http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/live-from-...ion-event/

Link to screens of demo^

i am apple fan, but this is just bigger ipod touch...

yep my thoughts exactly

really hope it fails

Crap.

You think everything is crap.

Actually, I'm looking forward to some real tablets. This is just an over-sized ipod touch.

Well yeah... I wouldn't get this, I wouldn't even get a tablet. What I would like is some sort of colour e-ink e-reader that I can read both books and comics on that can be read in direct sunlight and have a long battery life. And will also last 5 years or more. I'd buy that.

am I the only person who prefers to read actual books made out of paper? :(

if by read you actually mean eat then yes. otherwise also yes

don't be mean, I can't help it if I'm hungry. :´(

also: It so much fun to throw a shitty paper book into a campfire than pressing delete on some hip-teen lifestyle gadget.

Of course, throwing the teen and the gadget in the fire does sound tempting ...

I bet its a lot more fun throwing an Ipad into the fire.

I'm not sure.

We should test it!

u know what the last set of book burning germans were called? i found u out!

Burning a book by Tom Clancy is a civil service.

True, so long as it wasn't The Hunt for Red October. Maybe find a Dan Brown novel to burn next time, just for all the hype surrounding the film adaptations.

I got Meteor, it truly sucks.

no. e-books are the most retarded shit.

Why?

I am opposed to this aspect of the increasing permeation of technology in our society.

Well, it's more like i hate stuff like the iPad, than e-books, really. personally i hate reading a lot of shit in front of a monitor, but i guess that's personal preference.
reading stuff in front of a monitor that is. the iPad is just plain bullshit.

What's plain bullshit about it?

http://www.esreality.com/?a=post&id=1825356#pid1825356

- The sooner flash is eradicated the better as far as I'm concerned
- 64gb isn't that small really, it's not a pc, it's a mobile device
- I can understand the complaints about 4:3 but you know what, I like 4:3
- It's got 3g...

Gizmodo:
- The black border looks fine if you ask me, nit picking
- Cameras... nitpicking
- Keyboard? The complaint seems to be they didn't come up with something new, rather than it being a problem that there are obvious solutions to
- HDMI Out... Now they're just looking for complaints
- The name... er, ok, looking for more complaints
- Adapters suck, but so does having extra weight (and possibly increased thickness) added for stuff you'll never use

Yeah it's rather expensive, but it's pretty competitive with netbooks if you ask me, it's thin, lightweight, excellent battery life and a good interface designed for touch and mobility. Netbooks are just small, cheap ass laptops that are overpriced anyway.

As for multi-tasking, how much multi-tasking do people think they'll be doing on such a device?
It would be nice if they supported it but come on there aren't many things you'll be doing on this type of a device that really require it (So far the biggest complaints are about radio and IM...).

I can see this being the perfect computing device for the "average" person, especially the slightly older people who can't really use PC's anyway.

The funny thing is, it looks excellent for reading newspapers, documents and books despite your complaints about reading on monitors.

Would I get one though? probably not, unless I could make extensive use of the 3g internet stuff, I may as well just stick with my laptop.

Netbooks are still far more valuable for the price. Tablets need to be a netbook without a keyboard, and the iPad is more like a cell phone without the phone.

It's obviously very expensive, like all apple products, but I wouldn't say it should be a netbook without the keyboard, nor is it a phone without the phone.

It's more like the ideal device for your casual computer illiterate user, for those people it ticks all the right boxes with the exception of having a microphone/webcam.

It's probably also a very good device for business people and teachers with iWorks (which looks great).

What you just described is a netbook, though. My netbook is well over a year old, has 16gb (SSD) hard drive space, enough power to run Diablo II/Starcraft/QW/Doom, built-in webcam, 2 USB ports, built-in microphone, mobile broadband and wifi, a near full sized keyboard, and weighs a total of 2lbs. Brand new was about $350.

With the advances already being made in processors, batteries, and SSD drives, netbooks are already on the way to make laptops completely obsolete. A tablet needs to have more function to be better than a phone, and more portability to be better than a netbook.

It's better for 90% of the population than a netbook.

For you or me, sure a netbook/laptop is superior.

How? Even the majority of the population likely have some specific app that they use on a desktop, and a netbook could run it.

I believe the HP Slate is going to be running Windows 7, and I'm sure you'll see it do MUCH better than the iPad.

It's light weight, nice battery, simple, clean, intuitive interface and the main features are all integrated nicely (music/photos/videos/books/games and their respective stores). PC's and Laptops are just more fiddly.

The only way the HP Slate will come close to the iPad is if it comes out at half the price.

We've already seen music players and phones that obliterate Apple products functionality wise and yet they never even come close to being competitive.

correction: they have never come close in market success.

But that has a whole lot to do with the brand itself.


Jobs could probably make a fortune with iShit toilet seats with an apple logo and an mp3 player for $1000.

Like the Wii, the iphone sold entirely on a gimmick. This time around, they don't have anything to set themselves apart. Apple was also carried by good press for these gimmicks, whereas almost ALL the press for the iPad has been negative.

HP has no gimmick/brand, so it's doomed :)

Fairly big over here.

They are big, but they certainly aren't thought of in the same light as Apple.

Apple will win if it comes down to brand and gimmicks, so HP will have to pull out something revolutionary or much cheaper.

Apple is about as big brand-wise as HP here, but the iPad is gimmick-less - it's the same as every other pad, but with far less functionality.

It's got the whole iStore factor though which was the major reason iPod's got popular and the major reason that the iPhone was so well received too.

Even though Nokia, Sony etc have made their own stores they just haven't been able to compete.

Apple has market dominance there, just like Valve have market dominance in PC Game digital distribution. It'll take a monumental effort to dislodge them.

I haven't seen the HP tablet so maybe it does have tricks up its sleeve but I honestly doubt it. It'll be iPad with W7.

The store has been a major issue, as Apple has banned MANY useful apps for no good reason. Any tablet can have a store-system, but one with a full OS has the freedom of installing any commercial or open-source app that already exists. Additionally, they can run said programs simultaneously.

The store has been a major issue and yet no other stores and devices, despite being more open, have managed to challenge Apple.

It will take Microsoft or Google to create a store to challenge Apple but neither seem willing to make a proper one.

Neither of them have enough market share in phones to bother. I'd say the ideal time for pushing tablets won't be for at least another year (or two) when SSDs and other mobile hardware are a bit cheaper and more efficient. Apple jumping the gun with substandard features now (even compared to the HP Slate) will only put them that much more behind the real tablets that are still in production.

I doubt this will hurt them much, it's just nothing amazing really.

i don't think microsoft cares much about what apple's doing, since afaik a large portion of apple belongs to bill gates

Microsoft itself owns something like 0.0004% of Apple as they sold the shares from the mid-90's deal off in 2003 or so.

But yeah, I don't think either Microsoft or Google care that much.

oh, didn't know that

Is that why Google tries as hard as they can to make a iPhone-like smarttphone (apart from the apple limitations, ofc)?

They don't have a music/video store though right?

That's what I'm talking about, that's the key to Apples recent success.

Well it wouldn't have worked without the first working mp3 player. I agree that the ipod doesn't deserve it's recent success as a player only, but it's still a viable choice for people with a brain, too.

Anyway, Google does care, and so does MS. They go for the same kind of monopoly, just in their own ways and have different success in different categories but try their best to win if they collide. Not that they will enter every market their opponent does, even though that has worked out pretty well for MS.

