The iPad Killer

[Arcturus]

Didn't iPad2 only just come out?

Why the fuck don't they build a proper one which has what people want/need in it already instead of reissuing them with repairs and upgrades every year?

What people want changes constantly. As technology progresses, people want more and more things. If find it ludicrous to think that any technology company would not upgrade their product offerings by the year. In fact, Apple is criticized for updating their stuff as sparingly as they need. For example, people are bitching and moaning about how the iPad doesn't have a Retina Display. Apple is working on it. After an iPad with a Retina Display is released, there will be some new must have feature. If Apple didn't update it, customers who wanted that feature would be pissed. The iPad 2 was released in March of this year, it's due for an update. Updates are necessary, as peoples needs change, plus a lot of software requires updated hardware.

there are loads of legitimate reasons to hate Apple... Steve Jobs was so opposed to openness that he overruled the architects of the new Apple office complex who wanted the windows to be able to open.

I'm pretty much indifferent to Apple myself. they're toys. I own a Macbook... it's a solidly built, extremely gimmicky, very expensive toy. I enjoy using it, but as a serious user, I can't see a world in which it would ever replace my windows or linux machines.

Steve Jobs was just one person. An influential person, yes. But he wasn't the only person. To base your perception of the company on him isn't fair. How is a MacBook gimmicky? It's a notebook computer. The only difference between the MacBook line and other laptops is the fact that it runs OS X. They run the same hardware as other computers, and you can do a lot of the same things. Most users won't find compatibility issues, as most things work with Mac these days. A Mac is certainly not a toy. You should tell that to the thousands and thousands of creative professionals who rely on Macs to make their livings. There is a reason they have Pro models. Something like an iPod, iPod, or iPhone? Definitely. But a MB/MBP/MBA? Definitely NOT!

 

[blackbeltninja]

What people want changes constantly. As technology progresses, people want more and more things. If find it ludicrous to think that any technology company would not upgrade their product offerings by the year. In fact, Apple is criticized for updating their stuff as sparingly as they need. For example, people are bitching and moaning about how the iPad doesn't have a Retina Display. Apple is working on it. After an iPad with a Retina Display is released, there will be some new must have feature. If Apple didn't update it, customers who wanted that feature would be pissed. The iPad 2 was released in March of this year, it's due for an update. Updates are necessary, as peoples needs change, plus a lot of software requires updated hardware.

Well you see this is my problem.

iPad I had no usb support, as I recall, and no camera. The updated one, let's call it iPad 1.1 before iPad2, was due 4-6 months later, and announced already at the launch of iPad 1.which DID have the camera and USB capability to make it, you know, useful. Why the fuck did people buy the early incarnation? And why did Apple bother making it, knowing that it didn't have what was necessary and planning to put that on the inbetween one before the next major upgrade? That's not "software requires updated hardware" that's "we'll make them buy 2 because clearly our supporters are fucking stupid enough to do so."

I'm still amazed that they even offer one with no 3G support. That's like making a blu-ray player which is optionally compatible with older DVDs instead of making it a standard feature.

As I recall iPhone 1 couldn't do MMS and had no video calling capability, even though video calling was new 4 years before iPhone and common enough that even entry-ish level other cellphones could do it 2 years before iPhone 1. And iPhone 1 had no 3G, all common as muck in EVERY other half-decent phone available 2 years prior to the iPhone 1 launch. Does "forward-thinking" Apple think the rest of us are too stupid, wanting phones with internet and video calling capability on a high-speed 3G link that they decided not to put it into iPhone 1, but think they are clever enough to put into the upgrade planned for 6 months later because clearly people DO want it? It would be fine if these were planned for the next generation, it's not cool that they are planned for the proper one aka "upgrade" coming next month.

Remind me again how this is all not a colossal scam? Certainly sounds like one to me...

-d-

 

[Arcturus]

Well you see this is my problem.

iPad I had no usb support, as I recall, and no camera. The updated one, let's call it iPad 1.1 before iPad2, was due 4-6 months later, and announced already at the launch of iPad 1.which DID have the camera and USB capability to make it, you know, useful. Why the fuck did people buy the early incarnation? And why did Apple bother making it, knowing that it didn't have what was necessary and planning to put that on the inbetween one before the next major upgrade? That's not "software requires updated hardware" that's "we'll make them buy 2 because clearly our supporters are fucking stupid enough to do so."

