let's talk tablets

[Morgul]

Oh yea, I got the first ipad.  Loved it.

I like iphones, ipods, MACS, the original motorola DROID, HTC, samsung, and PCs.

I like the XBOX and the PS3.  I like the DS3d.

Now I got a windows phone 7 in my pocket and I love it too. 

I like cool tech and I do not care what company makes it.  I know, it is a bad habit. 
 

[rittchard]

I like cool tech and I do not care what company makes it.  I know, it is a bad habit. 

Sounds just like me 

[Morgul]

I like cool tech and I do not care what company makes it.  I know, it is a bad habit. 

Sounds just like me 

I wondered if anyone else was like me.  It is sort of a curse, and can be a expensive curse. 
For example, a iphone guy or a android guy just waits till the contract is up and chooses the latest and greatest.

I want all of them so I have to carefully pick and choose.   

(I usually change up just for the sake of changing and experience a new interface/operating system)

[Eco-Logic]

Awesome. You'll love it. Ice Cream Sandwich absolutely rocks.

Sent from my Acer Iconia A500 using Tapatalk

[gellar]

I like cool tech and I do not care what company makes it.  I know, it is a bad habit. 

Sounds just like me 

I wondered if anyone else was like me.  It is sort of a curse, and can be a expensive curse. 
For example, a iphone guy or a android guy just waits till the contract is up and chooses the latest and greatest.

I want all of them so I have to carefully pick and choose.   

(I usually change up just for the sake of changing and experience a new interface/operating system)

I used to be.  Now I really just can't be bothered.  I just want the gadget that accomplishes the goal I'm looking for with the least amount of fuss.

[WorkingMike]

Well, I gave it to the missus and it was a hit. She played Angry Birds all morning. Tomorrow I have to go buy a Ghost Shield and install it so the screen doesn't get scratched.
It really is a neat tablet. Good screen, responsive, easy to use. I had to "force quit" one of the apps, but i figure that's just the way open systems roll..

Now to sneak the Infinity Engine games on there

[morlac]

Well, I gave it to the missus and it was a hit. She played Angry Birds all morning. Tomorrow I have to go buy a Ghost Shield and install it so the screen doesn't get scratched.
It really is a neat tablet. Good screen, responsive, easy to use. I had to "force quit" one of the apps, but i figure that's just the way open systems roll..

Now to sneak the Infinity Engine games on there

No issues with it being refurbed?  What was your walk away price w/ warranty and how does it last?  I have been greenlight for a tablet for my Bday.  It's not until July but I obsess over new tech purchases so i am going crazy with research already.  New Ipad should be out by then as well as a new Transformer?  Those are my two front runners but the Acer ones are nice to.

Lastly what is this infintiy engine thing you are referring to and is it exclusive to one format; Ipad or android?

[WorkingMike]

No issues, it looked like a brand new tablet. No manual or anything, but I don't see that being an problem. The price was 299 and the 2 year warranty was 80 bucks. With tax it was 400, which was the price of the 16gig new (Best Buy had the 32gig on sale for 400, but screw them - I'm pretty much boycotting BB at this point).

 It seems like a solid, well made product. Only time will tell, but so far I'm really pretty pleased with it. So much that I let drop that I would like a Transformer Prime someday.

Apparently you can run the Infinity Engine games on Android . You do it from an SD card, which currently leaves IOS out. I'll report back once I get 'em running (I have the boxed versions and the GoG ones, so I just need a MicroSD card now)

Super Awesome Android Infinity Engine App

[WorkingMike]

Oh, and the warranty was a 2 year Spillage and Accident warranty. The fella at the store said that either they fix it or replace it. I'm quite certain the wife it going to damage this thing, so that sealed the deal for me. I'll have to report back on the service once it finally happens, but CompUsa has always taken good care of me.

[Purge]

OK fine, you really just want me to come out and say it don't you lol?  PORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

* Purge resolves to just use pen and paper rather than borrowing ANYONE's porn tablet.

