ipad anyone?

[wp34]

I'm just laughing my balls off. All these comments while NO-ONE has even held the product in hands and used it.

I'm basing my comments on two years worth of iTouch usage.  I'm assuming that the device will function similarly based on the information Apple has given.  It is in effect a slightly larger iPhone/iTouch with added features.

[Dartful Dodger]

When I heard about the iPad I thought this was life imitating art and Apple decided to built the Mac Wheel.

Watching the iPad demo video brought up the same doubts I had about a smart phone being practical.  Now that I have one I realize I was wrong to think it was just a gimmick.

I remember people laughing at Apple when they stopped including floppy drives with their computers.

Maybe keyboards are a thing of the past.

[ark_ader]

I saw the advertisement and I like it, but I would have liked it A LOT MORE if it behaved like those high end Wacom tablets that act like a monitor so you can do photoshop on the fly.  I fell in love with tablet PCs way back in 2004, primarily to show off our software products to clients without huddling over a laptop screen.  This iPad could have been a custom chipped powered iMac.  I mean isn't the iphone supposed to run a derivative of OSX?

Ten hours is a long time between recharges.  I would have been happy with eight.  I do not need a camera or webcam, I'm better looking without them.

I didn't want it to be a phone, I wanted it to be a laptop killer.

Oh and I just read in the UK press today. 

This kid is going to be £499.  Not £ 309 or £299. 

When did $499 equate to £499? 

[RayB]

The biggest fail of the iPad is that it is in fact the best computer for people that never worked with a computer, yet it does not work WITHOUT ANOTHER COMPUTER. That is SO lame!

Again, a 99% wrong comment. You can use the device and add media, apps, whatever to it without EVER connecting it to a computer. (That's why they have built in iTunes, iBooks, and AppStore). The only thing missing, is a way to get photos on there, but they will be selling an extra camera adapter. Ill admit that's lame. I'd much prefer an SD or micro SD card slot.

I think if the rabid Mac boys who wanted a tablet running OSX wait long enough, there will be a touch based Mac Book. This iPad is probably a first step to testing the waters before launching something like that.

PS: I've tried out netbooks and kind of like them, but using a mouse pointer feels clumsy. Show me a netbook with multi-touch and I'll give it a fair consideration.

[wp34]

This is good.

http://www.funnyordie.co.uk/videos/167d70800c/the-ipad?rel=player

[Level42]

This is good.

http://www.funnyordie.co.uk/videos/167d70800c/the-ipad?rel=player

They become weaker and weaker. They should have attacked the real weaknesses of the iPad to make it any fun.


One thing I didn't find out yet. Can you connect any USB to it ?

I too am a bit disappointed that it's not a full OS X machine but let's be honest: that concept has been tried a couple of times before in PC and Mac world and failed. Also, it would have probably made the machine 2 times as expensive. The iPad is a lot smaller then any "pad" computer released before it.

And I don't see the problems of it not having a camera, I don't see me using this to make any pictures !?!? Get a decent camera that is made for the job instead. What I do think sucks is that it looks like you can't keep iTunes playing a song and then switch over to any other application. (The most basic form of multi-tasking).

Plenty of weak spots, and yet I think this will fly.

[Blanka]

Again, a 99% wrong comment. You can use the device and add media, apps, whatever to it without EVER connecting it to a computer. (That's why they have built in iTunes, iBooks, and AppStore). The only thing missing, is a way to get photos on there, but they will be selling an extra camera adapter. Ill admit that's lame. I'd much prefer an SD or micro SD card slot.

I really doubt if built in iTunes can make a backup over that USB adapter to an external USB HD and do a OS upgrade. On my iPod Touch it won't, and this thing is nothing more than a big Touch.

