In Defense of Apple's iPad
IDefend the iPad (however Hideously Named)
Rumors have been floating around the web for years about a speculated Apple tablet. And in 2005 Apple was granted a patent for a tablet that is very similar to the one announced January of 2010. Note: I guess some rumors can be true after all.
When the iPod Touch and iPhone were released we saw a massive change in the way phones were made. Quickly Samsung released the Instinct, LG released the Voyager, HTC released their own touch-screen phone as well as Google with the G1. Apple is well-known for changing the market. Will the iPad be another revolutionary step?
With the past revolution of the iPhone, there has been an increase in usage of the iPhone as an e-book reader, e-mail receiver, movie player, and video game system. The market is booming and a larger screen (and slightly more capabilities) dramatically improves bringing everything to one device.
A Google search will provide you with article after article tearing down the new baby in the Apple family. Here's what I see wrong with those views.
No Multi-tasking. This is the same issue that the iPhone has, you can't do two things at once. While save features are increasing, it's still impossible to write an e-mail and be on Facebook at the same time. Closing an app means you temporarily end the processes. I'm assuming that music can still be played, as on the iPhone, while you are surfing the web, but there definitely needs to be some sort of docking mechanism for dragging a quote to place in iWork for instance.
No camera. I honestly expected a camera on this device. And this could quite possibly be what will keep me from buying an iPad for this generation. Second generation will no doubt include one (but that's only my guess). Oh, how amazing Skype-ing would be.
No memory card slots. I am not so certain that I agree with this complaint. I do think it would be a nice feature, but the iPad comes with ample flash memory on-board. If you feel you need more, spend the extra $100 or $200 to have the extra space. Expensively priced electronics are an investment, if the space is necessary then save up for what you need. The extra peripheral will be great for those who need it because I, for instance, don't.
No USB ports. I do not agree with this complaint. This is not a computer, this is an over-sized iPod. If you are looking for a netbook, go with a PC.
Poor synchronizing options. Like the iPod, if you are sharing a computer that is syncing to multiple iPods then you will have some disagreement on what appears on your iPod. With this being a more business-oriented and more personal device than before and most useful when syncing your e-mails, photos, and contacts, having multiple devices sharing one computer will get to be a tricky thing. This isn't a device issue, though, it's a software issue. Apple needs to incorporate accounts in iTunes so each user can decide what goes on their device. That, or allow drag and drop from computer to iPad.
Poorly named. iPad? Come on. We've all read the jokes (or written the jokes ourselves) but deep down, you know you love the iPad and will someday own one. I'm hoping, though, that Apple loses the rights to the name. That way they will be forced to change the name to something more acceptable like the iSlate, iTablet, or iKillTheKindle. Something like that.
Apple's feeling the heat. But this Apple is crisping quite deliciously. With all the above-mentioned tweets and articles, popularity is growing. I predict a hit. The iPad is a step in the right direction.
But hear this Apple: I will not buy an iPad until I see a camera mounted at the top. Nor will I settle for an overly-priced camera peripheral. FYI.
Please leave your thoughts (or jokes) on the iPad in the comments section below.
Published by Christopher Content
Freelance writer, photographer, aspiring author, and student at Carleton College. Experimenting with various social media and writing sites. View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentGreat article. Laura Everly
You make some great points. I like your style of writing. Although, I must say, the two exceptional things the iPad has over any other tablet out there, is its gorgeous 9.7 inch LED-backlit screen, and the fact that it is the only tablet computer to have an unlimited data plan for $29.99.
You can not currently read books (minus the few specific apps for specific books) on the iPhone, nor is it a comfortable place to read books. The calendar features are limited. The contacts features are limited. And being able to use the already available apps is a plus, not a selling point. There will be apps that are iPad-only, like iWork. This really is just a faster, stronger, larger iPod Touch. And I myself am curious to see how the device grows. But I can think of a million uses in my life. I'm excited for the desk calendar use, the notepad use, and using it for entertainment on flights or for reading. If it is not useful to you, that's fine, don't buy it. But Apple doesn't have to accommodate everyone. By bridging the gap, I mean that it will make iPod processes easier, while still allowing the iPod to be the most portable. It will bring information for your macbook while allowing the macbook to still be your first choice for computing. Gap bridged.
iPad-horrendous name indeed..I like iTab much better but Apple hasn't hired me as a consultant-good job on pointing out pros and cons.
How would this device bridge a gap between the iPhone and Macbook? There's nothing to connect all three together and it's missing more features than the iPhone and definitely doesn't compete with a Macbook. Not to mention that the iPhone already has every app that the iPad will get. There's not even a reason to get an iPad and your better off getting a netbook to put your music on your iPhone/iTouch. Please be more specific on how it 'bridges the gap'...
Wish they would make up their minds on names before they unroll them.
@Rox B: Thank you. It is supposed to bridge the gap, but not replace either one. No Apple product will replace the functions of another simply because they want you to buy both. So it fills the gap, assuming you already own a Mac book/air/pro and an iPod/iPhone. Lastly, the iPad is not a netbook, and I find some flaws in that article you linked. If you are comparing weather to buy an iPad or a Netbook, great, but they are not on the same level. I see the iPad being something I can take to class and on the go to take notes, check my facebook, check my e-mail, update my calendar, and to read with. The netbook is simply a small computer. See what I'm getting at? Either way, your link is a good addition to the article, I wish people would post them more often.
@jus sayin: Yes, I know that HTC had a touch screen phone before then, but the style in which they developed them had changed after the iPhone. Apple has a huge effect on the electronic market, but that isn't to say they are the ONLY reason for change. I am aware that they did not invent the touch screen, for instance Palm has had touch screen since the early 2000's. Sorry if my article did not make that clear.
uhh... You realize that HTC had touchscreen winmo phones long before the iPhone came into fruitation correct? The way you stated how they released touchscreen phones because of the release of the iPhone iTouch makes me think that you believe Apple invented the touchscreen phone. Even Sony had touchscreen phones before the Apple invented the iPhone. I owned them.
There is part of me that believes Apple creates their own backlash by overhyping their products before release. I did enjoy this more positive take on the iPad, though.