848 replies to this topic

[ragecage]

I think multi-tasking is due in the next major iPhone OS update. Who knows with Apple's tight-lipped nature, but it would make a lot of sense if they've had this in mind for a while.

My main problem with a lack of multi-tasking is that you can't keep a stream going when you leave the app unless it's the iPod or iTunes apps. Pandora, Radio, , MLB, et al drop the audio stream when you want to surf. That part kind of sucks.

there's a lot of rumbling that there's some big changes in the new SDK that just dropped, but it's all under NDA. Who knows.

I'm with you DLew. I don't really care about multitasking other than essentially background audio. I think it opens up a can of worms when people leave multiple apps running. I've seen a bunch of people have issues with it on Android, because you have to remember to quit apps.

[SumnerH]

Not without a camera.

About multitasking... how annoying do people find the lack of multitasking on the iphone? It doesn't actually bother me much, because apps start up pretty quickly and tend to bring you right where you left it. I'd certainly want it on the iPad, though, to flip between the MLB app and Safari, for example.

The iphone has multitasking, it's just that most app store apps/core UI don't support it; behind the scenes it's all OS X, though, and if you unlock you can have sshd or other stuff running in the background.

The MLB app's inability to keep playing sound while you go surf the web or use another app is by far the most annoying thing about the default app behavior.

[PortlandSoxFan]

there's a lot of rumbling that there's some big changes in the new SDK that just dropped, but it's all under NDA. Who knows.

I'm with you DLew. I don't really care about multitasking other than essentially background audio. I think it opens up a can of worms when people leave multiple apps running. I've seen a bunch of people have issues with it on Android, because you have to remember to quit apps.

On Windows Mobile you do, but on Android, you really don't. After using WM for years, one of the first things I installed on my Droid was a task killer...and after a week, I uninstalled it. Not sure how it works, but Android seems to really dial down an app's memory footprint after it has been idle for a while.

[ragecage]

On Windows Mobile you do, but on Android, you really don't. After using WM for years, one of the first things I installed on my Droid was a task killer...and after a week, I uninstalled it. Not sure how it works, but Android seems to really dial down an app's memory footprint after it has been idle for a while.

Oh really? That's pretty cool then (and makes sense).

[AlNipper49]

I hope that this runs google wave!

[PortlandSoxFan]

What a freaking joke Wave is. I think I've logged in there twice in the past 2 months.

[MannysDestination]

What a freaking joke Wave is. I think I've logged in there twice in the past 2 months.

Apparently you didn't get the memo, it is revolutionizing instant messaging.

[DLew On Roids]

Laugh all you want, but when our tablets die from some unknown bug in 2016, Maalox will still be on Web 2.0 with Windows Me and Google Wave.

[Trautwein's Degree]

Isn't it all about the porn? A nice screen and wifi access. If this came out when I was 14, I never would have left the bathroom.

[behindthepen]

For my household, me + wife, I think this might replace our second laptop. Most likely we'd use the laptop for more serious work, and the iPad when we want something more portable. Having the keyboard plug-in makes it nice when we want to both work at the same time.

Plus, it's cheaper than the macbooks.

the more I think about it, this is probably how I'll use it most. When we bought our notebook to keep in the kitchen, I was considering getting a Mac, but it was just too big. ipad + keyboard will be much more space-efficient and aesthetically pleasing than any laptop.

[dynomite]

What a freaking joke Wave is. I think I've logged in there twice in the past 2 months.

Hmm, what kind of clear-eyed, all-knowing sage could have predicted this? What kind of rouge visionary could have withstood the marketing and the hype and seen into the future of Wave's stupidity?

Google Wave looks like the most complicated bullshit ever.

Oh, great, in that video the Scandinavian dude wants to add someone else to a conversation. So he goes over to his crazy avatar window and drags that person's face into his main browser window, and then they can see the whole conversation via a 'playback' option! Wacky!

You know, I can do that shit too in e-mail -- if I want someone else on an email chain, I type the first few letters of their name, then hit 'Tab' when their address pops up. BAM. They're in, baby!! And if they want to see what else we've been talking about, golly gee, they can fucking scroll back through the old messages!

For business use -- I can imagine that editing documents in real-time with dancing avatars and instant translation will be cool and really useful.

For personal use -- I don't get it.

