IPAD

[sgreger1]

So I broke my laptop recently. I go to the mall today and play with the ipad. I am amazed, obsessed even, I must have one. All I do on the net is watch videos, browse forums, and listen to music. My birthday is may 2nd so the timing couldn't be better.

Until... I realized it doesn't support flash.

DOESN'T SUPPORT FLASH?!?!!?!?!?!!?!?!
May as well turn off the internet all together. no hulu, no youtube? Wtf were these pricks at apple thinking when they released this?

Anyways, I really want one of these, does anyone know a way to get around their BS and watch Hulu or youtube on an ipad?



No flash? Good god how do these people keep their jobs... Or sleep at night knowing they charged someone 500$ for something that couldn't use the 2 best websites on the net, or watch any videos? How is one to watch porn with no flash?

[Ainkor]

I am saving for a 3g one next month, if I do decide to buy it.

Flash isn't that big of a deal to me, but hulu will be sorely missed. Just wait for the app as I am sure one is coming.

As for youtube, there is an app for that (lol :P) built in.

I use my iPhone for about 50% of my computing these days so the larger screen will be pretty kick ass. I'd say if flash is that important, go for a nice netbook. There are some that are pretty powerful at that price point.

If you want a smooth user experience and something really fun to use, get the iPad.

[CoderGuy]

I have one and LOVE it. Youtube and Vimeo setup an HTML5 version of their sites so when you go to them on the iPad everything plays fine. Hulu on the other hand still requires flash.

I can tell you from my own experience as a Mac user that Flash causes a lot of problems on my MacBook Pro. I have had to force quite my browser several times, and whenever I play a Flash video my CPU pegs and the temp on my machine jumps to 98C, so I am not missing Flash personally.

With the popularity of iPhone/iPod/iPad a lot of sites are switching over to HTML5. Not sure if Hulu would ever do that or not.

I can tell you ABC has a player app that works great. When you go to NBC though it automatically switches to the mobile site (can't find a way to force it to normal), Fox and CBS require Flash for their content.

So yes, there are still some limitations, but hopefully they will be resolved down the road, one way or another. The iPad is too popular to ignore and lose viewers, so I am sure something will be done.

CG

[sgreger1]

So I can watch youtube or anything that uses html5 (which is nearly nothing as far as I can gather), but not hulu, porn. or anything else of any value.


I dunno, not viewing flash is a bad deal for me. Flash is almost every single piece of animated video on the internet. I know why they didn't support it (slow, lags processor and overheats etc) but this is a huge hit. I mean really, it would be like buying an ipad that wouldn't let me access snuson or read the news, it almost kills the whole purpose of it.


I already have a brand new macbook pro, I am not looking for another computer, I am looking for something to browse the news, forums and videos while my wife uses our laptop for school. I also read a lot of e-books and listen to audiobooks.

So not needing another computer, but no flash means this is nothing more than a big iphone. I want to convince myself I should get one for my birthday so bad but I am just making sure I won't purchase it and then realize it can't be used for anything.


Also, can it read ms word or excell files? I know it has some office suite thing on it but was wondering if it could view or edit these documents. This part is not a big deal, but any smartphone can do it so a 600% giant iphone should be able to pull it off.

I usually am against buying 1st gen anything, but my birthday is coming up and this is the only time I could justify buying something like this and I really only need it for basic things.

[RedMacGregor]

the android tablet coming out soon will have flash.. I have been accepted into the beta program for flash on android, it works pretty well.

[Ainkor]

porn

Don't worry, I'm sure there are HTML5 porn sites :P

I am looking for something to browse the news, forums and videos while my wife uses our laptop for school. I also read a lot of e-books and listen to audiobooks.

Definitely right up your alley. That's exactly what devices like these are for. Be it an iPad or an Android version coming out later this year.

Also, can it read ms word or excell files? I know it has some office suite thing on it but was wondering if it could view or edit these documents. This part is not a big deal, but any smartphone can do it so a 600% giant iphone should be able to pull it off.

I've been using smart phones since 2002 and I can say safely that there has NEVER been a phone that does passable access to office docs. I do get a kick out of the fact that the iPhone outdoes Office docs compared to windows mobile but the best bet is Docstogo. It does the best job I've seen at viewing and editing spreadsheets and word docs. They have a version that will upscale right now to the iPad and a new version in the works for the native resolution. I use office docs all day on my iPhone and its pretty good as long as you don't start getting into some not often used formulas. Its also the same software that Android and Blackberry use to view office docs.

As far as getting on, everyone I've talked to said it is a kick ass tool. I'd play with one before I dropped the cash on it though so you don't make a bad decision.

[CoderGuy]

So I can watch youtube or anything that uses html5 (which is nearly nothing as far as I can gather), but not hulu, porn. or anything else of any value.


I dunno, not viewing flash is a bad deal for me. Flash is almost every single piece of animated video on the internet. I know why they didn't support it (slow, lags processor and overheats etc) but this is a huge hit. I mean really, it would be like buying an ipad that wouldn't let me access snuson or read the news, it almost kills the whole purpose of it.


