iOS 4.2 isn't a major release as most of the capabilities are already out there for the iPhone with iOS 4.
However it is new to the iPad, which, up to now, has used a special forked release of iOS 3.2.
iOS 4.2 unites all current iDevices under a single version of iOS,
As an iOS Developer, I have the 4.2 beta installed on our 2 iPads. It is solid. Multitasking and Folders really improve the usability of the device. Printing is great, as is AirPlay (audio only in this beta).
I am really looking forward to AirPlay with full video streaming among iDevices.
At tomorrow's event (or, likely, later this year), I am hoping for some announcements of additional support for iDevices -- in particular the iPad:
-- iLife
-- enhanced MobileMe support (included with each iPad)
-- options to initially startup and software update an iPad
----- direct connection to local computer running iTunes (fastest)
----- WiFi connection to local computer running iTunes (2nd fastest)
----- WiFi connection to remote server running MobileMe
-- enhanced streaming of Audio and Video from local iTunes
----- WiFi and cell (there are 3rd -party apps for that)
-- enhanced MobileMe / iDisk support for Backup and file exchange
-- shared files capability within the iPad
-- WiFi file exchange with local computer and other iDevices
----- there are 3rd party apps for that
-- BackToMyMac from iPad
----- Where Mac OS X alters display and behavior when controlled by a remote touch device
-- Enhanced BlueTooth connection to other iDevices and accessories
----- override default that inactivates virtual kb (assumes real kb is connected)
-- Enhanced accessory support through iPad connector/USB/SD card adapter
----- External [thumb] drive file transfer
----- Enhanced SD Card file transfer
-- Enhanced virtual kb support
----- split kb options for thumb typing
The above improvements would make the iPad more flexible and remove most (if not all) of the criticisms that the iPad is not really a computer.
.
Great post, I am very excited about the iPad's future . Thanks. What are your thoughts on iPad being able to become independent of a mother computer by use of a cloud based iTunes for day to day use and activation of a Mobileme account for new users (purchasing an iPad at an airport for example)?
and remove most (if not all) of the criticisms that the iPad is not really a computer.
It's certainly a computer; it's just a consumption-driven computer.
What do people mostly use the iPad for?
1. Watching videos (Netflix is outstanding)
2. Playing games
3. Reading books, newspapers, magazines
The professional and creative apps are certainly there, but this experience needs to be improved to push the iPad forward. The onscreen keyboard needs to be improved, the ability to get files on and off the device needs to be improved (needing to sync to get documents back and forth is clunky at best). If you're an artist, pressure sensitivity needs to be incorporated somehow.
Does that mean the definition of 'computer' constantly changes?.
Yes, yes it does. Just yesterday someone on this board said it had to burn DVDs and another said it had to have a standard USB port. Of course, that eliminates the original IBM PC and at least 15 years of PCs that came after it.
Quote:
The iPad is a computer. I've yet to have anyone make a rational case to me otherwise.
I?ve yet to hear a rational case for it being/not being a computer, or why the personal keeps getting dropped from the term.
I will let Stephen Fry convey why this whole topic is sllly to all that say it is or isn?t a computer based on a comparison to past HW or past definitions.
Much of the $600 on the iPhone is hidden by the carrier subsidies. Most people see an iPhone purchase as a $200-300 "upgrade" for something they already pay for. Many people see a phone as a need and a iPad/iPhone as a want. I think comparing iPads to iPods is more reasonable when trying to guesstimate the number to be sold.
I would feel pretty comfortable betting that their 40M is off by a factor of 2x.
Sorry, but the WiFi iPad is coming out of my pocket and the 3G is coming out of my pocket and then some. The cost of leasing access to a carrier is akin to leasing a car where one is always better off just buying the damn car.
If Apple can sell 14m iPhones per quarter and close to 4m Macs per quarter, can't one come to the conclusion of 8-10m iPads per quarter. After subsidies, yes the iPhone is cheaper upfront which is all the user sees. Macs cost twice as much as iPads roughly so Apple should be able to sell twice as many of them per quarter as Macs, but not as many as iPhones. Just don't forget that Mac and iPhone sales have always climbed YOY so you have to figure that in as well. And new improved hardware and software are around the corner, sales catalysts. iSuppli might be on to something here.
Apple sold 14 million iphones in a full iphone launch quarter --- which only happens once a year.
One thing most people ignore: the ipad is steadily getting better and more useful without changing hardware. I've had mine since March. Through new software I can now:
1. annotate pdfs.
2. comfortably exchange files 2 ways with dropbox
3. take notes in freehand.
4. take notes in freehand and, through handwriting recognition, transfer them to text.
5. almost use Keynote (but not quite)
6. use Pages.
and considerably more. The apps are evolving in very useful and clever ways. Next month we'll have the update to iOS 4.2, which will make the iPad more useful, including important improvements to Mail and Safari. So, buying an iPad now will give you more productivity than last March, and next year even more. Clearly, the next generation of iPad will be better (lighter? higher resolution? More ports?). But iPad 1.0 is transforming on its own.
The point is that as the utility of the iPad improves the rate of purchase will increase.
Comments
iOS 4.2 isn't a major release as most of the capabilities are already out there for the iPhone with iOS 4.
