Apple reveals long-awaited multi-touch 'iPad' - Page 14

I don't disagree that it will be popular and that it will be a success for Apple. I am likely buying at least one myself.

That doesn't stop me from seeing that this is really nothing new technology wise, and is primarily a device for passive consumption of media, rather than a mobile computer that one can use to produce media.

It is a worthy netbook replacement only in the sense that most people don't use a netbook for anything but passive activities like browsing the web or watching movies.

It is not a worthy netbook replacement if you consider a netbook something you actually do work on.

Please don't project yourself onto flash haters. Just learn objective-c.

Code porting is, at best, an educated guess.

Why is nothing less than 64gB going to be adequate - your statement and following assumption begins with a nonsensical conclusion. Why do you need the SD adapter and the USB one? If you already have a bluetooth keyboard why do you need to buy another one. $499 will do just what I need this device to do. I'm not replacing a laptop, I'm seeing this device for what it is and browsing the web (no need for storage) reading a book (can't be that big a file) or listening to some music (again, 64gig covers most peoples audio listening for a few days.) All at home on my wireless N network. Easy. $499. No more.

"Since this device is intended principally for the consumption of visual media" Is it? I thought it was principally for reading books, browsing the web and checking yr email?

Great post.

Phew, I'm so glad all the pre-release hype is finally over. I got caught up in all of the rumors and foolishly expected a product that would change the course of life on earth. There's no way this device could have come close to meeting all of the unrealistic expectations. As a device that functions somewhere between a laptop and an iphone/iPod touch, of course it will not have the same features as a laptop (especially at its price point). So now that my sanity has returned, I have to admit that most of the details around the iPad makes sense. It serves a different purpose from the iPhone or a laptop, and it will not please everyone, which is okay.

Overall, I like the iPad. The ability to use iPhone apps is a smart decision by Apple. It gives them an automatic advantage over the makers of similar tablets. I'm not crazy about the wide bezel for aesthetic reasons, but I understand why it's there. I really want to see multitasking on the iPad. I have a suspicion that multitasking will come with the next iPhone OS update, but since that has not yet been released, Apple chose not to discuss it. The full power of this device will become more clear when creative developers start to think about how to use the large screen. There's also a lot that we don't know. For example, how does the filing system work? Will AT&T enable tethering this century? I will definitely buy an iPad, but I would buy the wifi only version if I could tether it to my iPhone. The next 2 months should be interesting.

You can't have your cake and eat it - it is either for consuming visual media or it is a travel warrior's weapon and needs cases, i/O add-ons and keyboards. Given that most use will be at home or in school or between the 2 where you are in easy reach of resynching even your initial premise is BS. 64GB just means less refilling from the PC/Mac.

ANyway - as people have said ad infinitum here, it is not to replace a MacBook - it is to do the things that the Macbook or iphone doesn't do well, largely in addition to having a laptop/desktop. The iWork stuff is just emergency/fooling about stuff - not the core value proposition. If you don't see the need or can't afford both, leave it be - no-one will miss you.

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Maybe you are right about the code porting. We'll see how it works out.

As for me, I've been card carrying, Icode t-shirt wearing, Apple Dev for several years now and an iPhone dev since it became available. Also completed the Stanford course on iTunes U

The iPad reminds of of the tablet device they use on Star Trek. No camera, rigid metal back, but a simple computer to use that integrates with the ship's computer if they need more processing power.

They also use those devices to read reports and books as well as write up reports. The doctors use it as their medical pads.

It is one single type of tablet device and it can be use for different purposes based on the software they are using. Kind of like the iPad.

NOT having a webcam is very strange. A tablet like this would have been useful for conference calls with skype or related software. maybe the CPU is not powerful enough???

Scrolling and clicking and reading mostly, until I stopped to type just a couple of words in reply :-)

Actually, I'm more intrigued after watching the video here:

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

Some of the software adaptations look really nice. This would be great for traveling, showing off photos and doing quick email checks (I'll read mail on my iPod touch but usually wait until I'm back on my computer to reply). I wonder what it's like to type on.

I could only imagine what these tablets and phones would do to a cellular network if they all had cameras.

Wouldn't be pretty.

Well, its normal for alot of people to trash on a device (like right here) without actually seeing how it runs.

Yeah, multi-tasking is a bit of a bumber.

But MAYBE, it will come in iPhone/iPad OS 4.0.

Typical internet hype. Went WAY overboard and people expected too much. Whats new?

By eBook reader, I meant the several existing apps I have on my iPhone. Most of them are free. I like some better then others. All of them have easily-obtainable titles.

I agree that the hardware eBook readers are of questionable value.

Well, more like $300 or even less depending on the model.

As far as I know, the Macbook does not come with 3G so you can't be net enabled wherever you go. Only in hotspots.

Of course, notebooks are clunky as hell to use unless you sit them on something. Not the utmost of portable devices. Of course, a phone is the most portable of devices.

It is NOT super wide! It is just wide enough to SAFELY hold your expensive iPad without interfering with its huge touch sensitive surface! Like said above: Ergonomics people.