I already have a brand new macbook pro, I am not looking for another computer, I am looking for something to browse the news, forums and videos while my wife uses our laptop for school. I also read a lot of e-books and listen to audiobooks.

So not needing another computer, but no flash means this is nothing more than a big iphone. I want to convince myself I should get one for my birthday so bad but I am just making sure I won't purchase it and then realize it can't be used for anything.


Also, can it read ms word or excell files? I know it has some office suite thing on it but was wondering if it could view or edit these documents. This part is not a big deal, but any smartphone can do it so a 600% giant iphone should be able to pull it off.

I usually am against buying 1st gen anything, but my birthday is coming up and this is the only time I could justify buying something like this and I really only need it for basic things.

Well Flash is a big deal to some, and a short-coming you should be well aware of before spending the money. I believe a lot of the "iPad Day" purchasers either didn't know (don't know how that's possible, they have only been talking about it since January) or thought maybe it wouldn't be a problem and was. Apparently several of them took them back at a 10% restocking fee loss (then got mad at Apple because they didn't read their own receipt about the opened box 10% fee).

I have Pages and Numbers for the iPad and via file sharing (iTunes) I was able to import both an XLS and DOC file and they imported perfectly.

After I edited the Word document I was able to export it directly back to another DOC and it looked perfect. The XLS file on the other hand had to be exported to a .NUMBERS file but the Mac version of iWorks will convert it to XSL, plus there are numerous apps out there that will convert (can't speak to any of them as I haven't tried them).

Edit: Yes for reading newspapers, books, watching videos, general web surfing (sans Flash), this is a perfect device. I know some won't believe me, but I have so much fun doing those things on my iPad that I prefer to do them on the iPad now instead of my laptop. I just close the lid and go plop down on the couch and relax.

CG

[RobsanX]

We got one the weekend after they came out. They will do everything you want pretty well, except for the flash thing.

Browsing forums is no problem, but typing long messages on the touch screen can get a bit tedious. Also copying and pasting is a pain without a mouse. That may be something that takes practice.

I've watched Netflix movies on it, and it works pretty well for that. My wife loves the e-reader. You could use it as an iPod, but it's kind of overkill. I just use my iPod for listening to music.

All in all I'm glad we got it. The convenience of having the web at wi-fi speed in a small package is great.

[sgreger1]

the android tablet coming out soon will have flash.. I have been accepted into the beta program for flash on android, it works pretty well.

I am a google fanboi and would muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch rather have an android tablet, especially if it has flash. Any word on the release date?

Maybe i'll wait for that. If they aren't going to support flash, they may as well not support html either.

[sgreger1]

Don't worry, I'm sure there are HTML5 porn sites :P

Sir I am a happily married man, I cannot believe you would make such a statement!!! 8)

I've been using smart phones since 2002 and I can say safely that there has NEVER been a phone that does passable access to office docs.

My mom's blackberry curve can view and edit them so not sure what you mean by passable access. It's not really a big deal but would be cool if it could do it. Really the flash thing is my only complaint. After playing with one in the store I am obsessed and want one so bad, it's absolutely perfect for what I need in a computer, as I never play games on it or anything else really, and again, I have a latop already it's just that the wife is usually using it for school which limits my snuson time

[RedMacGregor]

if you want one RIGHT NOW, there's been one available since last sept. http://www.amazon.com/Archos-32-Inte.../dp/B002OL2PLU

if you want to wait a bit, Dell is coming out with a 7 and 10" version soon.

[sgreger1]

Does the currently available version support flash?

I stopped playing the "wait untill the next version comes out gmae" a long time ago, as there is always a newer better version every 6 months. I just want something that's like an ipad but supports flash.

I am not sure what size the ipad is, is the version in your link sized similar to the ipad or smaller?

[RedMacGregor]

ipad is 9.7" screen... the archos is 5", and is on an older version of Android than my beloved Nexus One.

the current version does not support flash, that'll be coming soon (it's in private beta from Adobe)

[sgreger1]

ipad is 9.7" screen... the archos is 5", and is on an older version of Android than my beloved Nexus One.

the current version does not support flash, that'll be coming soon (it's in private beta from Adobe)

It sounds like an ipad on steroids but at only 5 inches by 3, I am not sure how this thing is different from a large smartphone. I guess I would have to see one in person.

I like the size of the ipad. If Android is coming out with one that is relitavely the same size, I will wait to buy that one as I trust android waaaaaay more than apple which is always limiting it's products.



EDIT: I like how it has a usb port, but can I plug one of these into my laptop which is a mac?

On second thought, assuming I could view webpages and not have everything look to small, I think the smaller size may be better for my situation. Any word on the release date for the newer version coming out later this year of the name of it so I can google it?


The Archos seems to have a lot of great features, like you can plug it into your tv etc. Would best buy carry these? I must see one in person, if the web pages are easily viewable I might have to buy one of these. One thing that sucks is it's not multitouch, btu then again I am not really a huge fan of gestures.

[RedMacGregor]

yes, you can plug it into usb and copy files that way..

since it's android, it's a linux derivative OS, and works accordingly with shell scripts and such.