Breaking News: Apple Announces the iPad 3 March 7, 2012

[lordscarlet]

Yes, I like it. It is not nearly worth what the TiVo was costing at the time we were discussing it. I wouldn't have one if it didn't come with my package. But yes, I do like it, of course.

That's because it's not a TiVo :)

maybe it just depends on the eyes, but I don't see what the big deal is about E-ink, I can't stand it, and its easier for me to read on an ipod or ipad then an E-ink display. Am I just weird or what?

I think it's because you're comparing it to a monitor. Compare it to a page in a book. In low light you'll need a light source shining at it.

[MJ4H]

That's because it's not a TiVo :)



I think it's because you're comparing it to a monitor. Compare it to a page in a book. In low light you'll need a light source shining at it.

mmmkay

[Pyser]

multitasking was announced today. will be available in iphone in summer, ipad in fall

also rumors of an even smaller ipad early next year

[gstelmack]

I haven't seen the details, but folks reading the announcement stuff were trying to figure out why Apple was so gung-ho about putting advertising on these things...

Apple’s IPhone Software May Deliver Multitasking, Ads (Update1) - BusinessWeek (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-08/apple-s-iphone-software-may-deliver-multitasking-mobile-ads.html)

[Marc Vaughan]

multitasking was announced today. will be available in iphone in summer, ipad in fall

For those with phones/touch's already the small print indicates it'll only work with the latest devices (ie. late 2009 onward).

[DaddyTorgo]

really? that sucks

as an end-user i'd also say that ads suck frankly.

i understand the business proposition behind them and the money to be made, but they'd annoy me i'm fairly certain. that's not a fucking "feature."

"Hey look...your phone will now start popping up ads for toilet paper when you pass the grocery store" is not a fucking feature. It's a nuisance.

Now if they were scannable coupons, and I could opt to turn them off...okay.

[SirFozzie]

Only Apple Fanbois are dedicated enough to give Apple $500-$900 for the right to Apple to spam them ;)

[samifan24]

It's frustrating that Apple won't support multitasking on the iPhone 3G even though it's readily available in retail locations. I can understand not supporting the first iPhone but lumping the 3G iPhone in there seems like a mistake to me. It's an easy way to tick off a large portion of your customer base.

[DaddyTorgo]

Apple's somehow seemingly resistant to pissing off their customer base...I don't get it. Geeks with too much money to spend I guess?

[Pyser]

id guess itll take 6 hours once 4.0 is released before someone hacks a non 3gs to run multitasking

[samifan24]

id guess itll take 6 hours once 4.0 is released before someone hacks a non 3gs to run multitasking

I would consider jailbreaking my iPhone to do this.

[lordscarlet]

OK. So.. multitasking only works on the 3GS, in case the "late 2009" wasn't clear to anyone.

But on the advertising: This is nothing new. Free apps already have advertising. They have a crappy little image at the bottom of the app that takes you to Safari if you click on it. The only thing iAd is going to do is standardize the advertising, and create a platform for interactivity when you click on those ads, rather than going to Safari. It's not like your apps are going to suddenly have new advertising -- free apps have had it for a long time.

I'm surprised there were no hardware announcements. I still have the original iphone and this announcement is not enough for me to upgrade, I don't think. But I may look at Android phones this summer.

[Pyser]

I'm surprised there were no hardware announcements. I still have the original iphone and this announcement is not enough for me to upgrade, I don't think. But I may look at Android phones this summer.

i dont think its too far a leap to assume that 4.0 will come out the same day the newest iphones are released (iphone hd is the rumor)

[ISiddiqui]

Also, its not necessarily true multitasking, but rather some apps can remain in "sleep mode" in the background.

[k0ruptr]

what about ipod touches? what gens will have multi tasking? only 3rd gen I'm assuming? damn they better include 2nd gen.

[DanGarion]

It's frustrating that Apple won't support multitasking on the iPhone 3G even though it's readily available in retail locations. I can understand not supporting the first iPhone but lumping the 3G iPhone in there seems like a mistake to me. It's an easy way to tick off a large portion of your customer base.

I might be looking into a Android type phone when I need to replace my 3G.

[stevew]

There really needs to be a WebOS Palm pad. I've been using my pre for 3 days now and it's amazing how it works logically like how I think a mobile OS should work.

I have no use for a tablet but I think I would buy a Palm one. Plus they supposedly have flash support in the first half of 2010.

[Marc Vaughan]

It's frustrating that Apple won't support multitasking on the iPhone 3G even though it's readily available in retail locations. I can understand not supporting the first iPhone but lumping the 3G iPhone in there seems like a mistake to me. It's an easy way to tick off a large portion of your customer base.

I believe its likely down to performance on the device rather than an inability to enable it - the difference between the speed of the 3g and 3gs phones is quite substantial (as I believe is the memory footprint available something also important when multi-tasking is involved).

PS - I mentioned 'late 2009' because this isn't restricted to just the 'phones', some iTouches will be able to multi-task and some won't depending on the revision.

[Groundhog]

I can't wait for the iBattery - a car battery sized accessory for your iPhone 3Gs - that should hopefully allow the iPhone's battery life when multitasking both Safari and the Facebook application to survive beyond 20 minutes.

[lordscarlet]

i dont think its too far a leap to assume that 4.0 will come out the same day the newest iphones are released (iphone hd is the rumor)

Well, the OS comes out this summer. I woudln't be surprised if there was new hardware either, I just thought they normally announced those together? Perhaps hardware is normally at MacWorld?

Also, its not necessarily true multitasking, but rather some apps can remain in "sleep mode" in the background.

That's the same way Android and Windows Mobile 7 do it, I think? Or at least Windows.

[ISiddiqui]

Android has true multitasking. As does Windows Mobile 6.5. But yes, MS went backwards in Windows Phone Series 7.

[DaddyTorgo]

Windows (Phone) 7 won't have true multitasking???

[ISiddiqui]

Nope. It's more like Apple's OS4 multitasking (kind of limited saved state for apps). Pretty much sucks, especially considering that the Win Phone 7 looks amazing otherwise (well, aside from not having copy/paste either.. I mean, WTF?!)

[johnnyshaka]

I can't wait for the iBattery - a car battery sized accessory for your iPhone 3Gs - that should hopefully allow the iPhone's battery life when multitasking both Safari and the Facebook application to survive beyond 20 minutes.

How has nobody figured out how to harness "body heat" and turn that into a power source? I mean if solar energy can be harnessed, why not our own body heat?

*patent pending*

:cool:

(Ooops...guess I'm not all that original after all...but, seriously, how have they not got this down to something that is actually usable yet? Pfft!)

[Scoobz0202]

I just checked out the Win Mobile 7 on a few tech sites and wow, if they manage to pull it off that could be amazing. I'm not a gamer on my phone at all, but the xbox live integration could be pretty fucking sweet.

The UI is so.. different. I would love to get some hands-on with the finished product.

[DaddyTorgo]

Nope. It's more like Apple's OS4 multitasking (kind of limited saved state for apps). Pretty much sucks, especially considering that the Win Phone 7 looks amazing otherwise (well, aside from not having copy/paste either.. I mean, WTF?!)

fuck that. i didn't realize that. i'll be moving to an android phone i guess.

[Daimyo]

Nope. It's more like Apple's OS4 multitasking (kind of limited saved state for apps). Pretty much sucks, especially considering that the Win Phone 7 looks amazing otherwise (well, aside from not having copy/paste either.. I mean, WTF?!)

I terms of true user experience, what's the difference? Pandora will still play music while you access the Facebook app.

[ISiddiqui]

There is a long lag from moving from app to app for one.

[Pyser]

There is a long lag from moving from app to app for one.

youve used it?

[ISiddiqui]

I know developers who have created apps for it and have been using it for a month or so.

[Pyser]

that would make some sense on 3gs...since it appears 3g isnt powerful enough to run it

next version of the phone would obviously be more powerful and faster, but a bummer to hear for 3gs people

[Cringer]

I find the iPhone OS 4 updates as a "catch up" update in many ways, which is kind of a first for the iPhone. Several of their key new features are things webOS and Android have been doing.....multi-tasking (though it's not even close to webOS which I had a TV stream running earlier as a flipped through other apps), combining inboxes into one, syncing with Google Calender. Not really a bad thing, obviously other OSes have catch-up to do with the others as well (webOS doesn't give devs access to the mic yet for apps for some reason).

I also laugh about the iAd thing. Fanboys and Flash haters always use advertising as one of their biggest anti-Flash arguments and here is Apple trying to make HTML5 a major advertising tool. So much for that argument I guess.

As long as Palm brings out new hardware for webOS soon, I see no reason to change from a webOS phone soon. It is the best mobile OS IMO. Hell, homebrew guys just got OpenOffice working on it. They need a decent selling device to help get the higher profile apps on there though, as they are coming to the platform but slowly. Still, I have my Pre overclocked at 800MHz and it is an amazing OS when the hardware can handle it like it can this way.

[dervack]

Palm can't afford to bring out new hardware right now.

The iPhone generation 4, not 4g, will be announced in June. That's when they have had their announcements in the past. 3rd generation iPod touches will multi-task, previous ones will not be able to.

[Daimyo]

Palm is putting themselves up for sale:
Palm Said to Tap Goldman, Quattrone to Find Buyers (Update3) - Bloomberg.com (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=arvXvuu.DqW4&pos=3)

I assume at this point that any value left in the company is in whatever patents they still hold and that WebOS is pretty much dead.

[Cringer]

Palm is putting themselves up for sale:
Palm Said to Tap Goldman, Quattrone to Find Buyers (Update3) - Bloomberg.com (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=arvXvuu.DqW4&pos=3)

I assume at this point that any value left in the company is in whatever patents they still hold and that WebOS is pretty much dead.

Why do you consider webOS to be dead? First of all, the rumor (this time around, #54 in the past year I believe) is that Palm is searching out a buyer. They are looking for one that benefits them, not shuts them down (IMO). Also, webOS is considered by many (users, non-users even, tech sites, etc.) to be if not the best phone OS then the second best phone OS. Also, from what I read HTC (the rumored most possible buyer again) started looking into getting their own OS two years ago (though this is something I just keep reading, so could be BS).

It may be dead, but it's far from a lock. 50-50 right now to me, no way of knowing.

