iPad iPad Enthusiasts - Why is the iPad a no-brainer for you?

[Pol]

Yeah...I'm on the "iPad bandwagon" as well. As I posted earlier, Santa delivered the nifty PRS600 "Touch" eReader and I've, after 11 weeks of determined effort (ie, daily reading using ONLY the device) to convert back to an eReader (had the Reb1100 back in the day, went to Palm and PalmTX and share reading on that with my iPod Touch), I give up.

PRS screen to "glare-y," interface too bulky (can't change status of book once it's on the device to either "save," (or whatever other level I want to label it), and the lack of backlight was the clincher.

I had increasing headaches and eyestrain (dry eyes, etc...) with the eReader (I tend to read mostly at night or in dark places as I'm waiting for trains/planes/meetings/movies, etc...). The tiny little book light just doesn't cut it and it's one more thing to lug around. The built-into-the-cover light doesn't cover the whole page without additional glare.

Yup. I give up.

I'll be selling my ereader to offset costs as well. My biggest concern is being able to read my legally purchased ePub files on the iPad. My solution (theoretical at this point, of course) is to install the Sony "Reader Library" onto my iPad and read as if I'm on my computer (which I will be, in mini-me form - computer being a MBP).

So...yup. Can't wait.

Pol

[SCION]

Originally Posted by Pol

... My solution (theoretical at this point, of course) is to install the Sony "Reader Library" onto my iPad...

The only apps you can "install" are from the app store.

[Gurvan]

The Appstore where you can find :

- Kindle,
- eReader,
- Stanza...

And others... Thus if your ebooks are compatible with one of those standards, you should be okay...

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by Gurvan

The Appstore where you can find :

- Kindle,
- eReader,
- Stanza...

And others... Thus if your ebooks are compatible with one of those standards, you should be okay...

Most legally purchased ePubs tend to be using Adobe's DRM scheme and there doesn't seem to be any reader that actually supports that unless the B&N reader also supports that drm scheme in addition to their own.

[tyche]

Originally Posted by Crowl

Most legally purchased ePubs tend to be using Adobe's DRM scheme and there doesn't seem to be any reader that actually supports that unless the B&N reader also supports that drm scheme in addition to their own.

Posted in wrong thread but I'll mention it here. The txtr iPhone app supports Adobe DRM epub.

Also from what I've read you can use ADE epub files from the Sony line to the B&N Nook. However, until Adobe releases the B&N sdk to others which is supposed to be in the coming months, the other companies can't transfer from the Nook to them. Once they do you will be able to move drm epub back and forth from Sony (and other epub players) to B&N. So it's really only a small software change and Apple could easily join aboard since they use epub.

The nice thing about the iPhone OS is it's always under heavy development and can add complex additions that the hardware ereaders can't do (sort of like the Blu-ray player in a PS3 vs buying your 2nd or 3rd dedicated hardware player due to the constant profile updates. You get fixes but you can't add functionality.)

[ElaHuguet]

I'm very excited about the iPad, BUT:
much mention has been made about sofa-browsing and/or bed-browsing, and that would be great, but without flash, that buggers up a LOT of websites!! Facebook apps, for example (I'm addicted, sorry), and a lot of video streaming (Hulu).
So now I'm hoping: all web-sites switch to html5 (!!), or that everybody starts copying the iPad, as with the iPhone, and I'll find something else that works slightly better for me (I LIKE the look of the Adam!).

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by ElaHuguet

I'm very excited about the iPad, BUT:
much mention has been made about sofa-browsing and/or bed-browsing, and that would be great, but without flash, that buggers up a LOT of websites!! .......and a lot of video streaming (Hulu).
So now I'm hoping: all web-sites switch to html5 (!!).

Does Hulu work anywhere outside of the States? I can't access it from Canada, nor most of the other sites that stream tv. The site says it is prohibited due to geographic limitations, which is disappointing. But it does diminish the importance of flash to me.

I wonder why people have written that flash is required for You Tube. My ipod touch works with You Tube just fine, and has its own build in app to go to there.

I have to say that I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas. I get digital magazines and things that will be so much easier to enjoy on the ipad than on the computer. And it is going to be fantastic as a digital sketch book.

[badgoodDeb]

Well, write us a review when you get it! I'm waiting to order, since I think I really want the 3G version. I need to hear how much you'all love it, though.

[vaughnmr]

If this thing is even remotely like they claim, birth rates will drop, marriages will fail, no one will cuddle in bed anymore, we will all be tuned in until we fall asleep.

I hope not!

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by Victoria

... I wonder why people have written that flash is required for You Tube. My ipod touch works with You Tube just fine, and has its own build in app to go to there.

...

Because only a portion of YouTube's videos are coded in H264. What you see on your iPhone is not the complete YouTube catalog. There are still a lot of YouTube videos which you can't access without Flash.

But, Flash is A LOT more than video. A large number of major sites use Flash heavily, some are entirely in Flash.

Without Flash, even if you can see them, you will get the Lite versions, made for mobile phones. But the Lite versions offer much poorer experience than the full Flash versions. Most are also made for tiny screens, and will likely look weird on the iPad.

There are a ton of examples, since really most entertainment, arts and sports sites use Flash, but take a look at something like Disney, ESPN, Nike, or HBO on your desktop, then compare it to what you see on your iPhone.

The iPad will be able to show only the dumbed down phone versions of these websites, and will be unable to show at all a ton of sites, which don't bother to provide mobile versions.

Because web-browsing is important to me, I am waiting to see the Android tablets, with full Flash, coming out in the next few months.

But, I suppose, to each their own.

[sianon]

Originally Posted by Sonist

There are a ton of examples, since really most entertainment, arts and sports sites use Flash, but take a look at something like Disney, ESPN, Nike, or HBO on your desktop, then compare it to what you see on your iPhone.

But, I suppose, to each their own.

can't say any of those sites appeal to me. A number of photography sites rely on flash, however I tend to ignore such sites.

[fugazied]

No brainer for me because:

- I like comics, this thing will be the ultimate color comic book reader.
- Using this as a photo album will be incredible, sharing family pics. Beats finding/pulling out photo albums or gathering people in front of a laptop.
- Movies/podcasts/music on the plane/train/bus.

I was half tempted to wait for V2 which might include a camera, but they are pretty well priced.

[leebase]

Re flash -- the impact of the lack of flash will vary according to one's tastes. I have flash blocker installed even on my pc. I can click to see the occassional flash video, but for most of the time, I'm quite happy to surf flash free.

And I'm not being locked into browsing only on the iPad. I'm on my laptop 8 to 10 hours a day as it is, plenty of opportunity to visit flash sites

Lee

[pagansoul]

I already use my iphone far too much, not having to do with talking on the phone. I figure save the phone for real conversations and leave the other stuff for the pad.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by fugazied

No brainer for me because:

- I like comics, this thing will be the ultimate color comic book reader.
- Using this as a photo album will be incredible, sharing family pics. Beats finding/pulling out photo albums or gathering people in front of a laptop.
- Movies/podcasts/music on the plane/train/bus.

I was half tempted to wait for V2 which might include a camera, but they are pretty well priced.

Absolutely! And plugging a tv to the vga out port will make good family presentations...