i-pad

[CacheCoeur]

Who's fancying the newest wonder? (I wish they had chosen a better name for it...)

 

Introducing the i-Pad

Edited January 27, 2010 by CacheCoeur

[+Castle Mischief]

Who's fancying the newest wonder? (I wish they had chosen a better name for it...)

 

Introducing the i-Pad

 

iPass.

[+tlap]

The 16GB 3G model is really tempting. Called AT&T to find out if I could drop my iPhone data package, but not without dropping the phone service too. It may come to that. Dunno. I'm a serious Machead. Not a great fan of AT&T though. Anyone's cheapo phone would do if I decide to get an iPad.

 

Can't wait to see if Groundspeak enhances their iPhone app for the iPad. I think the app is much easier to use in the field than the site. It's more efficient to do what you need to do, and screen size isn't really going to change that.

 

(edited to include results of conversation with AT&T)

Edited January 27, 2010 by tlap

[+c&s 143]

FYI: The iPad doesn't come with GPS capabilites so no navigation or easy way to find nearby caches.

 

Craig

C&S 143

[+DENelson83]

FYI: The iPad doesn't come with GPS capabilites so no navigation or easy way to find nearby caches.

 

Craig

C&S 143

Just install nRoute on it and hook your GPS up to it.

[+YooperSnowman]

The 16GB 3G model is really tempting. Called AT&T to find out if I could drop my iPhone data package, but not without dropping the phone service too. It may come to that. Dunno. I'm a serious Machead. Not a great fan of AT&T though. Anyone's cheapo phone would do if I decide to get an iPad.

 

Can't wait to see if Groundspeak enhances their iPhone app for the iPad. I think the app is much easier to use in the field than the site. It's more efficient to do what you need to do, and screen size isn't really going to change that.

 

(edited to include results of conversation with AT&T)

 

Does iPad have GPS circuitry? Would a Geocaching app for iPad work?

[knowschad]

FYI: The iPad doesn't come with GPS capabilites so no navigation or easy way to find nearby caches.

Craig

 

C&S 143

Just install nRoute on it and hook your GPS up to it.

niPass2

[+Mudfrog]

FYI: The iPad doesn't come with GPS capabilites so no navigation or easy way to find nearby caches.

Craig

 

C&S 143

Just install nRoute on it and hook your GPS up to it.

niPass2

 

The device is pretty snazzy and might be nice as a replacement to a laptop or tablet pc. But unless your eyesight is bad and need the bigger, 1.5 pound heavier screen, i don't see it being great for geocaching. The smaller IPhone or Ipod Touch models are perfect for for our activity. Easy to carry, fit in your pocket, 3g and gpsr in the phone, wifi on the touch, and have great geocaching apps available for them.

[+steve p]

Does iPad have GPS circuitry? Would a Geocaching app for iPad work?

Assuming it is correct, two posts above yours says:

The iPad doesn't come with GPS capabilites so no navigation or easy way to find nearby caches.

[+leitko4]

This Apple page says the WiFi+3G version will have Assisted GPS, just like the iPhone.

[+modnar24]

^^^Beat me to it^^^

 

The iPad with 3G has the same assisted GPS that the iPhone has. The WiFi one does not have GPS. It looks like they both have a digital compass built in. This can be found under the location header on the lefthand side about halfway down the tech specs page.

 

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

Edited January 27, 2010 by modnar24

[+t4e]

aaaaargh what justifies paying $650 for it?

can get a laptop for that price

[+DragonsWest]

Too big for the field. And at 0.5 inch thickness I expect it to not be rugged enough.

 

Though it could serve as a paddle for you kayak in a pinch.

[+rtyrie]

I don't think I would use it much for geocaching purposes, other than browsing the website. However, it would definitely stop the kids from always borrowing my MacBook, forcing me to use the PC It would get heavy use in my household for movies, music, internet, and eBooks.

[+Chrysalides]

I wonder if the 3G model can be used for voice calls (I'm sure VoIP will work, but I'm wondering about voice plans). Would be hilarious to hold one of these up to your head.

 

Anyway, looks like another nice shiny toy from Apple. But I won't be getting one, especially not for geocaching.

[+maggi101]

With no multitasking ability, and running on the iPhone OS, it's nothing more than an oversized iPod.

 

I'll pass.

[AZcachemeister]

I heard they are already working on a slightly larger model...the Maxi-pad.

[+Minimike2]

I assume it has a non-user replacable battery. That means in a year or less it will need replacing by Apple, probably a $200 bill and 2 weeks without it.

[+Opalblade]

If I had the money to burn I'd get it. I love buying new electronic toys and this looks like a great thing to veg with in bed Wouldn't want it out and about though, my iPhone is a much better size - right in the jeans pocket.

 

Little aside that it WAS in my Otter Box clip holder thingy until my phone fell out of it whilst I was carrying mini ninja #4 through a branchy area. It's not a very secure hold at all. So back on topic, I like having something with a good display but small enough to be easily portable and able to sit safe in my pocket

[TravelingGeoTrio]

I'm sold on it. I'm in need of another laptop. Well, not really, between the two company laptops, I really don't need to lug one for my other company...but I'm gonna.

 

It's a beautiful piece of technology. I wonder if I can find a dock or car mount for it, so I can use it for GPS in the truck?

