My hubby would like an ipad for Christmas, and it seems to be the perfect fit for his needs, aside from a camera. In my comparison shopping I have found rumors that the second gen will have a camera, and possibly 4G along with a few more bells and whistles. Honestly we live in an area where the 4G isn't a big selling point and the other things aren't really relevant. So my alternative to waiting (and paying more!) for the second gen is to see if there is a way to hook up a webcam. Is this possible? Thanks in advance for any ideas!
ipad~Share your techie wisdom please!
- Thread starter aubergene
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My opinion may be a bit bias, but don't rush out for an iPad without first having a look at other tablets on the market. I'm sort of an anti-apple person, so i don't really like the iPad. I have my reasons, but that aside,
Archos makes a line of tablets that run Android. There's also the Always Innovating Touchbook/Smartbook. All of these are more open than anything apple will ever produce, and cheaper.
Archos makes a line of tablets that run Android. There's also the Always Innovating Touchbook/Smartbook. All of these are more open than anything apple will ever produce, and cheaper.
As Gangrif said, Apple is way more extremist when it comes to locking you down. For example, there's still no multitasking, which is absurd as it severely hinders you from being productive. And the format support is horrible.
I'd suggest checking into other tablets. They usually come with a camera and the Android operating system, which is so much more free.
I'd suggest checking into other tablets. They usually come with a camera and the Android operating system, which is so much more free.
lonelysmile
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If your husband IS an Apple guy, I think he'd have to come to terms with the ipad's limitations. My dad has one and I've played around with it and he really really loves it, but also has numerous cameras and computers - he uses his ipad for very specific things, not for the end-all-be-all of his electronics. I've held an ipad and cannot imagine a more awkward thing to try to use to take pictures. If it had a webcam, that'd be nice, but I would never use it for shooting pictures.
And, if I'm correct, there's only one USB port - but that could be wrong. But I think that could make things complicated and once you start attaching a number of things, it starts to defeat the portability and ease of the ipad. :/ IDK - I wanted one so badly and after reading about it more, I looked away.
I've not looked into other tablets, but if he's not an Apple-only guy, maybe that would be your best bet... unless he's ready for the ipad to be a glorified ipod - b/c that's what it is. Except w/o the webcam capabilities of the newest ipod generation
And, if I'm correct, there's only one USB port - but that could be wrong. But I think that could make things complicated and once you start attaching a number of things, it starts to defeat the portability and ease of the ipad. :/ IDK - I wanted one so badly and after reading about it more, I looked away.
I've not looked into other tablets, but if he's not an Apple-only guy, maybe that would be your best bet... unless he's ready for the ipad to be a glorified ipod - b/c that's what it is. Except w/o the webcam capabilities of the newest ipod generation
bighornedsatyr
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ipad owner
I'm an iPad owner and lonelysmile is right. It's very limited. It's basically a giant iPhone (w/o the phone) or a giant iPod touch. I use mine as a quick way to check email, and an small laptop to take to talks.
There is no way I know of the attach a webcam. There is an camera connection kit which comes with a USB-iPad connector dongle so you can attach digital cameras and transfer photos, but the port won't support webcams or printers, or much of anything else. (Maybe if you jailbreak it, you can get it to support a web cam, but I doubt it.)
The next release is rumored to have a camera for video chat (to support Apple's FaceTime at the very least). In fact, IIRC, teardowns of the current iPad show a space for a camera. Based on Apple's previous announcement, they will probably announce it at the end of January, one year after the original iPad announcement, but it may not come out until March of April.
I doubt there will be a camera on the back for taking photos though. It's too bulky to be used that way.
I'm an iPad owner and lonelysmile is right. It's very limited. It's basically a giant iPhone (w/o the phone) or a giant iPod touch. I use mine as a quick way to check email, and an small laptop to take to talks.
