Apple iPad, first report

[pjrose]

DS pre-ordered an iPad a week or so ago, and today I went to the Apple Store to pick it up (he couldn't). It was about an hour wait, not bad at all. I got the 32 GB one and an Apple case/cover. I got to play with a few demo models for maybe a minute, and tried to do something that seemed pretty simple (copy/paste from one app to another). The Apple guy couldn't figure it out and said maybe it couldn't be done. Not likely

Got it home and DS glommed onto it immediately, of course. It is super ultra amazingly über cool. More so than I imagined. ok, I'll try to control my drooling now.....

He had it on and running online within seconds, attached it to his MacBook Pro with the included cable (same as any iPod-USB cable), and synched his iTunes, photos, addresses, and other stuff. It took a few minutes, tops. Seamlessly transferred some Apps he had already downloaded onto the MacBook - Pages, Numbers, and Keynote (Apple's word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software - $10 each). Also moved over some free apps for various stuff - screen backgrounds, games, and an eBook reader. Figured out how to the copy/paste that the Apple guy said maybe couldn't be done.

Maps are awesome - it found our general location b/c of our internet provider. A quick finger movement to peel up the map and show some commands in the background, and you can switch from satellite to street to other types of maps. Like other Apple gizmos, just use the fingers to move, zoom in or out, and so forth.

Typing in Pages or the Net or wherever works great with the touch keyboard - rotate the iPad to be horizontal, and the keyboard is a decent size. Correcting is easy.

eBooks are Great. There's a wood-look bookshelf that came with Winnie The Pooh. Click the book cover, the bookshelf rotates, and the book opens. Read it vertically (one page) or horizontally (2 pages). Page turning either way is a swipe of the finger, and the page turns like a piece of paper. If you aren't sure of a word, highlight it with your finger and choose dictionary, and get a definition. Search for anything in the book, and insert bookmarks.

iTunes sounds great, and videos look great. Hopped onto YouTube to see Adam Lambert do Time for Miracles.

I don't mind the lack of the camera - it would be kind of weird to use something this size as a camera, and a USB cable or the card reader that will be available soon will take care of moving pictures from a camera. I suppose a webcam would be useful for Skype, but it'd have to be something that could swivel, because you don't necessarily hold the iPad at the same angle as a laptop screen. Some kind of clip on USB one should be fine.

I'm not so crazy about the fingerprints. It didn't come with a cloth (though that's no big deal) and clean hands would probably help, but fingerprints are going to be an occupational hazard for any touch screen device.

I want an iPad of my own. I think this will be an extremely useful device for almost anything - an inexpensive substitute for a laptop (think taking notes in class), games, photos, internet - recipes in the kitchen - taking to the store with a list - and yes, reading books. :whoopie: :whoopie:

Edited to correct earlier comment that it did not have a microphone. Apparently it does.

 

[Clemson Fan]

They had them at the navy exchange today and I played with one for a little while. There was just a 2 minute line for me to get on one and play with it and I could've purchased one if I so desired which I don't.

For me my impression of it really didn't change from when it was first announced. To me it's just a big itouch. Does it look cool - yeah. Will it replace anything I currently use - no. Will I buy it - no. My iPhone, which I love, is more capable.

It's missing 3 things which I'm frankly shocked apple didn't build it with. Those are a webcam, sd card slot and USB slot. Those would've been very easy to include and would've made it a home run for me. They tout it for organizing pictures, but you have no way of getting pictures onto it without another computer or e-mailing them to yourself. Yes I know these features are promised with future accesories, but for me I hate accesories. I'd much rather have that stuff included in the form factor of the device.

I'm sure it will sell well and will be a great e-reader which blows the kindle away. It will also be a good Internet surfing device although it will be somewhat limited in this aspect since they did not include flash support. So, you can expect a lot of little red boxes with x's in them.

For me, on a scale of 1-10 I'd probably give it a 6.

 

[BocaBum99]

6 out of 10? Sounds like it is better than "sucks".

I think it rocks. We ordered a 64G 3G version. Won't be out until the end of the month. It's for my son, but I expect to use it with the Slingbox. I'll watch NBA playoff games on the beach.

SlingBox

 

[Sea Six]

I think I'll wait a little while, until it comes with more of the features it should already have. I hate buying the newest toy on the block and then wishing later I had the better one that came out after I got mine. Always happens to me when I buy a new mdel car, too.

