Apple's iPad Megathread

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

I wish my iPhone had screen rotation lock.

Me too so many times laying in bed reading CP, when the screen moves to the side

[FanIn80]

Yeah that drives me bonkers too.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Yeah that drives me bonkers too.

This is probably why they're dedicating the "mute" button to lock the screen rotation. I could see it being much more annoying on an iPad.

[FanIn80]

Yeah that's what I was thinking.

On a side note: I just saw a new estimate of 91000 pre-orders in the first 6 hours, with each order potentially having 1-2 units (there is a 2 unit per order cap). That number is without including the 15000 regular orders per day that Apple usually averages for all their other stuff.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Yeah that's what I was thinking.

On a side note: I just saw a new estimate of 91000 pre-orders in the first 6 hours, with each order potentially having 1-2 units (there is a 2 unit per order cap). That number is without including the 15000 regular orders per day that Apple usually averages for all their other stuff.

I actually thought it was much more than that. Or do you mean "store orders" (which could be, say, 5 units per store per day) as opposed to individual units?

Is there anywhere that I can track itouch/iphone unit sales by month?

[QuadCityImages]

Apple Details iPad's Battery Replacement Plan -PC Magazine

When you send your iPad off to Apple, you aren't just getting your same ol' iPad back in the mail after one week or thereabouts. Opting for the company's battery replacement service will basically put you on the list for a refurbished iPad--although the exterior case of the device will be brand-new, the underlying product will be one that's gone through Apple's fix-it procedures in some capacity. Naturally, any data you've kept on your old iPad device will go the way of the dinosaur: You'll want to back up all your settings and information prior to asking Apple for a new battery.

Nice...

[photon]

That's completely typical, when my iPhone died they didn't send it away to be fixed, they just gave me a refurbished one that actually worked. What's the big deal?

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by photon

That's completely typical, when my iPhone died they didn't send it away to be fixed, they just gave me a refurbished one that actually worked. What's the big deal?

It isn't really a big deal at all. They're probably used to PC refurbs and aren't aware of the fact that an Apple refurb unit is practically a brand new unit.

(1) What are Apple Certified Refurbished Products?

Apple Certified Refurbished Products are pre-owned Apple products that undergo Apple's stringent refurbishment process prior to being offered for sale. While only some units are returned due to technical issues, all units undergo Apple's stringent quality refurbishment process.

Each Apple Certified Refurbished Product:
is fully tested (including full burn-in testing).
is refurbished with replacement parts for any defective modules identified in testing.
is put through a thorough cleaning process and inspection.
is repackaged (including appropriate manuals, cables, new boxes, etc.).
includes the operating software originally shipped with the unit and the custom software offered with that system. See each products "Learn More" for more details.
is given a new refurbished part number and serial number.
is placed into a Final QA inspection prior to being added to sellable refurbished stock.
Refurbishment procedures follow the same basic technical guidelines as Apple's Finished Goods testing procedures.


(2) What should I expect when I purchase an Apple Certified Refurbished Product?
Substantial savings
A fully functional unit with complete documentation
The assurance that the unit meets Apple's premiere quality standards, and that its defective components have been replaced by genuine Apple components

(3) Can I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for my Apple Certified Refurbished Product?

All Apple Certified Refurbished Products are covered by Apple's One-Year Limited Warranty. For extended coverage, you have the option of purchasing the AppleCare Protection Plan with your Apple Certified Refurbished Product. The AppleCare Protection Plan extends the complimentary coverage on your Apple Certified Refurbished Product to up to three years of world-class support for Mac, and up to two years of world-class support for iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by RyZ

I actually thought it was much more than that. Or do you mean "store orders" (which could be, say, 5 units per store per day) as opposed to individual units?

Is there anywhere that I can track itouch/iphone unit sales by month?

That number was only reflective of the number of iPad orders placed online in the first six hours. It does not include the number of orders taken at the various retail stores in the US, and each order was subject to a cap of two units.

For a US-only preorder of a device that (essentially) represents a newly-created market, those numbers are pretty high indeed.

When the iPhone first launched, it sold 200,000 units the first day. According to a report I just read, iPad estimates are in the 120,000 range. This is for a preorder, too, which is crazy.

