Why I think the iPad hardware aint all that bad
In my previous post, I mentioned that the iPad hardware was fine, and wondered as to what people were really expecting from the iPad. Well, in his comment responding to said post, Mr Name of “Internet” clarified exactly what he was looking for, and it made sense. A lot of people were expecting some super mega-awesome tablet of sweet, sweet computing power, which admittedly would be cool. I had to consider why I wasn’t expecting this myself, considering I love my gadgets and my puty bits.
I came to realise it probably had a lot to do with the fact I have a tablet notebook at home, and have been soured on the PC-tablet as a result. Don’t get me wrong – I love it. However, I’ve also learned that – for a fully-fledged PC – touch just doesn’t cut the mustard. A PC needs a keyboard at the very least, and it doesn’t hurt to have a good sized HDD and a DVD drive. This is why netbooks work, as they are not only useful for a spot of portable internet, but also for some mobile computing, word processing, and the like. I found myself very rarely using the notebook as a tablet, as it just wasn’t as functional.
Thus, I really understand where Apple are coming from with the iPad. In the announcement, Steve Jobs mentioned that they wanted to release something between a Smartphone and a notebook, and this is what I was expecting. Basically, all a tablet needs to be is a tool to access the Internet, listen to music, read some eBooks and so on and so forth. It really doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that. In fact, I’d even go as far as saying the ability to chop and change the system would reduce its function.
Anyway, as this post is in regard to why I think the hardware is OK, and not just why I like the product as a whole, I’ve decided to comment on the most common complaints circulating the web at the moment – and you’ll note that I do agree that it certainly isn’t perfect.
No connectivity options
I agree that the iPad should at least have some sort of card reader – if only to add photos or what-not. However, I don’t agree that it really requires a USB port or anything else. As I mentioned, I feel a tablet should only be a very simple device, with very specific functionality. As a result, negative points incurred for not allowing any way to add photos, etc., without connecting to a PC/Mac.
You have to connect to a PC/Mac
Slightly covered this above – in order to function at its best, you need to be able to sync it with (most likely) iTunes. Regardless of what you think of iTunes, it’s probably about time Apple realised not everyone wants to rely on it as the be-all and end-all of their media management. Negative points here, but it’s not such a bad thing to me, as I’ve gotten used to the clunky old cantankerous iTunes over the years.
No Flash
OK, I can understand that Apple has a thing against Flash for being insecure and buggy, but come on – half the Internet still relies on it! As much as the ‘net might be moving towards HTML5, it certainly isn’t there yet. This is a major negative, Apple peeps.
Aspect ratio
Hmmm… The world has gone widescreen, so the decision for the iPad NOT to be is a bit strange. I actually don’t get it, to be quite honest, but I really don’t think it’s going to be that much of an issue. I guess at that size widescreen might be somewhat unwieldy, and smaller would just suck, so perhaps it’s a happy medium? Hard to say until I hold one in my hands.
No camera
Would you really hold up your iPad and tell someone to say cheese? No. BUT – you might want to use it for video conferencing on Skype. Thus, this is a mildly negative omission.
No multitasking
Probably the biggest problem with the iPhone is its lack of multitasking. It’s not a HUGE problem, but the thing is, we are fickle people, and we like to flit about from program to program. Plus, I personally hate the fact I have to close whatever I’m doing just to reply to an SMS I receive. That’s pretty lame. However, it’s not that big a problem, to be honest, as the system will generally remember where you were up to prior to closing the program. Not a big problem, sure, but it still doesn’t make sense.
As an aside, I hear a lot of netizens mentioning that it might be fixed in future updates, but there must be a reason why Apple hasn’t brought this to the iPhone yet…
It’s just a bigger iPod touch
So? I love my iPhone, and ALL I’ve dreamt of since I got it is the hope of getting a BIGGER one – without the phone function (because I don’t need to make phone calls on it, that’s what my phone is for). I don’t want a PC, because I already have plenty at home, I just want something thin and light – and kind of sexy-looking – to read comics, books, el internetto, listen to a bit of la musica, and grab a quick TV show on. Plus, a few quick little games will do me nicely, and that’s all I need. I don’t want to write on it (although I would if I had to), I don’t want to work on it, and I don’t want to fiddle around with it. Which leads me to the final topic I want to comment on (because the others are pretty weak – no GPS? Not such a big deal)…
Closed system
This is a tough one. On one hand, I believe in the user’s right to do with their system what they will. That said, I see no need to do so here, except to access for free what generally costs money. This, of course, has its merits – that being that you get to access for free what generally costs money. Seriously though, I have applied a jailbreak to my iPhone, but I don’t really care if I do or don’t on my next update. Having done it, I found it useful at first, but now? Unimpressed. And why is that? The iPhone pretty much comes with all the functionality you’ll need. Sure, some things could be done better, but it doesn’t really matter. Some might see this as Apple having total control over your products (and a lot of people do), but personally I find that unnecessarily cynical. Perhaps I’m just all too happy to accept what I’m given. I don’t know – I choose to let this topic stand actually, because as much as I don’t see a need for control over the OS, I must admit that I’m divided on how I really feel. (Aside: hopefully I dodged that one, but I don’t think I did…)
Anyway, it’s pretty obvious that I agree with all of the issues that people have levelled against the system, and the truth is, even I don’t really want to get one for at least another generation. Things will improve. But, as it stands, and taken as a simple internet and media tool, I think it’s definitely going to be another hit for Apple.
As a final point, it looks like there will be some competition – Sony has reportedly announced they want in on this market, there are rumours of a Google tablet, HP has the Slate, and then there’s the Joojoo Tablet… But I firmly believe anything based on an existing OS will not impress. Windows 7 might include touch features, but it’s not a touch OS. That said, I’m interested in what Google has to say, but I feel the Joojoo will not be as successful as it possibly should be, mainly because it doesn’t have the backing of a big name behind it…
Themocracy
I was keen on the iPad at first but cooled after I discovered the lack of network connectivity. If I could browse the photos, music and movies on my NAS, I would be sorely tempted. I can wait.
Thoughts on MS Surface?
Ooh, damn – really? TO be honest, that’s the dealbreaker right there for me too. Apple DOES realise there are other ways of getting movies and photos rather than stupid iTunes, right?
MS surface could be awesome… Still a little early to tell, as the pricing is WAY out there. But if they continue to develop ideas as the price comes down, I’m hoping we’ll be sitting at computer tables in future, and using them like an architect’s desk, if you see where I’m getting at. Surface needs some work, but in reality, it might be the minority report future we are hoping for… The iPa,d on the other hand, is not.