2012
AFL - EFC v West Coast Eagles
15/05/12 11:55
Good afternoon,
Our third home game of the year is the massive clash against the unbeaten West Coast Eagles.
I was really looking forward to this game to test where we are at against high quality opposition. As it turned out the quality of the Eagles was impacted severely by injury to an even greater extent than the Essendon side. Over 43,000 fans mostly in red and black made their way to Etihad Stadium on a chilly Saturday evening.
The first quarter was an extremely low scoring affair with each side only scoring one goal each. Essendon had the major share of the play but were very wasteful in front of goal. I was worried that these missed opportunities would come back to haunt us later in the game.
The game opened up a little in the second quarter with Essendon, though still quite wasteful, starting to exert some dominance especially through the mid field. I thought Cox and Bellchambers were breaking even in the ruck contests but we were able to share the clearances more effectively through Watson, Zaharakis and Melksham. This quarter, Brent Stanton started his usual gut-running and was getting free on a regular basis. At half time we were three goals up, a handy lead in a low scoring affair.
The Eagles suffered a blow when one of their key playmakers Matthew Priddis was subbed off with concussion. Essendon's dominance was finally transferred to the scoreboard this quarter. Seven goals to nil setup the final result. The run and spread of the Bombers was awesome, and on the rare times the ball went near the Eagles scoring zone, it came back twice as fast with Fletcher, Hooker and Hardingham being impenetrable for the quarter. Crameri started to kick straight, Jetta and Davey again were lively and elusive while maintaining offensive pressure and Paddy Ryder was providing a quality aerial target. A standing ovation from the Bombers faithful was a fitting reward for an outstanding quarter of football.
The final stanza was a low key affair, Essendon never really threatened while WCE picked up a few consolation goals. We ran out winners by 61 points in a stunning display.
A standout performance on the night was the disposal of Ricky Dyson. Several times he rebounded off half back with scything 50 metre passes to beat the press and setup scoring opportunities. And his 45 metre hooked goal in the second quarter I think, showed that goals were kickable when other were missing shots. Well done Ricky!
For me, our best players in a very even display were Watson, Zaharakis, Hooker, Stanton, Ryder, Melksham and Dyson. Hard to find good players for the Eagles though Dean Cox, Waters and Gaff tried hard.
Our next test is the 'Dreamtime at the 'G' game next Saturday night against Richmond. Looking forward to that one. Go Bombers!
Bye for now, BomberBoy
Our third home game of the year is the massive clash against the unbeaten West Coast Eagles.
I was really looking forward to this game to test where we are at against high quality opposition. As it turned out the quality of the Eagles was impacted severely by injury to an even greater extent than the Essendon side. Over 43,000 fans mostly in red and black made their way to Etihad Stadium on a chilly Saturday evening.
The first quarter was an extremely low scoring affair with each side only scoring one goal each. Essendon had the major share of the play but were very wasteful in front of goal. I was worried that these missed opportunities would come back to haunt us later in the game.
The game opened up a little in the second quarter with Essendon, though still quite wasteful, starting to exert some dominance especially through the mid field. I thought Cox and Bellchambers were breaking even in the ruck contests but we were able to share the clearances more effectively through Watson, Zaharakis and Melksham. This quarter, Brent Stanton started his usual gut-running and was getting free on a regular basis. At half time we were three goals up, a handy lead in a low scoring affair.
The Eagles suffered a blow when one of their key playmakers Matthew Priddis was subbed off with concussion. Essendon's dominance was finally transferred to the scoreboard this quarter. Seven goals to nil setup the final result. The run and spread of the Bombers was awesome, and on the rare times the ball went near the Eagles scoring zone, it came back twice as fast with Fletcher, Hooker and Hardingham being impenetrable for the quarter. Crameri started to kick straight, Jetta and Davey again were lively and elusive while maintaining offensive pressure and Paddy Ryder was providing a quality aerial target. A standing ovation from the Bombers faithful was a fitting reward for an outstanding quarter of football.
