Yeah, just not an Apple laptop!
(Though mine was worth every penny.)

It's not so much the $130 for 3G it's the $360/year for the plan. I have an iPod touch, not an iPhone, and get along fairly well with only Wifi access. There are definitely times that I would like wireless access, but that's a fraction of my use. And the iPad will be a less mobile device than an iPhone/iPod Touch. It is primarily a couch device and there isn't a couch I sit on in my life that doesn't have Wifi access.

So I could envision getting iPad without 3G. I probably will get it with 3G, though, more as an insurance policy for future use than anything else. Whether I'll decide to spend $1000 for data access over the life of the device or make do with Wifi access will be a trickier decision.

The price point for me was the biggest surprise. I still don't know what to make of it. I think it's the right direction for technology, but I'm going to pass on the first generation given the technical limitations I mentioned upthread.

where can you watch the whole presentation by Jobs?

link?

This is basically my situation. I have a touch that I use around the house for minor internet surfing, and my blackberry for when I'm out and about.

One of my goals for the new year has been to un-tether myself from any sort of monthly plan. I really hate them. I just cancelled all of my cable premium channels; cancelled one of my sirus accounts; cancelled my movie pass subscription at blockbuster. So if I get an ipad, I think it will basically be a mobile entertainment device, sans wireless. It'd be nice, but it's not really necessary.

What it really signals is the beginning of the end for printed media. Sure, the writing's been on the wall and it's already on the way out, but this will quicken the decent.

As someone with not so hot vision I'm not digging this trend toward smaller devices with smaller screens.

Yeah, and did you notice how they keep showing the NY Times on their video?

what about using this thing with Adobe Suite and creative software? have they gotten into that at all?

hang on, Simakos, let me google that for you ...

...

Unlimited data on AT&T's already overworked network....this is not going to end well for New Yorkers without AT&T upgrading their network.

This thing is gonna take off regardless of what analysts might say, but it will not be overnight. It's your basic no hassle "computer," and it definitely finds itself in the right spot between smartphones, netbooks and laptops, but it lacks so many basic elements for everyday use. For instance, there is no multitasking. It it just absurd for Apple to not include something so basic as multitasking in this tablet. The absence of a camera is also another thumbs down. I mean, doesn't every single gadget out there have some sort of camera included? But like I said, giving the way cloud computing is going, the iPad has already secured a safe place in the endlgess gadgetry market.

... nope, no Photoshop, unless Adobe releases it as an app.

I've got Photoshop on my iPhone, it's a free app. (at least a basic version of it)

Looks fairly cool, but the reason I bought my iPhone was for it's portablility. The fact that I can reach in my pocket and have the Interwebs in a usable format is pretty damn cool and I use the apps I have on it quite a bit. I can't see toting around the iPad everywhere I go, even at a slim 9"-ish screen size, it still can't fit in my pocket.

Without a camera and without pressure-sensitivity, no real reason for Photoshop.

This thing seems pretty pointless to me. Too big to be practical to carry around. Too underpowered to use at home when I have my computer available. It looks cool, but I'm not really sure what I would do with it once I got my hands on it.

I'm not sure the iPad's glassy two-dimensional surface is strong enough to contain General Zod, Ursa and Non indefinitely.

The more I think about it, the more I like it. I really like it. I do a lot of photo presentations to my prospective clients (I'm a photographer), and this would be perfect to that end. I could customize presentations on the fly, incorporate video and music, no longer have to worry about spending $$$s every year in printing to update my portfolio (although I would certainly keep some large 11x17 or 13x19 prints in there for impact.) Plus, clients get to play with a sexy new piece of technology. It's better than a laptop in that I could lay it flat on the table and all of us can see what's happening on the screen without everyone needing to be huddled on the same side of the computer. Hmm... And it's a tax write-off. Hmm, again. This certainly does have more potential than I initially thought of.

Plus I think there's a lot of potential in app development that no one has thought of yet. I think some brilliant programmers can come up with exciting things for this. Maybe I will get the first generation one, after all. We shall see. I think I'll wait until I get a chance to see one in person.

there is no flash for the iphone (or any other phones) b/c adobe refuses to write a version of the flash plugin for ARM processors

An interesting question is whether the iPad will compete with portable handheld gaming apps and even separate consoles like the PSP. SF Chronicle article on this issue

Whether the market can take portable gaming at a 500 dollar tag, I dunno. But it certainly is the most appealing interface for gaming that I've seen since... actually I can't think of anything that was as instantly appealing to me for gaming.

I think this is probably the biggest selling point for the iPad. There's going to be some awesome apps on this.

This is already well underway with the iPhone and iPod Touch.

My PSP became a doorstop a long time ago and I gave it away to a friend's kid who doesn't know any better. Because of the iPod Touch I've bought far fewer DS games than I did a year ago. I bought dozens of iPod Touch games last year and maybe only 4-5 DS games. I used to regularly have an itch to by a new game and scratching it used to cost $30 a pop and forcing me to interact with the cretins at Gamestop. Now I download a game for $1-2 instantly. For the big, hardcore games I still go to the DS. For quick bits of fun, it's the iPod Touch. In fact, I have probably paid for my iPod touch from the savings of not buying as many crap DS games.

