So, who else grabbed an iPad this weekend?

[tomato]

*sigh*

Not even ONE little thank you for going to the Apple store and bringing you live reporting!! tsk , tsk, tsk

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

you can do more than try, you're a Mod. Clean up the thread?

I almost bought one, but my main criticism (besides the popular and obvious ones) was that it doesn't support an iPod cable, which all of my cars are built with, so I can control an iPod from the head unit. If I buy an iPad, I would want to use it for my music.

Interesting - I hadn't heard that one. I just tried mine with my Eclipse head unit and sure enough besides the "Can not charge from this device" message, I get a "This device is not compatible with the iPad" message.

[tomato]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

you can do more than try, you're a Mod. Clean up the thread?

I almost bought one, but my main criticism (besides the popular and obvious ones) was that it doesn't support an iPod cable, which all of my cars are built with, so I can control an iPod from the head unit. If I buy an iPad, I would want to use it for my music.

Well, the thing people tend to forget is that this is a first gen. device. A first draft, if you will.

Take the iPod for example, the first one was cool but nowhere near as cool as the iPod photo when it came out, then the iPod with flash memory, iPod touch... Keep giving your feedback (preferably without killing each other ) and watch the devices change over time .

[CTScott]

The iPad is Crashy approved; I loaded the service manual and the '08, '09 and '10 EWDs into it tonight.

Crashy iPad.jpg

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by PK198105

now see, this is something that i find very useful

does the Ipad have any external ports?

Just the iPod connector. There is a digital camera / SD card reader that Apple will be shipping in a couple of weeks. The iPod connector also has an RS232 port, which I did some experimentation with on the iPhone.

[tomato]

Originally Posted by CTScott

The iPad is Crashy approved; I loaded the service manual and the '08, '09 and '10 EWDs into it tonight.

Attachment 33112

sight for sore eyes!

[yaris-me]

CTScott, please keep us informed on your experience with the iPad. I have an iPod Touch and love it, but it is small and limited. My problem with Apple is the Script is not compatible with Words.

[Aothachos]

iDidn't but droid does :) lol droid does everything for me that the ipad does

[tomato]

Originally Posted by CTScott

Except for people like me, who are running pdanet on their jailbroken iphones to avoid the $40/month data plan for the iPad.

OK, now I'm really curious. I have Pda.net but I can't find good evidence that it works well for Android phone / iPad. Did you buy any chance run into some info about that when you were doing your research?

I can see ANDROID / PDANET / laptop, no problem, but iPad, a completely different platform ??? Any pointers greatly appreciated.

And by the way, Scott, did you use any specific applications to process your photos when you took your iPad on vacation, or just sync with the camera kit they provide and upload from there? Thanks.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by tomato

OK, now I'm really curious. I have Pda.net but I can't find good evidence that it works well for Android phone / iPad. Did you buy any chance run into some info about that when you were doing your research?

I can see ANDROID / PDANET / laptop, no problem, but iPad, a completely different platform ??? Any pointers greatly appreciated.

And by the way, Scott, did you use any specific applications to process your photos when you took your iPad on vacation, or just sync with the camera kit they provide and upload from there? Thanks.

Actually the pdnet SW I have to run for the ipad to tether to my iphone is MiWi. The ipad doesn't support peer to peer networking, which is required for the real pdanet, so MiWi makes your iphone look like an access point.

[tomato]

hmmm... looks like I have my work cut-out trying to tether an iPad to a non-rooted Android phone :/

but thanks anyway :)

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by tomato

hmmm... looks like I have my work cut-out trying to tether an iPad to a non-rooted Android phone :/

but thanks anyway :)

Everything I've seen, as far as tethering for Android, required rooting. Did you pick up an iPad?

[tomato]

Originally Posted by CTScott

Everything I've seen, as far as tethering for Android, required rooting. Did you pick up an iPad?

I'm afraid so.

