Should I buy an iPad?

[San Juan Sun]

So here's the deal: my work gives me a stipend of $1500 yearly to buy various work related items. If I don't spend it by the end of April, it's gone. (I get another $1500 in July though.)

A lot of people at work are buying iPads, and using them for work in really innovative and/or helpful ways. Besides that, I could have a lot of fun messing around with it at home. And since I won't be paying for it anyways, what's the problem, right?

Well, I've heard rumors that the iPad 2 will be coming out in April, although this is not official. The rumored features for the iPad won't be all that cool for me, since I don't do Skype or anything like that. The way I figure it, I can buy the iPad from BestBuy's Buyback program, wait out the iPad 2, and trade it in for an iPad 3 next winter. And I'll use next year's $1500 to buy it, pocketing the Buyback money for myself.

I have a new iMac, and we have a Toshiba laptop, so I won't be using the iPad to replace those. I'll just be getting an iPad for fun/reading/surfing.

One other question: is the 3G version worth it? Or can I just tether it to my Droid X phone (I've never tethered, BTW).

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

[CJF]

So here's the deal: my work gives me a stipend of $1500 yearly to buy various work related items. If I don't spend it by the end of April, it's gone. (I get another $1500 in July though.)

A lot of people at work are buying iPads, and using them for work in really innovative and/or helpful ways. Besides that, I could have a lot of fun messing around with it at home. And since I won't be paying for it anyways, what's the problem, right?

Well, I've heard rumors that the iPad 2 will be coming out in April, although this is not official. The rumored features for the iPad won't be all that cool for me, since I don't do Skype or anything like that. The way I figure it, I can buy the iPad from BestBuy's Buyback program, wait out the iPad 2, and trade it in for an iPad 3 next winter. And I'll use next year's $1500 to buy it, pocketing the Buyback money for myself.

I have a new iMac, and we have a Toshiba laptop, so I won't be using the iPad to replace those. I'll just be getting an iPad for fun/reading/surfing.

One other question: is the 3G version worth it? Or can I just tether it to my Droid X phone (I've never tethered, BTW).

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Since you're not in a hurry I would wait until it is closer to the release date to decide.

I will say that I absolutely love mine and I'm not a fan of Apple stuff. I honestly didn't think I would like it nearly as much as I do. I got the non-3G version and I now regret it. I don't think you can tether it, or at least I don't know how. The 3G version would be really handy for place like church so I would recommend that if you do pull the trigger.

[old_gregg]

if it's use it or lose it, absolutely. if you don't have anything else to buy and could use the stipend to pay for 3g, pick up a 64gb and prepay for a year or two of 3g.

[TripletDaddy]

Yes, and get the 3G.

Is the release date April now? It was december (xmas sales) and then February. I learned both of those release dates here, btw.

[Uncle Ted]

So here's the deal: my work gives me a stipend of $1500 yearly to buy various work related items. If I don't spend it by the end of April, it's gone. (I get another $1500 in July though.)

A lot of people at work are buying iPads, and using them for work in really innovative and/or helpful ways. Besides that, I could have a lot of fun messing around with it at home. And since I won't be paying for it anyways, what's the problem, right?

Well, I've heard rumors that the iPad 2 will be coming out in April, although this is not official. The rumored features for the iPad won't be all that cool for me, since I don't do Skype or anything like that. The way I figure it, I can buy the iPad from BestBuy's Buyback program, wait out the iPad 2, and trade it in for an iPad 3 next winter. And I'll use next year's $1500 to buy it, pocketing the Buyback money for myself.

I have a new iMac, and we have a Toshiba laptop, so I won't be using the iPad to replace those. I'll just be getting an iPad for fun/reading/surfing.

One other question: is the 3G version worth it? Or can I just tether it to my Droid X phone (I've never tethered, BTW).

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

You should buy two iPads now: one for you and one for your wife. When you get another $1500 then buy an iPad 2 or a Macbook Air to replace that Toshiba thing. Get an AppleTV or two as well.

If Apple introduces the iPad 2 in April then expect the old stock to sold at a discount on clearance. You can pick up refurbished iPads now at a good discount online at the Apple Store:

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...co=MTM3NDc1NzM

Refurbished stuff is pretty much the same as new (new outer shell and battery) and includes the 1-year warranty.

As for the 3G option: it is nice but I opted for the iPad without because I just tether off my cell phone. It would be nice to have the GPS hardware but it is pretty accurate without. I really didn't want to pay another $20/mo for only 2GB/mo transfer.

[doctorcoug]

I own two iPhones, an itouch, and an iPad. I nearly bought a Mac mini and MacBook air. After what apple just announced, I'm likely done buying apple iOS products. To demand 30% off of content because they "bring the consumer to the market" is criminal. The iTunes store does not bring me to the market for the vast majority of content I subscribe to. In fact, I know what content I want and then I check periodically to see if there is an app in iTunes. For instance, I want an antibiotic text called Sanford Guide on my phone, yet there is no app. When (now it is more of an if) the app comes, I'll buy it, not because of any advertising that apple provided, but because of my previous knowledge of the content provider.

So, ask yourself, do you want to use products supported by a company practicing these techniques, that inhibit growth in the market? I'm done...

