Who Really Needs an iPad?
It has been a long time (if ever) that a new product has generated such hype prior to and such analysis after its announcement as the iPad from Apple. You can’t escape the pundits doling out thoughts and impressions of the iPad, even on late night TV. Steve Jobs has done what he no doubt wanted to do, and created a product category that has lots of tongues wagging. But looking past all the hysteria and hype, who really needs one of these new iPads? My answer may surprise many — no one.
Now don’t get me wrong, I like the iPad. I can see one in my future, but then my hobby is buying gadgets I don’t really need. But it’s cool, and based on the wide range of mobile devices I have used over the years I can see it will be useful for my needs. But then I am not a typical user, and the fact is that the iPad doesn’t serve any single purpose that makes it a gadget that people need. Not want, but actually need.
There is already a big conversation all over the web with folks making the observation that the iPad won’t replace an existing device. It won’t knock the notebook or netbook out of the gear bag, it doesn’t offer any special function to kick the e-book reader to the curb, and it won’t replace a smartphone. These observations are spot on, the iPad doesn’t offer anything that makes it a must-have gadget, and that’s the issue that confronts Apple in driving the adoption of it for most people.
Steve Jobs positioned the iPad between a smartphone and a notebook, and that is an accurate assessment. It is not a device that will make it easy to create a lot of content of any kind, the notebook is better at that task. It does make content easier to consume than most smartphones, but that requires the user to have it with them when they need to consume said content. As many are now saying, they don’t see themselves carrying the bigger iPad with them all the time.
So if the iPad is not a gadget that people really need, who will benefit from having one? Just about everyone, if the truth be told. I base that on my own experience garnered having used many web tablets over the years. It’s not a benefit that is easily realized until you actually use one. Then the light bulb goes on.
Here’s a typical user scenario that fits the iPad perfectly: sitting in a chair at home, and you decide to check your email quickly. Where you previously would grab the smartphone on the table to do so, you now grab the iPad that is sitting there. In seconds, you’re able to process quite a bit of email, and as often happens that leads you to do other things. You click a link in an email, or you pop open the web browser to check on something that was referenced in an email. The enhanced web browsing experience, far better than on a small screen smartphone, leads to an extended session. This session can be either productive or entertaining, either way it’s an enjoyable one.
This is one of the big benefits that a good web tablet brings to the table (or hands). What I discovered is that I am able to do more — a heck of a lot more — with a tablet than with a smartphone. Sure my smartphone is still in my pocket, the web tablet doesn’t replace it. But it augments it beautifully, and this is where the iPad fits into the picture.
A lot of comparison is already happening since the announcement of the iPad. Many are comparing the iPad to other devices on a task by task basis, and the iPad won’t fare well with these. A slate without a keyboard will not do everything a notebook can do, nor as easily. The iPad will be a good e-book reader based on my own experience, but it may not be as good a reader as a dedicated device like the Kindle.
The key to realizing the benefits of a web tablet like the iPad lies in the sum of its offerings, not the individual capabilities. It won’t be as good a reader as the Kindle, but it will still be a good one for many. The lack of e-Ink technology is a deal breaker for some, but for me it’s a non-issue. The addition of a backlit screen that can be read in poor lighting conditions is actually a benefit over e-Ink-based readers for me.
I think that Apple has a big job ahead of them to convince the masses that the iPad can be a good addition to a gear collection. It’s only natural that prospective buyers do a comparison of the iPad with other devices as I’ve indicated, and that will make it a hard sell for some. But I do agree with Steve Jobs in one respect, once you experience the benefits of a web tablet like the iPad, you begin to see the value. And I firmly believe the value is great enough to convince millions of the worth of the iPad. It will just take some time.
I don’t want to give the impression that I think the iPad is without some serious faults. The lack of Flash in the browser is huge, and will be a total deal-breaker for many. A lot of the web is driven by Flash, not just embedded YouTube as we commonly think of when we ponder the lack of Flash. This alone can have a direct impact in the user experience of the iPad on the web, and the user experience is everything to a device like this. It’s easy to understand why the folks at Adobe are unhappy with Apple and its persistent refusal to play with Flash.
