A closer look at Apple's iPad bundled applications

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Comments

  • Reply 21 of 52
    edubedub Posts: 37member
    can someone explain to me why this product dev took so long, and was sooooo secret? - isn't this just a larger ipod touch??... I'm guessing they spent all their R&D on that new A4 chip?.... ok, big deal.
  • Reply 22 of 52
    rcfarcfa Posts: 1,124member
    The iPad is the end of the Mac. Mark my words, at least unless legislators mandate that a computing device must be fully accessible (read: root access) to its lawful owner.



    Apple's strategy is clear: expand the range of apps for which a touch interface is useful, and expand the docking station concept, likely with a GUI that changes in behavior between being touch-based and keyboard-mouse based.



    But always with the pretense of protecting copyrighted works and retaining security, these devices will be tied to the app store. So you won't own your computer in the future, even though you buy it.

    And Apple decides what you can or cannot read or run. Bet they won't offer Playboy on the iPad, given how restrictive they are in the app store. And after porn, what's next? Only politically acceptable publications? Web filters? Apple is about to become the big brother.



    This device could have been great, if it turned into a regular Mac once docked, and if it would allow the advanced user full access to the device, incl. a terminal and root access, full power to install whatever software and content they want, but that seems to be out the window.



    Now it has turned into one big marketing effort to turn computing into another dumbing down of the people device like cable TV, you're told what you can/must consume, and people won't notice, because there's "so much choice". Yes, there is choice, between the things that are pre-approved. Just like you have a choice between two parties, or french fries and fried onion rings. But the illusion of choice is not the same as freedom.
  • Reply 23 of 52
    rcfarcfa Posts: 1,124member
    No, it's not better than a Netbook. For under $1k I can have a Hackintosh netbook with 8GB RAM, 640GB disk space, dual-core processor, a mega-pixel display, a web cam, 5h battery life, and that weighs just about 3 lbs.

    Unlike on the iPad, the thing has a real keyboard, meaning I can do real work on it. It is not restricted to gimmick-ware from the AppStore, but I can run things like Aperture on it, or Plex or...

    And if I would choose a less maxed out configuration, the same netbook can be had with 2GB RAM and 250GB drive for about the same price as the iPad.

    The iPad is only useful as a book reader, and for that I'd rather have something with an ePaper display, it's much easier on the eyes than backlit LCD, and it uses a lot less power, hence is more environmentally friendly. I don't like reading long documents on the computer for that very reason, and keep printing them, because staring at an active screen for too long hurts my eyes. The iPad won't change that, the Kindle etc. are much better in that regards (even though I don't like their tie-in and other policies).

    The entire digital media field is turning into the big brother scenario. Long live paper.
  • Reply 24 of 52
    If it could be used as a screen for, say, the Mini, then we're talking about an all-in-one device I could buy my kid to take to college. The Mini stays in the dorm room while the iPad goes off to class for note-taking, recording lectures (if it has a mic?), text books, etc..
  • Reply 25 of 52
    galleygalley Posts: 971member
    Any word on Exchange support?
  • Reply 26 of 52
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Muncie View Post


    If it could be used as a screen for, say, the Mini, then we're talking about an all-in-one device I could buy my kid to take to college. The Mini stays in the dorm room while the iPad goes off to class for note-taking, recording lectures (if it has a mic?), text books, etc..



    Which would be great, except that unless you have an app that's built to do all of those things (or at least recording audio and writing notes), you're out of luck because Apple won't allow multitasking. I had been thinking about buying one for the same sort of situation, but now I'm not so sure.
  • Reply 27 of 52
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rcfa View Post


    No, it's not better than a Netbook. For under $1k I can have a Hackintosh netbook with 8GB RAM, 640GB disk space, dual-core processor, a mega-pixel display, a web cam, 5h battery life, and that weighs just about 3 lbs.

    Unlike on the iPad, the thing has a real keyboard, meaning I can do real work on it. It is not restricted to gimmick-ware from the AppStore, but I can run things like Aperture on it, or Plex or...

    And if I would choose a less maxed out configuration, the same netbook can be had with 2GB RAM and 250GB drive for about the same price as the iPad.

    The iPad is only useful as a book reader, and for that I'd rather have something with an ePaper display, it's much easier on the eyes than backlit LCD, and it uses a lot less power, hence is more environmentally friendly. I don't like reading long documents on the computer for that very reason, and keep printing them, because staring at an active screen for too long hurts my eyes. The iPad won't change that, the Kindle etc. are much better in that regards (even though I don't like their tie-in and other policies).

    The entire digital media field is turning into the big brother scenario. Long live paper.



