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Last post Author Topic: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas  (Read 18079 times)

superboyac

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #25 on: December 27, 2010, 09:11 AM »
Hmmm...

I likely wouldn't kick Joanne Kelly out of bed for eating crackers.  ;)

But I definitely would for booting up an iPad.  :P
Suit yourself!  She's welcome in my bed with or without an ipad.  If she brings one, we can do...stuff...with both of our ipads.

superboyac

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #26 on: December 27, 2010, 09:20 AM »
Ah, cmon people, don't hate on the ipad.  I have it and it's great.  Once I got over the idea that it's not a fully functional desktop computer, I realized how useful it is.  It's the best tablet out right now, the others are not even close.

I'm not a fanboy.  I'm also eagerly waiting for a competitive Windows or Android tablet.  But it can't suck.  It has to have a nice screen, first of all.  I don't want a crappy screen.  It also needs to have as responsive multi-touch as the ipad.  If they can get those down, I'm interested.  And nothing big, bulky, plasticky and bad battery life.  I can't believe it's been half a year, and there are still no competitors.  What's the best alternative, the Samsung Galaxy tab?  I heard Windows is secretly working on a tablet friendly OS (Windows 8?) and Sony is also working on a tablet something.  that would be exciting...Sony and Windows.  But Sony is bound to screw it up royally.  And Windows...well, hopefully they can come up with something innovative and practical.  It's Sony I'm more worried about...they always have to ruin something.

Renegade

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #27 on: December 27, 2010, 09:40 AM »
Ah, cmon people, don't hate on the ipad.  I have it and it's great.  Once I got over the idea that it's not a fully functional desktop computer, I realized how useful it is.  It's the best tablet out right now, the others are not even close.

I'm not a fanboy.  I'm also eagerly waiting for a competitive Windows or Android tablet.  But it can't suck.  It has to have a nice screen, first of all.  I don't want a crappy screen.  It also needs to have as responsive multi-touch as the ipad.  If they can get those down, I'm interested.  And nothing big, bulky, plasticky and bad battery life.  I can't believe it's been half a year, and there are still no competitors.  What's the best alternative, the Samsung Galaxy tab?  I heard Windows is secretly working on a tablet friendly OS (Windows 8?) and Sony is also working on a tablet something.  that would be exciting...Sony and Windows.  But Sony is bound to screw it up royally.  And Windows...well, hopefully they can come up with something innovative and practical.  It's Sony I'm more worried about...they always have to ruin something.

I think that sucking is one thing that will go with other pads, unfortunately.

Apple has the simplest UI there. Android makes you click then scroll. With iOS, you page instead, which is easier. That's the benchmark now. Unless someone comes up with a better UI paradigm. That's tough stuff.

What Android needs is a hack that makes it page instead of click & scroll, just like iOS.

The problem with those 2 OSes is that you get more flexibility with Android, but users don't care about flexibility -- they want easy, and iOS delivers that.

Now, with Android, you can get it somewhat like iOS, but it takes... wait for it... work. :( And knowledge. Yuck. Nobody will do that.

The average user isn't savvy enough to sort large result sets. Why else would Apple not let you sort in the ape store? Because apes can't sort. But they can press a button.

To be certain, iPads are gorgeous devices. Forged in Hell on tortured baby souls by Satan's transvestite donkey witches. :D

Slow Down Music - Where I commit thought crimes...

Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong. - John Diefenbaker

40hz

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #28 on: December 27, 2010, 09:46 AM »
Hmmm...

I likely wouldn't kick Joanne Kelly out of bed for eating crackers.  ;)

But I definitely would for booting up an iPad.  :P
Suit yourself!  She's welcome in my bed with or without an ipad.  If she brings one, we can do...stuff...with both of our ipads.

Now now...

Remember what Steve said!

No pornography on any of his iPads. :P

begone.gif

Kink? There's....uhmm...not an app for that.

superboyac

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #29 on: December 27, 2010, 09:52 AM »
The average user isn't savvy enough to sort large result sets. Why else would Apple not let you sort in the ape store? Because apes can't sort. But they can press a button.

