I'm gearing up for iPhone and Android development so I thought I'd ask you guys if you plan to buy one of the upcoming tablets. Apple has announced the date when iPads will be available and I'm sure Android based tablets will be close behind. So, my questions are:

1) Do you plan to buy one of the tablets that will be released this year? (Yes, No, Maybe)

2) If yes, which one? (iPad, Android, other)

Thanks for your input,

Mario

Can a mod fix the typo in the thread title? Please!

Who is Woh and why does he want one?

I either need a computer on my desk or something that fits in my pocket and can make phone calls. No use for anything in between.

1. No. Not now or probably ever.

I may get one for the Kitchen / wife. She just needs app for e-mail and web browsing and some media viewing. Sure wish it had a front video cam as we will need video skype on it too. Don't need 3G, wifi will work fine. If I can't attach a video cam to it, I'll just wait for a model that can.

Another concern is I want to be able to use it by the pool for web surfing and reading books. But if it doesn't work well in brite sun, I'll be disappointed.

Will probably get a touchscreen netbook when the time comes, cheaper and more functional. If I had to pick today, would probably take something like this over an ipad - Amazon.com: Asus Eee PC T91SA-VU1X-BK 8.9-Inch Intel Atom Netbook Computer (Black): Computer &…@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Joj4QiUzL.@@AMEPARAM@@41Joj4QiUzL

IMO- Netbooks are just crippled laptops. What I see in the ipad is more of an appliance to surf the web, do stock trades, reader, media player ( as in a picture frame with slide show/video) and e-mail reader type stuff. Wife and I were discussing it last night and I told her everything she uses the laptop for can be done on the ipad, maybe easier except those rare times she needs to use Excel for complex spreadsheets. Then she'll need to get the laptop out. Then she reminded me that even her laptop doesn't have a big enough screen for her spreadsheets.
Therefore before I buy, I'll just want to shop and play at the stores. I don't see this as a replacement for my laptop, nor PDA phone. Rather just an appliance for communications. Lack of Flash has me a bit concerned for ipad, though. It may be a deal killer for me. I'm in no hurry, that is for certain.

I think people who thumbs down the device before even looking at them hands on are just afraid of the future and scared of change. I'll give it a fair shake out before jumping into one but until then, I'll give it a fair chance.

I will give the Android tablets a serious look when they come out.

Despite St. Jobs claiming to having invented everything computer related under the sun, they have never before created a market.
They sure had a hand in transforming some of them: iPod (legitimate sales if digital audio) and iPhone (what actually a smartphone can do) comes to mind.
But every time it was an existing (old) idea with an Apple "twist" applied to it; AppStore being their biggest invention in the last ~5 years.

With the iPad it is an attempt to create a market. I think it will be harder. But if successful, the payoff will be even better.

Diogen.

All it takes is something with more horsepower to hit price points that are already going to be much lower than the ipad's and it will be much easier for people to scratch the 'everyone's getting a tablet' itch.

FirstView's $95 Android / Windows CE PC607V tips a craptablet iceberg at CeBIT -- Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/06/firstviews-95-android-windows-ce-pc607v-tips-a-craptablet-ic/)

$95 Android tablet.

By no means a beast hardware/software wise, but if I wanted a tablet for just for email and web browsing, the entry level price point is going to be remarkably low.

Apple has a very consistent approach: don't muck with what works!

First, it was the iPod and iTunes.
Before that, having a bunch of MP3s on your PC/PDA was a synonym of being involved a "copyright infringement".
iTunes made this legit for the price of lock-in.

iPhone built on top of iPod's success.
Reportedly, even Jobs wasn't a fan of the closed AppStore idea. The decision was made to try and it turned out as successful as iTunes.

I think both, iPod and iPhone pretty much reached its top in marketshare.
Companies are more aware of what Apple can do and big players - Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Sony - are taking this fight much more seriously.

To preserve profits you either try to create a new market (iPad) or fight using the patent stick.

