Given up on iPad as work solution

[kultschar]

how does lion show us there will be an accessable file system on the ipad? not saying there won't be but I don't recall them pointing that way.

I guess you aint read the Lion preview (scroll to the bottom of Apples Lion Preview page)

File Sharing for iPad
Lion Server delivers wireless file sharing for iPad. Enabling WebDAV in Lion Server gives iPad users the ability to access, copy, and share documents on the server from applications such as Keynote, Numbers, and Pages

 

[deeddawg]

the iPad very officially is a "post-PC" device. I think it should be safe to assume that a "post-something" device should easily be able to replace its predecessor.

I think this is where you're misunderstanding. I don't agree that it's safe to assume the above.

Just as PC's never replaced Mainframes for all tasks and laptops never replaced desktops for all tasks, I don't believe tablets (ipad or otherwise) will completely replace PC's for all tasks.

The degree to which you can replace a PC with a tablet will grow as time marches on, but for now it is incorrect to believe it can serve as a full on replacement outside of certain situations.

Here's an interesting read: http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/03/04/understanding-post-pc/

 

[saving107]

the iPad is a great work computer ... if you have a job playing Angry Birds

You can't imaging how many times the boss has made me work late nights and weekends, I don't know why I put up with such a stressful job, its just so aggravating having to do the same thing over and over and always having the same results

 

[RadicalxEdward]

I guess you aint read the Lion preview (scroll to the bottom of Apples Lion Preview page)

File Sharing for iPad
Lion Server delivers wireless file sharing for iPad. Enabling WebDAV in Lion Server gives iPad users the ability to access, copy, and share documents on the server from applications such as Keynote, Numbers, and Pages

ya that's saying the ipad can access files, that doesn't say anything about an accessible file system ON the ipad itself. It might be something like open keynote on the ipad and you have access to keynote files on the network.

 

[kultschar]

I guess you aint read the Lion preview (scroll to the bottom of Apples Lion Preview page)

File Sharing for iPad
Lion Server delivers wireless file sharing for iPad. Enabling WebDAV in Lion Server gives iPad users the ability to access, copy, and share documents on the server from applications such as Keynote, Numbers, and Pages

Forgot to say Lion Server is now part of Lion and not a seperate purchase hence all Macs with Lion will be able to use this WebDAV feature to share files wirelessly to and from the iPad!! Guess iPhone may be included in this

 

[kultschar]

ya that's saying the ipad can access files, that doesn't say anything about an accessible file system ON the ipad itself. It might be something like open keynote on the ipad and you have access to keynote files on the network.

Well we will see soon enough. It at least sounds promising as ive been waiting for network access for a long time.

It says you will be able to sync wirelessly and gives iPad users the ability to access, copy, and share documents on the server from applications such as Keynote, Numbers, and Pages so hopefully that means more then just another option on Pages etc

 

[RadicalxEdward]

Well we will see soon enough. It at least sounds promising as ive been waiting for network access for a long time.

It says you will be able to sync wirelessly and gives iPad users the ability to access, copy, and share documents on the server from applications such as Keynote, Numbers, and Pages so hopefully that means more then just another option on Pages etc

I hope that means they're getting closer to wireless syncing for all the content on the ipad. I just think they won't ever do that because of the hit to battery life.

 

[kultschar]

I hope that means they're getting closer to wireless syncing for all the content on the ipad. I just think they won't ever do that because of the hit to battery life.

Music would prob not be too bad after you sync the bulk of your library via USB e.g. new albums etc but movies etc no chance.

Its unbearable syncing the old ATV wirelessly (not that I do that anymore) - takes forever!!!

 

[thesmoth]

I took a couple of power point files (saved in compatibility format for powerpoint 2003) and a couple of word documents (also saved in compatibility format), and neither keynote/pages or documents to go could open them properly. Documents to go couldn't edit them and messed up the formatting, left out images, etc... keynote and pages completely couldn't load any charts, images, etc... the files were completely useless.

So both are useless unless you use keynote and pages on the computer, which to be honest no professionals really do. I agree, the iPad is a nice toy but it's useless for work.

 

[pdqgp]

specifically to grant review meetings.

should work great. we use ours for presentations to doctors and groups.

Photos and videos: it took me a long time to discover how to get videos onto the ipad. The only way that works (for me) is to take the SD card out of the camera and stick it into the Camera Connection adapter -- usb didn't work, and going through itunes didn't either, I forget why.

I bring movies over via USB Stick and drag them to the itunes folder is all. Sync the iPad and viola, they are on the iPad for use.

The file system is a limitation here -- I can't dump a pile of files into the ipad, and it takes some thought to make sure I'm bringing along everything I need..... it should be possible to have a big pdf collection, and be able to locate what you want within it.

