IPad opinions?

[simongr]

Interesting the comments re lack of GPS on the iPad - not sure what I was using yesterday to navigate around Wellington. Must have been some other form of mapping/location software...

Be interesting to see how these new tablets compare. Only a few running Android OS - meaning a lot are using an OS that is not designed for touch input...

The camera thing has become a non-issue for me - I think the iPad would be too heavy to use as a webcam.

Just really wish there was a fine point stylus for the iPad for handwriting recognition...

 

[markis10]

Interesting the comments re lack of GPS on the iPad - not sure what I was using yesterday to navigate around Wellington. Must have been some other form of mapping/location software...
.

Anything using 3G generally has a GPS capability in its 3G mini PCI card, otherwise it uses triangulation of known WiFI points and their logged location, such as the Skyhook service, which ironically has already done what Google were trying to do with their latest streetview scans, log WIFI AP locations, WIFI locationing works surprisingly well on my non GPS touch in the city.

 

[simongr]

I was being slightly sarcastic. The 3G iPad has a built in GPS chip that seems to have been overlooked by the people writing the article...

 

[bdl]

D'oh that's the one I need to know about...

3 will unlock without issue or cost afaik

bdl

 

[bdl]

I'm not so sure that jailbreaking will get rid of the network lock.. happy to be corrected though!

Jailbreaking enables you to install software independently of the App store .. including network unlocking software, so yes, very possible to remove network lock

bdl

 

[drewbles]

Thanks I'll check it out.

I think I might have stuffed up as I may only have a 3G. 3GS came out around about when i got my phone. I might have blocked out from my memory buying it just before the new one was released. I'll double check that when home on Friday.

If you double press the home key and no multitasking window comes up, you have a 3G that's the easiest way (also there's no background image on your icon screens if you have a 3G). That, and it's slower than a snail

 

[drewbles]

Jailbreaking enables you to install software independently of the App store .. including network unlocking software, so yes, very possible to remove network lock

bdl

Actually it's not at present. The latest modem firmware is presenting a lot of issues for the dev team. Apple are putting up a lot more roadblocks now, probably at the request of carriers such as AT&T.

Whilst there are plenty of carrier unlocks in the works, I would not recommend any of them. I come across a lot of customers who have non-carrier unlocks (from non-iOS 4.x devices, using tools like ultrasnow etc) and they have no end of issues with them (I work for a company that does global roaming SIM cards for voice and data so I do see it on a regular basis).

The way they're hacking the baseband to get non authorised SIM cards to work is shocking. I've seen some that will still work fine on their home SIM (say AT&T) and then no 3G data on other SIM's but voice may work, and vice versa (Data is fine and voice doesn't work).

The original 2G iPhone is a different kettle of fish. That had a totally different radio in it as it had no UMTS/HSDPA and the baseband was basic at best.

It's a moot point since all carriers here will offer unlocking. Do it that way and save yourself the headache (not to mention every time a software update comes out you upgrade and your phone is re-locked again as 95% of updates include updates to the baseband).

 

[NM]

Interesting the comments re lack of GPS on the iPad - not sure what I was using yesterday to navigate around Wellington. Must have been some other form of mapping/location software...

Be interesting to see how these new tablets compare. Only a few running Android OS - meaning a lot are using an OS that is not designed for touch input...

The camera thing has become a non-issue for me - I think the iPad would be too heavy to use as a webcam.

Just really wish there was a fine point stylus for the iPad for handwriting recognition...

My ideal device is one I can use as my regular PC workstation, my phone (audio and video) and take with me and use as a pad/tablet. So I want a desk base I can slot it into and use as my desk phone (VoIP speaker phone and maybe bluetooth headset) with an external monitor for desktop work, keyboard and mouse connected either wireless or USB via desktop dock.

Then when undocked it becomes a pad/tablet with touchscreen for mobile use. I don't want/need it to be a mobile phone, so the video conferencing camera could remain as part of the desktop dock. Though might be handy to have when sitting in a hotel room and wanting to video conference.

The closest I have seen to someone bringing out this type of business tool is the Cisco Cius, which runs Android and looks really cool. I am just not sure I am ready to operate in a VDI environment.