The final stanza was a low key affair, Essendon never really threatened while WCE picked up a few consolation goals. We ran out winners by 61 points in a stunning display.
A standout performance on the night was the disposal of Ricky Dyson. Several times he rebounded off half back with scything 50 metre passes to beat the press and setup scoring opportunities. And his 45 metre hooked goal in the second quarter I think, showed that goals were kickable when other were missing shots. Well done Ricky!
For me, our best players in a very even display were Watson, Zaharakis, Hooker, Stanton, Ryder, Melksham and Dyson. Hard to find good players for the Eagles though Dean Cox, Waters and Gaff tried hard.
Our next test is the 'Dreamtime at the 'G' game next Saturday night against Richmond. Looking forward to that one. Go Bombers!
Bye for now, BomberBoy
AFL - EFC v Brisbane Lions
06/05/12 16:56
Good evening,
It was our second home game yesterday, Essendon v Brisbane Lions. The Bombers have some injury problems in recent weeks and appeared slightly undermanned but I expected us to win.
The day got off to a slow start when my membership card was rejected by the turnstile on entry to the ground. I was cheerfully told lots of people are having problems and I should go back to to the Essendon Membership tent about 500 metres away from the ground and against the approaching masses. Did all that, got in another queue and finally received a day pass that got me in and I was able to join Robin at our seats just in time for the first bounce.
Despite the cold & foggy drizzle outside, it was surprisingly warm under the closed roof at Etihad Stadium with some 36,500 (mostly) Essendon fans in attendance. The game started in what I thought was eerie silence. Not a lot of crowd noise for the first few minutes. But Stewart Crameri's four goals in the first quarter certainly livened the crowd up. A few late goals to the Lions kept them in it.
The second quarter was a pretty good display by the Bombers with Dyson Heppell doing a great job at half back, setting up many scoring opportunities. Alwyn Davey and Leroy Jetta were lively up forward and we went into half time nearly six goals up.
I thought we dominated the third quarter as well. Tom Bellchambers was doing well in the ruck and also seemed to stand in the centre square as a marking / passing target during the quarter providing a great link for us going forward. It seemed the Lions coaching staff preferred to keep their ruckman deep in defence rather than shoulder-to-shoulder with Bellchambers. There was a scuffle in the diagonally opposite forward pocket to us so I couldn't see much but there was a murmur in the crowd that Paddy Ryder may have been a touch aggressive. We will see… We kept the Lions to one goal for the quarter and went in some 9 goals up.
I must say the last quarter was a lacklustre affair with three goals to one our way with the Lions a bit inaccurate from set shots. The major issue for the quarter was an apparent knee injury to Crameri. We would not like to be without him for too long especially with Michael Hurley still out.
So it was a 129 to 62 victory. We played very very well, especially good clearance work, fierce tackling and swift, accurate ball movement. Best players for Essendon were Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Sam Lonergan, Tom Bellchambers and Dyson Heppell, but overall no real passengers today. According to Robin, she thought Jonathan Brown, Simon Black, and Ben Hudson tried hard for the Lions.
It was our second home game yesterday, Essendon v Brisbane Lions. The Bombers have some injury problems in recent weeks and appeared slightly undermanned but I expected us to win.
The day got off to a slow start when my membership card was rejected by the turnstile on entry to the ground. I was cheerfully told lots of people are having problems and I should go back to to the Essendon Membership tent about 500 metres away from the ground and against the approaching masses. Did all that, got in another queue and finally received a day pass that got me in and I was able to join Robin at our seats just in time for the first bounce.
Despite the cold & foggy drizzle outside, it was surprisingly warm under the closed roof at Etihad Stadium with some 36,500 (mostly) Essendon fans in attendance. The game started in what I thought was eerie silence. Not a lot of crowd noise for the first few minutes. But Stewart Crameri's four goals in the first quarter certainly livened the crowd up. A few late goals to the Lions kept them in it.
