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I am so happy that your 50 year old mother has found peace with Apple. But each user may have different needs.

I am a happy long time user of DropBox but there are time that connecting via WiFi or cellular are to an option. I need about 1900 Word files and 60-70 Excel files on my device for access ALL THE TIME. Until Apple allows this on the IPad, it will never be but an Internet appliance next to my lazy boy.

My laptop in the field still rules.

Wouldn't Goodreader or QuickOffice accomplish this? You could download all the files onto the app's sandbox and have them with you at all times. I have a
TON of PDFs in Goodreader on my iPad. I'm not a big fan of having to connect to Dropbox when I need something.

Now, if you want to reply to an email with one of those files, that's a whole other story.... :D
 
I do wish there was some kind of file system solution for iOS. I think the hardware is getting powerful enough to warrant it. But I do appreciate the way iOS gets out of the way and allows the applications to be front and center. I'd like to see a widget system too.

Wait for iOS 6. If Apple knows what it's doing 6 will be revolutionary, not evolutionary.
 
What paradigm shift? What iOS is doing is an equivalent of an application for a real OS (like OS/X) that always saves files in the same directory. On OS/X such application design in most cases would be considered a very poor implementation and this is exactly what this "paradigm" is on iOS. It's just a shortsighted decision n Apple's part which was excusable in 2007 because phone usages were still rather limited. Apple did not even have an intention of allowing native apps in iOS at that time. Bu that was 2007. It's 2012 now and iOS is clearly a very outdated OS precisely because of the missing file system. Lack of file system does not bring any advantages but plenty of limitations.

I like the iPad because I like the overall feel of iOS and the hardware. Though I will say that recently, in terms of OS, Android has closed the gap dramatically. It used to be that when I'd try out an Android device things like scrolling, zooming, etc... never felt smooth. There always seemed to be stuttering or frame skipping. But my brother recently picked a new Droid phone and it is every bit as smooth as an iOS device. I still find the way things are organized to be a bit hodgepodge, but overall I was very impressed.

Anyway, Apple always seems to have some hook that keeps me around. In the case of the new iPad it's the super high resolution screen. That's not to say there are things I don't like though. Apple again annoyingly left off a flash for the camera, the front camera is still garbage, and they gave us dictation (which only partially works), but left out Siri. Still, they always seem to provide just enough to keep me... which is almost certainly their plan.

But that said, I'm still not satisfied to just accept their stupid limitations. Their devices are so much better jail broken. So I always jail break the first chance I get. Thankfully, it's looking like it won't be too long before the new iPad is opened up.
 
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What paradigm shift? What iOS is doing is an equivalent of an application for a real OS (like OS/X) that always saves files in the same directory. On OS/X such application design in most cases would be considered a very poor implementation and this is exactly what this "paradigm" is on iOS. It's just a shortsighted decision n Apple's part which was excusable in 2007 because phone usages were still rather limited. Apple did not even have an intention of allowing native apps in iOS at that time. Bu that was 2007. It's 2012 now and iOS is clearly a very outdated OS precisely because of the missing file system. Lack of file system does not bring any advantages but plenty of limitations.

Ever heard of something called "AirPlay" from Apple? You drag and drop a video file from one device to another with a finger.

Because this is SOOOOO much more inefficient than booting into the directory and looking for the right file so you can then use an ancient copy/paste command to the other device after you've figured out which directory is appropriate for source and destination for each device, right?

Seriously, I see posts like yours and it is just plainly obvious that the paradigm shift represented in iOS is way, WAY over your head. Its so obvious to a whole generation but to those still firmly anchored in last gen tech its clearly an alien, incomprehensible way of doing things.

As already pointed out, there already exists an underlying file system. But its locked up (short of Jailbreaking) on purpose as exposure to it would simply create more problems than solutions to the intended audience of the iPad/iPhone, not to mention access to malicious developers who would attempt to exploit it for harm/amusement.
 
Ever heard of something called "AirPlay" from Apple? You drag and drop a video file from one device to another with a finger.

Because this is SOOOOO much more inefficient than booting into the directory and looking for the right file so you can then use an ancient copy/paste command to the other device after you've figured out which directory is appropriate for source and destination for each device, right?...

Media playing is not the only thing access to files would be useful for. I'm just wanting to reply to a simple email and attach something to it. I can't. I have to exit the mail application, open the source file app, and email it from there. And if the reply goes to 7 people, I have to re-enter all 7 email addresses. Plus I lose the original email string in my reply.

And God forbid I want to email someone a Word doc AND a photo from my Camera roll.... :rolleyes:
 
Media playing is not the only thing access to files would be useful for. I'm just wanting to reply to a simple email and attach something to it. I can't. I have to exit the mail application, open the source file app, and email it from there. And if the reply goes to 7 people, I have to re-enter all 7 email addresses. Plus I lose the original email string in my reply.

