Apple Tablet Media Event Today: 'Come See Our Latest Creation'

[slackpacker]

Microsoft still has a good chance to make it right. The concept they showed recently was amazing. Hear this Microsoft...

WHAT I FIND AMAZING .... is how everyone is saying "Its Terrific" "Its the best thing I have ever done" "Amazing"

These statements do not fit the product.

 

[MacManTexas56]

You're uninformed. Nothing exists until Apple creates it. Except Apple itself, which is eternal.

steve jobs is that you?

 

[El Cabong]

what ever happened to common sense? $500 per kid is nuts, not to mention whatever the textbook companies will charge per book.

kids will lose them, break them, abuse them by playing games or messaging. it's crazy to even consider this.

this idea wont happen till you can make a reader that is well under $100, rugged as hell, unable to do anything but text.

Yeah, I'm sure the same thing was said about using laptops for educational purposes. The fault lies not in the device, but in the publishers who typically charge several hundred dollars per textbook. Electronic readers should theoretically reduce overhead, which (given an honest broker) would reduce the price of e-textbooks. Alas, greed pervades.

In any case, it's not at all crazy to consider using tablets for education instead of books; just think of the back and shoulder injuries that would be prevented as a result. "Kids" can handle technology just fine, so go back to keeping them off your lawn, grandpa.

 

[slackpacker]

I imagine a computer will replace text books one day, but such a device will most likely be restricted to textbook use and possibly have limited internet access, controlled by the school's network.

Drop a Kindle on the floor and then Drop an iPAD..... who's going to win.

 

[NeoPod]

Maybe if you're sitting in bed, and hold the iPad propped up on your lap, then maybe?

Well I sure hope it doesn't burn your legs like my MB and MBP do for starters

However I do continue...

Also do you think a Car Charger will appear?

Will it work seamlessly with Airport Express and TV?

How do you print if your printer is non-wifi?

What is the etiquette for carrying one of these, sow a large pocket on your jacket or carry a manbag/case

Would it work with M$ Exchange Server?

I assume the battery will be like the Aluminium MBPro and will need to be taken to Apple to service?

Can it enable you to make side notes on the .epub books for revision?

Why invent the pointless paint app? Pixelpaint did it better nearly 20 years ago

Do you think any BT/Wifi Cameras might appear on the market and a version of iChat might appear in the App store?

Can it read your own previously purchased books from 'other' devices?

How many iApp developers are now pissed as they have to re-write top titles to make use of the larger screen estate and extra functionality?

I'm pretty sure the iBooks app looks very similar to a beautiful application out back in early 2000 ish, it read ISBN barcodes et al and showed a virtual bookcase, it was Delicious Library.

Just my 2¢

 

[megadon]

Yes, it is an iPad on steroids but what I saw in "Courier" could be done
with an app for the iPad. It's got the capabilities

really? there is an app for multitasking and another app that magically puts a camera on your ipad?
link please.

 

[VenusianSky]

Drop a Kindle on the floor and then Drop an iPAD..... who's going to win.

But will either blend? That is the question.

 

[mabou2]

Microphone anyone?

Anyone else notice that the iPad has a microphone? It is listed in the specs on apples website.

Wonder whattup wit dat?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

What is the etiquette for carrying one of these, sow a large pocket on your jacket or carry a manbag/case

The Joy of Tech has thought of that for us:

 

[MojoWill]

Disappointed doesn't quite cut it.

They haven't updated the UK site either are we actually gettin git over here and I'm sure it will follow the stupid Apple UK prices.

 

[Eidorian]

There's always the HP Slate with Windows 7 to fulfill all your clumsy desktop-OS-on-a-tablet desires.

Try it out first. But I suspect you'd rather not and still bash it.

With an operating system that needs to be maintained, and apps that need to be installed and updated and the threat of virus's and spyware and hard disks with files all over them, and fiddliy control panels and lots of randomly hit and miss un-integrated apps without a touch screen unified operating experience, with bugs and logins and oh the list goes on and on...and I haven't even begin to talk hardware or user experience or learning curve or ease of use..

Man, these two worlds are just SO insanely far apart I just can't understand how you can't see that?

I didn't realize that ARM ran Windows 7.

Sorry, right. I'm used to metric system. 1.5lb

Macbook:
13": 4.7lb
Air: 3lb


If I was a professional photographer, I'd use it to show the photos to my clients on location. So slim, easy handling. fine.

It's nice to try but you'd want a notebook instead.

 

[NightFox]

Anyone else notice that the iPad has a microphone? It is listed in the specs on apples website.

Wonder whattup wit dat?

Well, there's voice activation, both within the OS and third party apps, and it allows iWorks to theoretically be voice controlled meaning it's compliant with a lot of disability legislation.

You've also got voice memo recording as well as apps like Skype.

 

[slackpacker]

But will either blend? That is the question.

Oh I can't wait!!

 

[kernkraft]

"It just feels right!"

Nope, it just feels creepy!

 

[Coruscanti]

I'll admit I'm underwhelmed by the lock screen and home screen. They could not only be a bit more functional, but a bit better looking.

