My Ipad DID show up on Saturday like she was supposed to, and after dinking around with it a bit I found a $1 app that would read RPG book PDFs. It seems that 99.9% of PDFs are very very very minute, in size and SIZE compared to RPG books on PDF, so... it took a little doing. but I found an app called "Good Reader" Ipad version.

Bought it. Followed the instructions and loaded it up. (( I got the BIG ipad for just this reason)

I've got SR4A on here and it's beautiful. You can read it fine and when you zoom in, or pinch and pull it works great and auto focuses to the new size. Crisp and sharp. You feel almost like a Runner yourself using this thing.

Very cool.

I've been envisioning a Padd that could hold all my books and bring them up at a touch since I was 5. The Ipad is the first BIG leap into that becoming reality. I've loaded about 300 rpgs on here so far, and I've still got plenty of room. Couldn't hold my ENTIRE library but this is a first gen device. give it 5 years and you're gonna have Ipads with 1-5 to even 10 or 50 tera on them. THAT will be sweet.

Pictures, or its not real

I have not tried the IPad yet, but it would be cool to see how easy it is to read and quick to search.

I knew someone was going to make me break out my crappy camera.

http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss137/R.../SHadowpad1.jpg

God damn that is one sexy piece of hardware.

Are the PDFs searchable?

/drool

i want one now... glad i didn't get the nook like i was planning on doing

Yes goodreader can search text-pdfs, at least on the iPhone. I use it to read Shadowrun, Degenesis (great Endtime RPG from germany, give it a try) and Eclipse Phase.

Pepsi: Try to look up Dice Roller. There is a version for the iPhone, they probably will release something for the iPad soon. It's a very cool "shake the device and the dice are cast"-app, very atmospheric.

But i have a question. Why would i want an iPad? No trollbait here, i just don't see much sense in that thing.

Jeez, now, I want one, but I have been burnt by the Apple curse: buying first gen. I'll wait for second gen. I like the pretty pictures.

I think like everything else buy what you afford based on need and want. I look at it as hitting the same niche as the kindle. The laptops are too heavy and cumbersome for just general movement. They also don't have the same battery life. For a games session I see it being pretty good. For basic reading of news I think it would work well. I am not sure if it is worth 500-700 dollars though.

Pepsi: can the iPad get web pages? If so then you can use random.org and use their truly random d6 roller. The nice thing about it is that you can select up to 16 dice. Not too shabby for an average 'Runners dice pool.

An Ipad can automatically run any app that the Iphone can. Though some look small, you can super size them by doubling the pixles, but some distort a little. Lots of people that produced apps for the Iphone are now making bigger and better ones for the Ipad. Take "Good Reader" For example. The one for the Iphone got you the base app and you paid extra for all the bells and whistles.

My Ipad version. .99cents, and you get all the bells and whistles included.

Some PDFs are searchable, some aren't. Depends on the quality and type of PDF. Alot of RPG PDFs are not actually typed in. They're basicly photocopies scanned in together in a row. Those ones aren't searchable. But many are. I've got over 500 (( Still uploading them as we speak)) So... yeah.

As for 'Why do I want an Ipad?"

That's easy.

It's WiFi.. Most places that you'd want to access a computer you can access Wifi. So you can get any internet thing you can on your computer on the Ipad (( except flash. Apple hates flash)) I went to the bathroom this morning. Sat down. Checked my Email with one click. Updated my netflix cue with another few taps, read the USA today news paper, then read some in SR4A, all in the bathroom on the throne. While listening to my music on the built in Ipod. Had I wanted I could have watched Star Trek in HD.

My PDF library goes with me now. Over 500 Rpg books in a pad the size of a magazine or one half inch supplement.

You can get maps. Directions. Check movie times, buy movie tickes, buy porn, buy pizza. all on the fly anywhere there's a wifi signal. If you don't wanna trust wifi, you can get a 3G version in a month.

All on a computer the size of a magazine.

