Start the reality distortion field - iPad

[Jodell88]

:awe:

 

[biggestmuff]

brb spending $829 on a giant iPod Touch.

The technology sites were predicting a modified version of Mac OSX. Looks like it's running a version of the iPod Touch/iPhone software.

 

[zerocool84]

Also you guys forget to talk about the abysmal 10hr battery life compared to Kindle's week. The LCD is going to be worse for your eyes when reading those books for a long period no doubt about it.

 

[Jodell88]

Ipad does sound just ridiculous. I'd like Islate better or something like that.

They can't use the word "slate" since Microsoft is using it for their touch screen tablets available this year.

 

[F1N3ST]

:awe:

Already? Lol.

 

[slayer202]

while I do think this thing sucks huge balls, there may be a market for those who want an e-reader. It is more expensive, but I'm sure it does a shit load more than a kindle. That being said, I wouldn't buy it. Ever

 

[vshah]

i'll wait a few months and take a 1080p, flash capable tegra 2 powered android tablet with multitasking, desktop widgets, and proper notifications, thank you very much.

 

[Gunslinger08]

I'm not sure there was much of a market for something like this. Then again, it's Apple. I'm sure they'll sell boatloads.

 

[Deeko]

yea their newspapers
we arent talking about people who still use paper, way to dodge. if this is about ipad vs kindle then only kindle users need apply when looking at how people actually use the damn things.

anyone can walk around and see people use their iphone in most any area, even places that aren't that well off. try playing the find the kindle user game sometime.

What? Why would it only apply to current Kindle users? Wouldn't it apply to people that....ya know....don't have either and might be considering buying one or the other? I never, not once, said I was referring exclusively to Kindle users, I said people READ, I was talking about READERS, you warped it into something else when you realized how dumb it was to claim no one reads outside.

Kinda like what you did with the whole Kindle App vs iBook argument that you're continuing to ignore because you know I'm right.

And what does the iPhone have to do with anything? I'll bet you can walk around and see more Droids than iPads too. How is that relevant in any way to this discussion?

 

[KeithTalent]

Anand has a review up: http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3729

I always enjoy his articles, particularly on Apple stuff, even though I dislike Apple quite a bit.

KT

 

[zerocool84]

Anand has a review up: http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3729

I always enjoy his articles, particularly on Apple stuff, even though I dislike Apple quite a bit.

KT

Low battery life + no multi-tasking make this device pointless. What's the point of having a fast processor if only 1 app can use it at a time? You have to factor in battery life cus people are comparing this to the Kindle which has a week long battery life, is cheaper, screen is better for reading, and is lighter.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I'm asking why you would spend $14.99 for a book to read on your iPad when you could spend $9.99 for the same book on your iPad with the Kindle app.

Well we don't have to worry about that, the Kindle app will be promptly disapproved on this advice. It duplicates functionality

 

[0roo0roo]

Low battery life + no multi-tasking make this device pointless. What's the point of having a fast processor if only 1 app can use it at a time? You have to factor in battery life cus people are comparing this to the Kindle which has a week long battery life, is cheaper, screen is better for reading, and is lighter.

the kindle only requires a week of charge because it is rarely used, and thus charging it all the time like you do with any smart phone/laptop device would be too much of a chore.
if you have to watch more than 10 hours of movies on your ipad in a day....i dunno what to say

 

[0roo0roo]

What? Why would it only apply to current Kindle users? Wouldn't it apply to people that....ya know....don't have either and might be considering buying one or the other? I never, not once, said I was referring exclusively to Kindle users, I said people READ, I was talking about READERS, you warped it into something else when you realized how dumb it was to claim no one reads outside.

Kinda like what you did with the whole Kindle App vs iBook argument that you're continuing to ignore because you know I'm right.

And what does the iPhone have to do with anything? I'll bet you can walk around and see more Droids than iPads too. How is that relevant in any way to this discussion?

of course i'm only comparing actual kindle users to ipad users. ebook to ebook. bringing in people who read paper products is ridiculous. if they wanted a kindle they had their chance for years now and have actively rejected them so to include them doesn't make any sense at all. its entirely relevant to the type of people who actually use the kindle. aka people on trains and planes. where you actually see them in use.

