Why are people calling the iPad a large iPhone…it is NOT a phone…which disappointments more than anything. IF, it had also had the iPhone built into it…I’d be in line now…as long as it had a video camera for phone use…and a good camera on the back side for photos’
Regarding the iPad: My negative view of the iPad isn’t negative because that’s how I choose to roll, it’s negative because the iPad is an expensive product that has very clear and glaring limitations on usability. You note that the first iteration always leaves out features. That’s so people will buy the second generation and third generation to get features that should have been present in the first. Everyone talks about future potential…that’s what pre-release development is for, to realize that potential in the marketed product. The iPhone blew everyone away, yep, very impressive. Well if people have to scratch their heads and take time to think up reasons why the iPad is a good thing, then it’s not a good thing. Jobs may be a forward thinker but he’ll take all the money you want to give him, right now, and he’ll do it again when he feeds a few needed features into release 2. And again for release 3.
Timothy: I don’t think the iPad SHOULD be a phone in the conventional sense but, yeah, the lack of the camera is tres annoying. Communication on this thing will be through Skype or whatever, I’m sure, and it’s got the built in mic first gen, thank god for small favors . I’m hoping the iPhone headphones with controls/mic works on this, too - pretty sure it will (think they even work on the new laptops, no?).
Mike: Thanks very much for your thoughts but, respectfully, I have to say that I really don’t think (and there’s a lot of people with me on this) that $499 is expensive for the iPad, and I personally expect that usability will be the high point of the iPad (e.g. interacting directly with pages instead of through a peripheral, very dedicated and concise interfaces for apps, etc.).
My review is all about the potential of the device and, in my humble opinion, getting caught up on what’s missing in the first iteration is the “not seeing the forest for the trees” thing I noted. Solution: don’t buy the first generation product - if you’re choosing to “date” Apple, you need to accept that things work this way and you aren’t going to be the one to change it (just like that perfect girl who happens to have tourette’s ).
Like I said, I’m talking about the potential of the device as the next common computing platform and the fact that it’s missing this or that right now doesn’t distract me from seeing the potential (especially since the omissions are generally things that we have proof of concept for through the iPhone - and I think the custom Apple chip has got to play a role in making multi-tasking realizable without am unacceptable hit to battery life). I’m not saying that Apple will be delivering every one of these solutions, just that they will form the model that other device makers will copy (just like with the iPhone) in creating this next generation of computers. All your points are total valid for you making the decision for you, I’m just trying to paint the picture of what the implications of the device are .
I have been putting off buying a netbook for several reasons and now I’m glad I did. The iPad is a netbook killer and I will but one as soon as they are available.
Tim: Chris’ (our editor) laptop broke down so I gave him my MacBook Pro a couple of months ago as an excuse for me to buy the iPad to try it out . Looks like I may have a little wait but I’m pretty optimistic that the iPad be just fine for working while traveling (given I’ve got a monster Mac Pro on my desktop for heavy duty stuff, I’m just looking for the iPad to be able to be my portable and very happy that they’ve released Keynote for it, as that’s one of the things I need a laptop for - hopefully we’ll get some video out adaptors pronto).
Not sure how this could be considered a ‘netbook’ killer, as most netbooks are much cheaper, and do quite a few things the ipad wont be able to do. The product will fill a gap for me, and I already own a netbook as well as a laptop. The only glaring hole is the lack of camera to use via skype. Not sure how many people really want a camera on the back side, as I really can’t see myself holding this thing up to take pictures of others.
I agree with Jeff, the sour grapes about the iPad seem unwarranted.
One aspect it seems no one has realized or at least covered is the potential school textbook market. The iPad could possibly replace many textbooks or at least provide supplementary material to textbooks. How many school kids and college students are there? If schools districts are willing to purchase PCs or iMacs for certain classes what if they decide to provide an iPad for every student. Instead of seeing the poor kid carrying 30 lbs. of books to and from school every day why not an iPad with just the chapters for each class and the weekly assignments downloaded wirelessly. Later as memory increases or a flash slot or usb slot is introduced then multiple whole textbooks could be available. Also, think about a textbook with multimedia content.
I think many have overlooked a HUGE market and a very improved learning delivery system.
