If you have seen the new Apple Ipad I have some questions

[OceanCityGirl]

It is on Apple.com and looks great.
I don't understand the technology involved. I have an iphone which I love. I have been considering getting a Kindle or Nook soon. However, I'm wondering about getting this instead. Why would I need a data plan? I might be able to rationalize the cost of the Ipad but not a monthly data plan bill in addition to my iphone. If I don't get a data plan would I still be able to use it in wifi areas such as my home and a coffee shop? If I don't have a data plan is there any point to the 3g version? If I am purchasing to do in addition to the other features, reading do I need a ton of storage? Can I store my kindle books or other readers on my pc or in the amazon store and only put one or two on at a time that I'm reading? The same thing with movies. I don't use a device to do a bunch of movie watching but if I occasionally go on a long trip and might watch a movie or two can I put them on and then take them off like I would with my laptop. I may only be able to get the 16g version. I don't think I'll be able to rationalize the larger hard drive. wow, I remember when my home pc only had floppy disks for storage with no hard drive.
Thanks if you can help.

[SharkOnLand]

The non-3G version is just like an iPod touch on steroids, from what I understand. You'd be able to use it anywhere you have access to wifi signals.

If your primary purpose is reading, you might want to stick with the nook/Kindle idea. Those displays are e-ink, which are easier on the eyes than looking at a backlit LCD screen. An e-book will take up very little space, as they are typically just text. According to amazon.com the Kindle will hold hundreds of titles on its internal memory, which is only about 180MB. Of course the e-ink screens on the nook/Kindle are only black and white, whereas the iPad has a nice IPS LCD display.

As for being able to store kindle books or movies on your computer and swap them back and forth, I have no idea. If it works like the iPod touch, I imagine you could purchase movies through iTunes and transfer them to the iPad when you wanted to watch them.

[OceanCityGirl]

If your primary purpose is reading, you might want to stick with the nook/Kindle idea. Those displays are e-ink, which are easier on the eyes than looking at a backlit LCD screen. An e-book will take up very little space, as they are typically just text. According to amazon.com the Kindle will hold hundreds of titles on its internal memory, which is only about 180MB. Of course the e-ink screens on the nook/Kindle are only black and white, whereas the iPad has a nice IPS LCD display.

This is another thought I had. I will wait until it hits the apple store and go in and see it in person. I was just thinking I could give my iphone to mroc, pick up a basic phone for myself and use this as both a reader and the way I use my iphone. I was going to buy either the nook or kindle over the next couple weeks. I could wait until March when the non 3g model hits the stores and play with it a bit.

[Hockey Mon]

So, I just looked at this and from what I can discern, is if you get it with a data plan, you can go anywhere and get anything anytime (as long as you have a signal). If you get it without 3G, you need to be able to access a wifi signal to get to the Internet. (Basically what SharkOnLand said). It would be nice if they could combine the data plans so that if you have an Ipod and an Ipad, you only get one bill. Heck, it would be neat if you could use your Ipod as a wireless router and have your ipad connect wirelessly to your Ipod and go through that to get to the Internet.
And, totally agree with SharkOnLand about kindle/nook thing. If starting at a computer monitor gives you headaches after a while, staring at a backlit LCD screen will do the same thing. The e-ink should be easier on the eyes. I *just* had this conversation on Monday with a Mac guy.

[SharkOnLand]

Here's a comparison of the 3G costs between the iPad and the iPhone...

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/ipad ... -cost-you/

[SharkOnLand]

Apple probably could've come up with a better name for it though...

[Coconuts]

So, I just looked at this and from what I can discern, is if you get it with a data plan, you can go anywhere and get anything anytime (as long as you have a signal). If you get it without 3G, you need to be able to access a wifi signal to get to the Internet. (Basically what SharkOnLand said). It would be nice if they could combine the data plans so that if you have an Ipod and an Ipad, you only get one bill. Heck, it would be neat if you could use your Ipod as a wireless router and have your ipad connect wirelessly to your Ipod and go through that to get to the Internet.
And, totally agree with SharkOnLand about kindle/nook thing. If starting at a computer monitor gives you headaches after a while, staring at a backlit LCD screen will do the same thing. The e-ink should be easier on the eyes. I *just* had this conversation on Monday with a Mac guy.

