Who else is drooling over the iPad?

[kayte]

I had been waiting until my contract expires in April to get an iphone. I am keeping my phone. :wink2:

DH is going to be sorry he just got his second iphone.

I just signed up to notified when I can preorder.

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

I do see it as replacing an iPhone (or other Smart Phone, I don't have an iPhone).

It's not THAT portable. I love being able to bust out my phone while I'm waiting for my takeout or coffee or whatever and get online, look for reviews, that sort of thing. Are you just going to whip it out of your purse wherever?

I see it can be sort of useful - browsing in bed, if I'm sitting for an extended time somewhere - but I don't see it as replacing a smart phone. An addition, perhaps.

ETA - I looked up the exact specs and you would need a pretty big purse. Are we going to start seeing Murses (man purses) with all these gadgets?

[TwinFoxes]

My DH has been waiting for MONTHS for this announcement. He commutes via train every day so this will be perfect for him. I know we will get lots of use from it, but I still love my iPhone. He has already vowed to get one on the first day.

Lame name though!

[infomama]

Lame name though!
ITA. I would have chosen iSlate or iTablet

[elektra]

Lame name though!

Yup. I am already seeing the comments such as "does it come with wings" and such on Facebook.
I guess they chose it because it so close to iPod?

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

Yup. I am already seeing the comments such as "does it come with wings" and such on Facebook.
I guess they chose it because it so close to iPod?

:hysterical:

I wonder if it will be comfortable to hold with one hand. Because you need the other hand for typing, navigating, whatever...

[citymama]

I'm not, but I am hoping it will bring down iPhone prices so I can finally get one!

[crl]

I'm intrigued, but not planning to rush out and get one. I think the size would make it inconvenient for me. It's possible DH will end up with one through work. It seems almost more like a laptop replacement than a phone replacement to me.

(Seriously lame name--I'm surprised at Apple.)

Catherine

[TwinFoxes]

It seems almost more like a laptop replacement than a phone replacement to me.

Catherine

I think you're right. Also I'm sure the Kindle folks are thinking "oh crap". Apple already has deals with publishers.

[codex57]

DW is drooling over it. However, she's an Apple fan so she thinks of ways she can use it rather than if the product fits her lifestyle.

I secretly want an e-reader so I'm not gonna fight her on this one (like I do whenever she brings up the iPhone).

[AnnieW625]

I am old school and still like to read books the old fashion way, but I could see this being a good alternative to a netbook or a regular laptop if your house is already wired for wireless. It will have 3G capabilities but I don't believe it will have a phone call capability. It will be great for travelers though.

[Cam&Clay]

Yup. I am already seeing the comments such as "does it come with wings" and such on Facebook.
I guess they chose it because it so close to iPod?

:yeahthat:

That's the first thing I said! "It sounds like a feminine product!"

[kayte]

Well, I see it as a replacement for yet to purchased iphone because i LOVE the iphone, but not as a phone. I view this as ipod touch with balls (or considering the name a uterus). And I agree iSlate was way better.

I really want it for around the house--recipes in the kitchen, you tube video to appease DD, email while I am upstairs and surfing the web on the couch or in bed. (and yes, we are a house with apple laptops already).

I like the price point. Though I am surprised by the lack of ichat camera on the front --but at 499 something has to give. I would like that feature since we video chat with DH while he is on the road.

While I like the idea of electronic paper-- less energy, easy on the eye, I want a reader that also translates to non-fiction complete with color graphics, even video--I can only image textbooks with video content.

And I agree Kindle is going have to do something compete--their large model is priced right around the entry level ipad. And the nook will have droid capable applications when google gets that act together.

[wellyes]

As someone who paid $500 for a Netbook (embarrassingly enough) not long ago I think this will be a good deal - a lot for the money.

Having said that, I'd not really drooling over it. It's like a big ipod touch. I like my little ipod touch. It fits into my cute little pocketbook so easily. My Netbook, which I'd bought for train commuting, is gathering dust.

