Apple iPad and related items

[Gromit]

My first thoughts.

Apple have managed to lose the portability of an iPhone and combined that with losing the ease of use of a netbook.

Because at least with a netbook you don't have to hold it. You can sit it down (on a lap even) and tilt the screen where you want it. Where as the iPad sits flat on a table or you have to hold it. I wouldn't like to try using it on my lap.

Also, at least with the iPhone you can thumb type.

I can see this tablet being in any way practical.

 

[elbows]

Because at least with a netbook you don't have to hold it. You can sit it down (on a lap even) and tilt the screen where you want it. Where as the iPad sits flat on a table or you have to hold it. I wouldn't like to try using it on my lap.

Also, at least with the iPhone you can thumb type.

I can see this tablet being in any way practical.

Yep thats another huge reason why tablets have failed to catch on in the past, though personally I never get on with using laptops on lap or low surface and cant wait to get away from sitting upright at a desk, but I might be a freak in this regard.

 

[Sunray]

Not really because it's just another device to lug about that I can't even make calls on. Or take pictures with.

It's not going to be particularly nice to type on, and without multi-tasking, the thing is pretty much useless as a laptop replacement.

If I was loaded, I'd probably buy one as a bedroom iPlayer/book reader/games player, but I really can't see anything it can do that I can't do already on either my iPhone or my netbook.

Yup.

I just get the distinct impression they are trying to protect the iPhone revenue stream with the connectivity options. There is clearly data but no voice. Its lack of ergonomic design for use is another flaw, Steve Jobs to be sitting in a big chair to demo it means they know its flawed in that aspect. They didn't want him to be straining his arms after holding it up for a while. Two fingered typing is going to be difficult most of the time.

What also puts me off is that its too big. I was expecting it to be smaller. I really dont think that it needs to be that big. I was fully expecting something the size of a DVD case. That for me is the ultimate Tablet size when the software is that slick.

I'll be interested to see one in the Apple shop when they are released. Defo not parting with my cash.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

it really want's to sell the pictures and video aspect and the screen is about the right size for portable video watching... it just means that it is in the awkward size zone

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

actually thinking about it the multi task thing is a real fucker it means you can't listen to music while browsing the net of doing your emails... unless they are going to do a special exception for audio

 

[editor]

it really want's to sell the pictures and video aspect and the screen is about the right size for portable video watching... it just means that it is in the awkward size zone

It's not widescreen though.

 

[elbows]

I just get the distinct impression they are trying to protect the iPhone revenue stream with the connectivity options. There is clearly data but no voice. This shying away from giving it phone operations has meant its been knobbled. Its lack of ergonomic design for use. The need for Jobs to be sitting in a big chair to demo it means they know its flawed in that aspect. They didn't want him to be straining his arms after holding it up for a while.

What also puts me off is that its too big. I was expecting it to be smaller. I really dont think that it needs to be that big. I was fully expecting something the size of a DVD case. That for me is the ultimate Tablet size when the software is that slick.

You might be right about protecting the iphone market, but also I imagine the jokes would be even worse if people really thought of it as a giant phone. Oh wait, people think of it as a giant iphone anyway.

The screen is actually not far off the size of a dvd case, and as previously discussed there needs to be space round the edge of the screen for bits of your hands to go without obscuring the view.

 

[Gromit]

it really want's to sell the pictures and video aspect and the screen is about the right size for portable video watching... it just means that it is in the awkward size zone

There are large dedicated video players you can get which are a lot cheaper. That run off memory rather than DvDs too.

You'd be a mug to spend that much if a portable player is your priority.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

no but as someone who only went wide screen a month or so ago i know that's not a killer you still get a fair picture with 16:9 and there is a lot of old 4:3 stuff you can watch

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

There are large dedicated video players you can get which are a lot cheaper. That run off memory rather than DvDs too.

You'd be a mug to spend that much if a portable player is your priority.

i think the size is also good for browsing and reading

but yes it is a very awkward size it's too big to be pocket sized but not flexible enough to compeat with a laptop

you would have to be someone who really wanted to do things the way the device wanted to do them

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Apple iPad is announced

Just watched some vids, very fast machine! Games look fantastic on it too...but still can't shake the 'what's the point of it' feeling...

 

[paolo]

Just come back home and switched on TWiT Live again... Dunno what else they've uncovered whilst I've been out, but they've just been saying the 3G SIM is some new smaller size. So you can't drop in an existing one.

 

[Kanda]

no but as someone who only went wide screen a month or so ago i know that's not a killer you still get a fair picture with 16:9 and there is a lot of old 4:3 stuff you can watch

You went wide screen a month a go?? In what format?

Not exactly a late adopter are you??

 

[paolo]

I think some of the appeal maybe in the actual use. I know I wasn't massively on fire seeing iPhone stuff online, but the moment I actually tried the Touch I knew I'd buy an iPhone on day one.

Will definitely be going in to Regent Street to try an iPad out.

Anyone else planning the same?

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Apple iPad is announced

I think some of the appeal maybe in the actual use. I know I wasn't massively on fire seeing iPhone stuff online, but the moment I actually tried the Touch I knew I'd buy an iPhone on day one.

