No. I've had it with apple. I bought a few of their products. They're beautiful and clever, but eventually I always end up feeling humiliated by how evil they are - treating me as a user like I was a worthless money machine. Also I find it hard to imagine how I would use such a device - too big to put in my pocket, no e-ink, so it can't serve as a book reader and no keyboard, so I can't use it to create things.
Agreed on the lack of e-ink. When I read that Amazon and Sony would have to struggle to provide a touch-screen, full-color interface, I thought that meant Apple had come out with an e-ink tablet. It looks really cool, yes, but frankly I'm disappointed it's not e-ink. That specific feature attracted me to the Kindle in the first place, and I absolutely love that I'm not staring at light.
What is the appeal of e-ink? I breathed a sigh of relief that it was not based on e-ink - a technology that isn't up to the task of doing what this device can do.
eye fatigue... imagine when you stare at a computer screen too long, reading now... your eyes get tired from strain, you could get burning sensation, glare, dry eyes.. all this could lead to bigger health concerns. Thats why e-ink is superior. People have reported issues with led and sight. If you want an ebook reader, the kindle,nook , and ereader are all superior for a hard core ebook reader.
links :
http://www.computervisionreadingeyeglasses.com/eye_fatigue_s...
problems with led:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1677617...
e-ink is the only real replacement for reading of paper (as of today). All other screens simply don't cut it - the resolution is way too low, they flicker, and you'll find that you can't read from them for too long without getting tired.
Why don't people understand what an incredible compromise e-ink is? It does nothing well except emulate words on a printed page. It can't be used for Web surfing, it can't be used for gaming, it can't show photos or videos, and you can't use it to implement any kind of meaningful user interface. It's too slow by two orders of magnitude for any of these tasks.
If you want to try to compete with Apple by building an expensive gadget that only does one thing well... good luck with that.
It does nothing well except emulate words on a printed page.
Thats the whole point! People want something they can stare at and read for hours without hurting their eyes. Its target specifically at people who want to get the book reading experience without carrying around a book.
As for the limitations you mentioned, I believe they are well acknowledged. At the moment, people are just happy to keep their eyes in good condition.
Yes. Apple makes it impossible for me to do things that I'd like to do and should be able to do with their hardware using DRM and other treacherous computing technologies. I had an iPhone for a while and I just got rid of it because:
1. I had to use iTunes to put music on it. Very inconvenient for me, being an Ubuntu user.
2. As a developer and super user, I was limited in what I can install on my phone. That's a phone I bought, for a lot of money, and belongs to me, and yet I couldn't decide what I put on it - everything had to go through Apple's shop.
Do you know many other companies that poo-poo like that on their customers? The very same people who pay them huge amounts of money?
I don't think Apple is the one pushing DRM, they aren't idiots. Apple's hand was forced in the fact that they had to compromise with the record labels. I'm sure Apple would prefer to sell DRM-free tracks, considering it would simplify the user experience. The record industry is responsible for DRM.
Agree. Apple's iTunes game will sooner or later be over. Having to keep mp3s the iTunes way is just funny and one of the greatest indicators of Apple seeing the user as a money machine. Solely the looks and good design of iPhone will no longer be able to hide this truth.
My mom wanted a Kindle for christmas, but we (the rest of my immediate family) passed on it as an idea because we didn't think she would actually end up using it much. We got her an iPod nano 2-3 christmasses ago, and only as of the past 6 months or so has she really managed to figure it out and start aquiring music from iTunes for it, as well as listening to Bob Brinkers weekly raido show on her own time with it (which was really how she first started to learn how to use it).
We got my dad one of the original Eee PCs (Eee 901?) from when they first came out because he wanted a small computer he could wander around the house with, and at the time it was basically the only netbook on the market. It has aged fine to do what he wants it for, but it has always been a pain to get it to connect to our wireless network. Usually it connects on startup, but when it doesn't it basically stops working until one of us re-enters our hotspot name and password after turning the wifi card on and off.
Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone and get them both something better with just one device. I'd definately want to test out the hardware myself though to see if it meets "can my parents learn to use this?" first impression.
No. Who is the iPad for? I don't understand the target market. People whose computing needs are basic enough that this can serve as a primary computer?
It plays video, and runs apps, and syncs with iTunes, but so does my iPhone and so does my macbook. It's too big to fit in your pocket, so you need a bag for it, but why not just put my macbook in the bag?
