[Archive] Just got to use the ipad

snowblizz:

No really? The Apple worker thinks this is the best thing under the sun? Colour me surprised. Clearly I can take such an unbiased account as the sole basis of my perception on this.

At least you said you worked for Apple. Kudos.

I'm only half serious BTW, but sometimes a *little* less bubbling enthusiasm would be nice. You slap a half eaten apple on the case and suddenly people treat it like you've just invented fire. Or the wheel.

snowblizz
Interesting how things get read:I Like cool technology and like Linux as well. If it fits my functions then I'm using it. I use MS Office daily when I have plenty of freeware I could use instead.

Intresting to read that you think you can guess if someone is a blind fan from one post as the door opened. I had a minute to post tbough the site might be interested to know. Seems a bit much to presume but thats just me.

Moral of the story is that lumping people into a group because you think you know who and what they are...

Anyways back to work soon as I'm finishing lunch.


Willmark
I *said* I was only half-serious. Making snap decisions is what keeps me from being eaten by lions. Can't argue with million of years of evolution.

What you said rendered as "we just got this, it is 'way cool'". You didn't say "this looks very interesting I'll tell you more when I have been able to try it out". How else would you expect someone to react? I get the same vibe when I open the White Dwarf. I stand by what I said. You could have waited until you were finished for the day and post. But you decided we needed to know this was "way cool". Immediately. Does not that objectively speaking come over as rather enthusiastic?
Thommy H (re:Scibor miniatures) will understand where I'm going.

For the record I don't like anything that ties me into 1 operator, 1 producer, 1 something or other. And I don't like unthinking acceptance of anything. Google has the same thing going, [it] has to be good because Google made

Baggronor:

:o Should this really be such a heated topic…? its only a gadget guys…

Thommy H:

A gadget made by an evil corporation that wants to control us all.

cornixt:

I heard it can only run one program at a time though?

Fallen246
That's not strictly true, it can run certain Apple apps at the same time as each other, but you can't run more than one third party at once and you can't run them in the background. Kinda sucks for a device sold on how many fart apps it has.

Willmark:

No really? The Apple worker thinks this is the best thing under the sun? Colour me surprised. Clearly I can take such an unbiased account as the sole basis of my perception on this.

At least you said you worked for Apple. Kudos.

I'm only half serious BTW, but sometimes a *little* less bubbling enthusiasm would be nice. You slap a half eaten apple on the case and suddenly people treat it like you've just invented fire. Or the wheel.

snowblizz
Interesting how things get read:I Like cool technology and like Linux as well. If it fits my functions then I'm using it. I use MS Office daily when I have plenty of freeware I could use instead.

Interesting to read that you think you can guess if someone is a blind fan from one post as the door opened. I had a minute to post trough the site might be interested to know. Seems a bit much to presume but thats just me.

Moral of the story is that lumping people into a group because you think you know who and what they are...

Anyways back to work soon as I'm finishing lunch.


Willmark
Just so we're clear I don't have a problem with you personally. I don't mind macs per se either, though I prefer my apples to be the kind where I get to bite them, but people are way too defensive of the Apple stuff. But when you post about something you just used I do expect to hear something more substantial than "way cool". That just comes over as blatant fan(atic)ism.


snowblizz
Then here's an idea: assume positive intent especially when it comes to this site and me in particular. Ask Swiss who probably knows me the best in RL if you want to get a idea of who and what I am. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt, assuming only leads to trouble. And I can tell you its something I'm always trying to get better at, so I'm not immune either.

As far as people being defensive about Apple consider:
- "Macs are just toys."
- "They have no games"- ironic in light of the fist statement
- "Macs are to great of a security risk to plug into the network (yet people bring their PCs in to plenty of businesses I know loaded with god only knows what."
- insert gripe.

In short the Mac side has had to endure "X" for 25+ years, so are they a tad hyper defensive? Can't imagine why. I passed that a long time ago, if you want to use "X" whatever X is: I'm not stopping anyone. There are plenty of fanatics on both sides of the debate. Look no further then when the merits of the PS3 vs X-Box get debated.

The interesting thing is most Mac users will have tried a PC; the flip usually inst true. Makes it hard to judge the relative merits. Use what works best for you, I'm not going to tell people what to use. Show them and if they like it that's what they will pick more power to them.

Will I defend a company that I work for? Sure to a point. But I'm not going to apologize for a quick post at launch right before I got swamped which you took to be a fan boy post. But here's the thing: I work there part time. My full time job has be overseeing 100 PCs and 85 Macs. If I couldn't have a MBP for work I'd go for a Lenevo ThinkPad. If I couldn't have my own iPhone I'd go for a Samsung BlackJack II, but WinMo stopped me; Linux or even Symbian and it would be my phone in a heartbeat.

In closing I'm willing to give you or anyone the benefit of the doubt, I expect the same.

