iPad

[seniorshooteress]

What is an iPad? What does it do? Is it a computer? I can't really tell by anything that is said about it on the replies. I have seen it advertised on TV but I still don't know what it is or what useful function it performs.

[chabouk]

I don't understand the purpose of the iPad. ...

Yes, it's not supposed to be thought of as a computer, but then what do I think of it as? An expensive doo-dad that does essentially everything I can already do on my netbook/laptop or iPod (were I ever duped into buying one) just as (if not more) easily? I see a lot more uses for my $600 that will actually accomplish something that needs accomplishing.

On the release date, 20,000 people an hour found a "want" that outweighed any "need" you might or might not have. Pre-orders outpaced manufacturing capacity, so that those who didn't order early enough will have to wait a couple of weeks for delivery.

Whether or not any of us can articulate any usefulness for the device, enough people want it to buy it. That's the only reason needed for its existence.

I don't understand gaming consoles or World of Warcraft or Glocks, but I'm not going to gripe about those who spend good money on those things.

[gigag04]

Not the I feel the need to defend my addiction to the mac Kool-Aid...


But for the iPad...esp the 3G will be great. Here's why" Currently, I use the web on my iPhone ALL THE TIME. I use the web for at least a total of 1-2 hours a day (split up across the day). Lots of this use is at work when I'm on a scene - especially if someone "doesn't have a DL with them" and "can't find" a photo id. I can look up their mugshots on my phone through our jail's site and find the picture of the person they are claiming to be. This is a great way to catch people that are failing to id.

I make a handful of stock trades a week through my phone. I have charting software, and can access my IBD account for market research. I have paid for my iPhone over and over again by having the ability to make an instantaneous trade. If I am anywhere but home, I am always checking forums, news, weather, sports (esp during Astros games), and a big one: craigslist/ebay.

As for e-mail and scheduling, I do all of that through my iPhone.

So - the iPad is like a bigger iPhone, but still SUPER compact, and has a familiar interface and layout. It will be a much better platform for the more visual tasks, like scheduling and stock trading - thanks to the larger screen.

There will also be a TON of new development for it. Think about what new things the capabilities of the iPhone have brought out. The tilt sensor/touch screen design has amazing potential - and it's even more so for the larger iPad.

I think the name is stupid, but I think it will be a cool product for sure.

[The Annoyed Man]

I think the name is stupid, but I think it will be a cool product for sure.

Apparently, a lot of women think it's a stupid name too: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2 ... 720,00.asp

Here are the five reasons why I won't buy an iPad.

5. A Stupid Name
Who the heck at Apple decided "iPad" would be a good name for anything? Don't any women work in Apple's marketing department? A CNBC anchor even said it reminded her of feminine hygiene products, and she wasn't the only one conflating the iPad with such things.

Yup, the jokes are already flying. You just have to wonder what Apple was thinking. What about the iSlate? Or the iTablet? Or even the iBook? Any of them would have been less suggestive than iPad.

I suppose it could have been worse. Apple might have gone for the "Maxi iPad" or something like that.

That was only reason #5, and the other 4 reasons made more sense to me as a man, but until I read that, it never occurred to me that women might be put off by the name. l asked my wife about it, and she said it was true. Women don't like the name. I don't know if that is enough to stop them from buying one, but it would be interesting to read a post-release analysis of the buyer demographics. If there were a female prejudice against the name, it would certainly show up in the sales figures.

[Mando'a]

I have a phone and I have lap top
i see no need

All my computers are Apples,

I stopped taking you seriously right there

Why?

I have worked in technology for 10+ years now and can honestly say I DESPISE Windows with a passion (supporting Windows Server environments will do that to a person). How they get away with the garbage they produce is beyond me. After supporting it for 6+ years, I went Linux and haven't looked back. I love my Macs and just chuckle at those who attempt to bash it to make themselves feel better about owning a Windoze machine.

