Apple iPad and related items

[editor]

You've not been posting any of those here at all of course e.g. every single thing about the Courier.

Compared to the endless fucking onslaught of non-stories, micro non-factoids, excited non-informed squeaking and aimless speculation churning out about the iPad al week, the Courier seems well documented by comparison.

I have to read most of it too because I'm supposed to be a tech writer, but I refuse to post up shite all day when I haven't got a fucking clue about tge thing - like the rest of the ;news' sites.

 

[editor]

As an aside, if I wanted to push my blog traffic through the roof (and pick up a nice wad of advertising revenue), I could just make up a load of fresh tosh about the iPad's UK launch, mixing it a few half-credible facts and sitting back and watching people scoop it up.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

the Courier seems well documented by comparison.

iPad: Exists and about to go on sale.

Courier: Imaginary Microsoft bollocks with absolutely nothing to support its existence, to detract from Apple selling a gadget.

This thread: About iPads.

 

[editor]

Courier: Imaginary Microsoft bollocks with absolutely nothing to support its existence, to detract from Apple selling a gadget.

Except the Courier videos were released way before the iPad was announced - or even heard of.

Edit: oh, and for the record, the Courier was brought up by Pie 1 on the first few page of this thread.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

Except that they don't show any sort of device at all. They're UI mockups. There is no Courier.

hey that's so much better than the iPad it has a USB port too

also, there is already a whole thread about the Courier

 

[editor]

Except that they don't show any sort of device at all. They're UI mockups. There is no Courier.

There was no iPad when this thread started too!

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Apple iPad is announced

I think it's just a symptom of the need for information driven, internet "news" age we're now in, rather than an iPad specific thing, no?

And as KE says, part of the fun is the speculation.

People be getting way too hot under the collar about this shit yo!

 

[editor]

also, there is already a whole thread about the Courier

There is indeed. And you mentioned the iPad in that too!

Seems a bit daft not to expect both tablet devices to be discussed seeing as they're two similar, but different approaches.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

There was no iPad when this thread started too!

well obviously that makes it fine to fill the whole thing with imaginary Microsoft marketing which has nothing to do with the iPad apart from being designed to spoiler its release - after all it's not as if there is one now, with clearly defined hardware and software, which is going to be around in a month or two

 

[editor]

well obviously that makes it fine to fill the whole thing with imaginary Microsoft marketing which has nothing to do with the iPad apart from being designed to spoiler its release

I really don't believe that the Courier has been marketed as a 'spoiler' for the iPad launch. Honestly. If it was, surely they'd be be releasing fresh, juicy product videos and dropping hints all over the place?

In reality, there's barely been a peep out of Micosoft for ages, and considering the huge interest there is in the Courier, they'd have no problem attracting column inches for even a short clip or 'leaked' document.

I don't really think they're chasing the same market either: the iPad is more of a passive entertainment consumption device, whereas the Courier appears to be more focused on being a personal journal with a focus on creating content.

And to get right back on topic, it's funny that the one iPad game that got me excited today was one that lets you play chess and card games on:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/03/game-table-chess-and-card-game-simulator-for-ipad/

 

[sunnysidedown]

As an aside, if I wanted to push my blog traffic through the roof (and pick up a nice wad of advertising revenue), I could just make up a load of fresh tosh about the iPad's UK launch, mixing it a few half-credible facts and sitting back and watching people scoop it up.

what the devil are you going on about?

the iPad is real, it will be released in the USA on Saturday, and in many other countries the end of April.

And according to legit sources the iPhone 4.0 OS will support MT.

people are obviously getting geared up for this device being released around the world over the next few weeks.

According to a reliable source, Apple Germany had ordered only 75,000 iPads. Against all their predictions, they got 250,000 orders.

for a tech writer you have a huge 'micro' chip on your shoulder.

 

[editor]

what the devil are you going on about?

the iPad is real, it will be released in the USA on Saturday, and in many other countries the end of April.

Yes, of course it is, but the bit you seem singularly unable to comprehend is that many of the articles being published ahead of the iPad's launch have little basis in fact. They're simply shunted out to drive up traffic and advertising revenue.

And according to legit sources the iPhone 4.0 OS will support MT.

Not sure what a "legit source" is - Apple have either announced it or they haven't - but I've never made claims about whether the 4.0 OS will have MT or not, although I'd guess that it looks rather likely.

for a tech writer you have a huge 'micro' chip on your shoulder.

Actually, I'm rather more responsible than quite a few, and try to refrain from endlessly speculating (although sometimes it's an inevitable part of the job).

Have you any idea how many Apple pre-launch "reliable sources" later turn out to have spouted a load of codswallop? No, I guess not.

