The Answer to a Question That Nobody Asked?

[stevento]

I am the only one who feels this way about the iPad? That there's just no need for it. I don't see any reason to buy it nor do I anticipate any future need for it. I simply couldn't imagine any situation that would call for an iPad.

Of course die hardcore mac fans will be lining up outside the stores to buy it just because apple made it. But how many of those people are really out there?

I've heard talk of the iPad battling the Kindle. But the iPad is not a Kindle. The screen of a Kindle is designed to look like ink on paper. You can stare at it for hours on end without your eyes getting tired. The iPad is a backlit LCD screen - just like your iPhone. That's all the iPad is, just a stretched out iPod touch. Try staring at your iPhone screen for 3 hours continuously.

The Kindle can be used for weeks without being charged (as long as you're not using the wireless), and there's no way an iPad can claim even half that battery life.

I just can't imagine why anybody in a boardroom meeting would raise their hand and say, "I think we should create a tablet computer/palm pilot and call it the iPad"

 

[bossxii]

So did you miss CES 2010? I think every company out there is working on their own "tablet" of one sort or another.

If these types of devices were such a bad idea, Apple, HP, Dell, Archos, Leveno, MSI and the list goes on.... wouldn't be coming to market with one.

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to go with the actual companies that know there is a market vs someone disappointed with the launch of the iPad.

Just because you cannot see a use for it in your life, does not mean others can't.

 

[marksman]

Yes I will Marry You Steve.

 

[MTI]

No, they sat around in a meeting and discussed . . . if consumers are willing to buy shiploads of crappy netbooks that have tiny screens, lousy keyboards and no drives . . . is there a business opportunity for our company?

I venture the answer was "yes."

Is there an existing market, with growth potential, to sell a device to customers that don't need to run Adobe CS, Final Cut or Logic Studio, but do want to wirelessly access the web and buy stuff from iTunes? And have a cool device to boot? And not have to learn an OS? You betcha.

 

[marksman]

As for the other stuff.

The iPad has a 30 day standby life on battery. Which is longer than the kindle ever lasted for me in Standby.

If you can't figure out one reason why you could ue the iPad, then you are not trying very hard at all.

Don't be so lazy. Keep thinking about it. Something is bound to come to you.

They created it because it fills a gap between laptops and handheld devices. A gap where people with a handheld go, "That is cool, but I wish I had a bigger screen." Or, that would be cool, but I don't want to drag the laptop out.

It fits nicely in the middle, and unlike the netbook failure, they took a device people liked using and made it bigger and enhanced it. Netbooks did the opposite. They took a device people liked using, laptops, and made it smaller and less useful.

 

[stevento]

Didn't HP already try this though?

 

[MTI]

Didn't HP already try this though?

Don't forget, it was HP that relabled iPods, too.

 

[happyslayer]

I own a Kindle2 (6") and have read many books on it.

I run the Kindle App on my iPhone and have read two complete books on it. Other than the dramatic amount of page flips because of the tiny screen, the experience was fine. I have also read a full novel on my MacBook Air... and other than the "not quite right" feeling of reading off the laptop screen, my eyes didn't notice the strain. (I do tend to dim the screen quite a bit though... especially at night.)

I will agree that the Kindle screen is probably better not being backlit, but I don't think the iPad will be that much worse. Also, I will finally be able to read in bed at night on a decent sized screen without an external light as is required for the Kindle.

I am a fan of Apple (not a fan-boy I think since my primary, most used computer is my Windows7 desktop) and I am very excited to get an iPad. It is a lot like a large iPod touch, but I always thought the touch was too small. (The iPhone should be small since it's a phone primarily)

Just my thoughts...

 

[marksman]

Happy slayer does make a good point.

What if the iPod Touch did not exist and this came out as the iPod touch.

The response would be significantly different from a lot of people I suspect.

Same device, same size, same price.

 

[johnnyhow]

If what they said was true, then 10 hours of video makes thus thing worth if for long trips.

