Apple iPad

[swampler]

Originally Posted by Jujubes

Does Microsoft now sell more hardware beyond the Zune and the Xbox?

Don't forget the MS Mouse!

Not sure what MS not making hardware products have to do with not buying Apple hardware products anyway?

[Dirk]

Originally Posted by Jujubes

Huh?
"electronic junk from steve balmer"?
Does Microsoft now sell more hardware beyond the Zune and the Xbox?

typo .. meant off course the ceo from apple

steve jobs .. imho that is what the man should do , find another job ..

see my rant over ipods here on pc ..

[swampler]

Dirk, Don't let yet another reincarnation of RS bother you. I'm sure he knew what you meant as well as I did.

[ohenry]

Originally Posted by Jujubes

Does Microsoft now sell more hardware beyond the Zune and the Xbox?

Yes

Originally Posted by swampler

Brian,

Slightly OT...Have you tried the Kindle? I played with Sony's version at the local Best Buy and it was horrible. Slow, jumpy transition from page to page and not particularly user friendly, IMO. Just wondering how the Kindle compared.

I saw a LOT of Kindles in action during my cruise and flights last week. I was wondering about how difficult they were to read from. I think I'd like the convenience, but I'm not sure that they're worth the money just for the convenience of not having a paperback in your lap when you read. I could see it for frequent travelers who fly a lot -- for the magazine/news articles, but at $10 a book --

[Eero Makela]

Again no way to directly transfer photos from camera to i-Pad, that is why I did not get a i-pod touch as you need a computer to transfer your photos to it.

I got a 160gb 10" netbook that does it all and has more storage space, and it comes in white hehe
Has 3 usb and a SD card slot (which I really can't use much, but at least it has one).

The only thing "i" has going for it is the user interface it is one of the best out there. All it now needs is a virtual keyboard and a HUD.

At least they added the microphone on v. 1.0.

Wonder if the screen has the anti-finger print coating like the 2nd gen i-phones?

[Jujubes]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

All it now needs is a virtual keyboard and a HUD.

It's got an on-screen keyboard (without numbers?), and a hardware accessory one!
What do you mean by 'HUD'? Head Up Display? Isn't the entire thing a display?

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by Jujubes

It's got an on-screen keyboard (without numbers?), and a hardware accessory one!
What do you mean by 'HUD'? Head Up Display? Isn't the entire thing a display?

By virtual I mean this

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard - markpascua.com

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by swampler

Brian,

Slightly OT...Have you tried the Kindle? I played with Sony's version at the local Best Buy and it was horrible. Slow, jumpy transition from page to page and not particularly user friendly, IMO. Just wondering how the Kindle compared.

A friend of mine got one for Christmas and I had a chance to play with it.

The Kindle is interesting and kinda cool but it reminds me of the early Palm Pilots. Very limited on functionality and overall features compared to what comes out in the very near future. It's one of those things that you look at later and wonder why you spent all the money on it when the new product that came out 3 months later can do so much more and looks so much better.

It was fast with good visibility and transition between pages. I'm impressed with the 3G capability at no extra cost. Basically Amazon is subsidizing the limited connectivity for a customer's revenue through purchases. Since it doesn't really browse and the e-mail connectivity is limited, they aren't using much bandwidth like the iPhone, Droid, or the new iPad.

I was actually considering the Kindle before this. I won't bother now. Why? I love reading. I usually have 2 to 5 books going at once in a variety of genres. But there are times when I'm tired of reading and just want to watch a movie or listen to music. I've done this on my iPhone and my older iPod 5G but haven't carried books (although the iPhone can do it but it's screen isn't comfortable for it). Now there is the iPad, where I can have my SAME movies, music, TV episodes (I hate commercials and will typically buy the season after it comes out just to avoid them), and now BOOKS all on one device. I can have hundreds of books, movies, all of my music, games, mobile office apps, my photos, and more all on a single device that weighs 1.5lbs and I can carry on the plane.

And I've already signed on to the Apple content provider model. I don't buy music at the stores any longer. I still buy DVDs but not that often with Netflix and streaming now. I buy a lot of books, both new and used, but would easily convert to electronic with the right reader and backup strategy (since it syncs to the PC, I don't lose my content).

I'll have to wait for the iPad (too much for me now) but when I can afford it, I'm on. Most of the time I don't WANT my laptop on but don't have any choice. Now I do.

[Jujubes]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

By virtual I mean this

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard - markpascua.com

That would negate one of the iPad's USPs, namely that a table is not neccessary. The iPad's premier claim to fame is its mobility = independence of its surroundings = no table top required.

