Look, there's no arguing that
Apple charges a
boatload for its first-party adapters, and this isn't the first time that one of those overpriced dongles has caused an uproar (Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter, anyone?). But when the company trots out an iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter and promises to enable users to "see their videos and slideshows on the big screen," it should probably make a few clarifications. Instead, more than a handful of consumers are revolting over on Apple's own webstore, noting that any video laced in any type of DRM (iTunes flicks and Netflix streams included) won't output at all. Contrary to popular belief, this adapter doesn't actually mirror the iPad's display, which is fairly absurd in our eyes -- teachers are even stating that Apple's own Pages and Keynote apps won't output via the dongle, making this effectively worthless for blowing up presentations for all to see. We (sort of) get the DRM thing, but not including support in your own presentation app? Unacceptable. A tipster has noted that Apple informed him that "it's up to the app makers to enable the video out function," so we suppose all that's needed to solve a lot of controversy is for some switch to be flipped in some direction. Any other hang-ups with this thing that the world should know about? Drop 'em in comments below.
[Thanks, Tony]
Update: A few tipsters have noted that Keynote
does in fact work here. Here's
a growing list of what does and doesn't work with the adapter.
posted April 26th 2010 4:49PM
Do not want.....Apple products.
@superklye
cool story bro (Y)
@superklye
I second the vote for Engadget Apple.
@superklye
Probably the same reason we don't have engadget Microsoft, engadget HTC, engadget robots that will soon enslave us all.
It's their site. We all have a choice to visit it or not.
@superklye
Here's your solution:
When a minor story about Apple pops up in the feed, SKIP IT.
I know it's complicated, but you'll get the hang of it.
@superklye
stop complaining and use this
www.engadget.com/exclude/apple
@Jaylittles531
I would like a Engadget Apple also, but then the regular Engadget would only have 5 news stories a day. Also, since I would hardly ever read it I would miss the fanboy wars too much.
@Evan
Apple? Oh yeah... I remember them.*
*Sent from my TimePad 2013
@superklye Just use the exclude Apple filter, and if you think Engadget is bad, just look at Gizmodo
@superklye Oh I thought this was Engadget Apple...
@Evan
iPad, it just works.
Steve Jobless soon.
@superklye Engadget isn't forcing you to read and comment on every Apple post. They are easy enough to scroll through, so why don't you do something more productive with your time (instead of trolling), if it is so valuable to you?
@superklye
The Unofficial Apple Weblog maybe?
@superklye
engadget apple prease
@Evan "If you see a dongle, they blew it"
@superklye Its called TUAW.
@daytripper LOL at that.. I'd miss the fanboy wars too, hatred is what really powers the web..
And fuck reasoning, I like flamewars, if I wanted to have a good constructive chat I'd go out and talk to a poet or something..
@superklye
I think I mentioned something like this a while back too. Engadget Apple for ALL Apple stories. Engadget for a well rounded balance of all gadgets including major Apple stories.
If someone loads an app from their Apple product, send them to Engadget Apple. If it's from Android or anyone else, send them to normal Engadget.
@superklye Hey, at least they didn't put a "Breaking" tab on it...
@AppleDrank +1
@Evan I'm really getting tired of Engadget enabling everyone's confirmation biases by posting misleading and sometimes wrong information.
1. teachers are not stating that Keynote doesn't work, they said things that AREN'T Keynote (and movies) don't work. That's the opposite of what Engadget posted.
2. it doesn't just mirror the screen because when you're showing a movie or running a keynote presentation, you only want the on-screen controls to appear on your iPad. This is why PowerPoint's presenter mode uses dual-video output instead of just mirroring the presenter's screen.
3. I hate to point this out, but didn't the Incredible make news recently when it was announced that it will be the first Android device to support VGA mirroring?
@imikedaman
but that's just a phone, not a "magical" "computer" "revolution," "the best thing [apple has] ever done."
@patches66 That's an odd argument to use considering they named the phone the Incredible, and since the iPad just uses the same video-out feature available on the iPhone and iPod.
@Evan
Hi all... I *do* own the iPad with this dongle... It does work as advertised (in a kinda wonky way) with keynote app out to a monitor but you must follow apple instructions exactly (as it seems to be order dependent; and perhaps, output device dependent as well), It did work fine to my monitor. I do know that videos/youtube is less problamatic.
Also there is a google groups code that is public for someone who made a 3/4ths serious attempt to mirror an iPad screen thought code.
