LOL, now everyone is making an iPad "like"

[HiRez]

The reason tablets failed in the past was due to the limitations of the technology at that time. The really could pack enough processing power, storage, and memory into a small package 10-15 years ago. They were big and people really couldn't do anything practical with them. Now, technology is advanced enough to tuck a lot of computing power into a very thin design. Due to this, tablets will likely become very popular now. Kudos to Apple for the perfect timing, not the innovation.

We'll see. I'd like to see another manufacturer produce a $500, 1.5 lb., fast, 10-hour battery device with an IPS screen. Haven't seen it yet. I think they're going to fall short, the JooJoo did and it looks like the HP tablet will get 5 hrs. battery maximum, with an inferior screen.

Of course I think Apple's real advantage is the OS and software, but with tablets they're way out in front on the hardware side as well, and I would call that innovative because no one else has managed to do it, or even come close.

 

[4DThinker]

Innovation? They took the iPhone UI and hardware and stretched it to make an iPad. No consideration to improving the UI efficiency for the larger screen. No useful improvement in hardware except of course for the larger screen. No apparent awareness that the larger screen and apps to follow might need more system RAM than the iPhone does. The same closed and dependant eco-system.

Seems more like literally stretching their luck to me. I'll apologize too, since the iPad they are making was my idea.

Real innovation. JMHO

 

[RawBert]

We'll see. I'd like to see another manufacturer produce a $500, 1.5 lb., fast, 10-hour battery device with an IPS screen. Haven't seen it yet. I think they're going to fall short, the JooJoo did and it looks like the HP tablet will get 5 hrs. battery maximum, with an inferior screen.

Of course I think Apple's real advantage is the OS and software, but with tablets they're way out in front on the hardware side as well, and I would call that innovative because no one else has managed to do it, or even come close.

Exactly. ^^^
___________
iPad haters, why bother making the same lame points? The iPad's freaking bad-ass and you know it.

 

[modul8tr]

Innovation? They took the iPhone UI and hardware and stretched it to make an iPad. No consideration to improving the UI efficiency for the larger screen. No useful improvement in hardware except of course for the larger screen. No apparent awareness that the larger screen and apps to follow might need more system RAM than the iPhone does. The same closed and dependant eco-system.

Seems more like literally stretching their luck to me. I'll apologize too, since the iPad they are making was my idea.

Real innovation. JMHO

-"No consideration to improving the UI efficiency for the larger screen".


Really? The OS I'm using has definitely been improved to take advantage of the larger screen. And even iPhone OS 4 doesn't operate in the same way.



-"Innovation? They took the iPhone UI and hardware and stretched it to make an iPad."


Well the iPhone was really the prototype for the iPad. What become the iPad was in early development LONG before we ever saw the iPhone.



-"No useful improvement in hardware except of course for the larger screen."


If you really think (and I find this hard to believe) that all they've really done is slapped a larger screen on.....look closer.

 

[HiRez]

Real innovation. JMHO

Huh. Let's see, weighs 3 lbs. (less when in tablet only mode, but then you only get 1/2 of the battery), very slow scrolling and zooming, no multitouch, slow to change orientations, twice as thick as iPad, and did you notice he had to pull out the stylus to interact with the UI? Oh, and one other thing shared by most of these iPad competitors: not shipping. You say innovative, I say clunky and horrific. The guy does have an awesome accent though!

 

[4DThinker]

Really? The OS I'm using has definitely been improved to take advantage of the larger screen.
...
Well the iPhone was really the prototype for the iPad. What become the iPad was in early development LONG before we ever saw the iPhone.
...
If you really think (and I find this hard to believe) that all they've really done is slapped a larger screen on.....look closer.

iPhone/Touch: Hold in one hand, and control with the thumb on that hand. iPad: Hold in one hand, and use the other to reach across the screen for icons and app controls. Net efficency loss. Any Win or mac OS device: Move a mouse less than an inch to access any control on the screen. Apple is still stuck in that icon array mode believing that messing with it would confuse potential customers. Looks like it might, seeing who have already bought one.

