Shock! Horror! Who's genuinely surprised that Apple came out and announced their tablet overnight?

There's a couple of you? Go sit at the back of the room.

For the rest, in the iPad Apple appears to have come up with a name almost as silly as the Wii (almost). Hardware specs are fairly impressive for a tablet :- It's running a 1Ghz Apple A4 chip, Storage size (flash memory) is 16gb, 32gb & 64gb, It rocks 802.11n (and there's optional 3G versions as well), supports Bluetooth 2.1, accelerometer, speaker, mic, 30-pin iPod dock connector and no camera of any description front or back.

Battery life is claimed at 10 hours of full use (video playback, etc).

As for new features, it'll support all your iPod touch/iPhone apps but has it's own SDK. They've also added an eBook reader & Apple eBook store to compete in the Kindle/nook space.

For the pricing, here's a nice table Gizmodo prepared earlier ($USD obviously), but basically starting at $499 with wifi for 16GB model, or $629 with wifi and 3g, with $100 increments for 32gb and 64gb models.

Here's the official Apple iPad page. promoted/edited forum item

god what a piece of s***

Journalists and eBook readers will want one.

Everyone else will struggle to find a need. The operating system is restricted as much as the iPhone. A big fail for a device like this.

I could see myself using one if you were able to put a custom OS on. But iPhoneOS-style lock-down on a full-size device. No thanks.

no camera of any description front or back.

huh thats pretty gay, considering the iphone below it and the macbook above it both do.

Its pretty consistent with the apple way of leaving out silly little features so it can announce them in version 2.0 as a huge feature "WOW IT NOW HAS A 3.2mp CAMERA !"

will be good for mums and dads, school kids, etc. Anyone who needs a typewriter that can browse the net. which pretty much means everybody who isn't interested in hacking a gibson.

Thinking about it again, I dont know exactly what you would use this for. Its not a phone replacement, cause well, it doesnt have any phone functionality, even though they could have easily added the sms app, allowed calling over the 3g with a bluetooth headset or something.

its not a laptop replacement cause it cant multitask, doesnt have a real keyboard etc.

Its kinda like a alternative for a netbook, but with less functionality, cause it doesnt have a physical keyboard, doesnt have a camera for video chat, cant multitask etc. Netbooks were already niche devices, and theyve taken functionality away from there netbook alternative, so its a niche, niche device.

I guess apple will tell us what we do with it and why we actually need to do that and people will buy it, or not.

My initial impression is it's a bit big. I thought my iPhone was too big but that was countered by watching movies on it. I can't see me carrying that on the train just to watch a show when iPhone does it fine

So that's great news, saved myself a grand. WD Apple!

Needs a camera already... But it would suit me nicely to laze around with, watching movies and browsing the net.

What a piece of s***. I can't see any practical use for this other than people buying it because Steve Jobs tells them they need it.

The worst thing is this will sell a s***load because people will buy any crap apple throws a lower case i infront of.

oh, it has a dock with a keyboard, kinda makes sense now, not completely but a little bit. And also an optional "camera connection kit" to allow you to plug your camera in over USB or use an SD card to import pictures. WTF? why not just put a little camera in like every other device in the world? surely someone at apple was sitting there in meetings going, um why doesnt it have a camera again?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/ipad-has-optional-keyboard-dock/

and its also got this cover thing you can buy as an accessorie, seems more like it should be included otherwise you scratch the f*** out of it just trying to use it on a table.

http://www.engadget.com/photos/apple-ipad-accessories/

Damn, I wanted to get in before 3dee told us how awesome it was, but then he didnt?!

Pornography
It's simple: You can hold something that weighs 1.5 pounds in one hand.

lol

I can't wait for the parody comics to start doing the rounds with a characture version the has a 10 inch bezel and a 2 inch screen.

No camera kills this as a walk-around female executive type conferencing PDA.

Could be a mad car GPS though.

Haha Nathan. I can see it would be great for people typing on the go (with iWork) and reading eBooks but it's just as restricted as the iPhone. For a tablet this is epic fail.

raven, no gps.

First rule of Apple new releases: never buy the first version.

No GPS and no Cam is stinky. It's made for internet and you can't even skype-cam on it.

Oh, I see. One again, the message from Apple is clear:
..l.

iPad?

Sounds like some sort of futuristic feminine hygiene product.

What a piece of s***. I can't see any practical use for this other than people buying it because Steve Jobs tells them they need it.

The worst thing is this will sell a s***load because people will buy any crap apple throws a lower case i infront of.

What a piece of s***. I can't see any practical use for this other than people buying it because Steve Jobs tells them they need it.

The worst thing is this will sell a s***load because people will buy any crap apple throws a lower case i infront of.

oh, it has a dock with a keyboard, kinda makes sense now, not completely but a little bit. And also an optional "camera connection kit" to allow you to plug your camera in over USB or use an SD card to import pictures. WTF? why not just put a little camera in like every other device in the world? surely someone at apple was sitting there in meetings going, um why doesnt it have a camera again?

Becuase coming next month is the iKeyboard (for 150usd) It's a revolutionary new keyboard that you can use ONLY with your iPad. Then 3months later they will release the iCamera. It's a camera that works with your iPad. 6months later they'll re-release the iPad with a camera and other features and say they've innovated the market with their super intelligent designs and other bulls***.

I agree it doesn't seem to be an amazing device, but who really gives a s*** about a camera? The one thing we don't need more of is s***ty photos everywhere. Haha... can you imagine trying to take a photo with that thing? Gay.

I wonder how it actually reads.
LED is very purty, but, ugh. new chipset, no multitasking, no apps, suck.
Maybe kindle is back on the burner. Anyone seen the Nook?

last edited by 3dee at 09:47:37 28/Jan/10

bleh the screen should atleast cover the whole surface. also they need to get rid of the f***ing button.

last edited by 3dee at 09:47:37 28/Jan/10

?

Can you just use it like a giant iPod? That is, can I put all my movies and music on it? It'd be pretty neat to have a portable TV that can also surf the net.

I agree it doesn't seem to be an amazing device, but who really gives a s*** about a camera? The one thing we don't need more of is s***ty photos everywhere. Haha... can you imagine trying to take a photo with that thing? Gay.

On a device that size with a camera on the back you could do some really cool enhanced reality stuff on it. useful? maybe not ... but cool.

Terrible device, I was hoping for a sweet netbook type device running osx with some awesome input options with the touchscreen. All I see is fail.

It'd be pretty neat to have a portable TV that can also surf the net.

Laptop?

:S

looks like an iPhone on steriods!

apart from the wank factor of having a tablet what can it do that that an iPhone can't?

seems a bit cumbersome as an eBook reader so i think i'll stick to keeping track of the Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp and the Kindle for a while.

remember, you guys thought the iPhone was a 'fail device'. a lot of what I'm seeing is awesome software crafted for the sexiest multi-touch screen ever. I totally won't be surprised if this changes the way people use computers in the long run, especially with the current iPhone momentum.

i still think an iphone is a fail device.

when i buy a device i want to do with it what i please, not what the makers of the think i should be able to do with it

I dunno, it looks like something I might be kind of interested in if I had the disposable income to throw around. I mean, one of those ebook reader things is the sort of gadget I'd probably spend money on at some point, and heres one that I can also surf the web on, play games on, watch movies on, and has an iTunes type store where I can buy my books from. I mean, I guess theres all sorts of hidden catches with DRM and s*** that might end up making it annoying, but at first glance, it did strike me as a cool little gadget that I wouldn't mind having.

But at the price they're asking, I doubt I'd ever get one anyway, so I guess its a moot point.

massive fail. why would i spend that much coin when i can buy a nice hp tablet, with a real cpu, os, hdd etc.

oh wait, i have a hp tablet.

