Thousands of articles have been posted online in the past twenty-four hours describing what is included and what is not included in the newly-announced iPad. I haven't read all the articles but I did read quite a few. Here are a few quotes that I consider relevant:
From: Craig Kanalley, Traffic & Trends Editor for the Huffington Post, at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-kanalley/ipad-apps-will-define-the_b_440334.html:
This device is revolutionary and it raises the bar on eReaders of the future. Why get a Kindle or a Nook (sorry guys) when you can also display images and videos in high-quality, listen to your favorite music, surf the Web, check your e-mail, and do countless other things?
Kanalley also wrote:
I can only imagine displaying beautiful family trees and swiping historical photos on my iPad. Not to mention its capabilities for research inputting new data and conducting interviews. As a research tool alone, it's sure to have amazing potential, but as a collaboration tool and way to display work, it can easily become invaluable for every genealogist to have.
Adam Turner of the Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald wrote at http://blogs.smh.com.au/digital-life/gadgetsonthego/2010/01/29/isthereroomf.html:
Another reason why I'd be reluctant to embrace an iPad as a recreational device is the lack of multi-tasking. I want to read the paper online, monitor social networking, check my email, using instant messaging, access my calendar and listen to music all at the same time. I don't think that's asking too much, but it's a scenario the iPad would obviously struggle with compared to a device with a full-blown operating system.
David Pogue, writing in the New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/technology/personaltech/28pogue-email.html:
Now Phase 2 can begin: the bashing by the bloggers who've never even tried it: "No physical keyboard!" "No removable battery!" "Way too expensive!" "Doesn't multitask!" "No memory-card slot!"
That will last until the iPad actually goes on sale in April. Then, if history is any guide, Phase 3 will begin: positive reviews, people lining up to buy the thing, and the mysterious disappearance of the basher-bloggers.
An unsigned article in Wired.com (at http://tinyurl.com/yg2yzgb) states:
Apple iPad’s most striking feature, its gorgeous 9.7-inch touchscreen display, uses liquid crystal display technology — but with a few unusual twists — to present a vivid image and a wide viewing angle.
Om Malik (a well known writer and reviewer of computer products and one of the few writers who has actually had a chance to use the iPad prototype) wrote at http://gigaom.com/2010/01/27/my-early-impressions-of-apples-ipad-a-quick-hands-on-review/:
Despite the size, the device is light (1.5 pounds) and is easy to both grip and use. The screen size is ample, the processor powering is beefy and as a result, the iPad is amazingly brisk. And onscreen reading is easy on the eyes.
Most impressive are its multitouch capabilities, which work anywhere on the massive screen. Since I was already familiar with the iPod touch and iPhone, figuring out how to use the iPad was easy.
Will iPad Kill Kindle? I think so!
First the good stuff:
- There is one single button on the entire device, which I think is just brilliant because it means fewer distractions.
- There’s a sleep/wake button at the top, much like the iPhone.
- There’s a headphone jack.
- I like how the device switches from landscape to portrait mode so quickly in all four orientations.
- The web browsing experience is easy and satisfying, thanks to an ultra-responsive touchscreen.
- The Maps application is pretty stunning, especially the street view, which comes alive on the iPad screen like never before.
- YouTube works as advertised, including the HD videos. It’s a damn shame there isn’t an iPad version of Hulu.
- The iTunes store and iTunes Video work very well, and the music buying experience is no different than, say, on a Mac.
- It’s simple enough to plow through a whole bunch of email very very quickly.
- iPhoto is a much better experience on the iPad than you would imagine, especially the slideshows.
Now here is the stuff I don’t much care for:
- The onscreen keyboard isn’t as great as I thought it would be.
- The screen resolution of 1024 X 768, or about 4:3, is underwhelming.
- There’s no way to lock the device into either portrait or landscape mode.
- The decision to work with AT&T for a wireless 3G data is just straight-up dumb. It’s not like Apple doesn’t know how bad the performance of the AT&T network is.
Finally, I thought this was interesting: The New York Times reported today (at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/technology/companies/29name.html) that Fujitsu Ltd. believes it owns the rights to the iPad name, based on a real-time, portable inventory-management device called the iPAD, that debuted in 2002, and received an update in 2006. “It’s our understanding that the name is ours,” Masahiro Yamane, director of Fujitsu’s public relations division, said Thursday. He said Fujitsu was aware of Apple’s plans to sell the iPad tablet and that the company was consulting lawyers over next steps. The German conglomerate Siemens uses the iPad name for engines and motors, while a Canadian lingerie company, Coconut Grove Pads, has the right to market iPad padded bras.
