Apple Unveils iPad Tablet

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:16:26 PM EST
Tags: Apple, iPad (all tags)

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The wait is over. Apple held its news conference today and unveiled its much anticpated Tablet, called the iPad. And, contrary to speculation it would cost $1,000., the price will be between $499 and $699. They will be available in a few months. Here's more: [More...]

On the inside, Apple has given us a surprise. The device uses an Apple-designed chip it is calling the "A4," which runs at 1GHz and is used for managing everything: Processing, graphics, and I/O. The system has between 16 and 64GB of RAM, contains Bluetooth and EDR wireless connectivity, has a speaker, and microphone, and also contains Apple's accelerometers, ambient light sensors, and digital compass with assisted GPS technologies. There is a 30-pin connector for attaching the device to computers, but it also uses Bluetooth and Enhanced Data Rate technologies for fast wireless access up to 3Mbps. The device has a powerful battery that gives up to 10 hours of usage, and nearly a month of standby time.

Apple has not omitted the option for 3G connectivity. The system contains 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-fi options, but also can directly tap into UMTS/HSDPA and GSM/EDGE 3G wireless networks, and come unlocked and without any contract so if your wireless carrier uses a GSM micro SIM, it should "just work."

What it doesn't have: a phone, a camera or GPS.
What it does have: an e-book reader.

I think for gamers, people who spend a lot of time commuting on public transit, and Apple lovers, this will be big. I can't think of why I would want it over a netwook that does real computing as well as provides online access, access to music and photos, etc. Sure, 1.5 pounds is nice, but for the extra pound, the netbook gives you a lot more.

As to the Kindle vs. the iPad, I think having the color option (I assume) the iPad will offer would be nice, but again, not enough to switch.

On the other hand, looking at the iPad makes me wish I still had a Mac. Since I already have an iPhone and iPod and find them redundant, I think the iPad would be more of the same. If I were going to buy another Apple product, I would replace my stolen Macbook Pro, and skip the iPad.

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Apple Unveils iPad Tablet | 92 comments (92 topical)

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Looks cool, but there's no place for it (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by andgarden on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:23:27 PM EST

in my life. I think it's best used as an airport lounge wifi device.

I'll be interested if I get one free with my next MacBook Pro purchase.

its 3G (none / 0) (#5)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:34:57 PM EST

and you wont be getting one free.
if you can buy mac stock I would.


There's a WiFi only version (none / 0) (#8)
by andgarden on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:36:28 PM EST

Let's be honest: this is a big iPod touch (which apple often gives away with computer purchase) that has a cellular data option.


the wifi only version (none / 0) (#12)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:37:43 PM EST

you may get with a purchase. it is not the future.
the 3g version is.


LTE is the future (or at least the next step) (none / 0) (#13)
by andgarden on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:38:55 PM EST

Let me know when the release that version.


this is a IPhone (or IPod) for (5.00 / 0) (#17)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:41:24 PM EST

sensible people.
all those IPhone apps always seemed stupid to me with a 2 inch screen. I am so sick of sitting around a table with nerds with their nose stuck one inch from a 2 inch screen.
no dignity.


Now they'll be... (5.00 / 2) (#29)
by kdog on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:53:27 PM EST

9 inches from a 9 inch screen, still foregoing old-fashioned forms of human contact and communication.

I want a time machine to see what the average human being looks like in 1000 years or so...no muscle mass whatsoever, pale, hunched back, blind as a bat from staring at little screens all their life.

But don't let my stupid arse rain on the parade...I'm just an analog guy in a digital age:)


human contact is over rated (none / 0) (#42)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:01:45 PM EST

and we knew about the analog thing

;-)


Over-rated?... (none / 0) (#62)
by kdog on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:35:45 PM EST

No way, not if you're doin' it right anyway, and the contact is with the right human:)


but (none / 0) (#63)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:50:14 PM EST

its so unsanitary


: You know how... (none / 0) (#64)
by kdog on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:57:08 PM EST

I feel about oversanitization too if I'm not mistaken.
When you guys are all plugging a wireless modem into a jack in your heads I'll upgrade to one of these here ipad do-hickeys.

