IPad opinions?

[markis10]

It has been confirmed by multiple independent sources that this is the case. I've seen it with my own eyes

I don't know why Apple changed it. The press-and-hold volume down to mute was just fine, and the hardware orientation switch makes sense (if you lock it in landscape, put it in it's dock to charge and try and unlock it, you have to unlock it 'on its side' to change it back).

Apple changed it to provide a mute for non browser and IPOD audio I suspect while still allowing APs to provide audio, for instance when its on I dont get any browser audio but do get my streaming radio, with the alternative method you would get pop up audio taking out the stream such as that found on news sites, something of a case of all or nothing.

 

[drewbles]

Apple changed it to provide a mute for non browser and IPOD audio I suspect while still allowing APs to provide audio, for instance when its on I dont get any browser audio but do get my streaming radio, with the alternative method you would get pop up audio taking out the stream such as that found on news sites, something of a case of all or nothing.

Sounds to me like the App isn't calling the function correctly more than anything.

It was changed to be 'consistent with other iDevices' was the official line, as the iPod Touch and iPhone's have the mute rocker switch.

Pressing and holding the volume rocker on the iPad will mute it in less than 1 second. Doing similarly on an iPhone or iPod Touch, does not though (will never mute with the volume button, just go to it's lowest pre-silent volume).

Can't say i've ever visited websites on my iPad that have built in audio, except those that would usually be flash-based, which obviously aren't an issue as there is no flash

At least they're letting the user decide how they want to use it, which is a very non-Apple thing to do.

 

[simongr]

I think this is bad for the corporate environment - more customisation by the user means it is not as easy to switch machines between people and support them.

Personally I was not that fussed but I will revert back to the orientation lock switch rather than mute.

I am more interested in the new multitouch functions than this. That and the wifi hotspot functionality. looks like 4.3 will be a major change again just ahead of iPad 2.0, iPhone 5.0 and iOS 5.0 later in the year. I really do hate July to December when nothing much happens in Apple world... (except for Mac refreshes, iOS4.0, iLife and iWork updates oh and the iPod updates)

 

[drewbles]

I think this is bad for the corporate environment - more customisation by the user means it is not as easy to switch machines between people and support them.

Personally I was not that fussed but I will revert back to the orientation lock switch rather than mute.

I am more interested in the new multitouch functions than this. That and the wifi hotspot functionality. looks like 4.3 will be a major change again just ahead of iPad 2.0, iPhone 5.0 and iOS 5.0 later in the year. I really do hate July to December when nothing much happens in Apple world... (except for Mac refreshes, iOS4.0, iLife and iWork updates oh and the iPod updates)

4.3b1 has no hot spot on ipad, nor does it introduced any multi-touch (yet). I've seen demos of the multi-touch and it's kinda awesome.

The hot spot on 4.3b1 is iPhone only from what I've seen. Works brilliantly as well (has a blue bar similar to when it's tethered saying '1 Active Connection" so you know how many are using it). Also supports WPA rather than the easily-crackable WEP.

Apple does offer tools to provision iPad's in the enterprise. It's a little time consuming sure, but they do offer them: Apple - Support - iPad - Enterprise

(It's not quite like logging into a Windows desktop on an AD setup, but you'd not expect people to loan out their iPads all that often; IT should just give one to all staff who need them imho).

 

[simongr]

I would love to see more iPads in the enterprise environment. I actually think they dont need to be given out 1 to 1 as they really work well as a shared device - they could be loaded with training material, board papers project documents.

I would love to have some freedom about how you could use them - personally I would junk my laptop in favour of the iPad if I could get more integration to it through the corporate environment... sadly not option until I get a couple more promotions

 

[TonyHancock]

...personally I would junk my laptop in favour of the iPad if I could get more integration to it through the corporate environment

Couldn't agree more. The tech team at head office is only just beginning to look at the IPad and how it can be used in our business.

 

[markis10]

I would love to see more iPads in the enterprise environment. I actually think they dont need to be given out 1 to 1 as they really work well as a shared device - they could be loaded with training material, board papers project documents.

I would love to have some freedom about how you could use them - personally I would junk my laptop in favour of the iPad if I could get more integration to it through the corporate environment... sadly not option until I get a couple more promotions

The iPAD is not there yet IMHO, its lack of support for macros, poor VPN support including no SSL and poor Powerpoint handling make it very difficult for me in a roadwarrior role to replace the laptop, I have been trying to do exactly that for a few months and have noticed the limitations.

As someone who does not like phones that do more than be a phone, I am finding the iPAD to be a good bridge between that world and the notebook, the internet is very much usable on its screen, its battery life is great (which as you know was a major concern of mine) and the almost instant email is great, I use the inbuilt 3G heavily.

