ipad deck...

[CHICO2003]

my Acer Aspire 1 had this two years ago with the same tech specs as an iPad but without that bitten fruit logo its just not as "magical" or "revolutionary"

Sorry bud... but there's more to a computer than the 'tech specs'. OS and UI are arguably the MOST important. It all rolls up into the overall user experience. You won't find THAT listed on the specs page. It's a subjective thing of course... but if done right, really makes all the difference in the world. This notion shouldn't be that hard to understand. It's been going on forever. Since this is a car forum... I won't run down the list of 'inferior' (on paper) things that have found a way to own the market... I'll instead ask why you drive the car you drive. Surely there are faster, more efficient cars on the road. What's that? You like the interior ergonomics? The way it handles? The fact that it doesn't have a light that says 'passenger airbag off' when someone's NOT sitting in the passenger seat (like the new GTI... wtf?) yeah.. all good reasons!! and all things you won't find on a damn spec sheet. The iPad will be about one thing and one thing only... the user experience. If you want to cram your fat little fingers into a netbook keyboard and squint at the 8pt font go for it. Or maybe you want to shell out a grand on a laptop that'll need a recharge after 3 hours. I'm ok with that too. But some people will prefer the ease of multi-touchin their way around the web. And that's all I'll say about that.

As for the OP's question... HELL F'in NO!!! It's pretty much the only way to make the roads even MORE dangerous!! All this crap needs to go if you ask me. Everywhere I look I see jackasses on their whatever-the-F's tying away... la-dee-dah... look at me!! I'm so imporrtant!!! this email can't wait until I get back into the... CRASH!!!!! nah man... an iPad IN the car would represent a major distraction in more ways than one. Until the cars from iRobot make their debut... 10 & 2 people... 10 & 2

 

[Captain KRM P5]

the GUI and OS are fine on a phone or ipod. they are sized and priced as such and are therefore justifiable in the market they serve. you cannot tell me that the iPad is anything more than a super sized iPod touch. on paper and in practice that is what it is. and for the price tag, thats highway robbery.

the iPad is priced and pitched as something that, as many Apple apologists will tell you, is designed to kill the netbook or budget laptop. this is not going to happen. its sheer arrogance to release a product priced as high or higher as others in a segment you are targeting that does so much less.

the GUI and OS do not make up for the price point and shortcomings, sorry. I'm sick and tired too of the eReader arugment. the Kindle was designed out of the box to be easy on the eyes and function as well as a book in that manner. the iPad's display goes contrary to all of that. ask any eye doctor and most "experts" out there. the iPad's screen and lighting are not suitable to that kind of long term viewing. plus, the Kindle app for the iPhone works great - for what it is. why again do I need an iPad? right.

my Acer Aspire had five hours of battery life and the mouse pad allowed for "zooming" with the two fingers. Sounds like an Apple product I own. That was two years ago for two hundred less dollars. I can tell you exactly which keyboard I'd hit a higher WPM with, and its not going to be an iPad. plus I could surf the web, run a music player in the background and run AIM chat in the back ground. two years later and two hundred dollars more, the iPad does none of that.

to the hipsters who run their credit card at the apple store, thats fine. to guys like me who want function over form, its not. the iPad will sell. but its not going to be on the virtues of what it does well. its going sell based on how cool it makes people feel. there is nothing which argues otherwise.

Sorry bud... but there's more to a computer than the 'tech specs'. OS and UI are arguably the MOST important. It all rolls up into the overall user experience. You won't find THAT listed on the specs page. It's a subjective thing of course... but if done right, really makes all the difference in the world. This notion shouldn't be that hard to understand. It's been going on forever. Since this is a car forum... I won't run down the list of 'inferior' (on paper) things that have found a way to own the market... I'll instead ask why you drive the car you drive. Surely there are faster, more efficient cars on the road. What's that? You like the interior ergonomics? The way it handles? The fact that it doesn't have a light that says 'passenger airbag off' when someone's NOT sitting in the passenger seat (like the new GTI... wtf?) yeah.. all good reasons!! and all things you won't find on a damn spec sheet. The iPad will be about one thing and one thing only... the user experience. If you want to cram your fat little fingers into a netbook keyboard and squint at the 8pt font go for it. Or maybe you want to shell out a grand on a laptop that'll need a recharge after 3 hours. I'm ok with that too. But some people will prefer the ease of multi-touchin their way around the web. And that's all I'll say about that.

