Does anyone know if Pathfinder products will be sold through Apple's iBooks for the new iPad?
I'd love to have everything available to read/reference on the iPad during a game.
The ipad looks amazing for gaming. I wrote a D20 "Players Program" for the PC in which rolls for skills/stats/attacks were done at the touch of a button, automatically added and displayed in large type. (I have hand tremors so having me use dice usually means throwing them around the table =)) I am thinking of trying to rewrite the program specifically for the Ipad should I be lucky enough to afford one when they come out in March
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+1 to what lazarx said.
Having said that, I have to admit the iPad does look like the reader that I have been looking for. I have a strong feeling that PDFs will work fine on the device.
On the other hand, what I want from Paizo on the device, would be a very tall order and that is Planet Stories books. As I understand, electronic distribution has not been persued for these works and that can be expensive.
However, maybe I will be lucky if I wait. Having all the ereader formats mature for sometime might encourage Paizo and the rights holder for the works to "work" something out.
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Does anyone know if Pathfinder products will be sold through Apple's iBooks for the new iPad?
I'd love to have everything available to read/reference on the iPad during a game.
I don't see any sign that the folks at Paizo are particularly in touch with Apple dealings when I examined the properties of their PDFs, but no sign that they're particualrly not either. But they've made no iphone/ipod touch apps to my knowledge.
You should keep in mind that it's a bit early to ask about such things given that the iPad itself won't be out until mid to late spring.
On the other hand, nothing will stop you from using thier PDF products or thier web site with the Pad.
They do have an outsider developer working on an iPhone app, so long as that hasn't gone under the rug or anything like that. Paizo uses macs at the office though and as far as I can tell at least 50% of them have iPhones (it is the plague) so I could see a port from the iPhone app to iPad easily enough.
I think the possibilities of an iPad PFRPG DM app to be awesome.
There is an iWork version or the iPad?! I was a bit skeptical of the real utiliy of the devise but that kinda sells it to me. I've used Keynote on my MacPro to do up all kinds of gaming material (basic map sketching not least). That's my table battle map at the very least right there.
If Apple can stuff that set of programs in I'd be very intersted in what 3rd party developers can get up to.
*frantically looks for free time to develop a Pathfinder DM utility for the iPad*
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ipad = iphoneXL.
If the iphone didn't have a camera built into it I'd expect Apple to announce next there were releasing the icamera.
Don't be fooled.
GoodReader = Perfect PDF solution for the iphone.
Paizo would be smarter to release their books as Kinkle compatible ebooks, then they'd have their books on the Kinkle, iphone, and the ipad. (Amazone release kinkle software for the iphone a loooong time ago. I use it, it works.)
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There are apps that would work on the iPad that would help. There is a dice rolling app that works quite well.
The thing to keep in mind is that it is not a multi-tasking device. You can't move between apps and have an expectation of picking up where you left off unless some cafeful programing happens.
As of right now, there is no iWork for the iPad. But there is a iLife.
The thing is, this is a very limited computer, but with some forthought you can do some clever things.
If the iPhone pathfinder stuff is being developed to the more recent Apple best practices, then it should detect for screen size. That was the major giveaway (for me) that they were looking to make a bigger version. So, provided that the developer is following the apple best practices, it should run native with very little effort.
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There are apps that would work on the iPad that would help. There is a dice rolling app that works quite well.
The thing to keep in mind is that it is not a multi-tasking device. You can't move between apps and have an expectation of picking up where you left off unless some cafeful programing happens.
As of right now, there is no iWork for the iPad. But there is a iLife.
The thing is, this is a very limited computer, but with some forthought you can do some clever things.
Part of the announcement was the iWork suite on the iPad... it's what they used to demonstrate was iPad apps would be capable of.
What I would like to wait for is to see how well the iPad stacks up to the upcoming Plastic Logic Que as a PDF reader. Sure, the iPad is going to have more functionality (but apparently only one app at a time), but how well will it render PDF files for viewing, especially in bright light conditions. The Que uses E-ink tech, like the Kindle, so reading will be a pleasure and easy on the eyes for hours; but, alas, it won't be in color. Will the iPad, though looking great in color, have glare problems and cause eyestrain as an ebook/PDF reader?