When I heard Mancini’t Them to Summer Place for some strange reason it cracked me up. Subtle humor is the best. It was amazing how well we could hear you wrapped in that furry hood. Good mike placement.
Whose idea was it to go stand out on that frozen pond? You’re a mother now. You should be in a nice warm room with hot chocolate.
Take care,
Sgtret
When apple releases Ipod, they have itunes-store
When apple release Iphone, they have apps-store
so what store they have for Ipad?
yeap, they have I-books store.
So i’m thinking apple is trying to promote reading using Ipad…
which is why this freaks out Amazon, and i’m currently still looking for info and news to prove apple is going to grab some market share from Amazon with the release of Ipad.
ps: *sorry for bad english, it’s my second language.
if I managed to prove apple’s motive, maybe it’s time to create apps for easier reading in Ipad.
Amber is awesome but Jeff… I haven’t seen a worse apple fanboy review of any apple product before.
Did you get much sponsor money from Apple before doing your iPad review? Sorry if you didn’t but your review sounded so much like Apple advertisement without any critisism.
I have been watching CommandN for a long long time but I will remove CommandN from my iTunes now.
I’m user of many Apple product but I still can’t understand fanboys like Jeff on iPad review. Jeff has done good job this far without being so big fanboy but iPad review… oh well… bye.
@Former Fan - I’m sure Jeff will comment, but we would never do a review that was sponsored and not reveal that sponsorship. A lot of us on the team like Apple products, that’s just a fact. Sorry you disagree, but thx for your viewership up until now.
Former Fan: Actually, it wasn’t a product review (note that it was a spotLIGHT segment and I remarked right off the top that I just wanted to talk about 5 things that occurred to me about the iPad). As I said in my previous comment, I’m sure there will be others making iPad-type computers, just like there are others making iPhone-like phones, and that’s great (where would the industry be without a little creative copying). As for your response to Silas, it will happen with iPad and not (initially) other tablet PCs b/c Apple is the one with the broadest infrastructure and industry clout to make this a reality. These statements don’t make me an Apple Fanboy, they just make me someone with a lot of computer-related background who has paid attention to the evolution of the tech industry by reporting on it each and every week for the past four and a half years. That Apple is very good at what they do isn’t something I’m going to rail against - in fact, that very act would demonstrate the non-objective opinion of which you falsely accuse me. However, if that’s enough to make you unsubscribe then that’s your decision (but you don’t know Apple if you think they would ever sponsor anything like this - just try to get a review product from them ).
Pon HengWai: Yeah, I think you’re on the right track there (and your English is very good). Big thing is getting the book store infrastructure in place, which I’m sure will include magazine/newspaper subscriptions and some other yet-to-be-announced features (I mean, you can buy a season pass for video, so not much of a leap for text).
Winston Walker: Camera will have to be front-facing when released, I think - the big usage being video chats (and some self-portraits, I guess). Ideally, the iPad will make netbooks BETTER as opposed to non-existent, which I think the iPhone shows some evidence of doing in the phone space (I think Tim Leon’s point might be that it killed the option of a netbook for him, which is has for me too). Like you say, netbooks are still an inexpensive alternative (and available for those who need Windows).
Silas: Textbook thing is for sure huge - I think these will become a major staple around schools, as Apple already has some leverage in that space anyway. The potential extensions to this are great, too: Just imagine being able to make virtual notes on your digital textbooks and transfer them to friends or to study notes, or filling in quizzes while you’re actually IN the book - so many opportunities.
Jana: Thanks for the kind words!
A final note: Just as Amber says, we will ALWAYS make it explicit should we review a product where we’ve been paid for a review - a “sponsored” review would be the term we’d use. Basically, I won’t review a product I don’t believe it - why waste your time and mine to say that something sucks when I could be presenting something that you’d actually want to buy/use on its own merits.
I love the show as always. I agree with amber on the name ipad, it needed a rethink. I agree with Jeff its not perfect but its where technology is really going. After all its version 1.0.
I’m luke warm on the whole iPad thing, if it comes into it’s own in a few years then great, it’ll be much better by then as Jeff mentioned, and there will be some competition around to help tighten up what a “Pad”-like device should do or “be”. I’m looking at you Google
I mean who can ignore the coolness of the Star Trek factor while trying to balance the “oh crap, another charger to lose” reality of the thing.
