Agreed, I see this as totally defeating the purpose of the iPad, but to each his own!
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Clamcase Laptop-Like Shell for the iPad
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Agreed, I see this as totally defeating the purpose of the iPad, but to each his own!
I see many flaws with this.
1. ipad will be a way too heavy. it looks to be heavier than apple's concept of a keyboard doc. It will probably weigh as much as my Lenovo X61T Tablet without the dock attached. While the X61T is an "ok" computer for Windows based tablet apps. it is still heavy and awkward. I have to sit it on a table, which defeats the purpose of a tablet. I only use it for when I have to hand-write or draw in OneNote. I find myself using my livescribe pen for that more and just syncing that to my computer. But then again, ipad has many apps for that and then I can just export the finished product and put in my OneNote.
2. appears you have to take off your ipad and remount it to use it as a tablet. in the concept, the hinge does not look rotatable.
However, just imagine for a moment this does take off. Then what we have is a new niche market of people looking for a real simple to use laptop (that functions better than a netbook), where they only have to worry about their work - and do not have to worry about installs, etc. plus an ipad does easily sync with itunes, and you have the app store.
I wonder if they thought about portrait mode. Many apps function differently (tool bars, etc) depending if landscape or portrait (pages in iwork for example). Can the screen be easily removed and placed in portrait position?
But for me, I would never buy something like this. kinda defeats the purpose of an iPad's design:
1. with being able to rotate the screen for app needs
2. portability (light weight) and usability - can use it anywhere, even if no tray / table available.
1. ipad will be a way too heavy. it looks to be heavier than apple's concept of a keyboard doc. It will probably weigh as much as my Lenovo X61T Tablet without the dock attached. While the X61T is an "ok" computer for Windows based tablet apps. it is still heavy and awkward. I have to sit it on a table, which defeats the purpose of a tablet. I only use it for when I have to hand-write or draw in OneNote. I find myself using my livescribe pen for that more and just syncing that to my computer. But then again, ipad has many apps for that and then I can just export the finished product and put in my OneNote.
2. appears you have to take off your ipad and remount it to use it as a tablet. in the concept, the hinge does not look rotatable.
However, just imagine for a moment this does take off. Then what we have is a new niche market of people looking for a real simple to use laptop (that functions better than a netbook), where they only have to worry about their work - and do not have to worry about installs, etc. plus an ipad does easily sync with itunes, and you have the app store.
I wonder if they thought about portrait mode. Many apps function differently (tool bars, etc) depending if landscape or portrait (pages in iwork for example). Can the screen be easily removed and placed in portrait position?
But for me, I would never buy something like this. kinda defeats the purpose of an iPad's design:
1. with being able to rotate the screen for app needs
2. portability (light weight) and usability - can use it anywhere, even if no tray / table available.
Then just get the keyboard doc. Pages and several other word processing type apps were designed to work better in portrait mode. I would think the keyboard doc would work without it being plugged in (maybe?). I went to an apple store and was deciding on the accessories when I get my ipad. I asked what is so special about the keyboard dock. The guy said "nothing really", except for a few keys to mimic some hand gestures t oswipe to the next screen, screen lock. Other than that he said he really did not find a use for it, other than maybe long typing where one may find the virtual keyboard a bit fustrating.
I don't know why everyone gets an iPad nd tries to turn it back into a laptop. It makes no sense.
Maybe it comes with complimentary suction cups.... or velcro strips!
Yes, I can see it coming with two suction cups, close together at the bottom front.
Not sure what the hold-down attachment for female users would look like ...
Omg, Omg, Omg!
OMG, OMG, OMG. I can't wait to turn my nice new iPad into the laptop I never wanted!
OMG, OMG, OMG. I can't wait to turn my nice new iPad into the laptop I never wanted!
Because this product creates a convertible tablet/notebook combo. It's an ipad! No, it's a notebook!
And all built around apple hardware and software.
It provides a meaningful extension of ipad capabilities and convenience.
I suspect the only reason apple didn't intro an accessory like this at the ipad's introduction is that the company wanted users focused first on the tablet functionality. I'll be surprised if apple doesn't bring out it's own--probably better--version of this product.
If this is pointless, then isn't connecting an external keyboard to your iPad pointless as well? I can see the point of this: cheap 3G wireless connection. Can you get an "unlimited" 3G data plan for $30/month for a laptop (edit: in the U.S.)? With no contract?
