After the weeks of hype, excitement and speculation, we now finally know just what the Apple tablet computer will look like, cost, and do - and what it will be called (the iPad). However, perhaps unsurprisingly after all the ridiculous build-up, it has not lived up to the expectations of many bloggers, with the general consensus being that it is somewhat of a larger iPhone.
Well I suppose it's only inevitable that the actual thing can't live up to such overblown fantastical expectations, and while many in the 'blogosphere' contemplate a 'failure' for Apple, I must say that I'm more inclined to side with Stephen Fry on this one when he highlights that a similar response has met most of Apple's recent launches (including the iPhone) - simply due to the extent of media coverage and hype beforehand.
And just like the iPhone, Fry reckons this really only represents an early version of the iPad - more of a testing ground before 2.0 and 3.0 come into play. It seems sheer folly to deny that Apple's track record suggests that once these later releases are reached, the market will not once more be dominated by a sleek shiny device with a small apple on it...
Currently for me the iPad seems to be based on a couple of very sound principles and assumptions, which place it on good stead to do well. Firstly, it seems hard to doubt that gesture based software interfaces are the future of computing. With touchscreen technology improving all the time, I doubt that we'll have much use for the old mouse and keyboard in another decades time.
Secondly, there remain many potential markets and functions which the iPhone looks unable to ever deliver - simply because of its size. Conquering the e-book market, which remains there for the taking after the Kindle's relative lack of success, is one such potential goal - and the iPad once again looks like it has the potential to do the trick.
Only time will tell, but even at this early stage past experience teaches us that Apple sometimes know a good bit more than they modestly let on - and that in all likelihood the iPad will be at least a decent success by this time next year, if not a roaring one already by then.
Dejan Levi
Apple will do relatively well with this thing, but it’s a ‘wrong’ product for them to be releasing to the world.
Wise people I speak to (Apple fans or not) realise that Apple are working on creating another lock-in for the users so they can command prices on digital content.
My understanding is also that iPad was not really designed for eBook reading as the screen is of ‘typical’ sort rather than designed for reading books (like Kindle was)?
Yes Jason I think you’re right on both points:
1. Apple have already commented on what prices they would like to see e-books commanding, signifying clear intent to exert influence on this market (much like iTunes does with online digital music sales). Therefore one expects that Apple’s projected profits from this device will, like the iPhone, be derived mainly from the sale of additional products – such as apps, e-books etc.
2. The iPad does indeed have a ‘normal’ screen, unlike the Kindle, and will surely strain the eyes after a lengthy reading session. However, Apple’s talk of e-book sales seems to ignore this snag and it remains to be seen how big a hurdle it really proves to be (we’ll know once we have concrete sales data).
Thanks for reading
Dejan
Alot of bloggers aren’t really pleased with the new iPad.There was just 2 much hoopla over it and lots of people got turned off.Quite frankly, I can actually see great deal of the cool potential uses of this gadget. Third-party apps for making music, games, newsprints and magazines and books, tons of neat stuff, but they just didn’t really sell it very well (aside from the books). It looks rather unfinished
This is the key point I was hoping the stress Elnora – the iPad does indeed look unfinished as you say, probably because even Apple think of it as being so. Like the iPhone we shall have to wait until the later versions (2.0 and 3.0 for want of better terminology) for the iPad to really hit its full potential.
Apple have a track record (once again, as seen with the recent iPhone – but also the earlier iPod) of releasing products in what might seem a fairly early stage – with significant developments still in the pipeline. This allows them to access (and define) the market early – but also to respond to users’ experiences and feedback with the device.
We shall wait and see for more on the iPad, but I expect it will remain a hot topic for 2010 for sure.
Thanks for your comments,
Dejan
Hey awesome post! I enjoyed that.
im loving the ipad personally. what do you think of it now? was it upto your standards?
So, it seems the main gripe, besides the stupid “it is just a big iPhone” was the missing multitasking, which is being taken care of by iP 4.0. The screen will not bother anybody not reading a LOT of books, and that market will most likely have bought a Kindle or other tablet already.
And, oh yes, you can always rest your eyes by checking your mail and RSS items, etc. And finally, I’m sorry, but bloggers form a very small, and very quirky lot, so they don’t count for much. So I’m waiting patiently, as many, if not most prospective Apple customers with knowledge of how products are launched are doing. And it was clear from the beginning Apple announced early to preempt other launches, and wanted to start deliveries asap, even with an as yet slightly incomplete product. And their sales up to now validate their strategy! Wait and see how it will take off!
It’s interesting to read this some months after launch. The iPad has of course been successful and has forced other manufacturers to follow suit. Even next, a clothing company, had a go with a lamentable device which got trashed. You can hardly get onto a train or attend a seminar without seeing someone with an iPad.
The apps for iPads are increasing (iPhone apps do work in iPad but won’t take full advantage from it) and tablets are all the buzz. The iPad will be the most popular gadget this Christmas.
Naturally there are future versions planned and are coming down the pike. We’re on the 4th generation of iPhones on which you can film and edit and publish HD video. By the time we get to the 4th generation iPad who knows what it will be capable of?
I think it’s logical to include Facetime with a camera on the screen side. I’m less certain about it having a camera on it’s back, simply because of usability. It’s shape is awkward for video capture, even still image capture would be struggle…
.. but being able to record and produce audio podcasts with Garageband would be entirely feasible.
With the excellent products from Bytesquared, you don’t need Microsoft on the iPad, but their Office for iPad will eventually be released on the market.
I don’t think tablets will entirely replace the laptop but I suspect they will become a very popular alternative due to its lightness and convenience. Certainly when I’m out and about, almost all of what I do can be done with an iPad, which means my laptop has become my new desktop.