“Still no support for Flash. Adobe needs to get on their shit, yo. It’s not Apple’s fault that Flash is one of the worst-written, unstable, unoptimized pieces of software on the planet. Blame Adobe, not Apple. The #1 reason to use either Safari on Snow Leopard or Google Chrome on either Windows or OS X is to sandbox that POS Flash plugin. If HTML 5 takes off, say good-bye to Flash and its proprietary madness that we’ve been made to deal with. No support for Flash is an absolute blessing, folks.”

This just goes to show you know absolutely NOTHING about flash development. Flash and html5 have two completely different intentions and uses, despite some overlapping functionality, and cds were a direct competitor to floppy.

There has been much ado about HTML 5 replacing Flash. Typically the people who talk about this have no experience with Flash, and thus no idea of what its truly capable of. I suspect that if they truly did, they likely would not be making such statements Even where there is technological overlap between the two solutions, the Flash based solution is usually far more polished Let’s take an easy example: the new HTML 5 video and audio tags that grown men are weeping with joy over. You can do this in a browser natively-great!!! You don’t need Flash!!! All the open-web zealots can get up and do the conga! Except, there’s one problem None of the browser vendors can agree on standard audio/video codecs. Welcome back, 1997! Yes, in order to make sure you audio/video tags work in all browsers (we’re not even talking about browsers that don’t support these tags) you’ll need to encode you video/audio in different formats for each browser. (Either that, or you can encode in Flash video and it will work anywhere-you decide) Don’t get me wrong-the HTML 5 spec is a step in the right direction, *but* it is only a step (and a baby step at that). The sad fact of the matter is that people are acting like the release of HTML 5 (now scheduled for 2022 according to the co-editor of the spec Ian Hickson) is akin to the rapture being imminent not because its a vast improvement-but because its *any* improvement where HTML basically stagnated in the arms of the W3C for the past ten years. Flash has all cross browser support, but html5 will require separate sets of coding for each browser. This is why macs don’t render a large portion of the web correctly. This is also why ie will never die, as it is still the most widely coded for browser. Also, flash is an animation and interactivity studio, and html5 is pure hard code. Big difference.

Also keep in mind flash does a helluva lot more than just render video. I’m talking 3d graphic rendering, real programming via action script, and just too much to explain.

So keep drinking the koolaid, and you wait for that 2022 release date. And the latest flash release is even better, and more optimized. Flash isn’t going anywhere for a long time.

First point, COMPLETELY DEBUNKED.

Second Comment:

“No USB Ports. I’ve read that this was a “must.” A “must” for what, I ask? A laptop, sure. The iPad isn’t a notebook computer. It’s like complaining that the iPad doesn’t have a CD tray”

USB ports are VERY BASIC, and VERY SMALL. There is no excuse for NOT implementing usb ports except they want to limit you to THEIR memory constraints and crap proprietary connectors.

DEBUNKED.

Third Comment:

“Apple is still using AT&T for 3G. So, don’t buy the 3G service? Even in a pinch, you could get it for a month and drop it the next – with NO CONTRACT, I’m not sure what else there is to complain about?”

Whats to complain about? Why not use REAL 3G for connectivity? Like Sprint/Verizon/Clear? Why market it as an “internet device” if you can’t USE THE INTERNET? Seems like a valid complaint to me, and everyone else.

DEBUNKED

Fourth Comment:

“It’s an oversized iPod Touch. This argument has some degree of merit, but here’s what the iPod Touch doesn’t have: a fast processor (by today’s standards), wireless 802.11 N, an LED screen that supports IPS, support for an external keyboard, customizable SpringBoard background, allegedly-longer battery life, and… of course, a screen that’s much more accomodating for sharing and viewing content.”

Since when, exactly, is 1GHZ fast by TODAYS standards? If I wanted to have to plug in an external keyboard, your better off with a cheaper, faster, more efficient, MORE CAPABLE, touchscreen netbook. And you can make any background you want with netbooks as they are full fledged pc’s. As for sharing and viewing content, this device really isn’t all that portable. I really don’t see people lugging this thing around on the daily commute on the train. Durability will be a major concern… Won’t know until it comes out. As for home use, Sharing content makes more sense on a PC.

DEBUNKED

Fifth Comment:

“$499 is too much to spend on it. Really? I dare you to find another touch-controlled device that’s EQUALLY powered and just as usable today. Compare the starter-level iPad to Amazon’s Kindle DX (which is currently selling for $425); it makes the iPad look like a bargain. If you put it in the eBook Reader category – ALONE – it’s a clear leader.”

