iPad sales predicted at 20 - 25k per hour...

[Glaucus]

That makes sense. I think the 3G feature is there for power users, most people these days can easily find a wifi source. If I were to use something like an iPad I would most likely be at home, at work or a cafe which these days is hard to find one without wifi. Not likely to surf the web while driving. I suppose the 3G iPad would have been real cool back when I was in university taking the bus every day, but I doubt I would have been able to afford the iPad or the 3G network fees.

 

[Wayne]

That makes sense. I think the 3G feature is there for power users, most people these days can easily find a wifi source. If I were to use something like an iPad I would most likely be at home, at work or a cafe which these days is hard to find one without wifi. Not likely to surf the web while driving. I suppose the 3G iPad would have been real cool back when I was in university taking the bus every day, but I doubt I would have been able to afford the iPad or the 3G network fees.

I'm pretty much the exact opposite right now.

Most places in Montgomery where I'm staying don't have Wifi. Most places that I eat at at home in Huntsville, don't have wifi. I have zero access to wifi, or even e-mail or most sites from work during the day because of security policies and no wifi connectivity.

Right now, I'm paying $20 to the hotel every month for a truly crappy (sub 3g) connection, and even that is somewhat limiting.

That's why I may not bother buying the Wifi version of the iPad, but either way, I KNOW that I'll be down at either the Apple store, or Best Buy Saturday morning to at least touch one with my own grubby hands.

Truth is, I'm enthusiastic because I think it fits my needs "to a T". I need the ability to use something, regardless of wifi connectivity. I really LOVE my iPhone, but could use the bigger screen, and I'm honestly curious about being able to convert all my PDF's to e-books, and my old DVD collection to put on the iPad...

Whether curiosity is worth the price of admission here is anyone's guess. While I'm not willing to instantly condemn it as "a big iPhone" (remember, I LOVE mine), I'm not saying it's the be all, end all of computing.

Minimally, it'll be interesting to see what happens.

Wayne

 

[Glaucus]

Well then, maybe you just need one of these: Rocket™ Sticks and Access Cards

Not sure if you're using a GSM network, but if you are you could simply stick your SIM card in one of these, plug it into your laptop's (or iPad's?) USB port and away you go so long as you have a data plan. The nice thing about this is that you can later upgrade to 4G and keep your existing computing device. they even sell a "Rocket Hub" which could be used to service multiple wifi devices at once:

EDIT: Above are designed for Roger's network. However these might work for you: Sony Ericsson MD300 USB 3G Modem Supports Windows, Mac

There's probably tons of others out there.

 

[Wayne]

Well then, maybe you just need one of these: Rocket™ Sticks and Access Cards

The problem with that dear sir, is that -- unlike the ipad -- "data plans" almost 100% require a two-year contract, and I may, or may not need it that long...

Wayne

 

[Glaucus]

The problem with that dear sir, is that -- unlike the ipad -- "data plans" almost 100% require a two-year contract, and I may, or may not need it that long...

Good point. I hate cell phone companies.

 

[Wayne]

Hello from the iPad!

This thing is incredible and lee is wrong...

I do see What you mean about using finger able icons but the first two articles are up at http://ipadico.com if you'd care to jump in.

 

[Glaucus]

I knew you wouldn't wait for the 3G. :wink:

 

[Wayne]

I knew you wouldn't wait for the 3G. :wink:

You don't understand. Or maybe you do. I still have a 3g coming. I'll just return this one in a couple of weeks when it comes in, or I'll sell it, or I'll barter for web design work..

Still a great little box though.

 

[Glaucus]

I knew you wouldn't wait for the 3G. :wink:

You don't understand. Or maybe you do. I still have a 3g coming. I'll just return this one in a couple of weeks when it comes in, or I'll sell it, or I'll barter for web design work..

Still a great little box though.

Nope, I getcha. In fact, you may end up owning two iPads very soon.

 

[Wayne]

Nope, I getcha. In fact, you may end up owning two iPads very soon.

Perhaps, though I guarantee you one of them will be sold / returned.

I think my bigger underlying current here is whether or not I will find the 3G version more useful overall than my macbook pro.

Sure, you can't do EVERYTHING on an iPad that you might be able to do on a laptop, but is that 10% worth keeping the laptop around for? As it is, I sold the Mini 9 because I couldn't do my web stuff on it (a legit complaint at the time) but with the advanced drawing programs for the iPad available (even a version of Photoshop), and all the games, apps, and movies available, I ponder whether I will end up using the laptop, or the 3G iPad (which I can use from anywhere) more?

As I said, I already find my iPhone to be the most useful device I've ever owned, so -- aside from the size issues -- can't imagine the iPad to be any less useful, especially if I can use it almost literally anywhere I go.

Time will tell, but no matter what, I probably won't keep both of them, and I certainly wouldn't keep two iPads, one of which is -- to quote Rush Limbaugh -- neutered..

Wayne

 

[ltstanfo]

Wayne,

I thought I had overcome my non-interest in the iPad. I was *almost* ready to pull the trigger on an iPad for use with my SCUBA diving (would replace my iPod Touch for decompression dive planning and photo storage from underwater cameras) but then I happened upon a 2 page discussion over at ScubaBoard comparing iPad against various netbooks. Surprisingly, all divers were for the netbooks! Everyone admits the iPad looks cool and there are some nice apps for it (via iPod/iPhone dive applications) but the lack of direct USB is the killer in all cases. All dive cameras use USB2.0 interface and it is nice to transfer existing photos from camera to computer post dive in case next dive floods camera. I am aware that iPad will have a camera dock (with USB) available soon but it's external so no joy there.

Oh well.. nice try... now to start looking at a nice netbook for travel and I'll keep the iPodTouch for dive planning on site.

Regards,
Ltstanfo

 

[Wayne]

Wayne,

I thought I had overcome my non-interest in the iPad.

That was moderately interesting, until I heard the part about "blah blah blah, scuba, blah blah, blah" (roflmao..)

I will be surprised if the guy who wrote the iPod dive software doesn't write a version for the iPad. There are easy ways to "sync" the data with iTunes, but you have to write that part into the app. Falls under "file sharing" while you're connected via the dock connector, or like the PDF app I use, you can sync via network connection.

Alternatively, I'll probably grab the camera/USB connector later. Rumor has it though that the same people who created the Eye-Fi network card for my digicam are working on an app which would send my pics straight from the SDHC card to the iPad via a dedicated network connection, so to me, that doesn't apply.

Without relying on that, and with the current card, all I'll have to reportedly do is to snap a shot, then be within an open wifi zone to send my pics to my home pc, the laptop, Facebook, Twitter, and all the other connections I want to set up at the same time.

Should be cool. Honestly with all you people kvetching about the shortcomings of the iPad, I'm rather adopting the idea that I will just wait and see once the newness wears off.

I left it at the hotel today though, because yesterday I was sitting here using it to legitimately research SharePoint 2003 theme creation (via imported PDF files) when the gubment lead made some snarky remark about me "playing with my toy". (there's a LOT of anti-Mac sentiment here)

Even though I quickly (and tactfully) corrected him and showed him exactly what I was doing and why (since I can't access the necessary sites via the network), I guess until people get the "big ipod" shit out of their heads, it'd be better to leave it at home, which lessens the usefulness of it for me.

BTW, Hot Fuzz is still a damned great movie, even at 720p on the iPad. I should convert Shaun of the Dead just to have the set...

Wayne