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The iPad and you
The iPad, whether you like it or not, has implications for everyone. The early-adopter, the developer, and even the conscientious surfer and app downloader -- whichever one you are, the iPad's going to make an impact on your life. Apple has successfully controlled technological fads for almost a decade -- you can be damn sure that the iPad won't be any different.
So here's the news that affects you. Not your friends, nor the hot girls you try to woo with your tablet -- not even your jealous co-workers -- just you.
1. All iPhone and iPod Touch apps will work on the iPad
Good news! The iPad will run the apps currently in the App Store -- all 140,000 of them. Well, most of them. Apps that use the camera or a dedicated GPS will be out. You can also sync the apps you've already bought for your iPhone or iPod Touch with your iPad. A lot of apps in the Store are also being -- or have already been -- re-worked to utilize the iPad's larger screen. I can only assume updated versions of the apps you already own will be free to download (but we'll see...)
2. There is a new iPad SDK that will make the most of the new device
Developers start your engines! With the iPad comes a new version of the iPhone SDK, version 3.2. The SDK includes an iPad simulator, sample code, interface guidelines -- just check the site if you need more info.
This new version of the SDK reveals some key features of the iPad that programmers need to be aware of, and cater for. Functionality-wise, it seems the iPad will readily connect to an external display (handy for slide shows and presentations), and there are also API calls for file sharing -- there's a directory on the iPad that will be mountable on your PC or Mac.
And, sadly, it seems the device still only runs one app at a time. No multitasking, gentlemen. Also, there's still no Flash. Damn you, Apple.
3. Dongles and adaptors and extensions and and and...
The iPad isn't going to be cheap, that's for sure. The only connectivity you get is one frickin' socket in the bottom -- and it isn't USB. No, it's some proprietary socket that you can convert into other things... like an SD card reader... or a USB port.Apple aren't stupid. You might've let out a whoop of joy when you heard the iPad was 'only' $500, but you can be damn sure that they're going to take a second pass at your wallet if you want to do anything interesting with your iPad. I quite liked the idea of using the iPad for looking at photos on my big digital camera -- it sucks that Apple are going to milk my big, juicy tech-horny nipples for the privilege.
* * *
All in all, the iPad looks like it's going to be a consumer dream, if you can afford it. I doubt it will single-handedly eliminate eBook readers like the Nook and Kindle, but it's definitely the beginning of the end for book-reading-only devices.
There's also no forward-facing camera, and thus no Skype or video conferencing (which for many would be a wet dream). I guess we'll have to wait until the iPad 3GS before we see the camera. Please, Apple, take my money -- take my hard-earnt money, and my soul while you're at it.
Comments
28
Subscribe to commentsburntcookie90Jan 27th 2010 9:41PM
totally underwhelming
burntcookie90Jan 27th 2010 9:42PM
plus, if you think about it, it's not even an oversized iphone. it's an oversized ipod touch with optional 3g...
sodapopJan 28th 2010 2:25PM
Same thing I was thinking. I am still very interested tho. I'll have to play with it before I make up mind. The lack of multitasking is a bummer to me.
RobJan 27th 2010 9:43PM
I honestly don't see the appeal of this, aside from the iBook part. It can't do anything more than the iPod touch, costs more, and can't be carried around in a practical manner. I think that whatever manufacturer that is first to put out a coherent tablet PC could one up Apple here; there are too many limitations for this to have a right to take off.
Tony MontanaJan 27th 2010 10:00PM
The iPhone also had worse specs than most of its competitors yet it didn't fail as predicted by all the tech sites.
I think this will eat into the Kindle marketshare the most.
The Kindle is great but having the ability to annotate and access the internet is a big bonus.
I think the biggest thing this device has on the side of it is the fact that it is basically a big iPod Touch/iPhone.
How many tens of millions of people are already using that same technology?
All in all for a tablet it's a good device. It allows you access to your books, some net surfing, a little annotation, some light movie watching(sucks that the screen is 4:3 and 1024x768 though, 16:9 and 1280x720 would have been ideal for native 720p) and some light gaming.
A lot of the criticism levelled at it is ridiculous.
I was talking to somebody and he was furious it wasn't going to replace his 30 inch monitor and dual graphics card set up. I told him if the Apple Tablet was aimed at that market it would be an overwhelming failure.
You have to keep in mind there may be a few hundred people reading these blogs but in the real world there are millions of people who have much more easily satisfied requirements and know or care little about CPU speed or display technology.
They want something familar, "hip" and easy to use for very mundane tasks like Facebook or Youtube which is all anybody seems to know anymore.
SchwinnJan 28th 2010 8:25AM
@Tony:
I understand your point, but I still don't see the market. You say it will eat into Kindle/Nook sales. I seriously doubt it. The Kindle, for example, comes with a simple way to get books, is smaller, lighter, cheaper, and has FAR more battery life than this device. Sure this one can surf the web too, but it's no replacement for a computer.