    Yeah but with Unlimited Data @ $30 from AT&T you can talk on using Skype and or Vonage Apps! So WTF?
  • Reply 28 of 52
    razorpitrazorpit Posts: 1,796member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by edub View Post


    can someone explain to me why this product dev took so long, and was sooooo secret? - isn't this just a larger ipod touch??... I'm guessing they spent all their R&D on that new A4 chip?.... ok, big deal.



    I'm with you, talk about a letdown. This is the perfect product for people who have more money than they know what to do with.
  • Reply 29 of 52
    Well, simply, I pay $179.00 a month for unlimited access iphone. I can pay $30.00 a month for unlimited access and cover my email and browsing ( only better) Then I can get an inexpensive phone from at&t and pay $50.00 a month for unlimited access without the 3g but will have it on the ipad. So I will be saving $90.00 a month....Ahh, NO BRAINER....
  • Reply 30 of 52
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by razorpit View Post


    I'm with you, talk about a letdown. This is the perfect product for people who have more money than they know what to do with.



    I humbly beg to differ. I'm a student, so I definitely don't have "More money than I know what to do with", yet I'm still seriously considering this product. It would be a great textbook reader, and not having to buy the paper textbooks would be wonderful, and its such a pain to drag them around. Furthermore, one could highlight, underline and annotate their books using the touch interface.



    The one thing that was not announced and I would like to see is some sort of note-taking app that would work with a pen. Then i could use the on-screen keyboard in my social sciences classes (where most of the notes are facts and dates) and then the hand writing pen in my science and engineering classes (where I need to copy down equations and images). However, this is not currently available, but I expect it be happen soon, whether it is implemented by Apple or a 3rd party, though, remains to be seen.



    Finally, the price is totally accessible to students. I, myself, plan on buying the 32 GB one so that I can use it for media applications too. And since my campus is covered in WiFi, the WiFi only model will do just fine. Now here's to hoping that maybe they will have some sort of education to bring the price down just a little more. But $600 for something like this is really quite reasonable.
  • Reply 31 of 52
    charlitunacharlituna Posts: 7,217member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rain View Post


    Will it change the world?... maybe. Will it kill paper?... no. Can't wipe your ass with an iPad... as far as i know... there is no app for that.



    okay you will love this



    in college (about 5 years ago) i had a professor respond to the question 'do you think we will ever be a truly paperless society' with this reply



    when I can take a computer into the bathroom to entertain myself during 'extended' business (read that as you wish) and hold it in one hand comfortably, yet still be able to read what's on the screen (so not something tiny like an iphone) then maybe. until then, forget it.



    I think his day may have arrived. or at least be a heck of a lot closer.
  • Reply 32 of 52
    john.bjohn.b Posts: 2,742member
    Has anyone figured out whether this will support a singled unified mailbox view?



    Or do I have to page back and forth through several email accounts like on my iPhone?



  • Reply 33 of 52
    john.bjohn.b Posts: 2,742member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by razorpit View Post


    I'm with you, talk about a letdown. This is the perfect product for people who have more money than they know what to do with.



    Is it really such a crime to have a little discretionary income to spend how you like?
  • Reply 34 of 52
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by kexxcream View Post


    Big mistake. Stop, go back, don't do it. I feel the same way, had maybe too high expectations about it. It's nice, might be useful but for those who have already, like me, both a MBP and an iPhone a third device will be too much to carry around. You don't need so many devices to manage your life.



    The question for me is whether the device is productive enough to replace my MBP with an iMac plus the iPad. Then, I'd still only be carrying two devices around.



    This might cannibalize MBP sales a little, but I think it will bring in a lot more people with PC's who switch to a Mac after buying this, even more so than the iPhone has.
  • Reply 35 of 52
    rainrain Posts: 538member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tipton View Post


    The question for me is whether the device is productive enough to replace my MBP with an iMac plus the iPad. Then, I'd still only be carrying two devices around.



    This might cannibalize MBP sales a little, but I think it will bring in a lot more people with PC's who switch to a Mac after buying this, even more so than the iPhone has.



    No

    This is not a computer and it won't cannibalize mbp sales. Also, not a good idea to replace your mbp with it.

    The iPad is a media device, with some production capabilities. It's also an infant and Rev.1

    Maybe 3 or 4 years from now when it's more established - it can replace a a laptop, but not now.



    Have no fear thou, there will be many many many replications of the iPad in about 1 year. They will weigh 3 times the amount of the iPad, but will have a camera, usb ports, replaceable batteries and sd card slots... but just won't quite have the same feel or user experience of the iPad.



    My gawd, I just keep typing iPad and just can't get around how bad that name is. Something like Zorbotron 2000 or TurboSlate seems better.
  • Reply 36 of 52
    john.bjohn.b Posts: 2,742member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rain View Post


    No

    This is not a computer and it won't cannibalize mbp sales. Also, not a good idea to replace your mbp with it.