That leads me to the other fault I see with the iPad. Apple has been quick to point out how good the iPad is as an e-book reader, and from what I’ve seen it is solid enough. It’s also good to see that Apple has embraced the ePUB format for iPad content, as that is becoming the standard in the e-book world. The problem is with the DRM that Apple will no doubt use for e-book content sold through the iBookstore. Just because that content is in ePUB format, doesn’t mean that it can be used on other reader devices. Adobe is quick to point out that iPad content will not work on any other devices:
“It looks like Apple is continuing to impose restrictions on their devices that limit both content publishers and consumers. Unlike many other ebook readers using the ePub file format, consumers will not be able to access ePub content with Apple’s DRM technology on devices made by other manufacturers.”
How the lack of Flash will impact the user experience with the iPad is something that will have to be seen first-hand to fully judge. I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve had a chance to play with one myself. I do see it as a major potential stumbling block for mainstream adoption of the iPad. That’s particularly annoying as it is something Apple could easily address.
James, your article is based around the premise that the iPad is better than a smartphone and is therefore useful. I’d argue that as it’s only really a smartphone with a bigger screen it’s just as useful and just as useless. I’d also argue that the picture you present is of a world where you have to choose between smartphones and iPads – ignoring the fact that there are much more capable and much more useful devices that are available at lower prices.
You also assume that there’s a straight forward divide between “content consumption” and “content creation”. I’d think that this response blurs that line and I can assure you that I’d have given up typing by now if the only keyboard at my disposal was a soft-keyboard. Checking and responding to emails is another example of a task that bridges content creation and consumption but I think this device would be good at reading emails and terrible at responsing to them. Of course I could spend a whole lot of money on an add-on keyboard but that would be silly wouldn’t it.
I don’t even think this would be a particularly good content consumption device. As you point out there’s no Flash so the internet experience will be mediocre at best (despite Steve Jobs claiming that it’s unbeatable ::rollseyes::) and the inability to view non-iTunes content without re-encoding on such a big screen is like a sad joke.
At the end of the day, if you’re sitting in your chair and want to do any of the things you listed you’d be much better off reaching for a netbook or a normal laptop rather than an iPad OR a smartphone. That’s the reason why this product is worthless and why I couldn’t recommend it to anyone.
I should add that this makes HP’s slate seem much more useful and I’m not in the least bit interested in buying one of those (it would be an impulse buy similar to the type of purchase you describe). Apple have managed to stuff a gimped implementation of a gimped OS into the same form factor (if HP’s had been announced next week everyone would be claiming that they copied Apple) but their version will be half as useful or capable as HP’s. I mean, it’s one thing to complain about running a desktop OS on this sort of thing but magnifying iPhone apps to 1024×768 is just ridiculous.
I can tell you what the problem with the iPad is:
Usually, every new Apple product delivers something new, something unique. The iPhone was old technology with a new user interface. The MacBooks are just laptops, but in an Aluminium case with a stunning trackpad. Every Apple product usually brings something new to the table.
The iPad doesn’t. Not one single thing. We’ve seen slate PCs of the exact same shape before and we’ve seen mobile internet devices running Windows CE or Android long before. So nothing new here.
Well, if the iPad doesn’t bring anything new, it must at least be better, right? No, not at all. When you look at the devices that have been available before, you’ll discover that there’s lots of them that are better than the iPad in almost every area. Look at the Archos 9 PCTablet: It mustitasks, it lets you take handwritten notes, it lets you enjoy the real internet, it supports every type of news or book reader application. Besides the battery life, there’s really almost no drawbacks, but lots of advantages. And when you go on long trips, nothing stops you from carrying another battery.
And that’s just one example.
They declared this thing “magical” and “revolutionary”. Truth is, it can’t even beat the stuff that’s already been available for years. That’s not magic, that’s disappointing.
By the way, look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJWBRGcZitg
Add a digitizer to this, install OneNote, and you have what a tablet really should be. Almost the Microsoft Courier, which would really be the ultimate tablet device.
The iPad is just disappointing and it’s one of very few Apple products that bring absolutely nothing new to the table and can’t even beat products that have been existing for years.
I was listening to the keynote while browsing your comment and when I watch the incredible details like double-click on a photo in keynote and resize & move it masked within a frame, I have to shake my head at you for not getting it. To take a list of features “it does mail, it surfs the web” and compare it to other devices which claim the same features, misses entirely the myriad details where Apple and nearly only Apple gets it right way down inside. Surfing the web on every other mobile device is miserable. Using a netbook to type is miserable. Getting an address change from your PC to your phone or vice-versa is usually miserable. Finding a book you are looking for with a kindle is miserable. Just because other devices can do things, doesn’t mean they do things in a way that you would want to do it. What makes it “magical” is the level of design detail in the UI that gets the device out of the way to let you do whatever it is you need. That they’ve created a platform where most 3rd party developers don’t get it wrong either is miraculous!