[Daimyo]

The smart phone market today is all about network externalities (the value of the device increases as the number of people using it increases due to the importance of third party apps). It doesn't matter how great the OS is if its market share isn't great enough to entice developers to write apps for it. WebOS is in 6th place with less than 5% of the market.

Its hard to imagine that number going up no matter how great WebOS is because with Android available for free (less cost for manufacturers) and with a larger market share (more benefit to customers) no phone manufacturer is going to choose to make a WebOS phone when they can make a Android phone.

IMO Windows 7 is going to face the exact same uphill battle. In the end we're going to be left with Apple, Android, and RIM being the major players in the smartphone market.... there isn't enough market share left for anyone else to get big enough unless they find a new niche (maybe the Microsoft Pink phones?).

Symbian is a bit of a wildcard admittedly... they had the market all to themselves and then completely missed the shift to apps. Doesn't seem like they'll be able to adapt quick enough though.

[Daimyo]

DOLA, I've heard the HTC rumors too and it makes absolutely no sense to me. They're partnered pretty closely with Microsoft and Google to make their handsets and having their own OS would seem to threaten those relationships. Plus, why would they want the cost to maintain their own OS when they can just customize Android to suit their needs and let Google to the heavy lifting?

I've also heard Lenovo and that makes a bit more sense to me. They're huge in the Chinese market and have zero presence here. Maybe they could use the Palm brand to get into the American market? Even then though seems the brand is what matters and they'd be better off using Android as the OS.

[DaddyTorgo]

Microsoft can continue to be a player. They're the 800 pound gorilla in any room that they're in.

[Daimyo]

Sure, they've shown several times that they're willing to lose a lot of money in the short-term for a chance at making money in the long-term and obviously they have the cash reserves to stay in this as long as they choose. They're a rational player though and they know all about network effect driven markets like this having won several in the past (e.g. desktop OS, office suites).

At some point they have to decide if they need to be a Mobile OS provider or if they're better off being a Mobile app and web services provider...

[dawgfan]

At some point they have to decide if they need to be a Mobile OS provider or if they're better off being a Mobile app and web services provider...
Yep. MS is not stupid - they'll weigh the cost of staying in the race vs. their chances of success and the benefits to their business of success in that market, and as soon as it becomes clear to them that it's no longer a viable bet, they'll cut their losses.

They'll subsidize a venture as long as it has the potential to pay off down the road.

[Cringer]

DOLA, I've heard the HTC rumors too and it makes absolutely no sense to me. They're partnered pretty closely with Microsoft and Google to make their handsets and having their own OS would seem to threaten those relationships. Plus, why would they want the cost to maintain their own OS when they can just customize Android to suit their needs and let Google to the heavy lifting?

I've also heard Lenovo and that makes a bit more sense to me. They're huge in the Chinese market and have zero presence here. Maybe they could use the Palm brand to get into the American market? Even then though seems the brand is what matters and they'd be better off using Android as the OS.

Brand spanking new...

HTC 'continues to assess' developing its own smartphone OS, Palm says 'hey, assess this' -- Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/htc-continues-to-assess-developing-its-own-smartphone-os-palm/)

Maybe HTC buys Palm, maybe they make their own OS down the road, maybe they do neither of those things. Still, I am not sure why people find it so hard to believe that HTC may want their own OS. Especially when WinMo7 hits they won't even be able to do anything to the software, and the hardware has strict guidelines they must follow.

BTW, other companies popped up today as potential buyers, Chinese companies nobody has ever really heard of but are huge.

[Calis]

Yeah I don't know why HTC wouldn't want their own OS if it was viable for them. I love Android but I can see a company being frustrated with fragmentation, and we have no idea how WinMo7 will pan out. I think WebOS is a very slick OS that just didn't have the support or phone to back it up.

As long as Apple doesn't get that patent portfolio though I'm happy with whoever ends up with Palm.

[Daimyo]

BTW, other companies popped up today as potential buyers, Chinese companies nobody has ever really heard of but are huge.

As I mentioned above with my comment about Lenovo, I think this is the most likely scenario by far. Its incredibly expensive, time consuming, and risky to build a new brand from scratch and so I can see how the Palm brand would be incredibly valuable for a Chinese company that wants to break into the US market.

I don't know the Chinese phone market well, but I believe Lenovo is the largest player and they have zero presence in the US phone market. It makes a ton of sense for them to buy Palm and then release their phones in the US under the Palm brand. Maybe it even makes sense for them to keep around WebOS... its possible that iPhone (cost), Android (Google's China problems), and RIM aren't nearly as strong there and there is room for something like WebOS to emerge as one of the dominant players?

[cartman]

My dad won a 64GB iPad today at a conference. He's not an Apple guy at all, so it will be interesting to see how he likes it.

[Cringer]

As I mentioned above with my comment about Lenovo, I think this is the most likely scenario by far. Its incredibly expensive, time consuming, and risky to build a new brand from scratch and so I can see how the Palm brand would be incredibly valuable for a Chinese company that wants to break into the US market.

I don't know the Chinese phone market well, but I believe Lenovo is the largest player and they have zero presence in the US phone market. It makes a ton of sense for them to buy Palm and then release their phones in the US under the Palm brand. Maybe it even makes sense for them to keep around WebOS... its possible that iPhone (cost), Android (Google's China problems), and RIM aren't nearly as strong there and there is room for something like WebOS to emerge as one of the dominant players?

The LePhone (crap name and all) comes out from Lenovo in May in China and "other markets" around the world. It is a high end smart phone with Android. Every company has something going on, every company already has products they make.

If they are to be bought though, at this point I am starting to like the sound of Cisco, the Chinese companies I have only heard about the last two days, or Lenovo. I just don't rule out HTC because they make Android phones though. People change their products, HTC hasn't always made Android phones.

What I would like about Lenovo actually brings it back to this thread's true topic some. Lenovo making larger mobile devices (tablet, netbook) with webOS. Palm has said webOS was designed to be used on more then simply phones, and I think it (or some hybrid of it with something else) would be interesting to me.

[johnnyshaka]

Glad they figured out how to print from the iPad...

[Cringer]

ok, so this video shows off some potential for the iPad that is one of the reasons I never said it was never going to be useful, but that it is just not useful to me right now. Give me stuff like this, or even better, on topics I give a rip about and I am interested.

although this periodic table uber-geek almost kills his own video with the long winded backstory. Give it a couple minutes....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHiEqf5wb3g&feature=youtube_gdata

[Glengoyne]

I figured that this was the place to come out and a announce that my past few posts have been made from my iPad. I just got my 3G version this week, and I'm pretty happy.

I haven't used my pc since. I've been sitting in my chair surfing the net, reading downloaded books, and placing orders on amazon.

So far the family is loving it, and the larger form factor is much more convenient to use than the iPhone or iPod touch. The bigger processor does wonders with the my old apps. I'm looking forward to new apps that use the format and processor.

[Peregrine]

I haven't pulled the trigger on an iPad yet but it's definitely something I'm thinking about - I just don't know if I want or need the 3G version though.

[samifan24]

I haven't pulled the trigger on an iPad yet but it's definitely something I'm thinking about - I just don't know if I want or need the 3G version though.

Perhaps the best argument I heard for the 3G version is that it gives you an option of buying 3G coverage. The example I read was if you're traveling and staying in a hotel that wants $10 for WiFi. For $30 you get unlimited 3G access for a month with no contract which is a pretty sweet deal in comparison.

Will you be using your iPad at home or will you take it with you when you travel or go on vacation? That's something else to consider.

If you're going to be home and don't need 3G then the WiFi iPad is probably best for you. It seems likely that future iPads will include the 3G option as I would think most people want the option of turning on the 3G when they need it since it doesn't involve a contract. That's probably how most people will use it.

I don't own an iPad yet but I'm thinking about it.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm also in the camp seriously considering an iPad, but the lack of flash support bothers me as some of my favorite sites still rely on flash. That is the only reason I haven't already pulled the trigger.

[Peregrine]

I don't mind no Flash, especially because as I understand it the primary reason it doesn't support Flash is a technical one, not a policy one. I was reading about how Flash apps (especially ads and games) depend heavily on being able to tell the difference between a mouse hover and a mouse click and apparently it is difficult for them to do that with multitouch.

And Samifan I get what you are saying about the flexibility of the 3g buy option but is that flexibility worth an additional $130 of price premium in addition to what I would pay for the 3g itself? Pretty sure in that case I would just use my iPhone and wifi iPad and pocket the $130.

[dawgfan]

I guess I have to go to the Apple Store and test-drive one, because so far I'm thoroughly underwhelmed by what I've read in terms of functionality, practicality and price. And this is coming from someone that loves his iPhone, so I'm not an Apple hater.

I can see getting a pad-type netbook portable computer at some point, but I just don't see this being the one.

[SegRat]

I have had my iPad for a couple of weeks now. I love it! I have the wifi one but I did the jailbreak on my iPhone and I run mywi when I am not at home. Works great.

[Cringer]

Doing registration for soccer this past week and a 7 year old girl was there with her dad who was signing her up to return for our Summer season. She was standing there watching something on an iPad (first I have seen in person now that I think about it).

I made a joking comment (because there were a bunch of people 2-3 times her size around) asking if he (the dad) had glued that thing to her hands so she wouldn't drop it? He just laughed and said "Well, it's hers so if she does I guess it's her loss." I had nothing to say back to that, though I wanted to say something along the lines of "Ah, buying her affection eh?" I know the parents are divorced and he didn't even know the mom's (who is actually the coach of her team) address or other important info a dad should know.

[ColtCrazy]

I am debating between an ipod touch and an ipad right now. The big plus to the ipod touch is portability. I'll be using it in england and it'll be nice to have something I can have with me at all times to text my wife and stuff. But the ipad is bigger...so my visually impaired daughter would like it. My wife would like the book option.

So I guess my big question is....Is the ipad a hassle to take with you?

[Marc Vaughan]

If you've a bag then its no hassle at all - but definitely not pocket sized.

I took my iPad with me when I was over in the UK last week and no issues at all either with the device or charging in the UK (using a conversion adapter obviously).

[ColtCrazy]

If you've a bag then its no hassle at all - but definitely not pocket sized.

I took my iPad with me when I was over in the UK last week and no issues at all either with the device or charging in the UK (using a conversion adapter obviously).


