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So why is everyone in the iPad commercial sitting down? [opinion]
I've got nothing against the iPad. I haven't even touched one yet, after all, so it wouldn't really be fair for me to rip it apart or sing its praises. There's just one thing I'm curious about after seeing the first commercial on TV last night: why is nearly everyone pictured sitting down with the iPad in their lap?
I'll hazard a guess: it's probably a little awkward to use it in most other positions. At 1.5 pounds and roughly 9.5"x7.5", I can't really see myself holding this up to use it. There are a couple shots in the ad with someone sitting at a table holding it up with one hand and using the other hand to navigate. Its little brother (the iPhone) is obviously meant to hold in one hand -- but how will it feel with the iPad at five times the weight and three times the size?
The other thing we don't see is the angle of the user's head and neck, since it's always out of frame. If you're seated and have the iPad in your lap, you're going to be looking down at nearly a 90 degree angle, right? That's not a position I've ever found comfortable, though there is one place I read in that position -- which is what makes me think the iPad will be a great thing to keep next to my toilet in the magazine holder.
Sort this out for me, then, readers. After watching the commercial, what do you think about the iPad and ergonomics?
I'll hazard a guess: it's probably a little awkward to use it in most other positions. At 1.5 pounds and roughly 9.5"x7.5", I can't really see myself holding this up to use it. There are a couple shots in the ad with someone sitting at a table holding it up with one hand and using the other hand to navigate. Its little brother (the iPhone) is obviously meant to hold in one hand -- but how will it feel with the iPad at five times the weight and three times the size?
The other thing we don't see is the angle of the user's head and neck, since it's always out of frame. If you're seated and have the iPad in your lap, you're going to be looking down at nearly a 90 degree angle, right? That's not a position I've ever found comfortable, though there is one place I read in that position -- which is what makes me think the iPad will be a great thing to keep next to my toilet in the magazine holder.
Sort this out for me, then, readers. After watching the commercial, what do you think about the iPad and ergonomics?
Comments
32
Subscribe to commentskojo87Mar 8th 2010 12:40PM
i just don't see the purpose of the iPad or MS Courier for that matter. what do they do that i can't do on my laptop or netbook?
i liked how they didn't show the person actually type on it. thats the one thing i want to know about the iPad. is the typing as awful as i expect it to be?
DOjjy (http:dojjyguide.blogspot.com)Mar 8th 2010 12:55PM
I agree with Kojo (cool name by the way, never fails), iPad is supposed to be a super portable computer? It's like calling a chicken a bird of prey. It can't do near half the things a proper computer can, it's simply an oversized iphone (oh wait you can't text or call with it).
and Kojo i don't have one but apparently it has the same sort of responsive buzz when you type as a touchscreen mobile phone, if you know what that's like :P
AaronMar 8th 2010 12:58PM
Everyone is sitting down because the thing is to large to walk around usefully and efficiently to use. Just my opinion. that's it.
Stuart HallidayMar 8th 2010 6:23PM
Maybe for the same reason we don't read or write whilst standing up?
AaronMar 8th 2010 10:23PM
Very good point. Did not think of that. To me it looks like it would be obnoxious. But it doesn't seem very appealing to me because it's an apple product. But the MS Courier looks really cool. Not to change subjects here. But thank you again for another POV.
shawnyb0y7Mar 8th 2010 12:59PM
I think of iPad as being like a book. I never stand up to read one. And for that matter, Im nearly never standing when I browse the web, check my email or watch TV shows or movies. So I guess it makes sense to me that the people in the ad would be sitting while using the thing.
reader1Mar 8th 2010 1:05PM
They're sitting down to emphasize that it's more comfortable than sitting at a desk.
The iPad is going to be Apple's most successful product yet. It's the simple computing device that millions of people have been waiting for.
DelayedZMar 8th 2010 1:55PM
It's the simple computing device that millions of people have been waiting for. You mean a laptop? or perhaps a netbook?...and what millions of people are you speaking about?
kojo87Mar 8th 2010 1:21PM
based on your comment history you really need to lay off Mr. Jobs' koolaid. you are the only person i have heard say that this is what people need and have been missing. when i ask people if they are getting an iPad they usually say "no i already have a laptop. what would an iPad do for me?"
Gilbert PalauMar 8th 2010 1:13PM
I think people keep forgetting the iPad is not a laptop. Its the inbetween a phone and a laptop.
And it does better work and functionality than one of those crummy netbooks...
I think the reason they show people sitting down (like @reader1 mentioned) is to show how comfortable you can be, when browsing, reading a book or replying to email.
I agree that you shouldnt use the keyboard to right a novel, but to answer emails or post something in your blog or post on a forum, its a lot more comfortable than using a bulky laptop or an uncomfortable netbook.
My .02 cents.
AmitMar 8th 2010 1:52PM
Don't be so miserly, at least give us your 2 cents and not ".02 cents"
Gilbert PalauMar 8th 2010 2:43PM
Blame the economy for that...
BrantMar 8th 2010 1:15PM
If you've ever seen the rig they use to film these commercials, you'd understand. Like the iPhone ads, the iPad isn't just in these people's hands, it's mounted securely on a pole / stand which they can rotate, but not move.
David S. (@seemsArtless)Mar 9th 2010 12:54PM
I agree, it is particularly obvious when he turns the iPad from portrait to landscape. I think that explains a lot of the 'why' in the ad, but I still wonder if the iPad is too big to easily use standing up. I'd just like a 50% bigger iPod touch, actually.
Alex MMar 8th 2010 1:19PM
If you put it in your lap, your hands are free to use the device, but your neck will hurt like a MF.
If you somehow prop it up so your neck won't hurt, then your arms will need to be raised in order to reach the screen, a la Minority Report. Let's see how long you can keep that position.
It might be a great entertainment device, for two hours at a time.
It's definitely not a work computer.
bjsguessMar 8th 2010 1:52PM
Half the functionality of a netbook at more than twice the price.
mahMar 8th 2010 5:36PM
exactly!
warrenjoseph76Mar 8th 2010 2:13PM
What about holding it ON one arm...sort of clipboard style...while standing? depending on what what you're using it for that could be useful since you'd still have one hand free for writing/navigation.
It's just an easier form factor to pass around hand to hand than a laptop which is why I see some practical uses in certain work environments. Needs full unencumbered web to really be useful and possibility of running at least two apps at once. Apps that focus on enhancing collaboration between multiple iPads will be the ones that win out. I can't wait to test drive one....I think it will be great but remains to be seen.
warrenjoseph76Mar 8th 2010 2:35PM
think about medical facilities for instance...doctors will find this form factor very useful I bet....or maybe in a warehouse type environment? I can even see travelling sales people replacing their laptops with these or at least adding it to their gadget bag again because it's easier to simply pass it back and forth hand to hand while discussing relevant information. I see it as more potentially useful as a business tool as strictly an entertainment device (though of course travelling sales people will appreciate having a movie or e-book on there for entertainment purposes while travelling).
@davey_ladMar 8th 2010 2:20PM
I don't think you really need an iPad to test drive it's ergonomics. You could just cut a piece of cardboard out to the same dimensions and stick things to it so it's roughly the same weight... perhaps more bits of cardboard (corrogated of course)... then just walk about the office with it and pose randomly.
You'll look a bit of a prick doing it but you should get some realistic results.