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

[Thataboy]

I wonder what DRM the iBooks will have. My understanding is that ePub books can exist with or without it.

I think people who have a MacBook might not have much use for this, but for desktop/iMac users, it looks great. It's not meant to be a full-fledged computer replacement, so storage isn't even a concern to me. Sync my apps, some photos, some movies... 16 GB can handle that.

If Apple has not made multitasking efficient enough to preserve battery life, I can understand them not including it yet. Someday.

However, I am dumbfounded by the lack of front-facing camera. It just seems like such a no-brainer, and they don't cost a lot to include.

Plus, since this is a "shareable" device, one I can see passing around the living room/letting guests use/etc., I'd like to see some kind of Mac Guest account style user-switching... something to prevent them seeing my Mail accounts, Safari bookmarks, etc.

Overall, a decent first generation -- I could go for the $499 model for funsies.

 

[phatspider]

No camera, no GPS, Mobile Me? Sweet price and an awesome looking device.

You do get A-GPS on the 3G one - another reason to stump up the extra 130 bucks

 

[brendu]

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.

yeah i was just browsing apples page lookin at it, and saw that, good looks... also noticed i was wrong about voice recognition, i suspect it does have that since i was wrong and it does have a built in mic... so its slightly more useful than i gave it credit for... can it skype? will the google voice website that google just launched work? that could make this thing pretty useful...

 

[br0adband]

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

To me, when the word "revolutionary" is used it better mean a break from norms, a break from traditions, a break from the typical, and honestly, considering that I've been using tablet devices for decades, this just isn't it.

I nearly choked when he said "revolutionary" because it would be more accurate to state "evolutionary" - this device is not the first, won't be the last, in the tablet/slate style devices. It's just another step in that direction.

At least SJ was kind enough to make mention that Amazon was ahead of them and that now Apple has to stand on their shoulders, more or less.

All this is evolutionary, progress, nothing more.

 

[alexf]

No worse than keeping a cell phone in your pocket though, which many people do.

Not true for a couple of reasons. First of all, a cell phone in the pocket is not always active (unless you are talking on it while it is in your pocket, or if it is on "Push mode," which I wouldn't recommend anyway because it really eats up battery life - at least on my iPhone).

Second: even if the phone is active in the pocket, the pocket usually rests against the leg, and (hopefully) not the genitals, abdominal organs, heart, or breast tissue. This is not necessarily the case with wireless laptops and devices like the iPad.

I am not trying to be paranoid - I myself use wireless devices (and am typing this on a wireless computer). Just use extra caution, and NEVER pocket an active cell phone so it touches the above-mentioned parts of the body. If you use the iPad, put something thick in your lap under it.

By the way, it may be worth mentioning that I live in Germany, where this topic gets much more publicity than it does in the corporation-overrun U.S. The German government has issued some fairly strong warnings regarding wireless radioactivity. For what it's worth, cordless (not cell) phones are probably the most dangerous things in this regard, as they give off huge amounts of radiation - significantly more than wireless internet connections. Quite a few people in Germany still choose to have only corded phones for this reason. If you own an cordless phone, always dock it when not in use and never sleep with an undocked (or even docked) cordless phone next to your head!

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

But isn't that because they deliberately hobbled the Mac Mini right from the giddyup? They never wanted it to be a headless iMac which presumably would have been more competitive with other desktops.

The iPad looks to do what it is purported to do with Mac style, but as other people pointed out it does seem a bit unnecessarily hobbled. No camera or multi-tasking? I think they hobbled it just enough to make the next upgrade compelling, but gave it enough "oooh" factor to sell enough to make a profit. Ah, c'mon, Apple.

The iPhone OS is a multitasking OS - lots of things happen in the background and simultaneously all the time. But just like with the iPhone, you really only need to do one thing at any one time, so why make the entire package so much more complex by implementing multitasking on a user level?

Keep the target audience in mind, and that's people who probably don't even know what "multitasking" is.

 

[surferfromuk]

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

May I suggest a productive computer - a white Macbook? (thus avoiding adding to the netbook landfill problem in 18 months)

 

[jamest71]

Everything is perfect for me, except the lack of GPS.

I am planning a huge road trip in the middle of the year and was really hoping I could use the new Apple awesomeness.

It's the one thing it's missing for me.

All I can ask is.... why?

The 3G model has GPS.
My/Your iPhone has GPS.
My car has GPS.

 

[phatspider]

and what's worse you pay another $100+ for 3G enable device. Yeah sounds really good.

I think thats very smart pricing.

APple could have just said right the entry model is $629 and we'd have still thought price was ok. But instead, they've created a lite version for those that have no need for 3g. Fair play to them - means those that don't want that functionality don't end up paying for it.

 

[br0adband]

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.

Yes, but let's all be 100% realistic for just one moment:

Would it kill Apple to put an SD card reader/writer in such a device given the obvious uses for photographs and digital imaging instead of sticking it to people again and again and again with damned adapters and accessories?