They really could have done a better job with this. My hunch is that the whole thing (iPad / connectors (both video & camera)) were rushed to market in order to beat the HP Slate & Android tablets that are a comin... Cheers GH
@Matt l
Yeah, just scroll to the top of the page, click 'Engadget HD', its unlikely any articles there will be Apple, other than that hes screwed ;P
I'd be extremely pissed off if i were an ipad owner now, not only do i have to go out buying 5/6 $30+ addons to make it good, but it doesnt work?
So, what have we learnt about apple? wait for 3rd gen, MINIMUM, it saves a lot of money and gets you a better product XD
@superklye
A great idea, though I was going to challenge the editors to go just one week without any Apple posts. The horror!
@superklye
Wow, aren't we all demandy with the free bloggy thing?
Funny thing is, this post DOES interest me, having bought said adapter, and considering Keynote. In fact, this probably the most valuable post I've read all day, considering I just saved myself at least a little disappointment.
The Apple-Haters are getting soooo whiny lately!
If you're not interested in a post, why are you complaining about it?!
Sent from my iPad
The dongle works as intended. For extended functionality you have to buy a srcond separate $29.99 dongle that goes on the top of the first dongle.
@MarkAnderson
You forgot the i in iTimePad
@ToeCutter
Defensive much? I'm glad it interested you. Since it seems so important to you, you'd likely go out of your way to read Engagdet Apple, where this post would be exclusively because apart from those with the dongle (which I'd guess there aren't many) NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT.
And I chose this post to ask because there isn't exactly a forum here with the ability to create random topics now is there?
Sent from my Windows 7 PC.
Just what I DOn't want to do. Go to yet another site just to get Apple news. Lame idea. There's plenty of sites already for that. Engadget is a tech news site right? Well...as much as you want to hate a company...for making money...it is indeed tech news. It's sad to me that somebody hates a company or product so much they need to click every link they see regarding this hated product just to leave a negative comment. You sound like an idiot complaning about something you've never tried. Ever read the book green eggs and ham? IMO the iPads a little over priced right now but when the price comes down to $299, is it going to be such a cr@ppy product? If you went to school you would have learned what supply and demand is. Apples financial department is doing things perfectly, and when the price does drop down to $299 or less there will be Nothing in it's class that can compete with the ipad. Stop reading post you "don't care about" and go (back) to school. You might learn something. Too bad there's no class for common sense
As a Apple fan i dont even know what to say ... I think i will just stay shocked and disappointed.
@Benaus
I second the motion... And I say that as a happy iPad owner with no interest in the dongle, even.
@Benaus
Apple: quality control going downhill since 2005.
@Benaus welcome to WWA (Wonderful World of Apple)
@Benaus
http://theunemployedblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/trollface_hd.jpg
@Benaus submit your anger here :)
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html
@Benaus
CONTROL
Well that seems pretty much useless for anything.... Unless you want to watch a slide show on your 40" TV.
Just throw a bunch of slides of Star Trek on there you'll get the idea.
@Jaylittles531
Well, if you can create a slideshow from every single frame in the movie, and then set the slideshow to 30 frames per second, I think it would be quite effective.
iSlide: The new, innovative way to watch movies. Think differently!
@r34p3r
But if Apple makes a iSlide app they have to remember to enable video output function.
@Jaylittles531
You have to buy a separate connector for your connector that acts as a bridge, disabling the "no video signal" restriction on your VGA connector.
Unlock the full potential of your media, for the low, low price of $69.99!
@Jaylittles531
this has been my biggest gripe since day 1, if it had hdmi (or even display port) out that mirrored the ipad's screen, i would own one
@OriginalJosh
Well I think what your looking for is a Mac not a iPad
@Jaylittles531
So which mac had the hdmi connector again? Oh right, we have dongles.
As a sidenote, every display connector with "mini" in its name should be shot. It's just a fancy way of saying: "Get a dongle and some tape."
@Jaylittles531
I think what we're all wanting here is a Zune HD.
@r34p3r
If you did that then you'd even save time by finishing the movie 25% faster than intended. Your audio wouldn't be in sync unless you played it back faster as well, but hey you can't have everything.
(Hint: Movies are 24fps.)
"We (sort of) get the DRM thing"
I don't. (blah blah piracy my ass)
@Creativity Yeah exactly - how exactly does anyone plan to accomplish piracy using a VGA adapter?
@Creativity
This is daft on a completely different level. They disbale VGA for DRM. So, there must somewhere be a VGA recording device.... Where?
I haven't ever heard of a such device...
This is just daft....