The App Store is infinitely better than the DSi store or the PSP store. Developers are flocking to make iPhone aps. Nintendo and Sony have lost this space. The iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad is slowly beginning to catch up on online gaming and will shortly leave the DS/PSP in the dust.

So I think Apple has already begun the process of taking over portable gaming (which I think they stumbled upon by accident with the App Store). The iPad will be like the Wii. Hardcore portable gamers will still have the DS and PSP. But for the vast majority of people, looking for casual games, the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad will dominate.

I've been looking at netbooks for writing and uploading images in the field, and I don't think this would apply. I can't stand typing on touch screens, and this device just seems a bit cumbersome for use in the field. I can imagine that screen freezing from underneath the surface when it's in my tent and the temps are in the teens. I also see it getting easily scratched to the point of uselessness in a short amount of time.

I can def see how it would work for what you just described though.

It should be fine for storage down to -4°F, according to the specs.

Yeah, I don't think it would work well for anything that requires extended typing. I get along fine with iPhone's touch interface, but I wouldn't want to use it for more than a Facebook status update or very brief email. Then again, I haven't had my hands on this yet. I wonder how it'll compare with something like Lenovo's tablet/netbook hybrid, the Ideapad. Lenovo's offering -- at least in that video -- doesn't look quite as sleek or responsive as Apple's, but it's more of a fully functional computer. (Which, I admit, may not necessarily be the best approach for a device of this type.)

edit: I have to say, from an aesthetic standpoint, that Lenovo machine is indeed a bit ugly.

this post brought lolz

The more I think about the iPad, the more I think that it could bring along a nice resurgence for print media companies who take advantage of the new possibilities. I think it really comes down to how publishers reformat their strategies. New York Times is already going to charge for their website, The Economist and Wall Street Journal are already doing the same. If Apple sets a low enough profit percentage for publishing companies, I'm pretty sure there could be an amazing resurgence of "print media" in the form of, well, tablet media.

Interactive pictures/videos, the ability to simply save entire issues of magazines and newsprint, immediate commentary and interaction between readers all scream "incredible potential", both to consumers and to publishing corporations.

With all of this said, I already have an iPhone and Macbook and don't have the financial resources to afford not only the device but the sure-as-hell subscription fees and issue costs that everyone will be charging.

^^^That would certainly be excellent, but the part of me that's rooting for the resurgence of the print media thinks that people should just go out and get a kindle. Sure it doesn't have a glossy screen, but:

(1) it has free 3G;
(2) e-ink is easier on the eyes (although it can't do color or video);
(3) it only costs $250.00; and
(4) Again, free 3G. For whatever reason, this aspect doesn't get pushed enough by Amazon. But the ability to download books and websites, anywhere, with no monthly fees or restrictions? A 3G ipad will cost you $1,500 over the life of the product (using the cheapest ipad, and a 2 year product life span). The Kindle, costs 1/7th of that.

Imo, that's the first thing that should be mentioned in every Kindle advertisement

But the kindle only has 4GB of storage, and Amazon makes most of their e-reader-revenue from their online bookstore, not the Kindle itself. With an app store on the ipad, that loss in Kindle sales should easily translate into more e-book sales, assuming the iPad takes off with consumers.

Yes, 3G will make the cost of the iPad pretty expensive but I don't see the need for 3G in most cases, to be honest. I really see the main selling point being print media and games, and with at least 16 GB of storage, you should be able to get most of what you need for a long, Wi-Fi-less trip before leaving at a hot-spot. Plus, as someone up thread mentioned, almost any major city is overflowing with available Wi-fi hot spots for free or near free. I'm not saying 3G isn't completely great, as I have it on my phone and use it quite often, but again these devices will be targeting different markets.

By the way, most of this is speculation and facts that I haven't checked up on greatly, but for the most part I would expect most of this to be true.

Oh, sweet. I was thinking what a kick-ass GPS unit this thing would make, not realizing the 3G versions ($629 and up) of the iPad do come with that functionality. That's another pretty damned awesome application of this thing.

This has been bunk info for awhile. Apple is the singular stone wall in not allowing flash on the iPhone. All the big names expect Apple will be supporting flash in the near future. Adobe has been working for awhile to optimize flash for handheld devices to reduce memory and cpu usage. They've also been working with graphic chip vendors to get hardware level acceleration in mobile devices. There's currently a beta flash player(10.1) making the rounds. It will be included on the Nexus One (and Droid once the 2.1 upgrade drops). Flash on Nexus: http://mashable.com/2010/01/06/flash-player-10-1-nexus-one/

With all that said, If I get a phone with flash on it the browser better support Flash Block or No Script. I want control over what flash content is being played. Flash ads can die a slow death in hell.

I also hope there will be a way to block html5 content/ad once those takes off.

