Apple predictions? Stream event live today [Archive] - Toyota Yaris Forums

tomato

01-27-2010, 01:50 PM

You can stream live the Apple press release

here

http://www.ustream.tv/leolaporte

(with video)

or here

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?entry_id=56083&o=1&rv=1264613999105&gta=commentslistpos#commentslistpos

(blog only right now, they might update in a few)

if you are interested in what Stevie's going to say. :headbang:

What are your predictions?

Tablet for sure. What else, new iPhone in June? iPhone to Verizon? Something else?

CTScott

01-27-2010, 02:19 PM

The iPad is pretty cool. Basically a giant iPhone:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/01/apple-creation-0097-rm-eng.jpg

coffiend

01-27-2010, 02:32 PM

^ there just might be a reason why everyone wants apple products ;)

tomato

01-27-2010, 03:12 PM

cause its nicely packaged and easy to use? and Apple has the best marketing strategy?

Nothing wrong with that :biggrin: :thumbsup: The vast majority of people want user-friendly, intuitive devices that you don't spend too much time learning how to use.

I'm not what you call a die-hard Apple-fan by any means (I only purchased a couple of their products over the years, and only one of their computers, the rest were PC's) but I do like their stuff. They've always been kind of a leader in multimedia IMO :iono:

Right now, I'm waiting for Stevie to say whether or not the iPhone will come out in 4G sometime this Spring, or even if another carrier besides AT&T will be allowed to sell it in the US because that might change the phone market quite a bit in the next few months if they do that. Probably still will get a droid in the end, though

tomato

01-27-2010, 03:23 PM

iPad will retail for ....

$499 (start price). Wow.

tomato

01-27-2010, 04:06 PM

OK, I missed something here. Is it gonna run on AT&T's 3 G network, too?

Gideon

01-27-2010, 04:38 PM

Yeah, they have some deal where it's $30 unlimited and billing and management for the service is done on the iPad.

Pretty awesome, another Home Run for Apple.

tomato

01-27-2010, 05:05 PM

Guess what, I just saw Steve Jobs walk down the street during my lunch hour !!!
He was coming out of the event, probably walking to his limo around the corner.
Got a couple of photos, will post later.

One of the good things about San Francisco is that there is always something going on.

Yeah, they have some deal where it's $30 unlimited and billing and management for the service is done on the iPad.

Pretty awesome, another Home Run for Apple.

Yeah, I kind of agree with you.

IMO the AT&T network doesn't need any more people on it right now, it's crawling slow enough as it is. That's kind of a disappointment.

Still a cool device for people on the go, and the beauty (for Apple) is that it still doesn't replace any other Apple product (won't replace iPhones, iPods, or their computers).

Dave

01-27-2010, 05:23 PM

I think it's kinda goofy looking. It's like a cartoon iPod.

Aside from the initial "wow" factor, how long will the average person be interested in this thing? It's too big to be a cell phone, and too small to replace a laptop* in everyday use. You're just going to be lugging around more expensive gadgets that will be hot items for thieves. At least Nokia's N900 will fit in your pocket and function as a phone. I dunno. Maybe I'm missing something. At least the price is decent.

* I'm sure there will be lots of nice accessories to buy with it if one wanted to use it as a real laptop/netbook. You'd need a bluetooth keyboard, maybe a mouse, and some sort of proprietary stand to keep it upright. But then you're carrying a full backpack of stuff when you could have just brought a one-piece laptop.

tk-421

01-27-2010, 06:42 PM

iPad will retail for ....

$499 (start price). Wow.

$499 for a device that doesn't support multitasking?! No thanks. Even a PC made back in the 80's can do that.

I agree with Pavel in that respect. Macs may be nice to look at, but all that and more can be available on PCs these days.

Tomato does have a point, though: Most users aren't looking for lots of features. They just want to a) support a brand they know and trust, and b) They want as few complications as possible.

And boy, are they prepared to pay big bucks for that! :eek:

Gideon

01-27-2010, 07:39 PM

The multitasking is a bummer, although I hear it's like the current iPhone software so you can have push notifications for email and AIM and such.

I'm going to pick one up probably. I have several laptops and a tablet PC and when I'm at home I use my iPod Touch the most for just browsing the web and chatting on AIM.

