Summary: The iPad sounds like another great product from Apple. The price is reasonable; and the form factor and functionality is enough to put other similar products (Kindle) to shame. Though, there are still a few features to be desired and some questioned still left unanswered.
The rumor mill has been churning out rumors of an Apple table for many years now, working especially hard since the latter half of 2009. Now the rumors have a physical form, yup that’s right, Apple has officially announced the iPad.
What’s the big deal, you ask? Read on to find out.
What I’m excited about?
All images from Apple.com/ipad
Though on first look it may not be very obvious, the iPad looks amazing. It’s got the slick, trendy and slim design we’re used to from the current range of Apple products. Here are some of the best features of the iPad.
- The form factor is perfect: The 9.7inch LED-backlit screen (with IPS technology – yeah I don’t know what this is either!) looks stunning, add to that a slim (0.5inch thickness) and a lightweight body (only 1.5 pounds, that 680g) and kickass product
- It runs ever so smoothly: from all the hands-on I’ve read and seen everyone has complemented how well the 1GHz Apple A4 processor performs. Websites render quickly, viewing/zooming in and out of pictures and videos is super snappy, and well basically there is no lag.
- There is no single orientation: as Jony Ive (Senior vice president, Design) puts it “I don’t have to change myself to fit the product, it fits me”. Want to show what the person opposite you what you’re looking at simply flip the device, and the iPad will modify the screen and orientation to suit.
- User friendliness: This is perhaps where Apple’s greatest strength lies. With millions of loyal fans and happy iPhone users, a lot of the target audience will already be familiar with devices’ UI before they even get their hand on it. For those that don’t the iPhone OS user interface is extremely easy to pick up and become efficient at. Did I mention that most of the 140,000 apps available [for the iPhone] will work on the iPad
- Price and portability: I have the say a $499 price tag is pretty appealing (we’ll have to wait and see how Apple will price the device in the UK and Europe), and of course it’s extremely portable. Of course the obvious question is “would you rather carry a netbook or the iPad?”
Does this mean the end of eBook readers?
I would think so, why buy a eBook reader (like the Amazon Kindle) when you can purchase something ten-times better (looks and functionality) for an extra $100 dollars. The problem Apple may encounter will probably be the same as Amazon – the availability of content.
It’s also important to note that although there is a Kindle app available for the iPhone and iPod Touch, this will likely not work on the iPad.
Does it mean the end of Netbooks
I think the iPad will change the notebook scene in the same way the Nexus one changed the smartphone scene – simply create a new category of unique devices. Will it replace the netbook? Quite simply, not anytime soon. There are still too many features missing, for example the ability to run more than one app at a time (see below).
Putting that aside, Apple has always had a very closed system and it will probably become more and more closed as time goes on. For those that want something a bit more open ended a Windows or Linux system will provide the answer.
What’s missing?
If I am to pick up an iPad to replace my trusty netbook then at the very least I want to be able to run more than one program at a time. The lack of multitasking has to be the biggest disappointment I have from the iPad. It’s not too farfetched to imagine the scenario where I’m working on a document and want to listen to music whilst I do so, and want to check my email. I should be able to do all those things at the same time! Come one Apple, this is pretty basic stuff.
To add to this there is no webcam, again this seems like a simple implementation Apple has overlooked. This isn’t really a big deal for me, but for those users who teleconference frequently this would certainly be a major issue. I can’t understand why Apple has overlooked this very basic feature!?
There is also a cloud of uncertainty that still surrounds the Apple tablet, hopefully these will be become clearer before the worldwide launch, a few of the highlights include:
- Will there be flash support? Whilst HTML 5 video is great it’s nowhere near as widespread as flash content; most sites still rely on flash for content and for revenue (via ads)
- How much for the extras? This is quite a real concern and for many this could become a deciding factor. A lot of accessories were demonstrated on release, but there is no word on the pricing for these. Personally I would really like to know how much the keyboard dock will cost?
- What’s the “real” battery life? It wouldn’t be the first time that phone manufactures exaggerate the battery life. Apple claims the iPad can run for 10hours or last up to one month in standby. I wonder if this is with the system running the absolute minimum or under some pressure.
- What’s the typing like? The onscreen keyboard looks great in the photos, but from the promotional video typing doesn’t come across as a comfortable experience (which would make the pricing of the keyboard dock even more critical).
- Which apps won’t work? During the event Steve Jobs mentioned that “almost all” of the iPhone apps will be supported on the iPad, it’ll be interesting to know which one’s won’t be supported. (Though I’m sure a replacement will pop-up soon for any popular app that is not supported).
[Aside: I don’t how rest of the tech community feels about the name, but I’m not particurlaly digging iPad. Putting aside the obvious jokes, I was hoping for Apple to rid of product name with “i” prefix. iPad just doesn’t sound right; maybe I’ll get used to it over time, but it just doesn’t sound natural]
Pricing and availabity
The iPad will be available in three different capacities:
- 16GB – $499
- 32GB – $599
- 64GB – $699
And two different flavors Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G (with the second option incurring extra per monthly chargers). You can find out more here. Again we’ll have to wait for the international pricing, hopefully to be released in a couple of weeks.
Wrapping up
As with Apple’s recent releases the iPad is highly polished, looks amazing and just captures you the first time you see it (and probably even more when you hold it in your hands).
I’m obviously a little biased in that all this techy stuff really excites me. Will your everyday Joe go out and buy the iPad? I think so, there are plenty of useful features offered to lend the tablet to become an everyday item.
Although it may not become as big a success as the iPod or the iPhone it will most certainly sell well. Then again I’ve been known to get these things wrong!
What do you think of the iPad? Will you be picking one up? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Additional resources:
- The official iPad site
- Engadget’s first hands-on
- Gizmodo’s first hands-on and visual guide to iPad’s interface
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