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Print 230 comment(s) - last by Mojo the Monke.. on Feb 1 at 3:38 PM
New tablet shares many similarities to the iPhone, many perks, and some minor disappointments

Despite Apple's best efforts at keeping its employees quiet about its latest device (hint: it's tablet shaped), the company's secrecy was ultimately been undone by its supply chain.  Apple was buying large and mid-sized LCD touch-screens in mass.  This has lead most observers to conclude that it was a virtual certainty that Apple was preparing to launch a new tablet computer.

Last month the rumor that Apple was holding the launch event for this new device in January lit up the internet and sent Apple stock soaring upwards.  A couple weeks ago Apple confirmed this event, delivering invitations to the press.  The launch event was held today January 27 in San Francisco, California, as the Apple faithful watched and waited.

Apple today announced the iPad, a promising new tablet device which the electronics manufacturer swears will revolutionize the mobile computing industry, much as its iPhone did.  The new device runs a modified version of OS X similar to the iPhone.  Unlike the iPhone there's a background wallpaper and an added bottom dock, similar to stock OS X (except with chiclet icons).

The device features a full screen touch keyboard.  It has built in email and photo browsing interfaces similar to the iPhone.  Apple says the device is perfect for web browsing and viewing online videos.  The device has a slide unlock mechanism similar to the iPhone.  States Apple CEO Steve Jobs, "It’s so much more intimate than a laptop...  [It's] a truly magical and revolutionary product."

As for the specs, its worthy of the Apple brand reputation of pushing the envelope of hardware packaging.  It features a 9.7-inch IPS display which Mr. Jobs says has a "great angle of view".  At the same time it is a mere 0.5" thin and weighs 1.5 lb., putting the most sleek netbooks to shame.

The device comes with multi-touch hardware support and is powered by an 1GHz Apple A4 chip (an ARM processor), and has 16GB to 64GB of flash storage.  The processor marks a continued assault of the ARM architecture on the x86 architecture's personal computing stronghold.  It also is packed with 802.11n wireless internet, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, a 30-pin connector, a speaker, a microphone, an accelerometer and a compass. 

It gets 10 hrs. of battery life and Apple assures its environmentalist fans will be made without toxic materials like arsenic, brominated flame retardants, or PVC.

You can run any iPhone app on the device, including in a new mode dubbed "double pixel", which runs the app at the same resolution, but doubled image size vertically and horizontally -- essentially making it full screen.  Developers can also develop apps specifically for the larger screen, using an enhanced version of the SDK.

The tablet comes with some intuitive, but nice perks, such as a relatively strong (by the looks of it) painting suite named Brushes, which should handle your strongest finger painting urges.  Graphically, games on the tablet fall somewhere between a PC and a mobile device like the iPhone or PSP in quality.

The new product did have its hang ups during the demo.  Mr. Jobs made some mistakes when typing on it.  Also, some web pages had noticeably missing content in Safari (notably Flash while browsing the New York Times website), raising the question of whether Apple's lack of support for the iPhone is extending to the iPad.  And some are unhappy with the overly large bezel Apple put around the screen, limiting the screen size (this likely gave it room to pack the electronics in the thin packaging).

The iPad syncs with your Mac or PC using a 30-pin cable just like an iPhone or iPod touch. All of your apps, contacts, bookmarks, and backups are accomplished in exactly the same way.

Some iPad models will also be integrated with 3G wireless (AT&T, for better or worse). Data plans will range from $15/month for 250MB of data to $30/month for unlimited data -- no contracts are required.

The 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models cost $499, $599, and $699 respectively. Choosing an iPad with integrated 3G will cost you $629, $729, and $829 respectively. Standard models will ship within 60 days, 3G models will ship within 90 days. Accessories for the iPad will include a dock and keyboard for those that don't want to be bothered with the onscreen keyboard.

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So it really is just a big iTouch?
By AmbroseAthan on 1/27/2010 2:01:24 PM , Rating: 5
So unless I am missing something, it is just a really big iTouch? Yes, some upgraded features like wireless N instead of G, and Bluetooth added in; but, shouldn't there something more?




RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By GeekWithFire on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By RjBass on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By TheRequiem on 1/27/2010 5:11:00 PM , Rating: 5
Yeah... I wonder if this will have a "yellow tint" in the screen too? hah!


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By quiksilvr on 1/27/2010 10:50:42 PM , Rating: 5
Why do you think they're waiting until March and April to release it?

Seriously, this machine is a huge let down (on purpose). It falls under the exact same problems the iPhone had.
A. Missing the most common hardware that is expected on a device like this:
1. Camera
2. SD expansion
3. HDMI out
4. SIM card (it has a frigging microSIM card...why?!)

B Mission the most common features that is expected on a device like this.
1. MULTITASKING!
2. Flash Player support
3. A stlyus. Cuz, ya know. People still write things. It's a lot better than writing on that virtual keyboard.
4. No cell phone support. Seriously? Why not have this? You have the 3G support, the bandwidth frequencies and all that. Why can't I pop my SIM card (or microSIM. Guess I gotta get the scissors) and start making phone calls on this thing?

And on top of that, this thing is ridiculously overpriced. $499 for 16GB? On a device thats suppose to replace the netbook? I'd rather spend ten dollars LESS and get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

So, in short, I'm going to be waiting for another tablet. I wonder who is going to come out with something that will put this iPad (insert vaginal joke here) to shame?
http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/hp_slate_video_scrn_nyt_0...


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By damianrobertjones on 1/28/2010 8:36:42 AM , Rating: 2
Not if it features good battery life and a good dual core cpu


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/28/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Cheesew1z69 on 1/28/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By DarkElfa on 1/28/2010 11:49:07 AM , Rating: 3
Jesus Reader1 you spout the same crap at Engadget and you get down rated there as well.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/28/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By weskurtz0081 on 1/28/2010 12:34:30 PM , Rating: 3
No, I am sure you aren't. I am not quite sure why you constantly lie and spread false information, but you continue to do it. I really am curious what is going on inside of that head of yours.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By xpax on 1/28/2010 12:42:58 PM , Rating: 5
He gets paid by Apple, what do you think? Why else would anyone say such moronic things.


By DarkElfa on 1/28/2010 3:28:44 PM , Rating: 3
Have you ever seen the movie Macheads? There is a chick who only sleeps with people who own Macs. Seriously, they don't need to be paid, they're freaking indoctrinated.

Unlike any other fanbois on the planet, Macheads transcend any kind of normal fan ideals and find themselves on a plateau of blind and ignorant dedication once though to only be reachable by religious zealots and political extremists.

The only real shock has been that one of them hasn't strapped a bomb on their chest and tried to blow up a Windows store or attempt an assassination of Balmer or Gates. Of course, the year isn't up yet so who knows.

My point being that they don't require payment to spout Apple propaganda, they do it because they believe it through and through, balls to bones.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By GodisanAtheist on 1/28/2010 8:51:53 AM , Rating: 4
What really boggles the mind is the absence of any USB ports at all...


By DarkElfa on 1/28/2010 3:38:05 PM , Rating: 3
Bah, what really boggles the mind is that anyone with a shred of free will would be willing to continue buying in to Apple's Orwellian power trip of absolute control. True, people have a right to buy as much as not to but even allowing companies to operate in such a manner and be successful at it only encourages such behavior from others in the future.

Apple doesn't want to compete anyways. To do so would negate over half of their entire propaganda. Namely their virus in-vulnerabilities which only exist because a small and ineffectual user base which they maintain through the use of inflated pricing and their platform stability which exists because of a very narrow and tightly controlled technical platform. If you increased apple's user base to 50% of the market and allowed OSX to be installed on n open platform basis, you would find that because of their underlying Unix kernel that they would be more unstable and vulnerable to attack than any modern Windows machine.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By jvillaro on 1/28/2010 9:33:12 AM , Rating: 3
You don't need all those things, trust me I'm the one who knows and says what you really nead! - Steve Jobs

:)


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/28/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By MrBlastman on 1/28/2010 10:48:25 AM , Rating: 4
News to you: Some of us like to think for ourselves, we don't need to be TOLD how to think, like Apple insists on doing.