I do think this is bad news for Kindle though. Apparently the Sony Reader, Nook and iPad are all compatible ereaders and Kindle's on its own.


BTW I feel ridiculous even typing iPad. What were they thinking? Or do they just have no women developers at Apple?

[larig]

I am old school and still like to read books the old fashion way, but I could see this being a good alternative to a netbook or a regular laptop if your house is already wired for wireless. It will have 3G capabilities but I don't believe it will have a phone call capability. It will be great for travelers though.

Great for a long flight overseas with a kid.

[elektra]

As someone who paid $500 for a Netbook (embarrassingly enough) not long ago I think this will be a good deal - a lot for the money.

Having said that, I'd not really drooling over it. It's like a big ipod touch. I like my little ipod touch. It fits into my cute little pocketbook so easily. My Netbook, which I'd bought for train commuting, is gathering dust.

I do think this is bad news for Kindle though. Apparently the Sony Reader, Nook and iPad are all compatible ereaders and Kindle's on its own.


BTW I feel ridiculous even typing iPad. What were they thinking? Or do they just have no women developers at Apple?

I haven't read all the press yet. So does the iPad (hehe) have the same type of electronic ink that the Kindle does? I have a Kindle and there is a real difference reading something on the Kindle vs. a computer or iPhone.

[citymama]

The iPad doesn't have a removable battery and it doesn't have a camera. So not really intended as a substitute to iPhone or laptop, as far as I can tell.

[marie]

i have nothing to add to this conversation (DH: "we don't do fruit") except here is the MadTV sketch from years ago. . . can't believe no one at Apple googled "ipad" first!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFNQE_TzQNI

[Penny's Pappa]

i have nothing to add to this conversation (DH: "we don't do fruit") except here is the MadTV sketch from years ago. . . can't believe no one at Apple googled "ipad" first!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFNQE_TzQNI

**spits out drink**

[TwinFoxes]

i have nothing to add to this conversation (DH: "we don't do fruit") except here is the MadTV sketch from years ago. . . can't believe no one at Apple googled "ipad" first!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFNQE_TzQNI

:ROTFLMAO:

I can't believe this skit exists!

[kayte]

i have nothing to add to this conversation (dh: "we don't do fruit") except here is the madtv sketch from years ago. . . Can't believe no one at apple googled "ipad" first!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfnqe_tzqni

:rotflmao:

[LD92599]

I had the keynote up on my screen @ work (we're all mac!) and was drooling over it. I think this would be the perfect push present for me, esp w/ late night feedings, etc!

If I get one though, i'd get the base model.

[Twoboos]

DH is crawling out of his skin waiting. He actually walked right past me & DD1 today, didn't even slow down to talk to us, so he could go directly into the Apple Store to see if it was there!

They should hire him as Apple SpokesNerd, I am not kidding. He has probably personally sold at least a dozen iPhones in the past year alone. Friends go buy one for themselves, AND their wives! All b/c of DH preaching the glories!!!

I just showed him the iPad - he is horrified and in hysterics!!! :hysterical:

[wellyes]

Aw, rats, look like the skit was pulled - I'm supercurious now!

I bought an ipod the year it was released and within a month it was $100 cheaper. I'm pretty sure the same thing happened with the iphone..... big price drop within the first year. I'm not planning on buying an ipad anytime soon but I do look forward to the say when they're cheap!

[kayte]

Aw, rats, look like the skit was pulled - I'm supercurious now!


YOu can watch it here

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/27/ipad-video-madtv-predicte_n_438880.html

[ThreeofUs]

I want one for Christmas. I want the second-gen with camera so I can skype from it too, kwim?

[willow33]

Skit was hilarious!!