I'm a power user and I demand a lot from my computers. That's why I jailbroke my iPhone; it just doesn't do enough out of the box. The iPad, like the iPhone, is a closed, sandboxed platform.
I've been thinking about this for awhile. I think the target is people who use a laptop for web browsing and email most of the time. Rarely they'll need to use it to create a document or presentation. If you ask them what web browser they use - they probably don't know or care. If you ask them what email client they use - they look back at you with confusion. In almost all circumstances these users don't need a proper laptop. A keyboard dock and iPad works just as well.
My parents fit perfectly into this segment of users. They use their computers often and are content as long as everything works. They care about ease of use and consistency across applications. Apple, with their closed system, can provide that.
The ironic part from my observations is if a website doesn't work they blame the website. Apple won't be blamed by users for not allowing flash. We saw the same thing with Microsoft and IE6.
I think power users and developers will have another few years before they are happy with any Apple tablet offerings. For me I'd need a higher res screen and OS X. Or equivalent improvements to allow development. I think developers were hoping for such an improvement with iPad v1 - but alas we'll have to wait.
Yes, but will that segment shell out that much money for it - $630 is a lot for Mom to shell out for something to surf websites on - especially when they already have a computer in the house that surfs the web just fine.
I don't think you'll see real adoption until the price comes down a lot (say $300 or less) and I doubt Apple will do that, although others might.
In the end I suspect that it'll be a pretty niche market for the people who already buy everything Apple.
Now, I could be wrong and I'm sure Apple did at least some homework on it's marketability, but still, seems this way to me.
It is half the price of the cheapest MacBook. The target audience is clearly netbook buyers. People who just want to do a handful of focused tasks. Let's not forget this is going to be an amazing gaming platform. Can you game on a $299 netbook? No because PC games are largely written for desktops with modern powerful GPUs. This device has some real advantages to anyone who has a checklist of 5 or 6 things they want to do with a small portable device.
Throwing an iPad in and out of your bag to "just check" something is going to be a different kettle of fish to getting out a notebook, opening it up, waiting for HD to whir up, loading Safari/whatever, blah blah.
The iPad will be the sort of device you can leave lying around, in your bag, etc, and then just refer to at will. I can read it easily in bed without scalding my legs or hearing a fan going at a gazillion RPM, I can read it easily at a coffee shop without looking like an idiot, I can draw on it and take full sized notes wherever I go.
It's not just for replicating notebook stuff; it's for new stuff too.
The iPad replaces a computer for most people, and does a lot more by being so portable and simple to use. Seriously, get one of these a keyboard dock and you're good to go.
For developers and other content creators we still need the power of a notebook. If we have a smart phone then this isn't as compelling, but for most "normal" people who consume content this is huge. Make no mistake this is a game changer.
I was kind of interested in the keyboard dock at first glance. Here's a way to turn an iPad into a simple computer that my kid can use for school tasks or email without trashing my desktop computer setup.
But on second glance: how do you drive the UI from the keyboard? Can you use a mouse? Are you going to have to lift your arms and gesture all over the place to open a file, change apps, etc?
If they have an answer to the second problem, watch this thing get pushed heavily at the education market in the fall.
I imagine multi-touch will be natural and integral enough that people will forego the mouse altogether. Although, I suppose a magic mouse might fit the bill (haven't used one yet).
People whose computing needs are basic enough that this can serve as a primary computer?
You say that as if it is a small market. It seems to me that it covers most of what most people do with a home computer today. What is the iPad incapable of that the average computer user can be expected to miss?
I'm a power user
What do you mean by this, exactly? I mean, how would I know if I am a power user or not?
A computer user basically uses a computer to do the following:
1) Surf the web,
2) Check email,
3) IM chat,
4) Download/purchase digital media files,
5) Manage/share your digital photos,
6) Watch movies,
7) Play games, and
8) Author documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Anyone who does more with their computer than the above and isn't afraid to tinker with the operating system or install/remove programs usually considers themselves a "power user". One thing I just realized is that all the things a "Power User" does in a Windows or Linux environment as compared to a regular user is trivially easy to do in Mac OS X, to the point where the distinction is meaningless.
Am I a power user if I surf Hacker News with Internet Explorer 6? What if I surf Yahoo News using IceWeasel with thirty extentions?
