iPadless in San Francisco

RHYS: I have a confession to make. I was not one of those people sitting on the sidewalk all Friday night in order to be one of the first to buy an iPad. Neither, I suspect, were my blog-sisters.

In our past discussions we seem to be conservative bunch (in the non-political sense)when it comes to new technology. Maybe cautious sums it up better. Maybe sensible is closer to it. I've never been a gadget person, never lusted after the latest gizmo. In fact by the time I acquire and learn to use a piece of technology, it's just about to become obsolete. And the only reason I buy new is when the old one gives up the ghost (as computers are inclined to do about every three years).

Okay, I do have another confession: I did once yearn for a technological wonder--and this will date me horribly--it was when transistor radios came out when I was a teenager. They were so expensive that I didn't dare ask for one for Christmas. But in my stocking I found a battery. I couldn't think what it could be for and then the hope and wonder spread through me. It couldn't be....but it was! I still remember the utter joy of it. So maybe now I understand a little better those who sat on the sidewalk all night for their iPads.

So dear Jungle Red sisters and friends--have you bought an iPad yet? Are you going to? Did you ever lust after a gizmo of any kind?

JAN: As the new owner of an iPhone, I have respect for gizmos. Still, the iPad does too much stuff for me. I don't need one more connection to the Internet. But I do fantasize about the Kindle.

HALLIE: Like you, Rhys, I hate throwing anything away as long as it's still working. I had an ancient cell phone that mortified my children who threw a party when it finally gave up the ghost.

It took me years to get an iPod and though I like it I hate that I can't just plug the darned thing in and play music. Earplugs and chargers and downloads and docking stations...lots of overhead with that contraption. And though I do occasionally lust for a Kindle (when packing for a trip) the truth is I am perfectly happy without one.

What I want to know is where do all those kids get all that money? We're talking expensive gizmos.

RO: This is why Americans are carrying such credit card debt...but THAT's another blog.

Yes, I'm a late adapter. Got my Ipod late (why would I ever want to burn cds?) Blackberry is only 2-3 years old (But I don't want anyone to reach me everywhere..) Haven't been paying that much attention to the whole IPad thing, it just looks like a minicomputer which I bought last year. Now I'll have to check it out so that I don't feel like such a loser, although it's probably not in my future. I owned an IPhone for about six hours and then returned it. Horrible experience - and I don't enjoy being around a bunch of pimply kids who think they're "geniuses."

The real thing that's changed my life is the GPS. How did I live without that thing? How did writers go on tour?

BTW The battery in the stocking is so sweet!

RHYS: Ro,I completely agree with the GPS. Apart from Mildred's annoying and critical voice when I make a wrong turn, she is invaluable.

HANK: I lust for an iphone every day. But I'm not getting one, because I'd be on it all the time. It's purely self-preservation. And thumbs down on the ipod, too. It drives me crazy that's eveyone's so plugged in, they can't hear anything going on in the real world.

How-ever. I'd kinda like to have an ipad. And a Kindle. Okay, I wouldn't line up for one. And I'm perfectly happy without either one. Um, for now.

And hey: Did you see the Modern Family episode about the iPad? The MOST amazing product placement ever in history, it's just got to be. (But I still love Modern Family.)

And iPad is a dumb name. Just my opinion.

RHYS: I asked for an iPod for Christmas last year as I thought it might be plesant to listen to music while I was waiting for a flight, in a doctor's office etc. I told John I wanted a simple mp3 player. He bought me the iPod touch, which is essentially the iPhone without the phone. So far I have put a lot of photos on it to show other people my trip to Australia and my grandkids, and I have put tons of music on it, but I haven't touched any aps yet--Jan, I'm tempted to download the virtual tennis game and waste time trying to beat Serena.
But from what I read the iPad has been described as the iPod on steroids--it browses the web, sends emails, plays DVDs and music, acts as a Kindle to read ebooks. So the only fuction I don't already have is a good ebook reader--and I like the feel of a real book in my hands, although I have to confess that maybe, just maybe on a trip a Kindle might be nice...