[Undo Redo]

Originally Posted by Matsu ...Content will rule the day here; we haven't really begun to see that change, yet...

Exactly. iPad is really a consumption device not a creation device. And it's a chicken-egg scenario. We haven't seen what the media producers can do yet because for the most part they haven't seen the iPad yet. Eventually, when you can subscribe to your daily newspaper instead of having it delivered to your door; when you can read multimedia magazines that aren't even published in print; buy textbooks; and things we haven't even thought of yet, it'll start to make more sense.

I think Apple has envisioned some of these things, so iPad's designed mostly for a vertical page view. 4:3 is better than 16:10 or 16:9 when using it vertically.

As for the things iPad is missing — web cams and multi-tasking — that's what MacBooks are for. Apple still hopes to sell a few of those, I'm sure.

[709]

I prefer to make fart noises. It sets me apart from the rest, imo.

*positions hand under armpit*

[psmith2.0]

That's the neat thing about today, regarding the iPhone apps here. It's great that, as is, they'll work (small or blown up), but if developers choose to adapt their apps to this larger space, that's going to be some nice-looking stuff. And then, beyond that, all the new things that haven't even been designed yet that would make wonderful use of such a screen size/resolution.

I bet we'll see a "second wave" (a lot of new, first-time apps) that really open up and take advantage of such a product. It's really exciting, because so much of this resides beyond the hardware and the tablet itself. The iPhone didn't really hit its full level of coolness until all those third-party apps started to be part of the mix. And then this iPhone that was so awesome, out of the box, really became a whole other beast!

There are so many things developers could do here. Neat keyboard/synthesizer apps that, unlike those on the iPhone/iPod touch, can feel a bit more full-size and actually playable (actual, life-size keys, sliders and knobs and enough room to actual play chords comfortably...some awesome possibilities to tie in with GarageBand?). Some new games with details and views that are way more than you could get with a 3.5" screen.

And for some, just being able to see this stuff bigger and clearer. Some of those shopping list, recipe and inventory/cataloging apps modified to run at this larger screen will be so much more comfortable to use for many.

It's kind of a wide-open thing. Exciting stuff!

[Escher]

Originally Posted by scratt And I can stick a keyboard on it. My little 12" G4 is going to retire soon.

You're lucky your 12-inch PB still works, Scratt. Mine died of HDD-failure last year. I have yet to recover 10 years' worth of e-mail from the dead drive. But at least I didn't fall for a MacBook Air or new white MacBook. Now I'm more than ready to spring for the iPad -- despite the name.

[709]

Originally Posted by Escher Given the reasonable price point, I will buy a Rev.A.

Why? You can't do anything you want to do outside of Apple-sanctioned apps.

You're my last hope Escher. After a decade of knowing you you're going to settle for this?

I may die.

[zippy]

In the long run, I think this thing will be truly defined by the apps that are written for it. I think it's a winner already, but it's going to be able to do way more than the iPhone and iPod Touch do. It has almost everything I thought/hoped it would - within the boundary of realism - and I'm sure we'll end up with one of these as soon as they are available.

I think the iWork apps are huge. This isn't the device to construct a 400 page document full of graphics, references, and other aggressive formatting, but it fits the bill for the average users homework and letter writing, budget spreadsheeting, family event/reunion keynote presentation needs.

As for the camera, I really wish it had one. But I also wonder how hard it would be for a 3rd party (or even Apple) to make an external unit that just plugs into the dock port.

[curiousuburb]

Originally Posted by pscates2.0 I know that. But when I compliment their posts, I'm being condescending to others who don't see it that way... I gotta cover my butt, and pretend like it's all bigger than me and beyond my grasp so I can't be held responsible for any opinions I put out. I just came by them accidentally... *shrug* "What? I said that?! It slipped!"

You're just the conduit for an opinion in search of a voice. (Elizabeth's entire TED talk is worth watching.)

