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Apple iPad revealed

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Charred Greyface said:
I don't think this device (well the first version anyway) is going to do blockbusters sales. It'll be like the Apple TV or MacBook Air. Look it's simple to use but isn't that what people say about the Macbook also? An iPad can't replace a MacBook because you still need a desktop client to sync with. It'll be a second, luxury device. So is the iPod Touch, which the iPad will probably take many sales away from.

I don't like almost everything about the iPad. From the hardware (such a large bezel and that home button - ugh) to the OS (homescreen - pssh, no multitasking - yikes). I'd never buy this as a laptop or even a netbook replacement (but I don't even like netbooks).

A quick sidenote: the one benefit from the super iPod Touch approach is that many of the accessories and apps in the AppStore already solve some deficiencies right off the bat. And I've already paid for them :lol. There was no mention of printing but many printer companies have already made wireless printer apps available on the App Store. Likewise there was no mention of comic books but there are already apps that handle that (the comic book industry better get a standard format in place if they know what's good for them). PasteBot Sync will be an interesting experience on the Tablet as will be Jaadu and LogMeIn (VNC apps). There are writing apps, some with handwriting recognition, made for the iPhone that would work even better at the Tablet resolution. The Dagi and Pogo styluses should be even more useful with the iPad. And if it's running the iPhone OS 3.2, can we expect it jailbroken in a few months ;) ? While Apple has disappointed me in most regards, it still looks a bit promising.

But the real draw for me is the iBooks application. Like Tobor and MThanded mentioned earlier, this could be a decent ebook device and at that price it's very competitive. (By the way, is this the first time that Jobs had kind words for a competing device? I'll have to watch the video but the blogs indicated that he was quite respectful to the Kindle). I need an ereader and my other choices are (in order of preference):

B&N Nook: $259
Kindle DX: $489
Kindle: $259
*insert bunch of upcoming fancy ereaders, demoed at CES, that I think start at a baseline of $400...

I have no problems with reading on LCD and actual dislike the Kindle and Nook refresh so e-ink is not a plus for me. Besides e-ink, what do those other devices do better than iBooks? I'd like to know but, for only $10 more than the Kindle DX, I can't say no to the iPad.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I quite get the hate for the refresh rate on e-ink. Sure it would be nice if it was invisible, but it's just a pretty quick state change when changing pages. For just reading text, I don't see it being such a huge issue since 99% of the time you're just going to hit next page.

Don't forget the weight. I think an iPad is going to be a lot less comfortable to hold compared to a Kindle or a Nook for extended periods of time. I think when you hold e-ink next to an LCD screen, it just feels night and day how much easier it is on the eyes and a lot of people seem to look down on e-ink based on videos and what they've read compared to actually experiencing it. Just today someone in the office saw e-ink for the first time and was amazed at the clarity. He had no idea it was like that. To me that's the biggest drawback of e-ink is the fact that the way these are distributed and how young they are, people just don't have a real hands on perception on how much nicer it is to read off of. I admit I was the same way till I held a Kindle for the first time.
 
Boonoo said:
I hate to be a cheerleader for web 2.0 bullshit. But there's a lot more to using the internet than passively looking at websites. And it really seems the iPad would be subpar in the interaction department
Click to expand...
I'm also concerned about image intensive websites. I mean, Safari on a Macbook Pro can already shit itself entering a .gif thread.

This thing really only interests me as a web browser, and I don't see it performing admirably under certain conditions.
 
So a touch screen tablet pc another product from Apple I won't bother looking at. Come on Apple give me something I actually like. Don't care about your Ipod or Iphone.
 