The thing is, this is a very limited computer, but with some forthought you can do some clever things.
Limited is a relative word. Many of the games I used to play as a kid I can basically now find running in my hand (on an iPod Touch). It almost freaks me out that the iPad is on par in not more powerful the computers I first started keeping my DM notes on.
The lack of good multi-tasking in the iPhoneOS is what stared me at a meh state, however when they rolled out iWorks during the keynote, that and the NBL game viewing App (with internal windowed video clip playback) that's about when my jaw went slack. In my experiance pushing various Macs into service as Gaming tools and using improvised program collections to take the place of all the specially crafted Windows software, my best friend became ClarisWorks (eventully AppleWorks) and it's CAD mode. The lack of such software on the iPod (at least none that I've seen yet) is one reason why it still hasn't replaced my pen and paper as my primary GM tools at the table.
On OSX at least Keynote can be pressed to do many of the same basic map drawing functions I got out of ClarisDraw. I will likely have to spend some time down at the Apple Store trying to 'break' the iPad Keynote, but if has even a moderate capacity of the full computer version that could very well become my goto GMing tool. The final drop kick point for me on that is how much integration there is. Such as how complex tables on the slides can be and if it can run in vertical mode. Will it respect internal hyper links, or how easy it will be to switch slides. How easy is it to create and edit textboxes (ie table note zones).
It sure doesn't need to sing and dance at the same time on top of that, but it would be nice. Personally I likely won't be a first gen buyer but I will be paying more attention then normal.
Chief Technical Officer
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Does anyone know if Pathfinder products will be sold through Apple's iBooks for the new iPad?
Nope... nobody in the world knows. I'm looking forward to learning more about their plans, and I hope that their sales agreement will be much more publisher-friendly than Amazon's is. As of yet, I don't believe they've published any details on that, and until they do, we can't decide anything.
I also hope that they will allow sales of PDFs through the iBookstore, and won't require that all iBooks use the ePub format, which—like Amazon's Kindle format—is really designed for books that are primarily text, and doesn't work well with strongly graphic material like our roleplaying products.
I'd say that if their sales agreement is fair, and they allow PDFs in the store, I'd be very interested in being in the iBookstore.
If their sales agreement is fair, but they require the ePub format, maybe we'll look at it for the soon-to-be-announced Pathfinder fiction line, but you probably won't be seeing any RPG products.
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Chief Technical Officer
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I'm looking forward to learning more about their plans, and I hope that their sales agreement will be much more publisher-friendly than Amazon's is. As of yet, I don't believe they've published any details on that, and until they do, we can't decide anything.
I should mention—I'll be looking for these details myself every now and then, but if anybody sees anything, please leave a note in their thread pointing me to it.
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iPad apps for Pathfinder RPG?
DO WANT :)
only if done by apple
it only works with applications from itunes store and apple store...it doesn't even has an USB so you could install things
so while its good to have your PDFs at hand, it would be little help for other thigns, unless sold by apple which only will increase the prize of the application...
but an application for initiatives would be useful.
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I'm looking forward to learning more about their plans, and I hope that their sales agreement will be much more publisher-friendly than Amazon's is. As of yet, I don't believe they've published any details on that, and until they do, we can't decide anything.
I should mention—I'll be looking for these details myself every now and then, but if anybody sees anything, please leave a note in their thread pointing me to it.
hope you found something useful that will let you use the ipad for increased coverage, still i think the ipad has a lot way to go, after what i saw and analysis that i have read it felts... lacking... just a a big iphone without camera or conference.
but really hope something interesting would be born from this...
from your answer I get kindly its pretty rought with suppliers?
@Dorje: Supposedly more multi-tasking is on it's way in the next OS revision coming this year.
It of course exists underneath right now, but only applies to the core Apps (Phone, etc).
Considering there is an App for Android whose sole functioning is killing other processes (like Task Manager),
I'm happy waiting for a good implementation than dealing with crap just because it's technically possible.
Also, Google "pogo stylus iphone", which already exists. I can seriously see some QUITE decent drawing apps coming out for this iPad,
especially as there's quite a few "indy" drawing apps already out for OSX (Pixelmator, Acorn). A stylus-based derivative (subset) of Inkscape would be... amazing.
