So I bought an IPAD and now realize I can't do anything with it.....

[Lupine]

I don't fault the Ipad, it is 100% my fault.

Which tablet do you think would fit my needs then?

I'm not sure if you really need one, but I suppose if you wanted a multi-touch content consumption device without the restrictions normally associated with iOS, then you may want to look into an Android tablet, particularly something running Ice Cream Sandwich. Maybe something like the Asus eee transformer prime or samsung galaxy tab 10.1 (upgraded to ICS).

[panklady]

I've seen many-a-mom use it to 'entertain' their babies. Doesn't that count for something?

[Lupine]

They're the worst of the lot though for milking the lifestyle market.

Sure, I can agree with this. I'm not fond of it myself (who is?) but it's best to acknowledge that most consumer goods are either planned this way or have the potential. These companies are successful at getting away with it simply because consumers eat it up. I mean, look at how quickly and easily people upgrade their computers and phones without regard for anything other than satisfying their personal need to have the best, latest, and shiniest new gizmo around. We're the enablers.

[ngeso]

Sure, I can agree with this. I'm not fond of it myself (who is?) but it's best to acknowledge that most consumer goods are either planned this way or have the potential. These companies are successful at getting away with it simply because consumers eat it up. I mean, look at how quickly and easily people upgrade their computers and phones without regard for anything other than satisfying their personal need to have the best, latest, and shiniest new gizmo around. We're the enablers.

Yeah, and it's going to leave us behind as characterless, one-dimensional and servantile fools. In future, when we die, we will leave behind a pile of meaningless junk. There will be no content, no distinction, no ownership, nada (*). We'll just be the bio-residue of our data. Apple are the best at selling us this as something to be desired.

My biggest dissapointment is realising that modern communications technology comes at the steep price of relinquishing individuality, through both circumstance and choice.

(*) I already know individuals who have virtually no personality other than the one that is tied to their devices. There are no books, there is no music, there is no food, there is neither interest nor experience nor meaning - when you remove the devices, they are without life or skill.

[joesuuf]

I had one for a week, by the first day I realized I couldn't use it for what I wanted really - to be able to paste values from a web page into an Excel sheet or anything similar.

It was cool having a little device to consume stuff on, my daughter and girlfriend loved it but it got one then two dead pixels and back to the store it went.

I had zero wi-fi issues throughout my house, across various floors.

[DaveR]

Sure, I can agree with this. I'm not fond of it myself (who is?) but it's best to acknowledge that most consumer goods are either planned this way or have the potential. These companies are successful at getting away with it simply because consumers eat it up. I mean, look at how quickly and easily people upgrade their computers and phones without regard for anything other than satisfying their personal need to have the best, latest, and shiniest new gizmo around. We're the enablers.

As seen on DHP TV 2+ Years ago

http://deephousepage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213496 - Thread: Apple iPad Review: Laptop Killer? Pretty Close

The Big 3 are all Marketing beasts ...

Apple's niche is that they make expensive gadgets, for those that want expensive gadgets (products & services) ... they won't ever dominate a market, until they make common products, that can (personal budget-wise) and will be absorbed by the common consumer

Apple makes 80% of their revenue on gadgets (which are cool, and get promoted by a small segment of loyal users) ...

... in comparison, Microsoft & Goggle give away (they don't actually give it away, they just love when people acquire it for free) many their products from OS to front-end software (e.g. <80% of all people in the US pay for MS products ... but those products get monetized in the more important business sector - b/c the indiv consumer got reeled in using (i.e. using, testing and sharing) it for free at home, and organizations in-turn, buy what the masses use (to eliminate adoption/training challenges and expenses)

.

[Armento]

I didn't think I needed or wanted one for a long time. Now I would hate to live without one. The biggest and immense value in it for me is the size, ease of use, and the fact that it's on when i need it without having to boot anything up or connect. It's the web surfing that is most useful for me at home.. We do everything on it.

Mark, definitely seek out the workarounds to get movies, shows on the ipad. But it does take work and time. I, like many, rip dvds onto a computer, encode and move to ipad. Since you travel a lot this will probably be a big thing for you. HBOGO is the balls too, all you need is the account at home and you have access to all of their catalogue of original shows and movies including current. I'm on season 4 of Sopranos for the 2nd time... so happy... the fact that i can pick the thing up.. hop into bed and watch in my comfort is pretty huge.

if i traveled more i'd definitely spend more time loading it up with content.. for now it's not for that for me

[DaveR]

I had one for a week, by the first day I realized I couldn't use it for what I wanted really - to be able to paste values from a web page into an Excel sheet or anything similar.

It was cool having a little device to consume stuff on, my daughter and girlfriend loved it but it got one then two dead pixels and back to the store it went.

I had zero wi-fi issues throughout my house, across various floors.

iPads are top-notch for content consumption ... not so much for creation - but you know that already

[Chuck P]

Like I said, it just comes down to individual practicality........

[mhd]

I've seen many-a-mom use it to 'entertain' their babies. Doesn't that count for something?

lazy parenting

[Sal Paradise]

Have never used an iPad, and it looks like some people have posted some advise from experience. But I can assure you as with all apple products there are lots of work arounds and they are not difficult to sort out. Just talk to friends with iPads and get your Google on and you will be able to use it for most things that you want.

