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

[stevew]

hxxp://www.i4u.com/article30346.html

pple unveiled the long rumored and highly anticipated Apple Tablet called Apple iPad today.
The Apple iPad is a universal Tablet computer that runs the iPhone OS and uses the first Apple CPU - The Apple A4.
Apple made the iPad to be used for almost anything including web surfing, iBook reading, movie watching, content creation with iWorks, gaming and any iPhone app will work on the iPad.
The iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds-- thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March starting at the breakthrough price of just $499.
iPad's brilliant 9.7-inch, LED-backlit display features IPS technology to deliver crisp, clear images and consistent color with an ultra-wide 178 degree viewing angle. The highly precise, capacitive Multi-Touch display is amazingly accurate and responsive whether scrolling web pages or playing games. The intelligent soft keyboard pioneered on iPhone takes advantage of iPad's larger display to offer an almost full-size soft keyboard. iPad also connects to the new iPad Keyboard Dock with a full-size traditional keyboard.

iPad is powered by A4, Apple's next-generation system-on-a-chip. Designed by Apple, the new A4 chip provides exceptional processor and graphics performance along with long battery life of up to 10 hours. Apple's advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging technology deliver up to 1,000 charge cycles without a significant decrease in battery capacity over a typical five year lifespan.

iPad comes in two versions--one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. iPad includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks. Apple and AT&T announced breakthrough 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad with easy, on-device activation and management.

The Apple iPad is the interface to a whole bunch of new Apple services and software. Apple iBooks will offer ebooks and iWorks got a new touch interface that is really extensive and allows you to create content on the iPad including presentations and spreedsheets. With Pages, Keynote and Numbers you can create beautifully formatted documents, stunning presentations with animations and transitions, and spreadsheets with charts, functions and formulas. The three apps will be available separately through the App Store for $9.99 each.

You can choose to use 3G on the iPad with extremely low priced prepaid data plans from AT&T starting at $14.99.

"iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before."

The Appel iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model.
The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date. iBookstore will be available in the US at launch.

Seems reasonably priced. I wonder how much a data plan will be, though.

[stevew]

Also wondering if the Verizon iPhone will come out. I'll get one of those as quickly as possible.

[miked]

This sounds like just a bigger iPhone. Can it do anything you'd actually want a laptop to do? With 16GB of space, I don't know.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

How absorbent is it?

[DaddyTorgo]

$500 for a "big iphone/tiny netbook" type device? unfortunately for apple spreadsheets+presentations are pretty well locked-up by microsoft office...not sure how some $500 gadget will help them bust into that space. and i'm not sure i'd want to read an ebook on it unless it's got a kindle-type screen (which it doesn't since it says it's lcd-backlit). is it just supposta be cool cuz it can run all of your appstore applications on a bigger screen?

meh.

i expect the fanboys to drool though.

[wade moore]

I was excited for this and I'm completely underwhelmed.

For 64GB you have to spend over $800? Really? You want this to compete with laptops?

Even when I heard it was basically a giant iPod Touch, I was on board. Even when I heard the price range, I was on board.

But the tiny hard drive is just a HUGE mis-step imo. Many people won't even be able to fit all of their music on this, let alone whatever else. There is an ipod classic with over twice as much HD space as the largest one of these.

[RedKingGold]

Looking foward to the influx of menstruation jokes.

[DaddyTorgo]

I was excited for this and I'm completely underwhelmed.

For 64GB you have to spend over $800? Really? You want this to compete with laptops?

Even when I heard it was basically a giant iPod Touch, I was on board. Even when I heard the price range, I was on board.

But the tiny hard drive is just a HUGE mis-step imo. Many people won't even be able to fit all of their music on this, let alone whatever else. There is an ipod classic with over twice as much HD space as the largest one of these.

yeah...no kidding wade.

[stevew]

The fact that the major upgrades are increased flash memory is a bit silly. I'd guess they locked out the ability to add an SD card for storage.

[DaddyTorgo]

The fact that the major upgrades are increased flash memory is a bit silly. I'd guess they locked out the ability to add an SD card for storage.

that seems like a typically-apple-douchey thing that they would do.

[jeff061]

It's the 499 everyone will buy. Which is a good price point for the Apple throngs.

[DaddyTorgo]

It's the 499 everyone will buy. Which is a good price point for the Apple throngs.

for $499 you can get a netbook these days that would be able to do more. sure it'd be a lil heavier, but it'd also have more HD space, be more than a "big ipod touch" as far as being able to run software, etc.

FFS...it's not like Apple doesn't make computers. they could have made this thing better.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Wonder if the Google Office applications that run on web browsers would run on this machine?

[stevew]

Looks like the Verizon iPhone didn't materialize. Oh well.

Supposedly 30 dollars/month for unlimited 3G for the iPad, but no contract needed.

[DaddyTorgo]

Looks like the Verizon iPhone didn't materialize. Oh well.

Supposedly 30 dollars/month for unlimited 3G for the iPad, but no contract needed.

$130 to get the 3G card included though - don't forget that!

nickel and dime your motherfucking customers to death!!

[MJ4H]

lol at this

seriously

sorry I don't have more constructive criticisms. I don't think any are really needed.

[Cringer]

I have been following this thing today and all the hype leading up to it. I have never bought an Apple product because I hate the company policy off a locked up ecosystem, and I think they are overpriced (computers), still I have no problem admitting they make quality products and do things very well overall. This I thought could be interesting though. To me it is a big fail.

It is an iPod Touch blown up.....right now. It runs all the iStore apps, but at the exact size as on the iPhone/Touch. You can blow it up to full screen size but some of those looked pretty funny that I saw pictures of. Of course new apps just for this will be made and that will improve the device in that way. They have a version of iWorks on it, which for all four parts of their productivity suite will cost you another $40 (should be included IMO). It only has a 1ghz processor and I am listening to the TWiT fools gush over the speed and how smooth it was. Of course, it was the iPhone OS with a faster processor, it wasn't Mac OS X.

Pricing. $499 is for 16GB with wifi only. If you want it with 3G it will cost you $629. Too much for what it is IMO. The 3G plans seem reasonable to me on the other hand. $15 for 256mb a month, or $30 for unlimited, both prepaid with AT&T so no contracts.

Oh, and I love how Jobs kept saying how it was the best emailing and web experience you will ever have. Really Steve? I like several websites with Flash, which your own demo showed it clearly does not support. Flash my be crap and hopefully dies some day, but it is around a good chunk right now. And emailing with a physical keyboard will always be better then on that things.

[DaddyTorgo]

lol at this

seriously

sorry I don't have more constructive criticisms. I don't think any are really needed.

hehe :lol:

sentiment from folks online (from what i can tell in a quick 2 minute look) seems to be running the same way.

"Why not just include a little steve jobs doll and call it the iPenis? Vain and useless! When bigger isn't better!" etc.

[DaddyTorgo]

I have been following this thing today and all the hype leading up to it. I have never bought an Apple product because I hate the company policy off a locked up ecosystem, and I think they are overpriced (computers), still I have no problem admitting they make quality products and do things very well overall. This I thought could be interesting though. To me it is a big fail.

It is an iPod Touch blown up.....right now. It runs all the iStore apps, but at the exact size as on the iPhone/Touch. You can blow it up to full screen size but some of those looked pretty funny that I saw pictures of. Of course new apps just for this will be made and that will improve the device in that way. They have a version of iWorks on it, which for all four parts of their productivity suite will cost you another $40 (should be included IMO). It only has a 1ghz processor and I am listening to the TWiT fools gush over the speed and how smooth it was. Of course, it was the iPhone OS with a faster processor, it wasn't Mac OS X.

Pricing. $499 is for 16GB with wifi only. If you want it with 3G it will cost you $629. Too much for what it is IMO. The 3G plans seem reasonable to me on the other hand. $15 for 256mb a month, or $30 for unlimited, both prepaid with AT&T so no contracts.

Oh, and I love how Jobs kept saying how it was the best emailing and web experience you will ever have. Really Steve? I like several websites with Flash, which your own demo showed it clearly does not support. Flash my be crap and hopefully dies some day, but it is around a good chunk right now. And emailing with a physical keyboard will always be better then on that things.

very much agree with you on the bolded part

629 - you can get a netbook from at&t with 3g for like $350. and that's small enough to throw in a messenger bag - like this thing.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Cringer]

Ok, so I will throw out one positive to me since almost everything to me is a negative. I do think this thing would be very nice to watch a movie on, on the go. It's thin, light, no keyboard attached to it. So it would be better then a laptop for that I think.

[Cringer]

Oh and just like an iPhone. No multi-tasking. How do you even act like you are better then a netbook or tablet PC when you can't multi-task?

[DaddyTorgo]

Oh and just like an iPhone. No multi-tasking. How do you even act like you are better then a netbook or tablet PC when you can't multi-task?

:D

shit - my windows mobile phone can multi-task.

apparently Jobs doesn't think that people multitask.

rediculous

[MJ4H]

No multi-tasking.

facepalm.jpg

[jeff061]

for $499 you can get a netbook these days that would be able to do more. sure it'd be a lil heavier, but it'd also have more HD space, be more than a "big ipod touch" as far as being able to run software, etc.

FFS...it's not like Apple doesn't make computers. they could have made this thing better.


I didn't say it was logical. But for Apple, this is "only 499". I'd never buy it for the reasons you've stated. But people have paid far more for far less when it comes to Apple-mania.

[Fidatelo]

I want to use one before I pass judgement, but I must say the thing looks freakin' sweet.

[MikeVic]

Ok, so I've used an iPhone briefly and it seemed cool, so I had a favourable opinion of it... but seriously, it doesn't multi-task? And the iPad doesn't either? Can someone explain to me how the iPhone would handle something like: I have a browser open to a page, while playing music, then want to call someone with the music paused, and then want to launch a recipe app or something...?

It can't do that? I'd have to close the browser to play music, browse pics, etc... then close that to call someone, then get off the call to launch the recipe app?

[kingfc22]

It looks amazing, but other than that I can't think of a useful day-to-day application that would make me want to get this.

I already have an iPhone so why would I want an iPad? Hmmmm, not sold.

[Daimyo]

I'm pretty sure the people critical in this thread aren't the target audience. Seriously, if you think Windows Mobile is better than iPhone because it has multitasking, you probably won't ever "get it". (and I was a Windows Mobile user/supporter for over 4 years before switching to iPhone)

Personally, I haven't seen the value of a netbook since I've had an iPhone, but I see a ton of value in the iPad. I used an IBM x61 tablet for two years and was underwelmed, but this looks to address a lot of the issues I had with that.

[gstelmack]

I love the talk about books on it. I've used eBooks on an LCD display, and on an eInk display, and will take my Kindle with its eInk (or whatever) any day. Much easier to read, I can't read books with the typical contrast issues on an LCD display. But the publishers are fawning over this????

[Pyser]

Ok, so I've used an iPhone briefly and it seemed cool, so I had a favourable opinion of it... but seriously, it doesn't multi-task? And the iPad doesn't either? Can someone explain to me how the iPhone would handle something like: I have a browser open to a page, while playing music, then want to call someone with the music paused, and then want to launch a recipe app or something...?

It can't do that? I'd have to close the browser to play music, browse pics, etc... then close that to call someone, then get off the call to launch the recipe app?

yes. but its not as bad as it sounds. you leave safari to make your call (music automatically pauses), when your call is done the music restarts. then go to your app. then close that, and when you go back into safari its still on the same page you left it (and you can have multiple safari pages open at once)

[Pyser]

dola, music multitasks. you can do anything on the phone and the music will keep playing. if a call comes in, or you make one, it pauses til the call is over, then automatically resumes playing.

[Groundhog]

You have got to be kidding me. 64GB is the largest HD in the initial release? Wow. Well, I was pretty interested in this devide, now, not so much.

[DanGarion]

No camera, no multitasking, no flash, no way.

[MJ4H]

Philosoraptor: If there is no camera, why would you need flash?

[stevew]

This thing could theoretically be valuable in a classroom I suppose. Instead of providing books for every class, the ability to get e-versions of texts might actually work.

Granted, there are numerous other things that already do the same thing at a cheaper price.

[DanGarion]

Philosoraptor: If there is no camera, why would you need flash?

Flash. Not a flash.