You can always jailbreak the iPhone and tether it, although that's not completely wireless.

If we needed another computer, we would definitely get the iPad. I think Tom's considering it since his work laptop is huge (17"), and it would be a lot easier (and lighter) to travel with.

[Carolinadreamin']

Apple probably could've come up with a better name for it though...

Well that didn't take long.........was there not a woman at Apple who could open her mouth and say STOP the madness?

[chippewa]

Apple probably could've come up with a better name for it though...

Well that didn't take long.........was there not a woman at Apple who could open her mouth and say STOP the madness?

That video is 3 or 4 years old.

[TropicalTroubador]

Apparently there's no version of Adobe Flash for it yet. So you won't be able to watch movies in your browser until that happens.

[The Lost Manatee]

As far as I can see, this is a great little device in search of a niche to fill. While it currently can't be used as a cell phone per se, you could use the Google calling software and use it as such. It is a bit big to be a phone though and it is limited as a small computer. And I have my doubts about it durability for day to day use in the real world. I think will wait for all the bugs to be worked out and see if it does better than the Newton.

[sailorkid94]

Apparently there's no version of Adobe Flash for it yet. So you won't be able to watch movies in your browser until that happens.

Thats what might keep me from getting it. But then again I didnt get myself an itouch or iphone so im like living in the darkages so I may just go ahead and get the non-3G kind in march when they come out.

[SharkOnLand]

Apparently there's no version of Adobe Flash for it yet. So you won't be able to watch movies in your browser until that happens.

The iPhone and iPod Touch don't have Flash capability either, as far as I know.

[sailorkid94]

Apparently there's no version of Adobe Flash for it yet. So you won't be able to watch movies in your browser until that happens.

The iPhone and iPod Touch don't have Flash capability either, as far as I know.

They don't. I think having flash was supposed to be one of the new features that everyone was speculating it had and it was supposed to be great because flash was one of its many new features. Unfortunatly, all the ipad is is an oversized itouch.

[Coconuts]

As far as I can see, this is a great little device in search of a niche to fill. While it currently can't be used as a cell phone per se, you could use the Google calling software and use it as such. It is a bit big to be a phone though and it is limited as a small computer. And I have my doubts about it durability for day to day use in the real world. I think will wait for all the bugs to be worked out and see if it does better than the Newton.

It's a netbook with full/nearly full computing power (minus Flash), and not that much more expensive than an Acer. I think it has a niche- people who want the convenience of a netbook, but one that does more than just surf.

[SharkOnLand]

As far as I can see, this is a great little device in search of a niche to fill. While it currently can't be used as a cell phone per se, you could use the Google calling software and use it as such. It is a bit big to be a phone though and it is limited as a small computer. And I have my doubts about it durability for day to day use in the real world. I think will wait for all the bugs to be worked out and see if it does better than the Newton.

It's a netbook with full/nearly full computing power (minus Flash), and not that much more expensive than an Acer. I think it has a niche- people who want the convenience of a netbook, but one that does more than just surf.

Not that much more expensive? It costs twice what you can get an Acer netbook for (with a bigger screen and full keyboard to boot). And the cheapest one only has 16GB of storage, where you can get ten times that in the Acer. Plus netbooks usually have integrated cameras as well, another feature that the iPad (ugh. terrible name.) lacks.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

As far as I can see, this is a great little device in search of a niche to fill. While it currently can't be used as a cell phone per se, you could use the Google calling software and use it as such. It is a bit big to be a phone though and it is limited as a small computer. And I have my doubts about it durability for day to day use in the real world. I think will wait for all the bugs to be worked out and see if it does better than the Newton.

It's a netbook with full/nearly full computing power (minus Flash), and not that much more expensive than an Acer. I think it has a niche- people who want the convenience of a netbook, but one that does more than just surf.

I'm a Macbook owner but the lack of keyboard is a deal-breaker for me. Even with one on the screen, it makes it tough to type more than short notes, etc. Not something I'd want to carry as my only computer for drafting documents or even doing much posting online. I truly wish Apple would come out with a netbook-sized laptop. I own the 13 inch Macbook but it's too big to tuck in a purse and go.

[creeky]

will it come with a version that has wings?