Apr 9 Podcast #420: iPad Review
Everyone must be aware by now that Apple has released a new product called the iPad. It's selling pretty well and, according to some, may become the next big thing in technology. We've had a chance to play with it for a while, so we'll give you our take on it. Our biggest question: How does it apply to the HDTV and Home Theater market? There have big some huge fads in the past, and some have been huge duds. We'll let you know if the iPad makes the grade.
Listen to the show
Today's Show:
News:
- 1st quarter Blu-ray sales up 68 percent over last year
- Blu-ray Disc Association Announces Additional Format Enhancements
- Yamaha Launches Line of 3D Ready Receivers
- Redbox may start $4 monthly movie streaming
Apple iPad
The iPad is available online and at retail outlets starting at $499. You can find all of the details at the Apple iPad website. We have some of the specs listed below, but for our review, you'll have to listen to the show or watch the video.
Technical Specifications
Size and weight
- Height: 9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
- Width: 7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
- Depth: 0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
- Weight: 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) Wi-Fi model; 1.6 pounds (0.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model
Display
- 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
- 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
- Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
Wireless and cellular
Wi-Fi model
- Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
Wi-Fi + 3G model
- UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- Data only2
- Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
Location
- Wi-Fi
- Digital compass
- Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)
- Cellular (Wi-Fi + 3G model)
In the box
- iPad
- Dock Connector to USB Cable
- 10W USB Power Adapter
- Documentation
Reader Comments (16)
I like your vid podcast but I think you should start investigating the green screen techniques. The background is a bore.
Toe-Knee
More FREE advertising for Apple again I see. I hope (yet doubt) that you'll give an equal and serious look at the dozen or so beautiful Android tablets that are now coming on the market. Most of them (example the JooJoo and the wePad) will have many more features and capabilities than the iPad will ever have.
I know you mentioned wifi sync.... just pointing out the zune has had this capability for a year now. It's not the only one but it would have been nice to mention those other platforms that can do wifi sync now.
@Andy
JooJoo is not Android based. It is Linux based, so that might be the basis of your confusion.
I going to buy a >55" TV this weekend. Any suggestions? My first look will be the 58" samsung plasmas. Reflections are my main concern (my room gets lots of sunlight in the daytime). However, anything will be better than the rear projection CRT I'm replacing.
Thanks in advance
Steve,
Florida
I liked the review and the video looks nice but if your going to have a nice video setup with lav mics you should be "white balancing" your camera so you actually have skin tone.
Thanks for all the White Balance comments. We'll take care of that in future videos.
Ara
I love seeing you guys after all the years, awesome video review!
I'm far from an Apple fan, I go out of my way to avoid their products (I'm on my 3rd Zune) but I almost bought an iPad. However, I'm glad I resisted. I can't see the benefit over my RGBLED backlit Dell Studio XPS for watching video (nice that it has a built in Blu-ray drive also.
Maybe when there is a Windows 7-based tablet I'll jump into the game.
And I do use my Kindle outside quite often. Not just at the beach. The inability to use the iPad outside at all is a real deal breaker.
It also looks like the proposed multi-tasking isn't really true multi-tasking at all. It's a step forward, but I don't think it's a real solution for people who need to do several things at once, e.g. a laptop's capabilities.
Glad to see a video podcast - the review is great. Nothing against seeing talking heads :-) , but was hoping that you would show the ipad screen while you are talking about it. Wonder if there is any screen capture software for the ipad.
I agree that multi-tasking is a must have for a device of this form factor.
DVD Decrypter is no longer active and development has been abandoned. AnyDVD is the best tool to allow DVD ripping and it is updated constantly.
Nice effort gentlemen! You answered a lot of my questions. The comment on the Etrade app was very helpful. The Pandora app means I can finally have a nice way to get Pandora to my music system. I have always understood it as a supplement to my desktop/laptop not a replacement, so I don't give much weight to criticisms that it doesn't replace my laptop. I'll be interested in docking options. Ara indicated the battery life was very good. I would have liked to know more about possible connections to stereo/video receiver, HDTV, RJ45 jack and your syncing concerns, recharge options and battery life, and using it for watching and listening to upcoming HDTV pod/video casts, but I can look that stuff up.
Apple did say they would add multi-tasking. Did you get any more detail from that? What will that mean?
I see somebody has mentioned the white balance issue, you guys looked a little oompa loompa orange. If the camera doesn't do it, then the program that (I'm guessing something from apple) you used to it edit on may have a basic colour balance function.
In regards to internet datacaps, just be glad you don't live in New Zealand, most people here would probably have a data cap between 5 - 10 Gigs a month. On my plan I pay about NZ$78 for basic phone line and 6GB of data for the month, it would cost me another NZ$160/month to get 200GB. Ouch.
Also, I think Braden shoud grow a moustache too. The videos would be much cooler.
Great review guys:) I love the video element.
As for feedback with my broadcast engineering head on ;)
White balancing and watch your mic positioning, Ara your mic didn't pick you up that well.
A couple of screen grab cut aways or PIP of the ipad screen would of been the icing on the cake.
Please don't go all video as I listen to you in the car on the way to work
Long time listener
Lee
One explanation I heard, which sounds plausible for the lack of Wifi syncing is that Apple still wants you to use a computer, preferably a Mac. By forcing you to connect the device, even just to activate it, they prevent you from using this as your only computing device. (not that I understand why you would ever want the iPad to be your only "computer")
Thanks for a great show! Just hoping this iPad stuff is over soon...
I enjoyed your IPAD review we have a podcast here in OZ that looked at a " mailed out" IPAD. I listened to it whilst working today (Tech Talk Radio video available on Ustream ) they were less pro more con but you covered a lot of the stuff that they did. I agree you were a bit orange but hey you're not pitching for the next Lord of The Rings Movie. Braden didnt look comfortable. If the couch was a recliner you should have kicked up the leg rest and showed the "natural" home theater position.
I was interested in the Interactive glossy magazine transfer niche embedded video etc - I hear WIRED magazine is meant to be good. Currently I subscribe to the electronic Green Homes magazine at Exact Editions website. It's behind a paywall but they offer a whole heap of "freebies" to browse before you buy - you might want to visit it and try browsing magazines.
I like the idea of using MyFi for portable networks, travelling and movies. But I could see this or another product as a base station to serve some "dumb" (but touch) screens with just a browser interface and all the processing Comms and Blue Tooth on a away in a backpack/cupboard/carboot.
I loved the video version of your show. And i think if you "two" versions of the show i think listeners will be happy. example: mp3 and video. i thought u did a great job. but remember,you don't need very expensive cameras. just good lighting and good mics. :) keep up the excellent work.