The 'Apple Tablet Event' thread

jqp · « **Reply #100 on:** 31 Jan 2010, 04:10 pm »

While the iPad is "disappointing" for many Apple fans, as well as those with an interest in all technology, the target market for this device is not those people. Just like the iPod originally made many scratch their heads, this device is simply going to pave the way for a new era for media consumption in the family setting, while enthusiasts keep right on using their "better" technology.

Grandma has a cellphone, but probably not an iPhone (although she can now get one for $99 instead of the original $399 with plan). So grandma does not surf the web on her phone, but she can with this device, on her couch. This device is targeted at people who do not have an Apple mobile device, or possibly any mobile devices at all. That means it is not targeted at any of us!

I have a great 13" notebook that is from Dell but it has the same technology as the Macbook Pros. It even has over 4 hours of battery life! So I am not really interested in this device in its current iteration.

This device will be for families, and the device will usually stay in the home or go with the family on trips. Anyone not in this scenario would just use a laptop, and it would be a better device for them.

If it succeeds, Apple will have done for books, magazines and videos what the iPod did for mp3s - provided a totally new market for magazines, books, videos, catalogs, even textbooks into the family. With very significant Kindle book sales this past year, this device will eventually gain traction. Who knows, maybe the Kindle will become an open book reader as a result.

As far as no flash, while frustrating for PC users, probably a good thing. I am not a big fan of Adobe's attempt to take over my computer for a few minutes when I try to read a PDF document on the web, nor do I like all those flash ads. It is a bandwidth issue in a closed environment that Apple want to maintain. This closed environment is counter to the PC ethic (and Macs are PCs after all). But this device is an attempt to create more of a family environment that is condusive to SELLING media. Flash does not help, and in addition it sucks up BANDWIDTH that will allow this scheme of selling the next level of media, beyond mp3s to work on the AT&T network.

Probably some good things will come from it, some bad, and Apple will make a ton of money. Lots of media will be sold in a "dumbed down" format that still looks great on this device. Whether it is successful in the same way as the iPod was in changing industries and habits of consumption remains to be seen.

Grandmothers are probably more likely to buy this than many of us. But there are a lot more non-technophiles out there than there are technophiles.

One problem I see with this device - many will be tempted to take it outside the home without a nice padded case and will drop it (think families with kids)...

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #101 on:** 1 Feb 2010, 02:22 am »

If electronic publishing has the impact on the printed page that MP3's have with with music, illiteracy will escalate. But I don't see that happening. Most people would rather read a printed page than a document on a screen.

Personally, I hate ebooks! Hopefully the iPad doesn't take off but follows Apple's Lisa and Newton into oblivion.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #102 on:** 1 Feb 2010, 01:36 pm »

Quote from: Wind Chaser on 1 Feb 2010, 02:22 am

If electronic publishing has the impact on the printed page that MP3's have with with music, illiteracy will escalate. But I don't see that happening. Most people would rather read a printed page than a document on a screen.

I think that the web (and media in general) has more effect on concerns about illiteracy than eBooks would have. "Microblogging" (a la Twitter) is the equivalent of an MP3...bite-sized bits of information with not a ton of substance. But the idea of electronic books via things like Kindles and (hopefully) iPads is a positive one if it allows and encourages people to discover more things to read. I know that for me personally, ever since getting into music servers et al, I listen to a MUCH wider range of my music library than I did when I had to peruse thru my CD collection and swap CDs every time I wanted to listen to something.

As long as eBooks don't morph into "multimedia experiences", I think they will have a positive effect on literacy....

macrojack · « **Reply #103 on:** 1 Feb 2010, 01:53 pm »

You can lead a horticulture but you can't make her think.
The mere fact that books are accessible on an Ipad does not mean that anyone new will access them. I received an Apple Update yesterday offering a Kindle app for the Ipod Touch. This would seem to say that Amazon wants in on the Ipad.
As I think about $500 or more for an Ipad, I consider the option of spending $899 on a MacBook. There is no comparison in terms of value and function as far as I can see. Am I missing something?

srb · « **Reply #104 on:** 1 Feb 2010, 02:42 pm »

Quote from: macrojack on 1 Feb 2010, 01:53 pm

As I think about $500 or more for an Ipad, I consider the option of spending $899 on a MacBook. There is no comparison in terms of value and function as far as I can see. Am I missing something?

Only that the iPad will easily fit into a purse or executive notebook planner and the MacBook will not, as well as being much less conspicuous in use.

Steve

Crimson · « **Reply #105 on:** 1 Feb 2010, 02:43 pm »

Quote

As long as eBooks don't morph into "multimedia experiences", I think they will have a positive effect on literacy....

I agree.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #106 on:** 1 Feb 2010, 05:07 pm »

Quote from: macrojack on 1 Feb 2010, 01:53 pm

You can lead a horticulture but you can't make her think.
The mere fact that books are accessible on an Ipad does not mean that anyone new will access them. I received an Apple Update yesterday offering a Kindle app for the Ipod Touch. This would seem to say that Amazon wants in on the Ipad.
As I think about $500 or more for an Ipad, I consider the option of spending $899 on a MacBook. There is no comparison in terms of value and function as far as I can see. Am I missing something?

True, you can't force a horse to drink water. But I know that I personally have found new music via services like Pandora.com that I would assume would become available on something like iPad/iTunes (like the iTunes Genius) et al.

