Thursday’s Charlie Rose show featured a discussion with Walt Mossberg, David Carr and Michael Arrington about the upcoming Apple iPad.
Their wide-ranging discussion covered topics such as the iPad’s surprisingly low starting price, Apple’s decision not to support Adobe’s Flash in iPad’s iPhone OS, and Apple’s challenges in this new market.
Mossberg began with, “First of all, I think people who are focused on the hardware — they say, you know, it just looks like a big iPhone — are missing the key thing here. The key thing here is going to be the software and the services that it will deliver… The other thing I will say is, from the short time I’ve used it, it feels great in the hand, it’s wicked fast — I mean it’s really fast — and it has software flourishes that are more like a Mac… than they are like an iPhone. The photo app on there looks more like the one you would get on your… Mac computer than it does what you would get on an… iPhone. And they have a full-blown productivity suite [iWork for iPad] on there; word processor [Pages for iPad], spreadsheet [Numbers for iPad], slide presentation program [Keynote for iPad], so it’s a different animal than an iPhone.”
Mossberg also said, “The price point shocked me… When [Jobs] said $499, I was amazed… It’s going to make it harder for competitors… under $499 is going to be hard [for competitors] to make a profit.”
During the discussion, both Carr and Arrington explain why they think iPad will be a hit.
See the entire video (23:36, in Adobe’s shitastic Flash, so crank up those CPUs and cooling fans!) via AllThingsD – highly recommended – here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “dslarsen” for the heads up.]
Darn. Video is in Flash.
Hah! The video link on their web site requires Flash. No go on my iPod touch.
” it just looks like a big iPhone”
Why is that perceived as a negative? It’s beautiful.
Adobe is an enabler. Think stoned developer, not empowered, content provider.
http://www.skipintros.com/
It is a testament to the perfect form of the iPhone.
What else could it have looked like? A PSP? An Etch-A-Sketch? A Windows “Can O’ Worms”?
“Stoned developer”?
Did he say “Jehovah”?
nice discussion- recommended
TT, it’s just one toke over the line.
You know.
Damm it, I guess I gotta watch it in that POS Flash and enjoy my CPU going full blown overload and fan blasting to cool it off… C’mon developers get rid of FLASH FOR YOU VIDEOS!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
“What else could it have looked like? A PSP? An Etch-A-Sketch? A Windows ‘Can O’ Worms’?”
Can you blame Phil Dick?
Rock on, Jubei.
Great video, thanks for posting!
what? no boston jokes?????
Guys its the iPAAAAAAAAAAAD…
He just called it WICKED FAST…..
*faints
Michael Arrington says in the video that this is definitely a whole new category of device…umm, yeah…could’ve sworn tablets have been out for a while now…
Wicked Fast.
My wife gave me that nickname on our honeymoon.
Saying it looks like a big iPhone is just lazy, they’re both pretty much all screen. You may as well say it looks like a MacBook screen with a button on it.
@ kneugent
…but nobody quite knew why!
@kneugent
The ipad is a tablet like Windows is OSX.
Amazon recently announced plans to release an upgraded Kindle to compete against Apple’s iPad. Tech specs at this point are unconfirmed but industry insiders have leaked the Kindle wish list to bullshit.com
– 16 color active matrix screen
– 4MB Memory (upgradeable to 8MB for $249)
– Dot Matrix printing enabled via parallel port (standard)
– Vector clip art package (select art to display upon launch)
– Animated Gif upgrade: $99 (selections include puppy chasing butterfly across screen, black and white only. Color soon!)
– World Wide Web Internet Access Unlimited. Text only, images will be displayed as black and white Lego Cube.
– Expected Delivery Date: 3Q 2012
– Sign up to be notified of pending release
Why do some people need so much convincing?? Perhaps their brains are fried beyond numbness from using Windoze/PC for too many years.
It’s hilarious how IGN’s editors are negatively viewing the iPad as something “unnecessary”. That comes from a game specialized site. Are your PSP’s necessary? Did you really need to spend $200 in a mouse?
They keep talking about previous attempts to release tablet PCs and seem to miss the fact that they were just that – PCs with Windows, etc., with a touch screen overlay. Windows, and all the tablet predecessors, and all the current Windows-based tablets weren’t designed for touch screen operation. It’s tough to try to operate Windows with a touch screen (or stylus).
On the other hand, the iPad, and it’s cousins the iPhone and iPod Touch, were designed from the ground up to be controlled using your fingers. Big, big difference!! And, all the best apps are designed for the fingers, not the keyboard and mouse.
Mossberg said, and I agree completely, sales will be viral – it’ll start a bit slow, but when people finally see it they will understand and sales will explode. I just hope Apple can keep up with demand.
I also think that we haven’t seen everything that will be on the released product, just what Apple was ready to show. Has anyone that would know actually said that it won’t have a camera? Don’t think so. Only a bunch of self-proclaimed experts.
@Bezos
Nice one. Aren’t those the specs on an original Macintosh computer, excluding web access?
Wait… you are joking, right?