[Cringer]

I'm pretty sure the people critical in this thread aren't the target audience. Seriously, if you think Windows Mobile is better than iPhone because it has multitasking, you probably won't ever "get it". (and I was a Windows Mobile user/supporter for over 4 years before switching to iPhone)

Personally, I haven't seen the value of a netbook since I've had an iPhone, but I see a ton of value in the iPad. I used an IBM x61 tablet for two years and was underwelmed, but this looks to address a lot of the issues I had with that.

Windows Mobile stinks, maybe 7 changes that but I won't hold my breath that will be great. I use webOS for a phone, the Palm Pre. And no I don't need a netbook because I have a laptop and my Palm Pre.

As for you, what issues does the iPad solve for you? I am curious what someone who would actually want one of these to do with it that you can't already do on your iPhone or Touch?

[k0ruptr]

I think once this thing gets Jail Broken, it will be pretty damn awesome. I'll wait for that to pick one up.

[Cringer]

Engadget tidbits on this after a hands-on. Though they are in love with Apple a little bit so you may or may not take it with a grain of salt.


It's not light. It feels pretty weighty in your hand.
The screen is stunning, and it's 1024 x 768. Feels just like a huge iPhone in your hands.
The speed of the CPU is something to be marveled at. It is blazingly fast from what we can tell. Webpages loaded up super fast, and scrolling was without a hiccup. Moving into and out of apps was a breeze. Everything flew.
There's no multitasking at all. It's a real disappointment. All this power and very little you can do with it at once. No multitasking means no streaming Pandora when you're working in Pages... you can figure it out. It's a real setback for this device.
The ebook implementation is about as close as you can get to reading without a stack of bound paper in your hand. The visual stuff really helps flesh out the experience. It may be just for show, but it counts here.
No camera. None, nada. Zip. No video conferencing here folks. Hell, it doesn't have an SMS app!
It's running iPhone OS 3.2.
The keyboard is good, not great. Not quite as responsive as it looked in the demos.
No Flash confirmed. So Hulu is out for you, folks!

[Cringer]

I think once this thing gets Jail Broken, it will be pretty damn awesome. I'll wait for that to pick one up.

I am sure that would help a good chunk. That wouldn't give me a USB port though.

And as negative as I sound on this, I say it probably sells somewhat decent and by the 2nd or 3rd version of this it could probably be a pretty kick-ass little device.

[Mac Howard]

Pity about the hype that produced expectations that could never had been met because it's a very reasonable machine in the end. I would personally prefer a Windows 7 touchscreen laptop or netbook but I suspect that far more software will be created for the Ipad than is currently being produced for Win 7 touchscreen.

It's a good price. Battery life looks good. Portability is good. It just isn't the great breakthrough that we were led to expect.

[Draft Dodger]

No camera, no multitasking, no flash, no way.

not a gadget guy, but when I first saw it this afternoon, I needed to have one. Then I started to find out all the quirks (such as these). Do not want.

[Logan]

:D

shit - my windows mobile phone can multi-task.

apparently Jobs doesn't think that people multitask.

rediculous

But you can surf the web while talking on the phone!!! VERIZON CAN'T!!!!

[MJ4H]

What the hell is everyone's sudden fascination with effing touch screens anyway? Do not want.

[rowech]

This thing is going to be a product that people buy just because and they're are going to be a lot of disappointed people. This thing is nothing but an oversized iphone with some added features. Hardly worth the money people are going to pay.

Of course, people will buy it, and then my taxdollars will help to bail them out when they can't pay for it or make their house payment because they bought one of these things to have the next big gadget.

[ISiddiqui]

LOL. This is one of the most useless products I've seen.

[DaddyTorgo]

I'm pretty sure the people critical in this thread aren't the target audience. Seriously, if you think Windows Mobile is better than iPhone because it has multitasking, you probably won't ever "get it". (and I was a Windows Mobile user/supporter for over 4 years before switching to iPhone)

Personally, I haven't seen the value of a netbook since I've had an iPhone, but I see a ton of value in the iPad. I used an IBM x61 tablet for two years and was underwelmed, but this looks to address a lot of the issues I had with that.

i never said windows mobile was better than iphone, i simply stated that my windows mobile phone can multitask and the iphone can't.

[Young Drachma]

Looking foward to the influx of menstruation jokes.

Yeah, maybe this is evidence of why you have women execs in your firm. So you don't name a product the iPad.

[DaddyTorgo]

But you can surf the web while talking on the phone!!! VERIZON CAN'T!!!!

yep...if i've got my bluetooth headset hooked up (which to be honest most of the time i don't). but it's real handy for say...having a conversation in my IM program while typing an email or looking up directions

[gstelmack]

This thing could theoretically be valuable in a classroom I suppose. Instead of providing books for every class, the ability to get e-versions of texts might actually work.

Amazon Kindle DX.

[cartman]

You have got to be kidding me. 64GB is the largest HD in the initial release? Wow. Well, I was pretty interested in this devide, now, not so much.

They are only going to go solid state in the device, no hope for a platter based HDD.

[RainMaker]

Flash. Not a flash.
So basically it counts it out as a sweet porn device.

[SackAttack]

Looking foward to the influx of menstruation jokes.

See, I give Nintendo a pass on 'Wii,' because you wouldn't expect the Japanese parent company to necessarily go "Oh...there might be penis jokes if we use that name."

What's Apple's excuse?

And how long until we get a device aimed at "casual gamers" where the developers don't even mess around with innuendo, intended or otherwise, and just call it a 'Raging Boner,' because that's what using it will do for you?

[RainMaker]

Isn't it just a less functional version of the Sony Dash that costs $300 more?

[Fidatelo]

It's a good price. Battery life looks good. Portability is good. It just isn't the great breakthrough that we were led to expect.

But who led you to expect anything? It certainly wasn't Apple since they have said absolutely nothing about the product before today.

[Draft Dodger]

iPad vs. stone tablet | Doobybrain.com (http://www.doobybrain.com/2010/01/27/ipad-vs-stone-tablet/)

[Tasan]

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[dawgfan]

I'm really not getting this device - I just don't understand why I'd want one or what I'd use it for.

I'm neutral on Apple - I have an iPhone and iPod and love them, hate iTunes, feel like Macs are overpriced, and I'm bothered by the superiority complex that Mac users have.

I'm sure the Apple fanboys will gobble them up, but for more neutral people like me, I fail to see how this is going to generate much enthusiasm.

[DaddyTorgo]

It's sad.

I was talking with my mother about this last night - my father overheard and he got RABIDLY upset. Like full on "Apple Fanboy" upset. "Ohhh so I guess Apple hasn't sold millions of Ipods and millions of Iphones. I'm sure they don't know what they're doing."

Very...weird. And my father is no luddite...he's worked in software development for the last like...30 years. He's also never been prone to being an "Apple Fanboy" before - in fact all of his development up until recently when he crossed over into more online video work, had been for PC's (LotusNotes, 1-2-3, Quattro Pro, etc).

The fact that he got obstinate and refused to listen to my legitmate points of criticism (which have been discussed upthread) was very shocking. He's been brainwashed by the IPhone.

[SportsDino]

I'm thinking of getting a tablet because I'm a habitual doodler and have literally thousands of pages of notes/sketches I can't find anything in. Deciding its time to waste some money and go techie, start tagging everything I write...

That said, without multitasking... not sure I'd go with an iPad, I can forgive just about everything else but its not like multiple processes on a machine is anything new Apple! When you start losing the market willing to pay several hundred just for a fancified notepad you messed up something in your design meeting (I literally care nothing for most apps other than web-surfing, although ahem FLASH mother******s!!!).

If you can't convince a rich nerd who just wants to doodle all day in technicolor for the most part you have failed!

[Logan]

But who led you to expect anything? It certainly wasn't Apple since they have said absolutely nothing about the product before today.

Maybe not officially, but hype doesn't come out of thin air.

The launch of the iPad was perhaps the most anticipated in Apple's history, eclipsing even the iPhone three years ago. On the Web and on Wall Street, speculation reached a fever pitch, transforming the iPad into a device of mythical proportions, some details of which turned out to be false. A few disappointments: no built-in camera, no video chat, no multitasking between different applications, no ability to play Flash content from websites.

Apple unveils the iPad, its highly anticipated tablet computer - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-apple-tablet28-2010jan28,0,2130537.story)

[JPhillips]

I've read speculation that this is the beginning of a push into the college textbook market. If that's the case it may indeed be a good idea.

[MikeVic]

yes. but its not as bad as it sounds. you leave safari to make your call (music automatically pauses), when your call is done the music restarts. then go to your app. then close that, and when you go back into safari its still on the same page you left it (and you can have multiple safari pages open at once)

Thanks that makes sense.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I thought Kindle already had started the push into the college textbook market. Or maybe that was just some speculation.

As for the iPad being "perhaps the most anticipated [release] in Apple's history", I must be totally out of the loop beause until yesterday (or whatever day it was released), I had no idea that Apple was planning on releasing any new product around this time. It caught me completely unawares.

[JPhillips]

I thought Kindle already had started the push into the college textbook market. Or maybe that was just some speculation.

As for the iPad being "perhaps the most anticipated [release] in Apple's history", I must be totally out of the loop beause until yesterday (or whatever day it was released), I had no idea that Apple was planning on releasing any new product around this time. It caught me completely unawares.

Yeah, but from what I've read Kindle doesn't have enough color and video capabilities to excel.

As a prof I'd love to transition to e texts as they should be cheaper and would allow embedded videos, interactive charts/graphs, customizable content, etc. I don't think, though, that enough students are ready to make the transition to make it profitable for equipment manufacturers or content providers. Eventually the tipping point will arrive, but my experience in the classroom suggests we aren't there yet.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Yeah, but from what I've read Kindle doesn't have enough color and video capabilities to excel.

As a prof I'd love to transition to e texts as they should be cheaper and would allow embedded videos, interactive charts/graphs, customizable content, etc. I don't think, though, that enough students are ready to make the transition to make it profitable for equipment manufacturers or content providers. Eventually the tipping point will arrive, but my experience in the classroom suggests we aren't there yet.

That would be pretty cool to see. I imagine it wont take that long for it to happen.

While the comparison is not spot on, I remember when I started law school in 1997 there was one guy with a laptop in our class and we deemed him "Laptop Boy." By the time I graduated in 2000, about 50% of the students had a laptop in class.

[DaddyTorgo]

you don't want to read your textbook on an active screen though, that's the issue

[Marc Vaughan]

I thought Kindle already had started the push into the college textbook market. Or maybe that was just some speculation.
Its that sort of thing which I've been keeping an eye on the kindle for - whenever I travel for work I have to lug programming books with me and these things are heavy ;)

As such I've been very tempted by the kindle in the past, but not given in simply because I'm a bookworm and I actively LIKE real books more than reading in an electronic format, yeah they're heavy and take up space - but thats something I can live with for the joy of being able to physically flip pages and scribble notes on them.

[gstelmack]

you don't want to read your textbook on an active screen though, that's the issue

Yup. Color and video may be great, but not if you can't read them for very long.

The future may actually be one of the recent e-readers that was announced / came out that opens up and the left side is e-ink for text and the right is a more typical active display for web browsing, etc. That might work. But the vast majority of text books would do just fine on a Kindle DX that has e-ink and the larger screen. And many textbooks are already available.

As e-ink comes down with the improved tech to merge the display / controller into one, you'll see more DX-sized devices that will be awesome for textbooks.

[DaddyTorgo]

Yup. Color and video may be great, but not if you can't read them for very long.

The future may actually be one of the recent e-readers that was announced / came out that opens up and the left side is e-ink for text and the right is a more typical active display for web browsing, etc. That might work. But the vast majority of text books would do just fine on a Kindle DX that has e-ink and the larger screen. And many textbooks are already available.

As e-ink comes down with the improved tech to merge the display / controller into one, you'll see more DX-sized devices that will be awesome for textbooks.


they have those dual-screen ones?? really?? i want one!!

[Drake]

iPad vs. stone tablet | Doobybrain.com (http://www.doobybrain.com/2010/01/27/ipad-vs-stone-tablet/)

I really enjoyed this. :)

[dervack]

Speculation is that multi-tasking will be added when apple updates the iPhone OS to 4.0 in July. I was excited to learn more about the tablet, but mark me in the underwhelmed category.

[Fidatelo]

Maybe not officially, but hype doesn't come out of thin air.