You can bash the iPhone OS all you want but no OS gives you a more stable/intuitive experience and the mobile version of Safari is lightyears ahead of any other browser as far as displaying web page formatting correctly. (Also a fantastic touchscreen, the best I've used.)

Altitude

01-27-2010, 08:26 PM

Tablets already failed once so it'll be interesting to see what happens this time around. Anyone hear anything about the battery life yet?

tomato

01-27-2010, 08:44 PM

they say up to 10 hours

http://www.apple.com/ipad/design/

tk-421

01-27-2010, 09:30 PM

Before you buy, you may want to consider reading this:
http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplatform/2010/01/apples_ipad_--_a_broken_link.html

That's enough "Apple-bashing" from me though. :redface:

slothman86

01-27-2010, 11:16 PM

$499 for a device that doesn't support multitasking?! No thanks. Even a PC made back in the 80's can do that.

I agree with Pavel in that respect. Macs may be nice to look at, but all that and more can be available on PCs these days.

Tomato does have a point, though: Most users aren't looking for lots of features. They just want to a) support a brand they know and trust, and b) They want as few complications as possible.

And boy, are they prepared to pay big bucks for that! :eek:

not garage band...lol! (pls someone prove me wrong!)

YAR1S

01-27-2010, 11:22 PM

I'd take a mac over a PC anyday. I've had so much trouble with my previous pcs and had to change them every few years.... I've had my mac for 2 years now and its like it came straight out of the box brand new.... no complaints. I suppose its what you need out of the computer and what you've been used to. Yes, they are pricey, but they are worth it in the long run and much easier to operate for those who only need a computer for email, internet, word processing, and music.

tomato

01-28-2010, 03:44 AM

As promised, here are a few photos I took earlier today, may be interesting to some of you.

I got there just as the presentation was over, and the journalists were all sitting outside,
some typing on their laptops and some doing their presentations in front of heavy camera equipment and newstrucks.

There were a ton of people waiting, looking at one particular door, and a fair amount of security around,
so I waited a few minutes, too, to see what would happen.

Sure enough, Steve Jobs came out. :bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::wink:

Almost didn't recognize him at first because he seemed to be surrounded by IT people / journalists and looked like just another guy. :iono: but if you look closer at the body language of the guy in the jeans and the woman on the right, you can see that they were security people. The woman got in my face a little bit for taking pics (got a good shot of that, too :biggrin:) but I understand, she was just doing her job.
Probably happens to him all day long, doubtful he can even go to starbucks without a crowd gathering. Must be hard being a famous, rich man :wink:

Anyway, here goes.

tomato

01-28-2010, 03:46 AM

See, on the last picture, the woman is pulling Steve Jobs aside because his Yaris just pulled up to pick him up. I think he said something about putting his Tablet (pardon me, iPad) in one of the compartments, but which one, there are so many. :biggrin:

Altitude

01-28-2010, 01:48 PM

they say up to 10 hours

http://www.apple.com/ipad/design/

10 hours is mighty impressive!

tomato

01-28-2010, 06:46 PM

What, no reaction to the photos?!!

You mean I braved security, risked my life and all, *cough* to bring you Steve Jobs on a platter @ YW and not a single comment? tsk, tsk, tsk...

tk-421

01-28-2010, 07:06 PM

Haha well... It's really cool that you took those photos, but him getting into a Yaris would've pushed it over the top IMO. :wink:

tk-421

01-28-2010, 07:19 PM

Before you buy, you may want to consider reading this:
http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplatform/2010/01/apples_ipad_--_a_broken_link.html

That's enough "Apple-bashing" from me though. :redface:
OK last one... :biggrin:

http://www.defectivebydesign.org/ipad

Gideon

01-28-2010, 07:34 PM

OK last one... :biggrin:

http://www.defectivebydesign.org/ipad

lol oh noes, it has the same DRM as the iPod Touch/iPhone. :rolleyes:

Protip: If you don't like DRM, don't BUY a product with YOUR money that imposes restrictions.

Guess no one really cared when Amazon reached into your Kindle and took away that copy of 1984. But Apple who hasn't done anything of the sort? Slippery slope!

tomato

01-29-2010, 01:55 AM

had a good laugh at this video

(maybe it's female humour, I don't know, but this iPad name .... [shaking head]

here you go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjU0K8QPhs&feature=player_embedded

(not sure it's entirely safe for work, depends where you work :smile: )

tk-421

01-29-2010, 03:22 PM

lol oh noes, it has the same DRM as the iPod Touch/iPhone. :rolleyes:

Protip: If you don't like DRM, don't BUY a product with YOUR money that imposes restrictions.

