Link: http://www.apple.com/ipad/

While many Apple fanboys and technophiles are still wetting their pants after the initial unveiling of the new iPad, I find myself joining a growing segment of technology enthusiasts that find themselves wondering, why?

There is no doubt that Jobs and Co. have had their fingers squarely on the pulse of successful innovation ever since the beginning of the iPod phenomenon. And the Mac OS continues to maintain the standard for beautiful, simple and functional UI design in an operating system. But has success after success finally set Apple up for a very vicious self-inflicted wound? Or does the product have enough buzz and name recognition to continue the steamroller-esque trend? Based on initial marketing research and survey information alone, it looks as though the iPad is set to exceed the iPhone in initial demand. But what actually happens when the product actually becomes available is really anybody's guess.

From my perspective though, the iPad is a severely overpriced dissapointment. Basically a scaled-up iPhone/iTouch, it offers no real justification behind its $500-$830 price tag. To give a point of reference, here are some of the core Apple-provided specs for the iPad:

Dimensions/Weight
Height:9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
Width:7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
Depth:0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
Weight:1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) Wi-Fi model; 1.6 pounds (0.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model

Screen
9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)

Storage
16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive

Wi-Fi model
Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology

Wi-Fi + 3G model
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Data only2
Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology

So based on the specs, what you are basically getting is a more fully-featured e-reader platform with 3G support (for an extra cost). And for this type of device, the more memory the better, which means that if you want to max out at 64GB, you're looking at a hefty $699 (wifi only) or a wallet-busting $829 (wifi/3G).

Are you kidding me??? I'm simply shocked that Apple thinks that this is a value for consumers. For a few hundred less, I can get a Windows-based laptop that will do everything this product does and much more. If I wanted to go the Mac route, for the same price or a little more I could just as easily get a MacBook. I mean, really, the thing doesn't even have USB support and you're still restricted to synching via iTunes! And I'm sorry, but as much as some people rail against it, still no Flash support? Simply ridiculous.

I guess in the end, this device will appeal mainly to Mac fans or those wishing to be on the 'cutting edge' of new hardware releases in order to have a new toy to show off. Because anyone else with at least half of a working brain can see that the value of the iPad is dismal considering how much it costs. Sure, it looks awful pretty. But $500-$800? Sorry guys, either drop the price or build greater flexibility and/or functionality into it!

Jonathan Walters [3:24 PM]:
holy crap... I downloaded the police radio app for 99 cents. Too freaking cool
Sean Raines [3:25 PM]:
ugh, you're going to be one of THOSE people, aren't you?
Jonathan Walters [3:25 PM]:
LOL
Sean Raines [3:25 PM]:
"i don't need this app but it is awesome so I must have it and use it!"
Jonathan Walters [3:26 PM]:
I can't believe you said that! You're the one downloading a barcode scanner!
Sean Raines [3:32 PM]:
yeah, but, well, ya know...
Jonathan Walters [3:32 PM]:
lol
Sean Raines [3:32 PM]:
IT'S AWESOME!!
and what does it mean to you if i want to have an app for keeping track of my monthly cycle!
it's incredibly accurate, if i had a cycle that is
Jonathan Walters [3:33 PM]:
LMFAO

Once again, I'd like to throw out another High Fidelity-inspired list for all of you that still check out my blog from time to time! Now, I know that to be a true High Fidelity list it needs to be limited to five items, but I'm going to have to break this cardinal rule in order to fit in all the cool stuff I've been playing over the last year or so!

So, without further ado...

Jonathan's Top 10 Games He's Been Playing Lately, Part 1!

Number 10:

Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday (PC)

First and foremost, I consider myself more of a wargamer than a gamer. I make this distinction because I have a strong love for everything military history, and have been an avid player of war-related games since I was in my early teens. Of course, I also grew up in an arcade that my grandfather owed in the mid-1980s in Daytona Beach which was amazing, so I'm no stranger to 'mainsteam' video games.

But alas, my heart will always be primarily with wargames, and my #10 pick of Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday (known as HOI to its fans) is a direct reflection of this love for everything wargaming. In a nutshell, HOI is a strategic-level simulation of the WW2 era. Players act as the absolute ruler of their nations, directing everything from military operations and political intrigues to production planning and research priorities.

Amazingly rich and complex, though not without its faults... But the strengths outweigh any weaknesses and the result is a deep, complex and satisfying simulation of the WW2 experience that is not to be missed and will surely remain on your hard drive for some time.

