The lure of the iPad

[engine]

The wife watched, intrigued, as a friend used his iPad to deal with his e-mail, showed off some pictures, read the news headlines, found a nearby restaurant, etc.

I didn't get much feedback from her at the time, however, she has actually said on several occasions since then that the friend's iPad was really good, and could she have one? She also asked what she could use it for.

For the last few weeks she said that the things she found interesting were the instant on, touch a button/icon, the software just worked, etc.

I've been saying that she should wait as there are going to be various clones coming out, and they might not be at a premium.

The pressure is building on me to acquire an iPad for her as she has been swept up in the Apple/iPad excitement. Additionally, she looked at the Xoom and didn't seem too impressed. I think she found it a little too geeky.

Now, before you ask, she's quite able to go and buy it for herself and not tell me, but, she has no clue about technology, and doesn't want to know. And that's my point, the iPad is cool, the software works and she doesn't have to mess with settings (except to change the wallpaper, etc.).

I'm seriously considering a second hand iPad might do for her, or if I should suggest she go for the iPad2. We're off to the store this weekend so she can take a hands-on look.

[wheel]

I dunno which one you want, but just go get an ipad. They're a game changer, and not doing stuff differently, doing new stuff you weren't doing before. It's also like a GPS, like, how did you ever NOT have one of those.

I don't even bother with a laptop anymore. My one laptop is now running my voip system, second laptop my kid uses and netbook sits in a drawer gathering dust.

I was at a conference for the last two days. At dinner, a guy wants a quote on something, so I fired it up at the table and surfed to my site and got him some numbers. I checked my email throughout the day. And in the evening, I watched resident evil extinction on netflix. I use the Ipad far more than I ever did a laptop because it's far more portable and just as easy to use (keyboard and all).

But that's not why you buy an ipad. You buy an ipad because of that star app they have where you hold the ipad to the sky and see the constellations. That's why you buy an ipad.

[lawman]

My wife wants an iPad. I'm waiting until after vacation is over (first week in June) to get her one.

[incrediBILL]

I want a tablet, wife wants nothing to do with one, she's staunchly defending her netbook.

FWIW, for the price the Nook color is good, and you can force it to get access to the rest of the Android marketplace, and I think it even plays flash.

If the iPad did Flash I'd have had it day one, but most of my 'customers' use flash, probably over 50%, which is why it's a non-starter here.

[Mr Bo Jangles]

iPad is for readers (and/or gamers) if that's not you, then so be it.
The Flipboard app is justification enough for an iPad - it is the future of viewing magazine/web/print content IMO - it's so beautifully executed.

Oh, and you might have a few more weeks to wait after the fire in the iPad Foxconn factory today.

[wheel]

Yes, it's great for news as well. BBC has a nice reader, and there's a local news co I follow as well.

[J_RaD]

the instant on

still not using sleep mode?

the software just worked,

vs ? software that doesn't work? :-P

[wheel]

It's intuitive. There's no doubt that Apple's a master at the UI.

[weeks]

I have a wife, a NookColor (updated) and an iPad2. And wheel is right on all counts.

Listen to your wife. (Surprise her!) Get her a nice iPad2. And get the cover, too. Insist on the cover. She'll enjoy it and you'll see some of the really interesting cut edge stuff being done on the web. (And some really, really bad stuff as well, re apps.*) If you're in this biz and you want to talk to others about what is going on in the biz, you need a wife with an iPad2 for a reality check. The world continues to change...

Like you, I went through the "it's just the brand people know" deal regarding the high-end desktop radio a few years. Wife wanted a Bose Wave. Well, I read some reviews and, so, I got her something else. Better. Maybe even more expensive.

It wasn't what she wanted. And what she wanted was 1. to be listened to and respected, and 2. the Bose. She was disappointed, but not upset. Later, we put it in the guest room and I got her the Bose. I hate disappointing my wife any more than I do.

When she asks what you think re the iPad, say, "I think you know best. You can trust your judgment. I do all of the time." She will buy it. (But, for the record, even Apple cannot justify their top end iPad2. The mid-line does it all. If you want to give them more money, they say they will take it.)

After she gets it, do something for her that will be fun and useful--and different. Load the new Weather channel HD app. It's impressive. Second, crank iBook app and get some books on it, so she can see its potential as a reader. Whoa! Second, link up the google calendar with the calendar function. Easy and cool! Then give it back to her. (This will be difficult.)

The NookColor is very good for books. I use it for demos to make points about UI on smaller devices. It's painfully slow for video and the UI is not the iPad, but it's still impressive. (I understand B&N is coming out with another device soon.)

The iPad is very relaxing to use. As I have said elsewhere, I've been surprised that not having flash has not been a big deal. I thought it would be more than it is.

I didn't buy it for my wife. She isn't computer crazy. But, she is warming up to it rapidly. You wife, I suspect, will be very happy to have it. And a happy wife is a good thing.

---

(*Worst app I've found so far is the New Yorker magazine, not that I'm big into apps. If this is what everyone saw when they first saw an iPad, they wouldn't have sold 500. This app makes paper look high-tech. Yes, wheel is right. This is going to have big impact on journalism, perhaps in some good ways. I hope so.)

