Interested in tablet computing?

[zip]

I'm pretty intrigued by the iPad and see many, many uses for the device almost immediately both in business and real life. Some ideas:

Replacement for our mobile DVD player for kids and long trips

Book reader, a la improved Amazon Kindle

Music/media player

Handy weather checker, TV Guide, web surfer, etc.

Note taker, organizer using handwriting

When waterproofed, a possible GPS display for the boat and/or motorcycle tank bag

(You know it'll happen soon. The iPad has GPS built in. I'm predicting that Garmin releases apps for tablets in less than 9 months. Otherwise, they'll be chasing Google.)

Microsoft is also going to introduce the "Courier," HP has shown their "Slate," and Google is reportedly working on their own device as well.

I believe tablets are going to be a big deal, especially for college kids. Why would anyone ever buy a printed text book again, when you could buy a tablet-based book far cheaper and add notations, links, etc.?

Some interesting takes on the things at this link. I've read that manufacturers are set to introduce as many as 50 new tablet devices before year end.

But I'm wondering about your thinking on it?

 

[Bounce]

Doesn't bring enough to the plate to make it worthwhile. A crippled, over-sized iPhone (without the phone and without a camera).

But one thing to note, with the release of the iPad the iPhone has been renamed to iPad Nano.

Oh, and there's a larger iPad coming named the MAXiPad.

 

[Aasland]

Tablet PC's have been around for several years and only caught on in specific markets. The Ipad doesn't bring anything new into the arena than than useability enhancements.

I don't see it replacing books - they are too expensive. For $500 I can buy lots of books, which don't require batteries, subscriptions, or being careful with them. This is the same battle the Kindle has been fighting.

The tablet PC's (Ipads included when they figure out how to multitask) appear to be attempts at solving the limitations of smartphones which make them unsuitable for general computing (tiny keys and display). However, that removes the benefits of smartphone, which is their small size. Sort of a Catch-22.

It will be interesting to see where the industry goes from here.

 

[Crash Cash]

If it's small enough to fit in a pocket like my Nokia N800, it's useful as hell. My N800 rules my life.

If it doesn't fit in a pocket, then I'd use my netbook, like my ASUS 701G eeePC and get the advantage of a keyboard.

The iPAD is way too big, and doesn't offer either advantage. Lord Jobs fumbled this one.

(EDIT: and no, my N800 is *not* a phone. It's got bluetooth & wifi, but that's it)

 

[650cent]

The link in the first post talks about students getting text books on an Ipad device. My kids pack around pounds of text books that could all be loaded on one device plus have the capability to research on the internet and get text book updates would be huge. Netbooks are just pint sized laptop computers and don't interest me much. Once the Ipad has been out for a while and the software writers have apps. developed I will definitely be looking to get one.

Bill

 

[tmc]

The apps are already there.

Apps written for the iPhone/iPod Touch are all compatible with the iPad. They can be run in original size or scaled up to fit.

Also, the SDK has been out since Jobs made the announcement. There will be tons of apps available right at launch.

All that said, I can see myself getting one of these. One of the apps already available is Citrix, which will allow me to use my Citrix XenApp (Presentation) Server to use all of my business apps from this device. I don't need the app store, I can just run all the stuff I have on my server.

I'd likely buy the $499 version, and rock it at home or traveling. I already do about 25% of my surfing, emailing, and calendering from my iPhone. The iPad will let me move it further away from my face and have a much larger area to type.

 

[ShawnKing]

When waterproofed, a possible GPS display for the boat and/or motorcycle tank bag

Same issue with the iPhone - Apple says (unofficially. Officially, they won't answer the question) that these devices are not "hardened" for use in those environments. Use at your own risk.

 

[Bounce]

The link in the first post talks about students getting text books on an Ipad device. My kids pack around pounds of text books that could all be loaded on one device plus have the capability to research on the internet and get text book updates would be huge. Netbooks are just pint sized laptop computers and don't interest me much. Once the Ipad has been out for a while and the software writers have apps. developed I will definitely be looking to get one.
Bill

how often do your kids lose or break their cell phones? remember that the iPad (like the iPhone) won't be offered with an anti-theft/breakage insurance policy option.

