Agreed.
A rental business would be better aimed at non-tablet owners. But 25 bucks a day is unlikely to get many takers.
Would you rent an Ipad for 25 USD pr. day when travelling to another country?
- Thread starter ravenellos
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Agreed.
A rental business would be better aimed at non-tablet owners. But 25 bucks a day is unlikely to get many takers.
I'm guessing that any rental contract would stipulate that you'll be charged full price for any iPad that's not returned. Your credit card would be charged.
If you're going to steal or clone a credit card, why bother renting? It'd be more trouble than buying a new iPad.
Rental contracts are usually a pain. I rented a few traffic cones for an event and I figured afterward that next time I'll buy them, to save myself the hassle. They were renting for $4 a day, but the PITA factor was greater than the price, lol.
Seadog
iPF Noob
A better plan would be to sell the tour information as an app for existing tablets and smart phones. Even have hotels with means of downloading directly. All for under $20, depending on quality. It may also be possible to arrange with some hotels to provide iPad rentals for tourist use, but the two endeavors should be treated as separate functions that can be combined.
There's a startup that's already trying that approach:
New iPad Rental Service Targets Travelers - Yahoo! News
New iPad Rental Service Targets Travelers - Yahoo! News
debsylvania
iPF Noob
If you don't already own an iPad, you're probably not the iPad "type"... wouldn't want to use one and certainly wouldn't be tempted to rent one at that price. If you do own one, you'd bring it along in the first place.
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What about the security implications?
If the iPad is open and you use it for your personal email and web browsing while it's rented what are the security implications when you return it?
If the iPad is locked to a particular set of apps then it's just a glorified tourist information service exactly like you get from free in any major city tourist information bureau or booth at a hotel.
If the iPad is open and you use it for your personal email and web browsing while it's rented what are the security implications when you return it?
If the iPad is locked to a particular set of apps then it's just a glorified tourist information service exactly like you get from free in any major city tourist information bureau or booth at a hotel.
That part should be easy: Add your email, use it, wipe all the contents, then return it. They can resynch to an existing backup of their standard content.
jsh1120
iPF Noob
Yes, and an e-Reader is just a glorified book. As already noted, the sort of service the OP is asking about is very unlikely to generate much interest in the folks who frequent this site. On the other hand, a device, not necessarily an iPad, that provides an electronic guide to a particular city (e.g. gps based maps, local attractions, etc.) along with apps like language translation, phone service, etc. would, I think, have considerable potential.
The iPad is not the ideal host for this kind of product, though. Something along the lines of the Samsung "Note" with a 5" screen seems more appropriate. And the key is the development of specialized apps such as gps-based walking tours.
I read that the Samsung Note probably won't be sold in the U.S. Bummer. I will have to get one overseas. Looks great.
I've seen touring businesses that rent preloaded iPod touches. The last one I remember was in New Orleans.
I've also stayed at hotels with free loaner touches in every room. I used my own stuff, though.
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ipadbraincell
iPF Noob
I would think there would be some sort if automatic wipe or default factory reset controlled by a 'key' expiring, like you have in Internet booths. Perhaps it would also need to have contact with a server on date of return or the machine locks up against theft.
I'd guess it would be bespoke software.
I'd guess it would be bespoke software.
jsh1120
iPF Noob
Unfortunately, the US market is dominated by cell phone carriers rather than hardware manufacturers (as it is in most of the world.) Americans are accustomed to getting heavily subsidized hardware and then paying through the nose for data and voice service that ends up costing them far more in the long run.
Since the Note is a hybrid "phone/tablet," Samsung may not release it in the US unless they can find a carrier willing to subsidize its price. And since it will be used in large part for data rather than for voice, carriers may not be willing to do so.
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