I’m actually wondering if the Ipad could be used as an Ipod Touch replacement. I currently have a (Nokia) phone, Ipod touch, kindle and a laptop. I don’t think the ipad could replace my laptop (except I do a lot of reading on the laptop, so I suppose that could help), but I don’t really need to carry the ipod touch in a back pocket and I wouldn’t mind a larger screen for games and other apps.
I do like my kindle to read longer documents on, but I understand that the kindle’s screen is easier to read on for long term than the backlit ipad.
So it is a bit of a quandary. I do think I’ll wait until v2 comes out and I see more thorough reviews. I just got an ipod touch in October, so I can wait for such things.
Where is the market for the iPad? Here is one answer. The Kindle killer. The various ebook reader products now have to contend with the iPad as a competitor. While it is more expensive,the iPad is a big step up in functionality over any other product in that category. Anyone even thinking about buying an ebook reader has to consider an iPad as an option.
Agreed!
Also I could see my retired mother using this instead of a mouse and keyboard of an old Mac.
She could do a little of everything as a single task. The computers ability to multitask overwhelms her. An iPad would address most of her issues with the mouse/keyboard.
I also find myself moving more to singletasking rather than multitasking. Sure I have multiple apps open, but they are full screen and I go to another app also full screen. This does have serious advantages on productivity.
Actually, the iPad will support running the Kindle, B&N, Kobo and other readers on day one. That means the content from those stores can be read on the iPad.
That’s not the case the other way around. iPad books will not read on other readers due to DRM.
I’m surprised those apps aren’t being flagged and removed from the app store for duplicating a core function of the iPad.
Agreed: it is, for sure, a Kindle killer. The price point is excellent; it has way more capabilities, speed, and, yes, color than Amazon’s device.
It is also an excellent Net book alternative for many people in that target audience.
It will kill Win 7-based tablets– not that that is a big market, by any means– because Win 7 is weak re “multitouch”.
I’d like to see a family pack– buy three; get 4.
Juergen – Understood and maybe some individuals have a higher tolerance than others, but I personally have tried adjusting color and brightness to compensate (up to a point where I can still see what I’m reading) but my eyes always tire. And I’ve also read several complete books on my iphone, of course at a slower, more uncomfortable pace because of this. I know I can’t be the only one because there’s a pretty big market for kindle and its clones using eink so in my case and for many others LCD screens are more or less useless as an ereader is my point. I doubt any eye doctor is going to say reading on an lcd after you’ve spent your whole day staring at a computer screen is a good idea but more power to you if it works for you.
The price point is excellent? At $200 more than a Kindle 2?
How is this a kindle killer? Have you ever tried to read a novel on a backlit screen. You’ll go blind or a least have to put it down after a while because of eye strain caused by the glare. How is everyone missing that simple fact… You can probably get away with reading a few magazine/newspaper articles but to use this as a primary ebook reader would be kind of dumb, unless your long term goal is nearsightedness.
Tom – allow me to give you my input. I have read 19 books so far on my iPod. That’s full-size books, 400-700 pages each in paper editions. “The Guns of August” has 577 pages in the paperback edition, 1,890 on my iPod. Whether I use Barnes & Noble’s app, Kindle app, eReader or Stanza, they all let me choose the color scheme and font size. With the app set for a light (white or yellow) font on a dark background there is no glare, especially with the screen brightness at a medium setting. I have heard your argument before, and I too was apprehensive at first. My eyes do not tire, and I vastly prefer reading on my iPod. I am 75 years old and wear bi-focals.
I think the reaction to the iPad is a combination of what is typical in a new form factor release and what is typical of an Apple product release, all rolled into one. Except that it’s actually cheaper than usual in both contexts.
If the iPhone OS 2.0 had been revealed to the public with no apps, it would hardly have generated any excitement at all except from developers and hackers.
The iPad is a good product, IMO. Specifically, I think it offers a unique device that is always on, can be continuously networked, and reasonably usable despite being a slab of plastic and glass. It has the best mobile data option ever available. Every practical purpose Google put behind its Chrome OS, the iPad is capable of in a different way.
