Anyone buy an IPAD?? thoughts and impressions..

I thought iPads were another spin but I was wrong. I spend thousands of dollars a year buying books so I justified it buying an iPad. I thought it was going to be similar to the Kindle but with a colour screen, well turns out it is amazing. I can see it replacing newspapers and books in the future, try reading on it, using your fingers to zoom in/out of text, is just pure bliss.

Not only does it have some 100,000+ apps but access to amazing content. I use PressReader.com which has an iPad app. It gives me access to over 1,000+ international newspapers, including 171 Australian papers and I get it before it even goes to newsagents, everything from The Herald, Courier Mail, Australian, all on the iPad in it's FULL form, e.g. nothing taken out, all ads, everything as if I have the paper in front of me.

I am no Apple fanboy but I can say the iPad is revolutionary in terms of how it will change the way people read newspapers in the future.

I have to admit these Apple fanboys really annoy me, many of them will do silly things just to be a loyal supporter, e.g. like waiting in front of the Apple store for hours when they could of bought it from JB, Myer, etc. These fanboys actually make Apple look like a fad rather an an innovator.

Apple stock today is over $250, making it bigger than Microsoft. Glad I bought it a few years for under $90. :D

I would suggest people goto an Apple store, download PressReader and try reading a newspaper on it. Then be amazed. :)
 
Apple sell the "experience" and the "cool".

Tablets have been around for yeeaarrs, but Apple make it sound like the iPad is the first of its kind.

CRT TVs have been around for years, why do people want LCDs, and now LEDs and now 3D TVs? :D

Tell me another netbook that is nearly paper thin as an iPad with over 100K apps, 10hour battery life, Microsoft-surface like techonlogy (hand gestures) with 64GB of flash memory/ram and that's around $1000 and I will buy it instantly. Go on I am waiting. :rolleyes:
 
:) The whole need vs want thing, is a rather silly arguement tho dont ya think? I should invite you around to speak to the wife. I have 3 pairs of shoes...can you guess how many my lovely other half has wobblycarly??

Im sure you know the answer to that one.;):D and thats just the shoes(Im sure you knew that too)....

So back on topic...im hoping someone can shed some light on the Wired Magazine app i keep hearing about. The so called "beggining of a new area" for print media i hear. Turns out uncle Rupert is right behind the ipad. Be interesting to see what one of the worlds most influential folk does with it
 
I use PressReader.com which has an iPad app. It gives me access to over 1,000+ international newspapers, including 171 Australian papers and I get it before it even goes to newsagents, everything from The Herald, Courier Mail, Australian, all on the iPad in it's FULL form, e.g. nothing taken out, all ads, everything as if I have the paper in front of me.
That's sounds quite good to be honest. How much is the app? Do you pay for the newspapers? If not then for someone that bought the paper every day it could pay for itself in a little over a year....interesting...

[edit]

Just checked a demo of this app and you have to view online? So you cant for example download a paper and take it with you on the train??
 
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Just checked a demo of this app and you have to view online? So you cant for example download a paper and take it with you on the train??

The app is free and you can also download newspapers for offline reading, you can even auto-schedule the downloads.

To get access to the newspapers the cost is:

US$9.95/mo for 31 issues of any newspaper.

US$29.95/mo for UNLIMITED newspaper issues.
 