Use Good reader and the wireless transfer. AGain, it just drags and drops them into a transfer menu and populates good reader. From there, I've been using the file structure and folders available within the Good Reader application to organize my presos and pdf's.

It looks like I'll be able to use the ipad for presentations as of the next iOS upgrade. It's getting there.

With Key Note and Good Reader, you can do that now. I just ordered up a new projector, screen and carrying case for everything from B&H too. PM Me if you get lost in the weeds on this. Pretty easy though.

 

[kultschar]

Realistically I dont think 99% of people will be happy using the iPad for work until Microsoft releases a Office Site of some kind.

Wonder if it would ever happen - I guess there One Note app gives some hope

 

[pdqgp]

I agree, the iPad is a nice toy but it's useless for work.

Not really. Now, I'm not looking to edit powerpoint or word documents on the iPad. I do know its possible and have done it but again, your formating extent vs mine may be different and more complex, but for basic stuff it works fine.

I use mine a display and presentation tool. Worst case in terms of fonts or formatting, not working out....as I've had that, I just save them as a PDF and present from there. I don't use animations, etc. in ever instance nor would it stress me out if they were gone in the few cases I do.

Again, mileage varies. For me the iPad is quickly replacing paper and my laptop.

 

[infidel69]

Apple never said that the iPad would be a replacement to your Laptop/Desktop. They both offer different functionality and its obvious that an iPad doesn't meet your requirements.

It's going to be a long time if at all when the ipad can replace a notebook in the workplace for most people. Unless you work at Best Buy I know there are ways of getting certain things done but the hassle isn't worth it.

 

[VTMac]

Having an android mobile and the iPad I can say that Apple is going to have to make some massive improvements in iOS 5 to be able to keep up.

The lack of basic things like a file system and inter-App communication really show how unfinished iOS is. Too often I find myself having to switch to my phone for simple things because the iPad just can't do it. Try posting an item on eBay (flash file uploader) or uploading an image on imageshack or posting an ad on gumtree (HTML file uploader). I can do these on android but not iOS.

Not to mention how chained it is to iTunes. I don't even bother taking it with me these days, it just sits at home controlling apple tv and browsing the news, which are about the only things it handles beautifully. I can't imagine anyone using both android and iOS for a serious length of time without getting frustrated. The novelty of the beautiful interface eventually fades as you keep hitting wall after wall of missing functionality.

I have both too and have exact opposite conclusion. The novelty of tinkering with android fades as you keep having to tweak everything to do anything simple. Imap email? Nope. Got to go download and setup a new mail client. Voice calling? Nope. New app plus then it works like carp. Android is rapidly becoming the windows of mobile. Only worse because there are hundreds of versions of it.

 

[MrWillie]

Having an android mobile and the iPad I can say that Apple is going to have to make some massive improvements in iOS 5 to be able to keep up.

The lack of basic things like a file system and inter-App communication really show how unfinished iOS is. Too often I find myself having to switch to my phone for simple things because the iPad just can't do it. Try posting an item on eBay (flash file uploader) or uploading an image on imageshack or posting an ad on gumtree (HTML file uploader). I can do these on android but not iOS.

Not to mention how chained it is to iTunes. I don't even bother taking it with me these days, it just sits at home controlling apple tv and browsing the news, which are about the only things it handles beautifully. I can't imagine anyone using both android and iOS for a serious length of time without getting frustrated. The novelty of the beautiful interface eventually fades as you keep hitting wall after wall of missing functionality.

Don't you mean when Google gets their **** together and locks down Android so a 14 year old can no longer crack your device, then they will catch up to Apple, but I doubt any ever catch up to Blackberry. Maybe when Android catches up to IOS, I might be allowed to access clients networks with Android.

Sorry dude chained to iTunes ? Yes for backups and iOS updates, but other than that, I never plug in and use iTunes.

Edit: Sorry, I do sink my iCal and address book every few weeks, but if I were not so cheap, I would use Mobile Me. Which I will, just waiting to see if they make it free.

Well we will see soon enough. It at least sounds promising as ive been waiting for network access for a long time.

It says you will be able to sync wirelessly and gives iPad users the ability to access, copy, and share documents on the server from applications such as Keynote, Numbers, and Pages so hopefully that means more then just another option on Pages etc

FileBrowser

Realistically I dont think 99% of people will be happy using the iPad for work until Microsoft releases a Office Site of some kind.

A REAL Office Suite. Not their mobile crap, but the real McCoy. 18 wheeler office, on the iPad.

