The iPad's secret sauce: it's the software, stupid

Douglas (New user):

No, I don't want one, because I don't want to put up with CrApple software on my computer nor do I wish to support a system that does not support it's developers.

Dru Richman (New user):

Quoting Douglas:
No, I don't want one, because I don't want to put up with CrApple software on my computer nor do I wish to support a system that does not support it's developers

You're right Doug. Let's support developers the way Microsoft and Amazon do. They pay developers 30% and keep 70% of the sales of the developer's products. Apple gives 70% to the developers and keeps 30% for themselves. Who'd want to support a company that takes so much advantage of developers like Apple. [I won't even talk about the competitive advantage to developers having their products sold in the largest app store on the planet.]

jose2292 (New user):

Wow?! Doesn't support its developers?! Creating a whole new class of computer/electronic device, putting out an SDK for it for free, supplying the bandwidth and the marketplace from which to deliver it to consumers, and this equals no support?
Sell that line to the developers who have made major bucks on their iPhone apps. They're crying all the way to the bank.

Tin (User):

Quoting jose2292:
putting out an SDK for it for free


Yeah... The SDK is free to download, but last I checked, you also needed a Mac to use it, and if you wanted to do anything with the result, you needed to buy into the Cult of Jobs Official Developer Club (or whatever it's called).

And even then, if you're trying to make money (which seems to be where this "supporting developers" went), you have to bow down and worship the appropriate approval idols before Apple will let you publish the app. And once it's published, they can at any time decide to just not pay the developer if they decide the developer is not worthy.


Yeah, that's supporting the developers.... Not.

Raindog (New user):

"All the people (including me) who felt underwhelmed by the iPad initially might have missed its true potential. "

And the world MIGHT end too. I doesn't matter what the software is, the device simply does not have any situations where its more suitable than the alternatives.

Anonymousewiuu2945u389 (User):

Quoting Raindog:
And the world MIGHT end too. I doesn't matter what the software is, the devise simply does not have any situations where its more suitable than the alternatives.


Yeah, out of all the people I've talked to about it, the only comments I've heard are 'I don't known what it's for, really,' 'It's just an oversize iPod Touch,' and 'It's just completely ridiculous.' Besides the obvious nicknames (iStrain and the like), of course. And as someone who doesn't need portability very much, I'll stick to my trusty laptop. If I needed portability so badly, I'd use a more felxible, open platform.


And what's with the burger on the iPad pictured?

Fernando (New user):

LOL, this reminds me of Ballmer's idiotic comments about the iPhone and look how many have been sold so far.

The situation is simple, if you like it then buy it, if you don't, then do not buy it.

Why such a fury to declare that it is useless piece of crap and bla bla bla, just don't buy it.

I don't like certain products, ergo i don't buy them , but I do not go around convincing people not to buy them !!

Fernando (New user):

LOL, this reminds me of Ballmer's idiotic comments about the iPhone and look how many have been sold so far.

The situation is simple, if you like it then buy it, if you don't, then do not buy it.

Why such a fury to declare that it is useless piece of crap and bla bla bla, just don't buy it.

I don't like certain products, ergo i don't buy them , but I do not go around convincing people not to buy them !!

Luminal (New user):

Thanks for the infomercial. Aside from the completely underwhelming specifications, the idea of another device intended to lock users and developers into the Apple tax system leaves me cold. As does Steve Job's cynical mud slinging. If Steve cares so much about bugs could he bring some of his wrath to bear on iTunes?
The real reason he hates Flash is because it will leak free content onto his devices, and free content is an anathema to how Apple does business.

jose2292 (New user):

Have you used Flash on a Mac? It sucks.
There are lots of avenues to free content on iPhone/iPods already. There are book readers, apps that play videos. You could rip your own DVD's or download rips via peer to peer and put them on your iPhone/iPod/iPad. Your comments make no sense. Please know what you're talking about before you spout.

