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13 Glaring iPad Shortcomings

Pretty much a load of bollocks, but what do you expect from MSNBC?

Not even worth refuting.
 
More specifically here is the link to the article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36179255/

They say:
It's awkward - really? How? They mention you can't carry it on your hip. Can you carry a Kindle on your hip? Just curious.

It's heavy - I am surrpirsed by the weight but still.

It's slippery - as are most Apple products. Buy a case dummy.

The screen has too much glare - this is a valid point. Apple and their need for glossy is disturbing.

Forget reading in the sun - no ****, hence "too much glare".

Fingerprints are annoying - they certainly have this one right. But with a best skins ever screen protector, I'd say it's a bit less annoying.

It does not multitask - yeah, this is where I think Apple failed.

The browser is limited - another bitch about flash. We know.

The virtual keyboard stinks - no comment because I haven't tried it.

There's no USB port - who the hell cares? There's no USB port on the iPhone/iPod Touch and somehow we managed.

iPhone-only apps look horrible - how are you even surprised?

The price is just too high - I totally agree. $800+ for a 64GB 3G version is absurd.

It doesn't replace anything - For some it will, for others it will not. For me, it may replace my netbook.
 
Yeah..Unbiased...

sactownbwoy said:
That was a pretty decent review. Reading the comments was comical. Here is another review that I found to be pretty unbiased
Click to expand...

Jeez...C'mon. These guys say over and over how they "tested it for 2 more days than everyone else so they can give a real review". Then at the top of the 2nd page they say they 'didn't have time to fully test the battery'. Which is it you uber-geeks? Either you did or didn't. They also go on to lament on the items they felt were left out and how that's a shortcoming. What? Steve didn't consult you? No wonder you're not happy 🙄

It doesn't make calls or video conference...it's not a phone...never advertised as one.
It doesn't have a physical keyboard, USB, or HDMI out...it's not a laptop...never advertised as one.
It doesn't have a desktop OS or the ability to hook up a mouse...it's not a desktop...ah...never mind...they won't get it.

Like a lot of the other 'technologists' they are ignoring what the iPad was designed for in a tired vendetta against 'anything made by Apple'.

Unbiased is something I have not come to expect from most 'technologists'...the iPad is a '3rd' device. Very few mention this or test it in that function. It's not perfect...but it does 95% of what it's designed to do. Funny, the ones who seem to use it for it's main function like it. They do NOT say it's perfect (I never have) but they see the utility of the device. Not only that, but about half of them also say "...you know..if you tweaked XXX it would make an excellent XXX..." Which goes to show you the 'swiss-knife' mentality Apple had when designing this. They removed the drudge of system uprades, continious virus/malware/adware attacks, incompatibility issues, and gave us something seamless to build with. You can pick up the SDK for almost nothing and make your own aps that (as another poster stated) are "just a hammer...and don't contain the entire history of the hammer going back to the stone age".

Whatever...I really like mine...
 
Why people insist on comparing iPad with Kindle just blows my mind -- it would be okay if they were only comparing the reading experience, but these geniuses keep saying "Kindle is lighter" as if the iPad is a mere ebook reader like the Kindle -- and never mind that the latest Kindle, the DX, is only a couple ounces lighter and nearly as expensive as the entry level iPad, but it's just a block that only let's you read books! It can't do anything else. It's not comparable with iPad as a device. 🙄
 
BacklitFirefly said:
Why people insist on comparing iPad with Kindle just blows my mind -- it would be okay if they were only comparing the reading experience, but these geniuses keep saying "Kindle is lighter" as if the iPad is a mere ebook reader like the Kindle -- and never mind that the latest Kindle, the DX, is only a couple ounces lighter and nearly as expensive as the entry level iPad, but it's just a block that only let's you read books! It can't do anything else. It's not comparable with iPad as a device. 🙄
Click to expand...

I'll tell you why. Because other people are calling the iPad a kindle killer. So how can you possibly have your mind blown that the comparison is made.

In your post you just compared the Kindle. If it's truly not comparable - there's no reason to start going into why one is better than another.

In other words - your post is a bit hypocritical (and I mean no disrespect) as an argument against the article and other people making the comparison.
 
samcraig said:
I'll tell you why. Because other people are calling the iPad a kindle killer. So how can you possibly have your mind blown that the comparison is made.

In your post you just compared the Kindle. If it's truly not comparable - there's no reason to start going into why one is better than another.

In other words - your post is a bit hypocritical (and I mean no disrespect) as an argument against the article and other people making the comparison.
Click to expand...

