Apple today debuted a new campaign on its Japanese website called "Start Something New" (Google Translate) which showcases individuals using its latest products and apps to create art and take photos. Among the products highlighted include the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air 2, and iMac, as apps like Procreate, VSCO Cam, and iDraw are also highlighted.
The new section includes entries on individuals like digital artist Roz Hall, who primarily used the iPad and illustration app Procreate to create a set of university portraits with Apple's tablet. Apple also spotlights media artist Matt Pyke who used the iPhone 6 and iMovie to create an entire film project on a mobile device, and brings attention to others like art duo Craig & Karl who illustrate in Waterlogue and exchange sketches through iMessage. Apple also highlights a number of its own software features, including exposure control on the iPhone 6 and burst mode on the iPad Air 2.
"Start Something New" appears to be a section exclusive to Apple's Japanese website, possibly indicating that the company is beginning a renewed push for its products in the region. Apple is also beginning its annual Fukubukuro "lucky bag" promotion in Japan beginning January 2, which will allow customers to purchase a grab bag filled with an assortment of products at a steep discount.
Top Rated Comments
Well, that is ironic, because exactly Procreate 2.2 (being an awesome app btw.) is not usable for us in conjunction -you guess- iPad Air 2!
I bought for me and four employees in our company 5x iPad Air 2.
Here is the Story.
Air 2 broke almost all stylus compatibilty:
- Jot Touch PixelPoint doesn't work properly anymore:120x5 = 600 EUR wasted
- Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus 2 is not usable and according to Procreate and Wacom it is not going to be supported because of some technical issues of iPad Air 2: 80*5 = 400 EUR wasted
- New laminated screen is somehow unresponsive in all drawing apps even without any stylus at all: when our artists do quick shading, it ceases to draw any lines or skips some (much discussed issue on procreate forums).
- Pencil by 53 has some issues as well, and while they may be software wise and are going to fixed eventually, it is the line skipping, which is driving us crazy.
So we have a potential loss of purchased assets in total of at least 1000,- EUR! Just because Apple slightly changed the screen technology and (as always) didn't communicate with third party accessory manufacturers!
We observed these issues on all 5 devices, all of which are going to be returned.
Well that's Apple and their care for businesses, especially creative ones...
Besides of the issues above, they promote the iPad for Artists, having no precision pen input ever supported on these devices.
Each and any existing stylus for iPads is in its own way a workaround and can not be compared to those from Wacom or even to the N-Trig from the Surface Pro 3 in terms of precision and usability!
In the end it is not even ironic, it is cynical.
My two cents, sorry.
You'd think Apple Japan could shine the spotlight on creators (Japanese or otherwise) who actually live and work here.