However, if it is a flop, we can at least appreciate the creativity this will inspire among developers out there who now have way more then 4-5 touch/sensory inputs to play with… I’ve read over 12 points of input or higher! What games can come out of this, or medical diagnostic tools or finally the ability for fourteen fingered people (rare but important marketing segment of the population) to be able to use a device comfortably.
Anyway, I’m no Apple/PC or even tech fan, let’s remember that these are just gadgets, largely designed to separate our money from our wallets but every once and a while they become tools or avenues for wonderful expressions of creativity and can inspire major shifts in our culture.
A connected planet is a better planet and the closer we are to each other the more beneficial it is for all of us.
Thanks for watching and yes, I forgot to put the blooper in and I had a totally great one too! If I get a chance I’ll find it and put it up on the YouTube’s and post a link here.
Personally I have no use for the iPad but I understand why it would be handy for people who just surf the web, email and game. I didn’t look at the specs of the iPad but is it like the iPone/Touch were it doesn’t support flash player? I know I can hack my iPod Touch to allow flash but it’s kinda strange that it isn’t supported.
Apple is in the process of killing Flash for historical wrongs by Adobe - lets hope HTML 5 catches on quick (you can test it on YouTube if you opt in). In all fairness, though, there’s some vengeance here, as Flash has ignored the Mac platform for ages.
Everyone: FYI I’ll be speaking on Usability at Podcamp Toronto (http://2010.podcamptoronto.com/) on Saturday, February 20th - drop on by if you’re around!
Whoa, just watching this video makes me cold again!
-Amber
Why are people calling the iPad a large iPhone…it is NOT a phone…which disappointments more than anything. IF, it had also had the iPhone built into it…I’d be in line now…as long as it had a video camera for phone use…and a good camera on the back side for photos’
I know, I ask for a lot…but it is not an Phone!!
~ Timothy
Regarding the iPad: My negative view of the iPad isn’t negative because that’s how I choose to roll, it’s negative because the iPad is an expensive product that has very clear and glaring limitations on usability. You note that the first iteration always leaves out features. That’s so people will buy the second generation and third generation to get features that should have been present in the first. Everyone talks about future potential…that’s what pre-release development is for, to realize that potential in the marketed product. The iPhone blew everyone away, yep, very impressive. Well if people have to scratch their heads and take time to think up reasons why the iPad is a good thing, then it’s not a good thing. Jobs may be a forward thinker but he’ll take all the money you want to give him, right now, and he’ll do it again when he feeds a few needed features into release 2. And again for release 3.
Timothy: I don’t think the iPad SHOULD be a phone in the conventional sense but, yeah, the lack of the camera is tres annoying. Communication on this thing will be through Skype or whatever, I’m sure, and it’s got the built in mic first gen, thank god for small favors
. I’m hoping the iPhone headphones with controls/mic works on this, too - pretty sure it will (think they even work on the new laptops, no?).
Mike: Thanks very much for your thoughts but, respectfully, I have to say that I really don’t think (and there’s a lot of people with me on this) that $499 is expensive for the iPad, and I personally expect that usability will be the high point of the iPad (e.g. interacting directly with pages instead of through a peripheral, very dedicated and concise interfaces for apps, etc.).
My review is all about the potential of the device and, in my humble opinion, getting caught up on what’s missing in the first iteration is the “not seeing the forest for the trees” thing I noted. Solution: don’t buy the first generation product - if you’re choosing to “date” Apple, you need to accept that things work this way and you aren’t going to be the one to change it (just like that perfect girl who happens to have tourette’s
).
Like I said, I’m talking about the potential of the device as the next common computing platform and the fact that it’s missing this or that right now doesn’t distract me from seeing the potential (especially since the omissions are generally things that we have proof of concept for through the iPhone - and I think the custom Apple chip has got to play a role in making multi-tasking realizable without am unacceptable hit to battery life). I’m not saying that Apple will be delivering every one of these solutions, just that they will form the model that other device makers will copy (just like with the iPhone) in creating this next generation of computers. All your points are total valid for you making the decision for you, I’m just trying to paint the picture of what the implications of the device are
.
Jeff
I have been putting off buying a netbook for several reasons and now I’m glad I did. The iPad is a netbook killer and I will but one as soon as they are available.