Number 9:

Day of Defeat: Source (PC)

I've been playing the first Day of Defeat (or DoD) on and off since it was first a Half-Life mod back in 2000, and since then DoD has grown into a gaming phenomenon eclipsed only by the likes of Counter-Strike. Although there are tons of PC shooters out there worth playing, DODS as it is now known in its Source engine-based sequel, features solid net code, well-balanced maps and a strong user community.

Although the WW2 genre is turning into a tired one now and the DOD/DODS community seems to be showing signs of an eroding player base that is no doubt finally moving on to newer things, I still find myself firing it up every few weeks to get some kills in on a fast-paced orange map...

Number 8:

Microsoft Flight Simulator X (PC)

This is one of those franchises that truly offers more than just a casual gaming experience, and with this latest version, Microsoft Flight Simulator jumps ahead in terms of realism and features with resulting mass-appeal for real-life pilots and the diehard flight simming crowd alike.

What I truly love about this game is the immersion factor. I can fire it up and do some quick aerobatics or take a short flight between familiar airports, or I can join a virtual airline like Eastern Virtual (my pilot ID is VEA 1774) and fly the virtual skies via VATSIM with other flesh and blood pilots and air traffic controllers! Not to mention the unreal 3rd party support for the product that ensures a steady supply of new aircraft from places like Surclaro for you to use and modified terrain to fly over and into. The sky is truly the limit!

Number 7:

Halo 3 (360)

I'm certainly not a console or 360 junkie, having only recently joined the 2000s by acquiring a new Xbox 360 as a Christmas gift this past year. Yep, I've only had a 360 for about 2 months. Before that I think my last true 'console' was a stripped-down N64 that my friend Josh handed down to me that would shock you if you touched it when the power was on.

Yeah, sad...

So now that I've finally joined the 2000s, it's only natural that I get with the gaming sensation that is HALO, right? Right.

I have to say that I do love this game, which to me is remniscent of James Cameron's Aliens mixed with Pitch Black or Battlefield Earth. (sorry if that link offends you) But as a CAL-level PC FPS gamer, my major obstacle has been adjusting from a very precise and flexible mouse/keyboard control scheme to the cumbersome and awkward 360 controller. That aside though, its been a blast finally experiencing what many console gamers have already been raving about for years.

Number 6:

Left4Dead (PC)

Holy crap. Who doesn't want to play a game that involves the zombie apocalypse!?!?

Valve seems to currently have that midas touch when it comes to PC-based FPS games, and L4D is just another example of their can't-do-wrong business and design decisions. I say this because L4D is one of the most straight-forward and simple games compared to some other, much more involved shooters, but it manages to hit the gameplay target right on the money every time.

One of the best features of the game is the ability to slay zombies cooperatively OR play a 4v4 game with the zombie players taking on the role of higher-powered zombies with special abilities. What is coller than that?

All I have to say is ALL HAIL THE BOOMER!

------------------------

So that would be numbers 10-6, stay tuned for the next post in which I announce my top 5!

What's the only thing worse than the thought of Sarah Palin becoming the president of the United States should John McCain get elected and kick the bucket in office, you ask?

This:

That's right... If you have a way to flash a custom cartridge for a Nintendo DS, you too can download and be the proud owner of a copy of Obama Says: Yes We Can.

Jonathan Says: No Way In Hell will I ever think about downloading this Simon Says monstrosity. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an 'Obama hater'... (I discriminate equally against Republicans and Democrats) I just can't stand the commercialization and cavalier attitude towards the upcoming election, especially another one that is so important. I guess I'm just burned out on politics though, thanks to biased information outlets, ill-intentioned politicians and 24-hour-a-day garbage news networks.

On a lighter note, I think this is the only time you'll see me use the tags 'nintendo ds' and 'presidential election' in the same post. Hopefully...

Ready for the ultimate geek peripheral guaranteed to make you an instant target for murder by all your friends and coworkers? Well feast your eyes on this:

The Optimus Maximus Keyboard.

My friends over at Thinkgeek.com began selling these recently, and went out of stock within a couple weeks. Don't worry though, more will be in stock by the time my b-day rolls around again...

So why is this bad boy so special? Let me explain:

The Art Lebedev design studio in Russia designed this bad boy some time ago and has just now managed to get it into production. This keyboard is extra-special, becuase in addition to the USB2 hub and SD card slot, each key on this keyboard is actually a tiny OLED screen that can display any gif or Quicktime video @48x48 pixel resolution.

That's right, 113 programmable OLED screens.

So what if it costs a whopping $1,600? I always wanted a really good reason to holdup a liquor store that didn't involve a crack habit...