Actually, no, it is not hypocritical to compare like features (I just said that.). If both devices can function as ebook readers, then comparing them to that extent alone is acceptable, and warranted. Anything beyond that, by the Kindle Killer crowd or otherwise, has gone too far out of the park to be the same ball game.
 
BacklitFirefly said:
Actually, no, it is not hypocritical to compare like features (I just said that.). If both devices can function as ebook readers, then comparing them to that extent alone is acceptable, and warranted. Anything beyond that, by the Kindle Killer crowd or otherwise, has gone too far out of the park to be the same ball game.
Click to expand...

Correct - I think I misread your original post (sorry) and was thinking you were adding more comparisons than eReading.
 
pooryou said:
Pretty much a load of bollocks, but what do you expect from MSNBC?

Not even worth refuting.
Click to expand...

Don't be so quick to judge. The article is "© 2010 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved." Plus, as MSNBC is a joint venture between MS and NBC, NBC would want the iPad, aka the 2nd coming of the newspaper, to succeed.

To be honest, it doesn't say much if anything new compared to the article sactownbwoy linked to.
 
If someone said you had to come up with 13 shortcomings then I guess this list is pretty accurate.
BTW their website is ipad ready and looks good on the ipad.

Kenal0
 
A lot of people are finding it has some issues. Rather than just flame on when they are brought up some constructive conversation on how to improve or fix them would be more helpful. While it is wonderfully light compared to a netbook try holding it in one hand for a while, and the tapered edges are slippery after some hand sweat gets on them.
I'm waiting till it actually fills a need I have or can replace what I currently use which is an ipod Touch but I still need it to be able to be put in a coat pocket and not require me to carry a purse around.


Here is another interesting review from a woman and it is refreshing.
: redacted because of the head cases around here:
 
While I donj't disagree with some of the points, this could more accurately be titled:

13 problems with the iPad if you're using it for everything it wasn't intended to be

It is a media/game consumption device with the fringe benefit of beign able to quickly type out an email or two. It is not a document PRODUCTION device, period. If you're intending to use it for anything other than that, get a laptop.
 
samcraig said:
I'll tell you why. Because other people are calling the iPad a kindle killer. So how can you possibly have your mind blown that the comparison is made.

In your post you just compared the Kindle. If it's truly not comparable - there's no reason to start going into why one is better than another.

In other words - your post is a bit hypocritical (and I mean no disrespect) as an argument against the article and other people making the comparison.
Click to expand...

Oh God..I am agreeing with Sam.😱

Two different platforms. Two different sets of priorities.
I have both. I use both. I like both. Both have their place.
"Could" the iPad "kill" the Kindle? Yeah...but that wasn't it's design focus.
Will my use of the Kindle be reduced...yeah...but I won't stop using it for it's main strengths of battery life and bright sun viewing ability. Also, Amazon, as of now, has oodles more books in the subjects I read.

Oh man...gonna go wash my hands...agreeing with Sam <shudder>
😀
 
Two things. A: People actually check MSNBC for news?

B: those are the worst excuses for shortcomings you can possible come up with. It's not hard to carry, you just hold it and it wont fall out of your hands. Holding like a butler tray? Come on. The screen is made of GLASS, GLASS naturally has glare. If you're going to compare it to a kindle, you compare the software and how the hardware improves the reading experience, not the weight of the devices. If it was just an ebook reader it would definitely weigh just 10 ozs. That is a lazy comparison. All the "missing" hardware features? Here's where fsr too many people are stupid on that:

Thie dock connector is open for business. ANYONE can build a piece of hardware that can connect via the dock connector and interact with an App. Its all open season. In that sense the dock connector can be a USB port, an SD port, a VGA port, a completely custom interact with my hospital hardware port... ANYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE!!

Why do you need HDMI? Because it's the cool thing to do? At first i wondered why it only had a dock-VGA plug, then i realized it's only a 1024x768 device!!! VGA handles that just fine! HDMI would just be an added, worthless cost.

The article is far from "spot on". A few points are okay, but not 13 of them. It's terrible journalism. It's like bitching about a coupe because it only has 2 doors instead of 4.
 
Dillenger said:
Blah, blah, blah, then don't buy one. I love mine.
Click to expand...

chriskzoo said:
While I donj't disagree with some of the points, this could more accurately be titled:

13 problems with the iPad if you're using it for everything it wasn't intended to be

It is a media/game consumption device with the fringe benefit of beign able to quickly type out an email or two. It is not a document PRODUCTION device, period. If you're intending to use it for anything other than that, get a laptop.
Click to expand...

