Of course everyone has probably figured out "I am granny" Right now I use an I phone which has been changed to an I pod since we know longer use Phone. (We have Jitterbug for old coots) I am able to use my original Iphone as an I pod now and it works on WIFI. I spend most of my time doing basic, twitter Face book, emails and searching on web, etc. Pictures. Reading on ipod, listening to music on I pod which I find difficult to read on because it is so small for me so as I said in my case the I will use it all the time for everything and give away my laptop and iphone (ipod) to my daughter and grandkids. the only problem I will have is printing. I hope that will came eventually. Right now my DH has an old desktop I can use for some of my printing. I don't care, I will figure it out. I can't wait.

Like people are saying here, the iPad is NOT meant to replace the notebook and/or your (i)phone. It has a different purpose, which is to be able to surf the web and do standard activities in the most comfortable way imaginable. In addition it has the iWork which is a good tool if want to quickly create a presentation, some graphical sheets and stuff but the general purpose of this device will be to be able surf the web, watch movies and read books whatever you want, very easily and elegantly. YES it lacks multiple features that similiar devices will have in future ('cause afaik there are not any for now, and there won't be any time soon, beside the amazon kindle which compared to the iPad is a joke), the table on this site shows quite well the differences.. so the choice is yours. But im MY opinion - an itablet with a windows installed on it will be nothing but a handicapped version of desktop windows.. therefore i think that Apple really comprehended the goal of a device of this type and realized it perfectly (well i cannot say that yet but it pretty much seems they really did).. one last thing: meybe it doesn't support multitasking (but it may in future with iphone os 4.0), doesn't have a camera (but it probably will on gen2), doesn't support flash (and it probably never will 'cause flash is generally causing problems on all apple devices), BUT it has lighest weight, probably the most powerful CPU, longest lasting battery, very good pricing and ofcourse gorgeous apple design.. so if you want a device with as much as possible features and a replacement for your notebook then this is just not for you and you will almost for sure be dissapointed. Instead if you focus on it's prime features im sure there won't any real competitors at all..

To me it seems the initial limitations of the first iPad such as not being able to multi-task out of the box is done so they can come up with a future version. They need to have selling points for a future version, don't they? Some of the features left out are not earth shattering concepts as they are all available to do, and have been for years, on desktops and laptops. I feel they've not integrated these features quite deliberately, even if they say otherwise.

Originally Posted by ipad987

To me it seems the initial limitations of the first iPad such as not being able to multi-task out of the box is done so they can come up with a future version. They need to have selling points for a future version, don't they? Some of the features left out are not earth shattering concepts as they are all available to do, and have been for years, on desktops and laptops. I feel they've not integrated these features quite deliberately, even if they say otherwise.

I really don't think that's the case. I do think that some form of multi-tasking for 3rd party apps is planned (beyond what IS there now, which allows iTunes to run in the background and allows 3rd party apps to monitor in the background for events/messages and notify the user even when they're not open) for a future release, but I don't believe it was held back just so they could have selling points for future versions. I think they were held back simply because they're not ready yet.

Implementing multitasking for 3rd party applications would be trivial, IF Apple didn't care about the user experience at all. Allowing 3rd party apps to run in the background opens up all kinds of holes for poorly written apps to monopolize the System. Eating CPU Cycles, refusing to release memory, or worse, slowly eating memory and degrading performance little by little. It would also require some simple method of closing down apps by the user rather than just switching to another app.

Under the current model, an App can save its state when exiting. This means that if you're using (these are just examples mind you, I obviously don't have one in hand) Pages, it will save the state, including open documents, to temporary storage when you press the home button, you can then go to Safari, which will ideally do the same thing when you press the home button again, then you can return to pages and your document exactly where you left off.

There ARE 3rd party applications that can run in the background RIGHT NOW on the iPhone OS. I have several that play audio in the background. IM Apps can also run in the background as a service, keeping you logged in and notifying you when you have a new message. In the real world, on screens this small, users are not generally going to want multiple 'windowed' apps open on the screen at the same time. It would be a pain to switch back and forth and would quickly consume system resources. IM clients, alarm clocks and the like have a genuine need to do some background processing, but as a rule, you're not going to want to use a tablet for true heavy duty multiprocessing.

