Apple iPad - the best new way to display your photos?
Apple says it's 'the best way to experience the web, email and photos'. But what does Apple's new tablet really mean for photographers?
Ending months of speculation, Apple has unveiled the iPad, a 'revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more.' There's certainly much to attract photographers: the potential for showing off images on a gorgeous 9.7 inch high-resolution touchscreen; the 10-hour battery life; the 64GB of storage. But is it just a pricey but pretty back-up system, or a useful tool we didn't know we needed until now?
iPad highlights from a photographer's point of view:
What is the iPad's 9.7-inch high-res display like?
The tech specs:
• 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
• 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
First thoughts? There's no doubt that the iPad's display has the potential to do your photos justice. Its LED-backlit display features IPS (In-plane switching) technology to deliver consistent colour reproduction and a very wide 178-degree viewing angle – useful for sharing your shots with a group. Pictures can be organised into albums, and the iPad displays these in stacks. Tap the stack and the album opens up, enabling you to flip through your shots, zoom in and out of them or watch an 'elegant' iPad slideshow – the iPad can act like a digital photo frame while it's charging in its dock.
How do you import photos?
There are several ways to get your shots onto the iPad:
The 'traditional' way: A dock connector comes in the box, allowing USB transfer using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable – you can sync your photos, contacts, apps and more from your Mac or PC this way.
The direct way: Photos (and videos) can be imported straight from a digital camera using the camera's USB cable, but you'll have to fork out for an Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (pictured right). The kit also gives you an SD Card Reader to import photos straight from an SD card. Yes, there's no direct CF card option, but the iPad isn't really a tool for pro photographers. Not yet, anyway.
The wireless way: iPad offers WiFi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. We're sure we'll see more DSLR manufacturers offering built-in wireless connectivity, rather than having us rely on third-party solutions such as the Eye-Fi SD card to transfer image files wirelessly.
What photo software will it run?
Here's the thing. iPad runs with a operating system that's similar to the iPhone. So standard versions of photo-processing software like Photoshop, Elements, Lightroom won't currently run on the iPad. Like the iPhone, the iPad is all about the apps. It will run the majority of the 140,000+ apps in Apple's App Store and comes with 12 apps built-in, including the Photos app. We've already seen Adobe release the Photoshop.com Mobile App for iPhone and we're sure there will be further development by Adobe and Apple in this area.
Does it really have the potential to replace a photographer's laptop?
There's no doubt that the light weight – 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) for the Wi-Fi model, 1.6 pounds (0.73 kg) for the Wi-Fi + 3G version – could make it an attractive proposition for photographers who travel a lot. The storage capacity is fairly limited though, at either 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB. Battery life is always a concern with mobile devices – the new A4 chip powering the iPad has been designed by Apple, and is said to provide an impressively long battery life of up to 10 hours. It's also expected to be able to be charged up to 1,000 times 'without a significant decrease in battery capacity over a typical five year lifespan'.
When will the iPad be available – and how much will it cost?
iPad will be available in late March worldwide, at an SRP of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB mode.
Update: iPad available in US on 3rd April, from $499.
Posted by Marcus Hawkins on Thursday, 28th Jan 2010 at 12:12am GMT.
Laptops could be a thing of the past - mine are being consigned to the bin - just ordered 4 of these sensational innovative products - a 64GB for myself and a smaller one for the other family members (ideal early Christmas presents) - don't tell them (lol) - this product makes the iPhone and iPods look like "toys" - so to hell with the inflated price - it will truly revolutionise your lifestyle - couldn't wait for its price to drop - as it surely will - it's that good - well done Apple (I never thought I'd ever hear myself say that. !?!?!?)
#1. Posted on Thursday, 28 Jan 2010 at 01:31pm GMT. Report this
Hmm, just thinking about all the fingerprints, might be a distraction.. Or not, hard to say without seeing this gadget first..
#2. Posted on Thursday, 28 Jan 2010 at 03:49pm GMT. Report this
You actually ordered the giant Ipod??!!....I'm amazed! Now you get a limited operating system with no multitasking ,no standard programs, no keyboard, no webcam, no ethernet you have to buy a connection kit to download photos to it! and all of this for the moderate cost of 2 to 3 netbooks!
I have a feeling that the only thing of the past is the Iflop and it has not hit the market yet!
#3. Posted on Thursday, 28 Jan 2010 at 08:18pm GMT. Report this
Nice but not great! Not to mention, overrated.
#4. Posted on Thursday, 28 Jan 2010 at 10:03pm GMT. Report this
im with sand man no extra gismos and an inflated price annnnd is it me or the blurb the battery is only good for 1 year and 2 months without loosing power it may have a 5 year tag but working on the charge of the battery 10 hrs and we will use a laptop or i pad most of that time then charge it you only have just over a year to use it before changing the battery not good at all
#5. Posted on Friday, 29 Jan 2010 at 08:20am GMT. Report this
For me the iPad, as with every Apple i(whatever), I'll be reading it as iPointless and following my normal mantra of 'Oi leave it!' they just don't call out to me as something I must have....
