So it is the iPad

[I<3EvilQueen]

I want one. I was talking with my room-mate and the iPad looks to be a better match for me instead of a laptop. The iPad would help when I am downstairs and don't want to head upstairs to check the desktop.

 

[KimDis]

The no flash thing is an epic FAIL.

Kindle killer? Not likely. The Kindle's too inexpensive, even compared to the lowest pad price point, for there to be real competition.

It took me forever to get a Kindle - and I really, really wanted it. I only asked for it for Christmas because it had finally moved to $259. At that price no one who's interested primarily in an e-reader would spend hundreds more. Or pay monthly for internet access.

So disappointed the rumors of media partnerships for live tv content haven't panned out yet. Cuz THAT would have been a netbook killer for me.

I love my iPhone. It's a good portable mini-computer for me right now. I'll use my iPad money to upgrade it and get a netbook for travel.

I'll wait to see what the 3rd or 4th gen of this brings.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

I Want to Want one.

Sadly this just misses the mark on so many levels is what I would want in a tablet computer.

1. I would want to come with a slot in the back that makes the device easy and safe to take on and off a special hook for the wall. Would love to be able to take it into the kitchen and just hang it safely up.

2. Must have Flash and silverlight. Without the ability to watch Hulu and Netflix It really can't call itself a media device. Apple must be resisting it because why would you buy something from itunes if you can stream it for free.

3. Built in Camera - for Skype

4. It must have Multitasking. I want to have this hanging in the kitchen. While playing Rapsady or Audible or Hulu connected by bluetooth to wireless speakers. I want to have a digital cookbook open.

5. Longer Battery Life. Get me to at least 1 full day, charge while I sleep.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I Want to Want one.

This is my feeling as well.

I just dont see where this device will do any of the things I want it to do better than the things I already have.

I keep looking for a reason to need (or even want) one.

 

[I<3EvilQueen]

This is my feeling as well.

I just dont see where this device will do any of the things I want it to do better than the things I already have.

I keep looking for a reason to need (or even want) one.

Yeah if you don't have a need, then I would probably be the same way.

 

[rotlex]

Why could Apple not deliver what anyone who would even consider a tablet want. A REAL computer, running OS X, in tablet form. Something that could actually run all the iLife apps, Photoshop, Office etc. etc.

I know I posted earlier in this thread, but the disappointment in this device is just irritating. To have Jobs, before the event, making statements such as this is the most important thing I've ever done\released, really hyped up a lot of people. I guess you need to take the good with the bad, but I just see this thing being another Apple TV. A device I own, and love by the way, but more of a "toy" or small niche product.

Again, I would have to ask why anyone who already owns a laptop, iPhone, most likely both, would even want to part with their cash for this. I agree with a few other posts...I WANT to want one, but just don't think it's going to happen. To repeat my first paragraph. WHY could this not not have been a true portable\tablet devices running OS X!!!!????

 

[fakereadhed]

It is far too small. When they come up with one the size of my kitchen table I'll get one.

No flash?

So it's basically $499 for a really giant, awkward Ipod Touch. Terrible idea!

 

[Justin Jett]

This is my feeling as well.

I just dont see where this device will do any of the things I want it to do better than the things I already have.

I keep looking for a reason to need (or even want) one.

All the Ipad turned out to be is Paul Bunyan's IPhone. A cool device, but not the revolutionary device it was touted to be.

 

[PeterPan09]

All the Ipad turned out to be is Paul Bunyan's IPhone. A cool device, but not the revolutionary device it was touted to be.

Paul Bunyan's iPhone...without the PHONE!!!

I WANT an iPhone and someday I hope to get one, but there's no draw at all in me for this thing.

 

[doconeill]

It would be more correct to say it is Paul Bunyan's iPod Touch, with optional 3G data support...

 

[Justin Jett]

Paul Bunyan's iPhone...without the PHONE!!!.

The 3G model with the Iphone Skype App could be used as a phone.

 

[PeterPan09]

The 3G model with the Iphone Skype App could be used as a phone.

True, I wasn't thinking of that one.

 

[Justin Jett]

The 3G model with the Iphone Skype App could be used as a phone.

There is also a Vonage App.

 

[fakereadhed]

All the Ipad turned out to be is Paul Bunyan's IPhone. A cool device, but not the revolutionary device it was touted to be.

It's the IPaul.

Very funny stuff.

 

[jeanigor]

The 3G model with the Iphone Skype App could be used as a phone.

I thought we tried to move away from having huge phones....

 

[jeanigor]

It's the IPaul.

Very funny stuff.

Is that a spin off of iCarly?

 

[Justin Jett]

True, I wasn't thinking of that one.

$29.99 3G Data
$2.95 Skype Account

Wallah.....cheap cell plan with no contract.

I need to try it before I buy it. I am very interested, but not very impressed with the "revolutionary technology."

I dont think Apple failed, but they deserve a C+. The large multitouch screen could really help me, but I'm not sure about carrying the thing around.

 

[timmac]

I hope they announce an iPhone for Verizon Wireless. I would buy that if that would happen.

I've seen this same discussion on facebook quite a bit, but iPhone on verizon isn't something likely to happen, at least in the near term. iPhone hardware is made for GSM (which includes AT&T and other carriers, and frankly, most of the world's cell networks). An iPhone for verizon would mean a CDMA version of the hardware (only used by Verizon, sprint, metropcs, and possibly a few smaller carriers, and it's a dying breed). Apple doesn't like to produce divergent hardware like that. Though there is potentially good market share on verizon, it's only in the US. This is to say nothing of the very real issue of a boatload of users all of a sudden joining verizon using data-intensive phones, can the network handle that?

Now, a 4G iphone that uses LTE (which is theoretically backward compatible to both CDMA and 3G) might be a possibility at some point, but I don't know that the infrastructure is anywhere close to ready yet.

 

[timmac]

Giving that they worked a deal with AT&T for the 3G service/wi-fi hotspots, it seems a bit less likely that a Verizon iPhone is coming. Why not go with a new provider, unless Verizon said "no" to an unlocked, no contract data-only deal.

Verizon doesn't have much in the way of wi-fi hotspots as far as I know either, so that could have been a factor.

My theory is that, knowing the exclusivity agreement ends in June, AT&T was cornered into offering a really good price (debatable if this is really good or not, but compared to a 3G usb adapter, it's cheap) or risk losing the business entirely.

Given the same reasons I explained about the iPhone for Verizon not being likely, I would have been surprised if apple even tried to strike a deal with verizon on this one. Wouldn't make sense to have the hardware only compatible with a dying breed of cell phone infrastructure that is only prevalent in the US.

 

[timmac]

But, if you want the 3G you will have to wait. Anyone heard if it allows flash player?

Apparently, no. During Jobs' demo, a site he visited had flash on the page that rendered with the typical "no plugin" icon.

This whole deal with lack of flash support is an overblown arms race between apple and adobe anyway. Apple wants to control what software you can run on the device (for better or worse) and refuses to concede that flash (for better or worse) is the defacto standard for rich interactive content on the web.

All of that said, on the iPhone, I think this was acceptable, since web browsing isn't really the primary function of the device. On a device that has already been touted (rather arrogantly, I might add) as the best web experience ever, it's a real problem.