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January 28, 2010 | Apple | 19 CommentsThe latest creation coming out of Cupertino, Apple’s headquarters, is the iPad. As Steve Jobs announced on Wednesday night, the device is going to fill the gap between smartphones and laptops. It has a 9.7″ capacitive touchscreen that runs a operating system very similar to the one we see on the iPhone. Apps that currently run on your iPhone and iPod touch will also run on the iPad.
Here are some of tech specs; It weighs just .68kg and is just over 13mm thick. Battery life is around 10 hours and it comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models. There are 2 versions of the iPad, WiFi only and Wifi and 3G. The 3G model makes use of micro-sims, which I’m not sure if service providers in South Africa support.
So what does it do?
Think of it as your laptop without its keyboard and you used your fingers on the screen to control it. You can browse the web, manage your email, flick through photos, watch video, stream Youtube videos, play games, listen to music, connect to iTunes, read books, make notes and manage your calendar. With Apple also developing its iWork set of apps for the iPad, you can also create presentations, spreadsheets and documents.
One of the features Steve Jobs highlighted was iBooks. You are able to read and purchase books directly on the iPad and with the entry level iPad retailing for $499, that pretty much kills the Kindle, Amazon’s e-reader. One thing we will have to wait to find out is if reading books on the iPad is as easy on the eyes as Amazon’s Kindle.
Some of the accessories that Apple have designed to go along with the iPad is a bluetooth keyboard dock, a camera connector kit and an Apple case.
Pricing
The entry level iPad will retail in the US for $499 (R3800). For South Africans, I wouldn’t bet on it costing less than R4500 when it does hit our shores. The 3G versions are going to be more popular as WiFi isn’t has widespread in SA has it is in the rest of the world, so we will have to wait to find out if Vodacom or Core (Apple distributors in SA) will stock them.
What’s wrong with the iPad
There are a number of shortcomings with the device too. There is no built-in camera which would of been great for video conferencing, it cannot run multiple applications (just like the iPhone) and it doesn’t run Flash, which will hamper the browsing experience.
Verdict on the iPad
Would I buy one and if I did, what would I use it for? I think I would look pretty stupid sitting in a coffee shop browsing the web or checking Facebook on this massive touch screen iPhone looking device. Where I could find real use for the iPad is for business. Imagine taking the iPad into a meeting. You could use it for taking notes, using it for a presentation, display figures in a spreadsheet, show off designs to a client, browse the web quickly and then pass around the iPad to others to use. It really has the WOW factor and will grab everyone’s attention in the room. So for those reasons, I would buy one. For personal use, I don’t think I’m sold. My Macbook Pro and iPhone do a brilliant job already, I just can’t see me using the iPad for day to day tasks.
What do you think of the iPad? Vote in our poll in the sidebar and leave comments below!
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No multi tasking? No USB? No camera? They missed a big opportunity. I don’t need a over sized iPod touch. The iPad should have taken aim at Netbooks. #fail
Despite my early disappointment, I’ve realised this device brings about the beginning of the distinction between “portable” computing and “mobile” computing.
i for one would not buy one. who wants a device where you can’t multi-task? they say you can browse the web but yet there is no flash? that is just not for me. it looks nice, but they could have added those functions then i might have been impressed. it will just feel like a glorified iPhone just without the phonecalls.
maybe they will change all this when they bring out the gen2 of it? who knows.
Jason I think even for business presentations it is not sufficient.
Because it can’t multitask you can’t take notes and present, which is sometimes the case. So you will still need to bring your trusty notepad.
Jobs said that Netbooks don’t do anything better than a laptop. But what does this do that is better than a laptop?
Again Apple seems to use hype to trick people into buying a vastly inferior product. Like they did with the 1st gen iPhone.
The 3rd gen iPad will probably be a better bet.
I agree no Camera and no USB #FAIL
But I like the Apple case accessory
Despite any notion of negativity, people will buy this in the millions. Why? Because Apple consistently deliver superior products with superior UI’s that are easy to use and enjoy. Everything has “negatives”, it all depends on your point of view.
@Charl, I tend to agree. It really is an oversized iPod Touch.
@Geoffrey, I’m hoping the 2nd version of the iPad will do a great deal more. Take the iPhone as an example. 2nd and 3rd gen iPhones have come along leaps and bounds!
@David, I suppose so, but I do think the WOW factor of using it in a meeting, especially as a designer, will enhance your delivery.
@Henre, I think a lot of people will wait for the 2nd or 3rd gen iPad to come out. Apple does have a knack for releasing products too soon.
Thanks for all the comments! I’ll be in touch with regards to your Connect mags.
Jason
I have to say I think it’s a really nifty piece of hardware but because it’s between a MacBook Pro and a iPhone I have to agree with you. It’s not portable enought that I would always carry it around with me like the iPhone or powerful enough that I would use it as a Macbook Pro replacement.
