Opinions Have an opinion? Contact us at opinions @theotherpress.ca @ New iPad introduced By David Hollinshead Staff Writer pple has introduced its newest product since Steve Jobs’ death in the form of another souped-up tablet. The new iPad, as it’s named (instead of the “iPad 3,” which would’ve been the basic choice) is another mobile device that sets the bar high for competitors. “The new iPad redefines the category Apple created less than two years ago, delivering the most amazing experience people have ever had with technology,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The new iPad now has the highest resolution display ever seen on a mobile device with 3.1 million pixels, delivering razor sharp text and unbelievable detail in photos and videos.” After the product was introduced, it was announced that the iPad 2 would be dropping its price to a more affordable $399. The new iPad comes with a Retina display, quad-core graphics, a5-megapixel iSight camera, and 1080p HD video. The new iPad also features a 4G network connection and a 10-hour battery life, while continuing Apple’s mission of its products being light and thin. The new Retina display has four times the pixel display of the iPad 2, making photos and webpages look incredibly more realistic—so teamed with the new quad-core graphics, the new iPad revolutionizes the video and game playing experience. The new iPad also has a number of enhancements from its predecessors, including several upgrades to the Photo Booth app and personal hotspot to share the fast network connection of the iPad with any other Apple products. This iPad also introduces dictation, a new option where = instead of typing, the user can just tap the microphone, speak into the microphone in English, German, French, or Japanese, and the words will appear on the screen. Despite all of these new improvements, the flaws of the iPad still remain. Its purpose is to be a combination of two previous products, the iPhone and the MacBook, but the iPad family awkwardly tries to sit in both worlds. For instance, the iPhone is a similar but much more practical device, as it actually fits in your pocket, makes phone calls, runs apps, and caters to any needs you might require while on the run. The iPad cannot take phone calls, and if you want to use it while on the go, you inconveniently must place it flat on your lap and hold it awkwardly. Similarly, most of the features that were put onto the iPad could be run by a MacBook, and most likely done better. It’s obvious that the cost of an iPad is less than both an iPhone or MacBook, but it is less practical. Lessons learned from outside the textbook By Jacey Gibb, Opinions Editor nly a few months to go and Ill have reached the halfway point of my post- secondary career. I’ve dabbled ina pretty extensive array of subjects so far and I’ve picked up some really useful stuff, but in all honesty, my retention rate for academics is minimal. While my transcripts will tell you that I’ve taken a Canadian history course, if I had to write an exam later today on important dates, I’d fail with flying colours. What I have taken away from my courses usually aren’t things found on the syllabus, but come from unintentional hidden curriculums: things you learn that aren't necessarily intended. While I’m sure not all of them are life- changing news to you, you can either keep on reading or just skip to the back of the paper for the comics. It’s your call, chief. Lesson learned in Social Processes (Sociology): You don’t have to buy the course’s textbook just because it’s “required.” Also, if your professor posts the seminar’s slides online, you should send them a fruit basket at the semester’s end. But if they still make attendance part of your grade, you’re entitled 16 to have conflicting feelings. Lesson learned in Academic Writing (English): The only thing this course taught me was to never sign up for a class without first consulting Rate My Professor. I was shocked to learn afterwards that this class was meant to help me tone my essay writing, but at least I learned something, right? Lesson learned in Canada After Confederation (History): No matter how diverse and accepting Canada may be in your eyes, know that our country’s history is chock full of racism. Rural schools, worker exploitation during the construction of the CNN, minorities during WWII. Racism, racism, racism. Lesson learned in Major Themes in Literature (English): It doesn’t matter if the author of a book is a complete hack or a literary genius, everything in their novel is significant and has some form of brilliant symbolism. Nothing is allowed to just be coincidence. Lesson learned in World Religions- Oriental (Humanities): Religion and spirituality aren’t necessarily bad things, but once a religion becomes institutionalized, that’s = coll - — = when you're in trouble. Part of me wondered if maybe I’d discover some religion that was perfect for me, but after four months of studying religious inceptions and what goes with them, I realized following something blindly just isn’t for me. Lesson learned in Introduction to Astronomy (Astronomy): Ms. Frizzle does exist. Except she goes by the alias Jennifer Kirkey. Lesson learned in Basic Spanish (Modern Languages): While most essays and major projects can be thrown together at the last minute (don’t tell my professors I told you that), you can’t “cram” for a second language. If you’re someone that likes to procrastinate, maybe you should stick the language you already know. Lesson learned in Intro to Writing Fiction (Creative Writing): A lot of people are writing some form of fantasy story /saga on the side. A lot. Also, I learned to never take a night class ever again.