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Fun Stuff => CLIKC => Topic started by: Mark7 on 27 Jan 2010, 11:46

Title: iPad!
Post by: Mark7 on 27 Jan 2010, 11:46
No, not the spoof Apple female sanitary product.

Finally revealed at a special press conference by St Stephen of Cupertino himself. Basically looks like a giant iPhone.

So which of you will be rushing down to your nearest Apple Store to swap Presidents for one?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 27 Jan 2010, 11:49
Not it!
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: ackblom12 on 27 Jan 2010, 12:19
Nah.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ikrik on 27 Jan 2010, 13:07
iPad?  I'm still bewildered by the name.  I remember a couple sites referring to it as the iSlate.  I would buy an iSlate, I totally, totally would.  an iPad?  What an incredibly useless and stupid name.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ikrik on 27 Jan 2010, 13:32
How long has it been since they announced this thing?  The internet is a scary, disgusting place sometimes.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: celticgeek on 27 Jan 2010, 13:34
So which of you will be rushing down to your nearest Apple Store to swap Presidents for one?

"Not I", said the celticgeek.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 27 Jan 2010, 14:08
It does look like a bad photoshop job.

iPad?  I'm still bewildered by the name.  I remember a couple sites referring to it as the iSlate.  I would buy an iSlate, I totally, totally would.  an iPad?  What an incredibly useless and stupid name.

I concur.

Ultimately, other than the small market of people who need lots of information at their fingertips and carry around clipboards (doctors, stock traders) I don't really see why you would want this when it's too big to carry around in your pocket and not computer enough to get any work done on, but it's just been released so we'll see how it plays out.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: celticgeek on 27 Jan 2010, 14:10
Size doesn't Matter (http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/index.html)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: LTK on 27 Jan 2010, 14:24
Looks like they weren't kidding when my Apple-worshipping classmate said they wanted to blur the line between computer and handheld. Well, I'd say: mission accomplished, but... why do we need it?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ozymandias on 27 Jan 2010, 15:02
Yeah, if the MS Courier actually sees commercial release, Microsoft has finally trumped Apple in design and utility.

The iPad just looks absurd.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Dimmukane on 27 Jan 2010, 15:08
Truthfully, I'm interested in this, mostly because of the data plans not requiring contracts.  I do think it would be convenient to have, seeing as it can work with Google Maps (can the iPod Touch do that? I can't recall...), and is a bit stronger.  If it drives the price of the iPod Touches down, I'll probably just get one of those instead.

Although that MS tablet actually looks pretty nifty.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: scarred on 27 Jan 2010, 15:10
(http://www.pvponline.com/comics/pvp20100127.png)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 27 Jan 2010, 15:55
iPad?  I'm still bewildered by the name.  I remember a couple sites referring to it as the iSlate.  I would buy an iSlate, I totally, totally would.  an iPad?  What an incredibly useless and stupid name.
The best part is that Apple is going to court with some other big tech company over the rights to the name. Apparently an iPad already exists.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: bicostp on 27 Jan 2010, 16:33
(http://i46.tinypic.com/119wcgo.jpg)

I already have the beta version.  :-D
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: McTaggart on 27 Jan 2010, 16:43
ewww
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Emaline on 27 Jan 2010, 17:37
Yeah, I just don't get it. It doesn't seem very convenient except to people who carry around things like clipboards and similar things. I just don't see this as something the average consumers wants/needs. It just seems way too bulky for something that the average person would want to carry.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 27 Jan 2010, 17:59
Y'know, seeing that MS Courier makes me realize this form factor is perfect for businesspeople to carry in their briefcase. It doesn't look like Apple is really pushing that angle, but I could see this being useful for meetings, both in presenting work and for attendees taking notes. It's looking like once again MS is shooting more for business applications while Apple is positioning their hardware as a media device (that's pretty much what people expect of them, so defying those expectations would probably be unwise.)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Inlander on 27 Jan 2010, 18:06
The one thing I didn't get about that Microsoft thingummy video was the bit where she took a photo with it. I'm sure it's nice that the thing takes photos but I can't possibly imagine how tryng to take a photo with something that size and shape wouldn't be incredibly awkward.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: ViolentDove on 27 Jan 2010, 18:32
It looked like it was more of an alternative to scanning, rather than using it as you would normally use a camera.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: ViolentDove on 27 Jan 2010, 21:27
Back to the iPad, I have read about every review and opinion piece I can get my hands on for work. I would probably not buy one of these, though it does sound pretty fun. I don't think I'm really the target market though.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Johnny C on 28 Jan 2010, 00:38
oh i found a picture of what this thing's good for
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Johnny C on 28 Jan 2010, 00:38
(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/9/2010/01/500x_bejeweled_ipad.jpg)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ikrik on 28 Jan 2010, 03:01
Alright, I've been looking at this thing more and more and unlike and iPod and an iPhone I simply do not see the point of this.  The fact that all the gaming websites are going crazy over this (seriously Kotaku, wtf?) is weird.  Props to whoever put the link up to Microsoft one, that thing is something I could throw money down on.  Easily. 
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: McTaggart on 28 Jan 2010, 03:24
oh i found a picture of what this thing's good for

See it's actually a really bad portable. It fails on control system (if the ds has taught us anything it's that touch is not always better than conventional inputs) and most important it fails on being portable. That thing is huge.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Inlander on 28 Jan 2010, 06:14
Also it's rectangular so I bet it fails on being a frisbee.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Mark7 on 28 Jan 2010, 06:26
It also only allows you to run one task at a time.

Welcome to the Apple iPad. The future of computing...


IN 1983 :p
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: LTK on 28 Jan 2010, 07:59
What I'm wondering is: Will it blend?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Johnny C on 28 Jan 2010, 09:55
See it's actually a really bad portable.

just like the ipad itself, that post was definitely a joke
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: DavidGrohl on 28 Jan 2010, 12:01
  I'm wondering how it is possible that Apple has completely missed their target.

  Didn't pick some random Apple employee and ask them, "Why WOULDN'T you buy this device?"

 
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Felrender on 28 Jan 2010, 12:11
So, it's lamer version of the Surface?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Alex C on 28 Jan 2010, 12:16
I have to agree with Jhocking, it really loses a lot in the embiggening process. If someone had told me that picture Tommy posted was just some shopped joke, I would have believed them because it just seems silly blown up that big.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: StaedlerMars on 28 Jan 2010, 12:31
I think what people are forgetting is that this is meant to be a replacement for netbooks who are geared for people who use a computer to browse the internet, maybe listen to music, and that's it.

The iPad does that perfectly. It's what casual computer users would use. People who don't want to perform CPU intensive tasks, etc. I don't think people who frequent this forum are necessarily target users. 

The fact that it doesn't have flash is a good thing in my opinion. Apple is driving websites to start using HTML 5 and CSS which support imbedded video.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Reed on 28 Jan 2010, 14:47
See, my problem with using this as a netbook replacement is the keyboard. I have an iPhone and I love the keyboard for it, but I guess I really can't see it scaling up well and being suitable for typing up documents/taking notes in class or meetings/etc.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ozymandias on 28 Jan 2010, 16:27
Weird you say that because the best touchscreen keyboard is easily Swype (http://www.swypeinc.com/) which is only available for Windows Mobile and, soon, Android.

