The iPad is coming...

[Flip]

Is it really a computer or just an app runner? I'm not sure if i would be able to actually install a CD disk software or only shit i buy from the App store...?

I read this rant about the thing (http://www.boingboing.net/2010/04/02/wh ... um=twitter) which makes some good points:

"The real issue isn't the capabilities of the piece of plastic you unwrap today, but the technical and social infrastructure that accompanies it.

If you want to live in the creative universe where anyone with a cool idea can make it and give it to you to run on your hardware, the iPad isn't for you.

If you want to live in the fair world where you get to keep (or give away) the stuff you buy, the iPad isn't for you.

If you want to write code for a platform where the only thing that determines whether you're going to succeed with it is whether your audience loves it, the iPad isn't for you. "

I do like to tinker with my computer and play with settings/bios/hardware even with my amateur knowledge so im just not sure that it will be right for me. He mentioned some phrase to live by where if you cant open it you dont own and it hink it really fits with Apple devices. I do really want a bed or couch surfing cheap computer, though. I'm just not sure im sold on netbooks either. Ugh.

[Kupek]

Right now, we buy computers. General purpose computing devices on which we can do many things. Most people use these general purpose computing devices for a limited set of activities. The iPad is just a step in the direction of moving away from selling a general purpose computing device and towards selling an appliance tailored for that limited set of activities.

If you want something to tinker with, then, yes, the iPad is probably not for you. If you just want a thing that lets you do the simple stuff general purpose computers let you do (things that don't require a lot of input beyond pointing and clicking and are mostly consumption of media), then the iPad might be for you. If you want a new platform to make cool programs for, the iPad may be for you, but you'll need another general purpose computer to develop the programs on.

[Zeus]

I imagine it would be safe to assume that the iPaD will be more of a super-iPod than a small iMac. Just seems to be what the device is, a super-sized iPod. And considering how the Apps Store is their big thing right now, I can't imagine them not having a strong link between those products.

Purely conjecture on my part but that's the direction I would think they're going in.

[SineSwiper]

I just keep thinking he's going to put that thing to his ear and say "Hello?"

Overall, interesting technology, but Apple, as usual, is just borrowing idea from other sources. It's basically a Kindle with iPhone software. Though, it may end up being a better netbook than most netbooks, since the overall problem with netbooks is the size of the keyboard. We'll see. Even if the idea is a good one, I'll save $600 and wait until Google comes out with something (probably from HTC).

[Tessian]

Think of a very large iphone that you can't use to make calls. That is the iPad, basically. It's a coffee table computer.

[Kupek]

Have you used a Kindle? They're optimized for one task: reading books. For that, they're actually quite good. The iPad is basically a media appliance. It's not "basically a Kindle" in any form. I agree that they're competing with each other because they both can be used as book readers, but they're quite different in hardware, software and potential uses.

Oh, and "coffee table computer"? That sounds familiar.

[Tessian]

My sister's a substitute teacher and she swears by her Kindle. If you read a lot and don't want to carry around books (especially text books) it's great. Also my previous post wasn't meant to be good or bad towards the 'pad, I was just trying to better explain what it can do because some were asking-- it's a large, more powerful iphone running all the iphone type apps and chained to the iphone app store. Taking that for good or bad is up to you.

I personally would have loved a small macbook rather than a large iphone, but that may be just me.

[Zeus]

I personally would have loved a small macbook rather than a large iphone, but that may be just me.

Yeah, me too. If I'm gonna carry around something that size, it may as well have more functions than being an Apps delivery mechanism

[SineSwiper]

I personally would have loved a small macbook rather than a large iphone, but that may be just me.

Yeah, me too. If I'm gonna carry around something that size, it may as well have more functions than being an Apps delivery mechanism

I think it has more to do with the fact that the apps are designed for a touch screen. You'd have a somewhat hard time translating the functionality of a mouse to the touch screen, or at least not as elegantly as Apple wants it.

[Zeus]

I personally would have loved a small macbook rather than a large iphone, but that may be just me.

Yeah, me too. If I'm gonna carry around something that size, it may as well have more functions than being an Apps delivery mechanism

I think it has more to do with the fact that the apps are designed for a touch screen. You'd have a somewhat hard time translating the functionality of a mouse to the touch screen, or at least not as elegantly as Apple wants it.

Also, PCs and even Macs are more of an open format whereas Apple controls all the Apps and their distribution and reaps the rewards. Can you even put your own homebrew Apps or rips of Apps on your iPod/iPhone?

[Julius Seeker]

You can use Xcode to put your own apps on device. You can do distribution ad-hoc builds for up to 100 different devices. Also, generally when a company owns their own closed platform (which includes the platforms for Xbox, Nintendo, and SCE products; as well as other mobile platforms like Qualcomm's BREW), they generally gain a royalty fee, it is not a new concept that Apple made up because they're evil or something.

Anyway, I came here mostly to post about netflicks is coming to iPad, there has also been talks about it coming to handheld devices as well including DS and iPhone.

[Kupek]

I was pointing out that I brought up the coffee-table computer during the last discussion: http://www.tows.cc/phpBB3/viewtopic.php ... le#p143815

[Lox]

I see the appeal of the device and I'd probably own one if I had lots of money to toss around. It'd be perfect for sitting on the coffee table as you guys have pointed out. For quick surfing or looking up info or even watching videos, I bet it's awesome. And there are some pretty cool games on it now. When I picture myself using one, I immediately think of those info tablets they used in Star Trek.

However, I don't have a few hundred dollars to toss around for something like this and for that reason, it's not worth it. I'd rather own a NetBook that could do more for the same price.