You can already listen to itunes music whilst using most ebook apps, so I doubt Apple would leave the support out of the official one..
Edit: Ha! too slow, sorry.
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Hands-On Impressions of Apple's New iPad
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Edit: Ha! too slow, sorry.
I don't really get the complaint that it's just a big ipod touch.
The touch is $299-399 for the faster versions (which are the only ones I would consider), and they have been selling extremely well.
If so many people are so willing to get the touch at that price, why is it such a stretch to imagine that a decent number would be interested in paying 100-200 more for a similar device with four times the screen real estate?
The touch seems to prove that there are quite a few people who want to buy a device that just does internet and iPhone apps. Personally, I have been jonesing for a touch for a while, but I suspected I would be wishing the screen was bigger for web surfing - now that this is out, it comes darn close to fitting the bill. No camera for video conferencing is the only thing that gives me pause, and even that isn't a total deal breaker.
Multitasking would be nice, but they can do that in a software update.
Now why can't they implement wireless sync for all apple devices that have wifi?
The touch is $299-399 for the faster versions (which are the only ones I would consider), and they have been selling extremely well.
If so many people are so willing to get the touch at that price, why is it such a stretch to imagine that a decent number would be interested in paying 100-200 more for a similar device with four times the screen real estate?
The touch seems to prove that there are quite a few people who want to buy a device that just does internet and iPhone apps. Personally, I have been jonesing for a touch for a while, but I suspected I would be wishing the screen was bigger for web surfing - now that this is out, it comes darn close to fitting the bill. No camera for video conferencing is the only thing that gives me pause, and even that isn't a total deal breaker.
Multitasking would be nice, but they can do that in a software update.
Now why can't they implement wireless sync for all apple devices that have wifi?
I don't expect it to be a huge seller, but it is a game changer for a few reasons that aren't apparent to the people who see it as a large iPhone.
Apple has to hype it as much as possible, as with every major product launch, but internally I think their objective is to use it as a testbed, like the MacBook Air which was also received poorly. What'll happen is they'll get market feedback on the device's features and abilities, and then start incorporating them into existing platforms like the MacBooks, iMac and eventually car navigation/entertainment consoles that they are working on. Also, the device serves as a foil for the Amazon Kindle which is also a niche market, but a growing one. I think they wanted to keep Amazon from gaining more ground in mobile media now that Amazon has a presence, small but positioned well, in digital books and music.
The device will probably perform as expected, in that regard.
Apple has to hype it as much as possible, as with every major product launch, but internally I think their objective is to use it as a testbed, like the MacBook Air which was also received poorly. What'll happen is they'll get market feedback on the device's features and abilities, and then start incorporating them into existing platforms like the MacBooks, iMac and eventually car navigation/entertainment consoles that they are working on. Also, the device serves as a foil for the Amazon Kindle which is also a niche market, but a growing one. I think they wanted to keep Amazon from gaining more ground in mobile media now that Amazon has a presence, small but positioned well, in digital books and music.
The device will probably perform as expected, in that regard.
I was expecting 3G tethering using an iPhone, so sad it can not be done
"Thats a deal breaker ladies"
"Thats a deal breaker ladies"
AMEN! This tethered approach to devices that Apple has whereby you MUST sync to another computer to get any content on is pretty annoying. At least they had the foresight to make an attachment for cameras. I was imagining a use-case where I would take the iPad on a vacation instead of my MBP, and wanting to get the photos off my digital camera. Sucks that there's not at least one USB port on this thing. Prolly would have added a few millimeters, and that is forbidden. Can I even print from the iPad? What if I have an iWork document or web page I want to print? Would be ridiculous if I have to first sync through iTunes, and THEN print from another device.
With all that being said, I see exactly where Apple is going with this device. Just like most of their devices, they start out with a minimal, but well-implemented feature-set, and slowly iterate over time. There's no doubt that they view the iPad as the next revolution in a post-pc world. At the price point they have set it at, it will allow it to garner mass adoption just like the iPod, and before you know it they have the majority of the buying public under an Apple ecosystem.
