Apple iPad and related items

[sunnysidedown]

The flaw is there so that Apple get lots of money when all the idiot fanbois buy it for a second time when they release V2.0

MT will be a software update, and could still be available on this release (according to a few reports).

btw, you think those idiot fanbois you mention actually keep the original harware when upgrading? I've been buying Mac's and selling them when upgrading without making a huge loss (sometimes making a profit) for years.

 

[ovaltina]

Bit off topic but I just found this video from the opening of Brighton's Apple Store last summer. Fast forward to 2.30mins to see the Geniuses limbering up for opening day. I had to stop watching then but you might have a stronger stomach

 

[editor]

x 1,000

 

[ovaltina]

It's just sales isn't it... double glazing and hoover salespeople do the same motivational bollocks before they start the day. I'm far too grumpy for that sort of job and will never be an iGenius

 

[Pie 1]

x 1,000

For once, I'm in total agreement with you

Someone should to mod the airport level in MW2 to become an apple store opening. That would be seriously satisfying

 

[Kanda]

FF13 launch the other day, HMV was rammed with people dressed like characters from the game, best 20 got prizes.. and you think an Apple store is bad?!

 

[editor]

FF13 launch the other day, HMV was rammed with people dressed like characters from the game, best 20 got prizes.. and you think an Apple store is bad?!

Did the HMV staff first run around the block shrieking and high fiving everyone and then line up inside ready to whoop and applaud incoming customers, making sure another high five accompanied every purchase?

No, I thought not. And, of course most of the people in the FF13 queue were children and the launch was positively dignified and calm compared to an Apple consume-a-thon.

See the video here:

 

[elbows]

Apparently the battery replacement program for the ipad will involve being sent a whole new ipad without any of your data on it. This does not fill me with deep joy but is not enough to stop me getting one.

I remain convinced that I will really enjoy surfing the web with one of these so I am getting impatient, especially as the UK release has been delayed. The availability of various accessories such as the keyboard and memory card reader in the US have also slipped, but not sure if thats down to demand or production issues.

 

[Pie 1]

Apple iPad is announced

The availability of various accessories such as the keyboard and memory card reader

All other issues aside, why the fuck they won't put an even an sd slot on it is a real fucking mystery - is it too PC like for apple's tastes or something, or is it simply the oppertunity to put a $10 card reader in a shiny apple wrapper & milk the gulable for more cash?

 

[editor]

SD card slot would be VERY handy but I know why exactly Apple won't include one: it's because it would usefully let people increase the memory themselves and that would ruin the chances of shifting iPad II (with added memory!).

The notion of replacing an entire computer just to get the battery replaced remains as daft as it ever was.

 

[elbows]

All other issues aside, why the fuck they won't put an even an sd slot on it is a real fucking mystery - is it too PC like for apple's tastes or something, or is it simply the oppertunity to put a $10 card reader in a shiny apple wrapper & milk the gulable for more cash?

I suspect there are several business reasons why they have tended not to include memory readers, I was a bit surprised they have even offered an adaptor for the ipad. They havent even offered memory readers built into their laptops very often although that has changed in the last year or so on a few models.

I would speculate that reasons include what editor said, along with an approach to hardware that favours minimalistic style & simplicity over features, and also a possible fears that the memory slot could be exploited to offer an alternative way to transfer stuff onto the device, when they of course want nearly everything to go via itunes so they can retain maximum control.

 

[editor]

I would speculate that reasons include what editor said, along with an approach to hardware that favours minimalistic style & simplicity over features....

If Apple can fit a sleek CD/DVD slot into their MacBooks I don't think an SD card is likely to cause the slightest disruption to the iPad's lines.

The reason is purely profit and, sadly, where Apple lead, others often follow.

 

[Sunray]

SD card slot would be VERY handy but I know why exactly Apple won't include one: it's because it would usefully let people increase the memory themselves and that would ruin the chances of shifting iPad II (with added memory!).

The notion of replacing an entire computer just to get the battery replaced remains as daft as it ever was.

SD card slot is an optional extra but clearly read only for the reasons you state.

 

[elbows]

The reason is purely profit and, sadly, where Apple lead, others often follow.

Not many have followed Apples level of control freakery though have they, at least yet.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Not many have followed Apples level of control freakery though have they, at least yet.

That's because your product has to be shit hot to get away with it. However looks like WinMo 7 is taking lots of leaves out of apples book at the moment.

 

[editor]

Not many have followed Apples level of control freakery though have they, at least yet.

Eh? Windows Mobile 7 are right there in the queue:

apps have to be approved? check
only one place to get them from? check
and that's solely controlled by a committee of Microsoft people? check

 

[editor]

SD card slot is an optional extra but clearly read only for the reasons you state.

Optional suggests you can get an iPad with one built in.

In fact, you have to buy a separate dongle thing and then lug that around with you - just like the equally irritating USB dongle.

Don’t you worry about the iPad lacking an SD card slot and USB port. Apple has you covered with adapters! How nice of Lord Jobs. Instead of building in two industry standards, users are forced to buy extra items with their new iPad. It’s not like the these standards are large and would take away from the oh-so-important design.