That's what I meant, they aren't trying to all do the same things.

Google in fact don't seem to have any real long term aims at all, they seem to just randomly develop things :s

Yes.
Google randomly develops new things but the stuff that's already out or hyped at the stated time can become their aim at times, I believe.

the HP touch is also running windows 7 and its really small

It's better for 90% of the population than a netbook.

I disagree, I'd more go with a 60/40 tops.

For me a netbook is better.
For my father a netbook seems to be better, considering he is very happy with it (his first non-company-paid computer :P)
My mother could possibly use one, but she has small macbook already.

My sister, I'm not sure. I guess it's battle between her apple - fangirlsm and her generally good understanding of technology :P


Anyway, I too, can picture people for whom the ipad might be better than a netbook, if they really have to get on or the other. But it's nowhere near 90 percent.

Just think of the girls who like to chat, while listening to music while writing an email.
Or are they supposed to use ipad, ipod and iphone simultaneously?

60% is still massive no? :)

I've no idea why they don't allow multitasking (though you can listen to music and do other stuff) and it's a stupid move, but it's not that bad.

hold the horses. First of all the 60% was for the netbook, I should have written that, but I think you can tell by my example below.

Also, I said better than a netbook for their needs. Not that it's necessary or better then other alternatives (laptop or smartphone, for example).
Many people already have a notebook, which is why a netbook wouldn't be a sensible choice for them.

They would have no use for the netbook except for using it to watch a movie or listen to music etc., basically stuff they can do on the ipad as well.
At that point for them it becomes a choice between price, size of the gadget, interface (yes, I had to use that word :o) and of course being able to show off.
So, a 16-year-old girl, whose does pays the bill, will go with the iPad if only to show it to her friends.


Thus, you gotta ask yourself: Are you a 16-year-old girl? ;P

You've entirely missed the point of this device, it's not meant to replace or compete with cheap laptops. The majority of people only want to use computers for one reason, media consumption, and for them computers are just a hassle that get in the way of this.

They'll like the iPad because it is hassle free and links you directly with this massive market place for media, which you can't get anywhere else.

Maybe you have misunderstood my post.

Or do you actually believe getting a netbook should have nothing to do with whether a person owns a laptop or not? I didn't mention an ipad in that sentence for a reason, i.e. if you have a notebook, the ipad may be better, if you don't the netbook might be better for you. And if my father has no problem locking into a wireless Network and watching a movie with Windows 7, then I doubt a 30 year old has any trouble. Maybe, you are just vastly underestimating people.

They'll like the iPad because it is hassle free and links you directly with this massive market place for media, which you can't get anywhere else.

which media that you can't get with a netbook would that be.
Apps? Cause it surely aren't youtube videos.

I didn't misunderstand your post, I was explaining that you've missed the point of the iPad.

Your scenario is irrelevant since it is always about the needs of the individual. Why don't they have a PC/Laptop? What do they want to do with a device? etc.

The issue isn't capability (Although for some it obviously is), I thought that was clear from the wording, it's about wanting a hassle free, simple, intuitive experience and this is where the iPad destroys traditional computer setups.

All the media is certainly available elsewhere and there are other devices capable of running them but no other device has the same synergy as the "iStore" with the Touch/iPhone/iPad.

it's about wanting a hassle free, simple, intuitive experience and this is where the iPad destroys traditional computer setups.

well, that is just your assumption and I believe you are vastly underestimating the individuals.
90% incapable of getting what they want from a netbook/laptop? not really.

I didn't say they were incapable, which part is it that you aren't understanding?

There's a massive difference between being incapable and not wanting the hassle. The iPhone isn't the most powerful or feature rich smart phone, but it is the easiest to use.

People like things to be simple, efficient, connected and that's exactly what the iPad offers.

If we are doing generalizations: People also love to get things for free or at least very cheap.
So, if they can do something on a piece of equipment they already have, they will.

Who suggested that people with devices that do all this already would be interested in this in the first place?

Terrible argument.

I did, it's called a laptop or a netbook.

I did not write that it is as easy to do as with an ipad.
But people also walk an extra mile or cut out coupons if they can just save 3 dollars, where is the "hassle free" in that?

I did, it's called a laptop or a netbook.

What? How does that address what I've said?
Are you just arguing with yourself now?

You want proof people will pay for a hassle free experience?
- iPhone
- iPod

You are still not getting my point.


The all they want is a hassle-free experience is a wrong assumption of yours, nothing else.

Trying to prove that with the iphone or ipod is bad, because many other factors contribute to their access. On of which is the "in"-factor.
A mp3 player that is completely identical to the ipod but has an Orange instead of an apple and is sold for 90% of the price would fail.

Explain that with your "all they want is hassle free" - logic please.

The "in"-factor came after the iPod had already been a success due to its ease of use and iTunes. When the iPod came out Apple was anything but cool.

The competitors were busy trying to emulate it with terrible software such as Sony's SonicStage and none of them have ever made a device, software and store combination that is able to compete.

The "in"-factor certainly helped the iPhone but still, that wouldn't have lasted if the phone itself wasn't easy to use or providing things people want.

The competitors had more functional phones, yet they are all trying to emulate the device, software, store combination of the iPhone too.

The "in"-factor will help the iPad even more, the other tablets that can compete aren't out yet and most of them don't look nearly as easy to use.

The iPad will be successful due to the ease of use and iTunes/App Store/Book Store. It's ease of use, synergy and convergence of media consumption.

When it comes to technology the success of hassle free is all around you:
- Windows 7
- Steam
- XBOX Live
- iTunes / App Store
- Nintendo Wii
- BBC iPlayer (Probably have to take my word for that one)
- Oyster Card (& efficient public transport)

In your walking example, it's not seen as a hassle to walk that bit extra, when it becomes a hassle people pay money to travel.

The "in"-factor came after the iPod had already been a success due to its ease of use and iTunes.

Yeah, apple only became a thing of "in-crowd" with the ipod.

sorry, ini, but I really don't wanna keep discussing this.

Prior to the iPod there was an "in-crowd" but Apple wasn't seen as cool and certainly it wasn't a desirable brand of mass appeal, the iPod + iTunes combination did that for them.

I'm sorry if you think the minority of Apple users prior to iPod's has single handedly transformed Apple into the company it is today but you are very much mistaken.

Sony and Creative were much stronger brands in the personal music player department at that time.

Last comment, as I know I want convince if I wrote a hundred posts.

No.

The easiness to use it (while probably the most appealing to you), was only one of several factors that let to the success.

And apple was always the computer of choice for artists and the like and we both know who sets the trends about what the mainstream "gotta have".

So, aas a conclusion:
I think, if you really are interested in this general topic, you should read an introduction to marketing.

The ease of use isn't all that appealing to me, I didn't like any of the old iPod's and I only got a Touch because there were no good 32gb flash devices out.

What makes you think I'm putting ease of use as the sole factor for success?

It's simply the most important and ultimately the one that has given it lasting power and success since the iPods have never been famous for being feature rich or functional (bar the Touch perhaps). Style and fashion can only last so long.

Most people have a PC, but laptops are still heavy and bulky. While laptop sales have been very slowly increasing, netbooks have been selling absurdly well since they came out, and are destroying the laptop market.

