Apple posts up iPad Guided Tours... lots of Guided Tours
By Nilay Patel 
posted March 29th 2010 12:38PM
posted March 29th 2010 12:38PM
Update: Okay, here's the new stuff we've seen so far:
- iBooks has an integrated search feature, a built-in brightness control, and a dictionary that can pull up any word just by tapping on it. The same dictionary is in Pages, too -- we're assuming it's a system-wide feature available to any app, just like on Mac OS X. We've been told in the past that it supports user dictionaries and spellcheck, but we'll see what actually ends up shipping.
- There's a quick mention of connecting the iPad to your home stereo in the iPod video, but no mention of streaming to the Airport Express or an Apple TV. There's a big missed opportunity.
- Typing with one hand on the portrait keyboard in Pages looks just as silly as you'd expect.
- Numbers has a special formula keyboard.
- Tap and hold is everywhere, and unlike the iPhone, the UI has "windows," which are detailed info panes that float above the main app interface. The iWork apps also all have a "menu bar" area in the upper right that contain several options. You can see how interacting with an iPad will be familiar but still quite different than using an iPhone -- depending on the apps, of course.
[Thanks, John]
For some reason, I like watching them :/
@Ahmedz Steve Jobs loves you.
@Rick
But I don't have a Mac.
@Ahmedz
because (looking at your picture) your eyes are already damaged.
@Ahmedz
The Photo App has some cool features. Never knew about the "Flip" feature before. Also, the slideshow features are pretty cool.
@Ahmedz
Dear Apple,
We invented and (more importantly) patented press and hold. You will be hearing from our lawyers soon.
Love,
Microsoft.
@MrDiSante
i was thinking along the same lines, it was used way back in the pocketpc days.
You never know though, they may have made a deal.
... but nothing on "Why Do I Need A $30 Dongle To Get A USB Port On This Thing?"
lol!
@Ahmedz
jobs mob will soon make you have one : )
Anyone take a look at the iBooks video? It's really impressive. I didn't know about the built-in dictionary feature or the two-page feature (kind of kills the two screen MS Courier concept) or the word search feature.
This thing is looking less like a "giant iPod Touch" every day.
Wow, nice going, Apple.
@The Advanced Kind
Besides maybe a digital camera, what really do you want a USB port for? Looking at my own PC, I use USB for a mouse, keyboard, iPhone, iPod, and card reader (for my DSLR). Only perhaps a camera would be used with the iPad if I were to have one. Even then, I shoot in RAW on CF cards, so I personally would never use the iPad's port other than to charge it.
All they did was make a USB adapter be a requirement if you want to connect your camera. If you want to use a card reader, it's just like having a PC, you need to add one to it, be it an additional laptop feature or an external unit for a desktop. It's no big deal, and again, totally obvious if you look at Apple's other products.
@Ahmedz : I love lamp.
@Sean Parker Ok, so it's a giant iPod Touch with an e-reader app included
@Ahmedz
Make a leg crossing tutorial first, Apple.
@Ahmedz
1. try to watch video in Apple website
2. Apple will ask you to install QuickTime
3. close Apple website
4. open YouTube and search for the video
5. watch video.
@ebgolfin
I would need a USB port to charge my iPhone ;-)
@Sean Parker ZOMG a dictionary!!! hello there windows ..... 3.1?
and as for the 2-page view "killing" the courier concept... Yeah - ok - that's like telling me that acrobat's 2-page view killed my need for dual screens - have you even seen the courier interface videos?
@ebgolfin you've gotta be kidding me. USB is probably one of the most useful things to come out in recent memories. Being able to quickly transfer files to the device while away from your PC is reason enough to have one...
@Sad Sack
Yeah, and Keynote, and Pages and Numbers. That Keynote app alone is going to sell a bunch of iPads. I'm starting to get pissed that I didn't pre-order one.
The Photo app is pretty cool too. Love the "Flip" feature for showing photos to friends. Love the Slideshow transitions.
Apple needs to do some game videos and they'll finally satiate all my desires to see this thing in action. They really should have a default checkers and chess game on the iPad.
@ebgolfin Apple should have put USB3.0 in here. Would have somewhat stemmed the disappointment that was the iPad release...
@Sean Parker
no pre-order? No prob - just camp out at a Best Buy Saturday morning (unless this becomes like Black Friday - then you'll have to line up Thu night), and you'll have one before the pre-order crowd anyway ;-)
Oops, looks like Kotaku already have done a nice piece on iPad games:
http://kotaku.com/5502258/ipad-games-the-ultimate-gamers-guide-to-apples-ipad/gallery/
Picture 12 shows a nice Chess game. And it looks like Risk, yes RISK, is coming to the iPad soon!
