Apple IPad

I'm lukewarm about the iPad. I have both a Kindle and an iPod Touch (and the iPad is mostly a big Touch), and I tend to read more books on the Touch--because its size makes it easily carried, thus I have it with me all the time. I can slip the Touch into a pocket--certainly jacket, usually pants. The iPad...? Either you carry it in your hand all the time, or have some sort of bag with you.

Not a new argument, I know, but that's my thinking.

BTW, to be clear: it seems that only the 3G model ($629+) will have GPS.

Curious what the battery life is like?

Will it accept expandable memory like HCSD (I think this is Apples biggest flaw from a consumers point).

I'd like to see the iPad mounted in the dash. It could function as a central data point in your car delivering movies, internet, radar detection, and of course GPS. The 3G connection would deliver the MOST up to date maps, etc.

I just really don't see the iPad catching on. Its too big to carry around like an iphone, and would require a protective case to take anywhere.

... if it had a forward facing camera for SKYPE usage I would not need my laptop as i would have all my important stuff available.

I think the iPad is a great next step in technology, but to me it's capable of doing most everything, but not exceptional at doing anything.

The number and type of applications developed for iPad will determine its ultimate utility. Also the direction of upgrades that Apple takes it. At the very least, it has lots of potential.

Apps will make it or break it ......

Being a gadget guy, I'm always interested in new tech, but I don't see this going very far without some upgrades. Apple has been notorious for not including cameras and other user wanted features in order to steer customers to their other products. The touch is a perfect example. Don't get me wrong, I love my Touch but no video or camera? The apps for the Ipad will definitely be a plus. I think I'll reevaluate getting one until I see the actual product and user reviews. Hopefully if it catches on, Apple will make the always necessary upgrades and fixes for the next gen models. We'll see...

The iPad will not have any memory slots, pretty typical when you look at their ipod's, itouch and iphone.

The other thing to watch with the GPS is that it is only available in the 3G models.

I heard today that Apple predicts a shortage on the first run of the iPad. They have 1/4 of a million in this first production run but you have to wonder if they are testing the market and creating a bit of shortage buzz.

People are human and want things that they can't have. There will be iPads resold on ebay the same way that iPhones were flipped.

I am an Apple guy now but I still think that the ipad is a toy and of no use to anyone. No camera, no OSX, no USB, no expansion, no multitasking.

Bob

This is classic Apple releasing a limited capability product that people gobble up only to release an updated version a year later so they gobble it up again.

When the iPad gets USB, Multitasking, and flash, it will be very difficult not to hit on it.

Apple is very good at taking an existing product (e.g. mp3 player) and making it desirable to a wider audience (iPod). It doesn't have to be the best or the most versatile. What Apple does it make the product intuitive and fun to use.

The iPad will not replace a netbook, laptop, desktop, or iPod Touch/iPhone. It will be a new niche: the casual Internet browser/e-mail reader and the e-book reader. The instant-on, speed, and ease of use will make it great for browsing the web while in a cafe or in front of the TV. The e-book reader will take the promise of the Kindle and open up a new e-book medium. Books will have color, Internet links, sound, and video. This will be something not provided by any other computer or e-book reader now available.

The other genius of the iPad is that is syncs with iTunes. It was iTunes that let the iPod become so easy to use, made the iPhone a handheld computer, and will make the iPad become a portable bookstore.

apple really dropped the ball on the ipad.

Even though I have been a long Mac user, I wonder about this new product. Is it a just new gadget or will it fill a hole in our electronic world?
Guess I will have to wait and see--but now, not for me. Just plug along with my MacBook and Palm TX PDA.

guy

Job hates Flash. The iPad, Touch and iPhone will never get Flash. Jobs probably has it in his will that these product will never support Flash. He blames Flash for most of the crashes on the Mac platform.

Steve just doesn't play very well with others especially when they mess up his perfect Mac world.

Bob

The HTML5 video tag is supported by a few browsers (Safari, Chrome, and rumored for IE9) and many popular sites are hosting video. As usual the working group isn't supporting a common video standard.

