Apple's Jobs unveils $499 iPad tablet
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75 Comments
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0
JeffLee
I'll stick with my PC Netbook. This thing looks really limited on the hardware side, like most Apple products. No camera, card reader, etc.
Chip is 1 Mhz, which seems really underpowered in this day and age.
0
motogaijin
You're right! 1Mhz is really slow. Luckly, the iPad has a 1 GHz chip!
0
JeffLee
A typo, Motogaijin. 1 Ghz, which is still about 60 percent of the power of my 40,000 yen netbook, which comes with built-in card reader,camera, physical keyboard, and many other goodies this child's toy lacks.
0
TumbleDry
In Japan it is going to cost at least 6man yen and softbank will ask you a kidney if you want any data plan.
0
movieguy
TumbleDry, I was thinking the same thing. I noticed that the Apple Japan site is conspiculously not saying anything about the iPad. Are they waiting to find a way to justify ￥60,000 for the 16GB version before they show it on their website??? They will be very stupid if they don't match the $499 U.S. price. Also, Apple should get Softbank to allow iPhone users to include the iPad in their already purchased data plans. That's only fair. Why do I need to start another Softbank account to use the device? Yes, I know it's a different device, but I'm saying this would spur more sales of the iPad and more users will use Softbanks already overpriced network.
And Wi-Fi in Tokyo SUCKS! I'm never going to pay for a Wi-Fi service.
0
chuckers
As expected, not available internationally on the first release. It is going to be a while.
Agree about the lack of free Wi-FI in Tokyo. Probably needs a built in web camera.
I would love to have one of these but I can easily get by without it with my iPhone and Mac Book Pro. Though that price is VERY tempting. My daughter's birthday is coming up and I am sure she would love one. Maybe I can use that as an excuse. Ah, but they are still not available here in Japan.
0
pawatan
So they decided to go for the jugular on both netbooks and ebook readers in one go. Good plan at that price (though who knows what it will be here, probably way too much money until Softbank starts giving them away like the 3GS). It would also be very nice if they sold it as is and let you subscribe to whatever mobile service you wanted - or NOT subscribe if you wanted.
I think if they can get it for 5-man here they will have a netbook killer. Though personally I will always favor a physical keyboard over a virtual one. It does seem like it would be underpowered but I imagine the iphone OS is pretty light.
0
PenelopePitstop
It's great they finally came up with a product you can swim and go biking and horse riding with... oh wait.... doh! What a lousy name! Don't they have any women at Apple?
0
gogogo
No thanks, it's just a big iphone.
0
Disillusioned
Yeah, pretty fancy looking machine, but the lack of expansion, camera and card reader make it just a large iPod touch. I think they could have done a lot more with it.
0
Liril
Soon to be present at but not actually used for any particular purpose in your local coffee house.
0
Latenights
@ PenelopePitstop: Yup! I can't believe they went with iPad. Here's a video from 2007 that should have killed that idea... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eF0y0IfpPU
0
chuckers
pawatan,
You will be able to get a physical keyboard as an option. Won't be attached, though which is probably what you are after. I am wondering if the camera connection kit for SD cards will work with an iPhone.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
0
GoHomeHaters
Apple products are the same price in every country. The only difference is the currency exchange. Of course they can't change the price everyday to follow the rise and decline of every currency, so they are priced as close as possible. MacBook $999 US MacBook $1099 CAN MacBook ¥98800 If the base model is $499 US expect it to sell for ¥48800
0
Badsey
You are looking at your new "netphone" here even though you and Apple did not know you needed a netphone.
Most cellphones are fairly crappy at everything, yet the netphone seems to do them well. Laptop/cellphone dead --> netphone future.
0
dbung10
I have a computer. I have an iphone. when would I use this?
0
Badsey
iPhone $75-85 a month. iPad $30 month tops if your area has good 3G and use home wifi. -that is the math and you take the netphone with you. = The savings in a year pays for the product.
0
Weasel
More like the new iPod touch. Sure I'm wrong, but I've got a gut feeling the iPad is going to go the way of the Apple TV, unless they beef it up significantly.
0
sydenham
Hmmm, iphone with no phone, camera, or USB. Is it a crippled iphone or a crippled laptop? both?
no matter how cheap the 3G service, you still need the cell phone and you still need the laptop. With those two, you can do everything that you can do on an Ipad, and more. you don't need this.
0
sydenham
Badsey, there are netphones already. they're called smartphones. and recently they're getting much better. even the iphone is a smartphoneso why double up? the iPad's way too big for pocketability.
i agree with Weasel, this is a big ipod touch.
0
tkoind2
I have a iMac at home for music and working on things, a 13" macbook pro for taking around when i have to do something elsewhere and a company sponsored iphone as phone and email tool. So not seeing where this thing fits in.
