infoMania | April 29, 2010 | Comment on this video (24)

The iPad Sucks: Tech Report

Ben_Hoffman
Steve Jobs hasn't minced words when defending Apple's decision to not support Flash on iPad and iPhone. But you won't see Ben Hoffman's iPad demonstration on a big screen anytime soon. For this week's infoMania Tech Report, Ben tests out his favorite websites, from Hulu to the New York Times -- all of which look completely awful.

The infoMania Tech Report is a weekly segment where technology guru Ben Hoffman takes a look at the newest tech products, gadgets and video games. It has been called "the funniest tech show on the web." (No source for that quote is available at this time. In fact, there's a good chance it was made up.) For more Ben visit http://current.com/techreport/ and Current TV.

infoMania is a half-hour satirical news show that airs on Current TV. The show puts a comedic spin on the 24-hour chaos and information overload brought about by the constant bombardment of the media. Hosted by Conor Knighton and co-starring Brett Erlich, Sarah Haskins, Ben Hoffman, Bryan Safi and Sergio Cilli, the show airs on Thursdays at 10 pm Eastern and Pacific Times and can be found online at http://current.com/infomania/ or on Current TV. And make sure to check out our facebook profile for special features at http://facebook.com/infomania.
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    Current TV,  Comedy,  Technology,  Funny,  26 more
  3. credits:
    Ben_Hoffman Starring, Ben_Hoffman Writer, jplunkett Producer, more
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24 comments // The iPad Sucks: Tech Report // Video

  • PeanutButterSandwitch
  • not2fly1000
    • 0
      not2fly1000  
    • Image

    • Apple is so clueless and arrogant. I really hope it fails because the device sucks, though it is a great idea. There are a whole host of similar products out now and coming soon that should do a better job and without Apple fascism. Here's a site dedicated to them: http://www.alternatives2ipad.com/

    • 1 year ago
  • roxysweetie7
    • +1
      roxysweetie7  

    • Good stuff. Not to mention you can't plug in anything that's USB to it without buying yet another little gadget with a half eaten apple splayed across it. If I'm going to pay $500 for something, it's going to a fully functional tablet.

    • 2 years ago
  • teachdworld
  • cutee_leslie
  • jubal
    • +1
      jubal  

    • This product sure looks nice, but there are better products just over the horizon. Patience my young padawan learners, the force will be with us soon, and its not going to come from Apple.

    • 2 years ago
  • RudyRudell
    • +1
      RudyRudell  

    • Really steve? the internet should be full of free stuff? I would not think you would feel that way with the whole app store shit.

    • 2 years ago
  • Kamilo
    • +1
      Kamilo  

    • 1. html 5 in the coming months
      2. the free app versions of half those sites which run perfectly right now

      And really, you're STILL talking about just the flash support? That would be very "current" if this were 2 months ago and that hadn't already been said half a million times by every other blogger in the world. Get creative guys, seriously.

    • 2 years ago
  • leliathomas
    • +2
      leliathomas  
    • Kamilo:

      Considering what most people want to use the iPad for--or think that they can use it for--I'd say flash support is still a big deal, regardless if the point has been brought up before. This is especially true, given that some of the iPad's competition does not have this issue and is more affordable. People are paying hundreds of bucks for something that doesn't have really, really basic functionality that people use multiple times a day (and have come to expect on even the worst computers and devices). That's shit.

      Also, regarding HTML5 videos...a lot of people don't seem to understand that flash is a fairly neutral platform to share media through. The H.264 codec, which is what Apple wants to utilize for video streaming, is NOT; it is patented and requires those who make products that use it (such as a browser) pay royalty fees. Apple is hoping to bottleneck its users into using Safari only, because open source browser creators, like Mozilla, aren't keen on paying thousands of dollars a year to use a certain codec in their free browser. Costs also have the potential to filter to content providers.

      This, of course, doesn't even begin to address the fact that flash is still used often in web design (for things not involving video). Whole navigation menus, animations and more will be completely lost on the iPad user. I know this all too well as an iPhone owner.

    • 2 years ago
  • thresholdmaster
  • Agent_Alpha
  • HaloedGriot
  • AeronPrometheus
  • ozoneocean
    • +1
      ozoneocean  

    • Flash is cool. The best thing about it is that I can totally block it whenever I choose- unlike HTML5 where I don't have any choice in the matter- but that's what Apple's about: you do it their way or else.

    • 2 years ago
  • EmperorThan
  • monoclemonkey
    • -4
      monoclemonkey  

    • i will gladly come on each week and provide a counter point to your whiny drivel. html5 - apple is just drawing a line in the sand like they did w firewire. PS I so heart most of your stuff (no homo) - but I would love to argue with you.

    • 2 years ago
  • thresholdmaster
  • nkeg87
    • +1
      nkeg87  

    • Thanks for giving me reason not to buy it!! I was forced to get the HP tablet for school. Its a cool concept, but HP makes crap products. Ive never had a computer have so many problems in 1 year. In fact, I will never buy another HP product because this one computer has given me so many problems. Asian products all the way.

    • 2 years ago
  • drizzt1666
    • +1
      drizzt1666  

    • I love the sarcasm here :P That iPad is just a ripoff. The only good thing about it is almost every major manufacturer will try to make their own tablet. The idea of the tablet PC - the concept itself - is good. So we eventually get tablet PC's for cheap. Yay!

    • 2 years ago
  • tiscover
  • smurph25
  • HaloedGriot
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