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iPad, Quick Review and things to know if buying from the US. (now with pics)

  • 05-04-2010 11:34PM
    #1
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    1) it's probably going to be cheaper from the US, but you knew that already.

    2) It comes with a US power adapter(surprise), you can charge via the supplied (US)USB or your iPhone adapter which takes twice as long.

    3) If you buy the 'World Travel Adapter Kit' you can swap the country specific part of the iPad adapter for a Irish/UK style plug.

    4) iPad software is only available from the US store at the moment so get yourself a few iTunes gift cards in US dollar denominations.

    5) Prepare to be wowed, it's one of the fastest browsing experiences you will ever have had to date. Web pages render faster than my iMac/PC/anything.

    6) Shocker, it doesn't support flash :rolleyes:

    7) It's a big iPod Touch, but that's the whole point. It will change your browsing habits.

    8) It looks and feels fantastic.

    9) It has the weight of a reasonably heavy book.

    10) All of the Irish 'reviews' I've found so far are nothing but rehashes of press releases and other reviews, no one mentions the hands on experience.

    11) It still doesn't have flash. But that's nearly irrelevant as adobe CS5 will be able to generate native iPhone code for submission to the App Store. Expect to see a lot of familiar flash apps in iTunes real soon.

    12) It still has DRM for SOME things you get from the app store. You don't have to take that route. You can source DRM free material from wherever you've got it in the past, just be aware you may need to convert it.

    13) The 16GB iPad is below the duty/VAT free limit if you're bringing one back in from the US as long as the value of everything you're bringing back is below €430.

    14) If you're getting one in the US, take your laptop. You have to activate it in iTunes before you can us it AT ALL.

    15) It doesn't support flash. If flash is essential to you the iPad probably isn't the device for you.

    16) Will "insert favourite website URL" Work on the iPhone/iTouch/iPad, see this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65284408

    I will happily answer any questions if you're genuinely interested in buying an iPad. I will not get into a debate on the pros and cos of DRM/Flash as they're not relevent to me.

    You want photos of anything on it, ask.

    You want me to try something on it, again just ask and I'll take pics.

    If you're a member of the Irish media/press who want's to try an iPad out for real, just ask and I'll try and arrange to meet you.

    If you're just interested in having a play and you're based around Dublin, again just ask. If I can accommodate you I will.

    In short, questions only please, if you want to start a rant about DRM/Flash support, kindly start another thread. You are entitled to your thoughts but please don't add them to this thread.

    Pics to follow very shortly.


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Comments

  • #2
    Basq
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44,658 ✭✭✭✭Basq


    I'm going to Miami in June.. so I'll probably pick it up but I'll be interested to hear how the 4.0 OS pans out.

    I'm a big fan of simple browsing on the iPhone so a larger screen and faster processor suits me perfectly for on-the-couch browsing etc.

    In my mind, it has it's flaws but I do think a lot of them will be addressed either in future OS updates from Apple or from good ol' Cydia (once it's been ported obvously).


  • #3
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    One of the biggest floors the iPad addresses is browsing. Although there's no tabbed browsing, the fact that you can jump to a Safari page containing minimised of your most regular we pages works a treat.

    I certainly got the impression so far that you could click and hold an a web link to open it in a new page, then return to the previous page via the minimised page.


  • #4
    Creamy Goodness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,584 ✭✭✭✭Creamy Goodness


    can you open more than 8 pages in safari? you can't on iphone/ipod touch?

    can you search web pages like you can on a desktop (ctrl + f / cmd + f) ? - iphone/ipad/ipod touch devices NEED this BADLY.

    can you take a screenshot by pressing sleep + home button?

    can you actually take a screenshot of settings >> general >> about for me?


  • #5
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    OK, still not mastered displaying photos via flicker, so you may have to right click on the below icons and open in new window.

