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This for me is a bit of a make or break question with the iPad.

The 'pad has a great price point, but if I still need a "real" computer to make it work, then the arguments that a 'pad will free non geeks from the tyranny of owning a "real" computer becomes a bit of a moot point.

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8 Answers

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I thought I remember a part from the announcement saying you can do on-device activation. That removes that initial hurdle.

They have two dock adapters for USB and SD card - stated purpose is camera downloads, could be interesting if they would allow transfer of other content via those mechanisms.

You can have access to some non-iTunes Store content (especially in the edu context), if you consider apps like DropBox. Think posting PDFs or images or similar in a public folder and sharing it to students. I would love to see the inter-app document APIs like they opened up for images be opened for other doctypes.

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I think that the reference to 'activation at home' was specifically for the 3G wireless package. – Fraser Speirs♦ Feb 1 at 15:17
Could be - what else requires activation? iTunes Store authentication? – Kevan Emmott Feb 1 at 15:29
Also, answering my own question and reading some more docs, it looks like those inter-app APIs are being extended to more doctypes. – Kevan Emmott Feb 1 at 15:31
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There are three things that I believe you absolutely need a full computer for right now:

  • Initial activation and setup
  • Backup
  • Printing
  • Syncing non-iTunes Store and non-Podcast media

Beyond that, depending on what you want to do of course, you can use the iPad mostly standalone:

  • You can buy and install apps over Wifi
  • You download music, video, podcasts and iTunes U over wifi.

In the edu. context, you could deliver your content via podcast subscription as that can be done directly from the device.

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It is not yet clear how ePub content can be distributed and consumed outside of the built-in iBooks and iBooks Store which may be limited to Apple's content partners. – Jin Kim Feb 1 at 15:59
@Jin - you don't have to use iBooks. There are other ebook readers on the app store even now (most of which I'm sure will be updated to take full advantage of the iPad). They support a wide range of deliver mechanisms, including wifi sync. – Phil Nash Feb 1 at 19:04
@Jin Kim: there will be a "Share Folder" on the device that'll mount as USB drive on the desktop and allow dragging of files (of recognized type) directly onto it. Presumably mount wirelessly as well. iPad apps will be able to deposit chosen files in there - without the user EVER encountering a hierarchical subfolder/ file browser. – ianf Feb 6 at 12:05
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You can buy, download and install all applications via WiFi, similar to the iPhone or iTod touch.

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As for printing:

Presumably you will be able to send documents out of Pages to an email address on the iPad. It would be easy to set up a print server with an email address that each student sends their documents to, and have some sort of automation script print out each .pages attachment sent to this address.

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You will not need a computer for "initial activation and setup". Jobs indicated in the iPad press event that even the 3G wireless could be activated on-device at any time, with no requirement for a computer.

The WiFi-only iPads will behave like iPod Touches - you can take them out of the box, power them up and use them w/o a computer. Syncing media will obviously require a computer - but any media you purchase on the device from the app store will download to the device itself - just as it does currently with the iPhone and iPod Touch.

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The iPad can activate by itself. This process was the single thing that you NEEDED a computer for.

Faser is right about backup through - however - I would contend that there may be cloud-based solutions in the near future. How this integrates with the built-in file sharing folder is as yet unknown.

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A school could manage the host computer, and students could buy/rent the iPad for connection.

The Apple web site does say that a Mac or PC is a prerequisite.

John

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@"Mac or PC is a prerequisite" - that's correct, but we don't yet know to what extent. Apple may have put a cap on the size of WiFi downloads to prevent premature depleting of the battery, and/or subtly "tether" the user to a desktop for recurrent syncing and backup duties. Other than desire to sell more Macs, there's nothing preventing them from implementing over-the-air backups to a Time Capsule –which would nullify the need for "the prerequisite"– but I don't see it coming. Sooner a cloud/ $100-a-year .Mac-based solution... – ianf Feb 6 at 12:23
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there already are apps made for printing wirelessly. i believe epson has one. i am already paying apple a $100 a year, so i think the mobileme cloud should start backing up more items ( such as bookmarks ). i want to lose my host computer all together. i just wish that i could plug in a external harddrive somehow to sort through and upload the media i already own....

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