The iPad

 Yeah, it's inevitable.  You knew I was going to write about it.  It's just so cool! 

Unless you are a PC fan boy and despise Apple products, you have to agree that the iPad has some pretty cool tricks up it's sleeve.

I don't have a very good attention span on my best of days so I'm just going to warn you now that this might be a random stream of consciousness. 

Some of the bigger complaints I hear are that the iPad is just a giant iPod Touch.  Um… well, yeah!  But what's wrong with that?!

As most iPhone/iPod Touch users will tell you, they LOVE their device.  It does virtually everything but what they don't like about their iPhone or iPod Touch is the small size.  Typing anything longer than a tweet can be cumbersome and reading a few pages can strain the eyes.

That's how the iPad will shine (among other things.)

To address the argument about it being just a big iPod Touch, I recommend you read this article but be warned, their is some language: http://jeffcroft.com/blog/2010/jan/28/ipad-thoughts/

Ok, what else are people crying about? Oh right, lack of Flash support.  A lot of sites today use a good bit of Flash.  Not necessarily the best ones but the ones that I like to visit (Netflix Watch Instantly, Hulu, YouTube, Network TV sites, etc.) use Flash.  So the iPad, this multimedia device can't play even half of the videos/tv shows/movies that are online! 

Stop worrying about Flash!  HTML5 is making some great strides in just a short amount of time so I think in a few months, a lot of sites will use it in some way and in a few years, 90% of the Flash sites you visit now will be HTML5 or maybe a mixture of both. (just a guess)

But really, don't cry about no Flash support.  This is not a "computer."  This is not Microsoft 7 or Mac OSX.  I would direct you back to the fact it's a giant iPod Touch.  Did the iPod Touch (or iPhone) have Flash?  No.

Read this article on Flash support: http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/27/adobe-flash-ipad

Another thing to keep in mind is that iPad isn't made for creating content but consuming content: http://mashable.com/2010/01/28/what-we-learned-about-apple-yesterday

But I believe that if you're smart, you can still create content. There are apps that let you adjust and manipulate photos (i.e. Photoshop), apps that let you edit video, apps that let you edit audio, apps that let you make slideshows… See where I'm going with this?

Are you stuck between an iPad and a Kindle?

Read this article on the iPad being a Kindle killer: http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/28/top-10-reasons-ipad-kindle/

This is what I think Amazon should do: If Amazon wants a fight, they need to lower their price drastically.  They should have lowered their price as soon as the iPad was announced as a way of causing some defectors to switch sides and drop the iPad. … But they didn't and iPad launches tomorrow.  Oh well.

What I'm bummed about:
- No front facing camera for a video chat
- No multitasking

Those are really the only things that I can think of because I don't own one yet and haven't been able to give it a good try.

Things to think about:
- How awesome would it be to get high res magazine subscriptions on the iPad?!  And I'm sure there would be embedded videos and other extra tidbits for you to inexact with.
- This may not be a big deal for you but I have a bunch of stickers on the back of my MacBook Pro.  With more real estate on the back of iPad, you can customize with your own stickers and stuff!  By making it "your own" the device suddenly becomes more personal for you possibly making it more indispensable. Just a thought.

I haven't worked out the exact workflow but I use a few ways to store files online that can be accessible from almost anywhere.  Using Dropbox, my Mobile Me iDisk and Google I have tons of documents, videos, pictures available without having to keep them stored on my iPad locally.  This is where people are going to get creative.  Storing, accessing, and uploading their stuff to the "cloud."

Problems & Solution
- It doesn't make calls: http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/voip-3g/
- It's not a real computer.  I can't make documents & presentations: iWork
- It doesn't have the ability to edit video or make slideshows: ReelDirector for editing video, Animoto for slideshows, Strip Design for home made comic books, Photoshop/Camerabag/Color Magic for photo editing… the list could go on!


Apps I'm Excited About:
- Instapaper
- X-Plane HD
- Flight Controller
- Kindle App
- Log Me In
- Google Earth
- Tweetie (and even Tweet Deck)
- OmniFocus
- (theres probably more but I haven't looked at all the iPad apps yet)

If I buy one I'm going to get the lowest model.  The Wifi only 16GB iPad.  Why?  Well, as much as I would love to have the best of the best and room for expansion later, I have a 16GB iPhone now and even though I could run out of room, I am just fine with keeping it organized.

Why no 3G?  I have an iPhone.  I don't want two data plans.  My iPad will be used mostly in places that have Wifi already and the number of places that offer free public Wifi is growing every day.

