I’m not going to front: when I saw the iPad introduction today, I was initially disappointed. I was really hoping for revolutionary way to interact with a device — a whole new multi-touch interface. I was expecting this, and the fact that the iPad is, really, just a big iPod touch was a bit, well, underwhelming. Then I remembered something: the way we interact with the iPhone and iPod touch is fucking awesome. Like, best-UI-ever-created awesome. Why fuck with it?
It’s totally cliche and douchey to say so, but the fact is, the iPad is just a big iPod touch. Seriously. That’s all it is.
But is that so bad?
The name
Let’s get this out of the way. I don’t really like the name. I think it’s confusing when your product line also includes something called the “iPod.” The cottony-thing-ladies-wear-over-their-hoohaa jokes will get old fast, but people are going to be mistakenly typing and saying “iPad” when they mean “iPod” (and vice-versa) for years to come.
But seriously: who cares?
(Also, I was shut down hard tonight when I said something about a “tampon,” reminded by my ladies that a tampon is a very different device than a feminine pad. Thus, “cottony-thing-ladies-wear-over-their-hoohaa.”)
This is not the device for you — yet
If you’re reading this blog, this is almost certainly not the device for you. At least not today. But stop for a minute to consider a regular person. What do they need? They need to browse the web. They need e-mail. They want to interact with the photos from their digital camera. They want maps and e-books and music and movies. But really, that’s about it. They’re consumers of media, not creators. What do they really want that the iPad can’t do out of the box?
Nothing, that’s what.
But let’s be clear: the iPad is, pretty much, a sheet of glass. It’s a playing field and a ball. It’s up to app developers to invent a sport for it. We get to make the rules of what this thing is. So while, out of the box, it may not let you write code, edit comps in Photoshop, compose music in Logic, or edit video in Final Cut, I won’t be surprised if it eventually does. If they can build a world-class version of iWork and that sweet-looking Brushes app for this thing, I’m damned sure someone can build Photoshop for it. So while it may not be the device for you today, it very well may be, in the future.
So who’s it for, then?
My wonderful girlfriend is about to go back to school. She’s got a ThinkPad from about six years ago that barely works anymore. She saw this thing and said, “maybe that’s what I need for school.” And I agree. It’s perfect for taking notes, reading texts, and doing simple assignments. It may not be great for writing a 50-page thesis, but for most students, it’s more than enough — and that’s with only the software Apple is providing. I fully expect third parties to make it even more awesome with their apps.
But the fact that she’s a student isn’t what makes her the ideal customer for this thing — it’s the fact that she has an aging laptop. The question isn’t, “Do you need an iPad today?,” because most of us don’t. Our MacBook Pros or Dell lappies are humming along just fine. The question is, “Would an iPad serve your needs when it’s time to replace your current laptop?” And the answer, for the vast majority of people, is a resounding “yes.”
Geeks are going to buy this thing. You’re going to see it in the wild. It’ll pop up in boardrooms, on planes, and in coffee shops. You’ll see it. You’ll admire it. And you’ll wonder, “Do I really need a laptop? Maybe that’s all I need.” And a year or two from now, you’re going to buy one. Resistance is futile.
This is the new PC. Sure, there are some things missing, and it’s not as capable as your HP netbook, but it really doesn’t matter: it does everything you need it to do, and it’s sexy as hell. Don’t pretend you didn’t ever buy a Britney record for exactly those reasons.
The really significant announcement today
To me, today’s biggest announcement wasn’t the tablet, or the iBookstore, or the fact that Steve Jobs wasn’t as skinny as last time we saw him. The really big announcement today is that Apple is making its own chips — and from all reports, fucking fast chips, to boot. If Apple is able to migrate it’s product line to their own silicon, it’s a huge win for their bottom line. Huge.
What’s missing
I’m an Apple fan. I’ve never made any bones about that. But I’m also a skeptic and a critic, and I’ve never been one to adore a product just because it has a fruit with a bite out of it on the back. With that in mind, I’ll be straight: this thing ain’t perfect. There are some missing bits that I wish were there.
First and foremost, I think it ought to be sold as a computing device, not as a peripheral to your computer. Why does it sync with iTunes? Why can’t it just be your computer, instead of something that connects to your computer?
