Oxymoron of the day: Business Ethics
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Apple Ipad
THE FIRST SIX HOURS with Apple's latest creation, the Ipad, should be the best you'll ever have with the device but it takes a lot less than that to realise that the Ipad falls some way short of the high level of expectations created by the Iphone.
The device, launched over the Easter weekend presumably to bolster sales, has been promoted relentlessly by Apple and it's not hard to see why. When a device tries to be a jack of all trades, it usually has compromises and isn't focused on being good at any one thing. The big problem for Apple now is that it only takes a short time trying to use the Ipad to figure that out.
Apple does a stellar job in building up the illusion and the Ipad is packaged, like all the firm's devices, very nicely. Once rid of the packaging you soon realise that a 10-inch slab of aluminium and glass isn't the most nimble form in the palm of your hand. You don't have to posses the physique of a greek god to hold the device with one hand, but if you do use the Ipad for a protracted period of time then you're going to want to lean it on something.
What hits the user first isn't the size or weight but rather the device's single most impressive feature, its screen. There's simply no word for it, the 9.7 inch in-plane switching (IPS) screen is breathtakingly crisp, striking much the same effect as the original Iphone.
Of course because it has a gloss finish that most nail artists would be proud of, reflections are common. It's a shame because the screen itself is bright and looking at photographs you notice that the contrast is also impressive, but any light source behind or in front of you is likely to impose a rather annoying flare.
It's not long after turning on the Ipad that you are forced to connect it to Apple's online Itunes store and activate the device. If you're an Iphone user then the settings, data and Apps, if they are compatible, will be transferred over. In our case Itunes decided to give up the ghost halfway through the initial Ipad synchronisation, a timely reminder of why the bloated Apple content delivery platform should be avoided.
If you're outside of the US and are willing to splash the cash on an Ipad prior to its worldwide launch then you're in for a nasty shock. Apple doesn't want you to access its App Store before it releases the device to the rest of the world. If you try and login using an Itunes account that has a non-US credit card on file then you simply get a message saying that the App Store is not currently supported in your country.
This check isn't done using anything as technologically advanced as IP geo-location but rather keys on just your account details. Unless you have a very generous friend who lives in the US, Apple's shiny new toy will be pretty useless for some time.
Of course here at The Inq we laugh in the face of credit card checks and were inside within minutes. It doesn't take long to realise that the Ipad store isn't the same bargain basement App Store found on the Iphone. Rarely do you find applications costing less than seven quid and free Ipad apps are rather few and far between.
Apple has provided an ebook copy of Winnie the Pooh for free and, while beautifully illustrated, it's hardly the most technologically demanding application for the Ipad. The interface is also nice but far from astonishing. So, by employing a simple networking trick, we downloaded the free ABC Player application, a sort of Iplayer for the US, and watched some telly.
The whole process was pretty smooth over WiFi and we didn't witness issues with system performance or WiFi connectivity. Quite how this will pan out with dodgy 3G networks is another question but the A4 system on chip CPU handled the workload quite well. Then again it doesn't have to juggle more than one user process at a time, either.
The issue we did have was with the positioning of the speakers, especially when the Ipad was held in landscape orientation. As the speakers are on one side of the metal casing, unless you hold the device so that the power switch is to your left, you will almost certainly block the three speaker holes. Even in portrait orientation, the device has to be held away from the body so as not to obstruct the speaker grille.
Unsurprisingly, given that the Iphone is still the standard bearer for mobile web browsing, the Ipad's comparatively massive screen real estate improves the experience. The lack of Flash support is felt most when you try view Flash encoded videos but you soon realise that your life can indeed continue without Flash in your web browsing life.
Once you start entering URLs you realise that the Ipad isn't designed to compose War and Peace. Unless the device is placed on a desk, you'll have one hand holding the device steady while your remaining digits grapple with a keyboard that provides no tactile feedback.
Once you ditch the rose tinted glasses it's easy to see what the Ipad is, nothing special. It's hard to find an activity that cannot performed on a netbook albeit without the panache that comes with holding aloft a device with a shiny silver half bitten fruit on the back. The Ipad isn't any more portable than a netbook and judging by our WiFi only tests, battery life isn't all that great either. And in case you had forgotten about Apple's lust for control, its feeble attempts to stop people outside of the US from gaining access to the Ipad's App Store should provide a helpful reminder.
