iPad, anyone?

[Ed62]

Does anyone use the iPad? I might consider getting one for my wife, but I know very little about them. Other than being able to read books on them, and surf the web, what else do they offer? Pros and cons about waiting for the new ones to come out?

Ed

[jackellis]

I have one, which I purchased primarily because it allows me to carry current aviation maps and charts without having to order them by mail or find an airport that carries them. Also much cheaper on longer trips - I spent nearly $150 on maps for a trip last summer from California to Iowa.

Uses in addition to surfing the web? E-mail, music, podcasts, video, reading PDF files (useful for catching up on a commercial flight). The 3G model has a built-in GPS, which could augment or replace or substitute for a separate device.


They're not great for composing documents and other office-type tasks, but I'm very happy with mine, and now my wife has asked for one as well. Since she usually hates to adopt new technology, I'd consider her request a ringing endorsement.

[Warren]

I can only tell you my daughter owns one and loves it. She does not use it as a book reader though. She sticks with the Kindle for that. The screen on the Kindle is much easier on the eyes, she says. The iPad is great for net surfing, games, movies and such. I've checked out her iPad and have to agree with her. My Kindle is much easier on the eyes for reading printed matter.

Video screens use a different technology than readers and the new Kindle is even an improvement over the 1st and 2nd generation. I'd suggest the Kindle for books and the iPad for small scale net surfing, playing games, watching movies, etc. The small screen is amazing for its size.

Hope this helps a bit.

[jussi]

Waiting for the google (and hopefully cheaper) alternative.

[radhak]

Does anyone use the iPad? I might consider getting one for my wife, but I know very little about them. Other than being able to read books on them, and surf the web, what else do they offer? Pros and cons about waiting for the new ones to come out?

Ed

Have you used an iPhone or an iTouch? An iPad can do all that, and a bit more. If you keep your expectations of that 'bit more' reined in, you might be pretty happy with it : typing up documents on an iPad might sound a huge plus over an iPhone, but reality can bog you down.

Then, if you compare with a regular computer, it has some plus and some minus; the plus could be cosmetic (brilliant screen to watch movies on) or functional (a computer you can handle like a magazine). The minus could be minor (does not play flash; so what, I rarely do) or major (no multi-tasking; now what sort of a computer is that? No USB? How do you even call it a 'device'?).

Personally, because I depend on my computers so much, I don't think I'd ever get one; the closest I see myself is to get a Kindle. The iPad is too big to be called a gadget, and not powerful enough to be called a computer.

But if all that your wife does on the computer is emails and web-surfing, she might be happy to get away from bulky machines to something that could be called 'chic'. And sometimes that counts for more than any other reasoning.

[gerti]

My wife prefers it over her old e-book reader (which she now calls "quaint"). She likes the screen better, and that it doesn't require light. But then again she doesn't read outside; where traditional ebook readers have a leg up.

Netflix streaming has not been mentioned, and the keyboard is surprisingly useable, at least for smaller things like email or diary.

Of course I am biased as I am currently developing software for the iPad.

[aggrex]

Love my Ipad! The family shares one for a quick check on e-mail, banking and general web searches. We hardy turn on the desktop unless we need to print something and I think we got to be saving electricity just by using the Ipad. I downgraded to a regular phone from a smart phone because the Ipad +3G does it all at home or on the road. One can text with the Ipad with the right ap. Might be getting LOML the Samsung Galaxy for Xmas so we don't have to share they are that convenient and fun and useful and light and portable

[SHADOWFOX]

Definitely buying one when next gen comes out which the prediction on the street is suppose to come out sometime next month.

Got an Ipod touch 3rd Gen, Iphone 4G, 15" Macbook Pro i7 and love all of them.

[leehljp]

They are not for me, but they are for my daughters, and LOML could get by on one. I input way too much for touch screen.

However, there is one intriguing aspect to the iPad - the Star Trek TNG started with very little budget and couldn't afford switches and buttons - so they made every screen a "touch" screen - years ago! The idea behind that versus current computers is that software has to be written for the hardware, where as the iPad and the philosophy behind the TNG screens is that the software determines the function rather than the hardware. Hardware specific software is far more limiting than hardware made for the power of the software. Into the future . . .

Strangely that is where we seem to be heading in computering. Of course, there will be hardware keyboard inputs in the future but they will probably be niche machines.

As a bit of trivia - the OS and multi-touch screen was developed for the iPad first but adopted and put into the iPhone which was released first.

[LCHIEN]

FWIW i read that the e-book devices, Kindle, Nook, etc. have screens better suited to reading books under all light conditions albeit monochrome, but they are just easier for reading. While the Ipad and other tablet devices can double as readers they are better suited for general purpose multi-function browsers computing, touch screen devices etc.

As a class, the Ipad devices fit between netbooks and iPods. In terms of portability and power use vs. capability and screen size.
You have to make your own judgement as to what it replaces and what you will be doing with it.

I don't have one, I use an iPod Touch and a laptop computer. My guess it (iPad) is probably great for surfing the internet while sitting at the table or on the couch watching TV. But personally its too big for taking places out of the home.

[Ed62]

Thanks much for the lessons. It's good to have several replies to something like this.

Ed

[pelligrini]

I don't have one, probably won't either, but my boss has one and his business partner. There are different versions, my boss found out that the cheaper one he got didn't support a 3G wireless connection, just wi-fi.

They looked to be pretty cool toys. His business partner had his hooked up to the car for music on a trip we took for a job meeting. It was a lot easier browsing an extensive collection on the bigger screen.

[radhak]

I don't have one, probably won't either, but my boss has one and his business partner. There are different versions, my boss found out that the cheaper one he got didn't support a 3G wireless connection, just wi-fi.

They looked to be pretty cool toys. His business partner had his hooked up to the car for music on a trip we took for a job meeting. It was a lot easier browsing an extensive collection on the bigger screen.

That 3G connection has a monthly cost associated to it : $15 or $30. I guess some might justify the cost as worth surfing the 'net while in the car etc.

But hooking it up in the car seems to be a bit retro to me : I prefer to not have too many things hooked up while driving, and definitely not something that large, fragile and sliding around on the dashboard... .

I know I am knocking somebody I don't know, but hopefully you don't take it personal seeing that was just the business partner to your boss!

I think I should stop posting on this; my 'sour grapes' face is showing !

[pelligrini]

The 3G connection was pretty handy on the road, and especially where a wi-fi connection wasn't available. He didn't have to hassle with getting access to secured wi-fi networks during meetings, etc. Purely a matter of convenience, but very nice when need/wanted.

The SUV we all were in was hardwired to the Ipad through the earphone jack I believe. I thought the teather was cumbersome. My boss wanted to hook his up to his BMW and Lambo. I told him it could probably be done over bluetooth.

I use my phone for music in my '69 Camaro through the bluetooth audio capabilities of an aftermarket stereo. I'll cue up a few playlists and set the phone in my bag. Can't really use the phone hands free though, no one calling can hear anything over the engine.

[leehljp]

But hooking it up in the car seems to be a bit retro to me : I prefer to not have too many things hooked up while driving, and definitely not something that large, fragile and sliding around on the dashboard... .

LOML and I were going somewhere last week in the evening and pulled up beside a van and there where 5 iPad size screens in the van all lit up and something on the screen. It is common to see a large pad like device on the front dash in the middle over here. They serve the function of GPS as well as TV broadcast. I am amazed that there are not more wrecks - for as many as I see in which they are in TV mode.

That said, even phones have been advertised for the past 3 to 4 years with GPS tracking - in which if you have problems and call a service center, they know where you are before you can tell them.