It looks like a giant oversized ipod touch (which also has no camera or keyboard). Except it's more expensive and the touch can actually fit in my pocket. Fail.

i don't understand when, where or how apple are expecting me to want to use this device.

it's large but has limited functionality so i wouldn't really want to take it anywhere unless i knew in advance i was definitely going to use it (which brings us back to limited functionality). the keyboard looks awkward as f*** to type on. not having a camera on any portable device is fail - unless not having one is going to save me a decent amount of money (obviously don't know if that's the case or not but i'm guessing apple are making a f***tonne on their hardware as usual). apparently it can't do flash? maybe that's a patch away but still seems stupid. gizmodo says that widescreen content (i.e. f***ing everythin these days) looks s*** on it because it's designed for 4:3.

you'd have to be a real fanboi to buy this one imo.

So shiny. Not too much use for me since I'm either at home or work where I have access to a full sized PC.

I wonder how much markup will be placed on the australian model.

And you can bet on the browser still not supporting flash.

when i buy a device i want to do with it what i please, not what the makers of the think i should be able to do with it

This is what jailbreaking is for ^_^

I'll admit it though, I'll probably buy one. But that decision will be mostly because I was considering buying a Kindle DX.

This is what jailbreaking is for ^_^

how many iphone users are using jail broken iphones though?

arent people having heaps of problems with slow down and giving up?

dj, made some minor changes to your post, hope you don't mind

remember, you guys thought the iPhone was a 'fail device'. a lot of what I'm seeing is awesome software crafted for the sexiest multi-touch screen ever. I totally won't be surprised if this changes the way people use computers in the long run, especially with the current iPhone momentum.

Well if I look at our awesome decade of news timeline I can see the iPhone was announced in January of 2007, and the response was generally positive

As to being disappointed about the iPad - why weren't you disappointed by the rumours?! It sounds exactly like the rumours - utterly uninteresting.

Most interesting thing is its a competitor to ChromeOS!!

I also agree it needs a camera, but on the front side, for skype. Would be ideal for chatting like that.

This is a huge piece of s***.

Cue The Onion vid which sums up Apple for me.


Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

This is what jailbreaking is for ^_^

Nah, jail-breaking isn't enough. Dan nailed it - needs to be able to support an alternative O/S, then it would be interesting.

Most of my tech savvy of my friends are running jailbroken phones for all sorts of reasons. Most of the time is just so they can mod their interface and add some nice functionality using open source apps.

The temptation then is to install all sorts of crap on the phone that isn't from the app store and could be a bit dodgey (ie crashes etc). But so far my phone has been running like a dream with a bunch of stuff installed on it.

It is a pain though that you have to jump through these hoops to get this functionality, but it's excessively easy to do. Run windows app, plug in iphone, press button and done.

If we have a good year this year I'll probably buy one.

I spend a few hours every day in Stanza on my iPhone, and the increased size of the screen would be a win for this. May get one for the wife too. Great for viewing photos and would make a really, really awesome XBMC Remote.

f*** me if its not a frivolous expense though.

That Onion vid speaks the truth.

Sexy hardware, definitely not the Jesus pad all the nerds (read: apple fanbois) have been expecting. Unlike the iPod and iPhone this will not be a game changer. I also LOLed at how Joies took a jab at Nokia and how netbooks are basically mehtasic. I guess when you got your own reality distortion field you can say whatever you want :).

I think it'll do ok, I think other ebook readers would be slightly worry in that Apple also have large ebook store so Amazon will have to pick up their games or they're going to get their butt kicked especially when Apple decide to cut prices further.

arent people having heaps of problems with slow down and giving up?

The main reason for slowdown is newbs grabbing the Backgrounder app (multi-tasking) and running a bunch of CPU/3G/GPS-intensive apps and services at the same time, while having ridiculous theming on. Then shock horror their iPhone slows down and battery life is low, they start whinging.

Correct usage: static wallpaper, don't have so much s*** running in the background. Problem solved - my iPhone feels the same, actually with smart multi-task usage I can switch between stuff faster than loading it up fresh.

There are lots of great accessories that have been specifically designed for iPad

I bet there are, Mr Jobs. Are you also going to charge double for the black versions of each?

I agree with the view that it's just an oversized Touch. The Kindle interests me more than this ...

Unlike the iPod and iPhone this will not be a game changer.

yeah, but that's what QGL said last time. every time, the critique here has been out of touch. meh.

That's all good Trog, my posts need all the help they can get :)

And you can bet on the browser still not supporting flash.

Already been confirmed that it won't support flash. Giz lists it as one of the 8 reasons to hate the iPad, which puzzles me as you'd think a device taking a direct shot at the Netbook market would need flash support as a basic requirement. Then again, I'm all for encouraging websites to use less flash anyway.

On the upshot, this just about sells me:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2641/500xbejeweledipad.jpg

If this thing had a stripped down OSX it would be awesome. But a beefed up iPhone OS (if you can even say that), is just a fail imo.

I spend a few hours every day in Stanza on my iPhone, and the increased size of the screen would be a win for this.

yeh, I'm wondering if it would be better or worse for me for Stanza.. I'd want to hold one to see how it felt to make sure I could still hold it easily and comfortably in one hand.

I'd also wonder about night reading - at the moment with the lights out and the screen on dimmest setting its JUST not too bright to read in the dark. With a bigger screen you'd get more light, so it might be a bit more awkward reading like that.

Still, as long as my eyes hold out I think I'm happy with the ipod for that stuff

yeah, but that's what QGL said last time. every time, the critique here has been out of touch. meh.

did you even read the thread that trog posted? it was the thread about the iphone when it was announced and pretty much everyone in the thread was frothing off it.

dunno where you're pulling this bulls*** from, a link would be super though.

Farseeker speaks like a true fanboi :) I mean seriously how does the iPad a game changer? iPod and iPhone are game changer because they basically change the way people use the mobile phones etc. The iPad is too big to carry around, I think most people will just stick to reading with their iPhone/iPod on the road.

I also liked how you selectively taken my quote out of context, I also said it'll do ok because there'll be people that just buy stuff regardless. But do you really want to carry another big f*** off device around with you? I sure don't, converged device like iPhone on the other hands are perfect for reading on the road etc.

If this thing had a stripped down OSX it would be awesome. But a beefed up iPhone OS (if you can even say that), is just a fail imo.

think about if the computer didn't exist. if technology allowed, you would make from scratch something closer to iPhone OS.

OS X is like OS for people who are familiar with computer UI (pointing device, terminals)
iPhone OS is like OS for people who are familiar with human UI (touch stuff, drag stuff)

People don't enjoy using "computer UI" - they just don't care. so if they can do what they want with "human UI" - you know, there's less friction.

If it had a color e-ink screen I would be super impressed

Farseeker speaks like a true fanboi :) I mean seriously how does the iPad a game changer?

Yeah I wasn't saying it is 100% going to be a game changer, just that the QGL predictions in the past have been, well, completely wrong. That's all.

WTF...no multi tasking...so it really is just 1 big f***ing iPod :|

I spend a few hours every day in Stanza on my iPhone, and the increased size of the screen would be a win for this.

yeh, I'm wondering if it would be better or worse for me for Stanza.. I'd want to hold one to see how it felt to make sure I could still hold it easily and comfortably in one hand.

I'd also wonder about night reading - at the moment with the lights out and the screen on dimmest setting its JUST not too bright to read in the dark. With a bigger screen you'd get more light, so it might be a bit more awkward reading like that.

Still, as long as my eyes hold out I think I'm happy with the ipod for that stuff

I personally think it would be too big for an ebook reader. Where do you do most reading Hardware? The reason I love stanza on my touch for reading is because a) it fits easily into my pocket, so I always have it handy for those waiting periods in life, b) it fits into the palm of my hand for reading in bed at night - don't need two hands.

think about if the computer didn't exist. if technology allowed, you would make from scratch something closer to iPhone OS. OS X is like OS for people who are familiar with computer UI (pointing device, terminals) iPhone OS is like OS for people who are familiar with human UI (touch stuff, drag stuff) People don't enjoy using "computer UI" - they just don't care. so if they can do what they want with "human UI" - you know, there's less friction.

