Other The iFail- wait sorry, iPad, is officially out

Yes, an iPhone can.

 

Then I guess it all depends if the morning news is worth $500 to you (or $700 if you go for the pricier model, and that's not including the "optional" accessories). Unfortunately, the vast majority of consumers aren't lucky enough to be in the position to even consider it given its high price and limited practical applications. It's very much a luxury item which many people will think they have a use for, but really don't.

 

Steve jobs talks about how netbooks are too underpowered and too pointless for apple to do... then pulls off this, pointless, overpriced, underpowered device with more limits than the cheapest netbook, and calls it magical and revolutionary...

Thats just moronic.

The bezel reminds me of the eepc-701, and for that price you'd expect HD widescreen resolutions. The archos 5 would be the main thing out already i know of that comes close... only issues with with that are smaller, and possible firmware issues. I'd argue flash and multitasking are worth the lack of large screen or a dedicated book store.

If I were you i'd jump on the capacitive stylus and gloves market. Drawing you'll need a stylus for any decent drawings and typing on a solid glass screen? SERIOUSLY? You're gonna need some form of padding...

Oh, and when will apple realise? You can't do everything with two thumbs. We worked that out with the SNES. (or earlier, snes is just the first i remember)

If this chipset is just Tegra 2 in an apple shell... might be interesting. If it has decent Ram, maybe someone can get Android running on it and actually come up with a use for it other than a picture frame?

 

no flash

no want.

 

The magic is that Apple manages to consistently turn out mobile devices that fulfil a specific function and do so very well. Microsoft based products aim wider and therefore consistently just miss the mark.

Anyway, what company does not hype its products?

Handwriting recognition would be great but my experience is that it puts a significant load on the CPU and hence, battery life. And you need a stylus.

It is gratifying to note that Windows is finally catching up with Apple on that. Too bad that Windows Mobile is not quite there yet. But you are ignoring that all the Windows Tablet developments, especially at CES are all driven by the motivation to compete with the iPad. They are not innovating; they are responding to the innovations by Apple. I'd expect Microsoft (and Google) to leapfrog the competition, not emulate it.

You are also staring at the product, not the user experience. The iPad is embedded in a comprehensive infrastructure, and that is where its functionality and value lie. It's got a bezel? So what? The CrunchPad has a bezel. The Dell concept has a bezel. My Tablet PC has a bezel. I think people are so intent on hating the iPad just because it is an Apple product that they are focusing on trivial detail.

When the first Android mobiles came out they were flawed and buggy. But everyone loves Google so everyone thought they were great. Everyone could see past the rough edges at the future potential. But nobody could give the first iPhone, or the iPad --much more polished products-- the same consideration. Me thinks the geeks doth protest too much.

 

Sooooo, what is it for?

 

looking cool i guess

 

Yeah, I can really see the user going all Michael Jackson with a capacitive glove. Please, how practical is that? But I always have my hands on me. Incidentally, Apple has already filed patents for using full hand gestures and shapes on a touch screen. It is working on the capacitive glove thing but without needing the glove.

Again with the picture frame. Again ignore the big user picture by focusing on the hardware. Ignore that it is hooked into a comprehensive media and e-book delivery system. And with iTunes U? Expect students and academics to be interested.

The iPhone DOES multitasking, by the way. You can play music while doing other things. You can phone while browsing your diary or Internet or map. You can do all the things that it makes sense doing simultaneously on a small screen. Unless you think it makes sense to write an email while playing a game while browsing the web all at the same time on a 4" screen.

Perspective. Don't leave hone without it.

 

I love/hate the fact that apple has been credited as kick starting the tablet PC rejouvenation with this, when, in fact they've produced, IMHO and ugly as sin, over priced piece of poo.

Admittidly Apple do make some good things, the Uni-body Mac for one, but its the fact that the majority of the public, and seemingly the press, think that the sun shines out of Apples ass. Its not a new product, its just peoples obsessions with having the 'in' thing, and having an over complicated, over designed, over priced piece of trash. I bet you I can do pretty much anything that thing can do with my Bold 9700 and an A4 notepad and pen.

Pfff.

 

Well, apparently you can't. There's no multitasking, remember.

 

Apparently Stephen Fry loves the iPad.

 

The iphone only does multitasking as defined by apple, you can't have 2 third party apps running at the same time. Only Apples own apps can run in the background, and even then, thats limited.