Spoiler for the axsepshun:

One exception: hot chicks. I don't care if she's looking at dudes, monkeys or other chicks. ESPECIALLY other chicks. Yeah.

Wait, what were we talking about again?

[Eco-Logic]

Woah Mike, I had no idea about that! THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP!

Sent from my Acer Iconia A500 using Tapatalk

[Morgul]

ummm, if you figure out how to get thief and bauldurs gate 2 to run on this tablet I have coming I will..  love you long time

[WorkingMike]

BG2 should run with GemRB. It also looks like HoMM3 is playable on Android

HoMM3 for Android

[rittchard]

ummm, if you figure out how to get thief and bauldurs gate 2 to run on this tablet I have coming I will..  love you long time

HOT STUFF!!!! 

[disarm]

I took the plunge this afternoon and picked up a 32GB Transformer Prime...found one in stock at Gamespot of all places.  I'm in the middle of firmware/software updates now, but can't wait to play around more

[Pyperkub]

ummm, if you figure out how to get thief and bauldurs gate 2 to run on this tablet I have coming I will..  love you long time

Thief?!? That's not infinity but I'd pick that up in a heartbeat.

Epic 4g/Tapatalk

[Xmann]

I'm enjoying the wifes iPad 2 as I've decided to try and hold out for the updated Prime in a few months

[Razgon]

ummm, if you figure out how to get thief and bauldurs gate 2 to run on this tablet I have coming I will..  love you long time

I could have sworn I told you guys this recently, but GEMRB is exactly this.

It allows you to run the Infinity engine games on a variety of platforms, android and IOS included.

Here you go - Enjoy!

http://www.gemrb.org/wiki/doku.php?id=start

   Runs the Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment games
    Cross-platform: runs on Windows, OS X, Linux, *BSD, Android, iOS and more
    Open source under the GPL (git repository)
    Nearly feature-complete (todo)
    Usability innovations, including touch based input
    Extensible plugin-based design that removes many limitations of the Infinity Engine

Btw - What kind of love are we talking, now? ;-)

[Pyperkub]

Best Buy has iPad 2's on sale ($50 off).  Pretty clear indicator that the 3 might be in stores soon...

Best Buy is now selling all variants of the iPad 2 for $50 off the usual list price. Given that the Apple-authorized big box electronics retailer usually sticks to the regular pricing, this is a bit atypical

[JCC]

I continue to be disappointed with my Android tablet experience (Acer Iconia A500) and would definitely recommend an iPad 2 over it. I love having a tablet, and use it every single day. I use it for fairly simple things only (web browsing, YouTube, and.... uh Sudoku every now and then). It's a slower more glitchy experience than the iPad 2. I deal constantly with web browser crashes (often due to Flash, but not always). The tablet often shuts down for no reason (this is when it's in the charger, so not due to running out of juice - but boy does this thing's battery SUCK compared to the iPad). I often have it get stuck on the lock screen (also while charging). Anytime my wife uses my tablet for something briefly because she doesn't want to go get her iPad 2 she can't believe I can put up with how slow it is. I recently tried a factory reset to see if that would make things more stable and have barely installed any apps on it at all, but it's still just as glitchy. I am tempted to sell this thing when the new iPad comes out. I'm still holding out hope that I will enjoy it more when ICS comes out for it in April.

I GREATLY prefer Anrdoid to iOS when it comes to my phone experience. There are plenty of things about iOS that drive me crazy. But, my experience with Honeycomb has been very disappointing. The only advantage this thing has over the iPad in my mind is flash support - which is still very glitchy and more and more it seems sites are providing non-flash alternatives for iOS devices. The one thing I would miss is using the ESPNRadio web site (which is one of the things that crashes my browser 2-3 times before it works most days), which doesn't appear to work on the iPad, but I could always work around that by ponying up $3 for the app.

[th'FOOL]

The only advantage this thing has over the iPad in my mind is flash support - which is still very glitchy and more and more it seems sites are providing non-flash alternatives for iOS devices. 

