Apple iPad is here. Cheers.
28 Jan
Impressive? Yes. Revolutionary? Perhaps.
Worth the hype leading up to an exclusive dev/media event which is not broadcast live for public viewing? Certainly not.
Here’s why we think the Apple iPad just plain sucks.
“What has no webcam, no multitasking, no HDMI port, and (possibly) no Flash, and costs $500? Hint: Not a netbook.” – Twitter
PROS
1) iWork ’10
iWork ’10 for the iPad is most definitely the best office suite for any mobile device. Microsoft Office users may envy iPad users because iWork is sharp, beautiful and user-friendly.
2) Brushes
Brushes compliments Adobe Photoshop. It blows away Microsoft Paint out the window. It’s perfect for amateurs, intermediate and professional users as well.
3) Compatibility
Good news: iPod/iPhone applications are fully compatible with iPad. If you bought an app from the Apple App Store and were afraid that it may not work on the iPad – fear not. The iPad can stretch the app to utilize the beautiful screen with more real estate without compromising on visual performance and quality. Of course the usual shabang of apps such as iTunes, iPod, YouTube, Google Maps, Safari, Mail, Calendar, and more are redesigned.
4) Portability
It’s as thin as an iPhone. That’s incredible! The estimated battery life is 10 hours (1 month standby) on a single charge. That is very impressive. We envision it will replace portable DVD players in the near future. If you intended to drive from Chicago to Orlando with your family, they will be occupied so you can drive in peace. The App store offers a tremendous amount of apps (games as well as books now). You can eliminate having to carry a portable DVD player, an iPod, a PSP, etc. And since the iPad is 3G ready you can browse the web as well, eliminating the need to buy/carry mobile high-speed USB stick. Your hubby can look up recipes to the melody of Cold Play in the comfort of their workspace (aka kitchen). How cool is that? The possibilities are endless.
CONS
1) iPhone 3.2
The operating system of choice for the iPad was mind boggling. iPhone 3.2 really? Developers will be thrilled to find out that Apple release the iPhone/iPad 3.2 SDK yesterday. However from a consumer’s point of view, the operating system leaves you wanting so much more… I think a lot of people were expecting the iPad will be capable of running Mac OSX or a degraded form of some sort, but not the iPhone OS. Steve took the liberty of comparing the iPad to the Netbooks of today which might not be a wise decision after all. Allow me to explain:
- A Netbook in many ways has the ability to replace a desktop PC and/or a traditional laptop altogether. I agree it does not do a very good job nor is it very good at anything particular (except portability); however it supports a fully-functioning OS (e.g. Windows XP/7 or Linux)
- Netbooks allow you to multitask – you can run more than one application at once
- No support for Flash Video – I cannot speak for everyone, but I don’t watch cable TV on a TV anymore. Popular TV shows are available online and you need Flash Player to view the content – MegaVideo, ZShare to name a few. A lot of fancy websites require flash to view content as well. How can Apple market a device that is centered around “mobile computing” and “portable internet” if it does not support popular online tools such as Flash, Java, and more.
- Last but not least, most Netbooks include a built-in webcam
The anticipated iPhone 4.0 does not have a launch date. It will be “released eventually”. Well yeah, duh!
2) Camera
Lack of built-in camera in year 2010 is simply unacceptable, if not pathetic. Steve was very enthusiastic about sales figures and pushed the envelope by referring to Apple as the largest mobile device company in the world. Bravo! However, as we come to grips with the rapid advancement in technology in the 21st century, how could Apple have overlooked video conferencing?
3) Storage
Netbooks provide ample storage space. For $499, we expected more. Did you know the iPod/iPhone and now the iPad do NOT have a file manager. You cannot store/transfer your own data/files. iPod classics allow you to allocate space so you can use the device as a Flash Drive (USB stick). 16GB is good but not great for a modest $499.
This leaves us with a dilemma. Who is the target market for iPad? Fan boys. Yes, that’s all its good for. I have been an Apple advocate since 1991. The iPad leaves a bad after-taste. I feel like Apple has gained so much trust and established itself as a trend setter and they are mis-using this power. I won’t even mention the troubles I’ve had with the new iMac 27″ model – just sad.
Here’s a parody that I found last night. Apple iPad – Maxi Edition. Go figure.
“Impressive? Yes. Revolutionary? Perhaps.” seems to contradict “Here’s why we think the Apple iPad just plain sucks.”, doesn’t it? And who is this “we”?
I have to strongly disagree with your take on this device.
Firstly, the iPhone OS is a stripped down version of OSX – one which is already optimized for touch navigation. Why add a third OS in between what Apple has already established that dilutes software developer’s resources, introduces device-connectivity obstacles, and generally fails to leverage the iPhone ecosystem Apple has already managed to establish?
The ability for immediate carry-over of nearly 150,000 applications itself cannot be discounted. It can be argued that the insurmountable lead Apple has created with regards to the number of applications available for the iPhone OS platform is the sole reason why the iPhone can continue to fend off competitors with its seemingly inferior hardware (closed OS; low resolution screen; integrated battery; non-OLED display; inferior camera; slower processor). Sure, “porting” Apps designed for the small iPhone interface cannot be considered an effective long-term development solution. It will, however, give the iPad a boost in the critical first stages of its life and help further differentiate it over all the “slate” devices unveiled at this year’s CES, if they ever manage to see the light of day.
