The iPad Questions Apple Won't Answer 671
snydeq writes "Apple's reticence to reveal details prior to a product's launch is legendary. But when Apple extends this silence beyond a product's unveiling, historically this has meant that the product cannot deliver the functionality that analysts and journalists are asking about. InfoWorld's Galen Gruman lists eight key questions for the iPad, about all of which Apple has kept silent. Can you save and transfer documents to the iPad? Does the iPad support Microsoft Exchange email? Does the iPad support VPN? Configuration management? 'I have no doubt the iPad will be compelling to some users. But I now have major concerns that it will fulfill the potential beyond being an iTunes delivery screen that I and other industry observers saw,' Gruman writes."
Re:Answers (Score:5, Informative)
Can you save and transfer documents to the iPad?
Most likely.
Does the iPad support Microsoft Exchange email?
Not likely.
The iPhone supports Microsoft Exchange mail, it would be strange for Apple to remove this feature when it is already present and works well for me.
Does the iPad support VPN and configuration management?
Not likely.
It is running very similar software to the iPhone, which provides this capability. Configuration management may need more tweaks to support iWork but not much more. VPN is already present in the iPhone OS, there is no reason not to carry this across.
Can the iPad be used for videoconferencing?
There is no camera.
There is a space for a camera that fits the camera in the MacBook Pro - this has been shown in the spares delivered to repair shops. This will probably arrive in version 2, something new to buy for all the early adopters. (Disclaimer, I bought the iPhone 2G and then the 3G and was thinking about the 3GS until the iPad arrived ;-)
Shouldn't we assume? (Score:2, Informative)
If they are not answering, doesn't this mean that most of those functions are not available?
On a side-note though, I am still not getting the point of iPad. It's not an iPhone but runs its OS and its too big and expensive to just be an audio/video player to say the least. Probably I was impressed by Hitler [youtube.com], but still....
Real Answers (Score:5, Informative)
Can you save and transfer documents to the iPad?
Most likely.
YES. When connected to your computer the iPad will mount a "Shared Documents" folder that contains files used by apps on the iPad. This is in the SDK.
Does the iPad support Microsoft Exchange email?
Not likely.
YES. The iPhone does, the iPod Touch does, and the iPad runs the same OS so why the hell wouldn't it? The article even points this out, but then basically say "but you never know... it might not!"
Does the iPad support VPN and configuration management?
Not likely.
See above.
Can you use media services other than iTunes on the iPad?
Uhm.. New to Apple's stuff? The answer is big NO!
How do you get that? There are plenty of media services/apps (Rhapsody, Pandora, etc.) you can use on the iPhone OS that are not connected to Apple. The author of the article complains there's no Netflix app - but how is that Apple's fault? Netflix is free to make such an app if they choose. The only issue is the inability to play in the background - something that primarily affects music apps.
Can the iPad be used for videoconferencing?
There is no camera.
Article acknowledges this and mentions the potential for third-party cameras. Apple allows video capture apps already, so software-wise this shouldn't be an issue. The question is whether the dock connector can support a camera - and this is the one question the article might be right about when they say there's no way to know yet.
Will the iPad's internal storage be upgradable?
There's different storage versions for a reason. Need more space? Buy the larger version (again, in case you have bought the smaller one)
You're right about this one. Why was this even a question to begin with?
Will the iPad allow multiple apps to run simultaneously?
No.
Other than the usual Apple apps (ie. the iPod app) there was nothing that ran in the background in the demo. No reason to assume otherwise. If multitasking ever comes about (ie. as rumored for iPhone OS 4.0) it will be announced when they release the beta SDK for that OS revision.
Will Apple allow the use of Flash on the iPad?
No.
Again, why was this even a question? Apple has explicitly stated it won't. This article was the worst bit of speculative rubbish I've seen in a while. One out of the "Eight key questions" was actually legit.
Seriously, Apple is worse than Microsoft in locking down things. The whole iPad is completely locked.
This is an appliance, not a full-blown computer (Apple does sell those too, you know). Nor is it half as incapable of things as you claimed.
Re:Answers (Score:3, Informative)
More like GP loves Steve's delicious Koolaid.
Seriously though, I guess if you have more money than God sure, buy every new iPhone that comes out. Seems like an awful waste of money to me though.
Re:Answers (Score:1, Informative)
That's not true. Apple makes almost all their money in hardware sales.
Re:Real Answers (Score:1, Informative)
An appliance is a full-blown computer with the anti-feature that it is no longer a full-blown computer. More on anti-features here:
http://wiki.mako.cc/Antifeatures
http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/linuxconfau-day-three
http://lwn.net/Articles/371044/
Re:Answers (This old saw again?) (Score:5, Informative)
"Will Apple make it even easier for people to buy their music from a service other than iTMS? Why on Earth would that want to do that?"
I've got 90 Gigs of music that I manage with iTunes and transfer among an iPhone and a nano and NONE of it has been purchased on iTunes. I have bought a couple dozen audio books fr om audible and a couple of digital CDs from Amazon.
This whole "iTunes is locked into Apple" is still bullshit.
Re:Answers (Score:4, Informative)
Though this is 3rd Quarter 2009 I am sure this [betanews.com] is an accurate picture of how much Apple makes from each product. Notice the difference between software and even Desktops. Desktops represent roughly double software sales.
Re:Answers (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Answers (This old saw again?) (Score:3, Informative)