Yup I agree with the above analysis. No purpose at this point, but some very interesting stuff might happen. However, it could also be totally left in the cold and not taking off.
As a matter of fact, the best target audience is the female demographic. Because it fits in a purse.
The limited iphone-like feature are a drag tho. Browsing websites on the iphone (regardless of the small screen real estate) is NOT a revolutionary experience. Finger dragging/touching the pages even gets annoying after a while (macbook trackpad is so much more elegant). You know that retarded, overly delicate flick gesture some people do when they interact with their iphone, looking just as if the guy wants to get rid of some sticky boogers? Be prepared to see that full size, everywhere now. I would almost see that as a privacy invading thing. Visual noise, just like cellphones being audio environment clutter.
Keeping an iphone or blackberry in your pocket to do an email check or whatever is really convenient.
I'd be embarrassed to whip this thing out in public...if I need to do anything more involved than what an iphone is capable of, I want to use a netbook or a laptop.
I can see its place in the world to be honest.
Checking emails and social networking access from your couch, with music, movies and books as a bonus. More of a lifestyle computer.
A little more focused than a pc/mac, a little less restricted that an ipod. doesn't matter what i think though, the thing will sell like hotcakes.
It looks cool but it's too expensive for a 1ghz gadget without multitask. I didn't buy an ipod, and i won't buy this nice toy. With 500+ euro i can build a cooler and small htpc with a great videocard for gaming as well (5770).
eh, so it might work decently well, be affordable, but a 3rd of them fail after 2 years, and microsoft will only cover half of them... but seriously I really doubt Microsoft would make the same mistake twice.
the Zune HD seems like a decent piece of hardware though.
Yet it's still arguably the most interesting console. You have to admit the whole thing is very well done, I was impressed to say the least when I first started using Live on it.
Yet it's still arguably the most interesting console. You have to admit the whole thing is very well done, I was impressed to say the least when I first started using Live on it.
As long as they stop putting it in my PC games, especially on Steam!
The old zune, which I own, is also a very nice MP3 player, very well organized compared to the iPod and with a couple of really neat features that set it in front in my opinion, such as device to device song sharing, and very nice software and marketplace to boot compared to iTunes.
I wouldnt say its an iPod killer, which is quite evident, but it is a really nice device.
With that in mind, I am greatly anticipating my purchase of the Zune HD on its launch in Europe. As it, at least in my opinion, is much nicer looking especially in terms of navigation and with a quite nice feature list.
As for the reliability of MS hardware, the original zune haven't given me the slightest trouble. But it will be interesting to see if the courier will get a "red ring of death".
That's a good point... how do you get your pictures to it instantly? It would be great to display images of your portfolio, or to clients, so they can make purchase decisions, but I would think it would be better to have it more instantaneous.
All professional DSLRs have optional wifi grips, these send the images over wireless right from the camera, no cords required.
so Jobs unveils an oversized, overpriced iphone/touch this week while Bill Gates goes out donates 10 billion to giving vaccines to the poor. As always... apple shoots to cater the rich who can throw away cash at the chance to look hip and trendy while PC gives to the poor.
Bad comparison since gates stepped down, but still....
If the Ipad had an actualy OS and multitasking I might be excited to use it as a device to use around the house, I can't fathom putting down the cash for what state its in now.
The old zune, which I own, is also a very nice MP3 player, very well organized compared to the iPod and with a couple of really neat features that set it in front in my opinion, such as device to device song sharing, and very nice software and marketplace to boot compared to iTunes.
Remind me again, does the Zune HD have a touch screen? That is a bit of a deal breaker for me. I like the touchable interface that my iPod Touch supports. And I can't remember whether or not the Zune HD has that. Multi-touch is a nice feature to brag about, but isn't that important, single-touch screens are fine.
Browsing websites on the iphone (regardless of the small screen real estate) is NOT a revolutionary experience. Finger dragging/touching the pages even gets annoying after a while (macbook trackpad is so much more elegant). You know that retarded, overly delicate flick gesture some people do when they interact with their iphone, looking just as if the guy wants to get rid of some sticky boogers? Be prepared to see that full size, everywhere now. I would almost see that as a privacy invading thing. Visual noise, just like cellphones being audio environment clutter.
The iPhone web-browsing might not strike you as revolutionary now, but it was three years ago. In summer 2007, mobile browsing sucked ass. Having an actual browser that could view standard sites was a big deal.
As for "privacy invading visual noise"... Sorry about all that flicking and gesturing, Francine, but an iPad might be just the thing for your sore vagina!
And it also allows for software development for the platform through XNA...
Damn, Microsoft could really do a lot with their latest iteration of the Zune. They even dropped that stupid brown color, replacing it with slick black and shiny platinum. They need to crank the marketing up for the Zune. And more than anything else, they need to push indie development for it. Their dropping the ball somewhat on indie development for the 360 is part of this.