Manage/share your digital photos
Am I a power user if I use iPhoto to remove red-eye from pictures taken with my DSLR? What if if I use Lightroom to do the same thing with pictures from my crappy old point-and-shoot?
Play games
Am I a power user if I play Crysis on my eMachine? What if I play Solitaire on my overclocked quad-SLI i7 "rig"?
Anyone who does more...usually considers themselves a "power user"
I don't, which is why I'm perpetually confused by the term. It doesn't really seem like a useful distinction.
I think your list of negatives is the big sell of the iPad for most computer users... of which there are many on this planet who don't care about open source or installing different broswers or jailbreaking or any of the other reasons most HN readers won't want one of these devices.
Sure, why not? At only $499 I feel like it's worth having just to use in my house. I plan to dock it at my computer desk and use it in conjunction with my desktop for music playback, video, etc. I can undock it and go read a book or browse the internet. I certainly could use a laptop for that but this is smaller, cheaper, has a nicer display, and is going to have huge third party support. The iWork demo really shows the potential of doing desktop quality applications on the iPad. I'm sold. The low price tag actually makes me wonder if I should buy two. I wouldn't mind docking one of these into my car. (I was going to spend $400 on a nice in-dash player with good iPod integration anyway, what's another $99?)
"Only $499" essentially depends on where you are in this recession right now.
If you've survived so far or are back on track, if your employer or business is in the black and you're a decently-paid professional without too many expenses, it's probably a worthwhile investment in improving your digital lifestyle.
If your outlook is more mixed, especially if you're part of that 10% of Americans currently without a job, you probably want to keep that $499 in the account just in case you need it when you go out for groceries in the coming months.
To be fair to CmdrTaco, I wouldn't have wanted a 1st-gen iPod either. Did you ever use the old ones? They really had a lot of kinks to work out and in my opinion were not the best mp3 players on the market.
Other than being physically larger, I really prefer the old iPods to the new ones. Sure, they didn't have video/photo/games/whatever, but they did one thing and did it very well.
The iPad, by contrast, seems to do lots of things, but does none of them very well. It's a device that's too big to fit in your pocket, but too small to be comfortable using for long stretches at a time. I guess it's about the right size for an eBook reader, but who wants to read books off an LCD?
I don't know yet. It looks awe inspiring, and I think that the iPad app development field might be a good way to make a little cash if I get in early enough. People who buy the first generation, though, usually end up wishing that they waited for the second generation device with even more features and power.
Typically the second version works out any quirks and problems that they first one has. So I might wait.
Yes, but not for ME. I can see my father using it to show holiday pictures or my girlfriend for surfing the web in the sofa. We're not the target market on the customer side.
However, we ARE the target market on the developer side. The success of this device hinges on the quality of the apps WE are going to build for it. My bet is that there will be a lot of innovative apps for this device.
The SDK is dead easy for the devs who already put out 100K iPhone apps, multi-gesture will allow some interesting gameplay, CoreText may allow you to build gorgeous text-based apps. The device packs some real CPU power.
Sure, the limits (DRM, AppStore, API-limts, Single-App) kinda suck. But with the $$$ luring an established developer-base I expect lots of apps to be available soon. And it's the quality of these entertainment/fun apps that is going to drive the success of this device.
So maybe we should rephrase the poll: Who is going to develop for the iPad? (How do I create a poll?)
Thank you. I am aware of which current option is closest to my choice. I was not really referring to that tho. The poll question is a yes/no question, and all the answers are either No, or the answer to an implied "which iPad?" question. I was hoping maybe to get an option to say no, and to answer an implied "why not?" at the same time. Seems more balanced that way.
I think this comment area could equally well be used for telling which iPad one would be buying. So by asking for a poll option I not only specify what I intend to do, I also meta comment on the strange implied answer/question part of the poll.
Edit: I would not really have this problem if the question was 'Which iPad will you be buying?' since that is the question most of the choices answer. The "No option" could then morph into "I won't be", or could be omitted entirely, as not voting is the same as "I won't be".
Unless hands on wows me off my feet, I almost certainly am not getting one. There are two things I can fully understand in the context of the iPhone - no third party background apps and apps only through the App store - that I refuse to accept in what is supposed to be a laptop replacement. Everything else for me falls between Meh and Wow - no deal breakers, but also nothing making me lust after the thing, unlike the original iPhone.
