Where’s my iTablet!
Disclaimer: I am not an Apple hater: I've owned two Apple laptops, a 3rd generation iPod, and two iPhones, and loved each and every device.
I'll admit, when the rumor mill started about the Apple tablet (you know, like years ago) I was excited. I have always wanted a tablet: I've always wanted a device smaller than my work laptop, where I can take to meetings or on the road with me where I can jot down notes, perform simple tasks such as email and surf the web, and look at documents if need be.
I have two device types current which I depend on throughout my entire day: my iPhone, which is a quick reference guide to my life and any information I may need no matter where I am, and my laptop, which is where I conduct business.
What is missing, from an organizational standpoint, is a middle ground. The iPhone is just too slow for me to jot down notes throughout the day, and voice recording is sometimes impossible. My computer is not always next to me and when it is, sometimes it's not in a state where I can easily access the information I need or where I can jot down notes.
For years I've thought that the tablet PC was the answer to this problem. The concept of flipping the monitor around and hand writing notes and diagrams has always appealed to me. However, I was never really comfortable with the price, especially when most of the tablets had Microsoft Windows on them (nothing against it, I just felt the computers were underpowered to handle a full OS)
Fast forward to this year, where I was practically PROMISED an Apple tablet. I own a Macbook Pro, and love how quickly I go from opening the lid to using the computer. I love the interface, the usability. It's clean, usable and all in all fun. If it had tablet functionality, I'd be all set! Finally the announcement came, and we were presented the iPad. I guess the device is cool and has its uses, but there's one problem:
IT'S NOT A TABLET!
Aside from my opinions of the device itself (ahem, iTouch XL), it's missing key components which make a tablet PC great: stylus functionality and multitasking. The operating system should have been a slightly stripped down version of OS X, and not a beefed up version of the iPhone OS.
Am I asking for too much from Apple? I don't think so, because I, like the rest of the world was anticipating a tablet. An Apple tablet would have been awesome. Knowing Apple, they would have refined the handwriting detection, it would be a dream to use, and I would be excited to get my hands on one.
I guess I will have to wait for that day to come... I will NOT be getting an iPad. Sorry Apple.
January 28th, 2010 - 00:46
It sounds like the iPad can do what you wanted: a smaller portable device that can jot down notes, perform simple tasks such as email and surf the web, and look at documents if need be. It just doesn’t have handwriting and a stylus. Those seem like two good things to me. *shrug* Also, I have to disagree, it IS a tablet, as defined by “tablet PC refers to a slate shaped mobile computer device, equipped with a touchscreen or stylus to operate the computer”.
Not to white knight, Apple can throw out some duds, but I don’t think the iPad is one of them.
On a related topic, it seems most of the big issues are really not that big a deal.
As for multitasking, I have yet to see anyone come up with a compelling reason beyond “I want to listen to Pandora while I ____” and is a good way to murder your battery life (ask any Droid owner)
Flash is going to die (a welcome death) at the hands of HTML5, and Hulu said they plan to EVENTUALLY move away from flash for their video.
Thick bezel? Conveniently thumb width, almost like it was by design or something.
Keyboard typing issues? Just like everyone in the world had with the iPhone for the first week they owned it.
No camera? Oh no. I will have to continue to never video chat with anyone ever. (Does anyone over 14 _really_ use video chat? Yeah, I didn’t think so.)
I think this is a great starting point for the device, and it will fill a hole between laptop and iPhone well. Look how far the iPhone has come since its launch. Apple has shown that the experience on Day 1 only gets better.
On a final note, have you talked with anyone who hasn’t spent the last few weeks dreaming about what wonka-esque device would be appearing today? The response has been amazingly positive. Remember, the tech community dissing this device now were the same ones who chided the iPod back in 2001, and the mini a few years after that.
Also, you can use it while you poop!
January 28th, 2010 - 09:09
If Apple designed a tablet with a writing device, I wouldn’t have posted this. I had a need, I felt that with all the rumors going around my need was fulfilled, and it wasn’t. I and many others feel that way.
I didn’t attack anything specific about the iPad, but because you felt the need to address them, I will counter-point them:
Multitasking: It should be a choice. I should be allowed to and recognize that the battery life will drain. By Apple not letting me do that, it impedes on how I want to use the device. It’s a negative. If you can live with it (I do with my iPhone and have no problems) fine.
Flash: It’s not going to die any time soon. Devices coming out currently should not be abandoning it.
Thick Bezel: I cant really comment without seeing it. You may be right, but it looks awkward.
Keyboard: I think the keyboard they designed with it is best they could do with a touch screen. I’d prefer a physical keyboard, but that would require more hardware.
Camera: I agree that this device doesn’t need a camera. The 14-year old argument however, I don’t agree with. As the world gets smaller, offices start to spread and telecommunication becomes more standard, web cams and streaming videos are going to be a large part of corporate life.
Oh, and you can also use your iPhone while you poop. The iPad doesn’t cover any of my needs, therefore I will not be purchasing it.