    4495253402_6838983775.jpg

    4495242508_6d2fa721f0.jpg

    If you feel the need to see a particular web page as a photo on the iPad, ask and I'll try, time permitting. I'm not going to be able to test/photo thousands of web pages.


  • #6
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Graham wrote: »
    OK, still not mastered displaying photos via flicker, so you may have to right click on the below icons and open in new window.

    4495253402

    4495242508

    If you feel the need to see a particular web page as a photo on the iPad, ask and I'll try, time permitting. I'm not going to be able to test/photo thousands of web pages.

    Stick the url in between [IMG][/IMG]


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  • #7
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Hi Creamy Goodness,

    will try and answer your questions one at a time:

    can you open more than 8 pages in safari? you can't on iphone/ipod touch?
    Not Sure, but like safari there's a holding page that contains miniature versions of the web pages you visited recently and they don't appear to reload each time you swap between them, will check in more detail tomorrow.

    can you search web pages like you can on a desktop (ctrl + f / cmd + f) ? - iphone/ipad/ipod touch devices NEED this BADLY.
    Can't find the iPad equivalent, but that's not to say it isn't there. Will keep digging but the only think I can say for sure is there's no CTRL/CMD keys lol. Will let you know if I find similar.

    can you take a screenshot by pressing sleep + home button?
    YES, see previous posts for examples.

    can you actually take a screenshot of settings >> general >> about for me?
    No prob, 4495308144_b3f0ef3838.jpg


  • #8
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Thanks redout, that's exactly what I've been doing but appreciate the feedback.


  • #9
    Basq
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44,658 ✭✭✭✭Basq


    Graham wrote: »
    Thanks redout, that's exactly what I've been doing but appreciate the feedback.
    You're putting the link to the webpage (as opposed to the link to the actual image) between the IMG tags.

    On the Flickr page, right-click the image and copy the image URL, then paste that between IMG tags.


  • #10
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Would do, but flickr expressly request you don't do that (or so I understood).


  • #11
    mad muffin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,034 ✭✭✭mad muffin


    I don't see any images?:confused:


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  • #12
    old_aussie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,410 ✭✭✭old_aussie


    Graham wrote: »
    OK, still not mastered displaying photos via flicker, so you may have to right click on the below icons and open in new window.

    4495253402

    4495242508

    If you feel the need to see a particular web page as a photo on the iPad, ask and I'll try, time permitting. I'm not going to be able to test/photo thousands of web pages.

    Don't open for me, as there is no active option to "open in new window"


  • #13
    mad muffin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,034 ✭✭✭mad muffin


    old_aussie wrote: »
    Don't open for me, as there is no active option to "open in new window"


    What? Do you see images there?:confused:


  • #14
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    OK, images, trying again

    4495253402_6838983775_b.jpg


  • #15
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Creamy Goodness, here's yours:
    4495308144_f2797aa28e_o.png


  • #16
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,598 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    People who are foreseeing the demise of flash are in flatout denial. The iPad will be in it's 2nd or 3rd generation before flash content is replaced in significant numbers on news/media sites by other technologies.

    In the meantime 'leisure' browsing will be severely restricted without flash support.

    Nobody should buy a first gen iPad in anticipation that the technology it doesn't support won't be around for long.


  • #17
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Nowhere did I predict the 'end of Flash':

    11) It still doesn't have flash. But that's nearly irrelevant as adobe CS5 will be able to generate native iPhone code for submission to the App Store. Expect to see a lot of familiar flash apps in iTunes real soon.

    In short, questions only please, if you want to start a rant about DRM/Flash support, kindly start another thread. You are entitled to your thoughts but please don't add them to this thread.


  • #18
    Khannie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    What's the keyboard like? (a screenshot with boards open would be most welcome). I find the iphone grand for browsing, but rubbish for actually replying to threads / etc.


  • #19
    BrianD
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,221 ✭✭✭BrianD


    Graham wrote: »
    In short, questions only please, if you want to start a rant about DRM/Flash support, kindly start another thread. You are entitled to your thoughts but please don't add them to this thread.