The market is people like myself I guess. I'd like something I can leave in the living room or bedroom and be able to surf the web or check e-mail without being limited to my iphone screen. It would also be wonderful for plane trips. My 17" MBP doesn't work too well on most US domestic coach seats, so having a smaller, 10 hour batt life eBook reader, video player, etc... would be great. Yes, I've tried watching videos on my iphone on the plane. The screen is small and you have to either hold it up the whole time, or bend your head down, neither is comfortable. Also with iWork and projector support I could bring things on many day trips/business meetings instead of lugging my full laptop.
It's basically an iPhone only bigger screened, a Kindle only better and bigger screened, with color, a video player, and enough of a laptop to get me by on day trips and sales meetings. Well worth $499, and in fact well worth $829.
Your needs may vary from mine, but don't assume just because you don't want one that means there's no market. I and my five closest friends are all getting them, so out of tech folks I know personally, that's a pretty decent indicator.
I would like to eliminate casual surfing on my laptop and only use it for work - so this might be a great excuse to get the ipad.
edit: After attempting to read a book on my laptop and iphone - I think this would be a great device for reading pdf books too. You can hold it where you want and you aren't continually scrolling.
I'm not, but I'm very excited about this. Setting the bar at $500 means the android equivalent will be within my price range.
Unlike others, I'm actually buying a netpad for the touchscreen keyboard. If you have chronic RSI, the soft touch needed more than makes up for the clunkiness of tactileless typing.
For RSI-class problems what also matters is positioning of your wrists (they shouldn't be bent). Which is why I'm using a FingerWorks TouchStream keyboard when my RSI gets bad — it has both touch typing and a bent design, which keeps my wrists straight.
Definitely not. It's just a big iPod Touch and Apple still controls what applications you can use on it. Plus, I'm not interested in reading ebooks on a backlit screen. I'll stick with the Kindle since I can read it for hours without worrying about my eyes getting tired.
Maybe. I'd been thinking about getting an linux based ARM netbook or even a tablet when either showed up for casual surfing when the wife's using the MacBook. I'd also been pondering an e-book reader. This could kill two birds with one stone and maybe let me watch films and tv with headphones on in bed or the couch while the wife watches something else on TV.
On the other hand, does it do Dvorak? How does it deal with two different users with different email accounts, web histories etc? What's it actually going to cost in the UK?
If it can stream media from a linux box and it's powerful enough to do interesting things with HTML5 apps then I've probably talked myself into it.
The iPad might be called a non-portable PDA. It can't replace netbooks without a keyboard, and it can't replace smartphones because it doesn't fit in your pocket or on your belt; I consider it a toy rather than a tool.
That reminds me of Biz and Ev of Twitter talking at Startup School about when they were first playing around with it (I wish I could remember how it was described). In essence, Biz said that it was neat but not very useful to which Ev replied "neither is iced cream".
Just because it's a toy and not a tool doesn't mean it's worthless.
Edit: After re-reading your post, I'm not sure that is what you were saying. Apologies if I misrepresented you.
I was careful not to say that. If it isn't a useful business tool, that doesn't necessarily mean that it won't be as successful as any gaming console/handheld.
They probably are limiting their market to gizmo-fans with a glut of disposable income, and that could affect their bottom line.
Perhaps, but only because it would be the perfect platform for a visual/tactile development environment (think APL-flavored Squeak + "fingerpainting" flowcharts.) Might have to wait until it's jailbroken, though.
I really like the form factor and I'm tempted, but based on what I've seen it's not exactly what I want. Unless it blows me away in ways I'm not expecting when I see it hands on, it will probably be a No. I want a tablet with this form factor and I have $500, hopefully this will kick start other companies to get similar devices out the door.
My old laptop died so I've been planning/saving to get a new one recently. This could serve a lot of the use of a replacement laptop, but it is still heavily limited. So no I'm not going to buy an encumbered device when it costs half of what I would spend for my thinkpad.
It's a fantastic device for my parents who aren't tech savvy. Add a camera (hopefully in a future version) and it'll be great to do some video conferencing with my parents.
For me, it'd just be a nice to have. So, no, I wont get one.
There's a very small chance I might want one after playing with one.