I didn't suggest or state otherwise.

macbooks have also sold like hot cakes recently, despite being expensive.

Yeah, but for every macbook that sells, 10 bullshit alienware machines sell.

Wrong... Apple sells 9 out of every 10 computers over $1,000 in the U.S.

Hahaha... You got played by your apple salesman.

What is this bullshit about "intuitive" interface?

Intuition: understanding without apparent effort
User Interface: system through which people interact

I'll let you work out how those two things combine.

aha, your response was intuitive enough, but

intuition

points out that intuition means a direct perception of truth as well as a a keen and quick insight,
which is just another way for apple to con morons into thinkin that this is how an OS is supposed to work.
but i'm just another apple hater :(

4. The Quality or ability of having such direct perception or quick insight.
5. Philosophy.
a. an immediate cognition of an object not inferred or determined by a previous cognition of the same object.
c. pure, untaught, noninferential knowledge.

I think these uses of the word are more relevant :)

you know as well as i do that none of those really apply if you actually use the mac OS, its just a marketing catch phrase, dint expect you to really stand up and defend that
:P (to take the sting out of my words, apple lover)

Where did I mention, in a post talking about the Touch/iPhone/iPad, OSX exactly?

I've never seen OSX marketed like that either and even if it is, it is intuitive. The problem you have with that statement is that you take it to mean that OSX is more intuitive, which is an entirely different matter.

well when you mention that as one of the features, i do take it to mean that its supposed to be more intuitive and of course i dont agree with you on that.
i suppose intuition is just different in different people and i'm sure a lot of people would agree with you whereas another whole lot would agree with me, so lets just leave it at that i suppose?

Actually, it was said in the keynote that it was specifically meant to bridge the gap between laptops and phones, while completely ignoring that netbooks exist.

Yes, they disregarded netbooks as just cheap low powered laptops, ergo they aren't meaning to compete with those devices.

Who are they meaning to compete with? Every other tablet is going to be a netbook without a keyboard, and Apple will pretty much be competing with it's own products.

Does it have to compete with anything?

It's been made for certain purposes which they made abundantly clear in the presentation and it achieves those purposes excellently.

Like you said, other tablets are being made as touch screen netbooks, they're a different device.

Of course it has to compete.

Most people don't have (almost) unlimited amounts of money. So, it will have to compete will all other products people could spend those $500 on.

Well it competes with everything then doesn't it. That's a meaningless way to look at things.

It's in the same "market space" as cheap laptops and tablets but it's not a direct competitor as it doesn't aim to achieve the same things.

Just as a desktops and game consoles are in the same market space but aren't direct competitors.

Well it competes with everything then doesn't it. That's a meaningless way to look at things.

No, excactly the opposite.
It's the most fundamental rule you have to obey when trying to market a new product.

How have to give the people reasons why they want this more than all the other options. If those reasons anren't there, people won't buy. It is as simple as that.

There are reasons and they are reasons most people evidently care about.

The proof being the popularity of iPod Touch's and iPhone's.

Except they're not filling any role.

It doesn't compete with ebook readers, since it's far more expensive. It doesn't compete with netbooks, since it's both more expensive, and exponentially less useful. It doesn't compete with other tablets, since they're exponentially more useful. About the only thing it DOES compete with is a phone, as it has almost all the functionality of a phone (minus actually making calls), but none of the size convenience. Ergo, unless you don't have a phone (especially a touch-screen phone), what reason could anyone have for purchasing an iPad?

All of this completely ignores the current economy, and the absurd pricing range. It doesn't even compete economically with a netbook right now, while most tablets will be equally priced.

Yet this device will sell, because people want to buy it and use it so it obviously does fill a space in the market and have a purpose.

Do you remember when the iPhone was launched? Everyone ranted about how it was useless, didn't fill any space in the market since an mp3 player + regular phone was cheaper and other smart phones were exponentially more useful (and often cheaper), it didn't have a 3G network, MMS, you couldn't replace the battery, closed environment etc. etc. etc.

Yet they sold and they've now sold 40 million of them.

Wait, what? The iphone got amazingly good press from the start. Even from the announce, people were all over it. Go take a look at a few dozen tech sites, and you'll find that every single one of them (the same ones who were raving about the iphone/ipod) are criticizing the iPad.

edit: Apple users care more about image than anything, and this one lacks both functionality and the "image" they want.

tech sites

The people that make these things sell lots aren't tech sites, it's the general press which seem quite impressed and people like Stephen Fry saying he thinks it's awesome.

I disagree that they were all raving about the iPhone too. While it was certainly more positive I distinctly remember a massive amount of tech sites talking about how it wasn't all that great.

I remember rather well that the press in general was good, as I had to combat it with trolling. Popular opinion is what guides the success of all Apple products, and this time around, they don't have it. They've managed to sell inferior products by marketing to this niche of "geek prep", but they are just as finicky as anyone.

I'm not disagreeing that it's got more negative press, though I can't help but feel it's purely because all the tech sites built it up beforehand as some kinda techjesus despite having no reason to believe so and are just saving face, or that it's less functional.

I can just see a lot of people wanting it and a lot of people buying it.

I think it was the hype and rumors that forced Apple to rush out an announcement for an under-developed product.

I don't think it would have taken much more R&D too:

- Multi-task (they're probably working on this for the 4.0 OS)
- Maybe a camera
- Stylus with handwriting tech to go along with the on screen keyboard

They aren't going to open it up or make it much cheaper so...

yeah, well. my opinion is based on personal preference. i'm not trying to argue otherwise. imo this is just an comicly oversized iPod touch. if you could actually work on this thing, i'd understand the necessity of it for some people. but this is just a inane gadget.

for me: netbooks > this.

also: what vedic said ... :(

I can see this (and will in the futur probably want a product like this) as a media consumption device, something that i can use to read my newspaper with at the morning table, surf on the couch, take to my parents for easy photo sharing etc. But i honestly can't see how this can replace a netbook, let alone a real PC (laptop or desktop). It's pretty much useless for any kind of serious content creation, even with the attached keyboard, and it won't and can't replace a smartphone because of its size.

So what you're left with is a product that no one needs (unlike a phone or pc of some kind) yet costs more than either of those.

And on top of that, you're left with all those annoying apple restrictions that are borderline tolerable on a smartphone but (for me) gamebreaking on something that's marketed as a direct competition to netbooks.

You say multitasking is something not needed, but it severly limits the usability of my phone. Example: I want to listen to a song for wakeup. Since the built in alarm clock in the iphone doesn't support the playing of files in your music library but only ring tones, you're left with three options: 1. Buy a ringtone on itunes for a song you already own (I won't comment further on that) 2. Turn the mp3 into a ringtone at your pc and copy it to your iphone or 3. Get a 3rd party app (pay or free) that can play normal mp3s.

Option 2 not only means you'll be left with duplicate verions of the same song eating up precious and expensive storage, but also a lot of hassle everytime you want a different song. And option 3 doesn't work, since apps aren't allowed to run in the background, meaning the alarm clock has to be started manually every night, something both unnecessary and dangerous.

Or take something like a simple to-do list. Why can't that program tell me my schedule for the day in the morning, I either have to manually start it up or buy an expensive version that supports push (which in turn means, on the tablet, that 3g is something of a must) just to get basic functionality. And again, I can live with the restrictions on a smartphone but never on something that's supposed to compete with netbooks or even replace pcs completely (as some pundits have suggested, for older people e.g.)

