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[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Hmm, the more I look at and see how they handle things the more I want to get an iPad. Do you need an internet connection for dropbox or just wifi?

White House has an iPhone app where you can watch it. It even let you stream it last night.

NY Times showed off their updated iPad app yesterday that had inline videos with the newspaper content.

O, I didn't know there was an app for the White House. As long as I can watch news videos and stuff like that then I'm happy so this might not be as bad as I thought.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

But have news sites switched over? I know I can't watch the state of the Union on whitehouse.gov due to it being flash.

YouTube actually streamed it last night on CitizenTube

 

[gcubed]

I think what people are missing is what Steve actually said about netbooks. "Netbooks aren't better than laptops at anything. They're just small laptops. They're cheap laptops. "

He's defining the netbook as a laptop, from that perspective, it's not a third pillar category. The iPad is an appliance. Heck, I could sync it to a netbook if I wanted to. A netbook is not an appliance, it's a computer, with all the power and cruft that applies.

I think if we could ask him, he'd say the Kindle does fit in that category, it's better at reading books than a laptop. It's an appliance. As is the iPad.

i dont think it was wise mentioning this with a netbook because its not really meant to compete or replace one, and all it does is bring comparisons that imo aren't really valid. A tablet shouldnt aim to be or beat a netbook... i think there is plenty of room for tablet devices, and i think that for people like me, who only use a laptop to browse the web, listen to some music/etc, and write a few documents/keep notes a tablet is perfect... i dont really want a full OS on my tablet, i want it elegant, small and easy to use. I was pretty critical of the ipad yesterday and was let down due to the hype build up, but letting it digest a bit, as i said earlier, multitasking is basically the only thing holding me back now, and if iphone os 4.0 adds this feature, i'm on board

 

[Flo_Evans]

But have news sites switched over? I know I can't watch the state of the Union on whitehouse.gov due to it being flash.

I streamed the state of the union live to my iphone using the whitehouse app last night

 

[Gary Whitta]

Sure.

I use Dropbox to sync documents between my computers and devices.

Oh snap, I love Dropbox but I forgot how useful it will be for this device

 

[gcubed]

so... here is a question that i am sure was brought up... say you have an iphone and a bunch of purchased apps, will you be able to use them on the ipad as well without having to buy them again?

 

[Mr. Dobalina]

i dont think it was wise mentioning this with a netbook because its not really meant to compete or replace one, and all it does is bring comparisons that imo aren't really valid. A tablet shouldnt aim to be or beat a netbook... i think there is plenty of room for tablet devices, and i think that for people like me, who only use a laptop to browse the web, listen to some music/etc, and write a few documents/keep notes a tablet is perfect... i dont really want a full OS on my tablet, i want it elegant, small and easy to use. I was pretty critical of the ipad yesterday and was let down due to the hype build up, but letting it digest a bit, as i said earlier, multitasking is basically the only thing holding me back now, and if iphone os 4.0 adds this feature, i'm on board

That's not what Jobs said. What he said was, in looking at something between an iPhone and a laptop, many people think that is where the netbook fits - but that's a fallacy, because a netbook is just a crappy laptop. What REALLY fits in there is something like an iPad.

 

[Vennt]

Hmm, the more I look at and see how they handle things the more I want to get an iPad. Do you need an internet connection for dropbox or just wifi?



O, I didn't know there was an app for the White House. As long as I can watch news videos and stuff like that then I'm happy so this might not be as bad as I thought.

Dropbox is just a secure online storage service, the iPhone Dropbox app is just a client for that service, you don't need that to share files between your Mac/PC and your iPhone/iPad.

Air Sharing would probably be better for local sharing, although we've yet to see how it may be handled natively on the iPad, Air Sharing could be obsolete now for all we know.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

Oh snap, I love Dropbox but I forgot how useful it will be for this device

Sounds like you might not need it though, as you'll have accessed to a shared storage space directly from your computer.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

so... here is a question that i am sure was brought up... say you have an iphone and a bunch of purchased apps, will you be able to use them on the ipad as well without having to buy them again?

