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Why the iPad isn't for me

macworld.com

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Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#31

Post by cwilson »

cwilson wrote: post #26
toby wrote: post #14

Am I the only one who found, when set at an angle using the apple case, that I can type at about 80% of my regular typing speed?

Same, and when I hooked up a bluetooth keyboard for the first time and propped it up like a regular screen I type at 100% speed. The Apple bluetooth keyboard and this thing are almost the same size, so on trips I'll be able to answer long emails, write blog posts, and maybe even reply to HN with ease! It's all about expectations with the iPad. It's not going to be a pure laptop replacement if you do any "serious" wor…

Down voted for providing a use case where the iPad is actually enjoyable? Nice!

Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#32

Post by grrrr »

I agree with the sentiments echoed in this article. For me, tablets, although useful, are not the revolutionary devices they are made out to be. As I see it they are not the gateway for new types of applications, anything you can do on a tablet, you can do on laptop (personally I like the idea of a laptop with a detachable screen).

I wholly agree with the comments about Kindle too. I can see the benefit in having a Kindle, it offers a relaxing and focussed environment on which to catch up on the one thing I never have enough time - or am to distracted by web/mail/chat - to do, and that is READ.

Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#33

Post by MWinther »

blhack wrote: post #18
ubernostrum wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

a slideshow on smugmug.com, some pictures of their granddaughter I have a feeling that if the iPad sells well, the "why do it in HTML when we could do it in Flash" style of site will die out. It's no consolation right now, of course, but I wouldn't complain if that ends up happening (and, really? Flash just to show some pictures one after another?).

Ehh...I'd say that, if anything, web developers don't want apple dictating how they design their websites. The reality is that the overwhelming majority of people aren't HN readers and really don't care that adobe has changed their CS5 pre-order app to flash. They like going to smugmug and having it just work.

But apparently, having Adobe dictating the very same thing is fine, then?

Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#34

Post by mortenjorck »

briancooley wrote: post #10
Tichy wrote: post #4

With respect of iPads for moms and grandparents, I am also a bit doubtful. Since a lot of web sites probably don't work as expected (ie no Flash, among other things), wouldn't that be confusing to the noobs? I am waiting for the first review from an iPad-Mommy.

My wife is dubious. She doesn't like the lack of Flash. She doesn't like trying to type on the software keyboard. Her parents, definite technophobes, were intimidated by it. The first thing they wanted to look at was a slideshow on smugmug.com, some pictures of their granddaughter. Also Flash. They looked at me incredulously as I explained to them that you couldn't view the slideshow on the iPad. They tried to use th…

I still don't understand why Apple ever decided to play up the iPad's web browsing experience. I've written on this at length before, but even apart from Flash, the desktop web is simply not compatible as-is with a tablet interface.

The iPad will make a fantastic browser for the tablet web, if and when that web is built, but today it's a poor substitute for a mouse and keyboard when websites expect those.

Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#35

Post by blhack »

MWinther wrote: post #33
blhack wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ehh...I'd say that, if anything, web developers don't want apple dictating how they design their websites. The reality is that the overwhelming majority of people aren't HN readers and really don't care that adobe has changed their CS5 pre-order app to flash. They like going to smugmug and having it just work.

But apparently, having Adobe dictating the very same thing is fine, then?

Assume adobe released a hardware platform and it didn't support javascript. If somebody were to suggest that the entire web development community was going to abandon javascript in order to allow adobe's platform to reach the saturation required to make it the "standard", then your argument might make sense.

As it stands, the iPad exists in a state that makes it almost unusable for the overwhelming majority of web users (at least as anything more than a novelty, much like web browsing on the iPhone)

Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#36

Post by troystribling »

akadien wrote: post #6

Neither is it for me. I'm sending mine back. Things I don't like: (a) Eye strain, (b)It doesn't provide enough utility for me to justify another device in my life, and I don't want another media consumption device. In short, it's another toy. (c) An awkward device angle when touch-typing and trying to read what I'm typing.