As others have said, it's a bigger iTouch, and that's about it. 3G is optional, at a significantly higher price. No USB or other connections...
As much as people are touting the app-compatibility, I think this is one of the drawbacks to the device... you can't use "regular" software on it... it has to be an "app". And you can't multitask, so forget about opening multiple windows. You can't really do any "work" on it. Again, it's just a bigger iTouch.
I really don't see the appeal. You can get a laptop with far more capability, or even a netbook with slower performance, but much more battery life. True, this device kinda falls right in between... but people don't appear to be looking for a device in-between today...? Most people buy big, powerful laptops, and the people in-the-know will consider a netbook.
My biggest disappointment was that it was rumored that this device would "revolutionalize" the tablet style of working. Fact is, it doesn't. The interface is not unique, nor easier than what we have on cellphones.
I seriously doubt this device will be all that attractive, particularly at this price-point... but I have been wrong before. And the Apple-faithful make pretty good lemmings.
RJan 27th 2010 9:52PM
I don't think it matters. Apple will convince the masses that a limited function, larger version of the ipod touch is a much better value than a multi-functional netbook, even if you can buy two netbooks for the price of one iPad.
LOL.
michaelJan 28th 2010 12:41AM
the dedicated ebook readers score with their low power consumption - you can read books for days non stop without charging. throw in a color screen and performance to play games etc and you're inevitably down to a few hours of real run time between charges.
the ipad might get people to occasionally read something in electronic form that they had otherwise not read, but i doubt it will score big with anybody reading more that an hour or two in one sitting...
Oliver KomadinaJan 28th 2010 12:53AM
No Flash, No USB, an old LED display (go try, you'll get headache reading ebooks), a more-than-ugly-fat boarder, "up to 10h battery" is disappointing; mobility = 0, a closed OS which needs an application for everything, even opening a random *ABC file, and all that app-mass with no multitasking....
sorry, apple
fail
enerGIJan 28th 2010 2:07AM
Apple are not getting any of my hard earned $$$. Its a oversized iPod Touch, complete waste of time, and crappy spec's, its the Newton 2010.
ToddJan 28th 2010 9:08AM
i don't believe they will be getting your "hard earned cash" considering you cant use basic grammar :)
Sebastian AnthonyJan 28th 2010 9:17AM
This ain't no place for grammar trolls! Shoo!
(Plus, you didn't pick me up on my use of 'earnt', which should've set more alarm bells ringing...)
kojo87Jan 28th 2010 3:09AM
i never look at the author of the articles right away but the second i saw "hyperbolic crotch-grabbing fanboy speculation" i figured it was Sebastian
as far as the iPad goes i just don't get it. who need it? if you have an iPod and a laptop you have no use for this. and lets face it. by this point almost every single person that might be interested in an iPad has an iPod and a laptop.
Sebastian AnthonyJan 28th 2010 8:27AM
Aw, you're so flattering!
I think Jobs actually said that Netbooks were bad at everything, thus the need for the iPad.
I don't know. People thought the iPhone wasn't going to be a hit either...
The Apple PR/hype machine is immense.
We shall see!
kojo87Jan 28th 2010 3:24PM
the Apple hype machine does an outstanding job. i will give them that. especially since there have been numerous tablet PCs before that didn't exactly fly off shelves. somehow when Apple makes a tablet, tablet computing becomes the next big thing. im more interested in the HP Slate at the moment. more portable, full Windows 7 and cheaper.
i saw the Jobs quote about netbooks. if he really thinks the iPad is better than a netbook at things like web browsing or word processing he truly is in his own little world. i'd like to think that he isn't that dumb as just said it because thats what Apple people want to hear. an Apple netbook would have been far more exciting than the iPad. but i doubt they could pull off a netbook for under $600. look at the Macbook Air.
blogwardJan 28th 2010 5:05AM
Who cares if it's any good, or whether the tablet never took off the first time? Apple know there are still plenty of people out there with more money than sense. Any body give me $500 for a TC1100 running Windows 7? It has 2 USB ports and a better screen than the iPad.
PeteyJan 28th 2010 10:14AM
Did you really just say "big, juicy tech-horny nipples?"
That could be the single greatest statement I've ever heard. I think I'm going to get a t-shirt made with that on it.
Sebastian AnthonyJan 28th 2010 10:23AM
And don't forget the hyperbolic crotch-grabbing!
In the same article!
(I want royalties.)
nikescarJan 28th 2010 10:55AM
The lack of multitasking in this device is inexcusable. That's it. That relegates it to a $500 toy.
If Apple ever gets a version of OSX running on this form factor I will take another look.
JonathanJan 28th 2010 11:47PM
I can tell you had a hard "earnt" education to go along with that hard "earnt" money. Must have had a strong focus on spelling.
If you want intelligent people to take your opinions, at least act/sound intelligent.