iPad for all the ipad haters...

[scottjl]

ok. we get it. you don't like the ipad and you don't want to buy one. thanks, that means i will have an easier chance at finding one on release day. but what's your point in the constant vitriol you're posting against the ipad, apple, and even some of your fellow users on mobileread.

to the moderators, can we get some moderation here? i don't see people going into the kindle or sony forums and posting the same volume of negative comments. on the first thread page alone i see 8 negative threads (many with several pages of postings) out of 25.

constructive criticism is a good thing. and open discussion is too. but post complaints and attacks here that apple doesn't support flash, or use eink, or include sd slots isn't going to change the device.

i'd really like to start seeing some more positive posts about the ipad/iphone/touch here. about how people are using them today, and plan on using the ipad when it is released in the future.

[Bremen Cole]

I agree, but doubt anything can be done about it. I have always been amazed at why people want to spend so much time on a product that don't want. I also don't understand the need to try to talk people out of their product choices. But I guess some folks are so insecure that they need that kind of thing. I guess for their weak psyche they need it.

I stated before that I would never think of going to the Kindle forum and posing over and over that I think a keyboard on a dedicated reader is a waste. Or that Amazon sucks and only sheep would buy one and be tied to Amazon. Yet, many spend post after post doing that here.

But, it's just the way it is.

Two years ago I was an early adapter to netbooks. I got the very first one (Asus eee 701) the week it came out. I joined a forum and got involved. Well that little Asus came with Linux (Andross). Many of us took the Linux off and put a lite XP on it. The device ran better, never crashed, and we could use all our software. For me it allowed me to actually use it, and not spend all my time trying to get things to work..... Well anyway, the Linux fanatics went wild. The boards were full of "Micro$oft, Windows is for lazy, stupid, sheep...etc" . And it went on and on, until I simply stopped going there. All they wanted to do was put us down, and argue. I could not care less what OS someone uses, but for whatever reason they judged people by the OS they used..... anyway... end of too long of a story...

[athlonkmf]

The same happened/happens for all new technology. Imagine the hatred against the e-ink readers "it can't play video!!! browse!!"
But now that people has seen, used and understand the e-ink readers, they defend it against iPad...

What the heck...

When color eink gets into picture, people would probably argue against it "the IPS-screen of an ipad has MUCH more beautiful colors", "how many times are you going to sit in the sun to read anyway"

[jackau]

I own a Mac Mini, I like the Apple OS, it is my media center and media net broswer. So i am no Apple hater, i am an apple user.
But at times i can't help to be put off by some fans who worship everything Apple throws out.

Apple's hardware is at most, market as the designer handbag of the IT scene, its hardware always at a premium: I got a phone with the same hardware as Iphone 3GS, better screen and a great camera but 200 dollar cheaper than the Iphone 3G! So the wroth of the idevice lies solely with the brand and the OS.

The latest Ipad is billed as an E-reader with a lot more on offer, or a big media player with a lot more on offer, but actually it was not even a jack of all trade. It is however very nice device for some special purposes namely education, industrual communication, management operations and so on. Not as Apple want consumers to use it as.

For the general public, this generation of Ipad is nothing more than a over size ipod that can read books better. I would rather read a book on my Cool-er than the Ipad. For the current price, which roughly carries a production cost of 300 USD for its top range model, 499 is very expensive even for the cheapest model. The price premium on the OS and design does not justisifed this time around.

For the 499 USD price tag, consumer is better off with those inch thin long battery life notebook with 11.6 to 12.1 inch screen running Windows 7 (or Mac OS if they can put it on.)

According to my gang of IT educated friends, none of them want to buy the device, even those Apple fans was disappointed. I don't think the mass public would flock out to get the thing this time around at this price. People don't want to pay 499 or more for another device to remind them how bad the economy is. The Boom years of pre-2007 is history.

So for ipad to succeed, I expect the telco be selling it for 299 at 16GB and 459 for the 64GB version bundled with a 3G data plan and magazine / news paper subscription. OR sell the 16GB model with 3G is at no more than 349 USD, the 64 G 3G model at 499!

[athlonkmf]

Originally Posted by jackau

According to my gang of IT educated friends, none of them want to buy the device, even those Apple fans was disappointed. I don't think the mass public would flock out to get the thing this time around at this price.

The problem is, the ipad is not something made to CREATE content, it's something made to CONSUME content.

That will naturally goes against all natural instinct of IT-guys (including me), they use their high-tech gadgets to create one thing or another. Music, video, photo, websites, and therefor want as many features in some thing as possible, no matter the consequences.

Thing is... I already have all the tools to CREATE. I'm not going to compile, or numbercrunch on my iPhone. Nor would I edit pictures, burn CDs, debug a website with it. I have better tools for those tasks.

No the iPhone is there for me to consume content while on-the-road. The Ipad will be there for me to consume content while at home.
And you can't deny that an large IPS-screen, with fluid OS fitted for fingeroperating, is better at consuming a wider range of contenttypes comfortably than lessay a netbook or an ereader.

