The sentiment tide is clearly turning and I for one am glad

[anthonymoody]

The tenor of/in many of the threads on here has taken an undeniable turn for the positive. Thank god. The haters and the hate were really troubling, as was the short sightedness of so many of the POVs expressed.

I think a few things have happened:

1) Lots of haters and trolls got bored after the first few days spewing hate and have moved on to other things.

2) Very cool tidbits have come out of exploration of the SDK and supposed spare parts: software camera calls (full screen or overlay - basic multi-tasking anyone?), 6 apps in the dock, saving downloaded files, an empty camera socket, etc.

3) Omni Group's announcement that they'd develop their entire suite of applications for the iPad really underscored the most salient issue wrt screen size. SO MANY apps can become "real" applications, turning the iPad from a media consumer to a productivity tool, certainly powerful enough for most of the people most of the time.

4) Our minds are racing ahead pondering the possibilities. Multi-tasking in 4.0, the stand mockups, the camera mockups, etc.

I also predict that between now and the actual launch we'll get some more sizzle out of Apple to explain/encompass some of the functionality found in the SDK (if not also the camera). Maybe even 4.0. In other words, what we buy 60-90 days from now will be further improved from what Steve demonstrated the other day. Count on it.

I'm so excited that I plan to use my iPad as my primary computer on Day 1.

TM

 

[miles01110]

I'm so excited that I plan to use my iPad as my primary computer on Day 1.

Many of the naysayers have pretty good reasons. For many the iPad is just a waste of space and hype. Have fun using your iPad as a primary computer.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Uh, just because people who don't like it aren't complaining anymore doesn't mean the sentiment is turning. I still think it's a bad product, I just don't need to shout it to the world 12142435 times.

 

[lordhamster]

The tenor of/in many of the threads on here has taken an undeniable turn for the positive. Thank god. The haters and the hate were really troubling, as was the short sightedness of so many of the POVs expressed.

I think a few things have happened:

1) Lots of haters and trolls got bored after the first few days spewing hate and have moved on to other things.

2) Very cool tidbits have come out of exploration of the SDK and supposed spare parts: software camera calls (full screen or overlay - basic multi-tasking anyone?), 6 apps in the dock, saving downloaded files, an empty camera socket, etc.

3) Omni Group's announcement that they'd develop their entire suite of applications for the iPad really underscored the most salient issue wrt screen size. SO MANY apps can become "real" applications, turning the iPad from a media consumer to a productivity tool, certainly powerful enough for most of the people most of the time.

4) Our minds are racing ahead pondering the possibilities. Multi-tasking in 4.0, the stand mockups, the camera mockups, etc.

I also predict that between now and the actual launch we'll get some more sizzle out of Apple to explain/encompass some of the functionality found in the SDK (if not also the camera). Maybe even 4.0. In other words, what we buy 60-90 days from now will be further improved from what Steve demonstrated the other day. Count on it.

I'm so excited that I plan to use my iPad as my primary computer on Day 1.

TM

All good points. I think the problem is as a group it is safe to say those of us who read this site are tech-fans. So of course folks were all focused on the specs of the unit first. However what the iPad provides is really a blank slate (pun intended) upon which to build.

I'm an IT consultant and while I was at first a bit disappointed, the more I thought about it the more I came to realize that the iPad will fit my mobile needs perfectly.

1. It is light
2. Instant on
3. Will have tons of Apps I'm sure.
4. Anything I don't have on the iPad I can access via VNC or CITRIX.
5. This will definitely beat lugging around a netbook.

In situations where I need to do serious (sit at desk all day) work, I still will use my Macbook.

 

[Gav2k]

Many of the naysayers have pretty good reasons. For many the iPad is just a waste of space and hype. Have fun using your iPad as a primary computer.

Not everyone has a need for every device on the Market do they. Unfortunatly people like to voice there opinion if they don't like something. Happens everytime something new comes out.

 

[dgree03]

I think people are still trying to figure out why ipad "wanters" are making up reasons to like it and its obvious short falls...

 

[anthonymoody]

Many of the naysayers have pretty good reasons. For many the iPad is just a waste of space and hype.

Sure, and given reasoned thought most would be able to see past their reservations and understand that what the iPad can do right out of the box (to say nothing of what it will be able to do in say a year, after a deluge of real applications is released for it) is more than enough for most of the people most of the time.

