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freudling · Mar 15, 2010, 09:00 PM

I read on an Email list I participate in that a person had some initial feedback on the iPad from an Apple Store Employee. I guess some stores are taking shipments for staff to train on.

Surprisingly, the feedback was mixed. He wasn't too keen on it after using it for a while. He just wanted to go back to using his MacBook Air because there were too many limitations with the iPad.

I myself think the iPad will be a runaway hit, but do you think it is hyped up almost too much?

imitchellg5 · Mar 15, 2010, 09:13 PM

It is certainly overhyped for being basically an iPod touch. But it'll still sell like hotcakes.

besson3c · Mar 15, 2010, 09:55 PM

I'm not so sure it will sell like hotcakes. We'll see about the temperature of the cakes...

Simon · 08:11 AM

Reported.

And banninated. Glenn

Wiskedjak · Mar 19, 2010, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by freudling

Surprisingly, the feedback was mixed. He wasn't too keen on it after using it for a while. He just wanted to go back to using his MacBook Air because there were too many limitations with the iPad.

If everyone at Apple drank only the kool-aid, there would be no growth and innovation.

It's quite possible that the iPad is being over-hyped. What does Hollywood do when they've got a movie that they know is lackluster? They start ramping up their hype machines. I'm not saying that's what Apple is doing here, but it's possible.

Simon · Mar 19, 2010, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Simon

Reported.

And banninated. Glenn

Thanks, Glenn.

Kerrigan · Mar 22, 2010, 02:29 AM

I was excited about the iPad when it was announced, but now I'm starting to think that it's pointless.

I mean, I can't just chill on the couch and use it, because I'll always have to have my legs propped up to support it. It's nowhere near as ergonomic as a laptop for this purpose.

Usually at home, I switch casually between browsing and productivity. Call me old fashioned, but I don't want to use a glass screen for doing spreadsheets or typing more than a paragraph.

Maybe it makes sense to tote around at work or school, but why not just grab your laptop instead?

Come April, I'll just spend my money upgrading to a new Macbook.

Spheric Harlot · Mar 22, 2010, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

I mean, I can't just chill on the couch and use it, because I'll always have to have my legs propped up to support it. It's nowhere near as ergonomic as a laptop for this purpose.

How did you ever cope with magazines, let alone books?

Simon · Mar 22, 2010, 05:42 AM

Yeah, damn you Kerrigan! How dare you insinuate that something about the GodPad isn't perfect.

Spheric Harlot · Mar 22, 2010, 06:19 AM

"something about it isn't perfect" != "pointless"

Simon · Mar 22, 2010, 08:02 AM

Bingo.

analogue SPRINKLES · Mar 22, 2010, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by freudling

Surprisingly, the feedback was mixed. He wasn't too keen on it after using it for a while. He just wanted to go back to using his MacBook Air because there were too many limitations with the iPad.

WOW! You weren't kidding! Thanks for the inside scoop man. We learnt so much!

adamalexandru · Mar 23, 2010, 04:42 AM

I think that iPad can be yseful more as a medical device.
The integration of the iPad into the medical fields will be hopeful. Most of the concerns can be easily fixed with a third party add-on. A shock absorbing, damp proofing, battery pack case with a barcode scanner would take a consumer iPad into the hospital. I am sure Mophie or Griffin are already at work. I think the camera will need to wait for Apple to up date the iPad in the future. Right now I think the iPad would work well in most Mac oriented physician’s’ offices. Like most technologies, it’s not perfect, but a lot closer than most of the competition, just like the iPhone. It is funny how closely the criticism of the iPad correlates with what was said about the iPhone at its announcement.

Spheric Harlot · Mar 23, 2010, 06:13 AM

And the original Macintosh.

andi*pandi · Mar 23, 2010, 12:07 PM

How many doctors offices, never mind hospitals, are mac-based though? That's an interesting question. Younger docs, sure... but the older docs are still just wrapping their heads around faxing prescriptions. Electronic medical records are coming, but slowly.

I do see a lot of interest in some of the medical iphone apps, ie medical dictionary and other learning tools.

Spheric Harlot · Mar 23, 2010, 01:13 PM

I don't see why they'd need to be mac-based, anyway.

analogue SPRINKLES · Mar 23, 2010, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by adamalexandru

I think that iPad can be yseful more as a medical device.