Second, I wish there were a front-facing camera. A back-facing camera, like the iPhone, is silly and pointless. While it’s handy to be able to take a quick snapshot with your pocket device while out and about, no one is going to do that with a 10” device. They’re just not, so stop bitching about it. But, I could totally see myself sitting on the couch with this thing, having a video call with my Mom or daughter. A front-facing camera would have been nice. To be fair, I suspect including it was a tricker technical problem than you might expect — how do you get it to work well at all the various angles this this is intended to be used at (i.e. held out in front of you, sitting on a desk, propped up for video-watching, etc.)? It’s not as simple as it sounds. Still, it would have been a sweet feature.
Third, I think the storage is too small — for now. I fully expect personal computing to move into the cloud just as enterprise computing has, but for the moment, I need more than 64GB of storage to work with my files. My “Projects” directory, which holds all my work, is about 15GB. My iTunes library is 600GB. My iPhoto library is 107GB. Sorry, but 64GB doesn’t cut it. And 16GB is laughable. Here’s hoping Apple upgrades it’s cloud-based services before the iPad launches.
But even with these missing features, the thing is still more than capable for the average user — especially at the $499 price point they’re selling it at.
In comparison to other devices
The Amazon Kindle DX (the current model with a 9.7” screen) is $480. FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY BUCKS. In other words, it’s a hopeless pile of shit that looks like joke next to an iPad.
Honestly, do I really need to go any further with comparisons? Love it or hate it, the iPad just made everything else that is even remotely similar look like an overpriced toy. Period.
But it’s not all roses
This thing was hailed in the media as a “savior for the periodical industry.” I’m not seeing that. In fact, I see absolutely nothing new this device provides to the newspaper and magazine publishing industry.
The New York Times showed off a new app that takes advantage of the bigger screen with a prettier design? Pssh. Who gives a shit? They could have built that same app for the iPhone 18 months ago. It’s not new, or interesting. In fact, my impression of the NYT app is that isn’t nothing more than a prettier layout. There’s no innovative new way to interact with the news, to communicate with others, to work with my local journalists, or to mash-up the data journalists are collecting for your own purposes. It’s visual design masturbation, with no consideration for interaction design whatsoever. It’s shit. And what’s more, it’s shit that could have been made for the iPhone. Don’t let them pretend it’s anything new, because it’s not.
I really, really, expected Apple to unveil a new service for periodical publishers to sell and distribute their wares to the masses with ease. I expected the equivalent of iBooks for magazines and newspapers. Instead, the plan for journalism appears to be “make an app for your publication.” In other words, exactly the same plan Apple had for newspaper publishers on the iPhone. There is nothing new to see here. Move along, folks.
Let’s talk about multitasking. For those of you who are bitching that there’s no multitasking, I have one thing to say: get over yourselves. You’re a fucking geek and regular people aren’t. Regular people don’t need multitasking. Shit, 95% of Windows user maximize every window, anyway. So quit your bitching about multitasking, and let’s talk about something that really matters: multi-user support.
There is no excuse for this thing not to have multi-user support. This could have been the world’s greatest coffee table device, if it only had support for multiple users. Think about it: the thing sits on the coffee table. Daddy logs in. He checks his e-mail and his sports scores. He logs out and puts it down. Little Timmy logs in. He IMs a friend and plays a game. He logs out and sets it down. Mom logs in. She get a recipe from her bookmarked Martha Stewart page and forwards some totally-not-funny cat video to her best friend. And so forth. This is the new PC. But it requires multi user support. If I can’t log in and have my own bookmarks, my own email accounts, my own IM lists, and my own Twitter feed, it’s useless as a family PC. And Apple, if you think a family is going to buy five of these things, you can dream the fuck on.
Multi-tasking is vastly overrated. But multi-user support is a killer app no one is talking about.
The bottom line
This thing is going to sell. It’s going to sell well this year, but it’s going to sell like fucking hotcakes next year. Multi-touch, tablet-form-factor devices are the future of personal computing. I’m convinced of it. It’s not perfect, but it’s a darn good device for the price point, and it’s the start of something big.
In some ways, today’s announcement was disappointing. It didn’t really live up to the hype — but what could have? The fact remains, this is a sweet device that does everything regular people need it to do, and with what is still the best UI on any device: the iPhone’s.