I'm still amazed that they even offer one with no 3G support. That's like making a blu-ray player which is optionally compatible with older DVDs instead of making it a standard feature.

As I recall iPhone 1 couldn't do MMS and had no video calling capability, even though video calling was new 4 years before iPhone and common enough that even entry-ish level other cellphones could do it 2 years before iPhone 1. And iPhone 1 had no 3G, all common as muck in EVERY other half-decent phone available 2 years prior to the iPhone 1 launch. Does "forward-thinking" Apple think the rest of us are too stupid, wanting phones with internet and video calling capability on a high-speed 3G link that they decided not to put it into iPhone 1, but think they are clever enough to put into the upgrade planned for 6 months later because clearly people DO want it? It would be fine if these were planned for the next generation, it's not cool that they are planned for the proper one aka "upgrade" coming next month.

Remind me again how this is all not a colossal scam? Certainly sounds like one to me...

-d-

Um...you don't know what you are talking about with the iPad. There was no update 4-6 months after the original was introduced and that would go against Apple's update cycles. I was so perplexed I even rewatched the iPad Introduction Keynote, and there was no mention of anything. They have never updated an iOS device's hardware/design that quickly. They would also not tell anyone about it, because if they did, then everyone would wait 4-6 months to buy it. Apple wouldn't want that. The originai iPad had no camera, and it didn't get a camera until the iPad 2 which debuted over a year after the iPad 1 was introduced. There was no "iPad 1.1". Even if there was an iPad 1.1, it doesn't really matter. An iPad without a camera or USB capabilities is still extremely useful. Most people use their iPad's for apps, web surfing, email, games, etc. I don't know anyone who uses the camera on their iPad. If they want to video call someone, they would use their laptop, and if they want to take a picture they would use a digital camera or the one built into their phone. The original iPad did have what was necessary for a whole lot of people.

Not everyone uses or wants a 3G iPad. So why should they have to pay the extra $130 to get built in cellular capabilities that they won't use? Apple is right to make a WiFi only model. WiFi is often more reliable and and it's extremely widespread. Practically everywhere I go I can connect to a network.

And if people want to update their gadgets frequently, so what? If they want the latest and greatest, then they can have it. It doesn't mean they are getting scammed. And if things are planned for the next generation, so what? You can easily predict those things. If you think that something you want will be on a future update because that's what Apple wanted to do to get people to upgrade, then wait for it.

With the iPhone, all I have to say is that Apple never updates their hardware in 6 months or "next month" like you said. The iPhone was introduced in January 2007, and was available for purchase in June 2007. The iPhone 3G was released in July 2008. Apple doesn't upgrade iOS devices that often. In fact, their Mac lines aren't even upgrades that fast either. The last MacBook Pro cycle lasted 9 months, and the current Mac Pro line has lasted way over a year. When they do upgrade you aren't blindsided because they have giant media events. Apple is a secretive company, but predictable.

If you don't think Apple products are up to scratch, then don't buy them. You can buy what you want, and let us "fucking stupid Apple supporters" continue to buy what we want.

 

[MoufOfKhaos]

^Deal.

And i'll just stick to being really old school and having a computer at home, a phone that acts like a phone, and an mp3 player that acts like an mp3 player.

 

[Arcturus]

Exactly. I personally like how the iPhone acts as a two in one with the MP3 and the phone, plus extras. Is there a specific reason you don't like the two in one?

 

[MoufOfKhaos]

Yes. I don't use my phone often, and usually use it for its' intended purpose - to communicate with other people. I personally dislike seeing people with headphones in their ears 24/7 - even as apathetic as I am, tuning out the world at all times just seems... like a waste.

And that's just one of several gripes. Personally, i've never been a fan of keeping up with the status quo, and the Apple products - and also things like the Android and that sort of ilk - seems like exactly that. I won't begrudge you for it(unless it becomes a personal interference, like what I listed above), but I like having a basic phone, a basic mp3 player, and a decent(soon to be above average - I am a gamer, after all) computer(and I like being disconnected from the internet when i'm not at home as well - I can't be on facebook everywhere in life).

 

[Arcturus]

Different devices for different needs. I like using the apps and all the extra goodies, so an iPhone is good for me. Headphones in the ears all the time can actually be pretty dangerous. My college campus is in the middle of a dense urban area, so you can imagine that tuning everything out wouldn't be good.

As a gamer you would be crippled with a Mac. Macs have many strengths, but gaming isn't one of them.

