Quick iPad 2 Review (for those of you with a first-gen iPad)

First of all, apologies to everyone who doesn't have an iPad, this post is a bit useless for you. Before you leave, why don't you watch the awesome retro-synth orgy video below.

The new iPad is a strange beast. Fundamentally, it does almost nothing different to the first-gen machine. The addition of cameras is the major new function, used to snap (pointless) pictures, but more importantly it enables video-chatting. Currently, that's via Apple's own FaceTime software, letting iPads/iPhones/Macs chat to each other. Surely there will be loads of 3rd Party apps soon though, Skype et al. Of course there's a built-in microphone now too.

The G/CPU inside has been upgraded to an A5 SoC (System on a Chip) based on the ARM Cortex-A9. What this means is that the already-zippy iPad is even zippier. It is a palpable difference, but nothing to write home about. Apple is keen to stress that the battery life remains at 10 hours, something that is remarkably true.

The much-hyped form factor has changed as well. The iPad 2 is thinner and lighter than the iPad. The weight difference isn't huge, but it makes a big difference. Carrying the iPad single-handedly would be much simpler due to this, but the next point unfortunately works against it.

The new design has lost the side bevel of the original, meaning that the edge of the device instantly slopes inwards to form the much flatter back. This creates a sharp edge of sorts, which digs in a little bit when carrying the machine with one hand. It's not painful, but it can become uncomfortable. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, this kinda counters the weight loss advantage for single handed carrying.

Due to the lack of the side bevel, the buttons (which remain unchanged in position and function) are now at an angle , as they sit on the sloped edge. After a while you get used to this but for my first hours with the machine I thought they were getting stuck but that was because I was pushing them in the wrong direction.

Initially, the edge and back change feel weird. It's no secret that the iPad is a pleasure to use, so these changes are unwelcome to begin with. After a bit of use, you get used to them and won't turn back. I have the benefit of still having the original machine and have been comparing the two constantly, and I've reached the conclusion that the weight and back of the newer machine make it more comfortable than the first.

The speaker isn't as loud as the first machine, and that's probably a good thing if I'm honest - Kelly is playing Angry Birds right now on the first iPad near me, and it sounds like that annoying dude that sits next to you on the train with really loud music playing through open-back headphones.

My iPad is white, and I'm glad I chose that colour. It looks very slick and does not distract. But I guess the colour choice is down to personal preference.

One unmentioned but very important change is The home button. This is now much softer and barely clicks, something that, to me at least, is much better than the noisy click-clacking of the first one, especially when double-clicking.

Smart Covers are the big new addition also. Frankly, they are a stroke of genius and it's amazing how no one came up with these earlier. The cover attaches to the machine with magnets (that are polarised to accept one position only), instantly snapping on to a snug, precise fit. Lift the cover up, and the iPad unlocks automatically. The cover can also be "rolled up" to form a base or stand for the machine. Again, something very useful which incidentally I happen to be using this very minute, typing this blog post on the iPad in landscape orientation with the cover tilting it comfortably towards me.

Everything else remains exactly the same, with the iOS and apps being identical to the first iPad.

Overall, I personally don't think any of these new "additions" justify an upgrade. If you're happy with your iPad, keep it. It isn't worth paying full price for the newer machine, as the form factor and smart covers aren't enough to justify the asking price. I don't know if in the future certain apps/games will require the faster CPU, but by then the 3rd gen will probably be on the horizon.

If, on the other hand, like me you need a second machine, or have read through this post to decide if the iPad 2 is the right first tablet for you; then the design, interface, covers, and battery life make this a very worthy purchase.

Tubular Bells by the Brooklyn Organ Synth Orchestra

Just watch it

Don't eat the chilli

"In Szechuan frog, don't eat the chilli. They too spicy" is what the waitress told me. 10 hours later, the following morning, that was all I could think of as I was struggling to "evacuate".

You see, I'd done a long and busy on-call. a 12-hour shift of utter madness that goes exactly like this: Enter department at 09:00 AM, work work work until 09:00 PM, leave department dazed, confused, with aching legs and absolutely no idea what's up from down.

As a reward for running this gauntlet, I thought I'd find myself a nice Chinese restaurant and order a takeaway. I asked around and was told that Chinese food in Cambridge couldn't get any better than Peking Restaurant. I was warned it was a bit expensive, accepted only cash, but made some great food. It was also a simple 5-minute drive away. So far so henhao.

