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[kaching]

(and honestly, I'm not sure if Apple wants multi-tasking on these devices).

That too. I think they like the computing paradigm they've started to push with the iPhone, have clearly found a userbase that accepts it and see no immediately urgent reason to rush to something else. Perfectly understandable from their perspective for the audience they seem to want to serve.

I could see it going either way, but you're probably right. I'll say this though, no multitasking makes it fly. Watch that hands on video, iPhoto runs at lightspeed.

The speed is definitely nice, but I don't think that's simply because they've omitted multitasking.

 

[Vennt]

So in other words, it needs to be conveyed better that putting a computer to sleep is no different than putting an iPhone/iTouch/iPad to sleep or you need to trick them that when they shut down it just puts it to sleep? Because really, that's what is going on here. Keeping the iPhone/iTouch/iPad in sleep mode is just like using electricity when putting a laptop into sleep mode. The only difference is one they are probably aware of and the other they aren't.

Except the default with an iPod/iPhone when you use it's hardware power switch is to sleep, not power down, people don't generally care about the details as much as they do the utility.

My laptop battery (HP DV6) lasts about 36 hours in sleep mode - Sucks!

 

[Tobor]

Two different concepts that achieve the same goal. DRM fucks consumers, Proprietary fucks other companies/consumers. Geez I wonder which apple likes more.

This device will play nice with ePub, AAC, MP3, and h.264. DRM'ed and non DRM'ed. I'm sorry but that's not forcing a proprietary format on anyone.

And anyone arguing that continuing Flash rather than shifting to HTML5 is a good idea is not thinking this through.

 

[FLEABttn]

I think you guys are confusing DRM with proprietary formats.

Your argument against flash is that isn't not open source, so of course you're an Apple fan?

Does the cognitive dissonance hurt or have you gotten over that?

 

[nightez]

What, exactly, is the difference between the Ipad and a computer screen?

-F.

A computer screen isn't as good as reading on real paper. Try reading a magazine on a computer screen for more than 2 hours. Or even comic books. What sets the Kindle and iPad have are that the screens are specifically designed for reading books.

 

[xnipx]

so since flash is so bad when we we expect iphone/ipad html5 animation support? surely it's not a hardware limitation....

 

[POWERSPHERE]

His speech was a bit underwhelming too. Just saying something is mindblowing, then following it up with mundane tasks isn't that amazing. 'You hold the internet in your hands'. Wow... New frontiers, Steve...

 

[Hitokage]

Obviously if you want to work on a document and listen to music at the same time, you should have your iPod hooked up to your nearby iPod HiFi. See, it just works!

Everyone should have something against Flash. Forcing proprietary formats is bad.

How's that Vorbis support coming along?

Look, there's more to Flash than video anyway.

 

[Buckethead]

Flash undermines the iTunes app store. Period. That's the reason. It's not rocket science, folks.

I hate Adobe. I hate Flash.

I think that Adobe is a bunch of extortionist cock zebras.
I think that every website designed in Flash should be taken off the internet.

That being said, they aren't, and ignoring that large of a base of people is pretty stupid.

Spoiler

You are correct about the App Store though

 

[Marty Chinn]

Cool. How many movies does she have on here Kindle. How do those vacation pics look on the eink display. Oh right you have a laptop for those things. So now your packing up your kindle and laptop in her purse.

Its more functional than an ereader. Its a better book reader than a netbook/laptop. You get the idea.

So you're advocating packing an iPad and a laptop over a Kindle and a laptop because really the iPad lacks in so many areas that you could possibly need a laptop anyway. Personally I wanted something that merged the best of both worlds between a Kindle and a laptop and the iPad doesn't deliver that. Just because it's out doesn't mean we should settle for it and that is why there is negative reaction.

 

[woahitsreeo]

The Name iPad
Get ready for Maxi pad jokes, and lots of 'em!

This just in...BREAKING NEWS: Steve Jobs announces that iPad's smaller shuffle like adaptation will be released by years end and called the iPon.

