The upcoming Apple Tablet Is there a thread?

[KramBerries]

Looks like it is just a big ipod touch. I have to say that I'm not enthusiastic about buying a notebook that can only load software that Apple approves. With my notebook, I can buy software from anyone and can easily write my own. With my iPhone, I can only get that which Apple approves. Sorry, but having a software "Big Brother" is not my thing. Maybe someone needs to make an ad showing a bunch of apple drones watching Steve on a big screen while a woman in bright red shorts runs in and throws a sledgehammer at the screen.

I can't see it replacing a notebook for browsing either. Hopefully it is faster than the dead slow browser on my 2g iPhone. Even if it is, though, they need to settle their feud with Adobe and allow flash. That omission blocks a significant and growing amount of content. Then again, if it could do flash, people might be able to run apps that aren't Apple approved and we can't have that.

It looks slick. It looks cool. Just open the darn thing up. AT&T isn't tying your hands on this one. Hopefully it will be open and I just missed that part.

 

[Shutterbug]

So if you get the one *without* 3G, you don't have to pay the extra $30 per month, right?

That is correct.

Also...even if you get one that is 3G capable you are NOT required to have a contract. 3G access is prepaid, NO contract.

There will be two plans available to those that want 3G access
14.99 for 250MB
29.99 for unlimited
Again this prepaid, no contract required! You can stop it and start it as you need it!

 

[dcentity2000]

want!

Rich::

 

[diznygirl]

Looks like it is just a big ipod touch. I have to say that I'm not enthusiastic about buying a notebook that can only load software that Apple approves. With my notebook, I can buy software from anyone and can easily write my own. With my iPhone, I can only get that which Apple approves. Sorry, but having a software "Big Brother" is not my thing. Maybe someone needs to make an ad showing a bunch of apple drones watching Steve on a big screen while a woman in bright red shorts runs in and throws a sledgehammer at the screen.

I can't see it replacing a notebook for browsing either. Hopefully it is faster than the dead slow browser on my 2g iPhone. Even if it is, though, they need to settle their feud with Adobe and allow flash. That omission blocks a significant and growing amount of content. Then again, if it could do flash, people might be able to run apps that aren't Apple approved and we can't have that.

It looks slick. It looks cool. Just open the darn thing up. AT&T isn't tying your hands on this one. Hopefully it will be open and I just missed that part.

If it doesn't have flash, then it can't run Webkinz. And if it can't run Webkinz, then it's no use to me.

 

[bekkiz]

Meh, I wanted to like it, but this sort of sums up why I won't get one:

http://gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad

 

[SueM in MN]

I want to know what the web surfing is like. Is it like an i-phone with a bigger screen where everything is in an app format instead of real website content? I'd be better off with another laptop if that is the case.

I think I read something that said it would be full websites, not mobile versions. Look at the comment at 10:16AM on this site.

I don't know about the iPhone, using 3G, but an iPod touch, using wi-fi can load most pages as regular website content. I do the DIS on my iPod touch all the time. Not a mobile version of the DIS site. The real DIS site.
Sure, it's little, but I stretch the page or turn it to landscape to see what I want to see.

 

[JimFitz]

Kindle wins for reading. I like this as a web browsing replacement to a netbook.

 

[schmitty]

Everyone keeps saying why do I need one when I have an Iphone...
Well NOT everyone has an Iphone, I dont because,

I dont want to pay the extra $30.00/month just to have it.

The screen is way to small for any kind of web browsing for me. Someone tried to show me a web page on their Iphone last night. I couldnt tell what I was looking at and could barely read it, it was so small. (I have a 24" Imac )

I dont want AT&T, too many dead zones around here...and its a city too.

I must say I have been looking for a netbook and I was interested in what the Ipad had to offer. I am interested in it

This is nothing like a netbook. A netbook has flash, multiple programs running at once, a quality keyboard, no hdmi out, no widescreen viewing, and the ability to install whatever you want on it.
This IS just an enlarged Itouch. Its not even a copy of the iphone because that thing at least tries to make calls. This doesnt allow that at all.

 

[schmitty]

Kindle wins for reading. I like this as a web browsing replacement to a netbook.

It doesnt replace it because you cant view flash. Netbooks can and are a couple hundred less.

 

[jrmasm]

So if you get the one *without* 3G, you don't have to pay the extra $30 per month, right? I'm already paying that per month for my iPhone, but I'd really like the wi-fi option at the University.

I was just considering buying the Kindle DX, but I think I'll be getting this instead.

I assume the Ipad is backlit? If you want an ereader, get a Kindle.

 

[Briarmom]

I assume the Ipad is backlit? If you want an ereader, get a Kindle.

I have one. I just wanted the Kindle DX as well. Love my Kindle.