Mac system requirements

    * Mac computer with USB 2.0 port
    * Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later
    * iTunes 9.0 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download)
    * iTunes Store account
    * Internet access

Windows system requirements

    * PC with USB 2.0 port
    * Windows 7; Windows Vista; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later
    * iTunes 9.0 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download)
    * iTunes Store account
    * Internet access

Ok, so the only thing you want to do is upload photo's?
What about adding movies or music from a portable HD or your friends ZUNE to the iPad, over Wifi?
What about running an OS update of the iPad on the Pad itself?
What about making a backup of your stuff?
What about copying files to and from the iPad (woohoo, it has a lame SHARED FOLDER). We want ROOT access, and USB drive functionallity (call it Target Mode if you like) with permissions ignored after turning of the NOOB switch in the iPad preferences.
All that is needed, can be done in a cripled way by using iTunes on a different computer. Without another PC, praise god almighty that noone steals it and MobileMe at 99$/year keeps your stuff safe. If that is enough? Even my Granma produces more than 20Gb a year!

So the iPad is nothing than a comsumption device of stuff either bought at Apple, or made on your second computer. This device is not about creating and publishing (yet).

[wp34]

I too am a bit disappointed that it's not a full OS X machine but let's be honest: that concept has been tried a couple of times before in PC and Mac world and failed. Also, it would have probably made the machine 2 times as expensive. The iPad is a lot smaller then any "pad" computer released before it.

I've used Windows Tablets for years and was also hoping this would be an OS X Tablet.  You are correct that it would just add to the cost.  They are separate markets and we may still yet see an OS X Tablet.

What I do think sucks is that it looks like you can't keep iTunes playing a song and then switch over to any other application. (The most basic form of multi-tasking).

Actually this should work.  You can listen to music on the iTouch while performing other tasks.  I do it all the time. 

[spystyle]

I think basically what happened is that Steve Jobs invited Derek Zoolander over and he saw an iPod Touch sitting there and went, "What is this...a tablet for ants?! If we're going to build this it needs to be at least three times this big!"

So that's what they did.

Excellent movie reference

So, unless I'm reading e-bay wrong, you can get a 16GB flash drive for ~$10 shipped.  And a 64GB flash drive for ~$25 shipped.
...

That is utterly incorrect

[Dartful Dodger]

Apple iPad isn't new - Introduced in 2007

[crashwg]

I'm with Hitler on this one:

[RayB]

What I do think sucks is that it looks like you can't keep iTunes playing a song and then switch over to any other application. (The most basic form of multi-tasking).

Actually this should work.  You can listen to music on the iTouch while performing other tasks.  I do it all the time.  

Absolutely. What a collossal failure it would have been if a device that was primarily meant to be a music player + cell phone/pda features) didn't keep playing music through other activities. The iphone/Touch keeps music going until another app needs to use the sound channel. Makes sense, no?

And further, on the issue of "multitasking", Apple's own apps do a great job of using "save states", so you CAN go back n forth between apps. For example, I just started Facebook and opened the status edit window. Then I went back to "home" app menu and selected Mail. I navigated to an email and opened it and selected text in it to copy. Hit Home button again, back to app menu, select Facebook. Oh look, it started in the Status edit window still! I hit Paste and there's my text from the email. It's all these third-party apps where the developer was too lazy to implement save states that the app will start up from the beginning again.

So its not real multitasking, but its pretty close. The only downside on a screen the size of an ipad will be not being able to have something like an IM chat window open at the same time as other stuff... but oh well.

[SavannahLion]

Oh, and the name?  Sounds like something involved with that time of the iMonth.

I got bored reading at about this point so if someone pointed this out, my apologies.

That's a Mad TV sketch. Back in 2005 or so I think.

[Samstag]

So its not real multitasking, but its pretty close.

Yeah, it's windows 3.1 close.

Save states are better than nothing, but that means any time-consuming tasks (like waiting for the cheesecake thread to load) can't be done in the background while you do something else.  I guess they can pull out their iphone or ipod to kill time.

Maybe by the third generation the ipad will have figured out what it wants to be when it grows up.

[Level42]

Crashwg: that was actually pretty funny. Would have been better with the voices spoken in, but still OK.

One of my favorite movies by the way. It truly shows the madness of it all (I meant the Nazi's, not the iPad ).

But I still think there's a good market for it. The "geek" factor alone is huge. What if you go to visit friends or family and show your the photo's of your last holiday on it. Yes, you will impress people. That's how this works.

I also apologize for my lack of iPhone knowledge. I know plenty of people with one but never actually worked with one. I'd love to have one, but since I already have a company phone that costs me 0, I'm not going to also buy an iPhone.

