iPad - Thoughts?

[Epinephrine]

So everyone here has probably heard of Apple's new gadget announced today, the iPad.

Silly names aside, what do you guys think of the device?

It looks to be pretty awesome. I'm a big fan of my iPhone and I can see how a bigger screen would do wonders. At the same time, the lack of multitasking on such a large device and the lack of flash is really annoying. Considering for the same (or lower) pricepoint you could get a normal netbook which can do everything a computer can, I don't know if this will work out if it isn't full-fledged.

[Crescent Seal]

thought it was the islate

[Displaced]

it looks cool, but i would probably not lug something of that size around with me, and i have a computer at home already.

dont think i'd ever be able to justify that as anything other than a niché market toy.

[genocidal]

Like Disp said, niche market toy. If I want one of these things I'll just buy one of those tiny laptops. Hell those laptops with the screens that twist around so you can write on them like notepads already exist and that's basically what this is without the keyboard.. The no USB drive makes it that much worse.

[Jason]

rich kids will have a new toy to show off their status

yawn

[Xog]

6 posts in 7 minutes.

[Twerp]

what a useless comment

would rather have a netbook since it allows me to transfer files from a usb flash drive. plus it has a natural screen protector when closed, rather than paying for accessories...And half the cost

[Fit of Rage]

The lack of multi-tasking is going to kill this thing unless they do an OS/firmware upgrade. Besides the "rich kid" demographic, the other primary group of people that will buy this are business types that travel a lot and need something truly portable like this. These are the same people that are going to want to access e-mail, web, and a word processor simultaneously. The nail in the coffin is going to be if Apple doesn't open up support for MS Word/PPT/Excel or at the very least OpenOffice software. E-mail attachment and reading support is going to be useless if those documents can't also be edited and e-mailed back.

I wasn't even waiting for the iPad; where's the iPhone 4 annoucement already?

[Xog]

The lack of multi-tasking is going to kill this thing unless they do an OS/firmware upgrade. Besides the "rich kid" demographic, the other primary group of people that will buy this are business types that travel a lot and need something truly portable like this. These are the same people that are going to want to access e-mail, web, and a word processor simultaneously. The nail in the coffin is going to be if Apple doesn't open up support for MS Word/PPT/Excel or at the very least OpenOffice software. E-mail attachment and reading support is going to be useless if those documents can't also be edited and e-mailed back.

I wasn't even waiting for the iPad; where's the iPhone 4 annoucement already?

http://gizmodo.com/5451175/the-compl...-rumor-roundup

[Edify]

Overrated, Overhyped, and OverMyBudget.

[Frightful]

It's just a big iphone.

[Creature]

I think it sucks. All they did was manufacture the iPhone into a larger flatter tablet like device. No SDK, no innovation, NOTHING new. Targeting a small niche market and completely relying on brand name to carry sales of this product. I am not impressed at all.

This is where the real shit happens:
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/...r-wife-for-it/

[LaG KiLLeR]

Here's how I look at it:

For the youth of our generation, I look at it as a waste of money. Like Jason stated earlier, another way for youth to hop on their status trend. But I'm happy Apple developed it because I've wanted an Ipod touch for quite a while and I'm hoping that the influence of this ipad will reduce demand in the ipod touch, ultimately reducing the latter's price haha.

As for the older individuals of our society (seniors or the likes, such as my father), I think it'd be fun for them to play around with. Growing up, they were never exposed to the kind of technology that the youth of the modern world have today. For example, in the case of my father, he's worked hard his whole life and never really bought anything for himself. But today, he said he wanted an Ipad, and I didn't even try to argue against it. If that's what he wants, and I know he doesn't have as many years to live as I do, I want him to enjoy any of these technological luxuries while he can.

So, to me, it ultimately depends on who's buying the product. I bet it'll break down in a few years though, probably part of a scheme to sell more units!

[Epinephrine]

[QUOTE=Fit of Rage;748691The nail in the coffin is going to be if Apple doesn't open up support for MS Word/PPT/Excel or at the very least OpenOffice software. E-mail attachment and reading support is going to be useless if those documents can't also be edited and e-mailed back.[/QUOTE]

You can already open and edit Office documents on the iPhone using a variety of software. Since the iPad runs iPhone software, it will be no problem.

For the youth of our generation, I look at it as a waste of money. Like Jason stated earlier, another way for youth to hop on their status trend. But I'm happy Apple developed it because I've wanted an Ipod touch for quite a while and I'm hoping that the influence of this ipad will reduce demand in the ipod touch, ultimately reducing the latter's price haha.

The one way I can see the iPad really succeeding is for casual reading. The Kindle has been a pretty successful device, but it's hampered by the fact that it's only black and white and has limited other usages beyond books. If Apple manages to reach a critical mass such that major magazine companies sign on, the iPad could be revolutionary. For instance, having a fully interactive, full colour magazine with video/audio included would be pretty awesome.

If done right, this could also be the ultimate thing for students too. Imagine having one device that has all of your textbooks, books, magazines that is light and easy to carry. No more lugging around heavy textbooks with you anymore. Already there are some textbook manufacturers signed up with iPad but they will need all of them signed up to make a true difference.

As well if there was a good PDF editor this would totally rock. I remember when I was in school, most of my notes were in powerpoint (turned into PDF) which we downloaded off the course website. Unfortunately most people had to print it out into paper to actually take proper notes, but if they made a really good program and perhaps had some kind of stylus that didn't scratch the screen, then you could even take good notes with this.

That said, the actual more 'computer' uses are limited by the fact that this stupid thing doesn't multitask or even run Macromedia Flash which is ridiculous.

And for what was shown already, it wasn't so impressive. All of the things that could make this awesome still hasn't happened yet, so I guess most people will just wait a year or two to see how it pans out.


Here's the best use for the thing though that instantly came to my mind. It's built for surfing the internet while watching TV. That's basically by far the best use of the iPad.

[Ilya]

more like maxipad

amirite amirite