I have to confess to being just a little excited about the announcement tomorrow of the Apple Tablet (or whatever it is going to be called). If you haven't heard about it, it is just a rumor at this point, but with all the buzz, it appears destined.

I have been following MacRumors.com and they have a pretty good wrap up of the rumors as of today. Apple has a big Media Event tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. PST where the announcement will be made.

Yeah, I admit to being a bit of a fanboy on this. I WON'T be rushing out to buy one (I never do first generation items). But for some reason, this one has really kept my interest.

A lot of comic strips are having fun with it. Doonesbury has been playing with it the last couple of days and there is another one in the LA Times (though I can't remember which one right now).

I want an iPad just because it's called an iPad!

It appears it will not come with wings - that is due to be added in version 2.0

And... It's the iPad.

http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune....ory/apple-2-0/

I think I kinda want one!!

It's official: The iPad is here

Pictures from Engadget:





The Engadget live feed

The Gizmodo live feed

Yeah, I'm just a giddy little fanboy

I'm actually thinking seriously about this one....now what's the price tag?

Pretty!!

We should probably move all these iPad comments into a new thread...

If only there was a Mod around who could do that...

If only I could take the time right now to figure out how. (I've never done it)

Figured it out.

Congratulations

(Love the subject :D)

We knew this was coming, but I like how it looks: iBooks





And Steve gives props to Amazon for getting the ball rolling:

Must admit that I'm standing on your shoulders for that idea...

As a Kindle user regardless of how nice the iPad ebook technology is, I have no interest at all. Real uninterrupted reading on a light-emitting screen is a complete unsell. But for people who don't care about that, it sounds great (and they probably were already

Though if it runs iPhone apps, Kindle already has one of those so if you like the Kindle library better but the iPad experience you can have both I guess (no physical Kindle ownership required).

That said, while this looks like a neat toy, I'm not understanding what is so hypeworthy about it. It's a big iPhone. I don't see myself carrying around a several pound (with whatever form of protection you give it) paper sized device that I need to remember to plug in a few times a day.

I may come around when I touch one and can interact with one (will be very soon after they're available since our developers will need to start forking our iPhone apps) but right now it's a "meh."

AT&T <groan>

The pricing:

Yeah; especially after the rumors that AT&T was going to lose exclusivity today.

Actually, it appears to NOT have phone capabilities

Actually, 10 hours of battery life, 1/2" thick, 1-1/2 pounds (the Kindle weighs 10 ozs.).

No built-in camera? No video iChat? I might wait till v2. (Not that I can afford the iPad right now anyway...)

And apparently no multi-tasking. You would think that Apple would have listened to that detail in regards to the iPhone.

Interesting concept but as much as I am a geek who wants the latest and greatest (even though I never buy it) this doesn't do much for me.

It seems too... bulky (not size-wise, functionality wise). Of course, opinion subject to change without notice.

I was referring to the fact that it is the iPhone OS. So fine, it is a large Touch. Though if buying this means still needing to carry around your 80% duplicative iPhone then that undercuts the case even more.

10 hours of battery life means plugging it in several times a day so that whenever you do use it you aren't worried about how long it will be before you can plug in again.

Yes, only 1.5 pounds for the device itself. Add in a well protecting carrying case (or just the need to always be carrying a bag you didn't before) and it will be at least 3 pounds. Add in speakers or headphones, a charger, a blue tooth keyboard for when people discover that both looking at and typing on a screen are not well suited to simultaneity and the weight goes up*.

And if the iPad isn't going to have enough functionality to replace the productivity apps people carry laptops for then case is further undercut.

Steve Jobs started his presentation by asking if there was room for a third category between netbooks and smartphones.

The problem is I don't see how that is the case if the thing in between doesn't get rid of the need to carry the smartphone (for phone purposes) or the netbook (for productivity purposes).

Is getting the New York Times or watching a movie (both of which can be done, if less gracefully on those already existing devices) going to be worth carrying another gadget rather than replacing one? I wouldn't mind being wrong but I'm not seeing it has a clearly made case.

I'm trying to gauge how much I can do on this and to what extent it could replace my laptop that I don't use often when I'm not on the road.

Example: Can I tether it to my Blackberry when on the road for interwebs access?

That's a deal breaker, ladies!

Like, seriously? A pseudo laptop that doesn't do more than one thing at a time?

That plus all the other things people have mentioned here make this pretty laughable. My Palm Pre does more.

One could totally see that through your clothing, ladies. Don't believe the iHype!

I'd be more interested if it had a firewire connection so I could record directly to it from my camera, while simultaneously using it as a monitor on my tripod.

The photoshopping has begun.

I can't figure out why I'd need one even if the feature set weren't somewhat disappointing. I have a MacBook Pro (no Apple hating here) and a Palm Pre, so I'm covered from both the full-size experience and the mobile access ends. I can't quite see the need for something in the middle.

