[srb]

Although I prefer the iPods to other portable digital audio players (was careful not to say "MP3 players"!), the iPod's introduction and subsequent generational refinement spawned other manufacturers to produce them.  And that competition further helped Apple refine the iPods.
 
The iPad will be no different in that respect.  These devices, for all the reasons mentioned in the post above, will become commonplace, and even better and cheaper in the future.
 
Steve

[WGH]

These devices, for all the reasons mentioned in the post above, will become commonplace, and even better and cheaper in the future.

They already are commonplace and cheaper. If you lived in China you can buy an iPad clone running Android for 1000 Yuan ($147)


http://www.clonedinchina.com/2010/03/another-ipad-clone-spotted-runs-android.html

Wayne
 

[srb]

They already are commonplace and cheaper. If you lived in China you can buy an iPad clone running Android for 1000 Yuan ($147)

Maybe cheaper, but not commonplace.  In the U.S. as of 2007, an estimated 43% of Internet users, 34% of adults and 61% of young adults (18-29) owned an iPod or MP3 player.
 
That is what I mean by commonplace, relative to the acceptance of the iPad type appliance.
 
Steve

[WGH]

Boy, am I out of touch, I don't even have a cell phone.

Wayne

[srb]

Boy, am I out of touch, I don't even have a cell phone.

I don't know if you're out of touch, but certainly in the minority!  Approximately 80% of all Americans have cell phones, and of those, 13% are PDA/Blackberry types (19% for working Americans).
 
Not that there's anything wrong with that, but not even a pre-paid one stored in the glove compartment for emergency use?
 
Steve
 
 

[WGH]

If I have an emergency 80% of the people around me have cell phones. Generally there is no coverage in the canyons where I hike.

I do have a iPod Nano that I never use so I guess technically I am part of the 34% of adults who own one.

[Levi]

Don't worry Wayne.  Loanwolfny42 does not have one either. 

I don't think he will be getting an iPad w/3G anytime soon.

Boy, am I out of touch, I don't even have a cell phone.

Wayne

[TONEPUB]

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.

You still haven't answered the question and your response is meaningless because you haven't used one.

You don't know that a laptop is more powerful, and there certainly aren't any "Cheap" laptops in the 300 dollar range that are fast, period.  If you're talking about netbooks, those are a waste of time.

As someone who has to travel internationally quite a bit, I'd much rather take along a 1.5 pound iPad than a 6 pound laptop, especially when all I'm doing is answering email and doing a little web surfing.

If it truly has 10 hour battery life, that's enough time to get from Portland to Heathrow or Paris and have stuff to read.  That's another few pounds worth of magazines or books not needed to pack.

What few of you are grasping is that the iPad is not a laptop.  It's an uber-kindle and remote control all in one.  No, it won't be the solution for everyone, but considering that Apple has sold 250 million iPods, I'm much more willing to bet the farm on Apple than a bunch of curmudgeons that think this thing's a bad idea.

They all said the same thing when Photoshop came out 20 years ago....

Glad I didn't listen then either.

[SET Man]

Hey!

    Just watched the news and there are couple of people waiting in front of the Apple store here in NYC already But not as crazy as when the iPhone first came out.

    I guess some people just got to have it before anyone else. For me I would just wait, the price will come down and it will get better too.

    BTW.... I've never own an iPhone or iPod  Well, but I do have cell phone. 

Take care,
Buddy

[Mariusz]

You still haven't answered the question and your response is meaningless because you haven't used one.

You don't know that a laptop is more powerful, and there certainly aren't any "Cheap" laptops in the 300 dollar range that are fast, period.  If you're talking about netbooks, those are a waste of time.

As someone who has to travel internationally quite a bit, I'd much rather take along a 1.5 pound iPad than a 6 pound laptop, especially when all I'm doing is answering email and doing a little web surfing.

If it truly has 10 hour battery life, that's enough time to get from Portland to Heathrow or Paris and have stuff to read.  That's another few pounds worth of magazines or books not needed to pack.

