Apple's January 27th Event

rp2000 · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:49

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-first-hands-on/

Video of it in use by engadget. I really like the photo application that is shown at the 5m30s mark. Very fast rendering, bit like Microsoft Photosynth. Youtube application looks very slick as well.

wesley said:
no flash? wtf? so no youtube?

Since Apple introduced iPod Touch/iPhone, youtube encoded all their videos in 2 formats, Flash for websites and more "powerful" phones and H.264 for iPhone/iPod touch, these are accessed with an app on the portable devices. This only works for youtube as they, in effect, have 2 versions of each video on their servers. Other Flash only video sites will not work, even with an app.

rp2000

kiteloopy · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:49

manic111 said:
Hmm, that's a fair point...I don't think that the screen is something that will bother than many people, provided it's of decent quality (I currently read books on my HTC Hero and don't get any eye strain), but that battery life is worth pointing to.

its an IPS screen IIRC. and resolutions as specified in other posts.

ipad for the sprint
ereaders for the marathon.

would i take the ipad to the beach while on holiday to read a book? no (atm)
...a ereader, yes. you'll get no glare on a ereader so it wins on the beach idea anyway.

Im going to remove this from my idea of a notebook, and purley see it as a bookreader.
if you want to use this to show a friend a picture with its instant startup, but you dont have a picture on the ipad already, you'll have to turn on the PC/mac anyway as its no USB. besides, while the PC/mac is booting up, you can make a brew.

Gadge · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:50

I'm no apple fanboy, but i will be buying one. Its a nice stylish and convenient way to browse the internet and share with friends and family by simply passing the pad around.

smokedog · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:52

Raymond Lin said:
No flash though

That is a big downer.

It's quite unbelievable it doesn't have Adobe Flash. As one of the major use cases of this device is web browsing.

Kainz · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:52

Given that flash scares the crap out of a Macbook/Pro CPU I'm hardly surprised it's happened yet. Isn't that Adobe's job though? To come up with a solution that works properly on every platform without hitting the battery stupidly hard.

Tom84 · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:52

Oh god I've just watched the vid on Apple's website and I just know that my house is not going to be complete without one

When's it out and how much is it going to cost me?

manic111 · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:52

kiteloopy said:
its an IPS screen IIRC. and resolutions as specified in other posts.

ipad for the sprint
ereaders for the marathon.

would i take the ipad to the beach while on holiday to read a book? no (atm)
...a ereader, yes. you'll get no glare on a ereader so it wins on the beach idea anyway.

Agreed, but it could be a nice solution for a half hour train ride each day...

I'm not looking to buy one, but it's interesting to understand where Apple see it fitting in. They will definately have a target marketplace for it.

Amp34 · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:52

R4z0r said:
I think you're really missing the point

With most adavancements in technology you could argue the old one does it just as well. Going with the photo frame example, years ago when they first became available people (And I'm guessing you were one of them) could say "why do you need that, a real photo is much cheaper/easier/better". Eventually everyone gets used to the change and actually starts embracing it.

This is just one small example, the potential for this type of device is absolutely enormous.

Of course, I could be totally wrong - I guess we'll just have to wait and see

I agree with you there (other than the photo frame example, we have tow in our house and use neither...), however Apple have shot themselves in the foot but sticking mobile OSX on (for all the reasons mentioned by me and others).

The format looks like it will go far (and I really want something in this format for when I don't want to lug a 13" laptop around) as shown by Microsoft, Google (with android and an anticipated one by google themselves) and now Apple releasing versions. It's just, as pointed out the OS on this device... Sort out the browser and that would give a massive leap, then a widescreen screen for films (1280x720 would work perfectly for both normal work and HD videos if wanted).

RobH · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:56

Kainz said:
Isn't that Adobe's job though? To come up with a solution that works properly on every platform without hitting the battery stupidly hard.

The trouble is that Apple is too restrictive, Flash would require a plugin to Safari which is not possible through the iPhone SDK.

JGBR · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:56

On the other side of things - i agree with gripes about data plans and screen quality etc - but thankfully, all those little apps we have on iphones because of what they do not do, will be needed for the ipad.

IE: PDF reader, file manager and so forth.

Hmmm MS word for iPad sounds fun.

Theirs a lot of work to be done with this and i suspect being the UK we will get the raw deal!