The fact is that, those of us who have sunk money into iPhone apps, we can take those apps with us to any or all of three devices — iPhone, Touch, and iPad — which exist at every price point from $200 to $1000.
I don’t see the iPad as a tertiary device, but rather as a second, mobile, always networked device. It’s what the Internet Tablet and similar devices have wanted to do, but couldn’t. This is not an existing market of any appreciable size, but it’s not for want of companies trying.
As far as the Tablet PC goes, the problem is that MS keeps simultaneously making its tablet OS fully compatible with its desktop OS, and relying on 3rd party software developers to write new functions for tablets. But it’s pretty obvious that 3rd party developers have no incentive to develop exclusively for the tablet PC or a multitouch screen, as long as it represents such a small proportion of the PCs that can run their software. I haven’t seen a single imaginative use of multitouch on a Windows OS at all. Not a single one.
MS is still in a stronger position from the standpoint of pen input, but it had better hurry up and do something with that Courier.
That’s not entirely true about not having seen a single imaginative use of multitouch on Windows — BumpTop with multitouch is very cool. If BumpTop’s developer keeps this up, he’s in danger of being hired by Apple or becoming a successful iPad developer.
i’d disagree on the bumptop app. its cool but barely usuable and usually just drags your computer down more than makes it productive.
i’ve used bumptop on my dell xt w/win7 and uninstalled it the same day due to how much resources it took to run. then again i don’t use my desktop on a tablet, i prefer pinning my apps to the win7 taskbar.
i do wish we’d see better uses of multitouch in windows like for browsing and alt+tab replacement (ie like os x snow leopards 3 and 4 finger gestures).
oh yea, MAKE THE TOUCHPADS BIGGER ON WINDOWS LAPTOPS TOO! WTF IS UP WITH THAT!
Who really needs an iPod touch? The answer there is also no one. I do know one group of people who will buy the iPad in droves: iPod Touch owners. Folks want the iPad to be better than anything that has existed in the universe, rather than what it is intended to be: a device that fits in the gap between my laptop and my iPod.
I disagree. Ipod Touch owners are people who aren’t interested in an expensive phone but want a PMP with a few extra functions. They won’t switch to the iPad as you suggest because it’s too large and cumbersome.
You suggest that iPod Touch owners are looking for something to fit between their iPod and a laptop whereas I think they own an iPod Touch because it’s an iPod. These people aren’t looking for something in between.
Hmm… you lost me here: “You suggest that iPod Touch owners are looking for something to fit between their iPod and a laptop whereas I think they own an iPod Touch because it’s an iPod.”
If iPod Touch owners bought a Touch because it’s an iPod, then they’d just buy iPods, wouldn’t they?
Joking aside, the app store sales numbers and Wi-Fi web usage statistics for Touch owners indicate that Touch owners don’t just want an iPod, i.e.: those “few extra functions” you mention are used pretty heaviliy and are therefore greatly desired. Thoughts?
Sorry, I wasn’t clear. I think iPod Touch users want a Touch because it’s the current iPod. That includes everything it has to offer (my “few other features” comment wasn’t meant to sound dismissive) but it’s still primarily an iPod. The old iPod isn’t cool any more so people buy the Touch and once they have it I’m sure they appreciate the features it has to offer. The main thing though is portability and that’s what the iPad lacks. I don’t think most people would be prepared to carry something like the iPad around like they do the iPod, especially when the only new feature it offers is a larger screen.
That better explains what you meant, but I still disagree. (And we can agree to disagree
) But again, you’re saying the iPod Touch is primary an iPod. Statistics say otherwise.
I do partially agree with you on the portability factor. I suspect iPads will be used in non-mobile settings at least as much, if not more, than mobile settings, i.e.: around the house.
This owner has an iPod touch to use as a PDA primarily. Keep notes, manage email, have a calendar, manage my life and many other things – and have in my shirt pocket! OK, I have my music on it, but that would neatly fit onto a Shuffle. I do have several hundred photos and some home-made videos. As to the iPad? It’s an iPod on steroids, too big for my pockets.
