The Pad!?

[HowBoutIt?]

I see that the Pad will be able to connect to the Internet by WiFi, 3G and some ways for TV but I do not understand that one at all. Can someone tell me if the ways to connect to the Internet already be ready to use out of the box? What is cellular 3G? I have a data card I plug into the USB port and it connects me to Verizon's 3G network. (but I do not use it for my cell phone). I wish it was better in my apartment which has a dozen windows and is super small-just a studio apartment, but I guess that is one downfall of 3G. A little antenna I purchased at Radio shack has helped a lot.

Anybody know any good sounding speakers and headphones that will be able to be used with the Pad?

Is the "Capacity" which is 16, 32, & 64 GB kind-of the equivalent of a hard drive size? What actually do they men by a flash drive? I thought that was a "stick" you put in a port in a computer and it allowed one to store or back-up data on the machine it is in. I know this probably sounds really childish.

I have looked all of these questions but some I did not understand the answers. Hence this post.

 

[Sambo110]

Capacity is the hard drive, it is just flash memory. So you get 16, 32 or 64 gigs hard drive space. If you have a 3G iPad, you can get a data plan to connect to the internet on it.

 

[admanimal]

The version of the iPad that will go on sale first will be able to connect to the internet via regular WiFi out of the box. The other version (WiFi + 3G) that goes on sale about a month later will also support connecting via 3G out of the box. This is the same idea as your Verizon USB data card, except the iPad does not require you to plug in any extra cards to make it work. However, you will have to pay for AT&T service to make it work (either $15 or $30/month, with no contract so you can only pay for months where you will actually use it).

The iPad uses flash memory as its primary storage (i.e. hard drive). This is pretty much the same kind of storage that comes in flash drives, except it is built-in to the iPad.

 

[WytRaven]

Anybody know any good sounding speakers and headphones that will be able to be used with the Pad?

There are no audio docks available yet but as was the case with iPods/iPhones (possibly more so) there are likely to be many options to choose from soon. The iPad can present a very nice front end for the audio system itself so all the dock needs to do is provide, power, a nice amp, and some decent speakers (maybe a remote) and you're good to go.

As for headphones you can use any headphones you like. Options range from the **** end at a couple of $ each up to thousands of dollars. Sony, Phillips, and Sennheiser all produce decent phones in the mid range of AU$75 - AU$200.

Do a little research and read some reviews, paying attention to features you want as each set are going to be better at some things than others. Do you want enhanced bass? Focus on accurate reproduction? Sweet mids? Ear splitting highs? It will depend on what music you listen to the most I guess.

The only thing they must have is a mini-phono plug (1/8") to insert into the pad.

 

[HowBoutIt?]

There are no audio docks available yet but as was the case with iPods/iPhones (possibly more so) there are likely to be many options to choose from soon. The iPad can present a very nice front end for the audio system itself so all the dock needs to do is provide, power, a nice amp, and some decent speakers (maybe a remote) and you're good to go.

As for headphones you can use any headphones you like. Options range from the **** end at a couple of $ each up to thousands of dollars. Sony, Phillips, and Sennheiser all produce decent phones in the mid range of AU$75 - AU$200.

Do a little research and read some reviews, paying attention to features you want as each set are going to be better at some things than others. Do you want enhanced bass? Focus on accurate reproduction? Sweet mids? Ear splitting highs? It will depend on what music you listen to the most I guess.

The only thing they must have is a mini-phono plug (1/8") to insert into the pad.

WytRaven- I have done some research...Hence my post. I did not understand if the headphone plug is standard or will it require a connector device? I was looking at Dr Dre. Studio headphones. I have no idea if they are good but a few forums I looked at rated them as awesome. And the posts seemed pretty legit.

Is it possible to use the iPad like a MBP 13"? I was just ready to press the purchase button to buy a 13" MBP that I configured. I saw the tape Mr. Jobs had on the Pad and I canceled the 13"MBP. Now I am really confused.

I am still not clear if one can get wifi from a hotspot or if they have to sign up to a plan from ATT for any kind of internet connection. I know, I am slow but I want to make the right choice.

 

[citi]

WytRaven- I have done some research...Hence my post. I did not understand if the headphone plug is standard or will it require a connector device? I was looking at Dr Dre. Studio headphones. I have no idea if they are good but a few forums I looked at rated them as awesome. And the posts seemed pretty legit.

Is it possible to use the iPad like a MBP 13"? I was just ready to press the purchase button to buy a 13" MBP that I configured. I saw the tape Mr. Jobs had on the Pad and I canceled the 13"MBP. Now I am really confused.

I am still not clear if one can get wifi from a hotspot or if they have to sign up to a plan from ATT for any kind of internet connection. I know, I am slow but I want to make the right choice.

The headphones are overpriced. You be better off with some Sony MDR7506.

 

[WytRaven]

I am still not clear if one can get wifi from a hotspot or if they have to sign up to a plan from ATT for any kind of internet connection. I know, I am slow but I want to make the right choice.

The WiFi version is limited to connection with any WiFi access point for which you are authorised to use. The WiFi+3G can do the same but can also use the mobile 3G network (via an agreement with a provider) to access the net in the absence of a WiFi access point.

 

[Redbeastmage]

WytRaven- I have done some research...Hence my post. I did not understand if the headphone plug is standard or will it require a connector device? I was looking at Dr Dre. Studio headphones. I have no idea if they are good but a few forums I looked at rated them as awesome. And the posts seemed pretty legit.

Is it possible to use the iPad like a MBP 13"? I was just ready to press the purchase button to buy a 13" MBP that I configured. I saw the tape Mr. Jobs had on the Pad and I canceled the 13"MBP. Now I am really confused.

I am still not clear if one can get wifi from a hotspot or if they have to sign up to a plan from ATT for any kind of internet connection. I know, I am slow but I want to make the right choice.

Almost any good pair of headphones will need an adaptor, as they usually come as 1/4", and the iPad (as well as all macbooks) use 1/8". Many of them come with adaptors, and if not you can pick one up from radioshack or the like for $5. And to throw in my own suggestion, ultrasone PRO 750's are the best headphones i've ever owned, and I'm sure the more reasonably priced 550s are good too.

As for as connection to the web, the wi-fi model will be just like a regular macbook, connecting at any wifi hotspot, or on a home wireless network. The 3G model, coming out late april, will give you a pay-as-you-go monthly plan of $15/$30 for limited/unlimated data. Exact amount of the limited plan are on the ipad page.

 

[Hmac]

Is it possible to use the iPad like a MBP 13"? I was just ready to press the purchase button to buy a 13" MBP that I configured. I saw the tape Mr. Jobs had on the Pad and I canceled the 13"MBP. Now I am really confused.

I suppose some functions of a laptop computer could be accomplished with an iPad, but the two things are completely different devices with different purposes. A Macbook Pro will do everything an iPad will, but the reverse is not true. An iPad might take the place of a laptop, depending on your computing needs.

I am still not clear if one can get wifi from a hotspot or if they have to sign up to a plan from ATT for any kind of internet connection. I know, I am slow but I want to make the right choice.

"Hotspots" are typically wifi access points and often they are only available to people who have a subscription The name "Hotspot" is trademarked by T-Mobile. There are many, many other wireless access points where you can use your MacBook Pro or iPad. Many of them may be free, like at many coffee houses. You can have your own wireless access point in your home by getting a wireless router for your internet connection.

 

[melman101]

Yeah, if you don't have any computer's yet, you should not get an iPad. It's limited in functions. It's between an iPhone and a Macbook, according to Steve Jobs' keynote.

That is to say, if you already have a computer, the iPad is an awesome compliment .