Yes, Apple has been toying with tablet ideas since the Newton. Even Steve Jobs didn't believe their designs had a chance until he saw how well the iPhone and the app developers were doing, and the suggestion of simply making a big Touch that could suckle from it's mother (iPhone apps) was what moved them to a marketable device. That, the cost of technology, and the falling profits off the aging iPhone (thanks to android's growth) all fell in place to make this the year of tablet.

I've looked VERY close at several iPads. My college tech store has three on display. I've spent more than enough time playing with them, examining the specs, talking to potential and actual buyers, and sales people who sell them to know what an iPad is and what an iPad isn't:

It's a Mac netbook. They swapped out mac OSX and replaced it with the less capable iPhone OS. They took off the keyboard so you could pay them extra for it later. They eliminated any printer driver support in what I'll guess is an effort to be "greener" and save trees. They eliminated any USB ports, SD slots, VGA outputs, so they could charge extra for them later. They sealed the case so owners can't upgrade their own memory, and eliminated native network sharing access to force you to use iTunes and (reluctantly) 3rd party apps for all your content. Then they doubled the price (compared to a netbook). Lastly, they inflicted it with that Apple-only dock connector that forces you and every 3rd party device maker to pay them a licensing fee just to make/sell a compatible device that uses it.

Did I miss anything? Oh yea: Since they're using nothing larger than the motherboard from a cell phone in it (see ifixit's tear-down) they could fit a huge battery in there. When it wears out you won't be able to replace it, but they'll gladly collect another $100 from you to do it. So what is an iPad? An amazing profit maker for Apple, thanks to the suckers who buy it simply because Apple made it. If HP or Dell or ASUS or even Microsoft had done exactly the same thing you kids would be laughing and pointing and trashing it to no end.

 

[XciteMe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag3TNquUlEg

Apple comes out with a product, now everyone is making them too... How ironic is that?

People like you make Apple fans look bad.

"OH LOL Apple did everything first and better than its competitors! LOL @ copycats!!!"

That sentiment is so immature and misinformed. As all have said, tablets have been around for YEARS.

 

[wombat888]

^^ You are certainly correct that some Apple fans would be trashing it it it was from another company, but you are wrong that it's (if I may put words in your mouth) an awful and overpriced device.

It sounds like you've gathered info, but I suspect you've gathered info in order to confirm your belief rather than to develop a belief.

You will need to explain to Mossberg et al how they have been hoodwinked.

1. You listed one of the iPad's best traits (battery life) as an aside. 9 or 10 hours of battery life while using wireless (9 = 3g, 10 = wifi) is a HUGE factor. I would not be interested in buying one if the battery life was much less - like say, 7 hours would be iffy for me.

2. You don't seem to take notice of the drastic diference in screen - both visually and in terms of UI - from a netbook. It's bigger, nicer and is a touchscreen with multitouch.

3. You don't seem to have a sense of how iPad users plan to use the device. Your post doesn't even mention e-books, for instance. Anybody from 100 years ago or 100 years in the future, or from another planet, could glance at an iPad and a netbook and immediately tell you that the iPad would probably be a much better way to read books.

If it's not what you want, don't buy one. But don't go into it thinking "the iPad is a netbook and I'm going to prove it!" and then post how the iPad is a poor choice, when you clearly don't have a feel for how either buyers or Apple are looking at it.

Incidentally, I'm not very interested in the HP Slate (battery life a bit short, and neither Windows nor OS X seems like a good basis for a purely touch device for now) but I'm very excited to see Android competitors for the iPad.

 

[pastparticiple]

Oh boy another topic that proclaims "Apple is superior to all other things in the universe and that by association I as a fan of said product must be superior as well"

 

[modul8tr]

the suggestion of simply making a big Touch that could suckle from it's mother (iPhone apps) was what moved them to a marketable device. That, the cost of technology, and the falling profits off the aging iPhone (thanks to android's growth) all fell in place to make this the year of tablet.

Yeah, that "aging" iPhone is right on its way into the grave. Profits from last quarter prove it.


The peril.


As for the tired iPad is a netbook argument......the iPad is not a netbook. It fits into a new category entirely.