No worries Kevin
Are you an Ipod Touch owner? If not don’t presume to say what we Touch owners will do or want. I see this device as the next generation Touch and I am pleased with it. I do think it has been over hyped, hence the negative responses of many who had been led to expect too much. I find the Touch too small and restricting for good web browsing and was hoping for a larger screen replacement. I find this size ideal for actually watching movies and browsing. I have a touch and will use it for music and occasions when I want a device I can put in my pocket but I also am getting this Ipad when I want to have a more complete video/web experience and for ebook reading also. It could have had more but then it would have cost more. I think it’s just great as it is.
Great article, James. To be honest, I could take or leave the question in the headline. I’d never even try to answer the question of who NEEDS anything. You say nobody needs it, for an alternate view see this: http://tinyurl.com/ybqydev
Setting aside that question, however, your article is spot on. Most of what I expected from the iPad came to pass yesterday (my imagination didn’t run as wild as others), but there were a few twists. The new interface elements exemplified in the rewritten apps and, especially, iWork, make it clear to me this is not just a “big iPod touch”. In fact, I see iWork as Apple’s way of saying to developers “this is the serious kind of stuff you can do, so get on it”.
As for disappointments, I really only have two. 1) I’m shocked there’s no multi-tasking on the thing. I mean really, really, surprised. WIll this be iPhone OS 4.0? I don’t know. I have no big problem with it not on the iPhone, but for the iPad it’s more detrimental. 2) The lack of Flash. I’m not a big fan of Flash, and in fact I’m glad it’s not on the iPhone. But the iPad is different. If I’m shopping for a car, or a motorcycle (or any of a dozen other things), how many of those sites are interactive Flash? A lot. On an iPhone, such a site wouldn’t work for sh!t on its screen anyway, but on the iPad it would. As you said, Flash is not just about embedded video.
While I love the concept of a tablet like this, I need a real, multitasking OS that handles real MS Office and my futures trading software. I suspect a lot of people are looking for this to replace their netbook/laptop, NOT their smartphone, and most of those people will have Windows-type needs. Answer: upcoming HP tablet, maybe the x200, certainly the Viliv X70, and probably 30-40 other products coming up in the coming months, now that the iPad is out.
I’ll put up with no multitasking on a smartphone, NOT on a tablet. Again, a tablet is a miniaturized laptop, not a souped-up smartphone. It will never replace a smartphone, but it should be an awesome replacement for a laptop. You whip it out, a few seconds from multi-day standby and you are online.
Flash: meh. Everything Flash will be re-written in HTML5, mostly because Flash SUCKS, but also because they want their content to work on iPhones/iPads, and work properly on Macs. And good riddance.
Finally: is there a webcam and microphone? No? Really? Eff you, Apple. That’s just dumb.
There is a microphone. And there’s evidence in the SDK that at some point a camera will most likely appear on the thing.
Thinking about competition, the only major differentiator between the iPad, and a tablet, is cost, cool factor, and instant on. Once tablets get close on all of those factors, then the iPad loses its differentiators
Uh, how about the ability to download 140k apps seamlessly and the iTunes store?
6 reasons why this is something that will take iApple down. Tal
I believe it does include GPS but I could be wrong.
How is 1.5lbs heavy?
I agree with Tal. It really doesn’t do anything that an iPod touch already does. Unless they phase out the iPod touch, this thing wont sell…
Who really needs an iPad? Well clearly, no one needs an iPad, but it would certainly suit the visually impaired (or those who have motor skill challenges) and to whom desire a Touch or iPhone, but find them uncomfortable or impossible to use. That said, that’s all they get – a bigger version of these products, whose job is to be a content delivery and gaming device. Not a stand-alone computer.
Meanwhile, there appears to be plenty of 10″ ‘slates’ coming online that offer a selection of real computer OSs (including user accessibility software), isn’t limited to a store of manufacturer-approved software, has wide peripheral connectivity and at the same (or less) cost.
“it would certainly suit the visually impaired (or those who have motor skill challenges) and to whom desire a Touch or iPhone”
That’s quite a niche market
It certainly is.
Well, them and the Macolytes. Beyond that, I don’t see the need…
Much Ado About Something!