[Toba]

I have said this many times here ... I'm a huge Apple geek. I was really expecting this to cost much more than it is. DS got a netbook for Christmas, and honestly, it really wasn't that much cheaper than what the iPad is going for ... I totally would have spent the extra couple of bucks for the iPad and gotten the docking station with the attached keyboard. *sigh* But that's how Apple works. This tablet rumor has been going around for two years or more so it's hard to know which rumors to believe. His netbook isn't 30 days old yet ... I wonder if I can return it. LOL I think there will be one in this house soon. I want to hear more reviews about it.

ETA: Duh ... SAHM syndrome (never knowing the date) ... it's been 30 days. I'm going to have to go see what their return policy.

[bubbaray]

OMG, that link is hilarious! (still worked for me)

[kozachka]

Skit was hilarious!!

I can't believe Apple did not see all this jokes coming. Guys...

I am curious about iPad, name not withstanding. I would not buy it right away however. I'd let Apple work out kinks of the first generation device and lower the price. At the moment I am quite happy with my iPod touch but definitely be stopping by the store to play with it as soon as it's in. I'd also want to know total cost of ownership, i.e. how much I'd have to shell out for all the cool content to fully take advantage of it. I do think that DH would be all over it.

[ellies mom]

I'm not. It just doesn't meet my needs. It is too big. It's bigger than my kindle which tucks nicely into my knitting bag. And it is way bigger than my iTouch which I can easily stick into my scrubs pocket.

About the only thing that would sway me into buying one is if they start selling nursing textbooks for it. That would be worth it.

[Melaine]

So how much is MSRP on it?

[codex57]

$499 for the 16GB model. $100 extra for each increase in RAM (32, 64). An extra $130 on top of those prices if you want the 3G (wireless thru AT&T, but no contract) versions.

[wendibird22]

The skit is hilarious. Part of me thinks that the people at Apple are smart enough to know about the skit and the jokes about the name but figure it's a great way to generate buzz and name recognition beyond all of us Mac geeks. Just look at all the "talk" going on on FB and Twitter about it. That's great free press. Plus they're probably confident enough in the appeal of their brand that they figure people will buy it regardless of its name. They could unveil icrap and people would buy it!

[hellokitty]

My DH is totally lusting after one of these, but then he's a major gadget freak. However, we have TOO many ipod products. We are drowning in ipods, b/c we have gotten so many as gifts, we literally have a box of them in the study and were not able to return 3 of them for credit, b/c they are engraved! I do like that the new ipad (I'm surprised they didn't call it the itablet, b/c my DH does have a tablet and it's the same size, but his is obviously a lot heavier, b/c it is thicker) can do so much. I've been thinking about an e-reader for a while, and I think that for $250 more to get all the other features on top of what kindles/sony/nooks are going for, it's not a big deal. Maybe this means that the e-readers will go down in price now, which is what I have been waiting for, b/c we already have an ipod touch.

[codex57]

The thing is, the e-ink that the dedicated e-readers use is MUCH easier on the eyes then a backlit lcd screen. Plus, the battery life is a lot longer.

I'm very curious to see how that battle plays out. I want an e-reader and was thinking the iPad could make a good e-reader too, but it's not a slam dunk for the iPad. Plus, Kindle book prices tend to be a LOT cheaper than the reported Apple iBooks prices.

[sste]

Codex, do you think future generations of the i-pad can have some function where you switch into the backlit/e-ink business for reading ibooks and then toggle back to normal screen for web/email?

Like you, this is really my dream product *except* that I don't want to haul around a kindle AND i-pad and I tire easily reading text on traditional computer screens . . .

What are my hopes for the next generation?

[codex57]

Codex, do you think future generations of the i-pad can have some function where you switch into the backlit/e-ink business for reading ibooks and then toggle back to normal screen for web/email?

Like you, this is really my dream product *except* that I don't want to haul around a kindle AND i-pad and I tire easily reading text on traditional computer screens . . .

What are my hopes for the next generation?


I think give it another year or two for the traditional e-readers.