Secondly, your comparison of the iPad to a netbook is unfair. Netbooks are seemingly full-featured, but what’s the reality? Sure, I could install Photoshop CS4 on a netbook but what good will that do me when then the screen is far too small and the processor far to slow to do anything but the most basic photo editing? Why is it necessary that I duplicate my primary computer’s functionality with a device that’s obviously designed for convenience and mobility? Much like the iPad, netbooks are companion devices. I fail to see how anyone could be satisfied with the functionality of a netbook as a sole means of computing, regardless of its openness and hack ability, and not strongly consider the iPad as suitable alternative.
Thirdly, I think you overestimate the importance of so-called “fan boys” in the market. They are a vocal and loyal bunch but far too small to carry a product to any kind of success. If fan boys were the only ones supporting the risky Wii console we’d probably be looking at a severely downsized Nintendo at this point, akin to what Sega became. Although Apple can do wrong (they’ve had a few flops), their track record is pretty solid lately and they now have the industry clout needed to push a device to likely prosperity.
The market for the iPad will be people looking for a travel device, those who only require the most basic computing needs (like my parents), and those who see this as more of a content consumption device than a traditional computer; using it to read books and magazines, browse the internet and watch TV shows (through legal means) at the breakfast table or in bed.
Fourthly, I think you (although you are not alone) are overlooking the importance of the greater form factor of the iPad over the iPhone and how that will help differentiate it from Apple’s current mobile devices. You said it yourself, “iWork ‘10 for the iPad is most definitely the best office suite for any mobile device.”. Would this suite of applications be possible on the iPhone? No. The simple fact that the larger screen and snappier processor will bring a new dimension to mobile applications, which will be more evident once developers have some time with the device.
Fifthly, a lack of direct Flash support is a shame but it sure hasn’t hindered the iPhone all that much. HTML5 is seen as a suitable alternative to Flash and it should address the issue of not being able to play embedded video from sources other than YouTube in the near future.
I could go on.
Yes, the name sucks. The lack of a front-facing camera sucks. Apple has left things to be desired (don’t they always?). For a first iteration though, I think they have created a compelling device. Maybe it doesn’t appeal to you directly but that certainly doesn’t mean it will be a flop. A Kindle DX (also a 9.7” table-like device) costs $489 CDN (compared to the iPad’s introductory $499 USD) and it’s only a black and white, dedicated e-book reader for heaven sakes and it found a market. The Harmony 1100 universal remote costs $399 USD and it found a market. Both devices can easily have their functionality addressed by the much more full-featured iPad (judging from the fact that an iPhone can be used to take pictures remotely with a DSLR) at almost the same price. Sounds good to me.
Very well put brigadier. Your argument is well structured. However let’s agree to disagree. No doubt, I will buy an iPad; but not this one, the second revision which I’m almost certain is going to arrive no later than Christmas.
The ability to carry over 140k applications is no small feet. Perhaps I should have emphasized it more.
Secondly, I was merely trying to argue that Steve should not have come out and bashed Netbooks altogether. They serve a purpose; though it may not be to run Adobe Suite. You can survive on a Netbook alone. Keyword: survive.
At $499 I was blown away. I just feel like the event was a let down for a lot of people. I have been scouring forums at regular intervals. The general consensus is that the iPad is “wicked”, “cool”, “I want it now!” device.
The hype surrounding the keynote (not Apple’s fault) made some of us believe that the tablet would do wonders man couldn’t perceive yet (iPhone-2007, iPod-2001). Also, I was venting frustration for lack of evidence for new MBP line-up and the bad luck I’ve had with the 27″ iMacs recently (AND lack of acknowledgment from Apple), without even realizing it.
Regarding Steve’s take on netbooks: you kind of have to look at it from a hardware manufacturer’s point of view (that’s where Apple makes its money, after all). Yes, netbooks serve a purpose. Yes, they have only been increasing in popularity. The problem is the success of the netbook is to the detriment of the hardware manufacturers that make them. Netbooks do nothing but undercut conventional notebook/laptop computers, cannibalizing most of those manufacturers established revenue channels.
When the first netbooks came out at lower price points it was due in part to a severely reduced Windows XP licensing fee, which Microsoft was using to assert its domination as the OS of choice on mobile devices over Linux. [1] The cost of netbooks has since risen as licensing fees have been restored with the introduction of Windows 7. In addition, margins on netbooks are razor thin, judged to be about 5%, in contrast to the typical standard of 10% to 15% (on a higher cost devices, mind you). [2] It’s just difficult to see this form factor being sustainable in the long term without creative cost cutting, likely to be at the consumer’s expense since customer services is always the first feature put on the chopping block.
I know none of this is really of the general consumers concern. Certainly we do not owe a hardware manufacturer or software developer our loyalty just for the sake of their prosperity. At the same time, Apple doesn’t owe us anything either. They will continue to create products on their own terms and the free market will dictate whether they can continue to thrive off this “selfish” philosophy.
Lastly, music players and smart phones existed well before Apple introduced the iPod and iPhone. This remains true with the iPad. Tablet computers have come and gone (Apple Newton, numerous Windows-based hybrid laptop/tablet devices), but what the iPad exists to offer is to seamlessly integrate hardware and software in a way no other company appears capable of executing. Any single isolated aspect of the iPad may be inferior to its competition but it’s the complete package that will set this product apart from wannabe devices.
[1] http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/04/19/ms.asks.15.for.xp.netbooks/
[2] http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/technology/cheap-netbooks-bad-for-business/
take it easy. you should invest this much time in starting your own business lol.