 

[Tobor]

Obviously if you want to work on a document and listen to music at the same time, you should have your iPod hooked up to your nearby iPod HiFi. See, it just works!

How's that Vorbis support coming along?

Look, there's more to Flash than video anyway.

You used the one form of multitasking this will actually do. You should have said Pandora.

 

[Shogmaster]

I think calling the HP slate the better solution is a mistake - expect highlights like poor battery life,

You can always carry spare battery in your bag.

lackluster performance

It's powerful enough for Flash

and (probably) a resistive interface to make it a letdown overall.

Confirmed @ CES as Capacitive Multitouch.

I mean, after using Windows XP Tablet for years, the interface (even as W7) is roughly about as ready for touch-use as Windows Mobile (eg: not much).

XP Tablet ain't W7. Tell me, how long you've been using W7 on tablet?

 

[Flo_Evans]

Flash undermines the iTunes app store. Period. That's the reason. It's not rocket science, folks.

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/flashcs5/appsfor_iphone/

Whole lot of flash headed to an app store near you.

 

[Vennt]

I knew people were going to be in here defending this device until their face turned blue regardless of the end product, I just love how much harder Apple has made it for you all.

I was hoping to be blown away by the iTablet. However, the iPad can blow me.

And coming here to troll people is the quickest way to a ban, cya

 

[titiklabingapat]

This article discusses it:

http://daringfireball.net/2010/01/apple_adobe_flash

That article is such contrived tripe. Apple itself thrives on not being open source.

 

[anovice]

It's not about needing a system that can do everything. But the Ipad suffers from too many restrictions carried over from its smartphone OS to be actually useful, even as a minimal approach. The Iphone is a nice smartphone, but it's a small device you can always carry with you. That's why the lack of certain features can be tolerated; there's really not much sense to allow massive multi-tasking on a smartphone (although it can be done with, for example, Android). But when you essentially blow your smartphone up to the size of the Ipad, these considerations will play a large role in determining the utility of it, and that's where the Ipad is definitely quite lacking. It's like an over-the-top zen approach to mobile computing; the Ipad almost feels like the sound of zero hands clapping.

-F.

I certainly agree that these valid criticisms should be screamed from the rooftops. I'm just concerned that too many are losing perspective on what they are trying to do and immediately saying this device is nonsense.

Many are saying "Glorified, Blown-up iPhone" - Well, maybe general computers should be more like iPhones.

A camera and simple multi-tasking would certainly be nice.

Whoever succeeds, I hope it continues in this direction of simplicity for the majority of computers.

 

[Eaten By A Grue]

What sets the Kindle and iPad have are that the screens are specifically designed for reading books.

The iPad's screen is not specifically designed to read books.

 

[Burger]

Some of the vitriol aimed at this device is both strange and amusing.

"I can't believe Apple didn't make a device to my exact specifications!!! I'll probably buy one but I won't be happy about it!!!"

I mean really. So it's not the holy grail of 2010. Big whoop. Buying one isn't compulsory.

 

[KratosKilla]

4:3 aspect ratio is not good if you wanted to use your device as a media device. Why wouldn't it be 16:9 and allow for full hd quality movies. This is a disappointment.

 

[Hitokage]

You used the one form of multitasking this will actually do. You should have said Pandora.

Pandora? What's that? I don't see it on the Apple website.

 

[mrkgoo]

So is there any program or anyway to just jot down notes?

It's probably a fair bet that there's the default notes application.

That said, this device isn' the device like the iPhone that you bring down to the grocery store. It's a bit more of commitment device.

 

[m0dus]

Pandora? What's that? I don't see it on the Apple website.

ha.

 

[Tarazet]

no keyboard? :lol :lol :lol

check your facts man

Virtual keyboard != keyboard. Considering that Apple makes the best in the business, this is an enormous letdown for me.

 

[Sriffat]

So....Here is the question for ALL you of you

Are you getting an iPad?