It's like the subtle trojan horse. People today can't imagine the iPad replacing their laptops, but I envision a not too distant future where iPads are the primary device people use for normal task, with perhaps a more powerful iMac at home for heavy-duty lifting. Those will slowly evolve to more touch based interactions as well. All of us must remember its way more of 'them' than 'us'. And by that I mean 90% of the people out there, don't care or even know how to encode a handbrake video at optimal quality, utilizing all 8 mac pro cores. They'll just fire up iTunes, and download what they want. On their laps....with an iPad I presume....
iPod>iPhone>iPad>Game over.
Doubt if i"ll buy it as it currently stands though.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
1. You don't, but that means you only get internet when you are near a free wifi connection.
2. The 30 pin connection is essential a proprietary USB port for this purpose. The other end of that cable can plug into a USB port (or a dock with a USB port on the end of it's cable)
3. 2 hour movies can be just about any size depending on how much compression you put on them. Handbrake DVD "rips" probably average about 2GB for a 2 hour movie.
4. Probably, via the apps (such as the Kindle app already available in the App store).
I'm very confident about answers 1-3. #4 might be one to verify before you buy (maybe Apple will lock out other sources of book store books, the the epub standard was interesting in not being an Apple proprietary approach).
You CAN drag and drop. Read the OS 3.2 SDK notes.
AMEN! This tethered approach to devices that Apple has whereby you MUST sync to another computer to get any content on is pretty annoying. At least they had the foresight to make an attachment for cameras. I was imagining a use-case where I would take the iPad on a vacation instead of my MBP, and wanting to get the photos off my digital camera. Sucks that there's not at least one USB port on this thing. Prolly would have added a few millimeters, and that is forbidden. Can I even print from the iPad? What if I have an iWork document or web page I want to print? Would be ridiculous if I have to first sync through iTunes, and THEN print from another device.
With all that being said, I see exactly where Apple is going with this device. Just like most of their devices, they start out with a minimal, but well-implemented feature-set, and slowly iterate over time. There's no doubt that they view the iPad as the next revolution in a post-pc world. At the price point they have set it at, it will allow it to garner mass adoption just like the iPod, and before you know it they have the majority of the buying public under an Apple ecosystem.
It's like the subtle trojan horse. People today can't imagine the iPad replacing their laptops, but I envision a not too distant future where iPads are the primary device people use for normal task, with perhaps a more powerful iMac at home for heavy-duty lifting. Those will slowly evolve to more touch based interactions as well. All of us must remember its way more of 'them' than 'us'. And by that I mean 90% of the people out there, don't care or even know how to encode a handbrake video at optimal quality, utilizing all 8 mac pro cores. They'll just fire up iTunes, and download what they want. On their laps....with an iPad I presume....
iPod>iPhone>iPad>Game over.
Doubt if i"ll buy it as it currently stands though.
Underwhelmed
If, sometime between now and April, Apple announces iPhone for T-Mobile I'm more likely to spend the money on that. Just not that excited about this thing. Maybe if it had an iSight on it.
If, sometime between now and April, Apple announces iPhone for T-Mobile I'm more likely to spend the money on that. Just not that excited about this thing. Maybe if it had an iSight on it.
Except people that like to have USB ports, watch HD video online, camera for videoconferencing, the ability to see flash-based content, a 12.1 inch WIDESCREEN 1366x768 screen but don't mind having a lot less storage space (only 4gb).
Reminds me very much of the hype and then "that's it?" that followed the original iPod introduction in 2001 (a $399 product at intro - amazing)...a paradigm shift that's slightly ahead of its time that gradually infiltrated our daily lives in unexpected ways.
I think Apple's vision for the iPad is to put one in the hands of every student, who then grow up used to using Apple stuff. Every 4-year old who already knows how to play with their parents' iPhones and iPod touches already knows how to work this thing. And even now, at $499, given the option of buying your grade school or middle school kid a laptop/netbook at the same price with all those moving parts and hinges and ports and optical drives full of salami and breakable keys and Windows and oops I dragged the registry to the recycle bin...wouldn't you rather them tote around one of these self-contained inherently locked-down tablets?