But no multi-tasking? Come on.

Opec I agree that the iPhone/touch is definitely the form factor that you would carry around - just because the iPad is thin, doesn't mean Apple expect you to carry it around the street. An exception could be business people who commonly carry around diaries/A4 stuff.

last edited by Farseeker at 11:09:18 28/Jan/10

Apple have clearly looked at the success of the iPhone and done user testing that indicates that most users either don't need multi-tasking, or are confused by it.

As a power-user I think it's retarded (one of the reasons I don't own an iPhone) but I totally understand why they've done it. It massively simplifies the use of the device and instantly stops a whole slew of support issues ("oh I left that app running and now I have a ten billion dollar phone bill", etc).

Yeah I wasn't saying it is 100% going to be a game changer, just that the QGL predictions in the past have been, well, completely wrong. That's all.

where is qgl's incorrect prediction about the iphone? it sure isn't in the thread about iphones when they were announced. which one would assume to be the perfect time to make predictions about it!

so again, could you please show me where qgl collectively made a completely wrong prediction about the iphone?

last edited by 3dee at 09:47:37 28/Jan/10

I found out something was true when I'd assumed it wasn't.

So who else actually makes a very thin tablet netbook? All the ones Ive seen are still allaround an
inch thick.

someone mean said something nasty about farseekers beloved iphone once and now all of qgl is jaded

I'd also wonder about night reading - at the moment with the lights out and the screen on dimmest setting its JUST not too bright to read in the dark. With a bigger screen you'd get more light, so it might be a bit more awkward reading like that.

Yeh, for me (using the latest Stanza) the lowest setting is a little dim for night reading - I set a few "nidges" above dimmest.

Agree about the size-weight thing for comfortable reading though. In any case I'm not sitting there at night howling at the moon cos the screen is small, so its definitely a luxury expense / toy.

just because the iPad is thin, doesn't mean Apple expect you to carry it around the street.An exception could be business people who carry around their diaries.

But that's just silly, it basically defeats the whole purpose of the damn thing i.e. mobile reading. I mean if you're going to use it to read stuff at home/office, wouldn't you be better off reading on your big screen computer? And really if the only time it'd be useful is reading on your couch etc but boy a bit over kill to have an expensive device like that ($600 USD can buy you A LOT of books) just so you can occasionally read and play some games on it?.

And if you're a business person then you wouldn't use this thing, you'd carry a full notebook like Macbook, you know a device that's actually is useful at actually doing stuff like presentation, edit documents, get emails.

The reason iPhone/iPod is a major win again is the convenience these devices provide on the go and they do so many things pretty well. That's why I said it'll do ok because there'll be people that just buy them so they have it lying around and stuff.

Personally I just can't see where the whole eReader, eSlat devices are going. They seem to be such a niche and over hyped market just like the tablet computer was - granted MS didn't really do a good job of that at all (but then the hardware wasn't really available to do that either). I can't see myself buying an in-the-middle-device which S.Job hypocritically labelled netbooks. I think netbooks are far more useful device than this thing really.

taggs I'm not going to dig through the archives, I don't care that much - I could be wrong, but the QGL collective feeling of the iPhone has surely been "Meh - get an N9*". a lot of people have come around, but you can't say there has been any foresight or acknowledgement of the bounds forward Apple have made in terms of how people actually use phones. I recall being mocked about saying that "it's all about the experience".

taggs I'm not going to dig through the archives, I don't care that much - I could be wrong, but the QGL collective feeling of the iPhone has surely been "Meh - get an N9*". a lot of people have come around, but you can't say there has been any foresight or acknowledgement of the bounds forward Apple have made in terms of how people actually use phones. I recall being mocked about saying that "it's all about the experience".

I think you are confusing the QGL collective with that loudmouth iPhone hating jerkass trog

Farseer:

You are wrong. IMO the QGL sentiment for the iPhone is that it rocks, aside from the s***ty parts that come with it being an Apple device, basically.

I mean if you're going to use it to read stuff at home/office, wouldn't you be better off reading on your big screen computer? And really if the only time it'd be useful is reading on your couch etc but boy a bit over kill to have an expensive device like that ($600 USD can buy you A LOT of books) just so you can occasionally read and play some games on it?.

100% - its a complete luxury / geekgasm device, something to throw down a few hunge at if you're feeling spend-y.

mocked on QGL!>?$#!??

well it took me all of about 60 secs to read through that old thread. you must be a busy guy.

i accept your concession of complete and utter wrongness. please try harder next time.

love taggs.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/4/2010/01/b0ca9cab3f578d743bf79cc6f312822c/original.jpg

mocked on QGL!>?$#!??

Haha - No, that part wasn't the surprise. The fact that QGLers were so out of touch with why technology/computers/software are useful, was the surprise.

I've been around long enough to know that this is how you guys deal with being wrong, it's ok guys. It's ok.

IMO the QGL sentiment for the iPhone is that it rocks, aside from the s***ty parts that come with it being an Apple device, basically.

Definitely. iPhone sure is a sexy kit, and I really really want one except I just can't bring myself to use iTunes..............................

This is what jailbreaking is for ^_^
Nah, jail-breaking isn't enough. Dan nailed it - needs to be able to support an alternative O/S, then it would be interesting.

Alternative O/S aside, it'd just be nice to be able to keep the existing O/S and write third party software for a device without having to pray for a blessing at the App Store temple.

Also you know I might even get a new iPhone when it's released (probably mid this year), now that my home PC is pretty decent I can almost possibly see myself using iTunes. I hope the new iPhone will be a bit more than incremental change that is the 3GS version...

That is unless MS got their act together and release a kick arse Zune Phone or Windows 7 mobile. I can't wait to see what they'll announce at Barlelona mobility world conference....

last edited by Opec at 11:33:25 28/Jan/10

mocked on QGL!>?$#!??

Haha - No, that part wasn't the surprise. The fact that QGLers were so out of touch with why technology/computers/software are useful, was the surprise.

I've been around long enough to know that this is how you guys deal with being wrong, it's ok guys. It's ok.

preeeeeeetty sure the only one that's been provably wrong about any statements so far is you :)

whether anyone is wrong about the ipad, we'll have to wait and see

I'm not willing to bet on the iPad enough to port the iPhone app that I'm working on to it... well I might just to have a play with the SDK... yeah ok :P

I hope the new iPhone will be a bit more than incremental change that is the 3GS version...

Perhaps the iPhone release this year will use A4 / variant? I expected them to address some improvement in background tasks, but nothing new in that regard in the iPad probably means nothing in the new iPhone - it is probably going to be iPhone OS 3.2 also.

SShhh trog, that last bit was meant to confuse them.

At the end of the day, its success comes down to this.

I already have an iPhone, so, what is my $600+ investment on an iPad going to give me that I don't already have.


Answer...
Bigger screen
extra bulk
-fin-

Added the promo bid to the OP.

http://i.imgur.com/c6csM.jpg

http://imagepaste.nullnetwork.net/img/12646285031264628274705.jpg

(Mist0p) remember how the iPod was cool coz it was small and did stuff? Now its HUGE and does stuff!

lols

I already have an iPhone, so, what is my $600+ investment on an iPad going to give me that I don't already have.

well it's apple, so we're talking about regular every day people here. how about as a worthy second computer at home - bought instead of a laptop for viewing web/email/photos comfortably.