I think the iPad is a better idea (especially at these price points), but I think the lack of a camera definitely hurts, especially since I'm sure college kids are a primary target.

Edited by dynomite, 27 January 2010 - 05:11 PM.

[Blacken]

Hmmm no multitasking is a bit of a head-scratcher. I guess that's how they got their price points so low

Save money on OS developers! Spend it on design! (As mentioned above, the OS can do it, just not the front-end bullshit.)










I'm more interested in the HP one running Windows, because everything I already use works over there, but this is vaguely interesting. I need to see the hardware specs before I care too much--mostly because my interest in the iPhone is game development, and this could be a very cool piece of hardware to make games on as well.

Edited by Blacken, 27 January 2010 - 05:16 PM.

[Max Power]

Isn't it all about the porn? A nice screen and wifi access. If this came out when I was 14, I never would have left the bathroom.

1) No Flash support, so all those porn sites are useless on this thing.

2) You have to hold it to use it. Sure, that still leaves one hand free, but how are you going to work the balls?

[johnmd20]

I think the iPad is a better idea (especially at these price points), but I think the lack of a camera definitely hurts, especially since I'm sure college kids are a primary target.

I don't see the issue. This isn't supposed to replace the cell phone and every cell phone has a decent camera. I just don't think that is a dealbreaker in any way.

I also don't think this kills the Kindle. Maybe the Kindle DX, but the Kindle is small and handy and shouldn't get too hurt by this. The eInk can't be touched. But I'm interested in the tablet, and the 5th Ave Apple store is two blocks from my office, so I'll definitely be getting one just to check it out.

[jtn46]

1) No Flash support, so all those porn sites are useless on this thing.

And how does Apple still not have flash support on the iPhone and now this thing? I'm sure Adobe's asking for some money, but just pay them already...

[zenter]

And how does Apple still not have flash support on the iPhone and now this thing? I'm sure Adobe's asking for some money, but just pay them already...

Without Flash, Hulu (and the like) cannot cannibalize iTunes Store supremacy.

[Eck Master]

HTML5 will make Flash obsolete.

[lithos2003]

And how does Apple still not have flash support on the iPhone and now this thing? I'm sure Adobe's asking for some money, but just pay them already...

If that were the case, I'd hope Apple would allow the user to pay for the license, therefore putting the choice in the user's hands. At least I would hope so

One would think it would be very easy to implement some kind of license you could pay for through the app store.

[SumnerH]

And how does Apple still not have flash support on the iPhone and now this thing? I'm sure Adobe's asking for some money, but just pay them already...

Nominally, they won't let any 3rd-party app that can execute arbitrary code run for security reasons--they've even nixed Commodore 64 emulators (intended to run old games) until BASIC support was removed, so that people couldn't start writing all kinds of iPhone apps in 1986-era BASIC.

Realistically, doing so means that no 3rd party apps can run without being approved through the iTunes store; it gives Apple complete control over what apps can and can't run.

Well, except for the fact that Safari support Javascript, which allows 3rd parties to write apps--Google just rewrote their voice app in Javascript after Apple rejected it originally.

Edited by SumnerH, 27 January 2010 - 06:02 PM.

[ragecage]

This is a good read on why I wouldn't expect to see Flash:

http://daringfirebal...ple_adobe_flash

[Blacken]

This is a good read on why I wouldn't expect to see Flash:

http://daringfirebal...ple_adobe_flash

I call bullshit. People don't care about crashes (which are still relatively rare, even despite the massive number of Flash instantiations) as much as they care about not fucking having Flash.

[ItOnceWasMyLife]

so that people couldn't start writing all kinds of iPhone apps in 1986-era BASIC.

And I was so ready to begin my second career. I rock at 1986's BASIC. Can I say that I've been "Jobbed"?

[amh03]

the more I think about it, this is probably how I'll use it most. When we bought our notebook to keep in the kitchen, I was considering getting a Mac, but it was just too big. ipad + keyboard will be much more space-efficient and aesthetically pleasing than any laptop.