It's $15 to $30 per month (none / 0) (#76)
by Manuel on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 06:12:20 PM EST

for the 3G access. That doesn't make sense on top of the monthly wireless phone and cable bill unless it comes with free access to a ton of exclusive content. For that price we should get the device for free for a 2yr contract.


If this idea takes off (none / 0) (#1)
by jbindc on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:19:11 PM EST

It might be better to wait for the 2nd or 3rd generation. Let them work the bugs out, and be able to talk to people who get this first version. Then you might be able to play with one or see what people like/disklike about it.

I wont be doin that (none / 0) (#9)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:36:54 PM EST

this is the machine I have been waiting for.


I'd be interested (none / 0) (#19)
by jbindc on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:42:45 PM EST

To hear your thoughts. When are you going shopping?


: well (none / 0) (#21)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:44:02 PM EST

I dont stand in line.
when I can get one without doing that it will happen.

The one we've been waiting for? (none / 0) (#77)
by Manuel on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 06:14:24 PM EST

Where have I heard that before? :-)


So, (none / 0) (#80)
by dainla on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 06:50:31 PM EST

you want a tablet with no Flash, no USB, no GPS, no upgradeable memory, no tethering, no eInk and no camera.

It's really a bad machine. It's being ridiculed all over the internet for a reason.


: ah yes, internet riducule (none / 0) (#85)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 09:34:40 PM EST

Via Tuaw.com , from the Apple Yahoo Stock message boards to 10/23/2001, the day the original iPod launched:

Nah, this would be stupid. Limited market.
It seems a bit of a waste to devote a Firewire disk device to loading MP3 documents. Isn't that a bit of a conflict with the iTunes disk burning application, and the ready availability of dozens of wearable CD music devices?
.WAAAAYYYYYY overpriced for what it is and for the niche it is trying to find a home in.
Geez...Compaq's award-winning PDA is within a few bucks of this overpriced, overhyped iDud device.
Guess that's why the stock is tankin - and i ain't kiddin.
$399??!?! Sheesh...I can get an Xbox (or PS2) for that much.
I was definitely hoping for something more "revolutionary" given all the hype.
This is just a very nice MP3 player.
Is CEO Jobs insane in the middle of a full-blown recession or what is his basic problem ?
What Apple marketing idiot sets these price points ?
This is sooo lame...
Right-I'm going to give my kid one of these. NOT!
Who in the living he** is going to buy this? Some drug addict with the full Grateful Dead Collection?
PRICE!! look up MP3 players in Cnet, not much over $200, the best buy (rio) is only $165.
I was really hoping for something that appealed to everyone, not just mac people, IMHO, this is a cool bummer.
A 5 Gig firewire drive is worthless. It will hold a few minutes of an iMovie clip?? The boat was missed guys and girls. Also, no FM tuner.
Maybe the internets are right this time, but I would bet on Jobs.

Commenters at the link (none / 0) (#3)
by Cream City on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:26:51 PM EST

given seem to be techie types, a lot of them -- and most appear to be pretty disappointed, especially after the hype.

But now I'll have to go to some other link to find out little details missing -- like size of screen, total weight, etc. I know it's bigger than an IPhone (and some commenters say it's just that, a bigger IPhone), but is it smaller than a breadbox?

9.7" screen 1.5lbs (none / 0) (#4)
by nycstray on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:32:59 PM EST

easier to tote around with my camera than a lap top :)

I'll prob wait a generation. I want to upgrade my computer first . . .


