What's the most annoying thing about the iPad in your opinion?

[APlotdevice]

The position of the dock connector kinda irks me. I would love to be able to just plop my iPad in the standard dock and watch videos, except that it would be stuck in the portrait orientation! You instead need a bulkier, more complicated dock which swivels, or otherwise forgo a dock altogether and have cables hanging out either side of the device.

Another thing that bothers me, an this is really an issue with iOS in general, is that there is no universal documents folder. If you want to open something (like a PDF for example) in multiple apps, you need to give each its own copy.

 

[Chodarth]

Volume buttons!!!

Ok, so I think the most annoying thing about the iPad 1 and 2 is the fact that the volume buttons do not correspond the viewing angle. For example, if I'm holding the iPad in portrait mode, with the home button on the bottom, and I press the volume switch down the volume decreases and vice versa. Same goes if holding the iPad in landscape mode with the home button on the left and volume buttons on the bottom. Left = volume down Right = Volume up, just like on any mac computer. Now if I hold the iPad in the other 2 positions the controls are reversed. I hate this!!! This should be an easy software fix. I always toggle down or left when trying to turn the volume down and am right 50% of the time. Anyone else???

 

[vitzr]

I find the iPad 2 useful within it's capabilities.

 

[AKSenator]

Um, no it doesn't.

So if I have a PDF on my iMac, how do I put it on my iPad?

 

[Joshitect]

So if I have a PDF on my iMac, how do I put it on my iPad?

Dropbox works great for that

 

[Kupp]

My wife keeps stealing it from me.

 

[APlotdevice]

Dropbox works great for that

Dropbox does work for importing PDFs, and also photos. Though you can only do one at a time. On the other hand the built-in music and video apps at least do not support the "open in.." feature.

 

[monkeylui]

So if I have a PDF on my iMac, how do I put it on my iPad?

Wireless syncing, dropbox, box.net, email it.

 

[AKSenator]

Wireless syncing, dropbox, box.net, email it.

Wireless sync via iTunes would not work for some reason. No error message, just bounced the files. Uploading 50 files via the Internet and then downloading again feels silly.

 

[Tedddman]

Get the FileBrowser or FilesConnect apps and never worry about syncing with iTunes to transfer media again. It's even better than DropBox because you can access your entire computer or external drive.

It still amazes me that apps like these aren't more well known. You use them to browse your computer or network-attached drive over a wifi network, then "Open In" to transfer it to the appropriate app.

 

[APlotdevice]

Get the FileBrowser or FilesConnect apps and never worry about syncing with iTunes to transfer media again. It's even better than DropBox because you can access your entire computer or external drive.

It still amazes me that apps like these aren't more well known. You use them to browse your computer or network-attached drive over a wifi network, then "Open In" to transfer it to the appropriate app.

The only problem is that not all apps support "open in". Again including Apple's own Music and Video apps.

 

[IrishVixen]

What bugs me--Apple's arbitrary, overly rigid ecosystem. No flexibility to make your own default browser, mail, etc. choices. Obstacles to file management that serve no valid purpose other than to try and lock you into iTunes--see the lack of any other way to transfer music or videos, as listed above. The lack of Flash--since plenty of everyday shopping sites and lots of web based games still use it. The prevention of rolling back firmware and app updates. And so on, and so on. It's all just so many arbitrary "rules" they try to confine you with.

I jailbroke to get past much of this nonsense and make my iPad1 a more useful device. That shouldn't be necessary, and it wouldn't be if Apple wasn't so ridiculous about dictating to us even on petty things like the number of apps you can put into a folder.

Second on my list would be the cameras. If I'm going to use something this awkward to take a still, I'm infinitely better off pulling out my Canon 40D and some real lenses. And neither my husband nor I have use for the video camera functionality on these--FaceTime has not caught on among our family and friends. I know others find them useful, but for me, they'd just be so much dead weight. I'd much rather have the option to buy an iPad 3 that had no cameras, but a spec bump in another area, such as RAM--or drop the price on a camera-free model.

 

[monkeylui]

Get the FileBrowser or FilesConnect apps and never worry about syncing with iTunes to transfer media again. It's even better than DropBox because you can access your entire computer or external drive.

It still amazes me that apps like these aren't more well known. You use them to browse your computer or network-attached drive over a wifi network, then "Open In" to transfer it to the appropriate app.

Yes. Filebrowser is a great app. I se it to access my NAS.

 

[SteelWheel]

Settings->Wifi->Ask to Join Networks.
Set to Off.
Done.

That sounds great, but your selective editing is an attempt to make me look like a moron, which I don't appreciate:

The fact that I have to drill down into "Settings" to turn wifi or 3G on and off--or to change other settings like the auto-lock interval.

My suggestion was that there be a "Profiles" capability, so that a user could easily switch the on/off status for various radios, preferred networks, auto-lock intervals, etc. I think it's safe to assume that even I am capable of figuring out how to turn "Ask to Join Networks" on and off.

If Apple can ask me whether or not I'd like to join networks, it can ask me if I'm at home, office, in car, at a friend's house, etc.

What you've described is scrolling to Settings, then three button presses and a slide. If I had a dockable Profiles "app", it would be two button presses. Ergonomically, makes more sense to me.

 

[Tokay]

That sounds great, but your selective editing is an attempt to make me look like a moron, which I don't appreciate:

Way to be grateful for a tip.
I edited the quote because I only had an answer for that part, and I don't appreciate quoting text I'm not addressing.
If this is too much to handle, I will happily retract my tip.

 

[Whorehay]

I know this is will likely be an unpopular answer, but the lack of Flash can sometimes get annoying for me.