If they truly wanted this to be "the most technologically advanced product" then they need to go back and look at what such a device should/could be.

The Tablet PC I'm on is 7+ years old, has more capability and it has an SD slot.

Bleh.

 

[Jaydhil24]

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...

I agree with you my dad wants to purchase a Apple laptop and I see no purpose of him purchasing one because he does not even know to to use most of the functions. Now with the iPad he can easily use the apps and the old man does not need to learn how to use a computer. I can set up his accounts and he can just touch away.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

REALLY DISAPPOINTED
by this
IPAD
it is a 9.7 ipod touch
nothing new
nothing revolutionary
where is MULTITASKING..
STEVE JOBS SAID ITS A HYBRID BETWEEN IPHONE AND MAC
SOO APPLE YOUR TRYING TO MAKE A COMPUTER
AND YOU CANT BLOODY LET PEOPLE OPEN 2 APPLICATIONS...AT THE SAME TIME
WHATS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS
Really disappointed

But what's the purpose of having an eBook reader open in the background at the same time you are reading emails? If you want to run a web server in the background, get a desktop.

 

[jamest71]

The iPhone OS is a multitasking OS - lots of things happen in the background and simultaneously all the time. But just like with the iPhone, you really only need to do one thing at any one time, so why make the entire package so much more complex by implementing multitasking on a user level?

Keep the target audience in mind, and that's people who probably don't even know what "multitasking" is.

True but the real reason multitasking is not a user feature yet is because of battery life. I rarely need multi on the iPhone BUT on this if I was in iWork and wanted to go back and forth between that and Safari.....

 

[phatspider]

that's too bad.

I wasn't in love with the thing until he said $499. I'm in and then when they add the camera and GPS next winter I'll give it too my daughter.

You do realise A-GPS is just normal GPS with the ADDITION of assistance from the cellular network? So it does already have full GPS on the 3G version

 

[surferfromuk]

Not true for a couple of reasons. First of all, a cell phone in the pocket is not always active (unless you are talking on it while it is in your pocket, or if it is on "Push mode," which I wouldn't recommend anyway because it really eats up battery life - at least on my iPhone).

Second: even if the phone is active in the pocket, the pocket usually rests against the leg, and (hopefully) not the genitals, abdominal organs, heart, or breast tissue. This is not necessarily the case with wireless laptops and devices like the iPad.

I am not trying to be paranoid - I myself use wireless devices (and am typing this on a wireless computer). Just use extra caution, and NEVER pocket an active cell phone so it touches the above-mentioned parts of the body. If you use the iPad, put something thick in your lap under it.

By the way, it may be worth mentioning that I live in Germany, where this topic gets much more publicity than it does in the corporation-overrun U.S. The German government has issued some fairly strong warnings regarding wireless radioactivity. For what it's worth, cordless (not cell) phones are probably the most dangerous things in this regard, as they give off huge amounts of radiation - significantly more than wireless internet connections. Quite a few people in Germany still choose to have only corded phones for this reason.

Never sleep with an undocked cordless phone next to your head!

Not deriding your advice - it maybe good but this isn't a phone and it's never going to be stored in your pocket and so won't be squeezed against your manhood and in use - a laptop sits on my lap right above my crotch. I certainly don't think the iPad is worse than this? In fact, I'm actually thinking the iPad will be held up a good deal of the time - 10 inches from my crotch!

Could be a goolie saver!

 

[friedmud]

Yes, but let's all be 100% realistic for just one moment:

Would it kill Apple to put an SD card reader/writer in such a device given the obvious uses for photographs and digital imaging instead of sticking it to people again and again and again with damned adapters and accessories?

If they truly wanted this to be "the most technologically advanced product" then they need to go back and look at what such a device should/could be.

The Tablet PC I'm on is 7+ years old, has more capability and it has an SD slot.

Bleh.

This I can agree with. I think it's odd that they didn't just include a damn SDCard slot... but you know... Jobs just isn't a fan of Slots and Buttons... so this device must be a dream for him. Only a couple of buttons and basically no slots.

I'm just glad that it has the capability at all!

 

[srauber]

Is it only me or do we have to pay for every app what makes this devic useful?If you buy an macbook you get ilife with it. On the tablet you need for example the photo app.
Sure people will buy but a lot only to have it in their hands

 

[512ke]

It will become better

I'm sure later they'll add Flash, a front camera, video Skype, more memory, and they'll cut the price. It will grow into something cooler.

For now, why should I buy this if I already have an iPhone? The only thing I'm getting is a bigger screen. It's $500 for a big screen. Is that worth it? Maybe. It's a pain to read books on my iPhone, and reading them on my MBP isn't much better.

Of course $500 could buy a hell of a lotta good books...