It’s not revolutionary, that’s true. Sure, it’s really nothing more than a big iPhone. But the iPhone is the greatest consumer electronics device ever made — so maybe that isn’t such a bad thing.
The most compelling thing for me is that most of the shortcomings are software based and therefore fixable as soon as Apple settles on a good solution, there are hardware issues like low storage and lack of a camera but these don’t really concern me as much.
I too was underwhelmed at first, particularly with the home screen that is just an inflated version of the tired interface of the iphone. I was really hoping for more in that regard, but my excitement about the possibilities of such a device quickly made all those concerns seem insignificant.
Preach on, brother!
Multi-user as the killer app is right on. However, I will put the smack down on your smack down on multi-tasking. I think people multi-task and don’t know it. For example, they start up iTunes, play an album, and THEN maximize their browser for the next hour.
Just as I wish I could have Pandora playing in the background while I look at Google Maps on my iPhone, I think multi-tasking is kind of a big deal.
Great drunken post. :)
Jeff you are absolutely spot on. What a well-written and insightful essay. There’s nothing in this article that I don’t disagree with.
I always knew an Apple tablet (or indeed a tablet from any manufacturer) wasn’t for me and I was somewhat disheartened as soon as Steve Jobs showed that slide with the iPhone, MacBook and the gap between them.
But I’m sure it’ll be successful and I’m sure Apple’s share price will sky-rocket because of it.
Apple’s idea of multi user support: Buy one iPad for dad, one for mom and one for Timmy.
I love that you found a way to work the word “hoohaa” into your post. I would have also accepted “vajayjay.”
I pretty well agree with everything here, except the publishing thing. Which I only half agree with.
I think it serves huge potential for the publishing industry. Not necessarily for the people that consume newspapers and magazines, but for those that make them.
1) Magazines are expensive as hell to produce and hard as shit to keep profitable. Most fail from the massive production and distribution costs. If done right, the iBook store could lower the barrier for entry and allows more independent publishers to get in the game. AND they can make money.
2) For the average user, the experience can be be better, but really that’s just up to the monkey designing the rag (heh, get it?). IMO Magazines in particular have always offered a more immersive experience than a web page… at least on a per-story basis. Now they can throw in lovely videos, animated infographics, image galleries, or whatever else they can think up. I’m assuming of course, that magazines can be purchased in the iBook store, which may or may not be the case. If they do need to make their own apps, then that is crap and the whole enterprise will fail in a burning ball of hate.
3) As long it gains even a tiny bit of traction, it will get competitors upping their game, just like they always do. Before you know it, Windows will have MS Book Sack and you’ll be able to buy “iZines” (shudder) on your Dell xPAD, you HP iPodium, and your Sony Viaorator. Then it starts to make sense for magazines to start shifting away from the printed medium altogether (as long as it uses a standard file format, displays the same everywhere, and is a no-brainer for users and designers… HAH right).
As exciting as all this could be, it’s pretty fucking ambitious. No one in their right mind is going to buy this just to read periodicals on the can (except me). I do hope enough people do buy iPads for the reasons you stated, and then “rediscover” the magazine. Either way I think the success of this thing really comes down to the publishers and the app developers.
Also porn.
I don’t agree at all; the iPad will be awkward to use. It is too heavy to be hold for too long and when resting on your lap, it doesn’t give a good angle for either typing or reading. I don’t see it being good for taking notes. It just a great digital photo frame, a good web browser, and an ok ebook reader but for everything else, it is not that great. And I don’t think the good points are real worth it.
And all the spin about netbook in the past… Obviously, an Apple could create a great netbook for $500 and I think it would be more useful than a tablet.
I think the iPad’s ultimate success is in the amount of verticals it reaches and kicks ass in. Education: a location aware, WiFi enabled device has all my textbooks, syllabae, course notes on registration. You blogged about family uses, but other potentials are medical, science, architecture, surveying (countdown to mall kiosk stores starts now!), add scanner or wait for next gen camera and you have a credit card checkout device, photographer tool (dump card data and do photo previews), music apps… Sorry, but you get the point.
It’s a product with so many opportunities, but I am going to try resisting until a camera is added. I don’t want to take photos (even though my kids love photobooth), but I want to iChat with this device, bring it to a meeting and take photos of whiteboards for Evernote, take photos of receipts, scan barcodes and get this - use it for multi-user logins by scanning your face.