Apparently Adobe admits Flash on mobile devices sucks- they are discontinuing it.

[Canuck]

Your problem is that you got an Acer. It's pretty clear that Asus' offerings are far superior to any other Android tablet. I haven't spent a lot of time with my wife's Transformer but I love watching the Daily Show and Colbert Report on it. Works without a hitch. I also like watching YouTube and reading comments at the same time and not have to open it up in a separate app.

[Eco-Logic]

JCC it must be specific to your tablet, because mine flies. I'm running ICS though. My wife is still on HC and she doesn't have any slowdown either. I don't recall ever having the browser force close on me (running Chrome now, which screams).

The Iconia and the original Transformer are identically spec'd and perform pretty much the same. For me having usb ports makes the Iconia the superior tablet. The Prime on the other hand blows everything away.

Sent from my Acer Iconia A500 using Tapatalk

[rittchard]

Ready or not, here comes iPad 3!

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/28/apple-issues-invitations-for-ipad-3-media-event-on-march-7/

[CeeKay]

Ready or not, here comes iPad 3!

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/28/apple-issues-invitations-for-ipad-3-media-event-on-march-7/

* CeeKay throws his money at the screen.

[rickfc]

Ready or not, here comes iPad 3!

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/28/apple-issues-invitations-for-ipad-3-media-event-on-march-7/

* CeeKay throws his money at the screen.

This. I've held off so far on the iPad, but I told* my wife that I will be buying the 3 when it is released.

* I begged and pleaded

[PR_GMR]

Ready or not, here comes iPad 3!

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/28/apple-issues-invitations-for-ipad-3-media-event-on-march-7/

* CeeKay throws his money at the screen.

Yep! You can have my money too.

(PR opens wallet. Throws wad of cash at Apple)

[tiktokman]

Most definitely getting an ipad 3. I've been lost since my ipad 2 got stolen. FUCKER!

[Azhag]

I'm going to eventually have to give into a tablet... trying to wait for the replacement for the Kindle Fire to see how much it's improved as I'd rather not jump to the ipad 3 or transformer prime price points...

[Gratch]

Ready or not, here comes iPad 3!

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/28/apple-issues-invitations-for-ipad-3-media-event-on-march-7/

* CeeKay throws his money at the screen.

This. I've held off so far on the iPad, but I told* my wife that I will be buying the 3 when it is released.

* I begged and pleaded

Same here.  I've wanted an iPad forever, but had a hard time justifying one when a new version was always "just around the corner".  Excited that I can finally take the plunge!

[rittchard]

Do be prepared that rumor has it the prices on iPad 3 are going to actually increase over the present iPad 2 due to the screen.

Also scattered rumors of Apple TV having some sort of update.

[Blackjack]

Do be prepared that rumor has it the prices on iPad 3 are going to actually increase over the present iPad 2 due to the screen.

One of them rumors:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/02/27/rumor_apple_may_charge_80_more_for_ipad_3_with_retina_display.html

A document that has surfaced out of the Far East claims that Apple's third-generation iPad will cost $80 more, starting at $579 instead of $499.

While companies are already discounting iPad 2, I haven't really seen anything astronomically discounted (mostly $50-$70 off). That might change a bit once the iPad 3 releases, but I still wouldn't expect it to get "Touchpadded." 

Our ad director at work took an Ipad 2 with her to a business conference in Europe instead of her laptop for the first time and raved about it. Keep in mind she's not someone who needs to type on it a lot. She used it for web, e-mail, and showing clients ad samples. The e-mail newsletter I work on looks great on iPads (or other tablets I've tried in stores), but our magazine's digital edition provider isn't yet providing an iPad compatible version (their reader is Flash-based). She raved about it and doesn't plan to bring her laptop on biz trips anymore.