Microsoft is doing what a company SHOULD do--listen to its customers and provide what they want based on their feedback. They learned that by not doing this cost them. Apple could learn a lot from that instead of allowing Steve Jobs to prance around like an arrogant windbag.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Sokal on 1/28/2010 11:24:28 AM , Rating: 1
Apple is not telling you how to think.

They are offering products, that's all.

People vote for what they want with their money.

You don't like it?

Don't buy it, that's all.

Guess what? Today I saw what I think is a really crappy netbook. I will never ever buy it.

However, I'm not going to bash it on every forum. What's the point even talking about it?

So why do so many people feel the need to bash Apple?

Because some uber-geeks feel they know better than anybody else what Apple should do, how they should have built their tablet, or their phone.

And they want the world to know they have an opinion. So they will tell it to you, over, and over, and over again.

Yet... Nobody listens to those geniuses.

Apple still sells millions of products, people are still voting with their money, Jobs is rich...

And in their rooms, the geniuses cry.

"Microsoft is doing what a company should do?"

Please. Go tell that to the twelve people who bought a Zune.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By MrBlastman on 1/28/2010 12:41:17 PM , Rating: 2
So, I am to understand that you believe that companies should not listen to what their customers want?


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/28/10, Rating: -1
By themaster08 on 1/28/2010 4:11:44 PM , Rating: 2
So in your warped reality, nobody really knows what they want. We all need someone to tell us what we want.
quote:
Humans have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning , language, introspection , and problem solving .
- Wikipedia.

People are not stupid. They're only stupid when you treat them as if they are. That's what Apple do.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By theslug on 1/28/2010 12:45:01 PM , Rating: 2
What you are saying applies to almost anything. People will pointlessly bash whatever does not apply to them, instead of doing what any sane person would do, which is to simply move on and ignore the thing in question.

But no, people will continue to think that they have the ultimate say on everything, and that if they don't like something, neither should anyone else.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Shadowself on 1/28/10, Rating: 0
By weskurtz0081 on 1/28/2010 1:26:11 PM , Rating: 2
MOST people bash Apple within reason. I know your example was to an extreme, but at a certain point, people wouldn't bash Apple products, but there is generally something about them that leaves room for bashing, just like there is always something to bash Microsoft about, or Sony about..... nothing new here.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By themaster08 on 1/29/2010 1:58:42 AM , Rating: 2
I don't really have a problem with their products per se, even though I think they're ridiculously hyped. More their self-righteous, arrogant attitude.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_zI21XEo0Q&feature...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g92Yg79Of1s

I mean, just watch those videos. They sound like they've found the cure to cancer! They absolutely love themselves and their self-proclamation just screams bigotry.

As for the device, it has an excellent UI which I was personally quite impressed with whilst watching some iPad demos, and it's sleek body looks amazing. But in all honesty, it's just another average product with many shortcomings.


By themaster08 on 1/29/2010 11:05:07 AM , Rating: 2
In all honesty, if I was to buy a tablet computer in the same price range as the iPad, I'd much prefer an OQO UMPC.


By jvillaro on 1/28/2010 3:32:04 PM , Rating: 4
Oh well at least it has CUT & PASTE and we don't have to wait fot the third version.

:)


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By themaster08 on 1/28/2010 2:06:54 PM , Rating: 2
If Apple made dildo's you'd be the first to insert it.


By nextel2010 on 1/29/2010 1:14:48 PM , Rating: 3
Calling this the "iPad" makes it sound like some feminine hygiene product. They could have used "iTablet" or "iTab"....


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By jrb531 on 1/28/2010 10:17:11 AM , Rating: 3
No SD slot and no Flash support = NO!

Sorry Apple but while I love your Itouch and can deal with a lack of an SD slot for this (still pissed about no Flash support) an Ipad would take the place of many desktops so it's unaccaptable for this to be missing memory expansion and Flash support.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/28/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Whaaambulance on 1/28/2010 1:23:51 PM , Rating: 1
Apparently you are too retarded to realize that the majority of apps and games on the iPhone run on Flash. Oh, let's not forget Youtube.. also based on flash. You cannot run Flash as an individual application, which makes sense. If you were able to play flash games through a web browser on the iPhone... why pay for them on the App store?

You are a moron.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/28/10, Rating: -1
By themaster08 on 1/28/2010 2:36:08 PM , Rating: 3
And removing your tongue from Steve Jobs' ass would help you to talk sense.


By Whaaambulance on 1/28/2010 5:15:34 PM , Rating: 2
So you are contradicting yourself when you say "Flash is dead" or "iPad doesn't use Flash".

It very much uses Flash. Just not in a stand alone application version.

This is nothing but a blown up version of the iPhone. I don't have a problem with that, and the price point is good. But SJ seems to believe that this product is 'magical' and 'revolutionary'. On the contrary, it is neither.

Let's look back to the original 'MessagePad' by Apple. This was the original iPhone, minus the phone. Obviously it has moved light years from that, but remains the same idea. Back then, when it was the first device of it's type, then it was 'Revolutionary'. Now it's simply 'evolutionary' by taking an existing technology and moving it into new markets.


By Mojo the Monkey on 2/1/2010 3:38:33 PM , Rating: 2
I'll tell you what puts this to shame: my 3 year old X61 Tablet.

Go buy a used one for less than this thing. And you get, well... everything this thing doesn't have.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
By damianrobertjones on 1/28/2010 3:57:13 AM , Rating: 2
..Like all the G5 machines that apple dropped in a second with the Leopard release.

Like the MANY spares/repairs apple machines


By weskurtz0081 on 1/28/2010 12:37:06 PM , Rating: 2
The CPU is actually just a rebranded Cortex A9, with maybe a non ARM GPU attached to it.... nothing special.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Griswold on 1/27/2010 5:23:34 PM , Rating: 3
That doesnt explain why safari still doesnt know what flash is. Or why there is no camera - front or back - on this tablet computer. Or why there is still no multitasking.

Hell, i'm not asking for a useable virtual keyboard (its no better than any of the other tablet attempts so far) or an USB plug.

We'll get all that (minus USB connectivity, for sure) next year and the year after, wanna bet?


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Sazar on 1/27/2010 6:10:05 PM , Rating: 2
Yep, it really does seem to be a giant iPod Touch, except it's bigger and faster and you can get it with 3G.

I am hoping that the next iteration will be a little more, you know, forward thinking.

You can't get away with calling a product magical and un-believable with such limited functionality. I can do pretty much everything with my iPhone AND make calls AND use a camera, while giving up a bigger screen and longer battery life. I can even type one-handed.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By fic2 on 1/27/2010 7:12:09 PM , Rating: 5
I heard the next iteration will be named the MaxiPad.


By FITCamaro on 1/27/2010 10:18:44 PM , Rating: 2
6!


By djcameron on 1/28/2010 12:00:32 AM , Rating: 2
no, it's the maxiPod


By Aloonatic on 1/28/2010 2:58:44 AM , Rating: 2
Images of it have already leaked (maybe I should have chosen a different word) onto the net.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/4/20...


By Gyres01 on 1/28/2010 12:17:58 PM , Rating: 3
Yes..I pod touch XL..minus the camera of course....


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By AmbroseAthan on 1/27/2010 3:14:02 PM , Rating: 2
Unless I missed it, is there a full-fledged Office App for the iPad? That is the reason you can't do any real work on a iPod touch or iPhone. It doesn't seem like the iPad solves this.

Not to mention I can't see how typing on this will work due to its size, without putting it down or holding it in one hand (which I imagine would get tiring after a couple hours. The magic of my iPod touch is I can hold it in my hands and my two thumbs hit the keys without effort.

I will admit this would be nice for presentations to small groups, if I was able to run PPT's fullscreen on it smoothly.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Mitch101 on 1/27/2010 4:01:45 PM , Rating: 3
Several hours have passed I would expect it has been hacked by now.


