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by derefr 5217 days ago
> The iPad 3 will be the continued evolution of the iPad product, just as the iPad 2 was. This isn't a new product, Apple is just continuing to keep its product up to date.

The branding seems to contradict that idea. If it's just an update, then why not just keep calling it "the iPad", without appending a Big Shiny Version Digit? You know, like they do with all of their other desktop and notebook products?
2 comments
allwein 5217 days ago
> If it's just an update, then why not just keep calling it "the iPad", without appending a Big Shiny Version Digit?

Because eventually there's going to be an iOS version or an application that only runs well on version X of the iPad. It's a lot easier for a user to understand "Only works on iPad 2 or better" then to understand "Only works on iPads manufactured on or after March xth 2012".

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sjmulder 5217 days ago
It’s a slightly different situation but that’s essentially what they are doing with Macs, saying this-and-that is compatible with the MacBook Pro (early 2009) and such.
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lloeki 5217 days ago
It is also common to refer to the Macs with their iteration+variant number, e.g mine is a MacBook Pro 5,5

System Information was actually the easiest way to get such a specifier before Lion, which now shows the "MacBook Pro 13-inch, Mid-2009" in the brand new "More Info..." of "About This Mac".

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ugh 5217 days ago
Really? You complain about the name†? Are you serious? How petty is that?!

Apple rarely does radically new devices. That happens maybe once every three years or so. They also support older devices for a relatively long time when it comes to mobile devices (and for a relatively short time – but still not really short, but short compared to Microsoft – when it comes to PCs).

Look at what they do, don’t try to read something into their product names.

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† Which we don’t even know yet.

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