Apple unveils the iPad, its highly anticipated tablet computer - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-apple-tablet28-2010jan28,0,2130537.story)

No, in this case it came from people combing through patent filings and using vague references from 'people in the know'. The fact is, if I start working on a product that will show holographic images, and word gets out because I file for some patents and some of my necessary 3rd party partners leak "Fidatelo is making a hologram projector!", it's not really my fault when 6 months later people have built up in their mind the exact product they are going to receive and then the actual product doesn't match their wildest dreams. "Why doesn't your holographic projector display in 2 rooms at once??? I heard that it would!!".

I'm not saying iPad is perfect (its certainly not), but people made a lot of assumptions based on zero information and then got disappointed, which isn't entirely fair to Apple, I don't think.

[JPhillips]

Yup. Color and video may be great, but not if you can't read them for very long.

The future may actually be one of the recent e-readers that was announced / came out that opens up and the left side is e-ink for text and the right is a more typical active display for web browsing, etc. That might work. But the vast majority of text books would do just fine on a Kindle DX that has e-ink and the larger screen. And many textbooks are already available.

As e-ink comes down with the improved tech to merge the display / controller into one, you'll see more DX-sized devices that will be awesome for textbooks.

I agree current textbooks would work on Kindle and I don't know much about the IPad, but my dreams are much bigger. I want the full functionality of the web accessible within the textbook format. I want text with embedded links to previous material so students can better connect from chapter to chapter. I want performance pictures, but more importantly performance video available within the text. I want design texts that incorporate CAD demonstrations into the text itself. I want live updates of regional performances that connect with the current chapter. I want editable texts so I can create the text book that best suits my class.

I want the textbook to come into the 21st century. I don't care as much about the reader as I do the content.

[Logan]

No, in this case it came from people combing through patent filings and using vague references from 'people in the know'.

Do you really think analysts within investment banks/hedge funds/money managers - whose sole job it is to cover a very narrow field - get their information like that?

[Cringer]

I still laugh at the name of this thing. The funny thing is there is of course a fight over the name now with Fujitsu who have used it since 2002.

Apple and Fujitsu inevitably caught up in iPad trademark dispute -- Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/apple-and-fujitsu-inevitably-caught-up-in-ipad-trademark-dispute/)

[stevew]

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this is literally 20 posts up in the same exact thread.

[ISiddiqui]

8 Things That Suck About the iPad - apple ipad - Gizmodo (http://i.gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad)

A lot of people at Gizmodo are psyched about the iPad (http://i.gizmodo.com/5458349/apple-ipad-just-tried-to-assassinate-laptops?skyline=true&s=i). Not me! My god, am I underwhelmed by it. It has some absolutely backbreaking failures that will make buying one the last thing I would want to do. Updated
Big, Ugly Bezel
Have you seen the bezel (http://i.gizmodo.com/5458359/apple-ipad-official-pictures/gallery/) on this thing?! It's huge! I know you don't want to accidentally input a command when your thumb is holding it, but come on.
No Multitasking
This is a backbreaker. If this is supposed to be a replacement for netbooks, how can it possibly not have multitasking? Are you saying I can't listen to Pandora while writing a document? I can't have my Twitter app open at the same time as my browser? I can't have AIM open at the same time as my email? Are you kidding me? This alone guarantees that I will not buy this product.
No Cameras
No front facing camera is one thing. But no back facing camera either? Why the hell not? I can't imagine what the downside was for including at least one camera. Could this thing not handle video iChat?
Touch Keyboard
So much for Apple revolutionizing tablet inputs (http://i.gizmodo.com/5446652/how-will-we-type-on-the-apple-tablet); this is the same big, ugly touchscreen keyboard we've seen on other tablets, and unless you're lying on the couch with your knees propping it up, it'll be awkward to use (http://i.gizmodo.com/5458397/the-ipads-onscreen-typing-solution-isnt-a-solution-at-all).
No HDMI Out
Want to watch those nice HD videos you downloaded from iTunes on your TV? Too damned bad! If you were truly loyal, you'd just buy an AppleTV already.
The Name iPad
Get ready for Maxi pad jokes (http://i.gizmodo.com/5451997/new-candidate-for-apple-tablet-name-the-ipad), and lots of 'em (http://jezebel.com/5458338/that-time-of-the-month-the-internets-best-period+related-ipad-jokes)!
No Flash
No Flash is annoying but not a dealbreaker on the iPhone and iPod Touch. On something that's supposed to be closer to a netbook or laptop? It will leave huge, gaping holes in websites. I hope you don't care about streaming video! God knows not many casual internet users do. Oh wait, nevermind, they all do.
Adapters, Adapters, Adapters
So much for those smooth lines. If you want to plug anything into this, such as a digital camera, you need all sorts of ugly adapters (http://i.gizmodo.com/5458376/apple-ipads-myriad-optional-dongles-usb-sd-ac-bbq). You need an adapter for USB for god's sake.
Update: Why stop at 8? Here are more things we are discovering that suck about the iPad.
It's Not Widescreen
Widescreen movies look lousy on this thing thanks to its 4:3 screen, according to Blam, who checked out some of Star Trek on one. It's like owning a 4:3 TV all over again!
Doesn't Support T-Mobile 3G
Sure, it's "unlocked." But it won't work on T-Mobile (http://i.gizmodo.com/5458423/unlocked-or-not-your-ipad-wont-be-able-to-use-t+mobiles-3g-network), and it uses microSIMs that literally no one else uses.
A Closed App Ecosystem
The iPad only runs apps from the App Store. The same App Store that is notorious for banning apps for no real reason, such as Google Voice (http://i.gizmodo.com/5362635/google-apples-a-liar-did-reject-google-voice-iphone-app). Sure, netbooks might not have touchscreens, but you can install whatever software you'd like (http://www.defectivebydesign.org/ipad) on them. Want to run a different browser on your iPad? Too bad!

It's not widescreen? Seriously?! In this age? I knew about the rest (well, aside for the no HDMI out and needing an adapter for USB, which are both WTF), but really...

[DaddyTorgo]

wtf - this device just looks stupider and stupider

[Passacaglia]

Didn't Jobs say at the beginning of the conference that netbooks are just cheap low-quality laptops? That seems ironic, given the rest of the conference.

[DaddyTorgo]

Didn't Jobs say at the beginning of the conference that netbooks are just cheap low-quality laptops? That seems ironic, given the rest of the conference.

given that he's trying to introduce an overly-expensive, lower-quality "netbook-esque" device...yep :lol:

[Subby]

I am really encouraged by it. There is no way I would buy one, but it is absolutely a step in the right direction. Two years from now I would expect it to be extremely useful and at that point I would probably seriously consider getting one, particularly once they fix the eight things that suck about it. If they fix them, it will be an incredible device.

[Drake]

I just sent you a fax. Did you get it?

[RainMaker]

So I'm going to guess the 2nd generation will be out by Christmas and will have a lot of those features that everyone wants. So they grab all the sales from the fanboys who buy every Apple product ever and then grab the whole market around the holidays (as well as the fanboys who need to upgrade).

Might not be a bad move.

[Fidatelo]

Do you really think analysts within investment banks/hedge funds/money managers - whose sole job it is to cover a very narrow field - get their information like that?

So you're saying that all the hype built up amidst consumers was driven by money managers? That's an interesting claim, and one that I can't understand.

The hype as I, a general consumer understand it, has come from articles on tech sites and blogs and twitter and facebook and word of mouth, etc. I've read many articles or posts about how people suspected the tablet would have feature X because some dude filed a patent or there was an order for 3 million super-duper-resister chips at a Chinese factory and they could really only have one imagined use. I don't remember many articles that said the Apple tablet would be capable of Feature Y because Joe Bigbucks at BigBucks & Bartleby said so.

But lets say you're right: Joe BigBucks has the inside scoop and that's where all the rumors fed from. If that's the case, why was Joe so wrong? Why is this such a disappointment? If his whole Job is to nail this shit, why are we all amazed that this thing doesn't live up to the rampant speculation?

[Glengoyne]

I'm skeptical, but as an iPod Touch owner and fan. I can see where this thing would take off. We may not be the target audience.

[MJ4H]

What is the target audience, 14 foot tall ipod touch fans?

[stevew]

I wish RIM would make a tablet. Or something with an android OS. The shortfalls of this thing make it useless to me

[DaddyTorgo]

What is the target audience, 14 foot tall ipod touch fans?


:lol:

i'm freely stealing from this thread when i talk about this thing and i'm totally using this

[TroyF]

So I'm going to guess the 2nd generation will be out by Christmas and will have a lot of those features that everyone wants. So they grab all the sales from the fanboys who buy every Apple product ever and then grab the whole market around the holidays (as well as the fanboys who need to upgrade).

Might not be a bad move.

Well, I was debating on updating my kindle to next gen or wait for apple's tablet. These features have me so underwhelmed, I'm looking at ordering the kindle upgrade sometime next week. by the time they get the features out, I'll be locked into a new technology.

[Cringer]

Jailbreakers...hackers, whatever you want to call them, have already ported the iPad's iPhoneOS 3.2 over to a Touch, so now you don't even need to buy an iPad. Hehe.

[JimboJ]

If I can buy a 16 Gb SD card for $40, why does the 32 gb iPad cost $100 more than the 16 Gb version? Are you getting anything other than more memory? If not, this is nothing more than price gouging. They know most people will not want the 16 Gb version, and will be forced to pay a ridiculous amount just for more memory.

Why not make it expandable with SD cards?

[Comey]

Hmmm...I dunno. Pee-Wee seems to like his. Really helps at parties.

<object width="512" height="328" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="key=f7a03edbd7" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed width="512" height="328" flashvars="key=f7a03edbd7" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" src="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div style="text-align:center;width:512px;"><a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/f7a03edbd7/pee-wee-gets-an-ipad" title="from Pee-wee Herman and Eric Appel">Pee-wee Gets An iPad!</a> from <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/peewee_herman">Pee-wee Herman</a></div> (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/pee-wee-gets-an-ipad-vide_n_442006.html)

[ISiddiqui]

Why not make it expandable with SD cards?

Cause its Apple.

[MJ4H]

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/shang_kenneth/apple-evolution.jpg

[stevew]

What is the target audience, 14 foot tall ipod touch fans?

Obviously designed for the native people of Pandora.

[Glengoyne]

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/shang_kenneth/apple-evolution.jpg
This one is my favorite.

What I meant by target audience is this.

My wife and kids liked my iPod Touch so much I bought one for my wife. We are both constantly utilizing the devices. Rather than whiling away time watching TV, we while away time with the touches. There are games and utilities galore as well as the music and audio books I utilize it for.

Give the app developers time, and the new format will take off even farther as this thing could absolutely fit the bill as the PC my wife wants in the kitchen, as a utility for teachers in the class room, or as a big ass organizer that will replace some people's planners. There are lots of legitimate uses for the existing touch. Deploying it in a larger format should expand those possibilities. So while I'm skeptical and cynical regarding this release, I can still see that this device has a lot of potential.

Ground Breaking; The device isn't. The format... and what the app developers will do with it. I think that might be enough to make it HUGE. Not just bigger than it already is...I mean a huge commercial success.

[MJ4H]

I think the point is this: we understand why a device as small as the ipod touch has limitations. We do not understand why a device as large as the ipad has nearly the same limitations. It makes no sense. I mean most of these things it seems would be trivial to add or even a pain to actually not have.

Yes the device has some potential. But it is just foolishness that keeps it from having incredible potential.

[Klinglerware]

The convertible laptop/touchscreen tablet has been around for years. If there was incredible potential in the form factor, everyone would already be toting one around.

As it is, tablets are a niche segment, with a size and form in between a mobile phone and laptop. In the past, the criticism was that tablets were in a weird no-man's land: not as portable as a smartphone yet not as powerful as a laptop. And, the ones that came the closest to getting the functionality/size equation right were not of interest to most consumers because of the high price tag.

Now, if the tablet can be done cheaply (like what was done with the netbook) with the functionality of both a phone and a full-fledged PC, then more people would adopt it.

[Big Fo]

Obviously designed for the native people of Pandora.

No ponytail plugs ftl

[Desnudo]

The convertible laptop/touchscreen tablet has been around for years. If there was incredible potential in the form factor, everyone would already be toting one around.

As it is, tablets are a niche segment, with a size and form in between a mobile phone and laptop. In the past, the criticism was that tablets were in a weird no-man's land: not as portable as a smartphone yet not as powerful as a laptop. And, the ones that came the closest to getting the functionality/size equation right were not of interest to most consumers because of the high price tag.

