iPad Apple iPad Hoopla Fails to Convince Buyers

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by scottjl

ok. you find it unacceptable. but don't project your feelings on "many others". especially when many people don't know, or care, what flash even is.

Well, the average net surfer doesn't know what flash is, but they will care when they go to their favorite sites and video etc. that the watch on their PC/laptop doesn't work etc.

I agree people shouldn't project onto others though. Talking about what the average person wants, or what most people want etc. is kind of pointless IMO.

As I've said a few times already, all I care about with tech gadgets is what I want. Discussions go much better if people just state their opinions and discuss what they want/need a device to do vs. worrying about what the typical user or most people need/want. As at the end of the day that's all that matters in your own purchase decision. The device either fits your specific needs/wants or it doesn't.

[The Old Man]

Interesting that the lack of Flash is the predominant theme of this topic. I guess that certainly complies with the "Hoopla to Convince Buyers" title. However as a potential iPad buyer I am more concerned with how easy will it be to read pdf files, how easy to transfer documents to and from, how easy the screen is on the eyes, and how easy to load e-books that do not originate on Apple's store.

[dragonbone]

Originally Posted by The Old Man

Interesting that the lack of Flash is the predominant theme of this topic. I guess that certainly complies with the "Hoopla to Convince Buyers" title. However as a potential iPad buyer I am more concerned with how easy will it be to read pdf files, how easy to transfer documents to and from, how easy the screen is on the eyes, and how easy to load e-books that do not originate on Apple's store.

Sometimes the heated topic is about the lack of built in SD card reader or lack of USB port or lack of a webcam....
All things the potential buyer for ereading purposes don't care about. I also need to know how good the screen will be for reading and loading of ebooks into Stanza and iBooks. What I'm really hoping is that it will work as smoothly as adding one's own music,video and audiobooks to iTunes is now. Like if you could take any non DRM book in any format and add it to iBooks where it will be smoothly converted to the necessary readable format (like for music) ....sigh..... I guess that is too much to hope for though.

Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but why exactly does the iPad need Flash? I watch YouTube videos on my iPhone all the time, surf the web etc. and I've yet to run into any videos or sites I can't view...

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by dragonbone

Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but why exactly does the iPad need Flash? I watch YouTube videos on my iPhone all the time, surf the web etc. and I've yet to run into any videos or sites I can't view...

Video sites like Hulu, the TV network sites, Porn sites with streaming video etc.

Flash games--facebook games, other sites with flash games etc.

All stuff I do regularly on my laptop (especially when traveling) and would want any tablet I bought (which would be taken on short trips in place of the laptop) to be able to do.

[dragonbone]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Video sites like Hulu, the TV network sites, Porn sites with streaming video etc.

Flash games--facebook games, other sites with flash games etc.

All stuff I do regularly on my laptop (especially when traveling) and would want any tablet I bought (which would be taken on short trips in place of the laptop) to be able to do.

No wonder I never needed it so far. OK, I don't watch porn (EVER), don't play Facebook games, (I play games on my Wii) never heard of Hulu and have never watched TV on my iPhone. I didn't even think that is possible? Why would anyone want to watch TV on their iPhone?
Anyway, so for the average person.... this whole Flash, or should I say lack of Flash saga, is really of no importance whatsoever?

An insubstantial flash in the pan ?

[dmaul1114]

I wouldn't want to watch TV (or porn) or movies on my iPhone.

But the iPad would be a different story since it has a bigger screen and would be used in place of my laptop for short trips, and I watch TV shows on Hulu or the network websites pretty often when traveling, or watch movies in my Netflix Instant Watch queue. So streaming video would be a big need on any tablet device for me, so Flash is a must.

I do most of my gaming on the 360, but do play some facebook games like Mafia Wars, Pet Society etc. that my girlfriend got me into. And I'd also do that on the tablet while traveling etc.

But yeah, if you're not streaming video online or playing little online games then Flash is no big deal. Streaming video is one of my biggest internet uses (probably third after e-mail and forums) so it's a huge deal to me.

Movies, TV and sports are my top 3 hobbies so video streaming on hulu, network websites, netflix's streaming, ESPN360 for live sports (along with channelsurfing.net and justin.tv etc.) are stuff I use a lot.

