Why might I want an iPad or Verizon pad-thingy?

[DeadStang]

So, I have internet and a laptop at home, and internet and my laptop at work. I don't have a data plan with my cell phone and my phone is this touch thing that I use to call a total of #4 phone numbers regularly. For background, I have #6 numbers entered into my phone's contacts, but I actually have all of these numbers memorized anyway. I have a phone book (paper) at home and at work. I live in a mediumly small town and don't travel much as my work is stationary and I'm married to it. I listen to classic rock on the radio (over speakers) in my car and at home. I am 45 years old and am near needing reading glasses...

So I went and looked at an iPad today because...I don't know why. It seems like "everyone" thinks they're groovy. I'm not really sure who everyone is. And it was a neat gadget and it was kind of big and I could see it well and it seemed simple to play with, and to look at maps and such in the store. They also had the Verizon version (I have Verizon), which was smaller (between an iPod and an iPad in size), and also groovy.

So, what would I REALLY do with such a toy? I know where all of the gas stations are locally, and I go to the ones where the guys wash my windshield (we don't have self-serve gas in Oregon) and that are on my way when I need gas. I also know (from my laptop), where the gas station is that has non-ethanol premium gas for my Mustangs. I go to Safeway for groceries because I know what's on all of the aisles and I buy the crap I like to eat, regardless of whether it's being sold cheaper at Albertson's down the street or not. I don't really look at maps, since I don't travel and I know where all of the places are in town that I want to go. I have a radio. Do I need to check my email in the Safeway parking lot, between internet accesses at work and at home? No one writes me much, anyway, and I'm not on Facebook because I don't really care what people ate for dinner or if they got a brick for some game house they are building. Not trying to be a smart ass here, but I am wondering what I would do with one of these things if I got one, besides play with it for awhile, then set it aside...

 

[Midlife]

You don't need one, obviously, from your description.

I got a smart phone not because it was cool (it is!), but when we have a hurricane, I might be able to use the 3G network to access e-mails to contact family across the country that we are all right or that we are near death. I don't get a lot of calls on the cell phone (I restrict who gets that number), but I do use it at work when I'm not sitting in front of the computer. I'm partially management and people do need to get ahold of me when things are urgent.

Can I do without a smart phone or even a cell phone? Yeah, but I like the capability to use it when I have to. It sounds like you don't have that desire.

What small town in Oregon are you from? I used to live in Corvallis, which was pretty small at the time (60k people).

 

[DeadStang]

The problem is, I do want one of these things! But I am afraid that I just want another toy, and I won't end up using it for real after the initial novelty wears off. And these things cost like $600, so that's a lot to toss away on a toy that I don't use. I forgot to mention that I have an e-reader already, as I got a Kindle for my birthday this year. I like the Kindle and I use it daily.

I'm in Albany, which is about 50,000 people. I'm actually from Eugene originally, but I've been here for 15 years.

 

[Bite Me]

Well all I can say is we love ours, I purchased for my wife when they first came out and we seem to fight over it from time to time even though we both have laptops and also home base unit. The dam thing is just handy and does everything. No it does not replace either other units but just enhances and we get more use out of it than I ever thought we would.

 

[AzPete]

I keep looking at them too. If it would replace my only computer.....a laptop.....I might make the change. Of course, then the wife would want to replace her laptop too...... And we do not use internet access on the phones.

 

[guruatbol]

My Brother has one and it is cool, but for a reader it does not have the e paper. The screen is hard on the eyes when reading, but my brother was playing a game and that was cool.

I am not sure if you really want another toy.

I have the Droid and it is cool, I use the daylights out of it. I can deal with email, facebook, and all my phone stuff too, but I travel for a living and there is not always WiFi and I still need to get email.

Just my .02


Mel

 

[timbeam]

I'm actually reading and replying from my iPad. I was spending so much time (even at home) on my iPhone that I got the iPad to help save my eyesight. So much less trouble than the laptop... I haven't referred it a bit. Had a Netbook but really didn't care for it.

 

[gtscode]

Wait for the iPad 2 in April. I am dying to get one and just waiting it out at this point.

 

[AzPete]

And then wait for the 3.....or maybe the 4......then, wait....a new one for next Christmas.....lol Dang them all....

 

[DeadStang]

Wait for the iPad 2 in April. I am dying to get one and just waiting it out at this point.

Do you know what the difference might be? Currently, with Verizon, I need this little router device to get the iPad to work, which is just another thing to keep a charge on and to lose. I am told that in the next --soon period of time-- that the little router thingy won't be necessary. Perhaps this is what will happen with the iPad 2?

 

[gtscode]

Do you know what the difference might be? Currently, with Verizon, I need this little router device to get the iPad to work, which is just another thing to keep a charge on and to lose. I am told that in the next --soon period of time-- that the little router thingy won't be necessary. Perhaps this is what will happen with the iPad 2?