I do however see potential for non power users that use their personal computer to only read emails and browse the web. Also I think as an home automation controller, eBook reader and portable game station.
It definitely is an vast improvement on the kindle but it cost double that of the non dx version.
I think the applications of the iPad will end up determining the success of it.
@Charl and Geoff I agree that things have been left out that should’ve been there. I’d add a real GPS to that list.
@David Make notes and present at the same time? What? Remind me not to go to one of your presentations. Anyway, I’ve moved 90% of what I do online to my iPhone, the iPhone limits me, a touch enabled tablet (regardless of who makes it) is a better way of using the internet.
@henre I think that’s a bit harsh, most mobile manufactures are still trying to play catchup to the 1st gen iPhone.
Finally, lets not forget, that had any other manufacture produced this device, everyone would be giddy with excitement and likely over look many of it’s flaws, however, since it’s Apple, people demand the perfection and tend to be overly critical. That grates me.
Definitely think the name is brand death but I would still want to buy one. Especially for meetings I agree, would be cool to show clients proposals and designs on this. If I could link wireless to a projector, it would be kick-ass for running presentations.
@Marcel, people will always find fault in everything. That being said, I also think the iPad will sell, just like EVERY other Apple product.
@Chris, just take a look at the apps on the iPhone. They will convert directly to the iPad, so you can bet thats not where the shortcomings of the device will be. I believe its in the hardware and getting people to understand where to use it!
@Heinrich, nothing Apple names is brand death! Yeah, for that exact reason I want one. I can just imagine rolling into a meeting with a brand new client with one of these things. I’ll win the pitch without having to do anything other than letting them touch it. Haha!
The fanboys will buy, but I am not convinced that most of us really need this.
Multitasking is a requirement for computing these days and unless I can start making calls on this easily it can’t replace my phone anytime soon.
Its a cool games & presentation device for sure, but what percentage of people who have laptops & cellphones need one of those – 1%?
My prediction is that this product will remain in the cool but relatively niche category (like Apple TV) until something else changes in the market (a killer app?) or some other technical things change (next version?)
I think it is great for 1st generation(except for the screen; should be OLED and expand to the edges). I would definatly buy one, if not 1st gen then definatly 2nd gen, for books and movies, it must be awesome!!!
Don’t you think we are also getting tired of the hype that Apple creates with every single event they put together? In the beginning it was fun, now, I find myself wanting to not like whatever Steve shows off on stage. Apple need a new way of delivering products. Over hyping is becoming irritating.
As an owner of both the iphone and macbook, I find the iPad to be interesting but not interesting enough to warrant a purchase. Chances are that it will be a huge commercial success but I’m not sure I get what need it is supposed to fulfill
@Jason – Apple don’t overhype it, the Press do.
@gary I disagree. Had Microsoft come out with this product it would be rubbished into oblivion for its lack of practicality, and rightly so. The only reason hype around the iPad exists is because it’s manufactured by Apple and unveiled by a ‘demigod’.
The iPad at this stage seems to represent what the 1st gen iPhone represented for mobile phones. Nothing more than a prototype for the future of tabletry.
From a s.african in the states point of view..
Its nothing new where technology is concerned and lacking in built in features thats more wideley used.And every app you put on there your going to pay for.I’m comparing it to the Sony Ericsons Experia X1 ,wich has all its features and came out almost 2 years ago wifi (that works great) ,windows mobile wich I know sounds like a drawback but after I’ve tested it now for quite some time come’s in handy and veery easy to get the apps your used to using , syncs with pc word excel ppoint notepad.It has adobe notepad and word as reader,and works fine for the Koontz or King you want to read.You have a wide variety of games if thats your thing.Built in 3.2 mp cam nightmodes sport functions svga vga and a whole bunch of different modes.And the full Q keyboard that slides out and you can also “surf the web with your fingertips” it has the pressure touch screen, not as lame as the google phone with a heat sensitive touch screen.Also comes with a veery handy touch thumb pad ,wich could be used for scrolling or with the mouse app to have a mouse pointer on screen.Multiple players makes it awsome for watching movies (if there isnt in flight) and because free is also great ..it comes with skype apps downloadable too .. thus you have a wifi point and installed skype you talk for free IM for free. It is multi band and comes service proviider unlocked and sd card caps at 16 gig I havent tried bigger due to a lack of bigger sd cards but the read speed on the 16 is lightning fast.Also a 3G phone so no connectivity problems.
The only drawback to me is the speaker on the phone.But if your llistening to anything I usually have my headset on.
I do love the I products..and think its end user friendly ,but if your into cheaper for a better product. I’d go with Sony Ericson’s, Experia X1