[dragonbone]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

But the iPad would be a different story since it has a bigger screen and would be used in place of my laptop for short trips, and I watch TV shows on Hulu or the network websites pretty often when traveling, or watch movies in my Netflix Instant Watch queue. So streaming video would be a big need on any tablet device for me, so Flash is a must.
Movies, TV and sports are my top 3 hobbies so video streaming on hulu, network websites, netflix's streaming, ESPN360 for live sports (along with channelsurfing.net and justin.tv etc.) are stuff I use a lot.

Thanks for explaining that so clearly. I finally understand now why it's such a big disappointment so some people. But it also puts my mind at rest, knowing that I won't need it for my uses.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by dragonbone

Thanks for explaining that so clearly. I finally understand now why it's such a big disappointment so some people. But it also puts my mind at rest, knowing that I won't need it for my uses.

Well, for that unique iPad experience, turn off your Flash plug in and browse for a bit on sites you frequent.

I posted a few screengrabs here:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...83&postcount=6

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by dragonbone

Thanks for explaining that so clearly. I finally understand now why it's such a big disappointment so some people. But it also puts my mind at rest, knowing that I won't need it for my uses.

Yep, it's all just a matter of what you need.

Though Sonist's point is a fair one, not a bad idea to turn off flash in your web browser for a day and see how many sites you run into that use it.

May support your notion that you don't need it at all, or you may see that a lot of sites you frequent use it and you didn't notice it until you turn it off and see all the stuff that won't load.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Yep, it's all just a matter of what you need.

Though Sonist's point is a fair one, not a bad idea to turn off flash in your web browser for a day and see how many sites you run into that use it.

May support your notion that you don't need it at all, or you may see that a lot of sites you frequent use it and you didn't notice it until you turn it off and see all the stuff that won't load.

Very practical advice!

[kjk]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Yep, it's all just a matter of what you need.

Though Sonist's point is a fair one, not a bad idea to turn off flash in your web browser for a day and see how many sites you run into that use it.

May support your notion that you don't need it at all, or you may see that a lot of sites you frequent use it and you didn't notice it until you turn it off and see all the stuff that won't load.

Definitely. It is a revelation, for sure.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by fugazied

It's one of those devices that you didn't know you couldn't live without until you got one :P

Just like the iPhone. So many times you hear people say they didn't see the need for all the stuff the iPhone could do, until they bought one. Then suddenly they are checking mail, playing games, doing banking, buying stuff via their phone.

Yep. I was not an early adopter for the iPhone. I had a cell phone, & a laptop. I figured I didn't need an iPhone. Then, for my birthday, both my wife and my sons, independently, bought me an iPhone. Now, when I accidently leave my iPhone at home, I feel...naked.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Yep, it's all just a matter of what you need.

Though Sonist's point is a fair one, not a bad idea to turn off flash in your web browser for a day and see how many sites you run into that use it.

May support your notion that you don't need it at all, or you may see that a lot of sites you frequent use it and you didn't notice it until you turn it off and see all the stuff that won't load.

I was pretty much oblivious to Flash before the Pad was announced. After learning & reflecting, I blocked it on Firefox. Now pages load faster, & if I want to run a Flash item, which is rare, it's just click & play. Don't miss it for a minute, although a lot of the sites I visit have use it.

[Harmon]

I think that sales of the Pad will be slower than normal for a new Apple product, but will gather steam as its multiple uses become clear. The main barrier is the cost, which even though cheaper than expected, is still a hunk of bucks.

I expect that what's going to happen is that there will be Pads for all kinds of different things - different ecologies centering around different subsets of Apps based on different functions. There will be the ReadingPad, and the MoviePad, and the TravelPad, and the MedicalPad, and the GamerPad - etc & etc.

What's going to sell Pads is the new Pad oriented Apps that developers will come up with built around those ecologies. That will take some time.

[jibril]

Originally Posted by scottjl

Considering it isn't even available for preorder how can one say buyers are or aren't convinced? No one has it in their hands. One important thing this survey ignores is the fact that Apple has over 250 stores out there, they are counting on people walking in, checking the iPad out, and walking out with one, regardless of what they answer on a poll today.

The stores is probably one strength it has over many ereaders. Sometimes people need to play with something before deciding to buy it.

IMO, it's one of the weaknesses of many products and stores these days - no way to try before you buy. Instead, people have to bring it home to decide they don't like it and THEN bring it back -- which is rather expensive for the company which can no longer sell the item as new.