Apple Releases iPad Tablet, New SDK, iBooks and iWork Apps

[alexf]

I don't know. My mom would would have this and nothing else in a second. I know the "email/web/photos" demographic is cliché, but it really is prevalent. A lot of them would love to have this instead of their current junky desktop taking up space in the living room corner. Sales will tell! One way or the other

Yes, you may be right: perhaps there is a niche - but I don't think it is very big.

I think that, due to the iPad's size, most people will either opt for: a) the same technology in a smaller, more portable, and cheaper package (called the iPod Touch), or b) a full-fledged and far more capable computer such as the MacBook, even though it is heavier, more expensive, and not as "fun."

 

[Cabbit]

What i expected it to be a media consumption device, i was rather hoping for something i could write notes and draw with too.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

I was thinking more about this since my initial reaction. You and I have come to the same conclusion, and I can start to understand this product more. That still doesn't change the fact that the iPad is not revolutionary at all. It brings nothing new to the table other than a 10" screen. It's just a giant iPhone.
If Apple didn't bill it as the most revolutionary product ever, I wouldn't be nearly as disappointed.

Did Apple actually say they were giving us a "revolutionary" product, or did we project that expectation onto Apple?

 

[cgmpowers]

iPad can be an giant iPhone...

Here's what I don't get...

Why can't this be a giant iPhone. Just because it doesn't have "cellular carrier" for voice doesn't mean it can't be an iPhone..

Its unlocked, so don't need to Jailbreak it. However, since its not locked there's no reason you still couldn't install Rock or Cydia...

Even without Cydia or Rock, Google Voice is on the AppStore today (not to mention the real/not web version on Cydia).

With Google Voice, and other similar apps.. You very well can turn this into a giant iPhone.

Chris

 

[Torajima]

I can't help but think I'd rather have a tablet version of Apple's 'real' operating system.

Still, this is going to kill all those ebook readers when the price comes down (and you know it will).

 

[kgiglio2]

I couldn't agree with you more. The iPad won't compete with e-ink directly in terms of quality of the reading experience -- so at best it is a compromise to get color and video support. At worse it is poor battery life and 50% more weight than a Kindle DX.

If 1.5 pounds actually bothers anyone, they should spend their $500 on a gym membership instead (unless of course it is a gift for an infant).

 

[pmjoe]

Iff this 10 (and possibly 10+, it it's 10 playing video) hours of battery life and a month standby plays out to be a serious reality, I'm interested. Usually this plays out to actually be 1/3 the specified time, in which case, I don't have much use for it.

Seems like a nice to have, but not a must have.

 

[brendu]

One thing I know...

After having my parents drop ship their crappy Dell laptop to me last month so I could nuke it and reinstall Windows on it (backing up their music and photos during the process of course).

I believe I'll recommend them getting an iPad next time they go to buy a computer. Literally all they do with it is Web/iTunes/Photos.... which the iPad does perfectly.

And I know this isn't just me seeing this...

how will they get their photos on it without a computer?

 

[kzin]

the Good:
3G is optional, but not split into two different product lines
10" screen
Lots of good media vendor support ties (the book publishers)
dock with built-in keyboard
don't have to re-buy apps between iPhone/iPod-Touch/iPad

the Bad:
iPhone OS X instead of Mac OS X
LCD display instead of PixelQi display
the dock only works in portrait orientation
no KVM support (that I've heard of, yet)


I think I'm going to stick with the Notion Ink Adam as my tablet-of-desire for the moment.

 

[whiteboytrash]

I'm not sure about this one. I wanted i) another name than MaxiPad ii) multitasking and iii) not 4:3. Now it's not very good for watching movies. Sorry Apple, but I'll stick to my iPhone and MacBook Pro. Maybe my old mother will want one, though.



Hilarious.

Classic. My 2 favs:

"I still can't believe this! All this hype for something so ridiculous! Who cares about an MP3 player? I want something new! I want them to think differently!
Why oh why would they do this?! It's so wrong! It's so stupid!"

"It's now at the online Apple Store!

$400 for an Mp3 Player!

I'd call it the Cube 2.0 as it wont sell, and be killed off in a short time...and it's not really functional.

Uuhh Steve, can I have a PDA now?"

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-new-thing-ipod.500/

 

[M2M]

Hmmm.... mixed feelings from me...

No front facing camera for video chat
No Multi-Tasking so far
No Flash Support in Browser
Too big bezel (large black borders around the screen)
4:3 - would have preferred iPod Touch form factor
Mini Sim Cards ? Who sells these ?
Can it even be used as a phone -didn't see a Phone App so far...

On the bright side the Photo import Accessory looks great so it could be useful for me on a Photo-Trip - in case the build in App supports RAW.

In case of RAW Support i'm in (then I would complain about no Lightroom and Apperture on it ) otherwise i'll save money for version 2 or iphone4g

 

[steve-p]

Did Apple actually say they were giving us a "revolutionary" product, or did we project that expectation onto Apple?

Yes - "Our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device".

