Anyone got one yet?

So those of us elsewhere in the world are anxious to hear - anyone in the US got hold of an iPad yet?

What's it like?

I know it is still early over there, but that is no excuse.

Monday. For me..

Fixing to head out to the store in a few. 7am here and planning on showing up there an hour before opening. Am hoping I don't have to spend more than a couple of hours there at the outside - fat chance huh?

Are there long queues outside the shops?

A friend of mine is standing in line in Tampa for one right now. Here's a pic he posted ... from his iPhone no less:

In line here in Dallas. Standing at # 20. Up to about 30 now.

Looks like there were only about 10 that spent the night.

There are 2 lines, one for reserves and one for the others.

Handing out free coffee. My kind of folks here.

As much as I've found the iPad a flop for my uses, I'm actually excited for you guys whom are so psyched. I was checking out the iPad videos last night, specifically the ones concerning Keynote and iWork, and I was kind of impressed by them. If they work as well as the ads make them seem to, they should be easy to work with and a success in that manner of speaking.

I have also reconsidered my stance on the potential of the iPad and the future of this type of device. I have the Apple Bluetooth keyboard, so understand how truly portable it is. Add to that a portable bluetooth mouse, and all you really need is some progress in terms of how powerful we can make those A4's and get some powerhouse software in the game.

That will take a while (years) but who knows, perhaps the iPad will speed things along in that way.

So, are they handing out doughnuts with that coffee ?

Doug

No doughnuts, but they have come around now with water, soda and monster energy drinks.

Up to about 40 in the reserve line and just over 30 in the hopeful line.

I am excited and I am not even getting one! I think I need to experience the waiting in line for a new release... once!

chas_m said:

A friend of mine is standing in line in Tampa for one right now. Here's a pic he posted ... from his iPhone no less:

View attachment 12549

Click to expand...

Locos!

Ours should arrive this afternoon. The anticipation builds!

Just let the first 10 in the store.

Just over 50 in line for reserves now.

bobtomay said:

No doughnuts, but they have come around now with water, soda and monster energy drinks.

Up to about 40 in the reserve line and just over 30 in the hopeful line.

Click to expand...

Nice. What time do the doors actually open?

Just opened the doors.

Out of the store and on the way home wtih iPad in hand.

bobtomay said:

Out of the store and on the way home wtih iPad in hand.

Click to expand...

Give us a mini review after you play with it.

Makes me wish I had gone for the wifi instead of 3g version . . . oh well, I can wait.

Back home and performing the initial sync on it. When that's done I'll see about getting a few pics up for ya'll.

If any one is wondering, there are plenty of cases (several brands) and all the other accessories available in the store.
I only picked up the Apple case and the dock.

edit: Looks like the sync is going to take awhile. Had it import about 600 pics from Aperture (Raw files at 4000x3000) and it's optimizing those for the iPad as it goes.

First post from the new toy. Initial impression, my wife even has to admit it's pretty slick. Have to play now.

Which capacity did you get Bob?

I suppose they expect you to plug it in to the mains for 16 hours before you are supposed to use it to charge the batteries?

Do the Apps look all pixelated when streched to iPad size?

Does it include the iBook App - or does that come later even in USA?

Got home about an hour ago with my 32GB version and so far I'm loving it. iBooks is fantastic, and I anticipate spending many hours reading on it. The OS is very snappy in comparison to my iPhone, and the revised apps are also much more responsive. iCal is another app I plan to implement on a frequent basis as I anticipate integrating it into my work schedules and what not. I have yet to play with much of anything else as I have been dreading the time it'll take to sync up all my music and photos. I'm not entirely sure how to put some of my videos on it yet because I don't have them converted to a compatible format, but I suspect I'll be searching for a convertor soon enough. Also, the first app I plan to purchase is the Comic Book reader as my friend that also purchased an iPad already bought and downloaded it before leaving his Apple store. He says its pricey, but worth it as it supports the popular comic formats natively without need of conversion.

~~I was very impressed with Apple's employees today. Not only were they there bright and early with us, but they were just as excited as the people in line (whether or not they were really happy to be awake that early I don't know) They had free coffee, water, and breakfast for everyone that was there. A+