It would be amazing to see a 'tabletop helper' app for DMs, with their own view including controls and info, with a parallel output to an external display like a projector, all controlled from the touch interface tablet. Options for quickly inputting actual dice rolls or automated rolls, of course. And plugging into some sort of character sheet format (as well as Bestiary/ custom Monsters) that players themselves can edit/access, perhaps web-based.
only if done by apple
it only works with applications from itunes store and apple store...it doesn't even has an USB so you could install things
so while its good to have your PDFs at hand, it would be little help for other thigns, unless sold by apple which only will increase the prize of the application...
This is not true. Check Apple's site.
True, they stupidly don't include USB and SD readers built into the tablet which should be ridiculously easy to do given the larger format vs. iphone, but they themselves sell USB and SD adaptors that plug into their proprietary connector. There is a public API for any program to use these interfaces. As revealed with the iPad version of iWork, there is a shared 'documents folder' that any program can have read/write access to.Although they don't support arbitrary codec plug-ins to extend the core media frameworks, the supported formats are widely available and supported, not exclusive to apple. You are not forced to purchase any media from the Apple store, in fact Amazon has their own ebook reader RIGHT NOW that is competing with Apple's own new ebook store, and you are free to upload/download your own files from WHEREVER, which will work with the core media apps if in the supported formats. Now that apps can access and SHARE external files besides the standard core sets, there shouldn't be a problem if you want to play WAVs or AVIs, you just need an APP that supports those formats itself, which means not relying on Apple frameworks.
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Chief Technical Officer
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from your answer I get kindly its pretty rought with suppliers?
I don't agree with *all* of their objections, but here's what the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has to say about the Kindle agreement. (Amazon recently updated their agreement, and the SFWA document currently references an older version—however, my understanding is that the SFWA folks looking at the new version like it even less.)
Googling will turn up more negative reactions from other parties.
My biggest problem, though, is Amazon's notion of the reseller (that is to say, Amazon) making the vast majority of the revenue. Amazon currently pays 35% of list price to the publisher. Compare that to the iTunes Music Store, where Apple pays artists and labels 65–70%, or paizo.com, where we pay 75% to our electronic publishing partners. As someone who knows a lot about both publishing and e-retailing, I believe the lion's share of an electronic sale should go to the publisher.
I hope—and fully expect—that the iBookstore will offer publishers a more reasonable percentage than Amazon does, and I further hope that competition from Apple will encourage Amazon to offer a more reasonable royalty in future.
Pointless product.
For the price you can get a fully functional non-Apple laptop that lets you do far, far more than the iPad will. Sure, it'll be somewhat larger but you're not trying to cuddle in bed with it, you're trying to game. Take a look at the Core book. That's what we're accustomed and used to carrying. Battery life isn't even an issue as basically nobody games in the middle of nowhere.
Pathfinder apps? What do we need? The rules are in PDFs, so the reference side is covered. DM tools and whatnot... sure. But we've already got those for real computers. Why deliberately buy a nerfed tablet then ask for developers to divide their attention to produce two incompatible software products?
Sorry, but my opinion is that we should pass. MacOS or Windows programs, sure. iPhone/iPad/iPod/Blackberry/PalmPre/Android stuff? No.
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Sorry, but my opinion is that we should pass. MacOS or Windows programs, sure. iPhone/iPad/iPod/Blackberry/PalmPre/Android stuff? No.
I disagree, mainly for ease of use at an already overcrowded table. It's easier for me to use an iPhone than a laptop at my table, depending on what I need. If there was a really well-designed iPad app for referencing rules and managing various kinds of info in my game (edit: and random encounter, npc, and treasure generators), you bet I'd use it.
I disagree, mainly for ease of use at an already overcrowded table. It's easier for me to use an iPhone than a laptop at my table, depending on what I need. If there was a really well-designed iPad app for referencing rules and managing various kinds of info in my game (edit: and random encounter, npc, and treasure generators), you bet I'd use it.
Now we're talking iPhone, which at least has the benefit of being tiny and ubiquitous (in the sense that a huge number of people have phones, and possibly smartphones). I'll give that.