The second quarter was a pretty good display by the Bombers with Dyson Heppell doing a great job at half back, setting up many scoring opportunities. Alwyn Davey and Leroy Jetta were lively up forward and we went into half time nearly six goals up.
I thought we dominated the third quarter as well. Tom Bellchambers was doing well in the ruck and also seemed to stand in the centre square as a marking / passing target during the quarter providing a great link for us going forward. It seemed the Lions coaching staff preferred to keep their ruckman deep in defence rather than shoulder-to-shoulder with Bellchambers. There was a scuffle in the diagonally opposite forward pocket to us so I couldn't see much but there was a murmur in the crowd that Paddy Ryder may have been a touch aggressive. We will see… We kept the Lions to one goal for the quarter and went in some 9 goals up.
I must say the last quarter was a lacklustre affair with three goals to one our way with the Lions a bit inaccurate from set shots. The major issue for the quarter was an apparent knee injury to Crameri. We would not like to be without him for too long especially with Michael Hurley still out.
So it was a 129 to 62 victory. We played very very well, especially good clearance work, fierce tackling and swift, accurate ball movement. Best players for Essendon were Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Sam Lonergan, Tom Bellchambers and Dyson Heppell, but overall no real passengers today. According to Robin, she thought Jonathan Brown, Simon Black, and Ben Hudson tried hard for the Lions.
Always a good day at the football when you win. Now 5-1 for the season. Bring on West Coast Eagles in Melbourne next week. We will be there!
Bye for now, BomberBoy
Daylesford Escape
28/04/12 14:34
Good afternoon,
Thanks for stopping by. Details to come ASAP.
Thanks for stopping by. Details to come ASAP.
Bye for now, BomberBoy
AFL - EFC v Port Adelaide
09/04/12 19:33
Thought I would add some new post categories this year. One of which will be my match reports from the Essendon home games. Robin and I have signed up as EFC Members and reserved seat holders again this year so I thought I could jot down my game day observations, thoughts and rants from the rounds we attend.
The first home game for us (Round 2) was against Port Adelaide (PA), an afternoon game on a sunny Saturday at Etihad Stadium. Very civilised!
OK, bags packed, radios charged, sandwiches made (as self funded retirees we can't afford to attend the games and eat THEIR food!), we made the trek from Mt Eliza to the stadium. Except, when we got REALLY close to the ground we still couldn't see it! Someone is building hotel or apartment complex right on or very, very close to the ground. Interesting.
First rant. As pre-game approached there was a never ending barage of announcements, music and advertisements at volume levels that made sensible conversation with yourself, let alone those around you, impossible. Very, very uncomfortable. OK, the first package of sandwiches were opened and eaten. Turkey and Jarlsberg cheese. Excellent!
First bounce of the year and we are away!
A luck lustre first quarter by the Bombers saw us about even after some straight kicking by PA and some uber-wasteful forward work by us. A big disappointment was our number one ruckman David Hille limping off early with a serious calf injury, not to return again. Same Lonergan, an on-baller, was subbed on in his place.
The second quarter was a little bit better and we managed to sneak away by 21 points and I was comfortable with our position at half time. More of those fine sandwiches! Unbeknown to most, Nathan Lovett-Murray was now carrying a hamstring strain but was still playing (at reduced efficiency) so we wouldn't be too many men down obviously on the bench.
In the third quarter we wasted more scoring opportunities than humanely possible (are you listening Angus Monfries?) and PA came back hard and it was pretty close at three quarter time (2 points our way). For the first (and probably not last) time in season 2012, I was officially nervous.
PA seemed to have the momentum and with our injury issues, the future looked dire. To our boys credit, for a side that was few players down, they decided to take it to PA, ran hard, isolated key runners and forwards and then kicked away for a hard fought four goal plus win. David Myers went down like shot with a severe hamstring strain in the last quarter as well. Talk about walking wounded.