Bezos, where’s your head at? There are several arguments you could have made that might have struck home, yet you missed most of them. Those you hit were less than effective.
The Kindle is a reader, which means color is not THAT important.
The smaller one holds 1,500 books while the larger one holds more than twice that for the same price as an iPad.
As a reader, the Kindle has no need for a printer, as it would were it a computer.
Why would a reader need Vector Clip Art?
Why would a reader need animated GIFs?
Why would a reader need Web access?
Dumb snipe.
Dumber snipe.
Look, the big point for the iPad over the Kindle is that it’s a computer, not a reader. As a reader, I’d have to say the Kindle wins out … a week of battery, half the weight, glare-free screen, built-in 3G, huge selection of material … so, if the iPad were Just A Reader, it would lose out. But, it isn’t.
So, get with the plan. Quit with the silly, childish, sniping. Let Kindle have its market, such as it is, and watch/help the iPad grow far beyond that modest niche.
Flash?!?!?
Everyone with an iPhone go there so they can see how many people came to visit their site but couldn’t see the video.
“And they have a full-blown productivity suite [iWork for iPad] on there”
BTW – I thought iWork for iPad was going to be an extra fee.
Small fee, but not included like the quote above implies.
Boy I sure hope the iPad includes red-underline spell check, I confess I depend on that.
“Small fee, but not included like the quote above implies”
The quote above implies, “They have”, as in, “they’ve built a productivity suite.”
The fact that its a 10 dollar charge for Keynote is of little consequence.
People who want it will pay and those who don’t care won’t.
One of the best quotes by Moss…
“people don’t care about formats, they just want to watch the video.”
Take that further and think about it this way
Most of us in this forum are very competent with our computers
We can also diagnose and repair most problems.
The general computer using masses are not.
They just want to watch movies, email, be social twits;) don’t want the technology in their face and want to consume content easily, anywhere.
It is an interesting diorama when a high technology company can take the technology out of the way in their products.
that is why this product is so sublime.
Go
@DL Meyer. ; ) Most MDN takes + most Comments have a need not only Apple to be successful, but everything other company to fail too.
kevt, I am very much aware of this pathetic need. That wasn’t what I was addressing. Bezos made a sucky argument with most points totally missing the mark.
I don’t think there will be a lot of competition between the Kindle and the iPad. I expect that the iPad will actually boost Kindle sales! Despite the fact that there will be a <u>FREE</u> Kindle app – with color – available for the iPad on Day One. It’s already on the iPhone!
His arguments, though, implied that the Kindle was “old school” and that this would limit its ability to compete. If sales of the hardware drop, Amazon will not suffer terribly if it drops the line. They make their profit from the sale of the content!
I think Bezos was being sarcaaaarstic.
3Q 2012… end of the world?
@DLMeyer
Ahh, struck a nerve there I see. Obviously you’re a Kindle owner desperately hoping to justify your purchase but your end arguement actually concedes that the Kindle is destined to succumb. Alas, that was the point of my entire post but you chose to focus on the fact that the Kindle is a superior reader when, if you had any foresight, you would realize that this one trick pony will soon be hitting eBay by the thousands.
Michael Arrington said it – “You’re looking at a clear window into the software…”
<snicker> Isn’t this what Windows was originally supposed to be about?
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Hazzah.
I liked the comment in the video about Jobs keeping the Kindle on screen for a couple of minutes, and how “it looked like something the mennonites made 100 years ago”
But Mossberg saying Kindle can make a new color model too. Right, just anyone can make an iPad killer and an iTunes store killer and 140,000 apps. Just take a month or two. They could beat Apple to the punch if they hurry.
Oops.. actually David Carr said that.
@ DLMeyer
” … I expect that the iPad will actually boost Kindle sales! …”
My Meyer: Did you actually write that? I’ve read a lot of bullshit, pro and con, about the iPad but this remark is freakin hilarious!
So I’ll be a potential customer for a second with no predisposed opinions.
Okay, let’s check out this Kindle. Hmmm… looks cool … that’d be great to be able to read all my books wherever I go. $489, ouch, quite a bit more than I thought it’d be.
Okay, let’s look at this iPad I’ve heard so much about. Hmm… okay, I can read books – in color – with video, web access, email, 150,000 apps, office suite, touch screen, all my photos and videos, youtube, iPod, Google Maps, GPS, Calendar, search, …. Whoa!! How much is this thing gonna cost?! $499 … huh … WTF! $10 more than a Kindle? Screw that. Kindle FTW!
Is this how you see it playing out? Please tell me you’re not a financial advisor.
Here’s the deal – my mom just bought a Nook. Yeah, I tried to talk her out of it, but she had to have one.
My dad asked me about the iPad (on his own) and got excited when I showed it to him. He was going to buy a laptop but he suddenly forgot all about that – he’s waiting for the iPad to come out and we’re going to go take a look at one, but I’m pretty sure he’s sold.
When he gets one, my mother is going to look at her Nook and decide it’s a failure, and want an iPad so my dad doesn’t have a better toy.
