Hoping for an Mac tablet but instead we got a Touch tabet.

[Tronic]

It seems like this device is very much geared towards casual users/gamers/e-book readers. What I was hoping for was a few more business orientated features such as:

Being based upon Mac OSX to accommodate a much wider selection of applications.
Minimum of 2 USB ports.
Front facing camera for Skype.
Flash support.

Without these things I don't think any serious business user will consider it. It can be used as the end product for displaying content to a client. Whether that showing a video, images, spreadsheets, keynotes. But I don't think any business user will actually create the content on the device.

These ideas are nothing new but I just thought i'd share my thoughts.

 

[calderone]

Maybe there is an iPad Pro planned for the future?

 

[instaxgirl]

Apart from the fact that I do want an e-reader and was vaguely interested in this aspect of the tablet (although I suspected that it'd always be on a screen that was no good as your only e-reader) I never thought I was going to scream "OMG I MUST HAVE IT" at the announcement.

I did expect it to be more of a standalone computer though, as in, ports and not needing to be synced to iTunes.

I didn't necessarily expect the most wonderful thing ever to be created like some always do, but I did think it would be more "computer" than it is. (if you know what I mean )

 

[G4R2]

I actually disagree with the premise that the iPad won't be an appealing workplace tool.

In fact, one of the features I found to be extremely compelling is the iWork suite, particularly Keynote and Numbers. If I can carry around my spreadsheets from office to office and building to building in a lightweight, instant on device that permits even light editing, access to e-mail, and the ability to prepare presentations on the fly it will be a greatly appreciated.

Additionally, there are many situations where I want to record important data and don't want to wait for my laptop to boot up or have the desk space to place it on to conveniently enter data.

The absence of a front facing camera, while disappointing in that it won't usher in a new era of video conferencing, is hardly the drawback some would suggest. Frankly, the penetration of this technology is overestimated and not essential to the vast majority of business users.

And furthermore, integrated video cameras are actually considered a major security liability.

From what I saw in yesterday's presentation the iPad has a lot of potential and I can see a lot of places where I would choose to use it over a laptop.

 

[MrFrodo]

What I was hoping for was a few more business orientated features such as:

Being based upon Mac OSX to accommodate a much wider selection of applications.
Minimum of 2 USB ports.
Front facing camera for Skype.
Flash support.

Without these things I don't think any serious business user will consider it.

Business oriented features?

Mac OSX? So that the handling with fingers is impossible or gets as a drag as Windows 7?

Minimum of 2 USB ports? Surely I want to have cables hanging out all over my tablet - THAT makes is REALLY portable....

Front facing camera for Skype? Sorry, but in Business we don't use Skype

Flash support? Nice to have but not really business relevant...

I think I will be using it daily in business at meetings to make presentations, as a document repository, to check and answer mails, to make notes and so on. And I really like they release the whole iwork suite for the ipad - what more is needed for business?

 

[amitdoc2b]

All they had to do was add a built-in webcam and I would have bought 2 of their top models with accessories for $2000+. I can overlook the lack of all features, but not the webcam. That would have set it apart from the iPod Touch and iPhone, yet still not as good as a MacBook. And many netbooks have a webcam in them as well.

It seems like this device is very much geared towards casual users/gamers/e-book readers. What I was hoping for was a few more business orientated features such as:

Being based upon Mac OSX to accommodate a much wider selection of applications.
Minimum of 2 USB ports.
Front facing camera for Skype.
Flash support.

Without these things I don't think any serious business user will consider it. It can be used as the end product for displaying content to a client. Whether that showing a video, images, spreadsheets, keynotes. But I don't think any business user will actually create the content on the device.

These ideas are nothing new but I just thought i'd share my thoughts.

 

[elurscam]

It seems like this device is very much geared towards casual users/gamers/e-book readers. What I was hoping for was a few more business orientated features such as:

Being based upon Mac OSX to accommodate a much wider selection of applications.
Minimum of 2 USB ports.
Front facing camera for Skype.
Flash support.