Interesting Jobs started the keynote with a reminder that Apple invented the laptop computer in the early 90s, and every laptop from every manufacturer since then has been a refinement of that keyboard-hinge-screen design...even prior tablets that just had a 180 degree hinge. Then a reminder that Apple reinvented the phone and now every manufacturer is copying the iPhone. Now they intend to reinvent the laptop in the form of the iPhone. Give it a few years and iPad-ish gadgets will be the new norm, relegating laptops to 8-track status. But this time Apple has the lead in this category with their 75 million installed user base, 2 billion app downloads, and the unparalleled software-hardware integration that Windows 7 "Touch" just can't match with it's kludgy touch duct-taped to the desktop model. Other manufacturers will be playing catch-up and copy yet again.
I do have to say though, that I'm just a tad disappointed that there was not "one more thing"...some killer feature that nobody expected or really believed would be included. The iPad really is nothing but a giant iPod touch. Watching Steve demo swiping through photos and flick-scrolling through web pages...uh yeah, we've all been doing that for a while now. Adding iWork was sort of a surprise, but it's only expected that a larger gadget would start lending itself to apps that could actually do work instead of consuming content...there are already 3rd party iPhone apps that can do some of this. The price point announcement definitely brought me out of my keynote funk, at $499 it's almost disposable. Still I wish there was an iChat camera, no-touch "in the air" gestures, voice commands or handwriting recognition...something else that neither iPhone nor laptop has at all.
I think Apple's vision for the iPad is to put one in the hands of every student, who then grow up used to using Apple stuff. Every 4-year old who already knows how to play with their parents' iPhones and iPod touches already knows how to work this thing. And even now, at $499, given the option of buying your grade school or middle school kid a laptop/netbook at the same price with all those moving parts and hinges and ports and optical drives full of salami and breakable keys and Windows and oops I dragged the registry to the recycle bin...wouldn't you rather them tote around one of these self-contained inherently locked-down tablets?
Interesting Jobs started the keynote with a reminder that Apple invented the laptop computer in the early 90s, and every laptop from every manufacturer since then has been a refinement of that keyboard-hinge-screen design...even prior tablets that just had a 180 degree hinge. Then a reminder that Apple reinvented the phone and now every manufacturer is copying the iPhone. Now they intend to reinvent the laptop in the form of the iPhone. Give it a few years and iPad-ish gadgets will be the new norm, relegating laptops to 8-track status. But this time Apple has the lead in this category with their 75 million installed user base, 2 billion app downloads, and the unparalleled software-hardware integration that Windows 7 "Touch" just can't match with it's kludgy touch duct-taped to the desktop model. Other manufacturers will be playing catch-up and copy yet again.
I do have to say though, that I'm just a tad disappointed that there was not "one more thing"...some killer feature that nobody expected or really believed would be included. The iPad really is nothing but a giant iPod touch. Watching Steve demo swiping through photos and flick-scrolling through web pages...uh yeah, we've all been doing that for a while now. Adding iWork was sort of a surprise, but it's only expected that a larger gadget would start lending itself to apps that could actually do work instead of consuming content...there are already 3rd party iPhone apps that can do some of this. The price point announcement definitely brought me out of my keynote funk, at $499 it's almost disposable. Still I wish there was an iChat camera, no-touch "in the air" gestures, voice commands or handwriting recognition...something else that neither iPhone nor laptop has at all.
tv and an iPhone) I rarely use. This thing doesn't seem to do much that they can't.I think most of the criticism here is of the "I hate it because they didn't include the one specific feature I irrationally hoped they would" variety. There are a few valid complaints about missing features, though, but I think there are good reasons that Apple didn't include them.
First, the camera. Simply put, there is no way Apple can get 3G on a device like this right now if it has a camera or mic. AT&T, Verizon, whoever - that would be their first and foremost demand before going into any agreement. Later, as their networks get better, they will allow it; but not right now. Personally, I think Apple made the wrong tradeoff - I think they should have kept the camera and booted 3G. But that's me, as I wouldn't see myself carrying this around. Students, business travelers, Starbucks junkies - I'm sure they'd feel otherwise.
Multitasking is a matter of Apple finding an implementation they're happy with. When they do, it will be added to both the phones and the pads. My feeling is that they are trying to come up with a UI enhancement that will solve both the multitasking and document problem. It's not an easy task, given the original UI is so app centric. Give them time.