But yes, steve jobs himself:

Another former Apple executive who was there at the time said the tablets kept getting shelved at Apple because Mr. Jobs, whose incisive critiques are often memorable, asked, in essence, what they were good for besides surfing the Web in the bathroom.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/technology/05tablet.html via df

but now he's been quoted as saying as it's the most important thing he has worked on (pre-release).. hmm.

Just on the subject of Tablets.... remember this one?

well it's apple, so we're talking about regular every day people here. how about as a worthy second computer at home - bought instead of a laptop for viewing web/email/photos comfortably.

Why wouldn't I just buy a netbook?

At least with a netbook, I can do other stuff too... (like multitask)

Why wouldn't I just buy a netbook?

At least with a netbook, I can do other stuff too... (like multitask)

Exactly, I honestly don't get what this product is offering that isn't already avaliable.

a miniturized windows experience isn't good for our species. / i said comfortably.

you know what I was saying earlier about the experience mattering? yeah. its why this 'fail device' could rule the world.

last edited by Farseeker at 12:05:04 28/Jan/10

just found this vid posted elsewhere in regard to people hating on technology.

even though the iPad is not SUPER f***ING INCREDIBLE, its still super incredible when you think about it.

its still super incredible when you think about it.

It's so f***ing super incredible it doesn't have USB.

Geez, stop sucking Apple's dick.

The iPhone was pretty cool, but this new pad is just retarded.

The tablet and the stock apps themselves are pretty nice by the looks of it, but the device and the OS are just too restricting and locked down.

It's designed too much to be an end-point for iTunes content on your PC or Mac and not it's own functional unrestricted entity which it should be.

chub you monkey did u watch the video? you're busy jumping out of airplanes and hopping over hand rails and complaining about some device you don't need anyway not having a USB port. The iPad is still pretty amazing even if you don't want it, need it or that its (comparatively) flawed.


last edited by d0mino at 12:42:32 28/Jan/10

farseeker is the new 3dee
confirm/deny

confirm! wait, what?

Confirm, 3dee seems largely cured now.

We have a new patient zero.

http://www.fsf.org/news/ibad_launch

Why wouldn't I just buy a netbook?

At least with a netbook, I can do other stuff too... (like multitask)

Even a netbook can be a pretty confusing and daunting device to people who aren't computer savvy. People like my parents don't give a s*** if they can multi-task, its taken me literally years to just teach my mother how to use a laptop to send emails and browse websites. And its only in the past couple of months (after having a computer, with Windows, for almost 5 years now) that shes got the hang of things like copying and pasting and clicking on programs on the task bar to change between them. Previously she thought if she had her email client opened and clinked on a link that opened in Firefox, then her email client had been closed and replaced by the web browser, she couldnt' wrap her head around the idea of multiple programs running at once.

So yeah, I can see it being a pretty useful thing for people who aren't all that computer savvy and don't want all the associated overhead of having to deal with an actual PC or Mac, but then at the same time, I'm not sure people like that are going to be rushing out to buy some fancy new gadget like the iPad and they for sure aren't going to be the early adopters. It seems to me like Apple are painting themselves into a corner a bit, since its really only going to be the gadget loving geeks who go for the iPad, especially at that price, yet at the same time, it has a feature set that wont really appeal to power users and geeks in general.

Can't wait for the next version, iTampon

I've heard you can swim with it.

(Edit: my joke seems to be original. Wouldn't recommend a Google image search of iTampon though, lol)

This seems pretty cool, but that promo video is horrible. The video plays instantly! You can check your email at super fast speeds! But I can already do that.

I would get one if I could play games on it.

hand held games ftl, no matter what device.

you werent complaining when you played mario kart on the DS on that 12 hour flight.

hand held games ftl, no matter what device.

Not true. My original GameBoy was the tits!

The price of these is going to be insane and not worth what they can do, you'd be better off getting a netbook. A guy at work said they saw someone call it a "drm-infected f***** square" heh.

But on the plus side, it's slowly creeping towards technology you see in sci-fi's where someone's walking around with an electronic clipboard looking thing and looking up things and doing calculations on it.

The price of these is going to be insane and not worth what they can do

$550 seems about right for a 'web device' that you can view web pages, read email, listen to music, watch movies and do s*** like that on.

In particular, the iPhone OS on a tablet will be great for viewing photos.

The problem isn't the device or its cost, its the associated Apple dogma. In the iPhone these limitations are bearable for the sake of the (for now) unique interface and form factor, in a wider-purpose netbook they are a big problem. Even the crippled flash memory would be OK if the thing could plug into and easily exchange data with an external USB drive..

$550 seems about right for a 'web device' that you can view web pages, read email, listen to music, watch movies and do s*** like that on.

Odds on the Australian retail prices being under AU$1000 for even the cheapest SKU?

The problem isn't the device or its cost, its the associated Apple dogma. In the iPhone these limitations are bearable for the sake of the (for now) unique interface and form factor, in a wider-purpose netbook they are a big problem.

But, like the iPhone, the iPad will do 98% of the things that 95% of people will want to do on the Internet.

I reckon we might all get surprised by its performance. But yeh, all the reasons you described are reasons I'm not interested

I know its a news.com.au source so can't be relied on, but this guy who apparently f***ed around with the launch one in San Fran reckons its a "...surprisingly modest price [for] the entry level model, which will be around $550 in Australia, there is plenty of value for what you get."

But, like the iPhone, the iPad will do 98% of the things that 95% of people will want to do on the Internet.

Absolutely. At the risk of re-igniting those nasty expert wife comments I tend to think of her for these things, as she's a perfect techno-noob. I can't think of anything she'd want to do online that the thing can't do, and for $550 its very f***ing pretty sitting next to a clunky normal netbook.

Maybe if it takes off and Jobs sticks to his no-Flash regime it will finally f***ing die!

last edited by Hogfather at 14:14:21 28/Jan/10

You can be on it being more expensive than the straight currency conversion rate. They will probably pad it a fair bit more in case the US dollar strengthens.

I'm putting money on 700-800 for the cheapest model.

"...surprisingly modest price [for] the entry level model, which will be around $550 in Australia, there is plenty of value for what you get."

You seriously believe some press monkey saying that something listed as RRP $499 USD (16GB model, no 3G) will retail in Aus for $550 AU?

Lol, maybe if by April our dollar is past parity with the US.

Dan - just relaying what was printed dude, not suggesting I believe it.

However this isn't a phone, its effectively a computer and will obviously use standard PC interfaces - USB cable to the computer, 802.11 wifi. If it's a lot more than the currency conversion spread you could probably just import one, or get trog to pick one up for you next time he's junketing in San Fran!

not sure if this has been posted, didn't read the thread

but lols are here

However this isn't a phone, its effectively a computer and will obviously use standard PC interfaces - USB cable to the computer, 802.11 wifi.

Err, the iPhone also uses USB cable to the computer and 802.11 wifi. The connectivity of this device is identical to the iPhone.

If you point is that you won't have to be locked into a carrier contract so can just pick up one from the US. You can already buy cheaper outright unlocked iPhone's from SEAsia but not many people do because of warranty issues.

If you didn't believe it, then why did you continue to use it as a supporting argument in your expert wife post?

I'm not trying to be critical of the device itself, I think it definitely has its place. But for the functionality you get, there's no way it's worth the price. I'd say $300 to $400 absolute tops.

In other words - buy a netbook while you wait for it to either get much cheaper or for other manufactures to create lookalikes that don't have DRM crippled OS's.

Err, the iPhone also uses USB cable to the computer and 802.11 wifi. The connectivity of this device is identical to the iPhone.

I was more referring to radios / sim standards etc.

If you point is that you won't have to be locked into a carrier contract so can just pick up one from the US. You can already buy cheaper outright unlocked iPhone's from SEAsia but not many people do because of warranty issues.

Most people don't buy phones from SE Asia because most consumer smartphones in Australia are sold as part of a carrier contract.