The Ipad feels like a product that the Apple of old would put out, the same Apple that produced flops such as the 'toaster' G4 Cube, the 20th Anniversary Mac and lest we forget, the Newton. At least the Newton can credibly claim it was years ahead of its time but it's hard to see the same being said about the Ipad. µ
Tags: Apple
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Yep, watch all the i-Tards go right off the cliff with this one.
Why can't i-Tards understand that when a publication slams a commercial product, the credibility is more likely real than not? So many websites/publications/editorial teams suck up to new product launches with ass-kissing-brown-nosing write-ups in order to secure good relations for future advertising revenue.
Understand one thing, those that are easily impressed tend to be the ignorant. Like my 2 & 3 year old nephews for instance.
Don't stop now, I'm still laughing XD
Apple ipad tablet not at all but atleast apple ipad this is special part for tech world let'go human for future
http://allappleipadtablet.blogspot.com
To the three iFanbois who commented directly to me:
If you want fawning praise for you iToys, look for it elsewhere. Someone reviews an Apple product and doing like it, you dump on them. Someone comments in a not so fawning manner over iToys, you attack them. Get over yourselves, your leader (JOBS) and your toys. You like them? Great. Others disagree and don't. I'm sure that if I and everyone else here thought of them as the second coming of Jesus, you'd all be nodding your heads to the same tune. I'm not willing to over pay for a device that does less than my Laptop, Blackberry, or Desktop and your childish insults won't change my mind or anyone else's. The iPad doesn't serve any useful purpose to me. If it works for you, then great. Enjoy. We will agree to disagree and move on.
YES THAT IS THE PERFECT USE FOR THE IPAD - TRUE LAPTOP COMPUTING. I DO THE SAME THING WITH MY CHEAPIE $500 EVEREX DUAL CORE SA2053T THAT BEATS THE PANTS OFF THIS THING (SPEC WISE) ALSO RUNS WIN7 AND SURPRISE SURPRISE LEOPARD 10.5.6 (HAVEN'T BOTHERED PUTTING SNOW LEOPARD ON IT YET).
I GET ADDED BENEFIT OF ACTUAL KEYBOARD & TRACKPAD AND -NO- ITUNES (THANKS ANYWAYS). PLUS I CAN FOLD IT UP AND ALL ITS GUTS ARE PROTECTED INTERNALLY, YOU HAVE TO SLIP YOUR IPAD INTO A SLEEVE OR PLACE IT SOMEWHERE. I BEEN RUNNING MY CRAPY LAPTOP FOR +2 YEARS NOW AND APPLE FINALLY CATCHES UP - BUT IT DIDN'T CATCH UP.
CONCLUSION: IPAD = PURE GIMMICKRY.
(I STILL ENJOY THE HECK OUT OF MY NOKIA N810, IT ALSO EXCEEDS IPOD TOUCH ON NUMEROUS FRONTS NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH, UTTER AVOIDANCE OF ITUNES CRAP - IT TOO IS WAY OLD DEVICE).
'The iPhone CAN multitask. Just not 3rd party apps. Tune in a 6pm UK time though...'
Well well well... OS 4 coming to iPhone and iPad. The game's afoot...
Got my iPad yesterday, dont want it to replace a computer, don't want it to be a phone, don't want it to be a TV.
I bought it because its cool, I can look at my photos play my music and check my e-mails anywhere I want (within reason) its light and portable and I dont have to fire up the old laptop everytime I want to go on-line. It gets admiring looks and comments from everyone.
If you want to be stuck in the dark ages with your old netbook or struggle to balance your laptop while watching TV, then save your money and dont buy one, if you want to get the most flexible approach to home computing then buy one. I did and its great, well done Apple.
His reasons were perfectly valid? I thought there were a couple off the mark. What about this one:
"judging by our WiFi only tests, battery life isn't all that great either."
Do you feel that 10+ hours on one charge for a tablet device is NOT good?
