iPad

[Klaus]

Apple announced the ipad today. Looks interesting and will probably compete with the many readers that are out today like the kindle. It's basically a big ipod touch - runs apps, uses itune, has wifi, and can hook up to ATT 3G.

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I am not sure how well the ipad will compete with the netbooks and tablets that are coming out. Lack of flash support and no multi tasking is gonna hurt the appeal. I think Michelle's convertible tablet laptop running full windows 7 is more appealing.

[Cake]

anything that disables one of your hands is not a computer, may as well buy a game boy.

[Kyrillian]

Plus it has smartphone capability too, who wants to hold that big thing up to your head!

There is potential there, but it seems to be made for a specific niche. I've heard that they are trying to work out deals with schools that would eventually make it so kids didn't carry around 50 lb backpacks full of textbooks and notebooks but instead carry 1 iPad. Interesting concept, but I don't see how any state funded school would have the resources for it with Obamacare incoming.

If it could play WoW I'd get it though:)

[Klaus]

You can run the Armory App on it!

It's got 3G but no mic and it can't dial etc.

[Cake]

How are you going to play WoW on it while one of your hands is busy being wasted on holding it.

[Sylvester]

It's way too big, they needed to make it the size of a Kindle.

[Klaus]

Problem is they are trying to compete with tablets not eReaders. As a eReader this rocks (but very expensive) as a tablet not so much.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs165.snc3/19273_1352092204067_1284261642_31032396_3196356_n. jpg

[Kyrillian]

How are you going to play WoW on it while one of your hands is busy being wasted on holding it.

I'm going to make a kickstand for it.

[Sylvester]

That's actually a good idea. There's money to be made there. You better patent that idea quickly. :)

[Cake]

It's a great piece of equipment for non-discretionary jacking off to HD pr0n but that's about it.

[Klaus]

It's a great piece of equipment for non-discretionary jacking off to HD pr0n but that's about it.


Oh, sorry it doesn't support flash or have a HD screen :(

[Cake]

so it's less useful on an airplane than my ipod touch, dually noted.

[Jomama]

Problem is they are trying to compete with tablets not eReaders. As a eReader this rocks (but very expensive) as a tablet not so much.




Yeah I think they are close but missed the ideal niche for this thing... More tablet like features and it could of made quite an impact for field data collection (especially with the ability to transfer data realtime to a home base on 3G)... Scientists, utilities, surveying, even delivery services...

I've used data loggers over the years and there is always some office bound IT guy who wants us to lug around a laptop, it just dont work... But the problem with the nice loggers is coming up with the right software and data entry.. Its always buggy as hell.. With a uniform platform the software dev would be easier I assume..

[Naya]

All it will take is for Google or Microsoft to come out with a similar product that's completely unlocked and there you go - iPad = Dead.

[Eric]

That's actually a good idea. There's money to be made there. You better patent that idea quickly. :)

Too late

http://www.slipperybrick.com/2010/01/scosche-kickback-the-first-ipad-kickstand/

[Eric]

I'm actually interested in getting one of these.

I think the problem people have with this iPad is that they're expecting it to be something it isn't. It's not supposed to be a laptop computer, it's meant to be this "in between" machine that is specific for internet, movies, casual games (iPhone type), ebooks, picture browsing, facebooking, etc, without the need to sit down at a desk and do it.

I'm thinking that this would be perfect for our upstairs at my house. We have my massive PC for gaming and computing downstairs in the office, but I can't tell you how often my wife and I are upstairs and will be dinking around on our iPhones checking email, facebook, sending texts, etc. (I know this isn't a phone and won't be used for texting, but you know what I mean). I could totally see this being perfect for that type of setting.

And the whole ebook angle with iBooks is one of the biggest reasons I'm interested. I am so far behind on my reading, and even though I've installed Stanza on my iPhone and have been reading books on that, I often wish that the screen was bigger. So the iPad fills a huge need for me there.

Plus, every single iPhone app works for it, and let me tell you, I've bought about 10 different iPhone apps for my 2.5 year old and she loves it. I'm imagining that for long trips the iPad and it's 10 hour battery life will be a godsend for parents traveling with young kids. Movies (without needing to haul around DVD's), games (without having to haul around anything other than the iPad), and then once you get to your destination you've basically got a machine that can check your email/internet at the hotel? Sounds perfect for that.

Yes, it has flaws, but I'm looking at it as this "in-between" machine. Yes, it's just a big iPhone, but I WANT a big iPhone! :) I'd like to buy the 64gb, 3G model when it comes out in, what June? We'll see...

http://missionimpossibleinfertile.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/ipad.jpg

[Eric]

Yeah I think they are close but missed the ideal niche for this thing... More tablet like features and it could of made quite an impact for field data collection (especially with the ability to transfer data realtime to a home base on 3G)... Scientists, utilities, surveying, even delivery services...
.

I was going to say something about that. Like Apple looked at what kind of tablet they could make, either one that would be used for business to do data collection, (what you're mentioning) or something for people to use at home for casual computing. Looks like they went with the latter.