I needed something ultra portable, for long plane trips and to take to Europe, for quick internet access, email, and to store and show photos (my Android phone won't work in Europe and the iPod touch is a bit small for photos) . Last time I took my laptop to Europe was a real pain, first of all it's heavy, especially with the accessories, spare batteries, etc. plus going through security with it is a pain, having it open or on your lap is a pain...

I got the cheapest one, 16 GB / Wi-Fi only. I think it'll serve my purposes just right, for now (I know there is talk about an Android tablet coming out soon in November on VZW but I couldn't wait that long, plus no one really knows if it will indeed come out at that time, if it'll have a contract attached to it, or whatever).

After I got over the initial "oh, it doesn't do this, or that?" (comparing it to an Android powered device) I got to really liking it. Intuitive operation, instant boot time (no clicking or spinning of anything, device doesn't heat up), battery lasts for ever. Doesn't crash. Ideal to surf the net from anywhere in hour house including in bed, on the couch. ;)

Initial impressions

[tomato]

initial impressions:

display is amazing. THAT is how the Internet [minus flash ;) ] is supposed to look like on a mobile device
battery just won't quit (device came preloaded with 90% juice and lasted a day and a half)
plug and play with my old iPod chargers
extremely intuitive and easy to use (not that I know everything there is to know about device by any means)
worked right out of the box, sniffed out my network at home without me doing any config
Netflix app to stream movies a little slow but still works pretty well

[CTScott]

I was mighty glad to have mine for our France trip. I used it the entire time on our flights from Newark to Dusseldorf to Paris and the battery was still at more than 50%. Finding free WiFi was not too bad (many cafes, museums, etc. had it). Once I picked up a sim card for my iPhone, I was able tether the ipad to it and to use it mobile (which was mighty nice on our 3.5 hour each way bus ride to Normandy).

Having it jaibroken is handy for "try before you buy" with apps. Once I find ones that I think are worth the money I do purchase them, but being able to initially load them without paying is handy, as most don't have trial versions and many are not worth the price. I bought the camera connection kit and found that to be great for getting pictures from my digital cameras to FB and photobucket while I am traveling.

My favorite apps so far are:

GoodReader (the best $.99 I've spent) Which allows organizing and viewing of PDFs and all MS Office docs.

WhiteNote ($3.99) The best note taking (typing, sketching and audio recording) app that I've found so far.

Zinio (Free) Magazine reading/purchasing app, where subscriptions are very reasonable (Import Tuner for example is $11.25 for 12 issues).

Live Cams HD ($2.99) Nice webcam viewing app that I use to view my own security cameras and it has a huge database of cameras all over the world.

[cali yaris]

^ this is cool. I've been thinking about using one we can walk around the warehouse with and do inventory.

[tomato]

^ Good to know about the apps.

Haven't downloaded anything interesting yet, using it primarily as a net surfer at the moment.

Oh, and I got a book (couldn't resist)

Still working out the tethering part :( I can't root my EVO on Froyo just yet, so I may just end up having to turn on the Sprint's mobile hotspot feature instead (still cheaper than getting the 3G iPad w/ AT&T monthly data plan, I think).

[why?]

Originally Posted by Altitude

I'd be most interested to hear how your wife feels about using it as an eReader especially compared to the Kindle with the eInk display. I could never read a book on a backlit display be it a PC or laptop monitor or any display that has a refresh rate due to eye strain. I use the Sony eReader for books and find the eInk to be the deciding factor in my ability to read anything at length.

I won't bash the iPad because I'd be thrilled to play with one for a while, but I don't think it's something I would find much use for over the long term. Of course if I could turn one into a home automation interface I'd be in heaven, so it's possible I would pick one up on eBay in the future (though the lack of standard ports would be a hindrance.)

It's definitely got the cool and wow factor going for it, but after that wears off it comes down to usability. It'll be interesting to see how you feel about the prospects for longevity after you've used it for a while.

I hear that about the eye strain, I can't even use a smallish laptop or computer monitor without my eyes getting crazy strained. And forget using ipod's or anything like that for anything but music.

I tried a netbook with a 13" screen and after 5 minutes I had a headache. Oh well, just need to wait for cybernetic implants to be a reality.