Honestly, I already have a Touch and a Macbook Pro 13". The iPad is a pretty niche product for me. Based on what I've seen on places like cnet, engadget, etc, I'm pretty hopeful for dedicated e-ink readers coming up with something I'd consider taking the plunge on. The color tech is nearly ready. Backlit the screen (or even edge lit) with a few LED lights and you wouldn't sacrifice battery too much. I think we'll see something promising in a year or so. 2 at most. I'll decide then whether to take the plunge then.

As it is, I've talked it over with DW and while very cool, the iPad really isn't compelling enough to buy the first edition. Not when we have the Touch and Macbook already. After all, only the Touch/iPhone is truly portable at all times. However, if you want a decent web surfing experience, you need to step up to at least a 10 inch screen, and the Macbook isn't much bigger and is more convenient as a portable entertainment unit.

I honestly think we'll see a very compelling e-reader (with color and who knows what else) out before OLED tvs become even remotely mainstream. My guess is we'll see something around the time Verizon gets the iPhone. Maybe even sooner. :D

[vonfirmath]

What I am seeing is the general consensus is that iPad is not competing with the Kindle. if you want an ereader -- to read books, get the Kindle (eInk technology, battery life). If you want to do a bunch of different stuff, get the iPad. Rather, they are putting the iPad up against netbooks mostly. Oh the iPad will evidently be better for newspapers/magazines

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-18438_7-10442814-82.html?tag=mncol;txt
http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/27/amazon-ipad-apple-technology-cio-network-kindle.html
http://ireaderreview.com/2010/01/27/kindle-vs-ipad-review/

[codex57]

As a netbook competitor, it's very compelling. However, the price puts it firmly up against real laptops where you then have to weigh form (very light and sleek) vs functionality (dvd drive, full physical keyboard, a real OS and programs, etc).

That's why I'm forced to compare it against e-readers. Apple opened up the comparison by launching the iBooks store. Is the added functionality worth the downsides over a simple, dedicated e-reader?

[vonfirmath]

From a personal perspective, I wouldn't use the iPad to read books any longer than I used my Palm (here and there).

What I see its strength as is to replace my laptop -- faster startup, can do a lot of the same things, lighter. Sit on the couch with it in my lap and work. Etc. I can see owning a iPad and a Kindle instead of a laptop and a Kindle. But since I have a laptop already, the Kindle will be the next purchase. ;)

It doesn't replace my Palm either :( Although I'd rather replace that with another Palm. I've got a lot invested in the Operating system and don't really want to start over!

[codex57]

See that's the problem. It doesn't seem to be good at any one thing. That's why we're sitting around here wondering about this thing.

I'm sure this is a pretty common thought process. "I've already got a laptop. Maybe I want a Kindle (or other e-book reader) instead?"

[Melaine]

$499 for the 16GB model. $100 extra for each increase in RAM (32, 64). An extra $130 on top of those prices if you want the 3G (wireless thru AT&T, but no contract) versions.

Thanks I was too lazy to google it. I am really surprised it is that low.

I still think I want a Kindle though, or some similar dedicated reader.

[jess_g]

I defenitly want one! But I think of it as an ipod touch with a bigger screen. And we have wi-fi set up at home so thats where I would use it most. I am not sure how it will work as an e-reader and I am not sure if I would want to carry it around with me. I wonder what market they are thinking of for this? Maybe college kids? Probably not the stay at home mom type.

Jessica.

[sunshineandme]

I'm not, but I am hoping it will bring down iPhone prices so I can finally get one!

:yeahthat:

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

I wonder what market they are thinking of for this? Maybe college kids? Probably not the stay at home mom type.


I don't think it's that great for college students because you would want a keyboard to take notes. Virtual keyboard is too slow, IMO. Maybe with a stylus?

SAHM seems to be the best audience for this. I would want one, but just for at home. I wouldn't want to carry it around because it's too big for my purse and I have a full functional laptop for work and I have my phone for web surfing, email, games on the go...