 

[pwrshift]

Can you take it outside and tell us what it looks like in bright sunlight ... can you easily read it like a book (or Kindle) if sitting on the beach getting a suntan and surfing? If so, I think I'll buy one as I need a new toy.

Brian

I got the 32 GB one and an Apple case/cover.

I want an iPad of my own. I think this will be an extremely useful device for almost anything - an inexpensive substitute for a laptop (think taking notes in class), games, photos, internet - recipes in the kitchen - taking to the store with a list - and yes, reading books. :whoopie: :whoopie:

 

[Elan]

Does the iPad support Flash?

 

[pjrose]

Can you take it outside and tell us what it looks like in bright sunlight ... can you easily read it like a book (or Kindle) if sitting on the beach getting a suntan and surfing? If so, I think I'll buy one as I need a new toy.

Brian

I got it away from DS for a few minutes In the bright sun, the fingerprints were really obvious. I cleaned the screen with a microfiber cloth to get rid of them. There was a lot of reflection of the sun on the glossy screen. Perhaps with a combination of sunglasses and shade or angling it just right it'd be ok, but at this point, unhappily no. Maybe someone will come out with a little sun-shade accessory.

Does the iPad support Flash?

No, Steve Jobs says there are issues with Flash so he handled that differently. I don't know what/how.

 

[nonutrix]

Here is the New York Times review - it answers some questions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/t...d=1&ei=5087&en=ec9490deaa7ed446&ex=1285732800

nonutrix

 

[Transit]

I'm taking a wait and see approach. I like the 3g version for a vehicle and travel entertainment system. I'm wondering how well the ATT network will handle the influx......Questions -How well does the copy and paste work? Do the speakers sound good? Is it too heavy to hold reading for a long time? Can you IM on Facebook? Any email problems?
No flash is a serious inconvenience. No web cam is a deal breaker. Hopefully the next version will have one. HDMI out,wireless synchronization and integrated card reader are some of the features I hope will be addressed.

 

[readyalready]

So no screen protectors? I guess they wouldn't be very practical.

DH wanted to go get one yesterday, I think we should wait for the 3G so we will see...

 

[timeos2]

niche defined

This is a totally unneeded product looking for an audience. Even for those that for some unknown reason decide to get one will regret not waiting for at least the second generation (if there even is one) for both lower cost & greatly improved features. Ask the early iPhone buyers if they feel they got a good value.

 

[Elan]

I'm taking a wait and see approach.......
No flash is a serious inconvenience. No web cam is a deal breaker. Hopefully the next version will have one. HDMI out,wireless synchronization and integrated card reader are some of the features I hope will be addressed.

Same opinion here. I would suppose in the next few months there will be numerous tablets out that address the shortcomings you've listed. The lack of Flash support on a device that is as large as the iPad is disappointing. I could live without Flash on a phone, but it's foolish to exclude it on a device that's otherwise very well suited to internet browsing. Also, I'd personally prefer a smaller form factor -- something in the 7" range, like a paperback novel size.

One nice thing about waiting to purchase electronic devices is that they get better and drop in price while you wait. I suspect that internet tablets will sell for $199 to $299 in a short period, much like netbooks.

 

[Passepartout]

One nice thing about waiting to purchase electronic devices is that they get better and drop in price while you wait. I suspect that internet tablets will sell for $199 to $299 in a short period, much like netbooks.

Agreed. I paid $500 for my 7" netbook with Linux. Now available for $150 or less. So much for early adoption.

I will curb my enthusiasm for a tablet/e-reader until other makers become involved and competition enters the marketplace. If there's a market, WinTel will enter with products and/or Apple will include USB in/output, webcam, etc ad infinitum.

Thanks to those who are spending their money to do Apple's market research.

Jim Ricks

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks to those spending their money to do our market research.

Jim Ricks

The bleeding edge of new technology...

Dave

 

[pjrose]

I'm taking a wait and see approach. I like the 3g version for a vehicle and travel entertainment system. I'm wondering how well the ATT network will handle the influx......

Questions -How well does the copy and paste work?

It works just fine. You have to kind of tap and hesitate for the edit options to pop up. It's probably described in documentation or help files, though DS figured it out quickly.

Do the speakers sound good?

Yes, to me, but I don't have a good ear so I'm not a good judge of that

Is it too heavy to hold reading for a long time?

yes it feels heavy but so does a hardcover book.I either prop a book in my lap or put it on the bed next to me, rather than holding it up.