 

[650cent]

Don't know about other kids but my son has had the same Apple laptop all through college and my 16 year old daughter couldn't bear to be without her iPhone and has had it for about 8 months. I fact this is her third cell phone and she still has all her old ones. I can see where an iPad would be a high theft item though. I'm sure there with be third party companies that will offer an insurance policy for a price. I wouldn't go out and buy the first iPad but I can see that a device like that will be the way of the future.

 

[FJRGuy]

I didn't select a poll option because there was not one that suits my opinion:

"Actually quite disappointed in the lack of features but would still get one if I hadn't recently picked up an HP NetBook."

The iPad concept is awesome IMHO. Once again Apple has put their spin on existing tech and come out looking like they invented something new. And once again they did it well. I see an iPad in my future. There will be a lot of apps available to take advantage of the new capabilities (and no, iPhone apps don't really count) at release but it will be a while until apps I want are available. A Gen 2 or Gen 3 iPad will likely address some of what I feel the initial iPad lacks. In the meantime, my HP Mini does everything I need when on the road (or on the couch as I am using it right now )

 

[ShawnKing]

remember that the iPad (like the iPhone) won't be offered with an anti-theft/breakage insurance policy option.

Huh? Who says? My homeowners insurance can cover my electronics....

 

[Patriot]

The link in the first post talks about students getting text books on an Ipad device. My kids pack around pounds of text books that could all be loaded on one device plus have the capability to research on the internet and get text book updates would be huge. Netbooks are just pint sized laptop computers and don't interest me much. Once the Ipad has been out for a while and the software writers have apps. developed I will definitely be looking to get one.
Bill

how often do your kids lose or break their cell phones? remember that the iPad (like the iPhone) won't be offered with an anti-theft/breakage insurance policy option.

Otterbox defender for IPhone solves that problem

https://www.otterbox.com/?cid=GOOTT10&g...CFSNhswod3RP8UQ

Water resistant (covers the entire device) and I've bounced my IPhone off ceramic tile floor from 4-5 feet with no issues

(I do have the 2 year replacement insurance for $69, but the advantage to me has been the free phone support :blink: )

 

[Go Far]

If there was a mil-spec tablet out there, I may have a look.

 

[Patriot]

I didn't select a poll option because there was not one that suits my opinion:"Actually quite disappointed in the lack of features but would still get one if I hadn't recently picked up an HP NetBook."

The iPad concept is awesome IMHO. Once again Apple has put their spin on existing tech and come out looking like they invented something new. And once again they did it well. I see an iPad in my future. There will be a lot of apps available to take advantage of the new capabilities (and no, iPhone apps don't really count) at release but it will be a while until apps I want are available. A Gen 2 or Gen 3 iPad will likely address some of what I feel the initial iPad lacks. In the meantime, my HP Mini does everything I need when on the road (or on the couch as I am using it right now )

agree

I used to hate Apple, but not anymore. Mainly because I'm a cheapskate and my computer support career was all Microsoft.

seeing what my buddy who accompanied me to SFO use their IPhone like a PC and the fact AT&T discounted their 3G to $99 with contract, I broke down and got one. I'm hooked now. I can see the same process happening at some point in time again.

 

[BwanaDik]

The iPad doesn't grip me, I'm looking for something smaller than a laptop but with a keyboard (yea, I'm old).

Don't know if this is a thread hijack but who's using a notebook computer out there? I've been looking at a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and FJRGuy referenced an HP Mini.

I currently use my HP Company laptop to drag around everywhere but it takes up a lot of space in the top box and weighs a lot. Not interested in using the notebook "on the fly" (tankbag), only to use it when we stop for a while or overnight someplace. Primarly to do alternate routing plans for the next day, check weather forcasts, and pick up stuff from Work. Basicly the same use as I now have for my laptop, but smaller.

I wish Panasonic would make a notebook sized "Toughbook", that would be a no-brainer

 

[zip]

I didn't select a poll option because there was not one that suits my opinion:"Actually quite disappointed in the lack of features but would still get one if I hadn't recently picked up an HP NetBook."