I’m much more excited about the platform than the product they are releasing.
I think the iPad’s ultimate success is in the amount of verticals it reaches and kicks ass in. Education: a location aware, WiFi enabled device has all my textbooks, syllabae, course notes on registration. You blogged about family uses, but other potentials are medical, science, architecture, surveying (countdown to mall kiosk stores starts now!), add scanner or wait for next gen camera and you have a credit card checkout device, photographer tool (dump card data and do photo previews), music apps… Sorry, but you get the point.
It’s a product with so many opportunities, but I am going to try resisting until a camera is added. I don’t want to take photos (even though my kids love photobooth), but I want to iChat with this device, bring it to a meeting and take photos of whiteboards for Evernote, take photos of receipts, scan barcodes and get this - use it for multi-user logins by scanning your face.
I’m much more excited about the platform than the product they are releasing.
Jeff,
I never thought about multi-user, but it’s probably the first thing that will bother me when I get one for my wife. (…yeah, it’s for my wife, seriously, not for me, my wife…)
Absofreakinlutely. This is a disappointing omission, but one that I’m hopeful can be addressed by a software update down the road.
I had my hopes up when I first saw the “Slide to Unlock” screen, because it appeared there was a silhouette icon to the bottom right. Looking at it later though, it looks more like a key - maybe for security codes?
Wouldn’t allowing multiple users, with multiple iTunes accounts, to login to the device make sense for Apple? That means more exposure to their iTunes / App / iBooks stores, more downloads and more money. I simply can’t justify having to multiple iPad’s for everyone in my house, and I would imagine that’s the case for many people out there.
I suspect storage space might be a factor on doing multi-user vs doing it well. This will be less of a concern after Apple launches the iTunes cloud product that we keep hearing about. However, I can see where the extra music, video, and books would eat up space rather quickly with two people let alone a family on it.
It did surprise me that you won’t be able to surf/read a book, listen to music, and IM with people at the same time on the device (the exception is that the iPod app will be a multi-tasking app). Web based chat blows but it’s a slight let down that Apple did not take the road of creating communications platform by allowing multi-tasking.
You are so spot on when it comes to multi user support, what the heck were they thinking on at Apple? The way it is now I would need a pile of iPads just to replace my single Macbook just for email and casual browsing the web.
And don’t get started on storage… 64GB is way to little and 16GB? That’s ridiculous. My iPhoto library is too big, my iTunes library is too big and they aren’t getting any smaller either.
Once again: spot on!
You are spot on with nearly everything here, Jeff. What people don’t seem to get is that the iPad is positioning Apple for the future. It doesn’t matter how many of them they sell 60-90 days from now, it’s the number they’ll sell next year when they update the device and drop the price. And before we get to that point, it’s about all the people who see one out and about that say “hey, that thing is pretty cool, I wonder if I should ditch my old laptop and get one of those instead?”
Secondly, why is no one talking about the Apple-made A4 chip? Hello? Does no one else see the significance here? As you said, this is HUGE. It gives Apple more control over its products, it drops their bottom line, and both of those things mean a cost savings to consumers (how else do people think they were able to come in way under the rumored $999 mark?).
Lastly, I’d like to respond to Damien’s comment above. How weak are you if a pound and a half is heavy for you? Also, no on wants a f*cking netbook. Buy a MacBook Air, deal with the extra 3 inches (which, oddly enough, is what I’m always telling Jeff’s mom).
Normal people don’t use multiple user accounts.
Also, if you had to log in every time you picked it up, you’d be much less likely to pick it up. It’s a barrier to use.
I actually thought Jobs looks as skinny — if not even skinnier — than he’s ever looked. That was a little scary.
fitzage,
Sorry, but normal people do use multi user accounts. At my house there is a shared netbook that my wife and I both use. It sits on the coffee table right where the iPad would sit. Without Multiple user profiles she would surf around on Amazon right after I went there and next time I went to Amazon it would recommend that I buy high heels and handbags. This scenario just scratches the surface of the problems that can arise from one single user profile.
Why would I have to log in? Just tap my profile and bam, access to my apps, email bookmarks etc. On my netbook the barrier is one click. If one click/tap is a barrier to use then wouldn’t just picking the device up off the table be a barrier to use?
