Apple Tablet: iPad

[haven]

Apple has posted videos that introduce how the iPad manages typical computing tasks. Topics include Safari (web browser), Mail, Photos, Videos, Youtube, iPod, iTunes, and iBooks. These functions are included with the iPad.

Also online are videos describing Apple's iWork applications, including Keynote (Apple's alternative to Powerpoint), Pages (word processor) and Numbers (spreadsheet). These applications cost $10 each and are available via the iTunes App Store.

The web page is http://www.apple.com/ipad/guided-tours/

 

[preacherman]

Here are a few tidbits as we wait for iPad delivery day, Saturday, April 3.

I read several reports that Best Buy will carry the iPad, and will have them for sale on April 3. Since the Apple stores will be mobbed by people picking up their iPads, you might consider heading to Best Buy if you're interested to look at one before making a purchase decision. [edit: confirmed that most Best Buy stores will have at least a few iPads for sale on April 3. Doors open at 9am.]

I have a friend who is a manager at Bestbuy he confirmed they will be receiving limited quantities late on April 2 to release on April 3.

 

[Scott Brady]

Our test unit shipped today

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Hoping that Generation 2 comes with a camera built in, runs all OS software (photoshop/aperture) and iPhone Apps as well as tether with a external monitor.

Really feel like with the iPhone and iPad we are now seeing real things that take me back to seeing star trek for the first time and wondering what it would be like.

Killer.

D

 

[haven]

David Pogue, tech reviewer for the NY Times, has posted an article that provides two reviews of the iPad. One is for techie types, the other for the rest of us.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/technology/personaltech/01pogue.html

Pogue's observation is that techies will probably not like the iPad because of its limitations in creating content. (A keyboard and mouse are better tools for those tasks.) And the Apple-haters will remind us that powerful PC laptop technology is available for less money.

But typical computer users, including those among us who are a little intimidated by technology, will love it.

A few tidbits of new information slip out. Pogue reveals his testing shows the iPad battery is good for 12 hours of movie-watching. And he lets slip that there will be 1000 iPad-specific apps when the device is launched.

In the end, the iPad doesn't replace the desktop or laptop machine. It's a new class of computing device.

 

[haven]

Apple has seeded a collection of journalists with the iPad.
Here's a list of their reviews, released this evening. They range
from generally positive to wildly enthusiast. Walt Mossberg
offers the most criticism, toward the end of his article.

Tim Gideon, PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2362040,00.asp

Bob LeVitus, Houston Chronicle Tech Blog
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2010/03/dr_mac_apples_ipad_is_better_than_expected.html

Omar Wasow, the Root Magazine
http://www.theroot.com/views/techies-are-wrong-about-ipad

David Pogue, New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/technology/personaltech/01pogue.html?ref=technology

Andy Ihnatko, Chicago Sun Times (part 1 of 5 parts)
http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/2134139,ihnatko-ipad-apple-review-033110.article

Edward C. Baig, USA Today, Personal Tech column
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2010-03-31-apple-ipad-review_N.htm

Walt Mossburg, Wall Street Journal
http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20100331/apple-ipad-review/

Xeni Jardin, Boing Boing Magazine
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/03/31/a-first-look-at-ipad.html

Business Insider (link to ABC News video)
http://www.businessinsider.com/abc-gets-to-play-with-the-ipad-2010-3

and there's the inevitable unboxing video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIic04tXkRw

 

[Navman]

David Pogue, tech reviewer for the NY Times, has posted an article that provides two reviews of the iPad. One is for techie types, the other for the rest of us.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/technology/personaltech/01pogue.html

Pogue's observation is that techies will probably not like the iPad because of its limitations in creating content. (A keyboard and mouse are better tools for those tasks.) And the Apple-haters will remind us that powerful PC laptop technology is available for less money.

But typical computer users, including those among us who are a little intimidated by technology, will love it.

A few tidbits of new information slip out. Pogue reveals his testing shows the iPad battery is good for 12 hours of movie-watching. And he lets slip that there will be 1000 iPad-specific apps when the device is launched.

