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iPad Demos Feature Feet on Tables

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Growing up, if we ever put our feet on a coffee table or other piece of furniture, we’d receive a quick rebuke from my mother. If she was close enough she’d swat our feet to the floor. It looks like the iPad is going to herald a sad day for those who insist on those kind of manners.

I glean that from watching the iPad demos that Xavier linked to earlier today. There isn’t a one that doesn’t have some model’s feet on some piece of furniture. Some of which (like the picture accompanying this post) make me think I might have to turn into a contortionist. I know that’s a staged shot, but my goodness that must be some tall desk that guy has his feet on.

13 Comments

13 Comments

  1. Snowii

    03/29/2010 at 10:10 pm

    looks like a very comfy position to sit at!!! :D

  2. John Allison

    03/30/2010 at 1:52 am

    I have an old Fujitsu slate and this was always the problem with it for home use, you have to prop it up at an angle or crane your neck. The reason a laptop works so well is that you can put it on your lap and adjust the screen to a nice angle. With a slate I soon got sick of getting pins and needles in my crossed legs.

    • Brett Gilbertson

      03/30/2010 at 3:15 am

      I hate using a laptop on the couch, it’s an akward balancing act and the screen is never close enough for me.

      It’s one of the reasons I love my Motion C5 slate. As much as I do love Fujitsu’s, I find that convertibles are too bulky for me. The slate / active digitizer combo draws me in everytime.

      I had a Fujitsu T4310 and a HP Tm2 here for 3 weeks just now and as nice as they both were, I wasn’t drawn to it over the slate for convenience.

  3. Sumocat

    03/30/2010 at 4:58 am

    A raised knee or sofa armrest are often my tabletops of choice when using my Tablet PC. :)

    What puzzles me most about the typing demos is the emphasis on the two-hand keyboard. For the iPhone, they’re always showing the one-finger use of the portrait keyboard. Not like that can’t work on the iPad too. Not sure if they’re promoting the two-hand ‘board or just trying to convince people it’ll be just like a regular keyboard.

  4. noctilux

    03/30/2010 at 6:18 am

    I’d like to agree with John Allison. The problem I see with the slate form factor is that it’s hard to get into a comfortable position: Lying in bed, for instance, you have to permanently raise your legs to view the screen – or prop it up with your hand, which probably gets tiresome and, of course, prevents multi-touch operation. This might explain the positions in the demo: Resting your legs on something else is the only way to keep the screen angled and keep the legs in a pleasant position.
    A laptop can rest comfortably on your lap, as the screen creates the necessary angle — with a slate, you have to create that angle with your back. The same happens with the slate on a desk — I’ve had a hard time in the past trying to find a comfortable position with my Tablet PC.
    I also wonder about hand placement. I love capacitive touch screens, but where do you put your hands when “not in use”?
    Of course, a slate also has the odd advantage – it’s hard to use a laptop when standing up; without looking rather silly, that is.
    I imagine, however, that the light weight of the iPad might mitigate some of the ergonomic problems I’ve experienced with my Tablet PC, which I’ve ended up using in slate mode solely for inking — for everything else, the laptop form factor has just been more convenient.

    • Brett Gilbertson

      03/30/2010 at 4:38 pm

      The new Motion slate tablets have a 180° viewing angle due to the Hydis AFFS+ display which means that you don’t need to go looking for the right angle to see the screen. Any angle will do fine.

      iPad also has “lPS” or In Plane Switching which gives a similar viewing angle. That is a smart move by apple and it will have a significant impact on its success.

      This is a much better ergonomic experience than you’ll find on other tablets.

  5. tabletenvy

    03/30/2010 at 9:59 am

    Maybe we’re going to see a lot of new repetitive strain injuries…

    “iPad thigh?” ;)

  6. CLC

    03/30/2010 at 10:41 am

    That’s what I was thinking when I first saw that. LOL. I’ve sat in such a position before, but not for long. Lower legs are more comfortable; but then the screen wouldn’t be angled enough.

    • CLC

      03/30/2010 at 10:42 am

      Heaven forbid my brother attempt this. LOL. He can’t even sit on the floor with his legs straight in front of him.

  7. SAM

    03/30/2010 at 10:46 am

    I have a basic question about the iPad.

    Can you use a stylus with it or does it have to
    be your finger only?

    I would think writing with your finger wouldn’t
    be so good.

    • Mike aka C-141xlr

      03/30/2010 at 12:54 pm

      Finger only, though they have those stylus made for the iPhone with a piece of conductive foam on the tip. I’ve tried them and they are a complete waist of money.

  8. Mike aka C-141xlr

    03/30/2010 at 12:55 pm

    I watched a couple of the Apple movies on the iPad. I wonder how long the model could actually hold the iPad in the position she does for the movie demo?

    First accessory needed will be a stand.

  9. Computer Parts Dwight

    04/04/2010 at 6:34 pm

    It seems that the IPAD could have a couple good uses in everyday life, but overall it seems that it is a personal choice for each individual. I personally can’t find a reason to buy one myself.

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