Will definitely be going in to Regent Street to try an iPad out.

Anyone else planning the same?

Yup going to have a play when it's out too.

 

[grit]

600 odd quid or whatever its going to be for essentially a machine with a resolution from 5 years ago and a CPU thats about an 8th of my desktop.

No form factor can make that compelling.

 

[paolo]

Leo's now on phone-in segment:

http://live.twit.tv/

 

[paolo]

iPad spoof sanitary towel ad very good

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

You went wide screen a month a go?? In what format?

h264 of course

 

[editor]

And here's the second stupid article from this Claudine Beaumont woman at the Telegraph:

"Apple's iPad, which resembles a 'giant iPhone', may sound the death knell for netbook computers."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/7087088/Apple-iPad-review.html



A slightly more critical article can be found here:
http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-downsides

 

[paolo]

A slightly more critical article can be found here:
http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-downsides

Their closing point "It’s Not Worth It If You Have a Smartphone and Laptop" is where I'm at.

This isn't about whether it has the right sockets. The challenge is way bigger than that.

 

[Sunray]

The 16Gb 3G version is $629, not sure 16Gb is quite enough so the most common model will be the 32Gb 3G version.

The most basic MacBook is $999, if you've got $729 to spend on an iPad then I think stretching to the MacBook isn't beyond the realm. A 3G dongle is cheap.

If you don't want a Mac then the iPad is putting its walled garden up against some very serious hardware indeed. A Dell 17" Inspiron with a 3Gb ram, 250Gb hard disk, a Core i3 CPU, a built in webcam and comes with a proper keyboard. You can argue all you like about small form factor keyboards but there isn't anything out there that can replace a larger one.

The iPad will never >ever< match the flexibility of a proper laptop computer. Its only major advantage is weight at about 750g.

Not multi-tasking is comedy because that means you have to run the iPhone apps one at a time on a screen that can support many of them quite easily.

 

[Kanda]

I think some of the appeal maybe in the actual use. I know I wasn't massively on fire seeing iPhone stuff online, but the moment I actually tried the Touch I knew I'd buy an iPhone on day one.

The iPhone was out before the Touch.....

 

[Pie 1]

I've been thinking about this thing over night & the more I think about it (& echoing articles yesterday), it really is the content that will make or break this thing. If developers - esspecially in the publishing/imaging sector do step up, then there are some really exciting possibilities with the ipad interface.
On 2nd looking, It's actually not a bad machine tbh, sure it needs some refinements, which will undoubtably come - I wouldn't touch this 1st edition - but I'm starting to see where it could go.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

A slightly more critical article can be found here:
http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-downsides

"a cool toy"

Sums it up really.

 

[stupid dogbot]

I'm interested in seeing the dimensions.

I like the idea of a portable device that's bigger than the phone (but ISN'T a netbook), which I can carry easily on the bike...

Carrying the laptop about in a rucksack is arse. If this'll fit in my tail pack, I suspect it'll bridge my intended gap between my current MBP and the next one.

 

[magneze]

Apple have developed a custom all in one processor for it. I wonder if this will make it into any other devices. Developing that must be expensive so to limit it to this is a bit odd.

 

[g force]

Paperbacks are more portable and I have an iPhone and a MBP. This seems like a solution in search of a problem unlike the iPod or iPhone where there was a clear need. It's just a touch screen netbook however Apple tries to sell it and the 3G version will be expensive compared to that market's competition. I'm sure it will sell but it's a niche device IMO.

Jobs' speech to me ears was tantamount to admitting the Air simply hasn't done what it needed to and this will replace it over time as the truly portable Apple device.

It won't surf the web better than a Netbook, it won't be a better eReader than some devices on the market. And for the price they want I can't see the benefit.

 

[Crispy]

Apple have developed a custom all in one processor for it. I wonder if this will make it into any other devices. Developing that must be expensive so to limit it to this is a bit odd.

It's an ARM chip, so you can bet it'll turn up in the next iphone/touch.


I can see how it would be nice to have one of these around the home. But if I'm going somewhere, I'll have a bag, and a laptop fits in a bag, and a laptop does more stuff. So yeah, nice product, but I have no urge to actually buy one.

 

[zenie]

Well I'd like to add my Meh to the general mehness.

This does not fill any gap for me as it stands.
Maybe give it a year or so, some possible iPad versions the serious apps like Photoshop/Lightroom etc & I may start listening again.

I want that MS Courier, but with an Apple OS & apps bassically

I saw that this morning in Shortlist, will take a closer look. Shame it's Microsoft.

Yes, you missed that.

It was in 1989 and didn't really work:

Got it on my 5800!

I agree with Elbows - it's a disappointment only for us who have been following all the speculation and letting our imaginations run wild.

I think it is somewhere between a 7 and an 8 out of ten.

Certainly the only credible tablet known today. It won't be as big as the iPhone (IMHO), but it's a good first attempt at the format. If Apple can't make this work, and maybe they won't, I really doubt anyone else can.

You're very generous

Have you looked at the M$ Courier?