Here’s what I have to say about Apple’s new iPad:
1. I don’t see a need for it in my life. No, really — my Real Computer Usage demands a keyboard — not a virtual keyboard, not a pluggable keyboard, but a real keyboard. My Portable Computer Usage demands a smartphone form factor. If I want something in-between, it will almost certainly be a netbook. It will not be a large-factor iPhone.
2. The above may change if I end up getting an iPhone in the near future.
3. Never by 1.0 of anything. If I were going to get an iPad, I’d wait until the next model comes out to fix the problems with the first model.
4. Okay, folks, anything with the word “pad” in it is now the butt of feminine hygiene products jokes? Really? Yeesh — grow up.
5. I actually really hope this is a success — tablet PCs should be a strong niche in the overall PC market. If anyone can do it, Apple can. On the other hand, I’m not seeing it, yet. On the third hand, my own personal taste / recognized needs in computing are not necessarily those of the general public, so I’d love to be proven wrong (on not seeing the niche, not on it being a success).
6. The limited connectivity (in the baseline version) is problematic. The extension of Apple’s draconian iApp store model is even more problematic. I think the price point is still too high for what it gives the users (from what I can see so far).
7. Given the hype surrounding this concept from Apple for years, nothing short of the darned thing also toasting bread and making coffee for you in the morning would have lived up to it.
8. If ever a product begged for the greatest voice recognition technology in the world, it’s this puppy.
I do wish Apple the best of luck — and, yes, I’d love to see some friend of mine get one so I can actually play with it hands-on in the wild. It will be an interesting story to follow, especially if we can delve beyond the “It’s MAGICAL! / It’s HYPE!” memes.
The iPad (ignoring the feminine hygiene jokes in the name) is a brain dead computer or a phone too large to put in your pocket. I do not see what niche it fills. Is it a Kindle? A DVD player? There is no compelling need for the product. Sure, there are people who will buy it because it is from Apple, but I hear a resounding thud coming from the great marketplace.
The iPad is the Facebook of computer platforms — very controlled and simplistic and easy-to-use capabilities that some people will find charming and addictive and others will be frustrated the hell by.