And having such a loyal installed base is icing on the cake.
What publicly traded company could ever get away with this type marketing BS

When they play with the iPad and experience the magic of using it ... I have a hard time believing they're going to go for a netbook.
Apple: iPad Will Beat Netbooks With "Magic" - PCWorld (http://www.pcworld.com/article/190134/apple_ipad_will_beat_netbooks_with_magic.html)

Diogen.

I think people who thumbs down the device before even looking at them hands on are just afraid of the future and scared of change. I'll give it a fair shake out before jumping into one but until then, I'll give it a fair chance.

I don't need one or want one.

I didn't say I was scared to touch one.

I'm not afraid of the future and scared of change. :rolleyes:

I think people who thumbs down the device before even looking at them hands on are just afraid of the future and scared of change. I'll give it a fair shake out before jumping into one but until then, I'll give it a fair chance.

This is different though. If it were the first portable computer or something then I'd understand, or the first ipod touch. It's not though, it's an Applie iTunes AppStore Kiosk, with little/no support for doing anything else. Designed from the ground up to generate revenue based off accessories and app store purchases.

I have a Droid, I have a nice new i7 Windows 7 based computer I built myself after beta testing the OS for months, I'm by no means afraid of new technology. I'm just smart enough to know when a $500 device is probably about $300 more than what it should be for what I am getting.

It will see initial success, and then the price will have to come down significantly to compete with tablets that are actual netbook/notebook replacements rather than something that tries to define a place in the middle and can't replace either.

The relative merits of the iPad vs Android tablet vs netbook are unimportant to me; I plan to support the first two but not the last one. I'm really just trying to get a feel for whether anyone is planing to buy one of the various tablets. I'm sure there are other threads where the features of these things can be compared and discussed.

Mario

When you say support, in what capacity?

I know the ipad doesn't really have a place here in my office where I do my business of TV production. But if it can do the stuff we need elsewhere around the house, I can see having one with a keyboard and, hopefully webcam in the kitchen and another located in my Home Theater to be portable to use outdoors on the patio as well.

mestevo- when I said afraid of new technology, I didn't mean to insult those who are comfortable with a desktop computer or using a 21st century cell phone, I meant those who will automatically thumbs down any paradigm shift in technology. While the tablet is certainly not new, combining the concept with Apple's record for design and marketing will be what it takes to show the concept to many non-techies who are just interested in an easier way to get information-- an appliance for the internet and other modern day activities that previously required a computer.

When you say support, in what capacity?
Application development. I already have a variety of projects in the design stage but I'm always looking for new ideas.

Mario

I'm definitely buying one. Used an iPhone for two weeks on vacation instead of taking a laptop and the only issue was the tiny screen and it wasn't that bad. Didn't miss Flash at all, many flash sites had iPhone versions anyway. Instead of the wife and I fighting over the laptop at home in the evening for surfing and e-mail, adding the iPad will be perfect. I doubt we will ever buy another full computer, the iPad seems to be all we will ever need, especially since it will work with wireless keyboards for writing projects and always has internet connectivity.

no not ever

I can see a definite place for tablets. They are useful around the house like in bed or on the couch where you want to look up something, but do not plan on writing essays. A laptop can be awkward to manage while watching TV.

It would be great on a plane. Given the seat restrictions in coach where the person in front of you practically lays in your lap, it would be much better than a laptop to watch movies on, or otherwise be entertained.

Will I buy one now? No, I want to see G2. I want a few more things with it, that will probably be in the second version. I would like to see it have everything the iPhone has in it... Camera, GPS, etc. I really would like to see flash on it too, I do not want to use a stripped down interface meant for a phone when going to web sites on a full sized screen.

I may get one for the Kitchen / wife. She just needs app for e-mail and web browsing and some media viewing. Sure wish it had a front video cam as we will need video skype on it too. Don't need 3G, wifi will work fine. If I can't attach a video cam to it, I'll just wait for a model that can.

Another concern is I want to be able to use it by the pool for web surfing and reading books. But if it doesn't work well in brite sun, I'll be disappointed.

Couldn't you do all of that with a netbook?

I don't need one or want one.

I didn't say I was scared to touch one.