Huh. Let's see, weighs 3 lbs. (less when in tablet only mode, but then you only get 1/2 of the battery), very slow scrolling and zooming, no multitouch, slow to change orientations, twice as thick as iPad, and did you notice he had to pull out the stylus to interact with the UI? Oh, and one other thing shared by most of these iPad competitors: not shipping. You say innovative, I say clunky and horrific. The guy does have an awesome accent though!

I agree. Once I saw that stylus, I was pretty much done. No real info on the quality of the screen either.

 

[RunOverProducti]

People like you make Apple fans look bad.

"OH LOL Apple did everything first and better than its competitors! LOL @ copycats!!!"

That sentiment is so immature and misinformed. As all have said, tablets have been around for YEARS.

I never said they invented... Apple didn't invent the cellphone either, but they figured out a way to make an awesome phone... guess what? it was there first attempt too while other cellphone companies been doing for years... How do you explain that?

How does a company that have never made a cellphone before, come out with a phone that truly is great? again while other companies been making cellphone for years, you would at least think that the first attempt would have been a flop right?

 

[Capt T]

.....

Did I miss anything? .....

Hope I did that right to show there was a bunch I didn't post of his quote.


Yes you did miss something. You missed out on mentioning that on your blog back in Feb. you already had dismissed the iPad as something not to buy prior to ever touching the thing. Not sure why you are hanging out in this part of the forums if that is your stance. But to each their own. Keep having your fun.

 

[applebum]

iPhone/Touch: Hold in one hand, and control with the thumb on that hand. iPad: Hold in one hand, and use the other to reach across the screen for icons and app controls. Net efficency loss. Any Win or mac OS device: Move a mouse less than an inch to access any control on the screen.

This is really a silly argument you have formed. We can start with the last sentence first (remember, you are the one that said ANY Win or Mac OS device):

Desktop - can't carry with me and use in the bookstore, library, or classroom or wherever; can't hold in one hand at all - net efficiency loss

Laptop - can't hold in one hand while standing up and use the other hand, particularly with a mouse; hard to hold in one hand while sitting down and use a mouse too; not as easy to hold one handed period - net efficiency loss

Basically what you are saying is that the iPad is tougher to use with one hand than an iPhone, iPod Touch, or other WinMo smart phones - Ok, I agree with you there...so what. The iPad was not designed to be a one handed device. It was designed to be a portable device that was easy to use almost anywhere, particularly standing up or sitting down not at a desk/table. And if you need to you can hold it in one hand (quite easily) and operate it with the other hand. I might have more efficient hand movement with a mouse, but if I am simply wanting to read a book, paper, magazine whatever, having to use my pointer finger to click on an App really isn't that big of a deal.

 

[4DThinker]

Yeah, that "aging" iPhone is right on its way into the grave. Profits from last quarter prove it. As for the tired iPad is a netbook argument......the iPad is not a netbook. It fits into a new category entirely. I agree. Once I saw that stylus, I was pretty much done. No real info on the quality of the screen either.

Do a quick search for "stylus" in this forum, and tell me there is no demand for a stylus from iPad users. The profits were from mac PC sales. iPhone sales have leveled out. Apple should have a fresh looking iPhone out soon to prop it up again. Windows PC sales were also up. It's a good year for PCs so far. New category? Yep: A tablet that has huge profit potential for Apple thanks to folks just like you. See my previous post.

 

[4DThinker]

This is really a silly argument you have formed. Basically what you are saying is that the iPad is tougher to use with one hand than an iPhone, iPod Touch, or other WinMo smart phones - Ok, I agree with you there...so what.

Thanks for agreeing with my silly argument. You missed the point though. Had Apple tried to be innovative they could have made the iPad far more efficient to use than it is. Here's a few easy ideas:

Allow the user to cluster icons closer together, and anywhere on the screen that they want. Right handed users might cluster their favorite apps closer to the right lower corner of the screen as an example.

Move settings for each app into the apps they pertain to. It's a pain to have to leave an app to then open Settings to find the options for an app.

Make better user of multitouch. A single touch of an icon might simply start the app, where a two finger touch might open and resume where you left off. A quick double tap (with the same finger) could go to the settings of that app.

Allow grouping similar apps into folders. Oh wait, that's an Android feature Apple is putting into 4.0.

