Lack of Flash compatibility is one issue I have with the Ipad. It annoys me to no end on the Iphone as well (even though I have one), and there is no plausible reason why they wouldn't allow it. The Iphone has a youtube app installed from the start, so effectively they are already using flash.

Because Flex/Actionscript is a viable programming environment and Apple wants developers to sell software through their store as opposed to letting users install flash apps for free. All the accessibility and performance rhetoric that comes from Apple regarding flash is just blown smoke; looking at their other products they clearly care little for either. Adobe and Google are now competitors with Apple.

Lack of Flash compatibility is one issue I have with the Ipad. It annoys me to no end on the Iphone as well (even though I have one), and there is no plausible reason why they wouldn't allow it. The Iphone has a youtube app installed from the start, so effectively they are already using flash.

But even if the Ipad had flash compatibility, I would still not buy it for several important reasons (important to me, at least):

I cannot install SPSS on it!
I cannot install PRIME on it!
I cannot install BrainVoyager QX on it!

SPSS has a mac version, so it's not a PC vs. Mac thing here. Same hold true for BrainVoyager QX. PRIME is windows based, so I don't fault apple for not supportin it and I could do without, as long as the browser plugin for the web application can be installed.
My problem with the Ipad is about not being able to install mac software on the Ipad. To me, the Ipad is an overglorified PDF reader and pretty much inadequate for any other task. Why would I pay 700 bucks for a PDF reader?

However, those who like shiny new technology (and who can blame them for it), or those who like a comfortable, easy to use and visually appealing PDF reader will find the IPad rather appealing. If you can afford it and if you don't intend to use the IPad as an alternaitve to a tablet pc, a netbook or a laptop, the IPad will most certainly meet your needs and also work as a great status symbol.

Personaly, I will wait until the technology moved forward and I can actually buy a tablet pc (even from apple) that allows me to install the software I require without costing me upwards of 3,000 bucks. Although Pepsi Jedi's photo instilled some urges to buy it, just for my SR PDFs =)

Because Flex/Actionscript is a viable programming environment and Apple wants developers to sell software through their store as opposed to letting users install flash apps for free. All the accessibility and performance rhetoric that comes from Apple regarding flash is just blown smoke; looking at their other products they clearly care little for either. Adobe and Google are now competitors with Apple.

I just upgraded from a 10 year old computer this year. That computer could run Halo, but go to the wrong web site with badly coded Flash, and it would be brought to its knees.

Supposedly the special iPad issue for Time Magazine is a PDF with its own reader shell. So apps could even be a new venue for game companies who don't go the ePub route.

Ok, so...
I want this:
http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/
one of these:
http://www.google.com/googlephone/tour/
and add in a combination between these two:
http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.ph...b-flash-memory/
http://inventorspot.com/articles/interacti..._eyeballs_28791

Now put it all in a bluetooth network.

Well the thing is, it's NOT a laptop. It can do alot of things. Alot of different Apps. ANd alot of function but the Ipad is NOT 'Just a different shaped laptop"

You can't load big programs on it
You can't run big videogames on it.

Such as that. But then, it's not supposed to be. It's an 'inbetween'. Between Smartphones and your real computer.

"Laptops' are the new Desktops now. I use my laptop 99% of the time. She screams. Fast, smaller and capiable. I've got a 23' monitor and external keyboard hooked up to it and use it as a 'tower' more or less.

The Ipad bridges the gap between your Computer and your phone. It's not MEANT to totally replace your Laptop (( yet)). It's an ebook reader, an internet access, and very 'light' computer. It's not meant to replace your computer just yet. Maybe down the line.

But I like mine. It's useful. It does what I want it to. It's pretty, and the ease of use is astounding. It's NOT for everyone. I'll be the first to say it.

What it is, is the first step down a new path. Like Laptops were the first step down their path. These things are not going away. They're just going to get better.

In a way its a step back, as there is no way to really get into programming of any sort on it.

I hear you. The first thing I thought when I saw the IPad was "I want one!". But my problem withit is the fact that it IS an inbetween device.
As sucha device the question is, what functiuon does it fulfill that constitutes as a "gap"? Pretty much everything it can do, my IPhone can do already. The only thing it can do better than my IPhone is watching PDFs.
In other words, it's a bloated eBook reader as far its applications for me are concerned.
And if we are talking about a 800 bucks price range, I'd rather have the skiff reader, to be honest.

Still, the IPad looks awesome =)

I think calling Laptops the new Desktop is a bit of a leap... and that might be a bit of sarcasm.

Laptops will never run up to spec relating to proximity of parts vs heat generated. Cost and Modification are also issues. I can build a tower that will run faster and smoother than a comperable laptop, and when future issues arise, I can easily swap parts provided the MoBo is compatable.

The iPad is an over-glorified touch-screen monitor with minor processing built into it. I love my iPhone, but I cannot forsee any good reason in the near future to purchase a substandard device for Apple's over inflated prices. (I mean, come ON, $80 to get my girlfriend a new AC plug for her Macbook? Ludicrous!)

The touch tablet existed before Apple's uber expensive iPad*, but until Apple gets into the market everybody else ignores it. I just wish that SOMEONE... ANYONE could beat Apple to the market and kick their overpriced i<what ever the fuck> ass up and down the block.


* == I understand that they have their whole iMac thing, but honestly Apple ENOUGH!

I don't think it's going to stop until Steve Jobs cybers everyone up and then you have to pay for an app to go to the bathroom... using the iPee and the iPoop apps.

