Similarly, my netbook runs Emacs. An ipad doesn't. Anything that can't run Emacs isn't usable.
When my cameraphone can give me an 8 megapixel
shot that is actually clear enough to print,
let me know
Anything that can't run Emacs isn't usable.
Why is this that so many are obsessed with what iPad does not do, instead of how well it does what it does? How difficult it is to grasp that: a) iPad is not intended to replace anything and b) it's first and foremost consumption device.
Are we so used to eat from the same pot we did the cooking that we now longer accept that plate may be better device to eat from?
I'm not even an Emacs user, but I'm certain that there are modes for every one of those. Emacs even has modes for video editing and photo editing. And I've been told the Emacs browser is the most accessible browser for vision-impaired users.
> Why is this that so many are obsessed with what iPad does not do, instead of how well it does what it does? How difficult it is to grasp that: a) iPad is not intended to replace anything
The grandparent was commenting on an article that specifically claimed that the iPad was going to replace laptops. Hence it is only fair that (s)he would talk about what loss the switch from a laptop to iPad would mean.
How often do you crop photos? Being able to take in more of the shot and focus in on the details is priceless. Granted, shrinking the picture to 1/4 size is unusual, but it's still worth having the option. (It means you can always shoot wide, and not worry about sudden movements, etc.)
As for camera phones, Verizon almost never has a flash. That cripples their camera phones.
I bought a point and shoot this summer, but that was so I had something I could go snorkeling with. (Waterproof to 30ft and wouldn't want to pay thousands for an equivalent SLR even if I could scuba dive with it.)
Who said I wanted to browse the web, watch videos, and edit photos? The last one I especially hate doing.
How often do you print 16"x20" prints, because only for this size you need 8Mpx?
Never. Here are pictures taken with my camera phonen:
http://jrockway.posterous.com/
I dare you to tell me I could get a usable print out of any of those.
I think this is the most important point in this entire thread :p
Although I'd also point out that even if it did run Emacs, I'm not sure how fun it would be to use Emacs' key combos with a software keyboard.
The company that comes up with a way to have the screen close to my face and the keyboard in my lap will win my vote. That is one reason that, while I use my netbook for hours on end to surf and read, I rarely use it for coding/writing. I like the freedom of having my (obnoxiously clicky) keyboard and screen in different physical locations.