On the front-facing camera: that is a big slab of glass. You want to make a tiny hole in it? It's bad enough when iPhone displays crack around the earpiece of Home button when dropped.

But the uproar seems to confirm that not a ton of work was put into the device, really. An existing software platform extended. I really love how usable iWork looks and what developers will be able to do. Remember when the iPhone siphoned off development power from Macs (especially Leopard)? It looks like it's OS development that's siphoning off mobile development this time. Or something.

Any brave developers that have tips as to what can be found in the SDK? I'm sure there are some juicy things in there.

 

[Anuba]

When I think about it now, I realise that when I use my laptop then I am in bed, on the couch etc. I only ever browse the web, listen to music and watch the occasional video. For anything I need to more with I can sit at my desk at my iMac.

Exactly. The first time I heard rumors of a tablet from Apple, I hoped they had envisioned it as a funpad for couch potatoes, and that's exactly what they did.

I use the iPhone more as a web browser and a web client over my home WiFi than I use it as a phone. And when I need something bigger I grab the laptop, which is technically overkill for couch fun and not very convenient. The iPad bridges that gap.

I'm normally very negative about Apple's products (despite my signature...), but this one I totally get.

 

[nishishei]

HP Elitebook 2730p tablet 1599$

http://computershopper.com/laptops/reviews/hp-elitebook-2730p

No optical drive; no touch capability; mediocre performance for price 1600$

I bought it for $600 new. The performance is not mediocre, it's a 1.86ghz Duo Core 2 low voltage processor with 4gb of RAM. It would run circles around the iPad and is comparable in performance to a 2.0ghz Macbook Pro.

Touch capability is overrated on a screen size larger than 10", it's really only handy for things you can pull out of your pocket. Try to stuff the iPad into your pocket.

And I have a real keyboard and 2 USB ports plus WLAN.

Go cry, fanboy.

 

[HLdan]

Wow, I normally like Apple stuff but this is just pathetic. They had an opportunity to make an actually useful free standing device, but instead made a giant Iphone. Plus it looks like it requires the owner to already own a mac. I wish it would have been a touch screen OS X with an onscreen keyboard, that would have been more useful than GiantPhone. My laptop does all that same crap, with a camera and flash support.

Shame on you Apple!

Actually, shame on YOU. If you took the time to check out the system requirements on Apple's website you could've edited your post of unnecessary complaints and saw that it works with Mac OS X and Windows, including W7.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Drop a Kindle on the floor and then Drop an iPAD..... who's going to win.

the floor

 

[limesmoothie]

Disappointed doesn't quite cut it.

They haven't updated the UK site either are we actually gettin git over here and I'm sure it will follow the stupid Apple UK prices.

I call £450.

 

[Popeye206]

I am curious to see how this stacks up amongst other tablets ..... Will there be Android or Windows-based tablets that offer just as much, if not more than the iPad, and at a competitive price? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

I think people miss the point of the Apple advantage. Apple's advantage is they didn't just cram the old stuff in a new chunk of hardware, they redesigned the software to match the hardware providing a clean user environment.

There is a reason why the Tablets shown at CES we're ho-hum. The UI's sucked!

Apple has proven over and over again... it's not just hardware features that make a product great... feature list wise, most Apple products are either slightly ahead or slightly behind. But when put all together... they are unique and people want them.

Again... I personally think that the iPad is going to be way more significant that what several people here have indicated. No... it's not the replacement for your iPhone or your MacBook, but there is a place in this world for this device.

Personally... someone that does a lot of business travel and flying on planes, a tablet makes a lot of sense. Have you ever tried to work in the cramped seats on a plane? For my quick trips, this would be awesome. All I need is email and internet most of the time with a little support from office applications.

Anyway... I think this will be cool... I'm sure 2.0 will be what's really wanted... sort of like the original iPhone to the iPhone 3G....

 

[aluren]

So would I be able to use my iPhone's sim card and plug it in the iPad for 3G connectivity? I know it's not a viable option since it's a PITA, but it'll be nice if it works.

 

[kernkraft]

Missed it? Too early?

2000! Not bad! Better than the tablet...


EDIT: Bloody missed it

 

[greenmeanie]

Doesn't barnes and nobles rent them to students?

Before you blow that $730 on the idea that textbooks that might cost $550 next semester are going to be had on this thing for only $20 or $30, I suggest you think long and hard about exactly why the book publishers are going to sell their books at about 94% OFF, when you HAVE to buy them for class anyway?

That $730 burning a hole in your pocket will pay for next semester's $550 worth of books. Else, don't be surprised if you spend the $730 and then need to come up with just about $550 for the e-version of the same books IF the ones you need are even available on the iPad.

I seriously doubt the media will make up for the expense of the iPad. Just let the pricing vs. the "printed" versions of other media in the iTunes store help you reset your new book media pricing expectations.

I hope your dream comes true, but I just don't see the book companies shooting themselves so thoroughly in the foot just to help Apple justify the sale of more iPads. Put yourself in THEIR shoes and think about why you would want to do that.

 

[ldkaplan]

Drop a Kindle on the floor and then Drop an iPAD..... who's going to win.

That's a trick quesiton. The iPad is magical, it would never hit the ground.