My big question is iTunes streaming. I may have missed it, but I'd think that the ability to stream music and video from another source would be something they'd tout if they had it.
I think the device is a bit small for useful content creation. The iWork stuff looks cool, but I'm having trouble imagining using it. What this tells me is that Apple is probably thinking about larger devices already. Which brings me to the interesting comments from a few of the Apple guys about this being "the future" - I wouldn't at all be surprised if they see these devices eventually morphing, both in size and UI, to replace the laptop.
I also thought there were some gaps in the presentation. I suspect there are some unfinished negotiations that would have led to additional content. Though I don't think TV was ever one of those - those guys are idiots, and Apple and others will have to drag them kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I expected two things - a magazine demo, and an interactive book demo. Specifically, what I expected wasn't an eReader, but rather a development of iTunes extras into something that could serve the print industry better than the choice of either generically formatted text or rolling individual apps, which is what we seem to have been given. I'll keep my fingers crossed, though.
All in all, I think it's a good device. Probably not worth the preliminary hype (these things rarely are), but a good, solidly thought through device that I think will sell well.
Except it doesn't have an external brightness control, which is a total deal killer for me.
First, the camera. Simply put, there is no way Apple can get 3G on a device like this right now if it has a camera or mic. AT&T, Verizon, whoever - that would be their first and foremost demand before going into any agreement. Later, as their networks get better, they will allow it; but not right now. Personally, I think Apple made the wrong tradeoff - I think they should have kept the camera and booted 3G. But that's me, as I wouldn't see myself carrying this around. Students, business travelers, Starbucks junkies - I'm sure they'd feel otherwise.
Multitasking is a matter of Apple finding an implementation they're happy with. When they do, it will be added to both the phones and the pads. My feeling is that they are trying to come up with a UI enhancement that will solve both the multitasking and document problem. It's not an easy task, given the original UI is so app centric. Give them time.
My big question is iTunes streaming. I may have missed it, but I'd think that the ability to stream music and video from another source would be something they'd tout if they had it.
I think the device is a bit small for useful content creation. The iWork stuff looks cool, but I'm having trouble imagining using it. What this tells me is that Apple is probably thinking about larger devices already. Which brings me to the interesting comments from a few of the Apple guys about this being "the future" - I wouldn't at all be surprised if they see these devices eventually morphing, both in size and UI, to replace the laptop.
I also thought there were some gaps in the presentation. I suspect there are some unfinished negotiations that would have led to additional content. Though I don't think TV was ever one of those - those guys are idiots, and Apple and others will have to drag them kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I expected two things - a magazine demo, and an interactive book demo. Specifically, what I expected wasn't an eReader, but rather a development of iTunes extras into something that could serve the print industry better than the choice of either generically formatted text or rolling individual apps, which is what we seem to have been given. I'll keep my fingers crossed, though.
All in all, I think it's a good device. Probably not worth the preliminary hype (these things rarely are), but a good, solidly thought through device that I think will sell well.
Except it doesn't have an external brightness control, which is a total deal killer for me.
Anyone else think that it's more than coincidence that both Youtube and Vimeo rushed out HTML5 implementations just days before this event?
Makes me wonder if relations are as strained between Apple and Google and some would be suggesting. The timing of Youtube supporting non-Flash devices so close to this release seems more than just convenient to me.
Makes me wonder if relations are as strained between Apple and Google and some would be suggesting. The timing of Youtube supporting non-Flash devices so close to this release seems more than just convenient to me.
Those tablets (at least the modern ones) use much more powerful Intel chips than 1Ghz A4 processor used in iPad. So if you think those tablets were sluggish wait until you try iPad. The sluggish part though could have come from slow hard drives. But now they use Solid State Disks.
iPad pros/cons
I have to admit that when I first saw the end of the launch, I was disappointed. But now, especially after listening to all the whiners, I feel better about the iPad. First, to the whiners:
1) No camera. Legitimate disappointment, but move on.
2) No Flash. Software update, can be fixed.
3) No multitasking. Software update, can be fixed.
4) No USB. Are you high? It's got a 30 pin (USB) connector just like the iPhone.
The rest is whining.
Pros:
1) Lighter than a laptop.
