Saw the Dodocase today on Engadget and instantly, for the first time, really wanted an ipad. A year ago I would have told you the idea of carrying around a giant Moleskine that disguises a giant iPhone was crazy, but here we are, and I want both. This seems like a pretty cool way to conceal the true geek within; kind of like putting a Triumph motorcycle shell over a Segway. Absolutely love the library card, been seeing that used a lot lately.
On a side note, how many of you are using an iPad? Do you use it solely for entertainment / productivity or are you finding any creative applications for it? I’m pretty sure I’ll be holding off on the iPad at least until the next generation rolls around and the music software matures a bit (really interested in the live applications of a touchscreen interface a’la the Jazzmutant Lemur).
Here’s a video detailing the build process, which is apparently done right here in San Francisco.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1N42OnhQIQ
I am an iPad owner and I have to say I use it more than any other device or gadget I own now. It is a joy to surf on, although obviously can’t listen to ISO50 music due to no flash (pls make an HTML version!).
Being a designer I’ve also used it for pitching, plug the VGA cord in and fire up Keynote and you have a very slick presentation device.
Movie playback from iTunes is spectacular. When on trains I sit with it in a case not dislike the one above and prop it up, plug in my B&W P5 headphones and I’m instantly in a movie theatre.
So many great games out for it now, not to mention sweet music apps, iBooks etc. I can also remote desktop into my iMac when I’m out and about and control the entire thing from it using the touchpad screen. Download movies etc for when I get home.
I seriously can’t recommend it enough. My laptop is gathering dust just now, I thought I’d purely use the iPad for surfing but it’s turned into a whole lot more. I can’t wait for the next revision, if they can put a USB port in it I can see me potentially selling my laptop.
what would Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemmingway say?
“Can you get porn on it?”
I have an iPad, and I manly use it for shcool work.
I’m 15 (almost 16) and being dyslexic, writing is not my fortay, I used a peace of shite called an alphasmart for a while but as soon as I saw the pages app for iPad and that it could use a blue tooth keyboard I knew what I wanted it for.
So my setup involves an official apple iPad case for propping the screen up, pages for iPad and an apple blue tooth keyboard (which I’m using on my windows machine now) and it works brilliantly except for the fact that I have to go through bloody iTunes to get the files off the thing.
It also comes in handy in biology lessons for playing games 😉
Random question: Does the iPad get hot when on your lap when you use it for an extended period of time? My 2009 MacBook Pro turns into a bloody furnace after about 20 minutes on your lap, and I break out into a sweat when using it laying down. I would assume less moving parts means less heat, but who knows.
In my experience, the ipad does not get hot. Nothing like the powerbook in that regard.
dammit scott. now i want both too….
I’ve found my iPad to be a useful timewaster (there’s an oxymoron for you) rather than real tool for productivity. It’s form factor makes it awesome for the things it was designed to do. Browse the web, read books, play little games. But it’s too uncomfortable to spend long hours hunched over doing anything constructive. And it’s only connectivity is by proxy; transferring files by email, ‘the cloud’, or via the accursed iTunes, ani’t no fun.
There’s a little Tenori-On style music app I like to play with called Beatwave. It can produce some pretty cool beats with very little effort, but once you’re done you just can’t do anything with them. It’s annoying because you can imagine all the things the platform could do, if only Apple would grow some spuds and let people get stuck in.
In summary, awesome kit limited by an overprotective developer.
I can confirm that the iPad never gets hot, the aluminium back doesn’t even get warm. Shame there’s alot of hate towards it that puts people off.
I have an iPad and I find myself using it quite a bit just to surf the web, despite the fact that I have 3 other computers. The browsing experience is phenomenal, however I’ve yet to come across an app where I can’t live without. So really any tablet would do for me, but mine was free 🙂
I work for a design agency called Iperdesign (iperdesign.com) and we have a couple because we’re designing applications for it as well as the iPhone. For the most part it’s a good device, aside from the limitations inherent within what is essentially a large iTouch.
Regarding music apps, TouchOSC is worth the price of an iPad alone. It makes a perfect Logic controller, just amazing. There are a couple of other excellent music apps too like the Korg Electribe or the Electrify groovebox, which are plain fun. Both the hardware and software are very worth the price in my opinion.
I got an iPad a few weeks ago and there are two main things I use it for:
1.) Streaming Netflix
2.) Angry Birds HD
I love it, a really cool little machine.
I almost rented part of their warehouse in SF. Cool watching them get made, very manual process.
I have an iPad and I mostly just use it when i’m in bed, or days I don’t want to log around my MBP. When I take it to class, I usually just web browse and take notes. When I’m home I just mainly use Netflix. However, my iPhone has taken more use than the iPad lately.
The best advantage of this device is that you can use it all in a week with one charge depending how much you use it per day. Or you can use it all day.
Wow, lot’s of positive reviews. Cornelius, I think you just sold me. I guess I knew it was popular, I’m just surprised so many people are so happy with it after purchase. Good to hear.