So what did I take away from the game? Well credit where it is due. PA were a bit of a basket case last year. Not so much this season. With Kane Cornes, Jay Schulz, David Rodan and their captain Dom Cassissi up and about they looked well organised and well coached. Kudos to the coaching team.
And the Bombers? With Hille going off, Paddy Ryder stood up big time and was superb with his tap work at the stoppages. Captain Jobe Watson and Sam Lonergan were the major beneficiaries of his good work.
Down back, Dustin Fletcher was again fantastic with his judgment, reading of the play, rebound and superb disposal skills. Up forward, Hurley presented well but kicked poorly (including two posters), Crameri competed OK, but really stood up in the last quarter when the game was on the line.
In my mind the real game changer (after Ryder) was Leroy Jetta, still running hard at the end of the game, he kicked four goals when others were missing and added a real spark and X-factor.
In excess of 30,000 folks attended under the open roof and it was good start for our spectator campaign for 2012. Go Bombers!
Bye for now, BomberBoy
The first home game for us (Round 2) was against Port Adelaide (PA), an afternoon game on a sunny Saturday at Etihad Stadium. Very civilised!
OK, bags packed, radios charged, sandwiches made (as self funded retirees we can't afford to attend the games and eat THEIR food!), we made the trek from Mt Eliza to the stadium. Except, when we got REALLY close to the ground we still couldn't see it! Someone is building hotel or apartment complex right on or very, very close to the ground. Interesting.
First rant. As pre-game approached there was a never ending barage of announcements, music and advertisements at volume levels that made sensible conversation with yourself, let alone those around you, impossible. Very, very uncomfortable. OK, the first package of sandwiches were opened and eaten. Turkey and Jarlsberg cheese. Excellent!
First bounce of the year and we are away!
A luck lustre first quarter by the Bombers saw us about even after some straight kicking by PA and some uber-wasteful forward work by us. A big disappointment was our number one ruckman David Hille limping off early with a serious calf injury, not to return again. Same Lonergan, an on-baller, was subbed on in his place.
The second quarter was a little bit better and we managed to sneak away by 21 points and I was comfortable with our position at half time. More of those fine sandwiches! Unbeknown to most, Nathan Lovett-Murray was now carrying a hamstring strain but was still playing (at reduced efficiency) so we wouldn't be too many men down obviously on the bench.
In the third quarter we wasted more scoring opportunities than humanely possible (are you listening Angus Monfries?) and PA came back hard and it was pretty close at three quarter time (2 points our way). For the first (and probably not last) time in season 2012, I was officially nervous.
PA seemed to have the momentum and with our injury issues, the future looked dire. To our boys credit, for a side that was few players down, they decided to take it to PA, ran hard, isolated key runners and forwards and then kicked away for a hard fought four goal plus win. David Myers went down like shot with a severe hamstring strain in the last quarter as well. Talk about walking wounded.
So what did I take away from the game? Well credit where it is due. PA were a bit of a basket case last year. Not so much this season. With Kane Cornes, Jay Schulz, David Rodan and their captain Dom Cassissi up and about they looked well organised and well coached. Kudos to the coaching team.
And the Bombers? With Hille going off, Paddy Ryder stood up big time and was superb with his tap work at the stoppages. Captain Jobe Watson and Sam Lonergan were the major beneficiaries of his good work.
Down back, Dustin Fletcher was again fantastic with his judgment, reading of the play, rebound and superb disposal skills. Up forward, Hurley presented well but kicked poorly (including two posters), Crameri competed OK, but really stood up in the last quarter when the game was on the line.
In my mind the real game changer (after Ryder) was Leroy Jetta, still running hard at the end of the game, he kicked four goals when others were missing and added a real spark and X-factor.
In excess of 30,000 folks attended under the open roof and it was good start for our spectator campaign for 2012. Go Bombers!