@Sad Sack
I got a bad feeling they're going to sell out at Best Buy. I heard every store is only going to have five each. I don't want to camp out on the sidewalk, so I guess I'll have to wait.
@Sean Parker Chess and Risk blow you away? Really?
@Ahmedz
I like it!!
@Ahmedz
I'm not. Too lazy to look for them in YouTube and I won't install quicktime. Too bad you don't like flash Steve.
@Ahmed Alzayani
You are WRONG.. You can watch it from Apple's website. I'm doing it now via iPhone 3GS & unless some shitfuckery occurs I will be able to perform that same function on my iPad while remaining on that same page. I swear there's a lot of haterade in your cups here at the Engadget Comment Zone. But whatever, I still read your rants ::shrug:: ...
@mhunterjr Really tho, everything should be stored in the cloud. The concept of storing everything on a USB key, is a throw-back to the floppy disk days. Yes, double-sided, double-density 5.25inch beasts. We need to move-on from that and start getting data wirelessly and start connecting devices wirelessly.
@Sean Parker yep the bigger (old) dog is learning some new tricks.
@mhunterjr
I transfer files onto my iPhone all of the time, and never, ever, find myself needing a cable. I mount it as a wireless drive and transfer files that way.
This is only about connecting a camera.
@Ruthless
Yes, everthing should be stored in the cloud. Unfortunately, not everthing is yet so USBs would be useful. Being able to easily transfer files off of a friend's hard drive is definitely a good thing to have.
I like how you fanboys try to say that the iPad's lack of features is a good thing.
I'm loving what I'm seeing so far! But I realized one sad truth...
To use iPad properly, I need to have both my legs up in the air resting somewhere! Look at all the demo videos if you don't believe me!
Now isn't that fun! :)
@Ahmedz
I'm trying to convince all my friends into buying iPads. The iPad had better be useful to them or they'll have my head. Luckily, they've got disposable income, so it shouldn't break them financially.
The analysts have high sales expectations on this device and Apple is going to need all the help it can get to meet or come close to those expectations.
Hopefully, the new computer age will start April 3rd and tablet computer will become a household phrase.
Still no way to "Mark All Messages As Read"....... sigh
@Phenom ..."have you even seen the courier interface videos?"
Yes I have and they're NOT real. IT'S VAPOR VIDOE. I watched all the iPad videos on the website and can now say that there will be productive work done on this device.
@ebgolfin Cut the cables baby. Eye fi that camera. You won't be sorry!
@ebgolfin According to Apple:
"iPad supports standard photo formats, including JPEG and RAW."
That, I find interesting. Which RAW formats are yet to be seen, and how fast it renders could be quite interesting! But, I'm surprisingly hopeful. If Apple are leaving out Flash on the basis it's slow, then, surely they're only going to put in RAW support if it's reasonably fast?!
That said, please correct me if you think I'm wrong!
@Deeksie I agree with you there... I'm sure Apple would only approve the use of RAW files if they render with great performance. Apple has not introduced true multi-tasking just yet, which I believe is caused by the fact that it will degrade the overall performance. It is true that Palm Pre has mastered the act of implementing multi-tasking. However, there have been endless complaints regarding the "too many cards open" message. I'm sure Apple don't want to go down that route.
@Sean Parker Well when you have more screen realestate you would hope they can do more with the apps. The larger screen is one reason I have always wanted a "tablet", you are simply limited on what you can do on an iPhone (or any cellular phone) small screen.
The iPhone is great for what it does but it can't replace my laptop. I think the right tablet combined with the right smartphone could replace the boat anchor I call my laptop.
@Sean Parker
You realize Flip is the same feature on the iPhone, right? It is just the normal accelerometer detection highlighted in a useful way :)
@Sean Parker
I hope it can go 2D, because that's the worst 3D chess display I've ever seen.
@Ruthless
Sure, if you want your file transfers to take 15x as long with intermittent availability, all for a nice monthly fee, then go ahead and store all your stuff in the cloud.
@Ahmedz Yep, it looks great,although I think I will let the iPad phase pass first, before getting it. Maybe when they release the 2G. For now, my eyes are on the courier tablet. View: http://is.gd/abI59
@Ahmedz I have to get to Best Buy early Saturday.
Holy !!! alot of Ipad news these day
@Mrfox
yes is the Apple "propaganda" machine, they are worst then the communist!
@sliderem
I would consider freedom of the press the exact opposite of Communism. I mean the ability of the press to write about any subject is one of the key foundations of our country... but I wouldn't expect you to understand ethics
@Mentat
Oh Snap!
@Mentat
relax, it was a joke.
@sliderem
here's the freedom _you_ have to have a totally Apple-free experience:
http://www.engadget.com/exclude/apple/
now you have no excuse.. unless of course you enjoy adding little quips for some reason.