Apple’s iPad Stretches iPod Touch to the Maxi
Yesterday Apple Computer’s CEO Steve Jobs introduced a “magical & revolutionary device” called the iPad. Pad related jokes ensue. It took a lot of restraint not to post Apple Tablet rumors, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be as game-changing as people expected. Regardless, it will sell like hotcakes… because it makes internet and multimedia easy and accessible for the masses.
Apple got a lot wrong with the iPad, but it isn’t as terrible as one might think… IPad is a platform, that is it. It is a leisure device with good apps. ITunes is the only reason why the iPad is going to sell well. Steve Jobs says the device must be “better at these tasks (web, mail, etc) than a smartphone or laptop, otherwise it has no reason for being”.
But it doesn’t do these things better… the iPad has no phone, no multitasking, no camera, and no keyboard?! Maybe it is just that certain time of month for Steve. But seriously, no CAMERA, are you kidding? Honestly, this must be some sort of joke. According to iFixit even an “expensive” camera like the excellent 5mexapixel model on Google’s Nexus One only cost $12.50. Most mobile cameras costs pennies.
As much as I gripe about the device, I can see the iPad being nice for casual web browsing, checking blogs, etc… but iPad for reading a novel, no chance. An LCD screen is essentially a light shining into your eyes, and this doesn’t bode well for extended reading. Apple’s app store is also fantastic, and the iPad is a great platform for these apps– games should be lots of fun.
Maps are just silly for a tablet, are you going to carry this thing around with you on the street? No, you use your phone. How do you type on it, on your lap, hunched over? Hold it with one hand while pecking with the other? Even Steve Jobs looked awkward typing on stage yesterday.
The pricing is the best thing about the iPad. If it was $1,000 it would be a hard sell. But at $499 for the base model, it really isn’t so bad at all. If it is jail-breakable (hackable), I will probably pick up the $499 model for use at home and when traveling. It is a sexy device (other than the terrible thick black bezel) and this is why it will sell. People will hold it, touch it, stroke it, and they will buy one. Then they will wish it had a camera, multitasking, and a better screen… so they will by iPad 2.0!
I’ll leave you with this specs comparison:
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