My thoughts on the iPad...
Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 1:55PM ...are going to have to wait!
Seriously, I need to spend some time writing a proper blog post but in a nutshell.
Initial knee jerk reaction was I hated the Home screen - all that wasted space and the icons look all wrong - plus I was surprised to see the bezel take up so much space. I expected the screen to take up more space.
Thinking about it - The home screen will look different when iPhone OS 4 comes out but they probably wanted to show the similarity to the iPhone (Why they didn't put six icons in the dock is beyond me - it supports up to six)
The bezel makes sense when you hold it. Look a a photo of the video. It's there to place your fingers so they don't obscure the screen.
The form factor and size looks perfect and at half the weight of the MacBook Air (which I seriously regret selling) it will be superb for effortless browsing and media consumption.
I still need to watch a good quality version of the keynote (especially how they've re-written iWork) but from what I've seen, the iPad looks a delight to use.
The overriding impression I get is one of huge potential especially with the reduced price point and relatively low barrier to entry. Note I did say relatively!
The name is fine (can we please stop with the comparisons to another product) and iPad conveys very well it's potential. It's a pad to do anything with. They could not have called it an iBook and it's more than that, an iSlate is no good either, you don't just draw on the thing. It's really down to what developers want to make it do.
So I'm pretty delighted with what I've seen so far and considering it's a first generation product, just imagine what the next couple of generation machines will bring.
But please, lets lose the hard wired syncing at the next release.
Reader Comments (14)
4 things I dislike about the iPad:
1) No multi-tasking.
2) Why do we need the appstore exclusivity on this device?
3) Why do I have to sync it to a computer? It could have been the perfect "Mac netbook" for my parents.
4) International release: something is wrong there. No iBooks, still no information at http://www.apple.com/de at all about the iPad. Makes me wonder, what ist going on...
What I love about the iPad: it looks gorgeous and a like pleasure to use! I want to have one. ;)
Do you have to sync it? You can download music and apps directly on the device.
Glad it wasn't just me then. I had the same initial impression when I saw it - huge bezel and zero effort with the home screen. After watching the keynote I still think the home screen needs some TLC. My main gripe is having to sync via my MBP. I hate this about the iPhone so will doubly hate it with the iPad. And the lack of multitasking is almost a deal breaker - no effort has been put into app switching or notifications. Anyone would think Apple just isn't listening. Once I get past that the apps seem very polished and the price point is much better than I was expecting. Didn't think I would be interested but I'm likely getting one. I probably spend half my time reading/watching content and for that the iPad looks much better than a hefty/noisy MBP.
Am I missing something, Don, or do people not "get" the potential dynamic interplay between the iPad and the AppleTV? I am an AppleTV enthusiast (moreso thanks to your info about "ATV Flash"), and I can clearly see the relationship between the two with the the help of good ol' iTunes software.
Multitasking really doesn't bother me to be honest.
As far as syncing, yes, you'll be able to download individual items just like the iPhone but subscription based services - podcasts, etc, I'm sure you still have to sync.
We'll see.
I am so looking forward to an iPad version of the Apple Remote software for the Apple TV and iTunes!
"Wasted opportunity" was my initial reaction. It's a big iPhone without the phone. I had a Psion Organiser that had a true multitasking OS back in 1995. Sure, it wasn't as beautiful. It didn't do multimedia. But they've crippled the device in order to capitalize on the apps available in the App Store - a slightly cynical, not-very-brave, perhaps even "Microsoftian" attitude.
And comparing it to Gutenberg's press? Oh, please.
The bezel has to be about an inch wide because this is not a display you hang on the wall. The iPad does not fit in one hand like the iPod Touch and iPhone, so you cannot set it in your palm. Your thumb will be on the face and fingers on the back when you hold it with one hand in order to direct it with the other hand. That requires a margin so you (a) don't obscure content (b) don't press an active control accidentally.
Printed books have margins for the same first reason.
Some people just don't get it. The reason I love my iPhone so much isn't because of the phone, safari, mail, or anything that comes standard. The iPhone is great because I can do pretty much anything I want to with an app.
The potential here is huge! A 10" blank canvas with a super fast processor for devs to dream up literally anything they want. The significance of the A4 processor has gone under the radar too. I bet you anything the next iPhone will have a custom Apple processor too.
It needs a camera. Or at least if I am to use it with my students it needs a video camera which will allow Skyping and creating a video interview.
