Apple iPad

[Sean K]

What do you techno gadget people think about this one?

Is it obsolete because it's too big to have on you all the time, and when you're sitting down you want the real thing?

What do you use this thing for anyway?

Reading the news on the way to work?
Being attacked by a crap load more web adverts?
Bashing the hoon over the head with when they try to steal it off you?

And what's with the name?

Am I buying a new piece of protection for playing cricket?
Or, for that time of the month?

 

[sam76]

Should have been called Ifail.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/01/ten-things-missing-from-the-ipad/

 

[Stan 101]

Apparently there were huge numbers of preorders by people keen to purchase the next Apple product without even having a clue on it's real function or specs.

As usual with Apple products, they look flash and have a "wow" factor to entice those who like shiny things. Start looking a little deeper and the Ipad has some very serious flaws.

There is no multitasking. So you can only do one thing at a time. Like the Iphone. Don't bother trying to have a web page or 3 open while trying to shoot off an email.

There is no designated USB port. There is a single ipod dock that with an adaptor can accept USB. Pity if you want more than one peripheral connected at the same time.

The SIM card socket is not for a standard sized SIM that every other phone uses. Apple have decided that they will again break convention and use a "mini" SIM slot. Great way to sell more ancillary items.

How will the user keep the screen clean?
How long is the battery life. I believe but can't confirm the battery is hardwired so power users can't have a second or third battery and switch it on the fly.

Like all other Apple products, they are big on (subjective) style and very low on function. HTC had been making a superior phone to the Iphone for nearly 2 years before Apple's attempt. It just didn't look shiny. It just worked far better than the Iphone in every aspect. Much like the Ipad.

Over $800 for the top model in the US. I'd do an eepc for $400AU and have better specs and function than the Ipad. The only thing you will not receive is the touch screen.

Apple's marketing team deserve every cent they earn. Big on hyperbole and short on function but all Apple products walk themselves out the door.



cheers,

 

[bellenuit]

There is no multitasking. So you can only do one thing at a time. Like the Iphone. Don't bother trying to have a web page or 3 open while trying to shoot off an email.

I must admit I was quite impressed after watching Job's keynote, but I was still assuming that certain things not mentioned were in there, such as a camera and some connectivity options. I was fairly disappointed when the detail emerged in newspaper articles.

Is the multitasking as limited as you are suggesting? Does it close the browser, for instance, if you open the e-mail application? I wouldn't care very much if it keeps the browser window open so that you can switch back and forth between it and the e-mail client for cut and paste etc. An open browser window doesn't require it to multitask unless it is streaming content or downloading something while the e-mail client is composing say. If I can have several applications open at the same time, but only one active at a time, that wouldn't be too bad so long as I can switch between them.

I still think the product will be a success, but it will be gen 2 or 3 before it gets there. It could give a huge impetus to the e-book market and if lots of newspapers come on board with dedicated applications (like the NYT) not just the standard web content, it could revolutionise how we access newspaper content. Keeping the screen clean when reading during breakfast may be a challenge.

 

[Aussiejeff]

*snip*it could revolutionise how we access newspaper content*snip*.

All I wanna know is - can you still wipe your a$$ with it?

:arsch:

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

I don't like products that refer you back to their domain to con you in to buying things.

That is why I use media monkey rather than itunes, to play songs off my cd's.

I'll have a close look at the iPad but I won't be queuing up like those poor lonely nerdy sods overnight to get one.

gg

 

[awg]

Apparently there were huge numbers of preorders by people keen to purchase the next Apple product without even having a clue on it's real function or specs.

As usual with Apple products, they look flash and have a "wow" factor to entice those who like shiny things. Start looking a little deeper and the Ipad has some very serious flaws. :

Thx for the summation Stan

These things will be half the price for twice the features in 12 months, so on that basis you would be a fool to rush in

All I wanna know is - can you still wipe your a$$ with it?:arsch:

You cant fold and tear them into a neat pile of strips..how do i know...you will just have to use your undershorts in future emergency

 

[Dowdy]

Gotta love this clip

 

[Sean K]

Gotta love this clip

Yes, very good.

One of the absolutely key misses, imo, is that it doesn't have a video-phone capability. They even have video-phone watches now. The iPad should/could have been a great communication device.

I'm sure all the misses will be in iPad II next year....

 

[Boggo]

Another version of the iPad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK2drIylnDw

 

[moXJO]

Why anyone would want a gorilla size iphone is beyond me. Maybe they thought people couldn't see you were part of the apple wankfest crew with an iphone (too small to see at a distance) so pumped up the size.

 

[communique]

Unimpressive.
I won’t be leaping out of my skin until we have computers without screens and thought activated personal computers.

 

[Old Mate]

I have nothing to add, Stan summed it up beautifully for me

 

[bloomy88]

Won't catch me spending $600 on one, seems to have some serious stumbling points...

 

[Ato]

Flaws have already been pointed out by others above. I agree; it's not very appealing, unless you have more money than sense.

That said the idea of a tablet PC does hold interest for me. I guess we just arent there tech-wise to make something comparable to current gen laptops though.

Watch out for LED tech imo. Apparently screens are being made so thin that they are like a glossy mag page, only transparent. They are trialling them so that they can be stuck on various places like windows etc. A roll up screen type tablet thingo - that would be cool.

 

[Aussiejeff]

More Q's...

- Can you light a BBQ in the bush with it?
- Can you make paper planes out of it?
- Can you sleep rough on it?
- Can you hide behind it to have a snooze when commuting on the train?
- Can you wrap fush 'n chups in it?

Hmmm.

So many questions.

So few answers..

 

[Stan 101]

More Q's...

Calling Macgyver!


cheers,

 

[moXJO]

Watch out for LED tech imo. Apparently screens are being made so thin that they are like a glossy mag page, only transparent. They are trialling them so that they can be stuck on various places like windows etc. A roll up screen type tablet thingo - that would be cool.

A friend in the industry was talking about a holographic keyboard that can be shot to anywhere in the room, and registers your finger strikes on the keys as if it were a real one.
Should be some interesting tech stuff coming up in the next few years.

 

[skc]

A friend in the industry was talking about a holographic keyboard that can be shot to anywhere in the room, and registers your finger strikes on the keys as if it were a real one.
Should be some interesting tech stuff coming up in the next few years.

Your friend is living in the past?!

http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/

I don't think it will be very comfortable to type on without the tactile feedback...

 

[Ato]

I remember seeing some work being done in universities here on tactile holograms not so long ago. Very basic stuff still, but very intriguing nonetheless.