3 ms·

Do they really? Firstly, the perceived lack-of-outdoors-usability hasn't stopped them selling a ton of the first generation model already. Secondly, my experi

by cstross 16y ago

Do they really? Firstly, the perceived lack-of-outdoors-usability hasn't stopped them selling a ton of the first generation model already. Secondly, my experience of using an ipad outdoors -- limited, because I don't have a garden -- is that it's fine except in direct bright sunlight from a cloudless sky (i.e. a single focal very bright light source): it's still readable on a day with high broken cloud and sunlight. The extreme case (bright sunlight, blue sky) is still manageable if you can position the ipad so it's not reflecting the sun straight in your eyes. Seriously. There has been progress in the daylight-usability of backlit LCD displays over the past decade ...

ZeroGravitas 16y ago
Are you talking about outdoor use in sunny Scotland? Both direct bright sunshine and wanting to spend time outdoors might both be limited by the local climate. And "they've sold a lot" is an incredibly weak argument. It applies to most things Apple has launched in the past five years yet they seem to keep improving them anyway and indeed selling more of the newer ones.
- Tycho 16y ago
  I actually live in Scotland. I'd love to be able to stroll over to the Botanic Gardens and use my iPad to do some reading/work while breathing fresh air, but I was sorry to find that's not really an option, rain or shine. Yes, you can still read stuff outdoors (or in conservatories) but only barely making out the text, images and interfaces are spoilt completely. The first time I tried it my reaction was 'I can't see a damn thing.' It's really not at all optimal for outdoor use, unlike the Kindle. And the Notion Ink 'Adam' seems to have a much better outdoor performance. I think the iPad's mobility is its killer feature: being able to take it into the lounge, recline on the sofa, pass it around the room, use it places where a laptop is too conspicuous, etc. Being able to take it to outdoor destinations would obviously boost that significantly.

by cstross 16y ago

ZeroGravitas 16y ago

Are you talking about outdoor use in sunny Scotland? Both direct bright sunshine and wanting to spend time outdoors might both be limited by the local climate. And "they've sold a lot" is an incredibly weak argument. It applies to most things Apple has launched in the past five years yet they seem to keep improving them anyway and indeed selling more of the newer ones.

Tycho 16y ago
I actually live in Scotland. I'd love to be able to stroll over to the Botanic Gardens and use my iPad to do some reading/work while breathing fresh air, but I was sorry to find that's not really an option, rain or shine. Yes, you can still read stuff outdoors (or in conservatories) but only barely making out the text, images and interfaces are spoilt completely. The first time I tried it my reaction was 'I can't see a damn thing.' It's really not at all optimal for outdoor use, unlike the Kindle. And the Notion Ink 'Adam' seems to have a much better outdoor performance. I think the iPad's mobility is its killer feature: being able to take it into the lounge, recline on the sofa, pass it around the room, use it places where a laptop is too conspicuous, etc. Being able to take it to outdoor destinations would obviously boost that significantly.