Yeah, since I'm the one that will have to deal, we are seriously leaning toward the ipad. Thanks for the comments. While I'm thinking of it, does the UK have a lot of places that offer free Wifi (I haven't used WiFi in the UK before)? The school I'll be at has excellent coverage no matter where you are on campus, but I'm just curious if I'll be able to use it away from campus. Thanks for the info.

[Marc Vaughan]

Yeah, since I'm the one that will have to deal, we are seriously leaning toward the ipad. Thanks for the comments. While I'm thinking of it, does the UK have a lot of places that offer free Wifi (I haven't used WiFi in the UK before)? The school I'll be at has excellent coverage no matter where you are on campus, but I'm just curious if I'll be able to use it away from campus. Thanks for the info.

You'll generally find formal 'free wifi' a little rarer in restaurants etc. than in America BUT that depends a lot on the area you're in - for instance some towns (Swindon being the one which springs to mind) in England are now 'WiFi' ready throughout, that is the local council provides wireless internet everywhere within the town boundaries as part of the taxes that residents pay etc.

[stevew]

Any more impressions? My friend thought it was too locked down. Seems perfect for college. I might kick myself for not getting the 3G version but it seems that the 130 would be better spent on accessories. I can't see lugging around my huge 17" laptop. And for anyone in education, can I access Blackboard with it?

[Young Drachma]

It was my first Apple product. (Hell, I've owned 3 Zunes including a Zune HD rather than an iPod) My tipping point was being tired of paying for a data package for my phone, with my work and phone habit being different now than they once were. So I downgraded my phone to a basic package from a Blackberry? I did not get 3G because it seemed counterproductive for my purposes. I won't deny that it's not an adjustment, but on the whole (especially with Starbucks and mcDonalds having wifi) it's been
Pretty easy to find wifi and an indispensable tool. A friend and I went to Montreal with it a week ago and it was far more useful than his iPhone because it was faster for some reason and we could use it easier while one was driving, etc.

I had a lot of Twitter folk tell me it's replaced their laptop. I won't go that far because I still prefer what a laptop offers in terms of power and adaptability. But that said, it's far more useful than my blackberry ever was and it's been super helpful for work related purposes like note taking and meetings, etc.

It's not a must-have tool by any stretch, but I do think if you're on the fence that it proves extremely handy. I'm using it now because my new laptop is ver nice, but too heavy compared to a book-sized iPad. Also, the ability to consume books digitally like I can for music is a huge boon too. The kindle app works pretty well, iBooks isn't bad either.

All in all, it's a good buy if you think you'd like it.

[lordscarlet]

What do you use for note taking on your ipad?

[Cringer]

HP has said a webOS tablet will be out early 2011, that is when I jump into the tablet/pad craze I think.

[Peregrine]

Personally I love it - it's been great for everything I've used it for. I think I love how it isn't like a laptop - I don't have to worry about long bootup times, excessive security, driver installs, crashing programs, etc - I just turn it on and it's ready to go. Lots of great apps too.

[samifan24]

Personally I love it - it's been great for everything I've used it for. I think I love how it isn't like a laptop - I don't have to worry about long bootup times, excessive security, driver installs, crashing programs, etc - I just turn it on and it's ready to go. Lots of great apps too.

Do you also own an iPhone? If so, do you feel the same way about the iPhone as the iPad? Just curious.

[Mota]

I have a Touch and an iPad and use them for COMPLETELY different things. My touch has a bunch of music, podcasts and videos, and my iPad has books, web surfing, comic books and some videos. I don't mind writing an email on the iPad because the keyboard is big enough to hunt and peck pretty quickly.

So overall even though they are essentially the same device but different sizes, they are completely different experiences for me.

[Young Drachma]

What do you use for note taking on your ipad?

I use Notepad Pro and I've also purchased Notes, Numbers and Keynote. But Notepad pro works well. The Notes app that it comes with works just fine though, so if you don't want to buy Notepad Pro, you're not missing a ton.

I also have the Evernote and Dropbox, the latter of which is pretty awesome.

[DaddyTorgo]

I imagine dropbox must be pretty sweet and useful

[stevew]

What is the practical battery life?

[Young Drachma]

I imagine dropbox must be pretty sweet and useful

It's just so damn useful between using my laptop, iPad and the work computer.

[Young Drachma]

What is the practical battery life?

I've NEVER had a battery problem. I don't use mine for music at all. I have a Zune for that, it's a lot smaller and more useful. So I have about 20 GB free on my 32 GB one anyway. I've watched a few movies on it, but never more than one or two on there at any one time. So it's mostly just for books and work productivity stuff.

They say it's about six hours and that sounds about right to me. The lowest my battery has ever been on in a given time is about 44% and that's with having it out all day. But I never use it for more than a few hours at a time anyway when I'm out, which is partially why it like it.

I imagine if you're doing more intensive things with it like watching a ton of movies or whatever, you'd have less battery life with it though, so keeping the charger handy if possible would be smart. But unlike my laptop, I never have to travel with anything other than the iPad and it's great.

I'd suggest getting a case that has a screen cover, because the fingerprints will drive you crazy. I bought the apple case for $30ish and it's nice to carry but some of the nicer spendier ones might be better...I didn't do a lot of homework. Also, the stylus if you can manage to get your hands on one is also pretty useful because it'll keep you from having to use fingers as much and they're pretty cheap.

I won't in the near future, but might invest in the iPad dock and keyboard down the road. They'd still be easier to carry around than my laptop in a small bag and would eliminate my only real problem which is the whole typing issue because I have somewhat unorthodox typing habits and tend to be more productive with a keyboard I can touch to minimize mistakes.

[Young Drachma]

Coaches look at this app (http://www.alphasprite.com/coachpad.html):

http://www.alphasprite.com/images/screenshots/coachpad2_sm.jpg

http://www.alphasprite.com/images/screenshots/coachpad1_sm.jpg

[Peregrine]

Do you also own an iPhone? If so, do you feel the same way about the iPhone as the iPad? Just curious.

Yes, I do. I love them both. I really feel that they are the best tech items that I've ever bought, and I've bought a lot of stuff over the years. I already had a netbook for example but the iPad has completely taken over from that - it's just so much easier to use and I don't have to worry about the screen resolution or whether I can get programs to work for it.

[Peregrine]

What is the practical battery life?

It's been great for me - a few times when I have had it out and used it pretty much all day for reading ebooks, surfing the web, playing some games, reading magazines with Zinio, etc, I've needed to plug it in at the end of the day. In my normal use I plug it in every few days - it doesn't seem to lose charge much at all when you're not using it (at least my non-3G one doesn't) so it's usually good to go.

[Peregrine]

triple dola - yikes. This is my current favorite app - just so many stunning pictures of amazing places all over the world, it's incredible.

Fotopedia Heritage (http://www.fotopedia.com/heritage)

[lordscarlet]

I use Notepad Pro and I've also purchased Notes, Numbers and Keynote. But Notepad pro works well. The Notes app that it comes with works just fine though, so if you don't want to buy Notepad Pro, you're not missing a ton.

I also have the Evernote and Dropbox, the latter of which is pretty awesome.

So you have to use the annoying keyboard to take notes? Ugh. I just can't see liking that. I feel like I want to be able to take notes in a style more similar to writing on paper.

[Peregrine]

There are several apps that let you write directly on the screen instead of using the keyboard - Penultimate and Paperdesk are two I know of - there are probably more.

[rjolley]

Coaches look at this app (http://www.alphasprite.com/coachpad.html):

http://www.alphasprite.com/images/screenshots/coachpad2_sm.jpg

http://www.alphasprite.com/images/screenshots/coachpad1_sm.jpg

As a coach, this app almost sells an iPad for me.

[Young Drachma]

Also, the free Adobe Ideas app is great for scribbling.

[MizzouRah]

Ok that CoachPad app is sweet. Need to get me an Ipad one of these days.

[Daimyo]

What is the practical battery life?

My battery has never dropped below 50% in a day in which it started at 100% and I guess I use it 5-6 hours in a typical day so I think it should hit pretty close to the 10 hours Apple claims. Its certainly not like a smartphone that needs to be charged at least once a day.

[stevew]

Omg. This is fucking awesome. Had to get the 32 gig because they were out of the 16 gig. Got some accessories at TJ Maxx of all places but they were cheap as heck. This is basically the perfect size for me to type on.

[Peregrine]

Nice stevew - welcome to the club. It's great device and a lot of fun.

[stevew]

i have bluetooth headphones, so actually I'm going to use it as an mp3 player quite a bit.

[Glengoyne]

My battery has never dropped below 50% in a day in which it started at 100% and I guess I use it 5-6 hours in a typical day so I think it should hit pretty close to the 10 hours Apple claims. Its certainly not like a smartphone that needs to be charged at least once a day.

I agree here on battery life. FAR more than six hours worth of life. I use mine at the office throughout the day as a productivity/task-list tracker. I use it at home to read a book or to surf the net casually while watching TV. I sometimes use it to play the odd game to pass time. While traveling I use it to navigate through traffic issues or find restaurants, not to mention that I listen to audio books pretty much if I'm in the car alone. Pretty much I use it all of the time, and I don't even charge it every day.

I will say that battery life is also dependent on what you are doing. Listening to music or audiobooks takes almost no juice. Reading with a kindle like app uses more, but does not hog resources. Surfing the net 3g or wifi is more battery draining still, but I wouldn't call it conspicuous usage. The big drain on battery life is game play. When I've drained the battery all of the way down, as is recommended, I've used games to suck the last 20% of life out of it. Draining the battery is actually something I have to work at.

[Glengoyne]

i have bluetooth headphones, so actually I'm going to use it as an mp3 player quite a bit.

Oooh how well do those work? I hadn't even thought of that.

[samifan24]

For those of you that have chosen the 3G model over the WiFi model, do you find yourself using the 3G often enough to justify the purchase price or are you mainly using it on WiFi?

[Glengoyne]

For those of you that have chosen the 3G model over the WiFi model, do you find yourself using the 3G often enough to justify the purchase price or are you mainly using it on WiFi?

I only use my phone as a phone, so I have no data plan. The way I look at it is that $29/month is a helluva lot cheaper than most of the phone data plans available. The iPad is with me enough that I use it for almost all of my texting even. When I'm where I can use wifi I do. It is faster, and Apple/ATT have throttled back some of the capability of the 3g.