 

[t0mat0]

It's a solution and device for content not yet made, but will Be on the back of its release for starters.

It will do ome things better. It isn't an eink screetheBan the kindle do video? No one can deny that the iPad won't do video better than the iPhone or the kindle. The Kindle can't do color. It's a one trick pony. Yes, the dpi is lower, but the font handling may be better.

it isn't for Everyone. But not being right personally doesn't mean it won't be tight or many many other users.

 

[TheChillPill]

The purpose of this device, to me, fills several 'markets'.

Personally, I see myself using it for surfing the web in the lounge each evening, looking at emails etc. This is the time when my iPhone isn't really big enough, but a laptop on my knee for any extended period is too uncomfortable and/or overkill.

It's ideal for people that travel a lot and want to keep up with email, tv shows etc but have no need for everything else a laptop gives them. BBC iPlayer on this is going to be a significantly better experience than it is on the iPhone or iPod touch, for example.

Also - everything is gradually moving to 'the cloud' now. Business apps such as Spreadsheets, Word processing etc can all be done online. A laptop and installed software simply isn't needed anymore - and you have the reliance that all your data won't be lost if your laptop is stolen. I suspect we'll see remote wipe and such like for the iPad too.

 

[agkm800]

People don't always buy stuff because they 'need' it.

Half the stuffs I own, I actually can live without.

 

[PhoneyBoy]

I am the only one who feels this way about the iPad? That there's just no need for it. I don't see any reason to buy it nor do I anticipate any future need for it. I simply couldn't imagine any situation that would call for an iPad.

Of course die hardcore mac fans will be lining up outside the stores to buy it just because apple made it. But how many of those people are really out there?

I've heard talk of the iPad battling the Kindle. But the iPad is not a Kindle. The screen of a Kindle is designed to look like ink on paper. You can stare at it for hours on end without your eyes getting tired. The iPad is a backlit LCD screen - just like your iPhone. That's all the iPad is, just a stretched out iPod touch. Try staring at your iPhone screen for 3 hours continuously.

The Kindle can be used for weeks without being charged (as long as you're not using the wireless), and there's no way an iPad can claim even half that battery life.

I just can't imagine why anybody in a boardroom meeting would raise their hand and say, "I think we should create a tablet computer/palm pilot and call it the iPad"

Then the iPad is not for you, just as many other products on sale in the world are not for you. Not everything Apple makes will be something you need or want.

I on the other hand can think of a great many reasons for me to have an iPad :-

It will be much nicer to use around the house. Rather than sitting at the iMac or having a heavy / hot MacBook on my lap. I can now sit on the sofa nice an comfy with a light and very easy to use device.

I will use it to :-

Surf the web in comfort, better user interface than a mouse and keyboard, more intuitive. I can leave it on the coffee table and just pick it up when I want to look at or send emails, surf, etc. Much better than having to go to the iMac or get out the laptop (which I don't want lying around).

Read books on it. Something I will do a lot as I am a big reader.

Control my Apple TV and iTunes on the computer. We already have apps for this, now I have a fantastic controller, no need to get up to the computer to control my music, take it around the house with me.

Use all the great apps I have bought, including games which will be SO much better on the bigger screen. This device is a killer games machine, there is no handheld games machine on the market than can match it. It will be a huge seller for games alone, just as the iPod touch is.

To be able to use it to show my photos is also great. I hate to drag my laptop around just to show photos, this will be a real treat to use. It also will allow me to load photos / video to the device while on holiday. Maybe once some more apps come out we can edit them as well then post to the web.

Having the calendar and contacts so readily to hand is also very useful. I can see these devices being sat in people's lounges and dens, just ready to be picked up and used. They will be the 'thing' to have. The new appliance.

We also need to think about what other Apps are going to be coming and what will OS 4.0 give us. Look how much the original iPhone moved forward, we will see the same with the iPad. You just need to use your imagination and the possibilities are endless.