Bye for now, BomberBoy
My AFL predictions - 2012
28/03/12 20:51
Good evening,
That time has come again when serious AFL followers must, with their hand on their heart, make a call on the season ahead. So without any more fanfare:
The Ladder
Hawthorn (Premiers)
West Coast
Geelong
Collingwood
Carlton
Fremantle
Sydney
Essendon
North Melbourne
Adelaide
Richmond
St Kilda
Western Bulldogs
Port Adelaide
Brisbane
Melbourne
Gold Coast
Greater Western Sydney (honourable Wooden Spoon)
Why?
Hawthorn had a wretched run with injuries in 2011 and still really should have played in the Grand Final. They have had a solid pre-season, only slight injury concerns with their rucks, Roughead to return, plenty to play for (revenge etc) and they are well coached by a maturing Alistair Clarkson. And no Jeff Kennett distractions from on high! I see this year as a boom or bust for West Coast. Lynch and Cox are ageing, Nic Nat is only showing glimpses still. They need to capitalise on the big guys this year plus a fit Daniel Kerr and their famous home ground advantage.
Geelong has lost their spiritual leader in Ling, their finals weapon in Ottens and will have more clubs looking at them this year after they arguably flew under the radar (marginally) in 2011 after Thompson / Ablett Gate etc. The Carlton / Collingwood positions are honestly a toss up. Carlton probably deserves to be ranked in the four but 'coz I hate them so much, it is fifth for them. Collingwood appears to be underdone at season's start and have a heavy injury list plus the distraction of GWS poaching some of their out of contract stars.
I think Ross Lyon will add structure and discipline to the talented Freo list, enough to get them into the finals after a years absence. Although I don't rate the Swans (no one does) they always seem to make the eight so let history be a guide and add the Sydney team in once more.
Now all the above is pretty easy really. Now the fun begins. Who gets the eighth spot?
If only there was a five headed coin! Essendon, Richmond, North Melbourne, Adelaide and St Kilda probably have genuine and valid expectations.
My heart has given it to Essendon for a few (mainly) soft reasons. The Bombers are almost injury free; the new training strengthening regime should see some improvement in close and later season games; Courtenay Dempsey is almost a 'new' recruit and will provide elite run off half back; I am expecting break out seasons from Michael Hurley and Paddy Ryder. And we have lost nothing (poachings, retirements, de-listings) from 2011. Go Bombers!
That said the next four will challenge not only Essendon but potentially those from seventh and above as well with a little luck. It will be a great mid table battle I believe this year. There is plenty to like about Sanderson's Adelaide so far (NAB Cup form is winning form), the Tigers are looking better than they have in decades, the pressure and expectations are deservedly high on the in-form Kangas. And it is now or never (well five years rebuilding) for the Saints. Nick R, Kosi, Lenny are not going to be at their peak much longer. Overall a tipster's nightmare!
Even at the lower reaches of the ladder, their should be serious jousting. Port Adelaide have started the season by removing some dead wood, keeping a couple of key players to inject some confidence in the future and a competitive NAB Cup performance. Brisbane can't go as badly in 2012 as their injury plagued form of 2011 suggested (although their captain J Brown has gone down again). I have a lot of time for the coaching and teaching skills of Brendan McCartney so expect the Doggies to give a solid account especially with Brian Lake fit and firing. He is a bell weather for the side.
Melbourne is an enigma wrapped in a conundrum and in my view have made too many changes in the off season, sent too many mixed message (the old guys are out but Jack Watts is on notice???) so I believe they will trail much of the field this year.
Finally I look forward to watching the improvement of the Gold Coast and the entry of the expertly coached GWS into the competition. Still training wheels for both in 2012 but look out 2013 and beyond!
There you have it. YMMV!
Brownlow Medal
Plenty to choose from. Usual suspects Judd, Goodes, Murphy, Ablett, Pendlebury etc. Richmond's Dustin Martin should be prominent, Jobe Watson will poll well (subject to soft tissue injuries) and Daniel Kerr may pop up. I kinda like Adam Goodes. A noted vote getter, not too many stars to poach votes from him and the Swans should win enough games to sway the umps to give votes to players from the winning side.