What few of you are grasping is that the iPad is not a laptop.  It's an uber-kindle and remote control all in one.  No, it won't be the solution for everyone, but considering that Apple has sold 250 million iPods, I'm much more willing to bet the farm on Apple than a bunch of curmudgeons that think this thing's a bad idea.

They all said the same thing when Photoshop came out 20 years ago....

Glad I didn't listen then either.

Agree with you Jeff.
The problem is:
- IMO iPad is a comfort/luxury product (considering what it is)
- those on the opposition will argue that for that kind of $$$ you could get  Swiss knife PC.  Maybe , maybe not exactly Swiss.
- will it succeed? Absolutely !

Personally, I am using my iPhone 95% of the time (99% for this forum and emails). IPad will be great. But I am afraid that my 11yo daughter won't let me enjoy it that offten.  So ,........ must buy 2.

Cheers
Mariusz
-

[mcullinan]

The iPhone was $499 or $399 when it first came out. Now everyone has one.

[Bemopti123]

The iPhone was $499 or $399 when it first came out. Now everyone has one.

Cell phone functionality was a sneaky way of Apple justifying its price and its purchase, Ipad 3G with extra monthly payment and extra $$$ for everything else?   I do not think it is a game changer but then we are talking about marketing a "need" which Apple has been successful since the inception of the Ipod.

[MaxCast]

The pad is expensive but pretty cool. I say this as I type on my little Itouch, in front of my stereo, picking songs for the squeezebox thru the touch.

[JohnR]

The pad is expensive but pretty cool. I say this as I type on my little Itouch, in front of my stereo, picking songs for the squeezebox thru the touch.

I'm wondering if the remote app will be upgraded for the larger screen - more iTunes-like

[lonewolfny42]

Don't worry Wayne.  Lonewolfny42 does not have one either. 

I don't think he will be getting an iPad w/3G anytime soon.

Your right Levi...but I do have an answering machine...so leave a message, I'll call you back in a day or two...

[Crimson]

I'm wondering if the remote app will be upgraded for the larger screen - more iTunes-like

I hear a separate Remote-like app is to be released specifically for the ipad.

[WGH]

Your right Levi...but I do have an answering machine...so leave a message, I'll call you back in a day or two...

 

The answering machine is my personal secretary.

[smargo]

Agree with you Jeff.
The problem is:
- IMO iPad is a comfort/luxury product (considering what it is)
- those on the opposition will argue that for that kind of $$$ you could get  Swiss knife PC.  Maybe , maybe not exactly Swiss.
- will it succeed? Absolutely !

Personally, I am using my iPhone 95% of the time (99% for this forum and emails). IPad will be great. But I am afraid that my 11yo daughter won't let me enjoy it that offten.  So ,........ must buy 2.

Cheers
Mariusz
-

Totally agree as i have a 10 year old - I was in New York the last couple of days - I stopped by the main Apple Store in Manhattan - across from central park - yesterday.

It was mobbed - At least 3 thousand people in the store - People were camping out along the street where fao schwartz is. The cnn crews were there trying to interview people ,etc

New York was generally a mad house - spring break - good friday

Anyway what a marketing concept "The apple store" - totally interactive

I cant believe other audio/video companies don't use this concept - its the best way to market a product - I mean there was bose, sony, nintendo, - these stores were mobbed.

If the goal is too grow and share your product and make loads of money (not everyone is in business to do these things) why don't more companies do this kind of marketing/advertising?

[lowtech]

The pad is expensive but pretty cool. I say this as I type on my little Itouch, in front of my stereo, picking songs for the squeezebox thru the touch.

Yeah, the iPad expensive, has lots of limitations and difficult to justify purchasing given much less expensive options are available that don't lock you into using software that Apple blesses.

I control my Squeezebox with my Android-based smart phone and have no need for anything made by Apple.   

[MaxCast]

Yeah, the iPad expensive, has lots of limitations and difficult to justify purchasing given much less expensive options are available that don't lock you into using software that Apple blesses.

I control my Squeezebox with my Android-based smart phone and have no need for anything made by Apple.   

what other options are there?
The use of my touch is free I don't have a smart phone...yet. Maybe later with the new iPhone.