People do however buy all sorts of goods from OS when there is a strong case to be made for it. Its not legal to do so, but s*** I reckon a lot of people would consider waivering their warranty rights for a 40-50% discount, right? People buy cheap s*** all the time not expecting it to last.

Its a harder call for computers, but we're not often confronted with hundreds of dollars of savings as companies like Dell and HP et al are pretty competitive globally.

If you didn't believe it, then why did you continue to use it as a supporting argument in your expert wife post?

Because I'm critically evaluating and contributing to the discussion without necessarily choosing a side dogmatically, and because if wifey wanted to get one I would sure as s*** consider a US import?

last edited by Hogfather at 14:50:32 28/Jan/10

I read the newspost title and got excited.

Then I realised it couldn't be used as a poratable photoshop devie and stopped caring.

Seems like a pretty useless device. My girlfriend's $350 netbook does more and has beefier specs, though it has a keyboard, which makes it far more usable. But, of course, it has an Apple logo on it, so droves of people will buy one, even though they previously had no desire for such a device.

No multitasking is utterly retarded. Sure, some oldies may not be tech savvy enough to fully grasp multitasking, but it's something that's been around on computers as long as I can remember. This device is going to be targeted more towards young people than 60+ year olds, and I'm sure most kids now have an IM client, Facebook, music and whatever else running at once on their PCs the majority of the time. Good luck with that, maybe once it gets Jailbroken so people who actually have a clue can yet again add in all of the functionality that Apple decided you couldn't have.

I'm also betting you'll have to use that cluster-f*** of a program iTunes to transfer anything to it from your PC.

What's with the massive price difference based on inexpensive flash memory upgrades? In fact, why do Apple insist on making separate models based on memory amounts? It kinda makes sense with an iPod which is limited based on the number of songs you can store but phones and pads aren't mp3 players.

Also, would have been useful with an infra-red port, Could use it as a cool home interface between your TV/media equipment and aircon.

AU iPod Touch: http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_touch
US iPod Touch: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_touch

Using that as a metric, Apple looks like they are currently hitting us for about .72-.74 cents exchange rate cf. US pricing. So by that measure a 500 USD device would clock in at about $675 - a ways shy of 800-1000+.

Interesting - I reckon that's about my threshold for considering an import (and accepting possible warranty issues) cf. local purchase.

675 is exxy for a tablet but I still reckon it would at least compete with the Dell laptop I got her last year for 700, especially with a keyboard attacherment. Its not worth that much for me except as a shiny toy, because I want more from a computer.

Also, would have been useful with an infra-red port, Could use it as a cool home interface between your TV/media equipment and aircon.

It'd still make a nice XBMC remote.

last edited by Hogfather at 15:03:50 28/Jan/10

It's a terrible device and anyone I see using one I will smash it over their head.

No you won't.

image link fail
Heres another
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/417/newton.jpg

last edited by FocaL at 19:43:57 28/Jan/10

^I might. >_>

This device looks underwhelming, but I am sure Apple fanboys everywhere will be falling over each other to buy it.

I think you'd class me as a fanboy, but I'm certainly not rushing out to buy this, nor did I rush out to buy any Apple device. Actually, what is an Apple fanboy these days?

Ive been past the Apple shop at Chermside a few times now and the staff seem really weird.
Like Scientology weird.

random hi-fives, dancing alone, dancing with other assistants... why are there so many assistants ?

Im sure some ppl will get these but I dont see why joe blow would get one.
I quite like being away from the computer. Why would i want another ?
Suppose you take it on a bus/train. What do you do with them when you arrive at your destination ?

Ive been past the Apple shop at Chermside a few times now and the staff seem really weird.
Like Scientology weird.

random hi-fives, dancing alone, dancing with other assistants... why are there so many assistants ?

hahaha you're totally right... definitely a certain sort of people.

On that note, has anyone been to NextByte at UQ? THOSE guys are freaks.

If I was someone who frequently blogged, wrote books or articles and read ebooks I think this device would actually be kinda cool as the software for those functions looks pretty pleasant to use, but thats the only serious market the iPad currently targets In my view besides general multimedia use.

The concept initally seems cool until you realize it is a really big, heavy iPhone except the phone doesn't work.

Mmmm, I think I want one, I'm not sure for what though.

I just went onto Apple's website for a look at it. That's one big iPhone as Obes said.

I decided to watch the iPad video for a laugh. The two presenters so far have been gushing at the mouth with praise about it. As the Vice President of Design and President of Worldwide Marketing, that's their job, the former of which should get a new job, shaving.

i thought one of them was meatloaf

May not be useful for a lot of people, but I'll definitely grab one for these uses (ps I already have multiple apple and pc laptops/desktops):

- Ebook reader (being an IPS led backlit display it will be an easy read)
- GPS Car navigation (10 inch screen + gps = yes please)
- Annotate over the top of PDFs like I would print (atm printing 100 pages a day for annotation)
- Be able to work while on the move without having to pull out laptop/open screen
- Be able to actually watch a movie on a plane without dealing with laptop position (coach)
- Be able to plug in and give lectures/presentations and annotate over the top
- Sit on the couch while watching tv and catch up on rss/email (without sacrificing lap space)
- Get onto the net from anywhere without having to tether
- Pair with a bluetooth keyboard for some email writing (we have bluetooth keyboards scattered around the building)
- Hook it up to my SLR and get a 10 inch previewer
- Do some small scale whiteboarding for idea generation
- Read away from the desk
- Have a email/web browsing device that I don't have to maintain, its a consumer electronic rather than a computer
- Its a new gadget and I want to test the dev platform

Sure, nothing that other devices can't do already, but I can imagine this device being nicer than the 20 devices I'm already using for those niche tasks.

- GPS Car navigation (10 inch screen + gps = yes please)

Resting on what exactly ?

The rest ? go buy a tablet.

- Be able to plug in and give lectures/presentations and annotate over the top

Using which app ? haven't seen an iphone app for this

Hook it up to my SLR and get a 10 inch previewer

Assuming 1 it supports your raw format, and if it does .. then in a good way and 2 assuming you can simply view and not "transfer"

being nicer than the 20 devices I'm already using for those niche tasks

There aren't even 20 tasks there.

Seriously go buy an iPhone and a tablet, at the moment I don't see a giant iphone without the phone replacing anything except a kindle.

Actually, what is an Apple fanboy these days?

I think simul pretty much answered that question.

are they going to have digital comics available through the ibooks store?

f***, that'd be awesome, that would probably make me buy one :(

I'm watching the keynote finally, and I think the reality distortion field is engaging. Shiiiit.

f***, that'd be awesome, that would probably make me buy one :(

lol same here

Be able to work while on the move without having to pull out laptop/open screen

So how are you going to prevent scratches on the screen while "on the move"? (I've seen 2 scratched iphones that have been treated like jewels). You'll have to store it in a sleeve, after which time you'll have to "pull it out" to use.

Be able to actually watch a movie on a plane without dealing with laptop position (coach)

So you'll be holding the iPad with your hands for 2 hours while looking down. Sounds like fun for the wrist and neck muscles.

Hook it up to my SLR

How do you plan to do this?

Those applications sound great and all, but from my experience with Apple much of the fuss over their products is over potential. But the way they neuter/lock down their OS, many of the envisioned applications never meet reality.

last edited by parabol at 20:10:41 28/Jan/10

Hmm, if the iPad is touted as a multi user centric device, how does it keep private information like email and photos from being read by anyone? There isn't any multi user security on the iPhone OS and they didn't mention anything about it.

I certainly wouldn't be loading up my email and everything else if 3 other people were potentially going to be using the device.