Coleman Medal
I liked Jack Riewoldt as an outside chance last year and will back the same horse again for higher honours in 2012. Not sure Buddy Franklin will be able to top the list while enabling the Hawks to have enough avenues to goal. A fit and firing Jonathan Brown is a chance as well.
Rising Star Award
No real idea but I got it right with Dyson Heppell last year. One of the kids from GWS will be a chance. They have so many that are so good, I expect one to salute with Stephen Coniglio my tip.
First coach sacked
An ugly award but Bluey McKenna and Mathew Primus must still lead the betting and be most at risk. But it may be a quiet year with so many new coaches appointed in 2012. The knives may need to stay in the scabbard in 2012!
As always, 2012 is shaping up as an another great year. Bring it on!
Bye for now, BomberBoy
That time has come again when serious AFL followers must, with their hand on their heart, make a call on the season ahead. So without any more fanfare:
The Ladder
Hawthorn (Premiers)
West Coast
Geelong
Collingwood
Carlton
Fremantle
Sydney
Essendon
North Melbourne
Adelaide
Richmond
St Kilda
Western Bulldogs
Port Adelaide
Brisbane
Melbourne
Gold Coast
Greater Western Sydney (honourable Wooden Spoon)
Why?
Hawthorn had a wretched run with injuries in 2011 and still really should have played in the Grand Final. They have had a solid pre-season, only slight injury concerns with their rucks, Roughead to return, plenty to play for (revenge etc) and they are well coached by a maturing Alistair Clarkson. And no Jeff Kennett distractions from on high! I see this year as a boom or bust for West Coast. Lynch and Cox are ageing, Nic Nat is only showing glimpses still. They need to capitalise on the big guys this year plus a fit Daniel Kerr and their famous home ground advantage.
Geelong has lost their spiritual leader in Ling, their finals weapon in Ottens and will have more clubs looking at them this year after they arguably flew under the radar (marginally) in 2011 after Thompson / Ablett Gate etc. The Carlton / Collingwood positions are honestly a toss up. Carlton probably deserves to be ranked in the four but 'coz I hate them so much, it is fifth for them. Collingwood appears to be underdone at season's start and have a heavy injury list plus the distraction of GWS poaching some of their out of contract stars.
I think Ross Lyon will add structure and discipline to the talented Freo list, enough to get them into the finals after a years absence. Although I don't rate the Swans (no one does) they always seem to make the eight so let history be a guide and add the Sydney team in once more.
Now all the above is pretty easy really. Now the fun begins. Who gets the eighth spot?
If only there was a five headed coin! Essendon, Richmond, North Melbourne, Adelaide and St Kilda probably have genuine and valid expectations.
My heart has given it to Essendon for a few (mainly) soft reasons. The Bombers are almost injury free; the new training strengthening regime should see some improvement in close and later season games; Courtenay Dempsey is almost a 'new' recruit and will provide elite run off half back; I am expecting break out seasons from Michael Hurley and Paddy Ryder. And we have lost nothing (poachings, retirements, de-listings) from 2011. Go Bombers!
That said the next four will challenge not only Essendon but potentially those from seventh and above as well with a little luck. It will be a great mid table battle I believe this year. There is plenty to like about Sanderson's Adelaide so far (NAB Cup form is winning form), the Tigers are looking better than they have in decades, the pressure and expectations are deservedly high on the in-form Kangas. And it is now or never (well five years rebuilding) for the Saints. Nick R, Kosi, Lenny are not going to be at their peak much longer. Overall a tipster's nightmare!
Even at the lower reaches of the ladder, their should be serious jousting. Port Adelaide have started the season by removing some dead wood, keeping a couple of key players to inject some confidence in the future and a competitive NAB Cup performance. Brisbane can't go as badly in 2012 as their injury plagued form of 2011 suggested (although their captain J Brown has gone down again). I have a lot of time for the coaching and teaching skills of Brendan McCartney so expect the Doggies to give a solid account especially with Brian Lake fit and firing. He is a bell weather for the side.