Yes, it's tied to your account. I believe it works the same right now if you have multiple iPhones and iPod Touches.

How about iTunes on this thing? Can it stream from a networked iTunes source? That would make the cheap $500 16 GB device really attractive for home use.

 

[SuperPac]

But have news sites switched over? I know I can't watch the state of the Union on whitehouse.gov due to it being flash.

There's a White House app. It's got the State of the Union video on it.

 

[Technosteve]

i watched the steve note last night, steve looks real skinny and his voice was different.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

i watched the steve note last night, steve looks real skinny and his voice was different.

He actually sounds like Bill Gates sometimes now. We've come full circle.

 

[Seth C]

i dont think it was wise mentioning this with a netbook because its not really meant to compete or replace one, and all it does is bring comparisons that imo aren't really valid. A tablet shouldnt aim to be or beat a netbook... i think there is plenty of room for tablet devices, and i think that for people like me, who only use a laptop to browse the web, listen to some music/etc, and write a few documents/keep notes a tablet is perfect... i dont really want a full OS on my tablet, i want it elegant, small and easy to use. I was pretty critical of the ipad yesterday and was let down due to the hype build up, but letting it digest a bit, as i said earlier, multitasking is basically the only thing holding me back now, and if iphone os 4.0 adds this feature, i'm on board

Here is the thing. I fully agree with you, it's just that considering what we are left with, with what what the iPad actually does (less than a Netbook) it is still overpriced. Oh, and before anyone says anything...so is Kindle. The iPad is basically a web appliance. I could justify that at say, $299. Not at $499.

 

[Pristine_Condition]

:lol @ at all of you guys who makes it look like adobe is a slave of apple - actually it's they other way around. Imagine adobe would stop supporting osx... How many professional users would stay?

I'm a professional user, and work with other professional users daily, so I can shed light on this.

Your hypothetical is a stupid notion for one thing, since Adobe would never do that. They'd be killing their own sales, and possibly ultimately their entire company.

But let's say the shareholders all went to sleep and let the Board of Directors be replaced by crazy people to run amok at the offices in San Jose, and Apple didn't decide to just whip out it's huge checkbook and buy Adobe outright...

First, it's not like the old versions of CS suites would suddenly stop working in OS X. And hell, I go to many professional settings where they still haven't upgraded to CS4. I was working with a major international ad agency last week that's still running in CS2. So it's not like a move from Adobe like you are describing would immediately impact Apple.

Which brings us to the second point: it's not like Adobe has released a really great "must have" update in a while. New features and enhancements from CS2-CS4 are nice, but it's not like you have to have them. In fact, the longer you've been working in one suite, the less likely you are to use the new stuff in the latest versions.

Creatives, and especially big companies, don't upgrade hardware/software as quickly as you think they do, especially in this economy. And they certainly don't just throw out their hardware investments on a whim. So any move of that sort would give Apple a year or two to respond.

Which brings us to the third point...Its not like Apple couldn't make a competing product to either hang with Adobe's offerings or slay them the same way they made Final Cut Pro. Making PDF support native in OS X without Adobe raised the flag over the deck of the ship. Aperture was a shot across the bow.

With Apple's ample supply of cash reserves and product design pipeline, they could develop competing software for things like Photoshop, inDesign, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver (with full hooks into HTML5 and away from Flash, too) and probably make a product that would actually excite people again. Apple could then score the ultimate "FU" coup and just roll a bunch of money and manpower into the open source community to fill in the gaps in the suite. I've used Photoshop professionally for well over a decade, and I'm shocked at the experience I can get switching to GIMP with GIMPshop now. It's getting very close. If the GIMP guys can get this close, imagine what a company like Apple, with $50 Billion in annual revenue could do.

Apple views itself as hardware company, so they don't want Adobe dead. But if they need services or software to sell that hardware and Adobe refuses to provide it, they will develop their own software, and they will also market it and price it ruthlessly. Look at OS X, iTunes, and the iLife Suite. Adobe surely has, and they know that if they tried to play hardball with Apple on the software front, they will certainly lose.

