The early response to the Apple's (AAPL) new iPad tablet computer was decidedly mixed around the Web on Wednesday, with Apple-watchers both panning and praising the device's introduction -- and its name.
After opening at $206.85, Apple shares got pushed down as low as $199.53 during the iPad's introduction, but they later bounced back to close at $208.88. Many analysts had expected a base price for the iPad of no less than $1,000, but at least one portfolio manager was pleased to see models starting at $500 instead.
"At that price, they'll sell millions," Hakim Kriout of Grigsby & Associates told Bloomberg. "It's very, very affordable for what it does. This is going to add a huge revenue stream for Apple."
Joshua Topolsky, a blogger for tech site Engadget (like DailyFinance, a unit of AOL) was enthralled by the tablet's big screen and snappy processor, but he expressed disappointment about the device's apparent inability to multitask. He also has reservations about the responsiveness of the on-screen keyboard and lack of a camera for videoconferencing.
Still Flash-less
Other observers, including the popular tech blog, TechCrunch, noted that the iPad doesn't seem to support Adobe's popular Flash format, which many casual games and graphics-heavy sites employ for its ability to render complex interactive graphics. Tech pundits have long wondered if Apple will ever support Flash. For now, the answer is clearly, not yet.
Gaming blogger Christopher Grant, writing for JoyStiq, wasn't immediately impressed by the iPad's larger screen for gaming, especially upon learning that games optimized for the iPad would be sold separately than those designed for the iPhone.
Elsewhere, Twitter users poked fun at the tablet's "iPad" moniker, where the satirical "iTampon" crept into the site's list of frequently tweeted topics.
As post-launch analysis of the iPad turns serious again, bloggers are already noting what's missing: USB ports, GPS to support Google maps and a port for the industry-standard high-definition video standard, HDMI. But how Apple makes up for those shortcomings -- or whether buyers will even care -- won't be clear at least until the nonpundit reviews start hitting the Web in about 60 days. That's when the first iPads will be available for purchase
After opening at $206.85, Apple shares got pushed down as low as $199.53 during the iPad's introduction, but they later bounced back to close at $208.88. Many analysts had expected a base price for the iPad of no less than $1,000, but at least one portfolio manager was pleased to see models starting at $500 instead.
"At that price, they'll sell millions," Hakim Kriout of Grigsby & Associates told Bloomberg. "It's very, very affordable for what it does. This is going to add a huge revenue stream for Apple."
Joshua Topolsky, a blogger for tech site Engadget (like DailyFinance, a unit of AOL) was enthralled by the tablet's big screen and snappy processor, but he expressed disappointment about the device's apparent inability to multitask. He also has reservations about the responsiveness of the on-screen keyboard and lack of a camera for videoconferencing.
Still Flash-less
Other observers, including the popular tech blog, TechCrunch, noted that the iPad doesn't seem to support Adobe's popular Flash format, which many casual games and graphics-heavy sites employ for its ability to render complex interactive graphics. Tech pundits have long wondered if Apple will ever support Flash. For now, the answer is clearly, not yet.
Gaming blogger Christopher Grant, writing for JoyStiq, wasn't immediately impressed by the iPad's larger screen for gaming, especially upon learning that games optimized for the iPad would be sold separately than those designed for the iPhone.
Elsewhere, Twitter users poked fun at the tablet's "iPad" moniker, where the satirical "iTampon" crept into the site's list of frequently tweeted topics.
As post-launch analysis of the iPad turns serious again, bloggers are already noting what's missing: USB ports, GPS to support Google maps and a port for the industry-standard high-definition video standard, HDMI. But how Apple makes up for those shortcomings -- or whether buyers will even care -- won't be clear at least until the nonpundit reviews start hitting the Web in about 60 days. That's when the first iPads will be available for purchase
