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Shadazz
I get to play with the development kit for this on monday.
:wub:
:wub:
It's a giant iPhone: the iPad
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figmentPez
Staff member
Meh, I'm not impressed. Call me back when it has some (or all) of the following:
* HD resolution screen. 1024x768 is NOT "high resolution".
* HDMI output with support for HD resolutions (iPad currently only does 1024x768 via VGA, or 576p/480p via component)
* One of the upcoming screen technologies that aim to combine the best of LCDs and eInk. Something that's easier on the eyes for reading than a back-lit screen, and preferably with better battery life as well.
* SD card slot built-in
* TV-tuner or support for one (there's supposed to be a new mobile digital broadcast standard coming)
If I'm going to get excited about a new wave of portable media devices, I want them to excel at something besides form factor.
* HD resolution screen. 1024x768 is NOT "high resolution".
* HDMI output with support for HD resolutions (iPad currently only does 1024x768 via VGA, or 576p/480p via component)
* One of the upcoming screen technologies that aim to combine the best of LCDs and eInk. Something that's easier on the eyes for reading than a back-lit screen, and preferably with better battery life as well.
* SD card slot built-in
* TV-tuner or support for one (there's supposed to be a new mobile digital broadcast standard coming)
If I'm going to get excited about a new wave of portable media devices, I want them to excel at something besides form factor.
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chakz
I can see this thing being great for research.
1. With such a small screen, that should be fine.
2. I agree. HD output is needed.
3. Again, agreed. I would not want to read a book on a backlit screen, it will cause a lot of eyestrain.
4. Again, I agree, but apple doesn't like SD cards. They take away from the fancy look, so it is something you will always deal with.
5. I don't think it's really needed. Why watch broadcast TV when you have an unlimited data plan or WiFi?
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Dusty668
Nice, always wanted more then one wife as long as she doesn't get to talk back...
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zero
How so? Research is what I do, and when I look at all the computing tasks involved in my research, I can't see ANY of those even remotely possible on the iPad (yes, not even writing, unless apple releases some neat LaTeX editor for it).
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Chazwozel
Aside from reading pdf files, how is this good for research? Is it going to give me blowjobs while I run the HPLC?
Aside from reading pdf files, how is this good for research? Is it going to give me blowjobs while I run the HPLC?[/QUOTE]
I could use it in a psychology lab, especially if I was dealing with children or the elderly. An app with big, user friendly buttons on it would make for a great tool for my research. I'm not sure if the trade-offs in processing time or storage limitations would be worth it, though.
I'll be right there downloading it with you. Hopefully the simulator will be enough to get a better feel for the device. Part of me wants to pick one up just to see what can be done with it.
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chakz
How so? Research is what I do, and when I look at all the computing tasks involved in my research, I can't see ANY of those even remotely possible on the iPad (yes, not even writing, unless apple releases some neat LaTeX editor for it).[/QUOTE]
Ha, I was thinking as a student, for taking notes, and exploring the web while your at a library or basically on the go. Just because it would be easier to get around with this thing than a laptop. I suppose if you were doing something more serious than that you would need a laptop. There would probably need to be a few apps to flesh it out for note taking, but ultimately a note book only costs 89 cents.
So I guess basally I'm thinking of it as a note book with an internet connection? Which would be awesome, but not worth 500 bucks- or maybe it would be. If I were rich I'd give it a try, I'm not so I won't.
Aside from reading pdf files, how is this good for research? Is it going to give me blowjobs while I run the HPLC?[/QUOTE]
Well if the latest pvp is any clue your going to have to wait a while for that one.
As far as taking notes in it/comparing it to an actual notebook, I didn't think you could "write" in it. I thought you had to input via some detachable keyboard?
I'm a little dubious at being able to touch-type with any sort of speed/accuracy and keep up with a college lecture. But I guess I'd have to see it in action/try for myself to see how hard/easy that would be.
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zero
Ohh, touch keyboards, I remember that... (shudder)
Again, it's a trade-off. Tablets with folding keyboards are much larger (and heavier). But you can't compare the typing on a real keyboard with a touch-sensitive one. On this matter, I think I'll side with Apple (although I hate touch keyboards)... portability is king.
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Alucard
I'll wait for the price to drop and when they come out with several differnt versions of the same product. I'm quite happy with my itouch thank you very much
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Chazwozel
I'm a little dubious at being able to touch-type with any sort of speed/accuracy and keep up with a college lecture. But I guess I'd have to see it in action/try for myself to see how hard/easy that would be.[/QUOTE]
For a college lecture, nothing will ever beat a little pen recorder.
I got by great in grad school with my toshiba notebook and it's little flip face tablet screen. I would download the powerpoint lecture and be able to scribble my notes on the slides, instead of printing out 30 some odd pages like everyone else did. When studying for exams I'd sync up the recorder to the slide lectures and be able to essentially do the whole lecture over again.
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chakz
I'm a little dubious at being able to touch-type with any sort of speed/accuracy and keep up with a college lecture. But I guess I'd have to see it in action/try for myself to see how hard/easy that would be.[/QUOTE]
For a college lecture, nothing will ever beat a little pen recorder.
I got by great in grad school with my toshiba notebook and it's little flip face tablet screen. I would download the powerpoint lecture and be able to scribble my notes on the slides, instead of printing out 30 some odd pages like everyone else did. When studying for exams I'd sync up the recorder to the slide lectures and be able to essentially do the whole lecture over again.[/QUOTE]
Sounds awesome, like a real time zotero.
You know I'm just honestly curious to see where this thing goes.
Remember the "1984" commercial that introduced the Mac? Well now Apple is the Big Brother in that scenario. You only get to run what Apple says you can run. Developers only get to develop what Apple will let them develop.