Now, if the tablet can be done cheaply (like what was done with the netbook) with the functionality of both a phone and a full-fledged PC, then more people would adopt it.

Totally agree. There probably will be a time in the near future when technology and design merge to make this form usable, but we aren't there yet.

As for the now, I'm not sure why I'd buy this over a netbook/tablet with more capabilities.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/635395-REG/ASUS_T91SA_VU1X_BK_Eee_PC_T91_Tablet.html#features

[DaddyTorgo]

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[Samdari]

Totally agree. There probably will be a time in the near future when technology and design merge to make this form usable, but we aren't there yet.

As for the now, I'm not sure why I'd buy this over a netbook/tablet with more capabilities.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/635395-REG/ASUS_T91SA_VU1X_BK_Eee_PC_T91_Tablet.html#features

The ONLY reason you'd buy the iPad is form factor.

I have no idea why people would buy that device, with that form factor, rather than an iPhone or Touch, but Apple is not the only company racing to get a tablet/multi-use reader on the marker.

[Subby]

The ONLY reason you'd buy the iPad is form factor.

I have no idea why people would buy that device, with that form factor, rather than an iPhone or Touch, but Apple is not the only company racing to get a tablet/multi-use reader on the marker.
If Apple were to look at the "Eight Things That Suck About the iPad" list and integrate those features, they might have a winner.

[Edward64]

Here's a nice summary of the iPad. The wi-fi to 3g jump premium is too high imo but looks pretty cool.

The iPad has Arrived - In Pictures: Apple's iPad - Tom's Guide (http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/143-Apple-iPad-Tablet.html)

[DaddyTorgo]

how can people say iPad's or iPhones can multitask when there's no support for multitasking with 3rd party apps? Crippled-multitasking isn't multitasking.

[lordscarlet]

how can people say iPad's or iPhones can multitask when there's no support for multitasking with 3rd party apps? Crippled-multitasking isn't multitasking.

Who is saying they can multitask?

[DaddyTorgo]

Who is saying they can multitask?

idk - my father likes to claim that his can. and he's not an idiot when it comes to technology (although in this case he is, and i have told him so).

[Daimyo]

idk - my father likes to claim that his can. and he's not an idiot when it comes to technology (although in this case he is, and i have told him so).

Have you used an iphone? It doesn't multi-task, but it handles app switching so well that sometimes its hard to tell that it doesn't multi-task until you try to use something like Pandora.

[DaddyTorgo]

Have you used an iphone? It doesn't multi-task, but it handles app switching so well that sometimes its hard to tell that it doesn't multi-task until you try to use something like Pandora.

app switching doesn't = multitasking though.

you can't be logged into facebook while listening to pandora. that's pretty weak, considering i can be on my windows mobile phone.

[Glengoyne]

Again. This thing isn't a PC. It doesn't need to fulfill all of the requirements of a PC to be successful.

I have an Ipod Touch, and I use it pretty much daily. I think that supersizing my Touch would make for a very useful tool, that I would still use every day. In fact the larger format opens up the things it can do. It is a better browser. It is a better reading platform. It is a better way to view movies, albeit you have to suffer through without HD.

I can use my iPod Touch to vpn into my office network, connect to any VM, desktop, or server, and use them. The iPad makes that work even better and more convenient.

One of the new class of app coming out is a finger painter. You can use the iPad to create publication ready art. The other app I thought would be very appealing to the very crowd of people mocking the iPad is the comic book reader. Yes. Those comic publishers, at least some of them, are embracing the new medium.

The reason that Apple believes a super-sized iPod Touch will be a hit is that the smaller platform is such a winner. After all Bigger is always better.

[DaddyTorgo]

Again. This thing isn't a PC. It doesn't need to fulfill all of the requirements of a PC to be successful.

I have an Ipod Touch, and I use it pretty much daily. I think that supersizing my Touch would make for a very useful tool, that I would still use every day. In fact the larger format opens up the things it can do. It is a better browser. It is a better reading platform. It is a better way to view movies, albeit you have to suffer through without HD.

I can use my iPod Touch to vpn into my office network, connect to any VM, desktop, or server, and use them. The iPad makes that work even better and more convenient.

One of the new class of app coming out is a finger painter. You can use the iPad to create publication ready art. The other app I thought would be very appealing to the very crowd of people mocking the iPad is the comic book reader. Yes. Those comic publishers, at least some of them, are embracing the new medium.

The reason that Apple believes a super-sized iPod Touch will be a hit is that the smaller platform is such a winner. After all Bigger is always better.

multitasking isn't a PC-only task. My Windows Mobile 6 smartphone can multitask...why can't an iPhone? Why should I have to pause the music I'm listening to on Pandora to Tweet about how much I like it?

It's just a stupid design decision.

[Daimyo]

app switching doesn't = multitasking though.

you can't be logged into facebook while listening to pandora. that's pretty weak, considering i can be on my windows mobile phone.

True. While I can't argue with that, I can say there has never been a time in the year I've had an iPhone where lack of multi-tasking impacted me at all. I would probably be annoyed if I used Pandora, but I don't.

[DaddyTorgo]

True. While I can't argue with that, I can say there has never been a time in the year I've had an iPhone where lack of multi-tasking impacted me at all. I would probably be annoyed if I used Pandora, but I don't.

fair enough.

[Daimyo]

app switching doesn't = multitasking though.

you can't be logged into facebook while listening to pandora. that's pretty weak, considering i can be on my windows mobile phone.

DOLA, and I used Windows Mobile phones for four years before I got my iPhone. Maybe it can do multi-tasking, but there is no comparison in user experience between WM and iPhone. WM is a dying platform for a reason.

[Daimyo]

I have an Ipod Touch, and I use it pretty much daily. I think that supersizing my Touch would make for a very useful tool, that I would still use every day. In fact the larger format opens up the things it can do. It is a better browser. It is a better reading platform. It is a better way to view movies, albeit you have to suffer through without HD.

I doubt there are many people in the world who could tell the difference between 480p and HD at arm's length on a 10" screen.

[DanGarion]

There is talk that os 4.0 will contain full multitasking.

[fantom1979]

DOLA, and I used Windows Mobile phones for four years before I got my iPhone. Maybe it can do multi-tasking, but there is no comparison in user experience between WM and iPhone. WM is a dying platform for a reason.

I have heard that the new Windows Mobile software is pretty good. But my source is Paul Thurrott, so I am sure that opinion is a tad biased.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'm not a huge Apple fan, but I got an iPhone recently and like it a lot. I could definitely see myself purchasing a WiFi iPad when I have some money available.

[DaddyTorgo]

I have heard that the new Windows Mobile software is pretty good. But my source is Paul Thurrott, so I am sure that opinion is a tad biased.

WM 7.0 looks great from what i've seen

[Glengoyne]

I doubt there are many people in the world who could tell the difference between 480p and HD at arm's length on a 10" screen.

Sorry. The sarcasm was not well crafted enough. That is actually one of the criticisms I've seen.

[TroyF]

I've really tried to take a second look at the IPad. I have everything a tech geek can have. But I'm just not sold on this. I have a tablet pc that's powerful. I have a Kindle that fills all my reading needs. I can carry both of those in a small bag and use them anywhere I want.

I just don't understand the design decisions that went into this thing either. No usb? No SD slot? No multitasking? I'm sure the people who get one will love them and it'll be a big hit. I do like the concept and feel that one of these alternatives will probably be a better fit for me:

hxxp://mashable.com/2010/01/27/9-upcoming-tablet-alternatives-to-the-apple-ipad/

[Daimyo]

WM 7.0 looks great from what i've seen

The problem is that right now they have like 10-15% of the US smartphone market and they're losing nearly 1% every month! They announced WM7, but it doesn't come out until February and they've also announced that WM6 apps won't work on WM7 which means their sales will continue to tank (who wants to buy a WM6 phone when it will be obsolete in 10 months) and they'll lose a year's worth of app development for the platform (who will continue writing WM6 apps?)

I think that is very problematic for them and I don't see much room for them going forward with iPhone, Blackberry, and Android to contend with.

[kingfc22]

There is talk that os 4.0 will contain full multitasking.

I've heard that as well and it would be one of the most logical additions IMO.

[MizzouRah]

I've really tried to take a second look at the IPad. I have everything a tech geek can have. But I'm just not sold on this. I have a tablet pc that's powerful. I have a Kindle that fills all my reading needs. I can carry both of those in a small bag and use them anywhere I want.

I just don't understand the design decisions that went into this thing either. No usb? No SD slot? No multitasking? I'm sure the people who get one will love them and it'll be a big hit. I do like the concept and feel that one of these alternatives will probably be a better fit for me:

hxxp://mashable.com/2010/01/27/9-upcoming-tablet-alternatives-to-the-apple-ipad/

Accessories - Camera Connector Kit - In Pictures: Apple's iPad - Tom's Guide (http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/143-13-Apple-iPad-Tablet.html)

There are two accessories that allow you to plug in your SD card and connect it directly to the ipad or via USB from your camera - but I agree about the USB ports, or lack there of.

I wasn't interested at all, but if I ever did get one, it would be the 64 GB with Wi-Fi and 3G, then I could use it anywhere. I also love all the apps that are already available - would be a great thing to carry around everywhere I go.

[DaddyTorgo]

I believe there is an accessory that allows you to plug in your SD card and connect it directly to the ipad - but I agree about the USB ports, or lack there of.

I wasn't interested at all, but if I ever did get one, it would be the 64 GB with Wi-Fi and 3G, then I could use it anywhere. I also love all the apps that are already available - would be a great thing to carry around everywhere I go.

at the price point for that though, isn't a tiny netbook with a wireless 3g card a lot cheaper?

[MizzouRah]

at the price point for that though, isn't a tiny netbook with a wireless 3g card a lot cheaper?

Yes, but it isn't as cool. :D

I wouldn't get one right away.. my wife would kill me.

[MizzouRah]

12 Biggest iPad Rivals.. very interesting, although I'm not sure these will put much of a dent into ipad sales.

Tablet Wars: The 12 Biggest iPad Rivals - CNBC (http://www.cnbc.com/id/35989025)

[jeff061]

There isn't a single logical reason to by this thing.

[DaddyTorgo]

There isn't a single logical reason to by this thing.

unless you're an apple fanboy. there are alternatives on the market now that are likely cheaper, and have more robust feature sets

[MizzouRah]

There isn't a single logical reason to by this thing.

The price is steep... but...

I sit at my pc for hours surfing the web, would be nice to be able to hit a power button and start surfing from just about anywhere - much easier than firing up my laptop and lugging it around.

Batter lasts 10 hours, lucky to get 2 from my laptop battery.

Could put all my itunes and pictures, email, etc.. on it, tons of apps will be coming soon.

Again... price is crazy, especially for the one I would want Wifi + 3G, but it has its appeal.. for me at least.

[jeff061]

Yeah, it's different from the norm for Apple's electronics though. They were always overpriced, but I still respected the iPone and iPod as devices that drove the industry forward.

This atrocity is going to set things back 5 years or worse. Between the shitty featureless OS and the even more dangerous App store. Christ, imagine if that takes off and becomes the norm. Other manufacturers may follow suit with draconian limits on what you can and cannot install. The bright landscape of tablet PCs may get steered towards the dark ages.

Fuck Apple.

/geek

[MizzouRah]

unless you're an apple fanboy. there are alternatives on the market now that are likely cheaper, and have more robust feature sets

I'm not an apple fanboy.. have an ipod, that's about it.

I am an internet junkie though..

[jeff061]

The price is steep... but...

I sit at my pc for hours surfing the web, would be nice to be able to hit a power button and start surfing from just about anywhere - much easier than firing up my laptop and lugging it around.

Batter lasts 10 hours, lucky to get 2 from my laptop battery.

Could put all my itunes and pictures, email, etc.. on it, tons of apps will be coming soon.

Again... price is crazy, especially for the one I would want Wifi + 3G, but it has its appeal.. for me at least.

But you can get all this and far more for less money with any number of other products. While maintaining control over the device you bought.

[MizzouRah]

Yeah, it's different than the norm for Apple's electronics though. They were always overpriced, but I still respected the iPone and iPod as devices that drove the industry forward.