 

[macadam212]

I am the only one who feels this way about the iPad? That there's just no need for it. I don't see any reason to buy it nor do I anticipate any future need for it. I simply couldn't imagine any situation that would call for an iPad.

Of course die hardcore mac fans will be lining up outside the stores to buy it just because apple made it. But how many of those people are really out there?

I've heard talk of the iPad battling the Kindle. But the iPad is not a Kindle. The screen of a Kindle is designed to look like ink on paper. You can stare at it for hours on end without your eyes getting tired. The iPad is a backlit LCD screen - just like your iPhone. That's all the iPad is, just a stretched out iPod touch. Try staring at your iPhone screen for 3 hours continuously.

The Kindle can be used for weeks without being charged (as long as you're not using the wireless), and there's no way an iPad can claim even half that battery life.

I just can't imagine why anybody in a boardroom meeting would raise their hand and say, "I think we should create a tablet computer/palm pilot and call it the iPad"

YES there is, remember not everyone is like you, and we don't all have the same technology. I would get one, as I don't have a laptop, and I don't really need a Laptop either. Having said that, it would be nice to get away from the desk and use the net on the couch, or take this to see clients and show them the website I have been working on, or even demo a presentation. My girlfriend might want to use Facebook on it, or read a book in bed. In the kitchen it would be nice to follow a recipe that I found online without printing it off. Also if i'm on the move, I can use it like a netbook and surf, take notes or even use iWork to finish a couple of projects.

My point is that it is something that you keep laying around that anyone can use, for what ever reason. We have two iMac's, one is old and on it's way out, so do I buy my girlfriend a new one, because i'm always working on mine, or do I just get an iPad? I don't have an iPhone, but I wouldn't mind getting an iPad, and I think it would get used a lot!

 

[needthephone]

Have to say I agree.

I just can't think of a compelling enough reason to buy it.

They have biased it too much towards the touch/iphone OS whereas in my opinion (and I point out my record on producing game changing products can not really challenge apple's!) they should have made it more like a detuned Mac where you could do proper computing on it. You know proper folders, multiple applications open, usb ports even....

Not just play with a few throw away 1$ apps which are OK on the iphone but will tire pretty quickly on a bigger screen device.

And no front facing camera or phone function is just incredible.

I can not believe what a disappointment this is.

For me I am as equally negative about this as I was so hyped up and positive about seeing the iphone for the first time.

I wanted, I NEEDED an iphone.

I just don't want this and it does not excite me. WHY would I need it????

If it had a camera and a phone I could imagine using it for decent video conferencing where the big screen could make video talk a real useable communication medium.

I can not believe I'm saying this. I was so excited too..

I am a die hard apple fan boy which probably accounts for my almost anger at what apple have delivered here.

I watched the keynote and boy did it fall flat

Way below par.

Apple have blinked and made a serious error I reckon.

 

[PhoneyBoy]

Have to say I agree.

I just can't think of a compelling enough reason to buy it.

They have biased it too much towards the touch/iphone OS whereas in my opinion (and I point out my record on producing game changing products can not really challenge apple's!) they should have made it more like a detuned Mac where you could do proper computing on it. You know proper folders, multiple applications open, usb ports even....

Not just play with a few throw away 1$ apps which are OK on the iphone but will tire pretty quickly on a bigger screen device.

And no front facing camera or phone function is just incredible.

I can not believe what a disappointment this is.

For me I am as equally negative about this as I was so hyped up and positive about seeing the iphone for the first time.

I wanted, I NEEDED an iphone.

I just don't want this and it does not excite me. WHY would I need it????

If it had a camera and a phone I could imagine using it for decent video conferencing where the big screen could make video talk a real useable communication medium.

I can not believe I'm saying this. I was so excited too..

I am a die hard apple fan boy which probably accounts for my almost anger at what apple have delivered here.

I watched the keynote and boy did it fall flat

Way below par.

Apple have blinked and made a serious error I reckon.

Fine it is not for you, but it will be perfect for others, like me.