Cornixt- "Its just fart apps and flashlights" does a disservice and is not accurate. And it isn't about quantity, there are some very good to excellent apps out there. I used FTP on the Go for quite a while to remote into the server and fix the html folder when out host was bringing us down intentionally. Zombieville is the best 99 cents I ever spent. Shazam, Safari Mobile... (anyone who has tried to navigate through pocket IE on WInMo) knows what I mean. Dungeon RM and Treasure Box for RPGS ideas. Parallels to connect to my Windows partition of my MBP, iDisk, Pandora. There are plenty of excellent apps out there that have nothing to do with the a fore mentioned fart apps.

Thommy- evil as in every other corporation that's prime objective is to make money?
Like said before, the Ipad just isn't something. It doesn't fit any were. The screen is to smal to realy enjoin the internet, so there goes there statement that it is the best way to view the internet.

furrie
So you've actually used one then? Actually picked one up and tried it? I had multiple people tell me they were surprised with how well the screen displayed the web. I'm not knocking you however: I was in the same boat until I tried it. Anecdotal? Sure but I'd say try one out and then see what it feels like. If it still feels small, hey that's your take on it. These weren't just old folks either in a one hour gap there were people of every spectrum when I was answering questions.

One thing I've learned is to (try) reserve judgment (especially in tech) until I've actually used something. Same reason why I withheld judgment until I tried a the Droid, or Palm Pre, same way I'm withholding judgment till I see WinMo 7 in action.
Oh yeah? IMO, its totally pointless as it doesn't offer any direct use/purpose, especially if you've got an iPhone or a laptop/netbook computer. So, try to sell me on it....

GRNDL
Now that I have a moment I think the single biggest potential is the iBooks store. Its so integrated with iTunes (love it or hate it). They fact that its simple for people to use and a single point to store media will appeal to a lot of people. Looking farther out college textbooks. In my neck of the woods prices border on highway robbery.

Games- surprising its got very decent graphics and a nice feel for the few games I've tried. If I get one one of the first apps I buy will be Streefighter  @$7.99. Considering how many quarters I wasted in the 90's on it I can afford the app many times over.
I was hoping it would be a cool, generic e-book reader (kindle-killer, anti-nook book, etc), but with a backlit screen it'll suck for reading.

GRNDL
A few people discussed this and to be honest glare could be an issue depending on what lighting, however most of the people interested in the iBooks store and reader were older (50+ go figure) and most were surprised by its reading capabilties. A few kindle users I spoke to were impressed.

GRNDL:

You still haven’t said what its useful for - which was the point of Furrie’s (and my) statements. While the iPod, iPhone, Macbooks, etc, all have a use, I can’t see what the point of the iPad is - no one has mentioned it, or even suggested one, so I can’t see how or why I would use it?

Its a gimped netbook - no flash, no real OS, no real computing value

Its an overpriced and inefficient e-book reader, with none of the advantages (e-ink, low contrast screen for extended reading) and all of the issues of the Nook and Kindle, (exclusive store) etc.

As a communications device, it fails - no camera or phone.

So, what use is it? You say that its “not for me” or my demographic, yet I fail to see value for the mass market in it, either. There are far more capable, cheaper and readily available devices to fill any need than the iPad, and I think the average peep would choose those. Even as a status symbol, the iPad isn’t really far removed from cheaper, visually similar devices like the iPod and iPhone…

Thommy H:

I’m a PC and I have literally no opinion about what kind of computer, phone, e-book or MP3 player anyone uses.

Willmark:

GRNDL- As far as the comment “it’s not for you” I may have to include myself. I could have bought one but didn’t as the stuff you mention I can do on my phone. However when my apple hating sister in law got one and loves it, when my tech phobic wife wants one… I’m thinking Apple is on to something. So perhaps there it is: people who will buy this are those that weren’t going the net-book route. Not everyone wants a net-book or even likes the form factor. I might not get one but its perfect for my wife she literally has zero use for a net-book which is just a ultra scaled down laptop in essence.

As far as lacking the things you mentioned I think the push to accelerate HTML5 makes it moot. I’ll reserve comment to see if people prefer reading this over the other readers. As far as no real OS? Most people either PC or Mac dont ever know or care about the OS. In Short the things that the tech geek crowd is upset about barely registers with the general consumer.

As far as saying there are better, capable or cheaper alternatives I’ll counter with the same thing was said for the iPod and iPhone as well and those did pretty well. If anything it’s that it’s a hybrid design between the iPod Touch and a laptop that is stumping people.

I’m not sure I have all the answers I will say that people tend to second guess Apple quite often and they seem to work out alright.

In short I can see those who are not laptop users: Those that want to IM, browse the web, read a book etc, but dont need or care about OS or features buying this. Again net-books dont appeal t all people. In fact I think the fact they are so cheap is their primary (and perhaps only ) appeal.

I’m a PC and I have literally no opinion about what kind of computer, phone, e-book or MP3 player anyone uses.