: Thanks, found that. So . . . (none / 0) (#54)
by Cream City on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:12:20 PM EST

it's a wee bit bigger than my current netbook screen. But a wee bit smaller than the next step up in netbook screen size, which I just got for my daughter.
So it's a decent-sized screen for email and a few other things I do -- I love my netbook! especially for its small size and low weight, with a bad back and lots, lots, lots of other stuff to carry either to work or when traveling. (And I do use it a lot at home, too, as do others here, as it's so light on the lap, light to carry around up and downstairs, etc.)
Spouse is home now and emailing with his techies -- he's in a very high-tech education workplace -- and has heard back from one of them so far. That guy loves what he sees in the IPad . . . but then, he's very young, and young techies do love the newest toys. But he is telling us of some features that do sound good that I haven't seen in netbooks (and I looked at a lot of those).
In comparison to the good netbooks out there, btw, even a base price of $500 is quite high. (I got my netbook for $150! a year ago, and it's still at about that price; my daughter's a step up in size was $320.) And I loved the comments from the techies at the link in the post above about the costs of add-ons beyond the basic IPad. One asked how much it would cost to get some connector thingie for his $500 IPad. The answer? $2 million. :-)

You can't trust most of the article comments (none / 0) (#6)
by andgarden on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:35:39 PM EST

you read at techie sites. At least, not for what "people in the know" think.


we know commenters (none / 0) (#7)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:36:02 PM EST

are representative of nothing.
this is going to be big IMO. I work with a building full of nerds and they are all sliding off their chairs.


Well, I guess Apple knows its customers (none / 0) (#10)
by andgarden on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:37:19 PM EST

But as just one customer, I'm personally underwhelmed.


I have never owned (none / 0) (#14)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:39:16 PM EST

a mac in my life. but I recently vowed to never never NEVER under any circumstances ever buy another windows product.
I have been waiting for a sensible practical affordable gadget just like this.


: Spouse had to go Mac at work (none / 0) (#74)
by Cream City on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 06:00:11 PM EST

and likes it a lot. Hasn't been able to make the total break from PC, though, because Macs still lack programs we like, or their equivalents aren't as good. So we tend to go back and forth among 'em all -- many different sorts of computers at our workplaces, from offices to classrooms to other sites in single day, many different sorts at home.

Oh, I know. I look for the ones (none / 0) (#73)
by Cream City on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 05:57:46 PM EST

with clues that they may have something to contribute -- I talk with and work with a lot of techies in my workplace, go to a lot of techie workshops, get a lot of techie newsletters, so there are the signs.

Same thing here, of course, re politics and law and the like. . . .

But I don't trust, and I still do verify with other sources -- with techies I know f2f. Or with pols or lawyers or the like. :-)


The neatest thing (none / 0) (#11)
by lilburro on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:37:40 PM EST

about the iPhone, I thought, was that you could take a picture and immediately email it to someone. My cousins use this feature to keep their parents in the loop about their little ones. So this doesn't make me the ideal iPad consumer. And honestly I don't really understand the fuss about the iPhone either - it just seems to be a distraction machine.

also (none / 0) (#15)
by lilburro on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:39:55 PM EST

with small computers in general, the lack of a DVD drive is what gets me. When I can stream anything from the Golden Girls to the entire Criterion Collection for free I'll be down with that feature. Otherwise...


I can do that (none / 0) (#18)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:42:26 PM EST

with my four year old no name phone.


Ahhhh but do (none / 0) (#22)
by lilburro on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:44:08 PM EST

you pay $22 a month for your service?

See, I am just not the ideal consumer for this stuff.


28 (none / 0) (#23)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:45:40 PM EST

actually


crap. (none / 0) (#24)
by lilburro on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:46:42 PM EST

im sorry (none / 0) (#26)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:48:32 PM EST

but I have singular mobility and I pay a base of 28 bucks a month.
I dont use a lot of minutes and if I do send a pic there is a small charge.


I have my own ignorance to blame (none / 0) (#32)
by lilburro on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:54:51 PM EST

I can probably do it on my crappy old phone, extra $ though. And since I don't know the exact amount of $ and wildly distrust phone companies, I just never go to the effort. So ignorance and laziness, what a cocktail. At least the iPhone makes the process really easy.

My biggest remaining hangup is the DVD drive thing.


but (none / 0) (#35)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:56:22 PM EST

the IPhone IS very expensive. all my coworkers have one and they pay 80 or 90 bucks a month.

for what?
a 2 inch screen. um, no.


Hey, 3.5 inch screen, thank you very much (none / 0) (#47)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:06:37 PM EST

$60 per month here. But I get the minimal amount of voice minutes att will let me. I'm not a big phone talker.


