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I can not wait to use iWork on the iPad!

T

ThatsMeRight

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 12, 2009
2,399
470
I really can't wait to use iWork on the iPad. It really looks fun to me to do, on such a nice multitouchscreen.

Imagine it. Making a report on the iPad for school. You just type it in a really fun way on a multitouch device! Adding images? No problem, just tab!

Or what about a spreadsheet? You have to make a report with all sorts of data. It really looks fun to me. And what about keynote? Making presentations and it's all compatible with PowerPoint etc.

It really looks fun to me to do on the iPad! What about you?
 
Why would it take 5 times longer? Is it the typing, or getting used to using your fingers? When you first touched a computer, you also had to get used to the mouse and the keyboard. After a few times you can do it as fast as on your computer, or even faster.
 
ThatsMeRight said:
I really can't wait to use iWork on the iPad. It really looks fun to me to do, on such a nice multitouchscreen.

Imagine it. Making a report on the iPad for school. You just type it in a really fun way on a multitouch device! Adding images? No problem, just tab!

Or what about a spreadsheet? You have to make a report with all sorts of data. It really looks fun to me. And what about keynote? Making presentations and it's all compatible with PowerPoint etc.

It really looks fun to me to do on the iPad! What about you?
Click to expand...

There's two different situations of which I have two different opinions. As to creating content on iPad, it'll get old, really fast. It'll be much faster to get it over with on a large screen. The virtual keyboard isn't meant for long sessions. You'll need a bluetooth keyboard to make it more useful.

The problem is how does the file storage work? Is it synced up with iDisk or iWork (is it free forever? how big of storage)? What about people who doesn't have MobileMe subscription, is there any way to do wireless syncing? Without USB support, you'll have to constantly go back to your main computer to sync or email some of the files to the iPad. (imagine forgetting some files or you have the old version instead of new ones)

Without the answers to those questions, iPad really is limited.

Now, where I am excited about is using iPad as a "post-processing" device. I already have a draft with images dumped all over in any of the iWork file. I would use the iPad to fix them up, make the images aligned in the right place, read the draft and revise them over and over again. The virtual keyboard wouldn't be a problem here as revising is usually only done on short paragraph blocks instead of the whole stuff. No more printing stuff for drafts.
 
I'm excited to GIVE presentations from the iPad. Build the keynote on my computer and then show it off via the iPad. No projector? No problem, just fire it up and hand the iPad to the client.

Looks like it could change small-group presentations for the better.
 
I'm also looking forward to using the iWorks apps, especially Pages. I expect that I will still do most of my "serious" work on my desktop, but with the iPad, I could, for example, do a little light editing or rewriting during commercial breaks while watching TV. A lot depends on how fast I can type with the virtual keyboard. If I can type fast enough, I might even be able to get rid of my laptop, which would be the best case scenario. But even if I'm slower on the virtual keyboard, for example, yesterday I ended up with an hour to kill while waiting to meet up with a few friends for dinner. If I had an iPad I could have gotten *some* work done, even if I was pecking at the keyboard. So to sum up, I'm not counting on iWorks replacing my desktop MS Office, but the more work I can get done on the iPad, the better! ;)
 
I think an iPad will have a number of advantages over a desktop or laptop in work situations which is why I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs. I think that a lot of this anticipation is rooted in the fact that a lot of iPhone users, myself included, use their devices as computers but are limited by the small size of the screen.

For instance, I am frequently out of the office and yet would benefit from having a mobile device to either access or input data. A laptop is too cumbersome to take with me everywhere and requires the user to place it on a flat surface or be in the seated position to use it.

From what I can tell, an iPad would be ideal for these situations. It is, unlike a laptop or desktop, an instant on device that quickly launches applications and can be used to enter data in the standing position. I especially see it useful for spreadsheet data entry, something that is extremely difficult on laptops due to the absence of a dedicated numeric keypad or having to toggle between numeric and keyboard mode. Additionally, a laptop isn't meant to be held in one hand and balanced in the other.

I can also envision carrying the iPad with me to meetings and editing presentations on the go in Keynote.

None of this means that I will somehow stop using my work computer and exclusively use the iPad. In fact, until the iPad is approved for use on our corporate network I don't think it will be able to fulfill its true potential. But in the meantime I do think it will make a significant contribution to the work that I do, and have benefits not unlike the original US Robotics Pilot.
 
ThatsMeRight said:
Why would it take 5 times longer? Is it the typing, or getting used to using your fingers? When you first touched a computer, you also had to get used to the mouse and the keyboard. After a few times you can do it as fast as on your computer, or even faster.
Click to expand...

I agree two or three times and you are a master of it. :)
 
Just played with Zoho Writer

It has all I need for word processing.
It is web based, so takes up no flash memory on my 16GB iPad.
Works with Safari, Mac and iPhone... and thus iPad.

imports any document file you throw at it.

Interface is easy- just like MS word but not as busy.

IT IS FREE!