I'm not afraid of the future and scared of change. :rolleyes:


ditto.

Geronimo- The few netbooks I have seen so far all are slow to get information ( lengthy boot up) and none have the convenience of touch screen with multitouch. Some things the ipad features are less computer like and more tablet like. To me, there is no advantage of moving from small 12" and 13" laptops ( I now have) to a netbook. Just the same except for a smaller screen and no DVD player. The ipad, on the otherhand gives me a better read than my htc TP2 because of the larger screen size and the same speed(always on ready to surf with a tad better user interface ( multitouch).

If I want to use a tablet, I'll use my tablet pc. No compelling reason for an ipad or for any of the android versions of the same. Moto droid gives me all I need for portable internet device.

And I fixed the thread title. ;) :D

Geronimo- The few netbooks I have seen so far all are slow to get information ( lengthy boot up) and none have the convenience of touch screen with multitouch. Some things the ipad features are less computer like and more tablet like. To me, there is no advantage of moving from small 12" and 13" laptops ( I now have) to a netbook. Just the same except for a smaller screen and no DVD player. The ipad, on the otherhand gives me a better read than my htc TP2 because of the larger screen size and the same speed(always on ready to surf with a tad better user interface ( multitouch).

The ASUS Eee PC T91MT is a 9" multitouch netbook w/ Windows 7 and a webcam for less than $500. By the time I buy a tablet-like PC I expect I'll be able to get a bit more horsepower for the same price. Only things it doesn't do that you described would be instant on (but it's SSD, so faster than most of our PCs... though even without a SSD my machine is on in ~25 seconds) and I don't remember what the ipad battery life was like, but you'd have to charge this thing every 4-5 hours like any other netbook.

MyT91.info (http://myt91.info/?p=149)

With the introduction and popularity of the ipad, there are going to be a ton of these types of products, keeping the price down well below even the entry level ipads. This one is pretty good for being one of the first. Has a tablet UI that can be enabled too, they've got a video for it here:

YouTube - T91MT Intro Video

If I want to use a tablet, I'll use my tablet pc. No compelling reason for an ipad or for any of the android versions of the same. Moto droid gives me all I need for portable internet device.

And I fixed the thread title. ;) :D
Thanks for the input and the title fix. :)

I would prefer a tablet with a 1920x1080p IPS screen and multitouch. If it ran windows 7, I would not mind. I have a feeling I will have to wait a year or 2 to get one that I would like well enough to buy. Perhaps a keyboard docking station that makes it a laptop.

If I want to use a tablet, I'll use my tablet pc. No compelling reason for an ipad or for any of the android versions of the same. Moto droid gives me all I need for portable internet device.

And I fixed the thread title. ;) :D

The whole truth now, Mike- Fact is you already own a Kindle reader, don't need an ipad reader. Eventhough the ipad will be a superior reader for the color and zoom capabilities, navigation and diversification of web publications, if that interests you.

Secondly, your tablet PC is old technology, not saying it is obsolete just saying it does not have latest greatest navigation features for competing with the ipad Does it have multitouch? Is it always on ready to read?

Now for my truth- The ipad first generation is not what most of us will like anyway. Look for 2nd or 3rd generation for the power users.

I can see myself wanting to know something and grab for the ipad, do a quick google search, get the answer and be done. all within a few seconds. If I grabbed my laptop, I turn it on wait for the boot to be done and then I launch the browser and maybe it decides to launch and maybe it needs to update itself. In 4 minutes I have my laptop ready to go to work. Now what was it I needed to know again? I should have written it down on a piece of paper.

The ipad will be a quick information appliance. No waiting.


Here's an app idea for you- You being a teacher- how about a data base for teachers. Start with a graphic of your classroom and the seating chart. touch the seat and you get the student's files, including an image of them you grabbed from their facebook page or manually from your iphone camera, grade entry etc and it computes averages, and logs info into school database. You can hand enter notes and comments on each student and never need post it notes. Just an idea that would be great for the tablet.

MS's Courier concept would be awesome for something like that.