And btw, I think a lot of not tech savy people, who might not even have noticed missing multitasking on a phone, might start to wonder a bit why they can't run skype in the background while surfing the web when skype only takes up 1/4 of the screen.

As far as apps are concerned, the usual apple whine applies (approval process) of course, but if i look at the apps i use most frequently, all of them are useful to me because they are available all the time. None of them replaces something I'd normally do at home on a real pc. Meaning all of the apps are near worthless on the tablet, which is only carried along to specific occasions or even used at home.

That said, I do hope that this kick of some kind of development and at least puts some pressure on amazon and its kindle

tl;dr.

but I agree 100%

well of course, we germans have a hive mind

we know.

media consumption device... But i honestly can't see how this can replace a netbook, let alone a real PC (laptop or desktop).

It's not supposed to. Three types of people will buy this:
- Apple Nerds
- Expensive Gadget Nerds
- Light Media Consumers

Casual PC users use PC's basically for light media consumption and very light content creation. The iPad fulfills this perfectly and with a nice, simple, intuitive, and attractive interface on top of the media consumption apps and content creation (iWorks looked great and so does that paint brush thing).

A PC/Laptop for most people is far too bulky, clunky and complicated and a Phone doesn't quite offer the flexibility and functionality they require.

Multi-tasking for people like us is important, but most people won't even notice and that's the thing, it's not competing with laptops. It's not really made for people who want complete control and functionality over every aspect of their PC experience, it's for people who want something really simple to display pictures/listen to music/browse the web/read books on.

The skype thing is interesting, since for the most part it's useless on this device (no mic/cam) and I'm not sure most people do all that much text IM'ing.

i think most people with netbooks are people that travel alot. Professionals and so forth. I think they will need more functionality. The not running multiple programs is a big issue imo.

Don't get me wrong, I have a HUGE book collection.

And there-in lies the problem. Do you know how hard it is to travel with or even store a large number of books? Even so, I could probably live with that quite easily. What I do however have huge issues with are comics.

I read the whole X-men line of comic books, that's like 10 comics a month. I don't bother buying them anymore because I have no place to put the things. At the moment I tend to download them and read them on my PC, but I would much rather prefer having it on some sort of gadget that I can carry around with me and read whereever I want.

Only reason anyone would read x-men would be if Dr. Doom was in it no? ;)

... he is in it?

only the x-factor ones right? I dont have time to read comics these days so anything not Doom and not 616 has to go! ;)

Well yeah, he was in X-Factor recently, but he makes appearances in the series reasonably regularly.

Dr. Doom? Come on.... it's all about the renegade x-man, the merc with a mouth... DEADPOOL!

Get fat so we can call you Comic Book Guy.

Well tbh, I go months without reading, and then I spend 3 or 4 evenings in a row reading. I am up to date with X-Men (I have read every comic, took 3 years) but I can't really be bothered with the other series, although I've heard that the recent iron man run has been really good.

you hipsters with your vintage books

u freaking technojunkie

No, you're not. There's just something about the tactile sensation of the paper as you turn the page that ebooks can't match.

Of course, books on paper are always better. They are quite expensive, tho. I'm actually looking forward for some digital book reader, but with a screen that doesn't get my eyes tired. Liquid quartz seems to be the best option. I'd never use the ipad for reading books, since I already spend most of my day in front of screens, and the last thing I want is to add even more time in front of them. I don't understand how it can be possible to anyone to read a whole book in one of those screens.

Depends on the approach they take towards software. If they play it web-centric and do not bother much with the classical PC like architecture (sort of like Chrome OS) then it will be a success. You can make web based anything today. If they push the iPhone store app verification process model then it will be crap.

it's obviously a nice bit of kit that's not too over priced (by their standards). i don't think its as life changing as they imply, i'd only buy it if i was rolling in cash or had a clear use in mind (a coffee table digital device sounds cool)

a coffee table made out of a digital device? THIS IS MADNESS!!!

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/Pages/Product/WhatIs.aspx

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/taito-original-arcade-c...45f0bff6e2

Am I the only one laughing at the fact that it looks like they've made a comical extralarge toy phone from the iPhone? xD http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media...rm-eng.jpg

Yeah the design looks like shit, really uninspiring.
:(

Yea, the design is not exactly new..

it's like the large world in mario bros :o)

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_i...olutionary

die in ass

no thanks!

no flash support
no multitasking
small flash drive
needs adapters for pretty much everything even USB
expensive for what it is
4:3 aspect ratio =/
no 3g

no idea why anyone would want one of these over a netbook, which would have a better spec, same kind of size, cheaper and can do more than one thing!

http://i.gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad
http://i.gizmodo.com/5458376/apple-ipads-myri...-sd-ac-bbq

no flash is a good thing

4:3 in 2010 is bs.

fuck flash, html5 ftw

$800 AUD at least. So affordable lol.

I guess most of us can barely find words to describe the idiocy of this as a product... but still we all know Apple is going to sell shitloads of these. Their products have become more of a social measure than anything else and watching all this while knowing that alot of asshole will buy it is like... getting fucked right in the ass.

No, i haven't been fucked in the ass but I do have an iPhone and it's actually useful in alot of ways. The macbooks are pretty solid and although slightly expensive they deliver good quality and performance while being user friendly and I guess some people will spend anything as long as it's "user friendly".

The iMacs are just overpriced fashiontoys with second rate hardware and this iPad really steps up the level of faggotness quite a bit.

Buy it.

very well put
you are the one of the rare apple fans that still maintain sanity.

There's nothing wrong with it as a product, it's just that it will receive all sorts of hype.

Macbook Pro's and OSX are all round excellent, not just user friendly.

We've gone from 'faggotry' to 'faggotness'? Noted.

I'm sorry if my third language is a bit limited.

I wasn't criticizing, I was just wondering. :P

It's useless and I'll buy an Asus DR-950 to read without burning my eyes. I have my phone and laptop for everything else.

the 30$ unlimited data on 3g plan by at&t may be a market changer in USA once more people discover voip,....or maybe americans are indeed all idiots.

too dumbed down to even see the new product? ;(

just what I've always wanted to turn my pc screen into a smudgy piece of shit.

Can you at least listen to music while using other programs on this thing? Would be laughable if that wasn't the case.

Glad I don't have any need for these nor any Iphones what so ever, maybe in a few years when things are affordable I might get into this generation of facebooking on the bus or whatever it is that you do.

the star trek people should get fucking royalties for this.

Well yay. Apple finally decides to produce a product that was thought up 40 years ago by a sci-fi writer. How grand is that?

This is ridiculous.

Looks awesome if you're looking for a tablet. I don't read that much, so no thanks :)

this: http://i.gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad

There right, it sucks ass!

The no multitasking thing boggles my mind.

But, it shows they're doing everything they can to keep it fast and alive. So people going HOLY SHIT THIS IS SO FAST will be convinced it's some amazing product. The fact that I can't run a game while listening to online radio just frustrates me and a lot of people.

If they could throw on a USB port, and put Windows XP or Windows 7, I'd no doubt probably buy it. But, the fact that we have to use some glorified iPhone OS is just awful.

And no, I don't think a lot of these will sell. Maybe around Christmas time, but unlikely. I really think they're going to make this generation of them, and never ever make them again. I don't think they'll sell.