By chagrinnin on 1/27/2010 7:14:19 PM , Rating: 3
And Apple is poised and ready to brick it with it's first update. :P


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Shadowself on 1/27/2010 4:35:20 PM , Rating: 3
There is a new version of iWork. It probably does 99% of what most people need.

There are apps that let you display MS Office documents if you don't want to use iWork.

Also it can dock to a keyboard. So if you need to do a lot of typing or spreadsheets you can use that keyboard.


By weskurtz0081 on 1/28/2010 12:54:15 PM , Rating: 2
Can I use a mouse? Wonder if I will be able to use a VPN and connect to my office?


By damianrobertjones on 1/28/2010 3:58:00 AM , Rating: 2
Do you actually think before posting?


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By PrinceGaz on 1/27/2010 2:50:49 PM , Rating: 2
Essentially yes, it is just a big iTouch. The only real new feature of relevance it brings to the table (excluding the obviouslly much bigger display) is 3G mobile-phone data connectivity in the more expensive range.

But you can add 3G to the iTouch anyway with one of those pocket 3G -> WiFi devices and they have the advantage of allowing you to choose which operator you wish to use instead of being forced to use the one officially supported by the iPad/iPhone, or unlocking it to use another.

So essentially it's an oversized iTouch; too oversized for my liking.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
By erple2 on 1/27/2010 3:57:59 PM , Rating: 4
You should have patented the idea when you wrote about it. Then sued Apple for patent violation.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By porkpie on 1/27/2010 5:11:58 PM , Rating: 1
" It's too small for reading, photos, video and work."

It's 9 inch screen is several times larger than a standard 4X6 photo. It's also bigger than your average paperback.

But then again, why am I replying to a the board's best-known troll?


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By CrazyBernie on 1/27/2010 5:26:49 PM , Rating: 2
What's worse is that you didn't read his response correctly. That comment was about the iPhone/iPod Touch.

Whoops!


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By foolsgambit11 on 1/27/2010 9:54:08 PM , Rating: 2
And reader1 wasn't even right to begin with. I've read more than a dozen books on my iPod Touch since I got it about a year ago.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/28/10, Rating: -1
By Whaaambulance on 1/28/2010 1:29:51 PM , Rating: 2
There is nothing 'revolutionary' about the iPad. It's an oversized iPhone.

While this device is a great idea, it lacks basic functionality you would expect from such a device. Like Multitasking or a webcam. I mean, this is a 'web device', so how could you not include a webcam, the most common device used for web communication? Total fail.

Drink more Kool-aid.


By dagamer34 on 1/27/2010 5:45:09 PM , Rating: 4
However, any plan from Verizon/Sprint requires you to sign a 2-year contract and shell out $40/month for 250MB and $60/month for "unlimited" data. Most people only occasionally need to use 3G data, a month-by-month plan is FAR more useful, especially without an ETF.

It just means you pay more upfront for the device, but I'd rather it be that way than anything else.


By ImSpartacus on 1/31/2010 8:21:39 AM , Rating: 1
Where are you people getting this "iTouch" bullshit?

There is no product called "iTouch".


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Gungel on 1/27/2010 3:00:19 PM , Rating: 5
I predict we will see the iPad in the hall of misfit Apple products. Together with the Newton, Cube and Air. In addition to that it will hurt similar product developments once this fails. The will say "if even Apple failed to be successful in this market how should we be able to make it a success?"


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By reader1 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By CrazyBernie on 1/27/2010 5:29:37 PM , Rating: 2
Wow.... just... wow. If I didn't know you were an iFanboy, I'd swear that whole post was dripping with sarcasm.

Wow.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By nuarbnellaffej on 1/27/2010 8:08:40 PM , Rating: 5
Judging from the fact that reader1 has an average rating of 0 for hundreds of comments, and the sheer idiocy of his posts', I've come to the conclusion that he is someones' puppet account.

Possibly to give DT posters someone to rave against, or simply to discredit apple lovers.

I mean this with all seriousness.


By acase on 1/28/2010 11:07:25 AM , Rating: 2
Probably Mick. Get's him more comments on his articles.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Whaaambulance on 1/28/2010 1:32:33 PM , Rating: 2
I have come to the conclusion that he is none other than Pirks, the other blabbering moron.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By themaster08 on 1/28/2010 2:18:39 PM , Rating: 2
Pirks has nothin' on this asshat.

Even Pirks thinks this guy is an idiot. A feat I thought was impossible.


By Whaaambulance on 1/28/2010 5:17:59 PM , Rating: 2
That truly is a feat. I thought Pirks was king of the mountain of blabbering trolls.


By themaster08 on 1/27/2010 5:40:33 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
It's like owning the first car or light bulb.

Or SHUT THE FUCK UP.


By themaster08 on 1/28/2010 2:13:59 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
The iPad is one of the biggest inventions in human history.

Why? Does it cure cancer?

Steve BlowJobs owns you.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By The0ne on 1/27/2010 3:03:50 PM , Rating: 5
There are clear differences!!!

quote:
Unlike the iPhone there's a background wallpaper and an added bottom dock, similar to stock OS X (except with chiclet icons).


See!! It has a wallpaper!! lol


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By UNCjigga on 1/27/2010 3:30:14 PM , Rating: 5
There are only 2 things revolutionary about this device:
1) Use of an IPS LED-backlit panel. Seriously, seeing this screen in person will *almost* be enough to make you fall in love. It will be that pretty!
2) Custom "A4" 1GHz CPU. A few bloggers have gone on record saying this is at least a "generation" ahead of the 3GS CPU. One said iPhoto seems "faster than a C2D laptop". We'll have to wait for real benchmarks, but the potential for this kind of performance with 10 hour+ battery life is huge.

Other than that, there are too many FAILS for me to consider buying this:
- WHERE'S THE F**KING FLASH ALREADY? This wouldn't be as critical if Hulu/Netflix/Amazon had gone on-stage and demoed streaming video apps, but that didn't happen.
- Without the broad video support, what's the "killer" app? Gaming on this would be too unwieldy IMHO--the iPad still can't support the level of control you'd get with a portable console or PC. iBooks is just a glorified PDF reader--brings the laptop reading experience to a better form factor but it doesn't revolutionize reading. Newspapers/magazines behind a paywall? Spare me.
- Where's the front-facing camera? Still no iChat?
- Where's the Verizon 3G?
- We saw iPhoto, but where's iMovie? GarageBand? Why would they create iWork without a full iLife suite?
- No SD/MicroSD slot? Still limited to built-in storage in this day and age?
- Why didn't Apple leverage Bonjour to create an iPhone media sync service? Would be nice to sync photos/videos from iPhone via 1-to-1 wifi for editing/compositing on an iPad.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By cmdrdredd on 1/27/2010 3:52:23 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
One said iPhoto seems "faster than a C2D laptop". We'll have to wait for real benchmarks, but the potential for this kind of performance with 10 hour+ battery life is huge.


It seems faster because it's a tuned and much scaled down version of the application running on FLASH MEMORY! It isn't loading from a mechanical HDD.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By UNCjigga on 1/27/2010 4:01:20 PM , Rating: 2
Obviously it's tuned, and there isn't anything running in the background (no multitasking!) But that doesn't mean it isn't useful.


By cmdrdredd on 1/27/2010 4:13:24 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Obviously it's tuned, and there isn't anything running in the background (no multitasking!) But that doesn't mean it isn't useful.


If I had a mac I could plug my digital camera into it (lets say a macbook) and download the pics to iPhoto. This thing has no USB port at all so I have to buy an adapter just to get pictures from my camera to it. Also, do we know if the photo software reads RAW? The full iPhoto does.

So yes I would say essentially this thing, as packaged, is not useful.


By dagamer34 on 1/27/2010 5:48:02 PM , Rating: 5
Not defending Apple here, but any significant OS changes would be announced with iPhone OS 4.0. There's no point in telling us about that stuff now when a beta isn't ready yet (focus on one product at a time).