[Chinney]

I finally just watched the actual demo video, and I continue to be very impressed. The only thing that turns me off a bit is width of the black margins. Seeing the thing actually being used emphasized that. I am wondering if that was really necessary and whether it will be reduced in future designs. Anyhow, I will still almost certainly be getting one, at some point.

[Undo Redo]

Originally Posted by torifile But if you don't have a stand or a way to prop it up, you probably don't have a place to put your laptop either.

Whatever.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by Ryan I'm studying abroad in France next fall, and if this thing had a camera for Skype, I would almost consider not taking a laptop. Especially if I could import photos from a digital camera.

You can import photos. There's a dock connector-USB adapter for cameras.

[thegeriatric]

As a non iPhone/iPod touch owner this is cool, and of possible purchase interest.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by thegeriatric As a non iPhone/iPod touch owner this is cool, and of possible purchase interest.

I want one even though I have an iPod touch. If I got one, I'd give my touch to my wife (and sell her first-gen touch) and get myself an iPod shuffle because there's no way I'd carry the iPad with me all the time.

[psmith2.0]

I just watched some real-life usage video at Engadget, and it it sure does seem quick and responsive. That'll add to the enjoyment and usefulness of it all, not waiting on each click/drag/pinch to register and take effect. People will like that snappy, smooth operation!

You kinda find yourself thinking differently about this (in a good, more positive way) after you watch the little Apple video from the presentation, the keynote itself and then a bunch of "real life" demo videos at Engadget and Gizmodo. It's one thing to look at the site, read the specs and look at photos, but when you see how smooth and fast it is in actual use - and just how "well, of course!" and intuitive it all seems to be - you really start to see the potential here.

Good stuff.

And then go a step further and think about this in relation to some of the similar products unveiled by others at CES a few weeks ago. The difference between slapping Windows 7, as is, onto something and calling it a tablet, vs. Apple's approach - where they redesigned and rebuilt the apps and interfaces to actually dovetail into this device and the way you use it...it's night and day.

I think that's why this will be a success and some of the others won't...seems like a lot more deep-level thought goes into something like this. Apple could've just clumsily shoehorned everything from the iPhone into this (and they certainly didn't have to recreate iWork in a whole new way). That would've come across as a bit lazy and "good enough" (and almost too expected). But they set out to do it right. This thing is meant, from the ground up, to be used in a certain way, and the controls and apps all reflect that. I think that'll contribute to its acceptance and success, once people start to get their hands on this.

And at $499 (and without all the mess of phone contracts, in-store activation and long-term commitments), it truly does become an impulse buy for many. And I think that's how many of them will be sold...people walking into an Apple Store, playing with it for 10-15 minutes and buying one. $499 is worlds away from $999...

[scratt]

I can't wait to get my marketing email from Apple at the end of March...

"Hey everyone! It's that time of the month! The Apple iPad is available now..."

[psmith2.0]

Hey, I took one of the front-facing PR "beauty shots" from Apple's site, cropped in tight on the iPad only and scaled it to the 9.56" x 7.47" dimensions. Here it is if you want to print it and get an idea of the sizing and how it fits in your hand (get some scissors or an X-acto knife to trim it out ), since we may not be able to see these in the wild anytime soon (especially those of us without official Apple stores in where we live).

I actually did this very thing, years ago, with the 12", 15" and 17" PowerBook G4s (going so far as to spray-glue them to quarter-inch foam-core for sturdiness). Hey, at the time there were no Apple dealers in Chattanooga, and I wanted to see how the three models felt via actual-size comparisons. I had the spray mount and foamcore sitting around not getting any use, so why not?

[Mariner]

This has been fascinating reading. (I'm still two pages behind)
Perhaps it's just that this machine is meant for a purpose we were not expecting.

Think of it as the "snuggle computer"

[psmith2.0]

It's definitely a "find a comfy couch or chair" sorta thing. The one they had on stage and the one that kept getting shown in the video tells me so.