 

[mygaybuffet]

Those are just specs. Specs don't mean everything. The average consumer could care less about what kind of processor is in their tablet. They want something that works and something that is easy to use, with a great interface. Apple delivers well on those accounts. Whatever Apple is doing is working for them; they are considered the most valuable company in the world or something along those lines. You are unhappy with Apple, so don't buy their products. It's rather simple.

True but specs do matter! They're the infrastructure that makes a gadget a gadget. Yes Apple's user interface with the iPad itself is easy and rather intuitive. Hence why I continue to purchase their iPhones. My first was the iPhone 3G. My current one is the iPhone 4. I had planned to get the iPhone 5 until Apple tried to pull a fast one on us all. iTunes is another nightmare story altogether.

Like you said if I'm unhappy don't buy their products. In the words of Ryan Seacrest, "This is the end of the road for you [Apple]." What is Apple going to do when multitudes of multitudes go the way of the Android?!

 

[Arcturus]

Um...I don't think Apple pulled a fast one on anyone with the fabled iPhone 5. They didn't promise it. People just assumed it would come out, and you know what happens when people assume.

I personally don't know anyone who is unhappy with Apple's products, and even if people are it won't bring Apple down. Apple has other things that will keep it afloat such as it's ecosystem. With Apple you can have everything Apple, and have it blend flawlessly. Buy your stuff on iTunes on a Mac, and you can sync it easily with iPhone/iPod. Then you can have iCloud push things to your Apple products.

I wouldn't switch to Android and I know a lot of people who feel the same way. Even if more people do switch, it'll be okay for Apple. If anything, I would prefer for Apple's market share to dip. Apple was always better when it was a niche market rather than mainstream. I am sure the smartphone industry will eventually even out more, and Apple could even end up with a market share that is similar to it's computers. Android is the Windows of the smartphone world, and we all know that Windows overtook the Macintosh's market share.

I don't know why you seem to have it out for Apple. You are disappointed that the iPhone 5 didn't come out, and you had a bad experience with syncing, but is that all that Apple did to you? Also, for the syncing, you could have copied your iTunes music library over to your new computer, and when iTunes asked if you wanted to sync with the new library all you had to do was click yes. It would have overwrote your old library, but if the library on your new computer was the same it wouldn't have mattered. Not sure if you tried that.

 

[Daximus]

You sure are passionate when it comes to your tablets MGB. Good for you.

I posted ^that^ from my iPhone 4s. Teehee.

 

[DigitalFudge]

I am sure the smartphone industry will eventually even out more

Don't worry, as of Q3 of this year, it has. Samsung is the largest smartphone distributor in the world.

17.1 million iPhones shipped. 27.9 million Samsung devices shipped.


Now with HTC releasing the very first American quad-core device and LG planning on finally releasing a monster, things will get interesting.

Oh, and for the record, specs matter most.

Having certain specs allow the promos to read "Thinnest" "Fastest" "Most Powerful" "Faster than Iphone" "Thinner than Razr" ect ect ect.


^^^ Those are all things regular consumers are very interested in.

I actually have an Iphone and love it. The only reason it will be getting replaced ASAP is I want a bigger screen and a prettier operating system.


....Oh and has anyone read about the Siri counter called Iris Google is working on?


S I R I

I R I S


^^^ See what they did there?

 

[maxpowr9]

I don't understand SIRI at all.

I know a guy who bought an iPhone 4s just for Siri, and I was like wtf.

He must be lonely

 

[blackbeltninja]

There was no "iPad 1.1". Even if there was an iPad 1.1, it doesn't really matter. An iPad without a camera or USB capabilities is still extremely useful. Most people use their iPad's for apps, web surfing, email, games, etc. I don't know anyone who uses the camera on their iPad. If they want to video call someone, they would use their laptop, and if they want to take a picture they would use a digital camera or the one built into their phone. The original iPad did have what was necessary for a whole lot of people.

The 1.1 was the wifi+3G which launched a month after the iPad 1. I called it 1.1. to distinguish it from the earlier incarnation in my descriptions.

The machine is basically intended as a not-quite laptop, right? For gimmicky uses like web browsing, online videos, social networks etc. You don't think Skype falls into that category and would have made a camera useful? Gtalk? MSN Messenger? And no GPS so accessing Google Maps, although useful, doesn't help you if you don't know where you are. aGPS went into phones in 2007; iPad launched without it in 2010. How useful is a portable map if you don't know where you are in the first place? Sure, most computers don't have aGPS in them. But most computers aren't designed to be carried around that easily; a tiny aGPS kit in there is a complete no-brainer, far as I'm concerned. Look at how car GPS took off and now phone GPS, but they don't think it would be a useful addition to the iPad?

