5 Reasons the Apple IPad May NOT Be Business Ready

To use the Apple iPad for business purposes, it must be the single piece of technology you need for business. The Apple iPad has some pretty serious, though much less glamorous, competition in this arena-netbooks.

The cheapest Wi-Fi enabled Apple iPad at $449, is pricey when compared to the most basic netbook. Price, though, isn't everything. And Apple has carved a very successful business niche in selling high priced, super stylish devices.

There is little doubt that the Apple iPad will be a superior entertainment tablet. Add to the iPod Touch, iPhone and Apps experience we are already familiar with, an ebook reader app called iBooks and the iBookstore, and you've got a one stop, slick entertainment powerhouse. In this arena the Apple iPad will likely be superior to a netbook.

While entertainment may be important for hours on long flights, without the ability to perform at least basic business functions, a less entertainment worthy netbook may still be a road warrior's better option.

When it comes to some business basics, the Apple iPad, in its current guise, appears to have some limitations.

1. Multi-tasking

Given that the iPhone OS isn't capable of true multi-tasking either, it should come as no surprise that this feature is lacking in the Apple iPad. But multi-tasking is a key business function. And lack of multi taking, means this device is more smartphone than netbook.

Apple have released the iWork software bundle specifically for the iPad, taking advantage of its larger screen. Each application, Pages (documents), Numbers (spreadsheets) and Keynote (presentations) are available for $9.99 a piece.

Just don't try to keep more than one app open at a time.

2. Expandable storage

The Apple iPad has three storage options, 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB. Bad luck if you need more storage capacity than 64GB. There is no USB support to add portable storage or even an SD memory slot like most Smartphone's, except the iPhone, now offer.

The Apple iPad is designed to be synced with a computer. While this is the case, it's not unlikely to be a viable business machine.

3. Keyboard dock - Yes; Mouse - No!

To use use the Apple iPad for any kind of serious data entry, you will need to purchase a iPad Keyboard dock for $69, bringing the price of the entry level device to $508. But at this time there appears to be no way to connect a mouse.

So even if you use an RDP app such as JAADU ($25 from the App store) to connect to a remote computer, you won't be controlling it with a mouse.

4. No Powercord - Correction 3/18/2010

A 10W USB Power Adaptor will ship with the Apple iPad.

Additional power adaptors sold as an accessory for $29 a piec, will (currently) ship early in May. Thanks to "Just the Facts" for the correction..

5. Is there an App for that?

Apple state that the majority of the 150,000 apps in the Tunes app store run on iPad. Which is great. But no one would suggest for a moment that you could use your iPod Touch or iPhone as your primary business computer running those Apps.

Those Apps are also optimized for the much smaller iPhone and iPod Touch screens. Apple iPad developer activity is up since the Apple iPad launch, but are the apps to make the iPad a viable business device available yet? Doubtful. Will they be available? No doubt. The question is when.

Apple described the iPad as a category changing device, filling the gap between smartphone and netbook. Without some new Apple iPad targeted apps, that elevate the Apple iPad from a "big iPod Touch" giving it some netbook type flexibility, Apple appear to have failed in that goal.

Let's hope those Apple iPad App developers can deliver on Steve Jobs' claim. And if they can't? Will we all still rush out and buy an Apple iPad? You bet. Just because the Apple iPad isn't a viable device for generic business purposes, doesn't mean it isn't an outstanding consumer device.

Sources:
Apple website