Whether the IPAD can replace a netbbook, I think that depends on what you use a netbook for. I like the instant-on for the Touch (or nearly instant-on for the IPAD) so I can check and write emails quickly, check stock portfolios, look up facts, order on Amazon, etc., etc. There are web pages that I use that are fairly extensive, and the Touch can sometimes peel down maybe 2 or 3 pages, but not much further. When I need that kind of detail, that's when I have to boot up the very slow netbook (takes 4 minutes to boot versus 10 seconds on the IPAD) or the laptop which is faster. But, nothing beats the convenience of the Touch and the IPAD. With that said, however, if you don't already have a laptop, then buy the laptop first.

Suggestion is to look at the applications available. The more applications you find that might be useful to you, the more you'll use the IPAD. And more are added nearly everyday.

Think cloud - not thick client! My thoughts: The elegance of the iPad will not be in it's ability to multi-task or handle great amounts of data. With the ability to have flash memory like the iPod Touch - one can move in and out of applications fast enough. Keeping the onboard memory low will reduce heat and battery drain.

The elegance of this tool will be to act as an extension of ones laptop / desktop. When I go see a client I'll have outlines available to view - perhaps edit with iWork. My project management software will be online (Shared Project Pro). I'll use Remember the Milk for task management - iNotebook for general outlining, etc. I'll keep a bluetooth wireless keyboard in my case iffen I need to enter significant data. I'll also be able to keep in touch with mail and have access to updated podcasts, XM radio, etc. I'll be able to move between wifi and 3G connectivity - kind of an always on scenario.

The elegance of the iPad will be to free me from my desk and laptop - allowing me to check in / be in contact from the garage, back yard, boat - wherever.

At least that's how I envision it. I spent a good fifteen years of my career as a technology consultant working with mobile devices - Newton, Palm, Tablet PC revolution : and I always saw dissatisfaction coming from the users when they tried to make a mobile device do more than it was supposed to. I remember a Dell Tablet PC that weighed almost 9lbs - they had this beautiful glossy wide-screen, on-board cd/dvd drive, all kinds of ports and bells and whistles - and I remember the sad look on the sales reps face when I said - no thanks - we're looking for a mobile tablet PC - people will never tote this monster around.

I think the iPad will find it's niche - and I think Apple will correct what needs to be corrected.

Originally Posted by DavidNM

we're looking for a mobile tablet PC - people will never tote this monster around.

I think the iPad will find it's niche - and I think Apple will correct what needs to be corrected.

You clearly resume the iPad usage and possibilities .... no need to say more

Thanks for the thorough and helpful responses in this thread. As an Apple nube couldn't agree mor that Ipad shoulnt be expected to replace a full computer. Having a desktop, laptop and mobile phone with wifi and 3G (Droid) I still see a gap (or market) for another mobile device like the Ipad. The explanations of the quasi-multitasking that the Ipad should do are very helpful. It sounds though that it will not out of the box be able to play Pandora audio at the same time as displaying an ebook for reading purposes. Correct? Is there a current known app that will enable this or likely wait for Ipad v.2 for this tasking to be enabled?

Originally Posted by hendjo

Thanks for the thorough and helpful responses in this thread. As an Apple nube couldn't agree mor that Ipad shoulnt be expected to replace a full computer. Having a desktop, laptop and mobile phone with wifi and 3G (Droid) I still see a gap (or market) for another mobile device like the Ipad. The explanations of the quasi-multitasking that the Ipad should do are very helpful. It sounds though that it will not out of the box be able to play Pandora audio at the same time as displaying an ebook for reading purposes. Correct? Is there a current known app that will enable this or likely wait for Ipad v.2 for this tasking to be enabled?

You can get an iPad now and once the OS allows for audio multitasking you will be able to do it....has nothing to do with the hardware.

Think of it this way, all of Apples iDevices (pod/pads/phones) will use some version of the iPhoneOS or iPhone Operating System. Just like Windows or Mac OSX, new updates to the OS can be added to existing devices... provided thier hardware is supported.

I don't see any logical reason why Apple would not allow a first gen iPad to update to the iPhoneOS 4 if and when it comes out. I could see them being jerks and charging a small fee for the software update the same way they do with Mac OSX between major versions. But not simply locking out early adopters all together after the first year. After 3 years possibly, after 5 years for sure they would stop supporting the 1st gen ipads with the latest software updates.