If you could use it to trigger a shutter like breezesys RemotePro then I reckon I would buy one, but its vastly underwhelming and drm heavy so I think I will pass for the time being, until someone hacks the s*** out of it that is

iWork actually looks quite nice to use, in fact a lot nicer than doing documents on computers, since it's more focused on being well.. nice to use, but still has all the functionality.

I can imagine writing novels and articles using the keyboard dock being a better experience on the iPad than on Mac or PC, because of the focus on that single app thats running and the way the GUI is designed is really polished.

After watching the keynote, I can see why it will have much more appeal as the apps start to flow in. I can say that grabbing it and sitting down on the couch to read your RSS and browse the net or watch YouTube instead of sitting with bad posture looking squintingly at a computer would be good.

The camera would have been the icing on the cake I think, even though you can still import photos with an accessory.

I guess the most important thing that could happen down the line for securing this as a really useful mobile device is for Apple and other major software companies to release fully functional iPad versions of their suites, such as Aperture for photographers, some form of Photoshop or Illustrator, some advanced painting tools, possibly even the iLife suite. I don't think typing extended pieces will be a primary goal of the iPad's focus, however with the keyboard dock it's still there.

All I'll say is, after seeing what it's capable of, I can actually see huge potential for it in the long term as a way to break free from the rather ageing typical desktop mouse/keyboard work flow and user experience. I'm a sucker for pleasant user experience (being a creative person) and the way Apple presents its software is a large reason on why I use it.

last edited by 3dee at 20:31:07 28/Jan/10

Yep I'm currently reading QGL from the coch while watching TV. iPad would be so good right now.

i cant believe how excited this coked up marketing exec is about it.

its like he's talking to retards.

oh wait. he is.

Its pretty consistent with the apple way of leaving out silly little features so it can announce them in version 2.0 as a huge feature "WOW IT NOW HAS A 3.2mp CAMERA !"

they do it so they can release a product at a reasonable price
they put a lot of time and effort into making it as awesome as they can, which is why they're so popular and people want them
if you can wait till the second generation you are going to get more features - obviously

everyone does it, it's the only way to make them profitable

^hahaha, reasonable price. Every s***ty 2 dollar phone in existence has a camera these days, there's no excuse.

Bloody hell Steve Jobs. How can he say its best web browsing experience you can have when it doesn't even support flash. I cant believe they did this AGAIN!

In his key note address you see him quickly skip away from web pages that have the flash player place holder. This reminds me of Gates getting the blue screen of death when he plugged in the scanner.

Hmm I just watched the video.

Apple are such wankers.



...



f*** its shiny. Someone point me at this thread later and laugh at me if I buy one please, its a massive waste of money but I think they might take some off me anyway.

I have no idea why, it does NOTHING I can't do already, but I want to own one, it just looks fun and elegant to use for some reason. FFS, anyone got a link to Philip Nitschke's website? I may need to be put down.

i would prefer laughing at you now

harhar

Bloody hell Steve Jobs. How can he say its best web browsing experience you can have when it doesn't even support flash.

Flash doesn't make the web. The only reasons I think Flash should be on the iPad is because it's the only widely used medium to show embedded video. Other than that, I think everyone already agrees its a poorly developed bloated annoying plugin.

They've done it already lol.

But 3dee, He says it's like having the internet in your hand. Well, its like having the internet less anything that has flash content. Why not just say that. f***ing sales man, thats what Job has become.

Dont get me wrong 3dee, I'm a big fan of the iphone, I've now purchased about 8 of them, but this Ipad, is just disappointing. Without being able to load native apps, people will have to develop specifically for it. So, I run Filemaker database in my business, wont be able to use it on this thing. But I'd like to.

So, I run Filemaker database in my business, wont be able to use it on this thing. But I'd like to.

Just stick a web front end on the DB? If you want to access your business data on multiple platforms its a better idea than a binary application anyway.

The details of the data store should never matter to the presentation layer.

But 3dee, He says it's like having the internet in your hand. Well, its like having the internet less anything that has flash content. Why not just say that. f***ing sales man, thats what Job has become.

Yeah I'm not saying that the lack of Flash support helps anyone. It's annoying when you can't view a video like YouTube on the iPhone because it's in a proprietary video player.

I think the main reason Apple doesn't like Flash is because its so godamn buggy and slow and they're trying to maintain some sort of standard inside Mobile Safari which is fairly logical from a QA point of view but none-the-less frustrating for users.

That's I guess what distinguishes Apple from the rest of the pack. They'll go to great lengths and sacrifice features to get a high quality end result, and work in those features as time goes on. At least Apple releases products like this or no one would.

Just stick a web front end on the DB?

If you know Filemaker at all, you'd know not everything translate to a web front end. The sales reps calendar, as an example, wont translate. Anyway, my point is, Filemaker is by default, cross platform compatible with both PC and Mac. This Ipad is being presented as a netbook, laptop killer and its not close because of things I've spoken about.

I think the potential for professional and creative software on the iPad is really good considering the iWork demos they showed off.

If you know Filemaker at all, you'd know not everything translate to a web front end. The sales reps calendar, as an example, wont translate. Anyway, my point is, Filemaker is by default, cross platform compatible with both PC and Mac. This Ipad is being presented as a netbook, laptop killer and its not close because of things I've spoken about.

I've never used filemaker, but you've just told me enough to never, ever look into it :)

According to wikipedia it has an 'integrated' GUI? I'm a massive advocate for multitier architecture in software development. If the data store is tightly coupled to the presentation layer then something is wrong, imo.

Here's a hands on demo. The typing actually doesn't seem to cumbersome.



last edited by 3dee at 22:18:30 28/Jan/10

i hate the huge f***ing bezel. its only there cause they got lazy and kept the home button.

Hahah....holy f*** it is just a big iPod. You're s***ting me ... This was their plan ... an over sized iPod :| What a joke.

The Bezel doesn't seem too huge in the video.

last edited by Twisted at 22:33:44 28/Jan/10

the bezel is the black part around the screen. looks about 1 inch wide.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5955/1264678630759.jpg

ahah so true

http://www.thegolfforum.com/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=2047

Haha that's awesome

Now I tend to hate on Flash, but hats the official line on no flash for iPhone os? Cos it seems like they just don't want people bypassing the app store?

I think the main reason Apple doesn't like Flash is because its so godamn buggy and slow and they're trying to maintain some sort of standard inside Mobile Safari which is fairly logical from a QA point of view but none-the-less frustrating for users.

That's I guess what distinguishes Apple from the rest of the pack. They'll go to great lengths and sacrifice features to get a high quality end result, and work in those features as time goes on. At least Apple releases products like this or no one would.

no way. The main reason Apple doesn't include Flash is because they would instantly lose their lock on the AppStore.

It is a method of control, pure and simple.

It's hard to be mad at them for that though, because I hate Flash THAT much.

- GPS Car navigation (10 inch screen + gps = yes please)
Resting on what exactly ?

I assume that TomTom iPhone dock will either support the iPad already or have a new version coming, and there will be 30000 3rd party car docks released for it in a year anyway

- Be able to plug in and give lectures/presentations and annotate over the top
Using which app ? haven't seen an iphone app for this

They announced iWork (inc: Keynote) for the platform during the demo today...

Assuming 1 it supports your raw format, and if it does .. then in a good way and 2 assuming you can simply view and not "transfer"

Nah, canon and nikon have built?/are building connector/software so you can change WB/exposure etc from the iphone and see viewfinder stuff live from the display. Essentially turning the iphone into an extension of the camera. On a 10 inch screen, might be actually useful (a few pro photographers I know atm carry around a beefy laptop for this).

Seriously go buy an iPhone and a tablet

Already have both, neither give me an elegant solution to what I have said.

Actually, what is an Apple fanboy these days?
I think simul pretty much answered that question.

