Apple iPad [Apple Tablet!]

[GruntosUK]

I use the iphone and love it, and am not getting this. No flash support on something thats supposed to be an internet device is insane. I think its simply down to apple controlling the market, why would you need to use the app store for games when you can play flash games on the net for free? Or watch flash videos when you have to use itunes for pay for the same thing?

Also using the very restrictive iphone OS is another bad step, you have to use what apple tell you, no freedom of choice unless you jailbreak. Is this going to be Apples way forward, get people used to a very restrictive system so in a few years we don't know any better, and have you go through them to purchase stuff?

[Ragfell]

I'm an avid mac user, but I'm not feeling the iPad at all. I guess I was expecting a lot more and the over the top event for what is a pretty average device frustrated me. In his keynote, Steve Jobs said that for this device to exist, it needs to do things (like surfing the web) better than an iPhone or iPod Touch, a Netbook, and a laptop. In my opinion, it doesn't. There is still no multitasking or flash support in this device. And while I think it could be nice to sit and read a book or the news using it, I'm not sure I'd want to fork out $500 to do that. I'd rather apply that $500 toward a laptop that can do so much more!

That said, I do think the device has potential in some areas. It'd be great for businesses to use. For example, a retailer could outfit all of their floor employees with an iPad and an inventory application. When costumers asked where to find an item or if they have more in stock, the employee could whip out the iPad and look it up right then and there. If you had the ability to use a stylus, it could be used to collect a customers signature. So, I think there is potential for something like this, but as of right now, I do't plan on picking it up anytime soon.

Except almost all of the mac stuff uses heat sensors instead of touch...so stylus potential is pretty small, unless it heats itself....right?

Cubbage, as for what you said...I could just, you know...pick up a newspaper. XD

[Arkei]

The problem with the iPad is Apple.

[Syroc]

And why is that my dear friend?

[rtm223]

I think its simply down to apple controlling the market, why would you need to use the app store for games when you can play flash games on the net for free? Or watch flash videos when you have to use itunes for pay for the same thing?

Also using the very restrictive iphone OS is another bad step, you have to use what apple tell you, no freedom of choice unless you jailbreak. Is this going to be Apples way forward, get people used to a very restrictive system so in a few years we don't know any better, and have you go through them to purchase stuff?

Absolutely. This is already apple's business model and it's entirely the reason why I dislike them. I don't trust any cmopany that would deliberately try to shackle you as a customer. They could put flash support on this and the iphone, they could allow 3rd party apps without jailbreaking but they don't. Add into that their rediculous and highly inconsistant attitiude towards censorship and the whole thing is a joke. And wanting to send people to jail for jailbreaking the device?? WTF?

The real thing is that we aren't moving towards a situation where people don't know any better, there are already plenty of people who don't know any better, hence Apple continuing in this manner becuase people will buy into it.

[GruntosUK]

xcept almost all of the mac stuff uses heat sensors instead of touch...so stylus potential is pretty small, unless it heats itself....right?

Its actually electrical pulses.

[GruntosUK]

Absolutely. This is already apple's business model and it's entirely the reason why I dislike them. I don't trust any cmopany that would deliberately try to shackle you as a customer. They could put flash support on this and the iphone, they could allow 3rd party apps without jailbreaking but they don't. Add into that their rediculous and highly inconsistant attitiude towards censorship and the whole thing is a joke. And wanting to send people to jail for jailbreaking the device?? WTF?

The real thing is that we aren't moving towards a situation where people don't know any better, there are already plenty of people who don't know any better, hence Apple continuing in this manner becuase people will buy into it.

I paid for Cannabalt on the iphone 59p, Bejewelled Blitz was £1.29 ( I think ), and theres more flash games coming by the second, because developers, and more importantly Apple themselves can make money off it. If we had flash, then I wouldn't need to pay for any of those. And as Itunes and the Appstore further expands, whats to actually to stop them reducing our access to certain websites and services in the future in order to make themselves more money.

Microsoft have been heavily fined for cornering the market and giving users no choice over Internet Explorer being pre-loaded with Windows, so how are Apple getting away with the same thing?

[Syroc]

Not even coming close to a monopoly is one reason I guess.

[BasketSnake]

The apple siRoc

[Syroc]

/secures rights

[Deviantgeek]

I will buy it when some hacker sticks Mac OSX tiger/leopard on it. (the iPad is perfectly capable of running both OSes.)

[ConfusedCartman]

It's Apple, it could be the absolutely useless and it will still sell well. There seems to have been a massive snowball effect over the past few years (mainly since the iPhone) and now everyone is in awe of them regardless of what they actually do.

No flash support for this is pretty shocking, that's the one thing that the iPhone desperately needs and they don't even sort it out for this! Their hold on customers and how they restrict certain things really annoys me too. If Microsoft, or any other company for that matter, were the same they would be slated for it. But because it's Apple and how they've been seen as 'specialist' and in a niche market for so long, it's somehow okay for them to get away with it now.

As long as Apple has it's 'cool' reptuation, there will always be this gullible fashion led market that will buy it.

This isn't just an attack on Apple, I accept that their products are better at certain things and there certainly is a place for them. It's all these 'OMG Apple are so cool' sheep that irritates me.

That's true to an extent. I'm personally of the opinion that while Apple can be overrated, they are amazing when it comes to hardware and UI. They have a knack for coming up with designs that are both functional and easy-to-use. The downside being, of course, the additional price. Until I'm making enough residual income that I can afford it, I won't buy much made by Apple. The only Apple product I own is the iPod Touch, which is the best MP3 player I've ever owned - totally worth $200.

Now, regarding the iPad - I haven't decided. At first glance, it seems to be a giant iPod Touch with an equally giant pricetag, which really doesn't motivate me to buy it. As mrsupercomputer said, $500 can get me a really great netbook that will do more than the iPad in almost every way. Unless they make some drastic changes to the design of this device, I'm just not seeing where the motivation to buy this thing will come from. If I'm paying that much, I want the freedom to modify it in any way I see fit without having to jump through hoops. Right now, the iPhone OS is much too locked down for me to see it as a viable tablet PC OS.

[Voodeedoo]

One of my predicaments of the future is that a contraption like this will eventually replace the common home computer, as laptops and these pad things become more advanced in capabilities and simplicity.

[Boomy]

I get the feeling that steve jobs could walk on stage with a set of keys, jangle them infront of the audience while saying look at the shiney shiney then announce the iKeyRing starting at $499 and still have people wanting to buy one.

I detect Frankie Boyle

[Rabid-Coot]

I detect Frankie Boyle

You do indeed, now if only there was a Kerry Katona gag that would be relevant to the topic and not get me banned.