2) Longer battery life than a laptop.
3) Multitouch interface.
4) Color.
5) Bigger than an iPhone (better for viewing)
6) Price.
I think that the price is competitive with the Kindle, given items 2-5. It will be comfortable to have in your lap while using.
It's not perfect, but it's also got 60 days to show up on shelves. That's a lot of time to acquire media partnerships and rewrite the OS.
People ask, "why display it now, when it's so unpolished?" (paraphrase).
1) Shut down the rumor insanity.
2) Publish screen specs.
3) Release SDK.
4) Start shopping for media partnerships (see items 2 and 3).
I am quite certain that I will buy one. I think probably a 32 GB, since it will fit my iTunes music (25 GB). Video content can be retrieved on an as-needed basis (N-WiFi is more than fast enough for HD video). I only need a few books at a time (pretty small size each). I think I will probably opt for 250MB 3G package, since I will mostly use it on WiFi.
I think that there will be more than enough viable price packages for a whole lot of potentially interested users.
Best, demo
I have to admit that when I first saw the end of the launch, I was disappointed. But now, especially after listening to all the whiners, I feel better about the iPad. First, to the whiners:
1) No camera. Legitimate disappointment, but move on.
2) No Flash. Software update, can be fixed.
3) No multitasking. Software update, can be fixed.
4) No USB. Are you high? It's got a 30 pin (USB) connector just like the iPhone.
The rest is whining.
Pros:
1) Lighter than a laptop.
2) Longer battery life than a laptop.
3) Multitouch interface.
4) Color.
5) Bigger than an iPhone (better for viewing)
6) Price.
I think that the price is competitive with the Kindle, given items 2-5. It will be comfortable to have in your lap while using.
It's not perfect, but it's also got 60 days to show up on shelves. That's a lot of time to acquire media partnerships and rewrite the OS.
People ask, "why display it now, when it's so unpolished?" (paraphrase).
1) Shut down the rumor insanity.
2) Publish screen specs.
3) Release SDK.
4) Start shopping for media partnerships (see items 2 and 3).
I am quite certain that I will buy one. I think probably a 32 GB, since it will fit my iTunes music (25 GB). Video content can be retrieved on an as-needed basis (N-WiFi is more than fast enough for HD video). I only need a few books at a time (pretty small size each). I think I will probably opt for 250MB 3G package, since I will mostly use it on WiFi.
I think that there will be more than enough viable price packages for a whole lot of potentially interested users.
Best, demo
Thanks I was hoping that for someone like my mom that if I get them a WiFi system then she could get more computer time (dad hogs the PC lol) and she also deals a lot more with the photos and I have to admit that iPhoto is one of the best systems I have seen. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it. The only computer in the home at this time is a PC so getting her photos from that medium would have to be possible.
An intriguing realisation:
The iPad's on-screen keyboard's keys are bigger than the ones on the netbook sat next to me.
That's neat.
The iPad's on-screen keyboard's keys are bigger than the ones on the netbook sat next to me.
That's neat.
I'm sorry, since when has a camera been required to use Facebook? Can you imagine how ridiculous you'd look trying to take photos with this thing? Not every Facebook user goes around uploading photos to their accounts all day long, and for those that do, a smartphone with a camera would make much more sense. Besides, who's to say that you won't be able to simply upload photos from your iPhoto (or whatever they're calling it on this device) library?
Seriously, speaking purely for myself, I really couldn't care less that this thing doesn't have a camera. The last thing I need is to have countless idiots holding their iPads up in the air to try and compose a photo while I'm trying to enjoy a night out.
Actually the iPad is the death to the iPod touch. I am utterly lovely touching my iPod touch (1st Gen.) while writing this, but lets face it. The iPhone is the phone plus the iPod touch, the iPad is the multimedia device, so there will never be newer versions of the iPod touch as the iPhone is the small device that can do a lot, the iPad is the one that does those things even more beautiful and the MacBook (Pro and above) are the ones that do those things one handed and can even more.
A pity, but the iPod nano has got the camera i wanted. The iPad has the apps i wanted. Still i do see a lot of potential in the iPod touch but they will discontinue it.
However, this is just my opinion, so don't hang me for the comment.