To be certain, iPads are gorgeous devices. Forged in Hell on tortured baby souls by Satan's transvestite donkey witches. :D
haha...that's some big league hating there!  It's true, you can't sort in the app store, it drove me nuts the first time i saw that.  I don't care.  Like I said, once I stopped comparing the ipad to my fully featured desktop monster, I got over all of this stuff.  I'm telling you, once you think about apple products as simply extensions to your computing habits, you'll be fine with them.  As long as you have a homebase computer that is very rich and flexible like windows or linux, you'll be fine using apple products.  It all comes down to file management.  I made a thread about it, it was such a big revelation to me.

superboyac

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #30 on: December 27, 2010, 09:55 AM »
well, 40, Steve-o is missing out.  That gorgeous screen begs for some filthy content.  Does JK have a website that's not suitable for work?

wraith808

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #31 on: December 27, 2010, 10:25 AM »
1. Browsing the app store, I found a game I loved, and when I saw it had 4 player multiplayer on 1 device, decided to buy it for my mom as a present (so I could play it, of course!). I saw the description, price, and lots of details and reviews about the game (Chu Chu Rocket) but I couldn't figure out how to buy the darn thing! Where's the big "Buy Now!" or "Install" button? I clicked on the game title, on the picture, scrolled all around the page looking for the buy button. Perplexed, I finally clicked on the price, which does not look anything like a button, and then was given the opportunity to okay the sale. But it didn't ask me for any payment details. So now my mom's credit card (or whatever) will be charged for the gift I gave her. ARGH!
Hmmm... that's the way that itunes is.  It's not a difference from any other platform. /shrugs.  And normally, people buy from their own device- if you want to gift her, you have to do it from your device.  I rather like not entering CC details on every purchase.

2. Since it's essentially a giant iPhone without the phone, browsing websites will automatically take you to the Mobile phone version of sites (that are smart enough to do that), which is stupid and annoying because a lot of the mobile versions of sites are limited in what they allow you to see or do. ARGH! (Though to be fair, I imagine Android tablets have this same problem.)
That is annoying, but Safari is annoying, and it's a function of the agent it sends.  I don't use it to browse, and the browser I use (iCabMobile) allows you to change your user agent string.  It's just also annoying that since Safari is so annoying, that the device doesn't let you change the default browser.

3. I really noticed the lack of a "back" or "cancel" button on the device. For instance, I was using the Fandango app to browse local movie showtimes, and I clicked the button to watch a movie preview. But my mom's internet isn't that great so it wouldn't load fast enough to stream. So I ended up stuck on a blank screen with no back button to get back to the Fandango app. Touching the screen wouldn't bring up any options, not even playback options like pause, rewind, seek, etc. I could press the "Home" button to take me back to the "desktop" but if I relaunched Fandango it would remember where I was and just take me back to the black screen. Where's the smurfing back/cancel button to go out of the video preview and back to the app? ARGH!
That's a function of the app.  The device doesn't really need a back button.  If the app starts not responding, if you hold the home button, it will show the running apps and allow you to kill them.  Their implementation of multi-tasking leaves something to be desired in the fact that you have to bring up the apps, hold one, then remove the one that you want to kill.  But it's there.  And it's not something that I do often enough to bother me.  There is also another way to force quit an application from the application, but I forget what it is, as I've not had to do it often.

4. The iPad's iPod mode is retarded. Now, I've never owned an iPod and don't like using them because the "easy and intuitive" wheel thing never works for me. I have to spin and spin and spin just to try to get it to move one place, but it doesn't go anywhere. Finally when it does move, it goes several spaces and I have to repeat the process all over again, but in the opposite direction, to try to get back to the option I want. So anyway, I don't use iPods, and I don't use iTunes, so maybe this is why this seemed so stupid to me, but while trying to select some music to play, I clicked the Albums button at the bottom of the screen and it popped up a little box showing a bunch of albums, and I selected one and told a song to play. Fine, easy, great! But after that as I wanted to browse the rest of the music, nothing on the screen would respond to anything except that little window with the current album open. I tried clicking off of the window to close it, but that didn't work. I looked for an X or close button (which other iPad apps use on popup windows like that one), but there was none. I clicked all over trying to get that little window to close so I could use the darn machine but there was no clear or visible way to get it to go away. I don't remember for sure now, but I think I ended up clicking on the album name to get it to go away. ARGH!
This isn't a function of iPods, because they don't do this as they don't have the screen real estate.  You have to click the album picture to get it to close.  Not the most obvious thing.  You can also click another one of the buttons at the bottom; they still respond.

It doesn't make sense. It's not consistent, and my "computer illiterate" mom who thinks Apple products are great because they're "so easy they're perfect for stupid people like [her]" still has to ask me questions about how to do stuff. Then when I try to figure it out for her I can't because it's so smurfing stupidly designed it doesn't make any sense.