[jackau]

It seems Apple already notice the ipad may turn in to ibad... so rumor of price cut already floating around
http://blog.gsmarena.com/apple-consi...ce-in-austria/
Also, telcos seem to have the idea selling the device as a phone with a contract...

[scottjl]

ok jackau (and others), as i said, we get it. you don't like the ipad, you don't like apple, you won't buy one. thanks. please, move on to another forum for a device you do like and go post there.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by jackau

I own a Mac Mini, I like the Apple OS, it is my media center and media net broswer. So i am no Apple hater, i am an apple user.
But at times i can't help to be put off by some fans who worship everything Apple throws out.

Apple's hardware is at most, market as the designer handbag of the IT scene, its hardware always at a premium: I got a phone with the same hardware as Iphone 3GS, better screen and a great camera but 200 dollar cheaper than the Iphone 3G! So the wroth of the idevice lies solely with the brand and the OS.

The latest Ipad is billed as an E-reader with a lot more on offer, or a big media player with a lot more on offer, but actually it was not even a jack of all trade. It is however very nice device for some special purposes namely education, industrual communication, management operations and so on. Not as Apple want consumers to use it as.

For the general public, this generation of Ipad is nothing more than a over size ipod that can read books better. I would rather read a book on my Cool-er than the Ipad. For the current price, which roughly carries a production cost of 300 USD for its top range model, 499 is very expensive even for the cheapest model. The price premium on the OS and design does not justisifed this time around.

For the 499 USD price tag, consumer is better off with those inch thin long battery life notebook with 11.6 to 12.1 inch screen running Windows 7 (or Mac OS if they can put it on.)

According to my gang of IT educated friends, none of them want to buy the device, even those Apple fans was disappointed. I don't think the mass public would flock out to get the thing this time around at this price. People don't want to pay 499 or more for another device to remind them how bad the economy is. The Boom years of pre-2007 is history.

So for ipad to succeed, I expect the telco be selling it for 299 at 16GB and 459 for the 64GB version bundled with a 3G data plan and magazine / news paper subscription. OR sell the 16GB model with 3G is at no more than 349 USD, the 64 G 3G model at 499!

You're confusing Apples with oranges here! (Geez I like a cheezy pun! )

The iPad might seem like an ebook reader to some, a personal movie viewer to others, some kind of netbook, etc. But it's not. It's a multimedia device that does most everything with style. Nothing perfectly but with style. You can't compare it with anything but a computer and even then it fails. Beautifully. The iPad is a Swiss Army knife, not a butcher knife.


As foraPple, I've been a user since 1987. You get used to taking bullets.
Someone recently associated the debate to American politics. Those who use aPple products are leftist and those who hate them are right wingers. Some and I say some right wingers would like to use aPple products but their political conviction won't allow them. So they pick on any flaw or reason they can to try to make the beautiful object ughly and useless before their resistance could fail and make them rush out to buy one.

[jackau]

Originally Posted by athlonkmf

The problem is, the ipad is not something made to CREATE content, it's something made to CONSUME content.

That will naturally goes against all natural instinct of IT-guys (including me), they use their high-tech gadgets to create one thing or another. Music, video, photo, websites, and therefor want as many features in some thing as possible, no matter the consequences.

I have to agree, the fine line of content consumption and creation is really thin, it gets thinner the more IT educated and pro the person is.

I for one, used a netbook and I try to use it as downloader, web browser and word processor at the same time. Despite how much finetune i had on it, it lags! Therefore I finally gave up on netbooks and got myself those inch thick, 1.6kG long battery life 13 inch Notebook. Finally that does everything except for playing games (for those i meant Bioshock, not plants vs zombies). It is light enough to lift by one hand, good enough to put close to my chest to watch movie. Basically an All rounder.

I consume and creat contend with the notebook. It does BOTH JOB well.

I got a smart phone, touch screen, it double as mobile camera, which does a great job but as smart phone, content creation suck, on consumption end, even IM chat is painful! So, we know the limitation and we don't put much hope in it. Accept that fact it should be used as Phone / Camera, not net contention consumption (creation).

I got a Cool-er, it is nesscary because I can read with far less eye stress than I read with my LED notebook screen or TFT LCD screen. I protect my eyes with the E-reader. So until those dual function screen took off, its position is solid!

Now, the Ipad, I can not see What IT can DO for content consumption that my Notebook can't, or my gf's first gen ipod nano can't on music, or my E-reader can't on ebook (minus Pdf) reading.

The best usage I can find for myself with the Ipad is to use it as a over size GPS and arm chair e-magazine reader (that is unless my notebook can't access those content.)

IN fact most of the specialist usage i can think of for the Ipad is indeed content consumption, but they are not consumption in the sense of consumer, but specialists, more like the data pad used on Star Trek shows.