 

[Babbles]

This product is really pretty laughable. Entirely too expensive for almost no pratical and functional benefit. Seeing the iPad for the price they want makes me cherish my $250 eee PC even that much more.

 

[nageov3t]

while I do think this thing sucks huge balls, there may be a market for those who want an e-reader. It is more expensive, but I'm sure it does a shit load more than a kindle. That being said, I wouldn't buy it. Ever

idk

I have an e-reader and love it and would buy another if it broke.

the ipad does not appeal to me at all as an e-reader. the backlight will be straining on the eyes after an extended period, it's not nearly as portable as a kindle or the sony reader (which are about the size of a paperback and can fit into any large pocket), and it doesn't look like it would be remotely comfortable to hold for hours.

I'm also assuming you'll need to buy a proprietary i-stand if you want to prop it up on a desk or airplane table to watch a long movie?

 

[Deeko]

of course i'm only comparing actual kindle users to ipad users. ebook to ebook. bringing in people who read paper products is ridiculous. if they wanted a kindle they had their chance for years now and have actively rejected them so to include them doesn't make any sense at all. its entirely relevant to the type of people who actually use the kindle. aka people on trains and planes. where you actually see them in use.

Really? You're comparing them to iPad users? There *are* no iPad users! That is, unless you're squaring off Jeff Bezos against Steve Jobs.

You think the eReader user base can't grow anymore? uhhh....why? Are you just saying that because it aids your argument here? You can't possibly think that's true. The first Kindle came out as a 1st gen device just over two years ago, with a high price point and room for improvement. The 2nd gen lowered the price and improved the experience, not even a full year ago yet. We're already starting to see the 3rd wave come in from other manufacturers - the Nook, the newer Sony e-readers, the Entourage Edge. Each new one either brings more functionality or a lower price.

How many iPods were purchased between 2001 and 2003? Compared to 2007 to 2009? If that's the basis of your argument - Amazon's most wished for and most sold item during the 2009 Christmas season has reached its peak and won't sell to any new users - we're obviously wasting time here because you're out of your mind.

 

[0roo0roo]

This product is really pretty laughable. Entirely too expensive for almost no pratical and functional benefit. Seeing the iPad for the price they want makes me cherish my $250 eee PC even that much more.

http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/official-ipad-video/
its trying to bring functionality to that form factor whether you think it succeeds or not is another matter.
comparing it to your netbook is ridiculous though, that is simply a poor compromise at attempting to cram a laptop into a smaller device compromising all usability. the only thing selling those is the price. failed attempts at such devices try to do exactly what pc users want, shove windows into a smaller form factor when actually that is just a recipe for fail whether it be smart phone or tablet type device, it seems like the right way for techies, but its never worked in reality. it is funny how people who think they are so smart forget this. like the iphone they are going for the device becomes X gadget, one task at a time done well rather than everything done poorly.

 

[0roo0roo]

Really? You're comparing them to iPad users? There *are* no iPad users! That is, unless you're squaring off Jeff Bezos against Steve Jobs.

You think the eReader user base can't grow anymore? uhhh....why? Are you just saying that because it aids your argument here? You can't possibly think that's true. The first Kindle came out as a 1st gen device just over two years ago, with a high price point and room for improvement. The 2nd gen lowered the price and improved the experience, not even a full year ago yet. We're already starting to see the 3rd wave come in from other manufacturers - the Nook, the newer Sony e-readers, the Entourage Edge. Each new one either brings more functionality or a lower price.