How do I hit the ‘like’ button on Haney’s 3rd graf?
I’m waiting on the Windows 7 version of this thing. Not going to buy crappy Apps for every function i want it to do while there’s decent (free) software already out there.
You were able to express most of my thoughts, more eloquently than I could have. So I am mostly in agreement.
On the subject of storage, I disagree. I don’t think the iPad needs much more than single-digit GB storage. Possibly for creative projects, if artistic apps allow for that kind of thing. But videos and music should be able to stream from my personal computers via wifi.
Really wish Apple would’ve integrated some AppleTV functionality into this thing, that’d have been boss.
All I am going to say is this a canvas for the future. Things are left out for a reason, to appeal to ANYONE. My predictions:
Files in the cloud not on the device (let’s not forget the server farm Apple is building). This isn’t just the future for Apple this is the future… period. Having 600GB of music on a desktop computer will be compared to having a stack of files in a filing cabinet.
Experiencing content is more powerful than just having it. The power is in the delivery, and Apple and other developers have a huge opportunity to change the way we experience it. Just like the iPhone did soon every tech company will have a version trying to do the same. Google, Dell, Microsoft, will not only have tablets like they do but they will have them to reflect the way Apple is delivering the content experience.
The next version of OS X and AppleTV will be able to be controlled via multitouch via the iPad. The iPad can bring multi touch to the desktop. What the biggest dilemma with that right now? It would be too much work to tap on an iMac all day. Well how about if the iMac had no keyboard and mouse by an iPad controlling it as an option?
It could potentially remote anything that has bluetooth in the future. Turn your TV on, your stereo, and your freakin toaster.
Wireless syncing, wireless backup from anywhere.
Think commercial use… doctors, policemen, survey takers, inventory, teachers, students, news and maps in Taxicabs, videos in the backseat of your car, GPS in your car, waiters and waitresses, meeting planners, …etc. NONE of these need HDMI, cameras, ..etc.
It will save the pubs if THEY do the work. Apple gave them the tools. An app store, an SDK, a device, a storage and viewing environment, wifi, 3G, HTML5 / CSS3, H.264, …etc. It’s an open door to change your own future.
Laptop for every child? How about if they introduced this @ $499 today that means it will be cheaper tomorrow. The best part is that it doesn’t need to look like a tonka toy.
— I’ll revisit this post in a year. Until then.
Thank god there is someone who sees this thing like it was ment to be seen. Totally a content consumers device! Why do you think it was made for books. Apple was note trying to make the next best laptop.
Bottom Line: I’ll spend the $830 on upgrades for my iMac and MacBook Pro this year and wait until next year.
Although I will not hesitate to suggest this to family and friends who I see fit’s them exactly as you have described above.
Cheers!
Good insight! I totally agree.
I’m in agreement with your thoughts on who a good target audience would be for the iPad. I plan on getting one for my wife who’ll use it for Facebook, Gmail, and maybe looking at pictures of our kids. For her, the iPad is more than enough machine.
I believe that the iPad is going to be a great middle-of-the-road device that will be an affordable crossover between the iPod Touch and the MacBooks.
Who says they cannot produce content? They could certainly have written this blog post. And then tweeted about it. With a Facebook wall. Et cetera.
LOL @ “vajayjay”
Yes, the name sucks, lets move on…..
I would not say no one uses multi user but from my experience, not many people do. My parents are the only ones I know that use it and their just about to get a second computer so they can both be online at the same time. My wife and I always want to be on the computer at the same time so we each have our own, same with my son.
Lets forget who does and who does not use Multi User, what I see is how portable the iPad is, anyone who has one will probably want to take it with them everywhere they go so it will not be left around for someone else to use, hence, no multi user needed.
I don’t really see the lack of camera as an issue, yea it would be nice but I barely use the on in my MBP so it’s not an issue for me.
As for multitasking, the most common complaint I keep reading is “I can’t listen to music while doing ……”. The iPhone can play your iTunes music in the background while other apps are open so I see no reason why the iPad can’t do the same. Sure, it’s not streaming from Slacker but it’s still a way to listen to music. I agree with Jeff, most people don’t actually Multitask anyways. Listening to music while doing something isn’t really multitasking, OK, technically it is but the computer is multitasking, not the user. I have yet to see anyone bring up a valid non power user situation where multitasking is used/needed.