Keyboard is built in. It's not 'SUPER AMAZING OUTSTANDING' but it's better than keyboards on a phone. I even read threads on this website on her last night just fine.

You can also use it as a 'normal' Ebook reader, but better than kindel. As it's full color and backlit. You can read in the dark if you want to and have full color books. (( It comes with Winnie The poo. lol))

So.. you get
1) Web access to everything except Flash applications
2) Youtube, even in hi def
3) High def movie player
4) IPod built in
5) Any of the thousands of apps for Iphone run on Ipad. And there are lots of Ipad specific ones made now and more coming every day
6) Full color Ebook reader
7) Email
PDF reader (( for a buck. You can get free ones but the freeone I got sucks. I suggest the one dollar one)) That can read your RPG books (( and if you get the 64 gig like me. you can carry 100s of them with you))

And all of it is in hand. WHich puts you a bit more intimate with what you're doing than at a computer.

I'm going to look up something with a USB adapter that can handle Flash and isn't made by Apple.
Steve Jobs gives me the creeps. It's like watching a zealot trying to infect everyone with their madness.

Excuse, me. I need to go change my shorts.

What I wonder is... why did they not make it so that with the addition of a bluetooth, it acts as a phone as well?

Well seeing as the main complaint is "It doesn't take flash" People think that there will be an update pretty soonish that will allow it to. Jobs just hates flash. Says it's a resource hog and poorly put together.

They're currently looking at a new format. HTML7? (( I could be wrong on what it's called)) that may replace flash as the standard soon.

I've only had it a day but I've not run into much that it can't do yet.

Because they sell Iphones.

They're not going to cut too much into their own market share. As is they think they're going to be selling much fewer Ipod touches and apple laptops once this catches on. If they stopped selling Iphones too.... well that's a BIG hit.

Jobs thinks that FLASH is a resource hog and is poorly put together? HOO HOO HOO.

Seriously, has the man ever SEEN itunes?

In other news, this is awesome. I'm definitely buying a second-gen one, putting skype on it, and pairing it with a bluetooth headset and bluetooth laser keyboard. Commlink anyone?

They've tested skype on it. it does work and they come with internal bluetooth.

I see that this thing can do much of the same thing as my iPhone just with a bigger screen. Okay, don't need one, thank you

But yeah, updating your social networks, reading pdfs and watching movies on the toilet does make me feel geek-awesome. ^^

i think i'll keep watching the android world. Especially that noition ink adam seems sexy as hell:
http://www.notionink.in/adamfeature.php

and note, the url ends in .in, not .com, the freakin thing looks slick as hell, and is made in india

So it's basically a monitor you tote around. Yeah, I don't see any possible hassles coming from that. Nothing at all like Nintendo WII controllers or the like. I think I'll wait a few more years until they become very lightweight and (as a result) far less prone to breaking if dropped. Until then I'll just keeping using a laptop.

It's not really the same. Alot of people seem to think "It's just a big Iphone' but it's not. There's alot more to it. It's hard to explain till you get your hands on it. The "I've got an Iphone. I don't want it" is something I've heard a few times. The people who I showed it to yesterday that had Iphones, loved it and wanted one.

It's kinda like the difference between a desktop computer and a really good laptop. Yeah, they do alot of the same things but the differences make them very different items.

But, it's not for everyone. I just rather love mine.

I can't honestly imagine reading an entire book on an Iphone. The Ipad I can (( and have, well read alot of one.)) Watching something on the Ipods lil screen is neat. Watching that same movie on the Ipad's bigger screen is alot cooler. Sure we could all have 2 inch TV's in our homes but some of us like our widescreens.

It's a preference thing.

Well yeah. I imagine if you throw it, like some of those idigts threw their wii controllers you can break it. And, like a laptop, if you drop it because you're not careful, you could break it. It feels solid but it's electronics. if you bounce it off the side walk I"m ___SURE___ It'll break. But so would your laptop. So would your desktop, so would your Iphone. If you're the sort that tosses around his $500-800 electronics. Then yeah it can break. No doubt. lol I don't think that's going to change though. If you're chucking your Ipad, you're the same sort to chuck your laptop.