Notice the drop around that SPECIAL time of 1PM: http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=AAPL#chart...=undefined

Yes, it did bump up after, only because companies like NBC (MSNBC) probably shoved down all the viewers throats that this is the greatest thing of all time. NBC constantly sucks the dick of Apple.

This isn't revolutionary. This is Microsoft DOS with a GUI. Open a program, close a program. Open a program, close a program.

up until the third paragraph I thought you were actually making sense, for once ...

When I say 'they' I mean the 'hacking' community. Apple won't do it, that's pretty obvious.

I think it's pretty obvious that that's not what I'm referring to.

ugh, I can already hear my mother and sister trying to convince me how great it really is ...

Fucking beat me to it.

Take that, Swedish internet!

Hey! It's okay to call him slow and retarded or something but don't be dissin' our internets

It took me 20 minutes to load this page. Yea, that's probably it.. :|

Multitasking, finally!

.

lmao.

buy real books and newspapers, faggots.

- price
- freedom to install what ever i want
- not osx

I rather buy a windows or linux one

how comes nobody mentions drm?

DRM gives Apple and their corporate partners the power to disable features, block competing products (especially free software) censor news, and even delete books, videos, or news stories from users' computers without notice-- using the device's "always on" network connection.
This past year, we have seen how human rights and democracy protestors can have the technology they use turned against them. By making a computer where every application is under total, centralized control, Apple is endangering freedom to increase profits.
Apple can say they will not abuse this power, but their record of App Store rejections and removals gives us no reason to trust them. The iPad's unprecedented use of DRM to control all capabilities of a general purpose computer is a dangerous step backward for computing and for media distribution. We demand that Apple remove all DRM from its devices.

thats one more deal breaker for me on top of missing multi tasking and usb port
but i cant say that i am suprised, its just the way apple products are...

maybe we should rename to "Generation Trust"

http://www.archos.com/products/nb/archos_9/in...mp;lang=en

annoying accent

looks alright

1.3 megapixel cam maybe a bit on the low side?

530euro (450pounds) doesn't seem too bad when compared to the iPad. still wouldnt buy it though since I have a laptop

The Archos 9 isn't multi-touch, which is a big downside IMO.

i love it

Too expensive for the shit it doesn't do. :|

i actually think the price is the only good thing about it. was just reading how asus and other companies were expecting a 1000$ tablet and will now have to make their own products cheaper.

I'd expect it to allow me to multitask atleast. :|

Yea, agreed.

The $500 price point is much lower than where most expected apple to price it, and compares well to other products. I have no need for 3g from this sort of device (everywhere I'm likely to use one, I have wifi), and there is no need for 64gb of storage on a device of that class, so the high price models aren't an issue.

so you'd pay what apple's asking for this?

Yea, quite possibly (but then, $500 doesn't seem much money to me).

I'm in the market for some kind of slate since I've always liked the idea, and I don't expect to get one for less than that.

I know why a lot of this works and is a must for the iPhone, but the iPad is too damn limited for such a product. Apple are Apple tho, and they're only going to sell a shitload of these, giving tablet makers new ideas and surely upping their limits (see what happened with hy a lot of this works and is a must for the iPhone, but the iPad is too damn limited for such a product. Apple are Apple tho, and they're only going to sell a shitload of these, giving tablet makers new ideas and surely upping their limits. See what happened with smartphones - they just needed a kick and the iPhone gave it to them.

I so don't give a shit about crap like this.

only morons will buy this

The most innovative part of Apple is their marketing department... the absolute shit these people put out and they're raking it in. Seriously impressive work, no fucking idea how they pull it off, maybe if I knew I'd be a millionaire too.

Take up Christianity!

Looks like something from the future, not very stylish

http://gizmodo.com/5444232/notion-ink-adam-pi...s-obsolete

lcd + eink

http://gizmodo.com/5459308/slate-showdown-ipa...id-tablets

my first thought was lmao its just a big iphone? is that what all the fuzz was about?
still no multitasking? still no flash? no camera? not even a headphone jack?
everything that sucks on the iphone - but since its a phone you can live with it - they've just implemented it in a bigger shell... and since its not a laptop you can't close it and it probably won't take long until your display breaks (on the iphone they'll charge you 300$ to change the display so in this case buying a new one would probably be cheaper)
sure its a good thing you can run your iphone apps but that's about it... which leads me to the pricing
their "killer pricetag" of 500$ +100 if you want 32 instead of 16 or +300 if you want 64GB seriously... what the fuck...? in addition to that its the ugliest thing they've brought to daylight since the first imacs

personally i hate apple but in case of the iphone i simply couldn't resist it because its just so much better than any other phone (usability, the fact that it simply *works* etc) - wouldn't want to miss that
only thing i give them is that their marketing - they're able to make BILLIONS of dollars off - literally - shit - is brilliant. i can already picture douchebags standing in line to buy this thing on its releaseday.

nice pic.

Why do people say it's an iPhone just bigger ?
It doesn't make phone calls..
It's just a bigger iPod touch :(

because ipad is 3g+wifi, iphone is also 3g+wifi

actually not even ipod touch just bigger
that at least has a camera, stereo sound and a headphone jack :p

wow it can't be shittier then x)

Since the iPad is supposed to be able to run iPhone apps, it may not be long after launch before you see Q3 running on it ( http://code.google.com/p/quake3-iphone/ )

Apple is a brand for tech-illiterates, to each his own.

yes, go for an unusable WM HTC if you want a browsing smartphone. Good call.

http://recombu.com/news/ipad-board-games-appl...11370.html

interesting idea to use the ipad for board games, but i guess it is too small for that

Also the back is not leveled. Haha design killed the possibilities.

I think Apples problem has ALWAYS been software. iPods are very nice devices, I love the hardware, but, most people hate iTunes. Same thing with the Macbooks. Macbooks themselves are very nice build quality, but people hate OSX.

This is the same thing, I realized when I was watching the Apple promo video for it. Yes the way they designed the OS is nice, but if you could a fast compatible version of Windows XP, or even a super light version of 7 on it, the device would be 10x better.

I'm thinking first they will 'Jailbreak' the device, then edit the OS from there. But, if you could put an alternative OS on it like XP, I might actually seriously purchase it.

When you see people complain about Apple it pretty much always boils down to "I can get the same thing or better for cheaper" or "There's no [3rd party] software support".

The iPod's and iPhone's success can largely be put down to the success of the software on them rather than the actual hardware which has nearly always been outclassed by competitors (especially price wise).

iTunes on Windows is indeed a piece of shit, but it runs fine on OSX, it's not foobar but it's fine and every single person I know seems to use and love iTunes (and they all run Windows).

OSX is brilliant, I can only assume people who hate it either have never used it or have used it for one minute in a shop.

Anyone who says they love itunes (on any OS) is a zombie. It might very well be worse than early versions of steam.

Yeah, but most people are zombies! Most people don't even seem to have a single folder for their music, let alone organise it...

Those are sheep. Only a true brain-eating zombie could possibly have anything but contempt for itunes.

Well, I'll admit that most of the people I know are hardly the type to think, at all.

and then there are those who don't care enough about computers as long as they run Photoshop well enough and play that music somehow.

i.e. female artists

metrosexuals?

metrosexuals = wannabe female artists.

Wannabe IN female artists.

