Hey Gang, The iPad 3G is supposed to be released today at 5PM (at least here in the Pacific time zone, not sure if it will be 5PM for other regions in North America as well). I tried to fight this but, not having a laptop nor 3G equivalent device, I figured this could be my official mobile device (sort of odd, I admit, as my iPod Touch 3rd generation is much more portable). I'm loving the concept of an over sized iPod Touch with an insane battery and unlimited 3G access for $30/month (without even needing to sign a long term commitment). Is the release of the iPad 3G coming out today under the radar or what (I don't think I've read or heard much about this official release)?
I received an email from Apple reminding me it was out today. However, I went with the regular ipad since I am around wi-fi pretty much all of the time. I find it to be a nice addition to my touch 3g.
I'm not hearing much news about it because I'm guessing most people couldn't wait and just got the wifi only version instead The no commitment 3G plan would sound great if I wasn't already paying for 3G on my iPhone.
So maybe I am a rare breed that is holding out long enough to get the 3G model that isn't already under contract with AT&T for an existing iPhone 3G plan?
I am so glad this day is finally here! All apple stores are closed between 4-5pm today to prepare for the iPad 3G arrival. I think there is a lot less excitement this time around because we've all had a chance to see and play with an iPad. Those of us who were patient enough to wait for the 3G version have been counting down the days! That tiny screen?? Uh, no.
It's a lot cheaper and more portable...but had I known this was coming out in April I doubt I would have gotten my iPod touch 3G back in December.
I agree with this. I love my touch 3G that I bought in December but after buying the iPad, I rarely use it.
I'm afraid I may be succumbing too.. Wasn't planning on getting one at all, at least not the 1st gen, and was waiting for iPod Touch 4G to replace my 2G one. But then my other half kept wispering in my ears to get the iPad first, and it seems to be sinking in... Arggh.
I see the appeal, but the name thing that happened to Wootbean would probably happen to me. It's just redundant to get it.
Well I did it, dropping about $1000 for the iPad 3G (32gb), a stand, a case, a battery charger extension cable, and some additional iTuneage credit (as most of the iPhone $1 games suddenly cost $5+ for their iPad equivalents). I know damn well I simply bought into the hype and that I sure as Hell didn't NEED to make the change but, by gum, it is pretty fun. -I've already had some fun with a few iPadizinations of iPhone classics right off the bat like Sword of Fargoal (not a whole lot new here yet if you already had the iPhone version, but I'm looking forward to the iPad optimized interface in the works and it is cool to be able to clearly see much more of the map all at once), Chain Link HD (essentially same as the iPhone version but, I think, more fun with more real estate as you have more room to plot out your moves or react to what's coming), and Flight Control (I'm loving the new HD maps as the game just feels a lot more fun with all of the extra space and improved way point plotting system). -Something odd but a fun discovery is that while it does mean dealing with a little pixelation when playing an iPhone game scaled up to fit the iPad screen, I find it a lot easier to plot very intricate courses in all of my line drawing games now with the bigger screen (you no longer have to worry about your fingers blocking half the screen).
If you skipped out on the 3G and went for the 16gb w/o silly nonsense you could be much closer to $500...but even then it's clearly overpriced hype that I bought into.
I'm not going to buy into the iPad yet - I see it going places, but like I did for my iPod and iPhones - I am going to wait a couple generations and see where it is at in a year or two. If they could get the iPad running more like a legitimate laptop - it would be an instant purchase for me, as I could see how the touch-based controls would work great for a mobile recording studio.
I'm hoping to pre-order mine on the 10th. (Canada and all.) Probably 64g non-3G. Don't really need the 3G frankly; I already pay for 2 data plans and if I want 'net on the go I'll just tether my Mac.
Yeah, I guess I could make the jump as I don't currently have any sort of cell plan. It is such a weird bird. As much as I like it I'll fully admit it's no laptop, camera, cellphone substitute. Primarily just an oversized iPod Touch that therefore lends itself better to some Console/PC game ports as well as accessing web stuff. This upcoming HP Slate is probably much more practical with better hardware and a lower price.
It sounds like HP may be killing off the Slate. Nothing concrete yet but I wouldn't pick this time to start holding my breath. Plus, I am singularly unimpressed with the WP7 OS. Messy and disorganized, too minimalist, and just plain ugly. (To each their own of course, but when the buzz turned into reality, I sincerely could not see even the smallest iota of the attraction.) Indeed, the iPAd is not a replacement for the laptop, and obviously not the cell phone or the camera, but I already have an iPhone and a MacBook Pro so I'm fine with that. The iPad will primarily fill a quick-access niche that has the benefit of instant-on like cell phones but with a larger screen and more robust apps like a laptop. It won't do everything a laptop does, nor everything a cell phone does, but what it does do, it does in a way where form and function compliment each other and fulfil a role that isn't ideally suited for either of its counterparts.