My dad hacked it onto his Droid and it is the bee's fucking knees.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: torontoguy2k8 on 28 Jan 2010, 18:03
I loved that bejeweled pic. On long rainy days that game is like crack to me.
People are saying it's huge, but that's really only if you compare it t the iPhone or the touch. In that regard, yeah it's massive. But taking it for what it is, it seems to be on par with other tablets. Now I don't really use tablets that much but I could see this thing coming in handy, mainly for some businesslike applications. Like if I was canvasing for any reason, this thing would be a dream. I'm not usually a fan of touch keyboards, but I'll admit I LIKE the iPhone keyboard. And I can see it being even easier to use on this monster.
Overall I think it's a pretty cool device, I'll have to hit an Apple Store to try it out, but I don't see a need to own one right now.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 28 Jan 2010, 18:15
Last night I realized one flaw with using this thing for media browsing. As I often do, in bed I had my laptop open to Hulu to watch the Daily Show. That's when it dawned on me, to watch anything on the iPad you have to hold it up. You can't just flip the screen up and sit it on your lap, you have to hold it. That would be annoying (although not a huge deal, it would be like reading a newspaper.)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: sean on 28 Jan 2010, 19:57
See, my problem with using this as a netbook replacement is the keyboard. I have an iPhone and I love the keyboard for it, but I guess I really can't see it scaling up well and being suitable for typing up documents/taking notes in class or meetings/etc.

dont you know reed you can buy a keyboard attachment!
you see!?!?! (http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee175/antithesis9/accessories_20100127.jpg?t=1264738826)

so portable

also i watched the video for this thing last night and it seems like the target audience is every single human being on the planet
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: torontoguy2k8 on 28 Jan 2010, 20:06
See, my problem with using this as a netbook replacement is the keyboard. I have an iPhone and I love the keyboard for it, but I guess I really can't see it scaling up well and being suitable for typing up documents/taking notes in class or meetings/etc.

dont you know reed you can buy a keyboard attachment!
you see!?!?! (http://"http://images.apple.com/ipad/design/images/accessories_20100127.jpg")

so portable

also i watched the video for this thing last night and it seems like the target audience is every single human being on the planet
link is broken, so I do NOT see :(
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: sean on 28 Jan 2010, 20:22
fix'd

also no need to quote the post right above you dogg.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 29 Jan 2010, 03:07
I was waiting for this, I really wanted to like it.  I was disappointed.  I still think it is a decent piece of kit for particular purposes.  For example, in addition to the various personal apps of it, so long as it supports bluetooth mice or plugging a usb mouse into the keyboard dock it could work as a fancy reception pc or even a cheap replacement for a Wyse/Citrix terminal by using RDP or a specially-made ICA or VMware View client app.

The most interesting/exciting thing about this for my mind is that Apple has put an ARM Cortex A9 and probably some kind of PowerVR graphics chipset together into an SoC and they are making it themselves.  This means they have a 1ghz Cortex A9 + next-gen PowerVR chip they can make in-house (ie: cheaper than getting someone else to make for them) that they can potentially use in the 4th-gen iPhone (and also sell to external parties if they want).  Recently there was a demo of a Cortex A9 running at 500mhz mostly keeping pace with a 1.6ghz Atom, so a 1ghz A9 should be quite impressive.  Paired with the next-gen PowerVR gfx chip it would probably be more powerful than most of the Atom netbooks kicking around at the moment.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 29 Jan 2010, 07:40
Well, here (http://www.apple.com/ipad) it is.

(http://i.imgur.com/oRffH.jpg)

Let's just admit it and get it over with. It's a big iPod Touch. I mean, literally.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: DavidGrohl on 29 Jan 2010, 09:01
I prefer this one :

(http://apina.biz/26438.jpg)

http://apina.biz/26438.jpg
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: A Wet Helmet on 29 Jan 2010, 12:27
The memes... The don't take long to get there anymore do they?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Alex C on 29 Jan 2010, 12:49
Hitler does raise a good point though. This is 2010. I expect to be able to play bloons.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: ackblom12 on 29 Jan 2010, 13:11
I'm just curious why they thought that multitasking was apparently impossible in the year 2010. Also I'm wondering why HD Space is $100 for 16gigs.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: ackblom12 on 29 Jan 2010, 13:30
Wait, and no Flash support?

What exactly are they doing with this device again?

I also find the idea that it is a replacement for an e-reader ridiculous. It seems like the only peopel who could seriously make that argument are folks who have never used an e-reader because goddamn is an e-reader useful for reading sessions.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Scandanavian War Machine on 29 Jan 2010, 13:50
When I first heard about this thing, I was like "ooh maybe this will be a sleek, sexy e-reader replacements that I could actually afford."

Oh, how wrong and naive I was.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ikrik on 29 Jan 2010, 13:52
I have yet to see a single good reason to get this device.  I've heard some sources calling it a netbook killer....and yet no flash support and no multitasking?  Seriously?  A replacement for the E-Reader? You have to do better than that.  Can someone tell me what separates this thing from being a big iPod touch without telling me how the specs/hardware has changed?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 29 Jan 2010, 18:01
A quick list of things I would like the iPad to have: multitasking, flash support, direct usb in/out, direct to hdd storage that is shared across apps & accessible if you dock it with a computer, an elegantly-executed photo-frame style pop-out stand so you didn't necessarily require a dock or their fucking ugly bag/stand contraption to stand it upright, a user-facing webcam so you could videochat with it, the ability to make phonecalls with the 3g version (especially with a bluetooth earpiece)

In fact, most of those are not "would like", more like "expected".  Flash was always going to be left out because the iPod, iPhone and now iPad are all content-delivery systems first and a consumer device second.  Flash takes control out of Apple's hands, so it's never going to get into any of their devices without extreme restrictions.  Everything else though? Come the fuck on.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: bicostp on 29 Jan 2010, 23:14
I think Lenovo actually pays attention to the Internet, because they're working on what the iPad should have been: a convertible netbook tablet with multitouch. It's only $50 more than the 32 gig, 3G-less iPad too. (Reportedly there's a $550 model with the same screen and form factpr, but the slower 1.66 ghz Pine Trail Atom and a 160 gig HD.)

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/29/lenovo-ideapad-s10-3t-multitouch-tablet-up-for-order-with-atom-n/

It's Pine Trail based too, so it has the GMA 3150 built in. Not as good as the Nvidia Ion (GeForce 9400m), but better than the GMA 950 and 500 the Atom has usually been paired up with. (Much more efficient, less heat output, longer battery life, better video performance...)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 30 Jan 2010, 00:24
Yeah, with Windows 7 out for a while now it's only a matter of time before multi-touch netbooks and Windows 7 multi-touch tablets start coming out.  So of course APple has to make a big deal about theirs right now so it looks like they had the idea first.  I mean, HP showed their slate pc at CES, a full 20 days before Apple.  Over here we got practically no news coverage on it, despite it looking almost exactly the same as the iPad, only running full Windows 7.  Runs Kindle software, so you can load up Kindle ebooks onto it.  It's full Win7 so you can load pdfs and pretty much any other fucking thing you want, including any kind of video you can play on a Win7 pc, it can do more than one thing at once and you can run your choice of browser with flash enabled.  So how is that not better than the iPad in just about every way that matters?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 30 Jan 2010, 00:26
Another win for the HP unit is that so long as it has a decent on-screen keyboard you could run Dwarf Fortress on it, fuck yeah.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 30 Jan 2010, 01:28
Also, holy shit you guys I just read a really fucking awful article.  Here it is, for your reading pleasure: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/01/29/apple_reinventing_file_access_wireless_sharing_for_ipad.html

Choice quotes for the tl;dr types:

Quote
Outside of savvy computer users, the idea of opening a file by searching through hierarchical paths in the file system is a bit of a mystery. Add in the concept of local and cloud file servers and things really get confusing.

No, really it doesn't.  The most computer-illiterate users at my workplace still understand the concept of clicking "File\Open..." and searching through a set of logically-named folders until they find the file they want to open.  My parents know how to search through folders.  Pretty much everyone gets this.

Quote
The iPhone similarly abstracts away the file system entirely; there is no concept of opening or saving files, just a media library of Photos and file attachments that stay connected to their mailbox items.

I like how they try to spin "Apple won't allow you to save anything directly onto the hard drive of the device you paid a shitload of money for in a way that lets you access it universally from any app on the device"

Quote
Rather than iPad apps saving their documents into a wide open file system, apps on iPad save all their documents within their own installation directory. Delete the app and you'll clean out all of its related files. This is how the iPhone OS already works.

So basically, the iPad is reinventing file access by doing it the exact same way as they have done it previously?  Ok!

