Apple Event - Live Blogging/Streaming Coverage

[bhartman36]

Originally Posted by scottjl

actually what it boils down to is the device won't do what you would like it to do. you already point out there are alternatives that do what you want them to do, like the archos. so why are you wasting your breath bashing the iPad? why not just go out, buy an archos, and live happy? we get it. the iPad isn't the device for you nor the others who seem to have nothing better to do than bash it.

I'm simply defending and explaining an opinion, because I was asked to explain what I meant by "full-blown OS", etc. I fully expect that the iPad will have its share of buyers. That's not the issue. I was just addressing how I thought it was going to do competing against other tablets, and why. How is bringing analysis to bear on its features seen as "bashing"?

If you like it, and want one, that's great. That's what capitalism's about.

[scottjl]

Originally Posted by Harmon

My guess is that you won't be able to tether without an additional charge. But it would sure be nice if I were wrong about that!

for those of us who live life on the edge and have jailbroken our iphones there's a $10 app that turns your iphone into a wifi hotspot (mifi). granted, if AT&T finds out there could be repercussions, but they still haven't given us their sanctioned tethering solution.

[DawnFalcon]

Originally Posted by scottjl

maybe this is what the definition of a "tablet computer" should have been 10 years ago instead of the "full fledged PC without a keyboard" we were presented with. that model obviously failed or we'd all be happily scribbling away on our tablet pc's.

You can bet ASUS are going to respond with something more suited for me, though.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by random50

I'd agree, but no good stylus significantly decreases the utility.

Do students handwrite notes these days? Or do they type them? And doesn't the Kindle allow typewritten notes?

I think that note taking functionality is just a matter of programming for the soft keyboard.

[Zorz]

Originally Posted by Harmon

Do students handwrite notes these days? Or do they type them? And doesn't the Kindle allow typewritten notes?

I think that note taking functionality is just a matter of programming for the soft keyboard.

I just finished a 4 year degree at one of the counties largest universities and in my classes I can say I saw maybe 2 students of thousands typing notes. Many professors even ban laptops in class now.

[markbot]

the ipad is just a big iphone...and I mean that literally.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by markbot

the ipad is just a big iphone...and I mean that literally.

Agree. Apple may produce ipad DX with 15" screen someday to kill laptop market

[Donnageddon]

Originally Posted by markbot

the ipad is just a big iphone...and I mean that literally.

Actually, a big iPod Touch.

And that ain't a bad thing.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

The Kindle has a very specialized, expensive screen. It can offer This thing is only a multimedia pad. It is not even a full fledged computer. Compare this to the netbooks for 300-500 and you realize that the ipad is not value for money....

Uhm, not sure I agree with your idea of "value for money."

The iPad does have a fairly "specialized, expensive screen." Look up LED and IPS. Until the recent $600 Dell and $900 Apple monitors, this was technology found only in very expensive pro monitors.

The purpose of the iPad is not be a cheap netbook. Is it perfect? Far from it. But I don't see anything else coming close to it, right now, for what it does.

[Krystian Galaj]

There's an anti-drm petition for iPad at http://www.defectivebydesign.org/ .

Today, Apple launched a computer that will never belong to its owner. Apple will use Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) to gain total veto power over the applications you use and the media you can view.

We've launched a petition calling out Apple's new product for what it is: a frightening step backward for computing and for media distribution. Can you read it, sign it, and share with friends?

[Jozawun]

The more I look at it, the more I am reminded of the famous description by English cricket commentator Brian Johnstone of a former New Zealand "military-medium" bowler (for all you septics and other non-cricketing heathens, that means his bowling was somewhere between fast and slow):
"And now Richard Cunis comes on to bowl, his pace, like his name, neither one thing nor the other".

[nekokami]

Originally Posted by montsnmags

I'd like a stylus though, and the keyboard dock was a significant clincher for me.

I've been using a PogoSketch stylus on my iPod Touch and I'm very happy with it. Only US$10.