This atrocity is going to set things back 5 years or worse. Between the shitty featureless OS and the even more dangerous App store. Christ, imagine if that takes off and becomes the norm. Other manufacturers may follow suit with draconian limits on what you can and cannot install. The bright landscape of tablet PCs may get steered towards the dark ages.

Fuck Apple.

/geek

Tablet pc's suck, imho... at least the ones I used to work on when we had the HP account. Things were breaking all over the place - which isn't to say the ipad won't either.. but a laptop is fine in a tablets place imo.

The ipad just seems like a neat way to surf the net, get email (yes my bb gets email too) have the kids watch movies in the car, etc...

$827 for the 64GB with 3G is crazy expensive though!!!

[MizzouRah]

But you can get all this and far more for less money with any number of other products. While maintaining control over the device you bought.

Which I've started to read up on.

Not sure what you mean by "control" - I love my ipod and the itunes store and don't really care to have another "windows" device to fumble through. I want to fire it up and start surfing - that article I posted does have some neat alternatives though.

[jeff061]

Yeah, tablets over the last 10 years sucked, but with the advent of low power CPUs(Atom) that are still plenty powerful and the success of netbooks, they are posed to really take off.

Couple cool devices in the link you posted earlier. I have some hopes that Google will do it right. The JooJoo looks interesting, but I haven't looked into it beyond that link.

[jeff061]

Which I've started to read up on.

Not sure what you mean by "control" - I love my ipod and the itunes store and don't really care to have another "windows" device to fumble through. I want to fire it up and start surfing - that article I posted does have some neat alternatives though.

Every app in the apple store has to be approved by Apple. If they don't want you to load something, well, you aren't loading it with out cracking the OS.

[MizzouRah]

Yeah, tablets over the last 10 years sucked, but with the advent of low power CPUs(Atom) that are still plenty powerful and the success of netbooks, they are posed to really take off.

Couple cool devices in the link you posted earlier. I have some hopes that Google will do it right. The JooJoo looks interesting, but I haven't looked into it beyond that link.

I thought the same thing about the JooJoo.. need to read more on it.

[MizzouRah]

Every app in the apple store has to be approved by Apple. If they don't want you to load something, well, you aren't loading it with out cracking the OS.

Doesn't bother me.. I've looked at some of the apps and I can imagine over the next few months, they will have hundreds more and anything I could possible ever want.

[jeff061]

I thought the same thing about the JooJoo.. need to read more on it.

Yeah the JooJoo may have all the same faults as the iPad. But a Linux based OS is promising. I'd read up on it now, but it's too late :).

[MizzouRah]

Yeah the JooJoo may have all the same faults as the iPad. But a Linux based OS is promising. I'd read up on it now, but it's too late :).

Connects to the internet in just 9 seconds, very nice!

[jeff061]

Doesn't bother me.. I've looked at some of the apps and I can imagine over the next few months, they will have hundreds more and anything I could possible ever want.

Still a very dangerous precedent I don't want to see set. Imagine if it was proven acceptable that Microsoft could define what applications you could load.

I know there were apps Apple denied I'd want that weren't porn related. But I don't feel like finding specifics(though Google Voice, PDAnet spring to mind, both of which I have on my Droid and both of which had Apple versions created), so lets stick with the porn :). If I want an app that shows me naked chicks or whatever I should be able to install it on the device I paid good money for. But Apple won't publish that on their store because of the pornographic content. If it's not in their store you can't install it.

I don't necessarily have a problem with them policing their own store, but it definitely should not be the only way to get an app installed.

[TroyF]

Accessories - Camera Connector Kit - In Pictures: Apple's iPad - Tom's Guide (http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/143-13-Apple-iPad-Tablet.html)

There are two accessories that allow you to plug in your SD card and connect it directly to the ipad or via USB from your camera - but I agree about the USB ports, or lack there of.

I wasn't interested at all, but if I ever did get one, it would be the 64 GB with Wi-Fi and 3G, then I could use it anywhere. I also love all the apps that are already available - would be a great thing to carry around everywhere I go.


So i spend money on a camera accessory, an SD card accessory and now my portable IPad becomes a mess of cables and accessories? If that's the case, why don't I just have a more powerful laptop that has all of the things included? And now the cost jumps up another 50 or 60 bucks (or more) for the simple accessories that do what other competitors do for cheaper out of the box?

I understand what you are saying, but I'll just go to one of the competitors that has the features on my list. I'm sure a bunch of my friends will get this and if they do change the OS, add features and I haven't purchased something else, I'll reconsider at a later date.

[MizzouRah]

Still a very dangerous precedent I don't want to see set. Imagine if it was proven acceptable that Microsoft could define what applications you could load.

I know there were apps Apple denied I'd want that weren't porn related. But I don't feel like finding specifics(though Google Voice, PDAnet spring to mind, both of which I have on my Droid and both of which had Apple versions created), so lets stick with the porn :). If I want an app that shows me naked chicks or whatever I should be able to install it on the device I paid good money for. But Apple won't publish that on their store because of the pornographic content. If it's not in their store you can't install it.

I don't necessarily have a problem with them policing their own store, but it definitely should not be the only way to get an app installed.

To each his own, I guess. Sounds more like a conspiracy to me. :D

I read up on the JooJoo - no apps, only 4GB of storage, 5 hours of battery life and not much more than a web browser at this point - doesn't even play music.

[MizzouRah]

So i spend money on a camera accessory, an SD card accessory and now my portable IPad becomes a mess of cables and accessories? If that's the case, why don't I just have a more powerful laptop that has all of the things included? And now the cost jumps up another 50 or 60 bucks (or more) for the simple accessories that do what other competitors do for cheaper out of the box?

I understand what you are saying, but I'll just go to one of the competitors that has the features on my list. I'm sure a bunch of my friends will get this and if they do change the OS, add features and I haven't purchased something else, I'll reconsider at a later date.

Well, either one - I wouldn't see the need for both of them.

I've said this many times, the pricing sucks - I'm fine with $499 if it was the 64 GB model with 3G.

I'm interested to see a competitor that is better though.. the JooJoo isn't it, at least right now - if you do happen to find another product worth researching, please let me know.. I'm all ears.

It's more of a want for me at this point in time - I never buy something that expensive without tons of research - I'll keep reading up on it and hopefully someone I know will have one that I can mess around with for myself.

[jeff061]

To each his own, I guess. Sounds more like a conspiracy to me. :D

Not a conspiracy at all, that's fact and a point of contention with the iPhone almost since it's inception. Too be honest, I didn't even know anyone would debate it. Even Apple will tell you that, what they won't tell you are guidelines or reasons for rejected apps.

Google Voice and PDANet could potentially cut into ATT profits, Apple played the good partner and rejected them. Viewing naked people is immoral I guess, so you can't do that either.

I am curious why you think it's conspiracy. Do you think people publish their own apps on the store? Every single app has to be vetted by Apple, Apple kills a large number of them without citing specific reasons. Not debatable.

[jeff061]

iPhone Application Graveyard (http://boredzo.org/killed-iphone-apps/)
Very small sample.

http://techcrunch.com/2009/07/27/apple-is-growing-rotten-to-the-core-and-its-likely-atts-fault/
Google voice

[gstelmack]

Still a very dangerous precedent I don't want to see set. Imagine if it was proven acceptable that Microsoft could define what applications you could load.

That's what ticks me off with tech reporting. If Microsoft does this with a PDA or a tablet PC or a notebook or a desktop, people scream "monopoly!". Heck, Microsoft gets nailed for putting a browser in the OS, while Apple gets away with bundling video making software with nary a peep.

[wade moore]

Everyone keeps saying "there are cheaper alternatives that do everything this does and more!"

Can someone provide one concrete example?

[jeff061]

I would say any Netbook, period. Take your pick. Just keep it in hibernation for reduced boot times.

But if you need the touchscreen quick search brings.
<object height="385" width="640">


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/98alH6SughM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></object>

Also HP/MS have a nice looking tablet coming out in June. I prefer a Linux OS, since that can be much more customized for a low power platform and already has huge app support. But Windows 7 beats the hell out of the iPad OS.

[MrBug708]

My mother's arrived yesterday

[MizzouRah]

Not a conspiracy at all, that's fact and a point of contention with the iPhone almost since it's inception. Too be honest, I didn't even know anyone would debate it. Even Apple will tell you that, what they won't tell you are guidelines or reasons for rejected apps.

Google Voice and PDANet could potentially cut into ATT profits, Apple played the good partner and rejected them. Viewing naked people is immoral I guess, so you can't do that either.

I am curious why you think it's conspiracy. Do you think people publish their own apps on the store? Every single app has to be vetted by Apple, Apple kills a large number of them without citing specific reasons. Not debatable.

I guess I don't understand what the big deal is? I could care less to see naked women apps on an ipad.. again, I have a laptop and desktop pc to do that on. MS has to approve patches and downloadable content on the 360 and Sony for the ps3.

The ipad is for quick, simple access to the internet, email, and some great apps you can purchase. I was just thinking last night how it would have been nice to quickly fire it up and look up some baseball stats without having to go and turn my pc on.

[Subby]

I think Apple haters may actually be worse than the fan boys. :)

[jeff061]

I'm not an Apple hater, I'm an iPad hater. OSX is a great OS, iPhone and iPod were and are great devices. This is probably the only Apple device I am against.

The naked women thing was just to make a point. They have been denying apps that compete with their products, that doesn't raise a red flag? If it becomes a norm for all companies to start doing it they can get even more brazen. Maybe at some point in the future they decide political or religious apps are too controversial and stop allowing those? They should not have that type of control over something you bought.

I was hoping the iPad was going to be a minimilastic OSX. It's not, it's some atrocity that tries to make dangerous practices acceptable. Maybe once this takes off they expand the app store to OSX and prevent you from installing anything else. This is easily the potential scenario.

[DanGarion]

Netflix on iPad is pretty interesting...

[DanGarion]

Travel Vest from SCOTTEVEST/SeV - Men's Travel Vest with Hidden Pockets – Our Best Travel Vest also works as a Photographers Vest with many Vest Pockets and a Gadget Vest - Men's Black Vest - Multi-Pocket Travel Vest - 22 Pocket Travel Vest - Clothes for Travel much better than a Money Belt or Fanny Pack (http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/New_Travel_Vest.shtml)

[JediKooter]

I'm not an Apple hater, I'm an iPad hater. OSX is a great OS, iPhone and iPod were and are great devices. This is probably the only Apple device I am against.

The naked women thing was just to make a point. They have been denying apps that compete with their products, that doesn't raise a red flag? If it becomes a norm for all companies to start doing it they can get even more brazen. Maybe at some point in the future they decide political or religious apps are too controversial and stop allowing those? They should not have that type of control over something you bought.

I was hoping the iPad was going to be a minimilastic OSX. It's not, it's some atrocity that tries to make dangerous practices acceptable. Maybe once this takes off they expand the app store to OSX and prevent you from installing anything else. This is easily the potential scenario.

Apple is a for profit company and they can dictate what does and does not get into their playground. It's not a democracy. If you want to play, you have to play by Apple's rules, plain and simple. There's no conspiracy other than Apple trying to make as much profit as possible.

[gstelmack]

Apple is a for profit company and they can dictate what does and does not get into their playground. It's not a democracy. If you want to play, you have to play by Apple's rules, plain and simple. There's no conspiracy other than Apple trying to make as much profit as possible.

Which is patently unfair to Microsoft, since government agencies around the world are infringing on their right to make a profit in many areas.

[JediKooter]

Which is patently unfair to Microsoft, since government agencies around the world are infringing on their right to make a profit in many areas.

Because microsoft has an inordinate amount of proliferation in the market, Apple does not.

Left out: I also feel that microsoft should be allowed to make as much profit as possible as well.

[jeff061]

Apple is a for profit company and they can dictate what does and does not get into their playground. It's not a democracy. If you want to play, you have to play by Apple's rules, plain and simple. There's no conspiracy other than Apple trying to make as much profit as possible.

Thank you captain obvious. I didn't say it was illegal. Just that consumers shouldn't support it.

[DaddyTorgo]

Travel Vest from SCOTTEVEST/SeV - Men's Travel Vest with Hidden Pockets – Our Best Travel Vest also works as a Photographers Vest with many Vest Pockets and a Gadget Vest - Men's Black Vest - Multi-Pocket Travel Vest - 22 Pocket Travel Vest - Clothes for Travel much better than a Money Belt or Fanny Pack (http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/New_Travel_Vest.shtml)

i've got an evest...they're pretty cool actually.