I have to agree with that statement. But Bill Gates has provided me with a decent living.

I also prefer Linux, Kubuntu in particular.

[marksiwel]

I also prefer Linux, Kubuntu in particular.

So I gotta ask
If I barely know how to start a DOS Computer and run a few programs (like mine sweeper), will Linux be over my head?
Can I still grab a copy of Fall out 3 and install it like I can Windows?

[92f-fan]

I also prefer Linux, Kubuntu in particular.

So I gotta ask
If I barely know how to start a DOS Computer and run a few programs (like mine sweeper), will Linux be over my head?
Can I still grab a copy of Fall out 3 and install it like I can Windows?

Yes

No

[marksiwel]

I also prefer Linux, Kubuntu in particular.

So I gotta ask
If I barely know how to start a DOS Computer and run a few programs (like mine sweeper), will Linux be over my head?
Can I still grab a copy of Fall out 3 and install it like I can Windows?

Yes

No

Then its not for me.

[grumble]

Back on topic...

I don't understand the purpose of the iPad. It really is just an overgrown iPod, and the (current) popularity of the thing is techno-hype, IMO. At $600 today, it will be essentially worthless in 2 or 3 years. As I see it, it's a solution without a problem, and is largely a novelty item. A netbook is cheaper, and will do more (including multi-tasking and Flash for web). I don't understand the point of having a crippled tablet device, rather than making an actual tablet with the app functionality as added value.

Yes, it's not supposed to be thought of as a computer, but then what do I think of it as? An expensive doo-dad that does essentially everything I can already do on my netbook/laptop or iPod (were I ever duped into buying one) just as (if not more) easily? I see a lot more uses for my $600 that will actually accomplish something that needs accomplishing.

I dunno. All I know is I have 3 ipods (classic, nano and shuffle), and USE all 3 depending on the situation, an iPhone and a MacBook Pro (which has both Snow Leopard AND Windows 7 Ultimate installed on it), I think I can find a gap that the iPad will fill.

iPad has serious battery life. My macbook is lucky to make it 2:15 on an airplane if I'm watching a movie. iPad will last 8-10 hours playing videos. That's just plain impressive.

There are a lot of "push" applications that could be developed, especially for that nice big vibrant screen.

iPad is definitely a niche product right now. It's not a "laptop killer" - but it could be VERY close to a "netbook killer."

[SQLGeek]

If I traveled more, I probably would consider an iPad. I have to admit though, the name is rather off-putting to me and my wife agrees. iSlate would've been much better IMO.

[davidtx]

Please send any iPad (or iPhone/iPod touch) app ideas my way...

[The Annoyed Man]

Please send any iPad (or iPhone/iPod touch) app ideas my way...

Howabout a really first rate ballistics calculator? My son has a copy of Shooter on his Android, and it is a really first rate app. It includes spindrift and Coriolis effect and uses the device's accelerometer to calculate degree of inclination, as well as incorporating a really good bullet library, etc., etc., etc.

[seniorshooteress]

I need to stop reading this thread, I'm getting a headache cause I don't know what anyone is talking about. I can barely manage to operate my PC. I don't do anything with my cell phone except make phone calls. I have never done a text message or gone online with it. When I want to do anything online, I use my PC. I have taken a few pictures with my cell phone. Guess I am just not into all the hi-tech stuff. I don't care what they call the thing; iPad doesn't extract any emotion from me what so ever. I wouldn't buy one cause I wouldn't know what to do with it or how to use it. I do have a Wii system. Whoops! Off topic, sorry.

[chabouk]

I wonder where all the people making fun of the name were when IBM came out with the Thinkpad.

[SQLGeek]

I'm not making fun of the name, I just don't like it. I'm hardly alone in that opinion either. Looking at the ThinkPad on my desk right now, you raise a valid point but it also doesn't seem quite the same to me. No biggie either way, the name certainly isn't what is keeping me from buying one. I'd rather spend the money on a gun.