Are you serious. Out of the 150,000 I bet 100 are for medical use.

A hospital would only buy a low number of devices and then stick with that technology for YEARS without upgrading. They would also spend years testing it before it even was considered.

Even if every hospital in the US used 10 iPads that still don't' give them as much market share as the general consumer gives Apple.

Apple did not make this for medical use and if they did they wouldn't charge only $500 for it.

The iPad is for the general consumer. Not IT specialists, not hardcore gamers, not every silly little niche you think it needs to fill in order to succeed.

Spheric Harlot · Mar 23, 2010, 04:23 PM

And yet, it will fill all those silly little niches.

andi*pandi · Mar 23, 2010, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

I don't see why they'd need to be mac-based, anyway.

point taken.

analogue SPRINKLES · Mar 23, 2010, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

And yet, it will fill all those silly little niches.

Not without flash. That makes it "useless"!

Wiskedjak · Mar 23, 2010, 09:20 PM

Funniest thing I saw today.

MacinTommy · Mar 23, 2010, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak

Funniest thing I saw today.

I lawled when I saw that myself.

MacinTommy · Mar 23, 2010, 10:50 PM

Oh and I was wondering how does the kindle have free 3G?

msuper69 · Mar 24, 2010, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by MacinTommy

Oh and I was wondering how does the kindle have free 3G?

That's only for downloading ebooks.

Wiskedjak · Mar 24, 2010, 08:38 AM

So, the cost of the 3G on the Kindle probably isn't "free". It's most likely built into the cost of the ebooks. And, since the ebooks are just text, the amount of bandwidth consumed by each download can probably be measured in less than a handful of megabytes.

analogue SPRINKLES · Mar 26, 2010, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak

So, the cost of the 3G on the Kindle probably isn't "free". It's most likely built into the cost of the ebooks. And, since the ebooks are just text, the amount of bandwidth consumed by each download can probably be measured in less than a handful of megabytes.

I thought they could really painfully surf the net also?

kcmac · Mar 26, 2010, 10:07 PM

From Amazon

Basic Web Browser
Kindle's basic Web browser works well to read simple, text-centric Web sites such as Google and Wikipedia. Need to find a movie listing or look up a sports score? Now it's easier than ever to find the information you're looking for right from your Kindle. The experimental Web browser is not currently available for some customers outside of the U.S.

KeyLimePi · Mar 26, 2010, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by freudling

He just wanted to go back to using his MacBook Air because there were too many limitations with the iPad.

If he was expecting the iPad to be a replacement for his laptop, it's no wonder he was disappointed. At best I expect it will be a replacement for netbooks. And, for me at least, an at-home replacement for the many things I do with my Touch. I'm looking forward to getting mine to see for myself, but I've got realistic expectations. I'm not giving up my Macbook Pro for it.

smacintush · Mar 28, 2010, 05:51 AM

I thought a docking wall mount combined with home control might be cool. Use it as a control center, use it as an iTunes controller, leave messages on it for family members, if you still have a land line it works as a household address/phone number manager, if you have several an intercom app would be nifty, a few wi-fi cameras and an app and you could monitor your premises through it. etc..

An under-cabinet swivel mount for the kitchen and you can use it for cooking.

You can still pull it off the wall and go play if you like.

Or maybe all that' is lame.

Either way, I don't see why the medical field has to be the only field that can benefit from these, especially if Apple pushes the price point down like the iPhone. It may not be perfect for getting information into it, but Dragon or something more integrated might help. Should work great for those who deal mainly with numbers.

Seems an intuitive and convenient way for any team of people to have access and to share up to the minute information on many kinds of operations. If not for the cost, combined with a kitchen monitor even the "lowly" waitress could be more efficient. Just tap menu items and move on to the next table. Quicker service and less running back and forth to the kitchen, which might mean fewer wait staff members.

Or maybe that's lame too, I dunno.

I'll still buy one.

mdc · Mar 28, 2010, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by MacinTommy

Oh and I was wondering how does the kindle have free 3G?

The Kindle Development Kit website has some notes on the 3G usage for third party Kindle apps.

In short third party apps can only use less than 100kb of data a month otherwise customers have to cover the fees.

To put 100kb into perspective, this thread uses almost 300kb.