[Uncle Ted]

I own two iPhones, an itouch, and an iPad. I nearly bought a Mac mini and MacBook air. After what apple just announced, I'm likely done buying apple iOS products. To demand 30% off of content because they "bring the consumer to the market" is criminal. The iTunes store does not bring me to the market for the vast majority of content I subscribe to. In fact, I know what content I want and then I check periodically to see if there is an app in iTunes. For instance, I want an antibiotic text called Sanford Guide on my phone, yet there is no app. When (now it is more of an if) the app comes, I'll buy it, not because of any advertising that apple provided, but because of my previous knowledge of the content provider.

So, ask yourself, do you want to use products supported by a company practicing these techniques, that inhibit growth in the market? I'm done...

The 30% charge, which is pretty steep but in line with what is charged for other things, is actually only for subscriptions sold via iTunes. Publishers can opt to collect the subscription fees directly themselves and pay Apple nothing. In fact, this is exactly how The Economist does it. I signed up for on-line edition of The Economist and the iPad app has me enter my on-line edition username and password. I am paying nothing to the app/iTunes store for my subscription.

The percentage charge for promoting subscriptions is really nothing new. This has been happening for many years. For example, publishers clearing house doesn't promote for free. The same thing is true with iTunes. Apple promotes the subscriptions in the iTunes store. People see the subscriptions and can easily buy them. Should Apple do this for free?

[doctorcoug]

Come on Ted, I'm not an idiot. I understand referral fees. 30% is killer.

Also, my biggest beef is that Apple will require the app owners to provide the subscription service in app at or below their out of app cost. This is the death of many subscription apps.

[Uncle Ted]

I own two iPhones, an itouch, and an iPad. I nearly bought a Mac mini and MacBook air. After what apple just announced, I'm likely done buying apple iOS products. To demand 30% off of content because they "bring the consumer to the market" is criminal. The iTunes store does not bring me to the market for the vast majority of content I subscribe to. In fact, I know what content I want and then I check periodically to see if there is an app in iTunes. For instance, I want an antibiotic text called Sanford Guide on my phone, yet there is no app. When (now it is more of an if) the app comes, I'll buy it, not because of any advertising that apple provided, but because of my previous knowledge of the content provider.

So, ask yourself, do you want to use products supported by a company practicing these techniques, that inhibit growth in the market? I'm done...

Here is a quote from Steve Jobs, himself, on how this works:

Our philosophy is simple—when Apple brings a new subscriber to the app, Apple earns a 30 percent share; when the publisher brings an existing or new subscriber to the app, the publisher keeps 100 percent and Apple earns nothing.

[Uncle Ted]

Come on Ted, I'm not an idiot. I understand referral fees. 30% is killer.

Also, my biggest beef is that Apple will require the app owners to provide the subscription service in app at or below their out of app cost. This is the death of many subscription apps.

I agree that 30% seems high. Google was quick to announce that they will only charging 10% but, to me, that seems like it is on the low side. Of course, who is more likely to sell more subscriptions?

The stipulation of Apple requiring that the subscription price offered via the iTunes/App store to be the same as the subscription price elsewhere is most likely not going to fly. I predict that Apple will quickly back down on that because of the potential antitrust issues it will most likely raise.

[Jeff Lebowski]

More evidence that Apple is now THE MAN. Whodathunk?

Reminds me of that old saying:

“"Every movement starts out idealistic, then becomes a corporation, and then eventually becomes a racket." -Eric Hoffer”

[Donuthole]

I own two iPhones, an itouch, and an iPad.

Seems like just yesterday that you were posting on cougarboard about not being able to afford a new flip phone. Man they grow up fast.

[TripletDaddy]

Seems like just yesterday that you were posting on cougarboard about not being able to afford a new flip phone. Man they grow up fast.

Making fun of poor people that only make $350K. Classy.

[doctorcoug]

Jobs statement is nice and reasonable, however, he is avoiding the major issue, which is the price point for iOS apps subscriptions. Your statements show you understand my concern.

I don't know if they will back down. Certainly their attorneys thought this one through. They must feel their case is defensible. It is inexcusible and has lost my business. Android and things like galaxy tab make this an easier decision today than two years ago.

[Uncle Ted]

Jobs statement is nice and reasonable, however, he is avoiding the major issue, which is the price point for iOS apps subscriptions. Your statements show you understand my concern.

I don't know if they will back down. Certainly their attorneys thought this one through. They must feel their case is defensible. It is inexcusible and has lost my business. Android and things like galaxy tab make this an easier decision today than two years ago.

Apple understands it is easier to start high and move lower rather than to start low and move high. If they get a lot of push back from the market on 30% I am sure they can easily lower that. Given google charging only 10% I suspect that Apple will have to consider lowering what they charge. Competition is good.

Apple has folded on other things they tried to regulate. For example, Apple tried to force developers to only use their development tools. The Google Voice app uses a dev tool that allows the developers to make both android and iPhone builds from a single source. At first Apple band the Google Voice app because of this but later backed down.

If you are no longer an Apple fanboy then I would recommend that you jailbreak your iDevices before unloading them on eBay. Jailbreaking is easy and adds value. Or maybe you could offer them to your fellow CUF'ers for a deal.