So you really want an ipad

[RTHolmes]

ok, just that brick normally means "a device that cannot function in any capacity (such as a device with damaged firmware)"

I can think of a few things the iPad would be useful for me to have around, just not enough to buy one. then again I'm one of the few people around that doesnt own an iPod


edit: actually I did buy a refurbed nano when our music on hold CD system died for our PBX, jury-rigged a charging cable from the PBX 5v supply (the ipod battery functions as a UPS for it now). pressed play over 2 years ago and its still playing - pretty impressive

[Fishu]

The more I learn about iPad the less I like it. How can they screw it up like this? Unbelievable.

[eagl]

(Image removed from quote.)

The more I learn about iPad the less I like it. How can they screw it up like this? Unbelievable.

That image is EXACTLY what I think is wrong with the ipad...  It is a big itouch, a gimmicky toy or entertainment device.  If it had been a bridge between the itouch/iphone and a real computer, mostly by including external ports and not being locked into apple approved applications, then I could see myself buying one.  If it was a real computer, it could have been really useful to me.  But it isn't.

[RTHolmes]

i notice the touchscreen, battery life, weight and thickness have been ... conveniently omitted from that comparison. wonder why

given the ubiquity of wireless these days what features do you think are missing in the comparison?


btw the iPad does have a stereo headphone jack, and a SD card adapter is available

[Fishu]

That image is EXACTLY what I think is wrong with the ipad...  It is a big itouch, a gimmicky toy or entertainment device.  If it had been a bridge between the itouch/iphone and a real computer, mostly by including external ports and not being locked into apple approved applications, then I could see myself buying one.  If it was a real computer, it could have been really useful to me.  But it isn't.

Indeed, I would also need a "real computer" rather than an enlarged iPhone. I assumed it as self-evident that iPad will be like a minilaptop without keyboard, but this approach really surprised me.

[RTHolmes]

mostly by including external ports

which ports would you want?

[Chalenge]

I think its best use is more Kindle DX related than iPhone related and for the money it blows Kindle out of the water. Even so it wont be wise to even think about getting one until 2nd Gen the way Apple screws things up and getting stuck with AT&T Customer No Service? No thanks.

[trax1]

which ports would you want?

A simple USB port would have been nice.

[RTHolmes]

for what?

edit: btw the "camera connecting kit" is actually just a USB adapter ...

[Skuzzy]

So you can hook an iPhone to it in order to share files between each other and you become a self-contained network of one labeled iStupid?

Just a guess, mind you.

[kilz]

So you can hook an iPhone to it in order to share files between each other and you become a self-contained network of one labeled iStupid?

Just a guess, mind you.

 

[RTHolmes]

I dont have an iPhone (yet), how do you do filesharing on them? they both have bluetooth builtin, can you use this?

[trax1]

for what?

edit: btw the "camera connecting kit" is actually just a USB adapter ...

See how they do that, instead of just making it a feature, they make you spend more money.

And what do you mean for what, there's a lot of things you could connect to it with one, for one you could connect your ipod or any mp3 player to transfer music.

[RTHolmes]

could you not do that via bluetooth or wifi?

[Saurdaukar]

There will be plenty of clowns who buy it. Look at the ebook reader market. This could be one of those with more bells and whistles.

The e-book market (if we're both talking about Amazon's Kindle) is actually fairing better than I expected.

I don't own one, but I have purchased three as gifts and it is a rather impressive product.  When it was first released, I figured it would flop.  But, it didnt.  It's simple, functional and, especially for those who spend a lot of time on airplanes, very useful when compared to the option of lugging heavy books around.

That said, its focused.  Its a tool for downloading and reading (on a brilliant, non-headache-inducing screen) everything from newspapers to novels.

I'm still trying to figure out what the iPad is supposed to be used for...  So far as I can tell, it's got no focus.  Its just a gadget.