Well I actually really like and will buy one but in 12 months time after the bugs are ironed out and maybe a second gen version is released.
Some positives that make me like it:
1. Apps will be developed
2. Should be able to draw and paint on it with apps
3. iWork functions (the only thing on my iPod touch that I think is missing)
4. Size and screen quality
As a critic of Apple and iMac user, I think this will be a winner! So well done Apple!
"I still need to watch a good quality version of the keynote (especially how they've re-written iWork) but from what I've seen, the iPad looks a delight to use."
I don't know what quality you watched it at, but at apple.com is a link to watch the key note in 3 different sizes, small, medium (I watched it in and excellent quality for me) and Large.
I wish people would just stop calling it a bigger iPod Touch, only been a day and sick of reading that everywhere and give the iPad some lee-way until it's out in the market and people can see the benefits because the negatives are already posted a million times all over the net.
Good Post Don ;)
My initial impression is one of being impressed, but also underwhelmed. While it certainly requires innovative engineering to fit all the component into such a product, there is simply nothing revolutionary about it (right now), and perhaps it simply can't be. Below I have written a few points of things I am missing or hoping will be added (though in some cases not until gen 2 and in some cases, never).
1.) Lack of (video) camera?
COME ON! It's such a blunt omission it feels like it was made so that they can include it in gen 2, thinking there is nothing else they can come up with by next year.
On a further note, this device as a academic advice certainly requires a cam and it would be excellent for video conferences using ichat or video skyping. Imagine sitting in your sofa or lying in bed... MUCH better than with a MBP.
2.) Hand recognition and note taking app.
Most student, if they don't already have, certainly buy laptops when they start university and increasingly macs. While the iPad cannot be considered a replacement to a MB or MBP, it could be a terrific complement. I personally use my MBP for all my lecture notes. It enables me to upload the powerpoint onto my screen, even though it is available on the main screen and to type notes as I listen. Much better than trying to write by hand and then spending time trying to decode what I wrote. But my MBP waits 5lb or 2.5kg and after a day of walking between lectures and seminars, especially when I have to carry heavy academic literature, using the iPad would be great (if the keypad is good) but especially if a hand recognition app could be done.
3.) Editable ebooks (doubt it will ever happen). Students have to buy a ton (literarily speaking) worth of books which costs a fortune (I spent on average $250 on books each semester or $2000 over the course of my 4 year degree) and often could only use the books for one term.
Already today some academic books are available as ebooks and imagine if all of them were. They would be cheaper, LIGHTER and if editable, you could highlight, underscore and make notes without actually damaging the books. FANTASTIC!
4.) That's it to be honest... Well, I think the audio port should have been put on the bottom like on the Touch instead of the top like the iphone. It would always be a mess if it comes in front of the screen. Sure, a simply move with your hand putting it behind the device will solve it, but should one have to?
5.) Cheap... Sure! But remember, international prices aren't coming until a few months time. I think that with the likely price differences, I simply save up and combine my purchase of the iPad with a vacation in the States...
Can't wait for the iPad, so I can TOSS my KIndle. (I'm itching to post it on eBay, but it's packed with ebooks... sigh... I guess I'll have to re-buy those ebooks from iTunes.)
I feel in love with the Kindle when I first got it, but after hard use, it's just not for me. I tried to get used to it, but I can't read on it for more than an hour without wanting to throw it at the wall. The silly Next and Previous page buttons are so hard to press. I'm a fast reader, and I feel like a lab rat pressing buttons for food.
So the most vital function the iPad will serve for me is as an ebook reader. Just a flick to turn a page -- heaven;
Secondly, I've got some amazing apps on my iPhone which will be wonderful on the iPad. Several yoga apps, as well as cooking apps will look great on a larger screen, and will be very useful -- I can prop up the iPad rather than lean over the tiny iPhone screen when exercising and cooking.
Other uses? I can think of lots:
* Taking the iPad out with me, when taking my MacBook Pro is overkill, and the iPhone's dinky keyboard makes typing torture;
* Reading comfortably in bed, in the lounge, in coffee shops;
* And all the other things I use my iPhone for, like playing music when I'm doing boring stuff, looking up things on the web when I'm away from my computer...
I haven't been this excited about a tech gadget since my first Apple IIe computer in the 1980s...
Happy days... :-)