 

[editor]

Here. Here's a collection of "reliable sources":

http://i.engadget.com/2010/01/26/the-apple-tablet-a-complete-history-supposedly/

 

[sunnysidedown]

^ they are not "reliable sources" - they are rumors.

unlike you i don't read every rumor about apple on the web...

if I want rumors I go to macrumors.com

if I want something more reliable, I go to daringfireball.net

that's it.

you seem somewhat obsessed though...

 

[elbows]

Add 'makes editor a crushing bore' to the list of downsides of Apple.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Apple iPad is announced

Add 'makes editor a crushing bore' to the list of downsides of Apple.

Lol he is almost a little OCD when it comes to Apple!

 

[elbows]

Well in the past Ive defended his right to have whatever opinion he wants about Apple and to talk about it, and I stick by that. Its just become a little too much for me right now in terms of quantity, and the desire for successful alternatives to emerge & succeed has become tinged with an air of desperation.

 

[editor]

Its just become a little too much for me right now in terms of quantity, and the desire for successful alternatives to emerge & succeed has become tinged with an air of desperation.

 

[elbows]

Dont worry, its the only day you'll have to react like that to my posts, I hope. The day your posts flip my tripswitch will not likely come again.

 

[Kanda]

Some early reviews:

David Pogue / New York Times

Pogue attacks the iPad from two different perspectives: techie and "everyone else". If you're a techie, Pogue says that a laptop will do more for less money. But, if you like the concept of the iPad, "you'll love the machine". Pogue did test the iPad's battery life and found it could play movies continuously for over 12 hours.

Walt Mossberg / All Things D

- "a whole new type of computer"
- Mossberg found the iPad a "pleasure to use" and had less and less interest in using his laptop the longer he used it, reserving their use for writing/editing longer documents or watching Flash-requiring web videos.
- Impressed by the battery life which was longer than Apple's 10 hour claim.
- No trouble with the on screen keyboard.
- Pages is a "serious" content creation app but only exports to Word and not always accurately.

Edward Baig / USA Today

- "The first iPad is a winner."
- Onscreen keyboard fine for emails or quick notes, but not for lengthy articles.
- Most will use the iPad for consuming content rather than creating it.
- "Apple has pretty much nailed it with this first iPad, though there's certainly room for improvement."

Andy Inhatko / Chicago Sun Times

- "The iPad user experience is instantly compelling and elegant."
- "It feels more as if the iPad is filling a gap that’s existed for quite some time."

From Macrumors.

 

[elbows]

Very strange to hear of a devices battery life exceeding the manufacturers claims - I suspect the devil will turn out to be in the detail on this so I will take it with a pinch of salt for now.

I think the lack of flash is going to be a lot more painful than its been on the iphone, as in other regards the ipad should be really excellent for browsing the web, magnifying the lack of flash somewhat. Im looking forward to Apple devices causing the reduction in use of flash on the web, but its going to be such a pain in the bum in the meantime.

 

[sunnysidedown]

if only...

 

[editor]

I think the lack of flash is going to be a lot more painful than its been on the iphone, as in other regards the ipad should be really excellent for browsing the web, magnifying the lack of flash somewhat. Im looking forward to Apple devices causing the reduction in use of flash on the web, but its going to be such a pain in the bum in the meantime.

I'm not sure that's going to be happening at the speed Apple will like: Google have just announced that Flash will come built in to their next Chrome browser.

http://www.wirefresh.com/google-chrome-to-offer-built-in-flash-support-apple-quietly-fumes/

 

[Crispy]

apple already include flash with OSX, it's not a massively important move IMO. In two years time, nearly all web video will be html5 h.264, and I'm willing to put money on that

 

[grit]

apple already include flash with OSX, it's not a massively important move IMO. In two years time, nearly all web video will be html5 h.264, and I'm willing to put money on that

100 quid says your wrong, I'm serious.

 

[sunnysidedown]

100 quid says your wrong, I'm serious.

are you saying that the majority of websites containing video in 2 years time will still only provide flash versions of that video, and not offer html5/h.264 as an option?

 

[grit]

are you saying that the majority of websites containing video in 2 years time will still only provide flash versions of that video, and not offer html5/h.264 as an option?

Nope, the quote was "In two years time, nearly all web video will be html5 h.264, and I'm willing to put money on that"

which is what I think is incorrect. Yes some sites may provide HTML 5 options but its not going to be the majority.

 

[magneze]

Depends how you measure "nearly all web video". For example, I'd hazard a guess that a huge proportion of web video usage is via YouTube and Google already have HTML5/H264 betas of that running. However, if we're talking about "nearly all web video websites" then I dunno how that would even be measured.

 

[Crispy]

hmm, requires clarification then

How about "The top 20 video-hosting websites will, by April 2012, support htlm5 video for their content"

 

[editor]

Well, I'm not going to rewrite any of the Flash content on this site into HTML5/H264*, and I doubt it many smaller sites will bother either. Of course, if they're writing new content...

(*unless a free, super-easy converter is released).