 

[samh004]

The iPAD is not there yet IMHO, its lack of support for macros, poor VPN support including no SSL and poor Powerpoint handling make it very difficult for me in a roadwarrior role to replace the laptop, I have been trying to do exactly that for a few months and have noticed the limitations.

I guess that feature will come down to whether Microsoft thinks by developing an app they’ll lose in their own battle with Apple.

The latest mac version of Office works great, so I know they can develop, but I’m not sure they will want to. They could do great things though with it.

 

[rtyuiop]

In my experience, usability in the corporate environment varies depending on what sort of work you're doing. The only real work I do on mine is bouncing short emails around - the rest of my job isn't really doable without a real PC (linux or mac or windows)... But that's just my job.

Danny

 

[simongr]

I regularly use Keynote to display power point presentations out of the iPad. I dont believe in lots of animations in presentations so it works for that simple format.

Is there no SSL/security for email? I have seen some form of security on iPhones - not my area of expertise...

I would love for an enhanced word/excel/powerppint though and I still want some form of good stylus input ...

I am really looking forward to facetime on iPad2 and IP5's for home. I will most likely then buy my mum an iPod touch so she could facetime from home as well...

 

[markis10]

Is there no SSL/security for email? I have seen some form of security on iPhones - not my area of expertise....

RAS for email purposes is easily solved by a multitude of technologies so SSL is not an issue there, its more an issue of accessing corporate WAN/LANs remotely, such as accounting systems, CRM etc.

 

[simongr]

I guess the citrix option would need the VPN first for security?

 

[rtyuiop]

Citrix is normally wrapped in SSL for remote access anyway (which may be enough protection depending on who you are).

I normally need quick and easy access to multiple SSH sessions when I'm presenting (which I realise is unusual!), and haven't been able to make it work nicely on anything other than a PC.

 

[simongr]

Has anyone tried webex on the iPad? A couple of professional sessions are being run via webex and I wouldnt mind trying them....

 

[TonyHancock]

I regularly use Keynote to display power point presentations out of the iPad. I dont believe in lots of animations in presentations so it works for that simple format.

Is there no SSL/security for email? I have seen some form of security on iPhones - not my area of expertise...

I have used Keynote and it has been pretty good. Once I got over the intitial "wow that's an IPad" response from the customer the presentation went very well.

As for email I'd be happy with citrix, it is pretty much what I do with my Macbook air any way. I'm not a techie but our corporate security involves an initial log on via Juniper Netconnect and then Citrix. I like this for corporate laptops because it keeps sensitive info and emails of the local disks.

If the IPad can support netconnect and Citrix it should in theory work well for me.

For my personal PC's at home I have used VNC and really like the interface and ease of use. I routinely log into my home PC's and use word/excel and an FTP client with ease.

 

[rtyuiop]

The last time I tried to connect to a customer's netconnect installation, it was a god-awful Windows-only javascript & activex thing, if I remember correctly. That may have changed though!

 

[drewbles]

And i'll eat my words about multi-touch on 4.3b1. It is indeed there, you just need to know how to activate it. Kinda neat but not entirely useful just yet

 

[NYCguy]

I haven't got a clue what the last half-dozen posts were about, but I do own Apple Inc. stock, so PLEASE, people, keep buying those iPads, iPhones, etc, etc.

My partner has an iPad. So far it has been used to read The Economist every week, and that's about it. Seems a little pointless to me, but I see from this thread that there are actually people who use the device productively on a regular basis, so if it works for you...

 

[Skyring]

I was impressed. I picked this chap up from an office building in Barton, and on the drive to the airport he pulled out his iPad and logged onto a work PC. He had the screen open and everything.

Me, I use my iPad for playing music and watching movies. I generally also carry the Air in the cab for more serious work, but the iPad is more convenient than a laptop and far more useable than my iPhone.

Heaps longer battery life than the Air. For use on a long flight, even in the cramped confines of Y, it's superb. I can write, listen to an audiobook, read one via the Kindle or iBooks apps, watch a movie, play games.

And I don't have to pull it out going through the security gate.

The biggest drawback is that it is pretty much tied to the outside world via iTunes and has no Finder. Sure, there are files stored on it somewhere, but you have only the most tangential access to them.

But, on the whole, I love my iPad.

 

[yeldarb8]

Apple shareholder, iPad owner, and Jim Cramer impersonator:

BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY..!

I have the WiFi only version and it suits me fine. My iPhone service is with AT&T in the US and that sucks enough. I'm switching to Verizon in February.

As an avid street photographer it is just an amazing tool to show folks my portfolio to get them comfortable getting their photo taken.