The iPad

[QuadShot]

I want one too, but can't justify a reason for it. Other than wanting a new toy! :)

[RickPeete]

I am trying to tell you guys that the iPad is an awesome tool that is so versatile as to make NetBooks unnecessary.  Work, play, reading, relaxation -- all there.  There are only two things I cannot do with this device... I cannot click on the Browse button on the TrekSF site to upload photos from it, and I cannot view Flash websites and certain Flash videos.  But other than that, I am good.

Once iOS4 comes to the iPad in November, then I will really be happy.  I need the task switching capability as I move between various apps while working.  It will save me time on certain tasks.

There is a new vidcast from Twit.tv called iPad Today.  It is a nice show, all about iPad applications and ideas about how to best use the device.  Good ole Leo LaPorte.

[loutzee]

I thought you guys might enjoy this video I cam across. It's an Ipad mini orchestra. The piece of music is actually pretty cool.

http://pogpog.com/v/the-ipad-orchestra/

Kevin

I'm not say it's not good but it we never replace the stylophone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIhQKJ40UHM#

[Bryancd]

LOL! Yes, I knew that, it's a very funny coincidence! I saw this article yesterday. Like I mentioned back when they rolled the iPad out and folks were wondering who would buy it, I said it's  going to take a huge portion of the laptop market. So many people have lap tops which have way more capacity then they ever use. Folks want their media and their internet in an nice form factor, larger screen than a smartphone, and thats cool and fun to use. That's the iPad, which just went on sale in China.

[Rico]

Funny that it's just now on sale in China, even though that's where they make it.  :)

[Ktrek]

Like I have said before I think the Ipad is a really cool device but it doesn't offer me anything I don't already have. It's a flashy and glitzy and cool toy but more expensive than I am willing to shove out right now. Not supporting flash is a huge drawback for me too because a lot of the sites I frequent need it (like my Golden Age of Hollywood social network). If the price dropped to around $300 I would seriously consider one but not yet.

Kevin

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Like I have said before I think the Ipad is a really cool device but it doesn't offer me anything I don't already have. It's a flashy and glitzy and cool toy but more expensive than I am willing to shove out right now. Not supporting flash is a huge drawback for me too because a lot of the sites I frequent need it (like my Golden Age of Hollywood social network). If the price dropped to around $300 I would seriously consider one but not yet.

Kevin

I'm a little confused by this statement that keeps saying the iPad's too expensive.  Compared to most laptops which go $600+, the iPad almost seems a steal.  Now if we're referring to those Netbooks, I guess I can see that, but unless Netbooks have ramped it up in the last year, they really under-perform in pure power.  Yes, yes, I know, they aren't supposed to be power-machines, but they seem to struggle doing simple web-browsing.  At least, that's what my experience (limited) has shown.

King

[Bryancd]

I think Kevin is being very specific in regards to his own personal usage and preferences in regards to the iPad. It certainly wouldn't make a lot of economic sense for him as his needs are specific and the iPad not currently supporting Flash prevents him from doing what he wants to do with it, so cost matters more. That's the whole idea about personal electronic devices, they are PERSONAL. We all will have different needs. Having said that, the iPad provides an experience which will be more than sufficient to meet the needs of so many people, it's really amazing. You are correct, King, it's a great deal for a LOT of people.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I think Kevin is being very specific in regards to his own personal usage and preferences in regards to the iPad. It certainly wouldn't make a lot of economic sense for him as his needs are specific and the iPad not currently supporting Flash prevents him from doing what he wants to do with it, so cost matters more. That's the whole idea about personal electronic devices, they are PERSONAL. We all will have different needs. Having said that, the iPad provides an experience which will be more than sufficient to meet the needs of so many people, it's really amazing. You are correct, King, it's a great deal for a LOT of people.

Ahh ok, makes sense.  For me, I'm just trying to figure out if the iPad will fulfill all my college needs.  Hopefully this year will tell me.  Then I can get the iPad 2.0 no doubt coming this spring with Facetime and more ;)...maybe, I'm just guessing. 