Luminal (New user):

Well since I use a Macbook with Firefox I'm pretty sure I use Flash all the time. It doesn't bother me one way or another, it's there and it works ok. What does annoy me is having a dozen apps on my iphone to access content that I could otherwise access straight in the browser. Of course then Apple wouldn't be the gatekeeper, would it?
Whether you like it or not, Flash is all over the web and HTML5 isn't and it will be quiet a while until it is. A point not lost on Steve Jobs and keeping Flash out gives Apple leverage to sign up content providers. As a distraction he bad mouths the competition and all the little Apple robots follow his lead. If Apple succeeds, publishers sure as crap won't be competing with themselves by giving away the same content as HTML5. You want a future full of micro-transaction accessed web sites? Buy an iPad and help make it happen.

Dru Richman (New user):

Quoting Luminal:
"Aside from the completely underwhelming specifications,.."

Does anyone really care about the specs of a Ferrari when they're buying a Porche? What most PC people fail to understand is that Apple is sell benefits not products. While Apple is delivering an experience that makes customers happy to spend as much money as they can afford to, PC manufacturers leaves their customers wanting to spend the least they can?

"...the idea of another device intended to lock users and developers into the Apple tax system leaves me cold. "

Spot on, Luminal. Let's not get locked in to Adobe's proprietary Flash, or Microsoft's Windows.

"The real reason he hates Flash is because it will leak free content onto his devices, and free content is an anathema to how Apple does business."

Well, obviously Adobe would like to have Flash on the iPad, given how the iPhone made it clear that Flash was clearly unnecessary on a cell phone. How will we visit the websites of German discos or play really awful games targeted at children and neanderthals? Never mind that Adobe can’t manage to create a Flash client that actually works on anything but the 1990s Windows desktop, or that Flash itself is nothing but a crutch for Photoshop artists who can’t be bothered to learn how to create real web content.

The lack of Flash on the iPhone and iPod touch and now the iPad is creating a market for open, non-Flash HTML5 web content. Google is also pushing for an end to Flash, although less aggressively. Few companies are as ballsy as Apple.

jose2292 (New user):

There is lots of free content available on i-Pod/Phone/Pad already. Just check out how many free apps there are at the app store.
Have you used Flash on a Mac? It sucks.

Anonymousewiuu2945u389 (User):

Quoting jose2292:
Just check out how many free apps there are at the app store.


Are they genuine free software (open source) or just zero-cost?

Zarusoba (New user):

I won't really know if I want one until I've actually tried it out.

I have an iPod touch and the prospect of having a larger version is appealing. The big IPS display would be perfect for my painting apps as well as web-surfing. (I rarely use Flash sites).

The iPad is also the first computer I've seen which would be ideal for someone like my Mum, who just doesn't get full-fledged computers.

Raindog (New user):

Quoting Zarusoba:
The iPad is also the first computer I've seen which would be ideal for someone like my Mum, who just doesn't get full-fledged computers.

Why? To do what?

Zarusoba (New user):

Just basic stuff: web surfing, email, a few apps.

Halcon (User):

This is an stupid opportunistic idea.
Steve Jobs thinks he has come with the next big thing, but this will not revolutionise the way we use computers.
I know for sure the Mac lovers take pride on these useless offerings and they don't like to confront the reality (expect a war of word from the apple supremacists)
I am very happy using My Keyboard and Mouse combo from Logitech, If I want to make a drawing then I would buy a drawing tablet.
In conclusion, this is the most dumbest product ever made, I would not buy it even If I were offered to buy it at $20, is a waste of money anyway.
Apple is still a loser company, afraid to compete and offer designs similar to IBM and compatible machines that provide real value for money and a better flexibility in customisation and upgrade of internal components.

Douglas (New user):

Quoting Halcon:
If I want to make a drawing then I would buy a drawing tablet.

Probably can't even do that on this pile of rubbish. "A drawing program? A program that could actually serve a purpose? We can't have that now, can we, when there's all those other pointless applications which we simply must have! DENIED."

Zarusoba (New user):

Actually, drawing and painting apps for the iPhone OS are already being used for professional graphics. Brushes was used to do a cover for the New Yorker.