In the end, the iPad doesn't replace the desktop or laptop machine. It's a new class of computing device.

I just read that one was going to post it here, but I should have known you would have beat me to it. I think it great that he gives two reviews. Right after the announcement there seemed to be this Techie/regular joe divide so it's good he took this approach.

 

[cshontz]

So does it have a proper GPS receiver, or not? That's one thing I'm still a little fuzzy on.

 

[evldave]

In addition to the Apple Stores and Best Buy, there are some specialty stores that are also getting the iPad in limited quantities

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/apple-stores-best-buys-not-the-only-places-to-get-an-ipad-on-sa/

I totally agree with the articles that say iPad is good for non-techies and not as good for techies. Our household is split down the middle (me a PC guy, everyone else an Apple lover). Even with a jailbroken iphone I'd never use it - I'm a WinMo guy mostly because I can tinker with (and brick) my windows phone. My wife loves her iPhone because it's simple, doesn't crash like our windows laptop, she can play music on it, has a facebook app, and is 'sexy' - she doesn't like a lack of multitasking, but has been begging for an ipad since they announced it (money's tight so it's a no for now). I like the iPhone interface, but prefer to hack stuff in the background (so I use SPB Mobile Shell on a winmo phone). It's funny that people make this into an argument like ford/chevy when in fact this is more like a discussion about how to get across country - fly and get there in 7 hours or drive and get there in 7 days...two totally different solutions for two totally different agendas.

Personally, I think all slate computers (iPad, JooJoo, etc) will stay a very niche/novelty product, simply because they don't have a keyboard. On a small phone where you can hold with both hands and use your thumbs, it's ok...try and type on an iPad or any slate computer or touchscreen tablet, and it's either set the computer down and stare at your fingers to get them on the right virtual keys, or use one hand to hold the tablet and one to type. I do think that the introduction of the iPad, and it's inherent keyboard issues, will drive development of more thin/light convertible tablets (netvertibles) like the Lenovo S10-3t (I have this)...but thinner and with better custom interfaces...and a real keyboard! I'm saving this so in 2 years I can come back and say I told you so

 

[haven]

"does it have a proper GPS receiver, or not?"

A couple of reviewers mention that the WiFi version does not include a GPS receiver. The WiFi + ATT 3G version does.

I expect that a third party could make a GPS that attaches to the iPad using the docking station port. That approach could be an advantage in a vehicle because the antenna could be mounted outside or up under the windshield so more of the sky would be visible to the GPS.

 

[AKRover]

In the tech specs it says that the wifi+3g model has assisted gps.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Just got a 16G version for my wife today ... as her powerbook hard-drive took a dump and it was going to cost as much as the iPad to get a replacement harddrive. She only used the laptop to do iPhoto, Mail, Safari, ... that sort of thing.

All I can say is simply STUNNING!! I believe this thing is going to revolutionize computer ownership in a whole new way.
:wings:

I am holding out til Generation II comes out.

Dendy

 

[Root Moose]

I don't know how accurate this is...

From what I've read online assisted GPS means that there is a true GPS chip PLUS some other mechanism to do additional location finding using WiFi and Cell towers.

Supposedly the GPS chip used is a decent one.

 

[haven]

That's right, the cell phone triangulation assists the GPS radio while it gets information from the positioning satellites. In certain circumstances, the GPS can't see a wide enough slice of the sky to receive information from above. In those cases, the cell phone data is the only way to determine your position.

 

[DaveInDenver]

That's right, the cell phone triangulation assists the GPS radio while it gets information from the positioning satellites. In certain circumstances, the GPS can't see a wide enough slice of the sky to receive information from above. In those cases, the cell phone data is the only way to determine your position.

The iPhone uses the Infinieon Hammerhead PMB2525 GPS chip, it's a real GPS receiver. The 'assisted' part is mostly to reduce time-to-first-fix by leveraging the GPS receivers on cell towers. So instead of 20 or 30 seconds to get a fix an A-GPS receiver can generally get accuracy to a few meters in a second or two from cold start.