Nigel
#6. Posted on Friday, 29 Jan 2010 at 05:07pm GMT. Report this
Can't be doing with it. The more things are rammed down my throat telling me how much I them the more I switch off. I intend to buy a new laptop for my photo work.
#7. Posted on Friday, 29 Jan 2010 at 05:10pm GMT. Report this
I wonder how fragile the screen would be and how well it travels in a rucksack. For me a Samsung NC10 would be a better choice. It has windows xp, wifi, bluetooth,USB, 6 hours of battery life. It runs all the usual software without a problem, including Canon software. I can pack it with my camera gear and run my 5Dmkll remotely with it (cool). All this for £210. I think Apple have a long way to go before the ipad grows up.
#8. Posted on Friday, 29 Jan 2010 at 05:37pm GMT. Report this
I'm going to wait for the Google Slate before I decide one way or another - at the very least it'll force down the price of the iPad and with luck it'll have good internet connection and access to Google apps and chrome OS making it at least a working tool rather than just an expensive presenter.
#9. Posted on Friday, 29 Jan 2010 at 06:06pm GMT. Report this
Sandman summed it up. Unbeleivable naffness. How could theyt think that anyone will buy this?
Apple products are the homeopathy of computing - overpriced and based on appearance, marketing and sustained by a cult.
This has got to be the most unimpressive Apple product I've seen.
Here's a write up:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/187962/apples_ipad_mistakes.html
This why you won't be able to get one for a while:
http://www.appletell.com/apple/comment/ipad-not-for-sale-or-lease-until-...
Usually, the press seem to go gaga over Apple products. However, most articles are really slagging off the iPad. I'm not surprised.
#10. Posted on Friday, 29 Jan 2010 at 07:41pm GMT. Report this
@ Nigel - not sure you can really say the Mac or iPhone is iPointless, hands down a much better OS than Windows or a better phone (providing you're not on O2) than pretty much any other device that came before it. But yes the iPad is a pretty poor, not actually sure why you would even consider it as a photographers tool in its current incarnation.
#11. Posted on Friday, 29 Jan 2010 at 10:06pm GMT. Report this
Have a look at link above I am thinking of buying one of these.
It is a Viewer but Looks and Spec are quite good.
#12. Posted on Friday, 29 Jan 2010 at 11:37pm GMT. Report this
I firmly believe in the old saying that "You pays your money & makes your choice" there will always be Apple & Microsoft bashers, but in my view, you choose the equipment that is right for you.
On a personal note, having been a Windows user since Windows 95, after using Apple hardware, would not ever consider going back to Windows. For me, the stability is worth the extra price. To balance the argument up, All things Apple, in my view, are not always the best. Consider Aperture against Lightroom- no contest, Lightroom wins hands down as agreed by the majority of photographers agree.
Whatever your personal view, you have to admire Apple, if only for the fact that within 5 years the iPhone has come from nowhere to be the phone of choice for millions.
As an Apple user, I will certainly read the reviews of the iPad as a photographer and book reader. I will be very interested in the ebook reader app when it appears, as when going on my holidays each year, my suitcase is loaded with paperbacks. This hopefully, will be a thing of the past, but only if the download price is compatible with the bought price- including the likes of Tesco, where you get 2 best seller paperbacks for £7
#13. Posted on Saturday, 30 Jan 2010 at 12:39am GMT. Report this
I appreciate it seems to be a fashion (backlash) to berate all things Apple at the moment - probably as a consequence of the iPhone's success. However, the iPad is not there to REPLACE a laptop, it fills a different niche. As a lightweight means of displaying photographs stylishly, I think it looks excellent. As a portable and lightweight net browser and email reader etc., I think it will be a roaring success with younger users and those who can afford this as a 'leisure' addition to a laptop/desktop. I will buy one but may wait until iPhone 4 comes out which, hopefully, will permit multitasking.
In addition, most 'bashing' seems to come from people who have never tried an alternative to Windoze. Odd really, like writing a restaurant review for somewhere to which you haven't been.
#14. Posted on Saturday, 30 Jan 2010 at 01:37pm GMT. Report this
I'm not an apple basher, I own an Ipod and love it, I too believe that OSX is probably the better OS..... but the Iflop is a ripoff, there already are products that sit between the phone, the laptop and the desktop they are called a netbooks there are millions around and some are also very stylish as you put it. Above all they have non of the shortcomings that I mentioned in my previous post
#15. Posted on Saturday, 30 Jan 2010 at 05:00pm GMT. Report this
The ipad looks cool , but i'm sorry it's way to expensive for me.
#16. Posted on Sunday, 31 Jan 2010 at 02:12pm GMT. Report this
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