Steve Youngblood said:
Umm, how do you see that working? The iPhone is subsidized because you're usually paying around $100 a month at the minimum and are locked into a 2 year contract. You would have to agree to a lot more than $30/month for unlimited internet access before AT&T would give you several hundred dollars off the cost of an iPad. This thing isn't a phone or texting device. Would you like to be locked into a contract for much more expensive 3G access so that you can get a discount on the iPad?
Click to expand...

in the UK, lots of shops sell subsidised laptops if you take a 3G modem/SIM card deal for 12/24 months. And not that expensive. Eg £30 per month for a data plan and you get a Samsung NC10 for free (RRP £250). Or get over £300 off a 13" MBP with the same data contract. So for the ipad, if they did a similar deal, it would more than cover the additional cost of the 3G part. They could actually sell it cheaper than the wifi only version, if you bought it with a contract.
 
DrunkHippie said:
So a touch screen tablet pc another product from Apple I won't bother looking at. Come on Apple give me something I actually like. Don't care about your Ipod or Iphone.
Click to expand...

Why should they give you something you like when they're doing just fine giving tons of people what they do like?
 
I was hoping to be wowed by this reveal, but it turned out to be underwhelming. In fact, it looks kind of embarrassing.

I can't help but feel this will be a massive bomb for Apple. The only way I can see it taking off is if they secure the publication industry and incorporate it into the whole book store app they have going. If they can get masses of books and magazines and subscriptions happening, this has a chance.

Otherwise, all the other things it does feels unnecessary. I believe them when they say it will be the best web browsing experience. But it's not a revolutionary leap that anyone needs from their current computers. Again, it will be a feature that will only be taken advantage of if the whole book and magazine thing takes off.

It all hinges on that. Without the iTunes integration and revolution of the music industry, the iPod would have been just another MP3 player. Without the integration of a fully functional book and magazine store that revolutionizes and revitalizes print media, the iPad will just be another failed tablet device.
 
DrunkHippie said:
So a touch screen tablet pc another product from Apple I won't bother looking at. Come on Apple give me something I actually like. Don't care about your Ipod or Iphone.
Click to expand...
And neither does anyone else. When will Apple learn and start creating products with real, mass-market appeal?
 
Who is this thing for? It doesn't have the form factor of the iPhone, but it's vastly underpowered and shit compared to any similarly-priced netbook. It's essentially a Kindle on steroids, but priced in such a way that it cannot compete (and as someone who thinks e-books are the stupidest thing on the planet, they aren't selling me on it being better than a Kindle either). Not being able to multitask may not bother me on an iPhone, but on a device that's competing with my not-much-bigger and not-much-heavier Macbook? Get the fuck out.
 
I AM JOHN! said:
Not being able to multitask may not bother me on an iPhone, but on a device that's competing with my not-much-bigger and not-much-heavier Macbook? Get the fuck out.
Click to expand...
Was your MacBook $500?

I think GAF is also jaded by touchscreens. I think for the general public, they're going to see this and shit bricks thinking Apple just made the Avatar and Star Trek tablet.
 
DrunkHippie said:
So a touch screen tablet pc another product from Apple I won't bother looking at. Come on Apple give me something I actually like. Don't care about your Ipod or Iphone.
Click to expand...

:lol Amazing.
 
Marty Chinn said:
I'm not sure I quite get the hate for the refresh rate on e-ink. Sure it would be nice if it was invisible, but it's just a pretty quick state change when changing pages. For just reading text, I don't see it being such a huge issue since 99% of the time you're just going to hit next page.

Don't forget the weight. I think an iPad is going to be a lot less comfortable to hold compared to a Kindle or a Nook for extended periods of time. I think when you hold e-ink next to an LCD screen, it just feels night and day how much easier it is on the eyes and a lot of people seem to look down on e-ink based on videos and what they've read compared to actually experiencing it. Just today someone in the office saw e-ink for the first time and was amazed at the clarity. He had no idea it was like that. To me that's the biggest drawback of e-ink is the fact that the way these are distributed and how young they are, people just don't have a real hands on perception on how much nicer it is to read off of. I admit I was the same way till I held a Kindle for the first time.
Click to expand...

The refresh is unsightly, but I think the main thing is that it disables the ability to scroll things, which is very natural.