 

[medhead]

If you double press the home key and no multitasking window comes up, you have a 3G that's the easiest way (also there's no background image on your icon screens if you have a 3G). That, and it's slower than a snail

Slower than a snail? That confirms it then

 

[drewbles]

Slower than a snail? That confirms it then

4.1 seems to fix a lot of issues (I'm part of the Dev program so have access to the beta iOS releases) but still.

The iPhone 4 I now have s**t's all over the old one (so quick and the screen is droolworthy!)

 

[Mal]

of course none with the marketing power of Apple fan-bois behind them.

Sorry, had to correct that

It will be interesting to see the competing products that come out.

 

[Princess Fiona]

4.1 seems to fix a lot of issues (I'm part of the Dev program so have access to the beta iOS releases) but still.

The iPhone 4 I now have s**t's all over the old one (so quick and the screen is droolworthy!)

I agree, now that I have had my number porting issues sorted with Telstra , the new iPhone is great. Next trip I'm going to take that plus iPad, and My Zone to use local sim cards to connect both to Internet . The lack of USB port on ipad doesn't worry me as I tend to use the cloud for projects and always email prepared stuff to the local organizer of conference or meeting.

 

[markis10]

It makes me laugh when I hear Murdoch say they want people to pay to read e-news in the iPAD etc moving forward, especially when they seem to have a habit if recycling stories, as evidenced by the current news.com.au screen shot about a new app.

 

[medhead]

4.1 seems to fix a lot of issues (I'm part of the Dev program so have access to the beta iOS releases) but still.

The iPhone 4 I now have s**t's all over the old one (so quick and the screen is droolworthy!)

Unfortunately I'm still on contract until October. (Although Telstra thinks it is February due to them stuffing up, so I'm looking forward to my phone call to them in October).
I thought I might go in just before apple care runs out and have the phone replaced for the second time due to a headphone socket issue. Then look at iPhone 4 early next year. After the free case program is phased out (ie they fix the reception issue)

 

[Princess Fiona]

Unfortunately I'm still on contract until October. (Although Telstra thinks it is February due to them stuffing up, so I'm looking forward to my phone call to them in October).
I thought I might go in just before apple care runs out and have the phone replaced for the second time due to a headphone socket issue. Then look at iPhone 4 early next year. After the free case program is phased out (ie they fix the reception issue)

So far I haven't had any calls drop out I have tried the death grip and only lost one bar of reception. I think it will turn out to not be an issue here.

 

[Fantic125]

I have the X300 as well as the tablet, but the battery life is not as good as the tablet and surprisingly the lack of a card reader annoys me not to mention the poor processor performance.

OT; I have an X300 (for work) as well - I've found keeping programs, files, etc to a minimum and regular clean-up & defrag makes a significant difference.

On Topic; re earlier post about most buyers being 30+ yo males; I saw an entirely different demographic on the KTX train between Seoul and Daejeon yesterday. It seemed like every trendy 20+ Korean male had one in his hand..

 

[cove]

My IPAD that I bought on 31st May has just completely died overnight when no one was using it. I hope Woolworths Smith division know how to satisfy a customer this morning.
It has worked well up to Friday but naturally I am concerned. It is the top of the line unit.

 

[samh004]

My IPAD that I bought on 31st May has just completely died overnight when no one was using it. I hope Woolworths Smith division know how to satisfy a customer this morning.
It has worked well up to Friday but naturally I am concerned. It is the top of the line unit.

Easier to just go to an Apple store and get it serviced there?

 

[Mal]

My IPAD that I bought on 31st May has just completely died overnight when no one was using it. I hope Woolworths Smith division know how to satisfy a customer this morning.

2 month old iPad - they'll most likely refer you to the Apple store. And I don't blame them either... Apple doesn't make life easy for retailers at all.

 

[oz_mark]

2 month old iPad - they'll most likely refer you to the Apple store. And I don't blame them either... Apple doesn't make life easy for retailers at all.

The law doesn't make life easy either. The retail store is legally obliged to deal with the issue.

Having said that, it may be quicker to deal directly with Apple.