It's the first digital device that screams to be used with the Snuggie!

Replace boring old book with snazzy new iPad, and surf, surf, surf your way to to flat abs and sexy buttocks! But wait, that's not all! Order in the next six minutes and...

[Mariner]

I knew we'd see that photo.

Think about the retail experience. I think we will not walk into the Apple store, belly up to the table, pick one up and play with one as we did (and do) with an iPhone.

Think dimmer, leather couch, think intimate. (and enough! with the porn jokes)

[Miko]

Well Engadget collected the first impressions of the iPad from the staff and for the most part many seem to think Apple miss the ball here.

I can't help to think about the iPod and yes even the iPhone by many who chalked it up as a fail. This all comes down to software for me if I see something truly unique that makes me say I have to have it. and it wont take much as others have said the iPhone exploded when they dropped the SDK, I expect the same to happen here developers are not reinventing the wheel, just adding more.

But lack of multi-tasking c'mon Apple!

Oh and the jailbraking can't wait!

[709]

I don't know. I'm still in the Hangover phase I guess.

What, really, does this thing offer? I'm confused.

I wish I would've saved a few rails from Christmas. I feel like I need one right now.

[psmith2.0]

Originally Posted by ime_NY Also, I think device would be perfect for the older crowd. I'm seriously considering picking one up for my mom: she doesn't have an iPod or iPhone; she reads a lot; and she only uses her laptop to surf and check email.

She sounds like the ideal candidate for this.

[zsummers]

I may have missed this, but if not--accessories are surprisingly reasonable as well:

iLounge is in the early stages of putting together an extensive "first look" feature, but has already shared pricing for a number of accessories, including the basic dock ($29), keyboard dock ($69), and case/stand ($39). They also note that while the iPad was fast, there was a bit of bugginess in their time with the device.

Given that my BT keyboard will work with this sucker, 629 + 30/month + 40 case seems... reasonable? $540 even more so. Especially with the news VOIP will be allowed over 3G in the SDK. Did I stumble into an alternate universe where I don't constantly cringe when discussing the price of Apple gear? What happened to the $100 official Apple iPod "premium leather case."

[psmith2.0]

So keyboards that aren't part of that new keyboard/dock accessory will work with this thing? We know this for sure? Or speculation/assuming? Did they mention that in the keynote (because I scrubbed through a few slow, talky places).

[Chinney]

Originally Posted by pscates2.0 Hey, I took one of the front-facing PR "beauty shots" from Apple's site, cropped in tight on the iPad only and scaled it to the 9.56" x 7.47" dimensions. Here it is if you want to print it and get an idea of the sizing and how it fits in your hand (get some scissors or an X-acto knife to trim it out ), since we may not be able to see these in the wild anytime soon (especially those of us without official Apple stores in where we live). I actually did this very thing, years ago, with the 12", 15" and 17" PowerBook G4s (going so far as to spray-glue them to quarter-inch foam-core for sturdiness). Hey, at the time there were no Apple dealers in Chattanooga, and I wanted to see how the three models felt via actual-size comparisons. I had the spray mount and foamcore sitting around not getting any use, so why not?

Making cardboard cut-outs of Apple products and gluing them to foam? When Apple devotion goes too far? But we like you just the same 'Scates.

[Robo]

709: I think people were expecting a Mac tablet, for some reason, even though all the rumors said iTablet, iSlate, jumbo iPod touch, &c. People were still expecting USB ports on this thing, and the ability to run Mac apps? Really?

I think partially the problem is that this event was hyped (not by Apple) as a total reinvention of personal computing. I'm not sure what could live up to that, to be honest. For what it actually is, outside of all the hype, I think it's compelling. It's not for everyone. But it's a ten inch touch tablet for the price of a contract-free iPhone *3G.* And it has double the storage!

It's a little more "iPod-y" than I was thinking, but it's also much less expensive. And I think keeping things simple and familiar is going to be a good move...I didn't buy for a second the idea of Apple adopting all these crazy guestures.

