We already knew that the iPad would be getting a few pieces of software that haven't shown up on its tinier, phone counterpart -- but now that a few screenshots of forthcoming apps for the device have reared their head, we're getting a clearer picture of just what this thing will feel like. If these shots of the new Yahoo! Entertainment, Bento, OmniGraffle, and Brushes are any indication, the iPad will be doing a lot more than just zooming up your Facebook profile. There's definitely an emphasis on content creation, file exporting (if not saving), and syncing with desktop versions of some of these apps, and Yahoo!'s work (alongside Brushes') shows that we've only begun to scratch the surface of what interfaces will be like on this device. We're sure the next week will be filled with all sorts of these kinds of leaks, but for now you can cherish the moment when you first laid eyes on your new way to check a TV schedule. A few more shots after the break, and lots more at the sources.
posted March 27th 2010 9:25PM
@Magicland
Take another look at the iTunes store, see the TV shows yet?
Oh, right, you want to...mooch/steal the shows...
Sorry pal...
Look genius, I already PAID to watch the show, that's why I've got a satellite subscription. Why the hell should I pay twice to watch it? Second, what freakin' good is a TV schedule for buying TV shows on itunes? If I was going to buy it from itunes, I wouldn't need to know when it's on, would I? It's always there. You're so deep in the kool-aid you can't even see what you're typing.
@Magicland
Complain Yahoo! don't give free TV show ? Come on.
Did Yahoo! get cuts from you subscription ?
Blame Yahoo! or blame evil TV broadcaster ? What's your point ?
@Magicland
You can't think of any uses for a TV schedule being displayed on a computer? Really?
Sure I could, but then I'd just use a computer, not an oversized mp3 player with handicapped browsing capabilities. The point is (I know, you folks are much better at reading the hype than the facts) that engadget is showing off a freakin' TV schedule as a reason why everyone must run out and buy an ipad, when a TV schedule does NOTHING for this device. Can you click on a scheduled show and watch it? No. Record it? No. What's the point in an app for a TV schedule. Especially if internet browsing is supposed to be so great on this. There are tons of TV schedules available for free, online, on ANY device with a full featured browser. Oh, maybe that's the problem, the ipad's browser isn't really full featured, so instead of just browsing the schedule, you need an app for that?
@Magicland
So you think that using a desktop or laptop and navigating to a TV schedule website will provide a better UX than picking up an iPad and using an app designed for that form factor? To each their own I suppose but I don't see it.
I think using multitouch to scroll over the program grid will feel much more natural than poking at a touchpad and dragging scrollbars.
When first announced, I wanted an iPad, but started losing interest shortly thereafter, not because of criticism, but because I didn't see the true value. Having seen apps like these and reading more and more about it, I'm excited to get one once the second run starts, and they become in stock again. Because I'm not camping out at Best Buy. A good product is a good product, people, and this is shaping up to be a good product, love or hate Apple.
I'm Switzerland on the matter, by the way. :-)
@IDontWantAUsername Whats the point of wanting to ignore Apple stories, if you're just going to still go into the stories and comment on them? God you people bitch JUST to bitch. So obnoxious. Engadget by far has the worst community on the internet. The fact that Engadget even HAD to make that option is absolutely pathetic.
I'm surprised this "giant iPhone" thing is still being discussed. iPad IS a giant iPod/Phone -- and that's exactly why it will be such a huge success. Those i-devices are the perfect model for future computing: super easy to navigate, App Store makes it easy to find cool things to do with it (and the world's biggest collection of inventive App designers), and the iTunes Store, which makes it easy to get all the entertainment you wish. All iPod/iPhone lacked was a big screen and a processor powerful enough to drive REAL apps. iPad has both. Once the world's publishers line up (as they are already doing) to provide magazines/newspapers in new, more scintillating forms, there will be one more reason to buy an iPad.
Sorry, no. Giant iPhone: confirmed.
@petsounds
So the main difference between a smartphone and a tablet is size? What an inspired revelation! Just a stab in the dark here but maybe Apple noticed that too, which would explain their decision to employ a similar UI on both. Oh the horror!
@petsounds
Sorry. You're just missing the bigger picture. The picture of the social and financial elite all carrying iPads. The iPad is the wave of the future. Maybe more like the tsunami of the future.
@grahamj Actually, you're right. The UI being the same -is- the horror. It's the first time I've seen Apple be entirely lazy about tailoring a UI and experience to a product. A phone and tablet have completely different user experience requirements and user expectations. Apple did not address those. A tablet needs multitasking to function as a real workstation. iWork won't cut it. A multitouch tablet should redefine the computing experience, not limit it.
@petsounds
Multitasking would be nice I agree (though already possible with jailbreak and likely coming anyway with 4.0) but that aside I think using the same system makes a lot of sense. Not only does it make the iPad as intuitive to use as an iPhone (the primary reason it's dominated its market) but it adds value by leveraging the existing apps and developer base. Using a desktop UI would be stupid so what else would you have them do?
There is no comparing a Windows xp tablet to a ipad. Do your research a Windows xp tablet is slow and whack and low on battery life and the OS/user interface sucks.
