The iPad

[Rico]

Pixelation?!?!  Really?  At the resolution the iPad is capable of?  I played with one in a Best Buy and ran through various apps. and didn't notice that at all.  But as others have mentioned, being an eReader is just one of the functions of the iPad.  If that's all you really need, then it isn't for you.

[Ktrek]

Pixelation?!?!  Really?  At the resolution the iPad is capable of?  I played with one in a Best Buy and ran through various apps. and didn't notice that at all.  But as others have mentioned, being an eReader is just one of the functions of the iPad.  If that's all you really need, then it isn't for you.

Yes...At the font size I would need to be able to read comfortably I could see every pixel. Even at the smaller font sizes I could could see pixelation but not as easily.

Kevin

[Rico]

Maybe it's an eye/vision thing.  This thing  basically has a computer screen.  Can I see some pixels in text on a computer screen - yes.  Does it bother my ability to read it - nope.

[sparrow]

i hate it when i see pixelation

[Ktrek]

Maybe it's an eye/vision thing.  This thing  basically has a computer screen.  Can I see some pixels in text on a computer screen - yes.  Does it bother my ability to read it - nope.

I also can see pixels in text when I surf the web on a PC (but actually not as noticeable as it is on the Ipad) and it does not bother me so much because the way you read the web (constantly moving around) is completely different than the way you read books. I do not see the Ipad as being useful for long periods of reading any more than I see an Iphone useful to do so. Short periods would be fine but it does really bother my eyes a LOT when reading for extended periods. It cannot compare to the eink screen on my nook. I can read for hours (literally) without any problems.

But, like I said the other applications of the Ipad are awesome!! I think it's an incredible device but without much purpose for my life.

Kevin

[Rico]

Frankly, I can't really judge reading for long periods on the iPad based on playing with it in a store for a short time.  But I have read very long stories at my computer and not had an issue with that.  Personally I wouldn't probably use it for reading a novel - or any eReader at this time.  Not really against them or anything, I just see a lot of change going on in this tech space in the next few years.  Plus, I still like my ink and paper books too much I think.  ;)

[Feathers]

I've had eReader software on my last few hendheld devices (for the last five to ten years) but the books I'll use with it are very limited - or perhaps throw-away is a better term - since I have no confidence that the format they are in will be supported in the long term.

I'm also not going to jump on any single reading device format at the moment until things settle down over the next few years (but I don't have any shelf space left either so this gives me a bit of a problem...).

[psikeyhackr]

I've had eReader software on my last few hendheld devices (for the last five to ten years) but the books I'll use with it are very limited - or perhaps throw-away is a better term - since I have no confidence that the format they are in will be supported in the long term.

I'm also not going to jump on any single reading device format at the moment until things settle down over the next few years (but I don't have any shelf space left either so this gives me a bit of a problem...).

Yeah, that is why I just deal with text files.  I convert whatever I get to text files.  With so much memory so cheap what does compression matter?

[Jobydrone]

The WiFi only iPad just got a little bit more attractive:

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/05/latest-iphone-beta-hints-at-att-tethering-coming-soon.ars



It appears the next iPhone software update could finally include tethering, which to my understanding would basically allow the iPhone to function as a portable WiFi hotspot.  It would be pretty nice to be able to use the internet functions of my iPad wherever I go via my iPhone.

[billybob476]

Would it do it via Bluetooth or does it have to be physically attached to the iPad?

[RickPeete]

It is supposed to support both Bluetooth and USB connections.  I do not know if it actually turns your iPhone into a Wifi hotspot.

I would really be surprised if Apple supported something that would render the 3G IPad unnecessary.  How much you want to bet that the IPad does not support BT Networking stack.

[Jobydrone]

It is supposed to support both Bluetooth and USB connections.  I do not know if it actually turns your iPhone into a Wifi hotspot.

I would really be surprised if Apple supported something that would render the 3G IPad unnecessary.  How much you want to bet that the IPad does not support BT Networking stack.

Well, you'd still have to have an iPhone.  I don't think that everyone who has an iPad has one.  And apple has always supported tethering...it's AT&T that has been the problem.  People that have "jailbroken" their iPhones have been tethering for years now with carriers that support it.

[Rico]

Actually I could see this as also boosting iPhone sales too.  How long before they offer an iPad/iPhone package purchase deal?  :)

[RickPeete]

Or perhaps a college bundle?  Buy a MacBook and get an IPad for ebooks and class notetaking (and entertainment).

Between the Kindle App and the iBookstore, students might be buying IPads in order to get their textbooks electronically at reduced prices....

The decline of the paper book is here...

[Bryancd]

I told you guys, Apple rules. :)