    The iPad is a media device, with some production capabilities. It's also an infant and Rev.1

    Maybe 3 or 4 years from now when it's more established - it can replace a a laptop, but not now.



    I agree. I think it's more accurate to talk about what functions from a laptop this might replace, but not the entire laptop.
  • Reply 37 of 52
    I'm surprised that there has been hardly any discussion about the (apparent) lack of an accessible directory structure for your files, inability to download files from the web, and lack of printer networking.



    I'm also concerned about how restrictive and uncomfortable the touch interface will feel as you try to accomplish advanced tasks like creating a spreadsheet from scratch. The iPhone's touch interface works precisely because you use it for quick and often very simple tasks; functions that are easy on a laptop, like copy/paste, already feel more complicated on a touchscreen.



    The ebook functionality was one of the areas I most looked forward to: being able to experience digital content in an interactive environment, but I don't see how iBooks is any more interactive than opening a document in Preview; will interactive materials be relegated to their own applications, like the New York Times? And why does the bookstore only cover books and not newspapers and magazine content? Or did I miss something?



    All in all, I feel that what Apple created is visually beautiful, but misses a lot of the opportunities a device like this could address.
  • Reply 38 of 52
    Well I have to say I'm slighty dissapointed with the Ipad. The name isn't that catchy, was hoping Apple had the islate name but that doesn't really matter. I agree with a number of others in that this is like an oversized itouch but with 3G and e book reader.

    Here is what I want and I'll be willing to pay a lot more for it.



    - be able to multitask

    - removable storage and battery

    - larger internal flash drive

    - camera in front

    - flash support!!!!!!

    - no file system

    - being able to dl files from the Internet

    - an adult section app store open to anything - it's the parents jobs to protect there kids from the Internet, not apple's job. I respect their efforts but what makes the Internet great is the freedom. Apple is killing it.

    - favorite section in app store for apps you might want to purchase at a later date

    - want to be able to read magazines, newspapers, books and any other print media out there

    -



    Apple low balled this first rollout MSFT style. Me and a lot of other people were hoping for everything but we will have to wait. I might still buy one though and give it to my daughter when newer versions come out with what I'm looking for. I think a lot of other people will do the same so I'm sure apple will

    meet expectations with Ipad but won't blow away numbers like the iPhone did. If apple put everything into the ipad right away then they would be killing their MacBooks.





    As a previous poster posted. Cancel iPhone and sell it. buy ipad and pay $30 for unlimited data. Get cheap phone with cheaper plan and save some money. You won't be the only one doing that.
  • Reply 39 of 52
    uswusw Posts: 2member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rcfa View Post


    The iPad is the end of the Mac. Mark my words, at least unless legislators mandate that a computing device must be fully accessible (read: root access) to its lawful owner.



    Apple's strategy is clear: expand the range of apps for which a touch interface is useful, and expand the docking station concept, likely with a GUI that changes in behavior between being touch-based and keyboard-mouse based.



    But always with the pretense of protecting copyrighted works and retaining security, these devices will be tied to the app store. So you won't own your computer in the future, even though you buy it.

    And Apple decides what you can or cannot read or run. Bet they won't offer Playboy on the iPad, given how restrictive they are in the app store. And after porn, what's next? Only politically acceptable publications? Web filters? Apple is about to become the big brother.



    This device could have been great, if it turned into a regular Mac once docked, and if it would allow the advanced user full access to the device, incl. a terminal and root access, full power to install whatever software and content they want, but that seems to be out the window.



    Now it has turned into one big marketing effort to turn computing into another dumbing down of the people device like cable TV, you're told what you can/must consume, and people won't notice, because there's "so much choice". Yes, there is choice, between the things that are pre-approved. Just like you have a choice between two parties, or french fries and fried onion rings. But the illusion of choice is not the same as freedom.



    I agree...Apple clearly isn't the neutral/opened/elegant/effective alternative it used to aim for, something's gone insidiously wrong since the intel shift...not that I regret the performance bump, note
  • Reply 40 of 52
    brucepbrucep Posts: 2,823member
    i can see that star trek tech HAS not arrived by the ;lame comments here



    i dunno what some babies expect in a device .



    apple was not going top make a full fledged mini MBP tablet computer

    apple is not stupid .,. nothing will be allowed compete against its core closed system products

    biliions of dollars are at stake

    this is a pure play device for media playback that you will buy to add to your apple collection

    or not.. i will wait to see what games come out and how easy it is to play movies on it



    that is all it is

    nothing more yet



    for gamers >housewives > readers> commuters and students this is a god machine.







    for cool dudes who need to do 5 things at once your dell netbook will have to suffice



    for 2 dollar a day you can own the -IPAD and buy a book a week for 4 yrs or more

    A great deal if you game or read or share family stuff ...



    peace
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