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iPad
I believe I have just seen the Kindle Killer.
Apple today announced the iPad. As one would expect from Apple, it is gorgeous, and the feature set makes it a device that I suspect is the death knell of the Kindle and the Nook. Apple has the existing infrastructure in the iTunes store model to add e-books, they're using the e-book platform with a software program (iBook) that is gorgeous all on its own, in a 10 inch (well, 9.7 inch) display. They already have Penguin, Hachette, Macmillan, Simon and Schuster and HarperCollins on board with this, so they have five of the six large trade publishers in their corner. Given that iBook also reads other formats, who knows what can be added to this...
...and it's not (especially for Apple) outrageously expensive. Starts at $499, which yes, is more than the Kindle, but you're getting a hell of a lot more than a Kindle. You're getting a device that displays full color. You're getting a device that responds to touch. You're getting a device that can use any of the thousands of iPhone or iTouch apps that already out there. You're getting a device which can use the iWork suite of software. You're getting a device which will play videos. You're getting a device that will import and display your photos. You're getting a device which will download and manage your e-mail and your calendar. You're getting a device that gives you a full (virtual) keyboard if you want to type something (and to which you can add an external keyboard if you wish). You're getting a device for which there's no right way to hold it -- it will display correctly in any orientation. You're getting a device that will play video (supposedly) for 10 hours. You're getting a device on which you could take classroom notes or write a story. You're getting a device that's weighs only as much as a hardback book (and not a doorstopper fantasy novel, either -- it's 1.5 pounds) and is half an inch thick.
I suspect this is going to be hot.
The 3G model will have an AT&T data plan that would be a separate cost, but I note that the device is not 'tethered' to AT&T -- I suspect we're going to hear about other options with this one before it's finally released in March (for the wireless-only model) or April (for the wireless + 3G model).
Given our budget, this is something I won't be able to get, but boy, am I going to want one. In fact, I already do...
'Bye Kindle.
Apple today announced the iPad. As one would expect from Apple, it is gorgeous, and the feature set makes it a device that I suspect is the death knell of the Kindle and the Nook. Apple has the existing infrastructure in the iTunes store model to add e-books, they're using the e-book platform with a software program (iBook) that is gorgeous all on its own, in a 10 inch (well, 9.7 inch) display. They already have Penguin, Hachette, Macmillan, Simon and Schuster and HarperCollins on board with this, so they have five of the six large trade publishers in their corner. Given that iBook also reads other formats, who knows what can be added to this...
...and it's not (especially for Apple) outrageously expensive. Starts at $499, which yes, is more than the Kindle, but you're getting a hell of a lot more than a Kindle. You're getting a device that displays full color. You're getting a device that responds to touch. You're getting a device that can use any of the thousands of iPhone or iTouch apps that already out there. You're getting a device which can use the iWork suite of software. You're getting a device which will play videos. You're getting a device that will import and display your photos. You're getting a device which will download and manage your e-mail and your calendar. You're getting a device that gives you a full (virtual) keyboard if you want to type something (and to which you can add an external keyboard if you wish). You're getting a device for which there's no right way to hold it -- it will display correctly in any orientation. You're getting a device that will play video (supposedly) for 10 hours. You're getting a device on which you could take classroom notes or write a story. You're getting a device that's weighs only as much as a hardback book (and not a doorstopper fantasy novel, either -- it's 1.5 pounds) and is half an inch thick.
I suspect this is going to be hot.
The 3G model will have an AT&T data plan that would be a separate cost, but I note that the device is not 'tethered' to AT&T -- I suspect we're going to hear about other options with this one before it's finally released in March (for the wireless-only model) or April (for the wireless + 3G model).
Given our budget, this is something I won't be able to get, but boy, am I going to want one. In fact, I already do...
'Bye Kindle.
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it's pretty damn good
Yes, there's limits to what it can do, no camera so no video skype, the ATT contract is month to month which is great, depending on the terms of the contract, but ATT can't handle iPhone traffic in large metro areas, I can't see how ATT will take on this additional demand for bandwidth. I never have wanted an iPhone because of the contract costs combined with how little I use a cell phone except while traveling made the iPhone a gadget I didn't see much benefit in for me personally. The month-to-month contract option might be attractive, and the chance to use SIMS on the 3G models is intriguing, I will be searching for more details on all Mac sites for weeks, I'm sure.
I will have to wait for the international issues to get cleared up, that's important for me. I'm betting that Boingo will figure out a way to offer trans-national wireless service of some sort that won't be as ruinous as ATT's international data plans.
I like the dock and the screen cover, both look elegant and lightweight.
Considering its use as an e-reader, it does have the Kindle beat hands down. For years I've wanted some sort of e-reader that had a color display for birding books, tourist guides and the like. I have some good apps on my iPod touch, such as bird guides which really need to be in color to be useful in the field. Plus the pocket-sized iPod Touch fits in pocket or purse, although battery life on the Touch is problematical.