However it is new to the iPad, which, up to now, has used a special forked release of iOS 3.2.
iOS 4.2 unites all current iDevices under a single version of iOS,
As an iOS Developer, I have the 4.2 beta installed on our 2 iPads. It is solid. Multitasking and Folders really improve the usability of the device. Printing is great, as is AirPlay (audio only in this beta).
I am really looking forward to AirPlay with full video streaming among iDevices.
At tomorrow's event (or, likely, later this year), I am hoping for some announcements of additional support for iDevices -- in particular the iPad:
-- iLife
-- enhanced MobileMe support (included with each iPad)
-- options to initially startup and software update an iPad
----- direct connection to local computer running iTunes (fastest)
----- WiFi connection to local computer running iTunes (2nd fastest)
----- WiFi connection to remote server running MobileMe
-- enhanced streaming of Audio and Video from local iTunes
----- WiFi and cell (there are 3rd -party apps for that)
-- enhanced MobileMe / iDisk support for Backup and file exchange
-- shared files capability within the iPad
-- WiFi file exchange with local computer and other iDevices
----- there are 3rd party apps for that
-- BackToMyMac from iPad
----- Where Mac OS X alters display and behavior when controlled by a remote touch device
-- Enhanced BlueTooth connection to other iDevices and accessories
----- override default that inactivates virtual kb (assumes real kb is connected)
-- Enhanced accessory support through iPad connector/USB/SD card adapter
----- External [thumb] drive file transfer
----- Enhanced SD Card file transfer
-- Enhanced virtual kb support
----- split kb options for thumb typing
The above improvements would make the iPad more flexible and remove most (if not all) of the criticisms that the iPad is not really a computer.
.
Great post, I am very excited about the iPad's future
and remove most (if not all) of the criticisms that the iPad is not really a computer.
It's certainly a computer; it's just a consumption-driven computer.
What do people mostly use the iPad for?
1. Watching videos (Netflix is outstanding)
2. Playing games
3. Reading books, newspapers, magazines
The professional and creative apps are certainly there, but this experience needs to be improved to push the iPad forward. The onscreen keyboard needs to be improved, the ability to get files on and off the device needs to be improved (needing to sync to get documents back and forth is clunky at best). If you're an artist, pressure sensitivity needs to be incorporated somehow.
IMHO.
It's certainly a computer; it's just a consumption-driven computer.
.
No, its simply not capable of particular types or volumes of 'production'. Just like a car can carry things, just not the same amount as a truck.
Artists, musicians and writers can in many cases do far more on an iPad than they could on a 'computer' of just 10 years ago.
Does that mean the definition of 'computer' constantly changes?
I don't buy that. The iPad is a computer. I've yet to have anyone make a rational case to me otherwise.
Does that mean the definition of 'computer' constantly changes?.
Yes, yes it does. Just yesterday someone on this board said it had to burn DVDs and another said it had to have a standard USB port. Of course, that eliminates the original IBM PC and at least 15 years of PCs that came after it.
The iPad is a computer. I've yet to have anyone make a rational case to me otherwise.
I?ve yet to hear a rational case for it being/not being a computer, or why the personal keeps getting dropped from the term.
I will let Stephen Fry convey why this whole topic is sllly to all that say it is or isn?t a computer based on a comparison to past HW or past definitions.
Much of the $600 on the iPhone is hidden by the carrier subsidies. Most people see an iPhone purchase as a $200-300 "upgrade" for something they already pay for. Many people see a phone as a need and a iPad/iPhone as a want. I think comparing iPads to iPods is more reasonable when trying to guesstimate the number to be sold.
I would feel pretty comfortable betting that their 40M is off by a factor of 2x.
Sorry, but the WiFi iPad is coming out of my pocket and the 3G is coming out of my pocket and then some. The cost of leasing access to a carrier is akin to leasing a car where one is always better off just buying the damn car.
If Apple can sell 14m iPhones per quarter and close to 4m Macs per quarter, can't one come to the conclusion of 8-10m iPads per quarter. After subsidies, yes the iPhone is cheaper upfront which is all the user sees. Macs cost twice as much as iPads roughly so Apple should be able to sell twice as many of them per quarter as Macs, but not as many as iPhones. Just don't forget that Mac and iPhone sales have always climbed YOY so you have to figure that in as well. And new improved hardware and software are around the corner, sales catalysts. iSuppli might be on to something here.
Apple sold 14 million iphones in a full iphone launch quarter --- which only happens once a year.
1. annotate pdfs.
2. comfortably exchange files 2 ways with dropbox
3. take notes in freehand.
4. take notes in freehand and, through handwriting recognition, transfer them to text.
5. almost use Keynote (but not quite)
6. use Pages.
and considerably more. The apps are evolving in very useful and clever ways. Next month we'll have the update to iOS 4.2, which will make the iPad more useful, including important improvements to Mail and Safari. So, buying an iPad now will give you more productivity than last March, and next year even more. Clearly, the next generation of iPad will be better (lighter? higher resolution? More ports?). But iPad 1.0 is transforming on its own.
The point is that as the utility of the iPad improves the rate of purchase will increase.