I-Pad, Toy or Tool?

[JGRobinson]

OK, so I bought an I- Pad 2 yesterday, 16 Gig, no 3G, bare bones. I never buy first release on an Electronic Gizmo, they are always full of issues that are better dealt with on Day 2 than Day 1! One of my younger Technicians has had one for a few months, loves it and he swears it will change how we (AV Dudes) do things in the future (he's also way jealous, I have the Pad II he has the Pad I).

One of my Manufacturers of control gear Crestron now has a solftware Application for the $600 +/- Ipad that can make it emulate a $3500 10" Touch panel. Ive had inquire-es from Customers so I have to buy it, try it and see if I can convince myself and my customers this is a tool not a toy. Tablets and Pads Other than Apple Pads exist on Android and other platforms but Crestron only supports the IPad at this time so thats what I bought.

Mikey is young, in tune with all the new gizmos and thinks anything with an Apple on it is great. I'm the consummate skeptic, I need more than youthful exuberance, a good sales pitch and hearsay before I promote and sell a product. My customers are not nearly as Tech Savy as my 11 YO Grand Daughter Rissy with Tech Toys. They are more refined, a bit aged and more attached to Mice, clicks and tactile Keyboards than finger tip navigation and maneuvering.

Im not a lover of technology just because it exists, its gotta be useful, so far I'm more positive than negative . It's pretty cool right out of the box once you initialize it, the setup instructions sucked royal and I was forced to open an I Tunes Account to activate it, thats not nice !

Within 1/2 hour, I was trolling around the web, checking E-mail and optimistically intrigued with it. For the first day, thats not bad, some things go into the archives less than 1/2 hour after I first try them, this one gets a B+ so far.

It is a bit glitchy on Clippers (won't jump to threads less than 1 page long and wont display Book Face Videos). I have yet to update the OS, buy Apps or investigate the other included features much-less test out the Touch Panel Control Emulator that was my primary purpose for trying it in the first place.

As I learn and discover, I will try to let you know how it goes. I'm interested in any of your experiences with it and other non Apple Pad solutions also.

FYI, I'm typing this on my old Inspiron Laptop (its not going to disappear any time soon!). Im not good with non Tactile Keyboards, I better get better at it...

[clarencebunsen]

It will be interesting to follow your experience with this. How many applications (not apps) will you find in which it is almost the perfect tool for the job (and there is no way of making that one small change which would make it the perfect tool)? How often will you find that the Jobs factor will block the path you see as a much better way of getting the job done?

[JGRobinson]

Im with you on that CB. Truth is, if I could put Ten $3500 Crestron TPs in a new house I would prefer that, they rarely fail and do what they are programmed to do without risk of Viruses or proprietary limitations like other cheaper Solutions.

$40K just for Interface devices would limit or eliminate this type of installation around here, so 2 TP's and 8 IPads are $11K. Now Ive got interest, especially when someone is building a $600K house. We will see how it goes, keep ya posted! JR

[clarencebunsen]

When I decide to start a career as a Corporate Motivational Consultant, I think this will be my lead off video.

[chris]

Since I already have a netbook would a iPad be at all beneficial for me to even think about. Seems from what you wrote is that I have more capabilities than you do but I'm thinking the iPad is more convenient than a netbook to use.

[JGRobinson]

Chris, The IPAD is essentially a scaled down Touchscreen Netbook which is a scaled down Tablet which is a scaled down Laptop which is a scaled down Desktop and the I Phone is a scaled down I Pad.

Each time you reduce the size and capability,you gain battery life and drop some weight. The price you pay for that is reduced function, interfacing and peripheral devices, instead of Suites, you buy Applications or Apps and get specific functions once installed.

Honestly, If I didn't have my particular business application in mind, I dont think it would be all that useful to me.

[Ralph]

The only problem I can see with Apple is it won’t do Flash. Apple claims the security isn’t tight enough for them to allow it.

For me, I like to touch things and here them click. Touch pads are just not my thing.
Matter of fact I bought a Logitech Revolution mouse for use with Photoshop….figuring the high res laser technology would make it great for Photoshop. It is a GREAT mouse, probably the best I have ever used and does everything but fetch a beer from the fridge…..but it is TOO sensitive for Photoshop, therefore sucks.

I want to make a phone call I use a phone, GPS has lead me astray a number of times…..I like maps. I wanted a nice computer station, Invested in them, same with the laptops for on the go.

I just have a problem with an “all-in-one” appliance. When it goes out, you’re stuck. Touch screens are nice, but hard sit back and cruise the web and if the screen goes….well, you’re stuck.

I imagine for the person on the go 24/7 with a limited amount of space to work with (been there and done that) that the Ipad is a great tool, but I guess I am just not ready to make that leap yet.

[JGRobinson]

I'm with you on that Ralph, I like to hear and feel the click, and u r correct, ubiquitous tools are not all that universal, they may do a little of everything but they don't do anything very well. Thats a flash generated window inserted in clippers pages? That would make sense then.

I am worried about the durability, I cant imagine the fix for one of these things being reasonable.

I will sat the little screen does pretty well with fat fingers. The nav is not bad at all. Much better than 1st and second gen tablets I toyed with. I may end up getting a BT Keyboard and mouse, we will see.

[JGRobinson]

CB, Im going to Crestron Digital Engineering School in NJ in the morning. I am going to play that video for the class. They will get a kick out of that! The right tool for the job makes Crestron very wealthy...

[chris]

oh oh....my sister just bought an iPod touch for $60.00 from a friend who upgraded his and now I want to upgrade my Nano for a Touch.... (so now deciding do I want to find a deal or go for the bucks with a brand new 4th Generation.

[JGRobinson]

Used in nano electronics can be very bad even it's a good deal.

[clarencebunsen]

www.wcsh6.com/news/article/154919/314/Auburn-kindergarteners-to-get-iPads

AUBURN, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The Auburn school department is breaking new ground when it comes to technology. Every kindergarten student in the district will be receiving an iPad 2 computer this fall.

The school committee voted Wednesday night to spend about $200,000 for 285 iPads for both the students and teachers.

As part of a pilot program, some students in a few classrooms will get iPads as early as May. The program will roll out at all of the district's six elementary schools this fall.

"When you look at what the iPad 2 apps that are out there, from learning your letters from books, that can be read, finger painting your name, it's absolutely something we must do," said superintendent Tom Morrill.

Auburn school officials hope the cutting edge technology will boost literacy rates from 62 percent to 90 percent in two years. The department is also believed to be the first in Maine to give iPads to a whole grade level.

[chris]

Just saying.........I am reenrolling back to school ;D

[Ralph]

I can understand some things, but finger painting??

Really??

[chris]

Ralph they probably mean painting by using your fingers on the screen to create a picture (minus dirty fingers)