What I mean by throttled back is that they've put limits in place. For example, when I went to update Football Manager and Small World via 3g, I was denied. I got a message stating that I had to use wifi due to the size of the objects. Those are just two of the larger apps that I've run into this on. Another example I emailed my fantasy prep material, an 8 MB .pdf to myself, and I had to get my buddy's guest network key in order to download it to the iPad.

All in all, I use the 3g enough to justify it for myself.

[DaddyTorgo]

Whores. Limiting data.

[dawgfan]

What I mean by throttled back is that they've put limits in place. For example, when I went to update Football Manager and Small World via 3g, I was denied. I got a message stating that I had to use wifi due to the size of the objects.
They do the same thing with the iPhone.

[terpkristin]

i have bluetooth headphones, so actually I'm going to use it as an mp3 player quite a bit.

I've been looking at BT stereo headphones. Which do you have? Do you like 'em?

/tk

[Peregrine]

Definitely excited about the wireless printing and wireless streaming from iTunes that were announced yesterday, not to mention multitasking - unfortunately we have to wait till November to get the update!

[stevew]

RE bluetooth headphones: I have some older model Nokia branded headphones. They really aren't as loud as I would like. However they also have a mic built in. I primarily use them for video gaming. I think they are an older profile bluetooth. New they were roughly 100. I got them on sears clearance for 20 bucks though.

[stevew]

Anyone get Madden? I generally don't go over 5 dollars on games like this, but it looks decent enough for 10 bucks.

I bought the following thus far
Pac Man-iPad
GravityHD-iPad
Burger Time-iPod
Friendly(worth it)-iPad
Oregon Trail-iPod
Angry Birds HD-iPad
bunch of other namco games that were .99 cents

[Young Drachma]

I got Madden out of curiosity and I'm largely not impressed.

Good games list though, will have to check some of them out. Curious about Oregon Trail especially.

[stevew]

Gravity is pretty cool for awhile, unfortunately i hit a wall and can't figure out a level. I guess i could youtube it probably.

[stevew]

Get app shopper. It's free. Has price data too. I see I got a lot of stuff on sale.

[Peregrine]

I found this interesting - especially since I'm going to Pompeii myself in 10 days.

Apple - Discovering ancient Pompeii with iPad. (http://www.apple.com/ipad/pompeii/)

[stevew]

anybody have the otterbox defender or commuter?

[Peregrine]

I've read a few reviews of those but don't have one. Sounds like they are great protection but kind of bulky.

[stevew]

I went ahead and got the defender off of amazon. 50 bucks is more reasonable than 90. I got next day for 4 bucks.

[SegRat]

I bought this case and love it.

http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2010/08/18/bookbook-ipad-case_xxBpS_22974.jpg

[Marc Vaughan]

I bought this case and love it.

Me want

Where get

?

(sorry stunned into geek euphoria there ... but please please please tell .. :D)

[Scoobz0202]

I googled the title of the image and found this.

hxxp://twelvesouth.com/products/bookbook_ipad/

[Peregrine]

Twelvesouth.com

They also make the excellent Compass iPad stand. The case is called the BookBook

[Young Drachma]

Ooh...

I need to get a case that protects the screen better. I'm totally over fingerprints and wiping it down constantly and I'm afraid I'm going to scratch it before long.

[SegRat]

Twelvesouth.com

The case is called the BookBook

That's the place and the case.

[stevew]

Otterbox is indeed bulky. However I find it to be very good protection

[stevew]

Thru 4 weeks of the NFL Season.

Few things rival HDTV plus iPad plus beverage of your choice plus couch during the NFL season. I know you can get a similar experience with a laptop. but this is perfect.

[Marc Vaughan]

They also make the excellent Compass iPad stand. The case is called the BookBook

I have this now ... you're a bad influence on me ;)

[SegRat]

I have this now ... you're a bad influence on me ;)

Did you get the stand or the case? If the case do you like yours as much as I like mine?

[stevew]

here's the right thread.

Has anyone Jailbroken their iPad? I was going to try to run some sort of tethering thing with my cell phone.

Also, I'm kind of bummed that the Air came in at 949(education discount). I'd much rather have it than my iPad, and it's only like 350 more dollars.

[Marc Vaughan]

Did you get the stand or the case? If the case do you like yours as much as I like mine?

I got the case and I love it - will be travelling with me back to Blighty next friday and get its first 'full' road test (at the moment its just been travelling to soccer and back with me on a friday evening is all).

[stevew]

Boo to them changing the swivel lock button to mute in the 4.2upgrade. Lying in bed, this is especially annoying

[Senator]

Coaches look at this app (http://www.alphasprite.com/coachpad.html):

http://www.alphasprite.com/images/screenshots/coachpad2_sm.jpg

http://www.alphasprite.com/images/screenshots/coachpad1_sm.jpg

Looking for something like this; thanks.

[stevew]

Boo to them changing the swivel lock button to mute in the 4.2upgrade. Lying in bed, this is especially annoying

Tap the home button twice. Scroll to the left and it is there. Thank goodness I found this out, it was annoying.

[stevew]

iPad Games:

SimCity Deluxe for iPad, $6.99 → 99¢
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit for iPad, $9.99 → 99¢
Need For Speed Shift for iPad, $9.99 → 99¢
Madden NFL 11 By EA Sports for iPad, $12.99 → 99¢
Mirror's Edge for iPad, $9.99 → 99¢
Reckless Racing HD, $4.99 → 99¢
Pictureka! for iPad, $4.99 → 99¢
Tetris for iPad, $7.99 → 99¢
Yahtzee HD, $4.99 → 99¢
Boggle for iPad, 99¢
Scrabble for iPad, $9.99 → 99¢
Command & Conquer Red Alert for iPad, $4.99 → 99¢
Clue: Secrets & Spies – A Hidden Object Game, $4.99 → 99¢
Snood for iPad, $4.99 → 99¢

[Daimyo]

Great list, thanks! I picked up Sim City, C&C, Mirror's Edge, and Snood.

I'm really tempted to get Madden 11... I played Madden 10 on the iPhone and loved the controls, but it was way too easy.

[Comey]

I got Madden, and the two racing games. Giddyup.

[Peregrine]

I also read that many other publishers are slashing prices before Christmas, so it may pay off to take a look at other, non-EA games that are cheap.

[stevew]

I'm guessing the prices go up on Christmas? I might get some stuff to gift my daughter for Xmas.

[Glengoyne]

It was funny. My decision point was when I saw that I could do the Vintage Voltage football on Madden. That is wirth $.99, even if I don't ever load the standard game.

[stevew]

I really wish I would have passed on the Sim City. I had some fun with Madden for 10 bucks, it's surely worth a dollar.

[samifan24]

I'm guessing the prices go up on Christmas? I might get some stuff to gift my daughter for Xmas.

I believe Apple locks prices and app versions for a few days before and after Christmas. EA put all games at 99 cents to "freeze" their games in the top 25 paid apps so new iDevice owners with gift cards will see plenty of EA when they shop in the App Store for the first time Christmas morning.

[spleen1015]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a app that allows you to print from an iPad?

I see a few of them in the app store, but they all get mixed reviews.

[Marc Vaughan]

I'm guessing the prices go up on Christmas? I might get some stuff to gift my daughter for Xmas.

I think its the 29th when prices revert, basically Apple/iTunes is 'closed' over xmas so price changes can't happen until it opens up again (which is the 29th according to the developer sites, but they definitely have some cache issues to sort out with their servers once they do so, so I wouldn't be surprised if the prices revert over the course of a day or so) ....

PS - I'm almost certain your daughter would love Football Manager Handheld on her iPad ;)

[stevew]

http://clamcase.com/skin/frontend/pro/cc/images/ipad_product1.png

I really like the look of this clamcase thing at $119, however I'd have to actually touch it before i part with that much dough.

It does a full 360 spin on the hinge, if you don't want to use the keyboard.

[Young Drachma]

Wow. I need to check that out.

[samifan24]

Best Buy sells those clamshell cases. They operate on bluetooth, though.

[Glengoyne]

After the performance I've seen with iOS 4, I can't imagine using a bluetooth keyboard.

I run into laggy response, and took a 25% hit(absolutely anecdotal assessment) on battery life.

[Young Drachma]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/03/03/business/03applespan/03applespan-articleLarge.jpg

iPad 2 starts selling on March 11th. Any buyers remorse for anyone out there? Same prices as the current gen. Has a camera as rumored, FaceTime for iPad and a sweet new case, faster processor and is thinner. They also announced Garage Band for iPad which is awesome.

Apple reveals iPad 2 | Topics | iOS Central | Macworld (http://www.macworld.com/article/158109/2011/03/ipad2.html)

Jobs Takes the Stage to Pitch Apple’s New iPad - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/technology/03apple.html?_r=1&hp)

[molson]

I wish these stupid things didn't cost too much.

I'm wondering if the Nook Color might be a decent alternative, if you're just reading and internet browsing.

Edit: Always good to see Jobs out there. I thought he might be hospital-bound at this point.

[Scoobz0202]

For those with a current gen, whats the speed like? I am considering getting one of the "older" ones since they dropped to 350 for refurbished, or even 400 for new. If they are fast enough I don't really see anything in the new ones that I must have.

[miked]

Too bad it still won't run flash.

[Marc Vaughan]

For those with a current gen, whats the speed like? I am considering getting one of the "older" ones since they dropped to 350 for refurbished, or even 400 for new. If they are fast enough I don't really see anything in the new ones that I must have.

The iPad is pretty neat - its about the same speed as an iPhone 4, which means its nippy apart from when doing full screen animation.

With full-screen animation the current gen is pushing things a little as its got a 1024x768 screen which means its shifting a LOT more pixels than the phones do, that being said now people have gotten used to tweaking for the iPad even full screen apps are holding a decent rate imho.

[kingfc22]

Just wished they added the retina display.

[JediKooter]

I wish it would come with a girlfriend. Fuck Apple!

[molson]

I wish it would come with a girlfriend. Fuck Apple!

We're so far behind the Japanese on robot girlfriends. We're all worried about flash and system speed and software that we're taking our eyes of the prize!

