[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by Eug 

I looked it up, and it seems you are correct. I had mistakenly assumed Apple's 3rd party application support early on was for native apps. Nope, Apple only wanted the web interface. In that case, if Apple had stuck to its guns, it could have screwed itself over. I'm glad Apple saw the light, or else the iPhone would not have been as successful.

Firstly, we're not arguing "successful"; we're arguing "revolutionary". Actual market success is secondary, as the Macintosh shows.

Second, the iPhone WAS a success long before the app store.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

Second, the iPhone WAS a success long before the app store.

If it weren't for the jailbreaking community taking app matters into their own hands long before Apple created an official app store, I suspect we would never have seen an official App Store. That probably wouldn't have affected the success of the iPhone, but Apple is today very clearly equating their number of Apps and number of downloads with iPhone success.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak 

If it weren't for the jailbreaking community taking app matters into their own hands long before Apple created an official app store, I suspect we would never have seen an official App Store.

Is this based on anything but conjecture?

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak 

If it weren't for the jailbreaking community taking app matters into their own hands long before Apple created an official app store, I suspect we would never have seen an official App Store. That probably wouldn't have affected the success of the iPhone, but Apple is today very clearly equating their number of Apps and number of downloads with iPhone success.

That's pure speculation, though I happen to agree that Apple saw the immense demand and decided to roll with it.

However, as mentioned above, that's completely irrelevant to the argument at hand - whether the device (and this new device) are revolutionary or not.

[mduell]

Tech pundits were craving more than a giant iTouch. They didn't get it so they whine.

[slugslugslug]

I have to say, I was craving pretty much exactly a giant iPod touch. Besides expecting a slightly more novel text-input method, I don’t think I was predicting anything more. As MacRumors’ Arnold Kim has been saying on Twitter, the extra size alone makes it more useful. I would add that it makes it especially more useful for content creation vs. just consumption, despite what folks are saying about the iPad being a consumption-focused device. No, it’s not ideal for writing or spreadsheets or whatever, but it’s super portable and probably at least as useful as a netbook in that regard.

[Shaddim]

The general reaction seems to be: /yawn

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Shaddim 

The general reaction seems to be: /yawn

I know. No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Is this based on anything but conjecture?

Other than when Steve said that 3rd party apps on the iPhone could crash the cellular network and that the only apps would be web-based, yes, complete conjecture.

[rickey939]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Not iSteal ?

-t

[spacefreak]

iPhone apps? I wanted a computer.

[ort888]

Man, does your average internet commentator/forum poster HATE the iPad. Sometimes I forget that there is this whole other world out there, populated by people who get angry about things like iPads and the people who buy them.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by ort888 

Man, does your average internet commentator/forum poster HATE the iPad. Sometimes I forget that there is this whole other world out there, populated by people who get angry about things like iPads and the people who buy them.

And lets just wait and see how big the line ups are when it comes out. My bet is that it will sell like hotcakes as always.

[Jawbone54]

I'm not going to be able to afford an iPad on Day 1, but I'll almost definitely be picking one up within roughly 6 months.

I like the idea of carrying my books on an iPad, and it serves more purposes than a Kindle or Nook by far. Instead of buying one of those alternative eBook readers that serve only one function, I can get an iPad that will be used primarily (by me, at least) for web browsing, emails, calendar adjustments, reading, studying, listening to music, and taking down meeting notes in Pages.

Why wouldn't I just use my laptop?

Because every day I lug around a murse (see #3 on UD) that carries the following items at all times: computer, power cord, iPhone power cord, two books, one Bible, Flip Ultra HD, and a sketchbook. All of this weight slung over my shoulders 24/7 has almost certainly been one of the primary causes of the back problems I've had at a still-young age.

If I get an iPad, I can just bring an iPad and the Flip Ultra HD. That's all (the sketchbook isn't 100% necessary). I know it doesn't do EVERYTHING my computer does, but I don't need it to. The only days in which I would need to bring my MBP to the office are days in which I know I'll need to be doing some photo editing. It's ultra-portable, and wouldn't be much of a hassle to take anywhere. And if it helps my back in the process, then hip hip hooray, etc.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

I'm not going to be able to afford an iPad on Day 1, but I'll almost definitely be picking one up within roughly 6 months.

I like the idea of carrying my books on an iPad, and it serves more purposes than a Kindle or Nook by far. Instead of buying one of those alternative eBook readers that serve only one function, I can get an iPad that will be used primarily (by me, at least) for web browsing, emails, calendar adjustments, reading, studying, listening to music, and taking down meeting notes in Pages.

Why wouldn't I just use my laptop?

Because every day I lug around a murse (see #3 on UD) that carries the following items at all times: computer, power cord, iPhone power cord, two books, one Bible, Flip Ultra HD, and a sketchbook. All of this weight slung over my shoulders 24/7 has almost certainly been one of the primary causes of the back problems I've had at a still-young age.

Can't you get a Bible on iPhone version or is that really something you always need to carry with you?

[Stogieman]

Yes.

[msuper69]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Oh, I totally forgot that only Apple can make programs for the iPad. Here I was thinking that, just like on the Mac and even the iPhone, many of the most popular apps would be third-party.

Um, Apple just released a new version of Xcode that supports iPad development.
Where did you get the idea that only Apple would be writing code for the iPad?

[Big Mac]

Someone breakout the sarcasm meter for msuper. . .

[msuper69]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

Someone breakout the sarcasm meter for msuper. . .

I can be so dense sometimes. I blame it on old age.

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

I'm not going to be able to afford an iPad on Day 1, but I'll almost definitely be picking one up within roughly 6 months.

Why don't you trade in your 360 to buy one?

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Can't you get a Bible on iPhone version or is that really something you always need to carry with you?

Trying to read any book (including those on the Kindle app) on the iPhone requires incessant scrolling. Drives me crazy.

Originally Posted by Stogieman 

Yes.

Sorry, already have that one.

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

Why don't you trade in your 360 to buy one?

What makes this even worse is the fact that it's EXACTLY the same joke my wife cracked the day the iPad was announced.