@Andrew:
Of course I've seen their other coverage. It is childish to create preconceptions about the editor based on the other articles, instead of judging the review on its own merits. Many of the Inq's other articles are flagrantly anti-apple, I just don't think this was one of them. Besides his unsupported iTunes comment, his reasons were perfectly valid (and don't confuse my use of the term "valid" with "objectively correct" - his opinions were valid insofar as opinions can be, which is to say he provided reasoning).
Why is everyone so upset about the iNquirer's rabid anti-Apple stance? It's not as if the iNquirer is a real newspaper, with proficient editors or competent writers. C'mon it's a rag. It practices the best Yellow journalism in the UK (after the Sun's page 3 girls, that is). Give these poor wags a tail (or is that tale) and see which dog bits it first.
@badpool
Clearly you've not been following the INQ coverage of the iPad, or as they like to put Ipad. Childish?
Balanced opinion indeed...
@Frank Black
It's funny how irrational haters will attack anyone who look at the positives of a device.
I thought the author showed enough objectivity in his review. He backed up his pros and cons with concrete examples.
Reviews are opinions, and it is childish to assume this author "hates apple" just because he didn't like the device.
And, no, the iPad is not *the* future of computing. Though I'm sure it will exist for a good while longer.
Attention Luddites!
For those of you who want features that Apple is NOT going to offer on the iPad - Flash, a USB port, a camera - I have a simple solution: DON'T BUY AN IPAD! See, wasn't that simple? You can join the ranks of folks just like you who berated the original iMac for not having a floppy disk drive, who scolded Apple for having come to the party late with the introduction of the iPod/iPhone, and who will be forever waiting for Microsoft's Courier to arrive in stores.
@ Frank Black.
Yet you fail to see that the shite you've just written is as bad as that from any fanboy, just from an opposite perspective.
'Fanbois' 'Worship' 'iJunk'
Do you see?
@scoob101: Looking at it another way- Will the ipad allow a person to do the same sort of tasks that they do on a laptop? (not everything a laptop does). The answer is, on the whole, yes (but differently?).
I think Apple is aiming it as an alternative rather than a replacement for a laptop and I hope that the HP slate will be a competitor to Apple just like Google is with Android. Its new so lets see what happens
It's funny how fanbois will attack anyone who doesn't worship Apple toys the way they do. The simple fact is that the iPad is little more than a giant iPod Touch. Anyone who has a iPhone or iPod Touch isn't getting anything revolutionary with the iPad. Seriously, increase the size of the iPod Touch and increase the price and there is your iPad. It has no more capability than an iPod Touch. Maybe they don't want it to compete with MacBooks. Maybe they think you lot who fall for this sort of trick are just daft. Either way, I'm not wasting my money on one. I'm sure fanbois will chime in with the usual disapproval and personal attacks, but, whatever. Have fun with your iJunk.
Does this run cool or burn your legs like all laptops and netbooks going around?
Also does it have a irritating fan like all netbooks (except Booklet 3g)?
Is the battery life better than Asus netbooks with WiFi on?
How does it compare to Archos tablets and digital-photo-frames?
Why dont you write a more useful review? instead of just trying to get maximum hits with minimum content value?
I was looking at some articles on the net last night about the iPad. My Mrs asked me "Why are you looking at that thing when you hate apple"
I replied, "I`m trying to find out what all the fuss is about"
"How much is it?" She asked
"About the same as your laptop"
"What!!! Can it do everything my laptop can do"
"Er, no"
"And it doesn`t have a keyboard"
"No"
"Bloody stupid waste of time that is then".
She aint wrong.........
I agree with the majority of the comments here: the 'review' of the ipad was unbalanced to say the least; swathed in pithy and questionable motives. E.g. You say itunes is bloated. Why?How?Compared to?
I'm pleased you managed to 'beat the system' and download an ABC player and highlight that UK and US are different because ipad isn't in UK yet etc(?).
My advice is to seek balanced and researched reviews elsewhere.
@Michael Smith
'Anyone not wanting an iPad, like me, as I do indeed dislike Apple and I do not and will not own anything (after owning the overhyped iPhone for less than 24 hours) I am being dictated to about using'.