Regarding iPad vs. MacBook...here are some of the benefits of going iPad instead of MacBook:

- Cheaper
- Lighter
- Longer battery life
- Instant-on (small boot-up time)
- Touch-screen interface (bigger deal than I think it gets credit for)
- Apps from App Store all work on iPad. And if you've already bought apps for your iPhone, they all are "transferable" to your iPad as well.

JackD201 · « **Reply #107 on:** 1 Feb 2010, 05:19 pm »

I'm addicted to this really silly tower defense game called Madness on the iPhone and touch. I can't seem to match the high scores because of my sausage fingers. Using an iPad I could view the entire map and upgrade without having to zoom and slide around. Hmmmmm. That could be worth 20 bucks of the asking price right there.

K Shep · « **Reply #108 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 04:57 am »

I am considering the purchase of an iPad. Anyone here joining me? I bought the first generation iPhone and had no problems. Or are you waiting for the second iteration?

TONEPUB · « **Reply #109 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 05:02 am »

Quote from: macrojack on 1 Feb 2010, 01:53 pm

You can lead a horticulture but you can't make her think.
The mere fact that books are accessible on an Ipad does not mean that anyone new will access them. I received an Apple Update yesterday offering a Kindle app for the Ipod Touch. This would seem to say that Amazon wants in on the Ipad.
As I think about $500 or more for an Ipad, I consider the option of spending $899 on a MacBook. There is no comparison in terms of value and function as far as I can see. Am I missing something?

Yes, you haven't used an iPad.... How can you possibly comment on something you haven't used?

ted_b · « **Reply #110 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 05:04 am »

Quote from: K Shep on 2 Apr 2010, 04:57 am

I am considering the purchase of an iPad. Anyone here joining me? I bought the first generation iPhone and had no problems. Or are you waiting for the second iteration?

Yes, I think it will be game-changing. I can't wait.

planet10 · « **Reply #111 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 05:30 am »

Quote from: ted_b on 2 Apr 2010, 05:04 am

Yes, I think it will be game-changing. I can't wait.

Agreed. In ways people can't even imagine. I will wait for a bit thou... need to save the money and because of a taxation change i'll save 7% of i wait till after July 1

dave

Crimson · « **Reply #112 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 09:13 am »

Can't wait. Pre-ordered a 3G, so I guess I'll have to. Early May is what I'm hearing.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #113 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 11:33 am »

I will say that since the iPad was originally introduced, I have found myself in more situations where I wish I had one...am wanting one more and more...

ctviggen · « **Reply #114 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 11:43 am »

Quote from: TONEPUB on 2 Apr 2010, 05:02 am

Yes, you haven't used an iPad.... How can you possibly comment on something you haven't used?

Let me see. It doesn't multitask. You can buy a cheaper, more powerful laptop that will do much more. You also won't have to buy the applications through the Apple store. Personally, I think the iPad is way, way too expensive for a single-tasking device. Why anyone would want one is beyond me.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #115 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 12:14 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 2 Apr 2010, 11:43 am

Let me see. It doesn't multitask. You can buy a cheaper, more powerful laptop that will do much more. You also won't have to buy the applications through the Apple store. Personally, I think the iPad is way, way too expensive for a single-tasking device. Why anyone would want one is beyond me.

Personally I think multi-tasking is overrated, particularly for a consumer device. My Windows machine died last year, and I've been "Mac only" since then (had both for a number of years) and really don't feel like I'm missing much of anything. I use my computers primarily for music, photos, video, Web, email, and various productivity stuff like MS Office...and I haven't ever been in a situation where I thought "damn, if only this thing was multi-tasking!"

mcullinan · « **Reply #116 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 12:33 pm »

First of all there is no such thing as multitasking. You can do only one thing at a time, and if you are doing 2 things at once you are probably not doing either very well. The iPad looks beautiful and its not the internal technology that makes a product like the iPad but the user interface. Apple has been refining just that for 20 years. Thats why they are such a big success.

Besides my reservations of actually using the word magical.. really Steve? Too much hanging out at Disney??

Levi · « **Reply #117 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 12:59 pm »

Most may not be aware, multi-tasking in computers is as simple as burning a cd at the same while downloading a song and checking your emails.

Psychologist would argue that women are better in multi-tasking than men. Humans multi-tasking can also be simple as walking and eating at the same time.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #118 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 04:51 pm »

Quote from: Levi on 2 Apr 2010, 12:59 pm

Most may not be aware, multi-tasking in computers is as simple as burning a cd at the same while downloading a song and checking your emails.

True...and to that extent, Apple's products are able to do very specific items "multi-tasking" that generally make sense (email, audio, etc)...that it is not "true multi-tasking" doesn't really make a difference to me.

mbakes · « **Reply #119 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 06:07 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 2 Apr 2010, 11:43 am

Let me see. It doesn't multitask. You can buy a cheaper, more powerful laptop that will do much more. You also won't have to buy the applications through the Apple store. Personally, I think the iPad is way, way too expensive for a single-tasking device. Why anyone would want one is beyond me.

It seems that 5 million people have found a reason to buy it that is beyond you. Outside of my time at work, the iPad will replace my MacBook Pro. From email to internet to streaming movies/tv, remote for music server to reading books, magazines, newspapers. All in a device that weighs 1.5 pounds. Yeah, I can do much of that with my iPhone. However, the iPad gives me a screen size that makes the experience superior to the iPhone. While traveling, I typically bring my Mac. Now I will be able to bring the iPad instead, which will be easier to carry than my Mac. I suspect that once it's in my hands, I will find even more uses for it. I've used netbooks and while they are more powerful from a computing standpoint, they are cheaply made, the keyboards are not very good and they run on a Windows platform, which I prefer to avoid.