I agree with both these posts. Oh and it does multitask, just not in the way everyone wants it to. Im going to be more than happy beaching out watching Jersey Shore on it or even Doctor Who in HD. We all know the short comings but thats like buying a car and moaning because it can't fly. It's not what it was meant for. I personally cant wait to have the new gadget and its not there to replace anything just something extra to make me even lazier! 🙂
 
"iPhone-only apps look horrible" and "There's no USB port" has to be two of the dumbest complaints about a device I read in recent history.
 
WLS said:
A lot of people are finding it less than perfect.

I'm waiting till it actually fills a need I have or can replace what I currently use. (ipod Touch)


Here is another less than enthused review from a real person and it is refreshing.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's perfect and I love mine. My wife is not perfect but I would marry her again. Why does everyone expect it to 'be' perfect? (Not snarky..just asking)

If your needs are filled by the iPod Touch...I don't think you'll ever need one. I can give you one HUGE reason for it right there....I am getting old and can't read the damn small screen anymore 🙄 my kids can read it fine and keep kidding me they're going to get me a 'jitterbug' to replace my iPhone.

Finally, why would a 'less than enthused view' be refreshing? As far as I can tell the tech guys are pissing all over the iPad like it's full of $100 bills and on fire. There is no 'unbiased' reviews out there anymore. I get into this all the time on Gamespot.com, where they give 'craptastic' games a 10 and tell you it's better than the first sex you ever had...only when you get it it's almost unplayable. You have to also read the players reviews with a large grain of salt. You think PC and Apple have fanboys? Go into a gaming forum...those guys DO NOT PLAY. 😱

I guess it's a personal decision. If you like it..great. If you don't..hey..that's great too. I personally like my Timex watch...doesn't mean everyone does.

Cheeers...
 
While most are definitely true, there are a few that are a bit exaggerated.

For one, the virtual keyboard. After spending about five minutes with iPad I was able to type at around 30 WPM using all fingers except my pinkies. While far from what I can type on a physical keyboard, it is still quite impressive and does not limit you to typing with one finger. If you are standing, then yes you are limited. But the only things I usually type while standing are texts and tweets on my iPhone, and maybe a url which I probably have a bookmark for.

Second, portability compared to a laptop. I have a 1st gen macbook with a newly replaced battery. It gets around 4 hours off of a full charge with light to moderate use. The problem is, if I am at college all day I have to carry around the power adapter. On the other hand, my iPad with a full charge will easily last the day, plus I can sit down for 5 minutes at a table somewhere, take it out, type some stuff then put it back in my bag and be on my way. My Macbook is not so good at that because it takes time to wake from sleep, connect to wifi, launch Pages, save, go back to sleep. So I rarely ever use it unless I have a more than 10 minutes to use it.

Next, about glare and fingerprints. I find fingerprints to be very annoying, but only noticeable in two conditions: 1. The device is off, and you can see the smudging everywhere. 2. When in direct sunlight. If the brightness is turned up to a decent level you won't see the fingerprints while using the device (unless in bright sunlight).

Finally about it being awkward to carry I can agree with this if you don't have a case. Now that I have the Apple ase it becomes more akin to carrying a spiral notebook or agenda, just a bit heavier. It also helps for typing when you have it on a desk, and for using it on your lap.

Other than that, the points are mostly warranted. Oh, except for the Best Buy replacement plan. BB replacement plans are pretty much a rip off and Apple doesn't really have any say in that.
 
undrpsi said:
I don't think it's perfect and I love mine. My wife is not perfect but I would marry her again. Why does everyone expect it to 'be' perfect? (Not snarky..just asking)

If your needs are filled by the iPod Touch...I don't think you'll ever need one. I can give you one HUGE reason for it right there....I am getting old and can't read the damn small screen anymore 🙄 my kids can read it fine and keep kidding me they're going to get me a 'jitterbug' to replace my iPhone.

Finally, why would a 'less than enthused view' be refreshing? As far as I can tell the tech guys are pissing all over the iPad like it's full of $100 bills and on fire. There is no 'unbiased' reviews out there anymore. I get into this all the time on Gamespot.com, where they give 'craptastic' games a 10 and tell you it's better than the first sex you ever had...only when you get it it's almost unplayable. You have to also read the players reviews with a large grain of salt. You think PC and Apple have fanboys? Go into a gaming forum...those guys DO NOT PLAY. 😱

I guess it's a personal decision. If you like it..great. If you don't..hey..that's great too. I personally like my Timex watch...doesn't mean everyone does.

Cheeers...
Click to expand...
did you even read the link? It was great and from a woman's point of view.
 
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