Still, I love my Mac Mini. Yesterday I was looking for some important files. Couldn't find them anymore where they were and Spotlight couldn't trace them anymore either (= they were gone). I probably removed them by mistake. So for the first time I used Time Machine to get back the files. I hadn't tried it before, but it's such a no-brainer, it's brilliant. Found the files on a back-up of november and restored them. It even managed to put it back into the right folder even though I had actually moved that folder from the desktop to the My Documents folder. Just a couple clicks and I'm back in business.

That's where Apple scores IMHO. Time Machine is something you start and forget about. Sure there are loads of back-up software for PC's, but not as elegant.
OH, I'm just reading an article about a local (pretty large) hospital where IT-guys are relentlessly trying to track down and isolate the Conficker virus. The article: "this is a lot of work and costs lots of time" Duh.
It also hastily states that it will not affect the care in the hospital....u-huh....

Anyway, back to the iPad !

[shmokes]

It's all these third-party apps where the developer was too lazy to implement save states that the app will start up from the beginning again.

And here I was blaming Apple.  How silly of me.  I owe Apple an apology.

[Blanka]

The "geek" factor alone is huge.

I doubt the iPad will have one. Macs before iPod had it. The first iPods had it. But today when bankers, lawyers, contractors, weed-dealers and even your MOTHER buys an iPhone because its so easy, and the iPad is perfect for computer-noobs, this wil not have a geek factor. Sorry geeks. Go buy a real NES.

[Level42]

Maybe I used the wrong word (Geek)....

Since there is no similar product yet, it certainly _will_ draw people's attention.

And yes my dad forward the Apple e-mail to me and said he liked it very much. And he's a PC user
I don't see anything wrong with it.

What I wonder: Will it's iTunes play music through an Airport Express ? I mean, I'm not going to seriously listen to music through the built-in speakers or head-phones....it would be a great selling point for me. Now I have to keep the Mini running to play my iTunes music. Would be great if the iPad could do it and it would be an unforgivable omission if it can't.

[darcyp]

i just don't know what i would want with an ipod touch that can't fit in my pocket.
On the other hand, i have friends who are graphic designers, and this would be perfect for them to bring into a meeting to show clients their work.
there is a market for it, i just know that i'm not in it.

[shmokes]

I'd love to have one sitting around my house for casual internet browsing, reading the news, checking the weather, checking stocks (if I actually owned any), checking movie times, reading blogs, checking google maps for stuff.  You know . . . casual internet stuff where I really don't need a full-on computer.  It's way more portable and comfortable than a laptop when you're not actually sitting at a table.  And so on.

With that said, I have no intention of getting one of these any time soon.  For one, some of its missing features are deal breakers for me, unfortunately.  For two, I'm too poor.  But I hope both of those situations will be remedied within the next year or two.  Cos I can definitely see a place in my life for a device like this.

[wp34]

I'd love to have one sitting around my house for casual internet browsing, reading the news, checking the weather, checking stocks (if I actually owned any), checking movie times, reading blogs, checking google maps for stuff.  You know . . . casual internet stuff where I really don't need a full-on computer.  It's way more portable and comfortable than a laptop when you're not actually sitting at a table.  And so on.

With that said, I have no intention of getting one of these any time soon.  For one, some of its missing features are deal breakers for me, unfortunately.  For two, I'm too poor.  But I hope both of those situations will be remedied within the next year or two.  Cos I can definitely see a place in my life for a device like this.

That's what I use my iTouch for.  It is real handy for quick look-ups.  There is an IMDB app that I use all the time when we are watching TV.  I also use it to check email if the kids are on the main computer.  That being said I don't expect to buy an iPad either.  If I could afford it (and wanted a second computer) I would probably get a Netbook or refurbished MacBook just because it would do more for a little more money.  But that may change over time as the iPad is given new features..

[Dartful Dodger]

I got bored reading at about this point so if someone pointed this out, my apologies.

That's a Mad TV sketch. Back in 2005 or so I think.

Back in 2007.  I even included the YouTube clip.

