So first up the predictions. The internet was a full of rumours surrounding the Apple event, even webwarp.co.uk reported the anticipation. The device in the rumours was a tablet style netbook with many rumours suggesting a touch screen.
The facts. The iPad has a 9.7inch multitouch screen based on the technology already in use in the screen of the iPhone and iPod Touch and the latest MacBook & MacBook Pro trackpads. So it is cable of a full touch based interface which lends itself very well to the iPhone OS. Gestures such as pinching to zoom and scrolling webpages will be natural to iPhone users. The case is very thin and the OS and physical form are stylish and futuristic. This is the kind of device common in Sci-Fi for the last 20 years. (Check out the Star Trek P.A.D.D.)
The iPad is capable of running all the apps from the app store that you have already purchased for your iPhone/iPod Touch. The iPad will come with several options. You can have Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi & 3G (the 3G option requiring a data contract, and not capable of phone calls/text messaging), and there are 3 options for storage: 16GB, 32GB & 64GB. So is the iPad a giant iPod Touch?
And here is inlies disappointment. All the features such as the App Store compatibility and iTunes mean that the iPad syncs with iTunes on your Mac or PC - just like an iPhone or iPod. Making the iPad a peripheral as opposed to a netbook replacement. Running Windows XP comfortably most netbooks are packed full of USB ports and connectivity. The iPad runs iPhone OS instead of a 'full' operating system such as Mac OS X. So you won't be replacing your netbook with an iPad.
There are good points of the iPad though, and situations where it could be better than a Netbook. Treating it as a large iPhone with iWork installed ($9.99 per app) you could easily carry it in your bag, work on a document on the train, then at a meeting you are not hidden behind a screen. You can have all your documents in your iPad replacing paper files and notebooks (a paper notebook - not a laptop PC!).
At home the iPad allows you to browse the web as easily as picking up a paper or magazine, but would this convince iPhone users to fork out $499 minimum?
In summary I am unsure of the ultimate success of the iPad. If it had been a netbook replacement with Mac OS X (even a cut down version) and connectivity I would of expected it to be a huge success. Unfortunately what the iPad is either a really expensive eBook reader or a large iPhone. It's perfect for when your iPhone is too small or you laptop takes to long to boot up... I don't think I'll be queueing for one.
For more information check out Apple's webpage: http://www.apple.com/ipad/.
3 comments:
I think you're right. Let's face it, if you own an iphone and a netbook. There is simply no need for an iPad.
I can only think of a couple of situations where it might be handy. Watching a film on a plane? Working when out and about, it is really thin and would just be like a pad of paper!
Updated to correct the cost of iWork apps from $99 to $9.99.
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