If I traveled more, I could see myself using it as such: get an SSH client app that has an integrated web browser for a portable web development platform (SSH in to a shell and run Emacs; integrated web browser is so I don't have to leave the SSH app, ideally a split panel for the browser).
Hell, I wish I could get something like this for my *iPhone*. Of course I am a touch-typist and value having a full-sized keyboard, so that might have something to do with it. I've tried the iPad's virtual keyboard, and while it's very good and I was able to type fast on it, it can't beat a real keyboard.
If I traveled more, I could see myself using it as such: get an SSH client app that has an integrated web browser for a portable web development platform (SSH in to a shell and run Emacs; integrated web browser is so I don't have to leave the SSH app, ideally a split panel for the browser).
Hell, I wish I could get something like this for my *iPhone*. Of course I am a touch-typist and value having a full-sized keyboard, so that might have something to do with it. I've tried the iPad's virtual keyboard, and while it's very good and I was able to type fast on it, it can't beat a real keyboard.
Concept is ok, but execution sucks ...........
There's definitely some interest in an easy way to carry around a bluetooth keyboard to go with an iPad. There's also (obviously) interest in putting an iPad in some sort of case (like Apple's case that allows standing the iPad up on a table at different angles).
These guys are basically trying to put the two together into one product, and that's fine, in theory.
The problem is, they're not being very innovative at all here. They're just turning the iPad into a netbook when it's inserted in this contraption!
As a new iPad owner myself (currently using Apple's case with it), I *really* like the way it's still thin enough, in the case, that it feels like I'm carrying a small binder or book around - and I can actually flip the case open like a book and fold it back behind the iPad to easily use it while standing up, or in my lap, etc. Many of the 3rd. party cases I looked at tried to offer more cushioning/protection for the iPad and wound up doubling the thickness or more in the process. I wasn't impressed.
What I found, that looked somewhat interesting was a fabric bluetooth keyboard that rolls up inside a small plastic rectangular box. When you want to use it, you just pull the keyboard out of the slot on the side and lay it flat on a surface. What about an iPad case similar to Apple's current offering, except with a fabric pull/slide out bluetooth keyboard like that integrated into it? Maybe they could power it off button-cell batteries to keep the bulk down?
There's definitely some interest in an easy way to carry around a bluetooth keyboard to go with an iPad. There's also (obviously) interest in putting an iPad in some sort of case (like Apple's case that allows standing the iPad up on a table at different angles).
These guys are basically trying to put the two together into one product, and that's fine, in theory.
The problem is, they're not being very innovative at all here. They're just turning the iPad into a netbook when it's inserted in this contraption!
As a new iPad owner myself (currently using Apple's case with it), I *really* like the way it's still thin enough, in the case, that it feels like I'm carrying a small binder or book around - and I can actually flip the case open like a book and fold it back behind the iPad to easily use it while standing up, or in my lap, etc. Many of the 3rd. party cases I looked at tried to offer more cushioning/protection for the iPad and wound up doubling the thickness or more in the process. I wasn't impressed.
What I found, that looked somewhat interesting was a fabric bluetooth keyboard that rolls up inside a small plastic rectangular box. When you want to use it, you just pull the keyboard out of the slot on the side and lay it flat on a surface. What about an iPad case similar to Apple's current offering, except with a fabric pull/slide out bluetooth keyboard like that integrated into it? Maybe they could power it off button-cell batteries to keep the bulk down?
It would be cool if they could add more features to the design. Without these extra features, I think the case is pretty pointless, as the only thing it adds is a keyboard and bulkiness. Some ideas are:
- a built-in equivalent of Apple's camera connection kit (SD card reader or a multi card reader and USB connection built into the case would be awesome).
- have the keyboard connect via USB (through dock connector) instead of bluetooth to save battery life.
- integrated speakers next to keyboard (macbook pro like)
- an integrated battery pack
- an aluminum enclosure version of the case
- make the case thinner (macbook air like)
- a built-in equivalent of Apple's camera connection kit (SD card reader or a multi card reader and USB connection built into the case would be awesome).
- have the keyboard connect via USB (through dock connector) instead of bluetooth to save battery life.
- integrated speakers next to keyboard (macbook pro like)
- an integrated battery pack
- an aluminum enclosure version of the case
- make the case thinner (macbook air like)
Lenovo is developing a Tablet with a keyboard that can be detached from the screen and also protects it.
