Well, iPad is Reality

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.9to5mac.com/node/13498?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+9To5Mac-MacAllDay+(9+to+5+Mac+-+Apple+Intelligence)' target='_blank'>http://www.9to5mac.com/node/13498?u...e+Intelligence)</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"I spent way too much time playing with the iPad today. In fact, I'm still thinking about it and here's why: The browser is better than the browser on my MacBook. It might be the best browsing experience out there. By a lot."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1264656591.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>And so began the review from Seth Weintraub over at <a href="http://www.9to5mac.com/node/13498?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+9To5Mac-MacAllDay+(9+to+5+Mac+-+Apple+Intelligence)" target="_blank">9 to 5 Mac</a>. And here is an even better hands-on review over at <a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/01/27/hands_on_with_apples_ipad_with_videos_and_photos.html" target="_blank">Apple Insider</a>. I'm not sure if you watched the keynote or any of a number of streams from the event, but here are my thoughts on it.&nbsp;</p><p><MORE />I was really anticipating this event, but it was more of a hope that we would see something about the next software update for the iPhone than the mythical tablet that is now known as the iPad. So when there wasn't a "and one more thing" from Steve I was a little let down. So what do I think about the iPad? I think it is actually a pretty fantastic piece of hardware, one that really does fill that niche between the iPhone and Macbook. But I also sense that it is going to become a lot more and may even expand the niche, meaning people will find a way to become part of that niche to justify owning one. There are many uses like surfing the web, browsing photos and watching movies just like Steve showed yesterday. But what he didn't show, and what I think will become apparent very quickly, are the uses that people create for a device such as this. One example a friend and I were talking about was photography. He told me he has seen a lot of interest in his circle of photography friends about this device and how they will be able to use it in the field or when presenting their work to clients. Another business that comes to mind is real estate. How about using it as a reference device for medical professionals when visiting patients? The list could expand greatly and I think this is just the device that makes that possible.</p><p>Now, will I buy one? As of today I have not convinced myself that I have needs in that particular niche that need fulfilling. I'm not saying I won't, but I just haven't decided if I really need to have one. The price points do make it affordable, but the real advantage to me of the iPhone is that it is so portable and if I need something more, I usually have my laptop. If I didn't bring my laptop, I doubt I will carry around the iPad. But I could be wrong. I will give Apple credit though, they have created a kick ass tablet!&nbsp;</p><p>What are your thoughts?</p>

[Jeff Campbell]

Apple has posted the keynote if you haven't seen it, here is the direct link (http://movies.apple.com/datapub/us/podcasts/apple_keynotes/ipad.m4v).

[possmann]

There is a ton of trash talking all over the message boards from many people who where hoping for more. The amount of "that's it?" comments is, to me, astounding. Personally I have been waiting for something that this perfectly fills; something that I can use while sitting in bed in the evening and watching TV and surfing the web or checking email. It's larger than a netbook, weighs less and certainly not as wieldy as a laptop - it is like holding a book (a light on) in my hands or resting on my lap.
I don't care that it doesn't have a camera and I really don't care that it is not a phone. I think that this new space that Apple is starting will start to expand nicely.
The Kindle is a great idea but VERY limited. Now I have the Kindle on steroids. I strongly believe that this was never intended to replace the macbook/laptop so in that regard Apple has succeeded.
The biggest limiting item that I really hope Apple will address in the iPhone 4.0 OS is multitasking. Android and WebOS (even Windows Mobile) are running loops around Apple when it comes to this. Granted performance is always priority, but enabling some limited multitasking - maybe even allowing a user to select which apps they want to allow to multitask - would be Super Huge - especially now that the iPad is out!
Sign me up. Yup. I am going to get one - I am just wondering if I should wait for the GSM model or just get the Wifi model... hmmmm

[Dyvim]

Do I need one? Definitely not. Do I want one? Yes, I think so. But then again I'm like that with gadgets. I definitely don't think Jobs made the case for the need for a 3rd device type between smartphone and laptop. And I also don't think it was magical, revolutionary, or unbelievably priced (either high or low)- at least not as he presented it. But I think it has potential. If developers run with it and bring us the next generation of multi-touch interactive apps for content creation, then it may end up being revolutionary. It has potential for sure.

[Dyvim]

Should also add that my wife and I use our iPhones entirely too much, especially around the house, and most of those use cases would be improved with a larger device. I've thought many times in the past 2 years that I wish I had a larger screened iPhone (although I wasn't thinking quite this large). So I think an iPad is in our future, and we'll probably love it, and use it way too much. But I definitely feel it is a luxury device and not a must have. It wouldn't replace either our iPhones or our laptops, but just be a niche in between device.