Of course, as you say 99% of the time you're only refreshing text on a page - but that's because that's all you can do on the device. Is it 99% of what you do because that's all you need, or is it 99% of what you do, because it's a limitation on what it allows it to do?This is fine if that's ALL you want it for.
 
Liu Kang Baking A Pie said:
Was your MacBook $500?
Click to expand...
$1050, and that ain't much more than the fully-featured iPad yet still does far more than the iPad ever will despite being a 2007-model Macbook.

And while we're on the subject: six skus? Surely that won't create market confusion in the least!
 
mrkgoo said:
The refresh is unsightly, but I think the main thing is that it disables the ability to scroll things, which is very natural.

Of course, as you say 99% of the time you're only refreshing text on a page - but that's because that's all you can do on the device. This is fine if that's ALL you want it for, but the moment you see E-ink have a faster refresh is the moment you'll see it used for other things besides just text. It's akin to viewing a powerpoint that fades in and out with every transition. Could you put up with that for a browser? It's a limitation that would annoy me, I think. Not a big deal, but seeing as it's a device I have mostly limited used for, it's enough for me to pass at the moment.
Click to expand...

You are right no doubt. The e-ink devices are for hardcore readers. The iPad is a general purpose computer that is also fairly good at reading, but not as good as a dedicated e-reader. If you are a casual reader then the iPad is probably better. But if you are hardcore like me, I'd rather just have both. I won't be buying any books from Apple, but I will be buying apps and using the device for any cool magazine things that come along.
 
I AM JOHN! said:
Who is this thing for? It doesn't have the form factor of the iPhone, but it's vastly underpowered and shit compared to any similarly-priced netbook.
Click to expand...

oh, are there benchmarks out already?

How did the netbooks do on running app store content?
Was the ipad much slower when using MS office 2007?
 
Marty Chinn said:
Don't forget the lifetime free Internet access built into the device.
Click to expand...

THat's a great deal. The kindle as an overall device is fantastic as a book reader (to me), not because of the E-ink screen, but the book store and the free internet. It's tether-free.
 
I AM JOHN! said:
$1050, and that ain't much more than the fully-featured iPad yet still does far more than the iPad ever will despite being a 2007-model Macbook.
Click to expand...
It's really neat then that laptops still exist despite the iPad coming out.

It's not for you. The Dell Adamo and MacBook Air both have a shitty price and aren't for me either, but life goes on.

I hope to Christ that one day the majority of GAF will stop acting like every product that comes out has to cater to everyone. Apple sells like 50 types of hardware. You don't have to have them all, and they all don't have to impress you in the slightest. They'd be thrilled if even just one of them was something you'd want.
 
Hari Seldon said:
You are right no doubt. The e-ink devices are for hardcore readers. The iPad is a general purpose computer that is also fairly good at reading, but not as good as a dedicated e-reader. If you are a casual reader then the iPad is probably better. But if you are hardcore like me, I'd rather just have both. I won't be buying any books from Apple, but I will be buying apps and using the device for any cool magazine things that come along.
Click to expand...

Very true, and agreed. If you're a hardcore ANYTHING, you'd probably do better with another device. But I think that's where the iPad is nice - as a supplementary 'fun' computing device. The only hardcore aspect really, is Apple Fanboy (which is where I come in).
 
No micro SD slot, no USB port, 1ghz LOL, no multi tasking. This is a glorified Ipod touch. Seriously what was apple thinking, but regardless it will sell, Apple has already trained a good portion of consumers to buy anything with an apple logo on it, regardless of how stupid the device is.
 
This is not a netbook, this is something in-between. Tablets like this (Apple or not) will be something everybody will have in the (near) future, you can laugh all you want and say it's useless but just wait some years.
My parents already love this, but I'll happily wait for the next generation.
 
Hari Seldon said:
Well two reasons:
1. Much much better battery life.
2. Cheaper books - Amazon and Sony subsidize new book prices to $9.99.
Click to expand...
Good points.