I plan on buying an iPad as a way to not have to buy a new laptop.  It can do pretty much every single thing I need a laptop to do and it's immensely cheaper.

If you're stuck as to whether or not you should get one, its going to come down to this:  It either works for you or it doesn't.  I don't see a lot of middle ground.

For most people, it will probably just be a luxury item. For others (and I believe the minority) it's going to be a powerhouse of computing rivaling a laptop or even desktop computer.


Random iPad Articles and Stuff:

- 12 Things to know about the iPad (really breaks down the basics): http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/ptech/04/02/ipad.preview/index.html

- This made me want it more (seeing it actually handled): http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/27/holding-ipad-pictures

- TechCrunch - Everything iPad: http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/27/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ipad/

- Funny Hitler iPad Meme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

- Mashable iPad comprehensive guide: http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/ipad/

- Good article on showing usefulness of the iPad, in this roll as an IT support: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/30/some-thoughts-on-using-the-ipad-as-an-it-support-tool/

- An answer to how many icons in the dock: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/30/how-many-icons-on-that-ipad-dock/

- Cost/benefit of iPad and competitors: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/30/infographic-cost-benefit-analysis-of-the-entry-level-ipad-and-s/

- Which data plan should you buy? http://gizmodo.com/5459770/which-ipad-3g-data-plan-should-you-buy

Fresh New Look

I just checked out Google Blog Template Designer and walked away with a pretty sweet new layout.  It's simple, it's cozy, and it's not totally stock!

If you have a Blogger blog then certainly watch this video:



I have been posting some stuff on my Tumblr because I didn't really like the template I had for this blog but now I like this one!  Just need to find a way to incorporate Disqus comments in here...

Initial Thoughts on the iPad

iPad? Really? Is it sponsored by Tampax? The name is just a little odd but it will probably grow on me.

The iPad is cool. There, I said it. But that doesn't mean I'm lining up to buy it.
And if you don't think it's cool then you are probably lying. You know you will ogle the crap out of if you see a person in public with one. But maybe just because it's new...

The Good

- It looks cool
- Bigger videos
- Bigger games
- Developers will start taking advantage of its size and hopefully make some cool new apps
- You can hook a keyboard up to it.

The Bad

- It's not a "computer" - It runs iPhone OS right? Not OSX
- Can you really only put 4 apps in the bottom dock?
- Until apps are made to fit, most will look very odd being tiny or blown up
- No word on multitasking
- Wha?! No camera at all?


What iPad would HAVE to have for me to buy one today:

- Camera for video chatting
- Dual OSX and iPhone operating systems
- …. Can't think of anything more but I know there's more!


Price

I'm pretty thrilled about the cost of it BUT only for the $499 version. I thought they were going to charge a ton just because they could. Kudos. I understand that the larger drives and the addition of 3G is a plus but not truly needed for what I plan on using it for.

Which one would I buy?

I would buy the 16GB WiFi only model. Why? Because it would be a supplement to my iPhone, not a replacement. I wouldn't bring it with me to the super market so that's where the iPhone steps in. The iPad would be in my backpack to bring to work or the airport and stuff like that. Mostly it would be for when I get a chance to sit down and get comfortable.

I live on my iPhone comes out everywhere! While in line at Taco Bell, walking to the Metro, riding my bike. To me, those are situations where I would use the iPhone over the iPad for sure.

Also, WiFi is [almost] everywhere and will only continue to grow so I don't think that not having 3G would be a problem, as long as I have an iPhone that is.


Overall Thought

If I can get a hold of $499, then I would go for the 16GB iPad WiFi. That way my wife can use my MacBook Pro and I can surf on something larger than the iPhone. But I don't see it as second household computer. More of an iPod Touch on steroids. I'll really have to get some hands on time to make a better decision. So much to digest!


Q. What would you like to see it have? Do you feel the price justifies what it can do?

**Sorry if this is sloppy but I just wanted to post it real fast**

How do you measure the Force?

If you are like my boss's son, you use the Star Wars Force Trainer. Yeah, it's real and it actually works! Read all about it (and buy it if you want) on Think Geek.

But if you want to see me trying it, check out this video:

I need a new theme!

I'm in a pickle. Not a real pickle but if I were I would prefer it be a bread and butter pickle. I could eat those things all day!

The normal blogger templates/themes are very boring but also very useful. Gadgets and widgets work well and they aren't cluttered. But they are also not very pretty to look at.

As you can tell, I have a pretty neat looking one up right now. Thoughts?

What about this one (below)?

Heed the call, the Call of Duty.

I don't consider myself a gamer but I guess I am. I mean, I only like a few games but those few games take up a lot of my time.

