More than an iFad?
I think the iPad does have a future but I think it deserves to be ignored. It has a future because it will undoubtedly sell by the lorry load. Queues are already forming.
These are queues of gadget lovers, loyal Apple zealots and unquestioning people gagging to be seen to buy into the Apple cool; yes, Apple has given us some great designs but this has now become an easy, popular taste, aesthetic used to tell the world what tribe you belong to. No one wants to be seen with black ear phones and I’m sure the iPad will become the ultimate Apple accessory to be seen with, after all, it’s small enough to carry around, but too big to be hidden away in a pocket.
One of the problems I have with the iPad is that I can’t clearly see its usefulness. It’s not as powerful and multifunctional as a laptop or notebook. It’s too heavy to hold at arms length, too neck breaking to have it sit in my lap, and too awkward to prop up on a table for watching video. The screen is too bright for reading ebooks. On the other hand it’s not as personal as a phone, it’s not as handy, as small, as portable. I won’t be able to have it with me 24/7.
Perhaps the answer lies in how Steve Jobs first showed us his new toy: relaxing in a comfy armchair. Perhaps he sees it used for casual web browsing while at home? Used by those people who can’t access the internet on their TV yet, or want something bigger than a phone screen, or can’t be bothered to start their laptop or desktop up. But it’s got such a high price just to be used like this.
So I just can’t see its purpose. Perhaps I’m just happy with my iPhone and MacBook and don’t need anything in between. Having said that, perhaps I’ll then need something between my iPhone and iPad and then iPad and MacBook. So many gadgets, I can see Apple rubbing their hands together already.
The other problem is that the iPad is a scaled up iPhone rather than a scaled down laptop. As such it runs on the same model as the iPhone. This means it will only run one app at a time. (Come on Apple, haven’t you seen what Android can do?) More importantly though, it means there’s a very closed, controlled and Apple owned approach to software development for the iPad. Yes this is good for usability within applications, but in general users and developers will suffer: it limits creativity, chokes innovation, disregards choice, and is harmful to a healthy digital future.
So, no, I won’t be in the queue to buy an iPad. But when interest (and revenue) from this product show signs of waning I’ll be listening out for rumours of the next Apple product. I’d like a MacBookTouch, a powerful, double touch screen laptop, that I can put to a great variety of uses and onto which I can install any software I choose.
6 replies to “More than an iFad?”
I still haven’t settled on a feeling about the iPad. On one side I’m disappointed by the now standard technology and lack of particular, game-changing, hardware; rear-mounted camera (augmented reality!) and better connectivity amongst others. On the other side I’m supremely excited about the applications that are going to appear. I’m also itching to see how web design will change to accommodate a large touch-screen device. I can’t wait to do some experiments in that area alone!
To me the iPad holds it’s usefulness in it’s placement as a platform, a blank slate. Now, let me get it clear right now that this doesn’t excuse Apple from keeping all the cool features for iPad 2 and making a tonne of money. However, looking at the device from a higher perspective you can’t deny that the market is now ripe for a large-sreen touch-based device. It is what everyone has been screaming about for years. The possibilities granted by the device hardware and accommodating SDK (let’s imagine the SDK is perfect here) are inspiring to say the least. I already have loads of awesome dial-turning, page-flipping, and grubby-finger-touching applications I can see being made, simply because of this new platform. Anything other issues, like background applications, can be sorted out with software updates.
I believe the iPad will have a massive impact in the application and web design community, but not so much in the public domain; the actual users. This is the crux of the iPad’s success. Do people want this jump in interaction? Are they even ready?
No doubt I’ll cave in and buy one to muck around with so I’ll make sure to bring it in during the summer. Perhaps I’ll change your mind.
No doubt we will both cave in and buy one Rob!
I’m sure I’ll still be grumbling about the lack of features that should have been included which are being held back. Apples planned obsolescence is environmentally unsound and unfair on their loyal customers when it’s so obvious and transparent.
Large touchscreens would be awesome, I think you saw the drawings for our US project we were working on last summer? Now that was a large touchscreen: around 1m x 2m. Let’s have those in shops, bars and other public places, and see what we can do with those for our clients.
The iPad will be popular with digital, advertising, and media geeks like us without a doubt. But if it were more open, feature rich, and cheaper, then it could contribute more to a digital future where everyone has seamless access to technology and online engagement.
By the way, the first app I’m going to make for my iPad will be a beer mat!
See, now imagine this. If they included an RFID reader into the iPad then you’d basically have a poor man’s Microsoft Surface! You’d be able to understand what object is on the screen, or nearby, and change the UI or information to match. That would work in shops for product information, or down the pub as a marketing tool for brewery’s. Damn it Apple!
Hopefully the iPad will be a precursor to new and improved publishing, like this…. http://www.vimeo.com/8217311
Such a blatant bit of search engine magnetism! How many blogs have been including content about Apple’s new toy, just to grab some search engine attention. Hey – whatever works.
That said; I agree with all you’ve said – LOL
I agree with Jamie. The ipad and its successors will do for magazines and newspapers what the ipod did for music.
We’ll see a huge increase in content, publishers and hopefully trees.
I’ll be getting one just so I can read The Times on it at breakfast.
Newspaper boys, look out! Steve Jobs wants your pocket money.
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