Apple iPad and related items

[editor]

the plum gets paid to write that crap as well... the whole early adopter thing (esp with Apple products) is about *hardware issues* that may arise, it has nothing to do with a better product being released at a later date.

Nah, it's also about refining the software, just like what happened with the iPhone.

I wouldn't even look at a smartphone without any copy and paste and all the other fairly rudimentary software stuff that was missing from the first iPhone, but by the 3GS it had become a great handset because of the improved hardware and software.

 

[sunnysidedown]

Nah, it's also about refining the software, just like what happened with the iPhone.

I wouldn't even look at a smartphone without any copy and paste and all the other fairly rudimentary software stuff that was missing from the first iPhone, but by the 3GS it had become a great handset because of the improved hardware and software.

The whole early adopter thing is with regards to potential hardware issues, something Apple was known for - hence the reason a lot of Apple purchasers would wait for the second or third release.

Software is just an update to the hardware you have already purchased.

So far the iPad doesn't appear to have any hardware issues, hence the reason I would be quite happy picking one up in a few weeks.

 

[moose]

What kind of problems have you been getting? And why did you buy some many of the things in the first place!

Client want's 'em. They're going on a stand at a huge oncology congress in Chicago, and we've put loads of medical animation, slides and stuff about breast cancer on them. There's a quiz app for doctors to do, that makes them wander round the booth looking at video and graphic panels to get the answers. The security tags we've stuck on them are almost bigger than the iPads.

Because we didn't have the devices when we started programming, we were using emulators, and it all seemed to be working fine, but when we got it on the actual iPad, the top and bottom of the screen image kept disappearing, and sometimes it sticks when you rotate the device. We've had a hasty rewrite and sorted it out, but it nearly gave me a heart attack! Also had some issues with scrolling - because resolution is higher than iPhone, the file sizes are bigger and they don't draw on screen quick enough to scroll smoothly. We're going to have to live with that.

Some poor bastard is going to have to sync all 100 in a hotel room in Chicago in a couple of weeks, but not me

 

[editor]

So far the iPad doesn't appear to have any hardware issues, hence the reason I would be quite happy picking one up in a few weeks.

Apart from the lack of a camera, built in USB, HDMI port, SD card slots etc etc, some of which will be likely to turn up in v2.

Think: video on the iPhone.

 

[Crispy]

None of those items will be forthcoming, except the camera. If you don't want a forward-facing camera, then IMO, there is nothing wrong with the hardware.

 

[editor]

None of those items will be forthcoming, except the camera. If you don't want a forward-facing camera, then IMO, there is nothing wrong with the hardware.

It's not about what's 'wrong' with v1, it's about the overall package, and quite a few informed observers have been known to remark that it's generally best to avoid v1 of a new product.

In fact, I'm pretty sure you've said that yourself!

 

[Crispy]

Yes I have, because there's usually faults with that hardware. So far, there don't appear to be any with the ipad. The 'overall package' is unlikely to change much - maybe it'll gain a camera, but you can count USB or SD out.

 

[sunnysidedown]

I'll wait till 2025 then when the fucking thing can beam me up scotty.

 

[editor]

Yes I have, because there's usually faults with that hardware. So far, there don't appear to be any with the ipad. The 'overall package' is unlikely to change much - maybe it'll gain a camera, but you can count USB or SD out.

HDMI out would be very, very useful for a tablet device. It would be perfect for lecturers and back up the iPad's media and gaming capabilities.

I wouldn't be surprised to see that in v2/v3 as well as a camera.

 

[Crispy]

You'll see it via a dock adaptor, not a socket

 

[tarannau]

I'd be very surprised myself. Apple are moving to DisplayPort rather than HDMI for a start.

And besides there's the trusty old dock connector, which will soon offer the 3rd party add-ons most need. If you're waiting for that exact spec you're doomeed to be waiting for some time - indeed they seem the kind of requirements that you know Apple aren't going to offer.

 

[editor]

I'd be very surprised myself. Apple are moving to DisplayPort rather than HDMI for a start.

And besides there's the trusty old dock connector, which will soon offer the 3rd party add-ons most need. If you're waiting for that exact spec you're doomeed to be waiting for some time - indeed they seem the kind of requirements that you know Apple aren't going to offer.