[JediKooter]

We're so far behind the Japanese on robot girlfriends. We're all worried about flash and system speed and software that we're taking our eyes of the prize!

Bingo! Flash is old news. Apple will probably never have it, it's like chasing the McGuffin. Now, robot girlfriends...different story.

[Young Drachma]

For those with a current gen, whats the speed like? I am considering getting one of the "older" ones since they dropped to 350 for refurbished, or even 400 for new. If they are fast enough I don't really see anything in the new ones that I must have.

First gen iPad isn't slow at all. Never noticed any lag ever when I'm using any apps or multitasking with it.

[digamma]

We are going to pad up with the new one. We've had a decent store credit at Apple since Christmas to take care of a lot of the cost.

[MizzouRah]

I would really like one.. don't think I can afford it. :(

Edit: ok the wife won't let me! :P

[Young Drachma]

We are going to pad up with the new one. We've had a decent store credit at Apple since Christmas to take care of a lot of the cost.

I've been debating it and considered selling my current gen. But I think since Apple releases new stuff each year like with the iPhone, I'll just wait for the iPad 3. I won't get as much for my iPad at that point if anything at all, but...I think it'll be worth the wait for me given how I use it right now. (Sparingly)

[MizzouRah]

OMG... I believe my wife is going to let me get a white 32GB ipad 2!

Anyone have a 16GB and if so, it is enough as far as storage goes? I'd hate to settle for the 16GB and then kick myself for not getting the 32GB.

I have about 12GB of music/pictures combined, although there is really no need to put all of that on my ipad is there?

How much space do "apps" take?

Anyone have this app that lets you remote into your home pc?

Access your desktop remotely with Splashtop Remote Desktop | iPad - Application Reviews (http://www.ipad-application-reviews.com/2011/01/ipad-app-review-splashtop-remote-desktop/)

[Young Drachma]

OMG... I believe my wife is going to let me get a white 32GB ipad 2!

Anyone have a 16GB and if so, it is enough as far as storage goes? I'd hate to settle for the 16GB and then kick myself for not getting the 32GB.

I have about 12GB of music/pictures combined, although there is really no need to put all of that on my ipad is there?

How much space do "apps" take?

Anyone have this app that lets you remote into your home pc?

Access your desktop remotely with Splashtop Remote Desktop | iPad - Application Reviews (http://www.ipad-application-reviews.com/2011/01/ipad-app-review-splashtop-remote-desktop/)


I own a 32GB iPad and I could've easily have gotten away with a 16GB one. It's only really an issue if you're going to put movies on it. Apps don't take up much space and neither does music (unless you wanna put your whole library on there...) or much of anything else. It's all about the movies/tv shows you want to put on there.

Also, I use the LogMeIn remote app. It's pricey, but it's worked pretty great since I've had it.

[jbergey22]

Is it just the size of these things which make people like them so much? I am out of date with things like this so Im kind of wondering why people would pay more for these than they would a decent laptop computer. Is there some other features other than what you could do on a laptop?

Thanks for the help.

[Young Drachma]

Is it just the size of these things which make people like them so much? I am out of date with things like this so Im kind of wondering why people would pay more for these than they would a decent laptop computer. Is there some other features other than what you could do on a laptop?

Thanks for the help.

I have a decent laptop computer, too. I bought them within a month of each other. It's portable and so much easier than carrying my laptop around and does 90% of what I can do on the laptop. It's great for meetings and useful at home for watching movies and things when I don't want to do them on the laptop while I'm using it. And I don't have a TV anymore so it sort of serves as proxy for that in a strange way.

So it's not a must-buy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's certainly a handy thing if you can justify using it. I replaced my smartphone with iPad essentially...because my smartphone annoyed me and wasn't particularly useful compared to how much use I've gotten out of my iPad (with no data plan btw)

If I could play text sims for real with my iPad, I'd probably cut down my PC use to just doing big projects and such alike. (Hint, hint developers...)

Oh and I hate Apple. So this isn't an Apple fanboy talking here. I've owned four Zunes for goodness sakes (only because they have a subscription service for music...)

[MizzouRah]

Thank you DC...

For me jb.. the size and battery life is definitely the draw for me. Being able to surf the web, etc.. while watching TV or hanging out on the patio would be great.

Being able to just turn it on and go... I'm a web surfing junkie, plus showing off pics would be neat - not to mention all the apps available.

[stevew]

OMG... I believe my wife is going to let me get a white 32GB ipad 2!

Anyone have a 16GB and if so, it is enough as far as storage goes? I'd hate to settle for the 16GB and then kick myself for not getting the 32GB.

I have about 12GB of music/pictures combined, although there is really no need to put all of that on my ipad is there?

How much space do "apps" take?

Anyone have this app that lets you remote into your home pc?

Access your desktop remotely with Splashtop Remote Desktop | iPad - Application Reviews (http://www.ipad-application-reviews.com/2011/01/ipad-app-review-splashtop-remote-desktop/)

Splashtop is hard to set up. You want logmein ignition. I have a 32, and I could easily get away with a 16 if I would delete stuff when I'm done listening to it(podcasts). Plus there is dropbox available if you really needed something.

[jbergey22]

I have a decent laptop computer, too. I bought them within a month of each other. It's portable and so much easier than carrying my laptop around and does 90% of what I can do on the laptop. It's great for meetings and useful at home for watching movies and things when I don't want to do them on the laptop while I'm using it. And I don't have a TV anymore so it sort of serves as proxy for that in a strange way.

So it's not a must-buy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's certainly a handy thing if you can justify using it. I replaced my smartphone with iPad essentially...because my smartphone annoyed me and wasn't particularly useful compared to how much use I've gotten out of my iPad (with no data plan btw)

If I could play text sims for real with my iPad, I'd probably cut down my PC use to just doing big projects and such alike. (Hint, hint developers...)

Thank you DC...

For me jb.. the size and battery life is definitely the draw for me. Being able to surf the web, etc.. while watching TV or hanging out on the patio would be great.

Being able to just turn it on and go... I'm a web surfing junkie, plus showing off pics would be neat - not to mention all the apps available.

Thanks you two. I appreciate the replys. Ive been pricing up a new laptop but I keep hearing about these things so Ive been wondering what I was missing.

[stevew]

dola-

What DC said.

[Comey]

Is it just the size of these things which make people like them so much? I am out of date with things like this so Im kind of wondering why people would pay more for these than they would a decent laptop computer. Is there some other features other than what you could do on a laptop?

Thanks for the help.

I like it more than I thought I would; it's gotten me reading more again (I have always been a reader, but the Kindle app has been a godsend for me); it's helped my grad school work by assisting my projects and helped me teach in the classroom. I can also carry all my school documents via the Goodreader app, which is great because I'm highly disorganized.

I also love the Sporting News Daily app (though it's gotten sloppy lately). And Netflix is fantastic. I'm planning to get the MLB.tv app, and will use it on the iPad a good bit. I can also take it to the gym and watch something or read while I'm on the stupid elliptical.

I have a superb laptop (Sony Vaio Z), but there are some things I prefer to do on the iPad (mainly read, but a few others).

As it is, I've given a little thought to an iPad 2...it's not a need, as the current iPad is probably plenty for me.

[MizzouRah]

Splashtop is hard to set up. You want logmein ignition. I have a 32, and I could easily get away with a 16 if I would delete stuff when I'm done listening to it(podcasts). Plus there is dropbox available if you really needed something.

Thanks, I really leaning towards the 16GB if I get one. What do you mean by dropbox?

[Young Drachma]

Thanks, I really leaning towards the 16GB if I get one. What do you mean by dropbox?

https://www.dropbox.com/

It's teh awesome.

[dawgfan]

Thanks you two. I appreciate the replys. Ive been pricing up a new laptop but I keep hearing about these things so Ive been wondering what I was missing.
I still don't get it, personally. Too big to comfortably hold for very long, so if I'm looking at it for an extended period of time, I'd need some kind of stand. Whereas with a laptop, it's built-in as a stand, and if I'm actually setting it on my lap, I can tilt the screen to fit my needed view arrangement, plus I have a tactile keyboard and ports (unlike an iPad).

It doesn't fit in a pocket, so "portability" requires that I have some kind of carrying case. I already have carrying cases for my laptop, so why not just use that?

I guess battery life is one of the draws, and I get that, but I'm rarely in situations where my laptop battery doesn't cover the time I need it to be unplugged.

Plus, you're talking about a limited software ecosystem. I'm cool with that on my iPhone, but for several hundred dollars for something that's competing in price with a laptop, no thanks.

If I had money to burn, I'd buy one. But as it currently is configured and priced, it just isn't opening up a niche I find severely lacking. I'm looking at the smaller Android pads and thinking those are a better fit.

[Marc Vaughan]

If I could play text sims for real with my iPad, I'd probably cut down my PC use to just doing big projects and such alike. (Hint, hint developers...)
Looks down at Football Manager Handheld running on his iPad .... reads thread, goes back to playing FMHi ...

[Glengoyne]

Regarding 16 versus 32. I find myself with plenty of room on my 32g model, but I'd be bumping right up against the ceiling at 16. So I'd say the 32 is the better choice. I've got two dozen albums or so and about four movies stored, plus a large number of audio books(of the GRR Martin/Robert Jordan size), and a lot of Kindle books on the device.

Regarding the comparisons to a laptop and to what niche the iPad fills for people. It definitely doesn't substitute for a laptop. I use a laptop as a computer. That makes sense right? The iPad is different. In fact, I use the iPad to meet a need that I rightfully didn't have before I had the iPad.

The user experience of immediate gratification to surf the web from my arm chair, to grab the iPad off of the coffee table to imdb the actress or actor that just walked on screen during an episode of "whatever", to play an actual boardgame, well as implemented as an app, to read any book I've read in the past year anytime I want, and to be able to pull up an interesting section based on an electronic bookmark or search, to check the score for pretty much any game anytime I like anywhere I am, to watch my Netflix queue while I'm away from home, to do all of those things more is what the iPad is all about. Yes you can use a laptop for a lot of those things, but there is more overhead with a laptop. I carry my iPad pretty much where ever I go, and I use it for texting and email more than my computer or phone.

I've had it less than a year, yet I've considered upgrading to the new model just for the bump in processor speed. I have noted a drop in efficiency since upgrading the OS.