I have a laptop that I've so far, knock on wood, never dropped. If I dropped it on the ground it could break. If I threw it, it could break. Same thing with the Ipad. *Nods* You're not wrong there. I'm just not sure what you think will change really. Electronics are never really all that super rugged. Some people I know go though two or three cell phones a year. I'm not that guy though. I take care of my tech.

It looks good, I might get one. Thanks,

K.

How about the Touch Book? It's a full netbook computer running Linux and for $400 comes with a keyboard and 10 hours of battery life. Also the screen can detach and be like the iPad... only without the Steve Jobs madness.

That looks nice. I wonder how much it will cost. A quick search suggests it might become available in June in the USA. Has a USB port and the ability to run whatever I like on it. I might wait a bit to see what this one is like.

Thanks for the link,

K.

PDFs aren't the way to go...
...An RPG as an app is much better.

how about rpg as a table?

http://boingboing.net/2009/10/29/dd-on-multi-touch-ta.html

Yeah, Steve Jobs is like the Infected. If he touches you, you became a creature like him.

And then you can't imagine yourself as you were anymore. And feel the urge to spread the disease around. AND eat human flesh, who is also a nice bonus and all.

So, yeah, your Shadowpad is AWESOME and i am totally getting one as soon as i am able to. Here in Brazil, Apple stuff is UNHOLY expensive.

Yeah, it's your fault also.

PS. This post was typed on an Macbook Pro Aluminun.

I'd much rather have a computer that I can rest on a table, tray, or my actual lap and use comfortably, as opposed to something I have to hold up at an awkward angle, often with just one had as I scribble all over the screen with my fingers, and which will be far more prone to being dropped as a result. Especially since my laptop is more versatile and isn't chock-full of proprietary software or hardware unless I specifically want it to be for whatever strange reason. Just sayin'.

Well you're pretty much just saying you want a Laptop. Which is fine. There are 100s out there to choose from and find what you want. But it's a different critter.

How often do you just suddenly drop the book your reading and go 'Oh no! I dropped the book! Holding a book while I read is too complex!" It's kinda like that. You hold it like a paperback book to read on. Or between your hands when typing. Or yes you can lay it down and type on it or lay it in your lap. But it's not really ment for typing big long huge things. It's made for casual web use, theapp store, and as an excellent ereader. It's an 'in between' device. You're not going to be playing Wow on it, but you can bang out emails, check movie times, watch a movie, read books and magazines and all the other stuff on it.

I have a desktop with a 24 inch screen. My laptop is hooked up to a 23 inch high def monitor. I have over 500 RPG Pdfs, but You don't just sit there and read them. You don't haul your laptop into the bathroom with you or into a car with you and use it. and very very few people actually put laptops... on thier lap. (( They even tell you not to)) You put them on a table or something where everyou are. You can get a full sized keyboard for the Ipad too which WILL prop it up like a laptop AND charge it. It's not that bad.

But.. all that being said. You should use the tech YOU like and YOU feel comfortable with. I love my Ipad. I love my Laptop and I love my Desktop. They're just 3 different things that overlap nicely.

For reading and casual internet, I'll use the Ipad. For my day to day stuff I use my laptop. My Desktop hasbeen downgraded into back up for the laptop recently but I still have it.




But..back to the original thing. Yes. The shadowrun PDFs are BEAUTIFUL on the Ipad. ANd out of over 500 RPG PDfs I've got, only 5 have not worked. Not sure why. But that's a pretty good percentage.

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 =)

the iphone youtube app do not make use of flash. Thing is that current day flash uses H264 for its video playback ability, wrapped in a flv container.

said H264 is what gets used for all kinds of HD video files these days, and apple have been a big backer of the format. Iirc, video files sold via itms are h264 encoded. So basically what youtube do via the app is to strip the h264 video of its flv container.

sad thing is that this app-ification of the internet (whereby the apps basically becomes a glossy front end for data pushed via the net), risk transforming the net as we know it. Html5, especially in a browser supporting local data storage, can replace many of the apps.