 

[Garou]

The negative feedback reminds me of this: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=500

 

[Mik2121]

i watched the steve note last night, steve looks real skinny and his voice was different.

He looks much better now than he looked a few months ago. Check the keynote / presentation for the iPod Nano 5G:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmU5Kvn_3y4

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

He actually sounds like Bill Gates sometimes now. We've come full circle.

They were always two sides of a coin, a Yin to the other's Yang.

Seriously, the iPad has got me thinking about Jobs in general. I think he's a genius, in that you don't find yourself in the forefront of a comsumer revolution 4 times (by my count*) by accident. And yet, that doesn't mean he's always right or that everything he touches turns to gold. One of the major reason he has so many successes is that he generates a ton (directly or indirectly) and that ups his odds.

I think this will be more like Newton II than a huge hit, but it's not like I've been wrong before.

I've also defend the Air plenty of times-- a niche device, but still one worth making and presumably very profitable.


* Personal computing, windows/mouse interfaces, iPod, and iPhone more arguably.

 

[Wickerbasket]

That's not what Jobs said. What he said was, in looking at something between an iPhone and a laptop, many people think that is where the netbook fits - but that's a fallacy, because a netbook is just a crappy laptop. What REALLY fits in there is something like an iPad.

I agree. I think there's a market for something LIKE the iPad, just not the iPad they're trying to sell. A couple of generations down the line it might have enough features, and be cheap enough to be worth a buy.

I think Microsoft's MS Courier could possibly fit into that space if it doesn't turn out to be crap.

 

[Marty Chinn]

you mean the majority of people out there?

Those are the same that made Wii so wildly popular, those who dont care about tech and just want a device for a quick and easy to access game...

A better comparison would be if the Wii cost more than the PS3 and 360, would it have been as big of a success? It's more simple in many ways but costs a lot more and is weaker in performance. I doubt the Wii would have had as big of a success. That's the only valid way you can compare the iPad catering to the same people that the Wii did. I guarentee you if the situation was like that, the Wii wouldn't be where it is today. Price is a huge factor.

 

[Vennt]

The negative feedback reminds me of this: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=500

:lol

iPoop... iCry. I was so hoping for something more.

It's now at the online Apple Store!

$400 for an Mp3 Player!

I'd call it the Cube 2.0 as it wont sell, and be killed off in a short time...and it's not really functional.

Uuhh Steve, can I have a PDA now?

All that hype for an MP3 player? Break-thru digital device? The Reality Distiortion Field™ is starting to warp Steve's mind if he thinks for one second that this thing is gonna take off.

I still can't believe this! All this hype for something so ridiculous! Who cares about an MP3 player? I want something new! I want them to think differently!
Why oh why would they do this?! It's so wrong! It's so stupid! - WeezerX80, Oct 2001

Indeed, who cared!

(And yes, the parallels are interesting)

 

[D4Danger]

The iPod was a piece of shit when it first launched.

It's easy to go back and pull a bunch of quotes from 2001 now it's a global smash.

 

[WickedAngel]

So we're comparing the iPad to the iPod now?

Laughable.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

The iPod was a piece of shit when it first launched.

It's easy to go back and pull a bunch of quotes from 2001 now it's a global smash.

Isn't that the point, though?

We could do the same with the iPhone. Really cool and expensive thing that was actually pretty shit in version 1, then a year later it's got an App Store and a lower price and it blows up.

 

[tribal24]

Im gonna have to agree with someone saying that its a applaince more then a computer.I can see my self using it in bed, at work much more acessible then a computer. Like what im trying to say its pretty much a easier way to get all the content you want and it has to be very comfortable just look at it. I been dieing for something like this i have a netbook now and i sometimes olny use it exclusivly when im in my bed getting ready to go to sleep, this would be just more comfortable for me holding it when reading stuff etc

 

[Mr. Dobalina]

LOL, best iPad tweet yet:

"How will people in Boston be able to tell if they are talking about the iPod or the iPad?"