I honestly doubt that Apple would be the company to come out with a true business class tablet for that. I'd figure someone like Panasonic with their ToughBooks would be all over this niche, but who knows...

[Eric]

All it will take is for Google or Microsoft to come out with a similar product that's completely unlocked and there you go - iPad = Dead.

Like the Zune? ;)

[Sylvester]

Too late

http://www.slipperybrick.com/2010/01/scosche-kickback-the-first-ipad-kickstand/


Dammit Rich...I told you to be quick about this!!!!!

[Klaus]

Yes, it has flaws, but I'm looking at it as this "in-between" machine. Yes, it's just a big iPhone, but I WANT a big iPhone! :) I'd like to buy the 64gb, 3G model when it comes out in, what June? We'll see...


I agree for an eReader this is definitely in the deluxe category. I still think for the 64gb with 3G you are looking at $900 at least and $30 a month.... A tablet laptop would be cheaper and include a keyboard (with USB hookups!).

Funny I actually read in a review that the iPad is gonna kill flash by not including it..... lol

[Eric]

...with USB hookups!...

The whole "dongle" system is ridiculous. Dongle for USB, dongle for power...ugh. Why didn't they build in a kickstand? That was stupid as well... And to not to have included an HDMI output on this thing? WTF! As far as keyboards go I'd just get a bluetooth one and use that.

I know that's pricey, but for me, if it pacifies my 2-3 year old(s) on a 5 hour flight and I don't have to mess with lugging a DVD player, discs, adapters, etc, it'll be a worthwile investment.

Again, I still loathe the idea of having 4 different dongles, but I'm sure we'll see significant improvements in iPad 2 and iPad 3, etc.

[Eric]

Funny I actually read in a review that the iPad is gonna kill flash by not including it..... lol

I still don't understand why both sides haven't figured this out...it's a win/win! The only people losing is the consumer because we can't use flash websites/games. Stupid.

[Cake]

Too late

http://www.slipperybrick.com/2010/01/scosche-kickback-the-first-ipad-kickstand/


looks like my ipad porn sessions are back on.

[Naya]

Only reason I mentioned Google or Microsoft killing off this product with a "better" idea is because of the domination Apple has had on this type of technology for a while.

The Nexus One is going to blow the iPhone out of the water. Or at least it will give the iPhone some competition for the first time once it's available on more carries (instead of just T Mobile).

[Klaus]

I wouldn't go that far... but I do see Android gaining market share this year as tons of new phones are launched. Apple's closed source ways are going to catch up with them as they deny more and more apps like Google Voice. Nexus One is a great phone but I see it getting even better.

[Eric]

The Nexus One is going to blow the iPhone out of the water....

As much as I want Android to succeed, you do realize that there are about fifty MILLION iPods out there, right? You also realize that the iPhone now accounts for the largest profit share out of any of Apple's products? There is no way that Android (or the Nexus One specifically for that matter) is going to "blow the iPhone out of the water". Especially considering that Android has been on phones for what, 2+ years now? I've been waiting for Nexus One to do something, it's been out for a month now and...20,000 sold? Compared to 1.6 million iPhones in the same timeframe? That is called a "blip" on the radar, not a tsunami...

I know that the iPhone is a bit like the evil empire with it's restrictive use, but as someone who went from a smartphone to an iPhone, I can tell you that I've never seen a more intuitively designed product that works so well. It's got plenty of flaws, but it's easily the best handheld device I've ever used...right out of the box. I barely had to do anything and everything was working.

Look at how long the iPod held the mp3 market...I doubt the iPhone is going to be dethroned for a while. Anyway, that's just my opinion. :)

[Eric]

I wouldn't go that far... but I do see Android gaining market share this year as tons of new phones are launched. Apple's closed source ways are going to catch up with them as they deny more and more apps like Google Voice. Nexus One is a great phone but I see it getting even better.

It's funny that restrictive behavior by APPLE is becoming one of their faults. I seem to remember a "groundbreaking" TV commercial Apple made in the 80's...

[Klaus]

Did you pre order Eric?

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[Eric]

Did you pre order Eric?

Nope, haven't had the sit down with the wife yet to talk about the different models & if we need 3G or now.

I really don't want to spend another $20 a month, but I don't want to be stuck at Grandma's house with no wi-fi and find the iPad worthless to check the internet, etc.

[Klaus]

Nope, haven't had the sit down with the wife yet to talk about the different models & if we need 3G or now.

I really don't want to spend another $20 a month, but I don't want to be stuck at Grandma's house with no wi-fi and find the iPad worthless to check the internet, etc.

Just tether your iPhone to it.... oh wait ;)

Get a MiFi
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:kbcK9ifb3fxgZM:http://easytechsource.com/hot_news/newspics/verizon-mifi-2200.jpg

[Naya]

http://imgur.com/VSjzh.png

[Klaus]

Lol