First problem, the 499 version only comes with 4GB of memory. Welcome back 1998. HP slate is a much better solution to tablet computing, with MORE power, MORE capability, and MORE memory. A clear leader in ebook huh? Think again. Kindle has e-ink, which allows reading for HOURS. iPad, does not. Easier on the eyes anyone?

DEBUNKED

Sixth Comment:

It’s not a Tablet PC. Duh. Do I really need to explain why this isn’t a valid complaint? Jesus Diaz did a great job explaining this on Gizmodo last week.

Yes, you do need to explain. What reason would someone really have to have a smartphone AND iPad? Really?

DEBUNKED

Seventh Comment:

Still no multitasking. Here’s a suggestion: focus on the task at hand instead of juggling? More to the point, research is now suggesting that multitasking actually slows us down! I’m not going to hold a device responsible for what neuroscientists say is a shortcoming in human wiring – and neither should you. Pay attention to that which needs it – and nothing more. There are certainly cases for needing more than one app open at a time, but not at the peril of a good (single) app experience. Knowwhatimean?

Sounds like the same excuse iPhone/iTouch users have been using for the last several years. There is NO excuse for thing. Multitasking a necessity in today’s world. The nexus one/milestone/Samsung Moment/HD2 all multitask just fine, with no slowdown. Want to know why it truely doesn’t multi-task? Apples crap hardware. Thats the reason why Apple stopped putting their own chips in Macs and switched to INTEL chips.

DEBUNKED

Eight Comment:

Still no background apps. I do believe the workflow of app switching could be better, but in my experience, background apps zap power – and one of the biggest issues with mobile devices today is battery life. I’m more concerned about my “percentage left” than I am knowing I can’t have a Web page and email message open simultaneously. Moreover, I’ve used devices that support background apps… and… I really don’t miss ‘em all that much.

Once again, your LACK of understanding how things work. When apps are in the backround, (not active, as in mp3 playback) They are using 0 CPU cycles. If they aren’t using CPU cycles, they aren’t using power. Just because YOU don’t miss them doesn’t mean the masses wouldn’t

DEBUNKED

Ninth Comment:

There’s too much bezel. That’s what I thought, too – at first. Then I thought: “What if I touch something I didn’t want to touch, when I was just trying to hold on to the gosh darn thing?” Point also addressed by the must-read John Gruber.

Well, no-one will really know this until it gets released into our hands, so we’ll see.

Tenth Comment:

“iPad” is a stupid name. Yeah, I’m still cringing over their choice – but in all my 36 years on Earth, I’ve never avoided a product due to its name. Its color and design, yes – but its name? Who cares what it’s called if it works? And that’s still the question which remains: will the iPad WORK? I can make fun of a million names, too.

Ok I agree with you here. Anyone see the SNL bit about iPad when the first iPod came out?

Closing:

You have much to learn about tech, and the tech world. Fanboyism site like these have inspired me to open my own, non-biased site, and it will be brutal, honest, and open. To the author, my email address should be on file as I entered it into the appropriate field. Perhaps when I get my operation open we can have some sort of cross-site debate. I welcome all and any debates. Best of luck and regards.

-IOWA

I think the tech crowd (to which I am a part of) was going to be a let down if it was anything less than a device that let you download your consciousness and let you live forever on the internet.

This device was first and formost aimed at the education and business sector, not at the casual consumer. Think about it, if a company only wants you to work on the task at hand then multi touch is key, not to mention they don’t have to worry about viruses being uploaded if an employee takes it home because you are limited to purchases from the apple store. heck they are cheap enough (and I am sure apple will give some type of additional bulk sale price) to give each employee one of their own.

This is like the Apple II or Macintosh all over again… if they can get this in the hands of college students and corporate employee’s around the world then they don’t have to sell one device to a consumer, because their sales goals will be met. Its a business model that has already been tried and tested with RIM, the first blackberries were simple and focused devices too.

Really. It’s not that I think Apple is being unreasonable charging that much, it’s that the iPad doesn’t seem to have $500 worth of incremental value to me. The Kindle is a poor comparison, as that has $0 incremental value to me–I like books, and a paperback for $8 will fit in the back pocket of my jeans.

I’m DEFINITELY and Apple “fanboy” and have been since 1980. That’s WHY I don’t think the iPad has much extra value to me. I already take my 15″ MBP and my iPhone everywhere I go. I don’t want to give up the 15″ screen for reading or video, and I can’t give up my iPhone since I need to be available by telephone.