Also, don't forget that Microsoft Office is an Arm and a Leg and your firstborn...and that's only half of what you need.  ;)

King

[Bryancd]

...and a very likely new Verizon data package.. :)

[Ktrek]

What Bryan said is exactly right and not to mention I already own a laptop and a desktop and an ereader and really see no value in it for me at this time. If my laptop goes kaput on me I would seriously look at at the Ipad but the lack of flash would still be a real issue for me personally. Not insurmountable but if someone softrooted the Ipad to support flash that could possibly be a game changer for me.

Kevin

[Bryancd]

If my laptop goes kaput on me I would seriously look at at the Ipad but the lack of flash would still be a real issue for me personally. Not insurmountable but if someone softrooted the Ipad to support flash that could possibly be a game changer for me.

Kevin

WOW!!! A convert! What happened to this guy?!

"Apple makes good products no doubt but to me they are like designer clothes...too flashy and way overpriced. They seem to really want to push this device for ereading but I'm going to say right now that any backlit device will be no good for long book reading. It will give you headaches and eye fatigue. There is no way around that. It's the very reason why Sony adopted and developed the eink screen and the Kindle and Nook and many other ereaders have followed suit. Undoubtedly the Ipad is flashy, colorful and beautiful to look at. It certainly caters to the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh but it does not mean it will make a good reading device. Now as far as movies and video games I think it would be ideal but most people that like these kind of things already have devices that can do those very things. I have to agree with Billybob on this one...it is a niche device and I think sales will be slower than Apple is expecting.

Kevin"

OR MY OTHER FAV.....

"Well, for me there are even more negatives about the Ipad. It seems that the Ipad is going to use a proprietary epub format which will close out anyone from buying ebooks from Apple's website and using it on other devices. It also does not support Flash and so that excludes a whole lot of web use that has Flash imbedded along with videos, games etc. This is a quote from Adobe:

Quote
It looks like Apple is continuing to impose restrictions on their devices that limit both content publishers and consumers. Unlike many other ebook readers using the ePub file format, consumers will not be able to access ePub content with Apple's DRM technology on devices made by other manufacturers. And without Flash support, iPad users will not be able to access the full range of web content, including over 70% of games and 75% of video on the web.

If I want to use the iPad to connect to Disney, Hulu, Miniclip, Farmville, ESPN, Kongregate, or JibJab -- not to mention the millions of other sites on the web -- I'll be out of luck.


This is pretty dissapointing news and shows how controlling Apple wants to be. There are other slate/tablet projects coming out soon that I think may not look as flashy as Ipad but will outperform it.

Here's the source:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/adobe-on-flash-and-the-ipad-apple-is-continuing-to-impose-rest/

Kevin"

Kev, how do you like your words, grilled, roasted, or pan seared?  :biggrin

[Blackride]

Multi-Tasking?

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Multi-Tasking?

Are you asking what multi-tasking means?  (in regards to the iPad) or if it's come to it yet?

King

[Ktrek]

I prefer my Ipad grilled to perfection please!  ;D

I still stand behind my previous posts. The Ipad does not make a good ereader that's why I own a nook. The lack of flash is still a hinderance to me and pretty much disqualifies the device for my needs. The Ipad is a "toy" and an expensive one at that. I don't currently have the luxury to purchase a device that does things that I can already do but maybe not as sleekly. The Ipad does not really bring anything new to the table and is not as innovative as the Ipod was when it came out. If I were to buy one I still would not use it for reading ebooks. I have tried it and it frankly....um..."sucks". It does cause eye fatigue because of the backlighting for things like books. On the otherhand for Internet type of reading or even magazines and comics it is great! The lack of flash ability is a real REAL downside for me. I think very soon we will see more competitive devices come out at far more reasonable prices that will have the features I need and am looking for. In fact I saw recently an Indian company that can make a similar device to the Ipad for only $35.00 (their cost without software costs) That should put their device right around the $200 to $300 range, which is affordable.

Now let me say this...If I had not been out of work for almost a year now and had my normal cash flow and money I could just "waste" on a cool toy I would for sure buy an Ipad just to have one to play around with. As it is I am just now working again and thankfully before I would have had to file for bankruptcy. The Ipad, for most people, is a "luxury" device and NOT a necessity. It's success just shows you that there are still a lot of people who have excess money they can throw around.

Am I a convert? Not totally.

Kevin