Dru Richman (New user):

Quoting Halcon:
"This is an stupid opportunistic idea."

Ah, capitalism at work.

"Steve Jobs thinks he has come with the next big thing, but this will not revolutionise the way we use computers."

Of course. What would Jobs and Apple know. They're only driving the computer industry forward. Just remember they didn't revolutionize the industry with the mouse, or laser printers, or zerocongif networking, the iMac, iTunes app store, and the iPhone. Why should the iPad be any different.

"...In conclusion, this is the most dumbest product ever made, I would not buy it even If I were offered to buy it at $20, is a waste of money anyway."

Many people said the same thing about Viagra, absolutely useless, never will use it. Obviously, they were wrong and Pfizer is making a fortune. So will Apple with the iPad.

"Apple is still a loser company, afraid to compete and offer designs similar to IBM and compatible machines that provide real value for money and a better flexibility in customisation and upgrade of internal components."

Yes, and we all can see how well the PC manufacturers are doing these days. The fact is, while the PC manufacturers are struggling to see who can hit bottom first, Apple continues to offer superior products that people actually want to purchase. While PC manufacturers, like many other business, suffer the effects of the downturn ion the economy, Apple continues to be exceptionally profitable year over year. Apple continues to offer the best ROI (Return on Investment) and lowest TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of any computer sold in the US. By the end of 2010, Apple will be worth more than Microsoft. [Shouldn't the Golden Rule apply here? — 'Hims thats got the gold, rules!']

So you're right, Halcon. You and your ilk go on making the finest buggy whips in the world. You guys battle with one another to see who can make the cheapest and/or least expensive buggy whip. Apple, on the other hand, will be investing in the future of its products and its customers.

Anonymousewiuu2945u389 (User):

Quoting Dru Richman:
Apple continues to offer the best ROI (Return on Investment) and lowest TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of any computer sold in the US.


Data source please? And we're not in the US, by the way - Australian Personal Computer
Quoting Dru Richman:
will be investing in the future of its products and its customers.


And its bottom line?

Quoting Halcon:
"...In conclusion, this is the most dumbest product ever made, I would not buy it even If I were offered to buy it at $20, is a waste of money anyway."

I would... and sell it off immediately for a fair profit!

kjs (New user):

We'll see how well this thing sells when it comes out but I think you guys are missing the point. This is not a device that is supposed to supplant your smartphone, laptop or computer-it is supposed to fill a new niche. It is meant to provide a better experience for viewing all of your digital media. I know there are a lot of people who rather read a magazine, surf the web, read and compose simple emails, read an e book or watch a video on the ipad than at a desk on their computer or on their smartphones. Yes you can use a laptop for this but Apple is betting that the ipad will offer a better experience. The ipad is meant to live on your coffee table, kitchen table or nightstand at home and is thin and small enough to also be useful for viewing digital medai when you travel.

Just saying this is a big itouch touch and that it will fail is stupid. Its like saying that no will buy a 30 inch computer monitor because it is just a big 13 inch monitor or no one would buy a 52 inch TV because it is just a big 25 inch TV. It's all about ease of use and experience.

Is this revolutionary-no way. Do you really need it-no way. Do you want it-I bet a lot of people will especially the 2nd or 3rd generation ipads whcih will probably include some of the features that many naysayers are now clammoring about

Raindog (New user):

Quoting kjs:
it is supposed to fill a new niche.

Which niche is this? The Niche that requires a device that is too big to pocket? The niche that requires a display that is difficult to carry, difficult to position ant yet still requires a screen too small to be viewed at anything more than arms length? Yeah the demand for that is huge.


Quoting kjs:
I know there are a lot of people who rather read a magazine, surf the web, read and compose simple emails, read an e book or watch a video on the ipad than at a desk on their computer

You know tools that actually watch movies on phones? That is very sad.


Quoting kjs:
The ipad is meant to live on your coffee table, kitchen table or nightstand at home and is thin and small enough to also be useful for viewing digital medai when you travel.

coffee tables are for feet an coffee. Kitchen tables are for dinner not for undersized screens partially obscured by a bottle of balsamic.
My nightstand? My what?