What this means is that if you have a text file you want to open up in one app, then another you have to use wifi to put it into app A's local storage, then when you are done with it you copy it back out onto a pc, then back into app B's storage.  Pretty great!

I couldn't even put up with this shit on my phone.  I hope Apple don't seriously expect me to put up with it on a MID.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ikrik on 30 Jan 2010, 01:52
->est

Jesus, that sounds absolutely freaking horrible.  My mom (who needs the most idiot proof computer she can get) knows how to access files.  Everything I've been hearing about this just keeps making it seem worse and worse.  I had very little interest in this product and now I'm only interested to see what the reviews of this thing are going to be like. 

How are the apple fanatics taking this?  Are they happy? Or confused?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 30 Jan 2010, 18:43
(http://cdn.smosh.com/smosh-pit/1/ipad2.jpg)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: scarred on 30 Jan 2010, 18:47
To be fair, I agree with the last one.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 30 Jan 2010, 19:53
That's kind of a bitch move, to be honest!

Via Gawker, here's a funny little tidbit - Apple's promo videos clearly show the iPad using Flash, which it can't.

(http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1771/500x102339nytimesipadvi.jpg)

They ended up correcting it. Truth in advertising!

(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/7/2010/01/500x_144103-nyt_500.jpg)

I'm aghast at how Apple actually released all this stuff when there are such glaring problems with it. I mean even the Air was at least sexy and, it could be argued, not really meant for general use. No flash? I can live with that. No multitasking? How did that get past them? How can you make a consumer-grade computer that can't handle more than one process at a time in 2010?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 30 Jan 2010, 21:08
In Apple's defence on the promo shots, apparently the WSJ or whoever it was sent them HD mockups of their site, so they aren't actually browsing the site there, they are browsing a high-resolution image of the site on an internal Apple webserver.

Oh wait, that isn't defending them at all.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 01 Feb 2010, 19:03
http://cdn.smosh.com/smosh-pit/1/ipad2.jpg

A: I can not think of one single website which I use regularly which utilises Flash in any meaningful way. Fuck Flash, the sooner it disappears the better.
B: You're right, luckily I'm not a giggling nincompoop so it's not really a concern
C: I had no idea this was a binary choice! What happens if I do neither?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Spluff on 01 Feb 2010, 19:49
A: I can not think of one single website which I use regularly which utilises Flash in any meaningful way. Fuck Flash, the sooner it disappears the better.

yeah fuck youtube amirite
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 01 Feb 2010, 20:33
Youtube would be an obvious exception were it not for the Youtube app which comes standard on every iPhone and iPod Touch. I can't imagine that they'd ditch it on the iPad, but I've seen no evidence either way. Anybody is welcome to clear that up for me.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 02 Feb 2010, 03:07
The main thing I'd want in flash is about a gazillion free flash games on places like Kongregate and Armor Games and such, which is one of the reasons why it'll probably never happen due to it providing direct competition to game apps, most of which look like direct conversions from existing free flash games.  If they came out and said that there was no way to lock flash down to ensure that their app developers got a good return on their development time, and to ensure that people couldn't get exploits via flash insecurities then I'd respect the decision a bit more.  However, all I hear (and mostly from Apple fans, rather than from Apple itself) is that flash is a dying platform and html5 is coming and blah blah blah.  This for the last few years, when flash has been something that has been fuelling fun on the web during that time.

I mean, I have an iPhone now and I'm really enjoying it.  But when Flash 10.1 hits Windows Mobile devices I'll still download a shitload of games onto my HD2 and play them, because free games are fucking tops.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 02 Feb 2010, 03:19
Oh hey, actually : http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/02/01/steve_jobs_disparages_google_adobe_at_company_meeting_reports.html

So yeah ok, Steve Jobs is directly saying he don't like flash & that it causes a lot of crashes, despite it never really causing me much grief ever.  That is the attitude I dislike in this situation.  Just come out and say that flash doesn't fit in with your content policy.  People won't care, and people like me would respect you for telling the fucking truth.

edit: another article with pretty much the same info rephrased here: http://www.tgdaily.com/consumer-electronics-features/48263-jobs-blames-adobe-flash-for-crashing-macs


I find it pretty interesting that there is this direct attack on flash only a few days after one of the major complaints about the iPad was that it didn't support flash.  I find it pretty interesting that he says "Apple doesn't support flash" when their macs support flash just fine.  I find it pretty interesting that the iPhone obviously does support flash played through some sort of app as a translator like the Youtube app when there is enough of a demand for it and when it can't be used to damage their own little content delivery ecosystem.

I hope enough people can read between the lines on their own when they see this shit, because he's really cranking that FUD-handle like it's going out of style.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Sox on 02 Feb 2010, 17:34
I have to agree with Jhocking, it really loses a lot in the embiggening process. If someone had told me that picture Tommy posted was just some shopped joke, I would have believed them because it just seems silly blown up that big.

I have no idea why you think this, it's a perfectly cromulent device.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 02 Feb 2010, 21:20
A: I can not think of one single website which I use regularly which utilises Flash in any meaningful way. Fuck Flash, the sooner it disappears the better.

Y'know, while I certainly disagree with the "fuck Flash" sentiment (after all http://www.newarteest.com/flash/flash.html ) I can't think of many websites making good use of Flash either. There's Hulu, and the gazillion Flash games est referred to, and... yeah I'm drawing a blank. Mostly you see Flash used for animated ads, and that's hardly a good use.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 02 Feb 2010, 21:55
I think Hype Machine relies on flash.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 02 Feb 2010, 22:18
I find it pretty interesting that he says "Apple doesn't support flash" when their macs support flash just fine.  I find it pretty interesting that the iPhone obviously does support flash played through some sort of app as a translator like the Youtube app when there is enough of a demand for it and when it can't be used to damage their own little content delivery ecosystem.

Your characterization of the situation isn't quite right, although you are right that there is more of a backroom battle than Apple is admitting. Thing is, that battle is to a certain extent pushing back against how Microsoft tried to own web video. I know you're probably thinking "huh? what does microsoft have to do with anything" but seriously it's complicated, read this:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/07/06/ogg_theora_h_264_and_the_html_5_browser_squabble.html

Long story short, thinking that Flash games are a significant factor here is ignoring that the real prize is web video.


(oh, and the youtube player on iphone has nothing to do with Flash. Basically, youtube sends video to iphone in the same format that iTunes uses to play movies, not as Flash videos. I used to think it's pretty amazing that youtube could host so many frikkin videos for free, but it's actually even more astonishing than that because they actually store like a dozen copies of every video in multiple resolutions and file formats.)

ADDITION: in fact another page on that site linked as a related article explains about how youtube on iphone has nothing to do with flash. Refer to the bottom of this article:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/02/18/flash_on_the_iphone_again_sounding_like_wishful_thinking.html
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 03 Feb 2010, 03:28
Thanks for the info, Jho.  Also, there are a bunch of news sites that use some sort of custom flash player to stream video news/reviews/etc.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Reed on 03 Feb 2010, 11:42
The article on the codec wars was pretty interesting, but holy shit did the author not bother hiding his bias. I mean, I know it's an apple centric website, but he could have at least attempted to write it as an objective piece.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 03 Feb 2010, 16:37
Read the parts that say "In 1997 Company A did X" and ignore the parts that say "and that's why they are pig-dogs while Apple rulez!!!"
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Reed on 03 Feb 2010, 16:55
Yeah, that's what I did. I was just commenting on how blatant the author's bias was.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Sox on 03 Feb 2010, 18:36
If I tried to write the same article without the bias, given the content, I think I would struggle immensely.
Company A uses shady practices to put competition out of business and tries forcing users and developers to use their own proprietary formats.
Rival Company B pushes interoperable formats that can be used by everybody on any system so it can have some staying power against company A.
Or did I totally misread that article?
I struggle to take anybody seriously if they suggests that Windows is more of an 'everyman' company than Apple.

