38 replies to this topic

[DaveyJJ]

So, now that the Friday March 12 has arrived, you know, the one tied to April 3rd mass iPad crazy-day, who pre-ordered or reserved one? Come on, step forward, admit your techno-lust here among friends. I'll begin.

Hi, my name's David and I reserved a 16GB WiFi model for pickup. Sadly though, it's not for me (I would've got the 64GB one), but for my work as we complete our latest iPhone and iPad app. Regardless, I'll still get to play all day with it over the weekend until I have to bring it into work the following morning.

So, who else?

EDIT: I just got back from my lunch at home and what was waiting for me but my tax refund from Revenue Canada. That may make the end of April a very nice time for me.

[dojoboy]

I pre-ordered a 16GB / wi-fi + 3G.  The opportunity to get 3G when I want it, and how long I want it, is a deal maker.  I also believe my wife is going to love it, although she would not admit it.  She loves the touch.   And, I've got the touch.  

[NAG]

I reserved a wifi one for pickup. I'm probably also going to try to pickup a case and bluetooth keyboard at some point.

[Mister Mumbles]

Meh. I would much more prefer a 3G model for the iPod Touch. Now that would be a hell of a lot more useful to me. It's probably never going to happen though. *sigh* The iPad itself is even more of an extremely unnecessary luxury item than any other product Apple has made to date.

[Whaleman]

Pegasus, on 12 March 2010 - 10:27 PM, said:

Meh. I would much more prefer a 3G model for the iPod Touch. Now that would be a hell of a lot more useful to me. It's probably never going to happen though. *sigh* The iPad itself is even more of an extremely unnecessary luxury item than any other product Apple has made to date.

3G version of the iPod touch? You mean an iPhone... It can even make calls!

And yes, I seriously doubt they'll strip the phoning from an iPhone to make an iPod touch 3G....

[Melismatic]

I've heard some good and bad things about the Ipad,

But I suppose you really have to try it first.  I'd love to hear feedback on it if you guys have the time.

[Cougar]

I was set on getting one at first, but then the RDF wore off. If a killer PDF viewer/notetaking app for students comes out, I might bite. It's just so obvious they are putting a camera in the next model, though, so I  might as well wait. We'll see what iPhone OS 4 brings to the iPad--hopefully multitasking!

[Sneaky Snake]

NAG, on 12 March 2010 - 06:30 PM, said:

I reserved a wifi one for pickup. I'm probably also going to try to pickup a case and bluetooth keyboard at some point.

You can hook up a bluetooth keyboard?? The device just got even better for me. I'm strongly considering selling my MB and getting an iPad.

I think it's the kind of thing where people make fun of you for buying one, but when they try it out, they're going to be jealous

[NAG]

Sneaky Snake, on 13 March 2010 - 01:42 PM, said:

You can hook up a bluetooth keyboard?? The device just got even better for me. I'm strongly considering selling my MB and getting an iPad.

I think it's the kind of thing where people make fun of you for buying one, but when they try it out, they're going to be jealous

At the very least you can use Apple's bluetooth keyboard (confirmed by Apple). Knowing Apple I'm not entirely sure if third party bluetooth keyboards would work so you might want to ask Apple about that. Bluetooth keyboards makes more sense then the weird dock keyboard (even though it is more expensive).

As far as usage I'm going to be swapping my Macbook Air for the iPad to some degree. I feel it would be more useful in the lab for minor spreadsheet and database work as well as reading papers (less clunky, doesn't require me to designate an area on the bench for a computer). Having the computer as a stationary object really can hinder your workflow because you have to keep returning to a physical point (I reduce this to some degree using my iPhone but the screen size and lack of good spreadsheet app makes it less than optimal).

The only real problems with the iPad are that printing and connecting to AFP or FTP fileshares are unknown. There were conflicting rumors regarding those abilities (which mean those features are probably a 4.0 OS feature if they're actually going in). If the iPad does get network printing and nonclunky fileserver ability (I shouldn't need a third party app to connect to a server) it will be able to replace a computer for everything outside of image analysis (and honestly even if the iPad got an ImageJ equivalent there will probably never be extensive scripting ability on the iPad due to the security model).