I've only had to ue it for a few minutes to set up internet access for my mother and didn't encounter any problems with osx, but I can't say I was impressed, either.

On the other, I was kinda amused wathcing my mother struggle to start a picture preview for photos on a connected camera to show them to my girlfriend. It took her about 10 minutes, while she commented several times, how very easy it is to use osx .

I'm not saying it would have been better with windows, but still ...

There's really not all that much difference between the OS's.

I like both W7 and OSX!

The iPod's and iPhone's success can largely be put down to the success of the software on them rather than the actual hardware which has nearly always been outclassed by competitors (especially price wise).

Can't say I agree with you on these points. I think the iPods success was it's form factor. Large amounts of data (20GB+) in a small form factor. Once they released the nanos, minis, and shuffles, that's when they really took off. There was nothing special about the software at all. The scroll wheel was the biggest thing about it (Since no other company could mimic it 100%).

The iPhone on the other hand was mostly hype. There was no other phone like it when it was released. Full screen phone, multi-touch, no keyboard. There was no other phone like that at the time, and if there was, it was extremely under-marketed, or just a terrible product.

Sure, the software somewhat helped the iPhone, but I wouldn't say it was the main factor for the success of the iPhone or iPod :)

There have consistently been other DAP's with far larger storage capacity for much cheaper (I have a 20gb iriver that was the same price as 1gb iPod's) until the Touch where it was literally the only 32gb flash device I could find.

I really wouldn't say software has ever been a problem for Apple since it's consistently been either equal to or better than the competition.

I guess what I really meant to say, rather than "largely be put down to the success of the software", was that their success can largely be put down to their interface design, which obviously is heavily dependent on software.

I consider hardware more to be the simple "stats", such as storage capacity etc., rather than for example the wheel and this is an area I think they've always been outmatched and out priced.

no right click

IT JUST WRONG

There's right click.

Same thing with the Macbooks. Macbooks themselves are very nice build quality, but people hate OSX.

huh? I've never met anyone who owns a Macbook who hates OSX.

McBook + Linux = WIN

Do you have Linux b/c you hate OSX, or b/c you wanted to try it out (or are a Linux fanboy)?

Linux fanboy :)

Hitler's angry reaction to the iPad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_EcybyLJS8

This thing aparently packs an IPS screen :)

But seriously... as a graphic designer the only thing price-worthy from apple atm is the new 27" iMac. Its been confirmed that the panel is IPS which by itself makes this purchase justified.

For reference, I paid similar amount for my current hw combo Fujitsu T2010 Tablet PC (Wacom digitizer) & Dell 2007WFP (IPS).

apple charge way to much for shit memory capacity

like a 50 quid difference from a 16gig touch to a 32gig touch

WTF dudes i can get 16 usb for 15 quid at most.

Um, it doesn't multitask. Duh?

it's an amazing paradigm shift away from the hecticness of the modern world. would you listen to mozart's symphony or read dostoevsky while browsing the internet? I didn't think so.

i want to listen to mozart while watching pron? is that so much to ask???

i want to listen to porn while i play tetris.

i don't think neither of us is asking for alot here.

Netbook form factor with probably less functionality and significantly higher cost. I don't see the draw.

Laughable that the same people complaining about a closed environment and no multitasking, are playing their playstations and xboxes every other night.

The iPad does a good job replacing your PSP and DS, Kindle, digital photo frame, portable dvd player, mp3 player, map (presumably GPS ie tomtom soon ), as well as doing the main job of a netbook better then a netbook (browsing the web).

Idiot.

Games consoles aren't even remotely the same thing as a device that's supposed to be flexible.

Honestly people like you are the reason the telly is flooded with "cash4gold" adverts.

how is it "supposed" to be flexible?

Because it's a fucking computer? Designed for a variety of tasks. A console is designed to play games and sometimes other media.

By the way, learn the difference between the words "then" and "than" you illiterate twat.

What's so inflexible about it?

Assuming all this talk about no multitasking is true: What if I want to download a document from an e-mail,. edit it, and then send it again. I have download it, kill my e-mail client/browser, edit it, kill the editor, open my e-mail client/browser again and send it. Not exactly flexible. Also what if I want to browse in between that to get some information to put into the document?

Maybe I'm not understanding what they mean by "no multitasking" but if it is what I think then that's incredibly fucking inflexible.

or you want to listen to music while doing all that.

Have you even used an iPod Touch or iPhone?

You can do that, you just can't use those stupid internet radio things (Yeah, they're stupid).

when did we start talking about iphone or ipod touch???

Have you ever used an ipad, cause that is what we are discussing. They say that it does not have multitasking. And for me playing music and checking email are more than one task.

If you can find me a link that says that it's possible, fine.
But don't base it on experience with other apple gear.

"The macbook can do flash, this must mean the ipad can, as well!"

Apple haven't stated that it does or doesn't support multi-tasking and they never did for the Touch or iPhone either, but they do.

The iPad uses the same OS base so I'd assume they'd keep that functionality, why would they remove it?

To start removing such functionality would probably break existing Apps which is something they clearly were aiming to avoid, so why would they remove it?

So, you have a long and well-prepared presentation like Jobbs does and you forget multi-tasking if you have it?

I don't think so.

I will agree that playing music in the background will most likely be possible. But I find that usually most functionalities of an item will be hyped in a presentation and any problems will be kept secret. Not the other way around.

It wasn't forgotten at all, it wasn't mentioned because it's only first-party multitasking. If he had said "It multi-tasks" everyone would assume complete multi-tasking would be available, as opposed to the first-party multi-tasking of the Touch/iPhone.

There is no third-party multi-tasking and to state that it had only first-party, while not a change, would have been seen as a negative.

He doesn't need to mention that the iPad will feature the same first-party functionality as the Touch/iPhone as it uses the same OS.

If it's an Apple application/included then it has multitasking, e-mail/browser/calender/etc all stay in the situation you left them. I can't say for sure with iWorks since it's separate, iPad only and not out yet but I'd assume it being an Apple product it'll be the same (Or if that causes battery/performance issues it'll have built in features to allow that).

What you can't multi-task is third party applications and third-party applications. But you can get iTunes over third party.

Then take the words I used and apply them to different applications.

I can't imagine this thing is aimed for any kind of business use, which makes it an incredibly expensive toy that has been done better.

Third party applications are kinda shit though to be honest :(

It is a new type of device not a traditional computer.

This thing is about as revolutionary as a segway.

To be fair, only Apple have called it revolutionary :P

It's a big phone that can't make calls, in a market of tablet PCs that can actually do stuff.

my console cost less then this and does more.

the only downside is i wouldn't be able to show off what a huge apple fanboy i am when i take public transportation.

Your console costs a similar price and does less in an even more closed marketplace then the iPad.

actually it was about $200 less. :)

mp3 player,

somehow I can't see myself going jogging with an ipad.


And you 'll really have to tell me how it's better at browsing the web than a netbook, considering it doesn't support flash.

Maybe not jogging, but in the car or on the train it will be fine.

I don't use a single site that requires flash and with apple and google working at killing it off it wont be that long before you don't have to either.

Since I have one for jogging, I don't need something to replace it in the car or on the train.
On plane, using the ipad it certainly worse, cause you need a place to put it,m while you can just keep your normal player in your pocket.


Interesting that you don't visit sites like youtube, but I doubt that that's true for the majority.

