iPad iOS 4.2 kills the orientation lock switch

[harakiri]

b) the wireless printing is only for wifi printers like the new HP models, oldies are out

Rumor has it that there will be a way to print using your Mac (maybe Windows PC) acting as an Airprint server to a printer that does not support it directly.
Not sure how practical this will be but its better than trowing away a perfectly fine printer in favor of something iffy from HP

Now if they would add a feature for downloading things from the internet in Safari that would be a "magicaler" internet experience.

define things.

I can download certain files using Safari today provided there is an application on the iPad that is opening them.
For example I can download epub books using Safari and open them directly in Bluefire Reader.

... and loosing the orientation lock will suck :-(

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by darknessangel

a) I really want multitasking for skype >_>

b) the wireless printing is only for wifi printers like the new HP models, oldies are out

c) The update will always bug you *ping* "There is an updata available" >_>

But I think I'll update anyways =/. In reality the groups/folders don't really fascinate me, as I have few apps and already grouped in different screens. Now if they would add a feature for downloading things from the internet in Safari that would be a "magicaler" internet experience.

PS.: I have discovered that the only thing that flash is useful to me is... publicity... so not useful at all XD (<-- don't play flash games on the web)

Yup, the only thing that tempts me at this point is multitasking. And I don't even know how much of that I will use, given its limitations.

I was thinking about getting an HP printer, because it was only 100 bucks after some sorta rebate, last I saw. But I realized that anything I wanted to print from iPad probably would be on the go, and I'm not lugging around a printer. It would be nice to print boarding passes, for instance. It'd be nice if hotels had those HP printers.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by darknessangel

In reality the groups/folders don't really fascinate me, as I have few apps and already grouped in different screens.

Mine are grouped on different screens... 11 different screens! This is why I'm so excited about them (it made a world of difference on my iPhone, too!)

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by darknessangel

Now if they would add a feature for downloading things from the internet in Safari that would be a "magicaler" internet experience.

Goodreader will download anything you like from a webpage. If it is a file type you have an application registered for, you can Open In... that apo, and you can use the iTune file sharing tab to transfer it off the iPad to your PC.

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by darknessangel

a) I really want multitasking for skype >_>

b) the wireless printing is only for wifi printers like the new HP models, oldies are out

c) The update will always bug you *ping* "There is an updata available" >_>

But I think I'll update anyways =/. In reality the groups/folders don't really fascinate me, as I have few apps and already grouped in different screens. Now if they would add a feature for downloading things from the internet in Safari that would be a "magicaler" internet experience.

PS.: I have discovered that the only thing that flash is useful to me is... publicity... so not useful at all XD (<-- don't play flash games on the web)

One of the alternative browsers lets you save things -- to drop box, I think? Can't remember which one. I use Atomic Web Browser and the developer told me it was coming this month.

For me, saving to drop box is key because it's difficult to share files across apps on the ipad. Drop box lets me save it and open it in another ipad app.

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by harakiri

I can download certain files using Safari today provided there is an application on the iPad that is opening them.
For example I can download epub books using Safari and open them directly in Bluefire Reader.

Do you know how that works? The reason I ask, is that the situation that I am aware of doesn't actually open the file in Safari and send it to another app -- it just tranfers the URL for the file to the alternative app.

Unfortunately, the 'transfer URL' approach doesn't work for me since the places I am getting content from all require logins. My original session has a login, but the app that it is transferred to is not already logged into the service.

So I would be interested in any apps that could actually transfer files (without going through drop box).

[tyche]

There's lots to like about iOS 4.2. 20 apps per folder, game center, universal mailbox, printing, airplay, enhanced spell check. Pretty nice for a free update.

I'm going to miss the lock but 95% of the time it's locked anyway. It makes more sense for Apple to keep a consistent user experience for all their devices.

[monkeyluis]

Not that excited about losing the current functionality of that button. But I'll get use to it.

[Rob_E]

I have a case (Macally) that protects the back and sides of the iPad. You can press the buttons through the case (although they're a bit stiffer than when there's no case), but the orientation lock is recessed. It can be accessed, but it's not as easy as without the case, especially when I've just clipped my nails. I like the extra protection the case adds, since I'm paranoid about damaging the iPad and put a scratch in one corner within a week of buying the iPad (which is what led to the case), so I don't want to do without it, but the recessed orientation lock switch has been the biggest down side.
So I'm really looking forward to the software option in iOS 4.2. I can see where many people don't see re-purposing it to a mute switch as a positive move, and maybe it isn't, but I look forward to not having to deal with that switch every time I want to lock the rotation.

[pshrynk]

1. I've used the knob maybe twice, so I'm not upset at its function changing. I use mute a lot more.

2. Jobs once said that they would not make a reader, since no one reads anymore. He changed his mind. So, the "Yep" and "Nope" answers are inherently subject to change, especially with enough whining on our parts as consumers.

[darknessangel]

Originally Posted by harakiri

define things.

I can download certain files using Safari today provided there is an application on the iPad that is opening them.
For example I can download epub books using Safari and open them directly in Bluefire Reader.

... and loosing the orientation lock will suck :-(

A zip/rar file... a random video file... crazy .abcdef files you need for a special application... whatever I want to download and transfer later to my comp.

[darknessangel]

Originally Posted by tyche

There's lots to like about iOS 4.2. 20 apps per folder, game center, universal mailbox, printing, airplay, enhanced spell check. Pretty nice for a free update.

I'm going to miss the lock but 95% of the time it's locked anyway. It makes more sense for Apple to keep a consistent user experience for all their devices.

The thing is... noone will use a mute button! ... especially if you can already do it with the volume rocker... and faster >_>

This message was brought to you by the Redundancy Department of Redundancy.

[harakiri]

A zip/rar file... a random video file... crazy .abcdef files you need for a special application... whatever I want to download and transfer later to my comp.

well, the problem is that Apple in its /IRONY/ infinite wisdom /IRONY OFF/ decided that doing this is not necessary and that people who do this should buy a Mac.

Its still possible to do that, at least for some files. However you need a helper application installed.

in case of links to epub files the helper I use is the Bluefire reader.
I was doing some experiments recently on how to download files compressed in .zip or .rar and found that there is a useful application that can help you doing that: Downloads HD Lite

I was able to get a .rar file from one of these filesharing services and to have a look at its contents inside this app. What I have not tried yet is to copy the downloaded file to my Mac. But they claim its possible using iTunes.

This is no really elegant solution, but when I bought the iPad I knew in advance that I probably would need some third party apps and some time to make it do what I want. Hope that 4.2 upgrade doesn't break the solutions I have found so far for me ....

(and I agree. a mute button is bogus!)

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by darknessangel

A zip/rar file... a random video file... crazy .abcdef files you need for a special application... whatever I want to download and transfer later to my comp.

GoodReader.
It has a built in web browser, and will let you download any linked file.

[greencat]

Add me to the annoyed but I'll get used to it crowd. I hardly ever mute the thing (but then I don't do anything other than play the odd podcast on it) but I use that screen lock all of the time.