People need to get out of their own way, and understand that their needs in almost all probability do not match the needs of most of the people most of the time. Almost none of us are "average" simply by virtue of being here on Macrumors. To think otherwise is preposterous.

And if the iPad won't do something you absolutely positively need it to do on a regular basis, then ponder two things:

1) Is it possible that said capability could be developed for it?
2) If not, don't buy one. Plain and simple. But don't pretend to know that your needs are the needs of the many.

Uh, just because people who don't like it aren't complaining anymore doesn't mean the sentiment is turning. I still think it's a bad product, I just don't need to shout it to the world 12142435 times.

Fair enough, and I for one appreciate that you've (collectively) reached whatever quota feels satisfying for you. It's allowed much more reasoned and level headed discussion to ensue.

That said, I disagree with you. The tide is turning. Read around - not just here in these threads - though it's here too - and you'll see lots of people saying things like "I was underwhelmed at first but the more I think about it the more I like it."

I'm an IT consultant and while I was at first a bit disappointed, the more I thought about it the more I came to realize that the iPad will fit my mobile needs perfectly.

Wow case in point, thanks

I think people are still trying to figure out why ipad "wanters" are making up reasons to like it and its obvious short falls...

LOL. Other than ripping media (a decreasing need in an increasingly digital world), and serving as a central store/media hub, there's nothing the iPad can't do that I need to do on a regular basis. And you know what? That makes me more like most people than not. How do you like them Apples?

 

[marksman]

Given time to think and go throughout their life a lot of people are realizing instances of where it would be useful to them.

People just like to jump to conclusions and not think things through and knee-jerk. Lets be honest, the average person is not good at broad visionary thinking so it can take some time to process things to figure out why it will be useful.

That is what helps with the timing of the announcement. I think it is about the right length of time to build up quite a bit of anticipation from those who were interested in it all along and those who were unsure and are now seeing why it could be beneficial. So the initial sales will be decent. That will not be ridiculously crazy, but they will sell quite a few and they will continue to sell them at a steady rate.

Once the full impact of the app developers gets seen, you will see a second wave of iPad purchasers that will make the product sales even stronger.

Between those two time frames and thereafter you will start seeing announcements about iPad killers and you will see the geek blogs touting their spec sheets, and the geek forums talking about how awesome it is going to be because their tablet runs os/2 and has a 50mp camera on all 6 sides of it.

 

[dgree03]

LOL. Other than ripping media (a decreasing need in an increasingly digital world), and serving as a central store/media hub, there's nothing the iPad can't do that I need to do on a regular basis. And you know what? That makes me more like most people than not. How do you like them Apples?

No matter how much you try to justify it.. Ipad is NOT a standalone computing machine... it is an appliance. You will always need your desktop, laptop or ironically a netbook in order to get things on and off that thing. Again making up justification for a supposed "netbook" killer

 

[dgree03]

Given time to think and go throughout their life a lot of people are realizing instances of where it would be useful to them.

People just like to jump to conclusions and not think things through and knee-jerk. Lets be honest, the average person is not good at broad visionary thinking so it can take some time to process things to figure out why it will be useful.

That is what helps with the timing of the announcement. I think it is about the right length of time to build up quite a bit of anticipation from those who were interested in it all along and those who were unsure and are now seeing why it could be beneficial. So the initial sales will be decent. That will not be ridiculously crazy, but they will sell quite a few and they will continue to sell them at a steady rate.

Once the full impact of the app developers gets seen, you will see a second wave of iPad purchasers that will make the product sales even stronger.

Between those two time frames and thereafter you will start seeing announcements about iPad killers and you will see the geek blogs touting their spec sheets, and the geek forums talking about how awesome it is going to be because their tablet runs os/2 and has a 50mp camera on all 6 sides of it.

Unless apple opens there OS up more.. app devs can only go so far. Did you see what just happened to stanza on the iphone... got its USB book sharing feature revoked... claiming it went "too deep" into the SDK and access stuff they didnt want.

Apple will be the downfall of any forward progression on the ipad... that is unless the calm down and open up

 

[jontucker]

No matter how much you try to justify it.. Ipad is NOT a standalone computing machine... it is an appliance. You will always need your desktop, laptop or ironically a netbook in order to get things on and off that thing. Again making up justification for a supposed "netbook" killer

I strongly disagree with that. Nobody said it was a standalone computer. In fact in the keynote SJ specifically said it will connect to your Mac/PC the same as an iPhone/iPod. Neither did anyone say it was a netbook killer. Again, SJ said that netbooks didn't do anything very well, (which is true, horrible bloody things) he didn't say that the iPad was supposed to replace it.