So, you've not really got any great hands on time. Did you know on Android you can only use Android compatible Apps, You MUST use electricity to power it (not water), and above all else, you have to pay in the Currency of your Country, not in donkeys.
'I will not be dictated to as to what apps I can download what I can and have not on my phone or anything else for that matter'.
On an iPhone you can download any App you want from the App store.
'Anything Apple produce should be called iHitler as that is all Apple is - you will do and say what we say and nothing else'.
Yep, damn that OSX
'I have an Android Netbook and have had the G1 since it was released and have now upgraded to the Nexus One. Android is everything the Apple OS isn't it is flexible, can do multi tasks, you can download ANYTHING from the OPEN Market, you can change your ringtone/notification tone, you can record video, you can have Google Navigation, you can run more than one app at a time, you can change your wallpaper...which you cannot do with an iHitler/phone'.
The iPhone CAN multitask. Just not 3rd party apps. Tune in a 6pm UK time though...
Oh, it can record video too. Also, you can change the wallpaper. Is the Android marketplace REALLY so different from the App Store you dem it worthy to crow about?
'There is a fabulous device coming out later in the year called Notion Ink Adam with Android OS on it and a video camera (unlike the iHtyler iPad and will have access to the Android Market'.
OK. Is it out right now to compare? No.
'So although Apple (who stole the name from Apple corps and their logo owned by the Beatles) have been first with their tablet it may not be the best'.
Their have been tablet PCs for more than 10 years.
'Tablet's have been around for a long time despite Jobbs ramblings about apple 'being the first'.
Wait, didn't you just say...oh, never mind.
'Apple has a lot of sheep following it and I choose not to be a sheep. I prefer to be a free spirit and choose Android'.
That's a bit like saying I choose to be different, that's why I'm a Goth.
'Oh and Apple see HTC (Google) as their biggest threat hence why they are suing for allegedly using their patents which HTC LICENSED from another company'.
Oh, has that been legally settled then?
'Another Apple falls from the tree.....'.
Just another Android fanboy. See how stupid that is? Try to be a tech fan, rather than have these over emotional reponses to gadgets and Corporations.
Michael - I respect your opinion, as there are legitimate, frustrating things about the manner in which Apple designs and presents both its hardware and the digital content. I am a PC guy and have only delved into Apple via my iPod Touch, which I think is a great device (hence my potential interest in the iPad).
To my actual point, though, your comment regarding HTC/Google - I am very glad for the current competition between Apple and Google, as that kind of competition is only good for us consumers in the long run for better devices and content and lower prices. (although I think the law suits stink)
Thanks for sharing your views.
Anyone not wanting an iPad, like me, as I do indeed dislike Apple and I do not and will not own anything (after owning the overhyped iPhone for less than 24 hours) I am being dictated to about using.
I will not be dictated to as to what apps I can download what I can and have not on my phone or anything else for that matter.
Anything Apple produce should be called iHitler as that is all Apple is - you will do and say what we say and nothing else.
I have an Android Netbook and have had the G1 since it was released and have now upgraded to the Nexus One. Android is everything the Apple OS isn't it is flexible, can do multi tasks, you can download ANYTHING from the OPEN Market, you can change your ringtone/notification tone, you can record video, you can have Google Navigation, you can run more than one app at a time, you can change your wallpaper...which you cannot do with an iHitler/phone.
There is a fabulous device coming out later in the year called Notion Ink Adam with Android OS on it and a video camera (unlike the iHtyler iPad and will have access to the Android Market.
So although Apple (who stole the name from Apple corps and their logo owned by the Beatles) have been first with their tablet it may not be the best.
Tablet's have been around for a long time despite Jobbs ramblings about apple 'being the first'.
Apple has a lot of sheep following it and I choose not to be a sheep. I prefer to be a free spirit and choose Android.
Oh and Apple see HTC (Google) as their biggest threat hence why they are suing for allegedly using their patents which HTC LICENSED from another company.
Another Apple falls from the tree......
I did not purchase an iPad, but have been looking at many reviews. I was simply pointing out what I consider to be a poorly written review by someone who apparently does not like Apple.
@JMC
Let's just break this doozy of a comment down shall we?