Guess no one really cared when Amazon reached into your Kindle and took away that copy of 1984. But Apple who hasn't done anything of the sort? Slippery slope!

XKCD to the rescue:

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/steal_this_comic.png (http://xkcd.com/488/)

Not that we're explicitly talking about piracy here, but this comic still applies.

tk-421

01-29-2010, 03:29 PM

Altitude

01-29-2010, 03:40 PM

tk-421

01-29-2010, 03:58 PM

Hitler responds to the iPad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

Altitude

01-29-2010, 04:09 PM

Hitler responds to the iPad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

Yeah, the whole Hitler dubbing has been a bit played out though.

I do have to say this - a modern device that does not support multitasking is an EPIC FAIL! (yes that includes other mobile devices as well.) In terms of functionality, a cheaper netbook is actually way better than this device. Not so sure this one's gonna fly.

tk-421

01-30-2010, 12:44 PM

http://i50.tinypic.com/t8ki7o.jpg

tk-421

01-30-2010, 01:10 PM

http://kecy.roumen.cz/ipadvsnetbook2.png

cm07yaris

01-30-2010, 01:25 PM

my iphone multitasks just fine. while talking to someone on speakerphone i can browse the web, check email, use gps, etc. i can also listen to music while i browse the web, check email, etc. the whole multitasking bash is getting old, it's the only argument the haters have against apple's touch devices.

EDIT: here's your SD card slot and USB that are so important too...
http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/2010/1/ipad-adapters.jpg

tk-421

01-30-2010, 04:01 PM

the whole multitasking bash is getting old, it's the only argument the haters have against apple's touch devices.

Single-tasking on the iPhone may be tolerable (I wouldn't know, I don't own one). But multitasking on a larger device (with a larger processor) such as the iPad is not only expected, it's essential.

I have much respect for the iPhone BTW. It's only because of that device that things like Google's Android and Palm's WebOS (and the awesome hardware that runs them) exist in the first place.

EDIT: here's your SD card slot and USB that are so important too...

Were you being sarcastic when you posted this? SD ports may not be extremely important, but USB ports?!

If you feel that it's fair for Apple to change the design of a port so that they can sell you an adapter later on that you will forever need to have attached to your (already overpriced) device, then by all means, go for it.

I, for one, find it completely unfair. To each his/her own. :respekt:

tk-421

01-30-2010, 08:52 PM

gotta correct you there tk about netbooks not having touchscreens. you can actually get a touch screen to work on a netbook, but it involves a bit of DIY

here you go:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/8-9-Acer-Aspire-One-Film-to-Film-Touch-Screen-Panel-Kit_W0QQitemZ260544194274QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item3ca9a4e6e2#ht_2474wt_915

Somehow missed this post... I also found an upcoming Lenovo IdeaPad that has multitouch too: http://su.pr/5tpTza

cm07yaris

01-30-2010, 11:33 PM

shakurov

01-31-2010, 02:02 AM

Apple products always make me lol...reminds me of...

http://www.mopo.ca/uploaded_images/mac-vs-pc-webcam-is-broken-769833.jpg

And what happens when the battery goes...never mind...

cm07yaris

01-31-2010, 02:51 AM

Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device - $489.00
iPad 16GB - $499.00

tomato

01-31-2010, 03:49 AM

Apple products always make me lol...reminds me of...

http://www.mopo.ca/uploaded_images/mac-vs-pc-webcam-is-broken-769833.jpg

And what happens when the battery goes...never mind...

hahaha! be careful, someone seeing this image could say that you're making their case, look at how beautiful and elegant the apple device is, compared to all that mess on the right you call a computer :wink:

Altitude

01-31-2010, 02:20 PM

hahaha! be careful, someone seeing this image could say that you're making their case, look at how beautiful and elegant the apple device is, compared to all that mess on the right you call a computer :wink:

True, but if you can't use it because your monitor is in the shop to fix the webcam it doesn't really matter.:wink:

I don't think the iPad will succeed as an eBook reader either. There's a reason why I still carried physical books with me on trips even though I had a perfectly good laptop to read them on. So when I bought my first Sony Reader with the intention of saving weight and space while traveling I was pleased to find how much more natural it is (and easier on the eyes) to read using a device with eInk designed for a more natural reading experience.