 

[JimFitz]

It doesnt replace it because you cant view flash. Netbooks can and are a couple hundred less.

Flash does not matter to me and it's going to be a non factor with HTML 5.

 

[luvmy3]

I assume the Ipad is backlit? If you want an ereader, get a Kindle.

ITA. I don't have a Kindle, I have a Sony reader. I could not imagine reading a book on a backlit screen for an extended period of time.

to me the iPad looks like a touch made for someone with big fat chunky fingers

 

[JCJRSmith]

So, for those ready to pony up their hard earned for the new iPad, how do you feel about Apple deciding precisely what apps you can and can't run on the device?

Here's an op-ed about that:

http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2010012703135NWRLAP

 

[JimFitz]

So, for those ready to pony up their hard earned for the new iPad, how do you feel about Apple deciding precisely what apps you can and can't run on the device?

Here's an op-ed about that:

http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2010012703135NWRLAP

I feel great about it. Anyone can build an app for the app store...and apple reviews and eliminates crap that may hurt/harm my device. Sounds good to me!

 

[glitterkittyy]

I feel great about it. Anyone can build an app for the app store...and apple reviews and eliminates crap that may hurt/harm my device. Sounds good to me!

Word!

 

[MariDisney]

Sorry to hijack. Would someone mind explaining backlit vs. non-backlit devices. I have an iPod touch, blackberry, netbook, laptop, etc. I tend to like gadgets!! The e-reading feature is intriguing to me, and I've been considering a Kindle. Initally the iPad seemed like it might be useful for this as well as some other "netbook lite" tasks. But, I don't really undertand the comments/concerns about how it is lit. Would appreciate any information about what it means. Thanks!

 

[luvmy3]

Sorry to hijack. Would someone mind explaining backlit vs. non-backlit devices. I have an iPod touch, blackberry, netbook, laptop, etc. I tend to like gadgets!! The e-reading feature is intriguing to me, and I've been considering a Kindle. Initally the iPad seemed like it might be useful for this as well as some other "netbook lite" tasks. But, I don't really undertand the comments/concerns about how it is lit. Would appreciate any information about what it means. Thanks!

The digital reader devices do not have a screen that is "lit" like a laptop, or touch. I forget the technology they use, e-ink or something like that. Anyway it is like reading a page on a book, so that you don't strain your eyes like you would reading it on a computer screen.

 

[KramBerries]

I feel great about it. Anyone can build an app for the app store...and apple reviews and eliminates crap that may hurt/harm my device. Sounds good to me!

I wish that were the case, but I don't think that it is possible.

Apple eliminates "crap" that doesn't fit into their captive audience business model. That's why you can't get a different browser for your iPhone. That's why you can't get a different e-mail client for your iPhone. That's why they tried to snuff Google Voice. That's why they won't allow Adobe Flash. They don't restrict it to keep quality high; they restrict to maintain their control and business model.

 

[KramBerries]

Sorry to hijack. Would someone mind explaining backlit vs. non-backlit devices. I have an iPod touch, blackberry, netbook, laptop, etc. I tend to like gadgets!! The e-reading feature is intriguing to me, and I've been considering a Kindle. Initally the iPad seemed like it might be useful for this as well as some other "netbook lite" tasks. But, I don't really undertand the comments/concerns about how it is lit. Would appreciate any information about what it means. Thanks!

Backlit screens are what you are used to seeing on a computer, LCD TV, or cell phone. They work by having a light shine through a panel. The panel blocks light in places (making things black) and lets only certain colors through in others (making things colored). A non-backlit screen like a Kindle works by drawing a picture on the screen using something vaugely like ink. You see the image because the background reflects a lot of light but the "ink" absorbs it, making it look dark.

The advantages of backlit screens today include the abilty to display color, the ability to show animation, and the ability to scroll. Also, the backlight acts as a light, so you can use the device in the dark without another light.

The e-ink screen is more like a book. You need to light it to read it. It has the advantage that you can use it easily outside because having more light shine on it is a good thing. With a backlit screen, extra light washes out the image, so they can be hard to read in bright light like when you are outside. Also, an e-ink screen uses much less power because it just draws screen updates and then goes back to sleep. It doesn't need power to keep the display. That's whey the iPad battery lasts for hours in use and the Kindle lasts for days.

Many people complain that reading a backlit screen causes eye fatigue. If your eyes get tired when using the computer for long stretches, this probably applies to you as well. Those same people don't appear to be sensitive to using the Kindle or other e-ink based e-readers because they are more like books.

Personally, I can read computer screens all day and night with no extra eye fatigue. I prefer reading on the Kindle, but I read stuff on my computer and iPhone without eyestrain problems.