iPad Global release

Gary · May 23, 2010, 17:07:11

Quote from: Rik on May 23, 2010, 17:01:09

Ok not practical at all

Technical Ben · May 25, 2010, 00:04:45

Quote from: Steve on May 07, 2010, 17:45:36
It will be on the 28th of May, details of 3g data tariffs not available yet. Those of you who wish to pre-order can do so on the 10th of May

16GB, wifi only - £429 inc vat...

I know they are not perfect. But at half the price for a start (here), and super sexy for a finish (here, I'd go for a Netbook. All you need on it is Apples OS really.

Don't get me wrong. I love the device, but as the OS is not the full feature I would want (OSX, Linux or Windows, even a mobile version) I see it to expensive for a toy. Even a PSP can do half those features.

Gary · May 25, 2010, 01:24:59

Quote from: Technical Ben on May 25, 2010, 00:04:45
I know they are not perfect. But at half the price for a start (here), and super sexy for a finish (here, I'd go for a Netbook. All you need on it is Apples OS really.

Don't get me wrong. I love the device, but as the OS is not the full feature I would want (OSX, Linux or Windows, even a mobile version) I see it to expensive for a toy. Even a PSP can do half those features.

I think its opening up a different market, I have no love for netbooks, but I would not need a full version of OSX on it, I can do most of what I need on my iPhone but a larger version with a almost full sized touch keyboard would make things better, also you have the apps once again to enhance its abilities what I would want however is Flash 10.1

I think the sooner Jobs is replaced the better.

Technical Ben · May 26, 2010, 22:13:33

If the just bit the bullet and made a netbook version of the Ipad. Would that not sell? 100% screen, with touch keyboard and a usb port (for external devices like mouse etc if you really want it).
Some do come with a touch screen, but not seen them in tablet form.

lozcart · May 27, 2010, 18:59:55

Received my iPad at 5.00pm this evening, I will let you know my thoughts once I've separated it from the kids

Simon · May 27, 2010, 19:00:44

Watch out, one of them's got a screwdriver at it!

Rik · May 27, 2010, 19:03:11

Steve · May 27, 2010, 19:39:25

Your not allowed to play with it until tomorrow

lozcart · May 27, 2010, 20:03:12

I won't be able to log into idnetters with it as I can't remember my password, its in my office at work so will have to check what it is tomorrow

One hour to the kids bedtime

Rik · May 27, 2010, 20:14:09

And counting...

lozcart · May 27, 2010, 22:00:54

The kids review of the iPad is wow this is awesome, but now for my comments.

Taking the iPad out of the box you first notice its large screen size compared to the iPhone/iPod touch and its weight which is heaver than I imaged, the build quality is what you would expect from Apple excellent. Connecting the iPad to the computer to set it up via iTunes was faultless, I synced Apps, songs and photos. After disconnecting from the computer I connected to my Wifi faultlessly and set up my MobileMe account which immediately synced from the cloud my email account, contacts, bookmarks and calendar.

As I already have a iPhone 3GS and a iPod Touch I feel right at home using the multitouch screen of the iPad. The screen is very clear, bright and has a wide viewing angle. The speed of the device is noticeable faster than my iPhone and apps open very fast.

Calendar: Well laid out and very similar to iCal on the Mac.
Contacts: Again well laid out with a better interface than the Mac application.
Notes: Much like the iPhone.
Maps: Looks great on the larger screen, found my location very fast even though this is just a Wifi only model. Great to have street view added to the app.
Videos and Youtube: Nice new modern layout and easy to find and play material which look great on the larger screen.
iBooks: Early days as not many books available, downloaded Winnie the Poo which the kids liked and fine easy to navigate.
Mail: Nice neat new layout, great when used in landscape mode.
Photos: Synced from my Mac no problem and when viewed as events it is great to pinch out on the stack to see which photos are inside. Photos look excellent on the screen.
iPod: Now more like iTunes layout which I like, it did take me some time to find the shuffle feature, so a good start but could do with some tweaking.
iTunes and App Store: Much the same as the iPhone apps.
Safari: This is the outstanding app, web sites load fast, the larger screen size means no more zooming in and out, it's great to have a bookmarks bar and using the touch screen becomes second nature.

Other iPhone apps I have installed work fine but some have to be x2 to fit the iPads screen, these apps such as ebay and Facebook then appear a little fuzzy on the screen. I guess they will all be updated soon. Actually it is now easier to view such sites in Safari as they work just fine. Apps which have been designed for the iPad take advantage of the extra screen space and are much better.

I've so far had no wifi problems with it connecting to my Belkin N router and the battery life seems impressive, the iPad also shows no signs of heat build up while in operation.

In conclusion I'm very happy with it and think when OS4.0 is released it will become even better. I haven't used the Apple case or camera connection kit so can't comment on these yet

Any questions please feel free to ask and I will try to answer them.

Finally is it any good as a tray? I'm sadly disappointed it is very slippy, is too small to hold anything more than two cups, there is no lip around the edge to prevent items falling off and would be ruined if put in the dishwasher

Simon · May 27, 2010, 22:12:14

Glad to hear you're please with it, Loz, and thanks for the review.

Steve · May 27, 2010, 22:13:09

Excellent thanks

So thinking aloud if you've got an iPhone and a Macbook what does the iPad offer that makes it a must have?

lozcart · May 27, 2010, 22:24:10

Quote from: Steve on May 27, 2010, 22:13:09
Excellent thanks So thinking aloud if you've got an iPhone and a Macbook what does the iPad offer that makes it a must have?

Good question, you sound like my wife

My excuse was that there are four of us in the house and we sometimes all might want to go on the internet, daughter No1 MacBook (Windows), daughter no2 iMac, wife MacBook and me iPad.

The real answer is as a Apple fan I just wanted one

I've just remembered my password so this is my first iPad post

Simon · May 27, 2010, 22:30:08

Quote from: lozcart on May 27, 2010, 22:24:10
The real answer is as a Apple fan I just wanted one

That's the best reason of all.

Steve · May 27, 2010, 22:36:56

I was thinking about using it with iPeng which would make it one of the most expensive music remote controls ever.

pctech · May 27, 2010, 22:37:18

Did they have staff applauding you as you came out?

Rik · May 28, 2010, 00:17:37

If it's a good gadget, who needs a reason.

lozcart · May 28, 2010, 08:32:32

Quote from: pctech on May 27, 2010, 22:37:18
Did they have staff applauding you as you came out?

No, TNT delivered it, he did inform me that we have a bees nest in a front garden bush

Rik · May 28, 2010, 08:40:58

Did he charge extra for that?

Tacitus · May 28, 2010, 09:20:34

Quote from: lozcart on May 28, 2010, 08:32:32
No, TNT delivered it, he did inform me that we have a bees nest in a front garden bush

Hmmm, there's probably a BeeFinder app for that.....

Glenn · May 28, 2010, 09:33:36

Must of had a bee in his bonnet

Rik · May 28, 2010, 09:39:35

Bill · May 28, 2010, 09:49:02

Quote from: lozcart on May 28, 2010, 08:32:32
he did inform me that we have a bees nest in a front garden bush

Bet that gave him quite a buzz.

Rik · May 28, 2010, 10:01:14

It must be catching.