Now this looks like a fun and useful new “tool” … the Apple iPad. Check out the info. and videos at Apple to see if you aren’t also intrigued by this gear that promises fun new ways of accessing, viewing, and sharing media. It should also be of great interest to schools as textbooks and other printed resources move to electronic devices. Pricing is based on the amount of flash memory installed: $499.00/16GB, $599.00/32GB, $699.00/64GB for the Wi-Fi models; and $629.00/16GB, $729/32GB, $829/64GB for the Wi-Fi + 3G models. Availability is to be by March, 2010. Apple has a sign-up page if you’d like to be notified of availability by email. Wanting, but maybe I’ll wait for v.2.
Update, 7/24/12: I’m now using an iPad, v3, and am very excited about the possibilities for its use as a video production tool for education. Blogging about that soon.
Jeff, I’m glad you posted about the iPad. I want one, too, and I don’t think I can wait for v.2. I used an iPhone for about 9 months before transferring it over to my husband to use. I see the iPad as a much better fit for my lifestyle than the iPhone. How do you see this device fitting in with what you’re already carrying? Will it replace or supplement your existing devices?
Janine,
Yes, enticing, isn’t it? The Apple demo video is very well produced and at first the product seems as though it’s the new big item we’ve all been waiting for. Later, though, I read some interesting notes from reviewers who pointed out things Apple didn’t include in the original unit — a camera, for example. That’s not something I’d have to have, but some seem to want it already as part of the package. Then I learned that there’s no Flash support, which hinders web browsing. And there’s no multitasking, so one can’t do things like listen to tunes while writing e-mail. Maybe waiting for those things to be added or sorted is something to consider. The unit could then replace a lot of the gear many of us carry around, for sure. Until then, the iPad is being considered by some as a big iPod Touch. A good thing, but not the *great* thing…yet.
Jeff G