Apple's January 27th Event

muon · 28 Jan 2010 at 01:34

Perhaps blasphemy posting this here.

This was the CES product shown. Unlike the iphone, the ipad won't go unchallenged. Dell, Lenovo will also release products and probably others.

Very few details though.

JonB · 28 Jan 2010 at 02:34

I think naysayers should read the article this text links too. It's spot on.

Heres a little extract though, and it sums up my feelings and thoughts in a better way than I could have done.

Here's the thing: It's not a general-purpose computer. It's not a Mac. They did this really subtle thing to tell you that: they didn't put "Mac" in the name anywhere. If it had been the MacPad, then maybe some of these complaints would be perfectly valid. Maybe expecting it to act a certain way would be appropriate.

But it's not a Mac. It's a new consumer device. It's targeted at people who do e-mail, surf the web a little, play a few games, watch some movies, and listen to music. It's not a replacement for a computer if you do more than that on your computer. But most people don't. We geeks are the minority on that point, and for many people, a regular computer is both overkill and frustrating. The iPad is not a tablet computer in the sense that Windows tablets are. But what it is, is all that the vast majority of people will ever want out of a computer, and it fits in a briefcase, purse, or backpack and weighs less than two pounds.

Relating to those people wanting feature "x" or feature "y"

Both the iPhone and iPad are using the same codebase. Any improvements to the general OS will undoubtly end up on both devices.

How long did it take us to get Copy and Paste? OS-frickin-3. They wanted to get copy and paste right (for touch input) before giving it to us; getting it wrong could have had some bad consequences for the user. We may have to wait to get it, but boy did they it right...

...For all we know they are currently working hard on iPhone OS 4.0 and some great new features to build into. Think multitasking, new notifications, new homescreen etc. My bet is bet they aren't quite ready for prime-time yet but apple wanted to get the iPad out there. There's a reason that the iPad is only running OS 3.2; it doesn't have many new features on top of 3.1.

If and when we see the next iPhone OS I have no doubt the major new features will be implemented onto both the iPhone AND the iPad.

As a further aside: The first gen iphone runs OS 3 right? I'd bet on the iPad being able to run iPhone OS 6.0.

Phate · 28 Jan 2010 at 02:40

I can see myself buying one. I carry around my laptop all the time anyway, so it's not asif I'm not used to carrying around something like this.

PLUS personally I see it as a great way to show my photography portfolio to clients at their houses or when I meet them. More than enough space, nice fancy slideshows etc. Suits me

I can see it being generally useful as well! maps especially!

VortexA1 · 28 Jan 2010 at 03:02

JonB said:
I think naysayers should read the article this text links too. It's spot on.

Heres a little extract though, and it sums up my feelings and thoughts in a better way than I could have done.

Relating to those people wanting feature "x" or feature "y"

Both the iPhone and iPad are using the same codebase. Any improvements to the general OS will undoubtly end up on both devices.

How long did it take us to get Copy and Paste? OS-frickin-3. They wanted to get copy and paste right (for touch input) before giving it to us; getting it wrong could have had some bad consequences for the user. We may have to wait to get it, but boy did they it right...

...For all we know they are currently working hard on iPhone OS 4.0 and some great new features to build into. Think multitasking, new notifications, new homescreen etc. My bet is bet they aren't quite ready for prime-time yet but apple wanted to get the iPad out there. There's a reason that the iPad is only running OS 3.2; it doesn't have many new features on top of 3.1.

If and when we see the next iPhone OS I have no doubt the major new features will be implemented onto both the iPhone AND the iPad.

As a further aside: The first gen iphone runs OS 3 right? I'd bet on the iPad being able to run iPhone OS 6.0.

I was thinking along the same lines. Iphone os 4.0 multitasking etc.
imo good post.

scrlk · 28 Jan 2010 at 07:35

What's the point of composing an email when there's no spell checker?

FirebarUK · 28 Jan 2010 at 08:57

ghost101 said:
Perhaps blasphemy posting this here.

This was the CES product shown. Unlike the iphone, the ipad won't go unchallenged. Dell, Lenovo will also release products and probably others.

Very few details though.

Unfortunately it's not slick enough and a true consumer device. The iPad hits the nail on the head tbh, the HP Slate running Windows 7 is going to be really crap to actually use imo.

Feek · 28 Jan 2010 at 08:58

Vinni3 @H|H said:
What's the point of composing an email when there's no spell checker?

Well if it's like the iPod Touch/iPhone then it does have a pretty good autocorrect dictionary. But where are you getting that it doesn't have any spell checker?

Of course, the other option is to learn how to spell correctly. It's not that difficult.

Tunney · 28 Jan 2010 at 08:59

What's with the micro SIM format? Is it just a way to limit consumer choice of networks?

inflynx · 28 Jan 2010 at 09:09

Only two reasons why I might buy one
- Watch movies on plane
- Show photos to friends

Internet on it sucks big time due to no flash. Ouuuu, that looks like a fan video! On no, wait, you cant watch it. Instead you have to quit safari, go to home screen, fire up youtube app, search for this video, watch it, close youtube app, fire up safari again to continue browsing. Truly "pretty amazing".

What else they got there... eBooks. Ok, despite being priced so high, reading text off backlit screen is just tiring. That's why everyone was so exited about e-ink -- its much more convenient. So, books fail too.

And all this usual no-multitasking and other iPhone OS limitations business are not adding ticks to the device either.