 

[pdqgp]

I have both too and have exact opposite conclusion. The novelty of tinkering with android fades as you keep having to tweak everything to do anything simple. Imap email? Nope. Got to go download and setup a new mail client. Voice calling? Nope. New app plus then it works like carp. Android is rapidly becoming the windows of mobile. Only worse because there are hundreds of versions of it.

^^ this. those that love android, fine. there's a market for all types. apple IMO hit the nail on the head in 2001 and through today with SIMPLICITY.

Often times the most elegance and value comes form simplicity. People buy the plug and play of Apple because it just plain works for it's intended purpose.

 

[Good.Shepherd]

iPad is a "third device".

For business use, I've found it to be almost indispensable. It is for reading, meetings, client interface, presentations, etc. I've designed a lot of my client interface docs to be for iPad viewing.

When I meet a new client and we're going over introductions and interviews, etc, I use the iPad to pass between us with everything from images, to potential contracts, to PDFs and etc. I'll us the map feature or google earth to scout locations and etc.

Pulling out a laptop and having two or three people huddle over it in a conference room or bar/restaurant would feel almost archaic, not to mention the risk to my MBPRO17 pulling it out at a restaurant.

It's also amazing for meetings. I can have every file I possess at my fingertips and not have some huge stack of papers with me. It's also hard at many meetings to just pull out a laptop and start typing, whereas the iPad is more discrete and is better for when I might not have a large table space in front of me.

Googlevoice, the iPad, and the iphone, in conjunction, have completely changed my workflow over the last few years. Great for productivity.

 

[pdqgp]

but I doubt any ever catch up to Blackberry. .

I believe Apple will. They will be interfered with by Google and Android devices, but IMO, the younger generation and many of us older gen folks are enjoying the personalization and simplicity of Apple devices to RIM.

It's not just about the devices either. It's the entire experience of shopping with Apple both at their retail stores to the iTunes store. BB and RIM are no where even close to doing that. Neither are any of the competitors.

 

[epi117]

I took a couple of power point files (saved in compatibility format for powerpoint 2003) and a couple of word documents (also saved in compatibility format), and neither keynote/pages or documents to go could open them properly. Documents to go couldn't edit them and messed up the formatting, left out images, etc... keynote and pages completely couldn't load any charts, images, etc... the files were completely useless.

So both are useless unless you use keynote and pages on the computer, which to be honest no professionals really do. I agree, the iPad is a nice toy but it's useless for work.

could you view them in goodreader?

 

[st1ngo]

ipad compared to an MBP is a toy

 

[Stirolak123]

I consider my iPad purchase as a laptop replacement (for Keynote and such) to be a failure. I've had it with file size, image/movie format (codec) issues. I'm done. Its great as a reader but all else is severely compromised.

I'm now looking to purchase a MacBook Air.

Why madbookmair? Just get a windows 7 tablet. Youll have the best of both worldsin tablet format.

 

[pdqgp]

ipad compared to an MBP is a toy

such a comparo is a joke though.

 

[Stirolak123]

Why madbookmair? Just get a windows 7 tablet. Youll have the best of both worldsin tablet format.

Didn't you see the keynote and the iPad 2 video? According to Steve Jobs and the Apple Vice Presidents, the iPad very officially is a "post-PC" device. I think it should be safe to assume that a "post-something" device should easily be able to replace its predecessor.

And where does an iPad offer different functionality than a laptop? It has a different form factor and a touch interface instead of a mouse, that's it.

You know what the real reason is why an iPad cannot compete with a notebook? It's because of its castrated and artificially restricted operating system. Jailbreak the device and it can very easily replace a notebook for most tasks.

No its because Apple is making it a big iPhone.

 

[RadicalxEdward]

No its because Apple is making it a big iPhone.

And that's a bad thing how?

People complain the ipad is a big ipod touch all the time. That's like people getting on a 747 airplane and saying, "this plane sucks, it's just a giant cessna! look they both have wings! they're the same."

The hardware may be a big ipod touch but that big screen makes a big difference and completely changes the usefulness and scope of many applications and the whole point behind the ipad is the apps.

 

[jmoore5196]

Okay, here it is: The iPad isn't a computer ... at least, not as you obviously define the term. Instead, the iPad is a device designed to promote content consumption.

I also happen to use it to make sales presentations and to facilitate clients I've sold, but I'm a very niche user. As a personal computer, the lack of a genuine keyboard and very few professional application options render it almost useless.

I also own an Air ... and a MacBook Pro ... and an iMac. I use them all for different things. The fact that your iPad didn't do what you wanted it to do doesn't mitigate the worldwide success of the device; instead, your expectations were either unfounded or unrealistic. Which was the case?

An all-in-one it ain't. But whether I'm headed across the pond or across the city, the iPad is typically the device I carry with me. 99% of the time, it suffices ... which is all I can ask of any device created for content consumption.