On the other hand, I'll tell you that as a GM I probably would ban smartphone apps at the table. I'd give 'em a try, but people dinking around scrolling and zooming and sliding tiny screens... no. Print your stuff out, use a pencil. Move on. But still, I'd give it a try. I just strongly suspect I know how it would turn out. Five guys fiddling with their electronica like mad.
OBDisclosure: I'm an IT guy by profession, and geeky by nature, to the degree of having my own domain, and Exchange Server with Blackberry Enterprise Server in my bedroom. I'm not anti-tech, but overly familiar with its strengths and weaknesses.
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Also, it appears that iWork includes a nice—and apparently quite fast—PDF viewer, so if Apple doesn't already provide a good way to get the PDFs you already bought from paizo.com onto the iPad, we'll certainly look into ways to make that happen.
With or without the 'A' characters? ;)
From what I've read, the iPad has a shared folder that you can drag PDFs to across the network and then read on the iPad.
If you can switch between the PDF viewer and a dice roller and back to the same page, and if it's easy to access bookmarks, then I'm sold.
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If you can switch between the PDF viewer and a dice roller and back to the same page, and if it's easy to access bookmarks, then I'm sold.
Or remembers which page you're on, that would be awesome.
On the same note, maybe it's possible they didn't include multitasking in iPhone OS 3.2 because it might be in for OS 4.0... so they didn't want to let the cat out of the bag too early about it. I could imagine a three finger or four finger swipe for switching apps to be a wonderful way of switching.
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If you can switch between the PDF viewer and a dice roller and back to the same page, and if it's easy to access bookmarks, then I'm sold.Or remembers which page you're on, that would be awesome.
On the same note, maybe it's possible they didn't include multitasking in iPhone OS 3.2 because it might be in for OS 4.0... so they didn't want to let the cat out of the bag too early about it. I could imagine a three finger or four finger swipe for switching apps to be a wonderful way of switching.
Actually, from what I recall from the SDK, it already has multitasking, but only for the system and Apple specific stuff. It's not exposed to 3rd party apps because of the chance of deadlocking the entire system.
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from your answer I get kindly its pretty rought with suppliers?I don't agree with *all* of their objections, but here's what the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has to say about the Kindle agreement. (Amazon recently updated their agreement, and the SFWA document currently references an older version—however, my understanding is that the SFWA folks looking at the new version like it even less.)
Googling will turn up more negative reactions from other parties.
My biggest problem, though, is Amazon's notion of the reseller (that is to say, Amazon) making the vast majority of the revenue. Amazon currently pays 35% of list price to the publisher. Compare that to the iTunes Music Store, where Apple pays artists and labels 65–70%, or paizo.com, where we pay 75% to our electronic publishing partners. As someone who knows a lot about both publishing and e-retailing, I believe the lion's share of an electronic sale should go to the publisher.
I hope—and fully expect—that the iBookstore will offer publishers a more reasonable percentage than Amazon does, and I further hope that competition from Apple will encourage Amazon to offer a more reasonable royalty in future.
+1.
here, here!
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Actually, from what I recall from the SDK, it already has multitasking, but only for the system and Apple specific stuff. It's not exposed to 3rd party apps because of the chance of deadlocking the entire system.If you can switch between the PDF viewer and a dice roller and back to the same page, and if it's easy to access bookmarks, then I'm sold.Or remembers which page you're on, that would be awesome.
On the same note, maybe it's possible they didn't include multitasking in iPhone OS 3.2 because it might be in for OS 4.0... so they didn't want to let the cat out of the bag too early about it. I could imagine a three finger or four finger swipe for switching apps to be a wonderful way of switching.
Well, that's been true since iPhone OS 1.0. You could always listen to music and read email, or surf safari, or be on a call and surf the web, etc. By multitasking I actually meant SDK, developer usable multitasking / a unique system for switching apps.
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Pointless product.
For the price you can get a fully functional non-Apple laptop that lets you do far, far more than the iPad will. Sure, it'll be somewhat larger but you're not trying to cuddle in bed with it, you're trying to game. Take a look at the Core book. That's what we're accustomed and used to carrying. Battery life isn't even an issue as basically nobody games in the middle of nowhere.