Thommy H
Probably safer that way.

Tarrakk Blackhand:

made by an evil corporation that wants to control us all.

Thommy H
I thought that was Disney....or was it Games Workshop...or was it McDonnalds......or Wal-Mart..or was it Kentucky Fried Chicken?

Hey!

Do you guys get Kentucky Fried Chicken in England?

Baggronor:

made by an evil corporation that wants to control us all.
No Thommy, that's Games Workshop again :)

I think its a great idea and looks pretty - lets face it, that's enough to sell a lot of things, not just this. I won't be buying one, partly as I am a penniless peasant, but my mum likes the look of it (and lets face it, 'looks pretty' counts for a lot where female opinions are involved:)).

Thommy H:

Probably safer that way.

Willmark
It's neither safe nor unsafe - the reason I have no opinion is because it doesn't matter. I am absolutely, 100% convinced that it is not possible to have strong feelings about anything so inane as what computer or phone or console or mp3 player or car or bicycle or any other consumer product that anyone else uses. I also don't think it matters what particular fictional/absolutely not fictional at all entity/concept you pray to or don't pray to, what nation you were born in, who or what you like to have sex with or what kind of music you like to listen to - as long as you're not hurting anyone by making those choices.

Sadly though, the rest of the world seems to need some convincing about these fundamental facts.

And yes, we do have KFC, Tarrakk.

cornixt:

Cornixt- "Its just fart apps and flashlights" does a disservice and is not accurate. And it isn't about quantity, there are some very good to excellent apps out there.

Willmark
It's not me who advertises the thousands of apps, it's Apple. Ironic though, since they ignore the lack of compatible programs as being the big drawback of a Mac.
There are plenty of excellent apps out there that have nothing to do with the a fore mentioned fart apps.

Willmark
I only mentioned that because there is a kid who lives down the road who is always on tv because he made thousands out of an iPhone fart app, despite there being 20 others that do exactly the same thing.

A few killer apps would almost be enough to sell it, but they'd all be on Android soon enough anyway.

If I could write my own apps without having to go via Apple's arbitrary review process (and it I could use it as a mass storage device) then
I'd certainly consider an iPhone rather than just the Android phones. I can't even stick a program on the net written in java or flash that does what i want it to (or use anyone else's who has done that). The closed system just kills it dead to me, even if I could get it on Verizon (AT&T coverage is terrible here).

Thommy H:

I saw a Top Gear repeat tonight and they had Stephen Fry on and he was showing off his iPhone. Apparently there’s an app for gay cruising - you fire it up and it gives you a list of homosexuals using the app and tells you exactly how far away they are. If that’s not the most amazing application of new technology since the beginning of human history, I don’t know what is.

Tarrakk Blackhand:

@ Thommy…you’ve GOT to be kidding!

Thommy H:

No. Sex and pornography always drive technological advances anyway. What was the first thing everyone did when photography became available? That’s right: take pictures of naked ladies. What were most of the first movies? That’s right: films of naked ladies. Who do we have to thank for streaming video, safe online commerce and HD video? Porn websites did all of those things first. Never underestimate the human capacity to make sex and naked people as readily available as technology allows.

furrie:

@willmark, I havn’t used an iPad, but I have seen laptops with a similair sized screen and I think its to small to browse on the web (I might be spoiled with my laptop with 19inch screen.)

snowblizz:

No. Sex and pornography always drive technological advances anyway. What was the first thing everyone did when photography became available? That's right: take pictures of naked ladies. What were most of the first movies? That's right: films of naked ladies. Who do we have to thank for streaming video, safe online commerce and HD video? Porn websites did all of those things first. Never underestimate the human capacity to make sex and naked people as readily available as technology allows.

Thommy H
Indeed. I also saw that Top Gear episode, cracked me up. There's an app for everything it seems.

I'd really want to research sex and IT, but I'm not sure I can suggest it to my professor. But that's one area where technology is definitely used creatively. It's quite fascinating actually some things that are done.

So how many porn apps does the iPhone/iStore/whatyoumacallit have?

Thommy H:

Actually, Apple doesn’t license the iPhone technology to anything pornographic. The above is an example of one of the “borderline” apps they do allow - I mean, technically, it’s not for casual sex with men: it’s just making use of the basic features that already exist to see who in the room is also gay and how far away they are. If users want to then go and hook up…well, Apple isn’t responsible for that.

Apple would do well to learn from Betamax, of course: one theory for the VHS victory is that Sony wouldn’t license their technology to pornographers, so they all went with VHS, and the rest is history.

Willmark:

Of course ask MS/Panasonic if the early nod from the porn industry helped them in the fight against Bluray.

And if people want adult content all they have to do is fire up their web browser on their device of choice.

Thommy H:

Blu-Ray is licensed to porn companies - Sony just don’t advertise it. They learnt from the Betamax debacle.