G-Form, the iPad case manufacturer who last year demonstrated the durability of their products by dropping an iPad without a parachute from a airplane, has recently claimed to have dropped an iPad from space.
The iPad, which according to the company’s video survived the ordeal unscathed, was encased in the company’s Extreme Edge case, launched by a weather balloon to an altitude of 100,000 feet (19 miles) and then unceremoniously released.
While impressive to witness, the iPad did not truly reach “outer space,” as its maximum altitude of 100,000 feet fell far short of the general scientific agreement that “space” (in the U.S.) begins at an altitude of 264,000 feet. (50 miles) There are also concerns that because the iPad was fortunate enough to land on its case-protected edge, the impact was not as damaging as it could have been had the device landed screen-first. Finally, of course, the whole demonstration, replete with quick cuts, could be a hoax.
Regardless of the case’s efficacy, the video is a beautiful look at an iPad in a unique environment.
14 Comments Leave Your Own
There is probably some drag from the burst balloon that would help slow it down. Anyway, there is probably no reason other than marketing to drop it from that height, it would have reached terminal velocity from a much lower height.
I would love to see the unedited video. I am curious about how the long it took to fall from about 100,000’
Interesting that the external camera also survived.
Yup, Lee’s spot on - they didn’t need to go to anything like that height to allow the device to reach terminal velocity before impact. It can only have been done for effect and the associated “cool” factor - which is okay if presented appropriately.
the long fall aside, it is impressive the iPad survived the conditions at 100,000 ft.
Well below freezing temperature, radiation, synch port probed by space aliens.
Oooh - cosmic radiation! I wonder if that test model has now developed mutant super-powers?
Coming up on the SyFy Channel
Mega iPad!
Impact testing creates rogue iOS that threatens the sales of Android powered tablets and upset the me too economy
Starring Andrew Robinson as President Humbolt, Alexandra Paul as the Secretary of Commerce, R. Lee Ermey as General Butler, Fred Thompson as the ruthless entrepreneur, Justin Bieber as the brilliant programmer
The concept boggles the mind.
Todd Rungren was a Mac Programmer
Indeed, but he’s a well known musician.
Smart marketing. Hey, if a guy in a gorilla suit beating the hell out of luggage worked…
With musician being an important factor, the link between music and mathematics and all of that. I don’t know if Justin has musical composing talent or not, he may, but he seems to be more a performer than a musical artist. Anyway, I just chose his name because he kind of resembles the wiz kid in the Max Headroom shows.
Lee, please get your prescription checked!
Bryce Lynch (played by Chris Young) had a talent (understanding technology & Hacking), Justin Bieber doesn’t.
Now I’ve got to go and wash out my mind with soap for even thinking about/of “the beiber”
Dudes! Casting an actor in a part isn’t about their skills of the character it is about making a certain impression on the audience and to draw them in. So I have the Scorpio Killer playing the President to bring in the Android users.
An attractive middle-aged woman playing a Cabinet Secretary for guys like me.
An old fart playing an old fart for the Matlock demographic.
And a teen sensation for the tweeners.
Youse guys need to watch some cheesy SyFy Channel movies to see what I mean.
Ah yes. Mega Shark vs whatever-they-can-think-of-this=week
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