Apple iPad

[SpankMe]

Will be looking into this device for the missus. All she does is browse and MSN chat with her friends in Thailand. So assuming it can run a Microsoft product like MSN and can input Thai text, it might be just the thing for her. Cheaper than a laptop and easier to lie of the sofa and use, and it'll save me from having to bring my work laptop home every day to her to use.

No built-in webcam, but I think a WiFi webcam would work better.

edit: Just found out it can't run MSN. :(

[onearmedbandit]

There are other applications that work with MSN. For example on my phone I use NimBuzz (http://www.nimbuzz.com/en/), which I see works on the iPhone. Syncs with your established MSN contacts list.

[SpankMe]

She uses MSN video chat alot and is not very PC/internet savy.

[onearmedbandit]

It's as easy to use as MSN, and supports video chat. If you have a decent mobile try it. I'm seriously considering getting one, mostly for the book factor. Having only one arm is a bastard for holding a paperback while having a smoke lol.

[Trudes]

I want one!!! Looks cool!

[steve_t]

I wonder how these will go. I was thinking nobody but apple fanboys would buy them cos it's just a large iPod Touch, but I guess that's the appeal. With the iPad and iPhone around the same price, I'd take/keep the iPhone cos you can make calls and send SMS and can stick it in your pocket. I was hoping the iPad would be revolutionary, but it really isn't :(

[SpankMe]

What always puts me off Apple gear is how your hardware is locked in. Can't change battery & can't add memory. Also having to only use their apps is a pain. Now if Microsoft made one to run windows, or even better, Google did a pad version of the nexus one, now that would be cool.

[SpankMe]

Also only having 1024x768 resolution is just too low.

[Tank]

Im sure that they will sell some - but the general concensus is that the thing just dosnt have the 'cool stuff' (tm) needed to be a desirable device.

Even the Apple fan bois wanted to love it are having trouble finding a justification / use for it. As you say - cannot even stream movies to it in a reasonable format. Its a book reader with a browser - thats about it.

Apple Fail!

[Headbanger]

I bet my gold teeth it won't be cheaper then a laptop when it gets to NZ, and it has about 1/10th the capabilities of even a budget laptop.

I was semi-interested until it became apparent its just an over sized version of the crap they already have, I regret buying my iphone, Damned if I'm going to buy a bigger version of it to run their exact same crappy apps. Seems to be Apple concentrate first and foremost on building wanky devices that divert people to their app and media stores.

[Tank]

We all have laptops here - but a lot cannot be assed taking them everywhere - so we are buying smaller netbooks for people as second devices (well 3rd after the BB's).

We are waiting for the ASUS Eee PC 1201N - could be an ideal device for your missus needs.

[SpankMe]

What?!, no multi tasking. So you can't browse and chat at the same time. I think I can see a new laptop in my girlies future.

[steve_t]

Your missus might like one of those HP Slates that are coming out later this year

[Headbanger]

http://i.gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad?skyline=true&s=i

[Nasty]

I had an eee pc ... didn't use it as much as I thought ... now have a laptop again .. much happier.

[imdying]

Would be very hard to recommend this:
- No USB ports (seriously??)
- No multitasking
- No web cam
- Proprietary eBook format (I refuse to believe that won't get sorted quickly though??!)
- It's a first gen Apple product, in 12 months a far superior version will be released... that would be the one to wait for

[onearmedbandit]

Would be very hard to recommend this:
- No USB ports (seriously??)
- No multitasking
- No web cam
- Proprietary eBook format (I refuse to believe that won't get sorted quickly though??!)
- It's a first gen Apple product, in 12 months a far superior version will be released... that would be the one to wait for

Yeah you're right. I've done a bit of looking around, there's a new version due out later this year, going to have a larger display and more features. It's name will be the iMaxiPad. There's also one coming out that designed solely for people who do a lot of travel by flight, iPad with Wings.

[Elysium]

Hmmmmm a new shiney Apple product, MUST BUY!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BnLbv6QYcA

[brendonjw]

Will be interesting to see what the screen is like, i had to setup the faltmates Mac for wireless last night, the shiny screen was shocking for reflection, if the IPad has one similar it will be a epic fail for trying to have a read out in the sun with a drink.
No USB ports is also a bit of a stuff up i think, or even put a ethernet port in it...

[imdying]

No USB ports is also a bit of a stuff up i think, or even put a ethernet port in it...To be fair, WiFi is pretty commonplace and probably better suited to this device, but no USB is a bit of a WTF.