The Adobe Packager for the iPhone is in development in Flash Professional 5, to enable the conversion of Flash content into iPad apps.

The one nice thing about the iPhones, the iPod Touches, and I would expect the iPad is that Apple issues updates.

My iPhone has been updated multiple times in the time I've owned it. Other phones I had were capable of updates, but, the manufacturer never issues them.

B

Good catch - I just saw this today too. If you buy the Wi-fi only models, forget about any GPS app or potential replacement of your hardware GPS. Grrr...

It is interesting and entertaining to read the posts, news articles and blogs on the impact of the Ipod. There is a good possibility it will have a significant impact on the evolution of personal technology gadgets. I am a long time Mac user and have both an Iphone and Itouch. However, I intend to wait for the second generation Ipad before deciding to spend hundreds of dollars on a new "toy". Personally, I hope it is a great success.

Height:
9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
Width:
7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
Depth:
0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
Weight:
1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) Wi-Fi model;
1.6 pounds (0.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model

I just cannot imagine somebody using an iPad for geocaching.

I just don't see the need or purpose.

Apple is the Winner in MP3 Player. We all know that with iPod.

They even beat Nokia & Motorola with iPhone.

I have no doubt with coming iPad. It will still rock because they already got the reputation.

Just my 0.02 Cents.

While I'm not anticipating picking up an iPad anytime soon, the device does look appealing and Steve Jobs talent in motivating his staff and whipping Apple fans into a frenzy is amazing. How many other companies can you recall that generate hours of free marketing coverage on the day of a product launch?

The early reviews I've seen are positive - who knows, maybe I'll won a gen 2 device in a few years

This looks like another solution looking for a problem to solve. Do we really need another toy so much like those already available?

What!?! Does anybody out there not need another toy?

Ipad = Yawn.

Just another Ipod touch, only bigger.

about 50% of the comments will be FOR the iPad and about 50% will be AGAINST it...

http://amnesiablog.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/ipad-vs-kindle-v...

Enough said...

Take your political commentary over to www.idontgivadarn.com
It's not welcome here.

It must be that interest payments are SO low that people would rather buy more electronic playthings than save for something really useful. The number of electronic toys people carry with them all day has become simply staggering. You no longer can be out of touch when you want to be left alone.

Have fun.

Fred

The Apple iPad will not run Garmin software, but there is a Tom Tom application (around $80) that you can run on it. You still need to pay about $120 per year for live services, but the iPad model with the 3G interface will make the iPad the best non-integrated GPS device on the market. It will include integration with google maps, apps to find highly rated food, and everything that comes with a modern data device. I'm afraid that this will be the end of Garmin. The iPad even has an app to find red light cameras AND police speed traps that move frequently. I'm so excited to buy mine.
Jen

I went to the Apple store yesterday, and browsed the POI-Factory site on an iPad.

Looks nice, but way too expensive for what it does. I'll wait for the next gen and prices to drop.

Who got one?

Pre-ordered a 32gb Wi-Fi. UPS delivered on Saturday and said "have fun!". So far so good...

I have been impressed so far with my iPad. It is not a laptop replacement but you can do an awful lot with it. It will be great on my short business trips. I can watch a movie (which look great on the big screen), listen to a podcast, give a presentation with the VGA adapter, check my e-mail, and surf the web all in a 1.5 pound package about the size of an 8 x 10 photo.

The real game changer for me is the iBooks app. I find reading books on it very easy and its ability to embed full color illustrations puts it above a Kindle in my mind. For just a little more than a Kindle2 you get a similar sized screen but with much more versatility.

The battery life has been good. I ran it for 8 hours yesterday before getting to the 10% charge warning.

This device will only get better as the OS is improved, just as with the first iPhone. I am very happy with the device and look forward to upcoming apps that will take advantage of its capabilities.

I think they'll sell well cause they're new and Apple, but personally I think it's overhyped.