Youtube works...

You've simply shown yourself to be insanely ignorant here.

Also, we've been through this, you aren't the target for this product.

OK, so youtube works, because as I read just now they have eliminated the flash part for apple. I wonder if all sites that show flash videos will do that ...

You have proven yourself to be quite in love with apple and the ipad to the point of ignoring criticism.


I agree that us two have been through this. However, this discussion isn't with you but with disrepute, who tells me that it does a better job than a netbook at what a netbook is supposed to do. So I replied to him.



Tell me, do you honestly agree with everything disrepute said in his post, or does it just feel better for to oppose everyone who does not like the ipad?

I'm not in love with Apple at all, and I don't ignore criticism. If you look at the very first post I made in here it was along the lines of "It's not bad, it's just nothing special" before everyone started spouting ignorant and pathetic arguments of why it's bad (e.g. no 3g when it's got fucking 3g, no 10tb HDD or whatever).

- The iPad does a good job replacing your PSP and DS
Yes, it's got way more games already through the Touch/iPhone and some of them are at least equal/better than games on the above devices.

- Kindle
Mostly, it's a proper screen and I can see why some people have a problem with that, but others won't and I certainly have no problem looking at the Apple screens all day long.

- Digital Photo Frame
Yes, by a long shot.

- Portable DVD Player
Mostly, assuming you replace DVD's with digital copies (yeah, I know). But carting around DVD's isn't exactly practical.

- MP3 player
Neutral, it's big but it's just as capable, not everyone uses their MP3 player for pure portability.

- Maps/GPS
Yes

- Browsing the Web
With the exception of Flash, yes. But not having Flash is such a minor issue that will be irrelevant within a year or two and it didn't hold back the Touch/iPhone. Is flash integral to your internet experience? Seriously how much flash do you really use?

But the most important thing, it's all of these in one device with a good interface.

- Digital Photo Frame
Yes, by a long shot.

Really?
There are imo two task a digital photo frame has to fulfill.

a) Show pictures
b) hang on a wall or stand in a cupboard, all day long, until maybe someone picks it up for some minutes and the puts in back.

If you plan to actually use your ipad for anything else, it won't really fulfill the task of a picture from. Not by a long shot.
And if you do keep it standing around, $500 might be a bit overpriced.

- MP3 player
Neutral, it's big but it's just as capable, not everyone uses their MP3 player for pure portability

I wrote earlier that I already a small mp3 player (and assume many other people, too), so why would I want to replace it with something that is worse at the same job through it's shear size?
It doesn't make any sense.

- Maps/GPS
Yes

Most people have it some form already, either on their mobile or a small one for their car. Again, the size matters, as I can't imagine pattaching an ipad to my windshield.

You know a lot of people buy digital photo frames so they can upload their photos and take it to show other people?

The iPad shows photos and it will have a stand (OK, no wall stand). There are some ludicrously expensive digital photo frames out there you know, some of them sell quite well ($300 ones).

I guess you didn't read the last sentence, where I was said it's about being an all in one device, sure you aren't going to pay for it as just a digital photo frame or just an mp3 player.

Again, this device isn't designed for you if you already have devices that fulfill your needs and are happy with them.

The GPS Map people are already moving to just developing the software for iPhone etc. So I guess they disagree.

To further elaborate on the whole GPS thing, think about the area in the middle of the car below the windscreen.

What is there? some kinda radio/cd system usually, in the more expensive cars they'll be a screen and an in built GPS.

What if there was just an iPad clip? (Like the mobile phone holders you can get)

It could then achieve multiple tasks at the same time in one device, on top of the GPS and the touchscreen would be easier to use than the standard devices.

You are completely misinterpreting my statements, and it almost looks intentional. Cause I know you can interpret the details of statement much better than you are right know.

You know a lot of people buy digital photo frames so they can upload their photos and take it to show other people?

Yes, I do know that, and addressed it with "picks it up for some minutes". 95% of the day they stand around. The point is that even if you had an ipad, people might still want the digital frame to put on the wall, for decorative reasons. So, the ipad is not a good replacement.

The iPad shows photos and it will have a stand (OK, no wall stand). There are some ludicrously expensive digital photo frames out there you know, some of them sell quite well ($300 ones).

The price for an ipad can be $999. And even with the $500 version, you can still buy two expensive ones for the price of one ipad. So, I maintain that it is overpriced for letting it stand around.

I guess you didn't read the last sentence, where I was said it's about being an all in one device, sure you aren't going to pay for it as just a digital photo frame or just an mp3 player.

I did read that statement, which is why I didn't comment on PSP, DS, and so on. I only did it for applications, where the ipad is actually inferior in it's functionality, i.e. size for a mp3 player. So, for many people it is not a good replacement.

For you last point:

The GPS Map people are already moving to just developing the software for iPhone etc. So I guess they disagree.

I specifically mentioned the size, so talking about GPS Map poeple programming for an iPhone which is considerable smaller is completely pointless.


Sure, the ipad might be an option if car manufacturers leave a place of its size open, which would mean probably it would replace radio, cd player and so on. Some people might want that, and probably a few more in the future. But right now, I think the majority prefer it like it is.

I don't think you're quite managing to wrap your mind around the whole "all-in-one" device concept.

It's not supposed to compete with these products individually, so for example it's not meant to replace portable DAP's so the size of it is irrelevant for music playback since you aren't going to buy this if that's all you want. But it provides an excellent music experience that is just as good as any DAP and is fairly portable.

Again, if all you want is a cheap digital photo frame, then this isn't for you. The more expensive frames aren't just bigger (comparable in size to iPad mostly) but they also provide more functionality (video etc) and are designed to be more than something which just sits on a shelf all day (otherwise could anyone who wasn't into throwing money away justify that purchase?).

I can easily see stands/clips that work in any car, even without a space, being made your imagination is failing you here. The thing is, iPhone software works on the iPad, so it's relevant, maps are better when they are more detailed (with relevant information obviously) and bigger ergo the iPad is a superior platform for it.

It's not meant to be a replacement for any single device.

And I don't think that you arequite managing to wrap your mind around the whole "all-in-one" device concept.

It will indeed have to compete will all the other appliances up to a certain level.

For example:

My main use for an mp3 player is: jogging, lying around in the park, on a train and on flights.

In two of those the ipad is merely impractical, in the other two there's reason enough not to use it. Therefore I will buy a smaller mp3 (if I don't have one). I can still use that mp3 player on all other occasions so the ipad fails as a replacement.

It really is that simple.

iPhone software works on the iPad, so it's relevant,

wrong.
Again: I was explicitly talking about the size of the thing, nothing else.
So, if something is developed for a much smaller device, that does not in any way say that the developers think that it is a smart idea for the bigger device.

You still don't understand, if you want all of those devices then you have two options:
- Buy them all separately
This is fine if you only do one at a time and portability isn't an issue. Probably cheaper (though, not necessarily)

- Buy an all-in-one device
Which is infinitely superior in terms of portability and integration than buying all of them separately.

I don't see why an iPad would be so impractical for lying around in the park, on a train or on flights, with the exception of if you only want to listen to music, but again this device clearly isn't for you or me.

However as soon as you add the ebook, videos, games, internet etc into the equation the portability of the device becomes much more obvious and most people don't jog anyway :P

The GPS devices already out are bigger than an iPhone and the in built screens can often be fairly large. I addressed the size issue already and you ignored it, wanting to imagine you having to put it in front of the windscreen.

