Similar to this interesting analogy of the iPad being the Wii of personal computing is developer Ethan Nicholas’ view on Apple’s upcoming (and divisive) product. While some of you don’t like that fact that the iPad lives in a tightly controlled environment and is limited to the functions deemed acceptable by Apple, Nicholas believes this is why the system will appeal to a certain group of users. In a guest column for TechCrunch he wrote:
The iPad is a computer for people who don’t like computers. People who don’t like the idea of upgrading their 3D drivers, or adjusting their screen resolution, or installing new memory. Who don’t understand why their computer gets slower and slower the longer they own it, who have 25 icons in their system tray and have to wait ten minutes for their system to boot up every day.
It’s an excellent point that a lot of tech enthusiasts don’t consider. People forget that the iPhone didn’t succeed because of its power; it was a success because it harnessed the power of a smartphone with an incredibly refined interface that anyone could use. While the iPad is certainly more limited than a thin-and-light laptop, it’s also completely simple to use and maintain.
Now that I’ve had more time to think about it, I’m pretty sure Apple will sell millions of these things. Between people that want a simple (but powerful) computing device, tech hipsters that have to show off at Internet cafes, and Apple fanboys that will buy anything Steve Jobs sells, the iPad has a great chance at being another massive hit for Apple.
What do you think? Is the iPad Apple’s latest “insanely great” device? Or is it the second coming of Newton?
I say it is the Newton. The IPad is too different from a computer for someone who isn't a fan of computers to accept. Conversely they are selling this device to people who don't own an iphone and won't buy an Ipod Touch. Hard sell if you ask me.
Personally I think they will sell these if they sell them to ATT and let ATT sub them. My opinion.
it does make sense that it is a computer for people who don't like/want computers. Just like the wii is a gameing console for non-gamers. It's a good anology, but I will agree with smartguy, they are trying to sell a product very similar to the iphone and ipod touch to people who wouldn't buy those products in the first place. Yeah you can also take in to consideration people like me who didn't buy an iphone because of AT&T, and will if it is with verizon, but I don't think that there are enough people out there like that to make too big of a difference.
Why pay $500+ and the monthly service fee to be able to use the internet and run apps, etc. when you could just pay $100-$300 plus the service fee, and be able to make phone calls and send txt messages as well. This cuts you down to one pocket fitting device, instead of an oversized pad of notebook paper. The ease of portability and use just seems so much simpler with the iphone to me. The only advantage I can think of that I would really want on the iphone/itouch right now, is sometimes I would love to have a word processing app sometimes so that I could edit or type up some small things and easily transfer them to my email to take to a campus computer to print (im not using my money and resources for all that paper and ink, lol). Other than that I'm pretty satisfied and don't understand the appeal.
I guess I'll reiterate what I said on the Wii article a few moments ago
"if you’re trying to sell to people who want to deal with media, photos, word processing, reading, and average gaming this could be an excellent option. although some laptops cost the same price this one is a lot more snazzy.
although I don’t know how you could have this as your only device. Unless you plan on filling out your iPod library from scratch you wouldn’t be able to import (or backup) any files with this device alone. I don’t think it does enough on its own."
I have a feeling it will be popular, I don't know if it will be quite as succesful as iPhone. BTW, think of the possibilities when this device is (inevitably) hacked.
@#2 – I left out Internet surfing. With my home computer I'd say 80% of what I do is internet, media and photos, another 10% is MS office and probably about 2% gaming. iPad can handle all that.
This thing doesn't have flash and people who aren't computer savvy will be pissed when they can't "use that program" the other guy has because it isn't in the app store.
Something like this needs to differentiate itself more than the iPod/iPhone. A $300 netbook is more useful.
@shockwave i don't deal too much with hacked or modded anything (just never been around it or got into it) so I'm really not sure of those possibilities. But I would also agree that if you are interested in the things you mentioned "media, photos, word processing, reading, and average gaming" then you are absolutely right that you can get a good laptop for about the same price.
Maybe the second gen of the ipad will do more to sell me. but right now it feels like it is in the awkward teenage years of life, somewhere between an iphone and a laptop, and to me it really isn't bringing out any special qualities that I can see. If I wanted the casual gaming aspect, some media, and photos (along with other apps to keep me busy, and lets not forget that one of the main purposes of the itouch, at least, is to be an ipod) then I would go with an iphone or itouch. And if I wanted some more options and better gaming quality, reading, word processing, storage space, media, pictures, and everything else…why then I would just get a portable laptop (mine is slow and old now, but I got it for 500 and it was good for when it came out 4 years ago). So for the same price as this ipad now, I got an entire laptop that has lasted me 4 years. This pricing is still available for a pretty decent laptop.