Quoting kjs:
Is this revolutionary-no way. Do you really need it-no way.

Ain't that the truth.


Quoting kjs:
Do you want it

I don't wat ant useless clutter regardless of manufacturer.


Quoting kjs:
I bet a lot of people will

You could well be right, but then a lot of people liked platform shoes for a time, they though rear spoilers for hatch-backs were a good thing, hell lot probably buy wonders chamois. There is always a market somewhere even for the most ridiculous of devices.

ex2bot (New user):

I can see the appeal. I have a 13" MacBook Pro that I love, but often I'd like to surf the web, read ebooks and mags, and anything else you can do on a mobile smartphone but with a screen that is larger and a magazine-ish form factor.

I can see lots of instances when an iPad would be superior due to its size. Example: I'm sitting in the doctor's office and want to read my Zinio magazines. I could get eye strain from my touch or lug the laptop around. Neither would be convenient as having a book/mag-sized device. I was sorely tempted by the Kindle for that reason. Not anymore.

Bot
Mac Fanbot

gprovida (New user):

I agree its the SW and the new UI applied to new applications. MS took Office/Windows and replaced a mouse and keyboard with a pen and keyboard.

Follow closely the iWorks iPad demo and see where an iPad-like Office might look like. This is the change that Dick Bass is talking about and this is the transformation about to hit the applications world. Hide the complexity of file system and the keyboard/mouse god not more buttons or ribbons.

Note Bill Gates still doesn't get it. Even laptops don't need mice with track pads.

leokanada (New user):

Do people really go around bad mouthing products they don't want. Seems like a terrible use of time. I suspect many are flash programers who are scared their annoying adds will go away. At least that would make sense, since they would have material interest. The people who take time from their day to say the iPad is "crapware/locked system/just a big phone/it won't sell" etc etc sound like the same people who had nothing good to say about the iphone. Don't get me wrong, there are valid reasons to critique the iPad like a lack of multitasking and not letting some outside apps run like google phohe. But to call it a failure before release because you don't think you will like it is rediculous. How can so many people who work in the Tech industry not see that women are going to love this. Are you really all so busy selling to each other that you forgot about the larger market. I would think after all the "iPhone is crap" and "it won't sell" comments before the iPhone was released would have made people at least pause. Just so you dorks know, although you will think anyone who doesn't think like you is stupid. I am buying one for me, my mom, my aunt and my Grandmother. They are going to love me to death for this. I hope it makes the haters mad as heck. I am also going to try and copmplete my first app. Hell on the first day of release, any app made for the ipad will sell. Yet you industry types are crying instead of trying to beat it or take a peice of the action. I don't like to think of people as blind and stupid so I will continue to think that your all flash developers scared of lossing a living. Because its the only way your comments make sense.

flint (New user):

kudos for your retraction.
It was always about the apps/multitouch feature set. Weird how no other manufacturer gets it but I suppose if you're mired in thrall to Microsoft's vision-less world of mediocrity, you can't see where you need to go.
Leave it to the developers - they will make this puppy fly into the distance before anyone else gets it together.

flint (New user):

kudos for the retraction. Yours is a fore-runner of many such posts to come which begin with 'Actually, Apple might have something here...'
All Apple have done, is provide an opportunity for developers to come up with the apps which will make this puppy fly. It's all about imagination; something most bloggers, pundits, tech experts and the majority of reactionary posters seem to lack, notwithstanding all those who bash Apple for doing anything at all. Apple is just a company, a product of western democracy and business ideals that makes stuff. That's all.

To those who ask 'what is it for?' - pretty much everything.

To those who ask 'what will it do that my present set-up can't do?' - seamless connectivity at your fingertips in a form you don't need to squint at. An extension of the iPhone concept... and who saw that coming? No endless set-up routines, reboots, folder management, anti-virus chores, authorisation hassles etc. etc. It has been estimated that the average computer user spends about 50 - 80% of their time in front of a computer doing nothing but chores. The more clueless/forgetful/frustrated you are, the higher the percentage of wasted time. I would sum it up as Instant Access. You pick it up, one finger press and you're in there. Another press or gesture and you're somewhere else. Always connected. What's not to like about that concept.

To those who ask 'who will buy it?' - pretty much anyone who has ever sworn at a computer that makes you jump through a hoop to do simple tasks... that's just about everyone folks. You will not need to beat this thing into submission to get anything done unless you relish the daily hassle of wasted time and effort. It will sell to all those folks who don't get task based computing - c'mon, fess up, we've all spent many hours/days/weeks going over stuff again and again, with parents, relatives, friends who just can't retain or be bothered with, the present computing paradigm. Think of the question 'what does that do?' as they touch the screen; you won't have to answer - it will be already doing it. Kids, gazillions of them, whose creativity is limited by 'just a minute while I set it up for you'... don't bother, you've already lost them. A two year old instantly gets the iPhone/iPod touch interface so they will love the larger form factor. It won't make them any smarter, or knowledgeable computer users - guess what, they're not remotely interested. They just want to go somewhere, check some fact, get an answer, see what's out there and... you get the idea. They absolutely have no interest in the machine, the software, the nuts and bolts or the how. And before anyone says 'stupid users' that retort is in itself...stupid. I have no interest in car mechanics but I love driving and can appreciate a good vehicle. I have no interest in Egyptology or bird migration or verruca treatments but I recognise that there are real skills in those fields and that deep computing knowledge is an irrelevant waste of time to those people.
As for the iPad being bad for computing, that's just plain wrong. Will it stop you asking 'how does it do that?', or 'why does it do that?'. Nope, if you want to know, you will follow it up in the time honoured way. It may be even be the easiest way to get the information you need and do the opposite - actually stimulate computing skills. Now wouldn't that be something?

I'm betting half those currently panning the iPad, will have one in a couple of years or a similar knock-off.

Raindog (New user):

Quoting flint:
It's all about imagination; something most bloggers, pundits, tech experts and the majority of reactionary posters seem to lack,

All creative tasks, where as we've all established iPad is for running programs.


Quoting flint:
It has been estimated that the average computer user spends about 50 - 80% of their time in front of a computer doing nothing but chores.

Where as with the revolution that is iPad you can squint at video in from a small screen if only you can find a way to prop it up. Big screen TVs, thing of the past?


Quoting flint:
To those who ask 'what is it for?' - pretty much everything.

Other than tasks that require user input beyond the level of zombie clicking.


Quoting flint:
You pick it up, one finger press and you're in there. Another press or gesture and you're somewhere else.

Free to hop from pointless app to pointless app. Of course running more than one pointless app concurrently will spoil your day.


Quoting flint:
To those who ask 'who will buy it?' - pretty much anyone who has ever sworn at a computer that makes you jump through a hoop to do simple tasks..

So this is a device targeted at those who have difficultly with even basic technology, a tool for the incapable? Even stupid people can click away on this thing?


Quoting flint:
seamless connectivity

It can't multitask, it can't run flash. it offers bugger all I/O, about as seamless as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.


Quoting flint:
It will sell to all those folks who don't get task based computing

Simpletons? Luddites? Stupid People?

Quoting flint:
A two year old instantly gets the iPhone/iPod touch interface

Yes your toddler can anonymously dial someone in Brazil while the look through all that eye candy.

Quoting flint:
It won't make them any smarter, or knowledgeable

yeah who'd want their kids to be smart when they could get then an electronic babysitter instead.

Quoting flint:
I have no interest in Egyptology or bird migration or verruca treatments but I recognise that there are real skills in those fields and that deep computing knowledge is an irrelevant waste of time to those people.

And as we all know iPad offers a "seamless" way to enter and document hieroglyphics.


Quoting flint:
I'm betting half those currently panning the iPad, will have one in a couple of years or a similar knock-off.

Your probably right there you have no idea how much redundant tech clients give me to dispose of.

Anonymousewiuu2945u389 (User):

Quoting flint:
To those who ask 'what is it for?' - pretty much everything.


Right. That might well be the problem - jack of all trades, master of none.

Quoting flint:
I'm betting half those currently panning the iPad, will have one in a couple of years or a similar knock-off.


And I'm one of the ones who won't. I don't really see the need for anything smaller than a laptop myself - apart from a PDA which I already have (and of course the obligatory mobile phone)

Pauly (New user):

I cant wait for this to launch. Only to go Ipad owner spotting. You will be able to tell them apart as their necks will be permanently craned downwards, they will have turned emo as you always get depressed when you waste $1000 on something you dont want to use but feel you have to use it because of the money you outlayed.
Oh and they will be carrying a netbook bag with the Ipad inside coz they have to have it with them all the time but need to put it into something that will protect the screen and hence make it the same portability as a netbook, further increasing their depression spiral

flint (New user):

kudos for the retraction. Yours is a fore-runner of many such posts to come which begin with 'Actually, Apple might have something here...'
All Apple have done, is provide an opportunity for developers to come up with the apps which will make this puppy fly. It's all about imagination; something most bloggers, pundits, tech experts and the majority of reactionary posters seem to lack, notwithstanding all those who bash Apple for doing anything at all. Apple is just a company, a product of western democracy and business ideals that makes stuff. That's all.

To those who ask 'what is it for?' - pretty much everything.

To those who ask 'what will it do that my present set-up can't do?' - seamless connectivity at your fingertips in a form you don't need to squint at. An extension of the iPhone concept... and who saw that coming? No endless set-up routines, reboots, folder management, anti-virus chores, authorisation hassles etc. etc. It has been estimated that the average computer user spends about 50 - 80% of their time in front of a computer doing nothing but chores. The more clueless/forgetful/frustrated you are, the higher the percentage of wasted time. I would sum it up as Instant Access. You pick it up, one finger press and you're in there. Another press or gesture and you're somewhere else. Always connected. What's not to like about that concept.

To those who ask 'who will buy it?' - pretty much anyone who has ever sworn at a computer that makes you jump through a hoop to do simple tasks... that's just about everyone folks. You will not need to beat this thing into submission to get anything done unless you relish the daily hassle of wasted time and effort. It will sell to all those folks who don't get task based computing - c'mon, fess up, we've all spent many hours/days/weeks going over stuff again and again, with parents, relatives, friends who just can't retain or be bothered with, the present computing paradigm. Think of the question 'what does that do?' as they touch the screen; you won't have to answer - it will be already doing it. Kids, gazillions of them, whose creativity is limited by 'just a minute while I set it up for you'... don't bother, you've already lost them. A two year old instantly gets the iPhone/iPod touch interface so they will love the larger form factor. It won't make them any smarter, or knowledgeable computer users - guess what, they're not remotely interested. They just want to go somewhere, check some fact, get an answer, see what's out there and... you get the idea. They absolutely have no interest in the machine, the software, the nuts and bolts or the how. And before anyone says 'stupid users' that retort is in itself...stupid. I have no interest in car mechanics but I love driving and can appreciate a good vehicle. I have no interest in Egyptology or bird migration or verruca treatments but I recognise that there are real skills in those fields and that deep computing knowledge is an irrelevant waste of time to those people.
As for the iPad being bad for computing, that's just plain wrong. Will it stop you asking 'how does it do that?', or 'why does it do that?'. Nope, if you want to know, you will follow it up in the time honoured way. It may be even be the easiest way to get the information you need and do the opposite - actually stimulate computing skills. Now wouldn't that be something?

I'm betting half those currently panning the iPad, will have one in a couple of years or a similar knock-off.

todd_h86 (New user):

You can't really compare Microsofts Tablets and iPad, they are 2 different things! Microsoft's Tablet PC's are PC's, they run full OS's and allow you to do what u want, where as the iPad is an appliance PC, capable of doing a set number of tasks and thats it! The iPad has its uses (I guess) but next to a PC its not going to do anything else, wow multi-touch, PC's now have that, the iPad will shine at what it is intended to do, just as the iPod shines at playing music etc, its a complementary device, not a PC replacement. Once people start seeing it as that they will see how useful and great it is.

techdribble (User):

I still don't want or need one it isn't a revolutionary product in any way. I haven't read a book in ages I do however listen to a lot of books. Much more practical especially when I can listen while mowing the lawn, driving etc. Also I am more than happy with my netbook which despite Steve Jobs lies isn't slow has a great display and can run multiple apps of my choosing. I like my iphone(it does badly need a proper keyboard) but really cant see a use in my life for this large ipod touch.

cave canem (New user):

I certainly won't be buying an iPad... yet. Just as I did with the iPhone, I'll be waiting for a later generation which has the full range of capabilities I, personally, require. I notice that, when considering 'usefulness', no-one has mentioned presentation-related work.

At the launch, iWorks was demonstrated in a form specifically rewritten for the iPad's touch-screen input... I'm a committed user of Keynote for presentations and see this single application provision as a potential goldmine - just think of the number of jobs where the price and portability of the iPad, coupled with such software can be a real winner when dealing with clients... Presentations would be comfortably visible for small groups of people using just the iPad and, with the addition of an appropriate pico-projector (Microvision's SHOWWX anyone ?), to a larger audience.

I know this can be done with a netbook (if you accept the significant crapiness of Powerpoint) but - in certain cases - it's the manner in which a presentation is made as much as the content which makes the sale.., I speak from long practical experience have invested a considerable proportion of my redundancy monies in 1987 on my first Mac system (twin-floppy SE with no hard disk + laserwriter II) and used its graphics and DTP capabilities to the full, paying off my investment within three months and successfully moved on from there.

I already know my 82 year-old Mum wants one (she e-mailed from her iMac) because she finds the screen of her iPod Touch a little small for use in the kitchen (and she often 'loses' it amongst all the stuff on the work surface !) but - with the stand announced at the launch - she thinks the iPad will be ideal, when she's not using it to show her friends her latest holiday and family photos.

As has been said elsewhere, therefore, recognise that, just because it doesn't provide what you, personally, want doesn't mean that those who do see it as meeting their specific needs are gullible idiots, merely that its appeal will be somewhat niche - but remember, with the apps already available and those in development, there are going to be one hell of a lot of such niches out there waiting to be fulfilled !

Raindog (New user):

Quoting cave canem:
because she finds the screen of her iPod Touch a little small for use in the kitchen

For use for what in the kitchen?


Quoting cave canem:
doesn't mean that those who do see it as meeting their specific needs are gullible idiots

However those championing the thing without thinking through any possible use for it, can only be seen as idiots.


Quoting cave canem:
but remember, with the apps already available and those in development, there are going to be one hell of a lot of such niches out there waiting to be fulfilled !

That's is a curious way of going about things indeed, create a shiny solution(arguably), and wait for folks to invents problems that this solution fits.

Anonymousewiuu2945u389 (User):

Quoting cave canem:
(if you accept the significant crapiness of Powerpoint)


Which version - 2003 and earlier or 2007-10? With the former, I know it is really difficult to create decent-looking slide shows - the built-in colour schemes and themes are aften more than a little bit poorly designed, and it takes some real effort on the part of the user to design something good. And Microsoft seemed to have an obsession with the core fonts for the web, which are at best cliched and at worst just horrible (in the case of the five letter A-word). PowerPoint 07/10, on the other hand, is capable of slick presentations. But watch out for the redesigned interface if you're one of those who can't stand change!

Douglas (New user):

Quoting Anonymousewiuu2945u389:
PowerPoint 07/10, on the other hand, is capable of slick presentations.

And I can attest to that: tweaking any pre-designed template is much easier than in previous versions and in 2010, some of the effects are absolutely stunning (remembering, of course, that one should use effects in moderation, I have seen one too many presentations ruined owing to effect overuse)