If I can make it through the day then battery life is fine for me. 10 hours sounds about enough and I'm already trained by my iPhone to recharge every night. For cheaper books, I'm not even sure how many books i'll be buying through the iBooks store. Last time I checked Amazon didn't have many books I'd like to buy (no to mention the used editions were way cheaper too) and Apple has even less people on board. But Amazon beefs up their Kindle app, I'll have no qualms buying it from them to read on the iPad.
 
mrkgoo said:
The refresh is unsightly, but I think the main thing is that it disables the ability to scroll things, which is very natural.

Of course, as you say 99% of the time you're only refreshing text on a page - but that's because that's all you can do on the device. Is it 99% of what you do because that's all you need, or is it 99% of what you do, because it's a limitation on what it allows it to do?This is fine if that's ALL you want it for.
Click to expand...

Well I think for devices like the Nook and Kindle, it's all you really need to do with it because as you said that's all it does. As a book reader, I don't see you really needing to scroll as much as you do turn pages. However, I've always said that one of the reasons I don't jump on eReaders now is I want something more versatile that isn't just a one trick pony, but that involves web browsing, pictures, video, etc. So if I'm just using an eReader, the refresh is fine. Once a device can give me what I want, then I'll take a new look on the refresh but so far nothing out there offers me what I want. Thankfully, I have a wife who wanted an eReader so I get to leach off hers and get all the gains =)
 
mrklaw said:
How did the netbooks do on running app store content?
Was the ipad much slower when using MS office 2007?
Click to expand...
Oh, you mean those apps I can use on my iPhone? And I'm sure Office is great without a keyboard!

It's a midpoint between iPhone and laptop. That doesn't strike me as a super incredibly expansive market waiting to be exploited. Instead of bringing something new to the table, the iPad does things a whole ton of other devices do - including devices made by the same company - but not as well. That gets you all hot and bothered, then great. Sounds like a boondoggle to me, though.
 
Raistlin said:
Have they confirmed whether this has video out?





3rd gen will be a 12" model, dubbed maxiPad.
Click to expand...

TV and Video
Support for 1024 x 768 with Dock Connector to VGA adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Component A/V Cable, 576i and 480i with Apple Composite Cable

H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
Click to expand...

http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
 
Raistlin said:
Have they confirmed whether this has video out?
Click to expand...

yeah

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.
Click to expand...


but

Support for 1024 x 768 with Dock Connector to VGA adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Component A/V Cable, 576i and 480i with Apple Composite Cable
Click to expand...

:(

http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
 
Kikujiro said:
This is not a netbook, this is something in-between. Tablets like this (Apple or not) will be something everybody will have in the (near) future, you can laugh all you want and say it's useless but just wait some years.
My parents already love this, but I'll happily wait for the next generation.
Click to expand...

I agree cos you know what the market/people are like. It's why I expected a huge fuss about it and, on announcement, instantly everyone (me included) would want one. But there doesn't seem to be anything too revolutionary about it OS-wise and that's taken the wind out of my sails. Given the iPhone OS rumours not surprising really.

I guess my biggest issue was I expected Apple to come in and define the market like they sort of did, to this layman, with the iPhone/iPod.

BTW, having moped about it I'll still get one when it rolls out anywhere I happen to be.
 
Liu Kang Baking A Pie said:
Was your MacBook $500?

I think GAF is also jaded by touchscreens. I think for the general public, they're going to see this and shit bricks thinking Apple just made the Avatar and Star Trek tablet.
Click to expand...

So you are expecting big sales for this?
 
I think I've pretty much decided on getting one. For what I would use it for, would complement what I have now pretty well. It isn't what I was expecting but I like what it ended up being. Instead of a work related computer, it will become my "relaxing" computer. I have a feeling it's gonna hit pretty hard and just keep selling. The Apple stores are going to be insane whenever they get them in for people to try out.

I also think once my mom's iMac goes the way of the dodo I'm going to pick one up for her. She mainly uses Mail, Safari, Peggle, and some flash games that I already know are on the app store. Besides quicken for all that stuff, this will be perfect for her.