And so on. It doesn't take a genius to see what the iPad COULD have been. It may take a little common sense though.

 

[darngooddesign]

I never said they invented... Apple didn't invent the cellphone either, but they figured out a way to make an awesome phone... guess what? it was there first attempt too while other cellphone companies been doing for years... How do you explain that?

Their first phone, the Rockr kinda sucked.

Allow grouping similar apps into folders. Oh wait, that's an Android feature Apple is putting into 4.0.

That's just a computer metaphor that neither mobile OS can claim as its invention.

Did I miss anything? Oh yea: Since they're using nothing larger than the motherboard from a cell phone in it (see ifixit's tear-down) they could fit a huge battery in there. When it wears out you won't be able to replace it, but they'll gladly collect another $100 from you to do it.

And for your $100 you get a brand spankin new iPad.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Microsoft Ups Research And Development Budget To $9.5 Billion

"Turner said in a statement: "...we chose to really lean in and double down on our innovation". "We're going to change and reinvent our company around leading in the cloud", he added."

Oh my. Where's that video where Steve Jobs says he sees the future as being very much tied in with cloud computing, and Gates replies with a polite but borderline condescending dismissal of the idea...


---

Regarding Tablets pre & post Apple, I would say both of you are correct. Tablet PC's sucked. I used them almost exclusively as an industrial designer, and while Motion Computing made the best tablets, they had nothing to do with the type of machine the iPad is. They flopped, because of several very good reasons, none of which apply to Apples new toy. The difference is, now that Apple has come out with their tablet, other companies ARE copying it. Not copying the simple act of making a tablet, but copying the way Apple did it, with a proprietary, device specific, limited, closed ecosystem, operating system, an app store, touchscreen-only input, etc etc etc... these "tablets" have nothing in common with what came before the iPad. Ironically, what most people seemed to really want from Apple was an old-style tablet. What we got instead was a success. I still want a modbook pro made by Apple, that doesn't cost $5000... oh well. I guess.

 

[hakuryuu]

Do a quick search for "stylus" in this forum, and tell me there is no demand for a stylus from iPad users. The profits were from mac PC sales. iPhone sales have leveled out. Apple should have a fresh looking iPhone out soon to prop it up again. Windows PC sales were also up. It's a good year for PCs so far. New category? Yep: A tablet that has huge profit potential for Apple thanks to folks just like you. See my previous post.

iPhone sales have leveled out? 131% increase over last year for the same quarter seems like an improvement. http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/04/20/live-blogging-apples-earnings-call/

 

[wovel]

Microsoft Ups Research And Development Budget To $9.5 Billion

Apple: "The Company's R&D budget continues to increase year-over-year. In 2008, it totaled $1.1 billion, increasing 41 percent from $782 million in 2007, which compared to $712 million in 2006," Duryee reports.

Considering Apple just passed Microsoft in market cap, the Microsoft shareholders should sue.

Real innovation. JMHO

There is not a single thing you could seriously call innovative in that hideous and purposeless device you linked. Couple that with the fact that it will probably move less than JooJoos 64 units, why did you even bother.

Did I miss anything? Oh yea: Since they're using nothing larger than the motherboard from a cell phone in it (see ifixit's tear-down) they could fit a huge battery in there.

One thing. The iPad will easily outsell the total of every other tablet computer ever produced. The response from the 500,000 to 1,000,000 (most recent estimate) people who have actually spent money on them is overwhelmingly positive.

When it wears out you won't be able to replace it, but they'll gladly collect another $100 from you to do it. So what is an iPad? An amazing profit maker for Apple, thanks to the suckers who buy it simply because Apple made it. If HP or Dell or ASUS or even Microsoft had done exactly the same thing you kids would be laughing and pointing and trashing it to no end.

How much does it cost to replace a dell battery? An Asus Battery?

A Dell mini-10 battery replacement will cost you between $129 and $149 depending on if you want it to last 1/3 or 1/2 as long as the iPad battery. People making these battery claims never take the 10 seconds to think about how ridiculous they are. You are now going to link me to some $80 dell knockoff battery. If you are paying for a replacement battery, your iPad is by definition out of warranty and there will be a plethora of third party companies performing replacements at a discounted price.