[DaddyTorgo]

Thank you captain obvious. I didn't say it was illegal. Just that consumers shouldn't support it.

exactly

[JediKooter]

Thank you captain obvious. I didn't say it was illegal. Just that consumers shouldn't support it.

Easy there Captain Sensitive...that's the great thing about a free market, they can choose to support it or not.

[dawgfan]

It could very well be vapor-ware, but I'm far more interested in the rumored Microsoft Courier book-style tablet PC than the iPad:

http://www.liliputing.com/tag/courier

[Glengoyne]

The deal is this is somewhat of an established market they've built. iPhone and iPod Touch users have created a market for app developers whose apps Apple did bless. This is a lucrative market, and it has drawn developers, closed environment and all. The existing users will have little to prevent them from adopting the iPad. New apps will draw in more buyers as well.

The iPad keeps being compared to a PC. It isn't a PC. It serves functions that PCs can't or don't.

It could be more, yes. It is what it is, and the marketplace and application developers will determine its fate.

[JediKooter]

The deal is this is somewhat of an established market they've built. iPhone and iPod Touch users have created a market for app developers whose apps Apple did bless. This is a lucrative market, and it has drawn developers, closed environment and all. The existing users will have little to prevent them from adopting the iPad. New apps will draw in more buyers as well.

The iPad keeps being compared to a PC. It isn't a PC. It serves functions that PCs can't or don't.

It could be more, yes. It is what it is, and the marketplace and application developers will determine its fate.

+1

[jeff061]

Easy there Captain Sensitive...that's the great thing about a free market, they can choose to support it or not.

I know they can, Christ. I feel like you are making me dumber. Yes, they can do whatever they want. I know this. Why do you seem too think that has anything to do with what I am saying? You keep posting things that are completely and utterly irrelevant.

They could also put a hunk of metal in a box and charge $1000, but if people didn't buy it they'd probably stop doing that.

Please don't respond "But it's a free market, if they want to sell a hunk of metal they can".

[jeff061]

The deal is this is somewhat of an established market they've built. iPhone and iPod Touch users have created a market for app developers whose apps Apple did bless. This is a lucrative market, and it has drawn developers, closed environment and all. The existing users will have little to prevent them from adopting the iPad. New apps will draw in more buyers as well.

The iPad keeps being compared to a PC. It isn't a PC. It serves functions that PCs can't or don't.

It could be more, yes. It is what it is, and the marketplace and application developers will determine its fate.

It costs as much or more than a PC and does less. Not sure I understand what separates it? Maybe battery life(which is actually very impressive), about the only thing I can think of. But you can still get 6 hours pretty easy elsewhere.

It is very stylish, and if that's why you want to buy it that's fine. I don't think a whole hell of a lot of people own up to that though :).

[MJ4H]

I see absolutely no benefit over a laptop and I already have one of those. Just being able to put it on my knees? Eh, I already pretty much do that with a laptop. Maybe on the shitter it would be a bit better. But I still want to be able to multi-task, even when I'm taking a dump. Maybe I'm not the target market?

[terpkristin]

I see absolutely no benefit over a laptop and I already have one of those. Just being able to put it on my knees? Eh, I already pretty much do that with a laptop. Maybe on the shitter it would be a bit better. But I still want to be able to multi-task, even when I'm taking a dump. Maybe I'm not the target market?

I don't think I am. Laptops on both floors of the house, plus an iPod Touch, I just can't see myself buying one. Then again, I said the same thing about the Kindle and I've had one of those for a year now...

/tk

[MizzouRah]

I think it's cool for what it's intended to do, price sucks, but so did HD TV's about a year ago.

I'll probably wait unless I win the lottery, but the biggiest draw for me is being able to surf the net with ease, check emails, view pictures, listen to music.. all with excellent portability. Plus, I would want the 3G model so I could surf anywhere I wanted to. I mean, being able to show off pictures and surf the net while over at a relatives house without having to boot my laptop, seems cool to me.

It's not everyone's cup of tea and that's fine. Unlike the psp, which I've bought and returned 2 of them, I might actually get lots of use out of an ipad.

[DaddyTorgo]

I think it's cool for what it's intended to do, price sucks, but so did HD TV's about a year ago.

I'll probably wait unless I win the lottery, but the biggiest draw for me is being able to surf the net with ease, check emails, view pictures, listen to music.. all with excellent portability. Plus, I would want the 3G model so I could surf anywhere I wanted to. I mean, being able to show off pictures and surf the net while over at a relatives house without having to boot my laptop, seems cool to me.

It's not everyone's cup of tea and that's fine. Unlike the psp, which I've bought and returned 2 of them, I might actually get lots of use out of an ipad.

doesn't take that long to boot your average netbook either though mizzou

[MizzouRah]

doesn't take that long to boot your average netbook either though mizzou

True.. I priced one out which is about the same as a 16 GB base iPad - although not as quick processor wise and so SSD HD, but definitely something I'll look into.

[Glengoyne]

It costs as much or more than a PC and does less. Not sure I understand what separates it? Maybe battery life(which is actually very impressive), about the only thing I can think of. But you can still get 6 hours pretty easy elsewhere.

It is very stylish, and if that's why you want to buy it that's fine. I don't think a whole hell of a lot of people own up to that though :).

It doesn't do "less" than a PC. It does different things. Similar things to be sure, but different. I'll look at it from the comparison to the iTouch. I find the iTouch gets a lot of my time...namely because there are apps available that let me do a lot of leisure activities all bundled together there on my iPod. I wouldn't do those things on a PC. A PC with its interface designed to do PC things would get in my way when I wanted to read a ebook...or play one of the 99 cent games, or listen to a song, or watch a scene from or a whole movie, or browse for another 99 cent or free game to while away my time. The iTouch does all of those things better than a PC. I know..I have a laptop. It sits on the desktop now, and if I want to do PC stuff from my Lay Z Boy, I RDP over to the laptop and then come back to my iTouch. The iPad fits the same niche, but its size broadens the applications and in many cases improves the implementation.

I'm no apple fan boy. I've not been an early adopter of any of their products. I'm staunchly in the PC camp when it comes to the home or office computer. I didn't exactly jump on the ipod revolution, waiting until the price point hit my threshold. My phone is a Motorola Razor. I only bought the iTouch this December when my iPod died on a business trip. The Touch came in at $199, and offered a great feature set. Now I've definitely come to appreciate that feature set, and see that the larger dimensions of the iPad open up a number of opportunities. Frankly opportunities that aren't available for a laptop or Netbook.

So it doesn't do less than a PC. It does different things, and a number of things that a PC can't.

[DaddyTorgo]

It doesn't do "less" than a PC. It does different things. Similar things to be sure, but different. I'll look at it from the comparison to the iTouch. I find the iTouch gets a lot of my time...namely because there are apps available that let me do a lot of leisure activities all bundled together there on my iPod. I wouldn't do those things on a PC. A PC with its interface designed to do PC things would get in my way when I wanted to read a ebook...or play one of the 99 cent games, or listen to a song, or watch a scene from or a whole movie, or browse for another 99 cent or free game to while away my time. The iTouch does all of those things better than a PC. I know..I have a laptop. It sits on the desktop now, and if I want to do PC stuff from my Lay Z Boy, I RDP over to the laptop and then come back to my iTouch. The iPad fits the same niche, but its size broadens the applications and in many cases improves the implementation.


I'm no apple fan boy. I've not been an early adopter of any of their products. I'm staunchly in the PC camp when it comes to the home or office computer. I didn't exactly jump on the ipod revolution, waiting until the price point hit my threshold. My phone is a Motorola Razor. I only bought the iTouch this December when my iPod died on a business trip. The Touch came in at $199, and offered a great feature set. Now I've definitely come to appreciate that feature set, and see that the larger dimensions of the iPad open up a number of opportunities. Frankly opportunities that aren't available for a laptop or Netbook.

So it doesn't do less than a PC. It does different things, and a number of things that a PC can't.

to be fair - a PC can do those things, you just don't prefer to do them on a PC

[Subby]

I love the potential of the iPad. Something I was thinking about today, in fact. I save a lot of my old magazines in case I want to go back and read articles. It would be so great if I could have instant access to all of them on my iPad.

[Glengoyne]

to be fair - a PC can do those things, you just don't prefer to do them on a PC

If the implementation gets in the way, then it is in the way. Even if the right word is "won't", I'm going to stick with "can't". Immediate gratification and all.

[MJ4H]

I love the potential of the iPad. Something I was thinking about today, in fact. I save a lot of my old magazines in case I want to go back and read articles. It would be so great if I could have instant access to all of them on my iPad.

Sure you could do that. You might even have room for a couple of songs on it, too, if you buy the one of the expensive* ones.

*even more ridiculously expensive, I mean

[MJ4H]

If the implementation gets in the way, then it is in the way. Even if the right word is "won't", I'm going to stick with "can't". Immediate gratification and all.

Wait, what is it that you are saying a PC can't or won't do?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Unofficial (Fake) Facebook App Becomes iPad Hit (http://www.allfacebook.com/2010/04/fake-ipad-facebook/)

Facebook Ultimate IconAn unofficial Facebook application has surged to the top of the iTunes charts after charging $2.99 for the only Facebook iPad application currently available. While it’s not clear whether or not Facebook will force the developers to shut the application down due to trademark infractions, it’s clear that hundreds, if not thousands of people have been duped. All that Joe Hewitt, the original developer of the official Facebook iPhone app could say is “#7 paid app is the 2.99 ‘Facebook Ultimate!’…. Sigh.”

I think the real issue with this application is that people who download the application might actually think that they are getting an official Facebook application, which it isn’t. It not only starts off with the Facebook name, but it also has a similar logo. Additionally, it doesn’t specifically state that it’s not an official app. While we’d assume that Facebook is considering development of an iPad app, this one is definitely not an application you’ll want to grab. Some developer has clearly made a decent amount from selling this app as it has been in the top 10 paid iPad applications for the past 24 hours.

There’s no doubt that having the ability to navigate through Facebook on the iPad would be useful. For now though, you can simply visit the website and it isn’t too much trouble thanks to the large screen. With around 1 million devices sold, there’s no way of telling how popular the device will become and while many popular sites have developed iPad applications, many others are still on the sidelines.

If you want to pay $3 to access Facebook through an application that makes Facebook harder to use, go grab Facebook Ultimate!. Otherwise, wait on Facebook to make an official version, or deal with browsing Facebook through your internet browser.

[JediKooter]

I know they can, Christ. I feel like you are making me dumber. Yes, they can do whatever they want. I know this. Why do you seem too think that has anything to do with what I am saying? You keep posting things that are completely and utterly irrelevant.

They could also put a hunk of metal in a box and charge $1000, but if people didn't buy it they'd probably stop doing that.

Please don't respond "But it's a free market, if they want to sell a hunk of metal they can".

So, because I disagree with your statement regarding how Apple restricts what gets sold through the App store, now I'm making you dumber. Sorry to offend your intelligence.

What I'm saying IS relevant, because you are saying that it's too restrictive and dangerous practices are being used. Dangerous? Because a company wants to have control of what goes through their store that they could be potentially liable for? I see it more as a CYA and how to maximize profits (in addition to them being able to do whatever they want) than somewhere down the line, all of sudden people can't pull up jesuschrist.com or rushisright.com or use an app that pulls articles from those sites or keep an app out of consumers hands that translates the koran into english or whatever.

Seriously though Jeff, the name calling and the snarky comments don't really do much for having a decent conversation about this and just because I say it's a free market or don't agree with your point of view, doesn't make my point any less legitimate than yours or that I'm trying to be argumentative. I was neither put off or offended by the comment of yours that I initially responded to and was making the point that, I don't think it's really that big of a deal.

For the sake of disclosure, I don't like the iPad either. It doesn't offer me anything that I find useful. Maybe somewhere in the future it might, but, until then, I don't plan on getting one. Oh, and I don't have an iPhone either, but, that's because I can't stand at&t.

[MizzouRah]

It's pretty simple, if you don't like it, you don't have to buy it - just like the ipod, there are alternatives.

I like the way Apple does some things and the ipad is interesting to say the least - albeit very expensive.

[MJ4H]

Already jailbroken, apparently.

[lordscarlet]

Please stop comparing the iPad to a netbook. They are not the same thing.