 

[CHICO2003]

My Kindle reference was in response to someone saying the iPad was far too expensive. Apparently you're saying the same thing. I'm not sure what the exact price of the Kindle is (and don't care to look it up) but I know they're close. Ergo, if tons of people are willing to spend tons of cash on something that ONLY does one thing (really well) then perhaps tons of people will be willing to spend tons of cash on something that, while not doing the kindle thing quite as well, still does many things pretty well.

The e-ink thing is pretty sweet (assuming you've got plenty of light) but a lot of that 'expert' stuff depends on how long you're reading. If you're a book freak that checks out a dozen books one day only to come back for a dozen more the next.... then yeah, the strain of a backlit LCD is going to bug you out. But most people don't read that long so it may not be that big of a deal. In addition, I've found by lessening the brightness all the way (on my iPhone) you can 'almost' get the e-ink effect. Definitely not as good but there's noticeably less strain on your eyes after a while.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

My Kindle reference was in response to someone saying the iPad was far too expensive. Apparently you're saying the same thing. I'm not sure what the exact price of the Kindle is (and don't care to look it up) but I know they're close. Ergo, if tons of people are willing to spend tons of cash on something that ONLY does one thing (really well) then perhaps tons of people will be willing to spend tons of cash on something that, while not doing the kindle thing quite as well, still does many things pretty well.

well, thats why i posted the link to the Viliv unit. its just not marketed as well. but it is a better product.

and this is why people buy iPhones and netbooks. so where does that leave the iPad? i hope in the same dustbin as devices like the newton and virtual boy and pippin and .... etc.

 

[CHICO2003]

That unit 'looks' pretty cool... but as the poor horse can attest, the UI is key. Unless it's running iPhone 3.x (which it's not) than I fail to see how it can possibly be a better product.

As far as iPhones and netbooks for reading e-books go... I've tried the whole kindle/stanza app thing on my iPhone but it just aint happening. Screen's simply too small. In a pinch I guess it's alright but a poor substitute for a kindle (or real book) Netbooks obviously have bigger screens and (presumably) the ability to DL and read ebooks but... the design. no good. you're reading it just like you're read anything else on a dang laptop. So where does that leave the iPad? Hmm...

 

[Ricktalife]

I still don't see ANYBODY ever using an e-reader or whatever device out there that people would use to read a book...on a computer. That is just plain stupid. Old fashioned paper books are the way it should be.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

I still don't see ANYBODY ever using an e-reader or whatever device out there that people would use to read a book...on a computer. That is just plain stupid. Old fashioned paper books are the way it should be.

yeah but ... you have the option to download a book at the same or cheaper price wihout driving to a bookstore. this is america. less effort + same price = always wins

 

[Ricktalife]

yeah but ... you have the option to download a book at the same or cheaper price wihout driving to a bookstore. this is america. less effort + same price = always wins

Oh I agree I am all about less effort with my tech gadgets, but reading an entire book on an LCD screen would drive me nuts regardless of the size and brightness.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

That unit 'looks' pretty cool... but as the poor horse can attest, the UI is key. Unless it's running iPhone 3.x (which it's not) than I fail to see how it can possibly be a better product.