[Blackjack]

Another rumor du jour:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/03/01/rumor_apple_to_unveil_8gb_ipad_2_alongside_ipad_3_on_march_7.html
*This latest one from Taiwan suggests Apple will drop the 64GB option and offer 16GB and 32GB iPad 3 models, alongside a closer to bargain-priced 8GB iPad 2 model with the idea of combating lower priced tablets at least to some extent on price (Kindle Fire, Nook Color Tablet etc.).

Seems in line with the iPhone in the past from the standpoint of continuing to offer at least one older model at a substantially lower price than the new line.

But, it also conflicts with other rumors with purported iPad 3 price lists showing the traditional three models (16, 32, 64GB).

[rittchard]

Definitely interesting... would love to see iPad 2 8GB coming in at $299 or even less, that would be really rough on Kindle Fire and other low end competitors.

I can't imagine the memory size downshifting, particularly when the overall size is likely getting bigger.  Actually on second thought maybe the new screen (plus the processing power to support it) just sucks so much power they had to do extra with the battery to not make it crap out in 15 minutes lol.  Gonna be interesting to see what happens, I sense there will be lots of groaning and complaining.  In all honesty I think the increased resolution is kind of unnecessary; oh it's definitely cool and I definitely want it, but it may be a bit of overkill meant mostly to show the world they are still on top, as opposed to a more practical piece of gear for the masses.  Kind of like the original Macbook Air.

[Blackjack]

Latest name scuttlebutt (based on names of upcoming accessories) is "iPad HD," so you'll have to put away the "iPad Maxi" and "iPad Magnum" jokes. 
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/03/01/case_makers_plan_for_apple_ipad_hd_best_buy_expects_accessories_march_11.html

Now this assumes the accessory-makers have inside info and aren't just generically referring to iPad 3 as "iPad HD" because they don't know what else to call it.

[Crusis]

I feel like I've betrayed the cult and guys with apple shaped hoods are going to show up at my house and break my fingers.

...

I just bought a Transformer Prime after playing with one at Best Buy for half an hour. HMFS this thing is crazy fast.

[Eco-Logic]

Awesome your going to love it!

Sent from my Acer Iconia A500 using Tapatalk

[WarPig]

I got mine last week; I love it.  My next task is to find some awesome games. With the docking station, it's perfect for journal writing. My trip to Scotland in the autumn will consist of some blog entries and photos all done with my Prime. We shall see how it goes. I'll post the blog address later this summer when I get it straightened out, if anyone is interested.

The tablet is the only computer device I'm taking with; since I have Sprint, my ECO won't work in the UK. Smaller than a laptop, I'm just plain excited. This thing is awesome. Fast and responsive.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

[Crusis]

I've already come across a number of annoyances. Grr. So SO Sick of being asked if I want to buy Tapatalk every time I click on a forum. Dear Tapatalk. Fuck you very much now leave me alone. Also, the screen is not that responsive. A number of times I swipe or touch and nothing happens. The browsers are slow slow slow, both Chrome and the one that ships with the device. I already miss Safari on my iPad. The game selection is a joke compared to the app store. They have done a wonderful job of covering up Android with the Honeycomb interface, it is a gorgeous interface.

Anyway. I guess I'll get back to the uncomfortable silence that exists between my iPhone, iPad, iMac, Macbook pro ... and Prime. 

[disarm]

I've had my Prime for about a week now ,and while I'm still sorting through all the available apps to find ways of doing the things I want, I absolutely love it.  Everything is blazing fast and runs seamlessly so far.  My Prime from Gamestop came loaded with a few games, the best of which are Shadowgun THD and Riptide GP...very technically impressive and quite a bit of fun. I'm also really enjoying Google Currents for collecting interesting news from around the web and presenting it in a slick, easy to consume format.  I feel like I'm just scratching the surface of what this incredible little device is capable of, but it's already proven to be well worth the price

They have done a wonderful job of covering up Android with the Honeycomb interface, it is a gorgeous interface.

There's no cover-up going on there...Honeycomb is the previous tablet version of Android, not a skin or layer on top of the OS.  Ice Cream Sandwich is the latest, and far superior, version though...and it's awesome on the Prime.