So, I'm curious about the monthly fees for this thing - presumably, folks who are thinking of replacing extra laptops have had their laptops tied in with their home wireless networks...and you don't have to pay anything extra for that wifi access. Are you cool with the additional monthly fees for wifi access - $29.99 for unlimited monthly access, or $14.99 for up to 250 megabytes of data a month, according to this article - AT&T retains deal with Apple

[ItOnceWasMyLife]

So, I'm curious about the monthly fees for this thing - presumably, folks who are thinking of replacing extra laptops have had their laptops tied in with their home wireless networks...and you don't have to pay anything extra for that wifi access. Are you cool with the additional monthly fees for wifi access - $29.99 for unlimited monthly access, or $14.99 for up to 250 megabytes of data a month, according to this article - AT&T retains deal with Apple

Sure, I'm cool with it. Just slice open another vein and pour out a little more blood.

For some it's no issue obviously, but if I'm adding this to the monthly ledger, something else has got to go. I've always thought of bread and water as luxury items anyway.

[ItOnceWasMyLife]

So am I wrong in thinking that this is going to bring the AT&T network to it's knees?

edit: typo

Edited by ItOnceWasMyLife, 27 January 2010 - 07:12 PM.

[ragecage]

So, I'm curious about the monthly fees for this thing - presumably, folks who are thinking of replacing extra laptops have had their laptops tied in with their home wireless networks...and you don't have to pay anything extra for that wifi access. Are you cool with the additional monthly fees for wifi access - $29.99 for unlimited monthly access, or $14.99 for up to 250 megabytes of data a month, according to this article - AT&T retains deal with Apple

Just to be clear, those fees are for 3G cellular access, and along with that you get Hotspot Wi-Fi access. You can still buy one with no 3G and use home, or any other, Wi-Fi that you can get access to.

[TomRicardo]

"What is hyperbole, Alex."

The Computers finally have their Obama. To Arms Brothers! The Great War Between Man and Machine is at hand!

[MainerInExile]

MadTV made all of the obvious jokes years ago.

[staz]

"What is hyperbole, Alex."

Actually, if you look at their advertising since Jobs returned, their claims haven't been exaggerations at all. They may sound lofty, but the collar usually ends up matching the cuff. iMac, iPod, iPhone. And now iPad. We have every reason to believe this will, indeed, be a magical and revolutionary device.

Edited by staz, 27 January 2010 - 07:52 PM.

[E5 Yaz]

MadTV made all of the obvious jokes years ago.

And behind the pen refenced it 40 posts ago

so, here's what i want to know: Is this a good alternative (once the bugs are worked out and the price drops) to buying a Kindle and an iPhone?

[amh03]

Just to be clear, those fees are for 3G cellular access, and along with that you get Hotspot Wi-Fi access. You can still buy one with no 3G and use home, or any other, Wi-Fi that you can get access to.

Ah, that clears it up...thank you!!

[ragecage]

So I got confirmation that this can import and view RAW files. This is HUGE for photographers, especially when you're in the field. Dump the photos while on the run, and import them all when you get home.

[AlNipper49]

No eink bad for reading books but this is going to be awesome for comics

[singaporesoxfan]

The iPad would be great to have with you on vacation.

[ragecage]

Nip, I've seen some talk that there is a pretty sick comics app/store thingy in the works.

[Leon Trotsky]

This thing is the ultimate travel machine. As soon as my netbook kicks it, which I use pretty much only for travel, I'll definitely be getting one of these puppies.

[amh03]

So, I'm curious, from a marketing perspective, what do you all think of the name of this thing?

I instantly hated the name and was just reading a couple of articles that suggest others aren't all that keen on it. Love the parody ad line that the LA Times Tech blog came up with "Yes, the iPad is small, lightweight and slim. But can you swim with it?"

Edited by amh03, 27 January 2010 - 09:54 PM.

[luqin]

[dynomite]

I don't see the issue. This isn't supposed to replace the cell phone and every cell phone has a decent camera. I just don't think that is a dealbreaker in any way.

From informal evidence I've seen, college kids lurv them some video chat through Skype. Obviously it's no deal breaker, but I was shocked when my 18-year-old nephew told me that no one uses AOL's instant messenger anymore, they all just Skype with each other.

[czar]

I'm sure I'm late to the party with this...

They spent all that time hyping the iWork suite, yet there is no multitasking (ergo, if I'm putting together a .ppt for instance, I can't have my papers or the internet open) and I have to carry around a bunch of 30-pin-to-whatever adapters to use USB or memory cards? That doesn't sound very useful to me.