Kainz · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:58

RobH said:
The trouble is that Apple is too restrictive, Flash would require a plugin to Safari which is not possible through the iPhone SDK.

Yep, valid point with regards to a safari plugin. Apple don't want others touching their bits

Jolteh · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:58

I loved it. Getting one as soon as they're available!

TJM · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:59

I don't plan to buy one of these, but a lot of the complaints in here are ridiculous.

'I own a Mac, a Macbook Pro and an iPhone. Why should I bother with this? WHY?'

The iPad is obviously aimed at people who aren't techies and want a fast and easy way to check the news, send e-mails, etc, when they are not at a computer. The iPhone is too small and awkward to compose long e-mails on or do much reading. This device obviously fills a gap for casual users, although I can't imagine filling that gap will be worth £400+ to many.

Jas1975 · 27 Jan 2010 at 22:59

Kainz said:
Yep, valid point with regards to a safari plugin. Apple don't want others touching their bits

Plus it would no doubt give a backdoor into creating non-approved 3rd party apps that would feasibly take revenue from the app store so dont expect to see it anytime soon

JGBR · 27 Jan 2010 at 23:00

Why oh Why this obsession with glossy screens! Does your eyes in! I might sit on the train to watch a movie on it...STOP...oh of course...await the raft of third partie accessories....Matte display protector... LOL

Kainz · 27 Jan 2010 at 23:03

Jolteh said:
I loved it. Getting one as soon as they're available!

Good on you, looking forward to your review on the thing tbh.

nolimit · 27 Jan 2010 at 23:04

Pretty much what I expected from the iPad, the lack of multi-tasking is just crazy decision, but I'm confident they will enable it in software update.

Also why are people complaining about the user interface? if it works why change it? The OSX user interface barely changed in the past 5 years and most (if not all) latest touch screen devices still can't beat the iphone 's user friendly interface.

Touchscreen tablet as a whole never really worked because the screen gets dirty with oily finger prints, too much effort to move your fingers on bigger screen (no effort and reach required on small screen), heavy to hold with 1 hand while using the device with the other and also prone to accident because you can't get a firm grip with 1 hand (maybe a casing with strap on!

)

I think people are expecting too much from something that was never going to appeal to them in the first place.

ps3ud0 · 27 Jan 2010 at 23:05

Hamish said:
Erm... iPhone OS IS a cutdown version of OS. Do you mean the interface? If so why use a desktop OS designed for a keyboard and mouse when you have a perfectly good mobile OS built from the ground up for devices like this?
Yes the iPad could do with multitasking and unsigned apps but it is by no means necessary to change the whole OS.

Sorry I meant something far more comparable to OSX than to the iPhone OS - IMHO its a joke that such a device uses an OS built for a tiny screen, using the excuse its tailored for touchscreens just doesnt cut it. The home screen pics just look embarrassing...

ps3ud0 :cool:

bigredshark · 27 Jan 2010 at 23:06

Skeeter said:
What you have just described there is the perfect scenario for..... a smart phone!

And nice try at climbing aboard the "im richer than you so there" high horse...

Thanks but I'll pass on trying to actually usefully use a website on a 3.5" screen. It's too small for the job (despite which, it's also a terrible phone). If I need to look at something when I'm out then fine, I'll live with it because it fits in my pocket, otherwise I'll pass.

I'm simply pointing out it's obviously not designed to be a must have product for the budget conscious. It's a optional extra toy for the affluent (which is apple's market anyway, you don't need a macbook over a £300 dell after all). Given this, those people aren't typical netbook owners anyway.

bigredshark · 27 Jan 2010 at 23:09

TJM said:
I don't plan to buy one of these, but a lot of the complaints in here are ridiculous.

'I own a Mac, a Macbook Pro and an iPhone. Why should I bother with this? WHY?'

The iPad is obviously aimed at people who aren't techies and want a fast and easy way to check the news, send e-mails, etc, when they are not at a computer. The iPhone is too small and awkward to compose long e-mails on or do much reading. This device obviously fills a gap for casual users, although I can't imagine filling that gap will be worth £400+ to many.

Nail, head.

I think you'll be surprised really by takeup, it'll never be as mass market as the iphone/ipod touch obviously but devices like the sony ereader (which is, by all accounts a compromised, expensive single use device) sell pretty well. They'll take a beating from the ipad...