Some potential is here with some changes.
Video: Please develop a codec that can play a wider range of video files. mp4 is just not enough and converting is a pain. So how about opening it up. Mac developers please see Cowon products for an example.
Audio: Same story. mp3 is not enough. Many of us like full quality sound. If this had flac and other playback capability I would be interested. Please see Cowon again for an example.
Practicality: I like the idea of this tool if it could run regular apps. Then it becomes a super little computer and not just a massive iphone/ipod touch. So stronger processor, much much much more memory and the ability to run multiple apps. Then this gets to be really interesting.
Camera: Really should have for web calls, skype etc...
Card Readers: 16,32,64 gig, too small. At least add a card reader. not like it doesn't have realestate enough for one.
Bottom line. I had hoped to see essentially a macbook air based around a touch screen. This size should be able to do a lot more including running regular apps. But since it is essentially a big iphone/ipod touch it isn't very interesting without the above changes.
0
therealmusashi
Most of the tech pundits called out the iPhone for a lack of "features" when it debuted, and plenty of people predicted its failure, yet it has the highest satisfaction rating of any phone, ever. Also, in the next product revisions, over a period of months, Apple listened to users, and shored up most of the perceived remaining issues.
This is the part where you figure out that:
a. Most users can't figure out the features packed into their non-Apple devices, therefore rendering them functionally useless.
b. This product isn't aimed at power users, it's aimed at consumers.
c. It's about the experience. Period. Show me another device that delivers this kind of experience?
It's a 1st gen product. They needed to get it to market, and it has a lot of wow factor. But if you're lamenting the lack of a camera, or something else, wait 6 months and see.
0
Monkeyz
Looks nice, but I would definitely wait a bit until they upgrade it with more storage and probably more bells and whistles.
Also, yes, wifi in Tokyo needs a serious kick in the pants. Every time I'm tempted to get an ipod touch I realize that the one feature I would really want--the wifi--would be totally useless.
0
TokyoXtreme
I am the recent owner of an iPhone, and I was frankly stunned by its lack of simple features common to every other phone I've ever seen. Can't even make simple folders to sort your inbox, nor your contact list! Contacts can be sorted through a dodgy syncing process, but a user can't even make the slightest modifications away from a PC. Unbelievable. I've only had my iPhone for days, and am regretting leaving docomo. Be ye warned! And the privacy options suck too. I'll never buy another apple product.
0
tkoind2
therealmusashi: But why buy this over an iphone which is far more flexible in terms of day to day use. It fits in your pocket, does pretty much all the same things and in Japan is a normal keitai too.
And for wifi only, the ipod touch does the same.
The only bang this product has in terms of "experience" is size. And I think a lot of consumers won't want to haul this thing around unless it does a lot more than the smaller easier to carry devices.
For a busy Tokyo-ite who lives 2-3hrs a day on a train you already know that holding your iphone in a crowd can be hard. Something this size will be very unpleasant to protect visibility from the likes of elbows and furry coat hoods.
Likewise it won't fit cleanly into LV bags and since it doesn't do all that much it can't replace Joe salaryman's laptop. I guarantee he won't carry both.
So I only see a small market of people who want a big ipod buying this thing. Ruling out heavier users will prove to be a mistake. Why? Because we are the ones who will carry around a larger device if it can do what we need it to. Build some slick DJ and music apps, audio and video tools and expand what it can pay and a lot more people would put up with the size. Again why? Because the screen realestate if more valuable to someone trying to do more with it than the lite consumer user. For the consumer you can't manage easy one hand typing with this thing and you will get tired holding it.
If it could be plugged into a video output and used for presentations it would have more business appeal. If it uses real MS work etc... it would fit into corporate environs more.
Just don't see this one flying like ipod touch or iphones. Not to mainstream people. Missing the higher user market may be a fatal error for this item.
0
japangonzo
US technology rocks!
0
thepro
Stupid. I'd rather just carry an ipod touch around in my pocket
0
badmigraine
Mhz/Ghz: Hertz is a measure of speed, not processing power. Faster is better of course, but are we talking about 1000 trips with a little red wagon, or 1000 trips with a freight truck? Obviously one is doing more. Without more information about what the processor is doing in each cycle, you're comparing apples to oranges. And that information is hard to understand. It's better to just do benchmark testing and see which is faster.
Apple and exchange rates: dream on. That'd be nice but they don't do it that way. Japan Apple store prices are mostly higher than US store prices. Also, they don't adjust for f/x fluctuations during the product cycle. For example, iMacs at the US store start at $1199. That's about JPY 107,316 at today's rates. But Japan Apple store prices start at JPY 118,800. A nice 9% premium over US store prices. When you think that most of their product is manufactured in China, shipping to Japan would be less than to the US, so the landed cost of Apple products in Japan should be even slightly less than in the US. But they ain't and never will be. In fact, the premium in other national Apple stores can be even higher. Check out the UK Apple store prices.
