My Thoughts on the iPad
It was only a matter of time before I started using this blog as a forum by which to expose and exploit my inner nerd. So with profuse apologies and without further adieu, a few thoughts on Apple’s most recent unveiling – the iPad.
In short, I’m not sure I get it.
I was following a lot of the press coverage on the tech sites, and at one point I noticed that Steve put up the slide below.
According to Engadget (thanks for the image, guys), here was Steve’s talk track while showing this up on the screen: “If there’s gonna be a third category, it has to be better at these tasks — otherwise it has no reason for being.”
Basically Steve was pointing out that if you want to have a 3rd device in between the phone and the PC, it better do all of those things he listed there better than the other two. And therein lies the problem… I’m not sure it really does. Let’s take a few of them one by one.
Browsing. Well, I’ve found more and more that I’ve relegated to using my smartphone for casual internet browsing from the couch. The place where it falls short is not really the screen size so much as the lack of standards support. When I go to a page that needs flash or has to install a plug-in to be viewed, that’s when I go reaching for the laptop. But when I think about inserting the iPad into that scenario, I’m not really any better off. Sure it has about 3x the screen size and resolution, but it still doesn’t help me when I want to view that site that makes use of heavy flash, when I want to check out that band’s web site that has a built in player so that I can sample their songs – you get the idea.
Email. I have to admit, the email experience on the iPhone and iPod touch isn’t bad. But more often then not, email is just as much about authoring as it is reading. So when I think about inserting the iPad into my couch email reading, yet again it’s not really helping me beyond just showing me the mail on a much roomier screen. When it comes to pounding out some angry emails that I’ll regret in the morning, I’m still reaching for the laptop.
eBooks. Ok, they almost got me here. The eBook application on the iPad looks phenomenal – and as a Kindle owner I think they are really hitting on something that Amazon hasn’t delivered: the status involved with owning books. It’s the visual way in which Apple shows your bookshelf – complete with book cover art that helps reduce heartburn for people that may be feeling squeamish about making the transition from analog to digital for their literature. But this all falls down when I think about the ways Amazon has helped re-create the book reading experience in a digital format but with an analog feel. For instance, Amazon’s e-ink display isn’t backlit and therefore is much easier on the eyes. The battery life lasts 3 weeks, and any book I download costs about $9.99 and I can get them anywhere without any additional service fees. Many a time have I downloaded an entire book on a recommendation from a flight attendant mere minutes before taking off. Contrast that with the iPad, which has a burn-your-retinas off LED display (not ideal for a long read), only 10 hours of battery, and books priced at $12.99 or $14.99 with the addition of monthly service fees (in case you want to download anywhere). Not exactly the best in class experience for books either.
So all that to say, I’m just trying to understand the play here. It feels a whole lot like an overgrown, expensive iPod that sort of does a bunch of things pretty well. But at the end of the day, I’m having trouble summizing what the one piece of unique value is that makes this a valuable product in real-life application.
I had coffee today with Eric Lin, and he suggests this is Apple’s setup toward the slow replacement of the MacBook. Over time he believes this could become the home PC. It’s an interesting thought, and if he’s right it makes sense for Apple to be somewhat shy on that point in the mean time. Steve Jobs is a savvy guy, so if he’s hedging his bet he’s certainly not talking about it.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
I am in total agreement with Eric on this. I think Apple decided a while ago that finger-touch / multi-touch is the future. The iPad is just one stepping stone toward that future.
I would agree with Rich and Eric. More so that a few years ago, I can see that multitouch, and other touch / human movements, will eventually replace the current conventional interfaces. Particularly with the success of the iphone and the Wii. I read some article recently that remotes would become obsolete as well, and that the TV would be eventually controlled by human gestures.The Ipad is part Apple's journey to that multitouch future, as well as Apple's entry into the netbook / ultraportable market.
Hi Derek,
I have read a lot of industry people’s thoughts about this device since the press event and there is one gleaming omission in most of the blog posts.
The iPad is as much about content and service as it is about the actual hardware. iPhone and iPod touch users have invested heavily in the content they have on their devices, this is mainly with content purchased from apple through itunes.
Statistics show that iPhone users do more internet activities on their device than with any other pocketable product. In the UK, iPhone is one of the most popular ways of watching the bbc’s iPlayer streaming tv service.
As a consumer, I welcome a new way to consume and realise my already puchased content and access my services through a device which gives me a improved experience.
Apple are one of the only media content providers which have created a true stickiness with the service offering they provide – from a business perspective, why not create many devices which can be a terminal to realise the customers substantial investment in content?
Microsoft produce great frameworks and operating systems, their 3rd party ecosystem produce some awesome hardware – there is however no alignment in service offering for a consumer.
ZuneHD is beautiful, so is the HP Slate, not to mention the Lenovo touch all in one PCs and HTC’s Windows Phones – but there is no common service platform which allows a user to consume content across all of them.
For me this is why people will purchase iPad and why it will a success.
Matt
(Dictated from my Google NexusOne)
Good thoughts from everybody.@Eric Wong – again, though – I think an ereader is one of those technologies that needs to be specialized right now. Have you ever read a book on your computer screen? I doubt it, because it would burn out your cones and rods. That's where the Kindle shines – and I'm not sure the LED backlit screen on the iPad is conducive to longform reading.
Yeah, I'm moving toward the Eric/Rich view on this too. I think it's just early and this is a first step. Remember the Tablet PC push – iPad is coming at it from a different direction. I'd agree that the current instantiation leaves a lot off but it will evolve (and it might be something someone like my aunt would buy.) Don't think it solves every case (to Larry's point above) but it will take up some space for sure.
i guess i really should start writing about technology again instead of just speaking through my pals like Derek. but thanks for the shoutout big D. i guess i'm glad others see things the way i do. i was listening to pete and ryan's podcast and i think Pete agrees as well. we all see something happening here. the question is how close will apple come to our predictions.
I think if you look at the iPad as an e-reader it starts to make some sense. First of all, it would be a very expensive eBook – double the price, but you have so much more than just an e-reader. In my opinion I think that the Kindle, Nook or Sony eBooks are overpriced for what they do – only read books. $250 for a proprietary device? No capability to email, surf the “limited” web, and play games? I rather pay another $250 to get a device that can do more functions – even though it doesn’t do all so well like you’ve stated. I guess if you are in the market for an e-reader and can sport out the extra $250 for this, it makes total sense. But it has not successfully killed off the laptop/netbook or mobile smartphone yet – it just doesn’t fit anywhere unless you want a beefy e-reader and bad eyes.
Good thoughts from everybody.@Eric Wong – again, though – I think an ereader is one of those technologies that needs to be specialized right now. Have you ever read a book on your computer screen? I doubt it, because it would burn out your cones and rods. That's where the Kindle shines – and I'm not sure the LED backlit screen on the iPad is conducive to longform reading.
I try with all my readings for class, but I end up printing them out.I guess I'm more of a quantity guy than quality?
I think people are overlooking how tiring it will be to hold this thing for extended periods. Holding the iPad level for a two hour movie in bed or on a couch will likely not be as comfortable as propping open your laptop and setting it, well, on your lap.
I think a big aspect of this would be to be that uber remote control for all your devices and media at home, in your car and on the go. With an established app platform model and the credibility of a "user experience" company behind it – they have positioned it well. I personally am underwhelmed by it right now – but given the right apps, and as value is accrued over time (and possible price cuts) I think the itch will be too difficult not to scratch.