I would prefer a tablet with a 1920x1080p IPS screen and multitouch. If it ran windows 7, I would not mind. I have a feeling I will have to wait a year or 2 to get one that I would like well enough to buy. Perhaps a keyboard docking station that makes it a laptop.

Mike, the ipad will sell with an accessory that docks to a keyboard and sets it up as a desk top workstation and charging. Mouse has been suggested but not confirmed.

1920 x 1080P ??? Yeah, I want that too on my next wrist watch TV! :D

Seriously, when the ipad comes out go look at the screen quality and then decide if the resolution is good enough to meet your visual requirements and forget about the numbers. IMO, for an ipad, I want the image to look good and be easy on the eyes in outdoor lighting at my patio. If it doesn't handle that, I'll be thoroughly disappointed as one main use for me will not work better than my current laptops. i.e. a laptop decorated with hoodman.

Mike, the ipad will sell with an accessory that docks to a keyboard and sets it up as a desk top workstation and charging. Mouse has been suggested but not confirmed.



I was thinking more along the line of a keyboard with a hinge that the iPad would snap into to make it all one piece so that it was just like a netbook, not something for a desktop only. I could take it on trips and such and mostly use without the keyboard, but have the option when I needed.

That T91MT is very nice. Thanks for the video. The MS Currier looks interesting too.

Shopping for the right mix of these devices will be fun!

The run time for the ipad was said to be 10 hours. Not sure if that was with screen on or off and whether the wifi was on or off. With Apple, they always hype the stuff to the point where you really need to do your own homework. I recall running 4 iphone batteries dead at the store surfing the web. The first iphone batteries had terrible life.

The whole truth now, Mike- Fact is you already own a Kindle reader, don't need an ipad reader. Eventhough the ipad will be a superior reader for the color and zoom capabilities, navigation and diversification of web publications, if that interests you.


Whoever said anything about NEED. :D But I don't even WANT an ipad.

I actually think you are wrong about the ipad being superior reader. When you read a book, is it in color?

I can zoom on the kindle to change the text size. And e-ink is far superior to reading on a LCD. I can ready my kindle for hours at end (like I did on a plane a few weeks ago) with ZERO eye strain. And I saw the page flipping of the ebook in the ipad commercial. I was not impressed. I don't need multi-touch on an e-book reader. I just want to click, and have the new page. don't need silly stuff like making it pretend to be a paper book. It isn't. The kindle fits comfortably in my hands, can be read outdoor in bright sunlight (somehow, I seriously doubt that will be true for the ipad - just as it is not true for my droid or my ipod touch).

And that does not even get to the issue of battery drain. My kindle runs for 2 weeks on a charge.

I'll check out the ipad when I am at the Apple store in Chicago in April, but I don't see any compelling reason for anyone to get an ipad if they want an e-book reader. So many other options out there. And while a handheld web device the size of the iPad is interesting, there is NO WAY IN HELL it is worth the cost of $30/month for data and the initial outlay of probably $600+.

Your classroom database idea is interesting though, and probably the best idea I have heard for getting such a tablet - if such an app existed. THen again, such a device would work great on a new Android tablet too. :D

I can see myself wanting to know something and grab for the ipad, do a quick google search, get the answer and be done. all within a few seconds.That is the most interesting question: what human activity will benefit from a tablet-slate? From a practical, not fanboy standpoint.

If one is looking for a yes/no (binary) type of answer, or one-liner: currency exchange rate, weather forecast, etc. - a smartphone is better.
The tablet-slate is better where a laptop would be needed but not convenient... something on the go... not quite sure what it could be.

But then again, iPad might create new human activities to fit the device...

I don't think an iPad can beat a notebook in terms of speed. Waking up a SSD-based notebook takes seconds and the keyboard beats the iPad hands down...

Diogen.

Not interested.

My 13" laptop gets me by admirably, and I purchased it to use everywhere in the house and in the yard via my wireless router. No charges except for the broadband I have anyway.

It, to me, is way overpriced compared to what I already have. My TVs don't have instant-on and if necessary, I can wait a few seconds to start a laptop. :D