I have seen them play this game over and over, btw.
@ChrissyOne
“I expect that the iPad will actually boost Nook sales!”
– DLMeyer
People missing the point is correct.
Think about the percentage of computer users that only use the types of apps you’ll be able to get on the iPad. Web, email, photos, music, videos and an office suite. Industry specific apps will fill in a lot of the gaps. It’s a smaller percentage of users that need apps outside of these bounds.
iChat and a video camera are about the only things I see missing. That will surely be added soon.
Holy crap, are families going to love the iPad?
But if it doesn’t have a caaaaamoa that shows a shaking ceiling light while I type, its a NO GO FOR ME!
@DLMeyer
The Kindle is a limited, short-term, one-note stopgap type of transitional product, not something of the breadth and capabilities of the iPad.
One of the reasons the iPhone took off is the fact that not only does act as phone, media player, internet appliance, but with the addition of different apps, one is able to create a fantastic pocket tool.
We already have and manage multiple devices with separate cables, chargers and sync devices for each. The more ONE device can do in cutting down on all the junk, the simpler all the rest can be.
The Kindle will have a very limited run.
@ Bill
I’m certain the iPad will have a camera before long.
And stop calling me Shirley.
Isn’t Michael Arrington the guy from TechCrunch who usually takes any chance he gets to sh*t all over Apple? If even he thinks the iPad is going to be a hit, Apple must have something here.
——RM
@Ampar…
You completely missed TT’s Monty Python’s Life of Brian reference.
I never believed in Brian.
Mossberg, however, has his times.
Even though he’s with the Journal..
MDN word “church’
How appropriate.
My wife gave me that nickname on our honeymoon.
Good one, BTO, but are you sure you want that to be known?
Meanwhile, Bill Gates’ wife found out where he got the name for his company on their honeymoon. Or so I hear…
You are aware that I cannot either view this video or comment via my iPod Touch.
Wait a few days and Mossberg’s video will show up on YouTube –then with Click to Flash blocker you’ll be able to see it in H.264 instead of Flash.
To Michael and your iPod touch, check YouTube. There you’ll be able to access Charlie Rose shows Flash free.
@LordRobin,
Arrington is also the TechCrunch guy who got pawned by the Fusion Garage “partner” who hijacked their joint prototype tablet computer project and renamed it from CrunchPad to JooJoo – basically a dedicated browser viewer.
I am sure he is rife with shoulda-woulda-couldas when he strokes the iPad
dd
@ C1
When you go with your father to look at the iPad, you’ll see me walking out with one. Oh, yeah: a “thank you” to ron, x, and all the neocons — I’m using your tax dollars to buy it.
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Adobe has to be really worried. All reviewer agree the iPad is FAST. If someone ask – “how come I can’t get Flash” – and the universal answer is that Flash will really slow it down, most people will say “oh forget it then.”
“@Ampar…
You completely missed TT’s Monty Python’s Life of Brian reference.”
I’ll play the I Didn’t Care Card, Alex.
People who can’t tell the difference between a Kindle and and iPad are doomed. Kindle is walking dead, and Bezos knows it.
WTF?!?! The one guy is under the impression that the iPad is locked to AT&T;when Steve Jobs made it very clear the device is UNlocked and you can use it with any carrier that has a microSIM and neither Walt or the other guy corrected him, so it seems that all three were oblivious to this point.
Seriously, WTF?!?!?
That’s the first thing that struck me- the software, the potential. It’s going to be a monster.
I’m surprised there isn’t more criticism about the screen ratio, which is the same as the first monitor I had with my 486SX 25 MHz system with a 100 MB HD back in 1993. Hmmm. Progress I guess!
@iMaki
“I’m surprised there isn’t more criticism about the screen ratio, “
I’ve heard some. Mainly from those bemoaning the letterboxing of movies. But I think watching movies was never thought of as the “killer app” for the iPad. I think Apple built in the iPod functions simply because they could, and it would have been weird if they hadn’t. No. The iPad was built for print. Books, mags, email, web. 9 out of 10 buying the iPad will spend 90% of their time with these functions, along with app designed to fit the screen’s aspect ratio.
Aspect ratio, the bezel, the weight, no flash, no camera… all straw men for those grasping at straws. No device is perfect for everyone, but this one is going to be perfect for a good many.
@ DLMeyer;
You yourself provided the most damning statement EVAH against the Kindle, so get off your high horse and join reality already.
Quoth the thundering dunderhead DL;
“one holds more than twice that for the same price as an iPad.”
You’d have to be mind numbingly stupid to buy a READER that costs the same price as an iPad, but thanks for playing!
“shit-tastic”
Awesome. Can someone make one of those inspirational posters?
How come I’m not on Charlie Rose …. I could do what these guys do and a lot more with a little research .. and come up with a lot more convincing and technical arguments … Nobody has mentioned that the ipad is a trojan horse into the pc world because you don’t need a Mac to have one!! … it interfaces with itunes for both mac and pc …. doesn’t anyone else notice this but me …
huhhh … anyone else … huhhh … anyone …?