Karma said:
So you are expecting big sales for this?
Click to expand...

I am. I have the most clueless friends when it comes to computers and my facebook lit up with iPad stuff today. I think the $500 price tag for an Apple "computer" really hit home for a lot of my friends. I'm expecting to start seeing these everywhere just like the iPhone.
 
DrunkHippie said:
So a touch screen tablet pc another product from Apple I won't bother looking at. Come on Apple give me something I actually like. Don't care about your Ipod or Iphone.
Click to expand...
Yeah come on Apple. Ditch those dead weight iPhones and iPods and give drunkhippie a product he likes! He has no idea what that is apparently so you'd better get started on the R&D right away.
 
Raistlin said:
That's funny. When the price was shown, that's the first thing that popped into my head - PS3 launch.
Click to expand...

It's really not. It wasn't funny when people made the same jokes about the iPhone launch, either.
 
I was all hyped for this over the last few weeks, but I really thought it'd be a lot more... versatile than this. I have a desktop, and I have an android phone, but I like the idea of having a portable unit to carry around. But it just seems... quite restrictive, which I guess is what has turned me off apple products in the past.

I'd really like to see what hacked iPads are capable of, that could convince me. Some really great UIs are begging to come out of this, if only apple would let it. Is no multi tasks confirmed? Seriously, how awesome would it be to have little windows being able to be moved around? It'd just be perfect. Blah. Dissapointing, but hopeful for the future! Definitely not agreeing with the thread title atm though :(
 
slider said:
I agree cos you know what the market/people are like. It's why I expected a huge fuss about it and, on announcement, instantly everyone (me included) would want one. But there doesn't seem to be anything too revolutionary about it OS-wise and that's taken the wind out of my sails. Given the iPhone OS rumours not surprising really.

I guess my biggest issue was I expected Apple to come in and define the market like they sort of did, to this layman, with the iPhone/iPod.

BTW, having moped about it I'll still get one when it rolls out anywhere I happen to be.
Click to expand...

as i see it this is a computer for the masses... it sure doesnt everything as well as other computers or have dual core 2ghz cpus or whatever 320 gGB hardrive

but its form factor and its software is meant for the average joe out there
 
Marty Chinn said:
Well I think for devices like the Nook and Kindle, it's all you really need to do with it because as you said that's all it does. As a book reader, I don't see you really needing to scroll as much as you do turn pages. However, I've always said that one of the reasons I don't jump on eReaders now is I want something more versatile that isn't just a one trick pony, but that involves web browsing, pictures, video, etc. So if I'm just using an eReader, the refresh is fine. Once a device can give me what I want, then I'll take a new look on the refresh but so far nothing out there offers me what I want. Thankfully, I have a wife who wanted an eReader so I get to leach off hers and get all the gains =)
Click to expand...

For sure, can't dispute that.

:)

Personally, I like things being more than 'just' functional. I like to enjoy using them, and I guess that's where Apple products typically sit - they sacrifice some functionality to increase enjoyment factor. And THAT suits me. <3
 
I'd like to have it, but would have no uses for it whatsoever to justify the price...and monthly plans outside of my phone is a no-no.
 
Tobor said:
It's really not. It wasn't funny when people made the same jokes about the iPhone launch, either.
Click to expand...

Not to mention less than 12 hours ago most people were expecting a price point around a grand.
 
VGChampion said:
I think I've pretty much decided on getting one. For what I would use it for, would complement what I have now pretty well. It isn't what I was expecting but I like what it ended up being. Instead of a work related computer, it will become my "relaxing" computer. I have a feeling it's gonna hit pretty hard and just keep selling.
Click to expand...

No offense, but that just seems silly to have one computer for fun and one computer for work. That seems more like trying to justify it than a real need for it. There's no reason a computer can't be for both fun and work and it seems silly that you would need different ones to accomplish that. In fact I would say even less than optimal.
 
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