The thing I really don't like about Apple is how they try to corral everyone into using only their stuff. We don't need a new port design when MiniUSB is perfectly functional and plainly ubiquitous. We don't need new forms of file compression or devices whose content can only be had through Apple services. I won't even buy smaller electronics from any manufacturer that doesn't provide standard ports and forces me to buy yet another tangle of cords and accessories that will only be usable on that generation of the product.

Anyhow, I actually hope the iPad boosts the industry as happened with the iPhone because that would just provide me with more and better choices from the competition. :biggrin:

tk-421

01-31-2010, 08:07 PM

I don't view it as fair or unfair but as a reasonable approach to reduce the cost of the item. I would rather pay less for an item because it doesn't come with features which I believe aren't essential for the type of device such as the iPad. They should absolutely be made as available accessories for those that need/want those features.

I think the introductory price point of $499 is also very aggressive in it's respective market.

Apple's strategy is not about keeping costs down (at least that's not their main focus). It costs less to make a standard port such as USB than it is to create a proprietary one (basically a matter of supply+demand).

Here's some proof of what I mean:

The estimated bill of materials (BOM) for the iPad is $290. That means Apple earns roughly a 40% profit on each unit. (More info: http://bit.ly/94uQyC)
They can make $100 Android netbooks (with WiFi, ethernet, and USB ports galore) nowadays. Sure, the iPad is faster and has a bigger screen, but is it worth paying roughly 4 times more than this netbook (http://bit.ly/a4FnQR) because of those two things?
If Apple's focus were to keep costs down, then this comment by Steve Jobs himself would be complete BS:

"What we want to do is deliver an increasing level of value to these customers, but there are some customers which we choose not to serve. We don't know how to make a $500 computer that's not a piece of junk; our DNA will not let us do that. We've seen great success by focusing on certain segments of the market and not trying to be everything to everybody, and you can expect us to stick with that winning strategy."
(More info: http://bit.ly/2MG4Wp)

And finally, regarding your last post:
Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device - $489.00
iPad 16GB - $499.00

Please check out the estimated BOM for the Kindle 2 (http://bit.ly/qnzgq) (I couldn't find the BOM for the DX version): $185 for a $359 device (~$174 profit), as opposed to $290 for a $499 device (~ $209 profit). And remember that the Kindle already has 3G built in.

why?

02-05-2010, 12:26 AM

So what on earth could this thing be actually useful for? I honestly cannot think of an reason anyone would want one.

tomato

02-05-2010, 12:33 AM

GeneralDon7

02-05-2010, 12:32 PM

Why not? The right advertising has a miraculous effect on what people want.

Have you ever in your life found yourself *wanting* something you didn't even know existed 5 minutes before? that's how they sell all kinds of stuff to us, including cars, appliances, information ... you name it.

For the record, I don't see myself getting one any time soon (b/c I already have a laptop, a desktop, an iPod, etc.) but maybe someone who doesn't yet own an iPod touch, or a netbook, or a laptop, or a smartphone, will want one.

Let's just wait and see what will happen. I'm almost certain Apple can pull it off (once more).

^I"m in that same boat, I've already got an Ipod, and a Laptop and phone. I get enough headaches looking at my laptops/Desktops LCD screens, I dont need/want another. Plus there are features this device is missing before I would even consider it. i.e. built in camera, Flash support(until html 5 is in full effect), multitasking, more storage (sorry 64 GB I will eat up in a week), and a replaceable battery so i dont toss the thing when the battery finally does go down in efficiency, like my ipod thats only 2 years old and dies from about 30 minutes of use. Samething happened with my 5 year old laptop, but i just replaced the battery and problem solved.

tk-421

02-05-2010, 05:44 PM

What the iPad should've been: http://bit.ly/aC8Fum
(They even got the name right!)

tomato

02-05-2010, 06:14 PM

that ^ does looks better. Still can't exactly justify the purchase, though.

Yaris Hilton

02-05-2010, 06:55 PM

You can plug in about any old webcam and get it working on a Mac. I've done so with an ancient Logitech eyeball looking thing. Had to download a freeware utility, but no prob. Same's true with pretty much any USB peripheral. Most weren't made with Macs in mind, but work fine.

I still haven't figured out why I'd ever want one of these pads. I guess they're for the bleeding edge...