Not everyone uses or wants a 3G iPad. So why should they have to pay the extra $130 to get built in cellular capabilities that they won't use? Apple is right to make a WiFi only model. WiFi is often more reliable and and it's extremely widespread. Practically everywhere I go I can connect to a network.

Yeah, well, I don't know where you are on the planet, but I assure you the 3rd world has more 3G and is reliant on cellular tech much more than wifi. The added bonus - you as a foreigner get off a plane in a foreign country, grab a simcard from any corner cafe and voila! Your iPad (or phone or 3G-ready laptop) is fully functional. It's certainly not that easy to get wireless - at least here in South Africa, it's not free like over in the US, so... you may detect multiple networks on your device, but you're not going to get access on too many of them. Are the forward thinkers at Apple really interested in making something useful to everyone on the planet, or only really useful to people who never ever go more than a few hundred meters from home?

If you don't think Apple products are up to scratch, then don't buy them.

I don't. I've yet to see the usefulness. I harassed a guy at the local Apple store a couple months ago, trying to find out exactly why it is supposed to be better (people tell me this, and say "it just is" when you ask for details; really doesn't help me) and to my amazement, the Apple store guy told me "well, it just is!"

Honestly, I do wish someone could tell me why these things are supposed to be better, in terms of actual benchmarks and useful things I can use as a comparison. I really do want to know what all the fuss is about.

-d-

 

[DigitalFudge]

I don't understand SIRI at all.

I know a guy who bought an iPhone 4s just for Siri, and I was like wtf.

Given that Siri is one of the two and half changes between the Iphone 4 and 4s I am not surprised.

 

[Arcturus]

The 1.1 was the wifi+3G which launched a month after the iPad 1. I called it 1.1. to distinguish it from the earlier incarnation in my descriptions.

Ah, I totally get what you are saying now. I thought you meant that they released an entire updated iPad to replace the original. I was also thrown off when you said it had a camera. The 3G version of the original was camera-less.

The machine is basically intended as a not-quite laptop, right? For gimmicky uses like web browsing, online videos, social networks etc. You don't think Skype falls into that category and would have made a camera useful? Gtalk? MSN Messenger? And no GPS so accessing Google Maps, although useful, doesn't help you if you don't know where you are. aGPS went into phones in 2007; iPad launched without it in 2010. How useful is a portable map if you don't know where you are in the first place? Sure, most computers don't have aGPS in them. But most computers aren't designed to be carried around that easily; a tiny aGPS kit in there is a complete no-brainer, far as I'm concerned. Look at how car GPS took off and now phone GPS, but they don't think it would be a useful addition to the iPad?

I would probably just use my iPhone for the GPS. I can't imagine getting out an iPad and using it to get myself around. If someone has a GPS enabled phone, and a GPS enabled tablet, I see them going for the phone most if not all of the time. I personally think that the iPad is pretty damn gimmicky, and not a product I would ever use. Sure, tablets ar nice, but not for me. For things like Skyping, I have a laptop and a desktop that work and my iPhone works too. Sure, Skyping might be nice on an iPad or a tablet, but it's not enough to justify the purchase IMO.

Yeah, well, I don't know where you are on the planet, but I assure you the 3rd world has more 3G and is reliant on cellular tech much more than wifi. The added bonus - you as a foreigner get off a plane in a foreign country, grab a simcard from any corner cafe and voila! Your iPad (or phone or 3G-ready laptop) is fully functional. It's certainly not that easy to get wireless - at least here in South Africa, it's not free like over in the US, so... you may detect multiple networks on your device, but you're not going to get access on too many of them. Are the forward thinkers at Apple really interested in making something useful to everyone on the planet, or only really useful to people who never ever go more than a few hundred meters from home?

Most of Apple's products are sold within the first world where WiFi is more readily available, aren't they? Perhaps, the Wifi version is geared towards the US and other first world countries where wireless is much more prevalent. I am not sure if it would be as easy as to grab a sim card in a foreign country and pop it into your iPad. From what I know, iPad's use a different sim card technology that is harder to find and might not be in that foreign country. Also, if you have a Verizon iPad, you wouldn't have a sim card at all would you? I don't have much experience with them, so I am just going off what I've heard. I could be wrong.