Apple iPad – we need to see the actual usage in the coming months.
http://www.committedexpertise.com/mobile-expertise.html
/Malick
Im still a little confused about what this device is for. Sister in law says no way is she giving up her sony ereader as eink is far superior for reading books/news, although she did comment that photos in newspapers in colour was nice
My only other worry is the resolution of the i-pad 1024×768? does this mean that the ipods and iphones will be sticking to the low resolution of 480×320 for good? i was looking forward to an iphone that matches google/nokia/wm resolutions.
im beginning to thing that the right device at say 5″ screen (or htc hd2 screen) is going to be better for doing most of the things the i-pad is trying to do. we all read books/news/touch email/game on our large screen mobile phone devices anyway.
The most annoying thing is they way Apple said that netbooks aren capable then announces a device that doesnt multitask and is more expensive than a netbook…..go figure.
…….ill probably buy an i-pad anyway just for the initial experience just like everything else!!
I imagine there’s a market for university students who are tired of lugging around heavy textbooks.
Reading e-textbooks on a notebook isn’t easy when you’re trying to write a term paper on that same notebook. A separate e-textbook reader that offers textbooks in full color AND can run fun apps, I think students would go for that IF e-textbooks are priced significantly less than paper textbooks.
ah i agree i can see that happening with some.
this is funny if you havent already watched it and dont speak the language!
Wow, a lot of plus and minuses for the iPad, granted, the iPad is not a laptop or netbook other than just a MID tablet thingy, I do see alot of potential on it though, specially for people that dont require a lot of power that the laptop has or even the netbook. The iPad is terrific for just about anything that doesnt require alot of horsepower to be useful, for messaging and emails, even for surfing the web, it is really a good device,specially since you dont have to wait a long time to boot up like the PCs, it will have iWork compatibility for doing word processing, spreadsheets, etc, it is a good reference guide tool too, could be very helpful for students doing homework/research, it could be good for educational purposes, a kinda media hub too for video and music, of course only drawback is the memory limit that is has as 64gigs can be filled up very quick specially with HD content, if Apple were to allow multitasking and flash on the iPad with future firmware updates, it could really change the playing field. I do see myself purchasing one soon.
I agree. Right now I carry a tablet pc, a kindle reader, a Bebook ereader and an Iphone.
The tablet pc is used for taking notes and general portable computing. The kindle reader is for reading, the BEBook reader is for carrying work documents and the iphone is my phone, pda and on the go entertainment.
I see the IPad replacingthe BeBook. I’ll use it along side my tablet pc. I can have reference documents open on the Ipad while taking notes with my tablet. No flipping between windows and I can hand off the Ipad to my boss or client so they can read something during a meeting and still can take notes. I’ve been doing this for a few years with my BeBook and it works rather well.
In additon, the iPad is gonna be a kickass entertainment and web device.
I’m still gonna wait until the 2nd generation. Just want to make sure all the bugs are worked out.
The 64 Gig limit and a host of other things killed it for me but I’m of the opinion that these might be fixed in the next generation once apples competitors start dropping similar devices that are actually useful. I’ll play the waiting game as I’d feel pretty sick to my stomach if I bought one of these with 64 gigs of NON upgradable memory only to have apple come out with camera clad, 200 Gig version months later. To be honest I’d feel pretty shafted if I just bought an ipod touch, but thats just me.
This whole hype around genital hygiene named product is blah but connotations for tablet market are wow!The market is ripe for the names like Archos and other major and minor companies now that Apple invested major $$ in marketing of another all-hype-no-dough product.
I am amazed how people that have not even touched the device can comment about its uselessness. I am the first person to question where the iPad solves any real problem, but saying “its just an iPod with a bigger screen, so its nothing new” is besides the point. A bigger screen (and faster processor) provides for completely different potential use cases.
And linking to hardware that is better is besides the point as well – haven’t you guys learned a lesson or two from history? (Great) hardware alone does no product sell. Nokia has had oh so many more and better features in their phones 3 years ago, but who owns the mobile internet market today? Its Apple, not Nokia.
However, I think Apple made a mistake in not positioning the iPad clearly. They should have named it iBook, and positioned it as the best device to read electronic books. This would have made its product positioning clear, and just like the iPod was positioned as a mp3 player, it was soon clear its more than that, and defined a category of its own. The same could have been true for an iBook – you need it to read books, but you buy it to do all the other great things. The way it stands now, you lack a real need to buy it, because all the other things can be done presumably equally well on hardware you already own.
I am sure Apples marketing power and sales presence will push the product into the market, and rightly so. Do I really need it? Probably not. Will I thoroughly enjoy it once I have it? You bet!