[dryadsdad]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

I think you're all forgetting the intent behind the device. As Jobs said during the intro, Apple saw a need for a device between the full blown laptop and the smartphone. Netbooks don't really count since they are nothing more than stripped down laptops.

This wasn't intended to REPLACE a laptop. I seriously doubt you'll ever see file manipulation or any type of laptop functionality on the iPad.

This is a revolutionary device in its own right, though. Apple basically scaled up the iPhone/iTouch OS to fit the iPad. That means EVERY application in the AppStore works on this device. And developers have an easy transition to scale their apps to fit the iPad's screen. Unlike the early iPhones ("ok, NOW what do I do with it?"), the iPad has thousands and thousands of potential uses with existing apps.

They've also just fired a huge broadside at the Kindle. Amazon has to be fuming right now. The whole concept of an iTouch with a bigger screen and a full bookstore attached with iBook pretty much kills the Kindle's potential unless Amazon does a radical redesign soon. Otherwise they'll always end up being #2 in the market. IMO, it's too late anyway.

And look at Microsoft. Ten years of development for a tablet PC, with predicted sales of 1.7million Tablet PCs this year...and Apple is going to trump them in iPad's year one with a predicted 4 to 5 million in sales. That's gotta hurt.

And look at the revenue stream. EACH iPhone/iTouch/iPad is a potential revenue stream AFTER the sale with apps, music, movies, and now books. Apple isn't a computer maker anymore. It's a mobile content provider. We get all giddy on the new devices but the iTunes store is far outstripping its internal brethren for the best margin. Cheap, useful apps with Apple providing a standard framework and closed system of delivery while the developers get a cut of each sale. That's a long term revenue model that just screams success for Apple's future. And the iPad just ADDS to that.

I don't see this as a successful product. The big element of failure is the poor OS. It can't manage any multitasking so you even need close down any apps when you wish to perform any other app. Android from Google is vastly superior here.

It can't be transported easily so it's for use on your couch. If you try to put it in your pack, you'll destroy the screen. So taking it around like an iPhone is out. Besides, how will you carry it - in a messenger bag? Do you wish to walk around always with that? I don't.

We can't use it to stow photos from our cards via USB (no card reader!!) because the max storage is 64 gig or what you can easily get with two CF's. The 64 gig expansion will be expensive too, you can bet.

The big selling point is the 100k iPhone apps but on a large screen. Somehow I don't see that as compelling.

As to being a reader, Kindle uses the better e-ink for screen which is reflective like paper while this is a screen like a flat panel monitor. Not nearly as good for written things as e-ink.

I say this will bomb.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by dryadsdad

I don't see this as a successful product. The big element of failure is the poor OS. It can't manage any multitasking so you even need close down any apps when you wish to perform any other app. Android from Google is vastly superior here.

The multitasking issue on my iPhone used to bug me. I don't notice it quite so much anymore. I think the idea of multitasking on something like this is overcome by some simple change of habits. And the memory management is better because of it. My Windows Mobile OS phone(s) tended to need help with memory management because of too many apps at once.

It can't be transported easily so it's for use on your couch. If you try to put it in your pack, you'll destroy the screen. So taking it around like an iPhone is out. Besides, how will you carry it - in a messenger bag? Do you wish to walk around always with that? I don't.

Why would I walk around with it all the time? It's not a true MOBILE device like a phone. Put it in a sleeve, slip it into my (now) laptop bag and move along. The iPhone screen is no different and I've somehow managed to live with it scratch and crack free for over a year, including dropping it and running around in the dirt track racecar pits. It even survived a fall where I fractured my thumb while LANDING on the poor iPhone while cased. They're tougher than you think.

We can't use it to stow photos from our cards via USB (no card reader!!) because the max storage is 64 gig or what you can easily get with two CF's. The 64 gig expansion will be expensive too, you can bet.

You're missing the function. It's not a laptop. It's not a Netbook. It's basically a hyped up e-reader.

As far as functionality, PDN had an article in the fall of 2008 covering the iPhone and one journalist's experience with it at the Beijing Olympics. He didn't bring a laptop but did EVERYTHING (including uploading photos to his editor) on his iPhone. It's actually one of the things that convinced me to give it a try. I cannot find a link to the long article, though.

The big selling point is the 100k iPhone apps but on a large screen. Somehow I don't see that as compelling.

If you're not an app user, I can't fault that. I use my iPhone for a lot of things, including Facebook, maps, finding new places to eat, surfing when I'm bored and stuck someplace, games, contact management, banking, lists, appointment management, e-mail, and more.

As to being a reader, Kindle uses the better e-ink for screen which is reflective like paper while this is a screen like a flat panel monitor. Not nearly as good for written things as e-ink.