As far as iPhones and netbooks for reading e-books go... I've tried the whole kindle/stanza app thing on my iPhone but it just aint happening. Screen's simply too small. In a pinch I guess it's alright but a poor substitute for a kindle (or real book) Netbooks obviously have bigger screens and (presumably) the ability to DL and read ebooks but... the design. no good. you're reading it just like you're read anything else on a dang laptop. So where does that leave the iPad? Hmm...

windows XP versus iPhone anything on a unit of that size? don't even joke with me. i could give a rats ass about the processor or ram or hard drive space of the iPad (which all SUCK) when it does nothing for the money. windows XP is rock solid and windows 7 customized for tablets is pretty damn great - try it, its real good, honest. no multitasking, scaled iphone apps, locked development. yeah, iPad wins. no wait, it doesn't. at all. in any category. on a product thats as limited as a small iPhone its great. on a real device meant to compete with netbooks or "kill" the latpop that have REAL and TANGIBLE features its a joke. plus i have GPS and high def video on the Viliv with a larger hard drive. its not a better product? are you drinking?

so, i could download kindle for my iPhone and pay per book and get "limited" use out of it. or I could buy an iPad for $500 at a minimum and do it all over again? yeah thanks, i'll pass.

one thing rang true. "the design. no good." a unit with no expandibility. a decade behind on video and audio. no camera. no multitasking. high price. no flash video. jail breaking to get any real use. that applies more to an iPad than it does to any netbook.

any way you slice it, Apple is repacking three year old tech in a larger physical shell, and thats it. its not magical, its not revolutionary, but it will sell on brand name. i could care less how easily finger accesses the app store. the interface is not worth $500 + when i and many others already have a device that does the same thing. or - gasp - more.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Oh I agree I am all about less effort with my tech gadgets, but reading an entire book on an LCD screen would drive me nuts regardless of the size and brightness.

i was under the impression no one in this country read anything anyways.

 

[CHICO2003]

Within our lifetimes, books will become virtually (but not completely) obsolete the same way yellow pages are nearing extinction. For the most part, the people holding on to that legacy are somewhat over the hill so.... connect the dots. Print media as a whole is in the midst of a huge transition.

It's not necessarily a bad thing. I personally enjoy reading an ACTUAL book (or magazine/newspaper) from time to time... but a lot of it depends on the content. If you're asking me if I would've preferred to have simply selected the textbooks I needed to read each semester online and then wait for them to DL into my kindle like device... all for LESS than I would've paid if I had got the actual books (sort of like CDs vs mp3s) then hell yes!! but if I'm engrossed in some novel than I'd probably prefer the actual book... idk but it's definitely gonna happen. It's inevitable. It would've been far too expensive but... once that's not the case, the iPad that can switch from LCD to e-ink will surely be a worthwhile investment.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

the iPad that can switch from LCD to e-ink will surely be a worthwhile investment.

maybe. but as with all apple products, the second generation is far better than the first for the same money or less. "planned obsolescence" is insulting. and yet, fanboys spend the money anyways on round one. how many people still use an iPhone 2G 4 gig bought at full retail day one? the iPad gen 2 is already being tooled up in Taiwan right now with all the "improvements" other companies had as base features years ago. but hey, flashy GUIs and slick ads make it all worth our disposable income!

 

[yudkib]

If they want want do what I'm doing now or type up an email or... whatever... they can fumble around on the touchscreen keyboard (which may not be as bad as we all think) or just dock it and type away.

maybe, but if you dock it, its just a laptop that cant do anything at that point.

They want to leave a few tricks up their sleeve for updates the following years and a camera (to get the attention of the people that would have waited anyway) will be one of those tricks.

definitely true, but were not talking about the ipad 2G. were talking about the 1G thats a piece of crap.

Okaaay.... So I guess everyone should stop making computers then since the 'average computer user' already has a laptop... Apple didn't want to cannibalize their macbook line by coming out with a true netbook competitor... so they came up with something that was different enough but would still compete in the low priced area of the market dominated by netbooks and neglected by apple. for those IN the market for a netbook... this may be a viable option. For those IN the market for an iPod touch... this will definitely be a viable option. Everyone else... they'll have their own reasons.

yes, a lot of companies should stop making laptops. the market is oversaturated which is why they cost nothing now and no companies make money. its just economics. why did so many computer companies get acquired in the last 10 years? theres no differentiation (until the eeepc) and theres too many players. its all in the service, which admittedly is something apple has going for it with itunes. but guess what? apple can make money on that without ipad. and people who want netbooks are going to buy netbooks since they have far more capability, and people who want ipod touches are going to buy those so they dont have to carry around an attache like some kind of prick. you do make a good point about apple not sabotaging their MB line.

