in Mobile Channel,
So far, what we’ve seen from this much anticipated Tablet, called the iPad, is a big iPhone with a more detailed, larger resolution display.
It can play music and movies and lets me browse the web...okay, so can other devices. What’s this thing do that the others can’t do? If I need a small mobile device to browse the web, I’ll use an iPhone. If I need something more robust, something with more processing power and functionality, then a laptop can be obtained for less than what the high end iPad is going to cost.
Watching movies on the iPad is likely going to be a very enjoyable experience.
I wrote about this a few weeks ago, and the reveal of the iPad confirms my initial assessment. 2010 seems to be the year of cluttered hardware with far too many different configurations of size, power, and functionality. Steve Jobs placed it in between a Mac Book and an iPhone in his presentation, explaining that the iPad bridges the gap between the two. The question I want to ask is this; what need does the iPad satisfy that the other two cannot?
What gap is there to be filled here? Am I missing something?
The platform does have potential to perform a wide variety of tasks, and time will tell what kinds of new and exciting software will be coming out for this thing. But in all honesty, the hardware specifications and small hard drive mean that this platform has limits on what it can do. I must as well bemoan the lack of USB ports (without these clunky Dongles), multitasking, and any real sign of progressive hardware decisions.
As usual, Apple makes a product that is aesthetically pleasing.
Below you can see a picture of the iPad portable keyboard, once docked transforming the device into a small laptop. But it’s not a laptop, and further if what I wanted was a laptop, wouldn’t I just get a laptop?
A carrying case for this and the iPad - why not just buy a notebook for the same price?
More real estate on screen for gaming, but the hardware will have its limits.
So once again, after looking at all the hype, the hoopla and the great anticipation of this product, perhaps it’s sensible to be somewhat disappointed. As it stands, the product is lovely, the interface is spectacular, and its processing muscle is disappointing. Perhaps six months of apps tailor made for the iPad will make it a more appealing product, I suppose we will have to wait a few months and see what develops.
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