Pathfinder apps? What do we need? The rules are in PDFs, so the reference side is covered. DM tools and whatnot... sure. But we've already got those for real computers. Why deliberately buy a nerfed tablet then ask for developers to divide their attention to produce two incompatible software products?
Sorry, but my opinion is that we should pass. MacOS or Windows programs, sure. iPhone/iPad/iPod/Blackberry/PalmPre/Android stuff? No.
-1.
Your wrong.
I don't want to hold a laptop in my hand, I don't want it taking up space on my table. I don't want to have a power cord snaking across the floor tripping people up. I don't want to worry about if the antivirus I'm using could be having problems and screwing up my game. I don't want to constantly worry about power levels and dimming features.
To much weight is given to the fact that this is not a full powered computer. No one said that this would replace your laptop, or PC. The fact of the matter is that most people don't need a full powered laptop and desktop PC.
The fact of the matter is that this device will work for many people. Mostly for people who already have an iPhone or iTouch.
And Pathfinder Apps aren't really all that needed. Plenty of things could be done as a cloud app or even just a plain web app.
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I'm sure the Paizo PDFs will look just as good on the iPad as they do everywhere else.Which is a problem, because there is a known bug either with the way Paizo makes its PDFs or Apple's preview application, because Paizo PDFs don't have "a"'s on Apples.
I don't have a problem on my MacBook Pro. YMMV.
It would be amazing to see a 'tabletop helper' app for DMs, with their own view including controls and info, with a parallel output to an external display like a projector, all controlled from the touch interface tablet. Options for quickly inputting actual dice rolls or automated rolls, of course. And plugging into some sort of character sheet format (as well as Bestiary/ custom Monsters) that players themselves can edit/access, perhaps web-based.
Are you reading my mind through microwaves? Because that's very in line where my mind had been at for years. I just been waiting for the tech to catch up to practical use point. I dabbled in using a Lap ( 15" PowerMac actually) off and on as a DM tool, along with running a video cable to the TV in the room. Kinda worked, kinda didn't. I even thought about getting everyone a wireless mouse that the could use to interact with the VTT I hand on screen... just could never find a satisfactory mulit-user environment worthwhile or justify spending that much on accessories at the time.
It's to bad the iPad likely won't be able to dual display... although with the rise of networked TVs being able to take WiFi steaming... still not somthing we're going to see in from a device like the iPad anytime soon, and ceratinaly not generating a dual display. At least not while keeping the displaying program active I don't think. I guess it really depends on what aspects of the media output will Apple allow to developers.
Still, the next generation of pocket projectors is also due this year which will mesh nicely. All in all base on what I've been keeping my eye in as a general consummer is telling me that we are still about 3 years from a serious (non-tech geek) use of digtial equpiment to enhance the physical table top, and actually see it used by a decent number of game groups.
Now... Here is uber slick integration and pandering to Apples pocket but... If one is going to take the time to create an iPad DM App, why not also look at spinning off an iPhone/Pod player client. Combined character manager and link to any VTT aspect of from the GM app. It's to bad I don't have likely have the skills to persue things like this myself.
@Viewing PDF conversation
I have not actually checked out how Paizo PDFs look in view through Safari on the iPod, however they seem to work fairly well in Aji Reader/Annotate. At least the Core Book and related preview/errata documents. Such a big graphics heavy file sometimes runs slow, and Aji defenitly does not like holding the Full Core book in its memory, it deals with chapter breakdowns better. Hopefull the iPad will have a better capacity for dealing with graphics heavy files. Actually I think many hope that as I'm now seeing more muttering form various web comic artist about getting product into the iBook store if they can. That provider interst alone may open the door for dealing with products like Paizo's if nothing else does.
Just checked, ya viewing Paizo PDFs on the built in iPod PDF software (in Safari) renders fine but is extreamly slow, much slowerer then the Aji 3rd party software. So the iPad should hopefully have no issue with rendering correctly and will have a speed boost.
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It may highly depend on what version of PreView you have. Safari btw can also handle PDFs on it's own.I'm sure the Paizo PDFs will look just as good on the iPad as they do everywhere else.Which is a problem, because there is a known bug either with the way Paizo makes its PDFs or Apple's preview application, because Paizo PDFs don't have "a"'s on Apples.