1) yes
2) No
3) waiting for next gen

 

[mrkgoo]

4:3 aspect ratio is not good if you wanted to use your device as a media device. Why wouldn't it be 16:9 and allow for full hd quality movies. This is a disappointment.

I think they want it to be used in portrait as much as landscape. 16:9 is kind of long for that. All movies arguing to be letterboxes regardless.

 

[Tobor]

Pandora? What's that? I don't see it on the Apple website.

http://www.apple.com/search/?q=pandora&sec=global

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

I guess I am another guy who "doesn't get Apple" despite being Mac exclusive for a long time now.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

I dunno about all the Flash love around here but I have been loving html5 on Youtube
feels better to me, I hope it takes off

 

[mernst23]

Jeez this thing is full of fail. Possibly the first apple product people wont buy in record numbers? I think so.

 

[giga]

Virtual keyboard != keyboard. Considering that Apple makes the best in the business, this is an enormous letdown for me.

Come on dawg.

 

[huha]

A computer screen isn't as good as reading on real paper. Try reading a magazine on a computer screen for more than 2 hours. Or even comic books. What sets the Kindle and iPad have are that the screens are specifically designed for reading books.

You might have misunderstood something there. The Kindle uses an e-ink display, which offers acceptable contrast and greyscale rendition; it doesn't need to be lit to do so and only uses energy when the display changes. It also has a high resolution (resolution as in ppi, not overall pixels), making the reading experience closer to a printed book.
The Ipad, on the other hand, has just a conventional IPS display. It's backlit and can display millions of colours, so you'll suffer from pretty much the same disadvantages as with any other decent TFT display. E-Ink is the way to go for ebook readers, IPS isn't.

-F.

 

[KratosKilla]

I certainly agree that these valid criticisms should be screamed from the rooftops. I'm just concerned that too many are losing perspective on what they are trying to do and immediately saying this device is nonsense.

Many are saying "Glorified, Blown-up iPhone" - Well, maybe general computers should be more like iPhones.

A camera and simple multi-tasking would certainly be nice.

Whoever succeeds, I hope it continues in this direction of simplicity for the majority of computers.

Simplicity is one thing but restricting normal features like cameras and Flash is not a matter of making the device simpler. It is restricting to keep the price down and to increase profit margins.

 

[NYR]

So....Here is the question for ALL you of you

Are you getting an iPad?


1) yes
2) No
3) waiting for next gen

No. Just don't need it, I have an iPhone, I just have no need to the additional functionality this offers.

I will wait for a next gen, see what they will do, too, though...

 

[Gio_CoD]

You'd have to be a fucking moron to buy this. Get an iPod Touch or get a laptop, but what the fuck is the point of this thing?

 

[SnakeXs]

That article is such contrived tripe. Apple itself thrives on not being open source.

So does Windows? So does much of what Google does?

How does that change that for the WEB, Adobe's the only proprietary standard. The article also points out many reasons why Apple doesn't like Flash and/or Adobe getting into their business. The 64 bit issue alone should be a large and valid enough point. Why should any company want their software to be restrained by someone else's?

Beyond all of that, the ONLY defense for Flash is that it's widespread. Far fewer people would care if it was the best at what it did. It's not. Period. The faster the internet moves on the better.

 

[tokkun]

Reading research papers on this thing will be great.....

If you really need to read a lot of research papers, I would strongly advise you to buy a Kindle, Nook, or other e-ink-based reader instead. I have used a tablet for that purpose in the past, and I found that I got eye fatigue very quickly.

The Kindle is also smaller, lighter, cheaper, and has significantly longer battery life.

The one nice advantage that tablets have is the ability to make hand-written annotations to text and figures, but you need a stylus for that.

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

Jeez this thing is full of fail. Possibly the first apple product people wont buy in record numbers? I think so.

dude, what.

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

Has anyone in this thread saying that this thing is "shit" and "mediocre"...you know used the thing?

 

[ThatObviousUser]

I will give Apple a lot of credit for the 3G set up they've got going with this device. It's optional, it's unlocked, it's worldwide, and there's no contract. That's something I've been wanting from Android tablets that hasn't been delivered, yet (the Dell Streak could be for AT&T as well...)