Apple iPad isn't new - Introduced in 2007

[spystyle]

Apple's next device will be called the "Tampod" I think...

[shmokes]

On the other hand, i have friends who are graphic designers,

So do I and they're pissed that it doesn't come with a stylus for wacom-style drawing.

 

It seems strange for them to be angry about that.  They can just buy a stylus for it.  Considering the focus of the device (probably a smart focus considering the success tablets have had so far), it seems like including a stylus would not just be an unnecessary expense, but would also encourage developers to make programs expecting users to have a stylus, something Apple obviously doesn't want.  If a small subset of users need a stylus, let them fork over the extra money for one.  Shrug.

edit: spelling

[Samstag]

On the other hand, i have friends who are graphic designers,

So do I and they're pissed that it doesn't come with a stylus for wacom-style drawing.

 

It seems strange for them to be angry about that.  They can just by a stylus for it.  Considering the focus of the device (probably a smart focus considering the success tablets have had so far), it seems like including a stylus would not just be an unnecessary expense, but would also encourage developers to make programs expecting users to have a stylus, something Apple obviously doesn't want.  If a small subset of users need a stylus, let them fork over the extra money for one.  Shrug.

I think most graphic artists wouldn't be satisfied with using a stylus on the ipad.  A wacom pad can sense the stylus before it even touches the screen (giving you instant feedback about positioning before you start drawing) and can sense how hard you press to allow you to adjust stroke width and other features on the fly like you would with a brush.

I have a wacom interface on my thinkpad tablet so I can do some neat things with it, including turning my pen upside down and using the eraser end to delete things.

[shmokes]

Well, okay, but is your Thinkpad a touchscreen?  In order for Apple to make this work they'd have to use a screen with both a digitizer (for the pen) and capacitive touch hardware (for the finger).  So, I guess if the stylus made for a capacitive screen won't actually serve the purpose I initially thought, I suppose I can see  why graphic designers might be more disappointed.  But that still only goes so far.  The idea that Apple would include both technologies in a device like this, substantially increasing the price of the device, just to make a very small subset of the market happy is crazy.  It's crazy, of course, because the price increases for a feature that almost nobody wants would make a very large subset of the market unhappy.  And based on the sales of tablet PCs, I think it's safe to say that not a lot of people are clamoring for pen-based input.  

The iPad has a lot of shortcomings.  Lack of a digitizer is not one of them, IMO.  And FWIW, my wife is a professional graphic designer.  

[RayB]

I don't like this idea that 1 product must fit all markets. THat's just silly.

THere's a tablet out there aimed specifically at artists already, and it's made by, guess who, Wacom:
http://www.wacom.com/pendisplays/

Netbooks are neat, but the deal breaker for me has always been the mouse pointer and "sliders" type of ui.

[Blanka]

On the other hand, i have friends who are graphic designers, and this would be perfect for them to bring into a meeting to show clients their work.

I like to travel light without bags. If it was the size of a DVD case, it would fit in my inside pocket of my jacket. Now it won't. And for serious presenting, i rather have it capable of full-hd playback over HDMI, then like doing cosy happy campingw with my clients in a 70ies sitting pit, blowing the water pipe, because the screen is so damn tiny so we have to cuddle together.

[Samstag]

Well, okay, but is your Thinkpad a touchscreen?

Mine isn't, but having touch and digitizer was an option.  I think it would have added another $50, but it still would have been in the middle of the ipad price range.

I don't like this idea that 1 product must fit all markets. THat's just silly.

The problem with that is that it doesn't do any one thing better than cheaper alternatives.

[AtomSmasher]

Since there is no similar product yet, it certainly _will_ draw people's attention.

Looks like a lot of companies are planning very similar tablets, several of which will be released around the same time as the Ipad. 
Heres a nice comparison: http://phandroid.com/2010/01/29/android-tablets-vs-apple-ipad-comparisonreview/

[syph007]

I find talking about apple products with people, feels like a religion debate.  I never understood why people buy any of their products, but to each his own.  But talking to my brother in law about why he likes them, he can't actually explain why, I think he just buys what he's advertised to.  So from my point of view, this image parody applies.

[shmokes]

I find talking about apple products with people, feels like a religion debate.  I never understood why people buy any of their products, but to each his own. 

