I had high hopes that the IPad would turn out to be Apple's Netbook in the MacBook Air style. Very lightweight but with full Mac OSX capabilities, even more ideal for travellers. I was very disappointed to find it seems to be basically an oversized IPod. I guess like many others I will have to go for a NetBook after all.
You really should experience the iPad before judging it...
Saying an iPad is an oversized iPod is like saying a swimming pool is an oversized bathtub!
... you can get away with whizzing in a swimming pool... a bathtub, not so much!
The iPad launch in Singapore was pure craziness..... Most of the resellers nearer to residential areas had all the stock of various capacity 3G iPad snapped up within the 1st hour of launch.
And by midday, almost all the iPad available national wide have been snapped up, even the WiFi-only iPads.
One thing to note on the launch at this round of 9 countries is that the Apple Online Store did not offer iPad. Even until today, it's still not available on Apple Online Store for these 9 countries, an indication that Apple is unable to meet demand on iPad globally.
The iPad launch in Singapore was pure craziness..... Most of the resellers nearer to residential areas had all the stock of various capacity 3G iPad snapped up within the 1st hour of launch.
And by midday, almost all the iPad available national wide have been snapped up, even the WiFi-only iPads.
One thing to note on the launch at this round of 9 countries is that the Apple Online Store did not offer iPad. Even until today, it's still not available on Apple Online Store for these 9 countries, an indication that Apple is unable to meet demand on iPad globally.
Good observation re: not available online, and thanks for the report on Singapore. Was wondering how it went. I only saw a few pics and reports on hardwarezone.com.sg
The "US" adapter says 100-240V, 50-60 Hz AC, so you just need an adapter that changes the shape of the plug and it should work anywhere in the world. I can't find a way to get a official replacement head for other types of sockets.
The Apple official World Travel Adapter Kit has all the various "duck heads" replacement heads
I've heard of at least two other similar home-grown projects in India, but they really haven't panned out so far. The previous hyped super-cheap computer project from India turned out to be nothing more than a USB drive with a two line LCD screen. This new iteration does look interesting, so maybe they are getting it right? I don't expect that price to hold though, that's roughly the alleged price of the LCD that's in the iPad.
Those projects were aimed at students and they will be of low configuration. that much can be said from the price. However, I dont think they will see mainstream adaptation.
Heard of Olivepad for about 25k(rs). that would be the first 3g pad. But, I can say iPad can be pretty successful if it has the first come advantage though.
I've had one for a while now and it's not that exciting. It has weakling little apps. But I do like the email program, maps program, and photo browser. Very nice. I think there will be some more killer apps figured out soon, people are still getting their heads around what it should be for.
The 8GB 3GS is $A719 ($NZ882) in Australia + $A75 ($A92) to unlock it. Vodafone retail.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chopper
We don't have finalised prices for the iP4 yet, although the official release is July 30. We'll know next Friday. The 8GB 3Gs costs NZ$900 unlocked, but I got mine for $0.00 on my business plan. Nice phone too. Still getting used to typing on screen tho'.
Yes we do because our gear doesn't come from America it comes from Japan by way of Australia. Therefore we pay double the shipping and by the time we add GST we are just over Australian pricing.
It doesn't make sense to compare our rates to America because we don't even come close to American pricing.
I had high hopes that the IPad would turn out to be Apple's Netbook in the MacBook Air style. Very lightweight but with full Mac OSX capabilities, even more ideal for travellers. I was very disappointed to find it seems to be basically an oversized IPod. I guess like many others I will have to go for a NetBook after all.
Unfortunately for you you've completely misunderstood the concept of a tablet and why tablets have failed in the past.
A tablet is not meant to be a desktop or laptop replacement like those stupidly underpowered netbooks are but are in fact meant to complement them allowing you to do tasks where even a laptop is too bulky... including the MacBook Air.
Look at the sci-fi world and you get a great idea of what a tablet is meant to be about. It's meant to be a device that hooks into a bigger system. Star Trek uses them like that, Babylon 5 had them, as well as others I can't think of off hand now. NONE of those shows ever showed them as being like laptops or netbooks and none of them ever had desktop styled operating systems on them.
I was looking forward to getting my hands on one, here in Hong Kong, but when I learned that the current version of the iPad OS only supports simplified Chinese (the kind used in China and Singapore), I decided to skip this version. I do wonder how Chinese users in Hong Kong, Taiwan and those living overseas are going to deal with inputting Chinese text and/or importing data in Chinese. I have read of horror stories with Chinese song titles being converted to rubbish alphanumeric crap. I know there are apps that can take care of this problem, but they require jailbreaking the device. This is the exact same thing with all iPhones, which is why so far I have resisted buying one. Apple's fault. Don't the software guys at Apple get feedback from their Chinese users. Handwriting input in Chinese, on iPhones, takes forever, and whoever is watching over your shoulder can easily see what you're inputting. Maybe jailbreaking is the ONLY solution after all...
iPad for many people is a TOY. A very, very fun toy.
What's wrong with that?? I ask you.
You could drive a Hyundai or a Lexus. Do you "need" a Lexus? when the job being done is moving you from point A to point B?
Stupid rhetoric about "what is its purpose?" or "an oversized iPod touch".