I like the iPad. If I had a better wage, I'd buy one. I can justify it because my iPod broke last week. I'm poor though, and unwilling to wait so I'm going to settle for an iPod touch. What I wouldn't give for that extra power and screen size, though. It's a good gadget. It's not the holy grail of tablets everybody was expecting due to the noise that surrounds anything Apple does these days. To be fair, anything they release after the iPhone is probably going to be a disappointment. Anything that isn't essential for everybody and doesn't make the earth shake is going to be viewed as extravagant. All eyes are on Apple to deliver now, so if a product doesn't do exactly what you're expecting it to, it's "shit".
Well, no, it's not, it's just not for you.
Literally, the only complaint I've seen about the iPad is "It's not a computer!"
The iPad is not a computer. That is what has gotten the technology geeks of the internet so bent out of shape? Are you being serious? Please tell me this is a joke. If you want to run a task that you would usually run on a computer, run it on a computer. It should be readily apparent that the iPad is not a replacement computer to anybody that has eyes and a lick of common sense.
There's all these jokes about it being a big iPhone as if the designers were somehow not aware of this. The iPhone is an excellent media device. It's also not a computer. It's a media device that fits in your pocket. It's kinda small for a lot of the media activities it is capable of, it'd be cool if it was significantly bigger.
Have any of you ever used a 17inch laptop? They're not particularly portable.
They're essentially a 13 inch laptop, but bigger, for the people who require a bigger display.
Have any of you seen the Nintendo DSi XL? They say it's for old people, but personally I'd love to play my DS games on a bigger screen.
Hey, infact, how big is your television? Televisions can be pretty big. Typically, they're small, but they're better bigger. People prefer bigger TVs.
Generally, a bigger screen is a welcome thing, right?
The iPad is not a computer. It's not a laptop replacement. It's a bigger media device. I've heard it called "netbook killer" and then compared to notebooks. Like a nice laptop. Laptops are made for multi-tasking. Netbooks are tiny things the size of a paperback novel designed for browsing the web, they have less processing power than the average biscuit.
Is it a good replacement for a netbook? Sure, I guess.
For a laptop? Don't be ridiculous. But that's not what it's supposed to be.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ozymandias on 03 Feb 2010, 18:44
Even described as a bigger media device, that sounds completely and utterly idiotic.

Why would I want to carry something the size of a small monitor around to just listen to music and watch videos? That just sounds obnoxious as fuck.

People keep saying "well you're not the target audience" well who the fuck is the target audience except for morons with money and a steaming desire to look like it?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 03 Feb 2010, 18:46
What I love about that browser war story is how Microsoft's relationship to Flash is kinda like the US's relationship to the Taliban. First Microsoft teams up with Macromedia to fight off rivals, and then is like "oh shit now they're using the weapons we gave them against us" and whips up Silverlight to to try to kill off the monster they created.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Sox on 03 Feb 2010, 19:12
Even described as a bigger media device, that sounds completely and utterly idiotic.
Why would I want to carry something the size of a magazine around to just listen to music and watch videos? That just sounds obnoxious as fuck.
People keep saying "well you're not the target audience" well who the fuck is the target audience except for morons with money and a steaming desire to look like it?

I think the target market is people who don't take gadgets too seriously and think it'd be a neat thing to have regardless.
Personally, I'd love something like this for travel. I probably wouldn't whip it out while standing in a line to check my emails, or use it to browse the web in a coffeeshop, but I wouldn't use a laptop for those things either. When it comes to long bus/train/car/plane journeys and overnight stays out of the house though, it's definitely more preferable than a laptop, netbook or tiny little phone.

Joe, the browser wars are even more entertaining if you picture them as being children's anime TV shows, with each company being portrayed as a meaty dude with spikey hair or a giant robot, and the various formats being lasers that they fire out of their hands.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 04 Feb 2010, 02:48
Also, in the back of my head constantly while reading that MS vs Apple & Quicktime article is "yeah, but the Windows Quicktime player is fucking shit"
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 04 Feb 2010, 05:12
Am I the only one who thinks that is incredibly fucking maddening? It seems a pretty pervasive mindset among both software and hardware makers that you can let out a substandard product on initial release because you always get a do-over, particularly in software where fixing any extant flaws are as easy as releasing an automatically downloaded patch.

It's probably not as apparent to most people but working in a technology college with well over fifty computers has made this kind of laziness incredibly acute to me. Is it too much to expect a product to actually work on release?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 04 Feb 2010, 06:33
Fifty whole computers? wow that is a technology college.  :roll:

People keep saying "well you're not the target audience" well who the fuck is the target audience except for morons with money and a steaming desire to look like it?

man I didn't notice it before, but you sure have a lot of pent up anger toward this device. Did an iPad steal your girlfriend or something?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ozymandias on 04 Feb 2010, 07:18
None of your goddamn business, Hocking. This is personal.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Sox on 04 Feb 2010, 08:45
I sort of want to dismiss the notion that a device smaller than a regular laptop but still not small enough to fit in your pocket is more portable than a laptop.

The iPad is way less than half the size and weight of my laptop, probably be a between half or a third of the cost, doesn't have a lid and likely won't require a charge for every few hours of use.
My laptop is just a few inches too big for the majority of bags I own, and takes up all the space in the few designed to contain it. The iPad will fit in all my bags and even in the pockets of two of my jackets.
The touch screen interface is far more preferable to a keyboard for me, given that I tend to browse the internet via mouse clicks rather than keystrokes. I can't really place enough importance on that interface. It's simple and easy. It's not at all like a trackpad, which is what I'd be using on my laptop, unless I were to take a mouse with me. A mouse in addition to the powercable. The powercable that I would have a very hard time finding a socket for in a car, on a bus, or in many of the local coffee shops. I use my laptop to hold all of my media and documents. I use it to run torrents, word process, record music at home, run graphics applications, I use it as a home media hub. All I need it to do out of the house is browse the web and maybe run an IM client. Possibly watch movies, if I am travelling.
It doesn't even need to play music, I have tiny mp3 players for that purpose. I don't want to carry a £2000 laptop around for the purpose of having a web browser. Something about that just seems kinda idiotic to me. Especially when I could have a much smaller, cheaper device do all those things just as well
The iPad is really not that big if I compare it to my alternative setup. I could fit 2.5 iPads on the lid on my macbook. If I open the lid, that's 5 iPads.
I like bags. I like that I have a variety of them. I like that I have small, light and discreet bags that are perfectly suited to contain something the size of an iPad. If I want to carry my laptop, everybody knows I am carrying a laptop, guaranteed. Because I am likely carrying it in a backpack the size of my torso.
The iPad is inarguably more portable than a laptop.
Of course, I don't need an iPad. I bet I'll do just fine with an iPod touch. I really do see nothing wrong with this device. It seems like a fine device.
I have absolutely no reason to complain about the iPad.

I feel this is relevant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Muppet King on 04 Feb 2010, 09:10
I've carried two Macbooks and a Macbook Pro in my messenger bag at one time with plenty of room to spare.  Do you own bags meant for children?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ozymandias on 04 Feb 2010, 09:13
 (http://www.kickette.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/blogger/4272/90/1600/crlv.jpg)

This is a man ready for his iPad.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ozymandias on 04 Feb 2010, 10:41
Yeah, it's pretty reasonable if you think about it. We all buy cars all the time that drive really well except they forgot to have a driver's side door. It's an investment in one day getting a model with that lovely door.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 04 Feb 2010, 13:45
I've carried two Macbooks and a Macbook Pro in my messenger bag at one time with plenty of room to spare.

Were you robbing the Apple Store?

Yeah, it's pretty reasonable if you think about it. We all buy cars all the time that drive really well except they forgot to have a driver's side door. It's an investment in one day getting a model with that lovely door.

This sentiment really connects to that youtube clip darryl posted. The damn thing isn't even released yet and you're already making analogies to a near ubiquitous technology that's been in continuous development for over 100 years.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Sox on 04 Feb 2010, 13:56
Three goddamn macbooks in a bag at one time? They say you're privileged if you own a single macbook, but to have three in your bag at once? Ludicrous!
I am going to dismiss anything you say from here on out, Muppet King, you are an irregular person!