Tell me, is it fun to have to reload every page when you go out of a browser? Or have to reload google maps when you're navigating and want to change the album/playlist or answer a call or reply to a text? Thats not true multitasking. Its like saying I have a formula one car when I'm riding a kids tricycle.

And i mentioned the capacitive glove cause typing on a hard surface is just painful. Talk to someone whos used one of those laser keyboards. They'll tell you its impossible for long periods of time. Cause it just plain hurts.

 

I just watched this BBC video.

It could be the demo for the iPhone from 3 years ago, its just identical....

 

Generally speaking - I like it.
Would I buy it? hell no.

I do love how speedy the interaction seems (engadget hands on video).
If the browsing is as good as on an iphone (brother owns one) then I give that a huge plus, since it really is the best mobile browsing I've seen outside a real pc or netbook.
10 hour battery? I'm guessing exaggeration, but if it's 7-8 hours, I'd call that a very good battery life for something that size.
The OS, tho... I don't mind the os itself, I like the simplicity since it works well with the iPhone, and I'd say with this, but it DESPERATELY needs multitasking. I want to be able to have music playing while I browse and have a couple of chats open. If you could do that, I really would go for it, since I think it would be nicer to have in bed than a notebook or netbook (since they're almost always hotter than you'd like them to be, and batteries never last as long as you need it to).
3G costs extra? Personally not bothered, since this so called country of mine doesn't have a decent mobile internet provider, and I'd be paying through the nose.
Dock with keyboard? I actually do like it. Set it down next to my main rig and have chat and music and browsing (as I said, provided it had multitasking) running on that while I game full screen.

So, all in all, I'd call it a hit and miss for now. Maybe they bring multitasking in the 2nd gen version... maybe apple will get my money then

 

As the owner of an iPhone 3GS I can tell you that the browser actually runs in the background at all times, and does not reload pages. It occasionally decides to refresh the page after having been 'closed' on an almost arbitrary basis, however.

Google maps, too - the map does NOT reload. only the GPS has to reinitialise.

If you're going to hate, at least get your facts straight.

 

My 3G has to reload webpages on background tabs. makes tabs slightly pointless. i know the maps don't reload, poor choice of words, i meant reopen, and it does take ages to reinistialise with the satelites.

 

I bet you though, all the people who hate Apple, have never owned an Apple product, or just owned a basic iPod. It's like when people call me an idiot for buying a macbook, I bet they haven't actually owned one, and understand fully why they are good. They're so easy to use, and this is coming from someone who owned Windows for years and years. And compared to many laptops the build quality is great.

 

My 3Gs doesn't have to reload tabs unless it's been a while since you viewed that page (over 24 hours would be my guess, but I've never measured)

 

Before the event, nervous about what lay ahead. Would it be good? Would it be far too cool not to have one? Would it bad?

During the event I groaned when it was revealed, I really didn't want it to look like an overgrown iPhone and for that reason I think it could be time to sack their VP of design - I think he cheated. The spaced-out icons make it look like the contents of an iPhone screen had been stretched to fit it. Too much bezel. The focus seemed too intent on stores. iTunes, iBook and AppStore.

But, then I just chilled a bit, sipped my tea and watched the keynote. I really wasn't convinced until they got to the price, and then I decided for the bog standard, non-3G version at $499 it was something that could fit into my life. I have lots of reasons for buying this at its price point and CBA to list them. This is just my view of the event and the fact I'm having one.

I don't see this as a replacement for my laptops nor a netbook wannabe. It is a very functional social interaction tool with many more capabilities. Let's face it, when the developers who pumped out those 140,000 apps get a move on, it will do so much more than what was showcased at the event.

 

heres the 3 things apple asked itself

1. Is there a gap in the market for a tablet with decent battery life that will do word processing video and gaming + music and whatever apps it brings out. - answer yes next question
2. If its priced at £300 to £600 will it sell - yes
3. do enough people love apple so it will sell either way and still be a success considering 90% of the people who own an iphone have probably never heard of any tech review site let along read one before they brought it - yes

Will i buy 1 to replace my laptop. If and only if it has word processing functions (iworks would be fine) as i can then lug a small thing like this around instead of an overgrown laptop.

From a business point of view. Do i want to pay £1200 to £1400 for an ultra portable laptop ( Sony VAIO VGN-TZ11MN) or buy an apple product that will do the same thing for £3-500 answer is easy.

What does the sony product give that the apple one doesnt. a dvd rom drive?