Is anyone going to buy an Ipad?

[Chillie (Henry)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Henry - looks like NASA have addressed this:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasat...ve_iphone.html

Thanks for the link Chris.

I have checked it out and it's not bad but would look better on a iPad.

I went into an Authorized Retailer for the iPod last week to look at the iPad and was told they can't get them in. They said the closest place is Geelong.

[allan gould]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

I had a good play with the Ipad in JB Hi Fi today.

The screen is smaller than I expected. Functionality is the same as the Ipod.I do like the touch screen.

I've decided that I want PC style functionality/interfacability ( including ability to play Flash ) as it will make the device far more useful. I have loads programs that would be great to have on a tablet.

I will wait for the new generation PC Touchscreen tablets that will hit the market soon, like the Eee Pad which will run Win7 , have a model with 12" screen and include a USB port . Same battery life as the Ipad

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/a...ows-7-and-a-1/

Have to agree with you on this. Im waiting for the same sort of device which would be excekllent next to a scope.

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

I was considering buying one but I looked at a friends first and not sure that it's for me. For what it is it looks good but right now I cannot justify buying one. Although if my employer gives me one to use at work I would graciously accept .

Adrian

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

It'll be interesting to see how well the Windows 7 tablets turn out - because MS themselves even state that as a tablet OS, Windows 7 just isn't. Windows users have had access to tablets for years now and they've done very poorly, so why all the sudden interest?

Multi-touch technology was originally developed as a CERN project in the late 70's, and was based on their capacitance touch screens developed in 1972 by Danish electronics engineer Bent Stumpe. Pierre Wellner published a paper in 1991 called "Digital Desk", which outlined the idea of multi-finger gesturing. It is probably Apple's successful deployment of this idea in the iPhone that has sparked all the new developments. Just like back in the Lisa days (pre Macintosh) when they successfully commercialised the mouse (which was essentially a Xerox PARC project in the 60's) Apple has again been the innovator here.

With an OS that is designed from the ground up to be operated by fat fleshy things called fingers, the iPad is discernibly better at doing what it does than the Windows machines for the moment. Even though Windows 7-based tablets have multitouch gesturing built in as a core part of the OS, the GUI itself is not designed well enough for screen elements to be controlled easily and smoothly by fingers, and this extends to mouse-bound applications that run on it - read: everything. There's a long way to go for Windows to catch up in this regard. So, what's important to you? Connectivity? Probably trade off GUI usability and go Windows. A mobile device that relies on pure finger control? iPad or maybe (and that's a big maybe yet) Android. A few more apps and it may get there yet.

[sejanus (Gavin)]

I've had mine for a few days now. I don't think they are the sort of device you can really appreciate by using it for a few mins - as you use it over a few days and you find apps that suit what you do, it becomes more & more useful. It's at the point now where I'm not even thinking of opening my laptop up.

[RB (Andrew)]

I'm not an Apple fan, never owned a single Apple product.
I've been considering an iPhone but haven't taken the plunge.

When the iPad came out though I was curious to see how good it actually is.
My wife (not a computer 'person' by any stretch of the imagination) said she'd use one if they're as easy to use as they look.

Well last week I bit the bullet and bought one.

We all love it !

My wife finds it very easy and intuitive to use, my eldest daughter is crazy about it and the kids love just mucking around with it.
And so far I've only installed a few (mostly free) apps.

I've got a few netbooks laying around and they hardly get used by the family but the iPad coped a workout since I got it for them.
Now whether it's just a fad with them remains to be seen but so far, non of the other computers have seen as much use, my family isn't really into computers all that much anyway.

I've downloaded Starmap HD because it looked ok and it was cheap, $1.19.
Love it !
Just hold it up and it will show you what's up there.
The display looks awesome on the iPad and even the kids have been using it to read about the planets etc.

We've only just begun to get a feel of how it all works, using iTunes etc, but I must say so far it's been great to use this gadget.
I may not get an iPhone but I'm certainly glad I bought an iPad, it has a lovely feel and look about it and the whole family gets to use it.
LOL I may even need to buy a few more iPads actually with the size of my family.

Bottom line: We're very happy with it and I'd certainly recommend it if you're thinking about buying one as an alternative to a netbook.

I know netbooks have other advantages, but honestly my netbooks have been sitting there not being used much except by me.
When I see someone like my wife enjoying to use this thing then I give it a thumbs up and say nice one Apple.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

A nice review Andrew. Your situation is what these devices were designed for. Consumption. Pure and simple. They are not designed to replace PC's.

Do you think that a Windows tablet would be used as much in your household for the things your family like doing with the iPad? I'm pretty sure of the answer.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Do you think that a Windows tablet would be used as much in your household for the things your family like doing with the iPad? I'm pretty sure of the answer.

hmm, my wife might use it as a serving tray.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

I've thought about using my Fujitsu tablet as a cutting board. It's just too hard to clean and isn't dishwasher safe.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

I've thought about using my Fujitsu tablet as a cutting board. It's just too hard to clean and isn't dishwasher safe.

LOL!!! One electronic cutting board for sale in the "Non Astronomy" section of Ice Trades....

[Spanrz (Brett)]

The wife just bought one. I think she gets it next week.
Should be interesting, considering that we both have iTouch's.

[higginsdj]

Originally I thought that the iPad was just an expensive toy - just a larger version of an IPod Touch. But then I started looking at some of the apps on offer and realised that there might be some legitimate uses for it. So I tried a few apps on my iTouch like VNC remote control, Starmap Pro and found out that Astroplanner was also going to get a rewrite to move to the iPad. So now I have have one

Benefits for me.... I quit the local astronomical society because I couldn't get to the meetings. Why? because I had a choice - open my observatory or attend a meeting. Now I can do both....

I only have one fixed scope now so I also gave up going to public viewing nights. Now I can go AND show people what I do without having the equipment there. I could even interupt a session and target something of interest to the public, take a picture then email it to them on the spot.

Bojun, gadgets do not invent needs, they open up opportunities....

Cheers

[PCH (Paul)]

Hmmm - so after reading all this interesting stuff on here, and after having been pestered by the kids for what seems like an eternity, I decided I'd get one of these beasties just to have a play with and see what all the fuss is about.

But what d'ya know ? No-one has them in stock. I'm happy to be an impetuous buyer and live with my purchase whether it's a mistake or not. But I could never put my name down on a list for an item that might come in 'sometime'.

Does anyone know where there are any in stock right now? Or aren't there any in Aus, period?

Cheers for any suggestions

[higginsdj]

When I got mine last week, it was the last 3G model in Canberra. But why not try to buy from the Apple store online? I got my iPad cover from them. The site said 3-4 weeks delivery but it turned up on my doorstep the following morning...

Cheers

[Alchemy (Clive)]

I got mine, great gadget. But can't upload images to IIS.

Go to youtube type in WILL IT BLEND IPAD ..... One tough little blender, plus after the initial fitting effort notice the screen still works.

[sejanus (Gavin)]

Paul try a few jb hifi stores they seem to stock a few models. I got my 64gb 3g one from there it was in stock.