The touch tablet existed before Apple's uber expensive iPad*, but until Apple gets into the market everybody else ignores it. I just wish that SOMEONE... ANYONE could beat Apple to the market and kick their overpriced i<what ever the fuck> ass up and down the block.


* == I understand that they have their whole iMac thing, but honestly Apple ENOUGH!

I don't think it's going to stop until Steve Jobs cybers everyone up and then you have to pay for an app to go to the bathroom... using the iPee and the iPoop apps.

If you want to read your ebooks and scope the web on a 2 inch screen. have fun with that. lol Some do. Some love it. Its not for me.

But back to the original purpose of this post. The Shadowrun books work on the Ipad, they look beautiful, and you can carry all what 12 to 14 Shadow run books in one object the size of a small supplement. And check your email and Dumpshock while you're at it.

I know I'm ecstatic with my over 500 rpgs on mine. The other things it does is just icing on the cake.

I have both a Canada and USA iTunes store account, and aside from some hassles bouncing between the two stores, I've never had a problem.

(USA iTunes store has much better selection than the Canadian one.)

You'll love it even more with interactive hypermedia rulebooks and helper apps [initiative tracker, maps to show people, dice roller - to name just a few...]

I'm going to look up something with a USB adapter that can handle Flash and isn't made by Apple.

But that's also a bit misleading. When you look at the size, and then the size of the Kindel Dx the "smaller" Ipad is in the same price range. You're comparing the 64 gig one to the little kindle. Which isn't really a direct comparison. The Kindel DX is what $450 or so? and the 16 gig Ipad is around there? And the Ipad does ebooks, in full color, AND web. AND 1000s of Apps, AND Email, AND faster. There's not really a comparison. You can't really compair the little 4 inch screen $250 kindel to the 10 inch full color screen Ipad directly. They're not the same class. So if you up to the Kindel DX and put them side by side, the Ipad blows the Kindel out of the water.

It'd be like you comparing a crappy $200 net book laptop.. to a top of the Line $5000 Alienware desktop. Yeah... the desktop is going to be alot more expensive but that's not an apples to apples comparison though it's the same 'Type' of comparison


As a side note. I should take some more pics of Shadow run stuff on mine and post them. Just for fun. *G*

Yeah, me too. I want the ability to at least plug in a nifty foldable/expandable USB keyboard if not an actual keyboard.

Hey Synner -
That's a great idea! Does that cross a boundary into a video game? Does whoever holds the PnP license for Shadowrun get to make what you've described? I've been arguing to whoever will listen that we need to make Shadowrun more accessible to other gamers. What you've described would do just that. The other Synner said things like that have been on the backburner for a long time. Maybe it will [select based on your faction:] (save IMR/GCL from itself)/(make the new license holder lots more money).

There is a keyboard dock Apple is selling, but the advice I've seen is to opt for the Bluetooth keyboard, which is smaller than the iPad. Don't know how well it pairs with non-Apple keyboards, but it probably does.

All this talk about ebook readers and shadowrun pdfs made me look into the eReader market. Now I want this puppy! And I want it bad =/

sounds really nice, especially since I'm really looking for a good eReader with eInk and USB for my RPG-pdfs. The Only problem for me is, that it only has 4GB build in.

The only question that remains is, how much it will cost.

If it wasnt for the proberbility of it being vaporware I was looking favourably at the Courier thing from microsoft,

Yes I know they are evil by most definitions but the rendered vid was pretty good and hand written notes can be quicker during a game.

Can I suggest that the tech argument is off-topic and a duplicate of the arguments happening _everywhere else on the internet_?

I will say that you will need more than 4G for an Ereader that can hold your rpg PDFs. They vary inw size DRAMATICALLY! I have about 20 gig on my Ipad, JUST, PDFs. I've used about 30 gig total so far with music and books and apps and stuff.

And I will say that depends heavily on how many rpg books you wish to carry around. My entire SR4 collection is around 360MB...

Very true. But one of the big draws of me getting the Ipad was being able to put all my RPG Pdf's onto it (( took three days. lol))

I will say that if it was shadow run ONLY it'd be alot less space. My Shadowrun PDf's are small in comparison to the rest I have on there.

I'll even go further to say I'm probably NOT the 'typical' Ereader market. I purposefuly got the Ipad to put more than 500 RPG pdf books on it. Most people will only have 1-20. If that. The bigger GMs and stuff might have 50-100.

Only freaky Geeks like me have 100s. so.... yeah factor that in. But for ME... My white wolf stuff alone was more than 3G I had 7G in white wolf books alone.

Heh, and you're enyoing yuor iPad, which is obvious. I would never claim the iPad was bad overall. I would still like to have one, but the iPad's lack of functionality (in areas that are relevant to me) is the deciding factor. For others, the mere price can be a deciding factor. Another person might not care much about colored pdf display, but rather about eyestrain.

Different people will favor different devices for different reasons. I'm glad the iPad worked out for you. It won't for me.

For reference, I've used a non-Kindle ereader a lot (the Sony PRS 505) and it is much more pleasant to read, IMO, than a backlit/LCD screen. Not just from an eyestrain perspective, but from the better reading angles, lack of glare, etc.

I still want an iPad, but I'll probably still be reading manuscripts and other fiction things on the Sony reader.

Yep one 99 cent app (Good reader) With clear easy to follow directions for transferring the stuff onto your Ipad (( With pictures! lol)) and you're good to go.

As a side note.. if I'm gonna be a color. Can I be green instead of Yellow? *Grins*