Don't worry, Microsoft will be releasing its Courier.
Posted on 04/04/2010 12:39:21 AM PDT by myknowledge
The Apple iPad ushers in the era of tablet computing, with a slate-style handheld that looks nothing like a typical computer. in fact, the iPad is more reminiscent of an oversize iPhone than a laptop. But because the iPad's screen is three times larger than that of the iPhone/iPod Touch, you'll be tempted to use the iPad for activities you wouldn't consider doing with an iPhone. Innovative apps and content optimized for the spacious, high-resolution touchscreen make the iPad a treat to use. Nevertheless, the iPad's other limitations make it hard to recommend as a replacement for (rather than as a complement to) the devices you may be carrying around today.
Apple plans to offer six variants of the iPad, starting with the three Wi-Fi models available now: a 16GB model ($499), a 32GB model ($599), and 64GB model ($699). In late April, Apple will ship three additional models that tack on 3G capability, for an extra $130 each. The 3G models will also have a GPS chip inside.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
you don't need to get some add-on screen protectorThat's right, don't need one, it's called a carrying pouch.
you'll want something to hold up the screenThey're at the ends of my arms.
If you're going to do any serious typing having a separate real keyboard and the full screenThose needs are why I don't have a netbook.
eventually apple (or someone else) will come out with a "cool" netbook that will supplant the iPad and other tablets simply because it's a more user friendly formatMore user friendly than OS X, not happenin'. As usual, Stevie is a few moves ahead, and his "no USB port" looks a little too 'out there', but this is designed to be a mobile, wireless device. Also its margins are bound to be better than in netbooks, there are no substitutes on the market other than smaller mobile phones and clunkier netbooks, and 3rd party support (for services) is already in place. At least a few models of netbook will be sub-$100 by Christmas, but will not make money for their manufacturers, and won't be worth what the customer is paying for them.
nice to be able to watch tv and movies and surf the web without needing reading glassesI need reading glasses anyway (it's a blessing in disguise, the eye dr says it's all I'll ever need) -- it would be nice to be able to shop for groceries without needing reading glasses. This is a mid-sized product that is for on-the-go computing.
It is way too soon to call the iPad a iFail. For me, personally, I'd need a 25% price cut to get one. Also, I've never really been that in love with the "experience" or the "ecosphere" of the Apple line, I was more into whatever had the raw horsepower.
It remains to be seen. I DO think that Apples entry into the tablet realm legitimizes this market segment, and thats a good thing.
I own kindles and sony ebooks and and they have e ink,,the ipad doesn’t so I wonder how well you can read over hours with it.
ANd if lying in bed on my side, I can comfortably hold the kindle with one hand and turn pages with a finger. I don’t think you can do that with an ipad.
And when sitting in a chair with feet up, it looks uncomfortable to use. And at a table, it would be flat.
It is very cool but I suspect a small laptop works better, I travel with a sony vaio and while I hate the crap on it and it is high strung, I think the ipad would be tougher to travel with because you cannot anchor it on your lap and use a keyboard in the airport.
I have an iPhone myself, a 3rd gen 32 GB.
Don't worry, Microsoft will be releasing its Courier.
Unfortunately, it will be running MS software.
It looks like an old Soviet IPhone copy.
What do you find wrong with MS software, even though the latest gen OS would be used on Courier handheld PCs?
The little iPhone is a slipperly little sucker. Without a rubber cover it gets dropped. I can’t imagine carrying the iPad.
Mine has a rubber cover. I’ve very rarely seen an iPhone without a rubber cover.
Wish I could Fail like Steve Jobs.
Played with one at the Best Buy yesterday. It’s a neat device.
I don’t intend to get one, but got to playing around with it in the store and didn’t want to put it down.
Just a couple of thoughts:
On the “It’s a toy” thing. So is the Nintendo Wii. So is the XBox 360.