And the fanbois will continue to suckle at Steve Jobs' cock.
And the fanbois will continue to suckle at Steve Jobs' cock.
Sounds awesome, like a real time zotero.
You know I'm just honestly curious to see where this thing goes.[/QUOTE]
I can't imagine that taking long to come out via the app store.
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Rubicon
I think I'm the only one who thinks this is a true gimmicky thing if ever.
The cheaper model, wifi, is like $400. Now, portability aside, you can get a nice Netbook laptop for less than $400 that has more power specs, can easily handle Adobe Flash, and has your generic connection ports like USB, that the iPad lacks. It's great for just checking email or reading websites but it doesnt seem like its built for serious text inputing, i.e. replying to an email or forum post. I'm sure it'll be great for Quicktime type movies, but Youtube, and other flash based media? No go. If it was like $200 and supported Flash, I'd buy it in a heartbeat as just a cheap way to browse websites on the go but my cell phone (which isnt a Blackberry or iPhone) can view the internet at 3G speed, use Flash, Java, and HTML, etc.
The cheaper model, wifi, is like $400. Now, portability aside, you can get a nice Netbook laptop for less than $400 that has more power specs, can easily handle Adobe Flash, and has your generic connection ports like USB, that the iPad lacks. It's great for just checking email or reading websites but it doesnt seem like its built for serious text inputing, i.e. replying to an email or forum post. I'm sure it'll be great for Quicktime type movies, but Youtube, and other flash based media? No go. If it was like $200 and supported Flash, I'd buy it in a heartbeat as just a cheap way to browse websites on the go but my cell phone (which isnt a Blackberry or iPhone) can view the internet at 3G speed, use Flash, Java, and HTML, etc.
For those that want more, keep an eye out for the MSI tablet coming out this year. It runs Android, but details are sparse right now. Not sure how open it will be either.
No DVD player???????
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Chazwozel
The Wii had a niche and served it well.
Do you remember when the iphone first came out?
It was a music and video player with a phone.
That was it. You could barely use it for anything else. The data rate was too slow to be usable for browsing or maps. You couldn't load programs on it. The high end model had some 8GB of space.
While there were other smartphones out there, the iphone didn't even compete with them at ANYTHING.
It literally cracked open its own market.
Now it's only 3 years later, and the iPhone, with all its warts, is THE smartphone to beat. And NO ONE comes even close to giving as good a user experience as it. It wasn't until last year that they finally got me (the higher speed connection, compass, better GPS, and promise of tethering...) but people are going to it in droves.
Android, frankly, pales in comparison. Because Apple very, very tightly controls the hardware, environment (what's running), and even the software that people are allowed to download the job of developing an app is almost trivial compared to developing for the Android where you have to account for 10 different platforms, and the possibility that the user may be running so much stuff in the background that your app can't work flawlessly. The user has to understand and _think_ about their phone instead of simply using it.
I can totally see myself using the ipad all day, every day. Yes, I have two monitors, but I'd love a third display showing a datasheet, book, or just keeping an eye on a wootoff. I'd love to be able to take not just all my music and movies, but books with me wherever I am. The iphone is still lightyears beyond windows mobile and android in terms of browsing the internet, but it still can't compete with a computer. The iPad should be significantly better for browsing. I'd love having it in my car for both music and GPS navigation.
I can see myself leaving my laptop behind on vacation, and using just the ipad.
It is, for all intents and purposes, the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy for $30/month.
That being said, I doubt I'm getting one yet. Apple is seriously holding out in additional features. And I expect that skype and other voip apps will still only work on a wifi network.
But like the iphone, it's either going to die, or create its own market.
I'm guessing the latter.
It was a music and video player with a phone.
That was it. You could barely use it for anything else. The data rate was too slow to be usable for browsing or maps. You couldn't load programs on it. The high end model had some 8GB of space.
While there were other smartphones out there, the iphone didn't even compete with them at ANYTHING.
It literally cracked open its own market.
Now it's only 3 years later, and the iPhone, with all its warts, is THE smartphone to beat. And NO ONE comes even close to giving as good a user experience as it. It wasn't until last year that they finally got me (the higher speed connection, compass, better GPS, and promise of tethering...) but people are going to it in droves.
Android, frankly, pales in comparison. Because Apple very, very tightly controls the hardware, environment (what's running), and even the software that people are allowed to download the job of developing an app is almost trivial compared to developing for the Android where you have to account for 10 different platforms, and the possibility that the user may be running so much stuff in the background that your app can't work flawlessly. The user has to understand and _think_ about their phone instead of simply using it.
I can totally see myself using the ipad all day, every day. Yes, I have two monitors, but I'd love a third display showing a datasheet, book, or just keeping an eye on a wootoff. I'd love to be able to take not just all my music and movies, but books with me wherever I am. The iphone is still lightyears beyond windows mobile and android in terms of browsing the internet, but it still can't compete with a computer. The iPad should be significantly better for browsing. I'd love having it in my car for both music and GPS navigation.
I can see myself leaving my laptop behind on vacation, and using just the ipad.
It is, for all intents and purposes, the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy for $30/month.
That being said, I doubt I'm getting one yet. Apple is seriously holding out in additional features. And I expect that skype and other voip apps will still only work on a wifi network.
But like the iphone, it's either going to die, or create its own market.
I'm guessing the latter.
fade
Staff member
Also, Steiny, I think you and I both code a lot, and though users complain about Apple's ties to specific hardware, and now controlled software, that's a developer's dream! Too much openness makes it hard to code. I used to dev for linux, but I stopped, partly because it's hard when there's so much looseness. Compare to the number of third party devs for the iPhone ( a bit unfair, because software development is fairly simple on the iPhone). People know what the hardware can do. They know what the software can do. To a developer, that kind of tight control can actually be freeing.
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