I am Apple lover, don't get me wrong, but this piece of childish toy drops the ball. Many people will be getting one just for the sake of it, but, dude, i'm not gonna pay again for something they have sold me last year.

PS> And what a heck with 3G model costing 130 bucks more? What is radio chip made of, gold?

jas72 · 28 Jan 2010 at 09:23

i don't get it....

Also still waiting for apple to launch TV here in Belgium, I'd bet my months salary that apple belgium won't have anything in its belgian store that caters for the ipad for the next 3-4 years.

Westyfield2 · 28 Jan 2010 at 09:24

Tunney said:
What's with the micro SIM format? Is it just a way to limit consumer choice of networks?

Pretty much

.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipads-micro-sim-explained/ said:
While the news of Apple's iPad having 3G wasn't exactly a surprise, the move to a new format for the SIM certainly was. The SIM -- that tiny card that holds your contact info and account information that you find in your GSM handset -- is a 15 x 25mm plastic card whereas the new Micro SIM (also known as a 3FF SIM) is a diminutive 12 x 15mm, about 52% smaller. Needless to say, it's not physically compatible with your current phone. This card was developed by the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) to offer things like more storage space on-chip for provider applications, increased control and security functions -- over what, we don't know -- and the new smaller form factor allows it to fit in tiny devices. Frankly, we wouldn't call the iPad "tiny" and we have absolutely no clue what justification Apple had to switch to it other than a desire to be different -- this is the company that pioneered Mini DisplayPort, after all -- but the long and the short of it is that you're going to have a hard time finding a carrier offering Micro SIMs in the short term since the GSMA doesn't appear to be actively spearheading a mass conversion. In fact, from AT&T's perspective, this is better than a software lock in some ways -- you're not going to be able to download a hack that gets you on another network, so you're totally at the mercy of your carrier at choice for providing a compatible card. Intentionally evil? Perhaps not -- all standards have to start somewhere -- but it's an awful pain in the ass.

Update: T-Mobile (in a partnership with Lok8u GPS devices) announced they were bringing the 3FF SIM to US shores back on January 6th of this year. See the source link for more info.

Adrianr · 28 Jan 2010 at 09:56

inflynx said:
PS> And what a heck with 3G model costing 130 bucks more? What is radio chip made of, gold?

Apple gold. Far more exploitable.

Will be interested to see the PC alternatives to this popping up over the coming months. Should be hard to provide an un-aesthetically pleasing slab. Just need to know how 7 works with touch screen.

HarryPainful · 28 Jan 2010 at 10:09

An overgrown touch/ipod... :confused:

JediFragger · 28 Jan 2010 at 10:37

I'll have a play with one before deciding I think, it'll be either this or an upgrade to a 27" iMac in the Summer

Hamish · 28 Jan 2010 at 10:38

inflynx said:
Internet on it sucks big time due to no flash. Ouuuu, that looks like a fan video! On no, wait, you cant watch it. Instead you have to quit safari, go to home screen, fire up youtube app, search for this video, watch it, close youtube app, fire up safari again to continue browsing. Truly "pretty amazing".

If this is anything like the iPhone then the embedded player will turn into a link to the youtube app, when you're done it will return you to safari.

Tbh lack of flash doesn't bother me - The only things I use it for are games and Videos - Most sites support h264 now, and for games there are plenty of games in the app store which work much better with the touch interface and don't kill the battery.

I do agree that no multitasking sucks though, but i'm expecting that in OS4 or jailbreaking.

ps3ud0 · 28 Jan 2010 at 10:39

Tunney said:
What's with the micro SIM format? Is it just a way to limit consumer choice of networks?

100% so you cant just stick your existing USIM, without using an Apple accredited network plan. Very subtle way, for now, to restrict what users can do with it until normal phones start using the same SIM format - which I dont think they ever will (whats wrong with USIM currently?)

In other news I dno if Im buying a MBP until the refresh (whenever that happens)

ps3ud0

Flukester · 28 Jan 2010 at 10:46

I'm gonna buy one (maybe with 3g), just for sofa surfing and emails when staying away

Laptop is too big and I don't want a fiddly laptop when I can have something so simple...

Laptop will prolly live on desk and never leave.

Hamish · 28 Jan 2010 at 10:48

ps3ud0 said:
100% so you cant just stick your existing USIM, without using an Apple accredited network plan. Very subtle way, for now, to restrict what users can do with it until normal phones start using the same SIM format - which I dont think they ever will (whats wrong with USIM currently?)

In other news I dno if Im buying a MBP until the refresh (whenever that happens)

ps3ud0

I'm pretty sure all the network operators will start allowing you to just order the mini SIMs to replace your existing SIM much as they did when the 3G UTMS SIMs came out. No operator in their right mind is going to miss out on all the potential data plans because they couldn't be arsed to relase a mini SIM.

ps3ud0 · 28 Jan 2010 at 10:54

For people thinking of using it for Sofa surfing, if you are considering the 3G variant may I ask why?

@Hamish - No doubt they will, but its a shame I just cant stick in an existing SIM (actually was thinking of the PAYG SIM when I get the next iPhone on PAYG which will be redundant as Ill just stick in my contract SIM)

ps3ud0 :cool:

Adrianr · 28 Jan 2010 at 11:03

All they needed to do with this was implement a sim tray system compatible with the iPhone for hot swapping. Suddenly you've got every iPhone owner actually seeing a use for the damn thing outside of their home wireless. But no, too easy. Why do something sensible when you can just incorporate something semi-proprietary just to be different and extort your customers a little more. Mini displayport anyone?