Going to have to go with "latest"
and I don'topen safari to open pdfs on my machine|
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IMHO, I suspect that the Kindle, Nook, one of the many other types of ebook readers will be arround as long as thier makers will want it to be around. For some people the iPad will not work for them, it will be the wrong tool for what they want.
Some won't want backlit devices. Personally all I want is a backlit device. It honestly easier on my eyes. But thats just me.
Some will want laptops, or netbooks. Some will still stick with books.
The fact is there are so many ways to get to what you want, people often get hung up on the fact that there seem to be too many ways to get from point a to point b, rather than just picking what's the best path for them.
-1.Your wrong.
I don't want to hold a laptop in my hand, I don't want it taking up space on my table. I don't want to have a power cord snaking across the floor tripping people up. I don't want to worry about if the antivirus I'm using could be having problems and screwing up my game. I don't want to constantly worry about power levels and dimming features.
To much weight is given to the fact that this is not a full powered computer. No one said that this would replace your laptop, or PC. The fact of the matter is that most people don't need a full powered laptop and desktop PC.
The fact of the matter is that this device will work for many people. Mostly for people who already have an iPhone or iTouch.
And Pathfinder Apps aren't really all that needed. Plenty of things could be done as a cloud app or even just a plain web app.
Not to be pedantic, but really, if you're going to tell someone they're wrong, be careful to spell "you're wrong" right. <Grin>
Really, I get your wants. The problem is that the price point of the iPad is highly inappropriate for the little appliance you describe. You're looking for one of those nice LCD picture frames with a cell phone built in. Big deal. Problem is the iPad starts at $500, which is just nonsensical for what it brings to the (gaming) table. This is very much an application of the Apple Tax.
Community is all about different viewpoints, and you're entirely entitled to yours as I am mine. I just strongly object to Paizo investing any of their limited resources into an over-priced under-functioned device that's got such a ridiculous degree of vendor lock-in. A PFRPG app will probably never get approval for the Apple Store anyway, since it "facilitates magical congress with demonic creatures". Keep that in mind. You can't run anything Apple doesn't like and you don't get to learn what they don't like until after you've spent your time and money developing the offending app. The technology and the politics are both bad with this device.
And yet we already have Apps in that store that refute such an absured view:
d20 3.5 core rules
open gaming encyclopedia - rpg helper
several dice apps
Not only those but also:
demonic possession video! (video app)
And let's not forget softcore porn:
boob party
Considering the kinds of content that is getting into the App store I would hazord that rejections are more technical the poltical. Besides haven't we gotten over the 1980s witch hunting in this hobby... Well maybe not when the APG comes out.
If a PF App gets reject I would guess that it would have more to do with the way the program modifies or uses resources of the iPad then it's content.
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-1.Your wrong.
I don't want to hold a laptop in my hand, I don't want it taking up space on my table. I don't want to have a power cord snaking across the floor tripping people up. I don't want to worry about if the antivirus I'm using could be having problems and screwing up my game. I don't want to constantly worry about power levels and dimming features.
To much weight is given to the fact that this is not a full powered computer. No one said that this would replace your laptop, or PC. The fact of the matter is that most people don't need a full powered laptop and desktop PC.
The fact of the matter is that this device will work for many people. Mostly for people who already have an iPhone or iTouch.
And Pathfinder Apps aren't really all that needed. Plenty of things could be done as a cloud app or even just a plain web app.
Not to be pedantic, but really, if you're going to tell someone they're wrong, be careful to spell "you're wrong" right. <Grin>
Really, I get your wants. The problem is that the price point of the iPad is highly inappropriate for the little appliance you describe. You're looking for one of those nice LCD picture frames with a cell phone built in. Big deal. Problem is the iPad starts at $500, which is just nonsensical for what it brings to the (gaming) table. This is very much an application of the Apple Tax.
Community is all about different viewpoints, and you're entirely entitled to yours as I am mine. I just strongly object to Paizo investing any of their limited resources into an over-priced under-functioned device that's got such a ridiculous degree of vendor lock-in. A PFRPG app will probably never get approval for the Apple Store anyway, since it "facilitates magical congress with demonic creatures". Keep that in mind. You can't run anything Apple doesn't like and you don't get to learn what they don't like until after you've spent your time and money developing the offending app. The technology and the politics are...