: I may not be the average (none / 0) (#55)
by lilburro on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:18:51 PM EST

person...but for example my roommate pays more than $60 a month for her phone service, and she has one of the crappiest phones that still haunts the earth. You can barely message with it. And that's just sad. And I could probably be getting more out of my phone use/service too.
But do we ever call the phone company or comparison shop? No. And that was my problem with the health insurance exchange and Ezra's excitement over implementing an Amazon.com like review system of insurance packages. The phone is already too complicated for me to be an ideal shopper - and with something as complicated as health insurance, I would probably be even worse on that front.

I have an iphone .. it is for .. (none / 0) (#67)
by nyrias on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 05:14:59 PM EST

getting the web wherever you go
wikipedia on the go
all my music in one device that i have to carry
lots of videos when i am in the airport/on a plane
games games & more games
email .. work + personal anywhere

can't live without my iphone.


: so the IPad (none / 0) (#68)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 05:17:12 PM EST

would be for all those things PLUS actually being able to see them.

from the live blog (none / 0) (#27)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:51:07 PM EST

We've got two awesome plans for iPad owners. The first one gives you up to 250MB data per month. Unlimited is $29.99.


: I wouldn't even get the 3G version (none / 0) (#48)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:08:51 PM EST

of the ipad.
but that's what I meant when I said they were smart to give a lot of options.

: That $29.99/month unlimited data plan is interesti (none / 0) (#53)
by Dan the Man on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:11:15 PM EST

ng. I wish they would offer that for everyone and everything. I'm sure there are a lot of geeks who would love to abandon their voice plan and talk entirely through an SIP (ie internet) phone - which you can do for free with Google Voice and Gizmo5. I don't know about the quality of the conversations though.

Sure is pretty (none / 0) (#16)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:40:22 PM EST

I don't need it exactly. I think they were smart about having lots of different options and price points. Lack of a camera or GPS does not bother me at all. I have my iPhone for that.

I mostly see this as something I would use at home instead of my laptop for most of what I do with my laptop now: email, web surfing, live blogging awards shows on TL, etc. For work travel I need my laptop anyway, so this would stay home. for vacations, the iPhone is enough.

Add the ability to use it as an ebook....hmm, maybe I would bring it on travel.

For $499, not coincidentally the same price as the Kindle Dx.

Not totally sure I will get one, but I am talking myself into it...

I dont see it for home use at all (none / 0) (#20)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:43:25 PM EST

this IS mobility.


Really? (none / 0) (#30)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:54:14 PM EST

I can't see carrying it around with me. Won't fit in my purse or pocket - just another thing to carry.

Now, if this had come out before the iPhone, I happily get it and carry it - get a bigger purse - and just keep a basic cell phone. But at this point, the iPhone is my mobile device.


I usually carry a book (none / 0) (#33)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:54:59 PM EST

anyway.
also there will be body wear. count on it.


and if I had one (none / 0) (#39)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:58:35 PM EST

I can see getting addicted and not wanting to leave it behind!

I'll just get a bigger purse.


: there are always bigger purses (none / 0) (#51)
by CST on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:09:51 PM EST

My criteria used to be "can fit a bottle of wine".
Books are good too.
This would definitely fit in a wine-worthy purse.
Then again, I am just window shopping here. I don't even have a laptop at home with working internet... Nevermind a phone with one. Or a pad, or whatever.
Looks cool though. I'm sure in 5 years I'll think seriously of buying its' offspring.

the only unanswered question (none / 0) (#25)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:47:33 PM EST

for me and lots in my building is if you can use a stylus for advanced paint kinds of programs.

it seems impossible that you wont be able to with their spiel about using touch technology to its boundaries.


: Good question (none / 0) (#34)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:56:05 PM EST

that art app demo they did looked like a good candidate for that, but no stylus to be seen. I have readd about 3rd parties making stylus's (stylii?) that work with the iPhone though, so you can probably use one of those.