The device you describe I would not buy either, I don't wan't a cut down laptop, I already have a laptop. I want a new device, something that is just there ready for use for those everyday things.

 

[greygray]

Granny's apple-scented sanitary pad.

 

[rdowns]

So many fail to see the bigger picture. Apple is simply making cool devices that can all access their future cash cows, iTunes Music Store, App Store and iBook Store. Don't listen to the man behind the curtain when he tells you Apple operates these at a bit above cost.

Apple is training future generations on content consumption. There are millions of teens and 20 somethings who have probably never bought music, TV show or movie and where but the iTMS. They've likely never used anything other than their iPod to listen to music. They've never owned a phone except for their iPhones.

Some of these devices will fit your lifestyle, some won't. But I bet at least one or two do.

 

[maflynn]

I've been saying that well before the rumors were swirling around a supposed apple tablet computer.

Tablet computers are a solution in search of a problem and each time they've failed. Perhaps the timing wasn't right and now will be different.

One thing is for sure, apple's tact is different then other vendors. Instead of cramming in a desktop OS into the tablet and making sacrifices to trying to make it work. They opted to extend the iphone OS and add that to their tablet computer.

There's pros and cons to both approaches and I'm not sure which one I prefer. At first I was leaning towards having the full OS and was disappointed with the ipad but as I slept and pondered the device, its starting to grow on me and I can see a place in my household for one. The real missing piece of the puzzle is the lack of flash, but there's already another thread about that.

 

[jalpert]

Actually, for people who travel I think this is a horrible device. If you want to watch movies the price of this device goes up quite a bit. $100 for 16 more GB, but $100 more than that for an additional 32GB, it's not a good value to buy a 32GB unit. Also, converting all your media files in iTunes is a pain.

If your on a long flight, you need a case, and you are probably going to put it in a bag. You need a case because that's what your stand is attached to. As for typing, good luck typing how they were typing in their keynote with your traytable. Unless you want to carry a case even though it's in a bag, and a full size keyboard which is just goofy I can't imagine traveling with this thing.

The battery life would be great

Maybe when it comes out I'll be proven wrong, but at this point it looks like nothing more than a very expensive toy.

The purpose of this device, to me, fills several 'markets'.

Personally, I see myself using it for surfing the web in the lounge each evening, looking at emails etc. This is the time when my iPhone isn't really big enough, but a laptop on my knee for any extended period is too uncomfortable and/or overkill.

It's ideal for people that travel a lot and want to keep up with email, tv shows etc but have no need for everything else a laptop gives them. BBC iPlayer on this is going to be a significantly better experience than it is on the iPhone or iPod touch, for example.

Also - everything is gradually moving to 'the cloud' now. Business apps such as Spreadsheets, Word processing etc can all be done online. A laptop and installed software simply isn't needed anymore - and you have the reliance that all your data won't be lost if your laptop is stolen. I suspect we'll see remote wipe and such like for the iPad too.

 

[Denarius]

Hmmm, well perhaps the iPad is the answer and nobody knows the question. By extension it's quite possible that it's the answer to life, the universe and everything.

 

[ss957916]

I want a new device, something that is just there ready for use for those everyday things.

A laptop, then.

 

[ss957916]

BBC iPlayer on this is going to be a significantly better experience than it is on the iPhone or iPod touch, for example.

How do you know this? I'd say it'll be exactly the same as on the iPhone (apart from size, obviously). If anything, at least on my MBP, which has Flash, I can also watch TVCatchup, ITV Player and 4OD as well as all the video clips/live news programming on the BBC News (and other) websites. Can't do that on the iPad.

 

[rtdunham]

answer to ques no one asked?

... don't see any reason to buy it nor do I anticipate any future need for it...

I think lots of people asked the question and got a different answer than you.

To address just one of your points, the kindle comparison: I frequently spend all day reading articles and blogs and writing on my computer. No, looking at my computer screen all day doesn't leave me disabled and curled in the corner.

It's not the second coming. But it's a nice product I'll find useful, and i think a lot of other folks will, too.