As for the closed nature of the platform, that’s what *almost* kills it (and the iphone) for me. I’ve used the “tools” available to work around the more annoying restrictions of the iPhone (interface/OS interaction modifications etc. BiteSMS and SBSettings are amazing btw) so I am assuming I could eventually do the same with the iPad.
Honestly, the main reason I want it is just so I can play Super 7 in HD…
I think the iPad is going to become more revolutionary further down the road when/if it becomes more of a computer instead of an iPod. For me, I’d love to have an iPad as a portfolio for my photos. It’s great for gobbling up all things media but when you can start installing software and doing work related tasks on it then it’s gonna be game on.
I’m up in arms about getting an iPad or a MB Air. I’m leaning more towards the Air just because I can upload things to the internet and have an easier time updating things like WP and managing files. But I love holding and playing with the iPad. It’s just fun. If only Apple would make the iPad more like a computer. I don’t care about having internet wherever I go. It’s healthy to disconnect from the internet sometimes and actually be a human being.
But to resolve my conundrum… I’ll just buy both. ^_^
the library card is a nice touch
The case is beautiful, and is by far one of the best cases for the iPad I’ve seen thus far. However, the actual cases they sell have their branding on the inside of the case (http://www.dodocase.com/), which basically kills the product for me. Anyone have one of these yet? I wonder how easy it is to remove that branding.
If I were you I’d wait for the second generation (that should be announced end of Q1 next year), but yes, the iPad is quite excellent for a few things.
You were talking about the lemur… Just like Autoy said, check out TouchOSC, really. I know you use vdmx a lot, this may revolutionize the way you do live shows, and I mean this seriously: imagine, fully customizable interface, sliders, buttons, XY pads… All you could ask for.
And if you’re using ableton LIVE, then there’s the ultimate: Touchable. When I’m on the road, I can’t always bring my physical controllers with me, and the integration with live is so perfect, I don’t even need them right now. Ho, and it actually looks very cool for people who never seen anything like this.
The iPad is also a great comic reader, or book reader for that matter. Although, surprisingly, it lacks something I consider essential: a good RSS reader, synced with google reader.
But honestly, it’s probably the only reproach I can give… I’m using a leather M-edge case, too, they make some really nice ones, with great feel and touch, and very practical (make sure you can use your protection as a stand). The dodocase is nice, but would you be able to make it steady if you ever wanted to watch a video?
Lets talk about a collaboration.
Craig
DODOcase
We’re looking into getting iPads for us employees at work (well, only top management seeing we’re a 16.000+ company). Really looking forward to not having to carry around a heavy laptop to all my meetings. The future is bright …
I use my iPad mostly to surf the web on the couch and some light email duty. The significant other uses it for most of her internet needs. Our iMac hasn’t been used in ages thanks to this little guy.
I do think it’s smart to hold off for the next version however as absence of a camera is questionable.
Nice case though, cool to see the process. Thanks for posting that
$59.95
…
@DODOCRAIG
ISO50 designed case would be swell!
Really interesting video on how they are made. I wonder how many crafts people they have making them. How many could they produce at maximum output, it seems a slow process, which is good.
Fairly happy with the ipad, though I only use it sparingly and mainly to display my portfolio. The dodocase, on the other hand, is amazing and a true thing of beauty. It actually makes me want to use the ipad more often.
Can the Dodocase sit on its side horizontally for video watching? I don’t see a photo of that setup on the Dodo website.
That’s something the simple Apple case can do, and it’s a must-have for any case I would consider.
I geeked out when I saw this case >>
http://nedrelow.com/bookforipad.html
I was going to buy the dodocase, but I heard and read reviews where the ipad would fall out when turned over, & i think Dodocase is aware of this problem, so maybe the next version will have that corrected. Depending on how you actually use the ipad, a full case might not be direction you need. I just got this case, http://www.amazon.com/BoxWave-True-Bamboo-iPad-Case/dp/B000EU8P4O, because I only really use the Ipad at home.
I have an iPad and the Dodocase, the case is lovely and I have never felt the ipad might fall out of it. The label inside is a like a bookplate not some tacky bit of branding you’d want to remove (but if you did I imagine it wouldn’t be hard). What I really like is that makes the ipad inconspicuous, is easily removable and is wearing nicely… I don’t like things to look to “new”.
Can’t say enough good about the iPad, I use it constantly, can’t imagine I’ll ever buy another laptop.. The guy who lamented the lack of RSS readers…there’s actually loads? but the best is Reeder, beautiful minimal design, syncs with Google Reader and gives you lots of options for doing stuff with your posts (send to Instapaper etc).
The issue of getting documents on and off it is an issue but one that a DropBox account pretty much solves, I have the 50Gb account and so have effectively added 50gb of storage to my 32gb iPad. DropBox is also becoming accessible by more and more apps so it’s almost a sync-able filing system now..
In terms of useful apps, as an illustrator who usually works on a 27″iMac and Cintiq Wacom tablet, I’m amazed at how god the drawing apps are (ArtRage is my current favourite), the iPad is a true digital sketchpad.
Remote control of you Mac is also nice and with the new Airplay features it works nicely with an AppleTV too…
Honestly this thing is light years ahead of the competition, I feel like I’ve been living in the future since May…