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iPad Camera Connection Kit Shipping in Late April
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What I'm getting at is that even little parts which cost less than a buck become a big deal when you plan on manufacturing 10's of millions of units. That little plastic latch on the back of the battery door of some Nokia cell phone probably cost enough over the life of the product to make the difference between hiring/firing dozens of people like you. What parts/components could you afford to buy 10 million units of without it zeroing out your bank balance?
You can't please everyone all the time, so the aim with any new product is to provide the best customer experience you can at a price point most will be willing to pay while still making a profit to satisfy your shareholders.
They didn't include the mini display port either, or a 16:9 screen for movies. They didn't offer 1080p playback, or a media card reader. They didn't include some fancy new way to transmit the image from the iPad wirelessly to a TV or Projector, and they didn't offer a single USB port.
Nobody here is going to know the precise reasons why, some of it may have done with cost, some of it may have been because of performance/battery life implications, some of it may have been cosmetic...
Regardless of what the rationale was, and whether you agree with it or not, Apple spends millions and millions on research and design before they even begin the first mock up. They considered all of those features at some point along the way, and in the end, they felt that the features were either not needed, or could be supplied to those that need them by adapter, and kept the price point of the unit at a level more receptive to the consumer with a high enough profit margin to make the venture worth it to them.
Personally, I wish they would create a keyboard doc with a built in card reader, usb, and mini display port. That would be pretty sweet.
They didn't include the mini display port either, or a 16:9 screen for movies. They didn't offer 1080p playback, or a media card reader. They didn't include some fancy new way to transmit the image from the iPad wirelessly to a TV or Projector, and they didn't offer a single USB port.
Nobody here is going to know the precise reasons why, some of it may have done with cost, some of it may have been because of performance/battery life implications, some of it may have been cosmetic...
Regardless of what the rationale was, and whether you agree with it or not, Apple spends millions and millions on research and design before they even begin the first mock up. They considered all of those features at some point along the way, and in the end, they felt that the features were either not needed, or could be supplied to those that need them by adapter, and kept the price point of the unit at a level more receptive to the consumer with a high enough profit margin to make the venture worth it to them.
Personally, I wish they would create a keyboard doc with a built in card reader, usb, and mini display port. That would be pretty sweet.
The μSDHC card in the Eris is the main memory, not an option slot for uploading, and the screen is similar in size to many digital camera screens. The hidden slot makes sense for the Eris.
All it would take would be 1mm less taper, and you could fit an SDXC slot *and* have more room for a bigger battery!
"Thin" trumps usability again. And with less taper, the case could be a bit stronger - I would how much of a fall, or merely pressure, will shatter the screen. (If you really believe that the lack of an SD slot is a design decision, and not part of the walled garden.)
If you don't need more than 16 GB - buy the 16 GB and forgo the SD card.
Let someone who wants more buy the 16 GB and add a 64 GB SD card.I would guess that many photographers would only use the Ipad for "proofing", not manipulating photos. It would just be a larger screen for checking quality - but easier to carry than a full laptop.
It wouldn't need a full "Lightroom" editing capability, just basic developing tools and pan and zoom. Add the ability to upload, and you could share proofs with the office or client.
I don't think that analysis makes sense - because the component cost is fixed per unit.
The real business decision is whether you want 40% profit margin on the device, or whether 39.91% profit margin is good enough. Add to the decision the possibility that making the device more useful will improve sales, so that even with the smaller margin you'll make more money.
"Prepared for shipment"
My iPad pre-order status has changed to "Prepared for shipment" as well.
It's interesting to see people here dissing the iPad. I have a MacBook Pro that is always laying somewhere close to the sofa or chair in my family room. It's over three years old and I don't know how much longer it will last. I mostly use it for email, web and listening to music. I see the iPad as device that I would use to replace that MacBook Pro. I have a Mac Pro tower that I use for real work (PhotoShop, Illustrator and AfterEffects). For me the iPad bridges the gap between my iPhone and a real computer. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPhone, but there are times when it's just too small to do something like a longer reply to an email and there are a lot of apps that I'd like to be able to use in a larger format.
My iPad pre-order status has changed to "Prepared for shipment" as well.
