Talking to People about Ipad today- Universal Hostility to It..

[needthephone]

At work the Ipad came up in conversation a lot and quite honestly if the rest of the world thinks the same then apple have problems.

Most see it as a cynical attempt to get people to buy more stuff from apple ie ebooks, music videos .

It's just a Toy came up,

The biggest reaction was to the lack of camera. Just what is this things point without one.

People wanted to replace their lap tops or at least netbooks with a proper Tablet computer. This is just an entertainment machine.

No honestly apple should not expect lines around the block with this.

More worrying for apple is that us ardent apple fan boys were the most passionate in our critisism. If you see the negative v positive counts for the various thread commens in MR even they are overwhelmingly negative,

 

[topherg]

Same here, I was talking about the ipad today at work and another coworker chimed in with "what are you talking about? Ipad, is that a joke... what a stupid name! I heard about it on the radio and thought they were kidding!" Most people I spoke to today said they have an iphone or ipod that does the same thing the ipad will do so whats the point!?

 

[jb1280]

and the anecdotal "universality" in my office has been that people are pleasantly surprised by the announcement.

 

[topherg]

and the anecdotal "universality" in my office has been that people are pleasantly surprised by the announcement.

do you work in cupertino at apple?

 

[liquidsuns]

As soon as people actually see it and use it, they might start changing their minds a bit.

 

[talkingfuture]

I personally don't get much of the criticism of it. It is exactly what I wanted it to be, ie an iPod touch that has a screen big enough to do most of my web browsing without having to bother using my computer and a screen that is big enough to watch films or TV around the house comfortably. I'll be buying one at launch and my iMac will be used a lot less because of it.

I'm probably the only person who doesn't care one bit about the lack of camera. It wouldn't be any good for taking decent photos and I have no desire to video conference anytime soon.

But each to their own, I can understand why some people wouldn't like it while to me it is almost perfect.

I think its biggest problem is the lack of secrecy before launch - too many people built up too many expectations of what it was going to be. If it had been a complete surprise and people had no preconceptions it may have had a more positive reaction.

 

[admanimal]

The biggest reaction was to the lack of camera. Just what is this things point without one.

People wanted to replace their lap tops or at least netbooks with a proper Tablet computer. This is just an entertainment machine.

All it does is let you browse the web, check your email, view photos, listen to music, etc. You know, about 80% of what 80% of computer users are usually doing on their computers.

This doesn't even take into consideration future iPad-specific apps, which people are severely underestimating.

 

[Hawkwind]

Some of my techie colleagues also reflect the above feelings.

However, I can't help thinking that in an office of computer literates, I'm not getting a genuine snapshot of the market that Apple are looking to

Interesting that our marketing director said that this product will almost certainly capture the imagination of the general public and be a winner for Apple. The guy is no fool, he's seen it all over the years.

 

[admanimal]

Some of my techie colleagues also reflect the above feelings.

The iPad is to techies* as the microwave is to professional chefs. They can turn up their noses to it all they want, but the fact is that it is perfect for the common consumer.

*Many techies do actually appreciate the simplicity of a device like the iPad, while others will have an aversion to it

 

[Hammie]

I could care less about the camera. If I want to take pictures, guess what... I use a camera.

I've never even used the camera on my iPhone. Actually not even sure how to access it.

I personally see this device being a hit with users who want to surf the Internet, check e-mail, maybe play a couple games, watch a movie, etc.

People don't need OS X for that stuff.

This will not be a corporate device. This is a family device. Period.

I can see where a lot of the complaints are coming from, but for normal everyday users like my wife or 8 year old son (heck, maybe even my 6 year old son), this is a prefect device. I even feel it is perfect for me for what I would want it for... chilling out and relaxing.

I'm not going to use this for heavy gaming, intense photo editing, sales presentations, code writing, multitasking, or video editing. I have a dedicated laptop or desktop for that stuff. Besides, am I really going to want to do that on a 10" screen? Puh-lease. A 17" laptop or 23" desktop monitor is too small most of the time.

This thing is going to be used to those brainless times in the day where I want to just escape away into the Internet. BTW, I'd like to know where all these flash sites everyone is complaining about. I've come across only ONE since I got my iPhone 3GS on release day and it was no big loss to me since it was just the Mercedes Benz web site.