hi all
funny question
anyone know what the price is to develop an app and have it in the apple store to down load
I have been told that its cheaper to get a web page that suits the iphone or the ipad and then direct the people there
the app would be better but have no idea of the cost
I have a reason for it and its not for a board
anyone any idea on the cost
for me the ipad is not some thing at this stage I would be looking at
I like the iphone but the run costs can be huge and you have to watch the plan it goes on.
the ipad does not have a phone and this is a huge draw back
the should have done the ipad with two simms for two phone business people.
the new iphone has split screens which I think is fine
but you want a phone that you can use on the move.
read books etc is ok but its the tomatoe or the lettuce not the meat in the sandwich for me
i don't want a ibm laptop or a straight phone
I want a phone thats small in size but big in screen(iphone is good this way)
has memory to down load email or files and can do most office stuff on the move(iphone can't do this) laptops are just to heavy to carry 8 hrs even the 10inch is a bit of a pain after a while.
I think this was the market for the ipod
but to have no phone is a big downer for me
I like technology but it needs to fill a gap and not sure which gap the ipad fills
if its just reading papers or books well papers are full of rubbish most of the time and you can get more info off the net
the wifi give free access in alot of places and if you want to read or look up stuff this is good
as for books I like the paper types as the reading to me is different when you go back the second time not sure if its the same on a screen. but thats me.
will have a look at it at the sydney apple store
 
Awsome app. Heres a guy from Oz using it ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMe2k0K_KE8

Yes, that's a good video preview for PressReader. Anyone who is skeptical about reading newspapers on an iPad should view this video. Looks like he's reading the Sunday mail, an Aussie paper :D

I like the iphone but the run costs can be huge and you have to watch the plan it goes on. the ipad does not have a phone and this is a huge draw back


Not if you go on the Unlimited data plans available only for iPads ;) Optus and Vodafone have $50/mo unlimited plans which oddly enough they dont provide on usb/phone mobile plans. Basically for $50/mo you get unlimited data, so you can skype all your friends 24/7 from Australia to the USA for free
 
hi all
funny question
anyone know what the price is to develop an app and have it in the apple store to down load
I have been told that its cheaper to get a web page that suits the iphone or the ipad and then direct the people there
the app would be better but have no idea of the cost
I have a reason for it and its not for a board
anyone any idea on the cost

development costs will depend on the complexity of the app, which country you want the developer to be located in, and whether you want to hire some freelancer or give it to a development studio.

getting it into apple store shouldn't cost much, but i imagine apple would charge you a percentage from each sale.
 
hi all
funny question
anyone know what the price is to develop an app and have it in the apple store to down load
I have been told that its cheaper to get a web page that suits the iphone or the ipad and then direct the people there
the app would be better but have no idea of the cost
I have a reason for it and its not for a board
anyone any idea on the cost
for me the ipad is not some thing at this stage I would be looking at
I like the iphone but the run costs can be huge and you have to watch the plan it goes on.
the ipad does not have a phone and this is a huge draw back
the should have done the ipad with two simms for two phone business people.
the new iphone has split screens which I think is fine
but you want a phone that you can use on the move.
read books etc is ok but its the tomatoe or the lettuce not the meat in the sandwich for me
i don't want a ibm laptop or a straight phone
I want a phone thats small in size but big in screen(iphone is good this way)
has memory to down load email or files and can do most office stuff on the move(iphone can't do this) laptops are just to heavy to carry 8 hrs even the 10inch is a bit of a pain after a while.
I think this was the market for the ipod
but to have no phone is a big downer for me
I like technology but it needs to fill a gap and not sure which gap the ipad fills
if its just reading papers or books well papers are full of rubbish most of the time and you can get more info off the net
the wifi give free access in alot of places and if you want to read or look up stuff this is good
as for books I like the paper types as the reading to me is different when you go back the second time not sure if its the same on a screen. but thats me.
will have a look at it at the sydney apple store

Youl soon change our tune. :) Thats a guarantee. Havent heard a single person who brought say ill things of it, even though it put them in the poverty bin.

As for the ipad not having a phone?? This is a very strange comment GR...

Its not suppose to have a phone. Its a tablet. You dont make phone calls on a computer unless its VOIP. Coincidentally the iphone and ipad can do such a thing.