 

[Pristine_Condition]

The iPod was a piece of shit when it first launched.

It's easy to go back and pull a bunch of quotes from 2001 now it's a global smash.

I think you are making his point for him.

Was iPod fantastic when it first came out? No. But it went on to sell 250,000,000 units as the product improved.

Was iPhone fantastic launching with nine apps, no 3G, no SDK, and no App Store? No. But it's doing awesome now.

That was his point.

 

[mrkgoo]

So we're comparing the iPad to the iPod now?

Laughable.

I think it's less comparing the the products directly, and more paralleling the announcements at this stage, and the possibility that the iPad could perform similarly to the iPod in mind share.

 

[Wickerbasket]

Isn't that the point, though?

We could do the same with the iPhone. Really cool and expensive thing that was actually pretty shit in version 1, then a year later it's got an App Store and a lower price and it blows up.

Both the iPhone and the iPod were aiming for a specific market. I'm just not sure there's a market for the iPad, who is it they're aiming for?

Maybe a few generations down the line it'll evolve into something worthwhile, but I dont understand who would buy it now.

 

[WickedAngel]

I think it's less comparing the the products directly, and more paralleling the announcements at this stage, and the possibility that the iPad could perform similarly to the iPod in mind share.

So basically, we're going to sit here and dismiss valid criticisms based on the assumption that lightning will strike twice. Any critique is proof that the two situations are the same and that other considerations should be ignored, right?

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

The negative feedback reminds me of this: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=500

Was thinking of posting this.

Honestly Apple's successes lie on the interface and intuitiveness of their devices. This is something people still don't get.

It reminds me of when people question Nintendo's successes which is usually caused by their first party software.

Having a "full blown OS", "more power", "OLED", and "Wacom capabilities" is shit that nobody in the general public cares about. The most important things to the general public is how much a product appeals to them and how much they enjoy it. And the look (interface) and feel (intuitiveness) of the device are key for that. And Apple knows this.

There were touch screen smart phones that, on paper, were superior to the iPhone in every way prior to its release. There were MP3 players with much more space and better sound quality than the iPod before its release. Yet two products stood above all of the others in their competitive field for the same two reasons why the iPad will most likely stand alone in its own.

EDIT - And again as said before both the iPod and iPhone weren't what they were now when they first launched they took time to build up. Wait a year or two when Apple adds in multitasking, further modifies the software, puts on an anti-glare screen, adds a webcam, and drops the price this thing will (most likely) follow the course built on by their previous successful efforts.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

Yes, it's tied to your account. I believe it works the same right now if you have multiple iPhones and iPod Touches.

How about iTunes on this thing? Can it stream from a networked iTunes source? That would make the cheap $500 16 GB device really attractive for home use.

If it can stream from the home network that will be killer. No need to load up the device since I could access it anywhere. Hell yeah.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

I don't get it. I never would buy that iPad, but my dad and a guy from work are so drooling over it..

 

[Vennt]

So basically, we're going to sit here and dismiss valid criticisms based on the assumption that lightning will strike twice. Any critique is proof that the two situations are the same and that other considerations should be ignored, right?

The thing is, your criticism is valid for you, so feel free to express it, nobody is stopping you, just don't expect me, nor necessarily everyone to share it.

Product not for you? fair enough, Attacking it as not for anyone? -a pointless position that isn't worth having, nor arguing over.

And for those that would insult those that do see it filling a requirement, that's something I don't take kindly to, and will ban for, simple as that.

 

[Steve Youngblood]

Both the iPhone and the iPod were aiming for a specific market. I'm just not sure there's a market for the iPad, who is it they're aiming for?

Anybody who's looking for yet another take on striking a balance between computer functionality and portability. Also, anyone who likes the iPhone/iPod Touch UI already.

I continue to be baffled by people who think that the market is already overcrowded with computing devices. There's ALWAYS room for more. Mind you, I'm not saying I'm entirely won over by this device, but I just scratch my head at the "why would I need X when I already have Y?" suggestions.

