Eh, if it had the SD slot, it wouldn't matter, really. Even so, what would you want to get off the flash drive? Media wouldn't play unless they allowed VLC to port a tablet version...

I'd agree with that in theory but what would you want to do with a USB port. I mean people complained the Macbook Air had only ONE USB port...

Flash drives, external input devices, printers, digital cameras, cell phones, etc. Yeah, Apple probably doesn't want to deal with any of that, but it's a definite drawback compared to other netbooks.

I still don't see the point of flash drives yet. As for external input devices, bluetooth isn't enough? Printers are going wifi/bluetooth almost standard now. Digital cameras use SD cards so that would fit under my "I'll grant SD card slot" and cell phones I'm not sure why you'd want it, unless tethering and not paying for their cheap data plans (which would be less than tethering would run you.)

I'm not defending Apple's closedness - God no. But still, I fail to see the USB aspect of it.

You give people what they want whether it makes sense or not.

People like to have a USB port on their devices so they can just hot swap connect it to any other device they want.

Because not every computer has an SD card input, so if I want to take the pictures off of my Mom's computer it would be easier to do with a thumb drive. Not to mention keyboard's and lot's of people don't yet have wireless printers.

Bluetooth is coming along, sure, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone predicting that USB is going to be killed off any time soon. It's the most flexible connecting technology that there's ever been, and that doesn't look to change any time soon.

Again, I'm not saying that it's a completely damning thing that the iPad doesn't have them. Just that it's surprising that they didn't given all of the possibilities it would add.

I'm not saying USB will die. Though Apple has been working on a USB replacement....

Now, it's the bold I still haven't been convinced on. I don't see how a USB port will do much for the device.

is the replacement gonna be ready in the next 6 months? Then it's really irrelevant.

USB = convenience

i just don't know how much clearer it can be said ... if you want to upload/download something to a device then USB is the most convenient.

I'd agree with you if we were talking about plugging the device into the computer. In that case, it effectively has a USB port since it connects via USB.

I just can't see anyone uploading or downloading something on the go from a flash drive. A) when do you think you'd do it B) what would you do it with (I conceded with media, but I don't think they'll allow a VLC player app) and C) why couldn't you just email it or transfer it wirelessly.

A more interesting prospect than USB is whether Apple will employ the technology they have in the Air that allows taking over of a computer's disc drive. That would allow someone to watch movies over it, transfer files, or potentially, install things.

How the hell am I supposed to charge my iPhone with my iPad?

Dammit Steve!

I was waiting for people to claim hooking up an external drive. Except then they'd complain about battery life...

Mac doesnt let you do that. They only let you use it the way they want you to use it.

Also, forgot to mention, the iPad DOES have a USB port. Via attachment. Which, as I argue, it should be. What shouldn't be is any removable memory port (SD card, specifically)

ROFL

That's why I have Perian....

Whoops, there goes your argument.

you are basically saying YOU wouldn't use the USB, but everyone is not you.

example ...

you are going on a vacation to see grandma petunia with the kids. You want to read some on the trip but don't want to carry a bunch of books with you so you just take the digital version on the apple tablet. You are packing and at the last minute you forgot about all those pictures you took of the kids at Disneyland you wanted to show grandma. Dam ... Grandma Petunia is 105 years old and won't be able to see that small little screen on a phone or camera and you don't have time to print them out. So you'll just grab a USB thumbnail drive and stick in into the USB port on the Apple tablet and use the tablet to show grandma the pictures. The Apple tablet with serve 2 purposes on the trip!!! :)

oh wait ...... the asshats at apple didn't put a simple USB port on the tablet.

Sorry grandma, you'll be dead before we get a chance to come up to see you again ... you can't see the Disneyland pictures.

Thanks Apple for letting my grandma die weeping because she didn't get to see her grand kids at disneyland.



so Mr. Irish hawk ... is this enough specific information for you to understand how somebody else would want usb drive on the apple tablet?