I did not know that. Thanks for sharing =)

Got my iPad yesterday - fantastic for reading PDFs. GenCon with this is going to rock. Instant on books, no laptop to lug, no box o books. Life is good.

And as for "should you get one" the answer is "Yes, If..."

- ...all you do with your laptop/pc is read pdfs/ebooks, watching movies, web based stuff, email, casual games and light typing. In this case, run, don't walk, and get one. It was made for you.

OR

- ...you regularly do more than what I said above BUT you have disposable income (or your office will buy you one, like me ). Again, run, don't walk, and get one. It's super cool and you'll love playing with it.

Otherwise, the device probably isn't right for you and you should probably just get a really good laptop. I wouldn't use my ipad for my writing work OR my favorite games (mmmmm - Oblivion/Fallout3/L4D) BUT for every other thing I do with my computer, it rocks.

I'll stay with my Archos 5g.
Or maybe if Archos does deliver a slightly bigger/newer Version with android and UMTS/3G Connectivity.
6" is perfect for a handheld device.

there is the archos 7 home tablet coming. Tho it will not have any kind of mobile radio built in.

Yeah, i know about that, but the no mobile internet is a dealbreaker for me.

The only thing that really keeps me from buying an iPad is the clumsy text input. It's awesome how RPG PDFs look on it, but I also want something I could take notes on easily.

Maybe I'll wait and see what goodies will be in the second-generation version.

Thinking about this as a possible alternative to buying a Nook or Kindle. One thing that I've heard about those two is that they use a screen designed to minimize eyestrain. I looked them over any actually thought the displays looked just like reading off paper. That's kind of important to me because I tend to give myself headaches staring at a PC all day long already. How's the display on the iPad? Does it look like a Nook/Kindle, or like a regular PC display?

Apathy,

Your observations are correct. The Kindle and the Nook have eInk displays, which are much better for reducing eye strain, and make a much better platform for reading. Backlighting is the enemy in eye-strain. If you are only a very casual reader, then the iPad could be an option instead of a Kindle/Nook.

That said, the iPad is a tool, like a Kindle, so choose the right tool for the job.

well it supports bluetooth keyboards, so you can use it with say this:
http://www.apple.com/keyboard/

and there is always the keyboard dock.

i suspect one will see a fair number of ipads with the foldable case (allowing the ipad to be angled) in combo with some wireless keyboard or other.

Sounds like Nook/Kindle might be a better option for you. I can stare a computer screen 24/7 with no ill effects so iPad doesn't bother me.

I get eye-strain from reading an LCD monitor for too long also, so I love my Kindle for extended reading (I can and have read on the Kindle for hours with no problems). But I did get to play with an iPad today and it does have a beautiful screen. It'll do a well-formatted color PDF justice.

I wasn't going to get one, but I've decided to get an iPad. Now, do I wait for Canadian pricing to be announced, or just get a WiFi one from the USA before then?

I'm waiting for the 3G version at the end of the month. I don't have a smartphone, and had considered getting an iPod Touch last year for reading/accessing game PDFs. The possibility of things like AutoDesk sketchbook with a Pogo stylus, or using the iPad as a remote access or input device with my desktop machine is all extra bonus goodness.

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.

BTW, there are also PDF readers available which let you make annotations to the PDF.

I don't know how locked down the app store is, and if you'd be able to access it from Canada? Maybe you'd be able to bounce off a proxy within the US?

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.)

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 =/

Based on what was shown at CES, everyone and their mother is coming out with an eReader of some sort this year. Heck, in the coverage of the iPad launch, it almost went unnoticed that the Joojoo tablet finally shipped the same week. That sucker has its own storied background already, but I think shows how there's going to be a lot of options out there over the next year, with a few major players coming out ahead, possibly buying some of the smaller players who put forward some clever piece of technology in the process.