 

[zedsdead]

I just want the iBooks app for my iPhone and to be able to view them through iTunes. I imagine this is coming, but nothing was announced about it.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

It doesn't matter if it's UNLOCKED - How do you plan on using 3G with ANY CARRIER when the iPad does not support 1700MHZ (TMobile) or CDMA (Verizon)?

iPad WiFi + 3G
Wi-Fi + 3G model
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900,1800, 1900 MHz)

Isn't Verizon deploying LTE, which is a GSM technology? Will LTE not be backward compatible with older GSM devices? If so, why couldn't the iPad be used with Verizon's forthcoming GSM network? CDMA is doomed, Verizon is going to GSM and why bother supporting CDMA when your product will eventually be supported on all networks?

 

[sonofcolin]

Dear Steve,
Now that this i-bling nonsense is out of the way, how about something more useful? A netbook perhaps?

 

[WestonHarvey1]

One thing I see in the way of this becoming the final answer to WebTV, or the computer for "the rest of the rest of us" is backup. Will this sync directly to a Time Capsule or anything? If it requires a Mac or Windows machine as a hub, it's got the same data integrity problems a standalone Apple TV has.

 

[phatspider]

It's an iPod touch, more accurately, with 3G capability. Lacking a camera, lacking a decent screen - sorry Apple, but in today's HD world, anything less than a 10.1" 1280x720 screen on such a device is basically unacceptable, really. No mic either, so much for Skype or VoIP usage - of course the headphone jack might support that but, it doesn't say anything in the specs.

1024x768... good lord. And here I am dictating this reply on my 7 year old Toshiba M205 Tablet PC - yes, dictating it with the built in field array microphones with a 1400x1050 LCD.

And sticking it to buyers again with no expansion or an SD card slot which pretty much every other damned device in the same concept/class has had for years. Want more space? PAY US FOR IT. Pretty lame, Apple.

Oh well, we can already start expecting stuff in iPad 2.0 I suppose.

Lackluster at best, for me. Been using tablets for well over a decade and I had higher hopes for this... I'll chalk it up to being a 1.0 version and see what transpires.

Does have a mic

I admit the lack of 720p is a disappointment - but I'll still probably get one - once I work out what the hell a micro GSM SIM is - i've worked in the mobile telecoms business for 13 years and I've never heard of one!

 

[zeromeus]

$500 for a supersized iPod touch???

I'll pass... until I can see what else I can do on it. We'll see what Apple has to offer when Revision B comes out.

 

[friedmud]

how will they get their photos on it without a computer?

Linked it before but here it is again... http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

Look at the bottom of the page... USB and SD Card adaptors... SPECIFICALLY for photos.

 

[SeattleMoose]

Haters

Gotta wonder if MS, Google, etc.....actually pay/recruit people to diss competitor's new offerings.

There certainly exists an incentive to do so.

Regardless, count me in for a 64G non-3G version. This device is gonna be a home-run for apple. Just the education market is HUGE!!!

 

[HiRez]

In a world where we are FINALLY appreciating widescreen movies and TV's are ALL moving to a 16:9 format why do we go back to a 4:3 aspect ratio on a brand new 2010 device!!

Agreed. Not cool. I don't know if it has to be 16:9, that's probably too extreme since they need it to work well in vertical mode also, but at least a good compromise like the iPhone's 3:2 would be much better. I wonder if they did it because most consumer cameras are 4:3 and they wanted the "picture frame mode" to work perfectly. And how many people who buy this thing don't have 16:9 televisions? If they want to sell movie and tv content, people expect a wide aspect ratio, in no small part due to, ironically, Apple.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

Consider me disappointed. What is the purpose of the device that the iPhone/iTouch can't do?

Every Mac device has a stature of something unique to it. This iPad felt like a iPod touch just made bigger. I see no advantage of the bigger screen, when one can spend a $999 and get a multitasking laptop with all the features you need without the touch.

This device needed something to set it apart, and they failed on that front. It needed a front facing camera for video chats. It could of had multi tasking since if this is a netbook killer, all netbooks can multitask. Sorry Jobs, you failed. You made a picture frame with an iPhone OS. Come back to me when you put the i5 in the laptops, I wanna upgrade.

Everything you said is Greek to most of the American consumer population. This product is targeted at people who are not necessarily savvy with technology and moves Apple closer to its roots of offering a product that "just works". You can't say that about the Mac anymore.

The level of multi-touch interaction available on this device makes it revolutionary to me. It's going to redefine how we interact with our media.

 

[cualexander]

To everyone who wants a full scale macbook in tablet form, that already exists. It's much more expensive. But it exists already.


http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbook

Now quit complaining.

Thanks.

 

[surferfromuk]

how will they get their photos on it without a computer?

After a 'batch' install from a computer you'd use this for new ones.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

iPad Camera Connection Kit

The Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera. The Camera Connector lets you import your photos and videos to iPad using the camera’s USB cable. Or you can use the SD Card Reader to import photos and videos directly from the camera’s SD card.

 

[Mousse]

The killer app that will make this a must-have device is the video game.

I can't see myself spending hours on end playing games on this thing. Maybe 5 to 10 minutes, then it'd be more of a chore than a game.
No, I see the killer app for this thing coming from the medical field. Having the patient's medical history at your finger tips, examining X-ray images, consulting with other doctors. That is what will give the iPad and a foothold in the lucrative health field. Once such an app is out, Apple will be spitting out iPads and racking in dough hand over fist.

For now, I'm disappointed by the iPad. It looks like a nice product. But the hype that built up before it makes the seeing it out rather anti-climatic.