It’s interesting the amount of discussion that this is generating. Frankly, I’m going to avoid it as it pointless until it’s released.
You can argue the points endlessly and even come up with some kind of consensus but wouldn’t THAT be ridiculous? To reach an agreement, let’s say, that it’s a dog and therefore you won’t like it?
I need the iPad – Why? 1) I need a better e-reader than a Kindle / Nook, because I like to read books & newspapers in a dark room.
2) High rez color screen rocks. 3) Content availability looks good (finally) 4) I don’t need to multitask, and don’t need Flash
But I am probably not the customer Steve Jobs wants – because I will be replacing my Ipod Touch, which is just too small to be a practical e-reader for a novel.
My big concern for the iPad is actual, real world battery life, which nobody mentioned yet. The Touch sucks in this regard (about 3 hours), which makes it a truly crappy MP3 player. Not a iPad deal breaker for me, because I am always close to an outlet, but a concern.
The size is bad…but I see no advantage over a 10″ netbook…particularly those running ion or equivalent graphics, which can acess hulu, etc… and most netbooks have the ability run many more apps…
oops, I meant size is not bad…just not signicantly more portable or usable than a slim 10″ netbook
Wait a sec, no announcement about DRM on the books has been made (obviously it will be there, publishers will demand it), so what Adobe is really whining about is that Apple didn’t license Adobe’s pproprietary DRM technology, and instead is either using their own or another 3rd party. Fairplay is the obvious wrapper for apple to use here, and for most people that will be just fine.
Look at the market for ebooks right now. You have the Kindle with proprietary DRM and a proprietary format, you have unlocked ePub (obviously the nirvana but most publishers won’t go for that yet), and you have ePub in Adobe’s proprietary wrapper. In my experience, apple has made fairplay far less restrictive than some other DRM wrappers, so why should I care? If I’m buying DRM content, frankly I’d rather it be Apple and not Adobe that holds the keys…
waaahhhhh…
Can anyone clarify the battery life for me ? Did Apple really manage to have the same battery length (10h) for watching video as for listening to audio (presumably you can turn off wifi,etc) ?
As an ipod touch user I am disappointed about the screen size. If it was 5″ it would have been perfect. I use the touch for reading and sending emails, the internet, games, music and reading books. It fits nicely in my pocket. I take it whereever I go. Not so with a device with a 9.7″ screen. I’ll wait and see what develops in the next few months from other companies. I tried the Archos 5 with android, it arrived one day and I sent it back the next, great hardwear,except for the resistive screen and the terrible software.
I do wonder if this won’t drive eReaders down to a reasonable price point…
Apple has another device that fits into the same type of category of a device that no one needs. It’s the Apple TV and I think the iPad will be just as popular, which is to say, not much beyond a hobby.
iBookstore has incredible potential though, just like iTunes. Perhaps the iPad really is just a Trojan horse for eBook sales.
And doesn’t Adobe charge hardware developers for Flash? That’s a lot of $$ to cover all of the iPhones out there.
The iPad may not displace the Kindle as a book reader, but it will displace it for some as a magazine and newspaper reader. If it supports Zinio and Newsstand or equivalents, it’ll be worth $500 to me.
As everybody knows the main defects are lack of Flash support, no multi-tasking and it’s too heavy.
Will one even be able to listen internet radio whilst reading a magazine on the device?
I don’t think it’s so much about what people NEED…truth be told, no one NEEDS an iPod or an iPhone; there have been (and still are) cheaper alternatives for a music player and a cell phone.
In addition, Apple hasn’t been designing stuff for computer folks’ approval for a while. The iPad isn’t meant to replace anything in a computer geek’s repertoire–besides, Apple SELLS that stuff, they’re not going to actually market a laptop, cell phone, or a music player replacement, are they?
I think you have to not look at digital but analog in what the iPad replaces. This is aimed not at us, who are going to grab a laptop or netbook to get things done, but at the market of people who get up in the morning, pack up their newspaper, current book (paperback or hardcover) they’re reading, optionally their music player and laptop, and trudges off to work. That’s a lot of packing. This would certainly make things easier for those folks.
Yeah, no Flash in the browser, that could be a killer. But look at what Steve showed in the demo. Custom app for the NY Times. iBook app. MLB.com app for tracking all kinds of baseball stuff while watching games. They are looking at media outlets creating apps specifically to run on the iPad, not using the browser primarily to get news and what-have-you. How that spins out remains to be seen.