Besides, any new iPhone OS 4.0 features will undoubtedly be added to the iPad. The stuff we see now is just iPhone OS 3.0 on a bigger screen (hence why the OS version number is only 3.2. Something else is in the works.)


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By Proxes on 1/27/2010 3:12:33 PM , Rating: 5
It should be a scaled down laptop not a scaled up ipod.

Hopefully this iFad will fade.


By AstroCreep on 1/27/2010 4:08:21 PM , Rating: 3
iHope?


By cludinsk on 1/27/2010 3:37:51 PM , Rating: 1
iBig iExpensive iPhone


By AstroCreep on 1/27/2010 4:12:56 PM , Rating: 2
More or less, as it would seem.
From what I can see, it would be like a netbook (power and size) made a baby with an iPod Touch (functionality and features).

While pig and elephant DNA just won't splice, apparently a netbook and an iPod can.


RE: So it really is just a big iTouch?
By zonkie on 1/27/2010 4:54:58 PM , Rating: 2
The biggest disapointment for me is the lack of multi-tasking. For me to use this I would need the dock because it will have fingerprints all over it. You have to synch it with USB?
I know flash won't be as required in a year but it still will be in 60 days. If you're going to use media on it 16gb of memory is very small. Pics, songs, books, mail with pics and attatchments?
The name and pricing makes sense.
iPAD
16gb=light days
64GB=heavy days
and the iPAD is for around the home. If you need more portability use the tampax er iPhone. It's smaller and can be put in your pocket.


By HotFoot on 1/27/2010 9:30:41 PM , Rating: 2
If my smart phone couldn't multi-task it would be next to useless compared to what I can do with it now. I'm pretty sure it's running on a 600 MHz ARM processor - so really the iPad should have no trouble unleashing multi-tasking if Apple decides to allow it.

I'm sure some people will like this product, but it's not for me. For news, books, magazines... if I was to use a device I think it'd be the Kindle - though I still read paper books. While I'm out and about, the smart phone (if you can call a n900 that) can do everything I can imagine needing. At work or at home, I still prefer the desktop and big monitor over everything else for news, games, productivity and video.


By PoisonLed on 1/28/2010 8:25:57 AM , Rating: 2
So far the only upside to this over the iPhone would be to control Parrot's AR.Drone from the iPad due to screen size.


By heulenwolf on 1/28/2010 11:31:46 AM , Rating: 2
No, it's the first in a whole new breakthrough category called the coffee table computer: http://agcrazylegs.blogspot.com/2010/01/ipad-its-c...


By Techfan87 on 1/28/2010 11:59:57 AM , Rating: 2
Yes. Btw here are 13 reasons why iPad is a FAIL :D http://www.gadgetine.com/index.php?pg=202&news_id=...


Apple invents the tablet!
By ZachDontScare on 1/27/2010 2:25:02 PM , Rating: 2
I supposed Apple fanboys will now claim Apple invented the tablet computer, just like they think they invented the touchscreen phone.

Dont get me wrong - I love tablets. And the form factor of the iPad is very nice. But honestly, if I'm spending $1000 on it, I want it to run Windows, so I can run 'real' programs such as Office.




RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By Wightout on 1/27/2010 2:51:32 PM , Rating: 4
I believe the term is reinvent


RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By reader1 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By Leper Messiah on 1/27/2010 3:04:24 PM , Rating: 5
It hasn't even been released yet, you've never used one, and yet you're willing to proclaim that apple got it right.

Please remove your mouth from Steve Job's phallus, that kind of behaviour isn't allowed in public.


RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By Mitch101 on 1/27/2010 3:23:40 PM , Rating: 5
Maybe he means finally got it right?

May 1992 Apple Newton
http://oldcomputers.net/apple-newton.html


RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By Magius on 1/27/2010 3:08:03 PM , Rating: 5
What did it get right? It is an updated Ipod Touch.
Bigger screen, better processor, and wireless N.

16GB plus the above for $500? A netbook might not have a fancy touchscreen, but I can certainly have more freedom on what I do and how I do it, more memory, more storage space, better specs.

Not to mention multitasking...

But sure, this is my opinion and you have yours. Whatever makes you happy man. It is your money. You go for the Ipod Touch XL and I would go for a nice Tegra-based netbook. it's all good.


RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By msheredy on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By cmdrdredd on 1/27/2010 3:57:52 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
For what!? There isn't anything worthwhile to install on a netbook and I don't see that changing anytime soon.


Actually I could find lots to install. FULL office suite, Photoshop for basic manipulation and reading raw images from my DSLR on the go. Things the iPad cannot do.


RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By Natfly on 1/27/2010 4:09:09 PM , Rating: 5
A flash player...


RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By noirsoft on 1/27/2010 11:09:28 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
There isn't anything worthwhile to install on a netbook


What, nearly every Windows application is "not anything worthwhile"?


RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By hduser on 1/27/2010 4:47:38 PM , Rating: 2
Webcam and an internal SD reader(my MSI Wind has it internal) too and for at least $100 less than iPad. I'm not a fanboi nor a hater, I can almost see my wife using it but that's about it. Still would like to see internet tethering to an iPhone, I don't want to pay another $30/month. I'll wait for iPad 2.0 to address any of my above issues.


RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By icanhascpu on 1/28/2010 2:03:15 AM , Rating: 2
It hasn't even been released yet, you've never used one, and yet you're willing to proclaim that apple got it wrong.

Please remove your mouth from wour own phallus, that kind of behaviour (sic) isn't allowed in public.


RE: Apple invents the tablet!
By themaster08 on 1/27/2010 5:33:08 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Apple got it right, like always.

You mean like this?

http://www.dailytech.com/An+Apple+or+a+Lemon+IMacs...

I see no comment from you in there, or is it that you hide yourself from the truth?


How is this better than a netbook?
By autoboy on 1/27/2010 2:09:23 PM , Rating: 5
I'm sorry. I was thinking this would be a versatile tablet. Not a prison where I have to stay in Apple world while typing my email on a touchpanel.

I'll take my netbook thanks. I don't think Asus need worry.




RE: How is this better than a netbook?
By sapiens74 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: How is this better than a netbook?
By Gio6518 on 1/27/2010 2:33:37 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
Netbooks HAHAHA


why would you say that at least in the netbook you get a

1.5ghz processor > 50% more powerful than apple
160gb hard drive > 10x more hard drive space

all at almost half the price

but im sure lots of the apple brain washed masses will buy since steve jobs says
quote:
truly revolutionary and magical product


despite the fact tablets have been out for a while


By cmdrdredd on 1/27/2010 3:59:36 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
truly revolutionary and magical product despite the fact tablets have been out for a while


I laughed when I read this. Magical? Are we now marketing to visitors of the Magic Kingdom?


By Jakeisbest on 1/27/2010 7:33:47 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
why would you say that at least in the netbook you get a 1.5ghz processor > 50% more powerful than apple


Thats a bad comparison. Is my sisters 3.2ghz P4 comp faster than my 2.66 ghz C2d?

The most interesting thing about this is Apples custom silicon running it. Otherwise its a just huge Ipod, a really cool novelty to have on your coffee table.


RE: How is this better than a netbook?
By reader1 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: How is this better than a netbook?
By Oregonian2 on 1/27/2010 2:37:22 PM , Rating: 2
I suspect reading a book on the iPad will be much better. Get an eInk Kindle instead.


By Oregonian2 on 1/27/2010 6:25:08 PM , Rating: 2
Make that "reading a book on the iPad may NOT be much better". Get an eInk Kindle instead.


RE: How is this better than a netbook?
By soydios on 1/27/2010 3:21:16 PM , Rating: 5
"keyboard is largely useless"
I beg to differ

"Massive developer and content support. Nobody is making money on netbook apps."
That's because there is no "netback apps" market. It's all full-featured applications from full-fledged desktop/laptop operating systems.

