[ebgb]

certainly looks interesting, especially as you can use all the apps you've already bought

[Jade]

Did anyone see a built-in GPS?

iPad Specifications
9.7 inch IPS display
0.5 inches thin
1.5 pounds
Full capacitive multi-touch interface
16-64GB of Flash memory storage
1 GHz Apple-branded A4 chip (developed in-house)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
802.11n WiFi
Built-in Speaker
Built-in Microphone
Accelerometer & Compass
30-pin Dock connector (same as iPod and iPhone)
10-hours of battery life (Over one month standby time)
Runs all iPhone apps
App Store application included

[FF44]

Did anyone see a built-in GPS?

If not, no way with USB connector, I'm afraid !

[GPSNavX]

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

Looks like a GPS in the 3G models. Just like iPhone.

[cyberhusky]

But if it runs all iPhone apps out of the box it must have a built in GPS.

Check this picture, on the right lower end, the connector looks like a mini-usb.

But it could also be a connector for setting up external video display for presentations via iWork
[image]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4309141457_e6dcd87d60_o.jpg[/image]

[cyberhusky]

If iNavX runs on it, I want an iPad!

But I have to wait at least 90 days before its available in Europe.
I'm pleased iWork runs on it!

[GPSNavX]

Most if not all your existing apps will run on iPad ..

http://www.apple.com/ipad/app-store/

[macsolve]

The mini-usb is most likely for charging, time will tell what else it can be used for.

[Jade]

The specs show 2 adapters for USB Camera cords and cards as well as a keyboard dock

[FF44]

http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
Looks like a GPS in the 3G models. Just like iPhone.

You are right, it's a very good news:

Location
Wi-Fi
Digital compass
[color:red]Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)[/color]
Cellular (Wi-Fi + 3G model)

So, can you confirm that iNavX will turn well in the iPad, and that owners will be able to sync their Navionics Region to the iPad ?

[FF44]

Hello,
The Navionics charts are licensed for one device only. If a customer wishes to remove it from one device and install it on another we are able to accomodate that.
Other charts on www.x-traverse.com, such as the CHS charts or NV Digital charts, are licensed for two devices.
Yours truly,
NORTHPORT SYSTEMS INC.
Amanda Holt
Sales Manager

[GPSNavX]

Keep in mind the Navionics Mobile charts are very affordable so procuring another license for an iPad installation will not break the bank OR if one already has the Navionics Mobile app, they can simply sync their iPad with iTunes. I have not heard whether Navionics will update their apps to support the higher resolution iPad screen.

[FF44]

Yes, of course.
But something comes to my mind : if the couple iPad/iNavX encounters a great success with yachtsmen, it will probably become a competing product of MacBook/MacENC. Compared prices of iPad+iNavX+Navionics for iNavx and MacBook+MacENC+Navionics for MacENC : the goal seems the first choice. Even features are not exactly the same.
On another hand, iPad open the way for a large market of non-macusers (as iPhone does).
I am not sure of this analysis, anyway I'm sure that iPad will change the "way of computing" !

[ebgb]

'tis curious about only having the gps on the 3g model. I wonder if buying the 3g model will force you down the contract route for a 3g network provider?

[GPSNavX]

At least state side there is no contract required for the iPad data plan. It's US$30 a month and activated on iPad as needed. I don't believe its needed to use the GPS as I have an older iPhone 3G with no contract and GPS functionality continues to work. The GPS receiver is just integrated in the cell radio receiver. This is because the GPS receiver can be assisted with cell tower location. This is done so in places (i.e. inside, around tall buildings) the location services still work.

[collin.harty]

...if the couple iPad/iNavX encounters a great success with yachtsmen, it will probably become a competing product of MacBook/MacENC. !

I wonder. There are as many ways to implement a system as there are yachts and yachtsmen. As I consider a nav system for the boat I am building I am drawn to the idea of having a Mac Mini installed below at the nav station running MacENC, with its added power and versatility, and coupling it to an iPad installed at the helm and, perhaps, in the main stateroom over a wifi network. If the main system went down the iPads would be installed with iNavX to provide serviceable redundancy. I haven't run the numbers, but I suspect the entire system could be put together for a price comparable to, or less than, the cost of the dedicated chartplotter on the boat I sail on now.

Collin

[GPSNavX]

Any number and combination of iPhones, iPods, or iPads can be a client of MacENC. Used in that capacity, the standard iPad without 3G will work just fine, but it seems penny wise pound foolish to to not get the iPad 3G model with its GPS and 3G connectivity.

[AugustH]

I'm not yet convinced that the 3G model is all that much better than the Wi-Fi version. Having 3G capability when there is no cell phone signal seems, well, less than useless. But then again, I'm not convinced that *this* model of the iPad is what I personally want for my boat (or my couch or my bed or wherever else I might wind up). It doesn't have USB (hence no external GPS), it doesn't have a camera, it doesn't use standard OS X so all apps must be purchased/acquired through the app store! IMHO it's better to wait and see what iPad v2.0 has, because I suspect it will be similar to the jumps that happened with iPhone v1 vs v2 vs v3GS.

[collin.harty]

I'm not yet convinced that the 3G model is all that much better than the Wi-Fi version.

As I understand it, only the 3G versions of the iPad contain a GPS chip. Even if I don't subscribe to a 3G data plan, GPS is something I definitely want on an iPad if it comes onboard with me, particularly when the versions of iNavX and Ayetides I already own are suppose to work right out of the gate on this device.

Collin

[GPSNavX]

I prefer the 3G model because of both the GPS and the ability to handle email/web where I don't have a WiFi connection.

[georgelewisray]

USB, might not be an issue....
(1) Where is the GPS industry currently with regard to bluetooth wireless gps data transmission?
(2) Where is Apple iPhone ( and by extrapolation iPad) as far as utilizing bluetooth GPS?

[GPSNavX]

Apple's iPhone Bluetooth connectivity requires hardware certification ..

http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/accessories/

As far as I know there is no BT GPS for iPhone/iPod.

[jagasail]

OK, but if you use your ipad as a dedicated boat tool, couldn't you access the GPS (and other instrument) data through a BT muliplexor? This could be better since you wouldn't risk losing your gps satellites when you took the ipad down below.

Scot

[GPSNavX]

Until the BT Multiplexer is certified with Apple, the only way for iPad 3G to get positional data with iNavX is either through its built in GPS or via WiFi from MacENC (Mac OS X) or Franson GPSGate (Windows).

I have no evidence that any BT multiplexer or GPS receiver is being certified with Apple.

http://www.gpsnavx.com/iNavX/help/macenc.htm

An iPad BT solution would look like this:

NMEA Instrument(s) connected to BT Multiplexer to Mac to MacENC to WiFi to iPad(s) to iNavX

[jagasail]

Wow, well that killed any waning interest in a iPad I might have had. That would just add one more piece of power consuming electronics, and the Mac alone sucks way too much to use other than for day sails, trips under power, or for planning.

Scot