TW,
FWIW, I suggest a second look at the iPad 2. It may be a better bang for the buck in the end. I understand about the $100 lower cost but the cameras in the iPad 2 may be useful to you at some point, outside of the anticipated speed bump in the new models. iPad users can attest to the sometimes abysmally slow e-mail and surfing on the original, and early reports suggest that the iPad 2 is much improved in that department. I would further assume that ALM will add support for the camera(s) to their DaVinci app in the near future (?) and even if the rear camera is not up to our expectations, it may be a welcome addition for documentation purposes, if not report photos, per se...
While reconsidering, I recommend to all that will listen ;-) to take a look at the existing and upcoming Android tabs, too. For some, they may be the more appropriate choice once we get past the hype, etc. As usual, I remind all that I am an iPad owner/user, so this is no iPad flame. I am agnostic in that regard and am simply recommending that folks not rush to buy on the release date without checking out all "the comps.". A more accurate/defensible estimate of value may be forthcoming when some of these "under contract properties" close... ;-). Hope the valuation analogy here is communicating my sentiments... I believe, also, that ALM has already publicly announced that an Android version of their app is in the works, so depending on your own time table for purchase, I would think this is worth considering. Again, I have no dog in this hunt, just offering my thoughts...
Finally, the product that the OP (silverstreak) mentioned is not DaVinci. It is a completely different app written by some folks who wrote other sketching programs in the past. According to them (and ALM), their code formed the basis for DaVinci, so they have a measure of credibility IMHO. That said, I would imagine most ALM customers will stick with DaVinci since it is already so tightly integrated into your normal workflow, back end, etc. Still, I think even ALM folks should take a look, even if you end up not using it, as predicted.
For those not using ALM, PhoenixMobile may be a more viable option IF their forms software provider adopts or integrates it. Lord knows they need to do SOMEthing if they want to remain even slightly competitive IMHO, It boggles my mind how the others seem to have no vision for embracing mobile technology when the tech is readily available to them... :-/
Hope this helps!
-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*
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