 

[Mr. Dobalina]

I'm sure they are crap, but has anyone seen any information on the quality of the speakers? They don't need to be great, but there are some radio apps I use and would love the be able to just plop it on the counter while doing some cooking, etc.

 

[clav]

Hitler hears about the iPad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

 

[onisegawa]

That is one BIG tablet..personally I won't get it but don't know about you guys

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

Was thinking of posting this.

Honestly Apple's successes lie on the interface and intuitiveness of their devices. This is something people still don't get.

It reminds me of when people question Nintendo's successes which is usually caused by their first party software.

Having a "full blown OS", "more power", "OLED", and "Wacom capabilities" is shit that nobody in the general public cares about. The most important things to the general public is how much a product appeals to them and how much they enjoy it. And the look (interface) and feel (intuitiveness) of the device are key for that. And Apple knows this.

There were touch screen smart phones that, on paper, were superior to the iPhone in every way prior to its release. There were MP3 players with much more space and better sound quality than the iPod before its release. Yet two products stood above all of the others in their competitive field for the same two reasons why the iPad will most likely stand alone in its own.

Actually, Apple's successes lie on the usefulness of their devices, UI and intuitiveness are means to that end.

The question here, for me (an Apple fan) is what is the usefulness of this device? Right now, it is a large-screen iPod Touch. Now, that's not exactly a slam, as I own an iPod touch and I think it's great. But what does the iPad get me over that, and what does it lose, and is it worth it? Right now, a resounding no.

That other stuff-- a full OS, openess, ports, more storage, wacom-style drawing ability-- are people's attempts to find what value *would* make it useful for them. If you dismiss those questions, you are missing a big part of the picture.

iPod succeeded because of the iTunes store, and the face that the iPod was smaller than every other device in its class, as well as interface. These things all added up to success. If you think it was UI alone, you are mistaken. It also was meeting a need that was emerging in the market that's much, mauch larger than the market for *any* tablet. Same with the iPhone. Just about everybody had a walkman, and just about everybody had a phone. Apple came along with a better solution. There isn't a basid need for a huge number of people being met here.

 

[~Devil Trigger~]

Does'nt matter how "shitty" the device is

Apple will put out the illest add campaign and sell it

 

[D4Danger]

I think you are making his point for him.

Was iPod fantastic when it first came out? No. But it went on to sell 250,000,000 units as the product improved.

Was iPhone fantastic launching with nine apps, no 3G, no SDK, and no App Store? No. But it's doing awesome now.

That was his point.

The iPhone was a game changer. It rocked the mobile industry. From the first second it was shown everyone could see it's potential. Yes, some things were missing but people got it and they knew, in time, that stuff would come.

The iPod was expensive, big, dull, didn't have iTunes etc etc but it was clearly where music was heading. Napster and many more before it showed that digital music was the future.

Where does the iPad fit into things? Is it the future of newspapers? Is it a gaming device? is it a web browser? all of the above?

At the moment it's a jack of some trades, master of none. If that changes in time then feel free to mock me. It's probably why I'm not a billionaire.

 

[Dra-Q]

Hitler hears about the iPad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

Never gets old. :lol

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

I don't get it. I never would buy that iPad, but my dad and a guy from work are so drooling over it..

It's the Star Trek tablet, and it's easy enough for anyone to instantly figure out.

There's not much to it. GAF is just jaded by touch-screens while the rest of the world is still blown away that this stuff is actually happening.

 

[Mr. Dobalina]

In other news, Apple just lifted the ban on VOiP over 3G!

 

[mrkgoo]

So basically, we're going to sit here and dismiss valid criticisms based on the assumption that lightning will strike twice. Any critique is proof that the two situations are the same and that other considerations should be ignored, right?

Look I don't know what you have against people who at excited for this product, but where did anyone say that we should ignore criticisms or faults?

Who said that the history is all we have to look at? Someone posted it, you made a comment, people respoded to your comment.

