iPad

[James]

Discuss.

[Evil Jim]

Don't care. Sick of hearing about it already.

[Master Gunner]

Meh, both tablets and the ability to turn MacBooks into tablet hybrids have being around for years. Even if I ever did have a good experience with Macs, I still wouldn't have any use for it, especially with cheaper alternatives.

[wartjr2373]

Pretty neat looking, but I can't imagine ever really needing it. Is there anything that it can do that an iPhone or laptop can't?

[GreigKM]

Don't care. Sick of hearing about it already.

Re'd

[theDreamer]

If it was a really good wacom tablet screen thing, I'd have said "good on ya."

Instead I am disappoint.

[Theremin]

This thing gets elderly nerds excited. Therfore it is significant.

[Cybren]

Like a Tablet PC, but with none of its functionality?

Awesome!

[Cybren]

Wait no I meant the other one.

Horrible!

[Bananafish]

hahaha

ipad.

[Evil Jim]

Sounds like something you use on days when flow is heavier.

[Metcarfre]

Uninterested. The price point is too high for what I would use it for. Not enough details out to really make a decision, anyways.

[Annchan]

I had to google just to know what we are talking about and I still don't understand.
Like other people here seem to think I wonder, Is it like a giant Ipod touch, or a large Iphone minus the phone? Is it a macbook with limited functions?

It seems so. I am finding it hard to believe because that is not at all new and exciting. It's like the products they already make but large for an elderly audience that complained about eye strain.

The internet had this to say

Apple has produced (finally) the Apple iPad. Short story, a big iPhone with no camera, a wifi + optional 3G, a book store and a new suite of office suite apps, compatible with current iPhone apps.

In a way I'm a bit disappointed that all the "it can't just be a big iPhone" talk wasn't true, and that the system looks and acts like a bit iPhone instead of a small computer with an iPhone-like UI. IE: no video conferencing, no multi-tasking, and most of the other limitations of the iPhone OS.

That said, they basically killed a big chunk of the Amazon kindle market with the "iBooks". If I can transfer my PDF eBooks to it and view in full color, with zooming and panning and page flipping? Awesome. The non-active screen on the kindle will keep some of the more "high end" readers who appreciate the lack of eyestrain, but I'd be willing to bet that most of the good parts of the kindle (with the Apple Book store and it's power) plus all the awesomeness of the iPhone and it's apps will make a compelling argument.

Other stats:

Low end price (16G storage, wifi only) $499 (great low price)
High end (64G + 3G) $829 (expected it to be that high to begin with)
Available in 60 days (both US and internationally)
International 3G by June
3G service from AT&T in the US, in two tiers (250mb and unlimited)
The product page has more, plus a video. Personally I'm vaguely excited, it looks beautiful and comes with a great Reality Distortion Field, and some of the potential (my own collected eBooks, videos, etc) I can completely see. But replacing my laptop and all it can do with this isn't going to save much weight or space in the backpack I take to work all day. I still want one though

KISS KISS


I personally will not be getting one of these.

[Annchan]

Uninterested. The price point is too high for what I would use it for. Not enough details out to really make a decision, anyways.

I think all the details are out, it's just hard to believe that it's an ipod touch for people that need glasses.

[Bananafish]

no joke though, that looks like it'd be a great frisbee

[theDreamer]

I was going to use it as a bobsled for babies...

[Tim]

Can't say I'm particularly impressed. It's pretty, and probably fun to use, but doesn't fill a niche that I have any interest in or need for.


I'm interested how typing on it will be, too. If you're going to rest it in your lap, it seems kind of small for that. If you're going to rest it on a table, then I'm concerned it might slide around a bit, or will be too flat (keyboards are tilted slightly for a reason).

Really, the way most people will use it is holding it in one hand and manipulating the screen with the other, and it may be just a touch big for that.

Just speculation, though.

[Metcarfre]

Uninterested. The price point is too high for what I would use it for. Not enough details out to really make a decision, anyways.

I think all the details are out, it's just hard to believe that it's an ipod touch for people that need glasses.

What are the exact specs? What's this 'soft-touch keyboard' Steve is talking about? Can you use Bluetooth peripherals (keyboard, mouse)? Are there any USB etc. ports? Can you draw on it - the appeal of many tablets (to artists)?

[Tim]

Uninterested. The price point is too high for what I would use it for. Not enough details out to really make a decision, anyways.

I think all the details are out, it's just hard to believe that it's an ipod touch for people that need glasses.

What are the exact specs? What's this 'soft-touch keyboard' Steve is talking about? Can you use Bluetooth peripherals (keyboard, mouse)? Are there any USB etc. ports? Can you draw on it - the appeal of many tablets (to artists)?

There's an optional keyboard dock. No idea about a Bluetooth mouse, though it would make sense.

[Lyinginbedmon]

I've never even laid eyes on a Mac, much less used one, I'm a Windowan by that reason alone.

That said, I have a very geeky reason to like this move.

See, in science fiction these days, most characters have a basically flat computer that is essentially a touch-screen monitor that they use like a regular computer to do a whole bunch of things. Stargate, Star Trek, Mass Effect, they've all got something like this.

Now, with that in mind, what is the iSlate?

[Annchan]

Why would a bluetooth mouse make sense when you can just touch what you want. No mouse needed.

[Metcarfre]

In case you want the option of using as an actual computer?

[korri]

The only way I would buy this is if it had a stylus or some other way to actually write on it. Other then that, I would have no use for it.

Does anyone know if it will be able to play videos on websites like Hulu? because if you can watch this so called great video, but the only places you can get it is youtube or itunes, it would be dumb too.

[eth0]

Form factor and all looks good.
But 1gh for cpu is a bit... meh. Didn't find info on ram yet.

Really disappointed, I was hoping somewhere around netbook spec and capability to run a full OSX.

I don't think i'll buy it. My macbook pro fills my desktop needs, my iphone my mobile needs. My netbook (hackintosh) my portable on campus usage needs.

[ExplodingSims]

It's an Apple product, and therefore is evil.
Can't say I'd ever use it.