Maybe things will pick up when Unity gets ported to the 360/XNA. A lot of iPhone games are developed using Unity. With an XNA-compatible version, it should be child's play to port a lot of those iPhone games over to the Zune HD.
I have an iPod Touch. It is sitting next to me right now. The internet browsing on it is better than say...my PSP. But it is not good internet browsing, and I would only use it if no other option presented itself. The screen is just too small for proper browsing, there's no other way around it. The touchpad is a superior interface to a D-pad or analog nub, but the links are just too small for my stubby fingers to browse properly.
I imagine that the iPad will actually be great for internet browsing. It's resolution and screen size aren't quite as good as a regular PC screen, but its well within the comfortable limits of web browsing. (ie, you'll be able to see most of the average pages without scrolling horizontally) In fact, this might be one of its best features, at least as a portable device. I'm still not sure who is going to buy it just for that.
Er, I really have no complaints about web browsing on my droid. Pinch zoom would be nice, but its not a big deal at all.
Likewise browsing on my verizon connected Tour is great. Really the only thing I like better about the iPhone vs the Tour for web is the big screen, which if I was willing to accept touch screens (currently cant stand them) I'd just get a Storm2 and call that one solved.
Yea I don't think anyone wants to go back to the "special" web days again... That was a very dark period. It's hard to think they thought that would ever work.
So I think the world agrees, the ipad didn't live up to its hype machine, it would be hard to... even the casual consumers and some of the Apple fanboi's seem to be ho-hum about it. But everyone is still saying "its going to change the future" because they're the only company
But I think they choose to do something a little different this time, they choose to play it too safe. But it sets them up for a 2nd generation with the new features.
They may have stretched their "less is more" approach a bit too thin this time and I think a lot of people are seeing through it.
"ok so its not all that amazing, but its Apple they revolutionize stuff this is going to sell just on clout right?" I dunno something feels different this time...
Er, I really have no complaints about web browsing on my droid. Pinch zoom would be nice, but its not a big deal at all.
I guess I should have distinguished a few phones here. I haven't seen/used the droids yet, but I know Verizon is big on using the same system on all their phones. I know there are exceptions, and the Android based phones would probably be part of that. I have the Voyager, which is now the Envy Touch, and it is horrible. I've seen it on other phones too, and it's terrible.
Who gives a shit about touch if you have Wacom stylus input? Is touching up the screen like you were using the credit card swipe pad at a grocery store worth another $3,000?!
It's not even available yet anyway. Been delayed by more than a year now.
The modbook still looks like one of the best tablet pc options available - assuming like me, you want something to handle photoshop, artrage/sketchbook, and zbrush at least. I haven't heard of any other tablet pc that has 512 levels of pressure sensitivity. That alone is the biggest selling point - not to mention up to 6 gigs of ram. More than enough for zbrush.
I'm actually seriously considering getting a modbook now that apple has played its hand. Wasn't expecting them to support the artist anyway with this version - if they ever do.
Who gives a shit about touch if you have Wacom stylus input? Is touching up the screen like you were using the credit card swipe pad at a grocery store worth another $3,000?!
its also a macbook pro vs a macbook.
This is what computer/laptop manufactures should be making. I'm sure you could do that with a pc for less than $3000 (touch, stylist, great monitor, decent specs)
Replies
As a matter of fact, the best target audience is the female demographic. Because it fits in a purse.
The limited iphone-like feature are a drag tho. Browsing websites on the iphone (regardless of the small screen real estate) is NOT a revolutionary experience. Finger dragging/touching the pages even gets annoying after a while (macbook trackpad is so much more elegant). You know that retarded, overly delicate flick gesture some people do when they interact with their iphone, looking just as if the guy wants to get rid of some sticky boogers? Be prepared to see that full size, everywhere now. I would almost see that as a privacy invading thing. Visual noise, just like cellphones being audio environment clutter.
It's like a cintiq. Amazing, I love it.
Like Sandbag wished, it's pretty much a digital sketchbook, and is a Wacom Penable.
The screen flips around.
http://ts.fujitsu.com/products/mobile/tablet_pcs/index_t_series.html
I'd be embarrassed to whip this thing out in public...if I need to do anything more involved than what an iphone is capable of, I want to use a netbook or a laptop.
Checking emails and social networking access from your couch, with music, movies and books as a bonus. More of a lifestyle computer.
A little more focused than a pc/mac, a little less restricted that an ipod. doesn't matter what i think though, the thing will sell like hotcakes.
PC (work/current games/full web/media)
console (current games/media)
laptop (portable/work/last gen games/full web/media)
netbook (portable/full web/media/simple games)
ipad (portable/basic web*/media/simple games)
smart phone (portable/call/basic web*/media/simple games)
ipod/MP3 player (portable/media)
*lack of web plugin support. IE no Hulu, or any TV player sites.
People are looking forward to a hardware-based product from Microsoft?
Seriously?
the Zune HD seems like a decent piece of hardware though.
Yet it's still arguably the most interesting console. You have to admit the whole thing is very well done, I was impressed to say the least when I first started using Live on it.