"Netbooks are cheap."
I like that about them.


By cmdrdredd on 1/27/2010 4:01:52 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
I was going to upgrade my desktop this year, but I'm getting an iPad instead.


Nice way to waste money. Doesn't bother me though, I don't have to read websites through a smudged fingerprinted up screen with scratches on it with my Netbook.


By FITCamaro on 1/27/2010 10:17:21 PM , Rating: 2
Agreed. $700 for a freaking big iPod Touch? No thanks. You can buy a full featured laptop for that much. May not get 10 hours of battery life. But you can probably get one that'll get 6 hours and be far more capable.


By redbone75 on 1/28/2010 8:14:55 AM , Rating: 2
Awesome how the iFlock come out to the Jobs' defense. Like this article:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/showA...

Just pretty much states that because the iPad doesn't have the features that people want, users don't have to worry about missing them. The other "features" will make up for what's lacking. Reality distortion field engaged!


Flash?
By lifeobry on 1/27/2010 2:12:15 PM , Rating: 5
This is basically useless w/o Flash support. I mean seriously, NO FLASH??




RE: Flash?
By omnicronx on 1/27/2010 2:25:41 PM , Rating: 5
If there was flash what incentive would there be to buy ANY apps..

Need to do everything you can do on an iPhone?. Theres a Flash app for that..


RE: Flash?
By ksherman on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: Flash?
By omnicronx on 1/27/2010 5:38:20 PM , Rating: 2
I was making a joke, obviously not all apps can be made in flash, especially those making use of certain hardware (gps etc etc).. but the fact remains that Flash support would definitely take quite a chunk out of the app store. Apple has no excuse anymore, the processor on this thing could easily handle Adobe's new Flash 10.1, but Apple has yet to ask for support.(i.e they don't want it, Adobe has approached them many times).

They could make the case with the 2g and 3g phones (and even somewhat with the 3GS, although its already been demo'd on a Palm Pre which has the same Cortex ARM processor) being underpowered, but thats just not the case this time around.

There will come a day when every device out there will support Flash 10.1, when that happens the iPhone will be the least capable internet device on the market in terms of internet browsing. Until then Apple has little incentive to even think about flash.. HTML5 is not a flash replacement either, for those humming those words. Many websites use flash for far more than merely video content, nor will HTML5 become the standard fast enough.

Just go look at how many times the Fart app has been downloaded on the app store, that could easily be made in flash and distributed for free, many of the other top iPhone apps are in the same boat.


RE: Flash?
By cdwilliams1 on 1/27/2010 3:13:04 PM , Rating: 2
Useless? Really? What, is your life Facebook games??? I don't know how great this product annoucement turned out, but I'm surprised by the number of peeps that HAVE to have flash. I don't get it. Flash is the bane of the web! Flash based websites suck. I'm so thankful most designed have wised up and put a "skip intro" button at the bottom of most of them. Really what else is flash used for? Audio and Video playback ala YouTube? That's all going away with HTML5 (which Safari supports) anyway. So flash based games? Is that it? Is that why everyone is so worked up about a lack of flash support? Really? I don't get it. Flashblock and Noscript for me inside Firefox please.


RE: Flash?
By maven81 on 1/28/2010 11:41:06 AM , Rating: 2
Facebook games?! I would bet that half the internet relies on some sort of flash interactivity. Which is why to claim that you have the internet in your hand without the ability to use so many sites is a joke of gigantic proportions.
You clearly don't get how embedded it is (the penetration of flash player on computers is well over 90%). You also don't understand what can be done with it (hint it's not just for games and fancy intros). Flash is here to stay, and any apple nonsense to the contrary is delusional.
You can hype HTML5 all you want, but I actually work in production and none of our clients are clamoring for it. No one I know is developing for it either. Meanwhile flash player 10.1 is poised to wind up on every non apple smart phone.


RE: Flash?
By reader1 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: Flash?
By nafhan on 1/27/2010 3:38:21 PM , Rating: 4
Full screen internet video is the killer app, not Flash. If youtube and company hurry up with their HTML 5 rollouts, Flash may become much less essential in the near future. That said, I agree, why no Flash? Not having Flash leaves them in the undesirable position of needing third party support for an essential feature.


RE: Flash?
By cdwilliams1 on 1/27/2010 3:43:01 PM , Rating: 2
Assuming your browser supports it of course.... www.youtube.com/html5 if you want to see the preview as they ramp up the rollout.


RE: Flash?
By hiscross on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
Archos 7 Android
By Mitch101 on 1/27/2010 2:03:55 PM , Rating: 5
RE: Archos 7 Android
By Disorganise on 1/27/2010 2:26:01 PM , Rating: 4
Personally, I prefer this:
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=KIqtSJ1aVsmV...

Just a shame there's no sim card slot.


RE: Archos 7 Android
By acer905 on 1/27/2010 2:31:36 PM , Rating: 3
RE: Archos 7 Android
By Mitch101 on 1/27/2010 3:15:21 PM , Rating: 2
Still cool.

Thats actually a different item like a 9" netbook with a touchscreen keyboard running windows 7 Starter.

The device I linked to is a 7" device running Android. A bit more portable with an SD slot.


RE: Archos 7 Android
By Disorganise on 1/27/2010 3:22:28 PM , Rating: 2
Hadn't seen it for one. It looks like it doesn't have a keyboard (like the apple) so typing is going to be severely compromised.
I like the 'laptop' format for working 'on the bus' - I thinks it's much easier with a real keyboard especially with road bumps etc.
I like the tablet/touchscreen concept as a notepad replacement during meetings etc. And obviously web browsing is conceptually easier in tablet form.
I doubt I'd bother with video - I rather watch video on a big plasma TV with proper sound than on a pokey screen with headphones - but that's just me.


RE: Archos 7 Android
By reader1 on 1/27/10, Rating: -1
RE: Archos 7 Android
By themaster08 on 1/27/2010 5:49:40 PM , Rating: 1
BAHAHAHAHAHA typical Mactard response.


Typing?
By ussfletcher on 1/27/2010 1:59:26 PM , Rating: 2
Can anyone explain to me how you could possibly type on this without setting it flat on a table and using the two index finger approach? It isn't set up at an angle, and there is no where for your palms to rest.

Sounds like some multi-touch multi-fail.




RE: Typing?
By VoodooChicken on 1/27/2010 2:29:26 PM , Rating: 2
How did they do it on Deep Space Nine?


RE: Typing?
By lightfoot on 1/27/2010 6:10:09 PM , Rating: 2
They talked to it, and it talked back. Kinda like Microsoft's Sync, only better.


RE: Typing?
By FormulaRedline on 1/27/2010 4:13:04 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
Can anyone explain to me how you could possibly type on this without setting it flat on a table and using the two index finger approach?


Yes. You hold it your hands and type with your thumbs. After reaching past the bezel, you can type any sentence that includes the letters q, a, z, p, l, and commas.


RE: Typing?
By Zehar on 1/27/2010 5:58:37 PM , Rating: 2
I would prefer the Macbook Wheel's approach...


RE: Typing?
By Aloonatic on 1/28/2010 5:06:20 AM , Rating: 2
I was thinking the same thing. There are more images on Anand's Analysis of the iPad by the way.

You either have to slouch around the office with your feet up on a ledge that is level with your head, in order to get the required angle, or welcome aching wrists by typing at an angle when it's in a protective case.

It seems like one of the bigger problems with it as a genuine productivity (not just a novelty fancy gaming iPod for kids) device, to add to the long list above.

Might be good as a portable media player though, once you've converted your video files to the limited container formats supported of course.


But
By Oyster on 1/27/2010 1:59:11 PM , Rating: 5
Can I take notes? If not, please quit calling it a full-blown tablet (it is like calling the Kindle a tablet).

If it doesn't have an app like MS OneNote, I think I am better off using my iPhone. This is where I was hoping Apple would innovate and give us a kickass UI experience...