Wow, you're just misinformed, and have very bad sense of debate.
No one here ever said that you should buy an iPad just to use game table and why you would infer that from anything said is quite honestly silly. $500.00 is too much for you, to bad. You miss the point again. I can afford $850 to buy an iPad and I have the skills and resolve to make it worth my while. So will many, many others.
I honestly don't really want Paizo apps, and I doubt that there is any burning need for them from a lot of people anyways. (So you can sleep secure at night that no one is trying to divert precious paizo resources away from your favorite products) Fact of the matter is that the iPad can take advantage of web and cloud computing and as long as you can reach the net big old mean Steve Jobs can't hold you back from your pefered form of RPG enjoyment.
Apple tax. pfft. That has no meaning. Are you posting this from a PC that you grew out of hemp.
My suggestion, take a deep breath, Steve Jobs isn't out to get you, and won't ruin you Paizo for you. It was just a bad dream. <Grin>
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While I agree, if you bought an iPad for $500 simply as a DM tool, you'd be either an idiot rich enough that I'd want some of your money. However the iPad is alot more than a simple DM tool.
It's a small computer that you can easily take with you as a carry-on in a plane and then take with you to conventions. As much as you think a laptop is just as convenient (which is very well may be for you), it isn't for myself and alot of people. I'd simply rather take a single piece of hardware that is extremely small without a physical keyboard.
As for Paizo investing their time/talent into an iPad app... I seriously doubt they would. They might pay a contractor or 3rd party to produce an application for them (which they are already doing for an iPhone app), which I think isn't too much of a risk.
Finally I understand why people don't like the "closed garden" mentality of the Apple App Store, however the vast majority of apps do get through their approval process, and in fact I would venture that since the parental features addition only .01% of applications get denied based solely on content. If Apple were denying things left and right as you believe, then the iPhone simply wouldn't have as many applications and be as popular as it currently is.
You have to agree that the iPhone and App Store mentality has gotten something right, considering it's sales figures.
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Chief Technical Officer
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I'm sure the Paizo PDFs will look just as good on the iPad as they do everywhere else.Which is a problem, because there is a known bug either with the way Paizo makes its PDFs or Apple's preview application, because Paizo PDFs don't have "a"'s on Apples.
Apple's Preview application for Snow Leopard (10.6) doesn't render the capital "A" in one of our fonts correctly. The "A" does render properly in Adobe Reader, and in prior versions of Preview. We notified Apple quite some time ago.
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I'm sure the Paizo PDFs will look just as good on the iPad as they do everywhere else.Which is a problem, because there is a known bug either with the way Paizo makes its PDFs or Apple's preview application, because Paizo PDFs don't have "a"'s on Apples.Apple's Preview application for Snow Leopard (10.6) doesn't render the capital "A" in one of our fonts correctly. The "A" does render properly in Adobe Reader, and in prior versions of Preview. We notified Apple quite some time ago.
Have you checked your font?
Wow, you're just misinformed, and have very bad sense of debate.
No one here ever said that you should buy an iPad just to use game table and why you would infer that from anything said is quite honestly silly. $500.00 is too much for you, to bad. You miss the point again. I can afford $850 to buy an iPad and I have the skills and resolve to make it worth my while. So will many, many others.
This isn't about is-this-device-right-for-you. It's about is-this-device-right-for-Paizo. Your viewpoint is: yes. Mine is: no. Your supporting argument revolves around that you're attracted to the device and its shortcomings don't bother you. Okay, great. Congrats. My supporting argument revolves around the idea that the device's shortcomings shouldn't be forgiven, ignored, or endorsed by Paizo.
This product is very much in a state of uncertainty right now. What it has going for it is: it's an Apple product. The thing is that this calendar year there are going to be a number of competing products released by non-Apple companies (such as HP) that at this point spec out as being "better" than the iPad. With any luck, this product will not become the dominant product. When it comes to format wars, like VHS vs Beta (the better product lost) and BluRay vs HD-DVD (in several key ways the better product lost), we should be circumspect in our purchases.