I use an anti-reflective screen cover on my iPhone 3G and don't have reflection issues. Brightness is variable to my liking or adapts to ambient lighting automatically. I don't see an issue with this personally but admittedly haven't tried the iPad yet. I have tried the Kindle and, while easy to read, didn't really see any big deal on the whole "e-ink" thing.

I say this will bomb.

I'm betting you're wrong.

[Jujubes]

Like Brian says.
I'm not an iPhone/smartphone user (yet), but I am a heavy MBP user (and a tog). So the iPad is not an option for me until it 1) can be used to directly upload photos (and vids and MP3s) to (and download from), 2) has a proper file management system, and 3) an adequate (for mobile) processing capability (something like iPhoto or Picasa). That will require a twice as powerful CPU/GPU (combo?), adequate RAM, and at least 160GB of storage.

So that'll probably be a while...

[MeleKalikimaka]

just made this in its honour

[swampler]

Originally Posted by MeleKalikimaka

just made this in its honour

LOL! I knew it was only a matter of time before someone would do that!

[swampler]

Here's a great video on the iPAD.

YouTube- Apple I-Pad

YouTube- Apple I-Pad

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Jujubes

Like Brian says.
I'm not an iPhone/smartphone user (yet), but I am a heavy MBP user (and a tog). So the iPad is not an option for me until it 1) can be used to directly upload photos (and vids and MP3s) to (and download from), 2) has a proper file management system, and 3) an adequate (for mobile) processing capability (something like iPhoto or Picasa). That will require a twice as powerful CPU/GPU (combo?), adequate RAM, and at least 160GB of storage.

So that'll probably be a while...

If at all.

That wasn't its intended market. You want a tablet Mac, not a glorified e-reader.

It's quite possible that yet another product might jump in between the iPad and MacBook. Something closer to a tablet PC with the iPad's screen and OS X?

[RussTKD]

Originally Posted by Jujubes

Like Brian says.
I'm not an iPhone/smartphone user (yet), but I am a heavy MBP user (and a tog). So the iPad is not an option for me until it 1) can be used to directly upload photos (and vids and MP3s) to (and download from), 2) has a proper file management system, and 3) an adequate (for mobile) processing capability (something like iPhoto or Picasa). That will require a twice as powerful CPU/GPU (combo?), adequate RAM, and at least 160GB of storage.

So that'll probably be a while...

It's just another device from Apple that misses the power user segment, and misses it badly. It'll be great for someone like my wife who surfs the web, does email, looks at pictures, etc., but useless for someone like me who was hoping for a touchscreen computer with a real OS and the ability to run real applications.

It'll be huge though, and I'll probably end up with one by the end of the year.

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by dryadsdad

I don't see this as a successful product. The big element of failure is the poor OS. It can't manage any multitasking so you even need close down any apps when you wish to perform any other app. Android from Google is vastly superior here.

A lot of the things the iPad seems designed to do require privacy, at least for many people. I don't necessarily want the guy sitting next to me on a train or plane to see what I'm typing or what I'm reading. So I think privacy will be an issue when using the device in public. One of the features of the iPad that many rave about, in fact, and that Apple touts is the device's viewing angle, at a maximum range of 178 degrees. That means the iPad is easy to see from the side, without too much distortion in image.

Although the iPad does contain some of the functionality of a smartphone, the smartphone is preferable, I think, from a privacy standpoint. I can stand in public and read my e-mail on a smartphone and not worry that the guy next to me is going to be able to see it.

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by swampler

Here's a great video on the iPAD.

YouTube- Apple I-Pad

That's hilarious.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by JDArt

A lot of the things the iPad seems designed to do require privacy, at least for many people. I don't necessarily want the guy sitting next to me on a train or plane to see what I'm typing or what I'm reading. So I think privacy will be an issue when using the device in public. One of the features of the iPad that many rave about, in fact, and that Apple touts is the device's viewing angle, at a maximum range of 178 degrees. That means the iPad is easy to see from the side, without too much distortion in image.

Although the iPad does contain some of the functionality of a smartphone, the smartphone is preferable, I think, from a privacy standpoint. I can stand in public adn read my e-mail on a smartphone and not worry that the guy next to me is going to be able to see it.

Good points. Two things come to mind, though.

If I'm standing in public, it's unlikely I'd be using the iPad over my iPhone. I don't see it as a true mobile device. I see it as a static device that's mobile.

What's the difference between that scenario and my laptop? Newer laptop screens offer pretty good viewing angles. When flying, I specifically avoid getting into sensitive materials for just this reason.