And God forbid I want to email someone a Word doc AND a photo from my Camera roll.... :rolleyes:

Thus jailbreaking. There's a jailbreak tweak called AnyAttach that does exactly this.

As for AirPlay, it's very convenient, but let's not prevent it's actually magical. It doesn't literally copy a file from one device to another. I can, for example, AirPlay a video from my iPad to my Apple TV, but I essentially lose use of my iPad while it's playing. So not really ideal for all situations.
 
Apple should implement a common folder for storage, i don't see how that would be so difficult or problematic, then any app could open all supported files from that folder, and attach them to an email if needed from any email app.

Just that and it would be far more useable, maybe a toggle option somewhere for advanced users.
 
Media playing is not the only thing access to files would be useful for. I'm just wanting to reply to a simple email and attach something to it. I can't. I have to exit the mail application, open the source file app, and email it from there. And if the reply goes to 7 people, I have to re-enter all 7 email addresses. Plus I lose the original email string in my reply.

And God forbid I want to email someone a Word doc AND a photo from my Camera roll.... :rolleyes:

Workaround for camera roll -- Go into camera roll, copy photo, go back to email that has the Word doc attached and paste the pics into the email.

Workaround for "woops, started email without attachment" -- Save draft of started email. Go to app with the file to be attached, and start new email with the attachment. Copy the attachment, and paste it into the previously started email.
 
I'm having problems with the limitations that Apple have either applied or simply not developed to the iOS making the iPad a week product. I've had an iPad for 1 year and use it frequently with great frustration.

Examples to this problem is; not having easy access to the hard drive to store the data I want. Not being able to navigate to the files through a directory structure. Apple's workaround is to force me to access data through specific applications, and or having applications locked from accessing certain data on the iPad. This creates huge limits in feature developments for applications and results in poor functionality. Example exposure to music data for assessment is only available to iTunes. It's my music, if I want to brows to it through a directory, or have an application I write access this data and analyse it, Apple should not stop or limit my access.

All in I find apples iOS very limiting. Google are becoming very popular with Andriod on mobile devises, and from the limited exposure I've had to this OS their development policy feels more friendly to the end consumer. I think Android will be creating applications that surpass the iOS capabilities over the next couple of years.
When you also consider all mobile devices look almost identicle, Apple need to start and understand they are creating a platform for people to work with, not a polished finished product and dictate what I can and cannot do with the product. The difference in mindset is huge.

I recently had a post pulled and labeled as Trolling due to my comment of the new iPad being a "Dumb Product". Although my post was short, some peoples response were very valid and the subject matter was hearing arguments on both sides. I'm hoping people see this as constructive thoughts not Trolling.

Your right. iOS sucks.
 
Workaround for camera roll -- Go into camera roll, copy photo, go back to email that has the Word doc attached and paste the pics into the email.

Workaround for "woops, started email without attachment" -- Save draft of started email. Go to app with the file to be attached, and start new email with the attachment. Copy the attachment, and paste it into the previously started email.

Awesome, thanks! At least it can be done.

I think I'll need a beer after doing all that... :D
 
Wouldn't Goodreader or QuickOffice accomplish this? You could download all the files onto the app's sandbox and have them with you at all times. I have a
TON of PDFs in Goodreader on my iPad. I'm not a big fan of having to connect to Dropbox when I need something.

Now, if you want to reply to an email with one of those files, that's a whole other story.... :D

I have Goodreader and use it as a filestorage for almost 200 pdf's. While one can email these documents out, it's very annoying that one can't attach one as a reply to an email. This drives me crazy. Is there any way to access files to do this. So far, this is one of my only gripes with the iPads OS. It makes no sense to me why something so logical can't be done.
 
Seriously, I see posts like yours and it is just plainly obvious that the paradigm shift represented in iOS is way, WAY over your head. Its so obvious to a whole generation but to those still firmly anchored in last gen tech its clearly an alien, incomprehensible way of doing things.

Yet again you insult people without any knowledge about them...

Most people on this fourm will understand where Apple is going and are happy to see the technology head in this direction. It's obnoxious for you to suggest your knowledge and understanding is any further advanced than others posting here.

Apple's plan to lead the way into this new era is an exciting concept supported by most. The sales of their products prove this. But to deny the user basic features to access their own data prior to implimenting a solid replacement for these needs is not forward thinking. For this reason I believe the iPad fails to meet the markets true expectations and will limit how people use the device.
 
I can, for example, AirPlay a video from my iPad to my Apple TV, but I essentially lose use of my iPad while it's playing. So not really ideal for all situations.

This is incorrect, you do not lose access to the iPad. You can actually AirPlay videos to your AppleTV through YouTube, the built in Videos app, and even Safari and use the iPad as usual. Some 3rd party apps do not (or can't) implement this correctly.
 
Yet again you insult people without any knowledge about them...