 

[GITF]

It seems that most people disappointed with the iPad are technical guys who like to own a device that can do more than other devices.

But this people are not seeing the point of this device. It is not the question how MUCH i can do with the iPad but HOW i can do certain things.

People are saying they can do much more with a 200$-less Netbook. I don't own one, but i see 2 Meters tall men sitting in front of the Netbook on the table trying to navigate through the web. Trying to find the small touchpad with their large fingers. Trying to see more than 3 sentences on a webpage at once. It's just horrible..

Casual computing is the key word here. In the morning i use to read news, politcial, soccer, check emails.. i spend a good hour on it. To do, i need to grab my laptop, switch it on and find a comfortable position. This is the purpose i would like to use the iPad for. Not for photoshop, not for logic, not for hacking Microsofts servers.

This is like comparing cars with bicycles. Of course a car can do lot more, but then there is a pleasure on a bicycle nothing else can replace.

Though i will wait with a buy to see how the real-world usage behaves.

To all disappointed, there are so many alternatives...check them out. Imagine what you can do with the HP slate....

 

[ppnkg]

my question is: will I be able to have my own content on the ipad? that is my pdfs? Will I be able to annotate them and generally to whatever preview allows me to do at a minimum? If yes, then I'm in, this easily replaces not only my laptop but also most of what I carry in my bag every day. If not, not. I just hope apple will not attempt to control all content and what goes on the machine.

but yea it looks cool. without apple's known habit of crippling product, this could be genuinely huge

 

[srauber]

And what was wrong with the HP Tablet 2 weeks ago? Nobody really took a notice ... because it runs MS OS?

 

[Sweetbike40]

The version of the iPad with full features will be called the iPad Maxi

 

[alexf]

Not deriding your advice - it maybe good but this isn't a phone and it's never going to be stored in your pocket and so won't be squeezed against your manhood and in use - a laptop sits on my lap right above my crotch. I certainly don't think the iPad is worse than this? In fact, I'm actually thinking the iPad will be held up a good deal of the time - 10 inches from my crotch!

Could be a goolie saver!

Maybe I wasn't clear: with a laptop it is the same thing as with the iPad - avoid using it wirelessly while it is resting directly on the lap. This is sound advice, as the radiation dangers are real, and the amount of radiation you are getting when something is in actual contact with the body it MUCH higher than when it is only a few centimeters away.

Again, I am not a paranoid anti-wireless fanatic - I own an iPhone and am typing this message over wireless internet (which I enjoy for its convenience). But as the saying goes: better safe than sorry - we still have yet to discover the long-term effects of all of this.

 

[ditzy]

My first thought when I saw this was, 'Cool I'm getting one. I can give my iPod touch to my little sister she'll love it. Oh what's the point in buying a touch now.'
I do believe that the iPad will be a success, but it could be at the expense of the iPod touch. Then again the iPad is more expensive so do apple care.

 

[raygungirl]

I think I'm in the perfect demographic for this thing.


Consumer has no laptop? Check.

Likes to read/look at websites in bed on iPhone (which was a gift), but it's too damn small to look at for hours? Check.

Has a 24" iMac because it was more bang for my buck than any Apple laptop, and the screen is awesome for editing media/playing "important" games (World of Warcraft)? Check.

Never seems to have much more than $500 at a time to spend on something like this, but would get a LOT of use out of an iPhone with a bigger screen, and doesn't want a damn netbook? Check check.



I have a few complaints/concerns... Would I be able to listen to music while I surf the web? If not - fail. I don't need heavy duty multitasking - that's what my desktop is for - but some would be nice.

The OS looks absolutely awful. I hope you can add more than 4 icons to the dock, and I wish there was a better way to display your apps, because the "iPhone icons on a huge screen" look strikes me as really rushed and half-assed, and I expect more from Apple.

The video of the calendar app seems unintuitive. They show the guy's finger pressing the tiny little arrow at the bottom of the screen to go to the next day, but the calendar app looks like a book. Does this mean you can't just flip the pages with your finger like you would a book? And why not? If you really have to use the small arrow to navigate this thing, it seems like a huge oversight. I like turning virtual pages.

No Flash. I'd love for the internet to stop using it, but like, they haven't yet, okay? A large part of the internet is completely Flash-based - and not just local restaurant websites, either. Disney and Apple need to have a talk if they're such close friends, because every damn Disney website is absolutely dripping in Flash.

I don't really have a problem with the onscreen keyboard, as I type faster on the iPhone than I write with a pen. But even saying that, I think it's a mistake to not have a stylus for certain tasks, at the user's discretion; I'd love to be able to use this thing as a virtual sketchbook, but that would require a stylus. I don't want to use my fingertip to draw, and I won't. Give me a stylus for drawing!

As far as the good, well... The iPad (really bad name) isn't groundbreaking but it could be very useful. The price is a NICE touch for me... and it'll only get cheaper - awesome.