Tim: Chris’ (our editor) laptop broke down so I gave him my MacBook Pro a couple of months ago as an excuse for me to buy the iPad to try it out
. Looks like I may have a little wait but I’m pretty optimistic that the iPad be just fine for working while traveling (given I’ve got a monster Mac Pro on my desktop for heavy duty stuff, I’m just looking for the iPad to be able to be my portable and very happy that they’ve released Keynote for it, as that’s one of the things I need a laptop for - hopefully we’ll get some video out adaptors pronto).
Thanks for watching!
Jeff
Not sure how this could be considered a ‘netbook’ killer, as most netbooks are much cheaper, and do quite a few things the ipad wont be able to do. The product will fill a gap for me, and I already own a netbook as well as a laptop. The only glaring hole is the lack of camera to use via skype. Not sure how many people really want a camera on the back side, as I really can’t see myself holding this thing up to take pictures of others.
Amber you are so dedicated to even be out there! You are awesome!
@Rodney - it was freezing…poor Chris had to be out there too to shoot!
Amber
I agree with Jeff, the sour grapes about the iPad seem unwarranted.
One aspect it seems no one has realized or at least covered is the potential school textbook market. The iPad could possibly replace many textbooks or at least provide supplementary material to textbooks. How many school kids and college students are there? If schools districts are willing to purchase PCs or iMacs for certain classes what if they decide to provide an iPad for every student. Instead of seeing the poor kid carrying 30 lbs. of books to and from school every day why not an iPad with just the chapters for each class and the weekly assignments downloaded wirelessly. Later as memory increases or a flash slot or usb slot is introduced then multiple whole textbooks could be available. Also, think about a textbook with multimedia content.
I think many have overlooked a HUGE market and a very improved learning delivery system.
Wow such dedication Amber…you froze for your fans!
I just wanted to give a ‘kudos’ to Jeff on his great piece on the Apple iPad.
Love your show.
Amber, faux fur and how cold was it?
When I heard Mancini’t Them to Summer Place for some strange reason it cracked me up. Subtle humor is the best. It was amazing how well we could hear you wrapped in that furry hood. Good mike placement.
Whose idea was it to go stand out on that frozen pond? You’re a mother now. You should be in a nice warm room with hot chocolate.
Take care,
Sgtret
When apple releases Ipod, they have itunes-store
When apple release Iphone, they have apps-store
so what store they have for Ipad?
yeap, they have I-books store.
So i’m thinking apple is trying to promote reading using Ipad…
which is why this freaks out Amazon, and i’m currently still looking for info and news to prove apple is going to grab some market share from Amazon with the release of Ipad.
ps: *sorry for bad english, it’s my second language.
if I managed to prove apple’s motive, maybe it’s time to create apps for easier reading in Ipad.
Amber is awesome but Jeff… I haven’t seen a worse apple fanboy review of any apple product before.
Did you get much sponsor money from Apple before doing your iPad review? Sorry if you didn’t but your review sounded so much like Apple advertisement without any critisism.
I have been watching CommandN for a long long time but I will remove CommandN from my iTunes now.
I’m user of many Apple product but I still can’t understand fanboys like Jeff on iPad review. Jeff has done good job this far without being so big fanboy but iPad review… oh well… bye.
@Silas
“The iPad could possibly replace many textbooks or at least provide supplementary material to textbooks. ”
And that will only happen with iPad and not with other tabled PC’s cos?
@Former Fan - I’m sure Jeff will comment, but we would never do a review that was sponsored and not reveal that sponsorship. A lot of us on the team like Apple products, that’s just a fact. Sorry you disagree, but thx for your viewership up until now.
All the best!
-Amber
@Paul - it was about -25 C with the wind chill. YIKES!
Former Fan: Actually, it wasn’t a product review (note that it was a spotLIGHT segment and I remarked right off the top that I just wanted to talk about 5 things that occurred to me about the iPad). As I said in my previous comment, I’m sure there will be others making iPad-type computers, just like there are others making iPhone-like phones, and that’s great (where would the industry be without a little creative copying). As for your response to Silas, it will happen with iPad and not (initially) other tablet PCs b/c Apple is the one with the broadest infrastructure and industry clout to make this a reality. These statements don’t make me an Apple Fanboy, they just make me someone with a lot of computer-related background who has paid attention to the evolution of the tech industry by reporting on it each and every week for the past four and a half years. That Apple is very good at what they do isn’t something I’m going to rail against - in fact, that very act would demonstrate the non-objective opinion of which you falsely accuse me. However, if that’s enough to make you unsubscribe then that’s your decision (but you don’t know Apple if you think they would ever sponsor anything like this - just try to get a review product from them
).