    Eh no, it's a serious shortcoming of the product for anybody who wants to use this device for what will be one of it's primary purposes - Internet Browsing.

    As a web publisher, I use flash routinely on our site due to to it's convenience (ease of embedding video ) and that it is widely accessable by browsers. Many advertisers use flash and it's advertising that supports many sites that will be viewed on an Ipad.

    I am tired of hearing Apple evangelists trying to talk this one down. It's a fundamental shortcoming for Apple devices. Not only that, it's a feature that Apple have taken a conscious decision to deny their customers.


  • #20
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    If you're asking about the physical keyboard/dock I'm afraid I can't answer, they didn't have that available in the apple store (not that I could find anyway).

    The virtual keyboard is surprisingly accurate/comfortable, especially in landscape mode.

    Pics of the on-screen keypad to follow.


  • #21
    Khannie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    Graham wrote: »
    If you're asking about the physical keyboard

    No, sorry, didn't even know there was one. It's the on-screen one I meant. Thanks. :)


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  • #22
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    BrianD wrote: »
    Many advertisers use flash and it's advertising that supports many sites that will be viewed on an Ipad.

    And I won't be able to see those really obtrusive flash ads any more. Doesn't sound like a shortcoming to me. :D

    As a web publisher, I'm sure you can find an alternative if it's an essential part of your business model (clue, html 5), as a consumer don't expect me to be upset that I can't see your ads in the meantime.

    You're suggesting the product I purchased is no use because it can't see your ads!


  • #23
    Pixelcraft
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 742 ✭✭✭Pixelcraft


    BrianD wrote: »
    I use flash routinely on our site due to to it's convenience (ease of embedding video ) and that it is widely accessable by browsers.

    Convenience for publishers sure, but hardly for users, which is what design for the web is all about.


  • #24
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Khannie,

    as requested:

    4496701010_3d892320b7_o.jpg

    4496700904_ea3946df5d_o.jpg


  • #25
    Elessar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,268 ✭✭✭Elessar


    It's a nice looking gadget, but I can't see a use for it myself. I have an iphone for on-the-go and a mac laptop (well, soon) for at home. For me at least, the iPad is trying to fill a hole that isn't there.

    How much did it cost you from the US? I'm guessing you got it on eBay?


  • #26
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Nope, apple store so list price.

    For me the iPhone is sometimes to small when on the go, and my MBA too big.

    To quote Goldilocks, iPad is "just right" for the in-between times, but then I have a reasonable commute so YMMV.


  • #27
    Basq
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44,658 ✭✭✭✭Basq


    The keyboard looks abnormally large... especially when compared to the box for the post.


  • #28
    cornbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,790 ✭✭✭cornbb


    First iPad to load boards.ie? History is made ;)

    I couldn't see myself missing flash on the thing tbh. Except for watching some online video I suppose. All the other flash I see on my desktop browser seems to be annoying ads. I certainly don't miss it on the iPhone.


  • #29
    maggy_thatcher
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,056 ✭✭✭maggy_thatcher


    Graham wrote: »
    Nope, apple store so list price.
    Assuming it's not the 16GB model, and have brought it back into the country, did you include this when working out the price, or did you smuggle it in? If so, what did it work out as in total?


  • #30
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    You are allowed to bring in goods (including gifts, souvenirs, perfume and clothing) free of duty, the combined value of which does not exceed:

    €430 in the case of an individual aged 15 years or over

    http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/leaflets/pn1878a.html

    499.00 USD = 372.095 EUR


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  • #31
    Cyrus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,922 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    maggy_thatcher wrote: »
    Assuming it's not the 16GB model, and have brought it back into the country, did you include this when working out the price, or did you smuggle it in? If so, what did it work out as in total?

    how many people coming back from the states with watches, engagement rings, clothes other electronic devices ever pay customs?:confused:


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