iPad

[petemc]

Originally Posted by Desmo

The iPad would need to be held where I want it.

Like a book or magazine? Damn those things for not being able to stand upright. Rubbish design No I get your point though. You're still able to easily look at the screen while eating toast without leaning forward.

[divine]

Originally Posted by petemc

Not with Canon you don't. 5D with 3fps. 5D2 with 3.9 fps. 5D2 limited by AEB compared to the D700. All companies do this.

If it had come out with a widescreen people would moan about how impractical it is to watch video on anyway. If it had a 16:9 screen how would that be for photos? They're 3:2. Its current screen is 4:3 which is technically good for neither. That said. Photos look perfect on my iPhone. Maybe its screen is designed more for photography than video? On a day to day basis people are probably going to look at photos more than watch widescreen movies.

It just strikes me as odd to play up the ability to decode 720p h264 and then give it a screen which can't even display it though. Especially when they easily could have. It may be a small setback for photo viewing but for video, internet, email and so on, a widescreen that can be rotated is far better than 4:3.

It should have had a camera too, a forward facing one. Skype app on this could have been great, sit and have a video chat with just a little tablet on the sofa. I can see this happening on all the Android based competition (the Archos seems to have one) yet I get the feeling this is just another easy addition that will come in the refresh next year.

[petemc]

Seems that 4:3 is the aspect ratio of choice for digital compacts. 3:2 is DSLR. If I had to guess the screen design is due to digital photography. Video being more of a bonus feature.

It can technically do widescreen can't it? Albeit at a smaller resolution?

[divine]

Well yeah it can show widescreen, just like anything can (with black bars) but it means it can only show 16:9 video content at SD resolution, despite making a point of mentioning how it can decode HD video. It'd be like telling everyone it could run Lightroom... you just can't install it. Impressive sounding but ultimately a bit pointless and quite confusing.

I think the screen design has far more to do with the next model than any specific usages now.

[petemc]

I'd say its more like you can run Lightroom but just not to the standard you expect to. You can run HD video but not to HD. Is the aspect ratio simply due to the iPhone design? Apps would look odd upscaled maybe.

[divine]

iPhone is 480x320 (3:2)

I think the most disappointing thing is this could have been a Macbook (Air?) with no keyboard. Full OSX, very useful, multitasking, USB etc. with some modifications for better touch UI. Instead we have what amounts to an overgrown iPod touch. How many times have I ever wished my iPod touch was almost exactly the same but much much bigger? Never. Nor I imagine have most people.

For you I think it could be useful, showing photos to clients is very much a circumstance where you would want just such a device (nice and simple like an iPod, with a big screen) but i'm sure you can see that is a very niche market really.

[petemc]

Originally Posted by Desmo

At least with a laptop I can lay it on me and adjust the screen to what ever angle I want.

Just remembered. Its not being marketed as a replacement for a laptop. Its something new. eBook readers all feature the same issue. If you want to use a laptop use a laptop. If you want the freedom of the iPhone but with a larger screen you use the iPad. I think it works.

Of course iPad 2.0 will be better. This seems more like a get the ball rolling device designed to make in-roads into the market.

Originally Posted by divine

iPhone is 480x320 (3:2)

Which is why all my DSLR pics look nice on it. So if I get an iPad they won't be full screen... Well thats just no fun

[Desmo]

Originally Posted by petemc

Like a book or magazine? Damn those things for not being able to stand upright. Rubbish design

Books and magazines weigh naff all....good design.

That rest looks OK'ish for use over breakfast, although still not great. Still no good laying back in bed though.

[petemc]

Originally Posted by Desmo

Books and magazines weigh naff all....good design.

Have you seen Lord of the Rings?!

[divine]

Free demo of the iPad for all iPhone users: Just hold it closer to your face.