Without these things I don't think any serious business user will consider it. It can be used as the end product for displaying content to a client. Whether that showing a video, images, spreadsheets, keynotes. But I don't think any business user will actually create the content on the device.

These ideas are nothing new but I just thought i'd share my thoughts.

i don't think it was aimed at business users.

I think it was aimed at the average person, who wanted something easy to use, more enjoyable than a smart phone, and more portable than a laptop.

also, maybe you missed the 140,000 apps that are available for it, yeah not business apps, but apps none the less AND don't forget, you can develop your own apps, just think what the future will hold. I would bet a lot, that we will see TONS of apps designed for business in the future.

 

[4DThinker]

I think I will be using it daily in business at meetings to make presentations, as a document repository, to check and answer mails, to make notes and so on. And I really like they release the whole iwork suite for the ipad - what more is needed for business?

Hmmm... $30 for all three iWork apps, The VGA dock adapter (price? Yet to be determined), probably the 32gb $599 version, with most likely the $130 upcharge for the SIM slot to enable 3G data, and then $29/month for that unlimited 3G data.

Then you'll need a macbook or PC of some sort to sync it to, along with a printer on that PC to print any documents that you need printed copied of.

It will be almost exactly as easy to use an iPad for business as it is to use and iPhone for the same tasks, but you'll have a bigger screen.

 

[JonHimself]

All they had to do was add a built-in webcam and I would have bought 2 of their top models with accessories for $2000+. I can overlook the lack of all features, but not the webcam. That would have set it apart from the iPod Touch and iPhone, yet still not as good as a MacBook. And many netbooks have a webcam in them as well.

Is a webcam really worth $1000 to you?

 

[mi986]

Sorry Mr Jobs, but if it doesn't have flash support, then it's never going to be "the best internet experience you'll ever have. Better than a laptop".

But not better than a MacBook i'm guessing

 

[Tronic]

I guess I should have clarified my type of business when I said "business user". I'm an architect that is heavily involved with photography. While I would never except the ipad to run Photoshop or vmware, etc, I would expect there to be an easy way to transfer my finished files from one device to another without having to use iTunes or whatever they are calling the filesharing feature. I keep all my files on external harddrives because I work on many different computers. The last thing I want to do is plug in my ipad in order for the files to be transferred over. I just want to plug my drive in and go. Am I dreaming? Probably. But I don't see anyway for it to make my job any easier if I'm tied to my iTunes computer. I can see the benefit of it's end use with it's ability to display content for my clients.

 

[mac jones]

It's true this is just a jumbo ipod. But it's makes good business sense as the format is in place and they could keep the cost way down.

A very expensive Mac tablet for a few geeks would not be welcomed by the business community and shareholders.

However, if this thing somehow actually makes tablets commonplace ( now THAT would be strange), then perhaps they could expand this format in the same way they are doing it now - incrementally.

 

[Tronic]

It will be almost exactly as easy to use an iPad for business as it is to use and iPhone for the same tasks, but you'll have a bigger screen.

Exactly, I don't ever find myself using my iPhone for business work, except email/web. The only thing an iPad allows ME to do is display everything larger. What I was looking for was more functionality. Sure there is iWork but I think it will be more cool than practical. While I haven't used the iPad yet obviously, I am fairly confident that using a mouse will be much more efficient if I'm creating say a 100 page keynote. As far as USB ports, they obviously would allow me to quickly offload and upload files while I'm on the go. I always have an external hard drive with me, but I rarely have access to my iTunes computer. Oh well, just voicing my thoughts. Hopefully they will allow innovative dock connector products such as card readers or USB hubs or cameras, etc.

 

[MikhailT]

All they had to do was add a built-in webcam and I would have bought 2 of their top models with accessories for $2000+. I can overlook the lack of all features, but not the webcam. That would have set it apart from the iPod Touch and iPhone, yet still not as good as a MacBook. And many netbooks have a webcam in them as well.

Why don't you just buy a Modbook instead? Has everything you want. This goes for the OP as well

http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbook