I just got the ipad and I'm already wanting to smash it!

[EdT82SC]

Originally Posted by island911

Geez, you're comparing Apple to ASUS? . . .is it that bad?

I mean, sure, the iPad has a funny name, and that giant Etch-a-Sketch sized bezel, with a 4:3 ratio to match that 'last millenium' look ... can't multi-task, no camera, no skype. ..etc. ...but to claim to be slowing down ASUS sales? . . just because someone doesn't like the thing? ..h'okay...

btw, just how much Apple stock do you own?

You are wrong about no multitasking. The UI only displays a single app at a time, but multiple apps can be doing things in the background. e.g safari can load pages, while google maps is downloading a map, while you simultaneously check your email.

BTW, Skype works great with my bluetooth headset too.

I can tell you have used an iPad, and actually know what you are talking about.

[89-944NA]

damn, my ipad works great, never a problem...use it more than the laptop or the pc...actually, the pc is now in the garage with my copy of the porsche pet, dealer parts price list, and numerous other car related programs on it

[island911]

Originally Posted by EdT82SC

You are wrong about no multitasking. The UI only displays a single app at a time, but multiple apps can be doing things in the background. e.g safari can load pages, while google maps is downloading a map, while you simultaneously check your email.

BTW, Skype works great with my bluetooth headset too.

I can tell you have used an iPad, and actually know what you are talking about.

HA! yeah, I'm just comparing to my (ancient) Samsung tablet. ...where it is a real (multitasking) computer w/ a 16:9 LED backlit screen and a front (and rear) cameras.

Skyping, even yers ago, with engineers in China, video was a must. ...and now years later, Apple pad can do VOIP (and WiFi only) . . .as long as you don't need to have other info on your screen at the same time. --Abbreviated Sype, and abbreviated multitask. . .yeah, I don't know WHAT I'm talking about. Apple is showing the tablet market true innovation.

btw, does the iPad have a built-in mic?

[wcc]

Ok, it went (still going on) like this so far. Got it home around 6:30 and pulled it out of the box. Pressed the button and all it shows is a USB going to iTunes. So I touch the screen and push buttons for a while. Gave up and messed with the kids. Went back to it a little while later and finally got out the instructions and it says to sync with iTunes. That can't be right? So I go to Laptop and I download it at least a dozen times in a variety of ways with IE & Firefox. Run, Open, Save As. Nothing works, either the .exe file isn't there or when I double click it it doesn't do anything. Any ideas on how to get it on my laptop?

So I go back to the iPad thinking WHY WON'T YOU WORK WITHOUT ITUNES! So after getting more pissed off I went to my other computer and I'm trying it there. I gave up around 10:30 last night. So here I am with this super cool new toy that I can't use because I can't get to iTunes, which I don't even care about yet. I just want to surf the web and check my email, that's it for now. At least give me that! sheesh!

I'll mess with it more tonight....

[island911]

maybes this will help.

I'll tell you some of the problems you might expect to encounter if you buy one.

First: You can't use it without syncing it to iTunes first. It's kind of a buzzkill to take your long-anticipated iPad out of its box, switch it on, get ready to play, and instead see an icon saying you need to connect to iTunes. Instead of getting right down to futuristic computing, you're going to be spending the next few minutes configuring things.

Did I say a few minutes? My first sync took more than an hour, while the iPad imported copies of all the data and settings that were on my iPhone. During that time, I chewed my nails down to my elbows.

Subsequent syncs also took a long time, more than a half-hour. At one point, I started a sync immediately after a sync ended, and even that second sync took 11 minutes--it should have taken just a few seconds, just long enough for the iPad and iMac to shake hands and realize there were no updates. Instead, the sync took forever, like two teen-age lovers who can't bear to end a phone call ("You hang up!" "No, you first!")

The slow sync problem went away by itself on my Sunday, my second day with the iPad. I'm still chasing down the cause of that bug. I think the problem might not be on the iPad; it might be on the Mac, specifically a problem with ....
Apple iPad: Still some bugs and rough edges - Computerworld Blogs

[masraum]

Originally Posted by island911

with a 4:3 ratio to match that 'last millenium' look ...

a 4:3 ratio maximizes space for the size.

If you compare a 10" screen in 4:3 and then you compare a 10" screen that's laid out in 16:9, you'll have more square inches of space on the 4:3 screen. Sadly, you'll probably pay the same or more for the 16:9 because it's "modern".

On something that works like a computer screen area is important. For something like an ipad, portability is important. something closer to square (more compact) should be more portable than something that's long and skinny (less compact)

Thanks, I'd rather have 4:3.

[island911]

Originally Posted by masraum

a 4:3 ratio maximizes space for the size.

If you compare a 10" screen in 4:3 and then you compare a 10" screen that's laid out in 16:9, you'll have more square inches of space on the 4:3 screen. Sadly, you'll probably pay the same or more for the 16:9 because it's "modern".

On something that works like a computer screen area is important. For something like an ipad, portability is important. something closer to square (more compact) should be more portable than something that's long and skinny (less compact)

Thanks, I'd rather have 4:3.

So then, you must really hate the aspect ratio of the iPhone and iTouch. ...and really like the "compact" (huge) bezel around the iPad.

...I mean, C'mon! The iPad is as portable as an Etch-a-Sketch.

[island911]

here ya go... (it's actually bigger than the EtchaSketch, making the ipad less portable --my bad. )

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by wcc

Ok, it went (still going on) like this so far. Got it home around 6:30 and pulled it out of the box. Pressed the button and all it shows is a USB going to iTunes. So I touch the screen and push buttons for a while. Gave up and messed with the kids. Went back to it a little while later and finally got out the instructions and it says to sync with iTunes. That can't be right? So I go to Laptop and I download it at least a dozen times in a variety of ways with IE & Firefox. Run, Open, Save As. Nothing works, either the .exe file isn't there or when I double click it it doesn't do anything. Any ideas on how to get it on my laptop?

So I go back to the iPad thinking WHY WON'T YOU WORK WITHOUT ITUNES! So after getting more pissed off I went to my other computer and I'm trying it there. I gave up around 10:30 last night. So here I am with this super cool new toy that I can't use because I can't get to iTunes, which I don't even care about yet. I just want to surf the web and check my email, that's it for now. At least give me that! sheesh!

I'll mess with it more tonight....

I would have already returned it and kicked my self in the @ss for even considering buying one of these over priced hyped up techno wizz gadgets that I really do not need.

[gr8fl4porsche]

The bezel is there to have a place to put your thumbs.
Without it, you would be touching the webpage resulting in likely unwanted clicking.

It goes all the way around the pad since you can hold it in many positions depending on the programming of the page or app that you are using.

Love my pad!! Battery life is outstanding. I use mine mainly in bed to surf and watch TV at the same time. I charge it about every 2 weeks! Instant on, doesn't get hot and fits nicely on the night stand.

Regarding first usage. Yes, itunes is required. Not sure why you are having trouble installing itunes on a PC? Something is not right on your end. Once you get the device up and running and understand how to sync properly, it all works quite well.

If your iPad is syncing everything from your iPhone backup, then you are not setting it up correctly. You only want iPad apps - not iPhone apps. They can be different.

I always start from scratch when I restore and reload the iOS. iTunes will back up all your apps (from all your devices) then you can simply check which ever ones you want to load.
This is so you only have to purchase the app once and can use it on all your toys.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by wcc

Ok, it went (still going on) like this so far. Got it home around 6:30 and pulled it out of the box. Pressed the button and all it shows is a USB going to iTunes. So I touch the screen and push buttons for a while. Gave up and messed with the kids. Went back to it a little while later and finally got out the instructions and it says to sync with iTunes. That can't be right? So I go to Laptop and I download it at least a dozen times in a variety of ways with IE & Firefox. Run, Open, Save As. Nothing works, either the .exe file isn't there or when I double click it it doesn't do anything. Any ideas on how to get it on my laptop?

So I go back to the iPad thinking WHY WON'T YOU WORK WITHOUT ITUNES! So after getting more pissed off I went to my other computer and I'm trying it there. I gave up around 10:30 last night. So here I am with this super cool new toy that I can't use because I can't get to iTunes, which I don't even care about yet. I just want to surf the web and check my email, that's it for now. At least give me that! sheesh!

I'll mess with it more tonight....

Your issue sounds like you're not able to download the iTunes.exe and/or it is downloading but not to where you think it is. From Firefox go to menu bar "Tools" and "Options". Look at your Downloads settings to see where FF is saving downloads to. Uncheck the "Close window when download completes" option. With FF go to the iTunes site and elect to "Save as" - not the name of the file that it will save in the dialog. When you click Ok Firefox will show the downloads window and progress.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

The bezel is there to have a place to put your thumbs.
Without it, you would be touching the webpage resulting in likely unwanted clicking.

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I mean seriously, the thing should have been designed to levitate and automagically anticipate the optimal orientation based on your body position.

[gtc]

Are you the guy that makes up/modifies songs and posts them in Jalopnik comments?

Originally Posted by legion

You don't answer my call
With even a nod or a twitch
But you gaze at your own profile!
You don't seem to see me
But I think you can see yourself.
How can the iPad affect you?
Can you hear me
Or do I surmise
That you fear me can you feel my temper
Rise, rise, rise, rise, rise,
Rise, rise, rise, rise, rise,
Rise, rise, rise!
Do you hear or fear or
Do I smash the iPad?
Do you hear or fear or
Do I smash the iPad?

[island911]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

The bezel is there to have a place to put your thumbs.
Without it, you would be touching the webpage resulting in likely unwanted clicking.
...

I've owned a few tablets over the years and can tell you, the iPad has horrible ergonomics. IF Apple brought the outside dimensions in a few cm's, the device could be 'palmed' from behind by many more users. --I can just barely palm the device, but it's not comfortable.

Have you noticed how tight the screen bezel is on the iPhone? ...does that have bad touch-interference issues? --No, it looks good, and feels good.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by island911

So then, you must really hate the aspect ratio of the iPhone and iTouch. ...and really like the "compact" (huge) bezel around the iPad.

...I mean, C'mon! The iPad is as portable as an Etch-a-Sketch.

And compared to a pebble, or a grain of sand, an iPhone isn't portable. Great comparison, BTW

So you're comparing phones (and iPods) to a tablet? They fill 2 different roles. Most pockets in pants, jackets, etc... (where phones are usually carried) aren't square. A square or round phone would be counter productive. I'm pretty sure that no one has ever expected to be able to carry an iPad in their pocket.

For something that you wouldn't expect to fit in a pocket, that fills the role that an iPad fills, a more square aspect ratio is better because it provides more screen space in a smaller package.

I also think Dell is being silly marketing their Streak as a tablet when it's a 5" phone (which to me makes it borderline too big to be a phone, but too small to be an effective tablet.

Hey, actually I did read about an upcoming tablet the other day that you might like. It's got a touch screen on the front and on the back. No, I'm serious. I want to say it was a Samsung, but I'm not certain.

[mossguy]

Role

[masraum]

Originally Posted by mossguy

Role

Damn, that's what I get for letting my phone run spell check as I type.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Z-man

Having to use a dongle to connect anything USB is a drag too, and an SD memory slot is sorely missing from the current iPAD.

-Z-man.

Can you sync the iPad using Bluetooth or must you use a cable? I usually sync my phones using Bluetooth. About the only time I use a cable is when I want to save battery life on the phone while connecting to the internet through the phone.

[wcc]

Well setting up iTunes on my desktop worked. I'm posting with the iPad. I still can't figure out why the laptop won't allow the iTunes to be installed? I am now getting a Windows Installer stopped working. Sounds like the laptop has some issues that I need to work on... Never ends!

[idontknow]

Does the 3G ipad need to sync to another device as well or can update itself through it's own internet connection?