ARGH! I hate Apple products so much!
I wasn't going to respond, but righteous hate I can stand... hate for hate's sake, I'm a sucker for.  I'm no Apple apologist.  They're devices, just like every other one (including Android tablets) are.  Any device is going to have a learning curve, especially as you cross into different hardware form factors.  And while apple devices aren't perfect, and they have several major problems, in general, I find them more easy to just use than other devices, when they're used in their narrow intended function (pointing to SB's argument after finally getting an iPad).  And this is from someone that at every turn has attempted *not* to get an Apple product.  My first music player was a Karma (which I still think was better), but after everyone else started trying to make iPod clones, I got one of those instead of one of the others... My first smartphone was a windows phone... finally got an iPhone after I couldn't stand the lack of direction on the platform.  Same with iPad... I finally got one after years of playing around with tablets.  I still use my tablet as it's more powerful, even if many years old.  But for instant media consumption, I pick up my iPad.

I've found over the years that they're tools.  Use what lets you do the task better.

superboyac

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #32 on: December 27, 2010, 10:30 AM »
wraith and I are coming from the same place.

40hz

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #33 on: December 27, 2010, 10:41 AM »
Does JK have a website that's not suitable for work?

AFAIK she doesn't even have a swimwear shot up on the web.

I believe her elegant cocktail dress (Episode #1) and that magnificent LBD she carries off with such 'authority' in Las Vegas (Episode #8), are as much of her as you're gonna 'get' Bucko.

I must say I have to respect her for that.  :)  :Thmbsup:

« Last Edit: December 27, 2010, 10:51 AM by 40hz »

Deozaan

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #34 on: December 27, 2010, 11:04 AM »
I've found over the years that they're tools.  Use what lets you do the task better.

This is exactly why I was trying to give the iPad a fair shake. I know that I wouldn't want it, but since my mom has one I figured I'd test it out so I know if I should recommend it to others.

Well, since it's pretty much the only tablet device out there, there isn't much of a choice. But when/if companies start making some awesome Android tablets, I'm pretty sure I won't be recommending the iPad to anyone.

My mom gets Apple products because "they're so easy to use any idiot could figure them out" but then when she has trouble with it and can't figure out what to do with it she asks me for help. So what should normally be a simple task (e.g. moving music to an iPod) that takes 2 minutes instead takes an hour and a half trying to figure out why (e.g.) all the music got deleted and why the device won't sync and how the heck do you get the music on there? Any other sane device just mounts as a USB drive and you can drag and drop your music over.

So much for using the tool that lets you do the task better. . .
« Last Edit: December 27, 2010, 11:05 AM by Deozaan »

Renegade

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #35 on: December 27, 2010, 11:19 AM »
So much for using the tool that lets you do the task better. . .

But it DOES let you do it better...

Wait a second... I have this sneaking suspicion that "better" in your universe doesn't mean "the Steve Jobs way"...
Slow Down Music - Where I commit thought crimes...

Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong. - John Diefenbaker

40hz

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #36 on: December 27, 2010, 11:35 AM »
My mom gets Apple products because "they're so easy to use any idiot could figure them out" but then when she has trouble with it and can't figure out what to do with it she asks me for help.

So I guess she's basically saying she's not the idiot here?   :P
« Last Edit: December 27, 2010, 11:37 AM by 40hz »

JavaJones

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #37 on: December 27, 2010, 02:45 PM »
I think if being intuitive wasn't a supposed strong point, a "hallmark" even, of Apple products, threads like this wouldn't exist, or would not be so contentious. If the big deal was just industrial design, products that look nice and are physically well made, then UI issues and inconsistencies like these wouldn't grate so heavily. But since the "Apple experience" *is* sold as easier and more intuitive, it makes these issues all the more frustrating and makes them bigger targets for critics. They're legitimate criticisms just as "it works for me" is legitimate. Where I start to get annoyed is when people *tell* me it works for them, but what I *observe* is just as much - if not more - frustration, confusion, etc. as the average Windows user... Or such a severe limiting in what they bother to try doing with the device (due to being trained through negative reinforcement that trying to do more only leads to pain and suffering :D) that I'm inclined to say "Well, try doing *only* those things with a Windows or Linux box and see how much harder (or *not*) it is..."

- Oshyan
« Last Edit: December 27, 2010, 02:47 PM by JavaJones »

Renegade

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #38 on: December 27, 2010, 10:42 PM »
I think if being intuitive wasn't a supposed strong point, a "hallmark" even, of Apple products, threads like this wouldn't exist, or would not be so contentious. If the big deal was just industrial design, products that look nice and are physically well made, then UI issues and inconsistencies like these wouldn't grate so heavily. But since the "Apple experience" *is* sold as easier and more intuitive, it makes these issues all the more frustrating and makes them bigger targets for critics. They're legitimate criticisms just as "it works for me" is legitimate. Where I start to get annoyed is when people *tell* me it works for them, but what I *observe* is just as much - if not more - frustration, confusion, etc. as the average Windows user... Or such a severe limiting in what they bother to try doing with the device (due to being trained through negative reinforcement that trying to do more only leads to pain and suffering :D) that I'm inclined to say "Well, try doing *only* those things with a Windows or Linux box and see how much harder (or *not*) it is..."