What is the biggest and best game right now? Modern Warfare 2. You probably have heard of it. It sold like a kajillion copies and also had some negative press but either way, you must have been under a rock if you don't know of it.

In the game, you can setup 5 different "classes" with customized weapons and "perks" that can help you achieve a win in a multiplayer game. Did I mention this is a game you play with tons and tons of people online? Probably kajillion.

Anyway, I'm constantly changing classes and I thought I would share with you what I have set up now and why I chose it. But really, these change almost daily.

________________

Class 1 - "Assault"



















In a nutshell, this is my standard class. Nothing fancy and just good strong power. This is what I use when I'm not doing well and need to rank up some kills.

Primary - ACR
- Red Dot Sight (fast enemy alignment and works at long range)
- Full Metal Jackets

Secondary - Glock 18 (a super fast secondary weapon can really help)
- Red Dot Sight (can reach out and hit people easier than iron sights)
- Full Metal Jackets

1 Frag Grenade

2 Stun Grenades

Perks
- Bling Pro (sometimes rotate with Sleight of Hand Pro)
- Stopping Power Pro
- Steady Aim

________________

Class 2 - "Run"



















This is probably my most used class. I love this class. It works on smaller maps and even large maps but if I ever have a bad series, I'll switch to the "Assault" class. In my opinion, most people don't know how to react fast enough when someone is literally running everywhere (and fast) with a knife that can really reach out and get them.

Primary - Vector (love this gun but only picked it because it's an SMG, I never fire it)
- Full Metal Jackets

Seconday - M9 (I keep this out but only b/c of the tactical knife, rarely fire bullets)
- Tactical Knife (the tactical knife with the speed in the perks is deadly!)

Semtex Grenade

2 Stun Grenades

Perks
- Marathon Pro
- Lightweight Pro
- Commando Pro

________________

Class 3 - "Challenge"



















This class changes the most because it's really just to focus on challenges. If I need more kills with a certain weapon, I turn it on here. It's really a random grouping of weapons and perks but they do serve a purpose.

Primary - M16A4
- Grenade Launcher (working on my noob tube achievements)

Secondary - One Many Army (sometimes I just "change" into this same class so I can refill on ammo!)

Semtex Grenade

2 Flash Grenades

Perks
- One Man Army
- Danger Close (using this perk with the noob tube to maximize damage)
- Scrambler (hate this perk because it gives me away but I need to level it up)

________________

Class 4 - "Misc"



















This class also changes a lot. I like to play stealthy but still be hard hitting so this is what I have setup for now. Nothing amazing but an all around decent class.

Primary - ACR (just a good all around rifle for me)
- Full Metal Jackets

Secondary - M9 (rarely use but I have a good sidearm and fast knife if necessary)
- Tactical Knife

Semtex Grenade

2 Flash Grenades

Perks
- Scavenger Pro (I seem to do well with this class and running out of ammo sucks)
- Cold Blooded Pro (love staying invisible to helicopters/harriers/uav's/turrets..!)
- Steady Aim

________________

Class 5 - "Sneaky"



















When I want to run around with no one knowing where I am, I turn this class on. Shooting doesn't show up (and can barely hear) and I'm invisible to UAV's and everything else. Oh, and I can even run without making a sound. Something I just unlocked was the Pro version of Cold Blooded. Now, if people are just scanning, I wont show up if they put their sights over me. Before, their sights would turn red and my name might have shown up, not now!

Primary - ACR (my best gun right now)
- Silencer (stay off the grid...)
- Full Metal Jackets (...still pack a punch)

Secondary - AA-12 (don't mind going loud for just a minute)
- Red Dot Sight (had a silencer but range was way too short)

Throwing Knife (reusable and totally demoralizing!)

2 Stun Grenades

Perks
- Bling Pro
- Cold Blooded Pro (with this perk and Ninja Pro, I'm totally off the grid)
- Ninja Pro

________________

Death Streaks - All have Painkiller. I know kids hate that. I do too but it's useful. If I get killed 4 times in a row then I'm having a bad game and need some help. I call it the Dr. Mario Pill and my friend Dave says "someone is on the pill." Hah! Love it!

Kill Streaks - I'll change these up depending on how well (or crappy) I'm playing but right now, they are:

- 5 kills - Predator Missile
- 7 kills - Harrier Strike
- 9 kills - Pave Low

















If I do really bad for a few games, I open up just something in 3, 4, and 5. Just so I keep getting presents and stay motivated!

Now that I told you what I have, feel free to use it and let me know if it works for you. Also, I'd love to hear what load outs you've had luck with!