iPad explanation for geeks.

[kickaha]

How many times have you heard (at least in your head), an SUV owner saying that they just don't get little SmartCars, Priuses, and so on? "You can't haul anything in them." "They do so *little*!" "Sure, the mileage may be great, but I need room for four kids, not four grocery bags." "They're just not *fun* to drive

Comments

[georgmi]

It has occurred to me that an iPad would be an excellent control panel for my home automation and media center, assuming the necessary app(s). I was already planning to use the iPhone for that purpose, and may still, but the greater screen real estate of the iPad makes it very attractive as a solution. I wouldn't even have to get anything more than the base model.

I still say the significantly decreased portability of the device (over the iPhone) is going to hurt its sales, at least among the 40% of the population that doesn't carry a purse. Though as you point out, the actual intended market is so large that this probably won't prevent it from being successful.

I generally don't mind the tech support calls. M.'s parents ply me with beer (and their first-born daughter), and their problems are usually pretty easy to handle, even after a beer or two, and if my folks can't fix the problem themselves, then it's going to be interesting and educational to figure out.

[kickaha]

Yes, you are what is known as a Lucky Bastard when it comes to that last paragraph. :D

I figure that folks will carry an iPad-sized device just like they do a laptop. In a bag. Most of the time. It won't be phone-portable, but it will be portable-enough. I mean, most folks haul around a full laptop for... what? Email, web, music, videos... It's not purse sized, but it's definitely "oh hey, my bag weighs less now" sized.

And yeah, I think this makes most of those highly expensive home control systems now just plain obsolete. Write an app, and be done with it.

[georgmi]

It helps that I built M.'s parent's systems and infrastructure, I will grant you.

Again me and not the larger market, but I've never carried my laptop around to use it just anywhere. It goes from home to the office, and I have a dedicated space for it at each place. When I'm at Starbucks, I'm there with people I, you know, want to talk to. :) And the one bozo tying up a four-top table with his laptop and backpack and legal pad all spread out annoys the crap out of me.

[kickaha]

See? See? This would replace his laptop *and* his legal pad! :D

But yeah, I know what you mean. My laptop is damned near grafted to my hands, unfortunately. Double unfortunately, I'm one of those geeks, so something like an iPad just won't work for me.

[keridwen]

I see the utility, and it's very cool...

...but the name is so. very. painful.

[babbleon1]

seriously.

[meep]

While I'm not a fan of "corporate diversity initiatives" the one place diversity is a must [other than HR] is marketing.

I'm sure there must be some women around there, but obviously not enough to deafen the Steve Jobs with "Don't use that name DUMBASS"

[kickaha]

Yup to all three of you.

This is going to give my inner eight year old humor fodder for *years*.

[meep]

Related to above:
http://pajamasmedia.com/edgelings/tablet-dreams/

Difference between iPad and my tablet laptop[s], btw: I close my laptop up and it's got a relatively durable outer "shell" protecting that glass screen. Also, they're not touchscreens - you use a stylus to interact with the tablet. I use the tablet stuff only for my lectures, though. A touchpad and keyboard are my regular interfaces.

Why do I get the feeling that Steve Jobs can't type?

[kickaha]

LOL Hadn't considered that. :)

[meiow]

I would love to replace my mom's MacBook with the iPad, for exactly these reasons, if only you could -print- from it! She wants to be able to print receipts from her purchases, as the websites invariably state you should. She wants to print photos of her grandchild that my brother sends her, etc.

Sigh. The iPad would be so perfect, otherwise. :(

[kickaha]

Ayup. There are two functions that I think it needs to be a home run PC replacement: printing and backing up. The former has been rumored for iPhone OS 4 for a few weeks now, and the latter may have something to do with the massive data center Apple is building in Maiden. We didn't get much in the way of details last week, and I'm certain there's more to come before March launch.

[georgmi]

...an iPad, and a Maiden data center?

The jokes write themselves, people! Can't you see that?

[kickaha]

LOL I... had not made that connection before.

So an iPad catches the flow from Maiden? Baaaaaad.

[georgmi]

ObSnark: Have you tried to get four grocery bags into a Smart fortwo? Your passenger will be walking home.