The Coming of the iPad
The half-elf flips out:
Exactly how “revolutionary” is a giant iPod Touch that doesn’t make phone calls, can’t play most videos on the internet, can’t multitask, has a big “scratch me!” uncovered screen, requires a hardwired link to another PC and makes you use Apple’s iTunes, iBooks, iMonopoly, etc., just to get your own picture of Grandma on it? Solonor’s Ink Well: Call Me a Heathen
If I wasn’t eagerly awaiting my own iPad, I suppose the incessant drumbeat would have me a little frustrated, too. Traditional media is excited because they think this is going to be their salvation, although I’m not so sure. As a developer, though, I’m very excited.
I’m excited, first of all, to see the touch-based iPhone interface expanded to near-laptop size. “Just a large iPod touch” underestimates how different relating to your computer can be when the entire monitor is touchable.
But I’m also excited by the simplicity of the thing.
But when most people thought “tablet” computer, they thought “we’ll make a big laptop with a pen interface, too!” It was laptop-plus. And the netbooks: “We’ll make a teensy computer! It’ll run Linux! Wait, come back!”
The beauty of the iPad is that Apple thought about how people were going to use the device, then designed around that. They pulled back on the things that didn’t make sense. They made the device elegant. They made it suitable for the majority of the people they expected to use it.
Which — I’m sorry — does not include many techie computer gearheads. It does include me, however, because I share a philosophy with Jason Fried:
The industry is obsessed with touting features while the public is obsessed an entirely different set of criteria: Does it solve my basic problems and is it easy to use? Does it make sense? Do I understand it?
The real lesson for me is this: People want the basics done well. Does it look good, does it feel good, is it comfortable, is it clear, is it easy? No matter what you’re selling, those seem to be the things that really matter. Jason Fried: Shoes and Software
Apple gets that better than just about any other tech company around.
While the rest of the computer world is busy measuring di feature sets, Apple is measuring against needs and goals, helping people get things done, and that’s why there’s a cult of the Apple.
Hat tip on the Jason Fried article to Wes.
I’m not so much annoyed that people are fawning over it because it’s a nifty toy. I loves me the iPod, and I can’t live without my Android phone. I just don’t see anything special about this thing at all.
I suppose if I didn’t already have a book reader, it might be an attractive one…except that it doesn’t have a screen designed to read (i.e., e-ink) and costs twice as much. I can’t really see it being a gaming computer. Typing on a touch-screen keyboard isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, so most people eventually need the add-on keyboard (that’s why I went with the phone with real keys). And if you can’t watch Hulu on it, what’s left?
I’m not trying to be a sourpuss just for the heck of it. What, exactly, are you going to use it for?
Even though the iPhone has a nice screen, I don’t really enjoy watching video on it; the most workout that gets is on an airplane. I do see the iPad being used for casual gaming — as a tabletop gameboard it strikes me as excellent and a real space saver. I expect to do a lot of web browsing on it as well, probably blog commenting — things I’d rather not fire up my laptop for. Couch browsing and coffee-shop writing.
The size is large enough to be useful (I find the iPhone unpleasant to read on) but small enough to be handy in a lot of situations where a laptop is not.
Now, if none of that sounds important to you or interesting to you, then you probably don’t need an iPad. But there’s quite a bit of difference between “this device does not fit my needs” and “anyone who wants one has been duped by the hype.”
Fair enough. I don’t see why it’s better than a netbook, but I guess that’s because I’m too old fashioned. I keep thinking of it as either an underpowered laptop or an overpriced ebook reader instead of a portable web browser.
Do they sell a case or cover for it? I’d hate to pay that much money for it, stuff it in a backpack or briefcase and have it come out with the screen all scratched up.
Oh, there are cases and sleeves galore, although I hear it fits nicely in a 10″ laptop sleeve. I also hear that a standard sub $10 document holder makes an excellent desktop ipad stand.
I wanna see your iPad when it gets in, John.
Your logic and mine are totally in sync on this product. I don’t want an iPhone because of the 3G costs and what it will COST.
But I can see myself owning a wifi device that will browse the web, serve up “magazine” content and let my wife and son cruise through web content while lounging around.
I think critics are forgetting about the people that just want to double dip (surf the web while being a couch potato) and stay connected without booting up the laptop or using their little fingers to type on a 320×480 device.
It’s in, and we’ll have to do a geek lunch this week to share! It’s been too long anyway.
I understand that some people see it as “underpowered” and for them it probably is. I just don’t understand why they think it’s underpowered for “everyone.” There are more powerful netbooks out there for the same price, but that power is not useful if it is never engaged or gets in the way of other things you want to do.
Well, presonally i see it more as an book reader then and PC. However it is nice that you can use it and as a pc when u get bored of reading, a think that kidnle can’t do. I am not saying that the Ipad is a must, but id like to get my hands on one.