 

[Smacky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag3TNquUlEg

Apple comes out with a product, now everyone is making them too... How ironic is that?

Fanboi fail.

 

[wovel]

Microsoft Ups Research And Development Budget To $9.5 Billion

Apple: "The Company's R&D budget continues to increase year-over-year. In 2008, it totaled $1.1 billion, increasing 41 percent from $782 million in 2007, which compared to $712 million in 2006," Duryee reports.

Considering Apple just passed Microsoft in market cap, the Microsoft shareholders should sue.

Real innovation. JMHO

There is not a single thing you could seriously call innovative in that hideous and purposeless device you linked. Couple that with the fact that it will probably move less than JooJoos 64 units, why did you even bother.

Did I miss anything? Oh yea: Since they're using nothing larger than the motherboard from a cell phone in it (see ifixit's tear-down) they could fit a huge battery in there.

One thing. The iPad will easily outsell the total of every other tablet computer ever produced. The response from the 500,000 to 1,000,000 (most recent estimate) people who have actually spent money on them is overwhelmingly positive.

When it wears out you won't be able to replace it, but they'll gladly collect another $100 from you to do it. So what is an iPad? An amazing profit maker for Apple, thanks to the suckers who buy it simply because Apple made it. If HP or Dell or ASUS or even Microsoft had done exactly the same thing you kids would be laughing and pointing and trashing it to no end.

How much does it cost to replace a dell battery? An Asus Battery?

A Dell mini-10 battery replacement will cost you between $129 and $149 depending on if you want it to last 1/3 or 1/2 as long as the iPad battery. People making these battery claims never take the 10 seconds to think about how ridiculous they are. You are now going to link me to some $80 dell knockoff battery. If you are paying for a replacement battery, your iPad is by definition out of warranty and there will be a plethora of third party companies performing replacements at a discounted price.

 

[applesupergeek]

Companies have been making them for years as was said. Hell, devices resembling tablets have been used on Star Trek. Take the Apple blinders off.

word. Tablets are nothing new

Fanboi fail.

BTW, the Steve Balmer video was produced before the iPad was released. So not sure what the OP is thinking. Way to much drinking the apple koolaid!

People like you make Apple fans look bad.
"OH LOL Apple did everything first and better than its competitors! LOL @ copycats!!!"
That sentiment is so immature and misinformed. As all have said, tablets have been around for YEARS.

Congratulate yourself for your moronic comments, about ipad not being anything new, and being another tablet, as well as offending people for fan-boyism.

So from the first couple of secs of the posted video and straight from the fat horses mouth (Balmer):

NEW form factors that are coming THIS YEAR in what we would call slate pcs....

Did he say, see our new range of tablets anywhere? But of course you are all too quick to jump on the guys throat without actually bothering to click the link and listen to what monoposoft's evangelist has got to say.

But that's envy for you, because apple has a great product out getting rave reviews and selling like crazy. And every other one combined don't have even a spec sheet of some vapourware product that can match it, let alone a real product out there....

 

[4DThinker]

One thing. The iPad will easily outsell the total of every other tablet computer ever produced. The response from the 500,000 to 1,000,000 (most recent estimate) people who have actually spent money on them is overwhelmingly positive.

Hey, thanks for saying it twice. Doesn't help though. The iPad is still overpriced for what you get and buggy. Do you read the other threads in this forum? Innovation: Not going backwards in time. Realizing that usb ports on a tablet are unsightly when used but incredibly useful, and sticking several inside the top half where your dongles can stay hidden but functional. Designing the screen to detach and switch to a more finger-friendly UI. Designing the screen to re-attach backwards so the keyboard can serve as a stand while watching movies. Including the keyboard for $100 less than a basic iPad without one. Touchbook Tablet weighs 1.49 lbs. Keyboard weighs 1.64 lbs. How much does an iPad + the keyboard dock weigh? Does the keyboard dock fold nicely down against the iPad to protect it? Innovation: Rare earth magnet attachment points to let you hang the screen on any metal surface. Thickness is something to hold onto, and although thin looks better to some it is irrelivent in consideration of ergonomics, unless you want to start talking about hand-cramp warnings that Apple ships with some devices. Make a C with either hand, with your thumb parallel to the other fingers as if you had a tablet in it. At rest (where there is no exertion from your thumb) I'll bet it rests closer to 3/4" from the fingers than 1/4". In other words, it's actually easier to hold thicker devices than the ipad is, so long as the weight is comparable.