I'm a fan of anything shiny

So how are you going to prevent scratches on the screen while "on the move"? (I've seen 2 scratched iphones that have been treated like jewels)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUR70xhmqv4&feature=fvw

Hmm, if the iPad is touted as a multi user centric device, how does it keep private information like email and photos from being read by anyone? There isn't any multi user security on the iPhone OS and they didn't mention anything about it.

Thats actually a really really nice point, from an academic POV there is a nice discussion around whether this device is really an inch or foot based device (the physical size of the screen in the past has determine how its used), and sharing definitely comes into that.

So, I run Filemaker database in my business, wont be able to use it on this thing. But I'd like to.

Isn't the new version of FileM/Bento for iPhone really s*** hot (I haven't tested myself, only heard)? If so I can't see it taking too long for an updated version to come out.

Thats actually a really really nice point, from an academic POV there is a nice discussion around whether this device is really an inch or foot based device (the physical size of the screen in the past has determine how its used), and sharing definitely comes into that.

Well, the other idea Apple has is that it's a "lying around the house, anyone can use it" device. I'm not going to add my personal mail, calendar and contacts to a single user open device. Sure I can put on the passlock but then no one can use it.

i hate the huge f***ing bezel. its only there cause they got lazy and kept the home button.

Without the bezel it would be hard to grab or hold it without touching the screen / setting it off. But yes, its f***ing ugly.

http://gizmodo.com/5365299/courier-first-details-of-microsofts-secret-tablet

^hahaha, reasonable price. Every s***ty 2 dollar phone in existence has a camera these days, there's no excuse.

they tend to lose money on the first generation of a device, investing in it's future and taking a chance ..

I'm going to buy the second generation version of this over sized iPhone, purely because it's a simple thing I can leave on my coffee table 24x7 and use for anything i would otherwise go to the computer/pull out my iphone for
it can stay there forever and still be a phone, remote for DVR and a pc guests can use without seeing my porn stash etc

a lot harder to lose than an iphone too

it's a simple thing I can leave on my coffee table 24x7

HAH I take it your boy isn't mobile yet teq!

Wow, that Microsoft Tablet looks like a bit of alright. It's actually like a journal. Pretty neat. Are the screens those e-ink ones?

Seriously, guys, it's only been announced and you guys have jumped to a conclusion and declare it a fail. Have any of you guys even touched or used this thing?

I understand it doesn't appeal to a lot of heavy computers users (especially those who demand multi-tasking), but I can easily see the iPad appealing to those who are not so computer-savvy, such as retirees. It's second nature to all of yous, but try teaching a 60-year-old (who has never used a computer) how to navigate with a mouse; how to left-click and rick-click; the idea of a taskbar; the principles of scrolling, etc. To them a computer is incredibly awkward with a screen full of colour and shapes which hides the cursor, which they move by pushing a device that often bumps into things or completely falls off the table. Then if they need to enter any information they need to look at a separate device which has 104+ keys and in order to find that key they need to look away from the screen and readjust their eyes... see where I'm going here?

With the iPad, if you see a button on the screen you can reach out with your finger and tap it. There's no disjointed device to navigate it.

As for it replacing a netbook, I can see that. Majority of people who own a netbook use it for certain things: web surfing, email, instant messaging, music, photos, Skype and office documentation. Infact, these are the things most people use a computer for. As far as I can tell the iPad allows you to do all these things, except video conferencing in IM or Skype. I can easily see this device being used at home in the lounge room, or in an office. Plus it will do a hell of a lot more once iPad specific apps are available from the AppStore. Point-and-Click adventures games ftw!

I bought an Acer AO751h netbook recently and, well, all I can say is they're very unrefined and clunky. They're slow at doing anything; bloated full of unwanted trial software; and require so much maintenance (anti-virus software and updates, windows updates, etc.). They may be able to multi-task, but they damn do a sloppy job of it.

By all means I'm not calling this the Jesus Tablet or similar. It's not. I wish it had multi-tasking and came supplied with all the accessories bundled, among other things. I'm just saying the iPad has potential and we should all reserve our judgement until you get to play with one. As trog said earlier, wait and see.

and we should all reserve our judgement until you get to play with one.

What a f***ing interesting thread to read that would be.

yowser frakture, the courier gets me very, very, excited.

They obviously had 2 ways they could have gone with this device, base it on OSX and redesign the user interface so it would support touch or just use the existing touch based OS they already had, the iphone os.

An osx based tablet would be cool but by opening it up to osx and all its apps, there would obviously be some 3rd party apps that wouldnt work well and apple dont like that. It would also give the user to much control over the environment, something that apple also dont like.

No flash support is silly, but why would they give it flash when that would kill there app market for games, well at least put a big dent in it.

They obviously make a f***load from the app store and wanted another device to sell more apps.

Wow hogfather really has come full circle... it won't stop him from posting angry threads about the problems when he gets one though.

Wow, that Microsoft Tablet looks like a bit of alright. It's actually like a journal. Pretty neat. Are the screens those e-ink ones?

Nah, I'd say they'd be some form of Surface displays?

e-Ink is fairly slow and is fairly limited in what you can do as far as software. e-Ink is actually a completely different type of "display". They're basically a hi-resolution grid of black balls with white and black beads that are flipped around with an electric current to turn the pixel black or white. This means there's no need for a backlight because you're essentially looking at a dynamic printout. You need to use a light to see it though.

It's why the e-Ink displays are so good for reading (I haven't tried one myself), because they don't have the strain of a backlit display pushing a screen of light at your eyes.

http://www.dk-style.net/PHOSPHOR/images/crossSection.gif

Everyone saying "Why doesn't it have a camera?!?!" - the other obvious reason is that they can release this one, then release Gen2 a year later with a camera, and everyone will buy them all over again

I'm going to buy the second generation version of this over sized iPhone, purely because it's a simple thing I can leave on my coffee table 24x7 and use for anything i would otherwise go to the computer/pull out my iphone for

oh apple users

- Ebook reader (being an IPS led backlit display it will be an easy read)

Hrmm... have you seen this (hahaha)

iPad iBooks / Bookstore will be US only at launch.

Just makes it even more lame.

For me, there is no killer app, and unlike the iPhone at launch, it doesn't do anything new (that I would want to do anyway).

I see it being popular amongst apple fanboys, but not popular like the iPhone / iPod.

(another apple TV)

Does it have Irda? Doubt it, but...

no. It has an iPod connector and a headphone jack. Thats it.

Hrmm... have you seen this (hahaha)

iPad iBooks / Bookstore will be US only at launch.

Yep, its lame, but there is Stanza + Kindle app anyway, so not a huge pain

For me, there is no killer app, and unlike the iPhone at launch, it doesn't do anything new (that I would want to do anyway).

I see it being popular amongst apple fanboys, but not popular like the iPhone / iPod.

I can't think of anything that the iPhone or iPod had when it was released that was unique apart from the UI/Interaction mode? The interaction mode on the iPad may not be unique, but its something that people already grok.

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

HAH I take it your boy isn't mobile yet teq!

Correct, he tries to roll but gets stuck on his arm still, it's pretty funny to watch
except when you're trying to change a nappy and he keeps rolling

regardless, im sure they will sell protective cases for them ;]

it won't stop him from posting angry threads about the problems when he gets one though

Damn straight skippy, because when I get one it will be hobbled with all the f***ing Apple-iTunes bulls*** that I hate so much.

Expect 2-3 threads about it minimum, with lots of reference and people laughing at me about this thread, and 'my wife's a chef and she reckons you're an idiot for buying one in the first place' responses.

'my wife's a chef and she reckons you're an idiot for buying one in the first place'

but chefs would love the ipad.....

fujitsu owns the name ipad, so i guess apple will be handing some money out to keep the name

the other obvious reason is that they can release this one, then release Gen2 a year later with a camera, and everyone will buy them all over again

don't be so cynical, they have never done that before. oh wait...

It's just a giant iPod Touch! It would be funny if you could make calls from it so it was like a novelty giant iPhone. Imagine using it on the train, getting it out of your giant pants pocket. hehe

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/01/the-apple-ipad-is-for-old-people/

i want to see someone try to sell their ipod touch on ebay as an ipad mini

Stephen Fry's 2c (or 10) about the iPad: http://www.stephenfry.com/2010/01/28/ipad-about/

In that whole write-up, he never said what it will actually be useful for. And I disagree with what he said about the iPhone. s***loads of people were going nuts for it after it was announced. Not so for the iPad.

Yeh that Stephen Fry write up was weird - really tailed off into wtf at the end.

I understand it doesn't appeal to a lot of heavy computers users (especially those who demand multi-tasking), but I can easily see the iPad appealing to those who are not so computer-savvy, such as retirees. It's second nature to all of yous, but try teaching a 60-year-old (who has never used a computer) how to navigate with a mouse; how to left-click and rick-click; the idea of a taskbar; the principles of scrolling, etc. To them a computer is incredibly awkward with a screen full of colour and shapes which hides the cursor, which they move by pushing a device that often bumps into things or completely falls off the table. Then if they need to enter any information they need to look at a separate device which has 104+ keys and in order to find that key they need to look away from the screen and readjust their eyes... see where I'm going here?With the iPad, if you see a button on the screen you can reach out with your finger and tap it. There's no disjointed device to navigate it.

This is actually a valid point - will be good for old people. However, I honestly cannot see the elderly buying it (unless they're tech savy) cause it's not marketed towards them, it's marketed towards mac fanbois, and 'hip young people'.

Yeah when the iphone came out, specialy the 3g, everyone though it was awesome, well most people did anyway, but with the iPAD most people are just going, what exactly am I going to use this for, it has less features than my iphone except a bigger screen, but doesnt have any of the features of a bigger screen device.

It's a good device to leave in the house as an "anyone" device
I have passwords and encryption on all of my boxes, my wife knows the passwords but she doesn't use any of them

I dont like anyone else using my PC, ever
I would let this tablet just chill on a table/lounge whatever so whenever someone needs to do something on the tubes, they can

or as an easy way to show videos/photos from a trip, take it with you to show a presentation somewhere
while on the couch it could be used to chat, surf, change channel, load a movie on the tv etc

hate on apple a bit more, it is really doing them a lot of damage
most apple haters have no other reason to hate on apple except that they're incredibly popular and they don't understand why

hate stemmed from fear basically

or as an easy way to show videos/photos from a trip,

once you get the pictures on the device, remember it doesnt have an sd card reader, and the videos would have to be in a format it can play, as opposed to a netbook or any laptop, which generaly would be able to play all formats with the right codec, and all laptops have sdcard readers. So it would be awesome and easy, once you went through the pain of getting the pictures on there and the videos into a format it could read.

chat, surf, change channel, load a movie on the tv etc

not all at the same time though remember, it would be chat, exit chat program, surf, exit web browser, change channel (HUH how are you changing channels with this device?) then somehow load a movie on the tv? not with any interface that needs flash.

Dont get me wrong, it probably would be a cool device to have, even if its uses are limited, but unlike the iphone which you get on a plan and it costs like $8 a month, or a laptop that you buy every 3-5 years and does a s***load more, this thing will probably cost $700-$1000 in australia, depending on what model you get, thats a f***load of cash for a little toy.

I imagine the ipad will be similar to a tablet PC in the same way the Apple TV is similar to a HTPC
Cheaper, better looking and nice UI but limited in functionality

edit: I choose a HTPC over Apple TV btw

last edited by FocaL at 17:28:54 29/Jan/10

Also, if you are planning on using the GPS, make sure you get the 3g version, the wifi version doesnt have GPS.

I imagine the ipad will be similar to a tablet PC

I would argue that its not trying to compete in any way to a tablet PC, tablet PC's are made to offer functionality that a mouse/keyboard device cannot do. The iPad isn't tackling those areas at all, the closest thing was the sketching app which was made by a 3rd party developer. Tablet PC's have niche uses, iPad is targeted as a general use device. The interaction may be the same (ie: you touch the screen), but the reason for existence isn't. I'd say its closer to competing with UMPC and netbooks, where its the device you use when you don't want to lug a laptop and the phone isn't good enough.

Its a touch interface for convenience, not to enable functionality.

remember it doesnt have an sd card reader,

Well there'll be an optional USB/card reader accessory but you can expect to pay more than you should for it.

People thinking there'll be nothing to do on it need to watch the keynote section where they show off iWork. I was way skeptical as to what the hell I'd use it for, but as I've mentioned a few times, if more software with the same usability/quality as iWork can be developed in the coming months, then I predict it's going to be a pretty nice device to "create content" on.

Hmm. Unfortunately, I cannot think of a "work" environment where a 1024x768 touchpad that forces you to either:
-Type with your thumbs
-Type with one hand
-Put the device on your knee or a table and bend over to use it

Could possibly be useful or efficient in any meaningful way for any kind of extended, serious, real work.

In relation to iWork...Are you saying that you want to create presentations, spreadsheets and other documents on a tiny ass display, typing in all the numbers and text on a dinky on screen keyboard? You want to create professional looking, well laid out, extensive documents on this type of device? Indeed, is a touch screen device even particularly suited to this type of use seeing as it will be covered in scratches and smudges?

I don't see the point of a mobile device like this if you then have to cart around a half dozen adaptors and a keyboard if you want to do anything actually useful with it.

On the plus side, at this res you won't have to worry about your presentation being able to fit on to the ancient projector you are using to show your slides, almost anything from the last 10 years that still has a working bulb should be able to display them in all their 1024x768 glory.

I have an iPhone
I have a Macbook Pro
I've convinced about a dozen people to buy an iPhone
I've convinced 3 people to buy a Macbook Pro
I love Apple and their products
..
I think the iPad is a piece of s***. I was all giddy in my panties about Apple releasing their version of a tablet expecting they would change the way we see tablets like the way they changed how we see mobile phones. All they delivered is an oversized iPod that just doesn't fit into any category I could see a need for.

Everyone is spinning the "Its just a big iphone" angle as a negative, but I guess to me, its kind of a positive. I mean, I really don't like the iphone or want an iphone, mainly because underneath the fancy interface its kind of a crappy phone. I want a good phone, so I don't want to sacrifice having a good phone to get the extra bells and whistles an iphone has. With an ipad I would get all app type stuff an iphone can offer, without having to put up with the crappy phone aspect of the iphone, I can still have a really good phone that I like, and then all the other stuff on an even bigger, easier to use, better interface. Best of both worlds.

Still not worth the money though, and still can't really see myself getting one, but the fact that its like the iphone, minus the crappy phone part, is actually a good thing for me.

Of all the things about the iphone that could potentially be seen as crappy, I definitely wouldnt list the 'phone part' as one of them.

http://i.imgur.com/Wo27t.jpg

Don't understand why its expensive - don't iPhones start at a grand?

Well there'll be an optional USB/card reader accessory but you can expect to pay more than you should for it.

This is getting f***ing ridiculous. You're supposed to be guardedly optimistic, and I'm supposed to be making smartarse comments about Apple accessory and software lockin. What the f*** is happening here, its like a centrist shift or something.

Here's two videos from SoldierKnowsBest on why you shouldn't or should get one. Pretty much what I'm thinking right now. Six months (or one generation) down the track, I think it's going to be a much more useful device.

I couldn't be bothered making a new thread - what do you guys use for MS Paint style stuff on a Mac???

photoshop cs4

MS Paint

photoshop cs4

I spose you use an AK-47 for killing spiders too.

I dont mind pixelmator... havent used it a great deal but it does the job

people use mspaint for anything other than saving a PrtScn? (which you don't need to do on Mac)