[Autumn]

How easy/possible is it to access home networked files with the iPad? Do you pretty much have to get things onto the iPad memory or can you browse shared files?

[Young Drachma]

How easy/possible is it to access home networked files with the iPad? Do you pretty much have to get things onto the iPad memory or can you browse shared files?

Dropbox for most files. Or LogMeIn Ignition to move files to your dropbox that you forget.

Oh and it's mondo easy. Dropbox is pretty much awesome anyway, even if you don't have an iPad.

[Nugget699]

Looks down at Football Manager Handheld running on his iPad .... reads thread, goes back to playing FMHi ...

Shame it's a pixelated piece of crap because it's true reso is for the iPhone/iPod.

[Young Drachma]

I've had it less than a year, yet I've considered upgrading to the new model just for the bump in processor speed. I have noted a drop in efficiency since upgrading the OS.

I was so tempted. But the fact that pretty much everyone on earth is trying to unload their iPad to get an iPad 2 makes me just wait for an iPad 3 since it's inevitable that we'll see one next year given Apple's cycles. I figure it'll be even better and at the same price point totally worth it. Plus, it'll be easier to unload the iPad 1 to someone who never adopted at all for about what I'd probably get for it right now in a flooded market anyway.

[MizzouRah]

I think I'm going to hold off for now.. I just can't see paying $500 even for the base model.

[Marc Vaughan]

Shame it's a pixelated piece of crap because it's true reso is for the iPhone/iPod.

imho it looks very presentable on an iPad tbh, but more discerning people might want to wait until we have a chance to do an iPad specific version ... entirely up to each individual.

[Comey]

Shame it's a pixelated piece of crap because it's true reso is for the iPhone/iPod.

I wonder what will happen when this guy realizes he said that to its developer.

[Marc Vaughan]

I wonder what will happen when this guy realizes he said that to its developer.

LOL :D

Nothing I expect - and its useful to me getting honest feedback like that, if people always say nice things then I never learn anything about my games (that being said I did make a point of playing FMH 'double sized' on the iPad a lot when I was first designing it to ensure that it looks presentable on that device).

(oh and btw it did give me an interesting conversation with my eldest son last night who saw me reading the forum, his response was 'thats not very nice' - which gave me a chance to talk to him about the importance of taking on board criticism and trying not to take it to heart, while also being sufficiently self-critical and confident to realise when something might be accurate and worth taking on-board)

On a related subject (ie. development for iPad) - its unrealistic at present to expect any sim developer to target the iPad primarilarly because its present user base is far smaller than that for the general 'iDevices' and most iPad users will at least consider purchasing a sim built for the iPhone/iTouch and double sizing it.

IF text-sim releases on the iPhone are successful then eventually some will make their way across onto the iPad I'm sure - however it requires some initial success to encourage people to do this.

Soccer Sims on the iPhone (Football Manager Handheld, Championship Manager etc.) have done fairly well and I expect that their success has helped give Markus & OOTP some confident that an iPhone version of OOTP is worth developing ... if the initial release of that goes well then I expect they'll start seriously considering other platforms also (iPad, Android, Win7 Mobile etc.) ... if it doesn't then they'll probably pull back onto their core platforms.

As such if you want development of text-sims to expand onto other devices then please support it, this is most vital for the smaller developers such as OOTP who are taking a real leap of faith by undertaking such development.

(I know I for one will be picking up OOTPi when its out)

[Autumn]

Dropbox for most files. Or LogMeIn Ignition to move files to your dropbox that you forget.

Oh and it's mondo easy. Dropbox is pretty much awesome anyway, even if you don't have an iPad.

I use Dropbox, but still then you're limited to the space of both your Dropbox account, and then the iPad storage itself. So there's not a way to browse a networked drive and read documents from there?

[stevew]

I bought the apple licensed keyboard the other day and I think it's pretty awesome. I don't think it is worth the 70 bucks, but it certainly gives my iPad a lot of functionality.

[Autumn]

A bit of a bump but I'm still looking for a good way to browse files from my computer through the Wi-Fi network. I don't really need to do the remote control thing, such as with Logmein. But I'd prefer to be able to browse, for instance, the PDFs I already have on my data drive, rather than load some onto Dropbox or the iPad through iTunes. Is anyone doing something like that?

[DaddyTorgo]

LOL :D

Nothing I expect - and its useful to me getting honest feedback like that, if people always say nice things then I never learn anything about my games (that being said I did make a point of playing FMH 'double sized' on the iPad a lot when I was first designing it to ensure that it looks presentable on that device).

(oh and btw it did give me an interesting conversation with my eldest son last night who saw me reading the forum, his response was 'thats not very nice' - which gave me a chance to talk to him about the importance of taking on board criticism and trying not to take it to heart, while also being sufficiently self-critical and confident to realise when something might be accurate and worth taking on-board)

On a related subject (ie. development for iPad) - its unrealistic at present to expect any sim developer to target the iPad primarilarly because its present user base is far smaller than that for the general 'iDevices' and most iPad users will at least consider purchasing a sim built for the iPhone/iTouch and double sizing it.

IF text-sim releases on the iPhone are successful then eventually some will make their way across onto the iPad I'm sure - however it requires some initial success to encourage people to do this.

Soccer Sims on the iPhone (Football Manager Handheld, Championship Manager etc.) have done fairly well and I expect that their success has helped give Markus & OOTP some confident that an iPhone version of OOTP is worth developing ... if the initial release of that goes well then I expect they'll start seriously considering other platforms also (iPad, Android, Win7 Mobile etc.) ... if it doesn't then they'll probably pull back onto their core platforms.

As such if you want development of text-sims to expand onto other devices then please support it, this is most vital for the smaller developers such as OOTP who are taking a real leap of faith by undertaking such development.

(I know I for one will be picking up OOTPi when its out)

Is there a long-winded hint in there about an Android version of FMH?

[lcjjdnh]

Just purchased a 16GB iPad 2 the other day. Still waiting for it to come in, but had a couple questions for anyone that can answer them:

1.) Is 1GB sufficient for a 3G plan? Also, do you need to actively monitor this, or will it just switch to WiFi when available?

2.) Recommended apps?

[miked]

1) I would do the opposite. Keep it on WiFi until you need the 3G, then turn it on. You can monitor your usage on the device, online, etc, but as to whether it's enough I guess it depends on what you are doing.

[lcjjdnh]

1) I would do the opposite. Keep it on WiFi until you need the 3G, then turn it on. You can monitor your usage on the device, online, etc, but as to whether it's enough I guess it depends on what you are doing.

Thanks. I don't think I'll be streaming video or music over the 3G. I'd imagine just e-mail and web browsing.

[stevew]

The wifi will always stay on if you can find a signal, and then it will revert to 3G. I'd definitely keep your usage monitored, as I easily used 3+gigs on an IPhone in each of the 2 months I've had it.

[RainMaker]

I'm on the fence about getting one. Do you guys find yourself using it more than a laptop? I have an older laptop I'm wanting to upgrade but was thinking about getting the iPad instead.

[stevew]

It's like a way better smart phone. If you use your phone at home while you are watching TV...this takes it to the next level of awesome. As far as replacing a laptop? I can't personally imagine that you would be able to do anything as productive on the iPad as you would on a notebook.

[Comey]

You'd be better off looking at the laptop deals on Slickdeals (the Lenovo x220 is like $800 right now, for instance); while I use my iPad a lot (everyday for something...differs each day), it doesn't come close to replacing my laptop.

[Logan]

I don't have an iPad but I think of it as a pretty sweet luxury to have. My girlfriend and I will be moving in together in a few months...she's about ready to get rid of her old laptop, and with me having a Macbook that is in great shape, I'm trying to get her to hold off and we'll just get an iPad to replace her laptop. I can't think of a time when we'll ever both need to be using laptops so having the combo should work out great.

[Young Drachma]

I'll say this. I sold my iPad 1, because I wanted to recoup some of the money for it and also because I wasn't using it as much. It's a sweet luxury, but once you have one and don't have it anymore (or a smart phone) I have to say that you certainly do miss the convenience of it.

Phones don't really have the utility that my iPad did, but after having messed with a 2 a bit, I'm hoping to hold out for the 3 or to get a cut rate iPad2, since I kept all of my apps I won't be starting from nil.

[Comey]

I was going to upgrade to the iPad 2, but I'm gonna hold out for the iPad 3, and upgrade as a graduation present for myself. ; )

[Marc Vaughan]

I got an iPad2 recently (perk of the job) - its fairly funky, a lot lighter (weight) and faster than the first generation one ... although tbh I still prefer to use a laptop for anything 'practical' (and still tend to play FMHi on my phone because its always with me).

[Autumn]

I definitely use it much more than our laptop. That said, I spend the day at the computer - I have plenty of time to write emails and work. I use the iPad particularly in the evenings to read blogs and articles I didn't want to (or couldn't) sit and read at the computer during the day, reading comics, web surfing, watching videos, games. I love the interface enough to want to do most things that I can on there. Anything that involves reading or surfing I think generally works better on there.

[Peregrine]

Personally I use my iPad a ton more than I use my laptop (netbook.) For me, anything heavy duty I just run on my desktop PC, and everything else I used the laptop for, I find the iPad has replaced quite well. But I guess it just depends what you want to use your laptop for - I use the iPad for web surfing, casual email, music, various apps and games of course, as well as a media streaming device with my Apple TV. If I didn't have a desktop PC, I don't think the iPad would do everything for me.

[Fidatelo]

I definitely use it much more than our laptop. That said, I spend the day at the computer - I have plenty of time to write emails and work. I use the iPad particularly in the evenings to read blogs and articles I didn't want to (or couldn't) sit and read at the computer during the day, reading comics, web surfing, watching videos, games. I love the interface enough to want to do most things that I can on there. Anything that involves reading or surfing I think generally works better on there.

+1

[WSR]

I just ordered the IPAD 2, 16GB, WIFI only version. It is a luxury for sure, but I believe I will use it often to surf, check e-mails and read. The convenience of having the net within arms reach is just too great to resist.

[SegRat]

I use mine probably 9-10 hours a day. However 8 of that is at work.

