Hardware Geeks assemble [the 10.5" iPad reveal]

#8

When transferring from one iPad to another, I thought it would copy
everything so you didn’t lose any progress. I think you do it through
iTunes.

I believe we are not on the same wavelength here.
Your purchased apps can be transferred via ITunes UNLESS Apple or the dev forcefully removed them from your purchase list.

But safegames, savestates, highscores etc do NOT transfer. SOME very few apps do cloudsaves, another very few are listed with stuff to transfer in iTunes where you can transfer data from apps (KOTOR for example).

I am talking here about backups AND full transfers.

Some games have the “restore purchases” options to redownload in-app-purchases some even don’t do that (looking at you Stormcasters Ultra)

Basically Backups and Transfers don’t move an exact copy from device A on PC on Device B but only some stuff (photos, vids,general data, apple / ios data) and then put the app (which you backupped) on the new device but from your media libary (on your PC where you downloaded the app to on iTunes)

The only stuff which moves perfectly when it is stored online on the publisher’s server since then it is bound to your login-data not your device…

#9

I don’t know about the Apple Smart Keyboard - I use a Bluetooth one when I need an external keyboard.

The Pencil, however, I use everyday for note taking, sketching, drawing diagrams, precision control in Phoenix 2, BHM and other SHMUPs. It is, by a very wide margin, the best stylus I’ve ever used. Because of Apple’s control of the hardware as well as the software, there is next to no input lag.

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#10

Yes, please. How many GBs did you spring for this time? I’m figuring on the 256 minimum - never thought I’d need that much, but I find myself deleting things from my 128…

#11

Nice to hear - I wasn’t really considering the keyboard, mostly because my Bluetooth one hardly gets any use, and I hate the way it makes the case look when folded up. But I was definitely considering the pencil - good to know it has more uses than writing, sketching, etc.

#12

With the right apps, your handwriting will translate into text very easily (Nebo, Notes Plus) or just take handwritten notes (don’t use Nebo for that, too distracting with all the text popups). Procreate and Concepts are superb drawing apps.

Gaming wise, any bullet hell SHMUP will play a lot better since the Pencil has such a fine control, and your finger isn’t blocking the ship to move it. Some of the more cramped boardgames can also benefit from it, since the precision is much better, it’s easier to select things without having to zoom in/out to get to it (like Terra Mystica at times).

The nib on the end of the Pencil usually lasts me 3-6 months. 4 packs of nibs are $20 USD at the Apple store.

#13

Good to know - didn’t realize it wore out.

#14
  1. I don’t mind deleting some stuff; I already have more on the 32 than I use regularly. I do plan on getting a Pencil, but not a keyboard. I seem to be the only person I know who doesn’t mind typing or reading on iDevice screens. I have a Bluetooth keyboard I never use, and I doubt I’ll ever get a Kindle, because I just don’t care. Perhaps if I liked beaches more, I’d feel differently about the Kindle.
#15

FWIW, my experience is that backup/restore of iOS devices is pretty complete as long as you do it through iTunes and make sure to check the “encrypted backup” option. Yes, if you do it through iCloud, it’s only a partial backup — they say so in so many words.

Of course, this is little help if you’re not invested enough in the Apple ecosystem to have a Mac to save/restore on. (I have no idea if the Windows version of iTunes is an adequate substitute.)

#16

If anyone here knows how to transfer Zen Pinball local scores, please let me know :grin:

#17

As of Mrs StC’s last new phone, restoring from a Windows iTunes backup is annoyingly incomplete. Her biggest gripe was her playlists being wiped, and it seems that this is just what iTunes does. My last restore just dumped a load of music out of the database altogether, and decided not to download my audiobooks.

I might be heavily invested in the iOS ecosystem, but I loathe iTunes. Awful program.

#18

Agreed. iTunes is the red headed stepchild of the Apple family. I can’t even get it to work reliably on my Windows machine…

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#19

I bought the Cellular because more often than not I would have needed the convenience of going online directly. Tethering is an option but a cumbersome for my lazy butt.