Melbourne is an enigma wrapped in a conundrum and in my view have made too many changes in the off season, sent too many mixed message (the old guys are out but Jack Watts is on notice???) so I believe they will trail much of the field this year.
Finally I look forward to watching the improvement of the Gold Coast and the entry of the expertly coached GWS into the competition. Still training wheels for both in 2012 but look out 2013 and beyond!
There you have it. YMMV!
Brownlow Medal
Plenty to choose from. Usual suspects Judd, Goodes, Murphy, Ablett, Pendlebury etc. Richmond's Dustin Martin should be prominent, Jobe Watson will poll well (subject to soft tissue injuries) and Daniel Kerr may pop up. I kinda like Adam Goodes. A noted vote getter, not too many stars to poach votes from him and the Swans should win enough games to sway the umps to give votes to players from the winning side.
Coleman Medal
I liked Jack Riewoldt as an outside chance last year and will back the same horse again for higher honours in 2012. Not sure Buddy Franklin will be able to top the list while enabling the Hawks to have enough avenues to goal. A fit and firing Jonathan Brown is a chance as well.
Rising Star Award
No real idea but I got it right with Dyson Heppell last year. One of the kids from GWS will be a chance. They have so many that are so good, I expect one to salute with Stephen Coniglio my tip.
First coach sacked
An ugly award but Bluey McKenna and Mathew Primus must still lead the betting and be most at risk. But it may be a quiet year with so many new coaches appointed in 2012. The knives may need to stay in the scabbard in 2012!
As always, 2012 is shaping up as an another great year. Bring it on!
Bye for now, BomberBoy
My New iPad
16/03/12 20:32
I placed an order for the new iPad on launch day and had it delivered on March 16. Release day! Colour me excited!!!
My spec is the 64GB WiFi model with a red leather smart case. I don't need the extra cost of 4G/LTE hardware (not that it runs in Oz at those speeds anyway) and the separate data plan. Tethering with the iPhone4 works just fine. FYI, Robin has taken over my original iPad. And she is very happy with it.
The upgrade / migration from the original to the new was fairly painless and straightforward. It took some time, but if you were patient (and I was) all apps & Apple stuff came across. Except many magazine subscriptions which required separate downloading of previously downloaded issues. Possibly more an iOS upgrade issue than a hardware one. Tedious, very tedious.
So how is it? My views are pretty consistent with initial reports. The screen is stunning. Outrageously clear and crisp. Photos, text, icons, movies the lot. Over the Version 1, the speed bump is a welcome addition but is line ball with the iPad 2 apparently. The other major change over the original is the front & rear cameras which makes Skype video and FaceTime calls now a reality for me plus the odd happy snap. Release your inner geek taking photos with a tablet...
I think I did the right thing waiting two generation between upgrades, as I do for my iPhone. Just enough evolution and just enough revolution to make the step change tantalising.
Bye for now, BomberBoy
OS X Lion Upgrade
29/01/12 14:49
One of my other Christmas gifts was a copy of the latest Apple operating system 'Lion' (technically OSX 10.7). I opted for delivery via a USB key to save the nearly 4GB online download and have a fixed media backup should the need to rebuild ever arise.
…
Released in Q3 last year from memory, I decided not be an uber early adopter so I waited a few months for the dust to settle and the horror stories to be told and resolved.
Settling in last night for a lengthy upgrade session, I was surprised when it was all done and dusted inside 75 minutes (including the update 10.7.2) and the new log on screen was there welcoming me.
I understand what Apple was trying to achieve with the look & feel of Lion, but it comes over as a bit 'in between' for my liking. Not quite like a new full-blown desktop OS release, and not really like the IOS devices it was trying to align with. I also took the plunge and upgraded to the new iCloud syncing service as well. It is pleasing to report no issues so far.
Some learning required of this new technology, so bought a copy of the 'Missing Manual for Lion' by David Pogue, via Kindle to read on my iPad.
Bye for now, BomberBoy