@IDontWantAUsername Did they complain about the number of windows 7 phone series stories? And in your opinion should people have complained? In my opinion just skip them if you don't like the topic...
I love it when the comments have nothing to do at all with the post.
Being poster 121 - priceless!
@Mike Vick Well, just to add to @rkd's comment: it is also lighter. There are hardly 10" netbooks weighing 700 grams in the same price range. Of course, for many people this will be a non issue, but I am carrying a lot of stuff in my backpack - DSLR, lenses, etc, so if I can shave a few hundred grams here and there I am quite happy.
I really think that the iPad is the better choice for those who don't really need to use a keyboard a lot. While one might argue about the usefulness of a full OS, I think there will soon be a lot of apps covering almost everything a netbook can do (except camera and ports, of course :)
@cdf74dc9 I didn't know there's iWork for iphone.
@groovedafied Well, like it or not, Apple is already showing them. And don't forget that it is a company. It has one priority - making money, satisfying the customer is just an incidence. Same for every company out there.
@xirsteon Do you really take any advertisement literally? Check this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAQdCxG9H4w
Maybe buying a toyota RAV will ruin your relationship?
@bhagiratha It will see the light of day without you. But, yes I would like to know what this iphone OS4 will be capable of.
@(Unverified) I really doubt it will be a good idea. Most apps will be just a bigger versions of the iphone ones at the beginning. Give some time to developers and you will have much better stuff coming soon.
I am very excited to see the types of apps Ill be able to use on my iPad, just to have a huge multitouch Safari to surf the web will be sweet!
so what about flash?
@splicitysplat Hope it dies a quick death... Just like IE 6 needed to die... Web needs to move to open standards and browsers need to be almost 100% compliant... I say almost because Microsoft will never be 100% compliant.
Wait, wait is this the Ipad, no I really waited to comment on the fact the http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/28/apple-to-announce-iad-adkit-mobile-advertising-system-on-apr/ link is down. Fuck. I SOOOO waited to make a smart pithy comment like "iAds apple to blacklist." or "iAds, iPhone, IneedaPad for my vagine." or the ever popular "iAds, apple subtracts $ from me."
Geohot; make this thing dance for me baby
What is it with with everyone wanting a camera and Flash on the iPad, would you really use it? I never use the camera on my laptop and I block Flash because of all the annoying ads, so I don't think I will miss either feature.
I would much rather have 10 hours battery life thank you.
@Downpour I'd use a camera, and flash would be nice, but so would the ability to stop it loading automatically with pages. You know, like, clicking the blue lego-brick to start it up? That way, I only see the flash I want and can choose to save battery life.
That just makes sense to me. Don't you think so?
@Downpour
ClickToFlash is the greatest Safari utility ever. Flash will soon be a thing of the past. Steve intends to drive a stake through Adobe's heart and kill off that bloodsucking vampire of a plug-in.
indeed lesss like giant iphone ,the problem is ....solved
Well, yes, these are exactly the kind of UIs I would expect iPad to sport at start. I'll wait a few months to see something more interesting, but I'm not holding my breath. iPod Touch is waaay to slow to do anything remotely interesting (except, perhaps, PvZ), but iPad is supposedly more snappy.
Remove the empty space (App 2 and 3) and you get iPhone apps....for me this shows that it is a bit more then an iPhone but not much more...
I thought the bigger screen size offered for better apps, I don't know why this is a surprise, iPhone's smaller screen doesn't offer a lot of space. Captain Obvious material here...
hmmm iPad or evo? Twice the screen size half the functionality or half the screen size twice the functionality?
So... hardware is only as capable as the software running on it... news at 11!
Those are some pretty screenshots. But the same apps could be made for any tablet... for any computer, really. And those devices can have styluses and physical keyboards, as well as better connectivity, making them better for content creation and overall computing than the iPad, which is really intended as a media consumption device. So the real value in these screenshots is as a teaser for what's to come on Android and Windows 7 devices.
@Dan12345 How do you know that? You haven't even touched it.
What about comparing this to macbooks? What can you do here that you can't do on any laptop?
@dberkowitz
What can you do on any laptop that you can't on a desktop?
@GmanC A laptop is more portable than a desktop. A phone is far more portable than a laptop as it's pocket sized. I don't see how the iPad is inherently more portable than a laptop.
@GmanC, use it in a meeting. Use it in the living room. Use it on the train. Use it at my sister's house. The laptop is all about portability. The problem with the iPad is that its about as portable as a laptop (the phone being the ony real device more portable).
I do congratulate Apple though for helping partners write what looks like some good apps. This is typically Microsoft's strength, but I think companies are willing to take big bets and put some good devs/designer on this iPad thing.
With that said, I'm holding out for the HP Slate and Courier. I figure all three (including the iPad) will be out this calendar year. At that point I'll pick one. I'm not in a hurry.
@dberkowitz
- Leave it in your backpack without noticing the weight
- Stand up and use it
- Use its touch screen
- Use it for 10 hours between charges