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iPad Reactions

daSkeptic said:
Different people have different ideas of usefulness and value. Not everyone focuses on feature-set and price.
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I understand that.

But what does this device do that a Touch, or an iPhone, or a laptop doesn't already do?

What I'm seeing is that it's an eBook reader in a format that's not so friendly to reading eBooks (there's a reason devices like the Kindle use e-ink), with the functionality of an iPod.

And come on.... Even Steve Jobs talked about the "magical" and "revolutionary" device we were to see. Where was it? Where was this revolutionary device?

Hell, the only thing revolutionary about this device is that you can get the data plan and not be locked into a contract.
 
On NPR today, Neal Conan had Daniel Dumas on from Wired.com to talk about the iPad. He mentioned that when Jobs tried to type on the thing, he was making loads of typos while talking about how easy it was to type. He also mentioned that there's an external keyboard that you can plug in, which basically defeats the purpose of buying the iPad in the first place. Why not buy a netbook instead?



grunion said:
Agree about AT&T. I don't get why Apple would give AT&T exclusives on all their hot new wireless products for several months.
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He talked about this, too. He mentioned that Verizon had wanted too much control. Control over what, I don't recall. You can listen to the segment later today at the link below...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5

Steve S.
 
I don't know what you're talking about in some aspects.

--They did demonstrate an eBook reader and store called iBooks.
--"iPad 3G models will be unlocked". No AT&T exclusivity, though their data plans are hard to beat.

That's that. Plus 10 hours of battery life with video running (with a full-color display), 2 weeks on standby. Much preferred over the Kindle for me, since the Kindle is pretty much an ebook reader only.
 
Wowbagger said:
It would be a near-mistake to refer to it as a "Tablet". This ain't nothin' like what tech-folks are accustomed to calling a "Tablet PC".

As long as it is marketed merely as "an extra-large iPod Touch", I can see some folks buying it.
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Exactly. This product is not intended to be used as a full-fledged computing environment. It won't do heavy number crunching, there are workstations and servers for that. It won't handle serious on-the-road business applications (requiring lots of typing), there are notebooks with actual keyboards for that. It might replace netbooks were they used as basic Internet terminals and not as cheap alternatives to notebooks.
 
Ashles said:
I'm not clear what is so exciting and new about this compared to other tablet PCs.
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daSkeptic said:
Is there some reason why this device must be as capable as a desktop, a notebook, or other tablets? That seems to be a common attitude. Why can't different devices be intended for different purposes? Can somebody please explain this mentality?
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HarryKeogh said:
Because some people don't want to carry around several different devices.
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Wowbagger said:
It would be a near-mistake to refer to it as a "Tablet". This ain't nothin' like what tech-folks are accustomed to calling a "Tablet PC".
As long as it is marketed merely as "an extra-large iPod Touch", I can see some folks buying it.

It is a niche product for those who want to either: Watch movies on larger screen than an iPod; or read books without a separate device.

And, as such, I suspect it might sell fairly well.

But, it is pretty weak to be called a "Tablet".
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Wowbagger. That's what it looks like to me, as well.

I used a Motion M1400 at work (construction, in the field) for several years and was very pleased with it. With a docking station or the USB keyboard/cover (shown here) it functioned identically to an laptop sans CD/DVD drive. Used strictly as a tablet (that cute keyboard/cover clips on the back and essentially disappears) the tablet specific functions such as handwriting recognition and tablet oriented software apps were surprisingly effective and well thought out. I liked it a lot, and have been disappointed that tablets have not gained more general acceptance since then ('04 -'08).

I think that the most significant result of this Apple release may be to encourage such acceptance. Likely with other, more serious tablets.
 
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Come on people. This thread is well into its second page and no snark yet about the hi-end config being called the MaxiPad or comments about iPad purchasers getting "soaked." You have let me down.
 
TriskettheKid said:
What I'm seeing is that it's an eBook reader ... with the functionality of an iPod.
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... with the functionality of an iPod Touch and the applications and development potential that come with it. That's about it, yes. For some that's quite sufficient.
 
daSkeptic said:
... with the functionality of an iPod Touch and the applications and development potential that come with it. That's about it, yes. For some that's quite sufficient.
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...and it's bigger and nicer with a really nice display. Not a "computer" though. They should have dumped the "productivity apps" part of the demo and left it as a fun device.
 
elgarak said:
Much preferred over the Kindle for me, since the Kindle is pretty much an ebook reader only.
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While the Kindle may "only" be an ebook reader, based on what I've seen from the specifications the iPad can't even compete with it in that area. The iPad is bigger, weighs over twice as much (1.5/1.6 pounds versus 10.6 ounces), and doesn't use e-ink (which looks so solid, like a real page from a book). Oh, and if you want the convenience of 3G, you get to pay $370 more up-front (the Kindle is $259, the 3G iPad starts at $629) and, as a bonus, you get to pay monthly for the 3G service (3G doesn't have a monthly cost on the Kindle).

I'm sure some folks will find uses for it, but the only way it will win outright over the Kindle/Nook is if a) people never try out a Kindle or Nook, b) people really do have uses for this that aren't being satisfied by a smartphone or notebook, and/or c) the hype machine wins by hype alone.

A friend of mine summed up the picture of Steve Jobs holding the iPad brilliantly: "That pic of Steve does look like he is holding the 1995 version of an iPhone."