Add that to those disappointments I mentioned:

• no multitasking
• no independent development (App Store only)
• WiFi only unless you pony up the extra $130 plus $15-30/month for AT&T
• AT&T? Really?
• no built-in camera (not a huge deal but surprised it was left out)

If I needed something in between my Pre and my MBP, I could pick up a fully-loaded Dell Mini 10v and install OS X on it for less than the iPad. I can't see the need right now but even so, I really can't see the iPad as a viable product to fill that need.

Yes, pretty expensive, pretty bulky, pretty inefficient, pretty low memory capability.... it's a giant ipod touch. Pretty meh.

I love the madTV ipad commercial from 3 years ago. You'd think that SOMEONE at Apple had seen that?

I'm in the middle on this one. For me (who does not have a notebook), it would definitely fill a void in my life. But I am disappointed with some of the same things (and not on others):

I have so far not got an iPhone (or a Touch) and I doubt I ever will. I've played with them. I hate, and I mean hate, browsing on them. Most apps I've seen are either novelties that wear thin quickly, or they are things I would want to do on a larger screen. So, this new product appeals to me in terms of "real estate." If it turns out to be pleasant to write with (and there will be a fully functioning version of iWork available, something I already use) then this will be tempting. My needs are pretty simple.

But would I want to read books on it at length? I doubt I would prefer it over paper.

So, it's a kinda maybe from me.

Oh, and I don't multi-task. Ever. So I'm cool with that.

Nah, he hasn't really been wrong, yet.

Yes, menstruation and feminine hygiene jokes NEVER get old.

It seems to have the same issues my iphone has only it's bigger. I suppose it might come in handy as my eyesight deteriorates. I'm not sure how they can claim it to be the "best" browsing experience when you can't use flash or have more than one browser open. And what's with the keyboard on a screen - I still miss using Palm grafiti, or something more like "writing." Or how about a decent spell check? the current predictive text fails me more often than not.

And another contract with AT&T? Can I just have one transferable account to access the internet from whatever device I happen to be using?

It looks like they are really competing with the Kindle - ebooks for people who'd rather see the video. (I think books cost more on this device, but come with "extras"). It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what improvements/features are added. As it is, our iphone contracts are up in July and I wonder what google will be offering then.

It is pretty though, and I'd keep it if I got one free in the mail.

Google Nexus is prettyyyyyyyyyyy

picture of Steve Jobs holding something funny
(sorry, I couldn't find a usable image to directly display here)

So yesterday I come home and the conversation goes something like this:

Me: Did you see the new iPad?

BJ: OMGZ!!! I WANTS ONE!!!

Me: You already have an iPod touch. It's a bigger iPod touch, and if you want WiFi it's $30 a month.

BJ: IT'S... MY PREEEEEECIOUS....... O.o And only $499, cheaper than my apple laptop.

ME: But your apple laptop, which you use for word processing, itunes, browsing, and all sorts of computer stuff also does multitasking. The iPad has no multitasking capability.

BJ: NO! It multitasks!

Me: No it doesn't. That's one of the things that people are disappointed with.

BJ: No, no no! You're lying! I want one! I WANT ONE! I WANT THE PRECIOUSSSSSSSS!!!!!


......


You apple people are freaky.

Actually, the WiFi comes with it... it's the 3G (AT&T) that costs the $30 extra. Plus, the iPad with 3G costs more.

Personally, I've never felt I was missing out by not having an iPhone, that the iPod Touch was enough with just the WiFi, so the same would basically apply to this. My only thought is that the resale value (if I were to want to resell the iPad later) might be helped if it had the 3G. Not that I would resell the thing.

I dunno...

Resale value on a techy object like this one is almost irrelevant. Its only resale value possibilities is if you purchased one, left it in its original packaging and held on to it for a couple hundred years.
Wait until at least G2. NEVER buy G1 of a new product.

At least that's my opinion

And to make a clarification about "Multitasking" on the iPhone. I don't know if this detail will carry over to the iPad, but I would think so. (And this post isn't me saying that all of the "can't multitask" arguments aren't true; just simply stating what you CAN do on an iPhone).

There is a limited amount of multi-tasking available. For example, I can listen to music in iTunes while playing a game of Backgammon (or any other game). I can also be talking on the phone and be surfing the web (to say, look up a restaurant). Not total multi-tasking, but enough to suit most of my needs.

Things I regularly have open all the time on my Palm Pre: Twitter app, music app, google maps, text messaging, browser. Occasionally throw email in there, and camera. Prior to having the Pre, I got along just fine with a phone w/out multitasking, however now that I've gotten accustom to it I would be very frustrated going back.

But more to the point, while it might not be vital to have multitasking on a phone, if they're trying to position this as a device to supplant the need for netbooks, multitasking seems like a bare-minimum necessity.

Huh.

Apparently random dudes you pass on the street don't like it when you look at their iPhone and say "Hey, you have a light days iPad!"

I can't wait for the Craiglist ads: ***USED iPAD FOR SALE*** $200/obo

Pee Wee Herman gets an iPad

Nice, except for that one fatal flaw. You can only remote into a Mac desktop.