The iPad concept is awesome IMHO. Once again Apple has put their spin on existing tech and come out looking like they invented something new. And once again they did it well. I see an iPad in my future. There will be a lot of apps available to take advantage of the new capabilities (and no, iPhone apps don't really count) at release but it will be a while until apps I want are available. A Gen 2 or Gen 3 iPad will likely address some of what I feel the initial iPad lacks. In the meantime, my HP Mini does everything I need when on the road (or on the couch as I am using it right now )

These are really good points, and like you, I rarely buy Version 1 of almost any product. There are some signficant gaps. I still can't quite imagine how web surfing is going to be without Flash. Faster, yes, but far less rich. I had a tablet computer at the office about ten years ago and it was totally inadequate. Interesting that Apple's approach to handwriting recognition, though - always a troubling issue with tablets - is simply to ignore it!

Don't know if this is a thread hijack but who's using a notebook computer out there? I've been looking at a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and FJRGuy referenced an HP Mini....

I wish Panasonic would make a notebook sized "Toughbook", that would be a no-brainer

We actually bought a netbook just before Christmas for a trip, and returned it to Costco within about four days at no charge. Loved the form factor and the weight. Hated the sluggishness and the fact that it would not properly play media like movies on iTunes or anything else. I think they're great devices, but if these are factors for you, consider other options.

Nearly pre-ordered an iPad today, in fact. They sold 50,000 of them in the first two hours, apparently. My wife and I were debating - to 3G or not to 3G. I was leaning towards skipping it to get a simple Wi-fi version earlier. But I then recalled that only the 3G version has real GPS installed. The AT&T contract options aren't necessarily cheap, but they're extremely fair. You can add or cancel data service at any time without contract, even in the middle of a month where you're simply out of data. (You can track your data usage easily.)

We may yet pre-order the 3G version, but it's not supposed to be out until the end of April.

One of my justifications: I was just about to buy a marine chartplotter/GPS for our old sailboat the other day. You can pay $800 for one of these and still only get nothing more than a 4" screen. It sucks. (Zumo anyone? Love my 550, but what a racket by Garmin.) I figured instead that with GPS on the iPad (about $800 for the serviceable model) and perhaps a good waterproof case (which I'm sure will be forthcoming), that the iPad is going to obviate a bunch of GPS company products.

I'm really surprised that some of the smartphones haven't yet done this, or partnered more effectively with Garmin and the like. The iPhone itself could be an excellent form factor for a GPS if it were hardened or usable in a good case. I know that you can look at Google Maps on iPhone, but they're still not usable for turn-by-turn driving directions.

Anyhow, cool responses by you all, and thanks for participating in the poll.

 

[Bounce]

Don't know about other kids but my son has had the same Apple laptop all through college and my 16 year old daughter couldn't bear to be without her iPhone and has had it for about 8 months. I fact this is her third cell phone and she still has all her old ones. I can see where an iPad would be a high theft item though. I'm sure there with be third party companies that will offer an insurance policy for a price. I wouldn't go out and buy the first iPad but I can see that a device like that will be the way of the future.

haven't found one for my iPhone yet and they cost about the same to replace. my homeowners insurance would cover it but unless it's taken out with a bunch of other stuff my deductible wouldn't be met with just the phone. Shawn must have a zero deductible policy. around these parts it's usually 2% of the value of the home.

BD: What you describe is exactly how I use my iPhone 3GS. Unless I have a specific need to connect to a switch or router to configure it, I don't even bother taking a laptop with me any more. The size (regardless of the weight) of the tablet would be an inconvenience.

Zip: AT&T (and maybe another company) offer turn-by-turn GPS apps for the iPhone.

 

[Pepperell]

Verizon/Blackberry Storm has a half decent GPS app @ 5 bux a month that does turn by turn voice instructions. However, if you wander out of cell coverage, it quits. The lame Blackberry OS doesn't know how to use the 8 gig mini sd card very well for most apps. For wireless GPS the app would need to down load map info for an area (state sized?) and load to memory, rather than stream it from a cell tower on the fly.

In my opinion Apple has out-Japanesed the Japanese. Take existing technology and rearrange it into a more useful, reliable form factor.

Add Marketing , stir, reap profits!

 

[ShawnKing]

I still can't quite imagine how web surfing is going to be without Flash. Faster, yes, but far less rich.

It's going to depend on your web surfing habits. I surf the web (it's my job) all day, every day and use a piece of software that blocks Flash. Turns out, the only thing "important" it actually blocks are Flash advertisements.

So for a lot of folks, the "lack" of Flash on the iPad may not be much of an issue.