0
Badsey
UK has VAT (value added tax) added on. The 1Ghz processor is by Apple.
0
nisegaijin
No GPS no care
0
chuckers
GPS is some of the pricier models. Read the Specs.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
0
timtak
I think that its success will depend on how successfully they can market it as the replacement for paper books/papers/magazines. It looks to be the same size as a magazine. Perhaps if it rolled up.
0
tkoind2
GPS. Imagine walking through Shinjuku with this thing as your GPS tool. Unlikely. Iphone and even ordinary phones do the same job and tuck easily into a pocket.
Don't get me wrong. I love all my Apple products. Would love the iphone with AU instead of terrible Softbank, but shoganai for now. Just this thing seems pretty narrow in application for most people.
0
Patrick Smash
Remarks about Cowon are totally correct. A Cowon A3 will play almost any media you want to throw at it. It is a bit of a pirate's dream come true, but no messing about with i-tunes and conversion makes Cowon a winner. Otherwise get a netbook. A good one is only around 300 dollars. We all have phones already, and apart from the Apple geeks who worship anything not endorsed by Microsoft, this seems to have no real market.
0
WilliB
Looks like an oversized iphone to me. What am I missing?
0
tkoind2
Cowons are great, but not just for hackers. If you want to watch your DVDs on the go you can extract them to .mkv files that have high quality and look great.
But where it really shines are on audio files. Ipad will only play basic files friendly to mac. But wave files and other high end audio files can give you really amazing sound. Keep in mind mp3 strips out a lot of the sound. Just listen to the high and low end difference of the same song done in mp3 and original wave. It is very easy to hear the loss due to mp3 compression.
Mac should expand the file types it can play. That would let us listen to music the way it was originally intended to sound from the recordings. And this you can do from the CDs you buy. As an artist I think this may be one way to encourage more people to buy high quality files from a shop instead of downloading the cheap ones. But ipad misses the boad on this one. Cowon wins.
0
Patrick Smash
tkoind2, absolutely. You can even plug your Cowon into an HD TV and play back most files with no jitters. And you can use it as a DVD recorder. A cowon A3 is the best friend a commuter can have. 60GB storage is ample, and just about any download will play without conversion, so great for DivX, XVid and a whole plethora of audio files. The screen's fantastic too, all files get stored so you can easily pick up where you left off. Good photo viewer, and totally portable. If you have this, and a mobile, why on earth by an i-pod or i-pad. No one went for tablets, and this is a tablet. I honestly see no market for it. Anyone who really wants to carry something this size should get a netbook. There are some great ones out there.
0
lostrune2
Will this be the next iPod or the next AppleTV (Remember that? No? Exactly)....
0
bobobolinski
As someone who definitely belongs to the "if its shiny and made by Apple I'll buy it" school, I have to admit deep disappointment. I didn't really want a Kindle, already have iPods, and really wanted a better class of netbook with touchscreen, apps, but a much better range of functionality. Maybe when they've wiped out the other ebook readers, we might see a higher end iSlate. But I think Steve believes we should be buying the Air for the serious stuff.
0
ca1ic0cat
Dumb name. Mr. Jobs doesn't want to know what the student were equating his gizmo too but it's easy to guess.
0
dokachin
the name just puts me off....iPad!!
0
Cliffy
Never mind the feminine hygiene joke! Kind of too expensive for something that is missing a lot of functions (video cam, mic...). Also kind of big. If I am going to carry something that big, I might as well carry a laptop. As least I can do video conference and skype.
0
qazwsx
a kindle killer though I think
0
caldina
IPad is a little bit too big and iPhone is a little bit too small to surf the Internet on the way to work on train. They don't fit me. I hoped the device between iPad and iPhone in size and weighing less than 500g.
0
pawatan
Nah, don't be too sure of that one. The Kindle is half the price, really, really good on battery and comes with free 3G service. The web browser is sort of basic but it is completely free.
Different beasts.
0
aizoyurei
A ton of my musician friends are drooling over this. A lot of people running music applications can use this to work with controlling "Touch OSC" and Ableton Live. Maybe $500 seems pretty steep to some of you, but for us Musicians there was previously only one touchscreen interface for us and it'll set you back about 2 grand. This is nothing. The iPad itself isn't what makes it so great, it's the potential APPS that are gonna come out for it. And as for being breakable, everyone says that about the iPhone but I have a killer rubber protector for mine. On the Apple site they have a really awesome notebook case for it. Looks dope! Can't wait to see what version 2 will add to the mix. I'm loving' it like McDonald's but I'm waiting for the second generation.
