John E Lincoln asked:




The Apple iPad has just been released. Looks like a cool device, right? Like an iPhone, the screen adjusts to the phones positioning. It has crystal clear viewing capabilities for video and photos. And the touch screen… I mean wow! We’ve never really see navigation quite like this.

While this all may be true, the question is buzzing around, who is the iPad really meant for? Is there a consumer demand driving this product supply or is Apple looking to create a new demand, like they did with the iPod.

There has also been speculation that this device is simply a business move by Apple to simulate another Apple store. Hey, if you were Apple you’d probably want to have two Apple stores, right? Who wouldn’t want 50 hosted VoIP developers rushing to create the next hosted VoIP PBX app: especially if you make a small commission off each sale?

Granted, it does have a touch screen keyboard so you can at least type. But what it all comes down to is that the flashy navigation, emphasis on apps, use as a reader and major push as a multimedia device makes it seem more like a toy than a piece of machinery intended to help a professional get work done.

Now, this very may well be what Apple was going for with the iPad. Maybe they wanted to create a more superfluous device. But why create something that seems so expendable in the wake of an economic recovery?

Don’t get me wrong, I love the iPad. I love what Apple is doing with the device and the way their technology is progressing. Also, I like that the iPad has speakers and a microphone so it could potentially run a softphone or other http://www.freedomiq.com applications. But who is the iPad really meant for? Is it meant for you? Tell us what you think below.

Douglas

TC Thorn asked:




Everything Apple does causes a storm in the tech world, but if you’re just an Average Joe (or Jane), you may be wondering what all the hubbub is about. What’s the Apple Ipad (and do you want one)? Let’s take a quick look.

What is the iPad?

The iPad is essentially a portable entertainment system. It allows you to watch movies, read ebooks and news stories, play games, listen to music, and send email (wireless connection required). It’s sort of a souped up version of the iPod Touch, except with a significantly larger display. With it’s full-color 9.7-inch screen, it matches the size of the Amazon Kindle DX (one of the largest-screened ebook readers currently on the market). The iPad weighs 1.5 pounds and, according to Apple, has 10 hours of battery life (computer manufacturers tend to overrate these things, but surely you’ll have enough to get through a couple movies before needing to recharge).

The iPad can run most App Store apps, and its interface is similar to that of the iPhone, so it’ll be an easy tool to use if you already have some familiarity with Apple’s recent products (and even if you don’t, the touch-based interface is quite intuitive).

While the iPad isn’t supposed to be a replacement for your laptop, it does have an iWork application suite app (which includes Keynote for presentations, Numbers for spreadsheets, and Pages for word processing) that you can download. This will allow you to do some basic computer work on it. As with the iPhone, an on-screen keyboard appears if you need to type in text. With the bigger screen size, the “keys” should be a little easier to use than on the iPhone. The iWork app costs $10 and will be available in the iTunes App Store.

What can’t the iPad do?

The one thing the iPad isn’t is a cell phone. You can’t make calls on it, and you need to have a local wifi signal in order to access the Apple store (to download more ebooks, movies, music, games, etc.).

How much does the iPad cost?

The original iPad costs $499. According to Apple there will be an upgraded 3G-enabled iPad (meaning you’ll be able to access the internet the same way a cell phone with a web browser does) in a few months. That version will reputedly cost $629 and run $29.99 a month for 3G access (unlike with the iPhone, there won’t be a monthly service contract that you have to sign).

Now that you know what the iPad is, you’ll have to decide if it’s the right all-in-one entertainment gadget for you!

Ellen

Patrick R. Flannery asked:




Lately there has been a buzz online talking about the test trials giving away the new iPad. But some of us don’t bother to sign up because we’re not sure if the offer is real or not. Believe it or not, there are legitimate offers that allow you to get a FREE iPad by testing it out and giving the Apple Corporation your opinion of their new product.

Don’t waste time trying to win one or wait on the long lines which will eventually start to form once the Apple store starts to carry the new iPad. I know some of you have pockets full of money, but if you’re like me, I’d rather get one for free and save my money for software and new APPS to run on my iPad. There are ways to test and keep an iPad for free and if you’re interested in getting one of your own, then keep reading the rest of this article.

You may think this offer to be a fake or some sort of scam, but if you have been online lately, there have been a ton of offers available to win an iPad. But this offer lets you keep one for simply trying it out. As long as you follow the instructions correctly and complete the offers given, you’ll have an iPad in no time. The cost of the device is covered by third party sponsors.

The Apple Corporation wants customers like you to try their new iPad and give a review of how the new tablet-style computer works. Now to me that sounds like a pretty sweet deal. Reviews like these are usually honest and hard core and help the Apple Corporation find any bugs in the system or learn about applications customers may want or need that they hadn’t thought of. This is much more valuable to them than any amount of advertising. Think about it; how many times have you thought “man I wish there was an APP for this or an APP for that.” Well, here is your chance to have your voice heard.

You better act fast, once the Apple Corporation gets enough feedback on the new iPad, this offer will disappear. Once they have an idea of how to improve their product or market their product to increase sales and profits, the free offers will be gone. It would be very wise of you to become a test subject for the new iPad and be the first geek on the block to own one. Once the iPad hit the shelves I’m sure you’ll regret being the one who didn’t get to tell Apple how to improve their new revolutionary device.

Arthur