No. Obviously I'm only insulting you.

Most people on this fourm will understand where Apple is going and are happy to see the technology head in this direction.

You are right. Most do. You obviously do not.

It's obnoxious for you to suggest your knowledge and understanding is any further advanced than others posting here.

I'm not suggesting any such thing regarding others. I'm telling you outright, my understanding is far more advanced than your own on this matter. No doubts about that fact whatsoever.

Apple's plan to lead the way into this new era is an exciting concept supported by most. The sales of their products prove this.

Agreed. So why are you so incapable of grasping and appreciating their new paradigm and do away with archaic throwbacks like file managers?

But to deny the user basic features to access their own data prior to implimenting a solid replacement for these needs is not forward thinking.

Please present evidence to prove your point. What file have you created on the iPad that iOS won't allow you to access once its created? Just one example and perhaps others can understand your concerns here. Go ahead....we will wait for further illumination.

For this reason I believe the iPad fails to meet the markets true expectations and will limit how people use the device.

"iPad fails to meet the markets true expectations" is in direct conflict with your earlier statement that sales of the product prove that Apple is not only meeting the markets' true expectations, but exceeding them. Please, again, demonstrate you have any basis in fact to support such an opinion. Where are the market statistics that state that the iPad would sell X million more devices if Apple included Finder in iOS? Please include this in your next post to further illustrate your position as having any basis in fact.
 
Ever heard of something called "AirPlay" from Apple? You drag and drop a video file from one device to another with a finger.

Because this is SOOOOO much more inefficient than booting into the directory and looking for the right file so you can then use an ancient copy/paste command to the other device after you've figured out which directory is appropriate for source and destination for each device, right?

Seriously, I see posts like yours and it is just plainly obvious that the paradigm shift represented in iOS is way, WAY over your head. Its so obvious to a whole generation but to those still firmly anchored in last gen tech its clearly an alien, incomprehensible way of doing things.

As already pointed out, there already exists an underlying file system. But its locked up (short of Jailbreaking) on purpose as exposure to it would simply create more problems than solutions to the intended audience of the iPad/iPhone, not to mention access to malicious developers who would attempt to exploit it for harm/amusement.

What exactly drag-n-drop has to do with the absence of a file system? It works exactly the same way on real OSes - you just have way more options what to drag and where to drop it to. Drag and drop is a GUI paradigm that has nothing to do with file system. Files just happen to be one of the type of items that can be handled by this GUI technique. In case of iOS the user actually is dragging-n-dropping files to. S/he just has limited options. In real OS you could drop a file/movie to a video player application (for playing, and this includes DLNA applications), a different directory (for copying), a DVD-burning application (for making a DVD) etc.

I think you are way over your head trying to find an excuse for inexcusable limitation.
 
In real OS you could drop a file/movie to a video player application (for playing, and this includes DLNA applications), a different directory (for copying), a DVD-burning application (for making a DVD) etc.
I think you are way over your head trying to find an excuse for inexcusable limitation.

I believe you see a limitation where 99.999999% of the market see's none.

Lack of file explorer to allow for DVD burning apps on the iPad a limitation? Only one of us is in over their head sport. :rolleyes:
 
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This is incorrect, you do not lose access to the iPad. You can actually AirPlay videos to your AppleTV through YouTube, the built in Videos app, and even Safari and use the iPad as usual. Some 3rd party apps do not (or can't) implement this correctly.

When I've tried to do this it's using AirVideo. The video stops playing if I try to use the iPad. The fact that YouTube, Safari, or even the built in videos app don't have this behavior is useless for what I want to do.
 
When I've tried to do this it's using AirVideo. The video stops playing if I try to use the iPad. The fact that YouTube, Safari, or even the built in videos app don't have this behavior is useless for what I want to do.

AirVideo is an app. AirPlay is an iOS feature.
 
Aaaaaand, this confusion invalidates your concern. As the poster above you just provided, Airplay doesn't prevent you from using your iPad for other things during use. AirVideo will.

No, because AirVideo is one of the only apps that allows me to do what I want. AirPlay on its own doesn't do anything.
 
No, because AirVideo is one of the only apps that allows me to do what I want. AirPlay on its own doesn't do anything.

I think any app that uses the standard iOS output should work, which will include Youtube and even Safari. Ironically the "Video" doesn't. :(
 
Vidikron said:
I can, for example, AirPlay a video from my iPad to my Apple TV, but I essentially lose use of my iPad while it's playing. So not really ideal for all situations.

No, because AirVideo is one of the only apps that allows me to do what I want. AirPlay on its own doesn't do anything.

Different point whether or not AirPlay does what you WANT it to do.

You stated an invalid observation (AirPlay makes you lose use of your iPad...a false representation of the facts), you were corrected, now you are state that AirVideo is the only app that lets you do what you want.

Do you even know what you want here or are you just arguing for arguments' sake?
 
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