How many iPods were purchased between 2001 and 2003? Compared to 2007 to 2009? If that's the basis of your argument - Amazon's most wished for and most sold item during the 2009 Christmas season has reached its peak and won't sell to any new users - we're obviously wasting time here because you're out of your mind.

as usual you have to rely on the absurd interpretation for your argument. and there will be quite a few users soon unless you think its going to flop horribly. anyways if your argument hinges upon there not being any ipad users now then you might as well have claimed that the iphone would fail when it was first announced because no one had it yet give me a break. just how long do you think its going to take to surpass kindles sold? justifying the price of a couple hundred is far easier for an ipad than an ebook only device like it or not. all the competitors to the kindle based on eink are basically flops. not sure why you are bringing ipods. jukebox is a killer app. library shelf in your pocket is not on the same level of usability or desire which goes to the heart of the problem with ebook readers. its why ipad has more of a chance since it is a multifunction device that seeks to make many tasks simple and intuitive.

 

[So]

Suddenly, the things that are going on with tablet computing in the windows world seem worth a second look. Like two weeks ago, crazy old steve did a demo of an HP slate PC that looks interesting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/07/hp-slate-tablet-microsoft_n_414364.html

I hadn't even noticed it with the buzz around the apple announcement...

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Suddenly, the things that are going on with tablet computing in the windows world seem worth a second look. Like two weeks ago, crazy old steve did a demo of an HP slate PC that looks interesting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/07/hp-slate-tablet-microsoft_n_414364.html

I hadn't even noticed it with the buzz around the apple announcement...

I've been saying this since CES 2010, there is some much more appealing stuff going on on the PC side. This Apple product is just a half-hearted attempt to grab attention away from the really interesting tablets.
http://laptopsplaza.com/the-hybrid-notebook-lenovo-ideapad-u1/

 

[zerocool84]

the kindle only requires a week of charge because it is rarely used, and thus charging it all the time like you do with any smart phone/laptop device would be too much of a chore.
if you have to watch more than 10 hours of movies on your ipad in a day....i dunno what to say

If you're using it as an eReader for books, you'd go through that battery in no time and I you're trying to say that people don't use their Kindles so it lasts a long time makes no sense. It's the technology that makes it last a long time. It's no comparison, if you want to get an eReader, the Apple product is not the one to get.

 

[Deeko]

as usual you have to rely on the absurd interpretation for your argument. and there will be quite a few users soon unless you think its going to flop horribly. anyways if your argument hinges upon there not being any ipad users now then you might as well have claimed that the iphone would fail when it was first announced because no one had it yet give me a break. just how long do you think its going to take to surpass kindles sold? justifying the price of a couple hundred is far easier for an ipad than an ebook only device like it or not. all the competitors to the kindle based on eink are basically flops. not sure why you are bringing ipods. jukebox is a killer app. library shelf in your pocket is not on the same level of usability or desire which goes to the heart of the problem with ebook readers. its why ipad has more of a chance since it is a multifunction device that seeks to make many tasks simple and intuitive.

Wow....you are seriously dense.

Ok. Let me explain this to you. I'll do it reeeeaaaalll slow. Maybe you'll get it.

I am not making the absurd comparison of Kindle users vs iPad users. What the hell would the purpose of that be? Not only do we not really know how iPad users will use it most, since its not out yet, IT DOESN'T MATTER. Did you get that? Unless someone intends to purchase both, comparing how you use your future iPad vs how I use my Kindle is a worthless discussion. You're the one that keeps trying to push that.

Now...here's the part you don't seem to understand. Why is the above a worthless discussion? Because there are LOTS more people that have NEITHER that are still in the market. I don't know where you got this absurd notion that the eReader market is already fully saturated. Are you ignoring the fact that Christmas 2009 - ya know, a month ago - the Kindle was Amazon's most sold item? How does that indicate that the market is full? Quite clearly, whether you like it or not, there are still people out there that want eReaders that don't have them. All the competitors to the Kindle flopped? The most prominent ones I mentioned are just released now. You're ready to call the Nook a flop? It hasn't even been on the market for two months! The Entourage Edge that I mentioned isn't even out yet. No, I don't expect it to sell all that well, but its an indication of the type of eReaders we can expect to see (and it does everything the iPad does + more).