RE: But
By cdwilliams1 on 1/27/2010 3:15:40 PM , Rating: 2
Agreed. Totally disappointed in the interface.


RE: But
By jnolen on 1/27/2010 4:18:55 PM , Rating: 2
I second that one. I was expecting a really sweet note taking interface similar to OneNote, only everything OneNote isn't, and yet still able to sync with OneNote. I doesn't look like that software is out there yet. Maybe as an app?


RE: But
By MrBlastman on 1/27/2010 4:59:17 PM , Rating: 2
That's the thing about this device, it is tied in to Apple channels so they can get fat off your constantly having to purchase through their channels. You're stuck with them whether you like it or not. Everytime you buy an app, Apple makes money.

This is the reason behind closed computing and Steve Jobs is determined, as he always has been, to push it on everyone so he can set up a cash flow stream. You own nothing more than a glorified pay by the hour/month/whatever often you use and need apps device with this.

I have a better name for something like this: half-assed technology.


Giant iPod? Eh...
By PrazVT on 1/27/2010 2:00:22 PM , Rating: 2
Not too impressive. If it can run MS Office and other tablet-centric apps I can see some use for it. Also a lack of any stylus to do actual writing kind of makes iPad a bit of a misnomer (unless it does and I missed that detail).

I dunno ...seems pretty pointless to me. Essentially a touch screen netbook without some of the netbook features?




RE: Giant iPod? Eh...
By omnicronx on 1/27/2010 2:23:11 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Also a lack of any stylus to do actual writing kind of makes iPad a bit of a misnomer (unless it does and I missed that detail).
Can't, its a capacitive screen which responds to proximity.. Resistive screens in which a stylus is usually used can respond down to a single pixel.


RE: Giant iPod? Eh...
By lightfoot on 1/27/2010 6:23:43 PM , Rating: 2
A conductive stylus can be used on a Projected Capacitance touchscreen like the screens used on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchscreen


RE: Giant iPod? Eh...
By InternetGeek on 1/27/2010 2:29:54 PM , Rating: 2
Not the full version no. Possibly just Office Mobile which is a bit limited and written mostly for very small screens.


yawn.
By nowayout99 on 1/27/2010 2:18:43 PM , Rating: 5
No hand recognition? No new paradigm shift that other tablets or notebooks failed to accomplish?

No need for it.




RE: yawn.
By Jakeisbest on 1/27/2010 7:49:38 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
No new paradigm shift that other tablets or notebooks failed to accomplish?


Whoa there, the maxiPad is a let down after months of too much hype. But, to say its not a paradigm shift from previous attempts at tablet's is just false.

Old tablets were just a windows laptop with a touch screen. They were unpopular, except for certain medical applications, because you could get a regular laptop for 1/2 the price. Tablets did not offer anything you couldn't do on a regular laptop with a keyboard and mouse.

This is a paradigm shift. Apple could have made a touch screen mac book; that would be the same as every tablet before it. This is very different.
The maxiPad will only run applications specifically designed to be touch friendly.

I don't think this is going to be revolutionary. This is not going to replace laptops. I doubt that tactile keyboards will be replaced in the foreseeable future. But, I think this will bring tablets out of obscurity.


I loled
By meepstone on 1/27/2010 2:38:32 PM , Rating: 3
I laughed when I read the price for these things. $500 - $800... I could get a laptop witha 17.3 inch screen and a nvidia 330m card for cheaper than 800 and play real games instead of dinky apps. Plus real keyboard > touchscreen keyboard.




RE: I loled
By totallycool on 1/27/2010 2:57:35 PM , Rating: 1
You are kinda missing the whole point of that thing.


RE: I loled
By meepstone on 1/27/2010 3:52:36 PM , Rating: 1
OH I did?

Is the point to sink money into a cheaper product?

A laptop is portable and will do everything this thing does but better for the same price and/or less depending on the price model you buy from apple.

Don't believe I missed anything here, I understand quite clearly.


RE: I loled
By cblais19 on 1/27/2010 4:17:34 PM , Rating: 2
You just made the same points people make against netbooks, yet they're selling well. Different market segments.


So...
By amanojaku on 1/27/2010 1:57:29 PM , Rating: 2
It's basically a large iPhone?




RE: So...
By Magius on 1/27/2010 2:53:22 PM , Rating: 3
it's basically an extra-large Ipod Touch...


iPad name
By chmilz on 1/27/2010 2:01:16 PM , Rating: 5
Just like it sounds, this device deserves to rest between women's legs 5 days a month, and not for any of the good reasons.

I really don't see much difference between this and an iPod Touch, except that it's too big to carry in my pocket.




how this any different than..
By omnicronx on 1/27/2010 2:15:14 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
new mode dubbed "double pixel", which runs the app at the same resolution, but doubled image size vertically and horizontally
Scaling.. calling it a new mode is really funny.. If an app is designed for a HVGA screen, and it uses images fitted for that resolution, its not going to magically look the same when scaled to a different resolution..

There is no magically way to make all previous iPhone apps fit and look nice on a larger resolution screen. Basic gui components will look fine, its when you get into pictures and custom skins etc that things gets tricky.




iPad vs. Laptop
By Xponential on 1/27/2010 3:29:08 PM , Rating: 2
When comparing the iPad to a laptop, it doesn't really make any sense to buy one of these. Really the only thing the iPad has going for it is portability. You get a lot more for your money going with a Dell Studio 14 or something similar. It really makes me wonder who would buy this thing.




RE: iPad vs. Laptop
By Xponential on 1/27/2010 3:58:17 PM , Rating: 3
Just read the Engadget hands-on article: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-firs...

This thing is seriously neutered. No multi-task?!?! Are you kidding me!?!?


Boo… Bezel
By Suntan on 1/27/2010 2:03:59 PM , Rating: 2
Don’t personally have a need for a pad, but if I did, I’d much rather it be a portly .75” thick with a smaller bezel than .5” thick with such a big footprint.

-Suntan




RE: Boo… Bezel
By snakeInTheGrass on 1/28/2010 11:50:00 AM , Rating: 2
Watching people holding it and working on it, I think the bezel is there so your hand can hold it without being on the screen itself, which the phone doesn't need since you hold it in the palm of your hand. But I definitely had the initial thought of WTF - I thought they were trying to extend the LCD out to the very edges nowadays?'

I'd also rather they went with a 7" or 8" screen at a higher pixel density to bring down the overall size and a front-facing camera. On the size, I'm willing to give it a shot though. Too bad about the camera. :/


Apple's new novelty item
By Aberforth on 1/27/2010 2:43:22 PM , Rating: 2
Get a HP Multi-touch convertible laptop for 999 instead.




RE: Apple's new novelty item
The iPad is nothing new...
By funkyd99 on 1/27/2010 3:10:29 PM , Rating: 4
Commercials were available for the iPad years ago...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjU0K8QPhs




Apple's netbook
By nafhan on 1/27/2010 3:19:01 PM , Rating: 4
The iPad is Steve Jobs netbook. Compared to most netbooks it is: slightly more expensive, slightly less functional, and has much better industrial design. All hallmarks of an Apple product.
It will compete with the Kindle because they have a similar form factor, even though it's not as good of an e-reader and costs almost double or more. The Kindle iPhone app will likely see a lot more use in the near future, and I'm sure Amazon is fine with this. I think Amazon's long term plan is to be out of the hardware market, with the Kindle merely intended to kick start the market for electronic books.




The real purpose of the iPad
By Etern205 on 1/27/2010 4:06:10 PM , Rating: 2
is to view widgets!




RE: The real purpose of the iPad
By Etern205 on 1/27/2010 4:32:41 PM , Rating: 2
crap double post. My bad.


"what matters to me"
By crystal clear on 1/28/2010 10:24:49 AM , Rating: 2
After an long intensive Apple bashing session here,now comes the time for some creativity.

Now Apple prefers to call itself as -
"Apple is a mobile devices company. This is what we do"

The iPad one more addition to the list of things I want, but dont really need.

The strategy of cramming a full desktop OS into a slate form factor is NOT preferred.