Am very curious to see what developers do with the platform. I need to go play around with the SDK and iPad simulator myself!

[doogald]

My initial impression is that this will not a solve any problems that I have right now. That said, I tend not to be an early adopter anyway. And, I am perfectly fine to wait patiently for real reviews of a shipping product in a couple of months.

I seem to recall that there was a lot of iPhone bashing in January 2007, well before the device was actually released.

[crimsonsky]

I was initially convinced that there was no way I'd buy this, but now I'm having second thoughts especially after having seen the video posted at WM Thoughts. For me, it would probably serve primarily as an e-reader, which it seems to excel at. Also, considering it can run iPhone apps, I could use my Bible Study software on a much larger screen which would be wonderful.

However, I will probably wait until version 2 if I do buy. Everyone knows you should never buy V1 Apple hardware! :D:

[Macguy59]

As I read the live updates and photo's posted by Engadget I was pretty unimpressed with it until they got to the iWork and iBook sections. Very impressive. Still wasn't sure I was buying one until I watched the Keynote video. The static pics and blog comments don't do the device justice. I'll be buying the 32GB WiFi+3G version. The all-you-can-eat pay as you go plan for $29.99 is the real coup IMO.

[ombu]

Right now, for me it's a "want", not a "need", but I might change my mind.

I certainly like it for meetings (note taking, document search, etc.) but I'll wait until the early adopters get experience to evaluate if this gadget will sleep on my desk sometime during 2010.

Of course I won't drop my iPhone for one on steroids, and that means something inside my pocket, so it must be a third device because I need a Lap Top too so the question is: will I leave it at home as a desktop most of the time and use the iPad as my low (maybe enough) capacity MacBook Pro? and if so, maybe the WiFi model is the right one, certainly it's not easy to find me out of WiFi reach.

[DaleReeck]

Yes, the price certainly is "unbelievable". As in "I can't believe it costs that freakin' much!"

:)

[Jason Dunn]

We're having a rip-roaring discussion about the iPad over in the Digital Home Thoughts forums if anyone is interested:

http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/f303/apple-ipad-hands-video-engadget-96771.html

[Jason Dunn]

One example a friend and I were talking about was photography. He told me he has seen a lot of interest in his circle of photography friends about this device and how they will be able to use it in the field or when presenting their work to clients.

I think it could have been *GREAT* for this purpose...except Apple didn't put a memory card slot of any sort onto it. Yeah, I know there's an adaptor, but it would have been so much slicker if there was as SD card slot right in the device.

[Jason Dunn]

The all-you-can-eat pay as you go plan for $29.99 is the real coup IMO.

I don't quite get why this is a "coup". I just checked AT&T's site, and the data plan for an iPhone is $30/month. AT&T doesn't say it's unlimited, but I presume it is or is at least one with a large data cap (5 GB) month. Is it a "coup" because it's cheaper than their laptop plans? I can't see anyone using as much bandwidth as a laptop on a uni-tasking device.

Personally, I don't know how many people can afford to pay for Internet access in yet another way. The average technie is probably already paying for Internet at home (let's say $50/month), Internet on their phone (let's say $30/month), possibly Internet on their 3G laptop or USB stick (let's say $60/month) and now there's another device that the wireless carriers want another monthy fee for? :eek:

When does the insanity end? I pay for Internet at home ($99/month for a fast package), and Internet on my phone ($30/month for 6 GB data). Any other device I have (laptop, netbook, etc.) has to be able to connect to my phone over Bluetooth or WiFi, or it doesn't get online when I'm away from home. I can't see myself paying for Internet a third time, let alone a fourth time.

The first GSM carrier to allow multiple SIMs on a single account, and to allow for multiple data devices to pull from the same account, is going to make a killing. Canada and the USA are years behind Europe in this regard.

[doogald]

I don't quite get why this is a "coup". I just checked AT&T's site, and the data plan for an iPhone is $30/month. AT&T doesn't say it's unlimited, but I presume it is or is at least one with a large data cap (5 GB) month. Is it a "coup" because it's cheaper than their laptop plans? I can't see anyone using as much bandwidth as a laptop on a uni-tasking device.


It's not just half the price of the broadband access data plans, it comes without a contract - you can cancel at any time, no penalty. The iPhone $30 plan (on a much smaller device, mind you) requires a 24 month contract with a penalty for ending it early; the broadband access plans are double the price with a 24 month contract.

Since the iPad is unlocked, it also means that you could get a data SIM if you are traveling where you would normally roam, I expect. Though those details will be coming later...