My new Ozaki iStroke L pen

Ozaki iStroke L

Ever since I saw someone poking her iPad with a pen at Starbucks, I always wanted one too. It looks so cool using your iPad with a pen, and not an ordinary pen that is. It’s a specially designed pen to be used with iPads or iPhones, or anything with touch screens. The tip should be made from rubber (for obvious reason).

Ozaki's logo

Searching the web yields several models and choices for that particular specialty pen. I’ve chosen three different models and brands, but found out that only Ozaki is available in KL. Ozaki is a well-known Japanese brand with some innovations on its belt.  Other than the iStroke, they also got iSuppli (iPhone docks), iCoat (iPhone & iPad cases), iMini (digital clocks for iPod), iUFO (digital dock for iPhone) and some other stuffs.

iStroke's rubber tip

If you’re lucky enough to use a PDA years ago, you can relate this pen to a stylus. The only difference is the rubber tip. Stylus would have a hard tip, as the PDA’s screen was designed to be touch with a pointed hard tip (not your nips, people!), and not your fingers. Whereas the iPad was designed to be used with your fingers (touch not poke), hence the logical choice of a rubber tip.

Looks just like a normal pen

Hey, it looks like a normal pen! And can be used on your iPhone too!

Ozaki's

Ozaki said:

Soft tip provides a more sensitive touch than your finger and avoids fingerprints and smudges on the screen. Relieves finger pressure while reading, marking iBooks or playing games. Lightweight aluminum body and weight only 20 gram.

It's also a real pen!

Handy built-in with shirt clip and ball point pen. You can poke and you can also write (not on the screen!).

Now you can poke with your pen...

After using it for a while, I can report that it’s very easy to fall in love with the iStroke. Using your finger to swipe (or poke or touch) your iPad might be tiring if you’re doing it for long period of time. The iStroke mimics the usage of a normal pen and you can use it like a pen too. You’ll naturally be comfortable using ‘em.

Want one? Ozaki’s iStroke L retails for RM79.99 and available at all major IT retailers in KL.

Do you want to iPad?

Not sounding like a gadget blog, I’ve finally get my hands on the much talked about gadget, the Apple iPad. I’ve owned several other Apple products, namely the MacBook laptop and the iPods (Classic 160Gb, Photo 30Gb & iPod Nano 3G), and when I heard that Apple is coming out with a tablet PC-kindathingy, I just can’t wait to try it out (the iPhone still eludes me).

Another winning product from Apple?

The iPad is owned by Had and I got to play with it for several days. When I first hold the iPad, I was expecting something like the weight of the iPhone. But how wrong was I. The iPad is HEAVY! Just make sure your little kid not holding it on his/her own, as he/she can easily drop it. Weighing at 0.68kg, this device is not actually light. As a yardstick, try holding it using one hand for a minute. If you hand feels tired, then it’s heavy for you.

iPad 16Gb Wifi

But with a screen size of 9.7″, there’s a lot of space to view your apps. Unlike the Samsung Tab, the iPad is large enough for old age people like me to read the screen comfortably. I still can’t get used to the weight, but let’s get on to the rest of the mini-review.

Besides the pre-installed applications, you can always download more at Apple Store. If you don’t like paying for an app, there’s always the free ones, whether it’s a trial, incomplete or 100% working copies, Apple Store is the place to be.

Let me ask you something. Why do you buy the iPad? Is it because everybody else have one? Is it hip to have one? Or are you one of the early adopter in your circle of friends, and wanted to be the first to have the iPad? Whatever the reason, people are buying it by the bucketload. It can’t be denied that Apple makes good and desirable products. And we always buy one even though we don’t really need it. Just like me and my three iPods.

Acres for applications

I still feels that the iPad is a glorified iPod Touch. Imagine playing with an iPod Touch, but this time it’s the right size to put on your lap. They shared almost the same apps, physically looks the same (except the size) and if you’re familiar with iPhone or iPod Touch, you’ll feel the same with the iPad, just like the ducks to the water.

Still made in China

After playing using it for a few days, I felt that the novelty wears off. Other than the size, I personally thinks that my MacBook is better than the iPad. And deep inside, I felt that Apple is trying (successfully) to shove the tablet PC into our mouths.

Accept it or not, Apple really have a winner here. The iPad looks like a godsend gadget, and every Tom, Dick and Harry is buying it, no matter how old or how young you are. Believe me, once you hooked to the iPad, there’s no turning back. It’s that addictive.

The iconic Apple logo

But if you want to find a replacement of your PCs/laptops that you can carry around without the added weight, then the iPad makes sense. The iPad can almost do everything the laptop can do: surfing the net (3G or Wifi), transferring files, creating or editing documents, playing games, chatting, files storage and more. And it’s also cheaper than a laptop.

As for me, I’m sticking to my trusty MacBook. I’m old-school, hence the need of a physical keyboard. Embracing the iPad? Maybe in a couple of years, when something fresh and new comes along.

The iPad is here!

Finally, the Apple iPad is here in Malaysia! After going through various grey market iPads (with some prices goes as high as RM4,000 each), the iPad is brought in officially by Apple Malaysia.

Maxis is the first telco to offer the iPad data plans (you need it to access the internet without WiFi). You can read about the data plans here. But Maxis didn’t sells the iPad per se, as you can buy ’em at various authorised dealers such as Machines and Harvey Norman outlets. The data plans are cheaper than normal iPhone plans, as voice is not included.

Don’t know what’s an iPad? What? Do you live in a cave all these while? Fret not, as you can read the details here.

To me, the iPad is more like an over-glorified iPod Touch. I’m better off with an iPhone 4, which I will get one next month (watch out for the review!). Imaging lugging around an iPad with the size of a small netbook (which is this case the netbook can do a lot more and a more sensible purchase). You’re probably better off with a netbook, unless you don’t want to carry an item as heavy as a netbook, then the iPad makes sense. Until I come to my senses, lemme stick with my MacBook and iPhone.

Check out the links to find out more about the iPads in Malaysia, and watch the product review on youtube by Apple.