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I do know that pen based annotation and note taking is an important feature to me for a large format reading device... which as also something that this device doesn't' offer.

Yes, it does. WritePad + PogoSketch = HWR, or you can use FastFinga and Evernote.

Originally Posted by dioib

Does anybody know if using stylus on capacitive screens give you the same level of precision one gets on resistive ones?

I've been using the PogoSketch stylus on my iPod Touch for about a month now. I'd say it's not as good as a calibrated Wacom tablet, but about as good as the resistive screens I've used. It's significantly better than my experience with the iLiad, which had a Wacom tablet but terrible calibration (even after the community developers wrote a calibration program).

It takes a bit of getting used to, because the tip of the stylus is bigger than what we're used to with Palm devices, etc. (and it's squishy), but it actually works quite well. On a par with the Newton, I'd say (and whatever other criticisms people had of that product, the stylus wasn't one of the problems.)

You can make a capacitive stylus with aluminum foil wrapped around a pencil, if you want to try it. Use the eraser end. It's not quite soft enough to shape itself properly to the surface, but you can get the general idea.

[nekokami]

(I asked if we are sure there is no multitasking.)

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Yes, we are sure.

Source?

[sianon]

Originally Posted by bhartman36

It's hard for me to see the iPad coming out on top in that kind of analysis.

Look at something like the Archos 9. If you're looking at buying a tablet, would you want an iPad for $500, or the Archos 9 for $550? The gap between the two devices is pretty large, I think.

For me, my needs for a tablet device are simple. I want a device that is close to the size and weight of an A4 notebook in a solid leather writing compendium. I want the whole screen available to use for handwriting recognition. I want handwriting to instantly and accurately transform to text. I need a device that I can use for case noting at work and taking notes in university lectures.

The Archos 9 is in no way a competitor for the Apple Ipad. The Archos ships with a crippled version of Windows 7 which does not allow any tablet PC functions to work. I took delivery of my several weeks ago and one of the first things I did was upgrade to a higher specced version of Windows 7, it then took another day to get all of the tocuh functions working correctly. This is fine if you are technically minded or have people close to you who are.

The Ipad is designed to work out of the box from what I can see.

The Archos 9 is a slow and clumsy machine with a very slow boot time whereas the Iad is pretty much an instant on device.

Yes I can run a range of programs on the Archos whcih won't work on the Ipad, but there are a range of Apps that will work arounds these limitations.

The Archos 9 works well as an e-reader and all formats are readable on it. Turn the brightness down low and it realy is very comfortbale to read for hours on.

The Archos 9 is totally pathetic for watching video content on and you CANNOT watch any Ituens videos at all, way to choppy.

The windows handwriting recognition leaves a lot to be desired, although it is accurate. I really do not like the very small area that is proivided to write in.

And the aspect ratio of the Ipad is very much closer to what I want than the Archos 9.

For now with all it's limitations, I will stick to the Archos 9 (mainly due to my hubby becoming a little inpatient with my Gadget buying addicition) as it does allow me to use handwriting recognition to complete ntoes, although it could do with massive improvements.

Archos and Apple provide for totla opposite ends of the spectrum, with Archos merely providing the hardware and allowing users to configure to what they want. This leads to a huge frustration in getting the device to do what you want. Whereas Apple provide and easy to use interface with a closed system which will not suit those who want to tinker.

For me to veiw the Ipad as a MUST have, it will need to provie a way to view RAW image files from a range of cameras, Solid handwriting recognition (athought the write pad looks very good) as well as a very good library app (possibley Calibre) to manage different formated books, eg click on a book and the app will open thte correct e-book viewing app. Give me these functions in the form factor of the Ipad and I will be sold (with 3G of course)

[EowynCarter]

The Archos 9 is totally pathetic for watching video content on and you CANNOT watch any Ituens videos at all, way to choppy.

Ah ?
I was expecting it would do that all right.