I plan to go middle ground. Using a Pre-Paid Data Card. Prepaid because I am stingy (I put down huge piles of cash for my premium games, consoles, iDevices, PC, Boardgames and whatever but I loathe (really really, no - REALLY loathe) data plans or subscription models…and avoid it like a plague in entertainment, daily life etc. if at all possible (annual stuff like PSN+ and Amazon Prime is fine tough - yes I am strange).

Usually Prepaid plans are even worse than subscription based ones… 10€ for 1 GB with 30 days of time…or 40 € for 9 GB in 90 days. Thats some crazy stuff…however I found one who only charges a buck for a GB…with a timeline of 90 min…which is fine for me…I could get 10 GB worth out of 10€ this way it or split it up or else…

Let see how this will work out.
Also the new toy arrived today…and I read up on the dreaded backup…after @tgl tipped me of to this (thanks btw).
The internet eggheads only write about saving passwords and stuff this way but maybe it will work with game stuff as well I will try…

…or WOULD if not for the backup when starting iTUNES (non-encrypted) wouldn’t take ages at step 6 of 6 and cannot change to encrypted as long as the process is running…seems my Backup or iTunes bonked out…seveal restarts and it still doesn’t complete…gah!

New toy!!! Shiney!! arghlglglgl!

Review: 10.5" iPad Pro
#20

Went into the Apple store over the weekend to play with the new iPads. I’m going to pass on this refresh. the 120hz is super nice along with the RAM upgrade, but it’s not enough for me to justify a new one. I also would be sticking with the 12.9" - the 10.5" i just not enough screen real estate for me.

Overall though, they’re still rock solid.

#21

[quote=“Private_Prinny, post:19, topic:592”]
seems my Backup or iTunes bonked out…[/quote]

ouch, ouch, doubleouch :confounded:
bad memories of my “all iCloud backups corrupted” desaster are coming back on me. still hurts. lost all save game data and so many photos.
apple support really tried but could not help me.

#22

I deleted every Backup I had and checked two options “block automatic syncing” and “send Error / Diagnosis data to apple” or something alike.

The interwebz stated my problem is most probably a corrupted app-download directly on the device some time ago (not trough PC but from wifi appstore on the device directly). During the process of syncing/backup the process hangs himself on a update suicide/ trying to forward diagnosis data loop.

After doing the above I could check the “encrypted backup” option. Also should do more frequent updates…I usually only snyc to my PC once in a blue moon…

I have restored the Backup on my new iPad and I am slightly impressed. Titan Quest, Stormcasters Ultra, Zombieville and some others have flawlessly imported their saves.

Why isn’t that knowledge with the encrypted backup more well known? Did I miss the day in Nerd-School when it was announced?
The internet only has some convoluted tech-articles about it…maybe I should have dug deeper but noone specifically mentioned games - only “login details and passwords” and other nebolous stuff…

If I had known this I definetly would have spend more time playing stuff the last couple of months and not dreading and fearing progress loss…

Overall…it has a strange form factor. a bit bigger in length and wide then the Air but a bit thinner…still fitting my non-Apple Sleeve fine.

Nice sound with the 4 speakers and much more responsive then my Air (1st gen.)

However…the damn huuuuuge (useless) backside camera…why dont they offer a version without it?
Several times I needed to the supress the urge this clever gentlemen had in this legendary youtube Video where he permanently fixed the camera hump on his iPhone 6.

While it doesn’t bother me all that much with my iPhone 6+ since I have a case which camouflages the camera-hump however I don’t use cases for my iPads…argh.

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#23

Hm, my iPad Air is showing signs of the battery getting a bit iffy, so I’m vaguely considering replacement and upgrade soon-ish (would be sooner except I’ve spent all my money on fences and horse-keeping equipment, sigh). Sounds like you’re cautiously impressed with the new shiny? :blush:

#24

If you also have an Air 1st Gen then:

TL;DR:
my verdict for going from iPad Air to iPad Pro 10,5:

Long story:

Sound:
4 Speakers instead of one? Perfect (watching stuff in bed or on couch…now with double the soundoutput as I sometimes tend to block the one speaker from the old iPad with my hand holding it.