[Mr Bo Jangles]

Firstly, The New Yorker app has had a major rework, not sure of what version you've got, but maybe check it out - and they've fixed the price - it's now good value IMO.

Now, more of my opinion of the iPad2 - as an owner/user, disciple.
1. It is way too heavy - Mr Jobs needs to ditch his love of the metal, and make the thing out of clever plastic or carbon fiber stuff.
2. When we do 1 above, we'll ditch the really annoying curved shape - the thing is absolutely godawful to hold in your hand, naked i.e. without some sort of cover.
3. We need the much hyped gorilla glass to have a matt type finish (yes I know there are stick on films) - reflection isn't much of an issue with my iPhone, but with the huge surface of the iPad, it definitely is.
4. The display resolution needs to improve to the density of the iPhone4 - if you're a big user of both devices, you'll know what I'm taking about.

So, I'm a fan, but my wallet is open for the next version, and someone here can have my iPad2 for a $100.

[tangor]

No desire for a fondle slab at the moment. Reminded of Ponce de Leon seeking something that does not exist... meanwhile, I miss my IBM Selectric III (look it up).

[weeks]

I miss my IBM Selectric III (look it up).

I do too.

i suspect that Apple knows about Bo's wallet being open and will do what he suggests. Eventually.

[J_RaD]

you can install a full android OS on your nook color to make it a bit more useful.

[pageoneresults]

I bought one for my 11 year old daughter and my 67 year old mother for Christmas. Neither of them go a day without using it.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have waited for the iPad 2. The weight difference is very noticeable. Not to mention there are 2 cameras as opposed to none on the iPad 1. Night and Day difference.

[weeks]

you can install a full android OS on your nook color to make it a bit more useful.

Yeah, I have looked into that. Looks pretty straightforward. With the most recent OS update, however, the Nook Color took a big step on its own. It does what I need it to do as is.

Also, I'm interested in watching how B&N is going to work with it. I try to stay close to what real-world consumers are and are not seeing. There remains a huge gap between how the majority of the population uses the web and what I read here and in the NYT. That said, if you're in the web biz (and anyone in biz today is in the web biz, even the corner hotdog cart is Twittering), you need to be aware of what is what on mobile. And getting an iPad2 and working with it is part of that. If buying an iPad2 pleases the person to whom you are married, that's a nice bonus. It's a legit tax write off.

[Swanny007]

Just buy one. Or maybe two. I use my iPad way more than my iMac now that I have the iPad2. Great product, good battery life, very portable, great touch screen, etc. Yadda yadda, you know all the good stuff.

If they had Dreamweaver for iPad I just might not need my desktop computer any more :)

[incrediBILL]

It's a legit tax write off.

Good point!

Webmasters need to test our sites on many platforms so get an iPad2, a Nook and anything else you want and expense it ;)

[Fribble]

I just recently bit the bullet and purchased two iPad 1's refurbed from Apple @ $350 each. Honestly, I'm surprised at how much I use it. I bought one for my mother for mother's day and she loves it for web browsing and word games. I find myself on it often using evernote, playing games, and it makes a great toilet browser, lol.

When it first came out I decided I would not be spending a fortune on it, but at $350 I was finally willing to get one. WiFi only is no big deal when you can tether it to your android phone via wifi. Pretty cool.

I agree with Wheel's comment re: the decent UI. I don't believe any of the competition we are beginning to see come out are going to be able to compete with the 'easy to use for a non-techy' factor.

Besides, you can write it off as a business expense :)

[engine]

The wife is the proud owner of an iPad 2. We looked at the weekend and alternative products seemed to have no appeal to her. The reaction was, when showing her an alternative, "was it an iPad?" The alternatives will have a hard sell against the perceived appeal of the iPad. It seems to me that Apple has achieved something that all the other tabs have not, and may not achieve.

I don't think i've seen the thing out of her hands since it was opened. No, not quite, but she's constantly picking the thing up. I helped her find a few Apps that she might find appealing, and added a utility or two that I know we might need. When I say 'we' I mean me when something goes awry. BTW, this is her machine, not mine, so I won't be touching it.

I haven't yet tried the tethering on this WiFi-only model and I'll have to leave it a while before I can get near it, or I might just wait until she asks.

There are not many products that create such a pull to the consumer, and it has surprised me how someone that has no interest in technology has been drawn in. I guess she doesn't see it as technology, she sees it as an iPad.

[Essex_boy]

she looked at the Xoom and didn't seem too impressed - Funny she should say that, ive just bought one and im returning it ! Pile of.....

Its like like buying a dumb terminal from teh 80's at massive prices.

Mine cost £575, Ican but a laptop for half that and do far more, its marketing over product ability.

[engine]

I don't for one minute think it was the technology that didn't impress her, it was the marketing hype. It had to be an iPad. She did ask what a Samsung Galaxy Tab was, so I told her it was an alternative product.

The UI was not as interesting, and, imho, made all the difference to her.

@Essex_boy
I guess, having played with the Xoom you're able to find out its limitations far more easily than just a few minutes in a high street retailer review.

Android = geeky
iPad UI = cool
That's why she wanted an iPad, and the great thing is, she loves it!

[Essex_boy]

Thats why I ordered one from the Web ! Easy to return if its no good.

One thing I have noticed, iPad is on the lips of everyone who knows nuffin about PC's...