[silverbull]

The iphone plays all types of videos that dont need to be played by itunes/quicktime, just need to get any number of free apps in the appstore, im sure the IPAD is similar.

[FK]

In reply to the original questions... It's daunting, but it can all be done albeit in a very bass-ackwards way.

It's very easy to use Handbrake (free) to convert any of your videos to watch them on the iPad.

It also takes getting used to as far as moving data to and from the device, a lot of this is done using application-specific commands for each program within iTunes and having to press 'Sync' every time. So now there is

• one copy of the original file on your computer
• a second copy of it in iTunes' directory
• a third copy of it in the backup of the iPad that stays on your computer by default.

Keep in mind that for grandmothers and illiterate types it ensures that nothing gets lost. For everyone else, just go George Foreman and get a bigger hard drive. (More to the point, remember to keep deleting content from both iPad and iTunes after you've watched it to regain that space)

As well having a Dropbox account and moving files around sounds counter-intuitive Questions like "why should I upload something to the cloud to retrieve it from another machine when I could just connect the iPad directly to it?" do come to mind, and I have no answers to the reasoning behind it, other than there are a ton of ultra-cool apps that are very cheap and will make your life fun. Cut-and-paste is definitely possible between applications, just need to get the hang of it.

At the very least, use it as an e-reader for any e-pub format book files.

Also, try something called 'Good Reader' It's a fantastic app for .pdf files and the likes.

Great little device, perfect for trips and places where there is no space for a full computer. Battery life is quite impressive as well. I only have the Wi-Fi model so no comments on the AT&T options for 3G connections.

But again, if you really feel like you want to be in control of the device, then go with something that runs Android...

[retsemag]

If you are watching movie files at home, you can stream anything using an app called boxee. Essentially you use your main laptop or computer, install boxee on that then you share the folder with your films with the boxee program. You can then stream over your wifi connection avi, mp4, flash... Whatever... Boxee plays them all.

I assume this works outside the house, so as long as your main computers running you should be able to acces the files as long as you have an internet connection.

As for watching stuff without a wifi connection and using the iPad as a media player, it is a major pain in the arse sorting out the files. Reencoding, etc.

I actually love the iPad, but I use it mostly for the music apps. Great drum machines, weird ambient apps, lots of innovative ways of making music for Luddites like me. Also, as a film maker its a great tool for sharing work in meetings.

[MarkK]

Thanks for the advice all. Just got AVHD player app which seems to allow wifi transfer of movies.

[the crackhouse]

Thanks for the advice all. Just got AVHD player app which seems to allow wifi transfer of movies.

You're younger than some of the helpers here, you should be able to work it out ;-)

Have a good day my friend!

Idance

[bkny11203]

While this may be working out for you, I don't think you'd recommend your average consumer to go this same route (not that they could since obtaining a Touchpad at fire sale prices is pretty much impossible at this point). Most people just want something usable out of the box and the money you may have saved by buying a Touchpad is easily negated by all the time spent on getting Android working without issue. I've been following the Android on Touchpad thread on Ars and it looks like it hasn't been an easy ride until recently. Even then, people seem to still be experiencing issues despite flashing nightly.

Like you said for me it is working quite well. The ICS flash went without a problem the first time around and I have yet to have an issue. I can stream HBO GO & Netflix from it seamlessly so I'm good.

[FK]

Like you said for me it is working quite well. The ICS flash went without a problem the first time around and I have yet to have an issue. I can stream HBO GO & Netflix from it seamlessly so I'm good.

Actually I am also very curious about a good Android alternative myself, and can't wait to dip my toes in that water at some point soon, but right now is just too busy with other tech projects like the new NI Kontrol F1 controller and a few other major things so the tablet thing is on the back burner.

[Martin Red]

whenever someone asks me about iPads I mention the above points and 9 times out of 10 they don't buy one

They do have many uses and are a powerful tool just not for what YOU wanted it for

This has been discussed here before........ jus sayin

Can you make pictures bigger using just one erect penis ?

[Martin Red]

Getting a refund is not an option? Take it back.

Good idea.

Do a reversal of when they were first launched. Get really excited as they give you money back, run out of the store holding your money in the air whilst screaming like a banshee on crack.

[Martin Red]

which tablet do you think would fit my needs then?

mdma ?

[House]

Actually I am also very curious about a good Android alternative myself, and can't wait to dip my toes in that water at some point soon, but right now is just too busy with other tech projects like the new NI Kontrol F1 controller and a few other major things so the tablet thing is on the back burner.

It looks like the remix docks are going to only work with an F1

[Martin Red]

They're the worst of the lot though for milking the lifestyle market.

Apple probably thought arrgh fuck it, leave it too poverty stricken people to pick through on massive dumps of unwanted poisonous western tech somewhere in Africa.

[Martin Red]

I've seen many-a-mom use it to 'entertain' their babies. Doesn't that count for something?

The cheaper option is a sock, with hand placed into it.

If the hand is compatable of course, they may have to upgrade hand to V8.9 and stand on a neon chair whilst doing pretend masonic hand gestures to the sun god of Quaguary on the 16th day of vengance ?

[Martin Red]