I have lots of versions of iPod's, iTouch, iPhones. I love them all. I am not sure the iPad would be able to replace my laptop. No keyboard is the biggest thing I have against it. Just wondering, does Flash run on the iPad? It doesn't on the iPod/iPad/iPhones.

Flash will not work on the iPad or iPhone OS. As one developer told me Flash will chew up battery life like a fat kid eats cake at a birthday party. A large percentage of browser crashes are due to Flash problems. This restriction does make some sites unusable right now. Some of the tech folks I talk with say Flash will go the way of RealPlayer once HTML5 gets more traction.

BTW: You can use a bluetooth keyboard very easily with iPad, but that is one more thing to carry around. I have been getting better with the virtual keyboard the more I use it. Plus the autocorrection covers up a lot mistakes.

Just saw the inside guts photos of the iPad.

http://current.com/147ec4c

All battery and a tiny circuit board!

Reminds me of when I purchased a compact cassette player years ago just before CD's came out. The case was very light and when I opened it up it was almost empty. The tape transport was the biggest component.

It looks like the iPad is ready just a big iPod Touch!

Strange that Jobs said they have been working on this for years. Perhaps they were working on who would buy it.

Bob

I will wait ... when it is better.
no multi-tasking is not what I expected.

I wonder if the form-factor will make the iPad clumsy as a GPS. At the least, it wouldn't be so hot as a handheld device.

Multi-tasking coming to the iPad in the fall:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/preview-iphone-os/

But who's gonna first come out with an car AC vent mount for the iPad -

Personally, iPad is cool, but not for me. we'll see what future iterations look like, but I'm not convinced this will be the next big thing....

At least if you're these guys.

Put some iPad apps in your car dash.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100408/BUSINESS01/4080365/121...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSnIXfoSU6I&feature=player_em...

Oh where to start....

First people are saying THE SAME EXACT thing about they iPad that they did the iPhone and iPod... Too funny..

The iPad is made for CONSUMING media... Be it movies, music, magazines, books, news papers, internet, etc...

People love the Kindles and yet this puts the Kindle to shame. Kindle does ONE thing decent and that's books. But you're stuck with black and white and we live in a color world..

The ipad tries to combine a number of gadgets into one and does a pretty decent job.

Movies are outstanding, netbook screens are just crummy in comparison.

Actaully, I've looked and looked and looked at netbooks and they are just all such poor quality. Poor screens, poor construction, tiny and horrible track padis. Just picking up an iPad you can feel the quality difference. The visuals are outstanding and leap above a netbook.

Multitasking they already announced that it's coming this summer.....

USB is available with a dongle, although I've never seen anyone at a coffee shop, book store, train every use their usb connection.

Flash, people are dumping flash rapidly. Many of the video sites like You tube and Vimeo have already dumped it. It's garbage, buggy and a security nightmare. Html 5 is the wave of the future and Apple is often ahead of the curve with that. Remember not too long ago it was apple that had camera standard in their line and everyone thought it was stupid, now look at you.....

Is the iPad a larger ipod, well of course not and if anyone would take 5 minutes to look at it they would see. This is just nonsense that people read in a head line and continue to repeat. Does the ipod do word processing? Spread sheet? GPS?

Is it a toy well of course not. Will everyone need one? Well of course not... For us it's a great traveling tool. For a few reason. The ipad is the size of piece of paper for a reason, it's easy to carry. Much lighter then a laptop and has a 10 hour battery life. The problem we've run into on a long flight and/or delay is that the laptop would die before the trip is over. The ability to turn 3G on and off without contract. We dont' need 3G 365 days a year, only when we travel. This way the wife can look up lodging, places to see, place to eat while we bounce down the highway looking for the POI factory POI that is not where it's supposed to be.....

With the software code references to a camera and empty space for camera hardware; I'll wait for gen2.

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/02/23/ipad-sdk-support-for-fro...

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/02/01/ipad-enclosure-has-empty...

A toy to one person is a necessity to another. I suppose iPad is in that boat. Some will use it as a large iPod, others will likely try to make a computer of it. Vendors will line up to support both folks.

Long live Apple!