- Oshyan

+1

I think that in the distant past a lot of the hype was likely true. You didn't need to fart around with binding NICs on Macs like you had to on NT4. However, the current state of affairs is quite different, and it's that lack of acknowledgment of reality that proves frustrating to listen to.

I must say though, currently iOS is easier than Android, though not by much.

I do find that things are easier on Windows/Linux than on OS X. A lot of things are little, like Windows and Linux are able to maintain connections to storage devices where OS X drops those connections all the time (network connections as well). OS X makes me re-establish connections all the time, which is simply a pain. Though I do tend to keep my computers running all the time and only shut them off when I leave the country or am out of the city for an extended period.

When you spend a lot of money on a device, there's more incentive to "love" it though. That works in Apple's favor, and I would really like to know some hard facts about real usage and problems there and the attitudes that people take to and away from their platform choices. To me it seems like many Apple users simply surrender to "oh, THAT is how it's done..." whereas that attitude doesn't exist so much in Windows/Linux because there are many more ways to get anything done. e.g. The Ubuntu Software Center works similar to how the Apple iTunes/Ape/Mac Store works, but is simply one option, and not the only one or the one being forced on you.

 
Slow Down Music - Where I commit thought crimes...

Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong. - John Diefenbaker

Deozaan

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #39 on: December 29, 2010, 02:48 AM »
I think if being intuitive wasn't a supposed strong point, a "hallmark" even, of Apple products, threads like this wouldn't exist, or would not be so contentious. If the big deal was just industrial design, products that look nice and are physically well made, then UI issues and inconsistencies like these wouldn't grate so heavily. But since the "Apple experience" *is* sold as easier and more intuitive, it makes these issues all the more frustrating and makes them bigger targets for critics.

Yes, exactly!

If a person is always smugly telling everyone how perfect he is in every way, people are going to be very eager to point out his flaws. If another person admits he has flaws but tries nevertheless, people will be more forgiving and willing to overlook his shortcomings.

Renegade

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #40 on: December 29, 2010, 03:03 AM »
I think if being intuitive wasn't a supposed strong point, a "hallmark" even, of Apple products, threads like this wouldn't exist, or would not be so contentious. If the big deal was just industrial design, products that look nice and are physically well made, then UI issues and inconsistencies like these wouldn't grate so heavily. But since the "Apple experience" *is* sold as easier and more intuitive, it makes these issues all the more frustrating and makes them bigger targets for critics.

Yes, exactly!

If a person is always smugly telling everyone how perfect he is in every way, people are going to be very eager to point out his flaws. If another person admits he has flaws but tries nevertheless, people will be more forgiving and willing to overlook his shortcomings.

Well put. It's fine to be arrogant if you can back it up.
Slow Down Music - Where I commit thought crimes...

Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong. - John Diefenbaker

40hz

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #41 on: December 29, 2010, 03:39 PM »

Yes, exactly!

If a person is always smugly telling everyone how perfect he is in every way, people are going to be very eager to point out his flaws. If another person admits he has flaws but tries nevertheless, people will be more forgiving and willing to overlook his shortcomings.

Well put. It's fine to be arrogant if you can back it up.

+1

Popular saying from way back in the Hippy Era: The only time it ain't complete BS is if you can actually do it!

Still equally true on the cusp of 2011.  :Thmbsup:
« Last Edit: December 29, 2010, 03:43 PM by 40hz »

Renegade

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #42 on: December 29, 2010, 06:01 PM »
Popular saying from way back in the Hippy Era: The only time it ain't complete BS is if you can actually do it!

I've not heard that one before, but I like it. :)
Slow Down Music - Where I commit thought crimes...

Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong. - John Diefenbaker

JavaJones

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Re: Why I Don't Want an iPad for Christmas
« Reply #43 on: December 30, 2010, 03:02 PM »
A relevant quote from a recent Joe Wilcox (*shudder*) article on Betanews wherein he compares the latest "Google Phone" Nexus S to the iPhone 4:
My software breakup started months earlier, when my 89 year-old father-in-law switched to iPhone 4. In process of watching him struggle to use the device, I suddenly saw in a new way the inconsistencies of the user interface, such as the button in the left hand corner  of some standard phone functions leading "back" but doing something different, too (text messaging is good example). There was a consistency about his confusion -- when encountering UI inconsistencies and oddities.
http://feeds.betanew...CKBng64-Y/1293676617

- Oshyan