I would say you are right, it does not do enough on its own. I would rather have my itouch to carry with me and my laptop for portable use, but also for keeping at home when I don't need it.
@shockwave #4 With my laptop I do a lot of internet surfing, but a fair amount of word processing also. I do plenty of surfing on my itouch too (it helps that I have free wifi almost anywhere that I spend the majority of my time…apartment, campus, parents house, aunts house, fiance's house, fiance's apartment, etc.) but it is much more relaxed and comfortable when I do all of that on my laptop. it goes quicker.
So yes the ipad can handle all that you mentioned, but if it is not as comfortable as my laptop, and they are the same price, minus a service plan that my laptop does not have to have, then it is not worth it.
It will succeed for two reasons;
1) It works as advertised.
2) It has no competition yet.
@sandrock
yes and no on the competition.
@Smartguy A netbook is more useful, but it's also much slower, more difficult to use, and harder to maintain.
@Smartguy
How many other tablets have gotten a celebrity, from Comedy Central, endorsement. (The Wii had one too.)
don't get me started on netbooks. I would never consider one, Apple at least has me curious. in fact, you couldn't give me a netbook but I'd take an iPad in an instant if it was given to me
haha, I like this, Steve Jobs calls Adobe "lazy" and Flash "buggy" he says most times a Mac crashes it is because of flash. Good riddance, how bout some more HTML5
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/65287
@Ray
price, familiarity, and practicality (relative) are what makes this device destined to flop for first gen at least. This device is too limited.
@Sandrock
what does that have to do with it? Fallon had Natal on his show, that doesn't mean it will sell.
@Ray
I reserve judgment on Ipad speed until I have used one. I can't give it the nod in that category, the others… Indeed.
@smartguy – but even if iPad was as fast as iPhone it would be better than most netbooks I've seen, forget the fact it's almost twice as fast
Shockwave
speed is also determined by memory and OS stability. While I'm not worried about the OS, how it caches data could slow it down.
Besides I'm willing to sacrifice speed for multitasking. It's nice to have my email client and spreadsheet open at the same time.
@Smartguy For a certain amount of users, it is limited. For another segment, it's not. It depends on what you want to use it for.
As for the speed, it's pretty easy that it will beat the pants off of netbooks in the $300 range. The OS is just much lighter than Windows XP or Windows 7.
@Ray
I agree on paper it should. I want to see it though.
I can't even watch a DVD on this thing, or watch some Southpark.
I hear the argument that a segment will like it because it is simplistic. At a rudimentary level yes it is. I think grandparents and computer morons alike will lament the exclusion of an optical drive or USB port or even a card slot. Can't view pics of the grandchildren that was burned onto a disc and sent to you for Christmas. (assumes the computer stupid have dialup and will not leave their house yo use the Internet )
Anyway, there still aren't any tablets worth mentioning, and Apple is a strong brand name. They are just going to do what they normally do, get in the first decent product and use their brand name to keep themselves on top.
@Smartguy
I wouldn't be surprised if all tablets are called iPads in the future. Kind of like how all MP3 players are called iPods. (by the masses) Whether that is a good or bad thing I don't know.
I wonder if anyone will make a good handwriting recognition app and if people would even want it.
@Sandrock
If that happens, then MS has to be the slowest most dumb___ company around. How long have they been putting out software for tablets and that damn surface machine? Haha.
@Ray
It would need a stylus to be efficient. I don't see that being a popular app honestly. I genuinely tried to write out my comment with my pointer finger on the surface of my desk and found it to be unnatural and very slow.
@Smartguy I loved the handwriting recognition on my Newton. :P
@Sandrock
I can’t call this device a tablet. It simply is the Ipad. Tablet denotes certain functionality…which the pad doesn’t have. I agree though, their brand name should seem them into the next gen of the device.
@Smartguy
At the end of the day, Microsoft is still a software giant. They can't force companies to make good hardware for their software.
@sandrock
You are right, they can't. They were touting touch interface almost a decade ago it seems. MS could have made a touch device, but decided against the capital expenditure.
@Sandrock323 That's changing with the Xbox, Zune, and the rumored Windows Mobile 7 phone.