0
XXXXX
am pretty lost! guess id better wait..again
0
unrested
it might be a good idea but definitely something you wanna wait to make a 2nd gen.
0
memyselfI
It doesn't have a built in camera ??????
Plus how are you going to walk around the train station with this ?
You definitely need to buy a carrying case with the ipad. It should come included but that`s just wish-ful thinking out of my part. I will wait one year for the upgraded model. Maybe buy a laptop instead.
0
tranel
If this was a proper computer capable of running Mac OSX with full apps, then yes, I'd be interested. At the moment, it's just another toy for the "look at me" Starbucks crowd.
0
ChrisBiggins
What is this for? My IPhone can do all these features. Maybe it will be better when some sweetie hacks it. My jailbroken I Phone is great now i have Skype on 3G. Apple need to put more apps and stop blocking other peoples apps.
0
motytrah
Apple isn't going to sell a proper computer for $499. You want a proper Apple Notebook then you need to pony up the $999 for a MacBook. And frankly, who else sells a durable all metal laptop for $999?
Fact is Netbooks Stink for the most part. They are slow, extremely hard to type on, and only good for the most remedial tasks.
As far as speed, the Netbook folks are saying 1Ghz is too slow. The Apple A4 chips is slick version of an Arm Cortex-A9 CPU plus a GPU. Side by side benchmarks show a 500Mhz A9 with no GPU pimp smacking the Intel Atom with GPU at 1.6Ghz. The iPad is going to blow away the single core Atom processors and will be competitive with the new dual core Atom processes.
Will the iPad take off as universally as the iPod? Doubt it, but it will fill a number of niche markets. Those markets will be determined by various "killer apps". There's people who like to have a internet device and ebook around the house, but don't want to have their face buried in a laptop. Day 1 the five largest western publishing houses as much as 95% of their catalog online (both consumer and academic books). The freak'n huge multi-touch screen is sure to have applications in commercial and games.
In the end I think it will sell better than most netbooks, and the kindle. It will be respectable, but not earth shaking.
0
motogaijin
I personally have no use for this as I own a MacBook and an iPhone. That said, I still think this is going do sell well, and in a few generations, might be a device that's more useful me (camera, multitasking, media ports). As for the name, everyone thought that MacBook/MacBook Pro was a stupid name at first, but both have now become synonymous with high quality, well-performing machines.
0
TanakaTaro
No way, have you used a kindle before? The whole point is that it isn't back lit so doesn't strain your eyes like reading a computer screen. Secondly, the kindle's battery lasts for a very long time. The iPad probably wouldn't even last a long haul flight.
0
Odogma
Sealed the deal for me:
Raven Zachary, a contributing analyst with a mobile research agency called The 451 Group, considered the iPad a laptop replacement, especially because Apple is also selling a dock with a built-in keyboard.
0
motytrah
@drtoro Battery life is 10 hours. The test case apple claims is playing movies and other media. Standby life 30 days.
0
Sarge
"Apple just can't do it for me yet"
Oh, Apple can do it for you all right, but you're just not ready for it yet.
0
motytrah
@drtoro The iPad isn't supposed to replace a real computer or laptop. It's priced to be an book, internet and media device.
0
therealmusashi
@ tkoind2: I'm not recommending anyone buy this over an iPhone, or as a replacement for a phone, check my post.
I simply said it's not aimed at power users, that should be obvious? Yet all your (and industry pundits) complaints or perceived shortcomings are the lamentations of a power user. You're a busy Tokyo-ite commuting on a train - don't buy it! I wouldn't. Use your iPhone. No one's saying tablet computing is for people walking around in a busy city.
This product is aimed at people who don't use computers, or find them annoyingly complicated (like my parents) - it will enable them to do things like send and receive email, view photos, etc. with one finger touch. No mouse, no keyboard. That's what this is about.
It's not as clearly game-changing as the iPhone, but it's an experience that most other manufacturers also deem necessary - look at the wealth of tablet PCs already available! The difference is, of course, that this is an Apple product, aimed at a specific market, and it will empower people in that market segment.
0
Odogma
Thank the Almighty that Obama and his cronies haven't nationalized the PC industry yet.
0
Asara
It does not have USB/SD card slots plus no camera it is like 1 step forward 5 step backward deal. Steve Jobs is really getting older man!!!
0
guest
It looks like Apple screwed the pooch on this on.
0
griff
that's what they said about the imac/ipod/iphone... i wouldn't count those chickens... i think a lot of people think that they expect this to be as big as the iphone. not going to happen, and they know it. it's definitely a more niche product
0
Toshiyuki
I like the picture of Mr Jobs above. He looks so happy :) although I dont know if it really deserves $499...maybe does as long as windows7 is installed into it.
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