Okay, I'm getting one tomorrow morning. (I reserved it a couple of weeks ago.) I don't have an iPhone or smart phone of any kind. My iPod is a relic, and I sure don't have a touch. This will be my first touchscreen, app driven mobile gadget, because for me, size matters. (Hmm, do I rewrite that last sentence or not ... nah) In spite of the iPad's many regrettable limitations and omissions, I'm just plain giddy. I'll let y'all know if it ends up being buyer's remorse or happy happy joy joy.

I will get the wormhole app. (In spite of that fatal flaw:D )

Hee hee hee - "Tampon, that's over heeeere ..."

That's not a bug: its a FEATURE!

Cool!!!!!! I just want every gadget, but I'm not going to get one.

if I had a Mac that might just sway me

You can play with mine.

Yeah baby!!!!:cool:

I suppose the iPad serves a purpose for some and perhaps the software will be it's savior, but magical and revolutionary? Please. I didn't even get slightly excited when I saw it unveiled.

Now this on the other hand, is something that really got me fired up in a 'I must have one' sort of way. The Microsoft Courier is made of pure vaporware and unobtanium at the moment, but if they can really deliver this, it will be sorta magical.

http://www.mobilemag.com/2010/03/06/...e-ipad-killer/

Hell yes!!!!

Wow... loved the paint palette!

So, here is my first post from my snazzy iPad. Magical and revolutionary? Nah. The neatest gadget I've been lucky enough to snag yet? Probably. It's wicked fun. It's a gadget that I am confident I'll get more than my money's worth from. I'll be taking it to bed with me tonight. I'm not about to try to convince anyone that they must have one, or that it's going to change their lives, but I'm in snazzy toy heaven. Typing on the pretend keyboard is easy. Marvel comics look amazing on it. It came with a free copy of Winnie the Pooh. And as Stephen Fry said, it's the closest thing to Douglas Adams' hithchikers guide that anyone has yet made. Culty hedons for me!

Be sure to practice safe computing. I recommend the all natural sheep skin gloves over the latex.

Flippy, don'[t ou also have a netbook? I'm curious how you think the two compare in how you might use them day to day

Idea:

You've seen docks for iPods right?

Imagine a laptop, remove the screen and replace it with a frame you can snap the iPad into. Now you have a fully functional laptop for when you need to do some work with a real keyboard as well as an iPad. Of course the shell would also have a blu-ray/dvd, USB and Firewire ports, etc....

Someone must be building this already....

Want.

Interesting, with the iPad I can imagine how I'd actually use it but don't really want one but with that Courier thing I can't imagine me actually using it in any of the ways shown but I still kind of want one.

Vaporware is magical.

That's the big question. My Acer was inexpensive, and it's been serviceable as a portable writing tool. But it's battery life is very poor, and while I am used to typing on it, I dislike it's tiny trackpad. So, in addition to the fun novelty factor, I'm auditioning the iPad as a work tool. Even now, I'm typing pretty speedily on the virtual keyboard in landscape mode, and already, it's more comfortable. Its auto-correcting feature works great and I'm pleasantly surprised by how quickly I've adapted. I bought the iWork suite, which I already use on my desktop Mac. I haven't spent any time with it yet, but I'll give it a go tomorrow.

On the other hand, I'll still need the Acer to visit my favorite Flash porn websites when I'm on the road.

I'll provide a better answer to this in a few days.

While I'd like to have one for a cool portable, I'm gonna wait for version 3 or 4, and hope for more functionality.

This clip from Time's review says it all for me:

I have to agree - with the proviso that I don't do much "creating" when I'm out and about - and the iPad is perfect for portability. But I also do very little media consumption while I'm out and about, so my iPhone is perfect and can't be beat - since it fits in my pocket and the iPad does not.

I suppose it would be a great way to watch movies in the bathroom. It's likely nifty for sharing photos at a party or something. Primarily though, I could see it for media on a long journey, or at home - where I already have 3 or 4 perfectly fine media displays - - - in every room except the bathroom. It's not worth $800 for me to fill that niche.


But I would like a portable computer ... and have resisted netbooks and such for being too bulky. So iPad version 3 or 4 might tempt me, depending on how things shake out.

The pleasures of web browsing from my comfy chair are hard to overstate, and would not be pleasurable for me in phone format. So right there, I'll be spending quite a lot less time at my desk.

I do wonder if the tablet of this sort will wind up being a useful tool for video editing or music creation, tasks which still keep me in my office chair for now.

I do feel like I can write anywhere with this thing, though.

I kind need both hands when I'm using the computer as a tool. And I want the screen upright. If I have to hold it, that defeats its purpose as a tool. If I dock it upright, that defeats its coolness as a tablet.


It's not that I can't picture some personal usefulness for this item. But only about $300 worth.

Mmmmmhmmmmm.... :rolleyes: :evil:

And this color option is just too much!

Looks like there may be some fierce competition:

A $35 Tablet? India Is On The Case

Funny, in the TV ads, it's always blue...

Pshaw... you can get one for less than $35 already

Well, just bought one, but not for me. Extravagant Xmas gift for the roomie. Hopefully I will get to play with it, too. :D

Well, I knew she'd never buy one for herself, so it makes the ideal gift (I hope).

Next year i'll buy my own!

Does it have wings?