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Apple missed a huge opportunity
- Thread starter rtay
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Computer will also be needed to update iPad with OS 4.0 and future updates..
OP is correct - Apple missed a great opportunity for someone like my mom to NEVER have to have someone else assist her to update her device. She didn't/doesn't need anyone to SETUP/UPDATE her Kindle DX.
She will use the iPad to surf, read mags in color, and e-mail so there is no need for back-up.
Now wait just a second here pal - I'm old enough to remember those Chunky Soup commercials.."It's the soup that eats like a meal!" and they distinctly showed people eating the soup with a fork.
I agree that it was a huge mistake, not giving us an easy way to handle documents. They could have easily given us some kind of simple user accessible file system. Hopefully that will be coming soon. For now, iWork.com is the best solution. It's a bit of a kludge, but it works.
I am amazed by the number of dummies who simply don't get it. This is not your traditional desktop or laptop computer. It's a new class of device aimed at what 90% of consumers do 90% of the time as the internet has evolved to support their hunger for content. It's a 90% content delivery device and a 10% content creation device. The Win7 crowd just doesn't seem to get the vision or even the reality when they hold it in their hand.
You can plug it in at the Apple store, click Agree on the EULA, disconnect and then go about your business.
I am amazed by the number of dummies who simply don't get it. This is not your traditional desktop or laptop computer. It's a new class of device aimed at what 90% of consumers do 90% of the time as the internet has evolved to support their hunger for content. It's a 90% content delivery device and a 10% content creation device. The Win7 crowd just doesn't seem to get the vision or even the reality when they hold it in their hand.
So Apple's vision is for the world to be mindless consumers/consumerists and not create, only consume? Thats pretty much what the iPad amounts to. And in the meantime, Apple will control this "world". If you dumb down the computer too much, you become too "American".
I agree that the iPad could of been a lot better. It is what it is though. It will sell. I will buy one.
It needed a file system. It needed multitasking out of the box. Its kind of unprofessional to release something and then a week later announce a new software update is coming that should of been on it in the beginning. "Oh, our bad".
Don't overestimate the intelligence of the general public. While we are savvy enough to operate the iPad and to realize its intended shortcomings there are many, MANY more who are not and cannot. Anyone who has ever had a job that puts you in contact with the general public understands this...unfortunately, there are a lot of dummies out there.
While I think the iPad is cool, and I plan to get one when gen 2 releases, I would never try to replace a fully functional computer. In recent years, Apple has gained some market share for computers (thanks to their nice price cuts, college students, artists, and hipsters). Although Apple is really pushing this whole "mobile device" image, Apple will always be, above all else, a computer company. I mean, Jobs and Woz INVENTED THE PERSONAL COMPUTER.
I think Apple will get a greater footing in the computer market in coming years. Macs are becoming more mainstream due to increased accommodation to average users and not just people requiring cutting edge machines. Now, I'm not saying they should axe the cutting edge machines, but the standard Macbook and its now more reasonable pricing are doing a lot to help Apple, and I applaud them for that.
Oh, one more thing, I predict that the introduction of Steam to OS X will set a trend to make gaming on a Mac comparable to gaming on a PC.
EDIT: I went off on a tangent, but let me further address the topic at hand: I think that the iPad certainly had great potential to possibly be a laptop replacement device, but I think it was designed as just another content consumption device, which is annoying because earlier on (and still a bit) Apple was marketing it as a content creation device. Frankly, with the lack of downloading and such, it is still just mediocre at its design as a consumption device. I've played with one a couple of times (twice at Best Buy, once at an Apple store), and while they are certainly very fun to use, right now they lack functionality to meet my needs.
I've stated it before and I'll state it again: I am disappointed because I was expecting a tool and Apple offered me a toy.
I think Apple will get a greater footing in the computer market in coming years. Macs are becoming more mainstream due to increased accommodation to average users and not just people requiring cutting edge machines. Now, I'm not saying they should axe the cutting edge machines, but the standard Macbook and its now more reasonable pricing are doing a lot to help Apple, and I applaud them for that.
Oh, one more thing, I predict that the introduction of Steam to OS X will set a trend to make gaming on a Mac comparable to gaming on a PC.
EDIT: I went off on a tangent, but let me further address the topic at hand: I think that the iPad certainly had great potential to possibly be a laptop replacement device, but I think it was designed as just another content consumption device, which is annoying because earlier on (and still a bit) Apple was marketing it as a content creation device. Frankly, with the lack of downloading and such, it is still just mediocre at its design as a consumption device. I've played with one a couple of times (twice at Best Buy, once at an Apple store), and while they are certainly very fun to use, right now they lack functionality to meet my needs.