This has the look of a fail in the making.
 
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daSkeptic said:
... with the functionality of an iPod Touch and the applications and development potential that come with it. That's about it, yes. For some that's quite sufficient.
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Ok, but it's just potential.

The same potential that the AppStore has had for the past 3 years.

There is nothing revolutionary or magical about this device. And I fail to see how this device could be the most important thing Jobs has ever worked on.

It's a giant iPod Touch. And while iBooks sounds interesting, I'd really like to see how the LED works with reading books and eye strain as opposed to EInk.
 
daSkeptic said:
Is there some reason why this device must be as capable as a desktop, a notebook, or other tablets? That seems to be a common attitude. Why can't different devices be intended for different purposes? Can somebody please explain this mentality?
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Because when someone thinks of a computing device, they consider the capabilities that should be requisite be proportionate to the cost and the size of the device. The cost isn't bad on this thing, but the size is such that people are going to expect more than an over-sized iTouch. This does more than the iTouch, but the debate is going to be whether this device actually delivers enough more than an iTouch to justify its purchase.

My thoughts on it:

Basically, I'm highly impressed with the price, but less overwhelmed by the capabilities. I'm disappointed at the lack of addressing multitasking, the lack of portable storage slots (like miniSD), and the lack of a camera (front or back). The wifi model is very much an over-sized iTouch, while the 3G model is definitely a bit more than that. The main question is whether the 3G model is enough more to justify its price tag as a peripheral.

For the "digital lifestyle" enthusiasts who have the cash to burn and don't mind AT&T, then I'd say that the iPad will be fairly suitable and definitely worth it for the Mac enthusiast. For non-Mac-users it will come on a case-by-case basis, and the split I foresee it being for the average non-Mac "digital lifestyle" folk will likely be about 50-50 in favor of getting it-- this is assuming that between now and its release some more apps make it to market to add functionality, and having some "killer apps" added will increase its adoption likelihood. Since there is a possibility of purchasing a peripheral card-reader for reading camera cards (but not peripheral storage with file management, that I can tell), sharing photos from cameras could work. The music part is nice, but honestly the iPhone/iTouch/iPod are better suited for listening portably, which means the iPad is going to be better for movies and downloaded TV.

For the "digital professional" folks it'll be more of a maybe than the lifestyle people, but it might find some acceptance from some. This is where the lack of removable storage comes into play (since I'm a light "digital profesional" type), and where the camera would be more useful (skype and other video conferencing over 3G). The lack of multitasking also factors in here, but that's not a game-killer for the device (iPhone gets by without it). The specs on it mean that the possibilities for useful applications are definitely there, much like there is currently for the iPhone and better Android smartphones, and the beefier specs than the phones means it could get more uses between charging. Personally, a device with these kinds of specs running something like the Android OS would practically be a absolutely vote for me, except for the lack of a camera (though my phone has a 5MP camera on it already, so it's not a deal-breaker).

For everyone else, it's really going to depend on what they want to spend versus what they expect to actually do with the device. If someone is looking at a Kindle and has a few extra bucks they can tack on to price, the wifi iPad is going to definitely be a better deal for them. For someone looking for a netbook and needing to stay on a budget, the 3G model is still a bit high on the price range compared to alternatives, and at least with the cheaper netbooks they can get a full desktop OS to do other stuff with (lending flexibility where the iStuff isn't present). For those who already have a smartphone that has internet and data capabilities, this is going to be superfluous in a lot of ways despite its ability to do more overall.

My own personal opinion on this is that I'm going to wait and see how this pans out. I've still got a bit of skepticism keeping me from accepting this as the configuration of this type of device that I would want, though I will say that a camera and different data plan carriers would push this over into a strong possibility for me. However, at this time I'm content with saying that Apple hit a whole lot of sweet spots with this, didn't hit them all, and may very well be introducing a form factor that's going to inspire some very compelling computing devices in the next few years. I look forward to see if there will be any devices coming out that are meant to directly compete with it, or if something like the iPad but running a Google (or even a Microsoft) OS shows up in the coming year. As such, I won't be spending on one of these just yet and will keep an eye out on reviews and opinions. I might even see if I can get my hands on one to fiddle with, provided I run into anyone who gets one of these.
 
BenBurch said:
Expect Kindle to drop in price. Significantly.
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That's a tough one. I don't think they will drop the price, at least not yet. The kindle is $260, with 3g wireless that you don't have to pay for. Now, all the kindle does, is read books. That's what it was designed to do, and it does it very well.

Now, The kindle doesn;t have the versitility of the ipad, of course, and the advantage with the ipad is you can have access to the iBook apple store, as well as apps for the kindle store, and the B&N store. All the books you could ever want.. At the best price available. It will also display magazines quite nicely, which the kindle does not.

I'll stick with my Kindle for now. Easier to hold, use, and transport.
 
Couldn't be less interested in this device. I already have a laptop and I'm hard pressed to see anything that this would be better at that I can't do with my iPod touch. Only exception is the 3G, which I do not care to pay for.
But I might not be the demographic they're looking for. I still like these magical devices called "books".
 
I need a gimmick that will make girls stop and talk to me while I'm sitting in the park. My apartment doesn't allow dogs, so this seems like the next best choice.
 
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