[Headbanger]

In a similar vein to the launch of the iPhone, Apple has left features out of the iPad in order to force customers to hand over more money for accessories and, eventually, the next generation of the device.
The iPad lacks a built-in camera, USB ports and memory card reader, but all three features can be added by buying separate adapters. A separate keyboard dock is required to connect the iPad to a keyboard.
"Are we really going to have to carry a separate camera with us and connect it to the iPad to get it onto the internet?" wrote Mike Melanson on ReadWriteWeb.com (http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/could_no_camera_be_an_ipad_killer.php).
"And what about Skype, undoubtedly one of the favorites when it comes to keeping in touch with friends and family in far away places? Video chatting is out of the question."
The iPad is based on the same operating system as the iPhone, and they share the limitation of being unable to run multiple applications at the same time or to display web pages created using Adobe's Flash.
Also like the iPhone, the iPad can only run apps sanctioned by Apple and provided through its App Store.
Only videos contained in the user's iTunes library or converted to Apple's video formats will play, and files cannot be dragged and dropped on to the device, as is the case with most other computers.
It also lacks an HDMI output for connection to a TV set. Only 720p video playback is supported, rather than the 1080p resolution of true high-definition files.
Similarly, when the iPhone launched, it lacked the ability to search, copy and paste, record videos and send MMS messages, among other features, but these were all added later.
"The tablet's resolution tops out at 1024 x 768, which falls into the 4:3 standard definition range and not the glorious, widescreen 16:9 high definition aspect ratio we've come to know and love," wrote Barb Dybwad on the Mashable blog (http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/ipad-whats-missing/).
There is no full GPS support either but the more expensive 3G models, set to be released a month after the standard models, support "assisted GPS", which pinpoint your location using nearby mobile towers.



Apple fanboys expected to ignore flaws


...........................

[Big Dave]

Entertainment device. I love my iPod touch - great toy - this appears to just be a bigger one.
I gave my playstaion to Jnr - don't use anymore - use the iPod.

Magazine e-book reader potential interests me.
Might be handy for someone like me to webcast pictures from the road and events. Depending on how well the camera connectivity works.

Replacement for a laptop. Nuh. Still would like one for the games and gizzmos.

[ScreaminGherkin]

Supposedly Asus has an Eee branded tablet coming shortly. Even has such fancy things as usb. No idea what it uses for an operating system though.

[Ixion]

Entertainment device. I love my iPod touch - great toy - this appears to just be a bigger one.
I gave my playstaion to Jnr - don't use anymore - use the iPod.

Magazine e-book reader potential interests me.
Might be handy for someone like me to webcast pictures from the road and events. Depending on how well the camera connectivity works.

Replacement for a laptop. Nuh. Still would like one for the games and gizzmos.

But it's too big to fit in a pocket.

[Big Dave]

But it's too big to fit in a pocket.

So is my camera. I have to carry a bag anyway. As a big veiwscreen/monitor it could be effective for photo management. Depends what image system it runs and how much the data costs. If it's vodafone only forgeddaboudit.

[Ixion]

You need a smaller camera. This *is* the 22nd century, y'know. Anything to large to fit in a pocket needs downsizing. Stat. In fact, the whole pocket thing is getting obsolescent, because now I have several pocket thingies in my pocket. The iPhone is too big, takes up too much pocket space. Anything bigger is a Fail.

[imdying]

Bad news Ixion... the era of the man bag might be upon you :gob:

[Thaeos]

This is just a bigger iPhone, except without the phone capability. Basically, it's a useless piece of crap.

[Ixion]

Bad news Ixion... the era of the man bag might be upon you

Nonsense. Smaller is better, (only where electronics are concerned obviously). Moreover, the iPad is a disappointment, it completely lacks voice command capability. I'm way over having to tap screens to do stuff, that shouldn't be acceptable in this day and age. Buttons are an epic Fail, why doesn't it have a decent voice module?

Why are all the touted innovations so underwhelming and disappointing? And why does Big Dave NEED a separate camera anyway? That's just so last century, cameras should be built in.

[Swoop]

I want one!!! Looks cool!
Top Tip for you...

[imdying]

Nonsense.I dunno man, once you've got your man bag you won't feel bad about getting a perm.

[Brian d marge]

Meeeeeh

I have an Iphone , its nice and has some good features such as maps , train times etc , Its easy to type emails etc but no USB , No SD card No document reader , no bluetooth ( yes but its crap)
I jail broke mine , MUCH better but still

I have also just bought a Net book , MSI WIND ( end of line half price etc ) 27 000 yen (usually 50 000) and threw linux on it
Skype works out of the box , all media play , its not much thicker than an ipad the battery life is crap , but thats the low end battery I have , can be improved
and 160 gig storage! and it does MSN chat and video out of the box !

Sorry apple classic fail buddy! IMHO

Stephen

[CookMySock]

If she just wants something easy to use that is hard to break, I'd get a tablet and boof kubuntu on it. Trim the apps back so theres just the basics. Kopete does MSN + camera IIRC.

Dunno if that will have the language capability you need though.

Then you can do as you choose with no one telling you what to do. It will be nearly impossible to wreck it, bar dropping it, and if she does manage to trash her account, just make another one or keep a spare as a backup.