I honestly don't really want Paizo apps, and I doubt that there is any burning need for them from a lot of people anyways. (So you can sleep secure at night that no one is trying to divert precious paizo resources away from your favorite products) Fact of the matter is that the iPad can take advantage of web and cloud computing and as long as you can reach the net big old mean Steve Jobs can't hold you back from your pefered form of RPG enjoyment.
Buzz. Words. Web 2.0, yeah, yeah. IT guy, remember? Sorry, but the smoke & mirrors won't work.
It's not that I don't want Paizo apps. It's that I don't want Paizo to make apps for an inferior platform. That is - until and unless that inferior platform becomes a de-facto standard, at which point bemoaning the choice is merely spiteful instead of wise.
Apple tax. pfft. That has no meaning. Are you posting this from a PC that you grew out of hemp.
What? Apple Tax. As in, the significant degree of price-inflation of similarly-capable devices that is universal to Apple products. Not imaginary at all. Cosmetics have value, I admit. But the price differential on Apple products is silly.
My suggestion, take a deep breath, Steve Jobs isn't out to get you, and won't ruin you Paizo for you. It was just a bad dream. <Grin>
Nah. I'm fine. It's simply that a few people have said X. I believe Y and have said so. You've chosen to discuss the topic with me in a civil fashion. I do the same. The real reason I seem passionate is because I haven't just posted "whatever, lol" and/or walked away. I'm willing to continue the discourse as long as it looks like there's anything for either side to learn from one another.
It's a small computer that you can easily take with you as a carry-on in a plane and then take with you to conventions. As much as you think a laptop is just as convenient (which is very well may be for you), it isn't for myself and alot of people. I'd simply rather take a single piece of hardware that is extremely small without a physical keyboard.
As for Paizo investing their time/talent into an iPad app... I seriously doubt they would. They might pay a contractor or 3rd party to produce an application for them (which they are already doing for an iPhone app), which I think isn't too much of a risk.
Small computer? Yes, physically. In utility, no, not even almost. I've got enough background to write code (not web pages... actual code). I know what a computer can do when it's not a closed platform. It'll do whatever I feel like. Or what you feel like. Or what any other talented/knowledgeable user wants. The iPhone and iPad aren't that. Aside from Jailbroken devices, you need the approval of Apple to share your work. That stifles community and very, very much monetizes even the silliest of Hello-World programs.
On the one hand, there's no difference between Paizo coding an iPhone/iPad app in-house and paying someone professional to do so on their behalf. On the other hand, I'll grant that if the product pays for its development, it's theoretically a win. I say theoretically because again - as should be clear by now - I'm opposed to both the hardware and the politics of this product. That's just my view though. I don't discourage profitability by any means. I just would rather encourage development on a "better" platform.
Finally I understand why people don't like the "closed garden" mentality of the Apple App Store, however the vast majority of apps do get through their approval process, and in fact I would venture that since the parental features addition only .01% of applications get denied based solely on content. If Apple were denying things left and right as you believe, then the iPhone simply wouldn't have as many applications and be as popular as it currently is.
You have to agree that the iPhone and App Store mentality has gotten something right, considering it's sales figures.
Yes, the vast majority of apps get approved. That's absolutely beside my point of objection. That any applications can be - let alone is - forbidden on the devices is utterly and completely unacceptable to me.
I accept Paizo's token DRM on their PDFs as a} unobtrusive enough to ignore and b} understandable from a business sense. Imagine a Core rulebook you added bookmarks to. I empathize and to a degree support Paizo's choice. But Apple's app-validation scheme is a totally different game. They have - in my opinion - no business dictating what I can and cannot execute on my device. Or share with my friends. Or sell to people I don't know.
What the iPhone has going for it is that it's physically sexy. That and its "apps" (most of which are simply web scraping utilities or Hello World class do-nothing code) being in the pocket-change impulse-buy price range. It's terribly easy to justify $1.99 on a few seconds' worth of throw-away entertainment. There's not a lot of meat (ie. truly powerful, well-developed, feature-rich) programs out for any of the smartphones now that PalmOS is dead.
Anyway, I digress slightly in an attempt to explain my standpoint. Bottom line: I disagree with Apple's politics and to a lesser degree their hardware and pricing points with the iPad. I'd personally rather see Paizo invest in development on some other platform for those reasons.