iPad Joe Wilcox: I was wrong about the iPad

[kjk]

We've been discussing the whole immersion/distraction qualities of the iPad lately, so I found this rather interesting:


http://www.betanews.com/joewilcox/ar...Pad/1276619322

I was wrong. On further reflection, I realized that iPad offers fresh functionality: Immersion. I find there are fewer reading distractions, and content is better presented than on a laptop and browser. I'm more focused and retain more of what I read. For reasons not easily explained, I find myself more thoroughly reading iBooks than defaulting to the skimming I sometimes do with physical books. Part of this immersive experience is the technology, but also how iPad is used. Apple's tablet is a sit down and focus device, as much because of size and shape as screen and user interface. The totality -- physical design and software benefits -- is immersion.

[scottjl]

lol. funny how some folk complain about too many distractions and some find it easy to focus.

[Bremen Cole]

I think it's really both. If a book is good, I tend to stick with it. If it has a "slow" part, or is simply not that great a book, I tend to wonder on over the email, crossword puzzles....etc.

If the book is good, then I really see no difference......

The reason I think I read a little less now than I did on my Sony is this. When I picked up the Sony and sat on the couch, I was pretty much going to read. When I turned the device on, there were no other options. When I grab the iPad and sit on the couch, the options are many. When I turn it on I see the reading app.... but also everything else..... so I may think, "oh, I'll check the news real quick", and 30 minutes later get around to my book.....

Just my personal experience and thoughts, far from absolute truth....

[pshrynk]

I'm reading less right now, because I am using the iPad as my main MobileRead portal. And as we all know MR is the world's largest chronophage...

Hey! The spell checker didn't hack up a fur ball on that!







Ooh! Shiny!

[JSWolf]

I see no issue with reading on an iPad. You just do it.

[nick101]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I see no issue with reading on an iPad. You just do it.

Can you imagine what it would ave been like if there had been a blogosphere when documents shifted from rolls to bound books? All the debate about whether the hard covers would be comfortable to hold for long periods, whether the division into separate pages would interrupt the reading experience and lose the immersion. Is it worth the cost of replacing all the pigeonholes in which you keep the scrolls with these new-fangled 'shelves'?

And then printing? Who wants to read the mechanically produced printged version and lose the pleasure of well-executed calligraphy?

I love books - the look and the feel of them. But I love the content, and I want to get to the content wherever I am.

[athlonkmf]

Want some distraction? Set up pushmail and try to resist the urge to read your mail when you heard the ping.

[scottjl]

Originally Posted by athlonkmf

Want some distraction? Set up pushmail and try to resist the urge to read your mail when you heard the ping.

it's not that hard. i do all the time. if you're really that easy, turn off the alert sound.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by athlonkmf

Want some distraction? Set up pushmail and try to resist the urge to read your mail when you heard the ping.

Actually, that would be quite easy. Most email I get these days is list stuff.

[thinkpad]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

I'm reading less right now, because I am using the iPad as my main MobileRead portal.

Ohh I wouldn't get any reading done checking MR every minute, it's bad enough as it is. One more argument for not getting the iPad

[mtnmedic]

Originally Posted by scottjl

it's not that hard. i do all the time. if you're really that easy, turn off the alert sound.

Yep. If I'm really engrossed in a good book, I will make ways to remove distractions.

Lovin' my iPad!

[tyche]

I read Betanews and Joe has been pushing out Apple articles non stop. I just took him for a troll and the comment section is about 90% anti-Apple so they eat this up. What's really funny is a couple days ago some one posted saying Joe would do a 180 on the iPad just to stir up the page views and sure enough here it is...

[scottjl]

it's all about the page views..

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by nick101

Can you imagine what it would ave been like if there had been a blogosphere when documents shifted from rolls to bound books? All the debate about whether the hard covers would be comfortable to hold for long periods, whether the division into separate pages would interrupt the reading experience and lose the immersion. Is it worth the cost of replacing all the pigeonholes in which you keep the scrolls with these new-fangled 'shelves'?

Scrolls do have separate pages. Eg:



Their main disadvantage is that you have to rewind them after you've finished. One finds in Latin literature a number of insulting remarks about the rudeness of people who don't rewind their scrolls for the benefit of the next reader, after they've finished with them.

[vonCZ]

Originally Posted by Bremen Cole

When I turn it on I see the reading app.... but also everything else..... so I may think, "oh, I'll check the news real quick", and 30 minutes later get around to my book.....

This is my concern. My family and I have been watching too much TV lately. So I've told them: "this summer when we visit the States, I am buying an eReader. When we return home: no more TV in the evenings!!" So the very last thing I wanna do is end up sitting on the couch watching movies and playing video games on an iPad. At least we don't have internet at our house, so surfing/emailing won't be a temptation. Anyway, until last week none of this concerned me: I was set on buying the DR800. But now that that's out... I'm afraid my second choice is the iPad.