[Peregrine]

So I read about a new external HD aimed at the iPad that Seagate is bringing out in July - the Seagate Goflex Satellite. Basically it's a 500 MB external HD that has a wireless card and is set up for streaming - you install a special app on the iPad and then you can load up the HD with all the music, movies, photos, etc that you like and it will stream those out to up to three devices at once. A bit pricey at $200 but seems like it could be really handy if you travel a lot and like to use your iPad to watch a lot of movies, etc.

[tyketime]

Looks like Mrs Tyke & I may treat ourselves to an Ipad2. I've been reading a fair amount of negative reviews regarding the "smart covers", so was wondering if any of you bought a case/cover that you are happy with and would recommend. Thanks!

[wade moore]

Looks like Mrs Tyke & I may treat ourselves to an Ipad2. I've been reading a fair amount of negative reviews regarding the "smart covers", so was wondering if any of you bought a case/cover that you are happy with and would recommend. Thanks!

What sort of negative reviews? My wife has had hers (ipad and smart cover) for about a month and has had no complaints.

[tyketime]

I happened to be on Amazon looking there. Complaints I see range from the simple (dust magnets) to moderate (dents and scratches on back since it only covers front) to more problematic (When held up it can easily slip off case hinge and crash to floor). Overall, they seemed to only get 2.5-3 stars (out of 5). So I took that as a bit disconcerting.

[lcjjdnh]

I have the Smart Cover and like it, although, as you said, the hinges do occasionally slip off. However, if held correctly, I'm not sure that's really an issue.

As a sidenote: The iPad2 is, without a doubt, one of the best purchases I've ever made. I was a bit skeptical after I first purchased it, but once it arrived, I fell in love. Everything about it is great--much easier to read on than a regular computer (highly recommend Instapaper App), great battery life, and I can use it anywhere. In fact, I liked it so much I decided to buy my first Mac computer ever.

[Marc Vaughan]

Looks like Mrs Tyke & I may treat ourselves to an Ipad2. I've been reading a fair amount of negative reviews regarding the "smart covers", so was wondering if any of you bought a case/cover that you are happy with and would recommend. Thanks!

I've got a smart cover - its fine if you're in an adult only environment but they come off easily and my youngest boy (9) ends up leaving it off all the time, plus the iPad2 is fragile and a smart cover gives no protection at all really.

I've opted to purchase a cheap and nasty mobile phone-like rubber around which is far more practical for my needs - was about $15 from Walmart.

[Young Drachma]

Looks like Mrs Tyke & I may treat ourselves to an Ipad2. I've been reading a fair amount of negative reviews regarding the "smart covers", so was wondering if any of you bought a case/cover that you are happy with and would recommend. Thanks!

Yeah, stay away from the smart cover. When I had my iPad 1, the black cover from Apple wasn't the prettiest thing in the world, but it protected especially the back of my iPad and if you don't want to spend on one of those more expensive covers, it gets the job done.

When I bought a 2 this summer, I got a smart cover and I hate it. It comes off easily, the back is totally exposed and it's annoying. I'd replace it, but I'm not going to spend more on a cover right this second until I find one I really like.

So in short, avoid the smart cover and get something more functional when you're going to spend $40 on a cover at least with the smart one.

[Peregrine]

Keep in mind that many companies make a back cover for the iPad that is thin but protective, and color matches with the Smart Cover. I know my friends that have the SC swear by it - but of course each person's situation is different.

[samifan24]

Keep in mind that many companies make a back cover for the iPad that is thin but protective, and color matches with the Smart Cover. I know my friends that have the SC swear by it - but of course each person's situation is different.

Belkin makes a clear plastic one that snaps on to the back and is smart cover compatible. It's on sale for $15 at Best Buy this week. The only downside is I've heard it can chip if you take it off for cleaning frequently. But it will protect the back for $15 and you can still use your smart cover.

[wade moore]

I happened to be on Amazon looking there. Complaints I see range from the simple (dust magnets) to moderate (dents and scratches on back since it only covers front) to more problematic (When held up it can easily slip off case hinge and crash to floor). Overall, they seemed to only get 2.5-3 stars (out of 5). So I took that as a bit disconcerting.

A-ha. Thought you might say that. After some digging, I realized that many (all?) of the "Smart Covers" on Amazon are not legit smart covers. They are rip-offs that are listed improperly.

Yeah, stay away from the smart cover. When I had my iPad 1, the black cover from Apple wasn't the prettiest thing in the world, but it protected especially the back of my iPad and if you don't want to spend on one of those more expensive covers, it gets the job done.

When I bought a 2 this summer, I got a smart cover and I hate it. It comes off easily, the back is totally exposed and it's annoying. I'd replace it, but I'm not going to spend more on a cover right this second until I find one I really like.

So in short, avoid the smart cover and get something more functional when you're going to spend $40 on a cover at least with the smart one.

Keep in mind that many companies make a back cover for the iPad that is thin but protective, and color matches with the Smart Cover. I know my friends that have the SC swear by it - but of course each person's situation is different.

Yeah, this is what my wife did. She bought a separate back cover to go with the smart cover.

[tyketime]

A-ha. Thought you might say that. After some digging, I realized that many (all?) of the "Smart Covers" on Amazon are not legit smart covers. They are rip-offs that are listed improperly.
Oh wow. Good catch. Time to at least give them a second look.

[stevew]

Looks like HP is killing off the TouchPad already. BestBuy had sold about 8% of their inventory. Amazing how little traction other tablets have compared to the iPad.

[Draft Dodger]

Looks like HP is killing off the TouchPad already. BestBuy had sold about 8% of their inventory. Amazing how little traction other tablets have compared to the iPad.

we just had a big training on the TouchPad the other day. The HP guy was super enthusiastic about the WebOS and how it was going to allow them to together their tablets, smartphones and their PCs. I have to say, I was pretty impressed by the unit and was thinking I might pick up one instead of an iPad.

[stevew]

Hopefully they clear them out for cheap, cause I'd probably buy one. HP is supposedly killing/selling their computer division as well

[sterlingice]

Yeah, I'm pretty disappointed in that. A couple of the guys at work have Palm Pre 2s and those are nice little phones. I really liked WebOS and I'm hoping to get a TouchPad on clearance.

HP just doesn't have the stomach for the consumer electronics business. As warped as it is by various acquisitions (Compaq and EDS being the two big ones), it still thinks it's a conservative high end hardware company and, I dunno, that seems foolish as technology now is all about distributed computation and standardized, cheap equipment.

Just look at the other high end hardware companies that have gone by the wayside: SGI, Cray, Sun, etc. IBM isn't just mainframes any more and Dell has never seriously done anything more than crap entry-level servers. HP had diversified their portfolio for the better and to pull the plug on Palm and possibly spin off the consumer PC and laptop business seems foolish at first blush.

SI

[Marc Vaughan]

we just had a big training on the TouchPad the other day. The HP guy was super enthusiastic about the WebOS and how it was going to allow them to together their tablets, smartphones and their PCs. I have to say, I was pretty impressed by the unit and was thinking I might pick up one instead of an iPad.

I really liked the TouchPad myself; seemed like a very competant tablet and I thought WebOS looked very nice .... development on it was C++ based and I was hoping it'd make enough of a niche that one day I'd get to play around on it ... oh well.

[MizzouRah]

HP kills TouchPad, looks to exit PC business

<!-- m -->http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/18/technol ... /index.htm (http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/18/technology/hp_pc_spinoff/index.htm)<!-- m -->

[stevew]

Holy sportsdigs Lance Bass

[tyketime]

RIP WebOS. Great operating system. Poor management.

[Subby]

Good riddance. Hopefully Dell is next.

[Scoobz0202]

Hopefully they clear them out for cheap, cause I'd probably buy one. HP is supposedly killing/selling their computer division as well

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/let-the-liquidation-begin-hps-16gb-touchpad-on-sale-for-99/
I'm going to be checking late tonight, maybe even early tomorrow.

[sterlingice]

I tried to order 2 via HP EPP last night and we'll see if they go through. There's a huge blitz for them right now as every single site that has them at $99/$149 sells out instantly. HP, WalMart, Amazon, Office Depot, and Microcenter all sold out in a few minutes.

Now, I know a lot of this traffic is by resellers looking to make a quick buck on ebay. Seems foolish to me because if someone is dead set on an iPad or Xoom or whatever, why would they buy a dying piece of hardware from ebay even for $200?

That said, it seems like there was a pent up demand for these *if they were at the right price point*. I know if they had come out at $200, I wouldn't have even thought twice about it and I would have had one. But when you price it up at the same price as an iPad and you don't have an installed user base, what do you expect?

It reminds me of how Microsoft said "yeah, we're looking to go into another line of business" and created the XBox. They lost about $5B the first generation and accepted that. Why? Because they knew it would make them a major player going forward. They're profitable this generation and if they came out with an XBox, I dunno, 480 tomorrow- they would turn a profit again.

If HP were really serious, they would accept losing money up front to break into the market. They're flush with cash right now and this would be a good way to try to build a great future product line.

Instead, we have the scene of every closing store where it's just a bit pathetic and a bit tragic and, ultimately, someone made some stupid decisions to get us all here.

SI

[Edward64]

Eagerly awaiting. Hope it really is "early 2012".

Apple Aims For IPad 3 Launch In 2012 | FoxNews.com (http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/08/19/apple-aims-for-new-ipad-launch-in-2012/)

TAIPEI – Apple is working with component suppliers and its assembler in Asia to begin trial production of its next generation iPad in October, DJ Newswires reported Friday, citing people familiar with the situation.

The Cupertino, Calif., company has ordered key components such as display panels and chips for a new iPad it is aiming to launch in early 2012, said the people.

The next generation iPad is expected to feature a high resolution display -- 2048 by 1536 compared with 1024 by 768 in the iPad 2 -- and Apple's suppliers have already shipped small quantities of components for the sampling of the iPad 3. Suppliers said Apple has placed orders for a 9.7-inch (24.6-cm) screen device.

One component supplier to Apple said the company has already placed orders for parts for about 1.5 million iPad 3s in the fourth quarter.
"Suppliers will ramp up production and try to improve the yield rate for the new iPad in the fourth quarter before its official launch in early 2012," said a person at the supplier.

[Peregrine]

I have to say it would be highly unusual for the iPad 3 to be launched in January or February - normally they would want to time it for Christmas.

