The Apple iPad
 

So, another Apple press event has come and gone, and left us with a thing that supposed to change everything we know about computing, for the last time, again.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

Yes, the iPad is supposed to change our lives, because it has an Apple logo on it, and it's shiny.

But as I was looking this thing over, an odd thought worked it's way into my head, slowly taking over my thought processes, in that way that Apple is famous for. "Self," I said, "Wouldn't this be great if NI came up with a Labview app?"

Think about it, multi touch programming, dragging icons around and spawning menus with a couple taps. Zooming in minority report style to detangle the wires, then tapping out to see the big picture. Tapping into the VGA port to dual monitor, throwing up a sub vi or a front panel, and swapping out with a virtual button. And all that screen real estate and processing power that the iPhone/iPod Touch cannot offer. Guys, this could be big.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

Just needs more cpu oomph :)

(a usb hole would be helpful too)

Re: The Apple iPad
 

Meh.

Sure, as per apples usual, it looks great.

However, this time they don't even really attempt to call it revolutionary. It is an overgrown iPod touch.

I could go way more into this, but wont. I would much rather have a kindle (10oz, will last for 1-2 weeks) over an iPad (1.5lbs, 10hrs max) anyday, and would much rather use a laptop for everything else. That way Im not limited to what apps can provide, amongst other advantages.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

Eh, I'm sure Texas Instruments would release a dock connector adapter to interface with supported hardware.

I still like the idea of an iPad, I wish it was more native towards OS X rather then a slightly extended iPhone firmware. I'm quite disappointed but if I'm in the market for a netbook like device the iPad would be in the top part of the list.

I think the true revolution of this device will be it's 2nd gen model after Apple has observed the impacts on peoples lives with this device (hey remember back to iPhone 3G?).

Last but not least - "iPad" - seriously Apple? I was hoping the name wouldn't be any of the rumoured choices.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

I am writing this post on the second gen iPad. It fits in my pocket, has pretty much every feature, plus a camera and phone too! And it's only $200! (It's an iPhone...)

I think iPhones and iPads alike would be useful for scouting, if I had infinite money. The phone in particular is a scouting machine; camera for photos or video, text input for comments, multi touch for stat tracking, wireless support...

Re: The Apple iPad
 

I like the time travel feature

Re: The Apple iPad
 

So like this one?

I like the idea of the product, but I'm not a huge fan of the name - not a factor to me, though - and I think that Apple seriously overlooked a few things. The next generations will probably be more worth it (and I'll have more time to save money for it!). To quote Gizmodo...

"Are you saying I can't listen to Pandora while writing a document? I can't have my Twitter app open at the same time as my browser? I can't have AIM open at the same time as my email? Are you kidding me?"

Re: The Apple iPad
 

what about the flux capacitor? :D

Re: The Apple iPad
 

That only $200 iPhone comes with a hefty monthly fee for two years, the 4 iPhone family plan we just signed comes out to over $6,000 for the next two years.

As for wireless (802.11) scouting, don't forget that you are not allowed to use them at events.

Wetzel

Re: The Apple iPad
 

Yeah, I know. As a previous iPod owner, I am a little annoyed not at the fact that it's a big iPod Touch, but that they marketed it as a revolution. This may be the rumor mill and the reality distortion field interfering with each other, but I think that's a bit too derivative of the iPod Touch to be considered "revolutionary". And yeah, it has a market, even outside the Apple heads, but iPhones have been around for 3 generations, and there have been tablets since more or less the dawn of mobile computing. Granted, I'm sure the iPad will be Apple's darling, and "just work" to Jobs' specifications, but Apple, don't resell your stuff in family size just to squeeze in more adjectives. Actively make me want a tablet, give me a killer app. Something I specifically need a big screen for, and cannot accept substitutions on.

And what really gets me is that the really cool stuff, iWork, the keyboard dock, SD input, VGA output, and the a la carte 3G, are all things they could have easily put out for the iPhone form factor, but didn't/wont/"will, but not just yet" specifically to sell us their new revolution of the month flavor. These are not things specific to a tablet, do not make them specific to your tablet.

And when Apple does invents time travel, it would come with an upload of Steve's brain to work out the paradoxes for you.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

I'm discrediting Gizmodo here simply because Pandora is vastly inferior to last.fm in pretty much every way. :p

Re: The Apple iPad
 

*spits on something leaving a stock sound effect* Them be fightin' words around these parts here.

Plus Firefox scrobblers are a dime a dozen, so it's no big deal either way.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

I think I'll just stick with my HP Pavillion tx 2500 tablet PC thank you.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

I was specifically referring the quality of both of their internet radio services. Once you couple the scrobbling and profile capabilities with that, it makes my point even more true.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

iPad? <yawn>

Call me in a couple years.