The prototype is called (hybrid laptop IdeaPad U1)
Image
http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas...ss-release/CES-2010/hybrid-notebook03_300.jpg
Another image separating screen keyboard
http://www.geekets.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Lenovo-Ideapad-U1-Hybrid.jpg
But for those who want an IPAD as a workstation
A better idea would be:
Keyboard connected by wire with the IPAD port with the same (but can be separated as the prototype of Lenovo) the purpose of connecting wire is included in the Apple keyboard accessories sold separately:
1: IPAD Camera Connection Kit
http://www.apple.com/ipad/accessories/
2: IPAD Dock Connector to VGA Adapter
http://www.apple.com/ipad/accessories/
3: 1 Port USB2 or USB3
4: Magic Wireless Mouse is to control a cursor on the screen of the IPAD, but is necessary to develop software for this purpose = (
http://www.apple.com/magicmouse/
The prototype is called (hybrid laptop IdeaPad U1)
Image
http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas...ss-release/CES-2010/hybrid-notebook03_300.jpg
Another image separating screen keyboard
http://www.geekets.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Lenovo-Ideapad-U1-Hybrid.jpg
But for those who want an IPAD as a workstation
A better idea would be:
Keyboard connected by wire with the IPAD port with the same (but can be separated as the prototype of Lenovo) the purpose of connecting wire is included in the Apple keyboard accessories sold separately:
1: IPAD Camera Connection Kit
http://www.apple.com/ipad/accessories/
2: IPAD Dock Connector to VGA Adapter
http://www.apple.com/ipad/accessories/
3: 1 Port USB2 or USB3
4: Magic Wireless Mouse is to control a cursor on the screen of the IPAD, but is necessary to develop software for this purpose = (
http://www.apple.com/magicmouse/
The iPad IS a content creation device, and will suffice for some people. Why do you say it cannot create content, such as word processing documents in Pages?
Ray
Not to mention Adobe ideas. We bought [an ipad] for every designer, engineer, and architect in our organization, put Ideas on them, and they've completely revolutionized our business in a month. The 3G units doubly so. We may wind up buying a few of these cases so they can efficiently draft proposals on the same device.
I love how the non-creative crowd can't possibly imagine why this would be useful. "Get a laptop" Right, back to carrying around laptops, mice, cords, and always looking for a place to set them up. Not gonna happen.
I wonder how much that AC/DC song cost them...
Without a trackpad the iPad is harder to use in this configuration. However, the iPad is really an half backed industrial design, it has a design that works only when you hold it in hand, but is missing an integrated stand and screen protector. And no, the Apple stand/cover it's not a good design solution (neither could be all the third party solutions to come) missing the iPad even the most elementary lock solution.
Er, in the UK, and many other EU countries, yes. Unlimited data plans for phones that allow tethering to a laptop are pretty cheap here. Dongles for laptops are cheap too - around £7.50 a month if 1GB a month is enough.
You can even buy disposable 3G dongles that come preloaded with however many GB you need. e.g 3GB, valid for 3 months, £40. When it runs out, chuck it away or top up.
http://three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/Choose_a_price_plan/Pay_As_You_Go
Dumb
This is the dumbest product I've seen yet! Buy a laptop instead. I realize the iPad calls for a bit of retraining, but why hang on to the past? Break out of your comfort zone and just embrace touch.
This is the dumbest product I've seen yet! Buy a laptop instead. I realize the iPad calls for a bit of retraining, but why hang on to the past? Break out of your comfort zone and just embrace touch.
To all those people who say 'buy a laptop': That is a different audience. Think of the decision point after you had bought an iPad (and it is now past the 30 day return period) and you love it and want to keep it. Now you want a case and a physical keyboard. This is just another niche to fill that need. This may not make it but asking them to buy a laptop misses the point.
It's a multi- functional case that position to stand and can serve as a convertible tablet. You don't have to keep the ipad in the case!! lol!! I want it now!!!!
Hi,
I don't see what the problem is.
It's an iPad case with a keyboard built in. Sounds better than carrying around a keyboard if you know you will need it, and it will be easy to remove the iPad from the case to use solo.
It isn't for everyone (me included) but nothing is.
s.
I don't see what the problem is.
It's an iPad case with a keyboard built in. Sounds better than carrying around a keyboard if you know you will need it, and it will be easy to remove the iPad from the case to use solo.
It isn't for everyone (me included) but nothing is.
s.