Before this thread I had no idea what it was.
Point taken. As I say in my post just above this one, for me, the iPad just doesn’t fit my requirements. I am willing to say that you are correct and that it will fit other people’s requirements for a portable computing device.
But then again, I don’t find a need for a tablet form factor computer at all. Sometimes, I just gotta type. I certainly couldn’t make these posts using a touchscreen keyboard (god how I hate those things). I’d end up typing like some kid on his cell phone with more typos than correct words! 
To each his own. Hell, more choices mean that there is more likely to be a device which does exactly what I need. So, I say go for it Apple. Create all the wild devices you want. Maybe we’ll find the combo I want!
Did you type your post on your iTouch? Or did you use a computer with a physical keyboard because it’s faster and easier?
I am intrigued by the iPad. But I’m going to try to resist until I find out more about the Microsoft Courier. (Like whether they’re serious about releasing it.) Compared to the iPad, the Courier concept is more geared towards creating content - sketches, handwritten notes, etc. Unlike the iPad which seems to be primarily designed for viewing and reading downloaded content.
And I’m not anti-Apple. I’ve been using iPods for 10 years, and currently have three iPods including an iTouch. I regularly buy TV shows from the iTunes Store to view on my iTouch. The iTouch is great as it is, for what it can do. I don’t really feel the need for a larger version of it.
Windows user here.
I’ve been thinking of finding replacements for my Windows PC and Palm PDA, so naturally I have considered Apple. After weeks of research, I have come to a conclusion.
The Apple lock-in is fierce.
I just bought a used iPod Touch to check it out.
I can’t install my own programs. I can make programs, and I can probably test-run them on an emulator, but I can’t install any programs other than through the App Store. I could never run Flash games on the iPad, because Flash is not available in the App Store.
I could jail-break it, I guess. But Apple is actively patching all exploits as soon as they’re known. I can’t downgrade to a previous version of the iPod OS, because it needs a signature from Apple before it can be installed, and Apple refuses to sign previous versions.
Apple makes lovely hardware, and they make quite good software. But their insistence on retaining control over the hardware long after the customers have bought and paid for it?
Thanks, but no thanks.
Video of that on Youtube.
I really hate Scrabble, but that looks very cool.
Apple guy; almost said “no,” but ended up saying “maybe later.” I like the touchscreen for some things, but I really like buttons, so I’m torn. Then there’s the “no flash” thing, which I thought would change, but apparently the buzz I got at first was wrong; surfing would have been a major use for me, and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m not crazy about the “app” model, and the mini OS, and the whole “giant iPhone”-ness of it all.
When I first heard apple was working on this, I thought we’d be getting a netbook with a touchscreen instead of a keyboard; compared to that, the iPad is a disappointment. So when I say “maybe later,” I mean “maybe Apple will introduce a machine that I actually want.”
I have a Mac, but don’t plan on buying an iPad anytime soon.
I also have an iPhone that I purchased last September. It is surprising how little I use my MacBook now that I have the iPhone. I’d say 99% of my at home web browsing is via the iPhone. Sure, the screen is small, but it really does work quite well for browsing.
I also have the Kindle App on my iPhone and have been tearing through books unbelievably. I never thought I’d enjoy reading a book on a screen, but I do.
The only issue with the iPhone is the size. As such, an iPad would be perfect. But I really can’t see myself spending $500 for it as of right now. Maybe in a few years.
It does everything I need in a computer. If I decide I feel comfortable doing my banking on it, and it stands the test of time (a few months), I’ll chuck my worn out iMac and buy the 3G capable model. I was looking at the macbooks, but this and my iPhone 3Gs will fill my needs just fine. I also want to see what accessories (cases) become available.
I’m wondering is Apple will also enable Verizon on the iPad?
By the way, why no 3Gs?
Peace,
mangeorge
The keyboard/dock accessory looks pretty tempting for me.
Buh? How’s it not an MP3 player? That’s one of the main features. That’s what most people use it for.
You should be able to throw an MP3 player in your pocket and go jogging. Saying the ipad is an MP3 player is like saying my car is a stereo system.
He was talking about the Touch.
If they make it HTML 5-compliant, then the lack of support for Flash will be trivial.
I doubt that I would ever pick one up, though – I like some of the design ideas, but it’s too locked down. I’ll probably wait for something similar but more open.
My neighbor’s car is a stereo. It’s also neon pink/green and sports 24s. Stuff keeps falling off of it. :dubious:
Oh.
Never mind.
What’s “locked down”? Not what is locked down?
Crap. What I mean is, I don’t understand the term in this context. 
Thanks
mangeorge
I voted…
“PC User - I might later. We’ll see how it goes.”
I’m on the fence. I like my ipod. I like the idea of having something with a bigger screen.
I hope it will work in the way that it is basically ‘always on’ and I can pick it up from a bedside table and watch youtube or check emails or whatever.
I was critical of the way it seemed to be being marketed as a tablet but it just isn’t. It’s a scaled-up ipod touch with 3g.
No, and for the same reason I don’t have an iPhone or a Blackberry. I don’t need it, and would never use it enough to warrant the expense. I have an iPod that gets a good workout and a Kindle that gets lots of use, but I almost never use a cellphone and certainly don’t have a need for all those apps. I’m just content to own Apple stock and have them give ME money.
Doctor - rereading my post this morning, I think it sounded a lot ruder than I realized at the time. Sorry about that. Cheers!
I typed it at my desktop because I don’t enjoy viewing the forums on the small iPhone screen. The font is too wee for my crappy eyesight.
I do find typing on the iTouch to be fast and easy though. I do email from it and routinely type notes and journal stuff. I’m writing a book (just for the fun of it; I have no illusions about it) and I often type scenes or dialog as it comes to me.) I was surprised at how easily I picked it up. But yes, I do prefer my big ergo keyboard for the most part.
And as I said, I get that some people dislike the touch keyboard or thumb typing. I understand it’s not for everyone. That’s partly why I said that I wouldn’t be surprised to see something like a Mac Air running the iPhone OS. I’d think there’d be a market for an iPad with an actual keyboard. I also wouldn’t be surprised to eventually see an iPhone with a USB blug, running a mouse & keyboard via USB hub. But all that hinges on how well the iPad sells of course.
No. Even by the standards of Apple releases the hype on this one is rather baffling. I recently purchased an Acer laptop for around the same price as the iPad and it’s ridiculous how much more capable it is for practically everything I do. The defenders of this device say that the iPad may not be great for content creation but it’s the best for content consumption. Well not really. Take video for example. My laptop has a 320GB hard drive. It’s got a USB port. I can install the video software of my choice like VLC. And I don’t have to hold the thing while watching a movie.
What about the Internet? Without flash it’s a limited experience. I don’t think Firefox will run on it. And perhaps most important the Internet is increasingly interactive for most people. While online, people want to post to message boards or Facebook or Twitter and clearly the keyboard on the iPad isn’t very good. You can’t really separate online consumption from online creation these days.
I think this device is good for some types of interactive content. It’s probably great for comics. But that isn’t really enough for me to consider it not least because I am guessing Android and companies like HTC and Acer will come up with something significantly better and cheaper within a year.