Crimson Red Sports

Since none of you responded to my request for IPad 2 information (on a different thread), I just the bit the bullet and decided what I thought was the best for me!  I ordered a white 32MB with 3G (Verizon configuration), I also ordered the aqua blue smart cover.  (I'm not paying $30 more for a red leather cover!).  I did order a number of the accessories.

After twice talking to the Apple Store at Bridge Street (Huntsville), which receives a few a day and has people waiting when the store opens and sells out immediately, at their suggestion I decided just to order it.  

By ordering it I can get the back engraved.  I am having my name and phone numbers put on it.

The bad news is that it is not scheduled for shipment until April 26.  :'( So all of you who are waiting for me to report on how I like it will just have to wait 5 weeks or camp out at your local Apple store!

My daughter just got hers today. She was so excited and thrilled.
I'm hoping for one in the future.. just not possible right now

I have one requirement before I splurge on an Ipad...... Can you take it outside at noon and easily read a book on it?

I have a netbook which meets my needs except for that one thing.  Drives me crazy when I'm waiting somewhere and I decide to read and can't.

I am interested in hearing the answer to this question as well.  I am guessing that you can not.  My wife has a kindle that she reads all the time, which is just fine outside because it is a different technology.  However it is pretty much only good for reading books.  The first company that makes one of these hybrid computer/e-reader devices that is also readable in bright sunlight is going to make a fortune.

I haven't bought a paper book in over 2 years.  I only buy e-books (have over 4000) on my netbook.  I don't want a Kindle because I buy from a lot of e-book only publishers and many of them aren't available from amazon.  I also don't like not being able to have a back-up of my books that I control.

Yep, we don't like being tied to Amazon, but the ink technology was just too good.  We figured she could use it for a few years until someone finally figured out how to make an LCD or similar screen that was readable in bright sunlight.  Hopefully we will be able to move all of her books to the new device, but who knows.  It is in Amazon's best interest to support every possible device since they are in the business of selling books after all, not e-readers.

As for the iPad and e-books, I heard something a couple of months ago that made me think they were going to lock it down and only allow you to buy books from the Apple store.  I don't know if that is accurate, but I sure hope not.

By the way, if you have never seen a kindle in person, the text looks just like a real page.  There is no back light involved, and it is very high contrast.

The iBooks ap on my iPhone reads ePub format.  Calibre is a program you can use to convert to ePub.  The only problem is if the books have DRM protection on them.  It's illegal to strip the DRM to convert, but there's several programs that will do it.  I'm not quite techy enough to manage but the tech savvy people I know assure me it's not hard.

I have both a Kindle and iPad. My iPad was a gift but did not come with 3G so the Nook and Kindle apps are useless if I don't have WiFi. I always carry both devices, that way I am never without something to read. It is true, you can't read the iPad in direct sunlight, iPad 1 anyway....

Since it's backlit, I doubt it will work well in sunshine.  I think it will be like a computer.  I have a Sony Edition Daily ereader which is not backlit and the more light the better.  It works great in the sunshine.  If you like to read, maybe that is an alternative.  The problem is, as has been noted above, you can't download from B&N and Amazon because of the DRM.  I keep thinking they will realize how dumb it is for us not to be able to download from multiple sites.  Sony has fewer books to choose from than B&N and Amazon but I love the design and size of it and it is really quality built.

No e-readers for me.  I refuse to be tied to one source for my books or to one format.  I have a netbook which I use as my e-reader now, I can be patient until someone makes a netbook or tablet that I can read outside with.

Congrats. I hope it does you well. RTR!

Can it wash dishes and mow the grass? 

Unfortunately it cannot.  However, my hubbie does the dishes and I do the mowing - and I love it!  I'm not ready to bushhog yet but I find mowing to be really relaxing.  P.S.  I have a zero turn riding mower so I'm not pushing anything!

You got the best end of that deal.  I'd a whole lot rather mow grass than wash dishes, especially with a JD zero turn. :D

Thanks Lee!  Me too!   ;)