[MelodyL]

I'm not getting one, I just like to know how stuff works.

I watched a video on this new thing. It's all multi touch and apps and VERY IMPRESSIVE. But it does not carry flash player (which many websites use).

And I saw how the keyboard comes up when one wants to type. I went to google and typed in "How does one go on the internet with the IPAD?"

All I read was "don't ask dumb questins, it's wi fi unless you have a router.

So am I to understand that if you use the IPAD in one's home, one has to have a router (exactly like the case if one has a laptop)?

And if one goes outside, one needs to go into a place with free wi-fi, (for example a dunkin donuts, so then you could get the wi fi signal and go on the internet?

So what happens if you are in a place WITHOUT A WI FI SIGNAL? I find this all very confusing.

If anyone can tell me how this connects to the internet (maybe a pre-paid plan or something like that?).

I would just like to learn about this device.

thanks much

Melody

[mrsD]

free wifi.... is available in many places. Panera has it.
UpNorth the Tourist center, and library have it. No charge.
It only charges on AC.... no USB charging. Also it might need a phone contract....not sure about that.

At home you need a router to connect to your DSL.

I have seen and read that the biggest drawback to the iPAD is the heavy weight of it. Reading for a long time would be fatiguing.
Also reflections, are a problem, which necessitates a "mat screen cover"....

It is just like the iPhone however in many respects, only larger.
My son has iPhone. It takes some getting used to...the touch pad doesn't like fingernails, for example. I have medium nails and had alot of trouble with it.

But I agree is is nifty in some respects.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by mrsD

free wifi.... is available in many places. Panera has it.
UpNorth the Tourist center, and library have it. No charge.
It only charges on AC.... no USB charging. Also it might need a phone contract....not sure about that.

At home you need a router to connect to your DSL.

I have seen and read that the biggest drawback to the iPAD is the heavy weight of it. Reading for a long time would be fatiguing.
Also reflections, are a problem, which necessitates a "mat screen cover"....

It is just like the iPhone however in many respects, only larger.
My son has iPhone. It takes some getting used to...the touch pad doesn't like fingernails, for example. I have medium nails and had alot of trouble with it.

But I agree is is nifty in some respects.

So from what I understand, I can only use this if the place I go to has wifi service. They don't come with built in modems??
Thanks much
Melody

[mrsD]

I have seen some reports of needing 3G service. Wifi is thru the air and has a short radius before dying out.

There should be a wifi card in the new iPad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad

Evidently there are two models. 3G you pay a phone service for.
Wifi connects thru the air to a signal. In your home with DSL, that is a cable system. Connected to a router, creates an in the air signal called wifi... which laptops can connect to without a phone card. The iPad has both versions.

Where we are upNorth, hubby's business computer with 3G sprint could only connect 2G default and that was infinitely SLOW.

Not all places connect well yet with 3G. In big cities where you are should be okay. Out in the country, less good.

[ewizabeth]

Wait for the iPhone on Verizon. There are reports it's finally in the works and in production. You won't need to rely solely on wifi availability, nor the sparceness of AT&T's network.

[RobinM]

As mrsD states... there are 2 types of iPad, WiFi and 3G (the 3G one has been delayed I believe)

And yes the iPhone v4 is currently in production.

You may have to sift through the other articles but http://www.engadget.com/ do allot of write-ups on the iPad.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by mrsD

I have seen some reports of needing 3G service. Wifi is thru the air and has a short radius before dying out.

There should be a wifi card in the new iPad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad

Evidently there are two models. 3G you pay a phone service for.
Wifi connects thru the air to a signal. In your home with DSL, that is a cable system. Connected to a router, creates an in the air signal called wifi... which laptops can connect to without a phone card. The iPad has both versions.

Where we are upNorth, hubby's business computer with 3G sprint could only connect 2G default and that was infinitely SLOW.

Not all places connect well yet with 3G. In big cities where you are should be okay. Out in the country, less good.

What I am trying to fully understand is why someone would pay all that money, and have to hold the darn thing on one's knees to view it comfortably. With all that technology, why not put it into a laptop, and still have the multi-touch app thing going on.

With the IPAD, you either have to hold it in one hand, or put it on your knees, and because it doesn't have a keyboard attached, you have to (I guess), touch an app and the keyboard magically appears (which will obstruct your view of what you are trying to see, no??

I think it's great for videos (although I read where it doesn't support Flash, which most websites require.

I mean, if it did other things like connect an inviduals to each other and have tele-conferencing, well, that's a whole other thing.

There used to be a show on tv called Earth, Final Conflict, and all the people who worked for the aliens, had this nifty communications device that you opened by just sliding it from left to right, and then you saw a big video screen, and you could see the other party (just like skype), and you could communicate.

Now that would be a cool gadget.

melody

[mrsD]

My son just sent me an e-mail.... his boss loaned him his new iPad to work on and learn..for the job. (their software has to be compatible etc). He loves it, and said I would love it too!

But he is a geek and loves all that stuff. Time will tell. It has a 10 hr battery which would be nice upNorth. We'll see next year.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by mrsD

My son just sent me an e-mail.... his boss loaned him his new iPad to work on and learn..for the job. (their software has to be compatible etc). He loves it, and said I would love it too!

But he is a geek and loves all that stuff. Time will tell. It has a 10 hr battery which would be nice upNorth. We'll see next year.

So when you learn, you can tell us ALL ABOUT IT.
Like I will, when I learn how to use the WII

lol

[watsonsh]

I hear the 3G service is $60 a month