Think for a second. If the screen was nearly edge to edge as some of you were expecting, how the hell would you hold and use this thing without constantly interfering with its touch surface or without dropping it to the floor every 5 minutes! What is so hard about understanding that?

I guess it will all make perfect sense when people will be able to handle it themselves.

Why are you being defensive? Are you disappointed with the product?

I've read practically all the responses concerning the new iPad. So many people complaining what this device doesn't do. But I believe it does exactly what it was designed for. As many others have pointed out, it's designed for casual reading, video viewing and replying to email. It is not meant to replace your desktop or laptop. If you want to use iChat or multi-tasking, get a Macbook Pro or an iMac.

My wife hates computers. She leaves all of that to me. But I can easily see her getting a subscription to her favorite magazines to read on this device.

I don't have to be stuck in another room tied to my desktop to see a movie in the family room.

All I'm saying is this device is not for us techies. It's designed for the millions of people who already have a computer and who want something a little more portable for use around the house. It's also made for all those people who hate computers but who would love to send email or get photos from the grandkids. It's designed to be easy to use for the non techie crowd. I think this is going to be a huge seller even without the features so many have pointed out it lacks. We just don't understand how to sell a product. Find a niche and fill it. I think Steve Jobs and his team have done that and in a beautiful way. I'm willing to bet there will be lines around the block the day this device is launched.

Yeah - they always release half-done products, eh?

Yeah - Apple typically makes stripped-down devices built to meet a price point. That's their style, eh?

Yes. Apple typically sells stripped-down devices in order to hit a price point. Right?

C'mon. They failed to make it great, and had to cut the price.

Wow! So I won't need uncle iSteve's permission to load the cool new software?

Guess again. This is a razor and blades sales strategy.

Exactly! People developed preconceived notions of what they wanted the device to be. If the device didn't exactly conform to their preconceptions they were disappointed, even angry. Apple never said a damned thing about what the iPad would be. It was all invented in the minds of people who know little or nothing about what is possible to manufacture or market. They invented, out of thin air, a be-all, do-all replacement for a laptop. And now they're carping about an imaginary device they conjured up in their dreams. Simply irrational, even delusional.

The iPad, when you consider what it is (and not what you thought it would be), looks like it will be a game changer. I, for one, plan to buy one and I have neither an iPhone nor an iPod Touch. It will be great for use around the house, at the coffee shop, in the car. I don't need or even want a laptop replacement. The dock and keyboard will fit nicely on my desk.

Actually the iPad should be great for viewing outdoors.

Unlike OLEDs which are impossible to view in direct sunlight, the iPad has an LED-backlit display like the Macbooks glossy display units

Most notably, LED-backlit displays are being used commercially in outdoor display and digital signage units. Images on traditional, matte or worse OLED displays tend to be washed out under sunlight and ambient light conditions. The brighter the display, the better contrast the screen will have under those conditions.

For the most part the reaction to this new device is disappointment with a few bits of glass half full. However there are very few hit the ball out of the park comments. Somewhere between dumb blonde and fat bezel with a great personality.

Can I tether it to an iPhone using bluetooth?
My guess is NO.

Yup!

I'm close to jailbreaking my iPhone. Why won't Apple allow tethering apps?!?!!!!

The iPad thing seems great for people that use Kindles and netbooks but I dont really have any use for it. Does anyone know if apple announced any Mac software updates? A new version of iLife or iWork would be cool and Aperture is getting very stale.

I feel happy for PowerSupport- they should be making a ton off new 9.7 anti-glare films for these.

My thoughts:

Why would anyone with an iPhone want this?
This is basically another extension of the iTunes store and we know how that worked for the AppleTV.
No flash- the dealbreaker. A compromised internet experience? No thank you.

We waited 3 years for this - when was the first netbook introduced? This is APple's answer after all this hype?

Well at least my prediction for the name came through.

This is a luxury item only- not a necessity.
Finally- who really reads magazines anyway?

But he's generally full of shit, isn't he? He seems often to overstate the obvious, using superlatives as crutches.

Ummmm....is there any indication at all that this thing can print? If not, all that iWork stuff seems even less useful.

There is nothing groundbreaking in this product. The innovation is minimal. It "does it" the same way the iTouch does it. Just bigger.

He's not called the PT Barnum of Sylicon Valley for nothing.

I like it. It looks fantastic. I just... don't know.

It's an iPhone that doesn't fit in your pocket. I love the iPhone/iPod touch, but I'm not sure I would want one that did not fit in my pocket.

I'm really going to have to think about this.

QUOTE=Carmissimo;1559093]To those who require a device that performs tasks the iPad will not perform, I suggest looking elsewhere.[/QUOTE]

You seem to relish the mediocrity of the device. To see it as a feature, even.

New here? Think Bizarro World from Superman. Some folks here are happy as pigs in muck that, for example, the iPhone will not multitask.

QUOTE=lifterus;1559223] Media can (and should) be stored on a NAS and accessed over wifi.[/QUOTE]


Can the 'Pad do that? That seems like a huge stretch for iOS.

[CENTER]You obviously have no idea about netbooks or their capabilities, especially the newest dual core models.

Note: There has never been a 7lb netbook - Sold by Dell or anyone else - Ever![/CENTER]