[McSweeny]

300,000 sold on the first day

[Drake]

I read the very interesting Endgadget review of the iPad yesterday. I think I agree with them that this device is in some ways a revolutionary take on the computing experience. (I actually ended up being much, much more interested in Microsoft's Courier prototype, but that's just me.)

That said, I can't see any reason that I'd want one. I like my son's iPod, but not enough to want one of my own. I think it's cool...but I wouldn't get enough use out of what it does to justify it (sort of like the Kindle -- cool tech, but I don't read enough e-books to justify the cost).

Oddly enough, I could think of about a dozen awesome ways I could use it at work to be more productive and share info, but there's just not enough appeal as a home user.

[Subby]

Sure you could do that. You might even have room for a couple of songs on it, too, if you buy the one of the expensive* ones.

*even more ridiculously expensive, I mean
No - I agree...I was thinking more about potential...so looking at 3rd and 4th generation devices.

[Samdari]

would be nice to be able to hit a power button and start surfing from just about anywhere - much easier than firing up my laptop and lugging it around.

Batter lasts 10 hours, lucky to get 2 from my laptop battery.

Could put all my itunes and pictures, email, etc.. on it, tons of apps will be coming soon.


Didn't you just describe a smartphone?

[Subby]

Didn't you just describe a smartphone?
If there was a smartphone with a kickass huge screen, yes. :)

[MizzouRah]

If there was a smartphone with a kickass huge screen, yes. :)

+1

[Cringer]

No - I agree...I was thinking more about potential...so looking at 3rd and 4th generation devices.

I think that is where this thing may get to the point of nearly being 'must have' if not all the way. Some upgrades to hardware (although with Apple some of what I would want is doubtful) and simply time for devs to create some great things. Right now getting this thing is pointless to me.

If there was a smartphone with a kickass huge screen, yes. :)

Smartphone with a 5 inch screen big enough, or do you need bigger? The Dell Mini5....

Dell Mini 5: we have it (update: new pics and video!) -- Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/dell-mini-5-we-have-it/)

[Glengoyne]

Wait, what is it that you are saying a PC can't or won't do?



It doesn't do "less" than a PC. It does different things. Similar things to be sure, but different. I'll look at it from the comparison to the iTouch. I find the iTouch gets a lot of my time...namely because there are apps available that let me do a lot of leisure activities all bundled together there on my iPod. I wouldn't do those things on a PC. A PC with its interface designed to do PC things would get in my way when I wanted to read a ebook...or play one of the 99 cent games, or listen to a song, or watch a scene from or a whole movie, or browse for another 99 cent or free game to while away my time. The iTouch does all of those things better than a PC. I know..I have a laptop. It sits on the desktop now, and if I want to do PC stuff from my Lay Z Boy, I RDP over to the laptop and then come back to my iTouch. The iPad fits the same niche, but its size broadens the applications and in many cases improves the implementation.

...

So it doesn't do less than a PC. It does different things, and a number of things that a PC can't.


In short the iPad doesn't seek to replace a PC. The iPad performs a number of the same functions, but implements them in a better fashion.

For example, I'm not going to read a book on my PC(Been there done that). An iPad is a different story altogether.

[MJ4H]

Yeah I was just wondering where the does "a number of things a PC can't" part came from. If you meant something different ok. Just clarifying.

[Marc Vaughan]

I would say any Netbook, period. Take your pick. Just keep it in hibernation for reduced boot times..

Quite a few net books come with Linux installed on flash as an instant boot/browse option now.

(admittedly though I'm posting this via my iPad rather than a net book ;-) )

[Neuqua]

Marc, what do you think so far?

[cartman]

I saw one of the Dell Mini5s last month at a Mobile Mondays event. I was pretty underwhelmed with it. The form factor was awesome, but the usability sucked, at least with the initial impression I got in the 5 or so minutes I got to hold it.

[wade moore]

I would say any Netbook, period. Take your pick. Just keep it in hibernation for reduced boot times.

But if you need the touchscreen quick search brings.
<object height="385" width="640">


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/98alH6SughM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></object>

Also HP/MS have a nice looking tablet coming out in June. I prefer a Linux OS, since that can be much more customized for a low power platform and already has huge app support. But Windows 7 beats the hell out of the iPad OS.

Maybe I should rephrase and ask about something actually AVAILABLE that is better than the iPad?

Look - I won't be buying an iPad unless the price structure changes pretty dramatically. However, I just don't agree that there is something out there that has some of the convenience benefits, etc that the iPad has with the screen size.

[DaddyTorgo]

FYI

iPad: Apple on Monday released (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/04/05ipad.html) some carefully selected data points from the devices' closely watched launch (over 300,00 units sold on Day One, over 1 million apps purchased, over 250,000 books downloaded). But as the inevitable second-week stories about early problems dribble in (so far we've heard that iPads can overheat (http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/Techies-Fume-Over-iPads-Hidden-Weakness-3098) in the sun and may have Wi-Fi issues (http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/05/trouble-in-paradise-ipad-users-complain-of-wifi-issues)), Apple may choose, before the end of the week, to counter them with some more nice round numbers.

[Subby]

FYI

iPad: Apple on Monday released (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/04/05ipad.html) some carefully selected data points from the devices' closely watched launch (over 300,00 units sold on Day One, over 1 million apps purchased, over 250,000 books downloaded). But as the inevitable second-week stories about early problems dribble in (so far we've heard that iPads can overheat (http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/Techies-Fume-Over-iPads-Hidden-Weakness-3098) in the sun and may have Wi-Fi issues (http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/05/trouble-in-paradise-ipad-users-complain-of-wifi-issues)), Apple may choose, before the end of the week, to counter them with some more nice round numbers.
Hey MBBF called...he wants his shtick back. ;)

[DaddyTorgo]

i'm just posting it as a warning to folks who are considering buying it to keep in mind...before they go dropping $500 on something that won't pickup WiFi more than a couple feet from the router. Would hate to see someone here get burned by that.

[MJ4H]

i'm just posting it as a warning to folks who are considering buying it to keep in mind...before they go dropping $500 on something that won't pickup WiFi more than a couple feet from the router. Would hate to see someone here get burned by that.


lol wat

[Samdari]

If there was a smartphone with a kickass huge screen, yes. :)

But, that thing won't fit in my pocket. And I don't carry a purse, so I would need to start to lug this thing around.

Not for me.

[Subby]

i'm just posting it as a warning to folks who are considering buying it to keep in mind...before they go dropping $500 on something that won't pickup WiFi more than a couple feet from the router. Would hate to see someone here get burned by that.
Be interesting to see Apple's response on the wi-fi issue. How do you miss something like that?

[Subby]

But, that thing won't fit in my pocket. And I don't carry a purse, so I would need to start to lug this thing around.

Not for me.
Well to be fair, a lot of people carry a satchel or briefcase or backpack around with them. I don't think I can reject it out of hand just because it won't fit in my pocket.

[Samdari]

Well to be fair, a lot of people carry a satchel or briefcase or backpack around with them. I don't think I can reject it out of hand just because it won't fit in my pocket.

LOL @ "satchel" - like I said, purse.

I do not carry any sort of bag around with me, nor do I have any desire to. Thus, I can reject it out of hand because it won't fit in my pocket. But, unlike perhaps others, I am not trying to brand it as useless to everyone, just useless to me.

I also don't see where it has much more functionality than a smart phone.

[lordscarlet]

In short the iPad doesn't seek to replace a PC. The iPad performs a number of the same functions, but implements them in a better fashion.

For example, I'm not going to read a book on my PC(Been there done that). An iPad is a different story altogether.

I'm not going to read a book on an iPad, either. It's still a backlit LCD screen. I need something like e-ink to consider it a reading device.

[Subby]

LOL @ "satchel" - like I said, purse.

I do not carry any sort of bag around with me, nor do I have any desire to. Thus, I can reject it out of hand because it won't fit in my pocket. But, unlike perhaps others, I am not trying to brand it as useless to everyone, just useless to me.

I also don't see where it has much more functionality than a smart phone.
Soft-sided messenger bag? There has to be something between man purse and hard sided briefcase here. :)

I would say that right now it definitely has less functionality than a smart phone, but has the potential to be more useful than one down the road. When you consider a not-too-distant world with a persistent internet and data clouds and streaming entertainment I think you have a device that fits right in with that.

Anyway, I'm not buying one for a year at least, so I feel a little like Emerson getting all jazzed up about getting back to nature from the comfort of his study.

[DaddyTorgo]

I'm not going to read a book on an iPad, either. It's still a backlit LCD screen. I need something like e-ink to consider it a reading device.

exactly. i don't know why people don't seem to understand this!!!!

[MJ4H]

Am I the only one baffled by the apparent need for an e-reader? What the hell is wrong with books? I'm not going to finish more than one on a subway ride.

[Samdari]

When you consider a not-too-distant world with a persistent internet and data clouds and streaming entertainment I think you have a device that fits right in with that.

By the time we get to that point, THIS iPad will be long obselete. Using them will prbably require hardware not included with this iPad.

I probably disagree with how distant some of those things you speak of are, too.

And I am all for buying cool electronics just because they're cool (ask the wife about our virtually unused PS3). I just don't see the coolness here. Mostly becuase I see a male carrying any kind of container (hard or soft sided) everywhere as inherently uncool.

[Subby]

Am I the only one baffled by the apparent need for an e-reader? What the hell is wrong with books? I'm not going to finish more than one on a subway ride.
Sorry I am posting so much in this thread, but a lot of these concepts are really interesting.

Anyway - on the book side of things. I was thinking that e-Books are going to be a boon to public libraries. Think about a library that is not limited by space concerns and has hundreds of thousands of titles that you can download to your e-Reader. The content would be time sensitive and would become locked after X days (like when your loan is up at the library).

So now, a library can offer a much wider assortment of titles and doesn't have to worry about space concerns or damaged or lost books, etc..

Or take it a step further - what about NetFlix for books? For $15 per month you have access to every best seller published?

Yes, there are tactile advantages to books but I think the e-Reader does a lot for storage and access and efficiency.

[Ksyrup]

Am I the only one baffled by the apparent need for an e-reader? What the hell is wrong with books? I'm not going to finish more than one on a subway ride.

What I like to do is put it on shuffle and it randomly grabs a page from a different book. Really freshens up my literary collection.

[Ksyrup]

But, that thing won't fit in my pocket. And I don't carry a purse, so I would need to start to lug this thing around.

Not for me.

Some company wanting to take a jab at the iPad should do a commercial spoofing that Geico commercial where the guy's carrying the man-purse his wife got him, but say he's carrying his wife's iPad instead.

[DaddyTorgo]

Sorry I am posting so much in this thread, but a lot of these concepts are really interesting.

Anyway - on the book side of things. I was thinking that e-Books are going to be a boon to public libraries. Think about a library that is not limited by space concerns and has hundreds of thousands of titles that you can download to your e-Reader. The content would be time sensitive and would become locked after X days (like when your loan is up at the library).

So now, a library can offer a much wider assortment of titles and doesn't have to worry about space concerns or damaged or lost books, etc..

Or take it a step further - what about NetFlix for books? For $15 per month you have access to every best seller published?

Yes, there are tactile advantages to books but I think the e-Reader does a lot for storage and access and efficiency.

I was just talking about the potential appeal of e-books to public libraries the other day. I think it's going to be a huge growth area at some point in the not-too-distant future, and was trying to think of a way to profit off of it - maybe the software necessary in order to control the inventory, or "lock" the titles after a certain number of days or something...

[lordscarlet]

Am I the only one baffled by the apparent need for an e-reader? What the hell is wrong with books? I'm not going to finish more than one on a subway ride.

Do you ever have to stand on the subway? Do you ever have to flip pages while standing on a subway? The size is one reason. If you need quick access to technical documentation and perhaps to annotate that technical documentation. I think opponents of ereaders try to compare it to an ipod. People have an ipod to have a bunch of music at their fingertips. I don't think it's the same logic with ereaders. People want to own their books (not go to the library) but not have to have tons of shelf space and use up tons of paper to print them.

[MJ4H]

Do you ever have to stand on the subway? Do you ever have to flip pages while standing on a subway? The size is one reason. If you need quick access to technical documentation and perhaps to annotate that technical documentation. I think opponents of ereaders try to compare it to an ipod. People have an ipod to have a bunch of music at their fingertips. I don't think it's the same logic with ereaders. People want to own their books (not go to the library) but not have to have tons of shelf space and use up tons of paper to print them.