It's interesting to see people here dissing the iPad. I have a MacBook Pro that is always laying somewhere close to the sofa or chair in my family room. It's over three years old and I don't know how much longer it will last. I mostly use it for email, web and listening to music. I see the iPad as device that I would use to replace that MacBook Pro. I have a Mac Pro tower that I use for real work (PhotoShop, Illustrator and AfterEffects). For me the iPad bridges the gap between my iPhone and a real computer. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPhone, but there are times when it's just too small to do something like a longer reply to an email and there are a lot of apps that I'd like to be able to use in a larger format.
Wow!! It appears that Apple actually has you believing that no SD memory slot is in your own best interest
The reality is that, Apple dose not include an SD slot because they make MORE money when you pay an extra $100 for an extra 16GB of memory. They definitely aren't trying to do you any favours. It's all about the mighty dollar!!
Oh .... and it might also have something to do with digital rights management. Cheers.
Being able to make money off of people requires them to actually buy the product. Apple has to weigh the potential loss in sales for not including a feature to the overall cost of including it.
It isn't that anyone thinks the product is truly better for lacking certain features, but it is a better product to be sold as having a starting price any higher than 499 and people wouldn't go for it. That means that every new feature does nothing but eat into the profit margin at that price point.
Apple will lose a few sales to those that refuse to buy something without USB and an SD reader... what for the slate or adam or any of the androids and maybe one of them will give those consumers the feature set they want. Apple would probably lose more sales at $500 (a $1 rise in price) because of the psychology of pricing. People are willing to spend less than $500 for this, they might not be willing to spend $500 or more.
It isn't that anyone thinks the product is truly better for lacking certain features, but it is a better product to be sold as having a starting price any higher than 499 and people wouldn't go for it. That means that every new feature does nothing but eat into the profit margin at that price point.
Apple will lose a few sales to those that refuse to buy something without USB and an SD reader... what for the slate or adam or any of the androids and maybe one of them will give those consumers the feature set they want. Apple would probably lose more sales at $500 (a $1 rise in price) because of the psychology of pricing. People are willing to spend less than $500 for this, they might not be willing to spend $500 or more.
Well, Mr. Theoretical Physicist. I'm sure you've heard of the Law of Relativity? Allow me to introduce you to the Law of Walletivity. When 500,000 people reach into their wallets to shell out 500 (or more) ducats for a product that hasn't even hit the shelves, it's safe to assume that the brain-children of this device hit the nail squarely on the head. In other words, thank God this product is not what *you* thought it should have been. Capesh?
Feel free to join the multitasking, SD-card slot filling crew and take a big bite out of the **** sandwich I have prepared for you.
Well, at least a few million people have shelled out $200 for Windows Vista when it had not hit the shelves. Did that make it a good product? It only showed how people often behave like a herd of sheep. But I guess it's quite pointless to argue with someone who worships his - by definition - infallible gods.
It's actually 9.7", so if you round the number you'd say 10".
Quite simple - the 9.7" screen will show a lot more detail than the 3" or smaller screen on the camera - and the slate is easier to carry than a full laptop.
I replied earlier that
I would guess that many photographers would only use the Ipad for "proofing", not manipulating photos. It would just be a larger screen for checking quality - but easier to carry than a full laptop.
It wouldn't need a full "Lightroom" editing capability, just basic developing tools and pan and zoom. Add the ability to upload, and you could share proofs with the office or client.
It wouldn't need a full "Lightroom" editing capability, just basic developing tools and pan and zoom. Add the ability to upload, and you could share proofs with the office or client.
Yes, but the raw files are going to be big and use up a lot of space. Why not shoot RAW + jpeg and just load in the jpegs? You can still check framing focus and general exposure (if you set up your jpegs in camera decently). Should be everything you need. That is what I'm planning to do. With a 24mp camera the files are pretty large. Once you load up the RAWs when/how are you going to delete them?
I would agree with the iPad critics in one area, and that's the lack of a camera. Perhaps front-facing (but that's not really important to me), but definitely a standard camera on the back of the device. Especially since the body size could have allowed for a decent 5MP lens without adding much cost.
Would I use it a lot? Probably not, but there's something to be said for having the ability to snap a casual photograph directly onto your computer for simple and easy access. I think it's a key feature that should really be included on all portable devices.
But, this is a minor strike against an otherwise excellent product. I'm sure it will be added in later models.
Would I use it a lot? Probably not, but there's something to be said for having the ability to snap a casual photograph directly onto your computer for simple and easy access. I think it's a key feature that should really be included on all portable devices.