They already have devices for that? I'm also sure lots of people will be more than happy to have both. iPhone/touch for when they're on the road... iPad for when they're at home

not multitouch, but yes, they have ways to do rapid design and implementation such as tablets and touch sensitive pads. the ipad is a great idea for collaboration if it ran OSX. but it doesnt. and i dont know anyone who would want a $500+ device for reading a newspaper that you still have to pay for in digital form on the couch, or to play bejeweled.

you make great points about the software, UI, and stability of apple devices over PC's. its why apple is growing their market. ive been PC only for a long time but even ive thought about intel macs since boot camp and so forth is a cool feature. the UI and stability are second to none. but thats not enough to carry a device that lacks SO SO SO badly in features. it was obvious that OSX would for MB's, the 4-button would for ipods, and once it came out, the app version would for ipod/touch. but this has no features except its big, if you consider that a feature at all.

ken is right, you shouldnt have to JB a device to get it to not suck, and apple s**** on their early adopters so bad. it is absolute robbery to price it that high for a big ipod, and its ridiculous to think its going to displace netbooks. i dont know why steve jobs thinks this will be a hit, but in light of all its shortcomings, heres the real issue with the ipad.
even the apple "sheeple" know theyre getting screwed. its such a horrible deal that they cant sell it to fanboys. how is apple going to sell it to anyone else if they cant sell it to them?

p.s. want a stock tip? short apple.

 

[CHICO2003]

windows XP versus iPhone anything on a unit of that size? don't even joke with me. i could give a rats ass about the processor or ram or hard drive space of the iPad (which all SUCK) when it does nothing for the money. windows XP is rock solid and windows 7 customized for tablets is pretty damn great - try it, its real good, honest. no multitasking, scaled iphone apps, locked development. yeah, iPad wins. no wait, it doesn't. at all. in any category. on a product thats as limited as a small iPhone its great. on a real device meant to compete with netbooks or "kill" the latpop that have REAL and TANGIBLE features its a joke. plus i have GPS and high def video on the Viliv with a larger hard drive. its not a better product? are you drinking?

Windows XP was designed to work with a typical desktop/laptop configuration. For that it does a sufficient job. Port it over to a tablet (ala windows xp tablet edition... which I'm unfortunately all too familiar with) and its resistive touch screen along does little to inspire. I only use it in that guise when I have to. Everything else is easier to do the traditional way. I'm not familiar with Windows 7 tablet (or whatever) so I can't speak to that... but the iPhone OS (for a portable, handheld device) is as good as it gets. Honestly, if it wasn't for THIS... I'd agree with presumably the rest of you in that the iPad will fail. Instead, being as familiar as I am with the iPhone, I KNOW it will do phenomenally well.

As far at what's better... again, it's subjective and largely dependent on the specific needs of the end-user. On paper that thing destroys the iPad. BFD!! Real world experience is what it's all about. Unfortuneatly... none of us can accurately attest to what thats actually like with the iPad so all this is purely conjecture at this point. And yes... I'm drinking.

, i could download kindle for my iPhone and pay per book and get "limited" use out of it. or I could buy an iPad for $500 at a minimum and do it all over again? yeah thanks, i'll pass.

You bring up an excellent point and a question that I don't think has been asked. Apple would be wise to allow the rather huge iPhone base the right to transfer their already bought iPhone titles (along with any books they may have bought through the likes of kindle) directly over to the iPad. Would be terrible PR if they don't...

any way you slice it, Apple is repacking three year old tech in a larger physical shell, and thats it. its not magical, its not revolutionary, but it will sell on brand name. i could care less how easily finger accesses the app store. the interface is not worth $500 + when i and many others already have a device that does the same thing. or - gasp - more.