"What matters to me" besides the Apple prescribed uses like mobile video-watching, book-reading, game-playing, photo-perusing, music-listening, web-surfing, and email-emailing device.

A device that's more a "laptop-like" than a "phone-like,"device that fits between a smartphone and a laptop. a sort of jack-of-all-trades media device, unfortunately without a USB port or SD card slot.

Yes a built in front-mounted video camera + microphone for video-enhanced communication would have helped (outdoors)as an alternative to the vedeo conferencing equipment in the office.

Strange both the ipod touch & the ipad lack this important feature.

Yes the Camera Connection Kit offers two dock connector adapters—one to attach a digital camera directly via USB, and another to insert an SD card to directly access image files.

So the end result is that I will end up making a tradeoff based on the same kind of "what matters to me"

With a starting price of $500 very competitive,given the record of high prices charged by Apple for other products.

It has those sleek looks & feels good with an interface that is essentially a hybrid between Mac OS X and iPhone OS,(laying the device down flat ) on your coffee table at the airport coffee shop or inflight.

Things you would like to do at airports/flights to use those hours doing something constructive rather than playing those games.

To watch movies on long haul flights,a good portable inflight video player. The case/stand can be used to prop the iPad up into a triangle so you can watch movies or use it like a laptop.

# 10 hour battery life with good enough screen resolutions.
The screen resolution is 1024x768 (4:3) it can play 720p movies from iTunes.

(Apple can change the screen resolution or aspect ratio in a hardware update.)

To use as writing/memo/notes pad from "things to do" to anything else.

As a full-color digital photo frame in your office.

Good for salesmen for product sales & presentations away from his office.

Start getting creative to find more areas to exploit the potential of this machine.

Apple bashing is not productive & a waste of time....see their quarterly earnings....wish the U.S. economy was thriving like Apple.




RE: "what matters to me"
By Cheesew1z69 on 1/28/2010 12:25:35 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
(Apple can change the screen resolution or aspect ratio in a hardware update.)
Um......


Surprise
By Oregonian2 on 1/27/2010 2:40:43 PM , Rating: 3
When apple comes out with something, I expect something extremely well designed and hyped (but on the spendy side). Something new and significantly better than previous products in the same product class.

I'm VERY underwhelmed by the iPad.




lol
By Chiisuchianu on 1/27/2010 3:31:37 PM , Rating: 3
An overgrown iPhone, lol. I'm sure it will sell tons with those hip commercials Apple makes.




Upgraded iPad
By valkator on 1/27/2010 3:32:35 PM , Rating: 3
So does this mean that when they come out with a faster better version of the iPad will they call it the iMaxipad. Ha!




By sapiens74 on 1/27/2010 2:14:30 PM , Rating: 2
That's flipping awesome




OMG 499!!!!!
By sapiens74 on 1/27/2010 2:16:40 PM , Rating: 2
Wow

didn't see that coming




$829 for a glorified iPhone?
By Leper Messiah on 1/27/2010 2:28:31 PM , Rating: 2
are they serious?




$15/mo for 250MB
By Drag0nFire on 1/27/2010 2:32:20 PM , Rating: 2
When can I buy this plan for my mobile phone? That's much better than the mandatory $30/mo packaged with iPhones, BB's, android phones, etc.




iPad = iNot
By DatabaseMX on 1/27/2010 3:52:31 PM , Rating: 2
This device is a Solution looking for a Problem.

mx




Function for ipad is for
By Etern205 on 1/27/2010 4:01:06 PM , Rating: 2
viewing widgets!




Braaaaaaains
By IcePickFreak on 1/27/2010 4:05:21 PM , Rating: 2
Ooooh Shiny!

*gets a blank stare and slowly truffles off to the Apple store*




Giant iPhone
By spathotan on 1/27/2010 4:54:33 PM , Rating: 2
Stack this supersized iPhone up right beside the Apple TV box in the basement folks.




By semiconshawn on 1/27/2010 5:04:10 PM , Rating: 2
A big mystery and launch for this? This thing has like 90% functional overlap with a smart phone. This will truly weed out the iDiots if they can sell them the same thing twice. I was expecting this to bring quite a bit more to the table.




Ipod Touch for Giants
By Developer on 1/27/2010 5:20:59 PM , Rating: 2
Nice to see Apple thinking on the Giant's at Asmoroth who have hard time using a regular ipod touch or iphone. Now they have a chance to use the most advanced magical technology that Apple has brought to the table.

Marvellous. Ipod touch for Giants.




Can you?
By damianrobertjones on 1/27/2010 6:56:39 PM , Rating: 2
..Replace the battery? If not, no thanks.




Wiil you buy it?
By Roy2001 on 1/27/2010 7:20:18 PM , Rating: 2
No video camera, 4:3 not 16:9 LCD, expensive data plan as I already pay over 80 dollars per month for iPhone. I might skip it.




By VooDooAddict on 1/27/2010 11:48:02 PM , Rating: 2
Without pen input that is overpriced.

With pen input I would have ordered on day one.




By troysavary on 1/28/2010 4:03:01 AM , Rating: 2
Steve Jobs just confirmed what I have long suspected about Apple users. They like to get "intimate" with the devices.




Does it....
By AbsShek on 1/28/2010 7:15:54 AM , Rating: 2
... come with a yellow tint, crack on one corner and explode when I put in my bag?

If not, I don't want it.




By hrishi2das on 1/28/2010 2:06:41 PM , Rating: 2
Cheap online shopping
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Oh Christ...
By Freezebyte on 1/27/2010 2:05:11 PM , Rating: 1
I sense the sounds of millions of apple fanboys jizzing in their pants now and forever, there will be no more silence......




By kroker on 1/27/2010 3:19:49 PM , Rating: 1
I really feel like an idiot for reading all those "leaks" and rumors about the tablet for the past year or so. If this was released by any other company, nobody would have even noticed.

It was like this with the iPhone too, but at least the iPhone really did bring some fresh new ideas to the table. Unless... I'm missing something? The tablet doesn't really seem to be anything out of the ordinary, and it doesn't even look as elegant as some of the other Apple crap. I don't even want to talk about the name.

Apple is a company built mostly on unfounded hype. The scary part is that people fall for it. But, what do you expect? Some people even fall for Scientology (or any other religion for that matter, Scientology is just the best example). And some of these arrogant ignorants refuse to believe we come from monkeys when they in fact are the best evidence that we do. Oh, humanity is doomded! Doooooooomed!

...Ok, I'm gonna go take my medicine and shut up now! But the tablet is still kind of crappy and not worth the hype!




What good is a Pad without a Pen?
By dijuremo on 1/27/2010 3:41:18 PM , Rating: 1
The lack of a pen is certainly a huge draw back. If there is no physical keyboard, there should have been at least a pen so that you could have held the device with one hand and write efficiently with the pen on the other one. As much as I like the functionality of the iPhone, I hate the touch keyboard and wish it had a pen like most of the HTC phones do with handwriting recognition.

Sorry Steve, still not good enough. When you add a pen, a memory card reader so that I don't have to pay you for overpriced storage and flash player capabilities for the same or lower price then you will sell another one.




By sapiens74 on 1/27/2010 3:47:54 PM , Rating: 1
Those two reasons for it going on eBay when iPad comes out




iFlop
By ChipDude on 1/27/2010 3:48:42 PM , Rating: 1
yes iFlop

Beyong being a bigger itouch I see nothing compelling except putting more money into Apple's pocket.

There is nothing here that can't and won't be integrated into a full function x86 laptop. Dell, Tohsiba, HP, etc. etc. ball is in your court. This is easy, integrate latest x86, touch screen, add wireless and include full swivel and you have a much more compelling platform. On x86 you got internet, superior input device ( KEYBOARD ) and full functionality to run everything you want. Too expensive and uncompelling to drop another 500 bucks to surf on something as big as my laptop and more expensive too!

You either want to stick it in your pocket which equals iPhone or iPod/itouch etc. or you want full fucntion.

iFlop!