That said, your response to 'I don't want to carry around a computer' was 'I can carry three computers, why can't you?' and I had a little giggle at that.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Muppet King on 04 Feb 2010, 14:10
I own one, my fiancee and my best friend also own them.  I was the only one with a bag so I carried them.

I was responding to your claim that your laptop doesn't fit in a bag, simply pointing out that an average sized bag can carry many.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Sox on 04 Feb 2010, 14:13
I never said that. I said it doesn't fit in a small bag. Laptops are big, if you want to carry it, you need a bag that is at least as big as your laptop, and I don't particularly like carrying something that size around.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 04 Feb 2010, 14:23
"Average sized" is pretty relative in any case. There was a point in my life where carrying around a big ol' messenger bag made sense, but these days I go for bags exactly the size of my laptop and nothing more (one convenient side effect of how Apple handles the Macbook line is that lots of companies have fitted Macbook bags) and even that's only on days when I need to carry my laptop with me because I'd much prefer not to carry any bag at all (which of course means I have little interest in the iPad.)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Alex C on 04 Feb 2010, 14:41
Yeah, no offense, but this sounds like a case of "average bag if you're the assistant to a businessmen, professor or other professional sadist."
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ozymandias on 04 Feb 2010, 15:37
This sentiment really connects to that youtube clip darryl posted. The damn thing isn't even released yet and you're already making analogies to a near ubiquitous technology that's been in continuous development for over 100 years.

Oh come on even the first cars had d-

(http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Ford/1896HenryFordsFirstCar.jpg)

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Chesire Cat on 04 Feb 2010, 19:39
After writing the rest of this post I kinda of feel its a requirement to preface this by saying Im not an Apple fanboy. I own an iPhone, beyond that I have never owned an Apple product. All my home computing has been and will continue to be done on PCs (as it as been since about '92), I dont actually like iTunes in any way. Im just fairly good at taking a step back and judging things objectively.

Frankly the need for a laptop to be set down and two hands to operate it also make a huge difference. And my laptop is big, its heavy, and its battery doesnt last for shit, having a slick little screen I can hold with one hand and operate with the other or perhaps hold with both hands and type with thumbs is a huge plus. And lets not ignore the unknowns. Apple has the marketing clout to make magazine publishers provide a digital version of their print mag, and with a screen big enough to read it and simply 'swipe' the page to change pages. Hell, this in theory could save monthly comic books from graphic novel purgatory.

I will admit there are some things I would like, just as I LOVE the idea of OnLIVE and Apple has essentially created a portable media content display rather than a true computer. Combine the two ideas and add oh say a USB hub for a controller and boom, you can now play any game anywhere you get net (yes yes yes I know I am ignoring some realities, but I can dream) or at least generally perform emulated processes that are computed externally. Almost like a moble mainframe computer setup. And technically that would only qualify as '1' program, even if you were emulating a desktop or something somewhere else.

I would also like to see a webcam, because frankly holding a face sized screen chatting with someone you can see while they can see you is so completely awesome that I cant quiet get around it.

Im kinda of just rambling here, bottom line is, the more I read/think/hear about this, even from detractors. The more I want it. Ill probably hold off a bit until then 2nd Gen since, while apple does have an amazing track record since the iMac, they earned it by listening to the users, so subsequent versions will be better.

As far as Flash is concerned, I am 100% backing Apple in their fight for interoperability. I dont care if they are doing it for the right or wrong reasons. And Apple does have clout to force change for the better, lets look at the iTunes music store compared to all other ideas for digital distribution of media (making people pay for napster? Really?). Well forcing web developers to abandon proprietary formats in order to have their content still be useable is a great idea. Sure it makes for an uncomfortable short term, but it forces the hand of progress.

*edit*

I wonder if the touchscreen will be sensitive enough to 'fingerpaint'. It might make a great sketchpad.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 04 Feb 2010, 20:13
I wonder if the touchscreen will be sensitive enough to 'fingerpaint'. It might make a great sketchpad.

oh shit that's true, there are tons of paint apps on the iphone
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: pilsner on 04 Feb 2010, 20:19
Is there any discussion at all about an optional pen?  I could see good utility if it made a halfway decent Wacom substitute....  (Obviously not at the Cintiq level though, heh)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Chesire Cat on 04 Feb 2010, 20:26
iPhones require a finger, I dont know what it senses, but it wont sense plaster or metal or even fingernail touches. It would have to be a special stylus.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: pilsner on 04 Feb 2010, 20:28
It would have to be a special stylus anyway to give you the sensitivity you would need for anything that would like nice.  I'm wondering if there are even rumors about an official accessory.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ozymandias on 04 Feb 2010, 21:07
Multi-touch is a capacitive surface so it detects changes in its electrical field. Very small changes like pens don't work and require a second layer of sensitivity using something like magnetic sensors.

It makes it a lot more expensive, basically, and we won't see it in the iPad (or any slate possibly short of the Courier if it comes to reality) just yet.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Chesire Cat on 04 Feb 2010, 21:59
Well the tech (http://www.dotsgloves.com/) exists.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 04 Feb 2010, 23:02
Fifty whole computers? wow that is a technology college.  :roll:

Well uh we've only got like 100 students at the very most and we're mostly teaching audio engineering and film and every student has a laptop but thanks for being a cock anyway Joe.

Quote from: Ptommydski
Actually to be fair, this is one of the things Apple is fairly good at. The iPad will work just fine, it just won't have a number of features which you and I would deem completely obvious from the off. For example, the iPhone worked perfectly well when it didn't have copy & paste. It still performed any number of functions, it just didn't have copy & paste. The iPad is the same. It will do the things it does well enough, it just won't have a whole bunch of stuff you and I would have considered necessary for a practical mobile computer.

Yeah so it's not perfectly applicable it was just something that was sticking in my craw lately.

Fuck youuuuuu Pro Tools 8
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jmrz on 05 Feb 2010, 05:21
See, I would probably buy an iPad. Having said that, I wouldn't buy one YET. With any hope, multitasking will come out with 4.0 - once it can multitask, I would buy it. I have an iMac, MacbookPro, iPhone and iPod and I would still find a use for it. Also the idea of being able to use it as a graphics tablets (which I've not actually seen the app for that yet, but I've been told about it) seems awesome to me. It has potential, and I think it'd be worth waiting until 4.0 or at least the 2nd Gen before I picked one up.

I can see the market for it - people like my stepdad, who likes having a phone for the purpose of calling and texting, but loved having a blackberry/similar for his email and stuff. An iPad would be perfect for him in terms of being able to carry it with him in his briefcase and internet and email and all that kind of thing when he's away from home.

It would probably suit a fair few students, at least the ones that can throw the cash at one - it's light, it's easy to carry around and for those that like to keep digital notes rather than paper ones, I think it'd work really well.

I can see a market and I can see how I could personally use one, but I'll wait until 4.0 drops and see how it goes with that.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: messeduplilkid on 05 Feb 2010, 06:54
Going along with that in terms of education: all your textbooks being reduced to 1.5 pounds is a pretty nice change of pace as a student.

I commute to the chicago, so running from a side street I parked on to school can sometimes be strenuous with a laptop, 3 texts, and note books. Going from that to a notebook and the apple tablet, I think my spine would thank me.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jmrz on 05 Feb 2010, 07:04
Yeah, as a student, it would be amazing. Although for me, it's not textbooks, it's art supplies. So the less of my notebooks I have to carry around, the better. For people who do need lots of textbooks and if they start developing more of them for digital format, it would be a huge benefit to students who need to carry them around on a daily basis.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: messeduplilkid on 05 Feb 2010, 18:25
I actually didn't think about the art supply factor... Are you hoping that they might add a stylus to emulate say.. a wacom tablet? Or are you planning on just going finger painting? I know nothing about the dexterity of art, and I definitely don't know how it would translate to use your fingers instead of a utensil. 
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 05 Feb 2010, 18:45
There's already some capacitive styluses around:

(http://www.songtak.com.tw/proimages/24373_b.jpg)

I'm sure that a greater variety will come out for this type of purpose.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 05 Feb 2010, 19:49
Patents!
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ikrik on 05 Feb 2010, 20:35
I think there's been some people suggesting that they could be used kind of like tablets but that was shot down very quickly.  I think it was shot down the same time they said it would not be able to recognize handwriting.  Giant iPod touch is giant iPod touch.  I'd search to see if any of this is true, but I won't because I'm completely lazy.  Is it true though, or can you use it as a tablet.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 05 Feb 2010, 21:08
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/est_xplosif/random/iPadevolution.jpg)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 05 Feb 2010, 21:08
a-ho ho ho!

but guys seriously, the last panel in that set kills me.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 06 Feb 2010, 06:08
they said it would not be able to recognize handwriting.

