iPad first impressions. Below in my comments are my first impressions of the iPad. Continue reading if you want to see a crazy guy’s opinion on this new device after only 24 hours. I promise I will try to keep it short. ;)
So the argument has been, what can the iPad do that the iPhone can’t do. At first glance it’s just a bigger screen but I’ve found that it is much much more than just that.
Now that the iPad launch craze is over and we’ve had a day to get our heads back on straight past the hype. I’ve had the opportunity to purchase one via pre-order on launch day and have spent a quite a few hours loading, configuring and testing what this new tablet device has to offer. Already there are many sites that have excellent biased and unbiased reviews on the product and loaded software so I’m reserving this to only my opinion and how it affects me and my business. For a technical review, go to endgaget’s iPad review. Out of the ones I’ve read, they have the most objective. Cnet is also a good one.
The physical
Essentially it is an over glorified iPod touch but only with the look and interface, the comparison stops there. It’s a hefty 1.5 lbs so it’s no featherweight you can just flip around in your hands like paper. I start to feel a little wear after holding it one handed after about 5 minutes. I’m sure over time I will build up some massive forearms. The build is solid. First impression is that this is not a flimsy device and you actually feel like you’re holding a slate. It feels good to hold and made of very strong material. The glass is shatter resistant so if you break it, it won’t go into a million pieces as demonstrated by the kid and a baseball bat on you tube.
The Speed
One of the things I’ve hated about computing is visible lag which affects the overall experience. So far, after loading 155 apps, the system runs smoothly with no hiccups. It’s fast, responsive and fun. Old iPhone apps blaze and new iPad apps take advantage of the new processor and screen real-estate. I have yet to experience a full 3D game like the first person shooter but from what I’ve seen, the 3D graphics array is definitely up to the task.
The Keyboard
A lot of press has been focused on the virtual keyboard. Obviously it can’t replace a 101 keyboard as far as ease of typing a novel so I won’t even try to compare it. It’s like driving on a small spare tire. It’s enough to get you to your destination but don’t rely on it for the long haul. Like getting use to the keypad on the iPhone it will take a little getting used to but I think in about a week I will be keying in at about 60 wpm, which is about a third of my top rate on my keyboard and 4 times faster than iPhone. I actually like it and my only idea to improve the keyboard is to make a thumbable version of it while holding in portrait. Split the keys at the bottom where the thumbs can reach and we’re golden!
The Use
Fun fun fun! I love it because it’s not a PC. It’s not a computer and it’s not an iPod. Applications are simple and easy to use, fast and snappy. Having the extra screen makes for a lot of better applications meant for that environment. I’ve only been able to play with three dozen iPad apps but from what I’ve seen, it’s not an iPod touch. Surfing the web on it is far better than a laptop or netbook and e-mail is amazing. It’s so much nicer to get to my information that way.
I watched more TV on it that I have in the past couple of weeks! Streaming ABC and Netflix is incredible and I’m blown away at how easy it is. I’m glad I got rid of cable a year ago! I was never much of a comic book reader but I may start now with how easy it is to download Marvel comics! Impressive. Reading periodicals is fun again, no more flipping through paper magazines and it will be a thing of the past for me! I can definitely see it reviving the magazine and newspaper industries as they migrate to this new medium.
I liked reading books on my iPhone but I LOVE reading them on the iPad. Having a small screen is nice and definitely doable but having a huge screen makes the experience that much more enjoyable. Full color and backlit display will totally blow away e-ink.
The Games
iPhone OS has taken off as a gaming platform in a very short amount of time. With the iPad I can only see it continuing to dominate as people realize the amazing potential this device has to offer. Areas previously untouched by other gaming handhelds are easily done with the iPad. Games like RTS, sims, strategy and even FPS will find a happy home here. I’m tempted to buy the FPS game that people are raving about right now!
The Practical
Now on to the real reason why I got the iPad. Not because I’m an uber geek needing the latest and greatest although it had something to play in the decision. I don’t just jump on any bandwagon unless it has practical application. I even was a 2nd gen iPhone adaptor (to my regret), so I can wait if necessary. I got this because I spend a lot of time on the road, in airports, at conferences.
The iPad goes far beyond the casual home couch potato but can become an intensive everyday business and education tool. I got it to first understand the potential it has in education and then in business and I see both being very practical. For business I will be using it as a mobile presenter. The power point application called Presenter is built in such a way that it takes advantage of the platform and exceed even PowerPoint in ease of use. How snazzy would it be for me to say let me show you about my business and whip out this tablet and take them through the presentation. I like how one reviewer put it, “taking out a laptop is so impersonal, you have a barrier between you and your customer.” Hooking the thing up to a projector this week will be even cooler! Can’t wait!
When I travel I can think of numerous occasions when I needed something bigger than just the iPhone so I would have to pull out my netbook, wait for it to come out of hibernation, connect to my MiFi device and then log into gmail and compose an e-mail, log into my VNC, send out a proposal and then put hibernate it because I only have three hours of battery. Not too bad considering I couldn’t do it that easily three years ago it wasn’t possible six years ago but the iPad is better. Now, I hit the on switch, check my e-mail, compose a simple message, log into my VNC, send out a fax and then I’m off to reading my facebook. In both cases it can be done but we’re always looking for easier ways to do the things we do often and that makes it a good business decision. There will be other great uses for it I’m sure I will find out this week as I travel to Texas and back. The true field test.
In education I can see how students will no longer have to carry laptops or heavy tree killing books and have this hold their entire library of books and comics from High School on to College. As a kid I hated books. They were heavy, caused my shoulder to ache, hard to search through, and often gave me paper cuts. It’s nice to read on a laptop but nicer to read on this slate.
But it goes beyond just converting our texts to books. Interactive elements and learning objects can be embedded along with text to give the learner a fully immersive experience. In my industry it’s important to me to not just recreate the old and put it in a new medium. Text on a computer is still text but it can be so much more. Already I’ve seen amazing renditions of the periodic table on this tablet that will blow you away.
iPad vs iPhone vs Netbook
The argument of the day is, can it replace a laptop? My answer is no, but not because it can’t replace it but it’s like comparing apples to oranges. If you want a device to compose your next novel, IM, tweet, skype and plug your camera in to photoshop your zit off, then a laptop is what you need. If you need a device to check your e-mail, read periodicals, update your social media status, and play games then get an iPhone. If you want to do more, than get an iPad. I can tell you for sure I won’t be taking out my netbook when I travel any more, but I guess this week will tell me how practical it is.
Conclusion
This first impression write-up became much larger than I expected. I guess I had a lot more opinions that I originally thought. I wanted to summarize the iPad with this.
If you have a practical application for this device, you should get it. If you don’t have a practical application for this device and have $$$ to burn, get it. If you have neither of the two, don’t get it and save your money for future copycats. Now that Apple has set the bar, competition will drive into this market in the next two years as we all migrate away from old methods and adopt a new way of getting our media. Times are changing fast so you can either get on the train of innovation or sit on the trolley of contentment. To each his own.
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