Can you IM on Facebook?

Yes

Any email problems?

Nope

No flash is a serious inconvenience. No web cam is a deal breaker. Hopefully the next version will have one. HDMI out,wireless synchronization and integrated card reader are some of the features I hope will be addressed.

 

[pjrose]

Ok i am typing on it now. Lots of errors b c i want to rest my fingers on the keyboard which is not a good idea for a touch-sensitive device.

It does some spelling fixing as I type. I can easily make my view much Bigger or smaller so I can see what I'm typing.

I can get used to it though I'd rather have an optional keyboard. [edited - DS says his Bluetooth keyboard works great, and the Apple case props the iPad up at the right angle, so he will not be buying the iPad dock/keyboard.]

I'm seeing this as a good travel 'puter for Mac-types, instead of a netbook. (However if you're writing the great American novel on your travels, definitely bring the laptop of your choice instead of anything with a mini-keyboard or a touch-keyboard.)

 

[AwayWeGo]

Be Not The 1st By Whom The New Are Tried, Nor Yet The Last To Lay The Old Aside.

Around here, we're semi-slow, technologically speaking.

We talk on a plain-vanilla cell phone -- no text messages, no little bitty typewriter on the keypad, no tricky ringtones, no aps, just phone calls. The directory feature is nice. Ditto the record of incoming & outgoing calls. The built-in alarm clock is OK, but not the advantage I thought it would be; we turned it on & set it just fine, but it took 3 days to figure out how to shut it off.

We type on a regular Mac Mini computer -- far fewer problems with it than even with the relatively trouble-free home-made Windows computer we had before taking the Mcintosh plunge. (Full Disclosure: Our son assembled the home-made Windows computer for us; we didn't do it ourselves. If we tried assembling something like that, we would have no clue. After a few years, our son also told us when it was time to upgrade to Mac Mini & he fixed us up with the 1 I'm typing on right now.)

To augment navigation by Rand-McNally highway atlas, we use a cute little TomTom One hand-held GPS navigational device which is so easy to use that even we can figure it out.

Our latest advance into the world of semi-up-to-date technology is the acquisition of a small Macintosh battery-powered portable computer with built-in rechargeable batteries. Our son bought himself a more advanced model & was ready to sell off the old 1 via Craig's List. The Chief Of Staff bought it instead, so now we have our own little flat portable computer to take on trips if we want -- E-Mail, internet, wi-fi, etc.

No perceived need or desire around here -- yet -- for smart phone, i-Phone, i-Pod, i-Pad, i-Tablet, i-Droid, i-This or i-That.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[timeos2]

WiFi for you?

Our latest advance into the world of semi-up-to-date technology is the acquisition of a small Macintosh battery-powered portable computer with built-in rechargeable batteries. Our son bought himself a more advanced model & was ready to sell off the old 1 via Craig's List. The Chief Of Staff bought it instead, so now we have our own little flat portable computer to take on trips if we want -- E-Mail, internet, wi-fi, etc.

No perceived need or desire around here -- yet -- for smart phone, i-Phone, i-Pod, i-Pad, i-Tablet, i-Droid, i-This or i-That.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

Hey Alan you may be a candidate for the (rumored) CP Grande Villas upgrade to wireless or the available wireless at CPR! Welcome to the late 90's?

 

[Ken555]

Unless you have a desire to get the latest tech toy and you don't have a business need for it then many of you should wait until either the price is less or it has the features you desire...or both.

Many have called it simply a large iPod Touch. Now that I've had one for a day I can say in my opinion that's both accurate and inaccurate. It's correct in that almost all apps for the iPod/iPhone work on the iPad at a simply larger size (which btw is something I think is great). It's incorrect in that due to the larger screen apps can be made to be significantly more functional. I downloaded (too many) apps in the last few days for it and some are amazingly practical that might appeal to the TUG audience.

For instance the new Kayak app is fantastic. Much more functional than the iPhone version as it included more info at one time. Apple's Pages app works almost exactly like their Mac equivalent, includes some easy to use templates for new documents - which may be emailed (as Word files if desired) to anyone or sync'd to an iWork.com account (currently no charge).