But it really is ridiculous that the iPad doesn’t have an SD card slot built-in. USB port, fine. Apple is sticking with its massive dock connector, but an SD card slot — or microSD card slot — would actually open the iPad to some niche markets.

Just think about photographers. The SD card slot would allow them to quickly and efficiently preview their shots on a large screen. The USB port would even allow them to control some DSLRs directly from the iPad with the right app. But nope, can’t do it without an adapter. Even then, they would only be able to use one at a time because of the single dock connector.

So it seems that the iPad is designed to milk every last penny out of buyers. You see, having a flush-mounted SD card slot would allow consumers to get away with buying the 16GB model and increasing the storage themselves. That’s clearly not in Apple’s financial favor, but it’s not like anyone expected Apple to look out for the buyer anyway....

http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/01/2...s-missing-sd-card-slot-and-usb-port-adapters/

 

[editor]

Good grief. Let the hype build!

Apple Swears iPad Partners to Secrecy

Developers must sequester the tablet computer in rooms with blacked-out windows, reflecting secrecy around a product that may mean billions of dollars in sales

Apple makes big demands of software developers who want an early crack at the iPad. Would-be testers of the tablet-style computer, due to be released Apr. 3, must promise to keep it isolated in a room with blacked-out windows, according to four people familiar with the more than 10-page pact that bars partners from disclosing information about the iPad.

To ensure that it can't be removed, the iPad must also remain tethered to a fixed object, said the people, who asked not to be named because their plans for the iPad have not been made public. Apple (AAPL) won't send out an iPad until potential partners send photographic evidence that they've complied.

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2010/tc20100318_833402.htm

 

[pinkmonkey]

Wonder how many app developers will be arrested by the Met for terrorism following their suspicious behaviour?

 

[Pie 1]

Good grief. Let the hype build!

A friend who is a very sought after advertising still life photographer was approached via his US agent to shoot "something" for Apple.
He said the document they sent over regarding secracy etc was hilarious.
He turned it down in the end due this excessive silliness & them not grasping the concept that he didn't really give a toss about whatever their shiny little object was, he had other jobs to do that were equally as big, if not bigger than Apple & if they wanted him to fly over & shoot it, then they could bloody well tell him what it was they wanted shooting, so he could decide what he needed to bring with him to the small room in California in order to shoot it.

To this day, he still has no idea what it was

 

[cliche guevara]

 

[editor]

So, no Picasa for the iPad then.

"…Are there any plans to support Picasa’s faces and albums in iTunes, so I can take full advantage of the [iPad] Photos application, since Photoshop Album is long discontinued. If not, please can you look into supporting the Picasa library format?"

And the response from Steve Jobs:

No, but iPhoto on the Mac has much better Faces and Places features.

(9to5Mac)

 

[elbows]

Eh? Windows Mobile 7 are right there in the queue:

apps have to be approved? check
only one place to get them from? check
and that's solely controlled by a committee of Microsoft people? check

To be honest I hadnt seen the Microsoft Phone 7 details when I wrote that few had copied Apple in terms of control freakery yet. Im not really surprised they have gone down the same route, though I think success is far from assured for them. Much will come down to how well they actually get silverlight to perform on the device, and some good handsets.

On the iPad front it seems Amazon are doing a Kindle app for the iPad so it will be interesting to see if it gets approved. Assuming it might not have a store feature in order to try to avoid treading on Apples toes too much but only time will tell how this one plays out.

Oh time. Not sure how long I will have to wait before I can get my mits on the ipad, not sure how long I will have to wait for a more open tablet alternative thats as polished in some key areas.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

Apparently iBooks on the iPad is going to have the whole Project Gutenberg catalogue on it (probably): http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/03/exclusive-ipad-ibooks-features-gutenberg-project-library/

 

[editor]

Apparently iBooks on the iPad is going to have the whole Project Gutenberg catalogue on it (probably): http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/03/exclusive-ipad-ibooks-features-gutenberg-project-library/

No doubt that'll be spun into something, like, incredible, even though smartphones and laptops have been able to access that entire library for years on end!

 

[elbows]

No doubt that'll be spun into something, like, incredible, even though smartphones and laptops have been able to access that entire library for years on end!

Im sure youd be the first one to grind an axe if it didnt support that library though.

 

[editor]

Im sure youd be the first one to grind an axe if it didnt support that library though.

Even for Apple, actively blocking users from accessing a free library set up to distribute public domain books would have been a bit much.

 

[elbows]

I think its a question of how you get the stuff onto the device - think they have already announced that they will support the right file format to enable this content to be viewed, but the latest rumour is about whether they will include it in the ibookstore which make it easier for people to get onto their iPads. If it wasnt on the store but wasnt blocked either, it wouldnt be quite the scandal you've just mentioned.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Apple iPad is announced

Apparently iBooks on the iPad is going to have the whole Project Gutenberg catalogue on it (probably): http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/03/exclusive-ipad-ibooks-features-gutenberg-project-library/

Smart and almost a surprising move by Apple. Credit where credits due!

 

[editor]

Smart and almost a surprising move by Apple. Credit where credits due!

Sure seems a bit weird to giving Apple 'credit' for allowing free access to a free library that just about every single capable device on the planet can already access freely.