I suspect that you feel like you're having a religion debate because you take a religion-like standpoint on the issue.  You dismiss Apple products based on their Apple-ness.  This is no different conceptually than people who buy products simply because they are made by Apple. 

Anybody who cannot understand why someone would legitimately want an iPhone or an iPod is simply getting religious about it.  I mean . . . seriously . . . you don't think that Apple brought any innovation to the mobile music player market?  Are you mad?  You don't think Apple brought any innovation to the mobile phone market?  You don't think Apple brings innovation to the OS market (Windows 7's new amazing taskbar is an improved Mac OS Dock)?  It's kind of asinine to make fun of people who mindlessly buy Apple products if you are a person who mindlessly refuses to buy their products.  It's the same thing.

[Blanka]

Oops!

[Level42]

Amen, and can we keep this an iPad discussion please. Lot's of other places to vent your love/hate for Apple or any other brand.

I bought 3 of their products with my mind fully working, thank you. I enjoy using them every time.  But I'm _not_ religious about it.

[RayB]

Well said Shmokes.

I've never bought any Apple product EVER, but after getting an Ipod Touch for my birthday I'm totally "sold" on it and the iphone.  I've compared sound quality between an Ipod and a Dell Axim, a Samsung mp3 cel phone, and a cheap generic mp3 player (hooked up to a newish Acura's stereo system). The Ipod won hands down.  I won't be switching to Macs and worshiping Steve Jobs any time soon, but I give credit where credit is due (which has won me accusations of "Fanboy" in this very thread). 
 

[wp34]

Since there is no similar product yet, it certainly _will_ draw people's attention.

Looks like a lot of companies are planning very similar tablets, several of which will be released around the same time as the Ipad. 
Heres a nice comparison: http://phandroid.com/2010/01/29/android-tablets-vs-apple-ipad-comparisonreview/

That is rather interesting.  I did not know Android was being ported to the Tablet format.  Makes a lot of sense.  One of the things that intrigues me about this form factor is the "instant on" functionality you don't get with Windows or OS X.  I've not used Android but I would have to assume it functions similarly.  Glad to see there will be some competition for Apple.

[Samstag]

An android tablet would probably not be much different from the ipad.  The android would have multitasking and probably flash, along with a lower price.  The ipad would have a much larger app library to choose from.

My wife surprised me last night when she said she wants an ipad.  She can't explain why she wants it or what she would do with it.  So I'm starting to see a market for these things.  They'll probably replace netbooks for some people even though they're less functional.  For others (probably including my wife) they'll end up in a closet next to the netbook.

[Malenko]

market for these things.  They'll probably replace netbooks for some people even though they're less functional.  For others (probably including my wife) they'll end up in a closet next to the netbook.

so what youre saying is, you have a netbook you wanna sell me on the cheap cheap?

[Level42]

...  One of the things that intrigues me about this form factor is the "instant on" functionality you don't get with Windows or OS X.

OS X goes into and out of sleep in about 2 seconds. I've never seen Windows do it like that. Another big plus for me. I want to use my computer as my TV. Instant on, instant off. In fact, my TV takes longer to start than my Mac.

What I'd like is f.i. when working on PCB's or machines. Now I usually print out schematics & stuff. But I've only got an A4 printer. It would be great to have the pad near your working place, being able to simply go around on the schematics, zooming in and out quickly etc.

[Samstag]

market for these things.  They'll probably replace netbooks for some people even though they're less functional.  For others (probably including my wife) they'll end up in a closet next to the netbook.

so what youre saying is, you have a netbook you wanna sell me on the cheap cheap?

Are you interested in the original 7 inch Asus eeepc?  It makes the modern netbooks look like screaming supercomputers.  It does a decent job of keeping dust off a small section of shelf, though.

...  One of the things that intrigues me about this form factor is the "instant on" functionality you don't get with Windows or OS X.

OS X goes into and out of sleep in about 2 seconds. I've never seen Windows do it like that.

Never?  2 seconds sounds about right for Windows to enter or exit sleep in my experience.  Once in a while it's more like 4 or 5.  Are you confusing sleep with hibernate?