I think it’ll do well as a product, and I’m sure it’ll dominate on college campuses as publishers finally do a good job with digital textbooks, but for me there’s really not 9.7″ (diagonal) of space between my need for my iPhone and my laptop.

But Kindle uses “Digital Ink” to help make reading the eBooks a more pleasing experience and to lower eye-fatigue. Or that’s how I understand it. Correct me if I’m wrong please, as I can’t find a good bit of information on it. Only reviews that I’ve read.

Will the full color screen of the iPad be able to make use of digital ink technology or is it like reading off of a regular computer screen? That’s what I would like to know when it comes out. The actual e-reader experience. Again I’m showing my ignorance here so I always look forward to input.

One great example is people talking about how 8GB is not enough memory, I honestly remember when I was lucky to be saving 300Kb. For someone like me 8GB seems like too much memory. eBooks don’t take up a huge amount of space. And at the resolution and size of the screen it could easily fit a few hours of movies and audio without hurting memory too much.

Apps are probably the most memory consuming as you build them up but most people only need a small handful of the apps that are actually available.

I don’t see anything wrong with the iPad (even the name) because it does what it was designed to do. And it does it well. But I can’t justify it.

As far as Apple is concerned $499 is extremely reasonable. It’s almost like they’re giving it away. And there currently isn’t a device that properly competes with it. All very good, reasonable points. And being new the price will come down as the construction and technology becomes cheaper.

It’s also got a smaller market than your average laptop so in that way the price is very good. I mean only those who actually have a need or just want the “coolest new device” will actually buy this thing.

I need a physical book, heck I printed this article just to look at it, so eReaders are not my thing and I would be severely disappointed if Publishers started going all electronic thirty years in the future. So as an ebook reader, definite over kill. Information management…my laptop isn’t a burden on me so still have no need there. I don’t watch many videos and my 256MB mp3 player serves me well when I want music on the go. (Honestly 256 MB is still too much memory for me) So it’s nice for those who can actually benefit from the all-in-one feature set. And to those who get it I wish them the best.

But I honestly believe we’re getting silly if this is the next big thing in electronics. Even more if people get it just because it looks “cool.” I don’t doubt it has it’s use. But it’s just silly.

The EEEPC on the other hand, have a real desktop operating system and can be changed. I can put linux or window 7 in it. Could put OSX also but who bothers? Has multiple USB connections plus a SD card reader. Has a 16:9 aspect ratio screen and a real keyboard which triples as an screen protector when folded or else a docking pad for the screen. You can video chat. You see, it does not have problem with multi tasking. You can video chat with your girlfriend while playing some flash based game in whatever browser except safari.

You can actually take any camera or video camera and backup your photos/movies in its 100+GB hard drive or 32GB flash drive. I would have to leave my Canon DSLR home if I had an ipad. Or I have to buy plenty of compact flash cards like I used to carry films in the old days.

It does not need iWorks as it can have any software you want, including MS office. Plays 720p video in its native resolution if you connect it with a tv. ipad on the other hand throws a mere 420p for a 50+ inch tv. What a joke. And the price of an EEEPC is much less than the ipad.

Only one thing I could think of, is I can gift it to my mother. No, I can’t because she plays Farmville which unfortunately is on flash. She can’t send me those mystery gifts of Farmville with her ipad.

Well, I can always use it as a digital photo display. Has a shiny, bezelled 9.7 inch screen and does photo slide shows pretty nice. Has plenty of space if I want to put photos only. I think, I will hang it by the wall as it does not have a support stand. Do you guys know if it has two holes in its back for the nails?

Anyway, let’s move on. I stopped reading your innane rant when I got to the point about lack of USB and why it doesn’t matter. You know what I would have used USB on an iPad for? So I wouldn’t have to pay Apple extra for a memory card reader, or a digital camera connection kit, or whatever propeitary extras they sell for it.

Why can’t you be honest and say “Apple is a premium brand and they like to make extra cash by implementing proprietary things so they sell you more accessories down the line.” But no, you actually go out on a limb and say nobody would need USB on this thing.

Really… my Windows Mobile phone can do USB host, and this thing doesn’t? You can call it a tablet, a tampon whatever… it’s still some form of a computer, and it not having the world’s most popular, widely-used, widely-adopted port is not something you can just brush off by comparing it to lack of a CD drive.

CD drive became obsolete about ten years ago, every other computing device which has a screen as big as an iPad or bigger has multiple USB ports. There is no excuse for its lack and for defending it you’re a big stinking fanboy… and you’re the worst fanboy of all, because you disguise yourself as a level-headed consumer and you mislead your thousands of clueless followers into buying crap products.