iPad

[guddler]

What an awesome bit of kit

For her birthday, I graciously sold the wife's white MacBook and replaced it with an iPad since the MacBook was coming up to three years old and all she has used it for is sitting in front of the telly doing internet browsing and a bit of email so in my eyes she seemed like an ideal iPad user.

The moment of awesomeness came when I worked out a way to get my iPhone apps from my account on it and any apps she buys using her account onto my computer / iPhone. Why the girl in the Apple store told me that couldn't be done is beyond me - I guess they just want you to go and buy a 2nd copy of it all.

Well the Slayer Pinball I have on my phone after AnDyC linked it on facebook is just jaw dropping on the iPad. She's been on the iPad all day today (we both have hangovers) but I got quite a while to play yesterday whilst 'setting it up'. I still don't really have a use for one I don't think, but it's not stopping me from wanting one now

Shiny things

AnDyC2010-08-08 22:41:16

 

[DanP]

Firstly, yeah the iPad has become my evening computing tool of choice

Secondly, Slayer Pinball app???? What, where?

Dan

 

[guddler]

I can't see an obvious way to link from iTunes to here so just search for 'Slayer' in iTunes and then filter results by 'App'. Just done it and that'll get you there. I didn't think I paid £2.99 for it mind. Maybe I did, or maybe it was on a special offer or something.

 

[trm]

Absolutely the same experience here. I wanted something which would let me do all my usual computer work in the evening, but without being stuck up here in the study.

Since I got it (coming up to a month now) it's invented a whole load of uses that I'd not though of. I used to use iPlayer a bit before but didn't like sitting in the study watching TV. Now I can wander around the house or garden with headphones on and watch really good quality, perfectly streamed vid. I'm also addicted to Zombies vs Plants

My Dad bought me mine for my bday and when I took a wifi AP to his a couple of days later to show it in action he was so impressed he went and bought one too. They really are revolutionary. Once people understand they're not a PC/laptop replacement, but are very well suited to portable, lightweight and long endurance work they're going to make a massive impact IMO.

 

[guddler]

Where on earth did he manage to just go in and get one? They're like rocking horse poo down this end of the world!

I'm wondering if the bluetooth can connect to the internet through a mobile phone if I was using something like an old Nokia? I guess not, but any ideas?

 

[trm]

He ordered it from the Apple store in Bham and got it a couple of days later. When he was buying mine he ended up with two at one point! which surprised me as I thought they were very hard to get hold of.

As for the BT - I suspect there's going to be developments on that front soon. There's a load of apps that already use BT for OBEX object-exchange stuff so there is clearly a fully functional BT chipset (and API?) on board and seemingly Apple are OK if devs use the full functionality and not just tie it to headset style applications.

 

[Alpha1]

You guys seen this

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/06/apple_patent_plagerizes_third_party_ui/

 

[cools]

Absolutely the same experience here. I wanted something which would let me do all my usual computer work in the evening, but without being stuck up here in the study.

Your usual evening computer work must not be very involved

 

[trm]

Your usual evening computer work must not be very involved

Hehe, but that's precisely the point. It's normally replying to emails, idling on IRC or maybe reviewing a few docs I didn't get time to work on during the day. And if I can do that downstairs draped over the sofa instead of sitting in the office/study where I spend all day then that's worth a few hundred quid to me over the long run. Even though my mind might be elsewhere, my body is downstairs in the same room as my GF and that makes her happy which makes me happy.

I think that app development for the iPad still has a long way to go before people start hitting the limits of the hardware and I've not found anything I want to do on it that I can't. Even something like RDP works well due to the decent screen resolution. All I need now is a good ssh client that supports keys and most of the core puTTY functionality and I'm sorted. There are a few ssh clients already for the iPad but I'm waiting for a clear leader in terms of functionality before I buy.

As long as people accept it for what it is - a good example of a new class of IT hardware and not a desktop or full laptop replacement, then I don't think anybody who buys one will be upset.

 

[guddler]

You guys seen this

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/06/apple_patent_plagerizes_third_party_ui/

Yeah, nothing to do with iPads though

 

[cools]

Your usual evening computer work must not be very involved

Hehe, but that's precisely the point. It's normally replying to emails, idling on IRC or maybe reviewing a few docs I didn't get time to work on during the day. And if I can do that downstairs draped over the sofa instead of sitting in the office/study where I spend all day then that's worth a few hundred quid to me over the long run.

As long as people accept it for what it is - a good example of a new class of IT hardware and not a desktop or full laptop replacement, then I don't think anybody who buys one will be upset.

802.11 has been around since 1997 dude. Wireless computing is old hat.

 

[trm]

Hahahaha. I've heard of this wifi thing but I don't think it'll catch on. Further to my justification for getting an iPad is that my downstairs laptop is a Thinkpad and it's normally in use by Chrissie as she gets her daily fix of internet pron (shopping).

So I wanted something lightweight, fast, no bootup or running battery charger cords around for the cats to eat. Ergo iPad!

 

[guddler]

So I wanted something lightweight

Hmm, think you might have sh*t out on that one mind - not exactly the lightest thing in the world

 

[trm]

Have you picked up a Thinkpad grasped by a grown woman recently? I can assure you this is considerably lighter

 

[guddler]

Fair point!

 

[Alpha1]

You guys seen this

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/06/apple_patent_plagerizes_third_party_ui/

Yeah, nothing to do with iPads though

Proof Apple is the Robert Mugabe of the technology world. f**k them and the iPad is a turd.

Alpha12010-08-10 08:19:33

 

[cools]

I wouldn't say it's a turd, I just can't grasp usage of it.

Taking Tims example of lounging around using it. I'd typically sit with my laptop (a Thinkpad X40 with extended battery) on my lap, screen angled so I can see it and I'm able to type with both hands without any sort of stand or needing to bring my knees up to hold the device in place, as I can picture needing to do with the iPad. One handed typing isn't my idea of fun, and quite often I'll be typing without looking at the device I'm using.

I can see how it works for extremely simple browsing, reading stuff and games, but in terms of actually interacting fully with the web rather than being passive it seems to be deeply unsuited, and I really can't see the benefit of having to jump through the ergonomic and financial hoops (not to mention dealing with the inherent Apple restrictions) when an ancient ultraportable laptop will provide far more practicality for actually DOING stuff.