This is the correct direction people should be looking. Their will be gaming but that's not its aim. It's to replace the newspaper, magazines, and books. You can't stuff a magazine in your pocket either. You can put it in your briefcase though and it weighs about the same. In fact it weighs much less than all the mags you subscribe to together, let alone back issues and newspapers. One day not too far off you'll be getting your local newspaper delivered (pushed) onto a device like this.
These print media will redesign the online experience of their paper to make it very compelling on the device. When people tell me "I'd never read my paper on something like that. I want my regular old newspaper." I laugh. They'll get used to it. It's coming and this is the turning point.
Then there's video. We're not too far off from TV being available on a smart phone. They already have it in Japan. The ability to watch TV shows and movies on a screen of this size is very enticing.
Add to that Apple's recent announcement of more media content for music album releases, the aforementioned business presentation use and other apps that I haven't mentioned and yet to be thought of, and you've got the future in your hands.
It doesn't need a camera. You'd look silly taking pix with one. As you would if it were a phone.
And Montana's complaining of soft keyboards, again, get used to it. Hard keyboards will be a thing of the past.
This all comes from a non Apple fanboy. I am not a Mac guy. Though I do believe that Jobs has already had an amazing impact on society twice this past decade with the iPod and iPhone. Add the iPad as act 3 and another game changer.

This thing better let users change the typeface if Apple expects them to read novels on it.

the idea of this as a "gamechanger" is hilarious. no one wants to read books on an lcd screen, it kills your eyes. this is not going to be a big deal.

Sorry but the printed paper and many print mags are going to be gone or near it in, say, 10 years. It is a game changer. Mark my words.

Jobs was changing the typefaces during the keynote. I remember Palatino being an option, which is just about the perfect typeface for reading.

That's good to hear. Was it for the whole device, or in the bookshelf app?

I guess the small screen on an iphone was more restrictive than the pad will be.

it can't do anything that an iphone can't. this won't be a good ebook reader cause it's exhausting to read black text on an lcd. go ahead and try to read a book on your computer and see what it's like.

The real question no one has asked or answered: Will Apple be more hospitable to porn? Lately I've been a little nostalgic for porno mags. I'd love to see a resurgence of that industry.

Although is it stupid to look at porno stills on an lcd screen that's just as capable of doing video? Maybe the stills could come (resisting pun) to life ala Harry Potter periodicals.

I could see finding classier mags like Playboy on it. I, too, was imagining such photo spreads on it.
People gripe about the locked down platform. There's a definite upside to it. No viruses.

missing from this whole debate is one glaring negative certain to arise from the proliferation of this device . . . . a new breed of trendy apple man purses.

I think one of the greatest scenes from The Wire came during season 5. Many of you will recall Gus eloquently stating the reason he got into publishing was because each morning he sat with his dad at the table as he read the paper. And seeing his dad hold that paper and flip through each page revealed to Gus that the paper was something important.

I reckon many people on this board feel the same way about listening to music in the vinyl format. It is just better in their opinion. Music in the digital format is great b/c you can take it anywhere. Well, you can take the NYT, the Trib and The Economist w/ you in the physical format. You can sit at your kitchen table, the train or anywhere your routine takes you and have the paper, magazine, etc w/ you. And when you're finished w/ it you leave it for the next rider, the next patient and the next person taking a shit.

There is simply something I don't agree w/ about iPad.

Exactly. One of my concerns, and this has nothing to do with apple, is that the print industry will simply view this as a device to start charging for content they already provide for free. However, the online reading experience is pretty sucky: i.e. scrolling, hitting slow/dead links, intrusive pop-up/over ads, annoying roll-over links, etc. I'll do it because it's free, but it's obviously not optimal.

This is really a great opportunity to re-invent the periodical. Just the ability to "flip" pages, like I'm sitting reading a magazine, could be huge.

I totally get this and the vinyl comparison is a good one. Funny, as I recall, you don't get the vinyl kick. Regardless, it's the future, and sure we'll look back fondly on some of the aspects of the "old way" but you can't stop the future nor the good coming from it. The amount of info you can access easily, the saving of trees, etc.

Yes, this is what will happen. The interfaces will become very cool. It's likely to be the salvation of the newspaper biz. And anybody griping about subscription fees...ummm...it's just like subscribing to your paper or the mags you get.

I haven't read too many of the fine print details, can you share these magazines with your friends ? I mean my wife subscribes to a couple of magazines and they do the rounds between her mom and her friends/co-workers. I don't imagine that will be possible with the ipad magazines.

I don't know the details either, but I do know that re-circulating amongst friends/neighbors is taken into account when setting ad rates. What Apple/publishers should do is allow people to pass magazines, free of charge, but when the magazine passes it permanently leaves your ipad and shows up on your friends (just like lending a real magazine).

This also opens another opportunity, because publishers could finally accurately track the re-circulation rate, and use those figures to increase/decrease ad rates.

Depends on how they make the subscription app. Probably not. A smart idea would be to at least be able to email an article or photo as one does now or like tearing a story out of a physical mag.

otm

Picking up someone else's iPad on the train to work on the crossword just won't feel the same.