ARmy Rumour SErvice

**Austen_D** · 10-10-2010, 21:58

Originally Posted by Good CO

I had a good play with an iPad a few days back and was quite surprised at how limited it was. Apple really do have you by the balls with the thing and the friend who owns it was getting very frustrated at not being allowed by Steve Jobs to install what he wanted - alternative browser? Sorry, not unless Apple allow it in the iStore. Flash? No, because Apple say that you're not allowed to sue it (bye bye iPlayer).

Apple - a major motivator for buying Apple IT kit is to be stylish and different - you go your own way - you're making a statement - you're not under the control of Bill Gates like all those other losers. In reality with an iPad you are far more restricted than anyone with a PC / Android phone.

On the plus side the device itself was superb and I think that PCs of that format have a bright future. It'll be interesting to see what follows from the competition. IOS is great on an iPhone - you don't need many apps so Apple's controlling influence is not a problem. The iPad though is more like a PC and people will expect more choice and flexibility than the app store. Unless Apple change track, Android will definitely have more to offer and I don't think the iPad will last. I haven't read about this on other forums - I wonder if the internet is filling with help posts from frustrated iPad users?

you can download alternative browsers, and you can also use iPlayer at it has a HTML 5 version. You are right about flash though it rather annoys me.

edited to add.

Also other posters seem to be comparing the iPad to the Galaxy Tab and the playbook amongst others. They arnt even out yet and as such its a paper comparison. The playbook does look the business but it's software seems terrible, very unintuitive and boring. The android tablets are where it is at when I replace my iPad in a few years I will be very keen to see what they have come out with. For now though the iPad is an amazing bit of kit and well worth every penny.

**Harry_Monk** · 11-10-2010, 08:34

Originally Posted by Good CO

I had a good play with an iPad a few days back and was quite surprised at how limited it was. Apple really do have you by the balls with the thing and the friend who owns it was getting very frustrated at not being allowed by Steve Jobs to install what he wanted - alternative browser? Sorry, not unless Apple allow it in the iStore. Flash? No, because Apple say that you're not allowed to sue it (bye bye iPlayer).

This, for me, is the very reason I don't buy any of these things from Apple. If I buy a device, I want to be able to do what I want with it and I still think that the 'status' of having an i'2hatever is a far bigger selling point for a lot of people than the actual device and it's capability, not saying that is the case with everyone on here, just a general comment.

Having said that I also agree that if you research it correctly and accept the limitations (and can live with them) then it does appear to be a fairly capable device.

**Good CO** · 11-10-2010, 08:34

Originally Posted by Austen_D

you can download alternative browsers

We found a couple of mobile ones - for example Opera Mini. Great on an iPhone but no use on something with a large screen. We just got a tiny mobile sized browser in the middle. We simply couldn't get a decent replacement for Safari - because you're on a restricted system and can't install what you want.

I suppose the only problem was that I picked it up expecting a tablet Mac, ie a tablet shaped laptop. When I found myself fighting the all-controlling Apple to try and do something with it other than browse I was disappointed.

**Auld-Yin** · 11-10-2010, 09:03

I am a bit surprised at the restrictions, especially after the court cases and amount of noise that Apple made about Gates and Windows monopoly. I am obviously very naive but I would have thought that after banging on about restrictions by Windows, Apple might have built in a bit more flexibility into their own devices.

I am also surprised that they are not facing lawsuits from other application suppliers.

**polar69** · 01-01-2011, 10:22

Well in the end I got a 16gb wifi iPad for the wife, she seems to like it. Even though she tried to download 4 films at once which made it run out of space

**bigpod** · 01-01-2011, 11:08

Got one for Christmas (present from the wife, but I bought it). It's fab - I can't get on with the restrictions of Apple, so I think it's the best alternative. I fact I think it's much better, but that is subjective I suppose.

**polar69** · 01-01-2011, 11:12

Well it was worth it for me just too see the look on her face

**Disco** · 01-01-2011, 11:52

I picked up the new Advent Vega from Currys just before Christmas. At £250 for a 10.1inch capacitive screen with full HDMI output and USB its hard to beat.

It runs Andriod 2.2 and Advent had to remove flash due to it being an uncertified device, it is now waiting for approval from Adobe but this is easily flashed back in via the cooked roms by the chaps at Modaco, this also gives you access to the full Andriod market. Advent will be releasing a new flash "able" rom sometime in Jan.

Over all well chuffed, it lacks the polish of an iPad and the viewing angle could be better but it is early days for these andriod tablets so standby for some great new apps and games!

If I can be arrsed I will do a full review later.

**wellyhead** · 01-01-2011, 12:50

I have the galaxy tab, massively over priced but bloody good. I do like the iPad but wanted a 7 inch screen for portability. Looked at alternatives but the tab felt more substantial in some way, not disappointed on any way

Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

**Firefighter9** · 01-01-2011, 17:46

Having been an Apple fanboy since the first gen iPods and owning all the iPhones at some point, it seemed a logical step to buy an iPad, being in the Market for a 'portable media player/laptop"

Having played with the iPad a few times I came to the conclusion that while the Apple restrictiveness is manageable on the smaller devices like the phones, it would soon irritate me on something larger.

I really wanted the ability to stick a DVD in a drive and use a program or watch a film. And also, the big killer for me was lack of flash and ability to download and install things from the net (big torrent abuser!)

I spent the £500 I'd put aside for an iPad on a laptop. And while it's not as sexy as the iPad, I get a lot more functionality out of it.

Im not putting down the iPad, I'd still love one though! Just can't justify it on the new entrant rate of pay!