[wade moore]

I have to say it would be highly unusual for the iPad 3 to be launched in January or February - normally they would want to time it for Christmas.

Apple really hasn't followed that model.

For instance, they Ipad 2 came out in March.

[sterlingice]

Nintendo doesn't either- their handhelds keep launching in Spring, iirc. That way Christmas is about the time you're ready for your first price drop or holding steady if there's still big demand.

SI

[stevew]

I'm wondering if they will Woot amazon's Touchpad supply. Amazon still hadn't dropped price earlier this afternoon.

[Peregrine]

Apple really hasn't followed that model.

For instance, they Ipad 2 came out in March.

That is a valid point - and I realized after I posted it that one of the reasons they don't is that they usually have such pressure on their supply that it takes several months to even out.

[samifan24]

I'm wondering if they will Woot amazon's Touchpad supply. Amazon still hadn't dropped price earlier this afternoon.

If you buy it at full price on Amazon, they will issue you a $300 refund for the difference. It's showing out of stock right now, though. Best Buy is also selling them for $100 if you can find a store that still has them in stock.

[MizzouRah]

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k553/johmgoodman/touchpad-bestbuy-employees-fake-but-funny.jpg

LOL

[Neuqua]

Amazon.com: FB454UT Smartbuy TouchPad QUALCOMM Snapdragon APQ8060 1.2 GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n Wireless 9.7" IPS TFT 1GB RAM 16GB: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0056UOUC8)

Just bought it off that link for $99 from Onsale (which seems to have many favorable reviews).

Hope it works out..

[Scoobz0202]

Amazon.com: FB454UT Smartbuy TouchPad QUALCOMM Snapdragon APQ8060 1.2 GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n Wireless 9.7" IPS TFT 1GB RAM 16GB: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0056UOUC8)

Just bought it off that link for $99 from Onsale (which seems to have many favorable reviews).

Hope it works out..

What's your status? I ordered two and still says Shipping Soon. I'm not going to worry yet as I am sure they got slammed, but I did pay for overnight shipping...

[Draft Dodger]

we had a small amount (1500 or so) on Monday, which sold out in less than two hours. It was absolute chaos though - our phone lines were jammed, our website was hammered and even a lot of our internal apps were affected. And it's no fly-by-night place - they have an infrastructure to handle large volumes of calls and stuff (we do huge volume of iPads, for example). and oh boy, the irates people who missed out on the deal? holy schmoly.

thankfully, I had to deal with none of that, but it was amazing to observe

[Draft Dodger]

oh and I didn't buy one. would have, but money is a little tight at the moment. kind of bummed, but I think I'll live

[Scoobz0202]

I investigated and I think they made an error on their end with the quantity posted on Amazon. Im pretty sure Im not getting my two. Not sure how it takes 3+ days to cancel my order and give me my $250+ back, though.

[sterlingice]

The SD'ers of the world just descended on this deal like locusts. They had over 50K posts in combined TouchPad threads last I checked yesterday. Then again, if all hoarders on SlickDeals were sterilized, the world would probably be a better place *sigh*- that's pretty much unfettered capitalism at it's "finest"

SI

[Scoobz0202]

Yea. The hoarders fucking piss me off. I love the people posting them on eBay for $250+. No way that shit should, or hopefully it won't, sell for that much. Would be better if some magical way those people didn't break even. Or at least make such a small amount that it is a waste of time for them.


EDIT: I guess there is a such thing as too much profanity.

[stevew]

My brother and I agreed this was the white dude version of the 23 cent Papa John's pizza.

[Doug5984]

I was lucky enough to time it right and get one from tigerdirect, it should be here thursday- shipped this morning. The hoarders drive me crazy, and I'm lucky I got one. Only one, that's all I need.

[DaddyTorgo]

What's the point of getting one though?

Not trying to be snippy, honestly curious. I don't think there'll be many apps developed for it, right?

Is it the assumption that they'll be able to be somehow flashed and installed with Android or something?

[Scoobz0202]

What's the point of getting one though?

Not trying to be snippy, honestly curious. I don't think there'll be many apps developed for it, right?

Is it the assumption that they'll be able to be somehow flashed and installed with Android or something?


That's part of it. Another, I think tablets are cool in a way, but not $499 cool. But I am more then to happy to pay $100 for a device I can browse the web from couch, take on a plane and watch movies, etc. With that many tablets being released as well the "homebrew" community could get very interesting as well.. I believe the kindle app works on it as well.

[Scoobz0202]

dola-

I will say one thing. Before this was a hundred dollars tablets were not on my radar at all. Now that I got excited about the touchpad, and possibly missed out on it, I have found myself looking at the Asus Eee Pad Transformer. So I guess the tablet industry may benefit from this...

[stevew]

Logmein Ignition is half price right now(15 bucks).

[Doug5984]

What's the point of getting one though?

Not trying to be snippy, honestly curious. I don't think there'll be many apps developed for it, right?

Is it the assumption that they'll be able to be somehow flashed and installed with Android or something?

Like Scoobz said, it's a very cool device- not something I could justify spending ~$500 for, but for $100 it'll be great to browse the internet, watch youtube, and movies from. If there are some fun games- that's great but mostly I'll be using it to browse the internet. If they do somehow get it to run android (which I read somewhere that there is a group already working on this) then that'll be even better, but for $100 if it never runs android and is only an internet browser / video player I still feel like it's a good deal.

In a few years when I finish paying off student loans and have some extra cash then I could maybe justify buying a better tablet, but for now- this will do exactly what I'm looking for, and cheap.

[samifan24]

Logmein Ignition is half price right now(15 bucks).

Splashtop Desktop does basically the same thing and is much, much cheaper. Sometimes it goes on sale for $1.

[DaddyTorgo]

Like Scoobz said, it's a very cool device- not something I could justify spending ~$500 for, but for $100 it'll be great to browse the internet, watch youtube, and movies from. If there are some fun games- that's great but mostly I'll be using it to browse the internet. If they do somehow get it to run android (which I read somewhere that there is a group already working on this) then that'll be even better, but for $100 if it never runs android and is only an internet browser / video player I still feel like it's a good deal.

In a few years when I finish paying off student loans and have some extra cash then I could maybe justify buying a better tablet, but for now- this will do exactly what I'm looking for, and cheap.

Makes sense then. Gotcha.

[RainMaker]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on a tablet. Would you guys recommend waiting for the next iPad to drop?

[Scoobz0202]

Just read on CNN breaking news that Steve Jobs resigned. Health related I'm sure?

What does this mean for Apple?

[Rizon]

Just read on CNN breaking news that Steve Jobs resigned. Health related I'm sure?

What does this mean for Apple?

I'm not seeing it. False alarm or hack?

[Chubby]

Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple - Yahoo! Finance (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Steve-Jobs-Resigns-as-CEO-of-bw-19285464.html?x=0&.v=1)

[Rizon]

I'm not seeing it. False alarm or hack?

Finally found the ... two sentence ... article. :lol:

[Chubby]

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Apple’s Board of Directors today announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Tim Cook, previously Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, as the company’s new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately.

“Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple's Board. “Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.”

“The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO,” added Levinson. “Tim’s 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does.”

Jobs submitted his resignation to the Board today and strongly recommended that the Board implement its succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO.

As COO, Cook was previously responsible for all of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple’s supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple’s Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple’s PR website (Apple - Page Not Found (www.apple.com/pr)), or call Apple’s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

© 2011 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

[Chubby]

Finally found the ... two sentence ... article. :lol:

ORLY?

[stevew]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on a tablet. Would you guys recommend waiting for the next iPad to drop?

I'd get the 2 as it is the perfect companion for sunday football. You can always flip it when the 3 comes out. Apple stuff keeps its value.

[Scoobz0202]

PRESS RELEASE: Letter from Steve Jobs
August 24, 2011–To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.




Am I the only one that reads that of a dying man? Or am I just being extremely negative?

[rowech]

Am I the only one that reads that of a dying man? Or am I just being extremely negative?

I'm assuming 3-6 months.

[Neuqua]

What's your status? I ordered two and still says Shipping Soon. I'm not going to worry yet as I am sure they got slammed, but I did pay for overnight shipping...

Just got my confirmation email that my HPTouch was shipped today. That sound was me breathing a huge sigh of relief.

[dawgfan]

Am I the only one that reads that of a dying man? Or am I just being extremely negative?
It definitely reads as something health-related. Whether he is terminal or not, who knows, but clearly something is up where he feels like he can no longer effectively run the company. Easy speculation would be that he's had a recurrence of cancer.

[Scoobz0202]

Just got my confirmation email that my HPTouch was shipped today. That sound was me breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Mine was canceled today. On other forums I see people posting times they ordered, and theirs being canceled, while people who ordered a half hour later getting theirs shipped.

Whatever.

[JediKooter]

I'm thinking he'll be dead before the end of the year.

[Peregrine]

Saw this today on how the Apple stores compare to other US retailers that also reveal their finances. Not too surprising I guess but pretty wild to see how far ahead they are in sales per square foot.


http://retailsails.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/top20_spsf4.png

[sterlingice]

To be fair, that's kindof a bizarro metric. You can also go get Apple products in at least a couple of other stores on that list (BB, Costco?, Sams?)

SI

[RainMaker]

I'd get the 2 as it is the perfect companion for sunday football. You can always flip it when the 3 comes out. Apple stuff keeps its value.
That's what I'm thinking. I just don't want to buy it and have the new one come out the next day.

[Easy Mac]

Mine was canceled today. On other forums I see people posting times they ordered, and theirs being canceled, while people who ordered a half hour later getting theirs shipped.

Whatever.

Grabbed one at Best Buy yesterday at lunch. I have a Palm Pre Plus, so I know what to expect from it.

my main reasons were movies for the kid for the car (same price as a portable dvd player), kindle books (same price as the kindle), angry birds in HD (free), internet browsing from the couch/toilet (better than my iPod touch), music anywhere in the house (pandora/slacker/spotify/my music speakers are pretty good on it), slight possibility of android.

Plus the cheapo Android e-reader I have that "doubles" as a tablet keeps randomly killing itself.

[Young Drachma]

In case anyone is interested:

PlaybookFootball - Animated Football Playbook for the iPad | Animated Sports Playbooks for iPad/iPhone (http://www.daren.com/playbookfootball/playbookfootball/)