I've stated it before and I'll state it again: I am disappointed because I was expecting a tool and Apple offered me a toy.
While I don't know what it would do to Apple's every-app-in-a-sandbox methodology, a single, shared directory where apps can choose to store documents would be a huge improvement. Even if it's up to each app to provide a method to manage said files (i.e., no native, Apple-produced file manager), it would be a huge improvement versus each app having its own, non-sharable file space.
I am amazed by the number of dummies who simply don't get it. This is not your traditional desktop or laptop computer. It's a new class of device aimed at what 90% of consumers do 90% of the time as the internet has evolved to support their hunger for content. It's a 90% content delivery device and a 10% content creation device. The Win7 crowd just doesn't seem to get the vision or even the reality when they hold it in their hand.
So 90% of computer users don't download files ever to their computer? How are you supposed to consume media, when the only way to get it is through iTunes. You cant consume shows off hulu, or any other site that hosts tv s hows besides abc and CBS. You can't consume the funny new picture someone sent you link to download. You can't consume the songs not available on itunes that are free mixtapes artists put out.
You are defending the iPad and apple for cutting a device short. And you obviously don't understand anything about the market. People may not know what flash is, but know that something is wrong when their videos don't show up on websites. They don't know what multitasking is, but they know it is really lame when you turn on pandora, go home to check the web, and the music stops. But apparently 90% of consumers is too stupid to understand how to click a link, press download, and find it in their documents. How did I get to this website now that I think of it, these darn computers are so hard!
Yeah, but I don't want that. I don't need a fast processor, i honestly don't know what that even is, have a 1 tb external hard drive, and I knew jail breaking would fix hacking. The iPad and case was $800 alone, plus the about $75 for the keyboard, all with tax.
It is not an oversight!
This is exactly as Apple planned it.
The iPad was NEVER mention to be a computer replacement. You people are trying to push the iPad into doing more than it was designed for and then get pissed when it will not work. LOL
Not looking for a computer replacement, I can attach and download files in the browser and emails on my Android PHONE incidentally I can aslo view websites with flash video! and Multitask! You don't need a computer to do these things
did no one listen to keynote speech. os4 allows downloads to be opened in apple and 3rd party apps. so ure files and downloads wi;l work. just when the OS updates
Yup.
The iPad is meant to be a total computer replacement. I don't think it's a bad idea to have it sync with iTunes. It will be much easier to do some organization with a mouse and a physical keyboard.
You can download things from the Internet via. GoodReader or Air Sharing.
The device being able to do something in 6 months is not equivalent to the device being able to do this now... Honestly these things should have been included from the get go.
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You can download things from the Internet via. GoodReader or Air Sharing.[/QUOTE]
I have them both, but what about when i want to move it to pad notes to highlight/annotate them. Not possible. This is another reason why textbooks will be pointless on the iPad. No stylus support, which means you can't take notes on the side of your book. But I guess that wouldn't be useful, that would blowing it.
You can download things from the Internet via. GoodReader or Air Sharing.[/QUOTE]
I have them both, but what about when i want to move it to pad notes to highlight/annotate them. Not possible. This is another reason why textbooks will be pointless on the iPad. No stylus support, which means you can't take notes on the side of your book. But I guess that wouldn't be useful, that would blowing it.
First of all, you must remember that there are a lot of people that don't have easy access to an Apple Store, so letting Apple activate it is not a good option. Also, what if you bought it at Best Buy? 9 times out of 10 you will need a computer just to start using an iPad
Even if you do buy from an Apple Store and plan to use it without a computer, it's probably not a good idea for two reasons:
- Your media will be limited to what you can obtain in the iTunes store or can view through apps like ABC, Netflix, and YouTube. No Amazon MP3s or personal video content. That's pretty limiting.
- What if your iPad is stolen, lost, or damaged? All your iTunes purchases are down the tubes without an iTunes backup. Sure you can re-download purchased apps, but Apple doesn't always allow re-downloading purchased music and video.
You do realize that Apple sells products other than the iPad don't you? I think Mac Pro's, iMacs, Macbook Pro's, Mac Mini's, and MacBooks cover the non-mindless non-consumer crowd quite nicely. But, when you just want content delivered quickly and seamlessly in an elegant device that turns on instantly I'll be reaching for my iPad. You will apparently be sitting there scratching your head.