The IPad - Especially Good for Old People

OK, so the cat's been out of the bag for a few days. I'm assuming if you're taking the time to read this, you've probably read a few other articles detailing what the iPad has, and doesn't have by now.

Some people were happy, some people weren't, and a lot of people made fun of the name. I assumed before the release, that it would in fact be named the iPad. It would be the easiest to brand, and any jokes would just create more word of mouth branding, and will eventually get old. Some of the people who were underwhelmed seem to have been looking for the iPad to completely replace the laptop and capabilities of being a media center. They were disappointed by the iPad's inability to multitask, lack of flash support, and front facing camera. Two are software and not hardware issues. The majority of Skype users I know prefer not to use the camera when making calls, myself included. I'm sure there will be a camera accessory within a few months of release for those who must have one. I'm expecting that at some point Apple will release an update to include multitasking for all their devices. I'm not holding my breath for Flash support since Hulu and Netflix streaming compete with iTunes Rentals and Apple TV. Also, the addition of flash downloads would most likely cripple AT&T's already strained network. If you're looking for a device to watch Netflix, Hulu, and porn on the go, the iPad probably isn't for you.

Since getting an iphone in April, it's been like my extra limb. I haven't touched my digital camera. I stopped using my PSP and DS because the games from the App store are cheaper. I also use the Air Mouse app as a wireless keyboard and mouse for my laptop when plugged into my TV. When I include the phone and iPod, it's taken the place of 7 devices. As much as I was anticipating the release, I realistically didn't expect the iPad to have the equivalent technological impact as the iphone.

If what we're seeing now, is what we'll get at the initial release, then the iPad isn't a must have for me; at least not yet. For my father, it's a different story.

My father is in his 70's and spends most of his time in bed reading. He doesn't use the internet despite having a desktop and a Wi-Fi network, because he seems to be intimidated by learning how get around and manage it. It was easy for him to learn how to navigate my iphone, while I was showing him what it can do. He expressed interest in finding an easy way to navigate the internet for reading Wikipedia, watching Youtube how-to videos, ordering/reading books, and playing chess. The iPad is perfect for his needs, so he's getting one. Once I set it up for him, he can call me if he needs help figuring something out. The touch screen makes it a great entry level device for elderly people who still don't use the internet. If you can read and touch the screen, you can figure it out.

For the rest of us, it probably won't replace the television for watching TV and movies, and a desktop/laptop for heavy computer use. It may have a place as the perfect home roaming pinch hitting device. My fiancé reads a lot of fashion and cooking magazines. She wants one for when she travels. I play video games. We both look up a lot of stuff on the internet, and we both only read a few books per year. We would use it heavily for browsing/shopping, reading magazines/books, playing video games, storing recipes, skype, and the Air Mouse app for controlling my media center. I'm guessing the iPad will be useful for storing text books for students, and some work since there's at least one app for working on Word and Excel files. The size of the touch screen also allows for multiple people to play traditional board games, like chess, checkers, scrabble, etc, simultaneously. For these reasons, I do believe the iPad is capable of filling the niche between the netbook, reader, and also portable gaming devices for the average consumer. The $499 entry price is relatively cheap, unless you compare it to a laptop. I was expecting at least $600 for a Wi-Fi only device, and wasn't expecting contract free service.

I think the iPad may have as much of an impact, if not more of an impact, on the portable gaming industry than it will on the publishing industry. There's a greater average price discount for a platform game being available in the app store, than the difference in price between a new hardcover and book download. The app store changed how software is distributed and used on iphones and iPod touches, which are both small devices. The iPad is a larger device with better computing power. Better software is bound to emerge for entertainment, businesses and creative purposes. When I eventually buy one, I'll probably re-subscribe to the magazines I've let lapse, and read a few more books, which I can see other people to doing as well. The app store has proven, if you can provide a monstrous amount of content for people to easily buy on a portable device, they'll most likely buy some of it.

Overall I think the iPad is a good product for consumers, music and video content distributers, publishers, programmers, and stockholders. At some point I'll buy one, but I'll probably wait for the 2^nd generation. In a year the 1^st gens will probably price drop by $100 across the board. 2^nd gen iPads will probably have some additional features, more storage, better hardware, and a ton of new software will be out by then. My must have purchase this year will be upgrading my iPhone 3G to the next iPhone.

Sources:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/live-from-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event/
http://gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad?skyline=true&s=i
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/01/a-closer-look-at-apples-new-tablet-the-ipad/