Archive for January, 2010
As would be expected, the media is literally going crazy over the iPad. Some people are jubilant, others disappointed, and some downright angry. Reviews have been flying through the web at horrendous speeds focusing on this and the other. Of course, more people seem to be more excited about the iPad than seem disappointed. I myself am one of these excited people who was scanning article after article about the triumphs of the iPad. But then I ran into one article that seemed to outline exactly what I was ignoring . . . the bad stuff. And although this list is quite opinionated and harsh, I believe it does highlight some of the iPad’s disappointments. So here is a compiled list from Gizmodo that illustrates the iPad in a negative light:
Big, Ugly Bezel
Have you seen the bezel on this thing?! It’s huge! I know you don’t want to accidentally input a command when your thumb is holding it, but come on.
No Multitasking
This is a backbreaker. If this is supposed to be a replacement for netbooks, how can it possibly not have multitasking? Are you saying I can’t listen to Pandora while writing a document? I can’t have my Twitter app open at the same time as my browser? I can’t have AIM open at the same time as my email? Are you kidding me? This alone guarantees that I will not buy this product.
No Cameras
No front facing camera is one thing. But no back facing camera either? Why the hell not? I can’t imagine what the downside was for including at least one camera. Could this thing not handle video iChat?
Touch Keyboard
So much for Apple revolutionizing tablet inputs; this is the same big, ugly touchscreen keyboard we’ve seen on other tablets, and unless you’re lying on the couch with your knees propping it up, it’ll be awkward to use.
No HDMI Out
Want to watch those nice HD videos you downloaded from iTunes on your TV? Too damned bad! If you were truly loyal, you’d just buy an AppleTV already.
The Name iPad
Get ready for Maxi pad jokes, and lots of ‘em!
No Flash
No Flash is annoying but not a dealbreaker on the iPhone and iPod Touch. On something that’s supposed to be closer to a netbook or laptop? It will leave huge, gaping holes in websites. I hope you don’t care about streaming video! God knows not many casual internet users do. Oh wait, nevermind, they all do.
Adapters, Adapters, Adapters
So much for those smooth lines. If you want to plug anything into this, such as a digital camera, you need all sorts of ugly adapters. You need an adapter for USB for god’s sake.
It’s Not Widescreen
Widescreen movies look lousy on this thing thanks to its 4:3 screen, according to Blam, who checked out some of Star Trek on one. It’s like owning a 4:3 TV all over again!
Doesn’t Support T-Mobile 3G
Sure, it’s “unlocked.” But it won’t work on T-Mobile, and it uses microSIMs that literally no one else uses.
A Closed App Ecosystem
The iPad only runs apps from the App Store. The same App Store that is notorious for banning apps for no real reason, such as Google Voice. Sure, netbooks might not have touchscreens, but you can install whatever software you’d like on them. Want to run a different browser on your iPad? Too bad!
As I have mentioned before, I can’t wait for the Dev Team to start hacking!
rooster
So, as previously hinted, Apple released its new Apple iPad today.
Here is the lowdown taken from Mactropolis:
General
-9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
-0.5 inches thick
-1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
-Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
-Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
-Storage: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive
-Processor: 1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip
-Accelerometer
-Ambient light sensor
- On screen keyboard. Can use iPad keyboard dock accessory
-Runs all existing iPhone apps
-iBooks (books purchasable from online store. More details forthcoming)
Two models:
Wi-Fi model
-Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
-Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
Wi-Fi + 3G model
-UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
-GSM/EDGE (850, 900,1800, 1900 MHz)
-Data only
-Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
-Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
Location
-Wi-Fi
-Digital compass
-Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)
-Cellular (Wi-Fi + 3G model)
Battery and Power
-Built-in 25Whr rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
-Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
-Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system
Input and Output
-Dock connector
-3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
-Built-in speakers
-Microphone
-SIM card tray (Wi-Fi + 3G model only)
Of course, we here at iPod Touch Hacks can’t wait for the possible dev hacks that will really open the iPad up for customizability!
But something was quitely changed by Apple today as well. . . .
Apple has removed the restrictions surrounding Voice Over Internet Protocol in the new iPhone OS SDK. This means that users may now use VoIP services over 3G networks. iCall, the first of a presumable plethora of VoIP apps to be released, is already available on the App store.
rooster
Apple has recently let out that its next big release date will be January 27th!!!!!
Although Apple is not expected to release the MacPro, Macbook Pro, or new Desktop Monitor (all of who’s product cycles have come to an end) they are expected to release a the long awaited iPad, iPhone 4.0 software, and iLife 2010.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
… the screen is expected to be 10 to 11 inches and priced somewhere in the ballpark of $1000. . .
and
In short, it looks like this device is going to be a household appliance used by multiple people to consume media. The device may even have a built-in camera to identify the user.
But as you know, these are just rumors.
roosters
Tablet Update
The Apple slate device is said to be missing a much anticipated camera. Unfortunately, it is also been said that the tablet will only house an operating system termed “the iphone OS on steroids” and not include an actual OSX off-shoot. The AppleInsider reports:
- The tablet’s multi-touch gestures are “out of control.”
- It’s powered by an incredibly fast ARM CPU
- It runs on the iPhone kernel.
- The internal model number is K48AP.
- There hasn’t been an updated iPhone OS build because there’s too much tablet-related code/references in the OS and Apple obviously didn’t want that to leak. Oops.
- The tablet is basically an “iPhone on steroids.”
John Gruber states:
And, for what it’s worth, I’m hearing there is no camera, webcam or otherwise, on The Tablet.
New Macbook Pro
Although Apple is supposed to only release the much-anticipated Apple Tablet at the end of this month, it is also speculated that a new Macbook Pro will make its appearance. This new MBP will most likely have the new Intel Core i5 processor, an update that will vastly speed up the whole system. Unfortunately, the already great battery life is not expected to improve.
rooster
So Apple is the big brother. It has been leaking its own controlled rumors all along according to one Mactropolis report. Here is a quote from an ex Apple Employee:
I know, because when I was a Senior Marketing Manager at Apple, I was instructed to do some controlled leaks.
The way it works is that a senior exec will come in and say, “We need to release this specific information. John, do you have a trusted friend at a major outlet? If so, call him/her and have a conversation. Idly mention this information and suggest that if it were published, that would be nice. No e-mails!”
Another source reports that Apple will be making its tablet cross-network compatible:
Computerworld is reporting that a Broadpoint AmTech analyst claims that Apple will introduce the much-rumored Apple tablet with 3G wireless networking functionality with support for multiple network providers, Verizon being a “certainty” amongst them.
3G service in a device like this would mean that the device itself would be internet-centric, meaning web based media would be this devices primary purpose(As if no one already figured that out). It also goes without saying that here in the States, the only network supplier for the iPhone is AT&T, but the exclusivity documents tying iPhone to AT&T are expected to expire sometime in mid-2010.
rooster
|
|
