The iPad

[billybob476]

i use iPodME to convert for my iPhone. I spits out m4v video in the appropriate format for the device your using.

http://ipodme.en.softonic.com/

I believe the iPad is wifi only (though of course you can dock it to a computer via USB)

[Jobydrone]

I'm going to give iPodME a try.  Is the full featured version free or is there a license fee?

I use Vuze (formerly Azureus) which has a converter built in.  It takes movie files and makes them compatible for a variety of platforms, including the iPad/iPod.  The problem is my computer often crashes in the middle of a conversion which is obviously very frustrating.

And yeah, no ethernet port.  You are limited to WiFi and/or 3G and the proprietary 30 pin connector to USB for getting files on and off the device.  I've seen reports that the camera connection kit, a separate accessory made to allow the direct loading of digital pictures to the iPad instead of having to sync to a computer, has the ability to accept input from other USB devices as well.  This would suggest that it is possible that things like webcams, microphones, printers, etc etc etc might be enabled at some point.

[billybob476]

Yeah Vuze is buggy. I believe iPodME is free. At least it was when I initially downloaded it.

[psikeyhackr]

13 Glaring iPad Shortcomings

http://www.ipadnewsdaily.com/13-glaring-ipad-shortcomings-0716/?option=com_content&view=article&id=0390

No USB port!?!  No Camers!?!

It's like I am supposed to buy something that is overpriced and deliberately crippled because a lot of people think its COOL?  I don't see why they consider it to be cool.

I think the virtual page business is really DUMB.  A device that should be able to automatically scroll the words a whatever speed I prefer makes me move my hand to flip pages that aren't there and THAT is supposed to be COOL?  That is STUPID!!!

At least this fits in my pocket.



I can get a folding USB keyboard for it if I want.

【サンコーレアモノショップ】ＵＳＢ折り畳み式ミニキーボード

Now that is COOL!

And I got it off eBay for less than $300 with a 30 gig hard drive.  It doesn't play flash either though.  LOL

psik

[Rico]

I don't really find the lack of a camera or a USB port to be a big deal.  I don't see carrying this out and about like a phone and need to snap pics with it very often.  But, I still would guess we will see a camera in the next unit for things like video conferencing.  I do wish they would support flash.  That is the biggie for me.  Could have a bit more storage for the price too.

[Bryancd]

I don't really find the lack of a camera or a USB port to be a big deal.  I don't see carrying this out and about like a phone and need to snap pics with it very often.  But, I still would guess we will see a camera in the next unit for things like video conferencing.  I do wish they would support flash.  That is the biggie for me.  Could have a bit more storage for the price too.

Perhaps you don't need to worry about the whole Flash thing for the long term:

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/05/02/apple-vs-adobe-is-flash-dying/

[billybob476]

I have a feeling HTML5 may come out as the new standard. Even Adobe has promised to put out good HTML5 tools. I understand why they don't want to support flash. As a web developer, I hate flash with a passion.

[Bryancd]

I have a feeling HTML5 may come out as the new standard. Even Adobe has promised to put out good HTML5 tools. I understand why they don't want to support flash. As a web developer, I hate flash with a passion.

Indeed, Steve Jobs is anticipating as well as influencing the direction this technology takes. And being the manufacturer of some of the most popular portable web devices in the world, it would be unwise to bet against him and his ability to move technology his way.

[Rico]

Once www.hulu.com gets on board with their iPad App I'm going to be very tempted.

[Jobydrone]

You are going to pay for the hulu subscription?

[psikeyhackr]

An iPad might be OK if you can turn it into a netbook.

ClamCase™ the all-in-one keyboard, case and stand for iPad®

ROFL

That will probably raise the price from $500 to $700

But I can get a netbook for $350.

psik

[KingIsaacLinksr]

But I can get a netbook for $350.

psik

Yeah, but is that netbook as powerful as an iPad?  Not really.  iPad has better graphics and better CPU. 

King

[billybob476]

But I can get a netbook for $350.

psik

Yeah, but is that netbook as powerful as an iPad?  Not really.  iPad has better graphics and better CPU. 

King

That's arguable. The iPad has DIFFERENT graphics and a DIFFERENT CPU.

[Feathers]

They're different beasts for sifferent purposes.

It always makes me laugh when I read anything which suggests that just because an individual doesn't like something personally, it's therefore 'rubbish' (to use the UK term, Rico ;)) and everyone should share the view.

The iPad looks to be an awesome bit of kit, but it's not for me. I'm sticking with the netbook too.

[billybob476]

Yes I enjoy throwing my "rubbish" into the "bin" :)