That the iPad is consistently classified as a media consumption device seems an attempt to trivialize its significance by people who consider themselves power users. I agree that currently the use cases of most applications fall into this category, that it is expensive and I doubt you will ever do application development on a device of its form factor, but it is clearly not just a media consumption device. A few example applications are the two very nice musical instruments the Korg iElectribe http://www.korg.co.uk/products/software_controllers/iPad_iEl..., which sells for $10 while its HW equivqlent is around $450, and the MiniSynth Pro http://www.yonac.com/ a fully functional FM synthesizer. Neither of these applications would have been possible prior to the iPad. Others are the drawing applications Brushes http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id363590649?mt=8 and SketchBook Pro http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sketchbook-pro/id364253478?mt.... I also like the touch and hand drawing interface to OmniGraffle a diagramming application http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/omnigraffle/id363225984?mt=8.

I think the majority of creative or power user applications will be for those with a complex control surface, such as the examples above. The large touch interface of the iPad is much simpler to use than a traditional mouse keyboard. Also when compared to Wacom drawing tablets http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ... it is competitive, at the iPad low end the iPad is about $200 more, though not quite as functional, the iPad does not have pressure or stylus tilt sensitivity but it is portable. If you are interested in developing these types of applications you have to have one. If you do not have one you will never see were the deficiencies are or know which problems to solve. The device as only been available for 10 days. I would expect it will take a year or two before the application space has been adequately sampled.

Another obvious short coming, or opportunity, is with file synchronization and management. I am currently using dropbox, https://www.dropbox.com/ with ReaddleDocs http://readdle.com/products/readdledocs, which works for reading. If documents are generated on the IPad you have to use iTunes, eMail or an application specific server for document synchronization. Neither of these is adequate.

The typing problem you mentioned can be solved by a case that holds it an an angle, such as http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/CL57512. The number of viewing and use positions for the device is greater than that for a laptop. Also heavy duty typing can be handled with a bluetooth attached keyboard though for my needs the the onscreen keyboard has been adequate.

Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#37

Post by dpnewman »

I think it's a wedge device. It will not be an overnight sensation. More so, the first viable larger format touch experience in the beginning of a steady and gradual increase in this kind of UI playing a major role in how we interact with information and media. Apple has planted roots creating enough momentum for the space to begin growth in earnest. We'll see steady improvements to the iPad, new competing tablets, touch screen desktops, and so on. It's started...the iPad is simply a tipping point. Not a singular revolution in itself.

Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#38

Post by roc »

conanite wrote: post #22

This is a media consumption device. I'm trying too hard to create things on it This is the bit that scares me.

Why?

Clearly it should inform your purchase decision, but why should it be scary?

No one device is for all people to do all things. So why should a particular weakness inherent in this form-factor be scary?

Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#39

Post by tommorris »

cwilson wrote: post #30
donjaime_hn wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

erm... sounds like you would be better off with a laptop/netbook ;) Would be a good bit cheaper too.

I have a Macbook Pro, I just don't like lugging it around on trips when it's overkill (the sucker is 5 - 6 pounds easily). A netbook? I hope that's a joke. Why would I want a cheaply built, underpowered (I'll bet the iPad out performs most netbooks), mini laptop that doesn't run OSX or iPhone OS (as in I can't stand Windows or any linux distro)? At risk of sounding like a fanboy I'm going to quote Steve Jobs himself:…

Depends on how you define 'underpowered'.

The iPad is underpowered in that it can't run Vim or emacs. If you are a developer, being able to run a text editor is the baseline for a device.

Why would you want a cheaply built laptop? So when your bag gets stolen or dropped or whatever, you lose a $200 netbook rather than a $500 iPad or a $1000 laptop.

As for not running OS X? Google 'hackintosh'.

Re: Why the iPad isn't for me

#40

Post by Psyonic »

Tichy wrote: post #23
briancooley wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My wife is dubious. She doesn't like the lack of Flash. She doesn't like trying to type on the software keyboard. Her parents, definite technophobes, were intimidated by it. The first thing they wanted to look at was a slideshow on smugmug.com, some pictures of their granddaughter. Also Flash. They looked at me incredulously as I explained to them that you couldn't view the slideshow on the iPad. They tried to use th…

Funny you mention your 3-year-old. I have been thinking exactly that, that there might be a way to create fun apps for babies and kids. I am firmly against wooden toys and want to give my kid a computer asap (OK, nothing against wooden toys, but you get the idea). So I wondered if the iPad is durable enough for a kid. Ultimately I expect cheaper variants to appear, with special kids durability (of course not from App…

As is, $500 for a 3-year old's toy seems a little crazy. By her a leap-frog instead? But cheaper, more durable options would make a lot of sense.
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