I agree with others that expo to use this device as a camera is impractical. But, a front facing webcam would work well for video conferencing. There have been additional reports in the last day that detail what's included inside the unit and it seems there is space available for a webcam. I expect Apple didn't include one due to price issues. And, it gives them something to enhance the unit with over time. I am certain that Apple has an internal roadmap already figured out for the next few versions of this device.

As for Flash, take a deep breath. It's not the end of the world. During the last day of my use I've only hit a few sites that don't function as I'd expect. Ironically one of those is my own site - we have a flash movie on my main page and while it was missing it didn't detract too much from the page as we happen to have a colored background, so if you didn't know it was supposed to be there it wouldn't be too strange. I think lots of people are missing Flash from movie/TV sites like Hulu and of course all the social gaming on Facebook. Keep in mind that lots of well known sites have been redesigning for HTML5 (to provide similar video functionality without need for Flash). By the time most of you elect to get one of these units I expect the web experience will be much better.

My other impressions are similar to PJ's: the battery is simply amazing, the typing is great (I wrote this on my iPad touch typing and after some time using it I'm almost as comfortable as with a keyboard), ebooks are great (I've tried Apple's iBooks, Amazon's Kindle, and Kobo's applications - so far the Apple app looks better to me but the others are quite good).

In the end, it's really all about the type of computer/Internet experience you're seeking. I'm very excited about mobility solutions and this is a hands down winner in that category and I'm sure it will push the entire market to develop better and more ubiquitous portable solutions. For those who haven't tried one, take the time to go to an Apple Store and play with one for a bit (more than 5 minutes). Trying it yourself is the only way to determine if it's something you think will work for your needs.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Free Wi-Fi.

Hey Alan you may be a candidate for the (rumored) CP Grande Villas upgrade to wireless or the available wireless at CPR! Welcome to the late 90's?

We don't try logging on unless the wi-fi service is el freebo, as it was last December at Ron Jon Cape Caribe Resort in Cape Canaveral FL & last month at the Airport Best Western, Jacksonville FL.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Transit]

Thanks for the honest Ipad comments most of the reviews I've read online are very biased, from Apple haters or Apple fans.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Another hands on Apple iPad (WiFi) Review - written by Tim Gideon from PCMag.com

I thought it was informative and balanced.


Richard

 

[Ken555]

This is a totally unneeded product looking for an audience. Even for those that for some unknown reason decide to get one will regret not waiting for at least the second generation (if there even is one) for both lower cost & greatly improved features. Ask the early iPhone buyers if they feel they got a good value.

Just reread this thread and saw your statement. I think this is a rather extreme point of view without much to support it. Do you have any info to share that validates your opinion?

Btw the early iPhone owners knew what they were getting. And when the price changed rapidly apple gave a refund. How many companies do that?

Here's an article I just read that includes some forecasting which includes a belief that this device will rejuvenate the entire tablet market.

Check out this article that I saw in USA TODAY's iPad application.

Thanks to iPad, tablets may be the new hot thing
http://usat.me?38090086

To view the story, click the link or paste it into your browser.

To learn more about USA TODAY for iPad and download, visit: http://usatoday.com/ipad/

 

[Amy]

Can you take it outside and tell us what it looks like in bright sunlight ... can you easily read it like a book (or Kindle) if sitting on the beach getting a suntan and surfing? If so, I think I'll buy one as I need a new toy.

Brian

Brian,

If you are interested in using this for a lot of leisure reading, I'd suggest you get a dedicated ereader. Click here for one recent review of the iPad by a serious fan of ebooks, "10 hours with the iPad: Why the iPad is not a Kindle Killer."

 

[Ken555]

Do We Need the iPad? A TIME Review

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1976932-1,00.html
​

The most interesting steel-cage match this year will be Apple and the iPad vs. Amazon and the Kindle in the e-bookselling arena. I've seen what books look like on the iPad, and I've seen Apple's e-bookstore. The iPad is going to fold, mutilate and spindle the Kindle.

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1976932-2,00.html#ixzz0kChk8eVs

Nobody — not even Jobs, by his own admission — is sure what consumers will use the iPad for, but I'm guessing it will be the first true home computer. Conventional PCs live in studies; laptops make brief, furtive forays into the living room. The iPad will become the first whole-house computer, shared among an entire family, passed from hand to hand, roaming freely from living room to kitchen to bedroom to — look, it's going to happen — bathroom, at ease everywhere, tethered to nothing. It's not a revolution, but it's a real change, the kind of change you notice.