Since the announcement of the iPad yesterday, I've been reading a lot and thinking a lot about it. And now, I've written a new article about it.
I wanted to like the iPad; really wanted to. I thought it would be great, like so many Apple products. I thought it would wow me, make me droll, break all kinds of land-speed records getting to my nearest Apple store. Instead, after thorough examination of the particulars, I find myself feeling disappointed.
I mean, what would you use this for? I could see some artists liking it; that tablet form, with the beautiful touchscreen, should be fantastic for freehand illustration, for example. But with the iPhone OS underneath, you won't be able to use Adobe Illustrator, for example, unless Adobe comes out with a full-featured application that supports it.
It doesn't have enough storage (the pitiful range is 16 GB- 64 GB) to be really useful for much intensive use; it almost has to be hooked up to a network, where the data can be stored on a remote server somewhere, to have value in a hospital setting, for example.
It's gorgeous, no doubt about it. I love the look. And being based on the iPhone OS has one advantage; it's tried and true, and quite stable. But it feels like a product without a market to me. My wonderful iPhone does its job spectacularly, as do my Windows and Mac computers, respectively. I really can't think of many things I'd want to do with the iPad that I can't do, and do better, with the other devices.
We'll see what the market says when it goes on sale in a couple of months; my suspicion, however, is that it won't become a sensation like the iPod and iPhone were. No revolution here; just a feeling of "eh." When was the last time a new Apple product made you feel like that?
I couldn’t agree more.
This new iPad is just a glorified iTouch. No multitasking and the lack of a camera is a big deal-breaker for me. Sure it’s pretty and sleek, but it needs more functionality to be considered useful for the average consumer. I’ve been keeping an eye on all the tablets that we’re revealed at CES and can see other products that will spark my interest (and wallet) than the iPad.
Unfortunately Apple failed to bridge the gap between a phone and a laptop in my honest opinion. I already own an Iphone 3G and recently bought a new Laptop; I don’t foresee buying an iPad at all since I don’t see the point.
I think this is targeted at the same market as the Chromium OS.ie Casual web surfers, games players (all your existing iPhone etc apps will be synced and run on it) . For mobile workers, it’s ideal. With a bluetooth earpiece and voip over 3g/wifi, you have a comms device as well.
Flash? How many flash apps do you actually use a lot? Games which will be ported when Flash CS5 hits the street and generates an xcode project.
Hi David,
Thanks for your comments. I’d be interested in knowing why you think it’s ideal for mobile workers? I actually can’t imagine a worse device for workers. No USB, pitifully small hard drive, onscreen keyboard. Would you really want this to do any substantive work on?
Re: as a com device — not sure what you’re getting at there. Can you clarify? It has no phone capability. And you have to pay extra — a significant amount — to get the 3G models. A $130 premium to add a $7 3G chip? It’s ridiculous for Apple to do that. And after you pay extra for a 3G iPad, you need to pay monthly to use the 3G, of course. This makes it way more expensive than a mid-priced laptop, which can do a heck of a lot more for you.
you are being to hard on them! give it time! it will upgrade, with the help of customer reviews, and soon be very useful…
watch this:
http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/1001q3f8hhr/event/index.html (its a bit long, but you can fast forward)
and this:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
mabe these will change your views around a bit…
You know I think apple messed up on the ipad, I mean when I first heard about it I was thinking wow thats much larger than a ordanery mobile device and I heard it was supposed to be between a ma and a iphone/itouch so I did a little research and I was really let down cause it has no real computer qaulities that the iphone or itouch doesnt have and it doesnt even come with a camera. They said it supposed to better than the netbook ya maybe on surfing the web but thats it, I like apple alot myself but I think they could have done alot more with this.
When the ipad was first released i felt the same as you. However know i have had time to get used to the gadget (3 months) i could now not imagine my life without it. It all about portablilty and ease of use. The ipad will never replace you laptop and i think that is the problem most users have. The ipad is for you to grab when bringing your laptop is not suitable. Its perfect for taking notes at conferences, watching videos on the metro..etc Don’t expect too much and you will grow to love it!
Danny www.iPad Case Review.org