Sign me up! (none / 0) (#28)
by goldberry on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:51:41 PM EST

I already added my name to the "notify me" list. I already see that the potential of this thingy is bigger than the ebook, gamer community. The magic in it is the software, not the device itself. Think of a laptop with iapps on steroids. There will be thousands of developers out there using the SDK and open source code to create, well, any damn thing you want. There will be an app for that. Enterprise systems may finally feel comfortable breaking away from the kludgy PC.

Yep, I want one. I want it bad. And I want it NOW!

thats exactly right (none / 0) (#31)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:54:18 PM EST

and its not just the software. they developed new hardware as well called A4.
there is an 8 minute viral floating around that explains it.


: But wait! There's more! (none / 0) (#38)
by goldberry on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:58:12 PM EST

Jobs made a point of saying that the iPad is supposed to be at the "intersection of technology and liberal arts".
He said it twice, for extra emphasis.
{{wink, wink, nudge, nudge}}
Now, you could interpret that to mean that he meant that colleges wuold go gaga over it or that we'd all get a whole lot more edjumacated with it.
But let's take that one step further. If you can create software and media that get around establishment media filters, what else could you do with an iPad?

If this thing (none / 0) (#36)
by lilburro on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:56:54 PM EST

can teach me how to play piano, I will buy it (and I suppose it could). My favorite thing about Macs is how easy they make it to create music and movies.


it could probably (none / 0) (#40)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:58:46 PM EST

many of my coworkers are also musicians and they are VERY excited. the IPhone has great music apps but it is impractical to use because of the size.


I have a good piano teaching app on (none / 0) (#43)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:02:46 PM EST

my laptop. Connects to the electronic keyboard, and provides feedback. I was actually making good progress with it for a while, but I stopped practicing. I just get so impatient with myself for not being able to do it better.


I would want an app (none / 0) (#52)
by lilburro on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:11:05 PM EST

that doesn't need an electronic keyboard, and I could just bang away at the iPad. That would make me more inclined (hopefully...) to learn and do my lessons.


Hmmmm. Same problem as ever. No (none / 0) (#71)
by oculus on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 05:41:06 PM EST

practice, no improvement. Even with a traditional piano.


Exactly (none / 0) (#82)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 08:48:40 PM EST

But I just have no tolerance to listening to my horrible playing. I keep telling myself it will get better, but it's haaaard....


: Exactly why I no longer play my piano. (none / 0) (#94)
by oculus on Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 12:00:29 PM EST

Sounded wonderful when I practiced, practiced, practiced. Not now.
On the other hand, the 11-yr. old Latino boy I tutor does not have a piano at home, but there is a piano at our tutoring site. He is very interested, so I am having fun helping him learn songs from an old John Thompson book in the piano bench. Kid has a good ear and is very coordinated.

What model are you going to get? (none / 0) (#58)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:25:24 PM EST

3G or wifi only?

I'm thinking wifi only, but I for the extra $130 I can get the 3G and have the option in case i decide I need that mobility. but that is a lot for an option I think I would rarely need.


totally 3G (none / 0) (#60)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:28:36 PM EST

for me. but I want it for the mobility.
I have home computers.


: You are convincing me on the 3G (none / 0) (#61)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:32:03 PM EST

Before I read your comments I was dead set against it. Now I'm not so sure...

Hmmm... sounds familiar. (none / 0) (#37)
by Nathan In Nola on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 03:58:11 PM EST

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/new_device_desirable_old_device

I'll hang onto the toys I have now, thanks (none / 0) (#41)
by Ellie on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:01:11 PM EST

They integrate just fine and have been doing so for eons (in tech-toy years). I can elegantly do stuff MacHusb and MacSissy can't and I like having a corporate-overlord free system.

YMMV.