Pon HengWai: Yeah, I think you’re on the right track there (and your English is very good). Big thing is getting the book store infrastructure in place, which I’m sure will include magazine/newspaper subscriptions and some other yet-to-be-announced features (I mean, you can buy a season pass for video, so not much of a leap for text).
Winston Walker: Camera will have to be front-facing when released, I think - the big usage being video chats (and some self-portraits, I guess). Ideally, the iPad will make netbooks BETTER as opposed to non-existent, which I think the iPhone shows some evidence of doing in the phone space (I think Tim Leon’s point might be that it killed the option of a netbook for him, which is has for me too). Like you say, netbooks are still an inexpensive alternative (and available for those who need Windows).
Silas: Textbook thing is for sure huge - I think these will become a major staple around schools, as Apple already has some leverage in that space anyway. The potential extensions to this are great, too: Just imagine being able to make virtual notes on your digital textbooks and transfer them to friends or to study notes, or filling in quizzes while you’re actually IN the book - so many opportunities.
Jana: Thanks for the kind words!
A final note: Just as Amber says, we will ALWAYS make it explicit should we review a product where we’ve been paid for a review - a “sponsored” review would be the term we’d use. Basically, I won’t review a product I don’t believe it - why waste your time and mine to say that something sucks when I could be presenting something that you’d actually want to buy/use on its own merits.
Thanks for watching!
Jeff
Hey Chris, Amber and Jeff
I love the show as always. I agree with amber on the name ipad, it needed a rethink. I agree with Jeff its not perfect but its where technology is really going. After all its version 1.0.
I’m luke warm on the whole iPad thing, if it comes into it’s own in a few years then great, it’ll be much better by then as Jeff mentioned, and there will be some competition around to help tighten up what a “Pad”-like device should do or “be”. I’m looking at you Google
I mean who can ignore the coolness of the Star Trek factor while trying to balance the “oh crap, another charger to lose” reality of the thing.
However, if it is a flop, we can at least appreciate the creativity this will inspire among developers out there who now have way more then 4-5 touch/sensory inputs to play with… I’ve read over 12 points of input or higher! What games can come out of this, or medical diagnostic tools or finally the ability for fourteen fingered people (rare but important marketing segment of the population) to be able to use a device comfortably.
Anyway, I’m no Apple/PC or even tech fan, let’s remember that these are just gadgets, largely designed to separate our money from our wallets but every once and a while they become tools or avenues for wonderful expressions of creativity and can inspire major shifts in our culture.
A connected planet is a better planet and the closer we are to each other the more beneficial it is for all of us.
So, is the iPad a revolution of Newtonian scale?
Maybe
But it could also just be a …
Newton http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_(platform)
Thanks for watching and yes, I forgot to put the blooper in and I had a totally great one too! If I get a chance I’ll find it and put it up on the YouTube’s and post a link here.
-Chris
What Was The Tempature Out There Amber, Johnny
Great episode as always,
Personally I have no use for the iPad but I understand why it would be handy for people who just surf the web, email and game. I didn’t look at the specs of the iPad but is it like the iPone/Touch were it doesn’t support flash player? I know I can hack my iPod Touch to allow flash but it’s kinda strange that it isn’t supported.
Saltydog
Apple is in the process of killing Flash for historical wrongs by Adobe - lets hope HTML 5 catches on quick (you can test it on YouTube if you opt in). In all fairness, though, there’s some vengeance here, as Flash has ignored the Mac platform for ages.
Good night.
Jeff
excellent and comprehensive review of iPad Jeff
good coverage, pleasure to keep watching you guys!
Everyone: FYI I’ll be speaking on Usability at Podcamp Toronto (http://2010.podcamptoronto.com/) on Saturday, February 20th - drop on by if you’re around!
“C”: Thanks - glad you liked it.
Jeff