It would be a strange thing to stick a ipad to your ear :D Each to there own i suppose. But your asking for pain if you do this in public haha. Id punch a nerd in the arm if i saw them do this :D too funny GR. Too funny!
 
hi all
ok so we are not all techno nerds
no need to be nasty or I will take my ball and go home.
will have a look at the plans the optus 114 and 119 plan unlimited seems fine to me and I do understand skype as a few here will know.
as for
As for the ipad not having a phone?? This is a very strange comment GR...
it not strange to me
what is strange to me is people that don't ask a question or give a view now thats strange
I give a view and maybe my comments are strange to a few but not to me.
but back to the ipad
here is a strange question what is teh price and the cost to run this little sucker for 12 months if you loaded it up and ran it for 12 months.
thats what I would like to know.
may well have a look at it
not into all the hype but will give it a look
what do I know about it at the moment
-0 but thats a good place to start some times
oh and reece just a question you seem to love it and its just come out are you a apple reseller by any chance
because if you are I do wish when people put up a view they also putup if they have a financial in a product being good
that not saying this is you i this case just for people who read this post If I post I like to know where you sit in the game if thats ok
it may not and in my case does not change my view of your or anyone elses opinion but it does make it( as they say) a even playing field.
oh and mods if someone does post there position don't just delete as advertising as they are giving a view and I like views.
 
I think this strip is quite relevant to investors with iPhones.

I don't agree (I have an iphone :D).

My iphone is saving me a fair bit each month. I swapped into a different plan with Optus. Instead of the $38 plan where I was paying around $80 or sometimes more if we were renovating and using the phone a bit, I changed to the $49 (I think it is about that) plan with a free iphone (I know it is not really free) and now I spend only that each month.

On the chaper plan, any calls over the nominated cap ($50?) were charged at a really expensive rate. The dearer plan has a much higher cap, so I am saving a fair bit each month.

My son, however, is that chap in the comic strip. Each time a newer, better phone is available he upgrades. He likes nice clothes and shoes and cars. He has no savings :(.

It all comes down to "nature" because the "nurture" side of his upbringing is the polar opposite to how he has turned out. He is a nice young man, but I shake my head at his choices.

AND he has actually said to me that he will never be able to afford a house.

Next son down is polar opposite to him. Too early to tell with the younger one, but he asked me yesterday if he could buy a $380 vintage 1970 skateboard in its original box. I told him "NO". Perhaps that skateboard will be worth $1M one day, but right now I need to stop him thinking he can spend, spend, spend.

He plans on upgrading when the new "super duper, better" model comes out soon (or perhaps it is already here).

*** shakes head ***
 
you a apple reseller by any chance
because if you are I do wish when people put up a view they also putup if they have a financial in a product being good
that not saying this is you i this case just for people who read this post If I post I like to know where you sit in the game if thats ok
it may not and in my case does not change my view of your or anyone elses opinion but it does make it( as they say) a even playing field.
oh and mods if someone does post there position don't just delete as advertising as they are giving a view and I like views.

haha.:D ...me a apple reseller...please stop it GR, the laughing, it hurts. haha. :D You might aswell have called me an astronaught!! :D Too funny GR!

I respect your views GR. Your are an investor far an above what i will be anytime soon, Sorry my post seems nasty to yourself...Im a your typical kiwi mate, i was just havin a jab at ya(You wanna see me when Bledisloe is on, ooo nelly!)

You are correct though. To me having a phone in a tablet is like having a phone in a toaster(No seriously). Apologees for my assumptions that everyone thinks like me. Have a habit of doing that.

If you want to know the cost of doing an app, id suggest talking to one of the best in the game(pardon the pun) firemint. There the most recognised iphone and ipad developers in the world thanks to a couple of there Apps... Heres a link http://www.firemint.com/contactus.htm

Firemint specialise in games but im sure theyl be able to put you onto someone who can assist. It just so happen there australian and reside in melbourne. Another path would be to take the knowledge from there guys and visit your local university. The kids doin IT based skills have there finger on the pulse and would love nothing more than to put together a project for some who requires there skills(For a couple of $$ of course)

Apps are just a bunch of code, so youl need to go to the right department and hand a "Objective" plan to the headmaster. He/she will then put it to the students to see if anyone will take your offer. Alternatively you could just hang a poster on campus(same thing)

Hope that helps
 
*snip*

You are correct though. To me having a phone in a tablet is like having a phone in a toaster(No seriously). Apologees for my assumptions that everyone thinks like me. Have a habit of doing that.
*snip*

Sorry I keep hijacking your thread, reeco, :eek: but I actually think having a phone in the iPad would be a fantastic idea. You'd simply use a headset instead of holding the thing to your head.