I wouldnt say its an iPod killer, which is quite evident, but it is a really nice device.
With that in mind, I am greatly anticipating my purchase of the Zune HD on its launch in Europe. As it, at least in my opinion, is much nicer looking especially in terms of navigation and with a quite nice feature list.
As for the reliability of MS hardware, the original zune haven't given me the slightest trouble. But it will be interesting to see if the courier will get a "red ring of death".
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/business/shiny-thing-make-it-all-better-201001282420/
wouldnd buy it,
and soon aplle will notice, that design and nice interfaces dont help sell useless products
btw, cooling the xbox properly makes is much less failing
You're kidding, right?
All professional DSLRs have optional wifi grips, these send the images over wireless right from the camera, no cords required.
Bad comparison since gates stepped down, but still....
If the Ipad had an actualy OS and multitasking I might be excited to use it as a device to use around the house, I can't fathom putting down the cash for what state its in now.
- see ZacD's post: http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=home
sweet baby jaysis! they dropped the price!
Is that heaven? Seriously, I am totally getting a modbook pro when it comes out, stylus and touch display, thats effing epic..
I was not aware of that (since I can't afford cool cameras
Remind me again, does the Zune HD have a touch screen? That is a bit of a deal breaker for me. I like the touchable interface that my iPod Touch supports. And I can't remember whether or not the Zune HD has that. Multi-touch is a nice feature to brag about, but isn't that important, single-touch screens are fine.
The iPhone web-browsing might not strike you as revolutionary now, but it was three years ago. In summer 2007, mobile browsing sucked ass. Having an actual browser that could view standard sites was a big deal.
As for "privacy invading visual noise"... Sorry about all that flicking and gesturing, Francine, but an iPad might be just the thing for your sore vagina!
And it also allows for software development for the platform through XNA...
Damn, Microsoft could really do a lot with their latest iteration of the Zune. They even dropped that stupid brown color, replacing it with slick black and shiny platinum. They need to crank the marketing up for the Zune. And more than anything else, they need to push indie development for it. Their dropping the ball somewhat on indie development for the 360 is part of this.
Maybe things will pick up when Unity gets ported to the 360/XNA. A lot of iPhone games are developed using Unity. With an XNA-compatible version, it should be child's play to port a lot of those iPhone games over to the Zune HD.
That thing looks amazing! too bad the price is also epic:( 5 grand, ouchie.
Er, I really have no complaints about web browsing on my droid. Pinch zoom would be nice, but its not a big deal at all.
I imagine that the iPad will actually be great for internet browsing. It's resolution and screen size aren't quite as good as a regular PC screen, but its well within the comfortable limits of web browsing. (ie, you'll be able to see most of the average pages without scrolling horizontally) In fact, this might be one of its best features, at least as a portable device. I'm still not sure who is going to buy it just for that.
Likewise browsing on my verizon connected Tour is great. Really the only thing I like better about the iPhone vs the Tour for web is the big screen, which if I was willing to accept touch screens (currently cant stand them) I'd just get a Storm2 and call that one solved.
So I think the world agrees, the ipad didn't live up to its hype machine, it would be hard to... even the casual consumers and some of the Apple fanboi's seem to be ho-hum about it. But everyone is still saying "its going to change the future" because they're the only company
But I think they choose to do something a little different this time, they choose to play it too safe. But it sets them up for a 2nd generation with the new features.
They may have stretched their "less is more" approach a bit too thin this time and I think a lot of people are seeing through it.
"ok so its not all that amazing, but its Apple they revolutionize stuff this is going to sell just on clout right?" I dunno something feels different this time...
Where do you see that? Modbook built on 2.13ghz Macbook base = $1,649
I guess I should have distinguished a few phones here. I haven't seen/used the droids yet, but I know Verizon is big on using the same system on all their phones. I know there are exceptions, and the Android based phones would probably be part of that. I have the Voyager, which is now the Envy Touch, and it is horrible. I've seen it on other phones too, and it's terrible.
http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbookpro
Modbook Pro complete system = $4,698
This is the $1600 version: http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbook
The modbook still looks like one of the best tablet pc options available - assuming like me, you want something to handle photoshop, artrage/sketchbook, and zbrush at least. I haven't heard of any other tablet pc that has 512 levels of pressure sensitivity. That alone is the biggest selling point - not to mention up to 6 gigs of ram. More than enough for zbrush.
I'm actually seriously considering getting a modbook now that apple has played its hand. Wasn't expecting them to support the artist anyway with this version - if they ever do.
This is what computer/laptop manufactures should be making. I'm sure you could do that with a pc for less than $3000 (touch, stylist, great monitor, decent specs)
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/the-hp-slate/
no pen, no pressure, no deal, Howie.
http://gizmodo.com/5381011/microsoft-couriers-swipes-snips-and-scribbles-the-leaked-interface
Top right corner, the words "FINGER FLICK". The L and the I seem to conjoin, to make a U.
Oh dear :P