Cheap online shopping
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http://0rz.tw/oPWXd
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Cheap online shopping
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By orgy08 on 1/27/2010 2:02:27 PM , Rating: 2
This is where you are wrong, Totally different market. This device will probably be near $1000. Plus, before it can kick Nintendo or Sony in the balls, it must have real game developers making games for it.


By orgy08 on 1/27/2010 2:20:29 PM , Rating: 2
But all that money was not all spent at once. Sure, some app games are less than $5, but now image when they start getting more complex and development cost go up, then you will start seeing games reaching $20. Also, not being a dedicated gaming machine, you will not see a giant influx of big name gaming developers making exclusives for it, but they may hire other companies to make ports if the number of users begins to rise.


By MrBlastman on 1/27/2010 2:21:43 PM , Rating: 5
*yawn*

This is just a big iPhone, don't kid yourself. This is not the second coming of a tablet PC and definitely not the next-gen, cutting edge, portable gaming platform.

quote:
Apps in Itunes are less than 5 bucks... and the device does so much more...
*

So much more? Like what? Please, enlighten me.

On my home PC, I have 20 cables coming out of it--that's right, 20.

I have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, external dvd burner, two gamepads, a full HOTAS system (stick, throttle, pedals), head tracking (Track IR), headphones, microphone, screen, 4.1 speakers, video out to the tv, optical cable to the home theater and a Roland MT-32 (vintage 80's midi synthesizer) hooked up routinely; occasionally I hook a camera or a printer to it as well. I can surf the internet, play games, store data (3 hard drives w/850 gb total) solve world problems and connect remotely to my office computer.

I can do anything I want on my PC basically. It does everything.

It also has an easy, intuitive and... most importantly--EFFICIENT interface (mouse+REAL keyboard and voice recognition if I want) allowing me to be productive and not farting around trying to type on a piece of glass that is not tactile making me prone to making errors (like Steve Jobs made in his presentation).

There is *nothing* that this silly tablet from Apple that fanboi's laud for other than it being portable (while handicapped) that makes it appealing. It doesn't even have a full blown operating system, nor is it x86 compatible (BIG downside there), not to mention try accessing the command prompt on it in a UNIX environment and attempt to be useful with it for any length of time without becoming annoyed.

Gaming? That is a total joke. It doesn't do more than a Wii for instance as the interface is horrible to game with. Gaming is only as good as the interface to the game will let you be. If you dumb that interface down, you dumb the game down and make it far less playable thus creating simplistic gameplay that you will become bored with quickly (okay, maybe not everyone as I've seen some really lame games obsess people for hours). Chess is also one notable exception.

It doesn't do so much more. It does, as Apple is famous for, SO MUCH LESS, while making you pay... so much more. Well, we don't know the price yet, but, I'm not counting on them breaking their expensive trend anytime soon.

i-Robber, coming to a store near you soon.

Much like tablets of the past, I see little point in this one except in special case scenarios. From what I've seen so far, this one does LESS than other tablets, so how on earth can it be better?

Only an Apple fanboi can explain that one--and make it sound good at the same time.


By MrBlastman on 1/27/2010 2:23:39 PM , Rating: 2
*edit* oh, I see the price above. It isn't that expensive, but it doesn't do much. Would you pay the same money for something that does less than something else? Any logical person would not.

This is an expensive paperweight.


By amanojaku on 1/27/2010 2:47:07 PM , Rating: 5
Paperweight? This is a weapon. The mere sight of it can temporarily halt brain function, and long term exposure causes permanent corruption of judgment, blind fanaticism, and an apathy for all beings who do not yet own one. Damn Apple-Qaeda.


By Jakeisbest on 1/27/2010 8:00:00 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
It also has an easy, intuitive and... most importantly--EFFICIENT interface (mouse+REAL keyboard and voice recognition if I want) allowing me to be productive and not farting around trying to type on a piece of glass that is not tactile making me prone to making errors (like Steve Jobs made in his presentation).


But, millions of people are absolutely horrible at using a keyboard and mouse. Many people at my office are bad at using computers.

For many of these people the interface displayed by the iPhone or this tablet is simpler to learn and easier to use.

That being said this is still a gimped piece of Apple hardware. WTF, how can it cost so much for 16gb more disk space!?


By meepstone on 1/28/2010 5:27:26 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
That being said this is still a gimped piece of Apple hardware. WTF, how can it cost so much for 16gb more disk space!?


Haven't they been doing this for years with there macbooks? You could always get a PC for half the price and would come with better hardware.


By nafhan on 1/27/2010 2:48:24 PM , Rating: 2
I'd much rather have a tablet for me, but for a kid that's not at least in middle school, pretty much every advantage the iPad has over a dedicated game device would be a negative. So your DS was probably still a good purchase for the intended audience.


By ImSpartacus on 1/27/2010 2:03:49 PM , Rating: 2
I'm guessing it will be closer to the $600-800 market. Remember, this is Apple's netbook.

It doesn't look too impressive on the game front, but they have to start somewhere, right?


By jconan on 1/27/2010 2:34:35 PM , Rating: 2
It may do a lot but it isn't pocketable as a DS or a PSP for kids. Pocketability and gaming are the focus of DS and PSP. Can't say for the DS2 as when that comes out.


By orgy08 on 1/27/2010 2:38:12 PM , Rating: 2
They updated the price, but again, still aimed at a different market.


By chmilz on 1/27/2010 2:02:50 PM , Rating: 4
Except my DS fits in my pocket.

Once I put a protective rubber case on this to make it durable like my DS, it might fit in a backpack or one of those faggy manpurses.


By Joey B on 1/27/2010 2:10:41 PM , Rating: 2
You mean satchels?


By BruceLeet on 1/27/2010 2:39:41 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Its not a man purse its a SATCHEL!


By DigitalFreak on 1/27/2010 2:18:43 PM , Rating: 2
For the "stripped" version. If you want 3G, it's $629, and that's the 16GB model.


By Phynaz on 1/27/2010 2:39:06 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
$499. Sold.


You, and a lot of others.

This thing is going to sell millions at that price.


By Gio6518 on 1/27/2010 2:37:58 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
$499. Sold.


your such a tool....

i can put an apple logo on a turd and you'd buy it

oh wait im sure your house is full of them already


By Gio6518 on 1/28/2010 12:49:26 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
Troll much?


no ive been coming to daily tech ? weel actually cant remember not coming to daily tech, id have to guess 10 or so years


By Diesel Donkey on 1/27/2010 2:34:05 PM , Rating: 3
How does this kick Amazon anywhere? It doesn't have an e-ink display, so no matter what the form factor is, your eyeballs are still going to be bleeding after reading from it for a couple hours. It'll be no different than staring at your computer monitor.


By Oregonian2 on 1/27/2010 2:35:06 PM , Rating: 4
As well as the battery lasting only ten hours (instead of two weeks), as well as having to pay for 3G data access (it's free in a Kindle), etc.

Yes, I don't think Amazon is touched in the slightest.


By ksherman on 1/27/2010 2:36:15 PM , Rating: 2
Not to mention that the selection is smaller and the book priced higher. At those prices, might as well get the real thing.


By Oregonian2 on 1/27/2010 2:33:24 PM , Rating: 1
Not sure why you include Amazon. This product doesn't even touch the coattails of a Kindle, if that's what you were talking about.


By KoolAidMan1 on 1/27/2010 3:29:58 PM , Rating: 3
The Kindle is a specialized device thanks to the e-paper display. It excels at one thing, and that's reading books. I don't think that an LCD, even if it is IPS, will be as good a surface for that.

Otherwise the iPad can fill out many more functions thanks to the fact that it uses LCD, but for reading books the Kindle will still be king.


By KoolAidMan1 on 1/27/2010 5:43:13 PM , Rating: 3
I can say the same for Sony readers too. E-paper is excellent for reading for long periods of time, no question.


“We do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone.” -- Steve Jobs











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