My laptop enables me to do a lot of different things on the road that aren't going to be covered by the iPad. So I see this an adjunct gadget, not a replacement for a laptop. (I really want a new laptop, the Powerbook is 5.5 yrs old now. But I've been waiting as new models appeared over the last year or so, and nothing new has really fit my specs, I'd like a lighter weight 15", with firewire ports, so that strikes out the Mac Air, and leaves me looking at the Mac Book Pro which still weighs over 5lbs). At 1.5 pounds, I could carry a whole library of big fat fantasy books around with me everywhere, and that would save a lot of room in my carry-on. Perhaps publishers would offer a digital copy along with a hardcover purchase free or for a few dollars more - maybe that would increase the desirability of buying books rather than pirating books on the web.
I think it's going to be a hit, but its full impact won't be seen for at least a year or two. Much like the original iPod. It sure does look gorgeous, and from what Leo LaPorte was saying, it sounds like it feels good in the hand, and is very very fast.
Yeah, I want one, and come this summer, I just might buy one after the first few hundred thousand have gotten into the hands of end users and we learn more about specs, features, options. Do you think that the recent push by some publishers to claim e-rights to titles that were contracted long before there was a internet was in part motivated by the holiday sales of the Kindle and their e-book titles and their knowledge that Apple was about to unveil the iPad?
Someday we'll be at the same convention in a town with and Apple store, and we'll have to go and geek out together.
Re: it's pretty damn good
I agree -- I don't see this as a laptop replacement; it's not 'heavy-duty' enough for that. But as an adjunct device that you can take with you when you don't need/want to carry your laptop, it's looking awfully good. There are things I would have like to have seen on it (a forward-facing camera for Skype/video conferencing or a built-in USB port, for instance) but accommodating everyone's feature 'wish list' would have kicked the price up to four-figures. I've heard some online complaints about the lack of multitasking, but that is already part of iPhone 4.0 software's feature set, so as soon as that arrives, we'll magically have that.
I like it. And -- like the iPods and iPhones, it will continue to evolve.
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that looks like one shiny piece of technology. and I want it.
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"I come to iWrite is wealthily on iPadua..."
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from the specs
The various Mac specialist writers who were at the event and had a chance to handle the actual machine all praised the look and feel. I'll go to an apple store and check it out once it's released.
Lots of different formats for mail attachments: "Viewable document types: .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key (Keynote); .numbers (Numbers); .pages (Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt (text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf (contact information); .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)" available, don't know enough about Kindle or ebooks in general to compare. The publishing companies already signed up covers most of the mass-market genre publishers.
The sensible thing to do is wait until iPad Gen 2. I'll have to repeat that 100 times each day and stay away from the Apple store down in ABQ when it's first released. New Tech has more allure for me than a shoe store, even Zappos....
Re: from the specs
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Re: from the specs
I suspect the answer is "a lot less" than the Kindle, since the iPad uses an LED screen, which is going to drain the battery faster than an e-ink screen.
Re: from the specs
I think it iPad will do well, but it has to compete with dedicated readers like the Kindle and the ever-increasing array of NetBook computers out there. But as an upgrade/companion to the iPhone, it makes a lot of sense.
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As an ebook platform, I'd be on board but I need to see how the book prices are. I've seen $8-15, which for hard covers and trades is fine. For older stuff that's out in paperback I don't know how well that well go over with consumers. I've a number of favorites that I'd love to get in electronic form, but I'm not going to pay $8 for an ecopy when I can go buy a new paperback copy for the same price.
I wonder how long it will take for publishers to get around to offering you an ecopy with your purchase of the physical book itself. I would have no qualms about paying hard cover price with a small upcharge for a code to download an ecopy of the latest.
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If you don't use your computer to do heavy-lifting, capital-W Work -- to create novels, websites, or corporate presentations, to edit and process professional video or photography, to program, debug, and compile software -- then the iPad is potentially your next computer. I suspect that's a significant percentage of the larger set of 'all computer users.'
I also suspect that for a significant percentage of Kindle users and potential Kindle users, the iPad is the better choice -- for those who don't buy a hundred books a year, but only two or three now and again. The iPad is an e-book reader with a significant catalog (five of the six Big Sisters of publishing have already signed on; Random House being the only holdout so far), melded with all the computer they need. Why buy a Kindle when for a couple hundred bucks more you get everything else you need in one (very attractive) package?
It may not kill the Kindle, but I would argue that it sure as hell is going to cripple it.
For you, though, the Kindle may still be the best choice: better battery life (it doesn't have to light up a screen), it weighs less, and you don't want/need a device to do the other tasks that the iPad could do.
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Comparing Jobs and Obama
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Re: Comparing Jobs and Obama