Steve

[Grasshopperus]

The ipad is not going to support anything that detracts from their iTunes/iphone/ipad store. They already know that people will spread their cheeks for anything with an apple logo on it so here comes the ultimate creditcard prising device.

Too big to be a mobile phone
Too crap to be a laptop
Just right for poseurs

[MaxB]

Ask the teenagers. They are on to it.

Mine bought an iPod touch and had it on the net on WiFi in minutes and uses a Bluetooth phone combo for web access away from home. The kids quickly caught on that the iPhone is wank and bought the cheaper Touch and adapted them.

As for the iPad, it does not even rate a mention amongst the kids so it will probably flop.

[Grasshopperus]

Oh, and add this to the flames too. Hitler says no


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

[Big Dave]

Ix - It's the size of the glass that is the issue with the camera.

>>The ipad is not going to support anything that detracts from their iTunes/iphone/ipad store.<<

They are advertising that it has 140,000 apps already for sale or download and some of the iPod motorcycle games will be mint on a bigger screen. Most of them are vector art and quite scalable too.



Dunno why they can't sort the flash thing though - what is the HTML5 they are quoting?

[Ixion]

Ix - It's the size of the glass that is the issue with the camera.

..

Tcch. Real bikers drink straight from the bottle.

[Winston001]

Bad news Ixion... the era of the man bag might be upon you :gob:

That's exactly what I thought last night watching TV news. Girls carry bags already so they won't mind. I use a small shoulder bag on rallies, its very handy cos I can hate lumpy stuff in my pockets.

We may see foldable screens in the near future - the technology already exists. But cutting down weight while keeping strength is difficult. So sod carrying a folding Kindle or iPad in my pocket dragging everything down. Much easier in a slim bag.

[Big Dave]

Bottle man don't no no bottle lad. Sook't right from keg like.

[Big Dave]

When I first started at KR I used to make jokes about the size of Osborne's back pack that he used to have carry for a photo shoot.
Particularly on a trail ride or something like that. 'Need extra air there Geoffrey?, you better take the big bike to get up the hill'.

Now I carry a bigger one and all his kit fills the luggage compartment of a range rover.

[imdying]

We may see foldable screens in the near future - the technology already exists.I was hoping they were actually going to release the next big thing... a tablet 5mm thick that could be rolled up or folded. Wishful thinking of course, that tech is still a little way away from prime time, but still...

[Ixion]

That's exactly what I thought last night watching TV news. Girls carry bags already so they won't mind. I use a small shoulder bag on rallies, its very handy cos I can hate lumpy stuff in my pockets.



Sigh. Young people nowadays



We may see foldable screens in the near future - the technology already exists. But cutting down weight while keeping strength is difficult. So sod carrying a folding Kindle or iPad in my pocket dragging everything down. Much easier in a slim bag.

Folding = Fail.

Roll up, a little better. But why must we have screens. Why should the soaring virility of human imagination be tehthered and constrained to the narrow confines of metal and plastic.
Really, when you look at it objectively, the entire PC/laptop/netbook/Ipda/iPhone thign is SO archaic. There's scarcely been any reall progress since like, forever. At least 10 years. All the innovation and imagination seems to have been squeezed out of the huan race these days.

Holographs FTW.

[Big Dave]

I was hoping they were actually going to release the next big thing... a tablet 5mm thick that could be rolled up or folded. Wishful thinking of course, that tech is still a little way away from prime time, but still...

I look forward to when video is embedded in the individual magazines.

That does like this
http://kiwirider.co.nz/vicload/cover.html
but is on the device you pick up from the newsagent or on your tablet this type of way:
http://www.kiwirider.co.nz/binov.html

[SpankMe]

Again, seriously? no multitasking!?!?

[steve_t]

:laugh: how does the stone multitask?

[Ixion]

Stone is touch screen. Just need a well crafted chisel point stylus

[Ixion]

:laugh: how does the stone multitask?

You can chisel both sides at once.

[SpankMe]

:laugh: how does the stone multitask?

I can read it while smacking you over the head with it.

[Headbanger]

They are advertising that it has 140,000 apps already for sale or download and some of the iPod motorcycle games will be mint on a bigger screen. Most of them are vector art and quite scalable too.


If it were Windows based it would be 140 000 free apps ready for download, with unlimited options for more.

That aside, what are the good motorcycle games you mentioned?, I grabbed 16 or so and they were all rubbish so I'm keen to find the ones that don't suck.

[Big Dave]

Yeah there are some duds - make attari look upbeat.

The ones I like are '2XL Supercross' and Moto X Mayhem - The second is actually just a 2d scroller but the tilt thing is quite cool.

the Supercross has good graphics and gameplay and more tracks than I can be arsed learning. I think it was $7.

I like 'slot racer' too - slot cars - one button control - but it's like slot cars.

Moto Racer GP is just OK.

The games I play most are 4 different cricket sims (hey I'm aussie) and Scrabble - and I can kick its arse at that. The poker sim is OK too. Both of them are good time passers on a plane.