Tech Blog

[#1]

First things first, I'm an AAPL shareholder. 

That being said, I'd love it if each and every one of you went out and bought a dozen iPads the day they come out.  But I won't be in line with you.

I love Apple announcements.  The excitement, the fervour and the enthusiasm with which they are greeted creates a tangible energy in the technology world.  They shine a spotlight forward and point us toward the future.  The trailblazers fall in line behind the light and beat down a path for the rest of us to follow.

For me, this is the second "iWait" announcement in a row.  Last summer the new iPhone 3GS was released and for those who were just entering the iPhone market it was a great device to be greeted with, but for those already rocking the iPhone 3G, there just wasn't enough of an improvement to justify the switch.

Now, with the announcement of the iPad, I'm left with a similar feeling.  It's a gorgeous, brilliant, game-changing device: and I don't need one.

I'm happy with my iPhone 3G for mobile computing.  I already pay a fee to my provider for data on the go and I can't find a spot in my budget to justify data on an iPad just to experience it on a larger screen.  Remember, the iPad doesn't have telephony built in, so it's not replacing the iPhone, it's adding to it.

I also have a MacBook.  It's just about 3 years old, but last fall I upgraded it's cardiovascular system and it's a great, compact tool to have in cafes, on planes or vacation.  Granted, it's not as slim as an iPad, but it's doing the job just fine for me the way it is.

If you're just now looking for a new laptop or just now looking at netbooks, then the iPad may be for you.

I don't need an iPad today, but in 3 years when i'm getting ready to replace my MacBook and iPhone the iPad experience will have grown leaps and bounds because of the trailblazers already standing in line for it's April release. 

iPad 2.0 or even 3.0 will be great choices for me, but not the one unveiled in Cupertino today.

catch the buzz .. pass it on.

[#2]

I watched their video and still don't understand what it is. Isn't it just a large iPhone minus the phone? Sounds overrated to me. Probably a good moneymaker for Apple though.

[#3]

As I mentioned on Twitter, you don't need to get a data plan for your iPad if you already have the 6GB data plan for your iPhone (or something similar). That's what the built-in wireless tethering is for. 

[#4]

@Kyle

Yup.  It's a 10inch iPod Touch.

@Michael

Providers in Canada have been dodgy with their tethering provisions.  Sure, you can do it "now" but there always seems to be a date looming on the horizon where they might change their mind.

[#5]

I was both impressed and extremely disappointed with Apple's announcement.

There are things Apple did right here, and things that Apple did very wrong.

Here are the good things: style, battery life (so long as you aren't using WiFi or playing games), size, screen resolution, and such.  Basically, I'm impressed to a large extent with the hardware.

Here's where things go wrong in my mind and why I'd never consider an iPad:

1. In typical Apple fashion, they've left a lot out so that they can continue to make money after you've bought it.  No SD card reader (don't worry, you can pay extra for an adapter you have to carry around) and no USB port (again, don't worry, ante up and you can have one to throw in your bag).

2. Multitasking, or the lack thereof.  If what I've read is correct, there is no multitasking on the iPad at this moment.  Sure, it may come with an OS upgrade, but seriously?  So that means no music while reading the paper, etc.  Seriously?  If this is the case, then Apple really dropped the ball here.

3. Did I read that right?  There's no camera?  Really?  I would've thought that'd be a gimmee.

4. Pricing.  In normal Apple fashion, get ready to pay the Apple tax over what you'd pay from other manufacturers.  Given the proposed pricing (don't forget, it's going to be at least an extra $100 here in Canada), I just expected we'd see more (like a camera and USB port/SD reader).

5. eBook agreements.  Don't worry, Apple isn't just going to make you pay the same for books as you'd likely pay for hard copy versions (even though there are no printing costs), but they're going to take 30% of the sales to stuff their pockets.  That means there's less money for the publisher (who took the risk in publishing the book) and for the author.  The only people it's really going to benefit is Apple.

There are just so many philosophical issues I currently have with Apple.  Buzz, I'm glad you're getting your dues from them.  I know companies are in business to make money, but Apple lost track of who they were and that's a company with lots of innovative ideas.  They still have innovative ideas, but they're now shrouded 100% in how can we take advantage to make more money.

[#6]

I should add... if you want something with more capabilities with similar battery life, check out the Acer Timeline.  For a similar price, you can get a whole lot more.   And with an 11" screen, it's not going to take that much more effort to carry than the iPad.

[#7]

[#8]

Lol @Tanarus!  Nice!

[#9]

I agree with all the misses, but I think Apple was going for pricepoint here. To hit $499, they had to leave stuff out. The device many pundits had dreamed of had a pricepoint of $799 in their dreams.

Here's a hands on video from the iPad "petting zoo" after the Stevenote.

Look at the screen, there is NO WAY you're going to be able to take this to the beach and read, it's just way too glossy.

The reporter also notes "so it's just a big iPod Touch" to which the demonstrator tries to objection handle but fumbles worse than the Vikings last Sunday.

Tablets are the future of computing, to be sure, but this device just isn't worthy. Yet.

[#10]

Re:  Evolution by Steve

+1

[#11]

Here's a little rant....  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

Apologies to the moderators.

[#12]

Bahahahaahahahaaha... that just made it onto my Facebook account... and I never post stuff like that.  I actually feel a bit bad for Steve Jobs.  Apple really seems to have fallen victim to their own success.

The funniest part about that clip is the bit about the HP Slate... especially given that was my comment from a post before. 

Thank you XL.

[#13]

Hello

I have recently read features and specifications of Apple iPad..I like its features.I also came to know some information that we can covert out iPhone or iPod touch into iPad..Thank you for this psot.