Ram:
4 GB instead of one measly GB shows. I did a test yesterday and I can juggle much more open safari tabs or open apps without them reloading/refreshing anew when switching back

GPU and CPU:
Uh no techhead so I can only quantify it as “snappy”? Probably should fire up Deathwatch Tyranid Invasion and XCOM:EW and see how fast they are booting but I already factory reset my iPad Air so I cannot make a side to side comparison.

Framerate/ Truetone display:
No opinion (yet)

New Screensize:
For almost the same size and nearly the exact weight I get a bit more screen estate; as I am watching many foreign movies (japanese, spanish, french, etc) with subtitles turned on every pixel counts…especially if you are a half blind old duck like me. Also helpful for un-optimized game apps (or badly ported ones) with tiny text.

Why no 12,9 Pro? As I am commuting a lot and spend around 10-15 hours a week on my iPad AWAY from home I like the middle ground option more.
If I ever have the money (and desire) to have a powerful home-usage only iPad as well I might go for an big iPad Pro. As it is now the size is perfect.

Fingerprint scanner in homebutton:
Finally! I have one in my iPhone 6+ and more often than not I am dumbstruck why my iPad doesn’t automatically unlock to my thumb :stuck_out_tongue:

Storage space:
Going from 64 (iPad 3rd gen) to 128 (iPad Air 1st gen) to now 512 is…awesome!
I don’t sync often so I have a ton of stuff in my VLC player, Kindle Reader, iBooks (lots of scanned PDFs) Amazon Prime (whole TV Season) and a ginormous iTunes Libary.
Juggling the tons of games I want to play someday (maybe, hopefully) as well is a hazzle if some of the meatier ones are 1,2,3 GB in size…having them around just in case isn’t always an option…now it is :slight_smile:

Recap:
So for me the most important updates were Storage Space > Screen estate > 4 Speakers > RAM > CPU/GPU upgrade > Fingerprint Scanner > everything else

Yes it was expensive, but I use that damn thing 20-30 hours a week…so it IS worth my money.

My current iDevice setup:

iPad Mini (4th gen):
for mobility (rare occasions I have no Backpack when I am away from home) sometimes reading and legacy support (not planning to go iOS 11)
and ESPECIALLY old games with no Universal app with the old “1X 2X UI” for embiggening screen picture from iPhone size to iPad size.

Also playing games with old Digital Pad Setup (Secret of Mana, KEMCO RPGs nearly every oldschhool Premium RPG on iTunes) Twin Stick Shooters (Storm Casters Ultra) or otherwise unoptimized UIs unsuiting for mobile Action RPGs
feels way better on an iPad mini then a full sized one (try playing 3 hours Secret of mana straight with a normal iPad i dare you)

iPhone 6+
Telephoning and Web Browsing while commuting also Working (eMails) at work when I am in meetings or somehwere else on campus and not at my office pc.

iPad (Air 1st gen now Pro 10,5)
Primary gaming, reading, listening,watching and everything else device while commuting or in bed/ on couch :slight_smile:

Yes I am an Apple nerd…or not? Don’t have a Apple TV or Apple Watch or even a Mac?

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#25

I just set up my daughter’s old iPad 2 for an upcoming trip and was shocked at how slow it was. It is funny, but I usually don’t appreciate memory and speed upgrades until I am reminded how things used to be.

That said, even though I understand how technology evolves, I still feel like these apple devices go obsolete awfully quickly

#26

Please… I’m fully invested in the ecosystem. I think the only thing we don’t own is the Watch… I’m definitely going to do the upgrade - I’ll get the 10.5 Pro, give my Air 2 to my wife, and sell her Air 1 for the $100 or so… my kids are still too little to need anything more than their iPod Touches. Just awaiting the tenth anniversary of my thirtieth birthday in August…

#27

Actually I would hold onto to the Airpad if i was in your shoes.

In my (humble?) opinion 100$ doesn’t seem to be too much of a worthy profit - think about the (quality?) time spent on actually selling it.
Gifting it away or using it as a legacy 32bit backup iDevice would be my plan…

But I am no fan of selling stuff on Ebay…too much trouble for my liking :wink: