OK, it has been a couple of days to thunk on it.
First off – wrong on GPS – it DOES appear to have assisted GPS, not guessed-at GPS – I thought they were referring to using WiFi and 3G to guess at location rather than augment it – this is actually better than plain GPS (such as indoors).
I think I’ll probably pass on iPad 1.0, but I’m betting within 18 months we’ll get a 2.0 with camera/s, lower price, maybe 4G/LTE. As noted, I was wrong about “true” GPS capabilities.
I think this product is rolling out the way the original iPhone did – remember when there was no 3G, no apps, no video, no copy/paste, no MMS? They’ll catch up with this one too. This establishes Apple in the market, and gives them a place to build on, relatively early in a viable, consumer pitched tablet market (note: prior tablet efforts didn’t meet these criteria). I like all the talk about this being an appliance, nota a professional tool. An appliance is something most everyone can use day to day (think a $500 handicam). A professional’s tool is more powerful and customizable and allows you to augment and get in under the hood (think a Red One camera). Moreso – does your Mom use appliances every day, or professional tools? Why do you think they call them iMacs and Mac Pros? Hello? For all the high end user complaining (and count me in on that), this isn’t aimed at us – look at all the complaints about the original iPhone from a technical perspective. How many tens of millions of those have they shipped? Yeah. That. And I don’t think Apple really new it was coming – they pitched it originally as a great Phone, a better iPod, an Internet communicator, and a portable web browser, or something like that. Apps? Never mentioned. Yet that is the biggest point of differentiation I’d say as compared to any other smartphone. Not that other phones don’t offer apps, but certainly not the breadth and depth (as in, choice and quality) of what is available on the iPhone.
Really, it IS just a whoppin’ big iPod Touch, with some enhanced UI features and more fully featured applications, or rather Apps. But it IS now a viable contender to something CONSUMERS, NOT PROFESSIONALS, could use on a daily basis (if they were going to carry something bigger than pocket sized with them to and from work and around in the world). If you were on a trip to Europe (and had a place to dump all your photos), wouldn’t this be great to have in your backpack rather than a bigger, heavier, lower battery lifed laptop?
Microsoft’s dig at the iPad about being harder to develop for and not always profitable? LOVE that – yeah, all those Zune marketplace developers are just rakin’ it in….
Between now and when v2 hardware ships, we’ll get software updates allowing:
-multitasking
-VOIP calls (already possible today, even on iPhone!)
-MobileMe Back To My Mac linkage
-lower prices – how about $299 for the 16GB model next year? By that time, they’ll have a faster processor for the $699 & $829 models, so the multitasking will actually work snappily with those. Much like the iPhone – the v3 software was a DOG on my first gen iPhone, but is entirely satisfactory on my 3GS.
This makes me think Apple is into product categories rather than products – this first manifestation barely qualifies (in my book) to do what they want the niche to do. But they are aiming bigger than netbooks- they want a market for folks to have a portable piece of useful electronics. If you had this, an iPhone and a desktop system (preferably a Mac for optimal sync capabilities) and the iPhone let you tether data, what WOULDN’T this be sufficient for, FOR CONSUMERS? Maybe lug the keyboard along too. I’m sure somebody will come up with an elegant folding keyboard as part of a case to work with iPad.
For professionals, the same way the iPhone (and iPod Touch) are generic devices customizable to be a lot of electronic gadgets with a customizable touchscreen interface (read Buyer's Guide: 33 things you don't need if you have an iPhone), how can the iPad continue this experience? If I could get a touchscreen control surface for Color, I’d love it. Multitouch all the better! Same goes for audio mixing I’d guess as well. CAN the iPad be used as a peripheral over USB? Or fuggedabout it, and just run over WiFi or Bluetooth? Dailies on set on a hand-aroundable tablet? Thank you very much. Lets see what the API and CPU/GPU allows. Video playback with notetaking right on it? I want to see that!
I would love, but doubt we’ll get, higher resolution – Apple is placing this as the standard res. Unless they get resolution independence (possible but I doubt it – v3? iPhone OS 5 or so?)
OK, other notes on follow up stuff:
oooh – good one! I agree with this
http://i.gizmodo.com/5458349/apple-ipad-just-tried-to-assassinate-laptops
bluetooth keyboard IS supported – so get the iWrap or whatever they call the cover and the little bluetooth keyboard and you’re good to go
I agree with all but the bezel comment – you HAVE to have some “dead zone” edge on a tablet!
http://i.gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad
Oops – Kindle DX, with its 1200×824 screen, is only $10 less than a bottom of the line iPad. Game ON!
good cost analysis here:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/ipad-vs-iphone-what-does-3g-cost-you/
…compared to an iPhone 3G and iPod Touch for data costs. Better still, total cost of ownership with data over 1 or 2 year span
EWWWWWW – doesn’t sit flat by itself since the back is rounded – mandatory cover, indeed!!!
On your mark, get set, don’t Print
Oos, no T-Mobile 3G:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5458423/unlocked-or-not-your-ipad-wont-be-able-to-use-t+mobiles-3g-network
Optional geegaws:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5458376/apple-ipads-myriad-optional-dongles-usb-sd-ac-bbq
the leather kickstand/carrying case, seems like a Must Have:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5458344/ipad-kickstand-accessory-doubles-as-a-nice-leather-case-too
keyboard w/stand:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5458341/ipad-keyboard-dock-because-even-apple-knows-touch-typing-can-hurt
-mike
Original pre-launch thoughts here-
https://www.provideocoalition.com/index.php/mcurtis/story/apple_islatesegway_2010/
Initial thoughts here:
https://www.provideocoalition.com/index.php/mcurtis/story/apples_ipad_all_the_details_what_it_means_for_us/