I could be wrong and YMMV.

EDIT: Oh, and I feel that apps that will become available for the larger screen will just blow out minds.

 

[netdog]

Everybody I've talked to about the iPad is excited about it.

 

[Palm Pimp]

As soon as people actually see it and use it, they might start changing their minds a bit.

Yeah, they'd be even more pissed.

 

[agkm800]

This doesn't even take into consideration future iPad-specific apps, which people are severely underestimating.

I must agree.

Ingenious 3rd party apps will save the ugly device.

 

[Indifferent]

LMAO

When "these people" see it, use it and realise its potential, they will want it.

I agree with the comments about underestimating the sheer wonder that will be realised when some good Apps are released.

 

[lordgaino]

Most people cant think out of the box... and those people arguing about multitasking, or flash, or the lack of a camera are MISSING THE POINT.

Apple are planning for the iPad to be to printed media, what the iPod was to music.

The idea behind the iPad is clearly to drive people to consume printed media electronically. Newspapers, magazines, periodicals, books etc. It is interesting that despite the mass growth of the internet, MOST people still buy physical newspapers and magazines, and accumulate a huge collection of books during their lifetime.

This will all go electronic and apple will be the biggest media distributor in the world via itunes.

 

[ss957916]

I could care less about the camera. If I want to take pictures, guess what... I use a camera.

And if I want to multitask, guess what... I use a laptop.
And if I want to browse flash, guess what... I use a laptop.
And if I want to use all my usual apps like Photoshop etc., guess what... I use a laptop.
And if I want to send an SMS, guess what... use my iPhone.
And if I want to make a phone call, guess what... use my iPhone.
And if I.... well, you get the point.

To have an iPad, one NEEDS to have a computer. The iPad doesn't make calls etc., so one also needs a phone. So I simply don't see the point of the iPad when, between the two other devices that everyone has, they can do everything the iPad can do and more.

 

[Hammie]

And if I want to multitask, guess what... I use a laptop.
And if I want to browse flash, guess what... I use a laptop.
And if I want to use all my usual apps like Photoshop etc., guess what... I use a laptop.
And if I want to send an SMS, guess what... use my iPhone.
And if I want to make a phone call, guess what... use my iPhone.
And if I.... well, you get the point.

To have an iPad, one NEEDS to have a computer. The iPad doesn't make calls etc., so one also needs a phone. So I simply don't see the point of the iPad when, between the two other devices that everyone has, they can do everything the iPad can do and more.

But I really don't want to lug a laptop around when I'm out shopping with my wife, or waiting for my son to finish his piano lessons, or swimming lessons, or soccer practices. I'm going to want the iPad because of the larger screen.

Why the heck would I want to put a 10" device up to my ear to make phone calls?

The iPad has its place and I see it being very successful.

My wife has a Kindle DX and she will pull it out of her purse while waiting in line at the grocery store, or the mall, or whenever she has a moment where she has to wait for something. I can see the iPad serving the same function. No boot up time... Quick in and quick out mentality. WIN!!!

 

[CrackedButter]

I'm glad there are haters, I'll get mine quicker after I pre-order it.

But last night I was called a fanboy straight out for wanting it. But the person calling me is a PC/linux guru. He will play with it when I get it but he won't be getting one (so he says) . My photographer friends don't care, they are just amazed by it and my family know I'll get it and don't know what a fanboy is.

 

[greygray]

^ Louhamilton: Who said the iPad could make calls?

OP: I believe that these people who complain about the iPad will appreciate it when they use it personally.

 

[arkitect]

Hostility?
Must say I haven't come across any.

But then again the people I deal with daily are perhaps a tad more worldly-wise and experienced.

Yes, most (including myself) are perplexed that there is no camera — for video/Skype. And the name is just… odd.

Anyway. I'll reserve any "hostility" until I get to hold and try one out.

Till then can't wait.

 

[Hammie]

^ Louhamilton: Who said the iPad could make calls?

OP: I believe that these people who complain about the iPad will appreciate it when they use it personally.

Nobody said it could make calls, but I've seen a lot of complaints because it CAN'T make calls.

