Apple Tablet: iPad

[haven]

Update: Apple has released a new version of the iPad operating system that includes a revised version of the Safari browser. The new Safari closes the loophole that allowed the Jailbreakme 2.0 software to work.

If you already have a Jailbroken iPad, don't upgrade to iPad iOS 3.2.2 if you want to continue to use unauthorized software.

I'm sure the team behind Jailbreakme 2.0 is starting to work on an alternative way to sneak past the iOS security.

 

[cactusjk]

Any updates on iPad topo apps?

 

[haven]

Vimeo, the online video service, has released a new "universal" embedded player for browsers on the iPhone and iPad. The new player automatically detects what device it's running on, and delivers the Vimeo video clip in the appropriate version and video format. Since the iPhone and iPad can't display Flash videos, the new player pulls down an HTML5 version.

http://gizmodo.com/5614715/watch-vimeo-videos-on-ipad-using-new-html5-universal-player

 

[evldave]

Before the JB I was getting about 5 to 10 meters of precision now I can easily get 0.8 meters 80% of the time.

The unit I chose is the US Global Sat BT-359 as it is WAAS anabled and provides 10hrs of use on one charge.

Pat

I have this BT GPS and love it!...for wireless GPS it's fantastic (I can't get 0.8m, but can certainly get 1-2m, much better than any other wireless GPS I've tried).

 

[haven]

The iPad has attracted interest among college students and professors.

Even without Flash support, the iPad provides a more compelling pedagogical device (color, multi-touch, wider array of useful applications, multitasking with iOS 4 this Fall) than e-book readers like Kindle and Nook.

I think students and faculty members will create applications that simplify the building and sharing of course material using the iPad platform. I don't think there's any way for third parties to develop programs for e-Book readers.

Here's a list of higher education institutions that intend to use the iPad this Fall for instruction purposes. Please update if you know of other schools.

Stanford University School of Medicine
iPads given to all 1st year MD and Masters of Medicine students

UC Irvine School of Medicine
all entering students receive iPad pre-loaded with curriculum materials

Oklahoma State University
pilot programs in School of Media and Strategic Communications and School of Business

Illinois Institute of Technology
iPads for all incoming freshmen

Seton Hill (not Hall) University
iPads for all full-time students

George Fox University
new students get choice of MacBook or iPad

Duke Unversity
iPads given to students for field work in Master's Degree level course in global health research

University of Maryland, College Park
iPads for honors students in Digital Cultures and Creativity program

Reed College
repeat experiment comparing student preference for iPad or paper textbooks. Last Fall, Kindle was tested and came in second to traditional books.

Northwest Kansas Technical College
all undergrads receive iPads

Presuming the experience of the early adopters listed above is positive, I expect the iPad will be introduced into other schools' curricula quickly.

Colleges do feel the pressure of competition with other schools for the best students. Experiments like using the iPad for instruction show the school is forward-looking and hip.

 

[off-roader]

http://www.ram-mount.com/NewProducts/AppleiPadMounts/tabid/2614/Default.aspx

Pending release date of August 1st.

I just checked again and I guess the release date for RAM's Ipad vehicle mount has been moved out to August 31st.

As for gps options, I'm also looking at a 3rd party option for my non-3G Ipad which I'll jail break if necessary.

As for software, I do like the look of the Overland Navigator software but unfortunately it's not currently available for the Ipad. Hopefully enough Ipad users will ask for it that they'll make a version for the Ipad. Otherwise, I'll use the mish mash of software offerings to create a fully off road / off grid capable solution.

 

[adventureduo]

We are buying in an Ipad in the next couple days for the company. Does anyone know any good POS software for it? We want to be able run CC's at shows.

 

[haven]

Square has a POS system for iPhone and iPad in development.
They had some trouble properly securing transactions in the
original release of the software. I think they are planning to
re-release the program soon

https://squareup.com/

Here's another POS program for iPod Touch. It's WiFi based
rather than 3G.

http://www.ipod-pos.com/

There are several others that appear to be prototypes only.

Visa and MasterCard are working at this problem from the
other end. They want to turn your iPhone into a version of
your credit card. They want to embed an RFID chip in the
phone. Just bring the phone near an RFID reader at the
cash register, and payment is made. (Sounds like a big
opportunity for identity theft to me!)

 

[adventureduo]

Thanks Chip. Think we're going to try square. Only thing i think is silly is that any amount over $1,000 dollars a week they wait 30 days to pay you.

 

[speshalted]

Dave, I dont know if you guys got the ipad yet, but it looks like i work about a block away from you. If you want to check it out let me know.

 

[dzzz]

I got a iPad yesterday for my Dad and the gps isn't as accurate as the iPhone 4. It's probably the same chip, so I'm not sure what that's about.

At first the iPad seems to be a just an iPhone for giants. But after setting it up and showing my Dad how it works I realize that it really is something special. He's never used a computer (or electric typewriter). Something about no computer connection in his house, signing up for the AT&T internet access using the device, and then BOOM - access to everything on this beautiful touch screen.

The iPad specific apps I found impressive were magazines. I'm not going to pay Time $5.00 a week when I can see most of the same content on their website. But the Time magazine app - wow. I look at that and think no more print magazines and no more kindle. The future is intelligent color devices.

I don't plan to buy an iPad any time soon. Especially since I just bought an expensive touch screen for my truck. But I've got to say that technology has reached a turning point where it fades from the user and simply become a way to shift time and place: A 90 year-old man sitting in his recliner in a darkened room essentially holding a piece of glass and looking at his father's family farm on google earth. The farm where the men plowed the ground with horses and gave a him the Indian arrowheads uncovered. The farm road where my dad and his older brother chased the Hindenburg in an old Model T.

I don't even like Spielberg but I had one of his moments.

 

[adventureduo]

Dave, I dont know if you guys got the ipad yet, but it looks like i work about a block away from you. If you want to check it out let me know.

We appreciate that offer. Picked one up already. It works great.

 

[haven]

iPad announcement coming on 9/1?

Samsung has been teasing the Android OS world with hints about an iPad-style tablet with a 7 inch screen. The date set for the unveiling of the Galaxy Tab is Thursday, Sept 2, in Berlin at the IFA convention.

So when does Apple schedule its next news conference about upcoming products? Wednesday, Sept 1. It's looking like Apple may want to defuse interest in Samsung's 7 inch Android slate by announcing one of their own.

The new product could be called the iPad Mini. I think it will have the same 960x640 resolution "retina display" as the iPhone 4 has, but in a 7 inch screen. Also included will be a camera on the front for video chat, a camera on the rear for photo taking, and iOS 4 operating system. I expect that the 7 inch iPad will have WiFi only, so it won't affect iPhone sales.

I doubt that the second generation iPad will be announced on 9/1. If Apple announces an improved iPad 2, with "retina display," and built-in camera for video chat, sales of the original will slow dramatically. So I think this new product will stay under wraps, perhaps until the CES show in January.

 

[dzzz]

The market always overestimate Apples desire to fill niches. Apples does well forcing people to pay more than they prefer and then benefits from the economies of scale by producing fewer versions.
I have to admit that the $700 total cost of the cellular iPad I purchased is a fair price.
I wonder how they feel about forgoing ebook revenue for lack of an inexpensive reader? They're playing a long-term game, but I can't guess how they see the future. Today I feel there is no need for Apple TV. But two years ago I thought it would be important.
With the incredible fortune they made selling music they must want to dominate all media sales. But how? I don't know but it's very interesting watching their moves.
With the iPhone and iPad were in the better than Star Trek personal electronics era with no guideposts

 

[haven]

Clear iSpot is a wireless Internet access service designed for Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The iSpot creates a local WiFi hotspot, and connects to Clear's 4G wireless cell phone service. The iSpot can support up to 8 iDevices simultaneously.

At $25 a month for unlimited data transfers, iSpot is inexpensive compared to WiFi hotspot service offered by other cell phone providers. And the iSpot service can be turned on and off on a monthly basis. The iSpot service requires an initial hardware purchase of $100.

Here's the web page that describes Clear iSpot
http://www.clear.com/shop/services/mobile/?id=360&market=79

Clear service is limited across USA. At this writing, 55 metro areas are included. Use this page to see if service is available in your area. http://www.clear.com/coverage

Note that the iSpot is 4G only. Clear has other devices that can connect to 3G service (usually by Sprint) when you're in an area where 4G is not available. Clear calls this service Internet+, and charges $50 a month for service for a single PC (no Mac support).

It's unclear to me how the iSpot WiFi device tells the difference between Apple iDevices and other computers. Some early adopters report that the MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops can use the iSpot, too. It's relatively easy to spoof your computer's network hardware address (sometimes called the Media Access Control, or MAC, address) so a laptop would look like an iPad to the iSpot. Hmmmm.

Clear gives you a two week trial period with the new service. They will refund your money if you're not satisfied.

Background:

Clearwire is a company that provides data communication services. Their wireless division is called Clear. Clear offers wireless Internet access in 49 metro areas across USA, with more on the way.

The Clear service is based on WIMAX technology, which is described as 4G, fourth generation wireless. Clear WIMAX offers a maximum of 6 Megabits per second when downloading, 1 Megabit per second when uploading. These speeds are under ideal conditions. In the real world, speeds are lower, but tend to be at least somewhat faster than 3G service.