Core77

iPad Purportedly Survives 100,000-Ft. Drop in G-Form Case

By Ray Hu - January 6, 2012

in Video

For the first GoPro video of 2012, heavy-duty padding purveyors G-Form have put their Extreme Edge iPad case to the test by documenting a 100,000-ft. (to the edge of the troposphere, if you must know) drop.

Still, some are questioning the authenticity of the video:

As for our professional opinion? I'm skeptical that the iPad has been playing continuously for the entire ascent and descent: Apple lists the maximum operating altitude of the iPad 2 as 10,000 feet, an order of magnitude less than the alleged highest point of the journey. (In my experience, I've gotten an error screen on my old iPod when I hit the altitude ceiling.)

Thus, I'd suggest that, next time around, they should point the camera towards the screen of the iPad (it looks like the trusty GoPro is attached with a custom armature anyway).

Any other thoughts or suggestions for G-Form?

via TechCrunch

o

Favorite This
Q
9

Comment

Comments

david

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I think the camera surviving the fall is at least as impressive! And I have one them also (although, I'm not as freely trying to kill it)
!Report as spam
James

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I agree with beto. Let's see that again but with the iPad camera!
!Report as spam
Jason

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

If it was to test a fall I'm sure they could have found a height at which the object reached terminal velocity and dropped from there. Perhaps it wouldn't garner as much attention as "being dropped from space", but it's the same thing. Most smart people should get that.
!Report as spam
beto

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Why not use the iPad camera to record the test? (instead of a separate camera)
!Report as spam
Keith F

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I think you are missing the point. The demonstration is the prove that this case protects the ipad from "extreme" falls, not that it allows it to function at high altitudes. Who cares if it was on the whole time. I'm sure they are routinely shipped in the unpressurized baggage compartments of airplanes. Just a marketing gimmick anyway, since a fall from 300ft would be identical.
!Report as spam
shiverbrains

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I'm assuming air pressure? If components are sealed inside and the outside air pressure drops that low it could cause serious problems.
!Report as spam
skeptic

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Obviously temperature, humidity and possible increased chance of a radiation induced problem (extremely unlikely though) are all possible, but I think the specification may relate to the operating limits of the GPS systems - most are limited to prevent potential military applications. You actually have to buy a different module and be approved to buy them for use above certain altitudes.
!Report as spam
Scott

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Why would an all solid state device have an operating ceiling? temp wise I can understand, batteries freeze, etc. but altitude?
!Report as spam
e

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

not much use if it lands in water...
!Report as spam