Big hopes for the iPad’s impact
With all the hype surrounding the recent announcement of the much anticipated Apple iPad, there have been ample discussions as to the significance of this new device. With statements such as “it’s just a big iPod Touch” and “it will fail because it lacks [a camera, multitasking, support for Flash, a standard USB port],” it is evident that there are mixed emotions amongst industry experts regarding the anticipated arrival of this new product.
Andy Hunt, co-founder of The Pragmatic Programmers, holds the opinion that ultimately the iPad will redefine how we interact with computing devices. In an interview with Michael Swaine for PragPub, Hunt is quoted saying: “Over the course of time, this style of tablet device may well become the primary computing interface for most people.”
Could it be that despite all the criticism, Apple may just be on the brink of taking interaction with computing devices to a whole new level? Similar to the way the iPod redefined the music industry, the iPad could yet be another Steve Jobs creation that will redefine computing to the masses.
Initially the hype will subside, but that certainly won’t be the end of it. We’re anticipating colossal change – the evolution of communication technology. Just imagine a computing experience with no mouse, no stylus, no fixed keyboard – you can customize your iPad to whatever suites your needs, situations, personalities – the possibilities are limitless.
Take it one step further, and think about the iPad as introducing the masses to the possibility of cloud computing, where common applications are accessible online using a web browser regardless of the user’s location or the device they’re using, i.e. PC, mobile phone and now the iPad. Instead of loading copious amounts of software applications which require plenty memory and storage space, cloud computing allows you to log into a web based service which hosts all the programs the user requires. Instantly the hardware and software demands of the user are decreased, therefore, with the user utilising the iPad with cloud computing, he/she has no need to lug around a larger device. Although this might not be foreseeable when bearing in mind the number of limitations the iPad has, the next generation iPads could see even more potential, growth and movement towards this concept.
Many criticised the section during the announcement of the iPad where Steve Jobs’ is relaxing on a couch, conducting and commentating on a demonstration on how the iPad works as ‘boring’. However, it wasn’t his commentary on browsing the web that was meant to grab your attention; it was his experience and interaction with the iPad that was meant to enthral you. Jobs was simply showing us how the 9.7” tactile display with multi-touch capabilities and the 1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip processor makes for a superior user experience.
The iPad creates a new experience in computing, and this is where its success lies – with the user. So before we condemn this device on its inadequacies (even before we have had the pleasure of test driving it ourselves), let’s see exactly what the iPad does for us and how, or even if, it will change the way we use computers as we know it.
Category: Uncategorized, WWW Site
I’m with the fact that tablet computing could very well become the standard in years to come. It makes sense really, and I’m pretty excited to see where it goes. I just find it annoying that Apple are getting the cred for starting this wave off when tablets have been around for longer than the iPad. Plus, other tablets use proper grown-up operating systems (Windows, Linux…), not like the iPhone/iPad OS which is more restrictive. This is fine for a mobile device like a phone, but not for high-end computing or even mid-level computing.
I can’t see a tablet with a mobile OS replacing a laptop or netbook, so yeah – I’m totally behind tablet computing, but I just don’t think the iPad is practical if it’s supposed to be a substitute for laptops/netbooks. Companies like Lenovo and HP have got this right with their tablets, but I think Apple fell short in this case.
I can’t help spotting some parallels with the release of a new U2 album: Critics the world-over gather increasing momentum and public airtime slagging off what is initially classified “too far from the tree” or “having lost the plot” or even “a sign of decline”, but scatter quickly when said album flattens award shows, out-sells previous albums, sets new benchmarks for scores of copycat artists and ultimately endears their efforts to a new legion of fans.
Or is it just me?
My one concern is, who would in fact use this? I’m in the IT industry, and well, I just don’t see a big demand for a tablet pc in any shape or form, let alone the (aptly named) iPad.
Could it be for those hordes that don’t want to lug about an actual notepad? Or is it for a complete technophile? Another question stands, if it uses touchscreen, what about those people with sausage fingers that WANT to be on the cutting edge of technology, realising they can’t really use said touchscreen device, of their aforementioned sausage fingers?
I honest to God, think that this is just another (really expensive) paperweight. Please prove me wrong.
I think this will be like all apple stuff, we’ll buy it because it looks better than the competition, both in hardware and interface, curse it later when we realise that it was not a good as it could have been and the clever interface has been copied by every one else and made into what it should have been from day 1.
So I say bring on the HP Slate.