"a corporate-overlord free system" (none / 0) (#44)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:03:30 PM EST

I hope to god you dont use windows


: Yes and I control and tweak it to do my bidding (none / 0) (#59)
by Ellie on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:25:37 PM EST

... with none of the Nanny databasing that my MacPals rely on.
I work in a design/arts field and routinely integrate multi media for my projects. I've found that my systems are better at achieving the results I want.
That Mac=Creative, PC=Boring-Geek hype was mystifying; maybe it was sucking up to the "Creative" Class? Don't know, don't care.
If it makes anyone happy who's not eating my particular lunch, roll with it and enjoy.

the one pictured with the keyboard (none / 0) (#45)
by Capt Howdy on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:05:49 PM EST

is interesting. for one thing is has a more or less life sized screen keyboard.
but
apparently you cant charge the thing from the keyboard.
and it goes 10 hours on a charge.

: Also can use a bluetooth keyboard (none / 0) (#50)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:09:40 PM EST

with it. that is nice.

: 10 hours for low-level needs (none / 0) (#56)
by Cream City on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:21:05 PM EST

I suspect, as do a lot of techies I'm reading -- but for games, for example, probably used up much faster. But then, my netbook goes about two and a half hours on the basic battery, and it's just not a deal most of the time (i.e., not on a plane) to plug it in. And the basic 3-volt battery keeps down the weight.
Plus, when I do take a long trip again soon, I'm just going to get a bigger battery. I like that a lot about my netbook -- that its batteries are easily popped out and in again. It comes with a basic 3-volt for almost 3 hours, but I also can get a 6-volt for almost 7 hours, and a new 9-volt version of the battery is supposed to go 10 hours, just like the IPad -- but again, for low-level use.
I'm gathering that the IPad does not have this easy battery interchangeability, depending upon need, upon access to an outlet, upon how much weight one wants to tote around, etc.?

magazines (none / 0) (#46)
by huzzlewhat on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:06:16 PM EST

Perhaps the group watching this most closely are the embattled print media -- it's a step up from the Kindle, which is good for books, but is too small and too monochromatic for magazine publishers... but we were all watching closely to see what would come next that would be applicable (hence the recent Hearst attempt to coordinate with other publishers to explore hardware development). A device like this is the necessary next step in the evolution of magazines from print to digital. I find it fascinating. A portable reader that has a large enough screen to display a magazine layout well and also has the potential for embedded videos and links to cross-referenced content? This isn't the end point, but it's a big necessary step forward for digital magazines.

: Yes, we're looking at the IPad (none / 0) (#57)
by Cream City on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:23:07 PM EST

as spouse looked at the Kindle for a long trip -- to save carrying a suitcase or two of books! But he also wants to access lots of newspapers, and so the Kindle just hasn't done it for us. We'll see.

I have a Kindle DX (none / 0) (#49)
by itscookin on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:09:22 PM EST

and I can read for a full week without re-charging. I had thought about selling the DX when the Mac tablet came out, but I think I'll hold out. I don't have any monthly charges at all with the Kindle, and this tablet wouldn't replace anything else I have. Maybe when it's a phone, too.

: No monthly charges (none / 0) (#65)
by Cream City on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 05:09:11 PM EST

attracts us, too. The monopoly on Apple services does not make us happy. And we even get a discount. But we still know we would rather be able to do more shopping around, bargaining, etc.

No multi-tasking? (none / 0) (#69)
by Wile ECoyote on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 05:19:07 PM EST

No thanks. It is like a large IPod.

It *is* a large ipod. (none / 0) (#75)
by nyrias on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 06:02:24 PM EST

The question is why isn't a large ipod a good thing?


: Will they be shrinking it down again once they've (none / 0) (#78)
by Ellie on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 06:28:09 PM EST

... sized it up past micro/mini/note again? From what I've seen, they're just fuddling with screens and shells but the apps themselves are limited, inflexible, outmoded and, frankly, dumb crap I wouldn't use if someone paid me to beta-test it.

Other than the snobbery factor, why (none / 0) (#72)
by oculus on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 05:47:01 PM EST

did you dislike Mac?

899 for full 3G wi-fi (none / 0) (#79)
by kidneystones on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 06:49:08 PM EST

and 64 G seems extremely steep. I love the look, but the 'bare bones' macbook pro I purchased last year isn't going in the dustbin anytime soon.

I'll definitely be trying out the ebook reading. I spend a lot of time looking at pdf's.