So, the app development industry has two months to get up to steam and trot out whatever hotness they can to go along with the iPad. That’s what’s going to determine if someone NEEDS or WANTS this thing.
The iPad seems like it will fit right into what I am looking for and more. I don’t think it is replacing any single device. Nor is it a completely unique device to solve world problems.
I will use it for email, RSS, and surfing instead of my Motion Tablet or iPhone. I will use it for ebooks, magazines, and multimedia. I will pause what I am doing and enter a Todo or schedule an event that I thought of while sitting on my couch. (don’t have to get up to get my iPhone anymore) Play a game of checkers, othello, or connect four with my son while listening to iPod on my iPad.
It’s a device that will perform many functions well, but not all functions to everyone’s desires. Name a device that does. It has it’s flaws but so did the original iPod. Like every other device I own, I will be upgrading to another new iPad in a couple of years.
I have 2 desktops (one a mac), 3 laptops, one of which is a tablet and I still find myself pulling out my iPhone around the house for most everything.
I could see myself using and loving an iPad around the house and maybe out and about once in awhile.
many of you are going to throttle me for this comment but…I haven’t found the lack of multitasking on the iPhone to be a detriment at all. Yes, I do find myself swapping in and out of apps quite a bit while working but it is so simple and quick to do it has yet to phase me. I could see the iPad being similar.
However, I am never one to buy a first incarnation of a device so if I get and iPad it wouldn’t happen for awhile.
Regardless of what the iPad will be used for, one thing is for sure or could at least be a valuable tool, and that would be in the education/medical field. There are already apps for the iPhone/iPod Touch that has stuff like which will be compatible with the iPad. Like most people said above, it will NOT replace the laptop but it will sure be one good media/web device. Not to mention that it could also work, perhaps as a Remote Desktop terminal. Like i said in the previous comment, I dont care so much if it doesnt have flash support or multitasking, would it be useful?, yes, would i need it? perhaps, but either way, it will work out for me, specially taking it everywhere, now if i want to do more stuff, then i will just take my laptop/netbook, but if its just for surfing the web and emailing or games, overall just for entertaiment, then the iPad would be handy, considering the expected battery life on it.
So it’s a $450+ home e-mail reader and web browser? Tell me when it’s $150 with cheap or free 3G and maybe I’ll be interested.
Crunchgear tablet? so what happned to the 199, no 299, no 399 tablet?
There are four compelling iPad features that will put pressure on eBook readers.
For me I get my entire ebook collection on one device: iBooks for epub, Kindle App for, well, Kindle, and Barnes and Noble Reader App for al the funky B&N epub DRM that doesn’t work with iBooks.
And it will be the new grandparent grenade. Load up all the pictures of your bundles of joy, pick out some 60′s tunes (other than the Beatles), select Origami transition mode, toss into the middle of the closest collection of grandparents and retire to watch the football game in peace.
Vacation House For Rent – all amenities: grill, cable TV, internet, iPad.
-or-
Holiday Hotels – swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, free iPad use (requires damage/loss deposit).
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Country Diner – Free breakfast news: choice of iPad or newspaper.
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Fidelity Rental Car – Each car size available with the Supreme package, which includes a tethered 3G iPad.
Between guests, just clear out the content.
I think one powerful point that the IPad has over the tablet is instant on. Show me PC based tablet, at those pricepoints and I would purchase it over the IPad. Without it the IPad is a winner for me just on that point in spite of other limitations.
i completely agree. its great but theres so much that it doesnt have. it really needs some more features. im not suggesting it replace the laptop, because that is virtually impossible, but it needs a couple more things that we think would make it better.
-flash -camera for video chat -widescreen aspect ratio -multitask (theyre gunna giv an update in fall 2010 for this) -firewire port
i think that if they just add this, the ipad could be alot better than it is now
This reminds me of the what was said about the ipod when it first came out.
One thing about the ipad is that it was designed from the ground up for touch. I have a few tablets and it was always a problem when you needed to do something that couldn’t be done in the shell program. Going into windows or linux on a 5 or 7 inch screen took some doing or at least a good pair of glasses. I believe the ipad is not bad for a first generation device and for better or worse it is selling.
Me, I was struck by lightning a few years back. I think for me having an IPAD will be good. because i can use it whereever that iam, doing so many things will be good.