More explanations for you....why the iPod comparison. This really isn't that hard to figure out. The iPod was tapping a new market. Yea, there were MP3 players before it, but it was the first one with mass success. It sold pretty well in its first few years, back when the functionality was so-so and the price was very high. Hmmmm....sounds a lot like the eReader market. I'm not saying the Kindle will become as commonplace as the iPod, just that its a very good example - with your lover Steve's products even - of how the first few years of a product's lifespan aren't directly indicative of how much it will sell in the future.

Are you aware of what the iPad costs? "A couple hundred?" No, the Kindle costs a couple hundred. The standard Kindle (and Nook for that matter) that the VAST majority of ereader purchasers go for is $259. The iPad starts at $499 - for the model that lacks 3G. Tack on 3G (ya know, the Kindle has 3G, without a monthly fee) and you're looking at a starting price of $629. $499-$829 for iPad vs $259 or $489 for the Kindle/DX.

I also find it intriguing that above you completely discounted the comparison to a Netbook. Why? Because it isn't a 1:1 comparison? Because the Netbook is designed to do more than the iPad? Then why on Earth would you be trying to argue iPad vs Kindle? I think a very small form factor laptop that is cheaper than the iPad and capable of more functions is just as direct a competitor to Apple here as the Kindle, and you're foolish to think otherwise.

Man, debating with you is a chore. You ignore things, twist things, and flat out don't understand things, its like trying to argue with a dishonest 4 year old.

Oh, and for the record, you still haven't answered my question about the iBook store vs the Kindle App store on iPad.

 

[Deeko]

the kindle only requires a week of charge because it is rarely used, and thus charging it all the time like you do with any smart phone/laptop device would be too much of a chore.
if you have to watch more than 10 hours of movies on your ipad in a day....i dunno what to say

Do you know anything about e-Ink? It uses no power when its displaying text - it only uses the battery to initially draw the screen. Regardless of how frequently its actually used, its inevitable that an e-Ink device will draw less power than an LCD device.

Wow....you just keep being more and more wrong.

 

[Babbles]

http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/official-ipad-video/
its trying to bring functionality to that form factor whether you think it succeeds or not is another matter.
comparing it to your netbook is ridiculous though, that is simply a poor compromise at attempting to cram a laptop into a smaller device compromising all usability. the only thing selling those is the price. failed attempts at such devices try to do exactly what pc users want, shove windows into a smaller form factor when actually that is just a recipe for fail whether it be smart phone or tablet type device, it seems like the right way for techies, but its never worked in reality. it is funny how people who think they are so smart forget this. like the iphone they are going for the device becomes X gadget, one task at a time done well rather than everything done poorly.

You are just making up assumptions all over the place; just saying things doesn't make it true.

First, in the form factor that you claim Apple is trying to bring functionality to, then based on what I have seen thus far they have failed miserably. See the engadget link for information - primarily multitasking is paramount for many users and you cannot exclude multitasking yet say this devices brings "functionality" to form.

Additionally I fail to see why this cannot be compared to a netbook; they compete in a similar market segment, that is people looking to supplement their primary computer with an additional device. The price of the typical netbook is not the only thing going for it, albeit that is a primary focus for many people. It is anecdotal evidence, but one of my colleagues in graduate school has a fully loaded HP netbook with a SSD and that think cost him ~$650 - price wasn't what he was focused on. Furthermore manufacturers sell all sorts of options for netbooks (the biggest upgrades being SSDs) that pushes the price point up, which is an indication that price is in fact not the only thing driving sales. To think otherwise is folly.

Windows 7 works great on my netbook. Even better considering the fact that my netbook doesn't actually meet the minimum technical specifications. This is rather significant, I believe.

Calling netbooks a "recipe of fail" means that you are so out of touch with what the market has been demanding that it is nearly pointless to even point this out to you. In line with this is people want multitasking - even Anand's article reviewing the iPad noted this shortcoming. People want products that can do multiple things well and saying people want devices which can do "one task at a time done well rather than everything done poorly" is too evidence of not understanding what the market wants - hell in Apple's defense the iPhone is an indication of people wanting to do multiple things at once (albeit the lack of genuine multitasking is of the fail).