True, but I think that only those tablets that use the iPhone OS or Android OS will be widely adopted. The tablets running on Windows 7 will find only niche usage, because they offer little advantage over laptops and netbooks, and will remind people why computers often seem so inscrutable to even educated people.
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Apple's Product Launch Security Profiled Ahead of iPad Debut
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True, but I think that only those tablets that use the iPhone OS or Android OS will be widely adopted. The tablets running on Windows 7 will find only niche usage, because they offer little advantage over laptops and netbooks, and will remind people why computers often seem so inscrutable to even educated people.
I have to say this product release is different than the iPhones and iPods in that the iPad information, specs, models and form-factor are already known via Apple, prior to release.
The fact that they are going to such lengths, as with previous unknown products to keep everyone in the dark, tells me we don't know the WHOLE STORY yet. What we are seeing on their website, in reviews from testers and elsewhere, is actually BETA or first generation. So what will be released/shipped is basically the GOLD or second generation with added unknown features.
Otherwise, it makes no sense to go to the expense and trouble to hide a product everyone has already seen..... but then again we're talking Apple marketing in action.
The fact that they are going to such lengths, as with previous unknown products to keep everyone in the dark, tells me we don't know the WHOLE STORY yet. What we are seeing on their website, in reviews from testers and elsewhere, is actually BETA or first generation. So what will be released/shipped is basically the GOLD or second generation with added unknown features.
Otherwise, it makes no sense to go to the expense and trouble to hide a product everyone has already seen..... but then again we're talking Apple marketing in action.
We are brother prophets then. I've been reading Macrumors for years on a regular basis. Only with the iPad have I been compelled to speak out. In my mind, it's that big. And I can only chuckle when I see the "It's only a big iPod touch" comments.
Or they just want all the early adopters to be able to enjoy a virgin unboxing experience.
Not good to hear. I hope Apple's only like this with their products, and not clamping down on corporate transparency everywhere. It's not healthy for a corporation to get too gestapo.
It is in this very instance that it would not be a revolutionary device. It would be like all other antiquated PC tablets, simply running Mac OS X. Though arguably better merely due to the improved OS, it would still be a bloated device attempting to conform a desktop OS/GUI to a portable, multitouch interface.
They'll still get to pop the iPad's cherry either way.
Having a cloud of secrecy over an already well known and studied previewed-product is odd if there is nothing new or unknown.
What would you have had seen the phone sooner done in your ability to swipe credit cards and hand boxes to the hundred people outside the store drooling to hand you money?
In other words, short of your own personal curiosity, how would have seeing it a week earlier had helped you do your job better on launch day?
Yes. Because most online gaming requires very little cpu power.
You are probably just not terribly familar with the kind of gaming which is actually most popular, and that requires very little in terms of hardware.
Well - I personally won't buy one, I guess. But just for your comment on Android and Windows 7 let me add one thing to this discussion. No flash means thousands of frustrated in the buyers demographic.
<cue the "My iPad can't do Farmville"-comments>
If only this were true. However, what will end up happening is that those that buy or receive an iPad as a gift with this in mind will ultimately end up saying:
"Oh, I ended up not using it. I couldn't browse the internet with it anyway, most websites didn't work, it says something about a missing Flash plugin which I don't understand"
...or... "I can't have a video chat with you, I'd need a proper computer with a webcam for that"
...or... "Once I lost all my photos after my iPad got stolen, and somebody told me I should have been backing it up somehow, I vowed never to trust computers again"
I can hear my mother's voice now. Apple missed the boat on so many levels here for this to be a "revolutionary" device for the masses.
One of the factors not considered by the "iPad only costs a couple of hundred of bucks to manufacture, therefore is a rip off" school is the fact that a certain level of flat out replacement units have to be costed in. In a way, the "high cost" of Apple products includes that insurance policy... flat out, few questions asked replacements.
People scoffed at the idea of the iPod.
People bemoaned at the idea of the Intel architecture adoption.
People dismissed the idea of the iPhone.
And people will continue to laugh at the idea of the iPad.
On the three previous occasions, Steve Jobs was 100% right. That's a hat trick, folks. Regardless of my opinion of the iPad and the rest of us, there's something to be said about Steve's vision and plan for Apple...
... Especially when it's in Steve's on words that this is the biggest thing he's worked on to date.
People bemoaned at the idea of the Intel architecture adoption.
People dismissed the idea of the iPhone.
And people will continue to laugh at the idea of the iPad.
On the three previous occasions, Steve Jobs was 100% right. That's a hat trick, folks. Regardless of my opinion of the iPad and the rest of us, there's something to be said about Steve's vision and plan for Apple...
... Especially when it's in Steve's on words that this is the biggest thing he's worked on to date.
No, the target audience will be people with actual lives who play games as the occasional diversion.
Right... what amazing success those were too.
Ford didn't 'invent' the car either, but he put the pieces together (from mfg to marketing) for the first time. THAT's the real accomplishment.
i also like the secrecy...it does create a lot of hype
as far as repairs are concerned...they just might swap the ipad for a new one instead of repairing it...
as far as repairs are concerned...they just might swap the ipad for a new one instead of repairing it...
I believe that the rough outline of the iPad was on the drawing board long before the first iPhone shipped.
The iPhone -> iPod touch -> iPad strategy is Apple's attempt to reclaim personal computing, by doing an end-run through the mobile phone space. The iPhone was a testing ground - it allowed Apple to hone the GUI and adjust APIs on a platform type where rough edges were the norm. It also allowed them to get the developer community on board with their development platform. And it was an Apple computing device that people were willing to try - something that many folks weren't willing to do with a Macintosh.
Apple wouldn't have stood a chance if they offered the iPad as a direct competitor to netbooks and notebooks without laying the groundwork with the iPhone. At this point they have a huge customer base familiar with their multitouch GUI, a strong base of existing apps and developers, a solid application and media store, and a battle-tested OS that is highly resistant to malware.
It isn't a replacement for a full-fledged notebook or desktop - yet. But it is clear that they are chipping away at it. And I think that the iPad is a key to Apple's desire to control the living room and HDTV as well. The software pieces aren't all there, but apparently they've decided that the hardware was where it needed to be...
Apple's attempt here to reclaim the "computer for the rest of us" title may or may not succeed, but it is sure going to be fun to watch them try. And the iPad is the centerpiece of that attempt.
I've been a Mac user and owner since 1985 (dual-floppy Mac Plus) and this is a product that I have personally been waiting for for a long time - the "coffee table computer".
Yeah, I think it's a big deal.
not saying the ipad will be the failure the newton was, but the Newton got a lot of fanfare too. (I bet at the time, you thought the Newton was the "next coming of the Messiah) Until I "test drive" a product, I don't let the endless pre-release hype get to me. For example, for a while I thought the Palm Pre was going to be very cool. But before it was released, many negative aspects came to light, and the final "nail in the coffin" was when I saw it in person. screen too small; fonts too small. deal breaker right there. I will never understand why people order things sight unseen. I'd never preorder anything.
I agree. I think of the iPhone and iPod touch as versions 0.1 and 0.2 of the strategy that is now in maybe 0.3 or 0.4 territory with the first version of the iPad. We ain't seen nothin' yet.
Just got my iPad pre-order shipment notification e-mail tonight. She's on her way from Shenzhen, China right now!! 