be the biggest consideration for appraisers. If you like the idea of not having to lug around a camera, then the iPad 2 is the logical choice. If you are going to be sporting an additional camera regardless, then the original iPad may be for you. Ultimately, price may be the deal maker for you. The original iPad is currently available on Apple.com for $399 new and $349 refurbished, but I don't anticipate them being available for long.

No matter which iPad you choose, you'll still be able to get DaVinci for free on it. DaVinci for iPad has been one of the top business applications downloaded since its release in May of last year. Nearly 70,000 people have downloaded DaVinci for iPad from the Apple App Store and it has been featured on the iPad App Store business page for nearly a year. Best of all, appraisers say it saves them a ton of time on inspections. We're proud of that and we have a lot of exciting things in store for DaVinci moving forward.

*Below is a table showing the differences between the iPad and iPad 2.*
	iPad	iPad 2
CPU	1Ghz Apple A4 Processor	Dual-Core 1Ghz Apple A5 Processor
Capacity	16GB, 32GB, or 64GB	16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
Carriers	AT&T	AT&T, Verizon
Height	9.56" (243mm)	9.5" (241.2mm)
Width	7.47" (190mm)	7.31" (185.7mm)
Thickness	.5" (13.4mm)	.34" (8.8mm)
Weight	1.5lbs (24oz)	1.33lbs (21.3oz)
Display Size	9.7" LED	9.7" LED
Display Resolution	1024x768 at 132ppi	1024x768 at 132ppi
Battery	25-watt/hr, 9-10 hrs	25-watt/hr, 9-10 hrs
Rear-facing Camera	No	Yes
Front-facing Camera	No	Yes