Points taken. I thought of the technical doc stuff, but didn't think that was what most advocates were talking about. It still seems a little strange but I understand what you are saying.

[MJ4H]

It's a European shoulderpad.

[Subby]

I probably disagree with how distant some of those things you speak of are, too.
Ahem (http://operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1269834&postcount=16) ;)

[digamma]

My wife brought an iPad home from work last night. They bought a half dozen or so to play with them because they are going to be doing a lot of iPad specific content. We played with it a bit, and it is very pretty and has a very cool feel, but it's just a cool toy--nothing more, nothing less.

That's not really adding anything new to the thread...just a confirmation of a lot of the observations others have made based on goofing around with it for an hour.

[Samdari]

Ahem (http://operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1269834&postcount=16) ;)

What is your point.

In 2006, I said

"2-3 years from now, Blu-Ray/hd-dvd will be in less than 20% of US homes, and DVD players in 90+. "

In January 2009, estimates had Blu Ray players in 12.3 million homes, and 113 million US households: 11%. I think that's less than 20?

And (regarding electronic movie distribution)
"I think this will always be a niche distribution market for movies."

OK, so netflix has 12 million subscribers, only half of who have downloaded more than 15 minutes of video. 6 million in 113 millions households < 5% = niche.


So, basically, in the middle of a debate, with the two of us disagreeing about how quickly technology would advance, you link to a post I'd made four years ago disagreeing with how quickly you thought penetration of the latest technology would go, and I happen to have been right about?

Thanks.

[lordscarlet]

What is your point.



My interpretation was that he agrees that you two do not agree.

[Subby]

Lame attempt at humorously pointing out your failed technological prognostication a few years ago. My apologies.

[Qrusher14242]

anyone try this one? ARCHOS (http://www.archos.com/products/nb/archos_9/index.html?country=us&lang=en)

for $50 more you get multitasking,usb,flash,webcam,faster processor, bigger hdd and supports 1080p. I'd get that over the ipad.

[Samdari]

Lame attempt at humorously pointing out your failed technological prognostication a few years ago. My apologies.

I am not offended - just wondering why you think it was failed?

Seriously, what of those prognostications do you feel went laughably wrong?

[gstelmack]

Am I the only one baffled by the apparent need for an e-reader? What the hell is wrong with books? I'm not going to finish more than one on a subway ride.

So you tote two books with you on the subway so that when you finish the one you can switch to the other easily?

I read quite voraciously, and often re-read books from a couple of years ago. I no longer have room in my house and am starting to have to get rid of books I want to keep in order to get new books. My Kindle has been a godsend. It's just as easy to read as a paperback (which the iPad is not since it's not using the e-ink displays), I can hold it in one hand, and when I finish the book I'm reading I can switch instantly to another or even buy another one very quickly. And it holds more books on the device than I have room for in the house.

My mom travels quite a bit and reads as much as I do. Lugging the Kindle around is much easier than the latest hardcover, and when she finishes a book in an airport she can buy another one quickly without having to walk away from the gate.

[Glengoyne]

I'm not going to read a book on an iPad, either. It's still a backlit LCD screen. I need something like e-ink to consider it a reading device.

True for long term reading, E-Ink is the way to go. I can read for reasonable periods of time with a back lit screen. My most recent example is reading a book on the Touch. More of a problem than a back lit screen, was the small format...simply not enough text on the screen at once. The iPad will improve on that considerably. Yet certainly not be a true substitute for a true E-Reader.

[digamma]

MJ4H, do you have a Tivo/DVR yet?

[Marc Vaughan]

i'm just posting it as a warning to folks who are considering buying it to keep in mind...before they go dropping $500 on something that won't pickup WiFi more than a couple feet from the router. Would hate to see someone here get burned by that.

I think there has to be more to it than is implied in that (imho) somewhat sensationalist article.

I've had my iPad since the day of release and used it all over my house (and on the back patio) without any issues at all. This includes having it sat on the sofa or table (which they imply is a potential cause of the issue).

I'd expect it much more likely that this is simply the 'standard' failure rate for any technical device rearing its head - simply put with advanced tech there is generally a small failure rate with any item purchased - heck remember the 'dead pixel' warnings which went around about the original PSP's, etc.

As such I expect Apple will monitor things and promptly take returns and distribute new units if required, nothing to scaremonger hugely over YET imho ...

[Marc Vaughan]

I'm not going to read a book on an iPad, either. It's still a backlit LCD screen. I need something like e-ink to consider it a reading device.

I've actually been surprised that I don't mind the iPad as a reader as much as I thought I would - although my preference strangely enough is the iPad Kindle app rather than iBooks.

(I also heartily recommend the Marvel app on the iPad - the comics look glorious on the iPad ..... although it is (cough) a little to easy to purchase additional issues as you finish one ;) )

[Daimyo]

We bought one for my mother-in-law who is staying with us for the next several months. It really is a wonderful device and nearly a perfect fit for her needs.

I'm not sure I personally want one, but its great to have one in the house. I like to think of it is as a coffee table computer... its really great to pick up when you're sitting on the couch, watching tv, etc...

[Marc Vaughan]

Am I the only one baffled by the apparent need for an e-reader? What the hell is wrong with books? I'm not going to finish more than one on a subway ride.

For me its because I travel between countries for work semi-regularly and have to lug around huge technical reference books - having them in an e-reader saves a LOT of shoulder strain potentially ;)

[Calis]

Even apart from tech manuals, you can't underestimate the convenience of buying a book wherever you are. I live a good haul from a decent bookstore so a Kindle has been extremely helpful. Couple that with the space I save and it is well worth the purchase.
Not to mention I'm ADD so having a selection of books with me at all times is wonderful.

I think this question is pertinent to the iPad discussion also. People are in a mindset of comparing e-readers to mp3 players just as they are ipads to netbooks. Now I think this was a miscue on Apple's part as they started it. It is what it is. It is a convenience gadget with a nice look. One that I personally have no interest in, buying think it will lead to some awesome open source tablets.

Edit: bleh, posting from my phone is a bad idea.

[AlexB]

What I like to do is put it on shuffle and it randomly grabs a page from a different book. Really freshens up my literary collection.

:D

[MizzouRah]

anyone try this one? ARCHOS (http://www.archos.com/products/nb/archos_9/index.html?country=us&lang=en)

for $50 more you get multitasking,usb,flash,webcam,faster processor, bigger hdd and supports 1080p. I'd get that over the ipad.

The specs say it has less resolution 1024x600 (I believe it compresses video to 1080p, while the ipad displays 720p native) than the ipad, does not have a SSD HD, has a smaller screen, have the battery life, has Windows 7 so you have to have antivirus and what not..

I do not see it as equal and for $50 more.

[terpkristin]

Am I the only one baffled by the apparent need for an e-reader? What the hell is wrong with books? I'm not going to finish more than one on a subway ride.

As the owner of a Kindle, I can now see the point of an e-reader. However, reading books on any LCD screen for a long period of time is painful for me. The e-ink of the Kindle is much better. For me, the Kindle offers three things:
1) portability of many books (useful for when I travel, which I do a fair amount of)
2) reduces my immediate need to buy another bookshelf
3) sychronization. I read mostly on my Kindle in the evenings, but because it sends where I left off reading to the cloud, when I turn on the Kindle app in my iPod to read while waiting in the doc's office or something, it can pull down my location so I can snag a few pages here, a few pages there.

I'm still not the ideal market for the iPad, though. I imagine magazines on it are great. But I don't have any interest in most magazines. For books, the LCD isn't for me for extended reading.

/tk

[gstelmack]

has Windows 7 so you have to have antivirus and what not..

As the iPad gets more popular, it will have to worry about antivirus as well. I remember anti-virus software for my old Palm...

[dawgfan]

2) reduces my immediate need to buy another bookshelf
Bam - the biggest reason why I like having an e-reader. I don't have a huge house, so storage of items is a real issue. Not having to store books is a boon. Yeah, I could always donate books after reading them to get them out of the house, but then I don't have them, and I have to gather them up and drive them to the donation location.

Aside from a few books that I really want to have in book form, most of my purchases from now on will be in electronic form, for all the reasons already listed plus the above.

[lordscarlet]

As the iPad gets more popular, it will have to worry about antivirus as well. I remember anti-virus software for my old Palm...

I am not aware of any virii for the iphone, a three year old device. Hell, it's hard to come across any for OS X as it is.

The fact is that the locked down app store keeps a pretty tight wrap on such things.

[MJ4H]

MJ4H, do you have a Tivo/DVR yet?

Yes I have a DVR because it came with my Dish Network package. I'll repeat that I can see the uses of an e-reader generally speaking. I was sure there would be, I just wanted someone to explain some of them.

[digamma]

Yes I have a DVR because it came with my Dish Network package. I'll repeat that I can see the uses of an e-reader generally speaking. I was sure there would be, I just wanted someone to explain some of them.

Do you like it?

I'm curious--no bearing on the e-reader question.

[MJ4H]

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.

[Calis]

The specs say it has less resolution 1024x600 (I believe it compresses video to 1080p, while the ipad displays 720p native) than the ipad, does not have a SSD HD, has a smaller screen, have the battery life, has Windows 7 so you have to have antivirus and what not..

I do not see it as equal and for $50 more.

Well to be fair you can find the shortcomings the other way on most things. It doesn't have a SSD but you're looking at basically unlimited storage compare to the iPads fixed. Windows 7 gets you access to obscene amounts of apps and older games, maybe even some newer ones...although not sure how well they'd work on a tablet, but I imagine some old adventure games would be a blast.

Lower resolution but access to more video via Flash support and more codec support in general than Apple.

No benefit to half battery life though and that's the big thing.

In honesty I expect that Archos tablet to run significantly worse and have more issues than the iPad, but from a pure spec standpoint it looks solid.

In general I just don't want the hardware maker controlling the software market as well, so I hope we see some good alternatives...but I don't think a Windows 7 machine will do it, we need something more focused on a touchscreen, maybe an Android or ChromeOS tablet. Something with a market built and ready to compete.

I'm thinking the Google/Apple war is going to heat up significantly this year.

[gstelmack]

I am not aware of any virii for the iphone, a three year old device. Hell, it's hard to come across any for OS X as it is.

The fact is that the locked down app store keeps a pretty tight wrap on such things.

Well, if it's jailbroken there are a few, but this was just a cursory search so I don't know if any hit the normal ones:

Malicious iPhone Virus Takes Control of Your Phone (http://www.tomshardware.com/news/iphone-virus-botnet-bank-details,9136.html)

[k0ruptr]

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?

[Comey]

anyone try this one? ARCHOS (http://www.archos.com/products/nb/archos_9/index.html?country=us&lang=en)

for $50 more you get multitasking,usb,flash,webcam,faster processor, bigger hdd and supports 1080p. I'd get that over the ipad.

I have an Archos 5 (not the model here). I like it. It plays .flac format, which the iPod does not. But there are some issues.

For instance, you have to buy a lot of add-ons (like if you want video codecs). Also, there is a really crappy way of charging the machine. It works via USB, but it's not a native USB connection. The cord stopped working for me, which meant, for a long time, I had a brick.

It's also quite large (since it's a HDD). This one is bigger, obviously.

I got an iPod touch for Christmas, and have used that ever since.

[DanGarion]

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[MJ4H]

Now that I like. If it had GPS capabilities, then :thumbsup:

[gstelmack]

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?

You're weird :D

The issue with a standard LCD is flicker (not much, but it's there) and a bright background. E-ink does not refresh except when you change the page. It's as stable as paper for viewing. I can read my Kindle for a very long time, but can't read for long on a standard LCD. The only way I can look at an LCD for work is the screen is big and my eyes are constantly roving over, not focusing on sections for long periods at a time.

[terpkristin]

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?

Maybe you're weird, maybe it's just me. I get headaches if I read text too long on any LCD screen--including my computer monitor at work. It's why for long documents, I end up printing them out. I can do short bursts (30 minutes tops, it seems) before the headache starts setting in. E-ink doesn't have that problem, meaning I can curl up with a book on the Kindle for longer reading periods.

Also, though I can't vouch for iPad, I can say that the Touch isn't all that great in the sun (from a readability standpoint), my laptop is miserable, and my friend's Nexus One is the worst of them all in the sun. And, personally, I enjoy reading out on my deck, especially when the weather's as nice as it's been lately. :)

/tk