A Kindle with the same screen size is only $10 less than the entry level iPad. The Kindle has advantages in battery life and lighter weight, but it doesn’t play games, support color, allow text editing and document creation, support a full-size keyboard, or allow printing. I have not heard complaints that the Kindle doesn’t replace the user’s laptop. It’s a specific device for a specific purpose. It costs roughly what the iPad costs, and sells quite well.
There are a ton of people out there working on content for the iPad. I’m betting it’s a hit.
There are a lot of people on FR that are negative about everything. Like anything else out there, a host of people on this site immediately scream “THAT SUCKS!!!!!! NOW, how does it suck?”
With a couple of tweaks, I could see it being extremely useful in my business.
Open invitation to malware...is #1.
That's one advantage to Apple locking down the iPad so that it can only load approved apps -- Apple doesn't have to deal with support calls for problems caused by malware.
“I cool thing though is that you can stream netflix videos.”
In a rare fit of generosity Apple supported something cool someone ELSE came up with. Finally all the people who have been lusting after a 9.7” screen to watch streaming videos on have their wish. Never mind Blu-Ray and those clunky LCD TV’s, THIS is where it’s at!
(I realize the iPad is not trying to replace home theater, but come on, let’s get some perspective here. Even the official Apple preview of this thing is unintentionally comical as the company heads talk about how BIG the screen is! HA! It’s big compared to an iPhone, I’ll grant em that...)
“There are a lot of people on FR that are negative about everything. Like anything else out there, a host of people on this site immediately scream “THAT SUCKS!!!!!! NOW, how does it suck?”
The part that sucks is the Bread and Circuses nonsense of these devices, and their striptease rollouts. They are in every way low-fi and low-res compared to their home equivalents, but each advance in audio quality and screen res is hailed as some kind of great advance forward. Maybe one day the iPad will advance to become a 30” LED backlit IPS tablet with 20.1 audio?
We—the masses, not the priviledged ones who can afford to have it all—have been hornswaggled into listening to tinny mp3’s through earbuds instead of exploring SACD’s in our 7.1 home theater listening rooms. THAT would be an advance in quality, right? Same with Blu-Ray...something Apple pretends not to notice while bragging about their HD displays.
Oh my God, Apple is doomed, I am telling every one I know to short Apple, they will never recover from the loss of this customer.
” you don’t need to get some add-on screen protector
That’s right, don’t need one, it’s called a carrying pouch.”
Not a big deal, but still more likely to get scratches and gunk on the screen.
” you’ll want something to hold up the screen
They’re at the ends of my arms.”
That’s my point - you won’t be able to use them for anything else, like picking your nose, eating a bowl of cereal, etc. - it limits your ability to multitask.
” If you’re going to do any serious typing having a separate real keyboard and the full screen
Those needs are why I don’t have a netbook.”
Most people are going to see the iPad as a replacement for their PC or Mac. As such a netbook will fill that role much better than a tablet.
” eventually apple (or someone else) will come out with a “cool” netbook that will supplant the iPad and other tablets simply because it’s a more user friendly format
More user friendly than OS X, not happenin’. As usual, Stevie is a few moves ahead, and his “no USB port” looks a little too ‘out there’, but this is designed to be a mobile, wireless device.”
Note that I included apple in the possibilities. As for not including USB - reminded me of the time when he came out with the first Mac with no hard drive insisting that floppies were sufficient and costing him huge shares of the market. Stevie is extremely talented but sometimes he can be too much of a purist for his own good. The lack of FLASH is another big omission - he may have his reasons and they may be valid but it will still detract from the product until a substitute is found.
As for margins, they don’t mean a thing if the product ends up being a dud. Margins can only be sustained as long as the product is “hot”. Only the future will tell if you or I is right.
Will Courier have Ms Office applications?
My new Vizio TV has wireless streaming built, NetFlix is faster than cable on demand and at $8.49 what a bargain for unlimited access.
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