'You've confirmed what I suspected and really already knew. This was always going to be a flop'
How is it a flop? Have you got the latest sales figures to confirm?
'anyone silly enough to pay out for a laptop style device which doesnt support multiple applications was always going to be a flop'
It has nearly 200,000 Apps available to it. That's multiple. Unless you meant mult-tasking. Let's see what this afternoon's announcement brings.
'Dont get me wrong I love my iphone but thats what it is! a phone/pda. you cant increase its size without improving its scope and technology and then expect expect it to compete with laptops...'
Who said it's competing with laptops?
'Loosing a keyboard with no feedback would be enough to turn me away'
It's 'losing' ffs. If you so desired you can use any BT keyboard with this.
'Sorry guys, better luck next time'!
Uh huh.
I want one!
I've always wondered what my laptop would look like with the keyboard sawn off, the USB ports blocked up, its storage reduced by half and the retail price jacked up by around 20%. And look, Apple have a history of making more than one (but less than three) successful products and that's why the iPad will fly off shelves! IT'S THE FUTURE OF COMPUTING assuming the world ends in 2012 as predicted.
Nurse, I need my medication and credit card NOW please.
You've confirmed what I suspected and really already knew. This was always going to be a flop, anyone silly enough to pay out for a laptop style device which doesnt support multiple applications was always going to be a flop
Dont get me wrong I love my iphone but thats what it is! a phone/pda. you cant increase its size without improving its scope and technology and then expect expect it to compete with laptops...
Loosing a keyboard with no feedback would be enough to turn me away
Sorry guys, better luck next time!
@ Psihomodo
Well mate, are you any less of a wanker for having a go at people by calling them wankers? I see people criticising the article, not particularly defending the iPad.
Of course, you hate this device so much you're trolling articles on it. You just can't keep away because even though you'll never own one, you hate to see people getting enjoyment from it and so you respond the only way you are able, with a bitter rant, oh, 'I'm still laughing' chuckling away there in your Council semi.
It's this non objectiveness that grates the most. Everything doesn't have to be black or white, hate or love. Like any gadget, which, let's not forget is all it is, the iPad does some stuff well, other stuff not so well. If the pros are what meets your needs then that makes it money well spent. It's hardly expensive. If not, then get a netbook.
Interesting to see all you wankers trying to defend your 500$ in Steve Jobs' pocket.
Not to mention that the Ipad was blatantly not wonderful even before launch. It really takes a special kind of person not to see that.
Enjoy your pain gentlemen, and try not to show it to everybody, you can only embarrass yourselves.
Still laughing...
Life without Flash? urmm why would you want it? Lets look at the 100+ million Facebook users who play the games often. Will the Ipad? NO! Will an Android Tablet/Phone? YES!.
Apples continual BS reasons over Flash are a joke, it's got nothing about Flash not liking touch interfaces but everything to do with Apple protection racket business model.
Come on Inq, we expect more truthful reporting when reviewing this Apple tat, this is way to kind!
A look through their articles over the last few days should tell you all you need to know about it lol
Constantly referring to anyone saying a nice thing about apple as a fanboi etc(which I think is very unprofessional)
The thing I want to know is if they're checking where you are by credit card details, what about accounts set up without credit cards attached?
It's fairly easy to set one up in iTunes, I've got one at the moment.
This review was written by someone with the imagination of a goat. I don't even recognise the reviewer's description compared with the iPad I'm holding here.
Ignore this review. Buy an IPad and take a peek at the future of all computing.
Finally, the comment about non US customers being unable to access the ITunes App store is complete nonsense. You can't access directly from the iPad - yet but you can download iPad apps onto your laptop or desktop and then sync them. It works fines.
...but the author of this article, to me, gives the impression of someone who dislikes Apple just looking for specific reasons to not like the device. Particularly the battery comment seemed out of line - 10+ hours from a 9.7 inch hand held display? What were you expecting, for crying out loud? Many reviewers even exceeded 10 hours in their initial tests.
'The lack of Flash support is felt most when you try view Flash encoded videos'.
Really? Inciteful stuff.
Awful, rushed review, lacking in detail, and with the 'conclusion' already written before Mr Latif had even seen the device.