I have been hearing about netbooks for a while now, looked at a bunch of them myself too, yet everyone I know that bought one barley uses it after the initial excitement of a new toy wore off. There just not that useful to most people. The iPad will not be a power house, yes, thats obvious, but there are a bunch of uses for it. I think it will be just like the iPhone, not many people thought it would replace what they already had and look how many people have them now.
You’ve got a few “it’s” instead of “its” sprinkled throughout. Not to be grammar police, but people notice. (Feel free to delete this comment after making the changes.)
Lets remember that this is a “NEW” product, the FIRST version. Great article and I myself am converting because of what it can do now and even more of what it can do in the future.
I can’t see this as a REPLACEMENT for a computer, for anyone. It is part of the ecosystem. It can certainly do most of what the average user needs, but anyone using it as a replacement will eventually get bit by not having a backup. Just like the iPhone, it will need to be connected regularly to a computer or there will be tears.
Dude: 1. How the fk do you imagine Apple to put multi-user support on a 16 gig device running iPhone OS!..Though I do agree its a major miss. 2. Multitasking is important. Screw the geeks. Most people read their email / surf facebook and skype at the same time. Exactly the reason why even non geeks (apart from the “wannabe geeks”) are cribbing about it. 3. Regarding the NYT app, you are forgetting one thing - A 10 inch screen is different from an iPhone! You just can’t compare those! Of course the 10 inch iPad screen suits such an app much more than an iPhone. 4. It has no camera. You mentioned a camera on the back. As far as I know, there is no camera at all! Everything else is very well written man. Cheers.
One word: Cloud.
Great article! I’d have to say that I do agree with you. You have made me a new follower.
Vajayjay is acceptable, so is hoohaa. No one has mentioned “cooter” though.
“It’s perfect for taking notes, reading texts, and doing simple assignments.”
Maybe I missed something, but I don’t recall there being any word processing software included? Seems like a bit of an oversight. Then again, I can’t imagine typing anything substantial on iPad - it’s painful enough typing anything more an a tweet/SMS the iPhone with no tactical feedback. There’s a reason those little virtual laser keyboards never took off.
Hey CRAIG,
Your right, no word processing software INCLUDED, but for $9.99 you can get iWork Pages for it, did you miss the Keynote? Check out http://www.apple.com/ipad/app-st…, scroll to the bottom, Bam!, iWork Completely reimagined for iPad, Apple announced this during the Keynote, each app will be $9.99 each. Not bad in my opinion.
You had exactly the same thought as mine. I was thinking WTF are people complaining about there is no camera? Aint it odd holding the iPad n snap a photo. Having said that I think future iPad will have a webcam in front for video conferencing. A hint to that is the microphone and the iPad SDK. My reaction can be found here @ http://www.terminaljunkie.com/wp…
Yeah, you missed something.
iTampon is now a trending topic on twitter. OK dumbasses get it right, it’s iMaxiPad!!!!
Check out the archos 5IT. $300, does everything the ipad does and more. built in gps, android market, open os, etc. Only a 5inch screen but it fits in my pocket. Plus it will play every video/audio format you can think and will have flash 10support by summer. Face it, apple simply fell short on this one!
Giant iPod, I wouldn’t really call it innovation.
That’s exactly the problem with it, compared to the iPad. And obviously it’s going to be cheaper, given that the screen is the most expensive components and this one is half the size.
Who called it innovation? In fact, I explicitly said I was disappointed that it wasn’t super-innovative.
Hey Jeff,
I got your point. I must say that I stick with your oppinion all the way. Actually I wasnt really impressed, escpecially by the features. Well, of course everything looks nice and of course its definately very usefull and stuff but not able to multi-task is the biggest issue for me. I didnt like that point on my iPhone as well and actually its the only thing I dislike so having it on the iPad aswell is really bad.
i have read the last few day about the “IPAD” and this is now revolution, this is racket… the next bad thing to it is the price, that is very bad. today i read that the IPAD will not support flash. this is shit, because flash is everywhere. for me this thing is a no go.
Nice dispatch and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you on your information.