Who knows, 64 gigs may be enough.

iam iam nondum (none / 0) (#81)
by robrecht on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 07:22:35 PM EST

Very cool, but like the original iPhone, not quite ready for prime time power users. Needs full OS, flash (of course), video conferencing, easier USB/disk support, and a way to share a single voice/data plan with the iPhone that has cloud syncing between the two devices. Finally, and most importantly, it will need Verizon's network in most of the US. In a year or two, I might buy the 2nd or 3rd generation

Seriously, no simple USB ports? (none / 0) (#83)
by Cream City on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 09:00:10 PM EST

Forget it. I have to be able to do flash drives, going among so many machines as I do in a day, and with huge files. Forget it.


It is not meant to replace a full up computer (none / 0) (#84)
by ruffian on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 09:17:43 PM EST

Definitely not for you if that is what you want!


But at that price ... (none / 0) (#86)
by robrecht on Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 10:00:34 PM EST

... it certainly ought to have greater capabilities. There are mahy netbooks out with much greater capabilities for hundreds less.


Hundreds less than $500? (none / 0) (#87)
by ruffian on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 06:00:25 AM EST

Better capabilities for $1-200? I guess that's in the eye of the beholder. Yer gonna have to show me that netbook.....


Hundreds less than $830 (none / 0) (#88)
by robrecht on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 06:52:16 AM EST

What's the price range on the iPad, something like $500-$830, right? Right now I'm typing this on a much, much more powerful netbook that sold for $350-$400 over a year ago but is now completely obsolete because there are newer and more powerful models. You can still get something comparable for $300 (Acer Aspire One at J&R) if you don't want cutting-edge capabilities. Something with my specs and built in 3G connectivity on Verizon's network now sells for $150, but that's with a contract, of course. If you don't want a contract, you can simply link your netbook or laptop or tablet to your phone, either with a USB cable or wirelessly through bluetooth or WiFi.

I completely understand those who prefer the simplicity of a dumbed down OS or the advantages of a tablet format over a laptop, but for this price point, it should be much more capable. I hope they fix it's weaknesses in the 2nd and 3rd generation models, just as they did with the iPhone.


Well I guess if you don't consider (none / 0) (#89)
by ruffian on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 08:22:56 AM EST

XP Home or Win Starter 7 to be dumbed down OS's you get get an Acer One for $300. I'd install Linux on it, which would take more time and effort...then I guess I can find some linux apps I like and install them from the web with lord knows what kind of user interface. I'm gonna end up spending $500 eventually to get what I could already have on the pad out of the box.

But to each his own.


bottom line, as always with apple products (none / 0) (#90)
by ruffian on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 08:29:09 AM EST

it comes down to convenience and better user experience. A netbook is a step down from the laptop I already have. If Im gonna boot up a netbook, I may as well boot up my laptop.

I can hang an ipad on the wall in my kitchen and use it as I cook, check mail, remotely control my music, etc. Integrated into normal life.


Not my bottom line (none / 0) (#92)
by robrecht on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 10:35:30 AM EST

This is over-hyped and over-priced but underwhelming technology. Apple is clearly trying to find a lucrative niche without cannibalizing their iPhone and laptop sales. There's no doubt that Apple Marketing has succeeded on account of it's ability to create fashionable and easy to use devices, but as with 'Zen of Palm,' some of the ease of use is merely hiding less capable hard and software. The so-called power users I referred to in my first post will not be satisfied by the glaring weaknesses of this 1st generation device. No ease of use or fashion would be needed to add a more capable OS, flash support, video conferencing, easier USB/disk support, and a way to share a single voice/data plan with the iPhone that has cloud syncing between the two devices. All of this can be found on cell phones now, let alone netbooks, and you might be surprised how quickly well designed netbooks boot up from a cold start, and of course you can just as easily put them into a sleep mode when you want instantaneous start-up.


: Oops, correction: (none / 0) (#93)
by robrecht on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 10:38:08 AM EST

... No ease of use or fashion would need to be sacrificed to add ...

No ... (none / 0) (#91)
by robrecht on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 09:08:29 AM EST

You'd have a much more capable machine.