3 year old tech? The original iPhone wasn't even 3G! This version surpasses even the 3Gs from a processor and RAM point of view so, while it may look, feel and operate much like the original... it's superior the way a 3 year near version should be. (faster processor, more RAM, bigger HD, longer lasting battery, more capable OS)

 

[SleepyMSP]

it would probably be more expensive to do a carputer, but it would be much better suited to your needs. sleepyMSP did one, i think, the thread gets bumped every other month or so.

LOL just saw this, yeah the project is still ongoing. every time I get back on it something just seems to stop me from finishing. At least the carputer is completly finished though. and trust me a carputer is much more advanced and usefull than an ipad (which are totally garbage...the only people who will buy one are the ones already blinded by apple already)

/flaming apple rant

anyway if it hasn't been suggested yet I would check out the site MP3Car.com they've got tons of info on this stuff

 

[yudkib]

by the way, apples smart move would have been to make a scaled down tablet (with rotating screen + keyboard) the size of a netbook that ran OSX with one USB port and SDcard slot. put it on garbage hardware since no one wants a 3GHz netbook, and boom. they would have crushed netbooks and kindles in one swoop, even if it started at 700. its not a laptop replacement since its too small and slow, its not a phone replacement, it can still read books and be interactive, but it wouldnt suck. they would have made a ******* killing.

 

[yudkib]

3 year old tech? The original iPhone wasn't even 3G!

it should have been, which is the only thing that made me keep my contract with sprint when the iphone came out. that was a HUGE s*** on their userbase. apple could have implemented it, ATT had the tech, they just wanted to save it for the 2G. it was completely transparent and total horse s***.

 

[red95_240sx]

ipad deck?? joo know how big the ipad is???

i thought we were makin things smaller nowadays. I have to say the ipad was not a good idea. seems to me to just be a big touch screen toy with games and internet.

 

[CHICO2003]

...p.s. want a stock tip? short apple.

LOL The problem is, you guys are all looking at the world through your own eyes. It's obvious most of you are, like me, proud computer techno geek types. You wouldn't be on your damn computer this late if you weren't! No offense but... Apple doesn't give a s*** about us! There's no money in 'us'. We're the ones who analyze the s*** out of what they build and nitpick the crap out of it. Would YOU want that kind of business? Instead, they want the masses... the 'other' white meat. Think about some of the tools and dumbasses you know with iPhones. They just LOVE to show off their new hot pink case and show you their 2 pages of apps. You think they care about multitasking? lol They're so thrilled to be able to play majong on their phone to care. Yes... there will be early adopter types that flock to the apple store to buy one of these pups next month. And yes there will be the techno-geeks sitting high on their thrones with smug looks of contempt as they mock them. But the REST of the world... THAT's what Apple cares about. It's like baseball. You're gonna win 1/3 of your games and lose 1/3 of your games. It's what you do with the other 1/3 that makes all the difference. Instead, in this case, the 1/3 is more like 98%

The more I think about it... the whole multitasking thing is a gag. The only reason the 2G/3G didn't have it was because there wasn't enough RAM. My old 3G jailbroken iPhone performed like a dog with just a couple programs running in the background. My 3Gs seems to handle it just fine. The iPad has even more RAM so I suspect it would handle it even better. The iPhone 4G will certainly have it and, by default, the iPad will as well. (iPhone OS 4.0) So Apple has wisely set the bar low... giving people things to criticiize... only to come out looking like heroes in the 11th hour. It's all marketing BS and nobody does it better. Mark my words. So pretty soon... you'll have to find something else to trash it for.

 

[Ricktalife]

by the way, apples smart move would have been to make a scaled down tablet (with rotating screen + keyboard) the size of a netbook that ran OSX with one USB port and SDcard slot. put it on garbage hardware since no one wants a 3GHz netbook, and boom. they would have crushed netbooks and kindles in one swoop, even if it started at 700. its not a laptop replacement since its too small and slow, its not a phone replacement, it can still read books and be interactive, but it wouldnt suck. they would have made a ******* killing.

I'm sure they will do that, once they sell 1 million of these pieces of s*** first.

The basic rule of technology never changes. You don't want to buy brand new technology. It always has some issues to be worked out, and you end up paying way too much than if you would wait a few months for the impatient people to soak up the first batch.