There is no way I know of the attach a webcam. There is an camera connection kit which comes with a USB-iPad connector dongle so you can attach digital cameras and transfer photos, but the port won't support webcams or printers, or much of anything else. (Maybe if you jailbreak it, you can get it to support a web cam, but I doubt it.)
The next release is rumored to have a camera for video chat (to support Apple's FaceTime at the very least). In fact, IIRC, teardowns of the current iPad show a space for a camera. Based on Apple's previous announcement, they will probably announce it at the end of January, one year after the original iPad announcement, but it may not come out until March of April.
I doubt there will be a camera on the back for taking photos though. It's too bulky to be used that way.
phillyinjun
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iPad owner too!
I do not have the 3G version, and don't really miss it because I have wireless access at home and at work (using it right now). I do have a mifi card but I don't use it much with the iPad.
I also use the Droid as a phone.
I love the Ipad! I am a News and Facebook junkie, watch Netflix check my email, update my blogs and read a bunch of graphic novels.And I use it lying down, standing, and everything in between.
If I lose it, I would die.
Having said that, I would wait for the next generation only because Apple will come up good stuff. I do hope they don't mess with the form factor. Cameras would be a good addition as well.
If your husband likes tinkering with PCs and messing around with the operating system, wait for the next generation Android devices. I love all the stuff I can do with my Droid and I feel a little hamstrung by the Ipad. On the other hand, my Ipad has yet to crash.
I do not have the 3G version, and don't really miss it because I have wireless access at home and at work (using it right now). I do have a mifi card but I don't use it much with the iPad.
I also use the Droid as a phone.
I love the Ipad! I am a News and Facebook junkie, watch Netflix check my email, update my blogs and read a bunch of graphic novels.And I use it lying down, standing, and everything in between.
If I lose it, I would die.
Having said that, I would wait for the next generation only because Apple will come up good stuff. I do hope they don't mess with the form factor. Cameras would be a good addition as well.
If your husband likes tinkering with PCs and messing around with the operating system, wait for the next generation Android devices. I love all the stuff I can do with my Droid and I feel a little hamstrung by the Ipad. On the other hand, my Ipad has yet to crash.
Thank you guys! He is an Apple guy, so an Ipad it will have to be. He is wanting it for a few work things and entertainment while he is traveling, which is often. The webcam feature would just be nice so he could video chat with me & the kids. I think we are just stuck waiting for second gen.
Tmmldr
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There is no reason to wait for the 2nd gen, you can do the webcam other ways.k One easy way to get a cam is to use a camera which uses SD card, get the eye-fi card, then put the eyefi app on the Ipad along with the dropbox app.
The basic 16gb IPAD is okay and a fun toy, sort of a video machine with basic email and web surfing. It's not a general purpose computer, but a lot of times a person doesn't need that.
On the plus side it has long bat life, decent screen even in sunlight, and instant-on (no boot delay like pc).
The basic 16gb IPAD is okay and a fun toy, sort of a video machine with basic email and web surfing. It's not a general purpose computer, but a lot of times a person doesn't need that.
On the plus side it has long bat life, decent screen even in sunlight, and instant-on (no boot delay like pc).
Dribble
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There is always something new coming just around the corner. If you wait for it, you will never buy anything. All tech items have a shelf life of 2-3 years, then it is on to better and more improved. Apple just dropped their prices...this is something they almost never do on mainstream items. Why? Well it isn't because they are "nice" guys.
If someone bought me one...I'd like it and use it. Hell, I'd even spend some bucks and buy some cool app's for it. It is what it is. Would I buy one for myself? Nope.
Here is my opinion. If he wants one...buy it. Don't worry if you can buy something better next month from apple or something better today from another manufacturer. Christmas is Christmas. It is about making him happy.
If someone bought me one...I'd like it and use it. Hell, I'd even spend some bucks and buy some cool app's for it. It is what it is. Would I buy one for myself? Nope.
Here is my opinion. If he wants one...buy it. Don't worry if you can buy something better next month from apple or something better today from another manufacturer. Christmas is Christmas. It is about making him happy.
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