Disappointed as well about the tech. It just needs a kickstand for the front video cam -then they can rename it the iRide or something. I don’t think it is more than capable for the average user. Aside from hardware limitations, they probably did not (and may never) include a better OS fearing product cannibalization. We will need to wait and see v2 before we can decide whether Apple will evolve the iPad or not. Also, I’m not in love with the iTunes Store. My super unscientific straight-from-the-orifice guess is ‘No.’ I’m betting that Apple is not going to claim enough market share initially for this to be even close to an Apple ‘super’ product (remember the cube?) and there will be no attempts to dramatically improve it (equivalent to an iDouche) -kinda hope that I am wrong on that one. A good idea, but poorly implemented, and people who are consumers will probably see it as a bit more of an extravagance than a super-cool must have toy. By comparison, what is nice about the kindle is that it is small, lightweight, does one thing well and has that whisper net service -I don’t expect more from it. The iPad has higher expectations (multitasking, flash, etc.) and Apple fell short.
My initial reaction was this was a disappointment, no hdmi, no multitask if only pandora while browsing, closed system.
but the more I think about it. The better it gets. people love apps. they hate installing software.
most people not reading this want super simple stylish devices that work well.
the only major barrier to everyone owning a iPhone is at&t.; iPad doesn’t have that problem.
this will be the device to facebook on the couch.
Think in 10 years and tell me every middle school kid doesn’t carry one of these and all the text would be on here.
Unless google answers fast with a better simpler product. Microsoft doesn’t stand a chance think zune. this will be the future of main stream computing.
A home based “real computer” I imagine will be used to serve as a home server to sync up to.
if this is storing photographs in the same way as those stored on the ipod touch and other ipods, the full photo is not placed on the device. A much smaller version is built for use on the portable ipod device.
Your music is a different story, but then do you really need all of your music at once? I get by with a 16G ipod touch and 16G nano. I have 70G of music. I can only listen to one song at any one time. I know people will never be fully satisfied until they are carrying every digital thing they own, but at this stage 64G of FLASH memory is a big step up from last year when that would have been well over $400 to get.
I agree with #043. I have an iPhone myself and it bothered my not beeing able to multi-task. I havent thought about the possibility that the iPad could probably have the same problem, because I never thought it maybe would. To me it was very clearly that Apple wouldnt do the same mistake in their new product aswell but actually they did which made me pretty disappointed watching the release of the iPad. Not sure if Im going to buy it anyway.
I agree with Jeff’s thoughts about the iPad. This device does what a computer does: it downloads music with a desktop look but a new feel, it checks email, it creates iWork documents, and it browses the web. In addition it does new things with the introduction of the iBookstore, extended iPad app store, and multi touch which is a better experience than the traditional mouse and keyboard. I think once iPhone OS 4.0 is released in June, this device will become extremely popular if 4.0 makes it do what a computer can do: NOT MULTITASKING AND NOT FLASH. Multitasking is overrated as he said and flash is going out with the expansion of CPU friendly HTML 5. But a true mobile computer, like Jeff said can be logged into and logged out. Face recognition would have been nice with that which is my ONLY complaint. But bringing this device to school for taking notes and doing physics projects can all be done on the iPad. It will soon be able to be recognized as its own device on your local network to exchange files like a notebook and print wirelessly too. Thats a big one for a “computer.”
Bottom line is that people these days are impulsive and do not realize the potential of this device because it looks like a “big iPod touch/iPhone.” This, like Jeff said, will be a hit next year and yet will also do good this year. It will also, like iPods is the early to mid 2000s, become a leader in a new technology. The iPods were music players and the iPads will be a new type of easy-to-use mobile computer.
Think about it. The expensive computer you have now can do nearly everything this thing can do. In the years to come it will do even more if not all. Let’s think positive because like it or not the iPad will kill on the market, pushing the kindle and netbooks out of the electronic ecosystem.
Great post! Lets not forget that the thing runs on iPhone OS… There are still a lot of first and second gen iPhones out there that could possibly be having problem running current app if multitasking was available to iPhone OS… I think that apple will bring multitasking with the next generation of iPhone and a new OS (4.0??) during the year….
Multitasking… Writing a homework with pages and some references on the net… requires multitasking…. That’s a simple use of multitasking that won’t work…
Honestly I think that the iPad will in a near future changes the way we interact with computers…
Great post. I agree that iPad may in future replace netbooks but I am skeptical that new OS will bring it any closer in near future