There is plenty of space available for clips/stands in cars, even for iPad sized devices and the speed of development for iPod speakers for companies like BOSE and the already increased integration with cars for iPods too suggests that cars are quickly adaptable.

Which is infinitely superior in terms of portability and integration than buying all of them separately.

Portability?

How exactly is an ipad more portable than a small player if all I want to use at that specific moment is that player?

The GPS devices already out are bigger than an iPhone and the in built screens can often be fairly large.

If they are, it's only by a fraction, while the ipad is a lot bigger.
The ipad would also have to be mounted on top of existing things, while the others are, as you said, built-in.Sorry but this is just you wishing for practicability where there is none.
In fact, car companies are already experimenting with projecting maps on the windshield. The ipad won't be able to compete with that.

I addressed the size issue already and you ignored it, wanting to imagine you having to put it in front of the windscreen.

Yes, you did address the size issue.
But that still does not make the iPhone relevant in any way. Unterstand?

and right peaple attach their GPS devices either in fron of the windscreen or the middle console, in both cases size matters.

than buying all of them separately.
If you are fine with doing one thing at a time and don't need to carry them all about then it's not a device you will be interested in.

I'm not wishing for practicability, it's a a practical use for the device and it's supported, sure you have to find the space, but that's not all that difficult.

Yeah, but I didn't claim it would compete with that.

Yes, it's got way more games already through the Touch/iPhone and some of them are at least equal/better than games on the above devices.

See, this is an argument for "better" in that the general public do not see it that way. Not one single person bought an iphone for games, and nobody will do it for the ipad.

Mostly, assuming you replace DVD's with digital copies (yeah, I know). But carting around DVD's isn't exactly practical.

Unless they're very compressed, you'll find that SSDs are still too small to do this effectively. My netbook is lucky to hover around 1gb of free space.

Yeah but still, lots of compressed videos > lots of DVDs to carry about imo.

Yeah, nobody bought it for the games, but there are some very good games on it and I can only see that market expanding.

Well, you don't really have a choice with these. Netbooks do not even have a DVD drive, and tablets won't, either. You're going to have to rip them to watch, and you're going to have to scale them down a ton, unless you only want to carry a couple.

Of course, you can always get an external USB drive or something, but that defeats the purpose of it being portable to begin with.

H.264 and HTML5

ok, so youtube was a bad example cause they went throug a lot of effort to provide an alternative.

But can you safely say that all video hosters have done so?


For example I heard there is this great little quakelive streaming station, someone talks abouthere, which I can follow with a netbook. Doesn't that work with flash?

Classic vedic there, good job.

Running out of actual points, are we? tourist?

I didn't feel the need to reply to your points in that post. Since there is a nice post just below.

hahaha :)

You are right we are forced to use flash until all browsers and platforms support HTML5.

Livestream and ustream have iphone compatible streaming i.e. not flash, that don't use flash and would also work on the iPad.

vimeo has also recently moved to allow all its videos to play on H.264.

So still "I don't use a single site that requires flash" applies.

That is not to say I don't use it, but thats not the point..

So, why shouldn't one wait if a slate from a competitor offers flash and HTML5 and h.264?

Or just go for a netbook right now?

If they are concerned about Flash then they can wait and see the competition.

Netbooks are fine if that's what you like and they are selling well but it's not what everybody wants or needs.

Anyway, there are quite a few sites that provide flash conversion services (Not sure how great they are mind you, but they do seem to work) and you can jailbreak and add flash support I believe :P

I think the first two paragraphs are pretty much what I have been saying. Thanks.

But then you've been arguing about nothing.

It was never suggested that this is an immediate must-buy device and that waiting for the competition wouldn't be a good idea. That said, assuming the competition is going to come out with anything compelling enough to draw away buyers is silly.

As for netbooks, they're just cheap, small laptops and isn't the same kind of thing. Similar but different, if you want a small cheap laptop then good for you, from my perspective I see far more people buying iPad's (or iPad style devices) than I do netbooks from now on.

The one thing that a netbook is supposed to be superior at is web browsing, but with the exception of flash it's not really better than an iPad.

Conversion sites are extremely bad, and out of the way. I had to use them when I was on a Samsung m500. If it weren't for opera mini, it wouldn't have even been tolerable.

Any netbook or tablet running windows 7/linux will have a browser that supports HTML5. The browser you are on supports it.

yes.

Did I write something different?

Well, you said "if" they offer support for both flash and HTML5 as if any one aside from ipad wouldn't. =P

yes, I wrote the "if" concerning the slate, (not the netbook.)
The "if" is also quite clearly meant for the connection flash+html5+h.264, and since so far the only one does for which specs are known does not support flash, one can't be sure if others will.
If you want someone to make a wild guest for you, there are others on this forum who will.

I certainly didn't write it as if none would, that is just your faulty interpretation.

Think about this: If I didn't think there will be a tablet pc supporting all, even proposing to wait would be counterproductive in that dicsussion.

... You really prove that you have trouble with even the most basic of communication. You try to insult me, despite the fact that my reply to you was in SUPPORT of what you were saying.

I just pointed out that you said that people should wait to see if the others will have support, when it isn't a question if they will or will not - they WILL, so long as they are running a real OS (almost all are, thus far), since ALL modern browsers support flash and HTML5 RIGHT NOW.

where exactly did I insult you?

I agree that chances are very high they will have support. But if one company makes the decision not to have it you can't be completely sure others won't make the same decision.

No, there is no "very high" - they DO. It's not a decision to have it or not, as any tablet running windows or linux will be using IE/Firefox/Chrome/Opera/etc... Browsers that support flash, HTML5, H.264... right now.

as any tablet running windows or linux will be using IE/Firefox/Chrome/Opera/etc.

well, there you are, giving conditions.

as you will know, "if" is nothing else than a condition. What if some moron decided to write a new OS for their slate?

Name one? All of them (aside from ipad) are on windows or linux.

Except HTML5 is far from ready, H.264 has licensing issues, and we have yet to even fully comply with HTML4.

I hate this trend consisting of comparing something shitty to something supposedly even more shitty, in a foolish order to make the 1st one look better

Hey, I'd honestly love having one if given to me or perhaps if it cost a lot less, but for $500 (even more over here I assume) I guess I could get a way more useful laptop or eee pc or whatever they're called? Oh noez no touchscreen from teh futurez how to survive :(((

I want a Pandora though

linux + gaming? does not compute

:-(

i hear that sound.

WHY

WHY IS IT IN MY HEAD PLAYING OVER AND OVER

Even more competition:

https://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/

- 9.7" x 7" x 1.3" for around 3 lbs (with keyboard)
- ARM Texas Instruments OMAP3 chip
- 1024x600 8.9" screen
- 512MB RAM - 8GB SD card for storage
- Wifi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth
- 3-dimensional accelerometer
- Speakers, micro and headphone I/O
- 7 USB 2.0 (4 internal, 3 external)
- 10 hours of battery life

$299 without keyboard, $399 with.

iPoop



Steve Jobs presents the new highly anticipated Apple product.

looks stupid

http://everythingipad.com/ipad-rocks-quake-939

woop woop 70fps

how do russians play russian style with it?

they would use it as digital keyboard on lap or as mousepad