In Defense of the iPad
by Samuel Febres
So, unless you’ve been living under a rock the last few days (and I know many that do), Apple unveiled a new device called an iPad.
Rumors and speculation, as usual for Apple events and products were at an all time high and yesterday was the big day. Well, it came and went and it looks the majority of the internets are a bit let down. It would be hard not to with all the expectations folks were forming in the their creative little minds.
The majority of the complaints are that it doesn’t bring anything new to the table and it’s nothing more than a giant iphone or an ipod touch. On a cursory glance, one could see why someone would come to that point of view without testing the product at all.
My thoughts are that it really could be a game changer. Most folks are focusing on what’s missing, and not what it is designed to do.
According to Steve Jobs, the iPad’s purpose is to “browse the web, enjoy and share photos, videos, music, play games and read books.”
If you’re looking to do something more than this with an iPad, then this device is not for you. Look elsewhere… for now.
Netbooks have become popular devices. People who have been gobbling them up get them because they’re inexpensive computers, but if you’ve spent time with one, they are horrible devices to use. The keyboard is cramped; depending on the quality, you would be hard pressed to get a Youtube HD video to actually play smoothly on it, and it’s a horrible resolution and screen size to look at. What do the majority of people want these devices for? It’s not to load Office on it and write books or essays. They want them to surf the web, read their email, and socialize, but the experience is horrible.
This is the problem that the iPad is providing a solution to. A lightweight device for surfing the web. They have removed the cramped keyboard, they have created a UI that works for a smaller screen and device, and improved upon the features that people purchase netbooks for, which is to surf the web (or at least the only thing it could sort of be considered good for) but made the experience more pleasurable AND they’ve added the ability to do music and photos and play games.
If you got excited about Chrome OS, they you should be peeing your pants for the iPad.
From the Google Chrome blog below: Replace Google Chrome with iPad and Google with Apple.
“Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the web…
We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear — computers need to get better. People want to get to their email instantly, without wasting time waiting for their computers to boot and browsers to start up. They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them. They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. Even more importantly, they don’t want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware, or have to worry about constant software updates. And any time our users have a better computing experience, Google benefits as well by having happier users who are more likely to spend time on the Internet.”
Google is stating what the average computer user wants. Not the tech nerd bloggers. Apple does the same thing. Simplify the experience. Their design choices are for the benefit of most, not the few. The same thing happened with the iphone when it was released and everybody was crying about how it didn’t have this or that, and should have had this or that. People still bought it, love it and use it today. I think the very same thing could happen with the iPad.
The iPad is bigger than people realize and are giving it credit for. This is no Apple TV. This is a small step for Apple in their plans for the future.
“In many ways this defines our vision, our sense of what’s next.”
– Jonathan Ive
Also, check out this guy’s thoughts. They’re better written than mine.
A Message to the Internets regarding the iPad – Michael Pusateri
UPDATE: Thanks to Clayton for sharing this video with me. It’s worth a good laugh. Hitler and I don’t see eye to eye I guess. 
Comments
Good stuff sir. When I watched apple's promo video on the iPad I was verily impressed by how they had taken the bar for e-readers and seemingly put it out of everyone else's reach. If they're mission statement was to create a better e-reader that could also do things the other could only dream about, Apple wins. And if people buy it of course. The key is in the framing. Do you expect Apple to release fully functional computer tablet in the near(1-3 years) future?
I like the layout too.
My recent post onehundred and sixtyseven.
I don't see why they wouldn't keep improving it. It's hard to say if they would release a fully functional computer tablet. I think maybe what they would do is incorporate some of the multitouch features into Macbooks and iMacs. Bring some of that re-imaging of the OS and apps.
I have tried using Chrome OS in one of my desktop PC’s, the overall performance is above average to excellent .
my girlfriend is going to give me an ipad on my birthday this month..”"
i have tested chrome os both at home and at work, it does not seem to be better than ubuntu-~.