But, this is a minor strike against an otherwise excellent product. I'm sure it will be added in later models.
OK, let's summarize
There is no SD slot but an adapter. I suspect many are like me with cameras and video cams that use a variety of storage media: SD (HC and XC), Compact Flash, Memory Stick (Duo and Standard, HG, HGX, etc), and USB to name several. If Apple had managed to find the depth for one of these (say, SD to be compatible with Mac laptops), then there would still be complaints of the sort, "Where's the 'xxx' slot?"
Personally, I like the adapter approach. I'll get the one I want. The big Question is can the USB adapter supply power for media readers, USB memories, etc? (cameras have their own batteries) I guess we'll have to wait to hear from the early adopters; all else is speculation.
But IFF the USB adapter can access general purpose memories for a variety of purposes, then third parties can probably write apps to read movies, etc. from DVDs (self powered) and disc drives as well.
Eddie O
There is no SD slot but an adapter. I suspect many are like me with cameras and video cams that use a variety of storage media: SD (HC and XC), Compact Flash, Memory Stick (Duo and Standard, HG, HGX, etc), and USB to name several. If Apple had managed to find the depth for one of these (say, SD to be compatible with Mac laptops), then there would still be complaints of the sort, "Where's the 'xxx' slot?"
Personally, I like the adapter approach. I'll get the one I want. The big Question is can the USB adapter supply power for media readers, USB memories, etc? (cameras have their own batteries) I guess we'll have to wait to hear from the early adopters; all else is speculation.
But IFF the USB adapter can access general purpose memories for a variety of purposes, then third parties can probably write apps to read movies, etc. from DVDs (self powered) and disc drives as well.
Eddie O
This may hold true for the camera itself, sure. But for the card reader/usb port Apple is giving the minority who need it the option. They're basically selling a little switch that let's your car go faster than 130 km/h if you need it, even though most people don't. So I don't see why everybody needs to complain about this dongle. IF you need it, use it; but you probably don't need it.
And that fact that people often buy more car/computer than we need is somewhat of a rampant social problem and doesn't really justify the opinion that Apple is in the wrong about the camera. These companies shove power and features we don't need down our throats to justify cost when a vast majority of us would be well served by netbooks (or iPads) and smartcars. Instead, we buy $2000 gaming rigs and overpriced SUVs just because.
Maybe not process them per se, but surely categorize, keyword, tag, reject, etc. Maybe some basic edits (global exposure, etc.). Lightroom or Aperture Mobile would be amazingly useful.
How is an ipad easier to carry than a laptop? With the ipad you need a protective case, junky adaptors, and maybe a bulky keyboard dock if you need to do real work.
In comparison, a laptop neatly folds in on itself to protect the keyboard and screen from scratches and dirt. It supports input device that gives you pixel by pixel editing accuracy (there's a reason we use tools like pens and pencils instead of finger painting) and has all the slots and input devices you need.
The ipad is an expensive 9-inch ipod touch without the pocket portability of an ipod, based on a very restrictive and closed platform. Each to their own...if you like it great, I shouldn't rain on your parade...it's just too bad apple has let their computer offerings get so stale in the meantime.
This "little switch" costs 6% of the price of the whole product, increases the size of the device (so that you won't want to have it always-on as you could with an internal card) and most probably can't be used as normal storage (just to import photos). Now imagine that in the car example ;-).
The "minority" that would make use of an expandable storage (via a SD slot) is the same minority that will be interested buying the 32 or 64 GB models. Why is it worth to make an extra (memory) configuration for them, but not make (an extra if you wish) configuration with a SD option? You see, Apple themselves don't believe it would be a minority. Simply, selling overpriced 32 and 64 GB configurations will make more money.
Then please do so - glad you came here to post your plans so I will do the same. I have already sold my slate and am anxiously awaiting my new iPad that will just work better and serve me better than my slate.
ha ha - nice - i feel the same but wasn't gonna go with such strong language - thankfully you did
this is really the best point about people who keep posting about all the negatives of the ipad - some people become so hateful of something that they really are putting more interest in something than those who love it.
As for the topic of the thread, I am glad to have any available accessories for any product - esp if someone can find them useful. As for me, I wouldn't use the camera connection kit - but it would be quite useful for travelers...