The battery life sounds amazing, as does web browsing in general. This will probably be the best web browsing device when it hits thanks to the 3G capabilities, battery life, and WebKit multitouch browser.

That said I have a couple reservations about this device. Physically it looks a little chunky, a little too much bezel. I also expected a bit more than 1 GHz, phones are starting to get processors like that now. Does this mean the next iPhone won't have a 1 GHz processor? It's also a little comedic that this thing is a skip away from being a notebook, but it still can't multitask.

I also don't think that Steve is completely sure himself if there's a place for a "third device." This sounds promising, but what's happening with Mac OS? Will they ditch it for this new OS? This OS is already much more popular and has many more beloved applications (and not to mention, game support.) What is the future of their personal computer lines?

To sum up, I think this is a good evolution of the iPhone's OS on some decent hardware, that also has a couple neat new things while seemingly forgetting about others. The device itself has a bright future, but I don't know if it'll be the boost Apple needs to keep towering over all the other manufacturers. I think the iPhone 3GS and even the iPad are not as revolutionary as Apple needs them to be.

Looking forward to what the next iPhone does.

Edit- To clarify I'm considering this device (lightly) because of the web browsing experience I outlined. It sounds perfect.

 

[SecretBonusPoint]

I don't like Flash for video, but I do like Flash for animations, games and funky looking websites. Its nice to want the world to mysteriously change by ignoring an entire sector of it, but in the meantime you've got gimped web-browsing.

Saw this on my travels:

No-one will ever answer back..

 

[Technosteve]

Obviously if you want to work on a document and listen to music at the same time, you should have your iPod hooked up to your nearby iPod HiFi. See, it just works!

How's that Vorbis support coming along?

Look, there's more to Flash than video anyway.

html 5 supports h.264 video with in the frame work. Safari supports html 5. For video on a low power device it's easier to optimize for the codec then the flash frame work. iphone you can multitask with ipod.

on another note, i am disappointed but i think i might get one for my mom who will love it.

 

[anovice]

So....Here is the question for ALL you of you

Are you getting an iPad?


1) yes
2) No
3) waiting for next gen

I teach an iPhone development course, so definitely number 1.

Hoping it's useful enough to replace my dev comps for about 99% of general computer use.

 

[ToxicAdam]

I love how people are making the standard PC out to be some kind of complex, obscure technology when 4 year olds around the world are using it on a daily basis.

:lol

 

[NYR]

You'd have to be a fucking moron to buy this. Get an iPod Touch or get a laptop, but what the fuck is the point of this thing?

It fits right in between the two items you mentioned. It has a point. You just can't see it since you are not the market for it.

 

[Shogmaster]

Come on dawg.

That's a dock/keyboard. I don't think you'd want to carry that around in your bag. It's got a big hump on it as a base.

 

[Hitokage]

http://www.apple.com/search/?q=pandora&sec=global

So much for that joke.

Poorly researched snark aside, not having a full OS in the unit precludes any interest I might have had despite the other shortcomings.

 

[giga]

That's a dock/keyboard. I don't think you'd want to carry that around in your bag. It's got a big hump on it as a base.

Come on dawg.

There are lots of great accessories that have been specifically designed for iPad. The Keyboard Dock, for instance, is a dock with a full-size keyboard. There’s also a standalone Dock. And because iPad has built-in Bluetooth 2.1, it’ll work with an Apple Wireless Keyboard, too. There’s also a Camera Connection Kit that lets you import photos from a camera or SD card. There’s even an iPad Case that not only protects it, it also allows you to use iPad in various positions, to make it easy to type, look at photos, or watch movies. And through a range of accessories, iPad can output to TVs, projectors and displays.

 

[cjdunn]

Notes app is included.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

Come on dawg.

also the thing has bluetooth so he can choose which keyboard and mouse he likes best

I would not be buying an iPad to use this way anyway I have a macbook for that