 

[dgree03]

I strongly disagree with that. Nobody said it was a standalone computer. In fact in the keynote SJ specifically said it will connect to your Mac/PC the same as an iPhone/iPod. Neither did anyone say it was a netbook killer. Again, SJ said that netbooks didn't do anything very well, (which is true, horrible bloody things) he didn't say that the iPad was supposed to replace it.

I am missing your logic... why else would SJ mention a netbook, if he wasnt implying that he has found a "solution" to them(ipad)

So going along the same lines, if you want to beat a netbook.. then it should be a better netbook or computer. Correct?

 

[anthonymoody]

No matter how much you try to justify it.. Ipad is NOT a standalone computing machine... it is an appliance. You will always need your desktop, laptop or ironically a netbook in order to get things on and off that thing. Again making up justification for a supposed "netbook" killer

Wrong! Thanks for playing! I already use mobileme to sync my personal data in the cloud (and we know there are several other choices e.g. google).

And if you don't think cloud syncing of media is coming, then you simply haven't been paying attention.

All the apps will come from the cloud (thank god!)

What else do I need a desktop, laptop, or netbook for???

I'm waiting.

Given time to think and go throughout their life a lot of people are realizing instances of where it would be useful to them.

People just like to jump to conclusions and not think things through and knee-jerk. Lets be honest, the average person is not good at broad visionary thinking so it can take some time to process things to figure out why it will be useful.

That is what helps with the timing of the announcement. I think it is about the right length of time to build up quite a bit of anticipation from those who were interested in it all along and those who were unsure and are now seeing why it could be beneficial. So the initial sales will be decent. That will not be ridiculously crazy, but they will sell quite a few and they will continue to sell them at a steady rate.

Once the full impact of the app developers gets seen, you will see a second wave of iPad purchasers that will make the product sales even stronger.

Between those two time frames and thereafter you will start seeing announcements about iPad killers and you will see the geek blogs touting their spec sheets, and the geek forums talking about how awesome it is going to be because their tablet runs os/2 and has a 50mp camera on all 6 sides of it.

Well said and amen.

I strongly disagree with that. Nobody said it was a standalone computer. In fact in the keynote SJ specifically said it will connect to your Mac/PC the same as an iPhone/iPod. Neither did anyone say it was a netbook killer. Again, SJ said that netbooks didn't do anything very well, (which is true, horrible bloody things) he didn't say that the iPad was supposed to replace it.

JonTucker I agree with every thing you say here. However, I'm definitely going one step further. For me (and those are the operative words) the iPad will become my primary computer on Day 1. I'm retiring my MBP completely.

Why? Because I've taken a long hard look at what I use my MBP for 9x% of the time. And you know what? Every single one of those things can be done and done well by the iPad. Also importantly, the inherent capabilities of every single one of those things will only get better in time as more "real" applications are developed for it. Add in the fact that it weighs < 1/3 what my MBP does, has a much more manageable form factor, etc. and for me it's a no brainer.

I have a household imac that I use to rip media and act as a central store/media hub, but I already had that in place in conjunction with my MBP. And even then I only use the imac maybe once every week or two (it's not even in my home office). So for me my iPad really will be my primary computer.

And I don't think I'll be alone in that, certainly not a year from now.

 

[dgree03]

Wrong! Thanks for playing! I already use mobileme to sync my personal data in the cloud (and we know there are several other choices e.g. google).

And if you don't think cloud syncing of media is coming, then you simply haven't been paying attention.

All the apps will come from the cloud (thank god!)

What else do I need a desktop, laptop, or netbook for???

I'm waiting.

How about to type long emails or documents? Watch flash videos(NOW, not in some unforeseen future).... Rip music and Dvd's(You already have or have bought)... Watching TRUE HD videos... running any sort of production software...

Mobile me is nice, but it sucks that apple charges for that... Google services are free but not completely implemented on the iphone.. and not as well as mobile me.