Right now you can get an iPad with wifi only or with 3G which is cellular and through AT&T only. Next year the iPhone is going to verizon and the guess is the iPad will follow. No ETA though.

iPad 2 should have better screen, more memory and cameras for face time.

At this point it's worth the wait.

The Verizon mifi, the little router, allows any device with wifi to share it's cellular connection. You are right just something else to keep charged. I have one for work they are slick, no doubt.

 

[OlBlue67KO]

Wait for the iPad 2 in April. I am dying to get one and just waiting it out at this point.

Rumor has it the next iPad will have a better display (Retina display) and at least a front facing camera. If I was thinking about pulling the trigger I would hold off a spell.

 

[blue65coupe]

Man, the days of lan lines without call waiting and voicemail were so nice. I messed with a buddy's internet phone thing the other night because he's on this Wal Mart phone plan that has unlimited everything for less than what I pay for a few minutes and texts. I'll go with it because it saves me money. (It uses the Verizon network which is what I'm on) Anyway, I was checking out the phone (way too many freakin' buttons and crap) and seeing how the coverage/speed was. I know I'll go with it. I know I'll get the internet phone blackberry looking thing just because of the camera capabilities. They didn't have a decent flip phone (hopefully that will change) with some of the functions I want. I'm dreading it. Really. I'm not looking forward to having all that crap. I'm not looking forward to the internet capabilities. I'm not looking forward to some bulky mini-computer that doesn't shut off when you close it to prevent any buttdials or "didn't disconnects". I've got a headache just thinking about it. BUT, I'm looking forward to saving money. I think it's called Straight talk and you buy the phone (it's a prepaid plan in a sense) and then you buy your time. $30/month for 1000 minutes, 1000 texts, and 30mb of internet download whatever. The $45/month plan is unlimited everything. Right now the wife and I share 1400 minutes and get 250 texts with no download internet stuff for $100/month....and that's AFTER her 20% county (yes gov't) discount.

 

[1497]

You don't want one, the desire will pass. I used to be an early adopter tech guy. I remember 9600 baud modems, getting excited when DOS 6.0 was released and bulletin boards. Back then it was fun, but at this point our culture is so saturated with new electronic gizmos, I'm over it all. Some of our fix members can attest to the fact that I don't text. Partially do to the fact that my failing old eyes can't see the screen on my crappy no frills phone, but mostly because of the human disconnect it promotes. I do love me some interwebnet though.
If you will excuse me now, I have to attend a grump old guy Neo-Luddite meeting.

 

[guruatbol]

You don't want one, the desire will pass. I used to be an early adopter tech guy. I remember 9600 baud modems, getting excited when DOS 6.0 was released and bulletin boards. Back then it was fun, but at this point our culture is so saturated with new electronic gizmos, I'm over it all. Some of our fix members can attest to the fact that I don't text. Partially do to the fact that my failing old eyes can't see the screen on my crappy no frills phone, but mostly because of the human disconnect it promotes. I do love me some interwebnet though.
If you will excuse me now, I have to attend a grump old guy Neo-Luddite meeting.

Hehehehe, I started on DOS 1.1 Hehehehe

I remember when the 2400 baud modem came out, I was so happy to rid myself of the 1200 baud deally and when the 9600 came out I was in hog heaven. I sold the Computer store in 2005 and really haven't kept up at all. I do have a smart phone (Droid) but the reason for this was to get email while traveling where an internet connection was available.

Anyway, I remember downloading the Teanage Mutant Turtles game on a new 9600 baud modem in San Berdo CA and, .....well..... My youngest daughter was....Well let's say 9 months later she was born.....

hehehehe Technology is great and moves way too fast. We as a society are totally saturated, I agree.

Mel

 

[Sluggo]

I would think you could connect to your wireless network at home or at work with an Ipad. If you have wifi.

I definitely would not get the one that needs the verizon mifi. Unless you have an unlimited data plan on your phone.

 

[gtscode]

Rumor has it the next iPad will have a better display (Retina display) and at least a front facing camera. If I was thinking about pulling the trigger I would hold off a spell.

Hopefully better display buy it will not be "retina" as that's not easy with the bigger screen.

 

[DeadStang]

I would think you could connect to your wireless network at home or at work with an Ipad. If you have wifi.

Yeah, there's wifi at home and at work... I'm hanging in the recliner right now on my laptop. I can't envision why I'd want to use something else besides the laptop, tho, while I sit here. Seems like the "real" keyboard would be a lot easier to use than the iPad touch screen?

I'm told that the Verizon pad-thing is ultimately better as you can add/upgrade memory (cards) and something about "open source" for apps, instead of being trapped in the Apple-controlled stuff. I am :homo enough that I'd like the Verizon pad to double as my phone, instead of having a phone and a pad--it's not too big to hold up to my ear and talk!