Apple iPad and related items

[g force]

I think it will depend on what content becomes available as to whether or not it's a success. I do think it eventually will be a success, just not in this incarnation.

This my feeling...not a big enough "wow", yet. Where does this leave the Air? It's too pricey as a netbook, too compromised compared to the MacBook range.

Will it be upgraded when the MBPs are? or just left to die slowly like the Mini?

 

[tarannau]

Microsoft always do decent concept launches though - like that tabletop multitouch display that seems to have gone nowhere much. They even made the Zune sound revolutionary once, although the results and impact were much more prosaic

I'm cynical about the Courier too fwiw. Looks great, but the stylus seems a bodge already. Everyone's moved away from stylii for a reason,and the logic of introducing two forms of input into the system seems to make things more fiddly and inconsistent than finger alone. It's about doing a few things well, not producing an all singing swiss army knife that does everything a little clunkily.

Apple's fired the first big shot. It'll be interesting to see how fast worthwhile content and competitors appear on the scene.

 

[Pie 1]

First I've heard of the Courier. Fuck me, that looks cool. That's what you'd expect from Apple for £900. That's what I would want.

Exactly.

Now watch MS totally fuck it up

 

[tarannau]

I think the Air's a different segment fwiw. It's a niche ultraportable without the obvious drawbacks of a netbook - it's got a full size keyboard and screen for a start. There's probably an argument that that sector in the market for luxury ultraportable toys will always be small and expensive

 

[ovaltina]

Where's the vision? Where's the 'think different' philosophy gone?

And quality control. Apple must have known the ipad's shortcomings compared to other devices that are already available (netbooks) but decided to launch anyway. They're going to lose their all-important brand recognition if they start knocking out ill-conceived products that are nowhere near the zeitgiest (sp?).

 

[Pie 1]

the stylus seems a bodge already.

Not if someone, somehow, gets it right.
I still use a note book all the time to scribble thoughts/phone numbers/instructions etc down.
Writing is still the quickest, most direct & instinctive way of getting something onto paper/post it note/screen with the right technology.

 

[Lemon Eddy]

Exactly.

Now watch MS totally fuck it up

It doesn't matter if they do. That factor has obvious suitablity for a number of tasks, and is MS don't bring it to market properly, HTC or someone else will.

 

[ivebeenhigh]

I cant see the point in this.

 

[Lemon Eddy]

Writing is still the quickest, most direct & instinctive way of getting something onto paper/post it note/screen with the right technology.

Most people I know can type a shitload faster than they can write.

 

[Gromit]

Already covered, it doesn't.

Thats stupid. Definately don't want one then.

Best browsing experience I've ever had Steve?

Not if it doesn't match what my PC browser can do.

 

[gabi]

Most people I know can type a shitload faster than they can write.

Innit... I can't actually write much any more at all, my handwriting's become shocking. It's so rare i have to... Which does make me sad....

 

[Gromit]

Most people I know can type a shitload faster than they can write.

Aye.

Also my (already bad) spelling suffers on paper since I've gotten used to my fingers thinking for me and spellcheckers tidying up after me

 

[stupid dogbot]

http://i.gizmodo.com/5458510/wait-no-this-is-the-real-ipad?autoplay=true

 

[Pie 1]

Most people I know can type a shitload faster than they can write.

Whilst holding a phone to their ear on a park bench/bus seat with a laptop on their knee?

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Most people I know can type a shitload faster than they can write.

On a proper keyboard, maybe

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Innit... I can't actually write much any more at all, my handwriting's become shocking. It's so rare i have to... Which does make me sad....

It's true of me as well, haven't had to write longhand in years properly, apart from the odd note taking most of my writing is typing. Can type far faster than I can write...

 

[tarannau]

Same here. Styli are basically archaic I reckon - the youth will be thumbing away frantically and it just introduces an extra UI fudge.

 

[kyser_soze]

Shiny Thing Make It All Better

and an old classic:

Apple to Charge $2000 for shit in a box

 

[magneze]

What we're forgetting here I think is that it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be usable. The first iPod was the first usable mass market MP3 player. Key words here being first and usable. Being first is always an advantage - yes better products will come out this year ... but they won't be the first.

 

[g force]

Netbooks are useable. Smartphones are useable.

 

[magneze]

Netbooks are useable. Smartphones are useable.

This is neither ... that is the point.

Interesting analysis here - "it's all about TV": http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2010/01/28/ipad_equals_tv/

 

[editor]

This is neither ... that is the point.

Interesting analysis here - "it's all about TV": http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2010/01/28/ipad_equals_tv/

But a lot of folk - and not just the usual suspects - will take a shine to this handy, personal, internet-connected portable telly. A telly that's not restricted to the room it's placed in. A telly you can easily take on holiday with you, or just out to the park.

Might be a tricky seeing as it can't receive terrestrial programs, you can't add a TV card and you'll be fucked if there's no wi-fi about and you've run out of your pricey 3G allowance (if you've paid the extra for that model).

What a ridiculous article.

 

[stupid dogbot]

Might be a tricky seeing as it can't receive terrestrial programs

Oh, I bet it can.

 

[Kanda]

Might be a tricky seeing as it can't receive terrestrial programs, you can't add a TV card and you'll be fucked if there's no wi-fi about and you've run out of your pricey 3G allowance (if you've paid the extra for that model).

What a ridiculous article.

http://www.tvcatchup.com/

Works over wifi and 3G

 

[magneze]

I don't agree - people watch stuff on their iPhones and iPod Touches with the same connectivity limitations. There is now something that makes that experience a bit nicer.

 

[stupid dogbot]

http://www.tvcatchup.com/

Works over wifi and 3G

Innit. And works very, very well.

 

[editor]

I'm cynical about the Courier too fwiw. Looks great, but the stylus seems a bodge already. Everyone's moved away from stylii for a reason,and the logic of introducing two forms of input into the system seems to make things more fiddly and inconsistent than finger alone.

Tell you what: there are quite a few times where I've found myself missing a stylus when I'm using my iPhone.

They may not be fashionable but as Pie1 says, sometimes they can do things a whole lot quicker than smudging around with your finger, and stylus-led screens can be a lot more productive because the interface doesn't have to be dumbed down into child-sized buttons with massive text.

 

[editor]

http://www.tvcatchup.com/

Works over wifi and 3G

That's a great service but it relies on the user being near a wi-fi connection or having the pricier 3G iPad (with sufficient bandwidth allowance).

This thing won't be replacing my tele any time soon.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

This thing won't be replacing my tele any time soon.

I don't think the article was suggesting it could replace a conventional TV, more like supplement it.

 

[Kanda]

That's a great service but it relies on the user being near a wi-fi connection or having the pricier 3G iPad (with sufficient bandwidth allowance).

This thing won't be replacing my tele any time soon.

Apple are also in talks with with networks about reducing TV pricing in iTunes. http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/26/apple-pressuring-tv-networks-to-halve-itunes-episode-pricing/