You speaking of some unforeseen future when your talking about Cloud Itunes.. you can try to debunk my arguement by saying "well in the future"

 

[jontucker]

I am missing your logic... why else would SJ mention a netbook, if he wasnt implying that he has found a "solution" to them(ipad)

So going along the same lines, if you want to beat a netbook.. then it should be a better netbook or computer. Correct?

Did you watch the keynote? He mentioned it in the context that the netbook was supposed to fill the gap between the smartphone and the laptop but it didn't fill it because it doesn't do anything very well, it's just ended up being a small laptop. He then introduced the iPad as the device that actually will fill the gap between the smartphone and the laptop.

 

[anthonymoody]

I am missing your logic... why else would SJ mention a netbook, if he wasnt implying that he has found a "solution" to them(ipad)

So going along the same lines, if you want to beat a netbook.. then it should be a better netbook or computer. Correct?

I think what SJ said was pretty straight forward. People use netbooks primary for email, web surfing, light office docs, music and social networking.

Which among these does the iPad not do? Which among these does the iPad not do exceedingly well, and better than a netbook?

 

[Chaos123x]

You got to be joking!


Engadget.com just had to disable comments on there website because of the amount of vitriol being spewed recently.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/were-turning-comments-off-for-a-bit/

 

[anthonymoody]

How about to type long emails or documents? Watch flash videos(NOW, not in some unforeseen future).... Rip music and Dvd's(You already have or have bought)... Watching TRUE HD videos... running any sort of production software...

Mobile me is nice, but it sucks that apple charges for that... Google services are free but not completely implemented on the iphone.. and not as well as mobile me.

You speaking of some unforeseen future when your talking about Cloud Itunes.. you can try to debunk my arguement by saying "well in the future"

1) Long docs/emails: Have you used the onscreen keyboard? Are you proficient with the iPhone's keyboard? Surprisingly so? Or tried the keyboard dock? Or how about the current Apple BT keyboard? If not, a little premature to judge huh?

2) I don't watch much in Flash. Never have, and likely never will assuming HTML5 replaces it as seems likely over time. To your point, open standards > closed.

3) Rip music and DVDs: have an iMac for that, but to be honest I've LONG since ripped my entire music library and don't buy CDs anymore. As for DVDs, I'm a film producer so as a rule I only rip DVDs I purchase (i.e. not the ones I rent from Netflix). I've long since ripped my purchased DVDs and don't purchase them anymore. I buy the occasional BluRay but the ripping process for that is not as tidy as it is for DVD so it's not that important to me.

4) Watching TrueHD: there isn't a netbook on earth with a 720p screen, to say nothing of a 1080p screen. So as long as videos play smoothly at the iPad's native resolution (which they obviously can if encoded properly), there's no issue.

5) "Running any sort of production software." You think FCP or Photoshop are mainstream apps? You think there won't be iPad-native video editing and photo tweaking apps? Surely you jest.

6) Criticizing mobileme or google syncing doesn't address the fact that it's MORE than possible. They work plenty well for me and thousands of others.

Next.

 

[dgree03]

Did you watch the keynote? He mentioned it in the context that the netbook was supposed to fill the gap between the smartphone and the laptop but it didn't fill it because it doesn't do anything very well, it's just ended up being a small laptop. He then introduced the iPad as the device that actually will fill the gap between the smartphone and the laptop.

Ok so people are reading(Or listening) between the lines.. ok I get it.

I think what SJ said was pretty straight forward. People use netbooks primary for email, web surfing, light office docs, music and social networking.

Which among these does the iPad not do? Which among these does the iPad not do exceedingly well, and better than a netbook?

Did SJ say everything you just said.. or are you filling in the blanks with your own interpretation of what he said?

 

[anthonymoody]

You got to be joking!


Engadget.com just had to disable comments on there website because of the amount of vitriol being spewed recently.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/were-turning-comments-off-for-a-bit/

Yes I'd seen that, though Engadget was becoming a comment cesspool long before the keynote. The iPad just pushed the loonies and haters over the edge. Couple that with Engadget's newly-troubled stance as Apple fanboys who collectively didn't "get" the iPad, their nonetheless ceaseless coverage of it, and the long battle b/t Engadget staff and apple haters, and it's not a surprise.

Again - get out of the niche and get into the mainstream.

 

[lordhamster]

I think what SJ said was pretty straight forward. People use netbooks primary for email, web surfing, light office docs, music and social networking.

Which among these does the iPad not do? Which among these does the iPad not do exceedingly well, and better than a netbook?