I don't. I've yet to see the usefulness. I harassed a guy at the local Apple store a couple months ago, trying to find out exactly why it is supposed to be better (people tell me this, and say "it just is" when you ask for details; really doesn't help me) and to my amazement, the Apple store guy told me "well, it just is!"

The employees at the Apple Store know jack shit. I've gotten so much wrong information from them it's not even funny. If you want an educated, well thought out answer, don't go there for it.

Honestly, I do wish someone could tell me why these things are supposed to be better, in terms of actual benchmarks and useful things I can use as a comparison. I really do want to know what all the fuss is about.

The iPad probably wouldn't win based on specs, and if you are looking for reasons as to why it is better it probably won't be in that area.
-d-

Reply is in bold.

 

[Arcturus]

Don't worry, as of Q3 of this year, it has. Samsung is the largest smartphone distributor in the world.

17.1 million iPhones shipped. 27.9 million Samsung devices shipped.


Now with HTC releasing the very first American quad-core device and LG planning on finally releasing a monster, things will get interesting.

Oh, and for the record, specs matter most.

Having certain specs allow the promos to read "Thinnest" "Fastest" "Most Powerful" "Faster than Iphone" "Thinner than Razr" ect ect ect.


^^^ Those are all things regular consumers are very interested in.

I actually have an Iphone and love it. The only reason it will be getting replaced ASAP is I want a bigger screen and a prettier operating system.


....Oh and has anyone read about the Siri counter called Iris Google is working on?


S I R I

I R I S


^^^ See what they did there?

I don't particularly like Samsung. I think they have ripped Apple off, and they are obvious about it. Remember their tablet which was a blatant iPad copy right down to it's packaging?

Before I rebuttle, I need to point out one word you used...SHIPPED. A shipped device isn't necessarily a SOLD device. Apple sells every iPhone they make. That is shown quite well by the current demand for the iPhone 4s. They can't make them fast enough. Tell me. Does Samsung sell every phone that it ships? Or do they just sit in inventory getting all dusty? Also, even if Samsung did sell more devices, it would probably be due to the fact that they make cheaper phones. If Samsung's top of the line phone and the iPhone 4s were at the same price point, I wonder what would sell faster? In addition, Apple's stats are more impressive imo. They managed to sell 17.1 million of the exact same iPhone. Samsung has many phones, so it would be a lot more spread out. I think it's a testament to how popular the iPhone truly is.

Specs don't matter the most. They might drag customers into the store to look at the phone, but who buys a phone just because it has the fastest processor? I think it's clear that specs don't matter most because if they did, then Apple would not be the success they are today. Apple is always behind with the most advanced hardware. And guess what? A single Apple device is going to sell better than any single Samsung device. How many people stand in line overnight for a Samsung phone? How many times does a Samsung launch make the evening news? What I am trying to get at is that there is a lot more to it than units shipped and the speed of the processor.

 

[mygaybuffet]

Ipad killer? Netbook. Enough said.

Why would I need a killer of a product that is just downright insufficient overpriced rubbish?

And I thought I was harsh!!

 

[72-Jay]

Ipad killer? Netbook. Enough said.

Why would I need a killer of a product that is just downright insufficient overpriced rubbish?

Exactly!

Faster processor
An actual hard-drive
Keyboard

I'd take a Netbook over any tablet (especially the iPad) anyday

Besides who knows what sort of spyware is built into the iPad, and well.. Android being a Google thing you can pretty much guarantee there's some sorta ad/spyware built in.
With a netbook you can take care of that issue.

 

[MoufOfKhaos]

Different devices for different needs. I like using the apps and all the extra goodies, so an iPhone is good for me. Headphones in the ears all the time can actually be pretty dangerous. My college campus is in the middle of a dense urban area, so you can imagine that tuning everything out wouldn't be good.

As a gamer you would be crippled with a Mac. Macs have many strengths, but gaming isn't one of them.

Doubly crippled - I can't design games on them either(not with the programs I use anyway).

 

[72-Jay]

Yep I remember reading that Microsoft either discontinued Zune's or will soon.

My MP3 player is an old Creative Zen ... very basic it does all I need it to: play music!
I don't need a netbook (sure is handy though), but I have one because I got a good deal on it...
When it comes time for a new desktop I plan to build my own just like I've done before.