Right now my impression is I would be buying a $500 iPod touch for people with extremely large hands. Anywhere I would want to read with it, I would take a book.
I won't get one immediately. I might think about it a year or two down the line, after a potential price drop, and after I get to see how the whole extended DRM muddle / app store trouble pans out.
My mother (who only uses the web) could switch entirely to an iPad and probably would be equally if not more happy, but the iPad requires a Mac which defeats the purpose of switching entirely.
Definitely getting one to develop apps on, and for reading books, and touch screen painting (a Cintiq is far far more expensive). But very up in the air about which version.
Yes. Two even. One 16GB WiFi one ASAP and then a 64GB 3G+WiFi one.. with the hand me down to the wife :-) I was cold on the iPhone but this thing is a massive deal.
"Me too." I'll buy a 16 GB WiFi for my wife to replace her ailing laptop. All she does is surf the web, organize photos, play games, e-mail and word processing, and she likes to be able to move around because of our young children. I'll likely get the keyboard dock for her for when she needs to do serious writing.
I'll buy one for myself with 3G to replace my iPhone. I don't actually use the phone all that much (seriously, only about 45 minutes per month) so I'll switch to a prepaid phone. Even with the unlimited 3G, that I'll likely not need since my max internet usage so far was 181, 30 per month plus about 10 a month for prepaid cell phone will get me what I need for my 2 hours a day on the bus. I'll probably be porting applications to it as well, for work,
Probably, but the device missed the mark with me. The purchase will be for someone who just needs an ebook (now ibook?) reader, web browser and music player.
Only if there winds up being a good writing app for researchy notes, annotating pdfs and latexing up those notes thats integrated together, I would love that
No; I keep dreaming of a 'wearable' computer with a heads-up display that could replace my desktop - we get closer and closer, but never actually there.
I think the point of a camera for me would be the potential of video conferencing. With a screen that big, you could have a virtual meeting with several participants. Additionally, it would be pretty cool if you could watch the same video remotely while video conferencing with your friends so you could chatter about the show while watching it.
As others have pointed out, a front-facing camera sounds like a good idea until you think about how you'd have to hold the iPad "just so," so that you'd get the right angle for the picture. It certainly wouldn't work well if you were trying to prop it up in your lap, unless you're going to hunch over to look down at it.
Now if they could come up with a clever solution to that problem, I'd definitely like to see a camera in a future iteration of the iPad.
Let the camera swivel, and make it possible to control from software (throw in face detection, and let it auto-trace your face when you shift the tablet around). It needs some thought, but I'm sure it's not impossible to do well enough for Apple's standards.
Because I don't carry both around at once :)
The only time I can read is at home (since I never use public transportation and never have a free moment at work).
wow. im surprised that theres so many "no"s in this poll. I figured this device wouldnt be for the masses but i thought it would have better reception on HN.
I'm all for Linux (my primary development machine) but, really? You would favorably compare the UI of this 'cheap chinese media player' to the iPad? It's just not a contest. If my grandma needs a computer for looking at photos we send her and sending email -- well, guess which device it wont be.
Yes, but he's not your grandma. If he'd done the standard geek thing and said "why would anyone buy this..." and listed some obscure geek reasons then fine, but he didn't.
I'm actually thinking about buying one for myself but it's true that the competition I'm weighing it up against is one or more cheap, no-brand, linux devices (openinkpot e-reader, cheap netbook, tegra webpad, openpandora) at a fraction of the cost.
The 3G unit has the same sort of GPS that the iPhone has. Whether or not that's "real" to you, it's good enough for me. I hope that someone produces a car dock because that would make it pretty much the best navigation unit available.
Thinking the same thing. I could always buy it and use it for two months and if I don't like it I can sell it for nearly the price I paid for it. Probably will sell for at most $50 less and just think of it as a "rental fee".
Except in this particular case the person could indeed be intending to buy an Ipad, just not from the first generation. Which is clearly not the "No" option.
For example, if you asked me this question about the iPod (which I own) or the mac mini (which I own) clearly I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to buy either of those pieces at all.
I probably will buy one of these. But I'll give it a year or two first.
Not quite true — at $500 it's more affordable than a regular Macbook, so for people not in need of full computing power, it might be a viable alternative.
Mainly because I'm sick of people expecting me to fix their new computer problems. "I dont know how to do X anymore, my old laptop had a program that did it." Have fun!