But what if I want it to run my custom compiled version of Asshat Linux? Maybe I'll need to stick to my überl33t netbook for that after all.

 

[anthonymoody]

Did SJ say everything you just said.. or are you filling in the blanks with your own interpretation of what he said?

Yes he did. Go back and watch the keynote again. Or have you not actually watched the thing yet?

Classic hater: can't make a reasoned argument and is left with no choice but to obfuscate

 

[MadGoat]

No matter how much you try to justify it.. Ipad is NOT a standalone computing machine... it is an appliance. You will always need your desktop, laptop or ironically a netbook in order to get things on and off that thing. Again making up justification for a supposed "netbook" killer

If it became your primary computer, what would you need to get on or off this device?

Other than OS upgrades, I don't see any reason to hook this to my MBP. if they can set aside a dedicated storage area for OS downloads, then there would never be a need to hook it to anything.

Pictures would get dumped to your mobileMe or flickr gallery, music would be stored on the device as with movies.

iDisk could be used to keep your documents in "the cloud"

If they could figure out a way of, say using your Air disks, then your backups and additional media would always be stored off the device when not used, basicaly your air disk would become a glorified itunes client/server.

 

[dgree03]

1) Long docs/emails: Have you used the onscreen keyboard? Are you proficient with the iPhone's keyboard? Surprisingly so? Or tried the keyboard dock? Or how about the current Apple BT keyboard? If not, a little premature to judge huh?

I saw the videos and the guys hands look horribly cramped trying to type on that thing.

AND NO thumb typing will not be possible on this thing.. unless you have GIGANTIC hands... you comparing a 4in long device to a 9 in long... thumb typing hardly

2) I don't watch much in Flash. Never have, and likely never will assuming HTML5 replaces it as seems likely over time. To your point, open standards > closed.

Fair enough, but just because you dont use it, doesnt make it a feature that is BETTER on a netbook/laptop/desktop

3) Rip music and DVDs: have an iMac for that, but to be honest I've LONG since ripped my entire music library and don't buy CDs anymore. As for DVDs, I'm a film producer so as a rule I only rip DVDs I purchase (i.e. not the ones I rent from Netflix). I've long since ripped my purchased DVDs and don't purchase them anymore. I buy the occasional BluRay but the ripping process for that is not as tidy as it is for DVD so it's not that important to me.

Fair enough, but see my above comment.

4) Watching TrueHD: there isn't a netbook on earth with a 720p screen, to say nothing of a 1080p screen. So as long as videos play smoothly at the iPad's native resolution (which they obviously can if encoded properly), there's no issue.

Oh your sadly mistaken... just to name TWO... look up Hp ION 311 and Alienware Mx11... there are also a couple of ASUS and Dells

5) "Running any sort of production software." You think FCP or Photoshop are mainstream apps? You think there won't be iPad-native video editing and photo tweaking apps? Surely you jest.

Does it matter? You asked what you would need a desktop/laptop/netbook for... i just told you...

6) Criticizing mobileme or google syncing doesn't address the fact that it's MORE than possible. They work plenty well for me and thousands of others.

Again... you justifying something that is not there... you said something about cloud music service and doc service.. none of which have made it to the iphone...


Next.[/QUOTE]

 

[anthonymoody]

But what if I want it to run my custom compiled version of Asshat Linux? Maybe I'll need to stick to my überl33t netbook for that after all.

Love this, thanks for the levity!

And look, on a serious note, of course the iPad isn't - and cannot be - all things to all people. But it isn't designed to be! What's so bizarre is how people can't seem to grok that. They became so myopically transfixed by their own needs that they can't get out of their own way.

Sometimes I think people need a refresher in the 80/20 rule, which in tech is more like 95/5. Applied here: 95% of the people use 5% of the power/functionality of their computers most of the time.

What the iPad does - for now - is focus on that 5% of functionality, so that it's what most people need, most of the time. Remember the old argument about how there were 10,000 (or 100,000 or whatever) Windows applications? So the Mac, with its relatively puny base of applications was "no good" somehow? What Apple proved is that if you give people a basic (but elegant) feature set, it's more than enough for most of the people most of the time. And of course for everything else we have 3rd party applications.

Same here. This is not some uncertain future. To think that the iPad won't become a thriving ecosystem I think is to stick ones head in the sand...