I see the glaring omissions. There are loads of things I would like to see in the ipad. Some ate pie in the sky, others are pretty down to earth. That doesn't mean it make it less exciting enough for me to not be interested in it. I get that it is enough for some people.

I'm not ignoring the thugs it can't do. I'm merely focussig in the things it can. And those things excite me. Is that a crime?

 

[~Devil Trigger~]

How come no one ever compare the iPad to Apple TV? why always iPod/iPhone?

Apple is not perfect, they had relative failures before.

I still dunno if iPad will be a big success or not, but most of the crits against it are legit IMO.

 

[SnakeXs]

I don't get it. I never would buy that iPad, but my dad and a guy from work are so drooling over it..

Welcome to the division between people who can properly run computers (geeks), and your average person who figures out how to run a computer only to get the things they need accomplished, whilst everything beyond that comfort zone being a twilight zone of confusion and unease.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

How come no one ever compare the iPad to Apple TV? why always iPod/iPhone?

Apple is not perfect, they had relative failures before.

I still dunno if iPad will be a big success or not, but most of the crits against it are legit IMO.

Because Jobs publicly calls the Apple TV a hobby. Apple doesn't even take it seriously. I mean, they do in the sense that they want it to do well, but they're not aggressive and innovative with the product like they are with everything else they make. It's just there.

 

[Pristine_Condition]

So basically, we're going to sit here and dismiss valid criticisms based on the assumption that lightning will strike twice. Any critique is proof that the two situations are the same and that other considerations should be ignored, right?

That's not what people are saying at all. Stop with the obstinate hyperbole.

People are basically looking at what naysayers said in Apple's last two major product category releases and finding humor in the parallels of all the "doom and gloom" talk.

There are plenty of people with plenty of valid arguments about what is or is not in the box, or what the pricing is, ect. No one is saying they should be ignored, people are just debating the impact of those complaints.

There are just as many detractors here ignoring outright what is attractive about what's in the box, and how the iPad might resonate with consumers that are different from them, than there are people suggesting that people complaining about something missing be ignored. Does this disregard outrage you as well?

Personally, I see a space for this product in my life, but I probably won't be pulling the trigger on this first iteration. There's a few more things I'd like to see in the box. That doesn't mean that this product isn't perfect for my Mom, who actually called me up to say she was buying it (her first Apple product) or my sister or my nephew, who all want one.

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

Actually, Apple's successes lie on the usefulness of their devices, UI and intuitiveness are means to that end.

The iPod and iPhone were/are no more "useful" than any other mp3 player or smartphone.

That other stuff-- a full OS, openess, ports, more storage, wacom-style drawing ability-- are people's attempts to find what value *would* make it useful for them. If you dismiss those questions, you are missing a big part of the picture.

Accept the general public has proven over and over again that they don't care about those things. If more storage, ports, openess, and the like were things the public desired than the iPod and iPhone wouldn't be successes.

iPod succeeded because of the iTunes store, and the face that the iPod was smaller than every other device in its class, as well as interface. These things all added up to success. If you think it was UI alone, you are mistaken.

Yes and the bolded were also very intuitive. And there were way smaller mp3 players at the time than the iPod.

It also was meeting a need that was emerging in the market that's much, mauch larger than the market for *any* tablet. Same with the iPhone. Just about everybody had a walkman, and just about everybody had a phone. Apple came along with a better solution. There isn't a basid need for a huge number of people being met here.

The original iPhone nor the original iPod didn't meet those needs with their first entry. Hence why at first they weren't run away successes.

I don't get it. I never would buy that iPad, but my dad and a guy from work are so drooling over it..

How in the world can these non-elderly and non-female people care about this product? There's no hdmi out, not that much hard-drive space, and the OS isn't fully open. Don't they care about downloading mods, plug-ins, and messing with the terminal? Don't they care about hooking up their iPad up to their home theater system to listen to clean clear 7.1 surround sound? Don't they care about running everyday applications such as Final Cut Pro, ToonBoom Animate, and Maya?

I don't believe it.