Do Want?

10:59 Jan 28, 2010 356

It's the iPad. The most striking thing about today's big reveal is the price: from US$499; and Apple's productivity apps for US$9.99 from the App Store. Then there's the support from book publishers, which does not bode well for Amazon's Kindle. And the unveiling of what is essentially a new operating system, which blends the characteristics of the iPhone OS and Mac OS X.

The big surprise, for me, is the absence of a user-facing camera – so no Skype, let alone facial recognition. And there was no "one more thing"; no everything-will-be-different-after-this. But I want one, oh yes.

Juha Saarinen and Ben Gracewood already have some thoughts posted – the former sees problems with 3G specs in New Zealand and the latter decodes the announcement as meaning that there will be no iBook Store in New Zealand for the time being. And every woman I know is making sanitary towel jokes.

Your thoughts?

356 responses to this post

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Russell Brown, 11:02 Jan 28, 2010

Go.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report
Craig Ranapia, 11:10 Jan 28, 2010

But I want one, oh yes.
Of course you do, Russell. You're the gadget equivalent of a crack-head :), but if you were a marketing guru for Apple what exactly is in it for someone like me?

North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report
Danielle, 11:14 Jan 28, 2010

Wow Russell, you used the words 'sanitary towel'. I suddenly feel like I'm in a Judy Blume book.
(I am one of the most guilty of making those jokes. Never let it be said that I don't run stuff into the ground and drive everyone batty. Also? I think they should do an ultra-thin version called the iLiner.)

Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report
Russell Brown, 11:17 Jan 28, 2010

Of course you do, Russell. You're the gadget equivalent of a crack-head :), but if you were a marketing guru for Apple what exactly is in it for someone like me?
An eBook reader that does a whole lot of other stuff too? Although "cheap" isn't that cheap. By the time you've bought accessories (the case and/or the keyboard dock) it's going to be NZ$1000.
I'm intrigued that people think backlit screens are a showstopper for e-readers though. I'm super-comfortable reading off a screen and underwhelmed by the Kindle electronic-ink look.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report
Megan Wegan, 11:18 Jan 28, 2010

Also? I think they should do an ultra-thin version called the iLiner
My favourite I've seen so far is: "Meh. I'll wait until they release an iMoonCup."

Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report
giovanni tiso, 11:18 Jan 28, 2010

And every woman I know is making sanitary towel jokes.
Here's at least one guy wondering if the next generation of these things will be internal.

Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report
giovanni tiso, 11:20 Jan 28, 2010

'm super-comfortable reading off a screen and underwhelmed by the Kindle electronic-ink look.
Can you go to sleep after a prolonged session of reading off a computer screen? I sure can't, and I shall insist that e-books be measured on whether or not they can be read in bed.
I was actually impressed with a Kindle clone I saw in Italy last year. I thought it was off when it was actually on - very cool.

Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report
Ngaire BookieMonster, 11:25 Jan 28, 2010

"Sanitary towel"
I just had flashbacks to my early teen years when we got information on "sanitary towels" that was printed about 10 years prior and so bore no actual resemblance to the brand-spanking-new "feminine hygiene" that was for sale in the supermarket. Fortunately by that stage the "hygiene" was pretty user-friendly.
But back to iPad (with wings for extra protection!) - it looks increasingly like this may spell the end of e-ink technology, for a start.

At the foot of Mt Te Aroh… • Since Nov 2009 • 174 posts Report
Kumara Republic, 11:27 Jan 28, 2010

But does it run Warcraft?

The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report
Ben Gracewood, 11:28 Jan 28, 2010

Yes, do want. Here's why:
The idea of low-power, long-lasting netbooks has been pestering me for a while, but I just couldn't justify running Windows on a cut-down platform when I use a grunty desktop and laptop anyway.
I'm an iPhone user and truly appreciate Apple's attention to user experience. Just look at the way the iPhone has absolutely murdered Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile without some "important" features like multitasking, copy-paste, and expandable storage.
I see the iMaxiPad the same way: what it lacks in features it will make up for many times over in user experience.
And I want to keep up with the cool kids.

Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report
Danielle, 11:28 Jan 28, 2010

My favourite I've seen so far is: "Meh. I'll wait until they release an iMoonCup."
Heh. Still, you'd want to use an iPad overnight, surely? More reliable.
(Oh dear, I'm getting all Catskills up in here. I urge you to tip your waitresses.)

Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report
Andre Alessi, 11:29 Jan 28, 2010

Unless it can play Mass Effect 2 at 1900x1200 on ultra high settings with 7.1 surround sound, do not want.
On the other hand, the e-reader aspect of it (along with the price) actually makes me think it might be worthwhile for my girlfriend at uni. Not too sure about the tiny HD space though, I start sweating when my PC gets down to its last free TB.

Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report
Russell Brown, 11:33 Jan 28, 2010

A useful summary of the iPad's bundled applications.
I'm not really down with the "great, but what it's for?" analysis. Add the $9.99 iWork apps and the thing looks bloody useful. Priced like a netbook, more portable than a laptop, easier to read than a phone.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report
3410, 11:33 Jan 28, 2010

Oh dear, I'm getting all Catskills up in here.
Take my wife.... Please.

Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report
Rob Hosking, 11:35 Jan 28, 2010

Quite liked this take on it

South Roseneath • Since Nov 2006 • 830 posts Report
Megan Wegan, 11:36 Jan 28, 2010

Heh. Still, you'd want to use an iPad overnight, surely? More reliable.
So, if you're on the XT network, and your coverage keeps dropping out, will that be iSpotting?
(sorry boys. But try the veal.)

Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report
Stephen Judd, 11:36 Jan 28, 2010

I see a netbook being superior and cheaper, with camera, SD slots, ethernet, etc. Voda have an Aspire One bundle with 3G modem data plan right now, if you want one. You could put Ubuntu Netbook Remix on it and be away.
Some netbooks are approaching 8hrs battery life already, and at this stage my next computing device is likely to be the gruntiest solid state netbook I can find.
This pad thingy does look like it would be a thing of beauty and joy for the person with more money than sense. But jeez, you'd cry if you dropped it, wouldn't you.

Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report
Danielle, 11:39 Jan 28, 2010

Megan, I genuflect in your direction. I actually guffawed. :)

Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report
Shaun Lott, 11:39 Jan 28, 2010

You're right about the big surprises being the lack of both a camera and a fourth digit in the price. Personally, I have been hankering for an interactive e-reader of decent size: something that I could use to read and annotate documents such as theses, grant applications, scientific papers etc. I have done this on my iPod touch using e.g. Aji Annotate and it works fine except that the screen is really too small. I had my eye on the QUE as a 'professional' e-ink device that one could make notes on, but I'm not sure now how well it stacks up against the iPad in either price or performance. In the end, the software offering may carry the iPad - existing useful things like Annotate and Papers, plus the dedicated iWork: e-reader plus presentation software certainly works for me. And for probably the first time ever, we are all remarking on how 'cheap' the new Apple gizmo is...

Waitakere • Since Aug 2009 • 113 posts Report
Megan Wegan, 11:41 Jan 28, 2010

Megan, I genuflect in your direction. I actually guffawed. :)
Given the crap we've been talking about elsewhere, I am humbly pleased to have made you smile. :)

Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report
David Hood, 11:43 Jan 28, 2010

I expect it to shake up textbook sellers (as distinct from publishers) for the university age demographic.
Still no, as far as I can see, bluetooth keyboard use with it- That has always been on my wish list for note taking: setting the screen at a comfortable height , the keyboard on my lap, and no wires to tangle.

Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report
giovanni tiso, 11:43 Jan 28, 2010

Priced like a netbook, more portable than a laptop, easier to read than a phone.
You forgot lighter than a stone tablet (plus you don't have to learn cuneiform).
I find this ultrasegmentation of the computing device market a little insane. This thing doesn't make phone calls, right? And why not? It's like they all want to be a bit of everything, but not all of everything, because god forbid you shouldn't have to buy at least five different ultraportable devices. Which then taken all together make a bundle, of course.

Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report
Robyn Gallagher, 11:46 Jan 28, 2010

Re people freaking out that the iPad has "pad" in its name, I will share two tweets from my friends:
@fogonwater Remember the hilarity when Nintendo announced their new console would be named Wii? Obvious puns get old fast.
@annettle Can you say note pad, stamp pad or Paddington Bear without snickering? Yes? Then you can cope with iPad.
Soon enough we'll get over it and the iPad will remind us of periods no more than a pad of paper does.

Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report
philipmatthews, 11:48 Jan 28, 2010

It's like they all want to be a bit of everything, but not all of everything, because god forbid you shouldn't have to buy at least five different ultraportable devices. Which then taken all together make a bundle, of course.
What can he sell you next year if one device does everything?

Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report
Andre Alessi, 11:49 Jan 28, 2010

I find this ultrasegmentation of the computing device market a little insane. This thing doesn't make phone calls, right? And why not? It's like they all want to be a bit of everything, but not all of everything, because god forbid you shouldn't have to buy at least five different ultraportable devices. Which then taken all together make a bundle, of course.
While I agree with your general point (I still think that OS incompatibility is the way of the future) it shouldn't be too hard to set up VoIP on the IPad. You might need a plug in microphone, but that's about it.

Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report