We didn't get a pen, but we did get a keyboard. I honestly didn't expect a keyboard...pscates convinced me that it would be an admission of weakness or something

[BuonRotto]

Originally Posted by Miko Well Engadget collected the first impressions of the iPad from the staff and for the most part many seem to think Apple miss the ball here.

Most of the criticisms, or at least the heart of them come down to the fact that it's not a "desktop" OS, and it's not a computer in that sense. They're looking for more stuff it can do or make. It's primarily an interactive display and most definitely *not* a Mac. I think they're missing the point, but I think a lot of others will too, including consumers.

All this about it being a consumer/consumption device notwithstanding, my biggest single gripe is that it doesn't include the iLife suite like it includes the iWork suite. Doesn't that seem really odd? This all that's missing for me to proclaim it a slam dunk. That and maybe a USB port.

[Quagmire]

Exactly. I have been hearing this all day, " It's just a bigger iPod Touch/iPhone." " It doesn't run OS X so I am not buying".

If these people followed the rumors, they would have known what the iPad was going to be as the rumors( or the controlled leaks ) stated it would be an iPhone/iPod Touch on steroids. So that is why I am not disappointed and let down by the iPad. It is making me wishing I didn't have my 17" MBP and had an iMac instead because I would love to use this to take to class and take notes using pages and the keyboard dock and in between classes go to starbucks at my campus and surf the web there. But alas, I have my 17" MBP.

[psmith2.0]

Originally Posted by Chinney Making cardboard cut-outs of Apple products and gluing them to foam? When Apple devotion goes too far? But we like you just the same 'Scates.

When you live in a town that is 120 miles from the nearest place that stocked even a single Mac (which was the case back then), then you can judge me. I did what I had to do...I don't apologize.

I never even touched a 15" aluminum PowerBook G4 until the night I bought one! Up until then I was going strictly on website specs, budget, some online reviews, photos and my little "this is how it would feel and look...the screen size, keyboard, etc." foam-core sizing gauges/aids.

[Chinney]

Originally Posted by Roboman [...] I think partially the problem is that this event was hyped (not by Apple) as a total reinvention of personal computing. I'm not sure what could live up to that, to be honest. For what it actually is, outside of all the hype, I think it's compelling. It's not for everyone. But it's a ten inch touch tablet for the price of a contract-free iPhone *3G.* And it has double the storage! [...]

Well, I'm not sure. Watch the Apple video - they are hyping it quite a bit. That said, I am also not sure that it does not deserve the hype, far beyond the qualities you identify above. I really see the analogy to the iPhone here, which, in my view, certainly did re-invent the portable phone, especially after the App Store did its thing. I think that the same thing will happen with the iPad. Also, I think that many of the things that people are complaining about - lack of camera, lack of multi-tasking, etc - will be addressed in further releases. The point is that the basics are already there for a great product. This is going to build at both the software and hardware level.

[BuonRotto]

If the iPad is a large iPod Touch, then everything non-Mac from here out is going to be some derivative fill-in-the-blank variety of the iPhone/iPod Touch. It's not meant to be a Mac, it's not meant to be a different line. It's meant to be an addition to the iPhone/iPod family. I agree it's a little too close, but hopefully we'll get a few things filled out in the next couple of years. As it is, at this price point, I can use this thing without griping about my, erm, gripes too much.

Also, the reason why the iPhone and iPod "revolutionized" their product markets was because they introduced tremendously compellingnew interfaces for their markets. While this is a new interface in a lot of ways for tablets and netbooks, it's not so unfamiliar. I think a few of the design cues also look derivative of the thing, like the mute button bottom home button and volume rocker. This may be one time (not the first though) when the case design, in its details, is more derivative than the rest of the thing. I'm not sure that makes it less valid or less intelligent a solution, but it's not going to capture the kind of attention those devices did.