Personally, I would not want a device of this size to be able to make calls. I mean I guess you can load the Vonage or Google Voice app and use a mic'd headset. Maybe Cisco should develop a softphone app for it.

 

[wizard]

Right on! Comparing this tablet to an iPhone is stupid.

All it does is let you browse the web, check your email, view photos, listen to music, etc. You know, about 80% of what 80% of computer users are usually doing on their computers.

I agree but think your percentages are off in the extreme. IPad could easily take care if 100% of some owners need. It of course depends upon the user and his specific needs.

Then you have that segment of the population where one computer has never served all their needs. I know of one gal with a beautiful iMac that also owns a netbook even though that netbook never leaves the house. Still both computers get used.

This doesn't even take into consideration future iPad-specific apps, which people are severely underestimating.

This was an issue before iPad was ever released because we kept hearing that iPhone apps aren't real programs. That of course demonstrates incredible ignorance because they do not understand the incredible capability of IPhone OS nor the limitations screen size puts in a program. Even without the extensions seen in the 3.2 SDK iPhone OS could have really leveraged a bigger screen. The stop gap features added to 3.2 though provide for some really nice features and far easier use of gestures, so good iPad specific software should come to us even faster.

That is all well and good but doesn't take into consideration iPhone IS 4.0 which should be very interesting indeed. From my perspective iPhone IS 3.2 is just a stop gap measure, as such people shouldn't get hung up on it's capabilities. By mid year I expect that iPad will have a slightly different personality and vastly improved capability.

There are only two things that have truely disappointed me with respect to iPads release. On is the stingy allotment of flash across the line up. The other is the tech specs being kept under wraps, especially RAM and processor info.


Dave

 

[ScottNWDW]

Personally I am looking forward to seeing the iPad and I am seriously considering getting one as well. Probably the 64GB 3G.

I don't care about a camera and don't get why people think that every portable electronic device be it an iPhone, cellphone, blackberry, kindle, iPod, etc has to have a camera these days. If you want to take pictures by a camera. Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Kodak all have great devices for taking pictures. Everyday I see silly people who spend thousands of dollars to come to Disney World and they are taking their vacation pictures on a cell phone. I have used my iPhone camera maybe 10 times in the almost 18 months that I have had it

For me the iPad will be the perfect medium when carrying the laptop is too much and the iPhone is too small. It'll be great when flying on an airplane, a lot easier than pulling out a laptop or trying to watch a movie on the iPhone. In addition to that, the size will be perfect for reading. I'd rather get the iPad than a Kindle or one of the other readers that are out there. iPhone apps are fantastic and I am sure when iPad specific apps come out they will be fantastic as well. I am doing more on my iPhone then I ever thought I would (and I am not talking gaiming here). Since these apps will reportedly also work on the iPad it'll be great!.

I was considering buying a MacBook to replace my Windows 7 laptop, but may consider the iPad instead as it will fit in better with what I like to do on the go. I will eventually get the MacBook, but my current laptop still has 2-3 years of life in it.

 

[Nasus]

"The iPad has its place and I see it being very successful."


I COULDN'T AGREE MORE! This is the device I've been waiting for. I tried the mainstream Netbook thing and hated them so I sold mine and I have sat back and waited. I knew Apple would come out with something. I don't want to carry a laptop when I travel. I wanted something light weight and easy to use with the storage to dump, view and send photos when I travel. If the price of the data plan holds true - that's just freaken awesome. That's $30 less a month than I'm paying now via AT&T.

I don't have an iPhone or an iPod Touch - didn't need them and they are way to small for viewing photos (wait until your 50 you'll see what I mean) and if this was just another version of the "tablet PC" I wouldn't need that either. No camera - I've never used mine on either my iMac or MacBook or my PC so thats a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

Like any of Apples other products, the iPad will evolve. Yeah the name is cheezie and I'd really like to see them eventually bump up the storage capacity but at first glance I'm pleasantly surprised.

 

[King Mook Mook]

The people I talked to when they heard about the Apple tablet, thought it was in reference to a health supplement and wondered why it had gotten such big news coverage.

But once I told them about what it actually was they hated the huge bezel and said they didn't need a huge iPod touch!