So for those wanting a free lightweight word processor...... this may be it.
CON- you need wifi to work with it.
 
Night Spring said:
Are you assuming one-fingered pecking? I'm thinking that I could use three or possibly four fingers of one hand to hit the keys while holding the iPad with the other hand.
Click to expand...

And I'm using - not just thinking about it - 10 fingers to type this post. Something that you can't do with a tablet.
 
zipa said:
And I'm using - not just thinking about it - 10 fingers to type this post. Something that you can't do with a tablet.
Click to expand...
But you aren't going to hold the iPad all the time. You will, assumably, put it on your legs or put in the case and lay it down.

And next to that, you can use real - physical - keyboards with the iPad.
 
zipa said:
And I'm using - not just thinking about it - 10 fingers to type this post. Something that you can't do with a tablet.
Click to expand...

It's actually more like nine, since the two thumbs both perform the same function (hit space key). If we just go by the number of fingers involved, typing on the iPad one-handed should be about a third the speed of typing with both hands, not one-fifth. Of course, actual speed will vary. I'm looking forward to timing myself on the iPad and comparing to my speed on a regular keyboard. ;)
 
Maximillian said:
I'm excited to GIVE presentations from the iPad. Build the keynote on my computer and then show it off via the iPad. No projector? No problem, just fire it up and hand the iPad to the client.

Looks like it could change small-group presentations for the better.
Click to expand...

I agree, the pointer on the iPad Keynote version will be exceptional.

I never thought of small group or 1-on-1 presentations, excellent idea!
 
It has not really come up in this post, but one of the arguments against the on screen keyboard is "Lack of tactile feel." I always laugh at this because for years various companies have worked at getting rid of our beloved keyboards. Some have developed roll out keyboards which are like a roll of plastic that you lay on the desk in front of the monitor. One that was really cool is a laser light layout of a keyboard in front of a monitor and when you hit the right projected "key" the computer responds. None of these have anymore "tactile feel" than the keyboard on the iPad or iPhone, yet everyone seems to think they will rid us of our dependency on our physical keyboard.
 
Tom G. said:
It has not really come up in this post, but one of the arguments against the on screen keyboard is "Lack of tactile feel." I always laugh at this because for years various companies have worked at getting rid of our beloved keyboards. Some have developed roll out keyboards which are like a roll of plastic that you lay on the desk in front of the monitor. One that was really cool is a laser light layout of a keyboard in front of a monitor and when you hit the right projected "key" the computer responds. None of these have anymore "tactile feel" than the keyboard on the iPad or iPhone, yet everyone seems to think they will rid us of our dependency on our physical keyboard.
Click to expand...
We don't think physical keyboards are less better. We just think a touchscreen keyboard works good enough.
 
ThatsMeRight said:
We don't think physical keyboards are less better. We just think a touchscreen keyboard works good enough.
Click to expand...

Heh. I'll go one up on that and say I do think physical keyboards are better. But yes, touchscreen keyboards work well enough in situations where portability is more important than ease of typing.
 
I agree with OP, Looks cool.

To the Naysayers: You know this because you've actually used the iPad right? No you haven't? So your just talking out your ass with no real experience?

I'm not saying it'll be better but you really need to try it first before making assumptions, but alas that would be to much for haters.
 
OP: I'm with you. Looks very cool,

Rest: Agree re real keyboard, but I'm in 5hrs worth of meetings everyday in a field (medical research) in which folks don't come to meetings with their laptops. It's not exactly "cool" to whip out your MBA and start tapping away. One major advantage of the iPad keyboard is that I can keep notes in one place (come on EverNote) and not look like a freak.

Re Keynote -- I give presentations weekly to audiences ranging from 50 to 500. I'm a Keynote power user (usually via MBA) and I can't wait to whip out my iPad for the 1st time...
 
Maximillian said:
I'm excited to GIVE presentations from the iPad. Build the keynote on my computer and then show it off via the iPad. No projector? No problem, just fire it up and hand the iPad to the client.

Looks like it could change small-group presentations for the better.
Click to expand...

How are you going to connect the iPad to your iMac? There's no mini-display port. Am I missing something? With the optional VGA adpater you can connect the iPad to a projector but I see no way to connect the iPad to the Mac and use the iPad as a projector.

Young Turk
 
Tom G. said:
It has not really come up in this post, but one of the arguments against the on screen keyboard is "Lack of tactile feel." I always laugh at this because for years various companies have worked at getting rid of our beloved keyboards. Some have developed roll out keyboards which are like a roll of plastic that you lay on the desk in front of the monitor. One that was really cool is a laser light layout of a keyboard in front of a monitor and when you hit the right projected "key" the computer responds. None of these have anymore "tactile feel" than the keyboard on the iPad or iPhone, yet everyone seems to think they will rid us of our dependency on our physical keyboard.
Click to expand...
I see what you're saying, but I myself don't really need the tactile feel on my iPhone. Once I have my thumbs set on the keys I can look away and continue to type.
 
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