Aren't there handwriting apps for iPhone? I could have sworn I've seen some, and if there aren't then someone should totally write one because they'd make a fortune. A quick google turns up several open-source handwriting recognition projects, and I'll bet at least one of those could be ported to iPhone easily enough.

Also, who is "they"? People are always talking about "they" and never specify, like we're supposed to be swayed by the word of some anonymous and possibly fictional "they".

ADDITION: Y'know, whether or not any exist yet maybe I should try porting some handwriting recognition software to iphone, that'd be a popular app...
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Chesire Cat on 07 Feb 2010, 17:08
I will admit there are some things I would like, just as I LOVE the idea of OnLIVE and Apple has essentially created a portable media content display rather than a true computer. Combine the two ideas and add oh say a USB hub for a controller and boom, you can now play any game anywhere you get net (yes yes yes I know I am ignoring some realities, but I can dream) or at least generally perform emulated processes that are computed externally. Almost like a moble mainframe computer setup. And technically that would only qualify as '1' program, even if you were emulating a desktop or something somewhere else.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: ViolentDove on 08 Feb 2010, 22:58
It tries to fill a niche that only a very select few people will have any kind of need to fill (based on the massive collective internet response: "what the fuck do I need a big iPod for?) - when walking around, I would much sooner have an iPod in my pocket than carry around an iPad in my bag, and if I was going somewhere for a while, I'd take my macbook - it takes literally two seconds to boot up when I pop up the lid, and the weight increase compared to the iPad is marginal. The tradeoff for the iPad would be sacrificing power, a proper keyboard, and the ability to multitask in order to lose a pound of weight and a couple of inches of bag space. Ain't worth it if you ask me.

I think it's filling the niche for all those people who aren't really comfortable with computers per se, who would be the least vocal people on the internet. I figure my mum and dad would get a lot more out of an iPad than they would a regular computer/laptop for example. It's easy to buy, install and use programs just by jabbing your fnger at stuff. It does away with having to find your files, with worrying about why some program won't work, and all that kinda stuff that some people like because it gives them "more control" over what they're doing, but other people just find difficult or annoying.

I figure most nerds on internet forums would probably get more out of a computer/laptop than an iPad, hence we aren't the "target market".
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 09 Feb 2010, 03:10
all that kinda stuff that some people like because it gives them "more control" over what they're doing, but other people just find difficult or annoying.

This is why I am down with Mac in general! I don't like to look under the hood of my computer, I just like it when it does the things that I want it to do without endless reconfigurations and tweaking, and Mac machines generally do exactly that.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Johnny C on 09 Feb 2010, 03:26
the "doesn't know how to use a computer" is a rare species at this point, and a fairly elderly one - not really apple's audience. i've had this conversation with my dad, who doesn't really "get" the ipad and is extremely comfortable using windows. nearly every adult in the western world is at least familiar with the basic operations of a computer at this point, and unless apple's internal research knows something we don't (entirely possible) i'm frankly not sure that someone who knows what they're doing enough to get by is going to sink half a g into apple's new shiny mystery slab.

besides that, most of those adults who aren't familiar with how computers work don't really have the money to drop on an ipad.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 09 Feb 2010, 03:45
There's a difference between "doesn't know how to use a computer" and "doesn't care how a computer works as long as it does", though. I'd argue that the latter is more the demo that Apple is shooting for here. People who only need to really scratch the surface of a P.C's potential capabilities, really. I'd say there's actually quite a lot of people in that group.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Spluff on 09 Feb 2010, 04:10
There's no real reason to handicap yourself with this kind of device though, even if you don't care how it works.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: a pack of wolves on 09 Feb 2010, 04:24
Besides, speaking as someone who by and large does fall into the "I have no idea how my magic box of lights does things nor do I want to" category the ipad comes across as confusing, as well as being a tiny little thing I'd get a headache squinting at.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Chesire Cat on 09 Feb 2010, 04:42
What the fuck are you going to do with an iPad without a computer? Lets be real here, this isnt a computer replacement, even for idiots that still channel surf instead of using the 'guide' on the cable box.

If they dont get computers, they arent getting an iPad. And frankly do you expect to download all the media you use on the iPad through a 3G connection? Wouldnt typing in a password for wi-fi qualify as that nerdy bullshit they are trying to avoid?

Anyway, Im with Johnny on this, you guys missed the mark
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 09 Feb 2010, 05:46
Actually I completely forgot to toss in my intended last sentence for that post which was "but either way it doesn't multitask which is unforgivable no matter what" which obviously throws a bit of light on my actually feelings i.e; I can totally understand what they're going for with the device but it's not like I think they did a good job at it.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: pilsner on 09 Feb 2010, 07:56
What the fuck are you going to do with an iPad without a computer?

I think you're ignoring the significant minority of early adopters for whom the iPad will fill the same purpose that Roxxxy will for extremely wealthy agoraphobic sociopaths.  Yes, I am saying that their use of their iPads will involve jism.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ozymandias on 09 Feb 2010, 08:47
I just like it when it does the things that I want it to do without endless reconfigurations and tweaking, and Mac machines generally do exactly that.

So do Windows machines.

Ain't no one has ever had to endlessly reconfigure a Windows machine unless they wanted to. The key here being that if they wanted to, they could.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 09 Feb 2010, 12:37
For example, I've been running Windows 7 for uh, about 6 months now I think with no changes other than the wallpaper and I'm a tech dude.  I'm not really overly fussed about configuring and tweaking anymore at the moment, but if at some point in the future I do become interested again I know that I'll be able to relatively easily.  It's nice to have the option, even if I don't choose to use it.  Incidentally, this is one of the arguments I'm kicking around for getting a new McBook Pro when they refresh soon - ie: I'll be able to dual-boot OSX and Windows 7, allowing me to use OSX if I choose to. More choices, woo.  Just depends how The new MacBook Pros stack up against a comparable form-factor Asus Green series laptop, which I already know will be running some level of i5 processor and an nVidia 310. & getting ~12 hrs battery life.

Also, looks like a lot of people are having the same kind of doubts about the iPad as some of us here: http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-features/48340-consumers-snub-apple-ipad-in-new-poll
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Alex C on 09 Feb 2010, 12:48
I haven't even changed the wallpaper.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Ptommydski on 09 Feb 2010, 14:16
Yes, I am saying that their use of their iPads will involve jism.

Finally a convincing explanation for that luxuriously big, easy to wipe-down surface.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 09 Feb 2010, 14:20
Just depends how The new MacBook Pros stack up against a comparable form-factor Asus Green series laptop

do eeeeet

A lot of people say that the primary appeal of Macs is the aesthetics, but it's hard to see the problem with that when you walk into an Apple store and set eyes on a unibody Macbook Pro and immediately feel like you have jumped into the future.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Chesire Cat on 09 Feb 2010, 15:45
Also, looks like a lot of people are having the same kind of doubts about the iPad as some of us here: http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-features/48340-consumers-snub-apple-ipad-in-new-poll

Yes but that entirely skews that results. The I know and want went from 3% to 9% and the interested but I'll wait and see went from 19% to 21%. Basically the buyer options went from 22% to 30% of the total. The article kind of avapided that entirely
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Sox on 11 Feb 2010, 07:24
I finally got an iPod touch, and while it's nice, it'd be nicer if I didn't have to zoom in so much.
+1 for iPad.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Sox on 11 Feb 2010, 16:17
I'm not keeping a score, I intended that as "+1 potential buyer".
I really want an iPad.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jmrz on 11 Feb 2010, 18:50
I agree with Dovey. There are people out there, no matter what age they are, who have absolutely no idea what they are doing with computers, and yes, in the Western World. I've come across people my age who have absolutely no idea what they're doing with a computer. Sure, they can pick up the mouse and point and click at things, but basic tasks such as sending an email and all of that, they couldn't grasp.

I think the iPad, as it is, without multitasking, could be thrown at say... my parent's generation. I've watched my mum struggle with tech for years. She's watched me work on something and do things for her on the computer and I'm doing five or six things at once and flicking through them, she doesn't cope with it. She prefers to do one thing at a time, and I know a lot of other people in her generation (40-60years old) who need to think about things one thing at a time, not multitask. I can see it sitting really well with that age group (in it's current state). I'm not saying everyone in that age group has absolutely no idea whatsoever, I'm just saying that for a fair few people I know, who would only ever buy a computer so they can get setup with email and basic internetting, that it'd be an option for them.

Also, I think it's just about the perfect size. I mean, for me personally I couldn't ever ever use it as a primary computing or internet device by any means, but I would use it and most likely love it. I think I'll have to go and check it out in a store when it comes out.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: ViolentDove on 11 Feb 2010, 18:58
I read a good analogy that compared it to an automatic transmisson vs. manual. As in, it removes the actual mechanics of doing stuff.

Also this is just the first iteration, so it's kinda early days yet. I'm sure version 2.0 will multitask and make toasted sandwiches.

Also comparing survey is silly unless you do statistics and stuff.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: ViolentDove on 17 Feb 2010, 15:38
Wired Magazine demos its iPad app (http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/02/the-wired-ipad-app-a-video-demonstration/).

It's pretty good!
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Chesire Cat on 17 Feb 2010, 15:58
Wired Magazine demos its iPad app (http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/02/the-wired-ipad-app-a-video-demonstration/).

It's pretty good!

I so totally called that first!
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: pilsner on 17 Feb 2010, 16:08
No lie, that's pretty cool.  The interactive advertisements blur the difference between an advertisement and a computer game (advertisement).
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 18 Feb 2010, 03:57
The app itself looks great, but the magazine looks like the same old shit the fucking bullshit print version of Wired is, and listening to those fuckbags wank on about "building relationships" between their readers and their advertisers because the readers come to the magazine looking for products to consume I realise that the problem I have with Wired is built right in there at the basic building blocks of the magazine.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 21 Feb 2010, 08:34
Jobs says flash will make the battery life 1.5 hours long (http://gizmodo.com/5475005/steve-jobs-flash-video-would-make-the-ipad-battery-life-15-hours)

bulllllll
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: pilsner on 21 Feb 2010, 09:20
I heard that if you shoot a flash equipped iPad with a lasgun, it explodes like a fusion bomb.  So you see, the God Emperor's decision to not support flash is in our best interest.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 21 Feb 2010, 13:07
Jobs says flash will make the battery life 1.5 hours long (http://gizmodo.com/5475005/steve-jobs-flash-video-would-make-the-ipad-battery-life-15-hours)

bulllllll
Given the number of Mac users (or PC users, for that matter) I know who have no idea how their hardware works, I figure a lot of people are going to buy this.

I don't trust the tech blogosphere to call bullshit on anything.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Chesire Cat on 21 Feb 2010, 13:11
KvP care to elabourate? I mean, that is a giant leap even for non sequitur. How does knowledge of hardware or lack thereof translate into much higher sales? Usually you can articulate better.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: smack that isaiah on 21 Feb 2010, 13:18
I think he meant "buy this" as in "believe the claim that flash would reduce the iPad's battery life".  Not that many people would purchase iPads because they said flash would hurt battery life.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 21 Feb 2010, 13:26
Yes. Colloquial language.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Catfish_Man on 24 Feb 2010, 23:48
There's an additional complication with Flash, but it's rather technical. I'll see if I can explain it:

Memory in a computer can be in some combination of three states:
 * writable: values in this chunk of memory can be changed
 * readable: values in this chunk of memory can be accessed
 * executable: values in this chunk of memory can be run as part of the program

Up until recently, any of these could be combined. On modern desktop computers, however, any given chunk of memory can be writeable OR it can be executable, but not both. This prevents malicious code from modifying a program as it's running.

The iPhone (and iPad) are much stricter than this. If a page of memory is *ever* marked as writeable, it can never be marked executable again. This helps prevent some nasty types of security vulnerability, but also hurts some legitimate programs. This is where Flash comes in.

Flash uses what's called a Just-In-Time Compiler which turns the Flash code into machine code while it's running. This involves marking a page writeable, compiling the code to it, and then marking it executable... which is exactly what doesn't work on the iPhone. The workaround for this is to either a) not compile the code at all, and run in interpreted mode (which is slow), or b) compile before running like a traditional program does (which is iPhone specific, and is not done by any of the Flash on the web).

TLDR version: iPhone security requirements would force Flash to be even slower/more cpu intensive than one would expect.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Catfish_Man on 01 Mar 2010, 13:57
Heh. Guess I killed the thread.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Chesire Cat on 01 Mar 2010, 15:52
I just rely on other people to bring more reasons why I am right in, and refute everyone who disagrees. Since I was 100% OK with what Catfish said, I didnt feel the need to comment
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 01 Mar 2010, 16:44
Heh. Guess I killed the thread.
Huh what I wasn't paying attention. Sorry teacher
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 11 Apr 2010, 11:41
I never thought of it this way, but he has a point: iPads are the new CD-ROMS.

http://www.oblomovka.com/wp/2010/04/01/cd-roms-and-ipads/

ADDITION: For reference to anyone who's too lazy to read the article before responding to it, a) he means when CD-ROMs emerged in the early 90s, and b) he doesn't mean that in a good way.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Blue Kitty on 11 Apr 2010, 20:39
I hear it's really good for downloading comics.




That's all I got
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: 20 jazz funk greats on 11 Apr 2010, 21:23
Even described as a bigger media device, that sounds completely and utterly idiotic.

Why would I want to carry something the size of a small monitor around to just listen to music and watch videos? That just sounds obnoxious as fuck.

People keep saying "well you're not the target audience" well who the fuck is the target audience except for morons with money and a steaming desire to look like it?

this.

i have a 2 year old hp laptop with nicer specs than a fucking ipad.
its only problem is the fact that i'm still running vista. ew.

Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Catfish_Man on 12 Apr 2010, 14:31
Having used a couple of them now, I can say they're rather nice. Still deciding whether I want to get one to replace my laptop during work+commute. It'd mean not coding on the bus, but who am I kidding; I barely ever actually get any work done on the bus ;)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 13 Apr 2010, 08:55
An article on the iPad made a brief mention, among other coming-soon competitors to the big stupid Apple thing, this Lenovo contraption (http://gdgt.com/lenovo/ideapad/u1-hybrid/), which is a notebook with a removable tablet/touchscreen.

That is fucking sweet, I would fucking buy that.

That being said it was also announced recently that iPhone/iPad OS4 will have multitasking. Still not great, still not worth buying an iPad over, but at least slighlty less fucking retarded.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 16 Apr 2010, 04:04
Better alternative (http://twitpic.com/1fnt8m)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Jace on 16 Apr 2010, 16:01
Better alternative (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=laptops&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=)
FTFY
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 23 Apr 2010, 19:24
So it turns out the ipad is great for reeeeeaaaaaallllllly old people (http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/22/99-year-old-loves-her-first-computer-an-ipad/)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: Dimmukane on 23 Apr 2010, 23:38
I would buy this if someone ported Rollercoaster Tycoon 1 & 2.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 28 Apr 2010, 18:27
Today in Apple news: Homos make Steve Jobs uncomfortable. (http://gawker.com/5526475/apple-rejects-gay+sightseeing-app-over-gay-sights?skyline=true&s=i)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 29 Apr 2010, 06:58
Posting to state again that I can go to any porn site on the entire damn www I want using the browser that ships with every single iPhone
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: snalin on 29 Apr 2010, 07:40
It still baffles me that there's a porn industry. The amount of free porn out there is staggering. Seriously, you get more pictures of naked women off google than you can look through in your entire life. Torrent sites offer so much porn that the pope would start crying if he knew.

The big question is; who the fuck is stupid enough to want to buy porn apps?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 29 Apr 2010, 23:17
Posting to state again that I can go to any porn site on the entire damn www I want using the browser that ships with every single iPhone
The censored apps aren't really porn apps, which is the problem. The app in question is an app that identifies and locates hubs of gay social life in NYC, and invariably that includes things like a bar called The Cock. What Apple is censoring isn't pornography, but the promotion of the idea that sexuality is an aspect of life.

Meanwhile the random gay hookup app Grindr is still up, as is the Playboy app, as is the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit app. Apple's full of shit.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 30 Apr 2010, 04:14
This is what I'm saying! It's retarded that they are bitching about some "here is an app with a picture of a somewhat unclothed man" when I have just now googled "double penetration" and received thousands of results
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 30 Apr 2010, 04:15
Hey parents, if you are worried about yr child accessing sexual content on a smartphone, maybe don't give yr child a fucking smartphone what does a fucking kid need a smartphone for fuckkk
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 01 May 2010, 13:40
The Courier ist kaput. (http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/04/29/microsoft-aborts-rumored-ipad-killer) Sadness.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: LTK on 01 May 2010, 16:50
That's a damn shame. Now we only have that Lenovo thing to fall back on.

{Enter super-optimistic future speculative mode}

I'm thinking of what that IdeaPad, a laptop with a removable tablet screen, would be capable of if it were to be mass-marketed. Humour me for a bit, and imagine a world where every person who uses a computer has one of these: A laptop to use at home or at work, combined with a tablet to use for mobile connectivity. For these two purposes, you can engineer the two units to work complementary. In the tablet you put wifi, bluetooth, a webcam, a flash memory drive, a microphone and a headphone jack, making it suitable for using it on the road. In the laptop dock you can then put a video card, extra RAM, an extra hard disk, a DVD drive and speakers, so you don't come anything short when you need to get to work.
Doing this gives you another use of the tablet unit, namely, a mobile desktop. Think about it: As a company, when every employee has a uh, tabtop, let's go with that, you can increase their working efficiency by providing them with a laptop dock for work. Then they can commute with the tablet, plug it in at their cubicle, and synchronize their home computer with their work computer. Documents you need to work on can be taken home by saving them on the tablet, and music you'd like to listen to at work can be taken from home the same way. You can do the same with schools or airports or where-ever. That would be cool, wouldn't it?

I'm also wondering how the problem of size could be handled. Have touchscreens that can fold been invented yet?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 02 May 2010, 13:14
On my flight to Spain a few weeks ago, the dude across the aisle and one row ahead of me (ie. the seat I could see most clearly) pulled out at various points his Macbook, iPhone, and iPad. I rolled my eyes at the cheesiness of this walking Apple Store (he probably hangs around coffee shops showing off,) but I must say I got really intrigued when he used a stylus to draw stuff on his iPad.

Drawing on the touchscreen using a stylus is the primary reason I would want an iPad. Not gonna buy a $500 sketchbook, but if any other compelling uses come up then I'll be tempted.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: ackblom12 on 02 May 2010, 13:16
The Courier ist kaput. (http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/04/29/microsoft-aborts-rumored-ipad-killer) Sadness.

HP are cancelling the Slate too (http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/29/hewlett-packard-to-kill-windows-7-tablet-project/).

Once again Apple are going to make a killing by managing to get a product in the stores, which somehow their rivals are incapable of.

They aren't exactly killing it, they're planning on it not running Windows 7 anymore, they are looking into a mobile OS for it. Admittedly, that pretty much kills any interest I have in it, but hey.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 02 May 2010, 21:27
Wasn't W7 developed with that giant computer table thing in mind anyway? Why would that not be great for an ipad-like device?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jmrz on 03 May 2010, 00:06
The giant computer table is the Surface, which is entirely ridiculous because it seems like it's just there for large companies to fuck about with. It's not really practical for much you'd use one for in the home at the moment.

And yeah, being able to draw and scribble things into the iPad would be lovely, another reason why I'd probably get fairly good use out of one. However, having said that, not buying it until it has a front facing camera, because it seems kind of silly without one, as it would basically be my mini computer for the basics. Although, with the iPhone looking like it's getting a front facing camera, it's only real benefit to me at the moment would be the larger screen.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 06 May 2010, 18:10
The iphone app division of Apple doesn't seem to be abating in its quest to be as embarrassing as possible, as the Atari Teenage Riot app is being help up due to concerns that it might cause real riots, through noise (http://www.avclub.com/articles/apple-delays-atari-teenage-riot-iphone-app-for-fea,40892/). Apple is also urging its employees to insulate their houses against chemtrails.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 07 May 2010, 18:41
I saw little reason to want an iPad until this:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/iCade.shtml?icpg=Carousel_iCade_1
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 07 May 2010, 18:43
It's a shame that was a april fools joke
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 07 May 2010, 18:44
 :x

 :|

 :cry:

ADDITION: They have turned April Fool's items into actual items after enough demand:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/interactive/a5bf/

Seriously though, an iPad arcade cabinet would be a perfect addition to their lineup.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 06 Jun 2010, 12:52
Get the hot new accessory for your iphone






















phonenutz
(http://s-ak.buzzfed.com/static/imagebuzz/web03/2010/6/4/13/iphone-balls-20642-1275671153-91.jpg)
Tommy Dski already has several sets ordered.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: David_Dovey on 07 Jun 2010, 06:40
"Try to buy fake nuts for your cell phone"

"Okay...


AUUGHHH! I d-d-don't know how!"

"Not any more" (http://www.achewood.com/index.php?date=01122006)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 24 Jul 2010, 20:33
India make an Ipad for $35 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G62EiyUyj8A&feature=player_embedded)
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 25 Jul 2010, 09:17
am I the only one who would buy it?
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: est on 26 Jul 2010, 02:55
I wouldn't
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 26 Jul 2010, 07:46
I bet it has flash.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: J on 26 Jul 2010, 15:16
i have four requirements for anything like this:

1) expandable storage (sd card preferably)
2) at least one standard usb port
3) replaceable battery
4) no software required to add files from my computer

if it has these things, then i will officially pronounce it 'Better Than Ipad" and buy the hell out of it.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 26 Jul 2010, 19:25
It has multiple usb ports apparently.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: JD on 26 Jul 2010, 20:28
Honestly the "1/14 the cost of a ipad" thing sells it for me.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: KvP on 26 Jul 2010, 20:37
In other news, the Millennium Digital Copyright Act or whatever it's called was amended for the year and part of it includes consumer protection against lawsuits for "jailbreaking" devices, which means that if you want to hack your Apple products to use different software configurations (or want your iphone to be compatible with providers other than AT&T) Apple has no recourse beyond voiding your warranty and denying you tech support.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: bicostp on 26 Jul 2010, 20:48
In other other news, this thing is apparently going to sell for $150 at K-Mart* pretty soon.

http://www.augenus.com/indexhome.html/GENTOUCH.html

7" 800x480 touchscreen (doesn't say if it's resistive or capacitive)
802.11 b/g WiFi
800 mhz processor (definitely ARM, doesn't name manufacturer)
Android 2.1 with Android Market capabilities
2 GB built in storage, can accept up to 16 gig MicroSDHC card

Is it good? Is it rubbish? Who knows! We'll have to wait a couple weeks for the reviews to come in.

* Yes apparently K-Mart still exists. I'm as surprised as you are.
Title: Re: iPad!
Post by: jhocking on 27 Jul 2010, 20:11
* Yes apparently K-Mart still exists. I'm as surprised as you are.

lol yeah I didn't realize