Well, millions of people find fun and utility in it.
If it doesn't float your boat, don't buy it. And I bet you don't drive a Lexus either.
Freedom to buy and enjoy an Internet consumption device whose interface is nothing short of cool and smooth and amazing, is freedom you do indeed have.
But until you've spent a weekend with an iPad, why give us your reasons why it won't work, when it is already hugely popular? Lost cause.
Got my iPad in Dublin, Ireland last sunday the 25th and I must say up take must have been very slow or stocks were in large numbers. They had 10x 16GB WiFi models in stock 2 days after the launch day! No need for over night queuing in Ireland.
Maybe Ireland is looking forward to a WebOS or Android variant?!
Comments
I had high hopes that the IPad would turn out to be Apple's Netbook in the MacBook Air style. Very lightweight but with full Mac OSX capabilities, even more ideal for travellers. I was very disappointed to find it seems to be basically an oversized IPod. I guess like many others I will have to go for a NetBook after all.
You really should experience the iPad before judging it...
Saying an iPad is an oversized iPod is like saying a swimming pool is an oversized bathtub!
... you can get away with whizzing in a swimming pool... a bathtub, not so much!
.
And by midday, almost all the iPad available national wide have been snapped up, even the WiFi-only iPads.
One thing to note on the launch at this round of 9 countries is that the Apple Online Store did not offer iPad. Even until today, it's still not available on Apple Online Store for these 9 countries, an indication that Apple is unable to meet demand on iPad globally.
The iPad launch in Singapore was pure craziness..... Most of the resellers nearer to residential areas had all the stock of various capacity 3G iPad snapped up within the 1st hour of launch.
And by midday, almost all the iPad available national wide have been snapped up, even the WiFi-only iPads.
One thing to note on the launch at this round of 9 countries is that the Apple Online Store did not offer iPad. Even until today, it's still not available on Apple Online Store for these 9 countries, an indication that Apple is unable to meet demand on iPad globally.
Good observation re: not available online, and thanks for the report on Singapore. Was wondering how it went. I only saw a few pics and reports on hardwarezone.com.sg
The "US" adapter says 100-240V, 50-60 Hz AC, so you just need an adapter that changes the shape of the plug and it should work anywhere in the world. I can't find a way to get a official replacement head for other types of sockets.
The Apple official World Travel Adapter Kit has all the various "duck heads" replacement heads
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB...co=MTY3ODQ5OTY
I've heard of at least two other similar home-grown projects in India, but they really haven't panned out so far. The previous hyped super-cheap computer project from India turned out to be nothing more than a USB drive with a two line LCD screen. This new iteration does look interesting, so maybe they are getting it right? I don't expect that price to hold though, that's roughly the alleged price of the LCD that's in the iPad.
Those projects were aimed at students and they will be of low configuration. that much can be said from the price. However, I dont think they will see mainstream adaptation.
Heard of Olivepad for about 25k(rs). that would be the first 3g pad. But, I can say iPad can be pretty successful if it has the first come advantage though.
We don't have finalised prices for the iP4 yet, although the official release is July 30. We'll know next Friday.
no we wouldn't. Especially for a 'US' product.
Yes we do because our gear doesn't come from America it comes from Japan by way of Australia. Therefore we pay double the shipping and by the time we add GST we are just over Australian pricing.
It doesn't make sense to compare our rates to America because we don't even come close to American pricing.
I had high hopes that the IPad would turn out to be Apple's Netbook in the MacBook Air style. Very lightweight but with full Mac OSX capabilities, even more ideal for travellers. I was very disappointed to find it seems to be basically an oversized IPod. I guess like many others I will have to go for a NetBook after all.
Unfortunately for you you've completely misunderstood the concept of a tablet and why tablets have failed in the past.
A tablet is not meant to be a desktop or laptop replacement like those stupidly underpowered netbooks are but are in fact meant to complement them allowing you to do tasks where even a laptop is too bulky... including the MacBook Air.
Look at the sci-fi world and you get a great idea of what a tablet is meant to be about. It's meant to be a device that hooks into a bigger system. Star Trek uses them like that, Babylon 5 had them, as well as others I can't think of off hand now. NONE of those shows ever showed them as being like laptops or netbooks and none of them ever had desktop styled operating systems on them.
The 8GB 3GS is $A719 ($NZ882) in Australia + $A75 ($A92) to unlock it. Vodafone retail.
They're already unlocked here in New Zealand. In fact there has been no locked Apple devices here in New Zealand ever.
What's wrong with that?? I ask you.
You could drive a Hyundai or a Lexus. Do you "need" a Lexus? when the job being done is moving you from point A to point B?
Stupid rhetoric about "what is its purpose?" or "an oversized iPod touch".
Well, millions of people find fun and utility in it.
If it doesn't float your boat, don't buy it. And I bet you don't drive a Lexus either.
Freedom to buy and enjoy an Internet consumption device whose interface is nothing short of cool and smooth and amazing, is freedom you do indeed have.
But until you've spent a weekend with an iPad, why give us your reasons why it won't work, when it is already hugely popular? Lost cause.
Maybe Ireland is looking forward to a WebOS or Android variant?!