Sure enough, a simple 5-minute drive and there I was, parked right outside Peking Chinese Restaurant. I was greeted inside by the lady owner who was very keen to introduce me to her daughter after about 30 seconds. She gave me the menu and waited as patiently as the Chinese do while I tried to speed read/pick a meal.

I was feeling brave. Rather than my usual (trusty) Won Ton Soup, Crispy Chilli Beef order, I thought I'd go for something more... exotic. So, I ordered:

Hot and Sour Soup "my hot and sour soup is veeeerrryy good. See, my daughter eat it now"

2 Meat Spring Rolls "my spring rolls are mmmmmmmm" (accompanied with an OK hand sign and a wink)

Szechuan Frog With Cashew "you try frog before? ooooh so spicy and crispy is very nice"

Steam Boiled Rice (this I didn't have a choice in. Lady Peking explained that the only thing you can have Szechuan Frog with is plain boiled rice)

Before you navigate away in disgust, I have to point out that I've had frog before and it is actually a very nice meat. The bones are a bit small and fiddly, but otherwise it tastes like a chicken/rabbit hybrid.

I also asked for a can of Coke with all this. I was told to have a seat and suddenly Lady Peking came to me with a can of Coke she'd poured in a glass, for me to drink while the food was cooked. "Never mind" I thought. A while later the waitress bought me the food and the bill. She then went on to tell me the understatement of the decade: "In Szechuan frog, don't eat the chilli. They too spicy". I couldn't quite understand why she'd issue such a warning. I'm sure I can pick one or two chilli pods out of the meal, no big deal.

I drove back to the temporary room I'd booked overnight, set my table up ready to indulge in this long-awaited feast. Naturally, I started with the soup (good), then the spring rolls (very very good), and then on to the jasmine-smelling steamed rice, and the very generous portion of Szechuan Frog, always mindful of the chilli I had to remove.

I started eating, and found that the dish was literally full of chilli. Big, red, narrow, angry chilli. Seeds and all. I'm talking about at least 30 full-size chilli pods. It was also full of big frog chunks, deliciously cooked with Cashew and a batter, but the overwhelming taste was that of immense heat.

Now, I'm partial for a bit of heat in food, and enjoy a curry or three. But this wasn't enjoyable spicy heat, this was a painful, burning, torture. For every mouthful, I'd taste a bit of meat/batter/cashew, and the rest of the mouth full was just fire. In a futile effort to try and enjoy this (remember, I had no drink - the Coke was consumed in the restaurant. Nor did I have any bread or yoghurt, the Indian-favourite way of quelling spicy heat) I started having one spoonful of frog with at least 3 spoonfuls of rice. This helped precisely nothing.

About a half way through I gave up. My mouth was a raging hole of fire, frog, and cashew. I was also very annoyed. I'd been looking forward to this takeaway since I first knew I was going to be working this shift, in other words for at least 3 months. I chucked the remainder in the bin, and walked to the local shop to buy an ice cream, both to cheer me up and to quell the fire. I went to sleep grumpy, exhausted, a bit hungry, and with a painful mouth.

Come morning time, I woke up and I'd almost forgotten the whole saga. A call of nature soon followed, and it's then that I was abruptly and rudely reminded of the whole ordeal. I was practically having to get up from the toilet seat and run a cold tap on my poor behind to cool things down. Seriously. They don't call it The Ring Of Fire for nothing.

For those agonising hours the only thing I could think of is the shy waitress,and her then-unusual remark. It all made sense now, she was trying her best to warn me of this oncoming violation of my alimentary tract:

"In Szechuan frog, don't eat the chilli. They too spicy"

Poor Adam...

... he's doomed already. Like father, like son eh?

I have this sneaky feeling

that one day Valve are going to charge for "premium" Steam accounts, benefits could be:

* More cloud space for pictures, and perhaps even videos.

* Early or even exclusive access to demos, betas, etc.

* Discounts for premium subscribers, during pre-orders and sales.

* More pre-order bonuses.

Kinda like a PSN Plus model. Steam Plus if you like.

I don't know why, but I just got that feeling in my bones. Not sure what to think of it either, on one hand it would be a shame but on the other PSN Plus really has been beneficial, with its exclusive and even free stuff for members.

Anyhow, it might not even happen. If it does, I'll come back here and comment on my future-telling skills.

Here's a video of me

playing a perfect run on BIT.TRIP: RUNNER's longest level, Odyssey.

PC/Mac version out by the way on Steam :)