"Apple has been able to generate over $75 million in revenue in one day on a product that 99.9% of purchasers haven't touched or for that matter, even seen in person," said Victor Castroll, an analyst with Valcent Financial Group. "And, we're still three weeks away. That is amazing."

http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune....00-ipads-sold/

[FanIn80]

Opening weekend estimates are 150,000 US pre-orders. Analysts are now predicting Apple will sell the one millionth iPad approx two weeks after launch (April 3rd).

As a comparative, the iPhone took 74 days to reach its one millionth sale after launch.

[Russic]

I'm really happy with the pre-release numbers, but I'm really hoping they don't sell too many and limit the number we get in Canada.

[photon]

[Rathji]

I did some Googling and can't figure out if this actually exists, so I figured this thread would be the best place to find out.

Is there a current accessory planned that will allow a regular keyboard or mouse maybe to be used with an iPad either wirelessly or through the USB dock connector? I am really intrigued by it but it would be nice if this could essentially replace my laptop without me needing to type on the screen if I had a lot to type.

If there isn't, would it be possible given the type of connector and the restrictions Apple has placed on the device?

edit: No sooner than I hit submit I realized I had Googled the wrong things:



Upon further review, I think I am officially sold.


Next... I wonder if I could put Ubuntu on it?!?

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I did some Googling and can't figure out if this actually exists, so I figured this thread would be the best place to find out.

Is there a current accessory planned that will allow a regular keyboard or mouse maybe to be used with an iPad either wirelessly or through the USB dock connector? I am really intrigued by it but it would be nice if this could essentially replace my laptop without me needing to type on the screen if I had a lot to type.

If there isn't, would it be possible given the type of connector and the restrictions Apple has placed on the device?

edit: No sooner than I hit submit I realized I had Googled the wrong things:

Upon further review, I think I am officially sold.


Next... I wonder if I could put Ubuntu on it?!?

You will be able to use an Apple Bluetooth keyboard as well, you don't need the dock connector version specifically. AD2P bluetooth headphones are supported too.

No mouse support that we know of, although this is a very interesting picture, because what we have here is an iPad with the small Apple bluetooth keyboard, and a magic mouse:




In my opinion, if Apple is going to support a keyboard, they should support a mouse too. I've used a Palm TX with the travel keyboard, which results in a similar form factor to what the iPad will be with the dock keyboard, and its extremely frustrating to have to reach up to the screen every time you want to "click" on something. I'll be curious to see how stable that keyboard dock arrangement even is, given that you've got a lot of weight standing vertically on that dock connector.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

You will be able to use an Apple Bluetooth keyboard as well, you don't need the dock connector version specifically. AD2P bluetooth headphones are supported too.

No mouse support that we know of, although this is a very interesting picture, because what we have here is an iPad with the small Apple bluetooth keyboard, and a magic mouse:




In my opinion, if Apple is going to support a keyboard, they should support a mouse too. I've used a Palm TX with the travel keyboard, which results in a similar form factor to what the iPad will be with the dock keyboard, and its extremely frustrating to have to reach up to the screen every time you want to "click" on something. I'll be curious to see how stable that keyboard dock arrangement even is, given that you've got a lot of weight standing vertically on that dock connector.

I was thinking that exact thing.

Maybe the bluetooth keyboard and a separate stand to sit on the desk would work better. Better yet, rig something so I could KVM it at home!

[QuadCityImages]

Maybe "Tallscreen Format" 3:4 will be the new 16:9. But... I don't think so.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by QuadCityImages

Maybe "Tallscreen Format" 3:4 will be the new 16:9. But... I don't think so.

Luckily for everyone involved, you can use it in widescreen format. You just have to connect the keyboard using blutooth instead of the dock.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

You will be able to use an Apple Bluetooth keyboard as well, you don't need the dock connector version specifically. ...

I think it'll connect with any bluetooth keyboard, not just the Apple one.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Russic

I think it'll connect with any bluetooth keyboard, not just the Apple one.

Most likely, although I can imagine that the key assignments might get a little oddly labeled on a PC keyboard. I recall seeing a picture of the iPad keyboard dock where it looks like they will likely be custom labelling what would normally be the Function keys with iPad specific functions.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Most likely, although I can imagine that the key assignments might get a little oddly labeled on a PC keyboard. I recall seeing a picture of the iPad keyboard dock where it looks like they will likely be custom labelling what would normally be the Function keys with iPad specific functions.

this isn't really anything new or worth fretting about.

i use a dell keyboard with my mac. it just means that you have to learn a few different mappings and the key location is all pretty standard anyways.