In terms of use as a productivity tool, this is completely and totally underwhelming. The only use I could fathom for myself personally would be watching movies on planes-- it'd be easier than using my iPhone or Macbook. The price point is much better than expected; but I'm not really sure what hole in their line this fills as opposed to really just being an overlap between the iPod Touch/iPhone and Macbook.

[Blacken]

From informal evidence I've seen, college kids lurv them some video chat through Skype. Obviously it's no deal breaker, but I was shocked when my 18-year-old nephew told me that no one uses AOL's instant messenger anymore, they all just Skype with each other.

Maybe it's just my school/circle of friends, but I've got about 40 people on MSN/YIM/AIM and like 4 on Skype. (hooray for Pidgin!)

More and more seem to just use Facebook's chat thing, though.

Edited by Blacken, 28 January 2010 - 08:21 AM.

[loshjott]

Ideally, you would carry your iPad everywhere, right? Well... where do I put it? It's looks to big to fit in my pocket and most Americans (especially males) don't want to carry around a backpack all day.

That's where it's losing me... the convenience of it....

iPurse.

[ElTianteFlagrante]

And behind the pen refenced it 40 posts ago

so, here's what i want to know: Is this a good alternative (once the bugs are worked out and the price drops) to buying a Kindle and an iPhone?

It depends what you'll want to use it for. The iPad is not a phone, so you'll still need one of those. I'd be tempted to get a Kindle (or Nook) for reading books and a netbook for everything else, but what will drive iPad sales will be the apps, most of which haven't been written yet. There's nothing special about the iPhone as a phone or the Touch as a media player, but the apps are what tempt me.

[johnmd20]

It depends what you'll want to use it for. The iPad is not a phone, so you'll still need one of those. I'd be tempted to get a Kindle (or Nook) for reading books and a netbook for everything else, but what will drive iPad sales will be the apps, most of which haven't been written yet. There's nothing special about the iPhone as a phone or the Touch as a media player, but the apps are what tempt me.

Even if they were App-less, the iPhone and iTouch would still be very good products.

[Rudi Fingers]

Even if they were App-less, the iPhone and iTouch would still be very good products.

If they were App-less, the iPhone and iTouch would be far less profitable for Apple.

The iPad is primed to make enormous profits for Apple. They chose - on purpose - to have the iPad *not* be an OS X machine where the profits are made on the hardware.

As Steve Jobs said in the launch event yesterday, Apple is the largest mobile device company in the world. The iPad is a larger mobile Apple Store storefront, first and foremost. It is not a Macintosh. Apple will therefore take a cut on virtually every single bit of software you put on the device -- making it more like a game console than a computer in its execution and its profit strategy.

Is it smart and elegant? Yeah. It will be a great product for people who hate computers and love cellphones. If you are technology focused, you will realize you have a crippled computer (no multitasking, needs jailbreaking) with a crippled browser (no Flash). If you are convenience focused, you will love that you have an instant-on device with great battery life and easy access to apps, books, and tunes in the Apple Store.

Will this device also legitimize full computers in the same form factor that cost less and let you do whatever you want? Yes - and I can't wait to buy one from Asus.

[BS_SoxFan]

I think it's different for every group of friends. For example, basically anyone I'd ever want to talk to uses gchat. I haven't signed on AIM in probably two years (after being a pretty heavy user).

As someone who just graduated from college I'll echo this. I really have no use for AIM anymore, and use gchat to talk to all of my friends and Skype on occasion when I video chat, which isn't very often. After using AIM every day from middle school through junior year of college, I have probably signed in four or five times in the last 1.5 years.

[BellhornsBiatch]

If it's like a big iPhone with no voice my price point would be $500 with a $30 data - only plan. If not then Ill pass unless there is some utility for work, which I'm doubtful there will be

This dude sees the future.

[Paradigm]

No multi-tasking makes this useless for me. I've been thinking about canceling cable and just buying the MLB.com package. I could, instead, buy an iPad and purchase the MLB app to stream all of the games. But on the iPad, I wouldn't be able to watch a game and check my email simultaneously. If it works like the iPhone (which it seems it does), I'd have to close MLB, open email, close email, and reconnect to MLB.

Totally useless.

[GregHarris]

iPad trademark fail.

The New York Times reported Thursday that Fujitsu Ltd. believes it owns the rights to the iPad name, based on a real-time, portable inventory-management device called the iPAD, that debuted in 2002, and received an update in 2006.