OK, well a useful built-in display port of some description that doesn't involve additional parts.

Dock on connectors are not an elegant or particularly Apple-like solution - unless you're seriously going to contend that you'd be just as happy having to lug around easily lost/forgotten bits of cables and plastic than having a proper built in port.

My Sony Vaio had a similar feature and it was always a source of anxiety when I was on my way to a lecture. Built in is always best.

 

[Kanda]

I think you're still viewing it as a laptop/netbook. It's clearly not.

 

[Crispy]

Dock on connectors are not an elegant or particularly Apple-like solution

Every non-tower apple computer for the last christ know how many years has needed a dongle adapter for VGA/HDMI/Video/Component output. It is very much an apple-like solution.

 

[Kanda]

My component out for my iPhone sits hanging out the back of my TV. I never carry it anywhere.

 

[editor]

Every non-tower apple computer for the last christ know how many years has needed a dongle adapter for VGA/HDMI/Video/Component output. It is very much an apple-like solution.

Don't MacBooks have built in SD card slots and USB ports rather than dongles?

I think you're still viewing it as a laptop/netbook. It's clearly not.

I'm viewing it as a handy media device that can replace laptops for some tasks - isn't that why companies are already making presentation software for the iPad?

Still, I'm getting the message here. A total lack of useful, built in ports is not a shortcoming, it's actually a great Apple feature and therefore must be defended at all costs, regardless of the logic.

 

[Crispy]

yes, that's right. we are mindless fanboi$, defending the motherjobs at all costs

 

[Kanda]

We just have different expectations for the device and it's capabilities. The sooner YOU deal with that the better really

 

[tarannau]

Oh please. Nobody's defending anything.

But for a tech writer, you seem to be remarkably quick to set up a list of requirements and features that you must know that - both historically and logically - Apple will not provide. And then you'll keep repeating these points ad nauseum as things that stop you personally buying an ipad.

It's much like the list of shortcomings you had for the iphone. As I and others said then, these will be minor and surmountable concerns for the vast majority of purchasers, a point subsequently borne out by the vast (initial and beyond) sales of the platform. It seems a weirdly uninformed and somewhat limiting posture tbh.

 

[elbows]

Waa waa the iTedious lacks a stuck record bypass filter.

 

[stupid dogbot]

Don't MacBooks have built in SD card slots and USB ports rather than dongles?

How are those used for video out??

 

[elbows]

Came across this site which is dedicated to highlighting iPad apps that look good visually, via full-res screenshots.

http://landingpad.org/

 

[stupid dogbot]

UK release put back to June...?

http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/index.cfm?olo=rss&NewsID=3223366

 

[elbows]

UK release put back to June...?

http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/index.cfm?olo=rss&NewsID=3223366

No all that means is that all the initial available stock has now been pre-ordered, so people going to order from now on are seeing a later delivery date.

 

[stupid dogbot]

Sorry, yeah. That should have said "Shipping date".

Still, might just walk into the Apple store anyway.

 

[paolo]

Been playing with the one in the office that arrived a few days ago.

Only five minutes or so, mainly browsing. It's soooo fast and smooth at scroll and zoom, it makes it really tactile. Really a joy to browse with. And it doesn't do that shitty rerendering thing that the iPhone does when you flip between browsing windows.

 

[Structaural]

Interesting email exchange between gawker journo and puritan jobs:

http://gawker.com/5539717/steve-jobs-offers-world-freedom-from-porn

 

[grit]

Interesting email exchange between gawker journo and puritan jobs:

http://gawker.com/5539717/steve-jobs-offers-world-freedom-from-porn

I see where the gawker chap is coming from, however his emails read horribly for someone who is supposed to be a professional writer. He gets too emotional.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

Steve Jobs seems happy enough to mix it up with random drunk people on the Internet at 2am. Perhaps he's a secret urbanite

 

[paolo]

I see where the gawker chap is coming from, however his emails read horribly for someone who is supposed to be a professional writer. He gets too emotional.

And Gawker have proved themselves to be in a poor position to be delivering ethical lectures.