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My thoughts on the iPad.

S

sychee

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 7, 2008
74
0
I am a Pro Apple fan. When Apple announces the iPad, I were thrilled, thinking of how wonderful this touch screen device could fulfill my daily casual usage - surf the web, while at the same time using an IM.

A few days of use proves that I may be wrong. The iPad definitely provides the best web-surfing experience. However, it is also a great chore to switch between the IM and the Safari. Though Apple tries to address this via iPhone 4.0 firmware, by enabling double-clicking of the Home button to switch between apps, without going to the Home screen. But isn't it a bit annoying to keep switching between both apps? I mean why can't the IM just pop up on top of my current app, just like the way it works on my desktop. Intensive use of the Home button reduces its lifespan. I would hope that Apple could allow at least 1 app to appear on top of the current app in the size of the iPhone screen size. What do u think?
 
the way texts pop up on the iPhone right?


I wonder if it's in the General Settings fields for the app
 
danpass said:
the way texts pop up on the iPhone right?


I wonder if it's in the General Settings fields for the app
Click to expand...

I meant to enable us to make the entire IM app sticky - appears on top of the current app that I am using in full-screen mode.
 
Agreed. I see a lot of what Apple is calling "multitasking" not true multitasking. It can be argued that processes are running in the background. But with the added real estate - it would be nice to see more than one app at a time for something like IM + browsing. Or Twitter + Browsing, etc
 
I remember hearing rumors awhile back that Apple might put iChat on the iphone OS. If they do, I wouldn't be surprised if they allowed iChat the ability to pop up over an already open application. Since it would be Apple's own app, it could use private APIs that 3rd party apps wouldn't be allowed to use, APIs that weren't announced at the iPhone 4.0 event.

Also, the fact the new iPhone probably will have a front facing camera and ability to video chat, makes having iChat even more likely, since Apple would want an easy way for someone to video chat without downloading a 3rd party app.
 
I see what you are saying but I think it would be an ugly experience. Currently you get an IM, you get a popup that says view or close. Tap View, it takes you to your IM app, type your response, chat a bit, then go right back to browsing.

The home button will be fine, my iPhone is over 2 years old and the button feels like it did the first day I had it.

Apps on this platform are not designed to be 'windowed'.
 
The next question would be would you really want your chat to pop up over your page?

I personally would hate that feature, if it weren't an option to disable it at least.

I'd personally like to see something like a status bar dock. Mini icon of the apps I have open in the same area where the bluetooth and other icons are listed.

When I get a new msg it puts a number there like ichat on mac, or mail,txt, etc. on iphone/ipad. Then from there I can directly click back into the app.

I think something like that gives you direct access to whats going on without making switching to complicated or annoying.
 
I really like the iPad so far. I think the design is great and while the unit feels heavier than it is I do not mind the weight at all. There are three main gripes I have with the iPad:

Build quality- the materials are wonderful in typical Apple style, but as of late Apple quality is lacking. I had too many issues with dead pixels/dust on my iPads. It shouldn’t feel like Russian roulette when you buy one of these things.

Home button concept. This concept was wonderful back with the original iPhone with a 3 in screen, but feels very dated today on a 10 inch screen. I wouldn’t mind two or three buttons or a touch area below the screen (or on the sides of the screen) in order to perform some advanced functions.

Apps not designed for the iPad. These are almost unusable and Apple did a disservice by not allowing developers access to this device. There are a handful of good iPad apps, but so far (for my tastes and preferences) I am very underwhelmed.

Other than that I am really enjoying the iPad though. Great thread and hopefully we will hear more thoughts and comments.
 
re: Apps.

I do agree. While many do run (some are clearly better than others). To "Brag" that there are already x number of apps you can use while technically true is a tad off-mark.
 
OneMike said:
The next question would be would you really want your chat to pop up over your page?

I personally would hate that feature, if it weren't an option to disable it at least.

I'd personally like to see something like a status bar dock. Mini icon of the apps I have open in the same area where the bluetooth and other icons are listed.

When I get a new msg it puts a number there like ichat on mac, or mail,txt, etc. on iphone/ipad. Then from there I can directly click back into the app.

I think something like that gives you direct access to whats going on without making switching to complicated or annoying.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I remember someone suggested this years ago when the original iPhone was announced. Apple has not came out with any better task-switching idea than this. Yes, double-clicking certainly works, but isn't it more natural if we can use touch, instead of a separate action. Leave the button to applications that are displayed in full screen - with no status bar.
 
About the double-clicking, am I the only one who has trouble double-clicking? Half the time, when I try to double-click the home button, I end up making two single clicks instead, with unexpected and unwanted results.
 
An expose type move would be great. Pinch with a full hand, or use a downwards gesture with four fingers. It could show thumbnails of your open apps and you tap the one you want to switch to.
 
I'm probably going to get third degree burns from this admission, but I've had a Pre since October 2009 and I really have grown accustomed to, and enjoy using, WebOS and really appreciate how it solved multi-tasking.

The swipes/gestures feel natural. The card system is a perfect analogue for windowing on a smaller screen: swipe up then left or right to switch between cards (windows) which becomes second nature after like five seconds. It's elegant, efficient and works well for me. This is a complete guess, but as the engineering team was made up of mostly former iPhone engineers, I'll bet this solution was proposed for the first iPhone, and ultimately shot down. The messaging/alert system is brilliant, unobtrusive and very easy to manage.

I prefer iPhone OS, but wish it could integrate some of the best parts of WebOS, but hardware would have to change too and that won't be happening anytime soon.

I'll take Apple's solution, it's still better than nothing.
 
Night Spring said:
About the double-clicking, am I the only one who has trouble double-clicking? Half the time, when I try to double-click the home button, I end up making two single clicks instead, with unexpected and unwanted results.
Click to expand...

I have the same problem! I have to concentrate before performing this task.
 
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