Will they sell any? I have no idea. Mine is backordered as apparently they can't keep up with demand. Don't buy one though. You might accidently like it. Spend three times as much to get still less functionality.

 

[Eye4Desyn]

iPhone/Touch: Hold in one hand, and control with the thumb on that hand. iPad: Hold in one hand, and use the other to reach across the screen for icons and app controls. Net efficency loss. Any Win or mac OS device: Move a mouse less than an inch to access any control on the screen. Apple is still stuck in that icon array mode believing that messing with it would confuse potential customers. Looks like it might, seeing who have already bought one.

Yes, Apple has been toying with tablet ideas since the Newton. Even Steve Jobs didn't believe their designs had a chance until he saw how well the iPhone and the app developers were doing, and the suggestion of simply making a big Touch that could suckle from it's mother (iPhone apps) was what moved them to a marketable device. That, the cost of technology, and the falling profits off the aging iPhone (thanks to android's growth) all fell in place to make this the year of tablet.

I've looked VERY close at several iPads. My college tech store has three on display. I've spent more than enough time playing with them, examining the specs, talking to potential and actual buyers, and sales people who sell them to know what an iPad is and what an iPad isn't:

It's a Mac netbook. They swapped out mac OSX and replaced it with the less capable iPhone OS. They took off the keyboard so you could pay them extra for it later. They eliminated any printer driver support in what I'll guess is an effort to be "greener" and save trees. They eliminated any USB ports, SD slots, VGA outputs, so they could charge extra for them later. They sealed the case so owners can't upgrade their own memory, and eliminated native network sharing access to force you to use iTunes and (reluctantly) 3rd party apps for all your content. Then they doubled the price (compared to a netbook). Lastly, they inflicted it with that Apple-only dock connector that forces you and every 3rd party device maker to pay them a licensing fee just to make/sell a compatible device that uses it.

Did I miss anything? Oh yea: Since they're using nothing larger than the motherboard from a cell phone in it (see ifixit's tear-down) they could fit a huge battery in there. When it wears out you won't be able to replace it, but they'll gladly collect another $100 from you to do it. So what is an iPad? An amazing profit maker for Apple, thanks to the suckers who buy it simply because Apple made it. If HP or Dell or ASUS or even Microsoft had done exactly the same thing you kids would be laughing and pointing and trashing it to no end.

With all due respect, I think you have an interesting counterpoint. However, perception is one's reality. The sort of locked down device you describe the iPad to be is ,to some degree, a bit misguided. Rather, I'd like to ask you this. If a company such as Apple leverages their ability to make not only beautiful but functional products that excel in end-user experience, then what is the significance of having the ability to swap out memory and/or modify components, etc? What purpose would that serve? If consumers had a way to access and change these things on the device then Apple missed it. It opens the door (no pun intended) for hardware and software to not communicate and perform beautifully as they see it. Sure, it seems arrogant - bold even. But it speaks volumes about how they stand behind what they build - there's no need for consumer or 3rd party hardware intervention to damage reliability or longevity of their products/devices. Seems to me, a lot of people are fine with that, as am I.

 

[applesupergeek]

People like you make Apple fans look bad.

"OH LOL Apple did everything first and better than its competitors! LOL @ copycats!!!"

That sentiment is so immature and misinformed. As all have said, tablets have been around for YEARS.

Fanboi fail.

Hey, thanks for saying it twice. Doesn't help though. The iPad is still overpriced for what you get and buggy.

What the heck are you talking about, have you seen the speck costs (the updated ones), do you think ips screen, ten hours battery life, and custom cpus are cheap? Let alone ten years of development and research. It's a steal, that's why no one has managed to copy it and undercut the price yet. And overpriced also in terms of what? What are the viable alternatives? NONE.

And buggy? Buggy? I 've not read on review that mentions that, and we are talking about about a first gen device. Where you pulling all that out of?