I think of the iPad like this: I don't own Photoshop CSwhatever. I do things with photos though. I use tools that fit the job. Photoshop doesn't fit the job. For personal photo organization I use iPhoto because it is better at organizing photos (it's getting a tad clunky though). For image analysis I use a combination of Pixelmator and ImageJ (Pixelmator is in the combo because ImageJ can tell you about images but is really really horrible at cropping and such). You could see a similar line of reasoning with many people who "owned" Photoshop as with the iPad detractors, though. Oh, you need [a full computer]/[Photoshop] because it has all these extra features. Yes, Photoshop is a good tool for many people. But many other people simply do not need it and it actually slows them down.

Good quote:

Quote

When folks need an elevator, we should give them an elevator, not an airplane. We’ve been giving them airplanes for 30 years, and then laughing at them for being too stupid to fly them right.

source

[Sneaky Snake]

NAG, on 14 March 2010 - 03:07 PM, said:

At the very least you can use Apple's bluetooth keyboard (confirmed by Apple). Knowing Apple I'm not entirely sure if third party bluetooth keyboards would work so you might want to ask Apple about that. Bluetooth keyboards makes more sense then the weird dock keyboard (even though it is more expensive).

It appears you can use any bluetooth keyboard. The following quote is from the Pages page in the iPad part of the site.

Quote

When you need to write more, use the optional iPad Keyboard Dock or a wireless keyboard with Bluetooth technology.

[alldaveallen]

I believe you mean "Who's pre-ordered etc..."

Anyway, my lifestyle, which is that of a stay-at-home dad who does graphic design, is pretty much OK with a desktop big-screen iMac. There's no niche in my life that begs to be filled with an iPad. I don't dismiss it, though, and it will be very interesting to see whether it will create a new niche for itself, and then see if other companies try to muscle in on that niche.

One question: how are you supposed to carry it around? An iPhone is apparently just small enough for people to put in their pocket, and laptops have a whole infrastructure of support products that go with them (Designer bags, backpacks, etc.) but this iPad thing: will you need clothes with a kangaroo pouch or something?

[dojoboy]

alldaveallen, on 16 March 2010 - 09:45 AM, said:

One question: how are you supposed to carry it around? An iPhone is apparently just small enough for people to put in their pocket, and laptops have a whole infrastructure of support products that go with them (Designer bags, backpacks, etc.) but this iPad thing: will you need clothes with a kangaroo pouch or something?

There are already tot bags designed for it and backpacks would work just as well.  My thinking is, just carry it like a notebook/note pad.

[NAG]

I don't really see why you couldn't stick it in a bag unless you're really worried about your iPad not being hugged by something constantly.

[alldaveallen]

NAG, on 16 March 2010 - 04:58 PM, said:

I don't really see why you couldn't stick it in a bag unless you're really worried about your iPad not being hugged by something constantly.

Well, of course. I guess my point is that it occupies this weird neither/nor spot between a smartphone and a laptop. If you have to carry it in a laptop bag why not just get a laptop?

[dojoboy]

alldaveallen, on 17 March 2010 - 12:48 AM, said:

If you have to carry it in a laptop bag why not just get a laptop?

Aside from the reasons your getting an iPad for, over a laptop, the simple slide to unlock, awake and ready capability of the iPad is a huge plus over a laptop.

[NAG]

It's like you didn't even read my post. You're using the same logic of why get an iPhone if you're just going to put it in your pocket like a mobile phone from the mid-1990s. Each new device doesn't need a new container.

[teflon]

It's all about how you want to keep it scratch free. Just dumping it in a rucksack is going to get it wrecked pretty quickly. Either it's going to need a little neoprene/leather case to protect it within the bag, or it's going to have a plastic/rubber and film cover to be on it the entire time.

Either way, it's too big for clothing, it's going to need you to have it in a bag, but NAG is slightly wrong, it does need a new container to prevent breakage.

[NAG]

Psh, wimp. I don't have a case on my iPhone and it is scratch free. Just don't put it in with your keys or something silly.

[Eric5h5]

Yeah, those screens are really not that easy to damage.  My iPod touch has been in my pocket with my keys a few times (unintentionally...I try to avoid that) and it's fine.  The back is looking kind of scuffed now but the screen is still perfect.

--Eric

[Janichsan]

alldaveallen, on 16 March 2010 - 09:45 AM, said:

I believe you mean "Who's pre-ordered etc..."

No, I think "whose" is correct – DaveyJJ learned English from Jar Jar Binks.