Ipad has to be really GOOD at something for the general public for it to succeed. Ipod is good at music thanks to its media library backup, Iphone is good as a mobile computer (NOT just as a PHONE) with a phone thanks to all the apps. But for Ipad, I can't think of much it can DO better than ANOTHER existing, multi purpose device with more functions already build it, even it has those apps to back it up.

If ipad comes exclusive with subscription services like: WHole encyclopaedia Britannica access, Various news papers, on top of E version of Time magazine, National Geographic, a great cheap book store and subscribe to read specialist library, ie IT books, study guides... Then it has an edge.

Else, it is a device for show off than to acutally use.

[scottjl]

jackau, i said it before, and i'll say it again. we get it. you don't like the ipad, you have a laptop you're very happy with. you don't want an ipad. please move on. your posts add nothing of value. posting negative comments repeatedly about the ipad, apple products, and apple in general contributes nothing.

[jackau]

Originally Posted by scottjl

jackau, i said it before, and i'll say it again. we get it. you don't like the ipad, you have a laptop you're very happy with. you don't want an ipad. please move on. your posts add nothing of value. posting negative comments repeatedly about the ipad, apple products, and apple in general contributes nothing.

As i have declared, i am an Apple user, not a hater, I have discussed with my friends and have ideas what this device can be used as, just It wasn't the way Jobs wish the general public want it for.

Schools, universities, shopping centers, even Macdonals can see benefits with ipad, it is just we can't see it use as the content consumption device it is now marketed as.

Think outside the box set by Apple.

[yvanleterrible]

You don't want one? It's okay with me. But if you absolutely need me to say I don't like it, you'll fail.

What I like about it? I can read it in bed, I can't say my netbook is practical for that.
I like the Touch interface and there are not many devices that have it...
The pinch in pinch out zoom? Priceless! Quicker than anything yet. Unless it costs way more and is not portable.
And the little bugger is way fast with internet browsing!

What's wrong with showing off, you're doing it right now?

If Swiss Army knives are worthless, why are they selling so many and why, oh why are there so many copycats?

You can bet on the fact that copycats are going to follow on aPple's lead with the iPad.

The word here is I-N-N-O-V-A-T-I-O-N!!!

[athlonkmf]

Originally Posted by jackau

Awe can't see it use as the content consumption device it is now marketed as.

Lack of vision?

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by jackau

As i have declared, i am an Apple user, not a hater, I have discussed with my friends and have ideas what this device can be used as, just It wasn't the way Jobs wish the general public want it for.

Schools, universities, shopping centers, even Macdonals can see benefits with ipad, it is just we can't see it use as the content consumption device it is now marketed as.

Think outside the box set by Apple.

The advantage I think Apple has with this is the form factor. It's really too bad their commercials and marketing have to show people constantly reclined with one knee bent to support the device, rather than laying down, standing up, or walking.

If you're always sitting down at a desk or a table or somesuch, there's not a whole lot of need for the tablet form factor, and a netbook will trounce it in terms of basic functionality. Of course, if you're sitting at a desk at work or at home, a desktop is a superior experience altogether.

Using a netbook in an elevator or standing on a subway or bus, or walking around or some other posture or means of commotion that disallow setting the device down for actual work is annoying at best, impossible at worst. This is where a tablet becomes handy...especially one with a good multi-touch interface for viewing content.

That's not to say netbooks and the like can't be used for that, but I've had many many instances of having my netbook in my bag and I wouldn't fish it out because it's not particularly pleasant to use while standing. It's the kind of thing I set on a table or desk or my lap, pop it open, and get to work. Very convenient, but when I need to get up, I habitually close the netbook, carry it to the next opportunity to sit, and out it comes again. The idealised usage scenario for the iPad and similar devices is in bridging that space as far as content consumption is concerned.

A convertible netbook can approach this, but so far, all the executions of convertible netbooks I've seen have been quite substandard. Me? I'd love to have a convertible netbook, but only if it's done well. With the smartbook market coming about, I suspect there will be some innovation in this area which will challenge the iPad nicely. However, even when the hardware is done right, software integration will need to be addressed. Currently, Apple is banking on the advantages relative to the romance of the usage scenario overcoming the tradeoffs in versatility. It's a relatively big risk, but they're jumping on it early enough to achieve some success and create the market icon.

The iPad seems to do the limited things it does pretty well, and the marketing demonstrates it to the public as "fiddle-free", which is not always 100% true but is very easily digestible to the public when presented in a polished enough way (which Apple is good at), combined with the brand's recognition and reputation for approachability. Alternative products are not as familiar to the public, and their functionality and usability are relative unknowns except to people specifically looking for and researching those products. In a nutshell, that's not Apple's target market most of the time.

Of course, I'm an Apple hater, and I think trying to shoo us away is a bit odd. Fawning, back-patting, and high-fiving aren't terribly productive forms of discussion either.

[Bremen Cole]

And so the thread ends up being a place where the endless negative stream of the same things over and over continues.... it's really kind of funny...