Flash videos aren't usually a problem, most popular sites have mobile or iPad-centric sites that have videos in HTML. I'm talking more about the websites with interactive Flash content: the charts in Google Finance, my e-textbook and homework problems, some design/fashion oriented websites etc.

But a dealbreaker? Absolutely not. I'll take everything else the iPad offers over Flash. But it would be very nice, and would be the next step in making the iPad my only computing device.

Well, there goes my Flash wish right out the window. Hahahaha. Oh well.

 

[Bluemeanie1976]

The fact that opening a new tab/window in safari opens up the google search, and the list of recent searches. I wish you could turn that off.

 

[JustMapIt]

My biggest complaint is not about the device (which is great, IMO), but iTunes. The interface is creaky, is not intuitive and is entertainment-centric. It seems to break just about every Steve Jobs rule about simplicity and delivering an excellent user experience. I realize iTunes is a cash cow for Apple and they need to keep the for-sale content up front by default, but I'd love to be able to configure it for my personal use to de-emphasize the commercial component and focus on the device management component.

The real surprise to me is that the iPad has become such a success in the business world in spite of iTunes, which is a strong testament to the device's core capability and usefulness.

 

[OSMac]

Browser crashing on iOS5 and iPad 1.

iTunes syncing.

 

[macinhand]

I can't put it down

 

[ctdonath]

#1: prohibition against code-writing apps. I understand the theory for not letting users write their own programs (undermines certain benefits of the "walled garden"), but just 'cuz it makes sense from their view doesn't mean I have to like it. Developing apps on the target device without another computer involved could be awesome (see Codify), but the high walls of the sandbox render allowed approaches pointless (see Codify). Having severed the need for tethering, one should be able to purchase an iOS device and produce sellable apps with that alone.

Others:
- ...um...
- Safari being the only browser...or being more responsive to bug fixes. A single tiny bug therein conflicted with my primary justification for purchasing the iPad, and it took a massive website overhaul to get around the problem.
- Safari's inability to upload pictures to most websites.
- Volume of the home-button "click". I use it in some situations where that click alone is distracting/problematic to others. Need at least an augmenting gesture alternative (ex.: 5-finger pinch).
- Incomplete indication of wi-fi activity. Sometimes I know it's transferring data but the little upper-left spinner doesn't.
- Selection/affinity of 3G vs. WiFi. Sometimes choosing the better signal is the worse choice (ex.: at home, wanting to use the Remote app for AppleTV, have WiFi available but it still insists on 3G so I can't use the remote without Home->Home->Settings->Cellular->Off->Home->Remote). Let me at least indicate if a certain router option is available (home's router) USE IT even if other options (neighbor's, 3G) provide a better signal.
- 200-item limit for inbox. Yeah, I need to clear stuff out - but it doesn't take long to fill 200 items, and the oldest ones are probably still there because they're important but I haven't figured out what to do with them yet.

 

[trip1ex]

Complaints:

No podcast subscriptions.

Taken out of app store every purchase or update.

Wish email was at least multi-user or that you could lock it.

Split keyboard is too small.

Can't print to AEBS printer.

iMessage cant send texts to any cellphone user through wi-fi automagically.

Non-configurable keyboard

Text input sucks.

No Flash is fine except my bank site uses Flash although I get the feeling that will corrected sooner rather than later on my bank's end.

No forward delete key.

Auto brightness doesn't work.

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I too agree there is no need for the swipe to unlock screen.

You can turn auto lock off.

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There's little need for a 'swipe to unlock' on an iPad. Give us the option to turn it off.

^^^

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Size. People out here get way too offended by personal opinions, but for ME then a 10" tablet is too big to be a "carry all the time" device. Give me an OPTION for a 7" with a 4S camera and I'd gladly get an iPad 2S/3, but if its just going to be the same screen size then there's nothing that would compel me to dump my iPad 2 and get a 3.

Rather have them find a way to fold it in half elegantly.

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4. Crappy cameras. I use it as a "scanner" for receipts, handouts, etc., but the quality is often too low.

Love the idea of using the camera for a scanner. I have been doing that with my point and shoot occasionally for electronically depositing paper checks. It would be handier on the iPad. So I now wish for a better camera too.

 

[porcupine8]

Lack true multitasking/ability to see two apps onscreen at once. Also lack of arrow keys - the magnifying glass is a PITA.

 

[porcupine8]

#1: prohibition against code-writing apps. I understand the theory for not letting users write their own programs (undermines certain benefits of the "walled garden"), but just 'cuz it makes sense from their view doesn't mean I have to like it. Developing apps on the target device without another computer involved could be awesome (see Codify), but the high walls of the sandbox render allowed approaches pointless (see Codify). Having severed the need for tethering, one should be able to purchase an iOS device and produce sellable apps with that alone.

They should at least be allowed for dev accounts.

- Safari being the only browser...or being more responsive to bug fixes. A single tiny bug therein conflicted with my primary justification for purchasing the iPad, and it took a massive website overhaul to get around the problem.

There are plenty of other browsers, but not being able to set them as default unless you JB is obnoxious.

- Volume of the home-button "click". I use it in some situations where that click alone is distracting/problematic to others. Need at least an augmenting gesture alternative (ex.: 5-finger pinch).

This is one reason I'm staying JB instead of upgrading to 5 right now - when I've just gotten the baby to sleep, I don't need the home button waking him up.

 

[meatballs]

Three things.

1. The crap speaker. It should provide a decent stereo experience.

2. The aspect ratio. 4:3 is outdated, it should be 16:9 or 16:10.

3. The coating on the back scratches too easily. Should be brushed aluminium.