Then you could be checking doco (say a building plan, or re.com.au) on the iPad while talking to a building/REA, etc.

I wonder if Apple have deliberately excluded a phone so people need (want? :p) an iPhone AND and iPad? Nah, that's too cynical... isn't it? :confused:
 
I wonder if Apple have deliberately excluded a phone so people need (want? :p) an iPhone AND and iPad? Nah, that's too cynical... isn't it? :confused:

It would of added to the weight of the iPad and the price. I'm sure Apple want to keep the device as low as possible to get maximum amount of sales.

For anyone who wants to download unlimited Australian newspapers on PressReader (for their iPad) use the coupon code "2010". You get the $30/mo plan for free, for one month. :D
 
I've actually had one for a week or so. A mate in the US works for Apple and sent me one.

Very generous man!

it's a toy for grown-ups and I've dutifully synched up my iTunes, downloaded some books for when I hit the road next week and had fun on Youtube.

In matters coincidental, I'm using it now.....
 
I wonder if Apple have deliberately excluded a phone so people need (want? :p) an iPhone AND and iPad? Nah, that's too cynical... isn't it? :confused:

Or you could just use...i dont know...a phone as a phone? grasping at straws there WC with apple wanting you to get a iphone because they didnt put it as a feature. :confused: time to take the tin hat off. Was fun, but now your scaring me :eek:

You know skype is available for the ipad yes?? You know that you can link a bluetooth device(ear pieces) to the ipad also. Having this ability negates the need to add a phone. To myself, its like adding a phone to a laptop...would you actually see value in such a proposition? Im spinning out just thinking about it.
 
Or you could just use...i dont know...a phone as a phone? grasping at straws there WC with apple wanting you to get a iphone because they didnt put it as a feature. :confused: time to take the tin hat off. Was fun, but now your scaring me :eek:

You know skype is available for the ipad yes?? You know that you can link a bluetooth device(ear pieces) to the ipad also. Having this ability negates the need to add a phone. To myself, its like adding a phone to a laptop...would you actually see value in such a proposition? Im spinning out just thinking about it.

Actually, I do have a phone on my laptop... admittedly, it's a softphone and uses a fairly large, clunky USB headset thingy. :D:D

Call me a troglodite then - and we'll agree to disagree - I guess I've never wanted to be on the bleeding edge of personal technology.

Tin hat removed, back to real work! :p
 
I had a quick sqizz at it on the weekend in a couple of shops.

A few quick thoughts I had:

My first thought was its just a giant iPhone (I have an iPhone) but,
It has a larger diary type facility- replace a conventional diary?
Use for Photos, ipod, games, videos, download books, mags and newspapers.

Only played with it for about 3 mins as I had one eye on the 3.5 year old but I think I will probably have one by the end of the year.

I resisted getting an iPhone (hubbie desperately wanted one), I was happy with the 4 year old dinosaur I had, BUT I must say the iPhone is so handy for me now. I put diary entrys in it for appointments I have to remember and it gives me a reminder for that date- great for when you are out shopping and meet an old friend etc, has a voice recording which I have used when finding out info for Hubbie so he can listen and I dont get into trouble if I leave something out, take and store pictures, get e-mail on the run from my g-mail account, a calculator. I also use it as an alarm clock.

The size of the iPad is perfect I think, for a woman, as it would fit easily into most handbags.
 
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