[+power69]

aaaaargh what justifies paying $650 for it?

it has a apple logo on it and everyone knows apple fanbois overpay for anything thats got an apple logo on it.

[Motorcycle_Mama]

Moving to the GPS and Technology forum.

[+northernpenguin]

I'm sorry, but how exactly is a tablet computer that can't multitask a good thing? The iPad is priced well above *more capable* netbook computers but below tablet pcs. It's a great device for people with too much money.

 

Battery life is good, which is tempting.

 

It's not a threat to the Tablet PC. It's not a threat to the Kindle.

 

Drop the price by 50% and we'll talk again.

[+Jonovich]

Looks very nice, but it's not Windows machine, so a big downer for me as it won't be able to run all my favourite PC based caching & mapping apps.

 

J

[CacheCoeur]

I'm sorry, but how exactly is a tablet computer that can't multitask a good thing? The iPad is priced well above *more capable* netbook computers but below tablet pcs. It's a great device for people with too much money.

 

Battery life is good, which is tempting.

 

It's not a threat to the Tablet PC. It's not a threat to the Kindle.

 

Drop the price by 50% and we'll talk again.

 

From my perspective it's a multimedia entertainment device for people who already have everything else That said, I do understand that what they are selling is "coolness" more than anything else - and that will appeal to a large segment of bored Tablet PC users...

[+user13371]

I think a lot of tech savvy people here are missing the point.

 

This is going to sell very well to people who may never had considered a tablet -- or even a laptop or PC. It looks like it'll be drop-dead simple to use, easy to set up, and have a lower cost of entry for most of what it offers.

 

I'm not buying one -- I already have more computing power and connectivity at my house than I really need. But my 76-year old mother, who wants email -- but doesn't want to setup internet service or have any place to put a computer? She might be able to use this.

 

Apple marketed the Mac as "the computer for the rest of us." Well, all of "us" - tech minded folks - all have a computer by now. The iPad is the un-computer for the rest of "them."

 

And just to steer back on topic -- the 3G modesl of the iPad do have a real GPS in them. So if I did buy one, I'd want maps on it, and an app that would reverse the display and take voice commands. Then I could velcro it face-up on my dashboard and see the map reflected on my windshield.

 

10" HUD nav system -- betcha didn't see that coming when they talked about a multi-media tablet

Edited January 28, 2010 by lee_rimar

[NordicMan]

People keep referring that the iPad is a "computer" but it really isn't,, is it?

 

No bashing intended, but is the iPod Touch a "computer"? I don't think so and the iPad is basically an oversized iPod Touch granted with some additional features.. But the ONLY applications you can run on it are what's available in the app catalogue, right? With a MacBook you can run to the store & buy software for it, but not for the iPad, right?

 

At the end of the day though I do believe they'll sell thousands of those things in no time at all. There's a definite niche market for such a device, but it really is a narrowly focused niche

[+DragonsWest]

Looks very nice, but it's not Windows machine, so a big downer for me as it won't be able to run all my favourite PC based caching & mapping apps.

 

J

 

I read somewhere in the specs that it will run apps available for the iPhone.

[+t4e]

I heard they are already working on a slightly larger model...the Maxi-pad.

 

its out already and with wings too

 

 

[+SkellyCA]

I think it would be nice to go find a cache on top of a hill, then stay there and read a book.

 

Three years ago, SNL did an

 

[+jmd65]

I'm sorry, but how exactly is a tablet computer that can't multitask a good thing?

 

It's not that it can’t, it's that Apple disables multi-tasking for most apps. The iPhone/ iPod Touch/iPad can all play music and podcasts while running other programs.

[+StarBrand]

I predict this will be as popular and well selling as the Apple Newton.

[robertlipe]

While the jokes almost write themselves, can we please stay free from that line of discussion and keep this to GPS and Technolgy?

[+RRLover]

 

Little aside that it WAS in my Otter Box clip holder thingy until my phone fell out of it whilst I was carrying mini ninja #4 through a branchy area. It's not a very secure hold at all. So back on topic, I like having something with a good display but small enough to be easily portable and able to sit safe in my pocket

15 seconds of boiling water, 10 seconds of light pressure, now I have to want to take mine (otterboxed)

out of the clip. Needed to burnish(Dremel) the edges of the holster clips a tad to get it to seat easily.

much more secure now, just need a little outward finger pressure on one clip while tipping the top away.

This thing ain't fallin' out unless I go to ground, then the phone is the least of all worries.

 

Norm

[+Jeep4two]

Who's fancying the newest wonder? (I wish they had chosen a better name for it...)

 

Introducing the i-Pad

 

Really - a better name? You should know better. Apple's marketing department is made up of a group of one letter copy writers. At least Asus used 3 e's when naming their Eee PC

 

However - you can't argue with their success. People continue to plop down around $1500 for their laptop, toss in the unbelievable success of the iPod, iPhone and probably billions in sales for i(insert accessory name here) products by Apple and 3rd party manufacturers and you have a tidy little nest egg.

 

I do look forward to see this new piece of technology although with some of the already glaring errors in support (no Flash player support to mention one) I don't see it replacing my netbook anytime soon.

 

I guess it could be a nice little accessory for travel (maybe even caching)...

[+Jeep4two]

I think it would be nice to go find a cache on top of a hill, then stay there and read a book.

 

Three years ago, SNL did an

 

 

Now that's good stuff - I needed a good laugh.....